The Sun.
London, England, 1855-03-17 00:00:00

THE WAR QUESTION.

(From the Press of this day.)
Notwithstanding the rumours afloat favourable to
peace, the situation at Vienna remains the same as in-
dicated in our last number. These rumours are partly
from financial sources interested in the 'Money Market,
and are partly the superficial consequences of diplomatic
gossip. _ _

Ali the Powers, belligerent or otherwise, arein favour
of peace, and are willing to accept the conditions which
Russia, even with humbleness, now offers, with the ex-
ception of France. Nor will the political equilibrium be
one whit more secured if the policy of France be pur-
sued and accomplished.
France will, however, succeed in prolonging the war ;
for England, at present, is " under her thumb," and
Austria is involved in dark and embarrassing engage-
ments with the French Emperor, from which, however,
sbe is endeavouring to relieve herself. .

At present our readers may rely that the Emperor
Louis has resolved to place himself at the head of a
French army of the highest class and invade the Crimea
at the commencement of the early spring. His Majesty's
departure iJ postponed far the present, chiefly owing to
the unwearied and strenuous remonstrances of his oldest
and best friend, M. Persigny,
It is probable that the siege of Sebastopol will be
raised.

Before the departure of the Emperor Louis for the
Crimea we have reason to believe that ho will visit E;ig•
land, accompanied by the Empress.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

MR. SMITH'S BENEFIT.

Thursday evening, the 22d inst., is, we see, fixei for
the benefit of the enterprising lessee of " Old Drury,"
on which occasion many of the greatest London favour-
ites have given their services, in order that an enter-
tainment worthy of the occasion may be placed before
the public. The performances will consist of Robson's
beautiful play of Love and Loyalty, in which Mr. and
Mrs. W. J. \Vallack will each sustain their original
parts; the second act of the lessee's last magnificent
production, L'Etoile du, Nord, for M-'le. Jenny Baur,
Mr. H. Drayton, and Mr. Leffler ; ana a grand ballet,
combining the talents of Mdlle. Auriol, Miss T. Cushnie,
Miss Lydia Thompson, and Mdlle. Beleno, Mr. Flex-
more, Mr. H. Boleno, and other unrivalled artistes.
Altogether, it is the most attractive bill we have seen
for many a day. But, putting •ut of view these
considerations, we think Mr. Smith has a claim upon the
public, which, had he only depended upon his own com-
pany, we feel confident would not have been disregarded.
The man who has succeeded in keeping open the doors
of a theatre of the size of Drury-lane, of punctually
meeting the demands of the committee and his company
season after season, can be one of no ordinary enter-
prise. Therefore, we shall expect to witness such an
attendance as will reward Mr. Smith, in some degree,
for the exertions he has made, and, at the same time,
prove that, when a manager really caters well for the
pleasure of his patrons, his labours will not go unrewarded
or disregarded.

WOOLLEN TRADE.

(From, the Leeds Afcretow of this day.)

able briskness
in our last week's report has been maintained, without
March IC—The improvement which we noted
any material alteration. There was a good market on
nSa.turtlay- In beto
activityt h the C, 1 tdhe-ehi ad
ds
yt I eertet
ewas
ecl
ionngs,i daenrci
a good business was done. There was also a fair average
quantity sold en Tuesday. Prices remain without any
material change.
There has been a fair trade done in the warehouses
during the cuerent week. Several of the principal buyers
from London, Scotland, and elsewhere, as well aka few
from Ireland, Lave been in the town ; and although their
purchases have not been marked with much spirit, but
on the contrary hare been of a cautious char-uteri yet
together they Lave sufficed to maintain the improvement
we reported last week.
ROCHDALE, March P.—We have very little change
in the flannel market to-day.
HUDDERSIIELD, March 13.--Thongste not so good as
last week, the market to-lay has been considerably bet-
ter than for a considerable prior period. Several buyers
from London and large houses in the provinces have
been in attendance, anti a fair amasnt of business hit
been done in the Cloth-hall and the warehonses. Em-
ployment is also a little better than it wag, and the pro-
spects of an improved trade seem more hopeful.
BRADFoItb, March 17.—Wool—A very limited busi-
ness continues to be done. The prices are too high to
tempi; buyers. Yarns—There is little or no alteration
ae regards either demand or prices. Pieces—The feeling
of buoyancy to which we referred last week is still mani.l
eeet,s ;,; ;-,L, ,1 spring with
itererex,..eiarcii lO.—Tie: re er no eliange in j
the piece market, and pretty nearly the same may be
said of the yarn trade. The quotations are 13d. for good
average hogs, and 12idi for wethere of like character,