The Sun.
London, England, 1852-06-25 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON,

them out, by again returning me as your representative
to Parliament."

THE CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESI-
DENCY OF THE UNITED STATES.
NEW Yong,JUNE B.—The steamer of last Saturday
left just two hours before the news came of the nomina-
tion of the Democratic candidate for the Presidency of
the United States. The result is precisely what I anti-
cipated, and intimated in my last letters. No one of the
prominent candidates whose names came before the
Convention was strong enough to command the undi-
vided support of the Democratic party; and Virginia,
which has given us more than half our presidents from
the time of Washington, and made most of the others,
led the way for General Frank Pierce, of New Hamp-
shire. His name was hardly announced before the
whole body of the Convention went over, and on the
second ballot he was unanimously proclaimed.
General Pierce is 54 years of age. Entering pub-
lic life very early, and achieving eminence at the bar,
he distinguished himself in the Legislature of his na-
tive State, was several times elected Speaker of its
Lower House, was afterwards a Member for six
years of the House of Representatives at Wash-
ington, and in 1837 was elected a member of
the United States Senate. He is a man of thorough
academic education, great political experience, unble-
mished private character, and unwavering firmness
and decision. He is, and always has been, eminently
a national man, never having been connected with
any of the factions or cliques of his party or
of the times; and, although ho had not achieved
so brilliant a reputation, nor made so much
noise, nor had caused, or even allowed, his name
to be brought forward on many occasions, still the ad-
mirable modesty of his character, his great private
worth, and public integrity had won for him the confi-
dence and respect of all who knew him. Ho has from
the beginning been devotedly attached to the principles
of free trade, and in this respect, probably, he is one of
our most enlightened statesmen.
The Hon. William Rufus King (who, by the provi-
sions of the Constitution and the election of the
Senate, has, in consequence of the death of two
Presidents in office, twice become Vice-President of
the United States) has for many years presided over
the Senate. He is a man also of great political ex-
perience ; entered the Senate upwards of thirty
years ago, where he has remained ever since, with
the exception of an interval of three years, when he re-
presented our Government at the Court of France, from
1844 to 1847. He is a man of great dignity of character,
integrity, and learning. He is moderate in all his feel-
ings; and although he is not a brilliant man, still he
possesses all those qualifications which the position he is
nominated to calls tor.

A single word in regard to his prospects of success.
At first the nomination of General Pierce took the whole
country by surprise; but before twenty-four hours bad
passed it seemed to give universal satisfaction to the
Democratic party, and you will perceive from the
tone of the Whig papers that they regard Mr. Pierce
as the most formidable antagonist they could pos-
sibly have had to encounter. I believe there is not
an instance in our history in which the Democrats
have lost as election where they were perfectly united.
General Pierce seems to have harmonized them com-
pletely, being an extreme northern man, brought for-
ward by the south, and receiving, as he did, the undi-
vided support of the entire Convention. The telegraph
has brought us back the adhesion for him of every
state in the union except California. That state is
known to be democratic. It was aprehended that there
would be a split in the Convention, for it was not sup-
posed that any expedient could be hit upon that would
soften the asperities of faction and unite the entire de-
mocratic party. But this has been done most effectually;
and, therefore, the impression seems to be universal
among the Democrats, and generally among the Whigs,
that the " ticket" will be elected.

The Whigs aro all alarmed, and it is supposed that
the action of the Democratic Convention renders Gene-
ral Scott's chances less flattering. Until the result of
the Baltimore Convention was known, for several weeks
events had taken such a coarse that no doubt seemed
to be entertained that General Scott would be no-
minated. But so much discontent has manifested itself
in the Whig party within a few days, and so many of
its leading organs have committed themselves in so un-
qualified a manner against Gen. Scott, that it seems more
than probable his nomination would only divide the Whig
party, and consequently cut off their last hope of
triumph. There is, in fact, so far as I can judge, no
hope whatever for them in the next struggle, unless
they imitate the example of the Democrats—throw over-
board all their prominent candidates, and fix upon a
young man who is obnoxious to no section of the
country and to no portion of the party. If this be done
there may be some doubt about the result; but I confess
that for myself I entertain but very little.
Other things being equal, the Democrats always stand
the best chance; and now, when their intestine difficul-
ties and feuds are all healed up, at least for the present,
circumstances can hardly be conceived that would again
inflame a spirit of disunion among them. The proba-
bilities are very strong that General Pierce, if he lives,
will be the next President y the United States.

In my next letter I will more minit—tely--"Unfold the
actual state of the political affairs of the country, and
of both parties, and define the great issues on which the
political struggle is to take place.—Times.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
On Wednesday the third grand flower show this
season of the Royal South London Floricultural Society
took place at the Surrey Gardens. The weather was as
favourable as could be wished, or as the excellence of
the exhibition deserved; and before six o'clock last
night the gardens were completely thronged with one
of the most numerous and fashionable assemblies which
we have witnessed fur some time past. The show, which
was of greenhouse plants, was remarkably fine, the
pelargoniums and Cape heaths, in particular, exciting
much admiration. Nor must we forget to mention fa-
vourably the display of roses and pinks, which, both for
their size and variety, equalled anything of the kind we
have seen at the Botanic.
The following is a list of the prizes which were
awarded to the successful competitors:—
To CLASS THE FIRST (Private Growers, not culti-
vating Flowers, &c. for Sale.)—For the best collection
of stove and greenhouse plants, 15 pots (orchideous
plants excluded), large gold Victoria medal, Mr. Cole;
for the second best ditto, small gold Victoria medal,
Mr. Over, jun.; for the third best ditto, gold
Albert medal, Mr. Roser; for the fourth best
ditto, large silver Victoria medal, Mr. Stanley;
for the fifth best ditto, large silver Linnasm medal, Mr.
Ramp. For the best six specimens of orchideous plants
in flower, small silver Victoria medal, Mr. Jarvis. For
Cape heaths (in collections of six varieties), large silver
Victoria medal, Mr. Smith; for the second best ditto,
large silver Lineman medal, Mr. Cole; for the third best
ditto, small Victoria medal, Mr. Over. For pelargo-
niums, in collections of six varieties (in 8-inch pots),
large silver Victoria medal, Mr. Robinson; for the
second beat ditto, large silver Linnman medal, Mr. Loch-
ner. For fancy pelargoniums' in collections of six varie-
ties (8-inch pots), large silver Albert medal, Mr. Robin-
son; for the second best ditto, small silver Victoria
medal, R. Mosely Esq.; for the third best ditto, small
silver Linnasaa medal, Mr. Ruler. For pinks (in
collection of twelve varieties, to be exhibited in the
society's stands, and to be judged off cards), large
silver Albert medal, Mr. Baker; for the second best
ditto, small silver Victoria medal, Mr. Hardatone;
fcr the third best ditto, small silver Lineman medal,
Mr. Halliday; for the fourth best ditto, small silver
Albert medal, Mr. Ellis. For roses (garden varieties, of
out-door culture), in collections of twelve varieties, in
bunches (not exceeding three trusses), to be exhibited
in the grower's boxes, painted green, all others to be
excluded, large silver Albert medal, Mr. Roser; for the
second best ditto, small silver Victoria medal, Mr.
Jarvis; for the third best ditto, small silver Linnman
medal, Mr. Stanley. For ranunculuses (in collections
of twelve varieties), to be exhibited in the grower's
stands, small silver Victoria medal, Mr. Phillips; for
the second best ditto, small silver Linnssan medal, Mr.
Airzoe; for the third best ditto, small silver Albert
medal, Mr. Hook.
To CLASS THE SECOND.—Nurserymen, and all Persons
growing Flowers, Bsc., for sale.—For the best collection
of stove and greenhouse plants, 18 pots (orchideous plants
excluded), gold Albert medal, Messrs. Rollison and Sons;
for the second best ditto, large silver Victoria medal,
Messrs. Pamplin and Son. For the best six specimens of
orchideous plants, in flower, small silver Victoria medal,
Messrs. Rollison and Son. For Cape heaths (in collection
of eight varieties), large silver Linnman medal, Messrs.
Rollison and Son; for the second best ditto, large silver
Albert medal, Messrs. Fairbairn and Co.; for the third
best ditto, small silver Victoria medal, Messrs. Pamplin
and Son. For pelargoniums, in collection of eight va-
rieties (in 8-inch pots), large silver Victoria medal, Mr.
Gaines; for the second best ditto, large silve Linnman
medal, Mr. Westwood; for the third best ditto, small
silver Victoria medal, Mr. E. Hunt; for fancy pelargo-
niums, in collections of eight varieties (8-inch pots),
small silver Victoria medal, Mr. E. E. Hunt; for the
second best ditto, small silver Linnman medal, Mr. West-
wood. For ranunculuses (in collections of 24, and not
less than 18 varieties, to be exhibited in the growers'
stands), small silver Victoria medal, Mr. Parker. For
pinks (in collections of 12 varieties, to be exhibited in
the society's stands, and to be judged off cards), small
silver Victoria medal, Mr. Ward; for the second best
ditto, small silver Linnsean medal, Mr. Wilmer.
OPEN TO BOTH CLASSES.—For the best specimen
plant, small silver Albert medal, Mr. Cole; for the
second best ditto, bronze medal, Mr. Over; for the third
best ditto' bronze medal, Mr. S. Smith; for the best col-
lection of fruit (four sorts), small silver Victoria medal,
Mr. Jarvis.
EXTRA PRIDES OFFERED BT MEMBERS.—By J.
Powell, Esq. (open to both classes).—For the best 20
specimens of wild flowers, with name and place of growth
(to be decided according to their beauty, with a view to
their being capable of improvement by cultivation)—
small silver Linnean modal, Mr. Clark. By Messrs. J.
and J. Fairbairn, of Clapham (to class the first).—For
the best six Cape heaths (dissimilar species, in 11-inch
pots)—large silver Victoria medal, Mr. Smith. By Mr.
B. Turner, of Slough (to class the first).—For the best
pelargoniums, in not larger than 8-inch pots (not fancy
varieties), sent out since August, 1851—large silver Vic-
toria medal, Mr. R. Robinson. To Gentlemen's
Gardeners (members only).—For the test 12 roses (dis-
similar). single tresses of one stem—small silver Albert
medal, Mr. Roser. For the second best ditto—bronze
medal, Mr. Jarvis.
After the flower-show the concert commenced and
continued until dusk, when the eruption of Etna was ex-
hibited amidst the applause of the whole concourse of
visitors. The day passed off with great éclat,

DE. SPOHR.—This eminent composer arrived in
'London on Tuesday, and is now superintending the rehearsals
of his great work of Faust, which is about to be produced gt
•the Royal Italian Opera.