The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-21 00:00:00

rllz strN, LONDON' MON DAY EVENING, JUNE 21, 1858.

can it be needed. The Spanish Court has but to
understand that we mean to be trifled with no
longer ; that "passive resistance," the most
awkward resistance, as Lord MALMESBURY
said, of all to overcome, may yet be over-
come by active measures, and we quite
expect that the Cuban slave-trade would cease at
once, that our African squadron would cost us
but a comparative trifle, that half our misunder-
standings with America would be rectified, and
that we should at length obtain what we have pur-
chased with half-a-million of money. Lord
MALMESBURY understands how to deal with pas-
sive resistance at Naples ; we must leave it to
him to deal with it as effectively at Madrid. If
he do, his name will not be forgotten in English
History.

The bill recently introduced by the Attorney-
General, relative to crossed cheques, has excited
considerable sensation in the City. Some pro-
vision which would render the crossing a specific
direction that the document should only be paid
through the particular bank named therein, or
through some bank where there were merely the
transverse lines and the words " and Co." inserted,
had long been called fur by the commercial com-
munity. Notwithstanding the time that the
practice has existed until it became a recognised
custom, much doubt existed until recently as to
the legal effect and operation thereof.
BELLAMY v. MARJORIBANKS was the leading
case on the subject, in which the defendants, the
celebrated banking establishment of Messrs.
COUTTS and Co., were sought to be made respon-
sible for a large sum of money, the amount of a
cheque specially crossed to the Bank of England,
but paid to a private bank, whose business name
had been substituted for the Bank of England.
A verdict was in the first instanee found for the
plaintiff, which was subsequently set aside by the
full court, and judgment was eventually given for
the defendant. The principle that such a cheque
should be paid only through a bank was
recognised in the judgment, considering it " a rea-
sonable and lawful practice and usage, in order
to secure as far as possible payment of cheques
to honest and bona fide holders." They refused
to carry it farther, or to require that it should
be paid only to one particular bank.
The case of CARLON v. IRELAND followed. The
defendant there was not the banker by whom the
cheque was payable. He had cashed a cheque
specially crossed for a clerk of the plaintiff's, who
had been entrusted with it to pay it in to the
plaintiff's credit, but had misappropriated it.
He was well known to the defendant, who enter-
tained no doubt as to his being authorised to
obtain the proceeds. In this case also the action

failed, and the defendant was exonerated.
Such was the state of the law when Mr.
APSLEY PELLATT introduced a measure which ob-
tained the legislative sanction, by which it was
enacted (19th and 20th Vie., c. 25), that "in
every case when a draft on any banker made pay-
able to bearer or to order on demand, bears across
its face an addition in written or stamped letters
of the name of any banker, or of the words "and
Company," in full or abbreviated, either of such
additions shall have the force of a direction to the
bankers upon whom such draft is made, that the
same is to be paid only to or through some
bankers, and the same shall be payable only to or
through some banker." Even this, however,
turned out a failure. In SimmoNs v. TAYLOR the
question was raised. The plaintiff drew a cheque
on the London Joint-Stock Bank, and crossed it
with two transverse lines and the words " Co.;"
the cheque fell into dishonest hands, the lines and
words " & Co." were carefully removed, and in
that state the cheque was presented and paid.
There was no appearanc3 whatsoever of the
crossing at the time the cheque was paid, and the
decision was again in favour of the defendant,
notwithstanding that the act above referred to was
relied on.

Such is the present state of the law. It has
occasioned considerable uneasiness in mercantile
circles, and niany representations have been
made urging the necessity for some more strin-
gent enactments. The Attorney-General, recog-
nising the propriety and justice of these demands,
has introduced a measure on the subject, which is
now before the House, and which, with some trifling
modifications, will effectually protect the drawers
and holders of crossed cheques from any loss, but
it renders the banks responsible, and hence has
created great excitement amongst that important
class of the community.
Mr. W. McKEwArr, the general manager of the
London and County Bank, who has necessarily
had much experience in banking affairs, after an
interesting account of the mode in which
the custom sprung up and obtained the force of
law, sums up very forcibly the objections
felt by the banking community to the contem-
plated measure. They are as follows :
" 1. That the banker has at present cast upon him
by law a heavy responsibility, under which no ordinary
vigilance or care will guard him from frequent losse..
' They are—let. Forgery of endorsements on bills of ex-
change ; in these cases the signatures of the in-
doriers cannot possibly in one instance out of a thou-
sand be known to the banker. A few years since a
London banker was compelle.l to lose several thousand
pounds in consequence of having paid a bill accepted
by an insurance company, the forged endorsements
actually existing on the bill at the time it was
accepted by the company, whose agent was the
defrauder. 2. Forged cheques and acceptances ; The
recent conviction of a:ang of forgers, who had successfully
for many years carried on their practices, revealed that
these men had organised a scheme of a most perfect
character, and were able to reproduce signatures so per-
fect in their imitation of the originals, thatit became im-
possible to detect the fraud until after it had been me-
cessfully perpetrated.

"In wa. cake in which this bank was defrauded by a
series of forged cheques uttered by the clerk of a cus-
tomer, the execution of the forgeries was -so good that
the customer himself did not on the first examination
of his paid cheques, detect them all.
"The proposed bill is uujust, as it will not only re-
lieve, ht, the customer of the bank from his fai► share
of responsibility and risk of loss arising from the dis•
honesty of his own, or the public servants of the Post-
office service ; but, 2nd, will also relieve from the like
responsibility and risk persons with whom the banker,
as drawee of a cheque, has no connection it is far from
being an improbable occurrence that a cheque shall be
issued uncrossed, be crossed with 'and Co.' ny a subse-
quent holder, and, after passing through several hands,
be the subject of a collusive fraud on the banker. It
will tend to generate on the part of the holders of erected
cheques a want of care and cdution in guarding these
documents.

"The evimination cf the crosEing on cheques at the
cltaringdaouee will be very difficult, and frequently quhe
impracticable ; the greatest delivery of cheques for pay-
ment through the clearing-house takes place between
half-past three and fuur o'clock, and after the latter hour
no more are received, three-quarters of an hour on ordi-
nary day% and one hour on stock settling days are al-
lowed for the banker to examine signatures and ac-
counts, and make his entries before payment or re-
turn oisuch cheques as are unpaid, and it is not an un-
frequent occurrence for one tanker to have to pay from
2,000 to 3,000 cheques on a settling day, and a propor-
tionate number on ordinary occasions—an examination of
the crossings, which must be made within the clearing-
house, rand before any entry or other examination is
wage, becomes impossible within the allotted term.
The above may be taken as the case of the
bankers against the bill now pending: Much may,
however, be said on__ gitl.9ther side. By issuing
cheques on paper, chemically prepared, the cross-
ing could not be got rid of. There might be a
very expense in so doing ; but surely
that triflingohld
not be weighed against the security
c
and convenience that would follow. And, if
essential, the cost might be added to that of the
stamp, which is now invariably charged to the
customer. Tina iritling charge would willingly be
paid by the enStemer. We trust that the provi-

sions so urgently called for will bo carried into
effect, and perfect security given to the trading
and commercial classes against the serious losses
to which they are now exposed.

HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO BIRMINGHAM.

The following letter has been received from Mr,
Secretary Walpole :
This letter was read at a Ppecial meeting of the
T,wo Council on Friday, and was received with
much applause.

"Whitehall, June 17.
"Sir,—lt is my pleasing duty to inform you that I
have received the Queen's commands to signify to you
her Majesty's entire approval of the arrangements which
were made on the occasion of her Majesty's recent visit
to the borough of Birmingham, and further to express to
you the sincere gratification which her Mbje4y derived
from the universal loyalty as well as the admirable and
orderly behaviour of the large number of her faithful
people whom her Majesty rejoiced to see present.—l
am, sir, your obedient servant,
" S. H. W. WALroLE.
"The Mayor of Birmingham."

Whilst her Majesty was at Aston-hall on Tues-
day a gold m-dal was presented to her. The ob-
verse contained a view of Aston-hall, cut with
much skill, care, acid delicacy of elaboraion, with
inscriptions recording the dates of the commence-
ment and completion of the building, and its pur-
chase by the people of Birmingham. On the centre
of the reverse is a profile of the Queen, neatly
modelled and surrounded by a wreath composed of
the rose, the shamrock, and the thistle, intertwined
will oak leaves, and the other national emblems,
displaying great delicacy of manipulation. To
these are added inscriptions, setting loin the date
and occasion of the royal visit to the town. This
work of art was executed by Mr. Joseph Moore.
The one presented to her Majesty was a very beau-
tiful specimen, and her Majesty accepted it with
marked pleasure.

MINISTERIAL AND POLITICAL MOVE-
MEIN TS.

The Earl of Derby has been obliged, from an obsti-
nate attack of the gout, to absent himself from atten-
dance in the House of Lards during last week. The
noble earl is rather better, and no doubt in a few days
will be able to resume the more active duties of his
office.

The Earl of Malmesbury entertained a distinguished
circle at dinner, last Saturday evening, at his residence
in Whitehall Gardens.

Sir Joh❑ and Lady Pakington entertained Lord
Stanley and a select circle at dinner on Saturday even-
ing at the right hon. baronet's official residence at the
Admiralty.

The Marquis of Salisbury, as Lord President of the
Council, bad a conversazione last Saturday evening at
the South Kensington Museum. The Marchioness of
Salisbury came to town txpressly to assist in the recep-
tion of visitors. Above 1,000 of the leading members of
the nobility, and the chief members of the various lite-
rary and scientific institutions of the metropolis were
invited.

Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston had a large
circle of friends to dinner on Saturday evening, at Cam-
bridge House, Piccadilly. Lady Palmerston, after
dinner, had a reception, at which a very numerous circle
assembled.

The Duchess of Cambridge, the Hereditary Grand
Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, and the Princess
Mary honoured the Earl and Countess of Jersey by their
company at dinner last Saturday evening, at their man-
soin in Berkeley-square. A distinguished circle had the
honour to be invited to meet the royal guests. The
countess had a large assembly in compliment to the
royal visitors.

The select committee appointed by the House of
Lords to inquire into the present system of proceedings
in Parliament on srivate bills, and to consider whether
any improvemect can be effected to regulate and facili-
tate such legislation, and diminish its expense, consists
of the following peers :—The Duke of Somerset, the
Duke of Newcastle, Duke of Buccleucb, Duke of
Montrose, Earls Stanhope, Romney, Powis, Greys
Granville, Lords Donotghmore, Everhlty, Wodehonse,
Rodeadale, Portman, Staol .y of Alderley, Belper, and
the Marquis of elanricarde. The committee meet on
Thursday next to appoint their chairman.

A Cabinet Council was held at two o'cleck on Satur-
day at the private residence of the Earl of Derby, who
was prevented by indisposition from proceeding to join
his colleagues in Downing-street. Besides the noble earl
the following Ministers were present :—The Right Hon.
B. Disraeli, the Lord Chaocellor, the Marquis of Salis-
bury, the Earl of Hard wicke, Mr. Secretary Walpole,
The Earl of Malmesbury, the Right Hon. Sir E. B.
Lytton, the Right Bon. General Peel, the Right Hon.
Sir J. Pakington, Lord Stanley,
.the Right Hon. J.
Henley, and Lord J. Manners.
THE KING OP THE BELGIANS.—His Majesty the King
of the B,lgians, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess
of Brabant, Count of Flandres •and suite, yesterday.jeft
the royal station at the Bricklayers' Arms, at 11 a.m.,
by special train, and arrived at St. Leonards, by the
South Eastern Railway, at one p.m. Af,er staying four
hom, the royal party returned to London by a special
train, which left St. Leonards for the Bricklayers' Areas
a, fire p.m. The royal train was in charge of Mr. C.
W. Eborall, the general manager of the South-Eastern
Railway, and Mr. J. P. Knight the superintendent.
At Drury-lace, Mr. E. T. Smith continues to develope
his scheme of giving the highest operatic talent at the
lowest prices ; and on Wednesday, in Bellini's " I
Puritani," Madame Persiani will appear, for the first
time on this stage, in her celebrated character of Elvira.
On each evening there will be a change of opera to
enable the full powers of the company to be displayed.
At the Princess's' toe new and splendid revival of
" The Merchant of Venice" will be represented every
evening during the week.
HATAIABIEET.—Mr. Buckstone cloves his theatre on
the 7th July, after an uninterrupted series of perform-
ances over 500 nights. The interval between the closure
and the °peeing, which will take place at the end of
September, will be employed iu renovating and re-de-
corating the theatre. We understand that the Hay-
market company proceed, with Mr. Buckatone, to Man-
chester, where they commence a short season, on the
11th July.
Mr. George Tnrpin, the respected box bock-keeper to
the Haymarket, announces his annual benrfi for Wed-
nesday, the 23,1 of June, with " A Comical Countess,"
in which Miss Talbot has kindly coneeoted to appear in
her original character ; "An Unequal Match," a
Striking Widow," in which Mr. Buckstone, Mr. W.
Farren, and Mrs. Buckingham White will appear ; and
the popular ballet of " Jack's Return from Canton," by
Mr. Arthur Leclercq, Mr. Charles Leclercq, and Miss
Louisa Leclercq. Mr. Turpin will, no doubt, have a
bumper, for he richly deserves it.

OLYMPIC.—We regret to learn that, owing to serious
ill heal,b, that gentlemanly and promising young actor,
Mr. Walter Gordon, who during the present season at
this theatre has been making such notatle and excel•
lent progress in his profession and in public favour, has
been obliged to retire, for a period, from the stage. The
cituedy of " Going to the Bail," f 'flowed by "A
Cabinet Question" will be played for the ntxt six
nights.

The Adelphi campany commence a visit of eleven
nights to the Sadltrs Wells Theatre this evening. The
pieces dining the week will be "The Green Bushes, '
and "Our French Lady's Maid."

THE OLD ADELPHI.—TLe scenery, machinery, and all
the moveable cont-uts of the ad Adelphi, having been
removed, the work of demolition commenced on Thurs-
day laFt, and bee been since carried on with amarng
vigour. In a few days the building will be completely
swept away, and the ereciien of the new house com-
menced. Mr. Webster and Mr. Wyatt, the architect, are
c)nfident of the house being completed and ready to
open by the Ist of October.
The Surrey Theatre will be enlivened for the next
six nights by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Barney
Williams, in the popular piecei'of "Ireland as it Was,"
"Oar Gal," and " Barney, the Baron."
ASTLEY'S—Mr. William Cooke's benefit, under the
distinguished patronage of his Grace the Duke of Wel-
_

lingtoii, took Place on—Thursday evening. There was a
brilliant assemblage of rank and fashion, which must
have been high'y gratifying to the worthy manager.
The entertainments were of the highest order, and
seemed to give perfect satisfaction. We perceive that
the theatre closes for the season on the 26th inst., for
the purpose of being redecorated, and having extensive
alterations made.

The management of the Strand perform Dance's new
comedy of " Marriage a Lottery," this evening, and
during the week, with "The Bride of Abydos" and " My
Wife's Seooed Floor."
SOMETHING OUT OP TUNE.--It is said that Professor
Sterndale Bennett has seceded from his position in the
Royal Academy of Mucic—and further, that he has re-
quested that his name may be withdrawn from the list
of honorary associates.
ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—That very large
portion of the public who fir several years past has ben
accustomed to be instructed and amused by Mr. Pepper,
will hear with regret that the connection of that gen-
tleman with the Polytechnic, as sole lessee and pro-
fes•or of chemistry, will case on the 24th. This day,
to-morrow, and Wednesday have been devoted to the
purpose cf giving this most useful servant, pre
vious to his retirement from the scene of his
arduous labours, the- first complimentary benefit which
he has taken since his connection with the institution.
Oa the days which we have mentioned, Mr. Pepper will
deliver some of his most popular lectures. Mr. Albert
Smith will also contribute something to the entertain•
ments, as well as Mr. Henry Leslie and his vocal choir.
This evening there will be the exhibition of the cos-
morainic and stereoscopic pictures. Mr. Horne's musi-
cal entertainment, the national music of England in the
sixteenth and• seventeenth centuries, the continental
trip, and other Attractions. To•mcrrow evening the
coloured opera troupe will give their last very excellent
performance at the Polytechnic. Oa Wednesday even-
ing the illustrations of the Rebellion in India will be
gisee, a concert by H. Leslie's choir, some of the finest
madrigals being inc;ucled in the programme ; and Mr. A.
Smith will sing his eon of "Brown on his Travels ;"
after which Mr. Pepper will take leave of his audience,
and his old friends and supporters. We sincerely trust
that the opportunity afforded by these farewe'l perfor-
mances of showing respect for a talented, zealous, afld
indefatigable contributor to the general stink of ueeZai
infortiateen and innoctnt recreation will be taken ad-
vantage of.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

It is a great pity that Madlle. Titiens should be
obliged to leave us without having performed some more
of those great characters belonging to the high classic
school of tragic opera, in which she now excels, we be•
lieve, every living singer. The only part of the kind
Madlle. Titiens has played in England is that of Donna
Anna in "Il Don Giovanni," and it ware superfluous
to tell our readers how greatly she succeeded in it, or
how much that really grand impersonation has contri-
buted to the fame she now enjoys in this country. As
the heroine of Beethoven's "Fidelio," Gluck's "Iphi-
genie en Tauride," or "Weber's "Oberon," she woull
have appeared to the utmost advantage, improved the
public taste, and—as we think, at least—have drawn
trout ded houses. But in the present state of affairs mana-
gers are not, unhappily, always free to choose their own
course of action, even though that be the only right one;
and the dire necessity of conciliating a depraved taste,
and succumbing to prejudices, violent in proportion to
their silliness, will account for many of the strange mis-
takes and shortcomings which call, nevertheless, for the
critic's animadversion. It may be very true that, where
large commercial interests are at stake, the public critic
shouli exercise his vocation with circumspection—that
if a series of articles in which the truth be very harshly
told possess the power of closing up a large theatrical
establishment, and throwing some hundreds of deserving
persons " out of bread," as the phrase goes, it is better,
in one sense at least, that such articles should not be
Published. It is proper, in short, to let mercy temper
justice, and even to lean to mercy's side. But still,
there is a point at which even kindness should stop ; and
whatever respect may be due to the commercial inte-
rests of a management struggling with great difficulties,
such as every management in this country must neces-
sarily encounter, the critic's first and paramount duty is
to the public in relation to the art he professes to criti-
cise, and whose taste is wholly dependent upon the
works most frequently set befora them. Musical art is
far too grand and important a thing to be lightly dealt
with. Its influence upon tha passions and emotions—
its power of enobling and enervating the mind, of ex-
citing the purest and deepest feelings of the soul, or of
becoming a merely sensual, frivolous, and contemptible
pastime acconling to the manner in which it is used,
has been known and recognised by all enlightened
and refined minds ever since the time of the
ancient Greeks. Music, in short, I,ke every other art
which influences man's nature, is potent for good or
evil ; and although it cannot present an unchaste image
to the eye, or inculcate an immoral principle, it may
nevertheless produce something akin to both, namely,
a state of feeling combining voluptuous langour with
vulgar enjoyment, whose tendency is to debase the mind
and render it unsusceptible of great thoughts, which,
however differently they may be expressed in various
arts, have all the same source. We know of nothing
more humiliating to a lover of true music than to ob-
serve the delight of some people whilst listening to the
vapil strains of modern Italian opera. The blank idiotic
vacuity of their countenances, the meaningless wave of
the outstretched hands, do they not faithfully reflect the
imbecility of the music ? Nobody in his senses, we be-
lieve, would suppose such results could emanate from an
intellectual source. We may very possibly be preaching
in the Desert ; but still, when season after season passes
without any sign cf improvement—when Italian opera-
houses are springing up around us like mushrooms, and
works of the lowest order of art form the staple attrac-
tions at all of them, it is really time to remind the pub-
lic that there is such a thing as fine operatic music in
existence—that there might be much more if they would
have it so—and to endeavour at least to uphold the true
standard of art, upon which are emblazoned so many
immortal names, if we cannot succeed in making
it popular, as it ought to be. No man having
any voice in public affairs of art should allow such
a state of things to exist without entering his protest,
if it be but occasionally, against it, for it is some•
thing to maintain people's belief in ao important truth,
even if we cannot make them love it.

Madly. Titiens, the great tragic queen of the German
lyric stage, is about to leave us without having been
afforded opportunities for displaying half her genius,
which shines most brightly in the works of the greatest
masters, and the prevalence of modern Italianism is the
cause. Thus have the above general reflections been
forced upon us ; but it should be at the same time un-
derstood that they apply with equal force to all our
Italian opera-houses, and must by no meaus be limited
to the establishment immediately under notice. Every-
whet e is Verdi rampant, sac! everywhere, as a necessary
consequence, is an attempt made to trample the classic
standard in the mud. Titiens was of course un-
able to contend with such overwhelming circumstances
as those which surrounded the commencement of her
career in this country, and therefore appeared in parts
like Leonora in "It Trovatore," and Lucrezia in "Lu-
crezia Borgia," reserving others more worthy of her
powers for a future season, when the magic of her genius,
then better known and appreciated, may possibly make
even the kabieues of the Italian opera swallow a classic
dase or two with something like resignation. Of Madlle.
Titiens' efforts in modern Italian opera we prefer her
last, namely, the impersonation of Lucrezia Borgia.
Making due allowance for a cer'ain constraint imposed
upon her by a strange language, the peculiar requite-
talents of unmitigated Italian music, and the know.
ledge that other singers "to the manner born" had
already played the same part on the Landon stage with
immense success, we cannot but think the gifted G. r-
man's performance a triumph in its way. Physically,
she is perfectly well suited to the character. Her tall,
stately, and elegant figure, her large eye, flashing com-
mand, the full magnificent voice, so capable of expressing
all the stormy or pathetic accents of lyric tragedy, at e
most assuredly equal to the requirements of Doniaatti's
heroine, and it is almost superfluous to add that an ar-
tistic mind which could grasp the whcls meaning of a
part like Mozart's Donna Anna, and expres that mean-
ing so clearly and beautifully, is not wanting in power to
realise such a conception as "Lucrezia Borgia." Briefly,
then, nobody acquainted with the phy,ical and mental
abilities of Madlle. Titiens will doubt for a moment that
she is more fitted for the due pourtrayal of the part, her
personation of which immediately concerns us, than any
other young artist at present upon the Auglo-Italian
stage. We remark, indeed, in her conception a gran-
deur and idea!ity, and in her execution a temperance and
smoothness which give new value to the composer's
notes, materially mitigate the turgid, vain.glorious fury
of his bombast, and even impart something like dignity
to his meretricious frivolity. Once, and once only,
throughout the opera, does Madlle. Titiens descend
from the hei4h's of lyric tragedy, and address herself
to the ears rather than the minds of her audience; and
this is to show what, perhaps, her great admirers did not
previously en• peat, namely, that in addition to her other
vocalisation.if
the
entrz Weof
the air, " Corn' e belle," which is as remarkable for
ai
unsurpassable aid well-known abilities, she is a com-
plentden to Madlle.mistressof
Titiens'tla
e nrtexoeti fcfiti d
n n
rapid fluency as it is for deenrative fancy and rich
brill.ancy of tons. Never bs fore, in our recollection at
least, was so much effect given to this particutaily insipid
tune. For us, however, the oftlyentense and exqui-
sitely mellow tones "in linked-sweetness, long-drawn
out" of her " Com' e hello," and " ma tux madre,"
coloured as they are by dramatic sentiments of the
truest kind, have much greater charms—although it is
not even in these instances that Madlle. Titiens' "fiery
and original virtue" can appear in all its native force
and fulness, or rise to the poetical rapture it is enabled
to reach in later scenes ti the opera, namely, those which
terminate the first and second acts, where the heart-
rending acacia's r.f a mother's agony, wrung from the
depths of a "divine despair'--the stern, haughty,
scornful courage, and blood-thirsty fierceness of the
B ,rgie, are by turns pourtraved by the gifted artist with
harrowing truthfulness. The extraordinary success
achieved by Madlle. Titiens on the first perortuance of
"Lucrezia Borgia," great as it was, was fairly sur-
passed by that which attended her second representa-
tion of the character on Saturday evening. On both
occasions the celebrated German prima donna was moat
efficiently supported by Signor Griuglini, Signor Bsl-
letti, and Mme. Alboni, es Gennaro, Duke Alfonso, and
Maffei Orsini. Rarely, indeed, if ever, has the opera
of " Lucrezia Borgia" been so grandly and completely
rendered in a Loudon theatre.—Morning Post.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPEBA.—Her Majesty the Queen and
his Royal Highness the Prince Consort honoured the
performances of the Italian Opera with their presence
on Saturday evening. The Queen and his Royal High-
ness were accompanied by his Majesty the King of the
Belgians, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duche,
of Brabant and his Royal Highness the Count de
Flandres. In attendance on her Majesty and the
Prince Consort were the Duchess of Athol!, the Hon.
Miss Byng, Lord Colville, Lord Crafton, and Col.
Francis Seymour. The suite 'of the Belgian royal
family comprised the Countess d'Yve de Bavay, Count
de Moekerke, Baron d'Overchie de Nerische, Dr. Keopl,
and Capt. Burnell. Among the fashionable company
who attended the theatre we remarked—the Duchess
of Montrose, Maria Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Mar-
quis and Marchioness of Adasbury, the Marquis of
Hartington, the Marquis of Donegall, the Earl and
Countess of Scarborough, the Countess of Clare, the
Earl and Countess of Beeeive, the Earl of Lucan, the
Earl of Cardigan, the Earl of Coventry, the Earl of
Gifford, Viscount Torrington, Lady Georgiana Codi ing-
ton and Lady Henrietta Morant, Lord and Lady Pottle
more, Lady Elinor Cavmsdich and Mr. F. Caven-
dish, Lady Panmure and Mr. Power, the Lord
Mayor and the Lady Mayoress and Miss C irden, Hon.
Major Ca:thorpe, Hon. Maj r Needriain, Hon. Capt.
Vivian, Hon. Capt. Fenner, Hon. John Fortescue,
Hon. Mrs. Charles Coat and the Hon. Flora Macdonald,
Hon. Mrs. Roue, Hon. C. Spring Rice, Sir George
Arre.ytsge, Lord Lawley, Sir Alexander Bannerman,
Lady O'Connor and Miss O'Connor, Sir Frederick Roe,
Sir H. Winston Barron, Sir Benjamin Hall, 111,P., and
Lady Hall, Sir 11. Cutterell, Lady Ticroey, Gtn. Reeve
and the Misses Reeve, Gen. Robbins, Col. Bigge, Col.
De Bathe, Col. B. Knox. M.P., C.A. Meyrick, Col. A.
Meyrick, Col. Minebin, Capt. Turner, Capt. Farquhar-
son, Capt. Vivian; Capt. Hansard, Mrs. Geo. Carpenter,
Mr. and Mrs. Petre, Mr. Hubert de Buegb, Mr. Mar-
tineau, Mr. and Mrs. Graham Smith, Mr. Wickham,
M.P., Mr. Gerar,l Sturt, M.P., and Lady Augusta
Sturt, Mr. Duff Gordon, Mr. Langston, MY., Mr.
Baldoek, M.P., Mr. Heger Palmer, Mr. Antrobus, Mr.
Mildrnay, Mr. Du Cape, M.P., Mr. E. Ellice, M.P.,
Mr. Franklyn, M.P., Mr. Vane, Mr. Woodford, Mr.
Alston, Mr. Webster, Mr, Charles Martyn,
On Saturday Miss Arabella Goddard's matir:6e mu-
sicale will take place at Willis'e-roorns. The lover cf
music will there ore find that hie tastss during the week
ensuing will baee " ample room and vergo olougn" for
tho.inliest gratification!

LATEST NEWS.

FRANCE.
PARIS, SUNDAY.
It is said that a letter to the following effect was
addressed by a high personage to the late Minister
a few days before his eclipse—" My dear General,
we must part. I appreciate your devotedness and
your services, but the country will not accept
you ?"
The Emperor's arrival at St. Cloud is announced.
M. Drouyn de Lhuys is spoken of for the London
Embassy in the event of -Marshal Pclissier retiring,
or for the Foreign-office.
The sixth sitting of the Conference on the organ-
isation of the Danubian Principalities took place
on Saturday, at the Hotel of the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs.
M:Pietri has returned to Paris from Corsica, on
a summons, it is said, by telegraph. Report states
that he is to resume his former poition as Prefect
of Police.

We find the following in the Moniteur :—" The
measures lately recommended to the departmental
administrations for the conversion into rente of the
lauded property of the hospitals and charitable in-
stitutions have been, as is well known, put into
practice on several points with complete suc-
cess. A charitable establishment founded at Rocl co-
fort for the reception of the widows and or-
phans of sailors, and of naval and military wo-k-
-men, may be particularly mentioned. This institu-
tion, called the Hospice des Orphelines, had caused
to be able to provide from its own resources for the
object for which it was founded, and could only
maintain the number of inmates fixed by the regu-
lations by means of a kind of subvention granted to
the establishment of the Department of Marine, in
not demanding payment for oertain supplies fur•
nished to it. This much to be regretted state of
things led the committee charged with the direction
of the hospice to sell the estate of Beligen, which
belonged to it, which took place in virtue of decree
of April 23, 1853, and tLe sale produce/ a sum con-
siderable enough to triple the revenue previ )ut,ly
derived from the landed property. Since the year
1857, the Hospice des Orphelines has been able to
provide for all its wants from its own resources, and
as that year closed with a surplus in the receipts, it
may be foreseen that the establishment will receive
an extension, or at all events ameliorations, very
beneficial to the poor of Rochefort."
BOURSE, Juno 19.—The following were the clos-
ing quotations :

4i per Cents 94 40,
Do, end month-- --

3 per Cent. ..... 63 201
Do. end month 6B 30'
Bank Shares.., 3550
Credit Mobilier
Do. Account 633 75

RAILWAYS.•
Orleans
Northern
N©w Ditto 755

Credit Foncier
Belgian 4,1
Piedmontese (5)
Roman
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
-
--FOR CASII.

Lyon and Mediteran 7;io
New Ditto --

Geneva

Midi
Western' 6OO
Strasburg
Grand Central .
Sardinian
Austrian

S ERVIA.

A letter . from Belgrade of the 11th, in the Ost
Deutiche Post, says :—" Eight men and a corporal
of Turkish regulars endeavoured this morning to
pull down the English flag, but they were dispersed
by the Servian police. As it is possible that the
Turkish regulars may renew their attempt, the
English consul-general has applied to the Servian
Government for a military force capable of pro-
tecting him. Discipline is completely at an end i n
the Turkish fortress, and the soldiers are said t o
contemplate a revolt ; but should it spread to the
town, a strong resistance will bo offered by the
citizens."

TURKEY.
VIENNA, JUND 17.
The Constantinople mail of the 12th inst. has
brought the following news :—The troops intended
for Thsuia (the Herzegovine) are being con.
centrated at -Varna. A ship containing 1,015
men has already arrived at Constantinople
from Varna. The papers have made public the
chargts brought by the inhabitants of Candia
against Vely Pasha. Sir Henry Bulwer is expected
at Constantinople in the course of a few days.
Ramsi Effendi, the President of the Commercial
Court at Constantinople, who has been sent by the
Porte to Candia, has had an interview with the
leaders of the insurgents in the presence of Vely
Pasha, and promised them the abolition of the
abuses imnplained or. The Christians demand a
fit man to that effect, under the guarantee of the
Great Powers, and the immediate removal of Vely
Pasha. Tire emigration from the island continues.
Advices from Teheran of the
,20th of May state
that the Turco-Persian frontier districts of the Per-
sian province of Azerbeidjan (it lies to the east
of the great lake of Van) are in a state of insurrec-
tion, and are harried by the Turki,h Kurds.
The Vest. Zeitung learns from Budua that on the
6th inst. seven steamers were moving in a northerly
direction, but it could not be distinguished what
flag they were under. The probabiiity is that they
were Turkish vessels conveying troops to Gravosa.