The Sun. — London, England, 1868-02-14 00:00:00

LICENCED VICTUALLERS. ESTABLISHED 1842. VVILLIAM lIOLDICH and CO., Vl' LICENCED VICTUALLERS' DRAPERS, No. 105, Fleet-street, corner of ono ; and at No. j, Th 3 Pavement, Clapham-com (Southern Branch). COUNTER CLOTHS FOR LICENCED VICTUALLERS. THE only article really suitable for that purpose, ss. Cd. per dozen, hemmed, ready for use. Address 103, Fleet-street, and 5, The Pavement, Clapham. GLASS CLOTHS SUITABLE FOR LICENCED VICTUALLERS, 7s. 9d. PER DOZEN. WILLIAM HOLDICII and CO. , No . 105, V 7 7 Fleet-Street, foot of Ludgate hill ; and No. 5, 1' he Pavement, Claphatu-commou. r ABLE CLOTHS, in every Width and Length, expressly for Licenced Victuallers. Damask Napkins for Tray Cloths, Drills for Bar Apcons and Towellings of `very description. Patterns gratis and post free. CARDIGAN JACKETS made expressly for Bar t;o, Warm and Elastic, from ss. each, for La,lit•s' an:l Gentlemen '3 it,;e. WILLIAM EOLDICEI and Co., Ider,Ns-Fto VICTUALLERS' lO5, Fleet stre t, City, and No. 5, The P et,avemClapham-common. riLTAAM. lIOLDICH and Co., LICENSED VICTUALLERS' DRAPERS, Established 1842, at 105, Floct-street, City; Southern Branch—No. 5, The Pave ment, Clapham-common. Patterns gratis and post free, with Price List- 111-IEATRE 10 YAL, DRURY-LANE. hole Lessee and Manlger, Mr. F. B. Chatterton. TENS EVENING will be performed the Comedy of THE HYPOCRITE. - Mr. Phelps; Messrs. Edmund Phelps, Charles Weruer, J. Rouse, W. C. Temple, F. Moreland; Mrs. Hermann Vezin, Airs. IL VandenholT, Miss Kato llartleur. After which, the Drury Lane annual grand Christmas Pantomime, written by E. L . Blanchard, Esq., entitled FAW FEB FO FUM ; or, harlequin Jack the Giant Killer. Morning Performance every Wednesday and Satur day until Feb. 15. THEATRE ROYAL, HA YigARKET. Sole Lessee, Mr. Buckstone. TIIIS EVENING, THE BROKEN-HEARTED CLUB. Mr. Conlon, Mr. Braid, Mrs. Chippendale, &c. To be followed by A WIFE WELL WON. Messrs. Sothern, BwAstone, Howe, Kendal, Rogers, Braid, Weathersby, &c., and Itob:nson. After whicli, AN UTTER PERVERSION OF THE BRIGAND. Messrs, Compton, Kendal, Rogers, Clark, Braid, Weathersby, Johnson, &c.; Mesdames Burke, Wright, Dalton, &c. TII E ATRE-R OY AL, IM.IMARKET.-MR. GEORGE TURPIN, Box Book-keeper, begs most respect fully to announce that his ANNUAL BENEFI f I.' will take place on WEDNESDAY, 19th February, 1868, on which occasion will he performed the Comedy of DAVID GARRICK! With (by desire) BOX AND COX! And other Entertainments! lIEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. WEBSTER. Directress, Mrs. Alfred Mellon. THIS EVENING, UP FOR THE CATTLE SHOW. After which, at S, NO THOROUGHFARE. Mr. Fechter (his 44th appearance here), Mr. Billington, Mr. H. Neville, Mr. R. Phillips, Mr. G. Belmore, Mr. C. J. Smith, and Mr. Benjamin Webster; Miss Carlotta Leclercq (her 44th appearance), Mrs. Mired Mellon, Mrs. Billie Commence at . ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Vining. THIS EVENING, a Grand Combination of Two Great Dramas, THE OCTOROON and ,% RRAH NA POGUE. Mr. and .I.lr. Dion Boucicault ; Mr. J. S. Clarke, Mr. Vining; Messrs. Dominick Murray, Dan Leeson, G. F. Neville, J. G. Shore, Mae lean, H. Forrester; Mesdames Henrietta Simms, E. Barnett E.mthel Sanger, K. Stafford, and Addie. Scenery by Mr. Telbin, Mr. F. Lloyds, and assistants. Doors open at half-past 6, commence at 7. QUEEN'S THEATRE, Long-acre. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Alfred Wigan. THIS EVENING, HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr. John Clayton. Alter which will be produced a New and Original Drama, entitled DEARER THAN LIFE. Michael Garner, Mr. J. L. Toole. To conclude with (18th Time) the New and Original Operatic Extravaganza, by Mr. W. S. Gilbert, called LA VIVANDIERE; or, TRUE TO THE CORPS. The Scenery by Messrs. W. and T. Grieve, Johnson, and Assistants. Messrs. J. L. Toole, L. Brough, and Sanger; Misses P. Markham, F. Addison, Jordan, Montgomery, Heath, Sylvia, li. Everard, and H. Hodson. Doors open at Half-past Six, commence at Seven. Acting tnager, Mr. W. H. Liston. Box-office open daily from Ten till Four. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, at 7, OLD SALT: Messrs. Emery, James, and Belford; Mesdames N. Moore and Gwynne. . . After which will be produced a Grand Christmas Operatic Or!ontal Extravaganza " THE CALIPH OF BAGDAD." Messrs. Thorne, James, Turner, Murray; Mesdames A. Swanborough, Johmtone, Harland, Holt, A ewton, &c. To conclude with COAL AND CORE. Mr. F. Robson, &c. HOLBORN TIIEATRE ROYAL. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Sefton Parry. THIS EVENING, at Seven, THE FLYING SCUD. Messrs. Atkins, Price, Garden, Arthur, Westland, \Vilmott; Mesdames Eenrade, Goodall, Lennox, and C. Saunders. After which, the Grand Comic Pantomime of VALENTINE AND ORSON; or, Harlequin the Big Bear and the Little Fairy. Mesdames Saunders, Goodall, White; Messrs. Gardeand Odell, Arthur ; Mdlle. Montero, Miss Ellis, Lupin°, Green, the Great Little Rowella. LICENSED VICTUALLERS' GUARDIAN CI, R. GLENIE, of the Sporting Library, 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park, London, W., begs to Inform his customers, and the Licensed Victuallers in general. that he has been appointed Agent for the above-named paper in addition to his agency for the Sporting Edition of Tile Sus," and can supply the same on Friday evening, if required, in town Or country. G. It. G. begs to inform the Trade that he is Agent for the LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN," and can supply it earlier than any other man in London or Country the evening of publi cation. No connection with any other persons. Bally's, Ituff's, Wright's, and ➢l`Call's Guides. All the Daily Papers, Maga zines, and Periodicals as soon as published. Agent for the Joint stock Coal Company. Orders by post attended to. PORTING.—JOIIN ROBERTS supplies the L ITES r "TM , ):Ni of "1 HE SU. - N " as soon as pub lished.—t, Bath-street, City-road, E.C. THE LATEST EDITION of " I'HE SLA T " supplied, as soon as published, Every r vening, by W. .A LEX A DER (late Brooks), Newspaper Agent, o. 4, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street. "TrHE SUN" NEWSPAPER.—" The Mitre" IL Tavern, New Church-street, near the Alpha-road, Pad dington. "'l ' ll SU N " Third Edition), containing the Latest Sporting News, Results of Races, Latest Parliamentary Debates, &c., can be seen as above " ell the year round." *,,,* A Well-selected and extensive stock of WINES, SPIRITS, THE THIRD EDITION OF « THE SUN," giving all the SPORTING NEWS of the day, may be seen .1 EMMY M. A. NTO ''S house, " The Swan and Horse Shoe," Little Britain, City, E.C. WII O'S GRAINGER? LICENSED VICTUALLERS' TOBACCONIST, SHEPHERD'S -BUSH. The SPORTI , G EDI lON of "TH N.; SUN" Can be seen at t IN Gitß S Establishment, as above, every evening by Eight ;'clock. rIIIIE "SUN" NEWSPAPER.-G. R. GLENIE, J Sporting Library, 4, Connaught-terrace, Edgeware-road, delivers the LATE EDITION of "THE SUN " at the earliest possible. moment after leaving the press. He is a ble to deliver Copies in Town, the Suburbs, and in many parts of the country at a comparatively early hour the same evening, say 40 miles by nine o'elCiek. Orders by post pymetnally attended to. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SA N " supplied as soon as published, containing all the LATEST NENV_-; and SPORTING INTELT,IGENC r', by H. W. HARRIS, Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackfriars-road, London, S. riPHE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN." J• HOLMES begs to inform his friends and the p ublic generally that he supplies the LATEST EDITION of "THE SUN as soon as published.—No. 10, Hampstead-road, N.W. T HE "SUN" NEWSPAPER.-G. R. GLENIE delivers the L \TE EDITION at Chelsea, 7.40; Kilburn, v; Starch-green, 8; Woolwich, 7.30; Uxbridge, 9.20; Watford, 1,45. SUN." --LATEST EDITION.-Mr. MARSHALL, of the "Neeld Arms," Harrow-road, op osite the Lock Hospital, takes the Editi on of "THE SUN" con aining the result of the day's Racing, L atest Betting, Money ac.—Omn'buses every half hour to and from the City. THE LATE EDITION of "THE SUN " at J. SMITH'S, 39, Bow-street, Covent-garden. IfIHE LATE EDITION of " 'FIIE SUN at it 'W. SMITH'S, Camden Stores," 78, Park-street, Camden- rfIHE LATE EDITION of THE SUN" at JAMES SPEEDY'S, "The Wellington," Wellington-street, Strand. OLIN G()SNELL and CO.'S CHERRY TOOTH PASTE is greatly superior to any tooth ; g iv e s the teeth a pearl whiteness, prot,cts the 1- "ainal from (1.-cfv, an , 1 imparts a p leasant fragrance to • .h.A , ath. Pifer; ls. C.—BA Bull Wharf, 93, Upper street. London NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE. 4 GUA AMARELLA restores the Human Hair tx to ics pristine hue, no matter at what age. JNO. GOSNELL and CO. have at length, with the aid of one of the most eminent Chemists, succeeded in perfect ing this wonderful liquid. It is now offered to the public iu a more concentrated form, and at a lower price. Sold in bottles, 3s. each ; also 55., 7s. 6d, and 15s. each. including brush. lied Bull Wharf, Angel-passage, 93, Upper Thames street, London, E.C. town. TEIE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 14. 1868. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. New Management. Sole Lessee, Mr. B. Webster; Manager, Mr. H. Wigan. TIIIS EVENING, 17IEN AND CHICKENS: Messrs. Ashley, Stephenson, and G. Vincent; Mesdames L. Moore and Stirling. After which, A FOND PARENT; or, One Too Many for Him. islessrs. Ashley and C. Mathews; Mesdames Gault/cid and E. Farren. To be followed by IF I HAD A THOUSAND A YEAR. To conclude with BETTY MARTIN Mr. Geo. Vincent and Miss E. Farren Commence at Seven. 111G11 WATER AT LOAD O, RID& E. Tins DAY. —Morning, 6h. llin.—Afto. oon, 6h. To-Monnow.-Morning, 6h. E3m.—Afternoon, . 7 . 17y a ~ ) --, - 4 . ",-, -7 4.-,,, 2 : , :_", :. L- 7 : - 4 .%-,-;4 „,...,. ~. tw , ../..„;,Y , -,-e i 4 , (.7-qiltl.-.;?,., , , .. c 2:, f . -Qji 1 i Al . - !1 ., '' ' . .- ::,.- • .; • ' LONDON, FRIDAY, FEB. 14, ibGe,.. We are glad to find that the first night c 1 the Parliamentary labours of 1868 has not been all( med to pass over without some reference to a very necessary undertaking. The removal of Da• int's Rock, which has done its share of mischief, is a matter that has been pcstpcned too long. 1 artly from that spirit of procrastination which Ul many influences public departments in such CVA s, and partly from a dispute as to the relativ e share of the burden to be borne b - i the Government, the local authorities, and t' ae ships entering the harbour, the question has be put off from day to day, and the rock might Nrery likely have remained where it NlictS for years to come but for recent circumstances. The total loss; of a tine steamer, whose wreck adds to the perils of the old hidden enemy, attracted a good deal of attention some time since, and Mr. MAGUIRE, who has in terested himself very much in the matter, had evidently hopes that some definite arrangement might be come to between the rival powers. However, the temporary excitement passed by, more pressing subjects claimed attention, wars and Reform Bills occupied the Ministry and the Parlia ment, and Daunt's Rock remained where it was, with the additional improvement of the City of New York on the top of it. SYDNEY SM:(TH, who was as shrewd a man of the world as 'ne was a ready wit, once confessed he had no hope of a much-needed reform till a Bishop had been sacrificed for want of it, and in the same way it required the imminent peril of one of the Royal ships to get the necessary measures determined on against Daunt's Rock. Thousands of merchant ships, bearing precious freights, pass it by, and their danger is little thought of, though a sea fog, or a stormy night, or an unskilful pilot, render the risk very serious. II owever, when one of her MAJESTY'S ships had a narrow escape of adding another to the list of its victims everybody was roused to action, and we ought, therefore, to thank the Fenians for one good deed done, accidentally, and certainly unintentionally, by them. It was in hot pursuit of a supposed Fenian privateer that her MAJESTY'S ship Research ran against the sunken foe, and the Government thereupon became suddenly aware of the fact that it would be better to incur a certain outlay than to run an indefinite risk. Very certainly the loss of such a ship as the Research would seri ously affect the Admiralty estimates ; and no Eng lish Minister could be indifferent to the probable loss of valuable life which would attend such a dis aster. It was announced a short time since that the Government intended to take some steps in the matter, and last evening Mr. MAGUIRE gave notice that on Monday he would ask whether anything was to be done ; and whether, if so, it was proposed to remove it by blasting, or whether it was intended to place a lighthouse on the rock. The former course would be by far the most judicious, and we should hope that it was the one upon which the Government have decided. The expense, in a mat ter of permanent benefit to the shipping of such an important port, is altogether secondary to the effi ciency with which the work is done ; and even in hat view of the case the erection of a light- house is no slight expense. There can be no possible good in retaining so dangerous a rock at the very mouth of so valuable a harbour, and our scientific skill is now so great that there could be no question about the possibility of getting rid of so troublesome a customer altogether. We have no lack of explosive agents of the great.s.st force, or of mining engineers to apply them. Let us then carry out this long-delayed improvement in a liberal and public-spirited manner, not doing the work grudgingly or leaving it half done. The cost of the proceeding can be but very trifling when compared to the risks run of loss of life, loss of freight, loss of vessel. It is a disgrace to all parties that it should have been left so long in statu quo, but as the Government have given a definite pro mise, and the member for Cork intends to keep them up to the mark, we may confidently hope that the days of Daunt's Rock are numbered. Lord STANLEY could not have been surprised that immediately upon the re -assembling of Parliament the relations between this country and the United States should form the subject of inquiry. Ru mours have recently been set afloat to the effect that the PRESIDENT intended to make the Alabama claims the pretext of effecting a reconciliation with Congress, and securing his own re-election. From these reports there arose some apprehension that more might be going on in diplomatic circles than the public were aware of, and that, consequently, our relations with the United States might be in a precarious position. Mr. WATKIN, last evening, seeing the Foreign Secretary in his place, asked whether the House might expect any further papers respecting the Alabama claims. Lord STANLEY replied that the Government had only received one despatch on the subject, which had not been laid on the table, but that it had already, ap peared in all the papers. So far, then, there is actually nothing to learn, and we may set down all the recent reports to any motive but the truth. The American Government must be perfectly well aware that Lord STANLEY cannot possibly make the con cessions demanded of him by Mr. SEWARD. In fact, those demands were so exorbitant that they almost bore the appearance of having been purposely framed in a manner to which no European statesman could agree, and therefore might serve for the time being, at least, to put an end to the discussion. If we ask permission from Washington before we re cognise any fresh authority, or treat with any foreign Power, we shall have enough to do ; and Mr. SEWARD can hardly forget, though he does not find it convenient to acknowledge it, that a blocikade is of itself a recognition of belli gerents. The English Minister was duly notified that the ports of the Confederacy were blockaded by the Northern fleet, a proceeding not very customary in the case of a mere local re bellion, such as the secession of the ten . States now appears to Mr, SEWARD'S retrospective gaze. His view of the past seems about as faithful as his vision of the future, and the Minister who confidently foretold the crushing out of the re bellion " in ninety days" may well be indignant that a European Power should have persisted actingin Alabama c u l p a i n t l i s f a a r e e t, ve a r n y d en n n o v t en u i p e o n n t t fi n c i t t i e o e n p . i nill thee background and ventilate o • ccastonally, but English and American statesmen both know better than to exchange words for blows about them. They afford an excellent opportunity for what our transatlantic friends and counsins call " tall talk," and Mr. SE WARD'S talk is very tall indeed sometimes. In this respect he was better matched against Earl RUSSELL (han against Lord STANLEY, whose despatches are apt to be very much to the purpose, and whose correspondence is therefore nearly as perplexing to the majority of foreign diplomatists as was the con versation of that inconvenient ambassador who puzzled every one by always speaking the :truth ! The Americans must be fully satisfied with the high value which Lord STANLEY sets upon the maintenance of a cordial understanding between the two couutries, and he is none the less likely to maintain it because he can respect the rights of others without yielding his own. Nothing could be more tame than the manner in which Parliament resumed its labours last night, for there was a total absence of the excitement which generally prevails on such occasions ; at any rate there was no attempt to disturb the course of business by the introduction of party spirit, and the debate proceeded in a satisfactory style. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had a rather invidious task to perform, but he acquitted himself of it with success, and the House appeared inclined to follow him with intelligence. The right hon. gentleman brought in a bill to amend the laws relating to electoral petitions, and providing more effectually for the prevention of corrupt practices at Parlia mentary elections. Having entered into some ex planations on the subject, he showed that the pre sent system of election committees did not answer. They were very expensive, and as their decision is uncertain no direct check has been put upon the growing practice of " corrupt compromise." Hitherto, as Mr. DISRAELI observed, the principle admitted has been that the House has assumed to itself the right of deciding upon election returns, but we have now come to the time when public opinion has declared that some other tribunal must be resorted to if we would arrive at a more satis factory result. Last year this subject was mooted in connection with the Reform Bill, and the Speaker it was resolved should be requested to " construct a panel of gentlemen of the long robe," and then when a petition was presented three mem bers of the panel should investigate its merits. This transfer of jurisdiction was very generally approved of by the Ilouse, but it was deemed advisable to refer the bill to a select committee. The committee approved of the change, but decided that the jurisliction should be transferred to the Court of Queen's Bench. Some resolutions were passed on the subject of those guilty of bribery, and it was decided that any member or candidate who was personally convicted of bribery should be disquali fied for seven years, and that if he repeated the offence he should be disqualified for life. The Government had come to the wise resolution, that it is their duty to bring in a bill which was in strict conformity with the recommendations of the com mittee, but they found an obstacle in the way of so doing, which was that the Judges did not ap prove of the proposal. Their decision has been received with " mortification" and disappointment, but no one can blame the Government for giving way to it. The Chancellor of the Exchequer asked the House to give its candid consideration to the proposal then made, which was to the effect that a new Parliamen tary Election's Court, to consist of three members, the Judges to have a salary of two thousand pounds a " appeals from the decisions of r y e e v a i r sing a : d h ba t rr a is t ters should also be referred to that Court." On the whole, we believe that the Government has done the wisest thing that they could do under the circumstances of the case, and the House evidently felt so from the manner in which the proposition was received. Mr. GLAD STONE'S remarks on the subject were much to the purpose, distinzuis a h n ed d t f h o e r r it i s gh fa t ir ho s n. g pirit en a t n le d m ca an n ' d s sp ido e p e i c n h io w as n ' s. He considered that the Government had actei well in the decision they had come to, and he also adduced two very valid arguments to show why the present system of election committees was not desirable. One was that the committee were forced to look at the matter as between the two candidates, and not on the gene ral subject, and the other that it was impossible to have the advantages of a " local in quiry" by the present system. Mr. GLADSTONE'S own impression seems to be, however, that the matter should be referred to the superior Judges, a view which Mr. LowE also took, declaring that they had no more right than any other public servant to refuse to perform the duties which Parliament im posed upon them. The Chancellor of the Exchequer told the House that the Judges declared there were " constitutional and personal objections" to the propositions made to them, and at that moment to undertake them would be at variance with their duties to their SOVEREIGN and country, and incon sistent with their " oath of office." It is to be re gretted that these objections should be held sufficient to deter them from undertaking the proposed work, a'id we fully expect that the disappointment and regret of the House will be shared by the country, for the scheme as proposed by the committee and sanctioned by the Government seems one certain to commend itself to universal approval, and must have secured the approbation of all interested in this important matter. Mr. BRIGHT seemed unwilling that the House should lose one of its old and important privileges ; and this was rather a curious idea for the hon. member to take, since he is no adherent to old forms and ancient usages ; but all seem glad to get a change for change's sake. He considered that they had better let things alone and " not make the proposed transfer, because in some five or ten years the small constituencies would be altered, and then the experience of the large constituencies in respect of mere electoral machi nery would bring a large majority of the House, and the country to accept before long the principle of the Ballot." This is,no doubt, very sensible reasoning in itself, but then it is not desirable to wait in the present unsatisfactory state, and the more inconvenient and unpleasant the commission of bribery is made, the more likely people will be to accept the Ballot, or, at any rate, to waive some of their objections to it. 'We do not agree with Mr. BRIGHT that the proposed transfer is an " ex traordinary,unpleasant,and desperate remedy ;" and surely if a thing is wrong, and the means hitherto taken to prevent that wrong are found to be unavailing, the best thing to do is to adopt new measures of prevention and cure. We see no chance of the present House agreeing to the Ballot, but if it fulfil half the promises it made last night it will do something very effective to put a stop to bribery, and that is a decided step in the right direction. This is not the time to stick too closely to ancient privileges, and bow to established forms and usages, when their maintenance inter feres with the public good and the general progress of the day. Parliament will do wisely to look closely into this matter ; and since both the Government and Opposition seem to agree as to the necessity that exists for a change, we may confidently hope and expect that before long a wise decision will be come to. Bribery has long been a disgrace to us, and the sooner a decided stop is put to it the better; but all the talking in the world will prove of no avail unless some very strong measures are taken which will convince the reckless and unprincipled among us that the matter has become too serious to be trifled with any lager. LATEST INTELL LGEN CE. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) -0. - THE ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION. • ANNESLEY BAY, Feb. 2. The Egyptian troops are pushing forward with out the concurrence of the British authorities. It is reported that King Theodorus is at Magdala, and that all the captives are with him. Menelek has been defeated, and has retired to Ankobar. Sir Robert Napier is about to advance from Senafe to Antalo. The rumour that an engage ment had taken place there is unconfirmed. CORRESPONDENCE FROM PAPIS. ( FROM QUM OWN CORRESPONDENT.I PARIS, THURSDAY, Feb. IS. An immense effect was produced in the Corps Ldgis latif yesterday by some words of the First Napoleon. They were quoted by M. Dumoulin. They were used when Napoleon was bracing himself for the last struggle. The words are certainly remarkable : " Public discussions, free elections, 'responsible Ministers—l wish all that—but the liberty of the press aboveall. To strangle it is absurd. I foresee a difficult struggle, a long war; I must have the support of the nation, but in return she will demand liberty. The situation is altered. I wish n o thi ng b e tt er than to be 'enlightened. I am getting old. A man at 45 is not what he was at 30. The rest of a constitutional King would suit me—and would be still more desirable for my son." To-day, if you would believe the gossips and some of the papers, Napoleon 111. has determined to inaugurate a responsible Ministry. The Libcrte reproduces the rumour under la plus grancie resc - re. It observes, however, that there are around the Emperor persons whose liberality is not ques tioned, and even in the Chambers itself, among the least liberal section of the majority, persons who regard Minis terial responsibility as the indispensable complement of the law on the press. Ideas march quickly in France ; this idea has begun its course, and no man will succeed in proving to us that the constitutional regime is not the right one—the ideal. What we ask, says the Liberte, op portunely, is, that tie tactics of combinations ala Moreau be abandoned for the strokes of genius et la Buonaparte. For some time Parisians have been on the look-out for an article in the Constitutionnel denouncing Russia, the old enemy. The expected article has come out in the Patric. After confessing that there may have been some exaggeration about the movements in the Principalities, the Patric soundly lectures Russia for periodically stirring up strife on the Danube. " L The eternal enemy of Turkey exhausting before attacking her, by fanning the flames of hostile passions." The officious journal absolves Roumania and Servia from any complicity in the intrigues of Russia. A jury of honour has been sitting for some time investi gating charges against a portion of the Paris press brought by M. de Kerveguen. This gentleman alleged that the jour nals in question had been bought by Prussian gold to sup,. port her in the late struggle. The verdict is not yet pro: uounced, but it is known that the charges have vanished on investigation. The Union publishes a letter of the Pope acknowledging and commending the efforts of the Bishop of Orleans in opposition to the Minister of Education. M. Dump, the Minister, has cpened courses of scientific instruction to be given by the professors of the colleges to the young women of France. Mgr. Dupanlc.up has opposed this stoutly, on the ground that the religion, modesty, and domestic usefulness of the young women of France will be endan. gered by the movement. His Holiness endorses this objec• tion. The letter referred to states that the plan of M. Duruy is one put forward by cynically bold writers to pervert youth in order to destroy at length both religion and authority. This plan, he says, is carried out by the most persevering efforts to corrupt education, falsify history, and to excite evil passions, and by all the other manoeuvres of a shameless impiety. The scientific knowledge in question is denounced as calculated to fill the heads of the young ladies with vanity and pride; and heaven knows they have enough already. Letters from Vienna speak of the excitement that has been produced in high circles by the marriage of the Arch duke Henri with an actress, Mdlle. Hoffmann, daughter of a judge at Hisems. The young lady quitted the stage two years ago, and all efforts have failed to induce her to return to it. The Archduke succeeded in persuading her to meet him at Botzen, and there the marriage came off. How his own family were reconciled to it—C'est ce qu'on ne sait pas. The young lady is 26 and the Grand-Duke 38. The Emperor of the French is fully alive to the necessity of providing cheaper houses for the working classes than are at present to be found in Paris. M. Thiers used to say that Paris was too big to visit, but too little to live in. Many of the ouvrier class find it so, no doubt. They can be accommodated only by special efforts. The Emperor has had forty-two houses in the Avenue Daumesail erected at his own expense for the working classes. They are model dwellings. The Society for Promoting Cheap Dwellings have just put up a series on the Emperor's plan. I learn from ' the Siecle that you are about to have an aeronautical or aerostatic exhibition in London. It is stated that the Aerostatic and Meteorological Society of France has been requested to furnish the Aerostatic Society of Great Britain with any new projects they may have for accomplishing the navigation of the air. De signs and models are to be accompanied with explanatory notices. Meetings of the French society are called specially to consider t.ie proposals of those who desire to make use of the opportunity offered at London to illus trate their researches. A ballooning exhibition will be a novelty. It is.to be held in June next. Continental markets are beginning to shesv activity. 1 notice the large amount of business now done in cotton at Havre. The sales on Saturday and Monday amounted to 20,000 bales. Liverpool must look to her laurels. From Avignon we learn that on account of the failure of the new crop of madder the price is rising daily, and the trade ha- - c in view the disappearance of this valuable dye from the markets. The rage for borrowing has distinguished the Second Empire. It appears from La Finance that in the first fifteen years, exclusive of State loans, the French depart ments contracted 374 loans, amounting to 154,132,854 f., and in the same time the towns borrowed 409,473,372 f. When to these is added the loans contracted by the city of Paris and those of smaller communes, authorised by simple decrees, we have a total of 2,016,415,226 f. If to these be added the State loans, the total will amount to 5,690,000,000 f., or about £227,000,000 sterling. There was some justice in the severe parody of the Emperor's motto, " L'Empire c'est l'emprunt "—the Empire is a loan. The Opposition in the Italian Chambers have not relin quished the idea of overturning the Government. They are prepared, it is said, with a plan for the immediate re moval of the forced paper currency, and this would ensure them strong financial support. According to indications the overthrow of the existing moderate Ministry would be a public misfortune. The Times Florence c , rrespond. states that in the event of the Italian Government extending the income tax to the coupons of the Rente, foreign holders may be assured that their right of exemption will be recognised and respected. Fresh advances continue to be made on the Continent towards monetary uniformity. His now proposed that Sweden shall adopt, under the ancient name of Carolus, a gold coin equivalent to 25f., subdivided into francs and centimes, so as to be uniform with the French, Swiss, and Italian systems. The question of emigration is occupying the attention of those who are anxious to relieve the distress in Poplar. A lecture has been delivered on the subject by a Mr. Lynn. In the opinion of this gentleman Canada is now the best place to which working men can emigrate. Labour is well remunerated, and land can be had for about 4s. per acre. Taxation is light, and living is comparatively cheap. The trade of Mexico appears to be improving. Among the increasing exports of the country cotton is attracting importance. Some fresh gold mines have also been dis covered at Oajaco. The Lancet states that during the visit of the Princess of Wales to Sandringham, which extended to three mox ths, great progress was made by her Royal Highness towards recovery. The Princess is now able to walk with out the aid of a stick, and an ordinary observer would fail to perceive any remaining lameness. The accounts as to the health of the Premier are contra dictory. The Daily News regrets to state that although Lord Derby is comparatively free from the gi,ut, his mandy has entailed so much weakness as tc totally preclude his moving for some days to come. The Telegraph announces that the latest reports of the Prime Minister's illness are far more favourable, and that, although it is not thought expedient for him to re. sume his attendance in Parliament, his health has so fas improved that no further anxiety on this score need be entertained. The Lancet is happy to learn, on the best authority, that the noble earl has made progress towards convalescence with average rapidity, and that the recent attack, though severe, has left no special sources of anxiety in its train, Lord Derby is still at Knowsley, under the care of his ordinary medical attendant, and though Dr. Garrod's services were invoked at an early period of the attack, it has not been found necessary to summon him again to the distinguished invalid. The Irish question promises to command early atten tion. So far, only a young member has taken it up— Lord Arthur Clinton, third son of the late Duke of Newcastle. His lordship was a prominent Adullamite, and he is barely 28 years of age. On going into elnamittee of supply he will move no fewer than six resolutions. The first recognises the continued existence of disaffection and discontent in Ireland ; the second suggests that " the laws and institutions of the country should be framed in accordance with the wants and wishes of the Irish people themselves ;" the third condemns the present " educational and ecclesiastical arrangements ;" the fourth is equally ex plicit as to the present system of land tenure ; the fifth assumes that while the existing grievances continue, the cause of Irish discontent and disaffection must remain ; and the sixth, while recognising the fact that the effectual redress of these evils must involve extensive changes in the laws, the institutions, and the social system of the island, expresses a conviction "that it is essential to the contentment of Ireland and the honour and welfare of the whole United Kingdom that these changes should be made." These resolutions are to be moved on Friday AUSTRIA. VIENNA, Feb. 14. The Austrian Government has replied to the complaints of Prussia relative to the granting of Austrian passports to the members of the Hano verian Legion. Austria promises that an investi gation shall take place on the subject to ascertain whether any irregularities have occurred, and an nounces the adoption of strict preventive measures in future. INDIA. BOMBAY, Feb. 12. The Times of India states authoritatively that 238 vessels are employed in the Indian seas for the Abyssinian Expedition, and that the monthly freight, exclusive of coal, is £392,000. AMERICA. CROOKIIAVEN, Feb. 14, 10.15 a.m. The Cunard steamer Russia, from New York, is now passing Browhead Signal Station en route for Queenstown. SPAIN. MADRID, Feb. 13 (Evening). A commission will shortly be appointed, under the presidency of a General of Brigade, to proceed to Abyssinia. It is reported that Senor Abezas y Montemayor will resign his post as Under-Secretary of State for the Finances. In to-day's sitting of the Senate the bill relative to public functionaries was discussed. At the end of the sitting a Royal decree was read, appointing Senor Severo Catalina, at present the director of Public Instruction, Minister of Marine. THE EAST. CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 12. The Levant Herald states that an Imperial order was despatched to the Grand Vizier yesterday, re calling him from Crete. According to intelligence received here cholera has reappeared in the Persian province of Maz• anderan. The Egyptian Prince, Mustapha Fazil, has just been made a Freemason. The weather is severe and wet. FRANCE. BOURSE, Feb. 13.—Three o'clock.—The market closed as follows :- 41 per Cent. End of month... —• —Pan Loan 3 per Cent End of month 6B 65 Mexican Loan ... 16 50 Credit Mobilier End of month... 190 Spanish Threes Credit Foncier _1406 25 Home Debt 34 End of m0nth...1383 75 Deferred RAILWAYS. Account Orleans N orthern Lyons and Mediterranean Southern.... 550 Western Eastern .. ........................ 545 Sardinian Austrian Lombard 3671 North of Spain Saragossa Roman ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, HOL BORN.• The engagement of the American Champions at the above elegant place of entertainment is draw ing to a close, and next week will be the last of their stay in London. The lovers of spirited eques trian feats should be reminded, therefore, that ou Tuesday next Mr. Robert Stickney, whose mid-air double somersault has excited the wonderment of the London public, announces his benefit. If grace santielekrideayricnegrtasihnoluylddesceormvemsai. No one who has notntd a full house, Mr. yet witnessed the performance of the Champions should lose this opportunity of doing so. At the termination of the engagement of the present com pany it is announced that the spring and summer e will season will be inaugurated, and on Monday, the 2 m 4 a t k h e , t a h n e i r entirely newtroupe of inestrians appearance. THE F 1 PE AT THE OXFORD HALL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—M. I. Bienlin, deeply regretting the cala mitous fire and destruction of the above hall, and knowing the great loss to the artists and staff, re quests me to solicit your powerful aid in a noti'e in your valuable paper, that M. Blondin will be most happy to give his free services combined with a company of music-hall artists for a benefit to be held at the Crystal Palace any day that may be appointed. Hoping other London music-hall proprietors will assist in this good cause—l remain, yours respect fully, W. HOLLAND. Canterbury Hall and Fine Arts Gallery, London, Feb. 12. THE LA7E SIR DAVID BREWSTER. The remains of Sir David Brewster are to be interred to-day in the Abbey burying-ground, Melrose. The university will be closed during the whole of the day, and the members of the Univer sity Court and the Senatus Academicus are to pro ceed to Melrose and join the cortege at the Abbey gate. A large deputation of members of the Royal Society, of which Sir David was president, will be present. A correspondent sends the following from Melrose :—Sir David was ailing for some time be fore his death, and was attended by Dr. Anderson, of Selkirk, who from the first saw that his life would soon be closed. He was sensible for a few days before his death, but on th e Sunday he knew none around his death-bed. On Monday afternoon he was a little easier, and hopes, slight though they were, were entertained that he might survive a day or two longer. About seven that evening he be came worse, and his last words were, " I am dying." His death has cast a deep gloom around the dis trict. It was in the Canongate of Jedburgh, on the 11th of December, 1781, that David Brewster first saw the light. His father was teacher of the Grammar School, which at that dine was held in the Lady Chapel of Jedburgh Abbey. It was in this place that James Thompson, author of " The Sea sons," received part of his education, and here David Brewster first began his learning. Near to this aisle was the no r th t rans ept (now used as the burying place of th e L o thi an f am ily), where was kept the scaffold and gallows upon which those who were sentenced to capital punishment suffered. "It was considered a great feat," said Sir David to the writer of this, " for one of the scholars to go by himself and touch this scaffold ;" and he added with glee, " I was thus always considered a hero, as I often, often did it." While young, he frequented a weaving-shop in Qu een - s t ree t o f the same town, and entered into conversation with the men. One of his schoolmates generally went with him, and on one of these visits young Brewster had raised an argument which kindled the interest of the weavers. After they had debated warmly for some time, in which Brewster had had the best of it, an old wo man, sitting at her spinning -wheel, said, " Ay, ay , Dauvid lad, ye're i' the richt. Ye'll rise to be a big man i' this wand gin ye behave yertiell" A CHINESE ADDRESS. During his visit to Castlemaine (Australia), the Duke of Edinburgh received the following address from the Chinese population of the district :—" From the Chinese residents at Castlemaine.—We of the hundred sing (people) of the great clear nation (China), from the province of Canton and the neighbouring districts, have anxiously waited, royal sir, your arrival at Castlemaine to come forth and welcome you, great England's lesser lord, 1,000 years second in the temple below. We bow our heads to the ground and let our hands hang down as a token of reverence. We maintain that posture, and in great swelling words give utterance. At this propitious time the subtile influences are efficacious in the ground, increasing its fertility, and men are becoming eminent for virtue and talent. The earth yields more largely her golden treasures. We acknowledge with thankfulness the gracious love of the reigning dynasty of England, which permits our merchants and all others to follow their occupations here. We have a feeling of pro four d veneration and respect, which leads us to obey and induce obedience to the royal laws. With serious atten tion we have endeavoured to act in accordance with them. When her Majesty your sacred mother commenced her reign, like the time when the three holy sages, Wong 1., Yaou, and Shun, hung the upper and inferior garments on their persons, so the whole empire was forthwith subjected to order and decorum. Royal prince, you have gone out to examine the distant part of the empire, and all the people skip for joy in welcoming you. To look upon the dragon (royal) countenance may be compared to beholding the dark clouds and the sun immediately bursting forth. Ws have followed you to the tiger-skin-covered seat (the levee) with beat of drum, vibrating stringed instruments, and blowing the cheerful reed, mingling with every voice singing your virtue, which is as high as the vault of heaven. Your benign love is liberally diffused, and extends to all things. The blessings and happiness you confer are as the ocean. They mollify and enrich us who are of another country, although the subjects of this. The people love you as the Kaum Hong tree which shaded Chao Hong, the brother of the Emperor Moon, when he stayed his horse to rest during his tour of inspection of the empire. Following in your track sweet rains fall, making no noise. All kindreds and people are improved by your example, and thus military opergions cease, and literary pursuits are cultivated. We desire earnestly that your royal house shall, through all ages, remain unmoved, and reign continually over a nation as rich and powerful as England is at present. Prolong your stay with us until the customs of the people in every nook of our shores are inquired into and known by you ; then all will be exhilarated with delight. When you retnrn to the royal court and take the corner place, we hope you will sit down in joy with uni versal peace prevailing. Oh ! how excellent and admi rable, how worthy of praise is he to whom, with venera tion, awe, and humility, we present our address. In the sixth year, eleventh month, of the reign of the Emperor Hong Ohe, of the dynasty of Tsin—English calculation of time, 1867 year, twelfth month—at Castlemaine, by the Flowery Nation (Chinese), this address was humbly pre sented." There is now a prisoner in Taunton Gaol who has just had a legacy left him of £16,000. Sir John Lubbock is still a candidate for the represents tion of the University of London. His committee solicit support for the hon. baronet on the grounds of his close connection with the university, of his distinguished lite rary and scientific attainments, of his ability as a public speaker and man of business, and, above all, on account of his thorough identification with the educational views and general politics of the great majority of the graduates. Amongst other notices of motion there is one by Lord Eustace Cecil, the younger brother of Lord Cranborne, who will press the Secretary for War to extend the Con tagious Diseases Act to every camp, garrison, and seaport town in the United Kingdom. Mr. Headlam promises to move for a committee to inquire into the expediency of altering the internal arrangements of the House, with a iew to the better accommodation of the members. Mr. Seely intends to renew his indictments against the Admi ralty by moving for a select committee to inquire into the application of moneys voted by Parliament for the use of the Admiralty, and into the system of keeping accounts by that much-abused department. Major O'Reilly will move for leave to introduce a bill for further regulating the sale of fermented and distilled liquors in Ireland. Mr. Norwood will bring forward a measure conferring Admiralty jurisdiction on the county courts. Mr. Bicknell, who has been so actively engaged, in en deavouring to demonstrate the value of horseflesh as an article of diet in this country, has been lecturing at the Crystal Palace on the subject. There were, he said, six teen countries in which the use of this new meat was legally recognised as a wholesome and nourishing edible. In fact, the only important country in the civilised globe where a prejudice still existed against horseflesh was England. The lecturer then proceeded to answer the objections urged against hippophagy. It was contended that the people would only have the opportunity of eating old and diseased animals ; that the flesh was hard, unwholesoMe, and nasty; that the use of it was forbidden by the Mosaic law; that the horse was the faithful servant of man, and therefore it was cruel to kill him and eat him ; and there was the strongest objection of all—prejudice. He denied that all horses were diseased. But, to obviate any diffi culty, he would have a rigid Government inspection. Experiment had shewn that the flesh was neither unwhole some nor nasty. The religious argument was set aside by the doctrine of St. Paul. The sentimental objection was so weak that it would be far better to sacrifice it than to deprive the people of an important food. After his address Mr. Bicknell invited his audience into an adjoin ing room, where there were prepared the plain joints, soups, sausages, &c., from an animal alleged to be 23 years old. The ladies and gentlemen seemed to appreciate the new meat. A parliamentary agent has been gravely intimating the probability that. the general election will be deferred until 1871. He reckons that the Irish and the Scotch Reform Bills will not be passed this year, and that if they are passed next year too late for the electors to be included in the register of 1570, the election will be postponed till the year following. This ingenious and liighly self-denying person, who certainly can have no personal reason for wishing to put the election off, forgets that in this matter Parliament is omninotent, and that even supposing the Scotch and Irish bills were not passed till 1869, there is nothing to prevent them from taking effect immediately by means of a special Registration Act, such as that which was passed in August 1832, and was followed by a general election in the following December. It is, moreover, extremely improbable that either the country or the Liberal party would consent to so long a postpone ment as the agent suggests. There is a further difficulty. 'Under the Reform Act of last year a large number of new electors will ceme upon the register on next New Year's D a y. They will certainly not be content to wait for other two years before exercising their newly-acquired privilege. Lastly, we believe that the Government do not really desire delay. There are several questions, notably the Irish Church, with which they feel themselves unable to deal until the country has spoken out clearly and given them the necessary impetus for a strong measure, such as the Conservative party would not now be prepared to per. Tbe report of the Metropolitan Board of Works contains some very interesting statements with reference to the use of sewage as manure. The board have constructed eighty two miles of sewers in order to purify the Thames. The sewage is sent to a point where it will be harmless, until the works of the Essex Reclamation Company are con cluded. This company have made some experiments lately with considerable success. They proved that the sewage was most valuable as manure in the growth of marigolds, potatoes, cabbages, flax, eclery, and strawberries. It was tried in a wheat field, and those parts of the field in which the sewage had been laid down could be distinguished from the other by the strength and length of the stalk and size of the ear. With regard to the other improvements on the Thames, it is stated that between Waterloo Bridge and the Temple considerable progress has been made : the river wall has been constructed to its full height, and the subways and sewers are com pleted. Below this, however, to Blackfriars Bridge the works have not been as much as commenced, owing to the delay occasioned by the Metropolitan District and Gas Companies. Two BOYS MURDERED BY THEIR BROTHER.-- The Court of Assizes of the Nord has just been engaged in the trial of a young man named Jean-Baptiste Laoque man for a double crime of fratricide. On the 11th January last the two brothers of the accused, aged 11 and 14 years, left home at about seven in the morning to go to school at Orchies, a village about half a mile from the cottage in which they resided with their parents. An hour later they were found lying near the path they had been following, cruelly murdered, their skulls having been fractured with some heavy instrument. The accused had also left home shortly before the two boys, to go to his work, ;n the same direction. The elder brother, when informed of the crime, shewed great embarrassment, and spots of blood were observed on his clothes ; the suspicions thus excited were shortly afterwards confirmed by an axe which Jean-Baptiste had been seen sharpening a f ew days before being found in a ditch, still covered with the blood and hair of the victims. In consequence of those proofs the accused confessed his guilt. The prisoner was of a brutal and avaricious disposition, and had been im pelled to the deed by a desire to reduce the expenses of the family, and increase his ultimate share of the little property their parents possessed. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, with the admission of extenuating cir cumstances, and the:court condemned him to hard labour t . life. er7, %. 4.77 N . ,-.c:„_:_,, tr .. , T ff u r t .„ , fir e at ~__ , II ER MAJESTY. OSBORNE, Feb. 13. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, ac companied by Princess Christian and Princess Henriette of Schleswig-Holstein. Her Majesty went out this morning, accompanied by Princess Louise. Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales drove out yesterday, attended by the Countess of Morton. HAYMARKET THEATRE.—Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the Countess of Morton and Col. Keppel, honoured the above theatre with their presence list evening to witness the performance of the new comedy. "A Wife Well Won." THE CROWN PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA.—The ac counts received from Berlin of her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia are very good. Her Roya 1 Highness and the infant Prince, to whom she gave birth on Monday last, are both doing well. Dr. Gream remains in attendance for a few days. The Duke of Leinster has left his residence on Carlton-house-terrace on a visit to Lord and Lady Otho Fitzgerald at West Park, Wilts. The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury and family arrived at their residence in Arlington-street on Wednesday from Hatfield House, Herts, for the season. The Marchioness of Lansdowne, accompanied by her son the Marquis, arrived at Lansdowne House, Ber keley-square, on Monday last, from Bowood-park, Wilts. His lordship is on a fair way to recovery from his recent accident in the hunting field. Viscount and Viscountess Sydney are expected to arrive at their residence in Cleveland-square, St. James's, to-day, from Frognal, near Foot's Cray, Kent, for tho season. The Eight Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P., arrived at his residence in Whitehall-gardens yesterday, from Drayton Manor, Staffordshire. Lady Emily Peel and family remain at Drayton Manor un'il after Easter. The Earl and Countess Russell, Viscount Amber ley, M.P., and Viscountess Amberley, arrived at their resi dence in Chesham-place yesterday afternoon, from Pem broke Lodge, Richmond Park, for the season. The Earl and Countess of Lichfield arrived in town yesterday, from Ventnor, Isle of Wight, for a few weeks. The Earl of Lonsdale has left his residence, on Carlton-house-terrace, for Ventnor, Isle of Wight, for the benefit of his health. The Earl of Glasgow has arrived at the Clarendon Hotel from Scotland. The Countess (Frances) Waldegrave and the Right Hon. Chichester Fortescue, M.P., arri'red at their residence in Carlton-gardens yesterdayfrom her ladyship's seat, the Priory, Chewton, Somersetshiro. General the Right Hon. Cecil Forester, M.P., arrived in town yesterday from Meaford Stone, Stafford shire. M. and Madame Van de Weyer arrived at their esidence in Arlington-street, on Wednesday, from New Lodge, Windsor Forest. DEATH OF SIR CHARLES LEMON, BART.—The death of Sir Charles Lemon, Bart., at his residence, Car dew Penryn, has deprived Cornwall of one who has been of eminent service to the county in all public matters, and has won the affection and esteem of a very large circle of private friends. Sir Charles was born in 1781, and suc ceeded to the title ten years later by the death of his father. MR. LEEMAN, M.P., BEFORE HIS CONSTITUENTS. —On Wednesday, Mr. S. Leeman, M.P. for York, addressed a meeting of his constituents in that city. He confined his remarks chiefly to a review of the proceedings of the last session of Parliament. In his brief reference to the future he said that on the Irish Church question he looked to the discussion which would take place in Parliament upon it as one of deep interest, and as leading probably to some expression on the part of the House of Commons which might serve to re-awaken those remarkable scholastic faculties of the present Chancellor of the Exchequer, to which he looked with the greatest confidence, when he thinks the proper time had arrived for his letting down the Irish Church with decent and fitting solemnity. THE ABYSSINIAN FORCE.—We learn, by com munications received by the last mail, that the troops are all healthy. The field hospitals are in operation and in good condition. The sanitary state of the camp at Zoulla is good. There is plenty of water, obtained by the tubular Amerian wells. Two stone piers have been erected, and a condenser is at work on each at the landing place. The story about the enormous cost of the water-2s. a gallon—seems to be a canard. The railway over the low lying district is nearly concluded.—British Medical Journal. A PROLIFIC HUNDRED.—Chesterton continues to be distinguished among the rural districts of Kist Anglia, prob:Lbly above all the rural disricts of the United Kingdom, for the fruitfulness of its inhabitants. We have had occasion to call attention to this remarkable fact at various times before, but the testimony supplied by the last quarterly return of the Registrar-General is more than usually telling. From his figures it appears that whereas the marriage rate in Chesterton compared with the mar riage rate at Bury St. Edmund's is as 16 to 15, the birth rate at the two places is as 49 to 24. Or, comparing Ches terton district with the borough of Cambridge, tho marriage rate in the borough is to that in the adjoining district as 25 to 16, but the birth rate only as 45 to 49. In the same way it might be shown roughly that if Ipswich were as fruitful a localily as this portion of the fens, its return of births last quarter ought to have been about 800, instead of 330. Bury Post. Last evening Mr. Smith, of the Strand, delivered a very interesting lecture, illustrated with a series of beautiful dissolving views, to the scholars of St. Paul, Covent-garden Day Schools, at the School-rooms, Hart street. There was a very large attendance of children, who were delighted with the treat prepared for them. At the conclusion of the lecture the Rev. Mr. Ireland, the curate, thanked Mr. Smith in the name of the assembled little people for the pleasure and instruction his excel lent lecture had afforded, and expressed a hope that the delight that had been exhibited by the children would be an agreeable recompense to Mr. Smith for the trouble be had taken. DEBRETT'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE for 1868 has made its appearance, corrected and revised, down to the latest possible period previous to publication. The work has been most carefully performed, and as books of reference the volumes for the present year will fully main tain their reputation. The arms and crests affixed to each of the different titles add an additional value to the volumes as with a very short study a general knowledge of the heraldic emblazouments of the leading nobility and gentry will be attained, which cannot fail to become of the greatest utility even to the general reader. HUNGARIAN GRAIN.—It appears from a report issued by the Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, Com merce, and Public Works, that in 1867 Hungary exported 11,430,000 quintals of wheat, 2,544,000 quintals of oats, and 2,457,000 quintals of other cereals. These totals, which are of very unusual magnitude, refer only to the quantities of grain carried by the Austrian and South- Austrian Railways, and Danube Steam Navigation Corn- . piny, and boats towed by horses. They do not accord ingly afford an altogether complete idea—although the approximation is a close one—of the commerce of Hun gary with other countries in the matter of grain. DISTRESSING DEATH.—On Wednesday evening the Hon. James Henry Gordon, undergraduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and brother of the Earl of Aberdeen, lost his life by a distressing accident with firearms. The deceased gentleman was a first-class oarsman ; he rowed No. 4 in the university race last year, and it was hoped he would take his place in the crew that is to contest the palm with Oxford at Putney next month; he was, moreover, a crack shot, and member of the University Rifle Corps. Ire was in the habit of experimenting with rifles, and notably with ammunition, loading, acc. There is little doubt that he was thus engaged on Wednesday evening, at his lodgings in Trinity-street. The report of a rifle was heard in his chamber, and as he did not answer when called to, the door was forced open. His body was discovered lying near the foot of the bed, and not far from it a rifle which had been discharged. The gentleman had been fearfully shot in the head ; a great portion of the skull was blown away; the bullet had passed upwards through the ceiling of the room in which he lay, and had penetrated the ceil ing of the room above. He was dressed in his ordinal attire. The Hon. James Henry Gordon was born on the 11th October, 1845, and was therefore in his twenty-thir d year. THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL COMPANY'S STEAMER CEYLON.— This vessel on her last outward pas sage to Alexandria experienced very boisterous weather, which amply tested the staunchness of the vessel and the seamanship of the officers and crew. In recognition of the last-mentioned point, an address was presented by Lieut . : Colonel W. D. Stanley, Military Staff Corps, on n behalf of the passengers, to Capt. Babot, commander of the Ce y lo in which they state :—" From the moment we left the English shore we encountered a hurricane, w hich co tinned throughout our passage in the Bay of Biscay ; an although we were relieved by a most seasonable cessation of the above on our approach to Gibraltar, its recurrence from that port to Malta, and again from Malta to ht dria, impressed upon us the conviction that we might place the utmost reliance upon you and all your officers. 1.° ,, 0 attention throughout the voyage 'to the comforts of l u to passengers was most marked; and we beg to convey to you and your officers, as well as seamen, our thanks for ' your confitant and unwearied care."