The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-24 00:00:00

Director, Mr. F. Jonghmans.

pOLYTECHNIC.—Patrnn : Hit H. the PRINCE
of WALES.—The Ghost Effects and Spectral Illusions,
being Professor Pepper's adaptation of the original and
most startling Illusion of Henry Dircks, Esq., C.E.—The
Illustrated Fairy Tales—The Shadow Pantomime—The
Christmas Tree—The Improved Chinese Fireworks. The
Entertainments and Lectures provided this year are on the
most liberal scale.

POLYTECHNIC.—Patron H.R.H. the PRINCE
of WALES,—Grand Juvenile Morning and Evening
next Thursday, December 3 at, and Gratuitous Distribution
of Thousands of Toys, Ornaments, &c., amongst the Juvenile
visitors.—All the Amusements. The Fairy Tale The
Shadow Pantomime -The Chinese Fireworks, &c. Open 12
to 5 and 7 to 10.

31ADAME TUSSAUD'S HISTORICAL
GAL L E R Y— Established 28 Years at the Bazaar,
Faker-street.—GßEAT ATTRACTION for the JUVE-
NILES DURING the HOLIDAYS. - The Sert-s of
life-
size Models of the Kings of England, from the Conqueror to
that of Her present Majesty, attired in the magnificent cos-
tumes of the respective periods, is now nearly complete ;
and in the Chamber of Physiognomy are several new figures.
.A omit ance le. ; Extra Rooms, (Id. Open on Boxing-day,
from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m,

OYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL, Islington.
tl) Grand Christmas Entertainments on a sctle of magni-
ficence hitherto unattempted in this country, Immense as-
semblage of Metropolitan, Provincial, Continental, and
Colonial Artistes in every class of Amusements. New deco-
rat'ons elegant fittings, and brilliant
0 BOXING-DAY this commodious hall will be OPENED
with a selected and talented company of 350 Performers and
nearly 100 Horses i nits lot brass-and steel armour, for
the purpose of introdalng he most perfect Tournament ever
arranged, vieing in splendour the olden sports of the "Field
of the Cloth of Gold.' The Cirque will be represented by the
first star riders in the world. 'the Hippodrome programme
will include chariot races, steeplechases, Roman races on bare-
backed steeds, daring and graceful acts of equestrianism,
great vaulting competition. assault of arms, comic scenes, and
entertaining interludes. Crockett, the celebrated Lion King,
who has been the great feature of attraction in Paris and
other principal cities on the Continent for the last two years,
will make his first appearance in London with his wonderful
Troupe of Lions. A Grand Military Band of eo performers,
selected from the principal Regiments of the Service, will
be under the directi n of Mr. Hurd ; and WilLs's mam-
moth international I'rizc Organ, erected at an enormous
cost, will be performer upon by a celebrated Organist.
The whole of the extensive galleries will be appro-
, printed to promenades, first and second class refreshment
saloons, bazaar, and fancy fair, wherein will be
found every description of article suitable for presents
or the decoration of Christmas-trees. The reading room will
be supplied with newspapers and the leaning periodicals of
the day.
The hippodrome, which is 300 ft. long by 150 ft. wide, will
be surrounded by seats for the accommodation of 10,000 per-
sons, and the additional resources of the ever .popular pro-
menade will give ample nom for at least 10,000 visitors.
The refreshment saloons, which are situated in the first and
second-class prcmenades, will be under the sup arintendenc3
of an able manager.
Daily morning and evening performances will t ,ke place
during the Christmas Holidays. For a detailed programme
and lists of artistes see following advertisements.
Prices of admission s—Reserved number ed stalls, 35.; raised
seats, 28.; amphitheatre and first-class promenades, is.; bal-
cony and second-class promenade, 6d. Performances at half-
past two and half -past seven. Lessees, Messrs. Strange and
Pulleyn.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL,
GRAND ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE and sports of
the Arena. Gladiatorial, Gymnastic, and Equine Exercis9s,
by P 0 male and female artistes.
On BOXING. DAY, at half-past two and half 'past seven,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
MONSTER STEEPLE CHASE, CHARIOT
RACING, and scenes on the mimic Race Course, by a field
of 50 mounted male and female riders.
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
MAGNIFICENT CHIVALRIC TOURNAMENT,
emblematical of the Sports of the Ancients, with Cava'cade
of the Queen of Beauty, Tilting, and tontest by the Knights
in real Armour, DO mat, and female artistes and 100 horses.
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
FRANK PASTOR, the justly celebrated Premiere
horseman of America, in his wonderful Somersault Act.
Oa BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and halt-past seven.

DOYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
ILL' Herr Herr WELLBY, the daring Equestrian, known as the
Weird Horseman of the Prairie, on his bate-backed flying
ste.td.
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

A.T Christmas many suffer from INDIGESTION,
and require some little assistance. PARR'S LIFE
PILLS stimulate the digestive organs, and remove, without
the slight est pain, uneasy or nauseous sensations, so familiar
to those who have indulged a little too freely in good Christ-
mas fate. May be obtained of any medicine vendor, in boxes,
is leid, 28 Od; and in family packets, ns each.

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.—Alabaster Powder,
and the Magnetic Rock Dew Water from Sahara. Cir-
cassian Bloom, Arabian Soaps, and Alabaster Liquid. These
costly and inimitable toilet.
.preparattons render the hair,
teeth, and complexion beautiful beyond comparison.—Can be
had only at Madame RACLIN:VS, 47A, New Bond-street,
where she can be consulted daily. All communications are
strictly confidential.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
Mr. JOHN HENDERSON, the eminent professor of
the Corde Elastique. from Le Folle Dramatinue, Paris,
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
Mr, ARTTI UR BARNES; the Champion Vaulter, who
has accomplished the unprecedented fe t of throwing nearly
100 consec 'five somersaults. will appear,
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

OYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
The DELAVANTIS, in their unique and graceful per-
ormance on the Horizontal B r.
On BOXING-DAY, at halt-past two and half-past seven,

-1D OYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
JIM GREAT P R ENCFI CHALLENGE VAULTING ACT,
by the Champion Vaulters ant Gymnasts of all countries,3o
in number.
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
ENGLISH CLOWNS, Parisian Grotesque, Italian
Pierrots, Chinese Drolls, and Ancient Jesters, in the laugh-
able comic sketches, and mirth-moving. mimicry.
On BOXING-DAY, at halt-past two and halt-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
MadIIev.VALENTIA., SELINE, and AUGUSTI, from
the Great Hippodrome, Paris.
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and hal-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICtJLTURAL HALL.
JOEL GHEE, the wonderful Trick Act Rider, will
appear in the great sensation scene of the Cirque, in which
he stands unriivalled.
On BOXING-PAY, at half-past two and hall-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
Mons. HENRI FRANCONI, of the Cirque Napoleon,
at I'aris (the only member of this ceb>brated family in Lou-
den), will introduce his beautiful and highly-trained palfrey,
" Chanticleer."
On 130XING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

"THE GHOST CLUB" at the
CANTERBURY HALL—New and Interesting
Spectral Tableaux.—Mr. C. MORTON is enabled to announce
that, throulli the medium of Professor Pepper's World of
Shadows, a "GIIOST CLUB" is nightly held at the CAN-
TERBURY HALL. The object of the Club is not the re-
peopling of the Haunted Houses of London ; but, through
the agency of Phantoms, to present vivid (it' transient)
pictures of the drama of real life, both in its serious
and mirthful aspects ; and, by means of spectral tableaux,
to recall, and still further impress on the mind, some
of the teachings or pleasantries of the best wr. ters. At pre-
sent, the two orders of Slavery—the Slavery of the South,
and the "White" Slavery of a more boastful civilisation,
receive emphatic Illustration ; and these life pictures will be
rapidly replacel by oth. rs. The pages cf Shakspere and the
elder Dramatists, of Scott, Hood, Ingoldsby, Dickens, &c.,
wi 1, in turns, furnish subjects for illustration.
All the other Musical and Pictorial attractions as usual,
including Operatic Selections, &c. ; Comedy by Unsworth
(the modern Demosthenes), Eugene, George Hodson, E.
Marshall, and George Ilutchenson.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
Mona. EDWARD and Madlle. ADELE, in the ele-
guilt, graceful, and rapid act, on two fleet course's, entitled
"The Pursuit of the Sylph,"
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
M. and Signor FRANCATELLI will appear in the
Hippodrome, each managing four bare-backed steeds, an
performing the most daring feats in the " Contest of the
Couriers."
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ptJOYAL ALHAMBRA.— CONTINUED and
IMMENSE SUCCESS of FRANCONI'S CIRQUE
IMPERIAL.—This Renowned Troupe, comprising the best
Stud of Trick and Manage Horses in the "World- together
with the First Star Male and Female Equestrians,
Gymnasts, Clowns, and Van tern in either Hemisphere' at-
tracts enthusiastic and delighted audiences nightly to this
Magnificent Building, who behold with wonder ind admira-
tion the Marvellous Feats of this far-famed Company.
Change of Programme Nightly. Morning Performances,
Mondays, Wednesda3 s, and Saturdays, at TA o. Two Grand
Performances on Boxing Day, viz , Two and Half-past Seven.
Admission—Private boxes, one guinea ; Reserved seats, 35.;
Stalls and Balcony, 2s. ; Pit and Promenade, ls. ; Gallery, 6d,
Box-office open doily.
from mMaodnrdiady, ,thDeecG.
r2:astte,
slitristtidaeprpoertahnecaegoef. M. Jules Perez,

ARGYLL ROOMS, Great Windmill-street,
Piccadilly.
During the Concerts given by Mons. JITLLIEN, at Her
Mitiegty's Theatre, the BALL will commence EVERY
EVENING at NINE O'CLOCK.
Doors open at 8 o'clock.
Admission, Is.

Manager—M. GRENET.

29, GEORGE-STREET, HANOVER-SQUARE.
THE LONDON ANATOMICAL MUSEUM.
Open daily from 10 till 10. Lectures at 4 and 7
o'clock. Where may
be seen the Astecs ; Bushman and
7iameiie
se Ji,rwiaiilnsastrana and Infant; Eng and Shang, the
SP and upwards of 3,090 Models, Natural Pre-
parations, & Egyptian Mummies, unwrapped, 4,000 years
old. Admission, One bhillin,g (tor Gentlemen only).

TOYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL,
Lee PRIMES CONRAD will appear in their supris.
lug performances on the Double Corde Tension,
On BOXING- DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

JACKSON,
throughout the
XESSRS. BOTT. j
execute COMMISSIONS on all races'
Tear. Market price guaranteed. Iteinittanees N CO.
.AP
IVestminster Bank• Bost-alLe Orders payable at Cannuale
and
r
well-park. -
N.B.—Betting on the Waterloo Cup.
Address—Boar and JACKSON, "Man of the World" wine
Stores, George-street, Camberwell-park, London.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL,
CROCKETT, the great Lion King, will appear
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

IF THIS SHOULD MEET THE EYE 04' any
one troubled with Wind in the Stomach, Tndigestion, or
Biliousness, take PAGE WOODCOCK'S WIND PILLS.
:19elr world-wide celebrity proves them of sterling merit.
ot all medicine vendors at and '2s. Oil. or free by
post for 14 Or 33
Lincoln. stamps from Page D. Woodcock, Chemist

TEETH,..-Mr.
ESK ELL'S INVENTION in
the construction of ARTIFICIAL TEETH has the
following advantages :—A set of teeth, of excellent work-
manship and mechanism, can be made and fitted with the
most perfect accuracy and success, in a few hours, without
pain or extraction of stumps, and to answer all the purposes
of mastication and articulation. They are fitted without
wires or fastenings, and adapt themselves so perfectly to the
hums,
tlumste artNiilaetteiri.ey are
quite immoveable, except at the option
of Invalids or residents in the country can ad-
just these teeth fa many cliiingcs of the mouth without the
aid ou
loot a lifetime. Comfort guaranteed. Trea-
tise Mr. ]sled's Patent, &c., free for 7 stamps.
aid
efl
' a
pnnladin V dentist.
i Inspection of specim e,ns and COn saltation s : ree.-8,13 rosvenor-
st.eef, Botaciiitrect, li
x7nilg•
They are not so liable to injury, are always
t r
;
slid la :), Bentattt'e-hill, 13ir-
min,ghara,

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
The Wonderful Troupe of PERFORMING LIONS,
the great attraction of the French capital for the past two
years,
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
Master PERKS, the Infant Wonder, with his highly-
trained ➢iiniature Steed, will take part in the entertainment
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
GRAND BAZAAR. and FANCY FAIR for the SALE
of all kinds of Christmas Presents, Ornaments, Toys, and
Fancy Articles, will OPEN
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half-past seven.

OY A L AGRICULTURAL HALL.
111) ➢ir. FREDERIC ATICIIER will commence his DAILY
PERFORMANCES on WILLIS'S GREAT' ORGAN
On BOXING-DAY, at halt-past two and half-past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL.
The READING and REFRESHMENT ROOMS,
fitted with every comfort, will be OPEN
On BOXING-DAY, at half-past two and half. past seven.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL,
MORNING EXIT IBITIOIsT of all the Monster Enter:
taiuments will tyke place on BOXING-DAY.
Doors open at two. Commence at half-past two.

OYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL
lit) The EVENING PERFORMANCES of the Tourna•
went, Cirque, and II ippodrome will commence
ON BONING-DAY.
Doors open at seven. Commence at half-past seven.

OPAL AGRICULTURAL HALL,
4.) The BOX-OFFICE, where places may be secured for
witnessing the great Tournament, &c., will be at the Liver-
pool-road entrance of the Great Hall. Plans and tickets
seedy To-day.
Open from ten till four.

Entertainment will be on the following'
Raised Seats,
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL
moderate scale:
Nrultni,CbeErSediosrtAaDllsMrlrShSrleeONEittointihnetr. Grand Christmas
Reservieldie
Two tibillim:s ; Amphitbea,tre and First-Class Promenade,
One 61iill.ing it 1
' '---a-c°nY and Second-c ass Promenade, Six-
pence. Tickets ready To-day.

- -
0 Y Ali A GRI(`ULTURAL HALL.
tt, ALL OMNIBUSES passing; The Anpzel,' Islington, set
down within a few yards of the Great Hall. Entr9.nees :
m for Carriages and Malls) Li, erl-road k and Islin ;ton-
green.

OYAL AGRICULTURAL HALL
The MORNING. and EVENING PERFORMANCES
of the Great Christmas Enterthinment•will be continued on
MONDAY, De?. 2S, and daily during the week. Morning at
hat-past two, evening' at half-past :,eves:.
Lessecr, Atebore, p,',TRANVrE and PULLVYN,

Mrs. Smyth also returned to Malta by the Hydra.
The Prussian gunboats Basilisk, 2, Commander A.
Schen, and Blitz, 2, Lieut. A. Maclean, arrived here
last week from Greece, having received orders to
return to Prussia. The Blitz was taken into the
naval dock to-day, having been ashore. These two
vessels are awaiting the arrival from Constanti-
nople of a third Prussian war steamer (a corvette),
and on her joining them all three will take their
departure, homeward bound. The knowing mer-
of-war are now here ;—The Marlborough, 121
(bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral R. Smart, Kai.);
the Hibernia, receiving ship (bearing the flag of
Rear-Admiral H. T. Austin, C. 8.); the St. George,
86 ; the Trafalgar, 70; the Phoebe, 35 (this ves-
sel is cruising outside for target practice) the
Magicienne, 16 ; the Cossack, 20; the Chanticleer,
17, (cruising outside for target practice) ; the
Hydra, 3, surveying-vessel; the Firefly, 3, sur-
veying vessel ; the Psyche, 2, despatch vessel ;
and the Growler, tender. Foreign—The Prus-
sian gunboats Blitz, 2, and the Basilisk, 2. Several
fresh cases of fever have broken out on board the
Trafalgar. The rest of the ships continua healthy.
I The following officers have arrived during the week
—Col. Carruthers; Capt. Monk and Capt. Norris,
22d Regiment ; Capt. R. Whiting, Bth Regiment ;
Capt. E. Tanner, Gen. Dickson, Capt. Dudgeon,
Capt. Everett, Col Anderson, 22d Regiment, and
wife. Sir John Lawrence, the newly appointed
Governor-General of India, arrived here by the last
English packet from Marseilles, and left a few hours
afterwards in the same steamer for Alexandria, on
his way to India. His Excellency did not land
during his short stay here.
Yesterday an unsuccessful attempt was made at
Chatham dockyard to launch the iron frigate
Achilles. It was originally intended to launch the
vessel to-day, but as it was thought the operation
might interfere with the Christmas holiday of the
workmen, the day was subsequently altered, with
the consent of the Admiralty, to the 23d inst. On
Tuesday the tide in the harbour was one of the
highest known at Chatham for several years past;
and had it been possible to remove the caisson at the
entrance to the dock, and to cut away the project-
ing granite sides of the dock within the time, the
Achilles might have been floated out at noon with-
out the least difficulty. During the whole of Tues-
day night several hundred workmen were employed
in completing the necessary arrangements for the
launch, and in removing the ponderous caisson
which held back the water from entering the dock.
By midnight the tide had again risen to a great
height, in consequence of the strong northerly
wind, and at that time there were 24 feet of water
in the dock. After rising a few inches higher, the
Achilles was lifted from the blocks and floated.
It was found that she drew 20ft. 2in. aft, and
exactly 20ft forward, showing that she was on a
nearly even keel. At this time she had 2ft of water
clear between her outer keel and the blocks, and she
could thus have been removed from the dock with-
out any difficulty had the work of cutting away the
projecting sides at the entrance been completed. As
it was, she was allowed to settle down again on the
blocks, and the operation of shoring her up to be
effected to await the rising of the tide at noon yes-
terday. During the night the wind veered from the
north to the southward, from which direction it
blew rather strong during the morning. This, it
was feared, would have the effect of keeping back
the tide, which proved to be correct, as at the time
of high water, a few minutes before noon yesterday,
there were only 21ft of water in the dock, the tide
rising no higher than 18ft Gin above the blocks, or
nearly 2ft less than was required to float the vessel.
In anticipation of the attempt being successful, the
number of visitors to the yard was very large.
Shortly before the hour fixed for the launch Rear-
Admiral R. S. Robinson, Controller of the Navy,
with Rear-Admiral E. G. Fanshawe, Capt. J. K.
Hall, C. 8., commanding the Steam Reserve, and
other officials, arrived at the dockyard, and went
over the vessel, the visitors to the yard being ad.
mitted to every part of her. The Adder, Bristler,
Monkey, Sheerness, and Locust steamers were in
attendance with their steam up to assist in towing
the Achilles out of dock as soon as sbe was found to
float. The whole of the hands employed on the ship
were ordered to remain in the dockyard all last
night, as an effort would again be made to undcck
the Achilles at one o'clock this morning, should
there be a sufficient rise of the tide to allow of that
operation being successfully carried out.
The Lyra, 9 gun screw corvette, of 488 tons and
GO horse power of engines, was commissioned at
Portsmouth on Tuesday for Commander R. A. Parr.
The Lyra's last service was in the Mozambique,
where she proved herself a very useful vessel,
although but of small capacity of stowage or poet er
of engines.
The royal mail steamer Briton, which arrived on
Monday night at Plymouth, brought among her
passengers, from Cape Town, Captain Dixon, 11th
Regiment, and Captain Madison ; from East Lon-
don, Major and Mrs. Wellman ; and from Algoa
Bay, Lieut. Gould, 96th Regiment. The Briton
biings the news that in Simon's Bay were her
Majesty's ships Hecate, from Vancouver Island, and
the Gorgon, from Madagascar, both bound for Eng-
land ; and the Valorous, from Ichaboe, bound to the
Mozambique Channel. Her Mejesty's ship Zebra,
from the West Coast of Africa for Ascension, was
at St. Helena on November 28. The Federal steam-
ship Vanderbilt, en route for New York, was off St.
Helena on November 10. She had captured, at
Angra Pequena, the merchant bark Saxon, of Cape
Town, under the supposition that the Saxon was
laden with wool, part of the cargo of the Sea Bride,
a Federal merchant ship taken by the Confederate
cruiser Alabama a short time previously. The crew
of the Saxon are said to have been transferred to the
British bark Good Hope. At Ascension there were
the guardship Meander, the gunboat Philomel, the
Snipe (refitting) the Wye, with stores, from Eng-
land for Ascension and the West Coast, and the
Dromedary, shipping old stores. The Rattlesnake
left Ascension on the 4th of November for the 'West
Coast, and the Dart on the same day for the South
Coaft, to refit. The troopship Louisa and Copen-
hagen left Table Bay on the 11th of October for
Hongkong and Calcutta. The French ships of war
Iris from L'Orient for New Caledonia, and the
Garonne, from Suez for Cherbourg, were in Table
Bay.
Commander Chapman, having repaired his ship,
the Arid, at the Mauritius, has returned to the
Seychelles islands, and resumed command of his
squadron, consisting of the Rapid, the Penguin,
and the Gorgon.
Commodore Hugh Dunlop, C. 8., late senior officer
and Commodore in the West Indies, and appointed
to succeed Sir Frederick Nicolson (now Rear-
Admiral), on Tuesday went down to Woolwich and
inspected the stores and departments of the dock-
yard, preparatory to assuming the duti eshe of
co in-
the
command, which he will enter upon at t
mencement of the new year.

(7/1;04,5 et-dee:oT c:',2lZed:,,ir---jecene... ..- * I:2frele?-4111.014/4"4°
IN ',.• i: 6.E..5.:iP an
I, 2ft. wide, an 2ft. from the deck. The ii:,410 *-elqiuti-
..,,,-Z311%r
1-,,L0...,.' 4 , , ,
,k,
deck, unimpeded fore and aft by trii`nieverOsi afe./,,tV.
- 1''441.-4'7„ • , • / ,••51,, ..,`, 4'
moaned bulkheads, gives the ship's battier' elk
its::, .. ' ',4ts '''!•;:, ta lit " s k ....t.C.. • ,14.1,4 4/454`V0
'-':':Ot1M„ ' -5 ;'t i - A., A" more effective appearance inboard thaltAvb - . 'l' ~e.eft-7
/e,• . ;,,, ~,' k • 4. -..., 44 Ty
the case if the ship carried the armour c steiiser - ,i ..
:- ' ' )" l' ' :.: . *
teNv., is , a s ~ 4.
1
ing deck in the same manner as the Deleniet awn SA '
Warrior description of armoared vessels. Oa this
~
deck is placed the principal part of the ship's arma-
ment, in fact all the gans that could be fought at
close quarters-24 68 pounder smoothbores, cast
iron, of 95ewt. each, and six 110 pounder rifled
Armstrongs. On the upper deck she carries four
110 rifled Armstrongs, not fitted as pivot guns, but
as transporting guns, firing either out her broadside,
or divided in a line with the keel, either at the hews
or stern. She also carries two 20 pounder rifled
Armstrongs, one 9 pounder Armstrong rifled, one 12
pounder rifled Armstrong field piece, and one 6
pounder brass smoothbore for boat and shore service.
The screw of the ship lifts into a well, between the
outer stern,;e rieepto, ste'but neither comes clear
up on to the nor is it a decided tiseure
and in
on the end of the shaft, in this differing with the
n upper
Minotaur, Warrior, and Defence, but agreeing iu
principle with the Royal Oak. The tiller, owing
to the absence of a Eerew well in the captain.'s after
cabin, is a long straight powerful lever, the old-
fashioned gunroom tiller in use preVious to the in-
troduction of the screw, and this with a steering_
wheel exceeding the average size gives ample corn-
mead over the rudder. The rig of the ship is the
same es that, adopted in the Resistance, Defence,
and Royal Oak—fore and main courses, double tap.
sail yards, and topgallant sails, and bark-rigged
abaft. The lower topsail is fixed to the cap on the
lower mast head, and the upper topsail is fitted with
Cunningham's patent reefing gear—a bastard sys-
tem, and spreading about 60 yards less canvas than
a single yard fitted on the Cunningham system. We
may here close our general description of the ship,
and confine our further remarks to yesterday's trial
premising that the official estimated speed of the
ship at the time she was designed was 11.75 knots.
Shortly after daylight yesterday morning the Hector
steamed ahead from alongside Portsmouth dockyard ,
and, at slow speed, left the harbour to make her trial
at the measured mile, under the supervision of Capt.
H. Broadhead, commanding the steam reserve of
the port, and his subordinate officers, the ship
drawing 24ft; 1-lin. of water forward and 25ft 4in.
aft, the height of her portsills—the lower edge of
her gun ports—being :—Aft, on the bluff of the
quarters, 7ft. 7in. ; amidships, 7ft. 2in.; bridle
port, 9ft. 7in. Looking at the ship's draught
of water amidships, she was deeper in the water
than was designed in her drawings, and, looking at
the ship as - she appeared on the water clear of the
dockyard and in open water, she was certainly any-
thing but a handsome or lively-looking craft. She
buried her nose in the sea, as she felt the power of
her engines, while at the same time her heavy but-
tocks dragged on the water, and acted as a towing
weight against her speed. In fact, she is anything
but a fast inn armoured ship as she should be as an
' addition to the British navy at the close of the year
1863. The results of yesterday's trials were as
follows:—
No. of Time. Speed of ship- Ream- Revolutions
Buns. m. b. Knots. Lbs. Vacuum. oe„ginu.
1 546 10.465 21 26 55
2 456 12.162 22 26 671
3 5 34 10'778 22 26 5G
4 5 1 11.160 221 26 571
5 5 17 11'356 22 26 57
6 521 11.215 22} 26 57
These figures give the first means, in knots as before,
11.313, 11.470, 11.369, 11.653, and 11.265; the
Q 471 • .
second means 11.391, 11419, 11.510, and 11. i
mean of means, or true speed of the ship, 11.448
knots. The boilers supplied an abundance of steam
throughout the trials, but the results as to the speed
of the ship will show that the Hector is not so suc-
cessful a speculation on the part of the Admiralty
for the country as was the wooden framed ironcased
frigate Royal Oak. The latter ship on her trial rea-
lised 12.528 knots, and it must be remembered, in
comparing the speed of our ironclads, that a frac-
tion of a knot in the ship's speed is of far greater
actual importance than a fraction of an inch in her
defensive armour.
In turning, or steering, power the ship was as
perfect as could be desired, the long straight tiller
giving all the command that could bo desired over
the rudder, and the circles being made as follows :
With the helm hard a starboard and 34, turns of the
wheel the rudder was got to an angle of 24 deg„ the
half circle made in 2 min. 45 sec., and the full circle
in 5 min. 40 see., the revolutions of the engines
ranging from 57 to 51 ; with the helm hard a port
and 21 turns of the wheel the rudder was got to en
angle of 20 deg., the half circle made in 3 min. 13
sec., and the full circle in 6 min. 36 sec., the revo-
lutions of the engines being from 56 to 52.
The ventilation of the ship below during her trial
was found to be fearfully faulty; a complicated sys-
tem of cowls and up and down shafting as fitted on
board is useless. Yesterday was terribly cold, wheal
the ship was going ahead at full speed
against below, n
wind; but the following temperatures,
takdenstokers'
will speak to the heat in the engineers' and
first run
quarters. Temperatures taken duringe .
at the measured mile:—Oa deck, 46, :I ::
76deg.
engine-
room, fore, 75 deg.; middle, 720 de.• • aft,
middle, 117
Stokehole, Ist run—Forepart, deg.;7Forept, 76 deg, ;
deg. ; aft, 100 deg. ; 6th rune-
middle, 130 deg. ; aft,
107
deg.
will be made to-
The half boiler trials and circles
day, weather...Lsea:2
TRADE
STAT;E: OF .
CARDIFF, Dec. 23:-.
----Th—e demand for steam Continues
greater than the
rnsufrin il
y the iron 'remain crowded.
There is a great ., ee-- market, Which, is with
difficulty satisfied.
Scotch
warrants have advanced to 65s
6d cash, and 67s 3d eye • Bars and rails continue high,
the former article being quoted at £7 io
s., and there is a
probability
that the price may before long reach XS per ton.
Freights continue about the same, both foreign and coastwise;
Duspv,
22d.--A quiet feelinp; pervaded the market to-
day, and the tendency in prices is slightly downward. Fin°
flax, tow, and cedilla maintain their value, but medium and
common are rather in favour of buyers. A public sale of
about 80 tons of damaged Riga goods brought fair prices,
and it filled the hands of the smaller buyers to-day. The
few transactions in sound goods reported to.•daY are unim-
portant, and scarcely sufficient to test the market fairly as to
prices. Little has been done in jute since last report, and
prices are nominally unchanged. Consumer° will not. buyh
till they must, and holders do not press 01°' khnowinhgt
lat
many spinners are bare of stock, and rowt purchase s
but in
y.
Both parties therefore look on for the 111°TmheeLret,
wbasu
lint little
week or two there will be-more deizig' but some
disposition to buy yarns to-day at prices,forinpveerdhusiness,
while
spinners gave and did,
way a little, 11:demand for linens,
others who were firm sold little.
shipment, continues good,
both fur the home market and
tforricea which pay the menu-
and orders are placed daily as
usually du'l, but it is nut so
facturer well. This soaon_
d country makers aro all busily
this year, as both town
ly a:gaged for some timo into neat
employed, g
and elicral advices to-day report a fair business
year. The Anterior.
ea _
goods,
but at rather irregular
in burlaps and efhe
is
vY
placed in the proposals for peace in
prices. No creditd
as received per Hibernia.
America, report:3th_
Considering the advanced period of
LniersTlut, .
a fair amount of business doing in the
there is
the year,warehouses trade is quiet, and in the
trade. In the
hosiery
here is not much doing. The wool-market
county( districts t
is not much doing in material. Prices
is quiet, and there .
Yarns are high in •
ce.
'n however, about the same. price.
remain, 23d—The lace trade in most branches is
NOTTINGIIAM.
f e•
active as it usually is just e The plain
as a before Christmas-
net trade continues quiet, a few orders for stiff gocfl, for
foundation purposes having been executed this week. Silk
quislings and Mechlin continue in demand, but there is
no
improvement in the black lace and narrow edging trade ;
more is, however, expected to be done in these goods when
the new year has commenced. In hosiery there is fully an
average amount of business doing both for shipping and tar
rho home market. There are no sleeks of either hosiery or
ace on hand. Yarns are without material change.

Ilorniman's Tea is choice and strong, moderate
ii, prier., and wholesome to use. These aavantages hare
secured for this Tea a general preference. It is sold iu
packets by 2,250 Agents.
EXHIBITION CLOC:Ii.—" The entire finish is of the
highest caste,"—Daily "News, May 29, 13G2. clocks do-
signed by the ;first artists of Ate clay for the drawing rc'.:",'.,
(lining roorli, bed room, library, hall, staircase, brinxtli-,..-1,
carriage, church, turret, railways, warehouse,
house, n►usical, and astronomical. Church
clocks specially estimated for. Benson's
illu:ith duct ip.
pam-
phlet on clocks (free by post for two stamy:)an,
tions and prices, enables those who live
world to select a clock. Also a short pre'
v.
dre.l and public clocks, free for
and honourable mention in.clasiiseosndon.
son, 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, .
Watch anti clock miler by sPe°l_a_ '
to his Ii 11,11. the Prince of Wale. y part of the
imiphlet on cathe-
Prize medal
G 133 and 15. J. W. Ben-
tle.lnteed:lll..rt
Established 1749.
1 warrant of appointment

larly beneficial exercise of an equally efficacious
once, the French EMPEROR —if we are to
belict ve his own representations, and the protes-
tation of his Minister—and we see no reason
for t liscrediting them—is desirous of curbing the
rapt mity and stiffing the animosities now so painfully
prey talent among the' powers that be" in Europe,
and which threaten ere long,: indeed, to involve
the whole Continent in a disastrous " civil war.."
ACC() rding to that beautiful definition of the great
NAPOLEON, now happily recalled to us by his sue-
cess.,:#r, "to fight in Europa is to make civil war I"
As ran evidence that such a beneficial interference
was not uncalled for, M. DROUYN DE LHUYS cites,
for example, very ju..tly, the present troubles
in Denmark. " Recent events, " he takes
occasion to remark, " have justified soolaet: than
we believed, the provisions of the EMPEROR. The
King of DENMARK dies ; passions are aroused—
people become agitated and undecided—Govern-
ments balance between the letter of treaties and
the national sentiment of their country. A con.
gress could alone conciliate the duties of sovereigns
bound by conventions and the legitimate aspirations
of the peoples." The refusal of England has opposed
an insuperable of etacle to the realisation of the first
desire of the EMPEROR. "The second hypothesis
now remains—the restricted Congress. Its reali-
sation depend on the will of the Sovereigns." "It
will not have the judicial authority which would
have belonged toe European Congress," and conse-
quently many preliminaries will be discussed be-
tween the various Ministers for Foreign Affairs
before the actual meeting can take place. Having
herself
n c
in
premised in the former part of his letter that
"F e
which had no advantage to gain for
the eventuality of a General Con-
gress would have made common cause
with all the enlightened Governments to
bring about reconciliation, extinguish rancour, &c.,"
the French Minister very adroitly takes advantage
of the refusal of England to render the Congress
unanimous and judicial, and observes, in conclusion,
"We should be able, after the decision of the
British Cabinet, to consider our duty as accom-
plished, and for the future, in any event that may
arise, only to take account of what may be suitable
to us and of our private interests." Such a threat
of what we might do is, perhaps, natural
under the circumstances, and must be pardoned
in recognition of the magnanimity of the assurance
that follows, that France will not avail herself of the
opportunity offered by England, but in considera-
tion of " the good dispositions" manifested by the
other Powers, will be ready to enter frankly with
them on the path of a common understanding.
That such a happy result may be evolved from
the present apparently hopeless entanglement
must be the common desire of all, even of England,
who has been placed by her minister in such an
enviable position, that while no merit will be
attributed to her, and no praise awarded to her in
any contingence that may arise, all the blame and
all the obloquy of failuze will be cast in her teeth
and fall on her self-devoted head.

The most important and. useful institutions intro-
duced for the benefit of the public during the
present century are the Life and Fire Insurance
Companies. These societies are not only invaluable
to the general public, but are also highly remune-
rative to the shareholders. Government has like-
wise stepped in to claim a share, and that much to
the detriment of insurers. At present the duty on
insurances is, in regard to the money received ba
the Company, about 150 per cent., and increases in
proportion to the risk run by the insurers. With
regard to life insurances we do not wish to advert at
present, except to remark that while they are
invaluable to the prudent tradesman, as a means of
securing an independence to his family in case of
sudden death, ho has but invested his savings as a
provision for his successors. There are at present
various forms and principles of investment, which
may be made to serve any possible exigency; yet,
as we cannot expect the good without the evil,
Loan Societies of all descriptions have sprung up,
many of which are mere shams, consisting of
a secretary and a clerk or two, in a
showy office, and an accommodating life
assurance company, through which agency
a policy is obtained and handed over to the Loan
Society, large expenses incurred, and elaborate
rules and regulations, and fines and penalties, the
enforcement of which is placed in the hands of a
sharp lawyer, on the no cure no pay system. We
mention these facts simply as a warning to our
readers not to be deceived by the many specious
advertisements which daily appear in the public
press. The fact to which we wish particularly to
draw attention is the determination of the Fire In-
surance Companies of the metropolis to withdraw
their support from the fire brigades, or more pro-
perly to discontinue their maintenance, which has
hitherto devolved (with the exception of the parish
engines) entirely upon the combined London com-
panies, who maintain that the progressive extension
of the metropolis necessitates an increase of expen-
diture which they cannot any longer submit to.
They have therefore notified to the Home Secretary
their coming determination not to hold themselves
responsible for the extinction of fire, and suggesting
that the brigade should be placed under the control of
the police, as in Birmingham, Manchester, and other
cities. The charge for its maintenance being met by a
universal parish-rate, or if the police cannot under-
take the responsibility, that the Metropolitan Board
of Works be requested to do so, that body holding
jurisdiction alike in the City or the West-end, a
control not exercised by the Metropolitan Police.
There certainly seems to be some reason in this de-
mand at first sight, but when we come to look into
the case, the question naturally suggests itself, who
\
"e so interested in the preservation of property as
the
companies, who are held responsible for its
value? They make large profits by their business,
and anat.
'641 not to begrudge a, small outlay to pre-
vent as far as possible its destruction. It never can
be to the interest of any householder to destroy
wantonly his _
fromperty in the hope of obtaining a
profit even the
most
..
liberal company that ever
existed. The result of la fire in almost every case is
a loss of money, property, and time to the unfortu
rietor, no
' matter how heavily he may be
tihnestaonfficee,ett
to
may
be insured for
nate prop
a •
1 insured;
which he may have
Years has re-
' £5,000, and the
premiumpayn3ent
nfootrhing:
loath, but. when
paid the
re-
ceived that .
his property immediately en-
deavour to show that it was not worth above is destroyed they ja_
v £2,000,
and refuse to pay beyond that amount. These are
the matters well known to the initiated, and, thanks
to the recent celebrated trial, pretty well „met,
tained by the general public. it is complained at
that out of about 1000,000,000 of property in tub
metropolis, not one-third is insured, so that the in-
sured pay for the uninsured as regards fire engines.
Who, we would ask, is to blame for ifis state of
things? Has not oar Government driven insur-
ances out of this country to Holland,
Hamburg,
and other places, by the oppressive duty levied
upon these provident institutions. Late in last
session the hon. member for Dudley brought for-
I ward his bill for the gradual reduction of the duty
un insurances, and it was entertained by the House,
notwithstanding the opposition of the Chancellor of
I ' the Exchequer, and Mr, SHERIDAN promised to

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, MIR All'S CRIME. Messrs. Geo.
Honey, Parselle, Belford, Turner, Miss K. Saville, and Miss
Mandel's.

Followed by (27th time) PATIENT PENELOPE ; or, The
Return of Ulyeses. Messrs. honey and Fenton ; Mesdames
Bwauborough and Simpson.
After which, arr NEW PLACE. Mr. A. Wood.

Commence at 7.

I[ll-11: THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
~,,,Sontaining the lAtest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
had Every Evening- ot

G. R. GLkNIE, NEWS AGENT,
WO. 4, Connaught-terrace, Ilydc-park.

DI
WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIB
jj"*.l4orning, 12h. 42m.—Afternoon, Ih. 4m.
lh. 30m.—Afternoon, Ih. 51m.

The Weather---Sun Office, Dec. 24, 1863.

This day at Two7a:taxomETEß.
"
Barn_
eter_ JO.lB.
Wind
moderate, and hazy.

$ -----
Ull/ g •-•‘4- " SUIT.

LONDON, THURSDAY, -1)t,21, 1863.

As the practised swordsman was (leltlt:voenrsoatricye
any flaw or chink in the armour of his e.
so in the diplomatic circular which he bag lust
issued to his confreres, M. DEOUYN DE ufarrs
has not failed to avail himself with singular and
sagacious dexterity of the advantage presented to
bis hand by the refusal of England to take a Part
in the recently proposed Congress. cg The other
European Sovereigns," he says, "in their reply to
the letter of the EMPEROR have rendered homage
to that bold initiative which, laying bare the dan-
gers:of the situation,proposed the most pacific and
regal means to appease them" All the Courts
Lave given either a reserved or an unqualified
assent to the Proposition. " One single
Power, England, has refused." England has
has therefore not only lost her voice—the emphatic
voice which she was justly entitled to hold—in the
Congress of Nations, but all the onus of any diffi II
-
c2lltY or dissension that may, and that almost inevi-
"Y will, arise, must naturally, now, fali upon her !
tLeording to the sanguine representations of the
Frenoa Minister, all might have been so unanimous
" amicable.! 1 Ile probable result of these
conferences would have been a salutary and honour.
able transactioe.” England, however, has chosen
to enact the part
f,IATIPLOT, and the whole
pacific programme is disturbed. What the result
might have been under other circumstances it is
The various belligerent
impossible to say.
powers of :Europe have
not arrived at that
p;r:f,ct, state °l' Concord f'moog entegardstic
natures attained by " The nappy fwaomnidleyr'f'uolf
and
animal creation.
Even in that
isolated example, we believe it IS fear rather than
love—a wholesome dread of the master outside
y particular triendiabip to/
the cage rather than
the helpless broth rs within -- that induces the
t.
oats and hawks to maintain such very amicable
relations with the mice and sparrolo. By Et

bring it on again before the House early in the ensu-
ing session. The bill proposed the immediate
reduction of the duty on insurances to two shillings
in the hundred pounds in lieu of three shillings
and upwards, as at present, and a further reduction
in a few years to one shilling. The objection to
this, that such a course would greatly reduce the
Government revenue from this source, is answered
by the almost conclusive argument that it is only
the 'heavy duty upon insurances that deters so many
householders from availing themselves of its advan-
te ges, and consequently that on the modification of
I that duty the increase of policies would eventually
more than indemnify the Exchequer for its first loss,
just as the reduction of high rates of pos'age to the
penny system changed the revenues of the Post_
office from a deficit to a surplus. Another advantage
would also be gained; the increase of business thrown
in the way of the insurance offices would enab e them
yet further to reduce their charges. We trust that
early in the ensuing session grave attention will be
paid to this all-important question. If, as we hope,
Mr. SHERIDAN'S motion be carried, we cannot see
tlhat the parish authorities can throw any reason-
able obstruction in the way of the proposition for
placing the maintenance and control of the fire
brigade under the Metropolitan Board of Works,
yet it must be clearly understood that on their
undertaking that responsibility shall the Fire In-
surance Offices bear a proportion of the expense.
They claim a right of placing their officers in
charge of property injured by fires in which their
offices are interested, and we cannot foresee any-
thing but difficulty in this proceeding unless to a
certain degree they are connected with the Fire
Brigade, Likewise it must be imperative upon, all
companies to remit to the holders of their policies
any reduction of the duty, and, furthermore, chat if
the Board of Works undertake the responsibility
they shall have full and undivided authority
over all the districts of the Metropolis; that their
officers shall have full access to the fire plugs and not
be obliged to hunt up the parish beadle, and other
holders of the keys. Also that the parish engines
be improved and rendered more efficient than
at present ; and if it be considered necessary
still to leave them under the jurisdiction of
the local authorities, that the officers of the Board
be at liberty to inspect them when deemed requi-
site. The electric telegraph has practically trebled
the number of our engines, by enabling every esta-
blishment in London to learn instantaneously the
exact seat of any conflagration. Steam fire-engines
have, again, greatly advanced the efficiency of our
fire brigade ; and although nothing can surpass the
activity and the daring of our firemen, there may
vet be room for improvement in other branches of
this important service. We have little doubt that
the insurance companies and the parish authorities,
jealous as both are of their supposed rights, would
glad y agree to such an arrangement. With regard
to the former, it needs only to empower the Board
of Works to form a National or even a Metropolitan
Insurance Company on an extended scale; in fact,
a practically National insurance, the profits of which
would more than defray any expenses of engines
and of firemen, no matter how extensive, and enable
proprietors to insure for a far less cost than at pre-
sent.

weather, which strained her light framework ter-
ribly, and extensive rents became visible in her
plates from the deck downwards on either side,
which ominously increased. Iron ships were
novelties in those days, and were not braced together
as at present, but her officers and crew did not des-
pair. They did the best they could to secure the
ship for the time, and on the first opportunity
beached her in a sandy bay on an unfriendly coast,
and repaired damages as far as possible. The ser-
vices of the Nemesis were invaluable during the
China war of that period. Where would she have
been if the commander had acted on the principle of
the master of the Harbinger. No charge of wilful
neglect is brought by the underwriters, and we are
glad for the character of Mr. LINDSAY and his cap-
tain that the jury have done them justice in this
respect, and we may pass over this unfortunate
occurrence, feeling confident that the high standing
so deservedly held by the officers in our merchant
navy cannot be effected by the want of energy and
discretion evinced in the case of the Harbinger.
The very fact that the underwriters of Lloyds' have
felt it incumbeht on them to dispute the claim of
one of the largest and most respected firms in the
kingdom, shows us that they are at length awaking
to a sense of the responsibility which their position
entails upon them. Let them persevere in this
course honestly and without favour as in the present
case. Let them refuse all insurances without a
and a guarantee that
from an authorised agent,
etheretisfilaciapteisopfrospeaerwlyorftohuinnedss,
and the loss of life and property wilt diminish in
proportion to the rigour with which such regula-
tions are enforced.

io (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

The protracted trial in the Court of Queen's
Bench, which so much affected the interests of our
merchants and shipowners, has at length been
brought to a close. The verdict of the jury is, all
things considered, highly satisfactory, inasmuch
that, although ostensibly for the defendants, they
have yet so qualified it that no official slur rests
either upon the plaintiff or his agents. It would
be much to be regretted if a long and honourable
career should not stand a man in good stead when
he enters upon a doubtful contest, in which, to say
the least of it, he has not a good case. So far as
private interests are concerned, the matter might
rest here ; but there are circumstances connected
with the loss of the Harbinger, and tke subsequent
trials, which must result, sooner or later, to the ad-
vantage of our mercantile marine and the nation at
large. The case in question is simply this :—The
Harbinger, an iron steamer of some 600 or 700 tons,
originally built for her MAJESTY'S service, was sold
out of the navy, and eventually came into the pos-
session of Mr. LINDSAY'S firm, and was despatched
to trade between Calcutta and China, on which ser-
vice she was engaged for upwards of two years. In
February, 1859, she sailed from Calcutta for Eng-
land, and at this epoch her misfortunes began.
Encountering bad weather on approaching the
Cape, she put into Algoa Bay for shelter. On the
weather moderating she again put to sea, only to be
driven back—this time with a leak in one of her
bottom plates, which, on examination, proved to
have been caused by one of the rivets having given.
This defect being temporarily repaired, she once
more started upon her voyage, but with no better
success than before, for having again to return to
Algoa Bay she was considered to be strained, and
several boltheads were reported to have given way.
Upon this the captain decided upon the extraor-
dinary course of proceeding personally to England
to consult the owners as to how he was to act. He
reached London in safety, obtained some £4,000
from the underwriters, and returned to Algoa Bay,
where he found the ill-fated Harbinger still afloat,
notwithstanding that several heavy gales had been
experienced in that roadstead. It was discovered
upon the arrival of the captain that the ship had
somehow or other sprung a considerable leak in her
bottom plates under the pumps, and, to make a
long story short, although there was a chance of
saving the vessel, either by heaving her down in
Algoa Bay (the cargo having been previpusly tran-
shipped), or else of running for Simon's Bay, a dis-
tance of about 500 miles, where she could have been
properly overhauled. The captain, acting on his
own judgment, sold the ship and engines for an old
song in the interest of the underwriters, and his
owners forthwith claim from them the full insurance,
as though the vessel had foundered at sea, or been
dashed to pieces on an iron-bound coast. This is
but a short summary of the events, but upon these
and the verdict of the jury we wish to make a few
observations. We ought not to be surprised, when
medical men of the highest standing have the
assurance to assert that a man is insane
because he commits a murder, that gentleman of
nautical experience should gravely maintain that a
captain is justified in abandoning his ship because
she has sprung a trifling leak. The usages of the
service require that the captain, as the responsible
agent fur the owners and most experienced man on
board, ought. to stand by his ship when she is in
difficulty. If it were necessary to refer to the
owners for ulterior instructions, he could surely
have sent a substitute. Had the state of the Har-
binger been as critical as the witnesses for the plain-
tiff would have us believe, it is not probable that
she could have weathered a succession of gales in
the 'roadstead of Algoa Bay during the period which
must necessarily
tuied have elapsed when the captain was
absent. It is ,
aoesruard to suppose that during that
interval there
ware not abundant opportunities of
running
Bay,
thatAg ai,ns
h,
ee vm b
e heen
lothe
ight
.
When
the
at captain Nemesis,
his. ship, he had no excuse
(ordstrm°Yieg her for
the first of the light draught
ea
to
la Ssti rejoined
in 3
East India service, made
her voyage round the Cape, she encountered heavy
ironsetnrs built for the

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 24, 1863.

BRESLAU, DEC. 23.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE POLISH INSURRECTION.

Advises received here from Warsaw state that
Gen. Berg has ordered twenty-five Prussian sub-
jects imprisoned at Kalisch to be transported to
Siberia.

The insurgent chief Chemski, also a Prussian
subject, has been shot.
Two new convoys of political prisoners have been
sent away to Siberia.
__

MEETING OF POPULAR DELEGATES.
FRANKFORT, I)Ec. 21.

For the first time since the German Parliament
of 1848, deputies' from the different legislative
assemblies of Germany met in this city to-day to
discuss the question pre-occupying the popular
mind.

The provisional committee sat yesterday from 4
in the afternoon until past midnight. The
resolutions lately taken at Nuremberg were
unanimously adopted, the deputies engaging to
support every Ministry whose acts accorded with
their tenor; but, at the same time, to oppose, by
every legal means, such Governments as should
adopt a different course.

The sitting commenced at half -past 10 this
morning, Herr Muller, a Frankfort lawyer, having
been chosen President. The first resolution brought
forward by the committee was to the following
effect :

" This meeting declares that the rights of Ger-
many in Schleswig-Holstein can only be effec-
tively preserved by the separation of the Duchies
from Denmark. The death of Frederick VII.
has dissolved their union with Denmark. The
Treaty of London of May 8, 1852, concluded with-
out the assent of the Representative Assemblies,
and of the Agnates, whose consent was legally re-
quisite, and which has also not been recognised by
the Germanic Diet, constitutes no title to Christian
IX. to succeed to the throne in Schleswig-Holstein.
In virtue of certain rights, Frederick of Schleswig-
Holstein-Souderburg-Augustenburg is called to
assume the succession in these Duchies. By ren-
dering valid the succession to the Throne in the
person of Duke Frederick, the rights of Germany
in Schleswig-Holstein will at the same time be
established. The obligation is, therefore, incum-
bent upon the German people to make every
necessary sacrifice for its offended honour, for its
endangered rights, for its brethren of kindred
race, and for their legitimate princes.
" Unanimous in. this view, the Members of Ger-
man representative bodies here assembled bind
themselves to bring about the following objects by
every legal means within their power and sphere :
—l. To cause the reorganisation of Duke Frede-
rick's rights wherever it has not yet taken place, as
well as to obtain its acknowledgment by the Fede-
ral Diet; 2. To render these rights valid without
regard to foreign protests, to effect the separation
of the Denmark, and to re-establish immediately
their independence and indissoluble union.
"They further bind themselves to support those
German Governments who loyally and actively take
in hand the rights of the Duchies, and to oppose, by
every constitutional means, those Governments
which abandon the rights and honour of Germany
in this question."
The resolution was supported by Herr Edel, a
professor at Wurzburg, who endeavoured, in a fer-
vent speech, to demonstrate the illegality of the
London treaty, and reviewed the cases in which
it had been violated by Denmark. The speaker,
who was frequently interrupted by the applause of
the, meeting, foretold that the signature of the
London treaty might become the epitaph of the
Federal Diet, and stated that the German nation
must maintain its right, even at the risk of an
.European war.
After communicating several telegraphic mes-
sages to the meeting, the President read a letter
from a number of members of the Austrian Reichs-
rath, who were prevented from attending, but
expressed their entire sympathy with Schleswig-
Holstein.

And, as compared with the month ending the 15th Nov.,
1862, the above returns show an increase of £859,201
in the circulation of notes in England, and an increase of
£1,068,372 in the circulation of the United Kingdom.
On comparing the above with the fixed issues of the seve-
ral banks the following is the state of the circulation :
The English private banks aro below their fixed
issue
The English joint-stock banks are below their
fixed issue £275,514

Total below fixed issue in England.... £1,169,110
The Scotch banks are above their fixed issue .. £1,777,431
The Irish banks are below their fixed issue .... £338,793
The average stock of bullion held by the Bank of Eng-
land in both departments during the month ending the 11th
Nov. was £14,085,759, .being a decrease of £948,585 as
compared with the previous month, and a decrease of
£1,475,463 when compared with the same period last year.
The following are the amounts of specie held by the Scotch
and Irish banks during the month ending the 14th Nov.:—
Gold and silver held by the Scotch banks ... L 2,491,742
Gold and silver held by the Irish banks 2,070,535

The first resolution being unanimously adopted
without alteration, the second, brought forward by
a minority of the committee, was next put to the
meeting. It was the following ;—" This meeting
appoints a committee of 36 members, as the centre
of the legal activity of the German nation in pur-
suing the rights of the Schleswig-Holstein Duchies
and of their legitimate Duke, Frederick VIII. This
committee shall be authorised to appoint a sub-
committee consisting of a few of their number, to
transact current business. The committee can,
should circumstances require, convoke another
general meeting of the members of the German Re-
presentative Assemblies."

The resolution was supported by Dr. Loewe, of
Berlin, and was adopted by a large majority after
speeches from Herren Moritz and Mohl of Stutt-
gird ; Herr Schulzedelisch, of Berlin; Herr Prinz,
of Prague, a member of the Austrian Reichsrath ;
Herr Haberkorn, of Saxony ; and Herr Wiggers,
of Rendsburg.

The members of the committee were then chosen.
Among them were Herren Muller and Varrenhappe,
Frankfort; Herr Lang of Wiesbaden; Herr Metz
of Darmstadt ; Herren Benningsen and Mignet of
Hanover; Herr Godefray, of Hamburg; Herr Wig-
gers, of Rendsburg ; Herren Rulsbower and Gross,
of Vienna; Herren Unruh, Loewe, Schulze-Delitzech,
Franz Duncker, Von Hornbeck, Twesten, and Von
Sybel, of Prussia.
The third resolution—perhaps the most important
of the three—was carried amidst loud acclamations.
It ran thus :

" This meeting considers it a solemn duty to avow
itself in favour of the right of the German nation to
obtain at the earliest possible period the re-esta-
blishment of a common representative assembly
(Parliament), which present circumstances render
above all necessary."
A cheer for Germany, proposed by the President,
was heartily given by the 500 members who had
come to the meeting from all parts of Germany, and
vociferously repeated by the great numbers of spec
tators crowding the galleries of the Ssalban.

THE EXECUTION IN HOLSTEIN.'
HAMBURG, DEC. 23, Evening.
The military dispositions are being continually
changed.
At five this morning the Austrians assembled to
march to Altona, where contrary orders were re-
ceived, and they are now to remain here for the
present.
Up to 9 p.m. the chief military post of Altona
was still occupied by the Danish troops.

THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION,
FRANKFORT, I)Ec. 23 (Evening).

An extraordinary sitting of the Federal Diet has
resolved, upon the urgent demand of Bavaria, to
request the committees upon Schleswig-liolstein to
come to a resolution on ithe BUCCCEdiOO
question as
early as possible.

FRANCE-
BOURSE, Dec. 23.—The market continues in the
same state of inaction, but prices are well main-

L 1,561,277
Being an increase of £303,309 as compared with the
previous return, and a decrease of £88,855 when compared
with the corresponding period of last year.

PLYMOUTH, Dee. 22.—The Saxon, taken off Pen.
guin Island by the Vanderbilt, was supposed to have
on board the cargo of the Conrad, captured by the Alabama,
and renamed Tuscaloosa, or of the Sea Bride. The vessel
with her crew had not reached Table Bay ; her mate was re-
ported to have met with his death, but it was not known by
what means. The Vanderbilt appropriated 250 tons of coal
on Penguin Island belonging to a firm at Cape Town. She
was refused coal by the authorities at Table Bay, consequent
on her having coaled within three months at St. Helena,
Simon's Bay, and Mauritius. She boarded a coasting ves-
sel on the 4th Nov., examined her papers and cargo, and
then steered for Angra Pequena. Her Majesty's ship Valo-
rous was then sent to protect any British property, and re-
turned with the news of the capture of the Saxon. Cape
Town, Nov. 23.—The captain of the Alabama sold the Sea
Bride and the cargo of the Conrad. The former, it appears,
was delivered at Saldanha Bay, and a rendezvous made at
Angra Pequina; and it is understood that some part of the
cargoes must have been landed at that place, or at Penguin
Island, close by. It is said that a vessel had loaded and
sailed from Penguin Island with part of the Conrad's cargo
before the capture of the Saxon. Tne Isabella, the vessel
that has on board the crew of the licitly, has passed Ichaboe
to go to Hottentot's Bay to fill up with cargo for that place.
The axon was sent away for New York in charge of the
prise crew on the 2d November.
TOWNLEY IN THE CONDEMNED CELL.—The Rev.
C. R. Gordon, who had been sent for specially to
visit this unfortunate culprit, thus writes of his state of
mind :—" The conclusion to which I have come con-
cerning him, and that, too, after lengthened interviews, is,
that the criminal is not a responsible agent. Again and
again he has expressed delight that his life is to be
taken. His manner at times is decidedly maniacal ; he
rolls his eyes, his countenance flushes unusually,
and he talks incoherently. At other periods he is as gentle
as a child, and appreciates kindness. When sitting in his
cell with him last Monday, his manner quite alarmed me,
and but for the presence of another I should imme-
diately have called in the two warders who are constantly
with him. He justifies murder without giving a reason.
He contradicts himself repeatedly, acknowledges at
one time what he denies another. It is a useless effort to
endeavour to instruct him in religion, for he has no mental
capacity to receive it. His conduct from the time of his
committing; the awful crime for which ho is now doomed
is in keeping with this. When asked in his calm moments
how he could ever have brought himself to commit it, he
answers, All was dark before my eyes ; I don't know
anything about it.' Much as the death of the victim
is to be deplored, I say it would be more horrid still if an
irresponsible agent now were to be taken to the gallows.
According to Blackstone's Commentaries,' this is a suffi-
cient cause to arrest the capital sentence. It is alike con-
sistent with humanity as with justice, that a further medi
cal examination should be made before the law
is allowed to take its course. It would suggest, also,
that the prison officers be examined. There are other rea-
sons which it appears to me might be urged in his behalf,
but on this it is now unnecessary to enter. I have given a
stern, impartial, and conscientious consideration of his con-
dition, and I can come to no other conclusion than that
which I have now expressed."
PERMEABILITY OF IRON.—Our readers may re-
collect our having, some months ago, mentioned
certain experiments made by MM. H. Sainte-Claire De-
vine and Troost, from which it appeared that, by a kind of
endosmosis scarcely to be suspected in the case of a metal,
hydrogen would pass through the pores of a platinum tube,
Last week, the Academy of Sciences received from them a
new paper, in which they announce a similar property in
iron. The great difficulty was, to find a tube answering to
the various conditions required for the experiment.
The best iron to be found in the market
might still be open to some objection, since in point
of fact it is a mere sponge flattened by a hammer,
like common platinum. They succeeded at length, through
the kindness of a friend, in obtaining a tube of cast steel
containing so little carbon that it did not admit of being
tempered. It was in reality rather iron than steel, and so
soft that it was drawn into a tube without heating or sole
dering, though its sides were of a thickness of from three to
four millimetres. To the ends of this tube two other tubes
of a much smaller diameter, and of copper, were soldered with
silver; the whole was then introduced into an open porcelain
tube, which was put into a furnace ; a glass tube luted to one
end, established a communication with an apparatus gene-
rating hydrogen completely deprived of atmospheric air;
while at the other end, another glass tube, bent at
right angles, dipped into a mercury bath, its vertical
branch being 80 centimetres long. For the space of eight
or ten hours a current of hydrogen was driven through the
apparatus, which was maintained at a high temperature,
so as to exhaust the action of the hydrogen on the sides of
the iron tube, and to drive away all the atmospheric air, as
the moisture eoutained in the tube, or likely to be•pro-
duced there. This done, the communication between
the iron tube and the hydrogen apparatus was cut off
by melting down the glass tube by the aid of
the blow-pipe. No sooner was this effected, than
the mercury, no longer kept down by the stream
of hydrogen, yielded to the pressure of the air, and rose in
the vertical glass tube to the height of 740 millimetres, or
very nearly the usual barometrical height. This woiulte vat
have happened had there not been a nearly cony
een
swain
cuum in the tube the instant the supple' of 113:,d,r). tupplied
cut off. But what had become of the 119(1,3Tee,
before ? There is but one explanation
_P°thsehi namely,
atmosphere,
that notwithstanding the pressure
the
the pores of the
the hydrogen has passed thbreou
is a most powerful instru-
ment into a furnace
steel tube. Hence an iron
Base",
where there are reducinigt
BlLLs.—Yesterday was
h hydrogen.
printed copies of all private
ment for carrying opffitailvAitTi:f
DEPOSIT 0F
the last day for tho &pas
bills for the nest session,.,ade, where plans were required
el:Ph:t lodged.
The number far exceeded the
THE NEW SOUTH WALES EUSIIRANGERS.—The
Sydney Illornzny Herald gives an account of the
' i ati
h
eßoard ofl
five notorious bushrangers, Gilbert, Ben Hall, Burke,
Vane, and 0 Meally, entering Mr. Rothery's house, at
Limestone Creek, just as that gentleman was sitting down
to dinner. They handcuffed him and ate his dinner, call-
ing for champagne. After dinner they played the piano •
forte,
and, before leaving, tried two or three horses, so
as to select the best. Mr. nothety is a magistrate of the
colony, and en extenqive squatter in the neighbourhood of
Carcoar.