The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-22 00:00:00

WHAT

On Thr,retlay will be published,
WILL HE 1)0 WITH IT ?
Ey PISE-ITRATUS CAXTON,
Author of "My Novel," &c.
Originally published in " Blackwood's Magazine."
Four Volumes, Post Octavo, price £2 2s.
William Blackwood at Id Sons, Edinburgh and London.

ROYAL ENGI,I SIT OPERA, COVENT
GARDEN, under thk sole Management of Miss Louisa
Fyne and Mr. W. Harrison I.—The public are respectfully in-
formed that this new and elegant Theatre IS NOW OI'EN
for the first ENGLISH OPERA SEASON THIS EVENING
Dec. 22, when will be presented an entirely new and original
Opera, by Mr. W. Balfe, entitled SATA.NELLA ; or, THE
POWER OF LOVE.
Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon.
After which the N
Commence at Seven,

OYAL PRIIsICESS'S THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.
T lIIS EVENING will, be
ACBETHpresented Shakspere's Tragedy of
M. •
Macbeth, Mr. C. Kean : Lady Macbeth, Mrs. C. Kean.
Preceded by a new Farce, in one act, entitled
THIRTY-THREE NEXT BIRTHDAY.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone.
THIS ETENING will be performed a new Comedy,
THE TIDE OF TIME. Messrs. Buckstone, Chippendale
&c. ; Mesdames Reynolds and Poynter.
A new Spanish Ballet, THE INFLUENCE OF GRACE.
in which I'ereaNena will appear.
THE TODDLES. Sir Wm. Don, Bart.
And A DAUGHTER TO MARRY.
Commenwe at 7.

OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer,
'Will be Opened for the season on CHRISTMAS EVE, Fri-
day, Dec. 24, when will be produced a new Burlesque, written
expressly for the Lyceum Company by Robert B. Brough,
anti entitled THE SIEGE OF TROY. The new and gor-
geoos scenery by Mr. William Callcott. The principal elm-
racte. rs by Mrs. Keeley, Miss Julia St. George, Mrs. Weston,
Miss ,Portman, Miss Talbot, Miss Kate Saxon, Miss E. Romer,
; lfirr. Emery, Mr. .Charles Young, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. J.
Rogers, Mr. Barrett, &c. ; Miss Rosins Wright, Miss M.
Charles., Miss Harriet Dalton, and a numerous Corps de Bal-
let will also appear.
After the Burlesque a new Comic Pantomime, replete with
new tricks and mechanical devices, entitled HARLEQUIN
TOY HORSE ; or, The Cremorne Fete. Clown, Mr Charles
Lauri ; Harlaquin, Mr. John Lauri ; Pantaloon, Mr. Henry
Lauri - Columbine, Miss Jenny Lauri.
The'Performanees will commence on Friday, Monday, and
Tuesday with the Comedietta of TOO MUCH FOR GOOD
NAT U
A Morning Performance of the Burlesque and Pantomime
on Boxing-day, to commence at two o'clocky precise!; doors
open at half-past one.
Reduced Pnces—Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Pit,
2s. • Stalls, ss. ; Gallery, is.
Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half--past
6, to commence at 7 every evening.

ROYAL STRAND THEAT-RE
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, THE RULE OF THREE.
After which THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE.
THE LITTLE SAVAGE.
And THE BONNIE FISH WIFE.
Commence at 7 o'clock.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Westminster-road.
Sole Lessee, Mr. William Cooke.
THIS EVENING, the great Eastern Spectacle of TIM:
REVOLT IN INDIA; or, The Fugitives and their
Sul Steed.
After which SCENES IN THE ARENA, introducing M.r.
W. Cooke, and his beautiful horses, Mr. Runnels, Madame
Blanche, Miss Emily Cooke, Madame Fleurette, and the finee
troupe of equestrians in the kingdom.
Te conclude with the Farce of SHOOTING THE MOON.
A famous, magnificent, and matchless Christmas Panto-
mime on Boxing-night, entitled HARLEQUIN BARON
MILNCHAUSEN ; or, The King of the Pumpkins, unprece-
de nt ed for comicality and splendour.
',Ciro Performances of the Pantomime on Boxing-day, viz.,
at Two and Seven o'clock.
Liress Circle, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is, ; Galleries, 6d.
Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips.

CANVERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.--
Proprietor C. MORTON.
The u13,71c is most respectfully informed that the FINE
ARTS GALL.T:Ity, 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 at
Seven o'clock. •
In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET
FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied
instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa-
tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, will
perform every Evening at Nine and Eleven o'clock.

THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, DEC. 22.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.

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

BanomETER-29.20.
WIND, Westerly; rather fresh, with sunshine, and
showery weather.

THE SUN.

WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 22, 1858.

The appeal of M. DE MONTALEMBERT to the
Imperial Court has been duly heard and disposed
of. No question can now remain as to his right to
reject the pardon tendered to him with such extra-
ordinary rapidity before the question of his guilt
or innocence was legally determined. It is only in
Great Britain that persons, proved to have been
improperly convicted, are compelled to accept a
pardon for the gross injury inflicted on them, and
to have the brand of criminality for ever affixed to
their names.

M. DE MONTALEMBERT, conscious of having com-
mitted no wrong, refused to rest under the unme-
rited accusation. lie stood on his constitutional
rights as a French citizen, and it is something to
show that there are still men of that Spar-
tan resolution who prefer the vindication

of their honour to exemption from unme-
rited punishment. The result of the appeal
is, that the decision of the inferior court has been
modified, although not altogether annulled, as it
ought to have been. He has been acquitted of by
ar the most serious of the three charges preferred

gainst him, viz., of having made an attack upon
the principle of universal suffrage, and the rights
which the EMPEROR held of the State. The severe
castigation of the back-stairs influence, and of the
servile sycophants who infest the precincts of the
Court, was, however, deemed to be " exciting
hatred and contempt of the Government." And
the praise of British institutions was " violating
the respect due to the laws and the sacredness of
the rights sanctioned by them." half the term of
imprisonment has been remitted, and the illustrious
convict will only be liable to three months' in-
carceration, in place of six. The pecuniary penalty,
however, remains the same, and 3,000 francs, or
£l2O sterling, must be paid for the grave offence
of praising England and the English.
We regret to find that there are British journals
which have thought proper to censure the manly
and straightforward course adopted by the French
patriot. The Times considers that " his persistence
was evidently a false step." That it " simply re-
established the Emperor's line of attack, and
compelled him, against his will, to adhere to his
Nov this is the very reason
original intention."
that M. DE MONTALEMBERT was not only justified
but imperatively required to adopt the course
which he pursued. For once arbitrary power was
at fault. Despotism was exposed in all its hihous
deformity; and the sole question was, whether it
should be permitted to retrace its footsteps, to
wriggle out of the trap into which it had deli-
berately entered, or to endure the full effect of the
moral pillory which it had so fully deserved. We con-
ceive that it was essential on M. DE MOSTALEMBERT
to contend for the small balance of constitutional
freedom remaining to his countrymen, and which
was grievously imperilled in his person. So far as
his convenience was concerned, it might have been
impolitic. It would have saved him trouble and
expense if be had consented to hug his chains or kiss

the rod that was held in terrorem over him, but with-
out any intention that it should be applied. But he
was the representative of an importan` section of
his fellow citizens. He meant, as the Daily News
truthfully remarked, " not the petty martyrdom of
a prison, but that liberty which the pardon aimed
at hint would have destroyed even more than the
judgment of M. BERTHELIN." And should the Em-
PEROR be so ill advised, or rather so indiscreet, as
to permit him to suffer the penalty he has so nobly
braved, the value of his testimony will be increased
a thousandfold, and the name of DE MONTALE3I-
- will become a household word in France
through all succeeding ages.

But will that penalty be inflicted ? We think
not. The EMPEROR has too much sound practical
sense to be guilty of such an act of folly. M. BE
3/ONTALEMBERT received the Imperial pardon for
an act of which he was declared to be guilty by an
inferior tribunal. A superior one has acquitted
him of a portion of the charge, and only partially
confirmed the judgment. It has exonerated the
accused from the most serious part of the indie,
went. Can the EMPEROR then, or his advir.r s,
sanction the penalty for the minor offence, when the
graver one was remitted ? As to the pecuniary
part of the sentence that would easily be disposed
of. It would be raised a hundred times over in
penny subscriptions in England. But NAPOLEON
is far too shrewd to allow the question to be venti-
lated, or to have the subject of the MONTALEMBERT
fine discussed in every house in the United King-
dom.

The imprisonment is, however, a more serious
matter. That might "damage the health of the
champion of popular rights in France. It is
scarcely possible, however, that any degree of per-
sonal spite could sanction that confinement. It
would, indeed, be to give a, triumph to M. BE
MONTALEMBERT, which would place his persecu-
tors in a position more degrading than that which
they already occupy.

Thanks to the energy of Mr. BRIGHT, the
agitation for Reform is developing steadily in the
provinces. The popular tribune has appeared now
in succession at Birmingham—at Manchester—at
Edinburgh—at Glasgow. He has addressed large
audiences at each of these great seats of learning
or of industry. He has spoken better and better
upon each occasion upon the grand theme
entrusted by the country to his eloquent
advocacy and resolute championship. The
movement is one which vividly recalls to
mind the days :of the glorious agitation of the
Anti-Corn-Law League—the agitation that gradu-
ally woke the millions from a trance of apathy,
a•nd led eventually to that ever-memorable and
beneficent victory, when the foe capitulated, when
the great stronghold of monopoly was in one night
delivered up, the gates thrown open, the garrison
marching out with all the honours, under
the leadership of the Commander-in- Chief.
Another gifted orator now withdrawn (only
for an interval, we will yet hope), into
privacy, was then the undisputed Captain of the
conquering forces. Insomuch was his pre-eminence
recognised on all hands that it is matter of history
how Sir ROBERT PEEL, in the hour of his noble
and magnanimous acceptance of the Free Trade
Principles, accorded the merit of the triumph
achieved by those principles distinctly and
explicitly, in so many words, to " the unadorned
eloquence of RICHARD COBDEN." The Honour-
able Member for Birmingham (then Member
for Durham) occupied, at that time, the distin-
guished position of COBDEN'S first-lieutenant.
Together they traversed the country, far and wide,
appealing, with their tongues of persuasion, to the
right reason, to the patriotism, to the consciences of
the whole industrial population, both manufacturing
and agricultural. But they by no means monopolised
public attention, they had not the ears of the
people exclusively to themselves. They had the
aid, more or less frequently throughout the whole
course of the agitation, of voices as stirring some
of them as the tone of a trumpet, the voices of
orators and logicians like WILLIAM Fox,
and CHARLES VILLIERS, and GEORGE THOMP-
SON, and PEYRONNET TIIOMPSON. The eloquent
crusade was led by RICHARD COBDEN, having JOHN
BRIGHT upon his right hand—but the onslaught
upon Protection was conducted also by a crowd
of other powerful champions of Free Trade, such
as the men whose names we have but just now
particularised.

At the present moment a similar course of agita-
tion has been set on foot—a movement in favour
of certain reforms in the representative system, a
Belies of comprehensive root-reforms in the
organisation of Parliament. But in the conduct
of this new agitation one man alone stands
forth conspicuously upon the public platform.
The Lieutenant of yesterday is the Com-
mandcr-in-Chief of to-clay. Second in the advo-
cacy of Free Trade in 184:3, Mr. BRIGHT
is not only first in 1858 in the advocacy of Parlia-
mentary Reform, as an orator in the provinces, but
he stands forth, as yet, in a manner insulated. And
nobly is this solitary man doing his work as a
theoretical Reformer. Differ from him we do
utterly and entirely upon many great public
questions—but upon the great question of all just
now—the paramount and vital question of Parlia-
mentary Reform—we go with Mr. BRIGHT, cordially
thoroughly. Dissentient though our views are upon
other matters, in the matter of Reform they
—for the most part—are in perfect ac-
cordance. And recognizing the devotion with
which Mr. BRIGHT, upon the very morrow of his
recovery from a severe and protracted illness,
throws himself, heart and soul, into the popular
cause as in the fullest sense of the phrase, an Ad-
vanced Reformer, we must needs accord to him all
possible honour and our sincerest sympathy.
It must encourage him to know that this agita-
tion for Parliamentary Reform begins under far
more encouraging auspices than ever did the
eventually triumphant agitation in favour of the
Free-trade principles. There you might have
counted almost, upon one hand, the places that
really sympathised with the new movement.
Whereas now—it would be difficult to say, not
only where there is any single locality, but where
there is positively any one solitary individual,
avowedly opposed to the Reform of Parliament.

It would be well for the cause if these Reform
Speeches delivered by Mr. BRIGHT, in his tour of
the provinces, were collected together and scattered
broadcast over the country, in the separate shape of
a revised and authorised publication.

The Earl and Countess of Lichfield are at present
on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn at
Baron's Court, County Tyrone.
The Earl and Countess of Craven have returned
to Ashdown Park from a tour of visits. The noble earl and
countess are entertaining a select circle of friends.
The Countess Dowager Spencer arrived in town a
few days since from Woi thing. Iler•ladyship has taken a
house in Eaton-place for a term of years.
The Earl and Countess of Cawdor are entertaining
a select circle at their seat in Wales.
The Earl and Countess Spencer are still on the
Continert, and are not expected to return to town until
early in March.

The Earl and Countess of Norbury have arrived
at Claridge's Hotel from Valence, near Edenbridg,e, Kent.
Lord and Lady Forester have left town, on a
visit to Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, at Broad-
lands.

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