The Sun. — London, England, 1854-12-26 00:00:00

NORWICH UNION FIRE INSURANCE sOCIETY.—EST A.RLISHED 1797. Capital, 550,0001. It is provided by the cons±itu , ion of the Society that the Insured Shall be free from all responsibility ; and to guarantee the engage ments of the Office, a fluid of 550,0001. has been subscribed by a numerous and opulent Proprietary, which fund has been further in creased by the accumulation if an additional reserve, now amount ing to 96,8110/.. Returns of Three-fifths of the Profits of the Company are periodically made to parties insuring, who have thus from time to time received from the Society sums amounting in the aggregate to nearly 380,0001. Tao ft Premium are in no case higher than those charged by the othelliripal Offices malting no returns to their Insurers The business of the Company ex:ea is 62,000,0001., and, owing to the liberality with which its engagements have been performed, is rapidly increasing. The Duty paid to Government for the year 18.53 was 13,9711., and the amount insured on Farming Stock was upwards of 8,974,6201. This Offtc,e is wholly distinct from the Life Office. For Prospectuses apply ti the Society's Offices, 6, Crescent, New Bridge-street, Blackfrlars ; and Surrey-street, Norwich. DRITRY-LANE..—Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.— Redue-td Prices as usual.— A Morning Performance every Wednesday, at 2 o'clock.—To-morrow Evening (Tuesday), Dec. 26. her Majesty's Servants will perform Lillo's Tragedy of GEORGE BARNWELL. George Barnwell, Mr. T. Mead ; Freeman, Mr Linaham; Thorogood, Mr. A. Younge ; Blunt, Mr. Walto n ; Uncle to Barnwell, Mr. Morelli ; Gaoler, Mr. Inchford ; Millwood, Miss Jane Danson ; Maria, Miss Love; and May, Mrs. Selby- which will be produced an entirely original, extraor dina c ry u ~n h a t r e , rary, traditionary, comical, gastronomical, and peculiarly n and fantastic domestic grand comic Christmas Pantomime,eentiEotlueru h - J ACK AND JILL; or, Harlequin King Milliard and cen v and-Twenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie. The e xtensi en tirely new, by Measr=. Nicholls, Cuthbert , Cooper. Cvoerdso, ner Wi , s , The extraordinai v and Moore. The machinery by Messrs. Tucker. Madame Louise properties, decorations, tri ks, changes, and transformations by Needham. The choregraphic arr ,ng,ements by The overture and music composed and selected by J. H. TallY; o for many weeks past Leader, xr. Hayward. The whole of the designs, mod els . and sketches furnished from the studio of Dikwynkyn, has iser,ri personally supervising their execution.bE. The novel grotesque burlesque opening invented and written y L. Blanchard ; and the wnole arranged and produced underthe imm.diate superin tendence of Mr. Edward Stirling. Principal Ingredients in The C;hristmas Bill of Fare —The Hall of Hypochondria in the Domains of Dulness.—Miaanthropy (Genius of Gloom), Mrs. Belford Fog, Drizzle ; Taxes, s p leen, Indigestion , Quarter-day (his 3linisters 01 Melancholy). Messrs. E. V. Dent, E. V. Wet, E. V. Load, E. V. Day, E. V. w e ight, and E. V. Bills. Azure Diatolicals in attend ance, mew s. Croak, Quake, Fret, Fidget, Worry, Flurry, Fume, Vex, Groan. Growl, Grumble, and Grizzle. Apparition of Misan thropy on her favourite Nightmare, and Magical Appearance of G oo d Humour in her Christmas Car. Good Humour, Miss Alder; Lightheart and Sunshine (her Attendants), Misses Honey and Brown; Mrs. Glasse (the original "Cook's Oracle," an 1 the well known adviser of the " First catch your hare," &c.), Miss Rosina Collins. The receipt given to make a good pantomime, and its con coction accordingly. Cottage of Jill on the borders of Fairyland (by Sunrise), With Enchanted Kitchen, Garden, and Region of Preserves. "Sing a song of Sixpence, t • " Pocket full of rye, "Four-and-twenty blackbirds, " Baked in a pie."—Ancient Nursery Legend. Jack (the interesting hero of the olden story, who went up the hill to fetch, &c ), aiterwards Harlequin, M. Milano; Jill (the heroine of the adventure, in love with Jack), afterwards Columbine, Mdlle. Boleno ; Marmalade (the Fairy Queen of the Preserves), Miss K. Warrington ; Pineapple, Raspberry, Lemon, Cherry, Apple, and Greengage (her Assistants), Misses Clifford, Gower, Johnson, Love, Lenis, and Richardson ; Strawberry, Cranberry, Gooseberry, Cur rant, Apricot, Damson, Quince, &c. (Fancy Preserves), Misses Grace Honey, Ellen Honey, Laurance, Louise, Therese, Charle=, Sin-, Sidney, Gordon. Barnes, Emily Barnes, Richardson, Eliza Richard son, Rose, Sidney, Emily Moore, Elizabeth Smith, Lille Ellis, Rosa Harrison, E. Box, Tayler, Matilda Chenley, Martiney, St. Clare, Ev ,ns, John Levines, S. Johnson, and Roberts ; Preserved Ginger their warm ally), Master Pungent ; Fruit Blossoms by a Blooming Selection of Coryphees. The Will and the Way—the Talismanic ,Sixpence —lhe Change. Grand Ballet. Principal Dancers, Mdlle Therese and Annie Cushnie, Therese, Smith. &c. The Four-aid- Twenty Blackbirds, Masters Tweet Tweet, Toot Too, Loodle Loodle, &c. The Beading of the Will— " Jill must not a husband take, Till she a pie can make and bake." Interior of Jill's Cottage (by Moonlight).—Coal, Mr. Nobbs ; Bundle of Wood. Mr. Halfpenny; Corigreve Box, Mr. Fizzer ; Bellows, Mr. Leathertongne; Dutch Oven, Mynheer Von Tan ; Rolling Pin, Mr. Smoothpaste ; Gridiron, Mr. De Bar; Frying Pan, Mr. Broadrirn ; Soyer's Three-legged Iron Pot, Herr Potluck. Cruet Castle in the Table Cloth Territory (by Moonlight), and Golden Palace of King Mustard.—King Mustard (afterwards Clown), Harry Bolen° ; the Empress Vinegar (afterwards Pantaloon), Herr Kohl ; Black Pepper and White Pepper (-entinels on duty at Cruet Castle), Mr. Husky and Mr. Sneezums ; Sweet Oil, Miss Florence; Cayenne, Mr. Capsi cum ; Harvey's Sauce (attendant in waiting), Mr. Savoury ; the Army of tests, Messrs. Indian Soy, Curry, Capers, Ketchup, Mushrooms, Garlic, Shalot, Sweet Herbs, Potted Tongue ; Potted Beef, Potted gloaters, Potted Anchovies, Potted shrimps, &c.; Horse Radish (from the King's stable), by a RacingNa;. drsnd iteview—Ter rifle Attack upon the Appetite, and Rally of the Relishes—Great Progress of Jill in her Culinary Career. The Abode of Chutnee in the Province of Pickles (t.y Sunset).—Chataee (Chief of the Pickles), re r. Fiery Facies ; the Pickle Army, Messrs. Onions, Walnut, Gher k'ne, Cauliflower, Red Cabbage, &c.; Small Jar, Master Piccalilli. Great demand for Pickles and determination of the Door to Stand a Jsr. Interior of the Stupendous Salt Mine (by Moonlight). - Salt Rock (a bright White Sprite), Herr Willikind Moleno. Imminent danger of Jill in splitting upon a Rock of Salt— Treachery of Vinegar —Upsetting the Pall above, and Evaporation of the Saline Stalactite Co'umnS, disclosing The Emerald Temple of Salad —Magical Union of the Sweets and Sours, and " a Pie" termination of the Loves of Jack and Jill. The Transformation. -Harlequin, M. 3filano ; Columbines,' Mettle. Ilf•Seno and Miss Ellen Honey; Pantaloon, Mr. Cole; Sprite. Herr Willikind Bolen° ; Clown, the celebrated Harry Boleno (his first appearance in London for many years) ; Aerial Evolutionists, by the inimitable Italian Brothers. The Turk's Head Public-house and Hairdresser's Shop.—Hairdresser, Mons. Pomade ; Publican, Mr. Billy Williams ; Customers, Messrs. Rednob, Smockface, Owen Swift, Beardless, Whisker Want, Baron Nicholson, and Tom Steed; the British Pub. tic by themselves; Policeman Al, Mr. Vigilant. Approach of tho Great Rugged Russian Bear—How he Whines after the Porte, which, being rather old, turns out somewhat crusty—A Dose of Turkey Rhubarb —A Don-e Cossack —Pure Circassian Cream—How one Sham 11l makes all well—The Great Bear turns out a Great Boar —Russian Attachment to Grease—Clown Cuts his Customer's Hare and afterwards Dresses it a la Soyer—The Great Moustache Move ment—A Close Shave —Clown shows his high attachment to the Pole—Sudden Rise in Porter—An M.T.'at.P.—A Patten Lock at 10 o'clock—A Bona Fide Traveller—Ginger Beer and Gin without ger —A Mill, a Fight, a Regular Row, and Station-house for Two. Great American Baby Show.—Arrival of the Infantry—Sadden Squall—Ma's upon the Eve of Battle—General Attack—Awarding the Prizes mown and Pantaloon's Offsprings— The Prettiest Baby in the World—A Model Baby and a Spirit Child - The Wonderful Effects of Dr. De Jongles Cod Liver Oil—Clown's Great Prize Baby —Fresh Arrival of 300 more Babies —T he Judge Confounded r Ceat U proa r—An Unwelcome Visitor to a Ladl es ' and Juvenile Party' and Extraordinary case of Suspended Animation by the Ita lian Sprites. Scott's Oyster Shop, Newspaper-office, and PUrSe,rl. Biscuit Baking and Confectionery Establishment, Cornhin.— , Up rouse ye then, my merry men, it is our opening day' —A Holster for one nil a Lobster for two—A Mussulm an and a Man for a Muscle—Duty and Custom—A Bride Cake and a Wedding Cake— First Edition and Second Edition—Left Out f.r Want of Ro m Press of the Privilege and Privileges of the Press—" Oh. what a row, a rumpus, what a rioting." Faker, Mr. Crusty; Fishmonger. Mr. Scales; Master Newsboy, Christmas-box; Printers, Messrs Typo and Chapel ; Editor, Mr. Cutemdown ; Critic, Cuteintip; Pas sengers, Messrs. Trot, Cosey, Strutalong, Lounge, loiter, and Walk about ; Boardman, Mr. Bobaday. Host r's Shop and New Wing of Somerset-house.—Here we are—Merry Chris tm. , s and a Happy New Year —High Prices and Low Prices—Manchester Stuff—Eng lish Comforters—Stocks on Hand and Handsome Stocks—Ford's Eureka Shirts—Reform in the Civil List and Unc:vil Treatment of the Clerks—Transfer-day at the Bank, and General Holyday at Somerset-house.—Hosier, Mr Stocken ; Shopman, Mr. Early bird; Boy, Master Toddles. Soyer's Magic Kitchen.—Chef de CuisMe, Moir. Soler; Kitchenmaids, Misses Basteaway and Drippingsell ; Guardsman, Corporal Longshanks ; Policeman, Sergeant Podger. Cupboard Lovers—Soyer's Last Soup Where's the Knives and Forks?—Boiled and Unbolted Lob sters—Headless Swains—Lobster Patty and Glsiet Soup—Clown Gone all to Pot—Harlequin Gets well Towelled and afterwards Mangled—Clown and Pantaloon in a Stew—A Regular Broil— Thou comest in such an unquestionable shape, that I will speak to thee (Boyer, or rather Shakepeare)—Too Many Cooks Spoil the (Clown's) Broth—The scene finishes in a very spirited manner. An Illuminated Page of the History of England.—Grand Allegorical Tableau with Panoramic Effects, illustrative of the Triumphs of the Ailled Forces. Young Jullien's " Allied Army Quadrille," by the double bands of the English and French. " God save the Queen," " Partant pour la Syrie," and " Rule Britannia " Daughter of the Regiment, Miss Rebecca Collins, in which character she will sing the spirited patriotic effusion, published in " Blackwood's Bag zine" for December, and written by Corporal John Brown, of the Grena dier Guards, when the men got some drink for the first time at Balaklava, Sept. 28th Come all you gallant British hearts that love the red and blue, And drink the health of those brave lads who made the Russians rue. Then fill the alma, and let it pass, three times three, and one more, For the twentieth of September, eighteen hundred and fifty-four. Vestibule of the Temple of Victory. The Tribute of England to the Brave Patriots. Distribution ot Laurel Wreaths, Gorgeous and Electric Scenic Climax, with Revolving Columns and Varlets sted Illuminations. Terrific Flight of the Italian Brothers. The whole scene presenting a coup d'mil never before witnessed on the English stage. Admission :—Stalls, is.; dress circle, 4s. ; second price, 25.; upper circle, 3s; ; second 'price, Is. 6d. ; pi t, 2s. ; second price, Is • lower gallery, Is.; second price, td. ; u p per gallery, 6d.; private boxes, boxes, 10s. 6d., 155., 213., and upwards. Doors open at hal: past 6, performance at 7 o'clock. Half-price at 9 o ' c l ock. The box - office open daily, from 11 till 5 o'clock, under the direction ofMr.Eadnwdaridn Chatterton. Notice.—The following pi ces are approved preparation, and will shortly be produced —The Grand Christmas Pantomime, by E. L. Blanchard, Esq. ; a Drama, by Dion Boura cault. Esq. ; Two Dramas, by A. Harris, Esq. ; an Adaptation fro m Meyerbser'S Opera, L'Etoile du Nord, with new scenery, properties, and effects ; to be succeeded by an English version (by Mr. Reynold son) of Gluck's Iphigenia in Tauride. The Grand Historical Egyp. than Drama, many months in preparation, will also shortly appear. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Ender the management of Mr. Rackstone. THIS EVENING, Dic. 26, Will be performed the Comedy of PRESENTED AT COURT. Principal'characters by Messrs. Bueltstone, W. Farren, and Howe ; Misses Reynolds, E. Chaplin, Grantham, and Lavine. Followed by a new grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled LITTLE 80-PEEP; or, Harlequin and the Girl who Lost her Sheep. Little 80-Peep, Miss L. I hompson ; Harlequin, Mr. Chapin° ; Pantaloon, Mr. W. Barnes; Clown, Mr. Appleby ; Columb ne, Miss M. Brown. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Under the Management of Mr. CHARLES KEAN THIS EVENING, DEC. 25, Will be presented THE COURIER OF LYONS. Principal charac ter ay Mr. C. Kean. After which will be produced a New Grand( hristmas Pantomime. entitled, HARLEQUIN BLUE- BEA) , D or, The Great italhaw, , lequin, Mr. Corrnack ; Clown, M r.Hulaie ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; and Columbine, Miss Deshorough. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. R. Webster.—Diroctress, Madame Celeste, THIS EVENING, DEC. 26, Will be performed an entire new Rustic Drama called PIERRE THE FOUNDLING. Supported by Messrs. B. Webster and Kee • ley, and Mrs. Keeley and Miss Woolgar. After which, a new grand Eccentric Extravaganza, called ZAG : Travels et Messrs. Danube and Pruth. To which will be added a new Farce, entitled THE RAILWAY BELLE. ROYAL OLYMPIC THE %.TRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wizan. THI3 EVENING, Dac. 26. T'WM be presented a new Comedietta, c Hied WIFE'S JOURNAL . tAracters by Messrs. Brown, Emery, Harcourt, and Leslie ; and nrown, and Miss Maskell. 1,4:47h1en, a new Fairy Extravaganza entitled THE YELLOW ter, by NI AND THE KING OF THE GOLD 1%11NE4. Charac xiss m. 40% Robson. Miss Julia ;-t. George, Miss E. Ormonde, To cond i : \ MI " Bromley, and Mrs. Fitzallan, Which sir. i'llotzo‘ will tti the A. e Farce, called BLION TED BEING, in appear. ROYAL, LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the mana g e reeat of C. M atbew3. Madame Vestrls, Sole Lessee Mr. TH IS EvEIeING Dac. 26, Will be produced a new and o',l titled PRINCE P RETTYPE T and 'fga Fairy Extravaganza, en- To be followed by TWO HE.tps ITEnFLY, Box-office open from 10 until 6. BET THAN ONE. Bole agent for Private Boxes, Sir. Allcroft, ..ew Bond-street. AsThEY'S ROYAL AMPHITIit,v mr. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke, THIS MORNING (Boxing day), A GRAND MID-DAY PERYOR3IANCE at Two ~,e l„ k Scenes in the ci rc l e , w ith the first r epresentation of the New-c lm'e The Pantomime. Also on the Monday mornings of Januar y l st. B th,an i d 15th ! THIS EVENING, THE BATTLE of THE ALMA! After which, the SCENES in the ARENA ! To conclude with an entirely new Harlegainade loy Nelson Lee, with new music, scenery, dresses, tricks, transformations, Sec., &c., called, GULLI VER'S TRAVELS THROUGH THE HORSE ISLANDS ; or, Harlequin and Britannia ! Bax-oflce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Acting Manager, Mr. W. H. Cooke. Equestrian Director, W. Wm. Cooke, jun. vuit invented a:; to the taking of Sebastopol. But anything so contrary to rule a .3 a rapid storm could not be tolerated—it would endanger the lives of too many men t—just as if a far greater mortality wars not occasioned by awaiting the ar rival of Russian reinforcements while we were lying before the town for three weeks, receiving hut not returning the fire of its defenders. As the writer of the letter alluded to states—" We are reduced to our present straits simply and solely because Sir JOHN, at the head of a large party of -veterans, has, during the 40 years of peace, resisted every improvement in military science as a personal insult to their superior knowledge and experience, and they have, in con sequence of their position, been able to keep things pretty much as they were at the end of the last war." This is military red-tapism—this is having " a safe man " at the head of affairs. Had we allowed the capture of Sebastopol to depend on the pluck and enthusiasm of our troops, when they were flushed with victory, and their opponents paralysed with unexpected. defeat the matter would have been long since concluded. Not blood lessly, for the storm could not have been effected without the loss of many lives. But still the object of the campaign would have been accomplished. Russia would have been tho roughly awakened to a true sense of her situation, and compelled to sue for peace on our own terms. All these things we have forfeited, and yet there has been greater mortality, more terrible sacrifices, than if we had adopted the more daring and the less sanguinary course. England, which excels the world in civil engineering, appears to be far behind in military engineering—not through the defects of the young officers, but through the prejudices of the old, and the red-tapism that excludes the lights of science, and flings cold water on every invention, unless proceeding from legitimate quarters. These are matters that should be looked to in time, for the mischief arising from such grave mistakes becomes irreparable, and the nation is compelled to mourn in sackcloth and ashes the grievous error into which it has suffered itself to be betrayed. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, DEC. 25. The Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Prince Alfred, and the Princesses Alice and Helena, the ladies and gentlemen of the Court and the domestic household, attended divine service this morning in the private Chapel of the Castle. The Hon. and Very Rev, the Dean of Windsor performed the service and administered the holy communion. The Duchess of Kent was also at the service. The Duke of Newcastle arrived yesterday and remains on a visit. The Viscount Canning has been invited, and is expected this afternoon. Despatches were sent yesterday from the Foreign-effice to Lord Raglan, before Sebastopol. Sir Do Lacs Evans, Bart., M.P., is hourly expected bo arrive at Folkestone, where he will remain some time for the benefit of his health. It is probable that he will not return to his town house, in tryanstone-square for several weeks. The Duke of Cleveland has expresses hi■ readiness to accompany the South Durham Militia to any quarter, and on any service, which her Majesty may require. DEATH OF THI MARCHIONESS CAMDEN.—We regret to announce the death of the Marchioness Camden, who expired on Saturday morning at Wilderness Park, near Sevenoaks, Kent, after a short illness. By the lamented decease of this charitable lady the families of the Earl and Countess of Kinnoull, the Bishop of Rochester, the Duke and Duchess of Athol!, Lady Mordaunt, &c., are placed in mourning. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGF... flAy —Mcraiug 42 min.after 6 Evening 10 nain.olt. ro-Mosi.olf Morning 42 min.after 7 1 Evening 11 cala...;!t. 8 THE WEATHER.—Stai OTTlcs, Dec. 2G. TUERMOMETTM, I'S TA? S3ADI3I. highest since noon yesterday. 4-4 () west this morning and during the night. 47—this day, at noon. RAROMETWit, 29.92 —rising again. WTNn, W.N.W.—Light breeze, and beautiful sunshiny Boxing Day. - • q,4lp• jrz, ~Lyei:a4,x,;oo% gnu LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1854. The Christmas Session has terminated, and four weeks from this day must elapse before Honour- able Gentlemen again assemble at the Imperial Palace of Westminster to open the Parliamentary campaign in earnest. We trust that the interval may not be misapplied, but that the free and in dependent constituencies throughout the entire Kingdom may giie clear and explicit instructions to their respective representatives, so as to pre vent the possibility of any future mistake. We have already had a deplorable illustration of the effects of a surprise. We have seen a proposition for the establishment of an unconstitutional force receive the sanction of the Legislature! We have seen, what we cannot help designating as a prac tical insult to the British army, carried by the same voices that passed a strong and well-merited vote of thanks to that army 1 ! At the ♦ery moment when the brilliant exploits performed at the Alma, a►t Balaklava, and at Inkerman had proved that the soldiers of the present day were the worthy successors of the heroes of the Peninsula and of Waterloo—when the untried men had proved themselves equal, not merely in dash and bravery, but in steadiness and coolness under fire, to ex perienced ♦eterans—the English Government was deciding on the measure, which implied that the honortr and safety of the country could not be entrusted to these men, but that we should seek Swiss or German aid ! Englan3, forsooth, was not " a military nation." We should pay more warlike tribes to extricate us from the scrape in which we became involved through our undue int,srference with the will and pleasure of the AUTOCRAT. We must hire mercenaries to dis charge the duties which we cannot find natives of the United Kingdom able or willing to undertake. Will the German emigrants train more rapidly than the rising generation of England, Scotland, or Ireland ? Will they be qualified at an earlier period of their career to undergo the hardships of .a campaign in the Crimea, or will they more steadfastly resist the attacks of a stubborn and powerful foe ? We believe that nothing but a deep and unreasoning prejudice, a thorough feel ing of " Germanism," could prefer the "HA.LBE/LT Buccaneers," as they have been appropriately termed, to our own gallant troops, prepared to forfeit their lives, to shed their very hearts'-blood, for the honour of the country. What feeling in common can the hirelings who fight, not from patriotic feelings, but for pay or booty, have with them ? None. They are ready to draw their venal swords for any master. The best pay, the most unlimited license, the prospects of successful plunder, are all they look to ; and so long as the produce of the Ural Mountains continue, NicitoLls will obtain similar auxiliaries, ready at any moment to sell the cause in which they are engaged to the highest bidder—to carry the train ing and discipline acquired while' re , ..:eiviug the pay of Great Britain to the service of its oppo nents. It is unfair to compare those whose assistance we obtained in former wars with the class now sought after. They were Allies in the broadest sense of the phrase, and, although they received British pay, were engaged in a common cause, and had all their sympathies excited in our favour. But new Ministers have travelled out of their way to tell us that we are not to enlist Poles or Hungarians. That it is only " Swiss"—the name that has passed into a proverb to illustrate the mercenary of any class—or Germans, the highly favoured people, who can alone hope to bask in Courtly sunshine, that are to be employed. We refuse the men who would join heart and hand, and seek for those who will only be attached to us by pecuniary ties, on whom our only reliance is founded on the pocket ! Let the electors think of these things, and unequivo cally teach their representatives the nature of the opinions which they entertain on the most ob noxious measure that was ever hurried—recklessly and indecently hurried—through the Imperial Parliament. It has often fallen to our lot to protest ear nestly and emphatically against "red-tapism." The pert official sneer that contumeliously rejects anything not introduced by protegees of the de partment—that recognises no light unless that smuggled through official apertures may do very well for " the piping times of peace," but it cer tainly is not suited for " grim-visaged war," when our brave warriors are engaged in a struggle for life and death. It is true that, even when England was at peace with all the world, we lost the illustrious FRANKLIN and his enterprising companions, because the Admi ralty would not accept the freely- tendered assistance, or even act on the suggestions of a " mere civilian," although that civilian possessed the greatest experience, and had afforded the most satisfactory proof of sound judgment, and reasoning powers of a high order. But lamentable as was th© loss of FRANKLIN and his companions, there is something of even higher importance at stake. Not only are the lives and liberties of the Allied Armies in the Crimea—of English and French " heroes," who have well merited the title—involved in the re sult—but the future peace and tranquilfity of Europe, and the security of the Western. Powers ! These are important issues—on one side peace and plenty —on the other war, with the numer ous attendant evils which she brings in her train. Not merely one hundred, or one hundred and fifty lives, albeit of the best and bravest that England could produce, but of thousands and tans of thousands of British subjects are placed in jeopardy, the welfare and prosperity of the na tion hangs in the balance, but still the old rou tine is obstinately persisted in. A letter, which appears in our impresssion of this day, points out bow, in 1854, we are suffer ing at Sebastopol flora similar mistakes to those which led to the failure at Burgos in 1812 ; and, what is no less remarkable, that on both. these ex traordinary occasions the engineering department was placed under the control and direction of the same officer, Sir JOHN BURGOYNE. At the earlier period he was foiled by earthworks, " executed in haste, and in defiance of all rule." A similar result has occurred after an interval of 42 years. The career of a victorious army has again been arrested by works of the most paltry character, constructed while we were leokine , on. Had we dashed forward after the decisive victory at ' i Alma, we might have realised the stories CHRISTMAS FESTITITIES. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford are entertaining a distinguished circle of friends at Woburn Abbey, Beds. The gaieties of the season will be prolonged until the close of the ensuing week at the ducal seat. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk have a select party assembled at Arundel Castle, Sussex, fur the holidays. The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort have a large party at Badminton. The Duchess Dowager of Beau fort and the Ladies Somerset, Mr. and Lady Rose Lovell, &c., are among the visitors. The Duke and Duchess of Wellington are seeing com pany at Strathfieldsaye, Hants. The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland intend to receive a succession of guests at Aln wick Castle, Nor thumberland, during the Christmas holidays. The poor on the ducal estate, and also at Stanwick, in Yorkshire, have not been forgotten by the noble duke and duchess. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland's party this Christmas, at Trentham, Staffordshire, is confined to a family circle, including the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford, the Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor, &c. The Marquis and Marchioness of Kildair are also stay ing with the noble duke and duchess. The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland have a select circle at Raby Ca-tle, Durham. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have a numerous 1 , family party congregated at Goodwood-park, Sussex. The Princess Edward of Saxe Weimar, the Earl and Countess of March, Lord Henry Gordon Lennox, M.P., Lord Alexander Gordon Lennox, M.P., &c., are of the party. The Marquis of Lansdowne is entertaining a small party at Buwood, Wilts. The Earl and Countess of Shelburne arrived there on Friday. Count and Countess Elahault, and the lion. Miss Elphinstone Flahault are expected there. The Earl and Countess of Derby have a select circle at Knowsley, near Prescott. Lord Stanley, M.P., joined the circle on Saturday. The Earl Fitzwilliam is surrounded by a large family circle this Christmas. On St. Thomas's Day the whole of the labourers and poor on the noble earl's estate, at Wentworth, were given an ample supply of the comforts of the season, agreeable to his lordship's annual custom at this period of the year. Lord Brougham is keeping up Christmas at Brougham Hall, in "The good old English style," surrounded by a large party. Mr. and Mrs. William Brougham and their children are staying with the noble and learned lord. The Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., and Mrs. Herbert, are dispensing their hospitality at Wilton Rouse, near Salisbury. The Countess (Dowager) of Pembroke, the Earl and Countess of Clanwilliam, the Countess of Dunmore, the Earl and Countess Bruce, the Hon. T. and Lady Emma Vesey, &c., are among the guests of the right hon. gentleman. Sir Stephen Glynne, Bart., has a small party at Hawarden Castle. Lord and Lady Lyttelton have ar rived there from Hagley Park, Worcestershire ; and the Right Hon. W. E. and Mrs. Gladstone, from town. THE CAPTAIN OF THE PRINCE.—Mr . John Goodall' the captain of the fine steamer Prince, which was wrecked some time ago in the Slack Sea, and all hands lost ex cept five, was not, as has been stated, a native of Forfar, but was born towards the end of the year 1823 at Peasiehill, in the parish of Arbroath, on the Panmure estate-- a place within two miles of Arbirlot. At this place his father and grandfather had been farmers, but his father also served the Crown as a captain in the 2d, or Queen's Own, Regiment during the Peninsular war. He was present at many celebrated battles, and we ;re g lad to learn is still alive. His son, the late captain of the Prince, while yet a boy, removed to Salisbury, of which place his mother was a native, belonging to a highly respectable family, and where he received his education. His antecedents, or qualifications as a sailor, are given officially by Mr. Ellis, the chairman of the company in whose service he was engaged. SEXAGENARIAN MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS . —There are no less than 72 members of the House of Commons who claim to be wholly excused on election committees on account of being more than 60 years of age. The list includes the names of Sir T. D. Acland, Sir J. Bailey, Admiral Berkeley, Sir George Berkeley, Mr. Brotherton, Mr. Hume, Sir C. Bur rell, Mr. B. B. Cabbell, Mr. Coffin, Right Hon. E. Ellice, Sir De Lacy Evans, Mr. W. J. Fox, Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Greene, Right Hon. J. W. Henley, Sir T. Frankland Lewis, Colonel Lowther, Mr. Masterman, Mr. J. P. Mainsail, Mr. H. Drummond, Mr. Muntz, Sir G. Pechell, Sir R. Price, Lord John Russell, Mr. Spooner, Sir G. Strickland, Mr. Thorneley , A dmiral Walcott, Mr. W. B. Wrightson, and General Wyndham. SHIPWRECK AND Loss or LIFE —The Shepherd, a Welsh schooner, laden with 88 tons of oats, the pro perky of Mr. Thomas Boyd, proceeded from the quay, hound to Liverpool, on the evening of Tuesday last, in the charge of James Patterson, pilot. About six o'clock she passed the Bar in safety, but a heavy storm Navin; afterward; come on she was lost in the gale. Yester day her rigging was seen floating near Enniscrone, and her hulk was discovered stuck to a rock on the Pulla heeny shore. All on board, consisting of the master, three sailors, and the pilot, perished. The bodies have been washed on shore, and are now lying at Pull aheen y . A gentleman who has just returned from the scene of the shipwreck, and who has frequently been witness of the agitation of the sea after the effects of a storm, say; that he has never seen such a convulsion of the watery element as that which he has just beheld on th© iron bound coast of Pullaheeny. Poor Patterson, the pilot, has lett a widow and four helpless orphans totally un provided with any means of support. We understand that a gentleman connected with the mercantile trade of this town will immediately solicit subscriptions in their behalf, and we hope that the sympathising public will generally aid in mitigating their deep distress. —Bulling Herald. Viki, LON 130114, TITESDA LATEST NEWS. BERLIN, TUESDAY MORNING. According to accounts received from St. Peters burg yesterday, Prince Menschikoff reports that, up to the evening of the 16th, nothing particular had occurred before Sebastopol. The unfavour able weather hindered the progress of the works, and the enemy's fire was feeble, more especially on the side of the English batteries. THE CRIMEA. THE AFFAIR OF THE VLADIMIR. The Russian Government published, on the 17th instant, in an extraordinary supplement of the Invalide Busse, the following account of the naval sortie from Sebastopol on the 6th, an affair which was described in our letters published yesterday : "On the 6th of December two steamers, the Vladimir, Captain Boutakoff, and the ChersonesuF, Commander Roudneff, were sent out from the road sted. of Sebastopol, for the purpose of doing some injury to the French steamer anchored off the bay. This en terprise was carried out with success eno ugh ; for while the French steamer was making haste to sheer off, under the protection of another steamer, also French, ours succeeded in sending after it a number of balls, some of which went plump into its hull. A large English steam three decker, that came up to its assistance, having been lured on in pursuit, approached within range of the coast batteries, which carried away her main yard and injured her paddle-box. On this occasion we experienced neither loss in men, nor any parti cular injury to the vessels." The " paddle-box" of a three-decker I The Czar has addressed the following rescript to Vice-Admiral Novossilsky : " Informed by the reports of General Prince Menschi koff that, since the commencement of the bombardment of Sebastopol, you have, as commanding officer of the second section of the line of defence, constantly set an example of courage and self-denial to those under you, and tbat by your prudent arrangements, under the heavy fire of the enemy, you have reduced to nought many of his attempts, we have named you Knight of the Order of St. Vladimir of the First Class, the insignia of which we herewith transmit to you, remaining, with our im perial well wishes, your affectionate (Signed) "NICIOLAS." THE FRENCH ARMY. A letter dated from a French officer in the camp before Sebastopol, says : " Scarcely a day passes but deserters and horses reach I our outposts from the Russian army encamped opposite ours outside the town ; for horses and men are alike dying from hunger and privations. We are neither in want of provisions, tents, fuel, nor clothing, and but for the rain and the atrocious mud which it causes we should be comfortable enough. We have dug pits after the manner of the Laplanders in order to shelter ourselves. If we had planks to build huts we should get on famously. The English envy us and ad mire the singular industry and facility with which our men turn everything to account for their corn fort. We are here assembled to the number of about 80,000 men on a space of four square leagues, covered with tents on all sides and incessantly travelled over by a host of carts and horses. It is a curious and extraordinary moving scene. The poor horses alone suffer much from the want of shelter and from the mud in which they are constantly sinking. The greater part of the magnificent English horses have now become perfect rawbones. and look miserably. The Arab horses are those which support better than any others the hardships of a bivouac. I have just had one given me to replace the one I have lost. It is the same with the uniforms. The richest and most elegant have become so grotesque that no mountebank would wear them. Officers and soldiers wrap themselves up as they can in skins, paletots, and cabins of every kind from wher ever they can get them." TURKEY. A letter from Constantinople, of the 11th, in tho Journal de Francfort, says : "Yesterday 0,000 French left for the Crimea, and 2,000 are to proceed there to-morrow. The director of the Customs has been dismissed on the complaints of the Europeans. Mehmed Pacha is to replace Haireddin Pacha as Minister of Police. Several deserters have arrived from Trebizond." FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY. Baron de Dcernberg, the Minister of Electoral Hesse, had an audience of the Emperor yesterday, to present a letter from the Elector of Hesse, an nouncing the death of the Princess Caroline Fredo rica. Willie'mina of Hesse, his sis or. The Emperor has given 40,000 f. to make a pro menade by the seaside at Biarritz, the watering place - where the Empress stayed so long last season. The Monitear publishes a decree, promulgating the convention concluded between France and Hayti on the Ist Oct. last, for the reimbursement of the Haytian loan of 1825. The greatest activity continues at Toulon for the embarkation of tr :.ops for the Crimea. On the 22d 1,630 men and officers of the 18th regiment of the line left in the Orinoco and the Gorgone. It has already been announced that Generals Canrobert, Bosquet, and Forey have been deco rated with the order of the Medjidie Ist class. The Sultan has since decided that the order of Medjidie shall be given to all the generals, officers, sub officers, and soldiers of the allied armies whose names should be given in to the Sublime Porte by the Generals-in-Chief. The Moniteur publishes the official returns of the revenue for the last month and the eleven past months.of the year. The receipts for November amount to 13,235,130ir., being an increase of 1,101,171 fr., on the corresponding month of last year, and of 2,290,605 fr. on that of 1852. This being Christmas-day, the Bourse and pub lie offices are closed. PRUSSIA. A letter from Berlin states that Col. de Mau teuffel is to proceed from Vienna to St. Petersburg, and that Prince de Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen is to visit Paris to support the mission of M. do Use dom, at London. Another Berlin letter, however, says there is no truth in the report that Col. de Manteuffel is to go to St. Petersburg. A letter from Berlin also states that the Prussian Cabinet has declared in a . note, dated the 16th, that it has carefully examined the treaty of Dec. 2d, and found nothing in it in opposition to the in terests of Prussia and Germany. Prince Gortschakoff has conferences every day with Count d'Arni m, the Prussian ambassador. orders have been received for the purpose by seve ral jewellers. The Unzversed German Gazette has the follmv ing, under date of Prague, 20th :—" Although the Austrian artillery now reckons 12 regiments, equal to 12 corps of infantry, and a considerable num ber of field batteries (each regiment having 14 batteries of 8 gnus each), 20 new field batteries are being organised, and when to the above is added 20 rocket batteries, it will be seen that Aus tria has at her disposal a formidable force of artil lery. A number of these batteries are arranged to I make use of the gun cotton, and great impatience is felt to learn the result of its use." RUSSIA. A despatch from Warsaw, of the 22d, states that an Imperial ukase, published in that city, sets forth, in consequence of the necessity of keeping up the army and fleet, a new levy of 10 men in every 1,000 shall be made, and shall b ste e rminated before 12th March. This levy, adds despatch, will give 200,000. The a rgh News states from Berlin, 19th, thatthe l l a n s b t u news respecting the health of the Empress of Russia is u nsatisfactory, a dysentery having declared itself, which there has been no other way of stopping but by opium. A letter from St. Petersburg contains interest ing particulars in relation to the Court and Im perial family of Russia. It says : " In consequence of the receipt of the affair of the sth of November the Empress has had a serious and even alarming relapse. The c ourier found the Em p eror in the apartment of the Emp ress, awaitin g the news with feverish impatience, and when the truth was de clared to him, he could not restrain his feelings, but broke out into the strongest expression of dissatisfaction and anger against his generals and his army. One ex clamation which escaped him r es p ectin g his sons g reatl y alarmed the E napre3s who was aware that they were with the army at Sebastopol ; she feared that some terrible calamity had befallen them seeing the agita tation of her husband, and she fainted away. She remained for some time 'nsensible ; and it was with much difficulty that the Empe ror and the attendants debility a n d and succeeded in res t or i nz her to animation. She became more calm when informed that nothin g bad occurred to her sons -; The greatest very a alarm s doubt ful ti felt 'but her health 1 - fis seriously suffered from the shock cause d b y th e defeat of the army at Inker man, and she has now to struggle against an increase of indeed. Th e so l emn ities of the anniv , :vsary of the accession to th e crow n were very limited this year • a he i r ow recovery fever. is they were c on fi ne d t o a mere religious service in the churches. • The St. P e t ers b urg J o urnal contains the follow• ing announcement of changes in the commands o: Russian ar tuy corps : corps a G - - "1. Genimal Murawieff I. from the command of the army and v i ce - arga l tz i n th e Caucasus, with all the resadiers to that of the special Caucasian powers previously enjoyed by Prince Woi o , ,zoff. "2. General Read, hitherto interim c,auma.nder in the Caucasus, is appointed aide-decamp general to the Emperor, member of the Council of Stag, and com mander of tb e 3d army corps. "3. Genet at Osten-Sacken I. is removed from the command of 3d to that of 4th corps, vice Dannenberg (disgrac ed.) " 4. Genes al Plautin to command Grenadier corps." AUSTRIA. A letter f rom Vienna, in the Hamburg Corres pondent, Bays that the coronation of the Emperor of Austria is to take place in March, and that GREECE. A letter from Athens, 12th, in the Moniteur, says : " The cholera has entirely ceased at Athens and the Piraeus. General Kalergi has presented each of the French infirmary assistants with a gold watch, in acknowledgment of their important services, and on their departure they were escorted to the gates of the city by a de tachment of each corps in the garrison, headed by their baads. The Sisters of Charity have also left Athens, carrying with them the gratitude of the whole population. The Minister of Public Instruction, previous to their departure, addressed a letter to the Superior of the Sisters, expressive of his gratitude for, and admiration of, the im portant services they had rendered, and the de votedness they had displayed in the execution of their benevolent duties." SPAIN. The Spanish Cortes, on the 19th, resumed the discussion of the address in reply to the speech from the throne. The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced the following as the programme of the Cabinet : " National sovereignty ; liberty of the Constituent Cortes to decree with sovereign power the basis of the Constitution, and to execute the object for which they are convoked ; a constitutional throne with all the powers ne cessary to, and inherent in, such an institution ; the royal sanction for ordinary laws ; individual liberty, without any other limits than those required for the public safety ; the right of petition and other similar rights, subject to what the laws may decree ; equality before the law ; religious unity, but respect of other forms of religion than that established ; a strong Parliamentary power ; organisation of the Parlament in two Chambers ; the Parliament to meet at fixed periods, and the vote of the budget to be annual ; refusal of taxes not voted by the Cortes, and resistance to the payment thereof authorised ; ministerial responsibility ; national guard ; enlightened decentralisation ; peace and friendship with all nations whatever may be their forms of go vernment; assimilation of the colonies to the Pe ninsula ; such an army as may be necessary ; judges nominated for life ; respect of the church and its min s. tern ; a general system of railways ; civil equality as regards the distribution of paces ; special instruction in arts and sciences in order to destroy the mania for places; a free press, with trial by jury for offences." The Minister, after reading the programme, which was listened to with religious silence, warned the Cortes not to indulge the illusion of supposing that it could be carried into effect without calling for numerous sacrifices on the part of all. He re quested the Cortes to say whether after hearing it they considered the Cabinet entitled to continue the administration of affairs. General Espartero then spoke as follows : "Gentlemen, —The nation is fatigued with political convulsions, and it confides to the present Cortes the task of consolidating it on solid bases. To realise this greatun dertaking, it is necessary to put an end to all sorts of dis sension. The ministry over which I have the honour to preside will respect and cause to be respected the laws adopted by the Assembly. The Congress will adopt the laws which may be necessary for enabling the Spanish nation governed by the constitutional throne of Isabella 11. to march decidedly in the path of progress. If any one, for example, should wish to cause it to retrograde, I would place myself at the head of the national guard and the army to defend the laws. What I ask of you before all things, gentlemen, is to compose a compact and a good constitution." This speech was applauded, and several deputies warmly congratulated the General. The rest of the sitting was not of any interest, no deputy of note having spoken. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. We have received files of the Cape Town Mail .from the 7th to the 17th October inclusive. The Cape Totvn Mail, of the 7th October, announces the death of Mr. Justice Musgrave. It says : "The colony has sustained the severe loss.of an up right judge and most estimable man in Mr. Justice Mus grave, who died rather suddenly yesterday morning, at his residence in Wvnberg. Mr. Musgrave arrived here about 20 year s ago, and practised for some time at the bar of the Supreme Court. On the promotion of Sir Anthony Oliphant to the office of Chief J ustice of Ceylon, he acted, before the appointment of Mr. Porter, as attorney-gene ral, and was sut sequently raised to the bench. In every capacity he was highly esteemed by the prefession, and enjoyed the unbounded confidence of the public." , The same journal of the lAth October has the following : '" COPPER ORE IR THE Drylesiorr or ciaonion.—Xr. Egbertus Berg has favoured us with a email specimen of a mineral, which, on examination, is found to be a salt of copper. It was discovered, he states, be tween the farms Dwaas and Zandfontein, of the George division, and is believed to exist in that neigh bourhood in large quantities. We are informed, also, that a specimen has been forwarded to the Colonial Secretary." THE MEDITERRANEAN. of the keen competition caused by the enormous influT of merchlndise pouring into the market over and above the actual wants of the population, and Sir De Lacy Evans had an audience of the Emperor which forces the merchants to grant facilities to the • Na , ,01e0.1 on Friday at 2 o'clock, and conversed a con buyers. The bankers even are obliged to give a s • ,• era.• , e Imo with his Majesty. The particulars have short credit to the merchants for their bills of ex not, of course, transpired, but we may safely infer that the change—a course not adopted in countries where the credit system in commerce is established. The subject was the war in the Crimea. Sir De Lacy left introduction of this system will lead to serious Paris on Saturday night, at 9 o'clock, for England, via losses ; in fact, its evil effects are already felt. j Boulogno. Credit is, of course, estential to the success of The conduct of General Evans in the Crimea is commercial enterprise in general and on a great too fresh in the memory of the English people to scale ; but. our traders are too speculative and have permit a doubt as to the manner in which he will too little capital to justify its extension here. be received on his return, and even among some o In consequence of the absence of speculation in the highest personages the opinion will be perhaps real estate, which continues dull, and of the influx different from what it was when he retired from of foreign capital beyond the wants of the country, another service on a former occasion. Seventeen money has accumulated to an extent which h as years ago General Evans returned from Spain ; and lowered the rate of interest to 2/. per cent. p er the criticisms which were passed on his conduct, during month. Money is quite abundant, and there is more than sufficient for all the profitable and safe the time he comman d e d th e B r iti s h A ux ili ar y Legion, investments that offer. In fact, the money busi- by the leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition of the i ness has been overdone. day are nut yet forgotten. Some of those leaders are The supply of gold dust has been limited of late, no longer living ; but such as survive would act well in owing to the continued drought, which restricts the making the amends honorable for the bitter censure labours of the miners in the " dry diggings." The they then expressed, not against the bravery of the ruling price is $l7 40c. per ounce. Exchange— man, for even the most rancorous party never cast London, sight, 461 d. to 47d. ; Paris, 4f. 85c. to doubt on that, but on his capacity for command. It 4f. 90c. and 4f. 95c. ; Atlantic, sight, 3 per cent. premium. must be always painful to an honourable, hi,gh-minded wan to have his acts censured with injustice, his opi nions misunderstood or unfairly undervalued, and often the basest motives assigned fur his general conduct. It is no doubt consolatory to feel that time will, sooner or later, prove the purity of his motives, the soundness of his views, and the propriety ,of his acts ; and when that ardently de sired moment arrives his satisfaction must be great indeed. Those who affected to believe General Evans unfit even for the command of a brigade at the Camp of Choloham must now feel that they were grossly in error ; and they who still more strongly denied him the most ordinary quality of a chief, when named to the command of the British Legion in Spain, would only do an act of justice if, in the very place in which that erroneous judgs went was pronounced, they now tendered a graceful re tractation. It is cruel, however, that some of the best years of a man's life must pass before prejudice can be removed and atoned for. The Galignani says :—" We are happy to state that this distinguished officer has fully recovered from the ea.2cts of his wound, and that hie general health, which had been much shaken in the Crimea, has greatly im proved. On landing at Marseilles he was still very ill, but by devoting an entire week to the journey to Paris, the repose and change of air almost restored him to his usual good state of health." GEIVIIIIAL SIB D. L. RVANS. SIR JOHN BURGOYNE. CALIFORNIA. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16.—Her Majesty's steamer Virago, Captain Marshall, arrived in this port on the 28th ult., in six days from Victoria ' Vancouver's Island. On the same day the dis covery ship Plover, Captain M'Guire, arrived from a cruise in search of the Franklin expedition. On the day following (the 29th) the frigates President and Pique, Captains Burridge and Sir F. Nichol son, arrived in 13 days sail, also from Victoria ; and the Amphitrite, Captain Conolly, arrived on the 7th of this month, in 17 days, from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. The President now bears the flag of Commodore Frederick (late of the Amphi trite), promoted by the death of Admiral Price. Tke Plover has been condemned as unseaworthy, and is to be sold here. Her officers and crew are to be transferred to the Russian prize ship Sitka, which was taken at Petropaulovski, and which they are about to take to England, with the Russian prisoners, for condemnation, &c. Tke Presidentand the Amphitrite sail to-morrow for Valparaiso, I believe ; and the Virago leaves the following day for San Bias, coast of Mexico. Of course nothing more can be done in the North Sea against the Russians at this late season. The last mail was brought from New York in 23 days and 13 hours, via Panama—an unusually quick time. The French squadron, composed of the frigates Forte and Eurydice and brig Obligado, have been here since the 3d of October taking in supplies and repairing damages sustained in the attack upon Petropaulovski, until a few days ago, when the Obligado sailed for Guaymas, coast of Mexico. The Forte and the Eurydice are to sail in a few days. their destination not yet given out. The French Admiral has been very unwell since his arrival at San Francisco, and is still feeble. The United States' steam frigate Susquehanna, Capt. Buchannan, arrived on the 11th inst., from Japan, via Honolulu. She brings no later news from Japan than has been published already ; her dates from the Sandwich Islands are to the 28th of October. Proposals to dredge out the harbour of Honolulu and to deepen the channel have been advertised for by the Government, and an appropriation male by the Legislature to pay for the work, but no con tract offered for it ; so it is reported that the Go vernment will undertake this desirable job itself without delay. The American steamers Seabird. and West Point, both from San Francisco, belong ing to the Hawaiian Steam Navigation Company, have been put into the inter-island trade with every prospect of success. The islands are making great progress in the rearing of stock and in the rearing of agricultural products. The number of visitors from San Francisco is large and increasing. The question of annexation seems to sleep for the present. By a combination between the Pacific Mail Com pany yid Panama, and the Nicaragua Company, via San Juan, we have a weekly mail now to and from the Atlantic States. An enterprising attempt has been lately made by the express house of Adams and Co., of San Francisco and others to run an overland " express" across Mexico from Acapulco to Vera Cruz. From these points the trip is to be made by relays of horses in 66 hours, which will bring intelligence and postal matters eight or ten days in advance of the mails, and reduce the period of transmission of letters, &c., to 16 days from New Orleans to St. Francisco. The project is fea sible, and its execution is only delayed by the pre sent disturbed state of Mexico. Since I last wrote mercantile business has been quite brisk. The merchants have done a very good fall trade, and a great quantity of goods has been cleared off at advanced rates. Shippers should, however, avoid sending over supplies as usual, in the expectation of their meeting an equally good spring trade, for the stocks in the interior are un precedentedly large, and Sacramento, Maryville, and Stockton, the great depots of the mining coun try, as well as the more remote trading posts, are largely supplied. If the arrivals during the winter do not again overstock San Francisco, a remune rative spring trade may be expected. The credit system is gradually being adopted in mercantile dealings, in spite of the efforts of the merchants to discountenance it. This is the effect AIARSEILLES, DEC. 24. The last was one of the most remarkable weeks since the commencement of the war for the number of largo ships which cleared out of this port laden with troops and ammunition for the army in the Crimea. Besides the two regular mail steamers, the Thabor and Hydaspes, which carried a full cargo of provisions for the army, and their decks crowded with soldiers, the Tage was despatched by the Mes sageries Imperiales extra to Con stantinple, to con vey a number of young English medical men to the hospital at Scutari. The Arabia, of Cunard's line, Captain Judkins, sailed on Thursday, with 33 officers and 1,100 men. She went off in gallant style, the French band playing God save the Queen, and all the British seamen in the dock cheering. The Arabia received numerous visitors the day previous to her departure, who were kindly per • mitted by the Captain to examine every portion of the noble ship so splendidly tatted up. The French visitors admitted that their dockyards have never turned out anything to be corn pared to the Arabia. One French gentleman, on seeing the accommodation prepared for the private so!diers, observed that they had never been so well lodged during their lives. Another declared that did his engagements permit him he would be happy to pass his life among the officers. What particularly struck everybody was the extreme cleanliness and perfect arrangement throughout every portion of the ship. The Orinoco sailed for Toulon, where she received General Duval, 41 officers, and 1,600 men of the 18th regiment of the line, and proceeded on her voyage to the Black Sea. The frigate Constitution and the large trans port Chandernagor have likewise sailed, laden with an immense quantity of siege artillery, ammuni tion, and artillery waggons. The British iron screw steamer Mauritius arrived here on Thursday, to receive troops. She made the extraordinary long passage of 10 days from Anita, in consequence of a heavy sea and violent wind in the Gulf of Lyons. A handsome frigate, called the Nereide, arrived the same afternoon from Toulon, towed by the mail steamer Euphrate. The mail steamer Indus arrived on Thursday, three days behind her time, having left Constantinople on the 10th, the new arran g ement for changing the days of sail ing not having commenced at her departure. She remained two days at the Island of Cerigo during a violent storm. The Indus brought several wounded soldiers, mostly Zouaves, Chas sews de Vincennes, and artillerymen. They were landed at the moment a battalion of the 4th were drawn up to be embarked on the Hydaspes. The appearance of the wounded men, supporting them selves on crutches, produced a painful impression on the young soldiers about to be exposed to similar casualities. The large steamer La France, at present taking in ammunition for the Black Sea, has attracted much attention here, as she is the largest vessel yet worked en the mixed system, in vented by M. du Tremblay. She was built lately at Toulon, and was inspected by a commission ap pointed by the Government, and assisted by Admi ral Delasseaux. In M. du Trembley's engines the steam, in place of being condensed with cold water, is brought in contact with a vessel containing sul phuric ether, which being evaporated at the mo ment of the contact, absorbs the heat of the steam, condenses it, and forces it to work a piston in a second cylinder—thus giving an additional force to the first piston .. orked by the ordinary steam. This combination of steam produced by two boiling li quids at a different temperature, has given M. du Trembley's machines the name of machines of com bined steam. During the trial in presence of the commissioners, La France performed nine knots an hour. The great advantage promised by M. du Trembley is an enormous saving of fuel ; but I un derstand from a scientific person, who has paid great attention to the subject, that the theory is not altogether confirmed by practice. A letter from Toulon, dated yesterday, announces the ar rival of the steam-frigates Caffarelli, Labrador, and Titan, from the Black Sea, with sick and wounded soldiers and sailors. An atrocious attempt to assassinate General Rostolan was made yesterday at two o'clock in the afternoon, in the Place St. Fereol, one of the most crowded thoroughfares in Marseilles. The General was about to take his usual ride, accom panied by an aide-de-camp and a picket of dra goons. As he entered the Place St. Fereol, he was approached by a young man wearing a blouse and a red cap. The man fired a pistol, which missed the General, but the charge struck the aide de-camp in the leg, and inflicted a severe, though not dangerous wound. The assassin did not attempt to escape, and was immoliataly arrested by a dragoon. Another pistol fully charged was found on his person. It is said that he was accom panied by another individual who fled after the shot wasfired. The sanguinary act caused great excite ment through the town, asit was at first feared that it was the result of a political conspiracy. On ques tioning the young ruffian, however, it appeared that his object was to avenge what he considered a personal insult in having been rejected several times when he offered himself as a military substi tute. He aas labouring under great excitement, apparently from intoxication or insanity. His first exclamation after he was arrested was " He is not the last I will kill !" On passing through the streets on his way to the prison, he continued to vociferate " Viva la France !" " Viva l'Armee de rOrient ! " The Lycurgue mail steamer, which was to have left Constantinople on Thursday last, according to the new arrangement, and was expected here yes terday, has not yet arrived. THE SAMARITAN INSTITUTION. Yesterday the pedestrian willing to brave the terrors of mud and rain, between the hours of one and six p.m., might have seen how Christmas was.kept at the Sama ritan Institution. This charity is located in Victoria street, not fir from Field-lane, long the famous cntrepot of the more portable descriptions of stolen goods. Here, throughout the afternoon, the visitor might have seen a hundred persons of both sexes, and of various ages, en joying the fare proper to the day----roast beef and plum pudding. The feasters, if they may be so called, were the very poorest of a very poor neighbourhood, but they were clean and well conducted, and really s, - )emed to feel grateful, without being oppressed with any sense of de gradation. The food was cold, but first-rate in quality. The raisins, &c , for the puddings had been presented by the grocers of the neighbourhood. There were I,ooolbs. of pudding, and dinner was prepared for 1,000 persons. Last year 1,600 dined there. At three o'clock yesterday 500 had already dined, and crowds were waiting outside, so that doubtless the platters were cleared. The Samaritan Institution (of which Sir Fitzroy Kelly is the great patron) has for its object the improve ment of the sanitary, moral, and religious condition of the labouring poor, the prevention of mendicancy, and relief of destitution. The following are some of the statistics :—Last winter relief in food was afforded to 34,376 destitute persons ; during the half-year ending in November, 13,193 attended divine service and re ceived scripture instruction ; 836 resorted to the free registry for procuring employment ; and 22,376 house less poor had the free use of the baths and lavatories, soap, blacking brushes, and razors being also provided for them. DEFENCES OF MILFORD HAVEN.—Great progress has been lately made with the fortifications in Milford Haven. The Stack Rock has been completed for some time, and the guns have been mounted and the works garrisoned by soldiers. Last week nine gu ns, 68. pounders, were taken from the dockyard by the Prospero steamer to Thorne Island, at the entrance of the haven, where a fort has been newly erected. It commands not only the mouth o f the harbour. but also th e whole Haven rapid!y Wh en corn eeSSailf;lge to cross fi re w i th the up to Milford. The extensive works a t D ale Point, and if e o command d h a t v h e e whole h aven up t o po p ie p t o ed si , te th T is ho b rn a y tier a l r , e w p i r il o g b r ns a range lon g e nough. —Haverford 2 vest Telegraph,. o p n e e rn o b a r o T k h e o p r noye,k iLOYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS,-At the usual quar terly meeting of the Comitia Majora, h e ld en F r id a y, Dec. 22 , the following gentlemen having undergone the necessary examinations for the diploma, were admitted members of the colle:e :—Dr. Smith, Norfolk-terrace, Westbourne-grove ; Dr. Leared, Finsbury-circus ; Dr. Tunsley, Millbrook-place, Harrington-square ; Dr. Pratt, Upper Southwick -street, Hyde-park. Also—Dr. Griffin, Killarney ; and Dr. Heudersou, Ramsgate, were admitted extra licentiates. TO THE EDITOR OW THE TIMES. Sir,—lt is a curious coincidence in the history of one life, that Sir John Burgoyne should, in the prime and at the end of his military career, have commanded the Engineers iii two great sieges, and twice have been foiled from the very same circumstances. In 1812, when the Duke of Wellington advanced against Burgos, the town was unfortified, but an old castle hal been modernised, and the French had thrown up three lines of earthworks around the hill on which it stood. These had been executed in haste and in de fiance of all rule, but against these we fired, sapped, and iniped in vain ; 2,000 French soldiers held the place against an English army commanded by a general unde feated up to that time, but who was then forced to re , treat, to abandon his siege train, and the campaign of that year was a failure. After 42 years Sir John again commands before Sebastopol, and again the same thing occurs. A few earthworks are thrown up in haste before our very eyes, and the career of a ♦ictorious army is arrested. And why is this ? Had Sir John been able to read the signs of the times, the lesson so rudely taught him at Burgos would not have been thrown away. Our engi neers would have known what earthworks were, and been prepared will means to destroy them, if such be possible ; or we should never have sat down before them as we have done, to run the fearful risk of failure. We are reduced to our present straits simply and solely because Sir John, at the head of a large pally of veterans, has, during the 40 years of peace, resisted every improvement in military science as a personal insult to their superior knowledge and expe rience, and they have, in consequence of their position, been able to keep things pretty much as they were at the end of the last war. _ . Sir John Burgoyne is pre-etninently what in official parlence is termed a " safe man ;" he never troubled the Minister for money to make sientific experiments or to improve the education of the Engineers or AAR- lervmen. - kor every inventor he had a bucket of cold water administered in the blandest manner possible. He pos sessed, above all men, the art of keeping things smooth and quiet in Pall-mall, and rose in favour and in fortune accordingly. He hoped, of course, that these things would last his time, and so they would have done but for this ugly Russian war, which has destroyed all these visions of quiet; and we now find ourselves engaged in a struggle with the most barbarous nation of Europe, whose sol• diers are serfs, whose officers are half-educated, and whose military system is corrupt to the core, yet in every scientific point they have shown themselves as superior to us in military as we are to them and the rest of Europe in civil eyigineering. Their artillery silences ours without difficuty Their shells are larger and thrown with greater precision than ours, and their skill in fortification amazes our officers, who can make no head against it. Their science in short, has made up for all their other deficiencies and neutralized all the intelligeuce and bravery of our noble soldiers ; and for all this we have to thank Sir John Burgoyne and his band of cc-pbstructives, who have reduced the skill of the most scientific and enterprising people of Europe below the level of the most barbarous. Will even the pet)• ple of England and Parliament, though generally so ignorant and careless on such matters, submit to this much longer ? It has required a war as dreadful as this one is to open our eyes to the absurdities of our military system ; but if it does so effectually, those who Nell() have fallen because of the errors of their superiors will nut all, at least, have fallea in vain. OmicaoN. STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, VIA. PANAMA. Informatioi has just been received that the splendid American steamer Golden Age accomplished the voyage from this port to Tahiti in thirteen days six hours. On examining the map, our readers will find that Tahiti is as nearly as possible half the distance between Melo bourne and Panama, and as the railway across the Isth• mus, according to the last accounts, was to be completed in September, we may take it for granted that the jour ney across it can be performed in a few hours. Now, as it is ascertained that the voyage from Chagres or As pinwall, on the eastern coast, is made regularly by the American Steamers to New York in eight days, and di root to Southampton, by the West India line, in sixteen days, we have data for calculating the exact length of the passage to England. The steaming time by the two routes will be as follows : From Melbourne to Panama, via Tahiti, 26 days 12 hours ; from Panama to Aspinwall, say 5 hours ; from Aspinwall to New York, 8 days ; from New York to Southampton, 10 days ; coal ng and detention, say 6 days 7 hours ; total, 50 days. We are informed that by employing large paddle• steamers the ♦oyage across the Pacific may be mad! , without calling to coal at Tahiti ; and if the voyage is mado direct from Aspinwall to Southampton, two days voyage will be saved. Supposing that two days' voyage and three days' detention are] saved, the distance be tween Melbourne and Britain can thus easily be accom plished, via Panama, in forty-five days ; but most people will gladly sacrifice two days in order to [have a peep at New York. This is a delightful prospect to the unhappy Australians, who have hitherto been made so bitterly to feel their separation from the civilised world. Should the mails by time Galen Age reach England within sixty days, and the enterprising company with which she is connected feel disposed to prosecute their design of establishing a regular line, we can guarantee with great safety that the.te will be no want of cordial sup port by the Australian colonists.—Melbourne Argus of Sept. 7. WILD FOWL SHOOTING AT WRIT STABLE. tio T n h a e fowlers nlo among gth here have ewildfoa c l o ; mm d h sportsmen encete awroorkvoerfydensutrinuee . r a •o n u e s e , oafn timed being d p e r v i o n t c e i p t a o l y theoyps u t e r r s u d i r t e o d f g dredgers, r h a g v a e m a e ls , uanndd among them are some of the best marksmen in the county. The mode of shooting is peculiar to this place, and some notice of it may be interesting to many readers. A large and heavy gun is placed in a singularly constructed boat called a "pautooney," about 12 ft. long and 13 inches deep, flat•bottinned, stern and stern alike, the gun being laid flush fore and aft ; the gunner observes a kneeling position, and propels his vessel with great rapidity by means of a doulile-bladed paddle, the u,e of which re quires gr ea t d ex t er i-y. On nearing the bird he places him self at the bottom of the boat, which is only a few inches above the surface of the water, and is not to be seen until within range of his object. In this position he forces himself along by means of two smaller paddles, and upon the birds rising he discharges the gun, by which as many as 60 birds have been known to have had their flight arrested. After picking up the dead, he proceeds in pursuit of the wounded, which, being excellent swimmers and divers, call into requi sition the use of a small gun. Great skill 13 required al in the conduct of the sport, otherwise considerable _ so danger is incurred. Another class of fowler s have .at a peculiar method which is frequently . suecessf I e hi ' a t aoi h cnp ebbt e commencement e ttide, s u ffi sufficiently t the ly sleaarsgoent to hide tub is P the purpose rm who ' - hero watches with great wildpatieneeltosahlselfwauoessranrPtyksootoslnfteassdwtmfi fowl, the g : e u a r t l . curlews, gunner and disdains aw birdsthe fire..at l h am e c e t a i nt oyr the surrounding country visit this p of shooting wild fowl, but are almost single bird.—Kentish —in fact they seldom obtain a pointed, from not using one or other of these methods Gazette. ~.1 1