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

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SIIN.

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 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 Horatii. 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
as it may, one sentry has a very otid 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 tie-ne 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. F,
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
Charlestan, 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 tae 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 subjugation 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
official shape, relating to his intentions of raising
money in Europe.

MARKETS—This Day.

HAY MARKETS.

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

el/MBERLAND..—MeadOW hay, £2 Os to £4 Os; clover
do., £3 lOs to £5 103 ; and straw, £1 lOs to £1 16s 1, or load
Trade inactive.

WHITECHAPEL —Meadow hay, £2 Od to £4 Os ; clover
do , £3 10s to £5 10s; and straw, £1 102 to £1 16s 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 dewand 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 retard, the general tendency of prices, how-
ever, is towards a decline.
COFFEE—OnIy limited dealings have been recorded, and
there is no material alteration to notice in the value of the
colonial descriptions.
Rica—The demand has been moderately active, and
quotations have in most instances been well sustained.
SALTPETRE—There has been scarcely 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. lam unable to go into a detailed de
scrip tion 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 i,:cre-
dible, 23,000 copies of the inside sheet of the limes tieing
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 is considerably under the price for Hoe's machine."

ITOMSliffiralb

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, MAY 11
The Queen and Princess Louise of Hesse dr
out this morning.

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

Earl Granville arrived at Osborne, and bad
audience of the Queen,

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

The Prince of Wales rode on horseback in
morning, attended by his Equerry in Waiting.
The Prince and Princess of Wales took a dri
in the afternoon in an open carriage.
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princ'
of Wales honoured the Duke and Duchess
Wellington with their company at dinner if
evening at Apsley-house. Their Royal Highllesl
were attended by the Countess of Macclesfield
1141 or Teesdale.
Mr. Thwaites, Chairman of the Metropoliti
Board of Works, Mr. Tite, M.P., Mr. D°llltc
M.P., and Mr. Wyke Smith, solicitor to the B
had an interview with the Right Hon. Willis
Cowper, M.P., yesterday at the office of b
:
Majesty's Works and Public Buildings in Will'
hall-place.

The Prince and Princess of Wales at A1361‘
House.

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prince
of Wales honoured the Duke and Duchess of vv‘
lington with their presence at dinner last eVell4
at Apsley-house. The invitations to meet the
Royal Highnesses were limited to 20. His 111
Highness the Duke of Cambridge arrived at a `s!
miautes before 8 o'clock, attended by Col. Tall.
Clifton. The other guests included the Duke 11
Duchess of Beaufort, the Duke of Sutherland, t`
Earl and Countess of Tenkerville, the Earl afl
Countess of Westmoreland, Viscount and Viect,
tess Palmerston, Viscount and Viscountess Viral"—
Lord and Lady Raglan, Lady Charles Welleslel
Sir Robert Peel, and the Hon. and Rev. the I)ea
::
of Windsor and Mrs. Wellesley. The Prince
Princess of Wales. with the members of theirsuir
arrived in full-dress carriages at 10 minutes eftl33'o'
o'clock. Their Royal Highnesses were receive' o
the grand entrance by the Duke and Doche°
Wellington, his Grace presenting to the Pricee°",
bouquet, of choice flowers, which was gracefullino
cepted, The Princess was exquisitely attired to
silver brocade trimmed with the choicest V:,;;;,01,
ciennes lace. Resting on the arm of the Duke Of o
lington, her royal highness ascended to the recePt
te
saloon, where the guests already assembled Were Poi
seated to her. The Prince of Wales conducted
"ied
Duchessof Wellington,and graciously acknowle/o)
the salutation addressed to himself and hie
Consort.
001
The Countess of Macclesfield was in waiting tlie
Princess of Wales, Major Teesdale in waiting ell
Prince of Wales. The dinner was served at ha
s
past eight o'clock in the banquetting room--8-:1
too°
of singular magnificence. Down the centre 0'
esa
table was displayed the magnificent silver plat est,
presented to the great Duke by the Porteri.oo,
Government in acknowledgment of his servioi
while the gratitude of his own countrYweilatlf
represented by the Achilles Shield and the eltoet
services of gold and silver plate on which (DO)
was served. In a word, the table was laden it ill
memorials of the great captain's victories• f tbe
needless to say that the entertainment was
°OlOl
most princely character, but no undue cereal 004
impeded the flow of social enjoyment at dineer'epos
none of the guests appeared less under the 01°04
of State restrictions than the young Prince
Princess. jell°
Before the close of the banquet the distingo for
party invited to meet the Prince and Princes isett
dinner began to assemble in that historic gaf 611
once the scene of the great Duke's reunions °
most eminent in arts and arms.
The Princess Mary of Cambridge and the 04
and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar were 003
the guests after dinner. During the even/ow
Levassor attended in the gallery and gave aster„
tion of his chansons conziques to the infinite e.`titi.
meat of the P*ince and Princess and the clit°o64
guished visitors. After M. Levassor had. reerohle
the Prince and Princess remained for a colloid
taor
time inspecting the artistic treasures of &elle!
skin, and it was past oile o'clock when their oot
Highnesses took leave of tie Duke and Duch ° woo'
Wellington 'with every mark of affectionate
sicieration.

• - 001
The Marchioness Townahend's second bathe 9
take place on Wednesday, June 10, and not on
proximo, as announced. a fro°
Lady Caroline Turnor's dance is postpone-
Thursday, the 28th inst., to Friday, the 29th. trifel'
'rile Count and Countess BobLipsky bar° fj-
at Maurigy's Hotel from Paris. te
Countess Koucheleff and a numerous so
arrived at the Clarendon Hotel from St. Petershlitgieratl
Lady Howard had au afternoon part," 9,n5f,ef..,10,1
at her lad) ship's residence in Belgrave-square. 111 V
sor was present, and entertained the company
" Scenes et Chansons Comiques.'' ao°
, „an
Lady Emily Foley has arrived at the On— ,
Hotel lor the season. gsB,, 0114e1
Lord and Lady Clarina and the Hon. Mien ow
have arrived at Wallace's Hotel, 18, St. George'6"
from their seat in Ireland.
DATO.I'
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of St• rap-
has arrived at Maurigy's Hotel from Abergviiiii
Carmarthen. boOt
A young whale, measuring eighteen fee'rriP
and weight about twenty .five cwt,, was caught °A d
morning by some fishermen off Clogher Head. I,oo°'
The Hon. Mrs. King Harman will give
the 2oth inst. at 48, Eaton-square. r• "$
The Right Hon. Sir Charles Grey has
the Clarendon Hotel from Tunbridge-wello. r PO!
Lady Molesworth entertained at (lion :000'
evening at her residence in Egton-place,ss~o,alb
Minister and Madame Comyn, the Marquis of
Countess Dowager of Essex and Miss Johastonet tThee 44"
Hon. C P. Villiers, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. tiei!illretrfoi
Lord Dunkellin, M. e., Mr. and the Hon. MO. Y1:0.
Lord Broughton, Sir Erskine and Lady Peril, f'do,
Mr. Osborne, M.P.: Mr. and Mrs. BrmsleY t3Oerl
T. Baring, M.P.