The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-25 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONOAV;4 EVENING, DECEMBER 25, 18b5.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 6h. 50m.—Afternoon, 7h. 16m.
To-Ilion.Row.-'Morning, 7h. 44m.--Afternoon, Bh. 15in.

•
~„„D v

LONDON, MONDAY, DEC. 25, 1865.

The arrival of the Scotia from New York, on the
13th, brings us intelligence of some importance.
The Mexican question threatens to assume formid-
able proportions, and the session of the Congress
has not long commenced without its being brought
forward. In both Houses resolutions have been
introduced of very great importance respecting the
policy pursued by the Emperor of the FRENCH in
supporting MAXI3IILIAN, and directed against the
very existence of the Mexican Empire. These re-
solutions have been referred to the Committee for
Foreign Affairs, and meanwhile both Houses have
asked the PRESIDENT for the production of all
correspondence touching the French occupation,
and also regarding MAXI3IILIAN'S decree ordering
Republicans found under arms to be shot without
trial. It has long been known that very great
irritation existed in America respecting the pre-
sence of Europeans in Mexico, and especially
with regard to the assistance afforded to the
new Government by the French troops ; and this
feeling was expected to find some expression as soon
as the popular representatives should assemble.
This anticipation has been fully realised, and the
terms of the resolutions are imperative. They de-
clare that in pursuance of the policy expressed by
NAPOEEON in July, 1862, an attempt has been
made to establish a monarchy in Mexico contrary
to the wish of the people, and to support the
usurpation of MAXIMILIAN by European soldiers ;
and that MAXIMILIAN having practically esta-
blished slavery, and declared Republicans outlaws,
the Senate contemplates the condition of Mexico
with profound solicitude. " The attempt to esta-
blish a monarchy on the American Continent, sus-
tained solely by European bayonets, is opposed to
the declared policy of the Federal Government,
offensive to the people, and contrary to the spirit
of their institutions. The PRESIDENT is requested
to take such steps concerning this grave matter
as will vindicate the recognised policy and pro-
tect the honour and interest of the Federal Go-
vernment." What the PRESIDENT will do remains
to be seen, but there can be no doubt that there is
a very serious imbroglio. The condition of
the American finances does not certainly
appear to threaten war, but it is not
easy to measure the amount of the national
energies, especially when the people are just flushed
with the excitement of a recent triumph. They are
confident in their own resources and in their military
skill, and have all the appliances of war ready to
their hand. The numerous disbanded regiments,
and the numerous officers who have lost all present
chance of fame and fortune, would be ready enough
to begin another conflict. General GRANT is known
to favour active measures against the Mexican
Emperor and his European allies, and he would
most likely find plenty other soldiers who would be
glad enough to beat their pruning hooks into swords
again. The General is reported to have said on a
late occasion that he believes this was the favour-
able moment for the expulsion of MAXIMILIAN, and
if the opportunity were lost it might not recur. The
words adopted by the Senate cannot therefore be
looked upon as only empty threats, for, however re-
luctant the PRESIDENT might be to plunge into
another war with so many internal complications
yet unsettled, it is quite within the limits of possi-
bility that his people may drive him to it. Peace
is indeed what America wants just now, but the
MONROE doctrine has always been a favourite with
transatlantic statesmen, and there is no knowing
how far the irritation experienced at the presence of
the foreigner may carry the people. France her-
self may be reluctant to engage in a war which
would at the best be costly and unprofitable to her.
The Mexican contest has always been unpopular
with the French people, and France would be greatly
at a disadvantage in economy and promptitude
from her distance from the scene of action. It is
between France and America that the real issue lies,
for MAXIMILIAN'S throne, unsupported by French
bayonets, would be worth little enough. Curiously
enough, neither of the belligerents would have a
direct personal interest in the matter, but similar
relations have before now led to long and desperate
struggles. It is possible that the French EM-
PEROR, not caring to push the matter further,
may quietly withdraw his troops, and leave
the Republicans and Imperialists to settle the
dispute as they please, in which case the new
ruler of Mexico would probably make a speedy
exit from his kingdom. Such a termination
would be the best adapted to the interests of France
and America, both of which have more to gain by
peace than by war, even though the past of Mexico
does not give us much hope for its future, even under
Republican guidance.

Meanwhile the internal affairs of the States are
much more satisfactory. The Radicals who began
the session with such a flourish of trumpets, and
carried all before them, have already disgusted the
public, and, happily, their ingenious schemes for
driving the South into anarchy and desperation,
and sacrificing the future of the whole country
to their present political ambition, have been
frustrated. The Senate has, it is true, passed
the obnoxious resolutions referring the claims
of the Southern members to the decision
of a committee, but it has passed it with an amend-
ment completely neutralising its effects. The
amendment makes the resolution concurrent, per-
mits debate on the subject, and provides for the
admission of one or more State delegations, with-
out waiting for the cases of all to be decided. The
credentials of the Tennessee members have been
rcoocmeimlivedtebey,
atnh d pending e Ilonudsine,gand referred to the joint
its decision the members
have been granted the privilege of the floor, but
the other Southern members are excluded. It is
believed, however, that the opposition to their ad-
mission is diminishing.
Out of doors the feeling
towards the South is daily becoming more in favour
of a conciliation policy. Men are anxious to renew
the old commercial relationkips, and to see pros-
perity return to the now desolated provinces.
There is, they feel, no chance for the material
resurrection of the South until confidence and
security are restored, and this can only be done by
a wise and temperate policy. A small fraction
from New England cannot be allowed to dominate
over the representative assembly of a country like
America, possessing such wide and varied interests
and animated by so many opposite principles and
feelings; neither can the Northern people consent
to see half the Union laid waste, and themselves
thrust into the execrable position of unscrupulous
tyrants, to please a party of fanatics, who
would solve the most difficult and deli-
cate problems of Government by a rigid ap-
plication of their own party, rules. There remains
ralchto be done, and there will no doubt be a
strong
opposition to the admission of the Southern
members, -which the South has a right to demand at
the haneis of a people whose entire political consti-
tution is based upon the principle of national repre-

sentation. Nevertheless something is gained already
by the action of the Senate, and as the known
wishes of the PRESIDENT and the general feeling of
the public must necessarily influence Congress,
there is good reason to hope that the side of right
and justice will eventually come off victorious.
The Fenian pride in its New York offices has
preceded a complete and somewhat ludicrous down-
fall. There are now two Fenian Presidents and two
Fenian organisations, likely to be much more for-
midable to each other than they are to the Sasse-
nach. The Fenian Senate has impeached O'MArioxv,
the first President, for misappropriation of funds,
and have elected a Mr. ROBERTS. O.MAIIONY'S
supporters pay no heed, and have called Congress
to assemble in New York in January. Meetings
of the supporters of both parties have been held
throughout the country, and the attention of Hiber-
nian patriots has no doubt been fully engaged in
deciding on their respective merits. STEPHENS, th•
Irish hero, is expected in New York, and it is thought
he will be an arbiter between the belligerents. Per-
haps when he finds the state of affairs he may set up
as President No. 3. Why not add a fourth, and
have one for each province? If they could keep up
a constant fight for supremacy, the constitution
would be the most popular that Ireland ever had.

Christmas is a season that is always welcomed in
this country, and whatever changes may be intro-
duced in the course of time, it is to be trusted that
no alteration will ever take place in the manner
in which this anniversary of our LORD'S nativity is
celebrated. It is true that nowadays people have
become more practical, and there is not that abun-
dance of mirth and that prolongation of festivities
that once marked the period, but there is no reason
why the really bright and beneficial celebration of
Christmas should be altered. It is not only for
pleasure that the time should be regarded, many
other important and interesting associations sur-
round it, and those who from misfortune or through
adverse circumstances are precluded from mixing
in the festive throng, or giving themselves up to the
enjoyments of the time, can yet partake in the
highest and loftiest sense of the privileges of the
season. Christmas has many associations, and they
who rightly regard the sacred season in an impres-
sive manner, will find something of solemnity in its
gayest attributes, something of consolation in its
most trying reminiscences, and something of hope
in the darkest prospects that life may afford. No
season which greets us on our earthly pilgrimage is
so rife with cheering auspices or so rich in grace
and glory. It contains in an eminent degree the
promise of this world and of that which is to
come. It is the herald of our salvation, and the
messenger of love and peace; it imparts new zest to
this life, and lends reality and substance to the vision
of that better state to come which prophets fore-
told and sages spoke of, but of which the centuries
that have passed since the Christian era contain the
full assurance and the bright reality. It is not then
out of place at a time like this for the busy world
to pause, the gay world to be serious, and the
wicked world to arrest its progress, in order to
think how far we have deviated from those duties
which essentially appertain to the scene now be-
fore us.

Perhaps in nothing is our community more to
blame than for the treatment of the poor. Laws
are made and rules and regulations framed for the
preservation of order and the maintenance of regu-
larity in those gloomy abodes where want has to
seek a shelter and misery reaches its last acme of
desolation, but who cares to make our workhouses
conducive to the comfort, and calculated to provide
for the wants of their unhappy inmates. If one
subject more than another is appropriate to con-
sider at this season, it is surely the well-being of
that class of our fellow-creatures among whom
He, whose birthday we now celebrate, was born.
We know that although He now sits at the right
hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens,
when he took upon Him the form of man,
he was cradled in a manger and brought up
in poverty and simplicity. Those who celebrate
the birth of Cnr.isT in the true spirit and with the
right feeling will remember that the poor are His
brethren, and not be above considering them their
own. Even after the immediate period of rejoicing
is over there will be plenty of opportunities afforded
to those rich in this world's goods to bestow of their
abundance on those that need it. Many institu-
tions of the most deserving kind, and that provide
the most desirable assistance to the sick, the be-
reaved, and the afflicted, are in great want of sup-
port, and a better opportunity cannot be taken
than the season of Christmas to enrich the store-
houses and increase the means of these resources
for those so greatly in need of succour. Surely
they will be offerings as precious and gifts of as
great value as the myrrh and precious incanse which
were brought to the manger in Bethlehem.

Too much importance cannot be attached to a
season like this, that calls the community to cease
for a moment from toil and pleasure, from money
getting and bargain-driving, and rejoice in the
glad tidings of great joy, which, eighteen centuries
ago, were told to the shepherds beneath the starry
skies of Galilee, and above those starry skies were
re-echoed through the vaults of heaven by the angel
hosts, who sang of peace on earth and good-will to
man. Life has something better to attract our
interest and awaken our desires than the sordid
views which too much engross our thoughts, and
seem at times to monopolise our being ; and, if one
custom more than another can break the bonds of
worldliness, and penetrate the Cimmerian gloom of
selfish life, it must be an occasion like the present.
Friends meet, families assemble, and households are
filled with gay and glittering groups ; and not only
do those near at hand engage attention at this crisis,
but old associations and long-past usages recall the
faces of those who may be dwelling in
distant lands with rolling oceans between
them and the old familiar place where
their Christmases were once passed. Yet more : this
anniversary will recall many who will never again
cross the threshold of an earthly home, whose feet,
" by GOD'S good will years since green still ;" and
the places of whose resort shall know them no more.
Even under this aspect no period like Christmas
can better afford such vistas. The great Guest
whom in spirit, if not in presence, we welcome at
our feasts to-day, is He who took the sting from
death and the victory from the grave ; and we may
trust that they who are no longer celebrating the
rejoicings of mankind, have opened their eyes to
the vision of those joys which can never know
such a re-uniona
change or decay. The hardest nature must be im-
pressedtak epl place to-day, and the
the a s
most those ye
gloomy
whichoo mym
generallyusti
n
some degree shake off their depression. Much
have we to be thankful for in our old-established
national forms, but for none more than the time-

honoured custom of celebrating Christmas as a

holiday throughout the length and breadth of the
land. Such a habit tends to connect us with the
time gone by, and elevates us from the beaten
track of the work-a-day world that so consumes
our thoughts and wearies our minds. " A glimpse
of the days that are o'er " is always re-
freshing and delightful, and we may look
from the sober doings of our generation to
the grand old times, when in baronial halls

high days and holidays were kept in state, and
when feasting and murmurings alternately divided
the attention. One who done good service to those
who would snatch the doings of their forefathers
from the shadow of time has devoted some space
in his valuable contributions to the description of
this period, and no one who wishes to attain a good
notion of them can do better than peruse the pages
in which Sir WALTER Scorr tells of the yule time
in the brave days of old—

" And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had rolled,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all its hospitable train.
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again ;
'Twas Christmas broached the mightiest ale,
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale,
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year."

It is true, whether people think it matters or not,
that we of the present day are not so merry as those
who preceded us -were. Why it should be it is
needless now to inquire, but the joviality that was
so prominent a feature in the past times, of which
we made mention, does not now distinguish us, and
we are far more prosaic and practical. We have
then more reason than ever to hail the approach of
a season set apart for rejoicing, and a time when
the stiffest must, in some measure, unbend, and the
most serene relax a little from their austerity.
Christmas may be none the worse celebrated in the
widest sense if those who assist at its festivities are
in some degree overcast. We meet to hail the
birth of Him who was sent to save our fallen
nature ; but He, at whose altars we kneel, once
wore the crown of thorns, and no sorrows were like
to His. Misanthropical ideas have, then, no place
at this juncture, and none can, with propriety, ex-
cuse themselves from mingling in the rejoicings that
bring earth nearer to heaven, show man his best
hope of comfort, and lend to this well-known dtly
path a light and a lustre that transform and ir-
radiate. The most cheering and hopeful attributes
of this life surround the season of Christmas ; it is
pre-eminently the feast for children to revel and de-
light in, and the careworn man and jaded pilgrim
on the road of life may renew his youth as he wit-
nesses their sports. In all and every aspect there
must this day be a happy one, and England may
rejoice that her great day of high festival is one
which bears such hopes to man and renews such
glad associations. It is a period which connects us
with the ages of antiquity, and bears us on down
the current of time to the ultimate and lasting des-

my of the spirit which we feel was made for better

things than the trivial objects which now engross it.
Christmas is, then, a landmark on the road of life,
a period when we are called upon to rejoice, some-
times a harder thing to do than to toil, to suffer, or
to despond. But He who gave the command is our
Friend, and if we would hear with joy the trumpet

hat announces the second advent we must celebrate

His first coming in the right spirit, and follow in
His footsteps who had not where to lay his head,
but went about to succour and to save. Many
changes have taken place in our world since He
visited it ; but one thing remains unchanged, the
opportunity of serving those who are in trouble
and lightening the burdens of the heavy-laden.

We regret to state that a telegram received from
Pisa yesterday annotuces the death of Sir Charles East-
lake, President of the Royal Academy.
We understand that a reform meeting will be
held at Rochdale on the 3d of January, 1866, and that Mr.
Bright, M.P., will be present and will address the meeting.
A NEW BARONET.—The members of the medical
profession will be glad to hear that her Majesty the Queen
has been pleased to confer the title of a baronet of the
United Kingdom on William Fergusson, Esq., F.R.S., the
accomplished Professor of Surgery to King's College. Sir
William Fergusson is not only well known as the most
deservedly popular surgeon of the day, but also from his
valuable contributions to the advancement of that science
of which he is so bright an ornament.

TIIE DERBY DAY.—Mr. Frith's picture of the
Derby Day has at last ben placed on the walls at the
South Kensington Museum, among the pictures of the
British school, in charge of the Trustees of the National
Gallery, and will be exhibited during the Christmas week,
when the Museum is open daily till 10 p.m., on and from
Tuesday, the 26th inst., to the 2d of January, 1866.
RUN OVER IN IHE STREETS.—An inquest was
held by Dr. Lankesteron Saturday afternoon at the Queen's
Arms, Queen's-road, Rornsey-road, relative to the death of
Elizabeth Mary Tinbtll, who died from injuries sustained
by being knocked down by a cart near the residence of her
parents, Ashburnham-grove, Hornsey-road. The deceased
was returning from school in company with some other
children, when, in endeavouring to cross the road to avoid
a lot of roughs who are in the habit of congregating in the
locality, she came in contact with a butcher's cart, the
wheels of which passed over her body, causing injuries
which resulted in her death. The jury returned a verdict
of accidental death.

TILE MAIL SERTICE BETWEEN TIIE UNITED
STATES AND EUROPE.—The annual report of the Post-
master-General of the United States, which accompanies
the President's Message, contains some important state-
ments with reference to the foreign mail service. Tho
aggregate postage—sea, inland, and foreign—upon the
correspondence exchanged with foreign countries
amounted to $1,819,928 56c., of which $1,449,530 7Gc.
accrued on the mails exchanged with Great Britain and the
Continent. The amount of the United States' postage on
correspondence with Great Britain and the Continent was
$570,156 84c. The cos; of the United States' trans-
Atlantic mail service performed by steamers was
$405,479 56c. Of this amount there was earned—
By the New York and Livorpool
(Inman) line
By the Canadian line 71,106 70c
By the New York, Southampton, and
Hamburg line
By the New York, Southampton, and
Bremen line
In the collections for the mail service with Great Britain
and the Continent there is a balance against the United
States of $411,582 32c. The United States' Government
now gives no subsidies to any steamship lines for carrying
mails between America and Europe. The Postmaster-
General is not in favor of subsidising steamship lines for
carrying the mails, and in this connection says:—" During
the rebellion American steamers engaged in the carrying
trade between this country and Europe were withdrawn
from the service, resulting to the advantage of foreign
lines, which continued their regular voyages ; and while
the subsidies granted by Great Britain to the Cunard lino,
and by France to the line recently established between
Havre and New York, materially aided these lines, it does
not follow that they would not have been self-supporting
and even remunerative without such aid ; neither has this
department information warranting the conclusion that
American lines would not have been sustained during the
same period, under the provisions of the existing law,
allowing the United States' postage as compensation for
the service."

47,769 52e.

A STORY FROM THE FAR WEST.—The Salt Lake
Telegraph, of the 11th of November, has the following :
" The biggest thing yet in the gold mining line, sur-
passing the Mont Cenis story, is reported discovered at
Dry Gulch, four miles from Helena, Montana. The Post
talks of millions lying around loose,' andthe vast amount
of gold discovered 'affecting the standard of gold valuation
throughout the commercial world.' It is stated that Mr.
Brown, a German or Norwegian, has discovered a gold
deposit which, in richness and extent, has perhaps no
parallel in the history of gold mining. The ledge has been
traced fully 75ft. We give the following glowing de-
scription of the Post: Gold, in almost solid masses,
glittered before his bewildered vision. For two weeks
longer, unknown to others, he tunnelled in the golden
wall. Secreted about him he had accumulated several
gunny sacks, literally filled with the precious metal; when
longer secrecy became impracticable, from the very ex-
tent of his unexpected wealth, Mr. Brown proceeded to
record and secure his property, when the public were in-
formed of the great discovery. It is said that he now
keeps a strong guard night and day over his seemingly
incomputable wealth, while he himself, unassisted, delves
into the golden wall around him, and continues multi-
plying his sacks of precious ore. One person who was
admitted into Mr. Brown's drift states that it presented a
scene of wealth more akin to a picture of imagination
than actuality. Gold ! gold ! gold ! met the view on
every side - above, below, and all around—and reflected
back its rich hues in the glare of the candle, as if this
subterranean vault had been hewn out of a solid ledge of
the yellow metal. This gold is found in a well-defined
lodge, fully 50ft. in. width. The gold vein is three feet
wide--three-fourths of the entire substance therein being
pure gold ; the remainder merely bismuth. On each side
of this vein there is a casing of one foot of quartz, which
will assay from $5OO to $2,000 to the ton. The very
wall-rock is rich.' "—Toronto Globe.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
CHINA AND JAPAN.

HONG-KONG, Nov. 15 (via Alexandria).

Sir Rutherford Alcock has set out for the Taku
Ports, en route for Pekin, and has hitherto met with

no opposition.
At Shanghae and in this city his excellency was
met by deputations, by whom he was entrusted with
several matters to be laid before the Imperial
Cabinet.

The English consul at Swatow has gone to Choo-
sbow, in order, it is presumed, to open that place
to Europeans under the Tien-tsin treaty.
The maritime customs are working well.
Some gunboats have attacked a fleet of piratical
vessels, destroying 10 craft, and capturing a lorcha.
A registration office for Chinese servants has been
opened at Shanghae.
A great advance has taken place in piece goods.
The Albeona and Shakspere have been lost.
Advices from Japan state that the British, French,
and Dutch Ministers had started for the residence
of the Mikado, with the object, it was supposed, of
obtaining his consent to the Tycoon's treaties, and
of opening Ossaca and Hiogo to foreign trade.
Another of the murderers of Major Baldwin and
Lieut. Bird had been captured at Yeddo. He con-
fessed his crime, and was executed.

The crop of raw silk was short. Piece goods had
advanced to unprecedented rates.
(By Overland Telegraph from Galle.)
SHANGHAE, Nov. 25.
The anti-foreign party are actively intriguing at
Pekin.

Intelligence received from Japan announces that
the Mikado had refused to open the ports. The
foreign Ministers had referred the question to their
respective Governments. The fleets had returned
to Yokohama.