The Sun.
London, England, 1862-10-11 00:00:00

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE

SLAVE QUESTION.

The following circular, by Mr. Seward, addressed
to all the diplomatic and consular agents of the
United States, is published in the Paris papers :
" Department of State, Washington, Sept. 22, 1862.
" Lientlemen,—Yuu will receive by the mail which will
carry you this despatch evidence which will convince you
that the aggressive movement of the rebels against the
States remaining faithful to the Union is arrested, and that
the forces of the Union, strengthened and reanimated, are
again ready to undertake a campaign on a vast scale. If
you consult the newspapers you will easily perceive that
the financial resources of the insurrection decline rapidly,
and that the means of raising troops have been exhausted.

_ .
"On the other side you will see that the financial situa-
tion of the country is good, and that the call for fresh troops,
without which the material force of the nation would be se-
riously crippled, is being promptly responded to.
"I have already informed our representatives abroad of
the approach of a change in the social organisation of the
rebel States. This change continues to make itself each day
more and more apparent.

" In the opinion of the President, the moment has come
to place the great fact more clearly before the people of the
rebel States, and to make them understand that if these
States persist in imposing upon the country the choice be-
tween the dissolution of this Government, at once necessary
and beneficial, and the abolition of slavery, it is the Union
and not slavery that must be maintained and saved. With
this object the President is about to publish a proclamation,
in which he announces that slavery will no longer be re-
cognised in any of the States which shall be in rebellion on
the Ist of January next. While all the good and wise men
of all countries will recognise this measure as a just and
proper military act, intended to deliver the country from a
terrible civil war, they will recognise at the same time the
moderation and magnanimity with which the Government
proceeds in a matter so solemn and important.—l am, gen-
tleman, your obedient servant,

"WILLIAM H. SEWARD."

CRYSTAL PALACE.

The announcement that yesterday was set apart for the
benefit of Blondin was, of course, sufficient to attract an
immense gathering at the Crystal Palace. A splendid day
gave a full opportunity of witnessing the autumnal glories
of the park and grounds; but for those few of the thousands
of visitors had an eye. It was Blondin's benefit, and they
we re there to see Blondin. They cared for nothing else,
and little else was provided. It was Blondin first, Blondin
second, and Blondin throughout. There was nothing very
novel in the feats which he was expected to perform, for he
had done the same feats before; but then, he was to do in
one day what had before been spread over many days, and
it was no wonder that 20,000 sightseers should pay their
shilling to witness such an aggregation of his achievements.
At 1 o'clock Blondin made his appearance, and at once
corn menced his " low rope entertainment," the low rope
being stretched across the front of the orchestra some seven
feet from the ground. His wooden shoe dance, his stilt per-
formance, his grand evolutions with balance pole, were all
rapturously applauded ; while his " thrilling chair feat,"
sitting, standing, and dancing upon the chair while resting
upon the rope, and his backward somersaults, foot to foot,
over burning candles, were successes of a still more de-
cided character, notwithstanding the fact that in somer-
saulting over the candles he nearly came to grief, losing his
foothold as he came back to the rope, but coming to the
ground with a grace worthy of himself. Of course he re-
peated the attempt, and succeeded. Then, on the same low
rope, he gave his flag dance—his " Tours de Chapeau"—a
serio-comic performance in a cocked hat—his grand violin
feat—turning back somersaults while playing a popular
valse. The finale of this part of his -programme was
his " wonderful drum feat," in which he threw a suc-
cession of somersaults while playing the drum polka.
Then followed an interval of rest, and at three o'clock
he ascended to the high rope over the fountains, run.
fling from the centre to the southern mast—a distance
of 200 yards—and returning blindfold, and with his
head and body enveloped in a sack. Divesting himself of
these somewhat inconvenient appendages, he proceeded to
the northern mast, sometimes standing on one leg, once
standing on his head, several times lying down and turning
over, concluding his high rope performance by wheeling
Punch over in a barrow. Although there was nothing in
this which Blondin had not often done before, the specta-
tors cheered him vociferously, and it was curious to mark
the eager way in which many gentlemen rushed forward
to shake hands with the hero of the town, as if it were an
honour not to be lightly esteemed or easily forgotten.
Another brief interval of rest, and Blondin appeared upon
the high rope in the centre transept of the palace, running
from one end to the other as if he had been upon solid
ground ; returning with his feet secured in huge baskets,
and his wrists with manacles, he next carried out a table
and a chair, and took luncheon on the rope, then, getting
rid of his table he sat and stood upright upon his chair
while it rested on the rope with one leg only, to the intense
delight and wonder of his audience. But the great sensa-
tion feat of the day was yet to come. Dropping down a rope
hand over hand from the top gallery, he entered a small
pavilion, from which a stout rope had beeen securely
stretched along the transept to the orchestra opposite, about
15ft. from the floor. It was known that he would carry his
wife across this rope, a "great feat," it was announced,
which he "had repeatedly performed abroad on the high
rope, but he adopted the low rope on this occasion, that his
thousands of friends and patrons in this country might wit-
ness it in perfect confidence." Some minutes of suspense,
and then up rose the curtained front of the lavilion where
the Blondins—husband and wife—stood hand in hand, and
looking quite charming in their light and gauzy costume.
Madame mounted lightly on her husband's back, and there
she stood, or seemed to stand, with one arm on his shoulder
and the other lightly twining around his forehead. So on
they came—he with firm step and balance-pole extended,
and she like a floated Ariel ; whether borne by or sustained
above him by some invisible influence, it must have been
difficult for the more distant portion of the audience to say.
On they came, and at every step the enthusiasm of the mul-
titude increased, until they stood, like a group cut from the
marble, over the middle of the transept, when it rose to a
perfect furore. Some clapped, some cheered, some literally
shouted, more, perhaps, in honour of Madame than of her
husband—the hero of a hundred such feats; and this tem-
pest of applause was renewed when, having descended from
the rope and gained the front of the orchestra, Blondin led
forward his partner to acknowledge the honour of their
cordial reception. Finally, after dark, Blondin crossed and
re-crossed the high rope over the fountains, which played
up, to the gleaming of the rising moon, amid the blaze of
blue and red fire, and the brilliancy of a pyrotechnical dis-
play, worthy of the old days of the now defunct-and-being
built-upon Vauxhall.

MAYORALTY API' OINTM Elsi TS.—The Lord Mayor-
Elect (Mr. Alderman Rose) has appointed the Rev. James
Lupton, M.A., Rector of St. Michael's, Queenhithe, and
Minor Canon of Westminster, as his chaplain during his
year of office. Mr. Gibbs, one of the secretaries to the
Lancashire Fund, will discharge the duties of secretary to
his lordship. Messrs. Laurie and Marner, of Oxford-street,
have the order for the statb carria..e ; Messrs. Rand and
Beckley, of 297, Oxford-street, are to make the harness ;
and Messrs. M'Callan and Gould, of 5, St. James's-street,
the state liveries and hats. Messrs. Staples, of the Albion,
have the contract for supplying the Mansion-house ban.
quets during the ensuing year.—City Tress.

TUE DISEASE IN SHEEP.—Reports from Wiltshire
state that the serious malady whichh recently.h attacked the
flocks is disappearing, no imw,c!rmlyinzy „
LLar era'ea'lsn—res—Wre for the Past 18begig—observed ; and in most towns in Wilts:
6(.111
Somerset, and Dorset an inspector of flocks has been ap-
pointed. It is stated that another strange disease has made
its appearance in a district of North Wilts—namely,
diphtheria—amony the pigs, several animals having died
from this malady in and around the villa
,Cliipponham24 ge of Laoooki near

LITERARY AND THEA7.RICAL GOSSIP.

" Ten Years in the United States," by an Englishman,
will be published shortly by Messrs. Smith, Elder, and Co.
" Ragged Life in Egypt," by Miss M. L. Whately,
daughter of the Archbishop of Dublin, is announced.
" The Prophecy," a novel by the Lady Rachel Butler,
will be published in a few days.
Miss Margaret Goodman, the author of the well told
"Experiences of a Sister of Mercy," has a volume in the
press on " Sisterhoods in the Church of England."
A work by the late Mrs. Geldart, of Norwich, entitled,
" The Second Mother, her Trials and Joys," will appear
shortly.

A Christmas Book for Children, by Holme Lee (Miss
Parr), will be ready next month, describing " Tuflongbo's
Journey in Search of Ogres."

Mr. John R. Wise, who two years ago produced a plea-
sant book on " Shakspeare's Birthplace," has in the press
a similar work on the " New Forest," with illustrations IT
Mr. W. Crane.

Mr. William Chambers, the publisher, who has recently
returned from a tour in Italy, will publish his experience
and opinions in a small volume, in the course of the present
month, entitled " Something of Italy."
Sir George Cornewall Lewis has in the press a new edi-
tion of an "Essay on the Origin and Formation of the
Romance Languages : containing an Examination of M.
Raynouard's Theory on the Relation of the Italian, Spanish,
Provencal, and French to the Latin." It will be published
by Messrs. Parker, Son, and Bourn.

. .
Jules Janin is publishing a volume of " Contes nou
estampilles," meaning tales unstamped, called thus because
he says he has no hope that they may be admitted by the
censorship to the privilege of the stamp of the railway
library.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews are at Ares ant starring
in Liverpool, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews are
now concluding the run of their entertainment in London,
before visiting the provinces for a brief season.—On Friday
next Mr. Phelps once more appears at the Princess's
Theatre, in the part of Sir Pertinax Macsycophant, one of
his finest and most successful impersonations, for the bene-
fit of Mr. Barnett.

Mr. Hermann Vezin, the American tragedian, is still de-
lighting the good folks at Southampton. On Monday he
appeared as Hamlet, when his impersonation, says the Era,
showed that he had carefully conned the instructions of the
great master, given in this particular Play ; his words and
actions were harmonious counterparts, no unseeming rant
marred his effective delivery, for where impressive intona-
tion was required, judicious control was exercised. An
unanimous call welcomed the tragedian before the curtain.
On Tuesday, "The Merchant of Venice" was produced,
Mr. Vezin appearing at Shylock. On Wednesday
" Othello" was acted, Mr. Vezin enacting lago. On Thurs-
day, Bulwer's Play of " Richelieu."

A new drama entitled " Jessie Ashton," is shortly to be
produced at the Surrey with " registered" scenery and
effects.
THE OXFORD.—This attractive place of resort still con-
tinues crowded nightly, the success and popularity of the
Rumsey and Newcomb Minstrels, of the daring trapezeist,
Steckel, with the exceedingly strong and well-organised
opera company for which this establishment has been so
long famous, renders no essential change in the bill neces-
sary.

CITY OF LONDON.—This theatre will re-open for the
winter season on Saturday, Oct. 18, and we are happy to
announce, as a great treat for the East-enders, that an ar-
rangement has been entered into with Mr. G. v. Brooke,
the eminent tragedian, who will go through a round of his
principal characters.

ST. JAMES'S HALL.—The concert of Welsh national
music, with band of 20 harps, and chorus of 400 voices, will
take place at St. James's Hall on Thursday evening next.
The performers on the harp will include the names of tke
most celebrated artists in London. The chorus will corisist
of the members of the Vocal Association and the Royal
Academy of Music, under the direction of Mr. John. Thomas
(Pencerdd Gwalia). Altogether, a great musical treat may
be expected.

The new English chandeliers at the Grand Theatre and
at the Theatre Maria, at St. Petersburg, attract so much
attention that the actors are jealous of their superior attrac-
tions. It is said that they will make a complaint to the
management, or reven to the Imperial Government itself, if
the lighting-up should continue to be more attractive than
the performance.

The Vaudeville is rehearsing "Les Tresses," by Theo-
dore de Bauville, the poet and feuilletoniste. M. de
Bauville's account of the banquet given to Victor Hugo in
a newspaper article contained no less than fifty metaphors.
Metaphorical critics form a school headed by Theophile
Gautier and Saint Victor. They already number many
pupils, all of them fanatical admirers of Victor Hugo, of
course.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AT DIIRHAM.-Sir W.
Atherton, the Attorney-General, appeared before his con-
stituents in the Town-hall, Durham, on Wednesday, to
give an account of his stewardship. There was a good at-
tendance, the chair being occupied by Mr. J. Henderson.
Sir William, in the course of his speech, referred to the
treaty which was agreed to at the early part of last session
between this country and the United States for suppressing
the slave trade, in connection with which he took the op-
portunity of saying a good word for the Federal Govern-
ment. He afterwards alluded to the Lunacy Bill, the tenour
of which he approved, the Trade Marks Bill, the Lancashire
Relief Bill, and the Poaching Bill, the latter of which he
strongly condemned. In reference to the defences of the
country, he considered that it was wise economy to spend
the public revenue, within reasonable and necessary limits,
in putting the country into a state of preparation for war.
He reciprocated the hope of Mr. Gladstone at Newcastle
that, whenever a reform discussion should be.brought for-
ward such as might precede an accomplished Reform Bill,
the devoted and exemplary conduct of the working classes
would not be forgotten. A vote of confidence in the right
hon. member brought the business of the meeting to an
end.

CAPTAIN ACKERLEY AND THE INDIAN.—At the
Marlborough Police. court yesterday Captain Ackerley came
before Mr. Knox to ask the magistrate to advance some
money from the poor box to enable Peter Basquet, the
Canadian who aceompanied him, to return to Canada. Cap-
tain Ackerley entered into a long statement of Peter Bas-
quet's claims, and the treatment the claimant had received
from the Colonial-office and the Treasury, Capt, Ackerley
produced the official replies, from which it appeared that
in one the secretary for the department asserted there
were no claims against the Government, and in the
other made an offer to send the petitioner back to Canada.
Now, the petitioner could not go back to Canada, as he was
excommunicated, and would certainly be shot, and, further,
he (Captain Ackerley) thought the petitioner ought not to
be sent back until the Treasury had repaid him £1,600 which
he had expended in endeavouring to obtain justice for the
petitioner. The case ought to be determined at once, other-
wise it would kill both him and the applicant. Peter
Basquet said the Government had sent him some medals,
but he wanted some more substantial provision for his
services. Mr. Knox did not think his power very exten-
sive in this case, but he would look over the letters left with
him to see if anything could be done.
SCIENTIFIC JOTTINGS,.. IVI. Era. Moonier re-
commends the following method for dying wood of a rose
colour by chemical precipitation :—A bath A is prepared
with 80 grammes of iodide of potassium per litre of water ;
and a bath B in another vessel with 25 grammes of bi-
chloride of mercury. The wood to be dyed is first put into
the bath A, where it is left for several hours; it is then
dipped into the bath B, when it assumes a beautiful rose
colour. The wood thus dyed is afterwards varnished ; the
baths will last a long while without any necessity for re-
newal. M. Payen recommends the following cure for dis-
eased trees and shrubs :—As soon as it perceived that the
leaves are turning yellow the earth must be dug up all
round the rout within the space of a metre and a half from
the stem, and the roots are then watered, twice on the first,
and once on the following day, with a solution of 525
grammes of sulphate of iron, 500 of common salt, and 525
of alum in 40 litres of water. This treatment will instill
fresh vigour into the sound roots, corrode the bad ones, and
restore the health to those which were about to be attacked.
The amalgum of sodium as an agent for reducing metals is
beginning to attract attention. Mr. C. W. Vincent has
obtained an amalgam of chromium by introducing that of
sodium into a solution of chloride of chromium, and by sub-
sequent distillation in a retort filled with naphtha vapour
the chromium itself is obtained in a finely divided state.
Mr. W. B. Giles also has decomposed a saturated solution
of pure protochloride of manganese by the amalgum of
sodium, whereby an amalgam of manganese was obtained.
The mercury of the latter being driven off by the applica-
tion of heat, remains a brownish-black powder, which ap-
pears to bo manganese.

rebellion of '46 ; there was a popular pretender on the cow
Only seven years had elapsed since the disastrous
tinent, and many intriguers on the alert at home.
setting aside this political aspect, and regarding the affair
in a businesslike manner, it certainly became the duty o',
the officials to examine the contents of the traveller's boxes'
since not only did Cognac, Schiedam, and tobacco arrive
there in an illicit manner, but French
gloves and brocades;
Mechlin and Lille laces, and costly trimmings and Celli.'
disguises along Point found their way into England under very curious
Celestial the
valuable
t.
deePL id
pEiernepesireefbyorwnaaymeenftailiecllheinnda, thatplun cgaemde frora
firkins of innocent butter, which passed unexam,iline t
through a Dashshire custom. house. Therefore,
paying the slightest attention to the French and
were
proceeding of Mr. Williams, the revenue officers
ot
proceeding to plunge their hangers into the inrgod
chest, when the Hamburg merchant clapped ]land
on his sword, and commanded them to desist,
tad
therein was laid awaiting burial, at the place which on
- - dear wife; but this violent e'
planation, so far from giving the officials any confidenne or
increased satisfaction, only deepened and darkened their
suspicions against this eccentric traveller. They now
mysterious
Test
probably held the clue to some terrible case of raYeter
murder I They immediately broke into the case, wrenched
off the lid of the coffin, and the boldest hand among thew
lifted the care-cloths from the face of the embalmed b°"'„.
1-oiio a /Vogl