The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-14 00:00:00

spako ?'"rhe reputation of WASHINGTON IRVING
is the common property of Americans and
of Englishmen. It is the peculia-f glory and
treasure, of course, in one respect, of the
Wnited States, as the birthplace of this delightful
writer—and it is a glory that we do not begrudge
a race that we may almost designate our transat-
lantic fellow-countrymen. WASHINGTON IRVING
might be aptly designated the OLIVER GOLDSMITH
of the United States. As such, his name and fame
will be held henceforth in grateful remembrance.

THE PROBABLE TOPICS IN THE
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The Washington correspondent of the New Yort
_Herald speculates on the probable topics in the
President's Message, as follows :
" The Message and the accompanying reports are nearly
all finished, and ready to be sent in on the first day of the
session. Should there be a factious contest in the house re-
garding the Speaker, the President will not consider him-
self bound to keep the entire country waiting while the
fight of the faction is going on ; and it is not improbable
that, after a reasonable delay, he will send in his Message,
leaving it to each house to take its own course upon it.
"The advantage of so doing is, that there are many pub-
lic and private interests upon which action is delayed at
this'season of the year until the Message shall have laid
open the views of the Administration and the policy it pro-
poses to recommend for the coming year. In finance and
commerce the interests of the country aro injured by delay
in the exhibition of the position and wants of the Treasury
usually made by the Message ; and the same may be said of
many other branches. By sending the Message to Congress
as soon as the Senate is organised, it is laid before the coun-
try; and the fight Of Congressional factions loses much of its
interest for the public.
"Mr. Cobb's report is the only one that is not closed up,
he having waited for some of the important tables.
" Although the trade of the country will exhibit a vast
recovery from the depression of the last two years, there is
room to doubt whether it would not be prudent to return to
the tariff of 1816 until the whole question can be arranged
on a more stable basis. Under the present unwise system
every fluctuation in prices affects the revenue. In specula-
tive years, when the Government should not have the temp-
tation which a large revenue gives it to entertain all kinds
of schemes, the high prices of merchandise flood the trea-
sury with income from duties and stimulate the general
intoxication. On the other hand, in years of commercial
depression the low prices of goods deplete the revenue and
increase the general uneasiness. The recommendations in
regard to revenue and finance will be added to the Message
at the last moment.
" Recent events in Virginia will bring forth some pointed
remarks in the Message on the danger which all sections of
the country incur, frpm the growing tendency to arrange
parties on geographical grounds, and also from the increased
disposition in the public mind to hold lightly the obligations
of loyalty to the Constitution.
" Another point of domestic policy which it will touch
upon is the protection to slavery in the territories. While
the President holds to the Constitutional doctrine on this
point, he deprecates legislation in anticipation of its being
required, and thinks we should wait until the emergency
comes up. If Congress will follow his advice the whole sub-
ject will sink quietly down; for, in five years more, we shall
have no territories on which to agitate the question.
" The condition of the Post-office Department, in the
absence of appropriations by the last Congress, is a subject
of earnest comment, with a recommendation of speedy action,
in order to relieve the department and the country from the
evils that accrue in the present state of affairs.
" In our foreign policy, the Message will give tho first
place to the San Juan question, which is at this moment in
an irritating position. During the last Administration an
understanding was established between us and England that
neither Government should exclusively occupy San Juan
until the pending question of its dominion was settled.
" General Harney, either from some ambiguity in his in-
structions, or from not understanding them clearly, took
possession of the island. This step called out from Lord
John Russell a despatch to Lord Lyons, which was commu-
nicated by direction to General Cass, stating that England
held undisputed right to the island, and would insist upon
its recognition by this country.
" This ill-advised despatch has complicated the question
materially. We cannot withdraw under its implied threat,
and the President will set forth our rights to the island in
the clearest and most distinct manner, and advise Congress
that they be maintained. In the meantime, it is hoped
that the prudence of Gen. Scott will prevent any collision
at the island.
" Mexican affairs are to be lightly touched upon, in view
of pending negotiations, but the President will recommend
that the present absurd restrictions of our neutrality laws
be so far modified as to permit our citizens who may desire
to do so to enlist in the defence of the legitimate govern-
ment of that republic, without incurring the penalty of a
fine and a term in the State prison.
"In view of the increasing value of our transisthmus
trade and travel, the Message will call the attention of
Congress again to the insecurity of those routes, and renew
the recommendations of last year's special Message on this
subject."

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess
d'Aumale arrivod at Grillion's Clarendon Hotel last
evening from Trentham.
His Highness the Maharajah Duleep Singh has
left Claridge's Hotel for Mulgrave Castle, Whitby.
His Excellency the Ambassador of France and
the Countess do Persigny and family have arrived at
Albert-gate House from St. Leonards-on-Sea.
His Excellency the Swedish and Norwegian
Minister and the Countess Platen have left town on a visit
to Sir William and the llon. Lady Middleton, at Shrub-
lands, near Ipswich.
The Duchess of Athole has arrived at the St.
George's Hotel, from Windsor Castle.
The Marquis and Marchioness of Headfort have
left Claridge's Hotel, for lleadfort House, Ireland.
The Earl and Countess of Durham left town
yesterday for Lambton Castle, Durham.
Viscountess Palmerston arrived at Cambridge
House yesterday evening from Brighton.
Lord berries has left Claridge's Hotel for Ever-
ingham
Park, Yorkshire.
Lord and Lady Algernon St. Maur have arrived
at the St. George's Hotel.
Lady Macdonald has arrived at the St. George's
llotel.
Sir George Cornewall and Lady Theresa Lewis
entertained at dinner last evening, at their residence, Kent
House, Knightsbridge, the Lord Chancellor and the Baroness
Stratheden and the Hon. Miss Campbell, Lady William
Russell, the Attorney-General, the Right Hon. Sidney and
Mrs. Herbert, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Sir John Acton,
Mr. Taylor, Mr. Chichester Fortescue, Mr. Lister, tic.
After dinner her ladyship had a small evening party.
Mr. and Lady Emma Anderton have arrived at
Claridge's Hotel from Buxton Hall.
ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—At the end of the pre-
sent week this house will close for the Christmas prepara-
tions until Saturday, tho 24th inst., when the pantomime
will be produced in anticipation of Christmas, and Miss
Wyndham will make her first appearance. To-night
(Wednesday) the manager, Mr. Chatterton, will take his
benefit, and the character of Dangleton in " They are both
to Blame" will be sustained by Mr. Craven.

i iDEATH OF COL. THE Hox. SOHN WALPOLE...-.
The above gallant officer died at Sydenham on the 10th
inst., at the advanced age of 73 years. 'lle deceased served
with the Guards in the Peninsula, and was severely
wounded at the siege of Burgos. lie was M.P. for King's
Lynn from 1827 till 1831; was'private secretary to Viscount
Palmerston when Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
from Nov. 22, 1830, till August, 1833, when he was ap-
pointed consul.' general in Chile. lie was promoted to the
rank of charge d'affaires, May 24, 1841, which post ho held
till March 1, 1819, when he retired with a sup erannuation
allowance..
WRECK OF A LARGE SHIP ON THE BLACKWATER
BANK.—CATIORE, Dec. 11.—I have to report that the ship
Sonmauth, Cumming, master, from Fleetwood, bound to
Savannah, North America, struck the Blackwater Bank
last night. The captain's wife and seventeen of the crew
arrived in their boats near this place ; but he himself and
three of his crew are on board the Blackwater Lighthouse.
The lifeboat of the Royal Lifeboat Institution was put to
sea as soon as we heard of the wreck ; but she has not re-
turned in time to report any further particulars before the
post close.
IMPROVEMENT OF COVENT-GARDEN MARKET.—
During the last two or three years the market gardeners and
other parties who transact business in this market have made
loud complaints about the unsheltered state of the place
during the inclement weather ; also the deficiency of lighting
by gas to enable them to carry on their business in the long
and dark winter mornings.' To remedy this, meetings have,
at different times, been held by them, and petitions sent to
hiS Grace the Duke of Bedford, upon whose estate the mar..
ket stands, complaining of .the grievance ; but hitherto
without the slightest notice being taken. It now appears
that something for the benefit of all will be done ; on Mon-
day his .grate's steward issued orders for several large orna-
mental iron columns to be erected in various parts of the
market; for the purpose of extra lighting. These columns
are to be surmounted by large handsome lamps, fitted with
patent burners and reflectors. It is also believed to be in
contemPlation to cover a large space at the west end of the
market, to be completed by the time the Flower Arcade is
finished.
'TIE SIC:" AN INDICATOR OF' TILE WEATHER.—
The colours of the sky at particular times afford wonderfully
good gUidance. Not only does a rosy sunset presage fair
weather, and a ruddy sunrise bad weather, but there aro
other tints which speak with equal clearness and accuracy.
A bright yellow sky in the evening indicates wind ; a pale
yellow, wet ; a natural grey colour constitutes a favourable
sign in the evening, an unfavourable one in the morning.
The clouds again aro full of meanino. themselves. in If
their forms are soft, undefined, and f;athery, the weather
will be fine ; if the edges are hard, sharp, definite, it will be
foul. Generally speaking, any deep unusual hues betoken
wind or rain ; while the more quiet and delicate tints be-
speak fair weather. These are simple maxims ; and yet not
so simple but that the Board of Tr•ade has thought fit to
pliblisb, thew for 04 use of seafaring flier,.
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