The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-28 00:00:00

THE NEWS FROM AME.RICA.

There appears to be a pretty general misconcep-
tion as to the period at which tle reply of the Go-
vernment at Washington is ligely to reach this
country. Indications of what that reply is likely
to be might have come, but have not, by the mail
which arrived on Wednesday, and are certain to
come by the mail due on Sunday; but the proba-
bility is that the actual result will not be known
here till ten days hence. The mail expected on
Sunday is sure to bring news as to the effect pro-
duced " out of doors" by the intelligence that the
British Government insists on reparation, though
the news are not likely to include any fuller or more
authentic knowledge of the instructions sent to
Lord Lyons than is at present possessed by the pub-
lic in this country. Several days would almost
certainly elapse before the precise terms laid before
the Federal Government by Lord Lyons would be
allowed to transpire, if indeed they were made pub-

lie any sooner than the decision or reply, which
would not necessarily be given till seven days after
the formal receipt of the despatoh. It would, how-
ever, be known in New York immediately after the
arrival of the English mail, andthe American mail
next due is the " return," that the despatch from
the English Government, whatever its terms and
details, involved a peremptory demand for the resto-
ration of the prisoners; and so we shall know im-
mediately the effect of that demand upon American
public opinion, and especially upon the mercantile
.:end money dealing classes. One effect is pretty
certain to be more or less of a commercial and mone-
tary " panic," and especially a great fall *in the
market value of the loan, or, in other words, a great
decline in the credit of the Government, which has
already been greatly shaken by the report of the
Treasury. It is considered pretty certain that the
banks of the Federal States must suspend specie
payments, as the only device for keeping their bul-
lion at home, and preserving even a nominal sol-
vency, loaded as they are With Treasury paper•
money, and as necessary also to the raising of farther
loans by the Government. The effect of all this,
and of the remonstrances of the mercantile classes,
would certainly be restraining as fo almost any
other government ; but the Government at Wash-
ington is so much tinder the influence of one light-

aaded and reckless man (Mr. Seward), and so
driven by pressare and clamour proceeding from
the lowest political depths, that no favourable in-
ferences can be quite relied upon. In London the
preponderating opinion in the best-informed circles
—including, it is understood, the members of the
Government—is still, we are sorry to be told, that
there will be war, or at least, which is considered
much the same thing, that there will be a refusal to
give up the prisoners. There are, however, a con-
siderable number cf Americans in this country, be-
longing to the Federal party, who express confi-
dence that their Government will yield ; and this
opinion must carry considerable weight, even
though it is understood not to be participated in by
the members of the American embassy. If Lord
Lyons receive either a direct refusal, or an evasive
or dilatory reply, he will return home forthwith,
and of course that step will be immediately met by
the recall of Mr. Adams. It is net certain, how-
ever, that acts of war will instantly follow, at
least on our side—it is not improbable that the
British Government may delay action till the meet-
ing of Parliament, which, in the case supposed,
would take place early next month.—Scotsman.

WILLS AND BEQU.LSTS.

(From the Illustrated _London News.)

The will of the Most Noble Elizabeth, Dowager
Marchioness Conyngham, of Hamilton-place, Pic-
cadilly, and Bifrons, near Canterbury, was proved
in London on the 10th inst.; the executors nomi-
nated being the Marquis Conyngham, the son, and
the Right Hon. Sir William Somerville, Bart., the
son-in-law. The personalty was sworn under
£200,000. The will bears the date of Dec. 2S,
1849 ; and there are three codicils, executed in 1850,
1855, and 1857, which were all attested by the same
witnesses—J. H. Benbow, Esq., Lincoln's Inn-
fields, and W. H. Saltwell, his clerk. Her ladyship
died at Bifrens, on the 11th of October last, aged
92. This venerable Marchioness, who passed the
latter years of her life in the enjoyment of a tran-
quil seclusion, died possessed of a large fortune.
Her ladyship had a family of five children, three
sons and two daughters, only one surviving—the
present Marquis, who inherits the family estates
of the testatrix, which are devised to him by her
will. The Marchioness also has bequeathed to her
son the Marquis certain diamonds, emeralds, and
pearls, to be retained by him as heirlooms. The
rest f the jewels she leaves to her grand-
daughters, also a sum of £30,000 amongst them;
and to her son-in-law, Sir William Somerville, a
legacy of £2,000. There are other bequests to her
solicitor, steward, and servants, and to the poor of
the parishes of Patrickburn and Bridge, Kent, and
Tempi earne, Donegal.

The will of Richard Hollond, Esq., formerly of
Grosvenor-place, late of Oxford-terrace and Avenue-
road,p Regent's-park, was proved by the executors,
the Rev. Edmund Hollond, of Hyde-park-gardens,
and Robert Hollond, Esq., of Portland-place, the
brothers, the personal property being sworn under
This gentleman has distributed his
amongst his brothers, sisters,
There are'
also
£400,000.
munificent fortune in very handsome proportions
wanodanonthueitriems e; mabnedrsthoef
his family,
residue of the entire estate is bequeathed to the tes-
tator's two brothers—share and share alike.
The will of Lloyd Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh,
Esq., F.s
•A 9 of Gwrych Castle, Denbigh, and
Portland-place, was proved in London, and the
personalty sworn under £lBO,OOO. The executors
appointed are the Right lion. Lady Emily Hes-
keth, the relict, Sir Charles H. R. Broughton,
Bart., and William Hanmer, Esq., of Bodnod,
Denbigh. This wealthy gentleman has bequeathed
his extensive property, consisting of many estates
situated in various counties, to his son and heir,
Robert Bamford-Hesketh, Esq., and has also en -
tailed them on his issue, nominating him residuary
legatee. His relict (who -is the daughter of Earl
Beauchamp) is provided for by settlement and
otherwise, and ample provision is also made for
younger children. There is a bequest to the poor
pf Abergele.

APOTHECARIES-HALL.—The following gentlemen
passed their examination in the science and 'practice of
medicine, and received certificates to prat tine on Thursday,
the 26th December, 1861 :—John Evans Hughes, Pwllheli,
North Wales; William Autey, Leeds; Thos. Henry Pass-
more, Granada, West Indies ; Edmund Gwynn, Caterham,
S..rrey ; John Fryer, Newbiggin, Bishopdale, Yorkshire ;
Edwin Philpot Haward, Harley-street, Cavendish-square,