The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-26 00:00:00

"Captain Bowler" and his Friends.

A person, calling himself "W. P. Bowler, lato captain
and adjutant of the Donegal Militia," was some clays ago
apprehended in Scotland, under somewhat singular circum-
stances. He called upon the Marquis of Tweeddale,
and set forth a story which will be best gathered from
the following " memorial to the Duke of Cambridge,"
which ho seems to have carried about with him :—" That
your memorialist is the son of an officer of the royal navy,
who for conspicuous services was presented with a valu-
able sword from the Patriotic Fund, and who died of
wounds received in the service. That your memorialist,
having inherited no means, entered the Royal Artillery,
in order to qualify for a commission in the Marfale Artil-
lery, his name being on the list at the time. Y our memo-
rialist did not, however, succeed in that expectation, but
influence being made otherwise with Government, he ob-
tained in 1344 an appointment at the Post•office, Dublin,
which he held for 11 years. In January, 1855, 'during the
hostilities with Russia, your memorialist was, feum his post-
office appointment, on the strong recommendation of sewral
general officers of his former regiment, presented by the
Earl of St. Germans, who was then Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, to the adjutancy of the Donegal Regime .nt of Militia
Artillery. Shortly after the corps was em'oodied, your
memorialist was deprived of his commission on the ground
of not being qualified to drill the regiment. It would be
unbecoming in your memorialist to question the exerc:se
of the power confided in the Lord Lieutenant by the Act 18
Vic. cap. 19—viz , to displace at pleasure any officer of tho
Irish Militia; and yet he doubts not, had his Excellency
been aware that the Civil Service Act would have come into
operation during the short time your memorialist officiated
as adjutant, he never would have been influenced to remove
him. That your memorialist, with a wife and helploss
'amily, being now reduced to a destitute position, and IT

reason of his age (40) precluded from admission to th o
Post-office, or from obtaining any other appointment in.:
the civil service, humbly implores your Royal Highness,
in consideration of his father's claims, and the loss he has
sustained in the present instance, to grant him employment
in a military capacity." He further produced a sort of cer-
tificate to the genuineness of his story, which purported to
be signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Arch-
bishop of York, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, the Lord
Clerk Register, eight judges of the Scottish Court, about 20
peers of the realm, and numerous baronets and M.P,s. 8.,v
various representations he induced Lord Tweeddale to ap-
pond his signature to this document, and also obtained a sum
of money from his lordship. Shortly after the marquis had
given his money and his testimony, he heard that some of
the events in the history of Captain Bowler were not pre-
cisely as he (the marquis) had certified, and the captain
was deposited in Haddington Gaol. The marquis, not de-
siring that, in the event of the captain getting free, the
document should receive further signatures in considera-
tion of those that were there already, applied, it is said,
to the captain for the removal of the name "Tweeddale"
from among its distinguished compeers. This request
the captain indignantly refused, and the marquis has,
therefore, applied for an interdict against him, and also
against the Procurator Fiscal of East Lothian, into
whose hands the captain and his affairs had fedlen, pro-
hibiting them from permitting the document bearing the
marquis's signature to pass out of their hands, or obtain
any further circulation or popularity. The Scotstuan says
—"lt is understood that, as soon as Capt. Bowler, in the
apartments provided him by the public authorities of East
Lothian, received notice of this action, he repented of his
inveteracy towards the marquis, and deleted the signature of
Tweeddale But he was rather late, for not only had the
action gone beyond recall, but his detention at Haddington.
had given an opportunity to some other distinguished friemds
of his in Shropshire, to a safe place in which region t vo
Salop policeman have in the meanwhile removed him."

NORTII-EASTERN RAILWAY.—The recent t ra-
ordinary accident near Copmanthorpe, where a train rolled
over an embankment, is likely to cost that company some-
thing in compensation. The most serious case of injury was
to Mr. Allen, a commercial traveller for the firm of INlessrs.
IL E. and J. Soulby, of Malton, who, after lyinc, some time
at Leeds, is now able to walk about again, and has returned
to Malton, but is still unable to attend to buslnees.
HUNTING ACCIDENT.—During a run with Mr.
Johnstone's hounds on Friday, in the neighbour-
hood of the Dalby Moors, North Riding, a serious accident
occurred to Mr. Parkinson, solicitor, Pickering. In taking
a low rail fence, with a considerable drop to lower
.ground
beyond, Mr. Parkinson's horse fell, throwing him violently
to the ground, and rendering him senseless. .S.iveral
gentlemen at once dismounted, and by attention Mr.
Parkinson sufficiently recovered to ride home. It is feared,
however, that concussion of the brain has occurred, and
on Saturday night Mr. Parkinson's friends gave little hope
of life.

•••••••••••••....
BONNET'S S ILK a LYON.—Kvery Article of
commerce to kes its title either from the inventor or
-nannfacturer..and the more perfect the production the
greater is the credit which attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SIL are said to be incapable of identifica-
tion in England ;b, it the fallacy of such an assertion is ex-
pos ,d by the very tr ade mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messi •s. JAY, of Regent-street.
The following in tkrwoven Mark may be seen at the end
of each piece :—" M a saufacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., k Lyon
Injurieux." W tur guaranteed.

HER MA:TESTY'S THEATRE.
FAUST.
(In English.)
Nights of Perfot mance - Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays.
THIS EVENL cG, TUESDAY, JANUARY 26.
Lemmens-Sherrie; aton, Taccani, and Florence Lancia.
Santley, Marc hesi, Dussek, and Sims Reeves.
Con ductor—Signor Arditi.
Corn = sense at Eight o'Clock.

ROYAL ENGLISH. OPERA,
:OVENT-GARDEN.
Under the Ma nazement 01 Miss Louisa Pyne and
Mr. W. Harrison.
THIS EVENING -„ to commence with (20th time) an en-
tirely new Operetta, ,entiVed FANCIIETrE. Miss Louisa
Yyne and Mr. W. H a rrison.
After which, a Gra id Christmas Pantomime, on a stale of
unprecedented magnj licence, entitled
HARLEQUIN SI '. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
Doors o pen at b alf-past Six—,:ommence at Seven.

THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
312 angers, Xessrs. Edmond Falconer and
Chatterton.
THIS EN ENING, the Performan
Edmund Falconer,
vtGHT A.N D MORN. Principal characters by Mr. Phelps,
supported t); r Messrs. Ryder, Raynor, zjames, and Misses
Leclercq Atkinson, and Heath.
To conclu d e with the new Grand Christmas Comic Panto-
mime of SI Is [BAD THE SAILOR ; or, Th W
e Seven onders
of, th- Worl d. Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno and C. Lauri •
Ilarlequins, I,lessrs. J. Cormack and. S. Saville ; Pantaloons.'
Messrs. W A . Barn,s and J. Alorrls ; Columbines, Madame
Boleno and lit Hisses Gunnies.
Prices as i umal. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily.

][tOYA 1, LYCEUM THEATRE.
Uncle t• the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter.
BEL DEA ONIO.(a Triumphant Success) will be repeated
Every Evenir during the Week.
THIS EvEb TING, the performance will commence withwa
New and Orig. anal Farce, entitled THE LOST CHILD :
Tere3s-s. Wid dicombe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett,
m.)reland ; Mist es Percy, Pauline Le‘dercl, Wood, Mrs. Lee,
and Miss E. Lai -enu.
Ater which, a t Eight o'clock, BEL DEHONIO, a Love
Story, in Twelve 3 Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian
Chronicles," by Mr. John Brougnam. Principal charac;',
ter by Mr. Fedi' ter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charles,
Brougham, Eme,.-y, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford,
Collett, Sims ; M.,ss M. Henrade,Xiss E. Lavenu, Mre. Lee,
and .11ies Elswort hy.
' The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is
made to the occupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either
for play bills or for the safe keeping of hats and cloaks, and
that the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gratuities whatever.
Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

HEA,TRE ROYAL HAY MARKET.-
s ole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.
T E VENING, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN : Messrs.
Sothern, B:ockstone, Chippendale, Braid, Gordon, Rogers,
Clark, Cull entord, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Snowden, Terry,
Lindley, H ill, Src
After whi:ch, KING ARTHUR ; or The Days and Knights
of the Roma d fable. Messrs. Miptiendaie, Compton, Braid,
Clark, Rogers, Tilbury, &c. ; Mesdames L. Keeley, Brough,
Wright, Terry, Lindley, Rogers, &c.
Commence at 7.

ROY .ELL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Fiole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
THIS EVENING, DONNA DIANA.
After wh'ie h, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM TUCKER;
or The t(, Lady of Banbury Cross, and the Old Woman
who Lived i n a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
snow what to do.

EW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole :Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster.
A-N
THIS EVENLNG, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS: Mr
J L. Toole.
pit to F. ight, the New Drama of LEAH : Miss Bate-
man, support, ad by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, 1111-
ington, Stu: Lrt, Stephenson, Eburne; Miss H. Simms, and
Mrs. Billinhi t n.
To emelude, with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortnnio
and his Seven_ Magi?, Men. Messrs. J. Clarke, it. Phillips,
Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Patti
Josephs, Kieft _L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.

Commence at 7.

LEA H.-EVERY
MISS BATEMAN.

NIGHT.

MISS BATEMAN.—LEAH.—Tnis EVENING,
the 99th appearance of the great Traci Actress, Miss
BATEMAN, in the character of LEAH. In consequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the prii.cipal character in the new Five Act Drama
of LEAH has been attenaed. Mr Webster begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further
otice.

11,0Nria. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the
"INtanagement of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
GREAT ATTRACTION.—First Week of Mr. and Mrs.
CHARLES MA EWS.—Mr. J. L. Toole as Mrs Brown,
Mr. ?hell-a. Mr. Pechter, and Lady Audley every evening.
1863; or, the Sensation+ of the Past Season. until further
notice. Among the artistes who will appear here are Mr.
Benjamin I,Vebster, Mr. J. L. To le, Mr. Paul Bedford. and
Mr. Charles Mathews ; Mrs. Stirling. Mrs. Frank Mat-
thews, Miss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, Miss Fanny Josephs,
and Mrs. C harles Mat:aews.

THIS N: V. ENING, and daring the Week, at 7, THE
ADVENTLI r ES OF A LOVE LETTER; COOL AS A
CUCUMBEE ; and 1863; or, THE SENSATIONS OF
THE PAST SEASON.
On SATITRDA Y next, Jan. 30, will be produced an entirely
New Comedy, try Leicester Buckiwharn, Esq., entitled THE
SILVER LINING, in which Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews,
Mrs. Stirlit ig, and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Sze., will appear.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, ORANGE BLOSSOMS.
After w hieh, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EU RY DICE Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hug-hes, &c.
Followed by MARGATE SANDS.
To conclude with TURN 11131 OUT.
Commence at 7.

7111 HE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Contal ninv, the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGEN'CE,
An be had l'l:very Evening of

G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

HIGE. WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
tins Dem.. —Morning, 311. 46m.—Afternoon, 3h. 58w.
To-tio?.sova .-Morning, 4h. 14132.—Afternoon, 4h. 30m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Jan. 26, 1864.

THEE.MO3I ET ER.
This day at Two o'clock

Barometer-30.22.
Wind—S, ; moderate, and fine.

itl‘ th-t.--„; -c
rsk. Suit

LONDON, TUESDAY, JAN. 26, 1864.

The Legislative Assembly of France appears to
have commenced its proceedings this year with more
than ordinary spirit. The elcquent discourse of M.
TRIERS arrested, for a time, the most profound and
universal attention. Now the Baron DE VEANCE has
introduced in a very able and elaborate speech the
important subject of testamentary rights and the law
of succession—a question of the greatest possible
importance both in a social and commercial point of
view. There is much truth in the position assumed by
M. DE VEANCE; the perpetual subdivision of pro-
perty is necessarily attended with many evils ; but,
as the: a are two sides to most questions, so also, on
the other hand, the lovers of primogeniture
and the consolidation of great fortunes are
productive of very painfal results to those at the
lower end of the social scale. In England we see
in forcible contrast the good and the evil
consequences of the latter system. Families
and Heads of Houses flourish and grow
strung, while individuals, countless units in
the great chaos, sink from effluence to poverty,
and from poverty to beggary. Yet, so great are the
social and practical advantages of our system that
he would be a bold innovator indeed who would
seek to' alter or even to modify it. The
fatal consequences which M. DE VEANCE most
particularly deplores do not, however, exist
in this country ; for perfect freedom with respect to
the disposal of personal property is permitted by the
testamentary law of England. Commercial property
may be bequeathed to an eldest son or divided among
the several members of a family, in accordance with
the desires expressed in the will and testament of
the dying father. It is different, however, in
France. There the law compels the subdivision of
death of its possessor. A
all the property on the
man with one child may bequeath half of his pro-
perty at his own discretion; if he have two children,
he may dispose freely of t wo- thirds, and if
the number of his family be larger his freedom in
the distribution is yet further restricted. Here it
is that Vii. DE VEANCE desires to effect some alte-

ration. His arguments have much reason on their
side, yet the French will be wise to weigh well the
consequences before they begin an innovation in
their law. It was a theory laid down by the great
NAPOLEON in his early days of speculative govern-
ment that the best source of social prosperity was
the avoidance of extreme poverty. He
admitted the necessity of social distinc-
tions, but denied the necessary existence of
the extreme of destitution. This theory of the
youthful reformer was practically carried out in his
great Code, and even an apparently plausible in-
fringement of which should be viewed with extreme
caution.

The news from Berlin, though unexpected, can
hardly create much surprise. It is, unfortunately,
only too much in consonance with the arbitrary
temper and despotic opinions of the KING, whose
faults as a ruler are doubled by the shortsighted
and obstinate men who compose his Cabinet. The
Prussian Chamber of Deputies, yesterday, ordered
the committee on the Budget to report immediately
upon the vote on the Budget, given on Saturday
by the Upper House. The report proposing that
the vote of the Upper House should be declared
null and void, was accordingly made, and at once
adopted by the House. Upon this Cnunt EUTEN-
BURG read a Royal Message, stating that the Diet
would be closed that very day by the President of
the Council. This arbitrary step was accordingly
takea, and the President read a speech from the
Throne reproving the Deputies in no measured
terms. The "head and front of its offending" is
that it has "maintained the ground whieh led to
the dissolution of the previous Chamber." This is
possibly intended as a warning for the future, as
well as an excuse for the present ; a hint that dis-
solution will be the next step should the Deputies
continue refractory. The Budgets are of
course the primary cause of complaint.
The House has not discussed the Budget
of 1863, and has struck out items in the current
year which are indispensable for the public ser-
vice, according to the views of Herr VON BIS-
MARS and his Royal Master. It has renewed the
resolution of the farmer Chamber on the military
budget, without first discussing the bill establishing
the obligation of military service. The refusal of
the loan is another subject of offence, and the house
is charged with having passed resolutions, which,
in the event of war, pledge it to take part against
the Prussian fatherland. The Government, there-
fore, renounced for the present the hope of coming
to terms with the Chamber, and " considers it its
duty to act for the maintenance of the State."
What these conveniently ambiguous words may
signify remains to be seen. The announcement of
the intentions of the Cabinet are couched after the
manner of Herr VON 331smA1IK, in pompous general
terms, but we know the general character of what
the Prussian Premier styles "the struggle between
the House of Hohenzollern and the House of
Representatives." Last year this same conflict
absorbed a large ©hare of European attention.
It was then a matter pur et simple, a
resolute stand in favour of constitutional
right on the part of the Chamber—an obstinate and
tyrannical effort on the part of the KING and his
Government to trample down the liberties of his
people. This year the question is complicated by
the Schleswig-Holstein dispute. Last year our
sympathies, in common with all free nations, were
wholly with the Deputies. This year the com-
batants have a fresh subject of dispute. They
agree in their desire to dispossess the Danes of the
sovereignty of the Duchies, but they differ in the
manner of doing it. The Chamber wishes to estab-
lish them as an independent State, under the sway
of the Duke of AUGUSTENBURG. The KING and
his advisers wish to join Holstein at least to the
Prussian provinces_ In neither of these projects
can the English people take part. The Prussian
deputies and the Prussian people have forfeited the
warm interest felt in this country in their proceed-
ings by their conduct in this matter. It ill became
the representatives who were resisting oppression—
it was little fitting for the people who supported
them in the struggle to invade the rights
of their neighbours. Apart from the moral wrong,
this enthusiasm for Danish conquests is a grave
political error on the part of the Prussians. By
their headstrong prosecution of the aggression
on the rights of Denmark they are weakening their
own position towards the Crown, towards France,
towards Europe generally. The infatuation which
urges them on reminds one of the old saying,
Quoit Deus vult perdere, prius dementat. The
Prussians are themselves applying the torch to a
bonfire that they themselves may have the bitterest
cause to regret. Neither of the two great German
Powers are in a position to court war. Prussia,
with her Rhenish provinces lying temptingly
within the reach of France, may look in vain for
English support against the trouble she is bringing
on herself. This country will not suffer itself to be
entangled in her affairs, if she chooses to disregard
warning and remonstrance, and to break her former
obligations. The English Ministry that attempted
such a course would surely rue it. Even the young
Crown Prince has already lost much of his popu-
larity in this country from the countenance he has
afforded to the pretensions of the Duke of AUGUS-
TENBURG. The English public may not be able to
follow all the intricacies of Almanach de Gotha, but
they can very clearly comprehend that the Prussian
King, Ministers, and people are actuated by the
greed of power in their eagerness on behalf of the
political rights of the Holsteiners. It remains to
be seen whether a nation divided against itself can
succeed in accomplishing its wishes; but should the
Prussians persist, as appears but too probable, in
their present course, they can certainly hope for
little sympathy or assistance in the misfortunes they
will inevitably bring down upon themselves and
their country.

There are few things more reprehensible than
practical joking, and it will be a good thing for
society when some more effective check is pnt upon
it It is not at all expedient that the present sys-
tem should continue, as many sad instances con-
stantly prove that a mere censure does not deter the
idle, ignorant, and careless from the perpetration of
jokes that often produce most serious results, and
not unfrequently leave fatal terminations. A de-
plorable death through fright was recorded yester-
day, and an inquest was head upon the body of the
victim. A young woman, who was engaged as a
dress-maker in the house of a gentleman in Hyde.
park-gardens, was coming upstairs when she saw a
figure in white in a doorway, and the sudden shock
so completely overpowered her that she was carried
away insensible. She never entirely recovered, and
after lingering for four months expired. A more
lamentable case of the sad effects of this detestable
habit of practical joking has seldom been heard of,
since the death of thin poor young woman was evi-
dently occasioned by the startling effects of the fearful
apparition. It may be suggested that the verdicts
of the jury in these cases are not strong enough,
and in this particular instance just cited it is very
strange they should have separated withoutat least
passing a severe censure upon the unhappy indi-
vidual who caused the calamity. It is not enough
to declare that the death was occasioned by a mis-
fortune. It is not to be expected teat the passing

TIM SUN, LUND°

of such mild sentences as this will put a stop to the
dangerous practice of ",joking," which has produced
such serious evils in so many instances, and so often
laid the foundation of incurable maladies, if the
fatal results of this case here recorded did not im-
mediately ensue. In this instance, doubtless, the
perpetrator of the joke did not intend to
do any harm, and may have been, as the Coroner
remarked, "sincerely sorry for her folly," but the
law should not so readily exonerate those charged
with such offences, or allow them loop holes through
which they can so easily pass, and escape the
punishment they so justly merit. In other cases
of accidents and injuries the same laxity is not
witnessed, and where danger is apprehended the
responsible party is detained until the result is
known, and the circumstances duly investigated,
It is certain that, morally, a person is more guilty
who injures another by dressing up as a ghost,
or by producing spectral illusions to frighten and
startle, than one who accidentally knocks down
or runs over another in the streets. In moat cases
of this sort the foot passengers are greatly to
blame for haste, or imprudence, and the catas-
trophe that occurs is sometimes almost unavoid-
able in the hurry of business and pressure of
affairs. Now planning a practical joke is a delibe-
rate intention, and cannot possibly be accounted
for as inadvertence, or excused as unintentional,
and no possible reason can be adduced to allege
a necessity or a strong inducement to commit the
action. The sooner the matter is regarded in the
right light, and taken up in the proper spirit, the
better. It is only surprising that more strictness
and severity have not been exercised in this respect,
when we consider that the interests of so many are
bound up in the matter, Children are constantly
exposed to danger through the carelessness of nur-
serymaids in many respects, but in none do they
incur more risks than in the practice of " dress-
kg up ghosts" and other frightful images to
terrify them into silence. Now, all this ignorance
of effects, and non-intention to injure, that is so
readil: put forward as a plea for the commission
of the offence, will best be cured by the in-
fiction of a punishment. If it is urged that
the mode of procedure is hard on the innocent actors
who meant no harm, it is surely much worse that
others should lose their health, their reason, and
their lives. The sooner such lamentable ignorance
is enlightened the better, and a little rough expe-
rience will be the best antidote against a very absurd
frame of mind, and great want of thought, which
must inseparably accompany all such reprehensible
practices. The effect on others is to be considered,
too, in dea:ing with such cases, and treating the
offenders. There are many who will wilfully dis-
regard or totally ignore the warnings that such
practices are dangerous, who will pay attention di-
rectly they understand that they may be subjected
to annoyance or inconvenience in the carrying out
of their foolish games. When such stringent laws
and oppressive etactments are made for the preser-
vation of game, in order that sportsmen may in-
dulge themselves In any exciting pursuit, it seems
rather inconsistent that no check should be applied
to this social calamity, and no steps taken by the
authorities to interpose a barrier for the protection
of the community. It is high time that this anomaly
be rectified and thie grievance redressed. Let the
Legislature make the practice a chargeable offence,
and it will soon be seen that, as in the case of
FREDERICK'S soldiers contriving to keep their hats
on their heads in the wind when he had punished
one for the " accident," as it was called, of the wind
blowing off his hat in the midst of a review, and
thereby causing great confusion, that the ignorance
which now prevails as to the extent of the evils and
injuries of practical joking will vanish as if by
magic, and the results of the increased intelligence
cannot but be profitable to the parties concerned,
and most fortunate and happy for their intended
victims.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
official residenc3 of the First Lord of the Treasury, in
Downing-street. The Ministers present were Lord Pal-
merston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of
Argyll, Sir George Gray, Earl Russell, Earl de Grey, Sir
Charles Wood, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the
Duke of Somerset, the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, the
Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, Lord Stanley of Alderley,
and the Right Hon. C. P. Villiers.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.—The following note
has been addressed by Mr. Disraeli to the members
who usually act with him in the House of Commons :
" Sir,—l have the honour to inform you that Parliament
will reassemble on Thursday, the 4th February, and I
would express my hope that you may find it convenient to
be in your place that day, as business of importance may
be expected.—l am sir, your faithful servant—B, DISRAELI.
Hughenden Manor, Jan. 12."

THACKERAVS LAST WORK.—Charles Dickens,
writing about Mr. Thackeray in the February num-
ber of the Cornhill Magazine, says :—" On the table before
me there lies all that he had written of his latest and last
story. That it would be very sad to any one—that it is in-
expressly so to a writer—in its evidences of matured designs
never to be accomplished, of intentions begun to be exe-
cuted and destined never to be completed, of careful prepa-
ration for long roads of thought that he was never to tra-
verse, and for shining goals that he was never to reach,
will be readily believed. The pain, however, that I have
felt in perusing it has not been deeper than the conviction
that he was in the healthiest vigour of his powers When he
wrought on this last labour. In respect of %Nest feeling,
far-seeing purpose, character, incident, and a certain loving
picturesqueness blending the whole, I believe it to be much
the best of all his works. That he fully meant it to be so,
that he had become strongly attached to it, and that he be-
stowed great pains upon it, I trace in almost every page. It
contains one picture which must have coat him extreme
distress, and which is a masterpiece. There are two chil-
dren in it, touched with a hand as loving and tender as ever
a father caressed his little child with. there is someyoung
love, as pure and innocent and pretty as the truth. And it
is very remarkable that by reason of the singular construc-
tion of the story, more than one main incident usually be-
longing to the end of such a fiction is anticipated in the
beginning, and thus there is an approach to completeness
in the fragment, as to the satisfaction of the reader's mind
concerning the moat interesting parsons, which could hardly
have been better attained if the writer's breaking-off had been
foreseen. The last line he wrote and the last proof he cor-
rected are among these papers through which I nave so sor-
rowfully made my way. The condition of the little pages
of manuscript where death stopped his hand shows that he
had carried them about, and often taken them out of his
pocket hero and there, for patient revision and interlinea-
tion. The last words he corrected in print were, And my
heart throbbed with an exquisite bliss.' God grant that on
that Christmas-eve when he laid his head back on his pillow
and threw up his arms, as he had been wont to do when
very weary, some consciousness of duty done and Christian
hope throughout life humbly cherished, may have caused
his own heart so to throb, when he passed away to his
Redeemer's lest.

YOUNG POETS are reminded by a sagacious critic
in the Saturday .Review that they rarely take the
trouble to imitate any living poet under the rank of Mr.
Tennyson ; whereas, adds the reviewer, the minor poets
have distinct styles, and it is because they have this that
they attract and please. Whatever else may be said of Mr.
Browning, or Mr. Matthew Arnold, or Mr. Henry Taylor,
or even of less aspiring composers—of Lord Houghton, for
instance, or Mr. Coventry Patrnore—this much atleast may
be said, that a poem written by them obviously comes from
them, and has a cast that is recognisable and peculiar. But
in the productions of unsuccessful young poets this is the
very thing that is wanting. Page after page is turned over,
and the versification may be good and clever in its way, but
it is either imitative or colourless. The world has got the
thing before, and does not want any more of it, and so the
volume, when published, falls hopelessly flat.
A WONDERFUL METEORITE.—The Gottinger
Nachrichten gives an account of a meteorite which
has been found at Obenkirchen (Schaumburg) imbedded in
a mass of sand 15 feet below the surface. Its weight is
about 82 pounds, and it has the form of an irregular four-
sided pyramid. The mass is still intact, with the exception
of a small piece, which has been removed for analysis. The
surface is entirely converted into brown and black hydrated
oxide of iron, plainly showing it must have fallen some cen-
turies ago. The iron is quite passive, and does not reduce
copper from a solution of one of its salts. The specific
gravity is very small, being only 7'12. A small portion,
weighing 2.9 grs., was removed for analysis, and was found
to have the following composition 90'95 ; nickel
and, cobalt, 8.01 ; phoaporus, 0'64,