The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-06 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Last evening H6rold's celebrated opera of " Zampa"
was produced at the above theatre, with Madlle. Parepa,
Madame Didie-, Signor Tamberlik, Signor Neri-Baraldi,
Signor Tagliafico, and Signor Ronconi in the principal
characters. The music of "Zampa" has long been well
known in this country, and probably no more familiar or
popular a piece exists than its tuneful, brillian►, and
highly spirPed overture. We need cot say that this,
which rarely escapes a redemand when even tolerably
executed, was roost enthusiastically encored on the present
occasion, played as it was to perfection by the magnificent
band of the Royal Italian Opera. " Zampa" is, on the
whole, a very fair specimen of the French school of
opera comique, to which it completely belongs. The
best pieces are those in which the dramatic element
predominates, such, fur instance, as the humorous trio,
" Che ces' e," and the quartet " Giusto ciel qual trist'
oggetto." Tune, nevertheleis, abounds—light, "spark-
ling," and gay enough, certainly; although frequently
trivial, and destitute of that peculiar captivating grace
which characterises Auber. The harmonisation betokens a
laudable desire to avoid the common-place,' but is not un-
frequently far-fetched and extravagant. The instrumenta-
tion is very brilliant, and what is termed "effective ;" but
the voices are too often rendered subordinate to It.

The opera was excellently performed, and beautifully put
upon the stage. Signor Tamberlik had, like Signor Mario
in " Don Giovanni," to contend with the disadvantage of
singing a long and arduous part intended ~by the composer
for a baritone. Of course, with all his, ,efforts, he could
not possibly manage' to give his tenor voice that peculiar
tonal colouring which appertains specially to the bari-
tone ; but Signor Tamberlik certainly made the best
of the matter, and elicited demonstrations of approval,
unanimous as they were well-merited, both by his
singing and acting. His delivery of the bacchana-
lian song, " Che l'onda gorgogliante," was full of reck-
less jollity and fierce mirth ; and his acting through-
out tie list scene of the first act, where Zampa, having
in sarcastic defiance placed his ring on the finger of his
" marble bride," tries vainly to remove it, was exciting as
truthful. In the second act Signor Tamberlik's musical
and histrionic powers were most strikingly displayed in the
long and difficult scena,"Canailla e la," the pretty barcarole
" Leggiadra Donzatla," and the finale (the best morceau
d'eoeemble in the opera), in which, just before the com-
mencement of the final quick movements, be took a high B
natural with that extraordinary power which he possesses
beyond every other tenor singer in that elevated region of
sound. Signor Tamberlik's success in this new and some-
what ungrateful character was in short complete.
Of Madlle. Parepa, too, who made her first ap-
pearance this season oa the present occasion as
the heroine of the opera under notice, we can speak
in terms of the heartiest praise. As an actress, this young
lady is intelligent and clever; and, as a singer, she is
already highly accomplished, as was sufficiently proved last
night, when she executed all the important and difficult
music entrusted to her with great taste and rare skill.
Her voice, both powerful and flexible, enables her to give
the fullest expression to all that artistic knowledge prompts
her to undertake, and thus the result of her efforts is as
satisfactory in its vocal charm as in its science. Madlle.
Parepa is unquestionably a young singer of great " mark
and likelihood," and we believe that Mr. Gye will find it to
his interest to bring her, in future seasons, more frequently
before the public than hei has hitherto done. That car. ful
and extremely clever artiste, Madame Didiee, did ample
justice to the small parts assigned to her, and the same
amount of eulogy is due to Signor Tagliafico. Signor
Ronconi also, in a part well suited to his powers, was
admirable, and would have been still better had he been
quite perfect in his recitatives. The recitatives, by the way,
have of course been added for the Royal Italian Opera, the
dialogue (as everybody knows) bring spoken in the origi-
nal work according to the usage of the Parisian Opera
Cornique, for which "Zampa" was composed. The prin-
cipal tenor part was very creditably sung by Signor Neri
Baraldi—the baud and chorus all that could be wished.

The house was well attended.
The Queen's box was occupied by Lord and Lady Raglan,
the Dowaaer Lady Raglan and the Hon. Misses Somerset,
and:the lion. R. Dundas. Among the fashionable com-
pany present were—His Excellency the Portuguese Minister
and the Countess Lavradio, the Duchess of Richmond, the
Duchess of Wellington, the Marchioness of Conyngbam,
the Earl and Countess of Shelburne, the Countess of Essex,
the Earl of Hopetoun, the Earl of Lucan, the Countess
of Tankerville, Viscountess Palmerston, Count Louis Corti,
Lady William Russell, Lord Cranstoun, Lord St. Maur,
Lord and Lady Arthur Hay, Lady Otway, Lady Jane Hay,
Hon. Cecil Duncombe, Hon. William Ashley, Hon. F.
Cadoean, Sir George Armylage, Sir John Lowtber,
Sir William de Bathe, Col. de Bathe, _Col. Bigge,
Capt. Fermor, Greville, M. Oliveira, M. Santop,M.
Mendota, Mr. H. Webster, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, Mr.
Napier thurt, M.P., Mr. Antrobus Mr. Thomas Baring,
M.P., Miss Byrne, Mr. Cox, Mr. Stone, Mr. Elliott, Mr.
Zanzi, Mr. A. K. Ootu, Mr. J. N. Ashley, Mrarere May, &c.

His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Neck-
lenburg-Strelitz will leave on his return to Germany on
Sunday evening. The Hereditary Grand Duchess and the
youne Prince Adolphus will remain a few weeks longer with
the Duchess of Cambridge before leaving for Strelitz.

Prince d'Angri Doria (Grand Chamberlain to his
MAjes'y the King of Sicily), M. Verdies, and M. Francs-
coni, have arrived at Matiriey's Hotel, from Naples.

His Excellency the Duke of Malakoff has issued
cards for a grand banquet at the French Embassy on the
15th inst., in celebration of the Emperor Napoleon's birth-
day.

The Duke and Duchess of Montrose and Lady
A;nes Graham left Bel 4 rave-square,yesterday, for Buchanan
Castle, Stirlingshire, for the autumn.

The Duchess (Emily) of Beaufort and Lady
Edith Somerset intend to leave town on Monday next for
Dupplin Castle, Perthshire, on a visit to Viscount and
Lady Blanche Du, plin.

The Marquis of Lansdowne haq lefr town on a
visit to Mr. Henry 'Drummond, M.P., at Albury Park,
Surrey, fir a fee• days.

Tl:c 'Marquis arid Marchioness cr.A.thla have left
the Clarendon Hotel, for Paris, en route to their Palac,,

The Earl and Countess of Haddington left
Berkeley-square, yts'erday, for Tyningharne House, near
Prestoriki:k, N. 1.3., for 0;2 autumn.

The Earl and Countess of Galloway and family
left Own a filw days slice for Galloway House, Wigton-
shire.

The Earl and Countess of Manvers will leave
town on Tuesday next, for 'Moresby Park, Notts.
The Dowpger Countess of Craven and the Hon.
Frederick Craven Come to town to morrow, from Hampstead
Marz.hall.

Visnunt Palmerston left Cambridge House yester-
day for Ireland. Her la's ship will leave in a few days fur
Brockett hail, Herts.

The Lord Chancellor and Lady Chelmsford and
the Hon. Miss Thesizer come to tqwn to-day from visiting
the Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury at Hatfield
House, Herts.

Lord Ashburton has returned to Bath House from
Southampton.

Lord and Lady Harriet Ashley leave town to-day
for Brockct Hall on a visit to the Viscounte,s Palmerston.

Lord Crewe has arrived at Crewe Hall, Cheshire.

Lady and Miss llarvey have left the Brunswick
Hotel on a visiting tour. The Count Revert!low has left the
same establishment for St. Leouards.

Lady Seymour has arrived at the Queen's Hotel,
Upper Norwood.
The Right Hon. the Speaker and Lady Charlotte
Denison lefiCarlton House-terrace on Tuesday for Ossington
Park, Notts, where the right hon. gentleman and her lady-
ship make a short stay, and then depart for a tour of visits
in Sc Aland.

The Hon. Henry and Lady Amelia Blackwood
left town yesterday for Hineltinbroke, on a visit to the Earl
and Countess of Sandwich.

The lion. Frederick Calthorpe left town yesterday
fur Scotland.

Mr. and Mrs. Munday and family have arrived at
Maurigy's Hotel, from a continental tour.
Mr. George F. Wilbraham, the High Sheriff of
Cheshire, has appointed Saturday next for the nomination
for North Cheshire. Mr. Wilbraham Egerton, a son of the
late member, is the only candidate in the field, and there is
every reason at present to suppose that he will- -be returned
without opposition.
MUNIFICENT BECLUE3T:—We are informed that the
late Mrs. Elizabeth Hutchison of Hyde-park, who died
last month, has left the residue of her property to be
divided between St. George's Hospital, the charity called
the Honselesa Poor, and Queen Charlotte's Lying-'n Hos-
pital. The executors are Mr. Skirrow, of Bedford-row, and
Cant. Robson, of Aldershot, who have proved the will undcr
£43,000.
amTREMENDOUS CONFLAGRATION AT BERMONDSEY.—
Yeourdny morning, between the hours of two and three
o'clock, a flue, attended with considerable destruction of
property, broke out on the extensive range of manufacturing
premises belonging to Mr. W. Harrison, tanner, Willow-
welt, Bermondsey. The discovery. was made by some nt
the woikpeeple living on the premises, and at the time of
the disaster, was filled with a vast amount of stock. Owing
to the combustible nature of the stock, the fire spread with
amazing int.:lily, and was soon known by the flames burst-
ing through the roof and illuminating the city and south
side of the river. This, as might be expected, caused a
2tAlEral turn out of the engines of the London Erhode
front Touley- st i eet, Southwark- bridge-road, ‘Vat ling-street,
IVateiloo-load, West of England, and the South Eastern
Railway, upon reaching the scene of the conflagration
the firemen found that the fearful element had extended
into several of the adjoining premises, owing to the want of
water from the mains of the Southwark Water Company
Cooper, and
Bridges;t the district
b ut
itforweams
for nearly half an hour. At length, however, the firemen
got their engines to work, under the direction of Mr. F.
Henderson,
foreman, engineers
eexntginingeueirssh eduntilHolloway, the
following damage was done :-51r. W. Harrison, tanner,
bark barn, sheds, and engine house destroyed ; Mr. J.
Chisholm, chemical works destroyed; G. and W. Almonds,
army contractors, currier's shop destroyed, and contents in
warehouse considerably R damaged • ii
PR. awes and Richard-
son, fellmongers, 160 feet b
cause unknown. Thy I y 30, considerably damaged;
find other cam), q loss win fall on the Anchor, Pllconix)

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE FETES AT CHERBOURG.

(FROM CORRE:!,PONDENTS OF THE MORNING POST.)

CHERBOURG, TUtSDAY, Arr.. 3.

This morning there appeared in all the public
places of Cherbourg an Address from the Mayor to
his fellow-cit'zms. This document is so completely
in sympathy with the feelings now universally pre-
dominant, that it is worthy of being placed amongst
the records of Cherbourg in the year 1858. The
Mayor speaks what the people think. here is his
statement as to the claims which Napoleon 111. has
upon the love and gratitude of the Cherbourgians :

" Beloved fellow citizens,—In 1852 we asked the Emperor
to enrich our country with a railroad. Our request was
acceded to; and Lis Majesty comes to-day to inaugurate
that great line which unites our city with the capital.
"The third dock of our military harbour is finished. The
Emperor haq been pleased to preside at its immersion, and so
to crown the completion of that magnificent arsenal which
excites the admiration of the entire world.

" His Majesty also comes to inaugurate the monument
that you have raised to Napoleon the First, and, by his pre-
sence at this imposing solemnity, to enhance the eclat of the
homage you have wished to reader to the potent founder of
the Napoleon dynasty.
" The Emperor, his noble consort, the august mother of
the prince upon whom repose the dearest hopes of our coun-
try, has deigned also to come amongst UP.
"If all France has, at this moment, its eyes directed
towards Cherbourg, it is because all its cities would wish to
enjoy, like ours, the happiness of receiving the Sovereign
who has, at the same time, exalted the glory of our arms and
secured the prosperity of the country; it is because Cher-
bourg is pre-emidently the privileged city.
"Is it necessary for me to excite your enthusiasm? No;
I know your patriotic sentiments; and I foresee that every-
where in this progress their Majesties will, be received with
enthusiastic acclamations, the Sincere dernonttration of your
devotion to the Empire.

"Your houses will be decorated and illuminated during
the entire time that our august guests remain.
" We all know how much we are indebted to the Go-
vernment of the Emperor, and we shall be delighted
to be able, on this solemn occasion, to lavish upon him the
proofs of our love and our gratitude.

(Signed)

" LE MAIRE LUDE."

Upon this document it is only necessary now to
make a single observation. It is with reference to
the last two paragraphs, where the Mayor asked his
fellow-citizens to decorate the exterior of their dwell-
ing, and to manifest, by their acclamations, their
attachment to the Sovereign. A portion of this ap-
peal was unnecessary, for the wishes of the Mayor
had been anticipated. Each householder has been, in
accordance with his means, occupied for the last two
days iu the outward adornment of his habitation;
and, therefore, a person walks under streamers, ban-
ners, bannerets, with crowns, and laurels, and gilded
eagles; or there are preparations for grand illumina-
tions ; or there arc rich tapestries to depend from
the windows; or there is to be painted canvas to
cover the walls, so that to-morrow Cherbourg will
look like a city, not of the western world, but a re-
presentation of one of those fanciful abodes which
the richness of an Eastern imagination first created,
and then embodied in au Arabian tale.

Even as it is be seen this day, with its numberless
banners, flags, and streamers, and glistening golden
eagles, the town of Cherbourg is a very pretty ob-
ject—nestling, as it appears to do, under the protec-
tion of the Mountain of Roule, a huge mass of
bleak, frowning granite, crowned with a fortified
barrack, it presents a very charming spectacle to
the stranger who will take the trouble of looking at
it from one of the jetties that run out into the har-
bour.

The jetties of Cherbourg are magnificent pieces of
masonry—from 20 to 30 feet broad at the top, and
as smooth under the foot as the flagged pavement in
Regent-street. One of these jetties, on which I was
to-day, was quite a holiday scene—a fashionable
promenade crowded with visitors, speaking all
sorts of languages, and occasionally making bargains
either with the owners Of telescopes for the hired
loan of their instruments, or eneleavouriug to per.
suade the numerous istorman boatmen plying about
to accept something like a reasonable sum to take
them out for the purpose of visiting three of the
French ships of lvar, which hare been drawn up in
front of the commercial port, for the purpose of gra-
tifying the public by inspecting them.
The city of Cherbourg, as seen from the sea, has
the appearance of a compact block of houses, almost
hidden by a breakwater, and protected from attack
in the front by forts, which are rocks in the midst of
waves, crowned with cannon, and protected on its
left flank by the Mountain of Itoule, and on the
right by the great fortification, the military port to
which I referred in my letter of yesterday. Of this
city there are, I find, various accounts given—some
maintain that it existed in the time of Caesar, others
think it is of a more modern date; but one thing is
certain—not only have all traces of the Roman Cher-
bourg disappeared, but even the Cherbourg of the
twelfth century has been obliterated, to of ird space
for the fortifications that are constructed around it.
The most remarkable instance of the extent to which
these demolitions have been carried is to be found in
the destruction of a church which had been built by
one of the Queens of England—the illustrious Em-
press Maud. She had, it seems, been overtaken by
ten i tied at
a fearful storm, in the year 1145, and,
the peril to which her lif was exposed, she made a
vow that if Heaven should, in its mercy, permit her
to e,cape, she would raise a church in honour of the
Virgin Mary in the first place in which she was per-
'flitted to land, and commemorate the happy event
by designating the proposed place of worship
as " Our-Lady-of-the-Vow." The ship of the
Empress Maud ran into Cherbourg ; and, in
accordance with her vow, on the very point—
Chanterayne, where her foot touched the earth, there
was built a chapel called " Notre-Darne-du-Voeu."
That church had to be destroyed, but within the last
few years another church with the same name has
been erected in Cherbourg between the streets La
Ponduere and Sainte-llonorine, where are still to
be found some of the monuments that were in the
ancient building.
The Cherbourg that is said to have been coeval
with Cwsar has disappeared,leaving not a trace behind
—the city of the mediwval times has heorobliterated,
and the modern Cherbourg, the Cherbourg that
arose out of the ruins of the reign of Louis XV.—
the Cherbourg of Napoleon I.—is no longer recog-
nisable ; for it has decked itself out in holiday trim—
and as the Cherbourg of Napoleon 111. has covered
itself with flowers and tapestry to welcome the
Sovereign, and the Sovereign's guests, within its walls.
To see it, and to witness its fete, visitors are coming
hourly into the town in all sorts of ways, and
by all possible modes of conveyance. The sea is
sending strangers from abroad, and feom different
parts of the coast of France, and they arrive hourly
in steamships, and in sailing -vessels, whilst the new
railroad is taxed to its utmost powers to convey the
numbers that press for places in its carriages at the
different stages along the line. I have not heard what
was the exact number poured forth this day on the
arrival of the two trains at seven in the morning and
eleven o'clock ; but I am told it was on both occa-
sions marvellous to behold the crowds that rushed
out on each occasion to seek-for, and no doubt to find
(if they will pay well for it) the accommodation they
desire to have.

I have referred to the bygone history of Cher-
bourg. I have looked into all the books and
pamphlets published for the use of visitors on this
occasion ; and I cannot avoid making the remark
that in none of them do I find the slightest reference
made to the capture and destruction of Cherbourg
by the English in the month of August,l7s6. This
is certainly carrrying
complaisance very far. There
can, however, be no mistaking the motive—it is the
desire of those who so act that nothing shall be said
or done by them calculated to shake the existing
alliance betwea Engltuid auk rouge, or t 0 batevfeze

with the personal friendship of the Sovereigns for
each other.

CAEN, TUESDAY, AUG. 3.

About ten o'clock this morning the Imperial train
destined to convey the Emperor, Empress, and
Imperial suite, arrived at St. Cloud from the
Paris station of the Havre Railway. The
weather was most favourable ; a bright sum-
mer's sun and cool breeze seemed to invite the
denizens of the city to enjoy the sylvan attractions
of the country, which just now in France have
scarcely commenced to assume the varied hues of
changing autumn. At the appointed hour two car-
riages approached the St. Cloud station. In the first
was his Majesty the Emperor, accompanied by Mar-
shal Valliant, Minister of War ; the Generals Niel
and Fleury, aide-de-camps ; Marshal Magnan ; M.
Mocquard, Secretary of the Emperor ; and M.
Reinc, deputy, &c. Shortly after the carriage of the
Empress arrived. Her Majesty was accompanied by
the Imperial Princ?, the Duchess d'Essling ;
Madames de Lab4doyere and de Lourmel, &c. The
Imperial party were soon seated in a magnificent
salon, built expressly by the Orleans Railway Com-
pany for this occasion. The Imperial State waggon
is fitted up with blue silk drapery and mirrors. In
the centre of the salon was placed a magnificent gilt
table, on which a bouquet of choice flowers rested.
This central carriage communicated with an open
waggon (fitted up with great taste, more espe-
cially for the Emperor) and a refreshment salon
decorated in white and gold. Nothing could be
more elegant and commodious than these gala car-
riages, which were designed by M. D'lvry. Messrs.
Brassy and Lock, engineers and contractors of the
Cherbourg Railway, also accompanied the Imperial
party. The Cherbourg Railway is, in point of fact,
the Havre line as far as Mantes, 57 kilometres from
Paris. There were a few members of the press, I
should observe, accommodated rith seats in the Im-
perial train. The staff of -the Railway Company

were in attendance, consisting of M. Lapeyrier, the
director-in-chief; M. Poiree, engineer; M. Cleve,
M. Meyer, M. Dupare, M. Bochet, and M. Bonnaffe,
inspector-general. Thus freighted, we glided through
the pasture lands of Normandy, passing green fields
and gothic churches and thatched farm-houses, which
remind one strongly of England's country life, agri-
culture, and scenery.

The first station at which the Imperial train halted

•
was Evreux. Here the Prefect, the general of the
department, and the municipal authorities, with M.
Barodie at their head, awaited their Majesties.
Flowers and flags, triumphal arches, and crowds of
peasants, greeted the Imperial party. A throne
erected near the station, and decorated with Imperial
emblems, was occupied by a group of elegantly-
dressed ladies. After the authorities bad paid their
respects, some 30 unmarried girls, dressed in white,
gauzy toilettes, with a cordon of green gauze passing
over the shoulders and tied at the waist, approached
her Majesty, and presented her with bouquets. Her
Majesty received them with that courtesy and grace
peculiar to the Empress of the French. A kind
word or a kind look awaited all who neared the Im-
perial group, as if anticipating the embarrassment
under which most of these good country people la-

boured.
This ceremony over, we proceeded through a
highly-cultivated country, rich with harvest wealth ;
the ripe corn strewing the fields—the dark sylvan
screen in the distance—the glittering stream wander-
ing through the green meadows, and here and there
some gothic spire, backed by a blue and cloudless
sky, told of a distant village. The country through
which we passed is rich with agricultural wealth, and
attractively picturesque.
The train again halted at Lisieux. Here cere-
monies similar to those already narrated took place,
whilst groups of country people, lining the railway
station, were loud in their exclamations of Vive le
Empereztr ! Vive la Imperatrice ! In fact, the pro-
gress of the Imperial party was characterised through-
out with the utmost enthusiasm on the nart of the
peasantry, who had collected at every station on the
line, even where the train did not halt.
It ia quite unnecess-try to detain the reader with a
repetition of the various receptions which the Em-
peror and Empress received at the towns where the

Imperial train drew up for some half hour or ten

minutes, as the case might be; the same scene on
such occasions took place, that is to say—official
welcomes and Imperial recognitions, flags and mili-
tary music, groups of country people, the men in
blue smock-frocks, and the women in white caps of
every conceivable form. One or two carriages wait-
ing for their owners on the quiet country road
leading to the stations, corn fields, or green pasture
meadows, divided by hedgeS, as in England, arc the
general characteristics of the scenery from Mantes
to Caen, in the immediate vicinity of the iron way,
whilst in the distance you occasionally get a little
hilly ground or a dark wood.
As we approached Caen, it was evident, from the
crowds of country people who pressed towards the
road side, that we had reached a large and important
town, and that the arrival of the Imperial train had
created considerable excitement :
" The marches of great Princes,
Like to the motions cf prodigious meteors,
Are step by Etcp observed, and loud-tongued fame
The harbinger to prepare their enterfalornents."
It was six o'clook when the Emperor and Empress
received the salutations of the good people of Caen.
Her Majcsty appeared to have made a fresh toilette
in honour of the crowd of officials and ecclesiastics
who awaited her. She now wore a pearl grey dress,
trimmed with black lace, and a white bonnet deco-
rated with roses. During some portions of the
journey the Empress was covered with a straw-
coloured wrapper (which protected her from
the dust), and wore a hat and feathers,
according to the manners and customs of tra-
velling ladies of England, who thus often pro-
vokingly hide their pretty faces. At Caen the pro-
gramme of the journey was faithfully carried out.
The order of the day says
Their Majesties, on arriving at Caen, will be received
by the mayor and all the local authorities. The mayor will
present the keys of the town to the Emperor. The Emperor
and Empress will proceed through lines formed by the troops
to the Prefecture, where the mayors of the department will
be assembled. The Empress will hold a reception of ladies,
and a magnificent bouquet will be presented to her Majesty.
At seven o'clock the Emperor and Empress will give a grand
dinner, and at nine o'clock will proceed to a ball at the
Hotel do Ville."

These ceremonies accomplished, fatigued and well
covered with dust,
,by the obliging courtesy of the
railway authorities of our train I contrived to get a
room in one of the crowded hotels of Caen.
A wash and a hasty dinner, anti conver-
sation with the landlord on the impossibility of
obtaining a carriage, the hour arrived for the ball.
If the truth were known I have no doubt every one
of us who had that day arrived from Paris would
rather have undressed for bed than rushed into a
wilderness of crinoline. But the thing was to be
done—so off we started on foot to the hotel of the
Mayor. The streets of Caen were crowded with
women in pretty white caps, and men in country
costumes. The town, universally illuminated, pre-
sented a most picturesque appearance. The houses
are irregularly built, and in the old part of the city
make up a broken gable-end bit of old street scenery
such as an artist would like to meet with. You also
continually came upon old gothic churches and
buildings, which look dark and mysterious and ro-
mantic. Every house last night (for I am now
writing at four o'clock a.m., Wednesday), was
lighted up with many-coloured lanterns and deco-
rated with flags. or wreaths of flowers festooning
about the small quaint windows of some of the an-
cient dwellings, which reminded us of old women
absurdly dressed up for a wedding in the finery of
younger people.

The Mayor of Caen possesses magnificent accom-
modation for dancing. The large hall of his muni-
cipal hotel was on the present occasion decorated
with Imperial emblems. A good band and plenty of
/41* lamle_eYery 09 gay ; and AN NOO4 00 the ging

peror and Empress arrived dancing commenced with
a heartiness and vivacity difficult for me, who had
travelled all day and gone through no end of
fatiguing ceremonies, to comprehend. The ladies of
Caen, judging from the display of last night, arc
more beautiful than the fair creatures who make us
happy or miserable in Paris. Their features are
more regular, and they have a frank and pleasing
expression—with a pretty never-ending smile—un-
less all those charms and attractions were the result
of the Imperial visit. When I left the ball, the Em-
peror and Empress were making themselves very
agreeable ; and fat old gentlemen, in courtly uni-
forms, and full dress military were crowding round
about their Majesties in dense and anxious groups
painful to look upon, even at a distance. Your
readers must imagine the rest, for I came away from
the festive scene early to write this letter. I believe
I have nothing more to add about the events of the
day.

Caen, I need hardly remind you, has long been a
favourite residence for the English. In the days of
poor Beau Brummel, up to the revolutionary period
of 1848, a little colony of her Majesty's subjects lived
here, because they found Caen cheap, and for other
more romantic reasons. There are, however, fewer
English here now, although one meets a considerable
number of unmistakeable John Bull faces amongst
the white Norman head-dresses of the women. One
can easily imagine Caen would suit admirably an
English emigrant. The climate is English, even to
frequent rains ; the gothic architecture makes one
feel at home, and there is something in the large
build look of the people, which inclines us to think
they are not altogether strangers.
When the Cherbourg Railway has double lines,
and steam communication with the English coast is
thoroughly organised, I have no doubt hundreds of
British travellers will visit Caen on their way to
Paris. Its historical recollections are remarkably in-
teresting to Englishmen. The Conqueroes grave, in
the church of St. Etienne, which buildink reminds
us of so many twelfth-century gothic fragments of
our own country; the quaint and picturesque archi-
tecture of the town generally; the castle, identified
with the Duke of Somerset (1459) ; the famed Peru-
gino, which suggested Raphael's " Sposalizio;" the
charming, fresh, green scenery of Normandy—will
assuredly attract our countrymen.
I have before me a little book, entitled " Chemin
de Ter de Paris a Cherbourg," which gives a brief
account of the interesting country through which we
have travelled, the historical recollections of which
are as attractive as the scenery is picturesque.

PARIS, THURSDAY, AUG. 5.

The circular of the Minister of the Interior on
the application of the "Usurpation of Titles Bill "
inspires the Constitutionnel with this remark :—" The
ministerial circular closes all discussion on the appli-
cation of this bill. The bill has become law and will
be executed ; but let it be known that the Imperial
Government, which is not only desirous of content-
ing public opinion, but which also guarantees the
interests of all, and obtains respect far principles,
will obey this time, as on every other occasion, its
favourite maxim. The latter was recalled to the
memory of the prefects by M. Delangle when he
said The precautions in question would fail to
attain the desired result were they to serve as a pre-
text for useless inquiries and for vexatious acts of
inquisition. "
The Minister of Public Worship has just addressed
the following circular to the Archbishops and
Bishops :
" Monsiegneur,—At the moment when the solemnity of the
15th August (the Assumption) will invite the faithful to
celebrate the anniversary of the Emperor's fete, their Ma-
jesties will invoke the Patron Saint of France in one of the
most venerated sanctuaries raised by the faith of our fore-
fathers. The people, who see with the mast lively grati-
tude the Chief of the State g,) through our provinces and
nquire into their wants, will unite with all their hearts in
the prayers put up that day in the humble chapel, and in
thanking Providence fin the blessings conferred on our
country, they will supplicate it to continue to watch with
equal solicitude over the life of the Emperor, the Empress,
and the Prince Imperial. The clergy, who are never for-
getful of services rendered to religion and to the country,
will earnestly unite in_those sentiments of pima* gratitude,
j and I am, therefore, Menseigneur, certain of responding
to the wishes of the faithful and of their pastors in
begging you to order that a solemn Te Deuni or thanks-
giving shall be sung on the 15th, after divine service, in all
the churches of your diocese. I request the Prefect
to concert with your Eminence the measures to be taken for
this religious ceremony. Accept, &c.

ROULAND."
The Presidents of the Consistories of the Reformed
Church, the President of the Directory of the
Church of the Confession of Augsburg, and the
members of the Central Jewish Consistory have re-
ceived a similar circular.

Accounts from Martinique and Guadaloupe of the
13th announce that everything was proceeding satis-
factorily in those colonies. The coolies, whose en-
gagements have expired, had, for the greater part,
contracted fresh ones. The customs receipts of Mar-
tinique show that the exportation of coffee for the
first six months of the present year amounted only
to 2,628 kilos.
According to a telegraphic despatch. received in
Paris, the Belgian Chamber has rejected by 53 votes
to 39 the Antwerp Fortifications Bill. There were
nine abstentions.

Prince Jerome the day before yesterday visitci the
residence which is in course of construction for
Queen Christina at Ste. Addresse, near Havre. His
Imperial Highness, on leaving, presented a sum of
money to the workmen employed there.
M. Delangle, Minister of the Interior, has not
been able to proceed to `,-;herbourg, the duties of his
office detaining him in Paris.

M. Billault, who came to Paris to pay his respects
to the Emperor, on his return from Plombi6res, has
again left for his estate near Nantes.
PARIS BOURSE.—The market exhibited the usual
dulness at the opening, but there was afterwards a
sudden rally, owing to the favourable receipts of all
the railways. Threes, after having been done at
68fr. 35c., improved to 68fr. 50c.; Mobilier from
615 fr. to 618 fr. 75c. ; Austrian, 62611. 25c. to 628 fr.
75e.; Orleans, 1,260 fr. to 1,270 fr. ; Lyons, 765 fr.
to 772 fr. 50c. ; Northern,- 917 fr. 50e. to 92cfr. ;
Eastern, 650 fr. to 660 fr. ; and Southern, 512 fr. 50c.
to 517 fr. 50c. The following are the last quota-

Aons:--

Pr. Ct.
41 per Cents O6 50
Do. end of month
Three per Cent.
Do. end of month 6B 55
Bank Shares 3,090
Credit Mobilier 627 50 F
Do. account
RAIL

Fr. Ct.
Cr&lit Fonder GOO
Belgian 41
Piedmonteses B9 50
Roman tin—
Austrian —
Spanish Threes —
Home Debt — -
WAYS. _ _

Lsh—Fr. Ct.

Orleans
Northern
New ditto
Lyons and Mediterranean .....
New ditto
Geneva
Midi
Western
Eastern

920 -
777 50
772 50

Account—Fr. Ct.
.. 1,270 --
.. 922 50
785
..775 --

582 50
515 -
605 -
657 50

Grand Central —
Sardinian ........... .• .
Austrian.

415 -
630 -

PRUSSIA.

A Berlin letter, in the Debats, says:—" The Fe-
deral Assembly, instead of confiding the negotia-
tions with Denmark to commissioners named by the
Diet and by the Cabinet of Copenhagen, as was pro-
posed in the last Danish answer, has preferred to
admit the Danish representative into the united
committee charged with those negotiations. The
reason of this decision is, that the Diet as a body
could not treat on a footing of equality with one of
its members, although that member should be the
King of Denmark, for in doing so it would have
attributed to a part a preponderance equal to the
whole. Several journals have spoken of a Russian
note, which is said to have been delivered to Prussia
and to other German Governments, and the object
of which is to secure a favourable reception to the
Danish answer. I can positively state that no note
of the kind has ever been sent to the Prussian Go-
vernment. Under the assurance that the Cabinets
will approve of anything that may be done for the
i4lCA'egge of tin r4stimAati ;au, the pualling of A lime.

of-battle ship is to be commenced in the course of
this summer. The Prince Admiral is now-at Hom-
burg, whence be will go to Jahtle to inspect the
works of the port."
The following is the text of the resolutions of the
"Council of Defence" of Belgium, dated the 7th
April last, on which is based the Government Bill
for the fortifications of Antwerp :

"The Council of DeLiner, af.ter having carefully examined
and discussed the pr, jnt presented for completing the en-
trenched camp at Antwerp, giving to the town the exten-
sion it warns for the development of its basins and its mer-
chant shipping, and giving likewise to this great citadel a
def'ensive value in proportion to the high degree of import-
ance of its pt;sition, has the honour to propose to his Majesty
the King the following measures :-1. Tne aggrandisement
of the town to the north, with a superfices of more than 200
hectares, and limited by a bastioned enceinte in earthworks
extending parallel to the bend of the river from Austtuweel
to the Schyti bastion. This enceinte should be preceded by
a large fosse, and a covered way with an advanced fosse; it
would be protected by a vast inundation. 2. The establish-
ment of a casernated battery on the river at the starting point
of the new enceinte. 3. The construction of a pentagon in
earthworks on the left bank of the Scheldt, opposite the
village of Austrnweel. 4. The aggrandisement of Fort
Sainte Marie, and the reconstruction, by means of the funds
voted for the defence of the Scheldt, of La Perle and Saint
Philippe forts. 5. The construction of five new forts solidly
constructed, forming the first line in advance of the en-
trenchment of the existing camp. 6. The transformation of
Fort No. 2 into a fort like the preceding. 7. The coastruc-
tion of two forts, one in advance of Merxem, the other in ad-
vance of Derne, in order to prevent the enemy from esta-
blishing himself bombard the town on the tongues of land
which rise above the level of the inundations of these places.
The Council his besides unanimously resolved :-1. That it
is indispensable to augment the importance of the projected
fort, in advance of the existing fort N 0.5. 2. That it is
extremely urgent to complete the system of defence of Ant-
werp, and that in consequence it is of the highest degree of
importance that the Legislature shall vote the whole of the
credits necessary for the execution of it, in order that the
works may be commenced without delay, be continued
without interruption, and be completed with the least
possible delay. Lastly, that the complete execution of the
system of defence of Antwerp will permit the demolition of
a certain number of the existing fortresses.

(Signed) "DR MEAL CITAZAL DE LANNOT
RENARD."

SPAIN.

The Madrid journals of the 31st ult. do not yet
record the arrival of the Queen at Gijon, but they
publiSh telegraphic despatches stating that on the
30th ult. her Majesty, with the King and royal chil-
dren, was at Mieres, in the Asturias. These de-
spatches add that in the Asturias the Queen was re-
ceived with extraordinary enthusiasm, the people
having flocked down from the mountains to see her
Majesty, and that numerous triumphal arches were
erected on the road on which she was to pass. At
Nam, on the way to Alieres, the illustrious per-
sonages partook of breakfast. It is related that at
Leon the Queen appeared on a balcony to show the
little Prince of the Asturias to the people; but that
as it was dusk they could not ace him well, and ac-
cordingly her Majesty had a lighted candle brought,
and held up before his face ; this little incident in-
creased the popular enthusiasm. At Oviedo, where
the Queen was to go after leaving Mieres, a triumphal
arch was to be erected in loaves of bread, and after
the Queen should have passed through it the bread
was to be given to the poor. The palace in that
town in which the Queen was to stay had been pur-
chased by the municipality for presentation to the
Prince of the Asturias. The Novedades had been
seized. From new postal arrangements the mail from
France is henceforth to reach Madrid before mid-day,
instead of at half-past eight in the evening as here-
tofore.

AMERICA.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

SOUTHAMPTON„ AUGUST 5.

The steam-ship Fulton, with the Anterican mails
and advices of the 24th ult., arrived off Cowes this
afternoon en route from New York to Havre.

She reports the arrival out of the Kangaroo and
America from Liverpool.

There is no news of importance by this arrival.
The Secretary of the Navy is making arrange-
ments to send a sufficient force to Paraguay to make
the American flag respected there.
The eight new sloops of war for which appropria-
tions were made at the recent session of Congress
are ordered to be constructel

The New York Herald says there is good reason
to believe that the American Government is now ill
a fair way to acquire the island of Cuba.

From Kansas we learn that Gen. calhoun bas
issued certificates of election to all persons elected
under the Lecompton constitution, by which the
Free State party have a majority in both houses of
the Legislature.
The following late intelligence has been received
from Santa F 6 :

" A despatch from Independence, dated the 19th ult.
er United States express to Booneville, says the Santa F 6
mail has arrived, with dates to the Ist ult. All the water
courses on the route were very high.
" Great preparations were making at Santa Fe to cele-
brate the Fourth of July.
" The surveying party on the Canadian ricer report, the
ciuntry splendid, with abundance of water and grass, and
every way suitable fur a railroad.
"The mail pasty had suffered nr mol.station from the

" Some of the trains which left here in the spring had
arrived at Santa Fe. Tkose on the Plains were getting
along finely. The grass was never better."
The New York cotton market on the 23d was
dull—prices unchanged. Supplies of wheat were
scarce. Provisions were steady. Freights were
firm. Sterling exchange was quoted at 1091 to I-,
with a moderate business doing.
The aspect of the money market is quiet, as usual
at this season of the year, and the rates of interest
have not undergone any material variation for several
weeks. There is at present cvcry indication of con-
tinued abundance and case in the market for months
to come, or, at least, until the revival of trade. The
current rates vary from 4 to 6 per cent. on good
business notes, according to the grades and dates of
maturity. The stock market is very well sustained,
with a fair business in progress, considering the
large number of business men absent in the rural
districts.

CRFMORNE GARDENS.—The file of the season--
Mr. Simpsen's benefit—came off yesterday, and certainly
that gentleman has no rea,on to complain of the Fates or
the attendance. The weather was most propitious, and the
thousands present could not lead any one to suppose that
either the London season was closed, or teat there were
rival attractions at Cherbourg. The gardens were most
elegantly decorated—es they were to have been on the occa-
sion of the nobility's fite on the 9:h if July, hal not St.
Swithin taken umbrage and determined to show his power
even before his accustomed period. The Marionettes were
in full force; there were morris and maypole dances; the
ballet of the Valley of the Sweet Waters attracted the
lovers of the poetry of motion ; the Cirque Orienthl received
additional life from the presence of Millar, the self-ap-
pointee teeeen's jester; are] the illuminations and fireworks
exceeded all previous displays. The grand circular
platform ft r the dances looked extremely magnificent,
and the carpet with the armorial bearings of the
families of the late lady patronesses being laid down, there
was the novelty of a carpet dance, which appeared to be
highly appreciated. At the conclusion of the fireworks
C: istoforo Buono Core—Christopher of the Good Heart--
the "Italian Salamander," exhibited within the Ashburuhane
ground his dress for preserving the human body from fire.
A room being prepared and surrounded by a large fire, Cristo-
foro-Bueure-Core walks-in-and out with the moss-perfect com-
posure, though it must be admitted that the dress in which
Ire is enveloped is the ugliest of the ugly. At the conclu-
sion he took off his mask to convince the audience that be
was a living man, and that there was no deception.
The exhibitor invites the attention of scientific men
to his invention, which, if there is no deception (and we
have no reason to suppose that there is) will prove most
useful to firemen and others who arc engaged in endeavour-
log to preveut the loss of life which too often occurs at the
conflagrations necessarily incident to large and crowded
towns. Mr. Simpson end Mr. Adams, his manager, were
most areidttous in their attention to the comfort of the eon:t-
eeny, who appeared determined to put to the test in every
way the resources of the establishment to meet their re-
quirements—a test which was most amply answered. We
understand that Mr. Simpson proposes to evince his grati-
titude to his supporters by repeating thefite throughout
the week at the ordinary prices.
OPENING OF THE NEW PICTURE GALLERY AT THB
CRYSTAL PALACE.—The new picture gallery at the
Crystal Palace was opened to private view yesterday, and
appeared to be generally approved. The former gallery was
situated at the north wing of the building, and, indepen-
dently of its inconvenient and remote position, was ill
adapted to the purpose fur which it was Intended. The new
gallery is in the south, on what may he called the "first
floor." It extends from the transept to nearly the whole
length of the gallery, and contains a "hanging surface"
superior to that of any cif the metropolitan exhibitions. It
is divided into four compartments—the first devoted to
works by the old mestere, co te mencing with the early Italian
schocl ; the second containing modern paintings; the third
water-colour drawings, and the fourth photographs, of
which there is a superb collection. The gallery may be ap-
proecked either from the centre nave or from the tran-
sept ; and as the compartments are all on the
one floor, the visitor is enabled to examine the
works without being compelled to pay the penaltY
of ascending and descending long flights of steps, which
formed so serious a dtawbaek to the former gallery.
The light is alruittel entirely from the roof, as was thee case
at the late Art-Treasure, Exhibition, and the paintings
have been hung with much taste by Mr. Wass. The weans
now exhibited do not possess that uniform excellence which
the directors are desirous of securing; but we are informed
that many artists of eminence, including several of the
academicians, have promised to eoutribute t 9 the collec-
tion. The arrangement and details of the new gallery have
been carried out under the direction of Mr. David Prlcee
one of the directors, whose efforts to improve the fine art
department are creditable to his taste, and will, when fell,:
matured, add another feattirc to the Already noultrow'
Attritctitai of tin FA/ tice, . -