The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-15 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The bulletin of the Paris Observatory gives the
following as the atmospheric situation yesterday :--
" A gale was blowing on Tuesday morning on the
Channel and the North Sea. The weather is squally,
and rain is falling on France. Some storms broke
on Tuesday night over Holland, France, and Switzer-
land. The air is calm on the Mediterranean. The
wind is between S. and W. on France ; N. on the
British Isles, and N.E. at Corunna." At Paris, yes-
terday, the weather was exceedingly fine until about
five, when a rather heavy shower fell. At 3 p.m.
thermometer marked 22.7 Centigrade (72 4.5
Fahrenheit). ,

The Ilfoniteur publishes the comparative receipts
of the French railways during the first quarter of
the year 1866 as compared with the corresponding
period of 1865. In the old network, on an average
of 7,584 kilometres (4,740 miles) open to the public,
the receipts were 107,020,207 francs in the three
months of 1866, against 96,656,406 fr. in 1865,
showing an increase of 10,363,801 f. On the new
network, for 5,829 kilometres (3,640 miles), the
receipts were 29,088,170 fr., against 24,007,6461 r.
for 5,375 kilometres in 1865; the increase being
5,080,524 fr. The combined totals for both classes
showing 136,108,377 fr. for 1866, against 120,664,052
francs for the previous year, the total augmentation
being nearly 15 millions and a half.
Altona, which has of late been mentioned so
frequently, is situated on the south-west extre-
mity of the Duchy of Holstein, and touches im-
mediately the free city of Hamburg. The two
cities, which almost form one, are placed on the
right bank of the Elbe, not far from the
mouth. Opposite is Harburg, where the Hano-
verian railway terminates, and by this road
the Austrian troops will make their retreat. In
quitting Altona they definitively abandon Holstein.
The first detachment embarked two days since, and
all the troops commanded by General de Gablenz
have successively crossed the Elbe. At one o'clock
in the morning the movement of evacuation was
completed, and the passage of the Austrian army

o the Hannvori.n territory was effected without

accident.

BOURSE, June 14.—Two o'Clock.—The com-
munication of the Emperor to the Legislative Body
is generally construed by speculators as indicating
the pacific intentions of France in the pending
hostilities ; the Stocks most affected by the recent
state of uncertainty on that point, viz., French
Threes and Italian Fives, have therefore been ac-
tively dealt in to-day, and are now held firmly at a

formidable advance in quotations. Threes, for the
Account, are at 64f. 5c., or an improvement of 60c. ;
whilst Italian Fives have rebounded If. 10c., to
38f. 40c. Mobilier Shares are 2f. 50c. better, viz.,
at 492 f. 50c., and Northern Railway 3f. 75c. ;
Lyons and Austrian have, on the other hand, receded
2f. 50c. each ; and Orleans and Lombard remain
unvaried. The following are the sums being " dis-
counted " to-day :—viz., 306,000 f. French Threes,
92,500 Italian Fives, 2,325 Credit Mobilier Shares,
125 Northern, &c. From London a decline of
per cent. is telegraphed on Consols.

Three o'clock.—The'close of business has been
marked by a fall of 41f. 25c. in Mexican Stock, the
prices now being 180 f. Other Securities have con-
tinued their progressive movement, and closed as
follows :

411 r per Cents 92 50
Do. end month —

3 per Cents. 64 25
Do. end month 64 15

Credit Mobilier ... MO
Do. end month ... 495

Credit Foncier —
Do. end month 1127 50

Bank Shares 3430
Italian Loan 39 50
Do. end month 39 50
Mexican Loan 2O
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threos
Home Debt
Deferred

For Account.
792 50

Orleans

Northern 1067 .50
Lyons and Mediterranean..... 783 75
Southern . 512 50
Western 5lB 75
Eastern
Sardinian 4BB 75
60
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain 9O
Saragossa l2O
Ditto to Barcelona

Roman —.—

Mr. Charles J. Plumptre, the well known lee-
tarer and elocutionist, has just been appointed to the Lec
tureship of Public Reading and Speaking at King's College
Evening Classes. .
THE SUSPECTED MURDER OF A CHILD NEAR
PLYMOUTH.—John Grrant, a. private in the 13th
Regiment, who is in custody at Plympton for having mur-
dered a boy named Philip Boobier, has made a sort of con-
fession of the crime of which he stands charged. After he
had been remanded by Mr. Bowes he called Sergeant
Hicks to the cell, and said he wished to be taken before a
magistrate. He was informed that his wish could not be
granted, and the prisoner then said that he wanted to make
a confession. The sergeant cautioned him that what he
might say might be used in evidence against him, and he
then made a statement to the effect that he left the camp
in company with the little boy Boobier, for the purpose of
having a bathe. On their way to the beach the lad re-
marked that there were rabbits about. Shortly afterwards
he (Grant) took up a stone with the intention of throwing
it at a rabbit ; but ho missed his aim and struck the boy on
the head. The deceased rolled for 30 or 40 yards, and pri-
soner went to him and found that he was suffering much
pain. • He wrapped the deceased in his greatcoat and went
away ; but on his return he found that he was dead.
Western Morning News.

MURDER IN DURHA)I.—An adjourned investiga-
tion took place yesterday at Easington-lane, in the
county of Durham, relative to the death of James Cooper,
75 years of age, a miner, who lived in a house directly op-
posite with a woman named Jane Craggs, who was his
housekeeper. The deceased was found covered up in the
bed in his own house in a state of considerable decom-
position. Cooper was missed after Monday night the 14th
of May last, and his appearance was accounted for by tho
housereeper stating that ho had gone to Co.shoe at four
o'clock in the morning of that day. Sho always en-
deavoured to prevent the neighbours, and lastly the police,
from approaching the bed, whore the body was afterwards
found, and, as the evidence previously published showed,
she had made several threats and peculiar expressions re-
specting the doing away with Cooper. The discovery that
the deceased was in bed, and had been there all that time,
was made by a follow-workman of his, who having had
his suspicion aroused, went to the house and unloosened
the bed curtains, which were closely drawn and pinned,
and then made the shucking disclosure that Cooper was
dead. The housekeeper was thereupon taken into custody
by the police on the charge of being concerned in his death.
A verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned against her,
andwas received with great demonstrations of approval by
hundreds of persons who had congregated at the outside of
the in where the inquest was held.

eis _
1.1 lot ortular.
.-„-

The Queen's Journey to Scotland.

ABERDEEN', June 14.
The Queen arrived at Aberdeen and left again
after five minutes' stoppage. Shortly before the
advertised time a large and fashionable assemblage
was present, including Sheriff Thornton
costume. 'The journey to Aboync occupied an hour.
The Queen posted thence to Balmoral, arriving at
4 o'clock. The day was fine. in Court

--4.---

Their Royal Ilighnesses the Prince and Prince°
of Wales honoured the Earl and Countess de Gre?'
with their company at dinner yesterday evening at die:
residence in Carlton-gardens. The prince and princes
arrived at 8 o'clock, attended by the Countess of lflaceles.
field and Lieut.-Colonel Keppel. There were
meet their royal highnesses at dinner—the Duke 90,
Duchess of Sutherland, the Earl and Countess of Taak.°;
vine, the Earl and Countess Spencer, the Earl and Countea
of Clarendon, the Earl and Countess of Listowol,
Henry Hercy, Captain Lane Fox, &c. The Countess d°
Grey had a dance after dinner, at which a select and dis-
tinguished company assembled.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cant
bridge
and the Duke of Edinburgh honoured the 316::
chioness (Maria) of Ailesbury with their presence at tll°-ciel,
gertfor
s_
yesterday evening,_at her ladyship's residence in
street, Mayfair. There were present to meet the
trious guests—their Serene Highnesses Prince and Princes:
Edward of Saxe-Weimar, the Duke of St. Albans, titr4
Duchess of Manchester, the Marchioness of Ely, the d,
Present tact
and Countess of Dalkeith, the Countess of WestmorlOcii
Viscount Hamilton, Lord and Lady Foley, Lord andaifj:/
harles Bruce, Lord and Lady Cecilia Bingham, Sir "ue,,--,„11
Des Vraux, Sir Thomas and Lady Louisa liioncreiffe, --
Hon. James and Mrs. Macdonald, -Dr. Quin, etc. „f
The Duke of Roxburghe and the, garquo

Bowmont have left the Clarendon Hotel for now* d
The Marquis and Marchioness of Salisburyrl l/ts,
family leave town next week for Hatfield House, er„f
for the season. The noble marquis, as Lord Lieuteso",
Middlesex, will give his annual entertainment on Sattail
day, the 23kinst., to the Middlesex magistrates and
officers of the several regiments of county militia. oil
The Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter•
Lady Victoria Cecil left town yesterday for Bright° .01
shortTheriod. 00
peEarl and Countess of Lichfield left tOW
Tuesday for Paris.

CA Of
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.—MIRACULOUSIutes '
SEVERAL PERSONS.—This morning about 25 13-n
past one o'clock a fire, nearly attended with fatalZwso,
quences broke out in the premises belonging to gr. —.foto
$l.,- •
a shell-fish monger and luncheon-room proprietor, by
at No.lo in the Minories. The discovery was rodeff for
gentleman, who at once called the police and sent °„ so
the assistance of the Royal Society's escape. In the c:r4-
of a few minutes Conductors Preston and W°,°-t'sso
tended with their machines, when they f°llll;:aivg
persons on the roof and three at the second floor Ser'..
bt
for assistance. Having ascended the escapes thei br°lll-alia
down five endangered persons in safety. 9:11,,e gal
steamers by Shand, Mason, and Co., and several der
power ones quickly attended, and the firemen, 1.111,,.—pr0s
dinction of Mr. Gatehouse, went to work, and the w-co-
ifinntehde course of an hour extinguished, the damage boiDgfare ii
to the basement and shop. The origin °I the
unknown. 3l.
WINE.—ln a letter addressed to M. Paste—'f bis
Mares gives an account of certain experinio st ° ,iO6
on some red wine of Grenache of last year.

had remained more than a fortnight in the vat Wt.tt%itil
lees ; and though bottled at the end of October last'.„l etas
has a sugary taste, though containing a strong Prera Bet
of alcohol (about 13 per cent.). It is apt to turn an
1)e °cos-
muddy whenever displaced, and requires to
sionally strengthened with alcohol to make it Iceer.
Mares subjected several bottles (of this wine tt°lloB.,
high temperature according to 31. Pasteur's Wetthet
Some of these bottles had become muddy ef at-
by being jolted in carts, by the influence %pot
mospheric changes, or some other cause. On beiT3 Dc'
into a water-bath at a temperature of 60 degrees, thatoi
came clarified at the end of half an hour, and with°tlti Bel
deposit. Those bottles which had not been wall gio•
posited a ferment which presented the appearance °ioilor
bular and opaque matter. M. Mares has made tba
etlio\rr b
experiments with other wines, Intl always obtnirlde
tiog
shaken,
which
nakleeenwo
has
,hhioitic
hi to prevent
still
itinpillfie ehseveuseabnt
jetedc.tth
same result. They Were all NI hies requiring au 5-edl'aP
spontaneouslyngi
is
lessil
ihnyv
citrat;ol::Dti,;
oP°
which has been warmed is not affected by the san'-
tion. The same wine strengthened with 2 per cent. ef a'c.6g 0
hen
becoming decanted
muddy, aud
11'v:
also becomes clear in the course of a fortnight, dePositill to
quantity of matter of the same nature as that of 0 it tg:
its natural state ; the microscope shows that the c1e1,60
composed of living ferment and fragments of dead fer 01,
On the other hand, clouded wines subjected to bent ;:coal
deposit, but remain as they were. Hence g• f7t
eludes that on wines that are still sweet, ready oag
:Woe°
and easy to turn, a heat of from 55 to 60 degrees g-t°,, thet'
beneficial effects, by imparting to them the stabili.ojetlll
are in want of ; an effect which is not always °l9t3tlitta
repeated additions of alcohol. If they do not neni; -ejiate.
lees in suspension, their clarification by heat is n heel DI
METEOROLOGY.—In an able paper publi"nbleo
the Cosmos, M. W. de Fonvielle, one a °llcir in 0°
meteorologists, examines certain results obtsitintio col''
higher regions of our atmosphere by Mr. Gissh°,/.' thor°'
brated scientific aeronaut. It is well known that' nr teole;
meter with a blackened bulb marks a much higbea the la
rature when exposed to the direct rays of the nu
s,,,„rePlVete'
would otherwise do. It is with an iustrunient 'votiPe'f
that Mr. Glaisher has endeavoured to d one r
the temperature of the higher regions' t iall)dre°
the results at which he arrives is of the higheresperafrot
tance, ho having found that the reaximuni te'de a°ll.o
thus obtained is lower in proportion port ion
haiss,th3of.alctijtuefcsonalco,
rightly observes, is in direct contrailiction 10 proec tntiai:
opinion that the atmosphere is a sort of screen e oil
e,
us from the effects of the incandescent body °ought be.
sun. if it were so, the maximum temperatnrs
screell 05°
cessarily to rise in proportion as the suppose'. b
comes thinner, and would be immeasurably bifgslloo to,llll°
regions where the barometer has, for instance, trecte" sto
its ordinary altitude. Mr. Glaisher having eonserdisatetot
curve of the temperatures, by taking them asci ~,001.1301
abscissas representing the corresponding altitu
this curve differs very little from a sight Pereln, obese
towards the axis of the-abacissas. From t'e'itictess:the
tions, M. Warren de la Rue concludes that tilebest °: tot
temperature of solid bodies is a result of th ; lbo '6 3f.
ambient air, and depends upon the density'
I°.;
a therTrtiticiOalt°
quite as much as upon the intensity of the 6°_,,j"tot b°o
pdeetintFoenlivitauellye heteresteridghhtlyy
erenmelaerskinsgthat this l'etaeter ter
transparent vessel containing air at a high n.,,„ oflloo
sure. He then points to the curious diversi',oif st.').
be
obtained by M. Dolfuss-Ausset on the heightsee, erhar3e4 of
dule, 3,800 metres above the level of theis the 301001
passed a whole fortnight, in August, 1864, ereet he
eternal snow. In this atmosphere, Veil " ervatia°ooe'
that in which Mr. Glaisher conducted his °bs_, ther",°,f,d°
found very great differences in the readings3.l°Lr. Giatof'eot
ters the sun and in the shade, Whereas ° tb°
results tend to prove that at the extreraed"wo iasotet
atmosphere the thermometer with a ual".°o o,ool°
shade would give the same reading as th
with a blackened bulb in the sun.
able PAPel.,ein°
EFFECTS OF LIGHTNING.—In an lle eso,- 00
lished by the Cosmos, M. W. de Fouvie f'.°
000004,
the singular fact that lightning nmy
9110 P tellS
0;001
considerable distance. A few days ag°,
English revenue-officer was struck blind,ohetol7to li,sfe'toocto.
near the path of the electric fluid, but n oot,,
our authcr attributes the late explosion which l!eabi
an electric tempest. Fulminate of mercurYtiecetepo.: ore
for percussion-caps, is at least as en.sy to elan
at tb.
explosion through the intervention 1 ea that locle_i
rent., as by mere friction. It so halrrn„etteeSo,st°.,
Yy moment the powder-maGazine at LDN'oe" the 10 Poit,tc
lb t,
a violent detonation occurred by lighter
Vesinet, near St. Germain. Seventee. s'tbe p: Yo`.:4oe,
at the same instant; but it still reraa9l_B,t,", t 60 cife-etfic:i
atmospheric electricity can make itself 1,
e llaterni fr°°lci,
able a distance. Certain it is that th be feltelt ode
gporelvaett fdalisttanceeha
erguesthcaeuhtert
violen_ hieL,ieeP6
theme'irel7ollzio,f vrero i 4
fairettow 33, rao
more sensiave to electricity ; t ,tor oL,
On the 29th of May, 1861,
the commune of Chisey, Lere, e newyofPr at ,
sion 31. Seguin, a correspndent of the Atiet'u"o
.e
ascerta'ned that the electric fluid fell on t.:13
place where telegraphic wi.-:es follow 1!, "e tree en bra'
being planted with walnut trees. he ati_jot_,,
struck on this occasion stood near
enititia 007'130114
roofed with metal;
ducting surface, the lightning Clhan balf itifT-130 .18_1
but the current continued for more
.n
Iv,
woe apiotaitu
ti 4
the wires, which were broken 1
at with 6 or° °lto
trees along that length were marked
30 true throe e 'net 11
there being co.n,seq...:daosge t 0 the
01,10,
About 001 thre 041 c
marked, the nearest being 3" farther quo.es
furrow denuded of bark.
from the wires. Our author
_rst, aertevrere 60 _
a distance ease witea
rn
occurred in the mines a nimniel.f,cl, ,103 Lujoes6
,he
many workmen in different part:o t_ 'receigie 11,70,
cc;
(lady struck at the same time,
.;:a_di.sio
e_eh o°
in their backs, others in their al
.s
.veaa
who were at work with their bac. ',ad reel
were struck so.that each thought he
from his companion.