The Sun. — London, England, 1857-01-12 00:00:00

T HEATRE ROYAL, DRIIRI LA N&— Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. Acting Manager, Mr. C. Mathews. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Roxby. Scenic Artist, Mr. W. Beverley. Great Success of the Grand Christmas Pantomime, the nest magnificent ever produced on the English stage. THIS EVENING, her Majesty's Servants will perform TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING. Followed by TWA HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE Afterwhich will be produced an entirely new and original ryzabolical, hyperbolical, parabolical, and extra-physiog nomical grotesque, statuesque, and picturesque Grand Comic Christmas Pantomime, which for some time past has employed the unrivalled resources.of this extensive establishment, and which will be called or SEE, SAW, enti MARGERY DAW tled, as it, is entd to be called, itle ; Or, Harlequin. Holiday, and the Island of Ups and Downs. The scenery entirely new, painted by and under the direc tion of Mr. William Beverley and numerous assistants. The machinery by J. Tucker and assistants. The properties, de corations, tricks, changes, and transformations by Messrs. Needham, Glindon, &c. The masks, models, and physiog nomical devices designed told executed by the celebrated Dykwynkyn. The overture and music composed and arranged by Herr Anschuez. The choregraphic arrangements under the personal supervision of M. Petit. The comic scenes con structed by and under the direction of Harry Boleno. The peculiar grotesque opening invented and written by E. L. Blanchard, author of " Harlequin and the Seven Ages of Man," " Jack and " Humming Top," " Hudibras," &c., and the whole arranged and produced under the direction of Mr. Robert Roxby. Ye anciente and truthful legend on ye which ye pantomime to story is founded : " See, saw, Margery Daw, " Sold her bed, and laid upo n straw." MSS. of Nursery Rhymes in British Museum. egion of Reverses, in the Island of Ups and Downs. "Yea, he Great Globe itself." Here we go up, up, up, " Here we go down, down, down ; " Here we go backwards and forwards, " And here we go round and round." Juvenile Chorus of the earliest period, supposed to belong to the One. up, Mr. Topham ; Down, Mr. Low ; Opera. box, Kid Glove, Tiger and Brougham, and Porte-monnaie (attendants upon Up), Signor Lorgnette. Herr Tightfitt, Master Saucebox, and Monsieur Chinque ; Hard Up, Dupli cate, Distraint, and Rags (attendants upon Down), Mr. Fria.' hard, Mr. Popall. Mr. Quodham, and Mr. Patchwell. An nual appearance of Holyday in her Emblematic Car. Holyday (the Genius of the Season), Miss Marian Stanley ; Sport and Pastime (her attendants), Misses Lovelaugh and Lightheart ; Dame Necessity (who is on this occasion made a virtue of by particular desire), Mrs. Selby. How Invention, the Daughter of Necessity, is called upon to assist the development of the s tory, while Holyday invites both Up and Down to enjoy themselves. Holyday's Home in the Green Bower of Mistletoe and Winter Garden of the Fairies.—Mistletoe (the Fairy ' queen), miss E. Wadham ; Fairy Spirits of the Kisses that have been given under -the Mistletoe, by upwards of 100 Ladies of the Corps de Ballet. Grand Ballet —Miss Rosina Wright, Mdlles. J. and E. Osmont, and the Co. rypbees. The Golden Gates leading to the Palace of Huggamugga.—Herald (with a Proclamation), Mr. Hornogold ; Guards, Messrs. Stiffneck, Headsup, Eyesright, Shonlderarms, Stand-at-ease, and March well •, Tailor, Mr. Broadcloth ; Cobbler, Mr. Waxend ; Black smith, Mr. Anvil ; the Princess Margery Daw (afterwards Columbine), Madame 'Helen° ; Shilly and Shally (her Maids of Honour), Misses Ditbery and Dothery. How Margery Daw has no no ion of work herself, and the contempt she shows towards those who do work. Interior of the Palace of King Huggamugga. King Huggamngga (Sovereign of the Land of Sixes and Sevens), Mr. Dawking ; Huryl-Burly (Lord Chancellor), Mr. Bigwig; Niminy-Piminy (the Lord Cham berlain), Mr. Noodled= ; Higgledy-Piggledy (Goldstick in Waiting), Mr. Muddle ; other Members of the Court, Messrs. Bow, Scrape, Cringe, Crouch, Tagirag, Merrywag, Perriwig, and Hatband ; Court Milliner, Madame Crinoline ; Drawing Master, Professor Crayon ; Governess, Miss Frump ; Music- Master, Signor Hurdigurdi ; Maid in Waiting, Miss Sweet emper ; Chef de Cuisine, Mr. Cook; Prince Popinjay (of 1 f Land of Prettistory), Mr. Finefeather ; his Retinue, idessrs. Glare, Dazzle, Gleam, Glitter, and Cutashine. How the Princess is taught a wholesome lesson by Necessity, and of the change that takes place in consequence. Cottage of Necessity, with a Prospect of Hard Work in the Distance. The Enchanted Workbox—The Sampler and the Exemplar, and the ,pretty piece of work that Margery Daw makes of it. Inhabitants of the Workbox :—Row of Pins, Messrs. Sharp, Bent, Crooked, Pinaday, Groatayear, Sze. ; Regiment of Needles (ready drilled), Messrs. Vargeeye, Smalleye, Lengsix, Splitup, Snapoff, &c. ; Thimble, Waster Tom Thumb ; Worsted, Mr. Bawlaway ; Bodkin, Mr. Pierce ; Tape Mea sure, Mr. Inchbald; Hook and Eye, Messrs. How and Some bodyelse ; Shirt Buttons, Mr. Earlypnrly ; Scissors, Mr. ShearsteeL How Margery Daw makes an important discovery and the audience also, and how, led by Necessity, she is com pelled to alter her opinions and change her position. The Mine of Labour, leading to the Mine of Wealth,—Labour (the Parent of Health, Wealth, and Happiness), Mr. Strong'i'th'arm, What Margery Daw goes to see, what she saw, and the re ward that Holyday bestows. Gr i.nd Scenic and Mechanical Effects, exhibiting (in processor construction) the Fairy Fac tory of Fancy, completed with t c assistance of Labour and Imagination. Brilliant Tableau. Toe Transformation - :—Two Harlequins, Herr Denlin and Signor Veroni ; two Sprites, the Brothers Elliott ; two Pantaloor s, Mr. Barnes and Mr. G. Tanner; two Clowns, Messrs. Harry Boleno and Flexmere ; the Gent, Mr. Halford ; two Columbines, Madame Boleno and Miss Honey. The Ups and Downs of the Harlequinade, showing the Ins and Outs and Turns About of the Pantomime Rally Toy Warehouse, Butcher's and Baker's Shop (Bolenos, Denlin, Tanner, and Raiford).— A pink of polite ness—Clown very toyish—Getting a nutcracker, which turns out a nobby toy—First and last toys for gambling—Marbles versus dice—Despatches, loaded, and off they go—Harlequin takes a private box —Clown takes Chatterton's situation as boxkeeper Kite-flying—A game of Cricket, by which some of the players get bowled out, and afterwards stumped, which turns out a long stop—The uses and abuses of the crin oline—A Jack in the box—A box of regular British toys and a basket of French bread (bricks)--Aldershott a size smaller —Grand review of infantry—A military ball— Going in for a buster—Coming out with a roll—Clown make a peel t 3 baker's feelings—List, oh, List—Squaring a round of beef— Clown takes a steak and gets a chop in return—Pantaloon tries his hand at a game and loses by it Cnt and come again —Clown takes a butcher's shop, which Harlequin makes too hot to held him. Tailor's Sher) and Perfumery Warehouse (Ve roni, Barnes, and Honey). A gentleman in search of a tailor— A snit that is quite the ticket—The Onde wrapper—Railway wrappers—Transfer depot—Washing machine--extraordinary— Something that won't wash—Cleaned out-- Scent i n and sent ont- Foreign versus English toothpowder Hungary water—A Frangipani bouquet—Wonderful effects of the Pistachio nut powder—A case of real distress—Pantaloon in a fix —Fur nished Apartments for Single Men (Bolenos, Deitlin, and Tanner).—Clown and Pantaloon in high life—A domestic re volntion—Tarning the tables—To bed, to bed—A drop too mush Clown now begins to reflect—The looking-glass follows his example—Two heads better than one—Clown takes a turn en the sofa, which also takes a turn on its Own account — Multiplication altercation, which ends with a regular row in the house. Judkia's Gas-regulating Machine and General Patent Office and Stationer's Shop (Veroni, Barnes, and Honey.)—Clowh, being in Fleet-street, goes the pace rather fast—The language of the eyes (Malian of course) which everybody understands—Bath post versus London post—Re - gnlators Wanted : railway regulators, army regulators, gas regulators, smoke regulators—Sewing, cutting, washing, pressing, and ironing done by a turn—Clown makes a shift which makes Pantaloon a little shirty—A box of common scents —A fresh supply of blacks from America —A Dred-ful scene ensues. Mechi's Model Farm (Bolenos, Deulin, and Tanner )—Harvest-home —A rakish dance by rustic lads and lasses—The milky way—Harlequin makes a pump of himself —A strong smell of game—A farm-yard visitor—Clown finds the pig a very great bore—Pantaloon finds the dog gets greatly attached to him —Prize Poultry—Cochin China and couch in England —Novel hatching—The old mail—Full in side—Clown off by the Express and Pantaloon by the Rocket—Mappin's Cutlery and Shilling Razor Warehouse, Ring William-street, City (the whole of the double company will appear in this scene.)—Pantaloon proposes to take a bus—Present and future—Weight of public opinion —A change for the better—The people's own bus—When fool meets fool then comes the tug of fan—Collision, crash, smash, and dash—Garotte preventive—Moustache move ment—A pair of sharp blades—Clowns prove themselves a case for cutlery—Holloway stopped by Holloway's oint ment—The duel—A cut direct—Forewarned, forearmed— Public nuisances of 1856—0 h, my Crinoline—A high wind, a regular blow up, and glorious termination to Ups and Downs in Holiday's Fairy Home. The reduced prices as follows, varying throughout the house to snit every one :—Galleries, fid. and ls. ; Second Circle of Boxes, is. fld. ; Pit, 2s. ; First Circle of Boxes, 2s. 6d.; Dress Boxes, 3s. ; Stalls, as. ; Private Boxes, 10s, 6d., 1'. ls., 1/. lls. 6d., and 2/. 2s. A Morning Performance of the Great Pantomime every Wednesday, at Two o'clock. R OYAL LYCEUM TfIEATRE. Lessee, Mr. C. Dillon. THIS EVENING will be produced an entirely new and original combination of burlesque and pantomime, entitled CONRAD AND MEDORA; or, Harlequin Corsair and the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea. The burlesque opening by W. Brough, F.sq., founded upon the ballet of Le Corsair, as produced at Her Majesty's Theatre. The harlequinade upon things in gene. ral. The new and magnificent scenery painted br Mr. F. Fenton. Characters in the opening : Conrad (the Corsair) Miss Woolgar Birbarto (his lieutenant) Mr. J. L. Toole Seydo Pasha Mr. Barrett Sing Smaul ...... ..... Mr. Holston Ynssiff Mr. S. Calhaem Med ora Mrs. Charles Dillon Gninar Zuliem Submarina Miss Jessie Ryder Serena Miss Marie Wilton Clowns Mr. 11. Marshall ..Mr. Stilt ..Mr. J. Marshall ..The Brothers Nelson. ...Miss Clara Morgan and Miss Ladd. To be preceded by WILLIAM TELL. Mr. C. Dillon. The box-office open daily, from 11 to 5, under the super. ntendence of Mr. Chatterton, jun. Carriages conveying parties to the Private Boxes to set d'swn at the State entrance in Burleigh-street A Morning Performance every Saturday, at 2 o'clock. Pantaloon Harlequin Sprites ... Columbines STRAND THEATRE.—IVIAna ger , M r. T. Payne.—This Evening; will be performed THE JEW'S DAUGHTER. After which, the immensely successful novel Burlesque P an t o mime of THE MAGIC MISTLETOE; or, Harlegnin Humbug and the Shams of London. The Fairy Chri-trna s' Miss E. Wilton ; Good Humour , M i ss N orbury ; Mercury, Miss Cameron ; Humbug, Mr. Herbert; Cant, Mr . Bolton ; Baron, Mr J. B. Johnstone ; Sir Roland, Mr. Clarke ; Lord Lover,, Miss Craven ; Addelp tte, Miss Cuthbert ; Crambo, Master W. Edouia ;' Lady Agnes, Miss E. Jacobs Baroness, Mr. G. Lee ; Furbilosa, Mr. J. Howard. Novel Harle quinade :—Clown, Miss Cuthbert ; Little Clown, Master W Eklouin ; Pantaloon, Mr. J. Clarke ; Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbines, Miss E. facobs and Mdle. Collison ; Premier Danaeuse, Mdle. Marie Charles. To conclude with THE INTRIGUE. New and magnificent Scenery, Sec. New Curtain. New Act Drop. Commence at Seven. Gallery, 6d. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, is. ; A morning performance of the Pantomime every Monday at two o'clock. UOYAL SURR,L,:y TEIEA T R E. LeSSeeS, Mf3ssrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, THE LIFE CHASE. " After which, HARLEQUIN AND THE SUMMER QUEEN. Harlequin, Mr. F. (lover ; Clown, Mr. Luck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury; the Four Sprites, th e Fill s F a- slily; Columbines, Mesdames Marie and Agnes. HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. ' ' THIS EVENING, to commence at Seve n with THE LITTLE TREASURE. Messrs. Buckstone, Howe, Villiers, &c. ; Mesdames Blanche Fane, Talbot, &c. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE BABES IN THE WOOD, or Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle. The scenery of the opening story painted by Mr W. Callcott. The music composed and arrangedbl Edward Fitz william. The pantomime produced under the direction of M. Milano. Harlequin, M. Milano; Columbine, Fanny Wright; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; and Clown, Mr. Driver. To conclude with MAKE YOUR WILLS. A Merning performance of the Pantomime will be given every Thursday throughout the holidays : commencing at 2, concluding at 4. 1101 OYA.L PRINCESS'S THEATRE. THIS EVENING will be performed A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, called ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP; or, Harlequin and the Genii of the Ring. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; Co. lumbine, Miss C. Adams. T HEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. Great Hit of A Night at Notting-Hill. THIS EVENING will be performed DOMESTIC ECONOMY. _ _ - After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which Mr. Wright and Paul Bedford will appear. To conclude with the new and original union of modern burlesque and old English pantomime (as originated at this theatre), by Professor Wordspinner, Member of Every thing, with entirely new scenery, dresses, transformations, &c., called MOTHER SHIFTON ; or, Harlequin Knight of Love, and the Enchanted Whistle. Harlequin and Columbine (h la Watteau), Madame Celeste and Miss Wyndham ; Clown, Mr. Garden ; Pantaloon, Mr. :Moreland; Scaramouch, Mr. Le Barr. Characters in the bur lesque by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. J. Bland, Mr. R. Romer, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, Miss Mary Keeley, Miss Kate Kelly, Miss Arden, dm. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan. THIS EVENING, DELICATE GROUND. Messrs. G. Viniog and Leslie; Mrs. Stirling. A new Fairy Extravaganza, by J. R. Planche, Esq.. called YOUNG AND HANDSOME. Messrs. F. Robson, Rogers, Leslie, G. Cooke, Danvers. Misses Swanborough, Thiriwall, St. Cam, Castleton, Tiromley, Maskell, anti Mrs. Melfort. After which, CRINOLINE. Commence at half-past Seven. A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. LI. Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING, Shakspeare's Tragedy of RICHARD THE THIRD, with Mr. W. Cooke's Splendid Equestrian Illustrations. Richard, Mr. James Holloway. After which, the choice SCENES of Equestrian Skill in the ARENA. To conclude with the irresistibly funny equestrian comic pantomime, called PAUL PRY ON HORSEBACK ; or, Harlequin and.the Magic Horseshoe, in which Mr. W. Cooke will drive Eight Golden-footed Steeds attached to the re splendent Chariot of Gold. • _ Doors open at half-past six ; commence at a quarter be fore seven o'clock. Sox office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke, jun. A Morning Performance every Saturday, at Two o'clock. CANTERBURY HALL, West mi nster-road. OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses, Glees, Duets, dm., viz. —Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield, Miss Brunel, and Miss Summers; Mr. J. Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Raino, T. Farrant, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, and P. Corrie ; Masters Austin, Ben nett, and Corri ; Mr. Sam Cowell and E. Mackney. Piano forte, J. Harroway, R. A. ; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun. ; director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre cisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock. In addition to the usual Vocal Entertainment, the celebrated SPANISH MINSTRELS will appear in costume at Nine and Eleven o'clock Every Evening, and sing some of their favourite selec tions. WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Thus DAr—Morn. 9 min. aft. 3—Evening 31 min. aft. 3 1 1, ...AOBROW—Morn. 51 min. aft. 3—Evening 11 min. aft. 4 TFLE WEATHER—SUN Ormuz, JANUARY 11. THERMOMETER, IN THZ SHADE. 51 - highest sines noon yesterday. 46 -• lowest this morning and during the night. 45 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'08—a fall of nearly half an inch since yesterday. WIND, N.W. to W.N.W.—Rather fresh, with rainy weather. JANUARY 12. 46 --highest since noon yesterday. 37—lowost thin morning and during the night. 42—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'19. WiND—S. to S.E.—Light, with fine weather. Thor., was some slight frost early this morning. , 1 1 41 • - ' 1111. L'):IDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 18457. In the first leading article of the Times for the new year, it says, when speaking of the "occupa tion for a busy and useful lesson"—" The ques tion of tile renewal of the Bank Charter, involv ing, as it does, the twofold consideration—the maintenance in all its integrity of our present standard of value, and the remuneration received by the Bank of England for performing duties which the Government could very well perform for itself, will also claim attention ; and the session ought not to pass without carrying out the principle of 1844 much further than has seen done by the mere separation of the banking and issue depart ments." This is cutting out sharp work for the Legislature. It is opening up the whole currency question—dividing the bullionists by totally ex tinguishing the privileges of the Bank of England respecting its issue of notes. But, on the other hand, while advocating the just and salutary mea sure which would restore the Bank to its true position as a private trading corporation, and remove the control of the national currency and the rate of interest from irresponsible parties to a public department, answerable to Parliament for the manner in which its functions are exercised, desirous of having the unwise and impolitic provisions of the Bank Char ter Act, or as it terms " the principle of 1844," carried much further than has hitherto been done by the reformation of the banking and issue department. This is flinging the apple of discord with a vengeance. The Times is mani festly trying to establish a party of its own. Like HARRY Gow, " it fights for its own hand," and is sure of getting up . a " pretty quarrel" in one shape or another. Like Mercator, it " sniffs from afar" the coming contests, and is already whetting its beak and sharpening its talons for the encounter. It is true that, in the elaborate City Article of the same day, it summarily dismisses the subject by declaring that " upon the Currency Act of 1844 no serious conflict need be apprehended !" This may seem to be " blowing hot and cold." But a little inconsistency even in the same num ber of the Times will excite no great astonishment. It only shows that the writer of the Money Article had not received the latest wrinkle from head• quarters. But, seriously, there is quite enough to induce monetary reformers to be up and doing in the significant hint above referred to, throug,h recall ing to mind the mysterious intimations thrown out in April and May, 1854, when Mr. GLAD STONE ruled the financial department, and the Directors turned restive at the heavy d eman d s for deficiency bills to meet the consequences of his abortive effort at converting a portion of the national debt. Then the Times read many im• pressive lectures to the subordinates, and we are glad in one respect to observe that it is again " playing on the same string," for vee are con vinced that the monetary affairs of the country can never be placed on a satisfactory foundation until the domestic relations between the State and' 1 Bank are completely and permanently annihi lated—an act that will conduce as greatly to the benefit of the proprietors of Bank Stock as of the commercial and industrial population of the coun try. There is a legal maxim of Sound wisdom— " The law abhors a perpetuity." It is, in fact, impossible to legislate for future times. Excep tional circumstances may, and inevitably will, arise requiring very different treatment. We may as well look for a "panacea," or universal medicine, as " a self-acting regulator of the currency," that will be applicable to every pos sible state of affairs. The diseases to which the human frame is liable are not more varied or con flicting in their nature than the changes in that mysterious and potent agent denominated " money," which, like the Slav of the Lamp, is the best servant while properly treated, but the most tyrannical master when injudiciously dealt with. Let us for a moment, for argument, suppose that tie twenty-two millions issued in England, partly on securities and partly by existing banks, and which may be regarded as purely a paper circu lation, without an ounce of bullion to represent it, was amply sufficient for foreign commerce and domestic trade in 1844. It by no means follows that such would be the case in 1856, when there had been a great increase of population, and English commerce had been greatly stimulated by the bene ficial action of free trade. TO say nothing of the in crease of population, which would necessarily require a much larger circulation for internal use, our Iforeign trade has been more than doubled within Ithe last 12 years. In 1848 we exported manu factured produce to the ♦alue of 51,000,0001. In 1855 the official value was 95,000,0001., and when the returns for 1856 are published " they will probably (we take the estimate of the Times) exhibit an increase of more than 20,040,000/. for the year. Here, then, is an export trade in the former year, when the currency was regulated, of fifty-one millions now enhanced to one hundred and fifteen millions, and yet in the latter period the manufacturers who create, and the merchants who trade in our real wealth, are reduced to a lower amount of circulating medium. In fact, in proportion to the extent of their operations, they have little more than 40 per cent., or Bs. in the 11., of what was available in 1844. This alone is quite sufficient to explode the dangerous theories of " Mercator " and the Times, both striving to bring round what they term a purely metallic circulation, by which the creditor class will be largely benefited, not merely at the expense of the debtors, but of the entire indus trial population. The value of existing property will be greatly enhanced, but it will become im possible for any man to acquire new property, or to elevate himself as the fathers of Sir R. PEBL and Lord OTERSTONE were enabled to do, or to leave not merely fortune, but independence to his family. The effect of this enhancement of the value of money will be to increase the burden of taxation when the purchasing power of the pound is greatly increased, the pressure of our various imposts, which are fixed, are increased in an equal c asio. If, on the other band, a pound would purchase twice as much at one period as another, th 3 pound paid to the tax collector shares the same rule, and is of only half the value, and therefore the demand is practi:ally only 50 per cent. of what it was at the former period. This is a view of the subject that should not be lost sight of is a tax-ridc:en nation, and induce it to reject the theories which would double the value of existing property and the existing taxation. The first thing to be accomplished is the com plete separation of State and Bank. The next, the creation of a really national establishuent, issuing truly naional notes of small and convenient de nominations, receivable in taxation, and secured not only on all the existing property, but all the labour and industry of the country. These, if judicially managed, can never be depreciated, while their use will liberate a large amount of bullion, and render it available for foreign trade, This comprehensive reform the people can obtain if they only demand it with sufficient energy, and thereby secure for themselves and their faMiliee that great desideratum—" a fair day's wages for a fair day's work," when every man able and j willing to labour in his trade or calling may have a reasonable prospect of obtaining constant em ployment at remunerative rates. Our senators, perhaps, forget, as the people are but too prone also to forget, the indirect good they do us. According to PAL.EY, if we remem ber rightly, their oratory furnishes one of our best pleasures, and even prevents much vice, by offering an improving substitute for degrading amusements and conversation. Our philosopher tells us that some may laugh, but he, for his part, thinks nothing trivial which conduces to the gratification of a large number of people. Ac cording to him our happiness ought to rise almost suddenly with the advent of February. Soft roads, sloppy footpaths, full ditches—the miseries of winter weeping herself into spring—are all to be oompensated fur by the broad sheet fresh filled from St. Stephen's. We, of this busy metropolis, have, it is true, generally but little time during the exacting hours of business to enjoy much of the dozen or half-dozen columns which fill so large a portion of our papers. If not too " done up," we take home our morning paper, which seems by that time to have become old ; or our Evening Paper, with the "Latest News" and " House of Com mons (This Day)," and, dinner or tea despatched, according to our family habits, we see if there be any of the promised pleasure for us in the Paths , mentary debates. When by ourselves, we fear most of us must, however, own that another pleasure, one often enjoyed by members themselves under a long speech, is but too liable to compete successfully with the printed debate ; and if a few friends meet with us, who will not confess that he is generally the one wbo has to learn over his wine, from some one of more leisure than he has, what the leading spelkers did actually say. Perhaps the greatest enjoyment of the debates is realised by the reader and his circle, such as COWPER pictures in his well-known lines— “ Now stir the fire, and close the shutters fast, Let fall the curtains, wheel the sofa round, And while the bubbling am! loud hissing urn Throws up a steamy column, and the cups, Which cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, So let us welcome peaceful evening in ******. This folio of four pages, happy work ! Which not e'en critics criticise ; that holds Inquisitive attention while I read ******. What is it, but a map of busy life, Its fluctuations and its vast concerns ?” The worthy Archdeacon-philosopher doubtless spent many such an evening as that, and thou sands, perhaps ten of thousands, of such evenings are still enjoyed, not only deep in the country, but in the omnibus and railway suburbs of our " overgrown metropolis." Well—the favourite pleasure of PALEY will soon be furnished to all who enjoy it ; and, we can only say, most disinterestedly of course, that we are Be n th am i tes o n th i s su bj ect. W e b e li eve in the "greatest happiness of the greatest number" or, for they aft , 3rwards thought they could shorten their creed, in " the greatest happiness" principle ; and, like the rest of our benevolent compeers, shall do all we can during the ap proaching Parlia .mentary entertainment to put in the hands of ev 'ening readers the entertainment which PALEY t' bought preferable to any other. We can hardly tell, our readers the genial pleasure with which we anticipate placing in their hands, on the 3d of F ebruary, the real QUEEN'S Speech. Some essayist descants on the blessed position of the draper's assistant, privileged to place his hands oil tho• counter—to assume the appropriate smile of mingled respect and blandness—and to put the question to the fair occupant of the shop chair—" Any flannel ?" It is nothing, however, to our more dignified happiness of presenting to readers of both sexes—the Speech of the QUEEN. We are politicians, we are gentlemen, and our public spirit and our gallantry are alike gratified. What the entertainment is to be throughout the session of 1857 it is difficult to predict. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has probably already lowered his Income-tax flag to the "majesty of the people." Yet, in anticipation of 1860, and of the dissolution of a Parliament which must expire before the tax expires, it were worth while to know what our present members think of a Pro perty Tax as distinguished from an Income Tax, and of the necessity of due regard to the different value of precarious and permanent incomes. We hope some motions will be framed which shall compel members to vote on these questions. Then, the Law Reforms, those promised us by Sir R. BETxELL, are all of great value. We shall have to watch the chicanery of interested parties, who will ail, most certainly, do their best to keep law costly and troublesome to understand. Educa tion, probably, will be only talked of. Maynooth will, of course, not be forgotten ; we shall be plagued with a bigoted debate on withholding a paltry grant to one Irish sect, while another rejoices in well towards a million per annum of the nation's funds, and a third in Regium Donum. A rational Partnership Bill and a Shipping Dues Bill will probably arouse the fury of two classes of monopolists, and a London Corporation Bill that of a third, and the three will unite to baffle all they can any attempt to deal honestly with the corruptions and abuses of the wealthy. Purely political reforms can hardly be expected. They may, however, be advanced a stage. The Ballot must, we should think, make progress. An election is at hand. It is the only popular reform on the tapis. The rumour of Lord JOHN'S Reform Bill No. 111. is, we should think, but rumour. He is more likely, we fear, to look to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle for a second lease of Premiership than to the people. Indeed he can not now propose any reform which would arouse the enthusiasm of the people. He has completely used up his whole stock of aristocratic liberalism. Neuchatel, Naples, Persia, and China will all, no doubt, furnish topics for questions and explana tions. America will furnish others, mid the little Paris Conference of the new year will not be for gotten. Cn the whole, PALEY, we are sure, would have thought this a promising bill of fare, and would, looking forwards through the session, have wished his fellow debate-readers a happy new year. THE LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RJ.ILWAY COMPAIVY. This company- has issued a handbook of Bye laws, Rules, and Regulations, for the use of their offi , ers and servants during the present year—at all events bearing date Jan. 1, 1857. A cursory glance over the contents will dispose the reader to credit the company with business-like arrangements and a sincere desire to promote the safety and con venience of passengers to the utmost of their power. A more minute inspection will not dissipate the impression, but on the contrary will infallibly deepen and confirm it. Every individual in their employ, of whatever grade, from the station master to the station porter, from the guard, signalman, angineman, and stoker, to the lowest labourer on the line, has the rules and regulations he is expected to observe clearly and unmis takeably pointed out to him, together with the penalties following on neglect. These he is re quired to commit to memory, so that henceforth ignorance of orders can only be accounted a syno • nym for disobedience. The instructions with re garrl to signals are of the simplest description, but I;roviding against every conceivable accident, whe ther in clear or foggy weather. Great care is evi dently taken to make the special regulations for doubled lines, junctions, single line branches, tun nels, &c., as specific as possible. There is also observable, so far as the public are concerned, a desire to have orderly passengers treated with every courtesy, while an excess of zeal in dealing with refractory passengers meets with no countenance, moderation and firmness on the part of all officials being inculcated. Altogether, the book is highly creditable to the management, and well calculated to give the public confidence in the safety of the line, every page bearing traces of consideration and experience, brought to bear, not only for the bene fit of the company, but also of all who commit themselves as travellers to their care. THE INDIA MAILS. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-packet 'Ripon, Captain R. W. Evans (Admiralty agent, Lieut. Thomas White Farrer, R.N.), arrived yesterday at Southampton, with the India mails. Her dates are Alexandria, Dec. 26 ; Malta, 30th ; and Gibraltar, Jan. 5. The Ripon brings 85 passengers, amongst whom are Col. Kelly, Capt. Brady, Capt. Gregory, and Dr. Kewan, R.N. 18 first-class, 2 second-class, 5 children, and 10 seamen. She brings 18 packages of specie, value 8 ,639/., and 16,000 five-franc pieces. At Alexandria, Dec. 26 : English yachts Sylphide and Titania, screw-steamer Prince Arthur. At Gibraltar, Jan. 5: Screw-steamer Albanian, ship Sea Queen, barques, Lady Wharncliffe and Drydens, brig Nestor. Vessels spoken with : Dec. 31, 11 a.m., barque Con queror, off Pantellaria, steering S.E. ; Jan. 3, 8 a.m., her Majesty's ship Diamond, 1 43 milas east of Cape de Gatt, st eering west ; sth, 5 p.m., barque Hinda, off Malaga, steering west ; 6th, 9 a.m., screw-steamer St. Andrew, off Cape St. Vincent, steering S.E. ; 7th, 7.30 a.m., Peninsular and Oriental steamer Colombo, 20 miles north of Burlings, steering S.S. W. Movements of her Majesty's ships—Dec. 20. Lying at Malta—Her Majesty's ships Hibernia, Conqueror, Brunswick, Dauntless, Conflict, Osprey, Caradoc, Re cruit, Centaur, Wanderer, Wye. 25th. Lying at Alex andria—Her Majesty's ship Tartarus. Jan. 4. Lying at Gibraltar—Her Majesty's ship Curlew. DELAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY. r The European and Australian Royal Mail Company's steam ship Columbian arrived in dock this morning, and is now being got in readiness to convey the next mails South and West Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, and New Zealand, advertised on Monday, the 12th instant. The next mail for' Australia will leave Southampton on the 24th of February next, and will be the first mail conveyed via Egypt, the supplementary mail, via Marseilles, being appointed to leave London on the 2d of March next. By this arrangement the steamer will be expected to arrive at Alexandria on the Bth of March, leave Suez on the 11th, reach Melbourne on the 19th of April, and Sydney on the 22d. Subsequently the mails will be despatched from Southampton on the 12th of each month. The first mail from Australia will leaf° Sydney, via Egypt, on the 11th of April next, and will be due in London via Marseilles on the 30th of May, and at Southampton on the sth of June. The mail packets are to touch at Point de Galle on the outward voyage, and at King George's Sound and Point de Galle on the homeward one. The Columbian is a first class steam ship, and elegantly fitted up for first-class passengers only. She is com. manded by Captain Pender. During her passage from the Clyde to Southampton she at. times made 12 and 13 knots per hour, although at times she was compelled to go at half speed, owing to the thickness of the weather. The engines performed most satisfactorily. The following important notice was posted at the General Post•offize, St. Martin's-'e-Grand, by command of the Postmaster-General, at ha! =past two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. " The contractors having informed his lordship that the mail packet Columbian will not be raady to leave Southampton until Tuesday next, January 13tb, for Australia, letters and newspapers will be in time if posted in London on Tuesday morning next." MARINE INSURANOE.—The stamp duty on marine in surances in the year ended March amounted to 324,3831. SUPERANNUATION ALLOWANCES.—It appears that the superannuation allowances in the year ended Marsh were 122,811/. MERCHANT SEAMEN'S PENSIONS. —As much as 91,4151. was paid last year in pensions. M. Eugene Delacroix has been elected a member of the Academie des Beaux Arts, in place of the late celebrated painter, Paul Delaroche. Among the wedding presents given by M. de Morny to his bride are the diamonds of the Queen of Oude, which were lately purchased for the count in London. It is stated that he paid as much as 20,0001. sterling for a single necklace. We (Western Times) regret to hear reports that Sir John Bowring is seriously ill. DEATH OF MR. PELHAM, THE SOLICITOR. —On Saturday morning Mr. Jabez Pelham, the solicitor who had practised as an advocate in the police and county courts of the metropolis for 27 years, died at his residence in Arbour-square, in the fifty-sixth year c f his age. LATEST N E WS. THE OVERLAND MAIL. INDIA. THE EXPEDITION TO CABUL. TRIESTE, SUNDAY. The steamer Calcutta arrived here this morning (the 18th inst.) at half-past three o'clock, having made the passage in 131 hours from Alexandria. ALEXANDRIA, JAN. 5. The India mails leave to-day, with advices from Bombay, T`ec. 1; ; Calcutta, 8 ; Madras, 13 ; Ceylon, 17. We have no news of the Persian Gulf expedi- tion. The force under Brigadier Chamberlayne had nearly reached Cabul.* At Bombay the import market was steady. Exports were in good demand ; freights had de clined. The banka had again raised their rates of interest. Exchange, 2s. 21d. At Calcutta, the import market was dull. Exports were in good demand, and freights less firm. The money market was becoming more stringent. Exchange, 2s. 2 5-6ths. to 2s. 2-gd. At Madras there was no alteration in either the export or import markets. Money was plentiful. Freights had risen. Exchange, 2s. 2id. The _Bombay Times of Dec. 3 contained the following : "An army of 5,000 men has for some time past been advancing by the hills of Kohat in the direction of Cabul, so quietly that we hardly knew anything of the proceedings till a letter from an officer with the force made us aware that they had got within 50 miles of the capital of the Ameer, without knowing the object or destination of their despatch. Sir John Lawrence was about to proceed to meet Dost Mahomed in person." This force, when last heard of, had marched through the Meeranzie Yalley to Thull, 60 miles from Kohat, and 180 from Cabul. Moving on wards from Thull it crossed the river Koorum and entered the valley of that name, still keeping on the great road to Cabul. RUSSIA. ';.he following letter has been received from St. Petersburg, and as it enters into particulars about the Lnglish alliance, I cannot avoid communicat ing it. It is described as emanating from a person who has been long acquainted with Russia, and who is no stranger to the Russia❑ Chancellerie. It may be only a ballon d'cssai, and one of the many efforts put forth by Russian diplomacy to attain her darling object. Ido not guarantee that this letter is the analysis of any memorandum, or the correct summary of conferences with the French Ambassador ; but it i 3 not improbable that if the Russian Cabinet have really made or written com munications, they would probably express them selves somewhat in the following manner : " The wind is decidedly in favour of France. Since the embassy of M. de Morny and his prolonged sojourn among us, relations so intimate have been established between the two Courts as to remind us of the best days of the Erfurt interview. To be convinced of the fact we have only to bear the adulatory language of the most intimate friends of the Czar, and the expressions of profound esteem which he uses towards the Emperor Napoleon ; but there are other proofs of a more conclusive character, which I shall inform you of in proper tirae and place. This good understanding, however, will appear quite natural to any one who studies the particular position of the two empires, and who under stands the many causes of affinity which sub3ist between both nations. " You are aware that the upper clalse3 in Russia are de cidedly French in education, manners, tendencies, and the language of France, which they prefer to their own. Hardly have the young nobles issued from infancy when French preceptors are given to them. The dancing-mas ter, the hairdre2ser, the cook—all are French. This is so much the case, that a Russian writer has declared that his country belonged to the Gauls, from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head.' " It is true that the old Muscovite party long held it a point of honour to be opposed to France. Bat even that par ty begin now to go along with the current, and to sacri fice their long-cherished prejudices to the general feeling. Their sympathies towards France are no longer a matter of doubt. Their profound hatred at this moment for England and Austria has, it is true, a good deal to do in this trans formation. As for the people and the army, who remem ber with pride the glorious struggle of Sebastopol, they are equally dispose. in favour of the French, and ready to unite still more closely with them. But it is not now, for the first time, they have learnt to know and esteem them, and this esteem, formed on the field of battle, has contributed to produce the new feeling of which I speak. You must not believe, however, that I mean by this to allude to a simple treaty of commerce. It is something more—the preparation for a political alliance— Russia and France united by means of Prussia. Who could have foreseen this some months ago? But however extraordinary it may appear, it suffices to reflect a littl • to understand that such an event is produced by the force of circumstances, and that it is reciprocally advantageous to the contracting parties. Placed at the two extremities of continental Europe, and separate 1 by powerful States, France and Russia have nothing to fear from each other and have every thing to hope from the union. " If in alliances that is the best which imposes the least burden, which guarantees the greatest security—if the beet ally is he who brings to the coalmen cause the greatest ele ments of power and of wealth, and the lea-1 occasion for irritating conduct, and consequently the least subject of rivalry, misunderstanding, and quarrel, it will be admitted that the two countries posses the requisita conditions of reciprocal advantage. " I am well aware that these arguments will not appear conclusive in the eyes of those who are systematically pre. judiced. There is a school of pol:ticians who persist in believing in the existence on the banks of the Neva of vast designs, and of projects the most ambitious, and who will still see the Colossus of the North' ready to fall upon Europe. Those antiquated ideas are still. found to subsist iu many minds. What can we do but leave to time to prove to the most incredulous that the material interests of Russia are in a direction entirely oppose i to that which some people assign to them. " After what we have experienced there can be no doubt that Russia has frankly and sincerely renounced all notion of aggrandisement in Europe. She has admitted that she could not any longer gain a single foot of ground without raising against her a general crusade. Henceforth it is towards Asia that the eyes of the Cabinet of St. Peters. burg will be turned, and to which all her efforts will con verge : Asia, which must be tributary to Europe, and whose subjection to its civilisation we ought to hasten by all the means at our disposal. But are we to conclude that Russia has the intention, at least at the present moment, to extend her posse: dons in these countries ? That she is doing her utmost, as some of the English papers pretend, to work her way to Calcutta? Certainly not : the apprehensions expressed on this point are simple nonsense. To convince ourselves of the fact we have only to cast a glance on the map. Before reaching Calcutta the Russians would have to traverse vast, unhealthy, and barren steppes, some of them scorched by the sun ; and for Russians heat is the most for midable enemy. They would have to combat warlike tribes, against which so many powerful efforts have failed. They would have to sacrifice whole armies. For such an under taking they should be richer than they are, and money, which is indispensable for war, would fail them completely. When, therefore, a systematic tendency towards the North Pacific Ocean is attributed to Russia, and a won derful perseverance in shortening the distances which separate her from it, greater honour is paid to her policy than she deserves. The death of the unfortunate Vali°. vitsch is a proof of the fact. The English were long per suaded that, at Cabul as at Lahore, th,, Russian Envoy had acted in conformity with his instructions, and yet on his return, and after an audience with Count Nesselrode, he blew out his brains ! The Minister reproached him with having exceeded his orders, and dismissed him from his functions. If the Minister had merely censured 'Ana for excess of zeal the young officer would not have com mitted suicide. England, therefore, need have no serious apprehensions for her Indian possessions. The only struggle which she will have to sustain in Asia against Russia is one of political influence—a rivalry of industry and commerce. " Tho development of the productive force of Russia impels her to open a passage to the table lands of Central Asia, and Continental Europe ought to rejoice at seeing her bke that direction. Europe has an essential and a para mount interest in preventing England from absorbing and monopolising for her sole benefit the trade of Asia. Above all, France has an immense advantage in encouraging that expansion of Russia towards the extreme east. Her manu factures can supply Russia with many things which she is still in want of, exchange them for her metals, her wood, and other primary articles the produce of Russian soil, and the products of India and Persia which she re ce.you every year in the greatest qtantity; and these pro-, ducts can be advantageously purchased with French iner- chandise. " This, however, you will understand, is but the weak wint of the question. Its political meaning has far greater importance. Let us admit, and this supposition has nothing rash in it I assure you, that to-morrow the union of th; two nations was an accomplished fact, and let us see what would be the result, and what should we then see ? France, as the ally of Russia, could considerably reduce the expenses of her army and employ the surplus in giving to her industry, her commerce, and her navy all the extension of which they are capable. France, as the ally of Russia, would become a naval power of the first order—the centre and pivot of a great maritime confederation. The freedom of the seas would have nothing more to fear from the audacity of the British flag, whose relative superiority would then be effaced and its gigantic proportions lost. All chance of a struggle by sea would thus disappear, while by land an armed conflict would not be possible. Who, in fact, Mould dare to attack France and Russia united— Russia, moreover, having at her disposal the whole force of Prussia, when the aggi essor would be most assuredly crushed ! It is then, but only then, that the words spoken at Bordeaux, L' Empire c'est la pail,' would be a truth. " The alliance of Russia would secure to France elements 1 of grandeur and prosperity which England can never give her. As I have already observed, that alliance is in the force of circumstances, because it is a necessity in every point of view cf the situation. It is in the friendly ten dencies of the two nations, in their political and commercial interests ; it exists in the secret wishes of the two Emperors, who have more than one point of resemblance with each other—more than one bond of sympathy. Both are cold and reserved in manner, and uninfluenced by prejudices in the choice of their political relations. Moreover, the Czar, in whom region absolute power, is pleased with the ideas, and especially with the form of the Imperial Go vernment of France—that supreme authority which alone premises consistency of design, and permits independence in the accomplishment of great ends. " I will now say a few words as to the bases and the ob ject of this expected treaty of alliance. These bases are no longer the same which were settled by common accord in the latter times of the restoration, and which consisted in remodelling—by force, if necessary—the map of Europe. The object proposed is of a far superior kind. It is the establishment on the continent of three preponderating in fluences, whose mission would bo to secure peace, the con solidation of thrones, and the well-being of the people. This was the first idea of Pozzo di Borgo, who, after the struggles of the empire, conceived the project of a grand European protectorate, which should be exercised in concert with France, whose alliance appeared to him indispensable. But the protectorate of the present day has proportions still vaster. Its application would be more equitable, more moral, inasmuch as it would not tolerate any future conquests in old Europe. If, indeed, some modifications of territory should be found necessary, if claims should be presented on the part of some Power, they would be taken into consideration in a general Congress, which would decide in the last instance on all demands and on all in demnifications to the parties whose interests bad been affected. Some modification must take place sooner or later in the Treaties of Vienna, which, in point of fact, were but the solemn confirmation of the absolute supre macy of Great Britain. " England had two things to do in order to appropriate to herself alone all the advantages of her great victory of 1815, namely, to keep France, her formidable rival, as long as possible crushed beneath the weight of her defeat, and to arrest the development of the coalesced Powers. She proposed to herself that twofold object, and she has attained it without difficulty. She turned against, France the terror of the arms and the ambition of France itself which then existed in every mind and inflamed the ge neral resentment. She made to every State its portion of the general spoil a cause of weakness, an element of dissolution, a principle of decay ; and nothing ever became a more fatal source of revolution and misery than the Trea ties of 1815. The Northern Powers were not then aware of the snare which was laid for them by England, They lent themselves, blindly, to that construction of bastard monarchies constructed of pieces and fragments, and in which hostile nationalities were constantly coming into contact. From France thus put up to ransom, and bowed down under many humilations, were taken even the fron tiers of 1789. And as if this deed of debasement was not sufficient, she was inoculated with the virus of a con-titu tion a l'Anglaise, which produced the two catastrophes we have witnessed. "Belgium (Catholic in creed and French in language) was placed under the yoke of Holland, Protestant and speaking a foreign idiom. " Austria, Prussia, and Russia accepted blindly the com mon drag-chain of Poland. If to the first of these Powers Lombardy and Venice were ceded, it was because the im placable hatred of the Italian peninsula was attached to the fatal gift. To Prussia were accorded the Rhenish pro vinces, with the Civil Code of France into the bargain; not to speak of the principality of Neuchatel, which was destined to become a fertile source of embarrassment and conflict for the future. " England restored their crown to the Bourbons of Naples ; but she had taken the precaution to endow Sicily with a constitution of her manufacture, and she has seen this province rise against Naples to exact the execution of that same constitution. In a word, we witness every where the loading thought and the hand of England in the elements of disorder placed with infernal art under every throne of the continent. "All this was more than sufficient to occupy the Sove reigns in their own dominions, and it condemned them for ever to the regime of an armed peace ; but this regime is the augumentation every year more onerou s of public expenditure ; it is the progressive discontent of populations, the permanent menaee of trouble and of re volution, the decline and the decay of all the continental Powers, the sentence of annhilation passed on their industry. " One country only profits by these eternal embarrass ments. That country is England,whom her insular position exempts from the maintenance of costly armies; England whose manufacturing industry enables her to profit by the obstacles created by the armed peace against the dove lopement of every class of indurstry which could riveal her own. Do people really know how much this system has cost continental Europe for the last 40 years ?—nearly 60,000,800,0Af., of which the greator part has entered th coffers ( f Great Britain I It is England only that ha grown rich by the general disaster; and it is still Englan which is alone benefitted b-e the Treaties of 1815 ! " At last, thank Heaven, this abnormal system, the causes of weakness, anarchy, and ruin to all, and of pros perity to one, have fixed the serious attention of several great States. They have mutually declared that they have been dupes and victims of the Machiavellic policy of the Cabinet of St. James, and they have admitted the necessity of changing at any cost and radically such a state of Clings. They aro actively preparing to do so. Notes have been drawn up on the question, overtures made, communica tions exchanged, and, in a word, negotiations are at this moment carried on in the silence of Cabinets. " When will they produce a result ? Or, at least, when will Europe be made acquainted with that result ? It is impossible to tell you anything positive or precise on the subject. It is subordinateto a number of circumstances, to the ulterior march of events to new complications which may arise. But whatever may happen, whatever obstacles may occur to this great act of reparation, to the conclusion of that alliance which is to regenerate the face of Europe, —I repeat, for the last ttme, that such an alliance is suited to too many interests ; it is too much the necessity of the situation not to be realised. It is inevitable. The future —a future nearer at hand than people suppose—will prove that my information has been acquired at excellent sources. " St. Petersburg, Dec. 31." FRANCE. PARIS, SUNDAY EVEINING. The following telegraphic despatch from Berlin would be of . great importance if it were reliable, but the news is wholly discredited in Paris. tg BERLIN, JAN. 9. " The Correspondance Prussienne publishes an article which contains the following declaration " ' For several days past the official journals of foreign countries have given the news of a Franco- English mediation in the affair of Neuchatel. This news, although of apparent authenticity, and a l_ though given and repeated with details, i 5 wholly unfounded. The Prussian Government persists in the conditions laid down in its despatch of Decem ber 28, and is firmly resolved not to c h ange them.' " The Debats and Galignani, considering, urob ably, that this despatch is too much conflicting with the latest news from Berne to be worth no ticing, do not give it, but it is published without comment by all the French papers. The Moniteur of to-day has an official account of the obsequies of the Archbishop of Paris, super seded, for the English reader, by the letter of our Paris Correspondent. There is also a decree fixing at the sum of 2,000 francs the smart money payable by such young men as may be comprised in the con tingent of 1856, for their exemption f rom military service. Another decree fixes the exoneration of those who have already been enrolled, at the E•um of 350 francs per annum for the term of service remaining uncom pleted. Apropos of Neuchatel, the Independance Beige of Sunday says that there will be a new " Con ference of London," to " render formal this infrac tion of the principles laid down by the Congress of Vienna." Such is the phrase employed to qualify the abandonment of the suzerainty, or " sove reignty" of Neuchatel. All the Powers represented at London in 1852, and, of course, Switzerland, will be admitted. The Debats says that, in an interview of the King of Bavaria with the foreign ambassadors at his Court, and also with the State Council, and , evera l members of the Legislature, that Monarch announced that the Neuchatel affair had term nated peaceably. PRUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND. The Frankfort Journal contained the following despatch, dated Bale, Jan. 8 : " France and England engage to obtain the con sent of Prussia to the entire independence of Neu chatel. "The Federal Assembly of Switzerland will meet on Wednesday next." Auo i her despatch from Berne, dated on Thursday evening, says :—" The envoys of Switzerland have been able to come to an understanding with the French cabinet on thefollowing bases:—Switzerland will set at liberty the prisoners of Neuchatel, who will quit the Swiss territory until the conclusion of a definite arrangement. The ulterior conditions will stipulate in the first place the entire indepen dence of Neuchatel. Prussia will put a stop to all her military demonstrations in order that the Fe,deral Assembly may deliberate without appear ing to be influenced by any pressure from without. As soon as the prisoners shall have been released, Prussia will no longer have to make any hostile demonstration against Switzerland. England ac cedes to these conditions, and the Federal 01Iuncil considers them acceptable. The Federal Assembly will meet on the 14th ; the commissions will hold sittings on the 13th. This project of an arrange ment is in harmony with the most essential points of the instructions of Dr. Kern. Some of these points hare been discussed by the French Govern ment. Great joy prevails at Berne at the hopes of a speedy arrangement." Letters from Berlin state that, King Frederick William has already given orders countermanding all the military preparations against Switzerland. This news is confirmed by the Paris Pays of Saturday evening. According to a letter from Stuttgard, the King of Wurtemburg received on the 6th, at an audi ence, M. Romer, President of the Committee of States, and several of its members. His Majesty gave them the assurance that the affair of Neu chatel would be arranged pacifically. SPAIN. MADRID, Jan. 18.—A. missive from Rome has arrived ; it is loudly proclaimed by the Government supporters that every " difficulty" between the Holy See and the Court of Madrid is entirely at an end. The snowstorms in the Asturias have been so violent that all the communications, and even the mails, have been for some days entirely interrupted. SARDINIA. OPENING OF THE CHAMBERS. We have already published a brief summary of tha Speech of the King of Sardinia on the opening of the Piedmontese Chambers on the 7th instant. We now give the text of the speech : " Gentlemen, Senators and Deputies,—the last time I came amongst you to open the past session a great war was being waged in the East. Sardinia took a vigorous and disinterested part in it. Our army as well as navy, competing in all military qualities with the most celebrated armies of the world, contributed to the pacification of Europe, and increased the reputation of their country. (Cheers.) " The Parliament, interpreting the sentiments of the nation, has already fulfilled a duty of gratitude and affection by paying a tribute of well-deserved praise to those brave men. Associating myself with you on this solemn occasion, I repeat with pleasure that they have deserved well of their country.' (Loud applause.) " The Congress of Paris has put an end to the war ; it has strengthened the bonds of alliance which unite 'is to France and England, and has re-established our fur'aer friendly relations with the Emperor of Russia. " Sardinia has acquired the reputation of having ac o aitted herself with political prudence and with civil courage. For the first time in a European congress the interests of Italy have been advocated by an Italian Power—(immense applause)—and it has been proved beyond evidence that it has become a necessity to im prove her condition for the general welfare. " My Government, confident of your support, seconded by the sentiments of the nation, which incessantly are manifested by grand and sc ontaneous demonstrations, will adhere firmly to the line of policy which we have entered upon. (Renewed cheering.) " The return of peace, more favourable harvests, the gradual develop men t o f th e nat i ona l prosper i ty hav ing improved the condition of the public finances, you will for the first time have to discuss a budget in which the expenditure will be fairly balanced by the receipts. " Less occupied by financial measures, you will be enabled, gentlemen, to complete the reforms in the pro vincial administration and judicial organisation, public instruction, and other branches of the service which have occupied you before. " Gentlemen, Senators and Deputies, " The severe trials which, with the aid of Providence, we have surmounted, the great works completed in the midst of extraordinary financial difficulties, the part we have played in European politics have proved the power and the efficacy of the institutions granted to his people by my magnanimous father. Those institutions, ren dered still firmer by the intimate union which exists between the Throne and the nation, will assure to our country a prosperous and a glorious future." His-Majesty concluded his speech amid the most enthusiastic cheering. Sir James Hudson, the English Minister, and the Ministers of France, Russia, Prussia, and Belgium, and all the members of the diplomatic corps, were present. PORTUGAL. The session of the Portuguese Cortes for 1857 was opened on the Ist inst. by King Dorn Pedro V. by a Royal speech. His Majesty announces that Portugal is at peace with the rest of the world ; the conclusion of a treaty with the Holy See respecting the Royal pa tronage in the East; and congratulates the country on the maintenance of tranquillity, momentarily disturbed in the capital, in consequence of the high price of provisions. The Royal speech then alludes to the ravages of the cholera in the island of Madeira. " It gives me pleasure (says his Majesty) to declare publicly how highly I appreciate the important services which the generosity of the English people has rendercd to the inhabitants of the island of Madeira." The Royal speech, which is of considerable length, then touches upon public instruction in Portugal and other subjects of local interest. Among other things, it announces that a bill will he laid before the Cortes, for carrying out the pro jected railway as far as the Spanish frontier. His Majesty's speech expresses his thanks to the Governments of England and of the United States for the succour given by them to the inhabitants of the Cape Verd Islands, and concludes with the an nouncement that the Minister of Finance will shortly lay before the Cortes the budget for 1857.58. OPPOSITION TO THE INCOME TAX. A meeting of the citizens of Lincoln was held in the Guildhall, on Saturday, in compliance with a notice issued by the mayor (Mr. N. Clayton), who had received a requisition from upwards of 200 householders. The Mayor, who was in the chair, read the following letter from Major Sibthorp, M.P. for Lincoln : " Walcot, near Stamford, Jan. 9. My dear Sir,—l find by the paper this afternoon that there is to be a meeting at the Guildhall, at Lincoln, in reference to the income tax, and which is the first intima tion I have had of any such meeting being contemplated that day. I very much regret that it will not be in m 9 power to be present at it, in the first place, because n ot aware of it; and agai n , h av i ng been confined, to my b e d a ll yesterday and most of this day by a severe cold caught in coming here on Wednesday ; and though I purpose return ing home to-morrow, cannot do so in time to attend this meeting. As regards the income tax, I confess Id o n ot know at present as to what and how is the fairest and m ost just way of levying such; of this, however, I am quite convinced, that as at present levied it is not only, mo st unjust in principle, but most inquisitorial, tyrannical, and oppressive in the process of exaction, and rather than re tain it in its present shape I should be ready to support in the House of Commons any motion tending, not only to the reduction, but even the abolition of it. As to the in crease of is. 4d. until April, 1856, I look upon it as being neither more nor less than an artful dodge of Government to fleece the people a year longer than they ought to be. Againmain yours G. WALDO SIBTHORP." Addresses were delivered and resolutions proposed, and a petition for wa adopted condemning the pres en t t ax an d prayingeither lir an abolition or reducti on o f th e same , and was signed on behalf of the meeting by the mayor. A public meeting of the inhabitant s o f T aunton was hel d at the Guildhall on Friday, presided over by the bailiffs of the borough (Mr. Parsons and Lieutenant-Colonel Todd), for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the repeal of the income tax. Mr. E. RoSSITER moved the first resolution : " That the continuance of the present charge of 16d. in the pound levied on income and the mode of assessment would be oppressive and unjust, and as the understanding at the time of passing the acts of Parliament by which the tax was increased was that they were to continue in force for one year after the termination of the war, and no longer, this meeting is of opinion that the acts of Parliament ought to be repealed on and after the sth of April next." The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. H. TBENCHARD moved, and Mr. Hi vrtcocfc seconded, the next resolution, which was adopted as follows : " That the present system of levying the income tax by taxing permanent and precarious incomes alike is mani festly unjust; that this mode of assessment has been sub mitted to from time to time under the impression that the tax was only for a temporary purpose, and that this meeting hereby pledges itself to use every legitimate means to obtain a more equitable adjustment of the tax and an im provement in the mode of assessment." A petition to Parliament, founded on the resolutions, was adopted. An account of Sir Charles Napier's Baltic Campaign' proceeding horn the pen of the admiral himself, is about to be published. The great Univers trial in Paris, which was to bate been resumed on Saturday, has again been put off, and now stands for Tuesday next. I G, J UARY 12, 1857.