The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-06 00:00:00

haps is too much weakened by illness to put forth
the necessary strength, or else finds the casualties
of life too heavy to overcome. Lord CARNARTON
has made such sensible remarks on this subject of
prison discipline, and so ably exposed the fallacies
of the system, that it is very satisfactory to note the
success of his attempts to introduce some radical
reforms. N.) one has a right to say that the scheme
is a failure till it has been put to the proof, and there
is no fear that any such disastrous results should
attend the experiments now being introduced.
There is sense and reason in their introduction, and
there is no doubt that they will be attended with
a happy issue. At all events, those to whom
was assigned the task of amending the faulty
character of the law in thee respects of laxity
and non-introduction of the penal system towards
criminals, have well and worthily fulfilled their
mission, and it
is impossible to overrate the bene-
fits that may thereby accrue to the country. The
more terrible the nature of penal infliction is ren-
dered, the more safe and speedy will be its work-
ing, the more effectual its cure, and the more
secure shall we be from the recurrence of the
crime committed, both as regards the primary
offender himself and his associates in evil. So
far, then, it may be said that a triumph has been
secured to the cause of progress, and the majority
which carried Lord CARNARVON'S Report have
done great and good service to the country in
inaugurating the reform of prisons, and the better
management of prisoners during the term of their
detention. This subject has long awakened the
fears of the far-seeing and the prudent ; they have
appreciated its danger, and trembled for the con-
sequences of so much laxity. It is therefore most
encouraging to mark this step taken in the right
course, and the more speedily such an example is
widely followed, the better will it be for the
security and morality of the country.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAM.]

AXEItIC A.

QUEENSTOWN, JAN. 6.

The National Steam Navigation Company's steam-
ship Virginia, from New York, arrived here at
11 a.m. to-day, landed 14 passengers, and proceeded
for Liverpool at 11.40.
Her news has been anticipased.

FRANCE.
PARIS, JAN. 6.

The Constitutionnel of this morning, in an article
signed by M. Limayrac, upon the Dano- Germanic
question, refers to the proposition of a restricted
Congress made by England, and says :—" France
will offer no impediments or obstacles to the plan,
but every day shows its in: ificaciousness, and proves
the practical utility of the European Congress pro-
posed by the Emperor."

Madame Goldsehmidt Lind at Exeter Hall.

Last evening Handel's " Messiah" was performed
at the above hall in aid of the funds of the' Friends
of the Clergy Corporation." The principal vocalists
were Madame Lind-Goldschmidt, Madame Sainton-
Dolby, Mr. Wilbye Cooper, and Mr. W. H. Weise,
Herr Otto Goldsehmidt officiating as conductor. It
would be difficult to point out any novel features of
excellence in the familiar strains of the " Messiah,"
or the almost equally well-known utterances of
them by the artists to whom they were entrusted
on the present occasion. To satisfy curiosity,
however, it may be recorded that the perform-
ances of Madame Lind, who sang the whole of
the soprano music, including the noble air, " If God
be for us" exhibited all the intellectual and
musicianly qualities which many years ago excited
the respect and admiration of t'ie British public.
Twice, when the air " Rejoice greatly," and the fol-
lowing one, " Come unto Him," were poured out,
the first with jubilant buoyancy, the second with
melting pathos, attempts were made by the enrap-
tured auditory to obtain a repeat, but these were
both resisted, and the oratorio proceeded. Another
gem was the flowing delivery of " How beautiful,"
and the triumphant faith of "I know that my Re-
deemer liveth."
Madame Sainton-Dolby sustained her long esta-
blished reputation. Mr. Weiss and Mr. Wilbye
Cooper were, in their several styles, unexception-
able. Mr. Hopkins presided at the organ, and the
whole performance went off admirably.