The Sun. — London, England, 1854-12-18 00:00:00

service, have established a claim to high consideration. In again corameniiing this measure to the favourable consideration of Congress, I would suggest that the - - power of pleeieg officers ee the retired list be limited to - - one year. The practical operation of the measure would thus !:e tested, end if, afrer the lapse it years, there - sheolit he occasion to renew the provision, it can be re produced with any improvements which experience may indicate. The present organisation of the artillery into regiments is liable to obvious objections. The service of artillery is that of batteries, and an organisation of bat teries into a corps of artillery would be more consistent with the nature of their duties. A large part of the troops now called artillery are, and have been, on duty as in fantry—the distinction between the two arms being merely nominal. The nominal artillery in our service is entirely disproportionate to the whole force, and greater than the wants of the country demand. I therefore com mend the discontinuance of a distinction which has no foundation in either the arms used or the character of the service expected to be performed. "In connection with the proposition for the increase of the array, I h ave p resen t e d th ese sug gestions withregard of a to certain measures of re f orm , as the complement system which wo u ld p ro d uce the happiest results from a given expenditure, and which, I hope, may attract the early attention, and be deemed worthy of the approve of Congress. " The representation of the Secretary of the Navy, having reference to more ample provisions for the dis cipline-end gen.etal improvement iu the character of sea men, and fin the reorganisation and gradual increase in the navy, I deem eminently worthy of your favourable consideration_ The principles which have controlled our policy in relation to the permanent military force, by sea and land, are sound, consistent with the theory of our system, and should by no means be disregarded. But, limiting the force to the objects particularly set forth in the preceding part of this Message, we should not overlook the present magnitude and prospective ex tension of our commercial marine, nor fail to give due weight to the fact that, besides the 2,000 miles of At lantic seaboard we have now a Pacific coast, stretching from Mexico to the British possessions in the north, teeming with wealth and enterprise, and demanding the constant presence of ships of war. The augmentation of the navy has not kept pace with the duties properly and profitably assigned to it in time of peace, and it is inadequate for the large field of its operations, not merely in the present, but still more in the progres sively increasing exigencies of the wealth and commerce of the United States. I cordially approve of the pro posed apprentice system for our national vessels, recom mended by the Secretary of the Navy. " The occurrence, during the last few months, of ma rine disasters of the most tragic nature, involving great loss of human life, has produced intense emotions of sympathy and sorrow throughout the country. It may well he doubted whether all these calamitous events are wholly attributable to the necessary and inevitable dan gers of the sea. The merchants, mariners, and ship builders of the United States, are, it is true, unsurpassed in far-reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence, and courage by any others-in the world. But with the increasing amount of our commercial tonnage in the aggregate, and the larger size- and improved equipment of the ships now constructed, a deficiency in the supply of reliable seamen begins to be very seriously felt. The inconve nience may perhaps be met in part by due regula tion for the introduction into our merchant ships of in dentured apprentices, which, while it would afford use ful and eligible occupation to numerous young men, would have a tendency to raise the character of seamen as a class. And it is deserving of serious reflection whether it may not be desirable to revise the existing laws for the maintenance of discipline at sea, upon which the security of life and property on the ocean must to so great ten extent depend. Although much attention has already been given by Congress to the proper con structio n and arrangement of steam-vessels and all pas. senger- ships, still it is believed that the achievements of science and mechanical skill in this direction have not been exhausted. No good reason exists for the marked diet raction which appears upon our statutes between the laws for protecting life and property at sea and those for pteetecting them on land. In most of the states severe p znalties are provided to punish conductors of trains, etngineers, and others, employed in the transportation of persons by railways, or by steam-boats on rivers. Why should not the same principle be applied to acts of in subordination, cowardice, or other misconduct on the part of masters os- mariners, producing injury or death to passengers on the high seas, beyond the jurisdiction of any of the states, and where such delinquencies can be reached only by the power of Congress! The whole subject is earnestly recommended to your consideration. " The report of the Postmaster General to which you are referred nor many interesting details in relation to this important and rapidly-extending branch of the public sere - ice, shows that the expenditure of the year ending Jane 30, 1854, including $133,483 of balance due to fcreign offices, amounted to $8,710,907. The gross receipts during the same period amounted to $6,95,5,.58n, exhibiting an expenditure over income of $ 1,70 r,321, and a diminution of deficiency as compared with the last year of $361,758. The increase of the reve.'..ve of the department for the year ending June 30, 185' a, over the preceding year was $970,399. No proper tio aate increase, however, can he anticipated for the cur re at, year, in consequence of the act of Congress of June 2 3, 1854, providing for increased compensation to all pest r .resters. From these statements it is apparent that the post-office department, instead of defraying its expenses, according to the design at the time of its creation, is now, :aid-under existing laws - must continue to be, to no small exteat, a charge upon the general treasury. The cost of mail transportation d ur i ng th e year en di ng J une :30, 135 i, elcesds ail the cost of the preceding year by $495,074. I again call your attention to the subject of mail trarspoaation by ocean steamers, and commend the .I:ggesti:mis of the Postinaster-General to your early attention. FRANKLIN PIERCE. " Washington, Dec. 4, 1854." CALIFORN lA. The steam-ship Star of the West had arrived at New York, with Californian advises to the 9th olt., and upwards of three-quarters of a million of dollars. THE ANGLO-FRENCH SQUADRON. The following report of the movements of the Anglo-French fleet, and of a rumoured engage ment in the Pacific, we extract from the Placer Times and Transcript of Nov. 29 : " Since the repulse of the allied fleet at Petropau lovski, the movements of the respective vessels have be come a matter of interest. The greater portion of the combined squadron now lie at anchor in our harbour. They comprise her Britannic Majesty's frigates Presi dent and Pique, sloop of war Amphitrite, and steamer Virago ; and the French frigates Foite and Eurydice. They are accompanied by their prize, the Russian ship Sitka. Her Britannic Majesty's di s covery-ship Plover is also in port. The French brig-ofiwar Obligado, which constituted a portion of the squadron in its attack upon Petropauloyski, sailed from this pert on Saturday last, for Guaymas, to make inquiry into the circumstances at tending the death of Count de Raousset Boulbon. The brig Henry William, which arrived on Monday night from Sydney, reported a heavy cannonade outside the Heads, resembling a sea-fight, and last night there was a flying report through the city, said to have been In - ought by a pilot-boat, to the effect that the Obligado had encountered a IZuBsiaii frigate. Tne report, how ever, needs confirmation. " In addition to the vessels above enumerated her Bri tannic Majesty's sloop of war '1 rinconndee, and the French corvette L'Artemise, from the Sandwich Islands, arrived within a few days. The whereabouts of the Russian frigate Diana is not known, although it is presumed she is in wising somewhere in our waters--perhaps at no great distance from some of her antagonists. The Russian frigate Aurora, ant sloop of war Dwina, were left by the a:lies at Petropaulovski, but where they may now be is a matter of speculation. The United States steam-frigate Susquehanna was reported at the Sandwich Islands, and is hourly expected in our harbour, she having put into Honolulu merely for a supply of coal. The steam-frigate Mississippi was to have left Hong Kong three days after the Susquehanna, and may also be hourly expected. The United States sloops of war St. Mary's and Ports mouth were at Honolulu on the 20th of October, and will probably pay us a visit in the course of the winter. The English and French squadrons, it is understood, will winter at Monterey. "Her Britannic Majesty's frigate Amphitrite arrived at San Francisco on Nov. 8, 16 days from Honolulu. " Since the arrival of the British frigates in our har bour, 5 marines and seamen have deserted from the President and Pique. Their names are Charles Bulky, Isaac Dove, James Williams, James Tavey, ,R. Elder, and Peter Wilso* (attached to the Pique.) For the apprehension of Wilson a reward of 25 dole, is offered, and for the others 15 dole. The French fleet has not suffered as yet by desertion." "During the last fiscal year 11,070,935 acres of the pubic lands hove been surveyed,. and 8,190,017 acres bron4t i t into market. The number of acres sold is 7,03,735, and the :unount received therefore 0,235,533 Tb., aggr , gate amount of lands sold, located under mili tary- scrip and laud warrants, selected as swamp lands by states and by locating under grants for reads, is tio wassh of 23,000,000 of acres. The increase of lands sold over the previous year is about 6,000,000 of acres ; and the sales during the first quarters of the current )ear present the extraordinary result of 5,500,000 sold, exceeding by nearly 4,000,000 acres the sales of the cur reepoadieg quarters of the last year, thus increasing to an extent unparalleled (luting any like period in our past history the amount of revenue provided from this source for the Federal Treasury. "The commendable policy of the Government, in re lation to setting apart a public domain for those who have served their country in times of war is illustrated by the fact, that since 1700 no less than 3,000,000 of acres have been applied to this object. "The suggesti ons w hi c h I submitted in my annual Message of last year, in reference to grants of land in aid of the construction of railways, were less full and explicit than the magnitude of the subject and sub sequent developments would seem to render proper and d es i ra bl e Of the soundne ss o f t h e principle then asserted with re - . gard to the limitation of the power of Congress I entertain no doubt ; but in its application it is not enough that the value of lands in 4 particular loca lity may be enhanced ; that, in fact, a larger amount of money may probably be received in a given time for alternate sections, than could have been rea lised for all the sections, without the impulse and influence of the proposed improvements. A prudent proprietor looks beyond limited sections of his domain, beyond present iesults, to the ultimate effect which a par• ticular line of policy is likely to produce upon all his pos sessions and interests. The government, which is trus tee in this matter for the people of the States, is boiled to take the same wise and comprehensive view. Prior to and during the last session of Congress, upwards of 30,000,000 of acres of land were withdrawn from public sale with a vievr to applications for grants of this cha racter pending before Congress. A careful review of the whole subject led me to direct that all such orders be abrogated, and the lands restored to market ; and in structions were immediately given to that effect. The applications at the last session contemplated the con struetion of more than 5000 miles of road, and grants to the amount of nearly 20,00%000 of acres of the public domain. Even admitting the right on the part of Con- gress to be unquestionable, is it quite clear that.the pro- From the space occupied by th e P res id ent ' s posed grants would be productive of good and not evil ? message, the items of intellience by this arrival Tee different projects are confined, for the present, to may be briefly stated. 11 states of this Union and oneter!it?ry. The reasons The message was considered in Washton as an assigned for the grants show that it is proposed to put exceedingly tame document. Mr. Bright was the works speedily in process of construction. When spoken of as likely to be elected President of the we reflect that since the commencement of the construe- Senate. thin of railways in th e U n it e d States, stimulat e d as they This news, ho wever, was received with caution have been by th e l arge di v id en d e rea lised from th e ear li er to New York. rho steam-sh Star of the West had arrived at works over great thoroughfares, and between the most , bringing over important points of coaaruerce and population, encouraged N ,.. _e_w , York from San - Fran ' thth:tßtrha by state legislation s and pressed forward by the anr . tz. i 6L e o w oo _dollars in d . specie. the 0 steam-ships, bringing ing energy of private enterprise, only 17,000 miles NaNutilu?rhleaadnsararivviecdes from m te have been completed in all the States in a quarter of a eeotury—when we see the crippled condition of many works commenced and prosecuted upon what were 555,000 dollars in specie. Unusual excitement was AAeined to be sound principles and safe calculations ; prevailing along th e frontier of Mexico, but nothing e'en we contemplate the enormous absorption of capital beyond mere talking was going on. A large force "Itlidrawn from the ordinary' channels of business, the of Mexican troops had gathered at Matamoros, and Zat_rwsagant rates of interest at this moraeat paid to con- General Wall had summoned the Seminole chief hutl:Peritions,. the bankruptcies not merely in money Wild Cat and his followers there, and it was sup generally racier, and the inevitable effect upon finances posed that they were wanted for some secret wed - to exoeEts - i- n t . it be doubted that the tendency is to run sion. A vigilance committee had been appointed cess by en ow l s matter ? Is it wise to augment this ex at Point Isabel. Our Galveston dates are te the fl o w from mag Zig eh h t opes of sudden wealth expected to 25th ult. General Rusk sustains Governor Pease - than of Congrctoll D eseleenies dependent upon the ac his refusal to receive Messrs. Walker and King's such results need t i o le s sthe spirit which has produced in depredations were continuing, not the better 'rule_ to le"etimulated or checked ? Is it securities. Indian . had been killed. Davis all these works to private en- and three soldiers from Fort -terprise, regulated, and, wh co-operation of states ? If coon expeflient, aided by the Winter has fairly set in, and a considerable quan. the stimulant and check ge nt,s,gtreutcted by private capital, tity of snow has fallen iu various parts of the - tart' restraint against speculative I,land furnish a Bahl- Union. But it is manifest that seijhierne s and extrava- Mr. Joseph Blount, a member of the New York wince. the most ' do there is dariger cf Ving unit f• effective Ile•t • t t had asserted that is convinced there goer „ , before fast and too f e y, iu e, he We ma we ll pause a proposition cont .1)1 ~ was a concerted plan entered into by the crew of rug a simultaneous inovemeet - for to ee eo n t el l n • ' a " . the lost Arctic to lower one end of a boat partly s ruction of railrde !st, whh;h, in extent, will equal, exclusive fdown for the purpose of throwing out the women Great Paci9c It rad An 1 all its b 1 rafteacs, nevi; the '. ' Captain Luce so that Xi 110 were placed in it by , ' ' f su^h works now c"; - t " e ' third of the entire -lenzth o • -, rnp.eted, there miobt be room for the crew. in the United. States, owl which cannot cost, with Mr . J• J .L. Norton, resident of New Yoe-k, re equipment, lese than $1,50,000,000. The dangers Ilkely ported • to result from combinations of interests of this character tl- to be worth 500,000 dollars, was cars hardly lie over-estimated. B e t, independently of re ovsn and killed by a car. The body not being these considerations, where is the accurate knowledge, tackoegnised received a pauper's funeral. The mis the comprehensive intelligence, which shall discriminat e rouctai l y n as not discovered for some time, when the between the relative claims of these 28 proposed roads Californian disinterred. In II states and one territory ? Where will you begin, , state thantiatit accounts to the 9th of November and where end ? If, to enable these companies to ex . e- I squadron lay e in portion of the combined ole their proposed works, it is necessary that the 1(1 Her at anchor. San Francisco harbour. of the general policy government be primarily given, the also in port. Britannic Aitaies ' • ty s discovery -ship Plover was will present a problem se comprehensive in its bearings, , i The French b ' and so important to our political and social well-being, rig of war Obligado, , tutee rt f apa o the s which c t . as to claim, in anticipation, the severest analysis. En-que.dron in the °IIB 1- tertai n i„- . sthese views, I recur with satisfaction to the P i tro aulovski, had sailed fo attack on Pe r Guaymas, to make in- CUBA. The steam-ship Black Warrior had arrived at New York with adrices from Havanuah to the 28th ult. Government officers had searched the American schooner lately arrested at Baraeon and found her freighted with cutlasses, dirks, pistols, sabres, carbines, and other munitions of war ; so that the fact of whether she was fitted out as a slaver, a pirate, or a filibustero vessel, re mains in a glorious state of uncertainty. The United States war ship Princeton had returned from a fruitless search for the missing sloop Albany. It, was feared in ilavannah that the vessel was lost, as no tidings of her had beer, heard from any of the channels which cross the track of the British West India steamers. General Coscha had entertained Messrs. Eames and Robertson at dinner ; but we learn, at the latest moment, that the effect of the courtesy was nearly effaced by the Govern ment delays given to the passengers of the Black War rior from New Orleans. It was hoped that Louis Napo leon would have compromised himself in the Souls quar rel with the United States. experience and action of the last session of Congress, as furnishing assurance that the subject will not fail to elicit a careful re-examination and rigid scrutiny. I 7 'l was - my intention to present on this occasion some in;gestimis regarding internal improvements by the fl ei e ie la ra s i t session gv p l r government, which want ri time at the c l ose o f ented my subinitting on the return to the House of Representatives - with objections, of the bill entitled An Act making appropriations for the re pair, preservation, and completion of certain public works heretofore commenced under authority of law ;' but the space of this communication already occupied with other matter of immediate public exigency con strains me to reserve that subject for a special message, which will be transmitted to the two Houses of Congress at an early day, " The judicial establishment of therUnited States re quires modification, and certain reforms in the manner of conducting the legal business of the government are also much needed ; but as I have addressed you upon both of these subjects at length before, I have only to call your attention to the suggestions then made. "My former recommendations, in relation to suitable provision for various objects of deep interest to the in habitants of the district of Columbia, are renewed. Many of these objects partake largely of a national cha racter, and are important, independently of their rela tion to the prosperity of the only considerable organised community in the Union entirely unrepresented iu Con- .. . press. . " I have thus presented suggestions on such subjects as appear to me to be of particular interest or import , ance, and, therefore, most worthy of consideration during the short remaining period allotted to the labours of the present Congress. " Our forefathers of the 13 united colonies, in acquir ing their independence, and in founding this republic of the United States of America, have devolved upon us, their descendants, the greatest and the most noble trust ever committed to the hands of men, imposing upon all, and espe c i a lly suc h as t h e pu bli c will may have invested for the time being with political functions, the most sacred obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self-go vernment ; to reconcile the largest liberty of the indivi. dual citizen with complete security of the public order ; to render cheerful obedience to the laws of the land, to unite in enforcing their execution, and to frown indig nantly on all combinations to resist they ; to harmonise a sincere and ardent devotion to the institutions of religions faith with the most universal religious toleration ; to pre serve the rights of all by causing each to respect those of the other ; to carry forward every social improvement to the uttermost limit of human perfectibility, by the free action of mind upon mind,---not by the obtrusive in tervention of misapplied force; to uphold the integrity and guard the limitationaof our organic law ; to pre serve sacred from all touch of usurpation, as the very palladium of our political salvation, the reserved powers of the several states and of the people ; to cherish with loyal fealty and devoted affection this Union, as the only sure foundation on which the hopes of civil liberty rest ; to administer government with vigilant integrity and rigid economy ; to cultivate peace and friendship with foreign nations, and to demand and exact equal justice from all, but to do wrong to none; to eschew in terraeddling, with the national policy and the domestic repose of other governments, and to repel it from our own ; never to shrink from war when the rights and the honour of the country call us to arms, but to culti vate in preference the arts of peace, seek enlargement of the rights of neutrality, and elevate and liberalise the intercourse of nations, and by such just and honourable means, and such only, while exalting the condition of the Republic, to assure to it the legitimate influence and the benign authority of a great example among all the powers of Christendom. " Under the solemnity of these convictions, the bless ing of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to attend upon your deliberations, and upon all the counsels and acts of the government, to the end that with common zeal and common efforts, we may, in humble submission to the Divine will, co operate for the promotion of the supreme good of these United States. VVIR NUN. LONDON, MONDAY EVENI/46, DECEMBR'ft It lOg quiry into the circumstances attending the death of Count de Raousset!bon. A. brig which had arrived at San Francisco re ported a heavy cannonade outside the Heads re sembling a sea fight. The report, however, needed confirmation. Her Majesty's sloop-of-war Trincomalee and frigate Amphitrite and the French corvette L'Arte mise, from the Sandwich Islands, has arrived at San Francisco. Letters from Tahiti state, that the epidemic which had created so much havoc among the natives had declined. The advices from Havannah contain a corre spondence between the Captain-General and the naval commander. The former impressed upon the latter the necessity of suppressing the traffic in slaves, and the latter promised to use his efforts energetically with that object. From Venezuela we learn that Monagas had been elected President ; he had proclaimed a partial amnesty, after causing the execution of Vasquez, who was tortured to death and afterwards buried outside the city like a dog. Small lots of new coffee had come in ; it was selling at 11/ to 11g. Hides were auain in great demand, and selling at 13, and with a prospect of a still further advance. The President of the so-called republic of Nicara gua was still confined within the city of Ensenada, and intended to make a sally upon the rebels on the 29(1 ult., the day the passengers by the Star of the West crossed Lake Nicaragua. The People of Virgin-bay believed there could be no doubt of the success of this bold undertaking, as the loyal party was both pinched by huiger and urged by pride. The Earl of Elgin gave a farewell ball at Quebec on the Ist of December. The New York money-market was still depressed, but it was generally admitted that the worst had been experienced in the stock-market. Owing in part to the severity of the weather, there had been little activity, but the tendency was towards a re covery of confidence. Leading railway shares had advanced one-haif to three-quarters per cent. In exchange depression in rates prevailed, and little business was transacted. Bills an London, 108 to 109 ; on Paris, 5-17 i to 13g. Cotton dull, but prices unaltered. Flour had dsclined2sc. per barrel. Wheat rather dearer. Provisions firm. Iron dull and drooping. 70 tons of Scotch pig sold at $34 for six months. Freights were without material alteration. NEW WORK ON THE SEAT OF. WAR. On Friday next, In I vol. post Bvo., A MONTH in the CAMP BEFORE SE BASTOPOL. By A .15 ON-0031BATANT. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans. On Thursday next will be ready the One Hundredth Thousand of S OYER'S SHILLING C OOKERY for the PEOPLE. This edition will contain entirely new receipts, which will be found most useful for the approaching Christmas Festivities. The best proof of its popularity and va'ue is the fact that the tale has a'ready reached the extraordinary number of 100,000 copies. London : George Routledge and Co., 2, Farringdon-street. R OYAL PANOPTICON of SCIENCE and ART, LEICESTER-SQUARE. LECTURES for the WEEK :—Dr. load on Electricity, with de: monstrations on the large electrical machine, Monday, 8.15. Dr. Lathan on Languages, Wednesday, 8.15. Mr. G. F. Angell on Chemistry, Mon lay, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, at 3.15 ; Thursday, 8.15. Mr. L. Buckingham on the Arctic Regions, illus trated by dioramic views irons sketches by Lieut. S. Gurney Cress. well, Tuesday and Friday, at 8.15; Wednesday and Saturday, at 3.'5. Principal Attractions:—Luminous Fountain, daily, at 4.55 and 9.55; hloving Panorama, and Dioramic Views of Verona, at 2.40 and 7.40 ; Grand Performance on the Organ, by Mr. W. T. Best, at 4.15; Cosmorama of St. Petersburg, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Cosmoratna of Moscow, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; lleinke's Diving Apparatus and the Subaque , us Light in the Crystal ti,tern, 2 and 7.5 : Distin's Flugel Horn Union, 9.15.—D00rs open in the morning at 12, in the even.ng (Saturday eaceptetD, at 7. Admission, Is.; Schools, and-Children under 10, Half-pr.ce ; Seascn Admission, 1/. Is. ; Life Admission, 10 guineas. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Itnekstone. THIS EVENING, Inc. It, Will be performed the Comely of PRESENTED Al' COURT. Principal ch.tra-ters by ►fessrs. Buckstone, W. Farren, and Rowe ; Misses Reynolds, E. Chapin, Grantham, and Lavine. After which, the Ba let of TILE STAR OF ANDALUSIA, is which Senora Pere.t Nena wit app ar. To which wt.l be added TILE BALANCE OF CO3IFORT. Followe I by 7/1E IRISH LION. To conclude wi'h TILE STIR OF CIIRRA, by the Spanish Dancont. ROYAL. PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET, Under the Mennen:tent of Mr. CIIMILE4 Kees. TUTS EVENING. Duo. 18, WIII be performed THE COURIER OF LYONS. Characters (IT llr. C. Kean. Messrs. J. Vining. Addison. Graham. D. Fisher. Cathcart, and *akar ; Misses Desborough, ernats. and K. Terry. To conclude with VTE HONEYMOON. Priam7pal characters by M.•s3r W. Lacy, Harley, Iteidobvs, J. Yining, and Everett ; Misses Murray, Desborough, and. Heath. CEU3I THEATRE. THI3 EVENING, DEC. 18, Will lie performed AtiGHAVATING SAIL Principle characters by Bess+r•. C 31athetvg, Itoxby, Haker, Swan, Williams, and Tem pleton; Mrs. llacnanatra, and Sims. tAirer and 11. Gordon. To which will be alda-the new Com!e Mama, called A COMICAL CJILN ESS: To bo followed by TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE, To oitrielaie with the Race eatitiel MY FELLOW CLERK. TLIEA ME ROYAL ADELNIL Proprietor, 3lr. B. Webster.—Directress, Sfadame Celeste. TUB DEc. IS, w1:1 ho pert rined an entire new Rustic Drama called PIER' E TUE FOUNDLINti. Supporte Iby Messrs. B. Webster and Kee ley, and Mrs. Keeley and Miss W, cigar. F - qiowed'by BONA Ft DE TRAVELLERR. After which, THE CAMP AP CIIOBIIAM. To which wiil be a!ded a tiny Farce, ent tied THE RAILWAY BEL LB. ROYAL OLYMPIC THE 1 TRH. Laic° and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. TIM EVENING, DEC. Is. Will be presentee a new Comedietta, called A WIFE'S JOURNAL Characters by Messrs. Brown, Emery, llarcsurt, and Leslie; and Mrs. t..rown, and Miss Maskelt. To he followed by TIIE BEULAH SPA. Principal characters t)y Messrs. A. Wigan, Emery, F. Robson, and 11. Cooper; Miss Marston, Mrs. A. Wigan, Mrs. Fitzallau, and Miss Julia St. George. To conclude with TIIE FIRS r NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. A'c'ed Wigan, Leslie, Harwood Cooper, and Gladstone; Miss Julia St. George, and Miss Emily Orinonae. STRAND THEATRE. Bole Lessee Mr. F. W. Aileron. THIS EVENING, Dxo. 18, Will be presented THE CHRISTMAS CAROL. To be followed by THE SPANISH DANCES. To which will be added WHERE'S CRUVEGLI? To conclude with THE NEW WAGS OF WINDSOR. 4 could venture on such a proposal. The good " CLICQUOT" must have been deeply affected by the predominating influence, when so wild a fancy crossed his brain, and his Ministers must have been even more than usually submissive when they endorsed a delusion so strange and unac countable. British diplomatists must have, in deed, fallen in the estimation of their foreign brethren when it could, even fora moment, he ima gined that the mere suggestion of Prussia's "stipu lating for the concession of certain advantages in the North Sea and the Baltic" could be offered without bringing the meeting to a very summary and un pleasant termination —something similar to the " hint" which the sturdy Milesian gave his un welcome visitor "to leave the room." As, how ever, the Congress will not consist of Hibernian Plenipotentiaries, we may consider that the parties may be contented with the more temperate, although no less decided, course of pointing to the door and requesting the immediate departure of the bearer, of the untenable suggestion. What has Prussia done, or to what does she propose to bind herself, that can in any degree entitle her to demand concessions ? Hitherto she has exhibited a degree of vacillation and apathy disgraceful to any nation arrogating to itself a position among the first-rate Powers. By the narrow limits within which her views were bounded, by looking at every matter only in a " German" light, she abdicated her position as an European Power as one that was not wholly actuated by selfish impres sions, but sought to promote the interests of the civilised world. With her, the last speaker was, for the moment, successful, until the im pression stamped on the fickle and unstable mind had been obliterated by the more recent speaker. France and England demanded the four points, Prussia sent " a note " to the CZAR urging their acceptance. Count NESSELRODE, on behalf of his Imperial master, contemptuously rejected the suggestion, in terms that might have stimulated the circulation of even the coldest-blooded Prussia admitted that he was quite right in doing so, and swallowed her leek with the most abject The Vicar of BRAY appears to be the model which FREDERICK WILLIAM has set up for imi tation ; or, possibly, he is governed by the PICK WICKIAN maxim, which suggests the propriety of " shouting with the strongest party." But, as we have already stated, France and England are not so far fallen as to be obliged to purchase neu trallty—for that is all that can be obtained under the "previous Treaty "—and from him I! I To purchase them, too, at a price which, while it gratifies his vanity, increases his power for good or evil. The concession of advantages in the North Sea and the Baltic went to obtain the recognition of the recent purchase of " Jande," and of some other similar bargain as yot involved in the mystery of the Baltic ; to assent to the crea tion of ports, where Russian Fleets may refit and remain under the shelter cf a neutral flag, to come forth at any moment and injure the com merce of their chief opponent—where they may escape the blockade of Admiral Frost, that could not be evaded at Cronstadt, Revel, or ifelsingfors ! No, these are matters that could not be surrendered on any terms, much less as the cost of a treaty binding Prussia to nothing—merely giving her the privilege of deliberating in common with those who have taken a more manly and decided part, and equalising the votes in the Congress. This can not be. W. have been sufficiently hoodwinked by Austria. No• British representative could suffer himself to be still more closely blindfolded by Prussia, to be held up as " tons-fool" to all nations. On Saturday the Foreign Enlistment Bill passed through Committee, the number of troops to be engaged being liwited to ton thousand, in place of fifteen thousand as at first specified. Two great concessions have thux been made, which clearly show the Ministerial recognition of the grave mis take into which they have bee n se d uce i . In the fiat legionnot placetilere is an nexpress stipulati on th a t t h e obnoxious to be employed, but solely embodied, here—that Government might afterwards obtain their services in the Crimea, Bcssra be q ßessarabia, or iany es other ; an which hhe theymay number possibly is t o b e reduced, as w e have already s t ated, to two-thirds re ur d place sec i o n lid r , of that originally contemplated. . These matters, however, while they show that the objections fairly and justly put forward against the measure are entitled to due weight cannot reconcile us to its provisi ons. As to the reduction b t than ten n thousand, tbe e z e u 3 e i t ofl scarcely more ad missible Mr. Mid s hi pman EASY'S nurse, who urged that the prenuptial child was " a very little one." If the necessity be really uie so great constitutional principleindispens a bl e , th e more powerful the effort the b etter. If we accept the aid of ten th ousand, why asto r not seek that of twenty, thirty, or even forty thousand. The moment the pri nc i p l e be ad mitted there should be no restricti on save that which the chosen represe3 itatives of the people, in their capacity of guardis.ns of the . p u b l i c purse, may think proper to interpose. If G erman aid is to be invited, why limit the am ount further ed er a suspens i on of than the funds that must be voted for payment. As Lord ELLENB . OROUGH justly remarked—cc the bill in its present form &named to be a limitation rather than an extension. of the Royal preroga tive." But if the troops are n Ot to be , g emp i oyer in ,his country w e canno t p :rcei re th e s li ghtest we of their presence here. It cannot be considered that the classes indicateelL—Swiss or German— could make Engl an d their route to the seat of war. If they xequire training, we might get English, Scotch, or Irish as apt to acquire the preliminary lessortg, and with a moderate amount of drilling to pr ova themselves to be as steady under fire, or i n opposing the onslaught of the enemy, or as prompt to c h arge, as any Germting wh a t & 'ever ; if, on the contrary, w e are to obtain ) iron already trained and exer cised—why she aj way byd they be brought out of th e i r coming to England," or to have the aid that is so urgent/ y required thus delayed ? We confess that we ( !annot see our way ; the matter must fall. One objection cr the other must be tossed on either l torn of the dilemma. We admit the t there are circumstances under which we would gladly accept foreign aid, inas much as we bell ve that by doing so a great moral influence would be established that would lead to the speedy an' satisfactory termi na ti on o f t h e - '7l war. If a Po tsh, Hungarian, aye, or an Italian l eg i on - 1 1 'ore established, th e men b e i ng selected from t , - ma who had been compelled to seek refuge i n England front oppression and persecution—if those who had a direct personal interest iu joi fl i ng our standard were told that they wet.ad not merely b e a ll owe d t o offer thernsave as c h a mpi ons i n th e sacred cause fur 'whi c h th e/ ' were willing to shed their hearts'- blood, butt' at tt they would obtain the means of ful filling their most earnest aspirations, then indeed. the matter 3 nay be worthy of mature consideration. We would L liv e a pledge to the Liberals of Europe, ' much required under the circumstances of our peculiar relations with Austria and Prussia ; and the men would be on the spot, the farce of bringing them here, in the first instance, in order to be sent " back • again," being avoided. It is only from the language of Minis ters that we can infer that such a plan is not in contemplation ; the wozds of the Act would admit of the interpretation. It is obvious that there can be no necessity for reckless haste in the matter. If the men are to be brought to England to be exercised and trained they cannot be available during the present crisis in the Crimea. Let time, then, be given, until tke regular meeting of Parliament, so that the matter may be fully canvassed, and the public feeling ascertained on a question which has already been regarded with distrust by journalists of all classes of political opinion. If Ministers consent to the postponement of the bill, well. If not—if they force it to a decision, it must be rejected at any cost or under any circumstances. SPORTING NOTES. STEEPLECIJASES AT WALTHAAI ABBEY. Mr. Littler is a bold man. Undiscouraged by the present scarcity of steeplechase horses and the diminished popularity of "cross country" sport, he is about to-re peat on a much larger scale at Waltham the experiment which he made with only partial success at Harrow. Two days' sport is announced to take place on Wednes day and Thursday, and the programme really promises well. Whether the expectations which are hell out will be realised, however, yet remains to be seen. Much care has been bestowed upon the selection of the line of country, which is, I am informed, well adapted for steeplechase purposes. It is in close proximity to that used on the last occasion. The " Grand Steed" will be erected in a position front which an uninterrupted view of every fence will be commanded. The different " events" have yet been scarcely talked about. I shall not attempt to indicate the intended animals until I receive some hint of the secrets worth 3121.10YLEBONB BLECTION-(I'HIS DAY). The nomination of candidates for the election of a member to serve in the present Parliament, in the room of the lamented Lord Dudley Stuart, deceased, took place this morning, in Park-cre , cent, Upper Portland place. The morning was exceedingly unpropitious for the occasion, the rain pouring down in torrents, and although the hustings were very much crowded with electors, there were but few of the " free and independ ents" outside. All the notabilities of the borough were present on the hustings, and had it not been for the cosrtesy and attention of Mr. Tamplin, the returning officer, it is doubtful whether the members of the press would have found seats or accommodation. That gent!eman, however, with his customary foresight, made ample provision for securing the convenience of the reporters, and our thanks, which we most heartily tender, are due to him for his polite consideration. The proceedings of the nomination commenced at 11 o'clock, when upon a rough calculation we should say there were between 200 and 300 persons present, including those on the hustings. The necessary formalities were rapidly gone through, and then the real business of the nomi nation was entered upon. The candidates, Lord Ebring ton and . Mr. Jacob Bell, attended by their friends and supporters, occupied either end of the hustings. The for mer took up the right and the latter the left hand side; but whit the exception of a few "animated sandwiches" carrying the placards exhorting the electors to poll early to-morrow for Jacob Bell there were none of the ordi nary indications of a contested election. The RETURNING OFFICER opened the proceedings of the day by reminding the electors of the melancholy event which required them to return another member to Parliament, and in doing so he took the opportunity of paying a feeling tribute of respect to the memory of their late representative. Mr. BRITINGIIAM proposed Mr. Jacob Bell as a fit and proper person to represent the electors of Marylebone in the Commons House of Parliament, and gave a brief history of his political career. The two can didates of the day represented the two principles of aristocracy and democracy. Mr. Bell was the representative of democracy ; and the Russian war as well as most of the evils which the coun try was suffering from were attributable to the corruption of the aristocracy. The electorsof Maryleb3ne ought not to hesitate in electing Mr. Bell in preference to Lord Ebrington. (Hear, hear.) But there was another rea son why they should prefer Mr. Bell to Lord Ebrington, because the noble lord had stigmatised the Marylebone vestry as a coterie of low vulgar fellows, whereas the fact was that body numbered amongst them some of the best spirits of the borough, while it was only through the vestry that the borough could make its voice heard upon the momentous questions of the day. (Cheers.) The proposer of Mr. Bell being a publican in the borough was of course subjected to many interruptions, and a fire of cries, intelligible, no doubt, to the electors, but which could be little understood by the general reader. For instance, he was called upon to say what he knew "about the Anglo-Saxons," or bow he could venture to propose a man to represent Marylebone when he must be more familiar with " Drawing a glass of heavy" than the affairs of the nation. Dr. DILLON seconded Mr. Bell's nomination, but, although he appeared very warm in support of hi:: can didate, the uproar was so great that we could not hear a word he said. sTLEY'S ROYAL A MPIIITHEAT Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. The Wonderful PE RFORMILG ELEPHANT:3 for this week only THIS EVENING, THE BATTLE of THE ALMA! After which, the varied SCENES In the CIRCLE, Also, tha Wonderful PERFORMING ELEPHANTS, whose asto nishing sagacity and indesc. ibable deve!opetnent of the reasoning f.sculty have beea the theme of universal admiration, To conclude with the MARRIED BACHELOR. N.II —A MORNING PERFORMANCE consisting of the New Comic Pantomime and scenes in the Arena, will take place on TUESDAY.26.h (Boxing Day) at Two o'clock. Box-of!lce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Acting Manager, Mr. W. 11. Cooke. •Equestrian Director, Mr. Wm. Cooke, jun. 111.111 WATER AT LONDON BRIDOK. fma DAY —Morning 43 inin.aftel 10 Evening 12 mia.sft. 11 To- '!okeow Morning 40 a:lll2o4er 11 j Evening 0 min.at. 0 WEATHER.—Strx OFFICS, Dec. 17. TRZIIIMONNTIEN, IN TUX SHAMS. 48 - highest since noon yesterday. 33 owest this morning and during the night. 44—this day, at noon. BARI:WITTE, '30 . 02. Wimn, W.N.W.—Smart breeze, and fine cold weather. Afternoon—cloudy, with heavy scud rolling—rather fresh and looking stormy. DECEMBER 18. 46 —highest since noon yesterday. 46 —lowest this morning and during the night. 42 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'08—a sudden fall of nearly an inch in six hours. It blew a heavy gale last night, with rain and stormy weather from the westward. Wind changed to N. N.W.; fresh, with a change in the weather to sunshine. Heavy fog in the morning, with squalls of rain. lIALF-Past Two.—lt blows a strong gale from the North with the mercury down to 40, and a sharp indica tion of frost. The barometer hits zisen to 29.27—very changeable weather. Crt , L 51113/ LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1854. It is positively announced that at a Cabinet Ciuncil held at Berlin, on Thursday last, it was (kcided that Prussia shoull join in the new Treaty between Austria and the Western Powers, and in which her co-operation was specially invited, "stipulating for the concession of certain advantages in the North Sea and the Baltic." And are France and England so far fallen as to listen to such insolent propositions ? We use the term "inso lent" advisedly and deliberately. It might have been even stronger to express anything like the real extent of the presumptuous audacity that knowing. A very pretty quarrel seems to hays grown out of the recent meeting at Harrow. The owner of the Hero has written to the newspapers a statement of certain over charges whibh were made in his winning account. The case deserves attention, for it is not so paltry as it ap pears. It affords, in fact, only a feeble illustration of the foul system on which clerks of courses generally conduct their business. They let slip no opportunity of mulcting owners of horses, sometimes to an extent little dreamed of by the public. The attention of speculators is almost equally divided between Sebastopol and The Derby. The betting rela tive to the former is occasionally somewhat brisk, but it is influenced by every rumour and canard. Speculation on the Derby is, however, somewhat steadier. The mystery relative to Graaeulus Esuriens deepens, albeit he is likely to maintain his position till the spring., A slight reaction has taken place in favour of his stable companion, De Clare. The only meeting which took place last week was at Aylesbury, and that was merely promoted to afford some Oxonians a little excitement, and to gratify their equestrian ambition. So "snug" was the affair kept, that few metropolitan turfites knew of the gathering until they saw the return of the sport in the weekly papers. A. FRESH MAN. Mr. COLLIER, M.P. for Plymouth, proposed Lord Ebrington, and, in doing so, he made a speech appealing rather to the judgment than the passions of his audience. He agreed with the high eulogiurn which the proposer of Mr. Bell had passed upon Lord Dudley Stuart, but he was surprised to hear them say the electors of Maryle bone would stultify themselves if they again returned a lord. These attacks upon the aristocracy were peculiarly out of place at this moment, when so many of that body were spilling their blood in defence of the rights of their country and the liberties of Europe. (Cheers.) Mr. Collier then went over the past political career of Lord Eb rington, contending that he had always been the friend of the poor and the supporter of liberal principles. He then read a letter from Mr. Hume, giving in his adhesion to Lord Ebrington, which elicited a hearty cheer, and concluded by recommending the electors to return his candidate in preference to Mr. Ball, who was a Quaker and a member of the Peace Society, and would never support measures for carrying on the war with vigour. (Cheers.) Professor KEY, of the University College, seconded the noble lord's nomination, believing him to be an honest and thorough-going Liberal. (Cheers.) A week ago he had hoped to have had the opportunity of pro posing Admiral Sir Charles Napier for their suffrages, but circumstances bad occurred to present that; and now, in the absence of the gallant admiral, he preferred Lord Ebrington in preference to Mr. Bell, who, within a few months, had openly arid publicly protested against the war. (Cheers.) Besides, Mr. Bell was a convicted briber, and his presence on the hustings was an inselt to the borough. (Oh ! oh !) There being no other caudidete to propose, Mr. BELL presented himself in front of the hustings to address the electors, and, after some manifestations of disapprobation on the other sido, he obtained a hearing. He found fault with that part of the constitution which allowed titled members of the aristocracy who were amply represented in the House of Lords to hold seats in the House of Commons, and lie hoped the result of this election would not satiefv the Legislature that in that respect the electors of Marylebone agreed with him. The consequence of this aristocratic element ire the Commons was mainly the cause of the evils which afflict the country in the shape of partial taxation and sinecure abuses, whereas, if the electors were true to themselves, and se lected commoners for their representatives, they would hear less of such abuses, if they were not eventually wholly abolished. He complained of having been unjustly attacked on account of his religious persuasion, while his opponents were so much at a loss for argument that they were compelled to assail his past career to obtain support for their noble candidate. (Hear, hear.) He admitted that, in the first instance, he was opposed to the war, but it being once begun ho could not possibly have any other desire than that it should be carried on with such vigour as to insure a speedy and honour able peace. (Loud cheers.) With regard to the charges of bribery which had been made against him in connection with other elections, he said he was betrayed into it by one of his agents ; but, although he had unwittingly done wrong once, he would take good care never to fall into the same trap again. (Hear.) The honourable candidate then entered into an explana tion of his political views and opinions, which must The Lord Mayor and a deputation, including Sir already be tolerably familiar to the public, and perhaps James Duke, M.P., and Mr. Masterman, M.P., had an therefore it is no great loss that the noise which pre interview with Lord John Russell on Saturday. veiled prevented our hearing what h e said. He ac The Postmaster-General had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Saturday, at his official cused his opponent of being the advocate of centrali residence in Downing-street. cation, having only recently adopted the principle of Despatches from her Majesty's Ambassador at Con- local self-government, for the purposes of this election, stantinople were received yesterday afternoon at the but he was sure the electors of Marylebone were too Foreign-office. Despatches wer e a l so rece i ve d f rom Lard Raglan in the Crimea, for h er M a j es t y ' s S ecretary far-seeing to b e cap ti vate d b y such sudden convex.- of State for War. sions. (Hear.) He had never had any of the loaves CABINET COUNCIL.—A Cabinet Council was held on and fishes of the Government, nor had he any Saturday afterthenoon, at the Foerreign-office Lor . The Ministers desire for th em , an d h e promised the electors that if they present were Earl of Abdeen, d John gassers desire him he should ever remain free and ludo en the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of A rg yll, Vi scount Palmerston, the Earl of Clarendo n , Si r G eorge Grey, dent, acting a ccor d ing to the dictates of his own con the Duke of Newcastle, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, science, and the wants and liberties of the people. Sir James Graham, Sir Charles Wood, Earl Granville, L or d E BRINOTON next presented himself to the elec the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, an d Sir William tors, and was rece i ve d w i th loud cheers from his friends, Molesw o rth. The Council s a t-t wo h ours an d a h a lf . but when he commence d explaining his political creed The Earl of Aberdeen gave an andie nce on S a t ur d ay to several members of the Cabinet, at his official resi- the uproar on the other side became so great that it was dance in Downing-street. The no bl e P rem i er w ill rema i n quite imp oss ibl e to catch a word. The noble lord said in town during the greater part of the holidays, the ho was not surprised at this, because the opposi urgency of public affairs demanding his presence. The Earl of Clarendon was det a i ne d a t th e Foreign had no thi ng to say for themselves, and they were gn- determined office until a late hour on Satu r d a y even i ng, an d left no one else should be heard. The town by thellast train the same evening for the Grove, near noble lord having stopped to condole with the elec- Watford, Herts. The noble earl returns to town this tors on the loss they had sustained in the death of Lord morning. Dudley Stuart, went on to state what his notions were The Lord President of the Council, accompanied by of a liberal candidate. It was better, he thought, to Lady John Russell and family, intend to pass the Christmas holidays with the Duke and Duchess of Bed- look to antecedents rather than professions—to deeds, f at Woburn Abbey, Beds, where a large and dis- not words ; and, pointing to his past political career, he tinguished circle will asse m bl e , as k e d t h e electors to decide between him and his oppo. The Marquis of Lansdowne leaves Lansdowne House neut. Fer a Quaker to advocate a vigorous prosecu on Thursday or Friday next, for Bowood Park, Wilts. tion of the war seemed almost a contradiction, and he The Earl and Countess of Shelburne and a select party will pass the holidays with the noble marquis. thought Mr. Bell's declaration in that respect should Viscount Palmerston returns to Cerltoregardens this convince the electors that his other professions were not forenoon, from a v i s it t o th e Q ueen , a t Windsor Castle. to be trusted. (Hear, hear.) He did not present him- It is the intention o f th e no bl e v i sco u n t to spend the self to the electors as a political caineleon was a holidays at Broadlands, near Rornsey. liberal in its true sense, and thiessehinent,fhacavocoluuslrdhont snaoytt.bliye The Duke of Newcastle intends to stay in town dur words but by deeds. He was an advocate for purity of ing the holidays, so that the department of state over ra in id ad i e le s : a a cr t ifi p e r e e of that prin which he presides may not suffer any delay from his grace's absence from the metropolis. The greatest ac- election,cie • 1 ea was land the f l tivity still prevails at the Minister of War's, and great came, and i_ electors were wise they would select P• career than pre exertions are I - 0(11th ed from all the staff; high and low, their r epresentative rather by ] r i g of that department. sent professions. (Cheers.) lie had been accused of being a Tory in disguise, but would the veteran Liberal The Marquis of Breadalbane, Lord Chamberlain, left Park-lane on Saturday, on a visit to the Queen, at H ee Windsor C rstle, until t o -d ay. Joseph ume support him if that were so. (No, no.) In the list of the killed and wounded i n the Crimea, He was not ashamed of his past career ;ho had always published by us on Friday, the name of Captain Badde- been a Liberal, while with reseinl to the war he not only approved of it but ' he as a suppOrter ley, Royal Artillery, who was severely wounded at In ,- of its policy. (Hear, hear, and chee 'c' r ' s.) The tyrant kerman, was omitted. THE WRECK OF THE CHARLOTTE.—C3ptain Affle-k, late of the Charlotte, from London and Cork for Cal- j of Russia must be checked in his aggressive movements, again cotta, with tr oops , wrecked in Algoa Bay i n September t _ ea the liberties of the world demanded it, and if he were last (as previously reported insent to of tlie should support the vigorous last Tire San), landed a last Friday morning from the ship Shepherdess, reports three ofp r osecution c the War, in spite of the fact that so his son, chief officer, steward, and butcher, and his nearest and dearest' the ship's company saved ; 113 souls lost ; saved. 5 of-j . relatives were actively engaged cers, 102 men, and five women, of the 27th Regiment, in the struggle, while others had already become its , December 18. RETURN OF SIR CHARLES NAPIER. PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY NIGHT. This evening, about nine o'cleck, her Majesty's steamer Duke of Wellington, with Sir Charles Napier on board, anchored at Spithead. The Adalral will probably land in time for the first express train in the morning. He left the rest of his fleet off the Scar .n the 12th with the following orders : The Royal George, 120, Captain Codrington, to pro coed to Sheernexm. The Nile, 91, Captain Mundy, to proceed to Plymouth. Hogue, 60, Captain Ramsay, and the Blenheim, 60, Captain the Hon. F. T. Pelham, to proceed to Spithead. The Bulldog, 6, Captain W. K. Hall, has sailed for the Tyne. The Rosamond steam-sloop has sailed for Cromarty. The Driver steam-sloop has gone to Harwich. The Edinburgh, 60, Rear-Admiral Chads, the Eurya lus, LO, Captain Ramsay, and the Vulture, 0, Captain Glasse, were left at Kiel. The ImptSrieuse, 50, Captain Watson, and the rest of the flying squadron, were coining home under the flag of Rear-Admiral Chads. Sir Charles Napier is in good health, R. AIL WA Y INT ELL IGENCE. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN AND GREAT WESTERN. SETTLEMENT OF DIFFERENCES. We believe we are correct us stating that the authori ties of these two .great railwa,y companies have com pleted an arrangement by which all competition between them has been terminated. They are to carry at equal rates to and from all points to which they ru❑ in common. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, DEC. 16. There was no addition to the Royal dinner party yes. terday, • _ _ _ • The Queen, accompanied by Prince Alfred, walked in the grounds adjoining the Castle this morning. His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out shooting. The following arriYed this afternoon—the Marquis of Breadalbane, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, and Major-General Barnard. The dinner party this day included her Royal High. ness the Duchess of Kent, his Serene Highness Prince Victor of Hohenlohe, the Marquis of Breadalbane, the Dowager Marchiones of Downshire, Lady Mary Hood, Lady Fanny Howard, Baronness de Speth, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Major-General Barnard, and Captain G. K. Seymour, R.N. The band of the Royal Horse Guards played during dinner, and her Majesty's private band afterwards. DEC. 17. The Queen and Prince, the four elder Royal children, and Prince Victor of liohenlohe, the ',adies and gentle men of the Court, and the domestic household, attended Divine Service this morning in the private chapel of the Castle. The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor offi ciated. The Marquis of Lansdowne was invited to Windsor Castle yesterday, but was prevented by indisposition from obeying her Majesty's commands. re - victims--(cheers)—and was It to be said that he was not fit to be a representative of the people because he was a lord ? Why, all hi life he had been advocating the rights of the people, he wished them to be indepen d nt ; and entertaining that opinion he was " for a fair days wage for a fair days' work ;" he was the advocate of independence, not charity amongst the poor ; and if he was elected, his best exertions should again be devoted to furthering the rights of the many in preference to the interests of the few. (Cheers.) The show of hands was then taken, and declared to be in favour of Mr. Bell. A poll was, of course, demanded, and fixed for eight o'clock to-morrow. On the motion of Mr. BELL, seconded by Lord EBRINGTON, thanks were ♦oted to the returning officer and the proceedings of the day terminated. CRIMINAL COURT.-(THIS DAY.) The December session of he above Court was opened to-day by the Right Hun. the Lord Mayor, the Right 11,n. the Recorder, Aldermen Hunter, Sir R. W. Car den, and Kennedy, the Sheriffs, Under-sheriffs, and the usual city authorities. The first edition of the calendar contains the names of 56 prisoners, this small number being attributable to the short period that has elapsed since the last session. The Recorder addressed a very few observations to the grand jury, and they then retired to their room. Ann Maria ill'Guiness, 39, widow, was charged with having obtained money by means of false and fraudulent pretences. The jury found her guilty, and the Recorder sentenced her to fuur months' imprisonment in the jail of Newgato. LA TV INTELLIGENCE.-(TBIS DAY.) COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. (Before Lord Chief Justice Campbell and a Special Jury.) CHALLIS V. THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by Mr. Alderman Challis, late Lord Mayor of London, against the Great Northern Railway Company, to obtain compensation for personal 'njuries and pecuniary losses sustained by the plaintiff through an accident while travelling on the company's line. The Attorney-General and Mr. Hawkins appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. Watson and Mr. Wordsworth for the defendants. The defendants had paid 301. into court by way of compensation. Sir Charles Trevelyan, assistant secretary to the Trea sury, was examined by the Attorney-General, and stated that in the latter end of August last he left London by the five o'clock p.m. express train of the Great Northern Railway Co. - npany. In the same carriage with witness were the plaintiff and Sir James Duke. When the train reached Hornsey there was a collision with a coal train, the express train at the time going at full express speed. When witness recovered from the shock he saw Alderman Challis, the plaintiff, who sat oppo site to him, had got a deep cut across his nose, and was otherwise very much injured, a consider• able quantity of blood being on the floor of the carriage, arid on some newspapers that they had been readini Witness assisted Alderman Challis out of the carriage to a tavern close by. Alderman Challis was next examined by the Attorney- General, and said ono or two medical men attended him at the tavern alluded to, and attempted to stop the bleed ing from his face ; ho s•iffered very much, and remained at the tavern for two or three hours. He even now con tinued to feel great inconvenience, and could not suffer any excitement, and was obliged up to the present time to abstain from attending to his private business. Shortly after the accident a gentleman in the service of the rail way company called upon him, and in the course of con versation, having asked him what expense he had been put to, and being told by him (plaintiff) that the mere travelling expenses were 231., the gentleman said he would make that right, and soon after the company sent him a cheque for 141. He (plaintiff) had given his servant 231. to pay the expenses of the journey to Sheffield and back. Plaintiff was at that time Lord Mayor of London, and having been invited to the Cut ler's Feast at Sheffield, he was going down there, with his state carriage, horses, and servants. He had paid, besides, 101. or 151. fir medical attendance. He bad an entire suit of clothes spoiled by the accident, and lost his hat. Altogether he was 451. or 501. out of pocket by the accident. Cross-examined by Mr. Watson —Dr. Child attended him about seven or eight days after the accident. He (plaintiff) attended to his magisterial duties for a few days after the accident, hut he was obliged to desist from doirvf so ; he resumed those duties in about three weeks afterwards. Dr. Miller, of Enf►eld, the plaintiff's usual medical attendant, and Dr. Jefferson, who had been called in the day after the accident, described the effect of the accident on plaintiff to be a very serious shock to hie systein, and an injury to his health generally, ever since it occurred. Mr. Watson having addressed the jury on behalf of the defendants, pleading the inevitable risks men must make up their minds to encounter while travelling by express trains at a velocity of 50 miles an hour. Lord Campbell briefly sum►wed up the case. He said the learned gentleman who had conducted the case for the defendants, admitted the plaintiff had incurred a loss of 451. by the accident ; but surely the jury would not —in point of law they ought not—confine the damages to the mere pecuniary loss ; they should consider the anguish endured by the plaintiff and the shock sus tained by his constitution, which if they were satisfied with the evidence, entitled him to a reasonable compensation at their hands, though they should take care at the same time that it should not be excessive. The jury, after a few minutes' consideration, found a verdict for the plaintiff; damages 2001. (including the 301. paid into court by the defendants.) COURT OF CHANCERY. COOPS V. ARNOLD. The Lord Chancellor was occupied the whole of the day with hearing the further arguments in this part heard appeal. Mr. Wigram. Q.C., was addrdssing the Court when our repurter left. VICE-CHANCERY. (Before Vice Chancellor Sir R. Kin dersley.) GILLINGHAM V. BAKER. This part heard case was resumed this morning, and had not concluded at two o'olock. The arguments do not call for a report, as they are only interesting to the parties immediately concerned. DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN. A telegraphic despatch from Albany, under date Dec. 3, contains the following : "7/se Lake Superior Mining News of the 27th ult. says :—' We learn by private letters that the bodies of Sir John Franklin and his men have been found by Dr. Kane's party, completely frozen, and in a perfect state of preservation.' It adds—' From the authority whence we have gained the information, we have the right to believe it as perfectly true.'" DEMI OF M. LEON FAUCIZERT M. Leon Faucher died at Marseilles on Friday morning. Madame Leon Faucher and ber brother, the A C T ou L nt . FWauoclobew: before wereki, being with him known in a hissa statesman last p an ran e c n a i i it s ie f n r t j om oluBr3n s al t is o t. lB4 ll s. e Thatu j c o t u e r d n a t l h w e a sCoaul always f)rward to advocate liberal opinions. It was one of the principal organs of the press that supported M. Thiers, but when, in 1840, that minister nearly involved France in a war with England, and sent a bullying diplomatic note to the French ambassadors in foreign courts, stat ing that France would never allow the Paella of Egypt to be deposed, M. Leon Fau.cher, disgusted with the gasconading misrepresentation of the object of the four powers, wrote a mot which became celebrated :—"M 'riders, vous enfoncez une ports ouverte." His career as Minister of the Interior under'Louis Napoleon, Pre sident of the Republic, is well known. The independ ence of his character was displayed in a letter written shortly after the coup d'etat, and which made a great sensation at the time, in w hich lie indignantly rejected the offer of a seat in the Senate. Ever since December 2, 1851, ho has lived in retirement, writing occasi on a eu y articles on politic a l econom y i n tiro Revue des d x ~lloades. He was scarcely 55 years of age. • The specie arrivals of the week have amounted to about 500,0001, of which the whole is gold, with the ex ception of 73,0001. Tha United States Mail steam-ship Atlantic, Captain James West, sailed ft-ern the Mersey on Saturday fore noon, about half-past eight o'clock. She had not pro cetded far when she split her rudder head, and the cap tain deemed it prudent, ,under the circumstances, to re turn to putt to repair damages. It was believed she would be ready for sea yesterday forenoon. CLTSTOAIS AND Egclss•—On Friday, the Government account was printed, showing that in the year ended the 10th October last the net revenue from the customs in creased to 20,193,614/. 18s, 9d., and from the excise, 15,526,892/. is. 4d. r.