The New York Herald Newspaper, February 25, 1863, Page 4

JAMES GORDON Soer, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. CORED 1 CSREES OF Suneee 10 ANY OPE, ‘remks cash in advance. Money sent by mait will be abthe risk of the sender. Nove but bank bills current in New York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, Tunwe cents per copy. TAK WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five cents per copy. Aunual subscription price:-— One Copy... 9a ‘Three Copies. 5 Fivo Copies, Ten Copies Any larger number, addressed to names of subscribers, $1 50 cach An oxtra copy will be sent to every club of ten. Twenty copies, to one address, one year, $35, and any larger number at same price. An extra copy will be @ont to clubs of twenty. These rates make the WERKLY ‘HERALD the cheapest publication in the country. Tho Euxorgan Eprrion, every Wednesday, at @1vx cents por copy; $4 per annum to any part of Great Britain, or $6 te any part of the Continent, both to include Postage. ‘The Cauroria Epmiow, on the Ist, 11th and 21st of each month, at Six cents per copy, or $3 per annum. Apyuxriskwents, to a limited number, will be inserted Ja the Wresiy Heraup, and in the European and Califor - nia Editions. VOLUNTARY CORRESPONDENCE, co@aining import- ant nows, solicited from any quarter of the world; if used, wil! be liberally paid for. gge Ovr Formic Cor- RESPONDENTS ARB PARTIOULARLY REQUESTED TO SEAL ALL LET- ‘TELA AND PACKAGES SENT US. NO NOTICE taken of anonymous correspondence. We do not return reected communtcations. We olume XXVIn AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway. —SATANELLA. WALLACK’S THEATRE, eam: —PAvLing. WINTER GARDEN, Broadwi p= NEL Gwrnne. LAURA KEENE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—1 Fux—Fare Ons With me Gowen Locas. eee NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Ep Bess —ULENDOWKR—MaRulED Yestuapay. roomate ome THEATRE, B Bowery. —Macseta=Wizarp GERMAN OPERA HOUSE, No. 435 Broadway.—Fipxi10 BARNUM'S AMERICAN & MUSEUM, Bi dway.—Muen WWaumex, Com! Nort Liviaa Hirrororasus, fo, at al UL—Atternoon and Fi ing. BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broa nae Sonas, ‘Borisques. Dances, io—Buce MOODS MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway ~Ermiori Bonas, Daxors, a0—Hawier’ et ead DODWORTH'S HALL, No. | ‘Concert sy Antonio Pa LU. BROADWAY MENAGERIE, Broad —) \Annwais—PEeroRMine BintuantscOomee Moree to oe 4 Broadway.—Bax iets, head Broadway.—Granp AMERICAN THEATRE, Pantowimns, Buncesquas, &c. PARISIAN CABINET OF WOND! road daily from 10 A, M. till 10 P. apes 585 ‘iby HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, 03, Dances, Bunuasaues, ae Brooklyn.—Ergtorian New York, ‘Wednesday, scammed 25, 1863 THE SITUATION. The most important news from the Southwest ‘to-day is the reported capture of the Union ram ‘Queen of the West, whose gallant exploits in run- ming the blockade at Vicksburg are already known ‘to our readers. She is said to have been captured under Fort Taylor, at Gordon’s Landing, on the Red river—the pilot, who was taken off the rebel eteamer Eva, having treachcrously ran her within range of the guns while asserting that the fort was fifteen miles away. Her steampipe was knocked off, and she was otherwise so disabled that she drifted to the opposite shore, and all of the crew except thirteen escaped. The boat and the rest of the hands fell into the power of the rebels. The rebel official reports and the com- ments of the Southern journals upon the affair are published in another column. Reports from Louisvie yesterday described the invasion of Kentucky by the rebels as being of a very extensive and alarming charaeter. They were said to be threatening Lexington, Frankfort, Danville and even Louisville itself. Gen, Long- street was reported tobe in command. These rumors, however, are denied by some of the Lou- isyille journals. No facts concerning them have reached the headquarters of the Union army, and the latest despatches pronounce them absolutely false. ; The rebel papers are compelled to admit that the story of breaking the blockade at Charleston was agross exaggeration. The Weekly Enquirer, of Richmond, for example, says that “the South- ern confederacy has lately been made the dupe of ® notable imposition. It was said, printed, echoed and reverberated over the land that on a certain night our two iron-clad vessels at Charleston had @iscussing the bill providing out and arming the militia of the mation. It was agreed that @ vote should be taken on the bitl this after- General MoClellan, and read a letter from General Scott accusing General McClellan of insubordina- tion. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The very latest European news by the Canada and Nova Scotian, at Boston and Portland, is pub- lished in the Hegaup this morning. A letter from Cork, Ireland, of the 5th of Feb- ruary, speaking of the destitution existing in that city, says:—‘‘ To understand the e: me distress and condition of the poor downstricken mechanic or householding class, it is necessary to go into the back lanes and alleys of the city, and into the dark and gloomy garrets, where scenes sufficient to awaken the coldest feelings of humanity may present themselves to the view. The question now is, can anything be done to relieve this press- ing claim of our fellow creatures?” The Dublin Freeman's Journal of the 6th instant, reporting a visit to the homes of the working classes in the city, says :—‘‘ The prevailing sickness is the low fever that is always to be found in close attendance on extreme poverty. The sickness is terribly ag- gravated by want of beds and covering; and, if we had any doubt as to the incapacity of the charitable societies to grapple with the present destitution, our experience of yesterday would have removed it. Local organizations on an ex- tensive scale are peremptorily demanded for the effective carrying out of relief."’ The Paris Monde of the 7th of February says:— “(A new bishop who leaves for Texas carries out with him forty-four missionaries and eight women devoted to religious and charitable acts.” The steamship City of Baltimore, which left here on the 24th ult., arrived at Liverpool on the 4th inst., after a passage of ten days and fifteen hours. The act recently passed by Congress making appropriations for harbor fortifications allows the following amounts for the defences of New York:— For Fort Schuyler, East river, twenty-five thou- sand dollars. For fort at Willett’s Point, opposite Fort Schuy- ler, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. For fort on the site of Fort Tompkins, Staten Island, two hundred thousand dollars. For casemated battery on Staten Island, two hundred thousand dollars. For new battery near Fort Hamilton, one hun- dred thousand dollars. For fort at Sandy Hook, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The Fifty-fourth regiment of Massachusetts, which is Gov. Andrew’s pet regiment of colored. volunteers, is filling up very slowly. One fullcom- pany has not yet been raised in Boston. In New Bedford forty men have enlisted, and in Pittsfield, under the drumming of a veritable contraband, fourteen recruits have been obtained. Great in- ducements are offered for colored men to enlist; but they ‘‘ don’t see it.” Since the Ist of August, 1861, one hundred and seventeen thousand soldiers have passed over the New Jersey Railroad, bound for the seat of war. Col. 8. A. Gilbert, who recently dispersed the ‘The News from the Mocet-ite: Gunerpl | Prqspect ef the War. a another rebel invasion of Kentucky. From the various reports upon the subject, we infer that the central portions of the State are menaced by several advancing gangs of hungry rebel gue- rillas from East Tennessee; but the report of the approach of Longstreet towards the Ken- tucky “Blue Grass district” and the city of Lex- ington, with an army of ten thousand men, would necessarily imply that these advancing rebel battalions are of that amphibious, “half horse, half alligator” greed of men peculiar to the swamps of Louisiana. We presume that the rough roads of Southern Kentucky are not now in a condition for the transportation of rebel artillery, and that when they will be we shall have some authentic news of active opera- tions on the part of General Rosecrans in Ten- nessee. That mysterious and ubiquitous rebel chieftain General Longstreet is unquestionably an enterprising officer; but, whether really in Kentucky or Virginia just now, even he would find it extremely difficult to move an army where “the Yankees” would stick fast in the mud. Besides, our latest reports proclaim the whole story untrue. The news, on the other hand, received by way of Richmond, @f the capture by the rebels in the Red river of the ram Queen of the West, may be true. Like the gunboat Isaac P. Smith, lately captured in Stono Inlet, near Charleston, the Queen of the West. may have poked her nose into @ trap from which there was no escape. But still, as there are among the rebels numerous disciples of the Baron Munchausen, this report may have originated with one of them. Of the actual progress of the war, East and West, we have had no information for several days, excepting that the bombardment of the rebel defences at Vicksburg had commenced. The amount of digging required to render the “cut-off” available as a steamboat channel has probably exhausted the patience of General Grant. In any event the news is gratifying that he has commenc ed active opera- tions. It breaks the monotony of this long de- lay in the commencement of the warlike work of the great campaign upon which the hopes of the country depend, and which, we are con- fident, will be crowned with decisive victories. We have full faith that the forces and the re- sources of General Grant and Admiral Porter will be found equal to the task assigned them ; and we believe that in a regular and continuous bombardment they can reduce Vicksburg sooner than by tedious strategical experiments. The flooded condition of the Mississippi, while it offers unusual advantages for gunboat opera- secesh State Convention at Frankfort, Kentucky, is a graduate of West Poingy and belongs to the regular army. He isa native of Ohio, a resident of Zanesville, a nephew of Gen. Lewis Cass, and commands the Forty-fourth regiment of Ohio Vo- lunteers. Phe following named United States Senators from the rebel States are yet entitled to their seats :-— Clement C. Clay, Jr., rae William K. Sebastian, Robert Toombs, Geor; Judah P. Benjamin, Louisiana. Albert G. Brown, Mississippi... Thomas L. Clingman, North Carolina. Thomas Bragg, North Carolina. . James Chestnut, South Carolina. ‘A. 0. P. Nicholson, Tennessee. R. M. T. Hunter, Virginia The New York Young Men’s Democratic Associ- tion held their ordinary weekly meeting at their rooms, at the corner of Broadway and Twenty- second street, last evening. The building was crowded in every part, and the proceedings were of an enlivening and hearty democratic character. Mr. Luke F. Cozans, the chairman, presided, and opened the meeting with appropriate marks. Several speakers then addressed the audience on the rights and duties of the democracy. The principal orator of the evening was Mr. D. A. Ma- honey, recently a prisoner in the Old Capitol Pri- son, Washington. The burden of his remarks concerned the faithlessnéss of the republicans to the duty they owe to the people; but there was nothing very new or striking in his remarks. At the meeting of the Board of Supervisors yes- terday, Supervisor Purdy gave notice that at the next meeting he would offer a resolution directing the Clerk to advertise for proposals for publishing the vetoes of the Mayor that may in future be sent to the Board in two papers of the largest circula- tion. The Committee on County Officers reported in favor of paying $4,000 of the bill of $18,685 charged by Sheriff Lynch for fees during the last quarter of 1862. The report was adopted. Ad- journed till Monday at ten o’clock A. M. The market for beef cattle was a shade firmer this week, and prices were a trifle higher, varying from Tc. to 10%c. a llc. The general selling prices were from 8c. to 9Y%ec., and the average price about 8%c. a 8%c. Cows were quiet. | Veals were steady at 5c. to 7c. Sheep and lambs were active at full prices, varying from $4 50 to $7 .a $8650 per head. Swine were also active at 4%e. a 5%c. for corn fed, and 4%c. a 6c. for still fed. The total receipts were 6,091 beeves, 127 cows, 167 calves, 6,091, sheep and lambs, and 24,692 swine. There was great excitement in gold yesterday; the Term expires. 18 65 sunk two, disabled one and disposed of the rest of the blockading squadron off Charleston harbor. Now we learn with pain and certainty that no ship ‘was gunk, none disabled and no damage, in short, ‘was done to the blockading squadron, which, con- ‘sisting of wooden ships only, avoided a fight with our iron-clads, and most judiciously, until they brought up iren-clads of their own, which they <dmmediately did.” The story which reaches us from Europe relative to the presence of arebel privateer scouring the waters of the Indian Ocean is manifestly a canard. It resolves itself into the simple fact, as related by the Caloutta Englishman, that the bark Selim, Captain Simpson, inward bound from Melbourne, @aw off Keoling’s Island, near the Straits of Sunda, ‘to the southward of the equinoctial line, a large black man-of-war steamer lying to under three ‘topsails, jib and spanker (no steam up, but funnel shut up asa telescope). Whon she sighted the ‘Selim she bore away for her under all canvass, and cwhen sufficiently near to'make out the English flag ‘rounded to again under small canvass, and showed what the captain of the Selim says has been de- scribed to him as, and which he had no doubt of being, the Confederate flag. This is about the entire story. CONGRESS. The Senate did not transact mnch business of general importance yesterday, A conference committee was appointed on the Naval Appropria- tion bill, The Indian Appropriation bill was dis- cussed and amended,'and laid aside until to-day. ‘Ten thousand extra copies of the Currency bill | were ordered to be printed. A bill was introdaced authorizing the President in certain cases to take possosaion of steamboats and other vessels. Tue House of Revresentatives was engaged in er! price advanced 6 per cent, closing 17234 bid. Stocks al- 80 were better, the advance being from 3 to 13 per cont. United States sixes rose 134 per cent. Exchange sold as high as 188, and moat of the bankers asked 187 at the close. Money was easier, and was everywhere of- fered at six per cont There was decidedly more activity in genoral business yesterday, under the influence of the extraordinary ad tions, involves a condition of the “sacred soil ” along its shores decidedly unfavorable to ope- rations by land. Admiral Porter must, there- fore, clear away some of the rebel bat- teries in front, to give a foothold to the soldiers of General Grant, or the latter will probably have to fall back upon the difficult enterprise of an inland movement from above to gain the rear of Vicksburg. Hence we are gratified to learn that the mortar fleet has-been brought into play to open a passage into the town from the front; for we believe that Porter has the men and the metal compe- tent to do the work. We have no very late advices from the forces of the Banks expedition, the rendezvous of which at our last accounts was Baton Rouge. We do not imagine, however, that they are idle, but that they are preparing to try the strength of the rebel defences at Port Hudson. These preparations may involve a vast amount of labor, including, perhaps, another “cut-off” or two, whereby the Banks expedition may pass up to the support of Grant and Porter or bring them down to a combined attack upon Port Hudson. There has been for some days an ominous silence prevailing in regard to Charleston and Savannah. We may, however, at any moment receive the tidings that active operations have | been commenced against the gne or other of those cities. The time has arrived when every day’s delay is a day lost to us, and a day gained by the enemy, in that quarter, in view of the ap- proaching sickly season; and, as under the most favorable circumstances the capture of Charleston or Savannah must be to some ex- tent the work of a siege, the work must very soon be commenced, or, unfinished, we may be compelled to haul off to repair damages and wait for the “first frost.” The Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Cumberland meantime are, from sheer ne- cessity, awaiting the drying of the land and the hardening of the roads which lead them into “Dixie.” With the assurances, how- ever, that the troops of General Hooker and those of General Rosecrans are now in the best possible condition in every respect for active campaigning, we, too, may await in patience the northwest winds which are to put them in motion. With these three great land and naval expeditions, and those two great armies, commanded by and composed of tried and experienced soldiers and sailors, now in front of the enemy in Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, we with- hold all speculations and conjectures of the fu- ture except the anticipation of the most glorious vance in gold, Flour was 10¢.a26c., wheat 2c, @ Sc, and corn 2c. higher, with heavier sales. A more extensive business was reported in provisions; hog products wore decidedly firmer. The grocery trade was Drisker, especially in the line of tens, which were nota- bly dearer. Cotton was quoted up to 910. a 920. for mid- dling; but the market was quiet. The demand was more active for oils, metals, logwood, tallow and wool. The freight market was firmer; but engagements were quite moderate. Tus Denate ry Tae Frenca Cuampers Apovt ae Mexican Exreprrioy.-—M. Jules Favre and his eight opposition compeers bid fair to give the Emperor Napoleon great trouble during the present legislative session in France. Mexico is their great gun, and they have already fired one shot from it with immense effect. They have moved that the soldiers of France be sent on no such dangerous foreign expedition, and assert that the whole affair is to the last degree upopular in France. Now this is strictly true, as both the army and the people look with dis- trust upon the Mexican war, which brings no credit to the arms of France, but which, by dis- ease alone, frightfully swells the list of deaths. Here M. Favre and his adherents, the copper- heads of France, have the Emperor Napoleon at a great disadvantage to his cause, and they will ring the changes upon the subject, as they are well aware that their speeches, which must be reported in full, will immensely agitate the people and lessen the power and influence of the Emperor, These debates may have a serious effect npon the external policy of Napoleon. We shall await their results with | creat interest. results. Granted that we have an incompetent set of officials in the War Office at Washington, and that they have committed a whole budget of blunders in their plans and combinations for this grand campaign, the issue is now out of their hands practically, with our land and naval officers, soldiers and sailors, land batteries and iron-clads infroat ef the enemy; and, believ- ing that the rebellion, East and West, is thus now fairly withinour grasp, we calmly await the developments of the campaign. A New Puase ov tax Greex Question.—The Marquis de Mortemart, a member of the French Chambers, well known as a warm advocate of the Emperor's policy, has made a proposal to the Corps Legislatif which may greatly change the aspect of the Greek question. M. de Mor- temart proposes that France should demand from Greece instant repayment of the sums she owes to France, and that in case of non-com- pliance, which the Marquis anticipates, Napo- leon should exact from the Greeks a territorial guarantee. The honesty of this proposal, to say nothing of its generous character, needs no comment. We deem iton a par with the actions of France in Mexico, and should not be surprised to see Napoleon acting upon the sug- gestion, a8 Greece is now in trouble, and, also, as most likely it emavated from him originally. England will be the obstacle in the accom. plishment of this pleasant little scheme, and, as she gave up the throne of Greece to avoid trouble with Franeo, she will most likely feel | quite unwilling to see the latter taking possos- sion of any portion of the Grecian Scenes, ‘The probabilities are that prompt represents- tions from the Ambassador at Paris will nip this scheme in the bud. Ponca Se ara aS The Bill to Prevent end Punish Frauds Against the Goverament. It appears by recent proceedings of the United States Senate that the vital provision in the bill to prevent and punish frauds against the government was cut out by that branch of Con- gress. The section to which we refer was to the effect that eygry person contracting to furnish supplies of any kind tothe army or navy, and every person procuring or aiding to procure any claim for any such supplies, should be considered n the military or naval service, and subject to military laws and regulations. This was held to be monstrous by one, and its constitutionality was doubted by another Senator—men who had no scruple about passing monstrous and sweep- ing confiscation acts in direct antagonism with the spirit and the very letter of the constitu- tion. Thus our sage legislators strain at a gaat and swallow a camel. They emasculate a bill to prevent frauds by depriving it of ita most effective provision. The necessity of such ao measure is demonstrated by the report of the Van Wyck Committee, in which the most shame- less and enormous frauds were exposed, and by the report of the Grimes com- mittee, to which we lately referred, exhibit- ing the most extensive swindling in contracts for chartering transports for army expeditions, involving serious losses to the government, the integrity of officers in the closest relation- ship with it, to say nothing of the imperiling of the lives gf our soldiers in rotten ships, which can only be regarded as little less than an intent to commit wholesale murder, if not trea- son, by giving aid and comfort to the enemy; by the Olcott report of the vast subsistence frauds in this city; and, lastly, by the immense frauds if the Custom House which have been brought to light in the report sent by Secretary Chase to Congress. Napoleon the First made short work of fraudulent contractors and quar- termasters. He ordered them to be shot or hanged to the first tree. And till some exam- ples are made, corruption, plunder and gigantic swindling operations will go on unchecked. We hold that the War Department is respon- sible for the army frauds. The Secretary is ac- countable for the conduct of his Assistant Secre- tary, to whom he assigned the duty of superin- tending the chartering of transports. ‘There was nothing,” says the Grimes committee, “in Mr. Tucker’s antecedents to qualify him for the | | ment of a manifest injustice from the Brazilian business of procuring vessels for the War De- partment, and nothing in his official positton | pointing to the duty of superseding the Quar- termaster or any of his assistants in this im- portant branch of the public service.” Mr. Stanton is thus doubly responsible. His imbe- cility and incompetence are flagrant. His con- fidential assistant was known to the country hitherto only by his signature to the lettres de cachet by which innocent men were dragged from their homes and immured in dungeons without warrant or authority of law. Of this official the committee observe:— All the foregoing facts and. a point to Mr. John Tucker, late Assistant Secretary ‘ar, as the yerson tic aad ance trauds on the ly perpetrated. Tucker was the government employ who had enjoyed a tong acquaintance with Pickrell. Tucker selected [w to “examine and recommend,’’ and Loper appre in bis ‘old acqnatatance of forty-two years’ standing, Amasa C. Halt, Danforth is one of Tucker’s familiars, Tucker chartered all, or nearly all, the vessels for the Burnside expedition, the McCiellan expedition to the peninsula, the McClellan expedition trom the peuinsula, and for various other enterprises. Why has not the Secretary of War arrested Tucker, and Loper, and Hall, and Coblens, the Jew; and Pickrell, and Belger, and Danforth, and the rest? Has he not pleaded “the war power” as his justi- fication in arresting and imprisoning in bastiles men who had committed no offence known to the laws? Would not “the war } power” be equally valid for the arrest of the sharks and harpies who have been preying on the vitals of the country in the hour of its ex- tremity? If the habeas corpus can be legiti- mately suspended in the loyal States, to what better use could its suspension be applied than to the incarceration of the swindlers of the government till they are compelled to disgorge their plunder? But we expect to see no reform in the War Department till its present Secretary is dismissed, and such a man as General McClel- lan placed at its head. Tae Risk 1x Gory—Wuat Axe We Fricnt- ENED Apovut?—Gold rose yesterday to 171. In other words, one hundred and seventy-one dol- lars in paper money were required to purchase one hundred dollars in gold. Many people, reading this quotation on the bulletins or in the HeERaLp, purse up their mouths, elevate their eyebrows, shake their heads, and walk away with hearts depressed and a general feeling and air of what s shrewd physician calls “gone- ness.” But what of it? What if gold is at 171? Wall street is not the nation by any man- ner of means. If you ask any Wall street broker why gold has risen to a premium of seventy-one cents on a dollar, be will probably tell you that it is be- cause of our depreciated currency. If he tells you that, he talks nonsense. The rise in gold does not indicate accurately the depreciation of the currency. The currency is just the same to- day as it was a week ago, when gold stood at 153. Gold has risen because Wall street has been discounting the future again. Congress may pass the Finance bill, hundreds of mil- lions more of paper dollars may be issued, and then the currency will be awfully depreciated, says Wall street—and then up goes gold, not because the currency bas depreciated, but be- cause it may depreciate at some future period. This is speculating in speqy and probabilities. Wall street seldom deals with solid facts, but generally with wishes, hopes and promises. Who wants to buy any gold ata high pre- mium? Very few people beyond those who buy it to sell again when it rises higher. But even these dealers in gold seldom handle the substance. They buy and sell the shadow of gold on paper. Out of the millions of gold bought and sold weekly in Wall street, not one million of dollars’ worth is ever seen or owned by the seller or the purchaser. Paper takes the place of gold in these transactions as in the currency. If the United States received its custom duties in its own money, and paid the interest on its bonds in its own money, instead of in gold, there would be no demand for the precious motal except ina very few cases, where per- sons até obliged to send money abroad. In all ordinary transactions gold and silver are un- necessary, and the people get along very well without them. The rise in prices hurts every- } hody more than tye rise iu gold. The quota- aii a og tions from Wall street no show us what ‘at what peice sy is really worth, but the speculating, gambling money changers are buying and eelling it for their own aggrandize- ment. Tae Stercume Casnrvat.—The long pent up enthusiasm of our sleighing population has found ample vent during the past two days. Before this snow storm people began to believe that winter had neglected us this year. The seasons seemed to sympathize with the dis- tracted condition of the country, and were dreadfully confused, so that we had bits of summer weather in December, and February came in smiling like spring. The beautiful snow has made all this right, however, and for two days we have had a semi-carnival on run- ners. The streets, avenues and Central Park have been crowded with elegant sleighs of all sorts, patterns and descriptions, and both old and young New York have been as jolly under the fur robes and behind the jingling bells as was proper during such excellent sleighing. On Monday evening, when the fireworks blazed in the parks in honor of Washington—whose patri- otism all eulogize and few imitate—the scene was one of fairy land. The gorgeously varied hues of the pyrotechnics were brilliantly re- flected from the dazzling surface of the snow— the clear, cold air was filled with balls of vari- colored fire eclipsing the stars—the skyrockets marked their fiery paths upon the dark blue sky—the tinkling and jangling of thousands of sleighbells made most merry music, with which the voices of the gay carnivalists mingled sweetly and cheerily—sleigh after sleigh dashed past in quick succession, or paused, with half affrighted horses, among the crowds at Union square—and no stranger, visit- ing this metropolis for the first time, could have been induced to believe that all this splendid merriment and costly display was during the most momentous crisis of the most desperate civil war which ever troubled the world. Such is life, and such are the Americans. British = Comprications wir Brazit.—We publish in another part of this day’s paper the detailed particulars of a threatened imbroglio between the British Minister at Brazil and the government of that magnificent empire. Al- though there.has not yet been any evidence of an actual casus belli, it does seem that the griev- ances of the imperial government and the no less baughty claims of the British Minister may hereafter lead to very serious troubles and com- plications. According to all appearances gather- ed from the evidence before us, it would appear that the British Plenipotentiary in Brazil has been endeavoring to extort the acknowledg- government. Now, Brazil is a weak nation, when we come to compare her with the great maritime Powers of the world. But she has a power among the nations, from. her moral and material wealth, that not even England can af- ford to despise. It isa matter worthy of remark that the revolution in our own country has led to all the complications now existing between the European and weaker American nations. Were we not involved in a great sectional war neither England nor France would have dared to assail the rights or independence of any of the South American republics, which, properly speaking, have hitherto been under our care and protection. Tn reference to this Brazilian complication, it it is to be hoped that the imperial government will maintain its rights underall circumstances, But it is possible that, being severe- ly pressed by England, she may be unable to defend herself in the last extremity. In such a case all that the Brazilian Cabinet can do will be to comply with the uajust claims made upon it, under the solemn protest of wrong and injustice. The time will come when the united power of Ame- rica may be heard and felt in vindication of the wrongs of South America. This Brazilian out- rage, it appears to us, is much like the innova- tion of the French in Mexico. The people and the press of the South are now being awakened to the schemes and intentions of the astute Em- peror who they imagine is their friend. The rebellion is now drawing to a close. Let peace be once restored to our own borders, and we shall soon see whether the Powers of Europe or the free principles of popular government in America are to rule on this continent. In the meantime’ we think we may safely leave Mr. Christie, the British Minister in Brazil, who has been the chief cause of all this trouble, to the tender mercies of General Webb, the American Minister to Brazil. Srecurators IN THE Gory ox Sitame oF Tux Counrry.—The Wall street gamblers speculate not in gold, but in the glory and shame of their country. The gold quotations are only indications of these hidden specula- tions—the barometers of Wall street patriot ism. The gold gamblers assure themselves and each other that we are going to have victo- ries, and gold goes down. The next day ru mors of defeat and disaster are rife on the street, having been set afloat to “bull the market,” and gold goes up. If every broker in Wall street were a hopeful, earnest patriot, there would be no premium on gold, because no one would dread and predict the ruin of the nation. These Wall street speculators remind us of a party of heartless, avaricious fellows sitting at the bedside of their sick father, and laying heavy wagers with each other in regard to how long the old man will live, how many more breaths he will draw, how many times more his pulse will beat, and whether this, that or the other medicine will do him any good, by way of amusing themselves while they wait for the death, the will andthe property. When old Uncle Sam recovers—as he must, by and by— how these Wall street gamblers will suffer, no matter which of them wins or loses at their present little game. ‘Iwrenestive Sate ov Pawntins at tae Denny GacierT.— An auction sale of the pictures, studies and aketches of Mr. T. Addison Richards took place at the Dorby Gallery, in Broadway, jast evening, pursuant to announcement, ‘The collection comprised a most valuable lot of splendid paintings, consisting of landseape views from nature in ail parts of the Union, and a choice variety of fruit, flower and ether subjects. ‘The attendance of patrons of the fine arts was quite numerous; but the bidding rarely seemed t at all come up to the value of many of the oe tures, The catalogue contained a description of one undred and forty one different paintings, including a ‘beautiful view of the Central Park, or ral & grou . twenty one views—the Lake of the {Dismal Swamp, set on the Susynebanna, create on the Delaware, rondacks , lat om the Adirond the ‘Deverted Bridge in the Vale ey of Wyoming, Pa., and a pretty cot! scene near Laneaville, Coat H. H. Leeds waa the auctioneer, wo Oo)" adem eal Me. O'Brien's Lacrons on Inetamp.—The lecture de. livered at Clinton Hail last night, on ‘The Ireland of 4g and '48 and the Ireland of To-day,” by Mr. Wm. O'Brien, late of the Dublin press, was attended by a large audience and produced © manifest effect. The subject was intelli. gently bandied by the leciurer and the appiause wag yory hearty. , (AMRIVAL OF THE PACIFIC. LATE FROM HAVANA. CARNIVAL IN THE CITY. ARRIVALS FROM MOBILE, Re, Ren ke. ‘The steamship Pacific, Captain Embieton, from Havana, arrived at this port yesterday morfing, with dates to the ‘Hth inst. She had very heavy weather and head sea from Hatteras. We are indebted to Mr. G. A. Fuller, the indefatigable purser of the Pacific, fer the prompt delivery of our files, and for his uniform kindness and attention. ‘The steamer Sheldrake, for New York, would leave om the 21st inst. ‘The rebel steamer Alice, formerly the Matagorda, ar- rived at Havana on the morning of the 17th inst, from Mobile, with 850 bales of cotton. She left Mobile on Saturday night, 14th inst., and made the run in sixty hours, not having seen any American vessels om her passage. Havana was very gay. Tho carnival season commenced on the 15th inst. The health of Havana was very good. ‘The gunboat Huntsville had just arrived from a cruise. ‘The Columbia had not arrived, ul Our Havana Correspondence. Havana, Feb. 17, 1863. The Carnival and Its Amusements—The New Water Works of Havana—Arrivat of a Steamer from Mobile, de. We are in the midst of the carnival Ze rei—that is, the people—l'amuse. Masks everywhore, en foot, on horseback and in carriages, singing, dancing, showering beans and making the most of the season. This modo of amusing oneself is silly or excellent, just as it may bap- pen to suit the person’s own fanoy and that of his neigh- bors; for that ix the philosophy of the affair. A man’s mind is-his kingdom, ‘The Tacon is erowded every night by those who go to a masked ball, ag ft is calied. The masked ball at the Tacon consists of a crowd of women in disguise, who rush round among the men, whose pre- gramme appears to be to keep their hats on and smoke, while here and there a smail party may be seen going through the peculiar movements known aga Cuban dance. The heat, the dust, the dirt, the smell and the noise ure intolerable to avy one who ‘has not disguised himself in some slight refreshment previously to making his appear- ance in the ballroom, or who is not fascinated by some pretty mask, One of the most extraordinary features of the alfair is the band. ‘The colored gentlemen who Dee. form the part of musical attendants on Terpsichore are wonderful in their powers of endurance. I watched the first violin with mingled Sealing of ‘pity and admiration, expecting every moment drop on the floor from exbaustion or oppleny: “tole Virginny neber tire.’” For three mortal hours he rasped out the same tune— much more to bis own than any otber person's de- light—ewaying backward and forward, with shirt open, eyes fixed on the sympathizing coiling, and utterly re- gardiess of perspiration avd the surrounding scene. ‘Trombone was quite the reverse of this picture; yet, ashe had a rest of a few seconds about two minutes. It was evident that there was no use in his getting entranced when bis reverie was sure to be iuierrupted by the exi- gencies of the music. This bail, bay it must stood, is confined to one fhe people, ‘and that. class a little below the Pte Mel oh kept up until five o'clock in the morning of each of the three ot the carnival, Take it altogether, the carnival in Havana is better than notomg, and serves op from the usual dull monotony of the three bundred and sixty-two days which make up the remainder of the year. I there- fore am personally t ‘thankful. ‘The steamer Pacific leaves to-day for New York, aud [ have little or nothing to give you in the shape of news. and circumstance im ‘The great undertaking of supplying the city witl water, inaugurated or) such pom 1858, has ‘dragged ifs slow eng "80 very slowly that many have begun w doubt it will ever be accomplished. The Diario de la Marina has pubiished two or three arti- cies on the matter, in the hope of saving tho chief en. sineer of tbe sore from — on a eenreen which might probal vy: upon bim peo] ae Cilewhuire are tery wespiciou aad. te “int a swindling humbugs. ‘The tearing ‘awa. ‘of the city wall is again spoken of ia the most positive manver. ‘tain it is that the munici- s authorities have foray geomet the ey ‘ernment for permission. I would m' id let the fa: = stand, and put purawer and oy tan ip the streets. Theatricals. “SATANELLA” AT NIBLO'S GARDEN, Mr. Peter Richings’ spectacular adaptation of Baife’s opera, ‘*Gatanella,”” was produced at Nidlo’s Garden Mon- day evening. Wo have only time amd space to say that the piece was an immense stotess. Miss Ridings’ singing was a5 brilliant ap ever. The bailet ti led by Ga- letti and Marzetti, was extremely Phe acting, jd Mrs. Shewell, Mesdawes Chan- Messrs. Lamb and De Forest, spectacle allowed. The scenery, by Hays ant! Setwyn, has mever been surpiisséd at this thea- tre {or splendor and artistic taste. ‘The applause frequent and hearty, and, with a little trimming, “Sata: neita’” will be quite’ as successful ax the adaptation of the «‘Enchantress”” was in the same hands a few months ago. MARY PROVOST AT THE WINTER GARDEN. Miss Mary Provost made her first appearance in New York this season, at Winter Garden, Monday evening. Tho play, was “1 1’ Miss Provost acting the character of Parthenia. le reserve our comments upon this perform. Atuce until another occasion. on. The sited was very largo and appreciative. vost her impersoua- tion of Parthenia last evening, and appears to-night ia Charles Reade and Tom Taylor's beantiful comedy of “Nell Gwynne.” Miss Provost is a moat charming, ver- ee and Nell Gwynne tg one of har MISS ees BENEFIT AT WALLACK’S Wallack’s elegant theatre was jammed last evening for the benefit of Miss Mary Gannon, who amply deserves the genial appreciation aod applause which she always receives. The programme was ‘The Little Treasure'’— Miss Gannon’s self—and the beautiful drama of ‘Krnes- tine.”’ Both pieces are new at this theatre this season; ‘but we connot attempt to criticise a benefit performance, aod have no space for all the peste we wish to give. Mr. Mark Smith, 4 valuable member of Wallack’s company, takes his benefit on Friday. “Pauline’’ to night. Personal Intelligence THE MINISTER FROM HAYTI. E. Romaine, Charge de Affaires from Hayti to the Wnit- ed States, is still stopping at the St. Nicholas Hotel, with his Secretary of Logation, L. Bruno, The Minister. is about thirty-two years of age, of medinm beight, aod ox- ceedingly dark and swarthy complexion. He wears « heavy black mustache aud imperial, His bair ts generally a little fuzzy aud woolly looking, watch is owing to the want of a careful dressing, as after undergoing a course of tonsorial manipulations it would lie as straight as that of any Saxon among us. The choek, bones are rather higher than are usually seen in thie latitude. The pre vailing expression of bis face ts good natured and friend ly. Heavy black eyebrows arch over a pair of flue, full biack eyes, which seem always ready to gicam and light up with merriment, During his stay at the St. Nicholas that establishment have on occasions had an opportunity to wit ness bis proficiency at billiards. He andlew a.cue with almost the skill of a Phelan or Kavanagh. Cigarettes he smokes iu great quantities, and astonishes the bebolders by the ease and nonchalance with which le ejects the smoke from his oostrils. in many different ways be has managed to win the good opinion of all with whom be has come in contact, and the opinion of bis sociability and courtesy ts very unanimous. The seere- tary of legation, D. Bruno, isamach younger man. In his appearance there are sevoral indications that the blood of the children of Ham courses through his veins. He 1s not £0 thoroughly proficient in the English language as the Minister, who speaks it with groat correctness and purity. They are expected to leave for Washington ine few days. Lord Hartington and Colonel Leslie will leave for Bng- land tn pal te Asia to-day. Major General Rousseau, United States Army. General Roberts, United bt bates 5 Army: E w. ir, Penfield, of Woods es, "jarmon Headley, aod Ww. atton, of Wash: ington; Mr. Richard Bly, mother and ere of ‘Connect. cut, are stopping at the Everett House, ‘M. MeFarland and ~*~ of Iilinois, L. J. Toole, of Washington; Colonel H. D. Hull, Uvited States Army; W. T. Rice, United States Army; J. W. Hicks and indy, of Detroft: P. Kirby aud family, of Call- fornia; J. M. Strobridge aud lady, Of California, are stop- ping sl ‘at the Metropolitan Hotel. W, Tift, aud Judge Hoyt, of Buffalo; W. F. Leeah and HH. Housten of Philvdelphis;J. A, Noonan, of Wit cousin, James Cocbrane, of Halifax! A. A. Dunlap, of Al- bany;8. C. Turbell, of gunboat Hesox, and Tones Rar = of Baltimore, are stopping at ‘the St. Nicholas Hon, M. Blair and Colonel J.C. Walker, Wea rH 1. Cushing, of Boston: H. Wanies, ied a T. man, of Cincmnati; Captain 0. Spear, and Clark, of Boston; C. H, Adams, Of Cohoes; Cs PA. Burden, of ‘Troy; H. Grant and pty, ot Net. J. M. Ramsdelt, of Newburg: J. Bore nd indy ‘ot Phila. Cook, of Baiston Springs; ©, 8. Russell and lady, ei ang 3. of New Jersey, are stopping at i thie Lecrore ow Brazt.—The Rev. J.C. Fletcher wil evening deliver Is secoud tecture at the Cooper Institute, ‘The subject is ‘frazit Revisited.” audeing from M4 distinguished travellor, we may oon: pet Ip be house and an entertaining fand of tentreave al and statistical information,