The Sun. — London, England, 1871-01-19 00:00:00

;hoot ,oard ,se of rision .tion were r the Lnced , late vote eport g the on of Bond iarles ither, wting s and sent frica,n ments have 3 are xperts is are The could Ishing , how imond e may onials, party r, con as yet ;ourse, era, as rse, to hey go rs and rnonds to the 5 miles struck, :entage and 80 shape le who ) Cali'. had a ;olonial [STS. stating rzy and r of 11. en sent bsman, close of nt him ble hint ometer g been inch at an they in thy'• is, how n, prin snow 111 rranged 1 spend 3stion of decided. as more Marcos in Scot- —lt is w. T. frauds eparture very 1 / 3 5 antity of nely re .sidence, rich will for the on the n held ill DI eons' by law. of the officers , antlereea t at a a blie, the Iles, And teoessarY ;tack. on isoner by he banha ► men g () , enemy 13 aeath the Fe landed with the er of the r way .° L captain- •croes oh itched t° 31 armies coin Neo on b o or A amraT re prifl 0 -Unite' illions of o Nfessr3- iey, Die.„ the sti l l' the 29th to Henry a brothei! Teat ris have been 3, of h er C. 3g e r onnor--11' 0 1 tatelre e of 714 " ccurreno(l the, ' ll cost. the do< 10 er, dot 4; 'h e freig b i cost, 01; hi s brau c I the duty O n ond(i 374 to to wroco waritlY nt o f tUe rode into „ alights i° • sa lo? 0 : hip . a th Lan ar o y the No oh he a pd glass " re a corn p a firm t he • and n a; r husb a- oo would .0. dl 3 3' o k it fr D e )Id hib e d ie ma r horse the a i n utes t her rear of t esPon t "of 6renien- e d. unab 3t sa w tvsr h ° o le The sv " Ti' ld lif e s t i e ti se A but n o c tir dto 0T dal ' 4.-t,i 'A mu ch A m ong t i j er when to . ies h;oredcbereii stoPP e t i e le 4 ;se sr- t atCr t mmucho,g ;3' ncb then be Ni reo , 4, ! this % j u of the € ;pset,ol)3.ojl - wag's LATEST INTELLIGENCE. SUN OFFICE, 8 A.m. THE WAR. TIIE SUNKEN BRITISH SHIPS. BERLIN, January 18. A letter from the King of Prussia to Prince Henry of the Netherlands, Governor-General of Luxem burg, expresses the hope that the questions pewling between Luxemburg and Germany will be amicably settled. The letter also assures the Prince that Ger many has no intentions to imperil the existence of Luxembourg as a separate State. Lord Granville, in a communication to Count Bismarck, accepts the proposlll of the German Chancellor to pay for the British vessels sunk at Duclair. FIGHTING IN THE EAST. Tue following telegrams have been received : BREVILLIERS, January 17. " Last night General Keller occupied Frahier, and surprised Chenebier. "He captured some baggage, and made 400 men prisoners. " This morning, at about 8 o'clock, the enemy re peatedly attacked Chagey, but unsuccessfully. "He also attacked Bethancourt violently, bat fruitlessly, at noon. " At INlontbeliard and to the west, at Lure, there is a warm cannonade. " About four o'clock this afternoon the enemy attacked General Keller with considerably superior forces. "General Keller, however, maintained his strong position at Frahier. "Our losses during the last three days have been about 1,200 killed and wounded." THE CAMPAIGN ON THE LOIRE. LE MANS, January 17. The intrenched French camp at Collie has been occupied by part of the Second Army. A considerable quantity of arms, ammunition, pro visions, and stores of all kinds have been taken. The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg entered Alencon early this morning, capturing several hundred head of cattle and numerous baggage and ammunition waggons. The French army is still in full retreat. The weather is mill, but the roads very heavy. Times. GENERAL CHANZI'S DEFEAT. BORDEAUX, January 18. There is reason to hope that the battle of Le Mans was less disastrous to the French than was at first thought. General Chanzy was very ill. His lieutenant pushed forward with bad troops Keratry's Bretons—wearing wooden shoes and armed with percussion muskets. These troops ought to have been-kept in the background. Their panic spread amongst others. In a word, the repulse is to be regretted, but it is not to be considered as a decisive defeat. —Daily News. The following telegrams come through Reuter's agency : LAVAL, January 18 The retreat of General Chanzy's army continues in good order, in spite of the unfavourable wea ther. French reconnoitring parties have made pri soners, among whom is Count Mollje, of the 17th Army Corps. THE NORTH OF FRANCE. BRUSSELS, January 18. A. despatch received from Blandin to-day announces that General Faidherbe arrived at Fins on Monday. Yesterday an outpost skirmish took place not far from Bapaume. From Arras it is reported that all the war material in store there is being sent to Lille. The French hold St. Quentin. Large masses of Belgian troops are moving towards the frontier. Twenty cases of Chassepot rifles have been seized at Tournai. THE RE-OCCUPATION OF ST. QUENTIN. LILLE, January 18 (Afternoon). St. Quentin has been recaptured by Colonel Isnard, who had been despatched for the purpose with part of the garrison of Cambrai. The enemy evacuated the town in disorder, leaving French pri soners, baggage, and two guns behind. , .., .., ... . General Faidherbe continue his march on Corbie. A despatch from General Faidherbe says that, having learned that the Prussians at St. Quentin demanded of the inhabitants a sum of MB,OOO irs., lie resolved to put an end to their exactions, and sent a flying column for that purpose, under the orders of Colonel Isnard. That officer encountered the enemy at Catelet Bellicourt, and pursued him, killing and wounding thirty men. Colonel Isnard subsequently entered St. Quentin on the 16th. The enemy fled in great disorder, abandoning 130 prisoners, as well as a considerable store of provisions. The inhabitants of the town re ceived the troops with enthusiasm. (BELGIAN ACCOUNT.) BRUSSELS, January 18. A despatch received from Blandin to-day an nounces that General Faidherbe arrived at Fins on Monday. Yesterday an outpost skirmish took place not far from Bapaume. From Arras it is reported that all the war material in store there is being sent to Lille. The French hold St. Quentin. Large masses of Belgian troops are moving towards the frontier. Twenty cases of Chassepot rifles have been seized at Tournai. NEWS FROM BORDEAUX. BORDEAUX, January 17. M. Gambetta left last night for the Army of the West, at the request of General Chanzy. The Moniteu; in announcing the promotion of Colonel Charette to the grade of General, says the appointment will be approved by all who place the salvation of the country above party quarrels. The Prussian troops threaten Tours. In occupy ing Le Mans they seized six locomotives and cut the railway an I telegraphic communication between Le Alans and Tours. BORDEAUX, January 17 (Evening). The Minister of the Interior has sent a despatch to the Prefects informing them that General Chanzy continued his retreat yesterday in a satisfactory manner, The e enemy entered Alencon after an engagement with Franc-tireurs and Mobi lized National Guards. General Bourbaki's army has taken the position of Chennebriel, after an engage ment with the enemy. He also occupied some houses of llericourt, but did not retain them. January 18. A despatch dated the lGth, evening, from General tourbalti says " We continuo to advance in the direction of 13elfort." PRUSSIAN REPULSE. A body of Prussians, with.two guns, attacked the French troops in the direction of Saint Romain on the 1 7th. They threw shells into the village. Alter a severe engagement they were repulsed with heavy loss. and ten wounded. The French had five men killed CAPTUIM OF ALENCON. The town of Alencon was captured on Monday afternoon by the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg- Schwerin and the thirteenth corps. THE SIEGE OF PARIS. Paris, according to news on the 14th, has still resources for two months at least. The France and the Constit utionel agree with the Radical journals in approving of M. Jules Favre's not going to the conferenee at present, while the Debats and Patrie urge him to take advantage of this opportunity in order to negotiate an honourable peace. Some petroleum bombs have been thrown into the city, but no great results have been obtained. Fires are unusual and quickly extinguished. The pro jectiles reach as far as the Seine, and the inhabi tants on the left bank of the river have been removed to the right bank. GERMAN NAVAL REPRISALS. - BERLIN, January 18. The North German Gazette of to-day confirms the intelligence that in consequence of the French treatment of German merchant vessels contrary to international law, the Prussian Government has resolved to abandon its intention of abstaining from capturing French merchantmen proclaimed at the commencement of the war. As, however, neutral goods may have been shipped in French vessels in consequence of that abstention, the mea sure will only be carried out after a lapse of four weeks, dating from the 12th instant. The necessary orders for giving effect to this resolution are said to have been already issued. BAVARIA AND THE FEDERAL TREATIES. MUNICH, January 18. The debate an the Federal Treaties was renewed by the Lower House to-day. Herren Huttler, Fran kenberger, and Wulfert spoke in favour of the trea ties. Kerr Kobb opposed. Herr Huttler said :—" The King of Bavaria took the initiative in offering the Imperial Crown. Where the Kirg is true patriots ought to be." The final motion from the patriotic side was strongly opposed and rejected by a large majority. AUSTRIA ANI) THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The Austrian Delegation continued yesterday the general discussion of the Budget of Foreign Affairs. Herr Pieper, . Dr. Herbst, Herr Rech berg, Ilerr Sturm, and Dr. Rechbaum spoke in favour of the maintenance of peace, and also of friendly relations with Prussia. Dr. Kuranda lamented the destruction of the European Pentarchy by the war. Herr Greuter cautioned Austria against a Prussian alliance. Count Beust refuted, in a long speech, the objections raised against his policy, and said :—" Our friendly relations with Prussia will be obtained without the loss of our dignity, since friendship has Wen offered to us. We may also be reassured on account of our relations to Prussia, since with Italy we are on a more friendly footing." Count Beust cautioned the House against Pessimism, the greatest enemy of Austria. CHINESE APPEAL TO PRUSSIA. The last mail that arrived in France from China brings the following news. Rear-Admiral Duprei has demanded an indemnity of two hundred and forty millions for the victims of the late massacre. The admiral has besides demanded the demolition of the fortress of Ta Kou, which protects the entrance of Petchelee, and prevents small French vessels ascend ing to Tientsin. As a national satisfaction he claims the heads of the three mandarins guilty of complicity or indifference. The Chinese Government having asked the protection of the Prussian Chargé d'Affaires, the French Admiral blockaded the German frigate Medusi in the port of Yokohama, Japan, under threat of sinking her if e attempted to leave. Admiral Duprd was preparing to attack the ports in the Chinese Em pire, and only awaited to commence his ope rations the arrival of the ironclad corvette Alma, which was at the end of October at Singa pore, ready to start to reinforce the admiral in the north of China. The screw corvette D'Assas, cruis ing in - the Archipelago of the Sonde, was keeping up an active chase of German merchantmen. Numbers of Prussian prizes were laden at Saigon, mostly large fine vessels richly laden, and more were arriving constantly. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) SUPPOSED MURDER IN HULL. At twenty minutes past ten o'clock on Tuesday night, a young woman named Emma Starkie, aged about 20 years, was founcjilead in Caughly-street, Hull, with an axe deeply embedded in her skull. The deceased, who resided in Clarendon-street, in that town, left home about 8 o'clock on Tuesday night. No clue has been obtained of the murderer. EXPLOSION ON BOARD A STEAMER. An explosion occurred ou Tuesday on board the steamer Canton, lying in Sunderland Docks, which has since resulted in the death of Mr. Peter Nichol, managing director of the North Eastern Marine Engine Works. Four other men are lying dangerously ill in the Infirmary. RATING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. The question of rating Government property was dis cussed by the Southampton Town Council yesterday, the opinion being that the present' exemption was unjust. A letter from the Right Hon. Russell Gurney, one of the borough members, states that he was, and always had been, strongly in favour of Government paying rates. LIBEL. At the Liverpool Police Court yesterday, an application was made on belMlf of Police Inspector Southwell, to com mit Charles Willmer, the proprietor of the Liberal Review, for libel, in stating that the Inspector had knowingly recommended an unfit man for a publican's license. A qualified explanation was accepted. THE LATE EXPLOSION AT WITTON. At the adjourned inquest on the bodies of the persons who died in the Birmingham Hospital, from the effects of the injuries received in the explosion on the 9th December at Messrs. Ludlow's ammunition manufactory at Witton, the jury yesterday found a verdict to the effect that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the ex plosion was caused. They expressed the opinion that the proprietors of the manufactory had been negli gent in the general conduct of their works, more especially in allo wing an unprotected stove and paraffin lamps in the workshops. The jury recommended that the workpeople should wear non-inflamable clothing ; that fewer of them should work together in the shops where dangerous processes were car ried on ; and that more stringent rules for their guidance should be framed, frequently read over to them, and strictly enforced. NORWICH ELECTION. It is stated from Norwich that nothing is known in that city of the address of Mr. George Howell offering himself as a candidate for the vacant seat, which appeared yester day in one of tile London papers. Mr. Howell has not, up to last night, arrived in Norwich. NEW RAILWAYS FOR JERSEY. At the sitting of the Jersey State yesterday, the Con stable of St. Heliers brought forward a bill for the construction of a railway from St. Heliers to Gorey, and afterwards from Gorey to St. Catherine's Harbour, on the north of the Island. The line is to be constructed by the Jersey Eastern Railway Company, with a capital of £40,000 as regards the line to Gorey, and £20,000 for the line to St. Catherines. The bill was opposed by some members, and laid on the table. INQUEST. The inquest on Elizabeth Knox, the young married woman who was shot by her nephew on Monday last, at Shirley, near Southampton, was held yesterday. The boy's evidence proved that the affair was entirely acci dental, and a verdict was returned accordingly. The filE BUN, LONDON, THU deceased was 20 years of age, and only recently married. She had between twenty and thirty shot wounds in her head, face, and neck. SIR WILFRID LAWSON, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. Last night Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., addressed a meeting of his constituents at Carlisle. Referring to the war, he said that England's policy might be summed up in the expression, " Her strength is to sit still and do nothing." He trusted that the Government, while taking advantage of every opportunity of mediating, would in terfere in no other way. Sir Wilfrid said he should sup port the Ballot, and Mr. Miall's motion for the disesta blishment of the English Church. The meeting passed a resolution approving the policy adopted by the Govern ment in relation to the war. Mr. Potter was prevented being present by the death of his son. THE MURDER AT HULL.-ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. The deceased was a dressmaker, and left her home in Clarendon-street, at eight o'clock p.m., to have supper at her aunt's, who resided at 15, Canning-street: She left left there at 10 p.m., proceeding through Caughey-street, where she was killed, on her way home. She was killed with the axe end of a boiler-maker's hammer-head, which was found to be buried two and a half inches in her head above the right ear. Death must have been instanta neous. It is believed that deceased was murdered through jealousy. No one is yet in custody. On Wednesday the Durham Town Council, at a special meeting, agreed by a small majority to petition for a School Board. THE (TREAT GUN. There was a large assembly of artillery officers and other scientific men at the Government Proof Butts, Royal Arsenal, yesterday, as it was expected that the 35-ton gun, which the officers call the " Woolwich Infant," would be subjected to the most trying ordeal it is destined to endure, viz., that of being fired with a proof charge of 1501 b. of pebble gunpowder, and although this final stage of the trial was not reached, those who were present had the satisfaction of witnessing the greatest feat that has ever been accomplished in the annals of artillery—the gun being fired with the unprecedented charge of 1301 b. cf powder, without apparently suffering the slightest damage. In order to test the velocity of the projectile with different charges, the gun was first fired with 1101 b. of powder, the apparatus showing that the 7001 b. shot passed through the screens in front at the rate of 1,303 feet per second, the velocity on Monday with the 1201 b. charge having been 1,320 feet, exactly a quarter of a mile per second. The 1301 b. cart ridge was then brought out, and having been eyed with curiosity and amazement by the spectators, was thrust into the bore of the big gun. The loading being completed, Captain Stoney warned everyone to get well under cover, and the gun was fired with the most satis factory result, the only iujury being that suffered by the platform, the iron plates of which bulged with the unusual strain. The velocity with the larger charge was 1,320 ft. per second—precisely the same as with the service charge of 1201 b., thus shewing, is is considered, that the charge for which the gun was constructed is exactly the quantity of gunpowder it will burn, the theory being that all above 1201 b. is blown out of the muzzle without being ignited. If this theory is correct, the result with the proof charge of 1501 b. of powder will be the same, so that England's latest and greatest gun may be anticipated as a success. The gun having been examined and photographed, Mr. Kainlay gave orders to have it removed from the platform, which will be strengthened before the next and final trial. But for the mishap to the iron plates the experiments would have been completed yesterday. THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE FORTH COMING DEMONSTRATION. Last night a meeting of volunteers belonging to dif ferent corps took place at the Music Hall, St. Martin's lane, to consider what course shall be adopted by the Metropolitan corps in reference to the pro posed marching of some of the volunteer corps at the anticipated Jules Favre demonstration, and circulars subsequently issued by the Waroffice, calling attention to the fact that volunteers are prohibited from joining in de monstrations without the consent of the General of the district. The chair was taken by Colour-sergeant Elliott, of the 19th Middlesex. Sergeant Bright, of the 48th Mid dlesex, repeated the argument adduced at a previous meeting, that in his opinion volunteers were legally at liberty to attend any demonstration in uniform, but without arms. Mr. Solomons called attention to the number of instances in which volunteers had taken part in civic processions. If the proposed demonstration of volunteers was distasteful in the present instance to the officers, the only thing they could do would be to dismiss them. He would like to know what commanding officer would take on himself to do it; Private Potter, of the 12th Middle sex, said that the volunteers had taken up arms for the defence of their country, and they did it thinking, at the same time, that their civilian liberties would always be preserved to them. He was quite prepared to defend their personal rights in spite of the War Office circular. Other volunteers addressed the meeting, and ultimately it was resolved to issue a general appeal to all the volunteers, and that the meeting be adjourned till Saturday evening next. A private of the 29th said that his adjutant had read the order to his corps that night, and he had told the adjutant he should leave for one. DEATH OF MARSHAL RANDON.—A. despatch from Geneva, dated January 16, says :—" Marshal Randon is dead." The Chancellorship of Chichester Cathedral, vacant by the death of the Rev. Canon Pilkington, has been con ferred upon the Rev. Arthur D. Wagner, 1 LA., Incum bent of St. Paul's, Brighton. The committee formed in London to raise a fund in response to the appeal from the Bishop of Versailles, met on Wednesday at the Mansion House. The contri butions already promised include the handsome sum of £l,OOO from the proprietors of the Daily Telegraph. We (Church Herald) hear that Father O'Neill, who went to the United States with Father Benson, of Cowley, has written to friends in this country expressing his deep disgust with the condition of affairs in the Dis established American Church. DEATH or SIR LUKE SMITHETT, gloom has been thrown over the town of Dover by the death of Sir Luke Smithett, one of the oldest inhabitants of that town. The deceased, who had been ill for some months previous, died on Tuesday afternoon, at the ripe age of 71, respected and beloved by all who knew him. Yesterday the Lard Mayor presided over a meet ing at the Mansion House for the purpose of inaugurat ing a public subscription for the relief of the non combatants around Paris, who have been rendered homeless through the investment of that city. A consi derable sum was subscribed in the room, and an influen tial committee was appointed to carry out the object of the gathering. THE APPROACHING ROYAL MARRIAGE.—The Government contractors are busily engaged in fitting up St. George's Chapel at Windsor for the approaching mar riage of her Royal Highness the Princess Louise to the Marquis of Lorne, and have received directions to com plete the extensive arrangements by the latter end of February, as it is expected the royal marriage will be celebrated on or about the 9th of March. The prepara tions comprise a canopy over the steps of the grand en trance at the west end leading to the nave of the Royal Chapel, opposite the Horse-shoe cloisters ; it will be 53ft. in length and 16ft. wide, so that the Royal carriages may drive under in case of wet. On entering the Chapel there will be a temporary room erected on the right-hand side for the special accommodation of her Royal Highness's bridesmaids, near the cenotaph of the late King of the Belgians, opposite to the cenotaph erected by the nation to the memory of his con sort the Princess Charlotte of Wales. At the south en trance of the chapel, facing Henry VIII. 's gateway and the Castle guard-rooms, another portico, 53ft. by 16ft., will be placed similar to the one erected at the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, for the convenience of the company who may be honoured with an invitation to be present at the ceremony. A gallery, will be built near the altar, between the Lincoln Chapel and the altar im mediately fronting her Majesty's private pews for the accommodation of aboutloo of those personages connected with the Duke of Argyll's family. Another covering will be placed of similar dimension to the two former at the entrance of the cloisters, which will connect the Prince Consort's Memorial Chapel with the east end of St. George's Chapel, and form a convenient entrance to the former chapel, which is fitted up as a reception-room for the accommodation of the ladies. The outside of the the three porticoes will be covered with canvas and the inside lined with crimson cloth, and decorated. The works are fast progressing, there being a large number of hands employed. ISDAV, JANUARY 19, 1871. THE BOMBARDMENT. The special correspondent of the Daily News at the head-quarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia sends the following by special despatch : VERSAILLES, January 15. The progress of the bombardment is slow, but steady ; disappointing alike those who thought a few days would finish it, and those who be lieved in the superiority of the French guns. It is clear that the Germans can approach the forts under cover of the batteries, and do immense mischief to Paris before the forts are captured. There has been less firing for the last twenty-four hours on account of the fog, but sufficient attack kept up to allow the French no rest. Some surprise is felt that the shells in the city have not led the terrified inhabitants to insist on the surrender. VERSAILLES, January 16. There is a furious southerly wind to-day, and it has been raining hard. As the snow is melting, the ground will soon be in a fit state for pushing on approaches against the forts. As to another sortie, many think that, in face of the siege batteries now opened, it would be im• possible for Trochu even to attempt one that he could succeed in. There was little or no firing on this side during last night, and this morning rumours are current of a sum mons to Trochu calling him to yield, to avoid further loss. MARGENcY, January 16th. There is an unauthenticated report from the out posts of a revolution in Paris, depriving General Trochu of Governorship. The north-eastern and eastern bombardment presents no new feature. The forts are silent, but the redoubt de la. Boisserie continues an obsti nate reply. The northern side is still dumb as regards the besiegers. The besieged from the forts of St. Denis fired heavily on Pierrefitte yesterday and during the night, and they continue to-day, not so keenly, but more diffusely, throwing shells into Epinay, Enghien, &c. The special correspondent of the Telegraph sends the following from Versailles, dated January 16th :—The batteries on the southern line of investment have now been advanced to within 800 yards of the forts. On the 14th Montrouge still replied, and yester day from one gun on the west front. Issy has also resumed firing from two guns, but at long intervals: On Saturday a field battery before Buzanval opened fire upon some houses on the southern slope of Mont Valerien. In these houses were stationed French sharpshooters, who at once abandoned their shelter and fled. The battery immediately dashed out into the open, took up a position within two thousand yards of the fortress, fired three rounds of shell into the citadel, limbered up, and retired to cover at a hand-gallop. Infuriated by the daring of the puny little battery, and stung by the success of its coup, Valerien and its outlying works, which had been silent for many hours, opened a furious fire in all directions, but did not succeed in wounding a man or horse in the battery in question. In spite of M. Favre's manifesto respecting his refusal to accept a sauf-conduit from the Prussian authorities on patriotic grounds, I am able to assure you that an application to Count Moltke for a sauf-conduit, in the handwriting of the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, is at the present moment in the hands of the French Comman mander-in-Chief. The accounts which reach the general staff here of the results of the bombardment in Peris give a terrible picture of the damage done and the suf fering inflicted in the city. That shells have fallen within the Ile de Saint Louis is certain. Yesterday (Sunday), with the exception of a few shots from Issy and Montrouge in the morning and evening, a total and unbroken silence prevailed all day. This is to be accounted for by the fact that an impenetrable fog hung over the city and its environs. There has been no sortie, nor any attempt at a sortie, for the last thirty-six hours. Yesterday and to-day the ground was too slippery for any movement of troops. Troops have been sent to reinforce the outside line. This has been done under cover of the bombard , ment. When the fog clears the bombardment will be resumed with vigour. A French outwork near Villejuif, which was silenced at the beginning of the bombardment, has broken out again with four guns of a long range ; and this morning it is doing some wild shooting over the batteries, making matters uncomfortable for travellers on the Route Imp6riale. Rumours of negotiations are everywhere current ; and the intermission in the bombardment fer the last forty-eight hours is by many persons in high positions attributed to this condition of things. Chanzy gives no uneasiness here, while Bourbaki does. STARVATION, OR SURRENDER. Under date Versailles, January 14, the special corres pondent of the Daily News at the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia writes :—To keep the Germans waiting even another fortnight before Paris will require patient courage. The present combination of force and famine Is very strong against the city, and the cold weather makes the lot of people still harder. They are beginning to taste the horrors of bombardment. We learn by newspapers brought out of Paris that shells have fallen with effect in the inhabited parts, far beyond the ramparts. It remains to be seen whether the National Guard will endure not only danger to themselves, but the destruction of their homes and families. They might shrink from such a test without dishonour, but Ido not think that they will. The opinion of earnest and thoughtful Germans will be again at fault in regard to this strange city, and the first effect of a bombardment will be to brace up the French, as a stroke from a riding whip on the face stiffens the resistance of an angry man. Not until the lesson has become really severe, and the first fierce cry for vengeance has been drowned in blood and tears, will the Parisians yield to force. The more formidable foe is famine. This is what the besieging army may count on in any case. Each fresh attack is helped by hunger within the walls, and we can now appreciate the admirable skill with which the two means have been worked up to gether at the end. Not a point of advantage was lost in the preparations for bombardment, for what mattered a few days more or less when delay would only bring hunger to bear as well as cannon. There is high hope in the German ranks. The wintry sunshine glitters on the snow, and the gunners can take aim with fatal • accuracy. Whil st the besieged suffer cold and hunger, the besiegers are living well and are keeping themselves thoroughly warm with an abundance of fuel. From day to day they ex pect to hear that Paris has surrendered. I find it diffi cult to talk of the immediate future without being set down as half-hearted about the siege ; for I am apt to mention February Ist as a possible limit of time, and I have even let slip the heresy that St. Valentine's-day may still find us waiting. It has been a story of such constant delay hitherto that one smiles at the hopeful tone with which "to-morrow" is regarded. To say that the French have food enough for a week more makes the average German look grave, nay almost sad; and to hint at any condition of affairs in Paris short of anarchy produced by terror, is evi dently thought quite unkind. The German soldier is anxious to see his work honourably finished, and to g 4 back to the dear ones in the Fatherland. The German trader is anxious to reap a rich harvest by spoiling the Egyptians. Both are weary of waiting. Thus it happens that we halve a very limited horizon. We can not allow the prospect to stretch out beyond a little dis tance ahead, and now that the end is really near we measure our hopes by days instead of weeks. From Margency the correspondent at the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Saxony writes :—I have seen a regimental officer to-day, who left Versailles this morning, and who brings the title and gossip of the second " Steffel " of little big men located in the Hotel des Reservoirs. He says, unofficial or semi-official, Versailles is not at all • pleased with the results of the bombardment, so far as it has gone, and especially is disgusted because some 200 shells said to have been projected into Paris have not produced the effect of a capitulation. There seems no reason that, bar assault and bar panic, the bombard ment of the Paris forts may not last as long as the food inside Paris. But there is starvation and starvation. There are few communities that would not arrive all the sooner at the conclusion that starvation pitch has been reached, when a bombardment is going on around them, and occasionally into them, than if hunger pinched them in peace. Why does Paris hold out ? Scarcely, surely, with the forlornest hope that it can ultimately escape the doom of capitulation ; but to deserve well of the country of which it is the capital—to give time, by engaging the atten tion of so many of the enemy, for the pro vinces to resuscitate themselves—to earn for itself a name for enduring heroism to last unto all posterity. But Paris must be all but hopeless for itself, and in despair; the strain is so strong that sufferers are very fain to end it if they can decently. And nobody can deny that the defence of Paris, were Paris to capitulate to-morrow, has been one of the grandest episodes of modern warfare. The Revenue returns from the Ist April to 14th January, shew the receipts to have been £48,501,929: last year it was £53,321,143. The expenditure during the same period has been .C 65,890,008; last year it was £57,063,852. The balances are £1,227,617 ; last year, £1,020,740, THE IMPENDING SORTIE FROM PARIS 1 The special correspondent of the Standard thus writes from Versailles, January 13 :—The sortie that has been considered imminent for the last three days has not yet taken place, and if the present dense fog continues we may yet have to wait some time before the work of wholesale slaughter again commences. The bombard ment of the city is being again carried on vigorously, but as the Prussians have ceased firing incendiary shot, it is impossible to tell which batteries are detailed for this work, all access to them being forbidden even to Prussian officers. It is filind impossible to fire the men , valuable quarters of the town. The inhabitants have apparently covered the floors of the upper storeys with list or some other unignitable material, having stowed away themselves and their furniture in the lower rooms and cellars. The bombardment is being carried out, therefore, with ordinary shells, which, although more de structive in their immediate effect, are not likely to exer cise such a moral force on the besieged as the discarded incendiary shot. The Parisians will not submit much longer to be starved and shelled,. while 500,000 men who are living at their expense are remaining inactive within the walls. Trochu must fight. The question is in which quarter will his next sortie be directed. There have been many conflicting accounts regarding Issy, but I believe there is little doubt that this fort has at length been effectually silenced. Such being the case, it leaves the German batteries in the south-west, which are being daily advanced, an almost uninterrupted range into the heart of Paris. Here, then, is Trochu's danger, but to at tempt to storm these works would be rushing on certain defeat. No one, I imagine, knows this better than the General himself, and it is probable that his next sortie will be directed with a view to eventually taking these batteries in flank, should it prove successful. If lam right in my surmises, he will probably march on Bonny, his advance covered by the fire from Montrouge, Bicetre, and Villejuif. The French, if they attempt this, will meet the 2nd Bavarian Corps, and some desperate fighting may be expected. I do not for a moment believe that the besieged will gain any signal success, but if Trochu must fight, this seems his only outlet on this side. Every hour increases the difficulty he will have in massing troops in this quarter preparatory to a sortie. The circular rail way is almost totally destroyed. The viaduct remains. but in numerous places the rails have been torn away by the raking fire of the Prussian guns. The pre sent system of fortifications is utterly unsuited to modern warfare. In these days, when an army of half a million of men is not looked upon as anything ex traordinary, and when the present rapid modes of com munication and conveyance enable a besieging general to concentrate any requisite number of men on a given point within a few hours, it is impossible, with the present means of egress, for the besieged to make a sortie in sufficient force to ensure success. Thus when people ask why Bazaine did not cut his way out of Metz when be had over 100,000 men under him, and why Trochu does not throw 200,000 or 300,000 men on one point of the German line, thus overpowering it by sheer weight, let them buy a rudimentary work on fortification, and five minutes' study will plainly show them the reason. why. DEPARTURE OF M. DE FONVIELLE. Yesterday M. de Fonvielle, editor of La Liberte, who some weeks ago made his escape from Paris in a balloon, and has since been engaged in England on important business for the French Government, took his farewell leave of his numerous friends in London, previous to his departure in order to endeavour to again re-enter Paris. Previous to his departure he desired an opportunity to publicly thank, in the name of his Go vernment, the numerous English friends of France, and also those of other nationalities, who during his visit here have shewn so much sympathy for his country in her great misfortune. The final interview took place at the French Minister's Reception Committee-room, Hatton garden. Mr. Merriman presided, and numerous friends had assembled to tender their expressions of sympathy previous to M. Fonvielle's departure. On the motion of Mr. Odger the meeting adopted an address of sympathy with France. It was signed on behalf of the meeting, and M. de Fonvielle was to convey it to the people of Paris, and make it as public as possible throughout the whole of France. M. Fonvielle, who on rising was loudly cheered, said he thanked the meetin and also the sympathisers with his country, most heartily for their kindness and good feeling. He was sorry that before his departure he had not some definite news to give them respecting the suspected visit of Jules Favre to the European Conference. He would, when he got to France, have the message from the people of England Published in the French papers, and he was quite sure that his countrymen would appreciate their kindness, and be thankful for their sympathy, He would no all he could to get the French Government to send a repre sentative over, either from Bordeaux or some other place, if Jules Favre could not come. He then asked them all to accept his thanks, and, having sat down amidst enthusiastic applause, shook hands with those present and retired. DESPATCH FROM COUNT 1)E CHAUDORDY TO M. TISSOT. We are informed that on the 11th instant M. de Chaudordy, Delegate at Bordeaux from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, . addressed to M. Tissot, Charg6 d'Affaires of France in London, a despatch in reply to some observations suggested to Lord Granville by the complaints of Count Bernstorff with regard to the soi-disant violation of the neutrality of the Belgian territory by a few French Franc-tireurs. In this despatch M. de Chaudordy shows that this violation was accidental, and caused by the presence be forehand of Prussian soldiers on Belgian territory, and that, on the contrary, the neutrality of this territory is regularly and continually violated by the Prussians, who have their mails escorted by armed Uhlans. Prussia also continually violates the neutrality of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg by her Uhlans and by detachments of troops, who cross the territory of the Grand Duchy to return to their corps. Finally, Prussia retains, notwithstandig energetic demands, a large number of waggons belonging to the Luxemburg railway, as well as Swiss and Austrian waggons, which they use for military purposes. M. de Chaudordy's despatch concludes by begging M. Tissot to declare to Lord Granville that, "in the midst of her trials, France has held fast to her honour in respecting inter national law, and learns with regret that any credit could have been given to the false declarations of a Power which has never scrupled to violate it."—lllorning Post. ACCEPTANCE OF THE IMPERIAL DIGNITY BY THE KING OF PRUSSIA. BERLIN, January 18. A proclamation of the King of Prussia to the German people has been forwarded through Count Itzenplitz to the Upper and Lower Houses of the Prussian Diet. It runs as follows :—" We, William, by God's grace, King of Prussia, hereby announce that the German Princes and Free Towns having addressed to us a unanimous call to renew and undertake with the re-establishment of the German Empire the dignity of Emperor, which now for sixty years has been in abeyance, and the requisite provisions having been inserted in the constitu tion of the German Confederation, we regard it as a duty we owe to the entire Fatherland to comply with this call of the United German Princes and Free Towns, and to accept the dignity of Emperor. Ac cordingly, we and our successors to the Crown of Prussia henceforth shall use the Imperial tittle in all our relations and affairs of the German Empire, and we hope to God that it may be vouchsafed to the German nation to lead the Fatherland on to a blessed future under the aus pices of its ancient splendour. We undertake the Imperial dignity, conscious of the duty to protect with German loyalty the rights of the Empire and its members, to preserve peace, to maintain the independence of Germany, and to strengthen the power of the people. We accept it in the hope that it will be granted to the German people to enjoy in lasting peace the reward of its ardu ous and heroic struggles within boundaries which will give to the Fatherland that security against renewed French attacks which it has lacked for centuries. May God grant to us and our successors to the Imperial Crown that we may be the defenders of but e German Empire at all times, not in martia l con q uests, in works of peace in the sphere of national prosperity, freedom, and civilisation." After Count Itzenplitz had read the proclamation of the King relative to the Imperial dignity in both Houses of the Prussian Diet, the Pre sidents made speeches referring to the high significance of this document, and calling for cheers for Germany's Emperor—King William. The members cheered unani mously. '['he Lower House determined to reply to the proclamation by an address.—Renter's Telegram. CRYSTAL PAL One Shilling Day, Tuesday, January 17th, 1871.—Admission by season tickets, 1,688 ; ditto on payment, 2,582 ; total visitors, 4,270. We (Record) are enabled to state that the Premier has offered the deanery of Canterbury to Dr. Hook, the Dean of Chichester. On the death of Dean Stevens, Dr. Hook was offered, but declined, the deanery of Rochester, and is said to have stated that he would only move to the deanery of Winchester. Dr. Hook is a septuagenarian, born in 1708. OUR COTEMPORARIES---This Morning BOURBAKI AND HIS ARMY. The Times, in commenting on the movements of the French general, says :—Bourbaki's objects are somewhat vaguely said to be to raise the siege of Belfort, to fall upon the German communications at Nancy, Chalons, or Troyes, and, finally, to make his way across the Rhine and carry the war into the enemy's country. An attentive perusal of the late telegrams, and the study of a good map, will chew how close Bourbaki has got to his main object, yet what obstacles still lie before him and its attainment. Up to Monday last Bourbaki could report no further progress than that he was " continuing to ad vance in the direction of Belfort." He will have to take time into account, for his best chance of overcoming Von Werder's resistance lies in acting with energy before Manteuffel's arrival. If that General and his reinforcements were to come down upon him, either from Nancy or Strasburg, Bourbaki would run the risk of being attacked both in front and rear, and the only resource then left to him would be a retreat on Besancon and Lyons. All things considered, even while the final result of Bourbaki's expedition is still a matter of doubt, we have little hesitation in consider it as egregious a blunder as MacMahon's march to Sedan, though in all probability not so fatal in its eventual consequences. Be it borne in mind, too, that MacMahon only erred as to the means ; for nothing could have been more desirable than his object, had it only been attainable. To raise the siege of Met; to rescue Bazaine's large army, was an attempt for which much might well be risked. MacMahon staked himself and his army on his move. Bourbaki, at the very outset, deter mined the fate of Chanzy. So little, in France's ex tremity, is the wisdom which presides over her councils ; so little are the skill and knowledge that direct her mili tary operations. KING WILLIAM AND THE IMPERIAL CROWN. One of the most striking facts in the history of this century, says the Daily News, has just been consummated at Versailles. King William of Prussia has resolved to accept the great historical title of Emperor of Ger many. The act is the symbol of a long series of im portant changes in the Continent of Europe. It is the seal, also, of the great dynastic changes which have ended in a consolidation of Germany. The final undoing of the work of the First Napoleon, who laboured hard to dissever and weaken the great Power lying just outside his frontiers, has been wrought by the blunder of Napoleon the Third. However this war may end— and that it may end in finding the Republic of France placed in a fair and honourable position among the Powers of Europe, is the heartfelt prayer of every Liberal in this country—the unity of Germany has been secured. There are some Germans, as there are some Englishmen, who are not disposed to join in the jubila tions ; and who, gratified by the consolidation of Ger many, would have preferred seeing her led by some other leader than the House of Hohenzollern. Some recent proceedings have not made us form a very exalted notion of the political liberty which is likely to mark the rise of the new Empire. What the more hopeful of the Germans say is—one thing at a time. Let us secure for ourselves a term of peace, and then we shall set about getting our private affairs into order. It cannot be doubted that among the more intellectual classes in Germany—and these represent a large portion of the population—there exists a widely-spread leaven of Liberalism, which may be as yet a mere sentiment, but which must in time bring forth its natural fruit. It is to that sentiment that many Germans look for oomfort in regarding with anything but satisfaction the rise and progress of the Hohenzollerns, whose histo rical traditions are linked with too much that is absolutist and tyrannous in government. As for the honour which has come late in life to the venerable Monarch who at present represents the family, they may not grudge that a temporary distinction. A far more serious thing is the position to which the Junkerism of Prussia has been raised by the present war. From time immemorial the military element in Prussia has overborne the civilian ; and the successes of the present campaign, should they be continued to the end, are not likely to qualify that relation between the lovers of peace and the professors of war. Yet the new Emperor sketches out a gracious programme. Martial conquests are to be forgotten. The lion is to lie doxstai with the lamb ; and Germany to devote herself to works of peace, under the beneficent shadow of the Imperil throne. Let us hope so. FRANCE AND THE CONFERENCE, „ • The Telegraph, in referring to the assembling of the • Conference at the Foreign Office, says :In the centre of the .” Conference Chamber is a great round table covered with green cloth, and on this table are six tall silver candlesticks with towering wax lights. Around are the Plenipoten tiaries of Austria, Prussia, Russia, Turkey, Italy, and Great Britain—six in all. Another seat is appropriated ' to the Secretary-Reporter of the proceedings ; but there t: are eight morocco covered chairs around this • table. For whom is the eighth ? The artist '• who desires to depict the august scene must limn one vacant chair; one seat whose very emptiness • should awaken feeling as sad as those aroused by contem- • plating Mr. Field's exquisite drawing of the deserted study at Gadshill—with the empty chair of the great writer who sleeps the last long sleep in the Abbey. To the London Conference of 1871, France alone, of • all the Great Powers, comes not, as yet. You • might as well ask Niobe to sit at the same board with the Destroyer who shot the arrows at her children. How could Jules Favre, it might be asked, regard with . • equanimity the presence of a complacent Prussian • Plenipotentiary, with Count Bismarck's orders in his ' pocket ? There are no Holy Places, there is no Black Sea, for France in this mid-January. One gigantic and , absorbing thought must at present engross the minds of all true Frenchmen—that the Prussians are on the . Moselle, the Loire, and the Seine ; that their • King is at Versailles, and that Prussian sentries mount ' guard- at the portals of the Palace inscribed "in all the glories of France ;" that the Prussian batteries are at Sevres, at Clamart, and Chatillon—at L'Hay, and Bonneuil—and that their guns are showering fire and death Upon Notre Dame, the Pan theon, and the Invalides. What is the Turk, his • sickness and his convalescence, to France, when the ' crying of her children is heard in her lower chambers, - and the women faint and fall at the street corners, and the old men die on the threshold, and the floor of the granary can be seen, and the whole people wail because there is no food ? Will the opening or the shutting of the Dardanelles bring one yoke of oxen, one s h eep an d her • lamb, into starving Paris? Will any decision on the claims of the Russian Emperor to float his war-ships in the Euxine avert one murderous petroleum shell from the rooftrees of the French capital? There are times when selfishness becomes sublime. Samson, in the great might of his blind rage, could think of nothing but himself—of his own irreparable injury, of his own intolerable wrongs ; and when he clung to the pillars of his house to pull it down upon his tyrants, he would have pulled down the whole • world if he could. So would ranee now, were her locks grown again and her muscles reknit. She can see, she can think, she can confer but on one topic—her colossal • misery, her unheard-of agony, her tremendous ordeal. While Paris is being bombarded it is no time to ask a Frenchman his opinion about the Black Sea. PRUSSIA AND FRANCE. The Prussian Government wishes it to be understood, remarks the Standard, that it will treat for peace only with France. What Count Bismarck means by France it is difficult to say after reading his circular in reply to Count Chaudordy. In that document, remarkable in so many respects, and written in a forcible feeble style very foreign to the great Prussian statesman, he practically denies all authority to the present Government of France, and appears to contemplate a legitimate expres sion of the national will in a future general election con ducted by his agents. But this question is comparatively e t u o tr t a r l ea p t o a w t e t r ? . unimportant. With whatsoever Fre n c h Gov ernment same Count t inof the Bismarcksome,may treat, a t h e will leave The German pretensio n that the mat ter is one which Germany victor ious and France vanquished least, have to settle between themselves, and in which other nations have no right to interpose, is preposterous. Its acceptance by those neutrals would, of course, be conve nient, and considering the servility and the cowardice they have shewn, the Prussian calculation that they might be frightened into submitting to it was legitimate enough. When Lord Granville was stimulated into the ex pression of a desire for the restoration of peace by Count Bismarck's expatiating with a grim jocoseness upon the deaths from starvation which must follow the surrender of Paris, he anxiously urged in the dispatches he addressed to the Neutral Courts that no pressure should be put upon Prussia. Prussia was victorious, and the pressure, therefore, was to be applied to the Provisional Government. Can anybody be surprised if, after these experiences, Count Bismarck should receive all suggestions of mediation with the re fusal which his organs proclaim he has given to the recent overtures of the Courts of Vienna and St. James ? We expect to hear from Lord Granville worthier and manlier language than he has yet attempted to use. We expect an assertion of the rights of England, and a decla ration that England will have her wishes as well as her interests consulted in any treaty of peace. If that expectation should be disappointed—if Lord Granville, after intriguing in every court in Europe, nominally in favour of neutrality, but really in favour of Prussia—if after employing all his influence to prevent France from obtaining allies, should now look idly on whilst Prussia determines, so far as she can, the future of France, or intervene no further than with his counsels, the Government will not survive that meeting of Parliament which they have postponed to the latest possible day, but which is now near at hand.