The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-15 00:00:00

MALTA.

MALTA, Jan. B.—The first meeting of the
Legislative Council of Government for the year
was held on the 3d instant. All except two
of the members were present. The excitement
was unusual, in consequence of the second read-
ing of the ordinance to provide for the regu-
lar administration of justice in the Commercial
Court, which had been much interrupted of late
by the Chamber of Commerce withholding the
names of the merchants who were qualified to sit
as consuls for the ensuing year. The hon.
Crown advocate, Dr. Dingli, to the surprise
of the Opposition members, rose and pro-
posed the second reading of the ordinance
(the preamble having been altered), which was
seconded by the Hon. Chief Secretary Houlton.
An amendment was then proposed by Mr. Scurri,
which gave rise to a very animated discussion, and
the inconsistency between the Government officers
was attacked. Dr. Bruno, who usually opposes
the Government, most ably supported the argu-
ments of th, hon member the chief secretary, when
a division took place—

For the motion
For the amendment

Majority for the Government ......... 6
The Royal Albert, 131 guns, was this morning
towed into the Great Harbour by her Majesty's
ship Sphinx, and will be immediately put into dock
to ascertain the extent of the dawage.

In a letter from Vienna of the 9th, in Voss's Ga-
zette, it is said :---" Accounts from St. Petersburg
of ie 6th, arrived yesterday, state that Count
Nesselrode informed Count Esterhazy that accept-
able counter-propositions would be submitted to
him by Austria. This intelligence arrived at Dres-
den by the Baron de Seebach, aid was transmitted
yesterday to Colonel do Manteuffel. The latter
had an audience of the Emperor, in order to ascer-
tain if Austria would entertain these counter-
propositions, but did not obtain any direct reply.
The Porte completely approves of the Austrian
terms."

A letter from Berlin of the 9th, in the Nuremberg
Correspondent, says :—" The accounts which have
been received here relative to the progress of the
negotiations at St. Petersburg are reduced to the
following :—Russia does not reject the formation of
a new frontier on the Danube, but does not admit
that demand to its full extent, as she is only dis-
posed to cede the Island of Leti, or, in other
words, to transfer her frontier behind the arm of
the river which forms the mouth of Kilia. Al-
though Russia only partially yields to the demand
of the Allies, great value is attached to the above
concession, for it is hoped that it will lead to
others."

A private letter from Hamburg, dated the 10th,
informs me that orders have been just givens by the
Swedish Government to fit out at once in th• port
of Csrlscrona two ships of the line, three frigates,
and four corvettes. The same letter adds, that
whatever be now thought of the circular of the
Danish Government, Denmark will have no alter-
native but to follow Sweden when the moment
eomes for the resumption of hostilities. The King
of Denmark feels much dissatisfaction at the treaty
of Sweden with France and England being made
without any communication with him, and conse-
quently- the relations between the Courts has been
less friendly than before.

The hospital steam war-transport Severn, now at
Southampton, will be ready to receive troops on the 21sti
and will probably leave for the seat of war on the 22d
met. She will take out healthy troops to the East, and
convey sick ones across the Black Sea. She Was fitted
up specially for the latter purpose, and during the 11
months she was in the Euxiue was found to answer ex-
tremely well.
REPORTED DEATH OF DION BOUBCICA.ULT.—Tbe
Louisville Courier learns from private New Orleans
despatches, that Dion Bourcicault was dead. He was
manager of the Gaiety Theatre, in that city, and was
eminent as a dramatic author anal, an actor. M. Bourci-
cault was the author of " London Assurance," and many
other popular plays, and came to New York from Lon-
don a little more than a year ago. He lectured for a
time upon the English drama, and then went upon the
stage, where he played genteel comedy with the hap-
piest effed. His wife was formerly Miss Agnes Robert-
SOD, ais across of popularity.

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