Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-12-26 00:00:00

RUSSIA AND -JAPAN.

Advices from St. Petersburg mention that the Russian
Government are negociating for the purchase, from the
emperor of Japan, of the southern half of the island
of San G-alien, the upper half of which they already
hold. It is also said that thexecent acquisitions from
China, on the Amoor, are regarded as of less vahie than
Was supposed, as the river is frozen six months in the
year, and the inconveniences, therefore, ale just as great
as at Cronstadt.
ENGLANL AND FRANCE.

The. Times, in a leader on the dialogue between an
Englishman and a Frenchman, which appeared in its
second edition yesterday, says, This seems destined to
be the annul miribilus even in the wonderful and
chequered life of the Emperor of 'the French. On 'the
first day of 1859 he astonished all 'Europe by giving
the first signal of approaching war ; the summer
saw him, though not bred to arms, leading
on a vast army to victory, with the skill
of an accomplished general. We have scarcely
yet recovered from the surprise inspired by the able and
outspoken manifesto which informs the 'Pope that he
must .henceforth confine himself within the patrimony
of St. Peter, when, b6hold, the same versatile genius
presents himself befbre us in yet' another character,—as
taking part in a dialogue between-an Englishman and a
Roman, which well makes up in political what it may
want in dramatic interest. We cannot doubt that
the curious dialogue which appears in our impres-
sion of this .morning, not only expresses the senti-
ments, but •bears the impress of the hand of the
Emperor of the French, and as such we commend it to
the'attentive perusal of our readers. We ,are willing
disciples, and -bend with becoming reverence and
quiescence before our new instructor, without admitting
that the Englishman, in all respects, adequately repre-
sents the views of his countrymen. We _are happy to
find, in the arguments of the Frenchman, evidence of
a spirit of moderation, good sense; and conciliation!'

bEATH OF THE TALKING FISH.
The talking fish breathed its, last on Wednesday
evening. Notwithstanding every effort to preserve it,
it suffered ,seveiely from the late cold weather. The
wife of the proprietor. went to see it on the day .of its
death, when, although at ,the point of death, it recog-
nised her, and tried to raise itself up to come near to
her, but the effort was too great for its strength, and it
fell over OA its side and expired.

NAVAL AND 'MILITARY.
The increase of workmen in-Chatham Dockyard, as
ordered by the Admiralty, has been made.
The 'rifle corps of the. Working Men's College now
numbers above 200 volunteers.
The ,Armstrong guns intended for China were tried,
yesterday, at Woolwich, and their strength was con-
sidered quite satisfactory.
The transport Adelaide and the. Sir William Peel
are shipping powerful supplies of war materials for
China. Nine other transports have been chartered for
the same purpose.
From the Ist January the Arsenal at Woolwich is to be
guarded as it was during the war with Russia. The
time all6wed to the workmen for their holidays is to be
made up by overtime afterwards.
An order has been issued from the Horse Guards,
directing that the men of the newly-formed Hospital
Corps are not to be employed either as medical or other
officers, servants, or' on fatigue turn, their duties being
to attend exclusively to the Fick and wounded.

Mr. Albert Smith has had an apopletic attack, and is
Considered in a precarious state.
The electric cable between Falmouth and Gibraltar is
expected to be laid about July. It seems to be under-
stood that the Government contemplates extending the
line to Malta and lilexandria. •

The .avertiser anticipates very great advantage from
tho bill, of which the member for Mary-le-bone, Mr.
Edwin James, has given notice, for making parties to
corrupt proceedings at elections guilty of a felonious
action. "
_ .

The petition of merchants, bankers, and othirs in
fayoar of the §ailors in prison for di6turb=ce on board

the Princess Royal, was presented to the Tfome Secretary
yesterday. The Times says, there has never been an
instance of greater eagerness to sign a document than
that exhibited by all parties on this occasion.
A Roman Catholic journal of this morning publishes
the declaration of the laity, with long columns of signa-
tures attached. Mr. Petre has addressed a letter to the
Times, protesting the declaration of sympathy. for the
Pope, now In course of signature, and maintaining that
the temporal power of the Pope forms no part of the
religion -of Catholics.