The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-21 00:00:00

T H E

6. OXFORD-STREET.

This noble building being now completed, its architectural
beauty, elegance of ornamentation, and brilliancy of lighting
render it one of the sights of the metropolis. Open Every
Evening. The programme is varied, and includes Selections
(by a full company of principals, powerful band, and chorus)
from " Macbeth" and "Un Ballo in Maschera." both operas
by Verdi, the composer of the day—The wonderful Solos on
the Cornet-a-Piston of the renowned LEVY—Scotch Duets by
the Misses Stuart, and other vocal and instrumental music
of the highest order. Conductor, Mr. F. Jonghmans. The
Comic portion of the entertainment is supported by Miss
Green, Messrs. Sam Collins, Harvey, and French (the Nerves),
W. H. Wieland, E. Marshall, and W. Randall. Admission,
Hall, sixpence ; Balcony and Stalls,
one shilling. Private
Boxes, 10s. 6d.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS DAY.—Morning, 12h. 13m.—Afternoon, 12h. 38m,
To-mounow.-Morning, lh. 34m.—Afternoon, nh. 38m.

TILE WEATHER.—Sux OFFICE, JUNE 21, 11181.
THERMOMETER, IN THE slums.
76—highest since noon yesterday.:
61—lowest this morning and during the night.
72—this day at noon.
BAROMETER-29.38.
WIND—N.E. in the morning; now S.E. ; with dull
sultry weather..

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TilE SUN.

LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1881.

The Edinburgh has brought us three days later
news, but no tidings of any important event. The
North and the South seem still engaged in the pre-
liminary work of looking at each other, each daring
the other to come to close quarters. We have little
doubt, considering the temper of both sides, that
want of preparation has much to do with the slow-
ness to act. Capt. RUSSELL, who was appointed
by the French Minister of Marine to report on the
performance of the Great Eastern, and who may
be regarded as an unbiassed witness, reports that
the armaments of the North are by no means
so formidable as they are represented to
be ; numerous regiments that figure on
paper are reduced to a few privates;, with
the officers and staff au grand complet,
and as, from what he learned, the South was in
much the same predicament, we need not be sur-
prised that the grand movements on both sides
should be delayed. The North has frequently
spoken of the cool weather as the time when they
mean to act ; it may be that the weather is only
ono reason, and the least important one, of their
slow advance.

The confederate troops are reported to be advanc-
ing on Cairo. This place is situated at the junc-
tion of the Ohio and Mississippi, below also the
point at which the Missouri joins the latter. It
therefore commands the entire river traffic of the
North and North-West with the South, and has
already greatly annoyed the latter by stopping
supplies and, in the earlier stage of the rebel-
lion, munitions of war also, on their passage
thither. We imagine, however, that the men of
Illinois arc not very likely to give the South the
chance of overpowering them in their grand
River Port. Could the South but capture Cairo
it would materially aid in all the internal
smuggling in both directions which might serve
its purposes. Two little incidents are favour-
able to the South. The officers of the Susque-
hannah frigate, just returned from the Medi-
terranean, resigned their commissions on
returning home ; which seems to show how
such Government appointments had been bestowed
on Southern men. The other, the surrender of the
Secession prisoners captured at Alexandria. This
was probably, however, owing to family connec-
tions, Which must often now be painfully broken,
and► we may presume, the liberated prisoners are
pledged to fight no more against the North.

B,umour has been rather unpleasantly busy of late
in regard to the relations of Italy and France; and
other Continental powers have also been honoured
with its moti,:,,e. Generally such rumours pass for
mere political gossip, but the undeniable fact is
that in unrepresented France, rumour is a regular
State agent, though not a State authority, and
when the retort is of something "greatly for the
advantages" of France, as JOSEPH ADY used to
say, it, is prudent to deal with these gossipping
political tales as having a purpose. They may be,
and probably arc, intended to test what public
opinion will bear, or to familiarise the mind to
with "Napoleonic ideas"--ideas intended to be
converted, if events permit, into material facts.
We are all, of course, gratified with the an-
nouncement that France is on diplomatic terms
with Sardinia again, by acknowledging the King-
dom of Italy ; but, while we regret the fact, still a
fact it is, that almost every person who takes an
English interest in the liberty and unity of Italy,
receives the news with a half anxious apprehension
about the possible conditions. Nothing, indeed, is
known, but each one's instinct warns him that it is
not natural to expect a simply right and straight-
forwarcl act on the part of our great ally. What
has he bargained for in exchange? is the general
inquiry. Mr. GRIFFITHS, therefore, was quite
right in asking Lord JOHN a question, yesterday,
respecting the report which had assumed so plau-
sible a form, of the Austrian proposals
to France respecting the temporal power of
the POPE. From what they have seen already
our readers must judge of the probability, or other-
wise, of the statement that Austria proposed that
the :two Emperors :should :combine to form an in-
dependent army for the protection of the temporali-
ties of the POPE, and to keep Piedmont from enter-
ing upon them. On that point, and h
one
we
the reported
statement of Bt.,ron RIOASOLI
, that
that
:fi"confi-
dent of checkm Ating all intrigues,"hia