The Sun.
London, England, 1870-01-18 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 18, 1870.

liikes-beOf M6,-&6., or per a:v like kindly office.
The distinctive character of the work is best retained
by being in the hands of a central body.

BELIGION BY AUCTION.

_ The annual auction of "choice reserved seats"
came off in Mr. Ward Beecher's church in New York
a few days ago. On this occasion Mr. Beecher
himself was present, a circumstance which lent great
encouragement to the proceedings. The bidding, we
are happy to announce, was quite spirited, and the
sum realised in excess of any previous year. The best
seat, which is " near the stage and orchestra," went
for 615 dollars ; the next was knocked down to Mr.
Bowen, of the Independent, for 490 dollars ; and the
third best reached the figure of 485. Mr. James
Fisk, jun., the Erie Railway man, and the leader of
that memorable gold war last autumn, bought a pew !
May it do him good. On the whole the Jew York
Times justly concludes that Mr. Beecher's attractive-
ness as a " star " in the preaching line is by no means
on the wane.

ance -the • one species of exhortation is calculated to
be as profitable as the other.

THE NEW ALBERT ASSURANCE COMPANY.
Mr. Charles H. Edwards writes to the Morning
Post explaining the adopted scheme of re-construc-
tion of Lthe Albert Life Assurance Comp • .
He says that Policy holders will receive a polic, in
the new Company without medical examination, for
the net value of the policy in the Albert. For the
difference between that value and the amount of the-
old policy they will be given a debenture in the new
company, payable out of the net profits, which
will not be cancelled by death unless
then fully paid off. They will also have
the benefit of their claim upon the assets of
the Albert, which when adjusted and received would
be added to the policy in the new company. The
debenture will be correspondingly reduced, the claim
upon each policy being separately adjusted and
credited. The now company, adds Mr. Edwards
will also seek to adjust the affairs of those companies
amalgamated with the Albert, and avert if possible
the expense of litigation.

" LEGITIMATE DRAMA."

Another trial—another failure. Such is the report
upon a recent attempt to revive arid keep alive the
legitimate drama in London. While the critics
were crying out arrainst " Formosa," and
moralists were bewailing the decay of real
dramatic power and genius, Mr. Barry Sullivan en-
deavoured to win public support by providing intel-
lectual entertainments. Something must, of course,
be allowed for the position he chose ; Holborn
is, perhaps, too far removed from the West
End. But some small success might notwithstanding
have been expected, especially during a re-action
against "vicious" pieces. That success he has
not obtained. The season terminated on
Saturday night ; Mr. Sullivan's speculation
has cost him little less than the heavy sum of eight
thousand pounds. Is it then true that nothing but
bad puns, gorgeous spectacles, short petticoats, and
extravagant acting will satisfy the British public ?

FOREIGN.:4NOTES.

TUE INSIIIMECTICiN IN CIIBA.

Accounts "from Habana state that intense excitement
prevailed there in consequence of the announcement by
the Habana journals of the Ist of January that the revo-
lution had terminated. They said that a circular had
been signed by the Cuban Junta ordering the insurgents
to lay down their arms. The reasons for the abandonment
of the insurrection were the failure of the recent filibus-
tering expeditions, and the inability of the Junta to send
more men ; and further the disheartening action of the
American Government in permitting the gunboats to sail
from New York.