The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1865, Page 2

FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. Monpar, Dec. 25, 1865. ‘To-day being Christmas, Wall stroet and its vicinity wen entirely deserted. No business of any description, wah transacted. ‘A Western paper says that Obio and Mississippi certifi cates, which are called and quoted each day at the reg- ular stock board in this city, constitute a leading “fancy” among the brokers. Itsays, also, that there is no limit to the issue of the certificates, and inti mates that somebody must suffer in the end. A wealthy merchant in Cincinnati some time since conceived the idea that Ohio and Mississippi stock was good ‘as an investmen!, and, having obtained estimates of the ‘amount on the market, he concluded to buy it up. He gave his orders toa broker, who soon had bought more than the original estimate, and still there was “another lot,” Thus it went on until the purchaser began to suspicct that all was not right. It was subsequently developed that the broker was in the interest of the management, and ro- ceived the stock directly from the office of the company. ‘The purchaser, it should be mentioned, was constantly consulting with the leading officer of the road, and the latter advised the former to ‘‘buy;" that orders were coming in for the stock, and that it was bound to rise. Of course the present management of the Ohio and Mis- siasippi Railroad: Company are not respomuible for that rascally trick; Dut it was found at that tmetbat the power to issue stock was unlimited, and there has been no change in the charter that we have heard of.. The question, then, is whether the power to issue cortificates: is not also unlimited. The Railroad Reticf bill, now before the Tennessee Legislature, makes the following appropriations of pa $300,000 Memphis and Charleston. erations Memphis and Clarksville. Manchester and’ McMinavilli Nashville and Northwestern. Knoxville and Kentucky. Winchester and Alabama. East Tennessee and Virginia. . Mississippi and Tennessee. . Total......-.e009 The annexed comparative table shows the amount of flour and grain In store at Chicago:— Flour, bbls...... Wheat, bushels. Corn. Oats. Rye. 69,438 Barle: é 215,07 319,332 The New Orleans cotton statement of the 16th instant makes the following exhubit;— Bales. Stoek on hand Dec. 1, 1865. «83,239 Arrived subsequently + 819,626 Total 402,865 Shipped. 963 On hand Dec. 16.......6.6.ceee ee ce eeeee ewes 146,902 The following is a comparative statement of the earn. ings of the St. Louis Pacific Railroad during the mouths of September, October and November: — SEPTEMIRE, 18 Passengers and mails - «$56,078 $72,753 Freght.. 62,061 70,880 Total......sesceeecceeeeeese-$118,135 $143,034 oerousit. Passengers and mails 156 $104,150 Freight. i 11,353 96,712 $200,693, $102,227 Freight... Total,..... Condition of Things in Georgia. Lieutenant Colonel Shaurman, commanding the Nine- teth regiinent New York Volunteers, now in Georgia, in a lotter sent to a friend in Brooklyn (Coionel Woodward), makes the following important revelations concerning the condition of society in the district in which be com- mands, which will be, no doubt, read with interest:— Heavqoanters, Svp-Distaict or OcMuLcre, Hawnineviuir, Ga., Dec. 10, 1865, Dean Coroxm—I received a’ telegram yesterday from General Barnum that the order for our muster out of service had been countermanded; con: quently we are disappointed in our calculations of reaching Brooklyn about Christmas time, as expected. What has occasioned ‘3 hy in the minds of the authorities I know not, but it is a bitter pill for us, This is a hard command; bine counties—Wilkinson, Wilcox, Twig; Laurens, Washington, Jefterson, Jomn- son, Pulaski and Telfair—-the people of which are tl most ignorant, degraded white people I have ever seen, and who seem to vie with each other in cruelty to ove another and to thefreedmen. I have six murder cases on hand now and a mumber of others to arrest forthe same offence. They deem it no crime to kill upon the slightest pretext, and often without any. While there are a fow who treat the negro with humanity, the great majority visit upon bim al! their anger and chagrin for their defeat, and the consequent loss of property in him. Many aro giving up working their places in order to throw the blacks out of employment, and try to discourage them from doing anything for tbemselves; a were it not for the military power—of which they have a wholcsume fear—there would be acenes of cruelty enacted that would disgrace savages. Indeed, the here say that oer fear the most tumultuous scenes if the military should be with- Gra The people are engaged in stealing from one an- other without fear of law. Almost every day some one complains of having his cotton stolen from places where he had stored it; in fact, I have arrested four of the ‘mos! prominent parties inthis town for this offeuce, bus no jury here would dare convict of cither murder or theft. ‘What they willdo im the future God only knows, as it will be almost impossible to get civil officers who will dare to do their duty. * ° * . #« Give my best regards to all my old Thirteenth friends, and believe me to be, yours, very truly, SHAURMAN, Licut~nant Colonel Commanding Ninetieth Regiment New York Veteran Volunteers. Colonel Jous B. Woopwano, Brooklyn, N. Y. Soldiers’ Discharges. TO THE RDITOR OF THB HEHALD. In your issue of Saturday I notice, under the héad of “Prize Money, &c,’’ an advertisement offering to pay “$100 cash for every honorable discharge,"’ and request- ing applicants to “send twenty-five cents to Roy-& Co., Herald office.” Probably a swindle 60 transparent will got ive the maces of our soldiers into parting with their didoharges and their money, but doubtiess there are mang in the country and re-vnllsted in the regular army whoanay, by a fancied implication of the Herald office with U ‘or. tinement, look it as bona fide. Soldicte should understand one thing: the soldier's Aischarge ts not of the slightest value to any one but himself, unless it be for waste paper, and no responsible person will buy them at any price. To the soldier himself, or his beira, they may, and doubtless will, ba bereafter valuable, both for association and in @ pecuniary sense; but for anyone to suppose that a soldier's discharge can be bawked about, like so much merchandise, is the sheorest folly Paragraphs have appeared in various papers recently stating that discharges were selling, in some places (Ohio for instance), as high as $600, All such state- ments have not the slightest foundation in fact. Petitions are now in circulation from soldiers enlisted previous to July, 1863, asking Congress for the passage of a law granting them bounties equal to those who en- listed subsequenty to that date. This is the only action thus far taken in the maiter, and this, of course, affords no foundation for the aforementioned printed absurditios in relation to soldiers’ discharges, Let overy soldier keep bis discharge certificate safely in his own possession, until such time as law and equity shall clearly make it pecuniarily valuabie to himself. S. WOODRUFF LEWIS, Counseilor at Law. Scientific Intelligence, THE AGH OF BRONZK IN WESTKAN AND NORTHERN gunorr. At a meeting of the Ethnoloyical Society of England, lately held in London, « paper of much uiterest was read by Mr. Thoms Wright “On the True Assignatton of the Bronze Weapons, &¢., sup d to Indicate a Bronze Ago in Western and Northern Europe.” Mr. Wright has on several previous oecasions dissented from opinion ‘Uhet stone, bronze and iron implemeuts found in ancient Lombs Indivate successive stages of advancement in eivé- Mzation, or that there is any reat foundation for the di- ‘vision of stone, bronze and iron periods, and Vr Was in confirmation of that opinion. Sir Jobn Lal « Feplied with much animation to the comments on his work by Mr, Wright, defended the aorthern archw- ologiets from the attacks made on them, and challeny him to point to any sword weed by tho Britons before the invasion of the Romana, Sir John contended (hat the finding tn the ancient Swiss villages of innamerabic objects of bronze, without any trace of iron, praved thai iron was not known at that period, ‘The diffrence in the composition of the bronze. of swords found in different parte of Europe proved also that they could all have been of Rowan manufacture, for the Roman bronze contained load, and \n othors tin only was mixed with the copper, The diseovery of bronze swords im Irelnd and in Seotiand, wiere the Romans never penetrated, he regarded av strong evi- dence that these «Words Were not of Roman manulac ture, Mr, Crawfurd #aid he did not believe ip the opinion that the manufacture of bronze preceded that of frou. To make bronze was disicyit, buc iron could be readily smelted, and the sav if Africa and the dyaks of Borneo not only made Iron itnplementa, but the lat- ter manufactured steel of better quality than is made in England. ) THE TERM STATISTICS —WHAT DOES IT MEAN? ‘Thore was a very valuabie paper read by Dr. Grey, of London, at a recent meeting of th® Btatistion Society of ot the tat that city, “On v Jerm ‘Statlatios, original and acquired meaning 1 on the proper functions of fical society; alsoon the question whether th a Belence of statistics, and, if so, what are its nature and objects, and what is ite relatian to political economy and Boclal science?" The paper proved to be of great inter. st to the members present, and gave rise to rather a jong Usouss.on. TERRIBLE SCENE. Wilson, the Murderer of tho Hon. Burr Burton, Hanged at Geneseo. y Horrible Confession of Murder and Crime. &e. &e, _ fFrom the Rochester Untos aiid Advertiser, Dec. 23.) Yesterday—Friday, #—was the day deaig- nited for the exeoution Of the brute in human form who bas been lying in the jail at Geneseo, Livingston county, for some time past under the mame of Henry Wilson. ‘The execution took place at two oolock, in the afternoon, &o. had thea conducted to ‘the enclosure and placed Rev. Mr. Ives then made a bricf ee appropriate Prayer, Onding cause for thankfulness in the fact that the condemned man had made such disclosures of his crimes as relieved the fantilies and friends of deceased persons from doubt and peinet. He concluded by com- mending the soul of the dying man to the great and Fighicous | Judge of ‘und invoked bis blessing upon the fiend fired, inflicting a wound proved immediately fatal. ‘The son, aroused by the alarm, began to move in the chamber ubove. ‘The murderer called to him at the foot of the stairs and admonished him not to come down, adding that he would shoot him if he disobeyed the order, The son, a stout, fully grown man, inheriting none of the courage of his parent, who was then welter- ing in blood, dared not go down, and remained in his chamber. Wilson meanwhile proceeded to the room where two girls slept and securely bound them with a cord. One of the girls was nineteen years of age, the other sixteen. They were of course powerless under the threats of the murderer, and yielded passively to his de- mands. He used a string or cord like a carpenter's chalk line, with which he tied the hands and feet of these fe- males, Having searched the house at bis leisure and procured some money, supposed to be inall about eighty dollars, he left the premises, ‘After a little time the girls liberated themselves, and cautiously repaired to the room where Mr. Devoe slept, and there beheld the dreadful spectacle of the murdered mun lying as he fell in bed under the fire of the burglar and assassin. The elder girl ran to the chamber and found the son in bed, with his head concealed in the clothing, and told him that his father had been slain. The gon, still trembling under the influence of fear, would only go down to the scene of the tragedy after the girl consented to lead the way. It was for this murdor that Wilson was executed yes- terday; and if nothing else were known of his wicked career—if he had not confessed to the perpetration of crimes even more revolting and atrocious, who would stand up to plead his cause or interpose one sympathetic word or thought on his behalf? He was, beyond all question, as deeply dyed in crime—as pure and unadulterated a specimen of totally de- praved humanity as has polluted the earth in this century, to say the least. Those who might other- wise hesitate and shudder to witness an execution upon the gallows looked upon this wretch in his dying throes with composure, and all felt relieved when they beheld his lifeless body, and realized that his soul had been sent to final ‘account before that Judge who alone can ade- quately mote out just punishment toone go guilty. The prosecution against Wilson was conducted Davis, Esq,, District Attorney of Livingston county, who devoted his ‘best energies to the duty, and did himeelf reat credit. He called to his assistance Colonel John ‘ochrane, Attoruey General of the State. O, Oluey, Esq., of Nunda, conducted the defence, assisted by his brother, and they did all that could be done for the prisone The murder of Mr. Bevoe was committed on Monday Dight, and the villain was arrested nextday. Meanwhile the whole community was aroused, and escape proved impossible. Wilson walked eastward along the railroad toward Hort ville twelve miles, to Station. There he was seen to emerge from a lumbor yard and enter ‘The party who saw him also entered the car and seized him just as he was about to draw a pistol The evidences of his guilt were poate sop the ah. { four sil found upow-bts persop in the shape of four silver quar- ters and 51 bank notes which were identified as those possessed by Mr, Devoe. The inmates of the house did not fully identify him, but the testimony was quitevon- clusive, and he was convicted without great difficulty. On his person was found abundant evidence of his fession as well as of hia guilt. There wasa revolver and cartridges, knife, keys without number, matches, wax candle, maps and charts, pocket compass, rubber cup, screw-driver, railroad guide and other articles sufficient to fill his | eta He bad advertising Cy a from newspapers, including one from the Daily Union and Adi ot Jane, 1 which was @ lengthy advertisoment of Dr. Hechinger, aurist and oculist, of this It is possib! that he may have suspected that the Doctor was doing a large d had plenty of cash. He may have taken fis advertisement as a memorandum to remind him to call some night and relicve him, or it may be that his sight or hearing was defective and he intended to week advice. THE MURDERER IN JAIL. From the moment that Wilson was placed in custody of Sheriff Chase, at Geneseo, it was apparent that he ‘was a most desperate villain, and unless closoly guarded he would escape, cost what it might, The walla of the old jail would have been but cobwebs to him but for bis shackles and the vigilance of bis ke He was con- fined in the hall, with a heavy shackle on his fect, rivet- ed to a stout chain, and this made fast to the floor. He was rarely alone, and constantly meditating escape. On one occasion he obtained a knife, whieh ho converted saw, and set ubout sawing loose his shackles. This he concealed in the bottom of a flag seat chair, It was suspected that he received it from a goung tae named Esther on a Holbrook, confi ia aud wrote her a note before bis execution, thanking her for her kindness, sending the pencil'with which he had arte use bss rg 4 r usion ero tae th © convict at the gallows, asw xeon 0 Foport, The knife did not serve him. His plot was known to some of his fellow prisoners, was revealed to tothe Sherif, andthe movement squelched. Ho had avowed his purpose, when he had removed his trons, to stand behind the door as the Shoriff or his son came in, assault him, kill him, and then go out atthe door, On another occasion obtained a knife and had ket. The Sheriff took: it from bi jolding him by the throat till he sur- He often said he would not be hanged, but finally censed to talk in that way, and declared that when he was hung they would a bl man— that is, one who had courage to die on the gallows, This proved to be truc. He utterly rofused spiritual advice during bis confinement, and spent the most of his time in reading els and writing a sort of biind sketch of his criminal career. He ate freely, gaiued in flesh and slept goundly in jail, His conversation was coarse, vulgar and profane, and he was as thoroughly calloused as a human being could well become, On Thursday night he retired at the usual time, and had a fair night's rest, On the mornng of the last day he did not eat his breakfast with his usual relish—indeed, he ate but a small part of that assigned him. It stood before him on the table when he was taken away for execution. Visitors went to the room up to a few moments before he leit It, and he conversed with them in Jocose way. He read a yellow covered novel, one of “Ned Buntline’s own series,” and remarked that he could not fineh that and two or three more which ho had by him. Some one suggested that he had better take the Bible. The wretch replied that he did not want it—that he preferred the book he had—the novel. Rev. Mr. Ivea, Chaplain of Auburn prison, called upon him, and they’ recogmized each other, Wilson havin served a term in the prison, though Mr. f. could not recall his name, He was rather kindly disposed toward Mr. Ives, and consented. that he might make a prayer at tho gallows, Ason of Burr Burton, who was shot at Syracuse by Wilson, also called upon him and talked te | with him about the aifair. Neither appeared to be greatly affected a the interview, Burton helped himself to some of wae tobacco, intimatiug that be would not have any use for it, While this was going on in the Jail, the people were Standiag without aie pelting storm of rain and wind waiting for admission to the execution, or to gateh a wight atthe prisoner when be should be conducted to the gallows, Owing to the arrangements of Sheriff Ci good order was preserved, and all went as smooth ly possible cousidering the narrow Jimits of the jail and its passages. THER GA An enclosure of rough boar was erected af the sideof the jail, This place was thirt two by sixteen feet, and contained the gallows and ac- commodations for tne witnesses to the execution. 1 ailows consisted of two uprght posts and a crows bean, tween which were the grooved rollers for the rope. An fron weight, weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, ‘was suspended so as to fall Sve feet to the ground, and jerk the culprit from his fectas he stood under the other ‘end of the rope, to Which the halter was attached. The apparatus wae A sitople but effective instrument for car fying into excoution the sentence of the law. Facing the gallows waa a tler of raised seats for spectators, where all could #ee the exeu.tion. GOING TO THE GALLOWws, At a quarter to two o'clock Sheriff Chase went to the isoner and told him that he must go to the gallows. le rose, had the cuffs put upon s hands, and with the shackles still upon his ankles we walked forward, the Sheriff holding him by one arm, while a deputy held the other, On reaching the front door of the jail the prisoner was bsited, according to a previous arrangement, to enable CT nage og | to take hie pie. ture, by a Ca) standing under & tree where the apectators were drawn up in a line behind a rope. The criminal discovered the camera Just a little too late, and turning said to the Sheriff, You son of a bitch, you wok my vhotograph—but vou woulda’t a’ got it if T ws. . With DYt a partial roof, have not the right man. I have an lace tutte t know who Eilled Piao you ain't got the man. A Voice—Mr. prisonér from his subject, and this paper that he was called upon to keep stitl, Sheriff Cuase—Gentlemen, keep cool and be quiet. ‘Wiisow (looking at Sherman eto) Te fellow wants to pitch in, I understand that or is charged with giving me the knife. For this Tam sorry, as she did not do it. We passed notes by a string and talked together for six weeks or so. I wrote with Esther, but she didn’t give me the knife, The sheriff afterwards told her not to speak to me, Chase thought she gave me the knife, Iam very sorry that he should mistrust her; she knew nothing about it. Sheriff Cuasx—I did at one time think Esther gave you the knife, But now I think differently, I now think that she did not. - - oe Wison—I'm glad to hear you say that, ‘cause I don't want her suspected when she is innocent. Perhaps some of yo 7 find out by the portographs who I am, but T doubt [t Tost damnably, That's all I have to say. have nothing against Mr. Chase or Mrs. Clase, so far as their treatment to me. Chase tried to make a show of me at onetime. Mr. Chase always used me well; I find no fault with his treatment or his feeding me. I believe that is all. No more now. ‘The Sheriff and his assistants then removed the hand- cuffs, pinioned the arms, adjusted the halter, put on the black cap, apd the culprit stood ready t launched into eternity. eared Here the man Sherman began to exhibit aome uneasi- nesa, which Wilson noticed, as he had kept his eye upon him, and Wilson remarked :— “That fellow wants to show off, I don’t believe he has the courage he pretends to.” Here some of the deputies stepped forward and bade Wilson goodby, and he expressed himself satisfied with pet Seen His counsel and the chaplain shook is hand. 7 Suxrivr—Wilson, you have but four minutes more to ve ‘Wrzos—I'm no ways particular about the time. It’s not much conéolation to me to be kept standing here in the oold three or four minutes, I had as lief go now as any,timo. enire—Ve yell, if that is your desire. up toa window of the jail where some Wilson look ladies were seated and smiled. The Sheriff drew the Diack cap over his fuce. He stood quite firm, thougn he appeared to be somewhat affected hy the cold. HERtrY—Wilson, your time 3 up, Wusox—Go g The weight dropped, and the miserable cniprit: raised from earth quite steadily into the air and hung about three feet from the ground. His form was but slightly convulsed aud he soon hung apparently motiouless. The neck was not dislocated, but the halter had taken a firm rasp and its deep indedtation goon, put an end to life ‘surgeons in attendance examined his pulse from time to time and soon reported that he was quite dead. 6 spectators awaited patiently for the annpunce- ment and all looked upon the scene without sympathetic emotions; When the dying man was so indiferent, 90 deflant, 0 callous, there was nothing to kindle sym- pathy fn any bosom. The body was cut down im thirty-seven minutes after ae and placed in an upright position upon the coffin which had been prepared to receive it, and there a photograph was taken, which was a very good likeness of the dead murderer. The culprit had gi a written order to the Sheriff to deliver his body to ggg Esq. of it as he ryt . He Mr. O. would sell itto the surgeons for dissection. Tt was immediately sent to Nunda, and probably is ore this in the disseoting room. WILSON'S IDENTITY. Wilson confessed that he bore a fictitious name, but said it was as good to be hung by asany other. He would not reveal his true name, or anything that would lead to his identification—not even to counsel, Mr. Olney. He disclosed to him much of his life, keeping the main secret, however. Mr. Ives remembered the man ! Auburn; thinks he ‘was thore for burglary, and he will no doubt be able to ascertain when he returns to the prison under what name he was there and for what . This may lend to bis complete identification, and the revelation of still more of his history. He wase man of about twenty-eight years Re ‘age, and of limited education. He could write tolera- rel et Boat but his orthogray was defective. He bad no nement, and it Ey jo that he had led a life of crime from early youth. He confessed to three murders, and intimated a ywledge of two or three others be- sides, THR DRVOR MURDER. Wilson it his counsel with the belief that he did not commit the Devoe murder, for which he was con- demned. He said that it was done by a?companion with ‘whom he once travelled and whom he called Ben, though he admitted that this was an assumed name. He sald that they travelled togethor committing crime. They, took nothing but cash, rofusing all else that came in their way, Wilson detailed the story of the murder of Mra. Lewis at Lancaster, Erie county, last fall, and said he dissolved partnership with ya then for his cowardice, He subsequently met bim at Nunda and looked over the Devoe —— Ben having got oe that piece of work. ‘was some days fore the murder. As it was Bon'sjob he did not interfere, and went away. Passing that way in a train on the day following the murder he got off at to see how matters looked, and was left by the train and subse- 5 sarees fyi He said that he had some time before vided cord with Ben, and that was the way they bown used the same Ce a This stuff—for we condor it nothing else—will find but little creditjwith an intelligent public. Bon is probably a myth. Wilson told Mr. Olney an hour or #o before his execution that if he could obtain @ fall pardon by the disclosure of the name of this party be would not take it on those terms. THE MURDER OF MRS. LEWIS. Wilson confessed to the murder of Mrs. Lowis, at Lancaster, in the fallof 1864. He says he went there with Ben, they having heard that the old lady had money in the house. It was agroed that Wilson should enter the house by a ladder which led to the roof of a low part, and Ben was to stand by the Iadder and drive back the girla, who were sleeping above, if they ran to give an \ ‘ison sald that he entered the chamber window and went to the rooms beiow and ran against « bird cage, making a noise. Mrs. Lewis heard the notae, arose, lighted a candle and looked about, Wilson dodged behind the doors to avold her, She appeared to be uneasy, and Wilson thought it best to make no fur. ther delay with the work. Hoe presented himself, and the lady Copan toxcream. Fearing the alarm, ho thought the noise of a pistol would cause less than her screams, he #eiaed ber by an arm and thus held her fast while blew out her brams. Meanwhile the young ladies hove were alarined, and Wilson heard them moving. le went out at the door and found them on the roof about to descend the ladder, and Ben was missing. Ho drove them back with threats of death, and one disap- peared, while the other entered the window. Uvat one fainted and fell, and he su some he fn down and ran off to arouse the neighbers. Ho foun skulking in the bushes, gave him a tec- ture ou bis cowardice, and both immediately teft the premises. Wilson says that ended the copartnership por a they sabsequeutly mot at Nunda, as be- fore stated, THE MURDER OF BURR AURTON. Soon after his conviction Wilson confessed to Mr. Oiney that he shot Barr Burton on the Sd of May Inet at syra- cuse. The Burton murder, it will be recollected, caused great eonsation-all over ‘the country, Wilson’ subes- quently wold the District Attorney of Onondagn county anda ron of Mr. Barton the story of the murder. He said that he went to the door of Mr. Barton's house, sup: powing that all had retired. te broke a pane of glass in the door to enable him to nnbelt it, Mr. B. being up, wout {nto the hall with a light to see what was the mat- ter, Wilson on Giading that he was discovered, and that he could do nothing, deliberately shot Mr. Burton through the door, out of sheer spite, because he bad failed in bie attempt to enter his house. He sald that he then left, and for a time looked about the streets of Syra cuse to Srid some one olse to shoot to gratify his spite at higeel? for bie failure These are samples of the offences of this wretch wrote a naryative of his adventures, which bis ¢ oript, tobe published, There ar of more murders in that etatement, crsor THe Late Gate 1 Borraro.—Tho gale of night wae more severe than has been experi d in this eity before for twenty-five years. The effect of the storm is vistble in ali parts of the city; but, prov) dentally, no serious mjtry was done to persons, Church towers, balustrades, chimnoys, roofs and smokestacks suffered severely, while several buildings in progress of construction were demolished ontirely, Many families were frightened from ther residences by the falling of brick and stones from adjoining buildings, and many peo ple were badly scarod.—Bufalo Commercial. Dec, 21. |. class of literature which is more popular, with the.publio NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 426, 1866. THEATRICAL, ‘The Decline of the Drama in America. TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRBRALD. {n an able article which lately appeared in your edi- tion you deduced very clearly from the fact that we have been and now are in the throes of a revolution, which affects matters of taste as well as matters of fact, the inference that the present condition of the fine arts and of letters must, in course of time, give place to one which shall vie with the Augustan era of any of the European monarchies. In a kindred article the question ef the demoralizing tendency of the drama as at present represented in this city was discuased,'and you very clearly pointed out the varied defects which contributed to make it at the present time more a corruption than a teacher of morality, The great reason why the drama is powerful for good or evil is the fact that it is the most popular of all recre- ‘ations. Under the guise of amusement good or bad principles can be more easily and permanently instilled {nto the mind of the auditor than by any other process. It may be doubted whether “‘the play’’ is not more popu- lar and gonerally liked than any distinct ¢lass of litera- ture, with the sole exception of newspaper literature, end it is undeniably more potent with the public—the great mass of the population—than what are, matheti- cally termed ‘‘the arta,’’ that those who have the @ivection oF ‘than the play, the drama and those who have charge of it should be subject, toa great extent, to the legitimate criticism of the press, Now, air, T contend that at the present time the drama, considered on the whole, is at a disgracefully low ebb in New York. The taste of the public—in al! ages natur- ally prone to degenerate—has been so fostered and en- couraged in its prurient course by unprincipled man- agers, that at last it has almost ceased to flow in ite legitimate channels, and has sought outlets which are thoroughly foreign to the character of those lessons which it should be the design of the drama to inculcate. The lofty poctry of what is called the “legitimate” drama has been supplanted by a spurious sentimentality which has been only too powerful im creating those hideous moral excrescences, ‘fast young ludies;"" while the representation of heroic deeds of good men and true have given place to that of the cowardly atrocities of Jack Sheppard, Clande Duval, and a variety of other Bowery pets. The evil of it is, bow- ever, that those arocities are referred to in terms of mawkish sentimentality, the sophistry of which is unfortunately above the detection of its audi- tors. What single phrase, for jngtange, se een completely subverstye of she whole balancé of moral ethiog Spee ibis Rr eater the mouth of ai actor:—‘Juck Sheppard may bea thief, but he nover told a lie!” Beginning, then, with the lowest class of theatres, at which the worst morality is adinittedly taught, T proceed to the examination of the class of amusement provided at more fashionably attended theatres, of which some. thing worthy of the city is expected. At present almost all the theatres are engaged in representing that kind of spectacle which has obtained the name of the material- istic drama. To criticise it, to use Johnson's words, would be but “wasting criticism upon unresisting imbe- cilty.'’ It is the triumph of the scene painter and the Property man, not of the autbor or the actor, It founds its claiin to public noties rather upon: its display of (eee awe effects than of real genius Or sterling por- raiture. Tt may be contended that the public likeft and it pays. Just so. The public frequently like ‘and pay tor ‘hi which are the roverse of decent and legitimate ; but t! fact does not condone the illegitimacy of the things themselves. It isthe duty of a theatrical manager, just asitisthe duty of a newspaper editor, to educate, and not to deprave, the public taste, and the individual who is placed in either of these responsible positions and neglects to use his power for good, forfeits his trust and his character to the public, How different this might be to what itis! Are our Amorican authors grown weary of writing to the order of money-grabbing managers, or are they pationtly,awaiting the dawn of that brilliant era for the stage which awaits + ? Shall we continue to have old Bu PI |, plays ig trey oq Er inal and elova- tng writing? Rather tet us believe tl ‘the materialistic drama has had its day, and that the 6, under good and judicious management, will not be found a jegrerd whon the predicted Angustan era dawns upon this vast contineat, KENWARD. Foreign Theatri Hengler's Cirque Varieto is crowded nightly ia Liver- pool, Ragiand, H. W. Cook, M. Clevori, Mr. Parish, Mr. Thorps, Mile. Roches and Madame Adams are well ro- ceived, The horse Chanticleer is introduced by Miss Louise Hengler. Messrs. Doughty, Barry, Abbott and Williams are the clowns. The Daughter of the Regiment has been withdrawn from the boards of the Prince's theatre, Manchester, England, and replaced by a three act drama named after NellGwyune. The ¢wo principal parta, Mistress Stew- ard and Nell Gwynne, are takon by the sisters Nelson. ‘Tho other leading characters are Mr. H. Haynes as King Charles I1., Mr, James Dixon as the Duke of Richmond, and Mr. K. Ward as Lord Buckhust. Samuel Pepys, the well known diarist, also figures prominently in the piece, andelicits clever acting on the part of Mr, Hudspeth. The plot isa very simple one, based on the attempt by the Dukes of Buckingham and Richmond, with some of the Puritans and Fifth Monarchy men, to wrest the throne from Charles. The documents ostablishing this treason are, through the instrumentality of Nell Gwynne, . destroyed, and she, at the same time, brings about the marriage of Mistress Steward and the Duke of Richmond. ‘The drama gives a painfully vivid picture of the corrupt courtof the “Merry Monarch.” Tue performances closed with the burlesque of Atalapta. Mile. Stella Colas, a French actress, who tately played Juliet at the Princesa’ theatre, London, bas been tho heroine of a very romantic and tragic history in St. Po- tersburg, Rusala, A young physician ‘of that city—M. Katalinsky—fell viotontly in love with the actress, and Offered her marriage, He was mot rejected at once, but time for consideration was asked, and after the expira- tion of that time a further dolay, and soon until four years had gone by, Mile. Stella dnding always some pre- text for delay. All these hindrauces only increased the Jove of the young doctor, who at last wrote to have a final answer to bis suit, This came in the ehape of a peremptory refusual, whereupon M. Katalinaky wrote s farewell ietter to Mile. Stella, tolling her that when sho received it he would be dead. Terrified at this, she seut in ali haste the editor of a French jouroa! published in St. Petersburg to remonstrate with her despairing lover, Ho was too late. After a fow minutes’ couversation M. Katalinsky fell dead in the arms of his visitor, The peo- ple of St. Petersburg have shown a rather strong feoling against Stella, and it is said that she will probably return to France shortly. It is not absolutely certain whether the doctor died of a broken heart or from poison. Anak, the giant, now exhibiting i@ London, has been up at the Bow street police office in rather unpleasant contrast with bis tailor, who summoned him for an as. Sault committed on him. M. Brijard, the tailor, stated that two and a half years ago, when Ansk was at Cremorne, he (complainant) bad made certaim articles for him, the bill for which had never been paid. On Mr. Brico's (the giant) reappearance in society M. Brijard called with his-litte bill at his houge, and, io reply to bis request, Anak setved lim by the. throat aad thrust him out, making use of the expression ‘Voleur'’ Tho dwarf who accompanies Anak, and who was prosent at the time, denied every one of these statements, and said that the unfortunate tailor was civilly requested to feave the house, as nothing was owing tohim. In presence of sueh conflicting evidence the presiding ovagistrate dis- inisded the enmmona, ‘The Queen's thoatre, Rdinburg, which was destroyed by fro in January last, with the loss of six lives, has been replaced by a handsome comrodious structure called the Theatre Royal, and it was opened on Saturday, December 2. There is seat room for two thousand two hundred persons. A dividing wall separates the audicnce from the stage, and the opening o the proscenium i¢ filled up by a great tron curtaia, (0 be unrolled after the performances of each evening. The stage is capable of being opened up to the depth of sixty-five feet. The Westminster play this year will bo the Trinum mus of Plautus, It will be performed on the 12th, 14th and 19th of December, tho prologi® aad epilogue the last two nighite. La Familie Benviton is still the rage at the Vaudevitle, Paris. At the Chitolet theatre, Paris, La Lanterne Magique, A review of tho events of the yoar 1866, ia twenty tableant, was to be produced at Christmas, This is the pieoe for which the “want of three hundred good looking girls”? was advartiand tarato im tha Paris payers The obvious inference from this, fact, therefare,ts, ‘The Chétolet has found thom, and there was a terrific rush to get places. At the Comédie Frangatse, Paris, there isa new plece by the brothers De Goncourt. The story is: a young man of eighteen goes to a bal masque, and gels fallen in love with by a matron, who not only has @ husband, but a daughter almost ag old as the youth whom her mother delights to honor with her affection. A duel fought is ‘about the eldor Iady, The daughter also falls in love with him, and with this pleasant little series of compli- cations the united family goes down to the seaside, where scandal talks so loudly about the affair that at last even the husband begins to think of it. Convinced of this error he dreams of revenge, and Aually gots 80 wild that he takes @ pistol, and, intending to shoot his wife, Kills bis innocent daughter, Mile, Marécbal, after whom the drama is named, " Mile, Leonide Leblanc, ‘an actress at the Vaudeville theatre, Paris, has formed a very extraordinary sort of “engagement” with the famous Eastero Prince Couza, if we are to believe the reports of the French and English newspapers. It appears that the agent of the Prince has entered into a formal contract with # Paris Rotary, according to which Mile, Leblanc engages to | Place herself for @ period of five years at the “disposi. ‘tion"* of the Prince; in exchange for which services she will, on her return to Paris, receive the sum of 500,000f., now deposited with the notary, together with the reai- once purchased im her name in the Boulevard has been revived at the Théatre des Variétés, Paris. La Biche aw Bois had beca removed ‘from the bills afer a glorious run. The theatre of the city of Angors, France, has beea destroyed by fire. The Emperor Napoleon, from’ bis private purse, bas allowed M. Martin, a dramatic author, a pension of 1,500 francs. An address of thanks has been presented to the Emperor by tho dramatic authors of Paris. The treatment which the members of the companies of the different Paris theatres receive at Compiegne when they go there to perform before Napoleon and his distin- guished visitors forms an inexhaustible subject for gossip in the “greon room’ and newspaper correspondence circles of Paris society. Ono person says that when the actors go to Compiegne they are of course treated en prince, The flunkies, he asserts, of the imperial estab lishment cannot get over the fact—disagrecable, of course, to theiraristorratic ideas—that the guesteare piay actors, and so they are familiarly attentive. One Brand dame of the Théatre Francais, persisting in a oe @ petite verre of old cognac, was Presa fb by Blnisns-o take Jt Come, jnak & Tidle—it wouly But 902” Well, you're @rong; for I know ‘t's , apd am sure you never get such at home,’’ This style rather offends the profeasional dignity of the actors, particularly whon assumed. on the subject of old cognac. When the porformers are about to leave for the imperial villa the costumes, properties, hairdressers, tirewomen, &c., leave Paris in the morning. The actors take the one o'clock train, and, arriving at three, dine, and then drive out and amuse themselves till dressing time, When the performance 1s ended the Chamberlain on duty, in the absence of Count Bacciochi, pays a visit to the actors, after having taken the orders of his Majesty, and eays:—‘‘The Emperor thanks the director and the artiats,:and pays bis complimenta to the author of the piece.’ ‘The members of one Paris theatre bave the privilege, when the représentation {s~ over, of entering the drawing room and paying ‘their respects to the Empbrof and Empress. Afterwards they have a supper to themiselvés, and then return to Paris by rait, and'ceach thoir respective homes about four o'clock, in carriages engaged to wait at the stafion. Neither the Grama nor the bull fight now suffices to amuse the people in some parts of Spain. Lately the Plaza de Toros, at Ubida, was the scene of an entirely new kind of representation. An elephant, numed Pi- zarro, fought bravely against two young bulls. Wounded im the trunk, he at first drew back, hesitated, then seiz- ing one of the bulls by the neck he sent it rotling away tike a Vail, and meanwhile~crustied the ribs of the other under big enormous feot. A very serious accident occurred lately in the Alex. ander theatre, St. Petersburg, during the performance of ‘Gorman operotta. Mile. Louise Ehlers, said to be one of the prettiost women of the company, was dancing the cachuoha, and, when near the footlighta, her gauze wkirts caught fire, and she was instantly enveloped in flames. MM, Lobe and Zimmerman rushed forward aod drew her into the slips, and at last extinguished her burning clothing. Tho curtain had been dropped, but the audience would not retire until assured by the direc. tor that the unfortunate artiste had been dangerousiy burned about the legs and arms, but there was reayon to , hopo the consequences would fot be fatal. The Mayor of onfleur, France, has issued notice that a competition is open for the plans and estimates of @ theatro in that town, in the Place des Anciens Fossts. The maximum sum to be expended is sixty thousand feancs, including all accessory expenditure, such aa decorations, gas fittings, architect's (ees, &c. ; the house to afford accommodation for six hundred spectators. Mr, Townsend, of Her Majesty's theatre, Ottawa, Canada West, has engaged Mr. Vining Bowers, the come- dian and manager of the Theatre Royal, Montreal, to appear in Ottawa for three nights, Mr. Townscod’s winter season will commence early iu January, and a guccession of stare will be brought out by bim. Two young Americans named Stacey, brothers, aro porforming legerdemain and necromancy at the theatre of Cloverman, om the Boulevard des Itatiens, Paris, «hers they are said to execute afl the tricks of the brothers Davenport, without laying claim to apy superaatural power, To Australia, at a late date, Miss Edith Palmerston hat returned to Melbourne aftet a successful professional tour through South Australia. Leab, the Foreaken, was oa tho boards of the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, Mrs. Robert Heir making a fine effect with the charactor of Leah, Mra, Gladstone played Dame Liza, and Mr. Greville, Ludwig. Treland as It Was was very popular at the Haymarket theatre, Melbourne; Mr, O'Neil was ex- cellent as Ragged Pat, and Mre. Alfred Phillips a good companion portrait as Judy O'Trot. The afterpiece was it that Glitters é# Not Gold, in which Br. Simmonds played Toby Twinkie. DIVERSIONS OF THR FRENCH COUR’ A burlesque called the Commentaires de Cwsar, writ- tea by the Marquis de Massa, has been played twice be- fore the French Court at Compiegne. Galignani's Mer tenger gives tho following description of the piece: — The tn the first act rey nts the Champ de Mara. i boco seller (Count de Solme) end a dealer in the little cakes called plarsirs (M. Louis Conneau) are talking of the review. Vivandtere (the Princes? de Metter. nich) also comes to see the military spectacle, “But who is to pase the troops in review?" asks Prudhomme. ‘Coear,” ia the reply. “What! the Cwsarof Roman history!’ The Vivandiere, in a well-turned couplet, ro jes in the affirmative, recites the principal everits of vesar'e life, and at last announces that the person age ert is Casar's successor and his histori. an. “But he will not come: he ts in villegiotura at Compierne.” “Oh! I shail Gnd bim out,” says the Vivandiere, looking eag She the is Majesty that s\ OR jim well, althongh concealed under the cos: tume of a gentieman he country, hospitably doing the honors of his how you are not Si well, then, you shalt f yourself, and, seated in yorr arm cliate, rious events and incident® of 1966 fil; going out to before you.’ All thia scene, which is exceedingly well written, was played by the Princess with extraordinary tact and vivacity, and the applause, for which the Fim ror. ond Empress gave the nal, was long and loud. Fhe marching pax of all the actuslitios. then bogins perwme wore as follows ° <The Marquise do Gallifot The dramat Industry: A vwandiere. | A conchman. 2 Cane Princess de Metternich Bongos en. -- f aoa ory Venee ' Countess de Pourta’s FRBCE.s0. ch. 40. i ee artatas Trouvitie, Bnghinds.c.. sce. Barthotony Deauvtile, The Africana w de Puy ATOWAGIOR ccos cs sos se ca Imperial M. Prudhomme. Baron Lambert Marchand de ¢900. . Robin des bots Count de Soitns ie ante | First comminsionnaire.....} om Putting. a oat Davittiors ceccvecercoeece Margtis de Cane L.Viscount d'Agna do ooM. A. Biount Boxman... Pirst idler. . Marquis de Las Mariemas An invalide. ,Genoral Mellinet A foot soldier. . Marquis de Gailifot Second commissionnair second idler. seas Prince de Reuss A volunteer. i Third idler, veee Viscount O'Bepéuities A MANOT. cece co io FY 4 A walter ; Viacount fo Fite Same Marchande de pinisir Louis Connea The aroat guccem of 7 waa for (ho Prinowae de i g | j i # BEE 3 Fi The beoonG representation took pl nite the same success as,on ; a vadiced to gay! the mage. ti sans, to the alr of rn the follow: composed dui day by @ captain of Grenadiers of the icra : on Monday even- occasion. the Vingt fots, ee soir, Ia France et I'Industrie Ont provoqué vos bravos chaleureux; Puts I’ Africaine et l'Angleterre amie Vous ont séduit dang lours cow, joyeuxs Beauté, talent, et graces indi ‘Ont su charmer et vos yeux 6t Yor copurs; in vos bravos, puisqu’elles sont unies, jue dans leura mains se partaggnt vos fleurs. It will have been seen by the list of. performers given above that Industry and France alluded to ubove were represented by the Marquise de Gallifet and the Countess de Pourtalés, Then came an allusion to the Princess de Metternich = Pour celle aussi qui, le eoir, deux fois femme, Nous a rendu la joyeuse Chanson, Et pour Lisette et pour la noble dame Je vous demande yne double moisson, path gaiet::, yérve, grace, Anessa, + De la Cirgnaon ont gagné te pres. Marg, Ontre nous, de ta oraife Je cease ~ Duand elie dit que l'esprit est francais. ~ Among the couplets most applauded may be cited that relating to the strike, and which seemed to make muok impression on the peror, At the moment when M. Prudhomme proposes to the coachman an engagemens- by the month, the latter replies:—Very willingly; omigr itis my husband who will drive you, for the strike finishes this evening, thanks to— Propsomme—Thanks to whom? ny To him who acts as I do, Prupaom ow, a8 you 10? Coacnmax—Yea, chan! 15 Slav WHE takes the reiae and drives the car of the State in the absence of the “- hman. ee ‘ = - ‘kopdouME—What, has he, by chatice, too, oe strike? " » Bot Coacaman—Oh, 00, midst aasuredly; quite the com trary. “Ce cocher-la, jour et nuit, ie vous jure, Du siége auguste oi le pouple !'a mis, Depuié seize ans salt bien, d'une main sire, Mover son char @t ¢es coursiers soumis { Des trop fougueux calmant Veffervesconce, Des trop craintifa corrigeunt les arrhts, Son char, enfin, c’est colui de la France, homin s'éppelio le Progriat"" The applause bere broke out from all sides, even with, out there Majesties giving the signal, THB OLAQUE IN PARIS. g Tho’ Tribunal of Commercé of Paris has'givéa fudg- mont io two actions, ia which M. Marc Fournier, direetar of the Porte St. Martin theatre, and M. Goudchon, ohie® of the claque at the same theatre, were in turns plait and defendant. In April, 1863, M. Goudehou became loader of the claque at the Porto St. Martin theatre, and at the same time made an advance to M. Fournier of forty thousand francs, now reduced to thirty-two thou- sand ve hundred francs, by the payment of seven thousand five hundred francs. This contract was re- nowed for three years and a balf in Decomber of the game yoar, when M. Fournier agreed to give M. Goud- choo daily, for the sum of ten thousand france a year, a oumber of ticketa representing fifty-four franos at the usual prices, and also made a verbal engagement te allow him eighty tickets dally for the admission of the claque, To May last, however, M. Fournier refused any thelr contract, and that the giving of them was ea immoral act which the law would not sanction. As Goudcbou persisted in claiming the tickets, the obtaining of which was i l ti mode for agreeing to ton thousand for the others, M. Fournier dectined to retain fils vicos, dismised him without paying the thirty: thou- saad five inndred francs, and engaged another leader of the claque. M. Goudchou, tn consequence, t the present action, demanding to be restored’ to “pe tions, of olse that the thirty-two thousand Gi francs should be at once repaid to him, without for the terms stipulated in the coatract, for the! which he also demanded twenty thousand francs: M. Fourntor be been by @ cross action to” payment of two thousand five hundred francs f or tickets dolivered to Goudehou and of ten thousand an damages for the inconvenience caused him by the latter’a conduct, After hearing counsel for both parties the Tribunal decided that the treaty in question, — im. moral, must be annulled, and at the same ti con- demaovd Gondchou to pay the two thousand five hundred francs claimed for tiokets, with costs. As to Goutiohoa’s demand for the immediate retura of the thirty-two thou- sand Gve hundred francs (since reduced to twentyaix thousand france by tbe payment of another instal the Tribunal gave judgment for the plaintiff, with costa, The demand for damages was rejected in both agtions. i Public Works in Italy. A RATEROAD THROUGH TAK ITALO-HBLVETION ALPS—STRAMSHIP LINK BRTWREN GENOA AMD NEW BVORK-—PROPOSED UNION OF THE MEDITRR- RANBAN AND RLVRR PO—A NEW RAILROAD ABD GREAT CANAL, RTO. {Florence (Oct. 17) ae of London Coeme- Besides 1 elections eanee grand projects general elections three are new ‘absorbing public atteation, not only in the capital but. throughout the country. The firstis the railway through the Ttato-Holvetion Alps, for which the three different passes jugen, Lukmanier and St. Gothard arc now being discussed. Que celebrated civil engineer, Paleocapa, favors the Lukmanier Pass as the speediest and easiest of exeou- Lion, while some foreign engineers favor the Splugen, and some others the St. Gothard. Paleocapa affirms that either we must adopt the Lukmanier Pass or give up the idea of the present generation over seeing the realization of the project. The Italian government bas been informed that 4 subsidy off Ofteen million francs will be giveo by Prussia, Baden and Wortemberg if the St thard Pass be adopted by Italy, The commission pointed by the governmen’ to study the question, several sittings, has adjournod to the 24th inet., final decision. The second project 1a the establishment of a line of steamers betwo now and America, for which a com- of American plication to the nment. The dpenmino, Naviont, orriere Ita lorence and Corriere Mercantile of Genoa spsalt highly in.tavor of the [nga cannot tell bow far the tions have gone. The new company proposes is bi-monthly between Genoa and New York, y between Genoa and Rio de la Pinta. The boats are to be mers of great speed and 2,000 tone capacity. Io their North American tripa they have te touch st Marseilles, Cadiz, Lisbon, Madeira the Ar n their South American ones at Bahia, Rie Janeiro, Montevideo and Buenos Ayres. The compaay will establish o fine of smalter boats, dostined vo ply hetween Palermo, Messina, Naplos and Genoa, in to aford thowe ports every facility: for profiting of the ‘be company will gratuitously aseume post vice between Italy and Tre Steamers wit carry the Italian colors, and in case of war— except againat the United States—the Italian govern. will have the right to seize them, on conditions to ablisbed hereafter. The ¢ :apany will also art, functionaries of the Italian government free and make a great rede°'lon im the carrying of ferent war matoriais, Lu exchange the com = (rom the government an annual subsidy of 800, , fo he paid in two rates at the expiration of overy ait months — Evidently these conditions are too liberal to be dwregarded. For my part I declare [ would rather vor an English company thao any one else. The third project 18 nothiny more than the conjunction of (he Moditerranean with the Vo, through the waters of some stream deacending from the Maritime Alpa— ommutium of the Mediterranean and Adrt- ap- {ter r few capitalists bas made all th namely, the atic. What a glorious wnion it would be! Formerly there were two simiar projects—one by Napoleon I, aud sbother by Michelotti. Engineer Chiapuect, ob Turin, aasociating thowe two projects, How proposes tl conjunetion of the Mediterfanean with the Po through the waters of the ¢ per valley of the Tanaro. His pro- ject (8 now under diernasion with the Town Counoil Turin. [wish Engiish capitalists would turn their atten- tion to this undertaking, which would wonderfully develop the commere!al resources of the valley of the Po. Among the minor projects T take the liberty to point out two which are now undergoing the bag of ime cubation, The Minister of Public Works has authorized A company of English capitalista to undertake studios for the construction of a railway to be tin betweem Parma and Guastatla, theace to Borgoforte; and trom Borgoforte to Pertara, The Minister of Agriculture aad Commerce has alan Authorized M, Manfredi to send in plans for the cutting which ts tofae through Piedmont to Ravenna Well, tt tnvet be confessed that if we have oo money we avo brains at least to cancoct olens