The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-08 00:00:00

TIIE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 8, 1861

of the Lebanon will—in obedience to the terms
of the Convention, but just now alluded to—be
summarily withdrawn from Syria, and recross on
their pleasant voyage homewards the waters of the
Mediterranean, Supposing the very contrary of
all this—and history during these last twelve years
has certainly furnished lookers'-on in NAPOLEON'S
instance with plentiful reasons, for conjecturing
just the bare possibility, let us say, of such a con-
tingency—supposing, merely then for the sake of
argument, that the French EMPEROR having got
his troops over yonder in Syria, means to keep them
there, coute qui coute, for the convenience of ulterior
purposes—well in that case our minds will not
much longer be held in suspense as to his designs.
The stipulated six months will now, as
we have said, very shortly have been
completed, and then—we shall be enabled to recog-
nize at a glance, by the sequel, what the Emperor
of the FRENCH really means by his avowed " wish"
for Peace during this newly-begun twelvemonth.

An indication of a very remarkable kind has but
just now been given by the French Government of
a not unwise intention to smooth the way in
some manner for European diplomacy prior to
the meeting of the English Parliament. Parlia-
ment, we all know, is convened "for the despatch of
business" upon the sth of this next month of Feb-
ruary. And having that one fact very distinctly
within his view, the Emperor NAPOLEON has at
length made offer of a tardy compromise enough,
but still a compromise, to the Government of Turin
in respect to that anomalous situation of things
at Gaeta that has so long scandalised the Public
Opinion of Europe. The Government of NAPO-
LEON 111., then, be it observed, is understood to
have at length made offer to Sardinia to withdraw
from before Gaeta the squadron under Admiral
LE BARBIER DE TlNAN—upon the one simple con-
dition that, until the 18th or 19th inst., the fire of
the besieging force upon the town and fortress shall
be suspended. Our contemporary, the Daily News,
is the organ giving timely intimation of this pro-
posal of a compromise from France to Sardinia. Our
contemporary, adding—" It is probable the Go-
vernment of Turin will assent to those terms, if, as
we understand"—continues the Daily News in
making this very important announcement, and
indeed as could alone in reason be deduced from
the very nature and meaning of the proposition—
" Admiral PERSANO, at the expiration of that term,
is to be at liberty to pursue the operations necessary
for the reduction of the place." In which event—
Adieu to the last fading hopes of FRANCIS 11.,
King of Gaeta! In any case there is the proposal
(whether accepted or not accepted) made by
France to Sardinia—a proposal manifestly ema-
nating from the mere :thought of the meeting,
of the English Parli xment—but particularly of
the British House of Commons—upon the now fast
approaching sth of February ! NAPOLEON 111.
knows quite as well as any man in Europa -what
home truths are spoken out by the members of the
House of Commons any day in the session—what
extremely awkward questions are in the habit of
being pat point-blank to 'the occupants of the
Treasury bench by those very catechetical gentle-
men, the independent members. Who could doubt,
for instance—supposing things to remain as they
are actually now out at Gaeta until February
should have come and advanced—who could
possibly entertain one moment's doubt, for
example, in that contingency, but that Mr.
KINGLAKE, let us suppose, or Mr. ROEBUCK, or
Mr. LAYARD, the newly elected M.P. for South-
wark, that one or other of that watchful band of
" impracticables" before the coming session could
have grown many hours old, would have addressed
to Lord JOHN the most inconvenient

query in the iide world of diplomacy—

the most inconvenient query, that is to say, in
NAPOLEON'S instance—in respect to the meaning of
his Imperial MAJESTY'S designs at Gaeta, and
through Gaeta in reference to the settlement of the
whole problem of Italian independence? The pro-
position now made to the Sardinian by the French
Government is, we repeat as plainly as possible, an
indication of a wise forethought on the part of the
French EMPEROR in regard to the approaching
session of our English Parliament.
Let us hope that a forethought no less judicious
will influence the Government of France in respect
to the policy about to be manifested by it in that,
we might almost venture to say, still more impor-
tant matter of the Syrian occupation. Upon the
course pursued by France in that instance, as in
that other instance of Gaeta, how much will there

not be dependent ! The opening or closing of the

gates of the Temple of Janus for 1861
in Christendom ! The settlement for one
year more, at least, of the momentous alternative

of War or Peace—by the stroke of a pen, or by the
flash of a sword. For the decision of France in
regard to which alternative we can now only wait
with what patience we can muster. Consoled, while
waiting, by this one reflection at least, that England,
that Europe cannot now much longer be kept in
uncertainty as to the designs of this inscrutable
potentate.

DEATH OF DR. NOBLE, M.P. FOR LEICESTER.—
Intelligence was received in Leicester by telegraph yester-
day of the death of Dr. Noble, one of the members for that
borough, which took place on Sunday in Spain, where he
had been travelling since the prorogation of Parliament for
the benefit of his health.

It is stated that a remittance of .£160,000 in gold
has just been made from Constantinople by the steamer to
Marseilles, a portion of which is probably on English ac-
count, and that the rate of exchange has declined from 132
to 125.

It is understood that the recent packet from the
River Plate has brought authority from the Government
of Buenos Ayres to divide the £5OO bonds into five of £lOO
each.

The amount of the Turkish Loan of £16,000,000
subscribed by the public in France is said to be £5,000,000.
Tho remaining £11,000,000 has been taken by the Credit
Industriel and a variety of other financial establishments
in France, Germany, and Turkey, at the contractor's price
of 531.

Yesterday's Monitetir announces that Prince
Joachim Murat, accompanied by two of his Majesty's
orderlies, will leave to-day for Berlin, bearing an autograph
letter from the Emperor to the King of Prussia.
According to the Espero, Count Cavour has ad-
dressed an energetic note to the cabinet of Vienna, respect-
ing the conduct of the Austrian authorities at Pola, who
refused admission into that port of the Sardinian frigate
San Michele, during a violent storm.
THE RISCA COLLIER"! EIPLOSION.—The sum of
£27 has been received from the workmen and officers of the
Royal Gun Factory, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, for the re-
lief of the sufferers from the Risca colliery explosion.
RAILWAY ACCIDENT. On Saturday evening,
while the train from Paisley was passing Ibroxholm, near
Glasgow, the tire of the wheel of one of the third-class
carriages broke and came off. Fortunately the train was
stopped before much damage was done, none of the passen-
gers suffering any serious injury.
The son of Mr. Fox, M.P., writes to a contem-
porary to the effect that although his father has repeatedly
expressed his determination of giving up his seat, should
his health not admit of his attending Parliament more con-
stantly than he was able to do last session, yet he has no
intention whatever of resigning without making the expe-
riment in the ensuing session.

PEMBROKESHIRE ELECTION,—The High Sheriff
of Pembrokeshire has fixed the nomination of candidates
for Pembrokeshire, on account of the death of the late Earl
Cawdor, for Monday next. The candidates are Mr. G. Lort
Phillips, in the Conservative interest, and Mr. Owen, who
avows himself a " moderate reformer," and a supporter of
the present Government. The contest excites an unusual
amount of interest in the county, and is expected to be very
severe, both parties declaring their determination to go to
the poll. A contest for the representation of the county is
a very rare occurrence in this district.

RECORD OF WRECKS.—We publish to-day our
usual monthly summary of wrecks, from which it appears
that during the month of December, the number of wrecks
reported in our columns was 181 In the month of January
there were 229, in February 1.54, in March 166, in April
133, in May 123, in June 146, in July 60, in August 96, in
September 103, in October 276, and in November 208,
making a total during the past year of 4811.—Shipping
Gazette.

REPORTED STORM IN CHINA.—A very absurd
report was circulated yesterday, which no one believed,
namely, that a number of English and French gunboats had
been on shore at the Peiho, and were lost. We now refer
to the matter with the view of annonncin2,* that her Ma-
jesty's Government are not in receipt of any news of the
kind, and add that, were it true, they must have had intel-
ligence of it. The report comes on no higher authority
than a private letter; said to have been received from China.
By what route ?
EXECUTIONERS' FEES.—Calcraft, the well-known
hangman, has informed the magistrates of Dumbarton that
his fee for coming to Dumbarton on the 18th current to
execute Lunnay would be £2l, and travelling and personal
expenses paid.—North British. Mail.
THE CONVICT APFADYEN.—On Saturday the
Lord Provost of Glasgow received a communication from
the Secretary of State intimating that the sentence of capital
punishment recently passed upon M'Fadyen for the murder
of the poor child Shields, had been respited during her Ma-
jesty's pleasure. The Lord Provost immediately proceeded
to the North Prison and communicated the intelligence to
MTadyen, who appeared quite indifferent about the matter,
and made no reply. The sentence thus respited will, in all
probability, bo commuted to imprisonment for life. The
prisoner since his condemnation has evinced no anxiety
regarding his fate.

WRECK OF THE STEAMER KINGSTON.-LOSS OF
SIXTEEN LIVES.—The steamer Kingston, 289 tons register

and lately belonging to Messrs. T. Wilson, Sons, and Co.„
of Hull, has become a total wreck, it is supposed on either
the Lemon or the Hazeborough Sands, on her passage from
Gothenburg for London, as some of the ship's papers, and
a board with " Kingston" painted on it, have been picked
up in the vicinity of those sands. She was to have left
Gothenburg on the 27th of December, being due in Lon-
don on the 3Gth. Sho did not, however, arrive, and as
nothing more has been heard of her, it is presumed that

Captain Atkinson and the:remainder of the crew—number-

ing 15—have all perished. It is not known whether she had
any passengers on board. She belonged to a Gothenburg
firm, and was insured.—Manchester Examiner.
THE MURDER AT PLYMOUTH BARRACKS.—After
our reportei7 left the police-station on Saturday night the
prisoner told one of the sergeants on duty that it was not
much for him to be hung, as his grandfather was hung
before him, but he hoped that if such was to be the case he
should be hung in front of his regiment. He slept very
soundly during the night, occasionally awaking at inter-
vals, and on Sunday morning he ate a very hearty break-
fast. He had several meals during the day, all of which
he appeared to enjoy. He has been very composed and
tranquil; appears perfectly to understand the position in
which ho is placed, and the nature of the crime he has
committed, for once during the day, and only once, he re-
ferred to it, and asked the sergeant in charge of the place
whether or not he thought he should be hung. Police-con-
stable Strong gave him a tract to read, which he accepted
very gratefully, and appeared to peruse it with earnestness.
During Saturday night and some portion of Sunday crowds
of people assembled outsicle the Guildhall, and eagerly dis-
cussed the murder. Tho murdered man had only re-enlisted
for a term of ten years, and was about to go on furlough on
Tuesday. Neither Sergeant Jones nor the prisoner aro
married. An inquest was opened yesterday on the body
of the deceased. The jury expressed their dissatisfaction
at the conduct of the authorities in not bringing the mur-
derer before them, ac is customary there. The inquest was
adjourned until this day. Hacked has been examined before
the magistrates, and remanded until Friday.
LONGEVITY.—When passing through Russia on

ray way overland (I mean the real overland route, by Russia
and Persia, not that by Egypt, as is usually understood in
these days) in the year 1828, I made the acquaintance of
Dr. Keir, the physician of the Sherkaetien Hospital at
Moscow. This is an hospital founded and maintained for
the use of his own dependents by Count Sh4remetien, said
to be the richest nobleman in Russia, having 120,000 souls
or male serfs on his property. In going round the wards a
man was pointed out to me by Dr. K. of hale and sound
appearance, looking like a man of 75 or 80, and in perfect
possession of all his faculties, except that he was a little
deaf. It was proved by this man's papers (every serf being
furnished with such when he leaves his master's property
to work elsewhere) that he had in his youth been enlisted
as a soldier, and had passed in review before Peter the Great
who died in 1725. His own impression was that he was a
grown man at the time, and that it happened some years
before the czar's death. But assuming it to have been the
very yßar of the latter event, and that he was only 16 at the
time (the lowest age at which recruits are allowed to enter
the Russian army) we find by a very simple calculation
that he was at least 119 years of age at the time I saw him
—Notes and Queries.

JOLLY ENEMIES.—When the war broke out
between Denmark and Sweden, as it invariably did some
fifty times in the eau I.SO of each enntury, Peter demanded
permission to enter the Royal 4avy, and was at once
appointed to the command of a vessel called the Worm,
bearing four guns. Endless are the anecdotes related of his
daring. On one occasion he met with an English privateer.
"If that frigate were Swedish," he exclaimed, " I should
take it; but the English have too much practice and fight
too well for me to hope for an easy conquest." The vessels
engaged, and a hard-fought battle ensued, such as always
takes place, and will take place, when Danes and English
meet in naval warfare. " I have no more powder," cried
Torkenskiold ; so he sends a flag of truce on board, request-
the English captain to lend him some, that he might con-
tinue the battle, or, if ho would not, begging him to come
on board, and receive the respect due to so gallant an
enemy. The Englishman declined, so they drank to each
other from their respective vessels, and cheers rose from
the Danes as the captains raised their glasses, vociferously
returned by the delighted British sailors.—Jutland and the
Danish Isles. By Horace Alarryat.

THE WISER COURSE.—It being reported that

Lady Caroline Lamb had, in a moment of passion, knocked
down one of her pages with a stool, Moore, the poet, to
whom this was told by Lord Strangford, observed, " Oh,
nothing is more natural for a literary lady than to double
down a page." "I would rather," replied his lordship,
" advise Lady Caroline to turn over a new leaf."

A STRONG ARGUMENT.—A man was declaiming
on board of a steam-boat in defence of slavery, and was
asked by a philanthropist what he would think of slavery
if it sell the husband to Marjland and the wife to Louisiana.
"Why, then," said he, "I think best of it. I wish in my
very heart they'd sell my wife five hundred miles off, I'd
be a pro-slavery man for ever 1"

THE SCOTS OF 1006.—The Scots in London are

in the highest degree unpopular. Lax in morals and in
taste, they will take the highest place at table, they will
drink out of anybody's can, they will kiss the hostess or
her buxom maid without saying " By your leave." Brawl,
fret the taverns which they haunt ; pasquins hiss against
them from the stage.—Personal History of Lord Bacon,
By William Hepworth Dixon.

E .NE
'44).

INDIA.

The following telegraphic message has been
received at the India-office :

BENARES, DEC. 11, 1860.
The Governor-General will hold a durbar at
Benare3 to-day, for the reception of the Maha-
raja of Benares and the principal native gentle-
men of the neighbourhood.
A deputation of about 100 of the most influ-
ential merchants of Benares voluntarily waited
on the Commissioner of Benares anti expressed
entire concurrence with the views of Govern-
ment regarding the Income-tax. They gave in
schedules of their property before the returns
were issued.

The amount of duty collected on opium passes
at Indore during the season just closed was—
rupees two crores, 19 lacs, and 92,000—the largest
amount yet .obtained in Malwa.
A supplemental treaty with the Nizam regard-
in the assigned districts. has been signed at
Hyderabad.

The scarcity is severely felt in the upper part
of the North-Western Provinces, especially about
Delhi and Agra. Employment is being largely
given by Government.
The crops below Allahabad and in Oude are
abundant, and much grain is being exported to
the Upper Provinces.

BOMBAY, DEC. 12, 1860.

A disturbance on account of the Income-tax
occurred at Surat on November 29. The magis-
trate and Superintendent of Police promptly re-
paired to the spot and restored order. Several
persons found closing their shops were arrested
and brought to trial.
A riotous demonstration against the Income-
tax also occurred at Bassein, in the Tanna col-
lectorate, on the sth of December. The leaders
have been arrested and are now on trial. Quiet
has been restored.

Funds.—Fives, at 4t to 5 per cent. discount;
Five-and-a-Half, from 1 to I per cent. premium.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
THE BANK OF FRANCE.
PARIS, JAN. 8, 11.50 A.M.
The Bank of France has just raised its rate o:
discount from 5i to 7 per cent.

PARIS, JAN. 7, EVENING.

The _Patric says :—" Negotiations have been
opened at Gaeta for the conclusion of an armistice
on new bases."

BERNE, JAN. 7.

Dr. Kern, the Swiss Minister in Paris, in his
last report to the Federal Council, aunounces that
the prevailing opinion in official quarters at Paris
is that peace will be maintained, and states that
Sardinia is endeavouring to arrest the plans of the
Garibaldians, and hopes to succeed in her efforts.

VIENNA, lAN. 7.

The semi-official Donau Zeitung of to-day pub-
lishes a letter from London, the writer of which,
speaking from reliable information, expresses his
conviction that England will no longer propose to
Austria the sale of Venetia.

DRESDEN, SAN. 7.

In to-day's sitting of the Chamber the motives of
the proposition of M. Braun (formerly Minister)
and M. Georgi, in favour of Schleswig-Holstein,
were explained by M. Braun,
M. von Beust, the Minister, applauded the atti-
tude of Prussia, whose overtures have everywhere
met with approval and assent, and said :
" There is no doubt that the leadership of Prus-
sia will be supported on all sides at the approach-
ing discussion of the question by the Federal Diet.
All the Federal Governments are ready to act in
accord with Prussia, and even, if necessary, to take
the field."

In consequence of this declaration the Chamber
declared it useless to proceed to a discussion of the
proposal of MM. Braun and Georgi.

SPALATO, JAN. 7.

The municipality of Spalato, in its own, and in
the name of 16 other communes in Dalmatia, has,
on the basis of the Imperial diploma and the circular
of Baron von Schmerling, protested against any
acts in reference to the annexation of Dalmatia to
Croatia which are not supported by instructions
given by the inhabitants of Dalmatia to their re-
presentatives.

BERLIN, JAN. 8.

A proclamation of King William 1., dated
Berlin, Jan. 7, has been published. It is headed—
" To my people!"
The proclamation commences by recalling the
severe sufferings of the late King and the profound
grief at his death. How with free and Royal
munificence he granted institutions the develop-
ment of which was to realise, the hopes of the
country.

The proclamation continues as follows :
" To the King who knew how to lay the founda-
tion of such great things and whose never-to-be-for-
gotten words I and my house will serve the
Lord' have filled my soul; a prominent place is due
in the glorious ranks of those monarchs to whom
Prussia owes that greatness which made her
the true representative of the German mind. I
will faithfully guard that solemn bequest of my
ancestors, which they have founded and aug-
mented with unceasing care, with their best ener-
gies, and at the risk of their lives. With pride I
see myself surrounded by such a brave and faith-
ful people, and by so glorious an army. My hand
shall protect the welfare and the right of all in
every class of the population—it shall be extended
to protect and. support the precious life of the
nation. It is the destiny of Prussia not to devote
her life to the enjoyment of acquired good. The
conditions of her power are founded in the exer-
tion of her spiritual and moral forces, in the
seriousness and. faithfulness of her religious feel-
ings, is the combination of obedience with freedom
and in the strengthening of her military force. In
this mariner aleme can she take her rank among the
States of Europe. I remain faithful to the tradi-
tions of my hoe se in proposing to myself the mission
of elevating and of strengthening the patriotic
spirit of my p‘n pie. I will consolidate and build
up the rights ()f the State on their historical basis,
and I will meiritain the institutions which King
Frederick W Itliam Iv. has brought into life.
Faithful to the: oath which I took on assuming the
Regency, I sl,kall protect the constitution and the
laws of the k'ir.gdom. May I by the merciful aid
of God succeed: in leading Prussia to new honours.
My duties tow -arils Prussia coincide with my duties
towards Gcrr 'may. As a German Prince I cm
bound to stre agthen Prussia in that position which,
according to her glorious history and the develop-
ment of her a ailitary organisation, she must for the
good of Germ my occupy among the German State=.
Confidence in -the peace of Germany is shaken, but

I shall endeavour to preserve the blessings peacr,
Dangers may nevertheless arise for Prussia and
Germany. May the courage which trusts in God,
and which has animated Prussia in her great
periods then manifest itself in me and in my people,
and may the latter then stand firm by my side, and
follow me with faithfulness, obedience, and per-
severance. May the blessings of God rest on the
mission which His highest will has entrusted

;o me."

MB. A. 11. L. T R r:N G GED

SCHOOLS.

On the occasion of opening the St. Mary (South-
wark) New Ragged School last evening, a public
meeting was held in the school-room, which was
numerously attended, and was presided over by
A. H. Layard, M.P., the newly-elected member for
the borough. The scliols are situated in Parker's-
place, Bermondsey New-road, and are capable of
accommodating over 300 children. The proceed-
ings were opened with prayer.
Mr. LAYARD then addressed the meeting, and
stated that it afforded him the greatest pleasure
that on the first occasion of his attending a meet-
ing of his constituents after his election it should
have been in so good a cause and under such in-
teresting circumstances. The foundation of society
was that large swarming mass of the community in
the lower walks of life which in point of numbers
formed a hundred to one of the higher classes, and
consequently if that superstructure were based on a

ass of crime, and ignorance, and vice, the upper
classes of society could not be considered as safe.
The condition of this class of the community
affected the taxation of the country, for so long as
they were allowed to remain in a state of ignorance
and crime, so long would the taxes of the country
be increased for the purpose of punishing such
crime, and therefore the best and most legitimate
course was to prevent that crime, and the public
expenditure attending it, by the spread of
knowledge, and thereby raising the lower orders
from the depths of degradation into which they had
sunk. (Hear, hear.) It was an interesting fea-
ture, and a circumstance which perhaps many of
those present might not be aware of, that the first
attempt at the establishment of ragged schools in
this country was made in the borough of South-
wark. In 1792 a ragged school was established in
the Mint, by Mr. Burchett, but so little interest was
at that time taken in them, that at the first meet-
ing called in connection with that school, only four
persons attended, and the whole sum subscribed
only amounted to four guineas. Happily, how-
ever, better success was now attending them,
and the work which Mr. Burchett had commenced
was now proceeding with great efficiency and bene-
fit. (Hear.) He 'rejoiced that it was so, for while
he would be the last man to cry down or impugn
the policy of sending missions to the heathen, and
for the conversion of other sects to Christianity,
still he would say that they had a duty to perform
at home infinitely greater and more important than
any they had abroad, and if they appropriated, he
would not say one half, but one tenth of the sums
they sent abroad for missionary purposes to the
education and advancement of their poorer country-
men at home, they would soon see them rise mate-
rially in the scale of social and political progress.
(Hear.) In a place like Southwark no doubt a

great many of the children of the lower orders
followed a seafaring life, and if they had seen, as
he had, the bad effects which the bad habits and
wicked conduct of our seamen when in foreign ports
had upon the population, they would see the neces-
sity of instilling into the minds of such as followed
that occupation the truths of Christianity and the
propriety of good conduct. They heard a good deal
of talk about Reform in Parliament, but let them
first endeavour to reform the people. Teach them
to know religion, their duty to God and man, the
wickedness of sin, and the terrible consequences
which a persistence in it would lead to. These were
things which they must teach people before they
gave them political rights. He had been often
asked whether he would support manhood
suffrage, but could any one do so under such a
state of matters as this? (Hear.) He was ono of
these who wanted to see every man placed in the
full possession of political rights; but unless he
had the power to distinguish between good and
evil, were the right to exercise such power put into
his hands, what guarantee had they that he would
not exercise it in a manner dangerous to the State
and to the interests of the community ? (Hear,
hear.) He believed, however, that ragged schools
would do much to remedy this state of things,
and he was glad to see that they were in such
good working order in that borough. (Hear.)
He had no doubt that they would continue
to prosper, and that next year, when he hoped to
have the pleasure of again meeting them in that
place he was sure that the committee would be able
to give a good account of their stewardship. (Loud
cheers.)
Several other addresses were then delivered, and
the proceedings closed with an enthusiastic vote of
thanks to Mr. Layard for his kindness in presiding.