The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-16 00:00:00

SIR JOHN FRANKLINS EXPEDITION.

The following letter has been addressed to the
editor of the Times :

Sir,—l lose no time in noticing the report given
in the Times and other papers of to-day by Captain
Sherard Osborn in reference to Sir John Franklin's
expedition, and to mention that no information
bearing upon this important subject has reached
this house in an official or private shape, and that,
in the opinion of persons acquainted with the
Indian country, it is only one of those vague ru-
mours which have been current there fiorn time to

time, upon which no reliance can be placed, and
probably arises from Indians having seen one of
Anderson's own encampments on or near the Back
River, but not near its moutb, because the Indians,
as far as is known to the Hudson's Bay Company,
never approach within 200 or 300 miles of it, i. e.
—the mouth of the river.

Sir George Simpson, whose name is particularly
mentioned by Captain Osborn, will be in London
next week, and will no doubt personally contradict
the absurd charge made in Captain Osborn's com-
munication.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,
W. G. SMITH, Secretary.
Hudson's Bay-house, Feb. 14.

THE NEW PROPOSED DUTIES.

The following are the duties, upon sugar and tea,
as proposed to be enacted :

SUGAR-411E CWT.

Present
Duty. _

There-
-1857-8. 1858-9. 1R59-60. after.
s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d.
18 4 16 8 15 0 13 4
16 0 14 7 13 2 11 8
13 10 12 9 11 8 10 6
12 8 11 8 10 7 9 6
5047 4 2 3 9
TEA-TUB LB.
Tea
INCOME AND PROPERTY TAX-PER R.
01407 0 7 0 7

£ s. d.
Refined 1 0 0
White 0 17 6
Yellow
Brown
Molasses 0 5 4

1 0

It is said in the green-rooms—and we imagine with
good foundation—that Mrs. Nisbett's return to the stage
may be shortly looked for.
Mr. C. Kean, it is said, intends to quit the stage in
1859. His last season at the Princess's Theatre is ex-
pected to realise a profit of 10,0001.
In consequence of the decease of Mr. Richard Smith,
brother to Mr. Albert Smith, the Egyptian Hall will ba
closed all this week.

DINNER TO MR. ROGERS, THE COMEDIAN.—It is
said to be the intention of certain theatrical gentlemen
to get up a dinner to Mr. James Rogers, to be given on
ash Wednesday. The tickets are to be 13s. 4d. each.
Young John Henry Cooke, the talented equestrian
of Astley's, has returned from America, where his won-
derful feat of the "Leap of the Bridge," created an un-
precedented sensation. He is announced for this per-
formance during the week.
MME. GRIST IN THE PROVINCES.—Mme. Grisi is now
engaged in an operatic tour In the provinces, under the
direction of Mr. Beale. She has been performing at
Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow, &c., with almost un-
paralleled success.
DRAMATIC COPYRIGHT.—The question of dramatic
copyright of French authors is about to be submitted to
the Court of Chancery. Mr. C. Meade intends pro-
ceeding against Mr. Payne, of the Strand Theatre, if he
should produce a piece, entitled "Poverty and Pride "
(which he intends to perform this evening). Several ma.
nagers have entered into a subscription to defray the
expenses of the defence.
The annual grand ball given by the .enterprising pro.
prietor of the Canterbury Hall, Mr. C. Morton, takes
place on Wednesday next. Preparations for the occa-
sion have been going on for some time. The splendid
ball has been tastefully embellished, a numerous band
has been engaged, and a supper of the most recherche de-
scription is to be provided. The arrangements of the
ballroom have been confided to Mr. Frampton. That
there will be a large attendance there cannot be a doubt.
A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 25th ult., in the
Constitutionnel, says :—Several accounts have been given
relative to splendid presents made here to the Countess
of Morny, but they are all completely unfounded. The
Emperor and Empress have not made any present, pro-
perly so called, to the young Princess Troubetskoy. The
only mark of attention which has been paid to her by the
Imperial family was to send her at the moment of her
marriage the picture of the Empress in diamonds—an
elegant decoration, which is highly valued at St. Peters-
burg. As for the magnificent present G f diamonds from
the count, there is not a word of truth in it. Everything
at the marriage was conducted in the most simple man-
ner,"