The Sun. — London, England, 1861-11-25 00:00:00

•1: 5 , 0 YAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GA.RDEN. Under the management of Miss Louisa Pyne. and Mr. Wm. Harrison, Sole Lessees. THIS EVENING, THE MARRIAGE OF GEORGETTE. Kiss Thirlwall and Mr. A. Core. After which, at Eight o'clock, ROBIN HOOD. Messrs. Eantley, George Honey. Pate all y, C. Ly, and Henry Haigh, Miss Susan Pyne, and Madame Guerrabella. Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON. Commence at Seven o'clock. The Box-office open from Ten to Five daily. No charge for Vookincr, or lees to Box-keepers. sta; ,.,,.m a nazer, Mr. Leigh Murray. Acting- 3lanager, Mr. Edward Murray. TiTEA'FRE.ROYAL, HAYMARKET, Lessee, Mr. J. B. Baukstone. THIS EVENING, the nerfornaanoes will commence with THE BALANCE OF COMFORT. After which, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Lord Dun dreary, Mr.. 5 Ahern. Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Farren, Mrs. C. Young, eze, Followed by JACK'S RETURN FROM CANTON. To oonclude with &IY HUSBAND'S GHOST. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM TH EATRE. Manaer—Mr. Edmund Falconer. T FITS EVENING, GONE TO TEXAS. Mr. Walter Lacy, Mrs. St. Henry. After which, at a quarter to Eight (14th time) the new and original Drama, entitled PEEP O' DAY ; or, Savourneen Deelish. Messrs. Walter Lacy, Hermann Vezin, Charles Selby, Edmun Falconer ; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston. Acting Manager—Mr. F. P• Chatterton. PTICPFI as usual. Doors open at half-past 8, to commence a' 7. 110 x-office open daily from it till 5. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Harris. 'l9l IS EVENING, JEANETTE'S WEDDING. Miss M. saryls and Mr. 11. Widdicomb. After which, at Eight o'clock, Shakespelre's tragedy of OTHELLO, with new scenery, dresses, and appointments. Othello, Mr Fechter EW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHL- Solo Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE PRETTY HORSEBREAKER. 11r. J. L. Toole, Mr. P. Bedford, and Miss Woolgar. Atter which, the new drama, entitled THE OCTOROON ; Or, LIFE IN LOUISIANA ; written by the author of "The Colleen Bawn." Mr. George Jamison, from the Winter garden, New York ; Miss Latimer, from the provincial thea tres ; and Miss Denvil, from the lyceum. The other prin cipal characters in the drama will be performed by Messrs. Imery, Stephenson Billington, Paul Bedford, Romer, Mrs. Billington. Mrs. Marston, &c., &c. Entirely new scenery by Messrs. Dalby and Thompson. To conclude with DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Mr. Toole, Miss K. Kelly, &c. Doors onen at half-past 6—Commence at 7. Box-office open from 10 till 5. No charge for booking. NEW ROYALTY THEATRE, Dean-street, Oxford-street. Under the Direction of Mdlle. Albina di Rhona. THIS EVENDTG, to commence with a new farce, en titled ALL IN THE DARK : Messrs. Butler, D. James, Worboys, Miss E. Wilton, dr-. After which, A THUMPING LEGACY. Followed by SMACK FOR SMACK. After which, Mdlle. di Rhona will appear in CAMELIA, and Dance two National Dances. Box-office open from 11 to 5. Doors open at half-past 6—Commence at Seven. C ANTERBU RY HALL CONCERTS, AND FINE ARTS GALLERY. MR. SAM COWELL EVERY EVENING in his New song, "THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT" (written expressly for him). Grand Selections from STRADELLA and LA HAVIATA, By Miss Russell, Miss Ernst, Mr. Herbert, and Signor Tivoli, with a powerful Chorus. The Comic department comprises all the principal favourites of the day, viz.: Mr. Sam Cowell ; Mr. Marshall, in his new song, "John Bull, you don't bamboozle me ;" Messrs. Harvey and French (the Nerves); Mr. Wood and his talented son, the best negro deineators; and Hiss Harriet Coveney Musical Director, Mr. Jonghmans. Admission—Hall, 6d. ; Stalls and Balcony, ls. T H E 0 X F O R D, 6, OXFORD-STREET. EVERY EVENING. Selections from " LA CIRCASSIENNE," " Simon Boecn- Merlyn," and "Ernani," by Miss Russell and Miss Ernst; Messrs. Albert (his first appearance), Morley Greville, Full Band and Chorus.—Conductor, Mr. F. Joughmans.— Balfe's new ballads by Miss Russell and Madame Erders solin (composed expressly for them). And Varied Comic Entertainments by Miss Harriet Coveney, Messrs. W. Ran dal:, Harvey and French (The Nerves), E. Marshall , an d SAM COW LL. Hall, 6d. ; Balcony and Stalls, 1s ; Private Boxes, 10s. 6d. lIIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tim DAY.—Morning, 6h. 38m.—Afternoon, 7h.: 7m To-mom - tow. -Morning, 7h. 38m.—Afternoon, Bh. 9m THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, NOVEMBER 24, 180 THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 42—Itighest since noon yesterday. 28—lowest this morning and during the night. 32 —this day at noon. BARommTER-30.04; a rise of nearly / of an inch. Nn—North-Westerly ; light, with fine frosty weather, but bitterly cold. Nov. 25. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 3S—highest since noon yesterday. 23 —lowest this morning and during the night. 44—this day at noon. BAROAIETER-29.90 ; falling-. WIND—S.-Westerly; rather fresh, with mild dull weather. (40.) sue. a, ~;;::_71 k . , ,,,r i ''' ; , . . 4AMP* 4 --.444k ''' ;,,,'_ 1 - 4 ?',; , :;+ 41- C ) I., 4„' 4 f --,:- -,-- -,,c, - ~. • - 1, - Ti - g--ff ‘,..\-,.*, ~ tf t.' , -. . z . ‘ ,,,,4.,-..44 , --10‘ ~,,., „ TT SS ' 1 • -."--?' r : sr.tn._ 4..--- f, THE SUN. LONDON, MONDAY, NOV. 25, 1861. Speculation is now become certainty—we were not far from the mark in our first conjecture that South Carolina, the leader of Secession, was to feel the first stroke of Federal chastisement; for, if Charleston itself has not been directly attacked, a harbour and fort only second to its own in import ance, and about fifty miles from it, is now in the hands of the North. It can be little doubted that the mortification of the Carolinians is very great, and their fears may be almost as great as their mortification, since the North has it in its power to ruin the State without firing a gun. The mine is ready at any time. The Federalists have but to spring it, and Carolina would be a Secession Slave State, minus its slaves. The details of the success are few ; but that the success was complete is certain. A few hours' bombardment sent the Confederate defenders of the fort flying in all directions ; and so assured did they feel that they were not soon to be again in possession of their summer residences, that they consigned them to the flames rather than let their conquerors find comfortable quarters in them. The loss seems to have been small, the landing effected, of course, without further trouble, and from the mention made of guns and military stores, the Carolinians, thanks to arch-conspirator FLOYD, appear to have been very well provided with the munitions of war. The North will doubtless have its rejoicing this time, There was a kind of Confederate Bull's Run, and that is something. Besides, this is the first serious at tack on " Seeessia." The Cape Hatteras affair was but a spree, and does not appear to have had the effect intended, of checking the Southern operations with small craft along the coast and inside the sandbanks. But Port Royal is a good port, accessible to large ves sels, and hardly inferior, in this respect, to Charleston itself. Nor can it be denied that the expedition was well managed. It encountered a heavy storm, and one or two of the smaller vesses were thrown ashore, and fell into hands of the enemy, but the main body of the expedition kept its course, and safely landed its charge in the face of the enemy. There seems to have been fierce oppo sition enough to add some of the eclat of victory to the affair, without much of its hazard, if the report be true of a loss of one hundred Confederate lives, and of but eight Federals killed. What the Federals will make of their position is now the question. It is, of course, much too far south for any direct action on the Confederate army of the Potomac; but the indirect action of compel ling the withdrawing part of their troops there seems already likely. On the afternoon of the day on which the attack was made on Port Royal we Fuld the Confederate troops on the lower Potomac ra PidlY falling back; this was doubtless in conse quence of telegrams from the South. The North " ems ha ve sufacient men to spare to orgEtni#o more than one expedition along the coast, and this must divert and distract the attention of the Southerns, and divide their forces. The sea forms, of course, such a base of operations as the South cannot affect with their few privateers ; but it has the defect that any movement from it will be with a hostile country on both flanks. To attack Charles ton can hardly be the intention. Five rivers, be sides vast tracts of marsh and swamp—the rice district—lie between Beaufort and that city, and seem to preclude the idea of any assault being intended by the present force. Its object, doubtless is, to encamp where it is and to become the basis of some future operations. The islands on the coast are healthy, though the coast a little way in is far from being so; the army can therefore remain there with safety, entailing on the enemy the necessity of watching it ; or can receive reinforcements for any purpose which is desired. To all Europe the one means which seems to be open to sure success is the one which Mr. LIN COLN and the North will probably not take. The slaves are very numerous along the coast of South Carolina; they form a considerable ma jority of the population there, being engaged in the cultivation of rice, and they ought to be the reinforcements on which the North relies. It would be easy to give the South there an illus tration of what the North can do in regard to these contrabands of war. Even now the army is autho rised to employ them if they come in, in squads, or simply for military services, though a general rising and arming of these rightful enemies of the South is explicitly prohibited. If the army but understands that it is to work this kind of qualified emancipation, it may effect a great deal. Indeed, so far as we can see, the success of the expedition, that is, the impression it must ultimately produce on the South, depends very much on the impression it produces on the slaves. The military news is at present of little import ance. In Missouri the generals who have superseded FREMONT appear to be threatened by greater num bers than their own, probably, however, not so well equipped, and a battle seems to be impend ing near the spot where poor LYON fell—Spring field—which seems to be the Manassas of Missouri. The Southerners, as we gather from many accounts, manage, notwithstanding the blockade, to carry on a pretty vigorous trade quite within sight of the squadrons. And the Bermuda is reported to have run the blockade again with a large return cargo of cotton for Liverpool. Indeed, the North is finding out that to blockade some two thousand miles of coast against the smuggler will be more and more impracticable the longer the war last. The higher the prices offered for cotton freights, and the greater the demand in the South for sea-borne goods, the more difficult will any preventive ser vice the North can arrange, being also almost ex clusively a sea service, find it, to defeat the nimble movements of the smuggler. England could never entirely do it along her own coast while duties were very high. NAPOLEON could not keep us out of the Continent, not even keep our sugar from the teaeups of his own officers, and we have never yet beaten the slaver. The Federalists will not be more successful. Of course smuggling will all be at the risk of individuals, but daring men will always be found allured almost as much by the risk, as by the hope of profit. Our Government will preserve its decided neutrality. We are pleased to see that it has decided in the case of the Nashville, the pri vateer which came red-handed into Southampton, to give her no aid in fitting out as a ship of war. This is as it out to be. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge gave his decision last Friday on the de monstration made by the Cadets at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich some short time since. Under the peculiar circumstances of the case it was impossible for the General Commanding-in-Chief to pass over a breach of dis cipline of so extensive a nature, and the rustication of ten of the Cadets, two for two terms, and eight others to one term, is, not considering the martinet regulations of the institutions to which they belong, I a very severe punishment. But the question is, are Rot the authorities at the Horse Guards respon sible for this outbreak. Was it not owing to the wilful disregard of just complaints, by those whose duty it was to see that absurd, obsolete rules formed for school boys, should be modified and altered to suit the requirements of young men. Red-tapism has been gradually receding from its strongholds in public offices, but with a pertinacity worthy of a better cause, step by step has been contested, and when public opinion has been too strong for it to hold its own in our dockyards and civil service, at least the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich might hold out for a time. What mattered it that boys of fourteen and fifteen were replaced by young men of twenty years and more, or that those who joined the academy had passed through a searching examination, and proved them selves to be men of superior attainments. Rules had been laid down in olden times, and like those of the Medes and Persians, might not be altered. It is true that in our convict prisons the medical hoard requires that the food of housebreakers and their fellows be of good quality, and that a certain variety is necessary for the preservation of health; but then these men had distinguished themselves, and have deserved well of their country. If they have not rendered any particular service to the state they have rendered it incumbent on the Govern ment to look well to their safe custody; and such being the case, a humane public have insisted that their case shall not be aggravated by the brutal neglect of those in authority over them, and their complaints are considered by a Board of Directors. If such be the case with our felons, is it too much to claim consideration for the reasonable remonstrance of gentlemen against regulations equally unjust and absurd, which not only restrict the freedom of action naturally expected by those who have ar rived at man's estate, but which when strictly carried out might perhaps make a good drill sergeant, but not an efficient office. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE, in giving judgment, did not take into consideration that the emeute did not :take place until all remonstrance had failed. The old martinet rule was maintained and driven to desperation by the unreasonable be habiour of the authorities as a last resource, and the only means of obtaining justice the Cadets had to appeal to public sympathy, and to do this they had to place themselves in a false position, and by o th r e d p u a ty ss , in g whi o e f a ht a s e e e n e t e e e n i t c y c e u o p tn o n p e t e e d m t f h o e r m a t d o e rel i c tn i commit, to expose the maladministration of the military authorities. The Duke of CAMBRIDGE, in his de cision, makes the following remark : •' The Duke has decided that the general tenour of com plaints made by the cadets is groundless and frivolous; and that they have committed acts which, in boys of more ten der pars, would be visited with the castigation they de served, but which were not to be excused in gentlemen of more mature age. He wished them to understand that no amount of scientific knowledge would be of use, to make them efficient officers, unless they learnt to subject them selves to discipline ; that their coming to the Royal Mili tary h they must th e a ru ct l o e n e tihne forceir pttr part, and em e consequentlytaryAc y wasa voluntary ade submit othei r admission. H e finally expressed his regret that he m should beobliged to visit withpunishment thosewho should, by their influence and example, have prevented their junior~ THE SUN, LONDON, IVIONDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 25, 1861. from committing the gross breach of discipline of which they have been guilty." We do not deny that the sentence was just, as far as military law goes, but the complaints were not trivial; the men required shortly to hold authority over others, and, as the case might be, to have the lives of those under them dependent upon their judgment and general knowledge, have been treated like schoolboys, and required to pay £l2O a-year for the accommodation of a play-ground and the fare of a boarding-school, for which the charge would in private life be some £3O or £4O per annum. It is not, of course, to be expected that any national institution, although supported by the country, can with all its sinecures and private emoluments require less than double the fee which would satisfy private firms. But on paying such a sum a man would necessarily expect to be treated like gentleman, and not restricted to the number of clean shirts he may wear during the week, or be bound by regulations concocted during the last century. At the Cambridge University there are ancient laws still unrepealed, but which, of course, are null and void—one of which we believes enacts that any person in statu pupilari shall be flogged if found playing at marbles on the steps of the Senate House. The University ignores such antiquated absurdity when it has to deal with men ; but the War-office, five centuries behind the age, cannot forego a little bit of petty tyranny. We are glad that this little episode has taken place; although, as is too often the case, those to whom the exposure is due suffer for their boldness in vindi cating their rights. They have played their part and it now remains with the public to see that justice is done in future, and that the Royal Mili tary Academy at Woolwich shall henceforth be conducted in a manner worthy of the country which supports it, and of the talented younggentlemen who after long study, and passing successful examina tions, require to be treated as officers and gentle men. It is in the power of the Duke of CAM BRIDGE to follow up his reproof by astrict investiga tion into the mismanagement of the academy, and, by bringing common sense to bear upon the ques tion, maintain the high name which he has hitherto held for justice, moderation, and the interests of he nation. English readers are indebted to Mr. BENTLEY for providing them with a kind of literary curiosity, M. GUIZOT'S advocacy of the temporal power of the POPE with his condemnation of VICTOR EMMAUEL and CANOUR for their proceedings in Italy.* Sir G. BOWYER will have quite a new text next session, and Lord NORMANBY will perhaps move that a copy of the work be laid on the table of the House of Lords. The clever Orleanist Mioister opens his trenches at safe distance. He tells us that the work owes its appearance to a speech in April last for which many Protestants blamed him, and many Catholics praised him highly, in which his language asserted, though in the most general language, that when any of the leading churches suffered, and by implication the Romish Church, all churches felt the blow. As it has not been supposed hitherto, that Rome suffered from attacks on Protestantism, or Protestantism from the misfortunes of the Papacy, we cannot wonder that his language seemed rather singular, and that fuller explanation was called for. Hence a duodecimo of two hundred pages. M. GUIZOT is a true Catholic. He includes all sections of the Christian world under the term church. He is a Protestant from conviction, and regards Protestant ism as having impressed on Christian Society a deci sive movement towards liberty, as well as reanimated the Christian faith. He regards the decision as to what is or is not truth, as not intrusted to man ; variety of convictions is his conditioa, diversity of liberty is his right, " the human race," he says, " is devoted to toil and struggle in the search after truth, not destined to repose in the bosom of truth." The real dangers of all the Churches he considers to be the attacks of Materalists, Pantheists, Ration alists, historical critics and sceptics, each in their own way ; but all these attacks are charac terised by one common feature, " A denial of the supernatural in the destinies of man: and of the world, and the abolition of the miraculous ele ment in the Christian religion ;" while he holds that on our " innate instinct of the supernatural all religion is founded." He says, indeed, " There is no such thing as natural religion ; as soon as you abolish the supernatural, religion also disappears." All the gods ever worshipped he resolves into two—those which were deifications of humanity— the idols of paganism, including those of modern logic and metaphysics ; and the independent self-existent GOD of the Bible and Christianity. On the latter conception of a god rests the Church, and for this Church he cIaims—LIBERTY. His notion of li- berty is, however, far balow that which is becoming the current one in England. He allows liberty of thought, of conscience, of life, of believing or not believing ; with the right, as regards individuals, of professing their faith and exercising their wor ship, of choosing what association they will join, and as regards churches, of self-organisation and government ; with the right of teaching, convert ing, and propagating their faith. The Frenchman, however, says nothing of Religious EQUALITY. He is a strenuous advocate of the alliance between the Church and the State. Separate they each suffer—the State becomes too material, the Church too dogmatic. " Civil order loses sanction, and religious order declines in dignity and stability." The right of dissent must be, however, fully recog nised, and its existence he thinks advantageous to the State churches. M. GUIZOT now approaches what appears to be the object of his book, to uphold the temporal power of the POPE, as a part and parcel of the liberties of the Roman Catholic Church. He first shows that Protestantism, since the arrangements with the first NAPOLEON, has not obtained its full freedom ; the churches cannot assemble without the authorisation of the Government, which may be refused; nor can the Protestant Churches hold their general synod. But what of the Catholic Church ? Though in remote ages it has protected social pri vileges against despotism, yet when its own autho rity was in question it has unfortunately made despotism its ally. But he thinks—vain hope, alas, when Popery is in power—that Catholicism might accept fully and openly the principle of reli gious liberty. Entire renunciation of all alliance with absolutism and despotism would give it much strength. This is true enough, yet immediately our author proceeds to note the fact that the POPE, the head of the Catholic religion, is at the same time the spiritual Prince of ail Catholicism, and the temporal Sovereig❑ of a small European State. He, and Father PASSAGLIA who certainly ought to know best, are at antipodes to each other. GUIZOT accounts the double power to be a fact consecrated by ages. PASSAGLIA argues that the purer ages of 1 the Papacy knew nothing of such a fact. History is surely against the historian GulzoT, and with the theologian PASSAGLIA. Upon this miserable basis the ex. Protestant Minister builds his notion of Catholic liberty ! To separate the temporal and the spiritual is with him " striking a blow against the religious liberty of the Catholics !" He terms " the States of the Church" the possession of the * The Christian Church and Society in 1861. By F Unizot. London; Richard Bentley. Ch .id assails CAVOUR and VICTOR Emtmic u CELhuLch;;., olators of the rights of Catholics Cathodic all over the Nrorl, d! It is impossible t o read such wretched poltroonery without indignaCa m. M. GUIZOT professes to admire Protestantism as the originator of popular freedom in modern histor: T—he professes to be a constitu tionalist, and to I told therefore that the people are the source of pow er. And yet this heartless man has not, that we can find, one word throughout his book on the rights of the people of Legations, and of Rome itself, to •th© choice of their own Govern ment and rulers. They must be -victims of the Roman Catholic religion. Their civil rights are all to be confiscate 'd to the fiction that the sacrifice is a part of the libel dies of Roman Catholicism all the world over ! Tb .e POPE must be a civil Juggernaut, and crush to death the civil rights of Italians, that other Catholics m ay think their idol and themselves free !! We confess ourselves utterly ashamed of such Protestantism. It is worthy, however, of the states man who gloried in the Spanish marriages. That transaction justifies us in believing that our clever author can write anything for a political purpose. For no other roast an could we conceive him capable of penning such conclusions as we have just ad verted to. Probt Lbly not an individual in Europe more distinctly sties through their utter baseless ness, or better knows that the long semi-philo sophical introduction is but the veil to their intrinsic absurdity. What the political object is, seems very plain on looking at the book as a whole—it is to make a bid to Ul' cramontanists, and Legitimists too, perhaps, on behe►lf of the Orleanists. It is pro claiming to all Prance that the expelled dynasty would do as much, perhaps more, to keep the feet of the POPE on the neck of the Romans as the EMPEROR; that it would willingly keep the Italians out of their capital, and maintain the ulcer of Papal temporal power in its place. If the Orleans Princes themselves have any share in the promulgation of this shabby manifesto, they will assuredly sink in the opinion of Europe. We need not, however, suspect it to be more than the programme of the astute Minister, who once before was over-astute, and who will certainly by this book yet more dis gust all the liberalism of Europe. DREADFUL CATASTROPHE AT EDIN BURGH. Yesterday (Sunday) morning, at 1 o'clock, a tall building, of seven stories, in High-street, Edin burgh, a district thickly populated by the working classes, suddenly fell, burying nearly the whole of the inmates in the ruins. The house was several centuries old, and the timbers were decayed. The whole gave way at once, collapsing inwards, and leaving only a portion of the gables still standing. 22 bodies have been taken out dead, and about 12 injured. There were some extraordinary escapes. Operations have been suspended during the night, owing to the danger from the tottering gables, but it is expected that several other bodies will be dis covered. The event Las caused the utmost excite ment and consternation in the city. LATE N vv s. THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA NEW YORK, No. 12, EVENING. (PER EUROPA, via QUEENSTOWN.) The statement that excitement prevailed among the troops in camp at Springfield on receipt of the news of General Fremont's removal is reported to be totally unfounded. General Rosencranz reports that he can sustain hie position in Western Virginia. go. General Halleck has been appointed to the com mand of the Western Department. The Governor of Pennsylvania has addressed a communication to the State Department in reply to Mr. Seward's circular recommending the fortifica- tion of the sea coast. The Governor, in this com munication, states that he cannot understand why individual States should be asked to fortify them selves if, as stated in the circular, there is no pros pect of a disturbance of foreign relations. He does not doubt that Congress would reimburse the States for their outlay, but calls attention to the delay in the payment to Pennsylvania by the Federal Go vernment of the sums advanced for the equipment of Volunteers, and suggests that it would be better for the general Government to erect the fortifica tions. If necessary, however, Pennsylvania would respond patriotically to the calls of the country. It is rumoured that the Federals will abandon the Hatteras forts during the winter. According to alPhiladelphia despatch, the steamer Bermuda ran the blockade at Savannah on the 2d inst. with 2,000 bales of cotton for Liverpool. The New Orleans papers mention that a large fleet had been seen off Ship Island. Another Ff deral expedition will, it is reported, sail immediately: Private letters received from Washington again report the capture of the privateer Sumter. Cincinnati despatches state that en the Bth inst. General Nelson met the Confederates at Pikeville, Kentucky, whom he engaged during two days. Four hundred Confederates are stated to have been killed, and 1,000 taken prisoners. The Federal loss is reported to be small. No lives were lost in the wreck of the North Brition. The French war steamer Prony has been totally wrecked off Hatteras. The crew were saved. A meeting of New York merchants is taking place for the purpose of drawing up a national Bankruptcy Bill for presentation to Congress. (LATEST BY TELEGRAPH TO HALIFAX.) NEW YORK, Nov. 14. Advices received by the Federal Government announce that the fleet commenced the bombard ment of Port Royal on the 7th inst. After a fight, which lasted four hours, the Con federates abandoned the forts and retreated pre cipitately. The Federals captured two forts, 43 guns, military equipments, and valuable papers. On the Bth inst. the Federal army, numbering 15,000 men, landed and established themselves at Beaufort, South Carolina, which, with the neigh bouring plantations, was totally destroyed by the whites. Large numbers of negroes came into the Federal camp. Beaufort is to be held as the seat seat of future operations. Eight Federals and 100 Confederates are reported to have been killed during the bombardment. Fcur Federal vessels were lost or missing during the late severe gale. It is reported that a Federal collector will be im• mediately appointed at Beaufort, and that the place will at once be opened to commerce. (From the Boston Herald of Nov. 12.1 The Darnestown correspondent of the New York Herald says it is not at all probable that any fur ther operations in the field will occur in that vici nity before the close of the present campaigning season. At least it is unlikely that there will be anything of importance undertaken by our army. The great barrier is the Potomac, which denies the assailing party a base of operations, if the enemy should oppose a landing on the opposite bank. To effect a landing in spite of the opposition, and when the river is swollen as at present by the autumnal rains, would be a work of rashness and attended with great loss of life. To throw a bridge across the river would be an operation of not less hazard than to eross by boats. The recent rains have swelled the Potomac so much that logs of wood, trees, weeds, &c., are swept rapidly down the stream, and nothing but heavy masonry could resist their momentum and the volume of the stream in the form of a bridge. The erection of a bridge of masonry is a thing entirely out of the question, and from the experience of Ball's Bluff before Gen. Banks, it is by no means expected that there can be much fighting on this section of the Potomac for some time, or until a change takes place in the position of the rebels. There is good reason to know that the rebel force on the opposite bank is about as large as ours. THE ATTACK ON PORT ROYAL AND BEAUFORT. (From the Boston. Advertiser, .21'ov. 13.) PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 12.—The Inquirer has the following from Fortress Monroe, derived from rebel sources : " In anticipation of the arrival of the great expe dition, the rebels had been engaged in erecting bat teries upon a point at Hilton's Head, and opposite the neck of land. Tho principal fortification on Hilton's Head was denominated Fort Walker. It is situated on low land, and partially concealed by trees and underbrush. Adjoining it were other batteries of smaller size, but so connected as to prove a formidable bar to the entrance of vessels. " Fort Beaui eg ard was of considerable importance, having been mounted with heavy guns. The gar risons are believed to have been South Carolina regiments. with several additional regiments, sent from Richmond. The batteries at Bay Point, oppo site Hilton's Head, were equally formidable. Inside of Port Royal entrance, behind the batteries, lay the fleet of Commodore Tatnall, consisting only of small vessels, carrying a few heavy guns, but prin cipally light ones. Tugs constituted a greater por tion of the fleet. Many of these remained outside the mouth of the entrance until the arrival of our fleet, where they formed in miniature line of battle behind the guns of their own forts and across the entrance on the morning of Thursday. " On Tuesday, the United States fleet of 42 ves sels, headed by the flag ship, approached the mouth of Port Royal. Several transports remained off the coast. The approach of the fleet created a great stir in the batteries. Arriving at a suitable position, the guns of the fleet opened continuous fire on Forts Walker and Beauregard, as well as those upon a point. Under cover of this fire, an effort was made to run the gauntlet of the batteries. The result was eminently satisfactory. A number of vessels passed through the shot and shell from the shore batteries with very trifling injuries. At last 15 succeeded in passing up beyond the reach of the land batteries. "As the Union fleet sailed up, the mosquito fleet of Tatnall opened fire, but seeing the impossibility of resistance, soon dispersed. Some were forced to run on shore, while others were driven up inlets, until most out of sight. Commodore Tatnall went on shore with his men, to assist in working the bat teries and directing them against other vessels of the Union fleet which were endeavouring to follow the advance force. One of the Union gunboats was believed to be burnt and three disabled. "It is acknowledged by the enemy that they had 20 men killed in Fort Walker, but it is impossible to state their loss at the other batteries. " The passage of the vessels through the ehannel was not actcomplished until the firing continued from half-past nine in the morning to nearly five in the afternoon. No sooner did our vessels pass the batteries of Port Royal entrance and glide into the Broad River than they made for the mouth of the inlets leading to Beaufort, Savannah, and Charleston. These were immediately blockaded, though not in time to prevent the escape of some small rebel vessels. " Not ono Federal vessel was sunk, and only one gunboat burned. The crew are said to have passed through a murderous fire to another vessel with little if any loss. The Union vessels acted under special instructions in at once blockading the inlets leading to two important points. " While a portion of the fleet did this, four ships made for Beaufort, and at three o'clock on Thursday these vessels were in sight of the town." The Charleston Mercury of the Bth says :—" In the promiscuous chase they seem to have driven Commodore Tatnall's mosquito fleet up the creeks leading to Savannah, and cut off water communica tion with Charleston by hermetically sealing Skull Creek." A despatch to the Charleston Mercury from Henderville, 7th, 9 p.m. says :—" The practice of our artillerists at Hilton's Head has been very bad, hence the successful passing of seven of the enemy's men-of-war. The transports are still outside. The loss on our side thus far is slight, and the troops are in good heart. The firing of the Yankee war vessels was very accurate. Hilton's Head and Bay Point received the brunt of the attack. The enemy's ships which passed our batteries can be distinctly seen from Beaufort. Forts Walker and Beauregard are still firing. The Federals lost one gunboat, which was burned. Shells can be seen burst ing in the woods. Our lines of communication are completely cut off unless more troops are sent here, with artillery and cavalry. Four ships are in sight over the land and up as far as Skull Creek. There is reason to believe the enemy is making prepara tions to land a large force at Hilton to-night or to morrow." CAIRO, Nov. 12.—The Memphis Appeal, of the lth, contains the following despatch ; " SAVANNAH, BTH, via NEW ORLEANS, 9TH.— The steamer Sampson has arrived from Port Royal, with the wounded from the engagement of yesterday. Fifteen vessels were inside and several were waiting outside. The Minnesota was the first to enter, and was followed by the others. The attack upon the forts was from three sides. After the second round from the fleet the principal guns of the battery were dismounted. The engagement lasted five hours, and during its continuance all our guns were dismounted." Despatches to the Charleston papers say that the batteries were badly worked, and that the enemy's firing was excellent. The rebel loss is 100. IMPORTANT FRENCH LIBEL CASE. An action which excites much interest in Paris is now going on in the Tribunal of the Seine. It is brought by a Russian Prince, Prince Woronzoff, against another Russian Prince, Prince Dol goroukow, and relates to certain libellous statements made by the defendant concerning the plaintiff's family, in a letter which our readers may remember was addressed to the Courrier du Dimanche. The opening statement for the plaintiff has been made by M. Mathieu. After shielding Prince Woronzoff's life, he referred to the letter received by the plain tiff at Wildbad from the defendant. " On the 25th June (7th July), 1856, Marshal Woronzoff was at Wildbad, having gone there for his health, when a sealed packet was delivered to him. He was not alone. His wife was present, and along with her other persons of distinction, one amongst the rest holding a high rank in England. he packet was sealed with the arms of Prince Peter Dolgoroukow ; the seal, broken in presence of the witnesses who happened to be present, was quite entire, and in the envelope were found two thiugs—a letter dated the 4th (16th) June, 1856, signed Prince Peter Dolgoroakow, and an anony mous letter." First for the letter : This letter was read. It threw doubts on the documents relating to the plaintiff's genealogy, transmitted by him to St. Petersburg. With it was the following anonymous epistle :—" His Highness Prince Woionzoff has a sure way of getting his genealogy printed in the Rodors Kl3ida, as he wishes it. It is to make a present to Prince Peter Dol goroukow of a sum of 50,000 roubles in silver ; then everything will be done according to his wishes." The Marshal died on the Bth of November, 1856. Finally, in 1857, the fourth volume of the genea logies appeared without taking into account the documents furnished by the marshal. " We had just witnessed," says M. Mathieu, " that celebrated discussion in which a prince of the Church was accused of defaming one of his prede cessors. The Court of Cassation has just given a memorable decision, preceded and prepared by an admirable report, which, for my part, I consider as one of its noblest titles to our esteem and to our respect ; it had proclaimed that libelling the me mory of the dead is a crime. Access to the Correc tional Police might have been had. It was not thought desirable to avail one's self of it. Why ? Because by an opinion which I am told is a mis take, and which seemed to me conformable to the precedents in similar matters, I had believed that the publicity of such discussions was authorised, and that the law would not have permitted a trial with closed doors. It appears that I was mistaken, and that the journals which are accustomed to report our judicial contests have refused to open their columns to the present contest unless our ad versary should consent. This consent has not been given, and thus it happens that the Woronzoff family are deprived of the advantage, so precious on such an occasion, of the publicity to which it seems to have a right." DIRECT COMMISSIONS. The following is the off didates at the recent evil Reis' list of successful can• illination for direo t corn. missions : Order Names. Marks. Order Merit. W. W. 6,325 2 Much, W. T. 5,512 3 Little, J. A 5,281 4 Jekyll, E. J 5,138 5 Boddam, J. W. 6 Patterson, C. D 4,608' 7 Davidson, C. M 4,271 8 Luxford, G. B. 9 Gelding, H 4,065 10 Powys-Keck,CH.G.4,O6l 11 Bruce, H. J. L. .. 4,047 12 Kane, F. W. .... 4,031 13 Watkins, W. H... 3,981 14 Horton, G. F..... 3,890 15 M‘Millan, J. .... 3,884 16 Crosbie, J. T. D.. 3,775 17 Roberts, W. E. .. 3,737 18 Gro3rne, R. C. 3,708 19 Eccles, C. V. .... 3,700 20 Tennyson, J. .... 3,565 21 Eaton, H. F. R... 3,509 22 f "E. A. .... 3,493 Lyte, E. M. .... 3,493 24 Briscoe, R. M.... 3,486 25 Wilson, G. A 3,438 26 Higford, H 3,414 27 Douglas, B. 28 Toulmin, A. H. 29 Woodward, A 3,369 30 Graves, W.E.H.H. 3,368 31 Hamilton, Lord C. 3,343 32 Ferguson, G. G 3,256 33 'e Cetto, M. H. E 3,195 34 Bingham, W. 3,150 35 Green, F. J. E. 36 Fletcher, C. J. 37 Johnstone, J. J. H. 2,896 38 Corballis, J. A. 39 Hudson, W. 2,605 40 Jackson, E. B 2,782 41 Woodroffe, G.W.P. 2,763 42 Morton, C. F 2 752 43 Newbury, J. B. T. 2,743 44 Stepney, H. .. 2,738 45 Hunt, A. 46 Hambro, P. L. 47 Owen, A. 48 Drew, E. 49 Whinfield, P..: 2,536 Merit. Names. Mark 50 Handy, R. R 2,516 51 Alt, B. 52 Halliwell, R. B 2,495 53 Ramsbottom, A. F. 2,489 54 Bedingfeld, W. 55 Ellis, W. V 2,475 56 Shirley, J. C..... 2,440 57 Cooke, T. A. .... 2,348 58 Tweed, F 59 Micklethwaite,J.W.2,29o 60 Knight, J. G 2,289 61 Boyde11, T 62 Magra, H. 0. 2,270' 63 Froom, A. 64 Fitzroy, H, M. 2,227 65 Hooper, J. E. P 2,212 I 66 Worthington,H.R. 2,195 67 Picot, C. 68 Cary, G. II 2,145 69 Callwell, G 2,127 70 Bradney, J 71 Macpherson, G. G 2,101 72 Barneby, W. II 2,061 1 73 Westmacott, H. 2,060 74 Dunn, A. G. 2,055 75 White, H. W. 76 Lee, G. A. 77 Tryon, H. C. 78 Lynch J. de B. . 1,996 I Lynch, A. 11. C. 1,970 1 Norton, J... 81 Burgess, R. S 1,954 82 Soady, T. E. 1,950 8s Knatchbull, C. 84 Somerville, R, U 1,9 8 85 Ness, It. E. D. 86 Staunton, G. S. L 1,920 87 Webb, F. D. 88 Scott, G. A. 1,889 89 t R . ingrose G. H. 1,860 Linley, J. B 1,860 1 91 Lambe, A. F 1,831 92 Garrett, J. A. T 1,830 93 Pochin, G. W 1,812 Creagh, C. B. 91 Fetherstonhaugla, C. W. 96 Malcolmson, A. K 1,802 Redpat'n, the plunderer of the Great Northern Railway Company, who is at present nude' going punish ment at the convict settlement in Western Australia, has published a volume of poems, which, in a letter to the chaplain, be says "he trusts it will be found to express the sentiments of ;a penitent heart." He is said to be "most constant in his attendance at church, and in his general conduct and demeanour appears to bo truly penitent," THE ENGAGEMENT IN KENTUCKY. The following is the telegram reporting a defeat of the Confederates in Kentucky : CINCINNATI, Nov. 12.—General Nelson met the rebels under General Williams, at Pikestown, Pike county, Kentucky, on Friday last, and gained a glorious victory. Colonel Luke Moore attacked the rebels in the rear, with 3,800 men ; while Col. Harris, of the 2d Ohio Regiment, with 600 men, attacked them in the front, Colonel Harris falling back, and Colonel Moore pressing forward, until the enemy were brought into the midst of General Nelson's brigade, when our forces pressed them on all sides, killing 400 and taking 1,000 prisoners. The balance scattered in all directions. The Federal loss is small. The battle lasted Friday and Satur day. The victory was complete. Generals Williams and Howes are among the prisoners. THE ACTION AT GUYANDOTTE. A telegram says : CINCINNATI, Nov. 12.—The defeat of the Union forces at Guyandotte was accomplished by trickery on the part of the inhabitants. It seems that a force of rebel cavalry, variously estimated at from 500 to 1,000 had concentrated in the country back of the town. These proposed with the assistance of the rebel inhabitants at Guyandotte, to annihilate the Federal forcesin the town, This force consisted of 250 men of a Virginia regiment, and a few of Colonel Ziegler's Virginia cavalry. It was arranged between the rebel cavalry and the rebel citizens to mas sacre our troops in cold blood. Aoeordingly the rebel citizens were very kind to our troops last Sunday evening, and invited them to their houses on various pretexts, and all who were off duty accepted the invitation. While they were en tertained, at half-past eight o'clock at night the rebel cavalry dashed into the town. Signals were displayed from every house where our men were, and into these the rebels rushed murdering the unarmed soldiers in cold blood. The rebel citi zens, men, women, and children, rushed to arms and aided the cavalry in the slaughter. The Federal troops in the camp prepared as soon as possible for defence, but were overpowered and had to break. Very few of our men were killed in the engagement with the cavalry, nearly all being murdered in the houses. When Colonel Ziegler arrived, on learning the particulars of the affair, he ordered the destruction of the town. The buildings were immediately fired, and the whole town reduced to ashes. THE BATTLE OF BELMONT. The following details respecting this engagemen are given in telegrams ; CAIRO, ILLINOIS, Nov. 7. An expedition left here last night, under the command of Generals Grant and M'Clernand, and landed at Belmont, Missouri, at eight o'clock this morning. The Union troops numbered 3,500, and the rebels about 7,000. The Union troops made the attack at about 11 o'clock in the morning. and the battle lasted till sundown. The rebels were driven from their entrenchments across the river with great loss. Their camp was burned, their baggage, cannon, horses, and mules, were taken, and 100 were captured. The Union forces then retired, the rebel forces having received reinforcements from Columbus. Both the Union generals had their horses shot under them. Colonel Dougherty, of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner. The loss of the rebels is not known. The loss on the Union side is believed to be from 301 to 500. CHICAGO, Nov. 8. A special despatch from Cairo to this city gives the following particulars of the fight at Belmont, Missouri, yesterday : "Our forces left Cairo on the steamers Alex ander Scott, Chancellor, Memphis, and Keystone State, accompanied by the gunboats Lexington and Tyler. After landing, the troops were formed in line of battle, with General M'Clernand in command of the Cairo troops. They were encountered by the rebels, 7,000 strong, and fought every inch of their way to the enemy's camp, making sad havoc in the enemy's ranks. Colonel Dougherty's regi ment captured the rebel battery, of 12 pieces, two of which were brought away. Colonel Fouke's men suffered greatly, as they were in front of the rebel batteries before they were taken. After taking possession of the camp of the rebels, it was discovered they were crossing from Kentucky for the purpose of attacking us in the rear. The order was now given to return to the boats, when our men were attacked by a reinforcement of several thousand strong from Columbus. Another severe engagement took place, in which our troops suffered se verely. Our losses, as far as ascertained last night, are as follows:—Thirtieth Illinois Regiment, 160 m i ss i n g ; Major M'Clerke wounded, and taken pri soner. Twenty-first Illinois Regiment, 140 missing. Colonel Buford's regiment returned to.) late to obtain any particulars. Colonel Dougherty is reported taken prisoner. Col. Lamon is reported dangerously wounded. Taylor's battery lost one gun. We have taken 250 prisoners, a number of whom were wounded. The number of rebels killed is 300. The ground was completely strewn with dead bodies. The rebel Col. Wright, of the 13th Tennessee Regiment, was killed. Gen. Cheatam commanded the rebels, Gen. Polk being at Colum• bus. It is stated that Gen. Johnston was wounded. The gunboats rendered efficient service in covering our retreat, mowing down the rebels with grape, but at the same time killing some of our own men. A flag of truce left Cairo this morning for Columbus with 40 or 50 wounded rebels. The special corresponaent of the New York Herald, at Washington, says :—" The Government has issued permits to parties in Rhode Island to trade with loyalists along our Southern coast. Vessels are now fitting out for that purpose, loaded with supplies of various kinds, among which is salt, clothing, and other articles of prime necessity, which, it is expected, will be at once exchanged for cotton. This is a new feature in Government policy and war, and may lead to important results. Senator Simmons, of Rhode Island, it is said, has been the principal mover in this matter. It may be, however, that these vessels and others now fitting out will also follow the expedition, and as soon as an opening is made by the expedition and a permanent footing obtained in South Carolina or Georgia, cargoes of cotton will be at once shipped to Liverpool and other points. This is very im portant, and has the full sanction of the Govern ment," THE MEXICAN EXPEDITION. Under the head of "Latest Intelligence," La Presse has the following : "An Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor will leave Paris in a few days with new instructions for Admiral Jurien do la Graviere. General Prim and his staff have embarked at Alicante, on board the Ulloa, for the Havannah. "Despatches from Vera Cruz, of the 14th of October, announce that the ex-President of Mexico, Comonfort, had made a new levy of men, and was advancing into the inte rior. A battle was expected shortly between his troops and the Constitutionais." TURIN, NOT. 24. The Gazzetta di Torino of to-day says :—" The statement that Garibaldi had been appointed Com mander of the Volunteers is incorrect, as this ap pointment has been conferred on General Sirtori. "It is believed, however, that, in the event of a war breaking out in Italy, Sirtori would be replaced by Garibaldi." RAGUSA, Nov. 24. An official Turkish bulletin announces that on the 21st inst. Dervisch Pasha, with eight battalions of Turkish troops, encountered a body of 8,000 in surgents near Piva, in Bosnia. After a fight, which lasted four hours, the insurgents were compelled to take to flight, with the loss of 800 killed and a large number of muskets, which they left on the field of battle. The Turkish loss in killed and wounded amounted to 100 men. A numerous body of insurgents and Montenegrins who intended to invade Kalosehin were repulsed by the Turks after a blocdy fight. CHINA AND JAPAN. CANTON, OCT. 15. The allied troops are leaving Tien-tsin and Canton. Trade at Ningpo and Hangchow is obstructed by ,he rebels. The French are in want of men and guns to pro ect Chefoo. The state of affairs in Japan is reported to be more favourable. POINT DE GALLE, OcT. 31. According to advices received here from Saigon, the French had promulgated regulations for the Chinese population. SOUTHAMPTON, Noy. 24. The Roxburgh Castle, from Melbourne, bound for London, has arrived off Cowes. She landed four passengers, one of whom was apprehended as having absconded from Australia with a large amount of money. He will be detained here until the arrival of a detective from London. FRANCE. BOURSE, Nov. 23.—The market has been rather more animated, and the business done has seen at a slight improvement on the closing rates of the previous day. Threes, for the Account, are now at 70f. 15c. The Railway Share Market is also firm, and with an advance on some of the lines. The following are the last quotations:— ft per per Cents ... 96 —, Credit F oncier Do end month.... 96 10 Belgian 41 lOO 3 per Cents Do. end month 7O 15 Roman Bank Shares 2945 Austrian - Credit Mobilier.... 777 50 Spanish Threes 49 50 Do. Account 778 75 , Home Debt RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1342 50 .. 1345 Northern New ditto 912 50 .. 915 Lyons and Mediterranean 1025 .. 1026 25 Geneva 350 .. 352 50 Southern 656 25 .. 657 25 Western Eastern Sardinian 348 75 .. 350 Austrian Lombard POLAND. A letter from Warsaw, in the Precurseur d'Anvers gives the following strange account of the death of Gen. Gerstenzweig :—The General—partly from obedience to orders, partly from natural severity of disposition—had arrested a great many Poles, and he placed them in the citadel. Shortly after fears were entertained that an insurrection would break out, and that consequently numerous prisoners in the citadel would be an embarrassment. Accord ingly, the commander of the fortress, in conjunction with Count Lambert, ordered several of them to be released. On hearing of this Gen. Gerstenzweig went in a state of great irritation to Count Lambert, reproached him with having acted from fear, and called him a coward. As several officers of the staff were present, a duel seemed inevitable ; but as a hostile meeting between two such high personages at that moment might present grave inconveniences it was decided that one of the two should kill him self the same evening, and that lots should be drawn to decide which it should be. The lot fell on Gen. Gerstenzweig, and he fired three times with pistols at his head—the last time inflicting a mortal wound. These incidents explain why Gen. Lambert shortly after left suddenly for St. Petersburg. PORTUGAL. The following proclamation was addressed by the young King of Portugal to his people on ascending the throne : "Palace of Belem, Nov. 14. " Portuguese—ln virtue of the impenetrable de crees of Divine Providence, and in conformity with the political institutions of the kingdom, I have been called to preside over the destinies of the nation. The painful shock which I have felt, owing to the immense loss we have sustained, has overwhelmed my heart. The country mourns the death of the most just and enlightened of Sovereigns, and I shed tears over the tomb of the most affectionate of brothers. In the exercise of the difficult mission confided to me, I will endeavour to fol low the noble examples left me by the virtuous Monarch so prematurely removed from the love of his people. To observe faith fully the political institutions of my country is equally concordant with my duties and my senti ments. In executing the constitutional charter of the monarchy, I swear to maintain the Catholic, Apostolic, and Romai. religion, and the integrity of the kingdom ; to observe and enforce the observance of the political constitution of the Portuguese nation, as well as the other laws of the kingdom, and to secure, as far as in me lies, the general welfare of the nation. This oath will soon be ratified by me in the approaching assembly of the general Cortes of the Portuguese nation. I have ordered that the present Ministers and Secretaries of State shall remain in the exercise of their respective func- " THE KING." tions. (Followed by the names of all the Ministers.) " At the last Cabinet Council," says a Paris letter in the Journal du Havre, " the Minister of Marine, it is said, positively declared that he could not con sent to a reduction of a single centime on the bud get of his department, o wing to the works already begun. But there seems little doubt that im portant economies will be realised in the War bud get. Leave of absence for a year will be granted to 80,000 or 100,000 men. It is calculated that 'about one quarter of the effective force of the regi-