The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-03 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 3, 1864.

Railway and Public Companies in Par-
liament.

Yesterday, in the committee on the new Metro-
politan railways, the opposition of the London and
Brighton Company to the proposed new Battersea
lines of the London and South Western was pro-
ceeded with, and evidence adduced. The come
mittee will take the clauses of the Metropolitan
Railway Company's additional powers bill and
those of the Midland Railway Company's St. Pan-
cras branch bill this day into consideration. The
committee on the East Norfolk Railway passed
that company's bill, and that of the Great Eastern
Railway for an extension of seven miles for a line
in junction with the company's Loughton line to
point in Epping forest, near Fairmead House,
south of Highbeech-green, and for raising £120,000
as new ordinary or preference capital and £40,000
by mortgage; The next case heard was that of
the Royston and Hitchin Railway, to empower
the Great Northern, who are owners of it, to make
divers branch lines in the district, to raise £160,000
as new ordinary or 41 per cent. preference capital,
and £53,000 by mortgage. Traffic and engineer-
ing
evidence oecupied the committee on the Bristol
Central Railway and stations, Great Northern
(Lincoln to Bourn), Lancashire and Yorkshire
(Blackburn lines), Wrexham, Mold, and Connell's
Quay. The case for the Dublin Grand Junction
Railway, by which it is proposed to complete the
railway system of the Irish capital, to raise £350,000
and £116,000 by loan, was opened and evidence
taken. The line will cross the Liffey above King's-
bridge, by a viaduct of one span of 170 feet and
40 feet high. The bill for the Dumfriesshire and
Cumberland Solway Junction Railway also went
into committee, the object, as stated by counsel,
being to construct a line of 20 miles from a junc-
tion with the Caledonian Railway to Seafield, thence
across the Solway Firth by the west of Bowness
to Kirkbridge, and to a junction with the lilary-
port and Carlisle, at an estimated cost of £320,000
and £lO,OOO loan. The bill for the Albert-bridge
and approaches over the Thames, between Chelsea
and Fulham, the South Yorkshire Railway, Newry
and Armagh Railway, Wandsworth and Fulham
Bridge, Salisbury Gas, and Liverpool Exchange
were passed in Lord Redesdale's committee.

The Shakspere Tercentenary Festival.

STRATFORD-ON-AVON, Monday Evening.
Although the festival proper expired gloriously at half-
past 5 on Saturday morning with "God save the Queen,"
vigorously played, and " Three cheers for the Mayor,"
lustily shouted in the pavilion, Mr Coote's band having
compensated by its spirited pet formance of the dance music
for the very indifferent manner in which it had filled up the
theatrical interval on Friday, I felt myself bound to wait
for the pageant which, according to innumerable placards,
was to pass through the streets of Stratford this morning.
On firmer occasions the pageant was looked upon as
the essential part of the festival, and it had in the
eyes of the populace this distinctive advantage over all
other entertainments, that it could be seen for nothing.
Garrick's pageant, as I have already recorded, was obliged
by stress of weather to avoid Stratford, and cross the boards
of Drury Lane Theatre instead ; but at all events it was
intended, and a goad intention is one grade above absolute
nonentity. The procession of 1827, which seems to have
been very good, I have already described, and that of 1830,
if inferior in quality, was similar in principle--that is to
say, St. George held a foremost place, and Melpomene and
Thalia rode in cars, each followed by a train of the most
noted Shaksperian characters.

As far as I can ascertain, and my conversations on the
subject have not been unfrequent, the pageant of 1830 did
not leave a very favourable impression OR the minds of the
local aristocracy. It seems to have been figuratively, if
not literally, a Brummagem affair. Still, it is affection-
ately remembered by the populace, who have been forward
in expressing their disappointment that something of the
kind was not projected by the present committee. Slighted
by the "swells," and nobly asserting their independence,
they resolved to have a "pageant" of their own, with the
assistance of Mr. Ginnett, the proprietor of an itinerant
circus, who was ready to supply any number of bipeds
and quadrupeds that might be required for that great occa-
sion.

The committee, equally resolute, were determined that
the pageant should not take place on any of the days of the
festival proper, shrewdly surmising, that it would not
greatly increase the grandeur of their ceremony. Passing
through the streets this morning it conciliated the contend-
ing parties.

I give the printed programme of this supplementary
solemnity :

Two Heralds, with trumpets, on horseback.
Boy with Union The Royal Standard of Boy with I.Tinon
Jack. England (borne by Jack.
two men).
Bellman.
Flag.
Boy with Flatr. The Band of the Boy with Flag
Stratford-upon-Avon Rifle Corps.
Banner of the Arms of Stratford-upon• Avon.
The Device of Banner of the Arms of The Device o,
Shakspere. Shakepere, Shakspere.
carried by two men.
Mr. Ginnett's Band and Carriage, drawn by four cream
coloured horses.
St. George, on horseback, in full armour.
St. George's Banner, borne by his Esquire, on horseback.
Page with Prince Banner of the arms Page with P:iuce
of Wales' of the Prince of of Wales'
Feather. Wales. Feather.
Melpomene, the Tragic Muse,
n a black draped car, drawn by four black and white horses
with four Furies in position on the car.
Banner.
KING LEAR.
Edgar, as Mad Tom.
Banner,
RICHARD THE THIRD.
King Richard the Third, on horseback.
Banner.
111ACBETH.
Three Witches, with Cauldron, and many-coloured fires.
Macbeth, General of the King of Scotland.
Banner.
OTHELLO,

Boy with Banner.

Boy with Banner,

King Lear,

Othello.

'ago.

Banner.
KING JGIIN.
King John, on horseback. Pal-onbridge, on horseback.
Banner.
HAMLET.

Hamlet.

The Ghost.

Banner.
ROMEO AND JULIET.
Page with Romeo and Juliet in a chariot, Page with
flag, drawn by two white ponies, flag.
Friar Lawrence.
Banner.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
In a car drawn by two Ponies abreast.
Banner.
lIENB,Y THE EIGHTH,
Banner of the Ancient Arms of England.
Page with Henry the Eighth on Page with
Flag. Horseback, Flag,
Banner of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Stratford-on-Avon Brass Band.
Boy with Flag, Boy with Flag.
Thalia, the Comic Muse,
On a Car draped with Fantastic Devices, surrounded by
four Harpies, and drawn by four spotted horses.
Banner,
THE TF,MPEST.
rrospero,
Arica,

Caliban.
NiraLda.

Banner.
Shepherd. MINTEIt'S TALE,

Auto'yetis.

Banner.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.
Page with Flag. Oberon and Titania, Page with Flag.
in a Fairy Car, drawn by
Two Ponies abreast.
Bottom ye Weaver.
Banner.
MERCHANT OF VENICE.
Shylock. Portia.

Banner.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
Sir John Falstaff.
Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Page.
Banner.
HENRY THE FIFTH.
King Henry the Fifth on horseback.
Banner of the Ancient Arms of England,
Heralds.
Pistol and Bardolph on two Ponies,
A Grand Triumphal Car,
Decorated with Armorial Bearings and Devises. Shakspere
on an Eminence, surrounded by Deademona, Ophelia,
Beatrice and Queen Anne, Cardinal Wolsey,
Prince of Wales, Richmond, and Benodie,
" He was a man, take him for all in all,
" I shall not look upon his like again,"
" Hamlet," Act 1, scene 2.
Banner—The Royal Standard of England.
Grand Military Band.
Whether the above was deemed satisfactory by the multi-
tudes who flocked into Stratford at an early hour I cannot
say, but certainly if it was relatively it was not absolutely
magnificent. Tom King, I understand, sat for St. George,
and the rest of the personages belonged to Mr. Ginnett's
company. To me, as a Cockney, the procession was to a
certain extent gratifying. Having witnessed the grand
municipal pageants of Belgium, I had conceived that the
London Lord Mayor's Show was the least brilliant spec-
tacle of the kind that could possibly be achieved. Hence-
forth I shall be able proudly and conscientiously to assert
the contrary. I must, however, do jtntico to the bold and
original conception of the artist who designed the " Furies"
attendant on Melpomene. He had evidently learnt
that the Greeks were in the habit of calling them " Eu-
menides," or " good-tempered," and this idea ho worked
out to perfection. Their masks resembled the face of
Punch, red breeches and stockings covered their nether
limbs, and on their feet were good thick-soled, clod-hopping
boot'.

This evening there is to be a dresct NO/ in the pavilion ;

to-morrow and next day will be signalled by theatrical per-
formances, and at reduced prices, and the ascent of a bal-
loon or two is anticipated with curiosity, for—hear it, oye
habitues of Cremorne—ther) are persons in this island to
whom the ascent of a glob€ inflated with gas is a wonder.
But I think you have had enough Gf this supplemental
festival.
Naval and Military Intelligence.

people into the other, as would render the limitation of the
two States for all practical purposes a mere impossibility.
But even when Denmark is brought to this pass—when
necessity wrings from her so ruinous a concession—will
she have peace granted to her Will dcfmany be satisfied
with her prey—with the fine harbours of Kiel and &kern-
forde—with the extension of her trade and maritime power
in the Baltic ? The landmarks of old Europe are removed,
and the bibtoriotis Prussians are sweeping on far and wide
over Jutland. Three hours can give ti of
Alsen—three days of Fredericia. Their irresistible artil-
lery can force a way over the Little Belt into Funen. A
trifling reverse can do away with such superiority as Den-
mark may still boast at sea. Why should not the Teuton
push on his conquests upon Zealand ? Why should he not
have the Sound in his keeping ? The Danish branch of his
old Scandinavian enemy lies at his discretion, and Europe
is in no mood to set any limit to successful aggression.
Robbed of the southern districts of the Cimbrian Peninsula,
it little matters whether Denmark preserves the name of an
independent State—virtually she becomes a mere vassal of
Germany ; in her reduced fortunes she must be fain to obey
the behests of the very Powers with which she engaged in
the too unequal contest.

Lat Germany have Kiel and Eckernforde, possibly also
Flensburg. and Apenrade aad Horup Hay, and you will see
what bearing that will have, not only on the destinies of
Denmark and Sweden, but also on the maritime and mili-
tary relations of all Europe. Remove all restraint from the
ambition of the stronger States ; let it be understood that
the weaker can be despoiled with impunity; allow Prussia
to take the lead in Germany ; force Austria to seek her in
demnity on the Po or the Danube; reveal to the world
your fears of a little war; you will see what prospects of a
universal war open before you I" Such is the cry of wail
and warning that rises at the present day in the streets of
Copenhagen. Denmark looks upon herself as lost. It is
for guropo to concider how much of the general peace and
security may be involved in her ruin.

Arrival of the Confederate Cruiser Georgia

in the Mersey.

LIVERPOOL, Monday.
Much excitement was caused in the shipping quarters of
the town this day, when it became known that the Confe-
derate war steamer Georgia had quietly steamed up the
river and taken up her anchorage-ground between the
Woodside and Seacombe ships. As this is the first time
that any Confederate ship of war has ever entered the
Mersey, crowds of people gathered on the landing-stages
and pier-heads to have a look at the cruiser. So far as out-
ward appearances aro concerned, the Georgia is nothing
when compared with any of the screw steamers which lie
close to her—indeed, she is rather an ugly lump of a
vessel. The hull is short, and painted black, as is her fun-
nel. She has two masts brig-rigged, and on the whole looks
as if she was cut out for anything but the work she is in
tended for. The Confederate flag floated very prominently,
and its close resemblance to our own Union Jack with the
exception of the white ground, led many people to con-
found the Georgia with the new Alrican mail steamer Ca-
labar, which lay astern of the Confederate, and which
actually does look more of the clipper than her belligerent
companion. The Georgia's last port of departure was Bor-
deaux, but her date of sailing has not been given, though

from current reports we learn that the run round from Bor-
deaux has been rather tedious. The vessel is in charge of
Capt. Evans, the sailing master, and her real object is of
course for the present kept a secret, some saying that her
screw is deranged, others that she is going to take on board
a quantity of patent fuel, while some gobemouches go so far
as to assert that she is to await the decision of the Lairds'
ram case, and then sail with them " off to Charleston."
That the arrival of the Georgia was not unexpected is
shown by the fact that on Saturday it was !currently re-
ported that she was in the river, and crowds of the curious
were " sold" in consequence of the formidable Confederate
man of war turning out to be a poor worn-out blockade
runner, named Eugenie, which had arrived from Bermuda,
and the captain of which, with more zeal than discretion,
on entering the river hoisted the Confederate ensign at the
gaff, and foolishly flew a pennant from his main. The
Georgia mounts six guns, and is manned by a crew of 60
men. The reel commander of the cruiser is Lieut. Maury, a
son of the well-known Lieut. Maury, late of the United
States navy, and now a prominent officer in the Confede-
rate service,

Since writing the above we learn that the Georgia will go
into the Birkenhead Packs this :evening. It is now cur-
rently reported that the Georgia will be offered for sale in
Liverpool. Gentlemen interested in the ship have been
very much pressed relative to the object of the vessel visit-
ing Liverpool, and they state positively that the only reason
is to effect a sale of the ship as she is not altogether suited
fur the service in which she has lately been engaged. It is
hinted that tho crew of the Georgia may be kept in readi-
ness for the Alexandra.