The Sun. — London, England, 1863-06-12 00:00:00

IR SAMUEL MORTON PETO, Bart., M.P.— SAnbil pe rfal Jvggle—Wigrarns Wiggins, Sic. &e.. In FUN THIS WLE,K. One Penny. INTE RNATION AL EXHIBITION BUILDING, SOUTH KENSINGTON. A GRAIN CD MILITARY CONCERT, in AID of H.R.H. the PRINC ESS MARY'S FUND for Providing Nurses for the Inmate , 5 of the CAMBRIDGE ASYI UM, will be p; ven in tt e 'ERN AT loNAL KX HI t-lITION BUIL DIN G, South Kensing,ton (by special permission), TO- 3101110 W (SATURDAY), the 13th of JUNE. Doors open at Two, the Concert to commence at Three precisely, Under the Immediate Patronage of His Royal Highness the Prince of WALES, Her Royal Highness the Princess of WALES. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of CAMBRIDGE. His Royal Highness the Duke of CAMBRIDGE, and Her Royal Highness Princess MARY A uELAIDE. The BANDS of the hOUSEIi OLD BRIGADE, consisting Of— The First Life Guards, The Sl cond Life Guards, Royal Horse Guar is (*tine), The Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, and The Scots Fusilier u uards, w:11 perform on this occasion. SW See the full Programme, now ready. Admission, ss. ; reserved seats, 7s. 6d.; stalls, numbered and strictly reserved, 1 0 s. 6d.—Tickets to be obtaine i at Mr. Sams' Royal Library, 1, St. James's street, S.W. ; Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street Westerton's Library, St George's-place, Knightsbri atdge ; Messrs. Keith, Drowse, and Co. , 48, Cheaps.de Mr. Austin's Ticket-office, St. James's Hall , 28, Piccadilly ; and Tickets of admission may be had at the Building. The Entrance will be from Cromwell-road and the Exhi bi ' ion-road. Tti.EATRE-ROI Al„ HAY MARKET. Lessee. Mr. J. B. Ruckstone. a new Farce, entitled AN UNLUCKY THIS EVENING, MORTAL. After which, 23d time. a new and original comedy. entitled Af t E; ; or, Spy and Counter -Spy : Mr. fiu-kstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. Chippendale, Mr. and - Mrs. Alfred Wigan, and Miss Louisa Angel. Fol,owed by (2d time), a new Farce, EASY SHAVING: Messrs. Compton, W. Gordon, Rogers; Miss Louise Keeley, Miss Fanny Wright- To conclude with MY HUSBAND'S GHOST. Commence at 7. T" DUKE'S MOTTO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH NIGHT. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. — Under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. THIS EVENING, to commence with an Ori ; inal 3ketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter -past Eight, the Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logue, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Pechter, sunported by Messrs. J. G. Shore, G Jordan, J. Broug •am, B. %+ iombe, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, Dawson; Misses Sophy Henrade, Kate Terry, E. Cayenne, and Elsworthy. Doors open at 7, commence at half-past. Acting-manager, Mr. H. Barnett. IOO VAL PRINCSS'S THEATRE. E Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. G. Vining THIS MeN, will be . presented (15th time), COURT AND CAMP : ssrs. G. Vining, C. Verner, 11. Marston, G. Belmore, G. Murray, NFarde; M'ss Amy Sedgwick, Miss L. Laidlaw, and Miss Lydia Thompson. To be preceded by (sth time) a new Comedietta, entitled COUSIN TO A. And followed by A CHARMING PAIR. NEW IT EATRE-RO YAL, ADELP Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING. THE WILLOW COPSE. Mr. Benj. Webster, Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Billington, Mr. Stuart, Mr. Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, and Miss H. Simms Followed by a new Burlesque, entitled ILL-TREATED IL TRO VATORE. Ms ssrs. Toole, P. Bedford, R. Phillips, lanrne, C. J. Smith, Romer ; the Sisters Nelson, Carry and Sari, and Miss K. Kelly. Commence at 7. THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing . the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. The Weather—Sun Office, June 12, 1863. THERMOMETER. This morning This day at Two o'clock 6l Barometer-29.85. Wind—S.-E.; calm, with heavy rain. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tale DLT.—Morning, 11h. 2m.—Afternoon, 11h. 36m. To-p4oe.n.ovr.-Morning, h. m.—Afternoon, 12h. Om. St, ttt 444*4 LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1863. ---a Last evening's discussion in the House of Com mons brought with it a foreshadowing of the close of the Session. P did so is the shape of a purely technical series of objections made by one or two members very dibcerningly, in reference to the devices resorted to by one or other of the members of the Government, with a view to the frittering away of the time of the H 31190 by an occasional and most unlooked-for count out. The hon. and learned gentleman the member for Youghal was the one who yesterday seized the opportunity of directing the at tention the popular branch of the Legislature to the .exceeding inconvenience resultin g only too frequently from these truly vexatious little Ministerial sur prises. Reminding the House that only so recently as 1861 Thursdays were allotted to the Government, the motion of adjournment on Fridays being also dispensed with, Mr. BUTT by that simple reminder demonstrated how it was that only a ceaple of years since two opportunities were snatched from the Teach of private members for bringing forward motions in which they, as private members, hap pened to be interested. Nay, the fact was CO entirely what the member for Youghal stated it to be last evening, that with a view to compensate for the loss of these same vanished opportunities for private members a standing order was passed, declaring that while committees of supply or of ways and means were open, the first order of the day on Fri day should be either supply or ways and means, and upon that order being read the question should be proposed that Mr. SPEAKER do leave the chair. Since that order morning sittings have been continually fixed for Fridays—that very practise, however, defeating, as the member for Youghal insisted with good show of reason yester day, both the letter and the spirit of the arrange ment contemplated by the standing order of the session before last. How, is it asked ? By only too simple a means it may be said—two hours of the time which it was the object of those standing orders to give to private members being practically deducted by the morning sitting. Several counts out on Friday evenings, in point of fact, have actually occurred already this session in conse- Z nee- Government has con v en i e ntly failed to f e a house when the interrupted busine ss of the day was nominally about to be resumed. Inconvenient notices of motion were thus to b e g o t ri d i of _ readily enough by Her MA JESTY'S Minister s. pleastin to Time, be and events, and measures are thus tided o ver by Ministers whenever they careto avail themselv es o f s o eli gible an opportunity. The auPension of the sit tings for two hours on the Fridayevenings the opportunity, and of that golden opportunity affords Ministers are not slow to avail themselves, Althour.; h no result followed from th e b rief de. bate in thQ Upper House last night in reference to the Prussian Con vention, and the Foreign Secretary was unable to give any further information of im portance concerning it, there is no reason to regret that the question has been again brought forward. The tone of the discussion will serve at e show M. BISMARK the feelings with which l ast to Eng lish politicians of all sides regard this obnoxious treaty, and he may also reflect with advantage on the tone in which the conduct of the Government of Prussia was spoken of by the representatives of the governing class in Great Britain. The Earl of CARNAKVON, on inquiring whether Earl RUSSELL could give him any further information on the subject of this famous treaty than that which was afforded by the correspondence on Polish affairs already laid before Parliament, expressed his anxiety to avoid touching upon any questions that might embarrass the Cabinet, but added that he did not consider the information he wished to ob- tain would produce any prejudicial effect. After dwelling on the disastrous and dangerous state of things in Russia and Poland, and commenting on what he termed the wanton and gratuitous inter ♦ention on the part of Prussia, the noble lord went on to speak of the mysterious Convention which has been such a bugbear to European diplomatists for the last few months. _ _ If Prussia, said Lord CARNARVON, chose to abolish her Parliaments, put down her press, and convert a constitutional monarchy into a military despotism, he hEd no right to interfere with her proceedings, But when her policy extended beyond her own frontier, all Europe became affected by it, and it was our duty to speak out. There can be no pos- sible doubt that the convention exists. Count BISMARK has himself admitted it, the Russian Minister has acknowledged the fact to our Ambas sador at St. Petersburg, while it has also been owned by the Prussian Minister in this country. Curiously enough, however, while the Russians show no unwillingness to submit the treaty to in spection, they refuse the request to produce it on the ground that objections to such a course are raised by Prussia. This reticence goes far to con tradict Count Bismatx's assertion that it is a dead letter. Its explanation is probably to be found in the existence of the secret article to which reference it seems is made in the convention itself. Perhaps the Prussian Minister anticipates that England would push her inconvenient curiosity still further wnen she saw such a mysterious allusion in the document itself. Certainly the conduct of the Prussian King and his Ministers—the course of policy pursued by . them at home and abroad—does not allow us to trust much to their secre diplomacy. Prussia is one of the last Powers who could meddle secretly in the affairs of her neighbours without produc ing uneasiness, and in this case, when her sympathies are known to be on the side of unscru• pulous oppression and ruthless violence, the exist ence of a clause in the convention which she dares not with all her effrontery bring to light, is not likely to satisfy her own people or to reassure other European Powers as to her intentions. Full powers already existed to enable Russia to demand the extradition of offenders whether political or crimi nal. Surely this was as much as Russia had a right to ask or Prussia to grant. As Lord CARNARTON observed in the absence of anything like political necessity or domestic pressure, the existence of such a convention can only be attributed to the jealous fear of anything like constitutional life springing up in Poland. The possibility that out of the ter rible struggle now going on some truer principles of government, some more liberal constitution may emerge for that unhappy conntry, is, as the noble lord truly observed, the phantom that has scared the Prussian rulers. Conscience makes cowards of us all, and the shortest diplomatic memory goes back to a time when the pretentious kingdom was comprised within limits very unlike its present boundaries, while the means by which its rapid ex tension were attained were not such ae to make its rulers feel secure in the prospect of revolu tionary struggles. Still that the course pur sued by the Prussian Government is disastrous to herself, who can doubt. In such a policy, as Lord CARNARVON remarked, she goes back by genera tions, and surrenders the prize for which she has struggled so long—the leadership of Germany. " More than this," said the noble lord, "I think it will be admitted that such a policy is not only unworthy, unnecessary, and un wise, but that it is eminently unsafe. Are Prussian statesmen positively so blind, are their eyes so judicially darkened that they cannot see tht excessive danger of the course they are now pur suing, and are not aware of that • which any chile can discern—how nicely balanced and how critical affairs now are in Europe ? Is it possible for then, to fancy that they can act while others hereafter will sit still, and that the mischievous precedent of intervention will not be exercised some day by some other Power. In one word, to put it in the strongest form, do they think that their western frontier is so secure that they can venture to trifle with their own fortunes and the peace of Europe ? It would be well if Prussian statesmen had solved these questions clearly and distinctly in their own minds before they ventured upon this dangerous course." Earl RUSSELL'S reply, though affording no in formation, was at least satisfactory in its denun ciation of the conduct of Prussia. With regard to the Convention, he admitted that there had been every kind of contradiction and obscurity ; and the noble earl did not appear to put much faith in Count BISMARK's assertion that the treaty was now a dead letter. It is by no means satisfactory that our Ministers should be unable to obtain fuller information when the French Ambassador has, it seems, been favoured with a view of the document. Earl RUSSELL has expressed himself decidedly on the question. If so, his opinion will be endorsed by the sentiments expressed last night in the Upper House —sentiments which will certainly meet with public approval, both as regards the dishonourable pro ceedings respecting the Convention, and, to quote the words of Lord BROUGHAM, " the conduct of the Prussian Government to its own subjects, its own Parliament, and its own constitution." The banquet at Merchant Taylors' Hall last nigh was a most interesting one. It was the Prince of WALES' first visit to the City to a banquet, and he was surrounded by a brilliant and distinguished circle. Additional attraction was imparted to the occasion by the circumstance of the PRINCE taking up the honorary freedom of the company. In pro posing the health of his Royal Highness, the MASTER said—" This is an eventful day for the Merchant Taylors' Company ; the heir apparent to the throne of this realm has honoured this loyal and ancient corporation by becoming one of its honorary members. I propose the health of the Prince of WALES, citizen and Merchant Taylor, and his Royal consort" It is in identifying himself like this with the customs and ceremonies of so many important and influential members of society that the PRINCE is now showing such sense and discernment. He is not confining his presence to the " gilded saloons" of the aristocracy, but dividing his favours by mixing as far as possible with various circles, and thus uniting divers interests by the same attracting influence. The PRINCE spoke briefly on two occa sions—first when the ceremony took place of enroll ing him among the Company, and after wards at the banquet w h en hi s health was proposed. On t h e first occasion he said that he was proud to belong b t o enta aCompany w hi c h nobly worked for the of the h uman race, and he esteemed honour to have his name enrolled it a an benefit of the freeme n of the Merchant Taylors' Company. At the banquet the Master proposed members the health of the hon orary of the company, associating the t oast more par ticularly with the name of the E ar l of DEP: He said that the representatives of the old English houses of STANLEY, CECIL, and PERCY were among their honorary members. Lord DERBY who was_very warmly received, observLd " that of course politics must not be referred to on that occasion, partly from the mixed character of the aeiembly, and partly frog the Feb hoe of their THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY' EVENING, JUNE 12, 1863. the Satanic that destroys Faust. Its version of 1 Mephistophiles is indeed its weakest conception. ' He is drawn with all the lithe and supple traits of the familiar of a wizard, rather than the august and terrible complacency of the Prince of Evil himself. This is, of course, partly owing to M. Gounod's selection of his libretto, which, instead of going to the poem direct, has been founded on a spectacular drama played in Paris some years since, and thence transferred to the Princess's Theatre when under the management of Mr. Kean. Thus the error is repeated of infusing the Fiend with a tinge of comedy, instead of stamping him with persistent earnestness—and allowing him to withdraw from Faust the special victim of his mission—to amuse himself with a crowd, and with the antics of a conjuror. The more accurately rendered characters are Faust, Margaret, and Valentin, and in their treatment and that of their 4ssociates, consists the true strength of the work. This strength, however, we must remark, is con nected with consummate musical resources, and an instrumentation that from first to last is rich and fanciful in the extreme. This opera has no overture, but is commfnced by an introduction, which in a very delightful passage foreshadows the mournful struggle that awaits the - - humble maiden ; and in its first act, which is simply a scene, in which Faust is shown as an old man, wearied with his vain philosophy, and calling on the evil one to restore him to youth and pleasure —a summons which is obeyed—tiere is nothing very striking beyond the muaic that denotes the day break, and the chorus of rejoicing maidens, who ini,errupt the thoughts of the philosopher. It is in the opening of the second act that the first great impression is made in a series of six choruses, sung by old men, girls, and students, the air of the first being so quaint and original that it elicited a loud encore. Mephis tophiles' song in praise of gold has an excellent theme cleverly developed, and the grand chorale in which the students endeavour to exorcise the evil spirit was also very striking. The waltz tha follows and concludes the act—to the genera movement of the groupea engaged in the Kirmesse Fête, and. in the midst of which Marguret makes her first appearance, and is accosted by Faust on her way home—is full of life and beauty, and sealed the fortunes of the night. It led to a recall for all the singers, and a demand for the composer. The third act is the finest of the work. It is laid in the garden of Margaret, and is first distinguished by an air of Faust's, that in its plaintiveness and melody we have rarely heard surpassed—by the song of Gretchen, "Es war ein Konig," which is written with groat expression—by the " Air des bijoux," which has become so well known in our con cert rooms, and by a broken quartette which forms the finale to the act, and which includes a delicious love duet, that has a most charming adagio passage at the words "Notts d'amor," and terminates with Margaret's reverie at her cham ber window. Every portion of this music was distinguished by its grace and tencer ness, and the effect upon the audience was marked in the extreme. The highest excitement followed the descent of the curtain—all the singers being called for, and the composer above all, who at length made his appearance, and received a most hearty demonstration. Wo must hurry over the remaining acts, briefly stating that they were distinguished by a singularly vigorous and original soldiers' chorus in the fourth act—by a most masterly treatment of the duel be t ween Valentine and Faust—and by one of the finest passages in the work, in the concluding trio of the last act, in which Faust and Mephistophles endea vour to regain possession of Margaret, but are de feated by her good angels and ultimate repose in death. The execution of this work was almost as perfect as it could be. If the queenly dignity of Madlle. Titiens was scarcely adapted to the traits of the simple and confiding mtiolen, she rose to every other requisition of the character; and whether in her remorse at the church steps, when bending to heaven for forgiveness—in her agony beside her dying brother—or in her struggle with her lover in the closing scene to remain faithful to the voice of heaven—she reached a height of tragic excellence which belongs to her alone. Signor Giuglini w E equally fortunate in all the music of "Faust," which be sang wjth a depth of tenderness tnat could not possibly be exceeded. Mr. Santley was also mo•t successful in his impersonation of the soldier Valentine, and in his death and malt diction conveyed a stronger evidence of his power than the public had yet witnessed. M. Gassier was a very able and expressive Mephi stopheles—looked at from the composer's point of view; and Madlle. Trebeili was a most agreeable Siebel. On the merits of the band and chorus no praise can be too great, and the skill and zeal of Signor Arditi were obvious in every movement , A last word must be given to the masterly pro duction of this opera, which has afforded Mr. Mapleson an opportunity that he has re sponded to with a taste and liberablity that are in the last degree commendable. No thing more faithful or more complete has been ever seen on our lyric, stage and nothing more calculated to restore this theatre to the just dignity it should maintain. The scenery and dresses were all as exact as they were beautiful, and the various groupes that conveyed the action were as picturesque as they were lively. The house, we need not add, was crowded in every portion, and the one impression at the fall of the curtain was, that an admirable work had been most perfectly presented. Monstrous Sentence of a Court-martial. A court-martial assembled on board her Majesty's ship Victory, in Portsmouth harbour, on Tuesday morning, to try Charles Thomas, an able seaman, for that he, on the 27th May last, did behave in an insubordinate manner, and did use offensive and threatening language towards John Webb, boat swain of her M jesty's ship Cruiser, whilst pro needing in a boat to her Nl,,jes;y's ship Cruiser. The Court comprised Captain Chamberlain (presi dent), Captains Sec , ombe and Hire, and Com manders Philip de Saumarez and Phelps. Capt. Broadhead prosecuted, and Mr. E. Hoskin3 sat as officiating Judge Advt.cate. From the evidence adduced it appeared that the prisoner had been on leave to get married, and on the expiration of his leave he was to return to his ship (the Plumper) by a liberty boat, which left shore at eight o'ctock, but on his arrival at the start ing point, 10 minutes before this time, he found he was too late, the boat, under the orders of Webb. having already gone. This annoyed him, and being (as he said in his defence) a little under the influ ence of liquor at the time, he certainly did use bad language to Webb when he met with him, but although the language was very disgusting in its nature it seemed to be n othing more than the sud den ebulition of passion. The Court adjudged the prisoner to be reduced to the second class for misconduct, to receive 48 lashes, to be imprisoned in Winchester Goal, with hard labour, for two years, and to be discharged.from her Majesty's service with disgrace. The West Sussex Gazette, in commenting upon the case, remarks:—" Wnat on earth can all this mean ? Are we in England ? Are we living under a Reign of Terror? Such a sentence is not only shocking, but positively revolting to the feelings of every civilised man. It was but a few days since that we read of the case of a lad who had cbtained leave of absence at Plymouth. He fell into evil company, and did not return in time to his ship. The Hue and Cry was put into operation, and the lad was captured. The court•martial sentenced him to live on board his ship for 15 years, without going ashore. Th e l a d h e a r d the sentence, went below to his hammock, an d hung himself. Sur el y this tyranny in her Majesty's navy cannot be right and proper." LAW MAKERS AND LAW BREAKERS.--The only carriage which City Ball on M on d ay n i g h t, an d en ter the positi on railed off for the memb ers o f t h e Roy a l Family we e that of our attempted to break the r ank at the Howe Secretary of State ! The attempt of Sir George's coachman was, however, preventea by the police, who wer not reluctant to give their would-be chief a leilion of for boaraxico and patience.-11reatern Daily Alcrourlb illustrious PRINCE who, though he took a deep interest in all public affairs, should always be kept aloof from all political connexions and party con siderations.' But," added his lordship, " there are some topics that may be discussed, and some neutral ground on which all may meet, and in one thing all are agreed, not to interfere with the time honoured institutions of the country." The Earl then eloquently alluded to the previous career of the societies :—" God be praised that the great com panies are no longer called on to perform those valuable services and important functions for which in earlier and less happy days they were of signal service to the country. There is no need for the guilds of London to stand up now and defend the privileges of the people against the encroachments of the Crown. There is no necessity now for the interference of the guilds of London to be the guar dians of our infant commerce, nursing—may I ven ture to whisper the word—protecting it. I might also add monopolising the trade of the country. That infant commerce has now outgrown the neces sity of being sustained by its nurses, and whether to assist the commerce of our country or resist the encroachments of the Crown these guilds are no longer required. The alterations made in the super structure may not require the buttress for its ori ginal purpose, yet the buttress remains, not less an ornament to posterity than as a mark of honour reflected from an.iquity on modern times." No ene better than Lord DERBY can address an assemblage of this kind. He can adapt his style to suit every emergency, and whether he commands the applause of listening senates with his apt retort or vehement denunciation, or mixes in the more genial atmos phere of the festive throng, he is always the master of his subject, the skilled rhetorician, and the im pressive orator. Mr. DISRAELI, who was also en thusiastically welcomed, respondea for the House of Commons. He said " that the members of the House did not look upon these associations as a mere matter of routine, but they accepted them as the expression of mutual respect and sympathy, consecrated by generations which had preceded them, by long experience, and hallowed by the history of an ancient nation. Our corpora tions are not the least considerable of the secu rities that we possess for that public liberty which is perhaps the peculiar privilege of this country. They permit the aggregate of individual sentiment to assume when it is necessary the massive and majestic form of public opinion, which controls and regulates the course of public affairs." He then Alluded to the event of the day, and said that the Prince of WALES was also a member of Parliament, and while it was the boast of the Company that the PRINCE had that day taken up the freedom of their Institution it must be recollected that he had already in the House of Lords taken up the free dom of the country. On the whole it was impos sible that this assembly could have been more suc cessful in its carrying out. The br.lliancy of its company, the eloquence of its speakers, the occasion of its attraction, all combined to produce a splendid effect, and the entertainment will long live in the recollection of all present, and hereafter rank among the most renowned and interesting that have 'or a considerable period taken place in the City. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. FAUST. Goethe's celebrated " Soul Poem," as it is so reverently called in Germany, and which in its scheme at le_st has been acknowledged generally . ls the most imaginative work of our age, has long since exhausted every homage that could be paid to it by art. Painting, sculpture, music, and the drama have reflected it in turn, and made more familiar every aspect of it which c:uld exer cise the fancy or give a further stimulus to he already excited sympathies. To this end its twofold character abundantly con . . . (laced. In completion of that series of analogies which it is intended to present as the picture of the course of a daring and erring human soul, th;s poem is found to exhibit both its infinite end finite ride—man in his religious and philosophic, and man in his purely st.cial and domestic aspect. Suggested, on the one hand, by the book of Job, where we see a mortal by divine permission sub jt cted to the special and probationary influence of the Spirit of Evil—this poem presents, on the other, a purely domestic story, in which we have a conflict presented to us of the spiritual and animal tendencies, and wherein this conflict is not on.y painted in the bosom of the hero, but contra,ted in two beings —one of whom is lost through scepticism, and the other saved by penitence. Here it is man that is made the tempter, and woman who becomes the victim —woman, type of all emotion, who, as her heart veers to earth or heaven, is degraded or re deemed ! It is this story of '° Faust and Margaret" that has really won for Goathe's paem its extensive popularity. Much of his religion is very doubtful ; much of his philosophy unintelligible—an enigma to nis profoundest students, and probably even to him self ; but in his story of a pure and loving nature, betrayed by the trust proper to its fervour, and by a higher being whose wilful baseness degrades his own nature more than hers—it has appealed to every bosom, and not only excited sympathy, but conci liated tastes the most exacting and diversified. Passing over the evidence on this point in the illustrations it has prompted in nearly every form of art, it is interesting to observe how especially it was thought adapted to the agencies of music. GBethe himself, anxious to give more emphasis to its lyric and dramatic character, wished his poem to be accompanied by music when it was proposed to place it on the stage. Others fel t hat it would be more successful if thrown entirely into a lyrical form, suolo as Kreutzer and Lind painter, both of whom have illustrated its first part, and Pierson, who has composed its second. The illustrious Spohr wes at length induced to produce the poem as an opera—a task he executed with great learning, but with little poetry or genius. sladlle. Bertin followed in his wake with scarcely more success in France, and at last, seine five year,- since, it received the first dramatic setting that at all approached its merits in that produc tion of M. Gounod, which filled Paris with such a furore, and which, since transferred to Germany, has, in all its principal theatres, and among the Poet's devoted worshippers excited a sensation comparable to nothing but the first per formance of "Don Juan." Such a triumph most people would consider quite decisive of its claims, and would be naturally tempted to ask how it is that a work that for five years has been supplying the highest excitement not only to our lively neigh bours but also to the calmer and more exacting minds of profound musicians and true poets, should never have been transferred to our own country till now. This is a question, however, which we know is more easily asked than answered, and so content ourselves with announcing that the first performance of the opera in England, at Her Majesty's Theatre, last night, set the seal to the course of successes which has attended its produc ion generally —being one of the most brilliant and decided triumphs which has ever been witnessed in country. As it is impossible on a first hearing to detail the merits of such a work, and especially under the dis advantages which attend a first performance, wt shall defer to another occasion the minute attention it demands, and content ourselves at present with giving its character and general lea tures. We would premise, then, by ob• serving that its characteristics are its vivacity, picturesqueness, and a profound and graceful ten d aasm e u r ro n fu e aia s e s te, surface—but : m e t a r gi ti thannl,aet: anyscarcely ly positivelt grasps with t hoer hand mai k marked master all the outward life of the story—all the emotion a n d all the character that float upon the in the religious ihfi tieuc reaches to the grande ur which is inseparable from such a th e me—whether e that redeems Margaret, or LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) BANK OF FRANCE. The Monateur of this morning publishes the usual monthly return of the Bank of France, which shows the following results, as compared with the May return : DECREASE. Francs, 271- millions. Cash in hand . Bank -notes Current accounts . 26 millions. 14 millions. INCREASE. Bills discounted, not yet due .... 13 millions. rreasury balance . CAPTURE OF PUEBLA. PARIS, JUNE 12. The Emperor has received the congratulations of the Emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia, on the capture of Puebla. The report of General Foray is not expected to arrive in Pdris until the beginning of July. On the 18th ult. a division of the French army was marching on the city of Mexico. The declaration of the Bishops relative to the elections, and the letter of the Archbishop of Tours, have been referred to the Council of State, on account of there being an abuse of power, PRUSSIA. BRESLAU, JUNE 12. The Common Council of Breslau has decided upon sending a deputation to the King to petition his Majesty to withdraw the late press ordinance, and to convoke the Diet. The Chief Magistrate, Herr Elwanger, opposed his proceeding most energetically. The deputation left for Berlin yesterday. BERLIN, JUNE 12. Private letters received here from Warsaw to-day, state that the Commissioners of the Exchequer, upon examining the Government Treasury in that city, discovered that Russian bank-notes, Polish Bonds and gold half-Imperials to the amount of 5,000,000 silver roubles had been abstracted. In their place was left a receipt signed by the Na tional Government. Four officials, and the books in which the num bers of the missing bonds were entered, had also disappeared. It is said that all the telegraph lines leading rom Warsaw have been destroyed. FRANCE. BOURSE, June 11.—The news of the capture of Puebla has given a little impulse to the market, and Threes, for the Account, have gone up to 69f. 45c. The Railway Share Market has been also firmer and more animated. Mobilier shares have also re covered. Prices again receded before the close, and left off as follows: tt per Cents. 97 Do, end 3 per Cents Do. end month.' 69 35 Credit Mobilier 1232 50 t) o , end month... 12 5 Bank Shares 3450 Credit k oncier ....1425 - BAIL Italian Loan 73 Do. end month 73 15 New ditto Do, end month 74 Ruesian Austrian Spanirh Threes 53 Home Debt• 'AYB. Cash. Aecoant. Orleans 995 .. 997 50 Northern New. ditto - Lyons and Mediterranean 1041 50 .. 1045 Geneva.. Southern Western Eastern .... gardinian Austrian T 411/. hard North of Spain Saragossa 717 60 .. 718 76 Ditto to Barcelona PORTUGAL. OIITHAMPTON, Friday Morning. The screw steamer Tartar, C ipt. W. Tulley, from Lisbon on the 7th and Vigo on the Bth inst., has ar rived, bringing 34 passengers, £2,4d2 in old silver coin, three bags of mails, one bag of despatches for the Foreign-office, 70 live bullocks, 106 casks of wine, 650 chests of oranges, 600 bags of nuts, 81 boxes of eggs, and 755 packages of general mer chandise. On the coast of Portugal she had light northerly winds and fine weather; in the Bay of Biscay a succession of south-easterly and north westerly gales ; from the latter point it blew with tremendous force for eight hours, with very high sea; up Channel south-westerly winds and rain. The Tartar brings Lisbon news of the 7th inst. The Cortes were to remain open until June 20, when it was expected the principal Ministerial Bills would have passed both houses. The deputies had voted a great part of the Budget, and the Peers had made ,-qually good progress with the law to facilitate mortgages for the improvement of property. The grain market had become dull in consequence of the greatly improved harvest prospects, and, although the oldium had re-appeared in some dis tricts, the vineyards generally promised a large field. The rates of exchange this packet at three months were—London, 53i ; Paris, 531 ; Hamburg, 471; Amsterdam, 422 ; Genoa, 526. 'Tree per (Dent. Stock, 49 to 491. Bank of Portugal shares, 538 to 540; Oporto Bank ditto, 256 to 268. When the Tartar left the following vessels of war were lying in the Tagus :—The American cor vette St. Louis; the Norwegian sloop Alfen ; and t he Chinese steam despatch sloop Keang Soo, en route for China. WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS, SOUTHAMPTON, Juue 12 The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship Atrato, with the West lnaies and Pselfis Mailb, passed Hurst Castle at 1.40 p.m. this day. DENMARK AND GREECE. COPENHAGEN, June 8, The Greek deputation had its final audience of the King ot Denmark yesterday at the royal castle of Ctoristiansborg. His Majesty conferred the Grand Cross of the Dannebrog upon Admiral Kanaris, and crosses of commanders upon the two other principal members, while the suite was nomi. nated knights of the order. The deputation will wave Copenhagen the day after to-morrow. The ceremony of Saturday, at which the King of Denmark accepted the Crown of Greece for his young relative Prince William, was not only of an extremely brilliant character but made prafound impression upon the beholders. The effect of the ceremony was much enhanced by the deep feeling of hearty kindness manifested by the King towards the young Prince about to play so important and difficult a part, coupled with the striking contrast of the venerable appearance of Admiral Kanaris, now 90 years of age, to the frank, fresh, and juvenile figure of the youthful King of the Greeks. The young King paid a farewell visit to-day to the cadets on board one of the royal frigates, who were his comrades only a few days ago, and are about to leave in the course of the week upon their annual cruise, for the practice of naval mancuavres. The time of the King's departure for Athens is not yet definitively determined, nor have the members of his suite been finally selected. SUPPOSED MURDER OF A WOMAN AT SHADWELL. --On Tuesday night the body of a woman was found float ing in the basin at the London Docks. Upon examination it was found that the body had been frightfully mutilated, evidently from having become entangled in the machinery of the dock gates, part of the head being severed from the trunk in a frightful manner. The unfortunate woman, whose name was Ellen Donovan, belonging to the nume rous tribe of low pros itutes that infest the neighbourhood of the docks. The inquest was opened pie forma yester day afternoon, to ad m it o f th e p os t m ortem exami natio nexaminati on being coroluenetd DA once. 4‘'4 4 OP* N W - einvlar HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, June 11. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred, Princess Helena, and Princess Louise, attended by the Mar- chioness of Ely, Lady Augusta Bruce,Lord Methuen, and Major Cowell, drove to Claremont this morning. The Queen held a Council to-day, which was attended by Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Earl Russell, and the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson. Mr. Arthur Helps, Clerk of the Council, attended. Earl Granville had an audience of her Majesty. Earl Russell arrived at the Castle yesterday evening, and had an audience of the Queen. The Hon. Lucy Kerr and the Hon. Victoria Wortley have succeeded the Han. Beatrice Byng , ind the Hon. Emil , Cathcart as Maids of Honour to her Majesty. The Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge and the Prince of Leiningen, and attended by the Countess de Grey and Lieutenant-Colonel Keppel, went to Claremont yesterday morning, and returntd in the afternoon to Marlborough House. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales dined last evening with the 11Lrchant Taylors' Company. His royal highness was accompanied by Prince Leiningen, and was attended by the Earl of Mouut- Edgcumbe, Lieutenant GeneralKnonyes, anti Lieu tenant-Colonel Keppel. Marriage of the Duke de Chartres and the Princess Prancoise D'Orleans. This interesting family alliance was concluded yesterday by the ceremonial of marriage, accord ing to the rites of the Catholic Church, in the chapel of St. Raphael, at Kingston-upon-Thames. The occasion being strictly private and domestio no invitations were issued by the Royal Family either in France or England. This did not, however, pre vent a numerous gathering of attached friends of the House of Orleans, many of whom came spon. taueously from France to offer their affectionate respect to the youthful Prince and Princess. The presence of nine members of the diplomatic corps representing European Sovereigns at the Court of St. James's was a graceful tribute to the virtues and position of the Royal exiles, while the personal congratulations subsequently tendered at Claremont by the English Royal family was the highest compliment that could have been rendered to their dignity and worth. The scattered members of this distinguished family have been assembling at Claremont for some (lays past. I'he Duke de Montpensier arrived from Madrid on Saturday last, his duchess having been prevented from accompanying him only from in ability to bear the fatigue of the voyage. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, accompa nied by her two sons, the Princes Augustus and Philippe, reached Claremont on Tuesday, and on the following day his Royal Highness Prince Philip of Wurtemberg joined the family circle. The chapel of St. Raphael, at Kingston, was built by a gentleman bearing that name, whose memory survives as one of the few individuals who had the temerity to attack O'Connell on a question of private arrangement. The interest manifested in the neighbourhood of Clonmel extended to Kingston, where the inhabitants came out in large numbers to witness the arrival of the bridal part) at the chapel. From the entrance gate to the porch the chances of bad weather were provided agains by a covered way, within which were stationed the children of St. 11,phael's School, bearing baskets filled with‘rose leaves wherewith to strew the bridal way. 'kho company provided with tiolzpts An the chapel began to arrive at 10 o'clock, and in less than halt an hour the edifice was fully occupied in every part. except that small portion reserved for the royal par y. Among the arrivals from London were the Austrian and Prussian Ambassadors, the Belgian. H-ineverian, Bavarian, Italian, Portuguese, Saxon, and Spanish Ministers. Among the French lathe , and gentlemen present were the Marquis awl Marchioness de Chanabilles, the Duke and Duchess de Gal liera, the M u quis and Marchioness d'Harcaurt and Mademoiselle d'Elarcoutt, the Coun tess Paul de Segur, Count Louis de Segur, Madame de Vatry, Count Ludovich de Beauvoir, Gen Couni Montesquieu, General Count de Chabannes, General Drolen vans, the Marquis de Berenger, the Marquis de Bouille, Count Rene de Bouille, the Count and Countess de Fiera, and Mademoiselle d'Henin, Dr. de Massey, M. Charles Mallet, Cou►lt de Jarnoc, Baron de l'Espee, M. and Madame Henry de l'Espee, Viscount de la Redorte, Viscount de Bowdy, M. Oliver de Bowdy, M. Charles Beille, M. le Colonel Solis, M. le Baron de Bacourt, M. Estan selin, M. Roger de Soitivaux, the Marquis de Fon tanelle, M. Paravey, M. de Chaplin, and many others. The members of the Orleans family arrived about half-past ten o'clock. The Duchess of Saxe Coburg was the first to enter the chapel, accompanied by her sons, the Princes Phi lippe and Augustus. The Duke de Nemours with his daughters, the Princess Marguerite and Blanche d'Orieans, followed, and the Duke and Duchese d'Aumale, and the Duke de Montpensier with Prince Phillipe of Wurtemberg, were all in their places at a quarter before 11 o'clock. Hi, Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, and the Prince of Leiningen came direct from Lon don and joined the bridal party in the chapel. The young D Ake de Chartres arrived at a few minutes before 11, attended bybye his elder brother, the Count de Paris, as " groomsman." His Royal Highness received the greeting of his friends with genuine bonhommie, and awaited at the altar the approach of his bride. Presently both young Princes returned to thr porch to receive their venerable relative, the Queen Made Atnelle, whose entrance into the chapel was marked by a visible Eeneation, all pre sent rising from their seats to pay bc,mage to her illustrious presence. Her Majesty advanced with dignified step up the centre aisle, leaning on the arm of the young bridegroom, and supported by the Count de Paris the organ swelling forth anielodions voluntary. On reaching the altar the Queen and the Count de Paris knelt in devotion for a fem , moments, and then took their appointed places in front of the altar. _ _ _ The Queen was attended by the Marchioness de Beauvoir and the Countess d Hulst, ladies of honour 'o her Majesty, and by the Marquis de Beauvoir at d General Count Dames, gentlemen in waiting. Precisely at 11 o'ciock the bishops and priests lett the altar to meet the approaching bride, who, accom pani,d by her parents, the Prince and Princess de Joinville, arrived from Claremont. Kneeling at the altar, the youthful pair listened attentively to the religious exhortation addressed to them by the Bishop of Southwark, who in a few brief and appropriate words, led their attention to the venerable relative whose presence graced their nup tials, and whose example he exhorted them to emu late. At the close of this address the Prince and Princess were admitted within the altar rails, when the bishop demanded who gave each to the other. The Prince de Joinville answered for his daughter, and the Count de Paris for his brother, the 3 outh ful Fair each acknowledging their response by a pro found obeisance. The mutual plighting of troth followed, after which the Prince and Princess re tired from the altar, and aga in kneeling in front of the rails received the benediction of the bishop. The bride and bridegroom, with the Count de Paris and the Prince de Joinville, now entered the sacristy, where the usual record of marriage was signed and duly attested. On their reappearance in the chapel a musical mass was performed, at the close of which the Royal party returned to Claremont. . Meantime the ladies of the neighbourhood had been permitted to assemble in the grounds, and ©l the stops beneath the portico of the mansion, where a number of beautiful children, each carrying bouquets of choice flowers, awaited the return of the bridal party. The bride's approach to the house was heralded by a Royal salute from a battery of guns, manned by an impromptu corps of artillery men, composed of young tradesmen of the neigh bourhood, and when the young couple alighted they were affectionately greeted by the_assembled spec- tators. The company present at the ceremony continued to set down in rapid succession up to one o'clock, at which hour the Princesses Helena and Louise arrived, having posted across from Windsor Castle. The Princesses were received by the Count de Paris and the Prince de Joinville, and conducted to the drawing-room, where they offered their warm con gratulations to the newly-wedded pair. 'l he Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke of Cam bridge were the next arrivals. At half-past one o'clock the approach of the Prince and Princess of Wales was heralded by a Royal salute the band of the 3d Surrey Militia playing a few bars of the Na tional Anthem. The illustrious guests were received on alighting from their carriages by the Count de Paris, the Prince de Joinville, and other members of the Orleans family. The Count de Paris led the Princess of Wales, and the Princess Mary was con ducted by the Prince de Joinville. Their Royal Highnesses first paid their respects to the Venerable Queen Marie Amelie, and then offered their congratulations to the newly-wedded pair. Previously to the dejeuner the Duke de Chartres mindful of the pleasant sympathies existing. between his young bride and the neighbours among whom she had been nurtured from cbil.d hood, took occasion to present her to the visitors assembled in the vestibule. He said he thanked.. them with all his heart for the kindness they had. shown to himself and his bride, and wished them every happiness—a sentiment which old and young very heartily acknowledged. At two o'clock the illustrious guests set down to breakfast. The bride and bridegroom led the way from the drawing-room, the Prince of Wales fol lowing with the venerable Queen, who looked ex ceedingly well, and manifested a lively interest in the festivities. The Count de Paris came next, lead ing the Princess of Wales, who never looked more beautiful and interesting. Prince Alfred followed, leading the Princess de Joinville, and then came the Prince de Joinville with the Princess Helena, the Duke of Cambridge with the Princess Louise, the Duke d'Aumale with the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke de Mentpensier with the Princess Mary, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar with the Duchess Augustus of Saxe Coburg, Prince Philip of Wurtemberg with the Princess Marguerite of Coburg, and the Prince of Leiningen with the Duchess d'Aumale, in the order described. The other guests at the royal table were the Princes Philip and Augustusof Wur temberg, and the ambassadors r nd ministers present at the marriage. The bride and bridegroom sat in the centre of the table, faced by the Prince of Wales and Queen Marie Amelie, and supported by the Princess de Joinvilie. Towards the close of the dejeuner the health of the newly married pair was touchingly proposedby the venerable Queen herself, who, with glass in hand, arrested general attention by emphatically calling upon her guests to respond to the toast, "A la sante du Due et de la Duchesse de Chartres." Tne illustrious party instantly responded to the appeal, rising from their seats and greeting the young couple with every mark of affectionate esteem. _ vy When the dejeuner was concluded, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other members of our Royal family, took an affectionate leave of the Duke and Duchess de Chartres, and presently afterwards departed on their return to London. At four o'clock the newly wedded Prince and Princess bade farewell to their illustrious relatives and left Claremont en route for Scotland. Her Majesty this morning paid a visit to the Exhibition building. tier Majoity had not seen it since the autumn of 1861, when the ground was only roughly _ . Ina ark ea out. On ,rte uvea..ioi of her M.e.i.-.Bty's re cent visit to South Kensington, we believe she wa& anxious co see the interior of the building, but the time did not admit ot the visit, This morni. g, however, her Majesty was able to see in all its vastness the structure, which contained the Exhibition of 1862, in the success of which the late Prince Consort took a deep interest. Earl The Lord President, the Lord Privy Sea 1, Russell, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson , and Mr. 1148' after attending the Queen's Pris y Council, returned to Lon don by special train ot the Great Western Railway. The Duke d'Acquavira has arrived at the ifinns wick, Jermyn-street. Frances Anne Marchioness ot Londonderry en tertained at dinner on Wednesday, at Holder a ease douse, his Excellency the Russian Ambassador, the Saixon Minister, Count N esselrode, the Earl and Counteso of Airlie, Lord and Lady William Powlett, Lord and Lady Cremorne, Lord and Lady Rendlesham, Lord and Lady Rokeby, Sir Hamilton and Lady Seymour, the Lion. Francis and Mrs. Stonor, Lord Adolphus and Lady Susan Vane Tempest, and Sir William Fraser. The Earl and Countess of Bective entertained on Tuesday evening, at their residence, 24, Grafton-street, the Duke of St. Albans, the Marquis of Hartington,, the Earl and Countess Jermyn, the Earl Annesley, Viscount and Viscountess IngeAtre, Lord and Lady Newport, Lord and Lady Rendlesham, Lord and Lady George Manners, Mr. and Lady Virginia Sandars, and Mr. Hutchinson. The Lady Mayoress has fixed Monday, the 29th June, and Thursday, the 9th July, for balls at the Mansion House. NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.—We are re.- quested to publish the following official notification the rifles issued by the National Rifle Association to the competitors for the Queen's Prize have, it appears, been all made short in the stock, I am directed by the council 1 0 ' state that there will be no objection to the lengthening of the stock, if required, provided it is done without injury to the butt, and the regulation length is not exceeded. —By order, EDMOND ST. JOHN MILDMAT. THE FORTHCOMING CONSERVATIVE BANQUET. — The committee-of management, of which Viscount Inges tre, M.P., is the chairman, have held several meetings for the organisation of the proceedings on Friday, the 26th inst.,. when the dinner of the National Conservative Registration Association will take place at Willis's-rooms—the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, C. 8., in the chair. The room wilt be magnificently decorated, several noblemen and gentlemen: having promised to send their collections of pate, gold and silver vases, shields, cups, goblets, salvers, &c. Nearly 200 of the stewards are members either of the House of Lords or of the House of Commons. -.— - THE GREAT SEA SERPENT AGAIN.—The csist ence of this extract' dinary object of curiosity, if not also of terror, h.s received additional corroboration. ii , the subjoined letter, which has been received in Liverpool from one of the officers of the African mail ste• mer Athenian ;—" Cape Palmas, May 16, 1863 —All doubts may now be set at rest about the Great Sea Serpent. On. the 6th of May the African Royal mail steamer Athenian, on her passage from Teneriffe to Bathurst, fell in with one. About 7 a.m. John Chapple, quarter,. aster, at the wheel, saw something floating towards the ship. He called the= attention of the Rev. Mr. Smith and another passenger who were on deck at the time, to it. On nearing the steamer it was discovered to be a huge snake, and about 100 feet long, of a dark brown colour, head and tail out of water, the body slightly under. On its head was something like a mane, and the body was about the size of our mainmast." HOP INTELLIGENCE.—Maidstone. —The hops ars making rapid progress, the bine, with few ()seep tions, looking strong and healthy. Some hot sunny days last week caused a decrease in the fly, and though there are still some to be found in most grounds, the prospect at pre • sent is promising. Canterbury.—The fly attacked our beat plantations very heavily on Thursday week, but during the past week the plant has recovered, the vermin having left, and it is now making rapid strides, There is every prospect of a erop, the bine having a very healthy appear ance. We have a few grounds, upon the light soils, with a deficiency of bine, and no prospect of reaching the top of the poles ; but stilt the leaf looks healthy where there is any Line, and in some grounds the poles are already topped. Worcester.—The bine looks very healthy, and although we have some fly, yet it is not numerous enough to cause any alarm.—South. Easteiw Gazette. FATAL ACCIDENT AT BLAcKFRIAIts-BRIDGE. --- Yesterday the body of John Knight was washed on shore at Rutland-wharf, Earl-street, Blackfriars. it appears that the deceased, on the preceding evening, fel l from a coal-barge near Blackfriars steamboat pier, and not withstanding that several boats immediately put off to the rescue, his body was not recovered until washed on shore. Information has been forwarded to the coroner. ARMOUR FOR PRESIDENT LINCOLN,--Th e Tycoon of Japan has sent a coat of mail as a gift to the President. Mr. Lincoln- has not yet donned the neW suit, but when he does the reader can imagine Old Abe dressed up with an umbrella-shaped helmet, made of steel and copper, on his bead, copper visor over his face, sleeves of .coppet chainwork on his arms, metallic breastplate, and etwlnet work leggippo—,New York AURA