The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-30 00:00:00

ME SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVEN! G, NOVE FIBER 30, 1861.

cellar of the Exchequer come to a satisfactory un-
derstanding with each other upon the subject,
and the conclusion so complacently arrived
at by the Royal Commissioners will be overruled
betimes, and swept aside peremptorily, to the
satisfaction of the sane mass of the inhabitants of
the metropolis.
It is conspicuously to the credit of Mr. THWAITES
that his was the only dissentient voice raised against
this extraordinary opinion otherwise unanimously
formed by his brother Commissioners. Mr. THWAITES
was then and there in a minority, and conse-
quently his advocacy of a Southern Embankment
as well as a Northern Embankment went for
nothing. But—apart from the Royal Commis-
sioners—he is certainly in a minority upon the sub-
ject no longer. It is gratifying to remember that he
at least among the Commissioners, he who
occupies the responsible position of Chairman of the
Metropolitan Board of Works, was, upon a matter
of such importance, wiser than the rest of them.
The opinion Mr. THWAITES then avowed is
strictly in harmony with the view afterwards
taken of it by the Parliamentary Committee, by
the deputation that waited the other day upon the
Prime Minister, and last, and perhaps most im-
portant of all, by the Prime Minister himself.
We entertain no doubt whatever as to what will
be the result of so remarkable and conspicuous a
coincidence.

If any one comes freshly to the consideration of
the question now immediately under dispute, it must
certainly appear ludicrous upon the very face of
it, to find a Royal Commission deliberately re-
commending that one side, and one side alone, of
a great river like the Thames, rolling through a
metropolis like London, should be Embanked !
And that the other of course should be left, so to
speak, in impuris naturalibus ! " Several conside-
rations," we are now gravely informed, " governed

the Commission in recommending the Embankmen
on the northern side, which do not apply, or apply
but slightly, to a similar work on the opposite
shore." We are farther informed, " These consi-
derations especially pointed to the necessity of
giving priority at least to the work on the northern
side." It is then observed that " the principal one
was carrying the great low level sewer on the
Middlesex side along the line of the proposed
Embankment, instead of tearing up for its construc-
tion—it might be for a year or two—the great
thoroughfares of the Strand and Fleet-street,
involving the diversion of the enormous traffic into
the little narrow collateral streets and byways."
A very good reason, this, no doubt, in favour of
carrying out the enterprise of a northern Embank-
ment. But—not the smallest reason in the world
for not carrying out a southern Embankment as
well. The mere question as to priority we take
to be altogether beside the mark—and to be
worthy of no consideration whatever, supposing
it were alone possible to have one Embankment at
a time. In that contingency, of course, we should
have to decide which of the two banks should have
precedence. But it is altogether essential, as a pre-
liminary, to show that the simultaneous carry-
ing out of both Embankments is a duplex work
wholly and absolutely impracticable. Even if that
double labour were clearly proved to be impossible
—even if it were quite plainly demonstrated that
one Embankment alone at a time could be con-
structed, we could readily enough adduce good and
valid reasons wby the southern instead of the
northern Embankment should have the priority.
For example, the southern side lies considerably
lower than the northern. Lambeth aad those
neighbourhoods are continually in the time of
heavy rains and high tides liable to be overflowed
in consequence. Therefore—for one reason—the
southern or Surrey side should have precedence
over the northern or Middlesex side. Again, the
property upon the northern side is of greater value
than the property upon the southern side. There
again being no sufficiently comprehensible:reason
why the Surrey bank should have priority over the
Middlesex bank. It is yet to be shown, however,
that the two Embankments cannot be carried out
together, that is, simultaneously.
The argument in justification of the decision
arrived at by the Royal Commissioners, seriously
goes on to put the matter before us thus : " Another
main object," it is added, " was by means of the
Embankment to split, and to relieve the great human
tide continually setting in bath directions between
Westminster and the city." An excellent reason
again in favour of the notion of a northern Em-
bankment. Bet a reason utterly worthless as
opposed to the scheme of a southern Embankment.
It is admitted a little later on, that " Apart from
public convenience, taking the Embankment of the
river simply as a work to be invested with elements
of interest and beauty, an equal claim to be con-
sulted might be advanced by the inhabitants of
either aide, but," it is rather extravagantly ob-
served, after this, " the comparison of claim
fails in all other respects !" As to the larger
number of the difficulties said to be arrayed
against the promoters of the Embankment
scheme along the southern banks of the
Thames, as contrasted with those discoverable
along the northern or Middlesex bank—we simply
ask any unprejudiced Londoner to say from his own
knowledge of the position of the things upon either
side whether the opinion he should conscientiously
have arrived at would not have been diametrically
the reverse. In confirmation of the reasonableness
of which conclusion we need only direct particular
attention to the very words employed in an earlier
part of this same argument in justification of the
♦iews entertained by the Royal Commissioners.
Namely, where it is emphatically remarked that
" For all time since London was a city, and now
snore than ever, the great mass of the metropolitan
population has dwelt on the northern side of the
Thames, a consideration [think the Commissioners]
which of itself demands that the requirements of
that aide should be first consulted in the matter of
the Embankment." But—allowing that, admit-
ting that—a consideration also, say we, proving as
plainly as any thing possibly can be proved, that the
difficulties against the northern enterprise must
necessarily be, as we have just now been insisting
upon, larger and more numerous, and in every
way more formidable than those likely to be en-
countered while carrying out a similar scheme upon
;he southern side !

It were idle, however, to pursue the
argument against the Royal Commission fur-
ther. The question, we rejoice to think, is
already virtually decided against them. Mr.
THWAITES has to all intents and purposes even now
won the day against his brother Commissioners.
He is no longer, we repeat, in a minority. His
once isolated opinion in favour of a southern Em-
bankment as well as a northern Embankment being
coincident with the opinions now entertained and
avowedonof the
upon
pthnehlo at large,miatter bya
andco considerable
therable Primepropor-
ti
Minister of England, no leas than last session by
the members of the Parliamentary Committee.
\

The Marquis of Hartington, eldest son of the
Duke of Devonshire, is about to marry the Hon. Miss Pitt,
daughter of Lord and Lady Rivers.
A marriage is also arranged to take place between
Lady Londesborough and Lord Otho Fitzgerald, son of the
Duke of Lei Aster.

AST. JAMES'S THEATRE.

We alluded very briefly to the piece of the
" Poor Nobleman," on its first appearance under
Mr. Wigan's auspices, and we are now convinced
that, in spite of its good reception on the first night,
it is not thoroughly appreciated. This arises partly
from the fact that, in any novelty he offers, the
public look to some fresh and powerful develop-
ment of Mr. Wigan's talent, and on this occasion
have not found it. Mr. Wigan, no doubt, invests
with a certain pathos and sincerity the role of the
dilapidated Marquis, but pride and manliness are
wanting to the version which he gives of it. It is
too woe-begone by far, and reminds us much more
of a dissenting preacher out of work than an aris-
tocrat reduced to labour for existence. Mr. Wigan
forgets that in France, before 1789, the feudal and
military character accompanied each other. Mrs.
Wigan is inimitable in the humorous and vulgar
bonhommie she imparts to the plebeian Madame
Bonbon. But Miss Herbert, as the daughter of
the Marquis, is so decidedly the leading figure of
the piece, that its effect mainly turns on the im-
pression she creates in it ; and, were it not trans-
lated from the French, we should have thought it
was composed to bring her powers into notice. In
the first act Miss Herbert merely represents, with
many passing graces, joyous kindness to a faith-
ful and eccentric servant of the house,
ladylike reserve to an abrupt and honourable
lover; and lastly, to a father whose cares she does
not know, the manners which are best calculated to
cheer his home and to adorn it. Before the curtain
falls upon this act, a burst of tenderness responds to
the discovery of her clouded hopes and his impend-
ing poverty while every former sentiment is
merged in the deep filial care which afterwards en-
grosses her. In the 2d act her tour de force is
given. Here she is disguised as a servant bringing
lace to Mr. Bonbon, having resolved to aid her
father by the work of hands which still desire a
noble occupation. Refinement and simplicity—the
highborn girl and the cantiniere, the decent pride
of birth and cheerful resignation to misfortune, are
blended in a touching manner. Each phase affects ;
each sets off without encroaching on the other.
But skill is mainly shown in the maturity which
the reverse of fortune seems to have disclosed in the
character of Madame de Belleterre. As generally
happens under sudden blows of fate, the girl be-
' comes the woman—the features are the same, the
mind has grown for its experience.. This law of

nature is illustrated entirely by the tone Miss
Herbert gives the part, and would hardly be appa-
rent from the language or the conduct which be-
longs to it. In her costume of the second act,
although the disguise is good, Miss Herbert far out-
shines the costume of the first, as if she meant to
show that ruin is more becoming than prosperity,
or that beauty knows how to steal a laurel from
privation. All those who have as yet ap-
proved her talent on the stage, should go to
see the " Poor Nobleman." The dazzling burlesque
of last winter at St. James's Theatre might bring

out perhaps her personal advantages. " The Isle
of St. Tropez" and the "Scrap of Paper" afforded,
but in no pleasant shape, a scope for intellectual
power. She has now a part which gives a better
opportunity for the union of mind and grace than
has hitherto belonged to her. And if the "Poor
Nobleman" is received as a piece conducive to this
object, in spite of weak points, it deserves the
favour of the public.

ELEVATION OF MR. MELLOR, Q.C., TO

THE BENCH.

This morning it was officially communicated
amongst the members of the bar in Westminster
Hall, that the Lord Chancellor had conferred the
Puisne Judgeship, vacant by the retirement, on
account of illness, of Mr. J ustice Hill, upon John
Mellor, Esq., Q.C., of the Inner Temple, and also
M.P. for Nottingham.
Mr. Mellor was called to the bar in 1833.
The elevation of the hon. gentleman to the
Judicial Bench will create a vacancy in the repro-
sentation of Nottingham.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in town
yesterday from Windsor Castle._ _ . _

Sir George Grey arrived in London yesterday
morning to attend the Cabinet Council, from his seat,
Falledon, Northumberland.

Mr. and Lady Charlotte Portal have left Far-
ranee's Hotel for Laverstoke House, near Micheldever,

Hants.

It is said that the iron-cased frigate Normandie,
now at Cherbourg, has accomplished 14 French knots an
hour during her trial trip.
FATAL COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL.—WATER-
FORD, Friday.—The Waterford Company's steamship
Zephyr arrived from Liverpool this morning, and reports
having been in collision off Puffin Island with a French
steamer, Comtesse de Frigile Frigeville, from Nantes, for
Liverpool, in ballast. The French ship immediately sank.
The captain, mate, and eight of the crew were lost; six
were saved. The Zephyr sustained no injury. _

The Nazione of Turin states that Bishop Ganli
has been sentenced to imprisonment for 50 days by the Tri-
bunal at Pistoia, for publishing writings of a reactionary
tendency against the Government of the King. The same
journal expresses a hope that the sentence will be carried
out, as in more cases than one priests have not been pun-
ished according to their sentence.
THE AUSTRIAN NAVY. According to the Espero
of Turin, the Austrian Government contemplates making a
new conscription, and, because it knows that the Adriatic
will be the theatre of the next war, has determined that all
the conscripts from Palmatia shall be employed to man
the fleet. It is even said that this measure will be ex-
tended to Istria. Henceforth sailors rather than soldiers
will be wanted, and the Espero gives it as its opinion that
Istria and Dalmatia ought to be able to furnish at least
60,000.
THE BANK or DErosiT.—The Rev. William
Bean, of Worthing, has recently made a statement to his
congregation in reference to his connexion with the Bank
of Deposit. He informed them that although his name ap-
peared in the papers as one of the present directors, it was
not so, as he had retirrd from the bank about six months
since, and that during the short period he was a director,
he could truly say he was not aware of any thing that was
inconsistent with the highest integrity.— West Sussex
Gazette.

LATE SIEN E 6.

PARIS, Nov. 30.

The Moniteur of this morning says :—" The
director of the customs has reported that the
surplus of grain imported into France is 101
millions of hectolitres: At present, therefore, the
wants of consumers appear to be guaranteed."

TURIN, Nov, 29 (Evening.)
The Duke of Prato has tendered his resignation
as member of the Chamber of Deputies.
The law suppressing feudal rights in Lombardy
has been adopted.
The Bishop of Potenza has exhorted the clergy
to support the national Government.

VIENNA, Nov. 30.
The Emperor will leave this evening for Venice,
where he intends to remain for eight days.
Dr. Hein, President of the Chamber of Deputies,
has been appointed Minister of Justice.

WARSAW, Nov. 28,

The Council of State continues to discuss the
question whether civil rights shall be granted to
the Jews in Poland.

Notwithstanding the assertions of the Breslauer
Zeitung to the contrary, perfect tranquillity pre-
vails in Warsaw and throughout the provinces.
Personal security is nowhere threatened.

TNORN, Nov. 29.

There is great and general agitation. in Warsaw
on account of the resignation of the Marquis
Wielopolski.

The decree by which the Emperor accepts his
resignation states that he is relieved from all his
functions until further orders.

INDIA.
(BY TELEGRAPH DIRECT FROM ALEXANDRIA.),
BOMBAY, Nov. 12.

Lord Canning is about to extend the system of
permanent settlement to the North-West Provinces.
Shirtings have advanced 2 to 6 annas per pieoe.
Mule twist in good demand at advanced rates.
Metals dull. Linseed active, and prices advancing.
Cotton.—Dhollera, 171 r. to 181 r. ; Compta, 155 r.
Government Securities.—Four per Cents. 821 ;
Five per Cents., 95/ ; Five and a Half per Cents.,
1021. Exchange on London, 2s. ld. Discount, 8
per cent. Money stringent. Freight for cotton to
Liverpool, 455.

(BY TELEGRAPH TO BOMBAY.)
CALCUTTA, Nov. 9.

The late reaction in the piece-goods market has
been fully recovered. 71b. shirtings are quoted at
sr. 4a. to sr. 6a.; 31b. madapollam, 2r. 2a. to 2r. 3a.
Mule twist firmer. Indigo unchanged. Copper—
Sheathing, 411 r. ; tile, 42r. Exchange on London,
2s. 0/d. to 2s. ON. Government Securities—Four
per Cents., 84 to 841 ; Five-and-a-Half per Cents.,

104 to 1041. Freight, 675. 6d.
Note.—This telegram left Alexandria at 5 p.m.
on the 26th inst., and arrived in London at 10 32
a.m. on the 29th inst.

LIVERPOOL, Nov. 30.

The Royal Mail steamship Europa, which sailed
to-day for Halifax and Boston, took £49,320 in
gold, chiefly on Government account.

THE PORTE AND THE PRINCIPALITIES,
The levant Herald of the 20th iust. has the fol.
lowing :

" We believe we may confidently announce that
the long-vexed question of the Roumain union has
at length reached its settlement. Last week the
Porte communicated to each of the representatives
of the Powers Interested, a copy of the firman by
which it proposes to consent to the desired junction
of the two provinces, and we learn that the condi-
tions under which it is willing to sanction that
result have, with a few trifling exceptions, been
accepted by the whole of the Legations concerned.
The Porte consents to the complete legis-
lative and administrative union of the
two Principalities for and during the life
of the present Hospodar. The Fockshani
Commission will, of course, be dissolved, and (the
firman proposes) in addition to the one central
Upper Chamber or Senate, there:will be a Provincial
Chamber for each of the Principalities. At the
death or abdication of Prince Cousa the present
status quo will, ipso facto, be re-established, so as to
afford the two peoples an opportunity of reverting
to their separate Governments, or of manifesting a
collective wish for a continuance of the Union. In
the latter event, the Porte, while declining at pre-
sent to give any specific pledge on the point, pro-
mises to consider favourably any general and spon•
taneous expression of the popular will. A protocol
embodying the general acceptance of these terms
will be signed in a few days, immediately:after which
the definitive firman of the Porte will be forwarded
by a special commissioner to Bucharest."