The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-11 00:00:00

Prince Louis of Hesse in Birmingham.

His tioyal Highness the Prince Louis of Hesse, husband
of the Princess Alice, arrived in Birmingham from Windsor
Castle on Monday afternoon by the express train, arriving
at the Snow-hill station of the Great Western Railway at
1.45 p.m. As his royal highness arrived at the static n in-
cognito, the public authorities were not aware of his visit to
the town, but a carriage and pair being in waiting, he at
once proceeded to the Hen and Chickens Hotel, New-street.
His royal highness was accompanied by Lieut.-Col. Du
Plat, Capt. von Westerweller, and Dr. E. Becker. After par-
taking of luncheon, the prince and the gentlemen of his suite,
with Dr. Alfred Evans, proceeded in the latter gentleman's
private carriage to inspect the manufactory of Messrs.
Elkington and Mason, in Newhall-street. They were there
received by Mr. Fredk. Elkington, who, with Mr. S. F.
Rol lason, accompanied his royal highness and suite through
the show room of that extensive establishment. His royal
highness also visited the workshops, and observed with
much interest the several processes of manufacture. In the
foundry the large figure of the late lamented Prince Albert,
which Messrs. Elkington are now casting, and which is to
form the Albert memorial of the Great Exhibition of 1851,
was much admired by his royal highness. Before he left the
establishment the prince made several purchases. He after-
wards visited the works of Mr. Joseph Gillutt, pen manu-
facturer, Graham-street; Messrs. Edelsten and Williams,
pin manufacturers, George-street, Parade; and the works
of Mr. Westley Richards, gun manufacturer, High-street,
and manifested considerable interest in everything pre-
sented to his notice. His royal highness then returned to
the Hen and Chickens Hotel, where he afterwards dined in
company with his suite.

Yesterday the Prince visited the School of King Edward
the Sixth, the proof-house, the works of Messrs. Evans and
Asken, in George-street, and the glass works of Messrs.
Chance, at Spon-lane. In the evening the Prince returned
to the Hen and Chickens, where he was to remain for the
night, and leave Birmingham in the morning.

Her Highness the Princess Marie de Philippesco
and Sir Stephen Bartlett Lakeman have returned to the
Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, from the Isle of Wight.
The Duke and Duchess of Beaufort have left
Curzon House for Badminton.

The Earl of Howth and Lady Margaret Dora-
ville have arrived at Claridge's Hotel from Ireland.

The Earl of Dalhousie and Lady Christian Maule
have arrived at Claridge's Hotel from Brechin Castle, N.B.
The Earl and Countess Howe have left town for
Gopsall Hall, Leicestershire.

The Earl and Countess of Lincoln, with their
infant daughter, have arrived in town, from St. Leonard's-
on-Sea.

The marriage of Harriet Countess of Guilford
with Mr. J. Lettsom Elliott, was solemnised yes-
terday at St. James's Church, Piccadilly. The ceremony
was performed by ihe Hon. and Rev. F. de Grey, rector of
Cappdock, near Ipswich. After the ceremony the bride
and bridegroom left town for Oatlands Park Hotel, Wal-
ton-on-Thames.

ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—Amongst the fashion-
able company attending the performances at the
above theatre during the past week were her Royal High-
ness the Princess Mary, the Earl and Countess of Car-
digan, the Earl of Uxbridge, Sir Bellingham Graham, the
Marchioness of Downshire, Lady Alice Hill, Capt, Cust,
the Hon. Miss Cust, Lord G. Lennox, Lord Henry Len-
nox, the Countess of Fife, Lord de Lisle and Dudley, Mr.
Justice Williams, the Duchess of Montrose, &c.

JUDGMENTS LAW AMENDMENT BILL.—The bill
introduced into the House of Commons by Messrs. Had-
field, Locke King, and Powell, to amend the law relating
to judgments, statutes, and recognizances, provides that in
future they are not to affect purchasers and mortgagees.
GAMBLING IN AMERICA.—No wonder Paymaster
Cook, when he proceeded to gamble, lost the money
destined for payment of the Federal soldiers. He played in
a room of which the walls and ceiling were papered with
paper of a star pattern ; a small hole had been bored through
the ceiling in the centre of a star here and there, and in the
room above a person stretched on a mattress was able to look
into Cook's hand, and by a telegraphic.,signal machine
communicating through the wall and doe!, to indicate, in
gentle zaps on the professional gambler's bipt or slipper, a
description of the cards held by the man who was to be
" fleeced." The tenants of the rooms be,ing in debt, the
sheriff has had to transact business upon the premises, and
in the course of his researches made this discovery.
MELANCHOLY DEATHS OF THREE OCTOGENA-
RIANS.—Two octogenarians named Joseph and John
Fitzwalter, brothers, lived, together with their sister, in a
house in Parliament-street for a great number of years, The
brothers had been brought up to the business of lace design-
ing, and the sister had acted in the capacity of housekeeper.
Joseph, the elder one, was, a short time ago, attacked with
bronchitis, under which he lingered for some time in much
pain. On Wednesday last, however, he died at the ripe old
age of 84 years. The brother and sister of the deceased were
much affected by his death, the brother showing excessive
signs of grief. His grieving, however, was not long, for he
expired in one hour after his brother. The death of two
brothers to whom she was devotedly attached was a shock
which the sister was unable to withstand; and on the morn-
ing fixed for their interment, she also expired at the age of
88 years.

HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN.--This institution
held its 11th annual court on Monday evening, at
the hospital, Great Ormond-street, Queen-square, Blooms-
bury; the Hon. Major Vereker in the chair. The report as
read and unanimously adopted showed that the hospital was
advancing in efficiency and public favour; the subscriptions
of the past year were £1,541 11s , being upwards of £l2O
more than the preceding year. The anniversary festival,
under the presidency of Lord Elcho, had realised upwards
of .-C1,200, and during the year legacies had been received,
of £lOO from the late Mr. E. B. Laurence, of £5O from the
lite Mr. Lionel Lucas (both formerly members of the com-
mittee), as also £5O from the late Mr. J. Watson, £lOO
from the late Mr. J. A. Cropper, £lO from the late Miss
Henry, &c. Considerable success had attended the estab-
lishment of collecting-boxes. The committee had to report
during the past year the receipt of many valuable presents of
clothing, toys, books, &c., for the benefit and amusement of
the children, but more especially to mention (hat her
Majesty the Queen was most graciously pleased, during her
stay in Germany, to direct that a large selection of toys
should be sent over to the children, thus testifying in the
kindest manner her sympathy with some of the most help-
less of her subjects. After expressing thanks for favour-
able notices in various journals, the report stated that from
pressure of other engagements, Mr. H. A. Bathurst, the
hon secretary, had been under the necessity of resigning,
and the duties were at present being performed by the as-
sistant secretary, Mr. Whitford. The receipts from all
sources had advanced from £3,371 7s. 2d. in 1861 to
£4,230 128.7 d. during the past year; but at the same time,
from the increase of patients and other additional expenses,
the total expenditure had increased from £3,935 12s. 7d. to
£4,113 7s. 2d. in the past year, so that it was necessary to
appeal for further public aid. Thanks having been passed
to the medical and other officers, as also the chairman, the
proceedings terminated.

THE ACTO/471MURDER.—We undertand that the
widow of the unfortunate police constable, who was
so brutally murdered while in the performance of his duty
to the public, is only to receive the miserable pension of $l5
per annum from the Metropolitan Commissioners of Police,
being scarcely ss. 9jd. per week, and not £25 per annum
as previously announced.

SIR JAS. GRAHAM'S MAIDEN SPEECH.—Mr. Gra-
ham's speech, delivered in the dialect and with the
gesture of an exquisite, savoured too much of anxiety for
out-of-door applause, to win the respect of the House of
Commons. Most of his assertions were true, indeed, as to
the excess of patronage and the political corruption it engen-
dered. But his generalities were too violent and too vague,
and his indignation seemed too vehement to be sincere.
His apprehension that the power of the Crown was increas-
ing and ought to be diminished, sounded too like a
reading out of date from the pages of Burke ; and the
inartistic mode in which he intimated his belief that
venal motives were chiefly potential in keeping up super-
numerary offices and undeserved pensions made his hearers
stare and smile, rather than listen or reflect. Some, in-
deed, of the more temporising and timid from the first dis-
liked him. He was not, they said, the style of man that
was wanted ; he was too saucy for his years, too confident
on his legs, and too sarcastii across the dinner table.
lie had no scruple about rallying them on their too fre-
quent attacks of the gout on the eve of trying votes in the
House of Commons, and it was probably in pique at some
caustic remark of his upon the want of efficient leadership,
that Mr. Tierney is said to have called him " a manly
Puppy."

FOREIGN COURTS.

PARIS, Feb. 9.
There is a fancy dress ball this evening at the
Tuileries.

A grand fete was given on Saturday evening by
the Minister of Foreign Aff,irs and Madame Dtouyn
de Lhuys. Fancy dresses being the rule, the scene
was of the most animated description. The Em-
peror and Empress were present; the latter was
in a black domino, whilst the former changed
his costume several times. The Emperor went
several times through the different salons, and
then going up to a group, in the midst of which
were the family of the Minister, took off his
mask, and asked whether he had been recog-
nised. Among the characters the most remarked
weie Madame Gortschakoff, who was dressed as a
boyarde, with a coronet covered with pearls and
diamonds; Madame Dubois de VEtand, who wore a
Polish costume; Madame Say, as Esther; the Prin-
cess Dolgorouky, as a beehive; and Madame de
Penn, as an Egyptian. Madame Heeckeren was a
complete rose-tree from head to foot, and Madame
Delval was enveloped in ivy. Supper was served
at two, and the whole did not terminate before five
in the morning.
The Emperor of Austria is to leave Vienna after
Easter for Dalmatia and Albania. The Empress
will accompany him, and will afterwards stay for
some time at Venice. The Archduke Ferdinand
Maximilian is to leave at the beginning of March
on a visit to Rome.

A grand ball, the first of the season, took place
last week at the Royal Palace of Turin, the King,
Prince Humbert, the Duke d'Aoste, and Prince
Eugene de Savoie Carignan being present. The two
young princes took part in the quadrille of honour,
and frequently joined in the other dances, which
were prolonged until four in the morning. The
King, who appeared in high spirits, conversed for
some time with M. Farini, and did not retire until
a late hour. Supper was served in the Daniele
gallery, the ladies being seated at about 100 small
tables. Nearly 2,000 persons were present.
A Frankfort letter states that in consequence of
Count de Bismark's last note relative to the Franco-
Prussian treaty of commerce, the relations between
the Courts of Berlin and Munich are said to have
assumed such a character of irritation that a sus-
pension of diplomatic relations may result from it.
The Brussels journals, referring to the health of
King Leopold, mention that Dr.Langenback per-
formed another operation a few days back on his
Majesty. The King is in good spirits, and is not
prevented from continuing his customary occupa-
tions.

The fourth Court ball of the season at Brussels
three evenings back passed off in the most brilliant
manner. The company assembled at half..past eight
(the Belgian balls being proverbially early), and
dancing was kept up with great spirit until past
one in the morning. The Duchess of Brabant did
the honours of the fete, and was ably seconded by
the Count of Flanders.

Letters from Egypt state that the new Viceroy is
shortly about to proceed to Constantinople to pay
homage to the Sultan.

The ball given by the Countess de Persigny on
Thursday was most successful. The invitations were
given in the countess's name only. Count de Per-
signy was present, but, notwithstanding, the ball
was not an official entertainment. There was danc-
ing in two saloons and two others, as was the
Minister's cabinet, were devoted to conversation.
The supper took place in the grand gallery. The
cotillion, which commenced at half-past one, con-
tinued with the greatest animation till half-past four,
and during the dance many charming surprises and
happy incidents were presented. Amongst the great
number of distinguished personages present were
the Princess Poniatowski, the Princess Troubetzkoif
the Duchess de Morny, the Duchess d'lsley, the
Countess Leopold Le Hon, the Countess do
Tonnerre, the Countess de la Bedoyere, the Countess
do la Poeze, the Baroness d'Hauterserve, the

Baroness
Baroness
ded Brg
eyoeurdieorigentei: the
the
BBaraornoenses"MdttellhVainrYn,
the
, the
Marchioness de Gallipet, &c. Madame de Metter
iich appeared in society on this evening for the
first time after a serious illness.

On the same evening a concert was given by the
Marchioness de Tillieres, and receptions by tb°
Duke of Padua and the Count de Flavigny.
The quadrille " des abeilles," which is to be
danced at an entertainment to be given by the EDI'
press, is being daily rehearsed at the Tuileries with
Madame de Tascher. A dozen ladies will take part
in it, but there will be no gentlemen. Amongst the
ladies already mentioned as intended to participate
in this quadrille are the Princess Troubetzkoi,Mee-
dames Brincard, Coppens de Lostende, Pereira,and
Madlle. do Tascher.

The Duchess de Morny will give a grand ball ou
Shrove-Tuesday.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 4.

The Princess Soltikoff, lady of honour to the Em'
press of Russia, has just died at a very advanced
age. This event will be qn additional check to
gaiety in the Russian capital, and will prevent se-
veral balls and other festivities from taking place
there during the short season this winter.

ACCIDENT TO THE DUKE OF RIITLAND.—On Sa-
turday last the Duke of Rutland sustained a severe fall
while hunting in the neighbourhood of Grantham. Mr.
Shipman, the Duke's medical attendant, was quickly on the
spot, and accompanied him to the George Hotel, Grantham,
where from the nature of the injury—severe concussion of
the spine—his Grace u ill probably remain some days befole
proceeding to Belvoir Castle.

Mr. GOWER, M.P.—The picturesque town of
Limpsfield presented a most animated scene on
Saturday last. It was understood that Granville Leveson
Gower, E:q., M.P., the successful candidate for Reigate,
was to return to Titsey Park. his seat, in the afternoon of
that day. The inhabitants of the town proceeded at once
in making preparations for a hearty reception. Three
triumphal arches, adorned with laurel wreaths, banners,
and streamers of the true blue, were erected across the
road ; flags were suspended from every window. The
inhabitants of Limpsfield and Titsey all appeared in the
victorious colours, and lined the road. At L. it o'clock
loud hurrahs announced the first appearance of Mr. and
the Hon. Mrs. Leveson Gower; they were met by the
assembled crowd, and a large number of their tenantry.
The horses were quickly unharnessed, and before Mr. and
Mrs. L. Gower were aware of their change of horses, they'
found themselves dragged in triumph through the town,
amid deafening cheers on all sides. Mr. L. Gower then
addressed his friends, from the carriage. Ho thanked
them for the enthusiastic demonstrations of sympathy and
feeling they evinced in his success ; he explained his reasouS
for wishing to represent Reigate, and his hopes of being
able to do so worthily. He spoke of his interest in tke wel-
fare of those around him. He gave his ideas on the rela-
tive duties and sympathies of all classes. He responded
gracefully to the feeling shown for the young wife by hie
side, concluding with again expressing his thanks. Nit*
and Mrs. L. Gower were not allowed to proceed to Titsey'
even at this period, with their own horses, new relays of
willing hearts took them at a great pace to the door e"
Titsey, a distance of half a mile.—Surrey btandard.
COLLIERY EXPLOSION IN THE ABERDARE VAL.
LEY.—A fatal explosion of firedamp took 'place
Saturday at Mr. Nixon's Lower Colliery, Mountain Ash'
near Aberdare, Glamorganshire. About three o'clock 113
the afternoon the men on turn up to that time had Jul
ascended, and those who were to relieve them had beds'
to descend, when a loud noise, accompanied by the usual
indications of an explosion of gas, was heard. Sever
colliers escaped more or less burnt, and when the numbers
were told two were found missing. Mr. Brown, the mall,
ger, with extraordinary intrepidity, ventured into the icor,
in the dark, and, notwithstanding the danger from chose
damp, felt his way to the particular heading where e
two men were known to be at work, and brought their life'
less bodies to the surface. They were badly burnt. Ttvtfe
is reason to believe that the men had indulged in the
,
dangerous practice of smoking after they had reached trie
heading, and hence the explosion. Had it occurred a lit
tolater the loss of life reigjat have been great. The injury
the works has been considerable, the roof having been hie.wt.
down in some places to a thickness of six or seven
fee
Fortunately, the disaster was confined to one heading.
THE MURDER OF A POLICE CONSTABLE AT ACTON.
—Yesterday afternoon Mr. J. Bird, coroner for jvestra
Middlesex, resumed and concluded at the George and ices
gon Hotel, Acton, the investigation into the circumstai:of
of the murder of William Davey, the police constable
the
of
the T division, who was shot on the night of the 19e
_co
last month. The proceedings appeared
greater interest than on the previous occasions, a
an
.cce
court was densely crowded ; but little additional ee,/udr:ed
was taken, and the jury, after a brief deliberation, r.&istoe
anreeeiced
a verdict of " Wilful murder against Joseph a
Brooks." The announcement of the verdicted.
with applause, which was, however, immediately
his warrant for the cornmitts
The coroner then made out
of the accused to Newgate for trial. to crimson
the