The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-18 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.

The grand display of fireworks last night resulted,'
in a triumphant success, and proved beyond all pos-
sible doubt that the taste of the public—a five-
shilling public too—•is still as great as were those of
the olden time for exhibitions of this description.
Fireworks were amongst the principal features of the
famous Vauxhall Gardens, when iu the height of pros-
perity, and when the admission was reduced to one-
fourth that hitherto charged, the fireworks were still
looked upon as the great source of attraction. But
the fireworks at Vauxhall, and we say it with a
vivid recollection of what they were dining the reign
of Simpson, were small affairs compared with those
prepared for the visitors of the Crystal Palace, by
direction of the always active and far-seeing general
manager, Mr. Bowley. Like all his efforts, the
pyrotechnic display was on a gigantic scale, and the
success, as we have before remarked, was commen-
surate with the occasion. It would be impossible
to give a detailed account of everything exhibited
last night, but we may say in brief that we had
rockets of every hue, stars of various garniture,
fiery Phoenix, toubillions, parachute rockets, set
pieces, the largest ever presented to the public, and
as a grand and dazzling coup d'ceil we had
at one and the same time the flight of 1,400 rockets,
with salvos of coloured shells and variegated stars
combined, a discharge of a thousand Roman can-
dles from the Rosary, with the whole of the series
of fountains in full play, lit alternately with dia-
mond, emerald, and ruby-coloured fire. It is cer-
tainly impossible to convey an adequate notion of
the grandeur of the display in writing, and we
doubt very much whether it can even be realised in
imagination : however, we feel certain that Mr.
Bowley will repeat the " firework gala," and that
Messrs. W. Brocke and G. Southby, the artists,
will enchant the vision of the thousands
who will attend on the next occasion
precisely as they succeeded in doing last
night. In the early part of the evening the glit-
tering Ethardo ascended his gigantic corkscrew
amid the wonderment of the vast assemblage, and
altogether a more successful fete could not have been
provided for the 15,000 persons who availed them-
selves of the attractive programme. At dusk the
interior of the Palace was brilliantly illuminated,
and after the termination of the fireworks thousands
returned within the building and remained there
until the last note of the grand organ performance
had died away.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO BAL-
moRAL—The Crathie correspondent of the Edinburgh
E&•ening Courant writes : " Dr. Robertson, the Queen's
Commissioner, received a telegram on Monday at mid-day,
intimating that her Majesty, whose arrival at Balmoral was
anxiously expected on Friday, bad resolved to pestpone
her visit at this time. The horses were countermanded
after they had reached Aboyne, and some of the servants
have arrived at Balmoral." _ _

MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—This popular exhibition
will, we feel assured, receive its full share of patronage
during the Whitsun holidays. In the chamber of horrors
is a correct model of the guillotine as used in France dur-
ing the revolution cf 1789 ; and there are likewise to be
seen the identical knife and lunette which, during the
Reign of Terror, decapitated some 22,000 individuals,
amongst whom were Louis XVI., Marie Antoinette, the
Duo de Orleans, Robespierre, &c. &c. ; and in the same
chamber are effigies, taken from life, of the notorious Char-
lotte Winsor, and Southey, alias Forwood.
EXTRAORDINARY LONGEVITY.—Some rare illus-
trations of prolonged existence appeared in the
obituary of the Times of the 17th inst., where the deaths
of six gentlemen and two ladies are recorded whose united
ages amounted to 704 years, giving an average of exactly
88 years for each of these eight persons. The oldest gen-
tlemen had reached the great age. of 94, and the youngest
80 years of ago; the ladie. were 85 awl 88 years rosper-

LA TEST INTE L LIGENCE.

(R.EUTER'S TELEGRAM.)

THE WAR CRISIS.

VIENiN;A, MAY 18.

Field-Marshal Von Benedek, Commander-in-
Chief of the Northern Army, has just issued the
first order of the day to the soldiers under his com-
mand.

The order is dated the 12th inst. from temporary
head-quarters in this capital. In fervent words the
Field-Marshal expresses his confidence in the Army
and in the justice of the Austrian cause.

The order bears throughout a decidedly defensire
tone. No time is mentioned for the commencement
of war, but the order says that the army has been
got ready for defence, and to combat every enemy
who threatens the Emperor and the country.
VIENNA, May 17th (Evening).

The negotiations which have been carried on be-
tween Count von Bismarck and Count Karoleyi
have led to no result, since Count von Bismarck
claims on behalf of Prussia the military and diplo-
matic representation of the whole of Northern Ger-
many.

The Emperor of Russia has addressed another
autograph letter to the King of Prussia.
BERLIN, May 18.

The Prussian Government has demanded satis-
faction from the Cabinet of Vienna, for the viola-
tion of the frontier at Klingebeutel, where an
Austrian patrol stopped and questioned Prussian
Customs' officials.

The Prussian Government intends to carry out
comprehensive measures for affording pecuniary
support to the class of small traders by the estab-
lishment of popular banks of advance, as was done
in 1848.

FLORENCE, May 18.

The following is published as the letter written
by Garibaldi to the Italian Minister of War, in
reply to the announcement of the Royal decree for
the formation of a Volunteer Corps, under the
General's command :

" Caprera, May 11.

" Signor Ministro,—l accept with real gratitude
the arrangements you have made, and which have
received his Majesty's sanction, relative to the
Volunteer Corps. I am grateful for the confidence
which you manifest towards me in giving me the
command of this corps. Be my interpreter with
the King, and express to him my sentiments. I
hope very soon to assist with our glorious army in
accomplishing the destinies of the nation.
" I thank you for your courteous communication.
—Accept, &c.,

" G. GARIBALDI."

The Nazione announces that Colonel Cucchi re-
turned last Sunday evening from Caprera, which
he has visited in order to communicate to General
Garibaldi the arrangements of the Government re-
lative to the Volunteers.

The Nazione adds, " Colonel Cucchi states that
the General expressed himself satisfied with the
Government arrangements, and appeared very de-
sirous that the enrolments should commence at
at once, in order that the volunteers might be ready
to begin the campaign.
" General Garibaldi will remain at Caprera until
the day upon which he can put himself at the head of
his corps."
An article published by the Opinione this morn-
ing positively states that the Italian Government
will accept the proposed Congress upon condition-
1. That its armaments shall continue during the
negotiations ; and
2. That the cession of Venetia to Italy shall
be admitted in principle as one of the bases of the
Congress.
The Opinione of to-day publishes an article which
says:—" The future of the German nation depends
upon the Liberal party. The deplorable constitu-
tional conflict in Prussia should not make us forget
that it is the vital and traditional interest of Ger-
many to eliminate the heterogeneous influences of
the Austrian empire. Despite the mistakes of the
Prussian Government, despite the Liberal atti-
tude occasionally assumed by Austria, the
Liberals ought to embrace the sole opportunity
offered by the Power that represents the future of
Germany, and whose policy is necessarily progres-
sive, while the Hapsburg policy is necessarily reac-
tionary. It is the surest means to bring about the
advent of liberty. The cause of Italy is identical
with that of nationality and liberty. Germany
should follow the example of Italy, which did not
hesitate to rally round the house of Savoy, whose
mission in Italy was identical with that of Prussia
in Germany."

FLORENCE, May 14.

The following particulars are published respecting
the organisation of the Italian fleet. Consisting of
about 50 vessels, the fleet has been divided into
three squadrons and a light flotilla. The first squa-
dron will be composed of six ironclads of the first
class and the despatch-boat Messaggiero, under the
command of Admiral Persano, the commander of
the fleet, who will hoist his lag on board the
Re d'ltalia. The second squadron will consist of
eleven wooden steam vessels of the first class, under
the com mand of Vice-Admiral Albini, whose flag-
ship will be the Maria Adelaide. The third
squadron will, like the first, be composed of six
ironclads and the despatch-boat l'Espoloratore,
under Vice-Admiral Vacca, who will hoist his flag
on board the Principe di Carignano. The fleet of
six gunboats will be commanded by Capt. Sandri
on the Montebello. There will also be 15 transport
vessels, two of which, the Citta di Napoli and the
Citta di Genova, are capable of carrying 3,000 men
each.

The Opinione announces that the Italian Govern-
ment has taken measures for the establishment of
a postal service between Florence and the Upper
Italian provinces, via Spezzia and Genoa, to meet
the' event of hostilities that might interrupt the
ordinary railway service via Bologna.

According to the italic, a perfect understanding
exists between the Government and General Gari-
baldi. The General will only leave Caprera upon
the King's summons at the proper moment. " This
understanding," says the Italie, " ought to reassure
the most distrustful patriots. If Garibaldi testifies
such absolute confidence in the Government, it is
because he is certain that his confidence is not mis-
placed."
FLORENCE, May 17.
A circular of the Minister of War relative to the
organisation of the volunteers has been published
to-day.

The 20 battalions specified by the Royal decree
will form ten regiments.

The depots of enrolment fixed by the Government
are Come, Vareze, Bari, and Barletta. Each regi-
ment will consist of 42 officers and 1,446 men.
Other battalions will be formed if necessary. The
volunteers will wear the Garibaldian red shirt and
cap.

PARIS, May 17 (Evening).
A rumour has been current here that Austria,
had withdrawn part of her forces from Venetia.
This rumour is unfounded ; there are 200,000
Austrian troops in Venetia, all upon a war footing,
and the military preparations in that province are
being prosecuted with great vigour.
The Patrie of this evening says :—" Baron Bud-
berg, Earl Cowley, and M. Drouyn de Lhuys have
settled the basis of the programme of a conference.
This programme definitively includes but three
questions—Venetia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Fe-
deral Reform. M. Dronyn do Lhuys has been en-
trusted with the task of drawing up a despatch,
which will be aubinitted this week to Baron Bud-

berg and Earl Cowley, and will then be forwarded
to the Courts of Vienna, Berlin, and Florence."
PARIS, May 17.
The Constitutionnel of to-day publishes an article
pointing out the serious nature of the differences
between Austria, Prussia, and Italy, and says :
" The neutral powers could neither induce either
of the different parties to concede the demands of
the other, nor usefully recommend to them the
maintenance of the status quo. They might, how-
ever, find some middle course which would admit
of a settlement of conflicting pretensions.
" It is by compromises that conflicts between
State and State are best settled, without leaving
that hostile feeling which would soon lead to fresh*
conflicts."

BERNE, May 12.
The Gazette de Lausanne says :—" The gravity of
the present state of things has received the attention
of the Federal Council, and for some time past the
necessary measures have been taken to meet every
event. The Cantonal Governments have been noti-
fied to request all mounted officers to procure horses,
in order to be ready, should the Federal horses be
placed on a war footing. The cantons are also to
see that the war material for the contingent be in
proper order, so that the troops can march at the
first summons. Should hostilities break out between
Austria and Italy the Federal Council would imme-
diately send a corps of observation into the Valley
of Munster and the Paschlay (Grisons), in order to
prevent the Austrians or Italians making use of
Swiss territory for an attack from Italy upon the
Tyrol, or from the Tyrol against Italy. The head-
quarters of this corps would be established at En'
gadine."

VIENNA, May 13.
The Marshal of the Lower Austrian Diet and
the Burgomaster of Vienna have issued the follow-
ing appeal to the inhabitants of this capital, in-
viting them to subscribe to the enrolment of volun-
teer§ :

" The country calls ! The time of heavy trial has Lirrivod,
and the hour is earnest and solemn. Criminal attempts are
being made to arrest the fortunes of Austria; the temple
of peace is about to be inexcusably shaken to its founda-
tions. A slight impulse alone is wanted to unchain in all
their horrors the furies of war hovering upon the holders
of our realm.

" Fellow citizens ! if ever there was a just cause, it is
ours ; if ever there was a crying injustice, it is tkat which
our enemies intend to perpetrate ; it is an ally who, threat-
ening our country, forces us to the combat—us, who so
warmly desire the blessings of peace. But the people of
Austria look courageously and determined towards the
future, for they trust in God, the Protector of the right,
and they rely upon the genius of Austria.
"It is true that we live in arduous times, and that the
burthen weighing down each of us is heavy ; the old true
sense of citizenship and its tried readiness to make sacri-
fices are strong within us. We will show that the proved
strength of Austria is not broken. Strong and united, We
will oppose the enemy who despises right ; and Vienne--
the first city of the empire—shall also be the first to step
forward in defence'of Austria's greatness and honour.
"In face of such dangers, the undersigned appeal to the
patriotic feelings of the citizens of Vienna and of the pro-
vince of Lower Austria. We will make it our task to
strengthen the defensive power of the realm by raising
corps of volunteers, and it shall only be voluntary gifts
that we will lay upon the altar of the country.
"Let each, therefore, take measure of his ability ; the
smallest gift will beacceptable, for it is only with united
strength that truly great things can be achieved. A com-
mittee, whose names will shortly be published, is in Pr°-
cesss of formation to carry out this patriotic undertaking•
"Contributions will be received, 4:c. &c.
" God save the Emperor and the country !
(Signed) "COLLOREDO MAvN'sFELD•
" ANDREAS ZELINKA."

At the conference of the committee of the Na-
tionalverein recently held in this capital, the follow-
ing address to the members of the Association was
agreed upon :
" An arbitrary Cabinet policy threatens to overcome the
undoubted wish of our people, and to hand over the viva' °I;
woe of Germany to the vicissitudes of a war which could
only be justified as the extremest measure of necessity by the
highest interests of the nation. The armies of the two great
Powers stand face to face fully equipped, and the next ha;
may bring about the outbreak of a war whose motives af'"
objects are veiled in obscurity, and whose duration may bring
with it unspeakable misfortunes —nay, may even endanger
the integrity of Germany. The word and the hand of the
German people has hitherto proved too weak to arrest the
uplifted arm of the holders of power; but the conscience of
the nation protests to the very last moment against the
arbitrary conduct which trifles inexcusably with the fate
of Germany.

"Faithful to its patriotic mission, the Nationalverein
again uplifts its voice against a breach of German peace,
whose guilt will recoil like a curse upon the head of its
originators.
" All prospect of a diversion of the Cabinet policy into the
path of national right and interests has, however, not Yet
disappeared. The first step to be taken in this direction's
the final solution of the Schleswig-Holstein question. The
most efficient means for this purpose would undoubtedly
be the immediate convocation of the German Parliament as
supreme arbiter of the disputed political and legal claims'
The Prussian motion brought into the Federal Diet 111)°11,
the 9th April is, however, owing to the indefiniteness °`
its contents, and in consideration of the system of the G°'
verninent whence it proceeds, not calculated to gain the
confidence of the German people, and that warm arnPaT
without which the natural difficulties of the task, and
especial the inevitable opposition of the litiddle-Sta;
Cabinets, never can be overcome. If the German peoPls ttr-
,
to support the Parliament and Federal reform with eerie''
ness and emphasis, they must be offered it in the definite
shape in which they were presented by the history of th:
years 1848 and 1849 ; and above all, the Government whie t
wishes to remodel the entire Constitution of the nation Ent%
give very different proofs of constitutional sentiments an
fidelity than have hitherto been displayed by the Pruss:e-n
s
Government. So long as the Prussian Constitution retagla
a dead letter, our nation will never believe in a German Celt-
stitution offered it by Prussia, and certainly will never I:
stirred up to a deeply-felt movement in prospect of
th
same.
"In accordance with its past career, the NationalvereTs
adheres, in the German constitutional cause, firmly tOL,.
programme and its resolution. Now, as previously, it c.,
mands the convocation of a national assembly chosen aw,
cording to the principles of the electoral law of the real ot
in which alone Germany can find a secure guarantee agat 0,
civil war or treachery, a firm guarantee for national fre
dom, unity, and power.
asSo'
The committee expects from the members of the
ciation devoted and persevering activity in this sense' 'Lu..
patriotic subordination to the general will for the etta_..
meat of this object. As soon as circumstances requ:i:
the committee will not delay to appeal to the general
.cinacre
sion of the association. Up to that time let each marl 71.0 e
no pains and neglect no opportunity, in a larger or Brn the
sphere, to strive against civil war, and to labour for
immediate creation of a true national representation for ta
earliest convocation of the German Parliament.
(Signed by the Committee.)

FRANCE.
Boum, May 17, Two o'clock. Calls 11P1
sellers to deliver the scrip they have disposed °
again continue on a large scale. Besides the ``d
;
counting" yesterday of 10,000 f. Italian Fives, 3,2 0"
Mobiliers, 360 Comptoir d'Escompte, &c. reueWer
demands are made for 198,000 f. French Three Pe'ci
Cents. ; 2,500 Italian Fives ; 1,950 Mobiliers, 9'll,
125 Comptoir d'Escompte. The market, however'
has not been sensibly influenced by these operati°7
and but few transactions continue to be effete
Threes, for the Account, show a fractional advnce
at 64f. 20c. Italian Fives have improved 35c./J6f.
to 40f. 10c., and Credit Mobilier 2f. 50o• t° or
25c. Credit Foncier have advanced to 1,125f.10,
20f. higher. On the other hand, Comptoir cl';c.,
compte Shares are offered at a decline of 12f.t. 5o
es
viz., at 675. The Railway Department con 'with
depressed. English Consols are telegraphed The
an advance of per cent. Three o'clock.--
market closed as follows :

41 per Cents 94 75
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 64 30
Do. end month 64 12i
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Credit Foncier —
Do. end month 1120 -
RAIL'

IBtaanl
ika .L0an................. 3 4; 0
Do. end month ...•••32 25
Mexican Loan ......
Do. Bonds ........•
-01"
Spanish Threes •••
Home Debt .........
Deferred . ...........

For Account'
Orleans 795 5()
LNyoorths a ernnd Mediterranean
Southern
Western ...............................
00
r 0 --
Eastern .................................
80 ----
Sardinian . 7
29 52
Austrian
297 5"

Lombard ....... < ..........................
North of Spain ...............•• ••• 112.0
Saragossa ................................
Ditto to Barcelona ..................... u
Roman ....................................

,••••
••••••••

SPAIN.
MAY 18.
MADRID,
The Cortes held an extraordinary sitting, 138
night for the discussion of the financial bill lateli