The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-25 00:00:00

I'HE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 25, 1863

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25, 1863.

In the House of Lords last evening,
Lord LIFFORD moved the second reading of the
East Gloucestershire Railway Bill, which was op-
posed by Lord Redesdale, and after a short discus-
sion the debate was adjourned.
The English Church Services in Wales Bill was
read a second time.
Lord STRATUEDEN asked whether the Govern-
ment intended eniorcing that part of the Volunteer
Commission report, which recommended the delay
of brigade and divisional field days until after the
close of the battalion drill of the season.
Earl de GREY and RIPON said it was thought, on
the ground of convenience, unadvisable to press
this point. Whit-Monday might have advantages
as a geld-day, but it was not such a general holiday
as Easter Monday.
Lord Tauno agreed with the noble lord, and
after a few words from Lord Stratheden their Lord-
ships adjourned.
In the House of Commons, Mr. ADDINGTON took
his teat for Devizes.

On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, it was
ordered that the House at its rising should adjourn
till Thursday.
In reply to Sir G. BOWYER,
Mr. LAYARD stated that no treaty or agreement
had bee❑ made with the Italian Government for the
extradition of persons resident in Malta who were
charged with having committed offences in Italy.
It had been proposed by the Government that a
local ordinance should be passed for the surrender
of criminals who were not political refugees. This
would shortly be carried into effect.
In answer to Mr. HADFIELD,
Lord PALMERS'IoN said the House would not sit
on the Prince of Wales's marriage day.
Mr. HOPWOOD having made inquiry respecting
the offer of the Imperial Government to mediate in
America,

Lord PALMERSTON said that the only official
document
on the subject was the despatch from
Lord R ussdl to Lord Cowley of the 30th November
which was already before the House. It must be
obvious to the House that it would be highly in.
convenient, even if it Welts possible, for her
Majesty's Government to give any information
respecting the correspondence of a foreign Go.
vcrnment with its own agents.
Sir JOHN HAY then brought forward his motion
respecting promotion and retirement in the navy.
He dwelt upon the great discontent existing
among the officers of the navy, and observed that
the justice of their complaints was in some man-
ner admitted by the Premier's amendment, which
referred the matter to a select committee. At present
there were no less than six descriptions of retired
lists of admirals, ten of captains, four of comma'''. -
ers, and three of lieutenants. Tn...re was no reason
for sc; many lists, which only PLo4uced ccniusion.

He proposed to amalgamate all these retired lists,
to give the officers a fair amount of retiring pen-
sions, and do away with the professional jealousies;
excited by the irregularities of the existing system.
He proposed to reduce the admirals on the list to
60, which did an injustice to no one. The proposi-
tion was that when an officer passed the age for a
given rank he should retire to the rank above it. It
was also proposed to reduce the list of captains from
350 to 250. It was found that not more than 120
were employed, and this reduction would give all
the captains the opportunity of frequent service, or
if not, of retiring. The number of all classes of
officers in the active list he would reduce to 1,313
from 1,753, and would prevent its further increase.
The hon. gentleman then objected to the lowness
of the pay, and brought forward several examples
of the hardships and difficulties forced upon
officers in command by the necessities of their
position. He pointed out the startling differences
in the remuneration of the naval officers of Eng-
land, France, and America, showing that the lowest
American pay was considerably more than the
highest English.
The motion having been seconded by Sir J.
ELPHINSTONE,

Lord PALMERSTON rose in answer to general
calls and observed that he was willing to do justice
to Sir John Hay's motives, but censured the course
that he had pursued in and out of the house. Mili-
tary and naval bodies should not become delibera-
tive assemblies to force their own views on the Go-
vernment: It would be impossible to improve the
condition of naval officers without including the
men, which would entail changes in the army, and
involve an enormous increase in the expenditure.
He thought it very undesirable that the the house
should interfere with the functions of the Executive.
The two first resolutiocs were so vague that, if
passed, the Government would be perplexed how to
carry them out. The third be did not think de-
sirable, owing to its effect in increasing the public
expenditure. The Government bad no objection to
a select committee on the subject. The noble lord
therefore concluded by moving as an amendment,
the appointment of a select committee.
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE cordially supported the
motion, and hoped if a committee were appointed it
would be a fairer one than the last, which satisfied
neither the public nor the service.
Admiral DUNCOMBE commented on the prepon-
derance of Government supporters in the committee
of 1861.
Sir R. CLIFTON supported the motion.

Mr. BAILLIE COCHRANE doubted as to some parts
of the scheme, but highly approved the ability and
sagacity of its general outline.
Mr. FERRAND asked how naval officers were to
obtain redress if they were forbidden to appeal to
the House of Commons.

Mr. BENTINCK reminded the House that the ma
jority of the committee of 1861 were persons con-
nected with the Admiralty.
Lord CLARENCE PAGET replied to Sir John Hay's
speech, and declared his scheme to be the most im-
practicable and unfortunate that had ever been pro-
pounded. It would reduce the list of commanders,
although, if we required to send ten line-of-battle
ships to sea, it would be impossible to find officers
to command them.

Sir S. PAKINGTON was persua,-3ed that a satisfac-
tory system was impossible until the principle of
retirement by age was adopted throughout the ser-
vice. He had moved for a commission in 1860, and
bad been defeated, but the motion had been carried
the year following against the wish of Lord Palmer-
ston. The conduct of the Government was most in-
consistent; they seemed afraid-to grapple with any
difficulty. Our naval officers to be effective mus
be contented, and the present dissatisfaction was
proved by the refusal of officers to take the command
of ships, because they could not afford them. Under
all circumstances he advised Sir S. Hay to accept
the compromise, and withdraw the motion in favour
of Lord Palmerston's amendment. After some dis-
cussion the original motion was withdrawn and
the amendment carried.

Leave was then given to bring in several bills,
among them one by Sir G. GREY, to make provi-
sion concerning bills of exchange and promissory
notes payable in the metropolis on the 7th ci
March next.

The Prince and Princess of Wales Annuities
Bill passed through committee.
In answer to Mr. NEWDEGATE, Lord PALMER-
STON said the Princess Alexandra united all the
necessary qualifications for a Princess of Wales
The House adjourned at half-past ten until Thur-
sday next.

' The debate last night on Sir JOHN HAY'S motion
on the State of our Naval Officers shares the fate
which we had predicted—Lord PALMESTON'S
amendment to have it referred to a committee
having been carried. In fact the noble lord con-
sidered that the complaints of the officers
amounted to a breach of naval discipline.
If the first Minister of the Crown really
thought so, why did he not order the
whole batch to be tried by a Court Martial
and so bring out the true facts of their alleged
grievances, and award the proper punishment for
such disobedience of conduct ? The noble lord
knew better. He admitted that the question had
been brought before the House some years
ago, and that a Committee had sat long and
often, so long indeed that true to the
practice of all Government Committees on
grievances they spun out the inquiry to the end
of the Session, as in duty bound, and separated
without making any report on their proceeding-,
That Committee was composed of eminent member,
of the House, and, better still, had the singu-
lar advantage of rejoicing in the company
of all the First _Lords of the Admiralty
for years back —in fact, of all living
first Lords—men who sat and acted on that tribu-
nal as judges, prosecutor, jurors, and defendents,
all in one, to try their own case! Was ever such
a disinterested tribunal so constituted before
And now the noble lord proposes to reconstitute
the same board to try another and the same board
as to what shall not be done. They may
inquire and inquire, and remark on the
evidence and adjourn and meet, adjourn
and reassemble again and again, but all to little or
no purpose. Sir JOHN HAY wished to amend the
present unsatisfactory position of naval officers as
to promotion and pay—remarking, as to pay, that
in the French and American services—the one was
paid 44 per cent. and the other 200 per cent. above
our own. But Lord PALMERSToN said that if the
Navy demands were granted--the Army, the Civil
Service, and even the Law would be up
and demanding similar remuneration for their re-
spective services, which would increase the taxes,
at which people were now becoming very impa_
tient, no doubt from their ignorance of what taxa-
tion should be. All this may sound very plausible
to men in office, but it is cruel to those who have
cause complain of real grievances. And that there
is just cause is acknowledged by the noble Lord
proposing another committee on the subject.
As the Navy List has been swollen by previous
promotions to an enormous degree chiefly to satisfy
the clamours of party, the evil is now becoming so
pressingly felt, that recourse to some remedy is in-
dispensable, in order to alleviate the grievance. Age
is considered by Sir JOHN HAY as the fairest cri-
terion for all parties, whatever be or have been
their services. He thinks that in a short
time the application of this principle would
work beneficially as well as fairly to all concerned
—and we think so too. The Board of Admiralty
itself has been long considered as a national grie-
vance with its dockyard Waste and
party
—all
its
ro ipatronagesdoi
nagnsd itsbei
being
individualgrei.,,r
redirtroesatpbhou::c wyasibs—oillreiikt2ta
is.l
it is ciumb to any clitugo of corruption
ing a,s before just as if nothing were

amiss ! Why not have a Board of Admiralty
so constituted as to be wholly independent of party,
and responsible to Parliament and the country for
the faithful discharge of its public duty P Such a
Board would save the country ten times the amount
of money that is now required to satisfy the rea-
sonable demands of the service in officers and men.
Sir JOHN ELparNsToNE spoke in an effective
manner in support of the motion, and referred to a
letter of Lord NELSON'S in 1802 on the matter, in
which the gallant seaman referred to the subject,
quoting the following lines, from an old writer at
the end of a previous war :
" Our GOD and our sailors 'e alike adore
In time of danger, not before :
The danger past—both are alike requited—,
GOD is forgotten, and the sailor slighted."

Ever so now. Nor will all the sophistry in
the world palliate injustice. It may ward
off the evil day, but only for a time,
till necessity command that justice which, if

conceded with grace, would have conciliated dis-
affection, and, like virtue, become its own reward.
Let us hope that those in power now may yet act
as they would be done to themselves when out of
command. Let them be just and fear not.

It is satisfactory to notice that the House of
Lords has decided to take time to consider the ques-
tion of the proposed railway station in Finsbury-
circus. It is always undesirable to interfere with
those localities which afford the means of fresh air
and exercise to the toiling workers who so much
require it. Finsbury-circus has peculiar and par-
ticular advantages which ought to be set against
the claims of those who wish to destroy it as it at
present exists. Lord DERBY forcibly put the case
before the house, when he said that" their lordships
would doubtless hesitate before they agreed
to any measure apppropriating Berkley-square
to such a purpose, and he did not
think it was fair to make laws for the east-
end which they would not do for the west." What
would be of little real consequence to those who
can at any time afford to take change of air, and
spend a great part of the year out of town altoge-
ther, becomes of vital moment to those who are for
the most part fixed in one locality during their
whole lives, and who, however unpleasant or un-
comfortable the sphere of their labours may he, are
compelled to accept it as an inevtable necessity. As
a writer on the subject truly observed in discours-
ing on the crowded and inconvenient localities
where the poor for the most part congregate, " they
seem destined to know no other homes than these
till they are called upon to enter the
common home of our race." Now, if these
poor people are deprived of the means of getting
fresh air in the only place of access in their densely-
populated neighbourhood, the consequences will be
very deplorable. It has been said that railways in
poor neighbonrhoods were the means of affording
freer circulation of air, by opening up crowded
places ; but this argument cannot hold good in this
instance, since the plan proposed is to build on the
only open space that appears for a considerable
distance. It is very desirable that time should be
taken to consider this scheme, in conjunction with
the other projects of railway traffic in the
metropolis. Another point to which Lord
DERBY referred was, that the greatest con-
fusion would prevail if the House of Commons
proceeded upon one s'et of standing orders with some
railway bills, and their lordships' house went upon
a different set without reference to the merits of the
bills submitted to them. "He would venture to
suggest to the Government that there should be an
alteration in their lordships' standing orders, and
he earnestly hoped that the Board of Trade would be
called on for a special report not only upon the
merits of each bill, but as regarded the vast net-
work of railways projected, so that the conve-
nience of the public might be properly considered.
He would also ask whether it might not be possi-
ble so to group the different railways as to bring
under the attention of each committee the rail-
ways specially connected together, whereby
the committee would be able to exercise a
better judgment upon the merits of each scheme."
This proposal of the noble Earl seems based upon
sound policy, and it is to be hoped that this or
some similar plan will be adopted, or the really
admirable proposal of metropolitan railways will
result in disappointment to those who are plan-
ning them with so much energy and spirit, and
prove sources of annoyance and discomfort to those
who expect to derive benefit from them in so many
ways, both as regards time and convenience,
in which respect the travellers by the pre-
sent modes of city transit suffer so considerably.

The sympathy expressed by the French for the
Poles redounds to their credit, while it must be a
great consolation and encouragement to that out-
raged and afflicted people. A petition in favour of
the Poles has been presented to the Senate by M.
SAINT MARC GIRARDIN, bearing 2,000 signatures.
The report of the committee upon this petition will
shortly be made, and wi'l afford an opportunity for
.1 further expression of feeling. The French press
is unanimous in its opinions. Le Constituttonnel of
this morning declares its conviction that the uni-
versal reprobation which has been ex-
pressed throughout Europe with regard to
the convention between Prussia and Russia
is reassuring, for it renders it almost impossible
that it should not be abandoned. Against it, says
this semi-official organ, are ranged all humane and
generous sentiments, right, justice, and equity, and
at the present day there can scarcely be found a
Government so ill advised as to go directly against
public opinion. The voice of Europe is at present
a warning ; the Prussian Government could hardly
desire to convert it into a menace. Another journal
remarks that Russia is powerless, Prussia an
inefficient ally, and the occasion is therefore favour-
able. Let the three great powers hold the same
language at Berlin, and they will be listened to.
Nothing, as has been justly observed, has so well
served the cause of the Poles as the interference of
Prussia. The convention of February has put the

climax to the conscription.
, According to the rumours on the Bourse, the
Prussian Cabinet has angrily refused to listen to
the remonstrances of the French Ambassador. This
may very possibly be premature, but we have little
hope that the Prussian KING and his Minister, so
well matched in obstinacy and shortsightedness,
will listen to the voice of reason. The Monitour
preserves its discreet silence, committing the
EMPEROR to neither side. This would seem to
indicate that he is waiting the result of his diplo-
matic overtures before he indicates his future
policy. Russia and Prussia should both take
warning by this ominous silence, for neither are in
a position to defy the Western Powers. Prussia is
threatened with a Parliamentary crisis—Russia is
awaiting the eventful 3d of Marcia. The control
and pacification of their own subjects are quite as
much as the respective Governments can accom-
plish; why, then, should they excite internal com-
motion, and provoke the hostility of stronger
Powers, by persisting in their present headstrong
and hopeless course

The House of Conn:was will not sit to-day, in
consequence of a general desire on the part of hen. mem-
bers to be present at the first levee of the Prince of Wale.'
The courts of equity wili rise at 12 o'clock.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.

PER BOHEMIAN.

LONDONDERRY, FEB. 25.

The Montreal Ocean Steamship Bohemian from
Portland on the 14th inst., has arrived, She brings
5,000 do's'. in specie.

NEW YORK, FEB. 14 (Evening.)
General Fremont has applied to be employed

upon active service.
The Port Royal correspondent of the New York
World says that General Foster's expedition is dis-
embarking on Helena Island. All mystery en-
shrouding the expedition is thus destroyed, as days
must elapse before anything could be done.
Rumours are rife of disputes between Generals
Foster and Hunter. Foster has returned to
Washington.

General Joe Johnston has superseded General
Bragg in Tennessee.
Toe Confederate Congress has passed a resolution
directing a committee to inquire into the expediency
of passing a bill, providing that negroes captured
from the enemy shall be returned to their owners,
and those having no masters shall be sold to raise
a fund to reimburse citizens, who have lost their
slaves through the enemy.
The Illinois Legislature has passed a resolution
that as the Canal Bill was defeated in Congress, the
Governor be authorized to appoint Commissioners
to the Canadian Parliament, to apply for the im-
provement of transportation to the Atlantic.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Money easy ; gold 558. Stocks dull. New
York Centrals, 117 i ; Illinois, 90} ; Erie, 744.
The Hansa, which sailed this morning, took
300,000 dols.

(PER MANCHESTER.)
Via ROCHE'S POINT, FEB. 25, 2 20 A.M.
NEW YORK, Feb. 14.
_

M. Mercier's despatch of the 13th April, 1862, to
M. Thouvenel, published in the French Livre
Jaune, just received in America, has created a great
sensation in this city and Washington.
M. Mercier states that Mr. Seward had expressed
a desire upon the part of the Federal Administra-
tion for the re-establishment of peace, and implies
that his visit to Richmoud during that mouth was
undertaken at the suggestion of Mr. Seward to
ascertain the state of feeling at the Confederate
capital.

On the 9th inst. the Senate passed a resolution
requesting the President to acquaint that body with
the character of Mr. Seward's conferences with the
French Minister.

Mr. Seward, on the 12th, laid before the Presi-
dent the correspondence between M. Mercier and
himself, accompanied by a despatch denying that
be had made any suggestions to M. Mercier or in-
fluenced him in any particular, and stating that M.
Mercier's passport to cross the lines was furnished
at his own request, and that he travelled in a strictly
private and unofficial manner.

The correspondence was sent to the Senate the
same day.
___

The emphatic manner in which Mr. Seward con-
tradicts M. Mercier's statements renders it doubt-
ful whether there can be any renewal of official or
personal intercourse between them. It is feared
that if Mr. Seward be not dismissed M. Mercier
will be recalled by the French Government.
Mr. Seward yesterday transmitted to the Presi.
dent, and the President to the Senate, his official
correspondence with Mr. Dayton, dated the 6th
instant, in which he peremptorily declines the sug-
gestion of the French Government that Commis-
sioners from North and South should meet on neu-
tral territory to debate the terms of an adjustment.
The dismemberment of the army of the Potomac
has commenced. The Ninth Army Corps has been
ordered to report at Fortress Monroe, preparatory, it
it thought, to its departure for North Carolina.

Two unimportant reconnaissances were made by
detachments from the army on the 10th and 110
inst.

The attack on Charleston is postponed on account
of a difference between Generals Hunter and Foster.
General Foster, having disembarked his forces at St.
Helena Island, has returned to Washington to con-
sult with the Government in regard to future move-
ments ; General Hunter, at Port Royal, has ordered
a conscription of all the able bodied negroes in his
department to be employed in garrison and fatigue
duty under a directing force of 100 whites to 100
blacks.

The Federal ram Queen of the West bad re-
turned from her expedition down the Mississippi
on the 11th inst.; she is reported, by telegraphic
despatches from Cairo, to have sunk three Con-
federate steamers laden with provisions, t- ken 56
prssoners, and to have gone within range of the
Confederate guns at Port Hudson.

Colonel Ellis, her commander, in his official re-
port, states that he failed in an attempt to destroy
the Confederate steamer City of Vicksburg. He
says his shells set fire to the Confederate vessel,
but that the flames were extinguished, and in tur❑
the bales of cotton by which his boat was protected
took fire from the enemy's shells, which caused him
to desist from the attack, but he makes no allusion
to the sinking of the steamers or visit to Port Hud-
son, accredited to him by the telegraphic reports.
The correspondence of the St. Louts Democrat,
dated Helena, Arkansas, February 3, states that
General Gorman had commenced the destruction
of the Levee at Yazoo Pass on the Mississippi. By
this project a large tract of country which separates
the waters of the Mississippi from those of the
Cold Water river will to laid under water to a
depth sufficient to float vessels of little draught.
the Cold Water leads into the Yazoo some 20h
miles above Vicksburg, and is also navigable for
vessels of light draught.

It is believed to be a part of General Grant's
plan of attack upon Vicksburg to take this means
of communication for reaching the rear of the city,
and fur cutting off the Confederate supplies.
The Illinois Legislature has appointed Commis-
sioners to confer with delegates from other States
upon the condition of the country, to meet at
Louisville, Kentucky, in March next, and has
agreed upo❑ a recess from the 14th proximo until
June 1, in order to receive their reports. The most
prominent of the Commissioners is a stanch Re-
publican and a personal friend of Mr. Lincoln, but
who urged his friends to vote the Democratic ticket
at the November election as the only means of sav-
ing the Union. In consequence of the proceedings
of the Democrats, Abolition members have seceded
from the Legislature, and threaten to revolutionise
the State.

Kentucky has also appointed Commissioners to
the Louisville Conference in March, and it is be-
lieved that all the loyal Middle and Western States
will be represented.

The New Jersey Legislature has appointed Com-
missioners to proceed to Richmond for the purpose
of inviting the Southern States to join in a National
Convention.

The resolutions in the Indiana Legislature de-
mand the establishment of an armistice as soon as
practicable, and a convention of all the States, in-
cluding those of the Confederacy, to be held at
Nashville, Tennessee, on the Ist of June. The New
York Assembly, by a vote of 95 agst 4, has autho.
rised the GoverLf,r to invite General M'Clellan to
visit Albany as the guest of the State.

The Florida was chased by the Federal steamer
Sonoma off the Bahamas, on the Ist and 2d inst, for
36 hours, but, owing to the superior speed of the
Florida, the Sonoma was distanced and gave up the
pursuit.

- Mr. Chase's financial scheme has passed the
Senate, and it is thought in Wall-street it will cer-
tainly pass the House of Representatives.
Gold was excited yesterday, selling at 1552- to
1561. Stocks have fallen slightly. Erie, 99i ; New
York Centrals, 148; Illinois Central, 901. Frovi-

sions steady ; flour, 10c. to 15c. better. Cotton 91c

per pound.

SATURDAY MORNING, Feb. 14.

The Secretary of War has ordered a court of in-
quiry to be held at Cairo to ascertain if any, and
what Federal officers have been engaged in traffic-
ing in cotton on the Mississippi, granting licenses
of trade or using Government transportation for
private purposes. This Court must necessarily inves-
tigate the charges current against General Butler
during his Administration at New Orleans.
Southern journals of the 11th inst. state that the
Confederates are endeavouring to repair the railroad
at Okolona, Mississippi, which was destroyed by
General Grant.

A large portion of the Confederate Army of Vir-
ginia and of the garrison of Mobile have been sent
to Vicksburg. The Confederates have completed the
railway from Selma to Meridien, which enables
them to rapidly concentrate their forces at Vicks-
burg.

FRANCE.

PARIS, FEB. 25.

The Moniteur of this morning, in its political
bulletin, says :—" The news from Poland shows
the obstinate character of the struggle."
Despatches received here from Constantinople
to the 24th inst. state that the Porte had addressed
a circular note to its representatives abroad call.
ing attention to the state of things in the Danubian
Principalities.
BOURSE, Feb. 24.—The market continues dull,
and speculators averse from any materitgl opera-
tions, but prices have been well maintained at pre-
vious quotations. Threes, for the Account, are un-
varied at 69f. 66c. The Railway Share Market is also
without animation, but prices, for the most part, re-
main at about yesterday's closing rates. The stock
suddenly became offered towards the close, and
prices rapidly receded to leave off as follows :

41 per Cents .. 98
end month....
Do.

Bank Shares — --
Credit r oncier 1435
Piedmontese Fives —
Italian Loan 69 40
Russian
Austrian

3 per Cents
Do. end month 69

New 3 per Cenis- ..
Do. end month....
Credit Mobilier.... 1120
Do. end m0nth....1115

Spanish Threes
Home Debt

RAIL'

-A.103.

Cash. Account.
Orleans
Northern
New. ditto • ..
Lyons and Mediterranean 1175 1172 50
Geneva..
Southern 777 50 .. 776 25
Western
Eastern .... 547 50 .. 646 25
Sardinian 367 25 ..
Austrian
f,ory, bard

North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona

632 50 .. 530 -
680 - .. 675 -
340 - .. 341 25

The Prince of Wales in " The Shires."

It had been rumoured in hunting circles that the
visit of the Prince of Wales to Althorpe would en-
able the noble host to exhibit to his Royal Highness
the performances of the celebrated Pytchley pack,
and the despatch of four hunters from the Royal
stable down the North-Western line on Friday
spread itself like wildfire through many a hunting
field on that day. Accordingly, when the hounds
met at Welton-place on Saturday, and still more
when they met on Monday at Holdenby (the famous
Holmby-house of Whyte Melville's sporting novel),
all the bravery of Northamptonshire that could
boast a horse, be it hunter, roadster, or machiner,
were assembled. At Holdenby it was calculated
that no fewer than 2,000 horsemen appeared, and
there must have been at least double that number
on foot. The pen of G. W. James would have been
fitly employed to describe the cavalcade which
issued forth from Althorpe-park and was seen
threading its way along the valley by the enthu-
siastic multitude who crowned the knolls on which
stood the ancient manor-house and church of
Holdenby. It really was a brilliant sight, and
when the Prince, escorted by Lord Spencer and the
distinguished party who accompanied him from
Althorpe, rode into the amphitheatre formed by
nature on the side of the bill, where Charles Payne
and the hounds were awaiting, and the carriages,
horsemen, and foot people were drawn up around,
the venerable picturesque hall of the squire domi-
neering the eminence, and crowded from basement
to roof like the Grand Stand at Ascot on the Cup-
day, it was the universal impression that the most
experienced landscape gardener could not have
found a fitter site in England for exhibiting an im-
posing spectacle. Our readers will not look for
great details in our columns on the incidents of the
chase; so we will pass over the brilliant burst from
the classic covert of Crick on Saturday, and the
ensuing hour and eight minutes to ground at the
Hempstow hills over some of the finest country
in England; nor will we notice the three dif-
ferent runs on Monday over an equally fine country,
though more interspersed with brooks, each of
which had its incident. Sufficient to say that the
Prince on each day showed himself in the first flight,
and fairly won his spurs in the opinion of all North-
amptonshire. It is more according to our habits of
observation to note the enthusiasm which the pre-
sence and cordial participation of the Prince in this
national and manly sport caused among all ranks if
observers. When lordly domains are being shot,
and several thousand head of pampered pheasants
are duly registered townie half-dozen guns, we fear
that the impression caused in the neighbourhood by
every discharge of a fowling-piece is anything but
pleasurable, It tells of immense outlay for the gra-
tification of very few, of temptations offered to the
thoughtless which lead to crime, of wholesale de-
struction to farms and the best interests of agricul-
ture. But foxhunting is eminently popular; ad
classes enjoy it, all can participate in it, from the
youth on an active pair of legs, or the butcher's boy
on his pony, to the scion of the most illustrious
house in England, or even to the Sovereign him-
self; and all this was fully witnessed in Northamp-
tonshire on the days we are recording. At every
village crowds were assembled who vociferously
displayed their delight at seeing their future ruler
go so well in the national amusement, and if St.
Crispin himself had appeared on horseback he could
not have called forth greater numbers or elicited
greater exhibition of fervour from the numerous
votaries of his craft who are found in this country.
If after recording the enthusiasm displayed by the
squires, the farmers, the villagers, and the shoe-
makers of Northamptonshire, we were to enumerate
the many distinguished personages whom the meets
attracted from all parts, we should have to draw
deeply from the lists of the Houses of Lords and
Commons. But of masters of packs we may notice
that Lord Grosvenor, from Cheshire; Lord Naas,
from Ireland; Lord Besborough, master of the
Buckhounds; Sir John Johnstone, M.P., from
Yorkshire; and Lord Eglinton, from Scotland, re-
presented so many hunting localities of the British
Isles, and that they and all, at the conclusion of the
two days' sport, seemed greatly impressed with the
idea that a young Prince who had thus so favour-
ably exhibited himself as a gallant young English-
man in the hunting-field had chosen the surest line
to win at once the affections of his countrymen ;
while all, whether hunting peers, squires, farmers,
dealers, sportsmen of every grade, and the large
circle interested in the animal " horse," went home
rejoicing that the noble sport of fox-hunting had
received an additional stimulus from its cordial
patronage by the Prince of Wales.

ALARMING ILLNESS OF MR, BARROW, M.P._
We regret to state that Mr. Burrow, M.P. for South
Nottinghamshire, is dangerously ill. From latest inquiries
it appears that the hon. member is not likely to recover.
He is attended by Dr. Warwick, of Southwell, who doe.
not give the slightest hopes of his recovery. Great regret
prevails in the district on account of this sad news.
CAPTURE OF THE STEAMER PEARL.—lntelligence
has been received in Liverpool announcing the cap-
ture of the steamer Pearl while on the voyage between
Nassau and Havannah with contraband goods on board.
It will be remembered that the Pearl—whose object and
destination were well known by the Federal cruisers before
she left Great Britain—had a narrow escape of being taken
by the Tuscarora off Madeira.

THE TRAFALGAR' S QUARE LION S.—Admiral Wal-
cott will, on Friday, ask the First Commissioner of Works
if there is any expectation that the lions to be placed at the
base of the monument to Lord Nelson in Trafalgar-square
will be completed this year,

,Lt;fr,
defre• 4 A-"IRS.,
\*liktit
ton

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Feb, 24.

The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness
the Crown Princess of Prussia (Princess Royal),
drove in the grounds yesterday afternoon.
Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and
Princess Louisa, attended by Lady Caroline Bar-
rington and the Hon. Colonel Liddell, went to Lon-
1m last evening and honoured the performance at
the Lyceum Theatre with their presence.
His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Hesse,
attended by Lieut. Colonel Du Plat and Captain
Westerweller, went to Woolwich this morning.
Her Majesty and the Princess Louis of Hesse
drove in the grounds this morning.

Departure of the Prince of Wales from
Althorp Park.

NORTHAMPTON, Tuesday Night.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who, for the
last few days, has been staying at Althorp Park, the seat of
Earl Spencer, left this afternoon for London. During his
stay at Althorp his Royal Highness accompanied the Pytch-
ley pack of hounds on two occasions, on Saturday and on
Monday. On the last occasion there Aas such a field as,
perhaps, was never before seen in this country, all the
elite of the neighbourhood for many miles round being
present. It was not officially known that his Royal High-
ness would pass through this town till a late hour last
night. A special messenger was, however, despatched by
the mayor, Mr. S. Phipps, desiring, on the part of the
borough, permission to present an address. This, how-
ever, his Royal Highness declined, stating that he wished
to pass through the town as privately as possible. The
inhabitants, however, were determined to show their
loyalty, and accordingly at the time appointed for the
Prince to arrive at the station, business was almost en-
tirely suspended. Nearly all the houses in the streets
along which the Prince would pass were gaily decorated
with flags, evergreens, and mottoes. His reception was
of the most enthusiastic description, and the 4th North-
amptonshire Rifles formed a guard of honour at the sta-
tion. His Royal Highness left by a special train at half-
past 1 o'clock.