The New York Herald Newspaper, February 3, 1853, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. ——, @aMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR, ene GRFICY X. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS FERMS, cash in advance. Fee Dalry HERALD, boo cots por copy—$7 per an- ss ‘i TB WEEKLY LD, every at 6% con's Bea any dare Sr Brn, tnd 81 ay vat? Fe Continent, bash to the VOLUNTARY Tpceainng ince AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bewery—Mam oy Croissrx—MR, amp Mas. Wirre—Consicun BroTuEns, BROADWAY THEATRE Broadway—At TET GLIITERS ® yor Goww—Canese Aprists. NIBLO’S—Lapy oF Lyoxs—Ceantes —Winow's Vic- nu. BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Breaca ov Paromsz—Oxs Taovsisp Mitiivgns—Fortone’s FRouc. NATIONAL THEATRE, Chatham ‘street—Buack Evep ‘Susay—Loet Cuitp--Ineiayp as it Was in 1798 —Taur Borz Pxxroamaycas, WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Lapy or Lroxs— ‘Bes Review. ne ‘WHITE'S THEATRE OF VARIETIES, Heese wer ‘Loan oF Lover—fRepERICK Tax GREAT—GYMNASTIO . womuancys—Box avp Cox. AMERICAN MUSEUM—Afternoon—I.twenick Roy—One ‘Bmovaaxn Mruuxxns Waxtyp. Evening—Ou Forxs at OBRISTY'S OPERA HOUSK, 472 Broadway—Rrmorue Maxopus ux Cunwrr’s Orma Trovrs. ‘WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Wood’s Musica] Hall, 444 Broad- wey—Enuorius Minwraxiyy. G@ERCUS, 37 Bowery—ZquusrRian ExTERTarvMnts, SELLER'S SALOON, 539 Brondway—Necromancr. GEORAMA, 580 Brosdway—Baxvakb’s PANORAMA OF THE Bory Lasp. ¢ RISLEY’S THAMES, at 406 Broadway- Wew York, Thursday, February 3, 1853. The News. Mr. Downs, yesterday, made a speech in the United Btates Senate on tle Tehuantepec question, in which he strongly urged this government to compel Mexico to adhere to her stipulations. This affair is certainly assuming a very threatening aspect; how- ever, it is hardly probable that it will result in a ae. of war. The amendment of Mr. Rusk to the Pacific Railroad bill gave rise to a lengthy and imteresting debate. Mr. Rusk desires that the Presi- dent, who is to determine the route, shall be autho- rized to contract with the lowest bidder for the con- struction of a railroad and telegraphic line between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean, at the earliest practicable moment. The bill appropriates ate sections of land six miles wide on each side, within States, and twelve miles within terri- tories, and twenty millions of dollars in five per cent bonds, to be redeemed in fifty years. From the tenor of the speeches of different gentlemen, it is doubtful whether the bill, in this shape, will succeed. Nevertheless, the people, as well as a large number of Congressmen, are evidently determined that the road shall be built in some way, and that as soon as possible. Considerable time was spent by the Senate on the bill proposing to abolish the present system of go- vernment warehouses, and to lengthen the time allowed for keeping imported goods in bond, to ob- viate the difficulties growing out of charges for storage, watchmen, &c. In short, this bill leaves the whele matter open to private competition, with the proviso that the owners of bonded warehonses shall pay a certain sum, as license, to tne govern- ment, for the purpose of defraying the incidental “government expenses. Com. Stockton submitted some amendments to the bill for the re-organization ; made of this measure. Mr. Weller reported that the terms for which the Commissioner and Surveyor the Mexican boundary were appointed had run out, and that those offices were consequently vacant. An interesting debate on the resolutions relative to the Tehuantepec question concluded the business of the day. The early part of yesterday was principally de- voted by the House of Representatives to the con- sideration of the Senate's bill for the regulation of the coinage system. There seems to be much oppo- gition to this measure, especially with regard to the seignorage proposition, as will be seen by the report of the debate. The Senate's amendment to the Mis- souri and Iron Mountain Railroad bill having been concurred in, the House proceeded to discuss the bill “granting right of way and a donation of land for the construction of railroads in Wisconsin. Two unsuc- cessful efforts were made to have the subject tabled; And, finally, in order to avoid a vote on the question, ‘athotion to adjoum was Attic’ Ly the casting vote of the Speaker. When this expedient was resorted to a proposition was pending to amend the bill by attaching Mr. Bennett's scheme for the distribution of lands among all the States for purposes of internal improvement and education. a An unexpected and rather animated debate sprang | up in our State Senate yesterday, on a motion to amend the railway consolidation bill, so as to compel Tailroad companies to convey way passengers and freight for a distance over twenty miles at the same rates as are charged through entire routes. This is @ movement of great importance to such associations, and one that strong cfforts will be made to resist. The discussion continued throughout the entire day, and onr special correspondent writes that the proposition gained many fi The controversy will be renewed to- re- solutions introduced in the Assembly relative to the canals are snpposed to foreshadow the policy of the administration on this subject. Though they verify our prediction that some plan would soon be presented for the enlargement and completion of the works, it is hardly probable that there is sufficient strength in the Legislature to compel the banks and railroads to pay the debts of the State and finish the canals. These two power- fal interests will very uaturally unite in resisting any such project. The Pennsylvania Legislature has made an appro- priation for the erection, in Independence square, Philadelphia, of a monument to the thirteen original States and the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. When will the Washington monument in | this city be completed? ‘The first regular meeting of the United States Agricultural Society was held in Washington yes- | terday. The telegraph has furnished a synopsis of the proceedings, together with an address of Presi- dent Wilder. It is anticipated thatthe cause of ag. riculture will be greatly promoted by the association. We give in to-day's Heratp the principal points in the message of the Governor of Texas, which was transmitted to the legislature, convened in extra session, at Austin, on the 13th of January. It will be seen that Governor Bell uses pretty strong lan guage in regard to the secming want of promptnes on the part of the government at Washington to furnish troops for the protection of the inhabitants against the frequent depredations of hostile bands of Indians; andthe tone of his remarks would seem to indicate that if the State were again left to her own resources, she would not be long in sévusing to her- self proper protection, a8 she had before done, pre- vious to being taken under the wing of the Union. ‘The Secretary of War receives a very touching no- ice inthe executive document, and one which, we fear he will find it;difficult to parry; bat the Secretary being aman for an emergency, we will leave him to fight his own battle with the Governor. The crowning fea- ture ofhis Excellency'’s message,and the bitterest bread the has to break, is the remaining portien of the ten million indemnity, which is still in the hands of the general He contends that this money delongs to Texas, that it should be paid over to her, and that if there are any to be cancelled, or creditors to be satisfied, the State government is the proper tribunal to sit in judgment upon them, and render equitable satisfaction. The Governor says, that to pay out the money belonging to the State of Texas at Washington, is an indignity which will not be submitted to; and any measure in relation to the indemnity which should be passed by Congress with- out the concurrence of the people of Texas, should be indignantly repelled. That sounds like nullifica- tion. The dark and dismal clouds which for a few days past had been overhanging the earth, last evening concentrated themselves into a regular spring thun- der storm, and let the rain down in perfect torrents. The consequence is, that both the atmosphere aud the filthy streets have been purified and rendered healthy—the former by the lightning, and the latter by the water. This timely occurrence will no doubt greatly cut down the fees of both doctors and sweep- ers. Nature's electricity had the effect of suspend- ing operations with Prof. Morse’s apparatus for maifufacturing that article, and telegraphic opera- tions were entirely suspended south of Philadelphia, after nine o'clock. We are therefore left minus the conclusion of our special correspondent’s despatch from Washington, together with some other items. ‘The Massachusetts House of Representatiaes yes- terday decided upon Secretary Everett for United States Senator, by thirteen majority over all other candidates. The Senate will vote to-day. An un- successful ballot was yesterday had for United States Senatar in the Maine Legislature. Late accounts from Buenos Ayres represent the larger portion of that country to be again in a com- plete state of revolution. Urquiza was urging the inhabitants of the upper provinces to make war upon their neighbors, and a general state of anarchy and confusion prevailed. We have received papers from Georgetown, Dema- rara, to the 4th ult., but they contain no news of general interest, their columns being mainly taken up with debates in the Court of Polity, having refe- rence to purely local matters. What is the trouble on the Hudson River Railroad? We always thought that road was one of the best managed in the country. The letter of resignation sent in by the Superintendent and his assistants in- dicates a want of unity in the board of direction. ‘There should be harmony in the management of the affairs of a railroad. There are too many lives at stake for a difference of opinion. John Comygs, a native of the State of Alabama, shot himself yesterday morning, at his boarding house, No. 119 Beekman street, in this city. He took the pistol fromthe room of a fellow boarder. The deceased was a machinist by trade. Sarah Neilson, a native of England, died very sud- denly at the house No. 50 Cross street,in this city, about eleven o’clock on Tuesday night. The Coro- ner’s jury found that her death was caused by intem- perance. The Hudson River Railroad Company send the veterans of the war of 1812 to Albany this morning, in a special train of cars, furnished gratuitously. We annex a list of the contents of our inside pages: Article relative to the Darien Ship Canal to the Pa- cific; the Opening of Apsley House; Letter from a French Refugee; Reports of the Twelfth Regiment Ball, and the Paine Birthday Celebration; Lectures by Dr. Tyng, Prof. Silliman, Mr. Thackeray, and Miss Bacon; Theatrical and Commercial Intelligence, &e. The Movement in Mexico—Spanish Inter- ference—Who Is to Govern that Republic? It is not many months since a Mexican, of intelligent and highly respectable appearance, with the bearing of a soldier, paid us a visit in this office, and expressed a wish to be allowed to examine the mechanical arrangements by which we are enabled to present our readers each morning with a copy of the Heratp. We gladly complied with his request, and were struck with the pertinence of his questions, and the clearness of his judgment. He was, we were told, a Mexican officer of high rank, and had just left the revolutionary scenes on the Rio | Grande, where he had been sent to oppose Ca- | ravajal, and had travelled through several of the States, with a view to gaining information respecting the condition of the manufacturing and the agricultural interests in this country. Of his future intentions he, of course, said noth- ing; but when we parted, we fancied that we should hear of General Uraga before very long. Shortly after, he took his departure for | Cuba. A few months afterwards, we were informed that he had left Havana for Mexico, on a revolutionary mission, an emissary, it was | said, of Queen Christina, and intrusted with the management of an attempt on behalf of her Majesty to overturn the government of Mexico, and substitute a sort of Spanish Protectorate. Tht next news apprised us of his arrest on some | charge at Vera Cruz, by the Mexican anthori- ties; and again we lost sight of him for a con- siderable period of time. He has since then | turned up at Guadalajara, as the leader of the | revolutionary party; and by his conduct in that capacity has proved that our estimate of his character was not erroneous. His movements have hitherto been prompt, judicious, and masterly; the malcontents are flocking to his standard, and the government party has suffered a check, in the defeat of General Minon, which they will not easily recover. It is boldly stated that Uraga is acting in pursuance of secret instructions from Queen Christina, and that a vigorous attempt will be made to restore to Spain or to the children of the Queen mother, a portion of the authority Spain once possessed on this continent. is laid on the ample means which Uraga has at his dispozal; and it is asked. plansibly enough. how a man like him could contrive to sus- tain an army such as his without assistance from some foreign power. Additional wei; is given to the story by the well known inter- ference of Christina in the disturbances of Beua- dor, in 1846; and it is urged that the same mo tives which induced the Queen mother to sup- ply Flores with arms and money to invade that State, would prompt her to take advantage of the disorganization of Mexico, and strive, by a bold stroke, #o astonish the world by a resusci- | tation of Spanish power on the | tinent. Utterly incapable ag ea Stress ‘h successive government of Mexico has proved, a more fa- yorable opportunity than the present, when the State is literally falling to pieces, could not well be desired for the accomplishment of so bold a design, And while the United States, Great Britain, and France, are openly manmeuvring to secure a share . tral America, that royal intrigantes in Spain should desire to participate in the scramble is not a matter of surprise. Such is the reasoning of thoge who see in General Uraga’s rebellion a deliberate attempt on the part of Queen Christina to organize a | pew government in Mexico, subject, in a greater or less degree, to her sovereign control. It does not carry conviction to our mind. What degree of complicity the Spanish authori- ics may have in the insurrectionary movements of which have distracted Mexico for the last fifteen years, we cannot undertake to determine. The jealousy with which Spain’ has ever regarded the endeavors of her old colonies to establish powerful and independent governments, is no- torious ; and it is quite in keeping with the un- derhand character of Spanish policy to gratify private spite, by fostering revolution among those whom it hates. So far, we could well understand that Queen Christina should view with a secret sense of satisfaction an outbreak which has once more plunged Mexico into the horrors of anarchy. But we cannot reconcile the idea of her absolute participation in Uraga’s schemes, either with her interests or her means. Spanish councillors are not insane enough to hope that Spanish sovereignty on this continent, which has been dead and buried this many a year. can be galvanized into a fresh life by the ephemeral successes of a band of adven- turers. The idea is too ridiculous to excite the notice of our government ; but were it ever to be seriously proposed, the Monroe doctrine would effectually settle the matter. We cannot suffer Great Britain or France to gain a footing in Central America, nor should we hesitate a moment in putting a stop to similar encroach- ments on the part of Spain. In our opinion. if General Uraga is acting in concert with any one, it is with Santa Anna. That the latter should seize tho pre- sent moment to regain his lost power. and spend all his remaining energies in one final struggle to reorganize some sort of govern- ment in his country, is what we might have expected of him. To wish him success. would be, perhaps, a friendly wish to Mexico; not be- cause we think he would remain long in power. but for the reason that constant changes of rulers may terminate in the discovery of a good one. Until such a one be found. or until Mexi- co is incorporated with this Union. there is no safety for her, except in revolution. AtLaxtic AND Paciric Sap Canau—Tue Istamus or Darien Prosect—No less than four distinct projects have been presented to the world, heretofore, for the achievement of a ship canal across the American continent, for connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific ocean, to wit: the Guatzacualcos and Tehuantepec project, the Nicaragua project, the Panama project, and the Atrato project, which penc- trates considerably into South America. Prac- tically, however, all these routes, for the pur- poses of a ship canal, excepting the Nicaragua route, may be considered as abandoned. It is the only route of the four which possesses a sufficient reservoir of water for any amount of lockage that may be required from the summit level to either ocean. The Lake Nicaragua seems to have been located by nature te sub- serve this great purpose.’ Besides, this route by the said lake and its outlet, the San Juan, already affords a line of steam navigation, fall- ing short only some fifteen or twenty miles of a perfect connection between the two oceans. But even with these advantages, the construc- tion of a canal of sufficient capacity for ships drawing twenty or twenty-five feet water, will require an amount of excavation (for nearly two hundred miles,) almost incredible. Per- haps two hundred millions of dollars would not cover the cost. In this view of the subject, the article which we publish to-day, from the London Wews, on the English project for the construction of a ship canal by the connecting pass of Darien, which lies southward of the Panama route, will commend itself to the attentive consideration of all parties concerned. Here we find an esti- mate, made on the authority of experienced English engineers, that a ship canal of thirty feet water at low tide, and of one hundred and forty feet width at the bottom, may be con- structed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, at a cost of twelve millions of pounds, or say sixty millions of dollars, which is less than three times the cost of our Erie Railroad, built by a private company of New York. This Darien canal, it is proposed, shall be made a cosmopolitan work. The project in- cludes particularly the financial co-operation of England, France and the United States; and from the data laid down, we cannot doubt the entire feasibility of the project. The commerce of the world is pressing for some such achieve- ment as this. Let our commercial capitalists turn their attention to the pass of Darien. Per- haps the original idea of Humboldt may be the route, after all. Between Tehuantepec and South America there must be a ship canal from ocean to ocean, within the next ten years, capable of meeting the wants of the world’s vast and increasing traflic. It must be wide and deep, with as litile lockage as possible, as short as possible; with an abundant supply of water for the lock- ages; and the more exempt the locality from the deadly exhalations of the tropics, the better. It appears, from the more elevated and moun- tainous conformation of the country at the isthmus of Darien, that, as compared with the Panama, Nicaragua and Tehuantepec routes, it ishealthy. It is also the shortest route; and the only remaining question is the water, of which there can be little doubt, if the canal isto be reduced to the level of the Pacific. The latitude of Darien is somewhat against us, being so far to the southward; but if the re- ports of the English reconnaissances be correct, it perhaps is the only route which even the combined resources of all the commercial pow- ers of the world can subject to the practical accomplishment of a cosmopolitan ship canal. | We recommend to our commercial capitalists, and our readers generally, the article on this | eubjeet, eleewhere published in th: | today. We must keep a vigilant eye movements of England, and the press wanta line of telegraph to the Pacific. That isa fixed fact. They want it, too, in the quickest time in which it is possible | that it can be constructed. In this, however, they may he disappointed. The project of uniting the railroad with the telegraph we have already alluded to, and denounced, because we thought the building of the telegraph ought not 1o be made dependent on the coustruction of a railroad. There is no good reason why the country should suffer, for ten or twelve years; the inconveniences and embarrassments which a telegraph can obviate, because speculators want to grasp two monopolies at once. The bnilding of the telegraph, as an isolated project, is the work, comparatively, of a day. We can tell, within some degree of certainty, just when the last finishing tonch can be put to it, and when the first message may be sent over its wires. But join it to another contemplated pro- ject—make it the mere bob to a railroad kite— and it would be hardly safe to prophecy the time of its completion. The railroad and the telegraph projecta, therefore, must be separated, The two enter- Tie TeLeerarn To THe Pacivic.—The people | prises are not homogencous. There is no ne- cessary connection between them, and certainly @ connection should mot be forced. for the mere sake of giving both projects to one set of capitalists. It is now within four weeks of the close of the session of Congress, and from the vast amount of unfinished business yet on hand. that must be wiped off before the fourth of Mareh, it is hardly probable that any railroad bill can be passed this session. If not passed this session, it cannot be until near the close of the next, and then it would be so late in the season of 1854, that nothing could be done on the road before the following year. Before that period comes round, the telegraph might be in active operation. It can make no difference to either the go- vernment or ¢he people, whether the telegraph is built side by side with a railroad, or else- where. provided it connects important points— passes over routes where government has lands to settle or forts to be communicated with. or where thore are inhabitants waiting for and re- quiring its facilities. It is almost needless to sum up the arguments that might be adduced in favor of the Pacific telegraph. Its value. in # commercial or poli- tical point of view, even in a single year. under contingencies that might happen, could hardly he estimated. Events may happen. even before the closing of the present year, in which the use of the telegraph by government for the trans- mission of a single message, might be of more value to it than the whole cost of the line, ifit were double what itis estimated at. Our com- mercial houses are suffering for the want of quicker facilities of communication with their houses on the Pacific. The oil merchant wants to hear from his whale ships, the wife from her husband, the daughter from her lover, the cre- ditor from his dehtor—all, in less time than it is now possible to do. Steam is too slow, now-a- days, for the purpose for which it was once con- sidered too fast. It is an “old fogy.” Let us, then, have the telegraph. The Heratp wants it, especially. It already pays a good round sum for its telegraphic news, butit is willing to pay a great deal more. At any rate, it is bound to have the news, cost what it will. The He- RALp says—Let us have the Pacific telegraph. The railroad will come in good time; but let us have the telegraph now. The telegraph, gentlemen at Washington—the telegraph. Tue Duke or Wetuinotoy’s Arstey House —Tue Five Anrs—A Hurt To Ovr Princery Horets.—The lovers of the fine arts, of whom there is a large proportion among the daily readers of the Heratp, will be gratified with the reading of the article we give to-day. from the London Times, on the tri-weekly opening of the London residence of the late Duke of Wellington—Apsley House—to the inspection of the public. From the description of the fine paintings which adorn the walls of the ten rooms of this ducal residence, thus thrown open to the people, we are quite sure there will be no lack of visiters. There is‘something inevitably attractive to the dullest apprehen- sion, as well as to the most experienced con- noisseur, in a good painting, or even a bad painting. It has been so from the days of the Pharaohs, and will so continue to the end of the world. We trace this universal passion for this department of the fine arts in the tombs of Egypt, in the ruins of Nimroud, in the relics of Athens and Ancient Rome, in the subterra- nean treasures of Herculaneum and Pompeii, in the lithographs of Nassau street, and in the daguerreoty pes of Broadway. Now. since the discovery of the gold mines of California, the city of New York has ad- vanced to a degree of the most lavish extrava- gance in the acquisitions and devices of luxury and taste. We need not refer to the increasing splendors of our up-town residences or our down-town mercantile establishments. Nothing exhibits more strikingly to the stranger from the “rural districts,” the apparently inex- haustible abundance of superfluous capital here in New York, than the new hotels of Broadway. Ingenuity is well nigh exhausted upon the most costly and luxurious notions in their fur- niture and their decorations. And yet. while our deserving artists have been reduced to’ actual want of the daily means of subsistence, from want of employment, or have been victim- ized by art unions and auctions, there is scarcely a painting to be found in the drawing rooms, or ordinaries, or halls, or private parlors, of our Broadway hotels, from the Battery to Union Square, excepting a few specimens distributed through the Astor House. A marked deficiency, in. this respect, is particu- larly observable in several of the magnificent establishments up Broadway, recently opened to the public, Window curtains and hangings of the costliest description, carpets of the finest European fabrics, furniture of the most exqui- site Parisian manufacture, and a profusion of gigantic mirrors—the price of a single one of which would buy a comfortable home in the in- terior—of the State meet the astonished vision of the traveller upon ever hand. But he looks in vain for any contributions to the fine arts, amid all these astonishing arrangements of modern embellishment. He could hardly expect the | ridiculous extravagance which is required in Europe, to secure even a doubtful daub of the “old masters,” whose goddesses and sylphs are modern washerwomen cf the most robust pro- portions; but he is fairly entitled. with all the other appliances of elegance and taste about him, to expect a specimen or two, here and there, of the chefs d’@uvres of our own deserving and needy artists. Even five or six thousand dollars, judiciously applied in this way, would be money well expended in a modern hotel. We might enlarge upon this subject. It is attractive. But the hints we have thrown out. we trfist will be sufficient to open a vein which may be worked to the profit of all concerned, and expecially to the encouragement and ad- vancement of the fine arts in the United States. at - New York Enterrarments ty tae Winter Svason.—It seems to us that the present winter has been more than usually prolific in furnish- ing entertainments and amusements of all de- scriptions to the gay, pious, music-loving. scientific, antiquarian, and polkaing people of this metropolis. The morning papers farnish a sort of panoramic representation of the events of the previons @ay, and certainly these might well form a text for a philosophic essay on the | diversified and omnicolored character of this | community. Operas. sustained by the two most | distinguished artistes of Europe; concerts; half | ascore of dramatic establishments, with one | troupe of actors from the “Flowery Kingdotn;” | fashionable reunions; balls, civil and military; | lectures on seience, history, religion, and the arts, by pervons from alf quarters of the globe, | and delivered in various languages; sleigh | riding, anniversaries, and celebrations of all | kinds, have, during the present season, ,far- | nished an ever varying and inexhaustible fund of enjoyment to the fortunate citizens and visiters of this great commercial, literary, musical, and fashionable metropolis, The Heratp presents, each morning, @ kalel- descope of the innumerable scenes in which this pleasure-loving community move along. but sometimes the picture has such numerous views, that our space cannot contain them all, even though our artists have taken care to sketch them. Our columns this morning. for instance, contain reports of several city matters which had been crowded out for a day or two previ- ous. We have reports of various interesting lectures, delivered before fashionable, charita- ble, and historical societies, a perusal of which will be found entertaining, and perhaps instruc- tive; we have the report of an infidel celebra- tion, in which feasting. dancing and eloquence, were enjoyed and participated in by several hundreds of the male and female admirers of Paine; and we have a notice of the mag- nificent ball of the Twelfth regiment, which took place in Niblo’s theatre, on Monday night. In fact we have tried to present, in one sheet, a faithful and correct representation of the enter- tainments. amusements, and fashionable doings of the city in the year of grace 1853, and we are confident that they will be read with much pleasure, and some profit, by all classes. Tue Usury Laws.—There is a memorial on oot, and is being extensively signed by mer- chants, traders, manufacturers, mechanics, and others, against the usury laws, which are but an antiquated remnant of olden times, and are destined to share the fute of other “fossil re- mains.” They cannot much longer hold their ground before the searching spirit of progress, and that large and enlightened liberty in trade and commerce, as well as in everything else, that prevail in the United States, and hold up the example of a high civilization to the rest of the world. Soxtac as Rosina, iv THe Barwer oy Seviite.—Lasy evening was performed at Niblo’s that most amusing of all Italian operas, “The Barber of Seville,” which com- bines some of the most sparkling, the most lively, and the most gay, of the music of Rossini, with an extremely funny libretto, full of action and comic humor. This highly popular opera, even under ordinary circumstances, generally draws = good house in New York; but with Madame Sontag for Rosina, the house might well be ex- pected to be crowded. Owing to the rain, it was not so crammed as on the previous evening, but it was well fill- ed, with a highly respectable and fashionable audience. And here we cannot help remarking, that, great an at- traction as Madame Sontag undoubtedly is, there is somethingin the reputation, character, and standing of Niblo’s beautiful theatre, that greatly assists to bring together such audiences night after night. There is an. other cause of Sontag’s success—it is the superior man- ner in which she is supported by other artists. But the chief eause is in herself—her rank and history, her lady- like appearance, her elegant and distingue manner, her charming person, her exquisite grace, her dramatic pow- ¢r—whether in comedy or tragedy—but, above all, her splendid accomplishments as a vocalist of the first rank. In this opera as much depends on Figaro as ROsina, and Badiali acted and sung the partof the Barber with vast effect. Pozzolini, too, as the Count, and Rocco, as Dr. Bartolo, were most efficient. But the great star of the night was Sontag herself. Her perception of the ludicrous is keen, and the arch, sly manner in which she expressed it, “told” very perceptibly upon the audience. Her singing was very beautiful, particularly in the forituri passages. There was a science, a finish, a per- fection, and a purity, that called forth the warm plaudits of every person possessed of taste in the gentle art. Her accurate vocalization, her admirable method, her intona- tion—clear and true as a well tuned instrument of the best manufacturer—all proclaimed her the great artist which she has been pronounced to be by competent judges in the Old World ard the New. Between the acta she sang Eckert’s beautiful Swiss song—in which she was encored with enthusiasm—and also a Scotch ballad, in which she was applauded. Paul Julien, too, contributed tothe effect by the performance of the ‘‘Witch’s Dance,”’ ala Paganini, in which he was encored, but played a fantasia instead. Altogether, it was a very successful musical entertainment. ‘To-morrow evening Sontag eppears as Amina in Sonnambula. Sournenn anp Western Travet.—Whether it is from increased facilities for travelling or not, is more than we can tell, but it is a fact, that the travel to and from the South and West never was more active than at this time. ‘The extension of the Erie Railroad by the completion of the Lake Shore road, the extension of the Pennsylvania Central road to Pittsburg, and the extension of the Balti- more and Ohio Railroad to Wheeling, have opened lines of traffic and travel of a most important character, as they accommodate and drain sections of the country which have heretofore been almost entirely exeluded from the great channels of communication. The Erie Railroad is one of the best managed lines in the country. Trains from one end to the other move with the greatest accuracy as regards time, and its immense freighting busixess is conducted with due care and attention to the numerous interests concerned. There is no delay in the transportation of merchandise, either to or from the sea- board; and the public have so much confidence in the company’s arrangements, that freight which would other- wise pass through other lines, now takes this. The Pennsylvania Railroad has much improved lately in its management. We have beard many complaints against this company, but the difficulties have now been almost entirely removed, and we have no doubt its traffic will rapidly increase. Unfortunately, we cannot say so much in favor of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. If one-half of the complaints which reach us through oug corres+ pondents are true, it must be the most miserably man- aged concern in the country. Since the road was opened to Wheeling, the trains from one extremity to the other have been out of time and out of order, and apparently: independent of all, in advance or intherear. How seriou’ collisions haye been ayoided is more than we can explain. The superintendent of this road, whoever he is, is evi- dently unequal to the dutics of his position. He may do yery well for a short road; doing a small passenger busi- ness, but on a road like the Baltimore and Ohio it requires a man of great energy and experience to keep all the different departments of travel and traffic from conflicting with each other. The coal business on this road wil! suffer materially during the present year, if some change is not made in the management. The numerous coal companies in the Cumberland region dependent upon this road to get their coal to market, will, we fear, bo re- stricted very much in their mining operations, in conse- quence of the obstructions to transportation a defective management is sure to produce. We would like to see the three great lines of railread running from the sea- hoard to the West equally well conducted, so that the travelling community could have a guarantee of comfort and regularity throughout each; but as the matter now stands, the Baltimore and Ohio Company is likely to lose a good portion of its through travel at least, on ac count of the superiority of rival routes, iu the popularity, ability, and experience visible in the general superin- tendence of the roads. City Politics. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE. ‘The clection of delegates to this committee was held yesterday, between the hours of 12 and 2 o’clock P. M.,in the First, Sixth, Seventh, Twelfth, and Fifteenth wards, ‘The following tickets, as far as we could ascertain, were duly elected » Finer WARD. General Committee—Oliver Charlick, John B. Holmes, mm Stokely. ; ‘Men's Committee—Grogory Doran, James Lunili- y, Sebastian Kohihepp, Bernard Duily. SEVENTH WARD. General Committee—Thomas Dunlap, Thomas W. Adams, Jacob A. Valentine. Young Men's Committe—Andrew Sheoban, William Dunn, Henry Close, John J. Riley, Charles Elliott. TWELITH WARD. General Committee—John McArthur, John 8, Austin, Charles Boyce. Young Men's Committee—James Flynn, Geo, 11 William Henry, Nicholas Ray, Thomas Ryan. FIVFERNTIC WARD. General Commitiee—Charles E. Secor, Lucius Robinson, Isnac B. Fowler. Toung Men's Committes—Andrew Meyers, John D. Ryre, Andrew H. Green, John R, Brodhead, Walter R. Jones, Jr. Ww Fou gan, John ynoh, Personal Intelligence. General Franklin Pierce was in Boston on the Lat inst., and it was said he would leave for the Capital in a few days. Mr. Meagher will deliver his last lecture in Boston this evening. ‘Terrible Scenes at Sea. ARRIVAL OF PACKET SHIPS ROSCIUS AND Lapy FRANKLIN—TEMPESTUOUS PASSAGES AND GREAT LOBS OF LIFE. The arrival yesterday of the packet ships Roseius and Lady Franklin, from Liverpool, terminated two of the most stormy and disastrous passages to life and limb, that we have.had for some time to record. The Roscius left Liverpool on the 17th of December, and on the Ist of January, in lat. 53 20, lon. 28 50, while under three: close reefed topsaila, storm staysails, main spencer and a double spanker, during a strong gale from the N. N. W., was boarded by a tremendous sea, that stove in the upper deck and fore hatches on the main deck, twisted the ™mainmast head off, and filled the between decks with four feet of water, All the stores, provisions and clothes, of the steerage passengers, were much damaged by this inundation, and no doubt a greater part entirely destroyed, as their boxes were washing abcut the decks until the ship could be brought to and the wreck cleared. When that was accomplished; it was found that four of the crew had been washed overboard, the mate had one of his arms broken, and one of the crew a leg broken, besides several others severely injured. From the time the vessel left Liverpool until she arrived in port, she had to contend with continuous head winds, The Lady Franklin left Liverpool on the 3d of Decem- ber, and commenced her misfortunes on the 7th, when a seaman, named George Rash, was washed from the boweprit and drowned. On the 17th of the same month. she shipped a tremendous sea, which stove the starboard. quarter boats, bulwarks, sky lights and binnaele, and injured most of the men, some of them severely. She also lost a suit of sails, At 8.A.M.,of the samoday, two of the crew, named John Richardson and John Hunterson, fell from the fore topsail yard to the deck, and were picked up dead. The Franklin, kowever, was not'alone in her misfortunes, as on the 28th they spoke the schooner Lile, (probably a British vessel,) bound to Li- yerpool from Jamaica, seventy days out, and without provisions, with which Capt. Osborn kindly supplied thems and on the 3ist, in lat. 44 30, Ion. 28 50, they spoke an- other schooner, (name unknown,) bound to Cork, from Newfoundland, the eaptain, mate and part of the crew of which had met watery graves by being washed over. board. Toadd to their misfortunes, they ‘were without a navigator. which want Capt. Osborn was not able to supply, or render them any aisistance to help them on their dreary way, more than giving them some instruc- tions how to steer. The loss of valuable lives on the two packet ships amounted to seven, besides severe injuries to many of those who escaped with life. The unknown schooner will probably never more be heard of, as she was spoken. more than a month ago, and in her disabled condition was but ill qualified to contend with the storms that subsequently swept the Atlantic. The storms on the Atlantic have been more than usually severe this winter, and we fear much that vessels now on their way here from Europe, many of which have been for some time over due, will add further to the list of casualties we have already published. ‘God help the poor mariner !”” Police ligence. Singular Case of Forgery.—Officer Westlake yesterda: arrested two men, named John H. Egins and Jose; Mountain, grocers, doing business at’ No. 269° Third avenue, ona charge of forgery, in altering the amount of a receipt from the sum of $22 50 to that of $72 50, for the purposes of defrauding the firm of Chubdbeck & Lewis, commmintian merchants, 203 wan apeeet. It ap- pears from the as sworn to by |. Bridgman, the clerk of the firm, that the defendants have been in the habit of making purchases at the store; and on the 13th day of October last, Fgi nd Mountain called at the store, and paid $22 50 on account of their indebted- ness, for which a recetpt was given; and in the afternoon of the same day, they again called and made another ee and then requested a receipt for the two sums in one receipt. Accordingly the clerk took back the first reesipt given, tore it in half, and threw it on the floor, and gave the acknowledgment for the two sums in one receipt Some time after the defendants were sued Chubbeck & Lewis, for moneys due the concern; and as & set-off for the payment, Fgins and Mountain’ produced the cancelled receipt pasted together ; but instead of ite being for $22 50, the word “twenty” had been altered to “‘seventy,”” making the face of the receipt ap to be $72 50, when in fact it was only $22 50. The Norgery ia visible, and the defendants are accused of making the said alteration for the purpose of cheating and defraud- ing Chubbeck & Lewis. The aceused were cons veyed before Justice Bogart, who held fem to bail in the sum of $1,000 each, to answer the charge at court. Court Calendar—This Day. Unrrep Stares District Court.—Nos. 25 to 34. Scrreue Court.—Circuit—Adjourned to Monday, 7th inst. On a, spay hip a Chambers, com- mence receiving notes of e fe Feb: Bat meeps Sacer ioe sue for february Saturday By Anthony J. Bleccker, THIS DAY, ‘Tnurspay, FeBRUARY 3, At 12 o’clock, at the Merchants’ Exchange. Catharine street—The valuable houses and lots on the northeasterly corner of Catharine and Hamilton streets, Nos. 71 and 73 Catharine street. Also: Grand street— The two houses and lots Nos. 496 and 498 Grand street. ‘Terma liberal. Broome Street, ncar Broadway.—A. J. BLEECKER will sell this day, at twelve M., at the Mer- chants’ Exchange, the house and lot 460 Broome street, north side of Broome, about three hundred feet west of Broadway; lot 25 by 100 feet. The situation is central and ‘cligitle for any business, the ground high, and the street wider than any other between Canal and Four- teenth streets. As a residence, it is extremely convenient, Dut, by reason of the uptown pressure, the ground iit this vicinity is being fast taken for stores, hotels, and other business of the first class, which must greatly en- hance its value. Twenty-five Cent lerreotypes.—Rees & Co, can better afford pictures for orig here and of a su- perior quality, than any which their imitators can make at any price, particularly thore who pretend to the late discovery from Germany as first introduced by Mr. Rees, and which is exclusively used by REES & CO., 289 Broadway. Beware! Twenty per cent Reduction m Ready-made elothing. “Elegant Talmas, $10 cach ; beautiful paletots, $12; French cassimere pants, $5 ; plush silk vests, $3 A few white satin embroidered ’ nuptial vests,’ $5 French cassimere business coats. latest style, $4 ; black frock and dress coats, $10. To jobbers in clothing this is azure chance. GEORGE LEVIK, 380 Broadway, corner of White street. George P. Fox, the Fashionable Broadway tailor, each season gives away, at any price, his surplus stock of cloths, cassimeres, vestings, overcoats, yeats, and pantaloons. Call, if you want bargain, at the southwest corner of Broadway and Anthony street, 333, ‘The Whole Secret.—As Green is mently asked to disclose the secret of his success in the shirt- making business, he has determined to make it publi for the benefit of all whom it may concern. Listen! It consists in four words—perfect fits, invariable punctuali- ty. For illustration, call at GREEN'S, No. 1 Astor House, Charles’ London Cordial Gin, Distilled Hse for, and im} sol No, 7 rk place; i, for ite medicina qitilties oF ana daligate fal beverage, the best article in the market, For sale at ‘every bar in the city, or Bargains in Damaged Stat +, Pay A large stock of damaged blank , check books, stationery, paper, envelopes, a ee cutlery, cards, diaries for 1853, and all the usual articles in that line, part of which is damaged by water and re- moval. Must be sold at once, at great bargains, to those who wish to lay ina stock of these articles. Though par- tially damay all are fit for use. The sound ‘tion of © our stock saved from damage we offer at redu RICH & LOUTREL, Printors, Stationers, and Blank Manufacturers 61 William street Billiards.—The only Slate and Iron Tables in this country, at 149 Fulton street, an entrance at No. 8 Ann street; likewise, at 17 Montgomery strect, Jersey City, six tables; and at 169 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, fourteen tables; and six at the corner of Fulton and Pine- sore streets, Brooklyn. All have Bassford’s patent cushions. ‘Wonder of the World,—Devine’s Compound Pitch Lovenge.—This is what has long been sought for, and is, in full faith, offered to the public as a certain cure for coughs, colds, asthma, and consumption. For sale by C. H. RING, 102 Broadway, sole agent for New York. Price, 26 cents per above. , Gice Dr. J. W. (of Boston) Celebrated. trusses and abdominal supporters, for sale by C, H. RING, 102 Broadway, corner of John street. Sole agent for New York. Hair Dye.—Batchelor’s Celebrated Lk bair dye is the best yet discovered for coloring the haiv or whiskers the moment it is applied. The wonderfal tase and certainty with which this favorite and old esta Biished hair dye performs is astonishing, It is for sale, oF spplied, at W'S wig factory, No. 4 Wall atreot Gouraud’s Liquid Hair Dye is, without ex- ception or reservation, the very best ever invented. Bo- ware of pulled dyes. Equally’ celebrated is Gouraud’s Medicated Soap, for curing pimples, freckles, sallowness, penis Feng Bp bib Aid hair from any part of the . Liq ge, Lil ite, and Hair Gleb, at No, 67 Walker street, near ‘brosdway. 3 Wigs and helor’s New Style of wigs are pronounced the most perfect imitation of na- ture yet invented. Those wanting a very superior article should oall at BATCHELOR’S celebrated wig factory, No. 4 Wall strect, where can bo found the largest and beat assortment in the city. Copy the Cristadoro’s Liquid Hair Dye Shenae ee hair instantly to a beautiful black or brown, while his Preservative and Beautifier stimulates its growth and rpetnates its Iuxuriance to the latest period of life. 1 dye is applied privately, and both gold at Cristadoro’s No. 6 Astor House, ists generally. Two shillings is al ‘on now have to give, For Jones's famed Coral Hair Restorative; And Jones's Italian Chemical Soap, Which makes all eruptions and bad skin elope. ‘These ificent les are reduced 2s., 80 that rich or poor may use them. They are sold at the depot ‘of Lafont’s Soap Root for the teeth, breath, and gums, 403 way.