The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-05 00:00:00

AFTER THE BATTLE. When the noise of the battle has rolled from the hill, And the echoes have ceased to complain ; When the trumpet is hushed, and the cannon are still, And the moonlight has silvered the plain ; Then of England we softly and tenderly speak, As thither in fancy we roam, And a tear will steal silently down the rough cheek Of the soldier who's thinking of home. In the toil of the march—in the rage of the fight, No time for remembrance we find ; But ever when calmed in the stillness of night, It comes vividly over the mind. And bright eyes look brighter by memory seen, Love more precious for anguish and gloom, And the thought that gives triumph a rapture more keen, Is—" How proudly they'll hear this at home !" LITERATURE. A Visit to India, China, and Japan, in the Year 1853. By Bayard Taylor. London : J. Low and Son. This work upon India, China, and Japan, is the production of one who is evidently well versed in the art of literary composition. His incidents are well and cleverly introduced ; and the characters by which the scene is generally animated are drawn with much power, and grouped with a happy as well as a ready skilL The pictures presented to his readers by Mr. Bayard Taylor are vivid and impressive, highly, some might say overcoloured, and not unfrequently over drawn—in fact, too artistic to be literally true—but, nevertheless, they are so invested with an air of reality, that they are readily accepted as truthful, and no reason whatever exists for denying their fascinations. Im pelled by a commendable curiosity and a highly com municative disposition, Mr. Taylor effected visits and secured ingress to the remarkable places which lay in kis route ; and where these could not be reached by strict adherence to his prescribed line of progress, he made small difficulty in so arranging the time or object of his journey, as to admit of his explorations being made to embrace the object of his intended investiga tion. Where circumstances did not conveniently bend to his wishes, he, with the true and instinctive non chalance of an inquisitive traveller, bent his disposition to the circumstances. Pursuing this sensible plan of operations, he obtained or made opportunities for ob serving much that is not generally revealed to the eyes and ears of wandering bookmakers and erratic note takers. The information thus acquired, he is no niggard in communicating ; and he narrates his ex periences and retails his gossip with lively good sense, combined with great ability and shrewdness. At Delhi, as in some other places, he encountered many unexpected incidents and individuals, not the least remarkable of which was the meeting with a Hindoo minstrel, in the ancient capital of the Moguls, who, accompanying himself on his mandolin, regaled the ears of his auditory by singing the spirited strain of " Old Dan Tucker," and inspired the listeners with lively emotions by playing and singing to them the favourite Irish ditty, Drops of Brandy," without understanding a word of either. While here, how ever, Mr. Taylor did not confine his observations to the performances of native minstrels, or the devout wisdom of solemn dervishes, but directed his attention to all sorts of matters which offered instruction or promised amusement. Conspicuous among these, the architecture of the place, the customs of the people, and the habits of social life, presented to him a fertile and interesting field for remark. In recording the decay of physical grandeur and the visible traces of mental prostration which have overclouded the condi tion of the people, he was much struck with the imbecile pretence and vain-glory of the prince who occupies the throne once filled by a line of bold and warlike sovereigns. The following is so quaintly told, yet so expressive and characteristic, as to deserve quo tation. It is an ANECDOTE OP AKBAR'S VANITY. Until recently the law administered within the palace bore a resemblance to the bloody rule of former days. Persons who had incurred the royal displeasure had their bands, ears, or noses cut off, and were then thrust out of the gates. Finally, the English Resident at the Court hinted to his Majesty that these things were very disagreeable, and ought to cease. " What !" said the descendant of Tamerlane, "am I not King in my own palace ?"—" Undoubtedly," blandly replied the Resident ; " your Highness is the Conqueror of the World and the Protector of Princes ; but such a course is not pleasing to the Governor-General, and it would be a great evil to the world if the friendship of two such mighty and illustrious sovereigns were to be interrupted !" The forms of respect to the phantom of the old authority being thus preserved, the Emperor instituted a milder regimen. Mr. Taylor seems to have looked out with consider able shrewdness of observation for the weak points and soft places of the regal character in those states in which he sojourned ; and it is singular to note the success which seems to have crowned his industry in thin romped,. In Oude, the reigning . Nawab seems to be afflicted with equal weakness, with that re corded above, and to be likewise the pleased dupe of his own credulity. Besides a passion for the possession of vessels and substantial ornaments of gold and silver, and for being decorated with lus trous crystals, he is also, it appears, haunted by a desire for male issue ; this latter passion is con verted into a source of gratifying amusement by his courtiers, after the following fashion, as narrated by Mr. Taylor THE NAWAB OF OUDE LAMENTING OVER HII3 CHILDREN. About once a week (so I was informed), the Chief Eunuch rushes into his presence, exclaiming in great apparent joy, " 0 Lord of the World, a son is born unto you !"—" Praise be to God !" exclaims the happy king; " which of my wives has been so highly honoured ?" The eunuch names one of them, and the king rises in great haste to visit her and behold his new offspring. But suddenly cries and shrieks resound from the women's apartments. A band of females bursts into the room, shrieking and lamenting. " 0 great king ! a terrible demon suddenly appeared amongst us. He snatched your beautiful son out of the nurse's arms, and flew through the window with a frightful noise." And so this trick is repeated from week to week, and the poor fool continually laments over his lost children. Practising upon the credulity of imbecile sovereigns has been a fertile source of amusement and profit to court flatterers from an early period of human history; but the preceding instance is possessed of so many novelties of feature and incident as to entitle it to a notice which may increase its popularity. From Calcutta, Mr. Taylor proceeded to China, where he found the civil war raging at no great dis tance from the British and American settlements. Into the details of this it is not our present purpose to enter, but it may not be uninteresting to our readers to peruse the subjoined account of A CHINESE REVIEW. First came half-a-dozen old six-pounders, mounted on clumsy carriages, which made a frightful clatter as they rolled over the rough pavement. They were followed by porters bearing chests of ammunition, slung from bamboo poles ; then a company of soldiers in dark blue dresses, with a circular coat-of-arms on the breast and back, armed with long spears ; another company, with ginjalls, a long, heavy stock, mounted on a tripod when it is fired, and carrying a ball about the size of a grape-shot; afterwards, more spearsmen, alternating with companies of matchlocks, and followed by more lumbering six-pounders, chests of ammunition, gongs, yellow banners covered with hieroglyphics and other curious and fantastic objects—the procession rushing along without order or organization, shouting and laughing, or brandishing their arms in the most uncouth and barbaric style. Such a display never was witnessed in Shanghai before. There were about four hundred regular soldiers, some of whom were exceedingly well-formed, lusty men, and clothed in an appropriate cos tume—a short tunic girdled around the waist, full trowsers gathered at the knees, and tight leggings—but the greater portion were evidently porters and peasants, hired for the occasion, to swell the ranks of the soldiery, and produce an impression of the Imperial power. There were in the pro cession some very curious weapons, which I do not suppose any other army in the world can exhibit. In addition to pikes for sticking the enemy, poles for punching them, clubs for beat ingthem,and flails for threshing their heads, Isaw some wooden beams about five feet long, with handles at each end, the use of which is—to push them out of the way ! When part of the procession was retarded at any point, the companies be hind them made up the loss by rushing down the street at full speed, leaping in the air as they went, charging with their lances, swinging their flails and shaking their clubs, with cries which w ere mean t t o b e t err ifi c, b u t w hi c h were l ud i crous in the extreme. Such a military spectacle must, without doubt, have produced a severe tax upon the risible faculties; yet they are but little more calculated to excite a smile than are some of the exaggerations by which the Celestials are inclined to believe they may impose upon the barbarians of the outer world. Of these, Mr. Taylor furnishes many amusing illustrations, which we had marked as worthy of quotation, but which want of space compels us to omit. Among others, he tells us that, over the entrances to some of the tea warehouses, there are inscriptions intimating that customers may be supplied with "heavenly-prepar e d leaves." Adventurers are wooed to take passages in ships bound for California, as being freighted to de part "to the Golden Mountains." The Chinese gin palace-keepers, if we may credit Mr. Taylor, are in clined to push their trade by means of arguments not—openly, at all events—adduced by the British representatives of the same class of traders. At least one dealer in " rice whiskey," Mr. Taylor informs us, has inscribed over his door a cabalistic inscription, intimating that " the joys of Paradise are nothing but a state of perpetual intoxication." It is, however, time to stop in reference to Mr. Taylor and his book, and we take leave of both by saying that tallith information and amusement will he gleaned from its pages ; and that we have been much gratified in thus having made the acquaintance of its author. The Sabbath and the Sanctuary. By th e R ev. Robert Wil son , B.A. Liverpool : Joshua Walmsley. This is a sermon which was preached at the open ing of the new Chapel of the Liverpool Workhouse, and, as might be supposed, it is eminently practical in its bearing and objects. In opening his discourse, the reverend gentleman said that, although it was not strictly enjoined upon parties holding such appoint ments as that in which he now ministered, to make a formal declaration of adherence in every particular to all that is contained in the Book of Common Prayer, he considered it to be his duty, as it was his pleasure, to acknowledge his unfaltering faith in the doctrines of the Prayer-Book, taken in their literal and general sense—his motto being that of the good old American bishop, " Evangelical truth and Apostolical order." In expounding his text, which he took from Leviti cus xxvi., 2, " Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord," he p rocee d e d t o consider the divine origin and objects of the Sabbath, as these are pointed out in the holy Scriptures. In its venerable antiquity, coeval w ith th a t o f th e world, he said the Sabbath was the most enduring as it was the most ancient of monuments, sanctified by God for himself, and commanded to be kept holy through all time. After alluding to the sublimity of the commemorations associated with the Sabbath, as connected with the creation and the redemption of man, he proceeded to consider THE SABBATH AS A DAY OF BODILY REST AND OF SPIRITUAL SANCTITY. The third character of the Sabbath's excellence is the un speakable blessings which it brings along with it. It is a time of refreshing both to the wearied body and burdened spirit of man. And oh ! in how amiable a light does the appointment of this rest place the Father of all our mercies ! Those in par ticular who are much and laboriously employed during the week, are perhaps little aware of the momentous importance of this day of rest, both to their souls and bodies. It is in con sequence of this most ancient and holy institution, that the work of restoration is at this moment going on through your frames, and that your secret nerves and fibres are regaining that strength and energy, which during the week they may have been wasting. And so it is with the spirits of all those who rightly and conscientiously employ the privileges of this most blessed festival. On this day, to those of you who truly sanctify it, things unseen and eternal are recovering -that power and conviction on your minds, which during the last week must needs have been dimmed and weakened by the in fluence of the things that are seen and temporal. The springs of the various Christian graces, such as faith, love, gratitude, hope and patience, which may have been too far strained and exerted by the trials and contentions of the week, are, this day, we trust, regaining their force, and advancing to still greater strength, beneath the secret influence of that Al mighty Comforter, who works His will both in the bodies and souls of His people, as in His living temple. The sermon concludes with an earnest exhortation to all to venerate the Sabbath, and to keep holy the sanctuary, as commanded by God himself, as a day and a place set apart for the worship of God. As already stated, the sermon is eminently practical in its teaching, and gives evidence of a mind well tutored in religious truth. Blackwood's Magazine. Edinburgh: Blackwoods. Whilst a great many of the magazines which once held a good place in the popular literature of the day have been rapidly declining in the scale of merit, so as to diminish the interest which once attached to ' monthly publications, Blackwood's .Magazine not only maintains its well-earned reputation at the head of the magazines, but is fully equal, if not superior, to any of the preceding numbers. That for this present month of February opens with an article on " Modern Light Literature," the subject being poetry, which in this hard matter-of-fact age is difficult to treat of with any thing like eulogy. We have then a conclusion of " A Military Adventure in the Pyrenees," which the writer has related with a considerable degree of humour and dramatic effect. " The Wondrous Age" contains many home truths which it would be as well should be borne in mind by those new lights who would, attribute all the blessings we enjoy through the bounty of Provi dence to the wisdom and foresight of human intelli gence. It is a vice of the age to elevate the intellect of the creature above the goodness of the Creator, and, we require occasionally reminding of our own nothing ness in comparison. In this respect Blackwood has done good service, and should be appreciated accord ingly. "Public Lectures—Mr. Warren on Labour," is a review of an address recently delivered to the Mechanics' Institute at Hull, by Mr. Samuel Warren, on Labour; its rights, difficulties, dignity, and conso lations,—a subject which can never be without its interest, and particularly when treated by so able a writer as the author of the " Diary of a Late Physician." In the succeeding article, " Touching Oxford," we have a letter to Professor Nebel by Tlepolemus, on the im portant subject of the mode of instruction pursued at the University of Oxford, with sundry suggestions of improvements, many of them eminently deserving of attentive consideration. A paper on " The Ancient Coins of Greece," reviewing a work on the subject, by Mr. Martin Leake, will be read with some interest, particularly by antiquaries. " Tickler among the Thieves," is the commencement of an extract from an autobiography, by the Old Contributor, we presume, who afforded us such au entertaining description of his retreat by the sea-side, on the coast of France, during last summer. "The Drama," in a humorous com mentary on the intellectual absurdities which afford amusement to modern Londoners, gives a not very flattering picture of metropolitan intelligence or refine ment. After an article entitled "Lessons from the War," containing some valuable suggestions, the number concludes with a brief review on the royally patronised sermon on " Religion in Common Life." NEW MUSIC. The Seaman's Daughter. Liverpool : Hime. A tributary monody on the death of Grace Darling, written by Mrs. Cornewell Baron Wilson, and set to music by Mr. John Vinning, of this town. The un paralleled heroism of Grace Darling deserves to be kept in memory ; and Mr. Vinning has not only con tributed in this monody to perpetuate her fame, but also to enhance his own reputation as a composer of no ordinary genius. It will no doubt become a great favourite, the air being simple but effective. FASHIONS FOR FEBRUARY. (PROM THE LADY'S NEWSPAPER.) THE headdresses worn in ball and evening costume are very various in style, and most of them are extremely pretty and becoming. Feathers are tastefully mounted either in weeping plumes, drooping on each side of the head, or two or three small ostrich feathers are twisted and intermingled with ribbon, lace, or whatever else may compose the coiffure. Flow ers, lace, and ribbon form a favourite combination in head dresses. Some consist of barber of lace on one side, and bou. quets of flowers and foliage on the other. In ball costume flowers are generally preferred to any other ornament for the hair. Many wreaths of flowers in natural hues have recently appeared, far surpassing in beauty those of any previous season. Among these may be mentioned a wreath of moss roses, hav ing on one side a full-blown rose, and on the opposite side of the wreath a small tuft of half-blown roses. A novelty in the mounting of flowers is observable in a wreath formed of ver bena of a rich birght purple, with its green leaves. It nearly covers the hair at the back of the head, and forms a point above the forehead : two pendent sprays of flowers and foliage droop over the back of the neck. Laurel flowers made in bright green velvet, combined with narrow pendent leaves in gold, are very effective ornaments for the hair in ball costume. Tulips mingled with grass and foliage of crape have just been mounted by a Parisian fleuriste, as a dress trimming for the Empress Eugenie. At one of the recent balls given at the Tuileries, the Em press wore a dress of white moire antique, trimmed with bouillonnes of white tulle, in which were fixed a number of small bouquets of violet-colour heartsease, encircled by fern. Another much admired dress worn on the same occasion con sisted of lemon-colour silk. The silk skirt was covered by another of black spotted tulle, trimmed with three flounces of the same, each bordered with lemon-coloured satin ribbon, ornamented with narrow black velvet and white blonde. A fichu of black spotted tulle was worn over the low corsage of silk. An elegant out-door dress just completed, consists of bro catelle of a bright maroon tint, sprigged with bouquets in velvet woven in the silk. The corsage, high and with a basque and revers, is slightly open as far as to the waist. At the point in front of the waist it is terminated by a bow of the silk composing the dress. The revers and basque are trim med with Chantilly lace ; two rows of the lace being placed at the edge of the basque. The sleeves are terminated by a deep frill, surmounted by a puffing ; and the frill is finished at the edge by a trimming of Chantilly lace. The collar, chemisette, and under sleeves are composed of worked muslin and lace insertion. The under-sleeves, which correspond in form with the sleeves of the dress, consist of a puffing and a frill. The bonnet worn with this dress is of malachite green velvet. It is trimmed on the outside with black lace and small black and green ostrich feathers : the inside trimming is of blonde, mingled with black and red berries. Strings of green ribbon, ornamented at the edge with a stripe of black velvet. A black velvet cloak and sable boa complete the costume. Some of the new velvet jackets are made rather loose. They are destined to be worn within doors, over the corsage of the dress, when the weather may render a slight additional wrap necessary. They are variously trimmed; some being ornamented with narrow bands of grebe or ermine, and others with embroidery. Among several just received from Paris may be mentioned one of black velvet, trimmed with passe menterie and embroidery in black and white bugles. Another, completed of crimson velvet, is embroidered with .black and garnet beads. TUNNEL BETWEEN ENGLAN D AND FRANCE.—The Mining Journal says that Mr. , Wm. Austin, many years in Messr s . Peto, Bette, and Brassey s establishment London, has, since 1853, matured a plan for the above object, which has' been highly approved of by first-rate engineering t a l en t . i t is in tended to have a triple way of three arches, oval in form. The fall is to be from the centre towards each shore, and it is cal culated that the crown of the tunnel will have a thickness of chalk of 60 feet between it and the ocean bed at the deepest. point, which does not exceed 140 feet below the tidal level, as proved by soundings. Th ere w ill be three doubl e lines of railway. The tunnel, by its length, will thoroughly ventilate itself ; but, should it prove necessary, three or four, or even more, air-shafts can be readily constructed, the upper portions forming light-houses, or refuge in case of shipwreck, and for signalling ships in the channel. The cost is estimated at £6,000,000, and the time for construction seven years, THE WAR. Fitom Sebastopol and its immediate neighbourhood intel ligence has been received from the correspondents of the London morning journals, up to the 19th ult. The events narrated in that intelligence relate more to the peaceful operations of the troops, and the preparations for coming conflict, than the circumstances of actual warfare. These letters also communicate the gratifying information that the health of the troops continues good. Descriptions of the means adopted by the officers and men of the various divisions for keeping up the spirits of each other, by theatrical and other amusements, occupy a considerable portion of these letters, and, by the liveliness of their narrative and commen taries, convey a pleasing idea of the comparative ease and comfort which pervade the camp as contrasted with the harrowing details of little more than twelve months ago. Amid these narratives of hilarity and pictures of enjoy ment, are mingled also some, of a forbidding aspect. From time to time we read of punishments, some of them of great severity, inflicted for breaches of discipline, in most cases the results of intemperance. The correspondent of the Morning Herald, who professes himself an opponent of " flogging,", writing on the 11th of January, gives a very graphic account of the flogging of a private in the 14th Regiment, the first English soldier who has as yet been subjected to the degra dation of the lash. The punishment inflicted was fifty lashes; and the crime arose out of a drunken fray in which the pri4 soner, Murray, although acting very foolishly, was seemingly more sinned against than sinning. He is represented as having borne the physical portion of the punishment with great fortitude, but as having manifested much mental suffering from the degradation to which be was subjected. In the same communication, there is a copy of a " General Order" severely censuring the conduct of Lieutenant Saunders, of the Ist Battalion Rifle Brigade, for breaking through a sentry's orders. Being in command of a fatigue party of his regiment, Lieutenant Saunders forced two posts of the main guard of the Karabelnaia, passed his party into reserved stores, which, with the building containing them, were greatly damaged. Writing on the 12th of January, from the camp before Sebastopol, the corresponaent of the Daily News writes con cerning the EXPLOSION OF DOCKS AT SEBASTOPOL. The engineers and Mr. Deane were not completely ready to blow up the east pier of the English portion of the docks till a quarter-past four on the afternoon of Tuesday, although noon had been given out as the hour of the explosion. By the for mer hour, although it was raining and blowing pretty fresh, a larger number of officers had collected together inside the dockyard wall than perhaps at any one time before. After a few minutes' delay, in which time it became generally known that twenty-five charges of nearly 400 lbs. each—say 10,000 lbs. of powder—were to be fired, the notice was given to Mr. Deane by one, two, three, to explode at the last figure being hal looed out, there was a breathless anxiety, but nothing followed. Again one, two, three was cried out, but, to the amuse ment of some, and the annoyance of more present, silence still prevailed. At last Mr. Deane himself appeared through the dockyard gate, from the outside of the high stone wall where his voltaic batteries were placed, and, on being interrogated, he stated that the connexions must be broken or out of order somewhere, and that if the discrepancy could not be immediately found out, the explosion would not take place that night. By this time it was getting dark, and, as there appeared no chance of the cause of failure being quickly found out, everybody left, each finding his way back to camp head-quarters in the best manner he could. Next day it was discovered that the platina wires had got disarranged during the tamping, and that Mr. Deane had been too much hurried at the last. But still matters were mended sufficiently by half-past four on the same after noon to allow of nine of the charges being fired—eight of which went off. Nothing can exceed the obstacles with which our engineers have had to contend in the way of water, still, as yet, they have been tolerably successful. The French have not yet commenced to work at their keep or lock, oorresponding to our centre dock, in consequence of the depth of water in it. Since the last thaw, our west dock has got nine inches of water in it, and many of the shafts, after sinking twenty feet, present great obstacles through the same cause. The same correspondent, under date of the 16th, gives the following illustrations of the DANGER FROM RUSSIAN RIFLEMEN. A few days ago a French officer, wandering too near the Tchernaya river, in pursuit of game, was shot dead by a Rus sian sharpshooter. Two English officers, who had managed to get in front of the French sentries in the same valley, had a narrow escape of a similar fate the day before yesterday. They were wandering on, and had got some diatance in ad vance towards the position of the Russian sentries. A French sentry, who had called in vain, at last hit upon the expedient of discharging his musket, to attract their attention, and fired over their heads. This roused them quickly enough, and, on looking around, they discovered a group of three or four Rus sians, partly concealed, and apparently awaiting their nearer approach, among some rushes at the opposite edge of the river. They at once turned back towards the French lines, and re gained them, not without some risk, for the Russian shots grooved up the ground about them near enough to prove the necessity of the sentry's warning. The Russian sharpshooters line the whole length of the Tchernaya on the north side, and omit no opportunity of firing a shot at a casual straggler. About the middle of January the weather was changeable, and the temperature exceedingly variable, rain and snow suc ceeding bright sunshine, and intense frost following a degree of heat somewhat approximating to summer temperature, with a rapidity which is both perplexing and annoying. The Times' correspondent writes, in reference to the HOSPITALITIES OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON: Christmas festivities are now pretty well at an end in the camp before Sebastopol. Dinner parties, lately very frequent, are now comparatively rare; in many cases, from the exhaus tion of supplies. Good though the rations be, it is beyond the genius of our Crimean Vatals to concoct for them a ban quet to which it would be agreeable to invite a party of friends. Hospitality waits the arrival of ships. " I want you to come and dine with me," one hears a man say, " but I have nothing left to eat, and must wait till the Tartar arrives at Balaklava," the said Tartar being a ship shortly expected,laden with eatables and drinkables. The rapidity with which everything of the kind is snapped up on arrival is something wonderful; and unless one has an agent on the look-out at Balaklava, one risks find ing an empty hold. Transports arriving from Constantinople are boarded and taken by storm, and pursers and masters must make very decent profits by the sale of butter, cheese, jams, wines, brandy, and other articles. For their live stock they might obtain any prices, but they seldom can be induced to part with it. I heard of hungry warriors, on New Year's eve, offering guineas for geese, and offering in vain. Poultry of all kinds is very scarce here at present, the cold having played havoc in our pens. Moreover, I grieve to say that the morality of the camp is not rigid it:be article of fowls; and the lamentations of ill-used small proprietors, whose chickens have vanished in the night, and whose ducks have departed —perhaps in search of water—are frequent and piteous to listen to. While festive and other hospitalities have been pursued with considerable assiduity—notwithstanding the difficulties by which they have been beset and surrounded—more serious and important matters have not been neglected. The corres pondent of the Daily News, under date of the 19th January, writes as follows on the PREPARATIONS AND TRAINING FOR THE SPRING CAMPAIGN : The leisure and opportunity which were wholly wanting last winter, on account of the unceasing duties in the trenches and sickly condition of the troops, are now being converted to the best uses for fitting the army for active operations in the next campaign. The younger soldiers are actively trained, and their older associates, by frequent parades and inspections, kept in the most efficient condition. The regiments are fre quently drilled, and march out at regular intervals by brigades; so that not only the men themselves are exercised, but the generals and staff are practised also in the handling of bodies of troops and their various duties. It is impossible to observe the men on the march and not view with pleasure their elastic tread, vigorous frames, and the general appearance of health which characterises them. It may also be noticed how frequently in general orders occur the appoint ments of instructors of musketry. The fact is that the whole army is going through a regular course of target practice. Detachments from every regiment are daily engaged in this exercise. The new system of instruction in the use of the rifled musket, as taught at the Government School of Mus ketry at Hythe, is strictly carried out; and thus, before the winter terminates, the men of the whole army will be fully trained in one uniform method of using their firearms. Many causes concurred to prevent this obviously desirable result from being carried out before, and many were the evils which were experienced in consequence during the past campaign and siege operations. Each brigade has now one, and some brigades two, qualified instructors of musketry, under whom numerous regimental officers and non-commissioned officers, who have been qualified by previous training in England, give the necessary instructions to the men. Colonel Clark Kennedy, who formerly held an appointment at the school at Hythe, and who now occupies a situation on the Adjutant- General's Department of this army, superintends the whole. Orders have • been given, and measures are being taken, to ensure that every officer and department are complete in the necessary equipment for the field. The Land Transport Corps is reported to be fast regaining its efficiency, under the active surveillance of Colonel Wetherall, who is acting as Director-General, in the absence of Colonel M`Murdo. Thus the prospects of the British forces, so far as the army in the Crimea is concerned, being found in an effective condition at the ensuing spring, are now on all sides exceedingly favourable. THE RUSSIAN ARMY AT THE FALL OF SEBASTOPOL. The Vienna correspondent of the Times gives the following account of the state of the Russian army, at the time of the surrender of Sebastopol:— "After the fall of South Sebastopol the Russian army was in such a terrible state of demoralisation and distress, that the whole of the Crimea must have inevitably fallen into the hands of the allies if they had followed up their advantage. The state of things was so alarming, that it was at first resolved to evacuate the Crimea immediately, but the allies remained inac tive, and two divisions of the Grenadier corps had time to make their way to the theatre of war. On the arrival of these prime troops the Russians again took courage, and, in a coun cil of war, at which the Emperor was present, it was resolved to maintain possession of the Crimea. The world is much sur prised that Russia is willing to conclude peace on such terms, but it will perhaps be less so when it has read the following singular intelligence, which has the merit of being perfectly authentic. No language can describe the sufferings of a part of that Russian army to which was entrusted the defence of the coasts of the Baltic. The gros of it was composed of militiamen, who were not only miserably clothed and equipped, but literally half starved. The poor wretches were affected by a singular malady. Vast numbers of them had the tobusucht, (raving madness or, perhaps, delirium- tremens is meant,) and they were not relieved from their sufferings until the cruisers cif the enemy had ditlarreared, ' The allies ; who axe the great est blunderers on the face of the earth, raised the blockade too soon, and the consequence was that vast, quantities of stores and provisions arrived from Memel and Dantzic as soon as their backs were turned.' While the unfortunate militia was left to suffer the pangs of hunger, the greatest care was taken to supply the Imperial Guard with everything it could desire. It was further positively stated, that the Grand Duke Con stantine, ' far from tyrannising over the Emperor, was anxious to obey his orders to the very letter.'" If we are to believe the Independance Belge, since the allied squadrons have withdrawn from the Gulf of Finland, and thanks to the unusual mildness of the winter, about a hundred vessels of all nations'have succeeded in landing their cargoes at Riga, from whence foreign goods are conveyed into the interior of the country. Salt, especially, which was in great demand, has fallen seventy-five per cent., and great stores of Russian mer chandise, unable to find a market, have been let loose. TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES. THE FIRST PEACE PRELIMINARY. BERLIN, Thursday. It is understood that a mere Protocol acknowledging the willingness of the belligerent Powers to treat on the con ditions proposed is all that will be signed at Vienna. The formal preliminaries of peace will not be signed till the representatives of the various Powers meet at Paris. Neither Sardinia nor Prussia will be parties to the Protocol. Both will be admitted to the after negotiations. PAR IS, Thursday. The Ambassadors of the Allies are expected to sign the Protocol to-morrow, at Vienna. THE EAST. PARIS, Thursday. Official despatches from Constantinople state that the war preparations are carried on with the utmost activity. Omar Pasha's suggestions have been approved of. The same activity prevails at Stockholm. Sweden will be prepared for offensive operations, if neces- sary. THE ANCHORAGE AT NARGEN. BERLIN, Thursday. We have received intelligence here, that the Russians fiave taken advantage of the late temporary thaw to sink immense blocks of stone, at the anchorage off the Isle of Nargen. Care will be taken, before the navigation re-opens to render the ground utterly impracticable, as an anchorage for ships of the line. The accounts we receive here of the commercial activity in the Gulfs of Bothnia and Finland since there has been a prospect of peace are almost incredible. - TRIESTE, Jan. 30. Accounts from Constantinople, of the 21st, state that, in spite of the pacific news, General Shirley has sent orders to Shumla to prepare quarters for the troops which are to proceed there in the spring. Ministerial changes are considered imminent at Constanti nople. Mehemed Ali will, it is said, benamed minister of war. VIENNA, Jan. 30. The Ost-Deutsche Post announces that Austria, in the interest of Germany, will present a proposition to the Ger manic Diet, in order that the latter may adopt the points of guarantee which are to serve as the preliminaries of peace, and thus take an important part in the approaching con ferences. VIENNA, Jan. 31. The Turkish Embassy in this city has been empowered to sign the protocol, if necessary. THE PEACE CONFERENCES. The Grand Vizier Aali Pasha has been appointed the Otto man Plenipotentiary to the conferences at Paris. He is to embark at Constantinople on the 6th instant, and will arrive by Marseilles on the 16th. It is thought that the conferences will open on the 21st of February. The Moniteur, of Saturday, contains the following announce ment :—" Russia has assented to the five propositions which are to serve as preliminaries of peace, and which were presented for her acceptance by Austria, with the assent of France and England. This adhesion, without reserve, was formally stated in a note addressed by Count Esterhazy, the Austrian mini ster at St. Petersburg, and also in a despatch communicated. to Count Buol by Prince Gortschakoff, Russian minister at Vi enna. In consequence of this the Russian Government proposed the signature of a protocol at Vienna to record the adhesion of the contracting parties to the propositions destined to serve as bases of negotiation, and to settle that the plenipotentiaries shall meet in three weeks, or sooner, if possible, for the object of proceeding successively to the signature of the preliminaries, the conclusion of an armistice, and the opening of general negotiations. The British Government had already expressed its desire that the negotiations should take place in Paris, and the Austrian Government having, on its side, warmly acceded to this arrangement, it is in the capital of this empire that the plenipotentiaries, summoned to deliberate on the conditions of peace, will meet. The protocol, stating the acceptance by all parties, was signed at Vienna on Friday, February 1, at twelve o'clock ; and it has been settled that the plenipotentiaries of the Powers who are to take part in the negotiations are to come to Paris before the 20th of February." AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE ATLANTIC. By the United States mail steam-ship Atlantic, Captain West, which arrived on Thursday, we have intelligence from New York to the 19th ult. She brought 79 passengers. The royal mail steam-ship America, hence at Boston 18th ult. Up to the hour of the departure of the Atlantic, the prospect of an organisation of the House of Representatives appeared as distant as ever. On the 17th ult., the 11t6h ballot for Speaker was taken, which resulted as follows :—Banks, 94 ; Richardson, 68 ; Fullen, 32 ; Pennington, 6 ; scattering, 3 ; necessary to a choice, 102. A proposition to elect a Speaker by plurality vote, and one declaring Banks, (Repub lican), Speaker ; William Cullum (American), Clerk ; A. J. Grosshenner, Sergeant-at-Arms ; Mr. John M. Johnston, Postmaster, (both Democrats), offered on the 18th as a com promise, were both negatived. The New York Legislature had at length been organised. Mr. Orville Robinson, of Oswego (Democrat), having on the 15th tilt.. (ballot N0:49), been elected Speaker by a combina tion of Republicans and Democrats. The emigrant ship St. Denis, from New York to Havre, foundered at sea on the 6th ult., and the captain, second mate, 20 of the crew, and 11 passengers drowned. The first and third mates and 11 of the crew were picked up, after drifting about in an open boat for 30 hours. COMMERCIAL. The money market in New York was in a decidedly easier position, and well supplied at 7 per cent. on call. Good paper is in good demand and rates have a downward tendency. Exchange on London steady at 108 to 1081, Paris $5 20c. to $3 25c. The cotton market was active, chiefly in transitu. Prices ruled in favour of sellers, without quotable change in rates. Midlands were about 9ic. The transactions in flour were to a fair extent, and common grades of State were si to 12,1 c. higher. Wheat was in better demand, with sales of common to prime Tennessee red at $1 90c., $1 96c. ; and Missouri white at $2 08c. Indian corn in good request at steady rates. Provisions had also advanced in value. Freights to Liverpool were higher for grain, and firmer for other articles, with increased activity. To London firm rates. AUSTRALIA. ARRIVAL OF THE SHALIMAR. By the royal mail ship Shalimar, Captain Robertson, which arrived on Sunday, we have later advices from Melbourne, 73,126 ounces of gold on freight, and 100 passengers. She left Port Philip Heads on the 13th of November. On the 30th Jan., in lat. 46 26, lon. 14 32. saw a small vessel ( a black schooner) lying hove-to, about five miles a-head. When abreast of us she made sail and bore down on us, and launched a boat. She carried an English ensign. Showed our longitude and signals, which she did not answer but stood on after us. The Sussex and Blackwall, from London, and the Queen of the East and Persian, from Liverpool, had arrived at Melbourne. The James Baines was intended to leave Melbourne for this port on the 25th November. The election of member for Melbourne had terminated in the defeat of the Squatter candidate. Mr. Smith had been elected mayor of that city for the third time. The new constitution would be proclaimed on the 23rd November, on which day the Legislature would assemble for the dispatch of business. A lump of auriferous quartz, containing 527 ozs. 18 dwts. of pure gold, valued at £2,000, was found at Daisy Hill, at a depth of only three and a-half feet from the surface, by a man named Stevenson. Similar nuggets, to the value of MAO, were found in the same hole. In the affairs of Tasmania there was no new feature to re port. The Council was expected to resume its sittings about the 12th. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. MELBOURNE : GOLD.—The price of gold remained at £3 16s. 3d., with a quiet market. The escorts for the week had brought in 43,712 ounces, making for the year 1,767,000 ounces. Exchange on London : Drafts were selling at 1 per cent. premium. Freight on gold delivered in London, 40. per ounce ; insurance, two guineas per cent. WooL, &c.—The news, per Sussex, that the prices at the London wool sales had gone a shade easier, caused less spirit at the last public sale, and prices realised were not quite so firm. Some large parcels were knocked down for the owners, and out of the whole offered, say about 300 bales, only a small quantity changed hands at previous rates. Prices of tallow still remain at about late quotations. Mutton tallow, a fine sample, sold at £45, and inferior at £4O per ton. In hides there were no sales to report. BREADSTUFFEL—Fine flour, £5O per ton ; seconds, £4O ditto ; Haiall flour, £5O ditto ; Chilian, £6O ditto. Wheat bought at 17s. to 18s. per bushel. The reports froth the western districts of the appearance of the crops continue to be of the most promising nature, and additional mill-power is being erected to meet the requirements of the coming harvest. Ten tons of wheat from the Chatham Islands, grown by native labour, and exported in bags of native manufacture, has been received in the Melbourne markets. LABOUR MARKET.—The Argus states,—" We have to re port another very favourable week in the labour market. Suitable men for the country are getting scarce. Orders for female servants are freely coming in from the gold-fields, which, we are glad to state, are freely accepted by the most respectable class of servants. Wages are advancing ; but still low in comparison to our former rates ; still they are ad vancing, and labour getting scarcer, which must soon raise the prices." GEELONG.—GOLD.--There is no alteration, nor appearance of any, in the buying price of gold. It still remains at 755. 9d. There has been about the usual quantity offered in town. The news from Magpie Gully is still very encouraging. Sinking is light compared with Ballarat, and success more general. Fiery Creek is reported as having fallen off a little. At Steig litz, the few who have struck the quartz vein are doing re markably well, the stuff got out showing very rich; but, it is supposed, that from the vein being narrow, and sloping so much, it will be rather laborious work, so much overlying stuff having to be cleared away. However, those at work there seem generally hopeful and in good spirits. Since the last report, there has arrived by escort 26,318 ounces. WooL.—The first weekly produce sale held bad taken place, when the following prices were realised :—Handwashed slipe, 124 d. per lb.; fleece wool, in grease, Bid. ditto; sheepskins, mixed, 3s. each, OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. ON Thursday, the Queen went in state to open Parliament. Notwithstanding the coldness of the weather, the inhabitants of London flocked in multitudes to!itness the accustomed spectacle, and greeted Her Majesty with loud cheers along the whole of her route, till, amid a flourish of trumpets and the thunders of a royal salute from the Park guns, she disappeared beneath the grand archivay of Victoria Tower, marshalled on her path to the House of Lords by the great officers of state and a long procession of heralds, pages, pursuivants, and other accessories of such solemnities. It was twenty minutes after two o'clock before the Queen entered the Chamber of Peers, and for more than two hours previously that noble apartment had been gradually receiving within its gorgeously-decorated walls an assemblage, if not quite suitable to the occasion, at least well calculated to give the highest pictorial effect to the pomp of the opening ceremonial. For two long hours they came trooping in, from the girl in the freshness' of her teens to the mature dowager, all in full evening dress, and displaying a variety of toilette which made, the House bloom like a vast flower-bed. At one time the space reserved for the spiritual lords appeared to be in serious danger of encroachment ; the diplomatic seats also narrowly escaped invasion, and wistful eyes were even cast upon the woolsack itself. The strangers' gallery was filled with ladies ; so was that which runs round the house immediately beneath the stained glass windows, and the benches on each side, with the exception of the front rows and those usually occupied by the Bishops. The Chamber of Peers did seem for a time en tirely given up to petticoat government;" but soon after one o'clock noble lords, in their robes, and the' representatives of foreign powers, in their official costumes, began to make their appearance. The Earl of Clarendon was the first member of the Cabinet who appeared. Lord Campbell and Lord St. Leonard's were also among the early arrivals. Serjeant Man ning, as senior serjeant, claimed his seat with the judges ; and among the latter were the newly-created Justices Willes and Bramwell. Immediately under the seats reserved for the diplomatic corps the right rev. prelates assembled to the num ber of five or six, with the Archbishop of Canterbury at their head. Among them were the Bishops of Oxford and Exeter. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Lord Pan mure entered the house about the same time, and shortly after them the Duke of Newcastle, with a well-developed Crimean beard, as an evidence of his recent tour in the East. By this time the House had assumed a very animated appearance, the Lords spiritual and temporal chatting together in groups, the ladies all settled in their places, and the doorways on either side of the throne thronged with Gentlemen-at-Arms in their glittering uniforms. The diplomatic corps had already mustered in considerable strength and in every variety of official costume, when his Excellency the American Minister " sloped in," in plain evening dress. There was a pause of expectation in the House, and it was soon manifest that the Queen had arrived, but neither the sound of the Royal salute nor of the trumpet flourish pene trated to the interior of the House, the doors of which were carefully closed. Suddenly, at twenty minutes past two o'clock, they were thrown open, and the procession of heralds, pursuivants, lords-in-waiting, and great officers of State, swept in. The Queen, leaning on the arm of his Royal Highness the Prince Consort, ascended the throne, the as semblage standing up to receive her. Having desired that they might be seated, Her Majesty forthwith despatched the Usher of the Black Rod to summon the Commons to the bar. Here an interval of several minutes elapsed, during which solemn silence was observed, and spectators who beheld the scene for the first time had ample time to observe all its well known details. Except in the personages, there was no departure from the prescriptive observance of centuries in the formalities of the ceremonial. Lord Granville, on the left of the throne, bore the Sword of State ; Lord Harrowby, on the right, the Cap of Maintenance ; and beyond him were the Lord Chancellor and the Marquis of Lansdowne, bearing the Crown upon a velvet cushion. Beside them, on the steps of the throne, stood the Duchess of Sutherland and the Duchess of Wellington; and on the other side, near the chair of the Prince Consort, the Marquis of Abercorn and Sir Augustus Clifford, who, in the absence of Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, officiated as Lord Chamberlain. And now the trampling sound of many footsteps was heard at the entrance to the bar, and the Commons came surging up to that constitutional barrier with the vehemence and force of their popular origin symbolised in the movement. Pressing forward in a dense column, with Mr. Speaker and Black Rod at their head, they quickly filled every corner of the vacant space. When they had settled sufficiently to have silence restored, the Lord Chancellor approached the throne, and, kneeling, presented to Her Majesty the copy of her speech, which she proceeded to read with her usual distinctness and sweetness of intonation. HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH. Mr LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Since the close of the last session of Parlianient, the arms of the Allies have achieved a signal and important success. Sebastopol, the great stronghold of Russia in the Black Sea, has yielded to the persevering constancy and to the daring bravery of the Allied forces. The naval and military preparations for the ensuing year have necessarily occupied my serious attention'; but, while determined to omit no effort which could give vigour to the operations of the war, I have deemed it my duty not to decline any overtures which might reasonably afford a pros pect of a safe and honourable peace. Accordingly, when the Emperor of Austria lately offered to myself and to my august Ally, the Emperor of the French, to employ his good offices with the Emperor of Russia, with a view to endeavour to bring about an amicable adjustment of the matters at issue between the contending Powers, I consented, in concert with my Allies, to accept the offer thus made, and I have the satisfaction to inform you that certain conditions have been agreed upon, which I hope may prove the foundation of a general treaty of peace. Negotiations for such a treaty will shortly be opened at Paris. In conducting those negotiations, I shall be careful not to lose sight of the objects for which the war was undertaken : and I shall deem it right in no degree to relax my naval and military preparations until a satisfactory treaty of peace shall have been concluded. Although the war in which I am engaged was brought on by events in the south of Europe, my attention has not been withdrawn from the state of things in the north, and, in con junction with the Emperor of the French, I have concluded with the King of Sweden and Norway a treaty containing de fensive engagements applicable to his dominions, and tending to the preservation of the balance of power in that part of Europe. I have also concluded a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation, with the Republic of Chili. I have given direc tions that these treaties shall be laid before you. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, The estimates for the ensuing year will be laid before you. You will find them framed in such a manner as to provide for the exigencies of war, if peace should unfortunately not be concluded. MY LOADS AND GENTLEMEN, It is gratifying to me to observe that, notwithstanding the pressure of the war, and the burdens and sacrifices which it has unavoidably imposed upon my people, the resources of my empire remain unimpaired. I rely with confidence on the manly spirit and enlightened patriotism of my loyal subjects for a continuance of that support which they have so nobly afforded me, and they may be assured that I shall not call upon them for exertions beyond what may be required by a due regard for the great interests, the honour, and the dig nity of the empire. There are many subjects connected with internal improve ment which I recommend to your attentive consideration. The difference which exists in several important particulars between the commercial laws of Scotland and those of the other parts of the United Kingdom has occasioned inconvenience to a large portion of my subjects engaged in trade. Measures will be proposed to you for remedying this evil. Measures will also be proposed to you for improving the laws relating to partnership, by simplifying those laws, and thus rendering more easy the employment of capital in com merce. The system under which merchant shipping is liable to pay local dues and passing tolls has been the subject of much com plaint. Measures will be proposed to you for affording relief in regard to those matters. Other important measures for improving the law in Great Britain and in Ireland will be proposed to you, which will, I doubt not, receive your attentive consideration. Upon these and all other matters upon which you may deli berate, I fervently pray that the blessing of Divine Providence may favour your councils, and guide them to the promotion of the great object of my unvarying solicitude—the welfare and the happiness of my people. At the close of the speech, Her Majesty withdrew from the House, and ukarued to Buckingham Palace, with the same ceremonial o vances as had marked her advent. She wore a magnificent white satin dress, brocaded with gold, and over it the purple robe of State, with its train borne aloft by pages. Her head was surmounted by a magnificent:tiara of diamonds. The halls and corridors leading from the royal entrance to the House were filled with spectators, who rose to receive her at her coming, and as she retired. HOUSE OF LORDS. THURSDAY. • Their lordships re-assembled at five o'clock, when there was a full attendance. The ministerial bench was occupied by the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Clarendon, Earl Granville, Lord Panmure, and the Earl of Harrowby ; Earl Grey, the Earl of Aberdeen, and the Duke of Newcastle taking up their usual position on the ministerial side of the House. Among the other peers present were observed the Earl of Derby, Lord Lyndhurst, the Earl of Malmesbury, Lord Campbell, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Oxford, Lord St. Leonard's, Lord Redesdale, the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Hardwicke, the Earl of Eglintoun, Lord Monteagle, the Earl of Albemarle, the Earl of Cardigan, &c. Her Majesty's gracious speech having been read by the Lord Chancellor, and afterwards by the Reading Clerk at the table, The Earl of GOSFORD moved the adoption of the address. Adverting to the advantageous position which England had achieved through the prowess of her arms, he considered that the prospects were bright as regarded the future. Matters, however, had taken a new turn, and their lordships were in vited to take into account the probabilities of peace. His own opinion was, that the conditions accepted by Russia contained the basis of an honourable and lasting peace ; and his earnest hope was that ministers, taking into account the objects of the war, would succeed in bringing about such an arrange ment. The Earl of ABINGDON seconded the address, and expressed similar sentiments as to the prospects of peace. He was satis • fled that ministers would never consent to terms of peace ig nominious to their country. If anything could convince him that due regard would be paid to the honour and interests of England, it would be the fact that the Earl of Clarendon was entrusted with the conduct of the negoti a tions. Should the hope of peace be disappointed, Her Majesty might re'_ assured that every support would be given by Parliament t" enable her to carry on the war. The Earl OF DERBY fully agreed with the conclusion of, Lord Abindgon's speech, and declared for himself and thos e who acted with him, that he had no intention of interfering o any manner to prevent the address being carried up to the throne. The speech itself, however, he criticised s everely i They did not, in such documents, expect to find the graces °f style and language; but, treating the present speech strictb' as the work of the ministers, he described it as the least satin factory he had ever heard. It was bald a n d meagre beyond al former precedent. It contained no information respecting the trade and finance of the country ; it did not mention a.the, ; empire of India, its state and prospects it said nothin, ()1 their colonial possessions, nothing to indicate that the peop le of England were not indifferent to their condition. Il e strongly denounced the omissi o n of an y warm or hearty, acknowledgment of the courage, end urance , an d serv ices 0 _ the army—a recognition, he w as sure , w hi c h would have been made had Her Majesty been left to express her Inv_r i sense of gratitude. He pointed ou t th e om i ss i on of °I , reference to Sardinia, an ally, an d T ur k ey, a pr i n ciP in the present war. He still more st rong l y d enounc ed the silence with which the gallant , defence of Kars had been passed over. But Williams, Teesdale, and their brave coal' panions in arms would hear in their captivity that the sY,„ln' e pathy of the house and the country was w ith them. P contended that the fall of Kars must be the subject of searching inquiry, that the blame might be fixed on w hoever was responsible for it. He could not believe without positive evidence, that the blame could be attributed to Lord Strat: ford de Redcliffe. He hoped all the papers on the subject would be laid on the table. As to the pending negotiation s for peace, the noble earl said : —I can jo i n w ith the nale earl who seconded the address, as entertaining no views °' objects more extensive than those laid down by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, at the com mencemen t o f th e war. I,.°° not give way to those exa gger at e d opi n i ons, and soinew°3t Utopian projects, which have received, indeed, the sanction and approval of my noble friend opposite, who thought thil this war ought to be treated as a war f or th e re li e f o f op p r esseo nationalities. Ido not agree with m y no bl e f r i en d i n giving; that character to the war ; and, if I remem b er rightly, t°' Secretary for Foreign Affairs laid down the objects of the II to be the securing effectually th e i n t egr it y an d i n d epen d en ce° the Turkish empire, the introduction of that power as a OM' ponent part of the great European system, and the taking effectual and ample security for curbing the ambition an d re' pressing the future aggressions of Russia. Those were the objects which the noble Earl intimated to be the objects of the war. With these effectively secured, I confess that I shoal° be satisfied; with less than these effectually obtained, neither I nor this country will be sa ti s fi e d. With regar d to the detail' of the arrangements I forbear to say a single word ; nay, more , I profess to the government that during the course of the 1 1 .,_e• gotiations which are now about to t a k e pl ace I s h a ll carefraY abstain, and would impress it upon those over whom I hav e the slightest influence, from any comments, or conjectures, or observations which may unnecessarily embarrass the gover n , ment in the course and conduct of th e nego ti a ti ons. It m ay . be gratifying to the self-love of s o me i n e ith er h ouse o f pa r t's' ment to believe that, in matters of thi s ki n d , th ey are to 7 the daily and constant advisers of the Sovereign and her ro'; nisters. I have not, however, so read the constitution al history of our country. The prerogative of . peace and sv,.° rests with the Sovereign, and w ith th e S overeign a l one. The prerogative of the Sovereign is exercised by the responsib le minister of the Sovereign; and in the exercise of that pr e ' rogative he has the power to bind and tie the nation, inns' much as he is entrusted, or supposed to be so, with the con°, dence of the Sovereign and the coun t ry . S uc h i s the P°'", which the constitution assi g n s t o th e cons tit u ti ona l minig.e: of the crown ; and the duty of Parliament, I humbly subnu " is, not to interfere injuriously and m i sc hi evous l y j n th e di sc harge of that office, but to allow the minister, without impedimen t ' to pursue the course most consistent with the ends to be attained ; and when the minister shall NAT performed bl' t ` task, it is the duty of the Parliament to signify its approval O r d disapproval of the course which the minister has taken, at the measures which he has adopted. S uc h, I k now , i s no t the popular doctrine of the day, but such, I believe, is the theory 1 of the constitution, and great would be the evils if, in prgctice , we departed from it. I can, therefore, as sure th e govern meot —though I regret to say that I do not entertain that cot* dence which the Sovereign and the majority of the country reposes in it— that, so far as I am concerned, they shall be vexed by me with no unnecessary or injurious questions, or any interruption to the course of proceeding, until they shall hav e brought the negotiations to the issue of a successful an ° honourable peace, or the prosecution of a just and nee° . sary war. One of the noble Lords used the phrase " resumption of hostilities." The language of the ad dress is, that "in conducting those negotiations I shall be careful not to lose sight of the objects f° r which the war was undertaken ; and I shall deem it right in nu degree to relax my naval and military preparations until satisfactory treaty of peace shall have been concluded." confess that the alteration of a few letters would h ave mac" this paragraph more satisfactory to my mind. I should hav e liked "operations" instead of "preparations." I trust tha t it is not the intention of the Government to grant an uncertain and undefined suspension of hostilities, and to waste in negotiations, which may be protracted the earl/ months of that season which is no w f as t a pp r oaching, and for which we have made such vast preparations. I trust, above: all, that there is not to be an armistice by sea. I hope tho! the Government will be exceedingly care f u l h ow th ey co nsen' to any armistice whatever. Armistices, of whatever descrir tion, must be favourable to Russia. An armistice will giv e to the enemy in the Crimea a full and indisputed right to move from point to point—to move his troops where be pleases, without impediment, without let or hindrance —t ° provision and reinforce Sebastopol by land, and possibly W . sea also; while we, on the other hand, who have the uncon' trolled command of the sea, shall derive no benefit from the suspension of operations on land, being in an enemy's country and tied down to a particular spot. No armistice, I say; if it be possible, no armistice. The season, the weather, preven t any military operations for at least six weeks ; and before that time elapses I trust that the great question of peace or O r will be brought to an issue. Are we to have peace, or are we to have war ? That which I most deprecate, and that which Russia is most desirous to obtain, is an indefinite prolongation of, perhaps, fruitless negotiations, w h ere by s h e may b e abl e to renew her strength and recruit h er f orces , which, if no totally exhausted, have been co ns id era bly crippled b y the operations of the allies. The next paragraph in the speech 15 ' I confess, one of a very singular character. Her Majesty WO been advised to say, that, although the war in which she i‘ engaged was brought on by events in the south of Europe , her attention has not been withdrawn from the state of thing s in the north, and, in conjunction with the Emperor o f the French, she has concluded a treaty with the King of Swedei and Norway. I shall not say a word against this treaty, as believe it is one of a highly satisfactory characte r — cer tainly of a satisfactory character to the King of Sweden and Norway' for it was an engagement entered into with him very much as if a man were to make a treaty with his neighbou r that he would undertake to guard his house provided b e , would not let the burglar in at the back door. The treaty " this, that we bound ourselves to prevent Sweden and Norway from being robbed by sea, while the king of those countri.,e i binds himself not to give up any l an d. B u t, m y lords, winle Her Majesty's mind was engaged in this geographical too!' and examining our relations with Sweden and Norway,. iC would have been satisfactory to know what thoughts °couple!! Her Majesty's mind with regard to the e as t an d wes t ; andi strikes me as being very singular that no me n ti on whatever 1 1 1 been made of our relations with any other part of the world. should like to know, my lords, what is going on at Teherso 3, for our affairs there are of such a nature that our minister b° s withdrawn from that court. I should have thought that this circumstance, and our relations with the Cabinet at Washing' ton, were of quite sufficient importance to merit a passing notice in the speech from the throne ; but Her Majesty's o°' vernment have thought it fit not to notice our relations in the east, in Asia, or in the west, in America, and I am unwilling to deal with them further than this, that, with respect to the t first, the matter appears to be of so trivial a char ac t er , tha can almost forgive the noble earl for not noticing it at a ll ; bto if there is anything really threatening in our relations With America, there being no country with whom we are bound 1 2 1 such close ties of amity—none'to which we are bo un d by such close commercial relations—none to which we are bound by laws and language, and with whom a rupture would be so OW tually suicidal, as that, I do not think it a subject wholly 101 .: worthy of notice. The noble earl concluded by a ll u di ng t o to e recent creation of a peerage for life in the case of Lord Weill . ; leydale, stating that an exercise of th e p reroga ti ve so unns uo' ought not to pass without mention on the first night of the session. He suggested that the new peer's patent should be laid on the table before he took the oaths, and that the (Ine e ' tion would be discussed without party feeling. Lord CLARENDON described the proceedings of the Cour t of Austria in reference to the present negotiations, and state' that, though they could not enter into any discussion as t ° the duration of the armistice, he thought it ought to be short. The Emperor of Russia bad shown moral courage in accepting the terms of negotiation, and he hoped he would continue tn do so by maintaining the letter and spirit of the agreemen t ' Should this be the case, there was a speedy prospect of .. 1 111) , honourable peace being obtained ; but it must be honoura' to Russia also, or it would not be lasting. He had been cot manded by Her Majesty to conduct the negotiations at Pa r. ': on the part of this country, and be would not undertake the task for any other purpose than that of bringing them to ° satisfactory conclusion. The address was agreeed to, and the House adjourned si five minutes after eight o'clock. FRIDAY. Her Majesty's most gracious answer to the Address WO brought up and read as follows : " I thank you for your loyal and dutiful address. , "I rely with confidence on your cordial co-operation in al , measures which I may consider necessary to maintain the honour and dignity of the empire, and to promote the Per manent interests and welfare of my people." TUE WENSLEYDALE LIFE PERRAGB. — Lord LYNDnvBel gave notice that he. would call the attention of the house to this subject on Thursday next. The precise form of motion he would place on the votes on Monday. Their lordships then adjourned at twenty minutes put Ave o'clock. HOUSE OF DOMMONS. THURSDAY. The House having met at a quarter to four o'clock, the fol' lowing members took the oaths and their seats—viz., ti t Charles Napier, for Southwark ; the Hon. W. Cowper, T"',.„ Hertford; the Right H on . R. Lowe for Kidderminster Right Hon. Edwa r d B ouver i e, f or Kil marnoc k ; M a j or ' P r thorp, for Lincol n ; M r . M'E voy, f or M eat h ; M r. B on d, f_.°' ., Armagh ; Captain Jolliffe, for the city of Wells ; Mr. Ho" for Huntingdonshire, and Lord Gifford, for Totnes. New writs were ordered for Taunton, in the room of ii 3e • Right Hon. H. Labouchere ; for Leeds, in the room of the Be l , Hon. Matthew Talbot Baines; for the c o un ty o f Wi g tonyL the room of the Hon. J. Dalrymple, who has accepted stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds ; for Edinburgh, t a place of the Right Hon. Thomas Babington Macaulay, of,i has accepted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in place of John Fenwick Burgori_ Blackett, who has accepted the stewardship of the Chilte: Hundreds; for Rochester, in the room of the Hon. Fraud John Robert Villiers,.who has accepted the stewardship of 0 0 Chiltern Hundreds ; for the University of Cambridge,„ place of the Right Hon. Henry Goulburn, deceased ; for Mt: hurst, in place of the Right Hon. Horatio Spencer WalPr. who has accepted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundrei4 and for Tamworth, in the room of Captain Townshend, no Marquis Townshend. ; tP t ' GOVERNMENT MEASIIRE.—Mr. HATTER gave notic e Q ll au nit day, the Secretary for the Home Department 1.11" THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD. [FEBRUARY 5, 1856. lii (ER.9, take , 1 54 th its w; did n no r v th e s Go .lu' th( un of th, ri,