The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-12 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

A Berlin letter states that it is the intention
of the Prussian Government to propose to the
Chambers the abolition of the laws against usury.
The Correspondence of Berlin states, that the
New Prussian Gazette has been again seized, for an
article hostile to the French government, and that
information of this seizure was communicated in
most obliging terms to the French ambassador at
Berlin by the Prussian Minister for Foreign
Affairs.

M. de Reizet, on his road to St. Petersburg, re-
mained at Berlin 24 hours, and was presented to
M. de Manteuffel by the French Ambassador.

EGYPT.

From Alexandria, Jan. 3, we learn that some
feeling has been manifested against the govern-
ment, by reason of the order issued by the consul-
general to the French officers, requiring them to
quit the Egyptian service.
The French steamer Salamander has foundered.
Mr. Stephenson, the engineer, arrived in his
yacht Titania on the Ist inst.

The Viceroy has left for the upper country,
taking with him the Minister of Commerce ; and
doubtless when there his highness will ascertain
whether his fears of scarcity have been premature,
and, if so, upon his return we may look for the
withdrawal of the present prohibition of the export
of grain.
Previous to the departure of the Pacha the Hon.
Fred. Bruce, our recently-appointed Consul-Ge-
neral, made his introductory visit, and was, as is_
usual upon the first introduction of a Consul-Ge-
neral, presented with a very handsome Arabian
horse from his Highness's stables. The Viceroy
also sent to Atfeh for Mr. Bruce's accommodation
a small steam yacht that had been previously fitted
up for the Viceroy's personal use.
The news from Persia has created some excite-
ment, and 25,000 men are under orders to march
from Cairo to any point where their presence may
be necessary. On the 31st ult. 20,000 stand of
arms, and 600 artillerymen, were shipped to Con-
stantinople.

Her Majesty's steam-ship Wasp arrived from
Beyront on the 24th ult., having on board the 'FAA
of Carlisle.

The London mails of the 24th ultimo, despatched
by a new screw steam-ship of the Peninsular and
Oriental Steam Navigation Company, the Colombo,
arrived off port, in ten days fourteen hours, under
steam from Southampton, the quickest passage yet
made. The Bengal, another screw steam-ship of
the same proprietary, has made an equally favour-
able voyage in the Indian Seas.

MADAME TAUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—This establish-
ment has just received the addition of another interest-
ing figure, representing the Archbishop of Paris. This
portrait model has been placed with the figures of the
Emperor and Empress of the French, to whom he is
bestowing the nuptial
.benediction. This figure is
dressed in the full costume of an archbishop of the
Roman Catholic Church, and is a most admirable like-
ness of the ecclesiastical dignitary.
BLAGROVE'S CONCERT ROOMS.—Mrs. Charles Wal-
lack's new entertainment, entitled, " The Ladies' Hour,"
was given last night by the above-named accomplished
lady, in which she introduced several songs, which were
interpreted with the most artistic finish, taste, naivete,
and brilliancy. The manner in which the lecture was
delivered was most captivating, reminding us often of
Madame Thillon ; the songs being all introduced by some
interesting tale or anecdote. The "Trout," by Neate,
for naivete ; " 11 soave e bel contento," for brilliancy, and
"The Spanish Maiden," for taste and artistic finish, were.
the favourites of the evening. The entertainment, we
understand, was written by the fair benefriare, which
proves her to be a bas bleu of high literary attainments.
Mrs. Charles Wallack was a pupil of the Royal Academy.
We recommend her strongly to take the St. James's
Theatre, where her charming entertainment would be
heard to more advantage.
ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. —Yesterday the annual
general court of the governors of this society was held at
their offices, Trafalgar-square. Mr. Benjamin Bond
Cabbell, M.P., in the chair. The report stated that
during the half-year ending 31st December last, the
society had brought under its notice 102 cases of drown-
ing, involving the risk of 105 persons, of whom 8 had
been beyond recovery, and 24 had been attempted sui-
cides. The circumstances attending 10 of the above-
mentioned cases had been so extraordinary as to induce
the committee to refer them to the General Court, with
a view to the society honouring those who at the peril of
their own lives humanely rescued their fellow-creatures
from a watery grave. The total number of cases during
the year had been 152, and the persons attended to 165,
of whom 153 had been recovered, 12 had been beyond
recovery, and 31 had attempted suicide. The total
number of cases referred had been 19. During the same
period the society conferred the following rewards, namely
24 silver medals, 36 bronze ditto, 9 testimonials on
vellum, 6on parchment, and 108 pecuniary gifts. There
had bathed in the Serpentine during the last season,
223,250 persons, or about 40,000 fewer than the aver-
age of some years past. The casualties, none of which
had proved fatal, had been 21. In the interval, between
the 19th of last month and 6th of the present, there
had been on the frozen waters of the Royal Parks
about 253,000 skaters, several of whom had suffered
immersion, and would probably have perished but for
the assistance afforded to them by the society. Of these
only 49 left their names and addresses. The thank
offerings for rescue were confined to one poor boy, who,
with gratitude greater than his means, subscribed 2d. to
the funds of the society. Mr. H. Goring, one of the
vice-presidents, presented the society with a donation
of 1051.

MORTALITY IN GLASGOW.—The mortality tables of
Glasgow for 1853, which have just been published,
afford melancholy proof of the unhealthiness of the past
year. The deaths during the twelve months were
15,288, being an increase over the preceding year of
3,597, and showing 'a per centlge of 1 in 26.9 of the
population—a, considerably greater mortality than oc-
curred m 1848—the cholera year. Nearly fifty per
cent, of the deaths were of children under five years
of age.