The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-01 00:00:00

THE POSTHUMOUS GUN-BOATS.

Our facetious contemporary, Punch, in this week's
number, admirably hits off the popular sentiment with
regard to the fleet of gun-boats got up for the late naval
review. Britannia is exhibited seated on a cliff, between
a mortar and a cannon—the latter reversed, with a
scroll, on which is legible the word "Peace" over the
touch-hole—overlooking, in a mood of mingled sorrow
and indignation, the passage of the said gun-boats, and
exclaiming "If you had been only Hatched a Year ago,
what might have come out of your Shells !" What,
indeed ! Certainly not a dishonourable peace.

A. Cabinet Council was held on Tuesday at the resi-
dence of Viscount Palmerston in Piccadilly. The
Ministers present were—Viscount Palmerston, Earl
Granville, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir George Grey,
the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord
Pawl:lure, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Charles
Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, Lord Stan-
ley of Alderley, the Duke of Argyll, and the Right Hon.
M. T. Baines. The Council eat an hour.

THE QUEEN'S CONCERT.—The Queen gave a concert
last evening at Buckingham Palace, at which the fol-
lowing assisted, viz., Mesdames Novello, Viardot, Bosio,
and Didi6e, Signori Gardoni and Ronconi, Mr. Sims
Reeves, and Herr Formes. The foreign Ministers and
a party of the nobility and gentry were invited to the
number of about 370.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday,
at Gloucester House, Piccadilly.
The Marchioness Dowager Townshend and Mr. James
Laidler have arrived in town for the season.

Lady Hotham, widow of Sir Charles Hotham, has
arriv at Claridge's Hotel, from Australia.
Mr. and Lady Isabella Stewart have arrived in Bel-
grave-square for the season, from Ireland.
His Majesty the King of Wurtemberg is expected in
Paris on Saturday. His Majesty will occupy the same
apartments in the Tuileries as those which accommodated
the King of Portugal and the King of Sardinia. His
Majesty will remain 11 days in Paris.
Yesterday was solemnised, at St. George's, Hanover-
square, the marriage of the Rev. Harry Vane Russell,
and Miss C.,roline Frances Meyrick, daughter of Col.
and Lady Laura Meyrick.
SALE OF \IR. FAIRRIZ'S ANCIENT AND FOREIGN
PICTURES.—This portion of Mr. Fairrie's gallery realised
the sum of 3,0001.
THE COLLECTION OF THE LATE SAMUEL ROGERS.—
The sale of vases continued yesterday, and produced a
large sum—several realising high prices.
It is stated that two French divisions, and also some
English troops, will remain some time at Corstantinople
after the evacuation of the Crimea, with a view to the
reprassion of a rising against the Christians.
GRAND BANQUET AT THE MANSION-HOISE.—Last
evening a splendid entertainment was given by the Lord
Mayor to Lord Brougham and the members of the
Society for the Amendment of the Law. About 200
ladies and gentlemen sat down to dinner.
CITY SEWERS.—A court was held yesterday ; Deputy
Peacock in the chair. Dr. Letheby, the City medical
officer of health, presented a report on the returns and
verdicts of coroners' juries, which was ordered by unani
mous consent to be printed.
WINE DUTIES.—In consequence of the desire expressed
by the Government to take the adjourned debate upon
the capitulation of Kars en Tuesday last, Mr. Oliveira
postponed his motion for a reduction of the wine duties
till the first open day, Tuesday, 27th of May.
Maputo, April 28.—The Princess of the Asturias is
about to enter into a state of convalescence. Marshal
Espartero is warmly received in the provinces. The
fetes on the occasion of the inauguration of the Valla-
dolid railroad commenced yesterday with enthusiasm.