The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-18 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.- SATURDAY NEXT.
MR. and MRS. SIMS REEVES, Mdlle. ARTOT,
Signor BELLETTI, Mr. BALFE.—Mr. REEVES will sing
the four following popular pieces :—" Sound an alarm"—
" Come into the Garden, Maud"—" Comin' through the rye"
—" Good bye, Sweetheart"—and with Mrs. Sims Reeves in
the Duet " Da quel di."

CRYSTAL PALACE.-SATURDAY NEXT.-
The Exeter-Hall Office will remain Open for the SALE
of RESERVED SEAT TICKETS, at Half-a-Crown each,
for Mr. Sims Reeves' Concert, until 8 o'clock To-morrow
(Friday) evening.;

CRYSTAL PALACE.-SATURDAY NEXT.-
After the Concert of Mr. Sims Reeves, the Band of the
Royal Marine Light Infantry will perform for the first time
a selection from Meyerbeer's new opera, "Dinorah."

RV YAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean.
THIS EVENDTG, THE WIFE'S SECRET. Mr. and
Mrs. C. Kean.
To conclude with A MIDSUMMER NIGIIr'S DREAM.
Commence at 7.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET,
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckatone.
THIS EVENING, RALLOWE'EN.
THE CONTESTED ELECTION.
After which, OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND.
To conclude with A NABOB FOR AN HOUR.
Commence at 7.

NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHL
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster.
THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST.
For the Benefit of Mr. W. Smith, Acting Manager.
THIS EVENING, the performances will commence with
THE WRECK ASHORE: Messrs. Billing:ton, P. Bedford,
Stuart,W. Smith, Eburne, MissWoolgar, and Mrs. Billing,ton.
After which, THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT.
Marie, Miss Rebecca Isaacs, for this night only ; assisted
by Messrs. P. Bedford, Garden, Moreland, Mrs. Chatterley.
Followed by the new burlesque, THE BABES IN THE
WOOD. Messrs. C. Marshall, Paul Bedford, C. J. Smith,
Eburne ; Miss Woolgar and Miss K. Kelly.
Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith.

Doors open at a quarter-past six—Commence at seven. Box
Office open from 10 to 5 —no charge for booking. No fees to
servants permitted. A registry kept of all articles found.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough
THIS EVENING, THE MAID WITH THE MILKING
PAIL,

_ .
After which, A SCHOOL FOR COQUETTES. Misses
Swanborongh, Oliver, and Lavine.
Followed by THE VERY LATEST EDITION OF THE
LADY OF LYONS.

Commence at 7 o'clock;

VERDI'S OPERA OF MACBETH. The
whole of the first Act of this Opera, now produced
for the first time in this country (the remaining three acts
being in course of rehearsal), is sung nightly at the CAN-
TERBURY HALL CONCERTS.

THE DELEPIERRE FAMILY,
Consisting of three Juvenile Violinists, viz., Jules, Juliette,
and Julia Delepierre, aged, respectively, FOUR,, SIX, and
EIGHT years.
The perfect execution by these Lilliputian Artistes of some
of the most difficult and brilliant Solos, Duets, and Trios eve:
written for the violin, has excited mingled wonder and admi-
ration in Continental Musical Circles, and drawn forth enthu-
siastic tributes of praise from the Public Journals of France
and Belgium.

-
They will perform T VVICE EACH EVENDTG, in addi
tion to the usual Entertainments.

THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, AUGUST 18.

THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
69—highest since noon yesterday.
64—lowest this morning and during the night.
68—this day at noon.

BARomETEn-30.17.
WIND, South-Eazterly; light, with dull hazy weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 4h. 26m.—Afternoon, 4h. 41m,
To-Moßßow-Morning, 4h. 57m.—Afternoon, sh. 14m,

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THE SUN.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 1859.

The Emperor NAPOLEON has given an instal-
ment of Justice to Political offenders ? by an
Imperial decree dated yesterday. And another
decree, dated this day, removes some of the laws in
force against the Press. So far so good. The
wonder is that measures of this kind should have
been deferred so long. If the EMPEROR really
hopes to secure his dynasty, the only way is tc
trust in the affections of the people. An army
may be bought and sold ; but the true affections
of a whole nation, when once purely won, gene.
rally outlive the idol of their primitive devotion.
Though the French are an exciteable people, they
are still loyal as well as chivalrous. They are
restive under restraint; and not over appreciative
of the true respect due to liberty of opinion so much
as action. They may be more mercurial in their
personal habits than other people nearer home ;
but they cannot comprehend any sober for-
bearance in the expression of their opinions.
Hence their frequent violence in political discus-
sions. This was but too forcibly exemplified during
the days of the Republic. But the question arises,
was it wise to use such severe repression so as
virtually to extinguish the mind of France ? We
think not. There was no expression of public feel-
ing permitted, save what was agreeable to those in
power. Now in civil life we like to hear both
sides, for truth generally lies between the extremes
of opinion. But when the mind is pent up
under severe coercion, resentment works with
embittered anguish. The safety valve is closed up
and an explosion becomes a daily apprehension.
The experience of the world proves this ; but a
sudden assumption of power overrides all prudenee,
apparently indifferent to consequences. Still there
may be exceptions ; and one cannot help making
due allowance for the very peculiar position of the
Emperor NAPOLEON, under all the circumstances
of his usurping the diadem, with a stealthy reso-
lution worthy of our own CROMWELL, but totally
devoid of his cautious hesitation in grasping the
covetted bauble.

It may be that NAPOLEON now sees the error of
his rule, and may hope to concentrate his power by
relaxing its pressure. The strained cord snaps
when least expected, because safety is presumed
from continued endurance. If France will ap-
preciate the present instalment of justice to her un-
doubted rights all may be bet ter for the future. It
will certainly be safer for the EMPEROR, for he is
plaeed in the predicament of the ambitious boy who
has climbed to the topmost point of the tree of
danger that he is afraid to descend.

NAPOLEON has, however, summoned courage to
retrace his steps, and vra 'hope the change may be
mutually beneficial. It were idle in the present
temper of mind to hope long for its entire suppres-
sion. Limbs may be chained, but thought will be
free, and fearlessly assert its dominion, biding the
coming dawn of liberty with an assurance of
heartfelt inspiration which neither time Ror cir-
cumstance can control.

RICHARD COBDEN knows well what sort of stuff
the House of Commons is made of, and he tells us
plainly that Parliament is not in earnest to put
down corruption. He has seen its conduct now for
nearly twenty years, and he is prepared to say
nothing better of the House of Which even his
opponents' confess him to be one of the ornaments,
than that that house does not sincerely endeavour
:
to repress bribery and intimidation at elections—
does not in fact care for the electoral purity of the

members who compose it.
Let the reader peruse his description of the means
now used—ostensibly—for that purpose. Election
Committees—what are they ? Tribunals so in-
famously costly, that no petition against a corrupt
return can be prosecuted but at the hazard of costs
to which those of Chancery are trifles. " I venture
to say"—says Mr. COBDEN—" that a man who pre-
sents an election petition to the House of
Commons, goes before a tribunal, the expense of
which makes the law or equity, which is admi•
nistered at the Court of Chancery, dirt cheap to it."
Well, inde'd, may he say so, when no man who
presents a petition can tell whether it may not cost
him £5,00.0 if he persists in prosecuting it. The
tribunal, therefore, before which corrupt elections