The Sun. — London, England, 1863-04-08 00:00:00

BRITON MEDICAL and GENERAL LIFE ASSOCIATION. Chief Offices—No. 429, Strand, London, W.C. TRUSTEES. George H. Barlow, M.D. ( Richard Partridge, Esq., Sir Tames Duke, Bart. Ald., F.R.S. M.P. John Propert, Esq. Sir Charles Hastings, 3LD., W. Tyler Smith, M.D. D.C.L. Francis Webb, Esq. DIRECTORS. Chairman of the Board—George H. Barlow, M.D. Deputy-Chairman—Francis Webb, Esq. By the peculiarly equitable manner of dividing the profits, the Policies issued by this Association become payable during the lifetime of the person assured without extra premium. After having - been in force a period of five years, all Policies are absolutely Indefeasible and Indisputable. Annuities granted, and every description of Life Assurance transacted ; terms for which, with detailed Prospectuses and every information, may be had on application to JOHN MESSENT, F.S.S., Secretary. Applications for Agencies are invited. THEAT RE-ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. TEAS EVENING, April 8, for the 349th tame in London, PEEP O'DAY. Nevi's. Henry Lorraine, Walter Lacy, C. Verner, Addison, J. (graham. G. Spencer, T. Neville, &O.; Misses Cleveland, Clara Weston, M. Hudson, &c. To conclude with MAGIC TOYS. Valentine, Miss Lydia Thompson. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1863. The late interesting event in the Royal Family has called forth, as might have been anticipated, cordial expressions of loyalty and goodwill from all the varying classes of the community. From the chief members of our proud nobility to the wives of the humble weavers of Paisley, all ranks have been eager to offer some token of regard to the fair youne , bride, while the presentation of congratulatory ad dresses has been almost universal, all districts of the country feeling that they had a right to take part in the public expression of loyal feeling. In accordance with the general fashion the High Sheriff of the county of Buckingham has convened a meeting of the principal inhabitants, at which Lord CARINGTON, the Lord Lieutenant, moved the adoption of the usual addresses to her MAJESTY and the PRINCE. What lent some interest to the proceedings was the fact of the proposition being seconded by the leader of her MAJESTY'S Oppo sition, the right hon. member for the county. Mr. DISRAELI is usually very happy in his speeches on these occasions, and although his dis course on Monday was but brief, he contrived to lift it out of the ordinary routine level. He ob• served that the relations between the royal family and the people of this country were not relations of form but of feeling—a feeling arising from the conviction of Englishmen that much of the happiness and prosperity of their coun try is due to the wise and temperate manner in which the high functions of royalty discharged. The marriage of the heir to the throne is, as the speaker remarked, a matter of deep interest and importance to the community at large, but he alluded likewise to the confidence justly placed in our youthful Prince confidence arising partly from his educa tion and partly from our knowledge of his natural character. His education ha s been, as Mr. DISRAELI well said, worthy of his position. He has Visited the Old World and the New, he has studied at the great academies of English learn ing, and has passed through a course of varied ex perience uncommon at his age. His marriage is likely, from its attendant circumstances, to cement the bond between him and his people, while the warm reception accorded to the Princess will prove to him how sincere and de voted is the loyalty of his people, so lOn as they feel that honour is d ue not only t o " the Crown, but to the wearer of it. Mr. DISRAELI observed, in conclusion, that the happiness of a Prince's home is the best security for the happiness of his subjects, and from what we know of the Princess, we have every reason to hope that the aphorism will be confirmed by this auspicious union. According to a Danish organ, the Dagbladet, of yesterday, the Danes are going to take advantage of the European perplexity about the Greek throne to secure assistance in their domestic difficulties. The sagacity and foresight which they have thus shown does credit to their politicians. In a position of difficulty and danger, hampered by the Federal membership of the refractory duchy, and the per sistance of its claims, supported by all the weight of Prussian power, the Danish Government will have reason to be very thankful to the demand for a King of Greece if it extricates theca from the present dilemma, and gives them some security against future complexities. The Dagbladet says with truth that if it is decided that 'irince WILLIAM should accept the vacant throne,*, favour conferred will be rather on the side 9f Danmark. The post of honour has been so long empty, it has been offered to so many in suc cession, to be as often rejected, that there is by this time no great favour in proposing its acceptance to any royal house. The difficulties were so great as to counterbalance the dignities, even in the eyes of that large class of small German Princes, which re- minds ns of the vast tribe of King's sons in the fairy tales, who were always wandering about the world in search of wisdom and adventures. The condition of Greece is becoming a serious perplexity to some of the Cabinets of Europe, who do not wish to see it fall into a state of anarchy which might offer a convenient excuse to rapacious ambition. The prospect of a suitable candidate coming forward and meeting with the approval of the people. has been growing daily more doubtful, and the Danes have therefore good right to feel that by agreeing to the election of their Prince they are conferring instead of receiving a benefit. The con ditions on which, according to the journal referred to, the acceptance of the Greek Crown depends, are mostly such as every wise man and well-wisher of Denmark would gladly see fulfilled. In the first place, the Great Powers are to gua rantee the independence of Denmark—an assurance which one at least of them will he very unwilling to give. Assistance to maintain order in the monarchy for that purpose is next demanded, which appears to us to be a more doubtful good, as it gives ground for foreign intervention which might not be always acceptable. A renewal of the guarantees for the possession of Schleswig by Den mark as granted in 1720, is also very wisely among the stipulations, together with a recognition of the neu trality of Holstein. There is nothing in these terms which English statesmen could not countenance ; nothing, indeed, that they should not support with the fall weight of their influence. England can hardly wish the country of her future Queen to sink into the insignificance which the Prussians desire. A powerful and united Danish kingdom is one of the best safe guards for Europe against the encroachments of Russia, and a valuable ally for Great Britain whether in peace or war. The other points are directed to the settlement of that long-pending difficulty of Schleswig-Holstein, which has crippled the resources and paralysed the development of Denmark during so long a period. We have seen that the Danes have lately determined to take a decisive step in this matter by effecting the partial severance of Holstein in order to secure the reten tion of Schleswig from the kingdom. The public meeting recently held in the Danish capital proved that the sentiments of the people were fully in accord with the views of their rulers, and accordingly the King of DENMARK lost no time in put ting his resolutions in practice. Supported by the great body of his subjects, who, with the sure instinct of a free and rational people, at once grasped the only solution of the difficulty that was endangering the safety of the nation and paraly sing its accial system, he determined on at once effecting a partial separation between Holstein and the rest of his dominions. The continued opposi tion of the inhabitants of the Duchy, influenced as they are by the German Powers, was only too well supported by the Federal Diet, of which Hol stein is unfortunately a member. The excuse for intermeddling, and if possible obtaining a foot ing on neighbouring soil was too good to be slighted, and accordingly the Germanic Confederation seized the opportunity of ,in terfering in the interior affairs of the Danish monarchy in a manner which the KING has declared to be incompatible with the independence of his Crown and the rights of his other subjects, and not even justified by Federal laws. It was only too easy to extend the demands made on Hol stein to Schleswig, for although the latter is not a member of the Confederation, the appetite of that respectable body is not unlike that of the lion who had a fresh excuse ready for every morsel he coveted. The ill timed despatches of Lord RUSSELL showed not only to Denmark but to Germany that England was upon the stronger side. No time was there fore to be lost in attempting to settle that .luestion which has stood in the way of Danish progress during so many years of discord and perplexity. The late session of the Holstein Estates proved very plainly the determination of its members to abate none of their pretensions, since they openly declared their opposition to every common constitution based upon joint representa tion. Their wishes are now to be in some degree granted to them. We referred the other day to the heads of the KING'S proclamation, which accords to the discontented Holsteiners more than they had any right to demand ; bat it is more than question able whether either the Duchy or the Confederation will be satisfied. The Danish grasp on Schleswig is not relaxed—it is, in fact, tightened by the division of Holstein from Denmark-Schleswig. The great object of Prussia, if this proclamation is suffered to pass into force, will be therefore set aside. The Holsteiners do not care for liberal laws, the freedom of the press, and the other benefits conferred by the KING. They wish for a prepon derance in the constitution which would enable them to role Danmark, and keep up that state of weakness and confusion which is only too pleasant to the German Powers. A strong Scandinavian nation is an unwelcome vision on the banks of the Rhine, and so long as unreasonable pretensions and unjust claims will retard its realisation, we may oonnt upon the opposition of Prussia and Holstein. The liberties of the loyal portion of the Danish Monarchy have been too long restricted in obe dience to German theories. At the same time a separation which allows the Holsteiners in some measure the privilege of self-government will be no satisfaction to them so long as the fictitious claim set up on Schleswig is disregarded. However, this maybe, the separation:of the province from the rest of the Monarchy is now officially announced, and the Danes are no doubt resolved to abide the issue, having wisely determined to bring this affair to a speedy settlement at whatever cost or sacrifice. They feel that nothing could exercise a more baneful e ffect on the social, commercial, and political wel fare of their country, than the dissension and dis cord which has bee n so lon g p rovoked b y the in fluenee unwarrantably exercised by the Germans in this ill-regulated duchy, but it is very doubtful whether the Federal Diet will be content to sur render the authority they lay claim to, and substi tute a general guarantee in favour of Danish rights. A thousand objections will be raised—first and foremost a denial of the right of Denmark to make conditions concerning her own internal affairs on the offer of the Greek crown to one of her princes. Unfortunately, Lord RUSSELL'S previous acts forbid us to hope that he this matter wbitehoomtehe the English wll Foreign t reig in n spirit and decision Minister. We shall shortly learn how far the in telligence conveyed by the Dagbladet is authentic, and what attitude the European Powers are pre pared to assume. Prussia should not le suffered to disturb the peace of Europe, which can never rest on a firm basis while the affairs of Greece, Denmark, and Poland, remain in their present con dition. The affairs of Poland are still most complicated, and the news that has recently come through Paris is not at all satisfactory. In the first place, the address of the Russian nobility is a most scandalous proceeding. It is useless to talk of the great benefits that have accrued from the recent changes intro duced by ALEXANDER 11, If this is the spirit that is to animate the leaders of the community, not much good is to be expected. A more heartless and cold-blooded address could not have been pro posed. It sanctions massacre, condemns any conces sion, discourages improvement, and altogether advo cates most retrogressive policy. Like all one-sided reasoners their arguments are most invalid and will not stand the strong light or the searching tests of truth. They thus speak in their most important passages, "The pretensions to the patrimony of Russia arising from the troubles in Poland excite our grief and indignation." How can Poland be the patrimony of any other kingdom ? Cannot the greed of these grasping men be satisfied with the knowledge that their EMPEROR rules over the largest dominion in the world. Next they go on to say, " The era of reforms inaugurated by your MAJESTY will not be favourable for the projects formed against the integrity of the Em pire. Surely the first and formost of the measures worthy of the name of reform should have been to put down the crying evil that has so long made the name of Russia a byword and a reproach wherever justice has ruled and mercy influenced the minds of men in the thousand homes of the civi lised world. If it is the intention of the aristocracy to persist in this obstructive course, the sooner they return with all speed to the darkest days of their barbaric existence the better for their consistency. Who will admire a people who seek to per fect themselves in the arts of civilisation, and to free themselves as far as possible from the hurtful influences of thraldom if they only mean to forge more strongly the fetters, and render more gell ing the chains of their fellowmen whom a long course of unfortunate events has placed in their power. The last clause ;n the address is evidently intended as a threat, " The nobility, with all the other classes of society will not shrink before any effort or sacrifice to defend the territory of the Em pire." This is strong language and manifestly means something. They are not mere idle sound ing words, nor bombastic protests that are to make a show, but have no substance afterwards. Vox et preterea nail does not characterise this Russian manifesto, and it is to be deeply deplored that such a tirade should have issued from such an important class of the Empire, one so renowned for their pre judices, and so often the objects of terror to their Sovereign. If there were any foundation in the report, that the EMPEROR intended to grant Poland a separate political existence, this obstinate conduct is the more to be regretted. It is to be trusted, for his own credit, however, that ALRXANDER enter tains that idea. Whether successful or not in car rying it out, it will be a herald of promise and an augury of hope for the future and whenever the dawn of a happier day shall dawn on that afflicted lani and harrassed people, the truest respect will be felt for those who have aided is bringing to pass so joyful an event. Also we learn, from the Nation of last evening, that diplomacy is hard at work to accomplish the regeneration of Poland, or, at all events, to make us believe in the performance of great things. Thus it is said that France, Eng land, and Austria have come to an understanding, and sent to St. Petersburg notes identical in sense. This sounds very fine, but it does not require a vast amount of skilled intelligence to arrive at the conclu sion that, even if the news be strictly true, not much good will arise therefrom to the afflicted nation supposed to be benefited by this interposi tion. The remaining passage of the information also seems to militate against its probable utility. "The Powers have in their notes carefully avoided anything resembling pressure, leaving it to the CZAR to take the initiative in the measures calculated de finitely to put an end to the periodical risings so disquieting for Europe and so disastrous for Rus sia." If this is the tone that has been adopted it will be evident to any cal m reasoner and dispassionate judge that the notes might as well have been left unwritten for any good they will effect, and much better so far as the character of the nations that send them is concerned. Can anything be more absurd than representations of this sort. Surely something decided might have been said regarding the rights of treaties that have been cancelled. Also these nations that are the foremost in the world might have represented strongly the interests of a struggling and suffering State, and in the cause of right, which is above and beyond the forms of treaties and the fashions of Cabinets, they might have demanded justice for that outraged nationality, and vindicated its claims to consideration, if it were impossible to the creeds of cabinets and the theories of statecraft to have asserted its right to indepen dence. Snch a message as this might have done some service to the cause ; but there always appears some overwhelming obstacle in the way of diplo macy effecting anything advantageous. It is a disgrace to the whole construction of cabinets that they are powerless to do good to foreign States, although it seems easy enough for them to do harm. A great deal of this evil arises from the absurd mystery with which statesmen delight to surround themselves. They think it makes them appear wise to the ignorant and unini tiated, but the result is far otherwise. The general voioe of public opinion protests against all this delay in matters of vital importance. The common sense of those who at all understand the great inte rests at stake in these matters is offended by such unworthy trifling. There is one thing very certain, that nothing can be expected from this parade of diplomacy, and therefore the many who earnestly desire some good to be gained for that distracted land must not be disappointed at the barren result that is sure to ensue from the feeble efforts of the few who alone have the chance of effecting any beneficial alteration. While those in authority wilfully throw away their opportunity, it is of no avail that throughout the length and breadth of the land there is but one opinion con• corning the state of things in Poland. No thinking mind but must foretel the issue of this unequal struggle, yet a little longer will the sacrifice endure and the blood of patriots drench the soil they can not save. Then the enlightened nations of civi lised Europe will be told to look calmly on at the sad havoc that will follow on to the deplorable war, The despotic power will reign triumphant; the brave spirits that the carnage of the battlefield has not destroyed will be banished to the wastes of Siberia, to mourn over their lost homes, and sigh for their banished freedom. Then things will resume their ordinary course, and only those who have leisure or possess a desire to look back from the present to the past will mourn over the disgraceful fact, that a brave people have been doomed anew to slavery in the sight of the witnessing nations of Europe, who were unwilling to aid them by force of arms and incapable of mediating to their advantage by the skill of boasted diplomacy. When the present gene ration reflects that their present acts will thus be chronicled in t evi n e e orf p ea a n g e e a s r o history, they may afford li l ctfoaistbehetehraesl,iatwettlhieoonl,ess sparing of censure when they criti er race. Surely our fore selves, could hardlynobtaesso h cause and assist a g a ll ant right, indeed, to say that people,hdai done e t h h ll r e e y as fsna p dtv e oo s w fi va ire t d e e profited la b aa s y ys a eco o run u e r dor experience of the past, they would not have done more. The " Victoria Magaziee" is announced for the lat of May. Commence at 7. T HEATRE -ROYAL, HAY MARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, at 7, will be performed MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Hero, Miss Ellen Terry; Beatrice, Dllss Louisa Angel. After which, an apropos Dramatic Sketch, introducing a Panorama of the Tour of the Prince of W ales in the East. To conclude with BORROWING A HUSBAND. Pamela (her 3d appearance), Miss Maria Harris. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under 11 the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. THIS EVENING, at Is, to commence with an Original Sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, 31 - !ss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pry ogee, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter, sunnorted be Messrs. G. Vining, J. Brougham, H. Widdi combe, w. M.lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson ; 3lleses Carlotta Lecler LI, Kate Terry, E. 'Avenue, and F.lsworthy. Stage -Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lessees, Mess: a. Lindus and Vining. THIS EVENING the drama of AURORA FLOYD. Mi:s Amy Sedgwick, Miss Henderson, and Mrs. Simpson - Messrs. R. itoxby, G. Melville, G. Belmore, C. Seyton, Wallace, and Cathcart. After which, KILLING TIME. Mr. Ge?. Vining, Mr. C Seyton, and Miss Amy Sedgwick. To conclude with a new whimsical Extravaganza, entitled BEAUTIFUL HAIDER; ; or The Sea Nymph and the Sallee Rovers. Misses M. Oliver, Helen Howard, Hudspeth, Hen d min, and Murray ; Messrs. C. Seyton, G. Belmore, Fitz jam'is, Moreland, and Ccckerill. NEW THRATRE-R0 VAL, ADELPHI.— sole Proprietor and Manaaar, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING (18th time) AURORA FLOYD. Miss Avonia Jones, Miss H. Simms, Mrs. Billington ; Mr. Benj. Webster, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. R. Phillips, Mr. Billin.crton Mr. Stuart, Mr. Se fton, Mr. Romer, Mr. C. J. Smith. Billing After which, THE TRIAL OF TOMPKINS. Messrs. J . T.. Toole , P aul Bedford, Sefton, Miss Kate Kelly, and Miss A. Seaman. Commence at 7. TITHE THIRD EDITION OF '‘ THE SUN," jr. Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. NOTICE. THE WEDDING SUN Is still Publishing. The Weather—Bun Office, April 8, 1863. THERMOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday Lowest during the night This day at N00n..... Wind—S. -West ; showery. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAY.--MOraing, 4h. 40m.—Afternoon, 4h. 59m. To-Kowtow. -Morning, sh. 20m.—Afternoon, sh. 49m. , 7". J. .7; THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 8, 1863. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS,) PORTUGAL. PARIS, APRIL 8. The Paris papers of to-day publish a telegram from Lisbon, dated 7th inst., stating that rumours were current of modifications in the Ministry. The Queen of Portugal has entered the third month of her pregnancy. The frigate Normandie had arrived at Lisbon the health of the crew was satisfactory. FRANCE. PARIS, APRIL 7. L' Opinion Nationale announces to-day, as among its latest news from Lemberg, that two Prussian officers at Kiew had been condemned to death and shot—evidently because of their Polish proclivities. An advertisement in Le Siecle announces the fact that already 51,000 copies of Le Fils de Giboyer, by Emile Angier, have been sold since the date of its first publication. His Excellency Don Xavier de Isturitz, the Spanish Ambassador, says the Constitutionnel, had the honour of an audience yesterday with the Emperor, at the Tuileries, to thank his Majesty for the insignia of the Order of the Legion of Honour recently transmitted to the Prince of the Asturias. BOURSE, April 7.—The market continues firm, and yesterday's closing prices have been well main tained, and with even a slight further improvement —Threes, for the Account, being now at 69f. 90c. Mobilier have again risen, and are now at 1,410 f. The Railway Share Market firm, with a slight ad vance on many of the lines. Italian Loan in good demand. The market closed as follows 4t per Cents .. 96 30 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 75 New 3 per Cents Do, end month — Credit Mobilier 1412 60 Do, end month 1412 601 Bank Shares 3375 Credit Fonder 1525 Italian Loan 72 15 Do. end month 72 10 Russian Austrian .. B5 Spani,h Threes 52 50 Rome Debt — RA IL WAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans 1025 .. 1030 Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 1210 .. 1216 25 Geneva 437 5) .. 440 Southern 775 780 Western. Eastern ...... .. 535 540 Sardinian .......... 462 60 .. 463 75 Austrian .............. 508 75 .. 508 75 Fmro ha ril ............. 611 25 .. 612 50 North of Spain ........ 5 8 75 .. 587 50 Saragossa .......... . ... 762 50 .. 775 Ditto to Barcelona 365 .. 380 -- ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON. The increabe of a musical taste in Europe within the last fifty years is one of those striking social phenomena which have not Liked to arrest the attention of discriminate observers. They have detected in such a fact a further and important addition to those evidences of progress which in recent times have done so much to affirm both the capacity and future well-being of man, They have seen that there was something special in the testimony of such a fact. Music is the language of emotion, and the vehicle, accordingly, of our com mon sympathies and aspirations. Whilst litera ture and science appeal for the most part to the intellect, and create diversities of opinion which tend to:make men aggressive—music., the language of our common feelings, tends rather to allay our social discords and to oppose to the strifes of in quiry a loving and harmonising influence. Espe cially do we hold this to be the function of dramatic music, which, being the expression of the more vigorous passions and sympathies of min, is calcu lated in that degree to effect its purpose more pro foundly. An opera—which is simply a drama that conveys its poetry in music, and intensifies its pas sion in order more rapidly and generally to awaken human sympathy —must necessarily ba the medium of all others to act with advantage on society, owing to the ease with which it is enjoyed and the mass that it appeals to. With these convictions, we attach no little value to the history of our Lyric theatres, and more espe cially in England, where the hardening influence of the realistic and utilitarian age in which we - ive makes an amelioration such as we have described an indispensable necessity. If, on this ground, we have felt delighted at the recent extraordinary growth of a musical feeling in this country, as evi denced in the rise of our numerous societies, vocal and instrumental—even more have we been gratified by the higher form which has been bestowed on the lyric drama of our time, which has at length been treated as an art, whose claims rest on the complete ness as well as force of iis particulars, and whose aim must be always twofold whenever rightly exer cised—that of affording the world at large a source of study as well as enjoyment. How well the Italian Opera, under Mr. Gye, has become entitled to this eulogium, we can scarcely have any occasion to assert at the present hour. His entire career 3f management has so abundantly displayed his aim of raising the Italian lyric drama to the high position it demands, and which, previous to his advent, had never been assigned it in this country, that we have only to refer to the leading facts of every season he has directed to relieve our selves from the necessity of any further affirmation. Alike in the solid merit of the works which year after year he has presented, and in the incomparable talent with which they have been sustained—as well as in the wonderful completeness of every element of their production, his sense of what was due both to the composer and the public has been manifested to an extent which would be very hard to over• rate. Mr. Gye is, in fact, entitled to the praise of a double good—that which he has achieved in his own theatre, and that which for the future he has rendered indispensable in every other. He has established a precedent in respect to pro duction which has so developed public taste as to become incumbent on every manager who may be destined to succeed him. Having once witnessed and appreciated the merits of his system, the public will by no means be disposed to put up with its suspension. Coming now to his present season, which com menced last evening with a most brilliant and delightful performance of " Massaniello," the last, most vivid, and one of the most perfect of the great revivals which have marked his theatre, we need not dwell on the vista of enjoyment which is un- folded by his programme. We may remark, in the first place, the broad distinction which will separate his aims and exertions from thoie of Her Majesty's Theatre. The presence of Madlle. Patti, who returns to him with nothing less than a European reputation—her great success in London confirmed by the more exacting standards of Ber lin, Vienna, and even Paris—necessarily tends to devote his efforts more to the presentment of comic opera, in recognition of that young lady's claims as a great lyric comedian. Whilst tragic opera will, of course, be given, owing to the abundant talent of the company, and more espe cially in connection with the numerous debutantes that are announced ; the genius of Madlle. Patti mnst necessarily be in the ascendant, and especially when supported by that of Signor Ronconi, whd fortunately returns to us once more to assume his acknowledged place as the most universal of lyric artists. However failure of voice may have impaired his tragic powers, and permitted us only to appreciate his masterly conceptions, his wonderful humour and sense of character still remain to present an offset which we fancy the world at large will accept against all shortcomings. When we remember further that with Madlle. Patti and Signor Ronconi will be associated two such singers and comedians as Signor Mario and Mons. Fuure—esp, cial , y in the production of "Don Pasquale," which will be probably the finest it has ever had in England—we may be well contented with what must form the leading distinction of the sea son. In support of it we are also to have the re vival of two such attractions as the " Elisir d'Amore," and the " Figlia de Reggimento," for the heroines of which Madlle. Patti is so especially and, we may add, wonderfully adapted, and in which she will also have support of the great talent that is beside her. In addition to all this, we must not omit the other features that promise to make the season so successful—the entire novelties we are pro mised, such as the last work of Verdi, the " Forza del Destino"—and the " Stradella," com posed by Flotow, both of which have won a continental reputation, as well as the grand revival, acccording to the custom of the house, in " l'Etoile du Nord" of Meyerbeer, which was produced at the old theatre some few years ago, and was only performed some seven times when the calamitous fire occurred which laid the house in ashes. The reproduction of this work will complete the list of masterpieces which M. Gye has given us from the same compJser—" The Huguenots," " 4 The Prophet," " Robert the Devil," and " Dinorah"—and make a further addition to his claim on the respect and favour of the musical public. As respects the superb performance with which the season commenced last night, we have only to say that it was in every respect the fac simile of that of its production, save in the case of Mons. Naudin, who made his first apperance in the character of Massaniello, and of Mono. Faure, who replaeed Signor Graziani in the character of Pietro. Mons. Naudin is a singer of great energy and feeling--if his vocal power is not sufficient to sustain his mental and dramatic. He acted the patriot fisherman with infinite spirit throughout, and sang much of the music with great tasto and expression. He is obviously so much an artist as to prove an addition to the company. Mons. Faure was perhaps more successful in the rugged and fiery Pietro—his great dra matic feeling standing him in esculent stead in every scene—though we Gould not but mis 3 the incomparable voice of his precursor. His barcarole in the last act and vigorous share in the duet of the second were among the best fea tures of the night. Of the merits of the magnificent chorus we can have no occasion to say a word, nor of the band, under the direction of the unrivalled Mr. Costa ; and as little are we called upon to repeat our praise of the m2se en scene, which renders this revival cue of the most picturesque, as well as life like of all the achievement of the modern stage. The house, we have only to add, was crowded to the ceiling, and the satisfaction of the audience was loudly expressed throughout. The announcement that the railway between Bou logne and Calais will be opened very soon will be hailed with pleasure by those who have had to undergo that tedious, dusty journey by carriage, Mr. H. O'Neil, A R.A., is painting a picture of the Royal Landing at Gravesend. The Windham divorce case will come on for hear ing in May, 6.:ffl 'Tart C 4 • !Lollar HER MAJESTY, WINDSOR CASTLE, April 7. The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High nesses Princess Helena, Prince Arthur, and Prin cess Beatrice, drove out in a carriage and four yesteriay afternoon, attended by Colonel the Hon. A. Hardinge. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Helena, drove in the grounds this morning. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and Prince Louis of HCESO rode on horseback. To-day is the anniversary of the birthday of his Royal Highness Prince Leopold. AUSTRIA. The :Vienna Presse has the following :—" Con ferences have taken place recently between Count Rechberg and the representatives of the foreign Powers, and we believe we are correctly informed when we state that the participation of the Vienna Cabinet in the steps proj ec t e d at St. Petersburg by the Western Po wers i s a sett l e d affair. We are told that a c o ll ect i ve s t e p is not in tended, but only identical notes, which the representatives of the three Powers will present at the same time at St. Petersburg. The peculiar position of A us t r i a towards the Cabi nets of Paris and of London has rendered the wording of these notes very difficult; however, a draught has been at last agreed upon, in which it is strongly recommended that reforms should be in troduced into the kingdom of Poland in keeping with the spirit of the age. An understanding re specting the identical notes having been come to, another negotiation has been mooted respecting the claims which Austria wishes to put forward in favour of the Catholic Church in Poland, and which France wishes to support. England, as a Protestant Power, has abstained from taking part in this latter measure." SPAIN. The Epoca of Madrid of the 4th states that M. Gonzalez Serrano has had a conference with the President of the Council of Ministers to explain to him that the meeting of the deputies of the Liberal Union has no other object than to decide what line of conduct they shall follow with regard to the Ministry and the Opposition, and that it is not in any sense hostile to the Government. On the same day the Duke of Tetuan had an interview with General Mata, and gave explanations to the same effect. The Correspondencia has been authorised to announce that the grand ball which was to have been given on Sunday last by the Duke and Duchess de Fernan Nunez has been postponed to the 14th inst. The dramatic performance which was to have been given in the private theatre of the Duke and Duchess de Medina-Cell has also been put off. The Diario of Barcelona s tates that the Rev. Father Miguel Huerta, formerly Vicar- General of the Order of St. Augustine, and Court preacher to Fer dinand VII., has just died at Bilboa, aged 90. HENRY FIELDING V. WALTER SCOTT A correspondent of Fun — " poking fan '' at Mr. Fallow —writes in the name of Henry Fielding h U 8 A great sensation has been produced by the " Waverley Novels." Tbey are now in everybody's hands. One of them has fallen into mine. Its title is "Guy Mannering." I have been startled by the ninny points of resemblance which it pr esents to my " T om JJnes," published one hun dred and eighteenyears ago. I be g you will give a place in your pa ges t o t h e acconipan.V ing comparative view of the two novels. Tom Jones —The hero of this work is a foundling. - -- ---- -- _ Guy Mannering—The hero of this work, Harry Bertram, was lost in his infancy. Torn Jones —The title consists of a baptismal appellation and a surname. Guy Mannertng—The title consists of a baptismal appel lation and a surname. Tom Tones—The baptismal appellation has three letters and no more. Guy Mannering—The baptismal appellation has three letters and no more. widToownzer. , lones—Squire Western, father of the heroine, is a Guy Manner ing—The Laird of Ellangowan, father of the heroine, is a widower. 2'om Jones—Sophie is pretty and amiable. Guy Mannering—So is Lucy. Tom Jones—There is a poacher in this novel. Guy Mannering—And a smuggler in this. Torn Jones—The hero has a tutor named Thwackum. Guy Manneriny—The hero has a tutor named Sampson. Tom lones—A. lawyer named Dowling is instrumental in discovering the patronage of the hero. Guy Mannering--A lawyer named Pleydell is instru mental in discovering the patronage of the hero. In ray novel of " Tom Jones " there are few, if any, de scriptive passages, everything whi c h calls up an image be ing illusive. Thus, for example, my Lady Bellaston is not presented to the reader with any flourish or circumstance. All he knows of her is inf , rentially gathered on the way, and even her tendency to embonpoint is left to be delicately implied in a painful allusion of Squire Western's. The novel of" Guy Mannering," on the contrary, abounds in description of the most v i v i d and picturesque c h arac t er . This affection of an opp os it e style is the flimsy di sgu i se be neath which Sir Walt er S cott essays to hide his poverty of invention. There are o th er transp a rent devices for evading critical justice; one of these is a redistribution of character istics. For instance, while it is not the tutor, but Jones's follower, Partridge, who is continually quoting Latin in my novel, the author of "Gay Mannering " attributes pre cisely the same habit t o D ominie Sampson. I t hi n k I h ave made out a tolerably goo d case, and that nobody w ill re f use to admit that "Tom Jones" f urn i s h e d the materials of "Guy Mannering," if not, as I could just as eas il y s h ow, the entire series of the " Waverley Novels." -- son at a newspap er o ffi ce. " Four shillings." `'(4 How much to i nsert this death ?" aske3 a per. Why, I only paid two shillings the last time I inserted one." "That was a common death," said the publisher, "but this is sin cerely regretted." " I'll tell y ou w h a t," said the applicant, "your executors will not be put to that expense."— American Paper. THE FORESTERS AND THE LIFEBOAT INSTITTJ. TION.—The Ancient Order of Foresters is now making a collection amongst its members in aid of the funds of the National Lifeboat Institution. In their appeal they refer with gratitude to the gteat and important services the lifeboats of the institution are constantly rendering to the cause of humanity,:and the strong claims it has on the sup port of the benevolent everywhere. The executive council, therefore, feel confident that a permanent and effectual response will be made to the appeal of the order on behalf of one of the most important and valuable institutions in our laud. THE PRINCESS LOUIS OF HESSE. The following bulletin of the health of the Prin cess Louis of Hesse was issued yesterday morning : " WINDSOR CASTLE, April 7, 1863. " Her Royal Highness the Princess Louis of Hesse and the infant princess are going on most favourably. " CHARLES LOCOCK, M.D. " ARTHUR FARRE, M.D." Presentation of the Norwich Gates to the Prince of Wales. The "Norwich Gltes," which have been sub scribed for by the county for presentation to the Prince of Wales, were presented to his royal high ness yesterday at Sandringham Hail by a deputa tion from the subscribers, consisting of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, Mr. J. Scott Chad, High Sheriff, and the Mayors of Nor wh h, Lynn, Yarmouth, and Thetford, who arrived at Sandringham Hill at a quarter past one, and were introduced to their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales in the drawing-room. There were present besides, General Knollys, Capt. Grey, Mr. Fisher, the Hon. Mr. Bruce, and Dr. Stanley. The High Sr;eriff read the county address of congratulation, which the prince received, and returned a suitable reply. The High Sheriff then read the following ad dress : " May it please your Royal Highness,—As s heriff of the county of Norfolk, I have the distinguished honour to offer for your royal highness's acceptance the Norwich Gates' on behalf of the inhabitants of the county, the city, and boroughs, in the hope that this specimen of the manufaciurts of our city may be deemed worthy of being placed at the en trance of Sandringham Perk. The names of all the subscribers to the presentation fund will be printed, and a copy of the list offered for the acceptance of your royal highness, in order that your royal high ness may see that all classes of persons have been anxious to join in this token of loyal feeling. I gladly embrace this opportunity of assuring your royal highness, in the name of my county, of the joy with which we welcome your royal highness and your illustrious consort as residents amongst us, and beg to express the loyal and affectionate senti nents which we one and all entertain towards you." His ROYAL HIGHNESS replied as follows : " Gentlemen,—lt is with the greatest gratification that I r€ceive your present. I need hardly say that the circumstances under which it is offered are of a nature to make a deep impression upon me. Con nected intimately as I am with Norfolk, I regard with pride so beautiful aspeeimen of Norwich work manship and art, and this feeling adds to the plea sure I could not tail to experience in accepting any offering made by a large body of persons belonging to every class, but animated by a common feeling of affectionate good-will towards myself and the princess.' After this brief ceremony (which was conducted in a private manner), the gentlemen of the deputa tion lunched at the Hall. Captain Grey has succeeded Colonel Keppel as Equerry in Waiting upon the Prince, and the Hon. Mrs. F. Stonor has succeeded Lady Morton in at tendance on the Princess of Wales. His Excellency the Prussian Amblssador and the Countess Bernstorff left the Prussian Legation, on Monday la3t, on a tour of visits during the Easter holidays. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, and the youthful Marquis of Stafford, arrived at Safford House, St. James's, yesterday, from Naples, after an absence of several months abroad. The duke and duchess came in their steam-yacht to Marseilles. The Merquis and Marchioness of Exeter and Lady Victoria Cecil intend to return home from Italy to wards the close of this or early next month. The Earl of Wilton left Eg, , rton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, on Monday laE4, for Nowarket, Viscount and Viscountess Palaierlton are enter taining a pasty of friends at Broadlands, Hants. The noble viscount is expected to return to town either on Saturday or Monday next. The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P., and Lady Emily Peel, are expected to leave Nice on Friday or Saturday next, for Paris, on their way home for the season. We regret to hear that Sir A. Alison is ill. A " PoLYARTTST."---Sohn Howell, the polyartist, died at Edinburgh, on Saturd a y, i n hi s 7 5th After serving his apprenticeship to a bookbinder, John commenced business on his own account as a bookbi n d er. This he carried on with great success f or some time, Si; Walter Scott, Lord Glenlee, Macvey Napier, and many other of the leading m e n o f th e d ay, pleased with his ori ginality and talent, having employed him. At this time he invented "the plough," an instrument now in universal use by bookbinders for cutting the leaves of books. But e hwiso pastures rledh ei nci n ut e he w ree , ' d' characterdcr o a p r e p e e r d . the bookbinding, n,longinga " polyartist—thefo n r d fresh las burstt fields upon e hlads s phase of and d f Full of self-confidence, and strong in his own convictions, the difficulties which to an ordinary mind appeared insuperable were overlooked or despised by him. Hence his eccentric attempts to rival the bird and fish it flying and swimming. His debut in the flying line was made in a park which now forms the West Princes -street Gardens. At that time the ruins of an old tannery stood at the bottom of the west bank of the Earthen Mound, from an elevated point near which John took his soaring flight; but he was not long of coming precipitately to the ground amidst'a heap of old stones, by which he had one of his legs broken. Nothing daunted, however, by his failure in imitating the bird, he some time aferwards essayed to rival the fish. Having constructed, at considerable ex pense, a large model of a fish, which was to be propelled by the arms and legs of a person placed inside, a trial of the machine was made in a deep pool on the Water of Leith. On this occasion a brother of John's was present, and so satisfied was John of the value of his invention, that he gravely proposea to his brother that he should for the nonce play the part of the fish, as in the event of any thing happening to him (John), he would be prevented from perfecting his invention. The brother, however, declined this proposal, and John accordingly entered the belly of the fish himself, and was fairly launched into the stream. We should have 'stated that the fish was pro. vided with a keel, so as to give it a proper hold on the water; but by some miscalculation of the centre of gravity, scarcely had the fish entered the water when it cap sized, the keel turning upwards, and, as a consequence, poor John was submerged. Sounds of an alarming kind were heard to issue from the belly of the fish, and no time was lost in dragging it to the bank, when the inventor was liberated from his perilous position; but it took nearly half an hour before "suspended animation" was fully restored. In plain English, John was nearly drowned. These eccen tricities, however, though characteristic of the man, were mere specks on the sun—his pursuits as a polyartist hav ing generally been directed to much more useful and profit able results. He was held in high esteem by the late Lord Murray, and for many year assisted his lordship in his scientific and other pursuits. In repairing old china and ether antiquities of every kind, John's patience and neat. handedness rendered him unrivalled. In the fabrication of false teeth he equalled the best dentist. He was the first who introduced themanufacture of Pompeian plates, at a great loss to himself; and there was scarcely a common thing con nected with art manufactures on which he had not tried his band with success. Even in the curative art, John's salve for ringworm was considered highly efficient. But perhaps John's literary capacity formed h s chief merit. His essay on the " War Galleys of the Ancients" is a learned and excellent work, and his ' Journal of a Soldier of the 71st," one of the most spirited and readable books of the kind in our language. He also wrote the lives of John Nicol, the mariner; Alexander Alexander, and A. Selkirk, the original of " Robinson Crusoe"—all very entertaining and well-written publications. He further contributed some of the best stories to " Wilson's Tales o, the Bor ders;" and having been one of the unfortunat'ss who, on the occasion of the late Lord Eldin's sale, sustained injuries from the falling of the floor, he wrote and published a graphic account of the accident, which is appended to the large paper edition of the catalogue. He also supplied Chambers's .7 - atonal, some years ago, with a thrilling story, whose title we forget, and for which he was libe rally remunerated by his old friend Robert Chambers Scotsman. It is said that Dean MilmAn was asked what ht thought of Bishop Colenso's book on the Pentateuch the Dean replied that the Bishop of Natal appeared to be very well up in Numbers, but that ho did not seem to under stand Exodus I The Marquis Wielopoloski and the Prince Napoleon, TO THE EDITOR OF LA PRESSE. Sir,—l have the honour to communicate to yon a copy of a letter addressed by me to his Imp er i a l Highness Prince Napoleon. I hope, Sir, that you will not refuse to insert it in your estimable journal. Please to accept, Sir, the expresNion of my dis tinguished sentiment. SIGISMOND COINT WIELOPOLSKI. Warsaw, April 3, 1863. "TO ins IMPERIAL HIGHNESS PRINCE NAPOLEON, PALAIS ROYAL, PARIS. "Monseigneur, —I n your speech, delivered in the Senate of France on the 17th instant, you ex pressed yourself in the most outrageous manner towards my father. " I come forward as a son to demand from your Imperial Highness, for that gross offence, the satis faction that a man of honour never refuses. "Nevertheless, Monseigneur, from your well known antecedents, I have no great hope of your accepting the challenge. " There is a courage that does not rise above the kennel, and there are individuals who, like low bred fellows, when they commit an outrage, take a cowardly shelter in the inviolability of a privileged condition, on being called to account for their conduct. " Your Imperial Highness would wish to take refuge behind those who hail with you from the Palais Royal, and with the chiefs of the assassins in their haunts at Warsaw. "If, in my country, the good cause inaugurated by our King Alexander 11., and to which my father has for the last two years devoted his efforts, does not finish by triumphing over the difficulties raised by perverse or ill-advised persons, it will be princi palty to the soz-disant friends of our cause, such as as you, Monseigneur, and your revolutionary com panions, that the failure will be owing. " I shall wait until the 2d of April* next for your reply and the designation of your second. If you will not grant the satisfaction I demand, you will suffi-r me, Monseigneur, to give publicity to this letter. "Receive, Monseigneur, the assurance of all the sentiments which, on my part, are due to your Im perial Highness. (Signed) " SIGISMoND COUNT IVIELOPOLSKI. " Palace of Bruhl, Warsaw, March 24, 1863." • We would suggest that the Count Wielopolski ought to have mentioned the day previously I How a Female Freemason Saved her Brother's Life in the American War. A soldier in the Federal army, now in Arkansas, writes to the editor of the Chicago 7ribune a most extraordinary story. He says that some of the Con federate guerillas having burnt a house in which a poor woman and her family were, one of them, a raw youth about sixteen, with a strong Irish accent, having been taken, the lad protested that he was unwittingly drawn into the act by others, who told him that they were going coney-hunting, and he took no part in the outrage. Nevertheless, the Federal officer commanded him to be shot. Accordingly, about eight o'clock he was brought out to be conducted to the place of execution. Upon seeing the soldiers drawn up to receive him, he com menced wringing his hands, crying, and calling to the captain, saying, " Oh, captain, I am not guilty. Do not let them kill me. Don't, captain---you can save me. I will give you my watch. My sister will give you money. Oh, God ! oh, holy Mother ! oh, captain, speak to them quick—they are taking me away !" - with a soldier upon each side of him, ho was now led by the arms towards the place of execution, still calling upon the captain to save him. When he discovered the coffin and grave that had been prepared for him, he gave a wild frantic scream, and then seemed to realise for the first time that in a few minutes he would be no more among the living ; for in a moment after he became calm, when, turning to the officer of the guard, he requested him to ask the captain if he would give him time to write to his mother in Ireland. At that moment there arose upon the stillness of the scene, the wild piercing shriek of a female, as she burst through the ranks of the soldiers, and swept out upon the hollow square in the direction of the prisoner. It was an Irish girl, apparently about 18 years old, without bonnet or shoes, her dress bespotted with mud, and her long, dark hair streaming in the wind as she rushed forward with a wild, heartrending scream, saying, " lie is my • brother !" In a moment she had crossed the square, and, clasping her brother in her arms, she continued, with an agonising scream, " Oh, soldiers, oh, holy Mother ! gentlemen, for the love of Jesus do not kill him. He is innocent! He is my brother!" The girl was ordered to be removed. When two soldiers advanced and unloosened her grasp upon her brother, her screams, her appeals to all for mercy were terrible. They had dragged her but a short distance from him, when looking back and seeing a black hand kerchief already tied over his eyes with one wild, fr,tni ic k cream she flung the soldiers from her, and, bounding back to her brother, she tore the covering from his eyes, and again enfolded him in her arms. As the soldiers were again removing her, the coat sleeves c,f one of them was torn during her struggles, and her eyes fell upon a breast pin that be had fastened upon his shirt-sleeve, perhaps for concealment and safety. In an instant all her physical powers were re laxed. In a calm, subdued, and confident voiee, she observed, as she pointed to the pin, " Soldiers, let us make one effort for my brother." The soldiers, started at the strangeness of her manner, un looeed their grasp upon her, and in a moment - she bounded away to her brother, shielding his body again with her person at the very moment that the guns were descending to receive the word " fire." Turning her back to her brother, and facing the file of soldiers, she stood forth a stately woman. There was no scream, no tear, no agonising expression, but, calm and erect, she swept the field with her eye, and then advancing three steps, she gave the grand hailing s'gnal of the Master Mason, None but Masons amongst those soldiers observed it, and there were many of them in that command who now stood mute with astonishment at the strange and mysterious spectacle before them. There was a cap tain who came forward, and in a loud voice said, " That owing to the distress and interference of the young woman, the execution would be postponed until nine o'clock the next day." The guard was then ordered to be doubled, and a strict watch kept over the prisoner during the night. Notwithstanding this precaution, it was disco vered in the morning that both the boy and his sis ter had made their escape. In what way they ac complished it has been a mystery with the company from that time to this. During the early part of the evening there was a meeting of the Masonic) mernbersof the company at the captain's head-quar ters, when the girl was examined, and found to have passed all the degrees in masonry, to that of a master mason. Where or how she acquired these degrees she de clined to say. She and her brother had been in the United States about 10 weeks, having come from Ireland for the purpose of purchasing a farm, in tending, when they had done so, to send for their mother and a younger brother. The boy did not know that his sister was a Mason, and only knew that his father, when living, was master of a lodge in their native town in Ireland. - - WATERLOO Rooms—Mn. W. S. WOODZN's " CA BINET CF CURIOSITIES."—Mr. W. S. Woodin t whose "Carpet Bag" and "Olio of Oddities," presented before Edinburgh audiences in former years, secured for him the reputation of being one of the best mim• tic per formers who have visited Edinburgh fer a long time, re appeared in the Waterloo Rooms last night to disclose his " Cabinet of Curiosities." The entertainment was similar to those of Mr. Woodin's which have previously prove d so successful with Edinburgh audiences. The performer ap peared in about thirty different characters—male and female —and the wonderful rapidity of his change of costume, corn bi, ed wi.h his clever personification of the different charac ters which be represented, deservedly called forth the warmest applause.—Scotsman. There is an on dit that the Prince Napoleon 1$ going to Egypt,