The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-11 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

THIS DAY.—Morning, 9h. sm.—Afternoon, 9h. 34m.
To-moßßow.-Morning, 10h. Bm.—Afternoon, 10h. 33m.

THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 11,11861.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
52—kighest since noon yesterday.
40—lowest this morning and during the night.
47—this day at noon.

BAROMETER-30.15 ; rising.
Wnrn—S.-Westerly ; light, with fine warm weather for
the season.

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THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER, 11, 1861.

prisoners men who have been two or three times
Ipreviously sentenced to penal servitude or tran-
sportation." And yet he can add," It is such persons
-who seem to have made up their minds not to give
up a life of crime and self-indulgence, whose con-
duct as prisoners is commendable and regular; and
a very curious fact is, that under rule and disci-
pline their demeanour should exhibit the perfect
contrast that_it does to their habits when liberated.'
Mr. DAVIS, in fact, deliberately closes his ac-
count of the results of his own observation in that
particular by saying,—" When their habits have
been thus formed, the only reasonable and effectual
course to adopt is to keep them perpetually where
they behave well ; they see the influence that
conduct of a regular character produces, and avail
themselves willingly of its instrumentality to
lead to advantages which cannot otherwise be
obtained." What a vague longing for yet larger,
wider, more comprehensive social reforms among
our criminal population, who are out of prison, are
there not opened up to benevolent speculation, by
the simple but most suggestive paragraph imm3di-
ately appended to this by the Newgate Ordinary,
where he writes, in reference to these old
offenders,—" Could they do the same (that he
has just been describing !) at liberty,—nzany
besides these would be benefited." Mr. DAVIS,
indeed, observes, and with reason,—" This is the
great object that prisons should aim at, and of
late much has been done towards its attainment.
The care taken in the prisons under the control
of the Government has a happy effect upon the
men; and, as far as I can judge, the number of
this class is lessening." So the good works.
With all our shortcomings in the way of these
reforms, such an appreciably happy result as this
s, at any rate, consolatory as to the past, and
:all of encouragement in regard to the future.

LATEST NEWS%

/

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.
(PER NORWEGIAN, viol PORTLAND AND LONDONDERRY.)
NEW YORK, Nov. 29.

The Philadelphia Inquirer publishes a letter from
Fortress Monroe, giving further details about the
Fort Pickens affair.

Pensacola was reported to be entirely evacuated
by the Confederates, and the Navy Yard destroyed.
General Bragg had sent for reinforcements.

Five Federal vessels which assisted Fort Pickens
in the bombardment of Pensacola are reported to
have been riddled with shot.

Advices from Port Royal state that Tyber Island
was found deserted when the Federals took posses-

sion of it.

The great naval expedition was ready to sail
from Port Royal for points further south.
The fortifications on Ship Island had been com-
pleted, and were garrisoned by 150 Federal troops.
Generals Price and M'Culloch are concentrating
their forces at Springfield, Missouri.
The Kentucky Confederate State Convention has
passed a Secession ordinance_

The British brig Cornucopia has been captured off
Mobile while endeavouring to run the blockade.
The City of Baltimore passed Cape Race to-day.
LATEST BY TELEGRAPH TO PORTLAND.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30.

The latest news from Fort Pickens continues so
contradictory and confused that it is impossible to
tell what has been the result of the engagement.
The Quebec correspondent of the New York
Times states that a council of war was held on the
24th inst., at which it was resolved to fortify the
Canadian frontier.
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury and family
will leave town in a few days for their seat, St. Giles House,
Dorsetshire.

Cotton tending upwards ; middling Upland, 27c.
Breadstuffs quiet. Stocks heavy :—New York
Central, 781; Illinois, 61; Erie, 31i. Exchange
on London, flat at 109.

The Countess of Desart has arrived in town.
Her ladyship will leave in a few days, on a visit to Lady
Caroline Duncombe, at Waresby Park, Huntingdonshire.
The Right Hon. Benjamin and Mrs. Disraeli
have arrived at Grosvenor Gate, from Seaham Hall, Dur-
ham, where they have been on a visit to Frances Anne,
Marchioness of Londonderry.
Dr. M'Hale has addressed another letter to Lord
Palmerston, publicity to which is given in the Freeman's
Journal, on the subject of the threatened famine in Ireland,
urging upon Government the necessity of its immediately
taking steps to provide relief for the distressed.

At Havannah, according to the last advices,
sugars, Nos. 2 and 3, were dull. No. 12 was quoted
71 to 81. Stock, 30,000 boxes. Freight nominal.

(PER ETNA, via QUEENSTOWN.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, AFTERNOON.

The latest advices from Port Royal state that a
detachment of Federal Marines had landed on
Tybee Island, and commenced constructing new
fortifications.

The Cabinet Council which was convened after
the arrival of the news of the Yankee outrage on the
British Flag might appropriately be called " The Council
of Trent."—Punch.
MR. AND MRS. GERMAN REED'S ENTERTAIN-
MENT.-Mr. and Mrs. German Reed have added to their
popular and pleasant entertainment at the Gallery of Illus-
tration "The Vicissitudes of a Colleen Bawn," related
musically by Mr. John Parry. This new version of the
" Colleen Bawn" is a lyro .comic representation of the
principal characters in the original drama; Mr. J. H. Byron
being the author of the burlesque rhymes, while Mr. F.
Musgrave and Mr. Parry are sponsors to the musical ar-
rangements. Mr. Parry, seated at the pianoforte, relates,
partly in words and partly in music, the chief outlines in
the history of the "Fair Danasel." The lingled pathos
and humour of the drama are well sustainel. The most
popular airs of Ireland are introduced, and the alternations
from "grave to gay," for which the music of Erin is re-
markable, suited admirably the structure of the little piece.
It may perhaps be best characterised by saying of it that
"'Twas sad by fits, by starts 'twas wild." It was very well
relished by a numerous audience.

The Confederates had sunk two vessels between
Tybee and Fort Pulaski, in the narrow part of the
Savannah River channel, to prevent the fleet from

coming up.
A small schooner has been sent from Hilton Head
to load cotton at one of the islands above Hilton,
and would sail shortly by order of the Federal
naval authorities.

The leading newspapers of New York contain
Little, editorially, on the relations between Eng-
Land and America.

The New York Herald says that England takes
advantage of the Mexican expedition to keep her
fleet in the waters of the Gulf without exciting
alarm.

THE LATE MR. ALFRED MYNN.—It has lately
been suggested by several cricketers that a monument should
be erected to the late Mr. Alfred Mynn, one of Kent's moat
noted champions. The proposition is, "that a mixed com-
mittee of twelve should be formed, consisting of an even
number of gentlemen and players, and that the Marylebone
Club, who always chose the All England Eleven against
Kent in days gone by, should be represented by two com-
mittee men ; also that Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and
Nottingham, with Kent, should each send two members."
Should this suggestion be adopted, it would no doubt ob-
tain the support of the cricket clubs of England. The
remains of the late Mr. Myna are interred in Thurnham
churchyard, Kent.
MORE TROOPS FOR CANADA.—In addition to the
Persia, Australasian, Adriatic, and Panama, six other
screw transports were taken up yesterday, and will be got
ready with all speed to take troops on board. The ru-
moured intention to send a portion of the Guards to Canada
has been confirmed. The 2d Battalion of the Grenadier
Guards and the 2d Battalion of the Fusilier Guards have
received orders to be ready for embarkation at once. The
whole force at present under orders for embarkation is as
follows--the corps comprising it have already been speci-
fied :—Two battalions of Guards, four batteries of field
artillery, five batteries of garrison artillery, six battalions
of infantry, three companies of sappers and miners, two
battalions of the Military Train, and 40 men of the Com-
missariat Staff Corps. Others are under orders to hold
themselves in readiness. The change of armament in the
Warrior will be effected with little trouble. In a day or
so her long 68's will be replaced by:100-poun.der Arm-
strong's.

The New Fork Times, in referring to the warlike
preparations in Canada, says there is nothing in the
action or language of the Federal Government cal-
culated to wound the susceptibilities of the English
Government, and that the real mischief has been
done by the newspapers, and principally by the
violent articles of the Herald.
The Etna was detained some hours for Lord
Lyons's despatches.

PARIS, DEC. 11.

The Moniteur, in its bulletin of to-day, analyses
the different appreciations of the journals and tele-
graphic despatches on the American question, and
adds :

" In thus acting we pretend to no more than to
afford information to the public.
" We have neither to express an opinion on the
American conflict, nor on the speeches of the depu-
ties in the Italian Parliament."

The supplementary election to the Corps Legis-
latif in Aube has resulted in the return cif M.
Planey by 16,339 votes, against 11,004 obtained by
his opponent M. Liguier.

ROME, DEC. 9 (Evening).

TESTIMONIAL TO A RAILWAY OFFICER.—The
proposed testimonial to Mr. Spencer, who has for the last
24 years most efficiently occupied the position of assistant
station-master at the Euston-square station of the London
and North-Western Railway, has, it appears from the sub-
scription list which has been forwarded to us, been very
liberally responded to by a very large number of the noble-
men and others who habitually travel upon tho line. The
subscriptions, which aro to be received up to the 30th of
the present month, amount to nearly £5OO, and in the list
of names are those of the late Duke of Bedford, the Duke
of Cleveland, the late Duke of Sutherland, the Marquis of
Cholmondeley, the Marquis of Westminster, the Earl of
Clarendon, the Earl of Lonsdale, the Earl of Londes-
borough, the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot, the Bishop
a Lichfield, Lord Ebury, Lord Southampton, Baron
Rothschild, M.P., Sir G. Chetwynd, Sir John Louther,
Bart., M.P., Mr. Dudley Marjoribanks, M.P., Mr. C. N.
Newdegate, M.P., Sir R. Peel, Bart , M.P., Sir Morton
Peto, Bart., M.P., Sir C. Roney, and the Hon. Mr. P. S.
Pierrepont, M.P., and Mr. Barron, two of the directors of
the London and North-Western C, mpany. It is stated
that the subscriptions are to be paid to G. A. Davis, Esq.,
28, Spring-gardens.
WARD OF FARRINGDON WITHOUT.—PRECINCT

The brigands taken at Allatri by the French
troops, and delivered over by them to the Pon-
tifical Government, have been sent back again to
the frontier with regular instructions as to the
route they are to take.
Five Spanish officers have been sent to com-
mand the reactionary bands in the Neapolitan
provinces, and to organise tho reactionary move-
ments.

Fresh disembarkations of brigands have taken
place in the province of Pouille. The reactionists
will endeavour to surround the Italian troops in
the Basilicata.
It is asserted that Francis 11. will assume the
command early in January.

PARIS, DEC. 10.

The Presse of this evening publishes a despatch,
dated. Palermo, 6th inst., announcing the discovery
of a Bourbon conspiracy in that city. The prin-
cipal conspirators, among whom wet() a great
number of priests, had been arrested.

or ST. BRIDE.-A precinct meeting was held yesterday in
the vestry room of St. Bride's, for the nomination of Com-
mon Councilmen and ward officers for the ensuing year,
Mr. Churchwarden Smith in the chair. The vestry-clerk
having read the minutes of the last meeting, Mr. Kirk pro-
posed, and Mr. Botterill seconded, the nomination of Mr.
R. Obbard ; Mr. Sims proposed, and Mr. Brown seconded
the nomination of Mr. G. Walter; and Mr. Jewell pro-
posed, and Mr. Avant seconded the nomination of Mr. Cot-
terell, to be returned to the wardmote as the gentlemen to
represent the precinct in the Common Council. There
being no other nomination the above named gentlemen were
duly elected. Messrs. Obbard and Walter, who were pre-
sent, returned thanks for the honour done them.
ANTI-MAYNOOTH CRUSADE IN DUBLIN. A
meeting of persons opposed to the endowment of Maynooth
College was held on Monday evening at the Rotunda, in
Dublin, for the purpose of hearing an exposition on the
subject from Mr. Whalley, M.P. The Rdtnd Room was
thronged to excess. The chair was taken by Sir Edward
Grogan, Bart., M.P., who went into a history of the May-
nooth endowment, contending that it was never meant to
have been permanent, and that it ought to bo repealed. Ho
congratulated Mr. Whalley on having suceeeded to the
mission of Mr. Spooner—a mission which Mr. Whalley, he
was sure, would devotedly and persi,tently fulfil. A peti-
tion to Parliament for the repeal of the grant was adopted.

TURIN, DEC. 10.

In to.day's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies,
Signor Dondes Reggio stated his opinion that it
was necessary to maintain the Lieutenancy of
Sicily, and censured the suppression of that of
Naples. He spoke in favour of the privileges of
the Sicilian ecclesiastics, and said that he wished
that the principle of the liberty of the Church
should not endanger those privileges.
The Minister of Agriculture and Commerce de-
fended the abolition of the lieutenancies, and said
that dangerous political circles were formed around
the lieutenancies, whose power presented obstacles
to the authority of Parliament and the responsi-
bility of the Ministers. The Minister also alluded
to the brigandage in the Neapolitan provinces, and
to the projected economic reforms, which, he stated,
would entirely destroy it. This statement was re-
ceived with general applause.

A letter from Rome says :—" The paternal Go-
vernment of the Vatican has just issued two edicts of
rather a peculiar description. One, which forbids tailors,
tailoresses, and milliners to work on fete-days, and the
keepers of ristoranti and eating-houses to serve any food
except that of the most maigre' kind on those holy days.
To appreciate the inconvenience of this despotic order, it
must be rem3mbered that for the next six months there
will be on an average two of these fasts ott of each week,
besides the muckle fast they ca' Sunday.' The second order
relates to the art of photography, and so great are the pains
to suppress this useful science, and so lengthy the clauses of
the police regulations on the subject, that the New Zee-
lender' (supposing him to have come to Rome to try his
prentice hand on the Coliseum) might well suppose it to be
the black art' itself."

Signori Miceli, Sandonato, and Crispi spoke
against the Ministry.
To-day the Senate approved the bill for the tern-
porary occupation of the religious houses for the
service of the State.

The official Gazette of this evening announces
that 29 brigands, among whom was Jose Borges,
have been shot or killed near Tagliacozzo.
A box was seized containing the correspondence
of an agent of 'Monsignors Sentucci with Cardinal
Antonelli and the Bourbon authorities.

SUlClDE.—Stephen Agate, a draper at Cuckfield
in Sussex, a cousin of John Agate, whose wife killed one of
her own children and afterwards cut her own throat on
Thursday last, committed suicide yesterday morning. At
about 8 o'clock the report of a gun was heard proceeding
from a shed adjoining his dwelling house. Several neigh-
bours ran to the spot, and, upon entering the place, found
the unfortunate man lying quite dead, the upper portion
of his head being completely blown away. Near him,lay
a gun which had recently been discharged. He had evi •
dently put the muzzle of the loaded gun in his mouth, and

PARIS, DEC. 10.

The ibni de la _Religion has received a first warn-
ing for having published an article, entitled " Re-
form in Russia," " which," states the warning,
" under the pretext of criticising the reforms of a
foreign Government, contains an attack against the
French constitution."

had drawn the trigger by pulling a- string with his 'foot.
The only cause which can be suggested as having probably
led to the fatal act is that his mind may have been affected
by distress, arising from the calamity which had so lately
befallen a branch of his family.

THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS.
NAPLES, DEC. 9, 6 A.M.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius is increasing in

intensity. The population of Torre del Greco
have fled; nearly all the houses are damaged.
The stream of lava is 28 palms in depth, and
three quarters of a mile broad.
The sensation is immense.

SOUTHAMPTON, DEC, 11.

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation
Company's steamer Delta, with the heavy portion
of the Bombay and Mediterranean mails, arrived
off the Needles at 8.45 a.m.

THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA.
LIVERPOOL, DEC. 11.

The West African Mail steamer Armenian has
arrived here. Her dates are Benin, October 24 ;
Fernando Po, November 2; Cameroons, Novem-
ber 1; Old Calabar, October 30; Brass River, 25 ;
Nun, November 7 ; Bonny, 7th ; Lagos, 10th;
Accra, 12th ; Cape Coast Castle, 14th; Palmas,
16th ; Sierra Leone, 21st ; Bathurst, 25th ; Tene-
rife, 30th ; and Madeira, December 3.
She brings £l,lOO sterling, 2,4160 z. of golddust,
17,000 f., 295 guilders, and 1,246 dols.
Mr. Thomas B. Lee, formerly Secretary to the
British Consul at Fernando Po, had been mur-
dered.

Several influential men had taken up the
question of the cultivation of cotton in the Bight
of Benin.

Some difficulties had arisen between the French
and the natives of Gaboon, in consequence of which
the former were about to take energetic measures.
It was reputed that Gambia was to be ex-
changed for Gaboon, Grand Bassam, Assinee, &c.
The English residents were desirous of the change,
Gaboon being the head-quarters of the slave trade.