The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-30 00:00:00

TvEw THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPIII.-
Bole :Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, THE WORKMEN OF PARIS.
blr. Benjamin Webster; Messrs. Billjn4ton, R. Phillirs,
Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne, C. J. Smith ; :Mrs. Stirling,
Niss Ni oolgar (Mrs. A. Mellon), Miss H. Simms. Mrs. Bil-
lington, Mrs. H. Lewis, and Miss A. Seamen.
To conclude with DARK DOINGS IN THE CITE'-
BOARD BY THE KNOTTING'E\I BROrHERS. Messrs.
J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, R. Phillips, and Mrs. A. Mellon.

Commence at 7.

MISS BAT E M A N.-NEW THEATRE
ROYAL ADELPHL—Mr. Webster begs to announce
that the great Tragedienne, Miss BATEMAN, having per-
formed with unparalleled success the character of " Leah"
for a period of nine consecutive months during the last season
at this Theatre, and since won the plaudits of thousands in
Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin, Manchester, and Ulasgow,
she will RE-APPEAR at this Establishment "JANUARY
21, 1865, in her original character of the Jewish Maiden for a
limited number of nights, previously to her appearing in
other illustrations of the Cla-sic Drama, which are in prepa-
r:ition. The B.x-office will be opened on Monday, Dec. 19,
when places may be secured for Miss Bateman's engagement
a fortnight in advance.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, a new Extravaganza, entitled THE
MAGIC HORSE AND THE ICE MAIDEN 1 RINCESS.
Atter which, THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fisher, D. Murray, J. Nelson, H.
Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry
,Marsqbn, Miss Emma
Barnett, and Miss Finny Gwynne.

ROY AL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, at 7, SHORT AND SWEET.
After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, THE
GRIN" BUz.,H ES ; or. the Mrs. Brown of the Missis-sippi.
Messrs. Stoyle, Thorne, James, Fenton, &c.; Mesdames Ada
Swaxtboroug,h, Raynham, Simpson, Johnstone, dm.
To conclude with THE WILFUL. WARD. Miss Palmer.

COALS.—The TALLESHALL COMPANY'S
COALS.
Llirect from their own Collieries.
Marquis'. 26-t. per ton. I Double.. 21s. per ton.
Top2ss. 0 Deep ....225. „
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
p As, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
raddi n gt on, W., and Maiden-lane, N.
Best Coke lss. per chaldrou.

Terms cash.
JOHN SCOTT, Sole Azent..

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
Can be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLEN NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN"
supplied as soon as published every Evening by
W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 24,
Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street.

HIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Trim DAY.—Morning, 2h. 54m.—Afternoon, 3h. 18m.
T RUOw.-11.1orning, 3h. 40m.—Afternoon, 3h. 68m.

,k.4lk--,
41
ads 4. *-* ,NO. 43.344
•

LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 30, 1864.

----~ -

As 1861 is drawing rapidly to a close, men are
already speculating on the prospects of 1865, and
more especially on what will be distinctive featureb
of that session—the last of the present Parliament
—whose opening days are now only a few weeks
from us. It is scarcely likely to partake of the in•
dolent apathy of its immediate predecessors.
Cabinet and Parliament, which alike refused to act
when the choice was left to them, and which
thought to evade all responsibilities and escape all
dangers, like the ostrich, by hiding their heads from
the sight of men, will probably find that they have
purchased their short-lived holiday very dearly•
The evils which might have proved only shadows,
had they been boldly faced, may develops into
alarming realities which witl not be put off with
pleas of neutrality and non-intervention. 'rho whole
Continent of Europe is likely to feel the effects of
that Danish War, which a more manly and straight-
forward course upon our part would have averted ;
while the Yankees themselves seem about to tear
the mask from our timorous neutrality, and make
us speak out to the world and stand by our prin-
ciples. The Canadian question will certainly des
mend attention in the early days of the next
session, and we doubt not that Parliament and
people will give it kindly and careful con-
sideration. But amid the press of foreign
matters home affairs must not be alto.
gather overlooked, and there is at least one
great question of national domestic policy whieh
has been too long postponed to bear any further
delay. Oar legislators must ro longer trifle with
the question of Reform, so often put off horn
session to session, on one frivolous excuse or
another. First the popular feeling on the matter
was so well understood that pledges and pro•
„Hies were given in profusion by Ministers on
their own parts, and on the part of the SOW.-
RaGN. So long ago as 1858, when Lord Deasy
took office the demand for Reform was so much
a recognised thing, that when he entered upon his
new duties he felt bound to declare distinctly that
he would introduce a Reform Bill. This promise,
as we all know, he carried out, however partially
or -unsatisfactorily, but the temper of the present
IT•raae of Commons was sufficiently shown by their
unconditional rejection of the bill, without attempt.
ing modification or improvement. Half a loaf is
better than no bread is a homely adage, but a true
one, and if oar members had tried to do the best
they could with Lord Ditaßi's measure, which
really contained some good points, an important
step would have been gained, and there would be
less to do now. But there was, in feet, little heart

in the matter. The representatives did not want
the bread themselves, so they cared very
little whether or no their neighbours
starved for want of the half loaf. With
such indifferent or careless critics Lord JOHN
RUSSELL'S shuffles about Reform passed by more
easily than they deserved until he finally escaped
from inconvenient queries and home thrusts to the
quiet shadows of the House of Peers. In exchange
for that earldom Lord J. RUSSELL gave his long-
cherished and hardly-won reputation as a Reformer
gained in the great constitutional battles of 183142.
He gave also a large portion of that popular respect
and sympathy which his earlier career had attached
to him, and certainly his administration of our
foreign affairs has not tended to regain the appro•
val which his domestic policy had forfeited. Since
the abandonment of all Lord RUSSELL'S professions,
Reform:has been quietly thrust aside by the Govern-
ment, and whenever a complaint has been made it
has been met by the answer that there was no
popular action on the subject, but that the people
had grown indifferent. The fact is that they have
become disgusted with the want of faith shown
by their political leaders, and look on professions
of a reforming policy almost with ridicule. But
this state of things cannot last for ever, and the
existence of a well-founded discontent among the
masses is not a symptom that any statesman can
afford to trifle with. In a country which, like
England, is professedly self-governed, it is no
slight grievance for large bodies of thinking, in-
telligent men to be shut out from all participation
in the politics of the State. They have as deep
an interest in the welfare of the country as those
above them in the social scale, while the
question of finance and taxation are certainly
even more important to them. How is it, then,
that while all sides admit their right to the
franchise, all shrink from extending it to them.
Very certainly the possession of political power
would, in these days, be much more safely trusted
to our better class of mechanics and artisans than
it would have been fifty years ago to the hands of
the lower middle classes. If men have learnt no•
thing else by the eventful history of the last half
centure, they have at least learned to be temperate
and cautious ; and in most branches of our policy we
are now more likely to err on the side of prudence
and toleration than of that rashness and prejudice
ea perceptible in much of our earlier legislation.
There is some truth in the allegation of popular in.
difference on the matter, though not as affects the
classes most concerned. The £lO householders are
not over anxious to share their power with those
below them, and take very little interest in the
matter. They do not exert the influence which
they possess by extorting from the candidates for
their suffrages a pledge to support Reform. They
shrink from the extension of the franchise, as it
will necessarily lessen their importance in the eyes
of the candidates, and they look with no favourable
eye on the natural ambition of those excluded
from the pale of the constitution. But this is.
neither fair to the Parliament nor to the people,
since, unless the House of Representatives be
really and truly a representation of popular views
and feelings, its legislation will b© partial and
unsatisfactory; while it is manifestly unjust for
him who has climbed the ladder to refuse to
help the one who is struggling to ascend, not
to dispossess him of his advantage, but to share it.
We hope our £lO householders—and indeed all
classes of the present electors—will do their duty
honestly and manfully in this important matter. It
is quite evident that a very general feeling of dis-
satisfaction exists at present from the large propor-
tion of even our present limited number of electors
Nho do not vote. A change is much needed—a
change in the number of electors—a change in the
manner of voting—a change in the duration of Par-
liaments. If our legislators will not give us our
demands unconditionally, let them meet us half way,
and let sincere Reformers not be again led into the
blunder of refusing a partial measure because
it does not contain all they want. If we can-
not get the application of an educational test, and
the payment of rates and taxes as a condition for
voting, let us have a £6 franchise ; if we cannot
get triennial parliaments, let us have quinquennial;
if the ballot is still withheld from the nation, let us
at least have it tried fairly in half a dozen boroughs
that are willing to make the experiment. But oar
leaders of the Liberal party will not condescend to
practical details. They talk very largely about the
rights of the people and the benefit of a comprehen.
sive measure of reform, but even these theories sound
better they think on the hustings than in St.
Stephen's, and come with more fervour from the left
than from the right hand of the speaker. When
once the magic open sesame is spoken, and the
Whigs enter the doors of Downing street, Parlia-
mentary Reform and a few other loudly praised
measures are apt to depart by the window.

The Patrie has very properly commented upon
the letter of Mr SEWARD, in which he refused
to allow money to be sent from England for the
relief of the Confederate prisoners. Apart from
the sense which pervades these remarks, it is gra.
tifying to behold so wise an appreciation of the
motives which urged those in this country to
make the offer. The days are happily nearly
past when nothing took place of an awkward or
unpleasant nature concerning France and England,
but that the rival State commented upon it in
unbecoming terms, if it did not actually seem to
rejoice in the annoyance and insult hurled at its
neighbour. Nothing is more likely to promote
an eNtente cordiale between the two countries
than the feeling of reciprocity which is engen.
dared by a recognition of the claims of either
community to respect and regard, The Patrie
denounces in the strongest terms the conduct of
Mr SEWARD, and very truly observes that his
letter is a "masterpiece of buffoonery." It is in.
deed impossible not to notice the peculiar absur-
dities of the communication when they are
pointed out here in a brisk and spirited style.
Especial comment is placed on the passage in which
Mr. SEWARD refers to the motives which induce
him to refuse the proposal, and, indeed, they are
groundless, and unstable even for American
assurance to dwell upon. It is said that the money
offered constitutes no large portion of the profits
derived from the insurgents by the exchange of
" arms and ammunition of war for the coveted pro-
duction of immoral and enervating slave labour."
On this the Patrie very properly affirms that the
Washington Government is inconsistent in its
actions and words. The sums found on board the
Florida that they did not scruple to receive pro-
ceeded also from " immoral and enervating slave.
labour." Certainly the bluster of Yankee impetu-
osity has no chance against the keen and polished
criticism of French wit and humour. It is quite
refreshing to notice how completely the writer of
this diatribe has set down the assurance and imper-
tinence of the American Secretary at War, and ex-
Posed the fallacy of his argument and nothing-
ness of his reasons. It will be a great vexation,
even for the arrogance of Mr. SEWARD and his
friends to see how completely their transparent
devices have been seen through, and how powerless
are their empty threats and bombastic declarations
to impress and influence those who can see through
them and despise them. But, says the Patrie, in

continuation, " Have not all the provisions which
the armies in the field plunder in the Southern
States the very same origin. Viewed in this light,
the language of Mr. SEWARD seems almost into•
herent and certainly quite inconclusive, should he
or Mr. LINCOLN, as the French paper appropriately
inquires, desire that the soldiers of GRANT and
SHERIDAN should die of hunger rather than eat
the coveted productions of immoral and ener.
eating slave labour." Finally it is said, with great
force and expression, that Mr SEWARD attempts to
defend against an insult from England—a "people
whom Mr LINCOLN and his generals are pillag-
ing, oppressing, and persecuting." This able article
completely disposes of this question of the pro-
posed aid to the Confederates, which has given rise
to so much confusion, and afforded Mr SEWARD an
opportunity which has doubtless rejoiced his heart,
of manifesting to the world at large his abhorrence
of England, and his utter contempt fur truth and
justice.

The lifeboat services-which are rendered to the
community are most important, and it is always
interesting to notice the reports and statements con.
netted with the progress made. During this year,
now just closing, it is observable that the lifeboats
of the National Lifeboat Institution have saved no
less than 432 lives, besides contributing to the
saving of 37 vessels. Besides this 266 lives have
been saved in the same period by shore boats and
other means ; thus, 698 lives in all have been pre-
served in one year. On many other occasions the
lifeboats have put off to the assistance of wrecks, but
their services have not been subsequently required,
so that an immense amount of peril and a con-
siderable outlay of expense have been incurred.
The cost of such an establishment as this
is enormous, and the repairs inevitable to its
efficiency swallow up a considerable sum. During
this year the Institution has expended £14,790 on
its several establishments on the coasts of England,
Scotland, and Ireland. It must be evident from these
details that a more valuable and efficient society
could not exist; and it is urgently to be trusted
that at this season, when many affluent indivi-
duals are looking out for objects upon which to be-
stow their charitable donations, the claims of this
Institution will not be overlooked. In a country
like this it should never be said that it required
much solicitation to make the benefits of such an
Institution required, and acceded to promptly and
liberally. Language cannot adequately depict
the feelings of those who are saved from the
stranded ship and the sinking wreck, while
the relatives and friends of those who
escape the perils of waters and reach their homes
in safety must surely be witnesses that none can
gainsay as to the value of such endeavours as it is
the object of this institution to promulgate and
support. It is very gratifying to learn that the
several services thus rendered to the cause of the
preservation of life have been recognised by the
French Government, and that instructions have
been received by some important functionaries to
disseminate the knowledge circulated ;by the So-
ciety. On many accounts it is interesting to find
that the course of the National Lifeboat Institu-
flon seems likely to prosper ; its success must
strike some chords that;vibrate:to the hearts of all,
although the full importance of its efforts and
the urgency of its need can only be fully appreb
ciated by those who go down to the sea in ships
and occupy their business in the great waters.