The New York Herald Newspaper, January 26, 1868, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR. No. (26 RELIGIOUS SERVICES TO-DAY. BLEECKER STREBT UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. Rav. Day K. Lan, on “Oxper or Crxarion.” Evening. CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR.—Ray. J. M. Portman, Morning. OHUROH OF THE ATONE MENT.—Coxurrrex OF Tax Ausawax Cuunow Sovirty. Evening. . CANAL STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCI.—Rey, Davip Mirouzt, on “AND rr Was Nicur.” Evening. CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH.—Sexmox on Tax "s Prayer. Evening. CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION.—Morning, after- ‘noon and evening. AL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.--Rxy. Jaurs 3B. Dunn, on **Rerxuseyrative Cuanacters,”” Evening. CHURCH OF THE STRANGERS, Hall of the Univer. sity, Washington square,—Rev. Da.” Dames, Morning and evening. CHURCH OF THE INCARNATION,—Rev. De. Tra. Evening. CHAPEL OF THE HOLY APOSTLES, Rutgers’ Col- lege. —Morning and evening. DODWORTH HALL.—Srimrrcatissic Socumrr. Morning, afternoon and eveing. FORTY.SECOND STREST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Rav. Dx, Scort, ox ‘A Maxvat or Preasuns.” Evening. FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.—Rev. Eantx. Morning and evening. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 19M STREET. — Rav. Tuowas A. Jaccar. Aflernoon, A. B. MORAVIAN PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CONGREGA- TION, at tue Hall in East Twenty-uiuth street.—Moroing MASONIC HALL.—Tue Association oF Srinirearists, Morning and eveuiy; PEOPLE'S MERTING, Sixth avenue.—“Tow 10 Save fue Countey som Exisnixe aNd lurexpixe Eviis.”” Evening. ST. TERESA'S CHUROH.—Kay. J. T. Hecums, on be yarism.’’ Evening, ST. LUKE'S CHURCH.—Rav. Dx. Moagan. Evening. SEVENTEENTH STREET M, E. CHURCH.—Rev. Wa. P. Compre. Morning and evening. 8T, ANN'S FREE CHURCH.—Rev, Dr. Gaciavprr. Morning and evening. TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH,—Rav. J. 8. Houws, D. D. Morning aad evening. TRINITY CHAPEL, West Twenty-fifih street.—Skruon an Musican SeRvice, Evening. UNIVERSITY, Washington square..-Bisuor Sxow, on “Tae Navure ap Location or tax Coming Kinuvom or Gop," Afternoon. UPPER CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION.—Afternoon. WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Forty-second street. ANMIVRESANY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL MishioNAlY AssOCLATION, Evening. ZION CHURCH CHAPEL, Third avenue.—Morning aud evening. New York, Sunday, January 26. 1860S. THA NEWS. EUROPE. By special telegram tnrough the Atlantic cable, dated im Paris yestorday, we learn the! ien cewspaper editors of that city were sentenced to pay heavy tines and each endure a term of imprisonment for having lished “illegal’’ reports of debates m the Corps Leg: f, ia violation of the constitution, The illegality consists in printing @ roport of a diecussion on the Army bill other thaa that given by the goveramenc stenograpler. By wpecial cable telegrams dated in St. Petorsburg yesterday we are informed that ail the newspapers of shat city ccealioteeks Mirenstst the maintenance of peace, One journal recommended Russia to set a good example for the other Powers by an immediate divarma- mont. ‘The news roport by the Atlantic cable is daled yesiars day, January 25. The Fenian excitemont still prevails in Eugland, and appears to be extending to the Channel istnds, the Shemff of Alderney having been arrested and held for trial for complicity with the organization. Reports of naval aid from the United Siates to Prusita im the event of war were current. Political riots had taken place in Prague. The Freneh government has proraal- gated the new Army bill in the provincial departments ‘The Londoa journals comment sov op the action of the American Congress relative to Fenianiam. Consuls, 927{ a 93 in London. Five twentier London and 77; in Frankfort. Cotton firm, with middling uplands at 74. a 77d Breadstafs aud provisions withou! marked cuauge. ABY#SINIA, By special telegram from Abyssinia, forwarded by way of London and through the Ailantic cable, we have advices dated at ~enafe, the next port of ihe British ad- vance to the inter! fier Zoulla, to the icth instant, General Napier bad not ordered » inovement, The cap. tives were in good health. The sincerity of the fr abip expressed by one of the Tigre chiefs for ihe Raghivh was doulted CONGRESS. The Sonate wae not in session yesierday, having on ¥riday adjourned over to Monday. ‘The House, mmediately after the reading of the jour- nal, went into Committee of the Whoie on the State of the Union f on the financial and reconatruction questions nees whate: or was traneacted THE Cliy Ata meeting of the Board © Aldermen yesterday » | resolution was adopted authorizieg the Presidants of the | to Boards of (he Conacil and the Committee of Finance of each Board to proceed to Albany for the purpose of watebing (he interests of the witr. The trustees of the ‘ooper Union pretented » fixancial exlibit for 1367, from which the receipt: appear io be over $59 960 ; penser, $° ). A proposition wae offered for removing the Loew bridge from Broadway as ap obstruction. Another proposition wae mage recommending that it be | erected un the corner of Tlirty-fourth street and | Fleveath aveune, bork of which went over wader the No busie rules, The tax levy wae persed through after str wing out the item uf $25,000 for siveet sprinkling, Vast eveuing the anniversney of the birth of Robert Burma was colebraied anch cle at @ banquet gaven by the Burns Club, al che Pacitic Hotel. Over a hundred persons » a Mo dinger. Mx Jobn Nichol. wom, President. o« i | toasts were mt the proposed And reipenued to, clings were divorsslied by taxny sections vou Pavlik iv anocber column & let of failures in this sity LOF the Lour Weeks ending January 6, whichfernibite aggregate lietilities of over egbr dollars, of wbich the arsats will cover about one-ioarth An interesizng compilation of rel gious intel cence will be found ap sue eleveus page of thie moroing's Hawa, he Mook MArKOt Was Strong end excied verierday, |ment secures Were Aroug. Gold clowed at arkels, Wik UL (OW exceptions, Were without activity, the traosectiony ip simon! articles being Confined to the actual wants of buyers, Values were generally unchanged. Groceries wero moderately active. Cotton again advanced {vo per tb, «clowing at 18 for middling. On ‘Change, in flour and wheat the busi war light, at fall prices. Corn deciined abou oats woren shade off, Pork closed bigher. Beef and lard were in Good demand and steady. Nava! utorese-Spiritn turpen- ane agaia advanced le, per gallos, while rosin wer un. obaaged. Petroleum was siow of sale and vy. Wreights were more astive and very Grm, Swine were dull and weavy at Tc, @ 70, per Ib, for common to orme. MISCELLANEOUS. ‘By apecie! ‘siegrams over the Cuba anble we are in eeceipt of mows from Hayti to the Sth inet. President Malanve was os Cape Maytion with « large force, and was Gemendiag reintorcements, It was asnounced that @ fight had taken pince om the frontier, and thet © large member kad deen killed on both sides, Wrom Grousda we leare that the Gay. | Hous designs upon Constantinople, ACR DE Reeves 50 Hat Lemciakics ig tabs medinls eucral debale, and speeches wore made | | | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 1868.—TRIPuK SHEET. action in reiation to the cable that is to connoet Florida, Nassau, N. P., St. Thomas, Barbados, Trinidad, Dema- rara and Brazil, An Kugtish Monitor had arrived at Kingston, Jamaica. An ordinance was proposed in the North Carolina Con- vention yesterday to the effect that the Convention has the right to declare null and void all Jams and acts, ex- cept those relating to marriage, of previous Conventions and Legislatures until the meeting of the next General Assembly, It was stated in the Georgia Convention yesterday that General sfeade had applied to General Grant for the loan of a sufficient amount of the funds sent by the State of Georgia to pay ite indebtedness to the government on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, to defray the ex- Denses of the Convention, and that Genera! Grant favors the proposition so far as his power extends, The members of tho Arkansas Reconstruction Con- vention yesterday voted themselves $8 per day and thirty cents mileage each way, Captain Augustus Depeyster, late Governor of the Saitors’ Snug Harbor, who has been missing since ‘Thursday last, was found yesterday drowned in a small creek near the Harbor, He formerly commanded the packet ship Roscius, of the Dramatic line, sailing be- tween this port and Liverpool, and was one of the oldest captains sailing out of this port. A resolution was introduced in the Quebec House of Assembly yesterday that Parliament should devise some measures to arrest the great emigration of the inhabi- tants of that province to the United States. The old meeting house in Newbury, Mass., erected in 1806, was burned yesterday morning. The bell was among the oldest in the country, having been cast in London in the year 1705. ‘ The bonded warehouses of Mattison & Cé., in Now Orleans, were destroyed by fire om Friday night, in- volving a loss of $200,000, Tne Rev. George W. Bush, of the Central Ohio Con- ference, committed suicide yosterday by hanging him- self, Mr, William D, Bishop, !t ts said, will be appointed Commissioner of Patents in place of Mr, Teaker. War Alarms in Kurope. It is only a few days since we expressed our opinion as to the probable consequences of the new French Army bill. Our worst fears promise to be realized quite as soon, if not sooner, than we had expected. Our latest tele- grams are far from reassuring as to the con- tinuance of peace on the European Continent. Provincial revolutions are announced as hav- ing broken out in Spain ; coups d’état are con- templated in Portugal; the Russian press criticises the French position and expresses defiance; the French press informs us that Russia is the only Power not now in harmony with the rest of Europe ; and, to crown the whole, France, it is reported, is about to nego- tiate an extraordinary loan of seven hundred and fifty millions of francs. There are two inferences which this exhibition of the case renders irresistible. The first is that the European Powers, one and all, are ina state of discontent and uncertainty compared to which war itself would be a positive relief. ‘The second is that in she event of present com- plications leading to war France and Russia, rather than France and Germany, will, with subordinate help on either side, appear as the great rival combatants. The present alarm, as we have said, is due mainly to the measures which France is adopt- ing to re-establish herself as the umpire of Eu- rope. We are not by any means satisfied that the Emperor Napoleon means war. He is far more ambitious of power in the councils of the nations than of victory on the battle field. War becomes probable only io those circumstances in which this power is persistently ignored by the other nations, The new Army bill places Napoleon as well as Fronce in a new and more favorable position. If the power now at the Emperor's commend is courteously and reapectfully acknowledged by the rest of Eu- rope, Napoleon is too much a man of modern ideas and too keenly alive to the follies of his uncle to allow war to form part of his pro- gramme. War will only be resorted to when the honor of France and the prestige of the Emperor reader it absolutely necessary. It is impossible, however, even while credit- ing Napoleod with the best and noblest inten- | tions, to refuse to admit that the European situation is critical in the extreme. There are littie diffienttie: Italy, in the Iberian penin- sula, on the German frontier, on the shores of the Baltic, in the Christian provinces of Turkey, any one of which may at any moment assume such proporiions as to precipitate war on the Contineut. But every one of these difiiculties is even now londly demanding solu- tion, If Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Prassia, Russia, gratefully accept the Emperor’s advice and follow it, all thinge will go on well and peacefully enough. But will the Emperor’s advice be so taken? The presumption is that | it will mot, French dictation has for the last fifteen years been carried so far that it has quite undone itself, Tue nations no longer tremble at the nod of the Jupiter of the Tui- leries. So long as France was surrounded on by numberless petty governments her immédiate neighbors had no choice but to obey. Now, however, that Italy has become a unit on the one hand and Germany a unit on the other—now, in fact, that the immediate neigh- bors of France have entirely changed their character and have grown ia strength as they have diminished in number—-the voice of France is naturally less powerful. France, of course, by the new army arrangements will be able to presenta more formidable front to the na- Hons; bui itis by mo means certain that the force she hes acquired from within will be sufficient compensation for the losses she has suvteined without, That French dlotation will may be taken for granted, but thet French dictation will be accepted and fol- lowed in lese likely than ever. [i is this which makes war @ probability in the early future. We do not feel that we would be justified in Making wuch of either the Italien or Iberian question. They do not necessarily, involve a European siruggle, nor do they necessarily tie up the bands of Napoleon. Ih js in the powgr of the Emperor so to arrange matters in both penipsulee as to convert both into sources of powerfil material help. The real difficaltles are to be soughs on the Rhine and on the Danube. The tendency of the South German Confederation is to draw the bonds of alliance closer with its sister in the North, A closer alliance than that which now oxists France will be ceriain to oppose. It is our opinion, however, that if the life of Count Ble mnarck, is spared the complete umification of all the German provinces will be so quietly and steadily effected that cause of war it will be impossible to find. Nothing but a fearful blunder on the one side or on the other will tarnish the occasion for war between France ond Prussia, We cannot speak in the same terms of the war cloud which is already loom- ing up portentously in the Kast. Russia has not forgotten the Crim wer; nor has Ge i me hem obedient ber cnet The $f Meling whith orw exiga pmong continue the Christian subjects of the Porte, both Greek and Slavonic, is entirely to her mind and will. She is, she persists in regarding herself, their natural pro‘ector, and nothing but defeat in another gigantic struggle will compel her to abandon her purpose re- garding them. Russia is already at fever heat. Nothing but stupid combination, of which France is the life and soul, hinders her from marching to her predestined end. Events are ripening in the East rapidly under Russian guidance and contro!. Russia, in truth, is re- vealing a disposition to precipitate events. French dictation, in regard to the affairs of the East generally and to the conduct of Russia in particular, is an immediate certainty. That Russia will resent such dictation is just as cer- tain. Neither Power is in a mood to yield. War, and war alone, can settle the question between them ; and war between these Powers will range Europe in two great hostile divi- sions. Theatrical Music. It is seldom that the voice of prophecy or warning has its value exemplified within such limit of time as will permit of its receiving due appreciation or acknowledgment; seldom, indeed, that the consequences foretold follow so rapidly and with such distinctive force as they have done in the case of our own remon- strances against the inoompetency of our. orchestras. We have on more than one occa- sion lately called attention to theatrical music, pointing out how and why the band was usually the worst feature in the theatre, and showing that, although the conductor may in many instances be worthy of blame, a large share of the fault most commonly lays at the door of the management. For technical reasons, which every musician understands, the orchestra of a theatre, to be a good one, must be considered in o more liveral spirit than is, perhaps, abso- lutely essential for other auxiliary depart- ments of the busiuess; and where tho man- ager, ignorant of music, ignores the advice of his leader and introduces his administrative power into the mystic circle he usually injures bis own interests and illustrates the old saying of penny wise and pound foolish. While censuring that which ifs bad and against the permanent welfare of the theatres, we desire only to speak in the public interest and as well wishers to all our city houses, and feel more pleasure in acknowl- edging and applauding the results of care and liberality than in condemning the failings altributable to parsimony. ‘“Paiman qui meruit Serat” is the compass that guides our criticisms. The instance that we allude to at the moment as showing tho realization of our fears and the truth of our warnings occurs in the new spectacle at Niblo’s Garden, and in speaking of this we would have it understood that we do not for a moment question the musical ability of the conductor at that theatre, nor are we in a position to state definitely that the blame we allot to that house is attributable to him alone, The “While Fawn” has been long time in preparation; artists have been brought from theatres both at home and abroad to fill the several parts, and in point of tact London and Paris bave been Inid under con- tribution for every department. Gorgeous dresses, beautiful soonery and relays of ballet are there in such profusion as is seldom found in any one theatre; but where is the music? The introduction alone is worthy of being heard. ‘or the rest it is undigni- fied, tuneless and totally without effect, ‘The songs are badly accompanied and the assistance the singers should receive from the wind instruments is wanting. If an oppor- tunity was ever found for musical display in sucha piece as the “White Fawn” it exists in the processioa that brings that play to a close, while the march that occurs in the earlier part of the piece affords room for grand orchestral effects, The final situation is so similar to one of the principal scenes in “L’Africaine’ that we presume it has been borrowed trom that opera, and for that admirable music was pro- vided by Meyerbeer himself. Had the music as well as the scene been taken, or had the march from the “Proppéte,” the “Druid’s March,” or some other work of melody and instrumentation been used, the prosperity of the piece would have been considerably facilitated, Many managers appear to think that, pro- vided their company is a good one or their stars attractive, the orchestra is altogether a second consideration ; but they make @ great mistake. The audience are pleased or dis- pleased with the gencral effect of the evening, and though few may take the trouble to ana- lyze their pleasure or discontent, those who do so have generally something to say on the score of the music. To cite an instance from the Old World, it was neither Grisi nor Mario that mnde Covent Garden the first Italian Opera House in the world. It was Costa and his band; and his with other cases might be named to show that while a good orchestra may save or make the reputation of a theatre, w bad one will sooner or later desiroy it. Tus Fasnions.—There is little novelty to record this month in the fashion line. The modistes ave reserving themselves for a grand coup d'éat im the spring, ond on opening day we may look out for o stariling pronuncia- miento trom the headquarters of fashion, The tolleta of this winter are very becoming, and it would be well for the Indies to exercise « little judgment in making any change In their dresses and cloaks on opening day. The bonnets still retain their microscopic dimen- slons and variety of ornamentation. There are some very rich and elegant colors, or rather shades of ordinary colors, to be seen on the Tohes of our leading belles. The unbe- coming Bismarck brown ia still worn, althqaugh to a limited extent. No lady of taste or refine- ment would select such a shade of brown for her toilet The styles which have been im- ported from Paris by our leading modistes have undergone 40 many modifications to suit the tastes of the metropolitan Indies that they may now be called American styles, Such independence of spirit on the part of our ladies is gratifying and suguss an esrly emanci- pation from the dictates of Paris modistes. A Parpasts Hir—Senator Doolittie’s star reply to Senator Nye, of Nevads, when asked whether he would march ander the “Old Glory” or the Stars and Bars. “I would marob,” sald Doolittle, “andor « fiag having thirty-seven stars!” Nye had to fall back un- der the shelter of bis Jacobian flag of only twenty-seven stars for protection, amid the Unushter nd anelonse of the gpllceian, Delmenico and the Sportmen’s Club—A Great | The Decay of Pulpit Infuence tn Ameri. think vigorously ; and morbid mental dyspepe Fuss About a Littl: Trout. Delmonico, the traditional caterer, of more importance to a dinner of state than the guests themselves, has fallen into a muddle with the New York Sportsmen’s Club, through the reve- lations of an editor of the Citizen, who most likely is not accustomed to trout, either in season or out of it The facts are curious. Some time since a breakfast to General Sheri- dan was given at Delmonico’s. It being no season for trout, and the gucats Wanting trout regardless of times and seasons, Delmonico’s “gubs”—for the king of caterers was not in the country—were at some pains to procure trout, thus exhibiting an enterprise which can- not be too highly commended to restaurant managers. Sheridan partook of trout out of season ; 60 did the guests in general; so did, no doubt, the editor of the Citizen, who, dis- cerning no difference in fish, ate thereof, and was not aware of the quality of the’ fish until after he had partaken. We are not informed ag to which editor of the paper was present. It might have been the dramatic ;-it might have been the psalm singer of the immortal weekly ; it might have been the sporting edi- tor ; it might have been him of the Sportsmen’s Club who was betrayed into gulping trout out of season—though certainly a member of the Club should have known his trout at sight. It might have been either of these or some other, for weekly journals are sometimes re- markable for the number and industry of their editors. It matters not. The deed was done, and it was enough. Remorse of conscience followed, demonstrating the editorial inca- pacity tor swallowing even so small a matter asa trout without compunclion of conscience and due apology to the animal swallowed. ‘The trout was defunct when it came into the hands of the cook, therefore there could be no complaining to Mr. Bergh, except on the ground of cruelty to those that ate it; the trout had been eaten and was half digested, therefore there could be no amend- ing of tho misdeed except with tartar emetic— an antidote not good to take after breakfast. The next best thing was done. The editor lodged « formal complaint with the New York Sportsmen’s Club; made affidavit that he had unwillingly eaten trout out of season, and that, too, at Delmonico’s; swore that the military digestion of the gallant Sheridan bad been compelled to digest trout out of season; averred that the guests in general had breakfasted on trout out of season, and prayed that legal proceedings might be instituted against Del- monico, not to compel him to take back the trout aud refund, but to compel him to furnish gratis a broakfust of (rout in soason by way of apology for what could not be mended. Iu this matter Delmonico has slyly outwitied his persecutors, who are likely to be done out of the longed-for trout breakfast as well as out of the suit for flagrant violation of the game laws. The smooth gentleman has, in axpress- ive phrase, proved “too mony” for them, and ina recent ‘eiter of apology declares that he was oul of the country at the time, that the poor trout eaten out of season has his warmest aympaihies, thut he himself belongs to the Southside Club, at Islip, and that the “sub” who did the trout to death and after it was dead has been duly reprimanded. The New York Sportsmen’s Club has been, therefore, advoitly flanked, and the breaktast of trout in season is lost. Meantime, we must advise Delmonico that the whole matter is wrong. [i is American to have trout at all seasons, and Americans ure a free people and will have their own way. The Czar of Russia used to import foreign fish in tubs of water and alive at all seasons ; and there is no reason why Delmoaico should not be the Czar of caterers—an autocrat in trout trade, serving them at what season he likes, Let Delmonico stand his ground, therefore, and decline to be done either legaily or illegally out of the coveted breakfast. Economy and Death. The recent car accident in Brooklyn, by which an aged lady was instantly killed, has gone into the past with the legal investi- gation which ierminated in the discharge of the driver of the street car. We shall hear no more about the affair, and the menes of the unfortunate victim must wan- der unavenged. But the evidence of the driver revealed some information rather alarm- ing io passengers on the Brooklyn City Ruil- road and pedestrians who may happen to cross the tracks in the viciniiy of the termini of the roads. It appears that the humane di- rectors of the company allow the drivers no time for meals except such few moment: as they may snatch at the end of the line by making “headway’’—that is, getting in a few minutes ahead of time; so that if there is no headway there is no food, for the driver is strictly forbidden to eat anything on the cars, Now, this headway is made by these poor hua- gry tellows—who are kept seventeen hours on the road—by driving the horees to their utmost trotting capacity for several blocks as they approach the terminus; and it was by this process that the Iady was slaughtered on Graham avenue. The driver swears that he had eaten no breakfast. He was therefore hur- rying for a chance of a mouthful at dinner time. The pressure was upon the horses, which were going at a full trot. The brakes were apparently inoperative, aud the unwary victim was trampled down by the animals and almost cut in twain by the car wheels. {t would be absurd jn sucb @ cave to Iny the whole blame upon tle driver, alihough to trifle with human life, even to appease an eager appetite, isa thing not to be pardoned. The blame lies most heavily upon the designers of that inhumag system which compels a man eithes to vine Y Igkor er to imperil the hs of his follow ditizens by driving at » ngeidus pace through a public thoroughfare, The directors cannot shield themselves from the charge of encouraging this fast driving— nay more, they are open to the accusation of commanding it; for it is impossible to expect that their employs can travel all day without food, and as long as they are ‘allowed ” no ! time to eat they will certainly make the time | at all risks; and who can reproach them? We are weary of calling apon the proper authorities to make an example of some tnil- road directors when disasters of thin kind oceur on their roads; but we think that in this instance, where the cause of the calamity is #0 directly traceable to the rules of the company, thelr regulations ought! to be sub- jected to a strict investigation to see if there be any others on the schedule as brutal as this one, enimated by « like infamous system of [ evoaomy, mink rexerda not busing bieod, ca—Some Hints to Our Clergymon. Every commercial community—in so far as it attends to religious matters at all—is natu- rally conservative and practical in its theories of religion. Nor is New York any exception to the workings of this principle, as is thoroughly manifest from the decay of Boston- isms in this city, especially within the last ten years, Notions of the genesis of things, vague theories upon very vague topics, queer quips about the relations of trinity and unity, which, borrowed from Boston, were formerly affected by metropolitan thinkers, have now gone out of date, or have been buried fossil- deep under the layers of vigorous practical thought which the present generation of New York thinkers has developed. Boston, which ten years since affected the lax and liberal, now affects the German in religious thought— borrows extensively from German rationalism, mysticism and criticism, and, with true Bos- tonian instinct, insists loudly that what it bor- rows and retails considerably diluted is of its own invention and quite original. With the exception of the clerical fraternity neither of these peculiarities of Boston thought has any currency in this elty ; and in making this ex- ception we are giving one reason for the decay of clerical influence here. Some years since the metaphysical was in vogue and popular. Fashionable people, not over fond of being reminded of their sins and selfishness, were exceedingly giad # the min- ister tound it convenient to talk about some- thing which nobody could understand, not even the talker himself, At that time, too, Theodore Parker, famous for philosophical ab- stractions, which were mostly abstracted from the German, was in the zenith of his reputa- tion. Now Ygrk copied the Parker cant about the “divinity in humanity,” the “absolute bu- man,” the “goodhood of physics” and the like; and as to the New Eagland pulpit, it was sim- ply a vast force pump, deluging Yankee con- gregations with Parker diluted in water and sweetened to taste. To these phrases the Yankees sniffed thoir huzzas, and matters got on swimmingly for a decade or more. The thought of the great mass has outgrown the stilted lunacies of that day—a fact of which clergymen seem to be utterly forgetful Pulpit influence is, therefore, on the wane; not because the people have no reverence for the pulpit per se, but because the pulpit has no sympathy with the people. At present, in religious wor- ship, the musical element is everything and thd sermon is of no earthly account; and yet cler- gymen will keep on retailing the same dreary, dunderheaded platitudes as formerly, which, because they mean nothing, are very easy to say. To the people these platitudes are no longer either morally or intellectually tgnic. Maudlin sentiment and maudlin transcendent- alism have goased to be effective. The popu- lar mind caunot at this day be fed with sha- dows. It demands something with blood and pulse tn it; and, instead of declaiming against the callousness of the public, it would be well for clergymen to set about amending their own stupidily. The clerical cant inust be dropped ; pulpit orators must stuff less from musty vol- umes and think more, or pulpit influence as a power in (he land is likety to be snuffed out altogether. We want no clerical cant; we want uo pa- rade of dead dogmatics. We want strong, healthy, vigorous thought trom the pulpit; and from the pulpit we must bave it, or we shall look elsewhere before buying. It is useless for the pulpit to affeet Delphic oracles, after the manner of Carlyle aud Emer- son, Any ran who bas clear ideas upon what he is talking about can and will express his ideas with precision and intelligibilily ; and ifany man be unable to express himsell intelli- gibly we can really see no especial propriety in his expressing himself at all. But the cleri- eal seer will say in defence of his unintelligi- biliiy :—* J aim a transvendentalist ; Lepeak of the things in posse as well ax of the things ix esse; Lam too profound to be comprehended, and am not, therefore, to be hampered with the ordinary motes of English; if I vaticinate at all I musi vaticinate in my own peculivr English, and va naie t must or perish with the excess of my inspiration.” Very well; vaticinate, Suck your thumb that is an evidence of profundity too protound tobe spoken, All we ask is that you vatici- aate in good Wurlish gr cease vatici gether. You may perish with the excess of your inspiration : but if you shouid we will see ating alto- | tics most of ‘aur clergymen are--men who mingle little with common humanity, under- stand little of its needs and temptations, and, wrapping themselves about with cloaks of fashion, wonder that the world will not listea to their prating. We say it deliberately, a new order of affairs must be inaugurated, or the influence of the pulpit is gone. In New England the people asa rule are in thought ahead of the pulpit; in New York the people have no sympathy with the morbid nothingness of pulpit talkers ; and in the West the tendency to speculative acepticiam, just beginning to crop out, is stronger than the whole army of clergymon throughout the Union. Everywhere the pulpit is inadequate to the wants of the people, and is likely 00 to remain until it studies the people and draws the inspiration of its thought from their needs, and not from Carlyle, Emersoa, Parker or theological dogmatics. The War in Abyssinina~Engiand on the Eve of Battle with Theodorus. By special telegram from | Abyssinia, for- warded by way of London and through the Atlantic cable, we were enabled to announce yesterday the important fact that the British expeditionary army, under command of Major General Napier, marching from the place of landing at Annesley Bay, had arrived in sight of the camp of King Theodorus, fixed in a poal- tion near to and most likely covering his pala- tial stronghold at Magdala. General Napier had thus, with that prompiness which charac- terized all his movements in India and China, narrowed the difficult question existing between Queen Victoria and the African potentate to a very simple point—the release of th» prison- ers, a complete indemnity, of course, »° battle. As our special despatch was dated at % la om the 14th inst. it is very probable th: ; result has been already obtained. The co: ‘ict may have taken place and the prisoners sed, or they may have been summarily exec: od even before the engagement commenced. As tho most important consequences will ensue from either event later advices from the seat of war in Africa will be looked for with great interest, King Theodorus is placed in a very difficult position. Surrounded with jealous and rebel chiefs, he is called on by the representative of one of the most powerful military nations in the world to do an act at the point of the sword to which he haughtily refused to accede through diplomacy or Christian suasion. Yielding or vanquished, his illus- trious ancestral claims, his dynasty, his reli- gious halo, discipline and self-denial avail him nothing, and he will have to endure the mortification and humiliation of bebolding his more docile countrymen subjugated and “put to work” universally, and the most’ ancicut Continent on earth fall gradually under the dominion of the plain maiter of fact, yet unsatisfied, masters of Hindostan. The glories of a thousand years of successful defiance to the warlike Mahommedans on the frontiors will have been dissipated and in his hands. Easy, good-natured people have imagined, indeed, that the very appearance of British troops in Abyssinia would have accomplished all this. It is prudent, however, not to ven- ture too far on theories and chances in calon- lating the consequences of this war. The English expedition to Abyssinia is « difficult undertaking, and the selection of such aman as Sir Robert Napier for its chief com- mand proves of itself that the difficulty was duly estimated by the auchovities, King Theo- dorus may endure a series of defeats in his mountain defiles, In such a war England can suffer the loss of only one battle. Tho under taking is not popular with the millions im Great Britain, 1¢ is known to them merely as the cause of an addition to the income tax, and | their inclinations prompt them rather to save tbat extra penny immediately and postpone the calpulation of the prospective profits of the war. The expression and tone of the most recent mail advices from England on this subject indi- cate pretty plainly to us that the country | would scarcely bear the publication of news ofa victory by Theodorus, and changes, politi- cal and social, of the most marked character” | might follow all over the United Kingdom } after the announcement. The ministers of the | Crown would be held directly responsible for lors or blunder by some very plain expres- sion of public feeling; so that it is of the utmost consequence, both to Queen Victoria { that you are decently buried, which is all a | and Earl Derby, that General Napier should transcendentalist has a right to expect, and | pe completely successful over her Majosty*s more than most of them get. But, to be serious--and we always like to be 80, if possible—the decadence of clerical influ- ence in New York city--a decadence of which clergymen themselves complain bitterly--ix largely due to thie same affected mouthing of the obscnve. Nine out of ten of all the sermons weekly delivered trom our pulpite are simply clever bii+ of circumlocution, thirty-six writien sheets of about and about and all the way round to nonsense and nothing. There is no directness, no earnestness, no intelligible meaning in them—no bold, manly thought for | people who think, no syiapathy with the human needs Of @ great commercial community, They are simply moral nothings decked about and sngar-couted with rhetorical fancies. The style of clerical composition needs praniog. It is too iudirect, too sinnows, toa wordy, too Alnir-ich. Pisin English is the tue rhetoric of the age, Idews in vutelells are what sre wanted from the pulpil, and the sooner & recognition of this faci is extended the hetier. The peopie have had enough of politics, scvctsl and moral alstractions from the srcred desk--enough and more than enough of the former especially. The Union square apostle lias by the logic of evenie heen cow- pelled to give place to pictorial travesties of Bunyan, ax the Plymouth aporiin, to gain » fresh lense, bas been compelted to eke oni his breath upon the shoulder of Dickens Henve- forth there musi be though! in the pulpit, or the people will not listes. They cannot be beguiled with twaddle ; they cannot be hood- winkod with vague generalities about univer sal freedom. They demand clergymen who think—thiok intelligibly and in sympathy with their needs. The day of pulpit sensations bas passed; we mast now have ® sound pulpit literature of nothing. Thus far our religious literatore hae been sensations!, ephemeral, contemptible. There has been a0 pabulum in it, and this fact furnishes » third and conola- sive reason for the fact that the pulpit io America has no adequate infuence upon American thought. Morbid \atellectual dys- grntion sangnt pe oxpecied either (9 feel or sable admirer from the very beginning. Whatever can be accomplished by twenty thousand brave soldiers, supplied with all the { modern appurtenances of war—whatever English “pluck,” endurance and good general- ship can do will be done, and the British im Abyssinia must, we think, rely more on these | then on the promises of African rebels or the expected exhaustion of Theodorus. In con- firmation of the acouracy of this view of the case, we oeed only refer to our special tele- gyam from Senate, published to-day, which informa ue that the hitherto avowed friendship of one of the great Tigre chiefs for the Ring- lish i# doubtful, Musical Publications. lk is not very credible to some of owe music publishers for the public to know their mode of transacting business in publishing either trash or pieces stolen from European composers. A music publisher has a businesa reputation to take care of, and he should not wacrifice it for the sake of immediate gain. When s young man comes to him with # com- position that is not worth even the manuscript, much less being engraved, the publisher should remember that the publication of such & ptece inflicts incalcalable injury ou his basi- ness reputation and i# an inenlt to hie cus tomers. The same may be said of any piece that ie stolen, note for pote, from an opera or other work and brought to tue publisher by the pilferer. The bargain is sometimes con- cluded in thie manner: The person who brings » piece of music for publication wilt tell the publisher that he can effoct the sale of one hundred copies among hie friends, and the publisher, although well aware of the character of the composition, consents to its pub§cation, 1 this be not © clear ease of humbugging the public end degrading art, then the trade of the individaal who exhibits a monkey with s fish's tail ae a Feejee mermaid, or a deformed negre a6 @ gorilla, is an honorable one, and mock suction shops should be incorporated by an got Of the Legislature. Wot qe bere « few i) a es