The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-12 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

SlR,—The visitors to the British Museum, especially
those interested in what is called financial reform, must be
delighted with that splendid specimen of national economy
exhibited at the gates, in the person of the one sentinel, in
lieu of two, who formerly, in the days of lavish expenditure,
did duty at the establishment. What saving will be effected
by this change, of course remains to be seen; that it will
be the means of taking another penny off the income tax is,
perhaps, more than can be expected ; but, whatever the re-
sult, no one can doubt its being one of the most complete
exhibitions of practical retrenchment ever brought under
public notice; and what makes the matter so remarkable,
and literally thrusts it on the attention of people, is the
shut-up and uninhabited sentry•box—that unoccupied
abode causes persons, particularly those from the country,
to inquire ab, ut the left tenant. Friends from the conti-
nent go home with the impression that the British army is
reduced one-half. Classical readers passing in and
ut look upon the solitary soldier as the victo-
rious Horatn. The Peace Society look upon the
movement as a step in the right direction, and a great many
neither notice nor trouble themselves about it ; but, be that
a. it may, one sentry has a very ood look, and if the regu-
lation is to be a general one, the vacant arch at the Horse
Guards will attract more attention than the empty box at
the Museum; and although the subject is one of very little

consequence, still, if it is thought desirable to post sentries
at national institutions (and I have not a word to say to the
contrary), the proper number should be placed or none.
The immortal one policeman at ti erne Bay may there be
enough for all useful purposes, but one soldier for a building
like the British Museum has a very stingy look, and if the
country cannot afford two, it will be better to have none at
all•^-I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient ser-
vant, G. E.
May 11, 1863.
ADVICES FROM VICKSBURG.

The advices from New York, by the Arabia, dwell
much on the despatches of General Grant, detailing
the success of the Federal gunboats and transports
in passing the batteries of V,cksburg. Just before
the signal defeat sustained by the Federals before
Charleston, we gave a description of its immense
resources for defence ; we now subjoin some inte-
resting details of those of Vicksburg, military
operations against which Confederate stronghold
the North are about again to resume. It appears
there are quartered in the city about 6,000 infan-
try, and other camps in the surrounding country
are within call. In various streets from the
river there are broad screens of canvas swings,
behind which are said to be heavy guns for shot
and shell, so placed as to command the river both
above and below the bend. Toe first two streets
along the levee are occupied by lines of rifle pits, to
make a landing dangerous. A heavy water battery
frowns at a little above the bend for a raking fire,
and on the walnut grove bluff above are situated
in the thicket 17 siege guns in position, to com-
mand with a plunging fire the approach from above
and below. Near by is the signal station, where a
flag by day and a lantern by night may send word
of battle imminent to the forces in the interior, or
up the Yazoo. Another signal-tower is the church,
situated north-east of the city. Below the city is
a line of batteries and rifle pits. The total defences
of Vicksburg appear to be—siege guns in position
in the streets, 8; water battery, 4; batteries north
of the city, 18; walnut batteries, 17; two bat-
teries on the bluff, 8; batteries below the city, 24
making altogether 89 guns. In some financial
circles there are parties who aver that the projected
emission in the London market of a large amount
of Federal Bonds is an excellent idea on the part of
the Lincoln Government, the success of which is to
dispel the impression created by the favourable re-
ception of the Confederate loan in the European
markets. The flourishing accounts of the Federal
movements are supposed to be much on a par with
those promulgated during the last two years, and
but little apprehension seems to be entertained re-
lating to Vicksburg. In fact, the impression is
gaining ground that diplomacy must at last inter.
fere, since the subjagation of the South appears to
be as far off as ever. The fluctuations in gold
continue. At the last accounts Mr. Chase had been
in New York for some days, but had left again for
Washington, without anything transpiring, in an
,fficial shape, relating to his intentions of raising
money in Europe.

MARKETS---This Day.

lIAY MARKETS.

SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £2 Os to £4 Os Od ; clover
do., £3 lOs to £5 lOs; and straw, £1 10s to £1 16s per load,
A low trade.

UUMBERLANDe—MeaIow hay, £2 Os to £4 Os; clove]
do., £3 lOs to £5 108 ; and straw, £1 lOs to £1 16s per load,
Trade inactive.

WHITECRAPEL —Meadow hay, £2 Od to £4 Os; clover
do , £3 10s to £5 10s; and straw, £1 lOs to £1 Ids per load.
A slow demand.

COLONIAL.
TEA-1 here has been a very limited amount of business
transacted, and prices have exhibited no material alteration.
SUGAR—The demand for home consumption has not been
very active, and owing to the large stocks on hand prices
have slightly given way. In the refined market there is
little change to rec,ird, the general tendency of prices, how-
ever, is towards a decline,
COPPER—OnIy limited dealings have been recorded, and
there is no material alteration to notice in the value of the
colonial descriptions.
RICE—The demand has been moderately active, and
quotations have in most instances been well sustained.
SALTPETRE—There has been soarcely any inquiry
except for the finer descriptions of British refined, which
have barely sustained previous prices.
TALLoW_A better tone has prevailed during the last
few days, and prices have shown an upward tendency for
both present and forward delivery. P.Y.C. on the spot
being quoted 43s 3d to 43s 6d, and last three months'
delivery 46s 3d per cwt.

NEW PRINTING MACHINE.—The London corre-
spondent of Macniven and Cameron's Paper Trade
Review says:—" There is an English engineer of the name
of Wilkinson who has invented a machine for the printing
of newspapers which completely surpasses Hoe's machine
in respect of speed. I am unable to go into a detailed de.
scription of this machine, but one feature of it that demands
note is that the paper from which it prints is in the web on
the reel, and after passing under the types it is cut in sheets.
The extraordinary velocity of the machine is almost incre-
dible, 23,000 copies of the inside sheet of the Tunes being
printed on both sides at once per hour. This machine
does without feeders, and the reel of paper that it feeds
from is unrolled by its own action. The price of the ma-
chine ie considerably under the price tor hoe's nuoiline."

774,-
At
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HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, MAT 11.
The Qaeen and Princess Louise of Hesse dror
out this morning.

Prince Alfred, attended by Major Cowell, wen
over to Portsmouth.

Earl Granville arrived at Osborne, and had at'
audience of the Queen.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, at'
tended by Major Teesdale, visited his RoyalHigh'
ness the Prince of Orange yesterday at the Pala°
Hotel.

The Prince of Wales rode on horseback in the
morning, attended by his Equerry in Waiting.
The Prince and Princess of Walas took a drive
in the afternoon in an open carriage.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prineel
of Wales honoured the Duke and Duchess °
Wellington with their company at dinner last
evening at Apsley-house. Their Royal Highness.;
were attended by the Countess of Macclesfield an
M.jor Teesdale.

Mr. Thwaites, Chairman of the Metropolitan
Board of Works, Mr. Tire, M.P., Mr. Donitono
M.P., and Mr. Wyke Smith, solicitor to the Boalcit
had an interview with the Right Hon. William
Cowper, M.P., yesterday at the office of her
Majesty's Works and Public Buildings in White.*
hall-place.

The Prince and Princess of Wales at MEN

House.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prince°
of Wales honoured the Duke and Duchess of Wel-
lington with their presence at dinner last evenint
at Apsley-house. The invitations to meet 01°1:
Royal Highnesses were limited to 20. His Boys'
Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived at a fel:
minutes before 8 o'clock, attended by Col. Taib°
Clifton. The other guests included the Duke 81:r1
Duchess of Beaufort, the Duke of Sutherland, t‘',l
Earl and Countess of Tenkerville, the Earl an
Countess of Westmoreland, Viscount and Viseciur
tess Palmerston, Viscount and Viscountess Welds*
Lord and Lady Raglan, Lady Charles Wellesley'
Sir Robert Peel, and the Hon. and Rev, the
of Windsor and Mrs. Wellesley. The Prince 81/
Princess of Wales. with the members of their/3°l°'
arrived in full-dress carriages at 10 minutes 081'8 4
o'clock. Their Royal Highnesses were received "/
the grand entrance by the Duke and Dechssa t)"
Wellington, his Grace presenting to the Prinee°
bouquet of choice flowers, which was gracefully
eepted. The Princess was exquisitely attired to
silver brocade trimmed 'with the choicest tie;
ciennes lace. Resting on the arm of the Duke of
lington, her royal highness ascended to the reception
saloon, where the guests already assembled werePlo
salted to her. The Prince of Wales conducted t
Duchess of Wellington, and graciously acknowledged
the salutation addressed to himself and his B 0
Consort.

8/
The Countess of Macclesfield was in waiting 811110
Princess of Wales, Major Teesdale in waiting °I ,x"-
Prince of Wales. The dinner was served at
past eight o'clock in the banquetting room-8 811;0
of singular magnificence. Down the centre al
table was displayed the magnificent silver Ple",00
presented to the great Duke by the Porlog°-0
Government in acknowledgment of his berl';ceig;
while the gratitude of his own countryeaca; ocol
represented by the Achilles Shield and the 7nel
services of gold and silver plate on which d'1370
was served. In a word, the table was laden
memorials of the great captain's victories. l'ibe
needless to say that the entertainment waB of
„jol
most princely character, but no undue cereinB;o4
impeded the flow of social enjoyment at dinner' po
none of the guests appeared less under the intlaegol
of State restrictions than the young Price '-
Princess.
•
Before the close of the banquet the disiingulhoti
6401
party invited to meet the Prince and Princess
dinner began to assemble in that historic galA"tli
01
once the scene of the great Duke's reunions 0f
most eminent in arts and arms.
The Princess Mary of Cambridge and the - .13in°
tog
and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar were 8113 14,
the guests after dinner. During the eveningier
Levassor attended in the gallery and gave a 13„eter
tion of his chansons conziques to the infinite e'sitr.
ment of the Prince and Princess and the diel3o4
guished visitors. After M. Levassor had re' big
the Prince and Princess remained for a coneiderusy
time inspecting the artistic treasures of the el
sion, and it was past one o'clock when their I'4o of
Highnesses took leave of the Duke and paelle:r
Wellington with every mark of affectionate
sideration.

,
VIA The Marchioness Townshend's second ball,,efr
take place on Wednesday, June 10, and not on 1."
proximo, as announced.
ft°.
Lady Caroline Turnor's dance is postponed
Thursday, the 28th inst., to Friday, the 29th. Bd
Tne Count and Countess Bobrinsky have er
riP
at Maurigy's Hotel from Paris.
WI
Countess Koucheleff and a numerous suite
arrived at the Clarendon Hotel from St. Petersburg' of
Lady Huv-ard had an afternoon party Y.,.este
at her ladyship's residence in Belgrave-square. 01*:E:117
sor was present, and entertained the companY 1/1t
" Scenes et Chansons Comiques,"
Lady Emily Foley has arrived at the Clare
0
Hotel for the season.
Lord and Lady Clarina and the Hon. Miss- ga994poet
have arrived at Wallace's Hotel, 18, St. Georgetr
from their seat in Ireland.
Or°
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St. -- n
II:,
has arrived at Maurigy's Hotel from Abergsrilli
Carmarthen.
10011
A young whale, measuring eighteen feel' 04
and weight about twenty .five cwt., was caught oil
+
morning by some fishermen off Clogher Head.
lj 0°
b The Hon. Mrs. King Harman will give a -I/
the 25th inst. at 48, Esoton-square. eV°
The Right Hon. Sir Charles Grey has orris' k
the Clarendon Hotel from Tunbridge-wello.
Lady Molesworth entertained at din
,„Or 00,-
evening at her residence in Eaton-place, the P;reo irs
Minister and Madame Comyn, the Marquis of 61.tiig
Countess Dowager of Essex and Miss Johnstone, the .
Hon. C P. Villiers, M.P., Mr. and Mrs.
Lord Dunkellin, M. Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Ps fst,
Lord Broughton, air Erskine and Lady Perry,
Mr. Osborne, M.P.. Mr. and Mrs. Brinsley Sheri
T. Baring, M.P.