The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-29 00:00:00

!TIE SUN LO 40()N, TETE,SD Y EVE NINII, APRIL 29, 1862 D

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

QUEENSTOWN, SUNDAY NIGHT.

The Cunard steamer Niagara, from Boston and
Halifax, has arrived. She brings 55,000 dols. in
specie. Her dates are to the 17th.

On the 17th, between Halifax and Boston, she
passed the Canada, bound west. On the 22d, in lat.
46.25, long. 41.06, she passed the British ship Bee,
bound west. On the 23d, in lat. 47.25, long. 36.50,
she passed a screw steamer, supposed to be the
British Queen, bound west.

In the Senate a petition, 700 feet long, signed by
15,000 women, praying for the abolition of slavery,
was presented by Mr. Sumner. Petitions in refe-
rence to a bankrupt law and to taxation were also
presented. The resolution of inquiry as to whether
further legislation is necessary to enforce the article
of war for preventing the reclamation of fugitive
slaves within the lines of the army, was taken up,
and Mr. Grimes, of lowa, made a speech, in which
he cited several cases in whici the article in ques-
tion had been violated. The Confiscation Bill was
then considered, and Mr. Harris, of New York, made
a speeeh advocating the principle of confiscating,
with certain restrictions. During the proceedings
Mr. Hale, of New Hampshire, tendered his resigna-
tion as Chairman of the Naval Committee.
In the House the Select Committee on Gradual
Emancipation in the Slaveholding States was an-
nounced by the Speaker. The House refused to
make the Bankrupt Bill a special order, and post-
poned its consideration until the fourth Wednesday
in December-67 to 50. The Senate resolution
transferring the supervision of the Capitol Exten-
sion from the War to the Interior Department was
passed. A bill for the construction of a ship canal
from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan was
reported from the Military Committee.
Fort Pulaski has surrendered to the Federals. A
despatch from Baltimore, dated the 15th, says :
" The Savannah Republican of the 12th announces
the unconditional surrender of Fort Pulaski on the
11th inst. Seven large breaches were made in the
walls by our batteries of Parrot guns at King's
Landing, and all the barbette guns on that side and
three casemate guns were dismounted. Three shot
entered the magazine. Colonel Olmstead, the rebel
commander, signalled, the day previous to the sur-
render, that our fire was so terrible that no human
being could stand upon the parapet for even a mo-
ment."

A despatch of the 14th, from Fortress Monroe,
asserts that the same paper says, in substance—
" It learns with deep regret that, after a gallant
defence against superior guns, Fort Pulaski surren-
dered at 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the 11th. Cor-
poral Law, of the Pulaski Guards, who left Fort
Thunderbolt after the Pnlaski's flag was hauled down,
brings intelligence of the event. The surrender was
unconditional. Seven large breaches were made in
the south wall by the Federal battery of light Par-
rot guns at Tking's Landing. All the barbette guns
on that side were dismounted ; also three casematea
leaving only one gun bearing on that point. Three
balls entered the magazine, and a clean breach was
made in it. The conical balls of the Parrott guns
went clear through the walls at nearly every fire.
Colonel Olmstead telegraphed on the previous even-
ing that no human being could stand upon the ram-
parts a single moment, and that thousands of large
shells had exploded within the fort. The Republi-
can gives no particulars as to the number of men
and officers in the fort at the time of its'surrender,
but says none were killed, bat four wounded."
The New York. Evening Post says,—" A day be-
fore the surrender signals of distress were sent to Sa-
vannah. That pedpitatingcity was warned of its corn-
ing fate, and we can imagine that its people are now
anything but in a pleasant frame of mind. Pulaski
is about 18 miles from Savannah; the loss of it ex-
poses that city to the inroads of our gunboats ; and
whatever its defences, it is quite impossible they
should long resist an attacking force by land and
river. Perhaps there is but one more important
city in the South, which is New Orleans. It com-
mands an extensive system of railroads, no less than
13 in number, which ramify in all directions to the
north, south, and west. As a centre of the cotton
commerce of the Gulf States it is no less important.
A half-million bales are annually shipped from that
port. The river Savannah, it should be remembered
also, is navigable to our smaller gunboats as high
-up as Augusta, some 200 miles into the interior.
From Savannah there is an easy approach to
Charleston, to which attention is soon likely to be
paid by Gen. Hunter's command."
Fort Macon at the latest dates, which were from
Newbern to the 11th and Hatteras to the 13th, were
still held by the Confederates. The despatches
say :

" As all communication had been cut off from it
both by land and water, it was expected the garri-
son would soon surrender. There are 500 rebel
troops in the fort. Gen. Burnside had made exten-
sive preparations for the reduction of the fort, and
his forces were still engaged in putting heavy guns
in position when the Jersey Blue left Newbern. The
bridge over the Neuse river, which was burned
by the retreating rebels, had been completely re-
paired by our troops. The health of our troops con-
tinued good, and but few cases of fever and ague
had occurred."

A report of Gen. Beauregard's death at the battle
of Pittsburg Landing is obstinately persisted in,
though the Southern papers publish a despatch
from him claiming a victory on the second day's
fighting. From Fortress Monroe, under date the
13th, we have the following

"A Norfolk paper has been received here, contain-
ing a desplteh from Beanregard in relation to the
second day's fighting at Pittsburg Llnding. Ho
claims a complete victory, and says that after capt ur-
in (,),. 36 of our guns and 8,000 prisoners, his force fell
back upon his works at Corinth, which they are fully
able to hold."

An authorised despatch has been issued in reply
to this, dated Baltimore, April 14.
" In reference to Beauregard's despatch, alluded
to above, inquiries have been made of the War De-
partment, and we are authorized to say that the
reports from Pittsburg Landing, already given to
the pubic, contradict the report in the Norfolk
papers. All reports received at the War Depart-
mmt confirm the statements that the enemy were
routed and pursued as far as the previous orders of
General Grant would permit, and the enemy are
now shut up in Corinth."

Thi2 following are the latest despatches from the
South-West :

" St. Louis, April 15.
' General Halleck arrived at Pittsburg on Friday
and immediately assumed command.
" General Grant's official report estimates our
loss at 1),S00 killed and 3,500 wounded. The loss
of the enemy in killed is greater than ours. Their
dead were left on the fiell An estimate of their
wounded cannot be made, as many must have been
sent to Corinth and other places.
~ The loss in our artillery force was great, many
of the pieces being disabled by shot, some losing all
their horses and many men. Not less than 200
horses were killed.

"The rebel army has its headquarters at the foot
of Pea Ridge, extending two miles from Corinth.
The advanced Federal forces ttre eight miles from
Pittsburg, leaving only two miles between the op-
po3ing armies. A battle may 11
Tough. a
assurances
t any
moment, We have the strongest
that
our army is ready for the encountoer."
It will be seen that the subjoined goes to enarrn
the fact of Beauregard being alive :
" Cincinnati, April 15.

" The Commercial says a reliable person, who
left the battle-ground on Thursday evening, esti-
mates our loss in killed from 1,200 to 1,500 ;
wounded, 3,500 to 4,000; missing 2,500• The
rebels lost more killed than we did, and not so
many wounded. Up to the time he left 2,200 rebels
had been buried. Our troops retook on Monday
all the batteries lost on Sunday, and 12 pieces from
the rebels. The rebels were so confident of their
ability to hold our camps taken on Sunday that,
with a single exception, they did not destroy them.
" Tuesday.—Beauregard sent a flag of truce, re-
questing permission to bury his dead, saying,
Owing to the heavy reinforcements you received
on Sunday night and Monday, and the fatigue of
of my men, I deemed it prudent to retire and not

renew the battle.' The permission was not granted.
The bearer of the flag admitted that Beauregard
had received a slight wound i❑ the arm."

A gunboat expedition had on the niht of the
12th proceeded up the Tennessee river, to a point
near Eastport, Mississippi, landed, and proceeding
to Bear-creek bridge, destroyed the to o bridges on
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. This is said to cut
off all communication between the main body of the
Confederates at Corinth with Alabama and the rest
of the South, except New Orleans.
The Committee of the Federal Congress who
have charge of the conduct of the war, are to
inquire into the surprise at Pittsburgh.
With reference to Island No. 10, the Boston
'Journal has the following :
" The rebel officers taken at Island Ten, say they
had heard all about the famous canal by which they
were circumvented, but did not believe it could be
done. On surrendering the rebels appeared very
chopfallen, though some cf their officers were as
bombastic as ever, one of them remarking, Well,
I have been fighting all my life, but its all over
with me now. lam a prisoner, but gentlemen,
you cannot subdue the South—just es sure as
Sou live the next battle we will whale you to
death. You can't whip the South.' After getting
over their mortification a little, the officers said
they had long been wishing to go North for their
health, and were glad of the opportunity. The
huge mortar shells made deep marks when they
struck on the island. Holes, as if animals had bur-
rowed, are visible where the missiles fell without ex-
ploding, and large trees were broken like twigs.
We have the following description of the rebel
floating battery :—The hull is 180 ft. long and 60
wide, built like that of a large steamer, decked very
strongly, and the guns all mounted along one side
and ends. To counterbalance this great weight was
a quantity of heavy ballast on the other side, and
also the ammunition, with baggage, &c., of the
crew. A most curious feature of the battery was
two small engines below in the hold, intended to
work a couple of pumps and fill at pleasure the
affair with water. There was also, by way of cargo,
80 torpedoes, hundreds of sky rockets, a couple of
electric batteries, and cells of submarine cable. The
concern seemed only a large specimen of the thou-
sands of novel infernal and useless machines the
rebels have favoured science with lately.
‘• The task of driving the rebels from the batte-
ries they had erected on the Tennessee shore, to pre-
vent Gen. Pope from crossing the river, was splen-
didly executed by the gunboats Carondelet and Pitts-
burg. The earthworks were high and strong, located
in excellent positions, but the accurate fire of our
artillerists caused the rebels to beat a hasty retreat
in almost every case."

No movement of consequence has taken place
before Yorktown. There has been some skirmish-
ing, in which the Federals claim the advantage.
The roads are said to be very bad. A special cor-
respondent of the Tribune says:—
" Daring the cannonading for the first 10 days of
the occupation of this place by our army not more
than font or five guns were developed, and those of
light artillery. This, however, is not the else now.
We may infer for a certainty that large reinforce-
ments have since arrived, that more and heavier
guns have been placed in position, and the works
strengthened. Last night our pickets held a con-
versation with the rebel pickets on the other side of
the Warwick River, not more than 1 rft. wide, in
the course of which the fact of the arrival of rein-
forcements under Johnson was confirmed. Ido not
understand, however, that even the best informed
have anything trustworty concerning the strength
of the enemy. It is assumed to be large; the Ma-
nassas army in fact. An army never was stopped
in a place with more objectionable features. The
country, as it has presented itself since we have
been here, is of little value to anybody. From its
general flatness there is but little drainage, and the
vast quantity of rain that has fallen during the last
week lies on the surface. As a consequence the
roads are bad beyond description. Empty teams,
drawn by four mules, are frequently unable to get
along. The chief occupation of the army thus far
has been to make new roads, and more miles of cor-
duroy road have been made during the past week
than I would dare to say for fear of being disbe-
lieved."

A Yorktown letter of April 11, in the New Fork
Post, remarks :

" We seem to lie here in plain view, as if taunting
the enemy, confident that his guns have no power
to harm us. Certainly they have given us very
little trolible thus far. Our line of pickets is snugly
ensconced behind their rifle pits, within a few hun-
dred yards of the enemy's works. It is here that
our sharpshooters so thoroughly annoy the rebels.
The number of pickets is very large, as the enemy
is constantly making feints and pretending to ad-
vance. He is bold and strong, but is met more
than half way, and that most promptly. No inci-
dent of importance has occurred since the skirmish
on the first day. That gave us the position we oc-
cupy. We are getting ready very fast for capturing
the rebel works. General Porter went up in the
balloon at 5 o'clock this morning, and when about
100 feet above the ground the rope anchoring the
balloon broke, and the general sailed off south-
westerly toward Richmond. He was alone, but had
sufficient calmness to pull the valve rope, and gra-
dually descended, reaching the ground in safety,
about three miles from camp."
The Merrimac has made no further sign. She
remains off Craney Island, and there is said to be
a cluster of tugs about her, which aro constantly
moving, while she is stationary. The conclusion
drawn from that is that she is aground, The cor-
respondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer intimates
That she is repairing damages sustained by the
bursting of one of her own Shells. Ho says
" it is supposed that the object of the enemy is to
get by our batteries at the Fort and the Rip Raps,
and go up to Yorktown and take part in the impor-
tant struggle now going on there. It is confidently
believed that preparations have been made which
will effectually dispose of the Merrimac in the fight
which must soon come off. She manifested great re-
luctance to venture out of our trap, and it would
have been the height of folly for the Monitor to
have left the important point which she was set to
watch.

" 7 30 p.m.—At half-yast 3 o'clock the Merrimac
changed the position she had occupied for several
hours, and moved down toward the Monitor, until
she reached a point about three miles distant, when
she backed, and nearing the mouth of Hampton
Creek, fired a shot at the Naugatuck and gunboat
Octorara, which were lying in the bend opposite the
hospital. The shot was returned by the Octorara,
and some lively firing took place, 15 cr 20 shots
being fired. Not only did the Octorara and Nauga-
tuck fire, but Nim's and Follett's batteries stationed
between Hampton and the fortress made several
excellent line shots. The shell from the Octorara
fell short, but those of the Naugatuck were most
beautifully aimed. The first ono from their 120-
pounder went over the Merrimac, a perfect line shot
and fell into the water a quarter of a mile beyond;
another fell shot t, bat within a fourth of a mile of
the rebel gunboats, while a third fell close to the
foreign fleet, which, unfortunately, was somewhat
in the way at that time.
" When the Merrimac fired her third gun an un-
usual smoke arose from her port-hole, and the shell
fell into the water not more than a mile beyond.
This was cvidenly an accident, and in a few mo•
meets, it being then half-past 4, the Merrimac turned
herbow toward Elizabeth River, and slowly steamed
up, the other craft following her. It is believed by
many that the gun on the Merrimac burst on the
last discharge, as pieces of shell were seen to fall
near the monster.

toTthhee ,orarroesepredt Y ence of the ew T ork Tribune is
brief bet
"The second
duel thet
cAalme rer
oi mffaocnaFnrdidtahye
Monitor was of
duration.
wecli
It
afternoon at 15
minutes
rc d
to 4. The Secessionist fleet
tflhaeunnitoerdnainn ' ag
autte•
about from an early hour in
challenging
andand tempting the Monitor
to quit her anchorage go up into shallow water
to,engage the bulls
of her ,
and
battle, while the
Jamestown, Yorktown, three other consorts
should come down and rampage
among the trans
ports. The Merrimae's first gun
,a
The
ashell,
plated
2 challenge blank
cartridge, was fired to leeward;
propeller Naugatuck replied Fired in

some excitement, and perhaps more inexperience, it
burst short in the air. Her second shot, yet out of
range, went over the Merrimac, and over all her five
consorts, drawn up in line of battle: The Merrimac's
second shot was a shell, which fell harmless at a dis.
tance of two miles. The third shot, a shell fired from
an immense gun made at the Tredegar Works, and
said to be a 300-pounder, burst within the gun and
exploded the piece inside of the port. The pieces
of the gun and shell were seen to sprinkle the
water, and smoke ascended from the covering over
the deck. The explosion was supposed to have been
deadly and damaging, for the Merrimac withdrew
from the ring, and slowly went Norfolk-ward. The
Yorktown and her four consorts lay quietly in their
positions for about two hours; then two of them
suddenly went off, and made straight for two her-
maphrodite brigs and one polacea at anchor near the
Hampton Seminary, and took and carried them off.
The latter was loaded with sutlers' goods, the pro-
perty of two Jews, who were unamiably suspected
of a design to have their vessel captured, for they
were taken with her. Her cargo was worth 6,000
dols. One of the brigs was loaded with hay. Her
owner stood on the dock and saw her captured, and
looked on his instant and utter ruin. A purse was
made up for him. The other brig was loaded with
beef. Both vessels had been removed abreast of
the Seminary for safety out of reach of the fire of
the combatants. The two French steam frigates
moved from their anchorage and took up a position
near the English ship Rinaldo. While there
the rebel vessels were seen to range near and
to speak them, and, from appearances, dialogues
took place between the rebel and the French and
English captains. The Naugatuck got aground
just as the Yorktown and Jamestown and consorts
made a dash at the brigs and polacca, otherwise shf
would certainly have saved them, and have sunk
two or more of her adversaries."

There has been some firing between Confederate
batteries and Federal steamers in the York river.
A letter from Washington of the 15th says—
" The Yankee went about eight miles up the York
river on Sunday night, and anchored off Glocester
Point, where the steamers Penobscot, Marble Heart,
and Wachusett were already lying. The rebel
batteries at the Point, which are said to be very
extensive, mounting mostly 100-pounder rifled guns,
tried the range of their guns at the steamers about
3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, the shot falling vary
little short of the Marble Heart, The vessel then
dropped down the river, and about three miles be-
low the Point discovered a party of rebels building
a battery on the north bank, on whom the "Yan-
kee opened fire at a distance of three-quarters of a
mile. The rebels seemed loth to abandon their
works, and although the shells of the Yankee fell
in their midst, they did not leave the vicinity) but
took refuge in the woods, and behind some neigh-
bouring log houses. The Yankee, after firing some
60 or 70 shot and shell during an hour and a half,
left the scene, the other boats having come up to
do their share. As the Yankee was leaving the
boats of the Marble Heart were on the way to the
shore to burn the houses, behind which the rebels
had taken refuge, During the engagement a bat-
tery up the river fired some eight or ten shots, but
they fell far short of their mark. The guns in the
batteries at Glocester Point are said to be only in
a position to reach vessels below them in the middle
of the river, and light draught vessels can approach
within a short distance of the Point with safety
by hugging the shore."
The Federal journals represent the condition of
New Orleans as being most miserable.
The Cincinnati Commercial says—

"A foreign resident of New Orleans, who lately
passed through this city on his way to Europe,
gave very interesting details of the condition of
things in the Crescent city and in the rebel army.
From his position as a foreign subject he had supe-
rior opportunities for obtaining information, and
doubtless was less biassed in forming opinions than
persons interested on either side of our great con-
test. New Orleans he represented to be in a very
distressed and only partially defended condition.
Foreign residents of wealth were despairing'bf the
restoration of trade, and, so far as possible, had
already left, or were preparing to go, most of them
leaving either for the West Indies or Europe. The
banks were abundantly supplied with specie—
about 18,000,000 dols., but there was scarcely any
in circulation, and Confederate money was only
worth 40c. on the dollar. Every hope of protection
against the Union army, as well there as through-
oat the South-West, was hung upon the army con-
centrating at Corinth, and consequently all avail-
able war material, particularly in the way of men,
was sent thither. A company comprising leading
prominent merchants, bank officers, presidents of
insurance companies, &c., had been formed and
sent to Corinth, mainly to aid in stimulating others
to go. The Vigilance Committee impressed men
without hesitation, taking them at any time and
from any place. Leaving New Orleans less than a
fortnight ago, this gentleman proceeded to Corinth,
and learned much from his personal observation of
the army there, and of its intended march upon our
forces. The force assembled was about 130,000
men, a large number of whom were sick and ill-
provided, because recently recruited."
A Richmond paper contains an article intimating
that the Monitor, Naugatuck, and Galena, all ar-
moured vessels, might come up the James River,
and by their invulnerability and powerful guns
take and keep possession of the city, and proposes
that the channel of James River may be obstructed
by stone at once.

The Herald's Washington despatch s tates that the
steamer Jacob Bell visited Aquia Creek on Friday,
and found the water battery there abandoned,
the wharf destroyed, railroad track torn up, rails
carried away, and guns and stores removed, but the
railroad depot and rebel quarters were standing.
She also visited another creek, where a large rebel
water battery was discovered with another on the
hill in the rear. An attempt was made to attack
these batteries. Several contrabands communicated
with the steamer, stating that the rebels had left
Fredericksburg without destroying the bridge.
There are rumours in the American papers that,
owing to the recent successes of the Federals, the
Emperor of the French would cease to recognise
the Southerns as belligerents, and that En gland
would follow his example. The Evening Post dis-
credits the report.
In reply to the Committee of the Freedman's
Association, the President has said :
" I am entirely satisfied that no man who becomes for the
time free within the American lines will ever be re-enslaved.
Rather than have it so I would give up and abdicate."
The St. Louis Republican says that Capt. Hollins
of the Confederate navy was captured at Island No.
10, and is expected in that city soon.
Cotton was more sought after at New York on
the 15th at uniform rates. Flour was freely offered,
and prices again declined sc. to 10c. per barrel, yet
tho demand was very moderate. No important
movements occurred in wheat. Corn was dull and
heavy. Rye was in fair request. Groceries were
less active, as were also whisky and the principal
kinds of provisions. Metals were quiet. Limited
transactions were reported in hay, hops, oils, seeds,
tobacco, and naval stores. The freight engagements
were restricted.

Thehreto York Evening Post has the following in
reference to the Tax Bill :
"The committee in Congress have, we think, estimated
for too small a sum to meet the exigencies of the times—

viz. :-

Dols.

For the Customs duties .. 3.5,000,060
For direct tax .. 12,000,000
For internal taxes . • , . 103,000,000

150,000,000
These figures are on too small a scalp. With Governmental
expenditures at the rate of 600,000,000 dols. or 700,000,000
dole, annually, the banks exhausted and unable to aid the
Treasury further, and private capital no longer available
to any large extent, it seems to us that the taxation
schedule should contemplate the raising of at least one
half the amount of Government expenses by direct and in-
direct taxation. The British Government with a smaller
population than our own, gets without difficulty 70,000,000
sterling, or 350,000,000 dols. annually, only one-third of
which is from the tariff. And this has been clone for many
years past. Certainly our people should submit for one or
two or three years to a similar draught upon their resources.
After the war shall be ended, and the annual expenditure
reduced to that of a peace establishment, say 120,000,000
to 150,000,000 dole., we may come down to reduced taxa-
tion. But we want now a system whereby at least
300,000,000 dols, can be raised fur the year. The report of

the American Geographical and Statistical Society (pre-
pared by Messrs. Poor, Homans, Gould, Waddell, and
Russell), added to the report to the Boston Board of Trade,
shows how this can be done without being a burlen—viz. :
Dols.

An excise of 2c. per lb. on cotton (instead of
lc.), say on 3,000,000 bales .. 24,000,000
On tobacco, 20c. per lb.. .. .. 30,000,000
On sugar.. .. 9,000,000
One per cent. on sales of merchandise, agri-
cultural products, &c. (estimated by the
Boston committee at 103,250,000 dols.) .. 103,250,000
Stamps on commercial paper, estimated at
10,000,000,000 dols. (1-10th of one per
cent.) annually .. 10,000,000
Tax on tonnage) 1 dol. per ton annually .. 5,000,000
On spirits, 100,000,000 gallons .. 15,000,000
On ale, beer, malt liquors, &c., 4,000,000 brls. 4,000,000
Receipts of railroads, ferries, omnibuses,
steamboats, 5 per cent. .. 5,000,000
Petroleum and coal oil.. .. .. 2,500,000
Licences of all kinds .. 20,000,000
Tax on live stock 30,000,000
Tax on advertisements, 5 per cent. 3,000,000

260,000,000
Custom-house duties .. 40,000;000
Direct tax 12,000,000

312,000,000
Tho principal item, 103,000,000 dols., the Boston committee
urge can be collected through stamps, and this will thus
cost but little to collect. The committee say :
" ' Under this plan it is proposed that every person or
company, subject to taxes in any form under the act shall
make periodical returns of the amount of business (subject
to tax) which has been done by them, and shall make pay-
ment of said tax by affirming to their returns stamps of th
required value.'

" The Boston report is signed by Messrs. E. E. Bigelow,
Thomas Lamb, and Charles G. Nazro. The process by
which Mr. Bigelow arrives at the sum stated as the bulk of
sales of merchandise and produce as this :

Dols.

Aggregate value of domest.c products of the
country .. .. 2,600,000,000
Add foreign imports .. .. 350,000,000

Totally annually

.. 2,950,000,000

" Assuming that these are sold (on an average) three and
a half times before they roach tho consumer, tho total an-
nual amount of solos would be 10,325,000 000 dols."

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION.

Already the arrangements, or rather disarrange-
ments, in the order of the opening ceremonial, have
begun, and will continue, we expect, at short inter-
vals, until about half an hour before the doors are
opened on the Ist of May. Yesterday morning, at
the earliest hour at which it was possible to com-
mence work in the building, it was decided to re-
move the wooden framework of the throne, which
is hereafter to be draped with crimson velvet. This
state canopy has, during the short time it has been
in existence, stood on the north side
,of the nave,
midway between the English and foreign divisions
of the building, but yesterday it was decided to
pull it down and place it under the western dome.
On the very spot where it has been determined to
erect it the beautiful porcelain works from the
Royal Berlin factory had been most admirably
arranged, but of course all these details have been
swept away, and the throne yesterday evening was
for the second time being put together. Of course,
this change necessitates delay in some department
or the other, but now that the labour is infloitely
subdivided such an amount of work is accomplished
in a few hours as, if only applied a short time ago,
would have got the whole building into perfect
order long before this. We by no means intend this
remark to refer to Messrs.lk and Lucas. They
have always been in time with what they under-
took to do, and but for their unremitting diligence
the building would now be in an almost hope-
less state of confusion as far even as regards the
mere work. Another alteration which has been
made in the official programme is, we are glad to
say, an extension of the time during which the
public will be admitted. The hour fixed for the
procession has also been changed from 2 to 1 o'clock,
and the building consequently will be open to the
public from half-past 10 till half-past 12. But with
the utmost deference, we cannot help thinking that
the additional half-hour for the admission of visitors
will not be found sufficient for the entry of all who
are certain to be present on the Ist. The calcula-
tions have no doubt been carefully made, and based,
we think, upon the number of persons that can pass
through a turnstile in a given time; but there will
be a wide difference between these numbers and the
numbers that actually will do so on Thursday. One
has only to drive along the Brompton-road now to
at once understand what the block of carriages will
be, and this will be one important sourcakof delay.
Another will not improbably arise, from the ascer-
tained fact that ladies have not always their season
tickets at hand at the precise moment when it is
necessary to show them. Instead of 3,000 going
through a turnstile in a given time the number is
likely to be short of 1,000; and as far as regards
what has to be done in the interior, it will certainly
be as ready for the reception of visitors at 10 as at
half-past 10. The plain rule to be followed should be
to avoid anything like an approach to a crowd of
visitors at the doors. If this is allo wed to occur there
must be an amount of confusion and inconvenience
when the doors are opened which is sure to cause
the deepest dissatisfaction, and if ladies and gentle-
men choose to come as early even as 9 they ought
to be admitted as they arrive.

Among other great celebrities who are coming to
the opening are the three Japanese Ambassadors—
namely, the chief Minister, " Take No Ouchi Shim-
odzake No Kami;" the second Minister, " Matsu-
dairu Iwami No Kami ;" and the third Minister,
" Keogoku Note No Kami." Evidently " No Kami"
is as common a surname with the Japanese as Smith
with us, or the Embassy must be a family concern
altogether. Already the demand for season tickets
is so large that notices have been issued requesting
that purchasers will have their names ready written
on slips of paper in order to facilitate the labour of
the clerks, while at the building itself it is seriously
proposed to issue them out of the window of the
office into the Cromwell-road, as the stairs are
blocked wit,l) applicants ail day. Upwards of £2,000
worth of tickets wero sold yesterday at Exeter-hall
alone. On Thursday no tickets will be passed
which have not the names of the owners written
upon them in ink.
Foreseeing the demand for season tickets now
springing up, the Sacred Harmonic Society applied
to the officers of the commission late on Saturday
night for a further supply of from £7,000 to £lO,OOO
worth, which of course were immediately supplied.
The lower hall at Exeter-hall is engaged as a tic-
ket-office, and will be open from 10 o'clock in the
morning.

The International Commissioners have called to
their aid the stewards of the Handel Festival. A
considerable number of these gentlemen and others
have, under the direction of Mr. Davis Sims and
Mr. Withall, undertaken to officiate as stewards for
the reserved seats.

The great rehearsal of tho instrumental music for
the opening took place this forenoon, under the
direction of Mr. Costa, in the largo hall, Exeter-
hail.

It is singular that exactly the same rumour should
have got abroad now as was circulated before the
opening in 1851—namely, that after the formal
opening the building will be olosed to the public
for a fortnight, to allow the contents to be more
carefully arranged. Of course, there is not the
remotest foundation for this report. The building
will be opened on Thursday next, and, except on
Sundays, will not be closed to the public till the
15th of October, on the evening of which day it
will be shut for ever. The idea of closing it for a
fortnight after the opening is simply absurd, as
what remains now to do is merely matter of arrange-
ment, which will certainly be nearly all completed
before Saturday next. The French Court is mak-
ing immense progress towards final adjustment,
and the other foreign countries are almost ready.
The Roman Court is:quite complete, and, as might
be expected, it contains the great gems of art
in the building. In addition to the two superb
figures by the American artist Mr. Story, which
we mentioned yesterday, other groups have
since been placed. The most beautiful of these
are a boy and girl dancing, by the ablest and
most fertile of Italian sculptors of the present
day, M. Benzoni. It seems impossible to
exceed the lightness, grace, and action which are
here imparted to the forms. There is a "go" about

•
them, to use a homely but in this case expressive 1
term, which we have seldom seen before in marble
groups. Another American artist, Mr. Mozicr,
also sends one or two fine figures, though much be-
hind those of his fellow-countryman Mr. Storey.
Cardinal Antonelli has sent a most superb casket,
in which the rarest of his fine collection of minerals
and precious stones are kept when at Rome, and the
Pope sends some noble mosaics from the Vatican.
The Court also is filled with vases and columns in
rosso-antico, Egyptian alabaster, lapis.lazuli, pic-
tures, carved woodwork, and inlaid mosaic tables
of the richest, most artistic, and most costly descrip.
tion. For pure works of art no main portion of the
building of the same size can at all compete with
the contents of the Roman Court.

TILE TEL MARRIAGE CASE.