The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-31 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, 1865.

GREAT ST. JAMES'S-HALL.—WORLD of
MAGIC, Second Sight, and " Begone, Dull Care,"
every evening at 8. A Day Performance, Saturday, at 3.
" The most varied entertainment in the metropolis."—Vide
the Press. Admission, is.

PROFESSOR and the Misses ANDERSON.—
Farewell season. World of Magic. Second Sight, and
the original Indian Basket Trick, in conjunction with Fre-
deric ( the greats Maccabe, the unrivalled ventriloquist, mimic,
and character actor.

FREDERIC MACCABE, Ventriloquist, Mimic,
Sze, in his original entertainment, "Begone, Dull Care,"
"Miss Mary May," "Early in the Morning." Balcony, 2s. ;
reserved seats, 3s. ; stalls, ss. ; at Mr. Austin's office, St.
James's-hall, 2S, Piccadilly.
A. NIM MO, Acting Manager.

WESTBOURNE HALL, Westbourne-grove,
Bayswater. W.

THE GREATEST WONDER OF THE DAY.

MORNING PERFORMANCEs (by Special Request) on
SATURDAY, the 26th, and WEDNESDAY, the 30th of
August, and SATURDAY, the 2d of September.

The BABY ACTRESS, age, Two Years and Ten Days, will
Recite and Act a whole scene from Shaktmere's Play of
KING JOHN, give some amusing COMIC SKETCHES,
and in the course of the evening a SEA SONG and DANCE
(in character). This Little Wonder is as pretty as talented.
and excels by far any juvenile prodigy that has yet appeared
in public.

From the Era, July 22, 1865.—" A genuine and remarkable
novelty is now beiag exhibited. She is literally a baby, not
having► reached the age of two years ; and is gifted with in-
telligence and powers of memory to a marvellous extent.
She recitQs whole scenes from King John,' A Midsummer
Night's Dream,' &c., with appropriate action and astonishing,
earnestness. A more wonderful instance of precoc'ous in-
telligence cannot well be imagined. She maybe truly classed
among the wonders of the present day."
- -

Likenesses, is. each. Programmes and words of the per-
formance may be had in the hall during the entertainment.

In addition to the above performances, Mr. ALFRED
HOWARD'S DRAMATIC RECITALS and COMIC
SKETCHES, interspersed with Music.
--Doers gpen at 2.30. Cummence at 3. Admission, Is.; first
seats, 25.; reserved seats, 3s. Tickets may be had from Mr.
Whirley, Westbourne Hall, or of any book or music seller.

T H X F O R D.
8, OXFORD STREET, W.

' The Oxford and Canterbury Hall Company (limited).

SIXTY-SIX, by J!- Offenbach, performed by
Misses Russell, Barrie, Walmesley, Tyrell ; Messrs. A. St.
Albyn, Husk, and Green, with full Band and Chorus.
_ _

Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans.

Belief, Comedy, Burlesque, &c., by the celebrated D•Au-
bans, Jfessrs. Duriah and Davis, and the Misses TESSY
and SARA GU HISS.

NONCE —The Oxford has been entirely Redecorated,
Altered, Newly Lighted, and Ventilated, and now is one of
the most agreeable places of resort in the kingdom.—OMEN
EVERY EVENING at Eight o'clock.
The Classical Ballet, entitled THE BRIDAL of BEAUTY,
in which Miss TESSY GUNNISS will make her re appear-
ance THIS EVENING.
Admission—Area, M.; stalls and balcony, is. ; private
boxes, 10s. 6d.

CANTERBURY HALL.
KO KO RI KO.
This wonderful entertainment, having proved the greatest
hit ever made, will be repeated EVERY EVENING, in ad-
dition to the Operatic Selections, supported by the whole
talent of the estaVishment.

---- -
Comedy, Burlesque, and Ballet by Mrs. and Mr. Randall,
Messrs. Duriah and Davies, the D'Aubans, and Arthur
Lloyd.
Director, Mr. F. Jongmans.
All visitors to London at this season should pay a visit to
the above establishment.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.--
Established 30 years, at the Bazaar, Baker-street.
NNW ADDITIONS.—In accordance with the season, the
Exhibition has been entirely re-embellished. The whole of
the ancient Court Dresses of the most costly description,
faithfully copied from the most minute pictures, have been
renewed. Modern Corn t Dresses of the most splendid de-
scription, selected from the first houses in Paris and London,
and probably never equalled or surpassed, are now on view,
Life-size Models of DOCTOR E. W. PRITCHARD and
CONSTANCE KENT are now added.

Open from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Admittance, One Shilling; Extra Rooms, Sixpence.

" PAPER versus LINEN."—The decisive blow
Is ARTHUR GRANGER'S best BEGAT l'A
COLLARS (new French Patterns). Sample grosses. 48. 3d.
only. Ladies' Collars at d Cuffs in every variety.—AßTHUß
GRANGER, Patentee, 308, High Holborn, and 95 and 96,
Borough, London.

STARCH MANUFACTURERS
TO H. It. R. THE PRINCESS OF WALES.
GLENFIELD PATENT STARCII,
Used in the Royal Laundry,

AND AWARDED TILE PRIZE MEDAL, 1862.
Sold la? all GPCIONT, Chandlers, &c. &c.
WOTIIEKSPOON and CO., Glasgow and London.

THE WHEELER AND WILSON CELE-
BRATED LOCK bTITCH SEWING MACHINE,
for £9.

The WHEELER and WILSON Company have now Ma-
chines at £9 and upwards, which will ito all descriptions of
work for which these Machines have so long been pre-emi-
nent, as stitching, hemming, trilling, vathering, cording,
binding, tucking. trimming, quiltirg, felling, &•., and hive
now added to their list a Machine for making Button-holes
for Tailors, Mantle Makers, &c.

Instruction gratis to every purchaser, and Illustrated
Prospectus gratis nad post free.
Offices and sale Rooms, t 39, Regent-street, W.

SAUCE.---LEA and PERRINS'
WO RCE TE ItSII IR E SAUCE.
This delicious condiment, pionounced by omnoisseurs
"THE ONLY GOOD SAUCE,"
Is prepared solely by LEA and PERKINS.
The public are respectfully cautioned against worthless
imitations, and should see that Lea and rerrins' names are
on wrapper, label, bottle, and stopper.
ASK for LEA and PERRINS' SAUCE.
So:d wholesale and for export by the ProprUtors, Wor-
cester; Messrs. Crosse and Blackwell; Messrs. Barclay and
Sons, London, Am &o.; and by Grocers and Oilmen uni-
versally.

RUPTURES.—BY ROYAL LETTERS PATENT.
WHITE'S MOC-Al AIN LEVER TRUSS
(PERZTAITED AND EXHIBITED IN THE GREAT
EXHIBITIONS Or 18M AND 11162), 18 allowed by upwards of
Two Hundred Medical Gentlemen to be the most effective
nvention in the curative treatment of 11 ERN I A.
The use of a steel spring, 80 often hurtful in its effects,
a here avoided—a soft bandage being worn round the
,ody, while the requisite resisting power is supplied by the
‘loc-Main Pad and Patent Lever, fitting with so much ease
.nd eoseness that it cannot be detected, and may be worn
luring sleep. A descriptive circular may be had, and the
truss, which cannot fail to tit, forwarded by post, on the cir-
mmterence of the body, two inches below the hips, being
gent to the manuieeturer,
Mr. WHITE, 228, Piccadilly.
A Single Truss, 165., 215., 265. 6d., and 31s. 6d. Postage, Is.
A Double Truss, 318. Bd., 425., and 625. 6d. Postage, is Bd.
ku Umbilical Truss, 425. and 525. Bd. Postage, ls. led..
Post-office Orders to be made payable to John White, Post-
office, Ph:m(1111y.

NEW PATENT
ELAST IC STOCKINGS,
KNEE-ca PS, &c., for Varicose Veins and all cases of
Weakness and Swelling of the Legs, Sprains, &c. They are
porous, light in texture, and inexpensive, and are drawn on
like an ordinary stocking. erice 4s. 6d., 7s. 6d., 10s., to 165.
each. Postage 6d.

JOHN WHITE. Manufaeturar, 228, Plocadllll.

ture drew up, but never retcfied the leaders, who came on
by themselves, and half 1 y up the distance Hibberd
brought Devotee with a rush,. d after a fine race home won
by a neck ; three lengths via •ating the second and third;
Rapture was a bad fourth. .‘
The South Eastern Plato (Handicap) of 50 sovs. Three-

The Rougemont Stakes of 5 sous each 2 ft, with 25
added ; winners extra. Half a mile. 12 subs.
_ _

Mr. Starkey's Fairy Land, 3 yrs, 6st 121 b (Page) 1
Mr. Stebbing's Shrapnel], 3 yrs, Bst (C. Gray) 2
Capt. Gray's Audax, 3 yrs, Ost 31b (inc 71b ex) (F. Adams) 3
- -

Letting--6 to 4on Shrapnel!, 2to 1 agst Audax, sto 1
agst Fairy Land. The latter jumped off with a slight lead,
which she held to the distance, where Shrapnell drew up,
but Fairy Land quitted her opponents with the greatest
ease, and NV ou.in a canter by three lengths, Audax being
two lengths in the rear of Sbralmell.
The Mamhead Stakes of 15 sovs each, 5 ft, with 100 added,
for 2-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b; fillies, Bst 71b ; pen'alties
and allowances. Tluee-quarters of a mile. 37 subs.
Mr. Dennett's Langham, Bst 101 b (F. Adams) 1
Mr. Merry's Beelzebub, fist (inc 71b ex) ... (A. Edwards 2
Mr. Fisher's Magician, 9st 11b (inc 51b ex) (Wells 3
Mr. St.tkrke 'a KJ nggloy,
_lolb. (inc. alb 0x)....0 Mann) 4

Betting-7 to 4on Beelzebub, 3to 1 agst Langham, 9to
2 agst Magician, 10 to 1 agst Kingsley. After three failures
the quartette got off on even terms, Magician being the first
to show in advance, followed by Kingsley and Langham,
the favourite lying off. Magician carried on the running
at a very slow pace for half a mile,
where Kingsley took a
slight lead of Magician, but the pair gave way on approach-
ing the distance, when Beelzebub ran up to Langham and
assumed the lead, but Langham at the. half-distance again
held a slight lead, but Edwards calling on Beelzebub, he
challenged Langham opposite the enclosure, and over-
hauled him at every stride, but never quite getting up, the
judge's fiat was a short head in favour of Langham; three
lengths separated the second and third ; Kingsley finished
some distance in the rear.

Match : 200 sous. Three-quarters of a mile.
Mr. Stebbing's Roarer, 3 yrs, 9st (F. Adams) 1
Mr. Pearce's Countess 8010, 2 yrs, ist 71b (Cannon) 2
Betting-9 to 4on Countess 8010. Roarer jumped off
with a commanding lead, and, never being headed, won in
a canter by three lengths.

The County Cup, value 150 soya, by subscription of 10
sous each, 5 ft, with 50 added, surplus in specie; for
three-yr-olds and upwards ; penalties and allowances.
Two miles and a half. Sixteen subs.
Lord Portsmouth's Sydmonton, 3 yrs, Bst 81b (includin
121bextra) .............................................. (Wells 1
Mr. Brayley's Pearl Diver, 5 yrs, 9st 41b (Cannon 2
1
Betting-2 to lon Sydmonton, who made play at a good
pace for two miles and a quarter, where Pearl Diver closed
with him, the pair racing on side by side to the distance,
Mr. Brayloy's horse taking a slight lead from this point to
the commencement of the enclosure, where Sydmonton
challenged and won, after a rare set to, by a head.
The Devon and Exeter Club Stakes of 5 sous each, 3 ft,
with 40 added, for all ages ; winners extra. Three-
quarters of a mile. Sixteen subs.
Mr. York's Troublesome, 6 yrs, Bst 111 b (including 71b
extra) (A. Edwards 1
Mr. Brayley's Mongrel, 3 yrs, 7st
PMrrio. Joe. Waooslociott;skoMfrasyNQiup, Queen,
yrs Estn,y3yrs , 6st 61b .(WhitehorseVineY 32
(Murray 4
Mr. J. Starkey's Jassy, 3 yrs, 6st 61b (C. Page 5
Captain King's Gem of the Sea, 5 yrs, 9st 91b (includ-
ing 71b extra),,,,,,,,,,,,,,, , (J. Goater) 6
Betting-6 to 4 agst Nip, sto 2 agst Troublesome,
10 to 1 agst any other, offered. Troublesome jumped off
with the lead, followed by Mongrel and Gem of the Sea,
Nip bringing up the rear. On fairly entering the straight
Troublesome was eased, and May Queen, with Nip and
Mongrel in close attendance, made play to the distance,
where Troublesome again assumed the lead, Mongrel
heading May Queen at the half-distance. Opposite the
stand Mongrel made an effort, but Troublesome won very
cleverly by three-quarters of a length ; May Queen, who
came with a rush, was a head only in the rear of Mongrel ;
Nip was fourth, close up.
Handicap of 10 sovs each for two-yr-olds ;
rYextra. Three-quarters of a mile. 21 subs.
(Edwards 1
(Cannon 2
Mr. Starkey's BeckhamPton, id 21b ............... (Curtis 3
Theobnoaonpmwet
eNt
7e
winners
Gray'st
erosnel
The following also ran :—EI Ole, Chicken Hazard,
Matilda, and Ropley.
Lord Portsmouth's
flteOrtgoeilngag:
Betting—Even agst Chronometer, 2 to 1 agst Whale-
oot Chronometer,h,
s Whalebone, Bs t ........................
thuannydroetdhyera.rdsCwhreon-t
bringing up the rear. On rounding the turn Whalebone
to the front, the first named having a slight lead, El Ole
drew up to the favourite ; but at the distance Chronometer
quitted him, and won in a cantor. by two lengths ; Beck-
daWgsthallleabotilndea'a
Hazard, fifth; El Ole bringing up the rear.
Beck-
hampton was a bad third ; Matilda, fourth ; Chicken

DERBY SUMMER MEETING—WEDNESDAY.
The Bretby Stakes of 25 sous each, for two-yr-olds; colts,
Bst 101 b; fillies, Bst 71b; winners extra. Half a mile.
Five subs.
(T. French) w. o.
The
\i
Fat Br. Craven's
Stakesk Panacea,
(11 sous Bst 101 b (inc. 31b extra)
(Handicap), of 5 ss each, with 40
added ; winners, &c., extra.. One mile and a quarter.

Nine subs.
Mr. Barber's Lady Bohun, 4 yrs, lost 61b...(Mr. Bevil]) t 1
Mr. G. Angell's Gene& Hesa, aged, list 51b
(T. French) f 2
Duke of Beaufort's Black Bock, 4 yrs, 10st 81b
_ _

(Mr. Edwards) 3

Hess, 2 to 1 agst 'Lady
B
Black Rock two lengths
A dead heat between
oatutntßi, Betting.—onElavneadng
sato
egnßsetl r
aa General
Bess;
behind the pair. Deciding Heat.—G to 4on General Hess,
Lady Bohun won by half a length. Mr. Edwards rode
General Hess in the deciding heat, and the horse only car-
ried list 51b.

The Grind Stand Plate (Handicap) of 50 soya, added to a
sweepstakes of 5 soya each ; winners extra. Half a mile.

16 subs.
Mr. T. Wadlow's Gipsy Girl,s yrs, 7st3lb(J. Grimshaw) 1
Mr. G. Angell's Lady Valentine, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (Loates) 2
Mr. J. Barber's Cutaway, 4 yrs, 7st 71b (in. 71b extra)
Sir C. Rushout's Cedric, 3 yrs, Est 61b (Ward) 3
yling 4
Mr. Handley's .Viola, 3 yrs, 6st 71b ( enyon
Betting.-5 to 4 agst Lady Valentine, 7 to 2 agst Gipsy
Girl, 4 to 1 agst Cutaway, 7 to 1 agst Cedric, and'lo to 1 agst

Viola. Won by a head ; three lengths between second and
third ; half a length between third and fourth.
The Chesterfield Stakes of 50 sovs added to a Sweepstakes
of 10 sovs each, for two-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies,
Bst 71b ; penalties and allowances. Three-quarters of a
mile. 15 subs.

Mr. Craven's Panacea, Bst 121 b (inc. 51b ex) (T. French) 1
Mr. Etches's Silenus, Bst 31b (Clement) 2
Betting-6 to lon Panacea, who won by a length.
The Tradesmen's Plate (Handicap) of 100 sovs, added to a
Sweepstakes of 15 sovs each, 10 ft, and 5 if declared ;
winners extra: One mile and a half. 14 subs, 22 declared.
Lord Bateman's Moulsey, 4 yrs, 9st (J. Grimshaw) 1
Mr. Craven's Provisor, 3 yrs, 6st (Kenyon) 2
Mr. J. B. Morris's Balham, aged, 7st 41b (Hunter) 3
Plover and Dr. Syntax also ran.

Batting —5 to 2 agst Balham, 3 to 1 agst Provisor, 7 to 2
agst Dr. Syntax and Moulsey. Won by a neck ; a bad
third. Dr. Syntax did not pass the post.
The Derwent Stakes of 40 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes of
5 sovs each, for all ages ; selling allowances. Half a

mile.
Bella, 3 yrs, Bst 61b (J. Grimsha 1
Usher, 4 yrs, 9st 91b (Owner) 2
Kernel, 2 yrs, Bst 6st (Tomlinson 3

Fortress and Vicksburg also ran.

Betting-6 to 4 agst Bella, 2to 1 agst Usher, 4to 1 agst
Kernel filly, 10 to 1 agst any other. Won by two lengths,
a bad third; the winner was not sold.
The Nursery Plate (Handicap) of 50 sovs, added to a
Sweepstakes of 5 sovs each; for 2-yr-olds ; winners ex-

tra. Three-quarters of a mile. 12 subs.
Mr. Barber's Locket Lucy, 7st, inc 41b extra (Warde) 1
Mr. Craven's Caustic, ist 61b (Loates) 2

Betting-7 to 4on Locket Lucy, who won by half a
length.

The Trial Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 40 added; *weight

for ago; selling allowances, &c. One mile.

Miss Williams, 2 yrs (Kenyon .1
Crisis (Covey 2
Life Guardsman (T. French 3
Sprightliness colt (Sellers 0
_ . _

Betting-6 to 5 agst Miss Williams, 2to 1 agst Crisis, 7
to 2 agst Life Guardsman. Won by a length, a bad third;
the Sprightliness colt did not pass the post.
LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE.
ST. LEGER.
600 to 400 agst Gladiateur (taken)

WARWICK SEPTEMBER MEETING.
Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Acceptances for the Leamington Stakes of 25 sow; each,
with 100 added; winners extra. Two miles.

Age st lb Age st lb
Moulsey 4 9 0 Nuneaton
Pearl Diver . 5 8 8 Helen 4 7 3
Dr. Syntax
Dunkeld 5 8 0 True Heart
Buckfoot
Emblem a 7 12 The Pirate 3 6 10
Stanton a 7 12 Spring Gun
Auditor 3 7 9 Sidewind
Alabama

Acceptances for the Welter
in specie, by subscription
Age st lb
Warrior 4 11 10
General Hess a 10 10
Charming Woman G 10 9
Auditor 3 10 5

!up, value 100 sovs, the rest
•f 15 sovs each. One mile.
Age st lb
Lady Bohan 4 10 2
[ Principal
Zeloo
Ascot 3 810

The French Fleet at Portsmouth.

•••.-

PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 30.

Just as the setting sun last evening was lighting
up with its expiring rays the roadstead at Spithead
the principal officers of the French fleet were being
rowed to the Duke of Wellington, which is lying
inside Portsmouth Harbour. " The old Duke," as
some of the boatmen familiarly call her, although
little more than a dozen years have passed since
she was built, was once the chief pride of our
navy, and must think it hard that so much
fuss should now be made about vessels which
can lay no claim to her stateliness or beauty.
She was laid down originally as a sailing three-
decker, to carry 131 guns, but her form of hull was
subsequently altered under the superintendence of
Sir B. Walker, at the time filling the office of Con-
troller of the Navy. When the war broke out with
Russia she carried in the Baltic the flag of the late
Sir -C: Napier, Sir M. Seymour, the present com-
mander-in-chief at Portsmouth, being also on board
as captain of the fleet. The Duke of Wellington
was in those days commanded by Capt. Preedy,
who now commands the Hector, and everybody
knows how much was expected of her in that famous
expedition. She returned to England, however,
without having had any opportunity of going into
action and proving how formidable were her powers
of destruction. At present she has a mixed arma-
ment of Armstrong and smoothbore guns for the
purposes of drill, and is used simply as a seaman's
training-ship for the navy, under the command of
Capt. Seccombe. It may be that there is lying to-
day at Spithead many an ironclad with which she
could not successfully cope, but there is not in the
united squadron a ship which presents an object so
beautiful and commanding to the unprofessional
eye. The banquet which was last night given on
board her was splendid in the highest degree. No
pains had been spared to turn her spacious middle
deck into a brilliant saloon. This saloon, which
was enclosed off the deck, was 250 feet long by 25
feet in width, and was decorated on all sides by
many-coloured flags, the ensigns of many na-
tions, so blended as to produce a beautiful effect
without at the same time sacrificing that harmony
of tone so essential to all tasteful decoration. At
each end of the room was a large mirror, which
seemed to be set in flowers. Flowering plants,
too, formed embankments of varied hues all
along the sides of the saloon, or just revealed
through interstices in the hangings their beautiful
bloom ; the freshest and most verdant evergreens
which grow in southern England showed off to per-
fection the exquisite tints of the rare exotics em-
bowered amid their leaves. Capt. Seccombe and
the officers under him must have been proud indeed
when they came to survey the results produced under
their direction ; but it was in the decoration of the
dinner table itself that the most lavish care was ex-
pended. Abundant means were, however, at hand to
render the task comparatively easy. Mr. Hancock,
of Bruton-street, with a patriotic liberality which
does him infinite credit, placed at the disposal of
the Admiralty for the occasion the superb silver-
gilt service of plate which at a cost of £24,000 he
some years ago manufactured for the present Prince
Demidoff. In the palatial residence of the Prince at
Florence this service has, we believe, more than once
formed the chief feature at the entertainments which
he gave on a scale of magnificent hospitality, and it
last night decorated for the first time a banquet in
this country. Prince Demidoff is well known as a
lover of rare and costly articles—a taste which has
perhaps tended to impair a splended fortune, but,
however that may be, the gorgeous service which
piecesco
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and nothing can well be more exquisite than the
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handsome
o scrollsm eaannd
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wax candles and chandeliers lit up this gorgeously
yesterdayexoticths.e fiAttitngoordecoepf thagehlest
froofmthneucmhoeircoeusst
appointed table, and revealed all the delicate
tracery which cunning hands have woven round
the minutest articles of which this all but unrival-
led service is composed. The Duke of Somerset,
accompanied by the other Lords of the Admiralty,
and by Lord Clarence Paget, went on board the
Duke of Wellington shortly after 7 o'clock, to be
in readiness to receive his distinguished guests.
When the arrival of M. de Chasseloup Laubat, the
French Minister of Marine, was announced, the
Duke of Somerset advanced to the entrance port
of the middle deck to meet him, and conducted him
to the reception room, which adjoined the banduet-
ting saloon. When the whole of the guests had
assembled, dinner was announced, and the arrange-
ment at table was such that each English guest had
one of the French officers on his right hand. The
dinner was supplied by Mr. Willis, of King-street,
St. James's, and was exceedingly sumptuous. No
toasts were given at the banquet, and after it was
over the guests wandered about the ship, admiring
the beautiful scene which the harbour, with its

PRICE 4d.
STAMPED sd.

thousands of lights and the waters sparkling under
their influence, presented.

The guests included, besides M. de Chasseloup
Laubat, the French Minister of Marine, M. D upuy
de Lolme, chief constructor of the French navy, and
the principal French officer in command of the fleet
at &pithead. Among the English guests were Sir M.
Seymour, Admiral Sir S. Dacres, Sir G. Buller,
commander in chief of the south-western district,
Capt. Seccombe, Capt. Hornby, Capt. Herbert,
and several other English naval officers in command
r soefloouu; 4f I eaeutt at
at tthoioskp
ho
st . At 10 o'
departure
proceededM .d C e h aosn-
board the Reine Hortense. His .leaving was the sig-
nal for lighting up the ship, every one of whose
port-holes was immediately illiuninated ; blue lights
being at the same time exhibited all round her gun-
wale and at her yard arms.
Thus passed off the first of the entertainments
which has been given to our allies in return for
their recent magnificent hospitality, and if all the
others which remain to be given are equally suc-
cessful, we shall have no reason to be astamed of
the mode in which our part in these international
festivities has been displayed. The Lord.; of the
Admiralty appear to be perfectly satisfied with the
proceedings so far, and the expression of their
satisfaction on any occasion is, some naval officers
will tell you, not a thing to be easily secured.
While the chief officers of the French fleet were
being entertained. in the Dukepf Welliigton thpse
who remained behind at Spithead were the guests of
the officers of the Black Prince, on board which
magnificent vessel a splendid hospitality was grace-
fully dispensed.
This morning—it is pleasant to have to tell it—
there was not at 9 o'clock a single cloud to be seen
on the whole broad surface of the sky. Blue above,
blue below; for everybody has taken to living here
now on the water. Things, therefore, may be safely
said to be getting on swimmingly at Portsmouth,
and, indeed, there need not be the slightest appre-
hension that it will be otherwise till the French fleet
leaves our shores on Saturday next, if the sun will
only continue to shine out as brightly as he does
now.

The forenoon was passed by the French officers
and our Admiralty in visiting the public esta-
blishments on shore, M. Chasseloup Laubat, with
the Admiral commanding and the chief officers of
the French fleet, landing at the dockyard shortly
before noon, accompanied by the Duke .of Somerset
and other members of the British Admiralty. The
chief points of interest visited in the dockyard
were the iron-cased ship Prince Alfred in No. 3
dock, the Scorpion and Wyvern turret-ships, the
iron frigate Minotaur, the armour plate workshop,
smithery, foundries, &c. In the Royal Alfred our
visitors had an opportunity of criticising our method
of converting a 90-gun wooden line-of-battle ship
to a ship clothed with eight inches of iron amid-
ships, and carrying 300-pounders. They may not
have agreed with all our notions in making this
change, but otherwise could not but admit that if
the ship could be sent to sea working effi-
ciently 12-ton guns on her broadside, she must
prove to be a formidable war vessel. On board
the Scorpion and Wyvern, Mr. Laird's famous
would-be rovers, was exemplified the turret sys-
tem, by which these two ships each carry—
or, rather, are enabled to carry, for the Wyvern has
not yet got her guns—each four 12-ton guns, with
six months' stores and provisions, and eight days'
coal at full steaming power, with a draught of water
of only 16 feet 6 inches. The turret principle has
been so often described in the columns of The Sun
in the reports on the trials of the Royal Sovereign,
and has become really ro familiar to the general
public from the large public discussion which the
system has gone through; that there remains no
reason for describing it, at any greater length here.
In the armour-plate shed one of the last armour-
plates for the Royal Alfred was taken from the
heating furnace and bent to the required shape for
fixing on the ship's side, the hydraulic press, radial
machines, and planing machines being also in full
work for the inspection of the Lords of the Admi-
ralty and their guests. In the smithery the monster
steam hammers and excellent internal arrangement
of the whole building were duly admired. The iron
frigate Minotaur was also visited, and while on
board this magnificent frigate much interest was
manifested in the investigation of Commander
Scott's iron gun-carriage, designed by that officer
to meet the difficulty now experienced in working
12-ton guns on a ship's broadside. A visit to the
large iron and brass foundries, a cursory look at the
factory and the miniature steam basin, with a pass-
ing inspection of the plan for the extension of the
dockyard, concluded the visit. Among other public
establishments visited—in this instance non-officially
—by the officers of the French ship, were the ar-
moury and gunwharf. The Armoury of Portsmouth
arsenal, though not comparable in its proportions
with the noble Salle d'Armes of Cherbourg, nor yet
perhaps quite equal to it in the interest attached to
its contents, is nevertheless a place well worth a
visit even from such keen-eyed critics as our French
friends. Like many other public buildings in
and around Portsmouth, a vast deal of material has
been crowded into a very small space within the
walls of the Armoury. At Cherbourg a very
effective display is made throughout the length of
the Salle d'Armes by only some 9,000 muskets in
their arm-racks ; yet here, in this small Armoury of
Portsmouth—a room not much exceeding one-
eighth the length of the one at Cherbourg—are
standing in open racks no less than 20,000 Enfield
rifles, from none of which a shot has ever been fired.
de-
scriptions of arms and the curiosities usually found
in in such places. There are, however, in spaces
b2eor,oeacidoilayrnisimafgiornfeard
lbyuetxlihtibtlietinsgpaoetehfeisr leftdeci
As
b y
be-
tweentmhae
ystehe arm-racks through the room, some very
valuable suits of ancient armour, plain, fluted, em-
bossed, and chain, and also tilting spears of the
different periods, with tilti
a goodly collection of weapons
of fearful size and weight, with which men of old
craaed each other's iron shells when
clothing them-
selves in lieu of, as now-a-days, their castles and
ships in iron. Round the base of the walls of the
room are ranged in chronological order every de-
scription of shot and shell made for rifled cannon up
to the present time The walls and roof have been
newly and very tastefully decorated, and on the
former may be seen the Chinese breach-loading
six-pounders, the State flag of the celebrated Com-
missioner Yeh, the official dress of the mandarin who
held command of the Peiho forts at the time of their
capture, and in recesses in the salle and entrance-
hall are some interesting specimens of bronze cast-
ings as vases and incense-burners, the Chinese cha-
racters on which indicate the date of their produc-
tion at 1800 years prior to the Christian era. In
the other parts of the arsenal are piles of guns,
breech and muzzle loading, of Armstrong build, and
the cannon casting ordnance, of none of which we
have reason to be ashamed.

Only with regard to the extent and general ar-
rangement of the dockyard there was nothing at
all of interest to exhibit to our friends. On the
contrary, accustomed as they are to the magnificent
naval establishments at Toulon, Brest, and Cher-
bourg, Portsmouth Dockyard must have appeared
simply contemptible, its stores and buildings being,
with one or two exceptions, confused masses of
bricks and mortar, jumbled together without any
design. In the plans, however, for the great exten-
sion of the yard, the works for which have at length
really commenced, and concerning which many per-
tinent questions were asked, there was plenty of
material of which, in comprehensiveness and unity
of design, we could dilate with just pride and gratifi-
cation, even in the presence of our keen-eyed allies.
The chief features of this first extension of Ports-
mouth Dockyard consist of a tidal basin of about 14
acres, accessible for ships of the largest class at any
time of tide. From this basin there will be two locks
and one dock, also accessible at any period of the

tide. From this tidal basin
and one dock accessible also a.
The two locks will enter into a
about 32 acres area, with a depth ofKateulif 3.
below high-water mark, spring tides, and in com-
munication with this basin will be four first-class
docks of a similar extent and character to the mag-
nificent dock recently opened by the Minotaur, No.
11. Parallel with the repairing basin will be the
riggers' basin of about 20 acres, and in continuation
of the general plan a fitting out basin of about 14
acres. In immediate communication with the repair-
ing basin and locks will be erected factory buildings
for the construction and repairs cf machinery and
boilers on a gigantic scale, altogether eclipsing any
buildings of a similar nature in anyexistingdockyard
here or elsewhere. At the mouth of the basins de-
scribed there will be an open channelsooft. in breadth,
which will afford wharfage space for ships of war and
access for merchant vessels to their wharves on the
foreshore of Portsea Island, and inside the line of the
extension of the Government yard on the harbour
mud lands. To the northward of the basins, docks,
locks, and factory buildings will be the Grand Basin,
of 60 acres, for holding ships of war of all classes
and in various stages of advance for commission.
There will also be connected with this extensive basin
slips for laying
up iron ships of moderate tonnage
and despatch vessels high and dry out of the water,
being constantly kept ready for immediate launch-
ing for active service. Such are the principal cha-
racteristics of one of the largest and most compre-
hensive designs for the creation or improvement of
a dockyard that has yet ever been designed by any
European Power. If carried out in its entirety, the
naval establishment at Portsmouth will surpass in
magnitude and usefulness of design every other at
present in existence or in course of construction. We
may then add to our boast of being the greatest, or
of the greatest, maritime Powers in
our fleets; so Ls to enable
Europe _that we, also r,-;isess t1),1 readiest weans of
any pressing emergency. In
behind some other Powers.
thistrhefleturi ntlatterogkal sea
e e respectthd reerepairing
are at present undoubtedly
in any

After concluding their inspection ashore, and sub-
sequently partaking of luncheon afloat, the French
Minister of Marine, Admirals, and Staff, with the
Duke of Somerset and several of the Lords of the
British Board of Admiralty, embarking on board the
English yacht Enchantress, proceeded to Southamp-
ton Water to inspect the Royal Victoria Military Hos-
pital at Netley, the Enchantress flying the French
Minister of Marine's flag and the English Admiralty
standard side by side at the main, and the fleets
manning yards as the yacht steamed through them
westward.

The banquet to be given by the Admiralty at the
Royal Naval College to-night is the grand feature
in the programme for this evening. It will be
given, as has been already stated, in a large tent-
like structure which has been erected in one of the
quandrangles of the college, and which is 165 ft.
long by 55ft. wide and 30ft. high. At this moment
it is all disorder, but there is not the slightest doubt
that everything about it will be completed just in
the nick of time. As the Lords of the Admiralty
and their guests step intothe room, the last carpenter
and decorator will, it is safe to conjecture, have just
quitted it by another door. Such marvels are done
in this way, where all but a few hours before seemed
a heap of confusion, that one's confidence in the
result is never for a moment shaken, if the circum-
stances look ever so unfavourable. The plate which
will be used at the banquet to-night is that which
Mr. Hancock so generously furnished for the dinner
given on board the Duke of Wellington, and with
such accessories as he can supply a great step in the
work of decoration can without much difficulty be
made. When that moment in the proceedings of
the evening arrives for the proposal of toasts, and
that of the health of the Emperor of the French
and her Majesty the Queen have been duly given and
drunk, a royal salute will be fired from the ships
lying in Portsmouth harbour and at Spithead, the
signal for which will be given by means of a rocket
sent up from the Victory. Almost instantaneously
a grand illumination of the two fleets will take place.
The town of Portsmouth will also illuminate exten-
sively in honour of the occasion. Full as the town
was yesterday, it appears to be almost twice as
crowded to-day, sojourners from the pleasant land
of France contributing largely to swell the numbers.
The preparations for the civic festivities to-morrow
are getting on most satisfactorily, and give fair pro-
mise of being as attractive as anything in the whole
programme of the entertainment.

No sooner were the preliminaries arranged for the recep-
tion of the French fleet at Portsmouth, than an order was
issued by the Admiralty to Messrs. Defries and Sons, of
Houndsditch, to prepare for an illumination of unprece-
dented brilliancy. A telegram was despatched to their
establishment on Saturday last, with brief instructions fcr
that purpose, and immediately they mustered a staff of 500
men, all of whom, under their personal superintendence,
were forthwith at work hastening the execution of their
contract. Last evening proved that short notice is no
hindrance to a successful issue where an experienced firm
is engaged. Upwards of 300,000 lamps in every device to
which crystal can be turned, and displaying as many illu-
minations in the national colours of France, the popular
red, white, and blue, gave such an artificial glare to Ports-
mouth as no city or town in England has ever yet revealed
The effect was, moreover, greatly heightened by the inter-
spersion of innumerable flags, both French and English, by
unmistakeable assurances of a cordiality in thousands of
banners bearing our true Saxon expression of " Welcome,'
Chinese lanterns, and all the auxiliaries which such occa-
sions call into service. The outlines of all the piblic build-
ings and mansions, together with most of the private
houses, delineated
serveprovincial town for the winter
season. The streets, walks, and promenades likewise
shared in the same liberality of a supply of gas, with count-
ss'
to illuminatea
large by
count-
less jets and burners to display its glaring beauty, and
which, with the reflection caused by tricoloured fires,
floods of the marvellous lime light, all intensified in their
effect by corresponding illuminations on board every vessel
in the harbour, have left in Portsmouth such a memento
for congratulation as will make the visit of the French fleet
the most joyous event that the denizens of our maritime
own have ever experienced.