The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 13, 1864.

BBRIGHTON and BACK for 3..—0 n WHIT-
SUNDAY. WHIT-MONDAY, and WHIT-TUESDAY,
from London-bridge, Victoria, and Kensington at 9.0 a.m.
Children under 12 years of age half fare. No luggage al-
lowed.

ASTINGS and BACK for 3s. 6d., by
BRIGHTON RAILWAY, from Victoria at 8.5, and
Loudon-bridge at 8.10 a.m. on WHIT-SUNDAY ; and from
Victoria at 8.35, and London-bridge at 8.40 a.m. on WHIT-
MONDAY. Children under 12 years of age half fare. No
luggage allowed.

HI T-S UN D A Y.—PORTSMOUTH and
BACK for 2s. 6d. from London-bridge and Victoria
at 8.0 a.m. The Trains call at East Croydon, Arundel, Little-
h m;iton, Wood ate, Chichester, and Havant. Children
under 12 years of age half fare. No iu _ gage allowed.

14-NURNITURE, CARPETS, B EDDING, and
FLOORCLOTEL CARRIAGE-FREE to any house in
the kingdom, regardless of amount or distance. First. class
goods at second-class prices. Terms peculiarly liberal to
Clergymen and Gentlemen. An immense stock to select
from, displayed in Showrcoms occupying an acre of ground.
Every article warranted.
CLERGYMEN and GENTLEMEN ABOUT TO FUR-
NISH are respectfully informed that Messrs. Cobbett and
C .. are publishingg an entirely New Edition of their un-
equalled HOUSE FURNISHING GUIDE, illustrated by4lo
admi-able engravings of every description of Furniture and
iseasteads, with prices attached. A copy sent giatis and
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complete estimates for furnishing on the following revised
tale :

A Six-roomed Parsonage £74 3 0
An Eight-roomed ditto
A Ten-roomed ditto ........
A Twelve-roomed ditto
Together with a Price List of purified Bedding, and a mass
of valnable informationto all requiring househ)ld furniture,
carpets, or bedding. References kindly permitted to Clergy-
men and gentlemen in or near Great Malvern, Southampton,
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Wells, Oxford, Brighton, "Gainsborouzh, Margate. Kidder-
minster, Wellington, Croydon, Cambridge, Staines, Dorking,
St. Alban's, Worcester, Ipswich, Peterborough, St. David's,
Wrexham, and above 500 other places in all parts of Great
Brit n.

COBIIETT and CO., General House Furnishers, Deptford•
bridge, London, S.E.

BONNET'S SILKS a LYON.—Every Article of
commerce takes its title eiter frothe inventor or
manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the
greater is the credit which attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica-
ion in England ; but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex-
°sal by the very trade mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street.
The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end
each piece :—" Manufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., it Lyon
Injurieux." Wear guaranteed.

TO PERSONS SEEKING LANDED
EET ATES, TWN AND COUNTRY RESIDENCES,
FREEHOLD AND O
LEASEHOLD INVESTMENTS, AND
PROPERTIES GENERALLY—
To BE HAD GRATIS, at the principal Railway Bookstalls
throughout the kingdom, or at the Auction and Estate Offices,
No. 67, Chancery-lane,, London, Messrs. E. and H. Lumley's
"FREE PROPERTY REGISTER," containing a varied selection
of landed and house properties now in the market, from
the nobleman's mansion, with its manorial domain, to the
cottage with its few acres.
OWNERS OF PROPERTIES wishing to Sell or Let can em-
brace the opportunity that the medium of this Resister
Words, by sending the particulars of their properties to the
Estate Offices, 67, Chancery-lane, London, as the Messrs.
Lumley can in most cases introduce immediate customers,
where the property is of an eligible Ohara ter, thereby avoid-
ing the disadvantages of delay and its attendant incon-
veniences.

THERE IS NO CHARGE incurred, unless a tenant or pur-
chaser is introduced through Messrs. Lumley's Agency,
and then only the usual moderate commission.
Auction and Land Offices, 67, Chancery-lane, London.

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, Gray's-inn-road,
in the immediate vicinity of the Great Northern Rail-
way Terminus, Ring's-cross.

Patron—Her Most Gracious Majesty the QUEEN.
Vico-Patron—His Royal Highness the Prince of WALE ,F,K.G
President—His Grace the Duke of BUCCLEUCH, K.G.
Treasurer—Edward Masterman, Esq.
The numerous and urgent appeals of the sick poor for ad-
mission compel the Committee to entreat the bounty of the
affluent and humane, as the medical officers are daily obliged
to treat as out-patients many distressing cases which. with
more adequate funds, they would gladly admit into the wards.
The premises of the Hospital are capable of containing 500
beds.

The Hospital is not endowed, but is wholly dependent on
voluntary contributions and legacies, which are received by
the Treasurer, Edward Masterman, Esq., Nicholas-lane; also
by Messrs. Coutts and Co. ; Drummond and Co. ; Herries and
Co. ; Ransom and Co. ; Prescott, Grote, and Co.; Smith,
Payne, and Co. ; Glyn and Co. ; Jones Loyd and Co. ; Barclay
and Co. ; Denison and Co. ; W dliams, Deacon, and Co. ;
Overend, Gurney, and Co. ; Nisbet and Co., Berners-street ;
Masterman and Co. ; T. Maned and Co., Liverpool ; and at
the Hospital, from 10 till 5.
STANFORD S. SMITH Secretary.

BED .ROOM CANDLES.
TRICE'S CANDLES, which will not drop
when carried."—Thin, ver candles,
sold in boxeserease is. and 3s. each, are recomrdeny dei hard
as the best
carriers.

ENTRA. HARD 5.12 CHAMBER CANDLES,"
sold in boxes 2s. each. Thicker candles intended for those
who will not burn thin.

" SHERWOOD ECONOMIC BED LIGHTS,"
in packets of 36 candles for one shilling, intended for use
where cheapness iq a great object, will be found an improve-
ment on the ordinary candles, as they gutter less.
Seecial candle ticks to fit thin candies,ls. and 2s. 6d. each t redueing sockets, making them fit any candlesticks, 2d, each.
TOILET SOAPS,,
Sherwood Brown Windsor Soap, wall a pleasant scent.
Belmont Glycerine Soap, colltaltis ?rice's Glycerine.
Camphor and Glycerine Soap, fo tender skins in winter.
GLYCERINE.
" Price's Glycerine" SHEBWOODOLE :
had from any Che.iitat4 in grease and other stains.
caosuled bott I be Cleans gloves and removes
lettered Perfumed, in capsuled bot-
Pric3's PB.tent,'" from 6d. ties, 6d. and is. each.
. Impure Glycerine
sold In the state-
, Prices."
IPhupaievnac teshil. at it is "equal to

Retail througci any Grocer.
Wholesale by Price a Patent Caudle Company (Limited
London.

The Duke de PersignY on Peace,

A few days since the Duke de Persigny delivered
a speech to the local assembly of Roanne, which has
been published prominently in the Moniteur as of
political interest. He commenced by characterising
agriculture as the most noble of all industries, and
the agricultural classes as the surest supports of the
greatness and riches of nations, drawing attention
to the greatness of England as eo much based upon
this principle. He contrasted the political feelings
of the constituencies in the cities and in the agri-
cultural districts. "In one word, in the provinces
and in the country; public opinion, be it Liberal or
Conservative, is really
the expression and result of
the ideas and Sentiments of all society—that is to
say, of all classes. It is, then, evidently, the most
enlightened opinion. In the great centres of popu-
lation, as there is always that deplorable principle
of the antagonism of classes, that eternal malady of
great cities, which takes the place of the interests of
the country and falsifies its aspirations, it often
happens that the most enlightened part of the popu-
lation is dominated by that which is the most petty."
Referring to the firm establishment of the Empire,
and its superiority to the attacks of party spirit, he
spoke of the union of ell the parties from which the
Empire sprang ; for each section might best find in
the Imperial power " the chief satisfaction of its
opinions—the one monarchical unity; another a wise
liberty; and a third democracy. For this great
fusion of old opinions in this newly formed mould,
time was and is still necessary." Speaking then of the
late effort made by the Opposition to win over the
constituencies, he eulogised the representatives of the
agricultural interests as those who would stand firm
by the Government which they had founded, and they
could judge that it had kept its promises to them.
" Order established as it had never before been, the
public fortune nearly doubled, immense works
carried out even during war, and unheard of pros-
perity at home, marching side by side with glory
abroad--this was the history of the 12 years of the
reign. And, nevertheless, gentlemen,
beyond this,
and those great things which the empire has done
at home, it is certain that its principal preoccupa-
tion has been to re-establish abroad the indepen-
dence of France, to restore to her liberty of action,
in the world, to free her from those menaces of co-
alition which, since 1815, have ceaselessly weighed
upon her. History will tell by what prodigies of
ability, courage, and moderation these great objects
have been attained. And now that this part of the
mission of the empire is finished, and its military
w that, gloriously part in. Europe closed—no
re-
catered into the comity of nations, France has no
other interests than the common interest of Europe
herself—it is evidently an era of peace which com-
mences for her." But he asks, " How can the em-
pire accomplish this peace ?" and, repudiating the
example of those Governments of expediency which
condemn their country to immobility, he proceeded,
" No, a Government which is called Napoleon is not
constituted for this precarious life. The conditions
of its existence are for it the greatness, the prospe-
rity, the glory of France. But what glory is greater
than to shed the benefits of civilisation to the mil-
lions of Frenchmen who do not yet enjoy them ; to
follow up without flagging the work, so generously
undertaken, of the moral and material amelioration

of the popular classes; to make healthy unhealthy
districts, to irrigate the plains, to plant with trees
the hills; and, above all, not only to complete our
network of railways, but to finish the neighbouring
roads ? Gentlemen, you know that the ways of
communication are to a country what arteries ere

.n a body—if there be parts of the body which, by
he vessels being obstructed, no more receive and

retain the blood, a paralysis or a stoppage of life
supervenes. Millions of habitations, by the
want of roads or their bad state, still have only an

mperfect communication with the centres of civi•

isation, with the regions of production and of con

sumption. The value of produce weighed down by
the costs of transit cannot remunerate the labour.

Regions deprived of the ways of communication are
condemned to misery, and a mass of riches is lost to
the country."
After pointing out the advances
which have already been made by the Emperor
towards remedying the etils thus set forth, and the
power and means which he possesses to carry on
the great work, the Duke de Persigny says-4, The
application of his system has commenced in Paris;
the same thing has been done at Lyons and in other
cit;e3, and everywhere with analogous results. The
Empire is not limited to give
its attention only to
the great cities." The speech concludes with anam
eulogy on the prosperity of Y,
the Ealarinidrei.
Dte identi-
fication with the principles of

lefeat --
f Dahomey,

4.
The West African mail brought an account of
the defeat of the King of Dahomey in his attack on
the town of Abbeokuta, a summary of which we
published yesterday. We find the following account
of the battle in an Abbeokuta journal which has
come to hand :

" It was on
the 16th inst. when before six o'clock
in the morning
ttpahhdl aaevynaeenntdeheetmehdyeEigre obauaaslgds
signal informing the inhabitanai of Abbeokuta of
the cannon at Aro gate fired a
was dull and foggy,
the apprach of the Dahomian army. The weather
Aro taking refreshment before commencing their
but the enemy could be seen at
horrible work. Two more signals in quick suc-
cession told the excited population that the enemy
was approaching, Thousands of warriors were
ready at the Walls to give the Dahomians a warm
reception, whilst thousands more ran to the walls
Ever,' preparation had been made for the defence of
to have their share in the defeat of the enemy.
the town, The Bashorun
during the last few weeks sent otit his spies who
(commander-in.ohief) had
way told him also that the Dahomians would surely 1
merit of the enemy ; a runa-
way
but it was disbelieved by many.
He had provided each township with plenty of am.
munition, of which there was no lack, although
afotutancdgoAtitbbtheoekenutcaa,
no powder was allowed to be exported from Lagos 1
months Past. The enemy had two field-
were placed in position and began to
many
Yhich
only one ball reached
to within about 60 yards, suddenly dis-
on J
wpfpoiliraetcyhme'osabitatdoing any injury. A column of about 3,000
extended their lines, and advanced
towards the wall. The wall being high
not see the defenders of Abbeokuta
behind it, and they felt almost sure the town would
poured suddenly such a tremendous
muskets into the close
a short time in
of
had they approached the trench within a few yards
he in
that the progress of the latter
lines of the enemy
was at once arrested. It was nearly seven o'clock
when the battle commenced. The attacking column
volley from thou
numbered many Amazons, who fought most des-
perately. A sharp fire was kept up on both sides
for nearly an hour. In two places the enemy toiled
to
scale the Walls with a determination which would
have done credit to the best of European troops.
Some of the Amazons climbed up, but as eoon as
they reached the top of the Wall with their hands,
the Egbas dragged them over and killed them
instantly ; one of these ferocious women had already
had one of her hands cat off in endeavouring to get
over the wall when she discharged her musket with
the other hand and killed an Egba ; but at the
moment she received a severe cut with the sword,
so that she fell back into the trench. Only three
or four townships, Ijeun, liemta, Itoku and Oba
were engaged in the battle ; the others kept to their
posts, as it had been reported that. the enemy would
attack their different places.. This fierce struggle
lasted about an hour, when the enemy retired a
short distance, being unable to stand the fire of the
Egbas any longer. Already 70 Dahomians lay in
the trench, and as many ori the battle field before it,

" The wounded were numerous, and were re-
moyed by the enemy ; but many of them afterwards
died. The work of destruction am ong the Daho-
mians during this hoar was frightiful ; the Egbas

had only two or three dead and about a dozen
wounded. The battle was by this time pretty well
decided, and Abbeokuta saved. As soon as the
enemy retired from the walls the Egbas rushed out
and renewed the battle in the open field. The
Egbas fought nobly ; they knew what they were
fighting for. All depended on this day ; if de-
teated, they have no friends near. They fought
for their homes, their wives and children, their
country, their liberty, and their lives. For many
years past the Dahomians had carried destruction
and slaughter into the Egba territory—they came
❑ow to make an end.to the Egba tribe. The Egbas
were exasperated, and each wanted to do his duty
on this day. The men fought in good order,
though they had only a few leadere ; the women
were singing and dancing, being sure of victory.
They carried plenty of water and agidis to the
camp to refresh the fighting men. Many of them
armed themselves with swords, and kept near the
walls in case their assistance should be required.
" A sharp fire was kept up for about two hours
near Aro, the enemy gradually retreating and
leaving great numbers of dead behind them. They
retired t.wards Ibera, which town they had de-
stroyed last year; and they were attacked in the
flank by another party of Egbas and lost many of
their carriers, one of their cannon, and several
hundreds of muskets, many of which were quite
new. Some miles beyond Ibara they had their
encampment, which was evacuated ; here the pur-
suing Egbas captured the King's horse, and many
other things belonging to him. Great numbers of
prisoners, men and women, were taken all along the
road ; and in this encampment the second cannon
was captured. Beyond Ishagga, a town which they
destroyed two years ago (also on March 15), the
Dahomians stood once more to check the Egbas in
pursuing them. A severe encounter took place, in
which several Egbas were killed and wounded; but
the Dahomians had heavier losses, and were driven
from the place, Egbas still pursuing closely, killing
and catching many of them. It appears that the
Dahomians had never before experienced such a
total defeat. It is difficult to give the exact number
of dead and of prisoners. From Abbeokuta to
Ishagga, a distance of about 15 miles, above 1,000
dead were counted, whilst beyovd that place it is
said that the number of dead was still greater. The
prisoners cannot be fewer than 1,000 or 1,200—
some say above 2,000.

" The Dahomians were probably above 10,000,
but one captive states that their number was
16,000. Thus the Lord has frustrated the diabolic
plan of the Dahomians to capture Abbeokuta, and
many of the heathen recognise the hand of God in
this complete defeat of their enemies. The people
rejoice greatly, and congratulate each other on their
escape. The Lord God of Hosts said—' Hitherto
shalt thou come, but no farther; and here shall thy
proud waves be stayed."