The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-30 00:00:00

THE SALARIES OE THE OFFICERS.

Mr. LEGG said that there was no doubt, in con-
sequence of the Thames embankment, a vast amount
of work had been thrown upon the board ; and
there could also be no doubt but that the work of
the officers had been materially increased. The
time was now come when, as the board was about
to apportion the expenses of the establishment,
they should consider the following motion, which
he had given notice of—" That it be referred to
the Thames Embankment Committee to consider
the increased duties and responsibilities thrown
upon the heads of the several departments of the
board in consequence of the passing of the Thames
Embankment Acts 1862 and 1863, and that in
taking into consideration the subdivision of the
expenses of the board, the salaries of such officers be
re•considered."

Mr. NEWTON seconded the motion.
An amendment was moved that the question be
not put, which was carried.
After the transaction of some routine business
the board adjourned.

FATHER MATHEW'S " CALL."—An involuntary
expression of his mother's, one day—" Is it not
unfortu-
nate! I have nine sons, and not one of them to be a priest _l'
—determined his career for life.
Imprisonment or seizure of their goods,
Persons in debt may obtain instantanpdroanteecntitoinreargelaciansset
ftroo mm
easl
sl
rsd e. b3tisaarns
itoi
tsowithoutf the
ep ucbol fucri
tty , 0
fb y
Barapplicationuptcy.
easy instalments. Charges under £5 payable by
Offices—
(established 1830), 12,1Iatton-garden. City branch-6, Moor-
gate-street, Bank.—ADVT.
ADVERTISEMENT.)—Avoid medicines: they always aggra-
vate chronic complaints, but Du Barry's Delicious Health
its saves
hveseafillthtyytliinaveers,
which
them, restoring
Restoringw st i n
Eoethveariernemta eAdrieasb,icianvia'oroiadb, invariably cures
ppeurrfeecbtlodoidg,e:etfiorens,hsitnrgonsgleenpe,rivuens,ctsioounnadl lu
regularity, and energy
to the most disordered or enfeebled. We extract a few out
of 60,000 Cures :—Cure No. 55,216 of the Marchioness de
Br6han, Paris, of a liver complaint, wasting away for seven
Ye, ars debility, with a nervous palpitation all over, bad
digestion, constant sleeplessness, the most intolerable nervous
agitation, and dreadfully low spirited.—Cure No. 1,771. Lord
Stuart de Decics, Lord Lieut. of Waterford, of many years'
dyspepsia.—No. 49,832. "Fitly years' indescribable agony
from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation,
flatulency, spasms, sickness, and vomiting-.—Maria Jolly."
—Cure No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, of Frimley, Surrey, of
thirty years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derange •
ment, and partial deafness.—Cure No. 47,121. Miss Elizabeth
Jacobs, of extreme nervousness, indigestion, gathering's, low
spirits, and nervous fancies.—Cure No. 54,816. The Rev. Jas,
T. Campbell, Fakenham, Norfolk, "of indigestion and torpi-
dity of the liver, which had resisted all medical treatment."
In tins,l lb., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6cl ; Mb., lls. ; 1218., 225. ; 241 b
405.—Barry Du Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, London;
also Fortnum and Mason ; and all Grocers and chemists in
every town of the United Kingdom.

£\ L; V; SPA 1.1 E. R
///...g'
~.- - ...-s----ez.--,-3-400,--jb ; _ _r----, ••,,
.10,A
.4; 7tP`
Terrible Catastrophe in Chil ir.,-4.-:ltsX"r-- it;
41t5''&41,tk?,I'
V_ L
(FROM A PRIVATE LETTER TO THE TI ' . ?:'141‘..-, --,..-4 z,...,..i ~
....,
SANTIAGO, MC. 17, '''" PT-1 1:-.V
A dreadful accident occurred in Santiago on t)
a b
Bth inst., which has plunged the whole city, and in•
deed the whole country, into mourning-2,000
human beings, principally women, perished by fire
on that day, and were consumed in the short. spaea
of a quarter of an hour, without receiving assistance
of any kind, or rather because it was ant of the by-
standers' power to afford them any help.
The Bth of December is iu Catholic countries a
great feast day, being the anniversary of the Pic7l-
- Concepcion of the B.Virgin Mary. Daring the
previous month the Church de h Compr4.-niu, so .. ..._
called because it belonged formerly to the Jesuits
(Compania de Jtsus), had been celebrating the
devotional practices and offices that corri.:spond to
the 11Ies de Maria, a copy or imitation of what at
the same period of the year tr&.s places in French
churches, The month ends on a.‘c. 8, or the Feast
of the Conception of the Virgin, and on the evening
of that day the church vin4,s to be illuminated and
adorned with flowers and garlands with more pro-
fusion than on former evenings. I may mention that
many who had visited th's church on former occa-
sions had complained of the suffocation prodliced by
the great agglomeration of people, and especially
of the danger likely to be incurred by the great
number of lights on the principal altar, and indeed
all round the church, but it seems no measures were
taken to prevent a serious accident. The church was
capacious enough to contain, in my opinion, 3,000
women, packed as they are in these countries, sit-
ting and kneeling on the floor on their own hand-
carpets, which each lady carries with her. Besides
those who could accommodate themselves inside (for
which purpose many took their seats outside the
church three hours before the doors were opened),
nearly 500 were left outside, sitting oa the steps of
the church near the doors, and just close enough to
hear the music or catch a few stray words from the
preacher.

On the Bth, being a feast-day, the devotees ware
exceedingly numerous, although perhaps a great
many ladies preferred going to the Alameda, or
Avenue of Poplars, which is the grand promenade;
but on the other hand, all the servant girls in town
received permission to attend. The doers of the
church opened et 6 o'clock (or near that tine), and
the women took their places, each scramb;ing, as
usual, for the best, or that nearest the pulpit
and principal altar. The achoiytes commenetal
lighting the lamps; unfortunately they were net
fed with oil, but with camphine, or as it is
called here, gas portatil. The principal image of
the Virgin, in the centre of the altar, was supported
by a fine half-moon or crescent of brilliant lamps.
On lighting these an accident took place (the de-
tails are not known or well investigated). The fire
communicated to the other surrounding lamps., to
the artificial flowers and garlands, candies, See.
Either the people inside the church did not per-,
ceive the fire, or the greater part thought it might
be easily extinguished (as on previous nights it was
not uncommon to see the aeholytes blundering
in their task) or some may have thought it best to
wait, and may have been unwilling to lose their
places. Meanwhile, the fire had extended to the,
roof, which was of wood, and to the dome, also of
wood, and the spectators began to perceive the
danger they were in. Many left the church quietly,
but in a few minutes the greatest confusion pre-
vailed. The 3,000 inmates of the church ran to the
doors. The building has three huge doors in the
front, but only one—the centre one—was available ;
the others were always closed, and never made use
of. The two side doors of the church were also
available; but the chief number ran to the princi-
pal or front door, and the side door
,that opens on
Bandera-street. The other side doer opens on a
small court, at the side of the new Congress, a
building yet unfinished.

About a third of the congregation, it appears,
managed to run out and escape, but the rest of the
women fell upon each other at the very doors, and,
instead of opening a passage to let others escape,
formed a complete wedge, and the bodies remained
locked together in rows one upon the other ; these
masses becoming every moment higher and more
compact, and nono being able to extricate herself,
as she was fastened or caught 1.2&d of by a dozen
hands behind her. You can imagine the shrieks
and agonies of these poor creatures struggling for
life, and endeavouring to escape from the middle
of the church, where the fire had already taken pos-
session of the dome, and where the lamps and
chandeliers were falling. It is natural to euppos.e
that they must have fled to the aide naves, and
placed themselves under the arches. But mean-
while the fire advanced, and no outlet was to be
found. The doors were obstructed. Some few
passers by had given the alarm. Many flocked to
the Piazuela do la Campania, reached the doors,
and tried to pull the people out; but it was impos-
sible; it required the strength of a steam engine to
move the compact mass of human beings loched
together. Some with outstretched arms beckoned
to those outside ; others implored assistance, calling
the succourers by their names; others could hardly
speak, and only signified their wishes by a motion
of their heads or lips. Some were suffocated with
the weight of those above and around them; others
were suffocated with the flames and smoke. Those
who ventured to rescue them had to be brought or
pulled out by a dozen companions, more dead than
alive. All was confusion and alarm, the bystanders
tearing their hair and running about wild in the
streets without being able to afford the least assis-
tance. A man on horseback, a country quaso, throw
his iaso (or rope of hide, which they always carry
attached to the saddle) into the church, and a thou-
sand hands tried to catch hold of it. Seine did seize
it, and were dragged out by the man and the
strength of the horse; but the second time! the same
attempt was made the lasogave way. A few moments
afterwards the bystanders saw the women inside in
flames. Their clothes had caught fire ; the fire had
reached their heads, and their hair was on fire. A
great flame came across the church ; the doors and
other wooden parts took fire. The sufferers dropped
down their heads and arms without a shriek, and all
was silence. The church was a furnace, above and
below—the roof and the victims underneath. Never
was there such a spectacle, nor do I think histo!y
can present a parallel.
When I reached the spot all the interior of the
church was a red flame. I only heard the cries and
wailing of the people in the square and streets ; the
running about of wild men, and the crash of the
dome falling in the midst of the ruins, A few
minutes afterwards the tower or spire, also of wood,
caught fire, and in a quarter of an hour was con-
sumed and fell into the church. How many vic-
tims have perished?" every one asked; every one
vaellsi,nf
co. u t
If oirmm hise
aottehleyr
c,wie,
ahl isu
ef thhi as t s 5t eoro,
souls had perished, as I saw no woman in the
rwealast
plazuela or streets. Some thought 60 or 100 a great
figure, but during the evening the truth was to be
discovered. Few had escaped ; a small number had
been brought out, half burnt and in a deplorable
state. As the fire burnt itself out—for here we
have, it is shameful to say, no fire• engines—the
bodies in the church began to be visible, as they
lay in horizontal strata, or in groups standing or
kneeling, in their last posture, as the fire Lad
caught them ; the greater portion near the doors,
others under the arches, others under the great bell,
which had fallen on the group near the principal
door mho appalling idea then presented itself to
some persons that the dead numbered 500 or 600,
but nest morning, when the bodies were removed
and counted, the first lot numbered 1,400, and still
many remained. According to the lists of people
missing which the papers publish, the victims out-
number 2,000. According to these lists the greater
and
portion—servants Fay two-thirds, are
the humbler class ; one-third at least belong to .10
principal families of Santisgo.
so fro-
The consternation was so great, the blow t
this
mendous, and the spectacle so appalling,
ti;one of
catastrophe passed at first like a dream.
many
Ele,p
the living slept that night, nor COuid
for successive nights after.
; s „ntia go that does
There is hardly a family
not mourn the less of scone nc,.. a quarter of 103. r relative. Tao
thousand victims vere sacrificed in
hour, in a smell enclosure 60 yatCa by 00.

BONNET'S SIL KS aI.
YON Article of
commerce takes its title either from the inventor or
manufacturer, and th, 3 more perfect the production the
grater is the credit wl lich attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica-
tion in Englanfallacof such an assertion is ex-
pos:d by the very trad€ .mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. • IA %.Y, of Regent-street.
The following inter w )ven mark may be seen at the end
of each piece :--"Mani.da Iture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., a Lyon
et a Inj urieux." Wear guaranteed.

derful to relate, herself succeeded in bearing out i
her precious load. While such incidents excite our
warmest sympathies with the happy few who were
enabled to escape or to rescue those most dear to
them, what words can paint the anguish of the
thousand bereaved hearts who, on that sad night
bewailed the loss of so many loved ones I A few
years back a comparatively trifling but to all
concerned an appalling accident occurred, it
will be remembered at the Surrey Gardens
when a large concourse of people were assembled to
hear Mr. SPURGEON. At that time great excite-
ment prevailed, and many means were suggestedfor
ensuring the safety of assembled crowds, wnether
in places of public worship or of amusement. We
are not aware that since that occurrence any available
precautionary measures have been adopted. When
Covent Garden Theatre was burnt down on the
night of the 4th of March,lBs6, every one rejoiced
in the providential hour at which tho calamity
occurred—after the dispersion of the audience. Had
the accident happened a few hours earlier, a catas-
trophe similar to that at Chili might have been the
result. We are as powerless as were the sad spec-
tators of that conflagration to afford any help or
alleviation to the sad sufferers and survivors of the
calamity. While, however, we deplore their loss,
the lesson should not be lost upon ourselves. Any
similar casualty would find our crowded assemblies
equally embarassed in striving to effect a rapid
egress ; and great as are cur mechanical skill
and our power of constructive invention,
the channels of egress from the majority of our
public buildings would on emergency be found to be
as fatally inaccessible to an excited crowd as were
the closed doors of the doomed Church of Santiago.

nER lE, S T Y'S THEATRE.
Nights of Perform Lance—
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays.

FAUST.
,(In English.)
THIS EVI INING, SATURDAY, JANUARY 30.
Lemmens-Sh,errinv, ton, Taccani, and Florence Lancia.
Santley, 'Marches', Dussek, and Sims Reeves.
Conductor—Signor Arditi.
Commence at Ei4ht.

ROYAL. ENGLISH. OPERA,
COVENT-GARDEN.
Under 'Clie Management of Miss Louisa Fyne and
Mr. W. llarrison.

THIS EVEI ZING, to commence with (2ith time) an en-
tirely new Ope retta, entitled FANCHETTE. Miss Louisa
Tyne and Mr. W. Harrison.
After which, a Grand Christmas Pantomime, on a scale of
unprecedented ma2niflcence,*ntitled
HARLEQUIN ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
Doors open at half-past Six— :ommence at Seven.

THEATHE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
Managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and
F. B. ChatieriOn.
THIS EVENING, the Performances will commence with
the New Serio-Comic Drama, by Edmund Falconer, entitled
riIGHT AND MORN. Principal characters by Mr. Phelps,
supported by Messrs. Ryder, Raynor, I, itzjames, and Misses
Leclercq. A;ticinsOn, and Heath.
To conclude .with the new Grand Christmas Comic Panto-
mime of SINBAD THE SAILOR ; or, The Seven Wonders
of the World. Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno and C. Lauri ;
harlequins, Mee srs. J. Cormack and S. Saville ; Pantaloons,
Messrs. W A. B.i.rn,s and J. Aiorris ; Columbines, Madame
Boleno and Mit4B,!S Gunnies.
Prices as usual. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
BEL DE MON1:0 (a Triumphant Success) will be repealed
Every Evening during the Week.
THIS EVENING, the performance will commence with-a
New and Original Farce, entitled THE LOST CHILD
Messrs. H. Widdicotnbe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett,
Mareland ; Misses Percy, Pauline Le'clercq, Wood, Mrs. Lee,
and Miss E. Lavenu.
A Ater which, at Eight o'clock, BEL DEMONIO, a Love
Story, in Twelve Tanleaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian
Chronicled," by Mr. John Brougnam. Principal charac
ter by Mr. Fectiter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles,
Brougham, Emery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford,
Collett, Sims ; 1 Ibis M. Henrade, Miss E. Lavenu, rs. Lee,
and Hiss Elswo rthy.
The Public an entreated to take notice that No Charge is
made to the occzapazats of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either
to: play bills or for the safe keeping of hats and cloaks, and
teat the attends nts in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gratuities whatever.
. Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

The protracted investigation which recently took
place before Mr. HENRY at Bow-street Police-office
into the murder of the captain and mate and others
on board the Flowery Land in the South Atlantic
Ocean, and the piratical seizure of the vessel by
the crew, which resulted in the committal of eight
of the number for trial, must be still fresh in the
recollection of our readers. In former times piracy
was rife on almost every sea, but at present, we
are happy to say, piracy, in the old acceptance of
the term, is extinct, except in the China seas, and
amongst the savages in the remote islands of the
Indian Archipelago. What is termed piracy now-
a-days is rather the seizure of a vessel by her own
crew, or a portion of them, than the capture being
effected by another ship sailing under the black
ensign. We have rarely met with a case in which
such cold-blooded murder was perpetrated as by the
seamen of the Flowery Land ; and the perpetrators
of the outrage will doutless meet with a deserved
punishment. Beyond this, however, it is our duty,
so far as possible, to prevent the recurrence of such
a disaster. The Flowery Land left London, bound
for Singapore, in July last, under the command of
JOHN SMITH. The crew, with the exception of
the first and second mate, and the carpenter, who
was a Dane, and a French seaman, were composed
of a mixed company of vagabonds, collected from
all parts of the globe—Greeks, Turks, Sclavonians,
Malays, and Chinamen. With such an incongru-
ous collection, the captain bad much difficulty in
getting the ship properly navigated, and after
two or three quarrels a portion of the crew sur-
prised the ship, and having murdered the captain,
first mate, and the captain's brother, who was a
passenger, they compelled the second mate, whose
life they spared for that purpose, to navigate the
ship to the South American Coast. Here they
landed, after scuttling the ship and disposing of
the steward, and one or two others whom they
disliked. Yet, strange to say, 'they spared the lives
of the second mate, the carpenter, and the French-
man, upon whose evidence they have been brought
to justice. It is evident that the captain and his
officers were at the 'mercy of the ruffians who
composed the crew, when at any time they might
determine to attack them. Including the captain's
brother, the carpenter, and the Frenchman, there
were but six Europeans on board. It is true that
had treachery been expected those men, aided by
the steward, who was a Malay, and the cook and
lamp trimmer, who were Chinamen, might have
defended themselves, and carried the vessel into
some port, where they could have got rid of the
riff-raff crew; bat amongst an assemblage, where
the conspirators can converse together in an un
known tongue, and mature their plans in secret,
detection is very difficult. The captain was cer-
tainly remiss in not taking more precautions than
he seems to have done, knowing the class of men he
had to deal with. For this oversight he has paid a
heavy penalty, but we consider it a disgrace to this
country that a British ship should sail from an
English port with such a disreputable ship's com-
puny. Before the repeal of the Navigation Laws,
some sixteen or seventeen years ago, it
was compulsory upon all ship-owners to
have a certain number of British seamen and
apprentices employed in their vessels, in proportion
to their tonnage, but when the Free-trade mania
was all powerful, complaints were made by those
interested in the cheap carriage of merchandise.
They said that the law which virtually excluded
foreigners from competing with our shipowners,
and likewise compelled the said shipowners to em-
ploy a certain class of men, who on that account
required higher wages than foreign seamen would
work for, was unjust, and that shipowners, manu-
facturers, and the world at large, were the victims
of a monopoly. The agitation was successful, the
Navigation Laws were not amended, as they very
properly might have been, but they were repealed,
and we are now reaping the benefit of our over-
liberality to those who do not care to meet us half
way with concessions. Shipowners, like other men,
naturally desire to have their work done as cheaply
as possible, and, with the exception of a few large
firms, apprentices are considered an unprofitable
trouble; and when no longer compelled to employ
British seamen, they are now too glad to obtain
the services of Germans and Spaniards, who will
work for less wages, and not be so exigent in their
requirements as Englishmen. The natural conse-
quence of this has been that a considerable pro-
portion of our mercantile navy is manned by
foreigners, while Englishmen are compelled either
to work for indifferent wages or to seek
foreign service, where their natural ability and
general rectitude of conduct avail them more than
they can do in their own country. America is thus
supplied with seamen for her merchant service in
the middle of the nineteenth century, as her frigates
were manned at its commencement by the short-
sighted policy of England, althouA h the ever in-
creasing extent of our commerce and the nautical
predilections of our population to a certain degree
neutralise the effects of this system, it cannot be
denied that our merchant service, the nursery of
our navy, has not been benefited by the repeal of
the Navigation Laws. We do not wish that the
old exclusive laws should be re-enacted, but we
think that certain restrictions might be placed upon
shipowners, end that they should be again obliged
to carry a certain proportion of British seamen, or
at all events not jeopardise the lives of the officers
by shipping desperadoes from Spanish America,
and other resorts of bravos and cut-throats. Eng-
land has derived much benefit from the development
of her free trade policy, but we may have too much
of a good thing. What is good for the goose ought
not to be poison for the gander, and while en-

THEATRE ROYAL HAY NI ARKET.-
Sole L essee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
THIS EVEN ING, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN: Messrs.
Sothern, Bucksttone, Chippendale, Braid. Gordon, Rogers,
Clark, Cullentord, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Snowden, Terry,
Lindley, Hill, &c.
After which, R. ING ARTHUR ; or The Days and Knights
of the Round Table. Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, Braid,
Clark, Rogers, Tilbury, &c. ; Mesdames L. Keeley, Brough,
Wright, Terry, Lindley, Rogers, &c.
Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-.
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, DONNA DIANA.
After which, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TUCKER;
or The Fine Lady of Banbury Cross, and the Old Woman
who Lived in a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
!mow what to do

NEW THEATRE-R0 YAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Pronriator and Manazer, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, ICI ON PALE FRANCAIS: Mr
L. Toole,
to Eifht, the New Drama of LEAH : Miss Bate-
man, supported by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, 811-
Ington, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne ; Miss 11. Simms, and
Mrs. Billing,tcn.
To conclude with LADY BELLE BELLE • or, Fortunio
and his Seven Magic Men. Messrs. J. Clarke, I. Phillips,
Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss
_Patti
Josephs, Miss L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.

Commence at 7.

LE..A. H.-EVERY NIGHT.
➢IISS BATEMAN.

MISS BATEMAN.—LEAH.—TMs EVENING,
the 103 d appearance of the great Tragic Actress, Miss
BATEMAN, in the character of LEAH. In consequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the pritlcipat character in the new Five Act Drama
of LEAH has been attended. Mr Webster begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further
notice.

It OYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Croa.ded with rank and fashion—The New Comedy- of THE
LVE it LINING every Evening.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, virs. Frank MAtthews, and Mr. J.
L. Toole every evening. The following eminent artistes are
engaged :—Mr. Benjamin Webster. Mr. J. L. Taule, Mr. Paul
Bedford, Mr. Frederic Robinson. Mr. Ashley, and Mr. Chas.
Mathews ; Mrs. Stirling, Miss Herbert, Mrs. Frank Mat-
thews, Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Went-
worth, and Mrs. Charles MaCnews.
THIS EVENING, and during the fol'owin7, Week, at 7,
an entirely new Comedy, in 3 Acts, by Leicester Bucking-
ham, Esq., entitled TOE SILVER LINT \ : Mr. Charles
Mathews, Mr. Frederic Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr, John-
s'one, Mr. Montague ; Mrs. harles Mathews, Mrs. Frank
Matthews, Miss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling.
To be followed by Mr, Charles Mathews (just translated
from the French)in nis characteristiccharacter of Un Anglais
Timide, entitled COOL AS A CUCUMBER..
To conclude with 1861; or, THE SENSATIONS OF
THE PAST SEASON : Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. Paul Bedford,
Mr. A. Cottrell, and Miss Fanny Josephs.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Ivlanaizer, Mr. W. H. Swanboroug-h.
THIS EVENING, ORANGE BLOSSOMS.
Alter which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EURYDICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &o.
Followed by MARGATE SANDS.
To conclude with TURN HIM OUT.
Commence at 7.

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
:an be had Every Evening of

G. IL GLItNIE, NEWF AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

CO ALS. —The MILLESHAL L COMPANY'S
lJ COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis'. 26s. per ton. I Double. 2ls. per ton.
Top 255. „ Nuts.. l9s. „
Deep 223.
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W.
Best Cote
Terms cash.
JOHN SCOTT, Sole Agent.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Norning, sd. 48m.—Afternoon, 6h. 4m.
ro-mottitow.-Morning, 6'll. 22m.—Afternoon, 65.41 m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Jan. 30, 1864.

THERMOMETER.

This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-30.41.
; moderate, and very fine.

b y
7 sit-I
SUM

LONDON, SATURDAY, JAN. 30, 1864.

The news from South America relates one of the
most appalling accidents ever recorded in the annals
of calamity. The Church de la Compania, the
large church of Santiago, the capital of Chili, was on
the evening of the Bth of December almost entirely
consumed by fire, daring a religious ceremonial,
-when the edifice filled in every part. So dense was
the crowd, and so difficult were the means of egress
that only two-thirds of the large concourse were
enabled to escape. .Out of 3,000 persons assembled
nearly 2,000 are said to have fallen victims to the
unes• The scene, h 9 described by an eye-witness,
is heart-rending to contemplate even in imagination.
Although there were three large doors to the
church, only one seems to have been available, and
the small sid, cutrancea were apparently forgotten
in thn: awful eagerness of the excited crowd. As

kvoYB happens in such calamities, as happens
every time a theatre or any public building is ever
supposed to be on fire, all
rushed to one
flutter, which was soon hopelessly blocked up by
dead bodies. The spectators outside stood wring-
ing their hands in helpless condition, unable
to arrest the work of destruction going on
before their eyes. The United States minister and
several other strangers made gallant and persevering
efforts to rescue some of the struggling victims. An
Englishman or American, it is not clearly known
which, ventured into the furnace, and while attempt-
in; to carry out a lady fell back and perished in the
flimes. A young lady named ARELLA was more
fortunate : after having, in vain, implored the by-
standers outside to rescue her mother who was
within the church, she rushed in herself and, won-

devouring to assist the seafairing population of
foreign lands, we have no right to endanger the
lives and property of our own countrymen.

It is not surprising on the eve of the reopening
of the Parliamentary campaign to find some mem-
bers of the. Liberal party assembling to consider.the
present condition and future prospects of the cause
which they represent. The hour of success is not
unfrequently the severest test which can be applied
either to individuals or to parties. How often do
we see a man who has conducted himself with cre-
dit in a humble station of life, who has borne
poverty cheer fully, and faced trouble is ithout flinch-
ing, suddenly transformed into a totally different
character by an unexpected change in his fortunes.
Still more frequently do we find the staunch sup-
porters of a failing cause show equal eagerness to
maintain their principles, when they might do so
without risk, peril, or inconvenience. The fact of
opposition stimulated their energies and sharpened
their powers, while their cause in the hour of diffi-
culty and neglect has few charms for the waverer
and time-server. Even so the Liberal party in the
last generation could boast of many a noble name
and many a gifted leader, could count its fervent
partisans and its devoted adherents by the thousand
in the days when the Test Act was still in force,
Catholic Emancipation the ruin of successive
Cabinets, and the idea of a Reformed Parliament
still a vision of the future. But the scene is changed;
the great questions that agitated men's minds in
the days of our last three Kings have all
been settled, with the happiest results on
the side of enlightened Liberalism. Others
springing up since their day have been in
turn disposed of, while the continual spread of edu-
cation, and the improved moral and mental tone of
the lower classes, have removed half those dangers
which the terrorists of thirty or forty years since
perceived in investing the masses with political
power. But the experience which tells us of the
perils of success, the supineness and insincerity
which accompany a mere verbal adhesion to a cause
which demands no evidence of membership, which
imposes no sacrifice to conviction, has been painfully
verified in the history of the English Liberals.
With the great body of the press and the people on
their side, with their views popularly accepted in a
self-governing country, with every opportunity in
their reach, and their own party in office for many
consecutive years, what use have they made of the
opportunity ? What great measures of reform have
they organised and introduced, what pledges have
they redeemed, what have they done towards the
political advancement of the people ? These ques-
tions are beginning to be asked by the Liberal con-
stituencies throughout the kingdom, and we appre-
hend that their representatives will at the next
election find it somewhat difficult to answer them.
A movement has just begun in Yorkshire, a Liberal
county, which may probably extend itself to other
places. The committee of the Liberal Registration
Society convened a meeting to consider the present
position of the Liberal party with respect to the re-
form question and the approaching general election.
It was largely attended, and all were unanimous in
moving the fiat resolution, which denounced in
strong but just and appropriate terms the con-
duct of the so-called leaders of the party. It
was as follows :—" That this meeting, consider-
ing that the unsatisfactory character of the Reform
Bill proposed by Lord DERBY was the immediate
cause which led to the dissolution of the last Par-
liament, that the present Government came into
power, and that the Liberal members of the present
Parliament were returned on the express condition
that they would carry a substantial and honest
measure of Parliamentary reform, hereby expresses
its disappointment and indignation at the indif-
ference and bad faith which have betrayed the just
hopes of the people and frustrated the expectations
which inspired the Liberal party at the last elec-
tions." This is not quite in accordance with Earl
RUSSELL'S theory that "Rest and be thankful"
is the prevailing feeling of the country. Doubtless
he spoke his wishes ; doubtless be deprecates too
active interest either in reform at home or affairs
abroad. He would prefer that matters should be
left entirely to his Efficient guidance—that our
political representation should remain just where it
is, and himself left free to listen to the suggestions
of his German friends. The fatal influence exer-
cised over Earl RUSSELL'S mind by the air of
foreign courts has been proved on two memorable
occasions. It is only to be regretted that, instead
of paying his autumnal visit to Balmoral, he did not
take a trip to Copenhagen, when a counter influence
might have been set to work. "Rest and Regret,"
would be a more fitting motto for the veteran Re-
former, who has so lamentably failed to keep the
promise of former years. The device by which the
present Government ousted the Conservatives owed
much of its success to the prestige of SonN
RUS-
SELL'S name as a Reformer. How far such assis-
tance would avail on another occasion may be ques-

tioned. The country has long since awoke to the
trick that has been played on it. It has asked in
vain for the promised Reform Bill; it has complained
of the corruption at elections; of the unfair and
partial representation of the people, and has not
failed to remember that Lord DERBY'S Government
did bring in a Bill, which, whatever its failings,

had in it the foundation of a substantial and com-

prehensive measure of reform. These recollections
should be reckoned among the opposing agencies by
Lord PALMERSTON'S Cabinet, for they will assuredly
find cause to discover too late that the English
people, however ready to give credence to the
positive promises of eminent and experienced
statesmen, are not in the habit of being " taken
in." a second time by the same professions.

The health of Bishop Gillis has gradually im-
proved during the last few days. There has been more
ground for anxiety than alarm, and now there are the most
favourable hopes of his recovery.—Scotsman. _

BISHOP COLBNSO'S TRlAL.—People are interested
more immediately in the legal question raised by
the proceedings at Cape Town which led to the condemna-
tion of Bishop Colenso and his solemn deposition from the
office of bishop by the sentence of his metropolitan, Bishop
Gray, on the 16th December. Are the proceedings and the
sentence valid, or are they, as was protested on the spot by
Bishop Colenso's representative, " a nullity, void of all
force and effect ?" This is an important question as regards
the constitution of the Church of England in the colonies,
and no less important as regards the constitution of the
Church of England generally. The prevailing opinion, we
believe, is, or at least was some time ago, that no power in
the Church can touch Bishop Colenso. By the terms of his
appointment to the Bishopric of Natal, it is said, he became
subject to his metropolitan to the same extent and in the
same manner as bishops at home are subject to their metro-
politans; but then, by the present law of the Church, it is
said the power of metropolitans at home over their nomi-
nally subject bishops is entirely in nubibus—so that each
English bishop at the present moment is really independent.
—1 he Reader.

FATAL RESULTS OF FRIGIIT.—An inquest was
held in Edward-street, Hoxtoa, on Thursday,
touching the death of Jane Howard, 15 years of age, who
died suddenly on Friday week from the effects of fright.
On the evening of that deceased went into the backyard of
her father's house to get some water, and while doing so
perceived two men on the roof of the house. She screamed
out in terror, and her brother came to her assistance, and
was able to see the head of one of the men above the para-
pet. A body of police was speedily collected, and the roofs
of the entire block of houses searched, without the thieves
being discovered. In the meantime the effects of the fright
had rendered the girl seriously ill, and in spite of medical
assistance she gradually sank, and died on Monday morn •
lag. The jury returned the following verdict :—" That the
deceased expired from the mortal effects of apoplexy, caused
by extreme fright, and her said death arose by misadven-
ture," The proceedings then terminated.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 30, 1864.

SANTO DOMINGO.

troops for Schleswig, through this town, is ex- 1
pected to take place on Sunday. I

CADIZ, JAN 29.

News received here from Santo Domingo an-
nounces that the steamer Puerto Rio, had landed
on the Island 2,500 Spanish soldiers, who had oc-
cupied Barahona, Nantas, and Neiva.

THE DANO-GERMAN DIFFICULTY,
MOVEMENT OF AUSTRIAN TROOPS.
BRESLAU, JAN. 30.

It is stated upon good authority that the direc-
tors of the Silesian Railway have received notice
to make arrangements for the further transport
of 20,000 Austrian troops.