The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-18 00:00:00

T II E N)

heart, and reduces him to worse than his former
desolation. " Ravenscliffe" is not half concluded
when this incident tttkes place, but, although
•
the remeinder of the work introduces new charac-
ters, and, in fact, a new story, the main pur-
pose is still the came, and only with the con-
cluding pages of the third volume does the history
of Raiidel become complete, and the moral of the
story receive its full development. Viewed in this
bearing, as we have said, " Ravenscliffe" presents re-
deeming features. The character of Randal is well
pourtrsyed, and the vicissitudes to which such un-
governed passions as his must necessarily subject
their possessor are skilfully and forcibly depicted.
Still the theme is mournful and its accessories are
melancholy to an extreme. Eleanor ‘Vherneliffe, the
heroine, is painted in that graceful and charming
manner which Mrs. March so frequently employs
in the portraits of her heroines. The nature of
Eleanor is week and vacillating; not endowed with suf-
ficient firmness to do right or wrong, she sacrifices
her own happiness and the happiness of others. Speak-
ing of the deplorable state to which this weak tem-
perament reduces her heroine, Mrs. Marsh reminds
us that Angela (the heroine of one of her former
delightful romances) was naturally weak and timid
es Eleanor, but the strong religious principles which
ruled her heart supported and directed her. In
Eleanor, who is without this strength, she has at-
tempted, raid very successfully, to show the misery
that may be wrought by a weak mind, although ac-
compenied by a lovieg heart and well-meaning inters-
tentions, if unsupported by principle. In this endea-
vour, also, as we have said, Mrs. Marsh has been most
successful. Having thus awarded to the authoress
of " Ravenscliffe " the praises which are her due, we
have another, and a serious fault to find with her,
namely, the theological remarks and discussions
introduced into the pages of " Ravenscliffe." We
have the greatest objection to such topics so intro,
duced. Practical and not theoretical religion is
what we look for in works of fiction. Let the
novelist show us how Christians ought to lire, and
not remind us, unhappily, how Christians (so called)
can quarrel. Ono passage in this portion of " Ra-
venscliffe " has surprised us considerably, coming from
a writer of such benevolence as the author of" Emilia
Wyndham," namely, a passage in which she arrogates
to herself a power eppe.rtaining only to the great
Searcher of Hearts, and pronounces a large body of
Christians to be, many of them, secret infidels. Sorry
are we to find such remarks coming from such a writer,
and we earnestly entreat the authoress, whose talents
we so justly appreciate, and whose works we so
greatly admire, to leave these topics for other pens,
and to employ hers, as she so well can, in showing the
beauty of virtue and the misery of vice. We en-
treat of Mrs. Marsh to give us again a novel like her
enthralling " Emilia Wyndham," like her powerful
"Norman's Bridge," like her charming "Angela,
or her fascinating " Old Men's Tales," or her " Wil-
mingtons." Glad as we always are to welcome her
productions, we shall be doubly glad to welcome one
possessing the attractions but free from the faults of
Rave nscliffe."

LITEATURE.
LIV HES OF TE-QUR
EENS OF ENGLAND.
Library Edition. Vo!s. 1., 11., 111., IV. By
..4gees Strickland. Colburn and Company,
It required very remarkable courage to adventure.
upon the composition of the volumes here reprinting
in an edition eminently calculated to extend their
popularity and confirm their reputation. Fortu-
netele for the studentr, in our historical literature, the
various qualities which were essential for the due
accomplishment of such an undertaking were found
combined in the intellect cf Agnes Strickland. Her
resolution in carrying out the original design has
been unsurpassed by any ether of her capacities as an
• historical writer, if we may except the most brilliant
merit of her productions generally, that of a consci•
entious and unimpastioned truthfulness. Among the
impartial annalists who have recorded the deeds of
bygone generetions, whether in modern times or in
the days of antiquity, she occupies a conspicuous and
honourable poeition. Nor can the prejudices of par-
tizanship, or the fanaticism of sectarianism, deny
to her the admiration due to that veracity.
Beyond the dietieguishing qualities here par-
ticularized, Miss Strickland
ad possessed,
of fro
itsm
the outset acother, peculiarly mireble
kind, and one which, under any cirurnstances,
must have rendered some degree of success inevineble.
She cherishes a genutee love for her occupation ; she
has an enthusiasm in the prosecution of her enter-
prise ; sho has an evident delight in turning ',over the
mouldy manuscripts of the tne&veval period, and ex-
tracting from them a store of unexpected revelations.
Indeed ebe herself has told us repeatedly, in the words
of lisaiiinont, that her hand has opened " the trea-
sures of antiquity laid up in old historic scrolls,"
though without adding how eagerly she has done so,
or with what earnest assiduity she has conducted her
antiquarian investigations. The singularly merito-
rione manner in which- these " Lives of the Queens of
England" have been brought to a state of completion
is, by this time, tolerably well known to the majority
of readers : in fact, the celebrity of the work has been
recognised not only in this country, but by the more
discerning men of letters throughout Christendom.
It has risen even now to the dignity of a classic, and
may be regarded as having achieved for itself
a triumph . over every opposition. The fact of
Miss Stricktaud's popularity as an historian, or rather,
we should possibly say, as an historical biographer,
has been sufficiently attested by the variety of compi-
lations of a similar character which her "Lives of
the Queen of England" have called into existence.
Besides her own new serial, the "Lives of the Queens
of Scotland," now being issued at intervals from the
establiehment of the Messrs. Blackwood, there have been
kindred vellums dedicated by other writers respec-
tively to the Kings and the Princesses of England.
Like most imitations, however, these works have by
no means equalled in any one particular the extraor-
dieary production originating that class of cornpoei-
aerie, the work which is here announced as again in
course of publication. Half of the present reprint
has already appeared, the edition before us
being intended for completion in eight volumes,
newly revised, and very considerably augmented.
Anxious to impart to them every reasonable attraction
vial every desirable embellishment, the publishers have
arraeged to have each memoir accompanied by a portrah
of the queen whose history is recounted, no matte:
whether endowed with the roeal• diadem er with the
crown matrimonial. Added to all this the augmen-
tations above mentioned comprise references to all the
important collections brought to light
,since the ap•
pear ance of earlier impressions. These references,
combined with the engraved likenesses first particu
larized, likenesses, it would seem, taken from
euthentic sources, sources in every instance duly
and properly verified, cannot, we feel assured, hut
secure a wide and enlarging popularity to every
successive volume of the republication. Apart from
all adventitious interest, the "Lives of the Queen's of
England," if issued in a form the most scrupulously
unadorned, must by necessity have commanded the
heartiest welcome from the community. With the
decorations specified they must inevitably prove most
acceptable. They extend in point of time
ars over d
a
period of no less than 652 ye, an
relate the fortunes and misfortunes of several
illustrious dynasties. Beginning at the death,
in 1066, of Edward the Confeseor, they traverse
the whole of the subsequent portion of our chrono-
logy down to the accession, in 1714, of George the First
of the house of Brunswick. Among the renowned
women depicted in the series are four queens who
wore the royal crown of England, and no less than
thirty who wore the crown matrimonial. " What
changes," exclaims their biographer herself in the
very exordium of her preface—" what che.nges-- •
what revolutions—what scenes of civil and religious
strife—what exciting tragedies are not involved in
the details of these four-and-thirty lives !" In the
histories of these memorable women we behold mir-
rored before us some among the most marvellous
epochs in the career of humanity. We see the days
of feudalism revived from the duct of centuries, with
the throng of barons and of serfs, each alike, in the
majority, of instances ignorant of all that knowledge
upon which has since been built up the fane of civili-
zation. We wander again through the gorgeous
realms of chivalry, again we listen with rap-
ture to the incalculable witcheries of romance,
hearing the echoed • music that flowed of old
from the harp of the bard and the lyre of the
troubadour. We follow Richard once more into the
crusades, that strewed with blood and glory the con-
secrated soil of Palestine. We accompany anew our
Edwards and our Henrys through the numerous
battles by which they strove to blend in one the dia-
dems of France and England. Having advanced
thus far in the sequence of these astonishing records:—
records of heroism and of criminality—we arrive in
due course at the terrible conflict between the partisans
of the red and the white roses—the roses of York and
of Lancaster, that terrible and deadly contention
which ended at length in the extinction of the once
glorious and puissant dynasty of the Plantagenets.
Upon the consequent accession of the house of:Tudor
we watch again the pulling down of the execrable
system of feudality, and the building up. of a new
hierarchy and the modelling of new principles of
ecclesiastical government. Scarcely have we p.er•
ceived the completion of these remarkable enterprises
than we begin to recognise the commencement of the
great effort of the middle classes to vindicate their poli-
demo-
-
tical rights and social privileges, the struggle subvert
ing monarchy for a time, and replacing it by a
cratic institution entitled a Commonwealth. Scarcely,
again, have we seen the republican form of administra-
tion established in the realm than we see this in
the
place exchanged for a military despotism, and
military despotism in its turn leading in the end to the
permanent restoration of the monarchical form of
government. Through these wonderful vicissitudes
of fortune we come by gradual stages to the demo-
cratic reaction which was inevitable under the cir-
cumstances—a reaction which produced the deposition
of James 11., the last Catholic Sovereign. Subse-
quently to the Revolution of 1688, we arrive at what
Miss Strickland pithily mentions as the time of " the
Patch reign, the era of continental wars, standing
armies, national debt, and universal taxation." As
the crowning point of the series, we have the close of
the reign of Anne and the accession of the House of
Brunswick: Such are the personages and the occur-
rences which Agnes Strickland has described in
these remarkable biographies, her heroines being those
four-and thirty queens, of whom M. Guizot has said,
" Great events have acted on them, and they have
acted according to events." How reverently the
historical writer who has undertakenbe perceived this task
sk hasby
brought it to a conclusion, may
reference to her own very beautiful acknowledgment,
whereas, he observeseh The hope that the Lives of the
Queens of England' might be regarded as a national
work, honourable to the female character, and gene-
rally useful to society, has encouraged us to the com-
pletion of the task, and we should be undeserving of
the popularity with which this work has been
honoured, if we could look upon it with apathy, but
we regard it as God's blessing on our labours and
their sweetest reward." That reward she has as-
suredly obtained, and upon its first acquisition we
hastened to offer Miss Strickland our felicitations.
The proof that she has obtained it is the fact of the
present reprint—a reprint which has now half of it
appeared—the fourth volume under consideration
comprising the whole of the masterly biography of
`).ueen Elizabeth.

ON THE CLASSIFICATION AND MA-
NAGE3IEAT OF CRIMINAL LUNATICS.
By John Charles Bucknill,M.B., London; Super-
intendent of the Devon County Lunatic Asylum.
Dr. Bucknill has, in the shape of a letter addressed
to Samuel Trehawke Kekewich, Esq. the chairman
Ithe visiting justices of .the Devon Esq.,
Lunatic
Asylum, given to the public his opinions on the sub-
ject of the treatment cf criminal lunatic?, a subject
which will occupy the attention of Parliament in the
.7ourse of the ensuing session. The great abilities and
the very extensive experience of Dr. Bucknill as su-
perintendent of the Devon County Lunatic Asylum
entitle his opinions on this subject to most attentive
consideration, and accordingly, without at all
pledging ourselves to the support of all the
opinions which Dr. Bucknill has propounded,
we recommend his pamphlet to the atten-
tive study of all those who may be called upon
to take part in the discussion of any measure which
may 131 proposed for a reform in the laws relating to
this subject. Dr. Bucknill proposes among other
alterations that the fact of a lunatic having been tried
for a crime should not alone be sufficient to constitute
s distinction in his classification, but that all lunatics
of criminal propensities, whether they may have ben
tried or not, shall be separated from those whose de-
lusions are of a harmless nature. This is a suggestion
of very great importance, and one which we should
wish to see carried out. We think we perceive that
Dr. Bucknill, in common with almost every medical
man who has written on this subject, is inclined to
advocate the release of criminal lunatics on too easy
terms. Be it recollected that the primary object of the
incarceration of a criminal lunatic is to secure the
safety of society, and the cure of the person who has
violated the laws is, however important, still subor-
iinate to the one great object, and that, therefore,
criminal lunatics should not be too hastily released ;
indeed we are inclined to think that they should never,
under any circumstances, be wholly freed from re-
straint.
FALK.ENBUIIG. By the Author of " Mildred

Vernon." Co- lburn. 3 Vols.
This is a tale of the Eli ae. The principal charac-
,ers are English, with the exception of Waldemar
Falkenburg, the hero, and a young artist, Wilhelm
Norberg. The career of the latter is very ably
sketched. At first he has more of the affectation of
.uperiority than the evideuce, but, led on and incited
by his passion for the btartiful, and by his ado-
ration of Lilian Cameron, his genius bursts forth
from its trammels, and he attains a renown almost
unparalleled in musical composition. Helen Mac-
lave is the only really estimable character in the
work, and it is to be regretted that her fate is not
equally fortunate. Falkenburg, the hero, is a strange
individual, his disposition veering between the mean
and the exalted. By turns hel debases himself to
the lowest pleasures, or seeks to&devote: himself heart
and soul to his country's cause. Unfortunately his
ambition cannot be gratified. He can find nothing
worthy'of his mind,:and he is at last:most:unsatisfacto-
rily united to the vain and selfish Lilian Cameron.
The scene is at first in Germany, the characters are
afterwards introduced in a London season, and finally
they return to Friederichstadt. There are several
other points of interest iu the narrative, and a great
deal of under play is carried on by the Grantleys
And their designing friends. There is throughout a
vigour and expression of style which is not often met
with in works of fiction, and the author displays great
knowledge of society both at home and abroad.

TIIE MONTH. By Albert Smith and John Leech
Messrs. Albert Smith and Leech have provided " a
feast of fun" for Christmas parties in the present
month. As a specimen we give the following
" Song for the Times : '—
CAB !
Ain—Trab, trab, trab.
A cab I lives by driving,
And well I makes it pay--
A business nice and thriving,
I drives with my old grey.
With lots of blessed tongue,
And simple force of lung.
Cab! cab! cab! cab! I knows my game,
And swindles old
abl Cabd ou !
ng.
CSo.

The beaks has took the trouble
To regulate our fares;
But if we charges double
'Taint them—you see—as cares.
'Taint nobs in cabs as pass,
But what they call the mass.
Cab! cab! cab! cab! so on we goes,
Ana does the Middle Class.
Cab! cab! &c.

It's greenhorns from the country;
As best I likes to drive;
Their 'rithmetic I on try,
And multiplies by five,
Or women folk who dare
To offer simple fare.
Cab! cab! cab! cab! they're easy done,
You've only got to swear.
Cab! cab! &c.

I sometimes meet with rum 'uns,
I'm quite polite to such;
Folks often talk of summons,
It seldom comes to much!
What's every one's affair,
Is no one's—you're aware.
Cab! cab! cab! cab! to lose their time
The folks don't seem to care.
Cab! cab! &c.

RAVEN SCLIFFE ; a Norel. 3, Vols. By the
'
Author of " Emilia Wyndham. Colburn.
The authoress of " Emilia Wyndham" can hardly
fail to interest and fascinate her readers even when,
as in this iustance, she selects a gloomy and unpleas•
ing theme. Her manner is so earnest, and her belief
in the reality of the events which she narrates is so
appirently genuine, that instead of regarding her
works es the fictions of her own brain, we are apt to
look upon them as real histories, of which she is
merely the recorder. To say this of any novelist is
to accord no mean commendation, and of Mrs.
Marsh we can affirm so much in all conscientiousness.
But, admiring her as we do, and justly appre-
ciating her powerful talents, we must confess that
" ItavinaclitTe," while in some respects it has fas•
cinated us, has on the whole disappointed us. The
story is melancholy throughout, even to monotony,
but the principal characters are well conceived.
The chief purpose of the work, and its most re-
deeinit,g feature, is the delineation of the stern
and morose Randal Langford. The natural faults THE FAIR CAREW ; a Novel, in 3 vols. Smith
of his temperament have been augmented by an ill- and Elder.
judged education, and Randal, while yet a youth, is a There is an attracting interest in these volumes,
complete- misanthrope—" a perfect Timor), not nine- although the tale is simple and the style has nothing
teen." But however austere his disposition, his heart uncommon. Their merit consists in the true delinea-
is sensitive, and bis love for the gentle Eleanor tion of the characters, and the natural consequences
Wharncliffe for a time converts the misanthrope into which follow from the events. The heroine, Selby,
I'.--t;ofc 7.:::. t.- ~, r:7, , t,:,,,,,, ,-,,,u-., is "w ehAr.mg creation. Placed in the most trying cir-
The disappointment Of this affection—a disappoint- ' cuirstances that could possibly exist, surrounded
ment peculiarly cruel and trying in its circumstances Iby many conflicting claims, with an unprin-
- embitters All the genial fleelings of Ilia cipled father and a scheming mother, she con-

When opposition's talk'd of,
On rules of justice plann'd,
Our profits to be bauik'd off,
My pals and I won't stand.
The driver's heads we smash,
And through their panels dash.
Cab! cabl cab! cab! to interfere
With wested rights is rash.
Cab! cab! &C.

Then on we'll go, like winking,
Till some one puts us down,
The dread of women shrinking,
The thieves of half the to
They'll stop us—l dare say;
But—till they find a way—
Cab! cat ! cab! cab! like Jolly dogs,
By Jove! we'll have our day.
Cab! cab! &c.

trives to secure the esteem of all, and
eventually to convert enemies into friends. The
story exemplifies the miseries which ensue frcm
family feuds and the great anxiety and incalculable
suffering which mystery and concealment must ne-
cessarily engender. The Luttrells are a powerful
race ; long prosperity and remarkable successes con-
tribute to render them supercilious and unbending.
Prejudice is rooted in their minds against the wife of
a cousin never seen by them, and of whom little is
known, although rumour is busy to her disparage-
ment. Hartley, the heir of the house, determines to
ascertain the validity of this censure, and seek out
its object. The daughter of this repudiated relative
is the fair cousin, the interesting heroine. Attracted
by her beauty and grace, Hartley continues his visits,
and, at last hopeless of overcoming the storm at home,
he is privately united to the object of his affections.
The delight and pride of the mother at thus securing
the tribute of homage, and receiving the advances of
the son of her haughty re!atioes is most ably depicted.
The subsequent adventures of thei unfortunate bride,
who is left unrecognised for three years, are very in
; and the perusal of the whole novel is highly
satisfactory.

AMERICAN NEWS.

(B Y ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
ARRIVAL 01? THE ATLANTIC.

LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY, Dic. 17.
By the arrivai of the United States mail steam-ship
Atlantic, West commander, we have received advices
from New York to the 6th inst.
She has brought about 822,500 dolls. in specie on
freight.
The Atlantic sailed from New York at noon on
the 6th inst., and arrived in the Mersey at seven
o'clock this evening.
The United ;States steam-ship Humboldt, Lines
commander, which sailed from Southampton on the
20th ult., arrived at New York at two o'clock A.m.
on the sth inst.

The V Royal mail steam-ship America, Shannoa
commander, with the mails of the 221 ult. from Liver-
pool, arrived at New York at ten o'clock r.m. on
the sth inst.
The screw steam-ship Glasgow, Stuart commander,
sailed from New York for Glasgow on the 6th inst.
The screw steam-ship City of Manchester, Leitz
commander, sailed from Philadelphia for Liverpool
on the 4th instant.
Kossuth landed at Staten Island shortly after the
arrival of the Humboldt, and met with a brilliant re-
ception. He stated that he was indisposed.
The Washington papers state that the President,
on learning the firing into the steam-ship Prome-
theus by an English brig-of-war, ordered a compe-
tent force to be dispatched to San Juan to protect
American vessels.
The last accounts from Northern Mexico state
that Albalas, the Mexican General, with 2,000
troops, was preparing to attack Caravajal, who was
stationed at Comargo.
In the Senate on the 3d inst. a discussion took
place relative to the reception to be given to Kossuth,
and angry words passed between the Me.mlaers.
Last advices from Havannah state that Thrashier
had been sent to Spain in a merchant vessEl.
The New York stock-market gwas firm, with an
upward tendency for most securities. Money was in
good demand, with an increased supply. Exchange
was not active. Bills on London 101 to 10.3- pre-
mium ; Paris, 5123- to 5 13 ; Antwerp, 5 15; Amster-
dam, 4q- to 414; Hamburgh, 364 to 362. and Bre-
men, 783-.
The cotton-market, which had been depressed pre-
vious to the receipt of the Humboldt's arrival, was a
little firmer. Sales for the last three days 4,500 bales.
In consequence of the clasing of the canal naviga-
tion the markets for all descriptions of breadstuffs
have an upward tendency.
Ashes without change.
Iron is less active, 200 tons Scotch pig sold at
20 dolls. 25c ; 20 dolls. 50c. six months.
Freights to London, 5,000 barrels of flour at le. 6d.
Heavy goods 20s. to 225. 61. to Liverpool. Flour,
Is. per barrel. Cotton, 3-16ths of a penny per lb.
NEW ORLEANS, DEC. 5.
The sales of cotton this morning reached. 3,000
bales at steady prices. News by the Humboldt, pub-
lished in the evening papers, strengthened the market.
The receipts are 150,000 bales ahead of last year up
to the same date. Stock on hand, 110,000 bales.
Strict middling sold to-day at 7i. Sterling exchange,
9to 101. Freights of Cotton to Liverpool, 13-22nds.
Charleston Cotton, 1,100 bales, sold at 6} to 84.
Better prices were obtained after the receipts of the
Humboldt's news.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
Arrived at New York, Humboldt steamer, from
Southampton; America steamer, from Liverpool; Queen
of the Ocean, from Briltul.
Arrived at Baltimore, Alexander, from Liverpool.
Arrived at St. John's, Now Brunswick, Indus xy, from
Liverpool.
Arrived at Philadelphia, J. F. Hall, from Liverpool.
Arrived at Savannah, Gipsey, from Liverpool.
Arrived at New Orleans, Saunders, from Liverpool;
Pumtustuk, from Bordeaux. The ritish brig Unity,
from Algoa Bay, at Now York reports having shipped a
sea, which killed the captain, Salter, and a seaman named
William Gibble, and washed overboard the first mate,
who was, however, fortunately recovered.

---7, .
CONCERT AT HAN 0V E R-SQU ARE ' IN
All) OF TILE HUNGARIAN ail USE.
On Tuesday a concert was given by Miss Kate
Hickson, at the Queen's Concert Rooms, Hanover-
square, in aid of the funds of the Hungarian Com-
mittee and of the Literary Association of the Friends
of Poland. The concert was held under the patron-
age of Lord Dudley Stuart, Mil. It is satisfactory
to be able to state that the concert was extremely well
attended, there being scarcely
a siogle
large room left unoccupied. The followingseat in the
artistes
generously gave their gratuitous exertions on the
occasion :—Vocalists—Miss Louisa Fyne Mrs. W.
Weiss,
and d Miss Kate Hickson, Ins Pyna, Miss Allain,
Miss Poole ; Mr. Wrighton,
Mr, Swift, Herr
Steffregen, and Mr. W. Weiss. Instrumentalists—
Pianoforte, Mdlle. Coulon, Mr. Charlet Salami:4 and
M. Orosz; violin, M. Reroenyi ; violoacello, Signor
Piatti; concertina, Mr. R. Biagrove, Conductor,
Mr. Charles Salaman. The programme
included
some of the most admired airs from the works of
Mozart, Schubert, Meyerbeer, Donizetii and. Pacini.
The Magyar national
song, "Preis fir and Ebr
Magyar," was sung with effect by
Heir Stoffregen,
and was of course encored loudly. It was evident,
from the enthusiasm which it created, Bat the Hun-
garian cause still lives in the hearts of ihe F.eople of
this country, and that the absence of is great hero
Mr. Wrighton sung " Madeline" and th)
has not lessened the intensity of feeling n its behalf.
" Bose of
Tralee" with his usual depth of feeling and sweet-
ness of voice, and had to repeat both in
obedience to
the universal call of the audience. Miss Kate Hick-
son sang the " Nobil donna," from the Ritguenots,
and "Il segreto per eager felice," from tie Lucrezia
Borgia. She was encored in the latter,
and was
most warmly cheered on her appearance.
in-
strumental portion of the programme variety
The
gLve
and spirit to the amusement of the eveninf ; a grand
fantasia on the pianoforte, with Hungariul airs, by
M. Orosz, being especially noticeable for tle rapidity,
variety, and brilliancy of its execution. the Misses
Pyne, Miss Allain, and Miss Poole, and
the other
artistes, were well received, and the nunievus audi-
ence retired highly gratified.

REUNION DES ARTS.--This society gave list nigh,
its sixth and final soirée for this season the entetainment
being brilliantly and numerously attended. There was a
very great assemblage of our best and foreign artists, as well
as the amateurs. In the first part Beethoven's quntett for
piano, oboe, clarionet, horn, and bassoon was most almirably
played, with the finest and most delicate touches os piano,
by Mme. Goffrie, Messrs. Harding, Boose, Wain, and
Snelling. The solo on cornet by Signor Maffei, on lute by
Mr. Wustermann,tMr. Gollmick on piano, (fantasia by Thal-
berg), were very beautiful andlmuch applauded. The second
part opened with Beethoven's trio in D by Mr. Goffrie, Miss
and Mr. Chipp, which was executed in a most masterls man-
ner, and Mr. Goffrie's violin throughout was most beautiful.
The Schubert's and Cummer's duett by Mr. John Day and
Mr. Chipp, and solo cn harp by Mr. Chatterton were most
exquisitely performed. Whilst other solos and songs by
Miss Mary Rose, Miss Bennett, Miss Lavinia, Miss Magner,
Miss Messent, Mr. Kloof, Mr. Haas, Mrs. Wallack, and
every one individually, were most enthusiastically applatded
and successively encored, finishing the evening at a tery
late hour with great éclat.
GRAND SOIREE AT NORTHAMPTON.-- OR Tuesday
night a soirée, upon a scale of considerable magnificence,
was held in the Corn Exchange of this townito commerto-
rate the opening of a new suite of buildings, destined for the
occupation of the Northampton and Northamptonshire Ms-
y, who were in full dress,
number than 800, ant
included the ppal nobility and gentry resi•
alrnestibtueeter;rinci ITithtlee cloesmspainn
dent in the neighbourhood, the families of the
ec
ho
ua lndi s
higher and middle classes, and those of a great number
of the operatives -in the town. The splendid hall,
which was the scene of the proceedings, was tastefully deco-
rated with evergreens, and a profusion of beautiful banners
bearing appropriate devices. Earl Fitzwilliam, K.G., pre-
sided, and among the noblemen and gentlemen who sin,
rounded him on the platform were Lord Althorpe, Lon
Henley, Lord S,Vodehouse, the Rev. Lord Alwyne Compton,
the Earl of Aboyne, the lion. G. Fitzwilliam, Mr. Vernon
Smith, M.P., Mr. Layard,l the distinguished traveller, the
Mayor of Northampton, Mr. Charles Knight, Mr. George
Cruikshank, Dr. Conolly, the Hon. R. Watson, the Revs.
T. W. Barlow, C H. Hartshorne, E. T. Prust, G. Nicholson,
T. James, and many others. Some excellent speeches were
delivered, and the proceedings went off with great satisfac-
tion to all present.

NEW PHASE TO THE FUGITIVE SL AVE-LAW.—Some
of the Southern papers claim that, under the provisions of
the Fugitive Slave-law, " aiding and abetting the escape"
means writing, speaking, and publishing against slavery,
as it induces the escape of slaves, and is therefore a penal
offence.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland has been pleased
to appoint Sir Robert Lyndston Newman, of the 71st High-
land Light Infantry, to be his extra aide de camp, vice Cap-
tfatt Cvnyfay (337navur, win has retired fmn the army.