The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-25 00:00:00

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HER MAJESTY, Sze.

OSBORNE, Dec. 24.
The Queen walked and rode in the grounds this
morning, accompanied by Prince Arthur.
Prince and Princess Christian drove out. Princess
Louise walked in the grounds, attended by the Hon.
Caroline Cavendish ; and Prince Leopold, Princess
Beatrice, and Prince Henry of Prussia, went out.

The Queen will hold a Council at Osborne on
Friday next, the 28th inst., at one o'clock.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colo-
nial.oftice from the Governors of the Cape of Good
Hope, Natal, St. Helena, and Heligoland. De-
spatches were sent to the Governors of the settle-
ments on the West Coast of Africa.

The Right lion. Spencer Walpole left town yes-
terday for Cambridge.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury will
receive a large party at Hatfield House, Horts, during the
festive season.

The Earl and Countess of Clarendon and Lady
Emily Villiers have arrived in Paris, on their return from
Italy, and are staying at the Hotel Mirabeau.
Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P., has returned to
Drayton Manor, near Tamworth, from visiting Lord Clon-
brock, at Clonbrock Park, Ireland.

Sir Stafford Northcote, Bart., M.P., left town on
Saturday for Pynos, Exetor.

The Duke of Richmond, as Chancellor of the
University of Aberdeen, has given his casting 'vote i
favour of Mr. Grant Duff as Lord Rector.

RECEPTION OF THE AMERICAN

MINISTER IN PARIS.

PARIS, Dec. 24.
Major-General Dix yesterday presented to the
Emperor his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States,
accompanying the presentation with the following
speech :

" Sire,—ln presenting my credentials upon the
part of the President of the United States, I am
charged by him to express his best wishes for your
Majesty and for the prosperity of the French Em-
pire, as well as his sincere desire that the good un-
derstanding at present subsisting between the two
countries may be perpetual. Since the establishment
of their Government it has always been the aim of
the United States to cultivate friendly relations
with all nations. There are especial reasons for their
desire to entertain the most amicable relations with
France. They can never forget that she afforded
them most opportune and most effiacious assistance
in recognising their independent and equal rank
among the other nations of the earth. The two
countries—France during your Majesty's reign, and
the United States during the corresponding period
—have made extraordinary progress in the indus-
trial arts, and the applications of science to practical
uses. Each upon its side occupying an eminent
position at the head of the civilisation of two vast
continents, the influence of their sympathetic
movement in giving expansion to ideas and im-
printing progress upon material interests, so im-
portant to the welfare of nations, cannot fail in
making itself powerfully felt, and with advantage
far beyond their immediate action. I feel con-
vinced of not exaggerating the sentiments of the
Government and the people of the United States if
I say that it is their sincere desire to see this union,
which attached them to France in times (One by,
ripen in the future, to change into still closer and
more cordial friendship. I shall esteem myself the
happiest of men if, during the accomplishment of
my official duties towards your Majesty's Govern-
ment, I am in a position to contribute, in any degree,
to this object so intimately bound up with the pro-
sperity and the happiness of the two countries and
with the interests of humanity throughout the entire
world."
The Emperor replied :

" I thank you, general, for the sentiments you
express towards me in the name of the Government
of the United States. The historical reminiscences
you call up are a sure guarantee that no misunder-
standing will arise to disturb the friendly relations
so long existing hetween France and the American
Union. A loyal and sincere agreement will, I
doubt not, contribute to the profit of industry and
commerce, which daily astonishes the world by their
marvels, and will secure the progress of civilisation.
Your presence among us cannot but contribute to
this happy result by upholding the relations to
which I attach the utmost value."