The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-27 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

M. Grabow has been re-elected president of the
Second Chamber by 276 votes out of 288. A pro-
gressist and a member of the Central Left have been
re-elected vice-presidents-
The following was the speech of the President of
the Chamber after his election :

" Gentlemen—At the beginning of my political
career, in 1840, I heard, in company with thousands
upon thousands of enthusiastic Prussians, the follow-
ing words from the lips of the King The path
of kings is watered with tears, if they have not
with them. the hearts and minds of their people.'
In those lofty words the great, the noble, and glori-
ous principle of the union of prince and people was
pronounced in its largest acceptation. From that
principle flows the power of liberty, the well-being
of the state. This principle has been in all time
the finest heritage of the Hohenzollern dynasty, the
most precious j e rvel of the Prussian nation, which is
so great in history; and this union we, the repre-
sentatives of the people, do not wish ever to see dis-
turbed. It is that which we wish to maintain, faithful
to our august King, and intimately bound in fidelity
to the nation. It will help us to keep sacred and
inviolable the constitutional rights of the Crown ;
it will help us to guard faithfully the sworn rights
of the nation ; it will destroy the electoral cry
which has been for some time heard amongst the
Prussian people, so faithful to their constitution,
The dynasty of Parliament'—(loud applause)—it
unites us all at the beginning of my functions in
the reply, Nothing but the constitutional dynasty,
with its constitutional Chamber of Deputies'—
(applause)—and in the enthusiastic cry Long live
King William I. and all the august house of Hohen-
zollern !'"

A few details have transpired relative to the
address which the chamber are about to adopt. It
commences by protesting the firm and unalterable
loyalty of the great liberal party ; it then energe-
tically blames the manner in which the elections
have been conducted, and the attempts made to
bring the King into the contests of parties; and
it concludes by ennouncing the satisfaction of the
chamber at the attitude which has been assumed
with regard to Hesse Cassel.

MR. STANSFELLIS MOTION.

(From Correspondent of the Manchester Guardian.)

•
One hears a good deal of speculation just now—
speculation as to Mr. Disraeli's " little game'—as
to the line he will take on Mr. Stansfeld's motion
pledging the Government to reduction of expendi-
ture, how far he is prepared to go for support from
the advocates of retrenchment at all costs, and how
long he can couibine advancei to Mi.—White and
Mr. Bright, The O'Donoghue and Mr. Pope Hen-
.
nessy, with the leadership of the-Opposition. Then
there is speculation as to the line Government will
take on Mr. Stansfeld's motion, which is ingeni-
ously worded. Mr. Stansfeld moves, that in the
opinion of the House the national expenditure
is capable of reducti n, without compromising
the safety, the independence, or the legitimate
influence of the country. The Government can-
not accept this, as they often can accept an abstract
resolution without practical consequences ; but
they will contend, and with force, that, if there be
any intention of charging the Government with ex-
travagance, the proper mode of doing so is by rais-
ing the' discussion on the estimates, and not by
moving a resolution after the money for the year
has been voted. An effective and careful speech
may bo looked for from Mr. Stansfeld, who has
already taken rank as the best speaker, after Bright
and Cobden, among the unattached Liberals. The
only fault one hears him charged with is too much
finish and elaboration. His art is not yet suffi-
ciently hidden. But this is only a fault in an old
hand. In a young member it is rather a virtue, as
marking deliberation, care, and the determination to
achieve a position. Mr. Horsman, who will move
anoamendment on Mr, Stansfeld, is by many con-
,sideredf the best speaker, after Gladstone and
Bright, in the House of Commons. The debate
sustained by such antagonists cannot but be inte•
'resting, The narrow escape of the Alderney forti-
fication vote, and the defeat of the British Museum
extension scheme, are naturally much commented
one. The former is construed into an expression,
not)only of dissatisfaction with the particular work
going on at Alderney, but of the growing con vie-
etion that this locking-up of men and money in
.stone forts is a mistake altogether. This conviction
will not, perhaps, be so deeply shaken as Ministers
tropeiand profess to expect by the new report of the
Defence Commission, which will be in members'
hands In a day or two.

TILL • SESSION.—The "slaughter of the inno.-
cenW has been o,muoenced at an earlier period than usual
this session. It was inaugurated last evening by the with-
drawal of the Education (Scotland) Bill, a Government
measure, the order for which was, on the motion of the Lord
Ad+dc4te, discharged. There is still business enough, how-
ever, 'of a useful character before the house to keep the
legOlative machine going to the end of July.

AMERICA.

(PER NIAGARA, BY TELEGRAPH TO HALIFAX AND
via QUEENSTOWN,)
NEW YORK, MAY 15.

According to the Baltimore American, prisoners
returned from Richmond report that the evacuation
of that place was merely a matter of time.

The Confederate Government officials declared
they would resist to the last, but it was believed
they were secretly preparing for an evacuation.
Some Confederate troops have been sent north-
wards to check 111‘Dowell's advance. The most
violent Confederates in Richmond stated that it was
intended to throw their whole army on to Wash
ington, but the Union men believed this to be a ruse
to deceive people.

A New York 7 imes despatch states that Governor
Sprague, who has just returned from M'Clellan's
advance, reports that the Federal loss in the battle
at Williamsburg will amount to 2,000, and that the
Confederate loss was not less. Governor Sprague
says the battle at West Point was much more
severe than has been reported, and that at least 500
Federals were taken prisoners, the Confederates
taking advantage of the landing of the Federals.
The Federal gunboats arrived in good time, and
saved Franklin from suffering severe disaster.
Governor Sprague speaks in the highest terms of
General Freeman, who has commanded the Federal
advance since the evacuation of Yorktown.

Another despatch, addressed to the same journal
from Falmouth, in the department of the Rappa-
hannock, says the Confederate lines are maintained
as formerly, and it seems to be definitely established
that they are throwing up earthworks, but these are
supposed to be merely to protect pickets, as it is not
anticipated that they intend to preserve an isolated
line in that vicinity.
The Confederate and Federal outposts are only
100 rods distant from each other. • •

Mr. Edward Stanley, of San Francisco, has been
appointed Military Governor of North Carolina.
A despatch from Pittsburg Landing, dated the
14th inst., announces that General Halleck would
on that day move his camp four miles to the front.
The Federal forces are at an average distance of
two and a•half to three miles from the Confederate
entrenchments at Corinth.

The Federal army advances slowly, because of the
nature of the ground necessitating the building of
corduroy roads and bridges.
It is generally understood that an engagement at
Corinth will come off this week.

General Mitchell is reported to have formed a
junction with General Pope.

Mitchell's division now forms the extreme left o:
the Federal lines.

Beauregard is fortifying Grand Junction, evi.
dently with the intention of falling back there ii
beaten at Corinth.

The number of troops under Beauregard is esti-
mated at General Halleck's head-quarters at from
120,000 to 170,000 men.

In the Federal Congress, Senator Trumbull has
offered a resolution, that the President should, if it
were consistent with public interests, communicate
to the Senate any information he may have of any
design on the part of any foreign Power to inter-
vene in the contest now existing, and should also
state whether any foreign nation had made any
arrangements with the insurgents, or had it contem-
plated to do so ?
The New Orleans Delta of May 1 contains a copy
of the protest of Commander Clouet, of the French
steamer Milan, opposite New Orleans, addressed to
the commander of the Federal fleet.
In this protest Commander Clouet states that he
is at New Orleans to protect 30,000 French inhabi-
tants, and regrets to learn that only 48 hours had
been accorded for the evacuation of the city by the
women and children, and continues,—
" This short delay is ridiculous. If you are re-
solved to bombard the city, you will have to account
for this barbarous act to the French Government.
In any event I demand 60 days for the evacuation."
A copy of the vote of thanks of the House of
Representatives has beeia forwarded by special
messenger to General M'Clellan,
The House of Representatives has passed the
Army Bill, appropriating 421,000,000 dols. for the
year ending June, 1863. In addition to this
208,000,000 dols. have been voted during the pre-
sent session for current army expenses and de-
ficiencies for the present 3 ear.
The ..', ew York World says that Secretary Stanton
has issued an order that newspaper correspondents
shall not be permitted to telegraph any account of
the approaching battle at Corinth after it has taken
place until the report is first revised by the military
censor at Cairo.

The .New York Tribune has a special Washington
despatch, stating that the French Minister had re•
ceived intelligence from the French COnsul at Rich-
mond that the Confederate Government had notified
to him that, if it were found necessary to evacuate
Richmond, the French tobacco must be destroyed
with the rest, the Confederates offering at the same
time to pay for it.
The Federal General Hunter, commanding the
Military Department of Georgia, Florida; and
South Carolina, has issued a proclamation declarin g
martial law in those States ; and as martial law and
slavery are incompatible, all slaves in Georgia,.
Florida, and South Carolina are declared for ever
free.

The steamship Champion, from Aspinwall, ar•
rived at New York with 484,000 dols, in specie.

The question of the admission of Edwin James to
the New York bar is being canvassed, both sides
having strong advocates. Edwin James has soli-
cited a meeting of the New York bar for Saturday,
when he intends to state his case, taking the ground
that he is still a member of the English bar, and
that his diploma has never been avoided or re-
voked. Should the committee report unfavour-
ably, Mr. James has retained Mr. J. T. Brady as
his counsel.

THE LATE CALAIIMY 111, ROILAND,

UTRECHT, -SUNDAY.

The fearful calamity which has recently occurred
to Enschede can now be, estimated at its real im-
portance. Seventeen-twentieths of the town have
become a mass of ruins, and about 4,000 persons
are homeless and penniless. A great portion of the
property destroyed was uninsured, but the ma-
chinery employed in the manufactories was chiefly
insured in English offices. The distress of the
burneA-out operatives is very great, but liberal sub-
scriptions ofi Money and contributions of clothing
are being sent in. A vast number of tents have
been erected in tho adjoining fields for the tempo-
rary accommodation of the homeless. The report
that the fire was caused by lightning is incorrect ;
it is lielies,ed to have been the work of an incen-
diary. In- any case, a man has been arrested on
grave'auspicion of having set fire to his own house
for some ulterior purpose. Only one manufactory
has escaped destruction, and the damage is esti-
mated ..at upwards of a million sterling. Almost
all the books and papers of value have been de-
stroyed, owing to the worthlessness of the fire-proof
safes eimploed. Several persons are missing, and
it is feared. they hive been suffocated in the smoke.
One hundred thousand guilders have been for-
warded to the relief committee from the sub-com-
mittees formed in the different cities of the kingdom.

LAW OF PARTNERSHIP.—The bill which Mr.
Scholefield has just introduced into the House of Commons
proposes to allow persons lending money to traders on the
terms of receiving a share of profits as interest, and regis-
tering the transaction at the Joint Stock Companies' Re-
gistration-office not to become general partners, but only
limited partners. Only the general partners will be liable
to bankruptcy, but in case of such bankruptcy limited part-
ners are not to be paid till after the other creditors ; and in
case of bankruptcy within 12 mouths after their ceasing to
be limited partners, they are liable to refund money repaid
to them within that twelvemonth for satisfaction of the
claims of creditors who were such while these persons were
limited partners. The Lill also proposes that•the names of
the partners in a firm are to be registered if the title of the
firm doesnot contain them all, or contains the name of a
person not really in the business.
We understand that a petition in bankruptcy
was, on Saturday, filed against Mr. G. V. Brooke, the
tragedian, who is now a prisoner in Warwick County Gaol,
under a Ca, sa. It is reported that he will be released oni
Wednesday neat.—Birnongltim Pos‘

THE NATIONAL BANK.

MEETING THIS DAY.

The National Bank held its annual meeting to-
day. Mr. M. Usborne in the chair. The report
stated that—

" On no occasion since the foundation of the society in
1.835 have the directors had such substantial results whereon
to congratulate the shareholders concerning the progress
of the company. The greatly increased profits of the
bank are to some extent due to the prevalence , of
high rates of interest during a great portion of
the year 1861 They. are, however, also due to an
actual augmentation of tho business of the bank both in
England and in Ireland. The balance-sheet at the close of
1861 exhibits a total of assets of above six millions, being
the highest figure ever reached by the bank at the close of
any year since its establishment. Since these accounts
were made up, a dividend at the rate of £8 per cent. per
annum, and a bonus of 15s. per share, amounting
together to £35,000, were paid in February last. The
amount of undivided profits after payment of the bonus
and dividend therefore stood at £199,050 14s. 6d. this year,
as compared with £146,93155. 5d., the amount of undivided
profits after payment of the February dividends in 1861.
The directors desire now to recall the attention of the pro-
prietors to the fact that in May, 1857, the paid-up capital
of the bank was augmented out of accumulated profits
from £450,000 to £500,000, since which date the divi •
dends of the bank have been declared rateably on
the larger sum—the rest or unappropriated profit
then commencing at £70,534 9s. 4d. after that
operation. The directors have referred to the augmenta-
tion of the capital in 1857, because they now propose that
the paid-up capital of the bank shall be further increased
from £500,000 to £6oo,ooo—by a present allocation of £5
per share on 20,00 p shares,'lliaking together £loo,ooo—out
of the undivided profits, after which proposed addition to
paid-up capital the rest or undivided profits will be
£99,050 14s. 6d., and each £5O share will stand as £3O
paid-up. When the dividend shall be declared next August
it is proposed that it shall be at the rate of 8 per cent. per
annum on the paid-up capital of £600,000, and that the
bonus or extra dividend shall be 16s. per share."
The Chairman proposed the adoption of Qe re-
port, and stated that the progress of the Bank
was exceedingly satisfactory. He stated that,
after paying £70,000 last year for a dividend and
a bonus, there was left £52,000 to be carried to the
profit and loss account, the profit for the year be-
ing 241 per cent. on the capital. The, new
branches in England and Ireland, which num-
bered eighteen, had not cost more than £1,250
each, while the head building, in which
they were then assembled represented an expense
of £29,500. The average amount of dividend and
bonus paid during the last three years to the pro-
prietors was about £2O 13s. per share. In conclu-
sion the Chairman again alluded to the prosperous
condition of the bank and its increasing business,
and condemned in very strong terms the writer of
an anonymous letter, who was supposed to be a,dis-
charged official of the establishment. The report
wes carried by acclamation, and the retuning
officers re-elected.

An alteration was made yes►.erday in one of the
rules of the Stock Exchange, but it is only of interest to
the members. The time for payment on foreign stocks or
scrip shares is altered from three o'clock to half-past two
o'clock on account days only. On other days the regula-
tions stand as before.

THE EMILIE ST. PIERRE.—The Morning Post
has the following :—lt will be remembered that an English
vessel of this name recently arrived at Liverpool, in charge
of her master, steward, and cook, who had recaptured her
from an American crew. She had attempted to run the
blockade, and was fairly and lawfully seized by the Federal
blockading squadron, and then sent for adjudication in
charge of a prize crew. By dint of clever stratagem and no
small pluck, the three Englishmen succeeded in regaining
possession of the ship, and in navigating her to Liverpool.
The American Government has now requested her surrender
back to them. We understand, however, that this demand
cannot be complied with, as there is no municipal law that
takes cognisance of the act cf these three men as an offence,
or indeed recognises such an injury suffered by a belligerent.
Had an American cruiser met the Emilie St. Pierre on the
high seas she might have seized her, and the fact of the
rescue would have condemned her in international law. But
there is no municipal law which can warrant the English
Government in delivering her up to that of America, with
whose request it is therefore bound to refuse compliance.

FIRES IN THE METROPOLIS.—Yesterday morn-
ing, at an early hour, a fire broke out in the premises be-
longing to Mr. C. R. Smith, licensed victualler and pro-
prietor of the White Horse Tavern, situate No. 105, Long-
acre, but the firemen managed to confine the fire to the
basement. The loss will fall upon the Sun-office. A fire,
attended with great loss of property, happened in the pre-
mises belonging to Mr. A. March, an ostrich feather-
dresser, carrying cn business at No. 128, Cannon-street-
road East. •It was arrested in its progress just as it was
attacking the premises of Mr. E. Bell, No. 126, and those
of Mrs. E. Beaumont, No. 130, in the same street. The
firemen were unable to get the flames extinguished until
the premises of Mr. March werenearl3 destroyed, and those
of Mr. Bell and Mrs. Beaumont severely injured. Mr.
March was insured in the Alliance Fire-office ; Mr. Bell
was insured in the Emperor-office; but Mrs. Beaumont
was not insured. Another fire also took place in the pre-
mises of Mr. J. Bartlett, No. 12, South-street, Bethnal-
green-road. Considerable damage was done. The sufferer
was uninsured.

THE- BALLOT SOCIETY.—The 'weekly meeting
of the Executive Committee was held on Monday, at the
Offices 5, Guildhall-chambers, Basinghall-street, Mr. J. F.
Bontems (in the chair), Mr. Sydenham Nodes, Mr.White-
hurst, Mr. Man, &c., were present. A letter from Lord
Teynham was read, regretting hla inability to attend the
recent meeting at the Whittington Club, but expressing
his "undiminished attachment to the objects sought by
the society." The committee were engaged in consi-
dering the notice of motion for a bill to allow the
votes of municipal electors to be taken by way of ballot, in
all places where the Town Council shall so think fit— and
unanimously agreed to the following resolution:—" That
this committee earnestly and respectfully solicits the Par-
liamentary friends of the ballot to support the motion of
which notice has been given by Mr. Augustus Smith, M.P.,
for the adoption of the ballot in municipal elections."
FROM THE OCEAN.—Last week, a bottle was
picked up on the shore, near Culzean, containing a slip of
pager, on which was written, with pencil, the following :
" Ship, Crescent of the Wave, 23d June, 1856. Lost sight
of Cape Clear on Wednesday-12 days out. Stiff breeze
blowing from the Atlantic. Two births on board and one
death since leaving. Except this all are well. Any per-
son finding this will please intimate to John Smith, Largs,
that his son Tom is well.—T. S." Six years, it will be
seen, has the bottle been sailing on the boisterous waves
without being broken.— Ayt shit e Advertiser. .

-
A correspondent of the Lahore Chronicle gives
an account of the marriage of the son of the Maharajah of
Cashmere with the daughter of the Rajah of Chumba, The
Cashmere chief came to the wedding with his whole court,
and 10,000 followers. The marriage presents were numerous •
and costly. According to the Rajpoot custom, each chief
on becoming a guest received a present of a bag of money,
and on being dismissed by the Maharajah a handsome
khillut with another bag of money. During the hours of
the night the nuptial knot was tied, a form which is litter-
ally performed according to Hindoo custom, by tying the
garments' of the bride and bridegroom together, while the
incantations are read. Ihe bridegroom is a boy of nine,
the bride an infant. The marriage ceremonies are said to
have cost the Rajah 70,000 rupees and the Maharajah
about 15 laths,

THE JAPANESE AT HOME—TO every one who
has seen or hoard of our adventurous Asiatic visitors, the
question will naturally occur, " What will they think of
their own countrymen when they get back again
on comparing the state of things Japanese with what they
have witnessed in Europe P How will they, at first, recon-
cile themselves to the absence of railways, gas, telegraphs,
postage stamps, carriages, and operatic spectacles ? What
impression are they likely themselves to receive, on re-
turning to give an account of their mission to the authori-
ties who sent them hither ?" For experience teaches the
traveller that not until he revisits his native land can he fully
appreciate what he has seen elsewhere in relation to what
he left at home. The Dutchman has no idea how wonder-
fully flat Holland is, until he takes his rest, after a tour in
Switzerland, in his own country-house on the banks of a
currentless canal. The varied beauties of landscape ficeße,. a
I.Y
are never so thoroughly felt, as after the monotony of
long sea voyage. How heartily do Arctic discoverers enjoy
v
the luxurious influence of a temperate climate
couriers, who have been posting night night,aftearni unj
olting
re-
vel in the comfort of a pair of sheets: in
sleeping-place I The rustic who reteurr
bsefteorehkisneywillabgeew,
alter a first visit to London town,
grass-grown,the and
small was that village; how noisneleetvssa,t
Japanese am •
thinly populated. And it is likely that
hardly suspect what a singular p
bassadors, until they set foot oncelaee
ims ojraepainn,
aJnapdan,
whatw will
na
singular people are the Japanese.
AN IMPERIALhtu SPY.a—Esploge
and official. It rises to the height of
open,
habitual,
trough out Japan
is
a political principle ; it is part of the Government machinery.
One half of the people of Japan are spies over the other
half. During the conferences with 13arcn Gros, ono of the
Japanese plenipotentiaries, named Kamai Sakio Kami, was
taciturn, never uttering a word, not even in the midst of
the most earnest discussions. His business seemed to be to
listen, and not to talk ; and no favourable idea of his intel-
lect was formed. One day the embassy was astonished at
learning the real naturo and importance of his functions.
They beheld on his visiting-card the noble title, IMPERIAL
spy.—biekens's " All the Year Round."
ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL, GRAY'S-INN-ROAD.,--
The number of patients relieved at this hospital, during the
week ending May 24, was 2,891, of which 844 were new
cases.