The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-02 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOISDON, FRIDAY EV.ENING, MARCH 2, 1866.

CORRY, whose very able and pertinent speech was
simply unanswerable from its Ulf& and common
sense, commented very strongly on the extreme
negligence and imprudence of the Admiralty in
deferring the necessary experiments, when it
was quite possible that their issue might completely
revolutionise our navy. Mr. CORRY did not agree
with the hon. member for Tavistock in thinking
that we should immediately build a large
number of sea-going ships, not because he
differed from Mr. SAMLDA in thinking that we
required a much greater number of vessels than we
I had, but owing to the uncertainty as to the best
system of construction. For this uncertainty we
have, as Mr. CORRY very justly observed, to thank
the Admiralty, since a series of fair trials would

by this time have placed us in a very different
position. The anxiety which they profess on the

subject has certainly been manifested, as Mr. CORBY
observed, in a very singular manner. "In these

days of competition between armour and artillery,
when one year they had a target that could resist
the most powerful gun, and next year a gun that
smashed the most powerful target, when the most

distinguished men, among others Captain SIIERARD
OSBORN, maintained that there was hardly any limit
to the weight of the gun that may be worked on the
turret principle, it was the bounden duty of
the Admiralty, without loss of time, to take
measures to solve the problem whether the
turret could be adapted to a seagoing ship.
But what had they done? Absolutely nothing."

They are, as we all know, talking about their firs
vessel, and that vessel, as we. also know, is not to
be built under the originator of the system. " The
story of the turret," said Mr. CORRY, "is a very
melancholy one, and certainly official routine and
prejudice were never shown in a stronger light.
Now that the Admiralty have at last been forced
to give the system a trial, though not as we have
said under the guidance of the proper party,
they are endeavouring to make the experi-
ment as costly and unsatisfactory as pos-
-1
sible. The Monarch is to be over 5,000 tons,
though no less an authority than Mr. SAMUDA de-
clared that " the whole advantage of the cupola
system was entirely thrown overboard if the prin-
ciple laid down by the Admiralty was admitted."
The idea of a cupola ship, as Mr. SAMUDA briefly
put it, is to enable a small hull to carry very power-
ful and heavy artillery ; so that when this 5,000-
ton vessel is built we shall not be much wiser than
before as to the real merits of the cupola system—
a question which affects not only the entire construc-
tion of our navy, but the extension and remodelling
of our docks and harbours. The cost and the delay
are both serious grievances in the case of this forth-
coming Monarch. We have no doubt Messrs. LAIRD,
Messrs. SAMUDA, or the Thames Shipbuilding Com-
pany, would either of them construct a turret ship
at half the cost and in half the time. But the Ad-
miralty, in spite of all rebuffs, disappointments, and
failures, continues to pin its faith to Mr. REED,
although they must certainly have become con-
vinced by this time that that gentleman's per-
formances have failed to satisfy the House or the
country. Some very severe comments were passed
upon the new ships last night, many of them, we
fear, more true than complimentary. Mr. COP,RY,
whose speech we have already referred to, declared
his belief that Mr. REED was acquiring his expe-
rience in a manner very costly to the nation. The
Pallas, built for speed only, accomplished twelv e
knots an hour, and Lord C. PAGET'S expla-
nation that her trials were not finished was
sharply met by the rejoinder, that she was being
constantly altered in the hope of getting a little
more speed. Many of the armour-plated ships are
much faster than the new vessels built expressly
for speed. Scarcely a ship built during the last
three years has escaped alteration, and these altera-
tions swell the estimates to a considerable amount.
An amusing incident, forcibly illustrating the re-
marks of Mr. CORRY, was quoted by him. The
Pallas, as every one familiar with the affair knows,
throws up a wave at her bow which no alteration
can get rid of. So alarming was this wave at first
that a pilot on board instinctively exclaimed
" Breakers ahead !" The Bellerophon has also
had her bow altered ; the Lord Warden
is now in dock ; the Research is going in and
the Danz, sister ship to the Amazon, still on the
stocks, is being altered from her original design.
These alterations may all be improvements, but it is
at the best a costly and unsatisfactory way of doing
business. We suspect that if Mr. LAING, and other
gentlemen in private yards, required to change their
minds so often, Messrs. SAMUDA, LAIRD, anl others
would find their yearly receipts very considerably
diminished. But the public purse is deep enough to
afford official favourites very costly playthings.
Great credit has been claimed for Mr. REED on the
ground of rapid building. This may be true after a
fashion, for the shell of the ships is very quickly
finished, and they are sent into dock to have their
interiors completed, taking three times as long.
Mr. FERRAND, always a formidable antagonist,
from the directness and openness of his onslaught,
dealt Mr. REED and the Admiralty some very
trenchant blows. The transformation scene, which
sent Mr. LAING to Mr. SAUNDER'S dockyard, and
installed Mr. REED at the Admiralty, met with his
complete disapprobation. Three topics, he said, had
been dwelt upon during the debate--the treatment
of Capt. COLES, the dismissal of Mr. LAING, and
the state of the iron ships. On all these topics, in
fact, the verdict was against the Government ; but
Mr. FERRAND elicited from the Secretary to the
Admiralty a fact which was received with
loud cheers by the House. Captain COLES is rein-
stated. The voice of public opinion has been too
strong even for the favouritism of the Admiralty,
and Captain COLES dismissed for writing a letter
to a newspaper, while Mr. REED is shrewdly sus-
pected of being the instigator, if not the writer of
a whole series of letters to a newspaper, is allowed
to make a conditional apology and is reinstated ;
to enjoy for a little longer the pleasure of seeing
his cherished designs tried by other people. Their
failure attributed to the originator—their success
to the executor. Other nations " manage
these things better." They can not only
afford to recognise talent in their own
countrymen, but have eyes to see it abroad.
Captain COLES has received from the Emperor of
RussiA what he never received from his own Go-
vernment—a fair trial and warm approval. Cap-
tain BLAKEY did not have to remain idle long when
once he had abandoned the idea of serving his own
country. But England of course can afford to do
without such men ; and since she isto be henceforth
a pacific power, never firing a gun or sending out
a man-of-war against anyone, it is of the less conse-
quence that her own people's abilities can be turned
against her. Only
about the Estimates?

All lovers of true freedom will rejoice at the
course pursued by President JOHNSON since his
appearance as President. He has lately come for-
ward in a still more decided manner, and great
stress is laid upon his declaration to the black
deputation which lately waited upon him. Many
specious arguments were used, but fortunately the
PRESIDENT is not one who will b.: led away by

app' mrances and not realities, by sham instead 0:
nubs tance. A truer man could not hare been
ft 'um I for the position -which he holds in the pre-
se alt state of American politics ; and it is
v ery satisfactorily to find that, under circum-
stances of great difficulty, he cau so com-
iort himself as to restrain the impetuosity of
)in e, and curb the vehement propositions of others.
In .nothing has the PRESIDENT shown more sense
than in distinctly declaring that the abolition of
slave ry was not the object of the war, nor even one
of th e objects of it. We wonder what Mr. BRIGHT
and -the myrmidons of Exeter-hall will say to the
frank declaration of this bold and outspoken PRE-
SIDENT • He says, " Congress and the PRESIDENT
declared that it was an act passed in order to sup-
press the rebellion. The abolition of slavery has
come as an incident to the suppression of a great
rebellion, as an incident we should give to it
proper direction." Apart from the imme-
diate subject to which he referred, it is
fortunate that we should thus meet with so
explicit an avowal of the meaning of the war
from so influential and well-informed a personage.
More nonsense has been spoken, more cant in-
dulged in, and more absurdities proclaimed about
slavery being inseparably connected with the
meaning of the war than enough ; and it is well
that, even at the eleventh hour, we should meet
with a refutation of the fallacious notion. The
Northerners do not deserve to claim the credit of
the abolition to themselves, and it is quite idle for
their friends and admirers to persist in talking, as
if they had, at great sacrifice, originated a war for
the purpose of carrying out a great principle.
In some respects the abolition of slavery has
rendered the task of the new PRESIDENT still more
awkward, for he has had to encounter the preju-
dices of the extreme Republicans, and at some
periods of the discussion he has been in danger of
having internal discord springing up in the State.
It is quite useless to attempt to convince persons so
infatuated as these advocates of negro suffrage, and
therefore all must appreciate the decided manner in
which they are dealt with by President JOHNSON.
He distinctly informs them that their request is
impossible, and allows no shadow of a doubt to
come over his discourse, or any hesitation to be
apparent which would assuredly be turned against
him afterwards by those of his opponents who
narrowly watch his course. Mr. JOHNSON has always
maintained that there would be nothing but
confusion if the enfranchisement of all the blacks in
the Union took place, and even in England, with
very inferior means to what he possesses of appre-
ciating its consequences, we can readily conceive
the meaning of his remarks. The strife among
races would be renewed with increased bitterness,
and acerbity, and an antagonistic feeling introduced
into the States which it would have been almost
impossible to eradicate. In entering freely into the
effects of any particular change or innovation Mr.
JOHNSON has shown himself to be particularly
felicitous ; and we rejoice the more to witness this
peculiarity in his policy, as it indicates a new era in
American politics. It has been too much the fashion
with the go-ahead race to jump at conclusions,and rush
into extremes, their very acuteness has been against
them in many respects, and it will not be till gene-
rations shall have come and gone that the Anglo-
Saxon race beyond the Atlantic can hope to enjoy
the stability that only long experience can ensure,
or the wisdom that can only come through much
and varied experience, and indeed often springs
'rom failures.

Mr. JOHNSON was most wise in declining to argue
the question of the negro franchise with the depu-
tation, and by simply stating his determination,
and abiding by it, he displayed a judgment
that did him infinite crediit. He told his
audience, however, pretty plainly, what were
his opinions on the subject, and intimated that it
would be no service in the end to the race -which
called for the privilege, if it were impartial to them
in the summary fashion which they called for. He
was, he declared, the friend of the negro, and yet
he could see no good or gain that would result to
him from suffrage, and he did not feel willing that
he should be exposed to the dangers that would
affect him if the proposition was agreed to. Im-
mediate and universal suffrage would, he declared,
produce most infallibly a war between the races,
and if the whites and blacks were suddenly turned
loose upon each other, and met at the ballot-box,
" the result would be a war of extermination, in
which the stronger race would conquer the weaker."
A more statesmanlike avowal could hardly have
been given in the Cabinets of those countries which
rejoice in the civilisation and the tempered wisdom
of the Old World ; and we may fairly consider that
President JOHNSON has at last shown himself in his
true colours, and taken a decided stand upon the
broad principles of the questions now fiercely debated
in America. By telegragh the intelligence of the
PRESIDENT'S decision was made known far and wide,
and of course created excitement and wonder, while
it also gave rise to rage and indignation. The
PRESIDENT'S reply to the deputation from Vir-
ginia was also very significant, as it virtually
settled his policy on another topic of para-
mount interest and importance, namely, the
position of the Southern States and their re-
presentatives. The committee very properly
thanked Mr. JOIINSON for the "manly stand he had
taken in support of the just rights of the Southern
States," and he replied that he regarded the Southern
States as in the Union and entitled to all their rights
in it. He was in favour of their immediate admis-
sion to Congress, and, he would trust, the members,
believing them to be loyal ; furthermore promising
to use all his influence to have them admitted.
After so much shifting and changing, we cannot
but congratulate the citizens of the United States in
having at the head of affairs, at this critical junc-
ture, a man who is wise enough to form right
conclusions and firm enough to adhere to them
when he has done so.

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS.

_-~

SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 2.

The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company's ship
La Plata, from the West Indies, has arrived with
53 adult passengers, $1,125,000, and 2,400 packages

of cargo.
The Canadian Commissioners were well received
at Demerara. At a meeting of the Court of
Policy the members expressed themselves in favour
of trade with Canada, and suggested that a line of
steamers be subsidized, partly by the West India
colonies and partly by the Canadian Government.
Excessive rains at Demerara had impeded sugar
making. Business was quiet.

At Grenada the weather was favourable to plan-
ters. Tho arrival and distribution of coolies had
given an impetus to agricultural operations. The
health of the island was good.

Cholera still prevails at Guadaloupe, but was
slowly decreasing.

A considerable quantity of rain had fallen at
Trinidad, rendering the shipment of sugar difficult
in the cane localities.

The weather generally was not unfavourable.
The Commissioners from British North America ar-
rived in her Majesty's ship Buzzard on the 3d inst.
It is anticipated that a large trade will be opened
up between Canada and the West India Islands
generally.

!LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

INDIA.
(By Direct Overland Telegraph.)
BOMBAY, FEB. 27.

The surrender of the two Armstrong guns taken
at Dewangiri is confirmed. The troops were re-
turning from Bhootan.
The Sultan of Muscat has been murdered.
The tribes of the coast are in revolt.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, March 1, Three o'clock.—The market
closed at the following quotations :-
41 per Cents 99 50
Do. end month —
3 per Cents.
Do. end month 69 45
Credit Mobilier 685
Do. end month 685
Bank Shares 3680
Credit Foncier 1335
Italian Loan 6l 40
Do. end month 6l 37
RAIL

Roman
Ottoman Fives 3B 20
Mexican Loan 4B
Do. Bonds 302 50
Russian —
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt
Deferred

'AY&
Cash.

Acct.
Orleans
Northern — 1120
Lyons and Mediterranean — 902 50
Southern ... 551 25
Western — 567 50
Eastern — ... 543 75
Sardinian. ... 140
Austrian
Lombard ... 402 50
North of Spain l7l 25
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona ... 100
Romaia — 118 50

JAMAICA.
ARRIVAL OF THE LA. PLATA.
(via Southampton.).
KINGSTON, FEB. 9.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry commenced
their labours on the 25th ultimo, and have been sit-
ting daily since. They have examined many wit-
nesses, and among them Governor Eyre, whose
testimony was looked forward to by the whole
country with great anxiety.
So far, however, the oral and documentary evi-
dence he has given before the Commission has not
advanced him one step beyond the position in which
he was placed by his despatches to the Secretary of
State. The Commission have declined to allow the
barristers Messrs. Gorrie and Payne to cross-
examine on behalf of Messrs. Gordon and others.

Paul Bogle's letter has not yet been forthcoming.
The public are anxious to know its import.
Representations having been made to Sir Henry
Storks that another outbreak was to be appre-
hended, his Excellency intimated that he would
vigorously repress any such attempt. The morning
journal says these representations are utterly
groundless, and have only been made by those
favouring an outbreak, and endeavouring to drive
the people to lawless acts, for the purpose of proving
that the country is slumbering on the brink of a
volcano.

Mr. Levien was to be tried on the Bth February.

The Royal Commission entered upon their duties
on the 25th January, and have been sitting daily

ever since.

The examination of Governor Eyre was opened
with the following question from Mr. Gurney :
In November, 1864, you opened the Legislature,
and in your speech you stated, in regard to a tour
you had made round the island—" I am happy to
have this opportunity of expressing how extremely
interesting and gratifying this tour was to me. In
the varying scenery, climate, and industrial pursuits
of the different districts I saw much to admire
and value ; but however diverse from each other in
physical features or capabilities the several pa-
rishes might be, I found the inhabitants, one and all,
animated by the same spirit of loyalty, considerate
kindness, and hospitality with which I was every-
where welcomed." Ilow do you reconcile that para-
graph with the recent disturbances?
His Excellency
.replied :---I remember opening
the ordinary session of the Legislature with a speech
in which that paragraph occurs. I fully endorse
these sentiments, and gratefully remember the same.
Perhaps I may mention to the Royal Commission a
few of the changes which have taken place since then.
First, the general opinion which prevailed of the
larceny of growing provisions ; 2d, the Inspector of
Prisons' report for 1865, the report for Sept., 1861,
showing only a
few imprisonments for such larceny,
which, when compared to the following year, will
be found to increase to 35, the next year higher, and
so on for succeeding years. I mention these facts
now to show how good order prevailed then, in com-
parison to the present state of the country, and the
amount of larceny that existed. Wherever I went,
especially in St. Thomas in the East and Portland,
I was received with the greatest kindness and hospi-
tality. I noticed, on my tour, that every little
gathering along the road would have cocoanut
boughs twisted into au arch ; when my carriage
passed I was cheered. All this was done by the
very people who were afterwards in open rebellion.
What struck me as agitating the country to a
very great extent was Dr. Underhill's letter,
which was also the primary cause of the meet-
ings in the various parishes. I did not publish
Dr. Underhill's letter. Certain meetings were held,
of the nature of which I received information from
the parties themselves, who sent the resolutions
which had pissed the meetings to me to be for-
warded to the Secretary of State. I sent those re-
solutions to the different custodes and requested
them to report on them to me. The agitation which
was going on with a very damaging effect previous
to the outbreak I reported to her Majesty's Govern-
ment on the 25th August, 1865. I wrote to the
Secretary of State transmitting a statement of dis-
tress and grievances from the people of the parish
of St. Ann. That was the first fruits of Dr. Under-
hill's letter, which was a representation I knew
they would quickly take advantage of, and I feared
the result would have had a prejudicial effect and
create discontent ; that was my impression as far
back as 1865. I think that my first apprehensions
were prior to August, 1865, from information I
had received of the discontent which prevailed, and
although I cannot remember all the parishes, yet I
know with certainty of Black River, St. Elizabeth,
Westmoreland, and St. James.
I took measures to suppress any disturbances,
and gave directions to the local authorities to take
such steps as they might consider necessary in event
of any occurrence ; and those steps I believe pre-
vented them. There was nothing at all afterwards
and up to the month of October to indicate the
probability of any outbreak. On the 11th of that
month I received a letter from Mr. Custos Ketel-
hodt, dated Morant Bay, 10th October, informing
me ' that he had received notice of a serious out-
break which he expected would take place, and
which, in fact, had already commenced ; that a
band of men with sticks, and headed with music,
had stopped in front of the court-house ; that the
men went in and rescued a prisoner ;' and that
" an attempt was made to arrest Paul Bogle,
the leader of the mob at Stoney Gut, that 150
men with cutlasses had assaulted the police,
and that three were made prisoners, and made
to take an oath before they were released; and also
that they openly declared that they would come to
Morant Bay to-morrow.' The letter also went on
to state that `he was afraid the force at Morant
Bay would be incapable to cope with the body of
men,' and desired me to send such military aid as I
could."
The letter referred tohaving been put in evidence
and read, his Excellency went on to say :
That letter was referred to the Executive Com-
mittee. The Attorney-General was summoned to
attend, and it was decided that I should communi-
cate with the General. I then sent a latter to Gen.
O'Connor for all possible aid, and
that the
100 should b
prompt action. I requested
immediately sent to the disturbed
district. I then
necessity of
returned to Flamstead, a distance of about 14

from Spanish Town, and the same distance as
Spanish Town is from Kingston, within one mile.
" Governor Eyre to Major-General O'Connor.
" King's House, Oct. 11, 1865.

" have the honour to acquaint your Excel-
lency that information has just reached me that a
serious disturbance has occurred in the neighbour-
hood of Morant Bay by a party of over 100 to 150
men armed with cutlasses, bayonets, and pikes.
" It is necssary that the most prompt measures
should be taken to put down the resistance to con-
stituted authority ; and I have the honour to re-
quest your Excellency will be pleased at once to de-
tach 100 men to be removed to the disturbed dis-
trict.

" I have requested the senior naval officer to pro-
vide conveyance for these troops, if possible, in a
man-of-war, and I trust that arrangements might
be made to embark them in the course of the day,
as if possible the steamer ought to leave with them
without delay of time. It is stated that rioters
' will come to Morant Bay to-day.'

" I have, &c.,
(Signed) " E. EYRE."

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Thursday Evening.
There was a long and interesting discussion yes-
terday in the Corps Legislatif upon the Extradition
Treaty. The following are the most important parts
of it. M. Jules Favre expressed his regret that
the French Government had denounced the treaty
of the 13th February, 1843, which regulated the,
conditions under which France and England under-
took to give up criminals. The orator contended
that this resolution placed France in a perilous
position. Extradition was the common right of

Europe, and was one of the most imperious neces-

sities of civilised society. It was important for the
prevention and punishment of crime. The orator
said, "It is certain that in France individual
liberty exists only in name, the only guarantee was
that of a magistrate whose authority was sove-
reign." He then at great length denounced the
policy of the Government upon this point, con-
trasting it with that of the English Government,
which he much preferred.
M. Rouher, Minister of State, entered into a
lengthened explanation of the motives which
actuated the French Government. All the States
of Europe, except England, admitted that extra-
dition was -within the province of the executive
and not the judicial power. This constituted the
chief difficulty in the way of a new treaty. Eng-
land would always refer such questions to the
Judges. The impossibility of obtaining possession
of a criminal refugee in England had been proved
several times. The Minister proceeded to state
expressly that France was not actuated by political
motives, and explained that the Government had
still hopes that some arrangement might be made
between the two countries on this important sub-
ject. The discussion had no result, and the para-

graph which led to it was adopted.
The workmen employed in the preparatory ope-
rations for the new square near the Theatre Fran-
cais have discovered a portion of the rampart
commenced in the reign of King John, con-
tinued under Charles V., and terminated in the
reign of Charles VI. An idea of the extension of
Paris may be formed from the fact that this was the
boundary of the city at the period in question. It
was at this spot that Joan of Arc presented herself
at the siege of Paris, this being the rampart for the
defence of the city at the time.
The Marquis de Boissy, who has so distinguished
himself by his hostility to England, has just lost his
daughter, the Princess de Leon. The Princess was
42. She was the wife of Prince de Leon, son of the
Duke de Rohan, peer of France, who, however, re-
signed the dignity in 1830. The Princess leaves
several children, one of whom, Alain de Rohan, has
the title of Count de Porrhoet.

Independently of the circular railway, which will
go round Paris within the fortifications, another
circular railway is in course of construction at a
distance from the capital varying from 30 to 40
leagues. This second circular railway is destined
to connect the railways leading to Paris. The sec-
tion between Amiens and Rouen is in au advanced
state. Its length is 123 kilometres, and will pro-
bably be opened for traffic in the course of this
year. A plan for another section—that between
Rouen and Orleans—has been very favourably re-
ceived. Two other sections, one from Orleans to
Joigny, and the other from Joigny to Amiens,
the point of departure, will complete-the war circle
and connect all the principal railways, and thus
facilitate railway communication in France.

Advices have been received in Paris from Mar-

nique of the 9th of February, according to which

the cholera continued to prevail with great violence
at Guadaloupe. The disease, however, had not
reached Martinique, as has been stated in some of
the papers.

There is to be another camp at Chalons in the
month of August. There will be 30 battalions, 30
squadrons, and 10 batteries of the Imperial Guard,
forming, altogether, an army of 20,000 to 22,000
men, and various manoeuvres will be executed in
the presence of the Emperor, as was the case last
year.
I understand that Count de Goltz will return to
Paris almost immediately. A German paper states
that his visit to Berlin is quite unconnected with
politics, and that he went thither with the sole
object of arranging some private affairs of his own.
The weather in Paris, to-day, has again been
fine, and not so cold, but yesterday there was a
good deal of snow in the south of France. The ob-
servations at the Observatory of Paris presage more
storms or unsettled weather.
A Paris paper gives the following original anec-
dote of Rosseau. One morning in the year 1771 a
friend went to visit him, and found him occupied
in preparing his dinner. The friend spoke to
Rosseau several times, but he seemed so absorbed
that he made no answer. " What is the matter with
you ?" said the visitor. " Don't you know the news" ?
replied Rosseau. " The King is dead." " I did not
think the death of the King could have made such
an impression on you", said the friend. " Ah," re-
plied Rosseau, " don't you know that both of us
had to endure the hatred of the public, and now I
have all the burthen on my own shoulders."
A point of great importance connected with
literature has just been submitted to the Govern-
ment, with a view to a remedy. The subject was
discussed at the.last meeting of the Society of Men
of Letters. A journal of Geneva, La Nation Suisse,
republished an article written for the Siecle by M.
Henri Angu, entitled, "Un homme qui ne croit 4
rion." Not only did the Swiss paper copy it with-
out authority, but changed the title and gave it as
original. The president of the society of the Gens
de Lettres wrote to the editor of the Swiss news-
paper in question to claim an indemnity in the name
of the society. The answer was that the Franco-
Suisse treaty could not be carried into effect in
Switzerland, because the Swiss Confederation was
not competent to execute it ; and that, therefore,
the Swiss tribunals would not sanction the claim of
the society. As this state of things, should it really
be the case, would invalidate all international treaties
to prevent literary piracy, the society has drawn up
a statement of the circumstances, which has been
forwarded to the Government, with a request that
it will interfere to protect the rights of French
authors in foreign countries.

THE CHAPELS ROYAL.--The following will be the
preachers at the Chapels Royal on Sunday next. At St.
James's Palaco (morning), the Right Rev. Dr. Jacobson,
Bishop of Chester. At Whitehall (morning), the Very
Rev. Dr. Harvey Goodwin, Dean of Ely ; afternoon, the
Bishop of Oxford. At the Savoy (evening), the Very Rev.
Dr. Goodwin, Dean of Ely. After Dean Goodwin's ser-
mons at Whitehall and the Savoy, collections will be made
on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel
in Foreign Parts.
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—The
Society will meet on Tuesday, March 6, at 8 o'clock
precisely, when the following papers will be read :—A
Higgins, Esq., Hon. For. Sec. A. S. L.—On the Ortho
graphic Delineation of the Skull. W. 11. Wesley, Esq.,
F.A.S.L.—On the Iconography of the Skull. Dr. Paul-
Broca, Secretaire GCneral it la Soci6t6 d'Anthropologie de
Paris.—On a new Goniometer, for the Measurement of the
Facial Triangle. C. Carter Blake, Esq., F.G.S., F.A S.L.
—On Certain Supposed Sinuous Skulls, Ancient and Mo-
dern, with reference to a skull from Louth in Ireland.

MONTHLY PERIODICALS.

THE UNITED SERVICE.—The United Service deals

in a variety, of subjects this month, some of grave

import, and others of a very interesting character.
" Promotion by Purchase, and Promotion by
Choice," enters into a delicate subject, and leaves
the matter much where it found it, although judi-
ciously pointing out the why and the wherefore

promotion should be made. For our own part we
agree with Lord Stanley that money should not be
allowed to usurp the place of merit, for it tends to
create heartburnings and dissatisfaction throughout
the army. If we wish to have the right man in the

right place, favour ought to yield to the call of duty,
and let merit take the post of honour. " Improve-
_

ments in Greenwich Hospital" deserves attention
in the proper quarter. There is no doubt that
things have been greatly altered in that much-

abused receptacle of the brave veterans who

have weathered " the battle and the breeze" through
many a stormy night and weary day, but much yet

remains to be done. It is with the sailor as with

his forlorn prize-money—the longer he is kept long-
ing for his own the better for those who are taking

care of his property. But those who make the law

and those who carry it into practice generally err on
_ _ _

he safe side, while poor Jack drifts to leeward till

he Cape of Good Hope sinks in the dreary distance.

The attempt to improve the naval widows' pension
and naval retirement is worthy of all commendation.
" A few Notes on Military Music in past Times"

awakens reminiscences of bygone days, which may
cheer up the soldiers' spirits. The article touches
on the antiquity of music in the camp and in the
field, from the very beginning of recorded time, and

almost beyond it. No doubt music has always
been a favourite accompaniment of the brave, for
who does not brighten up to the stirring strains of
minstrelsy and rush towards the march of troops?

Even the little boys crowd with ecstasy to hear
" the stormy music of the drum." " Eugene's Sur-
prise of Cremona," some century and a half ago,
was one of those well laid plans of traitorous warfare

so cleverly designed that it was sure to succeed—
but for the bad luck of being too clever by half—
and so it failed, by the sense of duty on the part
of a French officer, and the stubborn gallantry of

Irish soldiers. The Marshal Villeroi, who com-

manded the place, was taken prisoner, but refused
to order his garrison to surrender, like a gallant
soldiers as he was. " A Plea for the Staff College"
is a sensible idea, and merits adoption, for it would
give such a training to officers as might be ultimately
not only useful to themselves, but very beneficial to
the service. " The Career of Jean Raymond, a
French Soldier," is concluded at last, and leaves
him in a rather questionable state of happiness, even
though he has obtained the object of his heart,

having discovered a brother in his last desperate
affair. "On the Importance of a Knowledge of the
Physical Sciences, more especially Chemistry," is a
very useful paper, but how few military men can
find time to learn it so as to be practically useful!

"Naval Improvements and our Navy Retirements"
are interesting. How little is done in the one—
shipbuilding—while the expense in the other is so
enormous, some seventy millions in six years ! We
fear that " the system" which has so long prevailed
in our Admiralty must require a very stern correc-
tive before it can be thoroughly brought to meet
the public approval. In fact, it wants a clean sweep.
" The War between Spain and Chili" deals with
the subject as it deserves, and Spain will soon wish
she had never entered into so unprofitable and so
disgraceful a speculation. May such presumption
ever meet such a reward !
COR.NIIILL..—" The Claverings" is continued, and
already the reader finds that the designing Julia
has made a bad speculation in her unsuitable mar-
riage. Lord Onger has died abroad, and unpleasant
rumours have reached England respecting the con-

duct of his wife. Harry Clavering seems likely to

get into trouble with his old love and his new ; the
various persons in the tale are ably described, and
it promises to be of great interest and excitement
" Notes on the Cattle Plague" are sure to attract
notice at the present time. The various evils that
have marked its course are here summed up, and
it is truly said that many things are necessary which
we may well pray for, such as the requirements set
forth in the special prayer ; among these are men-
tioned—" a spirit of courage into her Majesty's
Ministers,—a spirit of unanimity into the commis-
sioners, —a spirit of decency into the butchers, so
that they might resist the temptation for turning a
national calamity into au occasion for wholesale
robbery,—a spirit of moderation into the inspectors,
&c." In concluding this article the writer remarks,
that "up to this time the duties of fasting, prayer,
and humiliation have been pretty evenly divided,
the people have fasted, the clergy have prayed, and
the ministers have humiliated themselves and been
humiliated by others ; but at last wo have reason to
hope for such energetic measures as are best calcu-
lated to overcome the disaster." " Jacquet in the
Press" contains an animated account of deer-stalk-
ing, and also some sage reflections on the wide-
spread of emigration that depopulates once flourish-
ing places. Those hardy sons of the land of the
mountain and the flood, who have spread over
Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the isles of the
sea, and the broad lands of the Far West have left
vacancies that are not filled up in their native land,
not easily to be filled up, and though an old man
of the mountain told a gentleman seeking for
recruits in vain where once he had no loss in supply-
ing the deficiency, that it was only the change in
the nature of the beast, and that if he went up to
his old haunts he would find recruits as many
as ever, but they had all got houses on their
heads. " Armadale," in this month's instal-
ment, is very eventful. Notwithstanding the
efforts of the Bashwoods, father and son,
the wedding takes place, and the pursuers are
baffled. In the description of young Bashwood we
find an admirable satire on one of the most con-
temptible crafts of the day, and the reader may well
feel indignant at the notion that this objection-
able individual is the prototype of many now infest-
ing our towns and cities, " the vile creature whom
the viler needs of soeiety has fashioned for its own
use—there be sat the confidential spy of modern
times, whose business is steadily enlarging, whose
private inquiry offices are steadily on the increase—
these be not the necessary detective attendant on
the progress of our national civilisation, a man
professionally ready on the merest suspicion to
get under our bed and too look through
gimlet holes in our doors." The real and
astounding history of " Miss Gwilt" comes out at
last, and we find that her marriage with Midwinter
is her third attempt at matrimony. Dark and
dreadful was the life of this woman in retrospect,
and the worst of all appears impending in her
career, to judge from her diary written two months
after marriage at Naples. This story is a very
exciting one, and it is well kept up, which is a
difficult achievement. " Eccentricities in a Basket"
is a very medium sketch, that may serve to while
away an idle moment. We meet also with an
article on " A Visit to the Suez Canal." A sketch
map is furnished of the Isthmus of Suez. It is said
that " if peace lasts until England shall have secured
an alternative route to her Eastern possessions
through Syria and the Valley of Euphrates, India
may afford to laugh at the dictum of the First
Bonaparte." The first part of " The Study of
Celtic Literature," by Matthew Arnold, enters
fully into the theme, and contains much informa-
tion.

THE ARGOSY. No. 11.--This clever little cra:

continues its course auspiciously, and is evidently
under the guidance of a skilful pilot, since its cargo
is not only brilliant, but varied, with something to
supply the wants of every pleasure-seeker. Charles
Reade continues his story of " Griffith Grant"
with unabated vigour. It is told in a somewhat
old-fashioned strain, which affords a not unpleasing
contrast to the modern style of fiction. The
chapters before us are very eventful. The fair and
spirited heroine, Mistress Catherine Peyton, is
forced at last to decide between her two rival
suitors, and, woman-like, decides in favour of him
whom fortune has used most unkindly. A doubt,
however, is left in the reader's mind whether the
choice is altogether a wise one, and the writer en-
courages the suspicion by a hint of troubles to come
in wedded life. The first two chapters of another