The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-31 00:00:00

TIM SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEAnfBER 31, 1863

Ai RENTS REQUIRED.
ROYAL INSURANCE COMPANY is
prepared to entertain applications for Agency Appoint-
ments from gentlem en having command of Fire and Life
Business.
The Royal has alv rays been conspicuous for its liberality
and promptitude in t he settlement of claims..
Its annual Income is now over ................... 500,r0) f...
And its funds in ha ti( 1 exceed ...................... .£l,O ~000
Transfers of roll' ,35 from other Companies received with-
OutA charge for Poll c vhatever the amount.
Add rt ?,ss, JOHN B. JOHNSTON, Secretary.
Royal Insurance Cono pany, 29, Lombard-street.

BONNET'S S LL= KS a LYON.—Every Article of
commerce tak't is its title either from the inventor or
'manufacturer, and t' more perfect the production the
gr.ater is the credit a Ailch attaches to the originator.
BONNET'S SILK s are said to be incapable of identifica-
tion in England; but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex-
posed by the very trac Le mark of the firm, as exhibited by
Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street.
The following- Intel *woven mark may be seen at the end
of each piece Mani acture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., k Lyon
Injurieux." Wen r guaranteed.

citYSTAL PA) .ACE,—CHRISTMAS HOLT-
DAYs.—Unlisua round of Amusements from morning
till la fight, superintend ed by Mr. Nelson Lee. The Chantrill
Vamil in their classic zal Gymnastic Exercises and Acrobatic
Feats ; Juvenile Bal let Entertainment, "M trriage a l'a
310de,"
by Mr. Frax apton ; the Juggler, Langlois Velo-
cimane ; Burlesque Extravaganza, Messrs. D'Auhan ;
the Brothers Nelson, the Necromantic Elves ; concluding
with a ncw Comic Ch ristmas Pantomime (in Shad en-
titled " ILlrlequin Jai :k the Giant Killer, or Mother Goose,"
introducirw numerous comic juvenile holiday tableaux of
"Tom, Ton:, the Pip er's t:on," "Old Mother Hubbard,"
" Little Jack Hornor,' • ' "Polly, put the z-,ettle on," &c., and
startling effects.
Monster Christmos 7 'ree. Great Fancy Fair and Bazaar,
for the sale of all kis Ids of Christmas Presents and New
Year's Gifts.
Great choice of car tic g,res, china, and Parian ware, British
and Bohemian glass, I 'rench goods, stationery, juvetzsile and
gift books, ivory Ns rk, plated goods, jewellery, cutlery,
juvenile toys and pa' at es.
Nadar's Geant B al loon, inflated to its full dimensions,
with Compensator. said Colossal Car New and interesting
Aquaria. The Caffi .e Bread Tree, bearing its extraorAnary
fruit, in the Tropica 1 Department. The Palace appropriately
decorated with wrez tths and garlands of evergreens, flags,
mottoes, and embles slate designs, brilliantly lighted up each
evening.
Great Festival Os !gars, Orchestral Band of the Company
Cornet Solos by Mr . Levy, &c.
Open from Ten t ill r,lx for admission. Oita ShilUng.
Saturday, Halt-a-t. a 'own. t,hildren under Twelve, halt-
price.
Trains fromVictori s, London-bridge, Kensington, Euston,
North-London, and i ntermediate Stations, See Time 13111 s,

CHRISTMAS ft nd JUVENILE PRESENTS.—
GREAT CI jOICE at the CRYSTAL PALACE.

eiRYSTAL 1 ' ALACE.—NADA.R'S SEAN 1'
BALLOON.-7c a the desire to offer aspscially interesting,
feature durin,...; the _ hristmas Holidays. 'S GRANT
BAL I,OON will be: exhibited, fully inflated. On account of
the great stage erec 1 e 4 in the Centre Transept for the Christ-
mas Revels, the C o mpensator Ba loon and Mammoth Car,
with i. s va'ious roo me and appliances, is exhibited at the
North End of the N'a ye, This vast aerial machine should be
seen by every one. :Et is the wonder of the clay.

ROYAL ENGLISH- OPERA,
OVENT-GARDEN.
Under the Ma .riagement of Miss Louisa Pyne and
Mr. W. Harrison.
THIS EVE NIN( 7r, to commence with the Second Act of
Balfe's popular opera,
Ti IE BOHEMIAN GIRL.
aGI nd Christmas Pantomime, on a scale of
After which,
Unprecedented ma4.-nificence, ntitled
GEORGE AND THE DRAGON.
HA LEQUIN ,ST. GE
Doors open at half-past Six—,ommence at Seven.

TaEAT RE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E.
managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and

F. B. Chatterton.
THIS EVENING, the Farce cf A ROLAND roil AN
OLIVER. Messrs. Walter Lacy, Addison, G. Belmore,
the Misses Heath, R. Leclercq, Murray.
To conclude with the new Grand Christmas Comic Panto-
mime of SINBAD THE SAILOR ; or, The Seven Wonders
of th • World. Clowns, Messrs. H. Boleno and C. Lauri ;
Harlequins, Messrs. J. Cormack and S. Saville ; Pantaloons,
Messrs. W. A. Barn, s and J. ..uorris ; Columbines, Madame
Boleno and Misses Gunnies.
Prices as usual. Box Office open from 10 till 5 daily.

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. . _

BEL DE NIONIO (a Triumphant Success) will be repeated
Every Evening during the Week.
• • •

THIS EVENING, the performance will commence with a
New and Original Farce, entitled THE LOST CHILD :
Yessrs. IL Widdicombe, Shore, Garden, F. Charles Collett,
Moreland; Misses Percy, Pauline Lezlercq, Wood, Mrs. Lee,
s.nd Miss E. Lavenu.

After which, at Eight o'clock, BEL DENIONIO, a Love
rigtory, in Twelve Tableaux, t aken from Stendhal's "
Chronicle.," by Mr. John Brougham. Principal charai,_
ter by Mr. Fechter, supported by Messrs. Jordan, Charl,,s,
Brmgh,im, Emery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Cliffi-md,
Collett, Sims ; Miss Kate Terry, E. Layenu, Mrs. Lee, /and
Miss Elsworthy.
- •

The Public are entreated to take notice that No Ch arge Is
made to the occupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stall's, either
for play bills or for the safe keeping of hat, and cloals, and
teat the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to
receive any gratuities whatever.
Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7.

THEATRE ROYAL HAVAARKET.-
Sole Leesee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone.

THIS EVENING, OUR AMERICAN (JOUSIN : ➢lessrs.
Sothern, Buckstone, Chippendale, Brairi, Gordon, Rogers,
Clark, Cullentord, &e. ; Mesdames Angel, Snowden, Terry,
Lindley, Hill, &c

After which, KING ARTHUR ; or 'the Days and Knights
of the Round table. Messrs. Chipnendaie, Compton. Braid,
Clark, Rogers, Tilbury, &c. ; Mesd.ames L. Keeley, Brough,
Wright, Terry, Lindley, Rogers, &.c.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining.

Open for the Season.

THIS EVENING, THE HONEYMOON.

After which, HARLEQUI.N. LITTLE TOM TUCKER;
or The Fioe Lady of Banbury Cross, and the old Woman
who Lived in a Shoe and Had so Many Children she didn't
know what to do.

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

T FIIS EVENING, the new Comic Drama of the HEN
AND CHICKENS : Mrs. Stirli.n gin her original character.

Atter which, a Comical Congloinerative Christmas Absur-
dity, by Henry J Byron, Esq,, and entitled 1861; or, THE
SEN-ATIONS OF THE PAST SEASON, with a Shameful
-Revelation of Lad/ Some}irrdy's Secret. New Scenery by
Danson and Sons. Appoiritments by Mr. Ireland. Music by
M. Wallerstein. Principrl characters by Mr. J. L. Toole,
Mr. l'aul Bedford, Miss C2ottrell, Miss Fanny Josephs, &c.

And the BIRTIIPLAIJE OF PODGERS : Mr. J. L. Toole
n his original characte'r,

NEW THEIVI:RE-R0 VAL, ADELPHI.--.
Sole Prooriflor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
r THIS EVENIN'Ck, THE SPITALFIELDS WEAN ER :
Mr. J. L. Toole.

4t to Eight, the New Drama of LEAH : Miss Bate-
man, supported by Messrs. Arthur Stirling, R. Phillips, 1111-
Ition, Stuar+,,, Stephenson, Eburne; Miss H. Simms, and
and hi
T°tquelude with LADY BELLE BELLE; or, Fortunio
stene Seven 31 agi3 Men. Messrs. .J. Clarke, R. Phillips,
; MiSs Woolzar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Patti
kliss L. Laidlaw, Miss Seaman.

Commence at 7.

L 411-EVERY NIGHT.

MISS BAS
A
the 78th7a,„NLIN.—LEAH.—THIS EVENING,
BATEMAN, in iCk.rrance of the great Tragic Actress, Miss
the unbounded succeq of LEAII. In consequence of
nation of the pritcipZwith which Miss Bateman's imperso-
of LEAH has been ait,,,,,,aracter in the new Five Act Drama
that it will be perforn4e.<l. Mr Welostei• begs to announce
notice. VERY EVENING until further

ROYAL STRI.I
Manazer, Mr. W. 1.1 D THEATRE.
OBSE,6,,Swanborough.
THIS EVENING,
".12ION AND FLIRTA-
TION.
After which, the Grand Christi:nu
AND ELTRYi)ICE : Messrs. Honeprlesque, ORPHEUS
Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilt;,V,:stod, James Fenton,
To conclude witn TURN HIM OUT: "ghee, &c.
Commence at 7.

TR"THIRD EDITION OF
Containing the Latest SPORTING RiTzi.„.4 SUN,"
Dan be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON 1311IDG:
THIS DAY.—Morn:ng, sh. 46m.—Atternoon, sh. 59m.
To-wortuow.-Morning, 6h. 181n.—Afternoon, 6h.4ona‘

The Weather—Sun Office, Dec. 31, 1863.

THERMOMETER.

This day at Two o'clock 42

Barometer-29.80.
Wind—East ; moderate, and rather hazy.

- • I ' • 4,- nd,
14.!•:?; '
gljj g e:-.414,(Ct-‘l, SUIT.

LONDON, THURSDAY, DEC. 31, 1863.

The twelvemcnth which will terminate this day
atthteheetinaininr, of midnight—in the usual pause of
joy-bells ringing out the Old Year
and ri,iugg
up in theon . New—now that we can turn to
look back
31st
of
rit.,,coalb,t from the 'vantage ground of the
r, will be icund to have been, in
birriplest truth, l
is
retnark,,bie in England's
;:cl-111,,iy ways very remarkable. It
year of grace 18qa,
QaBn,a.' dynastic history, this
one within which the
heir apparent to the erowtnn
R.H. the Prince of
WALES, egpalili'd the Tear 'l. •
Danish Princess
ALEXANDRA. After the ntoi°:nii;
hadsolgtoom caused by
those c!outls of snr:orir which
over the Royal household in
ec:g hutigdarkly
, aNsoßT—it
death of the ever-lamentA PRINCE Bence
of the
came, as mast well be remembered
less than an esquisite relief to•
the whose
country, but particularly to the capital of the
pire, as the scene of the opening PageEtatry, :ltd.
afterwards to the royal borough of Windsor, as tii,
sante of the actual cermonial of the atiniage—it

came as nothing less than an exquisite relief to the
loyal subjects of the QUEEN when at last there
appeared among those clouds of grief the two radiant
breaks, first on Saturday, the `7th of March,
when the Princess ALEXANDRA arrived in England,
passing through London in a triumphal reception,
and, finally, on Tuesday the 10th of March,
when in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, Her
Royal Highness was taken to wife by the
Royal Bridegroom. Those two dates marked the
auspicious commencement of the year. Parliament
had already reassembled at Westminster before the
close of the preceding month of February. But
Parliament was in no very notable way whatever
to illustrate the twelvemonth politically, that is, by
any very striking legislative proceedings. Politi-
cally, in truth, the year has been very much like
the ruck on the Derby—nowhere. The Parliament
did little else than simply approve or reject
what had been done, or attempted to be done,
by the Ministers, apart from it. In the way
of innovation or improvement, it effected scarcely
anything, it may be said, in that way, to have
attempted scarcely anything. A reduction
of the Income Tax and a considerable modification
of the Tea Duty, were happily brought about, it is
true, by Mr. GLADSTONE, as constituting, together,
part and parcel of his highly elaborated, but not
altogether Budget, The declension of
IN
over the House, in truth,
aLA D s
T successful,os
influence
was, upon more than one occasion, signalised very
strikingly indeed during the course of this last ses-
sion, the session of 1863. And not only the decrease
of Mr. GLADSTONE'S influence, but the decrease
even of Lord PALMERSTON'S. The Chancellor of
,che Exchequer's project for imposing licenses upon
clubs, for the purpose of adding a few' wretched
little driblets to the Treasury, had to be ignomi-
niouslyl abandoned by him—had to be eliminated by
him from his Budget. The like had to be done by him,
fearfully against the grain, with regard to his still
more vexatious, his almost scandalous scheme for
extorting some petty additions to the revenue by
means of a cruel screw put upon Public Charities,
namely, by the actual taxation of endowments !
Finally, among these very noticeable sessional re-
jection of certain pet ministerial projects, there was
the stormy, the absolutely tumultuous occasion
upon which Lord PALMERSTON'S influence and Mr.
GLADSTONE'S influence, combined, failed to save ,
the Government from a very signal defeat—i e., by
tile peremptory rejection in the House of Commons
of the proposal made successively by the Premier
and the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the pur-
chase for the nation of that hideous architectural
monstrosity the International Exhibition down at
South Kensington. To this end, Lord PALMER-
STON, it is true, contrived to obtain a preliminary
vote to the extent of £67,000 for the pur-
chase of the land there. But, when a
subsequent vote of £105,000 came to be asked for
by tile Chancellor of the Exchequer for the pur-
cb.ase and alteration of the buildings there erected
',Ton that land, a vote involving an eventual
I expenditure of some A.:300,000 altogether, and
this for a purpose wholly distasteful both to
the country and to the House—who does not
remember the result ? Mr. DISRAELI himself
being, then and there, refused a hearing !
The champions of an intermediate arrangement
—an arrangement designed to satisfy all par-

ties by one of those compromises safe, whenever
adventured upon, to satisfy no one—were groaned
down in the midst of indescribable confusion ! The
division showing the rejection of the plan to have
been decided by a majority of 287, as opposed to a
minority of 181. If we except merely the triumph
of a Bill against the Garotters, the bill authorising
the infliction of corporal punishment for robberies
with violenca—we may say that but one Legislative
enactment of any value, or of any importance, was

inscribed by our Legislature on the Statute Book
in 1863, Namely, that generous measure whereby

the Crown, the Lords, and the Commons
of these realms, authorised in 1863 the
appointment of Roman Catholic Chaplains in
goals whenever prisoners of that communion are

found to be numerous. To the honour of the
Conservative leaders, be it said, they, in both
Houses, supported this measure although strenu-
ously opposed in so doing by their own party.
Among the other incidents of the session worthy of
note in any way, were the rejection of Mr. SOMES'
bill for the suppression of the sale of fermented
liquors on Sundays—the startling speech delivered
by Lord HENRY LENNOX revealing certain flagrant
indications of misgovernment in Southern Italy,
under the rule of the Liberating King—Mr.
COBDEN'S vehement attack, DON on the Admi-
ralty system, now upon the popular Prime Minister
(preliminary tokens of ascerbity destined to even-
tuate in the same hon. member's flagrant personal
onslaught upon the Editor of the Times newspaper)
—Mr. POPE HENNESSY'S noble advocacy in the
House of Commons, and Lord ELLENBOROUGII'S in
the House of Lords, their noble and often re-
newed advocacy in both houses of the outraged
rights and imperilled liberties of Poland—Mr.
BERNAL OSBORNE'S brilliant, and in many ways
admirable speech on the Irish Church Question—
and, to crown all, as perhaps the incident of
the session, the extracrdinary exhibition of
himself made by Mr. ROEBUCK in his novel
aspect as Tearem fawning about the ancles and
licking the boots of the Emperor NAPOLEON !
Tearem, who but very recently, indeed, before that,
had, when appazently in a half rabid state, been
so very noisily and spitefully yelping at the heels
of his Imperial MAJESTY !

Although England has alone among the nations
of Europe, not only refused, but discourteously
refused to accede to the French EMPEROR's propo-
9ittbe
nof a Congress of Peace—a Congress that may
been Utopian, but might have proved in
EOra,
praot gadeven though it were but partially,e_tas swept aside the mere chance of an
avoidance q u
general war everyday becoming
morn
given
two
signal nevertheless England, in 18G3, has
indications of her solicitude to
maintain a charttt
of
bymoderation and of magna-
nimity,Greeco when
potroffet
,t declining the Crown of
Prince ALFRED. And secondly,
Royal Highness
:4151') by ceding to the
of those lonian
Kingdom of Greece the
these realms
Ihsalsa,nsdisn
coev et
the
w
eill'iocahce tohfelBlls''':Zieto.f
ed the rights
of Sovereignty under the tithz,
And form of a
Protectorate.

Altogether the year now drawing rtiviiity to its
close, this year of grace chit fly
1863, will .be
remembered in the hereafter as perhaps sbe,
twist
remarkably signalised as a moat
FIlloer:::::
twelvemonth by certain startlingly distinctive
peculiarities noticeable in its Obituary.
the compass of this one year, England has had to
mourn over the death of many of her chiefs, of her
chiefs in many ways, of her chiefs in many 'l;ff°-
rent departments and professions. The head of the
War Department, Sir GEORGE LEWIS! The Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, Dr. SumNER! The Archbishop
Dublin, Dr. WIIATELY ! The Governor-General
of India, the Earl of ELGIN ! The Judge of the
new Divorce Court, Sir CRESWELL CRESWELL !
The most venerable of all the occupant, of the Bench,
Nit'. Justice WIGHTMAN ! One of the most illustrious
of her ez-Chancellors, Lord LYNDHUItU! TWO of the

most conspicuous of her warriors, Field-Marshal
Lord CLYDE and General Sir JAMES OUTRAM ! One
of the very greatest of her national painters, WIL-
LIAM MULREADY, R.A,, not forgetting that
great artist's younger and accomplished brother
academician, AUGUSTUS EGG! Finally—passing
over a throng of eminent men and women, also gone
from the midst of us in 1863, a novelist like Mrs.
TRoLLOPE, a religious poet like Dr. FABER, an
engraver like Mr. \VILLMORE, an architect like
Professor COCKERELL—has not England had bitter
reason to mourn the loss this year of an inimitable
writer like WILLIAM MAKEPEACE TIIACKERAY,
with whose great name, as one of the latest, as it is
al•eo one of the very noblest on the list, we close the
melancholy catalogue.

The winter mouths are usually regarded as a
'me of trial for the poor. The long nights en-

tailing the use of artificial light, the bitter weather
necessitating warmer clothing and frequent fires,
and the increased price of provisions are all matters
of regret and causes of uneasiness to the anxious
head of the little household who finds it quite
enough to do to keep the mouths fed and the feet
shod in the glowing summer days. Cold and
hunger are formidable foes when the cupboard is
empty and the hearth cheerless; but winter too
often adds to all these troubles by bringing in its
train a scarcity of work. Many trades can only
be advantageously carried on by daylight, and what
is called in London the dull season is generally
dull in commercial as well as in fashionable circles.
At the present time a good many complaints are
being made of the badness of the season, and the
crowds who beset our workhouse doors to obtain a
night's lodging painfully confirm the truth of such
lamentations. It is therefore with great regret that
we see an honest and profitable means of obtaining u
livelihood about to be taken from the poor at a season
so unfriendly to them. 'We allude to the printed
aotices now placarded throughout the district of
Mary lebone, which inform the public that all street
obstructions are to be forthwith removed from the
neighbourhood, and that after this week all goods
exposed for sale outside shops, and all barrows,
trucks, and stalls, found infringing the notice, will
be seized, and legal penalties enforced. This notice,
which, it seems, has taken the locality in question
by surprise, has excited a good deal of angry feel-
ing, and several of the placards have been defaced
and torn down as victims to popular indignation.
It is not astonishing that the inhabitants of the sur-
rounding parts are somewhat excited on the subject,
since it will not only occasion considerable incon-
venience to humble householders, but throw a large
number of destitute persons entirely out of employ-
ment, probably bringing them to the parish as bur-
dens on the ratepayers. It will be remembered
that some time ago a similar attempt was made in
Westminster, and the street stalls in Broadway,
Strutton-ground, and other places, were removed,
and their owners dispersed. Some influential per-
sons of the vicinity, sympathising in the distress
occasioned by this proceeding, endeavoured to pro-
cure a reversion of the sentence. They succeeded
so far as to obtain from the Local Board the cancel-
ling of the original motion which had occa-
sioned the interference of Sir RICHARD
MAYNE, but that functionary persistently
refused to withdraw his orders. Several
public meetings on the subject were held in the
locality, and the cause of the stallkeepers and bar-
row-holders was supported by most of the respect-
able tradesmen belonging to those parts. It seemed
to be unanimously admitted that the stallkeepers
were there by right of ancient custom, some of the
stalls having been held by the same family for fifty

years, and that no fault was to be found with their

conduct, which was orderly and respectable, while
the wives of crtisans and other pour people found
these irregular shops afford them great convenience.
Notwithstanding the unanimous feeling of the

neighbourhood, however, Sir RICHARD MAINE de-

clined to suffer the stalls and barrows to return to
their old quarterF, although the anxiety and excite-
ment among the lower classes was said to be very
great, and many of the aged stallkeepers, who were

fit for no other occupation, declared they must go
to the workhouse if their unly means of support
were taken from them. The matter, we believe,

still remains in abeyance, and most probably many
of these poor people have been compelled to throw
themselves on the parish since winter set in.

Whether the younger and more ablebodied of their
fellows have followed their example, or whether
they have taken to darker and more dangerous

courses, we may not tell, but we know
the terrible temptations that await friendless

poverty, soured by disappointment, and irri-
tated by a sense of harsh treatment and
injustice. Whatever hardships they may have
been reduced to, it seems that such considerations
have little or no weight with the authorities of

Marylebone, who have chosen the heart of the
winter for suddenly discovering that the stalls
and barrows, which have been in their streets for
years, are obstructions and incumbrances. It is a
serious thing to deprive men and women of the
means of honestly earning their daily bread; it
should not be lightly done without thinking of the
evil and misery which it may entail. The class
who suffer from these arbitrary proceedings are not
in a position to make themselves heard. Unless
some more fortunately-situated persons take up
their cause there is not much chance of its being
known. They cannot make speeches, write letters,

or bring their grievances in any way prominently
forward, but they can feel nevertheless. They slip

quietly out of sight, sinking lower and lower in
the scale, reaching the depths of poverty, perhaps

of crime, and without the effect being traced back
to the cause by the indifferent and careless lookers-

on. If the inhabitants of a district do not complain

of inconvenience or obstruction, there seems to be
little reason for official interference ; but if such a

change must be made this is surely not the season
to select for it. We shall hope to hear that the re.
formers have reconsidered their proceedings, and
the fulfilment of their threat, if not altogether
abandoned, has at least been considerably delayed.

Sir JOHN PAKINGTON'S remarks on Education
are always well worthy of perusal, and we are sure
to glean therefrom a correct idea of the state of
affairs in that department, and some good general
opinions on the progress and influence of these
Societies and Institutions that have of late years
sprung up in various forms in so many places, and
been productive of a new era in the intellectual
development of the age. In nothing, indeed, has
the social history of our community been more dis•
tiuguished than in the formation of these societies.
In this instance Sir Joins PAKINGTON delivered at,
address at the Kidderminster Mutual Improvement
Society, The right hon. baronet entered at some
length into the chief points that were suggested by
the subjects before him, and very truly declared
that all thes '
o
n institutions were most important in
fostering the moral and intellectual improvement
f tlio people. This
1.8 quite correct, and it is im-
possible to over-estimate the importance of this
movement as a great national work, whose
influ-
ence on the population, if gradually
more strong demons-
infused, is yet
and of a nature to survive many
more startling e
also referred tochanges and
tsruertteilnyns imparted, ,
Sir JOHN F4KINGIoS

the excellent address of the Marquis of HARTING-
TON to a meeting in Lancashire, in which he made
some very noticeable remarks on what be
had seen in America. His speech has since
aroused the wrath of Mr. BRIGHT, who
is virtuously indignant that his chosen race
should be thus satirised, and spoke in no
measured terms of the mistakes made by Lord
HARTINGTON. It would not appear, however,
to an attentive observer that there is any exagge
ration at all in the forcible language of his lord-
ship, but Mr. BRIGHT may subscribe to the
adage that the greater the truth the greater the
libel. The chief faults of the American character
may be traced to their origin in the accounts given
by Lord HARTINGTON of the process of education
to which the young are subjected. They are taught
to admire what is large more than what is good, and
especially to think most of all that is American.
These feelings developed more fully have been
exhibited to the world since the outbreak of the
great war now raging, and the sad spectacle of want
of faith, and lamentable omission of all chivalrous
feelings that have been conspicuous on one side of
the belligerents, at all events may bear strong evi-
dence of the faulty nature of the instruction im-
parted in early years, and the lack of high principle
as the foundation of all conduct in peace or war.
Sir JOHN PAKINGTON likewise discoursed on the vast
advantages possessed by our press over that of Ame-
rica. The newspapers of that country exercise a
most deleterious influence on the public mind, and
it is to be deeply regretted that so clever and ener-•
getic a people are so led astray, and carried away
by the food so unwisely afforded to their intellects.
Our own press, however mistaken in some points, is
conducted in a very different spirit, and is influ-
enced by a much higher tone, as constrasted with
the mode established in America. Sir Joms
PAKINGTON alluded in very favourable terms to
these institutions for the benefit of the working
classes after they have left school. It stands to reason
that with the claims upon them the poor children
cannot he kept long from taking their share in the
burdens of the family, and thus they are removed
from a place where they would acquire the genial
influences of instruction, and be subjected to the
elevating and exciting effects of knowledge. It is
after this deprivation that all these societies are so
useful; they come in as land marks for the igno-
rant, as beacons for the cultivated, and as a good
meeting-ground for all to unite the various ideas
and several schemes that may float vaguely through
the mind, but will come to nought if left totally
neglected and passed by. It is a very gratifying
thing to reflect upon, that many by these intellectual
enjoyments and intelligent pursuits are prevented
from falling into temptation, and also are enabled
to acquire a keener relish for the best and wisest
subjects of contemplation, instead of gradually
sinking down into the standard of mere sensual
amusements and grovelling pursuits. The mind
that does not go forward must deteriorate, and in
a few years the few acquirements that were gained
at school will be almost forgotten, and the possessor
be deprived of the valued store, inasmuch as they
can serve to guard and guide him in the labyrinth
of life. There seems some force in Sir
JOHN PAKINGTON'S observations regarding the
superiority of classes over lectures, the former ; be
said, would be found the best means of repairing
the deficiencies that those who had been neglected
in earlier years might have to complain of, and
should therefore be well attended to and sedulously
caredifor. The right hon. baronet's closing remark
has been fully verified of late years, that it was in
times of trouble that they all learned to appreciate
the benefits of these Institutions. They then
exhibited the vast amount of good that in more
equable states of society had lain dormant. The
events in Lancashire have been striking proofs to
attest the veracity of this statement, and such an
example stimulate other places to go and do like-
wise, to prepare themselves in the suiet days for the
dark time that may one day overtake them, and
whose fierce ordeal can only be successfully passed
through by those who have strengthened their
mind to endure disappointment by the lessons of
wisdom and the teachings of reflection, which in
the evil days will not fail them, but remain their
firm and constant supporters and their allies.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

[REIJTER'S TELEGRAM.]

DUKE FREDERICK PROCLAIMED AT
KIEL.
HAMBURG, DEC. 31.

On Wednesday night the Duke of Augustenburg
travelled by way of Harburg by steamer to Gluck-
stadt, and thenc3 by special train to Kiel, where he
arrived at three o'clock. He entered the town in
an open carriage, and was received with great
enthusiasm.

The Prince was proclaimed Duke of Schleswig-
Holstein, and showed himself to the people.

By request of the inhabitants, the Duke will
remain three days at Kiel in a private capacity. In
order not to aggravate the difficulties of the Fede-
ral Commissioners, the Duke intends subsequently
to return to Altona.

The Federal Commissioners have applied to
Frankfort for fresh instructions.

MEXICO.

PARIS, DEC. 21.
News from Vera Cruz to the 2d ult. have been

received here.

The report of General Miramon's death is con-
firmed. General Bazaine is on his march towards
the Pacific. Another corps is marching upon San
Luiz. Soles and Ormachez have resigned their
posts as members of the regency. General Negre
commands at the city of Mexico. The French
troops will shortly evacuate Vera Cruz, and the
Mexican forces will occupy all the districts of the
Terra Caliente actually conquered. M. De Saligny
is about to return to France.

HAMBURG, DEC. 31.

The Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark will
shortly proceed to the army. His Royal Highness
is now residing in Schleswig. The King will visit
the army at the beginning of January. The royal
effects have already arrived at Gottorf.
The Dines distrnst the Schleswig regiments, and
occupy them in the construction of earthworks,

ALTONA, DEC. 31.

In consequence of the resolution passed yesterday
by the Municipality a deputation from the Muni-
cipal authorities will proceed to Kiel to pay homage
to the Duke of Augustenburg, in the name of the
city of Altona.

THE SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN QUESTION•

The Cologne Gazette of yesterday contains the
following letter, sent by the Duke of Augustenburg
to the Emperor Napoleon, and his Majesty's reply :
Sire,—Having taken possession, after the decease of his
late Majesty Frederic VII., of the Government of the
Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein—the obligation to do so be-
ing imposed on me in my quality of legitimate heir—l
venture to submit to the high justice of your Majesty some
observations relative to the rights which it is my duty to
claim in the name of my house, and still more so in the
name of my country.
Assuredly the essential points of this grave question
have not escaped the penetrating regard of your Majesty,
but the spirit of party and the passions excited by interests
foreign to the question of right have so tended to obscure
this cause, so simple in itself, that your Majesty, I hope,
will excuse the eagerness which induces me to succinctly
recall in this letter the bases on which, as it appears to me,
the cause should be judged. Just in the sight of God; the
cause which I am called on to defend certainly has not to
dread the judgment of any impartial tribunal. It suffices
that it should be investigated without prejudice.

All the sympathy which the unfortunate situation of my
country might inspire may be dispensed with—a rigorouily
impartial examination of our rights and our troubles is all
that we demand in the face of Heaven. And it is this rigor-
ous but impartial examination—but free from all prejudice
—that before all I venture to hope, with entire confidence,
from your Majesty, from that spirit of high justice which
you have so many times manifested in so magnanimous a
manner.

But, sire, in confining myself to demand justice for my
country, I should not forget the circumstances which espe-
cially impose on me a duty, and which without doubt will
be of great weight in the sight of a generous equity. In
the cause of the duchies, positive and historical right is
found in union with the wishes of their numerous and
loyal population, with their dearest and most holy inte-
rests—with the interests of their nationality. Your Ma-
jesty has never been indifferent to the voice of oppressed
pecples—the whole of Europe bears witness to this. Yeur
Majesty will still deign to sympathise with the sufferings,
with the unjust oppression, which the inhabitants of
Schlesw fg-Holstein have suffered because they have re-
mained faithful to the traditions of their country and to tree
language and customs of their fathers. It is through me,
from the success of my claims, that they expect the termina-
tion of their sufferings, and I venture to say it is on this
account, on account of these hopes, 1 cannot renounce the
duty of seeking the re-establishment of the hereditary
rights which have developed upon me.
Besides, we cannot refuse to perceive that the ques-

tion so much debated in the duchies is now of great im-
portance in more than one respect, and extends far beyond
the material interests immediately involved. It excites a

lively and impassioned interest, such as, in short, may lead
to grave consequences if its effects an not appreciated
at their just value. The whole of Germany is agitated.
A glance at the whole of the German countries, from the
boriers of the Rhine to the shores of the Baltic, suffices to
produce the conviction that men's minds there are not
satisfied, that peace and public tranquillity will never be
restored there on a solid basis; that, in short, the torch of
revolution will not be extinguished till the question of the
duchies is settled in conformity with the laws of equity and
with the interest of netio❑ality—uatil, in fact, th:s country
is wrested from the domination of the foreigner, and re-
stored to its legitimate sovereign. It should be well un-
derstood that any decision in an opposite sense can only be
regarded as iirovisional in the eyes of 40,000,000 of Ger-
mans. Even should it be sought to clothe such a decision
in the most solemn forms, it would never be regarded by
the nation otherwise than as a struggle to be recom-
menced. Without doubt it is superfluous to descant further
on the dangers of such a situation. They are but too
evident. _ _

And he who demands justice in the name of a right vene •
rable and sacred on so many accounts, and in the name
of important interests of which destiny has rendered him
depositary—will it not be permitted to him to believe that
your Majesty intends, and that fate offers you the opportu-
nity to second, the noble enterprises for which Europe is
bound to thank you—those generous efforts, the object of
which is to render justice to the interests of nationality, in
avoiding the dangers wh ch surround their claims, as elo-
quent words have recently proclaimed before the whole of

Europe.
In confidently submitting the question of right to the en-

lightened appreciation of your Majesty, I dare to hope, sire,
that the noble cause confided to me will find its best sup-
port in the elevated views and the generous sentiments
which animate you.
In casting a retrospective glance over my past life, I find
in it melancholy reminiscences. I also have had to struggle
against an adverse fate; I have had to support painful re-
verses ; and, if a feeling of pride were permitted me, I would
add that I also have never lost courage, I have never re-
nounced hope, nor forsaken my duty. May Providence also
accord, in a much more modest degree, that fortunate suc-
cess of which one of the most illustrious Sovereigns of
Europe and one of the moat powerful Crowns offers to the
world so glorious an example.
When I recall the happy days I have been permitted to
spend in France, at the Court of your Majesty, when I pro •
ceeded thither to present the homage of sentiments which
are due to you on so many accounts, the remembrance of
the magnanimous interest which your 'Majesty was good
enough to display towards me, of the kind words which
you did me the honour to address to me, presents itself
vividly to my memory. It is a sweet satisfaction to dwell
on this, and this happy memory seems to me to be a gua-
rantee for the future. _ _ .

--- ---
I— now await without fear the decision to which your Ma.

jesty will be pleased to arrive at respecting my good and
just cause, Full of confidence, I dare to hope that you will
not reject a claim for rights the legitimacy of which cannot
be doubted that, on the contrary, you will deign to receive
my claims with a generous sympathy, and accord to them
the powerful support of the suffrage of France.—l have the
honour to be, &c.,

Gotha, Dec, 2, 1863,

(Signed FREDERIC.

ANSWER OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.

My Cousin,—l have read with great interest the letter
which you have sent to me, and 1 hasten to reply to it.
I know nothing more honourable than to be the repre-
sentative of a cause which supports itself on the inde-
pendence and the nationality of a people ; and on this ac-
count you may rely on my sympathy, for I shall be always
consistent in my conduct. If I hale fought for Italian
independence, if I have raised my voice for Polish na-
tionality, I cannot have other sentimmts in Germany, nor
obey other principles. But the Great Powers are united
by the Convention of London, and their assembling can
alone resolve without difficulties the question which inte-
rests you. I regret, then, very sincerely on this account,
as on so many others, that England has refused to assist
at the Congress which I proposed.
It is unfortunate that the Diet was not consulted on
the rights of a duchy forming part of the German Confe-
deration ; also Denmark may be in the wrong as regards
Germany; but on one side I deplore that the Confedera-
tion believed itself obliged to intervene in Holstein before
the question of succession was decided, for intervention,
which can bring on very grave complications, does not de-
cide this question, and if Denmark were oppressed by
powerful neighbours public opinion would incline towards
her.
I therefore sincerely wish that your rights may be
examined by the Germanic Diet, that their decisions may
be submitted to the signatures of the Convention of Lon-
don, and that thus the national sentiment which is
manifested so energetically in Germany my receive by
common accord a legitimate satisfaction.
I embrace with pleasure this occasion to offer you the
assurance of my esteem and constant favour. On this, my
cousin, I pray God that Ho may have you in His sacred
keeping.
NAPOLEON.
Compiegne, Dec. 10, 1863.

LIGHT LITERATURE.—The following are the
titles of some of the tales now in course of publica-
tion in the penny and halfpenny weekly journals :—' Red-
Handel Hugh, or the Heir of Osmond Hall'—' The Man
in Gray,' by the author of ' The Woman in Black'—
' Sea Drift, or tho Wreckers of the Channel '—' The Basi-
lisk's Eye'—' Deeds of Darkness, or a Fight against Fate'—
' The Smuggler Chieftain, or the Witch of Eccleston Moor'
—'
The Gipsey Buccaneer, or Secret of the Sea'—' Claude
Duval, or the Dashing Highwayman'—' The Hunted
Felon, or a Mother's Vengeance, by the author of ' The
Murdered Wife'—' Oscar Bertrand,' by the author of ' The
Black Band'—' Cartouche, or the Noble Highwayman'
—'
The Queen of Night, or the Secret of the Red Lodge'—
' Isabel's Vengeance, a Romance of London Life'—' The
Mystery of Merlin's Cave,' by the author of ' Leonora, or
Crime of the Deepest Dye , "The Daughter of
Midnight, by the author of ' Ruth the Betrayer, or
the Female Spy '—'Mazeppa, or the Dwarf's Rev:nig:so,7i
'Philip's Revenge, a Story of a Lone Island'-:_..S. tNow
Stringed Jack, or the Daring Highwayman.'--,_."1
or the
Mysteries of London'—' The Women of Lonocloaurrai:
Dive', or the Lady Highwayman'-
4,l4Sheraber'—' Con-
Highwayman's Daughter'—' The k Bess, or the
vat
us:
ci 1
s adventures
_ ,
observedL Ea
tso T
dawn,
alt wll nA Jonathan
a, few
33 Vei :dd.
aa2ny9ds.
fessions of a Tieket•ol-Leave Man'-- P
Mormon's Baugh tee-
-11
Brack
Skin,
Knight of the Road'—' Jessie, the
' The Ghost's Secret, a Terror f
Romance giving the
Jack Sheppard.'
LIFEBOAT .._,Elt
—A large ship
proceeded
2,1
ei feedbeoda tt
to her
etrhaesns
assistance.
oa institution
ago, on the Cefrt si,d,an Sands.. in Carmarthen Bay, during
squally weather.
at F
arriv-
ing a the sands they found that the ship lay in a very
erryside at once'
perilous position, with her head to the northwards, and
with only four feet of water alongside at low water. By
the timely assistance of the lifeboat the vessel was fortu-
nately got afloat, and taken to a safe anchorage in Caldy
Roads. The lifeboat remained by her the whole of the
day and night. The vessel proved to be the ship British
India, of Liverpool, 2,000 tons burthen, bound from Bom-
bay W that port with a general cargo.