The Sun. — London, England, 1857-04-27 00:00:00

TIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. First appearance of Madlle. ORTOLANI. GIUGLINI, BENEVENTANO, BELLETTI, POCCHINI. TO-MORROW, TUESDAY, April 28 (first time these seven years), Bellini's Opera of I PURITANI. Elvira, Madlle.Ortolan (her first appearance in England); Arturo, Giuglini. After which, the Third Tableau of LA ESMERALDA. La Esmeralda, Macllle. Pocchini. For particulars, see bills. A limited number of Boxes in the Half-circle Tier have been specially reserved for the public, and may be bad on applica tion at the Box-office, at the Theatre Colonnade, Haymarket. Price One Guinea and One Guinea and a Half each. ER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. LA TRAVIATA. PICCOLOMINI. GIUGLINI , BENEVENTANO, POCCHINI EXTRA NIGHT, THURSDAY EVENING, April 3J. LA TRAVIATA. Violetta, Mdlle. Piccolomini. Ballet—LA ESMERALDA. La Esmeralda, Mdlle. Poechini. For particulars see bills. A limited number of boxes in the Half Circle Tier have been specially reserved for the public, and may be had on ap plieation at the Box-office at the Theatre Colonnade, Hay market. Price One Guinea and One Guinea and a Half each. ROY AL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, THIS EVENING, will be performed Shakespere's tragedy of KIN( RICHARD THE SECOND. King Richard 11., Mr. C. Kean ; Queen, Mrs. C. Kean. Preceded by A CAME OF ROMPS. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Bnekstone. NEW ARRANGEMENT OF PRICES OF A DMISSION. THIS EVENING, and during the week, the new Drama of A LIFE'S TRIAL. Messrs. Bnckstone, Comp ton Howe, W. Farren, Rogers ; Mesdames Reynolds, Poyn ter, Fitzwilliam, drc. After which, the successful Classical Love Story. un der the Apple-lation of A CALANTA.: or, The Three Golden Apples : in which Miss M. Oliver will appear; also Miss M. Wilton, and Miss Ellen Ternan. Concluding with LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS. In future the prices will be : Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening), 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Price. s. d. Second price. s, d Dress 80xe5................ 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Up per Boxes 3 0 Upper Box e s... Pit..... 2 0 Pit 1 0 Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6 Upper Gallery 0 6No half-price to Upper Gallery. T HEATRE ROYAL, A DELPHI Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed LIKE AND UULIKE. Characters by Messrs. Wright, Paul Bedford, &c.; Madame Celeste. Miss Windham, dze. Followed by THE ELVES, in which Madame Celeste will perform To conclude with the new and original domestic sketch, entitled WELCOME, LITTLE STRANGER. Mr. Wright, Mr. Paul Bedford, &c. 1 1) OYAL SURREY THEATRE, Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Ores w ick. THIS EVENING will be performed BRUTUS. Brutus, Mr. Creswiek. Aftet. which, OUR NELLY. Nelly Bell (with songs), Miss Poole. Follbwed by THE DUMB SAVOYARD AND HIS MONKEY. The Monkey, Mr. Flexmore. OYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan. THIS EVENING, will be performed a new drama, called DADDY HARDACRE. Mr. Robson, &e. The new drama, by Tom Taylor, Esq., A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING. To concine with THIEVES ! THIEVES ! ! Messrs. F. Robson, G. Vining, &c. Commence at half-past Seven. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING (continued Success), the highly successful Military Spectacle, called THE FRENCH IN ALGIERS ; or, The Battle of Constantine. Novel and effective situations by Mr. W. Cooke's beautiful Horses, trained by him. After which, the inimitable SCENES in the CIRCLE, in troducing Miss Kate Cooke on her beautiful charger, Snow d: op. The performance of Signor Corelli and Family. To conclude with A MIRTHFUL FARCE. Cornmer.ce at seven o'clock. Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Private Boxes, from 11., no charge for booking ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. Rox•office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr; W. West, Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. CANTERBURY HALL. Westminster-road.--- OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of selections from all the popnla- Operas, Madrigals, Choruses. Glees, Duets, &c., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunel], Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta ; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, it. Grover, T. Tarrant. S. Jones. J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Coni Senor Antonio M. do Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Masters Bennett and Corri Messrs. Sam Cowell, Sam Collins, and E. Mackney Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre cisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock. IfIGH WATF,R AT LONDON BRIDGE. Pins DAY—Morn. 39 min. aft. 3 —Evening 2 mid. aft. 4 To-Monnow—Morn. 26 min. aft. 4—Evening 49 min.aft. 4 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, APRIL 26. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 49 —highest since noon yesterday. 40 -lowest this morning end during the night. 42 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'70—now 29'93. WIND.—N.E. to E.N.E ; blowing a strong gale, with bitter cold weather. APIuL 27. 46 highest since noon yesterday. 40—lowest this morning and during the night. this day at noon. PAROMirrmR, 30.06. WIND, N.E.—Light, but bitterly cold, with dull weather. ri ' 7 4 7 -2 1 - k ‘,O-4 LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1857, Reform is the watchword ! It is the Key to the whole Mystery of the Future in regard to this Fifth Parliament of our Gracious SOVEREIGN. The New House of Commons is essentially a House of Reformers. The Prime Minister—as we have insisted again and again —must, what ever else he may be, must necessarily, absolutely, imperatively, be—A. Reformer ! That, as we ob served in so many words on Saturday, his come at last to be a positive Necessity. There is no blinking the matter. It glares upon the public recognition. It is a truth obvious and unde niable. The fact that it is so, is blazoned in cha racters so clear and legible that whosoever "runs may read "—it is blazoned, that is to say, in the long catalogue of the 654 representatives of the city, borough, county, cinque port, and university constituencies. So clearly and so legibly that everybody appreciates the fact already, the unde niable and incontestible truth, that the late Gene ral Election has given the cause of Reform not simply an enormous majority, but an overwhelm ing preponderance. Whoever, Runs, we say, can Read this wholly indisputable truth, that the present Parliamenr, more peculiarly than any other since the passing of the Reform Bill, is essentially the Reform Par liament. Does any one yet require some supplementary and conclusive testimony that it is, literally, as we are here insisting —as we have been insisting we don't know how long so pertinaciously ? Any one so insatiably thirsting for corroboration, will find the last drop brimming over the Cup of his Incredulity in--the Times of this morning ! The Times of this morning, Monday, the 27th of distinctly d ec l ares for Reform. April, 18 5 7, That, we take it, is conclusive t est i mony (suppos ing any to have been still wanting) that the time for Reform has indeed at length arrived. For— unlike any trivial Straw thrown up to show how the bree7,e is blowing—the Times appears o n l y capable of being acted upon by a force equivalent to that of a hurricane ! It is the charac teristic of our great contemporary. Insomuch that, without wishing to be merely complimentary, we may say of it with literal truth what Lord BYRON said of the Banner of Freedom in his Childe Harold (retaining Lord BYnoN's own italicfa in our quotation), that actually the Standard of its Opinion— "Streams like a thunder -cloud against the wind !" That is literally the " bearing" of the Times in the average current of events—i n fact, until the force of that current, as we have intimated, be. comes tantAmount, so to speak, to the force of a hurricane ! Wherefore we hail to-day with peculiar and unaffected satisfaction the declaration made in favour of Reform by our distinguished contem porary. What we have so long demanded, the Times now declares to be necessary—Reform bold, instant, and comprehensive ! There can no longer, therefore, be any mistake at all about it—even in the minds of the least credulous, with these final "Signs of the Times" before them challenging observation—there can no longer be any mistake at all about it, that the Pear is ripe at last ! Re form is virtually ours at this moment. Let us be sure this time that it be adequate for the occa sion. We don't want any longer what even the very leader of the Conservative Opposition desig nated, in his address to his constituents, a series of bit-by-bit improvements. We don't want any longer any mere nibblings at evils requiring entire removal, root and branch. Whoever our Prime Minister is to be—we cannot tire of saying this, now that we are upon the eve of the new par liamentary session —he must be A Reformer. And not simply A Reformer, but The Reformer. The man who will bestow upon his country the benefactions of the most welt-considered, the most comprehensive, and the most urgently-required improvements ! And those improvements ! What are they to be We must have them enumerated explicitly and categorically. The community is no longer to have its hunger satisfied by mere vague gene ralities. It requires, and it will have, at the hands of its statesmen—not the old illusory Pro mises of Reform, not merely the Fore-shadowings of Prospective Improvement —but positive Mea sures, Practical, and Substantial. And First of all these Reforms—leb us put the matter distinctly—there is the BALLOT ! That, we say at once, as plainly as words can at all ex press it, is the First Requisite ! Any further Reform, without " The Ballot," will be nothing less than "a mockery, a delusion, and a snare." The Ballot, and The Ballot alone, can really secure to the industrial voters, throughout the country the power of independently exercising the elective franchise entrusted to their hands by the Constitution. Therefore, we repeat, THE BALLOT among all Reforms, must necessarily be the First and Foremost. Without " The Ballot," all the hopes of Liberalism are the merest delusion. With " The Ballot" the pathway is smooth and level before the new Reforming Par liament. We believe that upon the re cognition, the candid and manly recognition of this one essential Precursory Reform, the Question of the Premiership may be at once de cided. Let Lord PALMERSTON declare for it— let Lord JOHN RUSSELL declare for it—whichever of the two might pronounce for The Ballot first would instantly have all the Advanced Liberals of the land at his back as his supporters. There would follow in due sequence all the rest of the great national requirements —an extension of the suffrage— an approximate equalisation of the electoral distric's— the disfranchisement of sundry old, and the organisation of sundry new constituencies. These and divers other kindred innovations. But, first of all and as an essential preliminary to them—The Ballot ! Reform, we have said, is the Watchword of the New Parliament. " The Ballot " has hitherto been the Shibboleth, let it now be the Rallying Cry of our Reforming Statesmen. It is always satisfactory to recognise the exist ence of a cordial and friendly understanding be tween a Member of Parliament and those by whom he has been chosen for that high position. It is even more gratifying to find, when that con nection has permanently terminated, the expres sions of mutual good will and affectionate regard —to know that the parties have been pleased with each other, and can refer with honest pride to the manner in which they had discharged their respective duties ! The grand banquet at the Audit-hall, Southampton, given by the Chamber of Commerce to their late representative, Sir ALEXANDER COCKBURN, was alike honourable to the distinguished guest and to .his hosts. It was as SIT A.KSPERE said of " the quality of mercy," " twice blessed," reflecting almost equal credit on all concerned. The learned Lord Chief Justice had ample cause for remembering with gratitude the manner in which he had been treated by those who enabled him to achieve a brilliant Par liamentary reputation, and who, from first to last, rendered a disinterested support. Even his opponents merited the graceful allusions made to their conduct, in his speech. There was never any factious opposition got up for the mere sake of annoyance. As he truly declared, when "offi cial advancement interrupted his tenure in Parlia ment, his political opponents"—he had no private or personal enemies—" exercised a generous for bearance, and troubled him not with opposition." When there were contests of principle, they " fought manfully and fairly," while his friends fully merited the name, too often abused, and by their indefatigable exertions ensured the triumphs he invariably achieved. It was not merely as representative, that the Right Honourable Chief Justice was connected with Southhampton. It was there when a young and comparatively unknown man, that he had fulfilled his first judicial duties. Sixteen years since he had bee❑ appointed Recorder of South ampton, and in that station bad displayed all the high qualities required for the more exalted position he now occupies. As the Chairman— Mr. J. R. STEBBlNG—declared, his conduct as Recorder was as free from taint as he believed would be his career as one of the Chief Justices. He had. fairly and honourably won the confidence subsequently b:mtowed on him, and it must have been " the hour of his life" one worth living for, when he found all parties—those who were once foes, as well as friends, but now all friends with out exception—vieing with each other to render him the honour he had so eminently merited. The banquet differed from many of those that take place during the Parliamentary recess, or immediately before the meeting of the Legislature. Politics and party questions were expressly tabooed. There is a salutary judicial etiquette that prohi bits the judges of the land from appearing at public entertainments gave at the Mansion-house of the city of London. But all will admit that in the present instance the role was "more honoured in the breach than in the observance." The questions of the day, those that must inevitably be brought under the notice of the Legislature were not di-- cussed ! There was nothing to show that the honoured and impartial Judge had any bias as to the creation of the laws that he might subac quently be required to interpret. Generally speak ing the birth of the Judge bet ikened the death of the politician ! From that moment he ceased to be a legislator. His no less arduous and im portant task was to interpret and decide on the enactments which had obtained, or might yet re ceive the legislative sanction. The most enthu siastic legal reformer in such a position must en deavour to adinini:t..r "the laws as they are, not as they ought to be," and from that duty we are fully convinced that Sir ALEX.ANDER COCKBURN will not swerve cr deviate in the tlighteat degree. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDA Politics were, therefore, eschewed, but there was something of scarcely less importance, that might safely be touched on. There were the indefatig- ' able and efficient services rendered to the con stituency at large—the earnest attention and energetic action in every cause where the interests of the borough, or even of indivi dual electors, were concerned. The moment the election was over and the return made, the member was the representatiVe as well of the minority by whom he had been opposed, as of the majority by whom he had been chosen. Sir A. COCKBURN never forgot that wholesome rule. Although engaged in legal practice, he sedu lously attended to commercial interests. Time, peculiarly valuable to the eminent advocate, was readily bestowed in every matter interesting not only to those who had shown their just appre ciation of his high qualifications, but also to others who had, through political differences, con scientiously opposed him. He remembered only that he was their representative, the legitimate channel through which their wants and wishes should be expressed. And therefore, the warm and sincere gratitude of the commercial men was bestowed on him, who had well deserved I it. This is a salutary lesson to other Members. It teaches them what is required at their hands, and also encourages them to proceed in the right path, in the expectation that conduct like that which was so justly eulogised, may meet a simi lar reward, which even the moat exalted, might refer to with pride to the last hour of his existence. To other Members, who hope to retire with honour from Parliament, we commend the example of Sir ALEXANDER Cociatatx, and em phatically say, " Go thou and do likewise." We trust, however, that the political career of Sir ALEXANDER COCKBURN has not altogether terminated. There is , yet a mode by which his brilliant oratory, and sound common sense, a no less important qualification, may be made avail able for other beside judicial services. He can not obtain a seat in the House of Commons, but he may in the Peers. The hereditary branch of the Legislature, the tribunal of ulti mate appeal requires such a man. Of course we do not presume to dictate to our SOTEREIGN as to the mode in which she may be pleased to exercise her undoubted prerogative. But should she be pleased to call Sir ALEXANDER COCKBURN to the Upper House, it would not only be satisfactory to the entire community, but at tended with vast advantage to the national interests. He has proved beyond the pos sibility of doubt that he possesses that grasp of intellect that enables him to take enlarged views of the great questions of legal reform, and the power of giving clear ex pression to his opinions, so that he who runs may read. The only person who could suffer by such an exercise of the prerogative is—him self. He would have new duties, the conscien tious performance whereof, and his past career affords the best evidence that they would be conscientiously performed, would involve great additional labour. Lord COCKBURN could not be more honoured or distinguished than Sir A. C•CKBURN. Would that we could see him carrying out, or even aiding and assisting in carrying out the admirable measures of legal reform on which he has so frequently spoken. He is not " the mere lawyer" or the persuasive advocate, but something more—not only a legal machine fitted to pronounce judgments, but one peculiarly qualified to take large and comprehensive views, and to achieve the arduous task of cleansing the Augean Stable. To the knowledge of the truest technicalities of the law, he adds the discriminating power, which enables him to see where there is a fault, and the creative one to suggest an adequate remedy. HEALTH OF THE DUCHESS OF OLOU- EY_ENING, APRIL 27; 4 1867 the last century. The following are their relative dimensions : • .i . .= f." 2. (5) ' g ,-..- .4 •-4,1 a :1 tr O ' g Q . 1 3 Dimensions. .. A. 2 Ebo o l" of o ~.., .. o E A - L'. ' -4 . A j g 7) A '0... • as •-• .... cn .......--. —......--- --....—.—... — --• Ft. In. Ft. In. it. In. Ft. In. Length from forepart) of figurehead to after ;- .. 278 6 286 4 280 $ part of the taffrail.. ) Length between the t 156 0 240 6 245 6 210 7 perpendiculars ...... ) Length of keel for t 153 f% 201 11% 206 3% 201 11% tonnage .....• .... Breadth extreme 5l 6 60 0 i 61 24 GO 0% Breadth for tonnage...: • • 59 2 GU 4% 59 2% Breadth moulded.— .. 58 4 69 63. 58 4 3 - a Depth in hold ••• • .. . 21 6 25 4 25 10 25 4 Burden in tons... 2,164 3,79 4-94 4,00030-94 3,765 40 94 Horse power . • It will he seen by the above figures that the steam three-decker ipf the pres?nt day is nearly 100 feet longer than the old sailing ship, and is as much au improvement in all internal requirements as in ex ternal appearance. It would be impossible to frame a handsomer or more graceful body of the same great dimensions than the Royal Sovereign, and the eager desire manifested on the part of all classes to obtain a good view of the launch proves that the interest of such national spectacles has not died away or diminished with the frequency of the exhibition. The time appointed for the ceremony of naming the ship and releasing her from the stocks was about 20 minutes to 12, but by 9 o'clock the public began to crowd into the dockyard. Com fortable accommodation was made by Admiral- Superintendent Martin fur the berthing of about 10,000 spectators in stalls, and a grand stand was erected at the head of the ship for the Admiralty and military authorities and their visitors expected. Her Majesty's ship St. Vincent and the receiving ship Bellerophon, which were moored off the front of the slip, were crowded with company, and nu merous yachts and steam-packets, as well as a great flotilla of hired boats, all laden with company, and themselves gaily dressed in flags, lent a picturesque feature afloat to the animated scene ashore and within the building shed, which was handsomely decorated in various ways, and resounded with the lively music played by the band of the Royal Ma rine Light Infantry of the Gosport Divi ion. The stands were not much more than half full at 11 o'clock, at which time the tide had risen so high that . the ship manifest e d s y m pt oms o f get ti ng " and it became imperative to name and launch her to prevent the annoyance of her hunch ing herself. A shout was raised, and Miss Seymour, the eldest daughter of the Commander-in-Chief, took the bottle of wine from Mi.. Abethel, the master shipwright, and, pronouncing—" Success to the Royal Soevreigo, and honour to all who serve on board her," dished it against the st-nn, and in five minutes more the stupendous fabric glided majestically and securely into the sea, amid the reiterated plaudits of 40,000 spectators. She " broke on launching " three inches, and her draught of water when afloat was—forward, 14 feet 6 inches ; aft, 20 feet 2 inches. Her en gines, of 800 horse-power, by Maudsley, are already here and waiting to be fitted to her, which will be done under the superintendence of Mr. Rob , rt Taylor, Chief Engineer, R.N., late of her. Majesty's ship Golossus. Never was the axiom of " time and tide wait for no man" proved more aptly than in the launch of the Royal Sovereign, for not even the necessary presence of the First Lord of the Admi ralty was waited for ; the time of tide having ar rived delay became dangerous, and off she went. But Sir Charles Wood's disappointment was shared by the Duke of Richm.md, the Prince of Saxe- Weimar, the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant- Governor, and other dignitaries, as well as by thou sands ou thousands, who flocked into the dockyard from country places, excursion trains, km. Sir George Seymour, Admiral Martin, Mr. Abethel, and other officials all entertained large parties of visitors on the occasion, which was made a gala day in and out of the dockyard. GESTE& The following bulle tin was issued this morning : " Gloucester House, April 27, 9 a.m. "Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester's state has undergone no change, except a slight diminution of strength. (Signed) "F. HA.wicnis, M.D. " ROBERT FERGUSON, M.D. " E. H. HILLS, M.D." MEETING OE PARLIAMENT. The following circular has been addressed by the Premier to the presumed supporters of his Govern ment in the ensuing Parliament : "94, Piccadilly, 29th April, 1857. " Sir, —I take the liberty of informing you that the House of Commons will meet on Thursday, the 30th of this month, and will proceed on that day to the choice of Speaker ; and that the address in answer to the Queen's Speech will be moved on Thursday the 7th of May. " I hope it may be consistent with your con venience, attend on those days.—l have the honour to be, your obedient servant, '‘ PALMERSTON." Her Royal Highness the Princess Alice completed her fourteenth year on Saturday. The royal standard was hoisted at the usual places. Saturday was also the birthday of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glou cester, whose illness occasions such anxiety and regret in all circles. The august and venerable lady was born on the 25th of April, 1776, and is therefore now in her 81st year. Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Alice, the Princess Royal, Prince Arthur, and the Princesses Helena and Louisa honoured the Princess's Theatre with their presence on Saturday evening. On Saturday the Princess Alice, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Princesses Helena and Louisa, Prince Arthur, and Prince Leodold honoured Madame Tus6aud's Exhibition, in Baker•street, with a visit. The royal suite comprised Lady Caroline Barrington, the Hon. Lucy Kerr, the Hun. Mary Bulteel, Lord Alfred Paget, and Mr. Gibbs. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday, at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing•street. The Minisers present were :—Viscount Palmerston, the Loid Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Cla- rendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Panmure, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. R. Ver non Smith, Lord Stanley of Alderley, the Duke of Argyll and the Hon. M. T. Baines. The First Lord of the Admiralty, the Right Hon. Sir C. Wood, Bart., arrived at the residence of Sir Augus tus Clifford, at Ryde, Isla of Wight, on Friday, and crossed over to Portsmouth ou Saturday to witness the launch of the Royal Sovereign—returning in the after noon in the Fire Qteen, steamer. On Monday (to-day) Sir Charles visits Haslar, to inspect the slipway for hauling up the screw gunboats. The Prince Laoien Bonaparte and his Excellency the Sardinian Minister were among the fashionable company attending the Royal Italian Opera on Saturday evening. Too Earl and Countess Spencer are expected in town in a few days from Althorp Park, where they have been entertaining company for some, - time past. The Earl and Countess of. Egmont are expected in town in a few days from Co weray, Sussex, for the sea son. The Earl and Countess .o•C Kintore have left the S. Gr±orge's Hotel for Brighto n. The Viscoui&ms Palna.erston left town on Saturday afternoon for St. Leonal.A's-or.-Sea. Her Majesty's Ministers and chief officers of state are invited to dine with t.fas President and members of the Royal Academy of Arts, on Saturday next, at their apartment 3 at the Na' .ional Galley. Captain the f. R. Drummond, C. 8., has been appointed Private F ,ecretary to Si r Chas. Wood, First Lord of the Admiral ty, in the room of Mr. T. G. Baring, M.P., resigned. The Bishop-nonni inate of Norwich (the Hon. and Rev. J. T. Pelham) has appointed the Rev. J. J. S. Perowne, 8.D., Fellow of C orpus Christi College, Cambridge, and Lecturer iu lleiY eew and Divinity in King's College, London, to, tie 1 1 '.is examining chaplain. LAUNCH Or. THE ROYAL SOVEREIGN, (FURTHER PARTICULARS.) PORTSMOUTH, SATURDAY. Another noble steam three-decker has been added to the British fleet this day, with unsurpassed, if not unequalled éclat so far as the successful launch ing and the interest manifested in that event can indicate. No launch within the remembrance of any shipwright or spectator present was ever more dashingly exhibited than that of the Royal Sove reign. She is the most perfect model three-decker afloat, and an improvement upon all others. She was originally designed and framed as a sailing ship of 110 guns, after the sample of the Queen, and was commenced building in December, 1849, but after the success of the experiment of cutting the Windsor Castle, (similar ship) in two, and making a steam 131-gun Duke of Wellington of her, and the satisfactory repetition of the experiment with the Marlborough, it was ordered that the Royal Sove reign should undergo the like process, and about two years ago, when up in frame, she was length ened 23 feet amid-ships, 7 feet for the screw aper ture, and 5 feet on the bow, and thus we have the splendid and powerful screw 131 gun battery of to day. She is the production of the present Naval Architect General, Capt. Sir B. Walker, Bart., K.C.8., and has been built under the immediate direction and personal superintendence of Mr. R. Abethel, the master shipwright of Portsmouth Dockyard. We gave her dimensions an.l armament in The Sun of Saturday, but we repeat the former for the purpose of showing the growth of our first-class line-of-battle ships as compared with that time-honoured hulk of the same class of the last century (the Victory), and to found a few prelimi nary remarks upon the development of the steam fleet generally. The first steam-vessel that carried the Admiralty pennant, we believe, was the Comet, built by M r. L ang, at Deptford, in 1822, but she was not built to carry guns, as may by imagined by her circumscribed dimensions and tonnage Length between perpendic u l ars Feet. Inches.ls 0 Length of beel for tonnage lOl 2t Breadth, ext reme Depth in hold Burden in tons, 238 She was a paddlewheel vessel of 80-horso power, with beam engines by Boulton and Watt. This at the time was a "wonder" in the fleet. The little pioneer has done much work in her time, and done it well, and we never heard of her engines break ing down. They are as good now as they were at first, and she is still doing duty. The first attempt at a steamvessel to carry guns was the Salamander, builr ten years after the Comet (1832), by Mr. Seaton, at Sheerness, of 818 cons, 220-horse power, paddlewheel, and which realised a maximum speed of 8 . 9 miles. She was one of a batch comprising, among others, the following : _ When and where Horse built. Tons. pwr. Builder. Dee Woolwich, 1852 704 200 Seppings& Lang, Radamanthus Plymouth, 1832 815 220 Roberts. Phcenix Dee Woolwich, 1833 835 359 Lang. These mounted from two to four guns, and were considered steam-sloops ; but five years later we attempted a vessel of the dimensions of a frigate, and classified as a steam-frigate ; this was the Gorgon, of 1,111 tons, 320 horse-power, and who3e greatest speed recorded is 11.1 miles per hour. She carried six upper deck guns, and was pierced for a maindeck armament (designed by Symonds, and launched in 1837), and this is the official record of her character—" Failed to carry her guns ; could not steam off a lee shore." The next attempt at a steam-frigate was the Cyclops, also by the architect of the Gorgon, but larger and 12 feet longer ; she was launched in 1839, was of 1,195 tons. 320 horse power, and pierced for an upper and main deck armament ; she "failed to carry her guns." These two vessels when introduced to the service were the admiration and pride of the navy, and the Gorgon created as much curiosity as did the Great Britain when she first lay alongside Black wall pier as a show ship. But, alas for the muta bility of naval as well as human things, the Dee, Rhadamanthus, Cyclops, &c., have been long transports of stores from port to port, and the Comet, often an Admiralty, and once the Queen's yacht, now fills the office of a supernumerary tug in Portsmouth harbour. The attempt at building a steam-frigate having failed, the designer of those notahilities turned his attention to the production of one out of a sailing frigate already male. For this purpose the Pene lope, of 42 guns, built at Chatham in 1829, was taken in hand. She was of the following propor tions : Feet. Inches. Length between perpendiculars 215 2 Breadth, extreme Depth in hold 26 8 Tons burthen 1,616 Horse-power (paddle-wheel) 650 Her character is handed down to posterity in these terms :—" A French frigate ruined. Converted to a steam-ship. Useless except as a troop-ship. Slow. A 42-gun sailing frigate, lengthened amid ships 63 feet, and fitted for sea as a steam-frigate with engines of 650 horse-power, at an expense for hull and machinery of 59,489/. !" Converted in 1842. Her greatest speed was 9.6 miles per hour. Another hand was commissioned to produce, (if possible) afloatable and fightable paddlewheel steam frigate ; the French Gomer having in the interval of the advent of the Penelope and the order for an other attempt made her appearance in this harbour with the late King of the French, here was a model to be copied and improved upon, and in 1845 we have the four•funnelled monster Terrible, built by Mr. Oliver Lang, of the following dimensions : Length Feet. Inches. 226 2 Breadth 42 6 Depth 27 4 Toes 1,850 Horse power (paddle) 800 Her greatest speed recorded is 12 . 5 miles per hour ; the official opinion registered of this ship is, that " from her large pow er an d s i ze s h e should have done 16 miles au hour with ease. She cost 101,000/. ;" and this to carry only 21 guns, but then we eclipsed the Gomer, and that was con sidered something. Paddles still re i gne d th e fashion at Whithall, and hull after hull was launched constructed for that rapidly dying out means of propulsion. The great historical fact re mains that about this time the Admiralty barge was towed (their Lordships being in her) at the rate of 10 miles an hour on the river Thames by a vessel propelled with the screw. The day after this won derful experiment an official letter was received by the inventor to the effect that the screw was " not applicable to her Majesty' service. ' The little Rattler in the meantime had been developing seri ous and important advantages of the screw over the paddle in numerous experimental trials on the Thames and the Channel, and, all the enormously poWered paddle steam frigates having yielded so little serviceable efficiency in return for the great ness of their cost, the Surveyor tried his hand at an old sailing frigate of the Seppings' build, and con verted her toa steamer with a power of a 300-horse screw as an auxiliary, and in 1849 produced the Amphion at a cost 76,411/. Her dimensions were : Feet. Inches. Length 177 0 Breadth Depth Tonnage 1,474. She was fitted with Count Rosen's rotary engines, and has d:stinguished herself and her numerous in ventors and experimentors by breficiog down oftener than any other steamer afloat. The cost of 76,4111. was up to the time of her leaving Sheerness " converted," but since that time (1847) we believe she has cost a good proportion of the same sum. She is now in ordinary at Sheerness. Conversion having done so little to produce either a good paddle or a screw steam frigate worthy of the name, a new hand was commissioned to build a " genuine" frigate, and in 1848 Mr. Fincham gave to the navy the Arrogant Feet. Inches. Length Breadth Depti Tons 1,862 Horse power (auxiliary) 360 This was a decided success. At last we had achieved the object for which so many hundreds of thousands of pounds had been spent, and a model was set up, from whidi have sprung the Imperieuses, Euryal uses, and shannons of the navy. The Arrogant was the pioneer of the new system, which has gone on improving iu success with each attempt under the present sc entific and practical constructive depart ment of tie navy and under the surveyor-general ship of Si] Baldwin Walker. Toe net important adaptation of the screw was to line-oi-battle ships, and the French haling stilted the construction of "block" ships, we began to look around for some " old materials" out of which to "convert" the new class of bulwark. The experimert was unhappy. The selection fell upon the Blenheim, built at _Deptford in 1813 by the then " surveyors of the navy ;" she was a 74, fitted out at a cost cf 80,080/,, repaired from 1814 to 1844 at a cost of '4,4551., fitted for a steam blockship on leaving Sieerness for Portitnouth (October 27, 1847) at afurther cost of 76,9981. We thus get a blockship which steams about seven miles an hour with 450-lorse power at a total " trifle" of 231,5331. We nov come to the steam three-decker of to day, as conpared with the sailing three-decker of THE GREAT WROUGHT-IRON Gt7N. The following report has been recently issued by the Admiralty authorities " February 5. "The committee are not in possession of any informa tion respecting the manufacture of this gun, but have requested the Mersey Steel and Iron company to furnit.h them with full details of the processes of the manufac ture, as a record and for future guidance. The dimen gong of the gun are as follows : Ft. in. Extreme length ... Length of bore Diameter of bore. 0 13.05 Diameter at base-ring 3 7.5 Diameter at trunnions 2 3.75 Diameter at muzzle 2 3.5 Weight of guns, 21 tons 17? cwt. Weight of carriage, 7 tons 14 cwt. " When the gun was delivered by the company two flaws had existed in the bore—one at the extreme end, which it was understood was bored out and the cavity filled by a plug 8 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep, being driven or screwed in ; the second commenced at the edge of the first and extended two-and-a-half inches towards the side and one-third of an inch in depth. This now exists in its original state. To ascertain the range of the gun at different elevations it has been fixed 10 rounds at each of the following—viz., point blank, 1 deg,, 3 deg., 5 deg., 7 deg., 10 deg., 12 deg., 15 deg., and 18 deg. ; the charge, 501 b. ; weight of shot (solid), 2801 b. "The result of the practice is as follows :-- ELEVATION. RANGE—YARDS. DEFLECTION—YARDS. Ist Graze. Extreme. Ist Graze. Extreme. P. 8....... 599 1 deg 3 deg 5 deg 2,433 ... 2,592 7 deg....... 2,988 10 deg 12 deg 3,883 .. 3,883 15 deg 18 deg "The vent having become worn, the gun was bunched after the completion of the firing at 7 deg. elevation (in the first instance the vent had been bored out of the metal of the gun, no bouchiog beiug used). After the completion of the whole of the above number of roulade, the flaws previously described as having existed in the first instance appeared not to have undergone any change ; the impression taken shows, however, a thin crack extendiog from the plug at the bottom of the bore about 3 inch in length. In comparing the ranges of this gun with others it appears that the ranges are greater than those of the 68-pounder 95 cwt. smooth bore gun ; that tbey are also greater in a slight degree than the Lancaster-bore 63 pounder 95 cwt. gun up to 5 deg., but at higher elevation the Lancaster gun ranges the furthest ; at 18 deg. the Lancaster being 5,300 yards ; 13 inch gun, 4,966. In comparing these rauge4, it must be remembered the windage of the guns are, 13 inch gun 2, 68 pounder gun smooth bore 2, 68 pounder Lan caster bore .03. The committee have now completed the practice to ascertain ranges, &c., with 50 lb. of pow der and solid shot, as arranged with the Mersey Com pany, but they beg to add that the above experiments do not enable them to form any opinion as to the strength and advantages of guns of this weight, material, and mode of manufacture, the gun not having been placed at the disposal of the Government for such purpose. " W. CATOII." LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, April 27.—Wind this day at noon, N.N.E., moderate breeze and cold weather. WATERFORD.--Sailed—Jenny Lind, for Quebec HULL, April 26.—Wind N.E.—Sailed—lsabel (s.), for Davis Straits. GRlMSBY.—Sailed—Gypsy, for Quebec. FALMOUTH, April 26.—Wind E.N.E., strong breeze.— Arrived—Eliza, from Demerara; Stewart, Rungoon ; Prusee, Matanzas; Harloop, Plymouth. PORTSMOUTH, April 26 - Wind N.E.—Arrived—Stir lingsbire, from Savannah ; City of Bristol, London, and sailed for Australia ' • her Majesty's ship Devastation, De vonport, and sailed for the eastward ; Emperor, London, for Japan. HOLYHEAD, April 26.—Wind S.S.W.—Arrived—Am bassador, from Plymouth for Liverpool, towed in by the Albatross (s.), from Liverpool to Cera, with loss of bows sprit, and considerable damage to bows, from collision with the latter. STONEHAVEN, -April 26.—The Jessamine, of this port, caught fire last night, and was sunk to extinguish it. RAMSGATE, April 26.—The Lewis, from Newcastle to Batavia, has put in leaky, having been on shore; will dis charge. SWANSEA, April 26.—Wind E.N.E.—Arrived—Con gross. from Savannah. Sailed —CAtherine, for Madeira. BELFAST April 25.—Sailed—Laconic, for Quebec. WARRENPOINT. -- Arrived— Claud, from St. John, N.B. ABERDEEN, April 25.--Wind S. —Arrived—Saxon, from Moulmein. YSTAD, April 27.—Tho Titania, from Memel to Scot land, is stranded near Baskanolla, and most likely wrecked. PORTRUSR, April 24.—Tbe Revival, of Douglas, Isle of Mae, is supposed to have p r i c k e d u pon her anchor; is sunk. (PER ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Monday Morning. Wind E.N.E. Arrived—Yorkshire, from New York; Mansanito, Sa vannah; Arab, Bilboa ; Komeet, Amsterdam; F. E , Bil boa ; Raiduo, Cork; Arcadia, soraw steamer, Constanti nople ; Ebro, screw steamer, Marseilles; Prima Donna, Mauritius; Crystalline, Montevideo. Sailed—Jumelles, for St. Louis ; General Parkhill, Charleston ; Huntress, Arensberg ; Ind ustrie, Ostend. (BY SUBMARINE AND 8R1T15 , 1 TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Monday, 9.55 a.m. Wind N.E• ; tide last hour's ebb; strong and cloudy. Arrived—Virceniging, from Landscrona. Sailed—Franklyn, for Demelara. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF AT DEVONPORT.---I6 ja confi dently rumoured in professional circles that the appoint went of Commander-in Chief at Devoaport, in succession to Admiral Sir William Parker. has been offered to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier. Should this prove correct, the gallant cfficer, should he accept the appoint ment, will be under the necessity of relisqui l timg his seat for Southwark.—Unite Service Ovate. p _IL ELJ > . A DREAD EN, SUNDAY. The Jourhal de Dresde sta - .(”4, in its corre spondence from Vienna, that Prussia a.ni rtt-tria act perfectly in concert on the Holstein questiw , , and they have agreed to 'grant a further delay until Denmark shall have definitively reconsti tuted her Cabinet. BERNE, APRIL 25. Dr. Kern will set out to-morrow for Zurich. He is to return to Pails. The most influential members of the Govern ment of Neuchatel, have declared themselves in favour of the proposals of Fraucs and Englaud. The Paris correspondent of the Times (Second Edition), in his letter dated yesterday, says : " The impatient politicians who desired and ex pected that Piedmont would have taken the initia tive in declaring war against Austria immediately aftc her rupture with that Power, without taking into account the present political situation of Eu rope and the many difficulties in the way of a terra riscossa, complain bit:erly of the slow march of events in Italy. On the other hand, every man of common sense, and indeed I may say the majority of the population, approve the prudence and ability of the statesmen who are at the head of the Sardinian Government. Their policy is wise and mode rate ; they sustain the honour and the interests of their country ; and they successfully uphold the national cause before the great Council of the Powers of Europe. This policy is not what Austria would prefer ; her views would be better answered by a totally different conduct. Finding herself in danger of being completely isolated on the continent, she is doing her best to regain, by the intrigues in which she is such an adept, the ground she has lost, and to excite against a country whose moderation is so inconvenient, to her, and whose form of govern ment inspires her with dislike and fear, every sort of embarrassment. The Cabinet of Vienna takes advantage of the rupture between the two Governments to open a sort of crusade in Italy and Germany as in 1848. On the 2d of April Count Buel communicated to the various Courts of Germany a circular note, in which are related the particulars of his last interview with the Marquis Gantono, the Sardinian Minister at Vienna. He states in that paper that when expressing his regret to the Marquis at not having received en official answer to the " special grievances" (I quote the words of M. Buol) set forth in his note of the 16th March, the Marquis handed him a private letter from Count Cavour, in which, withoeu en tering into de•ails, the head of the Sardinian Government repeats briefly, but decidedly, the firm resolution of the King's Government to fulfil towards Austria after the rupture asbefore it, all the obligations which are imposed by existing treaties. In the circular note M. de Buol shows plainly his desire that the policy of Austria towards Piedmont should be adopted by the German Courts. He concludes in these words :—‘• It now only remains for us to await the solution of this question, and to see whether the attitude of the Cabinet of Turin will be modified so as to permit us to resume regu lar diplomatic relations." The two-fold object of Austria is evident from that note, viz., to associate the whole of Germany in her own interests iu the Austro-Sardinian question ; and to cause Germany to share her views of the conduct of Sardinia. The Paris correspondent of the Morning Post (Second Edition) says :—" I believe I may assure you the Government of Piedmont has declared to France and England that uo attempt will be made to disturb the tranquility of Europe ; on the con trary, Sardinia desires peace, and her policy is purely defen , ive. Austria appears to feel deeply the diplomatic blunder she has committed in break ing off friendly relations with her Italian neighbour, and is anxious to repair the error. Piedmont is willing to effect a reconcilliation, but will never make the first approach, whatever amount of in trigue may be set on foot to induce her to do so." FRANCE. PARIS, SUNDAY EVENING. The Sentinelle de Toulon asserts that the visit of the Emperor of Russia to the Western Courts is decided upon. The Grand Duke Constantine's visit to the French Court will be of a fortnight's dutati‘m. From the Ist of May there will be a series of fetes, reviews, balls, and spectacles in honour of his Im perial Highness. Tue Prince will employ his mornings in visiting the principal p u bli c monu ments, scientific estat , lishments, and museums. On the 10th the Prince will leave with the Court for Fontainebleau, and remain there until th,i 13th. He will then return to Paris and remain for two days, taking his departure on the 15th. On leav ing Paris the Prince will proceed to Bordeaux, and afterwards visit kbe different ports on the Atlantic and in the Channel. The installation of Cardinal Motlot as the four. teenth archbishop of Paris took place thii day ai two o'clock at Notre Dame. The MO titeur has a letter of the 223, from Nice. The Empress of Russia quitted Nice on the 21st, and embarked at Yillafranca on board the steam frigate Olaff, which sailed on the following day for Civita Vecchia. The Empress left 20,000 f. for " pious uses," 6,000 f. in aid of founding a savings bank, and sums to be divided among several hos pitals. The Moniteur publishes the trimensal report of the Minister of the Interior, and the Frenchme❑ decorated for acts of self-devotion and valour in the last quitter of 1856. BOURSE, April 25.—The following were the last quotations :--- Cash. fr. e. End of Month. t 4 per Cents 3 per Cents 69 50 69 60 Bank Shares 4,395 ____ Credit Mobilier 1,357 50 Roman 90 Do. Account 1,3; 0 Austrian Belgian 41Threes - Pied►nonteae (s)Debt . 1 °° 90 3 1 - 0 Home Spanish RAILWAYS-FOR CAS H. fr. c. ft . c. Orleans 1,4974— Western Northern l,OlO Strasburg Lyons '1,580 New Ditto Mediterranean 2,1:35 Grand Central Geneva 0 J — Midi London, April 25, 12 o'clock, Consols 93i, One, 93g: An'hae will. 't s aildel, find it difficult to obtain :ood i!dinistA tho atf,irs of Holstein. SPAIN. The Madrid journ7als the 20th have reached us; but we find no news of nolit!cal inter; st to them. The Archbishopric of Burg s, Mgr. cerilo, had, afier much c mseni al to be :rails 14' ed to the n . clibiil'op of Sledo, which pr , m4cy of Spair. The existetre of a conspiracy is said to-be the reason w hy th e Q ueen w ,ll no t open the Cortes in pers,n. Aconsiderahleamountofscav dal is going on at C our t , ow i ng to t h e quarre l s w hich openly take place b e t ween the King and the Quee n about money aff a i rs . S ome di stur b ances to th e crf of " Long live Charles !" had taken place at Valls, in Cavalorii, but had b een p rom p t ly sue d presed. The band captu re d i n th e ne i g hb ou rhoo of Haro had admitted themselves to he Carlist s. It was generally !Au ved That M. M ar ti n ez de 13 Ro-a would be elec.ed p res id en t o f t h e Corte; without opposition. is the A Berlin letter, in the Cologne Gazette, says :" " The Marquis de Moustier, Ambassador of Franc e : has just delivered t o th e Ki ng a l e tt er frorai i '" Sovereign relat'ng to the Neufchat.el questos. The solution of this affair on the b Isis of t he arrangement proposed by the four Powers is nc ie sidered certain here." The Russian Government has just decreed that the shares of the great Russian Railway CoruP 3lll shall be received at the current price, like the flui d 4 of the State for th e various securities required the public departments. The Emancipation of Brussels says :--t , said on Thursday in the lobbies of the Chanlb, e ', that the Government had reso l ve d on propos ing ' the Legislature a d owr y o f 250,000 f. i n cap ital to the Princess Charlotte, and several members e: 5 ; pressed surprise that the sum was not higher ; b u t we believe that the Ministry has adopted tt l amount because the A us t r i an G overnmen t gave " dowry of 100,000 fl or i ns ( a b ou t 260,000 f.) to t he Archduch ess M ar i e H enrietta on her marriage the Duke de Brabant." AUSTRIA. VIENNA, April 24.—The Oesterretchische Zeitung of this morning(says the correspondence of the Times). has a leader, in which it is said that the breach between Austria and Russia " is not so wide as it was a short time ago," but it is perL.ctly well known to me that the very reverse is the case. Russia and Austria hate each other with such a deadly hatred, that they would probably come to blows if they w ere not both so poor. So j ea l ous are the Aus tattentions paid by F rance to Russ i a miserably ra ns ot the and her sons, that they are now endeavour ing to persuade them se l ves t h at the reception given to the Grand Duke Constantine will be exactly the same as that which the Archduko Ferdinand Maxi milian met with in the month of September, 1855. There can be no question of a renewal of the diplo matic relations between Austria. and Sardinia for some time to come, but it affords me satisfaction to be able to state that both Governments are equally desirous to avoid any measures which could widen the breach. Intelligence from Vienna confirms the assertion that Russia has declared, through Baron do Bud berg, that she completely coincides with the Aus trian Cabinet iu its view of the affair of Mon tenegro. A lector from Vienna of the 20th, in the Bourse Gazette of Berlin, say :—" Coum Bille Brahe, ambassador of Denmark to this court, had a long Interview yesterday with Count de Bu 1. The re sult was unsatisfactory for the Danish ambassador, as Count de Buol declared that a strict compbancc with. the demands of the Austrian and Prussian Governments would alone deter the lattgr from bringing the question in dispute before the Frank fort Diet at an early date." DENMARK. , _ _ been " 1 ' ro . Accounts from Copenhagen of the 20th state : that the Ministry of Foreign Affiirs in the new ' mined that ned tee intended memorial to THIC 13 BOTHE . RTON MEMORIAL. -- on M.P. for Salford, shall consist of a r seg , Cabinet, which had been offered to Baron de t erton, Esq., . . the Salford Cemetery , at ford. ,went over his town, in to Billow, represent .tive of Denmark to the German Barn nd of a bronze statue in the Peel-park, , 0 mi ., Col & &oration, has been declined by him, and that The commission for the statue has been given . The MEMORIAL. —It Jos. o• M. Bluhme and M. Tillisch have bei-n positively Matthew Noble, and its cost will be 1,000 guine a ' refused to join any Cabinet. M, Hall and M, i pedestal will bo of granite. ~~ THE A.USTRALIAN MAILS. We have receivel the following telegraphic d e spatch from Marseilles " MALTA, APRIL 23. " The agent of the Peninsular and Oriental Cod' pany received, under date th e 19 t h i ns t., fr''''" Alexandria, atelegraphic communicat ion from Sue t announcing the arrival there of th e European/ bra mention is made of any tidings o f th e missiu° Oneida. "The .lEtna left for Alexandria on the 21st ins t . " LIVERPOOL, SuNDO' io The Cunard steamer Cambria ar r i ve d at Ma ll fr in Marseilles on the 20th inst., and the iE tvs ec i from South am pt on , on th e 21 s t. Th ey experielle bad weather. The steamer Colo m b o , f rom Al exan d r i a , hss sr i rived at Malta, rep or ti ng by t e l egrap h th e a rrlv , ; of the Australian Mail steamer European, at Stl e ": 0 with the homeward mails f r , in Australia sac.Th°"f via Mar,eilles will be due i n L on d on on Saturu% next, and on the Wedn es d a y f o ll ow i ng th e Ile gy ,' portion. of the mails w a y b e expec t e d a t Southal9Y. ton, We have also received the following telegraP l3 ,l message from the Secretary of the Peninsular o , t c l i , Oriental Steam N a vi ga ti on C om p an y, f ro m w il , l o it will be see n th a t th e su pp os i t i on o f i h e Suez that the vessel in si g ht was th e Austr3'-of steamer should be r ece i ve d some degree e% hesitation, as the European was not due at 19t 13 until the 22d in s t., and to have arrived on the inst. must hav e made the run from Sydney in Ile 3r e l five days less tun e th an th e Simlo, which last v.e s ' was due on the 24th and arrived on the 26th. t y It would also app ear a l mos t i m p oss ibl e that vessel in sight at Suez should have been the since no mention is made of her in the telegraror despatch, via Trieste, as having reached Gag e Aden. ------- " MARSEILLES, SuND O jl " The Vectis arrived at 6 this morning'''. well. " The Peninsular and Oriental Com-1 3311 0 steamer Azof r e a c h e d Ad en on th e 6th inst. 11 1 the` At mail of the 25th of Marc. if $ ll "At Alexandria, on the 19ch inst., h at ha- 4 , hour after no on , a tAegraphich despatch w as ; eeived from th e agen t a t S uez th a t , a t 11.37 a steamer, supposed to be the Australian steamer; was in sight, but would not arrive in less than ° ll . or two hours." ALARMING FIRES. During yesterday morning and Satnrday sev er : serious fires to o k pl ace i n an d near t h e metropev.- 111 On Saturday the wh o l e o f t h e t roops stationed Aldershott Camp were sudd en ly arouse d by an ald' ro of fire, which quickly s p rea d th roug h th e e ntire ely or campment. The fire broke out in the cornuld riat camp bakery. Thi s com p r i se d t wo m ills We l ' gif by horse-power, and on the ground-floor we re th er spacious !ovens f o r b a kin g b rea d, an d twe ° .g mills, also worked by ho r se-p ower , f or ulil i ; i . n rg and in the brewhouse at th e s id e were four the boilers used for brewing yeast. The whole O. or building formed almost a parallelogram, 513:i006 eluded beyond those ab ove enumerate d a alle - h i g range of stabling in which several horses belong eo to the officers were k e pt, t h e new f orage s n a r s ' d the bread stores, th e coa l yar d , oven h ou ses/ s the timber huts. In th e upper s t ory o f one pa rt (l a d bakery were not fewer than 356 sacks of float .gas several thousand l oaves o f bread, besides Ya rl ,,, other description s o f s t ores . I n th e centre vid-sat large open y ar d, i n w hi c h s t oo d on l y a vo,g'sr worth about 80 gu i neas , w hi c h was speedilY, o l duced to ashes ; had there been ten times as 01 0 1 in the same place, the whole unquestionably in ere have been con sume d. Whil st th e m ell 00 e. engaged in the bakery, they were astonished at ii i c i , ; o ins an unus ua l b o dy o f fl ame i n one o f the b iii r e inns used as store s . A n i ns t an t a l arm of ° dill was raised, and re-echoed thro ug h th e ra nks, r ed a very brief state of time the troops were orator out, and a brigade of fi remen a tt en d e d with ft of engine. It was then found that nothing s ll° pot the most strenuous exertions ~f those on the roe s could save the surrounding buildings. The 11 % of rising through the roof illuminated every Pe , oot, the camp and the country for many miles dis c f ge Before they could be entirely extinguished the la t h bakery was consumed, all that remains being. ar e tall chirianey shaft ; six of the extensive ovae: te rt also burned out. The camp bak ery i s cousl i i - 0 10 0 Two large mills are gutteda u d th e i r conten ts ar e nt iti consumed. About 1, 000 lo aves o f b rea d an d a qllB`;seci of flour have been s a v e d, d amaged b y the lle-ssis4 water thrown upon th em. A t e l egraphic messagaeffiell immediately sent t o th e R oyal Insuran ce- m a d where the property was insured by Mesa's+. w hen and Co., the contractors, of Austin-friars ; 11 0 ,1 Mr. Johnson, the Secretary of the compaoY/A , seot Mr. Hads o ll, th e surveyor to various fire went to the sp o t, an d were enabled to save 1111/ 0)2 3 the stock. As to the cause of the fire tiothilt could be d e p en d e d upon could b e ascertain' be re' is expected that the business will be able to sumed as usual to-morrow (Tuesday). t a late A fire also took place on Saturday night/ e is g t ° hour, in a s p ec i ous p il e o f prem i ses b e long v aler, Mr. Halst ea d, sa il manu f ac t urer an d shiPse l l_ r eaci' Everett-t e r race , Vi c t or i a (L on d on ) De e l o The discovery was made by a police-officer' ss ,,slee/ course of a few minutes the pari-ih engines a t r foa l followed by those of the London Brigad e „eare School-house-lane, Jeffrey, and Wellclos e 7 v aitY stations. The flames being fed : - )37• a great cl u rt iele s of ships' sails and other equally i n si ali onabi o w used in the trade, rolled out of every' Windut i tt the building and through the roof. bring,illg ra kini relief the shipping in the r i ver Thames," ( L e lit the water like the colou r o f gold. The 00 the reached the premis e s o f M r . Everett, No. same terrace, but the firemen eventually ssor c t in getting the fl ames ex ti ngu i s hed, RA .:onfe i until the building was burned to the gren'` d ' Th e the stock in trad e an d o th er e ffec's not total loss is very considerable, and it coul%sorecl. learned whether or not the sufferer sva s al C 011" The adjoining house of Mr. Everett is siderably damaged by fire, &c. ' Tat Jr On Saturday morning a fire involving a g d 12, 0 11 struction of property happened between 1.1 an fake r + thepremises of Mr. T. Gosling, packing-cas eu iso s is Cursit or street, Chancery-lane. The Pr i e w are sea question cover a large spot of ground, all", ve le" nected with houses on all sides. Some of lneworkssore boors observed sparks issuing from the hours in Greystoke-place, which runs into Fette and immediately informed the police. Th e nr i s tea r of the London Brigade, which promptly " stree t, from Holborn, 011andos-street, A - Vat:jug - worl": • &c., and those of the We s t o f E n gland got ii t o irt t he ui.der tile direction of M r . B ra idwood ; flames, nevertheless, spread with amazing ral' sol s and stack after st ac k o f ti m b e r in Mes e .„„ rB ;n sleY and Emery's yard caught fire. Mrs• coffee-house was reduced to ruing. The a"J 31r. houses of Mr. W i llf or d, boot and shoe mak er '. sra blY Pearse, and Mr. Hunt, tailor, were considerably damaged. Cause and insurance unknown. •