The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-28 00:00:00

LETTS'S DIARY.

In addition to our numerous, never-endin2,
variety of Christmas presentations, with their dis-
tinctive recommendations,:each and all in their own
beautiful brightness, come others of a more sedate
but useful character, bringing one's business home
"to Book !" While we are amused with the mul-
tifarious treasures of wit, fun, and fancy displayed
by our Christmas charmers, we are timely reminded
by the _Messrs. Letts's Diaries that these Christmas
contributions are only for "once a week," while their
diurnals are for " all the year round ;" which is
certainly in the ratio of about fifty to one, no small
recommendation. Besides which, their number is
legion ; in every variety of form, size, and price,
adapted to every class; from the grave chronicler of
his own and other people's doings to the scribbler
of his misdoings. They are made to suit the man
of pleasure, for paying attention to his engage-
ments, to the lady of fashion for her daily calls, to
the man of business for taking due note of his bills
to pay, and more pleasant still when he will receive
the promises to pay him. On the whole, taking
their merits into account, " Letts's Diaries" deserved
to be paid in full.

How the Belgian Volunteer Movemen

Began.

At the distribution of prizes of the 19th Surrey
on Saturday evening, by Col. Warden, of her Ma-
jesty's 19th Regiment, on which occasion the chair
was occupied by Lieut.-Col. Richards of the 3d City
of London, R.V., Captain Bertrand Payne, com-
manding the 4th Middlesex Artillery Volunteers,
took the opportunity, in responding for the nume-
rous visitors present, to make some very interesting
remarks on the part taken by the Chairman, Colo-
nel Richards, in starting the Volunteer movement.
He said, after paying a tribute to the exertions and
talents of Colonel Richards as a pioneer and sup-
porter of various other beneficial and patriotic
changes of the last few years, that there could exist
no doubt that the meeting convened at St. Martin's
Hall, on the 16th of April, 1859 at which the late
Admiral Sir C. Napier presided, had practi-
cally launched that Volunteer movement of
which they were all so justly proud. That
meeting, which was entirely convened by Colonel
Richards, amid a storm of ridicule and objections,
took place on a Saturday evening. The speeches
of Sir C. Napier, Sir D. MacDougall, Sir A. M'Nab,
Gen. P. Taylor, and Col. Richards himself were
thoroughly ventilated by the press. On the follow-
ing Tuesday a leader appeared in the 2 imes, com-
pletely endorsing the speeches and objects of the
meeting; and one month afterwards the Government
Circular to the Lord Lieutenants of counties gave

its sanction to the enrolment of volunteers. For
10 years previously Col. Richards had written con-
secutively in the public journals, urging the very
thing that had taken place, and prefigured it in a re-
markable manner in all its bearings. He had since
enrolled, organised, and commanded one of the best
and most numerous battalions in the Volunteer ser-
vice, composed of the working men of the city of
London. He regretted that Colonel Richards was
now about to give up his command, but he (Cap-
tain Payne) could tell them that the gallant colonel
in the chair had, as it was, made more than sufficient
sacrifices of time, which might otherwise have been
devoted to varied and successful literary pursuits
and labours.

We have reason to believe that the prevalent
rumour respecting the three most recent Royal marriages
in this country is founded on the truth, and that in each
instance there are good grounds for expecting additions to
that family which is respected by every loyal subject.—
The Lancet.

GABBITES, THE BOY MURDERER.—NO COMM-
uication has yet been received from the Home
Secretary in answer to the recommendation to mercy made
by the jury in connection with the sentence of death passed
on Henry Gabbites at the recent gaol delivery for the
West Riding at Leeds. We understand that a remark-
able change has come over the demeanour of the unhappy
youth since his conviction ; the cool, careless manner in
which he conducted himself having given way to a deep
sense of the awful position in which ho now stands.
During the last few days he has been visited by his father,
sister, and other of his relations, and his interviews with
them have been of the most affecting nature. Ho refuses
to believe that mercy will be extended to him, and ex-
presses the utmost contrition for the crime of which he
has been found guilty.—Leeds Mercury.
The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par, and
the short exchange on London is 25.17} per £1 sterling. On
comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3
's. 100. per ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold Is
about the same price in London and Paris.