The Sun. — London, England, 1853-12-20 00:00:00

ewers delegated by the States to the general Governm ent has arrayed itself from time to time against the rapid pro gress of expenditure from the national Treasury on works of a local character within the States. Memorable as an epoch in the history of this subject is the Message of Presi dent Jackson on the 27th of May, 1830, which met the system of internal improvements in itscomparative infancy; but so rapid had been its growth, that the projected appro priations in that year for works of this character had risen to the alarming amount of more than one hundred million dollars. In that Meow the President admitted the difficulty of bringing back the operations of the Government to the construction of the constitution set up in 1798, and marked it as an admonitory proof of the necessity of guarding that instrument with sleepless vigilance against the authority' of precedents, which had not the sanction of its most plainly defined powers. Our Government exists under a written compact between sovereign States, uniting by specific objects and with spe cific grants to their general agent. If, then, in the progress of its administration there have been departures from the terms and intent of the compact, it is, and will ever be, proper to refer back to the fixed standard which our fathers left us, and to make a stern effort to conform our action to it. It would seem that the fact of a principle having been resisted from the first by many of the wisest and most patriotic men of the Republic, and a policy having pro yoked constant strife, without arriving at a conclusion which can be regarded ' as satisfactory to its most earnest advocates, should suggest the inquiry whether there may not be a plan likely to be crowned by happier results. Without perceiving any sound distinction, or intending to assert any principle as opposed to improvements needed for the protection of internal commerce, which does not equally apply to improvements upon the seaboard for the protection of foreign commerce, I submit to you whether it may not be safely anticipated, that if the policy were once settled against appropriations by the general Govern ment for local improvements, for the benefit of commerce, localities requiring expenditures would not, by modes and means clearly legitimate and proper, raise the necessary fund for such construction as the safety or other interests of their commerce might require. If that can be regarded as a system which, in the expe rience of more than 30 years, has at no time so commanded the public judgment as to give it the character of a settled policy—which, though it has produced some works of con ceded importance, has been attended with an expenditure quite disproportionate to their value, and has resulted in squandering large sums upon objects which have answered no valuable purpose—the interests of all the States requthe ire it to be abandon e d, unless hopes may be indulged for future which find no warrant for the past. With an anxious desire for the compl e tion of the works which are regarded by all good citizens with sincere in terest, I have deemed it my duty to ask at your hands a deliberate reconsideration of the question, with a hope that, animated by a desire to promote the permanent and substantial interests of the country, your wisdom may prove equal to the task of devising and maturing a plan which, applied to this subject, may promise something better than constant strife, the suspension of the powers of local enterprise, the exciting of vain hopes, and tho disap pointment of cherished expectations. In expending the appropriations made by the last Con gress, several cases have arisen in relation to works for im provement of harbours, which involve questions as to the right of soil and jurisdiction, and have threatened conflict between the authority of the State and General Govern ment. The sight to construct a; breakwater, jetty, or dam would seem necessarily to carry with it the power to- pro tect and preserve such constructions. This can only be effectually done by having jurisdiction over the soil. But no clause of the Constitution is found on which to rest the claim of the United States to exercise jurisdiction over the soil of a State, except that conferred by the eighth section of the first article of the constitution. It is Ohm submitted whether, in all cases where constructions are to be erected by the General Government, the right of soil should not first be obtained, and legislative provision bo made to cover all such cases. For the progress made in the construction of roads within the territories, as provided for in the appropriations of the last Congress, I refer you to the report of the Secre tary of War. There is one subject of a domestic nature which, from its intrinsic importance, and the many interesting questions of future policy which it involves, cannot fail to receive your early attention. I allude to the means of communi cation by which different parts of the wide expinse of our country aro to be placed in closer connexion for tho pur poses both of defence and commercial intercourse, and more especially such as appertain to the commucication of those great divisions of the Union which lie on the opposite sides of the Rocky Mountains. That the Government has not been unmindful of this heretofore is apparent from the aid it has :afforded through appropriations for mail facilities and other purposes. But the general subject will now present itself under aspects more imposing and snore purely national by reason of the surveys ordered by Congress, and now is the process of com pletion, for communication by railway across the continent, and wholly within the limits of the United States. The power to declare war, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, and to call forth the mili tia to execute the laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions, was conferred upon Congress as means to pro vide for the common defence, and to protect a territory and a population now wide spread and vastly multiplied. As incidental to, and indispensable for the exercise of this power, it must sometimes be necessary to construct mili tary roads and protect harbours of refuge. To appropria tions by Congress for such objects no sound objection can be raised. Happily for our country its peaceful policy and rapidly increasing population impose upon us no urgent necessity for preparation, and leave but few trackless de serts between assailable points and a patriotic people, ever ready, and generally able, to protect them. These neces sary links the enterprise and energy of our people aro stea dily and boldly struggling to supply. All experience af firms that wherever private enterprise will avail, it is most wise for the General Government to leave tio that and in dividual watchfulness the location and execution of all means of communisation. Tho surveys before alluded to were designed to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean. Parties are now in the field making explorations where previous examina tions had not supplied sufficient data, and where there was the best reason to hope the object sought might soon be found. The means and time being both limited, it is not to be expected that all the accurate knowledge desired will be obtained ; but it is hoped that much and important in formation will be added to the stock previously possessed, and that partial, if not full reports of the surveys ordered, will be received in time for transmission to the two Houses of Congress on or before the first Monday in February next, as required by the Act of Appropriation. Tho mag nitude of the enterprise contemplated has aroused, and will doubtless continue to excite, a very general interest throughout the country. In its political, its commercial, and its military bearings, it has varied, great, and in creasing claims to consideration. The heavy expense, the great delay, amid times fatality attending travel by either of the isthmus routes, have demonstrated the advantage which would result from territorial communication by such safe and rapid means e.s a railroad would supply. These difficulties, which have been encountered in a period of peace, would be magnified and still further in creased in time of war. But while the embarrassments already encountered, and others under new contingencies to be anticipated, may serve strikingly to exhibit the im portance of such a work, neither these nor all considera tions combined can have an appreciable value, when weighed against the obligation strictly to adhere to the constitution, and faithfully to execute the powers it con fers. Within this limit, and to the extent of the interest of the Government involved, it would seem both expedient and proper if an economical and practicable route shall be found, to aid, by all constitutional means, in the construc tion of a road which will unite, by speedy transit, the Populations of the Pacific and Atlantic States. To guard against misconception, it should be remarked that, al though the power to construct or aid in the con struction of a road within the limits of a territory is not embarrassed by that question of jurisdiction which would arise within the limits of a State, it is nevertheless held to be of doubtful power, and more than doubtful propriety, even within the limits of a territory, fur the G eneral Govern ment to undertake to administer the affairs of a railroad, a canal, or other similar construction, and therefore that its connexion with a work of this character should be incidental rather than primary. I will only add at present that, fully appreciating the magnitude of the subject, and solicitous that the Atlantic and Pacific shores of the Republic may be bound together by inseparable ties of common interest, as well as of common fealty and attachment to the Union, I shall be disposed, so far as my action is concerned, to follow the lights of the constitution, as expounded and illustrated by those whose opinions and expositions consti tute the standard of my political faith in regard to the powers of the Government. It is, I trust, not necessary to say that no grandeur of enterprise and no present urging inducement promising popular favour will lead me to dis regard those lights, or to depart from that path which ex perience has proved to be safe, and which is now radiant with the glow of prosperity and legitimate constitutional progress., We can afford-to wait, but we cmtnnot afford to overlook the ark of our security. It is no part of nay purpose to give prominence to any subject which may properly be regarded as set at rest by the deliberate judgment of the people. But, while the present is bright with promise, and the future full of de mand and inducement for the exercise of active intelligence, the past can never be without useful lessons of admonition and instruction. If its dangers serve not as beacons, they 'Will evidently fail to fulfil the object of a wise design. - When the grave shall have closed over all who are endea ...Lining to meet the obligations of duty, the year 1850 will reiirrea to as a period filled with anxious apprehension. a bn ,!•easful war had just terminated. Peace brought with AroBo, 'let augmentation of territory* Disturbing questions as emin • • • of the asuf g upon the domestic institions of one ortion racy, and involving the c tu onstitutional p rights of the st a t e opinion az.. But, notwithstanding the differences of ant eentiment which then existed in relation to details citizens, provisions, the acquiescence of dis tinguished never be doubted, whose devotion to the Union can sse, has • stitutions, and redo given renewed vigour to our in a sense of repose and security to the public mina ,1 1 ; i e ! shook the confederacy. That this repose is to suffer no during my official term, if I have power to avert it, those mlyehnevhaaelaced me here may be as sured. The wisdom of _ knew e what independence cost—who had put all at the revolutionary struggle- upon the issue of to which I refer in the " V of the subject a a Ll_ e w w a i y th the mareh consistent with the union of these Stat . 3 a s s , adoption of the co - us what we are of power and prosperity which at of the Revolutionn" It is a significant fact that, from the m stitution until the officers and soldiers had passed to their graves, or through the infirmities of age and wounds had ceased to participate actively ha public affairs, there was not merely a quiet acquiescence IA but A prompt vindication of, the constitutional rights of the State. The reserved powers were unscrupulously re . spected. No statesman put forth the narrow view s o f casuists to justify interference and agita t ion , but the spirit of compact was regarded as sacred in the eye of honour, and indispensable for the great experiment of civil liberty, which, environed with inherent difficulties , was yet borne forward in apparent weakness by a power superior to all obstacles. There is no condemnation which the voice of freedom will not pronounce upon us should we prove faith less to this great trust. While men inhabiting different parts of this great continent can no more be expected to hold the same opinions, or entertain the same sentiments, than every variety of clime or soil can be expected to fur nish the same agriculture products, they can unite in a common object and sustain common principles essential to the maintenance of that object. The gallant men of the South and the North could stand together during the struggle of the Revolution ; they could stand together in the more trying period which succeeded the clangour of arms. As their united valour was adequate to all the trials of the camp and dangers of the field, so their united wisdom proved equal to the grater task of foundling, upon ' adeep ant broad basis, institutions which it has been our privilege to enjoy, and will ever be our most sacred duty to sustain. It is but the feeble expression of a faith strong and universal to say that their sons, whose blood mingled ao often upon the same field during the wax of 1812, and coy who have more recently borne in triumph the flag of the country upon a foreign soil, will never permit alienation of feeling to weaken the power of their united efforts, nor internal dissensions to paralyse the great arm of freedom, uplifted for the vindicati on of self-government. I have thus briefly presented such suggestions as seem to me especially worthy of your consideration. In pro viding for the present, you can hardly fail to avail your ' selves of the light which the experience of the past casts upon the future. The growth of our population has now brought us, in the destined career of our national hist i ry, to a point at which it well behoves us t o ex p and our vision over the vast per- spective. The successive decennial returns of the census since the adoption of the constitution have revealed a law of steady progressive development, which ma y be stated, in general terms, as a duplication every quarter-century. Carried forward, from the point already reached, for only a short period of time as applicable to the existence of a nation, this law of progress, if unchecked, will bri n g us to almost ' incredible results. A large allowance for a diminished pro portional effect of emigration would not very materially re duce the estimate, while the increased average of tend life known to have already resulted from the scieintrfiend. to hygienic improvements of the past 50 y ears w II t keep up through the next 50, or perhvaepasleldo tohuer same add ratio of growth which has been thus re theprogress influx; and of l t a o b t o h u e r ing masses influence of f t r h o e m s e E causes as t e may ra_A ,s i in b a e totb c e l Pacific side of our possessions, together with the.. prob able accession of the populations already existing in . other parts of our hemisphere, which, withinrtehee period at r u n ra q l u a e t st t i r o a n o ,. will feel, with yearly increasing fo , h tion of so vast, powerful, and prosperous a confederation of self-governing republics, and seek the privilege of being ad mitted within its safe and happy bosom, transferring with themselves by a peaceful and healthy process of incorpora tion spacious regions of virgin and exuberant soil, which are destined to swarm with the fast-growing and fast spreading millions of our race. These c onsiderations seem fully to justify the presump tion that the law of population above stated will continue to act with undiminished effect through at least the next half -century ; and that thousands of persons who have already arrived at maturity, and are now exercising the rights of free men, will close their eyes on the spectacle of 100,000,000 of population embraced within the majestic proportions of the American Union. It is not merely as an interesting topic of speculation that I present these views for your consideration. They have important practical bearings upon all the political duties we are called upon to perform. Heretofore our system of government has worked u p on what may bo termed a miniature scale, in comparison with the develop ment which it must thus assume within a future so near at hand as scarcely to be beyond the present of the existing generation. It is evident that a confederation so vast and so varied, both in numbers and in territorial extent, in habits and in interests, could only be kept in na tural cohesion by the strictest fidelity to the principles of the constitution as un derstood by those who have adhered to the most restricted constructed of the powers granted by the people and the States. Interpreted and applied accdrding to those prin ciples, the great compact adapts itself with healthy ease and freedom to an unlimited extension of that benign sys tem of federative self-government, of which it is our glorious and I trust immortal charter. Let us, then, with re doubled vigilance be on ou r g uard a g ainst yielding to the temptation of the exercise of doubtful powers, even under the pressure of the motives of conceded temporary advan tage and apparent temporary expediency. The minimum of federal government compatible with the maintenance of national unity and efficient action in our relations with the rest of the world should afford the rule and measure of construction of our powers under the general clauses of the constitution. A spirit of strict de ference to the sovereign rights and dignity of every State , rather than a disposition to subordinate the States into a provincial relation to the central authority should charac terise all our exercise of the respective powers temporarily vested in us as a sacred trust from the generous confidence of our constituents. In like manner, as a manifestly indispensable condition of the perpetuation of our Union, and of the realisation of that magnificent national future alluded to, does the duty become yearly stronger and clearer upon us, as citizens of the several States, to cultivate a fraternal and affectionate spirit, language, and conduct in regard to other States and in relation to the various interests, institutions, and habits of sentiment and opinion which may respectively character ise them. Mutual forbearance, respect, and non-interference in our personal action as citizens, and an enlarged exercise of the most liberal principles of comity in the public deal ing of State with State, whether in legislation or the exe cution of laws, are the means to perpetuate the confidence and fraternity, the decay of which a mere political union on so vast a scale could not long survive. In still another point of view is an important practical duty suggested by this consideration of the magnitude of dimensions to which our political system, with its corre sponding machinery of government, is so rapidly expand ing. With increased vigilance does it require us to culti vate the cardinal virtues of public frugality and official in tegrity and purity. Public affairs ought to be so con ducted that a settled conviction shall pervade the entire union that nothing short of the highest tone and standard of public morality marks every part of the administration and legislation of the Government. Thus will the federal system, whatever expansion time and progress may give it, continue and more deeply rooted in the love and con fidence of the people. That wise economy which is as far removed from parsi mony as from corrupt and corrupting extravagance—that single regard for the public good which will frown upon all attempts to approach the Treasury with insidious pro jects of private interests cloaked under public pretexts — that sound fiscal administration which in the legislative department guards against tile dangerous temptations in cident to overflowing revenue, and in the executive main tains an unsleeping watchfulness against the tendency of all national expenditure to extravagance—while they are admitted elementary political duties, may, I trust, be deemed as properly adverted to and urged, in view of the more impressive sense of that necessity which is directly suggested by the considerations now presented. Since the adjournment of Congress the Vice-President el' the United States has passed from the scenes of earth, without having entered upon the duties of the station to which he had been called by the voice of his countrymen. Having occupied almost continuously for more than 30 years a seat in one or the other of the two houses of Con gress, and having, by his singular purity and wisdom, secured unbounded confidence and universal respect, his failing health was watched by the Nation with painful solicitude. His loss to the country, under all the circum stances, has been justly regarded as irreparable. In compliance with the act of Congress of March 2, 1853, the oath of office was administered to him on the 24th of that-month at Ariadne estate, near Matanzas, in the island of Cuba ; but his strength gradually declined, and was hardly sufficient to enable him to return to his home in Alabama, where, on the 18th day of April, in the most calm and peaceful way, his long and eminently useful career was terminated. Entertaining unlimited confidence in your intelligent and patriotic devotion to the public interest, and being con scious of no motives on my part which aro not inseparable from the honour and advancemen t of my country, I hope it may be my privilege to deserve and secure, not only your cordial co-operation in great public measures, but also those relations of mutual confidence and regard which it is al ways so desirable to cultivate between members of co ordinate branches of the Government. F RANKLIN PIERCE. Washington, D.C., Dec. 5, 1853. After the Message was read, the usual number of copies and the accompanying documents were ordered to be printed, and also 10,000 additional des. -~, BRITISH AMERICAN LAND COMPANY. A meeting of this company took place yesterday, when Mr. A. K. Barber was elected an auditor to fill the va. - cancy occasioned by the death of Mr. J. Do wie. In referring to the general prospects of the undertaking, the governor (Mr. Gillespie) stated that the latest accounts were of a most satisfactory nature. The facilities opened with the districts in which their land was situated by the construction of railways had already exercised a beneficial influence on the value of the property. An advance, made some few years ago to one of the lines, with the view of providing means to carry on the works, and the amount of which it had been thought would never be recovered, had latterly been in great part re paid, with arrears of interest. The Grand Trunk of Canada Railway, with its branches nor in active for mation, would also add greatly to their prosperity. The reportsera ig-eigugar,ding the Progress of Sherbrooke were very and the water p ower was suc h a s to be eneu extensively available for manufacturing purposes. An additional outlay to promote arrangements for estab li.hing a manufacturing community was recommended, for the expend th advantages of the locality were equal to those m s a ec rk u e ri t ty for the timber on at Lowell, or in any rnanufacturing district in enjoyed tAhe the tu r e wo United uld b e States, un de a portion of their prop'erty, which had not before been considered valuable, had been found among persons who in the lumber trade, which promised to be. üb w t h ed il . e were engaged ln come extended at remunerative prices. fact, from th e received, together with the per whole of the accounts o had i paid a visit sonal inspection of their solicitor, wh . e rectors were to their Canadian establishments, th d sound and rapidly convinced that the company is in a l de o 't improving position. With resp ect to min er a p /31 s, Mr. Cummins) it was stated by the deputy-governor ( d th that, under the preliminary ag reement m or e early part of the year with oth er persons for e c in ca r r e uryh ing out an investigation of t heir property, a o is captain, with six miners , wa s despatched to effect that object. After having been engaged some time they returned, since, although indications of gold were discovered, they were not regarded as suffi ciently rich to warrant their being worked. Specimens of copper were, however, traced, which were considered valuable, and the captain, before leaving the country, , scarcely satisfied with the search he had made, thought it would be advisable to renew it in the spring. Subse quently a discovery had taken place about 40 miles from Sherbrooke, not on the property of the company, but in a lake connected with the river, the waters of which passed through a portion of their land, and the gold and quartz taken thence indicated, it was believed, the presence of valuable deposits. Mr. Galt, finding that the Cornish captain had left Montreal, secured specimens and forwarded them to London, making at the same time an arrangement with the discoverers for their interest should the returns prove favourable. These specimens had arrived, and competent persons had compared them with the best produce of California, but the results of an assay, proceeding under Messrs. Johnson and M tthe a y, had not _ . yet been rece i ve d. Of the presence of mineral deposits there cou ld b e no d ou bt , an d, w ith the view , of testing th e i r va l ue, further researc h es wou ld t a k e I place. After some discussion the governor acknowledged the testimonial in plate voted to him at the last meeting, and Mr. M. Clark then gave noti ce o f a m otion to the i effect that 250/. be appropriated to the purchase of plate for presentation to the deputy-governor. NAVAL OFFICERS ABROAD.—We are h appy to an nounce that the hardship to which we have so repeatedly called attentio n re g arding the serious deductions made from the pay of naval officers serving on f ore i gn .sta tions, in discounting their bills, is about to be removed. Arrangements will shortly be completed by Which offi cers will have the option of receiving their pay in cash at par, or of having a bill, as heretofore, upon the Pay nuater-Geueral,—United Service Gazette. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 20, 1853. WANTED. -A COUNTRY Midsummer f COTTAGE, for a Permanency, by Lady-day or , on any o the South-Eastern branches, within twenty miles of London and three of a station, containing at least two good sitting and four or five bed rooms, with chaise-house and stable attached. An old-fashioned Manor or Farm-house would suit, and a small quantity of pasture land desirable, though not essential. A retired situation not ob jected to, but a dry soil and good water indispensable. Address, with full particulars, to M. T. Y., 33, Brydges-street, Covent-garden. L ONDON & SOUTH-WESTERNLIDAYS. RAILWAY. CHRISTMAS HO ORDINARY DOUBLE JOURNEY TICKETS issued at ALL STAT IONS on SATURDA Y, 24th, and SUNDAY, 25th inst., will be available for the Return Journey until the following Thursday (29th instant), inclusive. SPECIAL RETURN TICKETS at Single Fares (with the addi tion of a small booking fee), are issued every Saturday and Sunday, at Waterloo and Vauxhall Stations, to WINDSOR, and also to all stations below Woking, and are available for return on either of these days, or the following Monday. By order. ARCHD. SCOTT, Traffic Manager. Waterloo Station, 15th Dec., 1853. WILL SHORTLY CLOSE.-DR. ANATOMICAL MUSEUM, Portland Gallery, Regent street, opposite the Polytechnic.—Open for Gentlemen daily at the usual hours, excepting on Wednesdays and Fridays, from Two to Fin, during which hours Ladies only are admitted. Explanations for Gentlemen by Dr. Leach, and for Ladies by Mrs. Leach. Ad mission, Is. SMOKELESS FURNACES, OVENS, KILNS, &c.—Under patents respectively dated on and since the Ist October, 1852, Mr. LEE STEVENS is enabled to adapt his system of Smoke Prevention and Economy of Fuel to Land and Marine Boilers of every variety of form and size, Distillers' and Bee- Wien' Stills, brewers' and other Coppers, Chemists' and others Pans, Annealing and Baking Ovens, and Brick and other Kilns, &c. Tes timonials from land and marine engineers, official authorities, manu facturers, brewers, tanners regarding the use of tan as fuel, oven bu lders, and bakers, and others who are thoroughly satisfied with the practical success of the invention, both in the subversion of smoke and 20 per cent. saving of fuel, may be obtained from the patentee, Mr. JOAN LEE STEVENS, at 1, Fish-street-hill, City, London, and personal references to firms in London and elsewhere, on whose pre mises his inventions are in daily operation. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. The Attractions of this great National Establishment for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS will be on a most extensive sce, u precedented in the annals of Theatricals for Novelty, splendou al r, and mechanical wonders, embodied by the first Artistes in the world. Magnificent Scene . y, Dresses, and Decorations; gorgeous excite ment, and Ballet unrivalled, forming an ensemble of talent and en chanting attraction never equalled. Mr. Smart, the Lessee, begs to remind his juvenile patrons that this great CHRISTMAS PANTO MIME will be produced on MONDAY NEXT, DEC. 26, with a DRAMA and FARCE. Reduced Prices as usual. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the mvaagernent of Mr. Back.stone. THIS EVENING, DEC. 20, Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. Compton, Rogers, and Buckstone ; Miss E. Grey, and Mrs. Fltzwilliam. To be followed by A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. Cha racters by Messrs. Howe and Buckstone ; Miss Reynolds and Mrs. F itzwilliam. To conclude with ANY PORT IN A STORM. Characters by Misses E. Ormonde and Featherstone. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, DEC. 20, Will he performed TUE THIRST OFor, The Los t Ship. Characters by Messn. B. Webster, P. Bedferd, and Keeley and Madame Celeste. After which, THE CAMP AT CHOIIIIAM. To conclude with " lIOTEL CHARGES 1" or, llow to Cook " A Bitlln." ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke, Last Week of Performing before the Holidays. A New Grand Equestrian C [IRIS' TII AS COMIC PA.N ro AIME, written ex pressly for this Theatre, by Mr. NELsOM LEE, entitled BILLY BIT NON'S .MURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, The Ladies' Favourite—Will be produced on MONDAY, Dac. 26. Mr. W. Cooke's Elephants, pronounced by the Pros and all who kave witnessed their Performances the most extraordinary Trained animals In the World, will appear every Evening. THIS EVENING, Disc. 20, (And during the week), The New Grand Equestrian Chincsa Spectacle, entitled " THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST; or, THE MAGIC GONG." Followed by a series of Mr. Wm. Cooke's matchless. scenes of Equestrianism in THE CIRCLE, by the talented artistes of this establishment. Concluding with a favourite AFTERPIECE. Box-oftice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DAY —Morning 36 min.after 4 Evening 55 min.aft. 4 To-Monnow—Morning min.after 5 I Evening 35 miu.aft. 5 THE WEATHER.—Sus OFFICE, Dsc. 20. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 38—highest since noon yesterday. 35—lowest this morning and during the night. 39—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'81. WIND, North-Easterly, but variable —Dull, foggy weather, with strong thaw, and showers of snow. Tbg 7.)4Av0,w4, LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1853. Are we Germans—or are we Englishmen ? It would really appear as though our rulers had arrived at the former conclusion, if we might judge from the foreign policy of the ABERDEEN Government. It would seem from that policy as though the Administrators of Great Britain ima gined themselves to be the councillors of some petty Germanic Principality, instead of the councillors of the powerful, numerous, and en lightened Anglo-Saxon population. Otherwise, it is impossible to account for the meanness and fatuity displayed by them during the last eleven months iu the presence of the Auto cratic authority of the CZAR at St. Peters burg. Otherwise, we should never hear of events so base, of incidents so degrading to the reputation of England, as this execrable massacre of the Turks at Sinope by the armed vessels of Russia, while the fleet of Admiral DUNDAS was lying at anchor in the Bosphorus ! Otherwise, we should never hear of such detestable poltroonery on the part of a mighty Power like that of Britain, in tolerating, without the discharge of a single mus ket, or the explosion of one solitary howitzer, the passage of the Pruth, the seizure of Moldo-Wal lachia, or the devastation of de Asiatic ports of the SULTAN by Muscovite squadrons, despatched thither across the Euxine from Sebas topol ! It is difficult, looking at these ignomi nious occurrences, to believe that the State thus timorous before the insolent and cruel demonstra tions of the ambition of the Emperor NICHOLAS can indeed be England—the kingdom of HENRY V., the republic of CnomwELL—the land illus trated by the glory of Cressy and Waterloo, of Agincourt and Trafalgar, of COLLINGWOOD and MARLBOROUGH, Of NELSON and WELLINGTON. It iS difficult not to imagine that the authority thus n s u e p t p t l h e a u t nd of e t r h t e h g r e eweighgreat A n g o l f e R s a u x s e s i n a n m e a n r r a r o g e h a ni y e but t , that of some petty German Principality. Some craven little member of the Confederation allied by the marriage of its Serene Highnesses and of its Sublime High Mightinesses with the august race of the imperial house of ROMANOFF—bound by these and other debasing ties to the will of the supreme and all-terrible AUTOCRAT. Yes, in bitterness of heart --looking at the particulars which have come to light since the commencement of these pusillanimous negotiations conducted by England in complicity with Austria,. France, and Prussia, with a view to the reconciliation of the Governments of St. Petersburg and Constan taisnoaplen—ativieen, can secaanrchelayrelcyredhietlievouer that t nti w ty e are not dwellers on the banks of some one or other of the more insignificant tributa ries of the river Rhine : we cannot but ask ourselves with poignant regrets in regard to the past, and with a sense of overwhelming shame in regard to the present, and with torturing solici tude in regard to the future--Are we Germans, or are we Englishmen ? it is asserted—though we can scarcely trust ourselves to rely on the accuracy of the assertion— that the enormous maritin le force despatched from Sebastopol to Sinope, having crossed the Black Sea adroitly, uncle r the shadow of a fog, yet further surprised the heroic Turks, who were afterwards butchered with such inhuman barbarity, by entering the harbour : in which the frigates of the SULTAN were lying peaceably at anchor—that the war vessels of Russia ; „ we say, dared to enter the port of Sinope, bearir ig at their mast heads not the colours of Rim, iia, but the banners of England ! It is so assert ;ed, not by some obscure journal, but by the official organ of the ABERDEEN Government. Meanwhile rumours et )me floating" to us across the Mediterranean that a British merchantman has been fired into and boarded by the Russians off the coast of Trebizondi All the while diplomatic c correspondence is being carried on with a view to a pacific settlement. Instead of the combined fleets entering the Black Sea and retaliating upon the Muscovites for their cruelty, and duplicity, and i audacity, by bombarding Sebastopol and seizing t, he Crimea !—instead of this, we say the British :i llinistry is still drivelling over further negotiationE: . Negotiations ! What for ? To prevent hostilities. In the name of Common Sense and Rig; lit Reason let it be in quired, Can anything—t han this—be more miser ably preposterous ? 17'o prevent hostilities — we have prepared :c Note after Note, we have despatched cow - ier after courier, we have imparted disai etional authority to our Ambassadors, we have sent our fleet to Constantinople. All this to prevent hostilities ! And have we prevente( L them ? Answer it the bloody and smouldering ruins of Sinope ! Besides this there is r mother and a more con temptible absurdity aboi at our abortive efforts at interference. We have been pretending to inter pose between the belliger .ents by sea—but have left them, without even a sl tow of mediation, to fight to their hearts' deadlies t content by land ! We have sent hundreds of sailors to the entrance of the Euxine—but not One soldier to the banks of the Danube. And —remember—it was on the banks of the a mnube that the struggle between Russia and Ttr rkey commenced. The rea son for our thus not d: recting even the mockery of an endeavour towards the actual scene of war on the southern boun laries of Wallachia, while we were ostentatious) y despatching a powerful fleet into the waters of • Constantinople—can only be explained, indeed, by the prevailing fatuity and pusillanimity of of ar Government. As a crowning evidet tee of this fatuity and of this pusillanimity ; -take th e following astounding par ticulars—capping the, climax of the enormous errors already commit tod in this Russo-Turkish difficulty by the ABERE .EEN Government. Observe„ moreover, at the outst)t—•before the perusal of a syllable-- , ,ithe nature oIE . the authority from which these extraordinary sta ;foments are derived. That authority is the recognised organ of the Coalition Governmeiit. The passage may be found in the Times of this morning, under the head of its Austrian intelligence. The writer is the Vienna correspondent of our contemporary—who dates his communication from the Austrian capital, the 14th of this present De ' umber, and thus expresses himself in regard to recent occurrences :—`" The news of the destruc tion of the Turkish squadron at Sinopo was known to the Prussian, French, and English Governments before it was made public here. It is said that. Count BuoL was so anxious Jest the Western Powers should decide on. assuming the offensive against Russia, that an uninterrupted telegraphic commu nication was maintained isith Paris and London for some hours after the intelligence of the Turkish disaster was known at the Austrian Foreign-office. THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE APPREHEN- SIONS ENTERTAINED BY ME AUSTRIAN STATESMEN WERE SPEEDILY RELIEVED, AND THE ASSURANCE infamy he may eventually plunge, and that with out the deliberate intention of doing very wrong in the first instance, merely taking a little liberty with money lying idle, and with the most resolute determination speedily to replace it—to fill up the gap he has created. But integrity, unflinching, inviolable integrity is not the only quality to bo regarded in the choice of an executor or trustee. Is a man of energy and decision, of activity and experience in worldly affairs, will he, without fee or reward, devote time and trouble to the performance of that which is at least a thankless, as it is an ar duous office. Has he discrimination to select the best investments, and to sell out in time from those which are likely to become less safe or re munerative. Has he " strength of mind" suffi cient to induce him to resist the solicitations of those beneficially interested in the fund, and who, in heartrending terms, implore him to consent to a disposition thereof, which his reason con demns, which he knows to be a violation of his duty, but which he cannot reject without being termed perverse and obdurate, and without forfeiting the friendship and respect of those whom it is his wish to serve ? We believe that there is far more lost to families by acts of omission, than of commission, by negligence, than by improper tampering with funds, and that of the acts of commission much greater mischief is occasioned by an easy yielding to the importunities of families than a corrupt and dishonest applica tion of the funds placed at the disposal of Execu tors or Trustees. But if that rara avis, an incorruptible, zealous, and efficient executor, can be discovered, what security is there that he will undertake the labo rious and unremunerated duties cast upon him ? or, if so, that his life will be spared until they are finally completed ? How frequently do we find "renunciations in due form of law," and can we wonder at the refusal ? It is, as we have already stated, a thankless office ; it is also a trou blesome, a responsible office, and an unremune rated office. Tho faithful executor, strict in the discharge of his obligations, in place of receiving the greatest gratitude, is generally an object of unmitigated dislike to the entire family. He it is that thwarts their views and opposes their wishes ; he it is that refuses to let poor ELIZA'S husband get the money that would be " so much more useful to him than letting it remain in those horrid Three per Cents ;" he it is that opposes Master BOBBY'S martial ardour, declining to lodge the money for the purchase of a commission in a flash regiment, or the attainment of a position which the future expectations of the youth by no means justify, and which can only lead to disap pointment and misery. He becomes, in fact, the bugbear of the family, for whom he is undergo ing so much gratuitous trouble and annoyance. None but those who have had bitter experience of the office—and every experience must be bitter —can estimate the amount of responsibility at ttached thereto. The executor has literally no discretion, no power to benefit the estate of which he is the representative. He must act as a mere „ machine, bereft of all bowels of compassion or mercy. If lie transgress the strict letter of the law, the narrow limits of his duty, he is liable for a devastavit. He cannot accept a com position even of 15s. in the pound from an insolvent debtor without being liable for the residue, although by his acceptance he would save to the estate a large proportion of that which would otherwise be a total loss. The only wonder is that persons can be induced ;o undertake the task ; and this is ascribable to he fact, that a man thinks it incumbent on him to do for another an act similar to that which at a future time he expects another to do for him. If there were any public body to discharge the duty well and efficiently at a moderate charge, no man in his senses would act as an executor or trustee. The necessity of the case was the sole argument which he could not resist ; and we are happyto find that that necessity will no longer exist —that a company is in course of formation that will supply the want, and provide that which has so long been a desideratum—a company that will be exceedingly profitable to the shareholders, and of incalculable advantage to the community in general. On this part of the case it is only necessary to refer to the advertisement of the Executor and Trustee Company, which will be found in another part of this day's impression. It must be obvious to any person that the advantages of such a society must greatly, if not altogether, depend on the auspices under which it is introduced to the world. In proportion to the magnitude of the interests, the greatness of the trusts involved, will be the jealous scrutiny into the names and characters of those who have the control and management of the funds. On this very important part of the subject, the contemplated company is, indeed, unexceptionable. There is not a name to be found in the list presented to the public that will not bear the strictest investigation, that is not, indeed, far "above suspicion." It would be an invidious task to particularise any one of the distinguished band. Sir JOHN PATTxSON alone, would suffice to remove every possible diffi culty. The veteran ex-Judge, who through his long, his useful, and his honourable career, won golden opinions from all manner of men, would not hazard his well-won reputation by lending his sanction to a doubtful project. The same may be said of his almost equally distinguished colleagues. So that not only the community in general, but the intending shareholders, may depend on achieving the great desiderata, " integrity and efficiency of management." Under such cir cumstances the profits of the company must b , ) very large : although a considerable amount will be paid up, not a shilling will be required (save for preliminary expenses). Every pound will be invested in Consols, to constitute a guarantee fund, the dividends whereof will be divided among the shareholders, in addition to the actual profits of their operation. It is difficult to estimate those very accurately. We believe the calculation which has been put forward to be far below the mark, and that these profits will be nearer 20 than 10 per Cent. It is, however, an error on the right side, and ono Antitlest the Manatters to nil ditional confidence, inasmuch as they carefully abstain from anything which can bear the slightest semblance of exaggeration. EXETER HALL.—The customary annual performance of Handel's sublime oratorio, Messiah, will take place on Thursday evening, the 22d inst., by the London Sacred Harmonic Society, under the direction of Mr. Surman, the founder and conductor of the Eexeter Hall Oratorios. The beautiful solos and airs with which this oratorio especially abounds, will be sung Mrs. Sunder land, Miss Dolby, Mr. G. Alleyne, Miss M. Wells, Mr. Lockey, and Mr. Lawler. In order to give effect to this great work, the band and chorus will be con siderably increased, comprising nearly 800 supporters. SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.—OPENING TO CHATHAM AND CANTERBURY.—The Submarine and European Telegraph Companies have just opened offices in the centre of the above towns. The liberal tariff adopted from London to Gravesend has been extended to the new stations, and messages of 20 words may now be transmitted between Chatham, Canterbury, London, Gravesend, and Dover, for one shilling, while no por terage is charged for delivery the first mile. Telegraphic intercourse, hitherto only a luxury for the rich, is thus becoming rapidly familiar to the tradesman and the mechanic, to the former of whom it must prove of in estimable advantage. The enterprising contractors, Messrs. Freud and Hammill, executed the works. The wires were led from the main line, and laid through the streets in iron tubes. RISING OF THE COURTS OF CHANCERY FOR THE VACATION.-At the conclusion of the sittings this day (Tuesday), of the Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, the Lords Justices, and the several Vice-Chan cellors, the respective judges of either court will rise for the Christmas vacation, and no sitting will be held, except in cases of extreme emergency, before the vaca tion, at chambers or his private residence, until the first day of next Hilary Term, the 11th of January, when the sittings will be held in Westminster Hall. The cham bers of the Master of the Rolls and Vice• Chancellors, as also the registrars and other officers connected with the Court of Chancery, will be closed during the Christ mas week. FRIGHTFUL LEAP FROM A WINDOW BY A FEMALE. ----Yesterday morning, at half-past four o'clock, consid erable sensation was created in consequence of a young woman, of the name of Jane Wheeler, aged 24 years, residing in Ann-street, Waterloo-road, suddenly opening the second-floor window and precipitating herself, head foremost, out of it. She was picked up by the police, bleeding and insensible, and conveyed to Dorcas' Ward, St. Thomas's Hospital, where Mr. South, surgeon, was in attendance, and rendered every assistance ; but she now remains in a precarious state. No reason is as signed for the mil act. AIONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at from 7,000 to 8,000 bales, of which 300 Pernam and Maranham, dud 1,500 Surat were taken for export and on speculation.. The market closed without alteration in prices. The sales com prised 800 Pernam and Maranham, at 61d. to 71d., 300 Egyptian, at 6d. to Bid.,P ) ooo Surat, at 22d. to 41d., 20 Sea Island, at is. 2s. to is. 6d., and the remainder American. Railway shares were quiet. The following account of the Tallow Market at St. Petersburgh and here is furnished by Messrs. Smith and Charles : " The advices from Petersburgh axe to the 27th No vember and Bth December. No business was doing in tallow for next season, with the exception of a discount transaction at 122 to 123, ca 311 account 130 to 132-10 down. The quotations must be considered nominal, for in the present state, of political affairs, no exporter would venture to make purchases on contract, and the consequence is that the Russian dealers are represented as at a loss bow to act in rela tion to laying in stocks for next year's supply. Our market has been firm, with an advancing tendency since our last circular advice. On Saturday after some considerable business, the mark et closed at an ad vance of 6d. over Friday's prices, and to-day we have had a further advance on those obtained already for delivery all this month. Contrary to general expec tation, we have to note that there is still a great scarcity in the production of Town tallow. As compared with the last few months, there is perhaps a slight improve ment, as compared with last year none. We have it reported from the northern districts, that the home pro duction has improved, but that the numbers of store cattle is short in this district, we confess we do not anticipate any material increase in the production from the source this season ; in fact, we are led to be lieve, we shall be quite as short in quantity as last sea- son. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's vessel, Colombo, takes out 241,4351. in specie, of which 33,1201. is in gold. There are only 2,5001. to Alexandria, the rest being for. India and China. The following, from official returns, compiled by. the Treasurer of the United States, is a table exhi biting the amount of coin and bullion imported and exported, annually, from 1821 to 1853, inclu sive ; and also the amount of importation ova- ex- . portation, during the same years : Excess of , Excesa.of • importation - exportation over qvgr. Yrs.* Imported. Exported. exportation. InincifteatiOn. 1821 58,064,890 $10,478,059 4:4113;1691 1822 3,369,846 10,810,180 —' • ' '7,449,334 1823 5,097,986 6,372,987 -1,275 ) 091 1824 8,379,835 7,014,552 1,365,283 1825 6,150,765 8,932,034 2,781,269 1826 6,880,966 4,704,533 2,176,433 1827 8,151,130 8,014,880 136,250 1828 7,489,741. 8,243,476 753,705 1829 7,403,612 4,924,020 2,479,592 1830 8,155,964 2,178,773 5,077,191 1831 7,305,945 9,014,931 1,708,986 1832 5,907,504 5,566,340 312,161 1833, 7,070,363 2,611,701 4,458,667 • 1831 17,911,632 2,076,758 15,834,874 1835 13,131,447 6,477,775 6,653,672 1836 13,400,881. 4,324,336 9,076,545 — 1837 10,516,414 5,976,249 4,540,165 1838 17,747,116 3,508,046 14,239,070 1839 5,595,176 8,776,743 3,181,567 1840 8,382,813 8417,014 565,799 — lB4l 4,988,633 10,031,332 5,045,699 1842 4,087,016 4,813,539 726,53 1843-1 • 22,390,559 1,520,791 20,869,768 • 5,830,429 5,454,212 376,215 1815 4,070,242 8,606,495 1816 3,777,732 3,905,268 1847 24,121,289 1,907,739 22,213,550 1848 6,360,224 15,841,620 1849 6,651,240 5,404,648 1,246,592 1850 4,628,792 7,522,994 1851 5,453,592 29,472,752 1852 5,503,544 42,674,135 1853 4,201,382 27,486,875 4,536,253 127,536 9,481,396 - 2,984,202 - 24,019,160 - 37,170,591 - 23,285,493 T0ta1..278,678,615 293,158,070 112,361,545 126,811,000 * Years ending Sept 30. t Nine months to June 30. t Year ending Juno 30. ' The committee appointed a few days since by the shareholders who met at the Loucks. Tavern, for the purpose of eliciting balance-sheets from seven teen Gold Companies that were named, have been much more active than from their outward quie tude might be supposed. Letters have poured in upon them from all parts of the United Kingdom —t some quaint, others lachrymose, many bitter, but all truthful. We will ven ture, indeed, to assert that no body of men having an intention to act honestly, could possibly withhold information after such appeals. And yet the company with which the committee has com menced the onslaught, simply because its case in volved the largest capital, has not evinced that alacrity which might have been anticipated. A delay of many days has elapsed, and still no explanations, no balance-sheet, no answer to the queries categorically submitted. What are we to conclude then ? That there is something wrong, or that there is a paltry official reserve which cloaks itself beneath an affected dignity. Perhaps neither, or perhaps both ; and may be that " Christmas is coming" and the members of the Board are indisposed for business. So are the share holders ; but this is a sorry business for many of them, and if the loss of one day's shooting to " a member of the Board" will enable a single unluckly subscriber the better to enjoy his dinner, absence from town sßould no longer be pleaded as an excuse. It is singular enough that companies are ever fond of volunteering information that no one wants. They tell the world, through the columns of the newspapers, that they ex pect to obtain the lease of an excellent mine, that they expect remittances, that they expect dividends, in short that they expect anything or everything, but not a word do they say on the pounds, shillings, and pence of the question ; how much has been spent, how it has been spent, and who has spent it. And yet "to this com plexion it must come at last." If the money has been dissipated among half a dozen pro jectors, sooner or later th shareholders must know it ; if it has been judiciously invested, how agreeable the task at once to communicate it ! In short, view it which way we will, the directors have as obvious an interest in presenting balance sheets as the proprietors have iii asking them, and if they await further advices from the colonies, let them fairly state as much, but in the meantime furnish such an account as they best can. On Wednesday (to-morrow) there is to be a meeting of parties interested in the Lake Bathursi Company, which so disgracefully figured on Saturday in one of our law courts, and forlorn indeed is the prospect of those who hold its scrip. There is an improving tendency in the English Stock Market, but the business doing is limited. This is attributable, in part, to the absence of any unfavourable foreign news, and also to some buy ing bank by the Bears. Consols opened at 94-a and have since been 941 /. The New 31 per Cents. have been 96 to 96g, and the 3 per Cent. Reduced 944 and 94/. Exchequer Bills are 2s. to ss. pre mium, being without alteration. Bank Stock is heavy at 219. Foreign Stocks are extremely inactive, not half a dozen bargains being officially recorded. Grenada Deferred Bonds are firm at Bi, and Chili= Bonds are marked 103. Spanish New Deferred Bonds are rather better, being 24. Brazilian New Bonds are 974. Therd are no dealings in Russian, Mexi can, or Dutch Bonds. The following is a letter from Lord Howden to Ignace Bauer, Esq.; stating that he would forward to the Minister of Foreign Affairs a copy of the ap plication made to the Minister of Foreign,Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Bondholders : " British Legation in Spain, " Madrid, Dec. 9, 1853. " Sri; —I have had the honour of receiving your letter of the 6th inst., and shall lose no time in transmitting to the. Minister of Foreign Affairs a copy of your appli cation to the Minister of Finance , in the cause of the , bondholders so ably maintained by Mr. Weisweiller, and which I make no doubt will find the same energy and intelligence in your hands. I shall request his Excellency Senor Calderon de la Barca to give this just claim, so often and so fruitlessly urged, his early and most serious consideration.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient humble servant, (Signed) " Ignace Bauer, Esq." " HOWDEN. Railway Shares are quiet, and prices are steady. The lines most dealt in are—Eastern Counties, North-Western, South-Western, and South- Eastern. More has been done in French lines, and at rather improved prices. There is very little doing in the Gold Mine Shares, and prices have undergone very little varia tion. Australian Consols have been in request at par. Joint Stock Bank Shares are very dull. Australian Agricultural Land Shares are rather higher, and the South Australian are also better. The British American Land Shares are about 10s. lower. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (From the Official List.) Ilusiness done. Bank Stock _ 3 Cent. Reduced Annuities -4 :, New 31 per Cent. Annuities 96g a i Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Dittc 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 5 Consols for Opening 18th Jan. Exchequer Bills, ld. 21000 5 p £SOO Small 2 5 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. New Brazilianßonds, 1829 & 39, 5 per Cent. 97§ Chilian Bonds, 6 per Cent lO3 Grenada Bonds, Deferred Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 221 Dividends on the above payable in ALLondon. • lIF•PAST TWO. Contooll for OpoThin VA Janiwy mm ,,, (Ai i 4 d BAL MASQ ritY LANE. The bal masque given here last evening turned out to be a very successful wind-up of the season of eques trian entertainments. The lessee, Mr. Smith, has proved himself quite an adept in providing this species of amusement, and we doubt whether even the re nowned Jullien could have done the thing more cleverly, or on a more liberal scale. The decorations were most tastefully executed, and there was a freshness and.glitter about them which added considerably to the brilliancy of the scene. The boxes were ornamented with wreaths of flowers, and draperies speckled with gold, and over the stage, which was not on the same level as the pit, was suspended a splendid canopy in pink and white, and to the rear of this were the musicians, in a slightly elevated balcony, and beyond them the refreshment rooms. The company began to arrive at half-past nine, and by ten ) not only the body of the theatre, but the audience part," was crowded almost to excess. There was the usual variety of costume, and some of the characters were extremely well supported, but the majority attended in private attire, and the predominance of sombre black marred the scenic effect. This, however, is always the case with a bal masque in London, and it will never be otherwise until the reluctance of the public to appear in fancy costume is got over fay making arrangements for them to dress within the theatre. The ball was kept UP very spiritedly until one o'clock, when the introduction of some colossal placards among the crowd, announcing that `•supper was ready hi the saloon," gave the signal for the first outburst of rude merriment. The boards were seized by some of the more lively spirits, and pre sently broken to pieces, while the luckless bearers were compelled to effect a hasty retreat. The police pre vented any mischief arising, and in a short time the well filled supper tables shared the attractions of the ballroom. The fun recommenced after the supper, and there ap• peered no probability of any diminution of it on our retirement at a late hour. MOIRATO'S PROMENADE CONCERTS, ST. MARTIN'S-HALL. The first of a series of twenty-four concerts took place last night, when a very admirable and popular selection of music was performed in first-rate style by many of the most talented members of the orchestra of her Majesty's Theatre, the Royal Italian Opera, and the Philharmonic band..: If we may judge of the success of the con cert by the number of encores, it was complete, for - almost every piece was re-demanded and re ipeiided to by the talented conduetor, Mr. Moirato. Our • well-known artistes Barret, Baumann, Lazarus, Zeiss, Cioffi, Nadaud, Russell, Phillips, Howell, Row land, Prospere, and last, but not least, Tolbecque, were in full force. Miss Cecily Nott sang two of her most favourite songs, and was, of course, encored. She is to sing Mrs. St. Leger's new romance, " The Lover's Walk," next week. Amongst this excellent selection, several polkas, quadrilles, and waltzes, by Mr. Moirato, were played to petfection, and were the theme of uni versal admiration. The hall was crowded. ROYAL PRIKCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Managelfent of Mr. CHAELEs KEAN. VHS EVENING, Dec. 20, Will be performed THE LANCERS ; or, The Gentleman's Son Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, 11. Mellon and D. Fisher; Mrs. Winstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which, PAULINE. Principal characters by Mr. and Mrs, C. Kean. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Le.ssea and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. The Last Two Niglits before Christmas. THIS EVENING, DEC. 20, Will he performed PLOT AND PASSION. Principal characters by Mr F. Robson and Mrs. Stirling. To be followed by TIIE CAME' AT THE OLYMPIC. Charac ters by Messrs. A. Wian, Emery, F. Robson, Cooper, and Galli ; Nfogdarnes A. Wigan, Stirling, P. flort9n, Chatterley, E. Turner, and Wyndham. To conclude with TILE WANDERING MINSTREL. GIVEN THAT NO STEP WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE WESTERN GOVERNMENTS THAT COULD TEND TO INTERRUPT THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH HAD SO RECENTLY BEEN RESUMED. This important point being settled, the ominous despatch was pub lished here." Have we not reason, after these shameful and degrading accounts in the Ministerial organ—remembering, at the same time the massacre of the Turks at Sinope, while our maritime armaments is lying at anchor in the Bosphorus—have we not reason over much to ask, Are we living in England, or in some petty German principality ? " Who shall I make my executor ?" There is no question more puzzling to the man who is about to arrange his affairs, to set his house in order, in contemplation of the last great change that awaits every human being I " Who shall I make my executor ?" To whose care shall I con fide the future welfare and prosperity of my family, in whose integrity and efficiency can I re pose such implioit reliance, such unbounded con fidence as to render me perfectly easy with respect to the future management of my affairs, and con vince me that the accumulations and savings of my life will be disposed of to the best advantage, and in strict accordance with my latest earthly act of volition—the directions contained in my last will and testament? How many persons w,lao have maintained fair and unimpeachable characters 'have even tually been " found out," and discovered to be " traitors" of the deepest dye, heartlessly and deliberately violating the trust that had been confided to their hands—the duties they had un dertaken to perform. How frequently have widows and orphans been plundered by the specious arts of deceitful hypocrites, who left them exposed to all the sufferings which poverty inflicts, sufferings from which the dying husband and father had vainly hoped he had preserved them by providing adequate funds for their maintenance in the sta tion to which they haC been born. If the fearful destitution, the awful misery, occasioned by simple " breaches of trust" on the part of executors or trustees could be brought to light, innumer able volumes would be filled with heartrending narratives, and we mould be compelled to ad , mit that " truth is inleed stranger than fiction." "Who shall I make my executor ?" It is indeed a momentous question ; a problem, the due solu tion whereof would remove the bitterest cares from the mind of the sick man, and take at least a portion of the sting from Death. For how many different elements must enter into the cal ()illation How many links are there in the chain, any one of which, if defective, would not merely endanger but completely destroy the stability of the whole ? Will the man I select be faithful and vigilant in the discharge of his duties ? Am I certain that he can resist the temptations to which I am about to expose him ?—that an alteration in his own circumstances may not induce him to make free with the trust fund—to use for his own purposes the provision I have set aside for the support of my family. He may suppose that he can speedily supply the deficiency, that he can restore the money with which lie is about to make free. There may not be any de liberate intention of doing wrong, but even an error is fraught with the most dangerous conse quences, and the mind speedily becomes familiar with what it could not previously have contem plated without horror. It is, indeed, a perilous experiment to tempt a needy or a speculative man with money for which he can not or may not be called to account for a considerable period ; until infants of tender years have attained their majori ties, and the executors are required, as JOHN WESTLOCK termed it, "to book up." If once he enters on the road to ruin, if once he ventures to tamper for any purpose with the assets of his de parted friend, it is impossible to say when or where lie will stop, or to what fearful depths of TO THE EDITOR OF THE GUN. SIR,—If the deliberate statement in the Times that Lord Palmerston has resigned his seat in the Cabinet solely because Lord Joh❑ Russell's Reform Bill is too liberal, too extreme, be untrue; it is certainly a very clumsy lie, and one much more likely to be troublesome to the Government than to damage Lord Palmerston. This is certain, that the Liberals, indeed all parties, will await with extreme interest the advent of this despe rately Radical Reform Bill, which has frightened the Horne Secretary from his seat in the Cabinet, at the very time when his presence is the most required—when not only England, but Europe, depends upon his expe rience and patriotism to curb the daring attacks of Russia, and when, too, the energy of his administration as Home Secretary is gaining for him daily increased popularity. As a Liberal, convinced that a comprehen sive reform bill is necessary, I hope that this reiterated statement of the Times is true, for it will argue a very great change for the better in Lord John Russell ; but I must say that I am inclined to accept your view of the subject, and to doubt that Lord Palmerston would hesi tate, Tory though he may be, to subscribe to anything emanating from Lord John Russell in the shape of re form. Of the two statesmen, certainly Lord Palmerston has not proved himself the lesser Liberal. Unless the present Government are prepared to bring forward a reform bill, much more liberal and comprehensive than expect they will with Lord Aberdeen the Prime Minister. this reason brought forward with so much éclat by-the Government journals for the withdrawal of the Home Secretary must render their resignation inevitable, for it will be the only way to baulk the natural antioipa. tions of the people. When the present Ministry has crumbled to pieces, as it must, it is to be hoped we shall have a Govern ment presided over by Lord Palmerston, worthy of a great nation—a Government that will gain the confi dence of the people by deserving it.—Yours, ttc. C. fr. S. SPORTING NOTES. A NOTE OF PREPARATION. The coming of the racing season 1854 is already va riously indicated. Clerks of courses are actively en gaged in preparing their respective programmes, and setting forth the attractions of their meetings in the most " taking" and effective manner. Long lists of staked to close on the 2d of January have been advertised ja, the last two numbers of the "Sheet Calendar," and among them are several new races, the conditions of which have been framed on " popular principles. Among the recently established events the most impor tant is unquestionably the GREAT NORTHERN HANDIOAtr• Of late the muster of the " betting brotherhood" at The Corner .has been very scanty, and the business transacted has been limited and insignificant. For the Derby, however, KING Tom, after a temporary "dd' pression" has been brought with increased force into the market, and a commission to " get on" remains onl y partly executed. Virago, an animal in old John Days stable, is in strong demand for the Chester Cup, and is likely to become an extraordinary favourite. So nume rous have been the investments on Miss Mowbray for the Liverpool Steeplechase that scarcely 10 to 1 is ob tainable about her. On this occasion her party have not, Ads said, been forestalled in the market. The mare has been taking regular exercise, although the present frosty weather has somewhat interrupted the work 0 preparation. Considering, however, that the nomine' tions, weights, and acceptances have yet to be declared. lWiss Mowbray may prove a dangerous favourite for both backers and layers. Tattersall's Subscription Room will, I believe, b e closed during the ensuing week. Measures, too, ere• about to be adopted to prevent the assemblage of per sons in the Sale-yard on Sundays—a custom mere honoured in the breach than in the observance. Dec. 19. A FRESH MAN'. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBORNE, DEO. 19. The Queen and Prince, the Prince of Wales, tb ° Princess Royal, attended morning service at O s borne yesterday, which was performed by the Rev. G' Prothero. The ladies and gentlemen in waiting were also preseilt• Sir James Graham is expected to-day on a visit to the Queen. ThR Chevalier Bunsen, Prussian Minister, h a d an il l ' terview with the Earl of Aberdeen yesterday, at official residence in Downing-street. 1. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colon office from the Governors of the North Americ a° Provinces. Despatches were sent last evening from the Colo 4 office, for the Lord High Commissioner of the C e ylon Islands, and also for the Governors of Malta, and Hong-Kong. The Duke and Duchess of Wellington have W ell on a visit with Lord Brougham at Cannes; and purP s° proceeding from thence to Italy for the winter. His Excellency Namik Pasha and suite, 4911_:„ special mission from Constantinople, have arrived at Lona. Hotel, New Bond-street. The Earl of Jersey is stated to have recovered from his late severe indisposition. Lord and Lady Charles Lennox Fitzroy have_ i a : : rived in town en route from Bognor to Wakefield Long' Northamptonshit e. ;a ;figet INDISPOSITION OF LORD ROBERTSON.---Thw , - while hearing a case argued in the First Division, Wig with two of his colleagues—the Lord Presi dent and rfota Ivory—on Friday afternoon, between three and nth o'clock, became suddenly unwell. His lordship wo r si ci assistance removed to the robing-room, where mediqa; was immediately procured. Dr. Peddie and his lordsn4„ris own medical adviser, Dr. Burt, were in attendanca, he lordship was conscious all the time ; and it is said th . b_v rt . cause of his indisposition was an affection of the neLl, so The occurrence created much sensation, and the CO?, rio immediately adjourned. We believe that his lordspll7oo, able to be conveyed to his residence in Drummond -Pi' shortly after four o'clock. —Edinburgh, Witness. been de' SIR E. BuLWER LYTTON. —It has now Associate finitively arranged that the President o f the As e , uv ts e ' r his Societies of the University of Edinburgh will J a n uary inaugural address on Wednesday , the 18th of " Edinburgh, Advertiser. Itowin cr "- KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON. -- f°'"" - co llege, by pointments have been made by the council o f thi li s e,ted in order to fill up the professorships re centlY u l i ).1 ),, is the Rev. F. D. Maurice :—The Rev. A. 3 1 `C 3 ' i n addi" elected to fill the chair of Ecclesiastical _,., c h tion to that of Hebrew and the Old TestameutNwatiely has hitherto held. A lecturer is to be fro" L os junior pointed to relieve Dr. M`Caul, by instructing 4 gsgcla classes in Hebrew. Mr. George Webb° Dasent• ;, e lected t° l t e h n e e e H ha a i l r l, o o f xf Ee ord, Doctor of Civil Dim', h as b - 9 - B *-torY• sh Literature and H ROBBERY OO WORTS OF J- 11Viern ; : fif l 9 1 ,11 111 : STRAND. —Yesterday evening, beep pining thous" d• o'clock, a glazed leather bag, cont _i r n e _b a co sta f h e e pounds worth of jewellery, was stolen N- Stranu• °t vet ing at the door the tradesman in th has beeo 81 4110 411 9 7 e t red clu s e to detection of the thief LA v,o4, ll tan t t 13 Y te: tn erning „ in quire it 0,,, Sinop, intelligen Lord s to hi s :oratin e d .00a, tho )a ll t °l h a lYii lve t at r 8 zi a It e e at Do sea. a t It i s ~erta i u T urks " o f a Pal hehec &I i de Laitheero 9 eLr ov ,, the ß as t i n P ta: et 0r 04 . 1 , .uer - eato r , 4: 41 the r d t o j A IL