The Sun. — London, England, 1863-02-25 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Txia DAY.—Morning, 6h. 40m.—Afternoon, 7h. sm. To-molutow.-Monaing, 7h. 25m.—Afternoon, 7h. 54m. A .- _ - , - . 414,iii ) - -,--_, ,i 44,,,,,,,, , tv t. ~..%, ".._ '' N 4.P1/47". WS. LINDSAY, 'M.P.—The Rising GeneTa- T F • UN tion—Our Prize Essays—Mrs. Grundy's Gossiping, ice., in this week. _ - One Penny. Of all Newsmen ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. uder the Management of Miss Louisa Fyne and Mr. W. Harrison, Sole Lessees. THIS EVENING, to commence with the Second and Third Acts of LURLINE : Miss Sara Dobson Geo , Miss Thirl- A. wall, and Madame Laura Bax ter ; essrs. Perren, Cooke, H. Corri, Yatey, and C. Lyall. Conductor —Air. A. Mellon. After which, the Grand Comic Carisit_mas Pantomime, m il-tied HARLEQUIN BEAUTY DrTHE BEAST. Doors open at half-past ommence at 7. THEATRE -R YA L, DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager , Mr. Edmund Falconer. TEI IS EVENING, BONNIE DUNDEE; or, The Gather ing* of the Clans. Mesn's. Henry Lorraine, Edmund Phelps, Sinclair, Chas. Selby, Henry Haigh; Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Mrs. Edmund Falconer, &c. After which, the Grand Pantomime of LITTLE GO 9DY TWO SHOES. Commence at 7, T riIiATRE-RGYAL, HAY MARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Bnckstone. THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, will be performed CUR A3IERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenchard, Mr. Buck tione ; Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. •••- - Alter which, a new and original Extravazanza, entitled RASSELAS, PRINCE or ABYSSINIA; or, The Happy Valley. Rasselas, Miss Louise Keeley. Concluding with MRS. NVIIITE. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. PECHTER. THIS EVENING, Feb. 25, to commence with an Original sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Prologue, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brourzham. The principal character will be sustain ed by Mr. Pechter, supported by Messrs. G. Vining, J. Broug ham, H. NV iddi eombe, W. ),I'lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E. Lavenuc, and Elsworthy. Mr. Phelps and Mr. W. Montgomery are engaged, and will shortly appear. 1 oors open at half-past Six, performance to commence at rieven. Private Boxes, £2 12s. dd., and £2 2s. Places regh.tered. Stalls, 6s. 6d. ; Dress Circle, s s. 6d.; Upper Circle, 4s. Gd. Price' at doors—Stalls, 6s. ; Dress Circle, ss. ,• Upper Circle, 45.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, is' No half-price. Box ed-flee open daily from 11 till 5. The public are entreated to :Ake notice that no charge is made to the occupants of boxes, pox places, or stalls, either for playbills or for the safe keep ing of hats and cloaks : and that the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive anygratuities whatever Stage-Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. 33arnett. R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lessee and Manager, Mr Lindus. THIS EVENING, an entirely new and original romantto drama, in four acts, by Lewis Filmore, Esq., entitled THE WINNING SUIT. Messrs. 3larston, Vezin, Stephens, Fitz james, ; Miss Amy Sedgwick, Miss Murray, and Mrs. H. ,Marston. After which, the New Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, 4 ` RIQ urr WITH THE TUFT ; or, Harlequin and Mother Shipton." Mr. G. Belmore, Mr. C. Se ton, Misses Gray and !Tad speth, Mr. Milano, Mr. R. Power, Miss A. Collinson, and Mr. nalford. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.— Eio!e Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, the new comedietta, entitled A GREY MARE. Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss Marie Wilton. After which, A VALENTINE : Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, Miss Kate Kelly, and Miss Seaman. To be followed by "GEORGE DE BARNWELL : or, Harlequin Folly in the Realms of Fancy." Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Seaman ; Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bed ford, Siephenson, C. J. Smith. Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri; t,olurobine, Miss Caroline Adams ; Clown, Mr. W. Hildyard ; !'s ntaloon, Mr. J. Paulo. The celebrated Arthur and liertrand. Commence at 7. The Weather.--Sun Office, Feb. 25, 1863. THERMOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday. 46 Lowest during the night This day at Noon . Barometer-30.45. Wind—S.W. ; weather dull and cloudy. THE WEDDING SUN. ON TUESDAY, 10TH MARCH, Will be pablished AN EXTRAORDINARY EDITION OF Tice ittsit, SUPERBLY PRINTED IN COLOURS, With Illustrations by the First Artists. THE SUN OF THAT DAY, Altogether unprecedented in Newspaper Printing, Will form an appropriate MEMORIAL OF THE PRINCE'S MARRIAGE, Comprising within it MEMOIRS of the PRINCE and PRINCESS, IN DANISH AS WELL AS IN ENGLISH. WITH A Full Account of the Marriage Ceremony. Advertisements cannot be received after 10 P.M. on THURSDAY NEXT, the 26th inst. (Terms for Advertisements, One Shilling per Line.) Price of the Wedding Sun, 6d. Orders received by all Newsagents, and at TH SUN Office, 112, Strand, W.C. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 1863. In the House of Lords last evening, Lord LIFFORD moved the second reading of the East Gloucestershire Railway Bill, which was op posed by Lord Redesdale, and after a short discus sion the debate was adjourned. the English Caurch Services in Wales Bill was /Tat). a second tirno. Lord STRATIIEDEN asked whether the Govern ment intended enforcing that part of the Volunteer Commission report, which recommended the delay of brigade and divisional field days until after the close of the battalion drill of the season. Earl de GREY and RIPON said it was thought, on the ground of convenience, unadvisable to press this point. Whit-Monday might have advantages as a field-day, but it was not such a general holiday as Easter Monday. Lord TRURO agreed with the noble lord, and after a few words from Lord Stratheden their Lord ships adjourned. In the House of Commons, Mr. ADDINGTON took his seat for Devizes. Oa the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, it was ordered that the House at its rising should adjourn till Thursday. In reply to Sir G. BowYER, Mr. LAYARD stated that no treaty or agreement had been ma d e w i t h t h e I ta li an G overnmen t f or the extradition of persons resident in Malta who were charged with having committed offences in Italy. it had been proposed by the Government that a local ordinance should be passed for the surrender of criminals who were not political refugees. This would shortly be carried into effect. In ans wer to Mr. TT LordADFIELD, PALMERSTON said the House would not sit on the Prince of -Wales's marriage day. the HorwooD f h aving made inquiry . respecting the offer o the Im p eri al Government to mediate in America, Lord PALmERsTost said that the only official dscumsnt on the subject Wa s t h e despatch from Lord Russell to Lord Cowley of the 30th November, which was already before the House. It must be obvious to the House that it would be highly i n convenient, even if it were possible, for her foreign Go Majesty's Government to give tiny informati on respecting th e co r respondence of a foceign vernment with its own agents. Sir JOHN HAY then brought forward his motion respecting promotion and retirement in the navy. He dwelt upon the great discontent existing among the officers of the navy, and observed that the justice of their complaints was in some man nor admitted by the Premier's amendment, which referred the matter to a select committee. At present there were no less than six descriptions of retired lists of admirals, ten of captains, four of comman ers, and three of lieutenants. There was no reason for so many lists, which only produced confusion. He proposed to amalgamate all these retired lists, to give the officers a fair amount of retiring pen sions, and do away with the professional jealousies excited by the irregularities of the existing system. He proposed to reduce the admirals on the list to 60, which did an injustice to no one. The . proposi tion was that when an officer passed the age for a given rank he should retire to the rank above it. It was also proposed to reduce the list of captains from 350 to 250. It was found that not more than 120 were employed, and this reduction would give all the captains the opportunity of frequent service, or if not, of retiring. The number of all classes of officers in the active list he would reduce to 1,313 from 1,753, and would prevent its further increase. The hon. gentleman then objected to the lowness of the pay, and brought forward several examples of the hardships and difficulties forced upon officers in command by the necessities of their position. He pointed out the startling differences in the remuneration of the naval officers of Eng land, France, and America, showing that the lowest American pay was considerably more than the highest English. The motion having been seconded by Sir J, ELPHINSTONE, Lord 'PALMERSTON rose in answer to general calls and observed that he was willing to do justice to Sir John Hay's motives, but censured the course that he had pursued in and out of the house. Mili tary and naval bodied should not become delibera tive assemblies to force their own views on the Go vernment: It would be impossible to improve the condition of naval officers without including the men, which would entail changes in the army, and involve an enormous increase in the expenditure. He thought it very undesirable that the the house should interfere with the functions of the Executive. The two first resolutions were so vague that, if passed, the. Government would be perplexed how to carry them out. The third he did not think de sirable, owing to its effect in increasing the public expenditure. The Government had no objection to a select committee on the subject. The noble lord therefore concluded by moving as an amendment, the appointment of a select committee. Sir I. ELPHINSTONE cordially supported the motion, and hoped if a committee were appointed it would be a fairer one than the last, which satisfied neither the public nor the service. Admiral DUNCOMBE commented on the prepon derance of Government supporters in the committee of 1861. Sir R. CLIFTON supported the motion. Mr. BAILLIE COCEIRANE doubted as to some parts of the scheme, but highly approved the ability and sagacity of its general outline. Mr. FERRAND asked how naval officers were to obtain redress if they were forbidden to appeal to the House of Commons. Mr. BENTINCK reminded the House that the ma jority of the committee of 1861 were persons con nected with the Admiralty. Lord CLARENCE PAGET replied to Sir John Hay'e speech, and declared his scheme to be the most im practicable and unfortunate that had ever been pro pounded. It would reduce the list of commanders, although, if we required to send ten line-of-battle ships to sea, it would be impossible to find officers to command them. Sir J. PAKINGTON was persuaded that a satisfac tory system was impossible until the principle of retirement by age was adopted throughout the ser vice. He had moved for a commission in 1860, and had been defeated, but the motion had been carried the year following against the wish of Lord Palmer ston. The conduct of the Government was most in consistent; they seemed afraid to grapple with any difficulty. Our naval officers to be effective must be contented, and the present dissatisfaction was proved by the refusal of officers to take the command of ships, because they could not afford them. Under all circumstances he advised Sir J. Hay to accept the compromise, and withdraw the motion in favour of Lord Palmerston's amendment. After some dis cussion the original motion was withdrawn and the amendment carried. Leave was then given to bring in several bills, among them one by Sir G. GREY, to make provi sion concerning bills of exchange and promissory notes payable in the metropolis on the 7th of March next. The Prince and Princess of Wales Annuities Bill passed through committee. In answer to Mr. NEWDEGATE, Lord PALMER STON said the Princess Alexandra united all the necessary qualifications for a Princess of Wales. The House adjourned at half-past ten until Thurs. day next. The debate last night on Sir JOHN HAY'S motion on the State of our Naval Officers shares the fate which we had predicted—Lord P_ ALMESTON'S amendment to have it referred to a committee having been carried. In fact the noble lord con sidered that the complaints of the officers amounted to a breach of naval discipline. If the first Minister of the Crown really thought so, why did he not order the whole batch to be tried by a Court Martial and so bring out the true facts of their alleged grievances, and award the proper punishment for such disobedience of conduct ? The 'noble lord knew better. He admitted that the question had been brought before the House some years ago, and that a Committee had sat long and often, so long indeed that true to the practice of all Government Committees on grievances they spun out the inquiry to the end of the Session, as in duty bound, and separated Iwithout making any report on their proceeding , . That Committee was composed of eminent members of the House, and, better still, had the singu. lar advantage of rejoicing in the company of all the First lords of the Admiralty for years back —in fact, of all living first Lords—men who sat and acted on that tribu nal as judges, prosecutor?, jurors, and defendents, all in one, to try their own case! Was ever such a disinterested tribunal so constituted before And now the noble lord proposes to reconstitute the same board to try another and the same board as to what shall not be done. They may inquire and inquire, and remark on the evidence and adjourn and meet, adjourn and reassemble again and again, but all to little or no purpose. Sir JOHN HAY wished to amend the present unsatisfactory position of naval officers as to promotion and Pay remarking, as to pay, that in the French and American services—the one was paid 44 per cent, and the other 200 per cent. above our own. But Lord PALMERsToN said that if the Navy demands were granted—the Army, the Civil Service, and even the Law would be up and demanding similar remuneration for their re spective services, which would increase the taxes, 1 at which people were now becoming very i mpa _ tient, no doubt from their ignorance of what taxa tion should be. All this may sound very plausible to men in office, but it is cruel to those who have cause complain of real grievances. And that there is just cause is acknowledged by the noble Lord proposing another committee on the subject. As the Navy List has been swollen by previous promotions to an enormous degree chiefly to satisfy the clamours of party, the evil is now becoming so pressingly felt, that recourse to some remedy is in dispensable, in order to alleviate the grievance. Age is considered by Sir JOH N H A Y a s the f a irest cri terion for all p ar ti es , w h atever b e or h ave b een their services. time the He thinks that in a short application of this principle would work benefi c i ally as well as fai r ly to all conc erne d —and we thi n k so too. The Board of Admiralty itself has been long considered as a national grie vance with its dockyard waste and abuses—its party patronage and its individual irresponsibility —all sits misdoings being referred to the system it is dumb to any charge of corruption, work ing as before just as if nothing were amiss ! Why not have a Board of Admiralty so constituted as to be wholly independent of party, and responsible to Parliament and the country for the faithful discharge of its public duty ? Such a Board would save the country ten times the amount of money that is now required to satisfy the rea sonable demands of the service in officers and men. Sir JOHN ELPHINSTONE spoke in an effective manner in support of the motion, and referred to a letter of Lord NELSON'S in 1802 on the matter, in which the gallant seaman referred to the subject, quoting the following lines from an old writer at the end of a previous war :- 44 Our Goa and our sailors We alike adore In tims of danger, not before : The danger past—both are alike requited— GOD is forgotten, and the sailor slighted." Ever so now. Nor will all the sophistry in the world palliate injustice. It may ward off the evil day, but only for a time, till necessity command that justice which, if conceded with grace, would have conciliated dis affection, and, like virtue, become its own reward. Let us hope that those in power now may yet act as they would be done to themselves when out of command. Let them be just and fear not. It is satisfactory to notice that the House of Lords has decided to take time to consider the ques tion of the proposed railway station in Finsbury circus. It is always undesirable to interfere with those localities which afford the means of fresh air and exercise to the toiling workers 'who so much require it. Finsbury-circus has peculiar and par ticular advantages which ought to be set against the claims of those who wish to destroy it as it at present exists. Lord DERBY forcibly put the case before the house, when he said that " their lordships would doubtless hesitate before they agreed to any measure apppropriating Berkley-square to such a purpose, and he did not think it was fair to make laws for the east end which they would not do for the west." What would be of little real consequence t 3 those who can at any time afford to take change of air, and spend a great part of the year out of town altoge ther, becomes of vital moment to those who are for the most part fixed in one locality during their whole lives, and who, however unpleasant or un comfortable the sphere of their labours may be, are compelled to accept it as an inevtable necessity. As a writer on the subject truly observed in discours ing on the crowded and inconvenient localities where the poor for the most part congregate, " they seem destined to know no other homes than these till they are called upon to enter the common home of our race." Now, if these poor people are deprived of the means of getting fresh air in the only place of access in their densely populated neighbourhood, the consequences will be very deplorable. It has been said that railways in ' poor neighbonrhoods were the means of affording freer circulation of air, by opening up crowded places ; but this argument cannot hold good in this instance, since the plan proposed is to build on the only open space that appears for a considerable distance. It is very desirable that time should be taken to consider this scheme, in conjunction with the other projects of railway traffic in the metropolis. Another point to which Lord DERBY referred was, that the greatest con fusion would prevail if the House of Commons proceeded upon one set of standing orders with some railway bills, and their lordships' house went upon a different set without reference to the merits of the bills submitted to them. "He would venture to suggest to the Government that there should be an alteration in their lordships' standing orders, and he earnestly hoped that the Board of Trade would be called on for a special report not only upon the merits of each bill, but as regarded the vast net work of railways projected, so that the conve nience of the public might be properly considered. He would also ask whether it might not be possi ble so to group the different railways as to bring under the attention of each committee the rail ways specially connected together, whereby the committee would be able to exercise a better judgment upon the merits of each scheme." This proposal of the noble Earl seems based upon sound policy, and it is to be hoped that this or some similar plan will be adopted, or the really admirable proposal of metropolitan railways will result in disappointment to those who are plan ning them with so much energy and spirit, and prove sources of annoyance and discomfort to those who expect to derive benefit from them in so many ways, both . as regards time and convenience, in which respect the travellers by the pre sent modes of city transit suffer so considerably. The sympathy expressed by the French for the Poles redounds to their credit, while it must be a great consolation and encouragement to that out raged and afflicted people. A petition in favour of the Poles has been presented to the Senate by M. SAINT MARC GIRARDIN, bearing 2,000 signatures. ' The report of the committee upon this petition will shortly be made, and will afford an opportunity for a further expression of feeling. The French press is unanimous in its opinions. Le Constitutzonnel of this morning declares its conviction that the uni versal reprobation which has been ex pressed throughout Europe with regard to the convention between Prussia and Russia is reassuring, for it renders it almost impossible that it should not be abandoned. Against it, says this semi-official organ, are ranged all humane and generous sentiments, right, justice, and equity, and at the present day there can scarcely be found a Government so ill advised as to go directly against public opinion. The voice of Europe is at present a warning ; the Prussian Government could hardly desire to convert it into a menace. Another journal remarks that Russia is powerless, Prussia an inefficient ally, and the occasion is therefore favour able. Let the three great powers hold the same language at Berlin, and they will be listened to. Nothing, as has been justly observed, has so well served the cause of the Poles as the interference of Prussia. The convention of February has put the climax to the conscription. According to the rumours on the Bourse, the Prussian Cabinet has angrily refused to listen to the remonstrances of the French Ambassador. This may very possibly be premature, but we have little hope that the Prussian KING and his Minister, so well matched in obstinacy and shortsightedness, will listen to the voice of reason. The Monitour preserves its discreet silence, committing the EMPEROR to neither side. This would seem to indicate that he is waiting the result of his diplo matic overtures before he indicates his future policy. Russia and Prussia should both take warning by this ominous silence, for neither are in a position to defy the Western Powers. Prussia is threatened with a Parliamentary crisis —Russia is awaiting the eventful 3d of Marcia. The control and pacification of their own subjects are quite as much as the respective Governments can accom ternal com mploisthio; wh n,a y od , th p e r n o , v s o h k o e uld th t e hey ho e s x t c il i i t t e y in of stronger Powers, by persisting in their present headstrong and hopeless course ? The House of Commons will not sit to-day, in consequence of a general desire on the part of hon. mem bers to be present at the first levee of the Prince of Wales. The courts of equity will rise at 12 o'clock. 11 - 1 E SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1863 LATEST INTELLIGENCE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAM.) AMERICA. PER BOHEMIAN. LONDONDERRY, FEB. 25. The Montreal Ocean Steamship Bohemian from Portland on the 14th inst., has arxived. She brings 5,000 dole. in specie. NEW YORK, FEB. 14 (Evening.) General Fremont has applied to be employed upon active service. The Port Royal correspondent of the New York World says that General Foster's expedition i© dis embarking on Helena Island. All mystery en shrouding the expedition is thus destroyed, as days must elapse before anything could be done. Rumours are rife of disputes between Generals Foster and Hunter. Foster has returned to - Washington. General Joe Johnston has superseded General Bragg In Tennessee. The Confederate Congress has passed a resolution directing a committee to inquire into the expediency of passing a bill, providing that negroes captured from the enemy shall be returned to their owners, and those having no masters shall be sold to raise a fund to reimburse citizens, who have lost their slaves through the enemy. The Illinois Legislature has passed a resolution that as the Canal Bill was defeated in Congress, the Governor be authorized to appoint Commissioners to the Canadian Parliament, to apply for the im provement of transportation to the Atlantic. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. Money easy; gold 553-. Stocks dull. New York Centrals, 1171; Illinois, 901; Erie, 74i. The Hansa, which sailed this morning, took 300,000 doll. (PER MANCHESTER.) Via ROCHE'S POINT, FEB. 25, 2 20 A.M. NEW YORK, Feb. 14. M. Mercier's despatch of the 13th April, 1862, to M. Thouvenel, published in the French Livre Jaune, just received in America, has created a great sensation in this city and Washington. M. Mercier states that Mr. Seward had expressed a desire upon the part of the Federal Administra tion for the re-establishment of peace, and implies that his visit to Richmond during that mouth was undertaken at the suggestion of Mr. Seward to ascertain the state of feeling at the Confederate capital. On the 9th inst. the Senate passed a resolution requesting the President to acquaint that body with the character of Mr. Seward's conferences with the French Minister. Mr. Seward, on the 12th, laid before the Presi dent the correspondence between M. Mercier and himself, accompanied by a despatch denying that be had made any suggestions to M. Mercier or in fluenced him in any particular, and stating that M. Mercier's passport to cross the lines was furnished at his own request, and that he travelled in a strictly private and unofficial manner. The correspondence was sent to the Senate the same day. The emphatic manner in which Mr. Seward con tradicts M. Mercier's statements renders it doubt ful whether there can be any renewal of official or personal intercourse between them. It is feared that if Mr. Seward be not dismissed M. Mercier will be recalled by the French Government. Mr. Seward yesterday transmitted to the Presi dent, and the President to the Senate, his official correspondence with Mr. Dayton, dated the 6th instant, in which he peremptorily declines the sug gestion of the French Government that Commis sioners from North and South should meet on neu tral territory to debate the terms of an adjustment. The dismemberment of the army of the Potomac has commenced. The Ninth Army Corps has been ordered to report at Fortress Monroe, preparatory, it it thought, to its departure for North Carolina. Two unimportant reconnaissances were made by detachments from the army on the 10th and 11th inst. The attack on Charleston is postponed on account of a difference between Generals Hunter and Foster. General Foster, having disembarked his forces at St. Helena Island, has returned to Washington to con sult with the Government in regard to future move ments ; General Hunter, at Port Royal, has ordered a conscription of all the able bodied negroes in his department to be employed in garrison and fatigue duty under a directing force of 100 whites to 100 blacks. The Federal rani Queen of the West had re turned from her expedition down the Mississippi on the 11th inst. ; she is reported, by telegraphic despatches from Cairo, to have sunk three Con federate steamers laden with provisions, t , ken 56 prssoners, and to Lave gone within range of the Confederate guns at Port Hudson. Colonel Ellis, her commander, in his official re port, states that he failed in an attempt to destroy the Confederate steamer City of Vicksburg. He says his shells set fire to the Confederate vessel, but that the flames were extinguished, and in turn the bales of cotton by which his boat was protected took fire from the enemy's shells, which caused him to desist from the attack, but he makes no allusion to the sinking of the steamers or visit to Port Hud son, accredited to him by the telegraphic reports. The correspondence of the St. Louis Democrat, dated Helena, Arkansas, February 3, states that General Gorman had commenced the destruction of the Levee at Yazoo Pass on the Mississippi. By this project a large tract of country which separates the waters of the Mississippi from those of the Cold Water river will to laid under water to a depth sufficient to float vessels of little draught. The Cold Water leads into the Yazoo some 200 miles above Vicksburg, and is also navigable for vessels of light draught. It is believed to be a part of General Grant's plan of attack upon Vicksburg to take this means of communication for reaching the rear of the city, and for cutting off the Confederate supplies. The Illinois Legislature has appointed Commis sioners to confer with delegates from other States upon the condition of the country, to meet at Louisville, Kentucky, in March next, and has agreed upon a recess from the 14th proxime until June 1, i❑ order to receive their reports. The most prominent of the Commissioners is a stanch _Re publican and a personal friend of Mr. Lincoln, but who urged his friends to vote the Democratic ticket at the November election as the only means of sav ing the Union. In consequence of the proceedings of the Democrats, Abolition members have seceded from the Legislature, and threaten to revolutionise the State. Kentucky has also appointed Commissioners to the Louisville Conference in March, and it is be lieved that all the loyal Middle and NVestern States will be represented. The New Jersey Legislature has appointed Com missioners to proceed to Richmond for the purpose of inviting the Southern States to join in a National Convention. The resolutions in the Indiana Legislature de mand the establishment of an armistice as soon as practicable, and a convention of all the States, in cluding those of th e C on f e d erac y, t o b e h e ld a t Nashville, Tenn essee , on the Ist of June. The New York Assembly, by a vote of 95 agst 4, has autho. rised the Governor to invite General M'Clellan to visit Albany az the guest of the State. The Florida was chased by the Federal steamer Sonoma off the Bahamas, on the Ist and 2d inst, for 36 hours, but, owing to the superior speed of the Florida, the Sonoma was distanced an gave up the pursuit. Mr. Chase's financial scheme has passed the Senate, and it is thought in Wall-street it will cer tainly pass the House of Representatives. Gold was excited yesterday, selling at loot to 154. Stocks have fallen slightly. Erie, 991; New York CentrAls, 148; Illinois Central, Provi sions steady ; flour, 10c. to 15c. better. Cotton 91c per pound. SATURDAY MORNING, Feb. 14. The Secretary of War has ordered a court of in quiry to be held at Cairo to ascertain if any, and what Federal officers have been engaged in traffic ing in cotton on the Mississippi, granting licenses of trade or using Government transportation for private purposes. This Court must necessarily inves tigate the charges current against General Butler daring his Administration at New Orleans. Southern journals of the 11th inst. state that the Confederates are endeavouring to repair the railroad at Okolona, Mississippi, which was destroyed by General Grant. A large portion of the Confederate Army of Vir ginia and of the garrison of Mobile have been sent to Vicksburg. The Confederates have completed the railway from Selma to Meridien, which enables them to rapidly concentrate their forces at Vicks burg. FRANCE, PARIS, FEB. 25. The Moniteur of this morning, in its political bulletin, says :—" The news from Poland shows the obstinate character of the struggle." Despatches received here from Constantinople to the 24th inst. state that the Porte had addressed a circular note to its representatives abroad call. ing attention to the state of things in the Danubian Principalities. BOURSE, Feb. 24.—The market continues dull, and speculators averse from any material opera tions, but prices have been well maintained at pre vious quotations. Threes, for the Account, are un varied at 69f.66c. The Railway Share Market is also without animation, but prices, for the most part, re main at about yesterday's closing rates. The stock suddenly became offered towards the close, and prices rapidly receded to leave off as follows : It per Cents .. 98 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 NTew 3 per Cents Do. end month — Credit Mobilier 1120 Do, end month 1115 Bank Shares — -- Credit Fonder 1435 Piedmontese Fiver, -- Italian Loan 69 40 Russian Austrian Spanish Threes — Home Debt RAIL' - ATS. Cash. Account. Orleans lO9O .. 1090 Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 1175 1172 50 Geneva.. Southern 777 50 .. 776 25 Western Eastern Sardinian 367 25 .. Austrian Lou.bard North of Spain Saragossa 6BO .. 675 Ditto to Barcelona HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Feb. 24. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia (Princess Royal), drove in the grounds yesterday afternoon. Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and Princess Louisa, attended by Lady Caroline Bar rington and the Hon. Colonel Liddell, went to Lon don last evening end honoured the performance at the Lyceum Theatre with their presence. His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Hesse, attended by Lieut. Colonel Du Plat and Captain Westerweller, went to Woolwich this morning. Her Majesty and the Princess Louis of Hesse drove in the grounds this morning. Departure of the Prince of Wales from Althorp Park. NORTHAMPTON, Tuesday Night, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who, for the last few days, has been staying at Althorp Park, the seat of Earl Spencer, left this afternoon for London. During his stay at Althorp his Royal Highness accompanied the Pytch ley pack of hounds on two occasions, on Saturday and on Monday. On the last occasion there was such a field as, perhaps, was never before seen in this country, all the elite of the neighbourhood for many miles round being present. It was not officially known that his Royal High ness would pass through this town till a late hour last night. A special messenger was, however, despatched by the mayor, Mr. S. Phipps, desiring, on the part of the borough, permission to present an address. This, how ever, his Royal Highness declined, stating that he wished to pass through the town as privately as possible. The inhabitants, however, were determined to show their loyalty, and accordingly at the time appointed for the Prince to atrivo at the station, business was almost en tirely suspended. Nearly all the houses in the streets along which the Prince would pass were gaily decorated with flags, evergreens, and mottoes. His reception was of the most enthusiastic description, and the 4th North amptonshire Rifles formed a guard of honour at the sta tion. His Royal Highness left by a special train at half past 1 o'clock. The Prince of Wales in " The Shires." It had been rumoured in hunting circles that the visit of the Prince of Wales to Althorpe would en able the noble host to exhibit to his Royal Highness the performances of the celebrated Pytchley pack, and the despatch of four hunters from the Royal stable down the North-Western line on Friday spread itself like wildfire through many a hunting field on that day. Accordingly, when the hounds met at Welton-place on Saturday, and still more when they met on Monday at Holdenby (the famous Holmby-house of Whyte Melville's sporting novel), all the bravery of Northamptonshire that could boast a horse, be it hunter, roadster, or machiner, were assembled. At Holdenby it was calculated that no fewer than 2,000 horsemen appeared, and there must have been at least double that number on foot. The pen of G. W. James would have been fitly employed to describe the cavalcade which issued forth from Althorpe-park and was seen threading its way along the valley by the enthu siastic multitude who crowned the knolls on which stood the ancient manor-house and church of Holdenby. It really was a brilliant sight, and when the Prince, escorted by Lord Spencer and the distinguished party who accompanied him from Althorpe, rode into the amphitheatre formed by ❑ature on the side of the hill, where Charles Payne and the hounds were awaiting, and the carriages, horsemen, and foot people were drawn up around, the venerable picturesque hall of the squire domi neering the eminence, and crowded from basement to roof like the Grand Stand at Ascot on the Cap day, it was the universal impression that the most experienced landscape gardener could not have found a fitter site in England for exhibiting an im posing spectacle. Our readers will not look for great details in our columns on the incidents of the chase; so we will pass over the brilliant burst from the classic covert of Crick on Saturday, and the ensuing hour and eight minutes to ground at the Hempstow hills over some of the finest country in England; nor will we notice the three dif ferent runs on Monday over an equally fine country, though more interspersed with brooks, each of which had its incident. Sufficient to say that the Prince on each day showed himself in the first flight, and fairly won his spurs in the opinion of all North amptonshire. It is more according to our habits of observation to note the enthusiasm which the pre sence and cordial participation of the Prince in this national and manly sport caused among all ranks of observers. When lordly domains are being shot, and several thousand head of pampered pheasants are duly registered to some half-dozen guns, we fear that the impression caused in the neighbourhood by every discharge of a fowling-piece is anything but pleasurable, It tells of immense outlay for the gra tification of very few - , of temptations offered to the thoughtless which lead to crime, of wholesale de struction to farms and the best interests of agricul ture. But foxhunting is eminently popular; all classes enjoy it, all can participate in it, from the youth on an active pair of legs, or the butcher's boy on his pony, to the scion of the most illustrious house in England, or even to the Sovereign him self; and all this was fully witnessed in Northamp tonshire on the days we are recording. At every village crowds were assembled who ♦ociferously displayed their delight at seeing their future ruler go so well in the national amusement, and if St. Crispin himself had appeared on horseback he could not have called forth greater numbers or elicited greater exhibition of fervour from the numerous votaries of his craft who are found in this country. If after recording the enthusiasm displayed by the squires, the farmers, the villagers, and the shoe makers of Northamptonshire, we were to enumerate the many distinguished personages whom the meets attracted from all parts, we should have to draw deeply from the lists of the Houses of Lords and Commons. But of masters of packs we may notice that Lord Grosvenor, from Cheshire ; Lord Naas, from Ireland ; Lord Besborough, master of the Buckhounds; Sir John Johnstone, M.P., from Yorkshire; and Lord Eglinton, from Scotland, re presented so many hunting localities of the British Isles, and that they and all, at the conclusion of the two days' sport, seemed greatly impressed with the idea that a young Prince who had thus so favour ably exhibited himself as a gallant young English man in the hunting-field had chosen the surest line to win at once the affections of his countrymen ; while all, whether hunting peers, squires, farmers, dealers, sportsmen of every grade, and the large circle interested in the animal " horse," went home rejoicing that the noble sport of fox-hunting had received an additional stimulus from its cordial patronage by the Prince of Wales. ALARMING ILLNESii OF MR. BARROW, xi).— We regret to state that Mr. Barrow, M.P. for South Nottinghamshire, is dangerously ill. From latest inquiries it appears that the hon. member is not likely to recover. He is attended by Dr. Warwick, of Southwell, who does not give the slightest hopes of his recovery. Great regret prevails in the district on account of this sad news. CAPTURE OF THE STEAMER PEARL.—lntelligence has been received in Liverpool announcing the cap ture of the steamer Pearl while on the voyage between Nassau and Havannah with contraband goods on board. It will be remembered that the Pearl—whose object and destination were well known by the Federal cruisers before she left Great Britain—had a narrow escape of being taken by the Tuscarora off Madeira. THE TRAFALGAR- SQUARE LlONS.—Admiral Wal cott will, on Friday, ask the First Commissioner of Works if there is any expectation that the lions to be placed at the base of the monument to Lord Nelson in Trafalgar-square will be completed this year, - el' _.:F t - ..,-` ~• 1.... Tzurt:'azt`-'- Tirmlar ~....„---ip. The Health of Prince Alfred. The latest official accounts represent the prince to be suffering from low fever, but with every prospect at present of a favourable result. In consequence of the tempestuous state of the sea it had not been found possible, up to the date of the most recent telegrams, to remove his royal highness from his ship to the hospital on shore. The Princess Alexandra. COPENHAGEN, Feb. 24, The King arrived here to- day from Fredericksburg, where his Majesty is at present residing, in order to present the Princess Alexandra with the wedding present which his Majesty had ordered to be prepared, The present consists of a diamond necklace, to which is attached a fac Bimile of the celebrated Dagmar cross. During the whole of the forenoon the princess received deputations, b. inging wedding gifts to her royal highness. Princess Alexandra has allotted a sum of 3,000 thalers, to be apportioned as dowry among six brides belonging to the poorer classes. Her royal highness is suffering from a severe cold, but it is hoped she will nevertheless be able to commence her journey on Thursday. _ Visit of Prince Louis of Hesse to Woolwich. His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Hesse, accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel C. T. Du Plat and Captain von Westerweller, arrived at Woolwich garrison, in a private carriage, at half-past ten o'clock yesterday morning, and were received by Major-General Sir J. R. Dacres, commandant; Brigade-Major Milward ; Major Field, de - puty-assistant quartermaster-general; Colonel Campbell, of the Rifle Brigade, and other officers. As it was the usual marching-out day the several batteries of Royal Artillery had assembled on the common for that purpose, and his Royal Highness having expressed a desire to witness the practical use of rifled ordnance, the batteries of Royal Horse Artillery, provided with Armstrong guns, were drawn up in review order, under the command of Lieut.- Colonel D'Agui lar, C.B. The batteries of Foot Artillery having left the common for a march of some miles into the country, his Royal Highness and staff inspected the Horse Artillery force, and several rounds were then fired from Armstrong guns, the peculiar construction and efficiency of the weapon and the mode of loading and firing being minutely pointed out to his Royal Highness, who took the utmost interest in the details of the practice. The force having marched off the ground, his Roy al Highness and Staff probeeded to the Royal Artillery Barracks for refreshments, and at half-past two o'clock drove to the Royal Arsenal, accompanied by the officers named, and about two hours was occupied in an inspection of various workshops and factories con nected with the Laboratory and the Armstrong gun de partments. His Royal Highness and staff left the esta bdshment and returned to London about five o'clock. THE ROYAL PROCESSION. IHE CITY. Yesterday the Lord Mayor had an interview with Sit George Grey, the Home Secretary, on the subject of the subjoined communication addressed to him on Monday by the Governor of the Bank of England and the representa tives of the City banking houses, with the view to special legislation to meet the exigencies of banking on the day of the entry into London of the Princess of Denmark : " London, Feb. 23. "My Lord,—We, the undersigned, representing the banks and bankers of London, bar) the honour to address your lordship on the inconvenience which might attend the transaction of business in the City on Saturday, the 7th of March next, the day appointed for the entry into Lon don of her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra of Den mark. Considering the risk that might arise from the col lection of bills or money on that day, and the keeping open of banking or other houses of business, we have respectfully to suggest that your lordship place yourselt in communi cation with the Home Secretary of her Majesty's Govern ment, with the view to the passing of an Act of Parlia ment which will legalise the collection and payment on Friday, the 6th of March, of bills, &c., falling due on Saturday, the 7th, and Sunday, the Bth of March. " We have the honour to be, " Your L rdship's most obedient servants, " ALFRED LATIiAM, Governor of the Bank of England. GEO. CARR GLYN, Chairman of the Associa tion of Bankers for the Clearing House. DAVID SALomoNs, Chairman of the Joint stock Bank Committee on behalf of the Joint-stock Banks of Loudon." BURLINGTON ARCADE. The inhabitants of this fashionable lounge convened a meeting, for the purpose of considering the best and most artistic way of decorating and illuminating the Arcade on the occasion of the public entree, on Saturday, the 7th of March, and on the wedding day, Tuesday, the 10th day of March. After a very liberal subscription for the purpose had been raised, the following gentlemen were selected, with full power to act as committee :—Mr. Jeffs, Mr. Truefitt, Mr. Atherley, Mr. Lord, and Mr. Morrell, who intend to carry out the wishes of all the subscribers, from the several designs that have been submitted to them, so that this popular place of resort will be one of the gems for the holiday sight-seekers. The Marquis and Marchioness of Bath have left Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, for Longleate, War minster. The Countess of Derby has issued invitations for receptions" on the 11th and 18th of next month. The Earl and Countess of Beetive have left The Lodge, Virginia Park, for Grafton -street. Viscount Hill has arrived at Thomas's Hotel, Berkeley-square, from Hawkestone, near Shrewsbury. Lord Poiwarth has arrived at Thomas's Hotel. DEATH OF THE PRINCESS-DUCHESS DE POIX —The Princess• Duchess be Poix, nee Taleyrand- Perigord, widow of the Prince-Duke de Poix, formerly French Ambassador at St. Petersburg, has just died at Versailles at the age of 77. Under the First Empire the deceased was Lady of Honour to the Empress Maria-Louisa, and under the Restoration was Mistress of the Robes to the Duchess de Berry DEATH OF THE DOWAGER LADY CARTERET.— This venerable lady expired on Sunday last in Ches terfield-street, having attained her 86th year. Her lady ship was the youngest daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Ma,ter, of the Abbey, Cirencester, and married in 1801 John Thynne, third Baron Carteret, who died without issue, in 1849, when the title became extinct. The de ceased lady was for many years lady of the bedchamber to the Princess Sophia. MIDDLE TEMPLE.—The list for cards of admis sion to the dinner on Tuesday, the 10th of March next, in honour of the marriage of his Itoyal Highness the Prince of Wales, will be closed on the 3d of March. THE PRINCE OF .s'‘' A 1.. ES'S MARRIAG E.--Tbe Lord Chancellor, by an order of Court, has ordered, by the fifth of the consolidated orders of the Court of Chancery, rule 6, that the offices of the Court be closed on Tuesday, the 10th of March, LORD PALMERSTON AND THE VOLUNTEERS.— Lieut.-Colonel Gage has issued a genet'al order,announcing that Lord Palmerston has accepted the honorary colonele,y of the Ist Administrative Battalion of the Cinque Ports Rifles,—,Surreg Standard, The Marriage of the Prince of Wales. The preparations for the Royal wedding are going forward with all activity at Windsor, both within the precincts of the Castle sad in the town. The arrangements in the interior of the Chapel and choir itself are now nearly all completed as far as regards the accommodation for the visitors, and th© long rows of seats rising tier above tier, all covered with scarlet, cast quite a rosy hue over the nave. As a very large proportion of these seats will be occupied by ladies, they will doubtless be glad to hear that the Board of Works has taken a very liberal view of the requirements of fashion, and allowed a width of not less than two feet to each seat. These seats are arranged in blocks, spreading backward into the aisles and tapering to a narrow frontage between the columns of the nave, so as to allow of Yeomen of the Guard being stationed in front of each column. The whole of the centre of the nave is to be covered with a carpet specially made for this occasion, with an em broidered border, having the Prince's coronet and the monograms of the Prince and Princess entwined. Very large platforms have been erected on the right and left of the organ-loft—that on the right, over Sir Reginald Bray's chapel, being for the use of the musicians and choir; that on the left, for a limited number of the members of the Queen's household. Within the choir itself no galleries have been at tempted, and the old oak carving of the Knights' stalls is not forced into unseemly companionship with temporary arrangements. Only a raised wooden dais, immediately in front of the Communion-table, is placed here, and on this the ceremony will take place. With the side aisles of the choir, however, no reserve in the matter of seats is attempted, and every possible nook from which even a glimpse can be had into the interior, and very many from which none can be had at all, have been handed over to the carpenters to fit with materials, either for a sitting or a standing, according as the architecture permits. But for those not seated in the Knights' stalls, or immediately in front of them, it is really very difficult to provide anything like good places, so as to at once command a view of the altar and the choir. Even the places of honour —those seats specially set apart for the corps diplomatique and the most distinguished of the guests invited on this occasion, are limited in their view almost to what passes immediately in trout of them on the dais. In fact, the anxiety evinced to be present in the building in any place, no matter what the view it commands, is so in tense that it is necessary to economise every inch of space, and still refuse the applications of nine out of ten who are now bringing every Interest to bear to be honoured with a card of invitation to the cere— mony. The carved oak panelling in front of the Royal pew over the Communion table has been quite removed down to within a few inches of the floor of the pew itself, so that her Majesty will not only see the ceremony from the spot, but be as plainly seen herself as if she sat on the raised dais. In fact, her Majesty's attending the ceremony privately only weans that she does not take part in the procession nor attend in Royal state; but, notwithstanding these exceptions, she will, as we have said, be as visibly present on this happy occasion as either the bride or bridegroom. The memorial wi'adow dedi cated to the memory of the late Princ e Consort by the Dean and Chapter of Windsor is almost finished, and the last remnants of the glass painting with which West disfigured the building have been quite removed. The new window is a really noble addi tion to the general effect of this fine old interior. The Wolsey chapel, in which the Ambassadors are to assemble on the morning of the marriage, is also , in course of completion. The centres which support its groined and beautifully carved roof havo been struck, and theugh all the elaborate glass n-Aosaics which are to cover it cannot, of course, be placed before the 10th of March, enough will he. done to make it appear worthy of th e occas i on , of it.,5 historic name, and of its new purpose as a memorial chapel from the Royal children to the memory of their late parent. The temporary buildir,g s , the proces sion halt, and waiting and retiri'og rooms which are being built outside the C'aapel are fast ad vancing, though by no means so forward but that one can see at a glance it will require hard a nd extra work to get them done before the app o inted day. The short space of time in which it is neces sary to complete these outbuildings will, it is said, prevent much being attempted in the way of mere decoration. Alter the procession through London on the 7th inst., the Princess with the Prince of Wales will alight at the Slough station of the Great Western Railway, and not at he Windsor ter minus, as was first intended. From Slough they will drive to ths Castle through Eton and throu g h the town of Windsor, entering the Castle 2 dy the Henry VIII• gateway. Already the towlas,people of Windsor are making great prepirations to do honour to the arrival. One very fine rarch is nearly completed at Windsor-bridge, and another still larger is being erected across the entrance to the Castle itself. Both of these are to be illuminated at night, and both, if we may judge from the money that is to be spent on them, are likely to be very splendid things of their kind. It may save many o f the public an unnecessary journey from London if we state at once that on the morning of the marriage none will be admit ed within the precincts of the Castle on any pretence without tickets. Up to the end of last week the applications sent to trom the commanding officers of Volunteer corps to be present in Hyde Park on the 7th showed even then that the total force would be at least 16,00 0 men. We believe we are correct in saying that the royal carriage containing the Prince and PrincesS will diverge from the roadway through the Park, 80 as to pass close along the front of the massive line which the Vo.unteers will form there on that day. HEALTH OF LONDON. (From the Registrar General's Report.) The mortality of London was higher last Weep than it had been since the third week of January' The deaths were 1,377. The mean temperature o f the air in the last fortnight was 39.8 deg., which i 8 lower by 5 deg. than it was in the two previono weeks. The average number of deaths in the third weel of February in ten years, 1853-62, with a correction' for increase of population, is 1,464 ; and the deatb o in the present return are therefore less by 87 than they would have been if the average rate of mortality had prevailed. Small•poz was fatal in 25 cases, 7 of whit occurred in Bethnal-green, Spitalfields, and Will° . chapel. Measles appears to be much less prevalen t now then it was in December ; the deaths fro m it last week were 31, 4 of which occurred n't Clapham, 3 in Belgrave sub district, and 3 1 1 St. John, Westminster. Sixty deaths were referr ed to scarlatina and 13 to diphtheria. Of 1,362 deaths, of which the causes were 09 e. cified in the r e t ur n s , 331 were f rom z ymotic die eases against a corrected average of 287 ; 255 from constitutional diseases against 284; 57 6 from lo cal diseases against 652 ; 136 from developmental c ll d' . eases against 175; and 64 from violence against ° corrected avera.. ; e of 45. Hence it appears that Oa a is an increase under zymotic diseases and violen t deaths; a decrease under the three other heads. Phthisis numbered 162 deaths in the week; loon chats 152; pneumonia 72. Of four nonagenari an° whose deaths are recorded, the two eldest were 7 , man 95 years of ag e and a widow 9 8 years. sv men committed suicide with c) anide of potassiu m ' The births of last week exceeded the deatbs by s3l. Last week the births of 1,012 boys and 804 0 g i r ls, in all 1,908 children, were registered 10 London. Ia the ten corr es p on di ng wee ks of th o y e ars 1853-62 the av erage num b er (corrected) wa 2,030. 0 FIRE AT THE E ARL OF FIFE'S .— Yesterday " ,"- r ing, between the flout of 2 and 3 o'clock, hold of th o E Ar t of Fite, Grosvenor-place, HYde out corner, was alarmed in constquence of a the breaking in his lo r d s hi p ' s mansion. The fire commenced treluod spark flying from a lighted candle, and setting the be tre' furniture, &c., in the first floor back room in flawe 6 ° re• ral engines soon arrived, but their services wet° °coo quired, as the inmates and neighbours succeeded ili t cool , fining the fire to that part of the nienbiont which menced. -