The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-29 00:00:00

Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.
Open for the Season.
THIS•EVENING, THE HONEYMOON.
After Which, HARLEQUIN LITTLE TOM THCICER;
oho Fine Lady of Banbury Cross, and the old Woman
o Lived in a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
la OW What to do.

ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the
Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER.

THIS EVENING, the new Comic Drama of the HEN
AND CHICKENS : Mrs. Stirling in her original character.

After which, a Comical Conglomerative Christmas Absur-
dity, by Henry .7 Byron, Esq., and entitled 1861; or, TH E
SENSATIONn OF THE PAST SEASON, with a Shameful
Revelation of Lad/ Somebody's Secret. New Scenery by
.Hanson and Sons. Appointments by Mr. Ireland. Music by
Wallerstein. Principal characters by Mr. J. L. Took,
Mr. Paul Bedford, Miss Cottrell, Miss Fauny Josephs, ,tc.

And the BIRTIIPLACI4I OF PODGERS : Mr. J. L. Toole
in his original character.

NEW THEATRE-RO fAL, ADELPHI.-
Sole Proprietor and ManaKer, M. B. Webster.

THIS EVENING, THE SPITALFIELD'S 'WEAVER :
L. Toole.
At a to Eight, the New Drama of LEAH: Mies Bate-
man, supported by Messrs.Artnur Stirling', It. Phillips, Bil-
lington, Stuart, Stephenson, Eburne; Miss H. Simms, and
Mrs. Billingtcn.

To cr.nch;de with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortunio
and hiA Seven Magiz Men. :Messrs. J. Clarke, it. Phillips,
:Stephenson ; Miss Woottrar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Patti
Josephs, Miss L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.

Commence at 7.

E A H. VERY NIGHT,

ISS BATEMAN.—LEAH.—Turs EVENING,
the 76th appearance of the great Tra2ie Actress, Miss
:BATEMAN, in the character of LEA If. In c ta.sequence of
the unbounded success with which Miss Bateman's imperso-
nation of the principal characer in the new Five Act Drama
of LEATI has been attended. Mr Webste, begs to announce
that it will be performed EVERY EVENING until further
notice.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
11Tanaszer, Mr. IV. H. Swanboroup-,h.
THIS EVENING, OBSERVATION AND FLIRTA-
TION.
After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS
AND EURY oICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton,
Mesdames Swanborom;h, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &c.
To conclude with. TURN HIM OU r.
Commence at 7.

TIHE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
Coutalnin27 tho lAtest SPORT IS( ; INT gt.I.IG ENirE,
C.tn. be Ilito..l.;vt•ry ot
(:. CLENTE, N
..kccNT,
No. 4, Counaught-temwe, liyde-park.

..t, HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRADGE.
DA.y.—Moining, 4h. 3.Bm.—Afternoon, 4h. 55m.
To
10m.—Afternoon, 5h.26m.

Weather—Sun Office, Dec. 29, 1863.

THERMOMETER.

This day atTwo o'clock
witta~Sßromer-29.8,5.
; et
moderate, and cloudy.

(ctv'T 0.g7
s
Alniett oie
stw-oPio ;.4011,n,

LONDON, TUESDAY, DEC.
29 1863.

The defeated by the Federal% again turns out to
be the conquering Confederate.
General LONG-
STREET, knowing full well how
men adroitly and
energetically reculer pour mieux saute,,, instead of
a)
eo
DOW being found (as reported by the luatai
have been in every way worsted, proves z have
t
v
retreated, only in order the more effectually to
ad-
vance. Gathering up his strength in the very tun
of his partial withdrawal, and strengthened still
more by the aid of certain timely reinforcements,'
ho is now seen to have turned at the right
moment upon the pursuing force of the Federals
near Pear Station on the Cumberland Gap
and Moreston Railway, and to have driven those
same Federals back folly the distance of half it
mile ! Evidently—by the very incident of his
turning thus upon them, as though brought to
bay—evidently "taking them aback" as well as
driving them back that full half-mile in conse-
quence! Brief and fragmentary though the intel-
ligence brought to us this while by the Columbia,
it is impossible not to recognise from it, how exagge-
rated were the exultant accounts transmitted east-
zrZtia across the Atlantic by the last Yankee Tele-
grel:ts• According to those accounts the second
captain of the Southern Army—for LONG-
STRFLI stand
Com' a s next in repute to the Confederate
nd't.in-Chief himself—had been not only I
defeated by the
oPpolng forces of the North, but
had been brought, by
them, after his actual defeat,
in to very serlou,i
not into most perilous difficul-
ties. The situation, nevertheless, by the very next
mail turns out to
as We have seen essen-
tially and entirely different. General LONG;TREET,
in his withdrawal before the _ .
superior forces op-
posed to him, retiring all the While, as he himself
was perfectly well aware, upon the reinforcements
despatched to his assistance by his
Commander !
And no sooner do which reinforcements join ii;ni
than his movements arc at once reversed.
The
slow retreat is turned into a rapid advance. The
pursuit of LONGSTREET by the Federals, is abruptly
Changed, at Pear Station, on the Cumberland Gap
and Moreston Riilway into a pursuit of the Pede.
rals by LONGSTREET. For nearly a mile it is con. f
tinned, the Confederate Chief endeavouring,., at the,
Same time, though, as it proves, ineffec

I cross the river, in order, if possible to get into the
rear of the retiring Northerners. Failing in that
effort, to effect an opportune passage of the
river, General LONGSTREET was compelled,
it seems, to hold his hands, as it were, in the
very midst of his success. Though at the same
time, as the last curt sentence of that portion of the
usual jumble of telegrams, we have the significant
intimation—" More fighting is expected." Fol-
lowed, under a later date (the 18th) by the yet
more striking intimation, " The Fighting with
General LGNGSTREET is still progressing." Mean-
time the tables have at the very least, we know for
certain, been turned. They have been turned so
unmistakeably, that not only is LONGSTREET known
to have changed his position as the -pursued into that
of the pursuer, but the Federal forces are ascertained
to have deserted Lookout Mountain and Missionary
Ridge, and, with those "'coigns of 'vantage," the
whole country side between the latter and Ring.
gold.
The result here, is, for all the world, as much of
an anti-climax in its way, after the late evidences
of Federal exultation at so many Northern successes
achieved, and at so many consequent Southern
defeats, if not even most calamitous disasters
—the result here, we say, is of its kind quite
as much nf an
anti-climax as the abrupt
withdrawal of the Federal main army, under
MEADE, back again across the Rapidan at the
very moment when
people had been taught
to believe that LEE and his Confederates had been
trapped by the said MEADE—either to a surrender
like that of MACK at Ulm, or, to a crushing and
overwhelming defeat in pitehed battle like that
suffered by the Austrians and Russians together
under their two emperors immediately after Ulm,
upon the foughten field of Austerlitz! Pre-
cisely at the very moment when the more
credulous were preparing to 'witness a
single meal made, off-hand, of LEE and his army,
LEE'S formidable antagonist and his army withdrew
together, very quietly indeed, back again across the
Rapidan ! And so, now, also, quite as absurdly, in
opposition to the immediately preceding accounts
given to us by the Federal authorities, the defeated
turns out to be the defeater—Missionary Ridge and
Lookout Mountain, being withdrawn from by the
Northern troops almost as hastily as Pear station
itself—that pear, in NAPOLEONIC phrase, turning
out to be very ripe indeed, ripe even to dropping.
While such is the latest phase of the war as recog-
nisable in the actual military movements, the fury
of the mutual antagonism engendered by the war
between the Federals and the Confederates appears
just now to be intensifying rather than in any way
whatever assuaged. Judging from the tone in
which Mr. LINCOLN'S amnesty proclamation has been
denounced by one and all of the Southern journals
that have yet commented upon it, but more parti-
cularly by the press of Richmond, that document
appears to be regarded unanimously among the Con-
federates as more infamous and more exasperating
even than its notorious predecessor! That proclama-
tion by which the President of the once United
States of America gave the signal for a Servile
War by the announcement of what can alone
be aptly designated as a Penal Abolition. Inso-
much does there seem to be a sort of evil fatality
about the official acts and words of Mr. LINCOLN
as the last of the United States Presidents, that
this latest proceeding of his, so far from in any way
preparing the road for anything like a settlement,
seems to have been only too signally effectual already
in rousing the Southern people en masse to fresh
evidences of their combined zeal and dogged deter-
mination.

In the Times of last Friday there was u letter
which especially deserves attention at this season.
It refers to the " Refuges for Homeless and Desti-
tute children, at Bloomsbury." The appeal made
by the Secretary on behalf of this Institution is one
that earnestly demands notice, and it is to be
hoped that it will not prove unavailing. A better
means of bestowing help can hardly be chosen, for
the claims of these little wanderers are manifold,
and must speak with irresistible force to all who are
impressed with the imminent necessity of providing
a refuge for these young unfortunates. It needs
no stretch of imagination, and requires no scope of
fancy to depict the horror' of their situa-
tion, and foretell the danger of their future
course, if left unaided and neglected in the wilder-
ness of the world. From the class here provided
for spring up the dark family of crime, for it is a
notorious fact that more than half the evil charac-
ters who infest society are first led astray by the

temptations of idleness. It is a sad thing to reflect
upon, and makes the painful case more distressing
to feel assured that had timely help been afforded,
and a place of shelter at hand, many of those being
now regarded as outcasts from society, and herded
with miscreants and ruffians, might have become
respectable members of society, doing their duty in

the station to which PROVIDENCE had called them.
Mr. WILLIAMS mentions in his letter that they
have already been of great service to the objects
of their labour, and that during this year they
sent out from their Institution no fewer than eighty
boys to various British Colonies, and he adds that
had these remained behind they would most probably
have " preyed on the public" for their support. In
this instance we may well say that these boys thus
timely succoured have been taken from the evil to
come, and so far as human foresight can divine the
future, have been enabled to provide for themselves
in a manner honest in the sight of all men. It is
very much to be regretted that 20 more boys might
have been similarly sent abroad lately, but that the
`ttnis of the "Refuge" would not permit the . out-
lay
The state of the finances are so deplorably
low iv.
'At unless timely aid is imparted, many poor
of charital;naPP
clain4b,
be that"itizill be refused admission: It can hardly
who are rich iu .
than invest son%
0,1 will be neglected at this season
this
gat and kindly sentiments. Those
this world's goods can do no better
tfr e lt
r : i
to: of their abundance in the
gad work. It is sure to flourish
whefurtherancen
some
010
',opting means of expense
411 their showy surroundings
from the
eadn,d awnhdent the i
-41 lion of this world is
have
ee failed,vanish
bl, they will be able
but
it, and
it
is
reflectaelt toonpatshsisawoffaeyring
rOf love
ti to the poor and
helpless with feelings 13` sa--afa"l(in and delight,
bound
and brilliant
that more splendid , achievements
could never afford them. it it,
not for
mortalsdo tteheciormmbeasntd t success,o
deserve
to
promoting the spread of evil to leave the 1 gang
population loose in the streets to learn every kind
of mischief, and grow up ripe and promising Betio.
lars of sin. The cause of humanity and
the voice of
reason are potent to the side of charity in this par-
ticular instance, and it will be a deplorable calamity
and a disgraceful reflection if such a society as this
should fail, or even become shorn of its power to
impart aid and assistance, and to those so greatly
in need of help. It is impossible to over estimate
or exaggerate the importance of shielding the
young from all hurtful influences, and the vast advan-
tages that result from their being properly provided
with suitable employments. If private contribu-
tions do not appear sufficient the Gavernment should
do something in aid of such an institution, and the
money they bestow will be a saving in the end, for
many of those who are now eucoured would, if

left to themselves, become adepts in crime, and
thus be burdens on the State by swelling the
ranks of the criminals whose cost entails such a
serious expense upon us. Every social ad-
vantage and every Christian feeling are
on the side of this Institiution; and now
that the want has been made known, let not
the call be unheeded. A fearful responsibility will
rest upon those whose lives are lapped in luxury,
and who leave their fellow-creatures to perish of
cold and want in the streets, still worse to grow up
prolific in crime and fruitful in works of evil. It
may be difficult to settle which is the best means of
providing a remedy for the sad state of the adults
of our population, who are hardened in iniquity ;
but let us remember that had a helping hand been
stretched forth to them in their early years they
might now be walking their earthly course in rec-
titude, and bringing up their children in a spirit
worthy of those who hope to make their offspring
honest and faithful children in this world, and
heirs of a better inheritance hereafter. With the
young now around us no such excuse can be made ;
they are open to good impressions, and eager for a
change from their present discomforts. If the task
of providing them with help is taken up with
earnestness and good will, it cannot prove wholly
unprofitable; but must conduce to the good of all,
blessing him that gives and him that takes, and
furthering the best interests of these little pilgrims
on the world's highway here and hereafter, and
bringing the best assurance to the thinking mind
and the trasting heart that they have been given
the surest means of so passing through things tem-
poral that they finally lose not the things eternal.

The monthly report of the Central Executive
Committee of the Lancashire Relief Fund to the
General Committee will be looked at with some in-
terest. The months of winter are now sufficiently
advanced to enable us to appreciate in some degree
the effects of the inclement season upon the employ.
ment as well as the health of the people, and as yet
such statistics are tolerably satisfactory and reas-
suring. We learn from the report now before us
that during the last month there has been an in-
crease of 723 in the number of the recipients of
relief from the Board of Guardians, and of 1,957 in
those solely dependent upon the Local Committees.
At first sight these figures are somewhat startling,
but when we come to compare them with those re-
presenting the state of affairs last year at this time
we shall see no grounds for discouragement. The
total number in receipt of relief in the last week of
November, 1862, whether from Guardians, Local
Committees, or both conjointly, was 448,955.
During the last week of the November just past it
was 170,850, thus showing a decrease of 278,105.
Various reasons are assigned for this diminution,
such as the increase in the goods manufactured, as
well as the number of hands needed to prepare the
inferior quality of cotton ; and also the natural mor-
tality among the cotton hands, which has not
been supplied by the usual relays of new
workers. No less than fourteen thousand are,
it is estimated,engaged in other employments in the
cotton districts, and we must of course add to these
the numbers who have emigrated from the country,
although this item is not alluded to in the Report.
From whatever cause it may arise, however, the
fact of the numbers in receipt of relief being re-
duced more than a quarter of a million in the
twelvemonth is one full of hope and consolation,
more especially at the season of the year which en-
tails increased wants in the way of food and
clothing, so that the condition of our metropolitan
Poor has been such as to create some anxiety among
philanthropists. The committee, with the foresight
and good sense which have throughout distinguished
their proceedings, are not inclined to make too sure
of the continuation of the present condition of
affairs, even although they have to record a consi-
derable increase. Looking forward and beyond the
immediate sphere of action, they see reason to an-
ticipate some considerable fluctuations in the
amount of employment. The price of cotton has
hitherto risen so much as to increase largely the
amount of capital employed both in the import and
the manufacture. Various circumstances con-
nected with the importation of cotton have
increased the absorption of the precious metals,
thus producing, as we have seen, a rise in
till' value of money. Tix natural re2ult of ths
temporary check which this rise offers to the specu-
lator is diminished employment, and at the same
time the committee look forward with some anxiety
to a fall in the price of cotton, owing to increased
imports and lessened factory work, which, however
great its ultimate advantages, might cause consi-
derable temporary embarrassment. With a view to
the increased demand on their resources, which
such an event would certainly cause, the committee
have been careful to keep a considerable sum in
hand, having now altogether a balance of
£355,526—thus having a provision which enables
them to face the prospect of a darker day without
uneasiness. They add a hope, moreover, such as we
have often expressed, that before the sums at their
disposal shall be exhausted, and the relief given by
the public works is at an end, " a steady and per-
manent augmentation in the supply of cotton may
be expected." Such an anticipation coming from
such a quarter, and put forward on the responsi-
bility of those who have every means of obtaining
correct information, and would certainly not speak
without good authority, will, we hope, tend greatly
to re-assure those persons who persist, in
1, spite of all that has been done and is doing,
in taking a gloomy and altogether desponding view
of the prospects of cur cotton trade. We are told
that in anticipation of the coming revival a number
of new mills are now in course of construction—a
fact of itself of no slight importance, as promis-
ing favourable auguries. The workpeople them-
selves appear to entertain the same opinion ; most
of those who have emigrated into neighbouring
counties, or accepted other employments, having
made their arrangements of a temporary nature, so
as to be able to resume their old labour when the
better days come again. The Public Works Act
has not, it seems, as yet done all that was expected
of it, being cumbered with unnecessary formalities,
a.:though the report informs us that the Govern-
mc•nt have shown every desire to simplify matters.
More in this respect remains to be done and should
no done promptly, if the cotton hands are to derive
from it the relief it was intended to give. Shou d
the necessary alterations be made, so that a large
number of loans may be arranged without loss of
time, we may hope that the greater number of
Workmen absorbed by these works may neutralise,
Some degree, any increased distress caused by the
Ilactuation of the cotton trade. Altogether the pro-
sP'ets of Lancashire are as bright as we could hope,
and thanks aro eminently due to the gentlemen
whose patriotic labours have contributed so much
to the relief of the distress, as well as to the alievia-
tion of unnece,,,ary
alarm or exaggerated fears on
the part of the public.

clearvraer 1.. n the Athenceum),
CHARLES BEADE's
a s it falls on the
and a satire
the whimsical notion of a ire'vriu Cash" (according to
copper. It is a
chapters
erpure gold,
tcaobniteafnsislvgeorldotfbaimt
impure
es
Coouintage,
annaciudasidirhetyo
love story, an attack upon private
on the medical profesEion. The love storyuissest'
the base silver must be looked for in the cb.a
hams, the satire on the medical faculty is copper. 8 Oil
asY-

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE FEDERAL EXECUTION IN
HOLSTEIN.
ALTONA, DEC. 25.

A general and brilliant illumination took place
is this town yesterday evening. The maintenance
of public order is entrusted for the present to a
volunteer force of citizens. Up to yesterday the
Federal troops have occupied about one-fourth of
the Duchy of Holstein. The Civil Commissioners
have issued the following additional proclama-.
tions

" We, the undersigned Federal commissioners,
having undertaken the government of the Duchies
of Holstein and Lauenburg in accordance with our
proclamation of yesterday in the name and by order
of the high German Confederation, herewith make
known as follows for the general information and
observance.

"1. Our seat of business will in the town of
Altona until further notice. All communications
to us are to be sent to Altona, addressed 'To the
Federal Commissioners for the Duchies of Holstein
and Lamenburg.'
" 2. All tribunals and officials in the duchies of
Plolstein and Lauenburg are herewith directed to
report henceforth only to us in all cases in which
reports have hitherto been addressed to the Ministry
for the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg, or to
one of the general Ministers in Copenhagen.

" 3. The police authorities of the duchies of Hol-
stein and Lauenburg are in consideration at present
circumstances, always to report •immediately upon
all-important occurrences within their district
bearing upon public security and order, and in
addition to send in an account every fortnight of
all public matters in their district, until further
orders to us direct. We further earnestly recom-
mend the police authorities of the Duchies of Hol-
stein and Lauenburg to essrcise precaution, and,
if requisite, force for the maintenance of law and
order in. their respective districts during the pre-
sent agitated time."
The signatures follow.

"The suspension of sovereign rights occasioned
by the assumption of the Government of the
Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg by the under-
signed Federal Commissioners requires, without
further explanation, during the existence of
this state of affairs omission of mention of
his Majesty King Christian IY. of Den-
mark in the prayers of the Church. In
reference hereto, and to bring about uniform
procedure in the same, as also for the avoidance of
possible interruptions to divine service, the Federal
Commissioners feel themselves therefore called upon
to order ,that from henceforth and till further
orders, no mention of the Sovereign of the country
is to be made by name when the prayer for the
Government with its councillors and servants is put
up—all clergymen are to govern themselves
accordingly."

POLAND.

KONIGSBERG, DEc. 28.

The Courier de Wilna confirms the news of the
arrest of the Abbe Mackeritch, and announces that
a gunner of the fortress of Wilna, named Casimir
Sytebouch, who had passed over to the insurgents,
was shot on the 22d inst, in the market-place of
Wilna.

The same journal also announces the execution of
a Podolian noble, M. Maurice Dnybacki, accused
of having:taken part in the revolutionary organisa-
tion. M. Dnybacki was executed on the 11th Dec.
in the moat of the Citadel of Kieff.

SPAIN.
MADRii), DEC. 28 (Evening).
The papers deny that there is any truth in the
rumours of a Ministerial crisis.

PORTUGAL.
LISBON, DEc, 28 (Evening).

The Channel fleet is at Madeira. A few cases of
scarlatina have occurred on board the Black Prince.

The Oporto Railway is completed, and opens
next month.
Great cold prevails in Pot tugal.

FRANCE.
REPORT OF AIARSHAL RANDOM'.
PARIS, DEC. 29.
A report of Marshal Randon, approved by the
Emperor, has been published to-day.

It decides that general officers on sex -glee, no
matter how employed, shall be legally relieved of
their functions as soon as they have reached the age
of 70.

The ilfoniteur of this morning publishes the reply
of the Sultan to the Emperor's invitation to the
Congress.

BOURSE, Dec. 28.—The market has been firmer,
and the business, though rather limited, shows a
slight improvement in prices. Threes, for the Ac-
count, are now at Mr. 55e. Mobilier have ad-
vanced to 1,047 f. 50e. Railway Market quiet, but
firm, The market receded before the close, and
left off as follows :

41 per Cents —
Do. end month —
3 per Cents
Do. end month 66 45
Credit Mobilier 1042 50
Do. end month 1037 50
Bank Shares 3275
Credit Fancier 1235
Roman

Italian Loan 7l 75
Do. end month 7l GO
New ditto —
Do. end month —
Russian
Austrian
Spani,h Threes 52
Rome Debt .. sla
Deferred

RA IL'

'AYS.
CaAn. Account.
977 50 .. 972 50
971 25 .. 972 50

Orleans
Northern
Now ditto
Lyons and Meditsratnean
New ditto ............
Geneva..
Southern........
Western
Eastern ....
Sardinian 4OO
Austrian ......
Lon.bard
North of Spain
Saragossa..
Ditto to Barcelona .... 300 .. 302 50

932 50 .. 931 25
SOO - --

ANOTHER DEFAULTING RATE-COLLECTOR IN
LAMEETH.—A week has not elapsed since the con-
viction at the last Surrey Sessions of Richard Turner, late
one of the rate-collectors for the parish of Lambeth, for the
embezzlement of no less a sum than £l,BOO, on which con-
viction he was sentenced to penal servitude for the term of
four years. The parochial authorities have continued their
rigid examination of the books and accounts of the other
rate collectors, when, with respect to one of them, Mr.
W. H. Manners, defalcations to the amount, it is said, of
upwards of £l,OOO were discovered.
,In consequence in-
structions ware given to the police to apprehend the offender,
and he was taken into custody on Saturday night by police-
constable Swington, 15.5 L, the same officer, singular to
say, who captured the delinquent already convicted. The
prisoner Manners was at once conveyed to the police-
station at Bennington-lane. He was brought up at the
police-court yesterday, and was remanded.

CLOCK MAKING.—" Benson's great piece of clock work
is certainly a marvellous achievement in clack making,
both as regards the workmanship, and its capacity under
difficult circumstances for time measuring.
Magazine, Sept. lb, 1862. Clocks by the first artists of the
day for the drawing room, dining room, bed room, library,
hall, staircase, bracket, carriage, church, turret, railways,
warehouse, counting houee, musical, and astronomical.
Church and turret clocks specially estimated for. Benson's
illustrated pamphlet on clocks (free by post for two stamps)
with descriptions and prices, enables those who live in any
part of the world to select a clock. Also a short pamphlet
on cathedral and public clocks, free for one stamp. prizo
medal and honourablo mention in classes 33 and 15. J. W.
Benson, 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, London. Established
1749. Watch and clock maker by special warrant of ap•
, pointment to 1i.R,11, the Prince of Wales,