The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-30 00:00:00

GENERAL LONGSTREET.

It remains for me to say a few words respecting one
other of the most valuable officers of the Confederacy
—an eminently combative man—Gen. Longstrcet.
His frame is stout and heavy, his countenance fi3rid
and cheery, and eminently English in appearance.
In every position which he has occupied—first,
as commanding a brigade; secondly, as command-
ing a division ; thirdly, a corps d'armee—hs has
grown in the affections of his men and in the confi-
dence of his commanding officers. As brave and
imperturbable under fire as in his tent, remarkable
for his promptitude in thinking correctly when in
the greatest danger, his value to the Confederacy
can hardly be over-estimated. A review of some
10,000 of his men took place when we were at Win-
chester. Among this body there were no shoeless
or barefooted sufferers ; a finer or more spirited
body of men has never bsen assembled together
on the North American continent. In conclusion
I can safely say that, although I saw much suf-
fering, great want of shoes, frequently very in-
adequate clothing among the men of General Lee's
army, I was astonished to observe how confident
was the spirit pervading the entire body. No
such army has ever yet been assembled to fight
for the Confederacy. Any battle into which these
men enter is half won when the first shot is fired.
ain and again they have joined issued under most
unfavourable circumstances with their opponents,
and have gained victories. It is not likely that the
tide will be turned now that the Federals are every
day fighting with less and less appetite, and now
that the experience of 18 months of war has given
such confidence to the Confederates in themselves
and in their commanding officers that the day of
battle is surely and triumphantly looked on as ne- I
cessarily the day of victory.

THE SOHO MANUFACTORY.--The demolition of
he celebrated Soho is determined upon to make
room, we understand, for improvements in the neighbour-
hood. In a few weeks this renowned manufactory will be
swept for over from our view. It has had its day, and a
good day too. Erected by Matthew Boulton, that enter•
prising and talented supporter and encourager of arts,
science, and mechanics, in 1762-63-64, it has gone on
crowned with unparalleled success through all the storms
and trials of the English trade for nearly a century. Here
it was that Matthew Boulton gathered around him the
talent, the skill, and ingenuity available in Europe. Hero
the great Watt brought his steam-engine to perfection.
Here Rennie studied and worked, and also the cele-
brated sculptor Flaxman, and Wyon. Eginton, the
glass stainer, who executed that beautiful altar-piece
at our St. Paul's Church, was brought out by Mr. Boul-
ton, and to him was entrusted the secret invention of
copying picture in oil. This secret died with Francis Egin-
ton. Nor must we forget Murdock, the inventor of the '
first locomotive steam engine and the discoverer of the gas •
light. It was at this stately pile, then lying ernbosomed in
plantations, that this useful and beneficial invention of
Murdock's was first publicly exhibited, in celebration of the
peace of Amiens, and many of our oldest inhabitants may
recollect this illumination, as well as ono which exceeded it
in grandeur in 1814. Here, too, that most beautiful and per-
fect machinery was invented, constructed and used for mak-
ing the various coinages in Europe. The Soho penny piece
—the Doulton's penny--was success beyond expectation.
Before its introduction many and many a poor fellow lost
his life on the gallows for forging bad money. Matthew
Boulton's new mint almost put a stop to the fearful scenes
which were enacted after every assizes at Waswood• heath
and at the cross-roads. Well might Dr. Darwin. in his
work on botany, soy, " If a civic crown was given in Rome
for preserving the life of one citizen, Matthew Boulton
should be crowned with garlands of oak." James Watt was
introduced to Matthew Boulton, at Soho, by Dr. Small, in
1772, and in 1733 he entered into partnership with Boulton.
They commenced the great revolution in distributing
power by means of steam; then the greatest of England's
benefactors assembled at this venerable spot. There might
be seen monthly, on the night of the full moon, in close
conclave, the brightest stars of ingenuity, science, and art,
discussing and proposing all the great theories and prac-
tical calculations which have brought England to what
it is—Priestley (by the side of Benjamin Franklin some-
times), Dr. Small, Dr. Black, Mr. Edgwortb, James Watt,
Matthew Boulton, Mr. Kerr, Dr. Darwin, Mr. Baskerville,
Dr. Johnson, and others of the Lunar Society. This shrine
of science, school of art, and temple of mechanics is now
doomed, and in a few weeks' time all traces of the venerable
anti stately fano will be swept away; but its fame will live
for evermore,— Birmingham rest.