The Sun. — London, England, 1850-02-09 00:00:00

.---• .S."" ,r, (TIIIS DAY ) . ogos 13 0, Xel l „,1 att; Vel'' 0° 10 I ; ost, t/ 0,; ;AY , 10 (1 ' ; fUIIFUI(D•S PANORAMA. -------- THE ARCTIC REGTO`a;S. b VerY extraordinary representation of the Polar aap g : 1 .ons has this morning been examined by our- . e -el i v . e s on "private view," at that popular place of aothitioo in Leicester-, p Al ln uare Buror's P. , a' brilli ant successt cl hava ' been f ac o hie.ved in norama. his articular dep artment of art by the proprietor, but, within our recollection his efforts ha: e never proved 10 fel' • feli c itous as on the present occasion. In the mere ielectio na. pos aa,,. nof the subject, indeed, no thi ng c o uld .....) , . "„'"•.tty se cure so large a portion of the public at,en "no, or arouse a greater amount of curiosity than a Picture, or a series of pictures, professing to be 111 f.ithful portraiture of those regions of ever aeshog ice in which Sir John Franklin and Captain liorcaer, with thei r enterpr i s i ng companions, have been .. ai, dug more than fi v e y ears , em b e dd e d. That otne chu m site Peried painti ngs now on the eve ( f b e i ng assh to general in s p ect i on are rea ll y w h a t t h ey wild and r rie t° be, namely, correct resem bl ances o f t h at picturesque scenery, is sufficiently testified tu Y i the W n nclerfully natural animation cf their appear sistc,e--tne views painted by Robert Burford, as- Pie 4 1 . 3 Y H. C. Selons, being in fact perfect master hc" In the shape of panoramas In corroboration,. ethowever, of our conviction as to the truthfulness of ase remarkable productions, we were grat . - 4i to observe that the whole has been con ja.,,ved from original drawings taken by Lieutenant i n t : w i ne, a her Majesty's ship Enterprise, those draw f4d4 : I , 4 Ving beer, to this end, presented to Mr. Burl lava, `'.V . , the Admiralty. A visit to the present exh - - t at -4 is calculated to impress the mind of the spec aspectd°r ermanently with a vivid idea of the nature and hereof the ice scenery in the Arctic regions. A ti it is but just that we should reiterate the asser Ili u m "r 7 Emphatically made by .the proprietor, and 11 10, 5 e1f the principal artist of the panorama, that teo-e particular kind of views are not, as many errod ia 11 , 3 5' imagine, a species of scene painting, "coloured that alstema er t he 1J or other inferior manner," but th e FeY are, on the contrary, produced he ro caPad T.' St oil colour and varnish that can . , p ~ I,_ 1 IR the same manner as a gallery 'amain an",7, accuracy of this declaration may be tested by We'"lnost microscopic scrutiny, and the productions,. ab ta l . ir e hold to say from our own experience, will in n l , ll only a fuller appreciation of their excellence la r t • a °l3°r ti°n to the closeness of their examination. With . -a exhibition this morning witnessed we have N ur a° much real satisfaction at the Liecester • e I) "the artists have endeavoured to glv a 5 , Panorama, by our ad v , itt e notion of the snow scenes viewed - I,,e(iitircius mariners on the occasion of the recent ex P h ' s. °, n commanded by Capt. Sir James Clark Ross, S i a n ' t ,'• With this intention Messrs. Burford and f Lie to h ave here pourtrayed, from the drawings o beant`e.,,nant Browne, two very brilliant and most ane."1"11 Panoramas—one showing the expedition thid s - ; a,svinter sky, and the other revealing it in the kith - ('' a ll the magnificence of an Arctic summer. tar of these singular pictures are of such extraordi- Po4„ be ant,Y, that we are doubtful as to which, sup ferene it were necessary, we should give the pr.e ezeZ Each, in its way, has its own peculiar itividi tl ae ; and, therefore, without attempting any briels c omparisons, we would here comment s u Y On each in succession. first d tll ,• tn ', l ' in the Polar Regions, as pourtrayed in the itibli n :islon of this panorama, represents one of those pelt,,:" spectacles that almost defy the powers of the . ! i nn ' e a r ' a Se eming only capable of adequate transcrip- f lano; - t ue golden colouring of poetry. The sense . o fia t , •nass Produced by the vast expanse, the desola ola NnsEquent on the bleak sterility ( f surrounding Ject (1 3 , fr.ui the sharp outline of those in the immc 14te for eground indistinct and filmy g,ilt, to the th e i "erna g of those on the horizan—all present to fasainlamation a p i cture o f strange an d astonishing t ,° tha t At th e first glance, the memory recurs - rll w - e " B , u perb and i m p ass i o n e d e j acu l a ti on of Sir 41 041 r L ytton in hi s e pi c p oem cf . " King Arthur''— ny°rlthe P o l ar Seas!—not violet crowned )40-, d • a wy houn , , nor to cerulean halls Sub lime hymn'd, yet Light itself around . ately p.iths sheds starry coronals. eat t she Comes, as when, from Dis set free, she e, thro the flash o f J ule , Persephor f. fl eeal es—that grand Aurora of the North! P , rol r '„ l "ds afire her glorious chariot borne, 07 'real courts the meteors flaming f or th, Ati.t r e o uettv'n on h eav ' n, before the mighty Morn. Oa ' s , t t Y'l the rale' g:ants of h 'th e ,r s.last confine bursts the ,Or g m . of light." t 'r tiqality selected for representation in the first am en „ I vo gyeat pictures at the Panorama, is the spot l a la 4,; -I , l4 oter's harbour, on the coast of Greenland, d Rte t- ',, e 7 3 degrees, 42 min. N., longitude , .55 e :tea?„,, ; the "Investigator ' and . the 'IPr.:z•P being . visible in opposite directions. ri, 4l e (1% 4 1 1°4 here reigns triumphant" according to h e e s r 'Ption of the artist ; " all is wild disorder. tinglesll,ll(d into solid mountains of ice, strangely i tl R ;4 5, Whitepinnacles with the dark and frown -4414,,-111its of r P k that here and there rise to an e llnih e ; se height r a n d the earth, buried beneath its t il hor e °4 load of frozen water, blends its . dreary he it in distinguishable by any boundaries, with ti naed el / 4 deserts of the ocean ; all seems one a c_ a ~1 11b lirsc o a ll(1 vast pack of ice in closearr "oh picturesque scene, of which there exists y, th e rall u i . „ lowering icebergs of gigantic size_ and e Ilitts:ll,°''"antastic shapes ; immense hummocks ; hug lir l d 4 5 of ice formed by pressure; columns, pyramids, e , te btL en ,dlesa multitude of singular forms heap each Zola 11 : 1 the wildest disorder, threatening eac t. 0C they are driven in mighty strife by the f a rts "de, to crush the ships to atoms. In some arger u ge stal act i tm from the are gracefully pendant_ NI( :11,11sseg ; others present sparry crystals and lio,-I,4,"ciales exhibiting a thousand nameless effects '4 D 7 Itlld shade, arising from proximity or distance, , I%ll (i s r , °l , l ll 'ent surfaces being tinged with vivid eme n) 7.1614 t tints, w hil s t i n clefts, crevices, and B t iki e , es sea lurk s h a d es o f th e mos t intense blue, i;141 Co ntrasting with the alabaster-like fabrics I tt sai bs ut I( th they are surrounded. At the distance of erriepth,ree miles r i ses an i mmense an d imposing e nd t °f leo, a vast glacier, the supposed line ol ins f 1 410 tiaL 11 ; gged wastes of ice, whilst a remote line o 4 4 e0 " 41 3 are seen along the horizon, in some . parts . ttllt4llBiderable length, without interruption ; Nu tt aabruptly broken off fur a short space, and again did „ t !ltit l i t ;' the whole forming a sublime and splen . "' tt l i: °ll of icy grandeur." In the representation 1111114', extraordinary scene the painters have proved 44(1itj,,11Y sliccessful the view being invested with I f Areut9al interest and animation from the . 1.. c bcay s le cr l ife thrown in, in various directions Here s ,4s, etv are battling with an enormous . white pr, eau.' is Captain Ross standing up in one of pa r ; -.17 , giving directions to the seamen who are 11ton,t45g* to tow the Enterprise to a more convenient I'lsl,l Overhead, the sky being suffused towards " 41() st w ith a splendid glow of crimson, one . of the 1114 er l ealiti fol of the many strange atmospheric plie- Ivi:t witnessed in those climates. , 41 ,cire o er in the Polar Regions presents a spectacle Zittn t s h: llll. ', and in some respects even more sublime I,'3'ster," lll 're agreeable season. A gloomy, shadowy? Ahe h;°ll3 twilight fills the air even at noonday. in tro being a deep unclouded blue, studded . r 'ne gli-arllttnerable stars of uncommon brilliancef, the rilr illumined by the large clear disc ‘l o lll at Ta .4er e again we are reminded of the gran eur :a ' ti ; inarti ri t t l;st i "J nu - i __ s v t e i r e s t o s f eription given by the poet-novelist rr Winter—there it s in thnrtf the mist, spectral skeleton! tit;att,dver.ge of the solid skies moon. v i Co wl t• night the phantom o , , oat 3 the Y mnving on the horiz,n's brink 'N ot 114 , e '44 lei-field with its glassy Wick. t if tr 4 11 " r beast lessens visible Qlh , tho a with . hta sun; e aei :l m asy . e of space without ji;k i. cl gl ad life unseen dot dll, One. li t 4 'Ntl i ,„ " 4 gladness Gud the Living 0 • 'Peak s '---but breathless hang the airs that freeze! A lt --but noiseless list the silences! /4(°tiall'il,Yl,shiP—lone in the measureless sea, ala channel thro' the fr, zen st?eps, j/ Y eaTie Y 8 1d thought louncht on infinity 1Q —collies glimmering up the deeps. 4 4 • . • • • IV it!'", 11 1 and ;our d the tark the nareval swe , eps.. ~ Aloi:nite horn glistening rhro' the sluggish deeps." hi lin7 til- v erge of the horizon are visible . the 11 1) t o INficent hues of the aurora borealis, flashing the f . tbe z:?iiith in vivid corruscations ; while along I t h , av'irlEaßr°l-11'(-1, between the two ships, are several of ute r , t _ .rs, trap p i (4zer,v`ltb lltllt; ;it theso winhgieten,afonxsesa, manner th e .ii„" ",)rtitnetrior-ti,n amusement r us t7lt it f 1 ' s trlt . " L . •t • n " a great many l e s ' lye notes to the descripao , "During the winter, say vv., s ere t . : they t ,4•rp T, ,alien in traps set for the purpose e t ,i ~ . white ;in size . ' 4 ' 11.1 .3 - all • large a tract 111 ,th t i ` L 'h hr 5.., with the far thicker, and the brush of e clarit 4t ". As it is well known how the sailors 111N1,,,,,rY these creatures traverse, they were made tallefi r r °, or twopenny postmen, as, of the ti '' , ir /, 't n. ', by havin g c , p De r collars clenched round (tes,-;,%(,E;,,,,,,,0a which -- a '- notice and the del ots ,' pro v i • '') and poitions cf the ships, . . 11 , t 4. in the wa . s punched ~ riov, thuons ; they were then sot at liberty - , , 7 ~ co __ V,i'lilig 4J1t4:111111,e of the n - might be the means "l as the n r Na (If 3enee to the Erebus and Terror, , th,i r . thoie vessels would be naturally lib,rt‘,Niture• 1.1 fore master Revnard obtained , his ,6. r\vithiWtthe generally ~foaled the sailors a cfa:•, anxious for 1 1 ' 4 4 h, eit,h e ' te r sn4ve wills : 11 4. surrounded the ships," •ters , (r,/, 4re th e t w of groups'tlie::.'- . of aquatic fox neet ed , o vr-s6 : sof the A rctic ~,c,d, 1 14:r. ael l , ti Log,:thc.r with a snow wall, and prot- . L ., , ,,,d itirriearin, b y sk similar barrier against cold "" pAition, b:1•40 tOg,tli,„ httl.lt b IC , this remarkable exhibition is about the . --i4 b 4.44-1 la'it BUCceSS Ale. Burford has yet had in orioza. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, FRIDAY. The Qum awl Prince Albeit walked to-day, both morning awl afterncon, in the Home Palk. His Royal Highness nince Albert, a!t ndcd by Liet:t.-Colonel the lion. A. Gordon, rode cut on horse back. Their Royal Highncsics the Prince f Wal s, Prince A!fred, the nine( s; R-3 a', t'e Princul Alice, the Princess lltLna, arid the Prim ems Louisa, took their usual pony and walking exercise to. d,ty. The royal dinmr party at tl e Castle included her Re,yal Highness the Duchess ut Kent, the Belgian Minister and Madame Van de Wc3 Cr, Lady Fanny Howard. ILroness do Spe-t1), the Marquis c f Lansdowne, the Marquis and MArcl,iei e:s or 'Westminster and Lady Octavia tiresx e3or, the Earl o!' Aberdeen, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, Lord and Lady Ashley, and Sir James Clark. The lion. Eleanor Stanley and the Hon. Elizabeth Lennox lave relieved the Hon. Misses Kerr and Mec• donald in their duties as Maids of Honour in wa:tiag on Quo n. The band of the Life. Guards attended at the Castle n Thursday during dinner, and performed tie follow - ing pieces:— March Waltzer, Dn. MozariLhen Lqurier. Potpourri, No. 4 Polka, No. 2 Waddell. Selection, from Stradella The QM e.i's privlce band were in attenclinee after dinner, and elveuttd the following pie2cs:— Overturn, " Les Chaperons Blanes ' Auber. Selection, " Le Prophet': "... Meyerbeer. Terzetto, " Ti Prego " Fan tasie —lrelandaise. A deputation, consisting of Lord Naas, M.P.; Hon. F. Scott, M.P.; Sir William M.,l••swerth, Barr., M.P.; nor. Walter Wrottesley, Sir Win. Verner, Part., M.l'.; Mr. Monckton Milner, M.P.; Mr. Geo. Duncan, M.P.; Mr. Simeon, M.P.; Mr. GeJ. Robert Smith, Mr. Dc Salis, Mr. APGiegor, M.P.; Mr. Mark Boyd, Mr. Cocks, M.P.; Mr. Logan, Mr. Blanc, Mr. Jackson, a•id Mr. Briscoe had an interview yesterday at the office of the Chancellor ( f the Exchequer with Mr. llayter, Secretary of the Treasury, on the subject c f steam com munication with Austraa, Sir Charles Wood beirg ab sent owing to indisposition. _ A deputltion from Brighton, in opposition to the Bill for Brighton Improvement and purchase ( f the Pavilion, consisting of Mr. W. Coninghwa. Mr. John Colbatch, Dr. Butkr, Mr. Hallett, and Mr. Cox, accompanied by Lord A. Hervey, M.P., Sir G. Pechell, M.P., and also by Mr. J. A. Wa!misley, Parliamentary agent, had an interview with the Commissioners of her Majesty's Woods and Forests yesterday, at the office, Whitehall. The Finance Committee cf the Royal Commission for the Exhibition, 1851, had a nceAing yesterday at the Board of Trade. There were present the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, Eli.' Granville, Right Hon. W. E. Glad- stone, Sir Alexander Spearman, Mr. Jones Loyd, Mr. F. T. Gibson, and Co:crud Reid, R.E. Mr. John Ellis, M.P. (Leicester), had an interview with Sir George Grey yestcrda , ..•. Mr. Childe had also an interview yesterday with the Right Hon. Baronet at the Home-Dffice. A deputation from the Strain-shipowners' Association, consisting of Mr. Anderson, M.P., Mr. Hartley, Mr. Wm. J. Ball, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Morgan, had an interview with the Right Hoc. H. Labouchele yesterday at the Board of Trade. A deputation from New Oxford-Areet, headed by Mr. Thomas Duncomhe, 111. P., and including Messrs. Jen nings, J. and W. B rinutt,`Y. aad N. Kitchen, Cooper, Hill, and Healey, had an interview yesterday with the Commissioners of her Majesty's Woods and Forests. Dispatches were sent off last evening from the Colo nial-Alice for tie Governor c f Car al t, and also for the Governors of the ether North American colonic r. COURT THEATRICALS AT WINDSOR. The second dramatic representation under the di rection cf Mr. C. Kean took place last night before her Majc- , sty,his Royal Mglinoss Prince Alber`, and the Court. The exquisite - wAing of Mrs. Kean as King RenCt's daughter, must have convinced all pre sent that the British stage can yet boast of genius equal to the bygone age, and that we still possess en actress whose fame will live among th , , most honoured names that have ever adorned our dramatic annals. The second piece was Charles X.l I.—most excellently cast and most efficiently performed. Mr. Ke.in played a trifling character of a few lines, thereby affording a marked proof of respect to his royal pa trons, and a bright example to the rest of his prof, a ' sion. The room was crowded as before. The young Princes were attired in their Highland costume, and, with the Princesses, sat on the steps of the dais. Colonel Phipps expressed to Mr. Kean her Majesty's approval in very warm terms. (From the Court Circular.) Shortly before eight o'clock her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness the Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice entered the theatre, accom panied by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Monsieur and Madame Van de Weyer, the Mat quis of Lansdowne, the Marquis and Marchioness of Westminster, Lady Octavia Grosvenor, the Earl of Aberdeen, Viscount and Viscountess Mahon, ? Lord and Lady Ashley, and other visitors, and attended by the Countess of Desart, lady in waiting, the Marquis of Ormonde, lord in waiting, and the other ladies and gentlemen of the court in waiting. Her Majesty and the Prince and the illustrious party having taken their seats, her Majesty's private band, which was stationed in an ante-room, played the overture to Henri Quatre (Martini), and theper formance then commenced. A. select party had been honoured with invitations to the Castle, to witness the dramatic representation, consisting of his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, the Countess Dowager of Sefton and two Ladies Molyneux, the Dowager Lady and the Hon. Miss Lyttelton and Miss Pole Carew, the Hon. and Rev. henry and Lady Anna Maria Cust and two Misses Cast, Hon. Mrs. Peregrine Cast, Lieutenant- Colonel Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps and Miss Bathurst, Colonel llor. Charles and Mrs. Grey, Lieutenant-Colonel If. 11. and Lady Emily Sey mour, Hon. and Rer. Gerald Wellesley, lion. Ed mund Phipps, Sir George and Lady Couper, Miss and Mr. Couper, Hon. Henry end Mrs. Ashley, Admiral and Mrs. Sykes, Major. General and the Hon. Mrs. Scott, Colonel and Mrs. Challoner, Cap tain and the Hln. Mrs. Tottenham, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Seymour, Mr. and Mrs. Crutchley, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wells and Miss Lethbridge, Mr. Birch, Mr. Glover, the commanding officer of the Ist Life Guards (Colonel Ilall), one officer of the Ist Life Guards (Captain Fairer), the commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards (Colonel Thornton), and one officer of the Grenadier Guards (Lieutenant- Colonel William Thornton). The Queen's private band played between the acts. The following was the programme of the per formance : ROYAL ENTERTAINMENT. [i COMMAND. ON Frau.sx, liEmtumtv 8, 1850. A Dramatic Sketch, translated from the German version of the Danish poem of 'lonic Herz, by the Hon. Edmund Phipps, abridged and adapted for stage representation, entitled, KING RENE'S DAUGHTER. King Rene (Count of Provence) . Mr. JAMES WALLACK. Count Tristan of Vaudemont Mr, CHARLES KEAN. Sir Geoffrey of Orange (Friend of Count Tristan) Sir Almeric Mr. BoycE. _ __ Ebn Jahia (a Moorish Physician) Mr. Howl:. Bertrand lolanthe _(the B ind• Daughter of King leene) v Mrs. CUARLES KEAN. Martha (Wife of Bertrand) After which was performed an historical Drama in two acts, by J. R. Manche, Esq., called CHARLES XII. Charles XII. (King of Sweden) Mr. WEBSTER. General Duckert (Governor of _..,..._ Stralsund) Colonel Beichd Gustavus tle Mervelt Mr. LEIGH MURRAY. Major Vanberg (under the name of Firmann) Adam Brock (a farmer in the Island of Kugel]) Triptolemus Muddlewerk (Burgo master of Circow) First Officer .. Mr. CAULFIELD. Second Officer Sentinel ...... -- Mr. A. BEINDAL. Clark to Muddlewerk Uhica (daughter of Vanberg) Eudiga (daughter of Adam Jiro( k ) Miss K. FITZWILUAM. Director Mr. CHARLES KEAN. Assistant Director Mr. Gaol:6'E Ews. Stage Manager Mr. FREDERIC:L. WEnsTErt.. The Theatre arranged and the Scenery painted by Mr. THOMAS GRIEVE. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) NOTICES OF MOTION. MONDAY, FED. 11. Labouchere —That no Bill to aulLorise the 6ssolution of a Railway Compary, nor any Bill to authorise the aban donment of he whole or part of a Railway, and which does not relate to other objects, be read a second time until after Easter. TUESDAY, FEB. 12. Lord John Russell That upon Thursday, the eleventh day of April, and Every alternate Thursday following, Orders of the Day have precedence of Notices of Motions. ROYAL KINDNESS.—We are happy in being able to state that the Quct-n has been pleesed to give the sum of 204 a• year, from the privy purse, towards the support of a school which was opened some time since by a few benevolent parties in a destitute district in the neighbour hood of Balmoral. We understand also that her Mejesty has considerately provided comfortable cottages and gar dens for several poor cottarE, whose old and frail habi tations have be e n c l eare d away , to ma k e room f o r some improvements near to the castle.-IVorth of Scotland Gazette. it E PEAT. OP TUE WINDOW TA 3c.—Yesterd ay a hag° and important meeting of the delegates appolnted at the commencement of thti last Et:gion of Parliment for carrying, out the repeal of the window tax, took place at the CLuirt House, l'ltiryl , ,bone. Mr. John Williams, M.r. (eli , irrean), Lord Duncan, 14f. L'., and a great uu- -, 12c1 of the churchwaid , ns, vestrymen, and other re prosc.nte.tive of the variens metropolitan parishea were prtsen'. res•)ution bearing upon the object in view were duly adopted, and, after a vote cf thanks to the chairman, the it:h.:o'o4lg separated. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FRom OUR OWN CORRESP,-)NDENT.) COWES, FEB. 9 FORTUNATE ESCAPE.—Daring the gale on T0 , ..-1:1- day night, Captain Kroft, of the Prussian barque Commerce, IPft Cowes in his boat, with four hat.d.2, to return to his ship in the roadstead, having with him Captain Dethlefsen, of the schooner liamburgh, intending to put him on board his vessel. They made the barque and hailed her, stating they were going to the schooner, which was lying a little to the eastward, to put the master on board, but, it being. dark, the gale _drove them by her, without their see ing her, and in spite of all their efforts to regain the barque, they were driven to the eastward during the night; their boat being a por sea-boat was nearly half filled with water, when, fortunately, they dis covered a sloop driving before the gale, and got on board of her. The storm continuing all Wednesday, they could not get back to Cowes, and the greatest anxiety was felt for them, the captains of the other foreign ships sending shore boats in search of them ; but it was not till Thursday morning that their safety was ascertained, when the Prussian flag was seen floating in all directions, that being .greed on as a signal for their safety. Some few trees were blown down, and a few tiles and chimney-pots displaced, but no serious accident happened, either on shore or afloat, during the storm. ROYAL SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S BALL. The members and friends of this new institution cele brated the anniversary of its formation, on Thursday night, by a splendid hall, at Willis's. There must have been at one time not less than five hundred present, - " of fair women And bravo men." Of all national re-unions, says a contemporary, the heart:- est, most spirit-stirring, and picturesque is a Highland gt.therivg, and that none with any feeling for the manly in masculine attire, and graceful in feminine, can avoid disparaging the contrast, when he dances over a ball room bright with the many huel and varied taitsn, and exhibiting in its best proportions the human figure, without some touch of indignation that the servility of fashion should have reduced Europeans to sparrow-tailed coats and horrid continuations. We need hardly add our concurrence in his indignation, and if any scene would call it firth, that of Thursday evening was the most likely, from the magnificent dresses worn on the occasion, and tie extreme taste displayed in uniform and costume; altogether, perhaps, Willis's Rooms have not had so gay an assembly since the Waverly Ball of 1845, or the Celtic of 1847. Dancing, to music of the newest and choicest composition, discourse] by an admirable band, led by Mr. Henderson, was con tinued throughout the evening with unabated vigour, including the elegant Strathspey. 'the stewards were assiduous in their attention, and the refreshments were of the best, and most ampl-. The members of the Cale donian Society joined their countrymen on the occasion, vieing in their eff&rts of enthusiasm and patriotism in the benevolent cause of charity. This objects of this society are twofold, that of dispensing charity extracted from social enjoyment, and its success will be remem bered by its magnificent display last June in Holland park, having had the honour of the royal patronage and pre: e - .ce on the occasion. The management, with Mr. Boucher, their indefatigable secretary, de:ecve the greatest ci edit for their enterprise in catering for the public the agreeable amusements in their prospectus, end we are sure that they will be supported at their next gala, which is announced to take pfa.ce in June. Mr. Douglae, their steward, was most attentive on this as on all former occasions. RAILWAY RETIf7aNs RAILWAY TRAFFIC.—The following are the Toth', Receipts of Rail ways for the past week—that is to say, up to the date to which the respective returns are made, together with the rt,ceipts of the same in th, previous year:— Week Last e.-. ° ceding NAME OF RAILWAY. week. E Jan. & £ Feb. 2 Aberdeen ...... .. - Amiens and Boulogne 1,218 2 Belfast and Ballymena 434 378 3 Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire 729 746 3 Bolton, Blackburn, ell theme, and W. Y. 442 319 3 Bristol and Exeter 3,265 - 27 Caledonian. ........... .. 3 Chester and Holyhead 1,237 1,225 31 Dublin and Drogheda....... 5 Dublin and Kingstown 2 Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen .• •• • 910 910 3 East Anglian.- 2 Edinburgh and Glasgow .• • • • ...... 2,684 3,053 2 Edinburgh and Perth 2,050 1,552 3 Eastern Counties and North Eastern., 14,096 13,602 27 East Lancashire ..... .............. 2,657 1,750 3 Eastern Union 1,716 1,115 2 Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr 2,520 2,022 2 Glasgow and Greenock.. ..... 911 916 27 Great Northern and E.L.•,.••...... 2,877 1,601 2 Great Southern and Western • 3,652 3,817 3 Great Western, &c •. • • 3 Lancashire arid Yorkshire.. • 10,864 0,969 27 Lancaster and Carlisle 2,948 1,731 27 Leeds and Thirsk 568 221 - Liverpool, Crosby, and Southport.... 77 2 Londonderry and Enniskillen 118 124 3 London and North Western, &c...... 39,522 37,187 3 London and 603 544 2 London and Brighton ............... 6,837 6,887 3 London and South Western. • • 7,009 7,900 3 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire , 4,320 2,748 3 Midland, Bristol, and Birmingham.... 19,901 18,662 3 Midland Great Western (Irish) ...... 1,101 1,101 2 Monklands ..... „ 705 704 3 North British .. • ... ... . ; 2,954 2,162 2 Paris and Rouen. .. .. •• • • ...... I b,731 4,654 2 Rouen and Ilavrc .. • • .... • . 2,149 1,958 3 Scottish Central •.•• . • • • 1,092 795 2 Scottish' Midland ••••• • • . • ......... 247 233 3 Shrewsbury and Chester 3 Shropshire Union .. •• • ........ ..... 379 -- 2 South Eastern and Branches ........ 1 6,031 6,646 27 South . .............. 1,448 1,200 2 Taff Vale ••••••• • • • • • • • 3 Ulster .• • . ........ ••••••••• • • • • • . •• , 737 670 - Waterford and Limerick............. - 217 27 Whitehaven Junction ..... .. - 3 York and North Midland . .......... , 11,006 10,821 3 York and Newcastle . .............. 6,234 6,001 DIAMOND DUST. (From Eliza Cook's Journal,) Whoever abolishes justice cares for no religion. lie seldom lives frugally who lives by chance. lie, who commands himself, commands the world too; and the more authority you Lave over otlier9, tho more command you must have over yourself. True quietness of heart is got by resisting our pas sions, not by of eying them. To an impudent accusation oppose a short and humble answer. Impatience deprives man of movement :and impels him to danger. God created hope when listening to repentance. To live amidst general regard is like• sitting in sun shine, " calm and sweet." He who giveth his thoughts to charity carries the key of heaven. MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.—The annual general court cf the governors of this institution was held on Thurs day at the hospital, Sir Robert 11. Inglis, :Bart., M.P., in the chair. It appeared from the report passed, that the income fir the yfar amounted to 7,1461.95. 3d., whilst the ordinary expenditure amounted to 8,8181. Os. sd. In addition, however, to this, there was a sum of 1,9661. 18s. 7Y. extraordinary expenditure for altera tions, repairs, &c., which leaves tae excess over income 3,638/. 93. 9d. There had been a. diminution of almost all the items of ordinary expendi.ture within the hospital ; and, in the ease of drugs, it was explained by Dr. Crawford that the increase there was far from being the remit of extravagance, and arose from the fact that, during the prevalence of the cholera, medicine had been given at the hospital by day aad by night to persons who came with premonitory synavaems. In the poor-box was Lund betwren 11/. and 12/. The salary Lf the chaplain was raised from 140/. to 1601; af.er which, the court prcceeded to the election, and re-eke tion of the several officers of the institution. The num ber of in-patients during the year WS:S a tatcd to have been about 3,000, and of out-patients about 9,000. The average iu the hospital is generally about 250. GERMAN 110FPITAL DINNER.—The annual dinner of this hospital took place on Thursday 'evening in the London Tavern, when upwards of two hundred gentlemen a ere sumptuously entertained. The Duke of Cam bridge took the chair about six o'clock, and was ' supported by the Chevalier Bunsen, the Bishop of Manchester, Baron Knesebeck, Count Perpoucher, and other gentlemen of influence and importance. The German (ilea Club, under the superintendence of Mr. Horsley, kindly lent their assistance to the entertain ment, singing molly of the most popular German songs, and a just appreciation of their musical talent was shown on all sides. After the usual loyal toasts the Chairman proposed " the Prosperity of the Gel man Hospital;" and embraced the opportunity of mentioning that the hospital was steadily advancing in public opinion, and was daily extending the bene ficent intentions of its founders. During the last year no less than 476 were received as in-door patients ; and the nunaler of those who received out-door relief was 1,677. The Eastern Dispensary had relieved 774, and the Western Dispensary 39—making a grand total of 2,966. The number relieved since the open ing cf the hospital in 1845 was 9,274. Ho was, moreover, glad to say that the hospital was in a posi tion such as few charities enjoyed—it was out of debt. The Chevalier Bunsen, in proposing " the King of Prus sia, the protector, and the other sovereigns, patrons of the institution," feelingly alluded to the great benefits which had attended the hospital from the kind assi duity of the Sisters of Mercy; a subject which was aft, swards taken up by the Noble Chairman and by the Bishop of Manchester. The latter said that he had envied the Homan Catholi cs the foundation of so noble an institution as that of the Sisters of Mercy, and that however ho differed from them on other points, he honoured and respected them for this. It was now happily being introduced into England, and a notable example of its efficiency was that of the German Hospital, where the benevo lent Sisters received merely their bo ar d an d c l ot hi ng , and rendered almost invaluable service t) the patients. The annual report ne t yet being printed and circulated, the secs( tart' read the amount of subsc r ipti ons an d do nations received for the institution, which amount e d i n all to 1,839/. 1 4 s. 7 d. — thc donations being 1,784/. 18s. 7d. and the annual subscriptions 54/. 16s. TIIE FOE IN LAMBETH.--The total amou n t of property destroyed by this calamitous fire is ettimated at upwards of 50,000/.; and the insurances effected on the loss are sated to fall short of that sum by about 12,0001. IMPORTATION OF TEA.—The vessel Shah Jehan, which has arrived in the West India Decks from Canton, has brought upw aids of 14,000 packages of tea, being oneuneof the large.st individual importations of this import ant article cf merchandise which has ever taken place, 4157 ' trb tzuttion tele,b QUEEN'S BENCH._(THIS DAY.) (sittings at Nisi Yiius, at Westminster, 1 Core Mr. Jo tee WIC.:IITMAN and a Common Jury.) PARKER V. TONKIN'S. This was en tet'on brought to recover the sum of 23/. 55., the va'ue cf hay sold by the plaintiff to the d, . feadant. It appeared that on the 26th of May last the plaintiff called upon the defendant, who is be proprietor of coma saw mills in Wapping, stating that he had a barge-load of excellent clover toed!, of which he produced a sample. The def , -ndant was not in any immediate want of clover, but yet, influenced by the uppa-ent excellence of the sample, s;gre el to purchase the barge-load f clover belonging t) the plaintiff. The defendant sub sequently went to see the clover in the barge, and en ex amining the uppermost trusser, saw that they were t f the same good quality as the sample. The cargo of clover was afterwards landed at a wharf and thence carted to the premises of the defendant. After the two firet loads had arrived at the defendant's premises it was observed that the clover appeared to be of a quality very inferior to the sample. In addition to that, several cf the trusses were found not to be of the rivisite weight of 56 one of them ever weighing 22 lbs. less. Under these circumstances, the defendant refused to pay the sum which bad been agreed upon f,r the clover, but subse quently tendered the plaintiff' 20!. in satisfaction of his claim, which the plaintiff declined ti accept, and hence the present -acti in, which war, in fact, brought to recover the trifling sum of 31. 57. A witness on the part of the plaintiff was called, and rebutted the defendant'a evidence as to a tender of 201. having been made on his behalf to 'the plaintiff. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff for 21/, bring of opinion that a tender hied been made, notw,th standing the evidence conflicted upon that point. THE ARMY AND NAVY. (From the United Service Gazette of this day.) INFANTRY EXCHANGE OF QUARTERS. —The order will shortly be issued f,om the Horse Guards to sundry regi ments to held themselves in rt adiness to move from their present stations in pursuance of the relief. THE LATE QUEEN DOWAGER.—It is rumoured that her late Majesty the Queen Dowager has bequest - lied the sum cf . 10 000/. to Major-General Lord Freierick Fitz clarence, G.C.11., commanding the south-west disttict. THE REDUCTION.—An exception to the arrangement for the reduction c f the army is to take place as regards the 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment, which was formed fir special service et the Oregon—the whole of the officers are to be placed on half-pay, until appointments to other corps can be provided for them. GLASGOW RECRUITING DISTRICT.--We are enabled to awe that this vacancy has at last been filled up by the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Patten, of the 12th Foot, as Inspecting Field Officer of the district in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel Barnewell, deceased. Lieutenant-Colonel Patton hat been upwards of thirty two years in the service, having entered the army on the 18th of September, 4817. Intoa STAFF.—The reduction of the officers who were appointed f)r special service in Ireland, is ordered to take place from the Ist of April, viz., Brevet Lieutenant Colonel MacArthur at Cavan, and Colonel Sir Michael Creagh, K.H., at Galway. The appointment of Colone St. John A. Clark , ', Assistant Quarter-Master-General in the Belfast District, is to be discontinued at the end f March, the duties of which are in future to be per formed by the Assistant Adjutant-General. REGIMENTAL SCHOOLS. --A circular has bean issued by the Secretary-at-War to the effect that, although all supplies of books and materials required for the schools shall be furnished under directions from his office, it is act intended to relieve the non.commissioned officers and men who voluntarily attend the school from provid ing their own statior cry, copybooks, &c. All recruits, however, attending the school, under the general order of the 10th of April last, will to supplied with these ar ticler. CANTERBURY BARRACKS.—We are glad to see that these fine barracks are about to be again occupied by cavalry, and that the Scots Greys have been selected for that purpose. This regiment in bygone times used to be quartered at Canterbury alternately with the Blues. STAFF OFFICER OF PENSIONS.—By the death of Major Sutton, a vacancy has occurred in the appointment of Staff Officer of Pensions at Coventry. TILBURY FORT.—Captain Tulloch, Staff Officer of Pensioners for the Edinburgh District, is busily engaged at this garrison superintending the equipment and organiz Ilion of the pensioners under orders for embarka tion, as convict guards, for the Australian colonies. BARRACK MASTERS.—Captain Wickham, Ur attached, formerly of the lit West India Riginaent, and last -rly Barrack Master at St. Vincent's, has been re-appointe I in succession to Captain Basleigh, deceased. A new arrangement of the districts has, however, been focused. Stickpoit has been added to that of Manchester and Ashton; Bolten and Bury placed under charge of Cap tain Wickham, on a salary of 7s. 6d. per diem, in ad dition to the usual allowances, VOLUNTEERS FOR CANADA.--The Canadian Rifle Corps is to be augmented to its effective strength, and volunteering from regiments of the line stationed in Canada and Nova Scotia is rapidly taking place. CHATHAM OARP.L3ON.—The troops have commenced route marching, as usual at this period if the season. The acting assistant-surgeons who have been doing duty in this garrison fir some time past, and waiting for commissions, are to be no longer employed; they aro under orders to quit by direction of Sir John M‘Grigor, the Director-General of the Army Medical Department. ADMIRALTY LEYEES.—The First Lord, Sir Francis Baring, Las given notice that his levees for the season will, as usual, take place on Tuesdays after one o'clock. The senior naval lord, Rear-Admiral Dundas, will also receive officers as before. We have authority for stating that there is no truth in the published report, that Commodore Henry Eden, Superintendent of Woolwich Dockyard, intends to re sign his appointment. H e h as no t th e most distantidea of doing so. ARCTIC SPECIMENS FOR THE BRITISH MUSEUM.— The Admiralty have directed that several cases contain ing rare specimens of plants, &c., collected during Sir James Ross's late Arctic voyage, shall be forthwith sent to enrich the national treasures at the British Museum. THE NAVY ESTIMATES.—REDUCTION IN THE ROYAL FACTORIES.—The Admiralty have decided that in tl o forthcoming navy estimates for the financial ye ar 1850- 51, tie amount to be paid for factory wages at the two great establishments shall net exceed 75,0001. Of this sum, 43,000!. is to be allowed to Woolwich, and 32,000!. fir Portsmouth. VICTORIA DOCKS. --A proposition having been mad 3 to construct some n ew docks oppos i te h er M a j esty ' s establishment at Wool w i c h , the Adm i ra l ty h ave or d ere d a survey and report to be made cn the project. TRINIDAD.—In consequence of the still unsettled state cf this colony, it has been deemed advisable to keep up the full strength of the garrison, and the officers, from the want of barrack accommodation, are obliged to be quartered in the town. It is expected that the establiAment at the Military Prison, Southsea. Castle, will be removed on the Ist of March, to the newly erected ono at Forton, near Gosport, which is calculated to hold 150 prisoners. MINING INTELLIGENCE. (From th e Mi n i ng Journal of this day.) market during the week has been very active, and m ore t h an an average amount o f busi ness has been ti ansacted. For most of our leading mines there has been a demand, and, in many instances, at en advanced price. The reports from the great mining dis tricts represent the mines in a progressively improving pos'tion ; whilst t h e gratifying advance i n t h e stan d ar d has no doubt given a considerable impetus to general business. Lead has also lapin advanced, and, from the limited stocks, a farther rise may confidently be expected. Devon Great Consols continuc in demand, and business has been done at an advance. At Maria they have cut through the slide, where the lode is worth 100/. per fathom. Treviskey and Barrier shares have been in request at a considerable a d vanc e . Several trans act i ons i n Perzance Consols have taken place during th e wee k . This m i ne i s progressing fast towards payin g di v i dends. T h e raised in Janu ary i s upwar d s c f 100 L, with highly im proving pro s p ects . profits estimated on tin The Lisburne Mining Company, under the manage ment of Messrs. J. Taylor and Son, declared a dividend of 1,600/. on Friday—being 101. per share for the months of Nov. and Dee., 1849. The mines ore represented as being in a highly profitable position. At the South Basset Li -monthly meeting, a divielehd of Isl. per share was declared; leaving a balance of 1,180/. 7s. 7d. in hand. At the Tamar meeting it war resolved to keep back the dividends, as profits accrue, until such reserves amount to 10s. per share, when the shares are to be brought in to be indorsed with a 10e. call, and debited with a 10s. divideno. This proceeding was decided on as the most desirable mode of raising new cupital re quired to the extent of near 5,0001. for enlarging the smelting-works, and establishing Patteson's process fur de-silvering lead. The mites are re presented to be in a highly profitable state, and, although the smeltirig-works have not been profitable during the past year, hopes are entertained of a renewal of success. The directors have already in hand 2,267!. Ils. 6d. towards the amount re quired. Shares in the following mines have changed hands since our last:—Devon Great Consols, Treviskey and Barrier, Mary Ann, West Providence, Bedford United, South Tamar, Trelavrny, Tincroft, Callington, Peuzence Consols, Hennock Silver-Lead, East Tamar, Devon and Courtenay, Camborne Consols, Condurrow, SWay Park, Wheal Margaret, Trehane, Taren, North Pool, Wheal Granville, South Basset, Tremayne, Tretheilen, East Buller, Tregorden, and Cwm Erfio. In foreign mines there has been a considerable amount of business done—in St. John del Rey, Copiapo, United Mexican, National and Imperial Brazilian, Australian, and Worthing, S.A. Guadalcanal mad Linares b a.ve also been in request, and several transactions have taken place. The report from the Linares is highl:t encou raging, fully answering the expectations of . the pro prietary. The Copiapo report for October has been received, by which we learn that the prcduce cf copper ore fur the month amounts to 58 tone, and the mines continue very promising. The silver mines are represented in a highly productive position. The gold mines are also looking very gratifying, indeed. A remittance of about 1,8001. in bar-silver and platina has also been. received. ARDROSSAN, FE ,. B. —Th e Isle of Arrant steamer caught fire this morning, received considerable damage, and was scuttled. A yr, F EB . B.—The sloop Claud:louden is on shore; crew saved. The Margaret, from New Orleans, on shore, still holds together; cargo expected to be saved. CONES,, FEB. B.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrd. Ignocita, Zabala,llavanuah; Antoinettejlaesloop, POri.o lii,CO. EVENING, FEBRUARY 9, lB5O IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, Fcb. s. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat upon tl.e Woolsack at Five o'clock. Pe. titions in favour of a re:-:. , nactment of protection t agrien'ture acre presented by Viscount COMBERNER E and the Eirl of NI INCiIILSEA. The Bishop of EXE rElt presented ale itiun fr,m the Archdeaconry of Eit:t Cornwall against a Pust•ofli,;e delivery on Sunday, - DOLLY'S BRAE. Lord STANLEY gave notice that on Monday, the 18c1', he should bring under the notice if the Houco the transactions connected with the affairs of D,lly's Brae and the dismissal c f the magi:traces in consequence f that affair; and he gave this lengthened notice in orCer that the Lord-Lfeu . e.n.nt of Ireland might be in his place, or at least might instruct his colleagues to defend the course which he had pursued in rela.ion to those transactions. The Earl of RODEN hoped that the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland would be in his place in that House when the debate should come on. LAW OF DISTRESS IN SCOTLAND. Lord BROUGHAM introduced a Bill to amend the at-e of distress in Scotland. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. The NOBLE AND LEARNED LORD also withdrew the motion cf which he had given notice, last night, on the subject c f the appointment of secretary to the Ecclesi astical Commission, bet ause he understood that the other House had had better notice c f the introduction of the clause than their Lordships had had. CRIMINAL CODE. Lord BROUGHAM brought in a Bill for consoli dating the criminal code. He hoped it would not un dergo those alterations in another place which had caused so much mischief in another measure. rat; POOR-LAW RETURNS. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH called the attention ef the Noble Earl opposite to the very important ques tions that had been addressed to the chairmen and vice-chairmen c f the poor-law unions of England and Wales, and which would s h ow t h e act , :al atata of the various classes of the United Kingdom. He wished to know if tl e answers to those questions had been received, end it received, when they would be laid before Psi liament. The Earl of CARLISLE said he would make inquiries about it. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Feb. 8. Tie SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. PETITIONS. Mr. Heald, sir G. Strickland, Mr. M. Milnes, Mr. Coil an, and other Hon. Members presented petitions praying f*Jr the abolition of Sunday labour in the Post office. Mr. W. BROWN presented a petition frcm Bradford praying for the e:tablibhment of county financial boardr. Colonel CHAT rERTON presented a petition from Cork praying for a grant from Parliament in favour of national education in Ireland. THE COLONIES. Sir WILLIAM MOLES W 011TH presented a petition from New Zealand complaining of the conduct of the Colonial Office in not giving free institutions to that colony.: Also a petition from Graham's Town, accusing the Governor of violating the rights of the colonists. Ho also presented an important petition from New South Wales, bearing 6,000 sigr atures, and com plaining of the proposal for sending transports to the colony, and threiteaing to oppose it by Every constitutional means. The petitioners observed that such proposals were calculated to shake the union which subsisted between the colonies and the mother country. PRUSSIA. Prom the Preussische Staatsanzeiger we take the text of the Royal Speech on Wedues4av, y the ich ins, .. :- I ' Gentlemer,—l crave your attention. What lam going to say are my own words; fur I stead before you as I never did before this, and as I nese: shall do at:At. I do not stand hero to exercise the hereditary sacred dukes of my office (they soar abive the opinions and into. :tions ( f parties); I do nut stand here cov-red by the respanstbility of my advisers ; but I stand by my,elP, alone, as a man of horwur prepare,' to give his dearest treasure, his word, a Yes fu'l of f ace and msan inr, Let me, thereetre, say a few word: in exp!ia.rtation. " The work on which I mean to iinpiint my confirma tion sprang from a year which the fidelity of coming generations will yearn tearfully, though vainly, to blot out cf our history. In the farm in which it has been submitted to you it is indeed the work of the self sacrificieg fidelity cf the men who saved this throne from ruir, 'and to whom my gratitude shall only cease with my life; but what it is, it became in those fetal days in which the existence of our country was threat ened. It sprung &cm a moment, and bore the broad stamp of its origin. It is but just to ask the question—How can I. with these opinions, stoop to sanction that work ? And yet I will do it, bccause I cat do it; and that I can do it I owe to you, gentlemen. You have improved it. You have purified it of dangerous parts. You have added bi.neficent pro visions, aad by your masterly legislation, and by the . acceptance of my last procosition, you have given me a pledge that you mean to continue improving it, and teat our joint endeavours, exerted in a constitutional manner, will avail to make it sill more congruous to the characteristic vitality of Prussia. I can venture to con fi, m this work, because I can do it in good hope. I ac knowledge this with the warmest thanks to you, and I say, with a el, e t aly moved and jo3fol heart, that you have earned the gratitude cf your country. And thus I declare, calling God to be my witness, test my promise to the Constitution is true in verity, a-1d void of all af.er thought. But you must feel that the life and blessings of the Constitution depend upon a fulfilment of some unavoidable conditions. " You, gentlemen, must help me, and the Parliaments after you must help mom, and the loyalty of my people must help me, against those who would pervert this royal grant or fieedom into a shroud to malice; against those who would turn it against its at. thor God-insti tuted aathurity; against those who would fain consider this document as an indemnity in the place cf Divine Providence, of history, and of our ancient sacred loyalty. All the good powers cf the country must unite in fealty, in respeJt for royalty, azed this drone, which leans upon the victories of our armies; on obedience to law, on a conscientious adherence to the oath of homage and to the new oath of fidelity, and obedience to the Kiug, and a scrupulous observance cf the Consti tution—in a word, a vital condition is that you give me a possibility of governing under this law; for in Prussia the King must reign, and I do not reign, God knows it, because such is my will and pleasure, but because it is God's order and decree, and, therefore, I mean to govern. A free people under a free King! such has been my motto these ten years, and such is it this day, and shall be to the end of my lit "Before I proceed to the act cf this day, I will renew two rows. In the first instance I vow, repeat, and con firm my vow at the Coronation at Konigsberg! Yes! yes! I will do it! so 'nip me God! " In the second iastaace, I repeat and confirm my solemn vow of the 11th of April, 1847, With my house I intend to serve the Lord.' Yes, yes! I will do it. So help me God! This vow takes a higher range than all others. "And now that I, by the force of my royal perfection of power, confirm the charter of the Constitution, I pre mise tolemnly, verily, and expr. ssly, to obsene the co - stitution of my country and empire, and t ) govern Lc cording to the same and t) the laws. Yes, )ez! I will do it! So help me God!" OLYMPIC THEATRE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN: SlR,—Last evening I was present at a representation of Othello, and in the midst of the splendid dialogue between Othello and Ingo, there was a cry of "Fire! fire!' Coafusioa immedia el/ prevailei—a'most all rose to depar', and a rush to the doors took place --several females fainted, some shouted, and general a!arna pre vailed through the building. In vain the policeman and officials iuterrered to st.p persons leaving the house (which was crowded), and it Has some time bef)re order and confidence could be re stored. Meanwhile the play proceeded, the best part being les'. Upoa irquiry it turned out to have emanated from some persons waiting f)r half-price" t) the gal!ery, and whether their patience aas exhausted, or whether it was wilfal, I know not, but this I know, that tLe " villains," whoever they were ought to be punished, and severely for endangering the lives of the public, because it is impossible to say where this sort of thing would end. Tho offenders are, I hope, in custody; at all events they ought to be, and the fact of the late house Laving been burnt down being fresh in the memory of nearly all present, the alarm was much greeter. Apologizing for this intrusion, but hoping you will, for the benefit of the public, insert it, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Strand, Saturday, Feb. 9, 1850. VEitITAS. P.S. I enclose you my curd to vouch for the accu racy of this statement. BENEFIT OF Mr. FLEXMORE.—We are glad to hear that this excellent and agile clown takes his benefit at the Princess's Theatre on Tuesday next, the 19th in stant, on which occasion a very attractive bill of faro is promised, consisting of a new opera, an entirely new ballet, in which the much-admired danseuse, Mdlle. Auriol, will appear, and the amusing pantomime of King Jamie The ballet is the joint composition of Flexmore and Mdlle. Auriol, and we understand will be put on the stage in a way hitherto unsurpassed at this theatre. No clown on the sage has lecome so rapidly a favourite with the public as Flexmore, and this may be attributed to his possession of those qualities which tit an actor for the representation of humorous and comical parts. lie is, besides, a light and elegant dancer, and throws life and spirit into the pantomime by his Terpsichorean feats. l We trust he will have a bumper house on the night of i his benefit, and wo are sure our expectations will not he disappoints d. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS AND Loss OF LIFE.—The five o'clock down train on the North Kent line of rail way ran oil the line last night, just after clearing the tunnel at Charlton. The engine buried itself in the side of the cutting, and de agged all the carriages, which were heavily laden with passengers, off the line. For tunately, beyond a few bruises, and a detention of some half hour, they escaped uninjured. On Thursday even ing, about seven o'ciock, a corporal of the Royal Artil lery, named Bingham, lost his life at the junction at New Cross. He had been to Greenwich, and was re turning by this route, and while waiting f ,r the arrival of the down train he imprudently stepped upon the line. The engineer did not perceive his position till it was too late to reverse the engine, and the unfortunate man was killed on the spot, the body being frightfully mangled. I IST. MARTIN'S llALL.—Under this designation, as many of our readers aro no doutt aware, a building has been erected, to which the present entrance is in Long acre, and which contains, besides a concert-room and some smaller seloons atited to instruction and pm aetice in choral music, ono enormous area constructed for the pur pose of giving musical perform aeces, vocal and instru mental, on a grand teak. The undertaking, has reiulted from the success attending Mr. Hullah's singing classes; and it affords ono additional proof of the prevailing de sire to provide the general public with good music. On Thursday night, a festival was held here, to inaugurate the opening of the larger Concert Hall, which is to take Vase on Monday next. Some choral music was first perfomed by Mr. Hullah 'e pupils; and there was after wards a supper. The Earl of Carlisle presided; and be tween six and seven hundred persons, including a pro portionate number of the fair sex, assemble,]. A sister of the Noble Chairman accompanied him, and sat on his right. The Bishop cf London, Mr. Justice Coleridge, and several other distinguishod ereons, also took part in the entertainment. Af cr the usual loyal toasts had been given, Lord Carlisle p:oposed "Prosperity to S. Martin's Hall," to which toast Mr. Hullah reqiond,d, explaining the many difficulties which bad olet-ucted or impeded the accomplishment of the undertaking. The Bishop of London bore testimony to the influence of music, as inculcated according to de system f 'Bowed by Mr. Huila, on the public morals; and Mr. Helps, M.P., having been designated by Mr. Hullah as the person who had first come forward with the donation re cessary to initiate the project, that gentleman was called upon to speak lie delivered an eloquent address, in the course of which he enabled his auditory to perceive that his benevolent enterprise had been dictated by philanthropy , f a high order. Other rpeeches were made, and the company did not separate till a late hour. LONDON FEVER IlosrsTAL.—The forty-eighth an nual general meeting of this institution was held 3 e dor day ut the 1% eculasens' Tavein, the Earl of Devon in the chair. The repent stated that the removal of the institution from St. Pancras to the elegant new building in the Liverpool-road had occurred during the prevalence of the severe epidemic, and yo t the punster c f fever patients had not equalled half those of the preceding year, as the total admission's in 1848 were 1,335, and in 653. In 1843 there had been fewer the past year only than in 1847; and altogether a successive diminution since 1843, when the greatest number (1,462) were re ceivef, than during any previous year. The cho'era had, it was supposed, partially superseded fever, having chiefly raged among those classes usually ' affected by fever. On the 27th December, 1819, there remained in the hospital 21, and since admitted 18, of whom 12 had been discharged cured, four had died, and 23 now remained in the hospital. Including the previous balance c f 453/. 10s. ld., the total receipts had been 2,7541. 7s. 40., the general expenditure 1,94 a. Is. 6d, and a balance remained of 58/, GS. 4d., after in vesting 750/., thereby incs eesing the funded stock to 3,675/. Is. sd. Of the 18 9221. received from the Great Northern Railway Company 18,357/. ss. 9d. had been expended on the new premises, and the balance, 564/. 7s. 3d., it was unanimously resolved should be ap propriated to the formation of a fund, to be called the Family Fund, to be applied as the committee might think fit. The officers fn. the ensuicg year were elected, and the meeting broke up. URAILWAY BILLS ON STANDING ORDERS. —Yester day the standing orders were declared to ho complied with in the case of the Midland Great 'Western Rail way of Ireland, for deviations and extensions of time ; in the Killarney Junction Pailw ay ; and in the North Staffordshire Railway Company's Bills for abandonment of branches to Newcastle-under-Lyme, and lease of A shbourne branch. GREAT CENTRAL GAS CONSUMERS' . COMPANY.— Yest - 2rday this company's Bill for bettcr.supplying the City and places adjacent with gas, was declared to have ' complied with the str,nding orders. CITY OF LONDON ELECTION. Mr. LUSIIINGTON said, in reference to a notice which I gave yesterday to the House relative to reprcaentation of the city of krdon, I think it right to explain that since I announced my intention of putting a question to the Noble Lord at the head of the Government on the subject I hale Lean reminded that there is a petition bef ;re this House against the election of Baron Roths child. Under these circumstances, if I put my question in the manner I had intended, it would b 3 not only pre tubture, and unproductive of inf'ormation, but I think irr3gular and disrespectful to the Howe, and I therefore beg to withdraw that notice. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTORS. Mr. HINNY BERKELEY gave notice that on Mon day he should move for a return of the number cf Par liamentary electors in Grcat Britain and Ireland in the years 1848 and 184 J. POST-OFFICE. Mr. STAFFORD preseLted three petitions against the desecration of the Sabbath by Sunday labour in the Post-office. WINDOWTAX. Mr. WILLIAMS, seeing the Noble Lord the Mere er for Bath in his p!ac', wished t) ask him whether it was his intention to renew his motion fa the repeal of the window-tax this session? Lord DUNCAN said that he should certainly take ;he earliest opportunity of renewing this motion. INTRAMURAL INTERMENTS. In answer to a question from Mr. BERKELEY, Sir GEORGE GREY said that the Board of IL alth had it in charge to prriare a scheme for a Bill of this nature; and as soon as this were forwarded to the Go vernment they would introduce a measure (,f this nature. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION. Mr. lIWISMAN gave notice that on Monday night he should give notice of motion for a Committee to in quire into the allegations lately made against the First Lord of the Treasury and the Secretary of Stat e . He wished to know whether, as it would be inconvenient for him to attsnd the House at a late period in the evening on Monday next, the Noble Lord (Lord J. Reif.- sell) would have any objection to take the motion at five o'clock? Lord J. RUSSELL said he would have no objection ,o take it at that time. COLONIAL POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT. The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL rose to move for a Bill for the; better government of the Austra lian Colonies, and to make a statement of the colonial policy of the Government. He said it was, perhaps, advisable, at that early period of the session, that some statement should be made, on the part of the Government, of the general policy which they meant to pursue with regard to our colonial possessions. So many statements had been made on the subject, ' and there was such a variety of opinions entertained regardin g it, that it seemed right that the Government should declare what view they took of the iet2rests which were from time to time committed to their care, and what would be the permanent policy of this country. In undertaking this task he was conscious how urable h 3 was to fulfil the whole cf the requisitions which its assumption implied—he felt how unable he was to discharge the task which ho had un dertaken. Nevertheless he conceived the House would need, and perhaps Lo glad to receive, whatever informa tion the Government possessed to assist them in their deliberations. There were several lion. Gentlemen, Members of that House. who had eminently distin guished themselves by their knowledge cf colonial affairs, and among them he mi,l - lit distinguish the Hon. Member for Sonthw ark and the Ilon. Member for Sheffield for their ea - liner t knowledge of colonial affairs, both in their speeches in that House and in the printed declarations which they had circulated throughout the country. He was bound to say that what they proposed was well worthy of consideration. From the time of James I. to thst of Charles I. several islands had been discovered in the West Indies, and afterwards aban doned, but which were afterwards taken posses.. eion of by British navigators. Under the Pro tectorate certain restrictions were imposed on the inter course with the: e islands by Spain and ether countries. It was not to le expected that Cromwell, with his high notions of British peer and British wealth, would sub mit to these restrictions, and accordingly be sent out an expedition to connect net.: ain islands in the West Indies with our own, which failed through an accident. After wards, in the reign cf Charles the Second, other islands in the West Indies were occupied by us. Such w as the commencement, then, of our colonial possessions. In the beginning of the next century during the war we added t ) there, and after the glorious war of 1756 many additional places were added to our poseasions. Be sides which we obtained possession of Canada, which acquisitior, the Marquis of Montcalm declared, would be a great loss to France; but as it would cause tl e separation of England from her other American colonies, the loss would be more than counterbalanced by thst event. In the unfortunate war with the: provinces of America our lcsaes were indeed greet, but in the great revolutionary war, which was begun in 1793, we made further accessions of colouial territory through the in. fluence of our naval and military forces, which were confirmed to us by the treaties cf 1814. The Noble Lord then read a list of the colonies which had come into the possession of this country from 1617 down to 1814. Ile would now state what were the general principles upon which the se dependencies were colonized. In the first place, it seemed to have been an object to send settlers out from this country, and to e•eable them to colonize distant islands; bnt, in the next place, it was evidently the system of this country, as it was then c f all the countries of Europe, to maintain a strict commercial monopoly with respect to those colonies. Various Acts, to which he need not allude, and some cf which had oc been recently under the consideration a the House, t centre k care that the whole trade of those colonies should houldEsent in this country, and that their productions to this country. It was conceived at a das, so late as 1796, 1 ad very great advantages in g t c f a i t h m e o c n: a o l nt6penso period ° s E d a rtd.h if f t uwwn we r t a f n o d r their productions to permit elsewhere.them o in t would there findwa was another remarl. colonies,ableeharEsertgeirisab.mteenndinwgertehosteenttot h s and o that olo colo nies wasswhenever they carried with them the freedom and in stitutions c f the mother country. — (llear, hear.) (Here the Noble Lord read some extracts from a La tent given to the Earl of Carlisle, who went out, as Governor of Barbadoes, in 1629, during the reign a Charles 1., which showed that his Lordship and his heirs were thereby ea - Towered to make laws for the colony, with the content of the inhabitants.) The government of Jamaica,oct led by Cromwell, was at first entirely absolute; but in the reign of Cl a-les 11. it was ordered that an Assembly should be called in Jo mica; that by it laws and statutes should be ordained upon the model of English institutions. It so hap pened that not Log efterwards, in th . e reign c f James 11., there was a question with regard to this very colony of Barbadee;, and in fact affectlng the inte rests of the whole of the British colonies. (The Noble Lord then read a arssge from Mr. Fox's history of the revolution, giving the opinion of Lord t Halifex with respect to the constitutional rights the colonies. The Noble Lord considered that this we's a circumstance of great note, hecau e no man was more uee:ul to Charles the Sec. nd in dispensing with Fa dia ments altogether than the Merquis if Halifax, and it showed that even he had the sentiments implanted in his mind that every Englishman ought to live under a free government and under free institutio ns . That 0 at opinion was in conformity with the general constitution of those colonies, and the general principles of the English ?al-, was, he thought, shown by the opi nion of Sir Philip York, which was quoted by Lord Mansfield in tLe well-kn c;wn case regar di ng t h e procla reation of the Ki ng i n respect of the island c f Jamaica. The Assembl y h aving refused to grant the eceesiery supplies, the mate;east referred f or hi s op i n i on, an d h e said that the on l y way the inhabi:ant s was thro i t r :igh" t h h i e e l A i t . s , x , m es b e iy o n uld Er b o e m la;d on 1627 af er the accession of Charles I. till the peace cf Paris in 176, the general policy in regard to the colonies lad remixed the :weir, but for various reasons. which he would not particularise, it did net seem to be thought ad visable to follow the example of our ancestors between 1763 and the time cf the peace in 1814 ; and the cue stitution of the colonies bad not bocn formed on the plan of the British Constitution. With regard to our commercial policy with the colonies, it had been materially altered within the last few years. In 1786 Mr. Pitt had d. termined to adopt a free-trade policy with regard to the intercourse between the West Indian and the North American del endeuciee of this country, as well as between the former of there colonies and tl e United States of North America; and he had pa:BM resolutions to that effect, but after wards a more restricted policy was adoptee, an d it was only during last year that the Ilothe had given its full sanction to the abolition of that exclusiveness which they La I utterly put an end to by tie repeal of the navi gation laws, and had thereby put an end, as he conceived ter ever, to the whole system if commercial monopoly. —(llear, hear.) They had given the colonies the power to receive from, and to transfer to, other tarts of the world all the articles which they produced, or the goods which they required, together with the authority to impose whatever duties they deemed necessary upon the products of this country. Much had been said of the evils and the benefits ef this sys!sua. He would only make his test by the ineretne of population. In 1816 the population of the Canadas was 462 452; in 1835 it was 1,099,000; and in 1847 it was 1,185,689. Now there was another way in which the extent of alit increase might in some degree be 'leisured, by compar ing this increase of population with the increase in tie population of the United Statee. Now he found That in 1625 the population of Lower Canada was 423,630, and in 18:31 it was 511,923, being an in er( am in the six years of 17 per cent. In 1844 it was 690,782, being in the thirteen years an increase of 35 per cent. In 1848 it was 770,0'0, being an in crease of 12 per cont. Taking Upper and Lower Canada together, the increase from 1825 to 1831 was 29 per cent. In 1843, which he thought war a me dium between 1842 and 1844, being ten year', the in crease was 55 per cent. In 1848, being four years. the increase was 28 per cent. The proportions being so great, ho would take the proportions for the United States at ten years. In 1800 the increase was 25 per cent. ; in 1110, 36; in 1820, 33; in 1830, 33; in 1840, 32; thus the increase in Upper and Lowtr Canada was considerably greater than that of the United States. With regard to the imports, the increase of the last few years had bee❑ no le,s remarkable. Ia 1835 they were 3,730,000 ; in 1846 4,053,000. The exports in 1835 were 1,929,000 ;in 1846 3,201,000. The shipping inwards increased from 1,077,000 to 1,461,000, whtlst the shipping outwards increase.d from 1,025,000 to 1,494,000. That was a most remarkable increase, both in population and comnerce ; and if the House went to another test of the wealth of those countries, namely, the articles as sessed to local taxation in Upper Canadr, they had no less remarkable results. The property assessed to the local taxation in that province was in 1825, 2,000,000/. odd in 1635, 3,085,0001., in 1845, 7,778,0001., and in 1847, 8,567,0001. With regard to another portion of our colonies, in which there had been en inertincrease of the people of British clesent, the fats were hardly less remarkable. He alluded more especially to the Austra lian colonies, and in LI c first place to New South Wales. In Now Swath Wales in 1828 the population was not alor.ve 55,000, of whom at, that time nearly one-I a'f were convict ~ and the exports were of the value of 180,0001. in 1848 the population had increased to 300,000, and the c xports were in 'value upwards of 2,000,0001. That would seem still more ren aikable w hen ho stated that at tie time of which Le spoke the popul..- tion of the American colonies was not above 1,000,00 a. The ir.crcase with regard to some ether colonies more recently four.ded in New Hol:aod was equally rearm k able. New South Wales, for example, had made a must extraordinary progress in the last ten years, both in po pulation and in export , . lie thought those facts showed, with respect to a large class of our colonies under the dominion of this country, a 'mist extraordinary increase both in population and in trade. They showed the value of those relations, on which there vr a.s So much discussion, and on which he thought some people spoke with but superficial knowledge. He would now take an instance of colonies which bad undergone very severe trials, which might have subjected them to almost ruin, of course he meant the West India Islands. The great change from slavery to freedom would, it was likely, fur a short time he followed by a cessation of almost all iadustry, or more es pecially to all labour of an irksome description. The change which had afterwards taken place, first of admittir.g foreign free-grown sugar into this country, and nest of admitting foreign slave-labour sugar into this country, had naturally produced some change in those colonies, but it must be re membered that if those admissions had not taken place, the West Indies would have bean exposed to competition from the Mauritius. In looking at the returns he found that, taking the average of the three years before so many changes had taken pl a ce i n ti e West Indies, they had furnished 2,947,324 cwt. of sugar to this country; in 1831.2-3, before the emancipation, 3,335,820 cwt.; in 1843-4-5, before these admissions had taken place, 2,645,212 cwt.; and in 1847-8.9, 2,801,657 cwt. This proved that our colonies were in a satisfactory condition as far as regarded our commercial relations with them. lie now came to a question which Lai been much agitated, and which had advocates of very consider able ability, who said that it was no longer worth our while to maintain our colonial possessions. With regard to this proposal he would say that it was our bounden duty to maintain colonies which had been placed under our care.—(Hear.) We could not get rid of the responsibility which we had taken upon ourselves for the benefit of these colonies, and he trusted we would be the means of improving and civilizing those parts of the world to which they belonged.—(Hear.) There were many reasons why they should be considered as part and parcel of the strength of this empire. In the next place the natives had become in a certain degree civilized, or at least they had been brought to order, and to subjection to authority. In one of our recent colonies there was a most remarkable race lie meant the people of New Zealand who not many years ego were given up to practices the most abhorrent, but who, on communication with tl e British people, appealed to he far more capable of civilization than almost any savage race v.ith which he was tie quainted.—(l.lcar, hear.) There was also another lace—the natives of Natal—who showed greet docility, and gave evidence of their fitness to learn the arts of civilized lile.—(Hear.) There was also another race which, if abandoned, would relapse into their former savage habits and begin a war of races un• der the few Europeans who were left to command them. But there were other considerations which could not bo lust sight of in coming to a sound conclusion in this discussion. No ore doubts the benefit of the ports of these colonies to our commerce in the time of peace— (Cheers)—and that they are most necessary in the time of war.—(Cheers.) Let them consider what would be the effect of a neglect of a great numberof these colonies. Was it to he said that because the Uni.o.l States had groan into a great community, sad because that com munity had prospered without the addition of colonies, that the condition of the United States and the circum stances of the British Government were very different? The colonies were in most instances unable to defend themselves, they had small means and had very often a savage race around them to contend with. If, therefore, this country refused to assist or defend them they would naturally look to other powers for that assistance and that proteet: on to which they were legitimately 4:ethical from us.—(Hear, hew, cud cheers.) In their weakness they would apply to the strung, and who could blame them?—(Hear, hear.) But there was another point to which le wished to ref. r, and that was the system el making laws. The colonies bad the power of enacting ceitein statutes which re quired tee assent of the home Government; but there were other laws for their self-government which they were enabled to complete without any imperial authority. He did not believe it was possible t draw any line. They had a strong instance of this in the debates they c had last session with respect to the m ea sure p a ssed by the House of Assembly anci Govern ment of Canada. It was contended bY in the this llu that that was a measure whi ch ou g ht not receiv e the assent of the Croon. Govern ment, en the oth er hand, maintained that it was a matter entirely for the local government to decide ; and althou g h he did no t wish to revive th e dis p ute, it was an in stance which showed how difficult it would be to draw any precise line en the subject. The only con clusion which any man who had the administration of the colonies could come to was, that the local Government teo a hxf n ei d tsht L leu ,ineergcs local l lcw a an t hid u ici r cao e hnn , c a oe n rr d enr n sa: not colonies; te d t b h , oe ihinedetrimentalCrown,earFormerly u dtheed were rteo h to wt t hete e rheei b n e ca ct s ae t ur j t sseuesdst and g io c n s t. measures of preca u ti on t h at were taken after the eman cipation a f the slaves to pr even t outrages and disturt- aaces. But when he was at t h e C o l on ial-office Lord Metcalfe wrote to him, stating filet there was no longer nay necessity for these precautions, and they were eventually dispensed with. Those measures of precaution, those symptoms of jealousy, soon eftet wards ceased, and, therefore, although these was an interferecte-aTa considerable kind, that no longer existed between the colonists and the Goverr.- meat at home. But in considering further this subject, he thought it was absolutely necessary that the Govern• runt and the Clouse should understand, and if pos sible, deAste, what were the principles upon which they were hereafter to proceed.—(Cheers.) It was their duty, he believed, and it was their policy to maintain that great and admirable colonial empire. Let the House sea that those principles were sound which they adopted in the administration of those colonies; lit them see that they are to the credit of this country and likely to con tribute to the happiness of the colonies.—(Cries of "Hear, hear.?') With regard to their commercial policy he had already said that the whole system of monopoly was swept aw ay. The House had already ssid *het in future there should be no duties of monopoly in favour of ore ,nation as against another, and that there should be no duties of such