The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-16 00:00:00

4111

*int.

LONDON, FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 1864.

It is a melancholy task to peruse the address
of the deputation of Schleswigers who waited upon
King CHRISTIAN, but it is not unsuitable to cast
a glance at the relative position of the respective
parties. The year which is about to close has
seen many changes in the affairs of Denmark and
her Duchies, but it is satisfactory to mark that
some tribute of respect has been paid to the KING,
and that his Majesty has replied to it ia a fitting
strain. Such a display of good feeling and kindly
wishes was creditable to both sides, and no doubt
a pleasing recollection of this interchange of regrets
and sympathies will hereafter be a consolation for
both sides to look back upon. In simple and
yet emphatic language the Danish inhabitants of
Schleswig declared their opinions on the sad and
serious occurrences that have befallen them. They
begin with expressing their grief at the reception
of the KING'S farewell, and then go on to deplore
the calamitous circumstances which compel their
alienation from the ancient rule. These words
ought to make all the authorities in Prussia and
Austria ashamed of themselves—or if that be im-
poseible, it is to be hoped that they will regret
that they are given forth to the world, that other
nalieua may descant upon their sld significance
and solemn warmi.g. "The force of circumstances
has separated those who have been united for
centuries; brothers have been turn from brothers;
your Majesty's Crown has lost a jewel,
the preservation
of which . has cost torrents
of blood." Surely this passage, its comprehen-
siveness and clearness, exactly defines the state of
the case as it at present stands in regard to this
Did affair of the Dano-Germln wnr. Of course, the
deputation was precluded from giving vent to those
frelinge which tr rl.9t have burned within them at
the wrongs and injuries to which they had been
exposed ; but sometimes the force of such senti-
ments are better expressed by silence. The world
knows who is responsible for the " circurcstauces"
that have drawn down the calamity referred to,

and honest and honourable men will judge between
the oppressed and oppressors. All must respect
the notion which influenced the Danish inhabitants
of Schleswig thus to come forward and " greet
their old Sovereign for the last time.,, The occa-
sion was a touching one, and if sadness and sor-
row prevailed, shame and disgrace had no part on
either side. There was a quiet dignity in the tone
that pervaded both the deputation and the King
that were suitable to those who were in such try-
ing circumstances. It must be a source of dissatis•
faction to the tyrants who have wrought their
destruction to find such sentiments of loyalty and
attachment to the throne influencing those subjects
of King CHRISTIAN, whom it has pleased them to
depict as ill-content with the rule that was over
them. In earnestness and eloquence this spirit of
devotion is expressed, and a more honourable me-
mento could not be put upon the grave of their
departed allegiance—" We shall preserve our re-
membrance of bygone days, and the Danish people
on this side of the Konigsau will never forget its
brothers beyond, for all our recollections are in
common." Who can peruse these words and not be
roused to indignation at the scandalous course of
policy which has caused such misery and wrought
such evil. " What millions died that CASAR might
be great," has been truly said in censure of such
extravagant attempts at conquest ; but it is diffi-
cult to conceive for what purpose all this misery
has been inflicted on the kingdom of Denmark and
her possessions. Certainly neither greatness nor
glory has been achieved, and the gain has not been
so considerable that a powerful kingdom like Prussia
should compromise its reputation and alienate
its best allies aid most strenuous sup-
porters. The King's reply was characteris-
tic of himself, and well adapted to the occasion.
Self-reproach cannot attach itself to King CHRIS.
TIAN, for under very trying circumstances he has
always endeavoured to act in accordance with the
claims of justice, truth, and honour, and he can thus
claim the sympathies of all who respect misfortunes
nobly borne and sorrows that are endured with
fortitude and resignation. He dwelt at length
upon the regrets with which ho viewed this inevi-
table separation from Schleswig, and declared that
it was his chief concern at the present time ; of all
his cares and sorrows, lately so numerous, nothing
has so depressed his mind and weighed upon his
heart than the " separation from the brave, faithful.
and loyal Schleswigers." It is impossible to dwell
upon this address, and the reply to it, without
feeling more and more convinced that England
has much to answer for in this disastrous and dis-
graceful affair. Much is required from those isdi-
viduals,to whom much is given, and nations are
not exempt from the duties and claims of great
power, wealth, and influence. The best satire on
the conduct of our Gcvernment in respect to its
policy, is to reflect how different would have been
the case had Prussia been in peril from enemies as
unscrupulous and exacting as herself. We would
not then have witnessed such base truckling to the
strong—such desertion of those who had received
our promises of support, and such a condonation of
cruelty and injustice on the part of our Adminis-
trators. Right and reason are not affected, how.
ever, by the accidents of place and power; and in
this quarrel between King CHRISTIAN and his
former subjects, we recognise another proof of the
evil effects which have been occasioned by the un-
due preponderance of German influence which pre-
vails in our Councils and Cabinet.

Were it not for the extraordinary lengths to
which men sometimes allow themselves to be
carried by foregone conclusions and long-established
prejudice, we should almost be inclined to regard
the proceedings of the gentlemen who yesterday
waited upon Mr ADAMS as conducted in a spirit
of satire. It is certainly difficult to believe that
at the present date a number of intelligent and
influential Englishmen should be found to attend
upon the American Minister with the view of
tendering him an address for presentation to Mr
LINCOLN, in congratulating him and the world
at large on his re-election as President. It is
still more difficult to believe that the intentions
of these gentlemen were really serious when we
fled them both in their introductory speeches and
in the terms of their address felicitating the
Northern States on their abhorrence of slavery,
and their sacrifices on behalf of the negro, and
more especially congratulating the Federal autho-
rities on their kindness to their wounded pri.
soners, and the general spirit of moderation and
humanity in which they have conducted the:war,
in grateful contrast to "the deplorable and san-
guinary ferocity of European despots." Of course,
when addressed in such terms, it was not neces-
sary for Mr ADAMS to keep too closely to incon-
venient facts, so accordingly we learn that with
reference to the late Presidential election,
"Never was a canvass more perfectly free,
nor more latitude taken in the discus-
sion of public questions and of the charac-
ters of public men." Certainly these gen-
tlemen on both sides have contrived to bring some
very novel facts to light—facts which ars strik-
ingly in opposition to all ordinary intelligence.
Bat the members of the Emancipation Society are
not inclined to be governed by any ordinary influ-
enees or to accept the conclusions which to most
men seem inseparable from existing facts. Mr.
EVANS, the Chairman, as the exponent of their opi-
nions, leaves no doubt as to the view which they
take of the complicated struggle now going on in
America. The "awakened conscience" of the
North is the explanation which he gives of the con-
flict between commercial and agricultural or pro.
ductive interests. " The awakened feeling of the
North on the subject," he says, " has driven the
slaveholders to rebellion, and that is really the
whole cause of the war." He does not explain
why the slaveholders should have proceeded to
open hostilities when the awakened conscience of
the North had produced no visible results, If the
North had proclaimed abolition and the South had
taken np arms to resist the enforcement of such
a measure, there might be some ground for putting
the cause of dispute on such a footing; but as
nothing of the kind was ever talked of, and as
the North began the war on the plea of enforcing
the Southern contributions to the national
expenses, it is not easy to see the connection
between the effect and this pretended cause.
The North did not attempt to quit the
slaveholders, or to cast out the offenders from
among them, their great object is to retain them
in their midst. The famous Emancipation Pro-
clamation, which is the only base upon which Mr
LINCOLN can rest his pretensions as an Aboli-
tionist, was not issued till after many months of
deadly war; and when it did appear, it took very
good care only to deal with the slaves of the so
called rebels, and did not interfere in any way
with the property of loyal subjects. If emancipa-
tion was an imperative duty on the part of the
State, it was as much obligatory on the loyal sub-
jects as the rebels, but no modification even of the
hardships of slavery was pressed upon them. Theft
who wish to extend their principles by force should
at least begin by practising them themselves ; but
a sudden 'Wholesale emancipation of the negroes,
Without any provision for finding employment for
the ablebodied or provision for the kick and aged,

bore on its front the evidence of its doubtful
humanity. A gradual emancipation is what real
humanity as well as common sense would teach,
and that is what it is to be trusted the South will
ultimately carry out. President LINCOLN, who
loves a joke, will certainly be inclined to smile at
the concluding paragraph of the address, in which
a fervent aspiration is expressed for that " good
time coming," when perfect equality will exist be-
tween white and black, and no regard to race or
colour is held before the law. Mr. LINCOLN must
bo very well acquainted with the fact, that such is
very far horn being the millennium of Northern
dreams, and that whatever may be the wording of
the law, white citizans will be anything but willing
to admit the negro to free end equal companion-
ship. But the Emancipation Society, which is "so
very kind" to the virtues of the Federal Aiminis-
tration, contrives to be "a little blind" to their
faults; and the peculiar satisfaction with which
they have noticed the moderation of the proceed-
ings of General BUTLER in New Orleans, the firing
on the hospitals at Charleston, the desolation of
the Shenandoah Valley, and the burning home-
steads and ruined cornfields that mirk the progress
of Northern generals, is certainly not shared by
their countrymen at large. The open declaration
of the Federals to procure success by any
moans, whether by starving out tae Southern
people or by wholesale expatriation of them as
recommended by BUTLER in his recent address at
New York, or by the application of " Greek fire
to the people and hell fire to their leaders," as
advised by the Minister of a Christian religion, all
comes under the cover of the wide and conveni-
ent cloak of humanity. In this country we have
long ago learned to estimate such professions at
their real value, but it is a little too much for Eng-
lish gentlemen of various ranks end professions to
offer the congratulations of their countrymen to
the head of euch a system, and in the name
of the fervent sympathy which Englishmen
everywhere feel for freedom, and their una-
nimous hatred of slavery, to felicitate the
American States on the continuance of this cruel
and purposeless war. Mr ADAMS was not inclined
to pledge himself or his Government to any uncome
promising theories about slavery. He declared,
indeed, that the settlement of the slave question
was a necessary preliminary of peace, but he
honestly avowed the restoration of the Union to be
the one great object. The Chicago nomination
was the object of his dire invective, and in spite of
the smooth speeches and wholesale approbation of
of the gentlemen before him, he was well enough
acquainted with the actual fee..ings and temper of
this nation to be unable to refrain from some covert
attacks upon those Englishmen who did not share
their views. The fact is, that Americans, like
foreigners, are well aware of the independent action
of English politicians and enthusiasts of all degrees,
and the proceedings of the Emancipation Society yes-
terday afternoon are as much an exponent of popular
sense and sympathy on the American question as the
visit of the members of the Peace Society to the
CZAR on the modest request of the Liverpool mer-
chants of famous memory, that the Emperor of the
FRENCH would kindly favour them with his pri-
vate opinion on the probability of a war.

Court of Common Council,

A Court of Common Council was held yesterday in the
Council Chambers, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor pre-
siding.

THE COAL DUTIES DRA.WBACK. FUND.

Mr CHAPLIN, the chairman of the City Lands Com-
mittee, said he wished to draw the attention of the Court to
a matter of some importance. and in doing so he should ark
permission to ask the Chamberlain a question. Mr Chaplin
was about to preface his question with some remarks in re-
ference to the coal duties ; but
The LORD MAYOR ruled that the rules of the Court
would not permit a speech that might provoke a discussion.
Mr LOWMAN TAYLOR thought, although he might agree
wi.h Mr Chaplin in the views he entertained, it would be
better to give a notice of motion upon the subject.

Mr CHA.PLIN, however, preferred to put the question—
and asked the Chamberlain whether the Coal Duties Draw-
qack Fund, which was under the control of the Coal, Corn,
and Finance Committee, could bo applied to any other
purposes than those in connection with the drawback fund.

➢lr PARKER said the question was entirely a legal ques-
tion, and one which the Chamberlain could not and ought
not to answer.

Mr CHAPLIN said if the matter was to be shrouded in
so much mystery, he should think the funds were really
not used for their proper purposes.
Upon the suggestion of the LORD MANOR, Mr CHAPLIN
gave the following notice of motion :—" That the chair-
man of the Coal, Corn, and Finance Committee do send to
the Chamberlain's office, before the next Court, a detailed
account, with the vouchers of expenditure and charges
made in the Coal Duties Drawback Fund for the years
1862-3-4, and in future no accounts be paid by the Cham-
berlain unless accompanied with proper warrants."
ST. THOMAS'S HOSPITAL.

Mr Thomas Burrows brought up a report from the Gene-
ral Purposes Committee on the proceedings relative to St.
Thomas's Hospital.

The report was a very long, and, upon the motion of Mr
APGEORGE, the consideration of it was adjourned, and the
report ordered to be printed and circulated among the mem-
bers of the Court.

A report was laid before the Coust by Mr R. N. Phillipps
on the reference to reconsider their report relative to the
late James Bunstone Bunning, Esq., City Architect, and
recommending that a memorial tablet be placed in the wes-
tern entrance of the City of London Schools, at an expense
not exceeding 50. guineas.
There was some opposition to the recommendation.
Mr Deputy FRY was of opinion that such a course would
not be doing honour to an officer who had served the Corpo-
poration faithfully and ably.
After some discussion, the LOAD MAYOR addressed the
Court, and said he had had the honour of being intimately ao •
quainted with Mr Bunning from the commencement of his
career as a member of the Corporation, and, with reference
to the City of Losdon Schools, he, from long expo-
perience, could testily to the fact that wero most ad-
mirably adapted to the purpose for which they were erected,
and ho was sure, were Mr Bunning living, nothing would
be more gratifying to him than to see a memorial tablet
erected in those schools.

Ultimately an amendment to the effect that the report
should lie on the table was lost, and the report was agreed
to by a very large majority.
After going through some business of no public interest,
the Court adjourned at an early hour.

STORMY WEATHER.--SHIELDS, Wednesday noon.
Last night, after dark, a storm warning was sent
down to this port from Admiral Fitzroy, and lights were
'misted in the harbour at once. The wind at that time was
S.S.E., and the sea was rising rapidly. As the night ad-
vanced the wind got to the S.E., and the weather became
very stormy indeed, the sea breaking with great violence on
the shore. About midnight several sailing ships and screw
steamers run for the harbour and got in in safety, but dur-
ing the course of the morning the sea entirely tore to pieces
the barque Amy Robsart which was stranded on the Black
Middens. The Rocklight, of Liverpool, a large ship of 1,766
tone, arrived during the night from Antwerp, and a Russian
bark made the run from London to the Tyne in 36 hours.
The Mcrna, Leith and London steamer,which had put into
Shields harbour through stress of weather, proceeded to sea
yesterday afternoon. She would encounter very rough
weather last night. The steamships from the Tyno to
London were detained yesterday, but the Admiral will pro-
ceed to sea this afternoon. It is hoped teat some of the un-
recovered bodies of the passengers and seamen belonging to
the steamship Stanley would have been washed up during
the night, through the heavy sea, and a large number of
persons have Leen on the lookout, but down to this hour
none have beer. discovered. The weather is moderating,
and the sea has gone down somewhat since the pinning,
POLICE CRUSADE AGAINST THE " BOARDMEN.'
By an exercise of the power vested in the Commis-
sioners of Police, an order has been issued to police-con-
stables to warn those persons carrying advertising boards
in thoroughfares that they are acting contrary to law, and
if they are again found offending they aro to be taken into
custody and brought before a magistrate. The crusade was
first commenced against the large-sized pole-boards, when
advertisers substituted "animated sandwiches," that is,
men carrying boards before and at their backs. This, it
appears, is now an offence, and by the crusade against them
nearly 1,000 men, who cannot obtain any other employ-
ment, are reduced to starvation or must become chargeable
to their respective parishes, It is a severe blow to a class
of petsens persevering even iu penury, as is 6d per day of
12 or 14 hours is considered high wages for labour of this
description.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Deo. 15.—The market has been heavy,
and the business done shows lower quotations.
Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f. 20c., and
Mobilier at 933 f. 75c. Railway Shares rather
offered, with a slight decline on some of the lines.
The market continued heavy to the close, and left
off as follows :

41 per Cents .. 93 50
Do. end month....
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 25
Credit Mobilier 933 75
Do, end month 932 50
Bank Shares 3590
Credit 1, oncior 1240
Roman -
AA IL'

Italian Loan 65 55
Do. end month 65 70
Ditto Threes —
New Mexican
Russian
Austrian
Spanish Threes —
Rome Debt
Deferred
FAYs.
Cash. Account.
852 50 .. 855
995 9P7 50
875 880
63 75 553 75
5815 516 25
490 .. 492 50
316 25 315
435 .. 435
506 25 .. 506 25
372 50 .. 372 50
435 436 25
190 .. 192 60

Orleans •c•
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard ..
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona

LITERATURE,

Blount Tempest. By the Rev. J. C. M. Bellew.

Three vols.

Hurst and Blackett.

At a single stride Mr Bellew has taken his place
among our popular novelists. " Blount Tempest"
is announced as his first contribution to imaginative
literature. It reads far more like the work of a
skLled and practised romanceewriter- Its author
evidences, in this first venture of his within the
magic circle of the world of fiction, a combina-
tion of rare qualifications in his newly
assumed capacity as a Novelist. Already
known as an accomplished elocutionist—he now
shows himself to be also an equally accomplished
man-of-letters. His style has no crudity. It has
the easy swing of one who has thoroughly mastered
the arts of composition. " Blount Tempest,"
viewed simply as a story, has the all-essential
charm of interest, and of an interest that at moments
becomes enthralling. It is full of incident. Its
plot displays in several particulars a wonderful in-
genuity of contrivance. It is a plot that, through
all its intricacies, is coherent. The events are knit
together with surprising cunning and unerring
dexterity. We are conscious—when we come to
look back upon the whole scheme of the narrative
—of no one flaw in the manner of its construction.
We are barely caught, like the marriage guest,
upon the threshold, before we " needs must hear "
—our narrator holds us with his glittering eye, and
we read on, chapter after chapter, volume after
volume, so far as the preoccupations of life permit
of our doing so, uninterruptedly. The tale that is
here told, and told, too, in a manner marked by so
much exhilnratin vivacity, has about it a certain
fascination. As, indeed, for that matter, any tale
that is worth reading at all should have. And we
have read it in consequence, not as a duty, but as
a pleasure. Having so read it, we commend it
accordingly. Mr Bellew is manifestly a keen
observer of his fellow-creatures. He has a
watchful eye for all their whims and oddities.
He has a very lively sense of the humorous. As a
delineator of character he is singularly felicitous,
and we should find it difficult to decide, were we
in any way required to do so, to which should be
accorded preference among his imaginary person-
ages—whether, as a class to his male or his female
characters are marked by superior excellence. The
scene of his story is placed for the most part either
in London or in Lancashire. Under a thin veil of
fictitious names—names but very slightly modified
from the original—localities are, here, described
that will readily enough be recognised by those
who are familiar with them. • The like might
be said,. almost as truthfully, we believe of
several among the characters. Besides which, it
may here be added, by way of completing what
we have been remarking in regard to Mr, Bellew's
dexterous blending in "BiountTempest'' of fact and
fiction, that more than one incident introduced in
the course of the narrative will be recognised by
some of the more keen observers in that north coun-
try as the merest modifications or adaptations of
certain actual and well-remembered circumstances.
Blount Tempest, the hero of the story, is the
twin brother of Geoffrey Tempest—the former
being the good, the latter the evil genius of
the narrative. Out of the accident of his
brother's birth a few months earlier than
himse
of yearslf,Geoffr festers
eydrawa a jealousy that in the
course into an unnatural hatred,
prompting him to all kind' of dark and devilish
lying to robbery, and
firnottarigruoebsber leading
ytoasshaismsinfitrotimor. A murder occurs at
the very heart, f
B e a
us
n t one
le remayp e stye of the labyrinth of
the
plot It is described in the
blume, About it the
vtherreyadceenftrethoef
narrative
getk
tangled and
crime as
inter-
twined, and ravelled up in a
Itnerently inextricable
n n
d innocentr g g l n g downor
the in its e
meshes, as in a
deadly net, the young hero of the tale, upon whom,
althoughsos
an unbOrn
babe, every conceivable sue)icion concentrates as
upon—the murderer ! The wad confusion—dragging
in which—in the most
natural manner—all these fearful suspicions are
brought to accumulate upon Blount Tempest's head,
shows, on the part of Mr Bellew,
the attainment
at once of a wonderous niartery of his art as a
Novelist, in the mere oonstrtetion of the machinery
of his tale, in the cunning Adroitness
with
which
his dexterous hand has thus irettly put the various
incidents together. There it not a minute detail
in this central part of tht, fiction—the moul-
dering tomb emong the Pri4.-
1, Ruins, where the
murder takes place, the secreted japan box, the
purloined pistol with which ho fatal shot is fired,
the illuminated missal, thsc
--erragment of the assas-
sin's coat, the pewter butt% upon that fragment
marked with the name of thesash clothier at White-
chapel—there is not one of the most trivial
among these seemingly
insignificant particulars,
but has about it, for the twice, an especial, in its
way a supreme importance, Everything, more-
over, in this way, has 104 before been foreseen
by the author, and carefully '
Lepared for. Nothing
of all this, so to speak, is of silt' dragged in by
the head and shoulders, an be
e an afterthought. To
insist, again, upon what we have already specified
as a distinctive merit in the plot of " Blount Tem-
pest," we would repeat a P-s he
ase we have before
used in regard to it, by saYi)g that the materials
of the tato cohere. What the tale is, we are not
going to relate here, ourselves, by any dry epi-
tome. Those who care to knew, may learn it from
Mr Bellew himself through the medium of these
three volumes by the
perusal of which even
the most blase Novel-Reader, one who has
gone the round of the circulating libraries, may
count upon being continuously interested, and at
intervals nothing less than enthralled. If, upon
fitting occasions, Mr Bellew here no less willingly,
perchance, than when he is in the pulpit, under-
takes to point a moral, he does so unobstrusively.
He has evidently no inclination to have himself
classed among those domestic preachers whom he
himself flouts as preaching at their fellow-creatures
in all their moods and tempers, "inflicting morals
upon their laches, and erecting schools of ethics out
of their good behaviour." A gallicisra, by the way,
is always welcome to him in his choice of express
sions, as where he refers, as with a scornful
shrug of the shoulder, to " such gauche
bores as English travellers." Of his skill as a land-
scape painter—that is in the word-painting cf a
landscape—the following exquisite little desorip.,
tion will (brief though it is) afford the reader ample
opportunity of judging e_
The mountain-stream, the Warfe, is a tributary of the
Lavine which flaws into the Irish Sea. Brawling among
the Yorkshire moors, it at last reaches a narrow valley
overhung on either side by crags, that often lilt themselves
perpendicularly out of the river's bed, and among their
crevices give resting-place to the ferns which there grow
luxuriantly. 'or some two or three miles the Warfe flows
between these steeps, rolling over huge boulders that seem
in some primeval age to have been precipitated from the
surrounding heights.
Then it forms small basins with recesses sheltered by
overhanging foliage, the special admiration of Sir Nigel-

To these delightful retreats he invited his choice friends to
kill the trout.

Beyond this, the rocks rise precipitously out of the bed
of the river, as if they had plotted to cut off its retreat.
But the Warfe is not to be out-generated.
It has cut its way through the ranks of the enemy in a
narrow sluice known as the "Leap,' some twenty feet deep,
in the bottom of which it foams defiance, and with a hol-
low, cavernous roar dashes madly onward, impatiently
spreading itself out, beyond, in a large expanse, fringed by
a mossy sward. The valley gradually widens, and the
oak forest sweeping over inviting slopes casts its green shade
upon the self-congratulating stream, that sparkles as if with
sentient joy in having escaped from the turmoil and oppo-
sition of the gorge above.

A few of the radiant phrases, scattered by Mr
Bellew, with an sfiluent hand, through these
volumes, will help to indicate at once the spark,
ling vivacity of his manner—a vivacity lending
a charm to a style that is never dull, that is
often witty, that abounds at every turn with
humorous descriptions. Let us particularise—
by way of example—His mention of "the Georgian
Ere, when any taste seemed unknown in England
except bad taste ! " His defiaition of Froissart as
" that prototype of Special Correspondents." His
crowning commendation of one of the noble
north-country moors, where, " had Daniel
Lambert been trained upon them he never
would have become the distinguished person
into whom he developed ! " His grotesque
mention of the urn above a London citizen's
tomb, looking for all the world like " a petrified
wine-cooler 1" His hint of a certain proclivity
of his towards Muscular Christianity, when talking
of certain " ebulitions of temper that commonly and
healthily end in a round with the fists!" His de.
lighttui setting aside of those " insipid pictures of
singing charity girls or ecstatic little boys in
immaculate surplices and picturesque heads of
hair!'' His d►sdain of our wretched funereal
pomps, where he speaks of " being neighed and
pranced into one's grave by entire animals As
we have given one of Mr Bellew's out-door sketches,
let us here give one of his brilliant little interiors.

Barometrical Variations of the Late Storms,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—The variations in the readings of the baro-
meter at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, are
shown in the accompanying diagram, which I send
to you for your inspection. It includes 46 days,
ending the 30th of November, during which period
there have been several severe gales of wind on
our coasts, producing, as usual, distressing ship-
wrecks, attended with fearful loss of life.
The reading of the barometer from the Ist of
October to the 15:h day was always high, and
every day above its average, frequently to the
amount of o.3in and o.4in, and on the third day
to o.sin nearly. The directio❑ of the wind till the
eighth day was generally E. or E.N.E., and the
greatest force of the wind during this interval was
about Blb on the square foot ; but usually the air
was in gentle motion. From the ninth day the pre-
vailing direction of the wind was N. and N.W., but
at all times weak in strength. Oa the 16th day
it changed to the south-west, and the barometer
reading descended below its average and declined to
28.71 in by 3 a.m. on the 20th, on which day pres-
sures to 91b on the square foot took place. The read-
ing of the barometer suddenly changed to an in-
crease, and at midnight on the same day was 29.40 in,
being no less than 0 69in increase in 16 hours.
It remained some little time at this point, and dee
clined to 28.901 n by 9 p.m. on the 22d. From noon
of the next day, the 23d, its general tendency was
increasing. It passed above its average on the
30th, having been 14 days continuously below, and
at times, for 24 hours together, as much as three•
quarters of an inch nearly. From the 23d the
course of the wind -was mostly from opposite quar-
ters, viz.. S W. and N.E., but at all times light,
and sometimes the air was almost free from motion.
The barometer reading continued to increase,
though with frequent slight falls, till Nov. 6, when
the reading was as high as 301 in, or lira higher
than on the 20th. On the 7th d-ty the reading began
to decrease, and passed below its average on the
10th, it having been above this point from October
30 (or 11 days), a part of which time it was for 24
hours together more than 6-10ths of an inch in
excess. During the 13th and 14th days the de.
crease was rapid, and the reading from noon on the
14th to nearly noon on the 15th varied only be-
tween 28.61 in and 28.64 in. Thus the decrease
amounted to I.sin in eight days. At this time at
Greenwich the greatest pressure we experienced
was 31b only ; and it is very remarkable that, with
so low a reading of the barometer about London,
there was scarcely any wind, whilst fearful storms
were reging north of us. From the 25th
the readings of the barometer oscillated, but for the
most part increased, and were 29.72 in on the 19th,
whilst the air was in gentle motion from the S.W.
and S.S.E. Like changes followed, but decreasing
readings were greater than increasing, till the read-
ing of barometer again was very low, viz. :-28.72
inches at 1 a.m. on the 26th, accompanied with
S.W. wind, blowing with a pressure of 51b. on the
square foot only. From this time the readings in-
creased, and on the 30th passed above the average,
having been below 18 days. It cannot fail to be
remarked that at all times when the reading of the
barometer was above its average, the wind has
everywhere been moderate in strength, but that the
periods of our recent heavy gales have begun shortly
after the reading has descended below the average,
that they have been the worst when the departures
below have been the greatest, and that the bad
weather has ceased only on approaching the average
again. _

One fact may be learnt from these readings, and
it is one I forcibly impressed upon the fishermen on
the Northumberland coast when I first fixed the
barometers there, that at no time, and particu.
lsrly during the winter months, should the warn,-
ings of the barometers pass unheeded ; for although
the bar meter reading may be low, and indeed
unusually low in some localities, without the storm
passing over these places, yet they may feel certain
that bad weather or gales of wind are at that very
time most likely raging not far from them, and
which might suddenly visit their localities without
further warning. It is rem irkable, indeed, that
about London the barometer was-no less than three
times a good deal below 29 inches, yet no storm of any
moment visit,d Lid; but we have had sad evidence
of the fearful storms then raging ou our northern
and eastern coasts; and one almost sees the agonies
and hears the cries of the drowning men, women,
and children at Tyyemouth and shields, imploring
help from the plunging lifeboat, two of whose noble
crew perished in their humane efforts to succour
their perishing fellow.oreatures. All honour to
these brave but nameless heroes, of whom England
may well be proud ; and well may we mourn over
those who, unhappily, perish in such sacred work.
These sad wrecks were taking place all along our
eastern and nothern coasts, while in London we
were in comparative calm.
I wish to impress upon all sailors and fishermen
the necessity of care when continuous declining
readings of the barometer are proceeding, and of
viewing such a state of things as plainly indicating
approaching gales, which may not visit their own
localities, but yet may do so; and if, fortunately, a
gale does not visit them on any occasion, not to
place less confidence in the barometer warnings,
but rather to be careful till that reading of the
barometer be attained which is the average of the
place.

It is an ascertained fact that when great atmo-
spheric disturbances take place, and great depres-
sions of the barometer readings occur, particularly
when sudden, that they are the certain and sure
prognostications of the approach of storms ; such
signs no fisherman or seaman can, I think, now be
so unwise as to neglact ; for the caution thus given
to him, conjoined with his own knowledge of the
storms of the locality with which he must be
familiar, will probably save him and others from
loss of life and property. The Royal National
Lifeboat Institution, by placing reliable barometers
(tested by me at the Royal Observatory, Green•
wicb) around the coast, and thus directly prevent-
ing loss of life, may not gain so much praise as
when its lifeboat saves a crew from the sinking
ship ; but I consider that it deserves equal credit by
taking timely steps to warn our fishermen from
going to sea in times of danger. And surely the
public will not fail to appreciate fully the feelings
which prompt the committee of the institution to
prevent as far as possible the necessity of having
recourse to the lifeboat, by timely warnings to
those who otherwise might need its valuable and
ever-ready services.--I am, sir, your obedient ser-
vant, JAMES GLAISIIER.
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, Dec. 15.

THREE MEN INJURED THROUGH THE FALLING
OF A PORTION OF A STABLE.—This morning, about eight
o'clock, the flooring of an old st dale in course of demolition
adjoining the rear of Aberdeen House, Marlborough-mews,
fell with a loud crash, burying in the rubbish several men
who were engaged at the time beneat,, the flooring in under-
pinning some walls. The men were afforded but little as-
sistance, some of them having to extricate themselves, and
three of them went to the Middlesex Hospital, where, on
examination by the medical officers of that institution, it
was found that they were several contused, but their inju-
ries were not of a sufficiently serious nature to compel their
remaining in the hospital.
The West-end houses of business have been for
some time past making preparations for the Christ.
Inas campaign, during which time they expect to be plea-
santly besieged by a public most exacting and varied M its
tastes and requirements. The stores laid in for that siege
are abundantly strewn in the windows of the shops and
overflow in the reserves within, so that a very large and a
long attack may be made without exhausting; and if the
public do triumph, for once the besieged will say, " So much
the better." Among all the many West-end houses that
have laid in a large and costly supply of Christmas novel-
ties, in addition to those which are meant for New Year's
gifts, or those which supply all the year round wedding
and other presents, the Louse of Messrs. T. A Simpson
and Co., No. 151, Regent street, stands pre-eminent. Never
have they more exerted themselves to excel in taste and
variety, and never have they heaped greater stores together
with the hope that they may be singled nut tor patronage
among tho numerous firms who bid for the custom of the
public. Tho windows show many things which are tempt-
ing, and that range from trifling value to costliness, but
these are as nought in comparison with the store within,
where jewellery, articles of virus, curl :taffies, knickknacks,
clocks, dressing cases. and orioles of varied character for
ornamenting the apartment abound, and at prices that range
from the Most modest figure upwards.

k xl
giffurt..
elrsular.

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Dec. 15.
Prince Arthur, attended by Major Elphinstone,
left the Castle this morning for Greenwich Park.
The Queen walked and drove in the grounds'
attended by Lady Augusta Stanley.
Princess Helena rode in the Home-park, atd
Princess Beatrice went out walking.

-~_.

The Duko :of Northumberland yesterday com-
pleted his 72d year. The noble duke, with the duchess, ill
at Alnwick Castle, in excellent health. His grace's birth-
day was celebrated yesterday by his tradesmen at the Free-
masons' Tavern. In reply to the toast of the evening, the
,6 Liealth of the "dead of the House of Percy, the Duke of
Northumberland," Mr Thomas Williams, the duke's agent,
returned thanks for the honour done to the worthy and '
benevolent nobleman whose birthday they had met to cele-
brate.
The Duke of Devonshire and Lady Louisa
Cavendish and the Marquis of Hartington, M.P,, returned
on Monday to Chatsworth, from attending the funeral of
the Earl of Carlisle at Castle Howard.
The Duchess of Hamilton and Lady Mari
Hamilton have recently arrived in Paris from their
chateau at Baden-Baden. The duchess has been con-
fined to her residence by a slight cold since her arrival
Paris.
The Duchess (Dowager) of Sutherland arrived at
Stafford House, St. James's, on Wednesday, from Castle
Howard, Yorkshire, where her grace was present on the
occasion of the funeral of the Earl of Carlisle.
Lord Brabazon returned to town yesterday from
visiting Sir Stephen Glynne, at Hawarden Castle, Flint-
shire. _ _

Lord and Lady Etcho arrived in town yesterdal
from visiting the Earl and Countess of Albemarle, at Qtrid'
denham Hall, and Sir Edward Kerrison, M.P., and LAY
Kerrison, at Broome H4ll, Norfolk,
Lady Constance Grosvenor has arrived in tows
from Calverley Park, Cheshire.
Lady Caroline Liscelies sad the Misses Lanelleo
arrived in town on 'Wednesday from Castle Howard, York'
shire, after attending the funeral of the Earl of Carlisle• ,

DUBLIN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1865."*"
On Wednesday evening, at the ordinary meeting of
the Society of Arts, Lord Duff Tin, K.C.8., in the chair, 00
interesting paper on the "Progress of Irish Industry, old
the Dublin International Exhibition of 1865," was read 11
Sir R. Kane, F.R. S. The paper pointed out the advance that
had been made in various Irish manufactures and Indus'
tries during the past ten years, and gave a detail of the
steps that had been taken towards the establishment of the
second great International Exhibition in Ireland, to be
opened in May next year. It was shown that a very go°d
representation would be made, not only of Irish manufac:
tures, but of the best specimens of art and industry a 84,
the leading States of Europe, as well as of India, and
many of the principal British colonies. The hearty ce.
operation of British artists and manufacturers was invited/
in order that all the credit might not fall to foreign 01t3!.
biters. At the close of the paper a discussion ensued, 13
which Lord Powerscourt, Mr Chichester Fortescue, Mr 11",
Cole, C. 13., Mr Hawes, the Chairman of the Council, e 3"
other gentlemen took part. In response to an appeal Iron
.
the chairman, Mr Hercules Macdonnell and Mr Antal°
Brady gave an account of the cordial reception and entllll'
siast c promises of support they had received in those
countries of the Continent which they had visited on behalf
of the Exhibition.

THE MAGNESIUM LIGHT.—A singular circusi`
stance was communicated to the French Pboto•
graphic Society at its last sitting by M. Placet. The /nags°.
slain light is so powerful, that when placed at a short die'
tance from the object-glass it will melt its surface.
object-glass spoilt in this way was produced by him at ala;
sitting. Photographers had better take the hint, and not
bring the light too near the apparatus.
Go AND GET HANGED ELSEWHERE.—The Sal°.
Public gives the following as the origin of the
popular French saying, " Allez yens faire pendre ailleurs.
—"A thief was arrested in one of the smallest principalities
of Germany, and condemned to be hanged, but when the
sentence was about to be put into execution the discov;ry
was made that two things were wanted—a hangman and
gibbet. What was to be done ? The authorities hesitated to
incur such a needless outlay, as the incident was the first of
the kind. So as the poor wretch was penniless they gay::
him a small sum of money to go and get hanged
Thence the popular French saying. elsewhere'

ADDITIONS TO THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE GAL'
LERY.—Yesterday tour paintings were added to the
collection in the Parliament House. They comprise tile
following portraits : —Lord Brougham (by Macnee); Lord
Etch n (by Colvin flrioth); Lora Heecarse (by Scuugall),:
and Sir David Rae (by Raeburn). The portrait of Lord
Brougham was exhibited in the Parliament House 150
year, but was afterwards removed in order to make some
alterations in the attitude and cosatme. As the portrait
has been altered his lordship is made to appear in the robe
of Chancellor of the University ; and tnere can be no &tutu
that in all respects considerable improvement has been mad
°
upon the painting.—Edenburgh Courant.
THE ALLEGED CuNFESSION OF A WEI'.SII
MURDER.—About a fortnight since a report al°
peered in many of the daily and weekly papers, copied fr°11:1
the local papers of South Wales, to the effect that there had
been a confession of an atrocious Welsh murder conireitte
some years ago in Glamorganshire. The report stated rba.,t
the lover of the young girl that was so brutally raurdso3;
had just died, and had confessed on his deathbed that be
was the perpetrator of the cruel deed. It now turns °lie
that no such confession was made, and that, in faetPhtnlie
young man is still alive, and consequently the igm"
story was a hoax.
A SHOAL OF PORPOISES IN THE THAMES.--"It:
terday afternoon some surprise was excited by tPO
appearance of a number of porpoises in the River Tillita,B
off the Tower, disporting themselves on the surface of the
water, when not disturbed by the passage of tiro steartleott
and other large vessels. The creatures appeared bent
making their way above bridge, and on being discovered to
number of small boats were manned and put off to cePttio
the unusual visitors, three of them being taken and broligt,
ashore, each upwards of a yard in length and of Pr°P,lo
tionate bulk, and they were subequently exhibited at "of
fishmongers' shops in Bond-street. The appearancear
these fish so high up the river is said to indicate teal'

tuous and stormy weather.
LIVERPOOL FAT CATTLE SHOW.--This 01/°0
opened on:Wednesday in a large shed on the gounds tot
Zoological-gardens, Liverpool. There were 250 entries e
stock, and in every class the show was remarkably
being much superior
.to the last exhibition. AinolligD•
winners of priz:s for cattle were the Earl of Dart)),
land oxen) and Lord Skelmeradale (shorthorned
sheep, Mr G. S. Foljambe (Leicester wethers and S„,"itir
down wethers), Mr James Nicholson. (Cheviots), an", al!
Allan Pollok (Irish wethers)—pigs. Earl of Sefton 01‘,v,
breed), Earl of Derby (small breed), and Mr Thomasr,ead
Suffolk, four prizes (cup for best pig, middle, 1051"

arge breeds).
REPRIEVE OF THE DUKINFIELD Mtntroo-;ot
The Secretary of State for the Home Departy',l-0-0;
having had under his consideration the circuLestfi; etc
of the case of Salome Marsh, who was convicted 15.Li:iti'
at the Chester assizes for the murder of her child at •"-d to
field on the 31st of July last, and who was selltel2c;,/ of
death, has recommended the extension of the nleoel3-".,0
the Crown to the unhappy woman, and her seutelie6
therefore be commuted to panal servitude for life.
g Writ'
A DEFAULTING TREASURER,—A meet.°P
deft
held at the Clarence Hotel, Manchester, Yes--gr Itoe
at which it was stated that the treasurer to the '-h:Doci
Relief Committee was a defaulter. It appeared tbfitreit,
tendered accounts showing false balances fromthe A-i 014'
1862. One of his statements showed a balance of ;;005
when it suould have been £2,044. On his disaPPeo bad
inquiries were made at doe bank, where he should 10 it yOO
£2,000, but not only as there no balance at all, b¢ talcs
found that he had overdrawn his account, Siffkti hires'
:ions appear to have commenced with the first No'
action, 131113iett
" PENTONVILLE PRISON."—The paragroP 000
appeared under this head yesterday was 101 l place
respects inaccurate. The true account of wrist to Total
is as follows :—A constable, by direction of Sir to
Henry, chief magistrate at.. Bow-street, proceeded oil orogi
inst., to Cardiff, with a warrant to apprehend CoPci 0000
He had ascertained that Mrs Craig had receive 0041
telegrams from a man named Brown, who had 1:)°,110 us til„
ie
at the Angel Hotel at Cardiff. Brown proved
mate of the steamer Argyll, bound for LiverP°°.,Dle 1/.59
had sailed on the 22d of November. The °°°.'sci to slt
since seen Brown, and found that he was inarritsa.,...o4
th
Constance Craig on Saturday last. It was asoer TP
t
Craig had not been at Cardiff. , 011- ~.e,
INSULTING A SWORD.--An affair ar7or;',,Foll:e
singular dispute has just been brought bt!_ant f_ex
court at Berlin, A gentleman and a lietaiir;or otrouej,
army meeting in the street, the stick of I...varty to
De,
by accident the sword of the latter. a:2ogiee, °lto
round, apparently expecting the other to
uriv_ yoacif
•
at lost the civilian remarked,
through the streets with your spit athiickhinegnd7d tbielita.lPri
manner ?" High words followed, w
W` the de c_ut in 0
an 'insult to ki.ll3.dni
cer prosecuting his adversary
the
president of the court severely repro
.deriaff tilaeotal
and the court, °onto. 0,
.4
expression used ; • of his 'l°4 491'
honour by an injurious epitheftoar
as
the possession
accused could not be in
demned him to a fine of 15 thalers (about t'4l
ppliveeddtothheiscivsiwifo;
faculties, admitted extenuating cirest,a,n,,eeor