The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-23 00:00:00

EVENING, MARCH 23, 1852.

ITALY.

In its sitting of the 17th, the Piedmontese Se-
nate received the royal answer to the address,
couched in the usual terms. The Bill for the
completion of the fortifications of Casale was then
brought up from the other Chamber, with several
other Bills. The Senate also heard the report on
the Bill for the levy of 200 sailors, but the discussion
was adjourned at the request of the Minister of
Finance, who expressed a wish to make an addition
to it.

By a decree of the 13th, the Grand Duke of
TUSCANY has imposed certain restrictions upon the
publication of matters not relating to politics. Who-
ever wishes to undertake the publication of a pe-
riodical appearing more than once a month, and
treating of non-political subjects, must obtain the
authorisation of the prefect of his circumscription.
The prefect may suspend the periodical for any
article considered offensive to religion, morality. the
authorities, or the community, or dangerous to the
peace of the state. The suspension is not to last more
than a month, but the authorisation may be with-
drawn after two suspensions. An appeal lies to the
Minister of the Interior against the decision of the
prefect: The existing general laws on the press are
maintained in force.

FRENCH PLAYS.— ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Her
Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert,
attended by the Countess of Mount-Edgcumbe, the Hon.
Miss Macdonald, the Earl of Morton, General Buckley, and
the Hon. Colonel Bonverie, honoured the French plays with
their presence last evening. There were also present the
Russian Ambassador and the Baroness Brunnow, the Turkish
Ambassador and suite, the French Ambassador and the
Countess Walewski, the Sardinian Minister, the Viscountess
d'Alte, the Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Countess Flahault,
the Earl and Countess of Shelburne, the Countess of Glen-
gall, Viscountess Palmerston, Lord Canning, Lord Cotten-
ham, the Ladies Pepys, the Countess of Shaftesbury, Lord
Torrington, the Earl and Countess of Portarlington, Hon.
Mrs. Villiers, Hon. Miss Blackett, Colonel F. Biddulph, Sir
W. Fraser, Hon. F. Charteris, Captain Lyon, Mr. Agar
Ellis, Mr. S. Leger Glynn, Mrs Packe Reading, Hon.
James Macdonald, &c.

THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—The grand historical
play of Ring John, and the favourite melodrame of Paulin",
were performed last night to a crowded house by Mr. and
Mrs. Kean, and the perfect staff of this fashionable theatre,
with characteristic credit and good taste.
PRINCE'S THEATRE ROT-AL.—The Prince's this
week has been nightly crowded to the door, and deservedly
so, considering the peculiar attractions which it presents.
The American Liston, Joseph Silsbee. has been convulsing
the house with his broad humour and irresistible Jona-
thanisms ; and although the applause throughout the per-
formances is almost incessant, he has been nightly called be-
fore the curtain to receive further proofs of the gratification
of the audience. The other star is Mr. B. Barnett, whose
performance of Mons. Jacques is one of the finest exhibitions
of senile enthusiasm we have witnessed for a long time. Of
the other characters in the pieces which are taking the lead
at present we must specially notice the admirable support
given by Mrs. Archbold, and Messrs. Marshall and Fisher.
Mr. Silsbee took his benefit last night, when we are glad to
say he had a splendid house. From the advertisement in
another column, it will be seen that Mr. Barnett takes his
benefit on Monday night, when we trust he will meet with
equal success.—Glasgow Sentinel of March 20.

PRINTERS' PENSION SOCIETY.--The anniversary
festival in aid of the funds of this excellent institution, has
been fixed to take place on Thursday next, the 25th inst.,
at the London Tavern, under the presidency of Mr. Douglas
Jerrold, who will be supported by the Sheriffs of London
and Middlesex, and an influential party of literary ce-
lebrities.

Many of the sightseers who visit the New Houses
of Parliament ought to be informed that the orders issued by
the Lord Great Chamberlain now admit, not only to the
House of Peers, but to the Central-hall, St. Stephen's-hall,
Westminster-hall, the Royal Gallery, the Victoria Tower,
and the Royal Staircase.
PROPERTY Q,UALIFICATION BILL.—The Bill to
abolish the property qualification for Members of Parliament
has been printed. It contains only one clause, which repeals
the former Acts, or parts of Acts, relating to this point, pro-
viding also that by so doing it shall not be construed to
revive any former Acts repealed by the above Acts or parts
of Acts.

SERIOUS HOUSE ROBBERY, WITH VIOLENCE—An
occurrence took place on Saturday evening, near Bootle,
about four miles from Liverpool, which has caused con-
siderable consternation in the neighbourhood. About eight
o'clock a number of ruffians, with their faces blacked, and
armed with bludgeons, made a forcible entry into the house
of Mr. Whalley, a respectable farmer, residing at Ford, near
Litherland. The depredators used considerable violence
towards the inmates, whom they secured, threatening to
resort to still greater brutality if they attempted to create
the least alarm. They then ransacked the house, breaking
open cupboards, drawers, and boxes. From a drawer in one
of the upper rooms they took three hundred sovereigns,
which theysucceeded in carrying off, as well as a blunderbuss,
double-barrelled gun, and other articles. While the marau-
ders were thus effectually performing their work of spoilation
several of their associates remained on the watch outside the
house. For the present, from obvious reasons, we refrain
from giving more detailed information.—Liverpool Albion.

THE UNITED STATES EXPEDITION AGAINST JAPAN.
—Much activity, says a New York paper, now prevails in
some of the departments of the United States Navy-yard at
this place in preparing the brig Perry and store-ship Supply
for this expedition. Workmen are employed until near mid-
night upon both of these vessels, as also upon the outfit of
the steam-frigate Mississippi. This last-named vessel is
now at Philadelphia, having her machinery thoroughly
overhauled and repaired ; all her other work is to be done
here. She is intended for the flag-ship of Commodore Perry.
In addition to the usual complement of small arms, she will
be provided with 120 stands of muskets, and the same num-
ber each of pistols, cutlasses, &c. ; she will take an equal
number extra for the steam frigate Susquehanna, now in
those seas, and which is to form one of the squadron. The
Mississippi will also take with her a park of twelve 24-pound
howitzers. As all dispatch is ordered to be used in making
these preparations, it is expected that the expedition will
soon be ready for sailing.
HUNTING GROUNDS.—We were but now most
find that, amidst the all-absorbing
tomortar which have turned the pleasant
fields
road, Paddington, into a busy
town,
owa agreeably
rnc hof
the bricksusnparound
t tuponsurpriseddH a
r r
which
we with hundreds of other young-
sters had learned to ride, was held sacred, and likely, from
circumstances, to continue so. Here more than ten acres of
meadow land are occupied by a perfect set of riding schools
and hunting grounds. Although in a bleak easterly wind, a
aristocratic lady equestrians were
enjoying,
greatest possible delight, the animated
ecretrecgieseo;fawnsiodtmhhe w
listening ninengtto the instructions of the menage from
Mrs. Blackman, an elegant and accomplished horsewoman.
Ere we closed our hurried visit we entered one of the covered
schools, the centre of which formed a garden of evergreens.
The flooring is elastic, the sides cushioned, and all around
impressed us with a notion that Mr. Blackman was actively
solicitous for the comfort and safety of his patrons.
Observer.

TRIAL TRIP OF THE GREAT BRITAIN.—As the
process of resuscitating this noble steam-ship approached
completion, thousands of anxious and hopeful admirers kept
crowding the dock wherein she lay, to gaze upon her sym-
metrical proportions and mark the change for the better
made upon her. On Friday many had the pleasure of seeing
smoke issuing once more from her funnels, and her screw in
motion. On that
.day the screw was worked with reduced
power in the Wellington dock; and yesterday they were
gratified by seeing her once more in the Mersey—but how
different from her return from Dundrum Bay ! The Great
Britain went out of dock in good style, and immediately
turned her head seaward, and sped on her way at a rapid
rate, on her trial trips towards Cape Clear. A telegraphic
message three hours after her departure reported her speed
at fifteen miles an hour. Her departure for New York is
fixed for the Ist of May, by which time accommodation will
be ready for nearly 400 first and second-class passengers.
DEATH OF MAJOR•GENERAL SIR HENRY WHEAT-
LEY, BART.—This gentleman died on the 21st instant, at
his apartments in St. James's Palace, in the 74th you of
his age. The deceased filled the office of Keeper of the
Privy Purse to William the Fourth, also to Queen Victoria.
On retirement in 1847, he was created a Baronet. He also
for some time acted as Receiver-General of the Duchy of
Cornwall. The deceased entered the Ist Foot Guards in
1795, and served under the Duke of York in Holland, in
1798. During the campaign
he was wounded in the neck.
He acted as Sir Henry harrard during the siege of Holland,
in 1807. He took part in the battle of Vimeira. In 1810
he accompanied the Guards to Cadiz, subsequently he was
engaged with the
corps at Barrossa. The deceased occupied
apartments at St. James's and at Hampton Court Palace.
In 1834 he received the order of G.C.H. In 1847 a Ba-
ronetcy.

PORTUGAL. STREET BURIAL GROUND.--On Saturday
men :were actively engaged in placing boards round the
burial-ground in Portugal-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, in
order that the bodies in it may be disinterred without public
observation. It is well known that the place has been
a poet to the neighbourhood for years, and every one will
be glad to know that it will soon cease to exist, although
interments have not taken place in it for some time.
The ground has been purchased by the Council of King's
College, for an additional wing to the hospital, and the
beadle's house standing in it will also be pulled down.
Under the Act of Parliament, by which the purchase from
the parish of St. Clement Danes was confirmed, the College
is bound to re-inter all the coffins taken up, in a proper
manner, in
one of the metropolitan cemeteries, but when
relatives desire to effect the re-interment themselves, they
are allowed to do it, at an expense not exoeeding 10/. ;but
a very erroneous notion :prevails in the parish that friends
of the deceased person can claim the 10/. of the College, and
bury at what expense they please. This is not so, for the
Act only gives power to individuals to re-inter then:deceased
friends in what place they may think fit, and the College is
to be at the expense, but it is not to exceed 10/. In this
somewhat celebrated graveyard are the remains of the me-
morable and facetious Peter Pindar (Dr. Walcot), and a
humble tombstone is placed over the grave, but the inscrip-
tion is almost obliterated. For the purposes of the improve-
ments at the hospital, a great part of the houses in Cle -
down,
which and the adjacent courts will be taken
which will remove from; the parish some of the filthiest
places in it, and which, in a sanitary view, ought long since
o have been taken down.
-- --

CITY ORTROPMDIC HOSPITAL, HATTON-GARDEN.
—On Saturday afternoon Mr. E. J. Chance, the senior sur-
geon of the above institution, gave the second of a series of
lectures on the various deformities to which the human
frame is liable in childhood—and in concluding, introduced
a most interesting -looking female child, of very tender age,
whose malformation was that of having a species of hands
in the place of feet, the toes, or in reality fingers (of which
there were six upon each limb) turning downwards toward
the heel. Such a complicated case has probably never be-
fore occurred in all the many and varied freaks of nature.
The board-room was crowded with medical gentlemen and
students, and the subject appeared to excite the most lively
interest,