The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-25 00:00:00

Harold dreamed of, and Philip Leigh could bav
comprehended, had he known them. The lofty
standard of his actions was purer than the high.en-
deavours of his brother Gerald could attain to, for
he wanted the crowning gift of charity. Those who
are interested by works of feeling u ill appreciate
" Margaret and her Bridesmaids," and if they
censure some points, and criticise some characters,
will acknowledge the heroine to be a worthy centre
of attraction to the narrative, while they admire
the talent, that gives power to the actors, lends
vivacity to the scenes, and sheds lustre o'er the
descriptions.

P,nOSPECTS OF PEACE.

A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 11th, in the
roustittationne/, says :—" Prince Gortschakoff, the
Russian Ambassador at Vienna, i expected bete
in a few days. The Emperor directly requested
him not to make use of the leave of absence granted
him unless he considered the present aspect let'
ter affairs perfectly satisfaztory. The prince, tu a le'
ter received here from him a few days ago, Baler"-
' Public opinion at Vienna and throughout All
Germany is entirely favourable to the policy of
the 19th of January. Europe herself again nr
pears to open her arms to the Emperor Alexander.
11., and to thank him fur the noble efforts which: •
he has made to re-establish the balance of the powe,r,
of the world. lam convinced that every one yin'
give him due credit for the sacrifices which be has
unhesitatingly made in the interest of genet"
peace." There was a grand reception at the court
yesterday on the occasion of the anniversary of the
birth of the Hereditary Grand Duke. The young
prince has now attained his eleventh year. 100
features bear some resemblance to his grandfather' ,
the Czar Nicholas, and he also resembles hitn in
many points of his character. The vivacity niturs:
to his age is tempered by an expression of itresl'
kindness, which be appears to inherit both frog
his father and his mother. The Emperor and Ern.
press appear to be well satisfied with the progrete
of affairs. A courier arrived this morning 'foul
Count Orloff, the bearer it is said of very favenr:
able accounts from Paris; and during the reception
the Empress was so cheerful and animated as 'to el:.
cite the notice ef the persons invited, and the Emperorconversed with different groups,to whom be declared
that peace appeared to him to be more and more ter'
tain,and that he could now occupy himself with ire*
portant works at home and with useful modifications
in his empire. To one of the groups, composed °r f
members of the corps diplomatiqtte, the EroP:
said, " The gar has only been an accident, °
rather a misunderstandinff. It will net bars
changed in any way the good' personal relations lee"
tween the Russians and the French, who hal°
some remarkable points of resemblance. The./
have certainly fought too long, but it has beell
always with courtesy and humanity. The Ruesisn.
prisoners have been treated by the French, not ~s
enemies, but as brothers • and I have been armi°l?
that proper treatment should be shown to the po'
Boners whom the fortune of war has thrown into "
our hands. When peace shall have been signeal
and everything leads me to believe that it is *boo
to be so—France and Russia way hold out the
hand to each other, may esteem and love each other'.
as in the past; for, although the struggle has heel
warm, it has been carried on in all honour an
without hatred." The Emperor Alexander ales •
spoke in the most affectionate manner of Napcleo
111., and did full justice to the acts of his govern:
ment and to his love of peace, which he added'
" is as sincere as my own."