The Express. — London, England, 1853-12-31 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31, 1853. iL~L ! ~ . ~~~rp~a. kit interpreting their actions into words. Lord Al sleets has gesticulated panlomimically while the Tinar has stood by to explain his meaning. Prince MescuinuEr arrived at Constantinople on the 2Ath of February, and addressed his first Note to the SULTAN on the 16th of March; the Russian troops entered the Danubian provinces on the 2nd of July. In less than four months Russia passed from bullying threats to actual aggression. Since this completion of the outrage seven months have elapsed daring which the sole employment of Lord ABER DEEN and his colleagues hu been to barks questions in Parliament on Eastern affairs, or return evasive answers to them ; to fawn upon Russia and allow themselves to be entangled in aimless negotiations ; to despatch a fleet to the Levant regarding which it is still doubtful whether it was sent to assist Turkey or to secure a share of the spoil should Russia succeed in crushing it; to dissuade Turkey by flattery, and deter it by threats, from effectively resisting the aggression of Russia. While the English Cabinet has been thus engaged the Times has been zealously abetting them in its own way. At first it laboured indefatigably to disseminate a belief that the Turkish Empire was too effete and rotten to be kept any longer in existence, and should, therefore, be left to be swallowed up by Russia ; next, finding this view upset, it argued in favour of cutting up the Turkish Empire into a multiplicity of petty Sclavonic and Hellenic States, which it was obvious Russia would soon absorb ; subsequently, when the vigorous efforts of the Turks and the defeats sustained by the Russians on the Danube proved that the parties were not so unequally matched as had been represented, it affected to embrace the cause of Turkey, allowing, however, no opportunity to escape of representing (by the most daring perversions of fact) the people and government as barbarous, debauched, fanatical, and persecuting. Lord ABERDEEN and his colleagues have systematically acted in a manner suited to favour the attack of Russia and embarrass and fetter the defence of Turkey ; and while they have been acting thus, the Times has been unscrupulously and incessantly palliating Russian aggression, or ca lumniating the Turks in order to reconcile the public to the conduct of the English Gove;nment. These worthy colleagues in perfidy—the Peer and the Journal —have not succeeded in making the public believe that wrong is right ; but, by the artifi. cial delays of the one and the mendacity of the other, they have aided and encouraged the wrong doer, and rendered him more formidable, more bent on accomplishing his object, than he was at the beginning. They have so embroiled affairs, that an evil which might have been redressed at the outset by the mere assumption of a firm and dignified attitude of rebuke on the part if the Minister, and a little regard to common veracity and decency on the part of his organ in the press, may not now be rectified bat by a serious war,—a war which may spread till it involves the whole civilised world in its maddening and frightful vortex. Thus have these worthy col leagues contrived to render the year 1853 politically one of those upon which Englishmen will, in all future ages, look back with a sense of painful disgust and national humiliation. _ * - ./ItHESPONDENTS. 11.0 , 61 Nita* • • I .e zigesc" e °amain/ the some evening. .•,..aeser" is q:. sive, Isisday sad Friday atiht, m SIM* . - *a piaL is .!or 14pref*,* Landon Egemag pager. oboe t.e ftt lorl.lt I. beuveti&strebt, by Two es tee day of ost.. HIGH V • ER AT LONDON BRIDGE. fm• - . Afternoon, 212. "r. =s•roxwa —) .4, Ili. 13s Attersous, 31t. Cam. LONDON, sATURD.II, DECEMBER 31. " BRAVO. .10-ti.h! moral to the last! " exclaims Sir ()lire r as the battled and exposed hypo crite, his ride, in phew, leaves the /MOO with the declaration that I goes to do a good action. " Moral to the last !" • European public may, in like manner, exolai i. now that the curtain is about to drop on the Is day of 1853, on the hhallow and specious dipio , lots of Western Europe. In the latest cotnniur 'ion of the French and English Ministers at ( •tuntinople to the Porte that has reached this trier of the globe, the Turkish Government is Avely assured that the presence of the Anglo-Fro tleet in the Bosphorus " has a political signih , on ;" and that "itis a moral sup port as long as ere remains a hope of effecting a reconciliation b wetn the adverse Powers." What thethephrase"po ic:tl signification" is intended toe:. press it would t and tosay,for anything more utterly unmeaning that t he despatch of ships of war to the Bosphorus to th , nothing cannot be imagined. And henceforth the ~.rase " moral support," as used by the French alto Eiglibh Ambassadors, will be un derstood by t forks to mean " helping your enemy." MIL .tt provocation the Russians have taken possr.t.iet. oi two provinces belonging to the SULTAN. The (i•ivernments of France and England ... have declared ti is to be a cams belli. Nevertheless the SULTAN, in deference to these allies, abides the re sult of tedious st.d unmeaning negotiations until they themselves !Kiwi that Russia hu been playing upon their credulity, and has no sincere intention to make restitution. 'lle SULTAN thereupon proceeds to drive the invaders from his dominions. A combined French and English fleet is despatched to the Boa- phorus. France and England, however, again fall to negotiation. haling obtained (as their Governments aver) a.selemn promise from the CZAR not to attack the Turkish territory till negotiation is at an end. Mean while the Itussiatis are attempting to cross the Turk- lab frontier in Asia, and the Turks making counter attempts to invade the Russian territory, It there fore becomes necessary that the Turkish Government should send supplies of warlike stores to that fron tier. Thereupon Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE sad M. BAR ‘OI'AY D'HILLIERS (we quote from an abstract of their joint note, received from an authen tic source, which we this day publith) earnestly urge the SULTAN nut to allow any of his ships to enter the Black Sea. It may be all true what they repre sent themes lye • to have said, that there was "a defec tive niat:riel" in the Turkish fleet ; that " the crews were uo tier the sontingent required in time of war ;" that " the adverse chances of the Black Sea at this season, and the possibility of an encounter with an enemy of superior force " were to be talon into consideration. The simple and unanswerable reply to these averments, be they true or untrue, was that everything must be risked to keep the armies on the Armenian frontier properly applied with an.nautition and other military stores, is order that they might be able to make good their ground against the Russians. While it may be =n eeded on the one hand to Lord STRATFORD DE RED- Currs and M. BAE.AGUAT nelittuvas, that in the present state of affoirs they were not absolutely bound to give convoy to Turkish transports, they cannot deny on the other that it was absolutely necessary for the Turkish Government to despatch them; and that if it has been in consequence of their representations that the main force of the Ottoman fleet remain e d at anchor in the Bosphorus, and that rely a weak convoy was sent with the transports, they have incurred a fearful responsibility. Bat more than this : these egregious diplomatists state that "should Russia attempt to land a force on the Boo phortio, of at any other point of the Turkish coasts, the combined fleets will then be required to act and eater immediately the Black Sea, if necessary, to protect the territory as well as the integrity of the empire." This is a mean and shameful evasion and paltering with words. If France and England are bound to protect the sea-board territory of the Turks from the Russians, it matters not whether the Rus sian attacks are made by landing forces, or by bom barding and destroying towns and villages from the OIL Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE and M. RARAGUAT D'IIILLIERB, in restricting their obliga tion to land and to a case of landing, are quib bling and attempting to limit the real responsibility of their governments. Any authority on the law of rations will tell them that to attack vessels is the harbours of a neutral power, under the guns of its forts, is a violation of neutral territory. Con sequently, Russia being pledged to abstain from attacks upon the Turkish territory, that pledge was broken when a Russian fleet attacked and destroyed vessels in a Turkish harbour, under the guns of a Turkish fort. By that act alone the Turkish territory was assailed, and the right of the Turkish Govern ment to call upon the French and English fleets in the Bosphorus for aid established. But the Rus sians have not merely destroyed vessels in the Turk. ish waters, they have burned a Turkish town, and massacred the inhabitants, or driven them to seek refuge in the mountains. And yet the French and English fleets in the Bosphorus remain inactive; and this Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE and M. BARA OUAT D'HILLIERB cull affording "moral support to Turkey." Political signification! Yes, such conduct signifies to the Russians that France and England will connive at all their aggressions. " Moral support !" Yes, of the true Surface school. It is not however with Lord STRATFORD DE RED curve and M. BARAGUAT u'Httuitas we have to _ _ _ reckon for thus disgracing the Union Jack and the Now, at its close, we can say that, in spite of some Tricolor, while amicably waving side by side on a drawbacks, the year 1853 has rather surpassed than scene of action where the future destinies of Europe fallen below expectations. Nor have these drawbacks may be decided ; it is with the Governments of been trifling oues. Through a large part of the year which they are the mere tool, or instruments. The imports and exports, manufactures and banking, have French ruler may be left to his own people, whop been disturbed and disquieted by the iniquitous pro are nut apt to be over-patient under anything that ccedings of the Czar. His conduct has stopped trade tarnishes, or seems to tarnish, the national honour. I and alarmed some persons, while the nations of the Lord ABERDEEN must account to the people of west arc suffering from a bad harvest for the means Englund far his conduct, and the day of reckoning of subsistence. draws nigh. 'The question of national honour may Some similar effects, though in a smaller degree, be !review( I. ittlim Ilut.t. is less acutely sensitive resulted from the ill-timed &themes of our own Chun to app. .ti MINA a..d nit.ttel aof etiquette than some cellor of the Exchequer in relation to reducau4 the of his 111 i4; , botirs. But the morel guilt incurred by national debt. They have alternately made money the MIER, through his trimming, equivocating , `unduly plentiful and unduly scarce, and have ibtro isadteim d tergiversatione on the Eastern question, is I duced irregularities into the market which have d's matter that brooks no delay. A war—ot which ! quieted and disturbed the regular course of trade. In no one can foresee how wide the sphere it may em- like manner the loans of Austria, the undue stimulus brace in its devsstatios, to what political revolutions given to consumption by the French Emperor, the or rise and fall of empires it may give rise, or how Ion; i late withdrawal of gold by the Czar, have all had a may endure,hangsovrrus. And this war might have , disturbing influence over trade; and, except the nbo tin prevented—nipped in the bud—by the exercise oft lition of the soap duties, the reduction of the tea little common firmness, a little common honesty, a duties, and one or two other beneficial changes in !it Cc earnroon sense or •he raft of Lord A EI!..I:DEEN r taxation, the trade of 1853 has been rather deranged and has instrument, the T'inies. It is impossible I and impeded than protected and promoted by political in this matter to sepal ate the peer and the jouinal ; action. the TOne . s has been to Lord ABERDEEN what the I We are inclined to include the alterations in the Owes is old tragedy was to the adore s the medium Bank rate of discount to some extent amongst the political causes of disturbance. The opinion was promulgated early in the year that the trade with Australia was overdone, though it has continued ex- tensive, thriving, and safe to the close of the year; that great disasters were impending; and that the Bank must, for its own safety and the good of the public, place its screw on the honest traffic of the \people. Admitting to the fullest extent the right of the Bank, monopolist though it be, and keeper though it be of the public' money, to use all its re sources for its own advantage, we cannot sanction its use of them, from political motives and political re commendations, to regulate or influence the trade of the country. Commercial motives are always private good—the good of the trade—political motives have reference to the public welfare ; and when the Bank pretends to guide its conduct by views of the , public welfare it leaves the sphere of commerce and dabbles with politics. For the seasons to be more or less productive is in the course of nature, but the harvest of 1863, consi- A slight &Ale in the price of meat took place towards October, which may to a small degree have affected the agricultural interest; but the price of their produce has in general risen fully, or even mere than commensurate to its deficiency, the general well-being of the people having caused a great in crease of consumption. While other interests pros pered, all the interests connected with the land have steadily flourished, and, in spite of bad seasons, have been more generally successful and contented than at any previous period since 1814. In every part of the country, including Ireland, improved cultivation is extending; more land is effectually drained; and, while the wages of agricultural labourers have been increased fully one-third, farmers profits have increased, and rent has not declined. Ex cept as some farmers and graziers are traders in the narrow meaning of the term, and accordingly discount bills to carry on the buying operations, the landed interest is not affected like the manufacturing and commercial interest by the rise in the rate of money. It could not be borrowed for long periods at a lower rate than 4 per cent., be fore the beginning of the year; it may be borrowed mow at something more than that on good landed security. Except, as just mentioned, the interest has not suffered or been impeded in its operations by that Imam in the value of money, which cripples, to owe extent, all business carried on by the help of credit. The shocks of the money market reach it, diminished by passing through the manufacturing and commercial interest, and if it do net like these sometimes make money almost faster than money can be counted it has enjoyed from their success an equable and steady prosperity. We need not advert in detail to the continued in crease of our imports and exports, which we have laid monthly before our readers, and of which in a day or two we shall have the accounts of another month. We can so far forestall them as to say that dering the extent of ground under cereal crops throughout Europe, and the general failure, has been one of the least productive known for , many years. United by exchange, as all nations now are, we have actually suffered more by the failure of the harvest on the Continent than at home, and a rapid and extensive rise in the price of wheat since the failure of the continental harvest became known in July, has carried it at the close of the year to 735. per quarter. For the gene ral scarcity of food which already affects all classes and checks business, trade is in no degree to blame ; it has distributed in the most beneficial manner all the corn that has been produced; but almost everywhere throughout Europe political restrictions have im peded the production of food, while the proceedings of the Czar in the east, and the Emperor in the west, and of some other potentates, have interfered un. wisely with its distribution. In spite of these unto ward circumstances England enjoys an ample supply, the imports of corn will be great in the last two months of the year. The total number of quarters of grain of all kinds, and of flour as grain, imported to Nov. 5 was in 1852, 6,427,086, and 1853, 8,755,392. Between Nov. 5 and Dec. 14, the date of the latest return, the imports in 1853 were—grain of all kinds, 870,588 qrs.; and in the same period of 1852, 621,926. The total imports of grain, therefore, in 1852 to date, were 7,049,012 qrs. ; and in 1853, 9,625,980 qrs., or an increase in 1853 of 2,576,968 above the imports of 1852. Of tea the total imports to Dec. 16 were in 1852, 47,096,0001b'. ; in 1853, 50,991,0001b5. To the same date duty has been paid this year on 42,111,8211b5. ; and in 1852, on 40,167,8861 be. The total consumption this year is estimated at 57,800,0001b5., against 55,000,0001 a. in 1852. Of sugar the imports to Dec. 23 in 1853 have amounted to 370,000 tons, against 380,731 tons in 1832 ; but the consumption in 1853 has been 375,000 tons, against 360,181 tons in 1852 ; showing a greater increase in consumption than imports. Of coffee the imports to the same date has been in 1853, 24,900 tone; in 1852, 24,261 ; and the con sumption in 1853, 16,800 tons, against 15,644 tons in 1852. Similar facts are true of a great variety of other imports eoually important, but cotton, from various causes, chiefly the lateness and scantiness of the harvest of 1853, come forward as yet in mush smaller quantities than in 1852. There is reason to believe also that the value of our exports in 1833, which to Nov. 5 exceeded the value in 1852 by 13,908,6511., has continued to increase in the last two months, and at the end of the year will show at aggregate increase of 16,000,0001. It has been already shown by the increased value of money con tinned to this day—a high rate of interest being always paid out of profit—that our extended busi ness has been profitable. In proportion to its extent all classes, we believe, have been enriched by it. The carrying interest the steam locomotive on land, and the steam and sailing ship, have this year had an unprecedented quantity of goods to carry, and at the end of the year freights, to which we confine our remarks, are at least 40 per cent. higher, in some cases even 100 per cent. higher, than at its commencement. Nobody grudges the shipowners their prosperity. If their exertions to improve navigation have not been greater than the exertions of the farmers to improve agricul ture, and of the manufacturers to improve weaving, spinning, and dyeing, at least they have been more conspicuous, and have been attended with more splendid results. When Captain Bligh was sent out to Otaheite at the close of the last century on a special mission, in one of her Majesty's ships, he was ten months on her voyage; but we have lately had several examples of the globe being circumnavigated in las than six. Australia has been reached in 65 days. The extreme parts of the earth have been brought, by the skill of our seamen, within two months' sail or steam of England. Well do they, like the other industrious classes, deserve all that they have gained. How many of the existing steam packet compa nies may have come into existence in 1843 or gone out of existence we do not inquire; but there are at present no less than 16 such companies, with offices in London, sending steam vessels regularly and con tinually to various parts of the world. At Liverpool last week there were 21 steamers loading for ports over sea. At all the shipbuilding places great exertions have been made to keep pace with the requirements of the age and the increase of iron ves sels in building, of which we have almost a monopoly, has been very large. The great increase in the rate of freights is at the same time a proof that the in crease in the number and size of our ships in their speed and in the arts of navigation has not been one atom too much, and that the exertions of our shipowners, shipbuilders, and shipmasters have found an appropriate reward. Though the year has fulfilled expectations and brought an increase of busine,.-s and an accession of wealth to nearly all, we cannot say that it bequeaths each a bright prospect to its successor as it received from 1852. The mad ambition of a despot now threatens us with war. The price of corn nearly 60 per cent. higher than at the close of 1852, and the supply not so certain as then, is an unfavourable symptom. But all other articles we may say are at the close of the year in a good position both for dealers and consumers. The price generally is not high, the stocks are not over abundant, and the markets are all firm and hopeful. Between the corn and other markets there is always a sort of conflict, and they look up as corn looks down, the sale of things less essential than bread being diminished in proportion as bread is dear. It is rather of an unfavourable augury that the price of corn is high, and is likely to be higher. Our domestic dissensions art' not at an end. The great stirnuluv of larg., scald th4eovi tits has become less, and the trade with A u-I rulta is mote steady and certain, but not so Till more wealth accumulates in the confers of the Hank aid of private money-lenders than there is a demand tor, the rate of discount is not likely to decline, and the avowed de'ermination of politicians to keep speculation in check was not made nor supposed to be necessary at the close of 1852. Hope was more lively then than now, but it may turn out that the necessity for exer tion to meet the deficiencies of the harvest, and to make up for the waste and destruction of strikes and combinations, may give a great stimulus to industry and skill, may call into existence new inventions, and make 1854 even more prosperous than 1853. All other causes of national progress compared to skilful industry aro ru dust in the balance l and if that ba though the price is high, and it is kept higher than it ought to be by an unwise duty. For men to be more or less unruly, ignorant, and obstinate, is also in the course of nature; and the combinations of workmen and masters, " strikes," and, "lock-outs," though great and unexpected, because ' suicidal blows to our prosperity, may be deplored like the failure of the harvest, but cannot be remedied. If the dispute between masters and men were to be at an end to-morrow, it has done great mischief which cannot be undone. Its effects in checking production, consumption, and all business, is not to be doubted, and must be taken into consideration in comparing the fruition at the end of 1853 with the sunny hopes which prevailed at its commencement. 'life first check trade received in the year came from the Bank of England. Before the first eight days had elapsed it raised the rate of interest from 2 to 21; before the month was at an end it raised the rate to 3, in five months to 31, in the beginning of September to 4, and on October the Ist to 5 per cent. Such a straitened condition of the mosey market hampered and circumscribed operations, but it was not followed by any convulsion. So rapid and great a rise in the rate of interest is unknown in modern times, except in periods of disastrous panic, and that not a single bankruptcy of any importance bas ensued from this cause is an undeniable testimony to the increased care with which trade has been carried on as it has become free and extended. The total declared value of our exports in 1847 was 69,000,0001., in the present year it will not be lees, if it be not more, than 90,000,0001., an increase, as eiwapared to that year of much overtrading and awning bankruptcy, of upwards of 52 per cent. In the resent year, while there has been in the increased who of money a cause of difficulty which did not then occur till the hollowness of business had been proved, the very extension of commerce, and its more minute distribution amongst many persons, has kept it within reasonable bounds. The blow then given to the credit of a few great houses has since made money dealers more cautious, and the multitude of small houses, amongst which the business of the few broken up giants of 1847 was divided, none of which can make overweening claims to confidence, and the transactions of which are closely scrutinised, has increased the safety of business. Extensive compe tition has enured this in 1853, though the Bank monopoly failed to accomplish it, if it did not accele rate disaster in 1847. According to the common theory, there was no good ground for this rise in the value of money. Gold came continually into the country in 1853 as in 1852. From Australia till July there was shipped in 1853, 1,313,959 ounces of gold; and in 1852, 939,284 ounces. The greater part of all that was shipped came to England, and since July we know that not much less than 300,000 ounces have been shipped, and principally have come hither. If a little more gold has gone out than has come in, there has never been in the year less than 15,000,0001. bullion in the vaults of the Bank. Money there fore, should have been cheap, and it has been dear. In fact, large profits were made in business, and men could afford to give a high rate of Interest for the use of money, and they gave it. Such a rate continued to this time, without being followed by any commercial disaaters, is a proof that trade has been very profitable, as well as extensive. There is no joint-stock bank which has not divided more than 6 per cent. on its paid-up capital; the Bank of Eng land and some other banks have divided 8 per cent., and probably will divide more the next half-year, so that the money interest, if it has squeezed other interests, has throughout the year been prosperous, because the profit on business generally has been great. Amongit some classes there must be a great accumulation of capital, and the monied classes are not without their share. Another check to business came gradually into operation in 1853, with the gradual rise in the price of provisions. As wheat rose from 465. to 735. per quarter, or the quartern loaf from 7d. to lid., the great multitude whose chief subsistence is bread, found the purchasing power of their wages diminish, and they had less money to spare for clothing and the few luxuries they enjoy. Nevertheless, only a slight check was felt to the progress of our maim factures before the strike commenced. For the foreign markets the demand continued, and the necessity of purchasing a larger quantity of corn, at higher prices than before, ensures the continuance of the foreign demand. The very last accounts we have of the exports show a continued increase, and the diminution of consump tion, consequently, which has enabled the manufac turers to stop their mills, or run short time with ad. vantage, is unfortunately in the main due to the diminished consumption of the lower and middle classes of townspeople. The rise in the price of corn has been accompanied by a rise in the price of other things, thong', it is cot perhaps so great as might have been ..pected. Thus while wheat has risen nearly 60 per cent., potatoes have risen about 25 per cent., butter about 16, meat not more than 12, timber about 17, coals about 70, and cot'on about 10 per cent. Some kinds, however, are lower in price than at the beginning of the year, so is sugar, wool, and some other things. There has been no general rise, however, to make us suppose that the new gold has yet much affeted the value of all the gold in circulation. The rise which has taken place is more clearly to be traced to thedeficiency of the supply of the article than to the influence of the new gold on the value of the currency. great, be the harvests what they may, come war or not, be money cheap or dear, the people will thrive. It is delightful to know that America and Australia, the prosperity of which has so much helped forward our prosperity in 1853, are likely to increase in prosperity very much in 1834. In their progress we shall again largely partioipate, and it may make 1854, notwithstanding the clouds that hang around its dawn, even more prosperous before its close than 1853. Highways, Ireland. Glanders Prevention. New Trials, Criminal Coma. Judges Exclusion. Seamen Savings Bank!. Burial Grounds. Juvenile Mendicancy. Cruelty to Animals. Payment of Wages. Friendly B , eietier, 2 . Sale and Purchase of Land. Tenant Hight, Ireland. Transfer of Land, Ireland. Many of these " murdered innocents" we may hope to see revived in the coming session of 1t 4 51, and made law of the land. OF WAR BUILDING FOR RUSSIA, The following extract from the Glasgow North British Daily Mail goes to verify our statement about the preparation in England of War Steamers for the Czar. This paragraph from our Scottish con temporary intimates that " machinery " for certain war steamers is being completed on the Clyde--the bulls being in preparation apparently elsewhere:— "We understand that an official letter from Lord Palmerston, as Secretary for the Home Department, has been received this week by the civic authoriti,s of Glasgow, requesting to know particulars respe c t. in g some war steamers which his lordship W 43 informed were building on the Clyde for the Emperor of Russia. His lordship has, we believe, been ulisi e . formed on the subject, as there are no ships building here for the Czar ; but there are at present being constructed two pairs of powerful first class mar i ne engines and machinery for war steamers, by one of our first engineers, who is under contract to have them at Cronstadt in April, and to fit them up in the vessels there by his own workmen. Although there are no ships building here for the Autocrat, we have reason to believe that his lordship may learn some thing on the subject if he institutes inquiries on the banks of the Tyne or Wear." Vte Court. - •••• - • WINDSOR, DEC. 30. The dinner party yesterday incluied the Duchess of Kent, Earl and Countess Granville, :Lont and Lady John Russell, the Lady in Waiting to the Duchess of Kent, and Lord Raglan. The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards attended in the Castle during dinner, and performed the hollowing com positions : Merech Triomphate, Fanahauser Symphonic No. 3.—Aticate con moto Allrgro un poco agitato Vivant non troppo Adagio Allegro composed and dedicated to her Majesty Queen Victoriaby ..... ... , ........................ The Queen's private band afterwards attended, at played the following aekction : Overture, " Zanetta" Thrum, reels:hula " I Wvb,r. Stennis No.l k M test Movement) . Prince Albert, accompanied by L'ird John Russell, went out shooting this morning, attended by the Berl of Listowel and Captain the Hon. D. de Roe. The Duke of Cambridge is expected to-day on a visit to her Majesty. The Marquis of Abercorn, with the Ltilies Harriet .nd Beatrix Hamilton, have been invited and are also expected this afternoon. F. Mende:A. ha Sir Charles Eastlake, President, and Mr. Knight, Secre tary of the Royal Academy, had the honour of having an audience of the Queen. Despatches were sent from the Colonial•ot&ce yesterday to the Governor of Cauada. THE HOUSE OF LORDS. Tickets for viosing the House of Lords will be issued to the public every :Sam day, from the Lord Great Chamlocrlaia's office. On Wednesday last the Rev. William Henry Hicks, S.C.L., was instituted to the vicarage of Wistton, in Norfolk, on his own petition. His Excellency Namik Paella honoured F. W. Slade, Esq., Q.C., brother of the gallant Muchaver Packs, with hts company at dinner oo Thursday, 29th inst., at his residence in Lowndes-square. His Grace the Duke of Devonshire has, for the purpose of enlarging his marine residence at Kemp Town, purchased the adjoining mansion, lately occupied by Col. Peile. The duke continues at Kemp Town, we are happy to say, in the enjoyment of good health.—Brighton Gazette Sir Fitzroy Kelly is now named as the M.P. entrusted with the arrangement of the details of a contemplated Tory Reform Bill. It is stated that Dr. Bowring will succeed Sir George Bonham as Governor of Hung Kong and Chief Superintendent of British Trade in China. GALLERY OF INVENTORS. (From the Journal of the So , sety of Ar:s.) The council have much pleaburo in giving publi city to the following letter, which has been received from Prince Albert, the president : _ " Osborne, Dec. 16, 18,13. " Sir,—l am commanded by his Royal highness Prince Albert to request that you will bring under the considera tion of the Council of the Society of Arts a suggestion which has been made to his royal highness, the adoption of which, it appears to him, may perhaps be desirable. " Among the exhibitions of various kinds which are from time to time promoted by the society it seems to his royal highness that it might prove useful, and could scarcely fail to be highly interesting, if a series of authentic portraits of distinguished inventors, either iu art or science, were col lected for exhibition on some future occasion and histori cally classified. " The names of most of those who are thus distinguished are probably familiar to the world, and nothing is needed to remind men of the reputation they have su justly earned,or of their works. Still, even in their case, it would be inter esting to present us, as it were, with their very features. But there are others who have done scarcely less for the happiness, comfort, and improvement of their fellow men, who are hardly known even by name to the general public, which is daily profiting by their inventions; and it becomes almost a duty towards them to endeavour in this manner to rescue them from oblivion, and enable them to take that place among the benefactors of mankind to which they are fairly entitled. "Great care should, however, be taken in the selection, only to include those whose inventions have had an import ant and beneficial effect in improving the condition of the people generally, and in advancing science, and in whom , consequently, all should feel an equal interest. "An attempt to form a collection of this description might also prove the means of rescuing from destruction many records that may still exist of bygone men, eminent in science or in art—and it a catalogue were added, con taining some abort biographical sketch of their live+, it might tend to the further useful result of leading others to study and attempt to emulate the means by which such men acquired their reputation.—l have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, "C. OREL " Peter Le Neve Foster ; Esq." MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. [MON LAST NIGLIT'S UAZETTE.] PROCLAMATION. Br the Queen.—A Proclamation.—Victoria B.— hereas our Parliament stands prorogued to Tues day the 3rd day of January next, we, with the advice of our Privy Council, do herby publish and declare, that the said Parliament shall be further prorogued, on the said 3rd day of January next, to Tuesday the 31st day of Janusty next ; and we have given order to our Chancellor of that part of our United Kingdom called Great Britain, to prepare a commission for proroguing the same accordingly : and we do hereby further, with the advice aforesaid, declare our ro al will and plcaiure, that the said Parliament shall, on the said Tuesday the 31st day of January next, assemble and be holden for the dispatch at divers urgent and important affairs: and the lords spiritual and tenipoiJi, and the kuight,, citizens, and bur gesses, and the commissioners for shires and burghs , of the !louse of Cotnutorts, arc hcrii by required and counn.utltd to give th...r m . .:Whoa; accordingly, at Westminster, on the said Tuesd.l4 thu 31st day of Jauuat y next. Given at our court, at Windsor, this 291 h day of December, in the year our Lord 1853, and in the 17th year of our reign.—hod save the Queen. ANOTRER RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—The mail train which lett Euston-pquere station on Thursday night at 10 p m., and due at Lime-street, Liverpool, yesterday, at 4.45 a.m., met with an accident which delayed it until 9 o'clock. When near Harrow, shout 12 Intl, s from Landon, the " tire" of the engine broke, sae l onion of it penetrating a considerable way into the ground, and the other forcing its way into the bottom of the engine. Beyond the damage to the engine, we hree not heard of any other injury em - Mined. THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR. THE TRADE OF 1853. The year now closing has been eventful for trade. The changes have been great, but not unfortunate. Let us be understood as using the word Trade in its most general sense, not confining it to the exchanges made between England and other states recorded in the Board of Trade Tables. It has now become ob vious to every one that this branch of the business of society depends to some degree on the state of the Money Market; and it is not less plain and certain th►t it depends in a still greater degree on the sea sons, and on the quantities of commodities—such as corn, and cotton, and hemp, and silk, and tea—pro duced both abroad and at home. To speak only of imports and exports would be therefore to take a narrow view of trade. On another account it is very desirable to use the word in its most general sense. Certain persons continually speak disparagingly of some branches of industry, while each and all of them are essential to one another, forming an homo geneous whole. The merchant and the manufacturer cannot succeed without the banker and the agricul turist, and both these would want a money-making occupation were the others not in existence. The separate businesses of society are like our legs and our arms—we can live deprived of one of either or both, or yen of all ; but we are indescribably better if we have them all perfect. Society might exist deprived of any one branch of business, but it is perfect when it possesses them all. We aim, therefore, at lessen ing a prejudice when we proceed to speak of the trade of 1853 under this enlarged aspect. The year began under the most favourable auspices. In consequence mainly of the then recent large im portations of gold from Australia, a great impulse was given to our exports. The demand for our manufactures increased, there was great activity throughout the busy hives of the north ; "new mills were built everywhere;" according to the Factory Inspector's report, "hands were scarce, machinery was standing idle for want of workpeople, and wages rose." Consumption was great and rapidly increasing. Market. which had been heavy became buoyant, and supplies were barely adequate to the increased demand. Though the quality of the har vest of 1852 was bad, the quantity was large, and though importation had also been large, the price of wheat at the beginning of the year was 48s. per quarter in the London markets—a considerable rise on the price of the year 1852. At the same time all kinds of meat were much in demand, prices were rising, and the agricultural interest, in common with the mercantile, the manufacturing, the carrying, the colonial and banking interests, were all full of hope and exertion. Money was rising in value, as busi ness extended and profit increased. The close of 1852 was very prosperous, and 1853 began so well that it was confidently predicted the national pro gress in it would be greater even than the progress n 1852. THE LEGISLATION OF 1853. - • - Since to-night we have to say good-bye to '53, and have already chronicled the good features of the year commercially, let us also add a word or two about its legislative results. With all their sins of omission and of commission, the Coalition are entitled to much praise for • portion at least of their parliamentary doings. The "Successions Duty" Law will in itself be a highly honourable monument of their legislative usefulness, and, had they done nothing else, that Act alone would secure them a large measure of respect from all reformers and sound politicians. To carry so useful a bill required courage, tact, and a considerable amount of self-sacrifice. Let those who had the honesty to put upon their own class an impost which had been before evaded, have at least the credit fairly due to such practical patriotism. The repeal of the Soap Tax and the Abolition of the Advertisement Tax must also be gratefully remembered. Turning to a list of new laws passed in 1853 we find the following : Succession Duty. Clergy Reserves (Canada). Government of India. Income Tax. Soap Duties. Customs Duties. Customs Tariff. Hackney Carriage Duties. South Sea and other Annuities Commutation. South Sea and other Annuities Provision for Payment. Excise Duty on Spirits. Stamp Duties. Stamp Duties, No. 2. Consolidated Annuities, Ireland. Insurance on Lives: Income Tax Exemption. Transfer of Aids. Exchequer Bills. Consolidated Fund. Consolidated Fund, 4,000,0001. Consolidated Fund Appropriation. Saving Banks Annuities. Metropolitan Improvements (repayment out of Consoli dated Fund). Public Works Loan. Stamp Duties en Patents for Inventions. Sales of Bullion. Inland Revenue Office. Land Revenues. Assessed Taxes. Duties on Horses Let for Hire. Coinage Offences, Colonies. Government of India. Merchant Shipping. Pilotage. Customs Acta Consolidation. Charitable Trusts. Transportation. Apprehension of Offenders Act Amendment. Stock in Trade Exemption. Passengers' Aet Amendment. Poor Relief Act Continuance. Mutiny. Marine Mutiny. Entry of Seamen. Naval Coast Volunteers. Militia Pay. Copies of Specifications Repeal. Employment of Children in Factories. Newspaper Stamp Law Defined. Office of Examiner, Court of Chancery. Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. Cathedral Appointments. Aggravated Assaults. Hackney Carriages (Metropolis). Sheriff Courts, Scotland. Burgh Harbours, Scotland. Sheriffs, Scotland. Uuivenities, Scotland. Bankruptcy, Scotland. Entails, Scotland. Registrar of Meetings. Malicious Injuries, Ireland. Valuation Act Amendment, Ireland. Grand Jury Ceu, Ireland. Taxing-officer Common Law. Business, Ireland. Dublin Parliamentary Registration. Encumbered Estates Act. Ireland, Continuano Resident Magistrates, Ireland. Crime and Outrage Act, Ireland, Continuance. Turnpike Acts Continuance, Ireland. Lines, &c., Manufactures, Ireland. Dublin Carriages. Drainage of Lands, Ireland. Public Works Act Amendment, Ireland. Turnkike Trusts Arrangements. Turnpike Acts Continuance. Sheep, &c., Contagious Diseases Prevention. Highway Rates. Land Tax Redemption. Land Tax Redemption Act Amendment. Land Tax Commissioners' Names. Loan Societies. Friendly Societies. Defacing the Coin. Copyhold, &r., Commission Continuance. Slave Trade, Sober in Arabia. Slave Trade, New Granada. Liberated Atricans, Sierra Leone. Militia Ballots Suspension, &e. General Board of Health. Indemnity. Commons Enclosure, No. 2. Commons Enclosure, No. 3. Whichmood Forest. Sheriff and Commisury Courts, Berwickshire. New Forest Deer—Removal Act Amendment. Batteries Park. Westminster Bridge. Smoke Nuisance Abatement, Metropolis. Metropolitan Sewers Act Continuance. Thames Embankment. Burials beyond the Metropolis. Copyholda. Female Convicts. Betting Houses. Registrar of the Privy Council. Elections. Municipal Corporations Act Amendment. Chancery Suitors further Relief. Lunatic Asylums. Lunatics Care and Treatment. Lunacy Regulation. Oaths in Chancery. Patronage Exchange. Colonial Bishops Act Extension. Vaccination Extension. Public Libraries, Ireland. Barghs, Scotland. Convicted Prisoners Removal Confinement. County Election. Poll. County Elections Poll, Scotland. Law of Evidence, Scotland. Evidence Amendment. Bail in Error. Public lieu., , c4, SNltlind. Common LAgingr•houses. Courts of Common Law, Ireland. P.!rish Vvittle.. A tolerably long list, this, of new laws! Among the abortive parliamentary measures of 1853, were Bills respecting: Jewish Disabilities (rejected by the Lords). Education. Ministers' Money, Ireland. Ecclesiastical Leasing Act Amendment. Assistant Judge Middlesex Sessions. Places of Religious Worship Registration. Registration of Assur ances. Truck Act Amendment. Sheriff Court, Scotland. ' Attornies' and Solicitors' Certificate Duty. County-rates i l and Expenditure. Sale of Lands, &c. Ireland. Recovery of Personal Liberty. J uvcnile Offenders. Episcopal and Capitular Edate+. Expenses of Etcctior.e. Probates of Wills and Grants of Administration. Simony Law Amend ment. Manchester and Salford Education. Metropolitan Building Act Further Amendment. Missionary Bishops Bill. Colonial Church liegulatiou. bletzopolitan Sewers. LA- 9 ltErL . itES THE sitior force the then Blac as v advi agr4 Au* the met bee The the ins an me the