The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-17 00:00:00

ARY 17, 1859

present situation of Italy. This document will not
be kept secret, and if it is as clearly written as is
rumoured, the question of Italy will be freed from
its present uncertain situation. The document will
affirm that Europe requires peace rather than war;
that strong proofs of moderation have been given
by the French Government, and that all that re-
mains to be done is to profit by past experience.
France desires peace, but does not fear war."

The Senate sat yesterday, M. Troplong in the
chair. An Imperial decree was read from the
chair, appointing M. Baroche, President of the
Council of State, to represent the Government at
all discussions in the Senate during the session of
1859. In virtue of another decree, dated the 12th
of the present month, M. Baroche read to the
Chamber the expose des Inotifs of a senatus consul-
turn, having for object to increase from 1,500,000 f.
to 2,200,000 f. the annual dotation of the Princes
and Princesses of the Imperial family ; to allow
Prince Napoleon a sum of 800,000 f. for his marriage
expenses and cost of establishment; and to fix the
jointure of the Princess Clotilda. The Senate de-
cided to meet on Thursday to name a committee of
ten members to examine the senatus-consultum
presented. The proceedings then terminated.

It is rumoured that M. Charles Laffitte, the
banker, and two English houses, are about to un-
dertake the Piedmontese loan.

BOURSE, Feb. 16.—There was a slight degree of
buoyancy apparent at the beginning of the market,
and the liquidation of the share account was car-
ried on easily. Threes were done at 67f. 55c. and
67f. 75c., and are now at 67f. 65c. Mobilier Taxied
from 765 f. to 772 f. 50c. ; Austrian, 542 f. 50c.
to 547 f. 50e. ; Orleans, 1,315 f. to 1,317 f. 50c. ;
Southern, 515 f. to 516 f. 25c. The market continued
in the same state to the close, when the following
were the quotations :

41 per Cents. 97 20
Do. end month 97
3 per Cents 67 70
Do. end month 67 70
Bank Shares 2900

CrEldit Fonder 645
Belgian 4f —
Piedmontese (5)
Roman B9
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Home Debt 4O

Credit Mobilier .. 770
Do. Account ..... 775

RAILIVIYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans
-Northern 927 50 922 50
New ditto 795 .. 792 50
Lyons and Mediterranean B2B 75 827 50
New ditto —
Geneva 535 .. 531 25
Midi
Southern
Western
Eastern
Grand Central —
Sardinian
Austrian
Exchange on London, at sight, ,paper, 25f. 171 c. ; money,
25f. 121 c.; three months, paper, 20. t. sc. ; money, 251.

LYCEUM THEA TRE.

Last night Madame Celeste took her benefit, and
marked the occasion by bringing out an English
version of " Les Amours Maudits," a drama by M.
Dugue, which was produced about four years ago
at the Ambigu Comique, entitled " The Last Hope."
Dr. Blangini (Mr. Barratt), a hospitable physician,
resident in Malta, harbours in his house a widow
lady named Antoine (Mrs. Wallis) and her fair daugh-
ter Marie (Madame Celeste), who possesses every
attraction save that of wealth. Alfred (Mr. G.
Murray), son of an English baronet (Mr. Neville),
is captivated by the French beauty, and pro-
bably his love would be crowned with felicity
did not Michali (Mr. Fitzjames) an unpleasantly
mysterious gentleman, thrust his nose into the
middle of a large party given by the doctor, and
reveal the sad fact that the young lady has a cer-
tain brother Pierre, who lies a fast prisoner in the
galleys of Toulon, convicted of the crime of forgery.
A duel that takes place between Alfred and Michali
is the least serious result of this revelation, for the
former is but slightly wounded. More fatal is the
dislike engendered in Sir -William's heart against
the family of the culprit for no sooner does the old
lady die of grief at the exposure than Alfred, by
marrying Marie, incurs the serious displeasure of his
father. Seven years roll over the wedded pair, and a
little girl is the result of their union, but the resent-
ment of Sir William is not abated, and when Alfred
and Marie are settled in a little cottage on the
southern coast of France, he resolves practically, if
not legally, to annul the marriage by a forcible
abduction of his son. Alfred is dragged from his
home, according to instructions, the chief instru-
ment in his capture being Marie's brother Pierre
(Mr. Emery), whose delinquencies have already
caused so much misery. Fortunately, he is not
quite so bad as he looks ; for when he is commis-
sioned to carry off Marie, who is, moreover, to be
separated from her child, he is suddenly softened
by an expedient of the fond mother, who places
the little girl on his knee, and teaches her to call
him her "good uncle Pierre." Thorough was his
wickedness, thorough likewise is his repentance,
for, with pistol in hand, he compels Michali
to sign an order for the release of Alfred by the
pirates who hold him in captivity, and then slays
the villain in single combat. Marie is thus made
happy, for Sir William, on discovering how nar-
rowly his son escaped assassination, cannot refuse
his forgiveness ; but an opiate which Michali in-
tended for Pierre, and which the lady has taken
by accident, causes her for a while to seem as
though she was insane or dying, and thus heightens
her felicity by retarding its consummation.
The piece was thoroughly successful, and the
merits of Madame Celeste, in a part arduous evci
beyond the ordinary requirements of strong melo
drama, were acknowledged with acclamations.