The New York Herald Newspaper, December 28, 1852, Page 4

Jan PEOPRIETOR AND OrPiCe BH. Wi Comms OP FULTON AWD NASEAU ETS. free conte per Sper aumumn, te Beropean aenwo. a Lata ‘CE containing taper the world; if weed, Nposhape tell be odweted from = ory net of re Britasn, and $5 te any part of LY! INTARY 0) with acatncte, chen guest, ond areeee No, 3604 AMUSEMENTS THIS BVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Roxce Bonaniar Gini. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broeéway.—Lé Caranarre. na—Rorita. IBLO'S, Broadwey.—! BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers rtrect.—Panse anv heomoen—Ore Tnovesny M Limene Warren. we Jvwer- PPA. WATIONAL THBATRE, Chatham ctreet.—Tse Srirrine —Ow Contivenrar—Myverie Liny. ‘WALLAOCK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Po' Quecrion—My Cuaiermas Divs ca—Myeren: samee—Harry Man. WHITS'S THEATRE OF VARIETIES, 17 and 19 Bowe £!=* Busrranp—— Misctuxy Masxine——Foary o THE AMERICAN MUSEUM.—Afverncen —Rarmown avy Ac- =m. Evening—Poary Tuxves. BELLER'S SALOON, 639 Broadway.—Neckomaney. GRORS MA, 58% Broadway.—Baxvanp's Pasonaxa oF mm Howy Lanv. @ BROADWAY.—Mrcnanicar Bxuinition. GHRISTY'S OPERA HOUSE, 472 Broadway.—Bruorian Mimornaney sy Cunisry's MineTR ee. ‘WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood's Musicai Ball, 444 Broad. way.—hTrwsorian howeTRELsY. CIRCUS, 37 Bowery.—BquxetRian ENTERTAINMENTS. Petree tan ttt ie DOUBLE SHEET. ———SSSSSS New Yerk, Tuceday, December 25, 1852. ———————— Whe News, ‘The reports of the proceedings in Congress yester- day, are scarcely worth the space they occupy in our columns, particularly at this time, when there is an abundanee of interesting news flowing in from almos: every point of the compass. In the Senate, after the disposal of some unimportant business, Gen. Cass offered a resolution, which was adopted, fmstructing the proper committee to inquire into the expediency of granting lands to Michigan and Wiseonsin, for railroad purpores. A joint resolu- tien was also passed, directing the census returns of California to be added to those of the United Btates. Like Gen. Cass, a large number of the | people of the country would like to ascertain wheth. or these returns will be completed and published before the time arrives for the taking of the next census. Bills wore: passed for the relief of Brown, Rassell & Co., for losses sustained in the transporta- tion of government stores, and for a veteran seaman, aamed Thomas B. Parsons, who, some forty-four years ago, was injured and dismissed from the navy, after having, at the risk of his life, rescued Midshipman (now Commodore) Jones and six other persons from watery graves, on the coast of Louisi ana. In conclusion, the private calendar was taken | wp; but before anything was done, the body was | ebliged to adjourn for want of a quorum. Reeent transactions in Cuba seem to ocsupy the attention of a majority of Congressmen; but how to | te nearly produee strangulation. of the brutel act carried off one hundred dollars in money. A reward of two hundred dollare has been offered for their arrest. We have zeceived papers from Georgetown, Deme- vara, to the second of December; but we cannot glean any thing of interest. The recent heavy rains have produced very des tractive freshets in some parts of the West. In Ohio and Indians the cancls and railroads, and much private Froperty, have been greatly damaged by the washing away of bridges, fences, &e. On the Madison and Indianopelis rosd « freight train fell through a bridge, and three men were killed. Lives have been Jest in the vicinity of most of the large streams, but the number has not been ascer- tained. A Mr. Abraham Colby, an invalid, perished by the burning of his dwelling at Eaton, N. H., last Thureday. His wife was severely burned in her exertions to reese him. Mr. Mabur bad one of his legs completely severed from his body, by being ran over by # train ef care on the Troy Railroad, last Sunday evening. The unfortunate man is sixty years of age. Only two or three rewdies are reported to have ‘been shot in Baltimore on Christmas day. The moral cengjtion of that city is certainly improving. ‘Tk bark Forest Prince, bound from New Orleans, with provisions, breadstufis, and cotton, for Boston, struck, last Friday evening, on the southwest side of Nantucket, and goon filled with water. No lives were lest. The cargo may be saved ina damaged condition; but it is presumed that the vessel will go to pleces. Professor Olmsted last evening delivered a most able lecture on the mechanical structure of the Universe, at the Broadway Tabernacle, of which, in consequence of the erowded state of our columns, we are only able to furnish a short report. The official reports of the proceedings in the Com- mon Council last evening, possess considerable in- terest. A resolution was passed in the Board of Aldermen, increasing the salary of the Comptroller two thousand dollars, in consequence of the abol- ishment of the office of Deputy Comptroller. The debate on this subject has been furnished by our epecial reporter. In the Board of Assistant Alder- men, no debate of consequence took place on any question that came up. We elsewhere publish a copy of the bill recently proposed [by Senator Gwin of California, for the construction of @ railroad, with branches, between the Atlantic and Pacific States. The importance of the subject will be sufficient to guarantee a caroful perusal of this measure. It is seldom that we are able to present a greater varicty of reading than we do this morning, as will be seen by tho annexed list of a portion of the con- tents of the inside pages :—One Week’s History of Europe, embraced in Letters from London, Muy- ence, and Paris—the political and gossipping epie- tles from the latter city are particularly rich, every topic of interest being descanted upen from the de- claration of the empire to the manner in which an extraordinary monkey partakes of his din- ner ; also, Letters from Mexico, Peru, and Wash- ington ; Late News from Texas ; Prineiples of the Icarian Community at Nauvoo; Important Decision to Tax Payers, in the Superior Court ; Curious De- scription of Australia, by one in the Diggings; Dis- tress in the Island of Madeira ; Commercial Ro- ports, Ke. The steawships Pacific and Uncle Sam, are now about due with Jater news from Europe and Cali fornia. The Presidont’s Appointments to Uftice. properly bring up the delicate questions therein | Representatives, on motion of Mr. Smart, revolved that the President | be requested to state wha: steps have been taken, within the past year, respecting the capture and @ondemnation of the American bark Georgians and brig Susan Loud, by the Spanish authorities. Ourre- presentatives are preparing themselves for, and will shortly arrive at, the Crescent City and Cordelia effaire—then look out for warm work On motion ef Mr. Stanton, a resolution was adopted asking for information respecting the claims of sundry past and present custom house officers, who allege that | they are entitled to the feos of their offices, instead | of the salaries formerly allowed, of fifteen hundred @ollars per year each. This is a very curious piece of business, and, from present appoaranees, the offi- | eers are likely to carry the day, owing to an unin- | temtienal Congressional blunder in the law of 1814. Should these demands be allowod, some of the weigh- ors and measurers in this city, under the administra- | tions of Polk, Taylor, and Fillmore, will got forty and | fifty thousand dollars each. Theclaims,inall, amount | to over a million of dollars; and the resolution of- fered yesterday was with the viow of preventing the Becretary of the Treasury from paying them | until the subject is explained to Congress. How- ever, it is more than probable that the claimants | will get their money in the end. Verily, the peo- | ple occasionally hit upom queer kind of ropresenta- | tives ali around. The Mexican Boundary Survey was entirely suspended through a blunder im the | appropriation of last session, and new, in conse- quence of s farmore grievous blunder—one that has remained uadiscevered for eight years—a tremen- @ous haul is te be unnesossarily made upon the | public funds. After a short but animated diseus- | sion, the House refused, by a vote of 74 to 70—not | 4we-thirds—to suspend the rules for the purpose of | considering the Senate reselution authorizing the | President te confer the rank of Lieutenant Goneral The indications now are, we are sorry to observe, | that this resolution will not be acted on at this ses- | sion, and consequently the measure will be killed. | Well, fortunately, it will not detract one iota from | the high military renown of General Scott, should | the rank never be conferred upon him. As a mili- tary chieftain his fame isimperishable. Some other business of but little momont was transacted, and then the body was compelled to follow the Senate’s example, and adjourn for want of a quorum. As has ever been the case, Congressmen seldom do much before the holidays, and eannot make up ‘their minds to labor #0 long as they Inet Our special Washington correspondent furnishos several interesting items this morning; among ethers, the fact that the Legislature of North Care- Jina had not adjourned, but would meet yesterday ‘and elect Gen Dobbin to the United States Senate, in place cf Mr Mangum. Should this prove cor mect, Gen. D.’s name will be withdrawn from the Cabinet formed for Gen. Pieroe by Madame Ramor. It is thought that no move will be made, fer the prencnt, te place a seeret service fand of ¢en mil- Hone of dollars at the disposal of Gen. Pierce, al- Ahough, should circumstances warrant something of the kind, it will cortainly be earried out. It is gratifying to learn that the health of the Hen, W. R. King bas improved to such a dogree that he is no longer eomfined to his room. His ough has much abated, and be has had no modical attendance for several days. He will seon be back im the Benate chamber. A despatch from Boston gives currency to a ru- mor that Gen. Pierce was, last Saturday, closeted with Senator Hunter, Caleb Onshing, and A. Pp. Nicholson, of Tenn. How's this? People had boon | given to understand (he: the latter gentleman was ia Washington. The United States Supreme Court is now engaged fa bearing the argument in the cass of Morae ws O'Reilly—being an apposl from the United States Olreait Court, some three years ago, and involving * dhe right to what is known as the Columbian telo. @teph. Able counsel arg engaged on both sides, | 24 the argument will probably oocupy the atten- we of the court till to-morrow or next day. rom Albany we Lave an sovount of « most wg Dargary hd wilomps at murder | Uwa | f Mr. Pierce must appoint first-rate officers to all theimportant positions at home and abroad. They Should be thinkers and acters of the highest class, who can speak as well as write—skilful alike in | attack and defence--distinguished alike for boldncss and fortitude. With inferior men under him, it will be hard to hold his position. Great genius in his opponents, diligently exerted for conservatism, with the aid of the disaffected, and especially if there were an error of principle, or an untoward event to perplex his counsels, will find Mr. Pierce and the party easy victims at the end of his firat term. In the history of the world there never was such an epoch as the prosont. Everything is done upon a scale of greater magnitude; and the decomposition of the old ideas on many subjects, and the recom- position of a new order of things, isin actual move- ment. The world is not only undergoing internal, but external changes; our own relations to other nations, and, of course, theirs to us, are varying most essentially every year, and must be constantly readjusted. The triumphant suecess of free insti- target ofrulers and the hope of mankind. The dan- ger totyrants, which attends the career of a demo- cratic confederation, has at length become so im minont that they will probably put forward their own confederation in actual enmity. The forms of monarchs will soon foreshadow force; and America, and American principles will have to stand on the defensive, or march to the field, according to the ixcumstances with which every day is big, and which day after day must bring forth. We do not believe any previous, period of histery, sncient or mederp, has been so critical and so im- portant. We are satisfied that it will take the able-t and best mon in the democratic ranks to face the future; and for that reason Mr. Pierce should make no blunder in a single | choice, of cabinet officers, in partioular. Weak hands would soon see the helm of Stste wrenched frem their grasp forever: The man who has the principal interest in this great matter, is fortunately him whe has the responsibili- ty, backed by all the confidence, and almost all the | votes, ef the people. But there is another reason why Mr. Pierce should eurround himself by distinguished men —and ws do not mean by distinguished, accredited men merely— Congressmen, Sonators, ministors, secretaries, or other officials ;—we do mean mon whom nature, independent of position, created great and true, and who lave acquired knowledge and wisdom, and firmness, without losing energy or virtue. Nor do we confine ourselves to old men, nor to any locality. The reason is, that Mr. Pierce comes upon the stage at @ similar, but greater, orisis in our affairs than those which were mot Srst by Jefferson, and secondly by Jackson. In po- licy, and parties, and situation, the country is precisely where it was rescued from ruin by thoss wonderful men. The genius of Hamilton pervaded the administration of Washington more than any other, or, indeed, than all other men. It is assert- ed that Hamilton constitutionally distrusted the people. The elder Adams pushed that distrust al mest to contempt, and by his well known mossures against allenage and eodition, completely unhinged the system of government. Our demooratio instita- tions, under him, received a decided defleetion to- wards aristocracy, and began to descend the inelined plane with fearful rapidity. Tae masses boonme alarmed. Joefferton, who was the civil chief of the Revolution, and had conceived profeundly what that great act ehould precede, had, by his vigor, courage, and capacity, stirred the very depths of popular judgment and popular pzssion. The author of the Deelaration, called to the Presidency, arrived in time to stop the downward plunge of his coun- tay’s liberties. He restored the confederation to its basis, and left i; firm upon it. We were then » bandful of four or five millions—the fifth part of our present numbers, and without the aid of the prodigious discoveries which bave quadrupled human power Aftor JS son came Madison, then Monroe, and then A younger, The frst wus a palo re Sovitvn of JMirven, she sorond, un indifferent mind | institutions, for whieh they are not justly responsi- taited te o pure and fearicss soul, which was ccca- sony strong in resolve, but often feeble in execa- tion ; the inst wae an and able maa, but the instrament of evil. He might not have been conscious of the delinquency ; but in four years he had as much perverted the republic from its design end destiny, as his father. We were ins sea of troubles, without helm or rail, foundering in protec- tive tariffs, United States banks, and injudicious legis'ation of all kinds. The people took the alarm ; the popular instinct pointed to Jackson, and he was elected after two struggles. He fulfilled the genera] expectation, and will never be forgotten. Since Jackson, what a decline and fall! We have badas many as six Presidents by choice and acei- dent, each no better than the last. Van Baren was to Jackson what Madison was to Jefferson—nothing but a pale reflection of light and heat withdrawn, bat without Madison’s capacity. Then follbwed Harrison, and Tyler too, and ‘then Polk, whose ad- ministration made brilliant hits, but who was not of more avail to the democracy than Monroe, so far as his system, or want of system, was concerned. After Polk, we have had a series of afftictions, in the good old soldier Taylor, who never said silly thinga, but had to father many, forced upon him by his cabinet. Fillmore easually succeeded, and un- der him there has been a complete falling away of the foundations. We are literally neither here nor there under his auspices; and that is the next thing to being nowhere. We are now to have Pierce The popular cause, popular rights, popular pride, popular sympathy, and the popular force, too, sur- round kim on all sides, fora final rally out of the dust and ashes, which cover us all alike. He may be as big as Jefferson or Jackson, or a6 little as Thomes Thumb, according as he shall choose his men, take his ground, and fight his battle. The leeway is immense; the road is all up hill. Let ushave vigor- ous steeds, and harnes: to match, and some of the best driving that was ever done with any Statecoach in Christendom, and then we shall be satisfied. We look for all these rosults. It is not worth while te dwell as additional eon- siderations on the unprecedented good luck of Mr. Pieree in being the literal champion of the people, independeat of any other candidate or combination whatever. He stands alone. He had a victory over all prejudices and partiabilities, at Baltimore, and he is unpledged to any clique or man, and unbound by any promise, express or implied. Hoe has the entire democracy to choose from, and will be expected to do nothing wrong at the start. There was never a more anxious moment; for so much depends upon his first step. From the formation of his cabinet, and the tone ot his inaugural, a multitude of people will deiive oither encouragement or disappoint- ment. We have made up our minds for the best Such a grand occasion, we hope, will not bo lost, nor auffered to pass away without guiding the desti- nies of our country back-sgain to the last point of departure, aud thence with irresistible rapidity in | the right directionto the highest seat in the family | of nations. We are a republic of progress and | peace. | Finrny Conpition oF Tas Stnenrs.—Perhaps | there is no city in the world whose streets are s0 filthy as those of New York. Their condition, for years past, has been the diegraoe of the city author- ities, and at the present moment they are as bad as ever they were before. In some of the leading | thoroughfares, on Christmas day, the mire was about @ foot deep, aad the crossings appear to be totally neglected. It is eurlous enough that under despotic and monarchial governments, things are much better ordered with regard to the regulation of the atreets, than they are in the Empire City ef the only free eountry in the world. This is a reproach to democracy and to republican ble, but the men who have been entrusted with the government of the eity, and who have failed to fulfil the implied conditons on which they were elected. There ie no department of science or art ‘in which men reared uuder republican institutions by the debate which sprung up last week in the United States Senate. Ris to my is @ dificult one. It is siderable perplexities for those who are soon to have the conduct of our affairs in their hands aad will, whatever may be hopod or feared, be approached by any discreet administration with no small caution. There will be, of course, a strong desire to satisfy the ambition of our people; and there can be no doubt that the desire of acquiring Cuba, and the convic- tiom that it will soon be ours—President Fillmore tothe contrary notwithstanding—bave been for some time growing and spreading in all circles. ‘The nv tural expansivenese of our Republic—that desire of increased territory which is und has been the beset- ting sin of man from the ‘‘mute inglorious Hampden” to Napoleon, from the days ef Assyrian empire to our own—a hearty contempt for old Spain, a hearty hatred of her colonial despotism, and a hearty sym- pathy for Creole wrongs—all togethor, have worked up our people very generally into an unhesitating conviction that in some way or other Cuba is shortly to be ours. But when we come to consider the ways and means by which this result is to be accom- plished, perhaps it will not seem so entirely or speedily certain. The publication of the Cabs correspondence by Mr. Fillmore, has certainly considerably inereased the inheront difficulties. That publication has apprised the European world that Cubs is an object of our most ardent desire; and it isnot so clear, perhaps, what the European world will think of this announcement. Europe is @ very complicated machine. It is very far from being as easily understood, or as easily managed, as our hemisphere. Our energies are devoted, almost exclusively, to material progress. There is no real atrife among our people as te the form er tenden- cles of our government. There are mo great class interests controlling the management of affairs— there are no religious feuds of centuries duration— there are no hereditary controversies depending from age to age to embitter and perplex the divi- sion of parties. On the contrary, thegpusinoss of administration here is reduced to a very small com: Pea is just the other way. There, the govern- ments are everything—nobody is agreod 2s to the future, and there are great class interests in the State and in the Church, arrayed in bitter hostility to each other. Now, it is far from being certain how the great governing authorities of Europe will re- gard so important a step in our progress as the ac- quisition of Cuba—for Cuba is plainly enough not Cuba alone. With Cuba comes an immediate and immense extension of our naval force. With Cuba comes a certain longing for other conquests and set tlements. With Cuba comes a direct and inevitable commingling of European politics with our own. This is, in truth, the real significance of the Cuba question. It isa European question. Louis XIV. said, ‘‘the Pyrences exist no longer.” So, once embarked in this controversy, and the Atlantic exists no longer. No longer are we divided from the European hemisphere. There is at once a di- rect intercommunication of the passions, the affee- tions, and the interests of both worlds. Tha: this must come before long, was probable. Cubs renders it cortain. Now, how will Europe regard the acquisition of Cuba by our Union?! Will Spain, under any cir- cumstances, be induced to part with Cuba? Wil the commercial necesrities of Hogland outweigh her undoubted political jealousy of our power! Will or will not Louis Napoleon, who is in truth the most despotic soveroign of Europe, consider this a good opportunity to win laurels for the French marine } What will the great aristocratic classes of Europe say to this formidable extension of the power of a hateful demoeracy ? How will the Cathelic world it have not proved themsslyet equal, if not superior, to men under any other form of governmont, and no rengon, nor the ehadow of a reason, can bo assigned why we have not as clene stroets as any city in Europe. New York is far more healthy, by natare, than the city of London, aud yet, though it is crowded with four times the amount of population, ard is afilicted with twonty times the amount of poverty, ite sanitary condition, ewing to good drain- age and the cuperior c}canlinoss of tho streets, is far ahead of that of New York, and the mortality is twenty-five per cent less. The quantity of rain falling in London is far greater than in New York, and the surface of the coil being a stiff, retentive blue elay, the moisture remains, especially 2s thers are no natural outlets for it; wherers, in New | York, the soil being of a sandy nature, it soaks | from the surface such moisture as does not run off by the fall of thegrowad. Yet London, in the foul- tutions makes usnot only the fincst instance of gene- | est weather is kept perfectly clean, while New York | ral prosperity yet known, but makes us at once the is a synonime forall tha: is filthy. By daylight iu the morning the streets of London are so thoroughly swept, that a lady in crossing it, not merely at the crossingr, but at any point, conld not soil the edge of her cress; whereas hore it is impossible for her to crores at the crossings, or even to waik the foot- ways, without baving her boots thoroughly satu- rated with wet, and her drese covered with mud. The injury te skopkeepers aad othore is serious, for it prevents the fair sex from going out to make purchases of goods. look on the transfer of the island from « faithfal ' power to one whose tendencies may be feared to be heretical? How will the Russian Czar regard the aggrandisement of his near neighber on the north- west const? All these questions at once present themselves, and he is an ignoramus, a mountebank, ora kuave, who pretends to answer them positively and dogmatically. Aa for taking Cuba by filidusterism, or, in other | words, piracy, it is rank nonsense. succeed, and never ought to. Lopez and his asso- ciates in folly had some excuse, because they were Spaniards; but it is gross absurdity to suppose that in our time this can be done, or that any Ameri- can fit to command an expedition of this kind, would risk « fair position at home to run the gaunt- let of a Spanish garrote or an Amorican peniten- tiary. Cuba, when acquired, whether peaceably or forsibly, must be eo under the stars and stripes— any cther eourse will lead to more mischief than it would remove. How, thon, is it to be done !—for, to recur to what wo said at tho eutset, it is certain thats strong desire exists om the part of our people to effect the object, and equally certain that, what with their ignorancs of Europe, and confidence in their own energies, they neither see, nor, if they saw, would recognise the obstacles that oxist. It will never do, thorefore, for the new administration to content itself with folding its hands, locking the wheels, and letting the oar of state take ite course. Something must be done. What shall that some- If it be asked what is the eause of this neglect of the streets, we anewer that it is not to keep the streets clean aldermen get themselves elected, but for far differeat purposes; and it is not for such low business that the com: ‘oner, Whose nominal duty it isto look after the streota, has received his appoint- ment. He pockets tho salary, it is true, but he kas far higher game in view than the command of an army ofecuvenges. Itis not because there is not enough of money spent in the government of the eity that the streots aro left in such a deplorable condition. The eitizons pay taxes sufficient to ave it as clean as any other city in the world; but the publie funds aro wasted and squandered upon objects that do not contribute to tho advantage or the hap- piness of the tax payers. All classes of politiotans, who for a number of years have obtained possession ef the city government and the spoils belonging thereto, have beén chargeable with this mal adiuia- istration; and till the citizens overthrow the pre- sent system of primzry elections, and take the ne- eessary pains to elect men to offiee (if such can be found) whose object is vot mere emolument, but the applause of their fellow eitizons, and whose ohief re- ward ‘s the eonscious pride of baving done their duty, they must be content to endure for the future the inconvenience, discomfort, and filth from whieh they have suffered so mush in the past. Turortant 70 Tax Pavers --Wo dosire to oall the attention of our tax-ridden citizens to the im- portant proceedings yesterday, boforo Judge Hn- met. They will be found in another colamn. If they aro not imterseted in what they read there, we will endes.vor to draw their attention more partica- larly to the subject at another time. Ali those who have purchased Corporation lote since 1849, will, we think, be somewhat startled at the exhibit made. | Fas Taave ww tue Post Orrics Buarwrss — Tho new letter envelopes, with tno single and double stamps, will soon be ready. Thon every steamer, every railroad train, every ste go, every exprees line, and overy man, is made s mail carrier by act of Congress. Lettors, in the government on- velopes, oan be sent in any way, by any route, and by any conveyaneo. So says the law. Pairing tan Inpiows --We are assured that the decision of the Board of Supervisors, in regard to the contract with Anthon & Burnett, is correct, after al The work to be performed is not what it at ficat purported to be. Well, wo are glad of it. Our rule onght to be like Davy Orooket’s :-— thing be? The couse is plain. It iste take sueh measures as shall enlist the material interests of Europe on the side of our acquisition of the island There are great and powerful interests in England, France and Spain, which might, with proper care, be certain- ly engaged on our side of the question. The inte- reet of the Englich and French financiors is peace. Batisfy these financiers of the inovitable destiny of the ieland—show them that all the procedents of history, the foebleness of Spain, the growing and irresistible power ef this country, atl render it cor- tain that, sooner or ister, Cuba must fall into our hbands—once infuse this bolisf into the great money powers of Europe, and you have them on our side. Bo, again, with the Fronch. Show thom that they can gain nothing in a naval war—that whatevor their apparent preponderance of maritimo strongth may now be in a contest on the ocean, they would toon be annihilated, or, at all events, their guns spiked—urge on the industrial world of both Eng- Jand and France that, by opposing our acquisition of Cuba, they may lose good customers and gain a war, but that the ond will be the same, when the English and French support is enlisted—then will be the time to address ourselves to Spain. The ma- terial argument mey then be easily made irrosist ible. But ail this requires men of ability, dexterity, great sagacity, and intimate knowledge of the wheels within wheels of the European world— clever diplo- matists must be sent to Madrid, Paris ard London. Naples, too, from the close connection of the reign- ing family there with that of Spain, is a very im- portant point. But where are those men to be found? Our European dipiomatic posta have been, hitherto, regarded only a8 sort of honorable exile —ss a means of display for rich amateur politicians, or of support for broken down pooroncs. The whole systora has now to be changed. Oar cleverest mea must gote Europs. As we have said, the Cuban question plunges us neek and hoels inte the voryvortex of European diplomacy. We cannot roar and plango like @ bull in @ china shop, and insist on having it all in our own woy. Wo must do things discreetiy | and inorder. And forthis purpose, we need at the principal Buropean courts, our cleverest and most | skilful men pss pis Arrgan 10 AMERICA ~ loira is in distroas. Bhall the people of that island suffer for want of assistance? We think not. We publish this morn ing ax appeal to the benovolent—the oharitable—~ the rich—the large-hoarted Americans. Wili they distinguished cantatrice in opera. the greatest interest suspicious, and augurs well for the success of opera during the next :hree or four months The boxes end parquette were filled with s fashionable and well dressed andience, comprising immense numbers of those who heretofcre bestowed their patronsge on the exclusive establishment in Aster place. Tho family tier and gal- lery were alto crowded to their utmost capacity, toaceom- the less aristocratic classes of the community. ‘The Opera wae magnificently successful. All Madame Alboni’s former efforts im the otmcert room were utterly colipeed by her splendid rendering of the rdle of Cin derelia. The audience were enraptured with her, and applauded her throughont every scene, but in the grand Jinale, where the beautiful morceau of Non Piu Mesta oo curs, the applause knew mo bounds. After the curtain fell, she presented herself in acknowledgment of the calls made upon her, and reectves ‘of bouquets; bat still the ita continued, and the distinguished ar- tiste, in compliance with the wish thus expressed, Tepeated the ait whioh bad awekened such eptrusisem among her audience. Still again she os pa sage 9 herself, in com- papy with the other principal artistes, to receive the ap- plaure of the house anni gave universal sati-faction in his render- musical and though rather weak to fill Metropolitan Hall, it is by no means defective im such a theatre as Broadway. ‘Signor Coletti made a great impression as the valet, being bis firstappearance hese He is an artiste o! much ment, and will doubtlers become a favorite. * Don Megnifico was a chatacter which seemed well ted to the pamtomimic tslents of Rovere, and his audience was pleasantly astonirhed at his fine rendering of the rdle He was much applauded throughout. we tain it in this country. The rdles of Clorinda and Thisbe, the two sisters of Cin- derella, were very well sustained by Sigmore Avogadra and Albertazzi. The performances eoneluded with the ballet of “Rosita.”? by the excellent French troupe belonging to the Montplaisir. It was well got up, and made a worthy finale to the briliant epera, Both pieces, we believe, are to be repeated to-night. Tux Tuxatare—The city at present is well supplied with artists of every description of talent, whether tra- gedians. comedians, or vocalists. Mr. Kddy appears to- night in “Romeo and Juliet,” at the Bowery theatre. Niblo presents, for the third time, the magnificent eques- trian spectacle of “ Mazeppa.”” Two fine comedies, “Pa- ris and London” and ‘‘ One Thousand Milliners,” are an- pounced by Burton, who seems to have great inflasnce over the dramatic public. Purdy, manager of the Ne- tienal, presents an excellent programme, and was never more prosperous than at present. Mr. Wallack ofiers two new pieces, with other entertainments. His theatro is the resort of very select and discerning audiences. At White’s Varieties, Mr. Davenport, Miss Albertine, and Rote Merrifield, are dolighting large assemblages; and Gen. Tom Thumb is drawing hundreds nightly to the Museum. The other places of amusement, such as Uhnis- ty’s Opera House, Wood’s Minstrels, Banvard’s Georama, at which a beautiful exhibition of the Holy Land is given nightly, and Robert Heiler’s surprising exhibition of le gerdemain, are all attracting hundreds of the citizens of New York. But we must not forget the splendid eques trian exercises which are given by Sands & Co,’s{inimi table troupe at the Bowery amphitheatre, Basides the above we have Alboni in opera at the Broadway, and very shortly Madame Sentag at Niblo’s; and if report becor- rect, the great musics] leader, Maretzek, with » seleotion of first rate vocalists anda powerful orchestra, we suppose —there beirg no other lecation—at the old ground, Astor Place Opera House. Fron Pout av Princx By the arrival of the schooner Barah Maria (rom Port au Prince, we are informed that the fever was prevailing at the above place to an alarm- ing extent Capt. Rogers, of the above vessel, died at Port au Prince of the fever om the 28th of November, also, two of the crew Oxpt. Dyer, of the schooner John Tyler, died December 6. Capt. Woof, of schooner J. C. Roscoe, died om the rame day, and upwards of tifty Ame- ‘icans have @ied of the fever in the last few months. The fever has been raging to an extent not known before for thirty years. ‘The Sarah Maris bringe no inteliigence respecting the election of President of the Domtiicas republic. The electoral college was to moet om the first Monday in De- cember. Police Inteiligence, Attempt to Sheot with @ waded jisiol—On Sunday | night. officer MeCauly. <i ward police, ar- | rested an Italian named Antone F Siruleta, ona charge | of attempting to shoot John Wileon, and Adelia Sebarn, eS ES ne! the t | before any further violence was attempted. The ac- | cused was conveyed to the station and in the | morning taken before the Court, when the magistrate | com yd to prison tor trial in of bail. Riot and Violence.—Captain Hannigan and Assistant fore Justice MoGrath. and pte their names as Jamos McKeon, Brien McCormick, Michael McCormick, Fd. ward MeC8hnick, Owen Rafferty, Owen Farrell, and Peter Burns. The complaint wes made agaiast them, and the magis‘rate requirea them to find bail for their appesrance at court, in default of which they were com- mutted to prison. Assault upon an Officer As officer Kennedy, of the | Fifth ward police, was patroliimg hie beat on Sumdsy morning. sbout five o'clock, at the corner of Franklin street and West Broadway. three men came along, and made a violent assault upon aman who at that time was quietly passing along. The officer mastened up to pre- | vent the violence, when thethree rascals turned upon the cfficer, knocked him down, and inflicted several so vere blows upen his person. arm wes given, and oftcer Evens came to his eid, aud after much exertion | the thee rowdies were taken into oustedy and conveyed | tothe station house, andgavo their pames ss Bernard Olark, Joseph Daly, and Patziek Galagher, ‘They were | locked up, and et eight o’clock taken to the Police i Court. when the necessary affidavits were made, and the | sceured parties held to ball by the magistrate to answor | the charge. The person who was first assaulted by the prisoners, und ran off, will confer » favor by calling on the officer at the Wifth ward, and thereby farther the enas of justice i Outrageous Conduct,—Eexiy'on Su morning. Mrs, Ellen Clare, resic at No. 126 East Twenty-fourth street, had been out @ a sick friend, when, on her | Feturn home, withine very short distance of her house, two yourg mem came up to her, and reprovented them- selves as policemen told her abe must go with them to the station house, Mrs, C declined £0 until they exhibited the “star,” the emblem of sutuority. ‘This they refused to do, and she, of course, would not £&; They then seized hold of her, and commenced an decent asreult, with an attompt to violate her : Bhe struggled and screamed out loudly, when the ras- cals fled. tearful of being detected by the legitimate po- lice, without accomplishing their dinbolicel desigas. Subseqaently. however. the description of the accused parties were given +o officer Hogem. who during the day secured thelr arrest. and when the prisoners wore taken into the preeence of Mrs Clare, she at once Identified them as the persons who committed tho violence as above stated. jatane wore taken before Justice “Mc@rath, who locked them up for trial. A Charge of Robbery —Yeaterday a coraplaint was pre- ferred before Justices Osborne by Daniel Nichols, ra sidi Dean street. Brooklyn, James Kearns, © 6. him witl g trom his (Nichols’) person, without bis lawful consent, the rum of $10. It appears by the affidavit made by the complainant, that he went into the store in which the defendant was employed. and arked te be shown some updorsbirts. the article exhibited did not eult. and defendant was about leaving the store, when, he alleges, he was seized forcibly by Kearns and another pereon, who threateped to rend for the police if he did not pay over $10, The eomplitnant becoming alarmed and in bodily fear, -¥ over the $10 as request. ed, end then he waa let co, Tm justice to Mr. Kearns we would state that he denies the charge. and rays that on the hearing he rebel! be abie to prove hie innocence. He Min ait admitted to bail to awyit a farthor exami- y The Tammeny Mall Riot —OMoer el of the Sixth ward police. yesterday arrestedjJohn 8 Austia on a bench warrant, issued by Court of Sessions wherein the accused stends charged rith being concerned in tho riot at Tammany Hall in which Mr xcbell received se- vere irjury. Mr Auetin appeared before Justice Os. borne, who took ball in the wum of $1,000, and was thero- ‘upon liberated from ourtody, t Women in Male Clotning —Om Sunday evening, oficer Patten. of the Fourteenth ward, found ® woman, named Mary Clemente, acting very disgrderly in the public streets. A crowd of persons surrounded her, all waking merriment from the fact that he was decked out ip men’s clothing. The police took her into custody and conver her to the etation house where she was de- tained until the following morming. amd then taken before Justice Welsh who — hors reprimand for dingulsing her sexin male attire. and allowed her to go, om the promise of her future good behaviour. It was stated that she kept # email store in Walker street. Fines In Freprawx Orr p.—Wo loarn from &@ gentleman who came from Frederick, last evening, that @uriny Ssturday night there wore three fires in that aity, all euppored to have been the work of incendiaries. The first was about elght o'clock, e stable, the property of Mr, Edward &briver, which was consumed; about one o'clock a clothing store mest the market was burnt; and about three o'clook the ables of Dr. Dorsey shared a similar fate — Eellimore Stn, Deo 27. Heavy Loss or Hoa flavgbtered Im Columbu shipped to New York by ralirond, have entirely spoiled by wer weather, Twenty eight oar londs in one train “bie T leave for others. when Ito deadax Fisot be ware you're sight, them go abend.” rewpond? Dhis je the time to Isy up treasaroe in heaven. became (o putrid that the ster ob was an Intolorabie nul sance to the villages they bad to pace through, Yooterday evening Profesor Olmeted, ef Yale College, Gelivesed his fourth azd last lecture om the above sub- Jeot. at the Broadway Tabernacle. ‘The lecturer said :~I have sometimes endeavored to form reverently some faint ides of the view which the Crestor first took of all bie works when he hed finished ‘the work of creation I bave thought of him as een- templating the world as subject to mechanical fosess—— seeing the vapors ascending from the water, forming imte majesti> clouds. and poutrering their treasures upoa the earth—viewing the earth av commencing its progress under the laws of physioicgy, buds beginning to swell and germinate, plants to uofold their rich leaves to giistem in the sunbeams. flowers to expand and exhale’ their perfume, and all the peauties of vegetable creations starting into life before hie ing upon the earth, or creeping in its caverns, or gam- bolling im its floods. or sporting in the air; but, above all, T have imagined that be viewea this great mashine of the unlverre commencing its sublime movements, which re~ quired an eternity to complete them; and well indeed, upon such survey, he would sey that “all was very geod.” Now I will off-r a few Jipleuntions wate the nel hypothesis 1 beite is generally kno: by ieed ag 1a of bea: to expand all Deas, cold conaiacta i E tat I5FE i must be ht into view amd it is this:—If revolving in an orbit around @ centre, Bearer to that centre, 1t will revolve with The third principle ie ite centrifugal bodies are rotating in & oentre, ur in a carve, @ tendenoy to fly eff im the direction of @ tengent to curve. La Place, who was the suthcr of the nevular bypothesis, had investigaced the law of gravitation as epplicable to the most recondite phenomena ef the solar system. He was dericous to make it exolain every! in thatsystem; but there were certain that it not explain; for instance. 1t did not explain the fect that. ‘ali the motions of the rolar vystem are in one direction. ‘There is aeun which revolves on its axis from west te east ; all of the planets revolve round their axis from: west to east, 10 far as they have any revolution at all; and the primaries revolve from west to east. Arad now, where there is such uniformity, there is, reasoning mechanically, the seme lew. producing that uniformity. aud whatisit? Gravitation, would never effect this ‘nis uniformity, therefore, would not have been the isw of gravitation, or any other: law, impressed upon the sol.r system. The orbita of pla- nets are all nearly in the seme varte of the heavens Zodiac; and moreover, their orbits are all nearly circular. La Place was led to this view of he subject by the doctrine. Sir Walliam Herschel! bad thrown out ng parent progress in the formation of nebulie; but La PI ‘was a mathemsticiau. ana confined himself to that study, fd Han (tp ee and was not an observer He believed that there was a progress in nebole from age to sge, and that by conden-- sation from age to sge the stars were formed by succes-- sive stages of condensa. ion La Place contended that at. & very remote period of tame the whole solar system. em- bracing the sun and the piuneis. as we have them now, composed one great n+bu'a, wrich had am extension of” sufficient compass to emozuce the whole of the sdlar sys- tem This being understood that the whole solar oonsisted originally of such a nebula, let it be wed wich motion upon its axts from weet to east, amd the nebu- lous matter of which it was composed was kept ina state of rotation by the agemcy of heat. and that im the process. of time it contracted. leaving all the while a revoiution. upon its axis from west to east. and 60 whem it com- tracted its velocity increased Its velocity will be in- creased by spproaching the centre but as bere g in-- fing hich I leaves Ia epaco be neifora in Geaity, there wi t leaves in epace be ueiform je me reason why it should 1 not continue im the fori ring; but if there is come part more dense, it will nucleus round which it will condense itself an new nebula. It does mot appear that a belief atheistical, for what power created the matter and what gave it its motion trom west to east axis? It could not set itself im motion. I do how we ean escape the ides of @ first cause at all, only remove it further back, and by removing it back, and"by impressing upon nebulx, the r as revolves the world does not give less po K such nebule were more recently created. escape is, that the nebule never hada beginniag Asted from eterpi:y. ana turned from west to east; but I would submit to wins dese rion of my audience,, whether a cause operating through etermity can derelope: itself im time, It appears to me to be absurd that « cause can be oternal in its action end yet produce itself im time; for a first cause is essential, and the nebulw must: have had a beginning acd been turned upon its axis by gome band competent to turn it. Iam mot » believer ip. the nebular hypothesis, and I sey it with to ite great author, and with great respect to my of the profe:sion who think otherwise, with a full recog- nition of their ability to think for themselves It is a.. mere hypothesis, for there is no independent evidence of’ its existence. Have we pot often seem two hy af sone rely ; Hi , Fis an plained by either, and there is mo fact im science which eannot be as well explained upon one hypothesis as an- ‘dther. Suppose I take up a newspaper, and I jive a riddle suggested; I mate wv hypothesis that it is a let- ter of the alphabet. and T begin with A, and I Ly A to all cases, It will explein some cases not others, and then I sbandon it. amd t B ip. the same moenner; but B will not explain it. and I go to M, which wil) explain all the matter. You. would ray, therefore, it was the letter M. But no, I go orm: eee ae mie ip) re It _ now 3 whether or 8, and ro im science, two oppositehy~ beige will explain the cause. I therefore sseort hen , that the La Piace theory of explaining all phenome-- ma cannot certainly be allowed. to prove fit 2s true. It does not further ex; why the satellite Uranus hae m backward motion; is d- main so, until an explanation is deduced. We cannot, I think, forgive it this Lot gwar These and various ether reasons occur to me ia refuting this theory; and for- these reasons. while I treat the hypothesis with great. poo sont on account of the. author snd the many jnent men who favored it, yet I am constrained to that there rea:ons and others induce me to disbelieve it. ‘This, ladies and gentlemen. completes the fow lecturem which I have been engeged to give im this piace It te im] ible to treat the whole ot astronomy im four short. ures, The whole question. with me, hes been, what: would be most interesting and most instructive to who honored me with thetr presence and attention, I have made it a careful matter of study and selection, and: though comparatively little of astronomy has beem tht mm these four lectures, yet. I venture to suppese- somo usetul truths bave been divulged; and 1 beg: leave to-tender my warm acknowledgements to those who~ have kindly and patisntly listened to my long arguments, Uy Intetilttence. ‘Tur Barty or New Orvxans will be celebrated by- the Tammany Sooiety. this year. on Monday, the 10th of* January. with extraordinary display and effect, by a- wand ball. supper. great (ndian mareh, ehoras, and. lance. rear room will be splendidly decorated with- & new original oi psinting of the battie of New Orleans, covering several thousand feet of canvass, and strikingly iDustrative of the fierce and terribie conflict that closed with rueh a glorious victory to the Amorioan. arms. The I zoom will a a tented field. artistd- been representing the peace that followed that memorable battle. The whole arrangements are im the hands of separate committees. headed by chairmen of tarte and. expertence, whose pames alone give assurance that: nothing will be loft undone to make the celebration, worthy of the ancicnt aud honorable society. a nd number of distinguished members of the dem party of the Union have been invited, and it ta secretly rumored, that Presidemt Pterce will quietly slip in the crowd, to watoh the movements of the cunning polite: clans who will assemble en masse on this occasion. Tre Natioxa, Wasnixcros Monument i Suan Alderman William G. Brieley of the Ninth w: wil [oe Ha the most meguifcent New Year's tabie ever own in thie city. The leading feature of his splendiéy table will be the Waebit National Monument ins 2 inches to the one hua— foot high, and + = * due. in noticing this beautiful sescineu of confectionary art. to say that it was made by Mr. Vtiliam Northago. under-_ the supervision of Mr.8 T Afungon. Alderman will probably have such a rash to bis mansion om New Year's day. as no other citizen will havo, either pub-- lic or private There is now a crowd eonstantly around the confectionary store. to see this bosutifal sugar momu- ment prior to ite removal It ix cruly siasaloal, and urust: have cost sevoral hundred dotlars, DaatH oF one or tie Pow Orrice O.unke —The New York Port Office haa lost one of its most faithfal. and weful clerks. Inthe person of Mr. William Stewart,, who died yesterday at his residence. No. 143 York strest,. Brooklyn The deceased bad beon ongaged in the distri-- bution of newspapers in the Post Office for the past: eighteen years, and by his indefatizable indstry. his sptitude for business. snd his couccesy to all with whom his official duties brovght om in contact docing that long psriod he had endested himself toa large ctesie of” acquaintances His faneral will tako plaee vf two o'olook:, this (Tuesday) afternoca. Trmeyy vrow 4 Horee—fearove Acarmenr.—About VM oclock en Sunday morning, » man named Homry~ Veebai. ract with @ mest serion»-—-nearly fatal ~nsoident: in Wndsom attest Te wae riding o spirited horse, and, driving hi at @ vory rapid puce whon arriving at the corner of Ulark.on street. the animal came in contact. wih ove of the cary of the Eighth avenue railroad, throwing bir Veshat with grea! vicicnee to the pavement, He was = a «at with the cat, that the wheels passed over hint. whereby ho sustained acompoun® fraetnre of his right arm He was taken up and sarried to his residence at No 68 King atroet, by officer Ramp- fer of the Ninth ward. Here he had jen! advice, amdg aoting under it, his friends rem: ved him to the City Hos= chow where it is feared his arm will have to be ompus Favau Resvnr or a Front On Sunday afternoon, « man named James MoCnuley. aged uboue twenty four: jours, went into the roow of bis brother in law cra the same house. when an argument sprog ap. from that a fight im whieh McUouley wan knocked hea and Moked *o severely that he died from the effects the injuries rrointen Love. A Cerman woman, named Loulse has died in the City Hospital. in comseqaence of taking a doro of arsenic, The reason assigned is a disap~ pointment in love, Mistaxe im tue Name —Tt wae not John Crawley, but John Croly, who was found dead in Manhattan A ley, om, Sunday morning. Mistakes in names, as well as in nom ‘bore, id be avoided. News From THe Anganrine CONFEDERATION. Our advices from the River Plate are from Montevideo to the 5th and from Bueno everything wee quiet. the er awniting the devsrmin« — ation of the governments of other provingss. Produce continued scarce ay Lik places. vento the Ivt instant, whem