The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-22 00:00:00

HIE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 18V s.,

general encouragement. The hon. member observed
that whatever the difference of opinion as to the best
course to be ultimately followed, it was noticeable
in all debates on this subject, that there was a unani-
mous feeling in favour of a Parliamentary inquiry.
It is, he assures us, one of those questions which do
not admit of delay, since there is little doubt that
if something is not shortly done towards its solution
it will settle itself, for there will be few open spaces
left for Parliament to legislate upon. Earl SPEN-
CER'S scheme for the improvement of Wimbledon
Common was cited as a proof of the necessity of
some general decision on the subject. Some gentle-
men denounced the proposed measure and others
supported its principles. No doubt the noble
earl was actuated by a desire to improve
and even beautify the district by the destruction of
what probably appears to him very inconsiderable
and profitless claims, but those advantages which
may naturally seem very insignificant to the owner
of large estates and beautiful parks, may be viewed
very differently by the man who has not a rood of
land to call his own. However desirable some
parts of the scheme may be, and however praise-
worthy the intentions of the noble lord, we should
think the ptiblic interests safer if the common be
left in its primitive condition. We fully coincide
with Mr. DOULTON when he says that it is not his
desire to have the commons enclosed and trimly
laid out. " His desire was rather this, that the com-
mons should be preserved in their present wild state,
which he believed to be their greatest charm, and
that those by whom these commons had been spe-
cially used should still have them for that free,
uncontrolled, and he might say boisterous enjoy-
ment, which it was impossible for them to have in
parks under restrictions." The metropolis, as Mr.
DOULTON observed, is well provided with parks, but
no parks would compensate for the loss of Hamp-
stead Heath, Epping Forest, and the suburban
commons. Mr. COWPER, though demurring to any
charge upon the Imperial funds for the preserva-
tion of what is actually Imperial property, sup-
ported the appointment of a committee, and ad-
vised the buying up of the rights of the lords of
the manor. Surely this can be done, and should
be done without delay. If we wait until the
avaricious lords of the manor have established their
rights in bricks and mortar, and the philanthropic
ones have shown their public spirit by laying out
walks, and setting grim park-keepers to stop all
cricketing and donkey riding, all pic-nics and tea
parties, we shall have lost an advantage which,
from the days of CHARLES 11., have been claimed
by the people of this country, and which no less an
authority than Sir MATTHEW HALE decided was a
good custom and necessary for the recreation of the
people.

West End industrial Exhibition

--o- -
(From the Owl of to-cloy)

The great success which has attended the es-
tablishment of industrial exhibitions for the working
classes, has induced some of the more philanthropic
and enlightened of their number to endeavour to
apply the idea to the benefit of those above them,
and to afford facilities to the upper classes for the
exhibition of their talents. We are happy to say that
the notion has been fairly welcomed by the persons
for whose advantage the scheme has been started ;
and, from the contributions already sent in, we
infer that this praiseworthy attempt on the part of
the future ruling classes of the country to extend a
helping hand to those at present unfortunately
placed in a highet social position than themselves
will be eminently successful.
With these views the House of Lords has been
engaged, and the Exhibition will be opened in a
few days. The whole is under the management of a
highly respectable working committee, embracing
some of the first names among the operatives of
England; and when we mention that Mr. T. B.
Potter has kindly consented to preside at the open-
ing, assisted by an eminent crossing-sweeper, we
feel sure that our readers will acknowledge that
there is every guarantee for success. •
We have been favoured with a private view, and
propose to notice a few of the most remarkable
objects.
Sir Robert Peel has promised to make an exhibi-
tion of himself some time during the season, and
there is no reason for doubting that he will do so,
as he has frequently done so before.
Mr. Gladstone has a very remarkable specimen of
a kaleidoscope, exhibiting all sorts of combinations.
It consists of portraits of all the most eminent and
rising men, with his own amongst them. At each
turn a fresh arrangement of the faces occurs, but
his own is almost invariably present. He calls it
the Cabinet Kaleidoscope, and informs us that he
has often amused himself with the odd political
associations foreshadowed in the toy, and considers
that many of them will not improbably occur here-
after.
Mr. F. Peel shows a piece of red tape and
a pigeon-hole.
Mr. Layard has made one of his usual exhibitions
of temper. This is very fine, and fully equal to the
well-known one in the debate last session.

Lord Clarence Paget sends a specimen of a
curious new substance, produced, he informs us, by
a mixture of brass filings and soft soap, which he
contends is the only composition which will stand
the friction of the House of Commons. It may be
worked in many different ways, and he anticipates
a large demand during the approaching general
election. Applications respecting it must be ad-
dressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty, and bear
in the left hand corner the words, " Brass and Soft
Soap."

Sir George Grey contributes a model Secretary of
State for the Home department, and has kindly
consented, at the request of the committee, to stand
for two hours each morning by the figure as a foil
to show the contrast.

Among Earl Russell's contributions are models of
all the offices in which he has placed his various
relatives and connections. It was for some time a
question with the managing committee whether the
enormous space required for this collection could be
spared, but it was at last decided that, for a subject
of such national interest, an exception should be
made. The peculiar adjustment of each peg in each
hole is well worth noting.

VICTORIA LABOUR MARKET.—The total number
of persons who arrived by sea in the colony of Victoria
during the month of November last was 3,308, of whom
1,758 were immigrants from the United Kingdom. The
number of departures from the colony was 1,358. The
current rates of wages were from £3O filer annum for un-
married farm labourers to £6O for married couples, and
from £l5 to £35 for domestic servants.

FOUNDERED AT SEA.—FILEY, Feb. 20.—One of
the most terrific storms, accompanied with a heavy
fall of snow, that has visited the north-east coast for a
number of years is now raging. It came on yesterday after-
noon, about 1 o'clock, the wind suddenly chopping round
from south to north, from which quarter it continued to
blow, increasing in violence throughout the day. At night
about 7 a shower of hailstones came down of immense size,
many of them resembling large pieces of ice. When the day
broke this morning the sea was running mountains high,
tho hurricane still raging with unabated violence, and the
showers of sleet so thick that objects at a fow yards' dis-
tance could not be distinguished. Clearing away, however
about 9 o'clock, for a short time, a stout brig hove in sight
about three miles distant from land, and running under
close-reefed topsails. Sho was watched with intense
anxiety as she laboured heavily, showing signs as if she
had been in collision with another vessel, or had suffered
some other disaster. After having got about two miles to
the south of the buoy near Filey Brigg, she was thrown in
a moment on her beam-ends, and in the next almost before
a shout could be raised, disappeared altogether. She ap-
psared to be a laden brig of about 13 or 14keels. A schooner
and three or four more vessels were in company with her,
running for Bridlington-bay for shelter, but another squall
coming on with heavy sleet, they were hid from further
view. A fishing yawl, belonging to Staithes, with loss of
cable and capstan, having vainly attempted to get into
Scarborough, has passed Filey for Bridlington-bay. The
fishing smacks belonging to the port have been "burnt off"
in consequence of the tremendous sea which is running at
the mouth of the harbour, consequently they will be obliged
to put to pea again, or run for phelter elsewhere.,

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S 'TELEGRAM.)

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE PERUVIAN.
(Via Greencastle.)

The following are the heads of the intelligence
brought by the Peruvian :
NEW YORK, Feb. 11 (Evening).

The reports of Presidents Lincoln and Davis upon
the late Congress at Fortress Monroe show that
Lincoln demanded unconditional submission to the
Union.

A mass meeting has been held at Richmond, at
which President Lincoln's terms were spurned, and
strong war resolutions passed.
Fighting took place on Grant's left on Monday,
when a portion of the Federal troops were tempo-
rarily repulsed. Grant's left is now extended four
miles.

At noon on Monday Grant's left again advanced,
but was shortly afterwards attacked by the Confe-
derates in force, and driven back in confusion to its
entrenchments on Hatcher's Run. The loss was
upwards of 1,500.
On Tuesday the Federals advanced a portion of
their picket line about a mile from their entrench-
ments, the Confederates offering no opposition.

The electoral votes of the States for President
and Vice-President, excepting those excluded by
the recent resolution of Congress, were counted in
the House of Representatives on Wednesday last.
A committee of the Senate, presided over by Vice-
President Hamlin, werepresent. Lincoln and John-
son were declared elected by 22 States against three
for M'Clellan and Pendleton.

General Lee reports the death of General Pegram
in Monday's action. It is reported that this move-
ment of the Potomac army was designed to cover
an advance against Wilmington, which was com-
menced on Monday by General Terry, at the head
of 30,000 men.
The New York Times asserts that a large cavalry
force, under Thomas, is moving from Tennessee,
for Montgomery, Selma, and Mobile.
It was rumoured in Richmond on Tuesday that
Charleston had been evacuated.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Gold closed at 211, declining to-day to 2044,
under rumours of the capture of Branchville.
Exchange on London, 2261 ; 5-20 U.S. Bonds,
110 ; Illinois, 1174 ; Middling Upland, 86c.
FEB. 11 (Morning).

The New • York Times asserts that Generals
Thomas and Watson, with 40,000 cavalry and
mounted infantry, are moving for a campaign from
the Tennessee River to the Mexican Gulf, via
Montgomery, Selma, and Mobile.

President Lincoln has signed the joint resolution
to give England notice of the termination of the
treaty of 1817 regulating the naval force on the
lakes. The resolution is preceded by a declaration
that peace on the frontier is endangered by hostile
expeditions which the naval forces of the two
countries may be insufficient to prevent.
The Indiana Senate has ratified the constitutional
amendment.

The Spanish and Peruvian Legations have
received information of the definite settlement of
the dispute between Peru and Spain.
Gold, 2051.

FEB. 10 (Evening).

President Davis has sent a message to Congress,
submitting the report of the Peace Conference.
The President states that he sent Commissioners
to confer with Mr. Lincoln in consequence of the
receipt of a written notification that the President
was disposed to confer informally with unofficial
agents that Mr. Davis might send with a view to
the restoration of peace.
The Commissioners' reports submitted show that
the Federals refused to negotiate on any other terms
than those of conquerors, or to permit the South to
have peace otherwise than through unconditional sub-
mission, with acceptance of the recent Federal legis-
lation, including the constitutional amendment, and
with the right on the part of the Federal Congress to
legislate on the subject of the relation between the
white and black population of each State. Such
President Davis understands to be the effect of the
constitutional amendment. The Commissioners
report that their interview with President Lincoln
and Mr. Seward continued several hours, and was
full and explicit. They learned from them that
Mr. Lincoln's message to Congress in Decem-
ber last explains clearly and frankly his
sentiments upon the terms and conditions, and
the method of proceeding by which the Southern
people can secure peace.
The Commissioners were not informed that
they would be allowed to obtain that end. No
terms or prospects with the authorities of the
Confederate States or with separate States would be
entertained, because that would recognise their
existence as a separate power, which under no cir-
cumstances would be done. No extended truce or
armistice, as at present advised, would be granted
or allowed, without a satisfactory assurance in ad-
vance of the complete restoration of the authority
and constitutional laws of the United States over
all places within the Confederacy. Whatever con-
sequences may follow from the re-establishment of
that authority, must be accepted. Individuals sub-
ject to pains and penalties under the United
States laws might rely upon a very liberal use of
the power confided to the President to omit those
pains and penalties if peace be restored. During
the Conference the proposed constitutional amend-
ment was brought to the Commissioners' notice.
The Riehmond Examiner asserts that Lincoln and
Seward, in the conversation during the Conference,
were understood to admit that they looked forward
to some future complication in their foreign rela-
tions, and more so with England than with France
—but that they were satisfied they could dispose of
the rebellion in time to take care of their European
interests.

An immense mass meeting has been held at Rich-
mond, at the call of the Governor of Virginia, for
the people to testify their sense of the result of the
peace conference. Resolutions were passed spurn-
ing with indignation due to so gross an insult the
terms on which Mr. Lincoln proffered peace to the
people of the Confederate States ; that the circum-
stances under which that proffer was made add to
the outrage, and stamps it as a designed and pre-
meditated indignity to the Southern people; that
the profoundest gratitude is due to the soldiers who
for four years have maintained our liberties, and
we will sustain them by every means and resource
in our command in the face of the world; that,
invoking God's aid, we renew our resolution to
pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred
honour to maintain our liberties and independence."

President Davis made a speech, declaring that if
all heartily and unanimously answered the demands
of the present exigency, then he could say that the
South stood upon the verge of success, which would
teach the insolent enemy who had treated the pro-
positions with contumely.
A special despatch to the Philadelphia Bulletin
otate4 that the Richmond papers of yefiterday an-

nounce unofficially the capture of Branchville by

Sherman.

Hood's army is said to be at St. John, and Beau-
regard at Augusta.
Richmond papers state that the liabilities of the
Confederate Government exceed the estimate in the
Secretary of the Treasury's report by 400 millions
of dollars. Plans for additional taxation were
under consideration.

General Grant has declared officially that he has
arranged for the exchange of prisoners, man for
man and officer for officer, until one or the other
party has exhausted the number they now hold.
General Grant was introduced to-day to the
House of Representatives.
The St. David has arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, FEB. 10 (Evening).
Money easy. Gold, 211. Stocks steady. New
York Centrals, 1151 ; Illinois, 118+ ; Eric, 75i,
5.20 ; U. S. Bonds, 1091.

CANADA.

MONTREAL, FEB. 11.

The Montreal Court has refused to grant further
delay in the case of the St. Albans raiders. The
refusal is regarded as deciding the case against the
prisoners. Their counsel asked for delay, on the
ground that the messengers sent to Richmond were
unable yet to reach their destination.
It is unofficially announced that the riders will,
if surrendered, be delivered to the authorities of
Vermont for trial according to the State laws.

PORTUGAL.

LISBON, FEB. 16.

Don Diego de Portugal y Quesada, the newly-
appointed Spanish Minister, has been received in
solemn audience by the King, and has presented his
credentials.

lu the Chamber of Peers Count d'Avila has pro-
posed to submit the question relative to the appoint-
ment of General Lobo d'Avila to a commission of
inquiry ; a proposal which the Minister of War
accepted.
The Minister of Finance has made an official
declaration in the Chamber of Deputies that it has
become necessary to put a stop to financial expe-
dients, and expose the truth to the country, at the
same time asking it to pay by imposts what has
hitherto been covered by loans. The Minister added
that he would soon present several projects of law
carrying out these ideas, of which he would make a
Ministerial question, inasmuch as it was impossible
to direct the finances without the means of orga-
nising them to the profit of the country.
Exchange on London, 53+ ; on Paris, 47k.
Rentes, 491.