The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-24 00:00:00

Opening of the Norwegian Diet,

The following is the speech of the King of Nor-
way and Sweden on the opening of the sixth extra-
ordinary Storthing :
Good Gentlemen and Norwegians,—
In the presence of events known to us all, I have consi-
dered it my duty to convene the Storthing of the kingdom
of Norway, in order that I, by means of its decisions, may
obtain the same freedom to act in relation to Norwegian
affairs which I already possess in relation to those of Sweden,
Having now before my eyes the object to spare the two na-
tions whose fate Providence has entrusted to nay charge
from all great sacrifices other than such as circumstances
may necessitate, I cannot, nevertheless, fail to foiesea the
possibility that the demand for such sacrifices may become
imperative, and the difference between the constitution of
two kingdoms has therefore rendered it necessary to con-
vene the Storthing, so that no impediments may occur to
the siraultanaous adoption of such provisionary measures
as the development of events require in relation to both na

ions.

I am confident that the Storthing is united with me in
the opinion that both peoples should in the same degree be
prepared to meet those claims which circumstances may de•
mend from them.
Since the Storthing's last meeting I, on behalf of the
united kingdoms, in concert with other Powers, have
concluded a treaty with his Majesty the King of the Bel,
gians for the abolition of the Scheldt dues. With regard to
the pecuniary compensation required for this purpose, it, so
far as Norway is concerned, is contingent on the consent of
the Storthing. The proposal for that consent will, there-
fore, be laid before you.
Certain other propositions concerning internal affairs,
and which require the 00-operation of the Storthing, will
also be presented.
I am in the highest degree assured that the Storthing
will, with joy, receive the announcement of the approach-
ing betrothal of my most beloved brother, his Royal High-
ness Prince AugustuQ, to her Highness the Princess
Theresa of Saxe-Altenburg.
At the same time that I now declare the sixth extraordi-
nary Storthing of the Kingdom of Norway opened, do I
also implore the blessing of God on your labours, and re-
main, in all Royal grace and favour, good gentlemen and
Norwegians, earnestly watchful over the welfare of all in
general, and of each in particular.
Given at Christiania Palace the 14th March, 1864.
CARL.

(Signed) G. SIBBERN.
J. AALL.
The following is his Royal Majesty's most gra.
dons proposition to the Norwegian Storthing tha
its consent be given to the employment of the
Norwegian troops of the line and the fleet in aid of
Denmark during its present war with the German
Powers, and, further, to an extraordinary vote of
supply to the war establishment :
We, Carl, by the grace of God King of Norway and
Sweden, the Goths and the Vandals, hereby make known
His Majesty, who fully recognises the importance to the
united kingdoms of the preservation of the blessings of
peace, and whose most earnest efforts will be devoted to that
object, so long as circumstances render it possible to prevent
breach thereof, cannot nevertheless fail to foresee the possi-
bility that the deplorable hostilities now occurring in our
neighbouring country, Denmark, may render it indispen-
sable for both the united kingdoms to take such military
means as the course of eN eats and treaties with other Powers
growing out of those events might give occasion to.
In order that, on behalf of the kingdom_ the requisite
control owr military force and its financial resources may
be obtained, which would enable his Majesty at one and the
same time for both kingdoms to take those measures which,
after mature deliberation, may be considered demanded by
the unquestionable obligation of both, his Majesty—confi •
dently relying on the Storthing that it, with its wonted
patriotism and clear insight into existent relations, will sus-
tain his Majesty's efforts in this important point—requests
the Norwegian Storthing to sanction as follows :-
1. The Storthing enacts that the troops of the line and the
national fleet, whensoever and for so much as her Majesty
may consider necessary, shall be used in aid of Denmark
during its present war with the German Powers.
2. As an extraordinary supply to the defensive force of the
kingdom Spd 600,000 are voted, and hie Majesty, for the
same purpose, is empowered to supply a further sum, not
exceeding Spd 300,000, but this latter sum can only bo ap-
plied after a new extraordinary Storthing shall have been
convened, or at the same time at which it is convened.
On the one hand, to put it in the power of the Storthing
to form an independent opinion on these most important
matters, and, cn the other, not to contravene that secrecy of
diplomatic acts which, over and above its foundation in the
mutual understanding which regulates all international ne-
gotiations is further inevitably necessary to maintain se-
curely the relation of the kingdoms to foreign Powers. His
Majesty will cause to be laid before the Storthing the
minutes of the Council of State, held with special reference
to the affair, wherein also will be included the reports of the
Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the details of the
case, and the position therein wh.ch the united kingdoms
have held, together with copies of the Government delibe-
rations thereon ; which documents, nevertheless, from their
confidential nature, must for the time be held strictly secret
by the individual members of the Storthing. His Majesty
further requests the Storthing, that in cases when diplo-
matic papers of a character requiring the most stringent
secrecy may have to be produced, a special committee should
be chosen, which under the strictest obligation of secresy
shall have such documents laid before it,leo that its report,
based on scrutiny of such documents, may serve to guide
the Storthing in its decision.
His Majesty, in all Royal grace and favour, remains the
devoted guardian of the Norwegian Storthing.
Given at Christiania Palace the 14th March, 1864, under
our hand and the seal of the realm.

CARL.

(Signed) G. SIBEERN.

J. MALL.

Tom THUMB retires, it is said, on a quarter of a
million—so that it SOCLUB much easier to make a fortune by
littleness than by greatness.

Good Friday is invariably a great day at the Crystal
Palace ; and being regarded as the great middle-class holi-
day of the year, this is not to be wondered at. During tho
last few years the Management have found it to their inte-
rest to add to the ordinary attractions of the Palace and
Park by a great musical entertainment, the numbers having
during that period averaged over 40,000 on each occasion.
As since last Good Friday considerable additional railway
facilities have been opened up, it is not unlikely that these
numbers, large as they are, will be greatly exceeded.
To afford extra facilities for the arrival of visitors, the
doors of the Palace will be opened at 9 o'clock in the morn-
ing, and additional trains will run throughout the day by
the London, Brighton, and South Coast system from Lon-
don-bridge, Victoria, and Kensington, as well as from sta-
tions on the North London line, and other gfeat lines run-
ning into Kensington and Clapham Junction stations. The
train service by the London, Chatham, and Dover .M.,;tropo-
litan system from Victoria and Elephant and Castle, with
intermediate stations at Camberwell, Brixton, Herne Hill,
, will also work to the station at Sydenham Hill, a few
hundred yards distant from the front entrance to the Palace.
Special trains will also run from many of the main lines,
those from the Chatham and Dover running into their new
station at Penge, close to the garden entrance to the Palace.
As this latter company propose bringing passengers from
Chatham and Rochester at the same price, third class ls.
6d. including admission, as that charged from London-
bridge, it is likely that a very large number will arrive from
this source. Additional advantages will also be offered by
the opening of the Charing-cross line, which will convey
passengers from Charing-cross to the Brighton Company's
station at London-bridge. This route will no doubt Le ex-

tensively patronised.
Performances on. the Great Handel Festival organ, anti
by the band of the Coldstream Guards, will commence
early. The concert will take place on the Handel Orchestra,
at half-past three. The executer s, besides a full chorus,
comprise the band of the company, military bands, &c.,
and will be under the direction of Mr. Manus. Mr.
Sims Reeves will sing three of his most favourite solos,
with all your hearts," from Elijah; " The enemy
said," from Israel in Egypt;' and " Comfort ye, my
people," from the Messiah. Madame Rude,sdorff will
sing " Let the bright seraphim," and Mr. Weiss, " The
trumpet shall sound," with trumpet obligato by Mr.
Harper. Mr. Weiss and Mr. Patsy will sing " The Lord
is a Man of War," from Israel in Egypt Selections from
the " Stabat Mater," of Rossini, will also be performed,
and the " Old Hundreth Psalm,,' the Evening Hymn, and
the National Anthem, always a great feature on these occa-
sions, will be sung by the assembled tens of thousands of
visitors, backed up by the full orchestra and chorus. It
is expected that the concert will terminate at half-past five,
and to afford ample opportunity for the visitors to lease
leisurely, the palace will be brilliantly lighted up in the

evening.
The Victoria Cross Gallery, painted by Mr. L. W•
Desanges, will be on view, consisting of fifty-three pic-
tures, illustrating the acts heroism which won for the prin-
cipal character in each painting the distinguished rewai d
of the Victoria Cross, presented:by her Mjesty the Queen,
as a reward for special deeds of valour. The scones are
painted from the descriptions givsn by the gallant sitters
themselves, assisted by their friends and companions in
arms, eye witnesses of the actions depic ed, and are there-
fore National Records of events that must live for ever in
the history of our country's glories. The collection hav-
ing
been purchased by Harry Wocd, Esq., of Leeas, will
be removed immediately after Easter, and this is conse-
quently the last opportunity the public can have of viewing
these interesting pictures.
Extra stiles will be opened at the various entrances to
the palace. An additional excursioa exit will be opened at
the foot of the South Tower, for passengers by the excur-
sion trains on the London, Brighton, and South Coast, the
South Eastern, and Northern Railways.

Singular Case of Attempted Murder in
Manchester.

A respectably-dressed woman, who gave the
name of Ann Leslie, was charged at the City Police
Court yesterday with attempting to shoot a gentle-
man, whose name and address are unknown. About
five o'clock last evening the prisoner was seen to
follow a man, dressed in an Inverness cape, along
Mill Brow, leading from Long Miligate to the
Victoria,Sailway Station. Wben the man was at
the bottom of the steps, just before crossing the
river Irk, -the woman, who was a few yards behintl
him, and at the top of the steps, drew a revolver
and shot at him. He called upon some lads
to protect him, and ran away into the Victoria
Railway Station, where he disappeared. The
woman followed him, calling out that she
would murder him before night. A railway
porter, however, caught her, took the revolver from
her, and handed her into the charge of a police-
officer.—Police Superintendent Godby said that a
gentleman, named Taylor, living at Waterheau
Mill, Oldham, called on him last evening, and said
that he happened to be near the man who was shot
at, and tha ball struck him (Mr. Taylor) on the
left breast, and cut through his clothes. It was
inconvenient for him to attend the Court yesterday,
and it would therefore be necessary to have the case
remanded. Mr. Taylor distinctly heard the woman
say she would kill the man. An adjournment
would also be necessary to find the person at whom
the pistol was discharged. The prisoner was then
remanded for a week. The police are not aware of
her address, though it is believed that about three
months ago she lived in Emblen-street, Geeenheys.
The revolver had five barnls, and was a new one.

AN ADMIRABLE STATUETTE OF THACKERAT has
just been produced by a very clever designer, Mr.
Boehm, already favourably known by his clever statuettes
of :Millais, Leech, &c. It was exhibited at a soiree of the
Royal Institution on Saturday. All who saw it were struck
by the lifelike truth of the face and attitude—the rather
high square shoulders, the head with raised chin, the hands
thrust into the pockets. It is designed for plaster, terra-
cotta, end bronze, and is a most agreeable memento of one
whose personal presence all his friends must love to have
recalled to them.
MADAME ROSSINI having nearly recovered from
her late illness, which led to the postponement of
the grand concert announced to be given in honour of the
grad maestro's birthday on the 29th ult., it will now shortly
take place, to the great delight of a number of his friends
and admirers, as the fete is to bo signalised by the first per-
, formance of en entirely new composition of his own.