The Sun. — London, England, 1853-12-26 00:00:00

LONDON & SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY. FOREIGN TRAFFIC.—SPECIAL NOTICE. From and after Ist JANUARY, 1854, the existing THROUGH MATES for Goods Traffic betwixt London and Paris, and betwixt Paris and the Channel Islands, will be DISCONTINUED. Goods will be conveyed, as heretofore, betwixt London and llavre, and betwixt Havre and the Channel Islands, at reduced through rates, which include all charges from the Quay at Havre to London, or to the Channel Islands, the amount of Customs' Duty and Marine Insurance excepted. Goods will be conveyed betwixt London and Havre three times a Week, each way, as heretofore. For particulars of through rates, and all other information, apply in London, to Mr. SIMKIN, 53, King William-street, City ; in Southampton, to Mr. WATKINS, Railway-station ; in Havre, to Mr. GILLS, 5, Rue-de-la-Gaffe. (By order) ARCHD. SCOTT, Traffic Manager. Railway-office, London, Dec. 24, 1853. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LA:NE. LC2SCC, Mr. E. T. Smith. The Attractions of this great National Establishment for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS will be on a most extensive scale, un precedented in the annals of Theatricals for Novelty, splendour, and mechanical wonders, embodied by the first Artistes in the world. Magnificent Scenery, Dresses, and Decorations ; gorgeous excite ment, and Ballet unrivalled, forming an ensemble of talent and en chanting attraction never equalled. Mr. SMITH, the Lessee, begs to remind his juvenile patrons that this great CHRISTMAS PANTO MIME will be produced THIS EVENING, DEC. 26, with a DRAMA and FARCE. Reduced Prices as usual. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, DEC. 26, Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, Buckstone, and W. Farren ; Mrs. Buckingham, Mrs. Poynter, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Miss E. Grey. After which, a Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called HARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR; ; or, Little Silverhair and the Fairies. Columbine, bliss M. Brown ; Harlequin, Mr. J. Marshall : Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORO-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Cuanza KEAN. THIS EVENING, Dac. 26, Will be performed THE CORSICAN BROTHERS. Principal character by Mr. C. Kean. After which will be produced a new Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND HIS MEN; or, King Salamandar and the Fairy of the Azure Lake. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack • Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestrla. TILLS EVENING, DEC. 26, Will be performed A BACHELOR OF ARTS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker; Miss F. Hughes. After which, an original Fairy Extravaganza, called ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS. Principal cha racters by Mr. Wright and Madame Vestris. To conclude with PATTER VERSUS CLATTER, THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. Rare Christmas Amusements—The Great Attraction of London— " One of the S i g hts of London"—The S ea o f Ice and Marvellous Adel Phi EffectsOF GOLD, every Evening— in e exciting new N au ti cal Drama of " THE THIRST A new Grand Fairy Spec -24-01sBER NIP. MOND AY, and during the week, the popular new nautical melo drama, in five tableaux, with new scenery, the Sea of Ice, & c., new dresses and appointments, called THE THIRST OF GOLD, or THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paul Bedford, 0. Selby, Parselle, Marsden, &c. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Maskell, &c. ; Ns Ith an entirely new grand specta cular legendary Christmas piece, in two acts, with new scenery, dresses, machinery, and appointments, called NUMBER NIP, or THE SPIRIT BRIDE. Principal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Miss M. Keeley, Miss Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding; Messrs. Paul Bedford, J. Rogers, Romer, G. Lee, he. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, Dze. 26, (And during the week), Will be performed PLOT AND PASSION. Principal characters by Mr. F. Robson and Mrs. Stirling. After which, a new historico-geographical CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, called HARLEQUIN COLUMBUS; or, The Old World and the New. Harlequin, Mr. F. Moreland ; Pantaloon, Mr. W. Rochez ; and Columbine, Miss Wyndham. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL ANIPHITLIE-kTRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. Grand combination of attraction for the Holidays. The only Eques trian Pantomime in the Metropolis, and the wonderful Performing Elephants. THIS EVENING, DEc. 26, (And during the week.) The New Grand Equestrian Chinese Spectacle, entitled " THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST; or, THE MAGIC GONG— in which Mr. W. Cooke's wondro as Elephants will appear. Followed by a series of Mr. Wm. Cooke's matchless scenes of Equestrianism in THE CIRCLE, by the talented artistes of this establishment. After which, a New Grand Equestrian CHRISTMAS COMIC PANTOMIME, written expressly for this Theatre, by Mr. NELSON LEE, entitled BILLY BUTTON'S JOURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladles' Favourite. New scenery, dresses, decorations, and appointments, magnificent Car of Industry, &c. Harlequin, Mr. 11. Hemmings ; Columbine, Mdlle. Christine; Pantaloon, Mr. Lehman ; and Two Clowns, Mr. C. Adams and Mr. Croueste ; Sprites, Masters Gee and Bradkury. A MORNING PERFORMANCE on JAN. 2, commencing at two. Juvenile Nigkt on THURSDAY, JAN. 5, when the Comic Panto mime will commence the Perforpiance , . Box-ottlee open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuns DAY —Morning 52 min.after 9 I Evening 25 min.aft. 10 To-MOnaow—Morning 58 min.after 10 I Evening 59 min.aft. 1.1 THE WEATHER.—Svs OPFICI, Dec. 25. THEBHOMETEB, IN THE SILLDE. 41—highest since noon yesterday. 34—lowest this morning and during the night. 38—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30 . 26. WIND, E.—Black frost, and fine weather. DECEMBER 26. 39—highest since noon yesterday. 29—lowest this morning and during the night. 36—this day, at noon. BAROMETER, 30'19. WIND, changed to W.S.W.—Light breeze. Last night the frost was very intense. Ot §llll, LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1853. " Farewell, a long farewell" to the popularity of Viscount PALMERSTON ! Exactly one year ago, on the 26th of December, 1852, he seriously damaged his reputation for sagacity by taking office in the ABERDEEN Coalition Government. Immediately on the arrival of the anniversary of that memorable day, on the 26th of December, 1853, the people of England learn with emotions of mingled dismay and amazement of a yet more startling dereliction of principle on the part of their once chivalrous, high-minded, and patriotic Administrator. After carrying confusion. into the councils of his Sovereign by an abr u pt re tirement from the Cabinet, the Noble Lord the member for Tiverton has ruined hi s own fame (ruined it, we fear, irretrievably), an d compromised still more the already notorious Ministry of the " dear " and " excellent" (notorious for its gross and shameless . inconsisten cies), by an equally abrupt movement, that of the withdrawal of his resignation. Eleven days have elapsed between these preposterously contradic tory proceedings of Lord PALMERSTON. December the 15th acquainted the world with his sudden resignation. December the 26th informs it of his no less sudden withdrawal of that resignation. In 'our remarks on Saturday evening, it may be re membered that we took occasion very candidly to observe that—if the noble Viscount the Member for Tiverton returned to the Cabinet from which he had become thus recently, abruptly, and voluntarily alienated, his so doing would be nothing more nor less (we could find no other phrase sufficiently expressive, or sufficiently appro priate) than literal " tomfoolery." And he has returned—and now, deliberately, we here reite rate, that his so returning can only by that one appropriate and expressive word be correctly designated. Never before was a great reputation more wilfully doomed to self-destruction. Never before was so large or so noble a Popularity scattered to the winds of hea ven by an act of more criminal and yet more frivolous perversity. Latterly, the name of Viscount PALMERsTo, has been spoken of by some enthusiasts as that of the probable Prime Minister of a not very remote hereafter. Hen ce fo r th we re gard this as anabsolute impossibility. The latest act of the Home Secretary has been an act of political' suicide. It was a mir acle s carcely less extraor clinary than that of the raising of the dead to life —the restoring of that enviable confidence w hi ch heretofore subsisted between Lord PAListEnsrox and the masses of his fellow-countrym en . Honestly, we do not anticipate any such magical or preternatural resuscitation. Viscount PAL MERSTON cannot any longer be regarded by Eng lishmen otherwise than with grief and suspicion. He is no longer the Minister of the popu lation. Ho has brought low the pride of his once lofty and chivalric independence. Having chewed the leek, by sitting - down complacently in the December of 1852 cheek by jowl with Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the ex-Premier by whom he had not long before been summarily and ignominiously expelled from the ranks of the would produce a similar result. In either cas Government—he has now, in the December of the working people would enjoy but a short-lived 1853, with exemplary meekness, eaten humble triumph. They could not go on without the use of that capital which they are making such pie, by his fluctuating and timorous proceedings in strenuous exertions and submitting to so many regard to the Coalition, by throwing up office in a privations to divert into other channels. Let them pet and by resuming it with an utterly incon- ponder over these things without passion or pre sisteut promptitude. judice, and we venture to assert that they will The remarkable incident which has just been soon perceive the absurdity of their conduct, and completed by the return of Lord PALMERSTON to endeavour while there is yet time to effect a re conciliation with those who have been, and if per the Coalition, or rather by his continuance in it (for mitted will still be, their best friends. They may the proffered resignation of the Home Secretary become a little sadder, but they will be very much was never accepted by his Sovereign), has at any wiser men, and will speedily be enabled to repair rate been so far useful that it has revealed yetmore the grievous error into which they have fallen. clearly the utter absence of principle in this strange jumble of a Government. Elsewhere will be found, placed side by side in parallel columns, the estimate of the Home Seeretary, exactly as it has been given to the . public, first on the . l6th of December, and then on the 26th of December, in the official organ of the Administration. And a worthy organ has the Times proved itself to be of this notable ABERDEEN Coalition worthy in chivalrous and high principled consistency ! A glance at those two comments on the character of the Noble Lord the Member for Tiverton will sufficiently indicates the union prevailing in the Councils of the Administration—thus blowing almost in the same breath hot and cold through the mouthpiece of the olla podrida Government. Speaking of Lord PALMERSTON'S proffered resigna tion, the official organ of to-day remarks that it has been found " that no imperious dictates of conscience or of duty, by which alone such a step could be justified, did, in this instance, require so great a sacrifice." In that case, so much the more heinous, therefore, the culpability of the Noble Viscount in carrying disorder into the Councils of his Sovereign by so ill-advised and un necessary a step at a period of such critical and momentous emergency. But the truth of all this is, as was observed by one of our weekly con temporaries on Saturday, that " the present Ministry resolves itself into a clique of doctrinaires attempting to govern a great country by COURT favour." It is the truth —a truth most bitter and undeniable. And among these men must now be numbered in seemingly indissoluble combination, " for better, for worse," one who has thrown away political self-respect, and an enviable popularity for the satisfaction of entering once more into the bosom of a timorous, hesitating, unpatriotic, and—there is but one word for it—Germanised Government. We greatly fear that the present will not prove to be by any means a merry Christmas to the thousands and tens of thousands of persons who, at Preston and other manufacturing districts, are eating the bread of idleness, in place of earning their owp subsistence by their own honest indus try. Nor are the auguries as to the happiness of the approaching new year by any means more propitious. Those who have been "playing" without cessation for three or four months, who have spent their entire time in listless idleness, cannot enjoy their holiday with so keen a zest as their more energetic brethren who are actively engaged during the working days, and have therefore merited the enjoyment and repose incidental to the great festival. The roast beef and plum pudding which have been paid for from the fairly acquired wages have a flavour not appertaining to the produce of mendicancy, and the supply whereof had abridged the comforts that might otherwise have appeared on the tables of other working men. 808 ORA TCHIT's Goose—that inimitable bird on which TINY TIM and his brethren exulted with such exceeding joy—would not have excited such extraordinary demonstrations of delight but for the knowledge that it had been fairly and laboriously acquired, and that no reproach of con science, no secret whisper from " the still small yoke," could mar the enjoyment of those assem bled round the family board to partake of the universal feast. MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS. (From the Observer.) Lord Aberdeen left town yesterday afternoon for Windsor Castle, to have an audience of the Queen. His lordship returned to London last night. The Duke of Newcastle, it has been stated, left Lon don on Thursday for his country seat. This is incorrect ; his Grace did not leave, but has remained in daily at tendance at the Colonial-office. Lord Granville arrived in town on Friday, the day after the Cabinet had their long sitting of 5 hours and a half. The noble earl remains in London. Sir Wm. Molesworth is detained from joining a circle of friends in the country, and remains in town. The Earl of Clarendon returned to London yesterday from Windsor Castle. The Right Hon. William Gladstone, and Sir James Graham also continue in the metropolis. Lord Palmerston has attended at the Home-office within the last day or two. His Lordship's Under-Se cretary of State, the Hon. Henry Fitzroy, came to town in the middle of the week. Sir George Grey, who arrived in town in the early part of the week from his country residence, Fallodon, Northumberland, took his departure last night for Fallodon. Sir James Emerson Tennent, Secretary to the Board of Trade, was expected in town last night from Italy. It would be fortunate fcr those engaged in the internecine contest between masters and opera tives if they would devote a small portion of their abundant leisure to considering the nature and probable consequences of the present dispute. If they would think for themselves, calmly and dis passionately, in place of accepting all the absur dities uttered by Messrs. COWELL and Co., they would clearly perceive the suicidal folly of the course adopted, and the ruinous results that must follow a continuance in the same path. Hitherto they have viewed the matter through a distorted medium—they have suffered themselves to be de luded by interested delegates, who acknowledge that they are receiving 2/. per week each for doing nothing, except occasionally spouting at meetings, or eating and s drinking at "ferry shops," being about double the amount that they could obtain by their labour, even if paid according to the scale of prices for which they are contending. Let them henceforth think and act for themselves, without thinking themselves bound to render a servile and unreasoning obedience to the despotic mandates of any man or body of men, more espe cially of persons respecting whose motives so many grave suspicions may be entertained. Let those, then, who are invited to join in the onslaught against " capital " seriously inquire what that "capital" is which they seek to destroy, and also how or by what means it is that they themselves and their fathers have received better wages, and consequently enjoyed a greater com mand over the " comforts" of life than persons of a similar status in other old countries. We say " old" countries, because it is manifest that no fair comparison can be instituted with "new" territories w h ere the population, in place of being in excess, is palpably deficient. Accurate answers to these interrogatories will enable them to arrive at a sound conclusion on the general points at issue between themselves and their quondam, mas ters. " Capital" then is neither more nor less than " hoarded l a b our "—th e accumu l a ti ons an d savings of persons who by th e exer ti on o f s kill and intelligence, and economy, have been enabledto industry, improve their p os iti ons i n lif e , an d ac hieve a higher point in the social scale. Every energetic and well-disposed man—every one who feels that he possesses superior qualities to the majority of those by w hom h© is surro u nd e d, would deeply regret th e downf all of "capital." If it were possible that such should be the case, there would be no motive to stimulate exertions, or to induce parties to engage in laudable enter prises. The people would spend their lives in a state of apathetic indifference, and their condition would speedily become truly deplorable. Full and perfect "equality" is absolutely impossible. Eve n if everything were thrown into a general fund, and that " Communism" were practicable, we should speedily find some persons elevating ral them selves above, and others sinking below, general level. level. A single day would dispel the vision s that had been indulged in. No well-disposed person, no man conscious of possessing qualities beyo nd those of the myriads by whom he was surrounded, would consent to do away with the legitimate re wards for superiority in any department, or, in other words, to the overthrow of "capital." But it is the use of this very "capital" that has improved the position of the working men in in this country beyond those of their fel lows in other lands. It is because the use or interest of money is cheaper in Eng land than abroad—because our master manu facturers possess greater monetary facilities than their competitors, that the produce of our looms are to b e f oun d i n ever y coun t r y. It is that which crea t es t h e d eman d f or l a b our, an d ena bl es the English operative to enjoy comforts utterly unknown to, or far beyond, the hopes of his less fortunate brethren. But that cheapness of money arises from its security, and if that " security" be taken away, the " cheapness " and facilities will follow, and England will be outstripped in the race by nations where the many have less freedom the scale Which the masters could afford t o pay an d cann ot enter into th e i n j ur i ous combinations here tolerated. The incr ease of wa ges beyond THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY VENING, DECEMBER 26, 1853. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, DEC. 24. The dinner party yesterday included the Duchess of Kent, the Earl of Clarendon, the Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of Kent and the Baroness de Speth. The Band of the Ist Life Guards attended in the Castle during dinner, and performed the following com positions : March on H. Russell's Song, "Cheer, Boys, Cheer" Overture or Introduction (Casilda) Duke of Saxe Coburg Glee, " Mynheer Vandunek" Walzer, " Sylvan" Tinney Fantasia, Sur deux Motifs de Dom Sebastien Donizetti Polka, " Glocken" Galop Masquerade (Corsican Brothers) Prased Her Majesty's Private Band afterwards attended in the evening, and played the following selection : Overture, "La Barcarolle" Selection, " Seraglio" Duo, " Marco Spada" The Queen and Prince walked in the Home•park this morning. The Earl of Clarendon left the Castle this forenoon for London. DEC. 25. The Queen's Private Band was in attendance at the Castle yesterday evening, and performed the following pieces : Overture, "Oberon" Weber. Introduction, " Marie" Herold. Andante Minuetto, Trio and Finale (Sin fonia) The Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, the Prin cess Royal, and Princess Alice, the ladies and gentle men of the court, and the domestic household, attended divine service this morning in the private chapel of the Castle. The Duchess of Kent was also at the service. The Hon. and Rev. G. Wellesley'officiated, and ad ministered the holy sacrament. The Earl of Clarendon returned to London on Satur day from Windsor Castle. Despatches were sent to the Governors of Ceylon and Hong Kong on Saturday from the Colonial-office. Her Excellency the Countess of St. Germans dis tributed blankets and warm clothing to 280 poor persons from the parishes of Castleknock and Chapelizod, at the Viceregal Lodge, on Friday. Sir William Molesworth does not accompany Lady Molesworth into Yorkshire, being detained in town by his Ministerial duties. DUBLIN, FRIDAY.—The Lady Mayoress is im proving rapidly from the attack of measles under which she has been suffering since her ball. The Hon. Henry G. Howard has left town for Paris, where he has entered on his duties as First Secre tary of Legation, in the zoom of Mr. Jerningham, who proceeds to the Swedish capital as British Minister and Envoy. The King of Hanover sent 501. to be distributed amongst the poor of the parish of Kew on Saturday, to enable them to enjoy the pleasures of Christmas. His Highness Prince Leopold of Saxo Coburg and suite arrived at Mivart's Hotel, on Saturday, from Germany, en route to Windsor Castle, on a visit to his illustrious relatives the Queen and the Princo Consort. The Prince is expected to proceed to Southampton to-day, to embark at that port for Lisbon, on a visit to the King Regent of Portugal for a month or six weeks. The Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford have arrived at Trentham Hall, from Lilleshall. The Earl and Countess of Morton, Lord and Lady Aberdour, and a numerous family circle, aro passing the holidays at Dalmahoy House. In France things go on very quietly. The Em peror and Empress are to be seen everywhere without any escort, and employ themselves in alleviating the distresses oi privations of the more indigent classes. No doubt some who were disaffected to the Government have been among the recipients of the Imperial bounty ; and herein consists the peculiar tyranny of the system of the Em peror, for surely no infliction can be more cruel than thus " to heap coals of fire on the head" of an enemy." APPROACIIING MARRIAGE.—We understand that a matrimonial alliance will shortly take placa between Richard Naylor, Esq., the wealthy and well-known pro prietor of Hooton Hall, Cheshire, and Caroline, second (laughter of the late Rev. Robert Trodcroft, rector of Ta,ngmere, Sussex, and niece of the late Henry Tredcroft, Esq., of Warnham Court, and of Sir John Brooke Pechell, Bart. MARRIAGE FACILITIES.—The late Rev. Mr. Schultz, of Cullenswood, Dublin, celebrated within the last three years of his life in that locality 3,649 marriages. A few minutes, a few shillings, and a bride and bride groom, were all that the reverend personage required for each ceremony. He found credible witnesses when re quired for a small additional fee. TIIE LATE GENERAL GODWIN.----We understand that General Godwin, shortly before his decease, prepared a narrative relating to his position as commander-in-chief of the expedition to Burmah. The work will be interest ing to the army, and we trust it will very soon appear.— United Service Gazette. CHARITABLE DONATIONS FROM THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH.—The good feeling of the Emperor of the French towards this country has been manifested in a way that must secure for him a corresponding sentiment of respect. The Emperor has ordered the sum of 700 f. to be paid. by Messrs. Orsi and Armani, merchants in London, for the benefit of the Dreadnought Hospital establishment in the Thames. Not a day passes, at this inclement season of the year, as we learn, without the receipt, by the same gentlemen, of like instructions. Scarcely any of our bene ♦olent institutions appear to have escaped the kindly con sideration of the Emperor. We could desire to particu larise the different objects of his Majesty's munificence, but fear we may already have said more than we are war ranted in doing upon a subject involving so much delicacy. PRIVY COUNCIL.—The Parliament, which stands pro rogued pro forma until the 3d of the ensuing month, meets for the despatch of business, it is expected, as usual, the first week in February. The precise day will be fixed at a Privy Council, to be held by her Majesty at the Castle at the close of the week. SPECIE.—The specie movements of the week have again been heavy. The arrivals have consisted of about 660,0001. in gold from New York, Australia, &c., and the exp or t s are es ti ma t e d a t a b ou t 400,0001., f which a large proportion was silver for the East. EMIGRATION.—The Emigration Commissioners have advertised for two vessels to carry emigrants to Victoria. One is to be ready for Melbourne on the 7th, and the other for Geelong on the 10th of February. Tussenn's ExTußrrioN.—As the holidays are about to commence, this establishment will, no doubt, meet with that patronage it merits, and which the Messrs. Tussaud are so anxious to deserve from their visitors, and endeavour to produce those subjects both interest ing and instructive. The latest addition to this museum is a model portrait of the Emperor Nicholas the Ist, his costume being that worn by the Russian Guards, deco rated with numerous military orders. At this particular time much curiosity is excited by the visitors to inspect this despotic tyrant, who has endeavoured to deprive the Turkish empire of two of its most productive pro vinces, as well as strike a fatal blow at its sovereign power. The figure is admirably executed, and appears a faithful likeness. i - i - o o w ne itn of es t s he to m ok os p t la g ee at t i h fy i; m , determined Str J mes James's. 0 . r ing u g i h s t T s m i A t S h FOIL a 8 b T e e l I n E o P u o r o l n o Th o e rn c i o n m g m at it t t h ee e S of ou t p ha K t i i n tc s h ti e t n u , ti ll on am ka - v y i a n r g d rgivee turn t o h f e t r h e i a s l y deservingauspicious p oo a r festivaldi, s d t in i n va and tocelebrate e t n h e e . volent intentions having been most charitably seconded by the nobility and gentry, they were enabled to carry distributionout their phi o l f an f t o h o r d tocoopicmombjeenceted cc a theofrd al inly a this fullest extent. ent. The e morning, which consisted of 4 lbs. of roasting meat, 2 lbs. of pudding, a half-quartern loaf, and 2 ounces of tea, &c., the same being distributed in the most orderly manner, through the excellent arrangements of the superintendent, which reflected the greatest credit upon the management of the charity, and elicited the highest encomiums from all who witnessed it. CHRL3TMAS FESTIYITIES IN HIGH LIFE The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk are entertaining a succession of distinguished visitors at Arundel Castle, Sussex. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland are surrounded by a large party at Trentham, Staffordshire. The Duchess of Argyll, and the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford have joined this circle, from Lilleshall ; Lord Frederick Leveson Gower has arrived from town ; the Duke of Argyll, who was called to town on public business, re turned on Saturday. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond have a select party visiting at Goodwood during the holidays. His Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar has joined the circle. The Duke and Duchess of Cleveland are dispensing their princely hospitality to a numerous and distinguished party at Raby Castle, Durham, where the greatest fes tivity will prevail until after the second week in the ensuing month. The noble Duke and Duchess have caused their annual bounties to the deserving poor on the family estates to be distributed during the past week. JESTIVITIES AT HATFIELD HOUSE.—The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury have a brilliant circle as sembled at the famiy seat in Hertfordshire. The Mar quis of Lothian, Lord and Lady John Manners, Lord and Lady Rokeby and the Hon. Misses Montagu, Lord Robert Grosvenor and Miss Grosvenor, Lord Cran bourne, the Dowager Lady Cowley, Lord Bingham, the Hon, Captain and Mrs. Mortimer West, the Hon. Wil liam Wellesley, the Hon. and Rev. Gerald Wellesley, The Hon. Miss de Ros, Sir Wm. Fraser, Mr. Drum mond, Mr. Johnson, &c., are among the recent visitors. A grand ball was given by the Marchioness to the no bility and gentry of the county ; and the noble Marquis has given his annual entertainment to his principal tenants, as customary at this season of the year, in the splendid marble hall, at which nearly 150 guests sat down to a sumptuous repast. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary are ex pected to honour the noble Marquis and Marchioness with a visit early next month, when a distinguished circle will be invited to meet those illustrious personages. The Marquis of Lansdowne is surrounded by a select party at Bowood, Wilts. The Earl and Countess of Shelburne, and the Hon. Wm. and Lady Louisa Howard are staying with the noble Marquis. The Earl and Countess Amherst are seeing company at Knowle Park, Kent. The noble Earl and Countess have had warm clothing and a bountiful supply of beef and other provisions distributed among the poor of Seale and adjoining villages during the past week. The Earl Fitzwilliam is surrounded by a large family circle at Wentworth House, Yorkshire. On Wednesday last (St. Thomas's day) the deserving poor and the labourers on the Noble Earl's estates were presented with excellent beef, proportionate in quantity to the number in each family. The Earl and Countess Howe have a select party met at Gopsal Hall, Leicestershire. The circle is confined to members of the family. Early in the past week the poorer families on the Earl's estates have been presented with clothing, &c., suitable to the season. The Earl and Countess of Harewood are receiving a succession of visitors at Harewood House, Yorkshire. The necessitous poor have been liberally thought of by the Noble Earl and Countess, and not a deserving family have escaped their considerate bounty. The Earl and Countess of Derby are seeing company at Knowsley, near Prescott. We are happy to learn the health of the noble earl has of late greatly improved. The Earl and Countess of Zetland will be very gay this Christmas at Upleatham•hall, Yorkshire. The hall is full of company, and the festivities will extend over the next three weeks. The Countess (Dow.) of Pembroke is at Wilton-house, near Salisbury, where the Earl and Countess of Clan william and Lady Selina Meade, the Earl and Countess Bruce, the Bight. Hon. Sidney and Mrs. Herbert, &c., have met for the Christmas holidays. Visoqunt And Viscountess Combermere have a large party at Combermexe Abbey, Cheshire. Lord and Lady 13raybrooka are receiving a succession of friends at Audley-end, Essex. GREAT FIRE AT ESHER. On Friday night an alarming fire broke out in what are called the Royal Paper Mills, at Esher, Surrey. The fire was first discovered at 10 o'clock on Friday night by one of the stokers employed in the works, named Blake, who proceeded to the second floor of the rag warehouse and found what he imagined to be a few rags smouldering. With the aid of a can of water he thought he had succeeded in putting tie fire out, but in the course of a few minutes afterwards a body of flame came through the flooring of the warehouse above, which clearly indi cated that that storey was also on fire ; ho gave an alarm and then run off towards the town for the engines. Having proceeded about half-way, he met an officer and despatched him to call the engines, and returned to assist at the mill. Although he had been absent only a few minutes, when he carte back he was just in time to see the roof of the building fall in, and then the fire assumed such an aspect as to threaten every part of the extensive property with destruction. The persons in charge of the mills made an attempt to get some of the manufactured paper out of the warehouse ; but their efforts were comparatively useless, and the flames rushed forth in such bodies as to ignite almost simultaneously the whole of the rag stores in the front premises. From this point the flames extended to the machine-house, in which eight powerful engines were at work. The fire at this moment presented an awful appearance ; the flames issuing Porn the windows and curling around the pile of buildings forming the centre of the mill. The engine from Esher parish arrived and was set to work, but the water which it discharged produced no effect on such a body of fire. The engine from Claremont Palace next arrived, closely followed by another from Teddington and one from Twickenham, when those in charge of the machines tried all they possibly could to preserve the centre of the building, which contained much valuable property and had nearly 100 windows on the four sides. For some time it was hoped that their efforts would be successful, but the wind, which was blowing strongly from the south-west, drove the flames into one of the floors, and the consequences soon became ap parent. Mr. Spicer, the magistrate, on finding that the fire was progressing, sent his engine to the spot, which was also set to work, the hose being directed to the tallest building, to cut off, if pos sible, an 7 further extension of the fire, but the flames, in spite of the exertions of all present, continued to spread. rue engines from Kingston and Richmond next arrived and the whole force was admirably directed by Mr. Selfe, the agent of the West of England Fire Insur ance Company. That officer had the engines distributed round the blazing pile, and they were efficiently worked from the mill-streams which were full of water. Not withstanding, however, before three o'clock on Satur day morning every part of the centre building and the left wing, together with the machine-house stretching over the water, wero enveloped in flames, and as the fire broke through the roof and rushed out of at least 150 windows, it produced a terrific spectacle. The persons working at the engines kept to their posts, and many thousand gallons of water were momentarily scattered over the fire, but without the least success, and a little before 4 o'clock the roof the middle building fell with a crash resembling a clap of thunder ; shortly afterwards floor after floor of the same part of the mill came down, and then the fire rose to an extraordinary height. Great as the fire now was it soon became larger ; for the ma chine-house, being composed principally of timber, on be coming fully ignited, sent forth a tremendous sheet of fire, which set in flames the chemical houses, and at the same time the roof and floors of the left wing (130 feet long) fell in. The flames at this period wore drifted across the mill-stream almost to the edge of the South-Western Railway, which caused the engine-drivers to stop on proceeding either up or down the line with the Christmas luggage and other trains. Finding that those parts of the mill on fire must of necessity be consumed, the engineers directed the full force of water against the boiling houses and the large steam engine house, by which means they happily pre vented the fire destroying those departments or injuring the steeping-houses. In the last-named,isome tons of rags were in the coppers, but they have all been saved. A raghouse at the rear has likewise been saved, and so has the pulphouse, in which eight pulp machines were at work. The devilling-house, with the powerful ma chinery for tearing tha rags, has, however, boon de stroyed. By the disaster upwards of 250 persons will be thrown out of employment. The origin of the ca lamity is 'unknown. The place where the fire broke out was inspected about an hour before, when it seemed perfectly safe, and no smell of anything burning could at that time be detected. The buildings were all in sured in the County Office, and the contents in several other offices. SUSPECTED MURDER AT EAST ACTON.-The body of a boy was discovered in East Acton, on Tuesday, under circumstances which led to a very strong suspicion that a murder had been committed. After muck difficulty, the police have succeeded in identifying the body, It appears that a man named George Meddows, a horsehair curler, residing in Clerkenwell, whose son, aged 14 years, had been missing for the last eight weeks, having read in the police Hue and Cry a description of tho body found at Acton, immediately hastened thither, and identified it as that of his missing son. According to the father's statement, the deceased, accompanied by another boy, named George Jackson, left the warehouse, where they were employed on the night that he was missed, to go home and prepare his (the father's) tea. While they were proceeding homewards with that view, they were ac costed in Old-street by a man in a cart, who asked either of them to accompany him for the purpose of holding his horse while he made a call a few doors down. Deceased accepted the invitation, and jumped into the cart. The other youth was following him, when the man said, " Oh, no, one is sufficient," and then, turning the horse's head, drove rapidly towards Shoreditch, and was quickly out of sight. From that time ncthing more was heard of deceased, until his body wss found in the manner described. According to the statement of the boy Jackson, the man who took away deceased was a tall, stout man, with a full face, and dressed in a fustian coat. He could not describe the can, but the horse he stated to be of a dark colour. As regards the unfortunate victim, his father, who has a large family, says that he was the best of boys, and exceedingly regular in his habits and hours. It is painful to consider the many rumours that are circulated concerting deceased's death, upon which there is but one impression—that he has been the victim of brutal treatment and savage murder. The police are strongly of opinion that, after having been kept and starved in some filthy den, he was ultimately got rid of by a blow which was discernible ovor the right eye.— Observer. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. This being a holiday in the City, the public places of resort are closed, as well as the Stock Exchange. The railway meetings announced are the follow ing— Company. Date. Place. Dundee and Arbroath Dec. 28, Dundee. Lake Constance and Basle Dec. 27, St. Gall. The amount of railway " calls" for January is as follows : Date due. Call. Sharas. *Antwerp and Rotterdam.. s£l 0 50,000 Cornwall Dublin and Drogheda, Pref.i.'2s 1 2 10 18,500 East Lanc. New 4 per cent. stock 1 1 0 unkn *Frankfort, Wiesbaden, and Cologne 10 2 0 80,000 Gt. North of Scotland, Ist Pref 2 2 0 60,000 *Hamilton and Toronto Shares l4 5 0 40,000 Limerick and Ennis 1 3 3 18,900 London, Tilbury, and Southend l6 1 10 60,000 *Paris and Orleans Bonds, 1852 1 4 0 600,000 *Royal Danish 1 3 0 81,000 *St. Andrew's and Quebec, Class A 6 2 0 80,000 *Western of France, 401. Bonds, July, 1853 York, New., and Ber., G.N.E. Pur 1 110 unkn. *Zealand £l, 456, 156 * The proportion called by foreign companies is 1,186,2501., but the holdings of English proprietors are not known. MARKET NEWS-(HIS DAY.) [This being almost a close holiday in the metropolis, the only markets held to-day were the following :—] SMITHFIELD. Last week's imports of foreign stock into London last week were seasonably good, the total supply having amounted to 5,165 head. During the corresponding period of 1852, wo received 2,711 ; in 1851, 3,094 ; in 1850, 1,325 ; in 1849, 781 ; in 1848, 892 ; and in 1817, 2,013 head. IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEEK. From Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Rotterdam ... 127 ... 854 Ostend — 404 Harlingen 736 ... 2,720 Antwerp — Gluekstadt l3 Calves. Pigs. - ... 149 - ... - 80 ... - Total ... 876 ... 4,058 ... 226 ... .5 The yearly comparison of weekly imports is as under : Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs. 1852 304 2,157 ... 250 1851 4Ol 2,343 ... 332 18 1850 lB4 945 186 ... 1849 396 224 161 ... 1848 6l 823 10 ... The supply of foreign stock on offer in to-day's market was seasonably good, but in very middling condition. Fresh up from our own grazing districts, the receipts of beasts were small. For a holiday market, the attendance of buyers was tolerably good. The few prime Scots, &c., moved off steadily, and in some instances prices were the turn in favour of the salesmen. In other breeds of beasts only a limited business was transacted on former terms. The fresh arrivals were 400 short horns from Lincoln shire, and 160 Scots from Scotland. We were very scantily supplied with all breed of sheep. Downs commanded a steady, though by no means active inquiry, at full currencies. Otherwise, the mutton trade was in a sluggish state, on former terms. Prime small calves moved off steadily, at full prices. In ferior calves sold at Friday's decline. The pork trade was firm. In prices no change took place. Per Sibs to sink tho offhls. s. d. s. d.' Inferior Beasts.... 3 2 to 3 4 Second qnality....3 6 3 10 Prime large oxen 4 0 4 6' Prime Scots, &c. 4 S 4 'lO Inferior Sheep 0 3 4 Second quality ...3 6 4 4 Prime crsc.-wlled.4 6 4 10 s. cl. s. e. Prime Southdown 5 0 5 2 Large crse. calves 3 6 4 2 Prime small d 0... 4 6 5 0 Large bogs l 4 4 0 Small porkers 4 2 410 Sucklingealves ..22 0 28 0 Quarter old pigs 21 0 20 0 TOTAL SUPPLY. Beasts Sheep .•......• •• •• .• .. 7,601 Calves Pigs ..,....... „ 220 A statement and comparison-o 1 stock exhibited and sold in Monday, Dec. 27, 1852, am 1853. Per Sibs, to si FOREIGN SUPPLY. Sheep .................... 930 • • • • •• P1g5........... ..... •• • • f the supplies and prices of fat i Smithfield Cattle Market, on d this day, Monday, Dec. 2(3, ink the otlitls. Dec. 27, 1852.1Dec.26,1853 s. d. s. d. Is. d. s. 41. Coarse and inferior beasts ... 2 Bto 2 10,3 2to 3 4 Second quality ditto ... 3 0 3 2'3 6 310 Prime large omen 3 4 3 6 4 0 4 6 Prime Scots, &c 3 8 4 0 4 8 410 Coarse and inferior sheep 3 6 3 8 3 0 3 4 Second quality ditto .... 310 4 23 6 4 4 Prime coarse woolled. ditto ... 4 4 4 6,4 6 410 Prime Southdown ditto 4 8 4 105 0 5 2 Largo coarse calves 2 6 3 6,3 6 4 4 Prime small ditto ... Large hogs Neat small porkers Beasts... , Sheep ... Calves... Pigs ~ 3 8 4 24 6 5 0 2 10 3 63 4 4 0 3 8 3 10:4 2 410 ... 2,271 1,612 7,600 .. 9 . ,5 1 0 90 0 130 210 220 SUPPLIES ON SALE,. Dec. 29, 1851.—Beasts, 2,846 ; sheep, 14,590; calves, 214 ; pigs, 240. Dec. 30, 1850. .Beasts, 3,169 ; sheep, 15,500; calves 127; pigs, 360. NEWGA .TE AND LEADENHALL. Since our last r t port immense supplies of meat have changed hands, an. I prices have been well supported. To day we were scantily supplied, and only a limited business was transacted, as follows : P er 81bs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 3 0 3 2 Do., middling 3 4 3 8 Do., prime large 3 10 4 0 Do., do. small 4 2 4 4 Pork, large 3 4 4 0 Mutton, Inferior Do., middling Do., prime Veal s. d. s. d. 32 3 4 ~3 6 4 2 ~4 4 4 8 .3 4 4 8 .4 5 0 Pork, small WOOL. There has been alxr ut an average business doing in Eng lish wools, at full quo tations ; otherwise our market is in a very inactive state. The imports have amounted to 70 bales from Bombay, 27 from Leghorn, 51 from Monto Video, 100 frem Au st ralia, 110 f rom th e C a p e , an d 63 from Gluckstadt. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY. LoNDoN, Dec. l63.—Wind this day at Noon, N.W.; light breeze, and fi se, sharp, frosty weather. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 24.—Arrived—Thomas Mitchell, fro Calcutta ; Heroin , ~ Algoa Bay ; Fragment, Larachea ; Louise, Rio Janeiro, for Copenhagen ; Hermann, Porto Cabello, for Altor tn, ; Jean Charles, St. Domingo, for Havre ; Jones, Ai Itigua Sailed—Calcutta, for Boston, and several of the • vivid-bound. PORTSMOUTH, I ) , .)c. 25. —Wind, N.B. to E.N.E. Ar rived—Lord Dune: in, from Port Nicholson, for London ; Europe, Batavia, for Rotterdam ; Prince Edward, St. Andrew's, N.B. COWES, Nov. 25 .--Wind E.N.E. Arrived—Herschell, Angostura, from L :romen. OFF SALCOMBE, Nov. 25.—Mayflower, Adelaide, S.A. PLYMOUTH, No , r, 25.—Wind E.N.E. Arrived—Sea Park, Australia; J "cdilinnas, Monte Video ; Jabez, Anti gua. The Charles and Jane (American ship), Newcastle to New York, has Fut in very leaky, having been on shore. ST. DAVID'S, D ec. 25.—The Farmer's Delight, of Sal combo, Gijon to I Jiverpool, has been totally wrecked on the Bishops and C larks. VALENCIA, Dec . 23.—The Tweedside (brig), of Hartle pool, foundered 1Z; ith inst., 50 N. 13 W. ; crew saved and landed here. SHEERNESS, D OC. 25.—Arrived—Dolphin, London for Shields, with dai nago from collision with a collier brig bolo* the Gunflee t. FA LMOUTIT, Dc e. 25. —Wind, N.N.E.—Arrived —The Sir Charles Fort)( a, St. Andrews, N.B. Sailed—Confi dence, Callao ; Pc rdinand, Martinique. LOWESTOFT, D cc. 25.—The Dorothea, of and from Wisby for Lond, has been assisted in, leaky, and with loss'of rudder, ha• ring been on Harbro' Sand. GIBRALTAR, D ec. 13.—The Beranger, of Havre, from Bahia arrived het e, drove, during a strong gale yesterday, across the Onwari I, of Bristol, and Arabella, of London, damaged both ressels, and grounded. Dec. 17.—The Crescent, of Inve irkeithing, London to Magador, has been assisted in here di masted ; the Bebecca, Mazagan to Liver pool, put in yesterday leaky, and must partly discharge to repair ; the Adv( siture, of Poole, from Cadiz, with bow sprit gone, mizen and mainmast heads carried away, and various other dal sage, in a gale off St. Vincent, was seen by the Samuel ai Id Edward, arrived here from'New York. DEFALCATION: 3 OF MR. W. B. AribitusoN.—lt appears that the defalcat ions of Mr. W. B. Anderson, the foreign and general agent,, at present undet remand on a charge of forging bills of , exchange, are much more serious than was at first antici pated, the entiiiinnount involved being ramoured to reach between 130,0001. and 150,0001. THE STAMP rli ITIES.—The subjoined letter contains a reply to one iT iserted yesterday impugning the ex pediency of the vi ews lately expressed by Mr. Commis sioner Fane on e present state of the stamp law in relation to bills Iv urporting to be drawn abroad : "27, Bucklcrsbury, Dec. 23. " Sir,—The rem arks that I had the pleasure of forwarding I to you with resqa act to the late case `ln re Oppenheim ' were directed to t he necessity of relief being given to the holders of staml ess bills of exchange, rather than to the punishment of fi ,ud. Your correspondent Parlus lulus' sees in the whob js ome terror of the law, which he believes sufficiently stro g, if properly- administered, to reach offenders, as mi uih protection as society can grant, and places the bona j if le discounter of a stampless pretended foreign bill draw r i in this country in the same category as the holder of af a rged. note. The vast operations of coin fierce through he agency of bills of exchange renders it of the highest i tmportance that the negotiability of these, instruments shoe xld not be interfered with, and the Legis lature, by vari, ms enactments, has always insisted on their free circulation. I suggest, therefore, that as no foreign bill, undo a- the present law, can be negotiated with security as to rec , clarity, it is the duty of the Government to find a remedi.l ')yr an alteration of the Stamp Act ; either by allowing a gei mine holder on payment of the - stamp to be reinstated in 1 its full rights, or by placing a small Go vernment stamp o. a all foreign bills, as practised in France. In conclusion, it n mist be remembered that no parallel can be successfully me untamed between the value of a forged note and that of art unstampod bill. The one, as a nego tiable instrument,. is of far more importance than tho other; in addition,. .ordinary care and judgment can detect the forgery, while , no experience or acumen is of the, slightest use in deter mining whether a bill has been drawn in London or else w:here.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient, 'servant, "T. P. L." LORD P A LMERSTON. (From the Times of this clay.) It became our duty, in consequence of intern- 1 gence which had reached us, to state on Friday, the 16th of December, that Viscount Palmerston had tendered his resignation of the office of Secre tary of State for the Home Department, and had, therefore ceased to form a part of her Majesty's Government, if his resignation was accepted by the Crown. That announcement was strictly accurate, and accordingly Viscount Palmerston has • not at tended' the meetings of the Cabinet which have been held since he expressed his intentton to re sign. It is, however, well known that the import ant office of Home Secretary has not been filled up or accepted by other member of the Government ; and we have now the satisfaction to learn that the resignation of Lord Palmerston has not been defi nitively accepted, but is withdrawn, and that the Secretary of State for the Home Department will retain—we can hardly say resume—his former posi tion in the present Administration. Explanations, honourable alike to all parties. concerned in ,this transaction, have been exchanged, and, as the diffi culties which had arisen between Lord Palmerston and his colleagues were limited, as we have already stated on a former occasion, to the question of Parliamentary Reform as dealt with by Lord John Russell, it has been found possible, without any sacrifice of principle, to place the Government again on a united, and we hope a permanent basis. To be candid, there had been too much precipita tion on all sides in this matter. Lord Palmerston expressed his intention to resign as if some vital principle of the constitution were in dispute and the provisions of the new Reform Bill were irrevo cally settled, neither of which suppositions are true. This difference of opinion was thought to be more serious and more fatal to the union of the Cabinet than it has since proved to be by those members of the Government who alone were in full possession of the case. But no Cabinet Councils were sitting at the time, and the step appears to have been taken without a distinct communication on a question of such ex treme importance to all the Ministers of the Crown, several of whom were not in London. Upon a fuller consideration of the whole subject, and an explanation of the condition in which the projected measure of Reform now stands, it was found that no imperious dictates of conscience and of duty, by which alone such a step could be justified, did, in this instance, require so great a sacrifice. The zealous mediation of the Duke of Newcastle, the sagacious and patriotic advice of the Marquis of Lansdowne, and, we must add, the excellent tem per and public spirit shown by the Ministers most nearly engaged in this discussion, have led to this satisfactory result ; and it would have been utterly unworthy of the high position and,motives of these statesmen if they had hesitated for a moment to retrace a step taken under some misconception of the cause to which it was alone attributable. In proportion to the regret which we expressed when the retirement of Lord Palmerston from the Ministry seemed to be inevitable, we now rejoice to find that he has risen above a step so injurious his own reputation and the country. If any proof were needed of its mischievous' consequences, it might be found to satiety in the gross and absurd misrepresentations on this subject, • which were greedily adopted both at home and abroad in prt ference to the plain truth as we ourselves had related it, and in the frantic exultation of the most depraved organs of faction, who fancied they saw in this change an event favourable to their passions or to their interests. We hardly know which we are to describe as most ridiculous and contemptible —the Ultra-Liberal party, who affected to hail with rapture Lord Palmerston's secession from the Ministry, on the avowed ground that he is decidedly oniosed.to their own extreme doctrines of Parlia mentary Reform, or the Rump of the Tory party, who, in their utter destitution of men of character and ability, were eager to declare their allegiance to, a statesman who has figured for upwards of 20 years among their chief opponents. Applause from such lips, support from such hands, tells its own tale ; and it was alike degrading for Lord Palmer ston to descend from the position he deservedly fills among Englishmen and in Europe, in order to head the turbulence of one faction or to gratify the rancour of another. But we readily believe—and for the honour of this country and of its statesmen we dare assert— that throughout this transaction both Lord Pal merston and the colleagues with whom he is again united have been actuated by higher motives of public duty. So far is it from the truth that Lord Palmerston resigned on the foreign policy of the Cabinet, that we cannot doubt the position of our foreign relations at this moment is the cause of all others which chains him to the helm. He is a great master of diplomatic subjects ; he brings to them an extraordinary amount of political expe rience, combined with great fertility of resources and natural energy. He contributes to the service of the Crown not only the advice lie may tender in the Cabinet, but his eloquence and popularity in Parliament, and the confidence he has obtained from the nation. We may say of him, as Sir Robert Peel observed in a memorable debate, with the courtesy due to a great an tagonist, that we are proud of him even while we oppose his policy. But are these forces, are these powers, are these energies to be turned against the service of her Majesty's Goverment when they are most needed and most useful'? Is this empire, at the moment when it is about to stake its honour and its power on the hazards of war, and reluctantly to take up arms for the first time these forty years against one of the greatest States in Europe, to exhibit to mankind the weak and pitiable spectacle of a commonwealth divided and weakened at its very heart ? We hope not, for unquestionably those who are so eager , to paralyse and overthrow the Administration are virtually the allies of that foreign enemy against whom they launch their invective, and in order to conduct the affairs of the country abroad with firmness and pru dence the first condition of success is strength and union at home. 'ln comparison with such considera tions as these, which must be obvious to every per son of common reflection and ordinary patriotism, the undefined provisions of this or that measure of legislative reform for the next session of Parliament assume a secondary importance, and the .path of duty lies for the present along a higher and, more rugged track. If we are about to enter on the state of war, of which this generation has never known the pressure, we must prepare for the sacri fices it imposes alike on high and low. It requires of some their lives, of many their strength, of all . larger contributions to the exigencies of the State ; but,-above all, it requires the sacrifice of petty dif ferences, of personal motives, and of private in terests, to the paramount rights and necessities of the country. A year will have elapsed this day since Lord Aberdeen and his colleagues received the seals of office from the Queen. The nation applauded the spirit which had brought together men so much opposed to one another in their for-1 -Hager political lives, and united them at last for the welfare of the country. But, if that, union was desirablp:then, it is necessary now. It is cemented by. past. success and by the immediate prospect of far more;arduous duties ; and the anniversary of the foundatidn of the Government could not be celebrated in a more fitting manner than by this fresh proof that party intrigues and even temporary differences have not dissolved it ; that the spirit in which it was founded is unbroken ; and that with undiminished strength it is resolved and enabled to persevere. Lord Palmerston's return to office is not the triumph of one section' of the Cabinet over another, nor has it been purchased by conces sions or arrangements which can produce any al teration in the course of public policy ; but it is the triumph of union and public spirit over a par tial dissension, and it gives a fresh security for the duration of a Government which is identified with the best interests of the country. PERILOUS STATE OF RUSSIA.—From the Baltic to the Black Sea—from the shores of the Danube to the banks of the Phasis—extends an indissoluble bond of common sympathy—a deep-rooted hatred of Russia, which no thing less than the dread of incurring the vengeance of a despotism almost omnipotent could have restrained so long ; and when at last the auspicious time arrives for giving vent to this feelin g , the flame will ki n dl e w ildly in the recently acquired kingdom of Poland, for there the revolutionary spark has never been extinguished. It is true that in the southern provinces of the empire all hope of freedom has long disappeared, and terror and oppression have reigned so long, that the inhabitants of "the thinly-populated steppe have lost much of the energy of their Mongolian ancestors ; but while they may hesitate to start at once iato open rebellion, they will not fail to use measures of passive resistance as a means of opposing the designs of Russia. Opportuni ties will not be wanting to insure some degree of such cess. When the presence of the allied fleets in the Black Sea denies to the Czar transport for his troops from the ports upon its margin in any one direotion, divisions of the Russian army will often be compelled to march across the inhospitable steppes of the south ; and here, dependent for food and transport upon whatever a bar ren and thinly-populated country can supply, it is pro bable that they will find their wants altogether disre garded. The Tartars have only to remove their fami lies and their cattle out of the line of march, to render the onward progress of the army a matter of the utmost difficulty, if not altogether impossible ; and thus they will be able to gratify at the same time their natural hatred to the Russians, and their no less natural desire of retaining possession of their own flocks and herds. Even this dejected race might be stimulated to more active measures, by the presence upon their coasts of an overwhelming fleet hostile to Russia. It is impos sible to foretell what the result may be of so novel a contingency.-----Additiona/ Chapter to the Second Edition of " The Runitot Shorg of the Black Sea," by Laurence k Oliphant. LORD PAL2,IERSTON. (Ftoim the Times of December 16.) There is something in the month of December which seems uniformly to make Lord Palmerston . _ unmanageable. The constellation which presides over the winter solstice must predominat irn ei e n rs h t : horoscope. December, 1851, saw Lord P a • he separate from the Whig Ministry, with which acted for five years ; December, 1852, witnessed coalition with the heads of the same party wit" •nd a which he had quarrelled only a year before , now, December, 1853, beholds a new breach . be tween Lord Palmerston and his allies. The dis ease of breaking . up Cabinets seems with him to h ave assumed a chronic form. There is au old Greek proverb which warns us to love as if we we re about to lite, and no man has acted u p to th e precept better than the nobleman whose loss to the Coalition Ministry we this morning announce. In 1851, Lord Palmerston was separated _fraso. his friends because he was indiscreetly 11 . . 1 1' in his zeal to approve the absolutist revolution of the 2d of December. In 1853 he quits th e service of the public because he „cannot induce himself to support even a moderate scheme of constitutional reform. In both cases he has been actuated by anti-Liberal principles, and yet we shall not be surprised to hear and read tha t in al'' , the Cabinet has lost one of the most enl i g htened and Liberal statesmen it possessed. This d elu S l as to Lord Palmerston's real principles and feeling', .is not altogether his own fault, but rather t hat o ° ± the ultra party in this country, which insists a_ foisting upon him qualifications to which, as far as we are aware, d he never made the slightest pre ical' .tet, sion. It has been the fashion among the Ra to represent Lord Palmerston, in home as 1°11 , 85 . in foreign affairs, as an ultra-Liberal statesmar, and many have been the speculations for rallyl under him the more advanced sections of Reform er~ '. ns To do Lord Palmerston justice, these dehisiers have never been of his raising. Affable rusim e lat , a frank and pleasing address, and a singular dexterity in seizing and turning to his l ir h t b. the topics of the day, have invested him w l ej , much personal popularity ; but no one , ev ,, r , superficially acquainted with Lord Palmer ston's ston's history could draw from it elt a ra c i augury favourable to these versions of Liberal tendencies. Lord Palmerston commen ce public life under the Ministries of Mr. Per civa l and Lord Liverpool, and in this high Tory s li o llj he imbibed principles which he has never w abandoned, and which seem to have regained their r original force over his mind in proportion as herfal; proaches the goal of his political career. '4 5 Liberalism of Lord Palmerston, such as it h a s been, has never outrun—nay, has barely l e t pace—with the demands of the age. In 1 85 ; 4 , quarrelled with his colleagues in the cause al ; he solutism against constitutional government, and. has now resigned, not fromany difference of °plat on momentous questions of foreign policy, but n ! - _. cause he cannot make up his mind to reform. l" any shape—to enfranchisement or dibiranehise.. ment, to any extension of the suffrage, or anY f e l ; moval of those small and corrupt boroughs still diserace our constitution. Like the puke Wellington in 1830, Lord Palmerston is agaills ,. t reform, and resigns his place because he will a ° form part of a Reforming Ministry. We do not feel disposed to comment on this drawal in any spirit of bitterness or of repining' We have never believed Lord Palmerston to le that which Finsbury and Marylebone have so often insisted on making him. By his secession the g le nistry have lost a most accomplished gentian an able debater, a skilful and pra c ti se d master ° official business ; but the Liberal cause has lost ne thing. We believe that among all living statesm en Lord Palmerston is the only-represe n t a tive left °. those Tory principles which once formed the domi nant creed of politicians in and out of Parliame n The very zeal which Lord Palmerston has display e for a liberal policy abroad, and for social improve; meat at home, has often seemed to us the prod'''. of a mind anxious to divert attention from orgaill ° changes by concentrating it on topics less danger ous and less exciting. The habit of mind of a Mini ster for Foreign Affairs regarding all changes in °°' Government rather as they would affect our init . ence abroad than promote harmony and progre' at home, and the dread of weakening the Executive by rendering our external relations subordinat e ' like our domestic affairs, to the direction of Parl went, and have tended to increase these ant,' Liberal predilections. No one weighs his word s more warily than Lord Palmerston ; and when h e told us in the autumn that the present was an ag e ,. not of reform but of i m p rovemen t, we b e li eve that he gave utterance to his own sincere conviction , and at the same time showed the direction in whic h he was anxious to turn the minds of his colleag?' and the public. Sanitary reform, cor poration reform, the purification of our air and our river.; were regarded by him, we i m a g i ne , as s o man/ diversions by which the public mind might le drawn off from the perilous cont em pl a ti o n of orgall i f changes. We believe Lord Palmerston to bed; Tory of the old school, such as Canning was earlier and middle life. Instructed by experienc e ' willing to concede much to popular will, ready t ° a deal with minor abuses, but resolute to withstan„, any attempt to extend the changes to which he was an unwilling-party in 1831, h e sincerely holds th e doctrine of finality which Lord John Russell 11 fussed. We may regret the l oss t o th e Ministry ° so brilliant a colleague, but w e canno t f o r a 93 1; ment wish that in the Coalition Government sue principles should have been in the ascen dant, 11°r ~. feel otherwise than rejoiced that i n hi s h o stility all reform Lord Palmersto n was l e ft w ithout ° seconder. Lora However willing we may be to do justice to Palmerston's motives, there are circumstances c 0 t nected with his resignation which seem to stan 3 P some degree with wantonness and caprice. It sel l inexplicable that, havin g wor k e d s t e p by s tep w i re the committee of the Cabinet appointed to prePe, the bill, it should only have been at the conclusr of their labours that he made known his fua r t r i ; mental objection to any scheme of re f o rm. -" I li also at least unfortunate that this secession shoora have the appearance of being levelled against 11° ,,, John Russell, the auth or an d originator o f the sure, but also the cause of Lord P a l mer ston's NviL drawal from the lat e Mini s t r y. Th e p ro p e r tiro i., intimate his aversion toireform would have Leo when Lord John Rus se ll, i n answer t o Mr. Loc k 'King's 'motion, solemnly pledged the Gov e rr meat to the introduction of a measure, and not at' e a the heads of that measure had b e e n considcr e e and elaborated by himself. But most of all O n have a right to complain that Lord Palmers t % should have chosen the present momentous er of our foreign affairs to take a step which mightf, have the effect of exhibiting before the eyes c' l ,4, reign nations even the faintest semblance of ';"it union in our councils. If war can be avertel(l can only be by throwing into the scale the full 31 ` ot undivided weight of our public men, and it is ° if the part of a patriotic Mi n i s t er t o we aken influence at such a moment. Although Lord merston has resigned on gr oun d s o f p ur ely d° l , ll . s e ts, tic policy, there will n o t b e wan ti ng journf oi 5 and diplomatists to represent his resignation Its triumph of the pacific over the warlike &m e , in our councils. There was no necessity for soge,re„ cipitate a step. We regret to lose our Heine retary, but we should regret still more to keep on his own terms. • WHOLESALE ROBBERY BY A POLISH NOBLE SI PARIS.--Last week a foreigner, who put up at an ho the Tuileries, presented himself at the baoltl`q house of Messrs. Rothschild, at the opening of buside'n; arid gave notice that some person had entered his ars r°° a, during the night and taken away his watch, his P edit and pocket-book, this last containing a letter of cir ic i for 2,000 f.,, given by the house of MM. de RothselT4 at Vienna, on the house in Paris. This he requested; have stopped, if presented. Half an hour afters n j shionably-dressed young man'inade his appearance, presented the order for payment. He was told thatlh_cei money would be paid as soon as the order was return; from the office of one of the heath of the house. „ tthhee young g time a police officer was sent for, and ..1 a5v ...0 man had signed his name to a r eceipt he ova a h r e re d st e e e d la . red ße h in i g s taken name b t e o fo b r e e the commissary eedasoft.Pparioooaf of that being the fact, he showed several PoPe" documents in which that name appeared. 187_,.btectlb ' searched there were found on him a gold watch and chain, a porte-monnaie, containing a certain_eou_, of gold, a blue silk purse, empty, and a pocketbra of containing visiting cards, with• the name on the e , e . Count de W--, Rue de Ponthieu, which article b in u d, Glared he had found in the street the same toor i a .„: o Just as the search had concluded, the foreign ge nt en; df from whom the letter of credit had been stolen, appe_ a _ n e jj, and at once recognised the blue silk purse a nd tpek s , watch as his property. In consequence of this. eivd, tion, the c ommissary of police ordered a visit to be made tion, with the prisoner to the address in the Rue de Poo" ( fther a mentioned on the cards found in his posse;sion, on at he was identified as always passing by the name of vf . ,, ti n f de W---. A great quantity of valuable propeet:iless various kinds was found in the apartment, a nd v tio , a , than 17 paletots of various kinds. Further idre_ a _Zda tion proved that the prisoner was really the Cr vin g W-, a Pole by birth, and of a high family, but_os in Paris principally by stealing property from th of wealthy persons in hotels. Two days after, a Pf it h. who had been on intimate terms with the Prirbniesra' ;test, out knowing his real character, on hearing o n in his gave notice that two large trunks had been and tabs charge by the prisoner. These were also a cter, a nd full of things of a oohs miscellaneous ch r , _ _ riso ner .h w as hict e a: n e f s u u l s ly pe co ct m ed mitte e fo b r e e t i r l ia l , ole u n n . charge of forgery and theft.— aaign The : dojo, rag 40,0 LA aTITI( eXp( T 1 Yesti CC 28th tow taei an d day, to t 1 in t] had Ue • of p the 1111 s Sian Past tu2 bar( Pet bra, trot Pat( hain last Ile] the res t OVe a,d ri off, On and baal Per ,