The Sun. — London, England, 1863-05-29 00:00:00

T HE SETTLING DAY—Adam Black : Esq., the inconvenience of the precedent that was about M.P.—Ko-Too at Court, .t 3. &e.—,n FUN, This Week. , to oe set. Mr. ( h ie Penny. GLADSTONE put forth the stereo typed official defence ; and Mr. GLADSTONE gave the house the strongest possible proof that in his own eyes at least his arguments were worthless. Those who have paid any attention to Mr. GLAD STONE's style of oratory are familiar with the fact that, whenever he has a bad case in hand he gets angry. And [adds the denouncer, somewhat in the very style he has taken upon himself to denounce], most thoroughly angry, ill-tempered, and even coarse, was Mr. GLADSTONE last night. To those who know him there could be no clearer confession that his heart did not go with his words. For other defence there was none. Member after member rose to denounce the unprincipled conduct of the Government, but of the 200 gentlemen who had made up their minds to vote for the job [our old friend again !] there was no one who could be got to speak for it. [What follows in our extract we would have whispered sotto moo ! .. 1 They felt they had a piece of dirty work before them which they could not foish too soon or say too little about." The rhetorical mud, already spoken of, is surely here flying about rather angrily and copiously. The best thing to be done at such a moment is to step out of the way of it. " Q ATURDAY NIGHT JOURNAL," ~.:1 Every Week. One Penny. Forensic Reminiscences. The Thames Embankment and its Approaches. America and the Giants ; &c. &c. 80, Fleet-street. T ri.EATItE-R0 k Al-, HAY MARKET, Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buckstone. Turs EVENING, THE WOLF AND THE LAMB, After which,l2th time, a new and original comedy, entitled 'FINESSE ; or, Spy and Counter-Spy : Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Howe, Mr. Chippendale, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wigan, and Miss Louisa Angel. Followed by an apropos Dramatic Sketch, introducing a Panorama of the Tour of the Prince of W ales in the East. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE, Under the Sole Management of Mr. FECIITER. THIS EVENING, to commence with an Original iketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter-past Eight, the Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logne, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. 'The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Pechter, supported by Messrs. J. G. Shore, G. Jordan, J. Brougham, H. IA iddhombe, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, Dawson; Misses Carlotta Leclerco. Kate Terry, E. Lavenue, and Elsworthy. Doors open at 7, commence at half-past. Mr. BERNAL OSBORNE is one of the most emus , ing speakers in the House. Whether his views on any particular subject are correct or not, and whe ther his remarks are to the point or otherwise, of one thing we may rest assured, he is certain to be very entertaining. On Tuesday, at Liskeard, Mr. OSBORNE tried a new plan, for he certainly did not flatter at all, nor even praise to a considerable extent. He commenced by saying that he was in the habit of residing for a great portion of the year in a coun try which was famous for bulls, but of a different description from those he saw that day, not so fat or so round; Of course this produced great laughter. Mr. OSBORNE then proceeded to point out some oversights or errors that he had noticed, which was a very invidious task, although he per formed it in such a ludicrous style that no one was likely to take offence. At the same time, it is to be questioned if much advantage was de rived from it, since all were too much occupied in hilarity to take much heed of the hints thrown out. He said, in the first place, that there had been a very scanty attendance of stock that day, which had somewhat disappointed him, " for it was more like a parish bull than the bulls of East Corn wall." After saying that he considered the speci mens, of North Devons occupied the same place among cattle as the thorongh•breds did among horses, he created great amusement by stating that he did not wish to throw in the apple of discord, but that he hardly thought in one case the umpires had done justice, in only awarding the second prize to the bull of Mr. SELBY ; but, perhaps, added the speaker, " I may be a little selfish in this, as I lost a shilling in betting that he would get the first prize." Next Mr. OSBORNE commented on their practice of not washing their sheep before shearing, which he said had rather a slovenly and dirty ap pearance, and ho was sure they did not play a winning game by not washing them. This was true enough, and it is to be hoped that those concerned will take the hint and improve their management in this particular. Here Mr. OSBORNE introduced another of his droll remarks. "Ireland," said he, "is not particularly famous for cleanliness, but Ireland is famous for mixed parcels of wool, and which fetch higher rates in the market. The grain is bad, but we will hold competition with any other nation for wool in con sequence of the great carefulness and cleanliness which are bestowed upon it." Mr. OSBORNE was not pleased with the pigs; he thought they ran too much inte fineness; concluding his strictures by noting that if an Irishman knew anything in the world it was how to breed, if not to eat, a pig. When he came to the horses, however, this agricul tural analysist could not keep within bounds. He was disgusted with them. "Such things I never saw in my life, and the judges must have been put to their wit's end—not to find out which was the best, but which was the worst." When he came to more serious subjects, Mr. OSBORNE was not much better pleased, for he went on to remark, "We have been talking about tenant farmers and tenant right. I think we have omitted at this meeting to speak of the condition of the labourer, That bold peasantry, their country's pride, Which, once destroyed, can never be supplied.'" He then proceeded to state the grievance, which ' was that they put down the same amount—Ll—in the list of premiums for " brood mares" and " agri cultural labourers." " I think," said he, " that if a man gets a large family, and keeps off the parish, you ought to give him the best prize as you give the best bull." After mentioning that there had been great discussion as to the desirability and non desirability of giving these prizes, and that he coincided in their utility, Mr. OSBORNE truly ob served that they ought to give a labourer in these difficult circumstances, who was to bring up a family without going to the parish, and to have a good character, a large sum of money ; he trusted that there would be a larger sum given at the next meeting. This was very wise counsel, and nothing could be in worse taste than to confound men and beasts after this fashion. Besides the inconsistency was preposterous, if they could not afford more for the labourer they should not have given so much for the lesser prizes, and thus have adjusted matters a little more suitably. Mr. OSBORNE concluded by expressing a wish that some one would leave him some property in Cornwall, that then he might take the chair, and sympathise with them in the High way and Parochial Assessment Acts. Finally, he said, " I have gone through my list of complaints, and I hope I have not hurt the feelings of the um pires, bulls, sheep, or any other animal here." Cer tainly no one was likely to take offence at such off hand criticism; bat ludicrous as were these introductions into the speech of the hon. member, there was ground for reflection in many of his stric tures, which, it is to be hoped, the hearers will take to profit. These meetings are very desirable things ; they seem to bring into immediat e contact various and distinct classes of so ciety ; they unite opposite interests, and serve as a nucleus round which may gather some who without such opportunities would never meet as equals. Some wise critics have decried and declaimed against all similar entertainments as waste of time, waste of money, and an absurd display of small talk. But the world is not carried on by the ofnothin g to b u la t rg g e re c a o t nc q e u r e n s s t . ion niosr theby discussionex clsiv attenti on It mixture of the important with trivial th a t constitutes the the comparatively safe carryi ng on o f human affairs. In its way this custom of the members meeting the agriculturists is a very ex _ cellent ono; it brings to the mind of our legislators those local feelings which are apt, to be neglected in the whirl of the centre of business, and it also sets forth the claims of the country which are very likely to be forgotten in the pressure of the concerns of cities and boroughs. This meeting at Liskeard went off very well on the whole, and the party assembled could not complain of gloom. Mr. • OSBORNE appeared to have adopted Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. G. Vining. THIS EVENING, will be presented (3d time), COURT AND CAMP: Messrs. G. Vining., C. Verner, B. Marston, G. Belmore, G. Murray. Warde; Miss Amy Sedgwick, Miss L. Laidlaw, and Miss Lydia Thompson. To be preceded by PERFECTION. And followed by A CHARMING PAIR. NEW TBEATRE-R 0 YAL, ADELPHL— Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, a petite Drama, THE ANGEL OR DEVIL. Miss A. Jones, Mr. Toole, and Mr. Billington. After which (lath time), a new Drama, in one act, entitled THE WOODEN SPOON MAKER. Messrs. B. Webster, Sefton ; Miss H. Simms, and Mrs. Stuart, Stephenson , lington. Followed by , a new Burlesque, entitled ILL-TREATED IL TROVATORE. Messrs. Toole, P. Bedford, R. Phillips, Ebnrne, C. J. Smith, Romer ; the Sisters Nelson, Carry and Sara, and Miss K. Kelly. To -- o' conclude with HOW TO PAY THE RENT. Mr. C. Stephenson, Miss K. Kelly. Coriimence at 7. THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, can be had Every Evening of G. R. GLRNIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. The Weather—Sun Office, May 29, 1863. TEERMOMETER. This morning This day at Two o'clock 7B Barometer-30.24. Wind—North-West ; light, and fine sunshiny weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tao DA:T.—Morning, 10h. Wm.—Afternoon, llh. 20m. To-xtoßsow.-Morning, llh. 48m.—Afternoon, h. m. -. - k ,•; ft ,::.,,,, -",,,;,....„, ..‘ i f It i .........., 1 it kir.- ~.,eatio -ski .411 ' 4 " 4.) i 00ktir*,... , --"' r • ' LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1863. If no other advantage can be supposed to have accrued from it, we do earnestly trust that, through the discussion and division of last night in the House of Commons, we have heard the very last of that unlucky affair about Mr. CHURCHWARD. It gives almost ridiculous promise of being remem bered, in regard to this session, as the one bone of contention struggled over, snarled, and bit across, by those more ardent among the political Dogs of War, who may be described, we trust it will not be thought so very irreverently, as always game for a party contest, about anything or anybody that acci dent may suggest as a subject for dispute. As for the merits of the matter in dispute, we don't care in the least to enter into them. For once and for all let us hope now that it is done with, that we have heard the very last about it, that it is une atraire finie. When mud is flying about among the combatants, who would have the smallest inclination in point of fact to interfere between them, or even, we will say, to take any lively interest in the right or wrong attaching respectively to the belligerents. That mud, figuratively speaking, has been scattering and spattering about hither and thither among the dis putants who can gainsay ? The obvious assump tion of the Government people in regard to the re newal of Mr. CHIIRCHWARD'S now repudiated con tract, dated 1859, his contract with the powers that were, the inns then, the outs now—the one obvious assumption of the new Govern ment in reference to the course they have followed out with a view to the repudiation of that contract has been from first to last that the whole subject matter in dispute rose out of—there is really not another word for it in the whole vast vocabulary of the English language—a Job! And what now is the reply put forth by the morning organ of the defendants—that is to say, of the Opposition ? Why, " not to put too fine a point upon it," it is, in literal vapidity, nothing more and nothing less than a response, in the strictest sense of the phrase, of the to quoque order. In the memorable quarrel between the old lady's butler and the old lady's under- butler, in " Oliver Twist," the asperities bandied to and fro between those usually placable, not to say meek and mild spoken disputants reach their climax, it may be remem bered in the enunciation of the euphuistic but somewhat ungrammatical accusation, " You are a lie, GILES I"—" You are a falsehood 11 , ....RITTLES !" And so an end of it. It is pretty much the same now in this at once, we cannot but think, somewhat trumped up, and certainly when it comes to be looked into, exceedingly trumpery subject -matter In dispute between the Government and the Oppo sition. "A Job," cries the former ; while the latter can find nothing more telling in the way of accusa tion with which to retaliate than the parrot-like echo, " A Job." The journal already referred to can really and seriously find nothing better than may be said this to say in the way of a retort. It to do this negatively rather than affirmatively. But whether negatively or affirmatively it does l it. Speaking this morning of the course taken (success fully it should be added) in regard to this CHURCH ITAItb transaction by the Government, our morning cont empor _ arY who is reputed to represent in some manner at least the feelings and opinions of the Opposition, condescends pose, is n o t to to remark " This we sup be called a job, because nobody puts money in his pocket by it. So," adds the writer with an irony slightly vitriolic but rather watery nevertheless, " some uglier nam e than w e can only sa y th a t job i s required for our new political morality." A 'Weap on so obtuse —however vigorous it may be intended to prove in the force of its hom e - t h rust, is, after all, as innocuous as a prod with a button-headed foil. Intended wounds there have been administered, in this struggle, upon both sides in abundance. Actual wounds there are none. One or two even ings have been wasted in the tussle. Twice there has been a division—the result upon each of these occasions having proved to be in favour of the Go vernment. Referring again to the morning organ of the party just nowde fe ated in this struggle, we find the summing up of last night's discussion anent Mr. CHURCHWARD and his now finally repudiated contract, to be couched in language no less irate than the following As for the debate of last night there is little to be said. It was in fact all one way. Mr. WALPOLE vigorously denounced this novel, indirect, skulking way of striking at a political adversary, and, with a forecast which pos terity will do justice to, Las if posterity would care two straws about it!) warned the House ag,aindt THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 29, 1863 for his motto, " Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice," and the result was certainly satin• factory, so far as it went, since he contrived to in sinuate remarks, make suggestions, and give hints that, less skilfully introduced and less humorously commented on, would infallibly have excited angry feelings, and marred the " fair form of festal days" by discontentment and complaint. There is a potent influence in manner; it is not what is said so often as how it is said that creates disturbance and causes confusion. He who possesses a happy style of speech and can discuss pleasantly upon awkward topics, is a great social reformer, for he can teach while he seems only joking, and points a moral while he adorns a tale. ith this faculty the member for Liskeard is largely endowed, and he gave a striking instance of his powers on Tuesday at the East Cornwall Agricultural Society. It is unfortunate that questions affecting our Indian Empire do not excite more general interest among us. It was remarked by Lord STANLEY, during a recent debate, that although the house was discussing two most important questions—the Re demption of the Land Tax and the Sale of Waste Lands—the thinness of the benches showed the general indifference of the members. Much of the misgovernment which has retarded India in her progress is no doubt owing to this, for matters are left almost entirely in the hands of a few persons, whose minds are often biassed by long residence abroad or time-worn prejudice. This was especially the case during the reign of the Company, and mat ters have little mended of late years. The voices of several able and enlightened men have been heard, and their influence has been beneficially exercised, still that it will take years to atone for our previous neglect and to develope fully the resources of India, no one can doubt. The obnoxious land-tax has been one of the ob stacles in the way of improvement. The obligation of paying the land revenues on a fixed day on pain of forfeiture produced a sense of insecurity in pos session which bad a most injurious effect, especially on Europeans. The Quarterly _Review, in a very able article on " The Resources of India," says on this subject—" At present the landholder, whether native or European, as a rule, takes no interest whatever in agricultural improvement; he spends neither trouble nor money on the soil ; ho extracts from his villagers, or, still worse, from middlemen, who themselves deal with the ryot, the actual cul tivator, as much as he can ; but he seldom considers it his interest to make improvements at his own cost for the sake of prospective gain." It is easy to see how ruinous such a system must be in its effects upon any country, but most especially in India, where, in every department, the reformer and improver is S 3 greatly needed. The common necessaries of trade, agriculture, and manufacture are wanting—irrigation, roads, and canals, and able trustworthy agents. The various modes of cultivation which modern agricultural science has brought to light yet remain to be tried, but who will expend time, money, and labour on land that may be another man's property next year ? Yet that able and original administrator Sir CHARLES WOOD thinks the actual money received from the land tax a sufficient compensation for the clog it puts on the wheels of progress. Another great want is the assistance and superintendence of Euro peans. The article we have already quoted gives some very striking statistics respecting the indigo trade. This, as we all know, has for centuries been one of the regular products of India, yet no sooner was it introduced into the West Indies and Central America than the Western supply drove the Bengal indigo out of the market. Some eighty years ago, the companies thought proper to endea vour to resuscitate the old trade, and 10 years after, under the management of competent Europeans, Bengalese indigo was reckoned superior to any other. The Hindustani, always anxious for profit, have done their best to be equally successful, yet, notwithstanding all the advantages which they possess, their indigo is worth 30 or 40 per cent. less than that produced under the management of Euro peans. This fact speaks for itself, while silk and other manufactures afford still further evidence. The great extent to which a regular system of adultera tion is carried on by the natives may have some influence on these results, bat much more is owing to the vast difference of Euro pean skill, science, and resource. There is no question that there is room in India for a class of active, enterprising, intelligent Englishmen whose advent would be no less beneficial to the country than advantageous to themselves. The difficulties which have always been put in the way of indepen dent Englishmen settling in India, have contributed much to the slow progress of the country, and although much of this blame lies at the door of the old East India Company, we fear our present Secretary of State can by no means be exonerated. The mineral resources of the Empire offer tempt ing prizes to the bold capitalist, but treasures as great lie dormant in the untilled soil. Like the old French fable, the indolent or incapable na tives are ignorant of the wealth beneath their feet. Who can read of the rapid effects produced by the scanty attempts hitherto made at irrigation, or improved cultivation of the land, without seeing that we have been hitherto playing the part of the idle husbandman ? Mr. DICKINSON, in a recent pamphlet, which we have referred to on a former occasion, comments strongly on the effects produced by the Ganges Canal. No one, he says, could have witnessed the wretchedness of the people and crops on one side of the Kis l nah district, where they can with difficulty obtain a scanty supply of impure water, and then have passed to the Godavery side, and com pared this state of things to the splendid crops, the pure and abundant water, and the comfort of the people, without recognising what a price- . - less blessing has been conferred by this canal. As a means of transit, too, it is invaluable. It is well known that the late Col. BAIRD SMITH in his report on Indian journeys, declares that the opening of a railway line in 1861 saved thousands of lives during the famine in that year. At one time while wheat at Allahabad was selling at the rate of 2s. for 181bs., at a distance of only 120 miles 2401b5. could be had for the same money. This fact alone shows the terrible want of means of internal com munication throughout that vast empire, and it is a disgrace to England that after the country has been more than a century under her rule, the need should still be so great. How this neglect has been avenged in the cotton famine we have all felt. An earlier attention to tho capabilities of our Indian empire, a freer and more enlightened administration, the cul tivation of the waste lands and the encouragement of English enterprise would have saved Lancashire from months of pauperism. It is little leas than a national misfortune that the affairs of India are not committed to the hands of the most able instead of the most influentially connected, statesmen. ee t d wite om r o s f t 0 F t 1 I s t E ..... E D . , O E m O ver F y THE CITY y has .- - A as .----I heard the City, b u t f ew k now w h a t it re ally ig well- informed citizen will obligingly enlighten the igno rant that they ico o r f res t p h o o nd f e r n men of th e City enjoy, w hi c h t h e i r f e ll ow - crea t u res without i Probably some the free en kno w what mysterious rights and privileges o r ant Portio n o f mankind on the subject, the the walla know not of; for, judging by the grandeur of ceremonial al ways observed when the gift is bestowed, the s h o a c p i p al y erceaclieP.itutis are) to all appearance, elevate d i n the J LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) AMERICA. (Per the City of Washington.) NEW YORK, MAY 16, MORNING. The Federal debt is estimated at present at 984,000,000 dole., of which 400,000,000 dols. is in legal tender currency. The New York World denounces Gen. Hooker's address to his army as false and untruthful. The City of Washington takes out 76 cabin and 103 steerage passengers; also 435,495 dols. and £4,810 in specie, MEXICO. THE SIEGE OF PUEBLA. Letters from Orizaba, dated 25th April last, bring news from Puebla to the 20th. No fight had taken place before that town, by the French were pressing the siege vigorously, and had sustained no repulse. On the contrary, on the 19th, they had obtained success at the Carmen Convent, routing the Mexicans with great loss at the point of the bayonet. The works of the siege had greatly advanced, and the fall of the city was expected. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. CRACOW, MAY 29, 12 10 P.M. Intelligence to the 26th inst. states that the in surgents have gained a victory at Kalisz, in the palatinate of Lask. The Russians suffered consider able lose. An engagement has taken place in Slawuta, in Vollynia. In the government of Mohilew the insurgents h ave occupied Gorki. Count Alexander Branicki has been banished to Saratow. In consequence of orders of the National Govern ment the documents relating to the trial of Dzia lynski have been abstracted by the National police. GREECE. COPENHAGEN, MAT 29. The Fadrelandet contains the following : " It is said that the question of the acceptance of the Greek throne, which in Tuesday's sitting of the Council of Ministers still encountered difficulties upon the part of Prince Christian , was decided yesterday. Prince William accepts the Crown of Greece for himself, and his successors.' RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURG, MAY 29. An imperial decree published to-day orders the Bank of Russia to effect another successive diminu tion in the price of gold, so that,at the close of the present year it may be at par. The Journal de St Petersbourg of to-day declares the rumours of an attempted insurrection at Smo enski, and its environs, to be entirely unfounded. THE BRAZILS. (By Telegraph from Lisbon.) BUENOS, AYRES, APRIL 28. The suppression of the troubles in the interior is progressing satisfactorily. The invasion attempted by General Flores has entirely failed. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Exchange, 68s. Ounces, 431. Dry American hides, 36 to 37, good demand. Wool higher, prices demanded. Tallow, 13a. Lumber, 34. Flour unchanged. MONTE VlDEO.—Exchange on London, 63. Wet salted bides, 580. Dry American hides, 480. Dry German hides, 540. Wool unaltered. Business dull. THE INDIAN BUDGET. BOMBAY MAY 12. (By Telegraph from Suez.) Sir Charles Trevelyan's Indian Budget has been published, rnd shows a surplus for the year 1862-63 of £937,000, and for 1863-64 of £815,000. The following are the principal features of the Budget : The duty on iron is reduced to 1 per cent., that on beer to three halfpenny (31d. ?) per gallon, and that on wine to 2s. per gallon. One per cent. is taken off the income-tax. The sum of £50,000,000 appears for public works, and £500,000 for education. The salt manufac ture is abandoned. FRANCE. BOURSE, May 28.—The market has been heavy, but up to the present time prices show only a slight decline on the closing rates of yesterday. Threes, are now at 69f. 40c. The Railway Share Market shows little animation, but with previous quotations pretty well maintained. The market continued heavy to the close, and left cif as follows : ft per Cents. 97 Italian Loan 72 N Do. end month.... Do. end month 72 35 3 per Cents - ditto Do. end month.... 69 35 Do. end month 73 40 Credit Mobilier....l 4l ,q, Russian Do. end m0nth....141 Austrian Bank Shares 3475 Spanish Threes.... Credit Fonder 1455 Rome Debt .. 5l 75 BA ivivhors. Cash. Orleans ................ 1000 .. Northern .... .......... 1035 Account. 995 1035 New ditto; .... ....... : . .. Lyons and Mediterranean 1038 75 .. 1037 50 Geneva Southern Western .. 525 .. 525 Eastern ....... .• . 510 .. 510 Sardinian .. 425 .. 425 Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa .. 715 .. 715 -- Ditto to Barcelona - POLAND. A POLISH INSURGENT'S VIEW OF THE DIPLO MATIC TRANSACTIONS RESPECTING POLAN D, RAWA, MAY, 1863, Four months have now passed since the com mencement of the insurrection. If in eight days we do not hear of a new massacre, if the news of movements in the country beyond the Dnieper should be confirmed, we may look with less anxiety for foreign aid. Would to God we could do without this company of buffoons who are the head of the Governments of the West ! While warlike action is imperatively necessary, they play like children with empty words. Nor is this all. All their sympathy is but a Judas kiss. They guard jealously their thirty talents, and betray us the while. They are constantly labouring solely to legalize that brutal and often repeated partition of Poland. They prate of the holiness of treaties. Hypocrites ! To•day's Patrie says : " We learn by a letter from Cracow, dated 17th May, that it is reported there that the Prussians have entered the territory of the Kingdom of Poland; it is added that the Austrians were about to do the same, and that the Russian troops would retire into the fortresses. The Prussians would occupy the country as allies of Russia, and the Austrians as representatives of the three Great Powers which intervene diplomatically in our favour." All honour to diplomacy ! This news, whether true or false, deserves very great attention, for it shows that the lovers of peace think of stopping the bloodshed and causing an armistice — no easy problem, under the mourn stances in whi c h Poland is now. It is not strange, therefore, th at the ve r y p rac ti ca l way, above al luded to, of solving that problem should he to the taste of the wiseacres of the West. No need to use their,treasures, their armies, and their ships ; all will be settled in the simplest manner on the spot without much cost or trouble, and the honour of the three allied criminals will he saved. The require ments of humanity will, moreover, be satisfied ; peace will be re-established, and Europe, free from all anxiety, be enabled to turn with a free mind to her dear Conferences. We may, therefore, really foresee an armed in tervention, not in our favour, but in that of Russia and her two allies in crime. Its object will not to wipe out the crime of the partition, but more strongly to establish its consequences. It will be employed in a restoration of order, more properly so called than that immortalised by Sebastiani, for it will be a restoration of the " order" which was established in 1796. To disarm us and give us up a prey to the three plunderers is, then, the intention of these Judases of the West. So much for the justice and sense of right of the NINETEENTH CENTURY ! AMERICA. The Canadian screw steamer Norwegian, Capt. :11 . Master, from Quebec on the 16th inst., arrived at Liverpool about two o'clock yesterday afternoon. By her we receive New York journals of the 14th, Boston and Portland of the 15th, and Quebec of the 16th inst. The Washington Star of the 13th says it has rea son to believe there is no truth in the story that General Halleck intends to take the field in person in the next movement of the army of the Potomac. The Secretary of War has directed that while the army of the Potomac remains in its present position no passes shall be granted to persons to visit it with the view of obtaining the bodies of deceased friends. A Washington telegram of the 14th May says it is stated positively in diplomatic circles that the entente cordial° is perfect between Mr. Seward and the British and French Ministers, and that Secre tary Chase received official adviees from the Hon. Robert J. Walker to the effect that he would pro bably negotiate within a week 1G0,000,000 dollars on satisfactory terms, interest payable in London. The New York tribune of the 14th has direct advices from the army of the Potomac to the 12th. All reports of movements since Hooker crossed to the north side of the Rappahannock are unfounded. The army occupied its old camps. The troops were in good spirits. There was some disappointment among the ranks at the retreat, though no demo ralisation. Stoneman's raid had been overrated. The Richmond and Fredericksburg road was so little damaged that it was repaired in 24 hours. The Federal losses exceed it is said 17,000 men, while Gen. Lee is said to admit the loss of 18,000. Gen. Lee has detained all nurses and surgeons who accompanied ambulance trains across the river and placed guns in position at the U.S. Ford and Bank's Ford, from which it is supposed he intended .o assume the offensive, and cross the river to attack the Federal forces. It is alleged that Gen. Hooker ordered a portion of the army across the river, but that the plan was disproved by Gen. Halleck, who countermanded the movement. A special despatch from Washington to the New York 71mes says that the President has re. ceived from the headquarters of the army of the Potomac an original letter of Jefferson Davis, ad dressed to one of his colonels, in which the writer speaks despondingly of affairs in the south-west and the Rappahannock. The letter was found in a Confederate camp at Fredericksburg, and is dated May 2. A short time ago a number of slaves belonging to John Minors Botts came within the Federal lines at Union Mills. Mr. Botts requested the commander of the post to return them, as he was a loyal man. The commander telegraphed to Gen. Heintzelman to know what to do. Col. Lathrop, of the general's staff, replied that they were free the moment they entered the Federal lines, and could not be sent back to slavery. Tho advices as to the movements of General Grant's forces in the south-west are conflicting and obscure. A Cairo despatch of May 14 says— Our troops, all the way from Memphis to Young's Point, are moving to reinforce Gen. Grant. Judge Killogg, who left Grant's headquarters on Sunday last, says the report of a fight at Clinton, Missis ,t,ippi, is untrue. Gen. Grant will endeavour to cut the railroad between Vicksburg and Jackson, and a battle is expected in the vicinity of the Black River Bridge. Grant's advance was reported to be 15 miles from Edward's Station, which was 18 miles east of Vicksburg. Grant had not got possession of any part of the railroad between Vicksburg and Jackson. Ten negro regiments had been formed, and it was thought 10 more would be raised. From Southern sources Vicksburg advices are to the oth instant. The Federals were then landing troops at Young's Point, destined, it was supposed, to reinforce Grant. The Federals were represented as "using their spades" on the other side of Big Black River. Their cavalry was reported to be about Cayuga. General Banks had published an order in New Orleans, requiring all registered enemies by the Ist of May to take the oath of allegiance or prepare to leave the Federal lines by that date. The oath will, it is said, subject all who take it to the conscription. An act had passed the Confederate Congress, establishing that the flag be as follows :—The field to be white, length double the width, with the union now used as the battle flag to be a square of two-thirds of the width of the flag, having the ground red, thereon a broad stripe of blue bordered with white and emblazoned with mullets or five pointed stars, corresponding to the number of the Confederate States. CANADA. The dissolution of the Provincial Parliament took place on the 12th inst. The Governor-General made the following speech upon the occasion : " Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Coun cil, Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly,—The course of events has shown that it is not possible to conduct in a satisfactory manner the public busi ness of the province under the existing conditions of the legislative body. Within the last year two successive administrations have failed to secure the confidence of the Legislative Assembly. I have therefore determined to prorogue this Parliament with a view to its immediate dissolution, in order that I may ascertain in the most constitutional manner the sense of the people upon the present state of public affairs. The pressing importance of various questions connected with the trade and in dustry of the province, and with its internal im provement and defence, demands that no time shall be lost in convening a new Parliament. "In bidding you farewell I desire to express my earnest prayer that the constituencies of this pro vince may be guided by an all•wise Providence to the selection of representatives whose judgment, forbearance, and patriotism may enable them to co operate with me in my efforts to maintain the honour of our Sovereign, and to promote the pro sperity and happiness of the people of Canada." Electioneering had actively commenced through. out Canada. Nothing certain was known as to the new Ministry. The displacement of the Postmaster- General was considered certain, Mr. Mowat being his successor. The latest reports were that the following gentlemen would comprise the new Cabi net :—For Lower Canada : Dorion, Tessier, Le Tellier, Huet, Holton, Bureau. For Upper Canada : Macdonald, Blair, M‘Dougall, Mowat, Howland, Wallbridge. The Quebec Morning Chronicle says that the re constructed Ministry, as far as known, is likely to be more averse than the last to any means calcu lated to preserve the provincial nationality, to per petuate the British connexion. THE LONDON AND PROVINCIAL TTJRKTSII BATH COMPANY.—The half-yearly meeting of this company took place on Saturday last, the 23d inst., at the Hammam, Jermyn• street, when the report of the Board of Directors was unanimously adopted, and a dividend was declared upon all the paid•up capital at the rate of £6 per cent. per annum. FATAL DUEL.—A fatal duel took place three days ego botwen two privates of the 7th Lancers, named Juilart and Cribier, quartered at Haguenau Rhin). They fought with sabres in the riding school in presence of the fencing master and other witnesses, when Cribier received a woun d i n t h e reg i on of the h ear t, which caused instant death.—acdignani. Tourt ,t 1 t r I gat i 4, HER, MAJESTY. BALMORAL, May 27. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helena, and attended by the Duchess of At hole, drove out yesterday, and honoured Mr. Farquharson, of In vercauld, by a visit. Princess Louise went out riding. The Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales, attended by Major Tees dale, rode on horseback yesterday morning. The Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess of Macclesfield, took a carriage drive. The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess of Macclesfield and Maj'r Teesdale, honoured the French Gallery in Pall-mall with a visit in the afternoon, when they were received by Mr. Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., Mr. Frederick Goodall, A.R.A., and Mr. F. Gambart, members of the committee. Their Royal Highnesses afterwards took a drive in an open carriage. Madlle. Emile Kupsch had the honour of playing on the pianoforte before her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales at Marlborough House. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales hon oured Mr. Marshall Wood with a sitting for the bust which Mr. Wood is executing of her Royal Highness. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales honoured with their presence last evening the Wandering Minstrels' concert at the Queen's Concert Rooms, Hanover-square. Their Royal Highnesses were attended by the Countess of Macclesfield, Lord Alfred Hervey, and Major Tees dale. FOREIGN COURTS. PARIS, May 27. A brilliant ball was given at the Tuileries the night before last, 800 persons being present. It will probably be the last at court this season. The departure of the court for the imperial resi dence of Fontainebleau is advanced, being now fixed for June 1. The Emperor's carriages and horses leave on Friday. The Emperor will pass in review, at four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, in the Bois de Boulogne, the battalion of Turcos and the squadron of Spahis recently arrived from Algeria. M. Rouher, Minister of Public Works, has re turned to Paris from a short journey he has been making in the provinces. The Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse are still at Brussels. Their royal highnesses again visited the King at Laeken on Tuesday, and in the after noon were present at the Brussels races. The Manheim journals announce that Prince William, brother to the Grand Duke of Baden, and married lately to the Grand Duchess Maria of Leuchtenberg, has left the military service of Prus sia, where he commanded the Brigade of Artillery of the Guard. His royal highness is about to be invested with the command of the Baden troops. The Duchess Dowager of Sutherland returned to her grace's villa at Chiswick yesterday, from visiting Lord and Lady Taunton, at their seat in Somersetshire. The Marquis of Salisbury, as Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex, has issued cards for his annual entertainment to the officers of the county militia and the magistrates of the county, the 6th proximo. The Earl and Countess of Lincoln have left the St. George's Hotel. The Earl and Countess of Chesterfield returned to town yesterday from visiting the Earl and Countess of Car narvon, at llighclere Park. The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon come to town to-d ay f rom Highc l ero Park, where they have b een receiving company during the holidays. The Countess of Dunraven's second dance takes place on Monday, the 15th of June. The Earl and Countess de Grey and Ripon have arrived at the Portland Hotel, Southsea, from the Isle of Wight. Lord and Lady Wodehouse came to town yester day from passing the recess with the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon at Highclere Park, Wilts. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has issued in vitations for a full-dress dinner party, in celebration of the Queen's birthday, on Saturday, June 6, at his residence in Carlton-house. terrace, The Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in town yesterday, from a visit to Lord Taunton, at Overstowey, Bridgewater. Adelaide Countess of Yarborough, accompanied by the Hon. Evelyn Anderson Pelham, left London this morning (Friday) for her ladyship's marine residence, St. Laurence, Isle of Wight, We understand that Messrs. Robert Cocks and Co., of New Burlington-street, London, have been appointed music publishers to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. THE INTERNATIONAL DOG SHOW. The fourth day of the International Dog Show has, in point of the number of visitors, nearly, if not quite, equalled in that respect the three preceding days put together, for up to 7 o'clock last evening it was computed that considerably over 30,000 per sons had passed into the Agricultural Hall, and at that hour the crush Was so great that it might almost he compared to that of the last day at the late In ternational Exhibition. Nor was the exhibition this day confined to the general public, but the show was again visited by large bodies of the aris tocracy, chiefly ladies, and even by Royalty. Shortly before 2 o'clock the directors and Mr. Sidney, the secretary, had an intimation that her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge was on the way to pay the Dog Show a visit, and shortly alter herßoyal Highness and suite arrived at Liver pool-road entrance, and were received by Mr. Sidney and a committee of the board, and conducted through the various avenues, the visit lasting nearly a couple of hours. The unprecedented, and, indeed, unexpected suc cess which has attended the Show, and the patron age which has been bestowed upon it by the upper and middle classes of society, thus ensuring its esta blishment as a permanent annual exhibition, like the Smithfield Cattle Show, has induced the direc tors to act with a corresponding amount of liberality, with a view to afford an opportunity to the humbler classes of witnessing this interesting and truly na tional display of animals, so pre-eminently useful for sporting and domestic purposes. At a meeting of the board held yesterday, with the foregoing ob ject in view, the directors resolved to reduce the charge of admission, after 1 p.m. on Saturday next, the last day of the Show, from ls. to 6d. This will afford thousands of employees who are favoured with the Saturday half-holiday an opportunity of wit nessing the Show, which would otherwise have been a blank to them. R, is to be regretted that yesterday afternoon the portion of the splendid pack of foxhounds exhibited, though not for competition, in the kennel erected for their accommodation in the central avenue by his Grace the Duke of Beaufort, had to be removed, in consequence of his Grace requiring their services with the remainder of his hounds in another en gagement he had entered into. There are, however, other equally beautiful specimens, which will attract great attention. FATAL ACCIDENT AT GREENWICH PlER.—Yes terday afternoon a fatal accident occurred to a young man named William Forrest, at the Greenwich steamboat pier. It appears that at five o'clock the Dryad passenger steam. vessel arrived at the pier, from Woolwich, and having landed several persons was again in motion to proceed up the river, when the deceased incautiously shook hands with the mate of the vessel, which caused him to fall from the edge of the pier into the river, and as he did not again appear on the surface it is supposed that he was carried under the floating dummy. The deceased was a watchman in the employ of the Greenwich Steamboat Company. GREAT MEETING IN LEEDS ON SUNDAY LEGIS LATION.—A meeting of between 3,000 and 4,000 persons took place in the Victorial-hall, Leeds, on Wednes day evening, the mayor in the chair, when by overwhelm ing majorities, several resolutions were passed in opposition to the present facilities for Sunday intoxication, and peti tions to both Houses of Parliament adopted in support of Mr. Somes's HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. SIGNOR FRICCA. In the present state of our Italian stage, the advent of a new and superior bass is become one of the desiderata that the musical world is most aware of. Since the retirement of Lablache we have had but one artist of this class who has attained to any eminence, and the last year or two has attested that his power is declining. However we may regret, it is perfectly useless to disguise the fact that Herr Formes is not the singer he was some six seasons ago, and just as idle is it to suppose that his place is to be supplied by executants of such limited range as Herr Zelger or Signor Vialetti. The need of a duly endowed successor is becoming daily more apparent, and more especially when we consider the important station that the bass occupies in modern opera, serious and comic. Of 44 Der Freisclaut z," " Robert the Devil," " Fidelio," and other important works, he almost forms the central feature ; and not inferior is his position in " The Barber of Seville," "Don Pasquale," and several kindred illustrations of the gayer side of the lyric drama. A new bass, there fore, who would justify the revival of some of these operas which, for want of him, have been lying on the shelf for so many seasons, could not fail to be regarded in the light of a great acquisition. We are inclined to think that such a gain in a tragic respect, at least, was presented to us last evening on the boards of the above theatre, Signor Fricca, who made his debut as the Puri tan soldier of the Huguenots, won, on a variety of grounds, a very marked and deserved success. Whether in respect to the demands of history, or the conception of the author and composer, we have never seen this important character so entirely em bodied. It is one of those impersonations which stand apart in one's experience. To this end Signor Fricca is endowed with unusual qualifications. To a voice of remarkable depth and fullness, and a style of the justest taste and feeling, he unites a dramatic fervour which has been most artistically developed; and he adds the advantage of a person which is to the last degree commanding. Singularly tall, for ho stands at least some six feet three inches high, and broad and well made in proportion, he towers above his associates like Sant among his brethern, and yet such is his artistic feeling that all his move ments have an ease and naturalness that never for an instant attract the eye from the central figures of the scene. The marking distinction of his Marcel, in a dramatic point of view, is the deeper devotion it exhibits to the welfare of his master, which both morally and bodily to puritan eyes, is so much endangered by its surroundings. To the more obvious eharacteris tics of a mingled hatred and contempt for the pleasures as well as dogmas of his Catholic an tagonists, he adds the stronger feeling of the peril they embrace and threaten to the being of all others that he loves and respects the most. Through out the opera accordingly, and more especially in the second act, we see him with his eye never diverted from his master and hi s trill form glid ing a b ou t hi m lik e some g i gant i c guar dian genius, In all musical respects his merits are quite as emi nent. The religious fervour, the martial vigour, and the personal devotion that we have referred to, and which rises in the last act to such a height of paternal tenderness, we need not say, obtain in the opera the most masterly expression, a n d la every instance are responded to by the powers of Signor Fricca. Whether in the bluff vigour of his "Piff-paff," the stern anxiety of his share in the noble duet with Valentine, or the pa thetic dignity of his sanction to the union o f the lovers—it was hard to say—that Signor Fricca was most successful and impressive. We can only re peat our conviction, that he has every claim to be regarded as a great gain to our lyric stage. As a whole we have never seen this opera more admirably performed. Madlle. Titiens was in un usual voice and spirits on this occasion, and more than confirmed the evidence of her wholly un rivalled claims to the position she now occupies as the queen of prima donnas. Voice, person, pas sion, knowledge, were here combin ed to a de g ree which made us feel h ow little capable was the best praise we could utt er t o do justice to her merits. Her noble music with Marcel was never more finely given. But still grander and more delightful vea o the effect of her great duet with Raoul, whteN whether in respect to force or tenderness, we have never heard so sung as on this occasio o. Signor Ginglini is fully entitled to share her honours in this effort, every phase of which he marked with the utmost power as well ( 15 delicacy° Of the merits of Madlle. Trebelli in the , Page, of Mr. S an tl ey i n th e Count de Nevers, ae a , M. Gassi er i n St. B r i s , an d o f the noble delivery of choruses, from the first scene to the last, we ca ll only repeat our old eulogia. The house was very full, and the audience mar ked their satisfaction by the loudest demonstrations . -- recalling Madlle. Titiens and Signor Giuglini Mee on the conclusion of their great scene. ST. JAMES'S HALL. Mr. David Fisher, whose " Rich: and Fancies' have been for some time in favour witi2 the public, has now transported his amusing entertainment t 0 St. James's Hall. The true history of the Two Gentlemen of Verona, the Story without an End* and Mr. Jenkins'e Sensation Drama, follow laughable succession. In the Story without an End► written by himself, Mr. Fisher sustains no less than five different characters, three of them each with song, and one with a violin solo. Some idea of the: vivacity and versatility of these " Facts and Fancies may be gathered from this ; but Mr. Fisher doe s not trust exclusively to his own talent for the amusement of his audience. A new and attractsl feature stwhohaomts in ueherrhi eleao h nnt i tti s c se e au. n ne t dc e le r tsc t sh a ies i as n r m m n n g t i s s i n t g h e e r apA Miss a s r R ance a t 0 notat Windsor have tima a t t h t e ra i c a t d e; has been heard in St. James's Hall, and we hope' it will not be the last, for she would certainly prove a valuable addition to our s ummer concert season. Miss Roden sang the famous old air of " Cruel Barbara Allen," an d " The Bailiffs Daughter of Islington," from Chappell's Popular Music of the Olden Time, with her usual correct ness and expression. Madame Juliana Heinle was the pianiste, and played some of Thalberg Fantasias. Those who wish to pass an hour of f two pleasantly away, should avail themselves ° Ol this entertaining combination of " F ac t s O - Fancies." THE EUROPEAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY.-- 113° annual meeting of the above society was held Ye r. terday, Mr. Wickham, M.P., chairman of the comP ol ,,,' presiding. A mo s t satisfactory repo r t w as presented by tb directors, and unanimously adopted. It stated that the r e : venue on new policies in 1862 was £14,476 7s. 4d., and the premium revenue had increased from £22,245 in 1803 tP £133,163 in 1862. The balance of receipts over ex pendittl e . was £31,117, and the assets have been increased by £67, 46 , A The guarantee business of the society had largely increas7 during the year, and the advantage of combining life 9 01 1, ante with guarantee were daily becoming more exteas iYe appreciated. The life and guarantee claims paid during " 14 year amounted to £70,494 Bs. 9d,, being within the actual expectation of the society's risks. THE SUICIDE OF MR. SWANBOROUGH.—Yet:: day, the ladies and gentlemen const it u ti ng the , ur ." -- 1 ; matic company of the Strand Th ea t re. t oge th e r with d employes of that establishment, were called together apprised that in consequence of the melancholy suicide, Mr. H. V. Swanborough, sen., th e l ate l essee , their servi c; will no longer be requi re d. Th us sadly an d su ddeulYy , t little house which had become popular under a tua r ' eg ! ment distinguished by liberality and taste has closed l te doors upon tha public. THE MACLACHLAN CASE.—The tapers obtained by Mr. Stirling, M.P., with respect to this caseelStre.:, issued yesterday. They include the proceedings of Mrs. Maclachian, at the Glasgow Criminal Courtb;;_ro statements of witnesses taken by the procurator fiscal s tate° the sheriff relative to the preparation of the prisoner's. itent; notes of the statements of witnesses examined 15 e_l x v o. Mr. George Young, advocate ; witnesses who weeirreeeate., mined by the procurator fiscal before the sheriff ; th wer : not ments, furnished to Mr. Young, although theyring re-examined by him ; and, lastly, a letter from w r. the to the Home Secretary, explaining the manner in my"' at th evidence given before him wee taken.