The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-01 00:00:00

TIM SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1, 1863.

regions of the past. Nothing can excuse slavery ;
it is a disgrace and a degradation to humanity; but
nothing great was well achieved in this world by
precipitancy. Demagogues may declaim, and agi-
tators may stir up revolts, bat the solid and lasting
change must take tine for its working out. There
is no greater mistake than to introduce a startling
change with undue rapidity—in fact, it often
does more harm than leaving things alone for a
time. Mr. SPENCE very truly said that there could
be no " emancipation that would benefit the negro
without the co-operation and by the act of the
Southerners themselves." This is strictly founded
on fact ; all else would create eonfusion worse con-
founded, and give rise to far greater and more
fearful evils than those at present existing. The
gradual infusion of influence, the spread of the
refining impressions of civilisation, will do more
real and lasting work towards the great achieve•
meat of emancipation than all the violence of
public speakers., and all the vaunted efficacy
of spurious proclamations. Mr. SPENCE put
the question well, when he asked the assembly if
they thought we should ever have agreed to eman-
cipation if the people of France had invaded us to
make us to do so. There is consistency in every-
thing, and the very notion cf anything approach-
ing to intimidation naturally rouses the just in-
dignation, and provokes the wrath of a nation.
Mr. SPENCE concluded his address by an earnest
expression of hope that this country would do
something in this great point at issufl. Truly did
he say that it was not by doing nothing that we
became what we are, and " that it was our duty
upon an American question not to follow but, to
lead." This a subject well deserving reflection, for
it concerns our reputation, as one of the foremost
powers of the world, not to be always left behind
in the regulation of great questions, and the dis-
cussion of important interests. It was not always
so in the history of this land. " Not thus we
gained an empire where never sets the sun." The
annals of our race record many a stirring scene in
which England was the arbiter of the destinies of
other nations ; but now all we dare to do is to
fold our hands, and leave things to take
their course. It is a deplorable calamity to
witness such strife and slaughter among the descen-
dants of the Anglo-Saxon race. We are intimately
connected with them, and old associations should
have their way, even among the arid ways, and
through the unsympathetic labyrinths of politics.
As Mr. SPENCE observed, " the blessing of peace
can only endure on one basis, and that is the hide-
pence of the South." At least, if we must not aid
in any way this desirable solution of this difficulty,
let us not add to the suffering which now presses
so heavily on thousands, by attempting to deny
that this is the sober reality and the undisputable
fact.

A very interesting ceremony took place on Satur-
day last in the old historic Hall at Westminster. It
was in honour of that Volunteer movement which
has been so remarkable a feature of our times, and
the selection of the spot was by no means inappro-
priate as an illustration of the readiness with which
Englishmen muster to the defence of their old
strongholds of law and liberty. The occasio❑ was
the presentation of prizes to those successful mem-
bers of the London Scottish Rifles who had distin-
guished themselves at the various rifle meetings of
tho year, and the distribution was rendered espe-
cially interesting from the fact of the prizes being
given away by L idy ELCHO, the wife of the noble
Colonel of the Corps. Her ladyship, in a brief
address to the members, congratulated them on
having made considerable progress, as shown by
the shooting returns, In comparing the numbers
with those of last year, it seems that there were this
season 249 men who fired in their classes against
154 last year; 151 who fired the three periods
against 71; and 50 marksmen against half that
number in 1862. Further, two of the members
appeared in the lists for the Queen's Prize, and one
was fortunate enough to secure that given in honour
of the Royal Bride. Her ladyship, however, told
them they must not rest satisfied until they had
gained the highest point of honour—the Queen's
Prize. The numbar of efficients in the Corps has
nearly doubled, having been last year only 180, and
now 322. Such statistics afford satisfactory evidence
that there is no flagging of the Volunteer spirit
among us, and that the work so eagerly begun is
not likely to droop for want of perseverance and
energy.

Foreign Musical and Theatrical Intelligence,

A new oratorio, " The Eternal Country," by Herr Kuster,
has been performed at Berlin, without much success.
Madame Grisi has been appearing in her favourite part
of Norma at La Pergola Theatre, Florence. A new tenor,
Signor Limberti, is said to be successful at Rome. Madame
Borghi-Mame has reappeared at the Italian Opera at Paris,
where Madame Marie Lablschc has made her debut : also
Signor Sterbini, a new baritone, and Signor Baragli,
" Rigoletto" is to be given in French at the Theatre
Lyrique.

Signor Piatti is to play at the next of M. Pasdeloup's
Popular Concerts in Paris.

M. Janin writes in favourable phrases on "Les Indif-
f4rens," a four-act comedy by M. Belot, which has been
produced at the Theatre!de l'Odeen, Paris. After a long
absence from the stage, Madame Doche is playing with M.
Melingue, in " Benvenuto Cellini," at the Porte St. Martin
Theatre. The Countess Batthyany-Apraxin has made
what tray be called a probationary appearance, as Phedre,
at the Theatre des Jeunes Artistes; This is said to have
fulfilled expectation, which was raised very high. She will
possibly, it is added, appear in a new "Attila," translated
from the Hungarian of M. Dobsa by Mdlle. Jeanne Wohl.
—.4thenceuna4

CAPTAIN SIIAW.—Her Majesty the Queen visited
yesterday afternoon the Dowager Duchess of
Sutheiland, at Stafford House, and kindly inquired after
Captain Shaw, the chief of the Fire Brigade, who is bat
slowly recovering from the effects of the accident he re-
cently met with at a fire. Mr. Hewitt, who is attending on
the dowager duchess, was instructed to make known to
Captain Shaw (on whom ho is also attending profession-
ally) her Majesty's kind inquiry.

COLOURS OF THK STARS.—If the stars be observed
on a clear night, it will be seen that they shine with
different colours, The most noticeable hues are red, white,
and yellow ; no stars exhibit a distinct blue or green colour,
though some have a bluish or greenish tinge. In our
Northern latitudes, where the air is scarcely ever free from
haze and vapour, this diversity of colouring is not, perhaps,
very striking; but in Southern climes, and especially in
inland regions, where the air is less humid, the effect is far
greater : the whole vault of heaven seems set with sparkling
gems. The difference of tint we have mentioned, is per-
ceptible to the naked eye, in our clime, only among stars of
the first and second magnitudes. Even among these
observers differ slightly The ancients noted
some of these brighter stars, and we thus learn the remark.
able fact that their colours are not unchangeable. Sirius
was celebrated in the writings of the ancients as a bright
red star ;it is now decidedly white. Other changes have
been noted, and some of these have occurred within a com-
paratively short time Among the stars either
altogether unseen, or but faintly visible, to the naked eye,
the telescope reveals the same diversity of colouring. Many
of these stars, indeed, are found to bo coloured in a more
marked manner than these we have hitherto mentioned.
Stars are found shining with a scarlet, blood red, brilliant
orange, or deep yellow colour. Still, however, n 3 stars of a
deep blue or green tint occur singly. Thus far, then, the
telescope has merely extended the range of our view, with-
out disclosing appearances differing in any important respect
from those already observed. When, however, a telescope
of sufficient power is directed successively to double or mut .
tiple stars, we soon notice new and singular phenomena,
Not only do we find every shade and tint of the primary
and secondary colours,
end h
d suchtat
in
huesmaashy eagreyse,a
thefaw stare
forming ash-colour, but we
notice
forming a binary system are of complementary colours.
Struve has observed that this is the case in upwards of one
hundred of the double systems. In triple and multiple
systems, similar arrangements of colour are noticed. --- At
Cornhill for .December.
WRECKS.—During the past week 61 wrecks
have been reported, making a total for the present year
of 2,257.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, DEC. 1.
The Obergespans, chiefs of the public admini-
stration of Croatia, who have met here, have resolved
that Croatia shall send deputies to the council of
the Empire, provided that the February constitu-
tion be modified in a manner guaranteeing to the
Croats the maintenance of their autonomy, the in-
tegrity of their territory, and the disposal of the
direct taxes and revenue of Croatia.

THE HOLSTEIN QUESTION.

BERLIN, DEC. 1.

A despatch of Earl Russell on the Schleswig.
Holstein question, dated Nov. 23, to Sir Andrew
Buchanan, English Ambassador at Berlin, has been
published.

This despatch perfectly coincides with Ear.
Russell's despatch to Sir Alexander Mallet.

FRANCE.

PARIS, DEc. 1.

The Moniteur of this morning says :—" The
Government is entirely unconnected with thr
pamphlet, entitled " Napoleon 111., et Le Con-
gres," to which several papers have alluded."

A decree
.has been published suspending the
Progies, a Lyons paper, for two months, on account
of the summary it has given of the proceedings in
the Corps Legislatif.

BOURSE, Nov. 30.—The market continues heavy
and the business done shows a decline. Threes, for
the present Account, are now at 66f. 75c. Rail-
way shares rather offdred. The market closed as
follows :

41 per Cents. 'o4 40
Do. end month
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 65
Credit Mobilier 1035
Do, end month 1037 50
Bank Shares 3360
Credit P onder 1220
Roman —

Italian Loan 7l 4:5
Do. end month — --
New ditto
Do. end month —
Russian
Austrian .. 77
Spanish Threes 53
Home Debt
Deferred

RAIL

rAYB.
Cash. Account.
961 25 .. 965
955 969

Orleans
Northern
New ditto
Lyons aria Meditsrranean
New ditto ...... •
Geneva
SuAhern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona

- •• -
942 50 .. 920 -
870 - -
493 75 -
670 - 672 50
507 50 .. .07 -
475 - 477 50
380 385 --
390 - 392 50
511 25 515 -
510 - .. 505
610 - .. 612 50
305 - .. 302 50

THE BRAZILS.

BUENOS AYRES, OCT. 27.
The irritation manifested in the province of Entre
Rios against the Central Government of the Argen
tine Republic has subsided, owing to the efforts of
Urquiza himself. In the province of Rioja, Pena
loza is, it is said, pursued by superior forces.

MONTE VIDEO, OCT. 29.
The revolution, headed by Flores, is far from
being suppressed. This celebrated adventurer.
crossing the Rio Negro, has again beaten Llamas,
General of the troops of the regular Government,
and has laid siege to Salto and Paysandir.
The division of General Moreno (White) has dis-
persed of itself, and Medina (White), who had set
off in pursuit of Flores, suddenly came to a halt,
wherefore is not known. Monte Video is at the
mercy of a coup-de-main.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 8.
A serious conflict has arisen betwee❑ the Mar
quis d'Orlanda, Minister of the Empire, and the
Municipality. The organic municipal law of
Brazil places under the control of the mu-
nicipal magistrates all matters affecting
the police, and the management of th*
City including among other things the control 01
the slaughter houses, arid the protection afforded to
the breeders and sellers of cattle against the coali-
tion of the shopkeepers and butchers, in fact every-
thing relating to the supply of food and the whole-
someness of alimentary substances.
But the Government, through the chief of the Rio
police, has nevertheless interfered more than once in
the exercise of these privileges so formally reserved
to the municipality. Either through weakness or
connivance the municipal magistrates (vereadores)
have always allowed the Government to da this.
But latterly the Marquis d'Olinda thought proper
to place the slaughter house of Rio, and the supply
of meat, under the control of the Chief of Police.
An official agent was appointed responsible for the
provisioning of the city, and having the privilege of
himself furnishing daily about two-thirds of the
oxen necessary for the consumption of the city,
the number of which was fixed by the Minister.
and charging upon each Jb. of meat ( which is about
80 reis per lb.) a commission, first fixed at 10,
and afterwards reduced to 5 reis. This constituted
a real monopoly, and increases the price of an article
of food of the first necessity, without profit for
anybody except the agent. It besides gives rise to
many scandalous and immoral traffics, among others
a monopoly of fresh hides, prejudicial to the pro-
ducers, who receive on the average 3,500 dols. for
an article for which 9,000 dols. is asked in the
market. It is also prejudicial to the tanners, who
can neither buy the hides from the slaughtered
beasts, nor have beasts killed on their own account.

The Vereadores have energetically protested
against the measures above mentioned, and hence
the conflict; but the Marquis d'Olinds, persisting,
the Conservative members, happy to put the Liberals
at ♦ariance with the Government they created, did
not appear at the sittings.

The Liberals protested strongly against the arbi-
trary acts of the Mai quis d'Olinda, and offered
their resignation. 'f
`he marquis, not satisfied, re-
ferred them to the judge as guilty of rebellion, sus-
pended them from their functions, and summoned
to replace them those of their fellow-citizens who
at the election obtained the greatest number of
votes after them. These persons are called sup-
plentes. The supplentes first on the list not
venturing to come forward in the state of
public opinion, the list was gone through
in the order of the number of votes, until M. Ottoni
was reached, who thus found himself called to the
Municipality. Exercising bis influence upon col-
leagues without consideration or importance what-
ever, the celebrated agitator, the famous tribune of
the people,
discovered bow to make the Marquis
d'Olinda appear right and the liberal Vereadors
wrong, and, according to his own expression,
" cut the gordiaa knot," so miserably, however, that
public opinion, indignant at such an unworthy
course, has turned against him, and M. Ottini runs
great risk of finding himself alone in the Municipal
Chamber, unless the Emperor, not persisting in his
conduct, appoints him Senator. But even in this
case his influence would be enormously diminished.
The polemic on the Anglo-Brazilian question
which followed the publication of an article in the
Jornal do Commercio in favour of mediation by the
King of Portugal, has been taken up the official
Diario,

The latter journal says:—" The acceptance by
England of the mediation offered by his Majesty
the King of Portugal has not yet been notified to
the Brazilian Government in an official or authentic
manner. Earl Russell has confined himself to an-
nouncing in Parliament that the Government of
the Queen would with pleasu re renew relations
with the Brazilian Empire. These words do not
imply a formal acceptance of the mediation. They
announce, on the contrary, to take the initiative.
Under such circumstances the Brazilian
Government was obliged to be guided by
Earl Russell's note of the 25th !day, in
which he said, " Her Majesty's Government
expresses her regret at the events which have ac-
companied the reprisals, and declares that it had
no intention of offending the dignity or violating
the sovereignty of the empire, and agrees to satiety
the demands of thoee who ear interested." The

Brazilian Government, therefore, has tot rejected
the mediation which has been offered. It has
simply submitted to the consideration of the Portu-
guese Government the trasons which would pre-
vent its immediate acceptance.