The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-25 00:00:00

GRAND BAL MASQUE,

The unexpected prolongation of this Series of Concerts, added to
the universal admiration expressed by the brilliant assembly on Mon-
day evening last, induces M. Jullien to announce another Bat Masque,
which will take place on Monday, February 2, 1846.

tHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
TO-MORROW EVENING

Will be performed the Comedy of A CURE FOR THE HEART-
ACHE. Old Rapid, Mr. W. Farren; Toung Rapid, Mr. Hudson ;
Frank Oatland, Mr. Buck stone ; Jessy Oatland, Miss Julia Bennett.
To be followed by the admired Drama of GRANDFATHER
WHITEHEAI). Grandfather Whitehead, Mr. W. Farren; Dray-
ton, Mr. Tilbury; Langley, Mr. Stuart; Louisa Drayton, Mrs. E.
Tarnold ; Susan, Mrs. Stanley.
To conclude with a Grand New Extravaganza, entitled THE BEE
AND THE ORANGE TREE; or, The Four Wishes. Principal
Characters by Mr. Hudson, Mr. James Bland, Mr. Caulfield, Mr.
Clark, Miss P. Horton, Miss Julia Bennett, Mrs. Caulfield, and Mrs.
Stanley.

TM:ATI E ROYAL. ADELPIII
TO-MORROW EVENING
Will ha repeated an entirely New Drama, called THE LIONESS
OF THE lion , or, The Prisener of Shlusselbonrg Alexis
Romanouski, Mr. Webster; Triptolemus Kront, Mr. Wright; Eliza-
both, Madame Celeste.
After which, MOTHER AND CHILI) ARE DOING WELL.
To conclude with an entirely New and Original Christmas Pan-
tamitne, called HARLEQUIN AND POONOOWINGKEEWANG-
FLIBEEDEEFLOREEDEEBIJSKEEBANG; or, The King of the
Cannibal Islands. Harlequin, Mr. T. Ireland ; Columbine, Miss
Fleming ; Clewn, Mr. C. J. Smith; Pantaloon, Mr. Mitchesson.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM
TO-MORROW EVENING WILL BE PERFORMED
THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH: A FAIRY TALE
OF HOME.

The Principal Characters by Mr. Keeley, Mr. Emery, Mr. Meadows,
Mr. F. Vining, Mrs. Keeley, Miss M. Keeley (her Fourth Appearance
on any Stage), Mrs. Woollidge, Miss Dawson, Miss Howard, Miss
Forster, an 3 Miss Turner.

After which willbe produced a New Grand Romantic extravaganza,
entitled THE ENCHANTED HORSE; or, Prince Fireuz Schah 01
Per Ala and the Princess of Bengal. Principal Characters by Messrs.
Keeley, Wigan, F. Matthews, Collier, Turner, Kinloch, &c. ; lies•
datnes Keeley, Villars, Hodson, Dawson, Howard, Arden, &c.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE. OXFORD-STAEET.
TO-MORROW EVENING-
Will be repeated a New Extravaganza, entitled JEAMES, THE
RAILROAD FOOTMAN OF BERKELEY-SQUARE. Jeames Plush,
Mr. Compton.

To which will be added THE BRIGAND.
To conclude with a New Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE
KEY OF THE KINGDOM ; or, HAR foEQUIN AND THE FAIRY
BLUE BELL. Harlequin, Mr. W. H Harvey; Columbine, Miss
; Clow•n, Mr. Flexmore ; Pantaloon, Mr. T. Hill.

DAYIDOE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
TO-MOll ROW EVEN ING

Will be performed THE MENDICANT SON; or, The Jew of
Solthwark. Supported by Messrs. Hughes, Johnson, Rogers,
Cowell, Maynard, Lewis, Heslop ; Mesdames H. Vining. Martin,
and Daly.
Alter wh'ch, a new Grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled
HARLEQUIN AND THE OLD WITCH OF TEDDIWGTON ; or,
The Golden Days of Good Queen Bess. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack;
Columbine, Miss Smithyss ; Clown, Mr. Paul Herring ; Pantaloon,
Mr. Anderson; Sprite, Mr. Stilt.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPIIITTIFATRE OF ARTS.
TROPRIETOR AND MANAGER, MR. W. BATTY.
TO-MORROW EVENING

Will be performed the Popular Spectacle of MAZEPI'A. Embracing
the whole strength of the Company, aided by a Double Stud.
New scenes of the Circle, combining the talent of the French and
English Artistes.

.titer which will be produced a New Grand Comic Equestrian Pan-
tomime, called HARLEQUIN DON QUIXOTTE DE LA MANCHA ;
er, Sencho Panza, and Dulcinea of Teboso, with new Scenery,
Draws, Mochanical Changes, &c.

THEWEATHER.—SIIN OFFICE, DEC. 25.
THERMOMETER, Lowest, 30; Highest, 39; Noon, 38.
BAROMETER, 30.28.—W1ND, N.W., light rain.

17Illr1,.WATER AT LON1)ON-131t11)(1E THIS LAY.
Morning .. 13 Minutes after 10 I Evening 48 minutes after 10.

Louisiana was obtained from the French, because the
French Emperor hated the English, and Texas
has been taken from Mexico by the most de-
ceitful tricks, backed by open violence. What right
has America to encroach on Mexico, and thereby
obtain footing on that point of the continent which
threatens the most dangerous consequences to Bri-
tish commerce ? But, not satisfied with the Mexi-
can Gulf, America claims the whole trade of the
Pacific—she reckons upon trafficking exclusively be-
tween the Oregon and California, and the countless
islands in the seas of China and Japan, with a view to
harass and ultimately destroy our trade in the east.
No English Minister can shut his eyes to such immi-
nent danger, nor wait with his hands folded till
the power of this encroaching state has become con-
solidated, and a contest, of the most terrible descrip-
tion, be forced upon the United Kingdom. We can-
not, however, for a moment, doubt that Sir R. PBEL
sees the danger in its true light, and that, whatever
happens, he will maintain the honour and rights of this
great empire unimpaired.

From the days of SHAKESPERE " Crowner's quest
Law" has been a subject of ridicule, and certainly
nothing can be more calculated to excite contempt
than the manner in which coroners generally
conduct themselves in their official capacity.
Not only do they exhibit too often an
irritability and petulance unbecoming the judicial
functions with which they are invested, as is evi-
denced by the undignified squabbles now con-
stantly occurring between coroners and police-
magistrates, and by the bandying of re-
proaches between coroners and witnesses, but by
their carelessness or ignorance, or perhaps both, they
are actually in many cases positive obstructions to
the proper administration of justice, preventing, in-
stead of aiding, the detection of crime. For in-
stance, in the case of MARTHA BROWNING, BOW
under sentence of death for the murder
of ELIZABETH MUNDELL, it appears that a coroner's
inquest was held on the body, that the murderess herself
was examined, and that, principally upon her evidence,
the jury, under the dire3tion of the coroner, returned
a verdict that " the deceased had committed suicide
whilst in a state of temporary insanity," thus lulling
suspicion and preventing further inquiry. Now
this verdict could not have been returned had
the coroner made the searching inquisition that he
ought to have made. There was one witness, the sur-
geon, Mr. ATKINSON, who examined the body of
ELIZABETH MUNDELL after her death, and who, on
thq,trial of MARTHA BROWNING, at the Old Bailey,
deposed "that it was very improbable the deceased
could have destroyed herself," at the same
time giving his reasons for coming to such
an opinion. This gentleman was not examined before
the coroner—was not even summoned or inquired
after by that worthy functionary. Not only does the
coroner, when examined on BROWNING'S trial at the
Old Bailey, state expressly that no medical man was
examined at the inquest, but he adds, "I would not
have examined such a witness had he presented him-
self; at least I would not have examined him as a
matter ofcourse." Surely the Westminster coroner must
entertain very peculiar notions of his duty; and, know-
ing that he acts on this rule, we trust the police
authorities will for the future place exactly its proper
value on the verdict which Westminster coroner's
juries may return, and not relax in their endea-
vours to apprehend those who are suspected of
murder, because a jury, presided over by a
Westminster coroner, has returned a verdict of
natural or accidental death, or temporary insanity.
This, moreover, is by no means a solitary case. It
was only last week that the Essex magistrates com-
mitted a man for trial for cutting the throat of his
wife ; and in that case an inquest had been held on
the body, and the jury found that the deceased had de-
stroyed herself. Surely these things call for inquiry
and for reform, and when the weightier affairs of State
afford them leisure, we trust that Sir R. PEEL and
Sir J. GRAHAM will direct their attention to the sub-
ject, for the purpose of devising measures which shall
restore the Coroner's Court to its pristine "efficiency,
and make it what it was intended to be, and what it
was formerly, instead of what it too often is at pre-
sent, " a mockery, a delusion, and a snare."

Madrid journals of the 16th have been received, but
they bring no additional intelligence. The papers
are chiefly occupied in commenting on the QUEEN'S
speech, and the Chambers were engaged in arranging
the preliminary business of the session. The Oppo-
sition appears to have increased considerably since
the prorogation, and debates of importance are there-
fore anticipated.
The Funds contined firm—the Three per Cents.
dosing at 37, and the Fives at 24, both for the Ac-
count.

Accounts from Paris state that the market for stock
and railway shares had recovered from the late depres-
sion, and that all kinds of securities were more firm
than they had been for several days. This was attri-
buted chiefly to the intelligence from London an-
nouncing the failure of Lord J. RUSSELL in forming
an administration. On Monday the Three per Cents
at one time reached 82f. 10c., but they afterwards fell
80f. 90c., owing to some heavy sales. Many
orders bad arrived from the country to purchase rail-
way shares. On Tuesday we stated that the contract
offered by LAFFITTE and Co., for the Paris and Lyons
Railway, had been accepted by the Government, and
we now learn that the adjudication for forty-one
years and ninety days had been confirmed by a royal
ordonnance of the 21st. The Afoniteur, which pub-
liihes this ordonnance, contains also the following re-
port on the subject from the Minister of Public
Works to the KING :--
" Sire,—The law of July 16, 1845, has authorised the
Minister of Public Works to proceed by competition to
make the grant of the Paris and Lyons Railroad. In
execution of this law, I announced that the adjudication
would take place on the 20th inst. Two companies de-
clared their intention of coming to this adjudication.
One alone was admitted to make the tender, the other
made known to me that it withdrew from the competi-
tion. The law imposed upon me the obligation of
fixing in a sealed letter the maximum of the term for
the enjoyment of the grant, above which no adjudica-
tion could be made. In the presence of a single com-
I pang, the fixing of this maximum demanded my most
serious attention. After deep reflection, I fixed upon
11 years 90 days. The company by its tender having
demanded an enjoyment for years and 6 months, there
could be no adjudication. Immediately one of the
members of the company announced in his own name.
t willingness to accept the maximum which I had fizt4l.,
and the issue of the meeting was a tender f'.:na the
company, in conformity with this declaraf',,n. I have,
therefore, to take the King's commttr''' whether I should
tccept this tender, or announce 'a new adjudication. It
appears to me that anew ad.judication on a known maxi-
mourn, and which I Se no reason to alter, presents to the
'fate no chan,':d of acquiring better conditions than
those which have been acceded to by this said company.
Et apr;ears to me, also, that the appointing a new adju-
.',lcation would hold in suspense the large capitals col-
lected by the companies which were prepared for the
!ompetition, amounting to 200,000,000 francs, and would
'vithdraw them from circulation at a period of the year
when business transactions are the most numerous, and
(he wants of commerce at the greatest height. Under
these circumstances, Sire, I have not hesitated to make
ap my mind that this is an occasion for exercising the
faculty given to the Government by the royal ordonnance
4th December, 1836, rendered in execution of the
law of 31st January, 1833, directing the public admi-
nistration as to the formalities to be observed on passing
all contracts entered into by the Governmeat. It results
in effect from this ordonnance that when at adjudications
unacceptable terms are offered—that is to say, higher
than the maximum fixed by the Administration, the
Administration has the right, without having recourse
to a new adjudication, to receive a second tender, pro-
vided it do not go beyond the maximum. I have,
therefore, the honour of proposing to the King the
annexed form of an ordonnance, accepting the offer of
the company admitted to compete for the grant of the
Paris and Lyons Railroad, and deslaring it to be the
grantee of this railroad upon the provisos and conditions
of the Administration, and for a duration of enjoyment
of forty-one years and ninety days.—l am, with pro-
found respect, &c. " S. DuatoN.
The Journal des Debats publishes the following
letter from Algiers of the 15th inst

" The rumour is spreading that Abd-el-Kader, having
divided his troops, has fallen back with his most faith-
ful followers on the Tell. If the Emir has penetrated
into the interior, as the Arab couriers declare, he must
have passed by Ain-Teselemet, and finally penetrated to
the Benibon-Seliman where he has numerous partisans,
and where the country is exceedingly uneven. If Abd-
el-Kader executes the projects attributed to him, he will
not succeed, we hope, either in escaping from us com-
pletely, or in raising in a serious manner the Arab
tribes of the Chelif. In fact, the baggage and cavalry
of Colonel t St. Arnaud had entered Orleans-
ville on the 11th, and all his column ought
to be there at the present moment. On the
other hand, General Coznmaa's column is still
at the foot of Milianah,. and these forces properly em-
ployed must prove sufficient to baffle the Emir's plan. If
these pre-visions be venflei,, Abd-el-Kader will not be
able to extricate himself from his position, except by

one of the valleys of the Rion of the Ouid-Ardjem, or
of the Oued-Fodda, and then, at their opening, he
might possibly meet the Marshal, if the latter be in-
formed in time of the movements of the Emir, and he
will, without doubt, be aware of it, for the news re-
ceived from General Jusuf's column give consistency to
the intentions attributed to Abd-el-Kader. This column
was, on the morning of the 10th, between the Ouled-
Bessam and the Ouled-Amer, in a spot called El-Arbaa
of the Ottled-Bessam. Its spies had even stopped two of
Abd-el-Kader's couriers, through whom the place where
the Emir was could be known."

We subjoin miscellaneous extracts from the pa-
pers :—.

" The whole of the Royal Family came up to the Tuill
ries from St. Cloud on Saturday, at half-past 5 o'clock,
and fixed themselves for the winter. The King was re-
ceived by several of the Ministers, by the officere of the
Household, the two Prefects, and a great number of
generals and other superior officers. At 6 his Majesty
gave a grand dinner of 80 covers in the Gallery of
Diana. The Duke and Duchess de Nemours took up
their residence in the Pavillion Marsan.

" The Moniteur says :--` By royal ordonnance, dated
the 21st, M. Lae gne, Count de Germiny, formerly
Receiver-General of the Department of Saone-et-Loire,
and Conseiller Maitre of the Cour des Comptes, is ep.
pointed Receiver-General of the Seine-Interieure, in
place of M. Theodore Humann, who has given in his
resignation.'
" The 316teore steamer arrived at Port Vendres on
Friday, with M. Roche and the Ambassador from Mo-
rocco, on their way to Paris. The presents sent by the
Emperor to the King of the French were being landed.
" According to a letter from Brest of the 11th, the
Jupiter, of the line, is to form part of the expedition to
Madagascar, instead of the Gloire and Nereide frigates.
The Jupiter is to take 600 troops, and provisions for at
least six months. From Lorient we learn that the
Armide frigate is to proceed to Brest, to take on board
troops for the same expedition.
" A letter from Vienna of the 13th says that the Duke
de Bordeaux had arrived in that city a few days before,
and dined at the Court. On the following day he re-
turned to Frohsdort. The Duchess d'Angouleme was
passing a few days at the Court, and had been present
at the opera of Don Sebastian, in the royal box, with the
Empress-Mother.
" The Cologne. Gazate of the 19th confirms the report
of the pregnancy of the reigning Duchess of Gotha. In
the event of there being no direct heir, says this journal,
the Duchy would become the property of Prince Albert,
the husband of Queen Victoria."
On Monday, the Three per Cents. closed on the Paris
Bourse at 81f. 90c.; the New Loan, at 81f. 80c; the Five
per Cents. 118f.15c. ; the Orleans Railroad Shares,l,lB7f. 50c. ;
Rouen, 9701. ; Northern, 737 f. 50c.; Havre, 770 f. ; Avignon,
897 f. 50c.; Vierzon, 655 f. ; Bordeaux, 6201.; Boulogne, 505 f.;
Troyes and Montereau, 4251 ; Basle, 232 f. 50c.; Fampoux,
5001.; Spanish Three per Cents., 39%; New Deferred, 16.

_ ....
The following are the quotations for other lines :

Paris and Lyons Railroad (Laffitte), Bf. 50c. premium ;
ditto (Calms), Bf. ; Union, 16f. ; ditto (Ganneron), 7f. ;
ditto (Lapinsonniere), 6f. 50c.; Ardoin, sf. ; Receveurs-
Generaux, 6f. ; Paris aadStrasbourg (Ganneron), f. 50e.;
ditto (Bechet), lf ; Tears and Nantes (Mackenzie), if. ;
ditto (Drouillard), 4f.; ditto (O'Neill), 5f.; ditto (Lefevre),
51.; Lyons and Avignon (Talahot), 10f. 40c. ; ditto (Le.
cointe), sf. ; ditto (Compagnie Meridional.), lf.; Bordeaux
and Cette (Mackenzie), 500 f. ; ditto (Espeleta), 51. ; Char-
leroi (Kysaens), 497 f. 50c. The Lyons Definitive Shares
sold at 901. premium ; the Strasbourg ditto, 22f. 50c.; Tours
and Nantes, 52f. 50c.
_

MARSEILLES, DEC. 18.—Marseilles and Avignon, 845 f.
The Paris papers of Tuesday have not arrived.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, Dim. 24.
Anglo-Belgian — Madrid and Valencia...
Barba does
Boulogne and Amiens.. 114 Namur and Liege ,34
Bordeaux &Mediterran North Jamaica ...
Bordeaux and Toulouse Orleans and Vierzon
Do. & Cette (Espeleta) Orleans and Bordeaux 11%
Do. ( Mackenzie's) .. 13/4 Over Yssel .........
Callao, Lima, and Pa- Paris& Lyons (Laffitte) 2%
citic Coast
Central of Spain ..
Ceylon . ....... ......... .
Demerara

0r1ean5......

Dendre Valley ......
Dutch Rhenish ... B%
Dieppe & Paris Janet.
Dijon and Mulhouse —
East Indian —
Fampoux & Hazebrouk
Grt Northern of France
Constituted I 6 1-4
Do. Pepin le Halleur —
Great Paris and Lyons 2%
Great Western Bengal %
Great Western Canada
Jamaica S. Mid. Junction
De. North Midland —
Do. Extension
Jersey
Louvain and Jemappe 2%
Lyons and Avignon —
Limembearg

Paris and Rouen ..
Paris and Strasburg
( Ganneron.s)
Do. (Compe de L'Est.)
Do. (Aymard's) —
Paris and St. Quentin —
Rouen and Havre —
Royal North of Spain —
Sambre and Meuse
Strasburg and Bale
Tournay,Jurbise, Lan-
don, and Ilasselt
Tours and Nantes
(Mackenzie's) 44
Do. ( Lefebvre's) —
De. (O'Neill's)
Trinidad
Verona and Ancona —
West Flanders 43/4

THE

QUARTER

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SECOND EDITION.