The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-24 00:00:00

TUE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING,

anticipate that, before the light of this resistless
demonstration, the vile passions that begat discord,
and the selfishness that checks intercourse, would,
self-abashed at their own deformity, vanish like
night spectres before the dawn." The noble lord
adding, " As a result, in too many quarters, it is to be
feared, faith in a civilisation materialistic rather than
moral, in the substitution of a cunningly-devised
social mechanism for the energy, and self-reliance,
and spiriiliai elevation of the individual man, in a
haven to be reached through self-indulgence rather
than self-sacrifice." Immediately after which
he goes on to say—" And what, let me ask again

—what are the phenomena which distinguish
the close of the decade P Dark clouds overhead,
furrowed by the lightning track—below the
nations gathered together in perplexity, and
anxiously inquiring on what spot the thunderbolt
will fall—the hard-won economics of human in-
dustry, the knowledge of nature's secrets, so dearly
bought, all recklessly expended in the invention,
and fabrication, and accumulation of the instru-
ments of human destruction ; and, as a consequence
—a not unnatural consequence—a growing distrust
in many of the specious promises of the 19th cen-
tury, and an anxious groping in the dark after some
ground of confidence more stable, more sufficient,
and more secure." To the whole of this able oration,
however, given elsewhere tin extenso in our impres-
sion of this evening, we would very earnestly
commend attention. It is an address delivered
before one of the most thoughtful audiences in the
land by one of the foremost of our public men, at a
juncture of great social and political importance—
the effect of the whole of which address is in a
peculiar degree impressive.

VOCAL ASSOCIATION-ST. JAMES'S

HALL.

Perhaps there are few entertainments afforded
by the musical societies of this country more grati-
fying and successful than those of the Vocal Asso -
ciation. The patronage of an admiring public, and
the eulogy of a critical press, are ample proofs of
the excellence of this society, which was founded
by Mr. Benedict in 1856, having for its primary
object the performance of Glees, Madrigals, Part
Songs, and other compositions of a choral character.
The applause bestowed on the efforts of the Asso-
ciation induced the directors to extend the sphere
of operations; and, accordingly, a great variety of
first-class music has been presented from the works
of the best masters, in a manner that evoked
unqualified approbation.
The ensuing season promises a continuance of
increasing popularity, for Mr. Benedict's energy
and talent have been actively employed in the re-
vision and selection of new singers and the perfect-
ing of his orchestral arrangements, while the pro-
minent names of Clara Novello, Miss Dolby, Mrs.
Lockey, Miss Saunders ; Sims Reeves, Mr. Weiss,
and Mr. Lockey, constitute in themselves a host of
attractions. The Subscription Concerts, consisting
of a series of six performances, commence in Janu-
ary, presenting programmes calculated to propitiate
the tastes of ail who love " sweet sounds," whether
the ear be that of the rare, fastidious professor, or
the average unskilled listener. The subscription
terms are fabulously cheap, and we most cordially
and heartily commend the Vocal Association to the
notice and patronage of the public, as possessing
solid and choice qualifications of the divine art
which it illustrates.

STANZAS FOR THE SEASON.

Once again, once again,
Christmas wreaths are twining ;
Once again, once again,
Mistletoe is shining.

Time is marching through the land,
Decked with leaf and berry ;
He loads tho Old Year in his hand,
But both tho churls aro merry.

He speaketh in the claaging bells,
He shouts at every portal;
GOD speed the tidings that he tells,—
" Good-will and peace to mortal."

Gladly welcome shall he be,
Even though he traces
Silver threads upon our heads
And wrinkles on our faces.

For once again, once again,
He brings the happy meeting,
When cynic lips may preach in vain
That life is sad and fleeting.

Christmas logs should beacon back
The wanderer from his roving ;
Leave, oh ! leave the world's wide track,
And join the loved and loving.
Spirits that have dwelt apart,
Cold with pride and folly,
Bring olive in your hand and heart,
To weave with Christmas holly.

Breathe a name above the cup,
And leave no drop remaining ;
When Truth and Feeling fill it up,
'Tie always worth the draining.

Though few and short the flashes are
That break on Care's dull story,
Yet, like th© midnight shooting star,
Those moments pass in glory.

Then once again, once again,
We'll tap the humming barrel :
" Good-will and peace" shall never cease
To be a wise man's carol.

All, all we love I—a health to those I
A bumper I—who won't fill it ?
A health to brave and open foes,
A bumper I—who would spill it I

And here's to him who guards our right
Upon the 'distant billow I
And him who sleeps in watch-fire light
Upon his knapsack pillow I
If changing fate has frowned of late,
And of some joys bereft us,
Still, let us " gang a gleesome gait,"
And prize the blessings left us.

Wisdom's helmet strapped too tight
Wearies in the bearing ;
And Folly's bells on Christmas night
Are always pleasant wearing.

Then once again, once again,
Let holly crown each portal ;
And echo round the welcome sound—
" Good•will and peace to mortal 1"

ELIZA COOK.

HAYMARKET THEATRE.

The engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews,
which has deservedly proved as attractive to the patrons of
Mr. Buckstone's theatre, was brought to a conclusion yes-
terday evening, when Sheridan's delightful comedy of
" The School for Scandal" was performed with great eclat
in the presence of a numerous and enthusiastic audience.
Mrs. Mathews appeared as Lady Teazle, for the first time
in London, and played the part it spirited style, and with
a hearty earnestness of manner, which was very effective ;
Mr. Mathews, as Charles Surface, was gay, graceful, and
debonnaire—" the life of pleasure and the soul of whim ;"
and Mr. Buckstone's Sir Benjamin Backbite is worthy of
the actor's reputation, an admission which implies as much
praise as language is capable of yielding.
A pantomime of more than ordinary brilliancy is in pre-
paration, and will be produced on boxing-night.

SUDDEN AND ALARMING ILLNESS
OF MR ALBERT SMITH.

We much regret to announce that this well-known and
highly-popular gentleman lies in a very !precarious state.
After giving his entertainment as usual on Thursday night
he returned to his residence, North End Lodge, Fulham,
where, at an early hour yesterday morning, he was attacked
with an apoplectic fit of a severe nature. Medical assistance
was of course immediately procured, but during the after-
noon a second fit supervened, and his condition, according
to the latest accounts, was such as to cause the greatest ap-
prehension to his friends.
At noon, to-day, Mr. Smith, we regret to say, remained
in a state of insensibility. _

Throughout the day the inquiries at the Egytian Hall
have been very numerous.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY.—Three new pictures
have just been added to the National Collection, Trafalgar-
square, in addition to the six hung in October last—a fine
Ambrogio Borgognone, representing the marriage of St.
Catherine of Alexandria, the Virgin presenting St. Cathe-
rine of Siena ; entire figures, life size. This picture was
the altarpiece of the chapel of Rebecchino, near the Cer-
toss. of Pavia, of which Borgognono was one of the archi-
tects; his paintings bear date between 1490 and 1522.
The two other additions are the Ruysdaels lately ur
13 -
chased at the sale of the collection of Count Stolberg, at
Hanover ; they are both waterfalls, in the painter's best
style, and have been cng,raved on a large scale by Prestel,

LATEST NEWS.

The following telegrams have been received at
Mr. Reuter's office :

TURIN, DEC. 23.

The King signed to-day the nomination of Count
Cavour and M. Desambrois as Plenipotentiaries of
Sardinia at the Congress.

MADRID, DEC. 23.
The Moors have attacked the Spaniards on the
road to Tetuan, in order to obstruct the works.
They were victoriously repulsed.
General Prim distinguished himself by his

bravery.
The Spanish had four killed and 40 wounded.
All the works, and even the new fortlets, have

been completed.

ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 23.

The Journal de St. Petersbourg states that Prince
Gortschakoff has been appointed First Plenipo-
tentiary of Russia at the approaching Congress,
and that he will leave for Paris on the 31st inst.
The last Russian courier from China, who left on
the 17th Oct., announces that the Russian Embassy
at Pekin was enjoying perfect safety and liberty.
All the alarming reports to the contrary are,
therefore, unfounded.

FRANCE.

PARIS, FRIDAY.

THE BOURSE, Dec. 23.--The market had rather
an upward tendency at the commencement of busi-
ness, but it was checked by considerable sales.
Threes, after having been done at 70f. 45c., declined
to 70f. 20c., and are now at 70f. 35c. Mobilier
varied from 846 f. 25c. to 840 f. ; Austrian, 570 f, to
567 f. 50e. ; Lombard, 576 f. 25c. to 572 f. 50c ;
Lyons, 940 f. to 934 f. ; Orleans, 1,417 f. 50c. to
1,4121. 50c, The following were the last quota-
tions :

41 per Cents..... 96 50 Credit Fonder 725
Do. end month .. Belgian 4} 99 50
3 per Cents. 7O 45 Piednaontese (5)
Do. end month.... 70 s', Roman B3 75
Bank Shares...... 2885 Austrian —
Credit Mobilier .. 843 75 Spanish Threes
Do. Account ..... 846 25 !Rome Debt 43 37