The Sun.
London, England, 1864-02-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1564.

NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Prowl star and Manager, M. B. Webster.
list Week of Miss Bateman.
THIS EVENING, THE PRETTY HORSEBREAKER.
Miss Woolgar and Mr. J. L. Toole.
kt A to Eight, the New Drama of LEAH : Miss Bate-
man, supported by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, Ell-
ington, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne ; Miss IL Simms, and
Mrs. Billington.
To conclude with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortnnio
and his Seven ...vlagic; Men. IN,lessrs. J. Clarke, R. Phillips,
Stephenson ; Miss Woolgar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Patti
Josephs, Miss L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.
Commence at 7.

LEAH.-EVERY NIGHT.
MISS BATEMAN.

MISS BATEMAN.—LEAH.—Trus EVENING,
the 118th appearance of the great Tragic Actress, Miss
BATE:ALAN, in the character of LEAH. In consequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the principal character in the new Five Act Drama
of LEAH has been attended, Mr Webster begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENIN~ until further
,notice.

110YAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.
Crowded with rank and fashion.—The New Comedy of THE
SILVER LINING every Evening.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, Mrs. Frank Matthews, and Mr. J.
L. Toole every evening. The following eminent artistes are
'engaged :—Mr. Benjamin Webster, Mr. J. L. Toole, 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 Mathews.
THIS EVENING, and during the Week, at 7 o'c'ock,
MI entirely new Comedy, in 3 Acts, by Leicester Bucking-
ham, Esq., entitled THE SILVER LINING : Mr. Charles
Mathews, Mr. Frederic Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr, John-
stone, Mr. Montague ; Mrs. t harles Mathews, Mrs. Frank
Matthews, Miss Cottrell, Miss Wentworth, and Mrs. Stirling.
To he followed by Mr, Charles Mathews just translated
from the French)in his characteristic character 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.
Manager, Mr. W. 11. Swanborough.
T lIIS EVENING, ON AND OFF.
To be followed by UNLIMITED CONFIDENCE. Mr.
Belford, Mr. Porsche ; Miss Marie -Wilton, Miss Thorne.
After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EURYDICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &c.
Concluding with MARGATE SANDS.
Commence at 7.

HE THIRD. EDITION OF "THE SUN,"
Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
pan be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, llyde-park.

COALS.—The LILLESHAL L COMPANY'S
COALS.
Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis' 268. per ton. Double 2ls. per ton.
Top 255. I Nut 5........ l9s. „
Deep 22s.
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.
futs DA T.—Morning, 9h. 50m.—Afternoon, 10h. 34m
o-tcourt.ow.-?doming, 11h. 12m.—Afternoon, 11h. 52m.

The Weather—Sun Office, Feb. 17, 1864.

THERMOMETER.
This day at Two o'clock 4O

Barometer-29.89.
Wind—N.W. ; fresh breeze, and fine.

(d 7 Lft
'P'

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17, 1864.

Everything appears to indieate quite plainly that
the customary period has again arrived wb.sn ne-
cessity will compel an indignant majority in the
House of Commons to relegate another Whig
Ministry to the benches of the Opposition. The
relaxing influences of the balmy atmosphere of
Place have again told prejudicially upon the con-
stitutional energies of the great Liberal Party.
They are influences indeed that have by this
time told so very prejudicially that those same
energies have only too manifestly become
seriously weakened. The immunity from any-
thing like attack enjoyed now during several
successive sessions by her MAJESTY'S Minis-
ters have not only slackened their powers, but
may be almost said to have lulled their policy to
sleep both at home and abroad. The result is so
undeniably just precisely i what we have here de-
scribed it as being, that the situation is one as
nearly as possible of bothlegislative and diplomatic
stagnation. Abroad, the influence of England is no
longer anywhere recogniubie.
Allies the most
intimate are estranged from
us by reason of the
irritating vaccillation of the councils of a nominally
energetic, but a really feeble and wavering Govern-
ment. Whatever comments are uttered upon the
course now being deviously pursued by our Admi.
nistration, whether uttered amongst ourselves or
upon the Continent, appear in a manner always
and, as it were inevitably, to express themselves in
terms of sarcasm, if not in words of actual scorn and
derision. Even those that we are bsnefitting arc so
benefited that their feelings towards us arc actually
embittered, instead of their regard, as we might
naturally have expected, being appreciably pro-
pitiated. If we cede to Greece the whole of the
lonian archiplago, as a matter of course
Nve must needs spoil everything by simultaneously
dismantling the fortifications. If prudence con-
strains us to decline to enter into the possibly benig-
rant but probAb!y utopian project of an European
Congress,-propounded to Christendom by the Em-
P?ror of the FRENCH, we so decline it that our
reply stands forth conspicuously before the whole
world, among all the replies transmitted to Paris, as
the language of
the one reply not couched in
courtesy; nay, for that matter, ad a reply Binguldrly

and unprovokedly rude, sneering and most offen-
sively die-courteous. What is called the War
of Italian Independence is begun, is carried on, is
concluded—England holding altogether aloof,while,
from beginning to end, captiously critising the pro-
ceedings of France, in regard to the interests of a
nationality, with the fortunes of which the English
Government, meantime, affects:to sympathise. Our
principle being, in this way, to sympathise—from a
safe distance ! Not, howevar, "to put too fine a
point upon it," to the extent of so expressing it,
we call it grandiosely, the principle of non-inter-
vention. It is a capital discovery, of course, not a
doubt of it. Only—it certainly has this drawback,
that it tends, as it unwontedly, has. by this time,
tended, withi❑ a period of a very few years, to
!over the character, to tarnish the name, to oblite-
rate the influence, to eclipse the prestige of Eng-
land among the great Powers of Europe. It
has been so perverse a principle in its
operation as an evidently intended com-
promise with the peace-at-any-price party, as a
manifestly studied concession to those most meek
yet most arrogant economists—that it has given us
results the most contrary imaginable of their kind
—it has given us during several successive years
a frightful war expenditure in a time of ignoble
peace—it has led our rulers through the most
wilful and pertinacious interference with other
Powers to a state of diplomatic powerlessness
themselves. The salient points in the situation
arrived at in effect under this Policy, or rather
this No-Policy of her MAJESTY'S Ministers, being
among others these—That our Government raise
not a hand in the cause of Poland—That they
raise not a finger in the interests of Den-
mark—That they propose nothing whatever
in the shape of Legislative Reform or Improve-
ment here at home—That while declining to take
part in any effort to see if it is barely possible,
is any way, to close the gulph of civil war, upon
the brink of which the Federals and Confederates
are contending so fiercely, into the abysses of
which they are pouring, with so hopeless a pro
digality, lives and treasures innumerable,
they, the Government of England, have shown
themselves ready to conciliate the braggart
executive of the North by proceedings that have
been proved in our own courts of law to be illegal.
Remembering all which (and how much more !) we
don't in the least wonder at the portents of discon-
tent with the present Government, now discernable
thickly and increasingly, upon all hands, both within
and without the walls of Parliament, alike among
our own party, among the thoroughly independent
Liberals, and among the party confronting us, the
serried and consistent party of the Conservative
Opposition;

The public will see with satisfaction Mr.
MILNER GIBSON'S endeavours to simplify the con-
duct of private bill legislation, and to reduce the
heavy expenses attendant upon it. A committee
to inquire into this subject, it will be remembered,
was appointed during last session, and after a
lengthened investigation gave in a report and
several recommendations. It is upon these recom-
mendations that Mr. GIBSON'S motion of last night
was founded. The 'first alteration proposed was
the manner of dealing with bills so as to lighten
the labours of committees ; the second, the House
fees, in which it is proposed to make a redaction ;
and the third, and not the least important to the
public, is the professional charges of Parliamentary
agents, solicitors, counsel, and others. Legal ex-
penses are, proverbially, extortionate ; but the
expenses of a committee-room are even worse.
They eclipse even the Chancery Court itself.
Lord R. CECIL stated that being once in a com-
mittee-room when the.division bell ran g,he proposed
to go and vote, bat he was told that th© counsel,
agents, and witnesses engaged made the affair so
costly, that £1 was spent every minute that the
committee was sitting. After this startling dis-
closure, we may conclude that he abandoned the
Ayes and Noes to their fate. The statistics which
the noble lord gave of the outlay incurred by the
railway companies are enough to frighten specu-
lators, even in these days of railway enterprise.
" The London and North-Western," said Lord R.
CECIL, " had spent from first to last £1,000,000 in
these committee-rooms ; the Great Western had
spent £BOO,OOO ; and the Great Northern spent
£300,000 before, he believed, a mile of their line
was opened." The expense, too, is not over
with the first starting of a scheme, as
year by year the proceedings of other com-
panies must be watched, and the noble lord very
justly pointed out that such enormous expenditure
is most inimical to the interests of the public ; since
it forces the directors to cut down their expenses in
every possible way to the disregard of the safety
and efficiency of the line. We are all painfully
familiar with the lamentable results of employing
overworked and ignorant officials in places where
energy and intelligence are especially necessary. It
is no doubt a great and serious evil to have such
terrible expenses in preliminary legislation. Mr.
GIBSON's other resolutions were directed principally
to the relief of the chairmen and members of com-
mittees on private bills. He suggested that when
the promoters and opponents of any bill consented,
the House should be at liberty to refer such bill to
the chairman of Ways and Means, and the mem-
bers associated with him for the purposes of private
business. At present the work is very unfairly
divided. Mr. GIBSON cited one instance of a chair-
man of committees (Lord STANLEY) who sat during
the session of 1862 no less than 69 days, most of the
sittings being long and laborious, while at the same
time the chairman of Ways and Means only sat 33
days on an average of two hours. From the chair-
man's great experience, and more especially from
the fact that the assistance of counsel would not
often be requisite, there is reason to hope that this
change may lighten the labour and diminish the
expense, at the same time that it expedites the
transaction of business, The resolutions proposed
last night by the President of the Board of Trade
are, therefore, very welcome, although they must
only be received as steps towards the greater simpli-
fication and economizing of the method of trans•
acting private business.

It may truly be said of the present times that we
live and learn. The new interpretation of the words
neutrality and non-intervention would :suffice to
raise the indignant ghost of Dr. JOHNSON. An-
other flagrant breach of England's much vaunted
neutrality, has just been enacted at the Cape of
Good Hope. The Confederate cruiser Tuscalooza
has just been seized in Simon's Bay by her MA-
JESTY'S ship Narcissus, under orders from the Go-
vernor. The grounds upon which the Tuscalooza
has been seized are as preposterous as they are un-
just. Some time ago the Federal bark Conrad was
captured by the Alabama, and having been rechris-
ed,
Eequipped, and commissioned by Captain
siEnm
started on a cruise as a regular Confede-
ratetms,
vessel of war, with full powers to burn, sink,
or destroy enemy's ships and property. \%ro learn
from the Cape Argus of January 6th that the Tus-
calooza, which had been in Simon's Bay some three
months previous, returned to that port on Saturday,
December the 26th. Lieut.LowE, her commander,
reported that since her last visit the Tuscalooza had
been cruisiug between the Cape and Brazil, and had
spoken nearly one hundred Yesseld. But of that

number only one happened to be a Federal. That
one was the ship Living Age, which having an
English cargo on board, was released on giving a
bond. Lieut. LOWE hoped on this visit to Simon's
Bay to get the bottom of his vessel recoppered, as
well as to take in all the supplies he needed. But
his hopes were doomed to disappointment, for on
the day after her arrival Admiral Sir B. WALKER
dispatched from the flag ship a lieutenant and a
boarding party of 25 men to take possession of the
Tuscalooza in the QUEEN'S name. The offices
promptly executed the orders of the Admiral, and
the vessel was seized accordingly. Lieut. LOWE
lodged with the Admiral a formal protest against
the seizure, which will be transmitted to the Home
Government. The United States Consul, Mr.
GRAHAM, lodged a claim to the vessel on behalf of
her former owners, and has since been informed by
the Government that she will be detained until she
can be handed over to them. The plea put for-
ward in support of this seizure is that the Conrad
had not been condemned by a legally constituted
prize court, and that therefore her detention by the
Confederates is illegal. Such special pleading would
make even Judge JEYFRIES blush. It is bad
enough to be unjust, but surely it is not necessary
to add insult to injury, and deception to hostility.
W hy, we ask, was the Tuscalooza permitted to
enter Simon's Bay on a previous occasion, and to
depart unmolested, if she were liable to seizure ?
Can it be that the Governor at the Cape, acting
upon instructions from home, delayed making the
seizure until such seizure could be duly appreciated
at Washington ? It is not customary to seize
enemies' ships in harbour before war is declared,
and in justice to the character of the nation whom
they represent, are bound to give fair warning to
all concerned before carrying into execution any
original and altogether unprecedented construction
of the laws of neutrality based upon the instincts
of the bully and the coward. If it be determined
by the present Administration so long as they
are in power to play into the hands of the
Washington Government, why not do it openly,
and let the Northerners have the full benefit
of their support. Such conduct would be unjust
and ungenerous, but it would at least have the re-
deeming quality of being aboveboard. As it is, they
please no party. The Southerners are justly indig-
nant at the shameless bias of our Government for
the North, and the Federals, with too much reason,
attribute their advantages to their audacity and
English truckling rather to any sense of justice on
the part of the British colonies. People will natu-
rally ask, how could the Confederates have con-
demned a vessel in a prize court, seeing that all the
Confederate ports are blockaded ? Again, if the
seizure of the Conrad by the Alabama was illegal,
surely the destruction of other vessels by fire was
equally illegal ? Now if the destruction of the
many ships and valuable cargoes by the Alabama
and other Confederate cruisers was not justified by
the articles of war and the laws of nations, the per-
petrators of such acts Were guilty of piracy, and as
pirates were liable to seizure by aJ nations and in
any locality, the British Government were bound to
seize not only the Tuscalooz I, but the Alabama, Flo-
rida,and other Confederate cruisers. But at the outset
of the war, the belligerent rights of the Confede-
rates were admitted by the European Powers, al-
though,thanks to the bungling policy of our Govern-
ment, their existence as an independent community
was ignored. It is therefore manifest that, by
vouchsafing to the Confederates the rights of belli-
gerents, we, of necessity, admit to them the right of
oruisers to capture enemies' vessels, but at this
point our " wise men of Gotha" stop short. They
admit the right of Captain SEMMES to capture Fede-
ral ships, but they deny him the right to make use
of them. According to English law, a horsedealer,
on selling a horse, is bound to supply a halter to
enable the purchaser to lead it away, but our new
laws of neutrality permit a belligerent to capture an
enemy's vessel, but deny him the right to make use
of it. Again, let us ask, how was it that the Nar-
cissus was so opportunely present to seize the Tus-
calooza, and yet the Vanderbilt was permitted to
seize the Saxon, a British vessel, in British
waters ? Why was not the Vanderbilt seized
as a breach of the rights of a neutral port ?
The policy of cur Government suggests us
the answer, because we are afraid of war
with the Federal States. But why then seize the
Tuscalooza ? Surely we have had enough of
these discreditable and humiliating proceed-
ings. Parliament is fortunately sitting and
should take cognisance of them. It is most satis-
factory to find that Mr. P - EACOCKE intends to submit
a motion to the House on this subject, in about a
fortnight, Exposure will at all events be of service,
and it is to be hoped that the lesson will not be
thrown away, but whether Ministers heed the
warning or not, the members have a separate duty
to perform. They will have hereafter to meet their
constituents, and to render an account of their
stewardships. The feeling of the country is as it
always has been in favour of bold and fearless
honesty, and the sooner its representatives in Par-
liament vindicate their right to suspect the foreign
correspondence of a Government which they dis-
trust, the sooner will the world know that the
honour and prestige of England cannot be bartered
away even to maintain a place-loving Cabinet in
office.

The second reading of the Malt for Cattle EMI°
on Monday night, was not suffered to pass without
some strictures. The opposition was, however,
merely verbal, since none of the malcontents
thought fit to move an amendment. The main
cause for discontent seemed to be the apprehension
that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had brought
forward this measure in order to conciliate the
agricultural interest in place of removing, or at
least lightening, any of those heavier burdens whose
mitigation they had a right to look for at his hands.
Mr. BENTINCK, usually the farmer's advocate, de-
clared that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had
always been a determined opponent of the agricul-
tural interests, and it was not to be supposed that
his nature had changed, though his opinions had
occasionally undergone very sudden alteration. The
hon. member further declared that this bill would
be regarded by the farmers as inimical to their
interests, as likely to delay still further the repeal
of the malt duties. This is a somewhat ungracious
way of receiving a benefit, for that it is a benefit,
though not to the full extent wished for, there is
little doubt. It is at least a step in the right direc-
tion—a recognition of the fact that the malt duties
of all kinds do press heavily and unfairly on the
agricultural interest. Mr. PACKE'S view of the
case was more rational, since he declared that he
accepted the bill as an instalment, though he
chequered his approval with an objection to the
wording of the title. He must be a very litigious
or hypercritical person who would raise an objec-
tion to a farmer using the " malt for cattle" for
sheep, pigs, and horses. The members who ad-
vocated the measure were, however, ready with
practical evidence of its advantages. Sir EDWARD
DERING observed that two-thirds of the counties
of England were unable in ordinary years to pro-
duce a quality of barley that was available for
the brewer, but this measure would render the com-
mon barley useful for feeding purposes. " The re-
fuse of distilleries," said the hon. baronet, " was

found to be a very fattening article of diet for cattle,
so much so that at shows animals fed on it were
sometimes excluded, on the ground that they had
enjoyed an advantage not generally available." He
further quoted the opinion of a gentleman who had
obtained a large number of prizes for his stock, who
said that whatever food he gave his cattle he always
topped" them up malt. A farmer who had
been spoken to about this bill, had declared that it
would be a great boon, and he hoped that hence-
forth he should be able to fatten three oxen for
every two, and five sheep for every three he now
fattened. Such practical views weigh strongly in
the balance against mere verbal opposition, proceed-
ing from members who are naturally inclined to
look with suspicion on all agricultural measures
proposed by the Government. Mr. GLADSTONE
supported his Bill in a moderate and sensible speech,
saying that he had not brought it forward as a
measure of wonderful and universal efficacy, but as
an experiment that could be made without risk, and
was therefore worth trying, This is the view
which honourable members on both sides of the
House would do well to take of it, remembering
that so long as the principle of a measure is sound
and practical, great amendments and modifications
can be effected in its passage through committee.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LREITTER'S TELEGRAMS.]

THE WAR IN SCHLESWIG.

APENRADE, FEB. 16.

The Austrian head-quarters have arrived here,
and the Prussian head quarters have been trans•
ferred to Gravenstein.

Field-Marshal Von Wrangel is on his way to the
latter 'lace.
There are indications of an intention on the part
of the Allies to enter Jutland.
FLENSBURG, FEB. 16 (Evening).

Field-Marshal von Wrangel, on his departure for
Guavenstein, took an affectionate farewell of the
principal inhabitants of this city, and expressed a
hope that Schleswig Would soon be freed from the
evils of war.

ALTONA, FEB. 17.

The Austrian Civil Commissioner, M. Reverbera,
in a speech made at Flensburg, said that all the
wishes of the Schleswig-Holsteiners would be
satisfied, althou;h a personal union of the Dichies
with Denmark .lould not be given up.
Prince Frederick Charles received yesterday a
deputation of tie citizens of Flensburg.

SWEDEN AND THE PROPOSED
ARMISTICE.

STOCKHOLM, FEB. 16.

The official Rse Tidning states that Sweden does
not support the proposal of an armistice between
the Austrians and Prussians and the Danes, neither
has she recommended the withdrawal of the
November Constitution.

AMERICA.

(REUTER'S EXPRESS.)
LIVERPOOL, Tuesday.

The royal mail steamship Canada, Capt. Moodie,
from Boston ou the 3d, and Halifax on the sth,
instant, has arrived here, bringing 74 passengers,
and 88,376 dole. in specie.
The New York Herald of the 2d instant gives
the following as the situation of affairs at that date :
—The action of Congress yesterday on the question
of the elevation of General Grant to the position
of Lieutenant-General and Commander-in-Chief of
the armies of the United States, by a vote of 111
to 17, not only establishes the popularity of that
officer, but indirectly condemns the policy of Gen.
Halleck, whom Gen. Grant will of course supersede
in command of the armies if the bill should receive
the sanction of the State and the signature of the
President.

The latest despatches from General Kelly's com-
mand in West Virginia, state that a fight took place
yesterday afternoon in the Now Creek Valley be-
tween an advancing column of the enemy's troops
and one column of ours. After a sharp engagement
We repulsed the enemy, driving him back over two
miles. The enemy had obtained possession of Bur-
lington before they were driven back.
Stories of a proposition on the part of the rebels
to lay down their arms if their leaders were included
in Mr. Lincoln's amnesty proclamation, were float-
ing about yesterday, but there is no confirmation
whatever of such rumours.

Another rumour, with just as much probability
attached to it, is one that comes from Huntsville,
Alabama, to the effect that an attack was made on
Mobile some five days ago. We have rebel papers
to the 29th ult., and they make no reference to any
such affair, neither do our former despatches an-
nouncing the arrival of Admiral Farragut at New
Orleans.

There appears to be no doubt that the rebels at
Ringgold and Dalton have gone to join Longstreet
in his designs upon Kentucky.
Our extracts from the rebel journals are highly
interesting. They represent the spirit of the
Southern people to be most exuberant. The sol-
diers are said to be reinlisting by whole regiments
and brigades without bounty or bribe. The safety
of Richmond in the spring campaign, which Gen.
Grant is supposed to have designed, is talked of
with some fear by the .Richmond Examiner.
" The news from the Potomac army is not very
important. In a reconnaissance by our cavalry
yesterday the Post-office at Madison Court House
was visited, and Richmond papers of the 30th
January were found, containing General Lee's ad-
dress to his army—exhorting his soldiers not to
faint with their compulsory hunger, but to endure
for only a short time longer the hardships of short
rations—and several editorial articles confirming
previous reports of destitution in the rebel army.
The letter possesses great interest as unfolding a
view of the sufferings of the rebel soldiers and their
families, and express a general desire for peace on
any terms, and a confession that the rebel cause is
hopeless.

Deserters are coming into our lines in large
numbers, and report the destitution in the rebel
army as insufferable.
The following is President Lincoln's call for an
additional 500,000 men : •

" Executive Mansion, Washington,
Feb. 1, 1864.

" Ordered, that a draft for five thousand men, to
serve for three years, or during the war, be made
on the 10th day of March next, for the military
service of the United States, crediting and deduct-

ing therefrom so many as may have been enlisted
or drafted into the service prior to the Ist day of
March, and not heretofore credited.
(Signed) " ABRAHAM LINCOLN."

The New York Times believes the number needed
will not be over 300,000 men, and concludes that
the measure has been adopted as one of necessity,
and as an indispensable means of avoiding such an
abuse of commutation as would presently have ex-
hausted the military basis itself.

The New York. Herald says the can virtually
demands only 200,000 men, and in a characteristic
article it insinuates that the new levies will soon
bring about a peace, and place the army on a fit
basis for any emergency that may arise with Eng-
land or France, or both.
General Lee's order to his troops in regard to
their short rations is as follows:

" Headquarters, Army of Northern
Virginia, Jan. 22, 1864.

"The Commanding General considers it due to the
army to state that the temporary reduction of ra-
tions is owing to circumstances beyond the control
of those charged with its support. Its welfare and
comfort are the objects of his constant and earnest
solicitude; and no effort has been spared to provide
for its wants. It is hoped that the exertions now
being made will render the necessity but of short
duration ; but the history of the army has shown
that the country can require no sacrifice too great
for its patriotic devotion.
" Soldiers !—You tread, with no unequal steps,
the road by which your fathers marched through
suffering, privation, and blood, to independence.
Continue to emulate in the future, as you have in
roe past, their valour in arms, their patient en-
durance of hardships, their high resolve to be free,
which no trial could shake, no bribe seduce, no
danger appal, and be assured that the just God who
crowned their efforts with success, will, in His own
good time, send down his blessings upon your's.
"R. E. LEE, General."
We have from General Butler's department an
official account of a recent disastrous expedition of
Federal troops up James River. The force which
numbered 90 men, with one piece of artillery, landed
at Smithfield and marched inland. They encoun-
tered a superior force of the enemy, and falling back
to the river were reinforced by an armed transport.
A fight ensued, in which, after the Federals had
repulsed several attacks the transport was disabled
and blown up, and only ten men of the Federal
force escaped by swimming the river. Captain Lee,
who commanded the expedition, was among the
saved.

SOUTHAMPTON, FEB. 17.

The Hamburg and American Company's steamer
Ger Mania, from New York, on the 6th inst., has
arrived off Cowes.

She brings 38 bags of mails, 59 passengers for
this port, Havre, and Hamburg, 89,675 dols. in
specie for England, 125,200 dols. for France, and
2,000 dols. for Hamburg.
Off the Scilly Islands she spoke the ship Cerberus,
bound West.
Her news has been anticipated.

A NEW ROSSINI:STORY is in the market, which
is curious; possibly not true. " They say," that
the industrious yet coy veteran, who is always writing, how-
ever chary in giving forth what he writes, not long since
(it may have been by desire) forwarded two new composi-
tions to the Queen of Spain ; that the Royal lady, by way
of placing manuscripts so precious in honourable keeping,
committed the same to the Library of the Conservatory at
Madrid ; that the manager and travelling agent of a popu-
lar prima donna gained access to the treasure, and put,
chased it for the sum of 5,000 francs. If this be true,
whether the lady will be permittei to sing these
strangely-acquired additions to her repertory, becomes a
question.
AN IMMENSE CLOCK.--" The movement of this clock,
next to that of Westminster, is the largest in the world, and
in point of quality of material, and finish of workmanship, it
is unequalled by any known."—lllustrated London N ews,
Nov. 8, 1862. Clocks by the first artists of the day for the
drawing room, dining room, bed room, library, hall, staircase,
bracket, carriage,
church, turret, railways, warehouse, count-
ing house, musical, and astronomical. Church and turret
clocks specialty estimated for. Benson's illustrated pam-
phlet on clocks (free by post for two stamps) with descriptions
and prices, enables those who live in any part of the world to
select a clock. Also a short pamphlet on cathedral and public
clocks, free for one stamp. Prize medal and honourable
mention in classes 33 and 15. J. W. Benson, 33 and 34, Lud-
gate-hill, London. Established 1749. Watch and clock maker
by special warrant of appointment to the Prince of
Wales.
Persons who have been in the habit of paying weekly as
borrowers of Sewing Machines will do well to apply at once
and become members of Messrs. Watts and- Co.'s Sewing
Machine Clubs. By so doing they will not only save the
money they now foolishly throw away, but at the same time
secure to themselves the possession of one of the best and
most celebrated sewing machines in the world. Every h
in-
formation given on application; or by letter addressed, with
a stamped envelope, to Messrs. Watts and Co., 12, Beanfo
buildings, Strand, London, W.C., where members are rt.
rolled daily between 10 and ; Saturdays, 10 4nd 2, en-