The Sun. — London, England, 1863-02-23 00:00:00

IV S. LINDSAY, Al.P.—The Rising Genera • tion—Our Prize Essays—Mrs. Grundy's Gossiping, die., in FUN this week. One Penny. Of all ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. under the Management of Mies Louisa Fyne and Mr. W. Harrison. Solo Lessees. TIIIS EVENING, Feb. 23, BaLte's New Opera of Mrs. 'HI A. E ARMOURER OF NANTES : Miss Louisa Fyne, Cooke, and Miss Anna Hiles ; Messrs. W. Harrison. Santley, . H Corri, C. Lyall, Aynsley Cooke, and W. Conductor —Mr. A. Mellon. After which, the Grand Comic Curiatmas Pantomime, en titled HARLEQUIN BEAUTY AN D'THE BEAST. ors open at half-past bmmence at 7. THE ATR E-R YA L, DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, BONNIE DUNDEE; or, The Gather ing of the Clans. Messrs. Henry Lorraine, Edmund Phelps, Sinclair, Chas. Selby, Henry Haigh; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Mrs. Edmund Falconer, &c. After which. the Grand Pantomime of LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES. Commence at 7. THEATRE-ROYAL, HAY MARKET. Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buckatone. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, will be performed OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenohard, Mr. Buck stone Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. After which, a new and original Extravaganza, entitled RASSELAS, PRINCE OF ABYSSINIA; or, The Happy Valley. Rasselas, Miss Louise Keeley. Concluding with MRS. WHITE. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. THIS EVENING, Feb. 23, 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 Rom THE antic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logue, entitled DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter, sun ported by Messrs. G. Vining , J. Brougham, H. NS iddi combe, W. El'lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson ; Misse s Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E. Lavenue, and Elsworthy. Mr. Phelps and Mr. W. Montgomery are engaged, and will shortly appear. foors open at half-past Six, performance to commence at r)even. Private Boxes, Z 2 12s. od., and £2 25. Places registered. Stalls, 65. 6d. ; Dress Circle, ss. 6d.; Upper Circle, 4s. 6d. Prices at doors—Stalls, 6s. ; Dress Circle, ss. ; Upper Circle, 4s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, is. No half-price. Box office open daily from 11 till 5. The public are entreated to penotice tat no harge is made to the uants of boxes places, or stalls. c either for playbills o oc r f c or p the safe keep- , ing of hats and cloaks : and that the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive any gratuities whatever Stage-Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lessee and Manager, Mr Lindus. THIS EVENING, an entirely new and original romantic drama, in four acts, by Lewis Filmore, Esq., entitled THE WINNING SUIT. Messrs. Marston, Vezin, Stephens, Fitz jai-ues, Lim ; Miss Amy Sedgwick, Miss Murray, and Mrs. H. Ma; stop. After which, the New Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, RIQZIF.T WITH THE TUFT ; or, harlequin and Mother Shipton." Mr. G. Belmore, Mr. C. Seyton, Misses Gra and y and udspeth, Mr. Milano, Mr. R. Power, Miss A. Collinson, Mr. Raiford. NEW THFATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, the new comedietta, entitled A GREY MARE. Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss Marie Wilton. After which, A VALENTINE : Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, Miss Kate Kelly, and Miss Seaman. To be followed by "GEORGE DE BARNWELL : or, Harlequin Folly in the Realms of Fancy." Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Seaman ; Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bed ford, SUphenson, C. J. Smith. Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri; columbine, Miss Caroline Adams ; Clown, Mr. W. Hildyard ; ntaloon, Mr. J. Paulo. The celebrated Arthur and .Lertrand. Commence at 7. The Weather.--Sun Office, Feb. 22, 1863. THERMOM ETER. Highest since Noon yesterday 45 Lowest during •the night ... 31 This day at Noon . Barometer-30.28. Wind—N.W. ; fresh and fine. Rain in the morning. FEB, 23. THERMOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday .. 44 Lowest during the night This day at Noon Barometer-30.29. Wind—N. -Westerly; light, with fine weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THIS DAs: Morning, sh. 30m.—Afternoon, sh. 46m. To-mortßow.-Morning, 6h. 4m.—Afternoon, 6h. 22m. THE WEDDING SUN. ON TUESDAY, 10T11 MARCIE, Will be published AN EXTRAORDINARY EDITION OF Zr e 5..un. SUPERBLY PRINTED IN COLOURS, With Illustrations by the First Artists. THE SUN OF THAT Day, Altogether unprecedented in Newspaper Printing, IVill form an appropriate MEMORIAL OF THE PRINCE'S MARRIAGE, Comprising within it MEMOIRS of the PRINCE and PRINCESS, IN DANISH AS WELL AS IN ENGLISH. WITH A Full Account of the Marriage Ceremony. Advertisements cannot be received after 10 P.m. on THURSDAY NEXT, the 26th inst. (Terms for Advertisements, One Shilling per Line.) Price of the Wedding Sun, 6d. Orders received by all Newsagents, and at THE SIIN Office, 112, Strand, W.C. .V 7* .4. '; tr 0,1 4 6. & 111 1 ofklf I;WP 114 '3 7 0 U dr • LONDON, MONDAY, FEB. 23, 1863. The prospects of Poland are brightening. The universal recognition of the extent and importance of the insurrection—the anxiety, whether dictated by sympathy or fear, with which all the Cabinets of Europe are watching its progress, testify to the general success of the insurgents, whatever their isolated losses. The moral support of England has not been wanting; the voice of her lead ing statesmen has given utterance to the feelings of the nation, while the press, with unhesitating unanimity, have throughout de.. nounced the conduct alike of Russian Emperor and Prussian King, and applauded the indomitable spirit of the brave and oppressed Pales. In France expressions of sympathy have not been wanting in the Chamber of Deputies or in the columns of the pres 3. The organ of Prince NAPOLEON professed to believed that the ambiguous phrase, in the EM PEROR'S reply to the address, referred to Poland, but no word or sign gave grounds for such hopes. Le Constitutionnel, on the contrary, frequently expressed its conviction that the insurrection was a mi stake, and that it would be better for the true interests of the Poles to counsel them to await patiently the reforms promised by Russia than to incite them to revolt. Now, however, affairs have taken a new turn. An article in the Constitutionn e / is significant of coming intervention, for which an ample excuse is afforded in the rash and unjust conduct of the Prus sian KING. " The Polish insurrection," says this article, "might at its outbreak have b een considered a matter of interior policy , but the intervention of Prussia has rendered it a n Euro p e an question." A false state of things has thus been produced between Russia and Prussia, which, it is declared may have grave consequences. Serious disquietude.is thus occasioned in Europe, and the conduct of Prussia is described as the more deserving of censure, as France has been doing violence to her earnest sym pathy for her ancient allies by refraining from the expression of her interest out of her respect for treaties. The strongest passage in the article in question, however, and one which no empty hopes or courteous phrases can neutralise, is the follow ing :—" It may be doubted whether, in the haste of Prussia to aid Russia, Europe may not see under the present arrangement of the map the old name of Poland, and instead of an insurrectisn of subjects against their Government see a reclaiming of nationality." If anything can startle the autocratic Czar and the " right divine" King into wisdom and clemency, we should think it would be these ominous words. We heartily hope that it may be too late ; that the Emperor NAPOLEON may indeed act with vigour and promp titude upon "an idea" which all liberal Europe shares with him, and which would give to his reign a splendour and a prominence which might be a worthy ambition. The warm feelings and bright swords of the French would be readily enlisted in such a cause—he would meet with none of the opposition felt even more than expressed in regard to the Mexican expedition. Why should he seek laurels in the New World when the Old offers a far worthier opportunity of signalising the prowess of people. His astute and far-sighted policy must readily apprehend the immense advantage to Europe generally, and to France in particiar, of the erection of a natural boundary against Russian ambition, and a counterbalance to the fatal " slope to the East," which so many successive statesmen have had cause to deplore. The Poles, by religion, by tradition, by kindred sentiments, ever the allies of France, would be slow to quarrel with their restorers, while, as a French journal of to-day observes, they would offer a protection against the encroachments of Germanism on the one hand, and fanatacism on the other. We do not anticipate seeing the crowns of France and Poland again worn on one head, as in the days of HENRY union even then found impossible ; but we see no reason why an independent and cordial alliance between the nations should not guarantee the separate existence of Poland, and protect France against those encroachments on her power which England can never desire to see suc cessful. For ourselves we cannot wish our country to be behind in the good work. " The conscience of generations," as Le Constitutionnel has it, has pro tested against that iniquitous partition which English statesmen stood by and witnessed. The heart of England has stirred at every fresh tale of Russian tyranny and oppression, at every new outrage offered to suffering patriotism. Were the struggle of KosciusKo against the tyrant to be repeated in these days, public opinion would scarcely suffer our statesmen to listen quietly to " Finis Poloniae," it would scarcely tolerate the application of the principle of non-intervention in sight of such heroic resistance on the one hand, such cruel tyranny on the other. If the Emperor of the FRENCH proposes to address a remonstrance to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg, let Lord RUSSELL take heed how he says that "the time has not come," for Parliament and people will assuredly demand an account. _ With regard to the other actor in this mournful and thrilling drama, the Prussian deputies have fulfilled our expectations. The animated debate in the Chambers on the 18th redeems them from all charges of supineness or indifference in a matter of such moment, and it terminated by a resolution declaring that the interests of Prussia required an absolute neutrality, a resolution which will no doubt be carried by a large majority. The speech of Herr VON BISMARK was no more than might have been expected from him, while the honest in dignation of the Prussian people found vent in the vehement language of Herr WALDECK, who de nounced the treaty as nothing better than an agree ment to supply so many policemen to a state which has been long propped up by the gaoler and the gendarme. "It has come to this," he indig nantly exclaimed, " that Prussian soldiers will be obliged to die in order that absolutism may be preserved in Russia." In con clusion, the speaker declared that if Herr von Bls- MARK persisted in his refusal to give up the terms of the treaty they would have to pass judgment on his unconstitutional conduct; while in wait ing it was necessary for them to condemn and to stigmatise, as contrary to the interests of their country, a treaty which he considered unprecedented in the history of the world. This language was not too strong if we remember the intelligence and freedom of Prussia, and her position as a constitutional monarchy possessing a free press, a free Parliament, and a free people. That the Deputies are not to be trifled with is proved by the resolution they have lately passed rendering the Minis ters personally responsible for their unconstitu tional expenditure last year. The position of the Prussian people is a painful one. Their Cabinet, as a French journal remarks, appears to be struck with deafness and blindness ; it refuses to hear the voice of indignant protestation addressed to it by other nations. But the Prussian people, says the journal referred to, hears and sees, and is indig nant at being attached to this right divine Govern ment as to a corpse ; it makes Europe hear its protestations, and applauds with enthusiasm the energetic opposition of the Chambers. The aspect of affairs is most critical, and it would be difficult for the wisest prophet to fortel the result. We cannot, however, help gathering hope for that unhappy nation for whom our sym pathies have always been warmly expressed, from the very malevolence of its enemies, as well as from the increased activity of its friends. The Europe of to-day will scarcely tolerate a renewal of the crimes of its forefathers, or if it again looks on and tamely witness the enslavement and sub jugation of Poland, let France no longer profess to advance the interests of civilisation—let England no longer declare her sympathies with justice and , freedom. It is much to be regretted that Lord RAYNIIAM'S excellent measure for the better protection of women and children should have been thrown out of the house. It was a remedy that would most pro bably have been efficacious, and, at all events, there was no valid argument adduced against its trial. The Attorney-General's speech was a complete failure in its endeavour to make the worse appear the better cause. His remarks as to the advan tage of magistrates having the power to inflict fines were quite absurd. No punishment is ever more insufficient than fines. They are only an incen tive to some persons to commit an offence since they console themselves by thinking that if dis covered no very great inconvenience will follow on detection and conviction. It is really lamentable that our legislators persist in ig noring the spread of crime, and throw all sorts of obstacles in the way of improvement until the dan ger becomes threatening, and, then, perforce, they proceed to summary arrangements, and make some stringent laws in a hurry which do not answer the purpo se , and irritate by their extreme of severity after the previous unwise leniency. Besides, they do not relieve the many who have suffered wrong and experiencedof u subjecting waiting for their advent. The proposal teot. ng corporalthe punishment o f would be a penalty re ferred to in thi s bill that would bring their crim es home to them at once, and they would dread this infliction ten times more than the mild discipline they experience within the prison walls. The idea of getting up sentimen talism abcut such characters is too ridiculous ; and why are the magistrates and their subordinates to be so tender to those who are brought before them THE SUN, LONDON, MOND-AY - EVENING. ttilltUAßY 23, 1863. charged w, humanity, and who - the cruel object of crushing that the laws of GOD and man alik check to protect ? Really there sever will be an., to crime while such extraordinary notions prevail in regard to criminals as abound nowadays, and exercise such a pernicious influence on men from whose sense and good feeling we should have ex pected better things. It would be well if the Attorney-General and those who followed him in op posing this measure had looked from the immediate object to the ultimate consequences, and have turned their attention from the prisons, where the offenders were to be treated with such leniency, to the homes where the injured wife and cruelly treated child were languishing. How encouraging for the con victed was it to know that Parliament will not in crease the punishment for their offences however aggravated they may be, how sad for the victim, to be told that care and consideration can only in fluence law-makers so far as they appertain to the treatment of evil doers. Nothing could have been more temperate than the means suggested by Lord RAYNHAM. After expressing his regret that his numerous efforts to amend the law had not as yet succeeded, he urged the desirability of giving to magistrates the power of inflicting cor poral punishment on persons convicted of aggravated assaults on women and children. In consideration of the many adverse opinions on this subject, how ever, both in the house, and out of doors, his lord ship only proposed that the extreme penalty should be inflicted on those who were convicted for the third time. Mr. BENTINCK, in supporting the measure, made a very sensible speech, and the smartness of his repartees must have been any thing but pleasant to the Attorney-General. He advised the hon. and learned member who ob jected so strongly to the reintroduction of any bill into the House to turn his attention to the members below the gangway, who were con stantly in the habit of bringing in the bills that had been rejected. The remarks of the hon, and learned member might be applied also to a new Reform Bill. Mr. BENTINCK considered that " there were people who could only be taught the enormity of their conduct, and the necessity of reforming by physical suffering." Although again unsuccessful in his laudable efforts, it must be a satisfaction to Lord RAYNHAM to have entered anew his protest against such unseemly violence on one hand, and such insufficient means of checking it on the other. Many other questions of more importance than this one, estimable as are its ends, have had to be fought for, again and again, until the good sense of the community at last has insured their success. So it will doubtless prove in this instance, but in the meantime great merit is due to Lord RAYNHAM for his praiseworthy per sistence in these endeavours to succour the feeble and oppressed. To help those who cannot help themselves, and to use every effort to rescue the tyrannised over and trampled upon is a worthy motive for exertion, and one with which Englishmen have ever been ready to sym pathise. It is the lasting honour and abiding merit of Lord SHAFTESBURY that he devoted so much time and labour for the protection of females and children, and his efforts, though slighted and op posed at first, were at last successful, and have proved of great benefit to those concerned. Lord RAYNHAM may be encouraged by his example to pro ceed in a like worthy course, and we trust that the day may not be far distant when the voice of reason shall prevail to make justice more efficient in put ting down cruelty, which is one of the most revolt ing crimes that can disgrace humanity, and for which those most prone to make excuses forcriminals can find no excuse, and urge no extenuating cir cumstances. FRANCE. It is stated that Mr. Charles Kean purposes shortly to visit Australia ; and at the approach of the cool season to extend his trip to India, where he proposes to give a series of Shaksperian readings. A French version of " Macbeth," by M. Jules Lacroix, has just been produced at the Odeon Theatre, in Paris. Its success is said to have been decided. "Romeo and Juliet," translated by Alexander Dumas, is also about to be brought out shortly at the Theatre Francais. THE ACTON MURDER.—At the Hammersmith Police-court, on Saturday, the two brothers, Joseph and Isaao Brooks, charged with the murder of a policeman at Acton, and Jane Lake, charged as an accessory after the fact, were finally examined before Mr. Dayman. The prisoners were committed for trial, and conveyed to New gate. TRIAL OF A NEW TRACTION ENGINE.--On Satur day afternoon•a number of eminent engineers and scientific men assembled at Rochester for the purpose of witnessing some experiments made with a new traction en gine, manufactured by the firm of Messrs. Aveling and Por ter, of Rochester, the patentees. The engine selected for the trial was one of several which are now being manufac tured for the Yudanamutana Copper and Mining Company, Australia. Shorly after one o'clock the engine started flout the factory at Strood with four heavy waggons attached, each laden with baulks of timber, the total weight of each waggon, with its freight, being close upon five tons. With this load the engine traversed the narrow streets of Strood, turning the sharp angle at the turnpike and ascending a long incline of about 1 in 12, for upwards of a mile, at a speed of five miles an hour. The engine was then turned towards a hill with a rise of 1 in B—the steepest of the kind in the neighbourhood—and, notwithstanding the exceed ingly soft, sloppy state of the road, ascended to the top with the train of waggons at the rate of about three miles an hour. After travelling some distance at speeds varying from three to six miles an hour, the engine and train de scended the long inclines, and again reached the turnpike roads, where two more heavily laden waggons were at tached, swelling the weight, with the engine, to upwards of 40 tons. Once more the engine was started, and, without the least apparent difficulty, it dragged its load over every variety of ground and through the streets, arriving at the factory at about five o'clock, after an absence of about three hours. The engine experimented upon was one of nominally 10 horse power, and was the first traction engine which ever ascended a gradient of the steepness of that passed over on Saturday with such a heavy weight. It is the intention of the company to send out 20 similar engines to Australia for the purpose of transporting the copper from their mines to the port, a distance of 120 miles, over an unbeaten tract of land. The cost of carriage is now £lO per ton, but by the use of these engines it will be reduced to £2 per ton. The trials on Saturday were considered very satisfactory by those pre sent, several of the most eminent engineers, pronouncing the new traction engine in every respect the best yet con structed. TICKETS OF LEAVE.—A Parliamentary paper just issued upon this subject gives the number of prisoners released on tickets of leave in Great Britain dur ing the last three years, and the number of " licence holders" subsequently re-convicted. In 1860 the number of convicts released on licence was 1,047, and 109 licence holders were re-convicted, of whom 32 had been released during the year. In 186 i there were 2,069 convicts re leased on licence, and 183 re-convicted, of which number 141 were released in 1860 and 1861. In 1862 2,297 con victs were released on license ; 285 were re-convicted, and of that number 253 were released during the years 1860, 1861, and 1862. The return gives also the number of pri soners released on ticket of leave in Ireland during the three years ending June 30, 1862, to have been—males, 505; and females, 219 ; total, 724. The number re •con victed during that period was 51 males and 20 females, giving a total of 71._ - ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL. --The adjourned meet ing of the governors of Bethlehem Hospital, held on Fri day, the 20th inst., Alderman Copeland in the chair, it was r esolved after a very warm discussion That the propo sition for purchasing Bethlehem Hospital by St. Thomas's Hospital should be entertained." It is stated that the Government have agreed to bring in a bill to legalise a holiday for Saturday, the 7th of March, the day for the arrival of the Princess Alexandra. There appear at present in Paris no less than 576 journals and periodicals; among them 50 Moniteurs. There is a lifoniteur de la Coiffure, a lioniteur de la Cot donderte, &c. There is also a Joural des Commtssatres de Police, and a Journal de la Gendarmerie. THE FRENCH RHADAMANTELITS.—My great grandmother, said an old royalist, my grandmother, and my great aunt were guillotined on the same day. My great grandmother was 90 years old. When interrogated she begged them to speak louder, as she was deaf. "Ecrivez," T said . Fouquier Tinville, "quo la citoyenne 1\ °allies a conslar6 sourdement contro la R epublique." LLIGENCE '+h outraging the better feelings of LATEST INTE h a ve exerted their str en g th for • the weak and helpiesa [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] nail upon them • MEDITERRANEAN and BOMBAY MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, FEB. 23, The Peninshlar and Oriental Company's steamer Delta, Captain Cook, with the heavy portion of the above mails, has arrived. She has 31 passengers) amongst whom are Lieut.-Col. M'Caskill, Major Sandwith, Major Robinson, from Bombay; and Colonel Somerset, from Gibraltar. The Delta has on freight three packages specie, value £386; also 492 bales silk, 21 boxes valuables, 40 cases Indian shawls, 228 eases oranges, 10 casks wine, 560 boxes dates, 32 packages sundries, and 1,400 bales damaged silk saved from the wrecked steamer Colombo. The Delta experienced to Malta fine weather thence to Gibraltar strong easterly winds and high seas. At the latter port she was detained 12 hours, in consequence of a heavy gale. Thence to South ampton light breezes and fine. His Imperial Majesty's transport Perdrix was still at Alexandria. Her Majesty's ship Marl borough and Alacrity, and the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Ceylon were at Malta; and at Gibraltar, the Redpole, Virago, Procris, and transport Supply. The Ellora, with the outward mails of the 12th, arrived at Gibraltar on the even ing of the 16th, and sailed for the eastward on the 17th inst. The Spanish journals contain accounts of the African settlement of Melilla. The disputes be tween the frontier Moors and the garrison had entirely ceased. The Moorish work called the " Lena," which had formerly been a source of serious annoyance, had been destroyed under the direction of the Spanish engineers, and many of the Moors had been taken into Spanish pay and employed in the new Spanish fortifications. The American steamship Chippewa arrived at Cadiz on the 12th inst. The members of the Caipe Hunt, at Gibraltar, gave a farewell dinner to Col. j'aulett Somerset on the 13th inst. Amongst the company present were his Excellency the Governor and Major-Gen. Sir Robert Walpole, K.C.B. The British steamer Thessalia, eight days from Liverpool, the steamer Thames, nine days 'from Middlesboro', the steamer Dom Pedro, 16 days from Glasgow, her Majesty's storeship Supply, seven days from Plymouth, the brig Robertson, 35 days from Newcastle, the steamer Christina, seven days from Liverpool, steamer Neptune, 11 days from Middlesboro', the steamer Alabama, seven db.ys from Liverpool, had severally arrived out at Gibraltar since last advices. Gibraltar exchanges were quoted :—On London, 90 days' date, 50s 8d; Paris, 5f 31c; Brussels, 5f 31c; Marseilles, 5f 30c; Genoa, 5f 31c; Madrid, 8 days' sight, / prem. ; Cadiz, die.; Seville, / dig.; Malaga, par; Barcelona, 4 prem. ; Almeira, par.; Valencia, 1 prem. ; Alicante, dis. Premium on five-franc pieces, t per cent. in demand, Freights without change. BERNE, ►SUNDAY. It is asserted that a portion of the Polish re fugees intend to offer to Count Walewski the throne of Poland should the kingdom be recon stituted. PARIS, FEB. 23. The Conatztutionnel of to-day, in an article signed by its secretary, M. Boniface, says—" One cannot but be astonished at the excitement which has been produced on the Bourse of Paris by the news of the conclusion of a treaty between Prussia and Russia. The comments of the press on this subject have given rise to exaggerated fears. Up to the present time the French Government has done nothing beyond entering into communication with the Cabinet of London in order to agree upon the course that should be followed in this matter." The French press are unanimous in condemning the conduct of the Prussian King, and in express ing sympathy with Polan i. The article in the semi-official journal Ls Constitutionnel, which seems to indicate the approaching interven tion of France in the Polish question, has created much excitement. It is, says L'Opinion Nationale, a sign whose import it is impossible to mistake. An official journal, but lately so hostile to the in surgents, declares that the aspect of affairs is changed, and that the policy of the Berlin Cabinet has made the outbreak a European question. The same journal (L'Opinion Natzonale), which is supposed to represent the views of Prince Napo leon, writes strongly in favour of the re-establish ment of Poland, which, it avers, will conduce to the best interests of France, of Europe, and of civilisa tion. Between the two Powers of a united Ger many, now in course of formation, and of Russia, whose Asiatic hordes may one day pour down upon the West, it is necessary that there should be an independent Poland, a great Poland, that is to say, Poland re-established within her ancient limits. All able politicians, says r Opinion, must readily understand the necessity of this act of justice far securing the equilibrium of European Powers. In dependent Poland protects us from Germanism, while putting no obstacle to its legitimate development, and preserves us at the same time from panslavism— the vision of the Muscovite Czars—and of oriental fanaticism, which menaces, even to the banks of the Danube and the Bosphorus, the nations of Western Europe. Now, an independent Poland of the ancient extent will become on our continent a first class power, having one large outlet on the Baltic and another on the Black Sea, with a population of 30 millions, which would even become 40 or 42 millions, if the Poles succeeded in regaining their ancient territories annexed to Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Such is the alit' which we would have on the banks of the Vistula and Dniester. It is pro bable that Russia, already rebelled against in Poland, will soon have to encounter an outbreak in the neighbouring provinces, which contain 25 millions, and there is little doubt that the Polish movement will haste:, the explosion of a no less formidable insurrection among the emancipated serfs. Le Pays declares that Prussia has forfeited her neutrality, and asserts that public opinion in Prussia is strongly opposed to the convention. The Journal de Posen has the substance of the declaration of a general association, composed of the great German landowners of that province, which formally censures the treaty with Russia. From all parts of Europe the voice of opposition is heard. Nothing, says Le Pays, imposes upon Prussia the necessity of leaguing with the Czar. It is true that she was an accomplice in the partition of Poland, but that does not oblige her to take part also in the oppression. In leaving Russia and Poland alone face to face the result would be attained that the insurrection would be appeased, and the voice of friendly powers be heard at St. Petersburg. Without the vexatious conscription, Poland would have waited calmly, and the Emperor Alexander must remember that the pledges given in 1815 have never been fulfilled. The debates in the English Parliament appear to have given satisfaction in Paris. The debates in the Prussian Chambers are also commented on. The sitting at which M. Bismark endeavoured to defend th e convent i on term i nate d , says L'Opinion Nationale, with two important acts. The fiist was a motion, supported by 134 deputies, opposing any intervention, direct or indirect, in Polish affairs, which has since been almost, unanimously car ried. The second motion, carried by 274 against 40, declared the Ministe r s civily responsible for es- Pen s e 3 they had incurred unconstitutionally. Le quotes fr ;hi L'Eqrope Frank co Cil tidare,bed 13) C trdi ,, ,il * .co Mgr. Chigi, which contradicts L or d Russ el ,t's account of M r . Odo Russell's interview w i t , sideration of the und , - a the Pope, and in con , .4e publicity g i ven to t h at gentleman's despa t ,:hes in the English Parliament, declares that h.i6 Holiness feels himself obliged to suspend relations with Mr. Od o ß usse ll. BornsE, Feb. 21.—The rumours which were cur rent yesterday of the retirement of M. Fould, and others equally improbable, but which nevertheless had a depressing effect on quotations, having been proved to be unfounded, the market at the com mencement of business remained firm at yesterday's closing rates. Forced sales for the delivery of Steck having afterwards taken place, prices again slightly receded, and Threes, for the Account, are now at 69f. 60c. Only a moderate amount of busi ness going in Railway Shares. The market re covered the slight decline before the close, and left off as follows 4 per Cents. 9B 60 Do. end month 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 60 New 3 per Cents Do. end month — Bank Shares 3365 Credit I oncier 1435 Piedmontese Fives Italian Loan 69 70 Russian Credit M0bi1ier....1155 Do, end m0nth....1152 50 Austrian Spanish Threes — Home Debt — EA IL" - AYB. Cash. Account. Orleans llOO .. 1112 50 Northern New ditto . Lyons and Mediterranean 1170 .. 1171 25 Geneva 397 60 .. Southern 7BO 781 25 Western Eastern .. 547 60 .. 647 50 Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 672 60 .. 670 Ditto to Barcelona GREECE. ATHENS, Feb. 22. M. Canires tendered his resignation the day be fore yesterday. A new Ministry was thereupon formed by MM. Bulgaria and Ruphos, and was sanctioned by the National Assembly. It was composed as follows : Foreign Affairs Interior Finande War . Justice .. Popular demonstrations having, however, been made yesterday sgainst the Provisional Govern ment of MM. Bulgaria and Ruphos and their Cabinet, both the former and the latter resigned. There will in future be no Provisional Govern ment, and the Ministry will be formed by the National Assembly itself. Meetings of Learned Societies this Week. MONDAY, Feb. 23. ARCHITECTS-At 8 p.m. "On Artificial Stone, and the Principles of its Production." By Mr. R. Kerr. GEOGRAPHICAL-At 8i p.m. 1. " On the Discharge of Water from the Interior of Greenland through Springs Underneath the Ice." By Dr. H. Rink, of Greenland. 2. "On Rupert Land." By Captain H. Synge, R.E. ACTUARIES-At 7 p.m. MEDICAL—At 8i p.m. "On the Diseases of the Osseous System, and on Tumours, Bre." By Mr. Thos. Bryant. TUESDAY, Feb. 24. CIVIL ENGINEERS—At 8p m. 1. "On American Timber Bridges." By J. R. Morse, C.E. 2. "On t h e Recon- struction of the Dinting and Mottram Viaducts." By W. Fairbairn, C.E. ROYAL INSTITUTION--At 3 p.m. Professor Marshall, " On Animal Mechanics." ANTHROPOLOGICAL-At 7f p.m. Inaugural Address, "On the Study of Anthropology." By the President, Dr. James Hunt. MEDICAL AND C EITRTJELGICAL—At 8p m. 1. " On Two Cases of Kelis." By Deputy Inspector-Gen. Langmore. 2. " On the Extent to which Human Life has been Pro- longed or Abridged by Ovariotomy." By Dr. Robt. Lee. ZOOLOGICAL—At 9 p.m. 1. "On a New Musk Rat from British Columbia." By Mr. Lord. 2. "On a New American Bat." By Mr. R. T. Tomes. 3. "On Hatch ing and Rearing Salmon and Trout by Artificial Means." By Mr. Frank Buckland. WEDNESDAY, Feb. 25. ARCH2EOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION—At 8} p.m. 1. "On the Recent Di: covert' ut Ancient British Remains in the Isle of Wight." By Rev. E. Kell. 2, "On Ancient Nielli." By Mr. Syer • uming. ROYAL LITERATUEE—At 41 p.m. LONDON INSTITUTION—At 7 p m. tebrata." By C. Carter Blake, Esq. SOCIETY OF ARTS—At 8 p.m. "On the Best Means for Promoting the Growth and Improving the Quality of Cotton." By Mr. John Cheetharn. THURSDAY, Feb. 26. " Warm-Blooded Ver- ROYAL SOCIETY-At 81 p.m. 1. "On the Effect of Tem perature on the Secretion of Urea." By Dr. Becher. 2. "On Clinant Geometry." By Mr. A. J. Ellis. 3. "On the Spectra of the Stars." By Mr. Huggins and 'r. Miller. ANTIQUARIES—At 81 p.m. ROYAL INSTITUTION—At 3 p.m. Dr. Frankland, "On Chemical Ainuity." ARTISTS AND AMATEURS—At 8 p.m. FRIDAY, Feb. 27. ROYAL INSTITUTION—At 8 p.m. "On the Ancient Lake Habitations of Switzerland." By John Lubbock, Esq., F.R.S. LONDON INSTITUTION—At 7 p.m. " Non-Metallic Ele ments." By Professor SATURDAY, Feb. 28. BOTANIC—At 3f p.m. ROYAL INSTITUTIONAt 3 p.m. Professor Max mailer, " On Languages." Epigrammatic Epitaph ! " This corpse Is Tommy Thorpe's. (First idea)." Revised edition. " Thorpe's Corpse," A. de Lamartime has commenced in La _France a feutlleton, which he entitles "Fier d'Aliza." M. Gounod's " Faust" is " running" for a second time in Paris. There is a rumour that Mr. Panizzi, of the British Museum, intends to resign. The Paris house Didier is about to produce a translation of the works of the late Prince Consort. " Les Troyens"—the Homeric opera of M. Ber lioz—will possibly be given at the Theatre Lyrique, at Paris. Mr. Benedict's "Rose of Erin" (in Germany), at home " The Lily of Killarney," has been produced at Brunswick. It is stated that an account of the battle of 'Waterloo has been found in the Duke of Wellington's handwriting, and is to be published. THE SO-CALLED dark ayes of former days should no longer continue to receive that appellation. Their importance in the history of the best portion of the human race is now universally acknowledged. Much has been done to illustrate them, and the elucidation which they have received at the hands of modern writers has been of the greatest historical importance. Many institutions of essential use in a state of transition and preparation may have afterwards lost their value and significance, but were not the less needed as organs in the obscure and gradual progress of change, which led through various stages from the rudiments of European civilisation to an advanced con dition of social maturity. Chief among these were the mon astic orders and the Papal power—the one securing the spacial education of the clergy; while the temporary sove reignty of the Popes protected their independence among the secular dominions by which they were surrounded. The writer the least prejudiced by any religious convictions has done the amplest justice to the supreme importance of the mission of Catholicism in the Middle Ages. It is Auguste Cowte who has indicated the Church as the cradle of mo dern oivilised life ; who has shown how favourable its prin ciples were to human development ; and who has acknow ledged with gratitude chat the source of social science is to be found in the remote ages of history to which the desig nation of " daik" has been so constantly but so inappro , priately applied.—london Review. " Pompeii," says a Neapolitan correspondent of the Athenceum, "has awakened a greater interest than usual by a very important discovery recently made. workmen a few days since were exHcavating about 10 feet beneath the soil in a little street behing the Postribolo' ately brought to light, when sudd only trey came on a mass of coins and jewels. Orders were given to oontinue the operation with the greatest precaution, and after two hours' work the perfect form of a man was discovered petrified, ix the ashes stretched at full length. The flesh was dried up but the skeleton was entire. Fearful of accident in taking up these remains, Signor Fiorelli, the director, ordered the form of thi squondani citizen of Pompeii to be taken in plas ter; and the operation succeeded completely, with the ex ception of two fragments of the arm and the leg, against which lapilli, instead of ashes had come in contact. The impression has been taken with remarkable precision,—the hair, the moustaches, the folds of the garment, and even the dress of the Jigs and feet, being perfect. It is a dis covery of the greatest importance in archaeology, and great meals due to Sign or Fi ore lli f or hi s vigilance and utters' I tiOu, tiflar N)....A tto e l * 4- 4,4, HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Feb. 21. The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Louis of Hesse, drove in the grounds this morning. The Viscount and Viscountess Sydney arrived at the Castle yesterday and returned to London to-day. The Queen, accompanied by the Princess Louis of Hesse, drove cut in a carriage and four in the after noon, attended by the Dowager Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, and Lord Alfred Paget. Prince Louis of Hesse rode on horseback. Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone, arrived at the Castle in the evening from the Ran ger's lodge, Greenwich-park. SUNDAY. Her Majesty, and Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse, Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leopold, and the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court, attended Divine service in the private chapel this morning. The service was performed by the Hon. and Very Rev. the, Dean of Windsor. The Earl of St. Germans and Viscount and Vis countess Palmerston arrived at the Ca.tle yester day. Lord St. Germans and Lord Palmerston had audiencEs of the Queen. THE PRINCE OF WALES' VISIT TO ALTHORP PARK.—ALTHORP, Feb. 21.—His Royal HighnPss the Prince of Wales arrived at Althorp, on a visit to the Earl and Countess Spencer, yesterday afternoon, at fire o'clock, accompanied by tleneral Knollys and Major Toes dale. Preparations were made at the Brampton station to give his royal highness a loyal reception. Triumphal arches were erected at the church and chapel, 13, ampton, consisting of laurels, rosettes, and flTs. The flags bore ti a words "Long live the Prince," and "God bless the Princess Alexandra." A very large number of persons from Northampton and the surrounding villages were as sembled at Brampton station, and most cordially cheered the Prince as he left. The following distinguished com pany are now staying at Althorp :—His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the Earl and Countess of Bessborough, Earl Granville, Earl Grosvenor and Lady Constance Gros venor, the Earl of Listowel, Earl Cowper, the Countess of Sefton and Lady Cecilia Molyneux, Viscount and Vis countess Clifden, Lord and Lady Charles Bruce, Lord R. Grosvenor, General Knollys, Major Teesdale, &o. A ball took place in the evening. THE CROWN PRINCESS OF PRIJSSIA.—Her Royal Hi. hness the Crown Princess of Prussia, who lift Berlin on Friday last with her eldest son, Prince William, on her way to Windsor, arrived at Brussels on Saturday. It was expected that her Royal Highness would resume her journey after a short visit to the Belgian royal family, in order to arrive in England to-day, The Crown Princess will probably remain in England abou' three weeks. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALFRED.—Yes terday a telegram from Malta was received, dated at 10..'0 a.m , which announced, through Major Cowell, that Dr, Armstrong represented that his Royal Highness was still progressing very favourably. The Duke of New. castle has had the several telegrams transmitted without the least delay to the Queen and royal family at Windsor Castle. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Arthur and Prince Leopold and suite honoured the performances at the Adelphi Theatre with their presence on Saturday evening. THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.—His Royal High ness the Prince Coristian of Denmark (says the Dagbladat) gave on Friday, the 13th, a grand ball to which all the beau monde of the capital were invited. Politics, diplomacy, literature, and the arts were represented. The grace with which the Prince and the Princess did the honours to their guests added a cha'm to this brilliant rd union. It was, so to speak. a fete given to afford her Royal Highness the opportunity of taking leave of a circle of which she has hitherto gained the affectionate attachment, and in which her departure will leave profound regrets. The bridesmaids of the Princess Alexandra are Lady Victoria Scott, Lady Elma Bruce, daughter of Lord Elgin; Lady Victoria Hare, sister of Lord Lis towel ; Lady Georgiana Susan Hamilton, daughter of the Marquis of Abercorn; Lady Agneta Yorke, daughter of Lord Hardwicke ; Lady Constance Villiers, danglicer of Lord Clarendon; Lady Viot,ria Campbell, Lady Theodora Grosvenor, Lady Ernestine Mount-Edgcumbe, and Lady Feodorowna Wellesley. IHE HOUSEHOLD OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES —Chamberlain, Lord Harris; Ladies of the Bedchamber, the Countcss of Morton, the Countess of Macclesfield, the Counte a De Grey, and the Countess of Carnarvon ; Women of the Bedchamber, the Hon. Mrs. Bruce, the Hi,n. Mrs. W. Grey, the Hon. Mrs. E. Coke, and the Hon. Mrs. F. Stoner. lIIE PraNcEss.—lt is pleasing to hear that the Queen has taken a great liking to the Princess Alexandra, who is natural and affectionate, and not at al! awed by to, presence of the Sovereign —saying everything that occurs to her most naively.—Court Journal. THE PRINCE.— nit , change in the appearance of the Prince of Wales within a short time is very remarkable. He is getting quite stout and manly, and now thoroughly looks his age,--Court Journae. Although the Court is to go out of mourning upo the loco sion of the marriage of his Royal highness the Prince of Wales, it is to be renewed after that august cere mony has taken place. The Duent-mi de Brabant and thf. Comte de Flandre will taken their departure for England during the first days of March, in order to be present at the Prince of Wales's marriage. The Duke Regnaut of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha is likewise expected here for the ceremon). The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, with the youthful Marquis of Stafford, have returned to Naples in his grace's steam yacht from Alexandria and Malta The Marquis and Mgrentuness of Sthsbury en tertainrd his Excellency the Austrian Ambas4t,- dor and the Countess d'Apponyi, his Excellency the Saxon Minister, the Earl of Malmesbury, the Marquis and Mar chioness de Caderouse, the Countess (Dowager) of West moreland, Lord and Lady Elcho, Lord \Vest, Mr. W.Peel, and a select party at dinner on Saturday evening, at the family house in Arlington-street. The Earl Granville, after the Cabinet Council o' Saturday, left town for Althorp Hall, near Northampton, having been invited by the Earl and Countess Spencer to join the circle assembled to meet the Prince of Wales dur ing the visit of his royal highness at Althorp. The Earl and Countess bp, ricer are expected to arrive at Spencer House, St. James's, to-morrow, from Al thorp Hall for the season. The Countess of Caledon will leave town to morrow for Windsor Castle in order to enter on attendance on the Queen as one of the Ladies iu Waiting. The 4th Hussars used to bear, and has the right still to bear, what will now be a proud title—namely, the Princess of Denmark's Dragoons. The Presse tells us that Mme. Emile de G:rardin wore £40,000 worth ofiewellery at the Countess Walewska's fancy ball—a fact which is only piquant from the circum stance of the Presse being M. Girardin's paper, and the lady being Mme. Emile, M. Girardin's wife. It is not correct, as recently asserted, that the Lyceum is to be called the Prince of Wales's Theatre, by permission of his Royal Righnss. Gen. Sandford has arrived at the Clarendon Hotel. The Right Hon. the Speaker gave his second Par liamentary full-dress dinner on Saturday evening. The following were present :—The Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Lord Henry Lennox, the Right Hon, Lurd John sobers, the Right Hon, Lord Stanley, the Right Hon. Lord Nan,,, the Right Hon. Lord Claud Hamilton, &c. AIR. CHARLES DICKENS IN PARIS.—Mr. Charles Dickens's readings for the benefit of the English poor in Paris and the Lancashire operatives were so sue cesstul as to excite emulation among the French. Several gentlemen of high standing in the literary world conceived that the project of giving public readings and lectures would give the means for increasing the lunds now collect ing for the unemployed of the Seine Inferieure. It was necessary in the first instance to ask for permission from the authorities, and M. Ferdinand de Lasteyrie was re quested by them to apply for that permission. He ad dressed a letter to the Prefect of Police, enclosing the names of the persons who were to give these readings, and the subjects they were to treat. M. Charten was to read an account of his travels ; M. Laboulaye, a member of the French Institute, an essay on the popular education in the United htafes of America; M. de t.asteyrie, of the Insti tute, his reminiscences of a tour in America; M. Legouve, of the Institute, essays on modern society, and fragments of a drama in verse; M. Littre, of the Institute, philoso phical fragments; M. Henri Martin, the historian, was to lecture on a Gaulish bard; M. Ronan, of the Institute, professor of Hebrew at the Sorbonne, was to give an ac count of his journey to the Lake otTiberias; M Rey baud, of the Institute, a few chapters of an unpublished novel ; M. Sampson, of the Theatre Fruncais, an analysis of th , e , principal scenes of Moliere's play of the " a i i s anthrope, and M. de Trequiti, an essay on the artistic education of the working classes. Capt. Winn,.of the Grenadier Guards, who was arrested on his return from Richmond by the Federal autho rities some two months, on a charge ot carrying despatches from the Confederate Government, effected his escape a tew days since, and arrived in thib city yesterday.—dtiontroal Gazette, Feb, 6. LITERATURE. The Last Decade of a Glorious Reign. fly Martha Waik , r, Freer, Author of " [' ne Lite of M .rgue rite D'Angouleme," "Jeanne D'Albret," &e. 2 vols. Hurst and Brackett. Miss Freer has now arrived at the conclusion of her arduous undertaking, by presenting us with the two lest volumes of her History of Henri Quatre. A history extending through six goodly sized tomes is not often undertaken by a feminine hand, and the attempt appears the bolder when we call to mind that the reign she so chronicles was one of the most important as well as one of the most warlike in mo dern French history. Tee troubled state of France when Henry of Navarre inherited the throne; the dark and disgraceful reigns that had preceded him, when a wily and cruel woman influenced the weak and savage minds of her sons till theit de ds of blood had made history shudder—the war of the League, and the still powerful faction of the Guises —the fierce animosities between the rival creeds— all these discordant elements combine to render the opening of Henry the Fourth's career one of the most stirring on record. Then came the long struggle with the League, the victories of Argues, Contras, and Ivry ; the siege of Paris, when the generous heart of Henry could not endure the self inflicted sufferings of his people, but frequently sup plied the women and children with bread in secret; the thousand difficulties that beset his path, from the intrigues of Spain to the unwilling adherence of his own great Catholic lieges; the triumphal entry into Paris ; the change of faith, and Henry's final establiehment on the throne and in the hearts of his subjects. He had cot quered France as well as inherited her, and reigned, as Voltaire says, by ft double right— "Et par droit de conquete et par droit de naissance." Then followed the tong and brilliant reign, when the influence of Henry's ability was felt in every Cabinet in Europe, when his dreaded sword made the enemies of France shrink from contention, and his wise toleration secured her internal peace. That reign was chequered, indeed, by the plots and treachery which seemed fated to pursue a prince whose generosity and frankness deserved them so little ; and it was harassed, too, by those pitiful jealousies and quarrels between the Queen and her rivals, that so greatly embittered Henry's peace, but which were the natural reward of his own lollies. Still in spite of domestic discord, long and prosperous years seemed to stretch out betor9 the King and the people, who were enjoying the last wise and beneficent reign which France should. see for many dreary years, when the dagger of Raraillac cut short all expectations, and lett the country to a long minority under the weak hand of Marie de Medicis, followed by the iron rule of Richelieu. Ail the histories of these eventful times Miss Freer has studied with care, and the continual marginal references to the works of the day evi dence the time and labour she has bestowed upon tier task. The reign of Henry IV. is rich in con temporary illustration—the memoirs of Sully alone forming a most valuable guide to the historian. Neverti class, though our authoress has brought to the work assiduous labour, unquestionab:e and considerable historical knowledge, we prefer her works of feminine biography as it affected his tory, to her histories themselves. Thirty years like the years discussed in these memoirs need, to be rightly chronicled, the grasp of a vigorous and ori ginal mind, the views of one familiar with politics and statecraft. Though thoroughly trustworthy and carefully written, Miss Freer's work is rather a narrative than a history, rather a faithful chroni cle than a luminous survey of the age and its men. She is occupied chiefly with details. We hear little of the internal adminiatration of the country ; we are simply ts.ld that Sully was all-powerful as Minister, but one of the volumes before usis nearly full of the disgraceful transactions with Medeme de Verneuil. Uuntortunately for the great Henry's memory, similar prominence has to be given in the second volume to his pursuit of the Princess de Conde, for whose sake he was ready to plunge France into w.r, when 'the hand of the assassin ar rested his projects. Miss Freer has divided her work into three parts, as her readers wul easily re call. She had aireacty sketched the early days of the young Prince of Navarre in her life of his mother, Jeanne D'Athret, and in her re cord of the short and disgraceful reign of his predecessor, Henry 111. The close of that history lett Henry IV. stanuteg by the bedside of tne victim of Jecqu. a Clement, little knowing that his own end should cou.e years alter by the same means. The fist ten years of the reign now tetnoi itatud chronicled the wars of the League, crowned by the entry into Paris; the second narrated the events that followed upon Henry's settlement on he throne, ending with the treason and death of Biro's ; the third and concluding portion is now betote us, leaving the Et.genc3 just established, Su ty oepriveu of his lung authority, and clown ing tor his hero, at.d France plunged into SortoW for the ions ‘.f her valiant king. It is very proba ble that Miss Freer will follow up her labours by tracing the history of the regency of Marie de Meuiei—a tusk already tried by au authoress ot experience and ability, Miss Perdue. She is :Attila} in the cedueution of character, I ad the pourirayai of those weaknesses which so mien mar the di, el of great capacities and atroug deteralinntion,and therefore find empie scope for her powers in the pic,ure of the influence gained over Queen Wills oy her unworthy favourites, the Cuucini. Miss Freer deserves great praise for the aseiouity and completeness ot her labours, and her work will be a valuable and trustworthy reference for the student or t h e historical writer. The work is handsomely illustrated with portraits of the two ladies whose Coalll3B plOoUeed so couch commotion—Hennette Bualc and Chsrioite de Montmorency. 'lle style is, as is usual with this writer, entirely devoid of affectation or pretence of any kind, and the work, in addition to its standard value, will afford some interesting reading to those who like to step aside awhile from the pages o fiction to the record of the vivid and dramatic incidents of an earlier and more stirring age. Mr. MORLEY PUNSLION is better educated than Mr. Spurgeon, never a bLfioun, never vulgar, much less familiar, more ornate, holds the reins tighter, sees his own way clearer, and calculates his points with a distincter knowledge of the perspective of his subject. But in sym pathies and intellectual range he is scarcely at all more the superior of his audience than Mr. Spurgeon; and, though in a Lomely and vulgar fashion, Mr. S:purgeon seems to have more reality of conscience than Mr Puushon. There is the artificial burnish of a divinity academy still visible on Mr. Punkhon's mind, though it must be lung since he left it; be handles religious truths with a gloved hand, while, as an able writer says, Mr. Spurgeon hanoles religious truths as a grazier handles an ox—/.6 ,we suppose coarselYt almost grosAy as regards the motive, but with a direct sense of hard and soft, bone and outline, which diviniti lecturers generally succeed in spoiling. Mr. Punshon'e strength is clearly greatest where he is not touching raj' gious truths or formula at all, He has a large catholic reuse of humour—a suppressed it ony ot manner which, at his best, half reminds us of Mr. Bright ; as when he said of Romaine, that he " was actually guilty ot the coarsa crime of overcrowding St. George's, Hanover-square, and persuading patricians that they had souls ;" or when he remarked that " Wesley was abruptly warned off from New' gate, lest he should make men wicked, and from Beelate, lest he should drive wen mad." Mr. Punsnou's lace and %%hole manner expre,s this kind of res rained humour. With a tact that is caricrourd, in the common print pre aenteii to you at the d o or ot Exeter - h all, into a kind of compound bet ween Sykes and thadhand—greasy sensuous 'less dominated b) unsciupulous terocuy—there is really tti basis of much fundamental human breauth u der artificial and apparently sacerdotal control—the eyes far back in th e head, and t ur widep of, open, aLd an expressi on of usrioW concentrate a g n iv lth irg o 61: y of will—the deep !Me e round the heavy mouth end chin c,rryi ng a h a l t - qu i 2 ,aical v dTect, that semetinies takes the torte of bit tein.ss, . 11c1 always g i ve s an impression of driving tore, —and a h" d set w arner ab out the whole telling ot a titan who 1. 4 - bt mould his views accerditig to his peiception of their power as instruments of acti o n. Th ere i s a str iki ng exp it b' sion even in hi, masaiv buck, when it is turned to it' ‘ audience—a ore brad .h. , uldered fl ,xihle Weft ot vibratng, nut "1"wly and pot t der tt ur:y turning on it. central axis. But he u. telly tails in the celestial effeel When that strung and heavy face was cast up to the r" / of Exeter-hall in t wou l d- b e seraphic extacs —an exw e Y 0 .0 set purpose —,he undimmed glasses through which a . watched him p resented to us a spectac l e anything but e ,The gas light lay upon as opaque a t.ce as n, strove in vain for the irradiati,,s of a Stephen : nrirbet vision nor in re lit ; w a s that gelid roof open( d above bi T: it was as if Mt. ' , retie, ics Peel should p e ewee ho"! 1 , 7, xiotic ov e r a Tr eas ury tnii.ute. Mr Punshon press much; but let us Waal as a friend who watched him cksety, not to my again. the angelic !so''' . Iparency line.—,Spectator. u? th and War( TI rep o bills man in 01 note fart) low€ tele 69 ez& ket 19i ced /lig EiVI eel 186 60i WE pe Po 13