The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-04 00:00:00

THE WAR IN DENMARK,

(From the Correspondent of the limes.)

FLENSBURG, J une 30.
The capture of Alsen by the Prussians seems to
have been accomplished with no great d,fficulty and
with small loss to the assailants. The Danes ap-
pear to have been again taken by surprise. At least,
this is what some of their friends and partisans in
this town asEert. As in the case of the projected
crossing at Ballegaard on the 3d of April, boats
were collected beforehand with great secrecy ;
though hardly so much so, it may be thought, that
the Danes could not have been informed of it by
their spies and by their many friends in Sandewitt.
It is said here that the troops were not in sufficient
force near the shore, and that the Prussians
obtained a decided advantage before they could
be brought up. Three crossings were made, or feigned;
one of them, from Gammelsunde, was evidently a
feint ; the principal passage of troops seems to hare
been at Sandbjerg. A large number of vessels were
assembled at Horup Hay, but, nevertheless, the
Prussians succeeded in cutting off the retreat of a
considerable fraction of the Danish force in the
island. This is said to have amounted to 7,000 or
8,000 men ; some say 10,000, but the estimate is
probably a very rough one, and you will hear more
on that head from other quarters. With respect to
prisoners, I saw about 700 leave Flensburg for the
south this afternoon by railway. They were chiefly
young men ; I noticed none who appeared more
than 30 years of age; many ere beardless boys.
Among them were some of the smartest-looking Da-
nish soldiers I have seen since the war began. They
were lighter and more active than most of those
takt nat Duppel. There was an English volunteer
among them, a merry, during looking fellow, distin-
guishable by the fanciful cap he wore of the Dana
neborg colours, red and white, with a tassel banging
on one aide. There are a good many more prisoners
now here (about as many, I am informed, as those
who to-day left), and more are expected tonight ;
altogether, as far as can be calculated, about 2,300
men. Or the Prussian loss I can at present speak
only from report. One of the early accounts made
it very heavy, but from what I here learn that was
a great exaggeration. From 300 to 400 wounded,
nine officers killed and wounded, is the lowest
estimate I have heard. Some wounded* Danes
nave also been telt( to. The telegrrm spoke of
a severe street fight in Sooderborg, but persons
who were there before the Daces were all out of the
island assure me that they saw no signs of it. They
add that only three houses in the to wn were burned
yesterday. Of these details I shall be able to speak
more accurately when I have been over the ground.
A good many Schles•,vigers were among the pri-
soners, and most of them, seemingly well pleased to
be captured, have removed the Danish cockade
from their caps, have been released; and may now
be seen walking about the town.
The passage of the Prussian forces in Schleswig
from the repose of the armistice to active opera-
s inns has been more speedy even than was generally
expected, and their first aggressive move has
been crowned by complete and easy success. You
will have received by telegraph nearly as much
positive information respecting yesterday's action
as we are in possession of in Fiensoarg, it being
difficult to sift fact from fiction in the tales that
pass from mouth to mouth, end which for the most
part are the results of very imperfect opportunities
of observation. 0 wing partly to its not having
been expected to follAT so immediately on the re-
sumption of hostilities, and partly owing to the
secrecy observed concerning it, and the very early
hour of the morning at which it commenced, the at.
Tack on Alsen had fe wspectators,l r:least on this side

beyond those actually engaged in it. Its result will
Hardly have surprised any who had had previous
opportunity of estimating the resources and capa-
bilities of the contending parties. In recent
letters I ventured to express an opinion that
the Prussians might take A sen whenever they
pleased, and that view has been fully justified ba-
the event. The Prussian artillery has maintained
As superiority to that of the Danes; as at Eckern-
sund and Duppel the Rolf Krake has shown her.
self far less formidable than the Danes and their
partisans had foretold ; the Danish infantry, brave
though it be, and favoured in its defence by an inti-
mate knowledge of the ground, and by the shelter of
Sonderborg'a !lenses, has shown itself wholly un-

able to stand against the Prussian onset. Fighting
stoutly, it is said, but ever driven back by the pre-

cision of the Prussian artillery firo and the rapid
execution of the needle gun, the Danes have been
forced to evacuate what little remained to them
of Schleswig soil. It was but a short morning's
work to expel them from /then, and, if it

be the intention of the Allies to follow up their
advantages, it may take little longer to drive them

out of Funen. As to the existence of any positive

intention of this kind, I, as yet, know nothing. It
is rumoured in Flensburg that the Austrians were
to have attacked Funen at the same time the

Prussians attacked Aisen, but, if so, something
must have occurred to baulk the attempt. It is
certain that the Austrians have thrown up batteries
nearly opposite to Middlefart, where Vie Sound
Is narrowest, and it wound not surprise me to bear
any dey of the passage being forced by a dada.
the taking of A.ten is a continuation of the
Alike' easy successes, and so far as we know the

particulars, it seems to have been in some of its

features similar to the preceding one. I say easy, be-
cause, although it suited the Prussians to remain a

long time before Duppel, their loss during the siege
and in the assault was trifling, considering the
forces engaged and the result obtained, and would
have been considerably less if the troops engaged on
March 28 had confined themselves to their allotted

task, and had not, by uselessly advancing too far,
brought themselves under a heavy short-range fire
both from the forts and from the Rolf Krake—

which vessel has hitherto rendered no service except
upon the morning in question. It seems singular,

as it certainly is unfortunate—so far as we can
judge from the occurrences or the last three or four

days—that the Danes were not to be convinced by

he portion of the campaign which preceded the arl

mistice that they are no match for their opponents.

One honours the spirit that makes the feeble con-
;tont one of more powerful frame, and in contests

of individuals it may often give the advantage to

,he weaker champion, but in modern wartnr© no

amount of pluck and obst.'.nacy can counterbalance

the effect of batter arms wielded by greatly supe-
rior numbers. When the grog batatllons have

d leo the advantage of rifled guns and tust-flring
muskets, no heroism can avail to avert disaster.
Setting aside those advantages, we have no reason

:o consider the Prussians otherwise than fully

equal to the Danes as fighting men. That they

are quicker in their movements or better di-

rected seems proved by the many prisoners they
invariably make. By this time the awes must

surely be thoroughly convinced of the superiority
of the opponents they at first so greatly despised
and depreciated. It becomes rather difficult to un-

derstand why they continue the struggle. They
noped, it was said, during the Conference, to see

some great Power (England presumably) come to
their aid at last. This hope must now surely be

dispelled. Some hint was lately thrown out that

England would protect the Danish islands if the
Germans pushed their aggressions so far. But
Lunen may any day be taken before a foreign fleet

shall have time to go to its assistance.

THE CODRINGTON BARONETCY.—We ere desired
to state that there is no foundation whatever for the
report that this baronetcy is or has been in dispute. Upon
the death•of the third baronet in France, in 1816, without
lawful issue, the title devolved upon his cousin, Sir Bethel!
Codrington, who was the father of the Sir William Cod-
rington, just deceased. An illegitimate son of the third
baronet by a Frenchwoman has assumed the title and
caused himself to be entered at the Heralds' College as
fourth baronet, and this seems to have given rise to the
falce report we have mentioned. Sir Gerald Codrington,
of Dodington, is now the sixth baronet.

THE STAFF.—The following Staff appointments
will shortly be vacant :—The command at Devonport, vice
Major-Gen Hutchinson, in October—the command in Ca-
nada, vice Lieut-Gen Williams, whose period of service has
just expired—Deputy Adjutant-General in Jamaica, vice
Col J. W. Reynolds, whose time is up in October—Deputy
Assistant Adjutant-General at Dublin, vice Major tlt evens,
in September—and Major of Brigade ,t Devonport, vice
Capt Kirk, 96th Regiment, who vacates the appointmeut"
about the close of the year,—Army an 4 2rovy aagere,

LITERATURE,

Mattie ; a Stray. By the author of " Owen,'
A Wait," &c, 3 Vuts. Hurst and BlackEtt.

Tee opening chapters of " Mattie" are inimitable.
Few among our very best novelists could more
vividly realise the scene in which we first make
acquaintance with the hapless little Stray. The
little stationer's shop, with its friendly hiding-place
in the doorway, possesses an irresistible fascination
for poor Mattie, even when, with considerable diffia
calty, the policeman has dislodged her, no sooner
has he moved on than she is back again. A little
festivity is taking place at the stationer's. "It is a
buff-day"—says poor Mt.t:ie, and how she wishes it
was her" buff-day," instead cf being that of Harriet,
the stationer's daughter, a girl about the age of the
poor motherless S!rey, who is begging in the
street and cowering at the door. Hero she
elicits the pity of young Hineliford, the future
hero of the tale—a bright beaming school-
boy who hurries upstairs to congratulate his
little friend on her birthday. His joyous greeting,
while his hands seek his pocket for a birthday pre-
sent, a little brooch that has taken all his savings,
and then his horror stricken exclamation, "Stolen,
by jingo !" all is most naturally told, and susrecion
at once designates the Stray. Very frank and very
barefaced is Mattie'a confession incidentally elicited
some time later. She protests she is note "reglar"
(a regular thief), but only occasionally gives way
when very " hard up." Mother Watts, the mis-
tress of the cheap lodging.house, who makes a
bargain of the stolen brooch, and "does not wish to
know how it is come by," has no doubt her proto-
types among that class. Very dismal, and also very
truthful, 'is the sad glimpse here given cf the
trials and temptations of the poor children li
of London. While we follow witn interest the
upward career of Mattie, we are fain to think
with pity of the hundreds of little Strays, who,
unlike her, meet with no helping hand to raise
them. The story which follows this introduction
is simple and interesting and very naturally told.
The character of the old stationer, Mr. Wesden,
is most skilfully and faithfully portrayed. We have
not advanced very far in the tale before we are quite
at home in Suffolk street, and intimately acquainted
wick John Weeden and Mr. Hiechford. The little
Stray, so vvellabeloved by many friends, in the
course of her story will become a favourite with
many readers now her history is in their hands, and
if the narrative of her adventures induces a passing
thought of kindness, and perhaps of help to be
bestowed upon the little " Strays" of the London
thoroughfares, the author of " Mattie will have
performed a good action as well as written a very
attractive tale,

Madeline Graham. By the author of " White
friars," &c. Three vols. Allxwell and Co.

The author of " Whitefriars" possesses a very
vigorous pen, which, on the first publication of that,
we believe her earliest, work, at once attracted the
attention of the pubic. Unfortunately, however,
while the hand of this writer is powerful in descrip-
tion, her tact and taste are not happy in discrimina-
tion. The manner of her works is clever, but we
cannot say that' the matter they contain is very
excellent. This authoress, and the fault is mote to
be regretted in a female writer, always inclines to
heroes and heroines verging on the borders of
impropriety, white for some among them suet/
a description is indeed very inadequate. Her
new story of Madeline Graham—we had nearly
said Madeline Smith—is of this cl.,ss. Madeline
is a most revolting character, a treacherous and
abandoned woman. Her attempt to poison her
French lover is evidently suggested by the history
of that other Madeline above alluded to. As we
should not tolerate such acquaintances in real life,
we cannot say that the perusal of their very ques-
tionable adventures, and the close conteinplation jl
their very despicable qualities in a work of fiction
affords us any particular satisfaction.

Rington Priory. A Tale. By Ethel Hone, author
of " Prison Narratives," &c, Tnree vols. Saun-
ders, Otley, , and Co.
This is one of the quiet domestic novels that
are becoming scarce in the prevent clay. It is writ.
ten in an easy, pleasant manner, and will be wel,
coma to the readers of the circulating libraries,
without obtaining any very high rank among the
literature of the day. The same misfortune befalls
Lucy Stanforth, the heroine of the tale, as befell
the charming Lily Dale of " The Small House of
Allington," and we do not know which is the more
despicable character, Seymour Browne or Adolpbus
Crosbie. The various families who compose the
society end the non-society of Rington are very
felicitously compared and contrasted. The Under.
woods and the Millers, the Osbornes and the Stan-
forths, with the charming Lady Diana, at the
Park, and the disagreeable Graingsrs, at Oho Priory,
compose a very miscellaneous circle, and give
ample room for the exercise of the author's de-
cided talent in describing domestic details and
country gos,ip. Some of the secondary characters
are more attractive than the actual hero and heroine,
and the story of Rington Priory makes, on the whole,
a very readable and interesting book.

Hamlet in the Foreign-office on the Danish

Question.

(Front the Examiner.)
To do, or not to do; that is the question :---
Whether 'tis wiser in a State, to suffer
The chaff and swagger of outrageous Bismark ;
Or to take arms against a lot of Germans,
And, by opposing, smash them ?—make war—to fight;
No more ; and, by a fight to say we end
This nausea, and these thousand awful shocks
To our propriety ; a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. Make war,—to fight ;
To fight ! perchance to pay;—aye, there's the rub;
For h that fighting time what bills may come.
When we have shuffled off this modest budget,
Must give us pause : there's the respect
That makes humiliation of long peace :
For who would bear the quips and scorns of Boost,
The Austrian's wrong, the Prussian's contumely,
The pangs of outraged Poles, the Frank's delay,
The insolence of Russia, and the spurns
The patient Europe of her tyrants takes,
When he himself might their quietus make
With a bare Whitworth ? Who would Cob Jens bear,
To groan or blush under a doubtful peace ;
But that the dread of something after war,—
Th' unestinaated outlay, from whose depth
No halfpenny returns,—puzzles the will;
And makes us rather bear those Brights we have,
Than fly to Ellenb'roughs we know too well?
Thus taxes do make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of Palmerston
Is sieldied o'er with the pale cast of Gladstone;
And ironclads of greatest armament,
With this regard, their stately heads turn home,
And scuttle out of action.—Soft you, now I
Fair Alexandra :—Nymph, in thy orisons
Be all my slips remembeed.
Danish Lady. Good, my lord.
How does your lordship since this conference ?
H. I humbly thank you ; tolerably well.
.D, L. My lord, I have certain promises of yours
That I have long'd two months to re-deliver;
I pray you now receive them.
H. No, not I;
I never gave you aught.
D. L. My honotted lord, you know right well you did ;
And, with them, words of so sweet breath compos'd,
As made the things more rich : their perfume lost,
Take these again; for to the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
There, my lord.
H. Hal am I honest ?
D. L. My lord ?
B. Am I fair ?

[Exit doubtful.] J. W.

Exeurbions on the river are quite the fashion
this year at the Imperial residence of Fontainebleau. The
Empress has a small steamer, in which she takes trips on
the Seine with the different guests at the Palace,

CLOCK Woar IN EN Grasp.—" As a sample of English
clock work on a large scale, the works of this are probably the
finest fini hed that have ever been seen in this country—no
chronometer conld be fitted with more perfect and carefully
adjusted mechanism."—Times, June 11, 1862. J. W Benson
having erected steam power and improved machinery for
clock making at the manufactory, Ludgat will be glad
to furnish to clergymen, architects, and com,, ittees estimates
and specific ,tions of every description of horological machine,
especially cathedral and public clocks, chiming tunes on any
number of' bells. A descriptive pamph'et on church clocks
post free for one stamp. Watch and c ock maker by warrant
of appointment ti 11.1t.L.T. the Prince of Wale., and maker o.
the great clock for the Exhibition. la 4. Manulactory, Lud-
gatz-hill, LQIICIGJ2, EEtablidled EadYt.3

(777NV1`17,-
tzJA.. 1‘1:•4' FMN
Ctfan.t.,

HER MAJESTY,

WINDSOR CASTLE, July 2,
The Queeu, accompanied by her Royal Highness
Princess Helena, took a carriage drive yesterday
afternoon, attended by Major-General Sep mour.

JULY 3,
The Que.en, accompanied by Princess Beatrice,
went to London yesterday and visited the Prince
and Princess of Wales at Marlborough-house, where
her Majesty remained to luncheon. The Matchio.
ness of E+y, Major-General Seymour, and Colonel
the Hon. A. Hardiege were in attendance.
Her Majesty drove from Marlborough-house to
Carlton-housc-terrace, and honoured the Dube of
Newcastle with a visit, and afterwards honoured
Mr. Foley and Mr. Durham by inspecting the
memorials of the Prince Consort now in execution
by them at their studios.

Tho Queen then went to Buckingham Palace,
where the Duchess of Inverness had the honour of
being received by her Majesty.
Their Itayal Highnesses Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse joined her Majesty at Buckingham
Palace.

At six o'clock her Majesty, accompanied by their
Royal Highnesses Prince and Princess Louis of
Hesse and Princess Beatrice, left the Palace in an
open carriage and four, and drove up Grnstitutior,
hill, through Hyde Park, to the Great Western
station, where a special train was in readiness to
convey her Majesty to Windsor.
Major-General t','.eymour and Coionsi the Hon. A.
Hardinge attended on horseback.
The Marchioness of Ely attended the Queen to
Windsor.

Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse returned to
Buckingham Palace.

Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and
Princess Louise, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Bruce
and Colonel the Hon. A. L!ddell, went to Canter-
bury yesterday and inspec,ed the Cathedral. The
Dean of Westminster, Lady A. Stanley, and Arch-
deacon Harrison, Canon of Canterbury, accompanied
the P►iacesses and conducted them over the Cathe-
dral, St. Augustin's College, Church of St. Martin,
ecc., &c.

Archdeacon and Mrs. Hirrison had the honour of
entertaining their Royal Highnesses at luncheon,
after which they returned to London and Windsor
at 7 o'clock.

The Earl of Clarendon arrived at the Castle last
evening, and had the honour of dining with her
Majesty and the Royal Fami,y.
The Queen, their Royal Highnesses Princess
Helena, Princess Louise, and Princess Beatrice,
with the ladies and gentlemen in waiting, attended
Divine service this morning in the Private Chapel.
The Rev. E. W. Benson, Head Master of Welling-
ton College, officiated.

Their lioyal Highnesses Prince and Princess
Louis of Hesse, attended by Mademoiselle de
Grancy and Captain von Westerweller, arrived at
Windsor Castle this afternoon from Buckingham
Palace.

The Prince and Princess of Wales,
The Prince ano Princess of \\rates, attended by
the Marchionees of Carmarthen, Captain Grey, and
Mr. Fisher, went to the Bazaar in aid of the Earls-
wood Idiot Asylum, at the Hanover-square Rooms,
in the forenoon on Saturday.
Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Prin-
cess Mathes, visited the Prince and Princess of
Wales at Mariboronol bOore, and took luncheon
with their Royal Highnesses.
The Marchioness of Ely, Major-General Seymour,
and Col. the Hon. A. Hardinge, attended the Queen
The Princ,. of Wales, accompanied by the Prince
of Leiningen, and attended by Captain Grey, rode
on horseback.
The Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Prin-
cess of Leiningen, tools a carriage drive.
The Prince of Wales dined with the Corporation
of the Trinity House, at the Trinity house, in the
evening.

His Rayal Highness was attended by Earl Spen-
cer, Lieut.-General Kaollys, and Captatn Grey.
The Princess of 'Wales, accompanied by the Prince
and Princess of Leiningen, went to Her Mdiesty's
Theatre, attended by the Marchoness ofearmarthen
and Lou' Harris.

The Prince and Princess of Weiss, with the
Prince and PI incess of Leiuingen, the Marchioness
of Carmarthen and Captai❑ Grey in waiting, at.
tended Divine service at the Chapel Royal, St.
James's, yesterday morning. The Communion
service was read by the Lord Bishop of London,
the Rev. the Sub Dean, and the Rev. R. Harvey,
The Bishop of London, Dean of her Mijesty's
Chapels Royal, preached the sermon from Ist Cur.,
chap, iv., put of verse 7, " For who rnaketh thee
to differ from another ? " Anthem-."The Wilder-
ness" (Goss); sung by Master Bristoe, Messrs. R.
Burnby, Moutem Smith, and Lawier. Mr. Goss
presided at the organ.

•
ROYAL VISIT TO CANTERBURY.-0a Saturday
their Royal Highnesses the Princess Helena and the
Princess Louise, with the Hon, Col. Liddell and the lion.
Mrs Bruce in attendance, visited Canterbury for the pur-
pose of inspecting the cathedral and other objects of eccle-
siastical and historical interest connected with the city.
Their Royal Highnesses travelled by special train en the
London, Chatham, and Dover line, and arrived at Canter-
bury at 12 o'clock. 0 wing to a misapprehension as to the
time at which the train was to arrive, no carriage was at the
station, and their Royal Highnesses, instead of waitins,
proceeded on foot over the Dane John recreation ground
and through the principal streets of the city to the Cathe-
dral, a distance of more than halt a mile. Tney were recog-
nised by several citizsns from their likeness to her Majesty
the Qaeen. At the Cathedral the Royal visitors were re -
ceived by the Very Rev. the Dean of Westminster awl
Lady Augusta Stanley, the Yen. Archdeacon Harrison an d
Mrs Harrison being also in attendance. Both the Roya .1
Princesses appeared greatly pleased when going through tic as
magnificent building, as the Dean of Westminster explained
the different objects of interest. At 2 o'clock the Archdeacan
and Mrs Harrison had the honour of entertaining their
Royal Highnesses s, ith luncheon at their residence. Aftef •
wards their Royal Highnesses, still attended by the De: in
of 'Westminster, proceeded to the Missionary College of lit.
Augusine and St. Martin's Church, in which Christianiity
was first preached in England. At 4 o'clock they returned
to the railway station in an open carriage, a considerable
crowd of people having collected to witness their departune.
On taking their seats in the saloon carriage of the Royal
train both Princesses smilingly bowed their acknowledl
meats to the loyal greetings of the people on the platforn t.
Exactly at 4 o'clock the train moved out of the station, fa charge of Mr Manley, as engineer, and Mr Superintendent
Bishop as guard.
The Countess of Derby had a dinner party on
Saturday, at the family mansion in St. James's-
square. The noble earl was unable to join the dinner circle
owing to an attack of gout. Among the guests were the
Earl and Countess of Longford, Lord and Lady Bateman,
Lord Burghley, Lord Claud Hamilton and Mies Remitter:a,
Lord and Lady Naas, the Right Hon. Sir William H.
Jolliffe, M.P., and Miss Jolliffe, the Right Hon. Spencer
and Mrs. Walpole, Colonel and Mrs. Taylor, Capt. Paken-
ham, and Mr. Wilbraham.
'rue Countess of Carnarvon gave birth to a
daughter on Saturday, at the town residence in Lower
Grosvenor-street. we are informed that the countess and
infant are progressing favourably.
Tue Eart and Countess of iVlatmesbury have issued
cards for a grand dinner to their Royal Highnesses the
Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary, on the Sth
instant.
TnE LORD MAYOR.—We are happy to state that
the Lord Mayor is progressing favourably after his
recent accident, and his medical advisers confidently hope
that the injury he has sustained wilt leave no permanent
effects, although it is probable that a little lameness may
exist for some time to come, On Wednesday, his lordship
was enabled to transact business in his private drawing-
room, and we are informed that Dr. Saunders has given it
as his opinion that, should no intervening contingency
arise, his lordship will be able to take carriage exercise in
the course of another week. At present, however, the leg
cannot be put to the ground.—City P, es,.
TRUE AUTHORSHIP OF "j,hr I%IAUDIT l"--We
read in the Union with reference to " Le Mandit"
and " La Religieuse" (the N.
• Kn), two novels purported to
have been written by a priest, and having obtained in con-
sequence what cur neighb urs call an awes de scandal!
" The Figaro affirms that the author of Le Masidit' and
of heligieuse' is 111, Lauis Ulbach—(a Protestant)—
and sets him at defiance to prove the contrary." Tula
piece of intelligence may be useful to those who should
happen to read the translations of those two works about to
be published by it ears Bentlqy, 01 Lf•ndoni