The Sun. — London, England, 1857-02-17 00:00:00

CANTE MILT RY H A Tit, Westminster-road. OPEN EVERY EVENING.--The follow ing company o f V oca li sts are engaged for the performance of elections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Charuses, Glees, Duets, &c., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans It. Grover, T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling. P. Corsi, Senor Antonio M. de Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Masters Austin, Bennett, and Corri; Messrs. Sam Collins, E. McAuley, and C. J. Wilkins. Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun.; director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre cisely. Suppers, dze., until twelve o'clock. Mr. C. Morton's Annual Full Dress Ball will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 18, Gentleman's t;eket, 7s; lady's ditto, ss; double ti cket (lady and gentleman or two ladies), 10s. - 11 . 011 WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE:. THIS DAY—Morn. 44 rain. aft. 6—Evening 4 mla aft. 7 To-31ORBOW—Morn. 27 min. aft. 7—Evening 59 min.aft. 7 prevented the possibility of such difficulties, and more decided action on the part of the French would have produced a more speedy and satisfac . - tlry settlement. Again, we are told that the Neu- chatel dispute "has lost all its warlike character, and has enabled us soon to hope for a favourable solution." Surely the EMPEROR should be en abled to speak more positively on this point. The Swiss Confederation, confiding in his promises, abandoned their vantage ground, and if FREDE RICK WILLIAM should now seek to evade the performance of his promises, the EMPEROR will be bound in honour to enforce their solemn obligation. The occupation of Greece is to be relinquished. We wish it could be said. that the causes by which it was occasioned had also ceased. From the commencement, King OTIIO has been a mere puppet in the hands of the AUTOCRAT, who could pull the governing strings at his will and pleasure. In Naples there has been a strange disappointment of the very natural ex pectations, not only of the long-suffering people, but of all European nations. When the French and English Ambassadors were withdrawn it was hoped that the matter would be carried to its legi timate conclusions. But BOMBA laughed at the abortive demonstrations. He hardened his already indurated heart, and laughed to scorn the abortive demonstration. It is useless to deny that the Western Powers have been humiliated, when a more decided course would have insured- a triumphant issue, and sa►ed the afflicted people the suffering they are still undergoing. It is satisfactory to learn that since the resto ration of Peace the indirect taxes have increased by 210,000;000 francs (8,400,000 l.). A removal of prohibitory and protective duties would, how ! ever, develope the national capabilities of the country, and lead to a still further increase, as marked as that which has attended our own policy. The EMPEROR makes it " a point of honour " that in France rivers, like revolutions, shall " re turn to their beds." We trust that he may ob tain the victory over the laws of nature which he already regards as accomplished. We should re joice if our own Government announced a similar resolution for the complete and speedy purifica tion of that which was once " the silver winding Thames." may himself conduct and bring to perfection the amelioration which he has himself inaugurated, or, should his judicial duties and circuit engage ments prevent him from introducing an adequate measure, that some other Noble Lord or Hon. Gentleman may undertake the task, in which they will be sustained by the almost unanimous concurrence of Parliament and the country. The discussion on the Budget is to be post poned until Friday. Mr. DISRAELI will then bring for ward his promised amendment, and the entire scheme will be strictly examined, and, so far as we can judge, unsparingly criticised. It is manifest that the new firm of RUSSELL, GLADSTONE, DISRAELI, and Co., will spare no pains to upset the project. From what has already appeared, the struggle will be to compel the observance of the GLADSTONE arrangement of 1853, so far as the final abolition of the Income Tax in 1860 is con cerned. But that was only a portion of the so called compact. To be consistent they should carry it out in its integrity, and enforce an imme diate reduction to sd. in the pound. We have already pointed out that this may be effected with perfect ease by providing for the renewal of the Exchequer Bonds, falling due in each year up to 1860. And this would be but justice to the people, as par tially replacing the 8,000,0001. of debt paid off in 1854, in consequence of the complete failure of the project for the conversion of a certain por tion of the national debt. Parliament only assented to the substitution of one class of securities for another. .1 But in place of that understanding being fairly carried out more than eight millions of debt was extinguished, and the balances in the National Exchequer pro Canto reduced. The Exchequer Bonds were created, not for the purposes of the war, but of replacing the sum thus improperly ab stracted. If there was a compact in 1853, Par liament should insist on that sum being replaced, and that seven millions should not be taken from the overburdened and impoverished people within the next three years. If the 7d. in the pound be granted until 1860, the compact will be doubly violated. Under the provisions for sinking funds every war burden will be anni hilated within 16 years ; and surely `that is all that could reasonably be expected in any quarter. There was but a single vote taken last night ; but unfortunately that was one involving the whole question, being for the payment of the two millions of bonds falling due in May. We do not anticipate any allusion to the renewal of these bonds from any member of the newly formed coalition. It will therefore be essential that some independent member should take up the point, and bring the question of the GLAD STONE abortion fairly before Parliament. If that money be replaced, and the Income Tax imme diately reduced to sd. in the pound, there may be some foundation for insisting on the abolition of the Income Tax in 1860. If not, the considera tion will altogether fail, and the claims of certain indirect burdens must also be taken into consi deration. The expenditure for Public Works is to be reduced, without compromising what has already been achieved. The produce of the loans will suffice, it is said, to pay all war expenses, and there will be no further appeal to public credit. The annual contingent is to be reduced to 100,000 men,a tolerably high peace complement by the way, and there will be some improvement in the pay of the lower grades, and of the rank and file, as well as of the civil employes, and a new trans-atlantic steam company. The war tax, pro ducing 19,000,000 francs (760,000/.) is to be abandoned, but (at least) an equivalent will be obtained from a new tax on movable property. France also has its convict question. Exiles are to be removed from the Coast of Guinea to Algeria. The Landes of Gascony are to be fer tilised, and a complete military penal code is to he enacted. Such are the leading topics of the I Address. We may regret that the EMPEROR was not more explicit on many point 4, and will only hope that the measures for the benefit of the people will fulfil the expectations that may be entertaied in reference thereto. As to the liberty of the press, the Emperor thinks that one opinion is quite enough in France. The echoes of truth are rather startling sounds to troubled minds. But truth is a bitter reformer, however much power may attempt to keep off the day of reckoning. Louis NAroLEoN has tasted adversity, and ought, as a wise man, to profit by its lessons. The unanimous condemnation of the existing law of libel, as developed in the recent case of "DAVISON v. DUNCAN," has already produced salutary effects. Lord CAMPBELL, in presenting a petition in reference thereto, vindicated him self and his learned brethren from the re sponsibility of that unfortunate decision, and clearly and distinctly pointed out the propriety of further extending the principle recognised by what are termed " CAMPBELL'S Acts," the foun dation whereof is that fair and bona fide reports of proceedings inserted in public journals, without malice, and being for the benefit of the community at large, should not expose the printers or pub lishers to any legal liability. Any abuse of the privilege would, of course, withdraw the protec tion, and render the parties responsible for any damage occasioned by their misconduct ; but it is indeed hard that, when discharging an imperative duty, the neglect whereof would he tantamount to an abdication of their functions, they should be subjected to serious annoyance and heavy expense. " The Fourth Estate" is already greatly indebted to Lord CAMPBELL. We trust that ho will complete the good work which he commenced in a manner so satisfactory to the Press and the People of the United Kingdom. The blot has been hit in the recent case, and the necessity for further progress in the same direction manifested. The anxiety displayed by the Noble and Learned Lprd, to show that no other decision could have been arrived at, indicates in the strongest manner that "Law" and " Justice" did not go hand in hand on that occasion, and that, if possible, a different judgment would have been pronounced. But the Judges are merely the interpreters, not the framers, of the law. Their duty is to declare what it is, not what it ought to be. However they may deplore the necessity of giving a judgment contrary to the sense of what is right and proper, their course is plain. They have no alternative. They may point out, and the Legislature should b 3 prepared without unnecessary procrastination or delay to give effect to, their well-considered suggestions and recommen dations. They expose the evil—Parliament pro vides a suitable remedy. There was also a compact respecting the duties on tea, sugar, and coffee, on the faith whereof extensive purchases have been made. If the argument relic 3 on by Mr. DISRAELI be good for anything, it must be pushed to its legitimate con clusions. It will be for the independent members to see that this duty be effectually dis3harged. If not, the people may fairly exclaim, both of the Government and of the Opposition, " A plague of both your Houses," for whichever triumphs, they will be left in•the lurch. "I confess that I can 'see no ground whatever for acceding to the demand which has been made for the reduction of the duty on fire assurance ; and, so far as I am able to judge, I believe it to be one of the last duties which ought to undergo revision !" Accustomed as we may have been to look for any amount of scepticism and hardihood of asser tion in an Edinburgh Reviewer, we were utterly unprepared for this. It took us completely by surprise ; and though several days have elapsed since the words were spoken, and the evidence of their having been uttered is indisputable, we are still loth to believe that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was accurately reported. Why, such language is an insult to common sense, and may readily be construed into an outrage on social morality and one of the cardinal principles of our common faith. "No ground for the reduc tion of the duty on fire assurance ?" Where are the eyes of this extraordinary financier ? " One of the last duties that should undergo revision !" Is it a case of monomania ? Of all social duties, that of making provision for the future is, by common consent, one of the most imperative. To deny the obligation is not only to deny an authority most of us revere, but also to set at nought every day's development of what may be called an instinct of civilised beings. We cannot but think of the morrow, and we are taught and more or less accustomed to provide against its necessities and hazards. Fire assurance is the best known means by which provision can be made against the ruinous effects of a hazard of hourly occurrence. To tax fire assurance is to add to the cost of such provision, and strengthen the temptation to trust to chance, which assails with peculiar force individuals of limited means. A duty OM fire assurance is, therefore, in effect, a duty against fire assurance, and a premium on impro• vidence. That the existing tax has such an effect the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of course, denies. Facts, however, are too many for him. How comes it to pass that in countries where there is no such tax on fire assurance so many more assur ances are effected than in England 7 While only one-third of the property in this country h in sured against fire not less than seven-eighths, we are told, of the property in France is so ! Who will say the French people are more providently disposed than the English—the gay and mercurial Gaul more thoughtful of the morrow than the careful and industrious Anglo-Saxon 7 The infer ence is obvious, and that is a protest against the duty imposed by Government on fire assurance. To tell us the proceeds of the tax are annually on the increase is only to add to its force. The fact speaks volumes for the providence of a people which makes itself conspicuous under such mani fest disadvantage. THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, FEBRUARY 17. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 55 —highest sinse noon yes erday: 43 —lowest this morning and during the nigl 51—this day at noon. 'P, 30 07. WIND. S.S.E. -Light, with mild weather and sligh sprinkling of rain. f t) §Tti No person can be injured by th e p u bli cation of bona fide reports. The accusation, -whatever it may be, is not that of the journal, but of the in dividual by whom it, has been preferred. The proprietor, editor, printer, or publisher, and all— even the messenger who delivers copies of the journal—arelegallyresponsible, but do not indorse the charge. It has not the sanction of "the mighty We," but is merely the bt ttoment of the JOHN NOICES or PETER STYLES, by whom it has been made, and as such it is taken quantum , valeat by the community. It is one thing for the Times, or any other journal, to make a direct and positive titcrnent from itself ---and a no th er to declare, that at a meeting of the Common Council of the Board of Health, or any other public body, Mr. So-and-So made such a statement. In the former case it is supposed that the managers of the journal have satisfied them selves of the truth and accuracy of the charge, and put it forward on their own authority. In the latter the gravamen is transferred to an individual, and, if he was fairly and accurately reported, on his shoulders the responsibility should rest. Public opinion is altogether in favour of this view of the case, and it is rare indeed, even for persons who feel themselves to be aggrieved, to LON')ON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1857 The French Legislative session was duly opened Imperial yesterday at Paris: Th e Speecb, a re port whereof appear 3 in another part of this day's impression, was na tur a l ly looked for with e x t reme anxiety. It is usually far more explicit than the vague announcements delivered at the Palace at Westminister, and is regarded rather as the ex pression of the Imperial will, which must be implicitly obeyed, than as a recommendation of matters to be taken into consideration by the Cha.mbers t, Th e E MP EROR is, however, begir fling to iinlate more closely the English Royal style, and to leave matters mare in suspense than was formerly the case. Wo have seen that the tendency of the tax is to deter persons of limited means from effecting po licies of assurance, and we are enabled by the ex ample of France and our own returns to guess to what extent. We will now take a glance at a few of the results of non-assurance. A shopkeeper, doing a promising stroke of business, and whose limited capital is invested in his stock, has his shop burned down in the night. All is gone, and with it his prospects of competence and his means of provision for tho wants of his wife and children. The chances are many against his ever occupying a similar position win, and in favour The earlier statements refer to foreign affairs. Weare told that " the difficulties which obstructed the execution of the Treaty of Paris have been for tunately surmounted." Butnurdy such difficulties should never have arisen. A little more care on the part of the negotiators, a more accurate conception of the pettifogging disposition of Russia would have THE STN, LON DON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1857. LATEST ,YEWS. proceed against the journals in which the re- of his sinking lower and lower in the social scale. port appeared. But there are exceptions The widow of, say, a shopkeeper or clerk, whose to the general rule, which operate very scanty pittance is derived from a little house pro injuriously to the interests of individual perty, finds that property some morning destroyed journalists, and therefore it is essential to remove by fire, and being uninsured, nothing but the the grievance. We trust that Lord CAMPBELL w or khouse, with its insults and privations, stares her in the face. The workman who by little and little has scraped together, from his boyhood up ward, a set of tools on which he prides himself and which enables hint to pursue kis calling with credit and moderate success, leaves them behind him in the factory when work is over, goes home, and retires to rest—to be awakened by the fire engine, whose wheels herald the sad intelligence that the factory is on fire, and his tools, his bread earners, his means of living, are consumed. It is very easy to say these persons ought to have insured. Of course they ought ; and here is our objection to the tax. It prevented them. Had the cost of assurance been one-half its existing amount there can be little doubt they would have insured ; but the extra money represented by the tax could only, have been paid by the sacrifice of some comfort or positive necessary of life, and the consequence was the insurance of their property was postponed. What but injury to society and to the individual can reasonably be looked for from a tax like this ? Is not the ratepayer burdened enough—does not poverty corrupt enough—is there not human m i ser y in abundance already—without offering this premium on im providenee ? The operation of the tax, however, is not only prejudicial to the small trader, the widow, the workman, and all dependent on them for sup port. It is injurious to others. The farmer, with his nicely-ba lanced income and expenditure, finds the cost of assurance heavy, and recognises in the fact an additional and very powerful mo tive to trust to chance. Even when he does in ' sure, the cost prevents him in most cases from covering more than one-half the loss he is liable to by fire. It is much the same with a struggling merchant, while those who do insure, and their number is great, find the cost a serious drawback. The tax, it will be seen, is immoral, in what it prevents and what it occasions, both in the indi vidual and to society. Immoral in one way which is toe often overlooked, but b which we must here advert. A policy of assurance is a horn book to the ignorant, and a stimulus to industry and economical habits to the more reflecting. A man fights best in the field when his home is guarded. The effects of the system of assurance are of an elevating nature, as will the more clearly appear the longer the subject is considered. The tax which retards its spread must in the very na-. ture of things be one of those stumbling-blocks it is the duty of every honest man to aid in kicking bodily away. The tax which Sir G. C. LEWIS sees no grounds to remit, with which he is so enamoured that he will part with it at no price, is the tax whos3 operation we have been cursorily examining. Is it not surprising ! And what is his reason, h's exquisite reason, for being thus enamoured of the tax, and holding it with so con vulsive a grasp ? Because---Disum teneatis—" it falls exclushely on realised property!" To be sure the workmai's tools are realised property ; most people, however, will see the impropriety of tax ing them. But are the stock of the shopkeeper and the warehoused goods of the merchant realised property ? Why, one-half, or more, of them is hal on credit. Yet how heavily the tax presses on such property will appear from the fact that the relative proportion of assurance on factories and warehouses and their contents is often as one to three—one thousand on the fac tory and three thousand on the goods. The tax, in short, as it exists, is defensible on no grounds whatever ; and, in the teeth of assurances of English property being effected in French offices, it required no little hardihood to defend it and predicate its continuance., The utmost stretch of charity can only find an excuse for the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, and that a very lame one, in a profound ignorance, on his part, of the sub ject. MARSEILLES, TUESDAY. We have arrivals from Constantinople to the 9th. The Commission for marking out the Bessa rabian frontier will conclude its labours in the last week of February. Thirty thousand Russians are concentrated on the frontier of Armenia. The Russians are dis embarking troops on the Circassian coast, with the view of resuming operations in the spring. Eight ships, with munitions of war, have left Astrakhan (mouths of the Volga), and arrived at Woozenderan, on the coast of the Caspian. TEHERAN, Jan 'T.—The proclamation of the holy war excites much enthusiasm. Thousands are offering themselves for enlistment. Generals and troops are daily marching against the English and Affghans. '7,000 English have embarked from Bombay for the Persian Gulf. 4,000 English and 1,000 Sopoys have entered Cabool. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY EVENING. The Emperor and Empress yesterday received several foreigners of distinction, who were presented to their Majesties by the English and Spanish Ambassadors, the Belgian, Prussian, American, and Dutch Ministers, and at the request of the Russian Charge d'Affaires. The presentations by his Excellency Lord Cowley were :—Mrs. Dennis toun and Miss Lewis, Mr. Hodgson, Lady Gomm, Mr. Boyle, Capt. Tower, Lieut.-Col. Baring, Mr. Augustus Paget, Capt., Mrs., and Miss Kennett. Those by the Hon. r. Mason were :—Mr. and Mrs. Train, Mr. Haseltine, Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, m M r is . s F S r mi an t c h is , a, Mr. anndd Mrs.MM. parip P. B. H I I.I . deb m u it r h n , Litchfield, Mr. and iirs: Bacon, Mr. Graff, Mrs. Trevor. A rumour. circulated to the effect that the French troops were about to quit the Roman States. This is not the case ; on the contrary, it would appear that the Corps of Occupation is about to be aug mented. The Commission for the settlement of the ac counts of the army of the East has closed its labours, and the report will soon b 3 ready. Marshal Randon, Governor-General of Algeria; who is here on leave of absence, is spoken of as likely to succeed Marshal Vaillant as Minister of War. M de Bourqueney, French Ambassador, at Vienna, is expected at Paris ou leave of absence. • Feruk Khan is expected to leave Paris for Lon don in a few days. The French Government is most anxious that the affair should be settled be tween England and Persia, and to facilitate it would, it is said, abandon whatever claims it may have to the Isle of Karrack. The Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter are still at Burghley House, entertaining company, The family do not come to town until after Easter. Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury has arrived at Claridge's Hotel. The marriage of the Countess Helene Kielmansegge, daughter 9f his Excellency the Hanoverian Minister, with Lient.-Colouel Lord Arthur Hay, brother of the Duchess of Wellington, will take place this morning at St. George's Church, Hanover-square. The Earl of Westmoreland left town a few days sinc e ,. for Apethorpe House, Northamptonshire. The Earl and Countess of Lichfield are expected in town to-day. Viscountess Palmerston has issued cards for a ball on Thursday next. Sir Robert and Lady Emily Peel have arrived at their re.ideuce in Princes.gate, from Drayton Maner, for the season. Sir Charles Henry Coote and Lady Coote have arrived at their residence in Connaught -place, from Ballyfin House, Ireland, for the season. Madame Ida Pfeiffer has arrived in Cape Town, on her way to the Mauritius and Madagascar. Lord Feversham bas consented to preside at the next anniversary festival of the Royal Orthopedic Hospital, to be held on the 20th of May. It is thought that the N eapolitan affair is in way of settlement, through the (non-official) instrumen tality of M. Hatzfeld, the Prussian Ambassador in Paris. The marriage of Colonel - 13iddulpb, Master of the Queen's Household, with the Hon. Mary Frederica Sey mour, daughter of the late Mr. Frederick and Lady Mary Seymour, and late one of her Majesty's maids of honour, was celebrated yesterday aft3rnoon, is the pre sence of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness the Prince, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, the Princess Alice, and the immediate relatives of the par ties. The ceremony was performed in the private chapel of the Palace, by the Hon. and Rev. Reginald Sackville West, chaplain in ordinary to the Queen. The Scotia bas arrived from Sydney, but is not known _ to have any geld on freight. It is nom estimated that the remittances of silver to India by the Colombo on the 2lth inst. will exceed 500,0001. The amount already engaged is above 400,0001., and shipments can be effected as late as Wed nesday evening next. The amount of specie engaged up to noon yesterday for transmission to the West Indies by the steamer La Plata, which is to leave Southampton to-morrow (Tues day), is only 6,2001. in silver. THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK.-Mr. Bacon, Q.C., was to have made a motion this morning, before the Lords Justices, on behalf of Mr. Marcus, for leave to appeal to the House of Lords from the decision of their lord ships against his (Mr. Marcus's) petition to annul the adjudication in bankruptcy against the Royal British Bank ; but, in consequence of certain steps not baying been taken, the' application was postponed until to morrow. THE GREAT GLOBE.—The following of the nobility and gentry have lately visited the Great Globe : Prince of Onde and suite, Countess De Torre Diaz, Sir R. Peel, Lady Russell and family, Hon. Mrs. Morton and friends, Admiral Cator and. family, Gen. Cannon and family, Sir Mordaunt and Lady Peto, Sir J. Davis, Sir J. A. Carew, Dunbar, Esq., M.P., Lady Abingdon, Dr. Kent and family, Wilcox, Esq., M.P. An Imperial decree, dated 24th December, but only now inserted iu the Bulletin, des Lois, autho rises the Minister of Finance to increase of 350,000,000 f. the amount of Treasury bills for 1847. A letter from Bushire of the 28th Dec., in the Moniteur de l'Armee, gives details of the occupation of that place aad neighbourhood by the English : " The part of the army remaining outside the town are in wooden huts, exactly like those used in the Crimea. The head-quarters:are on an eminence, to which the name of Balaklava has been given ; and the inner bay has been designated the harbour of Sebastopol. Three days after the place was taken, two Protestant churches were established ; they are in a new quarter of the town, called Victoria City. A. racecourse has also been established, and the first day's running was to take place on Jan. 1, the horses of the =Entry being admitted to contest for the prizes. A few days after the installation of the troops, a proposition was made to the general-in-chief to establish a railway across the town and the English lines, a distance of about two miles. The proposition was accepted, and the line is to be made without delay. A cemetery has been marked out, and surrounded by a dry wall. In the centre has been erected a monument to General Stop. ford, killed at the taking of the town. It is formed of a pyramid of red marble, on the base of which have been inscribed the General's name and titles, and the date of his death. Near this monument are the tombs of Lieut.-Col Mallet, Captain Wood, and Lieutenant Uttersen, all killed on the same occa s io n • and those of three other ' officers. who were carried off by illness since the occupation." ROYAL FREE iIoSPITAL, GRAY'S-INN -ROAD.—TIIO number of patients relieved at this hospital, during the week ending 14th February, is 2,351, of which 830 %ere new cases. BOURSE, Feb. 16.—The following were the las . quotations The twentieth annual meeting of the Liverpool and London Assurance Company was held in Liverpool on Thursday last. It was stated that the fire receipts for the year 1856 exceed 220,0001., and that the premiums upon new life business transacted in the year amounted to more than 12,0001. A dividend was declared of 12s. per share—upon 21. paid. Notice is giv en t h at a petition for the w i n di ng up o f the General Indem n i ty Insurance Company expected to be heard befor e Vi ce-Chancellor W oo d on th e 21st We understand that the forthcoming dividend of the Eastern Counties Railway Company is to be at the rate of ss, per share, and that of the South-Eastern Railway Company 15'. per share, or at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum. - Cash. fr. c. 44 per Cents End of Month. -fr. -c. 68 60 3 per Cents 6B 45 New Loan — Bank Shares 4,150 Roman .... Credit Mobilier 1,335 Austrian Belgian Fives .. 99i— Spanish Threes Piedmontese (5) 9O 50 Home Debt RAILWAYS-FOB CASH tr. c. it c Orleans 1,370 Western Northern 9lB 75 Strasburg Lyons 1,370 New Ditto 752 50 Mediterranean — Grand Central ......601 Lyons Geneva Cette 770 Austrian Cum. ...,.. 773 75 OPENING OF THE FRENCH LEGISLATURE. T HEATRE ROYAL, DRUM LANE.— Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. The eminent Comedian, Mr. Charles Mathews, every evening. Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the most magnificent ever produced on the English stage. THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servant* will perform an entirely new three-act Drama, entitled THE BLACK BOOK. Characters by Mr. C. Mathews, A. Younge, G. Honey, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Tilbury, Mr. Ling,ham ; Misses Cleveland and M. Oliver, and Mrs. Selby. After which will be produced SEE, SAW, MARGERY DAW ; Or, Harlequin Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs. The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the house to suit every one :—Galleries, 6d. and is. ; Se cond Circle of Boxes, is. 6d. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d. ; Dress Boxes, 35.; Stalls, ss. ; Private Boxes, 1 0 9 . 6d., 1!. Is., 11. lls. 6d., and 2/. 2s. Last Morning Performance of the Great Pantomime to morrow (Wednesday), at Two o'clock. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven, with the successful new Comedy, iu three acts ; entitled, DOUBLE-FACED PEOPLE Characters by Mr. Buckstone, Mr. Chippendale, Mr. Compton, Mr. W. Farren, Mr. Rogers, M r s. Poynter, and Mrs. E. Fitz- Mr. Clark, Miss Reynolds, wit lam. Followed by (2d time) a new drama, called A WICKED WIFE. After which (51st time) the new comic pantomime, entitled THE BA BES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle. The scenery of the opening story painted by Mr W. Callcott. The pantomime produced under the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Milano ; Columbine, Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and Clown, Mr. Driver ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. THIS EVENING will be performed A GAME OF ROMPS. Followed by • A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a now grand Christmas Pantomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP ; • or, Harlequin and the Genii of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co lumbine, Miss C. Adams. ROYAL LYCEUM TELEATRE Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THIS EVENING, will be performed a new play, in live acts, by Westland Marston, Esq., entitled A LIFE'S RANSOM. Lord Revcrdale, Mr. C. Dillon; Bancroft, Mr. Stuart ; Felicia Reverdale, Mrs. C. Dillon. To be followed by CONRAD AND MEDORA; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brough, Esq., ounded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinado upon things in gene ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted by Mr. F. Fenton. - - Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar Birharto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole Med ora Clowns Mr. H. Marshall The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super utendence of Mr. Chatterton, jun. Carriages conveying parties 1.1 the Private Boxes to set down at the State entrance in Burleigh-street. T HEATRE ROYAL, A D ELPHI Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will bo performed the new and origi nal comic drama, called BARNEY THE BARON. Barney O'Toole, Mr. Barney Williams. After which, - A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which Mr. Wright and Paul Bedford will appear. Followed by THE CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY. Melissa, Mrs Barney Williams. To conclude with MOTHER SHIPTON ; er, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (4 la Watteau), Madame Celeste and Miss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. Moreland; Scnramoueh, Mr. Lo Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr, J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, Zic. OYAL SURREY THEATRE, -XL Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, an original play, in three acts, entitled A BIRD IN THE HAND WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH. Roderick Praiseworthy, Mr. Shepherd. After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER QUEEN. Harlequin, Mr F. Clover ; Clown, Mr. Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury; thi Four Sprites, the Fillis Fa mily ; Columbines, Mesdames Marie and Agnes. 9E AT R E ROYAL, SADLER'S-WELLS. Under +he Management of Mr. Phelps. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL.. Characters by Messrs. Phelps, H. Mars ton, F. Robinson, Ray, Belford, Williams, Ball, C. Fenton, and Harris; Mesdames Eburne, Marston, and Mrs. IT. Mars ton. To conclude with THE SENTINEL. T RAND T H.E A.T RE.—Man %ger, Mr. T. +.779 Payne.—This Evening will be performed a powerful new drama, THE PRIDE OF POVERTY ; or, The Real Poor of London. Affer which, DON'T LEND YOUR UMBRELLA. To cmelude with the immensely successful novel Burlesque Pantomime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE; or, Harlequin humbug and the Shams of London. Tho Fairy Chriltmas, Yiss E. Wilton ; Good Humour, Miss Norhurv; Mercury, Miss Cameron ; Humluy,r, Mr. Herbert ; Cant, Mr. Bolton ; Baron, Mr J. B. Johnstone ; Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke; Lord Love)., Miss Craven ; Addelp Ate, Miss Cuthbert ; Crambo, Master W. Edouin ; Lady Agnes, Miss E. Jacobs ; Baroness, :IL. G. Lee ; Furbilosa, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harle. quinade : Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, Master IV Edonin : Pantaloon. Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven; •Columbincs. Miss E. .Jacobs and Mdle. Collison ; Premier Danseuse, Mdle. Marie Charles. Commence at Seven. Gallery, 6d. A morning performance of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock Stalls,; 3s. ; BOXC9, 2s. ; Pit, Is, 1111 OYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan. __LA) THIS EVENING, a new farce, by Bayle Bernard, Esq., called A SPLENDID INVESTMENT. After which, CRINOLINE. A new Fairy Extravaganzi, by .I. R. Planche, Eaq., called TOTTN , I AND HANDSOME. Messrs. F. Robson, Rogers, Leslie, G. Cooke, Danvers. Misses Swanborough, Thirlwall, St. Caese, Castleton, Ilromley, Maskell, and Mrs. Mclfort. Commence at half-past Seven. . A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING—A Performance crowned with signal success !—The operatic drama of ROB ROY, Illustrated by Mr. lirrn. Cooke's Trained Horses, and acted with the original music, with Mr. J. H. Cooke's Great Bridge Act. After which, the Equestrian SCENES in the CII.CLE To conclude with the equestrian comic pantomime of PAUL Pity ON HORSEBACK. Cornmet..l3 at seven o'clock, Dress Boxes, 4s.'; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Private Boxes, from 11., no charge for booking ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, is. ; Upper Gallery, , - , ox office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestr:an Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH. The session for 1857 was opened this day in the Palace of the Tuileries by the Emperor. The ceremony, which was the same, nearly in all re spects, as on the last occasion, took place in the Hall of the Marshals. The throne was placed ou a platform before the embrasure of the window look ing on the garden. Oa the right of the Emperor were his uncle, Prince Jerome Napoleon, and Prince Louis Lucien, who arrived from London yesterday for the opening ; and on his left, Prince Napoleon and Prince Murat. On either side, after the Princes of the family having rank at the Court, were the Grand Almoner, the Grand Chamberlain, the Cardinals, the Ministers, the Marshals of France, and Admirals. To the right of the Throne were the members of the Diplomatic Corps ; in front, the President, Vice-Presidents, Grand Referendary, and Senators ; to the left, the Presidents, &c., of the Legislative Corps and the Deputies. To the rear of the Senate were seated the deputations of the Court of Cassation, and of the other law courts, the representatives of the clergy of the various churches, the Pre fects of the Seine and Police, the General com manding the National Guard and his Staff, the General and Officers of the Imperial Guard, those of the Army of Paris, the First Military Divi sion, and a number of superior officers of the 'navy. The" high' gallery that runs round the ball was .reserved for the Empress and the Princesses of the. .Imperial Family, and the Grand Master and Mistress and Ladies of the Households of the Em press, and the Princess Mathilde, as also the ladies specially invited. Her Majesty's place was in the centre, and opposite the Emperor's Throne. It is hardly necessary to say that all present were in full dress ; the usual forms of precedence and etiquette were observed on entering and on leaving the hall. The Emperor, whose ar rival was announced by a salute of 101 guns, appeared at one o'clock. The whole as semblage rose to receive him. He at once took his place on the throne, and the Grand Master of the Ceremonies called out—" Gentlemen, be seated." The. Emperor then stood up, and read in an audible voice the following speech : " Messieurs ,les Senateurs, Messieurs lea Deputes, " Last year my opening speech terminated by calling on Providence to vouchsafe to us his Divine protection. I asked Him to guide our efforts in the path most conformable to the interests of hu manity and of civilisation ; and that prayer ap pears to have been listened to. " Peace was signed, and the difficulties of detail which arose in the execution of the treaty of Paris have been in the end happily surmounted. " The difference between the King of Prussia and the Helvetic Confederation has lost all its warlike character, and we have reason to hope for a speedy and favourable solution. " The good understanding re-established be tween the three protecting powers of Greece renders unnecessary a prolongation of the sojourn of the English and French troops in the Piraeus. " If a disaccord, which is to bo regretted, arose on the subject of the affairs of Naples, it must be imputed to the desire which equally animates the Government of Queen Victoria and mine to act everywhere in favour of humanity and civilisation. "Now that abetter understanding exists between all the great Powers, we must labour seriously to regulate and to develope at home the strength and riches of the nation. We must struggle against the evils from which no society, in course of progress, is exempt. "Civilisation, although it has for object the moral amelioration and material well-being of the majo rity, advances, it must be admitted, like an army. Its victories are not obtained without sacrifices and without victim ; these rapid lines of railway, which facilitate communications, open new outlets to commerce, displace interests, and throw into the rear such countries as are still deprived of them ; these useful machines, which multiply the labour of man, first replace it, and momentarily leave many hands unoccupied :—these mines, which dissemi nate over the world a quantity of specie hitherto unknown, this increase iu the public fortune, which increases consumption tenfold, tend to vary the price and rase the value of all things ;—that in exhaustible source of riches, denominated credit, gives birth to marvels, and nevertheless the exag geration of speculation leads to much individual ruin. Hence the necessity, without arresting pro gress, of coming to the aid of those wh© cannot fol low its accelerated march. "It is necessary to stimulate some, restrain others, and supply food to the activity of that panting, restless, and exacting society which, in France, ex pects everything from the Government, and to which, nevertheless, it must oppose the bounds of possibility and the calculations of reason. " To enlighten and to direct—such is our duty. The country, it must be admitted, is prosperous, for, in spite of the war and the scarcity of food, the movement of progres has not been checked. The product of the indirect taxes, which is the certain indication of public wealth, exceeded in 1856 by more than 59 millions the amount, already so ex ceptional, of 1855. Since the re-establishment of the Empire, these 'revenues have increased by 210 millions, exclusive of the new taxes. Nevertheless great suffering exists among a part of the people, and so long as Providence shall not send us an abundant harvest, the millions given by private charity and by the government will only be a feeble palliative. "Let us redouble our efforts to remedy evils which are beyond human foresight. " Several departments were last year visited by the scourge of inundation. I have every reason to hope than science will succeed in obtaining the mastery over nature ; and I make it a point of ho nour that, in France, rivers, like revolution, shall return within their bed, and never again issue forth. "A no less serious cause of uneasinessist super venes, found in the public mind. Whenever a crisis there is no kind of false rumour or false doc trine that is not thrown into circulation by igno rance or malevolence. The manufacturing interests of the nation were even lately disquieted, as though the government could possibly wish for anything but their development and prosperity. "The duty of all good citizens is therefore to everywhere disseminate the enlightened doctrines of political economy, and principally to strengthen those vacillating minds which at the first breath, I will not say of ill fortune, but the slightest check to prosperity, sow discouragement and increase un easiness by their imaginary alarms. " In presence of the different exigencies of the situation, I have resolved on reducing the expenses without suspending the great works now in course of execution,• and without compromising existing interests, and on diminishing certain, taxes without affecting the finances of the state. "The budget of 1858 will be presented to you in equilibrio ; all the expenses that could be foreseen are therein set forth. " The produce of the loans will suffice to defray the expenses of the war. " All the services of the State will be fully pro vided for, without it s bein g necessary for us to again h e a v b e a r d e g c e o t i s tr recourse to publictheDeDepartments p acrrtemdietn of War and T h . s M u l c t h rin a m eh a a n v n e e r asbeen reduced witbin just to preserve the cadres, to respect the promotions so g loriousl y g ained, and to limits, ks,ee inp up a military force worthy of the grandeur of the country. It is with this idea that the annual con tingent has been ii4od at 100,000 men, bung the ordinary levy 10 20,000 above that o f time of peace. But, i:ccording 'to the system which I have adopteLl, and to which I at tach great importance, al : , out tw•o-thirds of these conscripts will only remain two years with their regiments, and willafterwards a a reserve, which will furnish to the country, on the* L C.rst appearance of danger, an army of more than 60,000 trained men. " The reduction in the number of tlie troops will permit the pay of the inferior grades be.ing c reased —tea measure which the dearness of food ren ders indispensable. For the same reaso n, the Bud get allots a sum of five millions to commence the increase of the lowest salaries of a part of the per' SODS in small Overnment civil situations, who, in the midst of the Ovecest privations, have given 3 good example of probity s and of devotedness. "Neither has it been fon;otten to make a gra nt fur establishing Transatlantic / ockets, the creation of which has been so long called ft,:". " Notwithstanding this increase of * ex shall propose to you to suppress from th , ` I st J an ' , pense', 1858, the increa.ked tax, imposed for the war, 00 the registration dues. This suppression en ‘, 11 .° 5 sacrifice of 23 millions ; but as a set-off, anj conformity with a wish several times expressed bY the Legislative Body, I have caused a new tax ell transferable securities to be taken into consider*. tion. " A philanthropic idea bad induced the ga te. ment to transfer the convict-establishment tf . Guayana. Unfortunately, the yellow fever, wbicil had not visited those countries for the last 50yen has checked the progress of colonisation. A for removing these establishments to Algeria °l' elsewhere is under examination. " Algeria, which in skilful hands beholds her agriculture and her commerce extending every days merits particularly to fix our attention. The decre e of decentralisation recently published will facilitate. the efforts of the administration, and I shall sot neglect anything to lay before you, according t he circumstances require, such measures as . may se° m best calculated to promote the development of th° colony. " I request your attention to a bill tending t o fertilise the lands of Gascony. The progress 0t agriculture should be one of the objects of our cos' stant solicitude, f o r on its amelioration or &d ie depends the prosperity or decadence of empires. A " Another measure, originating with the marSl' who fills the post of Minister of War, will also b° presented to you, namely, a complete military Pe: code, which collects into one single body, And Pl ecw ' t , in harmony with our institutions, the various tered laws, often clashing with each other, b i e c a have been passed since 1790. You will be pleaS I have no doubt, to affix your name to A work ° such importance. " Messieurs les Deputes—As this session is ° fi t last of your legislature, allow me to thank you !clic the co-operation, so devoted and so active, w hl _A you have afforded me since 1852. You proclan the empire —you took part in all the measures whi c , re-established order and prosperity in the countc you supported me energetically during the warielie shared in my grief during the cholera an d scarcity—you partook of my joy when Provide s gave me a glorious peace and a beloved son-- 411 , your loyal co-operation has enabled me to estabits`: in France a regime based on the will and the is rests of the people. To thus accustom the coin to new institutions was a di ffi cult task to fulfil) a s s one requiring a real patriotism. To rep /ace t . ,," licence of the tribune, and those exciting disc' sions which often led to the downfall or nonl in us ' tion of ministries, by a free but calm and a te discussion, was a signal service rendered t° country and to liberty itself, for liberty has no 10°_"; formidable enemies than the wild movemen ts passion and unbridled violence of language. • " Strong in the co-operation of the great both of the State and in the devotedness of the army 1 strong also in the support of the people, who k n° that all my time .is devoted to their inter ests) foresee for our country a future full of hope. " France, without , interfering with the rights ° f any one, Las resumed in the world the rank winc h belonged to her, and can g i ve h erse lf u p wi t h security to everything great whi c h can b e produe A : by the genius of peace. May G o d con tinue to tect her And soon it may be said of our epee" what a statesman—an illustrious and nationsl torian wrote of the Consulate :—' Satisfacti on was everywhere felt, and whoever had not evil pea passions in his heart was happy in beholding the. public welfare.'" l On concluding th e di sc o u rse the Grand Master - e the Ceremonies, by order of the Emperor, called 011 the Minister of state to inform the deputies O a senators named since the last session to come for' l ward and take the oaths. Their names wer e called ; they advanced to the throne ; the forn3ol e was read by the Minister, and each, holding for th his right hand, said "I swear !—I swear obedien ce , to the Constitution, and fidelity to the E n3 pere The Minister of State then declared the session opened for 1857, and invited the senators and members of the Legislative Corps to assemble t°' morrow in their respective places, in order to cora' mence their labours. Immediately after, th e Emperor first, and then the Empress, retired Wit h their respective cortege in the same order as the! had entered. The sitting then closed, the asso l ' blage separated, and a second salute of 101 gun s announced to the people of Paris that the cere' molly of o p en i ng the Chambers was over. The weather was beautiful, and the usual crowds were attracted to the spot to view the proceedings. EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.---LIVERPOOL, MondeP —The screw steam-ship Great Britain, Captain Greg sailed from the Mersey at half-past two p.m. for bourne, on her third voyage, with above 500 passenger° and a very large cargo of merchandise on freight. OVERLAND AUSTRALIAN MAIL.—The first overland Australian mail will be due in LondOn vice Marseilles on the 16th of next month, and vice Southampton on the 20th. It will bring news from Sydney up to Jan. 2 3 ! . and from M e lb ourne to t h e 2 5 t h o f the same month. 1" will also bring answers from Australia to correspondence that was mailed in England up to 13th Oct. last. THE FASTEST STEAMING ON RECORD.—The Roya l mail steamship Persia, Judkins commander, of the Co' nard line, on her last voyage from New York to Liver pool made the greatest distance in the space of four suc cessive days that has yet been recorded, having during that period steamed 1,722 miles, averaging 14 knots per hoar. _ M. a St r.at.Lr ies7 had , formerly he h o nour ballet of master performingon of the Grand Opera e m f ir m at e i r o it n at his perform' violin at the court of Coburg Gotha a few days since. The reign's' Grand Duke came a nd shook the artist by antethe h conferredan d and after h i m expressing th THE EARL OF HARE WOOD.-7-We hav e great pleasure in stating that this es teemed noblema n has so far re covered from his late s erious acci dent that no further will be issued. The following is the last an nouncement we have received :—"The E ar l o f H arew eod e Orde admiration o isiccp thererovinegh. No further bulletins w ill b e i ssue d, un less s hould be some material change in his lord* ship's con dition.—Harewood House, Saturday morning, Feb. 14." THE HITHE POACHING AFFRAY.—The two poachers, Blow and Arnold, who were concerned in the poaching a ffray which took place a short time since at Cadlands, the seat of Mr. Drummond, the banker, have been fully committed for trial. It will be recollected that Blow shot a gamekeeper named De an , an d was a f terwar d s at t ac ked by the keeper's do g . They have both been committed on the charge of sh oot i ng Dean. The latter is still i n a dangerous state, and the magistrates were obliged to go to his bedside to take his deposition. Blow bits reco vered sufficiently to be removed from his bed to gaol. His head and one of his arms bear evidence of terrible lacerations from the fangs of the bloodhound that set upon him, FOOL HARDY FEAT.—An extraordinary feat of horse manship was perform-d in our city on Wednesday night by Mr. Courtney, of Ballyedmond, county of Cork. In pursuance of a wager, laid for a considerable sum with brother member of the Kilkenny Hunt Club—Captain Bernard, it is said—while at supper in the clubhouse, he sent for his well-known grey horse White Lion, and, having mounted the animal in the clubhouse ball, pro ceeded deliberately to rids up stairs—two flights—into the club-room, round the supper-table, and, having leaped a firescreen, set up for the purpose in his route, he rode down stairs again in perfect safety, and without White Lion once stumbling or evincing for a moment the slightest indication of a sense that he was called on to perform any uncommon feat. The wager was cleverly wen, to the admiration of all the beholders. The eiffl culty and danger of riding down stairs in particular were lar'ely enhanced by the circumstance of each step being bound with thick plates of brass, ou which had the iron shod foot of the animal once come, it would have been, impossible that he could have kept his legs under bin), —Kilkenny 419derater. AUSTRIA. A letter from Vienna, in the Bourse Gazette of Berlin, contains the following further details with respect to the explanations given by Baron de Bourqueney to the Austrian Cabinet, in re ference to the note in the Moniteur on the Principalities :—" M. de Bourqueney, on having received on the 10th a telegraphic despatch from Paris, immediately proceeded to the Mi nistry of Foreign Affairs, and offered the fol lowing explanations :—He Observed that the note in the Moniteur contained nothing more than had been declared by France in the 6th protocol of the Congress of Paris on the Bth March, 1856. Then, as now, Franco considered that the union was most desirable. Austria and Turkey, added the ambas sador, pronounced themselves against the union in the Conference of the Bth March, and they will have every opportunity afforded them to support their opinions in the last conferences vthich is to decide in Paris on the labours of the commission of the Danube. This declaration • was immediately Traiimitted to Count de Buol at Milan." . SPAIN. - The Madrid journals of the 11th have reached us. It was rumoured that the Government in tended to nominate between 30 and 40 new sena tors. Some of the journals express a tope that England and. France will join in the expedition which . Spain is about to send against Mexico ; and they say that the intervention of these two powers would have the effect of preventing the United States from increasing the divisions between the native and Spanish races , which divisions they labe ur t o f omen t in order to facilitate their eventual conquest of Mexico. It was said that Queen Christina had determined on taking up her residence defini tively at Rome. The Espana says that the Minis ters had decidedly resolved on recommending to the Queen an amnesty for all the Carlists concerned in the insurrection of 1854. The total number of vessels of war at present possessed by Spain is 145, carrying 953 guts. The Espana says :—" Letters from Manila state that the Chinese attempted to burn one of the Spanish steamers which was under going repair at Hong Kong, and that the crew had been forced so seek refuge on board a merchant vessel. In consequence of this, it is said that the brig El Escipion has been sent from Manila to demand satisfaction, and to protect the Spanish subjects theme." A letter from Warsaw, in the Elberfeld Gszette, confirms the intelligence already given, that Gen. Gortschakoff had tendered his resignation, the rea son assigned by4liim being the state of his health. It is added that the general intends to visit Ger many as soon as it shall have been accepted. The Augsburg Gazette states from Vienna that the Austrian Government has sent instructions to its foreign embassies to assure all the refugees implicated in the Mantua tonspiracy that they are free to return to their country. As for the other political refugees of the Lombardo-Venetian pro vinces, those who are willing to sign an act of obe dience and fidelity to their legitimate sovereign may return at once ; those who prefer remaining abroad are nevertheless to have their property freed from sequestration on an application being made to that effect. THE IMPERIAL SPEECH.—In another column We pub lish the Address delivered yesterday by the Emperor of the French to the Corps Legislatif. For the report of this Speech we are indebted to the courtesy of tt e Sub marine and British Telegraph Company. Its transmis sion exhibits another proof of the marvellous perfection to which the arrangements of this company have been brought in communicating intelligence. Although the Address was of such unusual length, occupying more than a column of close print, it was received and transcribed in extenso in London within three hours of its delivery before the Legislative Assembly in Paris. The performance but a few years since would Lave bean deemed nothing short of miraculous ; it is now but one of the daily wonders worked by the Subma rine Telegraph Company.-- Horning paper.