The Sun.
London, England, 1855-01-17 00:00:00

AUSTRALIAN MAILS:

1
The following inquiry has been received whether any
more overland homeward mails are to be expected from
Australia :
" Sir,—Belonging to a numerous class who are deeply
interested in, and anxious to hear from Australia, we
should feel obliged by your informing us (through the
medium of your world-wide journal) whether there will
be an overland mail from Australia at the end of this
month ; but should it be out of your routine so to do, the
insertion of this inquiry might produce a reply from one
of your numerous commercial readers which would give
us the desired information.
"Apologising for riving you this troible,
" We are, respectfully yours,
" COLONIAL Mmtmaitrrs."
The reply is, that there are two more to arrive,—one
which will be due via Marseilles about the:27th inst.,
and another which will be due by the same route about
the 27th of March.
The subjoined communication suggests a new
mail route for Australia, to remedy the fatal in-
convenience likely to arise from the withdrawal of
the overland and other steam lines :=-
" Sir,—The most direct,' safe, and speedy means of
reaching Australia from this country seems to have been
entirely overlooked.
" If the overland route to India be followed as far as
Aden, and clipper sailing vessels be provided to run
direct between Aden and Port Philip, it would place
Australia within 50 to 55 days' pas:iage from London,
and bring the return of post in about 110 days.
"It will be seen on reference to a map, by following
a line over land and sea via Paris, Marseilles, Alexan-
dria, and Suez to Aden, that a passenger from England
at the latter place would be nearly half-way on his direct
journey to Australia. As it is possible by existing means
of boat, rail, and road to reach Aden on the 19th day
from leaving London, allowing necessary- time for rest
and refreshment, it only becomesi a question how soon
the space of ocean intervening between Aden and Port
Philip—say, 6,720 miles—can be traversed by a sailing
ship.. Judging from antecedents, 30 to 40 days would
be a reasonable time to allow a fast vessel to effect this
distance.

" The employment of steam-vessels, instead of sailing
ships, would reduce the whole time between London and.
Melbourne to about 43 days ; but, looking to the diffi-
culty of coaling, and the enormous expenses attendant
on steam navigation, it is doubtful if capitalists could be
found to take the risk of providing them, until the traffic
and other inducements could be clearly shown as suffi-
cient to justify the experiment.
" The Lightning, a clipper sailing vessel, has lately
performed the distance from Port Philip to Liverpool,
via Cape Horn-13,760 miles—in 64 days ; other vessels
less celebrated have run the same track home in various
periods under 75 days, while from 80 to 100 days is the
time usually occupied by vessels built to secure carrying
capacity rather than speed. We see shipowners eagerly
contending for their respective vessels to be chosen as
Post-office packets, guaranteeing, under penalty, to per-
form the passage from England to Port Philip-13,200
miles—within 65 days. We have repeated instances
of passages being made from New York and Boston
to England-3,800 miles—in from 12 to 15 days, and
between other places of various distances apart passages
have been made with relative speed. It is fair to as-
sume, therefore, that winds being as favourhble as those
ordinarily met with by ships sailing over long distances,
the ocean lying between Aden and Port Philip can be
crossed in the tine stated.

"The monsoons in the Indian Ocean, extending from
the latitude of Aden to 8 deg. or 10 deg. S., blowing
always within a point or two of N.E. or S. W., according
to season, snake a constant moderately favourable wind,
so far as they extend, for vessels sailing either to or from
Australia, taking Aden as the station for arrival or de-
parture. The winds prevailing further south in the In•
dian Ocean and those of the Australian continent gener-
ally do not present any difficulty to sailing either course,
and it will be admitted by navigators that the route pro-
poled is free from most of the dangers to be encountered
in the English and Irish Channel .I..nd round Cape Horn

in the winter and spring months, where hard gales, ice,
fogs, risk of collision, or lee shores ghost the way in the
long dreary nights.
" The route proposed shows a saving in distance of
3,500 miles over the one via the Cape of Good Hope, or
that by way of Panama, and 1,100 miles over the late

route via Aden, Ceylon, Singapore, &c. It will also
accommodate the whole European as well as the British

traffic with the colonies.

"Four sailing vessels would be required to carry out
a monthly commuaication to and from Australia ; also

ono steam-vessel to run between Marse•illes and -Alex-

andria, and another between Suez and Aden (the navi-
gation of the Red Sea being difficult for sailing ships,
owing to the winds prevalent there), unless arrange..
manta could be made with the directors of companies
whose steam-vessels are now running on the stations re-
ferred to.

" A few shipowners having eligible vessels, by forming
themselves into a company, taking shares according to
the value of their respective ships, or four or five capi-
talists, by joining in hiring the necessary tonnage, could
place the matter in working order almost immediately,
as from the advantages it offers to the public and pro-
moters it would be found to rest on a sound commercial

basis.—l am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
" THOMAS W. ►SWBSr.
1713, Yohn;itteit, America-sqUare."

PRIZE MONEY.

(From last Night's Gazette.)

LONDON, Jan. 15.—Notice is hereby given to the
officers and crew of her Majesty's ship Penguin, that
distribution of the net proceeds of the tonnage bounties
granted for the capture of the Presidenta, on 3d Nov.,
1851, and of the Dow, name unknown, on 4th. Nov.,
1851, will be made at No. 40, Charing-cross, West-
minster, on the 29th of January, 1855, and that the
shares not then paid will be recalled at the same place,
according to Act of Parliamsevt.

Amount of an indiv:idual share.
Presidents. _

Commander £34G 4 5i
Third class l5l 9 5
Fourth class 90 17 8
Fifth class
Sixth class 45 8 10

Seven th class £3o 5 101
Eighth class l5 2 Jli
Ninth c: ass 9 9 3t
Tenth this 513 7

DO
Commander £33 12 11
Third class
Fourth class 8.16 7i
Fifth class 5 3 Of
Sixth class

SeTenth clasV MlB 101
Eighth class . 1 9 5.
Ninth class 0 18 4,
Tenth class Oll Ot

THE LATE LIEUTENANT-GENERAL LORD F.IEDERICK
FITZCLARENCE.—The mortal remains of Lie..utenant-
General Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, the Com-
mander-in-Chief at Bombay, are expected to reach
Southampton at the end of the week, from Alex: tndria,
having been conveyed there from the above Presii lency.
The body of the gallant general on its landing will be
removed to Etal House, the late lord's seat in Neathum-
berland, preparatory to interment in the family va nit in
that neighbourhood. Lady Augusta Fitzclarence. and
, daughter have accompanied his lordship's remains from
India, and will arrive by the same steamer. l Lord.
Adolphus Fitzclarence, the Earl of Glasgow, the Ear'!
of Erroll, the Earl of Munster, and other relative. o f
the deceased lord, will attend the obsequies at Etal, th e
following week.
THE SUPPRESSION OE LOTTERIES IN SALSORD.—r ho
seven men, described a few weeks ago as having be. en
bound over by the magistrates to take their trial :for
holding public lotteries, surrendered at the Salf:o rd
Quarter Sessions, on Saturday morning. The in. La-
ments charged them with keeping an unlawful lot lery,
and with conspiracy to defraud. The defendants t rith-
drew their pleas of Not Guilty, and the chairman o f the
sessions directed the jury to find the defendants Go ilty,
upon the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth counts of th e in-
dictment, charging them with holding a lottery. The
counsel for the prosecution having stated that the atrthe-
rities did not wish to punish the defendants, but sirs iply
to vindicate the law, so as to suppress the lotteries, the
chairman said the Court would be satisfied by the do.
fendants entering into their own recognisances of .20/.
each to appear and receive judgment if called upon.
New Rums BALL.—We last week stated that Mr.
Russell, of the firm of Buxton and Russell, Duke-street,
Sheffield-moor, had invented a new rifle ball, with the
design of removing the great drawback found in the use
of the Minie rifle, namely, " leading up," owing to the
lead corning in contact with the barrel of the rifio ; and
that the merits of the ball were being tested uneler the
direction of Government. On Saturday last a t nial of
the ball was made, under the inspection of Major Strati-
benzie, of the third West York Militia, at Ra, secon's-
meadows, Wadsley, in a field belonging to Mr. Wood,
who granted the use of it for the occasion. Trial firing
was practised by a detachment of the Third West. York
Militia, and the ball was found very destructive a t 300
yards distance. This, however, was not considered by
Major Straubenzie to be a fair trial of the ball,. inns-
much as it was found that the men had been firing- with
old blank cartridge powder, and not with the service
powder, with which it is fully anticipated that the ball
will he found efficient at GOO yards. One fact, however,
was proved beyond doubt, that the ball thoroughly
cleaned the gun at each discharge, and altogether re-
moved the objection to the Minie ball. Another trial,
with the service powder, is to be made on Monday.—
Sheffield Examiner.
CORONER'S INQUEST.—VILIDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER.
—On Monday Mr. Carter held an inquest to inquire into
the circumstances attending the death of Mrs. Caroline
Yarwood, aged 45, who was ke'lled on Thursday last
through the falling f some timber from a vehicle called
a " trolly," the same being at the time in the charge of
a young man named Robert Bishop, a driver in the em-
ploy of Messrs. Chaplin and Horne. It appeared from
the evidence that the " trolly " was loaded with three
large walnut-trees, which were to be taken into the yard
of Mr. Eades, timber merchant, Bear-lane, Plackfriars.
The trees, however, being forked at the ends, and wider
than the gateway, the carriage was unable to pass. Two
of the limbs were therefore sawn off, to effect which the
ropes and chains which secured the timber had to be re-
moved. While some parties were carrying the limbs
into the yard, Bishop the driver, for some season or
other, drove away towards Gravel-lane. Mr. Neal,
foreman to Mr. Eades, immediately called to the driver
to stop, hut in a few seconds one of the trees being with-
out any fastening to retain it on the "trolly," fell to tho
groued, carrying ono of the others with it. One of the
trees fell on the deceased and killed her instantly. A.
little girl was also knocked down but sustained no in-
jury. It was stated that although the roadway in Bear-
lane is in a shameful condition, and dangerous for tim-
ber carts, the accident would not have happened had the
walnut-trees been properly secured ; and as Bishop, the
driver, had admitted to a policeman that it arose from
his having neglected to fasten the timbers before he
started, the jury returned a verdict of " Manslaughter
against Robert Bighop.",

JTILLIEN'S CONCERTS.
• ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT-GARDEN.

LAST WEEK BUT ONE.
The PROGRAMME for TIIIB EVENING, Wednesday, Jan. 17,
will include, the Andante and Finale from Mendelssohn's grand Con-
certo in G Minor, for the Pianoforte, performed by Madame Pleyel;
Aria, In questa tomba Oscura, and new song, The Victory of the
Alma, sung by Miss Dolby; Overture, Son and Stranger ; the Cali-
fornian Quadrille ; the Larghetto from Mozart's Jupiter Syraphony ;
grand Operatic Selection from Les Huguenots ; the Value ;
the Pantomime Quadrille ; Solos, Violin, Signor Monasterio ; Trum-
pet, M. Dnhem ; the Staff Polka ; the Amazon and Tiger Galop ; and
(by general desire) The British Army Quadrille, assisted by the
Military Bands ; God Save the Queen, Partant pour la Syrie, &c.
Puicxs OF Anutssmer.
Promenade, Upper Boxes, Amphitheatre Stalls, and Am-
'
phitheatre .• • • • • • • • • ' ***** " " • • • • • • • • *
2s. 61
Dress Circle • ******** •••••
Private Boxes for Six Persons on the Grand Tier 3ls. 6d.
Ditto ditto First Tier .
Ditto Four Persons on the Second Tier l2e. 01.
Commence at Eight. Places and Private Boxes :may be engaged
at the Box-office of the Theatre, and Private Boxes of the principal
musicsellers and librarians.
On FRIDAY next, Jan. 19, M. JULLIEN'S BENEFIT will take
place, on which occasion a copy of the Sleigh Polka (which will be
performed for the first time) will be presented to every lady visiting
the dress circle and private boxes.
BAL MASQUE.

H. Jathen has the honour to announce, that on Friday, February
2, a gal Masque will take place on a scale of unprecedented splen-
dour.

DRIIRY-LANE.—Lesgee, Mr. E. T. Smith.—
Redac.xl Prices as usual.—A Morning Performance every
Wednesday, at Twe o'clock.
THIS EVENING, JAN. 17,

Will be performed THE REGENT. Characters by Messrs. T.
Mead, Belton, Younge, and Worrell; Misses Marriott, Arden, Love,
and Johnson, and Mrs. Selby.
After which, THE LION OF ENGLAND AND EAGLE OF
FRANCE.
To be followed by the entirely original, extraordinary, lite-
rary, traditionary, comical, gastronomical, and peculiarly culinary
and fantastic domestic grand comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled
JACK AND JILL; or, Harlequin King Mustard and the Four-
and-Twenty Blackbirds Baked in a Pie. The extensive scenery, en-
tirely new, by Messrs. Nicholls, Cathbert, Cooper, Gordon, Wilson,
and Moore. The machinery by Messrs. Tucker. The extraordinai y
properties, decorations, tricks, changes, and transformations by Mr.
Needham. The choregraphic artingements by Madame Louise.
The overture and music composed anti selected by J. H. Tully.
Leader, Mr. Hayward. The whole of the designs, models and sketches
furnished from the studio of Dikwynkyn, who for many weeks past
has been personally supervising their execution. The novel gretesquc
burlesque opening invented and written by E. L. Blanchard ; and
the woole arranged and produced under the immediate superin-
tendence of Mr. Edward Stirling. Principal Ingredients in the
Christmas Bill of Fare : —The Hall of Hypochondria in the Domains
of Dulness.--Misanthropy (Genius of Gloom), Mrs. Halford. Fog,
Drizzle, Taxes, Spleen, Indigestion, Quarter-day (his Ministers of
Melancholy), Messrs. E. V. Dent, E. V. Wet, E. V. Load, E. V.
Day, E. V. Weight, and E. V. Bills. Azure Diabolicals in attend-
ance, Messrs. Croak, Quake, Fret, Fidget, Worry, Flurry, Fume,
Vex, Groan, Growl, Grumble, and Grizzle. Apparition of Misan-
thropy on her favourite Nightmare, and Magical Appearance of
Good Humour in her Christmas Car. Good Humour, Miss Alder ;
Lightheart and Sunshine (her Attendants), Misses Honey and
Brown; "Mrs. Glasse (the original "Cook's Oracle," and the well-
known adviser of the " First catch your hare," &c.), Miss Rosina
Collins. The receipt given to snake a good pantomime, and its con-
coction accordingly. Cottage of Jill on the borders of Fairyland (by
Sunrise), with Enchanted Kitchen, Garden, and Region of Preserves
"Sing a song of Sixpence,
" Pocket full of rye,
" Four-and-twenty blackbirds,
" Baked in a pie."—Ancient Nursery Legend.
Jack (the interesting hero•ot the olden story, who went up the ma
to fetch, Re ), afterwards Harlequin, M. Milano; Jill (the heroine of
the adventure, in love with Jack), afterwards Columbine. Mdlle.
Bolen° ; Marmalade (the Fairy Queen of the Preserves), Miss K.
Warrington ; Pineapple, Raspberry, Lemon, Cherry, Apple, and
Greengage (her Assistants), Misses Clifford, Gower, Johnson, Love,
Tunis, and Richardson ; Strawberry, Cranberry, Gooseberry, Cur-
rant, Apricot, Damson, Quince, Re. (Fancy Preserves), Misses Grace
Honey, Ellen Honey, Laurance, Louise, Therese, Charles, Kim!,
Sidney, Gordon, Barnes, Emily Barnes, Richardson, Eliza Richard-
son, Rose, Sidney, Emily Moore, Elizabeth Smith, Lilla Ellis, Rosa
llarrison, E. Box, Tavier, Matilda Chenley, Martiney, St. Clare,
F.v ins, John Levines, S. Johnson, and Roberts ; Preserved Ginner
their warm ally), Master Pungent; Fruit Blossoms by a Blooming
Selection of Coryphees. The Will and the Way—the Talismanic
Sixpence he Change. Grand Ballet. Principal Dancers, Mdlle.
Therese and Annie Cushnis, Therese, Smith, Re. The Four-and-
Twenty Blackbirds, Masters Tweet Tweet, Toot Too, Loodlo Loodie,
&c. The Reading of the Will—
" Jill most not 2L husband take,
Till she a pie can make and bake."

Interior of Jill's Cottage (by Moonlight).—Coal, Mr. Hobbs; Itundls
of Wood, Mr. Halfpenny ; Congreve Box, Mr. Fizzer ; Bellows, Mr.
Leathertongue ; Dutch Oven, Mynheer You Tan ; Rolling Pin, Mr.
Smoothpaste ; Gridiron, Mr. De Bar; Frying Pan, Mr. Broadrim
Soyer's Three-legged Iron Pet, Herr Potluck. Cruet Castle in the
Table Cloth Territory (by Moonlight), and Golden Palace of King
Mustard.—King Mustard (afterwards Clown), Harry Boleno ; the
Empress Vinegar (afterwards Pantaloon), Herr Kohl ; Black Pepper
and White Pepper (Sentinels on duty at Cruet Castle), Mr. Husky
and Mr. Sneezurns ; Sweet Oil, Miss Florence: C.iyenne, Mr. Capsi-
cum; Harvey's Sauce (attendant in waiting), Mr. savoury ;the Army
of Zests, Messrs. Indian Soy, Curry, Capers, Ketchup, Mushrooms,
Garlic, Shalot, Sweet Merbs, Potted Tongue ; Potted Beef, Potted
Bloaters, Potted Anchovies, Potted Shrimps, &e.; Horse Radish
(from the King's stable), by a Racing Naas. Grand Review—Ter-
rifle Attack upon the Appetite, and Rally of the Relishes—Great
Progress of Jill in her Culinary Career. The Abode of Chutnee in
the Province of Pickles (by Sunset).—Chutnee (Chief of the Pickles),
Mr. Fiery Fact m s ; the Pickle Army, Messrs. Onions, Walnut, Gher-
kins, Cauliflower, Red Cabbage, &a.; Small Jar, Master Piccalilli.
Great demand for Pickles and determination of the Door to Stand a
Jar. Interior of he Stupendous Salt Mine (by Moonlight). —Salt
Rock (a bright White Sprite), Herr Willikind Moleno. Imminent
danger of Jill in splitting upon a Rock of Salt—Treachery of Vinegar
—Upsetting the Pail above, and Evaporation of the Saline Stalactite
Columns, disclosing The Emerald Temple of Salad.—Magical
Union of the Sweets and Sours, and " a Pie" termination of the
Loves of Jack and Jill. The Transformation. -Harlequin, Ar.
31ilano ; Columbines, Mille. Boleno and Miss Ellen Honey;
Pantaloon, MI. Cole; Sprite, Herr Willikind Wien° ; Clown, the
celebrated Harry Roleno (his first appearance in London for
many rears) ; Aerial Evolutionists, by the inimitable Italian
Brothers. The Turk's Head Public-house and Hairdresser's
Shop.—Hairdresser, Mons. Pomade; Publican, Mr. Billy Williams;
Customers, Messrs. Rednob, Smockface, Owen Swift, Beardless,
Whisker Want, Baron Nicholson, and Tom Steed; the British Pub-
lic by themselvel ; Policeman A I, Mr. Vigilant. Approach of tho
Great Rugged Russian Bear—How he Whines after the Forte, which,
being rather old, turns out somewhat crusty—A Dose of Turkey
Rhubarb—A Don-e Cossack—Pure Circassian Cream—How one
Sham 11l makes all well—The Great Bear turns out a Great Boar
—Russian Attachment to Grease—Clown Cuts his Customer's Hare
and afterwards Dresses it a la Soyer—The Great Moustache Move-
ment—A Close Shave —Clown shows his high attachment to the
Pole—Sudden Rise in Porter—An M..T.M.P.—A Patten Leak at 10
o'clock—A Bona Fide Traveller—Ginger Beer and Gin without ger
—A Mill, a Fight, a Regular Row, and Station-house for Two.
Great American Baby Show.—Arrival of the Infantry—Sudden
Squall—Ma's upon the Eve of Battle—General Attack—Awarding
the Prizes—Clown and Pantaloon's Offsprings— The Prettiest Bativ
in the World—A Model Baby and a Spirit Child—The Wonderful
Effects of Dr. De Jongh's Cod Liver 011—Clown's Great Prize Bat,
—Fresh Arrival of 300 more Babies—The Judge Confounded - Great
Up-oar—An Unwelcome Visitor to a Ladies' and Juvenile Party—
And Extraordinary case of Suspended .Animation by the Ita-
lian Sprites. Scott's Oyster Shop, Newspaper-office, and Pnrsell's
Biscuit Baking and Confectionery Establishment, Cornhill.—" Up-
rouse ye then, my merry men, it is our opening day"—A Holster
for one an ,1 a Lobster for two—A Mussulman and a Man for a
Muscle—Duty and Custom —A Bride Cake and a Wedding Cake—
First Edition and Second Edition—Left Out for Want of Room—
Press of the Privilege and Privileges of the Press—" Oh, what a
row, a rumpus, what a rioting." Baker, Mr. Crusty; Fishmonger,
Mr. Scales; Master Newsboy, Christmas-box; Printers, Messrs.
Typo and Chapel ; Editor, Mr. Catemdown ; Critic, Cutemup; Pas-
sengers, Messrs. Trot, Cosey, Strutalong, Lounge, Loiter, and Walk-
about; Boardman, Mr. Bobaday. Hosier's Shop and New Wing of
Somerset-house.—Here we are—Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year—High Prices and Low Prices—Manchester Stuff—Eng-
lish Comforters—Stocks on Hand and Handsome Stocks—Ford's
Eureka Shirts—Reform in the Civil List and Uncivil Treatment of
the Clerks—Transfer-day at the Bank, and General Holyday at
Somerset-house.—Hosier, Mr. Stocken ; Shoprnan, Mr. Early-
bird ; Boy, Master Toddles. Soyer's Magic Kitchen.—Chef do
Cuisine, Mons. Soarer; Kitchenmaids, Misses Basteaway and
DrlPPingSen; Guardsman, Corporal Longshanks ; Policeman,
Sergeant Podger. Cupboard Lovers—Soyer's Last Soap
Where's the Knives and Forks'—Boiled and Unboiled Lob-
sters—Headless Swains—Lobster Patty avid Giblet Soup—Clown
Gone all to Pot—Harlequin Gets well Towelled and afterwards
Mangled—Clown and Pantaloon in a Stew—A Regular Broil—
Thou earnest in such an unquestionable shape, that I will speak
to thee (Says?, or rather Shakspeare)—Teo Many Cooks Spell the
(Clown's) Boath—The scene finishes in a very spirited manner
An Illuminated Page of the History of England.—Grand Allegorical
Tableau with Panoramic Effects, illustrative of the Triumphs of the
Allied Forces. Young Jullien's " Allied Army Quadrille," by the
doable braids of the English and French. "God save the Queen,"
" Partan.t pour la eyrie," and " Rule Britannia." Daughter of the
Regime Tit, Miss Rebecca Collins, in which character she rill sinz
the spieded patriotic effusion, published in "Blackwood's Magazine'
for Dec ember, and written by Corporal John Brown, of the Grim&
dier aards, when the men got some drink for the first time al
Balaki ays, Sept. 28th

"Con is all you gallant British hearts that love the red and blue,
Am' drink the health of those brave lads who made the Russians rue.
TN Al fill the glass, and let it pass, three times three, and one more,
Fa,- the twentieth of September, eighteen hundred and fifty-four "
Vestibule of the Temple of Victory. The Tribute of England to
the 'Brave Patriots. Distribution of Laurel Wreaths, Gorgeous and
Eler:trie Scenic Climax, with Revolving Columns and Variegated
Illr‘minations. Torrific Flight of the Italian Brothers. The whole
Se( .ne presenting a coup d'ceil never before witnessed on the English
st ore. Adrnlssion :—Stalls, ss. ; dress circle. 45.; second price, 25.;
upper circle, 35.: second price, Is. 6d. ; pit, 2s. ; second price, Is.;
lo wer gallery, Is.; second price, ed. ; upper gallery, 6d.; private
banes, 10s. 64.. 155., 215., and upwards. Doors open at half-past 6,
p erformance at 7 o'clock. Half-price at 9 o'clock. The box-office
open daily, from II till 5 o'clock, under the direction of Mr. Edward
,Chatterton. Notice.—Tbe following pieces are approved and in
i oreparation, and will shortly be produced :—The Grand Christmas
I Pantomime, by E. L. Blanchard, Esq. ; a Drama, by Dion Bourci-
e ault, Esq. ; Two Dramas, by A. Harris, Esq. ; an Adaptation from
1 feyerbeer's Opera, L'Etoile du Nord, with new scenery, properties,
and effects ; to be succeeded by an English version (by Mr. Reynold-
sot 1) of Gluck's Iphigenia in Tauride. The Grand Historical Egyp-
tia n Drama, many months in preparation, will also shortly appear.

THEA.TRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.
Under the management of Mr. Buckstone,
THIS ETKNING, JAN. 17,

FT run be performed the Drama of THE KNIGHTS OF THE
RO UND TABLE. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Howe,
W. Farren, Compton, and Buckstone ; Misses Reynolds and E.

Followed by the new grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled LITTLE
BO••PEEP; or, Harlequin amt the Girl who Lost her Sheep. Little
80-. Peep, Miss L. Thompson ; Harlequin, Mr. Chapin(); Pantaloon,
Mr. W. Barnes; Clown, Mr. Appleby; Columbine, Miss M. Brown.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREE T.
Under the Management of Mr. CnlnLEs KBAN.
THIS EVENING, JAN. 17,
Kean.
Will be performed HAMLET. Principal character by Mr. C

After' which• will be produced a New Grand Christmas Pantomime.
entitleit, HARLEQUIN BLUE-BEARD; or, The Great Bashaw;
and Co'
Harlequlumbine in, Mr.
Miss IlesbCorl Cormack; oough wn, Mr. Reline; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ;
, .

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Management of Madame Vestrls..
THIS ETENING, Jaw. 17,
Wlll be performed AGGRAVATING SAM. Principal character
by Mr. C. Mathews.
After which will be produced the new and original Fairy Extra-
vaganza, entitled PRINCE PRETTYPET and THE BUTTERFLY
To ho followed by TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE.
Box-office open from 10 until G.
Sole agent for Private Boxes, Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street.

THEATRE ROYAL A.DELPHI.
proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING, JAN. 17,

win be performed the Drama entitled THE MYSTERIOI7S
STRANGER.
To be followed by the new Eccentric Extravaganza, called ZIG-
ZAG; or, Travels of Messrs Danube and Pruth.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan.
THIS EVENING, JAN. 17.
Will be presented a now Cornedietta, called A WIFE'S JOURNAL.
Characters by Messrs. Brown,
Emery, Harcourt, and Leslie; and
, Yrs. Brown, and Miss Maskell.
After which, a new Fairy Extrarazanza. entitled THE YELLOW
DWARF AND THE KING OF THE GOLD MINES. Characters
rfraMr. F. nobsoe, miss Julia St. George, Miss E. Onnonde, Mist
conclude
will
raotg)n,c,litias Bromley, and Mrs. Fitzallan.
T
appear,
entitled A BLIGHTED BEING, in
which . ildoot with the

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Win. Cooke.
THIS EVENING,
To commence with (thirteenth week) the BATTLE of the ALMA,
with its complete materiel of war.
After which, the amusing SCENES in the CIRCLE.
To conclude with the new successful Comic Pantomime called
GULLIVER and the LILT.IPUTIA 's c ; or, Harlequin and Britannia.
Box-offlce open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W.
West. Acting Manger, Mr. W. H. Cooke. Equestrilut Director,
ILA W. Cooke, Att.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON 1 SRIDGZ.
rrns DAY .Morning 30 min.after 12 1 Evot Ling 59 min.aft. 11
To-Moßaow—Morning 28 tnin.after 1 New ing 53 min Aft. 2

TBE WZATHER.—Etra Ornes, JaR. 17.

Td3BMOHETEB, II TH3 SUA D

43—highest since noon yesterday.
31—lowest this morning and during tht 3 night.
33—this day, at noon.

BAROMETER, 30'16—rising.
WIND, N.B. to E.—Fresh and gusty. We have hac
rain yesterday afternoon, then snow and Aeon, after whicl
sharp frost set in and continues, with heavy E now and sun
shine occasionally.

tt'fb

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1855

There is a "screw loose" somewhere in the
Governmental machine. As the day for the re-
assembling of Parliament approaches, the per-
turbation existing in the Ministerial ranks be-
comes more clearly perceptible. Cabinet Councils
of unwonted duration are held, while the greatest
exertions are made by individual members to be
present at, and take part in, the deliberations of
their colleagues. It would seem as if no one
considered himself safe unless ready to fight his
own battle, and, if advisable, to retort on his
assailants. Yesterday a Council was held at the
Foreign-office, which lasted from two until a
quarter before seven o'clock p.m. Every mem-
ber of the Cabinet was in attendance. Lord
JOHN RUSSELL arrived specially from Paris about
an hour after the meeting had assembled. With-
out a moment's delay for rest or refreshment he
hurried from the railway terminus to Downing-
street, in order to participate in the proceedings ;
while Lord PALMERSTON arrived by express from
Broadlands, Hants, and the Duke of NEWCASTLE
from Windsor Castle, for the like purpose. Sir
CHARLES WOOD also arrived from HieleletOr.
Hall ; Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT from Wilton House ;
while Earl GRANVILLE came post haste from
the country. Whatever might have been
the subject under consideration, it was not dis-
posed of during the protracted seance. Imme-
diately after the breaking up of the Coun-
cil summonses were issued for another meeting
to be held to-morrow at the Foreign-office, at two
o'clock p.m., at which we doubt not that subjects
of vital importance to the Coalition interests will
be ventilated.
This extraordinary activity would even, if
taken by itself, seem sufficiently ominous, but the
symptoms become far more significant when the
rumours industriously circulated among official
underlings and waiters on PROVIDENCE are taken
into consideration. Even Ministerial Journals,
usually lavish in their praises of everything relating
to the Government, fling aside their ordinary cau-
tion, and bold.ly-censuresome acts, the responsibility
whereof they can contrive to fling on some ob-
noxious member or members of the Cabinet, and
speak of the necessity of a reconstruction, and the
infusion of new blood into the effete body. All
these matters bode no good to the Joint-Stock
Administration. They prove that the Cabinet is
meeting with the fate of every body constituted
of such heterogeneous materials—that it is, in fact,
falling asunder from internal dissensions, and the
weakness that is the inevitable result thereof.
There are also indications of a desire to sacri-
fice some of the Ministers in order to obtain abso-
lution for the others—to procure a scapegoat, or
scapegoats, who shall bear the entire burden of
the sins of omission and commission in reference
to the War, so loudly and justly complained of
by the community. Two persons have been par-
ticularly mentioned—one who holds the highest
rank in the Peerage, and another who is heir-
presumptive to an ancient Earldom. In plain
language—for we detest hinting at what should
plainly and boldly be spoken—the Duke of NEW-
CASTLE and Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT.
Now, we do not desire to enter into the arena
as advocates or apologists for either of these
Ministers, nor will we assert that the depart-
ments placed under their control have been judi-
ciously or efficiently managed ; but we believe that
the evils so justly complained of are ascribable to the
system in operation in all Government offices rather
than to the individuals, that it is the inherent
vices of "red-tapism," the ridiculous attention to
form rather than substance, that must be effec-
tually got rid of. Nor should we feel disposed
to condemn any persons unheard. Audi alteram
partem is an excellent rule, and we should hear
the defence of the Duke of NEWCASTLE and Mr.
HERBERT before we could agree to their being
treated differently from the other Peelite mem-
bers of the Cabinet. We believe that most of
the evils may be traced much further, and that
either Lord ABERDEEN or Mr. GLADSTONE will
be found to be at least equally responsible. The
deplorable credulity of the former, his unbounded
confidence in the moderation and honour of '"
his
friend of forty years' standing," and his twad-
dling aspirations after peace at any price and on
any conditions, encouraged the Czut even more
than the vacillation and timidity of the
"Angel of Peace," the convivial Clicquot himself.
Besides, his unbounded gullibility leading him to

anticipate the speedy termination of hostilities,

cast his influence—that, be it remembered, of tbo,

head of the Government—into the scale agaLits

every energetic and decided movement.

Mr. GLADSTONVS policy, though of a different
description, led to similar results. lie endea-
voured to signalise himself by imposing enormous

burdens on the present generation. Denuding
the Exchequer on the eve of war for the purpose
of paying off certain debts contracted during the

last century, and which there was not the slighter

necessity for interfering with ; aid then, after
exhausting the Treasury of its balances, " a

valuable financial demonstration"—as we were in

formed by his organ in the press—announcing

,hat the entire expenses of the War should

be defrayed out of the current revenue,
and that no portion should be charged to posterity,
on whose account, and for whose safety and wel-

fare, we were engaging in all these sanguinary and

expensive transactions. This erroneous and un-
fair principle led to a spurious and false economy
—much more expensive, by the way, in the long
run than the most profuse and lavish expen-
diture in a right direction—to which we
firmly believe a large proportion of the cala-
mities that have occurred to our gallant fel-
lows in the Crimea may be attributed. Any
one
patching up of matters by the sacrifice
of
or two Ministers, then, will be wholly inadequate.
It may for a brief, a very brief, period postpone,
but it cannot avert, the fall of those who no
longer enjoy the national confidence. In order
to possess a powerful and lasting Government, the
independent representatives of the people must

- -
strike at the root of the evil. They must aim at

the nominal Premier, and insist on a more equi-
table financial policy. It is said that the Prime

Minister is the pet of " Germanism, "—that he is

sustained and supported by influences which,

albeit, net very constitutional, are yet very

powerful. They are not, however, suffi_
ciently powerful to control the will of the

.and

people, temperately but firmly expressed, through
their chosen representatives. We must have full
Ministerial explanations, and if they should not
prove satisfactory, a change sufficiently compre-
hensive to meet the magnitude of the emergency.
One thing is certain, that Lord ABERDEEN and
Mr. GLADSTONE cannot be saved by the voluntary
sacrifice of the Duke of NEWCASTLE and Mr.
SIDNEY HERBERT.

Turn which way we will nothing but mischief
seems to result from Royal intermarriages. The
nations cannot intermarry in self-defence ; the
sovereigns have that game all in their own hands,
and well they know how to use it. If the leaders
of the people talk only of the solidarite of the
nations, it is resented as smacking of the revolu-
tionary, but when sovereigns bind each other to
mutual help against popular demands, this of
course is all as it should be. Who ventures at a
Royal wedding to bewail the fate of nations, or to
mourn over another stab to liberty ? The cypress
and the orange flowers may not mingle. Amidst
the bridal splendours and perfumes the patriotic
suggester of consequences is held as a cynic.
Royalty leads the dance, and the states-
man of his fatherland must be content
to whirl in the maze with the rest, or
to be suspectedly absent. Perhaps, however, few
of those directly implicated are sad at heart ;
Courts are but too uniformly the reflex of the
Monarch's will, and are generally but too happy
to share in consolidating Royal power.
Yet look at Europe just now. It is not too
much to say that Royal Marriages are responsible
for the present War. Prussia and Saxe Coburg,
the one directly, and th• other indirectly, are very
much answerable for it. The Empress of Russia
is sister of the King of Prussia. With the vacil-
lating weak head who rules the odds and ends
which put all together are called Prussia, this has,
we believe, regularly turned the scale in favour
of Russia. The poor man has ever and anon
been smitten with a sense of degradation ;
lie has writhed under conscious infamy ;
he has fancied ho would release himself by a
vigorous bound ; but ah ! his poor sister has wed
the Tartar CZAR ; he has a batch of Archdukes (of
Inkerman notoriety) for his nephews ; and the
worthy man can never attack the husband of his
sister and the father of the brave lads. The King
of PRUSSIA could censure his brother-in-law's am-
bition, could pronounce the cause of the Allies
just, and yet move HEAVEN and earth to save him
from chastisement. There cannot be a moment's
doubt that had Prussia vigorously acted in the
cause she pronounced righteous, had she assured
the Czeß, that she would join the Allies if he
dared to venture over the Pruth, the whole
war would have been prevented. Austria would
assuredly have taken the same course, and
NICIIOLAS would not have dared to face all
Europe. Indeed he could have succumbed with-
out military dishonour to such a combination. Let
us be thankful, however, to PROVIDENCE that Prussia
was married to the CZAR. We should have
had otherwise no siege of Sebastopol, and have
been to this hour ignorant of the vast GUY FAWKES'
preparations in that mysterious fortress for the
subversion of the East. Prussian time-serving
has unintentionally compelled Sebastopol to show
its swarm, and exhibited the imperative necessity
of utterly destroying it.

The Saxe-Coburg weddings have done quite as
much, if net more, mischief. They have har-
nessed England to Austria, and inoculated the
whole conduct of the war with the miserable views
of petty Germanism. To save little big despots
from being swallowed up by populations hardly
large enough to cultivate the estates of an Eng-
, nth commoner, or to do the work of a first-
rate railway contractor, is the grand end of
the policy of countless Grafs, and Hargraves,
and Landgraves, and Archdukes, and Dukes,
and no one knows what beside. Their Royal
Highnesses accordingly pin themselves to the
skirts of Prussia or Austria, as may seem best;
while the whole of happy families, their potent
Majesties of Vienna and Berlin included, all do
homage to the great Tartar Prince, for the privi-
lege of being permitted to threaten any unma-
nageable subjects that—Russia is coming ! None
of the little Royalties share these feelings more
than the COBURG family. Utterly insignificant
except as the provider of husbands to other Royal
families, and by obtaining employment and titles
, in other States, it has pledged three Governments
of Europe at least to its interests by matrimony.
The most powerful and sagest of the family was
once no little favourite with the English nation.
We question whether he is so now. His abilities
no one doubts, but they are plainly directed now
to Austrian interests. He who was the
favourite with English Liberals has wedded
himself or his son to Austria. The
brutal oppressors of Hungary and Lombardy,
the most odious family almost of all Europe, is
the ono he has welcomed to his bosom, It is not
to be wondered at if so experien-oed and cunning a
statesman should influence -unduly anti unconsci-
ously to themselves h;:d nephew and others in this
country ; he can point to the necessity of keeping
right with A..ustria, into which one of the family
has mar.lied, and in whose service others are earn-
ing their livelihood. He can dilate on the danger
t• all the crowns and coronets in Germany if Rus-
sia be too much weakened, he can veil the selfish
side of the question by adroit political suggestions,
and can become the Nunn and ULYSSZi of Ger-
manism to ears hereditarily willing to listen.
Such influence, as we have before stated, we
are compelled to suspect. When we think of the
shameful slowness to strike, even after Sinope, of the
miserable waiting for Austria, of such forbearance '
with the "reinforcements from the Danube," of the

surrender of the Principalities on such discreditable

conditions, of the German Legion, above all, and of
the p robablyvague interpretation of the Four Points,
we honestly confess that we fear Coburg influence

is at the bottom. Not that we for a moment excuse
the advisers of the QIJEfiN. On them legally and

morally rests the responsibility of what is done.

They are, or ought to be, Britons by birth as
well as by education, and it is theirs to resist the
intrusion of foreign influences upon their SovE

REIGN. They are bound to know the country and
the people between whom and their SOTHREIGN
they stand. It is theirs to acquaint her, and

all who might pervert her views, that

nothing would readier the Crown of Eng-

more unpopular than to see it

placed at the feet of German monarchs, great or

small. They are bound to save her even from

oarlvnaotinoen
ooff
them,tahe es
potsappearance of
England ruling
f cr a trhe e
fs
OT
Rathonerlytheaanrhesavteoheerxceocranatse nine-tenths
elsandwish of h
wishes
thvrtaretmed
.
by them, she would bay them an estate or so in
this island where they might vegetate in safety.
England will not consent to be Germanised. If
Germans like to be Anglicised well and good—they
aro welcome ; but an attempt the converse of that
will end in most deplorable consequences—we do
not mean is anything revolutionary, but in an
estrangement of feeling from the Throne for which
the nation will long curse the weakness and folly
of 44 Prime Minister.