The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 3, 1864.

THE OPENING } OF PARLIAMENT—The
MODERN AIX R7STITS, ac., in FUN This aleck.
One Penny.

IIER AT ES TY'S THEATRE.
Nights of Pea'forrna nce —Tuyesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdas.
TO-MO ,ROW EVIMDIG, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4.
F AUST (In English).
Lemmens-Sherrir gton, Taccani, and Florence Lancia.
Santley, Mar chest, Dussek, and Sims Reeves.
Co nductor—Sig-nor Arditi.
Commence at Eiz;ht.
Box-office of the Theatre open daily.
Tickets, also, at Messrs. Chappells and Co., 50, New Bond-
street.

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA,
COVENT-GARDEN.
Under the Man afrement of Miss Louisa Pyne and
Mr. W. Harrison.
THIS EVI:NING, BLANCHE DE NEVERS. Miss L.
Fyne, Mr. W.. Harrison, &o.
After which, a Grand Christmas Pantomime, on a scale of
=precedent ed munificence, ntitled
HAIMEQUIN ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
Doers open at half-past Six— :ommenee at Seven.

T"
-1.71tE ROYAL DR U R Y-L AN E.
3lan agers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and
F. B. Chatterton.
THIS EVENING, the Performances will commence with
the New Serlo-Comic Drama, by Edmund Falconer,
Pentitled
.N NIGHT AD MORN. Principal characters by Mr. helps,
supported by Messrs. Ryder, Raynor, Ft zjames, and Misses
Leclercq, Atkinson, and Heath.
To conclude with the new Grand ChristmasSeve Comic
W Panto-
mime of SIN-BAD THE SAILOR ; or, The nWonders
of the World . Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno and C. Lauri ;
B arlequins, ti [essrs. J. Cormack and S. Saville ;ines Pantaloons,
Messrs. WA. Barnes and J. worris ; Columb, Madame
Boleno and Misses Gunniss.
Prices as usual. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole 3lanagement of Mr. Fechter.
BEL DENI.).NIO (a Triumphant Success) will be repeated
Every Evening during the Week.
THIS EVIINING,
performance will commence with-a
,
entitled THE LOST CHILD
New and Original Farce,
Messrs. Vilddicombe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett,
iisses Percy, Pauhne LeJlerci, Wood, Mrs. Lee,
)14reland ;
and Miss E. .Lavenu.
t.er whirl 1, at Eight o'clock, BEL DEMONIO, a Love
Story, in Tv, elve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian
Chronicle 4." by Mr. John Brougham. Principal charac
ter by Mr. F echter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles,
Brougham, Emery, Raymond, 3.loreland, Smith, Clifford,
Collett, Sims ; Miss M. Henrade, Miss E. Lavenu, 1 rs. Lee,
and &Liss Els worthy.
The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is
made to the cccupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either
for play bills or for the safe keepinL;- of hats and cloaks, and
tnat the attimdants in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gratuities whatever.
Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

THEAVRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.-
S o'le Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
T IS KV 'ENING, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN : Messrs.
Sothern, Buckstone, Chippendale, Braid, Gordon, Rogers,
Clark, Culle ntord, &c. ; 3lesdaines Angel, Snowden, Terry,
Lindley, Hi 11, &c.
After whiuh, KING ARTHUR ; or The Days and Knights
of the Roun cl Table. Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, Braid,
Clark, Roge rs, Tilbury, &c. ; Mesdames L. Keeley, Brough,
Wright, Terry, Lindley, Rogers, &c.
Commence at 7.

ROYA:L PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, DONNA DIANA.
After which, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TUCKER;
or The Fiii Lady of Banbury Cross, and the Old Woman
who Lived in a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
snow what to do

NEW THE NTRE-R0 YAL, ADELPHI.—
Sole -Prooriator and Manager. Mr. R. Webster.
THIS EVENING, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS :Mr
J L. Toole,
Nt to Eight, the New Drama of LEAH Miss Bate-
man, supported by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, P,il-
in:,•ton, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne; Miss H. Simms, and
Mrs. Billington.
To conclude with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortnnio
and his Seven Mag,i; Men. Messrs. J. Clarke, It. Phillips,
Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Patti
Josephs, Miss L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.

Commence at 7.

LEAM-EVERY
MISS BATEMAN.

NIGHT,

ILMISS BATEMAN.-LEAH.-THIS EVENING,
the 107th appearance of the great Tragic Actress, Miss
BA TEMAN. in the character of LEAH. In consequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the priuctpa,l character in the new Five Act Drama
of LEAH bas been attended. Mr iirebster begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further
notice.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Crowded with rank and fashion.—The New Comedy of THE
SILVER LINING every Evening.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, sirs. Frank Matthews, and Mr. J.
L. Toole every evening. The following eminent artistes are
engaged :—Mr. Benjamin Webster. Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Paul
Bedford, Mr. Frederic Robinson, Mr. Ashley, and Mr. Chas.
Mathews ; Mrs. Stirling„ Miss Herbert. Mrs. Frank Mat-
thews, Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Went-
worth, and Mrs. Charles Mat!ftews.
THIS b.VENING, and d=intr, the Week, at 7 o'c'ock,
an entirely new Comedy, in a Acts, by Leicester Bucking-
ham, Esq., entitled 'I ME SILVER TANI : Mr. Charles
Mathews, Mr. Frederic Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr, John-
s one. Mr. Montague; Mrs harles Mathews, Mrs. Frank
Matthews, Miss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling.
To be followed by Mr. Charles Mathews just translated
from the Prenchlin his eharaeleristiccharacter of Un Anglais
Tirnide., entitled COOL AS A CUCUMBER.
To conclude with 1863; or, THE SENSATIONS OF
TILE PAST SEASON: Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Paul Bedford,
Mr. A. Cottrell, and Miss Fanny Josephs.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
IVTanager, Mr. W. 11. Swanborourgh.
THLS EVENING, UNLIMITED CONFIDENCE. Mr.
Belford, Mr. Parselle ; Miss Marie Wilton, Miss Thorne.
After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EURYDICE Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &c.
Followed by MARGATE SANDS.
Commence at 7.

TEE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containinz the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
ban be had Every Evening of
G. It. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

COALS.—The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S
COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marqui5'.......268. per ton. Double 2ls. per ton.
Top 25s „ Nuts .............19s. „
Deep 22s.
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W.
Best Cole
Terms cash.
JOIN SCOTT, Sole Agent.

.HIGII WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.--Morning, 9h. 7m.—Afternoon, Oh. 50m.
ro-moßnow.-Morning, 10h. 31m.—Afternoon, 11h. 16m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Feb. 3, 1864.

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-30.15.
Wind—S.W.; moderate, and cloudy.

A 44
•19 t 4
I c a SUIT

LONDOIsT, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3, 1864.

A Danish Victory has auspiciously inaugurated
the War now actually commenced. It is something
to have gained the first advantage. And it is all
the more Propitious when the combatants are
remembered to be two to one ! The one (that is,
Denmark) bem.
-Di thus, at the very earliest
encounter that takes place among the belli-
gere ate, the two (that is, Austria and Prussia)
unitoxl against her it, deadly array as the
assailants. For the war now threatening to
draw all Europe into bloody strife upon the soil of
Schleswig-Holstein as the chosen battle ground—
this miserable and most deplorable war, h should
never be lost sight of, has been perversely commenced
by Germany. Austria and Prussia, let it then be
repeated, are the cggressors. Denmark is now in
arms, opposed to them in an attitude simply
defensive. The Germans, having drawn the
brand, have at their very first assault
been worsted in their hostile designs and
endeavours, The attack, it Will be seen by the
telegrams, took place at ten o'clock yesterday morn-
ing, hen the lien:l-lan troops, having succeeded in
driving back the Danish defenders of Missunde, from
the outposts occupied by them before that stronghold,
determined (rashly as itappears now) upon attacking
Miss unde itself. Rashly, without any doubt of it,
the facts having proved it to be so by the convincing
of the result namely, that, after a six hours' en-
gag ament, the Austro-Prusssians were repulsed—
and this with an insignificant loss to the Danes
(after six hours' fighting, remember I) of one officer
killed and four wounded. Which slaughter (!), in
eff!ct, is nearly upon a par for numerical insignifi-
cance with what has so often before now been re-
corded as the result of prolonged and heavy bombard-
ments in Americo. The first bombarment inaugu-
rating the American war, it may be remembered,

actually reducing the assaulted fortress to a heap of
ruins without shedding one drop of blood among
the garrison. Besides the battle which is known
to have taken place yesterday before Missunde, there
have already been several minor engagements on the
frontier line, as, for example, at Breckendorf.
Whatever else may be said in regard to these
events, the fact is there, that the war has in truth

literally and absolutely commenced. It is not
simply that a line of demarcation has been passed
by the aggressors—it is not merely that the first
shot has been fired, that the first blood has been
drawn, that there has been a preliminary skirmish,
that an ultimatum has been presented and declined,
and that, in consequence, the diplomatic representa-
tives of the opposing Governments have respectively
left the capital to which each h...d been accredited. It
is that the first Battle has been fought and fought
out to a definitive nsult—to the defeat of the
assailants and to the consequent triumph of the
assailed. Not a drawn battle, not even a
doubtful battle, but a battle at the close of
which the attacking troops are shown to have
been repulsed. Remembering that the conflict
is one arising out of the commencement by
Austria and Prussia of a War of Conquest, it is
not for one instant to be imagined that the rest of
the Great Powers of Europe can be expected to look
on at these events with even an appearance of
apathy. England, we know almost for certain,
will be driven into it, if the fight continues. In
which event, will the like occur in regard to
France ? Can France look on with a show even
of phlegmatic indifference ? We do not conceive it
to be possible. But—at the same time--France in
that contingency will choose her own opportunity.
France will not—we may be quite certain of that—
be in any way precipitate. She will, most wisely
and judiciously, as it appears to us, chooselher own
opportunity. And— what is surely not less
wise, not less judicious—she will make the
best of her opportunity. NAPOLEON M.
has reason to bear very vividly in his recol-
lection, has reason to bear rather poignantly, in-
deed, in his remembrance, the singularly offensive
discourtesy with which England rejected his pro-
position of a Congress—a Congress designed to pre-
vent the outbreak of the European war that then
appeared to him very imminent, a War which has
now, in point of fact, actually commenced.

Some curious and important facts have been
elicited during the experimental cruise of the
French ironclads. We are in possession of no
official report, but an interesting account of the
trip has been published in the Revue des Deux
ilondes from the pen of M. XAVIER RAYMOND,
who enters minutely into all the details of the
various experiments and trials between the vessels.
One of the most important results of this cruise is
the fact that the rolling of a vessel is not by any
means increased by the weight of her armour
plating; for, although the subject is still open to
discussion, an important conclusion may be derived
from an experiment made upon the Normandie,
This vessel (which was the first ironcased ship
that crossed the Atlantic), on her return from
Mexico; in 1862, encountered a severe gale of wind
off Madeira, which lasted for upwards of 48 hours,
throughout which she behaved remarkably well.
Bat, with the object of rendering her still steadier,
it seems that the weight of her deck tower was
reduced from 50 tons to 15, and her masts and spars
were shortened in order to lower the centre of
gravity. The unexpected result of this proceeding
was that in the first part of the experimental cruise
she showed herself eo sensible to the motion of the
sea that it was found advisable to raise the centre
of gravity by bringing up 200 tons of cable, guns,
&c., after which her rolling was much diminished.
Although at first sight this may seem extraordinary,
the fact has long since been familiar to merchant
captains and shipowners, and the practice
of stowing copper or other ore on alter-
nate tiers of casks is a practical exemplifi-
cation of the theory. In regard to speed the French
ships acquitted themselves very satisfactorily ;
the Solferino, with her 1,000-horse power engines,
attaining a speed of 14 knots, and the smaller class,
powerful vessels, in proportion. It may be said that
this is a Frenchman's account, and that he possibly
gives rather a couleur de rose to his history of the
performances of his national fleet, but the same may
be inversely said of English writers when describ-
ing French ships. Be this as it may, England
must not stand still or be satisfied with what has
been done, or what the Constructor of the Navy
promises to do. If all that his admirers say of him
be true, or even if he be able to fulfil his undertak-
ings to his own satisfaction, England cannot be too
thankful for his services, but we confess we look
forward with considerable doubt, not to say appre-
hension, at the sweeping innovations being about
to be introduced into our navy. When ironplated
floating batteries were first employed in the attack
upon Kinburn, during the Crimean war, they suc-
cessfully resisted the fire of the Russian guns of
the calibre then in use. These batteries were, how-
ever, only intended to be used against forts, possess-
ing, as they do, neither speed nor sea-going quali-
ties. The Emperor of the FRENCH therefore deter-
mined to cover a frigate with armour-plating ; his
object being to combine invulnerability with all the
requisites of an ocean cruiser. The success of this
experiment disconcerted all the maritime nations.
The introduction of steam into their navies did not
create a greater revolution than did the presence of
this "ship in armour" on the deep. The first idea
was that all ships must in future be plated, and
doubts arose as to whether it would be pos-
sible to attack them with success, but this
superiority was not suffered to exist long unchal-
lenged. Artillerists were aroused BLAKLEY,
WHITWORTH, and ARMSTRONG, were contending
for superiority at home, and engineers of other na-
tions have not been idle. The French, with a com-
paratively light gun, can pierce four and a half inch
plates at the distance of 1,100 yards, and no plating
has yet been produced which cannot be pierced by
the guns constructed by any of our three leading
engineers. With these facts before us, it seems in-
judicious to sacrifice every other requisite condition
of a man of war, for the sake of obtaining a security
at the best only doubtful, Mr. REED has remarked
with great truth that vessels of the size of the War-
rior and Black Prince are too large, end draw too
much water, to be employed either at home or
against the shores of an enemy for coast service,
and that a smaller and handier crass of ships are re-
quired. Ile stated a short time ago to an audience
at Greenwich, that he would construct vessels
swifter, handier, better protected, and in all points
superior to our present ironclads, at a less cost to
the country. The Enterprise is to be launched
early next month ; and although it may not be alto-
gether fair to take such a small 950 tons vessel as a
sample of what his larger designs may realise, still
the plan on which she is plated and armed, and the
slow rate of speed which she is expected to attain,
must create.surprise among all classes conversant
with naval affairs. The Enterprise was originally
intended to carry 17 32-pounders, but Mr. REED
has sub3tituted in their stead four 110. pounders,
and the space occupied by the battery is protected
with four and a half inch plates similar to those
of the Warrior. A thick belt will also be

carried round the entire ship on the water-line ; in
other respects she will be undefended. To enable
a vessel of this class to be lively in a seaway, she
will carry neither bow nor stern chasers. She will

kewibe be rendered more buoyant at the extremi-

ties by the substitution of iron for wood in the con-
struction of those portions of the hull above the
water-line. The weight of propelling machinery
has been reduced some 25 tons from what was de-
signed for her as a 19-gun wooden corvette. Al-
though in her new form the Enterprise will
carry some 200 tons extra weight, her speed is not
therefore expected to exceed some nine knots per
hour. These details are, we believe, to be relied
on ; and, we would ask, of what possible use such
ship can be, unless it be to surprise an enemy in a
fog, for, with her paltry rate of steaming, any sail-
ing clipper would walk away from her with a mo-
derate breeze, and if chased by an enemy of supe-
rior strength, she would not have the advantage of
a long stern•chaser to cripple her antagonist, and
could only bring a gun to bear by deviating from
her course, and thus losing ground every time she
fired. Again, a fast adversary, although less
heavily armed, might steam round her at will, and,
if necessary, close the engagement at pleasure by
steaming away. In fact, she will be unable either
to give chase or to run away. It contending with
a ship mounting guns equal to her own, at close
quarters, her armour-plates could be pierced et
every shot ; if with a lighter and swifter vessel,
her unprotected extremities might be riddled
through and through. Owing to her slow powers
of progression, she would be unable to come to close
quarters. These strictures are no doubt severe, but
they are nevertheless too true. The Research,
which is a Sister ship to the Enterprise, has not
been improved to the same extent, and although

carrying 5 inches of armour-plating steamed round
from Milford to the Thames in a satisfactory manner,
attaining at times a speed of ten knots and a half,
but as times go, this is too slow. Speed and han-
diness are of more consequence to small crafte than
invulnerability. It is impossible to combine every
desideratum, with a small tonnage. Therefore let
our small vessels be provided with a belt of armour,
extending above and below the water line; let all
practicable protection, combined with lightness, be
provided for the ship's company, but let the first

care be for the safety of the ship itself, and the
capture or destruction of the enemy. By reducing
her armament to a very few heavy gnns, an
accident may disable the ship's power of offence, or
defence, most materially; therefore, we believe that
a broadside in proportion to the light tonnage of
the vessel, should be provided, and above all her
engines should be powerful enough to give her a

speed of at least 13 or 14 knots per hour. The
constructor of the navy objects to the use of twin-
screws. But we agree with Admiral SARTORIUS
that the advantages to be derived from their
adoption are most important, and that as the
screw-propeller superseded the paddle, slowly but
surely, so will the twin-screws take the place of
the single one. The advantage of being able to
turn a vessel upon her axis is alone most impor-
tant, even in merchant services, and may often
be the means of saving her, on a lee shore, or
amongst breakers, but to a ship exposed to an
enemy's fire, the benefits are incalculable.

The first annual meeting of the Metropolitan
Association for Promoting the Education of Adults
took place a few evenings since at the house of
the Society of Arts. The value and public benefits
of this association are as yet but imperfectly
developed or understood. That something of the
kind was needed is an acknowledged fact, and
the character of this scheme, and its connection
with the Society of Arts, afford every prospect
of an active and useful career. The early age at
which the children of the lower classes are re-
moved from school, besides their irregular and
uncertain attendance when there, renders it per-
fectly impossible that they should acquire anything
beyond the mere rudiments of knowledge. It is
useless to lament or wonder over this fact—it is
better to accept it as inevitable for practical pur-
poses. It is useless to suppose or to hope that
parents who can scarcely keep the rent paid and
the mouths fed will continue to pay for the school-
ing of a boy who is old enough to earn a few shil-
lings a week, y et 12 or 13 is a very early age to
leave off study for life. It is then that close appli-
cation should begin. It is enough, before that age,
to exercise the memory, to train the mind to habits
of diligence and attention, but the learning before
the teens can, especially in a large school, be little
more than learning by rote. Yet the boy of 12 who
has left his reading, writing, and arithmetic behind
him on the forms of the National School, may be
reluctant or unwilling to remain always ignorant.
Perhaps he is a mechanic, and wishes to understand
the great principles of science which rule the
machinery he works with; perhaps he is anxious
to know a little more about his own country, its
history, its constitution, and its possessions, Or he
may be fitted by. character and tastes for a higher
position, but is debarred from reaching it by his
ignorance of book-keeping, or his imperfect hand-
writing and orthography. A youth of solid tastes
in the lower middle classes may desire
to extend his knowledge of foreign tongues,
dead and living, or he may have
artistic talents which the great expense hitherto
attending such studies debars him from exercising.
Many chances have been lost, many tempers soured,
many driven to Nice and dissipation through sheer
idleness and lack of interest. To these and many
more a helping hand is now stretched out. By es-
tablishing evening schools, which the busiest can
attend, the means of education are now placed
within reach of all classes. According to the sta-
tistics published the other evening, the association
we have spoken of have within a short time brought
no less than forty educational institutions into the
Union with them, They have 230 candidates com-
ing forward for examination, and a still larger
number is anticipated for next year. Seeing that
the committee of management was only constituted
in December, 1862, these results of their labours are
extremely gratifying, Part of their efforts have
been directed to the establishment of working men's
clubs, police instruction classes, and other associas
tions of the sort. The institutions now in connec-
tion with the society extend to all parts of the
kingdom, and all respectable institutions which
promote the education of adults are free to enter the
Union on liberal terms. The examinations and
consequent prizes offer a great encouragement to
the young student whose hours of application are
most probably snatched from his brief time of
leisure. It spurt each on to sustained exertion, and
makes him feel as if some interest were taken in his
individual progress. Such au association paves the
the way for the enjoyment and appreciation of
mechanics' institutes, working men's clubs, &c.,
which wi.l hold out a powerful attraction to the
man who has cultivated his faculties, while the un-
lettered man, who can hardly understand what he
hears, and does not care for reading, which is an
effort and a task to him, finds no fascination so
powerful as the public-house. It is satisfactory to
find in the statement of affairs that the accounts
of the society are very fairly balanced, and
that, consequently, it will act be crippled by
debt, like so many other excellent under.

takings. An interesting feature of this Irish
annual meeting was the announcement of the Prince
of WALES as patron. The services rendered to the
country by the countenance afforded to art, science'
and education during the present reign are very
great, and the beneficial results of the extension
of knowledge and refinement is everywhere felt.
One of the strongest claims of the late lamented
PRINCE CONSORT to the recognition of posterity
is, that he gave every encouragement in his power
to the cause of knowledge. It was always his
desire to see it unrestricted by class or occupa-
tion—diffused throughout all grades, all profes-
sions, all ages. Such an institution as this would
have received his warmest help, and it is grati-
fying to see the young heir apparent beginning
to tread in his father's steps. He has been well
qualified by education to appreciate the blessings
of knowledge, and his travels must have taught
him to compare the condition of his own country
with those he visited. It will be a great advan-

tage to the eager inquiring young generation
now growing up, if the PRINCE will put himself
at the head of a movement which has so unques-

tionably the general good for its aim. It has
been said by the poet, that a little learning is a
dangerous thing, and the truth of the aphorism
has been much applauded, but it would have been
truer to have said, that ignorance is still more peril-
ous. If it be unsafe to walk in uncertain light,
it is surely worse to grope on in total darkness.
The mists of superstition, prejudice, intolerance,
and error, can only be gradually cleared away by
the advancing light of intelligence and knowledge,
and every such effort as the present hastens on the
better day, and deserves the support and sympathy
of all who would further the true interests of the
people.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREUTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

THE WAR IN DENMARK,
DETAILS OF THE BATTLE.
PRUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS,
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia employed
74 guns in the attack upon Missunde yesterday.
His Royal Highness was convinced that the
Danes will oppose serious resistance to the Austrian
and Prussian advance.
There were nearly 100 killed and wounded in
yesterday's engagement. The troops behaved
with great valour.
The 'vanguard and the 11th Infantry brigade
were under fire.
Missunde was in flames.
COPENHAGEN, FEB. 2, 11 P.M.
According to reliable information a severe en-
gagement between the Danish and German troops
has taken place near Missunde to-day, and minor
engagements near Brackendorf.
A thaw has set in.

FEB. 2, 11.41 rem.
The following despatch has been received here

this evening :

SCHLESWIG, Feb. 2, 8.30 P.M.
The German attack upo❑ Missunde commenced at
10 a.m. and lasted until 4 p.m. to-day.
Notwithstanding repeated assaults, all the works
remained in possession of the Danish troops.
One regiment and a half of the Danish infantry
were engaged.

The engagement between the outposts which took
place near Breckendorf was unimportant.
KIEL, FEB. 2, 9.15 F.M.
A severe engagement, lasting three hours, took
place this afternoon near Missunde, on the Schlei.
Troops of all arms were engaged, more especially
artillery.
The Danes were repulsed at the tete.deTont.
RENDSBURG, FEB. 3.

The Danish prisoners taken in the attack upon
Missunde were brought in here yesterday after-

noon.

Schmerling will speak to-morrow, with the view
of obliterating as much as possible the great im-
pression produced on the public mind by the argu-
ments of the Opposition, but it is very doubtful
whether they will succeed in dissipating the grow-
ing uneasiness.

Attention should be drawn to a statement of one
of the beet informed Opposition speakers, warning
the house that the Government would demand
another supplementary credit, alleging the neces-
sity of increasing the force in Venetia and upon the
Gallician frontier.