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

TEL WAR QUISTION.

(From the Press of this clay.) •
Notwithstanding the rumours refloat favourable to
peace, the situation at Vienna remains the same as in-
dicated in our last number. These rurnmars are partly
from financial sources interested in the Money Market,
and are partly the superficial consequences of diplomatic
gossip.
All the Powers, belligerent r- otherwise, are in 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," ani
Austria is involved in dark and embarrassing engage
ments with the French Emperor, from which, however,
she 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 invtde the Crimea
at the commencement of the early spring. His Majesty's
departure' is postponed for the present, chiefly owing to
the unwearied and strenuous remonstrances of his eldest
and best friend, M. Persigny.
It is probable that the siege of Sebastopol will be
raised.

B; fore the - departure of the Emperor Louis for the
Crimea we have reason t) believe that he will visit Eng-
land, aceempanieal by the Empress.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.

MR. SMITH'S BENEFIT.

Tursday evening, the 22d inst., is, we see, fixed for
the benefit of the enterprising lessee of " Old Drury,'
on which occasion many of the greate,t London favour-
ites hare 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':
beautiful play of Love and Loyalty, is which Mr. and
Mrs. W. J. Wallack will each sustain their original
parts; the second act of the lessee's last magnificent
production, L'ltoile Noid, for M "le. Jenny Maur,
Mr. 11. Drayton, and Mr. Leffler ; aria a grand ballet.
combining the talents of Mdile. 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 out of view these
consideraticn., we think Mr. Smith bas a claim upon tin
public, which, had be only depended upon his own coin,
pally, we feel confident would not have been disregarded.
The nian 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
semen after season, earl he one of no ordinary enter-
prise. Therefore, we shall expect t.) witness such an
attunlance as will reward Mr. Smith, in some degree,
for the exertions he Lae 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.

THE FRENCH ATTACK ON THE NIGHT
OF FEBRUARY 23.

We take the following from the private corres-
pondence of the Press d'Orient of the sth instant,
the account of the correspondent having been
delayed by the breakdown of the Cairo steamer :