The Sun.
London, England, 1865-02-15 00:00:00

lIIESUN,'ILONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 15, 1865.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15, 1865.

The most important part of the news brought by
the Canada refers to the revival of peace rumours,
and to the arrival of unofficial Confederate commis-
sioners at Fort Monroe. According to the Richmond
Sentinel, Mr. BLAIR, on his return to Washington
from his first expedition to Richmond, carried with
him Divis's assurance that he would put no ob-
stacles of form in the way of sending unofficial com-
missioners to the North, if he was assured before-
hand that they would be received. The Southern
President has never attempted to conceal or to deny
the anxiety of himself and his people for the termi-
nation of the war which is desolating their country,
but at the same time he has unflinchingly main-
tained the recognition of Confederate independence
as an indispensable preliminary to any terms of peace.
This position he has in no way abandoned, and the
despatch of the commissioners to Fort Monroe is no
sign of weakness on the Southern side. If it were,
such a confession the North, has made it long since,
and, in truth, reversing an old aphorism, they are
willing to have peace, but afraid of the conditions
attending it. President 1.) Avis, in making the re-
cognition of his official commissioners a sine qua non
in despatching an embassy, only asserted the legi-
timate rights of his Government, but he is probably
anxious to leave no stone unturned to end the war,
provided always that it can be done without the
surrender of their flag. The Northern eagerness
unmistakeable, and the effect of the war
for peace is
on the finances- of the Federals is ruinous. Alr.
BLAIR probably told DAVIS that LINCOLN was
willing to do more than he could officially offer, and
the Southern President was willing to show his
readiness to come to terms if possible. Accord-
ingly Vice-President STEPHENS, Senator HUNTER,
of Virginia, an
dEx-Assistant Secretary of War J.
CAMPBELL, left Richmond on the 30th, with the
object of seeing whether it be possible to put a
peace conference on a practical basis. Not only
has Mr. SEWARD gone to Fort Monroe to meet them,
but President LINCOLN himself has left Washington,
and is said to be also going thither. A telegram
from Mr. SEWARD is reported to have summoned
him early on the morning of the 3d, but no more
was known in New York when the vessel left.
There is little doubt but that the approach of the
crisis of March has stirred up Northern energies,
and they have Probably been further stimulated by
the aspect of affairs with France. The Imperial
Government, legs timid and
vacillating than our
own, is fully capable of proceeding to immediate,
recognition if it should. Bee fit, and there have been
for some time very marked indications that France
was growing weary of this protracted and
profitless
inaction on the part of the European Governments.
The pressure of these considerations may influence
the Washington Cabinet to abate some of its pre_
Possibly, indeed, they may go so far as
to consent to a recognition of the South as a sepa-
rate State, subservient to themselves, but the Con-

tensions.

federates will not, we hope, accept such terms. If

they hold out till after March affairs may turn in
their favour. There is no doubt that there is dis-
union and disaffection in the Southern camp as well
as in the Northern, though it is not so publicly
shown to the world as B UTLER'S quarrel with GRANT.

Secret manoeuvres and underhand communications,
such as are indicated by Senator FOOTE'S conduct, are
prejudicial to the Government ; but if President
DAVIS maintains the same high-minded, straight-
forward course as hitherto, the end will be gained

at last.
In conjunction with- their efforts for peace, the
Federals are pressing on the war, hoping by that
means to induce a readier consent to their terms.
SHERMAN has evidently received a hint to move for-
ward, and has accordingly contrived, by dividing
his army into three portions, to threaten two or
three places at once. A decided movement was
being made on Charleston, where PORTER'S fleet had
also been sent. One column of SHER3IAN'S troops
had, on the 28th ult., arrived within forty
miles of the city ; but we must remember
that the Federal miles are not always reckoned
on the same scale as other people's. SHERMAN'S
other divisions moved by parallel roads towards
Branchville, and all non-combatants had been ordered
by General HILL to leave Augusta in case of that
city being attacked. SHERMAN'S progress, however,
came to a speedy stoppage. Heavy rains followed
his departure for Savannah, and the troops which
were advancing over the swamps became soon in-
volved in confusion. For ten miles of the interior
South Carolina was impassable for either men or
waggons, and consequently a retreat to firmer
roads was imperative, and part of the transport was
left in the mud 1 Richmond despatches of the 31st
ult. state that HARDEE reports all SHERMAN'S
efforts to cross the Combahee to have failed up to
that time. It is evident that he has received orders
to make an active demonstration so as to influence
the 'South in their consideration of the peace pro-
posals.

In anticipation of the resolution of the South to
employ their negroes as troops with eventual eman-
cipation, the North are loudly proclaiming their
abolitionist principles. They see that the grand
war cry upon which they have never acted, but
which has served them in good stead in many quar-
ters, will soon be quite powerless, and therefore
they seek to ingratiate themselves with Europe
while there is yet time. But in truth the oppor-
tunity is past for them, and Europe is pretty well
aware that empire and not emancipation, the sub-
jection of the whites and not the freedom of the
blacks, is the object of all their efforts. The con-
stitutional amendment abolishing slavery has been
passsed in the House of Representatives by more
than 2 to 1, and Lincoln has been serenaded at
Washington on making a speech declaring that
event to be an occasion of congratulation to the
world. The emancipation proclamation has, he
considers, fallen short of what the amendment will
do—the one, in fact, having never been intended
for more than a feint.

We hear nothing of the capture of Wilmington,
which, like TONY LUJIPKIN'S education, probably
waits a more convenient opportunity. BUTLER'S
attack on GRANT, and his thanks to Heaven for
never having commanded the army of the Potomac,
together with the failure of the Dutch Gap Canal,
is an amusing episode in the tragedy of the war.
The exposure can hardly be favourable to LINCOLN'S
plans. Whatever the final result of the peace nego-
tiations, they are not likely to bring about any
speedy fruit, for the North is hardly yet willing to
accord recognition, and the South assuredly is not
ready to surrender.

The proceedings in the Prussian Chambers fur-
nish plenty to engage attention in one way and an•
other, and the tortuous policy of the Cabinet is re
i vealed more forcibly than they may desire or think
Iconvenient. The other day the Government Com-
I missioner stated before the Committee on the
Budget that the Government had taken five million
thalers from the public Treasury for the payment of
the war expenses, and also five millions for carrying
out the land-tax regulations, adding that this latter
was considered as an advance made to the Govern-
ment. This very extraordinary mode of proceeding
was justly animadverted upoby Herr VON HOVER-
BECK, who went so far as to move that the Commit-
tee should declare the Ministry were not justified in
appropriating ten millions without authority from
the Chamber, and that they should be held person-
ally responsible for the act. It is satisfactory to find
that so decided a plan should be proposed, for it is
as well that Ministers should receive some rebuke
for their presumptuous pertinacity in meddling with
public affairs in so unprincipled a fashion. How-
ever, the committee did not take up this proposition
until after the report upon the Budget. It seems
extraordinary that men of experience should thus
compromise the interests of the country, in order to
obtain their own ends, without being withheld by
those scruples which should naturally influence
them. But it is no new thing to hear that Herr
VON • BISMARCK and his friends defy criticism, and
refuse to be fettered by obligations which others in
their position consider binding. During the last
year their conduct has outraged all propriety, and
been productive of anomalies of all kinds, social
and political. In their vehement desire
to carry on the iniquitous war into which they madly
plunged they set the claims of justice at nought,
and abandoned those considerations which should
always restrain public men in the discharge of their
duties. Prussia has been literally bamboozled
throughout the whole course of the late transactions
respecting the war, but it will be many a long day
before the Prussians hear the end of the annoyances
to which it has subjected them, or can calculate the
total amount of the expenses of the war. It is the
surest proof of the disingenuousness of Ministers that
their plans have been so covert, and that they have
in
thethe
evilbk
adcong- re .
It is to
kept
to ''o niu
remedymuch
h°lincluntbile ihtowpeasd-thtoao
late
that
the committee will adopt the resolution
of Herr
VON HOVERBECK, and thus demonstrate in
a forcible manner that they do not ap-
prove of the management of Mmi. •
sters, and
will not ratify their unwarrantable acts by their
sanction and approval, nor even go so far as
to afford them a tacit support by abstaining from
the expressions of reproof so fully merited and
richly deserved. All that we are permitted to

glean from the revelations made to the deputies by
the chary communications of official notices, con-
firm the ideas already pretty generally entertained,
that a vast amount of double-dealing has taken
place, and that even now no more is made known
than is absolutely necessary for the purposes of the
State business being carried on. As time advances
there will be much more found out, if it is not con-
fessed, at the indifferent and almost impertinent
manner which the Prussian Ministers assume in
their dealings with the representatives of the
Principle
people. 'These latter, however, and the nation at
large, have themselves to blame in a great measure,
for the
enocrougroaod gemfeeenling.tthey gave to the prosecution
of the war at the outset, without having regard to

Mr. Cox proposed a very rational scheme
last
night when he asked for leave to bring in a bill to
amend in some degree the Public-house Closing
Act of last year. It is often found that with the
best intentions the framers of these measures are
rather one-sided in the way they arrange matters.
hence serious anno
What answers in one ease does not in another, and
yances accrue, and ery awkward

mischances arise in consequence of the stringency
of enactments that press heavily in quarters that
needed no such reticence. Mr. Cox appropriately
quoted two lines from COWPER in illustration of his
remarks—

"Wit unrestrained is apt to strike
Guilty and guiltless both alike."

The chief object of the Act of last year was to put
a stop to many irregularities and disreputable pro-
ceedings that took place in consequence of some
houses in the Haymarket and elsewhere
being kept open during the night ; but as
matters now stand, the rule is applied to all parts
of the town indiscriminately, and the Commissioner
of Police does not recognise the claims of those
houses in the vicinity of Covent-garden and Copen-
hagen-fields to be exempted from the law that en-
forces early closing. There is great truth in the
observations made by the hon. member, and it is
fortunate that leave was given to introduce the bill,
as great inconvenience must be felt by a numerous
class in consequence of the manner in which affairs
are at present arranged. It is always very difficult
to legislate upon varied domestic matters without
infringing in some measure upon the interests of de-
serving persons ; but when it is shown that any
part of a measure presses too heavily upon a portion
of the community, it is incumbent upon the Legis-
lature to effect a remedy as speedily as possible.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE,

TRURO.

The nomination took place at 11 o'clock on Monday
morning, in the Market-hall, when there was a very large
attendance of electors and non-electors. The candidates—
the Hon. Captain Vivian, Liberal, and Mr. Williams, Con-
servative—were both lustily cheered on making their ap-
pearance, but the Liberal candidate had unquestionably the
larger share of applause. The proceedings were orderly
throughout, and the greatest good humour prevailed.

Mr. EDWARD MICHELL moved that the Hon. Captain
Vivian was a fit and proper person to represent the ancient
borough of Truro. He drew a contrast between the two
candidates. The Hon. Captain Vivian was a consistent and
tried Liberal, while Mr. Williams was a thing which nobody
could understand—a Liberal Conservative—a kind of am-
phibious animal, which could neither live on land or water.
(Cheers.)
Mr. ARTHUR WILLYAMS seconded the nomination.
Captain HENDERSON proposed Mr. Frederick Martin
Williams as a fit and proper person to represent the
borough in Parliament. He advocated him as being a man
wrapped up in every way in the material interests of the
town, and as holding political principles that had been
severely tested with the utmost success. Captain Vivian,
who should not at the present time have disturbed the peace
of the borough, was a seeker for place.

Mr. H. B.RRo w seconded the motion.
The Hon. Captain Joier CRANCH WALKER VIVIAN then
rose and addressed the electors at great length. He said
this was the second time he had sought the suffrages of
the electors, the first being in 1859, when he was defeated
by a majority of 12. He thought the Liberal Government
were deserving of great credit for going out of the groove
of party to select the best man for the placse at their dis-
posal in the person of their late member, Mr. Montague
Smith. He (Captain Vivian) came before them as a mem-
ber of the great Liberal party of progress.
.Cheers.) But
Mr. Frederick Williams came before them as a Liberal
Conservative. If the term meant anything, it meant a man
who dares not advance with the progress of the times, and
is afraid to confess it. It reminds him of a jibbing horse
which would not go down a hill or up it. It was a sham—a
humbug. (Great cheering.) But Mr. Williams was a mem-
ber of the Reform Club in 1861, and as he was suddenly
converted to the Carlton no doubt there was a lingering re-
collection of the sweets of the old love, which induced him
to combine the two qualities of Liberal and Conservative
—qualities which were as incongrous as fire and water.
He (Captain Vivian) had been charged with having for
his object the obtaining of office. Well, if he did get office it
would be an office in which he could serve the borough ; he
was neither a lawyer nor a parson, and therefore he was not
likely to be made either a judge or a bishop. He should be
with the party of progress, and in opposition to the Conser-
vative party. Ho should be with that party which had
passed all the measures of reform with which the people
had been blessed for years past—(cheers)—that party which
had passed the great Reform Bill, the Catholic Emancipation
Act, and the repeal of the Corn Laws. But Conservatism was
irreconcilable with progress. A Conservative was a man de-
termined teostand still, while crying out for " our glorious
Constitution." A Liberal loved the Constitution as much
as any Conservative, but he saw that the progress of en-
lightenment required that we should progress equally in

political matters. He was not for sudden changes, but for
gradual and progressive reform. He would take his stand
upon Mr. Locke King and Mr. Baines's Franchise Bills. He
said to the Conservative party it was much better to take
their medicine at once than to stand smelling at it, and the
worst of all courses was to wait till the nurse took them by
the nose and forced it down their throats. (Great laughter and
cheers.) It was not because the people were not agitating
for reform that they did not want it, or were not interested
in such a matter. They were merely waiting for an oppor-
tunity. With regard to the position of this country in Eu-
rope, he thought it was their duty to offer advice for the
prevention of bloodshed, but it was ridiculous to say that
they must necessarily follow up that advice by going to war.
He hoped never to see the day when the influence of Eng-
land would not be exercised and felt in the councils of
Europe. At the same:time, he hoped that influence would
always be exercised for the preservation of peace rather
than as a threat of war. (Applause.) He thoroughly agreed
with the Government in the conduct of the American ques-
tion, and though he should be glad to see the lamentable
contest which was raging in the once United States of
America terminated, still he hoped the Government would
never swerve from those principles of neutrality which they
had hitherto acted upon. Another question which agitated
the people at the present day was the Permissive Bill. He
was as well aware as any person could be of the great evils
arising from intemperance, but looked for their cure rather
to the progress of education and the general enlightenment
of the people as to their moral and social duties than to
legislative enactments. He did not believe drunkenness
could be cured by Act of Parliament, but, at the same time
he was willing to give the bill his best consideration, and,
as it was a permissive measure, he did not see that any
harm would accrue by giving it a trial. In conclusion, he
claimed their support as a champion of the great Liberal
cause, and as a man who, by himself and his family, had
been connected with the borough for generations. It was
his proudest ambition to represent Truro. (Cheers.)
Mr. FRED. MARTIN Wrrztams then came forward, but

his reception was much less favourable than that accorded
to Captain Vivian. He said that during his canvass he had
received from all parties, Liberal and Conservative--most
flattering receptions. He was ambitious of following
worthily in the footsteps of their late member, who had so
ably advocated their cause, and whose merits had secured
for him an elevation to one of the most honourable positions
in the country. Re. should, like Mr. Montague Smith, con-
sistently and steadfastly support everything that was sound
and good to our Constitution, while at the same time he
should advocate every social and political improvement
which the circumstances of the time and the well-being of
the country required—(applause)—and he should support
every measure which would tend to elevate the condition
of the people. Ho thought the great object of all should be
the social and moral improvement and the material welfare

of the people. The question of economy in the State was
one that interested all, but though we were at present at
peace with European nations, it was necessary to keep the
army and navy in a state of efficiency. He should like to
see such a settlement of the church rate question as would
be satisfactory to all. In conclusion, he might say that he
was a working man—a man of business, long and intimately
connected with the borough, and he could assure them that
if returned to Parliament he would do all in his power to
advance its interest and the interest of the country at large.
(Cheers.)
On the proposals being put to the meeting the show of
hands was declared to be in favour of the Hon. Captain
Vivian, though the majority was not large. A poll was
demanded on behalf of Mr. Williams.
STATE OF THE POLL.
on O'CLOCK.
Williams (Conservative)

~ 173

Vivian (Liberal)..
CLOSE OF THE POLL-POUR O'CLOCK
Williams (Conservative) 249
Vivian (Liberal) 220

This election took place to-day. ShorCtloyitafK'teTr u 1
oe s
ca
lyo.
ck
Mr. N. D. Murphy and Mr. J. F. Maguire, M.P., entered
the Court-house together, and were loudly cheered. Mr.
Murphy was proposed by Mr. P. R. Leahy, and seconded
by Mr. Maurice Munday. Mr. Maguire was formally pro-
posed by Mr. D. O'Sullivan, late high sheriff, and seconded
by Mr. James Hogarty. Mr. Murphy addressed the meet-
ing, and declared that he had a majority of the Liberal
party, Mr. Maguire said it was not his intention to contest
the representation then, but he expressed his determination
to stand for Cork at the general election. Each candidate
spoke with good feeling of the other, and general harmony
prevailed. •

T RALE; TUESDAY.

The nomination of candidates took place to-day. The
O'Donoghue was proposed by Mr. Gerald O'Connor, and
seconded by Mr. Michael Lyons. Mr. Joseph Neile
Maenna was proposed by Mr. Henry Donovan, and se-
conded by Mr. Danial de Courcy M‘Gillicuddy. The sheriff
declared the show of hands in favour of The O'Donoghue.
A poll was demanded on the part of Mr. M'Kenna, and the
sheriff axed Thursday as the day of polling. The pro-
ceedings passed eft with comparative quiet.

LITERATURE.

..--, `.---...-

The Quarterly Review. No. 233.

An unusually interesting number of the Quar-
terly is now before us. The subjects are more
than ordinarily varied, and although the reviewers
generally make their selection from works of esta-
blished character and topics that are engrossing the
attention of the day, in the present instance they
have been especially fortunate. The number opens
with an article on William Blake, artist and vision-
ary, whose erratic though noble character and
chequered life has lately been brought before a
public that knew him too little. It is impossible,
while following this record of Blake's eccentricities,
which sometimes indeed seemed to verify the asser-
tion that " great wits to madness nearly are allied,"
to wonder at the limited amount of worldly success
which fell to his share. He belonged, in an artistic
sense, to that school who have lately been repre-
sented amongst us in a literary form. Because his
visions and imaginings were clear to himself, he
fancied they must be equally clear to the perception
of others, and the words in which he attempted to
explain his meaning were. of themselves more unin-
telligible than what they attempted to unravel.
The imaginative side of Blake's character was, how-
ever, so unequally balanced by his other qualities,
that he is scarcely to be measured by ordinary stan-
dards. The implicit faith with which he cherished
his " Visions," of itself indicates something not
quite sound in the mental-sphere, however great
the artistic genius, and however admir-
able the moral qualities. These characteristics
brought to the faithful and singleminded votaries
of his art their natural reward, and a touching
anecdote is told of Blake's tranquil and happy old
age :—" A lovely child of wealthy parents was one
day brought to Blake, sitting in his worn clothes,
amidst poverty, decent indeed, but only one degree
above absolute bareness. He looked atilier very
kindly for along while without speaking, and then,
stroking her head and long ringlets, said, ' May
God make this world to you, my child, as beautiful
as it has been to me !" A•contemporary has hap-
pily said of Blake that " He saw everything through
Art, and, in matters beyond its range, exalted it
from a witness into a judge." Blake was a poet,
too, as well as a painter, and some selections from
his verses are given in this notice. We are sur-
prised that his lines on the " Tiger" have not been
included, as they rank among his best for vigour
and conciseness. The writer of this article has
transferred to his pages some illustrations of Blake's
engravings, and by this novel mode he enables the
reader who has not met with the " Life"- to realise
the vigour and originality of his style. " Foster's
Biography of Sir John Eliot" gives rise to an ad-
mirable article, sketching an outline of the career of
one of those highminded patriots who preserved the
liberties of England against all tyrannical encroach-
ments. The original records of the Parliamentary
struggle of 1625 preserved by Sir John Eliot's own
hand are deeply interesting, and throw a most valu-
able light upon the history of the time. Sir John
Eliot, like many another high-souled patriot,
died in the Tower, but his resolute defence
of the Parliamentary liberties of England
have through a hundred channels left their mark
upon the civilised world. No more fitting biographer
of such a life could be found than Mr. Foster, and
the critic before us does full justice to his literary
service. Another author, who is naturally likely to
receive from the Quarterly fair and courteous con-
sideration, is the new translator of Homer. The
paper is written by one who is evidently well versed
in the original, and consequently well able to judge
not only of the general merits of the style, but the
particular fidelity of the translation. His criticism
is not undiscriminating; in some parts he objects
to a phrase, in others to the construction of a whole
passage ; here he would alter a word, and there
omit or add a line ; but, on the whole, he ranks
Lord Derby's translation as far superior to the best
of his modern competitors. The Memoirs of Sir
Robert Wilson furnish an interesting article on
those eventful times, whose interest can never quite
die out for the existing generation. Sir Robert's
narrative is not entirely confined to the records of
war and diplomacy, to the desolation of Prussia or
the retreat from Moscow, but he gives in animated
and unaffected language his own impressions of the
courts, countries, and peoples that passed in rapid
succession under his observant gaze. Epigrams are
popular things, though good ones, like most good
things, are undeniably rare. Whoever is curious on
the subject will find some of the best extant, more
especially of the classical school in an essay on seve-
ral collections. The political article of the number
treats of " The United States as an Example," and
setting aside any peculiarity of political views, it
expresses very justly and forcibly the prevailing
sentiments of the English people. With reference
to the vexed question of slavery, the writer says
very truly that there are those among us who still
imagine that the war is a crusade on behalf of the
negro, and " there are agitators, too, who never
lifted their hand against slavery while the North
protected it, but who now turn the honest fana-

ticism of the abolitionist to the profit of a demo-
cratic agitation. "It is very idle," he adds, "to
attempt to convince such men that the North are
not fighting against slavery, and that if slavery
should suddenly cease to exist, the South would not
lay down its arms." More forcible than any such
reasoning, however, is the answer which he draws

from the columns of the Nezv York Times, Mr.
Lincoln's recognised organ, which in December last
distinctly denied that the North was fighting for
slavery. " The South would buy triumph to-
morrow, if it could, by a complete sacrifice of
slavery. It would not yield though it could take a
bond of fate that by yielding it would save slavery.
There seems to be substantial agreement both by
Jeff. Davis and his opponents of every shade, that
the sole object of the South is to vindicate, and
for ever establish, State independence and sove-
reignty." In another passage from the same journal
. .

the case is still more positively stated." The North

though it may destroy slavery in waging war, does
not wage war to destroy slavery. * * * In no
form or degree is the adherence of the South to
slavery a part of our casus belli." In face of such
unmistakable language as this put forth by the

organ of the President himself at a time when he
was endeavouring to obtain his re-election, it is
difficult to see upon what ground our English abo-
litionists rest their plea for the North. The manner
in which the Federal generals and the Federal
statesmen have conducted the war is denounced in

terms which must find an echo in every unprejudiced
mind. It is truly said that the precedents that have
been set in this war have rolled back for two cen-
turies the progress which civilisation had made in
taming the savage passions of mankind. War was
becoming, under the influence of opinion, more and
more a conflict between armed men alone. Under
the example of such men as Grant and Gilmore,
Sheridan and Sherman, it is reverting to the old
ruthless desolation of barbaric hordes—it is becom-
ing war against the unarmed citizen and the peace-
ful peasant—war against women and children—war
against the very existence of whole populations and
the industry of generations yet unborn. The ex-
traordinary tenacity with which our Peace-at-any-
price men still strive to uphold their idol is dwelt
upon with the satirical wonder which is its due. How
men who denounce war in any shape as absolutely
criminal can bring themselves to support the
promoters of the most ruthless and barbarous con-
flict of modern times is certainly perplexing to
those who are unacquainted with the extravagance
of a political hobby. The article before us, in its
calm and moderate tone, deals fairly with such en-
thusiasts, while lamenting that Englishmen of any
party should have committed themselves to the ap•
proval of conduct that disgraces the civilisation o
our age.
Luttrell of Arran. By Charles Lever.

Nos. XV

and XVI. Chapman and Hall.
The history of Luttrell of Arran has now reached
a conclusion, and Kate Luttrell, after all her vicis-
situdes, finds herself established in her beloved
Arran as rightful mistress. The young heir, Harry
Luttrell returns unexpectedly, having been long
supposed to be dead, but he persuades Kate still to
retain her dominion as his wife. Old Sir Within
Wardle falls, in his dotage, into the snares of a
designing lady, so that, after all there is a Lady

Wardle, although Kate fortunately escapes the un-
worthy alliance which her ambition prompted. The
story is, like all Mr. Lever's, told with freshness and
spirit; the characters are numerous, but each touched
off with vigour, and many of them, such as Luttrell
of Arran himself, old Sir Within, and Kate are
carefully finished portraits. Still, remembering
what Charles Lever has already accomplished, we
cannot accord to this work the praise we should
award it from another writer. It is not certainly
to be ranked among his best, although the annima-
tion of its style and the originality of its plot bear
a favourable comparison to the works of less spark-
ling writers.

Railway and other Companies.
LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

The directors of this company-yesterday resolved to re-
commend to the proprietors a dividend for the past half-
year at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum, carrying forward
a balance of £25,842.

The directors have just issued the following report, to be
submitted to the proprietors on the 24th inst. :—" The
working of the past six months enables the directors again
to propose to the proprietors a dividend at an increased
rate, and it is further satisfactory to state that the increase
in the traffic continues generally throughout the system—
the traffic in cattle between England and Ireland being
almost the only exception. The introduction into the
accounts of the past half-year of the traffic and expenses of
the St. Helen's Canal and Railway and of the Lancaster
Canal makes it necessary, in order to a comparison, to add
to the figures, as published last year, the traffic and ex-
penses of those undertakings for the same period. As
compared with the corresponding period of 1863, the
amount received for passengers,goods, minerals, and cattle,
the number of passengers, and tons of goods and minerals
carried, and of train miles run, have been as follows :

1864. 1863. Increase.
Passengers, &a, Receipts .. £1.393,577 ,%01,763 £9',914
Goods, Mineral, and Cattle

Receipts

•• .• .. 1,596,672 1,445,961 150,711

Total 92,219 £2,750,7.4 £241,625

Passengers 9,99,018 9,025,0.6 934,002
Tocs.
Goods and Mint rale .. 6,406,628 5,657,053 749,575

• Miles. 31 Iles.
Mileage of Passenger Trains 6,0,2,217 4,69e,001 406,216
Mileage of Goods and Mine-

Trains .. 4,095,683 4,4'.3,1:0 512,473
The Morecambe Branch (2.1 miles) was opened for passenger
traffic on the Bth August last, and the Eccles Tyldesley and
Wigan line was opened for traffic on the Ist September. The
working of tile St.Helen'sßailway (23miles) was transferred
to this company at the same period. Two bills for the im-
provement of the company's existing lines by widening the
approach to Liverpool, and extending the Conway and
Llanrwst Railway to Bettws-y-Coed, and also a variety of
minor provisions, tire promoted by this company in the
present Session. In furtherance of the objects con-
templated by the promotion of the Lancashire Union Rail-
way, as explained in the report dated the 19th of February,
1864, the directors have agreed to co-operate with the same
parties in completing the already sanctioned measure, by
extending it to the Mersey in such a manner as to give the
necessary accommodation at the least' outlay of capital.
The following bills are also promoted jointly with other
companies :—A bill with the Lancashire-.and Yorkshire
Company for widening the Blackpool Br4ch ; a bill with
the Midland Company, and parties locally duiterested, for a
railway connecting Huddersfield with Halifax; and a bill
with the North-Eastern Company for a joint station in
Leeds. Numerous bills promoted by other companies will
require and receive the watchful attention of the directors.
At a special meeting to be held after the transaction of the
ordinary business, resolutions will be submitted confirming
the formal agreement for working the Lancashire Union
Railway, and for the creation of ordinary capital in substi-
tution for an equivalent amount of stock or shares of the
Stour Valley Railway and Shropshire Union Railway and
Canal Companies to be cancelled. The directors have
agreed to admit the Great Western Company to a joint
and equal participation in the Shrewsbury and Welchpool
Railway, to take effect from the Ist of January last. The
directors announce with great regret the death of their
colleague, Mr. Philip Williams, and have to report that
they have elected the Earl of Caithness to fill the vacancy
so occasioned. It will be seen from the usual tabular state-
ment in the report that, owing to the increase of traffic and
the additional length of line worked, the miles run by
engines during the past six months exceed the miles run
during the corresponding period of 1863 by 948,689 train
miles ; and a reference to the statement of the revenue
traffic account will show that the company have been de-
bited, through the Railway Clearing-house, for the use of
other companies' waggons and carriages, with the sum of
£12,070, or at the rate of more than £24,000 per annum.
These facts afford conclusive evidence of the necessity and
expediency of providing additional stock to meet the re-
quirements of the increased traffic and working. Accord-
ingly, the proprietors are recommended to vote, for addi-
tional engines, waggons, and carriages, £220,000. The
directors request votes of the proprietors for improvements
and additional accommodation at 59 stations, amounting to
£285,196 ; Lancaster and Carlisle Line, additional accom-
modation at nine stations, £11,905; Chester and Holyhead
Line, additional accommodation at eight stations, £1,370 ;
Shropshire Union Line, additional accommodation, £18,387;
Bedford and Cambridge Line, additional land, £1,210 ; ad-
ditional land at Kenyon Junction, Morley, Clapham, Long-
sight, and Willesden, £5,000.
From the statement of the Oct. 31, Dec. 31,
halt year's accounts, it 1861. 1165.
will be seen tha the net as

proceeds amount, to ....£.98?,776 13 9 agst £7e8,5'8 9 0
To which add the balance

from last account ... ... ... 17,084 14 10 „ 16,881 15 10

Showing a disposable ba-
lance of
Dividend recommended, 7
per cent.

Balance to be carried to
next acc0unt............ £23,812 7 5 „ £21,205 0 4

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Feb. 14.—The market is still lan-
guid and prices drooping. Business in shipping
yarns has been very fiat to-day, and to make sales
considerably lower prices would have to be taken.
The market for these goods closes with much de-
pression, and no class of buyers seem disposed to
operate at any decline spinners would be willing to
accept. For home-trade yarns we have also had a
quiet and dull market, and any advance gained last
week may now be said to be entirely lost. There is a
little more inquiry at the reduced rates, but it has
not yet led to any business worth naming. In cloth
all the advantage in prices established early lastweek
had disappeared by the commencement of this, and
to-day the market appears to be as flat as it can be.
Buyers show very little disposition to operate,
and are professedly waiting till the arrival of the
American mail steamer (the Canada), now overdue,
before making up their minds. There is a good deal
of inquiry as to price, but it appears to be mostly
of a speculative character, and the offers made are
exceedingly low. So far as can be gathered, very
few manufacturers have made the concessions
plied by such offers, though•prices are irregular,
and consequently the amount of business has been
very limited. Shirtings are generally quoted at
about 2s. per lb., but even this price is hardly ob-
tainable for ordinary makes. Manufacturers and
sellers generally give way very slowly, and there is
but little pressure as yet on their part to sell goods.
Messrs. J. Slagg and Co., in their cloth report, say :
" The improvement noticed in our report of Tues-
day last has gradually disappeared during the week.
Pending the arrival of the American steamer buyers
are indisposed to purchase, or only make offers on
the lowest scale. The operations of the day have
been small, as manufacturers are not willing to
make any considerable concession in price."
LEEDS, 14th.—The cloth-halls have not been very
well attended by buyers to-day, but the amount of
business done was to a fair extent, and fully as much
as on this day week. The weather, though bright
and clear, is sharp and frosty, and tends rather to
check the sale of spring goods. Indeed, it has had
the effect of causing a little demand for a few winter
fabrics. The Canadian and American trade is rather
flat, nor is there much doing for the Australian
colonies, for which, however, a better demand is
looked for after the arrival of the December mails,
which will be delivered in a day or two. The China
trade is only moderate, so far as woollen goods are
concerned, but tolerably active as to some kinds of
worsted and piece goods. Colonial wools maintain
late prices, but some kinds of English are rather
lower than they were last month. The flax trade
is quiet, and the prices of the I;aw material are not
quite so high as we lately had to notice. Yarns and
threads are without material change.
NOTTINGHAM, 14th.—There was a limited atten-
dance at this exchange-hall to-day, and the demand
for lace yarns was inactive at the prices oS last
week. There was very litte inquiry. for hosiC.7
yarns, and prices remained nominally unaltered.
Silks may be quoted at fully late rates. The
demand for brown nets was quiet. The amount
of business done has been less, than an average, and
prices were much the same as last week. These
goods are still selling at below prime cost,

o\l,
"A 401
61111 ..L2-70-94----1 tirtgar•

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, Feb. 14.
Her Majesty drove out in the morning with her
Royal Highness Princess Louise, and in the after-
noon with Princess Beatrice and Prince Leopold.

The Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Prince of Wales, attended by Major Tees"
dale, went yesterday to the exhibition of the works
of the late Mr. David Roberts, R.A., at the rooms
of the Architectural Society in Conduit-street.

DEATH OF H, E. CARDINAL WISEDIAIC

(THIS DAY.)
We regret to announce the death—at last, after
a very protracted illness—of His Eminence Car•
dinal Wiseman, who expired at eight o'clock tilis
morning from sheer exhaustion.

His Excellency the Austrian Ambassador and
the Countess Apponyi entertained the Earl Russell an
Lady Georgina Russell, Lord Bloomfield, his Exce
the Spanish Minister and Madame Comyn, his Excellency
the Netherlands Minister, his Excellency the Saxon gild:-
ter, Count Pahlen, the Right Hon. Sir Hamilton Se3ll2°ll„'
Sir Clrtrles Lenox Wyke, Count Wimpffen, Prince xse7:t
burg, Baron Dornberg, Mr. Arthur Russell, M.P., jrc.' in
dinner yesterday evening at the Austrian EmbassY
Chandos-street, Cavendish-square.
The Duke de Penthievre, son of Prince de Pill;
vine, has recently left Lisbon for Brazil, as a volunteer
officer in the Portuguese squadron. ril
The Earl and Countess of Seafield and 14° t,
Reidhaven have arrived at the Clarendon Hotel from Sc°

land.
The death is announced of the Hon. Catherine
Harriet Maynard, third daughter of Viscount and 'T'
countess Maynard.

ri
ROYAL DRAMATIC COLLEGE.—We are illO —311 ea
ca
:hat the Council of the above Institution have recoiTte
rom the executors of the late George Dodd, Esq,

quest of .£5O towards the funds of the charity.
Yesterday, the exhibition of the rep/ail/it'
works of the late David Roberts, R.A., about t°
opened in the rooms of the Architectural Society, 9, C°l'
r. ;
duit-street, Regent-street, was honoured with 11,
the
visit by the following distinguished persons :-11.13-0:
Prince of Wales, attended by Major Teesdale ; the
Comte do Paris, H.R.H. the Comte d'Eu, and 1:1•R.'

Crow:Princess of Brazil, &c.
. AND MRS. GERMAN REED'S ENTEglijs'
understand that the clever MENT.—We cute,-
ment at the Gallery of Illustration, which has had s° late
a run, consisting of " The Rival Composers" end “j-fer-0
Bard and his Birthday," is about to be withdravill
noveltyT from the pen of the same author, Mr. WO' A131.° -0°
The operas di camera, " The Soldier's Legacy" en,„'
Many Cooks," continue to be represented everY -1-1;5'1%
and Thursday morning. Offenbach's sparkling wer-i has
now been given more than a hundred times. We Dele
that " Jessy Lea, or the Sleeping Queen," with " 11°°„r ti- 391 Y
Cooks," will in future be represented everY ga
evening, without interfering with the opera nlatinue-
Tuesday and Thursday. the
MADLLE. VON MURSKA.—III connection "" gth
Imperial Opera-house we will now speak A
of the eminently fine performance of Madlle. von 'Thqst
our '-
as Linda, on which we touched oly abrieefiY sn
letter. Madlle. von Murska proved herself in. this cl'a
ed
ter a greater singer than in any previous one, and s'etetivh9
an artistic triumph. Her Linda was a picture ert
sad
an artist of genius, who appeared most richly, hig,,beo
originally endowed by nature, and who promises; ;1. her
she has attained her full maturity, to fix without 15,7 60,1
name in the history. of the German stage. The ll°ll-ip a'
dashing tones of her voice, which flowed from her
the notes flow from the throat of a bird, showed,
stance, despite the various interpolated pieces, the she
fleet'
sign of fatigue, and always produced an entrancing a -
The fair and accomplished artist, who, on her first as
ance, was greeted with applause from all sides, se Bated
ntecl
cre-
V.,0
oured with the same after every air she sang, has
even a deeper impression in this part than in that of
much-praised Lucia.—Vienna paper. .11r e
• THE LATE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND*
believe we are correct in stating that Admiral is
will be interred
late Duke of Northumberland, N.G.,
NVisestminster Abbey, in the family vault of tho Pey':
H grace's remains are expected to arrive in Londoa
so
the gal inst, and will lie in state in Northumberland
en the 23d and 24th inst., and on the following Sato t°
the 25th inst., the funeral will take place. In add° 90
the late Duke's near relatives and friends, it is Pr°Great
that the principal officers of the Royal Institution of
Britain,as
the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and Ter'-
. 10
other benevolent and learned societies, of which the
rPI.,
lamented duke was the much respected and valued p
dent, will attend the cortege. lot; 0.9: rt
Yesterday Mr. R. M. Biggar and Mr. ilr' li2-es,
the proprietor and publisher of the Railway
,I,flio Itt
appeared at Bow-street to answer a charge °f libell
a
stern Rail-
Samuel Smiles, the secretary of the South
way Company.. It seems that a Mr.
holder in the South Eastern Compay, thoroughlY
proves of the conduct of the directors a the CO
especiallye objects to Mr. Smiles. He has oja sert
been
d
ia-
occasions written libellous letters, which hale
s d in the Railway Times as advertisements, 111_0d-
one oa
lof protiieso
occasion he apologised and paid the cogs
cisap,
ings which had been taken against him on aecnililt °,,,,fpeared
libels. Lately, however, other letters have to
barging Mr. Smiles with improper conduct in reniaese
the sale of a vessel called the Eugenie, and uPel,rigies•
letters leading articles were written in the Rail"°Y ; they
This was the charge against the two defendants, heir
were committed for rrial, bail being taken for
pearance. p .601,
AN UNFORTUNATE PRINCESS.—The bt
Radziwill, whose death in the prison for
"eta of
Vienna has been recently announced, was the
an hotel-keeper of that city. Prince Radziwill wee 55y di,
at an hotel in that city in 1846, when he fell dangero' ,00
and was so charmed with the kind attention paid /10
arrled
landlord's daughter that soon after his recovery sotf
her. The happiness of the new married couple av 3 ,ocl
long duration, for the prince died some years after lo
eh
house, leaving three children and numerous debts, fce.svcooto
the princess made herself responsible. As her only her
was a pension of 14,000 florins, it was impossible 149; pid
properly to bring up her children, and at the WO t,itil''.esteci
debts amounting to 150,000 florins. Having heell a 513
by her creditors, she fell ill from grief, and died at t'"ecrol
of 46 years. Her two sons are pupils in the I;int'to
Theresianum at Vienna, and her daughter is war°
wealthy landowner in Galicia. g r the
FOUNDERED AT SEA.—Captain Hood, - re'
Kong
Mow, arrived at Liverpool from NaS
he S'''s
ports that he left that port on Jan. 8; on the 9th ~1111'
overhauled and boarded by the Federal anise:6 04
hoochie ; and that on the 21st ult , when in let' .;:pali°ll:
10ng.47 10 W., he saw a large square. full-rigged s-itr
three miles astern. The vessel appeared to lahetreper
dmuch, the sea being very high at the time, and a ,tot
ous gale blowing from the W.S.W. Captain li°°, tit a:,
that the strange vessel was only in sight ow;
hour, when of a sudden she careened over, and Iveilto 10'
immediately with all on board. In conseqUenelf:g soffi
ful state of the weather, and the strange vessel jog
re paid
astern, Captain Hood was prevented from
assistance. He believed that not one man. on llcatiror erliar
fated vessel could be saved, as she appeared t° '-oeil2/er
down in a minute, thereby rendering it almost iniry A
any one to have provided himself for the enlerrrgheeciAC'trcl
LAW OF DEATHBED IN SCOTLAND.---"":00
of Procurators in Scotland propose to 35°' f01101,1;flOt
Advocate to introduce in the present Session. Ole eve,
brief but very important bill :—" Whereas it bedise .11,e 001
that the right of challenge on the head of deal t 110 set
be extinguished, be it therefore enacted, 840., t-olf
executed or act done from and after the Pasel°g,hbed:
shall be subject to challenge on the head of dee"- of " tide
effect of the above will be to prevent invalidatiolog oft
at
leaving heritable property on account of their Iles 03
within 60 days of death or after the testator was
4S'
kirk or market.—Edin,burgh Courant. AMO Ages
THE Loss OF THE ROYAL MAIL STE"" re,i
d
NIAN.—The Board of Trade inquirY lvd's retilPeroii
yesterday, and the evidence closed. It Princri, A as
to the time when the light was discovered on '-eo,oo'tia
Bank, and to the measures which were taken ti eoignie
efficient look out. Two passengers, Mr. Aket-"rg
the 4th West India Regiment, and Mr. St. Ge°,l-jeet' c)*Liiv,
nant in the 35 West India, said that the cell-eosn-ooel
captain throughout was calm, energetic, 0,135,5 t the easel
The first engineer, Mr. Andrew Cusin, said that ea'oe
was going at full speed when she struck, diet Dot, the
were then reversed, and then turned ahead aloe' 6,,sea ar
fires were speedily put out. Mr. Lushingtcal day tl/e
court on behalf of the captain (Lemon), and t°-
let'
cision will be given. private najfi
ANOTHER MURDER IN JAPAN. ---A- of
from an officer on board her MajestY s ofeaes'ott
states that a survey had just been made of thet toe. a to
Nagasaki, where the vessel had been fora 611°_1. obeCt°
the 22d of August last the Japanese authorit theyioe tore teti
plans of the fortifications being made, Du. t
late, as the surveying officers had previoue jw. CP
eyed
their work. On the evening of the same ibliorder„fle 00
Collins, one of the engineers of the oaiu, wao , ow- is
the Ja,Danese. He was buried on the 24th.• 010)3,a°0131't
the 264:1 sailed for Yeddo, and she was m
Sea on the
.30th, the date of the letter.