The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, NO 9, 1863.

Al= 4
ZITTZ
.C°ll4. -FOP ik

LONDON, MONDAY, NOV. 9, 1863.

The EMPEROR'S proposition of an European Con-
gress appears to be a good deal more than a mere
vague hint, orpassing suggestion, thrown out as one
may say just haphazard as a possible matter fat
uncertain consideration according to the turn taken
by the chapter of accidents. A thoughtful Sove
reign like NAPOLEON 111, was obviously indeed one
not likely to deal in such idle generalities. A

proposal
tobine e
te_ ivery way so momentous, was cer-
tainat
all,ously put forward, was if pill
forward
mean
80rue
.certain in common parlance to
prise
whatever,tiliog- It is therefore no subject of sur-
to find that upon the vet-)
morrow of the delivery of this imperial
speech from the throne, diplomatic proceeding,
consequent upon
that proposition should have corn.
mooted. While
the EROr and the Imperial
Family have left for the 5
ent of their winter
holidays at Compiegne, fr,,31317::
the
Foreign office at
Paris the strings have already been
inviting the Sovereigns
pulled. Letters
from the French EMPERORS
to an European Congress, were despatched, accord
ina to la Fatrie, on Thursday. Ace
r
la France, they took their departure
Ito
on Friday. Whether sent on Thursday or
r
on Friday—sent at any rate they apparently
have been. 'Thy answers will, therefore,

come dropping in upon the EMPEROR at uncertain
intervals during his sojourn DOW at Compiegne. It

seems to us by no means so Utopian, as some have
' imagined, to dream of the Congress being convened
at all. The possibility of such a Congress being
holden, was demonstrated in a remarkable manner
in 1814 and again in 1815. It requires no Wat erloo,
moreover, as its necessary preliminary. A con-
juncture among the nations may be imminent
and momentous, without its requiring tone of the
world's few great turning-battles to point
it. As indeed is this present conjuncture
—significantly indicated in half-a-damen startling
phrases by the Emperor NAPOLEON. Now—while
the general peace of the Old World and. the New
appears to be trembling in the balance, hanging iike
the sword of DAMOCLES upon the suspension of a
hair, here in regard to Poland, there in regard to
the fratricidal (almost, it might be called the
suicidal) contest between the Federals and Confede-
rates—now, it there ever has before been such a crisis
in history,here in truth is onej nstifying,oritshould be
saidclamouring loudly for precisely one of these great
Congresses. One thing, moreover,maybeporneldyicwatitehd
of the French EMPEROR'S proposition, not
confidence but with satisfaction : namely, that its
submission thus frankly to the consideration of the
various Powers of Europe, affords at any rate a
chance of a happy settlement of existing and accu-
mulating difficulties, without the dire necessity (for
so doing) of resorting to the supreme arbitrament
of the sword. Regarded manfully in that light, it is
a noble proposition, Even if nothing comes of it—
it is something to have made it. The French
EMPEROR may lay that "flattering unction" at
least to his soul. If like Caitaffm,us he has thrown
his sword is the scale, at certain memorable periods,
in regard now to Russia, now Austria, now to
China, now to Mexico—he has at other moments,
even though he may have failed to prove success-
, ful, attempted to enact the part of a Peacemaker.
Formerly, not so very long ago, on two occasions,
by suggesting a compromise between the American
Belligerents. Nowadays, at this present juncture,
by submitting to contemporary sovereigns this mag-
nificent, all but Arcadian proposition, for a grand
European Congress with a view toan universal pa-
cification, and, to a certain extent, also, to a rational
extent, that is, with a view to a general disarma-
ment.

It is said that the King of PRUSSIA intends to
open the new Parliament in person. If so it may be
a good augury that he intends to conduct affairs in
this fresh session with a more genial and gracious
manner. The presence of the CROWN PRINCE also
serves to testify that a better aspect is coming over
the confused state of politics, since it is well known
that the opinions of the young Prince are all on
the right side in the entangled and disastrous state
to which public questions are reduced at this mo-
ment in Prussia. All accounts seem to concur in
asserting that the King is taking a more prominent
part in public affairs than he has done of late. In
his address to the officers at Stralsund he made a
very significant statement, to the effect that " the
danger of war was very near at hand." This may
mean a great deal, or it may mean little or next to
nothing, but of course it may be turned and twisted
in various ways to suit different opinionists. It has
been freely circulated that it refers to a war with
France, and rumours declare that next spring will
sea its occurrence. This may be verified, it is true,
but the King could hardly have referred to that
issue so decidedly, since there is nothing which the
authorities in Berlin are so likely to deprecate as a
" Franco Prussian" contest, and this solution of the
enigma of the royal speech has its origin in the fancies
fears, or wishes of the interpreters thereof ; also the
allusion might mean the crisis now approaching i❑
regard to Denmark. This reading of the riddle is
more likely to prove a correct one, since from one
motive or another the Prussians are mast anxious

to press on the controversy, and use every exertion
to obtain by force of arms what strength of argu-
ment and skill in diplomacy have hitherto foiled to
procure. The proposals recently made to resort to
extremities were sufficient to explain the animus
that existed in the minds of the rulers of Prussia,
and must have excited the indignation of all who
Pere capable of examining the question in its true
bearings, and to appreciate the greed that stimu-
lated the desire, and the spirit of monopoly that
actuated the entire proceedings. It is still possible
that the trite sentence bore reference to a domestic
issue. The KING might have intended to hold out
a warning, or to suggest a danger that was immi-
nent. It is true that with one thing and another
the chances and changes of political life may soon
bring about a stormy state in Prussia. All is ripe
'or revolution ; the exterior may seem calm, but
those who are skilled in the signs of the times may
detect a working danger, and discern a covert
snare that a email thing and a trivial action would
be enough to set in motion and bring sad and
serious effects to follow in its train. The smoulder-
' ing embers of discontent may be fanned into a
dame that would spring up as a beacon light of
liberty before the startled nations of Europe.
Then the time for parley would be over, and the day
of grace gone by ; all would be losers for the time,
but hereafter the country might emerge the fzeer
and the brighter from the sharp struggle and the
bitter trial. To avert such evils by a timely con-
cession, and to convert the indignant protest into
the grateful acknowledgment, is one of the highest
and happiest efforts of statesmanship, and makes the
Minister who effects the triumph one of the bene-
factors of his country, and entitles him to the respect
of mankind in general. It is to be feared that there
are no heroes of such stuff in the Berlin list of note-
oilities, and that the Sovereign referred to the
danger in the distance more as a sort of interroren2
argument to admonish caution and to counsel a safe,
if timorous, and subservient course. If so, the new
Parliament inaugurated to-day may teach him
°therwise, and, in a very short time, evince their
determination to uphold the integrity of the Con-
stiteti,o
and vindicate the independence of the
People. Kinghtm WILLIAM has a grand part before
now; °4 him devolves one of those responsibili•
ties which are awful to contemplate, and to avoid
incurring the risk
of whose failure many would
willingly forego
the
chance of a glorious success. It
is a fearful thing to reflect that through inadver-
tence or precipitancy the
interests of a nation may
be compromised and even seriously injured.
Although not probable, it
is possible that
the KrNa may jet have reason and turn
state trs aotnfl Id;
prosperity
ett olriirntaygta
aenna of
th© land
nis thoughts
Peace, instead
otof itthsepflriasettinueatio
changes that have
of late so impeded the progress, and restricted the
energies of the state anditeslfsaurobjoecrtps.ralssafiso;, itbut
i will
if,
be a bright day for the w
unhappily,
the old routine is to be adhered to, and
the BISMARK programme maintained in full force,
then it will be difficult to overrate or exaggerate
the coneepences. First and foremost, there will
ensue angry debates between the Ministers and
the representatives; then the proposals of the
Cabinet will be scornfully rejected, while the
Government, in turn, will confute the decrees of
the Legislature, and doubtless another dissolution
will change the scene of action, and again throw
upon the country the onus of settling the contro-
versy, and deciding upon the merits of the rival
inda, a
disputants.eeau Beyond this the prospect looks dark
well may the sanguine tremble for the
balm There are few sadder sights than to see a

man wilfully throw away great chances, and to
witness those entrusted with power wantonly abuse
it, and pervert its agencies to unworthy ends, and
falsify their professions. Of this class, who pur-
posely ruin their destiny, are the Sovereign of
PRUSSIA and his Ministers. Let them seek to re-
gain their departed esteem, and win back, at the
crisis of peril and perplexity, their vast decaying
strength and popularity, and perhaps they may
regard " bygones as bygones." But if they go on
as heretofore, one plot after another will fail them,
and too late they will turn from the contemplation
of ruffled assemblies and indignant subjects to feel,
if they will not acknowledge, that they have cast
away the substance in running after the shadow,
and that the "regrets of the good and the fears of
the wise" attribute the sad catastrophe to the impo-
litic zeal with which the servants of the Crown
assailed the Constitution of the country, and the
unfortunate encouragement and imprudent sanc-
tion which was given to these untenable proposi-
tions. The Chamber of Deputies has rough work
before it, but with firm and faithful hearts they
may yet prosper beyond their expectations; and, if
they survive the shock to which they will now
be exposed, remain the honoured guardians of
popular freedom; while, if they are cut short in
their work of usefulness, they will leave behind
them a memory of " doing what they could,"
which is the highest recognition and truest epitome
of services rendered to a community.

The proposed alterations in Holborn-hill and its
vicinity have stimulated the inventive faculties of
onr architects, and have brought forward a whole
host of schemes for improving this busy and in-
convenient thoroughfare. We have now before us
one of these designs, suggested by Mr. FREDERICK
WALLEN, architect, of which the principal feature
is the opening of a new line of street, sixty feet in
width, to commence at the Old Bailey and termi-
note in Holborn, at the corner of Fetter-lane. This
street would be level throughout, having no greater
elevation than 1 in 155. It would cross Earring-
don-street at a height of 35 feet, and Shoe-lane at
21 feet 6 inches, and would traverse Thavies' Inn
and Bartlett's-buildings so nearly on a level that
communication with them would be easy. It would
pass in a straight line from Newgate-street to St.
Andrew's-court, whence it is to be carried by a
slight curve into Holborn. It would pass to the
south of St. Andrew's Church, over a part of the
churchyard, or, according to a variation in th© plan,
it might curve a little more and pass further from
the church, opposite to which the designer considers
the most dangerous part of the hill to lie. Mr.
WALLEN would further relieve the traffic from
Smithfield and Victoria-street by the extension of
the new street alreaciy projected from Smithfield-
bars to the Metropolitan Railway•station on to
the west through Ely-place to Hatton garden ; and
by the construction of a third new street, from
Snowhill to the station in Victoria-street, he would
obtain a direct line from thence to Skinner-street.
Having thus provided so much relief for the
carriage traffic, Mr. WALLEN considers that
the few vehicles that preferred Holborn-hi:l
route would find the inclination lass troublesome
than at present, and he therefore recommends the
construction of the proposed new streets as a sub-
stitute for more costly alterations, this being in his
opinion the most effective and economical way of
settling the question. The scheme has many good
points, and might in some respects work well. It
has, too, the recommendation of good architectural
effeet, judging from the accompanying designs.
There is, however, one serious drawback to it in
the sight of the Common Council which we appre-
hend will prevent its finding a place among the
favoured ones, It does not come within the terms
stipulated by the Court, and can, therefore, hardly
be the scheme selected and approved. The Com-
mon Council expressly stated their wish to do away
altogether with the existing route, and to substi-
tute complete viaducts or high-level roadways upon
the line of Holborn-hill and Skinner-street, involv-
ing the entire removal of the present surface and
the property on both sides. That the judges have
had ample opportunity of examining the merits of
the different methods suggested is evidenced by the
fact that, in the course of the four weeks allowed for
the preparation of designs, 84 gentlemen sent in 105
designs, illustrated by 206 drawings and 13 models.
These designs were divided by the examiners into
nine classes, and five of these classes were at once
set aside for the very objection that applies to Mr.
WALLEN'S design, i.e., they did not contemplate
an entire removal of the surface of the roadway,
and of the property on both sides.

The committee having determined that their de-
sign should be of the most comprehensive nature,
would not adopt any scheme that only dealt par-
tially with the matter. The great object, in their
estimation, is not only to secure a good road for
the traffic between East and West, bit to provide
also improved roads between the high and low
levels. It appears from the returns that on an
average upwards of 4,200 vehicles go daily up and
down the hills from the low levels. The indispen-
sable condition which they attach to the phiu sug-
gested we have already referred to—the construc-
tion of viaducts or high-level roadways on the pre-
sent site of Holborn-hill and Skinner-street. This
method would, they consider, fully carry out the
required principles, and comply faithfully with the
terms of the Act of Parliament granting the rever-
sion of the coal duty. It would remedy the defec-
tive gradients, improve the neigbourhood (which
greatly needs improvement), and give increased
facility for traffic, When the Court has succeeded
in obtaining all these advantages, however, there is
yet more to do. A new street is urgently needed
running eastward from Covent-garden—a middle
passage between Holborn and the Strand. Such a
thoroughfare has long been needed, and it should
be a broad, open highway, not a network of narrow,
roundabout turns and passages. Leaving Covent-
garden and proceeding eastward, we now pass
through dark, narrow, dirty ways, until we emerge
in Lincoln's-inn-fields, from whence, on the other
side, we wind about more intricate little miserable
roads, till we come out into Chancery-lane. This
should be remedied without delay, and the more
readily as the neighbourhood through which it would
pass will l: ear a good deal of improvement. No
scheme for City improvement will be complete that
omits this indispensable item ; and we trust the
Common Council will carry out the undertaking in
a large-minded, open-handed manner, remembering
that the work to be done is work that will last. It
will not only affect the comfort and convenience of
the busiest city in the world, but it will endure for fu-
ture generations. Mr. DISRALI once happily said that
the youth of a nation were the trustees of posterity,
and it is as the trustees of the future that we should
carry out such works as the present. Let the
authorities in
this matter act boldly and liberally,
and the public
will not begrudge the payment if the
work be well and thoroughly done. Let them not
rest half way satisfied with innovation instead of
improvement, and leave our
east and west traffic
still pressing along the two
an d g
valueless
ae
laute
loe vs
se r
dwi dn overcrowded
acio:::yt.gtahrrdoeung,hotr there abouts and run interme-
diately start from
,
thoroughfares. Let a broad
he poor
that lie north of the Strand, by the Fleet and
Cheap.
Newgate
market, until it emerges facing

side. Such a road, if it were extended as it
might be, to reach Cranbourn-street, would form
one broad thoroughfare from that great centre of
city life, at the corner of St. Martin's-le-Grand,
to the quiet suburban retreats of Hammersmith.
Of course the Common Council could not extend
their jurisdiction beyond Temple Bar, but if they
begin at the most important end, and carry on
the task as far west as Temple Bar, there is no
tear that the Metropolitan Board of Works will
not complete the task. Let both bodies act in
concert, and let no local jealousies or rivalries in-
terfere with a matter of public urgency. The
construction of such a street as we have spoken
of would, in conjunction with the great highway
of the Thames Embankment, leave four thorcugh-
fares along which the mighty traffic of the me-
tropolis might roil eastward and westward daily
without the delay, the danger, and the thousand
inconveniences now arising from restraining it in
streets built for a tenth part of the population,
and a hundredth part of the traffic.

Her Majesty's Theatre.---Jullien's Concerts,

Saturdaydi
sleanncxelsenvd eel‘nsiiir:: is the same as that
The Promenade Concerts, at Her Majesty's
Theatre, under the direction of M. Jullien, son of
the late eminent composer and musical director,
commencedment overflowingh es ay ons
a uhand attracted an
evening,
announce-
which animated his father—viz,, a diffusion of the
best and most wholes,me influences of music by
the popu:arisation of toe works of the great masters,
executed in a style worthy of their genius. And
truly the splendid band engaged for the pur-
pose shows that be is perfectly in earnesi,
in that intention. Oa making his entice,
M. Jullien was most heartily welcomed, firstly, on
account of the work he was engaged in ; and,
secondly, in kindly recollection of the great exer-
tions his deceased father made to familiarise the
million with those choice gems of melody which
before his time could only be heard by the upper
ten thousand at the Ancient or Philharmonic Con-
certs.

The orchestra has been erected in the usual posi-
tion ; the pit of course boarded over, forming, with
the stage, the promenade; and altogether the inte-
rior of the theatre presented a brilliant and cheerful
aspect.

The concert was divided into two parts, to the
first of which the dance music was confined, and
even there it was in small quantity, consisting only
of Jullien's Quadrille, "Fra Diavolo," and the
famous British Army Quadrille. The part
also contained Mendelssohn's overture to "Ray
Bias ;" Mozart's Symphony in E flat, given entire,
admirably played, and listened to with delighted
attention; and the aria, '° Saper vorreste" from " U❑
Ballo in Maschera," charmingly sung by Mdlle.
Volpini, and rapturously encored. There was,
moreover, an air with variations on the cornet-a.
piston, played by M. Legendre (his first appear-
ance in England) and encored with great warmth.
The second part was a selection from Gounod's
" Faust"—the air, "Le parlate d'amor," by Mr.
Richardson, on the cornet-a-pistons ; " Salve
dimora," on the violoncello, by Signor Pezze, with
the violin obligato by Mr. Carrodus ; and " Es•
trano poter," by Mr. Tyler, on the clarinet. The
gorgeous march, " Gloria immortale," was per-
formed by the orchestra, three military bands, and
a full chorus; it wont off with immense effect, and
was vehemently encored.
The selection from " Faust" was followed by
several miscellaneous pieces. Mdlle. Volpini sang
Arditi's very popular song " Il baccio," and his new
bolero, " Legger) invisibile," creating a furore in
both.

Camillo Sivori lias arrived, after an absence of
five years, and will appear at the concert of Mon-
day next.

Exhibition of Cabinet Pictures by British
Artists, French Gallery, Pall Mall.

The eleventh winter Exhibition of Cabinet Pic-
tures by living British artists opened to private view
on Saturday, and showed no deficiency in the
quality or quantity of the specimens. Many of our
old friends and favourites had contributed to the
walls, and in other corners new and promising aspi-
rants for popular favour displayed their powers.
J. S. Cooper gives us two rural scenes from Canter-
bury meadows, in which the cattle are painted with
lifelike fidelity. Mr. Creswick has several landscapes,
the best being his charming " Stepping Stones."
Witherington's " Stacking Hay" carries us back
from the dreary November day to the full glory of
the Midsummer noon, while Mr. Gilbert's " Loch
Ericht—a Bright Night," transports us to a lovely
lake amid the mountains, where we can almost see
the moonlight sleeping on the quiet waters. Coming
to the figure pieces, it would be impossible to pass
over Mr. Egley'a " Miranda's first sight of Ferdi-
nand," whose peculiar beauty of colouring, well
suited to the enchanted island, at once rivets the
gazer's attention. Mr. Linnel!, senior, has a large
painting of "Christ and the Woman of Samaria," of
which we cannot speak very highly, and Mr. Ward
contributes a picture of Charlotte Corday contem-
plating her portrait before her execution, which is
more striking than satisfactory. Less pretentious
efforts are sometimes happier, and examples of this
are to be found in Mr. Feed's lifelike " Market
Girl," Mr. Morgan's wonderfully clever "Country
Jury," and Mr. Le Jeune's "Young Anglers." The
pre-Raphaelites are, of course, not without represen-
tatives, and those who wish for colour and nothing
more, had better inspect Mr. G. D. Leslie's "Margue-
rite." Miss Mutrie has painted some roses with rare
skill, and Mr. Corbauld has represented some Scotch
cattle to the life. " Going to the Drawing-room" is
a clever painting, not unmixed with satire of the
absurdities of fashion. Sir J. D. Gordon's " Diana
Vernon" is by no means so attractive as Scott's, and
the two fair ladies in H. Schlesinger's " Hark the
Lark" are too evidently standing for their portraits.
The peasant wife in Mr. Clark's natural little scene
"Any Crockery to-day, Marra?" must certainly re-
turn a favourable answer to the tempting question;
and 11111ss Dundas's " Dandie Dinmont" looks sharp
henasoupgahinttoedbtehae vsnerdidtaenble
repentance Pep er.'
of Mt
hre. Gu lApostleiiek
Peter with care and ability, and other artists have
distinguished themselves in different degrees. On
the whole the Exhibition leaves us no room to
complain of the decadence of British talent.

ERRATA.—In our review of the new edition of
Professor Wilson's Nodes Ambrosiano, two typo-
graphical errors remained inadvertently uncorrected on
Saturday evening. In the very last line but one of the
last sentence " even" should have been " ever ;" while
about the middle of the criticism, the sentence beginning

" The swifter running" shottld obviously have- begun
" The swift runner."

THE MINISTRY.—On Thursday the Ministers
received summonses to attend a Cabinet Council on
Tuesday next, the 10th inst., at Lord Palmerston's resi
deuce is Downing•street. Earl Russell, the Lord Chan-
cellor, Earl de Grey, and Mr. Milner Gibson are staying in
London and its vicinity. Lord Palmerston, accompanied
by Viscountess Palmerston, accompanied by Viscountess
Palmerston, arrived at Cambridge House last evening from
Broadlands. Sir G. Grey, Sir C. Wood, Lord Granville,
and other members of the Cabinet, are expected to arrive in
town in the course of to-morrow (Monday).—Observer.
SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETER HALL.--
The opening concert of the season will take place on Friday
next, November 13, when Mr. Costa's oratoria "Eli" will
be performed. Principal soloists, Madame Rudersdorff,
Madame Sainton Dolby, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Winn, and
Mr. Santley.
AMERICAN MAIL STEAMERS DUE THIS WEEK.—
The mail steamers due at Liverpool this week are the City
of New York, from New York on the 31st ult., due at
Queenstown to-morrow (Tuesday) ; the Hibernian, from
Quebec on the 31st, is also due at Greencastle on the same
day ; the Cunard steamer Scotia, from New York, on the
4th instant, will no doubt reach Queenstown on Friday
evening or Saturday morning next.
MDLLE. ADELINA PATTI is to appear at once in
Paris instead of going to Madrid, according to the an-
nounced programme.
MADAME OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT (nee Jenny Lind)
is announced to sing at two of the Liverpool Philharmonic
Concerts on the 24th and 26th of the month. Handers
": Allegro" and "Elijah" are to be performed,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE

[REUTER'S TELEGRAM.]

AMERICA.
(Per the City of Limerick.)
NEW YORK, OCT. 30 (Evening.)

(By Telegraph to Cape Race.)

General Thomas reports that General Hooker
was attacked at midnight upon the 29th instant.
Severe fighting ensued, lasting two hours, and with
less vehemence until four o'clock. At seven o'clock
General Hooker reported that the troops repulsed
the enemy's attack, and drove the enemy from every
position they assumed.

The Confederates abandoned Look Out
Mountain without resistance, and the Federals
occupy the south bank of the river from 13ridge-
port to Chattanooga. The river and railroad com-
munication are unobstructed, facilitating supplies
reaching General Thomas.