The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-06 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

BERLIN, APRIL 4.—The King expresses his wil-
lingness in the interest of Europe to cede bis
sovereignty of Neuchatel on the following condi-
tions :-1. The Kings of Prussia shall retain for
ever the title of Prince of Neuchatel and Valangin.
2. Switzerland bears all the expenses that have been
caused by the events of September last, more parti-
cularly by the occupation of Neuchatel. 3. The
Canton of Neuchatel is to share in these expenses
only accordiug to the number of its population ;
no corporation, no family, and no individual in
the canton is to be specially assessed to them in
addition. 4. No Neuchatelois shall be brought
before any criminal court on account of any partici-
pation in the events of last September, or be pro-
ceeded against for damages in any civil court.
5. Switzerland pays the King of Prussia an indem-
nification of 2,000,000 f. The canton of Neuchatel
'is to contribute to this amount only accord-
ing to its fair proportion, and no class of
the population is to be specially assessed, to
it. 6. The church property that was con-
fiscated by the State in 1841 is to be re-
stored, and in future the Reformed Church shall
have a due share in the administration of this pro-
perty. 7. The State shall be debarred from in
future taking possession of the property of the cha-
ritable institutions, the hospitals, and other 'bene-
volent establishments of a like public nature. The
bourgeoisie of Neuchatel shall more particularly re-
tain for ever, according to the will of the testator,
the management of the legacy left by the
Baron de Pury. 8. A general amnesty shall be
issued, in which more particularly those militia-
men shall be included, who, by leaving their homes,
evaded being coerced into bearing arms against
their Prince. This amnesty shall be extended to
all political offences and those committed against
the Press Laws previous to September 3, 1856. 9.
A. revision of the Constitution of Neuchatel shall
not take place for six or 12 months, and only na-
-1 fives of Neuchatel shall take part in this revision.

THE EXHIBITION OF THE DESIGNS FOR

TILE NEW PUBLIC OFFICES.

The time for receiving the last of the designs for
the new public offices expired on Saturday night ,
at 12 o'clock. Until the clock struck there was an
officer stationed in Westminster Hall to receive the
plans, and, as is generally the case, there was a rush
l
at the last moment. The time for the reception of '
the designs of English artists expired on the 20th
ult., but an additional fortnight was given for the
convenience of foreign architects. The total number
of designs exhibited will he about 250, which will
more than cover the walls of Westminster Hal!,
and fresh arrangements will have to be• made
so that all of them may be equally well
seen by the public. None of the designs have yet
been opened ; they are kept safely under lock and
key until they are delivered over to the judges,
who will be appointed in the course of the next
fortnight. The exhibition will take place early in
May, and the designs will be open to the public un-
til June, when they will be removed to make room
for the designs for the Duke of Wellington's monu-
ment. These two very interesting exhibitions will,
this year, be provided for the public, beyond the
ordinary attractions of the metropolis. It is con-
templated, in addition to prizes already advertised,
to place the several designs in classes according to
merit, such as highly commended, commended,
&c. This course will be much appreciated by those
who shall be successful enough to get placed in
either of the above classes, as it will be a valuable
testimonial to any one who can obtain it.
It is said that some unfair attempts have been
made to evade the conditions of the specification.
Some parties from procrastination were too late
with their designs, and, in order to get them in,
have, it is reported, sent therti in under foreign
names. Should this prove to be the case, the par-
ties who have thus acted will have gained nothing
by their trickery, as instructions will be given to
the judges to set aside at once the designs of those
who have thus offended. There will doubtless be
a good deal said as to the costliness of the proposed
alteration, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
after having given up the war ninepence, may not
be inclined to look very favourably on the ex-
penditure of any large sum of money, having
actually pared down his estimates to the lowest-
fraction. But this is only for this year. Next year,
should nothing unforeseen arise, the finances of the
country will be in a more flourishing condition than
ever, and then the House of Commons will per-
chance be in a better humour to sanction the out-
lay of a considerable sum for a great national work,
which the proper laying out of the site in question
undoubtedly is. It is not expected, therefore, that
any money will be asked for this year, or that the
several owners of property upon which the two
new offices are to be built, though served with
notices, will be disturbed until next year. When,
however, the question comes before Parliament, it
will doubtless be shown that, although the first
outlay appears large, yet that it will be materially
reduced by the sale of other property thrown on
the hands of the Government by the removal of
the different offices to the new site. It is not de-
cided whether the decision of the judges shall be
made knowr before or after the exhibition of the
designs to the public, but most probably before.

THE NEW INCOME TAX.—To-day the new income-
tax act comes into operation. The duty is now 7d., and
on incomes less than 1501. it is sd. in the pound.
Loss of THE BACCHANTE STEAMER.—On Saturday the
total loss of the Bacchante, London and Oporto steamer,
was announced at Lloyd's. The vessel was entering
Oporto Harbour on the afternoon of Sunday last. She
had a pilot on board, and was pursuisg her course at
full speed across the bay over the bar, when she struck
on a reef known as the Falgueira Rocks. The force
with which she went over the reef rent apart the plates
of her hull, and her fore compartment was filled with
water. The crew had only time to launch the gig, au,
get into it with the passengers, when the vessel filled
and went down in several fathoms water. The mail bags
were after wards fished up by Captain Younghusband,
but the Vessel is reported as having broken in two, and
is therefore, with her cargo of general merchandise, a
total loss. The Bacchante was built of iron, and was
400 tons register. She was insured at Lloyd's for many
thousand pounds.