The Sun. — London, England, 1863-12-17 00:00:00

BONNET'S SILKS A LYON.—Every Article of commerce takes Its title either from the inventor or manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the grate: is the credit which attaches to the originator. BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica tion in England; but the fallacy of such an assertion Is ex d by the very trade mark of the firm, as exhibited by Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street. The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end each piece —" Manufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., a Lyon a injurieux." Wear guaranteed. FAMILY MOURNING. —Messrs. JAY would reppectiully announce that great economy is effected byPurcha , ing Mourning at their establishment, 247 and 249, lIII,GENT-STREET, their Stock of FAMILY MOURNING being the largest in Europe. Though Messrs. Jay professedly c( p the best articles for Mourning, and Half-Monrning—at ci Limes the cheapest -they supply a Complete Suit of Domestic Mourning for 2; guineas. MOURNING COSTUME of every description is kept steady .ilade, and can be forwarded in town or country at a moment's notice. The most reasontble prices are charged, and wear of every article is guaranteed. T tiE LONDON GENI , -RAI, MOURNING WAREHOUSE, Regent-street (next the Circus). JAYS'. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA COVENT-GARDEN. Under the Management of hiss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison. THIS EVENING, for the 22d time," Belle's new Opera, BLANCH I , : DE NEVE LIS : Miss Louisa ryne, Miss Anna Thies, Miss Emma Heywood; Messrs. W. H. Weiss, H. Corri, A. Cook, A. Zit. Albyn, C. Lyall, J. Rouse, and W. Harrison. To conclude with the Second Act of THE DESERT FLOWER. Conductor, Mr. A. Mellon. Doors open at half-past Six—Commence at Seven. 911FIEATRE ROYAL DRURY - LANE. - A.: Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton. THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform the Farce of MY HNART'S IN THE HIGHLANDS: characters by Mr. J. Neville, Mr. G. Weston, Mr. Warde, Mr. J. Marris ; Mrs. C. Melville, and Miss Harfleur. At ter which. Lord Byron's Choral Tragedy, MANFRED. Messrs. t helps, Ryder, Rayner, MeagTeson, Ward, Spencer ; 'liss Eburne, Miss E. Atkinson, Miss Leclercq, and Mrs. E. Falconer. Vocalists—Miss Poole, Miss hitter, Miss Cicely ?Jar, Miss Heywood, and Mr. Swift. - - - - - Followed by BEAUTY OR THE BEAST. Principal cha racters by Messrs. Addison, G. F. Neville, Barret, Spencer, and G. Weston ; Mrs Edmund Falconer and Miss R. Lecicrq. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. - Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone. THIS EVENING, USED UP. Messrs. Chas. Mathews, Bowe, Clark, Braid, Gordon, Cullentord, &c. ; Mesdames Fitzwilliam, Lindley, &e. Followed by THE GOLDEN FLEECE. Messrs. Charles lilathew4, Compton,Weathersby, sc. ; Mesdames C. Mathews, L Keeley. Griffith, &c. With COOL AS A CUCUMBER. Mr. C. Mathews. And MY HUSBAND'S G tiOST. Commence at 7. ROYAI, LYCEUM THEATRE, Under the Sole Management of Mr. Pechter. BEL DE MONIO (a Triumphant Success) will be repeated Every Evening until further notice. THP4 EVENING, the Comedietta, by W. Gilbert, entitled UNCLE BABY : Mess•s. Widdicombe, J.G. Shore, Charles ; Miss P. Leclercq, and Carlotta Leclercq. After which, at Eight o'clock, BEL DENONTO, a L ove earn. Principal cnarac. Story, in Twelve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal ' s "Italian Chronicle," by Mr. John Broug , Smith, Clifford, , ter by Mr. Pechter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles lir , w,rhtini, Emery, Raymond, Moreland Collett, Andrews, Sims ; Miss Kate Terry, XL Lee, and .vltss Elsworthy. avenue, Mrs. Doors open at halt-past 6—commence at 7. ST. SAAIES'S THEATRE-ROYAL. under new mana p e ment, will OPEN for the Winter Season on _BOXING NIGH r• t _,Av THE A. L---. TRE-KO YAL, A D ELPH N Prnnila kir and Manazer. M 7. B. Webster. T GIS EVENING. THE PRETTY HORSEBREAR ER. Mo.,srs. J. L. Toole. Paul Bedford, and Miss Woolgar. tB, the New Drama of LEAH : Bth week or Miss Bate man, supported by Messrs. Arthur Stirling. R. Phillips, Bil lincrton, Stuart,'Stophenson, Eburne ; Miss H. Simms, and Mrs. Billinton. To conclude with ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS. Mr. J. L. Toole. Commence at 7. LE A H.-E VERY NIGHT. ~.PISS BATEMAN.-LEAH.-TTITS EVENING, -L the 65th appearance of the great Tragic Actress, Miss BA TEMAN. in the character of LEAH. In consequence of the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso nation of the prit.cipal character in the new Five Act Drama 01 LEAH has been attended, Mr Webster begs to announce that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further notice. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Manager, Mr. W. Swanborougli. THIS EVENING, MIRIAM'S CRIME. Messrs. Geo. Honey, Parselle, Belford, Turner, Miss K. Saville, and Miss Manders. After which, OBSERVATION AND FLIRTATION. Mr. Parselle, Miss Button. Followed by (21st time) PATIENT PENELOPE ; or, The Return of Ulysses. Messrs. honey and Fenton ; Mesdames Swanborough and Simpson. After which, M IsT;..W PLACE. Mr. A. Wood. Commence at 7. OYAL SADLER'S-WELLS THEATRE. Manageress, Miss Marriott. • `I'FIIS EVENING, OTH Messrs. D. H. Jones, E. Phelps, Miss Mandlebert, Mrs. Wallis, &e. To conclude with TIT. P. ORPHAN OF GLENCOE. Box-office open from 11 to 4. I 1 " TI-EfilD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing. the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, Sala be had E very Evening. of G. R. GLMNIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts Dmr.--Morning, 6h. 50m.—Afternoon, 7h. 12m o-mounow .-Morning, 7ti. 43m.—Afternoon, Ba. 14m, The Weather—Sun Office, Dec. 17, 1863. THERMOMETER. This day at Two o'clock 4B Barometer-29.84. Wind—N.-W. ; moderate, and fine. • ,'~„ LON1)0N, THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 1863. " x " Praterea nihil is certainly the motto of the Feder a l Ett my in the present war. Again and again we wea r of great achievements about to be accomplished..... , i Trophies captured Armies e outitiered — . breaches mounted— >> but again and agaia_ei `battles 'von ee for the empty boasting! —it is all ia the futu re tense —it never " is," but is al w r ad ays " to be," pertor Again to-day, as it has happened on so man yprevious occasions, the threatened attack of G eneral MEADS has turned out to be a retreat. Th e promised assault upon General LEE, which Nees to have produced such glorious Federal results, „lad. upon which already anticipatory paeans of victory had been prepared, has been abandoned without a blow, an d the Federal army, dismaye d at their own temerity, theetem, have " back-recoiled'' at the sight of forces, recrossing the Rap idan, bag LI baggage, a ctillery and reserve. "At nightfall on the 2d. the whole army had reoecapi, d its quarters at Brandy station, where, it is believed, it will remain for the winter." Such is the news brought by the America under date New York, Dec. 4 ; and no wonder is it that the informant adds— " The press and the public generally express great dissatisfaction at the termination of a movement from which at the outset the most brilliant results had been premised." Very possibly General MEADE may not be so much to blame in a military point of view. Perhaps, in his instanc e , p ru d ence may have proved to be the better part of valour. It is more than probable that if he had persisted i n his attack his fears would have been realised, and another disastrous Federal de feat have 'been the result. We do not blame him 8 ° reach for what he has been unable to accom plish, as for what ho has done namely, for the empty and vai n - glorious b `• oas‘ing in which, in common with his no rthern co dulged. T ae untrymen, he has so freely Atheniansin knew what was right, but tale Lacedeatoniaus e practised it. '' he Federal gene rals talk lei gely,eihi,, the Confederates act quietly. We heard little about General_ L EE ' S d e f ences, an d a great deal about General M ADE.B attack DOW JO and behold , t he " def ence" proves to be ' a rea ' lit ' y, an d the 'm attack'' is —no w h ere. Such, in truth, is the history of the whole war, Such is actually the whole origin and object or the struggle. The North are fi g htin g fo r a shadow— the shadow of a Union that is utterlY dissolved. The South are fighting for a substance —the sub stantial rights of Independence. Ever y fre sh reve lation of the feelings of the American people, whether at Washington or Virginia, whether in th e " slave States" or the " free North," serves only more forcibly to demonstrate the absolute impos tibility of any future reconsolidation of the Union. It has long been a recognised fact in the history of men and nations that no war is so cruel as a civil war—no enemies are so bitter as estranged friends. Words can hardly do justice to the intense vindic tiveness of feeling that is now raging in so many American hearts. It is a painful revelation of the weakness of human nature. Mere are friends and brothers ready to tear each other to pieces, and for what P—Fur the Name of Reunion ! In the dese crated names Liberty, and Equality, and Fraternity, before now, there have been perpetrated acts of Tyranny, and Oppression, and Cruelty unparal lelled. So now, in the much abused name of Unity , the Northman of America cry " havoc ! and let slip the dogs of war," regardless of all consequences. It would be well if President LINCOLN and the Federal Congress, which is about to be convened at Washing ton on Monday next, would take a lesson from their own time-serving General MEADE, and withdraw from a position that threatens to prove untenable. It is easier, perhaps, to recross the Rapidan than the Rubican, but the attempt that has been safely accomplished in the one instance, might be prudently and profitably undertaken in the other. Such an act of wisdom and good sense and magnanimity is not to be expected from such a quarter. We must still—Heaven knows for how much longer --be doomed to witness and to wonder at the madness and cruelty and criminality of this protracted and useless civil strife. The Report of the Early Closing Association' recently published, presents much information that deserves notice, and it is to be trusted that especial attention will be paid to its contents, concerning as they do a subject which involves the interests of so many. It is now some time since a few earnest and energetic individuals took up this cause of hopeless - -t he difficulties At first the case seemed almost nearly difficulties to contend with were insuperable, and there were many to decry its purpose and to sneer at its efforts. Notwith standing all this, a considerable amount of success has been the reward of the efforts of the perse vering, and there are now many witnesses to the efficacy of the undertaking. The advantages that have been derived in many quarters are most ex tensive, and it is a delightful thing to reflect upon that by these means, simple as they may appear, large numbers of young people, and indeed num bers of all ages, have shared in the benefits of edu cation, and been enabled to devote time to the cul tivation of their minds. Regarding the employ ment of leisure, it is here stated very traly, that the fear of the time which is gained being abused has less foundation than ever. There are the even ing classes at King's College, which have been proved to be so great a success, and various other societies and institutions exist which tend to de monstrate how desirable has been the result of this early closing movement, and how especially im portant it is to carry on the prosecution of the cause with vigour, in order that more may share the benefits and reap the advantages of the scheme. There are other objects taken up by this society, one of which is the " Early Payment of Wages." This is a very important item in the effectual carry ing out of the system devised for the welfare and happiness of the working classes. It is im possible to deny that the practice which is only too prevalent in many quarters of choosing an advanced hour for the payment of wages must occasion con siderable inconvenience, create much confusion, and in many cases greatly militate against the enjoy ment of a day of rest on Sunday, besides interfering with the due reverence and observance of that day. Many employers who have adopted this plan have furnished " practical testimonies" as to its" practi cability and value." This furnishes, of course, an additional argument for those who desiderate the further spread of the notion, and the pamphlets that contain these testimonies have bean extensively circulated. Also this practice, if strictly adhered to, would do much to put a stop to the practice of Sun. day trading that prevails so much in some localities. It is to be hoped that many whom it concerns will peruse these reports for themselves, and they cannot but be influenced in some measure by them if un happily they are not at once converted to the right cause. It is a great thing to bring a case well for ward, and put a question in a practical form before those whom it is important to secure as advocates of a measure or to persuade into being auxiliaries. No one can make the excuse, after reading these re marks, that they do not know what they are wanted to perform, or how, and in which way to set about it. They have not even to initiate themselves into a comparatively unknown system, or to inaugurate a novel method ; all that is demanded of them is to follow in the wake of those who have been pioneers in the path of progress, and to adopt in good faith a plan which has been certified to be for the interest of thousands. No well meaning employer, who possesses a due sense of the responsibility that devolves upon him, will hesitate to make the experiment, and to join the number of those who have already come forward to evidence its excellence and to uphold its continuance. The long stretch of hours of work must exercise a very deleterious influence on mind and body, the mono tony and weariness of their employments must weigh heavily upon the numerous class which per forms the duties required of assistants in places of business. The question is whether they are to sacri fice their health, and become mere machines, in the constant and unremitting range of toil, or whether a portion of their time may not be redeemed from the rest, and made available for purposes of recrea tion and pursuits of benefit. In the hurry-skurry of existence, amid the ceaseless whirl of business, and the endless range of employments, it is most gratifying to find that some can contrive to snatch a ht. h ours , 'n to improve their minds, and to increase tneir S tore of knowledge. It is a great error to suppose t hat additional information unfits persons for the perf or m an ce almost me chan ical of their duties, even if these be eal ones ; the more the intelligence is cultivated th e oetter are the duties of life dis charged, and the engaged i n . interest . is taken in the u It is to be hoped that this avocationsm o v e m e n t will go " tiler . . in strength and t e lla a s tt in ai g ned, and there re main•l3 the general • numbers but few v until it s exceptions object working of t t he of e c a om ru fo le rt promises to pr emote sort is happiness, comfort, , w a h n i d ch wellbeing of a numerous class. Toil ea°114 ' . , 6 be carried is requisite, and labour of some o m n ea w t i a t m h oanvgienws,tboutthethaedsveasnhtosugledof the employed as well as to the benefit of the employer, or el _ .... a go is something unsafe and u nsound in the wor a i of the system. that The friends of progress have always looked at it tendh in h a favourable eye upon all institutions any degree to raise the intellectual standard among the masses, and to promote the cause of nationaleen education. Mechanics Institutes have long b known as establishments that were conducive to the general good, although a regret has often been expressed that the class for which they were chiefly designed did not avail itself of them in great( r numbers. Of late, however, a new effort has been made towards establishing institutions of the same character,a and under a slightly diff eren t f orm an d titl e . We do n o t now hear so much about Mechanics Institutes about Wo r ki ng M en ' s Cl u b s an d Colleg es , perhaps the less pretentious title may THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 1863, win more supporters. The statistics of these colleges prove beyond a doubt the great need of the m t ha t existed, seeing that many of the scholars attain a high degree of proficiency with a rapidity typical alike of natural ability and persevering application. When we come to consider the sphere of life in which the young aspirants for distinction are placed, when we remember that their moments of study follow long hours of close application, either at the fatiguing routine of office work or at hard physical toil, when we reflect, too, that the time devoted to books and classes has to be snatched from their only leisure, we shall be convinced that the love of learn ing and the desire to improve which spurs them on obtai are very powerful a genc i es. The proportion of ts certificates i w u o th m e s se y insti tutionsstudne is who generally large, sup pose, to the fact that the study is voluntary, and that only those who are determined to do somethieg towards self-education take part in it, unlike the enforced application a schools. At an interesting meeting of the Ipswich Working Men's College, lately held in that town, under the presidency of Sir FITZROY KELLY, it was stated that since the opening of the college only a year ago no less than 16 certificates had been bestowed upon its students by the Society of Arts,. • This is eminently satisfactory at so early an epoch in its career, as there is rea sonable ground for expecting that many other of the students now members of the college will attain a similar distinction when they have had the ad vantage of a year or two more study. Since the inauguration of the college 150 men have become members, and 248 students. The president of the meeting, however, did not consider these numbers sufficient, and urged upon the working men, who heard him, the advantages of taking part in the instruction here openly proffered to them. In an able and interesting address, Sir FITZROY KELLY pointed out to the meeting the claims which the institution possessed alike on the rich and the poor ; on the former for their countenance and assistance, and the latter for their support by joining it as members. Among the chief requisites of the college is a library, and we fully agree with Sir FITZROY KELLY that the wealthier citizens ought at once to subscribe the necessary funds for it, if they wish the institution to prosper. It is hopeless to expect a student to get on without books, and the limited means of most of the members would stand very much in the way of their getting any even if they knew what to purchase. It is only fair and right that the college should supply all necessary means of obtaining information to its readers, and we should hope that a very brief time will be allowed to elapse before this indispen sable addition is made to the institution. From the earliest times, as Sir FITZROY KELLY observed, it has been the lot of the working classes throughout the whole world " to spend their lives in toiling and struggling for a precarious subsistence; to see their pleasures limited to the mere satisfaction of their bodily wants, to be, as Dr. JOHNSON pathetically observes, rather driven by the fear of evil than attracted by the hope of good." It is the object of institutions such as these to alter this state of things; to remove the barrier which has hitherto shut out the working classes from intellectual plea• sores—a barrier so strong that only a few rarely gifted individuals have been empowered to break it. There is really nothing in a man's condition, as Sir FITZROY KELLY told the working men of Ipswich, which prevents him from ranking among the great discoverers and great benefaetors of his race ; the only really formidable obstacle in his way is the difficulty he has in obtaining that rudimentary knowledge upon which all improvements are founded, and in learning those records of other men's experience which are necessary to guide his experiments. This want, which has been a formi dable impediment to many of our self•mado men, need now hineer their progress no more. hail- tutee and colleges open their doors to the eager inquiry of the young student, and offer him the treasures of past experience and present acquire- meet for his encouragement and aid. The fact o so many of their fellows distinguishing themselves in the examinations will very possibly stimulate others less hopeful or less industrious to enter the lists. Among the holders of certificates at Ipswich was a stonemason—a proof that no trade, however laborious and mechanical, need hinder the seeker after knowledge. We trust the various colleges recently established will prosper in their course, and that men of position and influence will continue to lend their aid and countenance to a project which has for its end the substantial benefit of their fellows. ASTROMETEOROLGY. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS) POLAND. WARSAW, DEC. 17. An order of the Government has been published to-day, ordering all the !anded proprietors, farmers , , and stewardaof estates to leave Warsaw within seven days under a fine of 25 roubles for every day they may delay their departure. It is also decreed that no persons are allowed to leave their usual resi dences without peamission of the military com mander. Loyal subjects only are allowed to travel. REPORTED RAISING OF THE STATE OF SIEGE IN POLAND. HAMBURG, DEC. 17. It is believed that the state of siege in Poland will be shortly abolished. SWEDEN AND DENMARK. STOCKHOLM, DEC. 17 The semi-official journals state that Sweden can. not and will not abandon Denmark while in danger. FRANCE. 16.—The market con ti nues h eavy, BOURSE, Dec.. and prices show no change from yesterday's quota tions. Threes, for the Account, are now at 66fr. et, but firm. The mar- 50c. Railway Shares qu: ket closed as follows :- 41 per Cents 94 90 Do. end month — 3 per Cents Do. end month..., 66 55 Credit Mobilier 1017 50 Do. end month 1017 50 Bank Shares 3350 Credit Foncier 1235 Roman Italian Loan 7l 90 Do. end month 7l 75 New ditto Do. end month — Russian Austrian Spanish Threes 52 Rome Debt — Deferred ataiwAYB. Cash. Account. 972 50 .. 973 75 975 .. 973 75 Orleans Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean New ditto Geneva.. Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa Ditto to Barcelona 932 50 .. 936 75 886 25 .. 498 75 .. -- 690 - .. 687 50 506 25 .. 505 480 - 476 50 398 75 .. 397 50 398 75 .. 403 75 525 .. 530 - 520 - 518 75 620 - 622 50 305 - .. 3 05 - LITERATURE. Adventures of Allan ; or, the Magic Amulet. By John Holme Burrow, 8.A., Author of "Tales for Sundays and Week Days," Ri , • With eight illustrations, by J. D. Watson. One Vol,, pp. 393. Smith and Eider. This is a genuine Christmas book—a Christmas tale in its theme, for it is wild, extravagant, and romantic—above all, a Christmas book in its moral, which inculcates the love and value of Home. The hero of the story is the elder son of a poor widow of Cairo, who lived " ages ago," and who, by her spirit and industry, contrived to support her self and her two sons, Alfan and Sadi. Atfan is a clever and diligent vouth,who has the good fortune to save the life of an old man, who is being attacked because of his being a reputed magician. This old man, in reward for the youth's services, bestows upon him the magic amulet, with this admonition .—d4 Wear it, my son, on your breast, ever near you ; and be assured that if you follow its counsel you will always act aright, and be honoured by all your friends." This good advice, however, Alfan neglects to follow. He soon afterwards becomes a prey to a boyish love of adventure, and, like many an eager youth of moaern times, leaves home by stealth, in order to seek the gold regions. Very amazing and romantic are the adventures that befall him—ad ventures ably illustrated by some spirited ketones by J. D. Watsor. Suffice it to say that Alfan, having tasted the sweets of pomp and power, and proved, like the sacred King, that all is vanztas vanitatum, returns at last, like the prodigal, to his early home and his most devoted friends, and agrees at length with the wisdom of the magic amulet, which has been so long and so vainly endeavouring to impress upon him the full force of the homely adage, adapted to all climes and all ages—" There is no place like home.' Lost—but not for Ever. Mg Personal Narrative of Starvation and Providence in the Australian Mountain Regions. By the Rev. R. W, Vander kiste, Author of " The Dens of London. One Vol., pp. 357. Nisbet. This little volume contains a record of the reve rend author's wanderings in Australia, w h ere , on one occasion, having lost his way in th e mountains he was most providentially preserved from d ea th, exposed rhaving been, inclemency for ule fo l lr h d ey days and four night s , to the of the weather during heavy rains, and after having been for s From one Thursday Wednesday night, a space of six days and six nights, th e on ly days night depraved to the following oi food " food partaken of was one slight meal ere leaving home." Although three years have elapsed since his deliverance from impending starvation, we aro not surprised to find that the author is still a con firmed invalid, and that, in the opinion of his medical advisers, his constitution is never likely to recover from the severe shock which it then expe rienced. The chief interest of the book, of course, relates to this marvellous escape. In his descrip• tions of his wanderings, the author in every page takes occasion to introduce his own religious opinions. He does not tell us to what particular form of belief he inclines, bat that his teaching is not the most orthodox may be inferred from his remarks upon baptism. One little anecdote which we have read with great interest we must not forget to mention : it served to encourage the lost traveller when abandoned in the wilds. It is a thought that should strengthen all overburdened hearts in the hour of trial or anxiety. A poor widow, threatened with poverty, had all but abandoned herself to hopeless desolation, when her little son asked her, in surprise at her utter despair, Mother, is God dead ?" Englani s Workshops. By Dr. G. L. M. Strauss, C. W. Quin, F.C.S., John C. Brough, Thomas Archer, W. B. Tegetmeier, and W. J. Browse. One Vol., pp. 312. Groombridge. No fairy pantomime contains more marvellous transformations than those which are related in the magic records of this book, " Patience,' says the Persian proverb, " and the mulberry leaf will be come silk." By the help of other kindred virtues in the modern "workshops of England," the fabled transmutation of the alchemists, is more than realised, and by the aid of art and industry every meaner agent is converted into gold. In turning over these pages we, in spirit, visit " Metal Work shops," "Chemical - Workshops," " Glass Work shops," " Provision and Supply Workshops," and "Domestic Workshops" —the latter comprising the " Boar's Head Cotton Mills," and the " Gray's-ina Pianoforte Manufactory." Among the metal workshops we have Gillott's steel pen manufactory at Birmingham, the gas branch and chandelier manufactory at the same place—edge tools—German silver—Sheffield steel ware—locks and keys, &^. In the other di visions are descriptions of the manufactures of perfumes and glass works—Pace's Candle Com pany—the paraffin oil works—a tobacco man afac tory—paper bags—mustard and starch—vinegar works—Allsopp's ale brewery, &n., &a. Truly Briareus, with his hundred hands, was but a poor antetype of the British artisan. As a Christmas present for thoughtful boys this little volume wilt be invaluable. My Imprisonnzent, and the First Year of Abolition .Rule at Washington. By Mrs. Greenhovv. One Vol., pp. 352. Bentley. Among all the books upon the American war which have come before 118, this is undoubtedly the most genuine. It is an outpouring of intense indig nation, and it affords a startling evidence of the powerful emotions and bitter aniinosities excited by the lamentable civil war in America. Mrs. Green how was, for about a year, a close prisoner inWash ington, hut however much we may participate in some of her sympathies, end however much we may deplore the indignities to which she was subjected, we cannot be surprised at her imprisonment by the Federal Government. Mrs. Greenhow is evidently (and she is herself well aware of the fact) a clever woman, and being herself a Southerner, for she boasts that " not a drop of Yankee blood pollutes her veins," she avails herself of her residence in Washington and ef her many acquaintances among theFederals,to carry on an important correspondence with the Confederate camp. She is charged with having obtained a knowledge of Gen. Ikl'Clellan's plans, and of having four times compelled him to change them ! At this charge she says, "I smil ingly shrugged my shoulders and asked, ' Well, what else ?'" But in her confidences with the reader she tells us that she actually had " the good fortune to have minutes of M'Clellan's private consultations, and often extracts from his notes!" In another place she says, " I might almost be said to have assisted at Lincoln's Cabinet Councils, from the facilities I enjoyed, having ver batim reports of them I . ' By the help of a secret cipher, and by the exercise of a marvellous ingenuity, Mrs. Greenhow transmitted the various information she continually acquired direct to the enemy. Can it be a matter of marvel, therefore, that the arrest of this secret in formant should be decided on by the authori ties at Washington P And when Mrs. Green how indignantly charges them with making war on women and children, she should remember that ir her instance a woman proved a formidable foe. Any of the abhorred " Yankees " who came in Mrs. Greenhow's way had little cause for self-gratula tion. As we read some of this lady's fierce invec tives and bitter retorts, we are reminded of the exclamation of Robert Bruce in " The Lord of the Isles " "Let women, Edward, war with words, With curses monks, but men with swords." Mrs. Greenhow's words are occasionally sharper than a two-edged sword. Neither is this dauntless Southern content with words, she is ready to use her revolver when occasion offers. When she has been arrested she repairs to her room resolved to destroy some papers even "at the expense of life." " The detective Dennis," she says, " little dreamed that a few paces only stood between him and eternity. He rapped at my door, calling ' Madam ! Madam l' and afterwards opened it, but seeing me apparently legitimately employed, he withdrew. Had he ad vanced one step I should have killed him, as I raised my revolver with that intent ; and so steady were my nerves, that I could have balanced a drop of water on my finger without spilling a drop.'' On another occasion, when she had given some warn ing to a friend,the detective officer grasped her arm so rudely that the mark remained for some time. An evidence of Mrs. Greenhow's intense feelings may be gained from her remarking upon this cir cumstance, "a strong effort was afterwards made to drive this from my mind, as if aught but the life's blood of the dastard could efface it ! " Truly, a ter rible woman is Rose Greenhow. As the spot of blood on Gulnare's forehead obliterated every ten der emotion even from the heart of the cousin she had saved, so do these revelations of the strong minded womanliness diminish our sympathy in Mrs. Greenhow's sufferings, and abate our admira tion for her consummate cleverness. Nevertheless, as a chapter —a striking, truthful chapter from the his tory of the times, this work is at once an object of interest and of very sad significance. The Tiger Prince ; or, Adventures in the Wilds of Abyssinia. By William Dalton, author of "The Wolf-Boy of China," " Cortes and Pizarro," & - 3. With Illustrations. One Vol., pp. 407. Virtue Brothers. The author of this work has already given us many books of foreign travel and adventure. In the "Tiger Prince," his object is to acquaint his readers with the manners and customs of the Abyssinians. "I have endeavoured," he says, "to interweave fact, history, and legend, so that my readers may have, as it were, at a glance, a toler ably good picture of a people who, in my eyes, are trebly interesting. First, from their antiquity as a nation. 2dly, from their claiming, and with some show of reason, their descent from Solomoi and the Queen of Sheba. Lastly, from their having been among the earliest of the races to embrace Christia nity." All which reasons, assuredly, are mere than sufficient to invest with a particular interest the records of the Abyssinian race. The story is nar rated by a youthful traveller, who, accompanied by a faithful servant (Peter), experiences many strange adventures during his wanderings in Abyssinia, whither he has accompanied a celebrated doctor, who is going to prescribe for an invalid prince. Daring their wanderings, the travellers, and, in consequence, the readers also, become acquainted with the various habits and usages of the Abys sinian people, taking part in their marriage fes tivities, witnessing the administration of justice, &c. The story possesses no very enthralling in• terest, and the witticisms of Peter, which are amusing enough in their way, are somewhat superabundant ; but, as an ingenious exposition of the customs and characters of a little known and interesting nation, the " Tiger Prince" has peculiar claims on our attention. The work is adorned with some half-dozen illustrations. The Destiny of _Nations, as indicated in Prophecy. By the Rev. John Cumming, D.D , author of " The Great Tribulation," &c. One Vol., pp. 334. Hurst and Blackett. In his preface Dr. Cumming disclaims the title of prophet. "Foolish people," he says, "occasion ally prophesy on his behalf, but for that he is not responsible." Dr. Cumming is not a prophet, then, but an interpreter of pro- phecy. In the pages now before us, we may, if we desire, become acquainted with the future of all the nations of the earth—" The Waning of the Crescent"—" France, her Place in Prophecy" —" The Doom of Rome"--" The Destiny of Britain," &c. While listening to the awful denun ciations which Dr. Cumming does not hesitate to address to his fellow-Christians on his self-inter preted authority of prophecy, we are inclined to remind him of that beautiful and Christian aspira tion of Pope's universal prayer : " Let not this weak, unknowing hand Presume Tby bolts to throw, And deal damnation round the land On each tt deems Thy foe." " The unwary," we are told, " wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction;" but Dr. Cumming seems to take a pleasure in " wresting," or interpreting them to the destruction of his fellow-men. The Sporting _Rifle and its Projectiles. By Lieut. James Forsyth, M.A., Assistant Conservator of Forests, Central India. One Vol„ pp. 132, with Three Plates. Smith, Elder, and Co. This little book is the result of its author's inquiries as to the best principle on which a sporting rifle might be constructed. So greatly was his own success in the field enhanced by the fruits of his inquiries, that he has been induced to give his fellow-sportsmen the benefit of his experience. A very nice distinction is pointed out in the require ments of a military and a sporting rifle. With the former we are reminded that the principal object is to disable an enemy at the longest possible range. To occasion death is not essential, as if wounded the enemy is placed hors de combat. On the other hand, with the sportstcan the chief object is to ensure the immediate death of tho victim, in order to prevent its escape if a timorous animal, or its attack if a ferocious one, after it has been wounded. In the present dny, when the rifle has become the favourite weapon, whether for the soldier, or sports man,* or volunteer, the advice and instruction con tained in the ten very lucid chapters and three explanatory plates here contributed by a practical shot will be found to be of general interest and utility. A REAL WANT.—There is a chance out in Ver mont for a very good boy. A farmer applied to the orphan asylum for one who was smart, active, brave, tractable, prompt, industrious, clean, pious, intelligent, good-looking , reserved, and modest. The superintendent referred him to the New Jerusalem.—Antertcan Paper. Five prizefigh,ots were committed for trial by the Rotherham magistrate, on Monday, aad six others were bound over in two securities of £2O each to keep the peace for six:months, SOCIETY OF ARTS. ---~- At the ordinary weekly meeting of the members of the Society of Arts, a paper was read by Dr. Edward Smith, "On the Economic Value of Foods, having spe cial reference to the dietary of the labouring classes." Mr. Edwin Chadwick, C. 8., was called to the chair. The author said that while he allowed the great value of per sonal experience and general observation, from which no doubt much truth has been arrived, still their defect lay in the absence of any large guiding principle, and in the imperfect or perhaps the erroneous deductions drawn from them. Exact scientaic knowle)ge should be called in to aid general observations, and to give laws for the con clusions. The economic value of foods depended upon the price paid for them, and the nutriment obtained from them ; and it was important to remark that the latter de pends not only in the nutritive elements of which they are composed, but also the use which the body can make of them. It was at this point that deductions from chemical knowledge alone had led, and still were leading, to error. Nearly all the generalisations of Liebig on the nutritive value of food were based simply upon their che mical constituents, assuming generally that they would all be equally well digested and appropriated by the system. The author proceeded to point out what he conceived to be the fallacy of this view, and also made some obsrvations corrective of the present popular description of nitrogen as the "flesh-forming," and carbon as the "heat-giving" element. Coming to the question of bread, he argued that the popular prejudice against that which contained bran, or brown bread was sound, and that the statement made by chemists that this was superior as an article of diet to white bread was incorrect. His reason was that although the bran was ascertained (chemically) to contain a large proportion of nutritive elements, it was not capable of assimilation by the system, passing from the body almost entirely unchanged; and that, therefore, all reasoning on the relative nutritive values of the two kinds of bread, founded merely on their chemical constituents, was fallacious. His own view was that brown bread was a diet suitable only for the rich,whose food was usually superabundant, and not for the poor. The author then passed to the consideration of the nutritive power of all the principal articles of diet, and showed in a tabular form the relative amount of nutritious elements that each would supply for a given cost. In conclusion he ex pressed his intention, if an opportunity was afforded him at a future time, of continuing the subject by considering the combinations of foods in public and private dietaries, Dr. Lankester acknowledged the importance and ability of the paper just read, but differed with Dr. Smith in some of the principles enunciated in it. The question was one of the utmost importance b the people of this country, and could not be settled by a few experiments. (Hear, hear.) The Government had not done its duty by this question. He was connected with the chemical department of the South Kensington Museum, and so far from himself and the other officers of that department receiving any assist ance from the Government, they had met with every ob• struction from it, while large sums of money had been wasted on old crockeryware which was useless. (Hear.) He then contended that brown bread was nutritious and economical, and instanced himself as an example of a man who had lived on it for 20 years, There was in all articles of food certain mineral constituents which Dr. Smith had not alluded to, and which might prove more valuable than the carbon and nitrogen ho had spoken of. He instanced potatoes, and in reference to their nutritious properties said so important was it considered that the Registrar-General noticed the rise and fall in the price of potatoes periodically, and it was found that when the price of potatoes rose mar riages and births decreased, and deaths increased. Dr. Gilbert differed in some respect from Dr. Lankester, and thought that the addition of bacon to bread would be better titan introducing bran into it. Ho was of opinion tha , celulose in the stomachs of animals did, to a certain extent, digest, Dr. Wise supported Dr. Smith's views. In referring to nutritious foods he considered sausages the best; but they were always looked upon with suspicion. He thought fOOO could not be analysed minutely, and that the instincts of man was a better test of their value than chemistry. After some remarks from Dr. H. Dickson and Dr. Buck land, The Chairman thought it was highly important that the consideration of this question should be extended to public institutions, such as prisons, workhouses, orphan, and other institutions, where large numbers had to be fed. He recom mended that the subject should be considered on classes of people, and not on individuals ; and he strongly urged fre quent and extensive ablutions as highly conducive to health and an assistant to the food. A cordial vote of thanks was given to Dr. Smith, and the meeting seperated. MARKETS—This Day. MARK-LANE. IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES.—Wheat, 40s ld barley, 33s lod ; oats, 19s 3d ; rye, 29s Ild ; beans, 34s lld and peas, 34s 2d. TIIE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES. - Wheat, 40s 4d barley, 33s 8a ; oats, 19s 3d ; rye, 29a 6d ; beans, 35s Si, peas, 34s 2d. ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK.—Wheat, 129,130; bailey, 119,293 ; oats, 16,161; rye, 27; beans, 4,508; pea,s, 2,458 quarters. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. Thera was a full average stir ply of beasts on sale in our market, to-day, even for the time of year, and the general quality of the stock was prime, included in the show were about 2,000 beasts left over from Monday. All breeds met a dull sale, and the quotations had a drooping tendency A few very superior Scots realised bs 2d, but the general top figure for beef was fis per 81bs. Sheep—the supply of which was good—changed hands slowly, at late races. The best Downs sold at 6s per 81bs. Prime calves were scarce, and Gd per 81bs dearer. Otherwise, the veal trade was in a sluggish state, on former terms. In pigs and mulch cows. very little was doing, at late currencies. s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Crse. &inf. beasts 3 6 3 10 Primecrs-wool d 0.5 4 5 8 Second quality do. 4 6 4 4 Prue. S'thdowndo.s 10 6 0 Prime large oxen 4 6 4 10 Large orse. calves 4 0 5 0 Prime Scots, 4 10 5 0 Prime small do 5 2 5 6 Crse. & inf. sheep 4 0 4 6 Large hogs 3 6 4 2 Second quality do. 4 8 5 2 ! Small porkers , 4 4 4 8 Suckling calves, 12s to 20s ; and quarter-old store pigs. 21s to 26s each. TOTAL surrtr. Beasts .. Cows lOO Sheep Calves Pigs FOREIGN SUPPLY. Beasts 220 Sheep and lambs Calves . . 110 Pigs MEAT MARKETS. NENVGATE AND LEADENDALL.—The bupplies of meat are extensive, and the demand rules inactive, as follows : —Beef, from 2s 10d to 45 4d , mutton, 3s 8d to 48 8d ; lamb, Oa Od to Os Od; veal, 4s Od to 5s Od; and pork, 3s Gd to 4-i 8d per 81bs, by the carcase. SOUTHALL, Dec. 16.—The sup,ly of stock was large, and the trade ruled heavy. 13eet, from 3s 6d to os 2d ; mutton, 48 Od to 6s Od ; veal, 4s 0.1 to 4s 10d ; lamb, Os Od to Os Od; and pork, 43 Od to 4s 8d per 81bs, to sink the offal. ROMFORD, Dec. I6.—Prime stock was in steady request, at full prices; otherwise, the trade was in a sluggiela state. Beef, from 3s 10d to 5s 2d ; mutton, 4s Od to 6s Od ; veal, 4s Od to 4s 8d ' • and pork, 3 s 10d to 4 s 8d per Sib s ; suc k• ling calves, 12s to 20s; quarter-old store pigs, 20s to 265; and milch cows, £l4 to £lB 106 each. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. have read the note in this evening's Sun upon the subject of storms, &'3., signed R. J. Morrison, R.N., who, in conjunction with Mr. W. H. White, the late Secretary to the Astrometeorological Society, has paid at tention to this important subject for the last quarter of a century. It appears to me, although I do not pretend to be an authority in the matter, that there is much which is worthy of notice in your correspondent's letter, as wall as in his recent note also published by you upon the same subject. That there is much which is valuable in Admiral Fitzroy's system cannot be denied, but it is equally cer tain that although he has the Government to aid him in a pecuniary sense and otherwise, and which I am glad is the case—the Admiral, like the rest of us, occasionally makes grave mistakes ; and therefore he ought not to ob ject to receive fair criticism and friendly hints. Ho re minds me of a reported speech of Sir J. Reynolda, who criticising a painting, said, " it is good, very good, but hang it, it wants that"—snapping his fingers, in an explanatory manner. So it is with the Admiral—his system is good and respectable, but requires improvement. 1 do not pretend to point out the mode of such improvement; but I do ven ture to assert positively, after much observation and ex perience, that unless he attends to the electricity of the atmosphere he will always be liable to mistakes in his pr e dictions, and this knowledge can only be gained by attend ing to the position of the heavenly bodies, as they form certain aspects with the earth. For instance, the astro. meteorologists proved beyond doubt, and by numerous care ful observations, that when the sun comes to an angle of 60 degrees from the planet Mars, there is an increase in the temperature, with electrical phenomena, according to the season, which, however, is not the case when these two bodies are 50 degrees distant. Also, when Saturn is joined with the sun, the heat is remitted and cold is increased, owing probably to the different character of the rays of these planets. I maintain, as I have maintained, that these are nature's facts, which must not be neglected by the Admiral if he means, as he deserves, to achieve success. Yours obediently, CHRIS. COOKE, Late member of the Astrometeorological Society. London, Dec. 15, 1863. THE LATE GALES.—As an evidence of the disas trous effects on shipping by the late gales, there are at present no less than 17 ships, of various tonnages, in the docks and alongside the breakwater at Falmouth under repairs, although the works at that port are yet in an unfinished state. The brig Chebucto, which had sunk alongside the b re ak wa t er , w ith p ar t o f h er cargo on b ear d , owing to two pla n ks b e i ng l e tt o p en i n h er s id e, was ex . p e ed to be floated on Tuesday evening's tide. BL RS.—The commander of a block- O C I CADERUNNE uuer usually gets £BOO a round trip from Ber ade-ru cotton for ''• - a Ber muda or Na ssau ' , and the privilege of purchasing 12 bales of only possitli:tobmaalek,ewhich is worth £'7s at Liverpool. It is but two could be made e o f ne trip during a moon from Bermuda, a d e -runners are to sink their ships e. ous to encounter. The , as tha n) Nassau. The risk to the com mander is fearful Federal cruisers are most instructions danger- The steerage a o f b I o p c k - rather .e low e lowered n in let them be can,ehb blockade-runner is well when there is zio g c e h g a n a c r e ' captured by the Federate, proa moment. The v s i e de b d o w at i s th ar b e o p at r s ev •w id h e i d ch w Jul rowing crew waterlogged e ge h e e d r for and th w e it e h s escape of provisions,a p o y t o ' s s t ' s h i e be ahi i p n at th night, e boats; tf and escape,ore the Federals she .8 Very ofte or sulk. can board the scuttled ship ; HAY MARKETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £3 Os to .£4 lOs Od ; clover, £4 Os to £5 108 Od ; and straw, £1 Gs to £1 103 par load. Trade steady. CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £3 Os to £4l2s 6d ; clove,, £4 Os to £5 lO Od ; and straw, 6,4 to £1 10a per load. A fair average supply. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £3 Os to £4 10a Od ; clover, £4 Os to £5 108 Od ; and s t raw , £ 1 G s to £ 1 lOs per load. Trade rather dull, COLONEL WAUGit.—Colonel Waugh is still con fined i❑ the infirmary of Whitecross street Prison, in which prison he has been detained since March, when arrested on a capias. The decision of the Lord Chancellor on the appeal from the Court of Bankruptcy has settled the question as to the release, and the bankrupt, who has sur rendered to the bankruptcy, must now prepare his accounts and proceed to pass his last examination. As a reason for his release it was urged that it would take him three months to file the accounts, and it will now be seen whether that time will be necessary. The only other course open to the bankrupt is to obtain two sureties in £2,000 each, and him self in £4,000, to procure his release, or remain in custody until the completion of the case under the bankruptcy. ADDITIONS TO THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GAL LERY.—King Henry the Eighth when young, a small picture, duplicate of one in the collection ac Ahhorp. It was engraved, whilst in the possession of Mr. Barrett, cf Lee priory, for Cavendish's "Life of Wolsey." Catharine of Arragon, a life sized bust-picture, also from Lee Priory, is an authentic likeness; but very different from the type which Mrs. Siddons and painters generally have adopted for the embodiment of Henry's injured Queen. We fiad in stead the true characteristic,—a thick full lip, Austrian almost in its prominence, and a short nose. The lip r . ' 7 ,,,, derived from her father, Ferdinand the Catholic. zli.ene fair;r' is full and fat : the eyes dark and the cpu t l r il r e h l e forming altogether a countenance ill-adapted, very of any deep seated. pia, Another curious, sir but Nicholas Bacon, char acteristic piece of ph) siognomy, is old 0f the Great Seal Keep er s , /t to say, "My Lord display the father of Lord Bacon, and under Queen Elizabeth, who was was "fat and scant o! Keeper's soul lodges well 1" -L.... cheeked, like Falstaff; but breath," corpulent and of good living. His complexion • without, any other sign mouth ex pressive• somewh t of determination, somewhat inclining to severity This picture is a thoroughly gen u i ne and leathery, and the eye rather cunning, with a d piece of portraiture of the close of the six teenth century. It is dated 1d79. The Bacon arms appear on hi s signet-ring. A spirited picture of O'Kecffe, th, o w f e c l well- a p r r a e c s f e e r r v . e , dramatist, author of " Wild Oats," 4, Th e Agreeable Sul - pr i se ," and many popular pieces of the day, is by an 1ri..11 artist, Lawrenson, of Whom very little is known. It was engraved as the frontispiece to his "Memoirs," publishel some years ago,—.4thcnotcm, 1. 4 CDPIIO (ffrwrf , y; )U )11 4 lIER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 16. Taa Queen drove in the grounds this znornir!g. Yesterday afternoon her Majesty attended D'..vino service in the Chapel Reyal of St. George. Her Majesty, who was still in deep mourning, occupied the royal closet by the altar. The Princesses Helena and Louise were also present, and sat in the stalls of the Sovereign Knights of the Garter. The service was intoned by the Rev. J. Goro, minor C3/30 , 13. The " Maguificat" and "Nuns Dimittis" was Kel , way in A, and the anthem was Come unto me," Elvey. The Rev. C. L. Courtney and the Hon, and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor took part in the service. The Queen reached the chapel through the Deanery, and retired privately by the same way. Her Majesty will leave Windsor Castle this morn • ing for Osborne at a quarter past eleven o'clock by the narrow gauge line of the Great Western Rail way, and will proceed to Gosport via Basingstoke, thus avoiding the inconvenience of changing car riages throughout the whole of the distance. The Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Windsor Castle on Tuesday, and dined with her Majesty in the evening. The Coun tess of Mac2lesfield, the Lady in Waiting, and Lieutenant-Colonel Keppel, the Equerry in Wait ing, were in attendance. Yesterday morning her Majesty visited the Prin.. cess of Wales at Frogmore. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales walked and drove in Frogmore grounds yesterday. The Prince and Princess of Wales will leave Frogmore House on Monday or Tuesday next, on a visit to the Queen at Osborne, where they will. spend the Christmas and remain about ten days:. On leaving Osborne their Royal Highnesses will return to Frogmore House. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales hon oured Mr. Foley, Mr. Noble, and Mr. Theed on Tuesday with visits at their studios. The Duke of Devonshire, accompanied by Lady Louisa Cavendish and Lords Edward and Frederick Cave=- dish, aro about to leave Chatsworth for Holkar Hall, Lan cashire, where a party will shortly assemble for the holi days. Tile Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury were prevented by slight indisposition from being present at the marriage of Lady Violet Graham and Mr, Greville on Tuesday. Mrs. Lane Fox was absent from the same cause. The Earl and Countess of Cawdor and the Ladies Victoria and Muriel Campbell have arrived at Stacpolo Court, Pembroke, where the esti and cAtn:ess will entertain. a numerous party for Christmas. Tile christening of the infant daughter of General Charles and the Countess Aldenburg Bentinck took !lace yesterday at their house in Grosvenor -street. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary arrived at one o'clock, the princess being one of the godmothers. The Prussian Ambassador and the Countess Bernstorff represented the Crown Prince and Crown Prin cess of Prussia as sponsors. At two o'clock a breakfast was given. The other guests were the members of the family, and the Rev. Charles Cavendish Bentinck, who performed the ceremony. Lady Francis Gordon and Miss Gordon have arrived at Frampton Park, Dorsetshire, on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Brineley Sheridan. Colonel and Lady Emily Cavendish have arrived at General the Hon. Charles Greig's residence, St. James's Palace, from their seat in Hertfordshire. Mr. and Lidy Fanny Howard have arrived in town from Chatsworth, and have since left for Compton. H mse, near Eastbourne, the family seat in Sussex. The Hon. Mrs, F. Stonor returned to town yes terday from Frogmore. The Right Hon. Sir William Jollia has left town with his family, for Petersfield, where they propose to pass the Christmas holidays. The Chancellor of the Exchegoer arrived in town yesterday morning from Ihwarden Castle, Chester. Important Meeting of Opposition Members of the French Legislature, The Independance Beige, of Tuesday evening, ' contains the following interesting account of an important meeting of the French Legislative Oppo sition, which took place on Sunday last 4 ' The meeting which was held yesterday at the house of M. Marie was most interesting. There were 22 members assembled, embracing all the shades of the opposition ; three or four only failed to respond. Ali the sections of the Left were re presented there. M. d'Andelarre represented the Right. The discussion first had to do with internal affairs. As on this subject there was no difference, at least as to the end, between the members of the opposition, on the point that liberty is the common object, it was proposed by M. Marie that the cause should be entrusted, in the name of all the Left, to one orator alone, who, in case of the adoption of the motion, was evidently intended to be M. 'niers. The proposition was warmly opposed, especially by M.M. Emile 011ivier, Picard, Jules Favre, sc. It was observed that reliance ought not to be placed on only one orator, whatever might be his talent— however he might flatter himself that he was able to concentrate all the vital force, all the individual tendencies of the opposition, and to satisfy all shades of the great party of democracy. Moreover, there was not agreement on various points of detail, par ticularly that of Governmental responsibility, which M. Theirs wished to confine to the Ministers, and which the other members of the Left named above desired to extend to the chief of the State. Upon the whole, it was decided, almost unanimously, that the party should continue, as hitherto, to bring forward a series of amendments affirming principles which should be sustained successively by the diffe rent orators of the Left. Ou the Mexican ques tion there was an agreement to demand the immediate recall of our corps of occupation. We can see, however, that this motion has no chance of success. As for the Polish questio:a, there was, as might have been easily foreseen, much greater division. MM. Gueroult and Huvin both spoke in favour of war, and their arguments, urged in good language and with deep conviction, pro duced a certain effect ; but the authors of an amend meat pronounced themselves in favour of limiting the intervention of France to the recall of our ambassador. M. Thiers spoke on this subject, and, in a speech which was not the least remarkable of those heard during the sitting he sought to prove that war being impossible or necessarily mortal to France, allj that would lead to it would be deplor able. The illustrious statesman enumerated the material obstacles, and proved that our a ction. isolated from the great powers, would recornosxysia the coalition, and throw into the lastd Puanable to Germany, already excited against na l and anything see in a - French war in favour but a dis p g o u n ise th d e e p la o im lish to g t u h .et e e id a M. Thiers concluded this lucid i n o d n in to abst by recommending the "P a c' t s i l o t n from • u com pletely kind of eacdhi.dofnothteprevail ; and it was ftrhoe:ftiiie talentr:msearecenfsstteihneß h i of e p m l a e n te i li es u tation. But, despite the orator, his opinion did not sine , they couldagree upon a common members of the op decided, he free expression of his opinion and sym position t toea. In short, a though the sitting gave rise to , pat • disputes which sometimes had a boisterous character a , agreement 1,71.18 maintained upoe great priecipletc decision, to leave to and the talent which was shown by the various orators promises a magnificent discussion at the public sittings of the Palais Bourbon. )OUTIIA.IIPTON, Dec. IG.—The Hamburg-Ameri can Company's screw steamship Hammonia, Captain Schwensen, sailed hence to-day, with German, French, and English mails for New York. She takes out 5i cabin and 200 steerage passengers, jewelry value 3,OAf. from Havre, and a full cargo, of which. 3.50 tons, principally colonials, wine, &e , were shipped at this port. SUICIDE OF A SIIIF CAPTAIN.-0a Saturday morning last Captain Rhodes, of the ship Marmion, of Glasgow, bound front this part to Trinidad, and which has been lying in Lainlash since the 23d ult., jumped from the ship's quarterdeck into the sea. There was a heavy sea tun ning at the the time, and he immediately disappeared. The steward, who witnessed the occurrence, gave the alarm, a id a boat was lowered, but it was too late. It is thought that the act was the result of temporary derangement, caused by the long detention of the vessel here and at Linalash by adverse winds and gales,--Greenock Advertiser. lif - o - The i ciliri ng °Pen nl, tila f=e tc enemas I.°ll s b" 1, Li ver, 14) 4 "i:et Ports 1 . 13 '