The Sun. — London, England, 1864-12-31 00:00:00

...----____ , ENGLISTs AND SCOTTISH LAW LIFE ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION. 12, WeAterloo-place, London, 30th Dec ,1861. NOTICE IF.I HEREBY GIVEN, That the HALF YEARLY INTEREST on the Shares of the Association, at the rate of 4e., per Share per annum, will become payable to the Proprielors (free of Income-tax), at the Offices of the As sociatiorj, On and after the 10th day of January, 1865. By Order of the, Board, J. HILL WILLIAMS, Actuary and Secretary. It'A.l ENGLISH OPERA, COVEN r- GARDEN. (Opera Company, Limited.) THIF, EVENING, THE BRIDE OF SONG. Renee, Miss T hirlwall ; Beatrice, Madame Fanny Huddarc ; Adel ben, "-dr. Henry Haigh; and Flannib A, Mr. A. Laurence. Conductor, Mr Alfred Mellon. To conclude with the Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled CINDERELLA - or, Harlequin and the magic Pumpkin. and the Great 'Fairy of the Little Glass Slipper, in, which the celebrated Donato will appear. Commence at Seven. ITER MAJE:STY' S THEATRE. I[ T i HIS EVENING, the new Operetta, in one act, en titled Followed by the new Grand Christmas Pantomime, THE I.ION AND THE UNICORN FIGHTING FOR THE CROWN. THEATRE -ROYAL DRURY-LANE Managers. Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Chatterton.:: 'PHIS EVENING, and during the week, A YOUNG LAD FROM THE COUNTRY. Alter which, the Grand Christmas Pantomime, HOP O'MY THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-League Boots : Messrs. G. Bel more, Tom Matthews, G. Weston, Master Percy Roselle, &c. Misses Lydia Thompson. R. Lcclercq, ate. ; Messrs. Boleno, C. Lauri, W. A. Barnes, T. Morris, Cormack, Saville ; Mdme. Boleno, the Misses Gunnies, and Signor Tescano. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE,- Special Morning Perform ances.—ln answer to numer ous applications from parties residing in the environs, and in order to allow the country visitors to London during tue holiday week an opportunity of witnessing the grand Drury lane annual Christmas Pantomime, entitled HOP 0' MY THUMB AND HIS ELEVEN BROTHERS ; or, Harlequin and the Ogre of the Seven-league Boots, Messrs. Falconer and Chatterton have decided on giving ONE MORNING PERFORMANCE, THIS DAY, Saturday, Deo. 31, and on the morning of every Wednesday and Saturday during the holiday season. Children and schools at reduced prices to the following parts of the theatre : First elide, dress circle, and stalls, for morning performances only. T HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.— Lessee, Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, Dec. 31, DAVID GARRICK. Messrs. Chippendale, Sothern, Buckstone, Rogers, Clark, Coe, Wea thersby, &c. ; Mesdames Moore, Snowdon, Fitzwilliam, &c. After which, LORD DUNDREARY MARRIED AND DONE FOR Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Braid, Gordon, Clark, White, Coe, Weathersby, &c. ; Mesdames ;Snowdon, Hill, &c With PRINCESS SPRINGTIME. Mr. Compton, Miss L. Keeley. And MRS. WHITE. To commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Mr. FECHTER will perform his universally allowed great impersonation of RUY BLAS EVERY EVENING until further notice. THIS EVENING, to commence with MY WIFE'S OUT. Messrs. Widdicomb, Charles; Miss B. ;Percy and 3liss E. taver.u. Atter which, at S RUY BLAS. Buy Blas, Mr. Fechter. Messrs. Ryder, Fitzpatrick, F. Ch tries, M•lntyre, Garden, Raymond, Collett, C iliord, Moreland; Misses Car lotta Letlercq, B. Percy, and Mrs. Winstanley. To conclude with a Farcical Oriental Extravaganza, en titled BAREFACED IMPOSTORS. Schahabaham (a pasha of three tails, Mr. Raymond; Mustapha, Lis vizier, Mr. Garden ; Bill Stumps and Jack Hocus, quondam proprietors of the original united happy family, Messrs. Moreland and "Vieldicomb ; Ali, chief g - uardian of the ladies of the Harem, Mr. Collett ; Osman Khan. chief executioner, Mr. Bunch ; Achmet Aga, an officer of the Sultan, Mr. Kelly; Mirzs Bajji Baba, chief keeper of the monkeys, Mr. Regan; Ayesha, formerly Jemima Stumps, but no v first favourite of the pasha, Miss Lavenu; Fatima, second favourite of the pasha, bliss B. Percy ; Shekerleb, third favourite of the pasha, Miss Travers ; Beda, fourth favourite of the pasha, Miss Watson ; Zenobia, formerly banou of the harem, chief wife of the pasha, but now discarded for Ayesha, Miss Hatch. Various choice specimens of zoology, guards, slaves, and attendants, by the numerous and talented Smith family. Divertissement cics Odalisques. Doors open at Half-past Six. The Box-office open daily from ElevLn till Five. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPIII.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE WORKMEN OF PARIS. air. Benjamin Webster ; Messrs. Billin A ton, R. Phillips, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne, C. J. Smith; Mrs. Stirling, 3liss Woolgar (Mrs. A. Mellon), Miss H. Simms. Mrs. Bil lington, Mrs. H. Lewis, and Miss A. Seamen. To conclude with DARK DOINGS IN THE CUP BOARD BY THE KNOTTING'EIi BROTHERS. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bediord, R. rhill:ps, and Mrs. A. Mellon. Commence at 7. ISS BATE M A N.-NEW TH.E A.TR E ROYAL ADEL PHI.— Mr. Webster begs to announce that the great Tragedienne, Miss BATEMAN, having per form•ed with unparalleled success the character of " Leah" fora period of nine consecutive mouths during the last season at this Theatre, and since won the plaudits of thousands in Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Manchester, and Glasgow. she will RE-APPEAR at this Establishment JANUARY 2d, 1865, in her original character of the Jewish Maiden for a limited number of nights, previously to her appearing in other illustrations of the (,la , sic Drama, which are in prepa ration. The B x-office will be opened on Monday, Dec. 19, when places may be secured for ALiss Bateman's engagement a fortnight in advance. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, a new Extravaganz , , entitled THE MAGIC HORSE AND THE IcE MAIDEN i ItiNCESS. Atter which, TIIE STREETS. OF LONDON. Messrs. Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, 11. Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Marston, Miss Emma Larnett, and Hiss Fanny Gwynne. ItY AI. STRAND 'l' HEATR E. Sole Lessee and Manweress. Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at 7, SHORT AND SWEET. Al ter which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, THE " GRIN" &MITES ; or, the Mrs. Brown of the Missis-sippi. Messrs. Stoyle, Thorne, James, Fenton, ac.; Mesdames Ada Swanborou,gh, Raynham, Simpson, Johnstone, &c. To cinclude with THE WILFUL WARD. Miss Palmer. G" ATIS AND POST FREE E. MOSES and SONS' New Pamphlet, THE PHILOSOPHY OF DRESS. - L1 MOSES AND SON 4 ir• respectfully call attention to their large and well assorted stock of JUVENILE CLOTHING. The newest 'arnica are combined with the latest and most fashionable designs, and the best workmanship. E. MOSES and SON give particular attention to this important branch of their business, and they can with confidence affirm that the prices Are such as must satisfy the most economical. This depart ment Is in a distinct part of the premises, which will be bound a great convcniQnce for ladies and children, MOSES AND SON • respectfully invite public attention to their large and well-assorted WINTER STOCK. 1 - 4 1 MOSES AND SON'S 22A• ,, sANDRINGH/1.11" and " DANISH " WRAPPER :I utroduced by them) is the newest and most fashionable style of Overcoats for the season. "Ll MOSES AND SON'S jui• READY-MADE and BESPOKE CLOTHING for all classes and all ages. .E MOSES AND SON'S • CELEBRATED "INDISPENSABLE" SUIT, Iron 30s. E. MOSES AND SON'S HOSIERY and DRAPERY, tor all classes and all ages. 'V MOSES AND SON'S • HATS AND CAPS, for all c asses and all ages. MOSES AND SON'S E • BOOTS and SHOES, for all classes and all ages. EMOSES AND SON'S • OUTFITS, for all clams, all ages, and all climates. JMOSES AND SON'S • LONDON HOUSES, 151, 155, 15f‘, 157, Minories ; 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, Aldgate ; 506, 507, 508, New Oxtord--street ; 1,2, 3, Hart-street ; 137, 138. Tottenham-court-road; 288, Euston-road Also, Bradford, Yorkshire. MOSES AND SON'S F• Establishments are closed eve'y Friday evening at sunset until Saturday evening at sunset, when business is re sumed until 11 o'clock. A 1 articles are marked the lowest prices in plain figures. Any article not approved of will be exchanged, or the money returned. List of Prices with Rules for Self-measurement, Fashion Card, and our new pamphlet, " The Philosophy of Dress," gratis and post tree. COALS. —The LILLESHAL L COMPANY'S COALS. Pirect from their own Collieries. Marquis' .265. per ton. I Do u ble 21s. per ton. Top 255. „ Def p 22s. „ Well screened and delivered within live miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf, raddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N. Best Coke Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, dole ..0.4,-2nt. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN" supplied, n g soon as published every Evenintz by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24, old Cavendish-street, Oxtord•street. I:s.a-.3 )1 • 141 0 1 10 4. 41 4e,41 1 1 1, 0 At le ( 7 011/ %,„,/ 1 ~ !4. l yr I • DEC. 31, 1864 LONDON, SATURDAY, _'-__--- -0- ---- Mr. GoLDWIN SMITH'S rencarizs cn the relations batvreen America and England will, doubtless, i n ,. terest many, and cp.rt , ,linly the learned Professor has not been niggardly in his efforts, for his letter is voluminous, and very comprehensive in its de tails. He speaks with groat decision on the guess Lion of slavery, and when he affirms that England holds the practice in abhorrence, many will coin cide with hire who differ from the general tenor of his remarks. When he goes on, however, to make apologies, as it were, to explain away un favourable impressions concerning the conduct of this country in the matter of slavery being the reason of American war, he altogether exaggerates, and partly mistakes the real position of affairs. No wonder the North did not set before the world the issue between slavery and freedom, at the outset of the conflict, when we consider that it has only been an afterthought, suggested by the exigency of the case, and ingeniously put in to beguile and cajole the unwary into the belief that a war, based on selfish principles, was founded on noble and ele vated ideas. It is perfectly absurd to make such an affair of our recognising the attempt of the North to put down slavery, when we have no external proof or visible sign that such is their aim, object, or intent ; and allowing, for the the sake of argu. ment, that it was, they are not setting about it in the right way. It would seem as if the object of this letter was to excuse everyone, which is a very thankless task to attempt, and can never succeed in its endeavours so as to give satisfaction to any one. The South are not very likely to thank him, or to appreciate his condescending approval of their sticking qualities, When he declares that the chief reason why the Southerners gained the sympathies of England was on account of their " valour and self-devotion," he speaks the truth, although it must be confessed that such truth does not redound in a very flattering manner to the case of those whom be upholds through thick and thin—the Federals. Yet, when he goes on to state that the brave spirit and indomitable perseverance exhibited by the Confederates " will, when they have submitted to the law, entitle them to be the citizens of freemen," he becomes simply ridiculous. Every one who understands how to judge of cha racter, or to appreciate the effect of conduct, will admit that the Southerners stand in a much higher position than their opponents as men and citizens. They have not shown the spirit of destruction for no purpose but to gratify rage, the bloodthirsty revenge, the appalling acts of cruelty which have disgraced the cause of the Northerners during all this protracted struggle ; and now, forsooth, they are to be told that they may aspire to be on a level with those whom every principle of honour and sentiment of humanity must lead them to con demn. Further on, the Professor deals out some home truths to his friends which are not likely to prove very palatable to them, much profit though they might derive from them if they were willing to receive them in a fair spirit. He tells them that there has not been accordance among them. selves, and that some of their politicians and a sec tion of their press have been as bitter against the war as any foreign journal or public speaker. There is great truth in this assertion, but then, again, the writer forgets himself, and passes from argument to abuse. What can be more unseemly and unfitting than the terms in which he mentions the writings of one who, for a long period, afforded to many great interest and excitement from his bold expressions, acute perceptions, and spirited style. Such lan guage as the following passage contains is quite unseemly :—" No slanders poured by English igno. ranee or malevolence on American society has been so foul as those which came from a renegade Awe rican writing in one of our foreign journals, under the name of "MANHATTAN." His remarks upon Canada are quite of character, although they may ❑ot surprise those who know his peculiar views upon the subject of Colonies. When he declares that Canada belongs in every sense to America, and not to Europe," he touches upon a theme that will raise against him the opinion of the commu nity in general. Furthermore i is by no means so apparent as he would make out, that there is no intention on the part of the United States Government to molest or harass our possessions, and, indeed, there are only too many grounds to suppose the contrary, when we recall recent events, and the long-con tinued course of threats and invectives launched against us by influential persons. As he proceeds on his way, Professor GOLDWIN SMITH becomes almost unendurable, from the ridiculous and yet irritating style of h's remarks. He implores the forbearance of the Americans towards us on account of our " ignorance." Things have come to a pretty pass indeed if such excuses are to be tolerated for a moment. And this is not enough, pur et simple, but we must leave the offended majesty of American arrogance forced to the top of its bent. We are told that our ignorance " is as dark as night," but the progress of events begins gloriously to dispel it. The only solution to this is that the news of whole tracts of land laid waste, and troops ordered to fire on hospitals, sums for the relief of the needy prisoner rejected with scorn and contumely, women and children ill-treated, are the means by which England is to see her error in not according the weed of her praise and the offering of her respect to the Washington Government and the Federal armies. Excuses are rife, however, in this letter, and we come upon one almost ludi crous in its character. Englishmen are not such great travellers as Americans, and, therefore, due allowance must be made for the mistakes that they keep on making about them. It is surely the first me that such a lame excuse was made for the errors we commit as a nation, but how is it tha' the travelled hosts of America do not understand us better. It does not speak very forcibly of their penetration, or very flatteringly of our perfection, it they go back and, from across the Atlantic, send forth such insults to our land. It is always a very unwise course to pursue to palliate wrong and to make shuffling excuses for mistakes, whether an individual or a nation com mits them, but to go back to first principles, why are we to be schooled into good behaviour to please any country on the face of the globe. If the Americans feel themselves wronged, the remedy i 3 open to them, and we are not afraid or ashamed to defend ourselves, however much we may regret the necessity that drives us to a hostile encounter. Meanwhile, it is idle, it is insulting to our dignity and unworthy of our reputation, that any remarks of this kind should be made ; and this letter, whit teems with excuses, abounds in explanations and is prolific of promises, had much better have been left undone. It can afford no interest to those to whom it is addressed, while it is unworthy of th ose whom it affects to represent. Perhaps there has never been a more interesting spectacle in British India than the ceremony of the opening of the Punktub ItAilway, so lately pre sided over by the Viceroy. It was not that any particular splendour attached to the opening cere monial, for in all the circumstance of pomp and state it was far eclipsed by the recent Durbar ; nor was it that any extraordinary engineering genius had been necessary to surmount the obstacles of the route, such as in the line under Mont Cenis or the ascent of the Andes. The interest attaching to the sight was the prospect which it held out of peace and plenty and commercial prosperity to the desolate neglected wastes of our great empire. The triumph of the occasion was the triumph of civi- lisation over barbarism, of knowledge over igno rance, of skilled intelligence and energy over time and distance. The great railway line► of which the PuDiatlh RfAiiway forms an important part, is THE SVN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31, 1.864.' ,vm""Am. 2,200 miles in length, and has been happily come pared to a great steam arch, which will unite Cal cutta, in the Bay of Bengal, with Kurrachee, on the Arabian Sea. It is no wonder that in face of such an achievement the wild hill tribes stand awe• stricken, and that educated Englishmen deemed the occasion a fit one for rejoicing and celebration. By no one could it have been more suitably presided over than by that energetic and able man who proved so efficient an administrator of the affairs of the province ; and it was Sir JOHN LAWRENCE who in that capacity turned the first sod of the Punjaub Railway in February, 1859. India had hardly then recovered from the terrible convulsions of 1857, yet with the fearlessness which distinguishes him, Sir ,TOIIN LAWRENCE boldly pre dicted the success of the line, and declared that few railways in India had been undertaken under such auspices. Three years later Sir ROBERT MONT GOMERY, then Governor of the Punjaub, opened the first section of the line, which extended from Lahore to Umritsur. Lahore is the seat of the Pun jaub Government and the residence of many of the principal chiefs. Umritsur is of greater importance in another way, being the chief commercial em• porium of Northern India. It is densely populated , and its merchants deal largely with London and Paris, as well as with Persia, Chinese Tartary, and all the principal Indian towns. The union of these two cities was therefore very justly described by Sir R. MONTGOMERY as " a great event for the Pune jaub." "Another mile," said he, in his opening address, " has been added to the great highway be tween Kurrachee, the seaport of North-western India, and Umritsur," and he remarked that the natural result of the final completion of that high way would be to effect a striking change, not only among the inhabitants of the Punjaub itself, but i❑ the half barbarous tribes of the frontier, who ex pressed the greatest amazement and awe at the wonderful achievement of the Europeans. A Brahmin, on the opening of the first section of the line, exclaimed, while looking at a locomotive, that " All the gods in India had never produced such a thing as that." A few months more will see Lahore placed in direct communication with Mooltan, 220 miles distant, to which the Punjaub Railway is to extend, being in all 252 miles in length. The in auguration of the first section was held at Lahore on the 19th of October, the day after that grand durbar which was without parallel among the re cords of the hills. Many of the native princes who had attended to do honour to their old friend the day before, were present at the opening ceremony, together with the chief civil and military authori ties of the empire. The civilian might see in this great connecting link the promise of the further ex tension of the blessings of civilisation and coma melee; the soldier might reckon securely on the protection it would afford in case of hostile action, while the native chiefs had really the most cause for rejoicing, since it opened the prospect of raising themselves and their people not only in civil importance, but in the scale of education and intelligence. No longer cut off by the distance and difficulty of access—no longer regarded as the " outer barbarians " of the Empire, they will be placed in constant and rapid communication with the great emporiums of commerce, with the seats of Government, with the abodes of wealth, science, and teaching. Many of the native chiefs have quite sufficient intelligence and magnanimity to ap preciate this, and instead of feeling aggrieved at invasion of their barbaric State by the busy modern element, they rejoice at the bene fits which it confers. The Maharajah of Cashmere, with his heir apparent and his suite, travelled some distance by special train on his way to his own dominions, and although he had never seen a railway before, he quite understood its mechanism and its uses. He is one of the fore most among the native princes of the Northwest, and has a high reputation for his courteous and princely disposition. Of this he gave convincing proof, for, on leaving the railway, he not only ex pressed his gratification verbally, but placed in the hands of the Lieut.-Governor the munificent dona tion of 2,500 rupees as a gratuity to be distributed among the enzploy6s of the line. These honest workmen had good cause to be gratified with the termination of their labours, for the railway company entertained 120 with a banquet in celebration of the event. An eye-witness, in speaking of this assembly in an Anglo-Indian jour ❑al, remarks that although the grand durbar at which the Viceroy of India received 600 princes in a splendid tent was a magnificent sight, yet the assembly of 100 hard-headed, plain English mecha nics in an ordinary railway waiting room was in some way more striking and suggestive. " l'he one was a mere pageant, representative of the bar baric splendour of the dark ages, while the other was_the living embodiment of progress and en lightenment." The great central railway station at Lahore is of itself a fine spectacle. It has been built with a view to possible exigencies, and will serve for a fortress as well as a station, so that i❑ case of danger the European community could retire within its walls and defend them selves and the railway. Had such arrangements existed in 1857, how different would have been the state of things. But it is well at last that the proper steps are taken, though there was no reason why they should ❑ot have been taken earlier. The Punj sub was at the time of the mutiny a most valuable possession, having communication with the sea by the Indus at Kurrachee. It is a province of vast importance, extending 100,600 square miles, with a population, including its border tribes, very nearly equal to that of Great Britain, It is extremely fertile, being very well watered, and the fine rivers from which it takes its name are of themselves important highways. The Indus, as has been happily said, is to the North West what the Ganges is to Bengal, and the Pun jaub itself linking the Valley of the Ganges on the east with Affghanistan and Persia on the west, is one of the most valuable portions of our Indian dominions. Henceforward its value will be in creased rather than diminished, and we trust the great semi-circle which is to traverse British India will bring about a rapid advance in the progress and welfare of its people. HER MAJESTY'S GUN VESSEL ALGERINE.—The following is au extract from a letter received by last mail from an officer on board of her Majesty's gunvessel Alge rine :—" Hankow, Oct. 13, it64.—Yesterday a fire broke out in the Chinese city, burning an immense extent of houses and some of the English and oth , rr foreign houses on the river side, outside our concession. The Algerines were there as soon as possible; their behaviour was really admirable, as it had been during a previous fire about a fortnight since. On both occasions they were surrounded by liquor, and I had not occasion to find fault with a single man. Every one on shore remarked, how these men do work I' And, truly and candidly speaking, I have been at several fires in China, and I never saw men work so well and steadily." SUICIDE AT BRIGIITON.—On Tuesday an inquest was held on the body of William George, aged 69, a carpenter, who committed suicide on Christmas Eve, Deceased h.cl been visited with fits of late, and had com plained greatly of his head, He was seen after five o'clock by an errand ly , y on the Marine-parade, walking along the beach so that. the sea washed over his legs, When opposite German-place he walked into the water up to his neck, and the boy lost sight of him, The lad ran down to the beach, and could see the unfortunate man floating on the water. As no one was by just then, assistance was not forthcoming for some time. When the lad returned with a coastguards man, whom he saw at the western end of the pier, deceased had disappeared, and his body was not recovered till Sunday forenoon, when it was washed up near Ratty's Groyne. The jury returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity,"—,BriyhtQn Oazdee. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] THE WEST INDIA, PACIFIC, AND MEXICAN MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 31. The Royal Mail Company's steamship Shannon has arrived here with the above mails, 75 passen gers, pearls and je xellery to the value of 24,085 dols., and '2,760 packages of cargo, chiefly cigars, bark, indigo, tobacco, and indiarubber. The Shannon also brings 2,530,731 dols. in specie, of which 3,231 dols. are on account of the Mexican dividends. She left St. Thomas on the 15th inst., and brings dates from Lima to the 26th ult. The South American Congress met on the 14th and appointed the representative of Peru first President of the Assembly. Frequent sittings had since been held, at which the greatest harmony prevailed. The question of the highest importance being the difficulty with Spain. The Congress closed the conference on the 26th by unanimously resolving : " First, That the Government of Peru must pro ceed immediately to give instructions for the re• covery of the Chinca Islands, and to account to Congress within eight days. "Secondly, That the President of Peru shall have no power to make a treaty or have any terms with the Cabinet of Madrid, until the islands have been given up by Spain or have been taken by the farces of the Republic." On the 27th ult. the President ordered all the fleet to proceed on a cruise for exercise, including the ironclad Loa. While the fleet wore manoeuvring iu Callao Bay, an American vessel, from the Chin. chas, arrived with news that Admiral Piizon's fri gate had been totally destroyed by fire at the Chin eha Islands on the 25th. Much excitement pre vailed at Callao, and the public impatiently awaited the orders from Lima for the fleet to proceed to the Chinches to engage the remaining frigate and gun boats, ',rid to occupy the islands. At Lima, exchange on London Ras quoted 37 pence, 60 days, and 37i pence, 90 days' draft. Important news from Peru is expected by the next mail. FRANCE. PARIS, DEc._3l. AR Imperial decree has been issued to-day authorising the importation of merchandise of every description from any country, and under any flag, into St. Louis, Senegal, and the Isla of Goree. Another decree has bee❑ issued opening the port of Cayenne to both French and foreign vessels. The weather is considerably less severe in Paris and yesterday presented the Appearance of a thaw setting in. At six in the morning the thermometer of M. Chevalier stood at one degree above zaro Centigarde (331 Fahrenheit), at noon 3 MO above Centigrade (37 2-3 Fahrenheit), and at four o'clock at 2 5-10 above C. (36 3.5 F.) Hopes are entertained that the ice in the Seine will now break up. Large cuttings have already been made in it opposite the Louvre, which will render the movement of the ice less dangerous for the washing barges and vessel, moored along the banks. The general accounts from the provinces speak of somewhat milder weather, particularly along the Atlantic. The Prince Imperial, having heard that the pupils of colleges would only have two days' holiday, in consequence of New Year's-day falling on a Sunday, requested that a third day might be accorded. The Minister of Public Instruction, in accordance with that wish, has written to the Rectors to say that the pupils are not to retur❑ until Tuesday evening instead of Monday. The Museum of the Hotel de Cluny has just re ceived a fine collection of ancient earthenware and other articles, given by M. Bi!lard. The objects, which are not less than 70 in number, consist of fountains, flower-stands, dishes, &c., coming from the oid manuft:ctories of Rouen, Clermont, Lune viile, Strasbourg, and Sceaux, some of the articles being remarkable specimens of French workman ship in the 17th and 18th centuries. Among the objects are also two consoles in wrought iron, and a processional cross i❑ bronze. The bulletin of the Paris Observatory gives the following as the atmospheric state of Europe yes terday :—" The storm, the centre of which was on Wednesday a little to the north of the Gulf of Bothnia, has to-day removed to the north-east of Russia ; it therefore follows its regular track. Bhd weather still continues on the Adriatic and on the south of Italy, but as the barometrical pressure in creases in a rather rapid manner on the eastern coasts of Spain and on the Gulf of Lyons those siorms cannot fail to soon disappear. In France the weather is calm and the sky generally cloudy. BoußsE, Dec. 30.—The Market has been firm, and prices show a further improvement, Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f. 15c., and Mobilier at 950 f. Railway Shares have been in demand, and the majority of the lines are at the present time rather higher. Sales for realisation caused a little retrograde movement towards the close, and the market left off as follows: 4; per Cents .. 91 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 66 Credit Mobilier 952 60 Do. end month 947 50 Bank Shares 3160 Credit Fonder 1265 Roman BAIL' Italian Loan 66 50 Do. end month 66 35 Ditto Threes .. New Mexican 50 75 Russian Austrian Spanish Threes — Rome Debt Deferred VAYB. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern .... ...... Lyons and Mediterranean 892 50 .. 890 Southern ...... 592 50 .. 587 50 Western .. ie . ... 521 25 .. 525 Eastern Sardinian Austrian Low bard North of Spain Saragossa 460 .. 446 25 Ditto to Barcelona MOROCCO. A Tunis letter of the 20th says :—" The labour of restoring the Bey's authority is being pursued i❑ those places where it had been temporarily shaken, and the Government is taking steps to prevent a recurrence of the late disorders. There now only. remains to reduce the detached cavalry of the west and centre, who have made an attack on the camp of the Kef, which is commanded by Sidi Roustam. Those rebels, to the number of about 3,000, were assembled by the partisan chief Aly-Ben-Ghede• houm, who, after having obtained the pardon of the Bey, had not profited by it. He attempted to surprise the camp of General Roustam, with a view of obtaining possession of the cannons which are the terror of the wandering Arabs. General Roustam, whose 12 guns are served by good artillerymen, allowed the enemy to advance, and then dispersed them by a discharge of grape from his two batteries. This fresh victory has added another prestige to the authority of the Bey. His Highness has now organised and despatched an army of from 12,000 to about 15,000 regular and irregular troops, under the command of Sidi--Aly- Bey, presumptive heir to the Tunisian throne. From time immemorial the custom has been for the heir to make a❑ annual campaign of this kind through the regency for the purpose of collecting taxes and displaying to the tribes the imposing strength of the public force. For the last two years this custom had not been observed, and from the emission the Arabs inferred that the Govern , meat had lost its power. Teo mission of 6idi- Aly-Bey is to prove to them that they are mistaken, and to restore the prestige of the Government. The collection of the current taxes and the arrears will contribute to re-establish the State finances, which had been already relieved by considerable rums sent from the province of babel. A sum of 5,000,000 piastres has been again received during the last few days from that province." CHRISTMAS BOOKS. Golden Liyht: being Scripture Histories for the Young from the Old and New Testaments, with Eighty Pictures, drawn by A. IV, Bayes, en graved by the Brothers Dalziel. One Vol., Pp. 320. Routledge, Warne, arid Routledge. Foremost among the children's Christmas books now beforeus we must particularise thievery charm ing volume, appropriately entitled " Golden Light." The Scripture stories are narrated in a simple and interesting manner, and the engravings (which are very numerous) aro some of them very excellent. Among the best is the picture of Joseph making himself known to his brethren. The face of the Patriarch is hidden—hidden upon the shoulder of his brother Benjamin, who alone can venture to embrace him• The other guilty brothers are bowed to the earth with shame, and they are, one and all, depicted with singular forcefulness and expression. Stories of Old. Bible Narratives for Young Chi'dren• First series—Old Testament, with Four Illustrations; Second Series—New Testa• mint, New Edition, with four illustrations. Stories of the Apostles. With Seven Illustrations. By Caroline Hadley. Smith, Elder, and Co. These three little volumes contain Scripture stories adapted for very youthful readers, The first story of the second series—the Christmas story—is very happily and truthfully entitled " The Sweetest of all Stories," The authoress, in her anxiety to make herself intelligible to her young readers, writes occasionally in a style too familiar for the high themes she has undertaken to expound. Lays of the Pious Minstrels. Selections by J. B. H. New Edition, edited and re-arranged by Heniy Wright. One Vol., Pp, 180. Houlston and Wright. A very elegant little volume on toned paper, with antique binding and redeedged leaves, containing a favourite selection of well-known verses of a cha racter likely "to soothe, to elevate, and to strengthen." One great omission we notice in the book, the names of the authors of the various pieces are not given, and while we gladly recognise Mrs. Humans' very sweet lines, " When is the time for Prayer ?" we are surprised not to find the ad mirable " What is Prayer ?" of James Montgomery. Daddy's Makings. By Daddy Dumkins, who, Nothing bettor had to do. One vol., Pp. 96. The History of Harry. What he saw, and what he did, and what he did not see and do. A Comic Fairy Tale, with sixteen engravings. Daan and Son. These two very attractive children's books are, BB they tell us themselves— " Very new and very funny, Worth Xll the children's pocket-money; Full of pictures drawn w.th care, Coloured with a beauty rare," The coloured pictures are sufficiently grotesque, and the verses or " little rhyming undertakings," are ridiculous enough. We cannot say much for the pictorial or poetic merit of either pen or pencil, but as comic Christmas books for the little folks these two very original volumes will pass muster, Routledge's Every Boy's Annual. An Original Miscellany of Entertaining Literature. Edited by Edmund Routledge. With 100 Illustrations. One Voi., Pp. 760. " Every Boy's Annual" is this year as attractive as ever ; fun and frolic, history and romance alter nate in its pages, while the illustrations are as fantastic and ludicrous as the delineator of "Queer Quotations" can contrive. Gullivers 7ravels:With a Memoir of the Author. Illustrated with 300 Engravings. From designs by J. G. Thomson. Engraved by W. L. Thomas. One Vol., Pp. 361. S. 0. Beaton. A popular edition of Gulliver's travels, every page abounding in illustrations. The index page held by a hand of Brobdignag, with figures of Lilliput in the foreground, and a glimpse of the virtuous Houynhm and detestable Yahoo in the distance is very happily designed, containing the contrasting wairels of this wort idarvellous of all travellers' tales. The St Germain Legends ; For a Pin ; Mignon ; and the Nightlight. From the French of J. F. de Saint Germain. One Vol., Pp. 342. Chap man and Hall. These three very charming French tales will be welcome in an English dress. In them we may see what marvellous matters hang upon " only a pin ;" we may follow with interest the history of the lovely and loveable Mignon, or bewilder our selves over the very amusing story of Monsieur le Comte till a not profitless hour has agreeably passed away. The Phantom Cruiser. Edited by Lieut. Warne ford, R.N. One Vol., Pp. 233. John Maxwell and Co. The gallant author of The Coast Guard Tales, The Jolly Boat, and Running the Blockade has here introduced to our notice a capital nautical tale (Never before Printed, says the Title Page ! ) from the pen of Lieut. Morgan, of the U.S.N., meaning of the Federal Navy, under its old u.B-ed up initials. Lieut. Warneford's share in the publica tion, as he protests in his Preface, is simply that of having edited it. Spell Bound. By M. A. Bird. One Vol., Pp. 282, John Maxwell and Co. A companion volume, appearing simultaneously with the one last mentioned, that is with " The Phantom Cruiser," is this one, entitled, and with reason, " Spell B ound"—a volume containing within it a very curious collection of Tales of the Super natural. Among the suggestive headings to these tales are especially noticeable " The Lumber Room" —" The Old House in Chancery"—" The Haunted House''—and " The Little Skeleton." The volume appears most seasonably, and therefore most oppor tunely. 190. Smith, Elder, and Co. Cushions and Corners ; or, Holidays at Old Orchard. By Mrs R. J. Greene. One Vol., Pp. Notwithstanding its very whimsical appellation this is a most delightful children's story-book. The holiday group of juveniles at Old Orchard, Willy and Florry, and Mary and Looey and Bobby are divided into " cushions" and " corners," but by a magical alchemy the " corners" become ultimately transformed into " cushions." "In every family," says Grand mamma, " there are cushions' and corners,'" meaning good-natured, easy folks, will ing to be put upon by everybody, and 'sharp un comfortable corners' always knocking against people, or getting knocked against themselves." The text word of the little story is that golden rule of Christian charity, "Be kindly affectioned one to another, in honour preferring one another," and very happily is the instruction interwoven into a very interesting little tale, well calculated to prove a most excellent and desirable Christmas pre sent for youthful readers. Al. Bunch of Keys, Where they were Found, and What they might have Unlocked. A Christmas book. Edited by Thomas Hood. One Vol., Pp. 293. Groombridge and Sons. " Once upoil a time," says the editor of this very delightful Christmas book," there were half a dozen young writers, who, having to toil for their daily bread all the rest of the year, desired, at this period of it, to make a Christmas pudding.' The book before us is the result of this desire, and is described as being a lab.)ur of love. Upon this bunch of keys hang many tal is of a very varied charac ter. "The Key of the Piano," by Thomas Archer—a piano from which issues a wailing strain of ghostly music that chills the marrow of our bones ; " The Key of the Strong Room," by W. S. Gilbert ; " The Key of the Study," by W. J. Prowse ;." Three Keys on a Small Ring of their Own," by Clement W. Scott ; "The Ring" and " The End," by T. W. Robertson ; and " The Key of the Nursery Cupboard," by the Editor, which last-mentioned is one of the most charming stories in the collection. There is a tender pathos about the little mystery of the mother's secret which will endear the story to many readers. Littlehope Hall. By Henrietta Lushington. One Vol., Pp. 256. Smith, Elder, and Co. A visit to Littlehope Hall will prove a pleasant diversion for the Christmas holidays. Some into• resting stories are introduced for the amusement of youthful readers; and the history of Cecil, the principal hero of the main narrative, is full of an encouraging example. The Little Woodman and his dog Cesar. By Mr. Sherwood. Parlour Edition. Honlston and Wright. The name of Mrs Sherwood is a sufficient recom• mendation for a juvenile book. The little story before us is perhaps of almost too sad a character ; but all is well that ends well. What Men have said about Women. Compiled by H. Southgate. With illustrations by J. D. Watson. One Vol. Routledge, Warne, and Rout legde. In this very elegant volume are collected all the choice flowers of flattery laid by poets upon the shrine of beauty. As may naturally be expected, the collection is a very charming one, and likely to prove acceptable to the fair. The Young Yachtsmen, or, the Wreck of the Gipsy. By Anne Bowman. One Vol., Pp, 431. Routledge, Warne, and Routledge. A book of adventure and vicissitude, full of perils by sea and land, well calculated to enthrall the youthful reader, and also likely to instruct and improve, while it interests and perhaps amuzes. Freaks on the Falls ; or, Three Months' .Rustica tion. By R. M. Ballantyne, author of " The Wild Man of the West. Routledge, Warne, and Routledge. Mr. John Sudbury, one fine morning, startles his good wife with the sudden announcement that he has taken a place in the Highlands for a summer excursion. The result of this momentous expedi tion ;forms the subject of hn amusing volume, in the course of which the hero informs us how it was he did not become a sailor. Three Opportunities ; or, The Story of Henry Forester. One Vol., Pp. 230. S. W. Partridge. This is an interesting but mournful tale of a fond father, who in the first chapter is overwhelmed with the apprehension of losing a son, whom he loves " not wisely but too well," and who, by the fatal consequences of his after indulgence, finds cause to regret that his former alarms proved groundless. The story is full of moral instruction. Family Walking Sticks ; or, Prose Portraits of my Relations. By George Magridge (" Old Humphery"). One Vol., Pp. 138. S. W. Par tridge. From such unpromising materials as " My grand father's gold-headed cane," "my father's holly stick," " my aunt Heater's jointed bamboo," " my ❑ephew's new walking stick," &c., &c., Old Humphrey has collected a series of pleasant tales for the amusement and instruction of his young friends. The Adventures of Seven Fourfooted Foresters Narrated by Themselves. By James Greenwood. With Illustrations. One Vol., Pp. 390. Ward and Lock. Timothy Jaquel, at one time beast-keeper in the Royal Zoological Gardens, became, in some won derful manner, invested with the power of under standing the different languages of the wild animals around him. In consequence of this privi'ege he held nightly conferences with lions and tigers, bears and elephants, &e. &c., and Le has now given the word the results of his inves tigations, and the true authentic history of the various exploits and misfortunes of these animals narrated by themselves. The book is, of course, full of peril and adventure, ani is illustrated with some spirited engravings. The Stealing of the Princes Ernest and Albert of Saxony. A True Story of the Middle Ages. With Numerous Illustrations. One Vol., Pp. 296. ,Ward and Lock. truth is proverbially "stranger than fiction," a " true story of the Middle Ages'' has been appro• priately 'selected as the theme of an enthralling Christmas romance. The little volume is bril liantly bound and profusely illustrated, and well suited for a juvenile gift-book. Naval and Military Intelligence. The screw corvette Cadmus, 21, 400 horse power, Capt. A. Gordon, fitting at Chatham for the North American squadron, is now only some few hands short of her proper complement of 270 men, inclusive of officers, a number of seamen having arrived during the last few days from the receiving ships at the various ports. The remaining portion of the shipwrights' work on board will be com. plated to-day by the dockyard hands, and it is a subject of general remark that few of her Majesty's ships have ever left this country for a four or five year cruise in all respects better fitted and equipped: Her guns, solid and hollow shot, and most of her stores are now on board, and she only awaits her sailing orders from the Admiralty to take her de- parture for Spithead. The screw gunvessel Torch, 5, 80 horse power, fitting at Chatham for the first division of the steam reserve in readiness for commission, has been supplied with her stock of coals, in readiness for proceeding on her trial trip for the purpose of test jog her speed at the measured mile, Maplin Sands. Her armament was placed on board yesterday. The War Department steamer Lord Panmure, Master Commander H. T. Moore, yesterday com pleted her shipment] of guns, powder, carriages, platforms, &c., and will sail from Woolwich to-day for Portsmouth. A couple of heavy guns, intended for the use of foreign Governments, have been received from the Blakeley Ordnance Company in Woolwich Arsenal, and wi'l be proved in a few days at the Govern ment butt, preparatory to their being despatched to their destination. An ingenious piece of workmanship was this week turned out of the factory department in Wool wich dockyard,where it was manufactured. It con sists of the three legs constituting the new shares in tended to supply the place of the wooden crane broken in February last,during the operation of hoist ing out one of the huge boilers from the paddlewheel sloop Spiteful, still under repairs in Deptford yard, and by whictvaccident a number of men were killed and severely injured. The new shear-legs are built up of angle and plates of furnace iron of from four to five square, selected with great care and riveted ' together so as to form a mass of immense solidity, and pronounced unequalled for the purpose by any other method yet introduced. The new shears will be so constructed as to obviate the necessity of back guys, and will remedy the defect fatal to the old shears—of giving one stay a greater strain than another. The back leg, according to computation, weights about 30 tons, and is the largest of its kind yet made, being 144 feet in length. The removal was attended with considerable difficulty and delay on account of its length, its enormous weight on the truck causing the wheels to sink and uproot the pitched surface of the yard at every attempt to move forward, which was, however, effectually accom• plished by Bray's trac t ion engine, belonging to the yard. It would otherwise have required a team of at least 40 horses. The system of manufacture is patented by Messrs. Somers, Thy, and Co., of the Northam Ironworks, Southampton. The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty :—Lieut. T. Ramsbotham to the Highflyer ; Lieut. W. M. Moger to the Royal Ade laide; Sul,Lieut. Reginard H. Thornton to the Highflyer ; C. G. Gardiner,. midshipman, to the Cadmus ; F. G. I. Lillingston, midshipman, to the Highflyer ; J. Johnstone, surgeon, to the Cadmus; T. E. Mulles, engineer, to the Asia, for the Helicon ; F. Lewis, engineer, to the Blenheim, for the Amelia; G. A. Wells, engineer, to the Asia, as supernumerary ; W. M'Dowall, engineer, to the Dauntless, for tender ; C. It. James, assistant.engi. neer, to the Indus, as supernumerary ; and W. Allman, assistant-clerk, to the Aurora. (tarn • slanifor HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Dec. 30. Her Majesty the Queen, with her Royal Highness Princess Helena, drove out yesterday. Lieut.-Col. Du Plat was in attendance. Her Royal Highness Princess Louise also took a drive. A Royal Marriage, The following statement appeared in the Church 4 man of Thursday : " The hand of the Princess Mary of Cambridge was sought by a peer of Great Britain. The Royal Marriage Act, however, stood in the way. It is true that it is in the power of the Queen to remove all obstacles by her consent. This, we regret to learn, was refused. If it is necessary to preserve the throne of these realms as an object of com• petition for the illustrious race of the Saxe.oo - by all means let it be done—but since the Princess Mary, or any children of hers could hardly by any possibility succeed to that station, the re fusal is utterly without excuse, and deeply do we regret that her Majesty should have been advised to withold her consent. However, consent or no, in the presence of -God, and with the blessings of the Church, the Princess Mary, as we hear, has asserted her own rights, and the marriage has taken place."- The Duke of Devonshire and Lady Louisa Caven. dish left Chatsworth a few days ago for Holkar Hall, near Milnthorp. Before leaving the princely seat in Derbyshire ample provision was made by his Grace for the poor on his neighbouring property. In order to give good cheer to the needy, four of his finest cattle were killed for distribution. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, within the last ten days, have made ample provision for the poor on their estates in Northumberland and Yorkshire. As customary, the poor in New castle have participated largely in the benevolence of the noble duke and duchess. The Duke of Rutlaud has caused a large quantity of warm clothing to be distributed to the poor ou his estates in Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, and also an abundance of good old English cheer to his labourers and their families in the vicinity of Bele voir. His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and the Countess Bernstorff return to the Prussian Em bassy to-day from visiting Frances Countess Wal. degrave and the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue, NIP., at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. The Marquis of Ormonde is visiting his estates in Ireland. The noble mai quis will rejoin his regi• ment next month. Countess Poulett has so far recovered from her recent severe illness as to be enabled to leave town for change of air, and has gone on a visit to Lord and Lady Bridport at Cricket St Thomas, near Chard, Somersetshire, The Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., M.P., will return to town early in the ensuing week from a tour of visits in the west of England. The Right Hon. B. Disraeli and Mrs Disraeli have returned to Hughenden Manor from Hatfield House, Rear-Admiral the Hon. S. R. Drummond, C. 8., and Mrs Drummond have returned to the gallant officer's official residence at the Admiralty, from visiting Col. and ,he Hon. Mrs Loyd-Lindsay at their seat in Berkshire. A marriage is arranged, and will shortly take place, between Mr William Arbuthnot, eldest son of Mr John Alves Arbuthnot, of Coworth Park, Berke, and Miss Cord elia Hughes, eldest daughter of Capt. W. Marjoribanks Hughes, and granddaughter of the late General Loftus Otway, C. 8., Col. of the 84th Regiment. WILLS AND BEQUESTS. (Front the Illustrated London News.) The will of the Right Hon. Lady Arabella Alvanley, of Bruton-street, was proved in London by the executors, Richard William Peirse, Esq., of Northallerton, and Chas. Reynolds Williams, Es.q , of Lincoln's-inn-fields. The personalty was sworn under £70,000. Lady Alvanley was the fifth daughter of the first Duke of Cleveland, K.G., and married, 1821, Richard, third Lord Alvanley, who died in 18b7 (title now extinct). The will 13 dated April, 1864, and her ladyship died on the 26th of November. Her ladyship has left legacies to her nephews, nieces, and others. To Mr R. W. Peirse £l,OOO, in addition to £2OO left to each of the executors; and appointed her neice, Meyrick, the daughter of Colonel and Lady Meyrick, her residuary legatee, leav ing to her also the principal part of the property over which her ladyship had the power of disposition under a deed of the late Lady Amelia Powlett. The will of the Rev. Sir William Marriott Smith-Mar riott, Harty M.A., of Horsmonden, Kent, was proved under £35,000 personalty, the executors being the Rev. Hugh Forbes Smith-Marriott, the eon ; the Rev. Lewis C. Davies, and George Hinds, Esq. The testator was appointed to the rectory of Horsmonden in 1825, of which living he was also patron. He died, in October last, at the age of sixty-three, having executed his will in 1862. He leaves the advoweon of the tectory of Horsmonden to his son Hugh Forbes ; de vises his farm, land, and estate called Pattenden to his son. John Bosworth ; and to his eldest son, now Sir William Henry Smith-Marriott, Bart., he devises the rest of hie freehold property. He bequeaths to his relict an imme•• diate legacy of £5OO, and a portion of the furniture. To his sons John and Hugh pecuniary legacies are left; and, after providing for his three daughters, he has appointed his three sons residuary legatees. There are the following charitable bequests :—To the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, Curates' Aid Society, Church• Building Society, and the Kent Ophthalmic Hos pital, each £5O free of legacy duty. The will of John Dakin Gaskell, Esq., of Highgate, was proyed under £50,000 personalty. The executors appointed are Wm. Beaumont, Esq., of Warrington ; Samuel Gaskell, Esq., one of the Commissioners of Lunacy ; and Warburton tike, Esq., of the Temple. The testator died in August last, having executed his will in 1859, and a codicil in July 1861. He has bequeathed to esch'of his executors a legacy of £l.OO, and to Mrs Pike, wife of the Rev. Mr W. Pike, whom he appoints guardian to such of his children as are in their minurity, he leaves a legacy of £5OO, and divides his estate equally amongst all his children. The will of the late Edward Yates, E,q., of 30, Compton.• terrace, Islington, has been proved. His personal property is sworn under £60,000. The executors are Mre Yates, of the same residence, mother of the testator; and Dr C. J• Hare, of Brook •street. After some legacies to Mrs Yates and other relatives, so much of the property as may legally be applied to charitable purposes is left to University Col lege, London, in trust, to apply one moiety of the annual , income thereof to the general purposes of the North Louden Hospital, connected with that college, and the other moiety to the Samaritan fund for the relief of poor patients. The residue of personal property is left to Dr Hare. Drury Lane Theatre. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—In the critique (in your impression of Tuesday last) on the Pantomime at Drury-lane Theatre, Mr Osolt Byrne's name is mentioned in connection with the ballet ; permit me, sir, in justice to myself, to state in your column ° that that gentleman has had nothing whatever to do with the Drury-lane pantomimes for the last two years, and that the ballet in question, of which you spoke so favoutab l99 was devised by your humble servant, JOHN COWLICK, Ballet Master, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. December 30, 1864. CHRISTMAS FARE.—The following is corral' statement of the provisions delivered at the Londoa Station of the Great Eastern Railway, from the 19rh to the' 25th December, 1864 :—Oxen 2203, sheep 7094, calves 1 03 1 pigs 578, turkeys 12,117, geese 16,768, ducks 922, hares an d pheasants 1289, flour 13,590 sacks, beer 9090 kilderkirOt hhds, and brls, oranges 1160 boxes, dried fruit 3413 bolce °, nuts 720 bags, oysters 3011 brls and 72 tons in bags, 163 4 boxes almonds, 10,926 sacks potatoes , 418 tons meat p eel °' in hampers, 348 tons poultry, 340 tons fish, 76,886 qu art° milk, 1421 Stilton and other choice cheese. A STRUGGLE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE.—Ie S p ec4 tor North, of the Wilts constabulary, has had a severe en: counter with a dangerous lunatic in one o f the ca rriages 19 ` the Great Western Railway. The lunatic was Walter one, about 28 years of age, and formerly a sergeant in the arttlit lery. The inspector found him wandering about Wilton, an ci in pursuance of a magisterial order, took him to Fisherto.o s tation and took train for Deviz 28 in order to place him 111 the asylum there. After the train had got in motion , man, hearing the carriage window make a noise, accus.en eu the inspector of shooting at him with a revolver. fie th A attempted to get out of the window, and t hrust his body half through. Inspector North seized hold of him, go' pulled him back, when the man attacked him violent l y , kicking and biting at him with great fury. Ile was a etrol 3 6 and powerful man, and the inspector had much difficulty 1! subduing him, but the guard, who was ins the next coat partment, foramately heard the scuffling, n on o.oking. into the carriage and seeing the state ot affairs, he..unme_ diately caused tho train to be brought to a standstn!, ie assisted Inspector North to handcuff the lunatic. his another proof of the imperative necessity of some coeum.ld nication between the guard and passengers be in g .provided by railway companies,—.Devi es 6azfffe, 1