The Sun. — London, England, 1857-01-15 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY LA N E. - Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the most magnificent ever produced on the English stage. THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. Followed by TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE After which will be produced an entirely new and original symbolical, hyperbolical, parabolical, and extra-physiog nomical grotesque, statuesque, and picturesque Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, which for some time past has employed the unrivalled resources of this extensive establishment, and which will be called or entitled, as it is entitled to be called, SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW ; Or, Harlequin. Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs. The scenery entirely new, painted by and under the direc tion of Mr. William Beverley and numerous assistants. The machinery by J. Tucker and assistants. The properties, de corations, tricks, changes, and transformations by Messrs. Needham, Glindon, &c. The masks, models, and pbysiog nomical devices designed and executed by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The overture and music composed and arranged by Herr Ansehnez. The choregraphic arrangements under the personal supervision of M. Petit. The comic scenes con structed by and under the direction of Harry Bolano. The peculiar grotesque opening► invented and written by E. L. Blanchard, author of " Harlequin and the Seven Ages of Man," " Jack and Jill," " Humming Top," " Hudibras," &e., and the whole arranged and produced under the direction of Mr. Robert Roxby. Ye ancients and truthful legend on ye which ye pantomime its story is founded : " See, saw, Margery Daw, " Sold her bed, and laid upon straw," MSS. of Nursery Rhymes in British Museum. Anion of Reverses, in the Island of Ups and Downs. "Yea, the Great Globe itself." " Here we go up, up, up, " Here we go down, down, down ; " Here we go backwards and forwards, " And here we go round and round." :uvenile Chorus of the earliest period, supposed to belong to the One. Un, Mr. Topham ; Down, Mr. Low; Opera box, Kid Glove, Tiger and Brougham, and Porte-monnaie (attendants upon Up), Signor Lorgnette. Herr Tightfitt, Master Satuebox, and Monsieur Chinque ; Hard Up, Dupli cate, Distraint, and Rags (attendants upon Down), Mr. Friz hard, Mr. Pop ill. Mr. Quodham, and Mr. Patchwell. An aual appearance of Holyday in her Emblematic Car. Holyday (the Genius of the Season), Miss Marian Stanley ; Sport and Pastime (her attendants), Misses Lovelangh and Lightheart ; Dame Necessity (who is on this occasion made a virtue of by particular desire), Mrs. Selby. How Invention, the Daughter of Necessity, is called upon to assist the development of the story, while Holyday invites both Up and Down to enjoy themselves. Holyday's Home in the Green Bower of Mistletoe and Winter Garden of the Fairies.—Mistletoe (the Fairy Queen), Miss E. Wadham ; Fairy Spirits of the Kisses that have beer► given under the Mistletoe, by upwards of 100 Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. Grand Ballet —Miss Rosin Wright, Mdlles, J. and E. Osmont, and the Co ryphees. The Golden Gates leading to the Palace of Huggamugga.—Herald (with a Proclamation), Mr. Hornogold ; Guards, Messrs. Stiffneck, Headsup, F-Yearieht, Shoulderarms. Stand-at-ease, and March well ; Tailor, Mr. Broadcloth ; Cobbler, Mr. Waxend ; Black mnith, Mr. Anvil ; the Princess Margery Daw (afterwards Columbine), Madame T3oleno ; Shilly and Shelly (her Maids of Honour), Misses Dithery and Dothery. How Margery Dew has no no+ ion of work herself, and the contempt she shows towards those who do work. Interior of the Palace of Xing Huggamugga. King Hnggamugga (Sovereign of the Land of Sixes and Sevens), Mr. Dawking ; Huryl-Burly (Lord Chancellor), Mr. Bigwig ; Niminy-Piminy (the Lord Cham berlain), Mr. Noodledorn ; Higgledy-Piggledy (Goldstick in Waiting), Mr. Muddle ; other Members of the Court, Messrs. Row, Scrape, Cringe, Crouch, Tagvag, Merrywag, Perriwig, %rut Hatband; Court Milliner, Madame Crinoline ; Drawing Master, Professor Crayon ; Governess, Miss Frump ; Music- Master, Signor Hurdigurdi ; Maid in Waiting, Miss Sweet tlmper ; Chef de Cuisine, Mr. Cook ; Prince Popinjay (of the Land of Prettistory), Mr. Flnefeather ; his Retinue, aidesers. Glare, Dazzle, Gleam, Glitter, and Cutashine. How the Princess is taught a wholesome lesson by Necessity, and of the change that takes place in consequence. Cottage of Necessity, with a Prospect of Hard Work in the Distance. The Enchanted Workbox—The Sampler and the Exemplar, I and the pretty piece of work that Margery Daw makes of it. Inhabitants of the Workbox :—Row of Pins, Messrs. Sharp, Bent, Crooked, Pinaday, Groatayear, &c. ; Regiment of Needles (ready drilled), Messrs. Largeeye, Smalleye, Longsix, Splitup, Snapoff, dec. ; Thimble, Master Tom Thumb ; Worsted, Mr. Bawlaway ; Bodkin, Mr. Pierce ; Tape Mea "rt . Mr. Inchbald; Hook and Eye, Messrs. How and Some bxlyelse ; Shirt Buttons, Mr. Earlypurly ; Scissors, Mr. Sheersteel. How Margery Daw makes an important discovery and the audience also, and how, led by Necessity, she is com pelled to alter her opinions and change her position. The Mine of Labour, leading to the Mine of Wealth,—Labour (the Parent of Health, Wealth, and Happiness), Mr. StrongTth'arm. What Margery Daw goes to see, what she saw, and the re ward that Holyday bestows. Grand Scenic and Mechanical Effects, exhibiting (in processor construction) the Fairy Fac tory of Fancy, completed with the assistance of Labour and Imagination. Brilliant Tableau. The Transformation :—Two Harlequins, Herr Deulin and Signor Veroni ; two Sprites, the Brothers Elliott ; two Pantaloor s, Mr. Barnes and Mr. G. Tanner; two Clowns, Messrs. Harry Boleno and Flexmore ; the Gent, Mr. Halford ; two Columbines, Madame Boleno and Miss Honey. The Ups and Downs of the Harlequinade, showing the Ins and Outs and Turns About of the Pantomime Rally ; Toy Warehouse, Butcher's and Baker's Shop (Bolenos, Deulin, Tanner, and Halford).—A pink of polite ness—Clown very toyish—Getting a nutcracker, which turns oat a nobby toy—First and last toys for gambling—Marbles versus dice—Despatches, loaded, and off they go—Harlequin takes a private box—Clown takes Chatterton's situation as boxiceeper Kite-flying—A game of Cricket, by which some of the players get bowled out, and afterwards stumped, which turns out a long stop—The uses and abuses of the crin oline—A Jack in the box—A box of regular British toys and a basket of French bread (bricks)—Aldershott a size smaller Grand review of infantry—A military ball—Going in for a buster—Coming out with a roll—Clown make a peel t 3 baker's feelings—List, oh, List—Squaring a round of beef— Clown takes a steak and gets a chop in return—Pantaloon tries his hand at a game and loses by it Cut and come again —Clown takes a butcher's shop, which Harlequin makes too hot to hold him. Tailor's Shop and Perfumery Warehouse (Ye. mil, Barnes, and Honey). A gentleman in search of a tailor— A suit that is quite the ticket The Oxide wrapper—Railway wrappers—Transfer depot--Washing machine —extraordinary— Some th ing that won't wash--Cleaned out—Scent in and sent out- Foreign versus English toothpowder Hungary water—A Frangipani bouquet Wonderful effects of the Pistachio nut powder —A case of real distress—Pantaloon in a fix—Fur nished Apartments for Single Men (Bolenos, Deulin, and Tanner).—Clews and Pantaloon in high life—A domestic re volution—Turning the tables—To bed, to bed—A drop too much Clown now begins to reflect —The looking-glass follows his example—Two heads better than one—Clown takes a turn on the sofa, which also takes a turn on its own account— Multiplication altercation, which ends with a regular row in the house. Judkia's Gas-regulating Machine and General Patent Office and Stationer's Shop (Veroni, Barnes, and Honey.)—Clown, being iu Fleet-street, goes the pace rather fast—The language of the eyes (1-talian of course) which everybody understands—Bath post versus Loudon post—Re gulators Wanted : railway regulators, army regulators, gas regulators, smoke regulators—Sewing, cutting, washing, pressing, and ironing done by a turn—Clown makes a shift which makes Pantaloon a little shirty—A. box of com-r on scents —A fresh supply of blacks from America— A Dred-ful scene ensues. Mechi's Model Farm (Bolenos, Deuln, and Tanner )—Harvest.heme —A rakish dance by rustic lads and lasses—The milky way—Harlequin makes a pump of himself —A strong smell of game—A farm-yard visitor—Clown finds the pig a very great bore—Pantaloon finds the dog gets greatly atteched to him —Prize Poultry—Cochin China and conch in England Novel hatching—The old mail—Full in side—Clown off by the Express and Pantaloon by the Becket— Mappin's Cutlery and Shilling Razor Warehouse, King William-street, City (the whole of the double company will appear in this scene )—Pantaloon proposes to take a bus —Present and future —Weight of public opinion —A change for the better—The people's own bus—When fool meets fool then comes the tug of fun—Collision, crash, smash, and dash—Garotte preventive—Moustache move ment A pair of sharp blades—Clowns prove themselves a case for cutlery Holloway stopped by Holloway's oint ment—The duel—A cut direct—Forewarned, forearmed— Public nuisances of 1856—0 h, my Crinoline—A high wind, n regular blow up, and glorious termination to Ups and Downs in Holiday's Fairy Home. The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the house to suit every one : —Galleries. M. and ls. ; Second Circle of Boxes, ls. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Stalls. is. ; - Private Boxes, 10. e. 6d., I'. Is., 11. lds. M., and 21. 2s. A Morning Performance of the Great Pantomime every Wednesday, at Two o'clock. R OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THIS EVENING will be produced an entirely new and original combination of burlesque and pantomime, entitled CONRAD AND MEDORA; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brough, Esq., rounded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gene ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr. F. Fenton. Characters in the opening : Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar Birharto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole Seydo Pasha Mr. Barrett Sing Smaul Yunsi ff Medera ......... . Mrs. Charles Dillon Oulnar M rs , B. White Zuliem Mrs. Melville Submarina Miss Jessie Ryder Serena Miss Mario Wilton Clowns Mr. Tom Matthews and Mr. H. Marshall „Mr. Stilt Mr. J Marshall The Brothers Nelson.! Miss Clara Morgan and Miss Ladd. To be preceded by WILLIAM TELL. Mr. C. Dillon. The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super. ntendence of Mr. Chatterton, jun. Carriages convoying parties to the Private Boxes to set down at the State entrance in Burleigh-street. at 2 o'clock. A Morning Performance eve r y Saturday, Pun talosa 274, , r:equin gprftPs Columbines TRANI) T EIEXT RE . .—Mn%ger, m t. T. P a y ne . —Thin Evening . ..ylll be performed THE JEW'S DAUGHTER. After which, the immensely successful novel Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE; or, Harlequin Humbug and the Shams of London. The Fairy Christmas, Miss E. Wilton ; Good Humour, Miss Norbury ; M ercury, Mies Cameron ; Humbug, Mr. Herbert ; Cant, Mr. Bolton ; Baron, Mr. J. B. Johnstone ; Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke ; Lord I • 43 vei., Miss Craven • Addelp , to, Miss Cuthbert ; Crambo, Master W. Edouin • Lady Afrnes, Miss E. Jacobs ; Baroness, Ar. G. Lee ; FurbilosA, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harle qnimade Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, :Kasten W Edonin ; Pantaloon, Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines. Miss E. lacobs and Mdle. Collison ; Premier Dansense, Mdle. Marie Charles. To conclude with THE INTRIGUE. New and magnificent Scenery, &c. New Curtain. New Act Drop. Commence at Seven. Stalls, -B.; DM; 2s. ; Pit, Is. ; Gallery, 6d. A morning performance of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock. ROYAL SURREY THEAT RE. ) Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, THE LIFE CHASE. Atter which, HARLEQ L'IN AND THE SUMMER ciumgx. Harlequin, Mr. F. Glover ; Clown, Mr. Buck Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury; the Four Sprite; the Filli~~Fa. SHY; Golambinee, Hoedames Marie and Agnes. THEATRE ROYAL, El AYMA.RKET. THIS EVENI NG, to commence at Seven with (by desire) the ceme , ly of THE INCONSTANT, in which Mr Murdoch will appear as Young Mirabel. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Crael Uncle. The scenery of tihe opening story painte by .llr W. Callcott. The music coa tposed and arrangedby :Award F itz. william. The pant .)mira,e produced Milano der th un direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Columbine, Fanny Wright; Pantaloon, lAr. and Clown, Mr. Driver. To conclude with A KISS IN Mackay;' THE DARE. A Morning perform2gice of the Pantomime will be given every Thursday throughout the holidays : commencing at 2, concluding at 4. - no OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. IN THIS EVENING will be performed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and th e e Genii of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co. lumbine, Miss C. Adams. T HEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. Great Hit of A Night at i,otting-Hill. THIS EVENING will be performed DOMESTIC ECONOMY. After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which Mr. Wright and Paul Bedford will appear. To conclude with the new and original union of modern burlesque and old English pantomime (as originated at this theatre), by Professor Wordspinner, Member of Every thing, with entirely new scenery, dresses, transformations, itc., called MOTHER SHIPTON ; or, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (a la Watteau), Madame Celeste an d mi ss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland ; Scaramonch, Mr. Le Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, &c. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING, Shakspeare's Tragedy of RICHARD THE THIRD, with Mr. W. Cooke's Splendid Equestrian Illustrations. Richard, Mr. James Holloway. After which, the choice SCENES of Equestrian Skill in the ARENA. - To conclude with the irresistibly funny equestrian comic pantomime, called PA UL PRY ON HORSEBACK ; or, Harlequin and the Magic Horseshoe, in which Mr. W. Cooke will drive Eight Golden-footed Steeds attached to the re splendent Chariot of Gold. Doors open at half-past six ; commence at a quarter be fore seven o'clock. .Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. IV. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. - - - - - A Morning Performance every Saturday, at Two o'clock , CANTERBURY KALL. Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Glees, Duets, dlc., viz.: —Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunel!, and Miss Summers ; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Raino, T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, and P. Corrie ; Masters Austin, Ben nett, and Corri ; Mr. Sam Cowell and E. Mackney. Piano forte, J. Harroway, R.A. ; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun. ; director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre eisely. Suppers, dm., until twelve o'clock. In addition to the usual Vocal Entertainment, the celebrated SPANISH MINSTRELS will appear in costume at Nine and Eleven o'clock Every Evening, and sing some of their favourite selec tions. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 15, 1857. moa WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Ting DAY—Morn. 7 min. aft. s—Evening5—Evening 25 min. aft. TO- 4 5 oltilOW—Morn. 43 min. aft. s—Evening 1 min. aft. 6 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, JANUARY 15. THERMOYETZE, IN THE SHADE. 40—highest sine noon yesterday. 34—lowest this morning and during the night. 44—this day at noon. BAROMETEB, 30 05— falling. WIND, S.W.—Light, with dull, rainy weather. II froze sharply last night and this morning. I ,_,,, 4._ _ fu,o -- r ,t,.... ~ Jr) r y ---'4 1 ,-- - .51 111 4 ,, ' c 1iV1, 4 1 1,31,, , 4 - - • iv,.*.7.- t"..-.5.--;i--.-r_t, LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1857 Another war in Affghanistan S Remember the last war there—the frightful war of 1838—with all its horrors, and all its disasters, and all its humiliations. And then reflect whether we have not reasons enow, in all conscience, for the most vigilant forethought and the most extreme pre caution, now that we are actually embarking once more upon the perils of a military campaign against Persia thorough Affghanistan! Recollect for a moment some few among the conspicuous facts, constituting, in the former struggle, the "head and front" of DosT MAHOMMED'S Offending. Recall to mind, not simply we mean, the bar barous assassination of Sir ALEXANDER BuRNEs and of Sir WILLIAM M‘NAGEITEN, but all the terrible havoc, turmoil, and confusion that ensued. The utter rout of the British forces at the battle of Beh-meru-hill ! The agonising slaughter at the passage of the Kyber Pass ! The precipitate and disastrous retreat from the province of Caubul I The wholesale butchery at the city of Caubul ! The previous massacre at Gaudannuck! The subsequent calamity at Mookhoor ! The more than decimation, the literal and absolute annihil ation, of the Goorkha Regiment. The loss of a whole noble army—the Army of the Indus— with the miserable exception of a mere slued of it : a little group of gallant fellows redeemed almost by a miracle from the jaws of death, like a single boat's crew from the shipwreck of an Armada ! The irretrievable loss beyond all this heroic blood, beyond all these chivalrous souls "lone to death" among the rocky fastnesses of Affghauis - tan, beyond the loss of all our military character for the time being, and of our hitherto invincible and irresistible reputation—of treasures amount ing in the aggregate to not less than 20,000,0001. Recollect all this, and then say whether the last war in Affghanistan, the war of 1833, carries with. the mere remembrance of it, a lesson of warn ing, or an incitement to prudence. It must, nevertheless, be borne in recollection, at the same time, that the new conflict upon which since the Ist of last November we may be said to have adventured, is a war, not this time ' against DOST MAHOMMED, but against the SHAH of Persia, a war not in Affghanistan, but through Affghanistan. So differently are we situated at the present moment in regard toCaubul and DOST MAHOMMED that Sir JOHN 'NEIL'S proposition of 1838, urging upon our authorities the policy of subsidising the latter and enlisting the troops of the former upon the side of Britain, is actually, if not already accomplished, at any rate within reach of realisation. Utterly idle, however, would it be to iely upon either the strength or the consistency to be derived from the Affghan Princes under the leadership of DOST MAHOMMED, In this new struggle in arms by sea and by land against Russo-Persian ambition —not Persian ambition alone, observe I but against Russo-Per. sian ambition—we must (considering the justice of our cause) rely solely upon ourselves, under the aid OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. The Anglo-Indian fleet in the Persian gulf, the Anglo-Indian troops under the command of their gallant Sepoy General, Brigadier CHAMBERLAYNE, must look for victory, under HEAVEN, not to the accident of any casual assistance that may come from the side of their Cabul auxiliaries, but simply, and entirely, and exclusively to themselves. Having the sense of a solid support behind them, such as would be derivable from a grand reserve of (say) from 20,000 to 30,000 fresh troops, in round numbers. There is at the very least, however, the satisfac tion in regard to old DOST MAHOMMED and his Affghan mercenaries, that if, in the oncoming struggle, they may not be with us, they are not to be against us. So far so good. But let us go • further, if possible ; let us guard, by th e most I vigilant precautionary measures, against the chances of any surprise or of any deception. We have the wiliest foe to deal with, and the wiliest friends. Let us, on either band, be watchful. And, above all, let us never lose the recollection of the warning addressed to England not so very long ago by England's greatest Captain—Never to embark in a Little War I It would be well to add to that solemn injunction the supplemental advice —never to embark in a Weak War, a Partial War, in any War, in fact, that is not a War in genuine earnest, a War, as the phrase is, d l'outrance I Had he lived to witness the Crimean Struggle, the Duke of WELLINGTON must assuredly have reprobated a Weak War no less earnestly than he reprobated what ho called a Little War ! He at least could not have been wholly satisfied with a Caucasian Campaign ending for England in the loss of Kars—with a bombardment of Odessa leaving the city, at the end of it, still in the hands of the Russians—with an eleven months' siege of Sebastopol closing with the North Forts still untaken by the united legions of the Allies—with a Peace at last consented to without the whisper of an indemnity, after the loss, to England alone, of from 20,000 to 30,000 gallant soldiers, and of from 80,000,0001. to 100,000,0001. No— startling though it may sound so to put it, it is incumbent upon us, in the name of mercy, in the name of humanity, not to have again, if we can help it, either a Weak War, or a Little War, now that we have actually drawn the sword once more against Persia—particularly now that our army has had to march against Persia through the awful and perilous passes of Affghanistan. Let the new war be neither a Weak War nor a Little War, but a War bold, prompt, vigorous, and— in one word—thorough ! The Neuchatel Difficulty still on the Cards of European Diplomacy gives promise at last of approximating to something like a decisive settle ment. Everybody almost has had a finger in the pie—a pie hitherto, by the way, about as satisfac tory as "Printers' !" But, until now, with vary little prospect even of being brought to the ultimate stage of completion. Prussia very com prehensibly of course—Marplot as she ever proves herself to be whenever any opportunity for so doing offers itself in the complicated affairs of Christendom—hankering all the while avowedly for the liberation of the Prisoner, for their liberation instantly and unconditionally ! Swit zerland evincing very naturally, and sagaciously at the same time, a profound reluctance to conduct anything of the kind until some distinct guaran tee should have been given by the Government of Berlin, some positive and reliable guarantee as to the ulterior renunciation by FREDERICK WIL LIAM of his hypothetical right of sovereignty over the disputed prize —Neuchatel! Every now and then coming ineffectually between the disputants —England, and France, and Austria, and even at last Russia herself, fresh from tie Conferences, and, therefore, most amiably alive to the abstract charms of conciliation. All to no avail. To no actual avail whatever So that more than four months have elapsed in these futile and, as they have proved, absolutely frivolous negotiations. At k length, for the first time since the insurrectionary movement of last September, there appears to be a likelihood of matters being brought to a tardy but final settlement. The Diplomatists, not merely of Berne and Berlin, but those also of London and Paris, of Vienna and St. Petersburg, have been all this while idly beating about the bush—and even Now can scarcely be said to be well out of the wood. The difficulty all the time being obviously to reconcile the claims of Prussia with the rights of Switzerland. To the attain ment of which end, the most straightforward course would have been from the first, what is actually only now (after more than a third of a year's haggling and wrangling)—being approached, namely, the making of the liberation of the Pri soners contingent upon the guarantee of Prussia that there should be a definite settlement immediately thereupon, for once and for all, of the " vexed question " of the right of sovereignty over Neuchatel. This ar rangement even now, as we have intimated, is not by any means arrived at—it is only at this moment being approached. Still it is being ap proached : and so far matters are in consequence assuming an aspect a little more satisfactory. Tt will be an absolute mercy to Europe when the mon strous and unnatural claim advanced on the part of Prussia shall really have been at last entirely dis sipated. Switzerland will then be relieved from a source of constant irritation, and may then, more effectually than ever, dedicate her undivided energies to the better organisation of her noble republican institutions and to the larger develop• ment of all the resources of the whole Federation. Although we have no great faith in Sir G. C. LEWIS, Ire cannot believe that he will venture to rely on the " pettifogging quibble," so loudly denounced not merely by the victims, but by one of his own colleagues, the First Naval Lord of the Admiralty. The pressure from without is too stringent—the voice of public opinion too distinct to admit of doubt. It has penetrated into the innermost recesses of Downing-street, and the "demurrer" being disposed of the question must now be met on tbesubstantial merits. The people have at last been thoroughly aroused. After 14 years' suffering the iron has penetrated into their very souls. They now appreciate the gross injustice of the system, and are resolved on obtaining an effec tual, albeit a tardy, remedy. Meetings are held in the different districts, in which members of Parliament are obliged to express their views ; and the sentiments thus promulgated must find an echo within the Imperial Palace at Westminster. Men of all classes and varieties of political opinion have already spoken, and none have dared to de fend the collection of the war 9d. to April, 1858, or the system under which it was levied. A very important meeting was held at Droit wich, on Monday, at which Sir J. S. PAKINGTON, one of the leading members of " Her MAJESTY'3 Opposition," expressed his views clearly and un equivocally. The Right Honourable Baronet may, in this instance, be regarded as the mouthpiece of the party, and although, as an ex-Cabinet Minister, he was obliged to maintain a degree of reserve, he yet let out sufficient to show that the Derbyites are fully cmscious of the strength of the position, and that they are prepared, if neces sary, to risk an encounter on the question. The Right Hon. Baronet would not say that the extraordinary verbiage of the Act which raised the question was more than " a mere accident." But he unhesitatingly declared that, although its continuance might be "carrying it out accord ding to the strict letter of the law, it was not iu consonance with its spirit," and that " the spirit as well as the letter should be respected." He justly claimed credit for the attempt made by Mr. DISRAELI, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, 'o discriminate between incomes derived froze accumulated property and the earnings of indus try. But that, as we have frequently stated, was but " the introduction of the sharp end of the wedge." It might have been accepted as a beginning, but nothing now will du but a fair P roperty Tax, where every person in the enjoyment Of A fixed and certain income shall contribute ac- cording to his means, to the liquidation of the public liabilities, and the maintenance of the national establish] nents. The settlement has been too long deferred to admit of such a compromise. It is " too late" ft such an arrangement. The inequalities of the tax must be rectified, but it must be a fair and bona fide effort to do so— not merely one t hat " keeps the word of pro mise to the ear to break it to the hope." Sir J. PLKINGTON compared the position of the man possessed of money in the funds, or real estate, with one who had to earn his liveli hood. The one t eft an ample provision, the other was compelled to save or insure. The latter was in duty bound ta, save or insure for the benefit of his family. This is truly valuable testimony. It will be recognised in Downing-street. It indicates a coming storm, a:nd Sir G. C. LEWIS will have to trim his sails in accordance with the warning. It only requires that the people should still display the same zeal and energy, and the victory will be a:ccmpli-hed, and 1857 will be renowned as the year of fiscal reform, when the true principles of Reform were recognised by the Legislature. We have had enough lately of Ticket-of-Leave liberations, and remission of sentences after short imprisonments. A quite new difficulty has lately been placed before the public—what to do with wrongly-convicted prisoners. The irreclaimable seem likely to give us trouble enough, and more than enough ; but those whom we have put under the discipline of Newgate, Milbank, and Penton villa for crimes they are as innocent of as we are, ought to trouble our national conscience in the opposite direction. They have a heavy demand upon us for redress, and we must give it. At pre sent we can only pardon convicted innocence ; the absurdity is so glaring that it has always been felt. It has been submitted to as the only prac ticable legal mode of releasing the innocent from punishment ; but we doubt not her MAJESTY'S fingers must have tingled a little, when, having been advised by her Home Secretary that a per son prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced in her name had never committed the alleged crime at all, she had to sign a pardon for the wronged in dividual. She must have felt that, as Head of the Executive, she had rather pardon to ask than to bestow, and must have reluctantly applied to proved innocence the language appropriate to guilt. We have all of us ,admired, too, the firmness of the KING of Naples' guiltless victims, who, when offered liberation on condition of asking for a pardon, preferred their load of irons and their damp dungeons to the ignominy of pardon for no crime whatever. Can we, then, insult lenger those who have nothing to be forgiven with that which we praise Pozaro for refusing. In The Sun of Saturday, a case of the kind referred to was stated in a letter by Mr. J. AN DERSON Rosz, ex-Under-Sheriff of London, which, from the peculiar clearness of the evidence and the sufferings of the victim, has deservedly attracted no little attention. JOHN MARKHAM was arrested one Saturday morning last April in Oxford-street, ou the charge of forging a banker's cheque, was examined and remanded for six weeks, finally eommitted for trial, tried, and convicted. The case was one of mistaken identity. The real culprit, JAMES ANDERSON, is now himself in the hands of justice, and confesses to the entire inno cence of MARKHAM. He had even, it seems, unable to see unmoved the distress and want of Mrs. 11 , 1ARKEIAM, knowing her husband to be innocent, actually sent her, in a way to avoid detection, a five-pound note ! After six months of inconceivable mental agony, in addition to prison, fare, prison companions, and "the horrors," as he termed it, of solitary confinement, JOHN MARKHAM is informed that he is proved innocent, therefore pardoned, and is now a freeman. The first joy of freedom of course hid the shame of pardon from him, but, practically, he finds on his emancipation that Society is but too ready to regard him not as one to whom it has to make atonement, but as one who has been to prison. Now, surely, let legal pedantry and ingenuity hunt up what difficulties it may, all this ought to be redressed. A man brought to trial, and told by the Judge in open court that he is not merely acquitted through some techni• cal casualty, or through doubtful evidence, but that no stain rests upon his character, rejoins the world, as if nothing had happened. Hence an accused map, conscious of integrity, demands a fair trial, and an officer of the army in like cir cumstances a co urt-martial. This seems to point to one mode of remedying the mischief which would retrieve character, namely, a new, public, and impartial investigation. Pecuniary compensation to the full extent of the injury sustained in that way, none would object to, and further it is impos sible to go. No compensation can b e o ff ere d for six months of heart-wearing, bearin g up against g punishme n t s , th e proper lot of felons,retchedness of b e i ng l oo k e d on as and degradin g haedi w retchedness guilty of that which the inmost heart loathes by all who surround us. It is rather remarkable that MARKHAM'S is not the only case of the kind with which Mr. ROSE and the excellent Ordinary of Newgate had to do. Another man of the name of MARTIN was rescued by their praiseworthy exertions in the same man ner. They after several days' labour established his innocence, and even found out the real crimi nal. It is also remarkable that Mr. ROSE heard both the trials, and was satisfied at the time of Maltszam's innocence, and strongly doubted the guilt of MARTIN ; although he states that the witness who swore positively to MARKHAM'S iden tity was a most respectable and honest man. It is difficult to explain this, the more so as ho was ably defended by Mr. BALLANTINE, who was thoroughly satisfied of his innocence. These cases do an injury to the administration of justice generally. In the next trial for murder, where identity is at all a question, what jury will not be afraid to convict when the prisoner's counsel has made the best use of MARKHAM'S erroneous conviction. The opponents of capital punish ment will, of course, lay no little stress on such cases ; and it may easily happen that thus villains may be left at large, again to commit fresh mur ders, whom no jury would have hesitated to confine for life. The account Mr. Rose gives of the interior of Newgate is somewhat startling. Pirates, mur derers, garotters, burglars, thieves from birth, receivers, putters up of robberies, and the perpetrators of unmentionable crimes, all picking oakum together, and all solacing them selves under the monotonous task by " holding high discourse" on the edifying topic of their knaveries, and deeds of villanous daring. The temptation is to make theknselves worse than they are, the most outrageous tale of horrors or of wicked cunning being the most interesting, and perhaps the most instructive to the younger scholars. It seems to be a perfect pandemonium, and poor MARKHAM was an object of relentless persecution among these wretches, because " the countryman," as they termed him, could but per- severingly assert his innocence. What a hell on earth must Newgate be ! Surely if half all this be ,rue, no ono who has served his apprenticeship to oakum•picking M Newgato ought to be liberated to practise on society the infernal arts he has learned there. We certainly agree with Mr. HILL, that it is the very climax of absurdity when once we have laid bold of a practised thief to let him loose on society again : work him, transport him, confine him, do what you like with him but spare us his presence in our towns and villages. Neither reason nor jus tice demand that a man who has proved he can not be trusted to respect our property and lives should ever have the chance of injuring either. THE PANTOMIMES. MORNING PERFORMANCES. The experiment of morning performances, which was last year tried on a limited scale, and which proved so successful, has this year been adopted by nearly the whole of the managers of the principal theatres. At Drury-lane Theatre, Mr. E. T. Smith has fixed Wednes day as the day on which a morning performance of the magnificent pantomime of " See Saw, Margery Daw," is to be given. Mr. Bucketone, the talented lessee of the Haymarket, has selected Thursday for a similar per formance. Mr. Charles Dillon, of the Lyceum, has chosen Saturday for a morning representation of his Christmas tribute ; as also has Mr. W. Cooke, of the " world-renowned Astley's Amphitheatre." At the Princess's, Adelphi, and Olympic, although a certain day has not been permanently fixed upon, morning per. formances are frequently announced ; so that it is in the power of pater familias to give his juveniles a whole week's treat without the inconvenience of exposing them to the night air or the expense of " cabs home." To one or both of these circumstances we attribute the great success that has attended the experiment of " morning performances." THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.—The impression in well-informed circles is, that her Majesty will not open Parliament in person in consequence of an interesting event being expected towards the end of the month fol lowing that in which the Legislature will re-assemble. —Morning Chronicle. EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES OF MINISTERS AT FOREIGN COVRTS.—Iti the year ended March the extraordinary expenses of our Ministers were 25,0001. THE WAR WITH Russti.--In the year ended March, 1855. the vote of credit for the war with Russia was 1,800,0001., and in the following year, 4,200,0001. THE PRIVY PURSE.—In the year ended the 31st March last the salaries of the household and tradesmen's bills were 371,8001. The Paris advices refer to rumours that the Great Central of France Railway has been purchased by the Paris and Orleans Company. The directors of the Commercial Bank of London have declared a hal'-yearly dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, fl - !e of income tax, payable on the 24th instant. The fiat ordinary meeting of the National Discount Company is called for the 6th February; and the second half -yearly meeting of the Anglo-French Steam-ship Company for the 14th February, at Grimsby. An extraordinary general meeting of the Wimbledon and Croydon Railway Company is called for the 30th inst., to consider the draft of the proposed lease of the line to the London and Brighton Railway Company. Advices received from Cape de Verds mention that the steamer European, Captain Parfitt, arrived at St. Vincent from Southampton on the 25th of December, and sailed again on the 27th, on her way to Australia. The commercial advices from New York this week describe an improvement in most descriptions of stocks, notwithstanding an increased pressure for money at the close of the year. The Senates Academicus of the University of Edin burgh have conferred the Degree of LL.D. upon Pro fessor James Stephen, of King's College, London. The serious symptoms of Alderman Farebrother's recent indisposition have subsided, and his medical attendant states that he has " strong hopes of his ultimate recovery." ILLNESS OF MR. BARON ALDERSON.—We regret to learn that the learned baron is labouring under severe indisposition at his residence in Portland-crescent, the disease being a determination of blood to the head. FUNERAL OF MR. BROTHERTON, M.P.—The funeral of the late Mr. Brotherton, M.P., took place yesterday morning, when his remains were interred in the new cemetery in Eccles New-road, Salford. Amongst mem bers of the Legislature present were noticed Mr. W. Brown, M.P., Mr. Hadfield, M.P., Mr. Barnes, M.P., Hr. Kershaw, M.P., and Mr. Cheethare, M.P. A MAGISTRATE SUMMONED BY A CABMAN.-- On Tues day Mr. G. W. Donnithorne, of Twickenham, a Middle sex magistrate, was summoned at the Lambeth police court, by the driver of a hackney carriage, numbered 2777 for refusing to pay him 6d. It was a question of distance. Mr. Elliot decided in cabby's favour, and ordered the defendant to pay the 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs. MADAME TIIESAUD'a EXHIBITION.—One of the latest additions to this establishment has been the portrait of the Archbishop of Paris. lately assassinated in the church of St. Etienne-du -Mont. The prelate is represented in similar robes to those worn when he fell by the knife of the as-assin. The portrait is an excellent likeness, and will prove, no doubt, a- source of much interest to the visitors. AUSTRALIAN MAILS.--The European and Australian Company's steam-packet Columbian left Southampton yesterday with the Australian mails. She took out about sixty passengers. The mail consisted of about 220 bags of letters and papers. THE AMERICAN MAILS.—The screw steam ship City of Manchester, Captain Petrie, belonging to the Liver pool and Philadelphia Steam-packet Company, sailed from the Mersey at noon yesterday for Philadelphia, with a mail and about 100 passengers (20 of whom occupy cabin berths), and a fair amount of merchandise on freight. The screw steam-ship City of Baltimore, Capt. Robert Lead., with advices from Philadelphia to the Ist _inst., and the United States mail-steam-ship Baltic, Capt. Corns'oek, with advices from New York to the 31 inst., are now fully due and hourly expected. The Royal Mail steam-ship Arabia, Capt. Stone, sails on Saturday after noon for Boston and Halifax, with mails, passengers, and cargo. THE Loss OF THE LYONNAIS—SAFETY OF ANOTHER OF THE BOATS.—LIVERPOOL, Tuesday.—A telegraphic despatch, received at. Halifax, reports that one of the boats of the ill-fated French screw steamship Lyonnais, wrecked by cc'hion while on her passage from New York to Havre (on which occasion all the passengers and crew took to the boats), had been picked up, Dec. 9, lat. 40 N., by the brig Beauty, from Halifax, at Montego Bay, Jamaica. The number of souls saved is not mentioned. THE COAST OF KENT AND ITS LIGHT BEACONS.—It appear, from what one can gatuer from the letters of the ablest correspondents, that the commander of the Violet was carried out of his course, in the direction of the North Foreland, and getting sight of the Gull Stream Lights, he mistook them for the South Foreland Lights, and then steered his unhappy vessel unwittingly upon the fatal sands. No error, even in the foulest weather, could again arise, were the three lights at the South Foreland, the Gull Stream, and the North Sand Head, coloured red, green, and blue, and made to reflect in the most intense and brilliant manner. ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.—The annual general meet ing of this soc.ety was held yesterday; Mr. B. B. Cahlae!l in the chair. It appeared, from a reprt of the proceed ings of the society during the past year, that, in addi tion to bronze medals, testimonials, and pecuniary re wards, 13 silver medals were awarded by the society to persons who had risked their lives to save others from being drowned. Last year 201,000 persons bathed in the Serpentine River, and 47 casualties (including at tempted suicide-) had occurred, of which number four proved fatal. During the skating season 40 persons had been rescued by the society's icemen in the parks and Kensington-gardens, and no fatal accident had oc currel The number of skaters and sliders was esti mated at upwards of 40,000. The officers of the insti tution were re-elected, and thanks were voted to the chairman. WATERFORD AND MILFORD POSTAL COMMUNICATION. —The Irish mails are to be conveyed across the Channel by the Neyland and Waterford steamers, for which pur pose arrangements are being entered into by the Post office authorities. In the first instance the conveyance will be three times a week—doubtless hereafter to be extended. This arrangement will effect the saving of considerable time in the interchange of correspondence between the south of England and the south of Ireland. The present Admiralty pier at Hobb's Point will once more be used for the embarkation of the passengers and the mails. At N ey l an d term i nus th e works are pro gressing well ; th e d ou bl e li ne o f ra il s is being laid down from Ila.verford wes t ' and the shipping conveniences are being c arr i e d out to meet the great traffic which is so rapidly developing itself in the haven. Locr, SHIPPING DUES ON THE DANTJBE.—" The exe cution of the regulations which are to be drawn up by the Eur o p ean Commission of the Danube,"says a Galatz letter, " will meet with numerous difficulties on the part of the pilots and other inhabitants of the Sulina, almost all of whom are pirates, who have ne other object in view than to rob the unfortunate captains who are compelled to have recourse to them. Last year some English vessels having a cargo of 2,000 quarters were co=mpelled to pay enormous sums for being taken over the bar. C o mpetition has since then, it is true, led to a reduction in the charges. It is said that the owners of the local steam tugs and the pilots have pledged themselves reciprocally to resist, even by for ce , t h e execution of the regulations which may be drawn up by the Danubian Commission. ELECTRICTELEGRAPH COMPANY'S STOCK.—The follow. ing communication, announcing additional precautions against fraud in the registration and transfer of th e Elec tric Telegraph Company's stock, was yesterday posted in the Stock Exchange : " The Electric and International Telegraph Company (Incorporated 1846). " Lothbury, London, Jan. 13, 1857. "Dear Sir,—l beg to acquaint you that the board of directors of the Electric and International Telegraph Com pany having deemed it necessary to take additional precau tions, with a view, if po ss ibl e, o f g i ving greater security for the due registration and transfer of the company's stock, have passed the following resolution, which I am instructed to forward to you : 'Resolved,—That all deeds of transfers of shares be examined and compared with the stock ledger by a director in attendance, who will add his signature to the same.'—l am, &c., " (Siciaed) "J. S. F OURDRINIER , Sk cre t ar y. Mihill Slaughter, Esq., Secretary Railways Department, Stock Ezonange.", LATEST NEWS. PRUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND. BERLIN, WEDNESDAY. It is stated in high circles that the King persists in claiming the preliminary liberation of the prisoners, though disposed to abandon his claims to the sovereignty of Neuchatel, provided he is allowed to retain his proprietorship in the chateaux of Neuchatel and Locle, with a revenue of 20,000 dollars, and the Prussian flag to remain on both chateaux. The Krettz Zeitung affirms that Prussia has agreed to no other arrangement than that of entering on negotiations when the prisoners shall be unconditionally released. It maintains that the Powers required nothing else of her. BERNE, JAN. 14. The Committee of the National Assembly ap pointed to consider the message of the Council, in recommending the adoption of the proposals, add the following phrase :—" And whereas by all communications received, the independence of the canton of Neuchatel appears to be secured, Switzerland is disposed to assistin the maintenance of peace, as far as her honour and her indepen dence will permit." The Committee proposes to sit in permanence when the Assembly shall have adjourned, after to-morrow's meeting. The Committee of the State Council is also unanimous for the adoption of the proposals with the exception of M. Fazy. MARSEILLES, WEDNESDAY. The India Mail arrived this afternoon at five o'clock, and leaves this evening for London at tan. The Paris Correspondent of the Morning Pos (second edition), says : " I understand the Governments of England and France, now that the Treaty of Peace has been confirmed by the second Conferences, are turning their attention to the allied occupation of the kingdom of Greece. It is stated that despatches have even left Paris calculated to make way for a speedy evacuation ; but according to the latest advices I have received from Athens, Mr. Wyse, her Britannic Majesty's representa tive, had not yet received his instructions on this subject. The Russian diplomacy is represented as being very anxious to witness the retirement of the allied forces. It will be remem bered that the occupation of Greece was rendered imperative during the war, by the well-known leaning of the Court of Athens towards a Russian policy which had intrigued to cause the Hellenes to create a revolt in Turkey, and thereby embar rass our ally the Sultan by a necessary diversion, at a moment when the Ottoman armies were required elsewhere. The presence of the Anglo- French forces prevented this movement, and they have remained in the neighbourhood of Athens ever since, as no change has taken place to justify their retirement. King Otho was kept on the throne of Greece as a constitutional Sovereign, but he has gradually reduced the Chambers to a powerless body, and even persecuted the Liberal and National party. The Queen and the Court show very little respect for England and France, and continue to be the instruments of Russian views in the East. To such an extent has the Government of King Otho allied himself with the Northern Courts, that the Governments of Eng land and France (certainly the former) have fre• quently had occasion to remonstrate with the Cabinet of Athens." NEW TURKISH RAILWAY. CONSTANTINOPLE, Jan. s.—On Saturday last, the 3d inst., another conference on the firman concern ing the convocation of the Divans ad hoc in the Danubian Principalities took place at the British Embassy, in which all the remaining points were discussed and settled. A new railway project has been taken up by the Turkish Government lately ; it is Mr. Layard's. He proposes a railway connecting the Danube and the Black Sea with the Archipelago, sending out by degrees branches to the capital and the principal towns of Roumelia and Bulgaria. The railway would start from the Danube, either at Rustchuk or Silistria, and pass by Shumla and Adrianople to Enos, or any other point on the Archipelago which would offer the advantages of a large and sure har bour. , The project invites the greatest attention, for it is based on a thorough knowledge of the country, and is therefore best calculated to draw out the resources of European Turkey. 'lt differs from all other pro jects having reference to the country on this side of the Straits, that it proposes the shortest artery of communication between the West and East, and would be sure to become the great high road through Turkey. It would effect a revolution in the whole export trade by placing the great harbour of European Turkey on the Archipelago, dispensing thus with the delays of months to which vessels are exposed in passing the Dardanelles and the Bospho rus, and doing away with the dangers of the Danube and Black Sea navigation. Most of the produce of the Danubian Principalities of Bulgaria and Rou melia, and even of Hungary and Transylvania, which is now sent to Ibraila, Galatz, and down the Danube, or to Varna and Bourgas, on the Black Sea, would be certain to take this route. But be sides the trade already existing this line would be sure to lead to a great increase of exports from Rou melia, whose fertile plains have now no outlet except Constantinople, and this is so expensive that the grain costs 6 piastres or less the kilo. all over that country, while it is sold at 25 or more in the capital. The line could reckon, besides, on the greatest part of the transit trade from Europe to Syria, Egypt, and India; for if the line to Kronstadt, in Transyl vania, should be finished, and this line connected by Bucharest w ith th e D anu b e , th e communication be tween London and Egypt would not take more than seven to eight days. •So this line, intersecting and connecting the most productive parts of European Turkey, would be surer to pay than any other con templated. At Enos, or any other convenient spot on the Archipelago, it is intended to make a great entrepot of commerce. The whole line would be from 320 ro 350 miles in length. The conditions which Mr. Layard proposes are very favourable. He asks for no guarantee. H e hopes that the advantages of the line he p roposes will be sufficient to induce capitalists to take a part in the enterprise, and certainly the dubious gua rantee of the Turkish Government in the present state of its finances ought scarcely to come into consideration with the probability of the large pro fits which this line offers. Mr. Layard asks for the gratuitous cession of all the ground required for the main line and its branches, the concession of the ground necessaryat Enos or any other point chosen in the Archipelago for the docks and entrepots of commerce; the grant of all the forests, mines, and quarries which might be required for the construction of the line, and which are situate in its vicinity. The concession to be for 99 years from the completion of the line. The Turkish Government is wild about the scheme, as you may judge from the circumstance that in five days the whole affair was settled without any intervention of Ambassadorial power, and the " lrado" is being made out. This is not to b e wondered at, for t h e li ne i s of the highest imp or t ance to t h e G overn ment, not only in a financ ia l b ut i n a political and military , point of view, connect i ng, as it does, ntdhefadltaeretinutgptrhoe vinces of Europ e an Turkey, a march gui s of p troops urel y e 0 ; m a m n d e r even i v a e i n s the peE cu l T a Turks f can in d o i n s e t i in n Empire are not lost which the interests of the sight of. The Berne Gazette states that the Swiss Consul in London has had offers from several of the sur geons and other officers of the British army who served in the Crimea, to give their services to the Federal array of Switzerland. An English lady too, one of those who helped to nurse the sick and wounded of the British army in the hospital at Scutari, has written to the Swiss Consul in Loudon the following letter Sir, —Having read in the Times newspaper that the ladies of Switzerland intend to follow the example of Miss Nightingale, awl to volunteer their services for the I relief of their suffering countrymen, in case of wa becoming inevitable, I take the liberty of informing you that some ladita from England also would be happy to associate themselves with the Swiss ladies in that work. I was at Scutari myself, and have bad some opportunities of appreciating the need and the benefits of female care and tenderness under such cir cumstances. It may be that God will yet avert from your country the dreadful scourge of war ; but in the contrary event, if you regard this proposal as worthy of attention, and if a certain number of English ladies should be allowed to co-operate with your noble minded countrywomen, you may be assured that we are ready and willing, with God's help, to respond to your call. I cannot offer you my services as those of one of the rich and nob leof the earth, but simply as those of an un• known person who desires to do this only from the motive of a pure affection for God and her fellow-men. I do not give you any names except my own, because I am at present residing out of town, and have not had an opportunity of obtaining the signature of those l a di e s who wish to take part iu this work. I may perhaps mention that I am perfectly acquainted with the French and Italian languages. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. A private telegraphic despatch received here from Berne, dated to-day, announces that the National Council has approved unanimously the proposition of liberating the Neuchatel prisoners. The commission of the States approved it unani mously, with the exception of one vote. The discussion by the Federal Assembly has been postponed till the 15th. This is the date on which the delay fixed by Prussia for the military movement expires. The Moniteur of to-morrow will probably contain a note on the subject. Verger has requested a postponement of his trial. Feruk Khan will be here to-morrow. M. Bourbolon, Minister of France to China, kas taken his leave, and started this day, with all speed, for his destination. The Monitettr has nothing of political interest. There are disastrous accounts of the effects of the late terrific storm in the Mediterranean. A letter from Odessa states that the coast bat teries and defences of that place are almost entirely dismantled. General Luders still resides there, and most of the garrison officers of rank have re ceived permission to travel in France, to visit the military and naval establishments of that country. Other officers are going to Africa to make the campaign with the French forces against the Kabyles. The Debats still attacks the English press for claiming the larger share in the settlement of the Neuchatel question on a satisfactory basis. It, how ever, has nothing better than simple denials. The Debats, upon a careful examination of the official papers relating to the attack of the English on Canton, does justice to our forbearance, and de clares that no other course could be taken under the circumstances. It further clearly shows that in this case the Chinese look upon French, Ameri cans, and English as one people of " outward bar. barians," and of course advises, in these matters, common action with ourselves. The Pays denies the truth of the rumour circu lated in the French press to the effect that the French colony of Otaheite was about to be aban doned, and it asserts that the prospects of this colony are of a most favourable nature. BOURSE, Jan. 14.—The following were the last quotations : Cash. fr. C. 4i per Cents . . 93 End of Month. —fr. —c. 67 90 3per Cents 67 75 New Loan Bank Shares 4,100 Roman (x d) Credit Dlobilier 1,40 T 50 Austrian Belgian Fives 994 Spanish Threes Piedmontese (5) 92 50 Home Debt .RAILWAYS-FOR CASH. fr. c. fr 0 Orleans 1,381 25 Western Northern 942 50 Strasburg - Lyons 1,362 50 New Ditto Mediterranean 1,760 Grand Central Lyons Geneva ...... 755 Testa Cate 753 75 Austrian Corn. ...... 777 50 N TUSCANY. A letter from Florence, of the 7th inst., gives some interesting details relative to the lately de ceased Signor Bologna, Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, which demon strate what a retrograde movement the Duke's government has made since the year 1148. Signor Bologna was during a long time previous to 1848 the Chief of the Tuscan Police, or, as it was then called, Presidente delbuon-governo. He fulfilled his functions in such a manner as not to incur the re proach of being too indulgent, so that when the times changed his fall was regarded as a triumph for the Liberals. Signor Bologna filled no politi ca Mee from the revolution of 1848 until the restoration took place, and foreign troops oc cupied the Tuscan territory. Signor Bologna was then summoned by the Duke to form part of his Cabinet as Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs. It was expected to find in him a fiery Reactionist. He was no such thing. He certainly did not renounce his old reactiouist principles, but he left to others who belore and after 1848 had figured in the ranks of the most furious Radicals the unenviable privilege of rushing into the extreme ranks of the Reactionists. In 1851 an arrangement, somewhat like a concordat, was concluded between the Tuscan Government and the Pope, but Signor Bologna attenuated and nearly destroyed the effect ,of the arrangement. During the winter of 1854 much conversation took place among a certain co terie at Florence relative to the war in the Crimea, and it was boldly asserted that the allies would be cast into the sea by the Russians, and take a bath—faranno un bagno—and this phrase became proverbial. One day in the year 1855 a law on the press was being discussed in the Council of State for the purpose of establishing a preven tive censure. Each member who had spoken ex pressed an opinion favourable to the law. When Signor Bologna's turn came, to the astonishment of all the Councillors, ho said, "The law may be good, but it is better not to promulgate it at pre sent." " Why so ?" cried the Councillors. " Be cauE9," replied he, smiling, "it is better to wait until this bath (2nd certo bagno) shall have been taken." The Patric announces, on the authority of a letter from Kalisch, that the troops of the last Polish levy but one have received orders to leave immediately for the CAucasus. It is believed they are to reinforce the army of observation of 40,000 men, which it is asserted is assembled on the ex treme frontier of Persia. "It appears," adds the fatrie, " that serious operations are expected in the beginning of spring, to counterbalance the probable results of the English expedition "in the Persian Gulf." ••••••••••••••••• The following changes have lately taken place at St. Petersburg. In consequence of the illness of the Minister of War, the chief of the staff, General Kotzebue, at Warsaw, has been appointed to assist the Minister. Baron de Meyendorff has been named head of the Imperial Chamber. The De partment of Commerce and Manufactories is about to be separated from the Ministry of Finance, and will constitute a new Ministerial department. -- The amounts which are to be paid by the various maritime powers to Denmark in compensation for the removal of the Sound dues are stated in a Copenhagen letter to be as follow :—England and Russia, 34 million francs each ; Prussia, 12 mil lions ; Sweden, 7 millions ; France, 4 millions ; and Belgium, 1,200,000 f. A letter received from Algiers announces that very tempestuous weather had been exper i ence d on that coast since the beginning of the year. The steamer which rups,u ton from Oran t o Al g i ers had met the andhad been driv en by Balearic Islands. She , ft galeli s suffered considerable injury, and aft er muc h d anger she was enabled to s ee k s h elter at Arzow. The French mail from Marseilles h a d no t reached Algiers r th o e ug f h or w ceeaotfhtehre o on the 2d inst. A subscription, headed by Messrs. Rothschild, Baring, and Gurney, was opened yesterday for the family of Mr. Mortleman, who perished in the mail steamship Violet, and who is ascertained in the midst of his danger to have floated the mail bags, so that even after the loss of the vessel and all on board there might be a prospect of their recovery. They were picked up on the following morning, and much inconvenience to the commercia community was thus prevented. MOHAMMEDANS IN PARIS,--A special enclosure for the burial of persons of the Mussulma❑ religion has just been formed in one part of the cemetery of Pere- Lachaise, having been found necessary, in consequence of the number of persons, and especially Arabs of that reigion, who die in Paris. The enclosure contains building for purification and for other ceremonies pre• scribed by the Mussultnan religion. It has been built on plans furnished by Vely Pacha, when Turkish ambits eador. CENTRAL CATTLE-11IARKET AT SWINDON.—It is pro' posed by the Great Western Railway Company to es:ab lish a fortnightly market for the sale of cattle at swirl don, their object being to make a grand central market for the sale of all the cattle coming up from South Wales and Ireland by the South Wales line and the Irish boats. The increase of this traffic has of late been very greats and, joined to the enlarged supply brought by the various new lines which have been opened, has led to the conclusion that a market at Swindon w o uld be Well supported.