The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-20 00:00:00

THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA.

This Chinese quarrel happens to be one of the
questions which illustrate our "solidarity" in the
family of nations in the moat marked manner. We
import from China nearly 12 million dollars' worth
of teas, silks, &c., every year. A large portion of
this—the tea—is an absolute necessary of our life,
and cannot be foregone or enhanced in price with-
out causing great general annoyance among our
people. Now, the effect of the war will be to cut
us off from the supply of this necessary. We must
either, therefore, do without tea, and wait till the
French and English are pleased to make peace, and
graciously admit us to the fruits of our labours, or
we must take with them the part that belongs to a
first-class nation. Any American citizen can decide
which of the two courses it best befits the country to
adopt. But we are not even left to this. Ever since
the outbreak of hostilities our countrymen have been
sufferers.' We have heard of an American pleasure-
boat being fired upon. We have heard of Ameri-
can missionaries being kidnapped and assassinated.
We have heard of American vessels so outrageously
attacked that tkey felt in requisite to vindicate
their credit by capturing the fort which assailed
them. We have heard of American heads adorn-
ing the wall at Canton ; and by the very last mail,
we learn the lamentable story of the massacre of
Americans on board the ill-fated Thistle. Now, if
there be any use at all in a national marine, that
use must surely be to vindicate the national honour
under outrages of this kind, and to avenge the
blood of our unfortunate murdered countrymen.
Such cases as these are precisely the ones contem-
plated by the national Legislature, when large sums
of money are voted for the equipment and mainte-
nance of vessels like the Niagara and the Missis-
sippi. It seems, in fact, so clear, that we are
bound to espouse .the same cause as the allies—
for our own sake—that without a little reflection
one can hardly understand how the question can
ever have been mooted. Here are these Chinese,
with a civilisation somewhat akin to that of the
Mexicans when Cortes fell upon them, or still
more to that of the Chaldeans or Baylonians in the
days of Nebuchadnezzar or Senacherib ; polished
and civilised in their way, but that way a poor one,
and clearly destined to give way and disappear on
contact with stronger types of civilisation ; im-
mensely numerous, but totally devoid of the discip-
line and organisation requisite to make their num-
bers available ; with a Government highly central-
ised and once perfect of its kind, now corrupt and
in decay everywhere ; vastly rich, but knowing
none of the great and useful usages of wealth ;
great, abnormal, preposterous anomaly for this
world in the 19th century. Upon these Chinese
we are dependent for one of our necessaries of
life ; and they are not only denying it to us, but
are falling upon our people and murdering them
wherever they can. But for the friendly shelter
of the British fort of Victoria, at Hong Kong, we
should have had far more losses to deplore. Under
these circumstances, we cannot doubt but that Mr.
Buchanan will direct that hostilities be commenced
in earnest against the Chinese. There is perhaps
hardly any necessity for such a treaty as the English
and French have made, and it might hamper us
without doing any good ; but we can fight as well
without as with a treaty, and that is the main
thing. Not so much that additional assistance is
needed to whip the Chinese, whom no doubt either
England or France could settle single-handed ; but
because it will have the best effect among the Asiatics
to learn that the three greatest Powers of the world
are of the same mind on this matter, and that they
will combine to achieve their purpose. This alone
would probably induce the Emperor to put an end
to the war. On every ground—policy, expediency,
justice, and humanity—it would appear that a bold
and energetic course onthe part of the United. States
can be recommended. We should help to terminate
hostilities ; we could throw our influence into the
scale in their favour were any attempt made to
punish them unduly ; we could see that the final
settlement were made not only in a shape that pro-
mised to be definite, but in a form which rendered
justice as well to the Chinese as to the growing in-
terests of our ow it Pacific possessions. How this policy
should be carried into effect is a matter for future
consideration ; the impossibility of penetrating the
country with success has
.suggested the seizure of
the seaports—only two of which, Canton and
Shanghai, are worth seizing at any rate ; this with,
perhaps, the occupation of one or two roads from
the tea-growing district to Shanghai, would be all
that might be required, until the Emperor, satisfied
that his Russian friends were of little use, and that
his enemies were in earnest, agreed to make peace,
and to place his affairs with the world on a footing
of fair, free, and equal intercourse for all time to
come.—. New York Herald.

THE MANCHESTER ART TREASURES
EXHIBITION.

MANCHESTER, SATURDAY.

Since our last notice of this repertory of art trea-
sures a great addition of the choicest and most
priceless gems has been made to those then col-
lected. They consist of carvings in wood and ivory
by ancient and modern masters, and for truth, de-
licacy; and skill in execution, are, perhaps, un-
paralleled.
The Bishop of Exeter is a contributor to this class
of articles. One of his lordship's contributions re-
presents " The Three Wise Men from the East of-
fering their gifts to the infant Jesus." Another of
the right rev. bishop's contributions, and beauti-
fully executed, is the " Agony in the Garden."
A day or two ago some fine specimens of wanoded
carving, by Wallis, of Louth, in Lincolnshire, ar-
rived. They consist of dead game, fruit,
large bouquet of wild flowers. In the centre of the
bouquet is a linnet's nest with young birds in it.
We observed also the other day, in the building,
the beautiful nine-light silver candelabrum that
was last year manufactured by Mr. J. G. Peters, of
Cambridge, at the joint request of the municipal
and university authorities, and by them presented
to Sir John Patteson, as a mark of their esteem for
the admirable way iu which( he had settled certain
long-existing differences between the, corporation
and university. The Cambridge Corporation con-
tribute their regalia to the exhibition ; it consists
of three maces, silver gilt. The various colleges
of Cambridge also contribute numerous valuable
articles, among which we may name, in passing, the
foundress' cup of Pembroke College, date 14th cen-
tury ; an antique cup, silver gilt, of the 14th cen-
tury, presented by Bishop Bateman to Trinity Hall.
We have also the " loving cup" and cover front
Trinity Hall. Corpus Christi also sends its curious
old cup of the foundress, made out of a very large
buffalo horn, the mountings being silver gilt. St.
John's also sends the Salisbury cup, a rose water
dish and ewer, and a silver urn. Christ college
o:el
le
sends it 3 gold cup, with its castellated
,
base
a
portcullis apex, its three gold salts and covers,
raed its
consecrated wafer dishes, and its six , aps
spoons," with the arms of the college engraved
the bowl. There are also many other contributions
from the places above enumerated, which we can-
not now notice

We have made a rough calculation of the super.
ficial extent of wall space in the Great Hall, the six
galleries, and the four ante-galleries, de-
stinedthe reception of pictures—that is, oil
picture
for
paintings exclusively ; and if we are correct (and
we have endeavoured to be within the mark), the
aggregate space is not less than 4,400 square yards,
or very nearly an acre of paintings ; the aggregate
money value of which would certainly reach BOMO
fabulous anaput,--monchoter Guardian.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
SEASON 1857.
First appearance of Nradlle. PICCOLOM [NI. —BOTTARDI,
BELLETTI, POCCHINI.
TO.MORROW EVENING (Tuesday), April 21.
LA FIGLIA DEL REGGIMENTO.
Marie, Mdlle.
Ballet—LA ESMERALDA.
La Esmeralda, Mdlle. Pocchini.
A limited number of boxes in the Half Circle Tier have
been specially reserved for the public, and may be had on ap-
plication at the Box-office at the Theatre Colonnade, Hay-
market.
Price One luinea and One Guinea and a Half each.
La Favorita will be repeated forthwith. Mcllle. Ortolani
Las arrived.

FIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
EXTRA NIGHT, THURSDAY, April 23.

LA TRAVIATA.
PICCOLOMINI, GIUGLINI, BENEVENTANO, POCCHINI.

Opera—LA TRAVIATA.
Ballet—LA ESMERALDA.

For particulars, see bills.
A limited number of Eoxes in the Half-circle Tier have been
specially reserved for the public, and may be had on applica-
tion at the Box-office, at the Theatre Colonnade, Haymarket.
Price One Guinea and One Guinea and a Half each.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
THIS EVENING, will be performed
Shakespere's tragedy of
KING RICHARD THE SECOND.
Ring Richard 11., Mr. C. Kean ; Queen, Mrs. C. Kean.
Preceded by A GAME OF ROMPS.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone,
NEW ARRANGEMENT OF PRICDS OF ADMISSION.
THIS EVENING, awl during the week, the new
Drama of A LIFE'S TRIAL. Messrs. Buckstone, Comp-
ton Howe, W. Farren, Rogers ; Mesdames Reynolds, Poyn-
ter, Fitzwilliam, &c.
After which, fpr the sixth time, a Classical Love Story. un-
der the Apple-lation of ATALANTA ; or, The Three Golden
Apples: in which Miss M. Oliver will appear; also Miss M.
Wilton, and Miss Ellen Ternan.
Concluding with LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS.
In future the prices will be:—
Orchestra St•Als (which may bo retained the whole of the
evening), Gs. each. (No charge for booking.)
First Price, s. d. Second price. s. d
Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0
Upper Boxes ...... ... 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0
Pit . 0 Pit. 1 0
Lower Gallery 1 0 Lower Gallery 0 6
Upper Gallery 0 ei No half-price to Upper Gallery.

THEATRE ROYAL, A DELPHI,
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.

THIS EVENING, will be performed the new and
original domestic sketch, entitled WELCOME, LITTLE
STRANGER. Mr. Wright, Mr. Paul Bedford, &e.

Followed by.THE ELVES, in which Madame Celeste will
perform
After which, A NIGHT AT NOTTING-HILL, in which
Mr. Wright and Paul Bedford will appear.

QTRAND TFIEA.TRE.—MInazer, Mc. T.
• Payne.—THlS EVENING will be performed
RUTH OAKLEY.

After which, WILLIAM TF.LL (Burlesque.) Mesdames
Leigh Murray, Cuthbert, Somers, &c.
To conclude with a Farce.
Commence at Seven. Stalls, 3s. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, ls. ;
Celery, 6d.

11.) OYAL SURREY THEATRE,
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd awl Creswiek.
THIS EVENING, tho new drama of FLORENCE ; or,
The Fatal Error. Characters by Messr3. Creswick, Norman,
Charles, Miss Mortimer, dm.
After which, MIDAS. Apollo, with sow4s, Miss Poole.
To conclude w;th THE DUMR SAVOYARD AND HIS
MONKEY. The Monkey, Mr. Flexmore.

BOY A L OLYMPIC THEATRE
Lecixee. Mr. Alfred Wigan.
THIS EVENING, will performed a new drama, called
DADDY HARD ACRE. ',lr. Robson, &c.
The new drama, by Tom Taylor, Esq., A SHEEP IN
WOLF'S CLOTHING.
To conclude with THIEVES ! THIEVES ! ! Messrs. F.
Robson, G. Vining, &o.
Commence at half-past Seven.

ASTLETS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke.
THIS EVENING (2d week). the highly snceessrnl Grand
Military Spectacle, called THE FRENCH IN ALGIERS :
or, The Battle of Constantine, introducing Mr. W. Cooke's
admired Stud of trained Horses, 3::c.
After which, Miss Kate Cooke will appear in the EQUES-
VRIAN ACTS in the CiRCLE.
The performance of Signor Corelli and Family.
To conclude with A rasILLE FARCE
Commetce at seven o'clock. Dress Roses, 4s. ; Upper
ilexes, 35.; Private Boxes, from If., no charge for booking ;
Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Uppa; Gallery, 64.
Vor•ollice open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager
Mr. W. West. Ecreatrian Director, Mr. W. Cooke , jun.

CA N TERTM ItY IT. ALL. Woßtrni nsaer-road
OPE N EVERY EVENING.--The follow -
in: company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses,
Glees, Duets, &c., Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield,
Miss Bruuell, Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta; Mr. J
Caulfield, Herr F. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Ferrant, S.
Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling. P. Corti, Senor Antonio M.
de Solla, and E. L. Himo ; Masters Austin, Bennett, and
Corti ; Messrs. Sam Collins, E. hackney, and C. J. Wilkins.
Pianoforte. Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, J. Caulfield, jun.;
diroct or Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre
eisely. Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock..

iIIGFI WAT:','R AT LaN-DON BRIDGE.

TRIS Ditr—Morn. 30 min. aft. 10 —Ravening 8 mid. aft. 11
!'n-Ifoßuov —Morn. 0 rnia. aft. 0 —Evening 0 min.aft. 0

Ti E IvEATHEItz—Sum Orncra, APRIL 19.
TIMIAIOIIi.TRR, IN TEN SHADE.

CI highest tines noon yesterday.
51 - lowest this montlng and dm:az the tight.
65 -this day •t noon.

BATIOURTZP., 20*05.
li4ht, with vory fine sunshiny summer
w4ather.
Two O'CLOCK.—Wini more westerly, and fresh, but
fine.

APRIL 20.

Gi h,ehea-i, nn.:' yapterday.
47 -"c.cast thiA morning and jnrin4 :be night.
day t. N;3n.

9.A.,01V 30.30 sudden rise.
WIND, W.N. W to W.—r.iht, with fine sunshiny
weather.

.1
!J,e, _l, •
: -
, •- .> • .)‘ 111
4" -j• d