The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-30 00:00:00

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING will be performed THE RIVALS.
Mr. Buekstone and Miss Reynolds.
A new Spanish Ballet, THE INFLUENCE OF GRACE,
in which PereaNena will appear.
With WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH. John Small, by
Sir Wm. Don, Bart.
And ANY PORT IN A STORM.

COMMCDtt at 7.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE,
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, THE LITTLE SAVAGE.
After which THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE.
WOO ING IN JEST AND LOVING IN
.EARNEST :
Miss Sfrucanborough.
And !THE BONNIE FISH WIFE.
Commence at 7 o'clock.

GREAT NATIONAL STANDARD THEATRE
Shoreditch.
A brilliant Night's Entertainments.
2nd Night of " Christmas Eve," and a new Original Drama,
by -the author of The French Spy, on Wednesday next.
To commence with the Adelphi drama of CHRISTMAS
EVE. Madame Celeste and Paul. Bedford.
Followed by THE LITTLE SUTTLER. Madm. Celeste,
suppoi led by the Company.
To o Include with the burletta of LABOUR LOST, in which
Mrs. II:. Honner will perform.
No advance in the prices.

AS' fLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATitE,
Westminster-road.
Sole Lessee Mr. William Cooke.
By Special Desire, for Five Nights longer.
THIS EVENING, and during the week, will be presented
Shakspere's Tragedy of KING RICHARD THE THIRD ;
or, Th Death of White Surrey, reproduced with all its origi-
nal splendid effects. The Duke of .Gloster, Mr. Holloway ;
Richmond, Mr. H. Phillips.
Followed by SCENES IN THE ARENA, and a variety
of inimitable feats of Equitation by those talented artistes,
Madame Blanche, Miss Emily Cooke, Madame Fleurette, Mr.
W. Cooke, Mr. Runnels, Mr. W. Cooke, jun., &c.
On Saturday next will be produced, for the first time, a new
grand Spectacle, with most peculiar effects, entitled LIFE
IN VIE EAST ; or, The Sepoy Revolt, embracing the entire
strength of this vast Hippodramatic Temple.
No fees'to box-keepers. The art of riding taught.
Commence at seven.
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips.

CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.—
Proprietor—C. MORTON.
The üblic 'is most respectfully informed that the FINE
ARTSGALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW
OPEN DAT AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12
o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec-
tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters and is also
devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels
he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist-
ing Music hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently
added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether
as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them-
selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations
within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the
Kingdom.

—The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT commences as usual a
Seven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.—Srx OFFICE, Nov. 30.

THERISMIETER, IN THE SHADE.

55—highest since noon yesterday.
48—lowest this morning and during the night.
49—this day at noon.

BAROMETER-29.35.
WIND, North-West rly ; moderate, with cloudy weather,
and rain in the morning.

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THE SUN.

TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 30, 1858.

Knowledge is beginning to drop in upon us froin
British Columbia as to the manifold capabilities of
the new Colony. The picturesque and animated
descriptions of the scenery of Fraser River, trans-
mitted to the Times by the special correspondent
of our contemporary, carry us away in fancy to the
opposite shores of the great North American Con-
tinent. We each of us, as we read, make one of
the little adventurous expeditionary party. We
are, in imagination, among the number of Governor
DOUGLAS'S "most obedient." And the [more we
learn of the sayings and doings of his Excellency
—as we suppose he may now be designated---the
more readily disposed are we to accord him our
sympathy, and, to a very considerable extent also,
our unaffected admiration. Here, evidently, was
an official in many respects deserving of being
noted as the right man in the right place. Governor
DOUGLAS has—with an error of judgment now and
then, not very surprising under the circumstances
—been " up " to the emergency. Suddenly sur-
prised in the midst of the comparative stag-
nation of one of the monopolist-company's set-
tlements by the abrupt outburst of a terrible
gold fever, the shrewd, intelligent, keen-
witted, Scotchman fairly took Time by the
forelock—assuming at once the position of autho-
rity in which he has since been formally installed
by her MAJESTY'S Government. His course in
this unexpected position being adopted clearly and
solely upon his own responsibility. To his aid in
the crisis he brought a sound judgment and a
comprehensive experience. He manifestly knew
perfectly well those he had to deal with—whether
from without or from within—whether Yankee
roughs or Indian squatters. And without any mate-
rial or physical force at all to back him, the
gallant-hearted old Company's officer took the
high hand—issued his proclamations, full of pro-
hibitions, penalties, and prospective punishments.
Wherever there was a feud, or the prospect of
bloodshed and insubordination—there Governor
DOUGLAS was himself personally, bodily, speaking
to the marauders lace to face, reasoning with them,
threatening them in case of disobedience. The
Government would do this and that—the Govern-
ment would enforce such and such regulations—
the Government would at all hazard maintain
right, preserve tranquillity. The Government, this
formidable, domineering, authoritative, inexorable
Government, being to all intents- andpurposes, just—
Himself individually. Happily for ths brave old Go-
vernor, he has very soon obtained sure and solid sup..
port from the Imperial Government at home. The
Company's servant has become the servant of the
Crown—the representative of the SOVEREIGN.
Sappers and miners—engineers civil and military
—seamen and marines—judicial and ecclesiastical
functionaries—have already gone out, or are fast
going out, to support the hitherto insulated autho-
rity of his Excellency. And meanwhile he is still
energetically sustaining the bold front, attitude,
character he assumed so very promptly upon the
first emergency. Honour to Governor DOUGLAS
for the vigour and resolution he has thus spontane-
ously and judiciously manifested. He has already,
by his frank and manly policy, inscribed his name

indelibly upon the first page of the History of
Sir EDWARD LYTTON'S new colony of British
Columbia,

The Liberal cause has triumphed in Prussia.
The policy inaugurated by the PRINCE REGENT
will be fully and fairly supported. The people are
at last properly represented. The indifference
that so long prevailed has passed away. The
electors feel and understand the vast importance of
the privilege confided to their hands, and are re-
solved to discharge their duties honestly and
independently, in the manner that will best pro-
mote the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of
their country. It is as if a large, comprehensive,
and most successful measure of ParNamentary
reform had been carried, and that every man
entrusted with the franchise had voted with his
conscientious opinions. The opposition is reduced
to the most attenuated dimensions. Herr MAN-
TEUFFEL, who was a semi-dictator, has now but an
humble following. His leading supporters have
been repudiated by their constituents, and that
even in what were heretofore considered the strong-
holds of the party. Nor is this result in any
degree ascribable to Ministerial influence. Strange
to say, many Government employes exerted all their
energies against the Government, in the hope possibly
of bringing back that which was so unhesitatingly
and so properly dismissed by the Prince. The
facts may be briefly comprised in the statement
that Prussia has now a real Parliament, fairly re-
presenting the wants and wishes of the people ;
formerly it was a mock representation, which was
infinitely worse than none at all, inasmuch as it
saved the Minister for the time being from a
portion of the responsibility that would otherwise
have devolved on him. Had another of a similar
character been elected it would have brought re-
presentative Government into contempt and dis-
repute, and probably have, ere long, led to its total
suppression, and the return to a despotic rule.

The late election, however, gives hope for the future
of Prussia. The people have shown themselves

to be worthy of the franchise, and have asserted
their independence boldly and constitutionally.
The leading Liberals have been returned for many
different places; some have obtained the confidence
of five constituencies; others of three or four, and
almost all by decisive majorities ; while those of
the other party who succeeded barely gained their
seats. Of the whole 350 members, not more than
60 to 70 can be numbered with the Opposition, and
even these cannot be regarded as thick and thin
opponents of the Government. Perhaps if they
had greater strength, they might pursue a more
decided course than they can venture on under

existing circumstances.
We have, in another part of our impression, given
an analysis of the various parties of which the new
Chamber is composed. Of course the calculation
at present must be regarded as hasty and rough,
but we have no doubt that when fairly tested in
the Chamber, it will be found to be substan-
tially correct. It will be found that the
" old Conservative party," once numerically
formid4ble, bas been reduced to little more
them a fifth of its former strength. In the last
chamber it possessed 120 adherents, in the present
25 is the outside estimated number. But although
this party gave a certain degree of support to the
Manteuffel Government, it cannot be assumed that
they will follow him in opposition and comparative
disgrace, more especially as two members of the
present Cabinet, viz., FLOTTWELL, Minister of the
Interior, and VANDER HEZDT, Minister of Trade,
are generally supposed to be included in its ranks,

The moderate Liberals command by far the
greatest weight both in numbers arid talent. They
are no' less than 135, and it is on their side that the
popular enthusiasm has been most strikingly dis-
played. VON AITERSWOLD and VON PATON, mem-
bers of the Cabinet, are amongst the prominent
members of the party, and they will yield
a generous support to the Government of the
PRINCE REGENT. In this they will be ably assisted
by the independent Liberals ; although, should any
reactionary measures be attempted, they will main-
tain the independence on which they so justly pride
themselves.

The Mantcuffelites are insignificant in number,
and their courage is depressed by the decisive de-
feat they have sustained in so many different direc-
tions. There are also the Catholic party and
Poles. It is quite certain, however, that the Minis-
try will stand so long as it acts in a bona fide and
straightforward-manner. Perhaps we may not be
able to antfcipate as many important changes under
existing circumstances, as if the PRINCE REGENT
were King and not merely Regent. It is, however,
more than probable that the policy pursued will be
such as to cause the Prussians to respect themselves,
and to elevate their country to its proper position
in the scale of nations, from whence it sunk in con-
sequence of the vacillation and indecision of FRE-
DERICK WILLIAM.

Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE may become the leader
in a new movement, connected, indeed, with the
Church-rate question, but one of far deeper conse-
quence. It may be remembered that the honour-
able member gave notice at the close of last
session of a bill to place the freehold of
parish churches in the hands of the parishioners
instead of those of the parson. The matter
it seems, is not to be allowed to sleep,
We see by the Dissenting journals that a meeting
of the council of the " Society for the Liberation of
Religion from State Patronage and Control" was
held a few days ago, at which the subject was seri-
ously taken up. We- gather from the discussion
and the resolutions that Sir JOHN TRELAWNY'S
bill for the complete abolition of Church-rates is to
be introduced again as early as possible next ses-
sion, and pushed on with the utmost vigour which
the forms of the House permit ; and, that on that
measure the society, and Dissenters generally,
intend to coicentrate their strength. But it appears
they mean also to provide against a second defeat in
the Lords. They have but too good reason to expect
it. Our hereditary legislators have shown them-
selves so utterly indifferent to the wishes of the
people and their constitutional representatives, on
all questions of ecclesiastical liberty, such as the
Jews Bill and the Marriage Law, yielding only
to coercion, that the opponents of Church-rates can
but anticipate their peristency in the same head-
strong course on the question which interests them.
What, in that case, is to be done ? The anti-
Church-rate men have two strings to their
bow—incessant agitation in their previous
modes, and the proposal of new and more
complete schemes like that of Mr. DUNCOMBE'S.

Happily the Church-rate battle is not like
that for the Jews. It has a locus standi in
every parish in the kingdom. It is a subject of in-
teiest almost everywhere. The opponents of rates
have already triumphantly banished them from the
most populous and intelligent parishes in the king-
dom, and the battle is extending itself year by year
to the ignorant and priest-ridden country parishes.
Every now and then we are hearing of a Church-
rate being refused, or, if not refused, contested, in
hitherto quiet parishes; and whether the pro-rate
party are vanquished, or triumph by open voting