The Sun. — London, England, 1863-05-04 00:00:00

by a discourse " Concerning Old Enemies," by our old friend A. K. H. 8., who seems to have trans ferred his allegiance from Fraser to Good Words. We next come to two articles bearing names of some celebrity. The first is from the pen of tke late Dr. M. Moir, and the other is by the thoughtful Swiss writer, Alexander Vivet. We have also papers on scientific subject:, and a paper on coal and petro leum, and an English version of the old Danish ballad of Queen Dagmar, by Mary Howitt. The editor continues his pleasant recollections of a High land parish, and Dr. Caird proceeds with his essays for Sunday reading. MISCELLANEOUS MAGAZINES The Count de Chambord (HenryV.) at Venice. The Count de Chambord generally inhabits Venice from November to April. The Palazzo Cavalli, on tho Grand Canal, is his own property. It is known to all travellers, from the magnificence of its structure and from the hospi tality and kindness of its occupant. In figure the Count de Chambord is rather short. He walks lame from the serious accident which occurred to him years ago, and he has latterly became exuberantly stout. His face is hand some, his features regular, and he has so kind an expression that no one could carelessly pass him. His voice is loud, but his whole manner and bearing is that of a royal person age. He is accessible to all ; indeed, in this respect, the Count would do better if he avoided the heterogeneous masses who crowd ;themselves upon his privacy, and are admitted to his hospitality. Nothing will strike the stranger more than the scope of the Count de Chambord's intelligence. He speaks German, French, Italian, and English, the first three perfectly, but he seldom speaks in English if he can avoid it, although he delivers himself with accuracy, and his pronunciation is good. He is capable of great fatigue, and has oftentimes been the companion of the Emperor of Austria throughout very unpleasant nights, waiting the daylight in huge casks to commence the wild duck shooting, a species of amuse ment only arrived at by great privation and great fatigue. There is an affectation of Royalty within his palace. The guests invited to dinner are all assembled before the Count and Countess appear. The royal party pass round and speak to all the company. When the dinner is announced the Count and Countess walk in first, and together. The guests are placed according to their rank. Alter dinner the same formality is observed, the Count and Countess again speaking to each individual, the gentlemen always stand ing, and the ladies also, until the Countess has exchanged some words with every one. Then there is an interval of more general conversation until about eight o'clock (the dinner is always at six), when the royal party, having neared the door of exit, bow to the company and'retire. Then follows a hasty departure of the guests, and the noise of the gondoliers disturb the usual quiet of the now deserted Queen of the Adriatic.-7 he Mirror. Blackfriars Railway Bridge, The foundation stone of this structure, which, when complete, will form one of the most important links in the widespread network of branches and feeders which the London, Chatham, and Dover are now throwing out in all directions, was laid on Sa turday last by Lord Sondes, the chairman of the company. This foundation block is a single mass of Portland stone, nearly five tons in weight, and was placed on a bed of solid brickwork about ten feet above the actual foundation and nearly level with the low water-line. It is hardly necessary to say that, though this is called the foundation stone, the foundations themselves are considerably below it, and, in fact, are already tolerably advanced towards completion. The whole bridge, when com plete, will cross the river at a uniform level of 30 feet above high-water mark, and will be built in five spans, similar to the new city bridge at Blackfriars, the erection of which has also been entrusted to the same engineer who has charge of the railway bridge, Mr. Cabitt. The latter work, however, is being pushed forward with wonderful activity, though, apparently, very little is doing towards constructing the public bridge, which, of the two, is certainly more needed by the public than that for the railway. A full description of the de tails of the railway bridge has already appeared in our columns, so that it is unnecessary further to refer to the work on this occasion than to say that it is to cross the river in five spans, varying in width from 163 feet at the sides to 188 ft. in the centre. The girders which span these intervals will be ion the lattice principle, and three will form the width of the roadway, each girder resting on a group of four massive cast-iron columns rising from the piers. The piers will be of granite to below ,the water-line, and hence, in a caisson of cast-iron will be laid in solid brickwork to a depth of 27ft. below high-water mark. These brickwork foundations will be built in the manner now always adopted to avoid the expense of coffer dams, by wrought-iron caissons forced down into the bed of the river, the Eater pumped out, the slime and: gravel dredged away to the proper depth, and the brickwork laid inside the caisson. The stagings of piles necessary for sinking these caissons are well advanced, and it is expected that the whole work may be opened for traffic in about 12 months from this date. The close proxi m i ty of this railway-bridge will, of course, com pletely hi de from that side the still finer structure which is soon to be built by the city in place of the present most dilapidated and uns afe pile of arches that now does the du ty at n vi B t e l s a c k to- Black friars. After the ceremony of layi ngi nvi ted on Saturday the noblemen and gent lem en e be present on the occasion partook of a a sump tu ous - dejeuner, provided by Messrs. Staples, of the Alb ion . Sir Morton Peto presided during the repast, at the conclusion of which the heaLths of Lord Sondes and Lord Harris (the chairman and deputy-chairm an of the company) Mr. Cabitt, the engineer; Mr. H o iroyd, the secretary ; and other gentlemen con nected with the undertaking were given and drunk with all the honours. The spuriousness of the pretended discovery of a Lumen bone in the drift, to which we last week drew attention, has since been confirmed by Dr. Falconer. M. Boneler de Perthes allowed Dr. Falconer to bring away the molar found with the jaw-bone; and when suspicion was aroused as to the genuineness of the "find," the Eng. lish physician had this molar sawn across, when it turned out to be a modern tooth. [ADVERTISEMENT]' --Holloway's Ointment and Pills.— Unexpected Relief.—These purifying and soothing reme dies demand the earnest attention of all persons liable to rheumatism, gout, sciatica, or other painful affections of the muscles, nerves,:or joints. The Ointmentrshouldt be applied after the affected parts have been patiently dili—enent*-1 with warm water, when the unguent should be tion g eh tZ lc r i nbbed upon the adjacent skin unless the fric tat:mouldy tak e 4 en tusejain. Holloway's Pills should be simul blood. This gou t rent inflammation and to purify the of gout, r ent abates the violence, and lessens the frequency which spring from here& tiam ' and all spasmodic diseases predispositions or from any accidental weakness of cot The Ointment checks the local malady, the Pills the vital Powers, The Zational Magavne opens with the first in stalment of a story from the ready pen of Captain Mayne Reil, bearing the fascinating title of "The White Gauntlet." There are other tales of varying attractions—a paper on the afflictions of the Deaf and Dumb, a vividly drawn picture of the "scenes which angels weep to see," entitled, " How others Live," and an account of the Old Sanctuary at Holy rood, interspersed with divers rhymes and sketches. —2 he Sixpenny Magazine certainly gives its readers plenty to read, and its contents are generally of fair average merit. A new story is begun under the title of " Sackville Chase," and V/6 have likewise a romance, entitled " The Passion Flower," and a host of other tales. Several amusing papers on general topics are also to be met with.—Beeton's Monthly Budget is always worth attention. His illuminated Family Bible has reached the twenty first part, but how it is to be completed in twenty four parts, we are unable to comprehend ; the borders to each page are especially graceful.—The Englishwoman's Domestic Magazineis a marvel for 6d. and its supplement gives a collection of fashions and patterns that would probably cost the fair needlewomen five times the money to procure sepa rately. We must not omit to mention a charming pink sachel, presented to the subscribers of the ma gazine in honour of the Royal wedding.— The Boy's Own Library, The Boy's Penny Magazine, and The Boy's Own Magazine, all issued by the same enterprising publisher, are full of the most attrac tive sort of reading for boys. Beeton's Books of Borne Games will extend to a wider circle, for chess, billiards, whist, and cribbage have their votaries of all ages.—Young England is a superior kind of miscellany for youthful reading, illustrated by some very effective woodcuts.—Le Follet shows the May fashions in radiant dyes, and tells us a pretty little story on the blessings of content. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. TO-MORROW EVENING, Tuesday, May 5, IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA . Principal characters by Signori Gassier, Zucchini (his first appearance this season), Vialetti, Soldi, and Bettini (his first appearance this season) ; Madame Corsi, and Mdlle. Trebelli (her first appearance), who will introduce in the Lesson Scene Rossini's " Non Piu Mesta." Conductor, Signor ARDITI. To conclude with LA FARFALLETTA, supported by M. Alessandro Paul, M. Frani, M. Prospero Diani ; Male. Pieroni, and Mdlle. Amelia Ferraris. Thursday next, Subscription Night.—First Night of Signor Schira's new Opera, NICOLO DE LAPI ; or, The Siege of Florence. New Scenery, Dresses, and Appointments. Doors open at half-past Seven. The Opera will commence at Eight o'clock precisely. Prices :—Stalls, One Guinea ; Reserved Box Seats, Half-a- Guinea ; Pit Tickets, Bs. 6d. ; Gallery Stalls, ss. and 7s. ; Gallery, 2s. 6d. ; Private Boxes, in the Gallery Circle, to admit three persons, 21s. Notice. —lt will be necessary for those parties who Intend visiting the Reserved Box Seats (at 10s. 6d. each), to attend in Evening Costume. Boxes, Stalls, and Tickets may be had at the Box-office of the Theatre (under the Colonnade in the Hayman et), which is open daily, under the superintendenceof Mr. Nugent, from Ten till Six ; and at all the principal Libraries and Music sellers. THEATRE-ROYAL, HAY MARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buokstone. THIS EVENING, STILL WATERS RUN DEEP. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Chippen dale, and Miss 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 Miss Maria Harris. Commence at 7. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. ...__ THIS EVENING, at 7, to commence with an Original Sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New 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, supported by Messrs. J. G. Shore, G. Jordan, J. Brougham, H. Widdi3ombe, F. Charles, Garden, Ra ymond, Dawso n; Misses Carlotta Leclercq , Kate Terry, E. Lavenue, and Elaworthy. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE . Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. G. Vining. THIS EVENING, PERFECTION: Mr. R. Roxby, Mr. Belmore, Mr. Fitzjames, Miss Murray, and Miss Oliver. After which, at Eight, HAMLET: Hamlet, Mr. Charles Kean; Gertrude, Mrs. Charles Kean. NEW THRATRE-RO YAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, JANET PRIDE. Messrs. B. Webster, J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, Stephenson, Stuart, Eburne, Sefton, C. J. Smith, Romer; Miss Ayonia Jones, Miss A. Seaman, and Mrs. Stoker. To conclude with DOMESTIC ECONOMY. Mr. J. L. Toole, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss A. Seaman. and Miss Stoker. Commence at 7. THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGEN€E, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. The Weather—Sun_Office, May 3, 1863. : THERMOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday 55 Lowest during the night This day at N00n..... Wind—N.-Easterly ; light, with fine weather. MAY 4. THERXOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday .. 62 Lowest during the night This day at Noon Wind—Northerly ; light, with fine but dull weather, HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY.—Morning, 2h. 19m.—Afternoon, 211. 39m. To-moaßow.-Morning, 212. 58m.—Afternoon, 3h. 21m. ttz a:\ LONDON, MONDAY, MAY 4, 1863. t were hardly anything of an extravagance to assert that the Ministry have for some time past existed, that they still exist solely upon the reputation for bonhommie enjoyed by our gay old Premier Vis count PALMERSTON. It were simply absurd, indeed, to say otherwise. It is their one source of strength. It is their one claim upon public toleration. And they certainly are so far conscious of this that they make the most of it. The Prime Favourite—the winner of so many political Derbys—they trot out, or encourage to show us his paces, to prove to us by occular demonstration tie go there is still in him, upon every possible opportunity. A timely interval of a fortnight's rest early in the session was seized, it may be remembered, as affording a very golden opportunity of this kind. Lord PAL3IERSTON is whisked off by rail way to the opposite extremity of the island, and there gads about, starring it, for a whole week (of that fortnight) together. His lordship's audiences in Scotland are of a very various character—now the bigwigs of a University —now the working people of Glasgow —now a gathering of good honest Cits and Bailies. To all of these audiences the Youthful Veteran who guides the helm of the State vessel with such an easy carelessness that he really seems to occupy the position of The Man at the Wheel,who may be talked to, by anybody and every. body, at any hour and under any circumstances— to all these multifarious Hotel Audiences, as though he were a stripling Barnacle, a gayyoung Barnacle, a light-in-hand young Barnacle, a touch and-go young Barnacle, instead of being a Statesman almost of the last gene ration but one, as well as the Statesman of the present—Lord PALMERSTON, showed invariably that constitutional vivacity which is, in some mea sure, the secret of his immerse popularity. His philosophic discourses before the Professors and Students, it will not be forgotten, were compounded of the feeblest scientific and philological platitudes, and of the most superficial generalities. When he was at his best, he was unbending the rigidity of the Scotch mind, for the reception by it of a little of his own favourite pleasantry. And with such eminent success, as it happened, by the way, that one is almost disposed now to think that, for once, SYDNEY SMITH shot very wide, indeed, of the mark aimed at by his flying shaft of wit, when he said that it required a surgical operation to get a joke into the brain of a Scotchman ! It required nothing of the kind, as the effect proved, when Lord PALMERSTON was the joke - master, down at Glasgow and at Edinburgh. Those jokes of his were caught and roared . over —upon the instant—by the hard-headed Scot chnien the noble Viscount was good-humouredly poking his fun at. Merry little jests of the feeblest and slightest character well imaginable, were exulted over, then and there, as though it were really another YORICK installed .n office in the person of Viscount PALMERSTON. No matter what the assembly addressed, or what ,he theme treated upon by the veteran Prime Minister of England—all is one to him for He is as inexhaustibly volatile as Miss MOWCH ER. As GARRICK was thought bz ie t t h e e d c o o n f t em p I p a o y r i a n r g y a actress r o t n o _b as s c m a p u a s b p l ab N le, ate cording to CH ARLES L AMB , cou ld un d ers tand a leg of mutton in its quiddity—do Lord PALMERSTON could just as readily, one might say, make a jest out of a broomstick, or turn the gravest assembly in the land into a modern embodiment of HOGARTH'S Laughing Audience. It was precisely in this way that Lord PALMERSTON spoke on Siturday at the Royal Academy dinner, and that the guests there laughed—laughed, in Homeric phrase, " in extinguishably," in Lord FOPPINGTON'S phrase, " consumedly, stap my vitals!" For the genial, hearty, fun and frolic of the speech, it might have fallen from the lips of CHARLES DICKENS. "I don't know whether we had much Wit among us," the guests at the Royal Academy table on Saturday might say now, looking back and echoing thus the familiar words of the Vicar of Wakefield —"I don't know whether we had much wit amongst us, but I am sure we had a great deal of laughter" All which, of course—not a doubt of it—is very delightful. But does it not come, after all, somehow like a very unwelcome hat. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 4, 1863. enforcement, in its way, of the famous sarcasm of OXENSTEIRN—about the little wisdom required for the governing of men ? For, really and truly— barring our laughter, barring our appreciation of the robust constitution of this splendid old states man —where is the advantage of it all for the coun try he governs P Where is there one single scrap of Reform for which we have reason to feel indebted to him and his colleagues vouchsafed to us by them during all the four years, very nearly, daring which they have now been in power ? They came in—as everybody knows fall well—expressly to give us Reforms of some kind, of a good real kit, d, Reforms full, comprehensive, well considered. They have given us nothing whatever of the sort. On the contrary, during Lord PALMERSTON'S regime be tween June, 1859, and May, 1863, Reform has been, by him and his colleagues, effectually shelved, cushioned, quashed, squelched —we have not a word strong enough for it, by which to express the utter efficacy and completeness--so long as these Re formers (save the mark !) remain in power—the utter efficacy and completeness with which Reform has met its death and burial at the hands of Lord PALMERSTON. All earnest Patriots enamoured at heart of Reform as a panacea for the many grievances under which the country yet groans, might say with most serious truth—having an eye askance, while they utter the words, to Lord PaiatEßsToN's jocular, laughter-provoking speeches —" What's fun to you is death to us, or at any rate to our hopes !" Looking at the pitiable do-nothing charaeter of the policy of this so-called Reforming Coalition, one is fain to ejaculate once more in the hackneyed words of TULLY, Quousque tandem abutere patientiam nostram? Only—we have this one consolation left (hardly a sufficient one under the circumstances, it is true, but, such as it is, there it is)—Sir ROBERT PEEL'S well-known summary of the National estimate of Lord PALMERSTON—" We are all proud of him !" The rapid development of our railway system outstrips the most sanguine anticipations. New plans and new projects are constantly being ori ginated, and no sooner are they carried to com pletion :than fresh wants are felt and a host of enterprising engineers and capitalists spring up to supply them. We have scarcely ceased to comment on the marvellous mole-like achievement that con nects the eastern and western extremities of this great city, fidgetty old gentlemen and nervous maiden ladies have scarcely ceased to anticipate the speedy descent of themselves, and their chim ney pots into the regions of the Underground Railway, when there appears upon the scene a candidate for honours who not only aspires to link together Paddington and the City, but actually proposes to unite in one unbroken chain of commu nication the brown moors of Scotland and the gay scenes of continental cities. This is, in truth, a wonderful achievement, and one which will supply a need much felt by the numerous travellers who hurry to and fro at the call of business or plea sure. Let us see how the proposal is to be carried into effect. The London, Chatham, and Dover Railway has commenced building a bridge at Blackfrairs, which is to form a connecting link with the Underground Railway, and thus maintain unbroken the stream of communication not only between the northern and southern suburbs of our busy human hive but between the northern counties of England, Scotland, and the Continent. When brought to a successful termination this gigantic undertaking will certainly be a worthy tes timony of the resources of English enter terprise, scince, and capital. One remark able feature in the affair is that the company are so confident of the financial success of the scheme that the shareholders have voluntarily sub scribed sufficient funds for the work—no light task when we look at the programme. The bridge in question is already in progress, the first stone having been laid on Saturday, under the auspices of Lord SONDES, Chairman of the Company. It has five spans, the centre one being 188 ft., the second end fourth are 177 ft. Bin., and the first and fifth are of 163 ft. span. The abutments will be of brick work, cased with Portland stone, and the foundations are taken down to the London clay, at a depth of 27 feet below Trinity high water. The first stone is laid at the level of low watermark, or 18 feet below high water. The abutments are built in coffer-dams of the ordinary construction, which are the largest ever executed in this country. In the construction of the piers a new method has been tried for the first time. They ace four in number, and their foundations will be laid a depth of 55 feet below Trinity high water; and in order to avoid the expense and inconvenience of coffer dams in reaching this depth, large wrought-iron caissons, 18 feet in diameter, are sunk into the bed of the river till the required level is reached, when the brickwork is commenced inside them, and car ried up two feet below low-water line. At this point the masonry of the piers commences, and this is laid within a temporary caisson to five feet above Trinity high water. The temporary caissons will then be removed. Above this point the piers will consist of clusters of cast-iron columns, one cluster under each girder, and as there are three throughout the length of the bridge, there will be three such clusters of columns on every pier. The headway for navigation will be 30ft. 3in. above Trinity high water. The bridge is expected to be opened for traffic this time next year, and already the work is in motion. Meanwhile a large temporary station is to be erected close to the southern side of the bridge, which is to be opened in September next and is to be the City terminus of the railway unti the promised opening of the bridge. The Com pany seem to be confident that this new railway bridge will bear comparison with our recent addi tions, and add to the beauty as well as to the number of the noble structures that span old Father Thames. The ambition and enterprise of the Dover and Chatham line are not, however, satisfied even with the construction of a new bridge and station, or with the extension of their system of communica tion between North and South. They propose also to extend their traffic to Brighton, by means of a line starting from the junction of the Chatham and Dover with the South-Eastern, near Becken ham, passing onward in a straight line to Lewes, and then taking an eastern curve to its proposed terminus at Kemp Town. It is many years since we suggested such a scheme, but the chairman of the South-Eastern Company would not at that time entertain it. Its advantages have now, how ever, become too evident to be longer overlooked, and the busy districts of Kent and Soil sex, through which it will pass, will thus be suddenly introduced to the faci lities of railway travelling from which tley have hitherto been entirely cut off. By this new scheme a sojourner at Brighton may be transported to any of the chief points of the metropolis. The fascinations of that pleasant watering place will be increased tenfold to the man of business if he can from the top c West-street, the Charing-cross, or Waterloo -road, thereb pendent to a railwa y avoiding that wearisome y journey —a conclusion in omni bus or cab—which is o ft t ea t the . most The annoying ceremony and f tedious part of the expelio with great eclat laying the first stone w e n t off amidst the mutual compliments and congratulations of the parties concerned. The assembled company loudly expressed their gratification at the assurance that the completion of their bridge would open a high road extending from the North of Scotland to all parts of the Continent. It is reported that a French king once said in allusion to a political manoeuvre that there were no longer any Pyrenees. Had he lived in these days he might have enlarged his aphorism for time and space,andgeographicaldivision have contracted their powers under the mighty in fluence of the steam driven car. Lord SANDER in addressing the company on Saturday created some amusement by expressing his confidence in the stability of the new bridge, and his hope that if MACAULAY'S famous New Zealander should make his exploring way amid the ruins of the modern Babylon, the Blackfriars-bridge might assist him in traversing the ancient river. Whether or no such should be the case there is no doubt that the enlarged schemes and daring enterprise of our com mercial community will leave their traces behind them throughout the habitable globe, and the new work now so bravely and resolutely undertaken reflects credit on its bold and clearsighted projec tors. According to present arrangements, the future prospects of Poland are not very promising. It is in tended to divide the kingdom into 200 districts, when the period of the amnesty has transpired. Further more, it is mentioned that the military will super sede the civil in the presidentship of district courts. All Poles will be replaced by Russians, and no Poles will be allowed to leave their domiciles with out special permission. The military chief will execute summary martial law on rebels. If this is to be the result of European intervention it appears almost insulting to the great Powers, and eve❑ our past experience of the hard nature and brutality of Russian rule does not serve to explain such extra ordinary conduct. After the 13th of May the Rus sian Government will, it is threatened, become much more severe, and put the country into a state of siege. The police are already anticipating matters by their numerous arrests, and altogether it would be difficult to imagine a more deplorable state than that in which these unfortunate patriots will be placed when their persecutors deem themselves at liberty to throw off the mask that they have par tially worn out of supposed deference to the voice of public opinion, which protested so loudly against their outrages. The reply of Russia to the French note was received on Saturday by M. DROUYN DE L'Huys. The French papers comment on its contents as if they were satisfied with the tone of it, but critically considered there does not seem so much in in it to give rise to pleasurable feelings. It is thus spoken of. The Pays says in reference to this note :—" Russia declares her good intentions to wards Poland, and expresses a desire to satisfy the Powers within the limits prescribed by her own safety and dignity. The reply, on the whole, is of a pacific character." The French papers doubtless for motives of policy seem to put faith in this asser tion, but to English minds it will surely seem that it is almost insulting common sense to talk of Russia's good intentions towards Poland ; all that can be said on this point is that she has not put them in practice, but is content with the theory. Even in this courteous reply there is a loophole by which to escape from the possible danger of having to fulfil the kind intentions. Russia hopes to satisfy the Powers within the limits of her own dignity and safety. First that is to be thought of, next the task of pleasing other nations .too strong to offend, and lastly what ought to be the first consideration the rights and interests of a brave and suffering people are to be thrown into the scale in which is now weighing the destinies of Poland. One act of clemency;one measure of reform would, be a better security and safeguard, and a surer promise of the welfare of the country than a thousand such fine sounding but meaningless documents as that now sent from the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to that of the Tuileries. Of course, Prussia must interfere ; and therefore we learn that the Russian troops who were compelled to retreat into Prussian territory were not disarmed, and also provided with canton meats at Jouvvwetan. This is most disgracefu policy, but of course not to be wondered at, after the arrangements that have been effected, and the eagerness with which the convention has been revived by M. BISMARK and his friends. The intelligence regarding the insurgents does not tend to demonstrate any falling off on their part in either spirit or numbers. Various bodies of insur- gents are posted near Konin, in all amounting to nearly 3,000 men. It is reported that they will combine to attack the place. It would be really difficult to imagine the exercise of more oppression on one side, o r th e ev id e nce of m ore determination on the other, than is evidenced by the events of the Polish insurrec t ion. If all that banded Europe can do is to send notes of remonstrance that call forth evasive replies that end in nothing, this episode now enacting will furnish hereafter a dark passage in ,he annals of nations—one that the historian w: blush to record, and the patriots of all kingdoms will regard with horror and regret. INAUDIBLE RECITATIONS, LATEST INTELLIGENCE, (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) POLAND. CRACOW, MAY Rumours of reforms are again current in War saw, but granted under present circumstances, and without any guarantee for their maintenance, re forms would only awaken distrust. It is now asserted that the Marquis Wielopolsk will remain at Warsaw. The priests who were arrested for taking part in the procession of St. Mark have been set at liberty, and the Government of Warsaw, namely, the chief of the police and General Berg, are cen sured for making those arrests notwithstanding the orderly behaviour of the procession. St. Peters burg, it seems, will not have any violence done to the customs of the Roman Catholic Church. The public are now permitted to go out with lanterns until 11 instead of 10 p.m., as hitherto. Count Keller and the Marquis Wielopolski are reconciled in compliance with orders from St. Petersburg. The son of the Marquis remains in the service of the State. Gen. Berg will neither leave Warsaw nor receive more troops. All this seems to indicate an approaching change in the policy of the Russian Government towards Poland. The representations made to Russia by Austria, respecting the free exercise of the Roman Catholic religion, certainly do not appear to have been with out effect. Archbishop Felinski, who, regardless of the police prohibition, celebrated mass in person in the Cathedral, and allowed the procession of St. Mark to take place, has not only remained unmo lested; but the proceedings of the police on the occasion of the procession have met with an unplea sant disavowal, from the fact of the priests dis obeying the prohibition of the police, also remaining unpunished. Reliable intelligence has been received of several conflicts that have taken place between the Russians and the insurgents. Czachowski, after his successful engagement on 29th ult., near Bzin, fought on the 22d near Nieklau, to the left of the Kielee-Radomer cause- way. On the same day an engagement took place near Gielinow, in which a Russian detachment from Szydlowice was put to flight. Czachowski has been appointed Commander-in-Chief in the district of Sandomir. Sinister, but at present entirely unconfirmed, re ports of increasing inhumanity on the part of the Russians have been received from Warsaw and the Polish frontiers. The position of the Russians in the south of the kingdom becomes every day more serious and more difficult. Scarcely have they concentrated on one point a larger force of troops to destroy a stronger detachment of insurgents, than there ap pears at the place which they have just quitted, a band daring enough to attack them in the rear. The following telegrams has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Orienta Steam Navigation Company May 4 : THE BOMBAY AND MAURITIUS MAILS, The Vectis reached Marseilles at 5 8.111. this day. The mails leave for London by the 11.30 a.m. train. The letters will be delivered on Tuesday evening. The Delta, with the heavy portion of the above mails, left Malta at noon on the Ist inst.; she may be expected at Southampton on the 10th. OUTWARD CALCUTTA, CHINA, AND AUS TRALIAN MAILS of 20th and 26th APRIL. The Poonah arrived at Malta on the 30th April, and continued her voyage to Alexandria the same day. All well. The Massilia left Malta for Alexandria at noon cn the 2d irst. OUTWARD BOMBAY MAIL of 27th APRIL. The new steamship Carnatic arrived at Gibraltar at 4 p.m. on the Ist inst., 97 hours from Southamp ton. She continued her voyage at 8 p.m. „.0.1 a q. HER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, May 2. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louis o: Hesse, drove out yesterday. Prince Louis of Hesse, attended by Lieut.-Col. Du Plat, left Osborne for London. MAT 2. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena and Prince Arthur, drove out yesterday. Lord C. Fitz- Roy attended on horseback. Her Majesty, his Royal Highness Prince Alfred, Princess Louis of Hess, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, attended divine service at Osborne this morning. The Rev. G. Prothero officiated. TO THE EDITOR 07 THE SUN. SlR,—Will you be so obliging as to allow me a little space for the purpose of calling attention to a subject which, although not of any great importance, may be classed among the minor grievances to which the public are occasionally exposed. 1 allude to the reading of a poem in a building like the Crystal Palace to an assemblage of 13,000 people. That Mr. Phelps is an excellent reader, possessing both skill and power, we all know ; but we also know that the human voice has its limits, and all efforts to force it beyond this must fail ; and I feel assured that I shall not be charged with exaggeration when 1 say that out of the 13,000 persons present yesterday, 10,000 could not hear a word he was saying. It is true they could see that a reci tation was going on, and this is all they knew of the mat ter, so that each of this large majority _ . " Sat like Patience on a . mon ument, Smiling at grief," Such exhibitions are anything but amusing. A similar thing occurred on the Schiller Festival. On that occasion Dr. Kinkel (4 gcod orator, with a capital voice) tried to make himself heard by 14,000 people with similar success to that of yesterday. Such an attempt is like a man preach ing on the top of St. Paul's to a congregation on Bow Com mon.— I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient G.E. servant, ➢lay 2, 1863. Yesterday, says the Reader of Saturday, vvil claim to be specially r ecor d e d i n an y future history of our periodical liter a t ure as h av i ng g i ven birth to five new periodicals. First is th e new organ o f the Conservative party, " The New Review," a monthly periodical, which prominently places the Earl of Derby forward as its recog nised leader, and true type of its politics. Next is "The Anthropological Review," a new quarterly, proceeding from the Anthropological Society of London, which in its first number puts the "jaw-bone" question in a satisfac_ tory light, and settles it for ever. Then there is anothe r quarterly, " The Fine Arts Quarterly Review," edited by Mr. Woodward, her Majesty's librarian, under her Ma jesty's immediate patronage, and putting forth a list of names of men of mark in literature and art as guarantee of its future excellence. Again, there is " The Victoria Ma gazine," published monthly by Miss Faithful], with names of its contributors, all of the h ghest class. And last and least is " The Children's Journal," a weekly pennyworth of tales and legends, cleverly illustrated after the German manner. A TRAFALGAR VETERAN.—There died a few days ago at Beaumaris, in North Wales, an old sailor who was on board Lord Nelson's ship, the Victory, at Trafalgar, and helped to carry the Admiral below after he had been mortally wounded. The old man's name was Hugh Williams. He was 86 years old, and had been en gaged in the battle of the Nile and other engagements. FRANCE. PARIS, MAY 4. BOURSE, May 2.—The market has been more bouyant, and the business done shows an advance. Threes, for the end of the month, being now at 69f. 70c. The Railway Share Market has been rather weak, and of the lines aro slightly lower. The market closed as follows : lt per Cents. 97 25 Do end month.... Italian Loan 72 Do. end month 7l 85 New ditto Do. end month 73 25 Russian Austrian Spanith Threes — Home Debt 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 60 Credit Mobiller..., 1407 50 Do. end month 1402 50 Bank Shares 3375 Credit koncier 1490 RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans lOl5 .. 1010 Northern New ditto lOl5 .. Lyons and Mediterranean 1145 .. 1150 Geneva .. 460 .. 455 Southern Western Eastern .... Sardinian 450 .. 450 Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa.. 752 50 .. 750 Ditto to Barcelona BRUTAL MURDER NEAR HERNE BAY, HERNE BAY, May 3.—Last evening a brutal murder was perpetrated at ft little village called Maypole, situate in the parish of Herne, a short distance from Herne Bay. The murdered man, named Richard Steed, was a carrier between this place and Canterbury, and a dealer in stock. It appears that early in the evening he was drinking at a public-house in Herne with a number of navvies and a man Alfred Eldridge, who has re cently been discharged from St. Augustine's Gaol, where he had been confined for stealing timber. The murdered man (who was of a very quar relsome disposition while under the influence of drink) quarrelled with some of the parties in the public•house, and left for the purpose of going home. He was accompanied by Eldridge. Hew as not seen afterwards until between 7 and 8 o'clock, when be was found, almost in a lifeless state, in a middle road leading from Herne to Maypole, where he resided. He was frightfully disfigured, his face being completely battered in, and his head forced into the ground as if by a severe kick. Though in this state life was not quite extinct, the poor fellow still breathing. He was removed to his home as quickly as possible and medical assistance sent for, but it was of no avail, as he immediately ex pired. The county constabulary were apprised of the transaction, and Superintendent Walker, from circumstances that came to his knowledge, subsequently apprehended Alfred Eldridge on suspicion of being concerned in the murder, and conveyed him to the lock-up at Canter bury. The accused is a laboarer, and 33 years o' age. He protests his innocence of the crime of which he is suspected. He admits, however, that he left the public-house in company with the de ceased, but states that he parted with him some 200 or 300 yards from where the body was found. No little excitement has been caused in the neigh bourhood by this affair, which certainly evidences a degree of brutality but seldom witnessed happily in this part of the country. The county coroner, Mr. T. T. Delasaux, has been apprised of the death of the deceased, and has issued his warrant for an inquisition on the body. The prisoner will be brought before the county justices on Monday, by which time it is expected the po:ice will be in pos session of important particulars relative to the murder. The Prince and Princess of Wales. Fashionable Arrangements. May 20—The Derby-day. May 21—The Countess of Derby's assembly. May 22—The Oaks day. May 2 7 —The Countessp Derby's assembly. June 2 —Ascot races commence. June 3— Royal Botanic Society's Exhibition. June 4 —Ascot Cup Day. June 6— Celebration .4 her Majesty's birthday. June 9—The Marchi , ness Townshend's second ball. June 10-- Uncovering of the statue to the Prince Con sort, and memorial of the Exhibition of 1861, at the Horti cultural Gardens, Kensington. June 22—Mr. Benedict's annual grand morning concert, at St. James's Hall —to commence at two o'clock. Prince Louis of Hesse, attended by Lieutenant- Colonel Du Plat and Captain Westarweller, left town for Osborne yesterday evening. Their Grand Ducal Highnesses Prince Alexander and Prince Henry of Hesse left London on Saturday wren ing on their return to the continent. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston will enter tain the Duke of Cambridge at dinner on Saturday evening next. Viscountess Palmerston will afterwards have an assembly. Mr. Chichester Fortescne, and Frances, Countess of Waldegrave, entertained at dinner on Saturday, at their residence in Carlton-gardens, his Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and Countess Bernstorff, the Earl and Coun tess of Morley, Viscount and Viscountess Enfield, Vis countess Neville, Hon. Frederick Byng, Sir Hamilton and Lady Seymour, General and Mrs. Malcolm, Mrs. Staples, Mr. T. F. Elliott, Mr. Bernal Osborne, Mr, Delane, and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK.—Monday (this day)—Asiatic, at 3; Ento mological, at 7; Architects (annual general), at 8; Royal Institution (general monthly meeting), at 3. Tuesday— Horticultural, at I—exhibition of sculpture; Ethnological, at 8, " Natives Vancouver's Island," Dr. King and Profes sor Busk ; " Wild Tribes, Interior of Malay Peninsula," Pere Bourien ; Engineers, at 8, " American Iron Bridges," Mr. Colburn ; Royal Institution, at 3, " Sound," Professor Tyndall; Photographic, at 8. Wednesday —Geological, at 8; Society of Arts, at 8, " Bread-making and Condition of those Employed," Dr. Wynter; Society of Literature, at halt-past 8. Thur sday — Linnean, at 8, " Two Aquatic Species of Hymenoptera," Mr. Lubbock; Chemical, at 8, "Constitution of Salts," Dr. Playfair ; Antiquaries, at 8; Royal, at half-past 8; Royal Institution, at 3, " Geology." Professor Ansted. Friday—Astronomical, at 8; Royal In stitution, at 8, " Soils of England," Professor Voelcker. Saturday —Royal Institution, at 3, "Language," Professor Max Muller,-2/thenceum. Aldlle. Patti is expected almost immediately. It is said that preparations for the mounting of "Faust," on the moat sumptuous Covent Garden scale, have been com manded by the management. The successor to the late Dr. Taylor, in the Gresham Professorship of Music, has not yet been elected. It is determined that the custom of requiring the candidates to deliver probationary lectures before the committee shall be adhered to. Dr. Wyld, Mr. Hullah, and Mr. Charles Salaman, are among the candidates. The May general meeting of the National Rifle Association will be held at Willis's Rooms, on Friday, the 15th inst., at half -past two o'clock. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, K.G., president of the association, in thi chair. It is rumoured that the distinguished posts of Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom will very likely be conferred upon Sir Thomas John Coch rane, G.C.8., and Sir George Francis Seymour, G.C.B.— Aemy and Navy Gazette. MR. STEWART HOWARD'S MATINEE.—A pro gramme headed " Scottiah and other Music" would naturally lead one to expect that the Scottish element would be in the ascendant. Such, however, was not the case in this instance, as there were in reality but two genuine Scottish pieces out of some 17. True, there were fanta- sias for violin and violoncello " on Scotch airs," but th,se can hardly be considered as Scotch music proper, being but skilful arrangements by the clever executants, Messrs. Sainton and Paque. However, as a numerous and fashionable audience filled the large room at Hanover square and applauded heartily, we suppose that they were s4tiefied. "The Lament of Flora M'llonald," and "The Hundred Pipers," in which the " sodger lads" " flum foundered " the English and made them "a' run awa' " (a proceeding at which one need hardly be astonished; considering the influence of one piper, to say nothing of 100), were the peculiar feature of the concert, and had due justice rendered to their merits by Mrs. Stewart Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss, Madame Fanny Huddart, Mr. Tennant were the other vocalists, and Messrs. Sainton, Paque, and Hargitt the instrumentalists. With such artists the entertainment could hardly fail to give satisft ction, THE COLONIES OF GREAT BRITAIN comprise alto gether 3,350,000 square miles, and cost us for management £3,350,000 per annum, or just about a pound a mile. They have an aggregate revenue of £11,000,000, and owe among them £27,000,000, or just two years and a half's income. They import goods to the amount of £60,000,000 yearly—half from ourselves, and half from all the rest of the world. They export produce to the value cf £50,000 000, of which three. fifths come to this kingdom; and all this is done by a population which is under awa' 10,000,000 in the aggregate, and of which only 5,000,000 are whites. Add to these figures, says the Spectator, 900,000 square miles for India, and 200,000,000 of people, with a trade of £71,000,000, and we have a result that the Queen reigns over nearly one-third of the land of the earth, and nearly a fourth of its population. If a British Vizier under the Emperor should, as seems probable, rule China, Englishmen will directly control more than half the human race ! The library of Shakspeare music has received another addition in a setting of " Othello" by Herr Ambros. The Prince of Wales, attended by Major Teesdale, road on horseback on Saturday morning. The Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor, took a carriage drive. An address of congratulation was presented at Marl• borough House, on Saturday, to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, upon his marriage, from the county of Kilkenny, by Colonel the Right Hon. William Tighe. The Prince of Wales and Prime Louis of Hesse were present at the annual dinner of the Royal Academy on Saturday. Their royal highnesses were attended by Lord Alfred Hervey, Lieut.-General Knollys, Major Teesdale. Lieut.-Colonel du Plat, and Captain Westerweller. The Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Stonor and Lord Harris, honoured with her presence her Majesty's Theatre, where her royal highness was joined in the evening by the Prince of Wales and Prince Louis of Hesse. The Prince of Wales and Prince Louis afterwards went to Burlington House. Yesterday morning the Prince and Princess of Wales attended divine service in the Chapel Royal, St. James's. The communion service was read by the Bishop of London, dean of the Chapel Royal, and the sub. dean. The sermon was preached by the sub-dean, who took his text from the 2d of Corinthians, chap. v., verses 1 and 2. The anthem was, " Praise the Lord, 0 my soul"—Goss. Mr. Goss presided at the organ. The Prince and Princess of Wales visited her Roya Highness the Duchess of Cambridge at her residence at Kew. Wednesday—The Countess Cowper's second evening party. The Countess de Grey's evening party. Mrs. Herbert's first dance-3, Grosvenor-crescent. Mrs. Ste phenson's first dance. Mr. and Mrs. Henri Drayton's benefit, and last two representations of the new entertain ment, entitled " Federals and Ccnfederates," afternoon at three, evening at eight, at the Polygraphic Hall, King William-street, Strand. Thursday —Lady Chelmsford's ball. Evening party at the Prussian Embassy. Friday—The Marchioness Townshend's first ball. S aturday—Viscountess Palmerston's assembly. May 11—Mrs. Washington Hibbert's first ball—Dover street. May 12—The Countess Cowper's first ball. May 13 —Levee by the Prince of Wales on behalf of the Queen. The Duchess of Marlborough's party. Mrs. Washington Hibbert's first evening party. Royal Botanic Society's Exhibition. May 14—The Countess Apponyi's assembly. May 16 —Drawing-room by the Princess of Wales on behalf of the Queen. May 18 —Lady Egerton of Tatton's assembly. Grand ball in aid of the funds of the Yorkshire Society—Willis's Rooms. AMERICA. (REVTER'S EXPRESS.) (Per Africa.) NEW Yong, April 21, Evening. The reported occupation of Gordonsville by tili Federals was untrue. The Southern journals assert that Genera] Stoneman's Federal cavalry had made a demon' stration to cross the Rappahannock 25 miles above Fredericksburg, but failed to accomplish their purpose. General Foster has reached Newborn from Washington. He ran past the Confederate bat teries in a small steamer, the pilot of which W' killed. General,Foster's forces still remain in Washing" ton, surrounded by the Confederates. The Federal gunboats on the Nasemond River , Eastern Virginia, have been shelling the Confsde" rates, who are attempting to plant batteries at different points on the river, and a Federal force, co-operating with the gunboats, has stormed and captured a Confederate battery of six guns, and taken 200 prisoners. The Federal sick and wounded have been removed from Suffolk to Norfolk. There is continued skirmishing and activity" among the opposing forces in the neighbourhood of Suffolk. Considerable excitement prevails at Nashville, caused by the reported advance of the Confedc derates under Van Dorn. Governor Johnson is authorised to raise 25,000 Federal troops for special service in East Ten" nessee. The latest reports assert that Admiral Dupont's Monitor fleet still remains off Charleston Bar. General Foster's troops, who had reinforced General Hunter at Port Royal, are returning to North Carolina. Accounts are still conflicting as to whether the attack on Charleston will be renewed or entirely abandoned. Several Union meetings have been broken up ill Indiana by parties of Knights of the Golden Circle. During the riots which ensued several persons were wounded and one killed. The general commanding the Indiana D e part. ment declared the Knights of the Golden Circle to be public enemies, and stated they should be dealt with as such, cautioning the people also against wearing copper-head badges. The New York journals publish Washington de' spatches asserting that the case of the Peterhof' will be left to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts with . out interference from the Government. The trial commences to-day. Earl Russell's letter of April 3, concerning the right of the British vessel to trade with Matamorast was well received, and created a favourable impres sion here. The British gunboat Cygnet was fired at on the 4th inst., in the Bahama Channel, by the Federal steamer Connecticut, who mistook the Cygnet for the Alabama. The captain of the Cygnet went oa board the Connecticut, and the affair was amicably settled. The Confederate steamer Barrose, from St• Mary's for Nassau, with cotton, was abandoned at sea, and a portion of her crew who were picked uP have arrived in New York. The steamers Flora and Pell arrived at WilminE ton on the 16th from Nassau. A new war frigate for the King of Italy has been safely launched at New York. The City of Baltimore, Kangaroo, and Jura have arrived out. Money abundant. Gold 464 per cent. prem. P c " change on London, bankers' bills, 161. Stock. steady. New Yo r k Centrals, 114, Illinois 88k , Erie 78 8 , Five per Cent. United States Bonds 96 f Six per Cent. ditto 1042. Cotton quiet. Middling Upland 65. Flour doll , and 10c. lower. Wheat heavy. Corn heavy and 1 c. lower. Provisions dull, Coffee steady. Sugar good in' quiry. Molasses quiet. Crude petroleum NEW YORK, APRIL 22, Evening. Admiral Porter, with five Fedeml gunboats and three transports, with a portion of General Grane° forces on boa r d, ran the Vicksburg batteries front above during the night of tiara 16th inst. All passe d safely except o ne t ransport, which was hurnen• Admiral Porter reached Warrenton, which place he bombarded. The Federal commandant at Memphis has tele graphed that he had information from Souther° sources that Vicksburg was being evacuated. General Banks has commenced operations in t ilt ', Bayou T ec h e country. One portion of his force ba' crossed Berwick's Bay and advanced towards Pater' son vile. Another portion has embarked at Bra' shear city, and will proceed into the Grand Lake' The .New York Herald has a special despatc 4 stating that the C on f e d erates have evacuated them' works near Brashear city, and would probably 138 captured, as they were surrounded by Gener a l Banks' force. The Federals had recaptured the steamer Queen of the West on the Grand Lake with all her ere'', It is supp ose d that Admiral Porter's Fleet wil l operate on the Red River, and that General Bank.. and Admiral P or t er ' s com b ined movements will cu t off from Vicksburg and Port Hudson the su pplie! which the C on f e d erates obtain from Western Lout sianaand Texas. The Conf e d era t es st i ll thaeaten the Federal line ° at Baion-R ouge . The Conf e d erates have retreated from before Washington, N ort h Carolina, and abandoned the i r batteries bel ow on t h e T ar River. A steamer h as l e ft N ew b orn for Washington, an d is reported to have passed up without molestation' The Navy Department has received a despatc h stating that the Confederates were retreating from Nasemond River, and that the Federals were endow vouring to cut off a Confederate brigade. The capture of a Confederate battery on N ese° mond River is officially confirmed. The Confederates still hold Williamsburg. Severe fighting has taken place in the neighbou` .„ hood of C or i nt h . T he Confederates were drive " from Bear Creek to Crane Creek. 0 The case of th e Peterhoff came before the p i ft Court yest er d a y. T he di strict attorney, on the Part of the Gov ernmen t , proposed to hand over the mal ls unopened to the British Consul, but the captors °P; posed the motio n , an d t h e Court postponed the ca ne to consider their decision on this point. President Li nco l n h as proclaimed that Wetafe- -rn 60 Virginia will b ecome a State of the Union in days from the present date. A Loyal League meeting has been held in -- 1 " - c gli ; son-squ are , N ew Y ork. Several thousand pers°ii, were present, an d t h e usual war speeches were 11040 The Africa tak es out 83 passengers and 34 '` dols. in specie. MEXICO. NEW YORK, April 21 ' Advices received here, v i a S an Francisco , ft o the city of Mexico, to the Ist inst., and pubith by the New York j ourna l s, announce that the Frtp-eep had bombarded P ueb l a f or ten days, having us-,0 twice repulsed. Th e F renc h had captured then,/ Jarvier fortifications, taking 150 prisoners. hold all the outside fortifications round th e ci al The bomb ar d ment cont i nued, and the Pr iveip torts still held out. General F ore y' s headquarters 'were at ag° Church, inside the Garita. Comonfort was Pue bla, with has Martin, with 10,000 troops, and Ortega in 11- e with 25,000. The French h a d cut the communication be tween Ortega and Comonfort. u The New York journals NEw p i( urli K sh ' A:eril°l; r i : l despatch from General Ortega to C before Puebla, in omoof ert ' u ceived in New Orleans, giving details of the butt to have been routed. tb° French lost in the battle 60 pieces Letters received in Monterey state that _A which the French are stateo 8,000 men. . .„., to The Mexican news, via San Francisco, 0 but ' ble, u the Ist of April, and is considu.red more relra 0 of too not much confidence is given, to the correo either report. of artillery, LIPL.