The Express. — London, England, 1853-03-22 00:00:00

gltt erprtiso. TO COILRENruN.JENTS. sisemi ll.t.tiss 4" The Espraaa.' enstaisala •b• Wire •••21Plei GYM le." ti lab:lMo' sooty Tomb* oast fr..!ay glaa tuipoosimpetatawitted flu" Tb. Tr . t0.,"•.0r ro , wag Mgr', now -• u tile Oen. IP, Baseariwatiev, T.o o'clock is We is, o: plibliadoft HIGH WATBit AT LONDON BRIDOI. Tale Dat -I•orsaf. 01. Os.. I"rrea.n. wa. Ti-litasuw--!fumy, co. 44..........Aftereeen. la. 710. L9NDON, TUESDAI; MARCH 22. Tile news recently receiitd from Australia of the quantity of gold alreadyeibtaineth and likely to be obtained, has renewed the t xeitement railed when gold was first discovered there. and men are again re flecting on the consequences. Itc: wee n October, 1831, and the cad of 1832, it is calculated that in Victoria alone the yield will be fuur million ounces, or very nearly 16,000,0001. sterling. The yield of New South Wales is also increasing, after a temporary decline. on accnuut of unusual falls of rain and the emigration of the diggers, now returning to the richr fields of Victoria. There is no falling off, at the same time, in the vied of California, but rather an increase. It is estimated that the produce from the new sources will not be Ism than 38,000,0001.—vi5., 20.000,0e10/. from Aus tralia, and 16,000,0001. from California, and as the total annual produce in the ten years prior to 1848 is not estimated by the best authentic' at 10,000,0001., the annual supply of gold is now more than three and a half times as great as it was then. Such circum stances now compel statesmen to turn their attention to the subjects of money, talue, and coinage. A fereat change it is seen is impending, and it is their business to meet it. Prescribe the future they cannot ; prepare for it—in a way to pre vent antiquated regulations frem inflicting injury on society, and save their own reputation—they may; and that is what the discoveries of gold, affecting all the coinage of the world, now call on them to perform. The scarcity of silver which has been felt in the United States, as well as in England—where the heavy seignorage levied on it prevents it being exported, but has also hindered it from being coined—has led Congress to pass an act to reduce the quantity of silver in the small coins of the State, while their denominations are preserved. The law is not to come into operation till after June Ist, time being required to make the necessary preparations. But after that period the half-dollar of the United States, which now contains 2061 grains of silver, will only contain 192 grains, or 141 grains, equiva lent to about 31d., less; the silver in the quarter dollar, the dime and the half-dime, is to be reduced in like proportions, and it is enacted that these coins shall be legal tenders in payment of dt bts for sums not ex ceeding live dollars. This is a real clipping or de preciation of the small coin of the United States, such as was formerly, to the dishonour of the sovereigns of the old states of Europe,frequently practised by them. It affects, however, chiefly the money in which . wages will be paid, and is which the elasses who live on wages make their purchases, and they will be the chief sufferers by a measure intended, we believe, to provide them with coins. The statute enacts t hat the " gain arising from the coinage of silver bullion Into coins of a nominal value exceeding the intrinsic value" shall, after paying the expense of the distri bution of the coins, be paid into the Treasury of the United States. The law really imposes a tax on silver coins, when the metal is comparatively dear, and makes the lower dames, who chiefly use the small coins, by some means or other pay the tax. The pretext for this little paltry and cunning kind of meddling is the present relative high price or scarcity of silver. As gold has come into the United States and England silver has gone out. There is a great demand for it in all the countries of the world. Much of the newly discovered gold has already gone to augment the coivage of the world; and one of the most striking effects of that is to in crease the price of silver and the demand for silver coin. The appetite for money grows by what it feeds on, and already the increased supply of the precious metals has much enlarged the demand for them. In the United States the scarcity of silver is the more remarkable, inasmuch as gold has already been substituted for it to • very great extent. Gold dollars have recently been coined. The number coined was—in 1852, 2,201,145; in 1851, 3,638,820; in 1830, 936,7b9; in 1849, when the Act authorising them was passed, 311,30:. Alto- gether, in the four years, there has been coined 7,308,055 gold dollars in the States, a number almost equal to the total number of silver dollars coined in the four years previous to 1848. The coinage of gold dollars is continuing, and amounted in January to 292,673, and in February to 208,433, making a grand total of gold dollars coined since the Act was passed of 7,899,163. Instead of that great addition to the coin supplying the place of silver, making silver cheap and abundant, it has become dear and scarce ; and, to keep the small silver coins in circulation, Congress has deliberately decreed that they shall be debased. The evil it is so anxious to guard against can be only temporary. The high price of silver encourages enterprising men to open new silver mines, and causes great exertions to be made in order to win more silver from the mines already in ass. The discoveries of gold, which lessen the value of old gold mines , are enhancing the value of silver mines, and will cause the production of a great additional quantity of silver. The supply seems likelo increase almost as much as the supply of gold; but whatever that may be, as soon as the relative value of silver and gold is adjusted, now disturbed by the sudden increase of gold, the former will flow back to the States. We care less, however, to dwell on this hasty . and unwise meddling of American statesmen, when circumstances demand very comprehensive measures, in • crimina tory spirit, than to direct altt..T.tr.".l tr addr conduct as a proof that the new gold discoveries are com pelling, and will compel, statesmen to take their comer' regulations into consideration. Some few emotions and answers recently put in the House of though they have elucidated nothing else, show the interest beginning to prevail on the subject. A Parliamentary Paper recently published, No, 103, being an account of the gold and silver coined by the Mint, points to the beginning of a great and stern necessity for Parliament speedily tee take up the matter in some sense or other. By that it appears that in the last two years, 1831- 1852, the quantity ofgold coined at our Mint was no has than 13,142A181. annually ;—more in the two years than three times as much as the annual aver age of the three previous years. According to the Economia of the sth inst., the Bank of England has received in little more than two years 14,000,0001. of coin, and has leas coin now in its vaults than at the commencement of the period. From the Parliamentary Paper, No. 118, "Specieand Be!'lies is the Bank of Eng!and,' it appears that in 1850 the Bank possessed 8,587,8501. of British gold coin, and in 1833 only 3,123,9431. The inference drawn by our contemporary that in the two years there has been exported from England coin to the amount of nearly 18,000,0001. is an under rather than an over statement. About the half of this sum has been sent to Aus tralia fur the purchase of bullion, but the other half has been exported to various foreign countries, such as Egypt, South America, the Continent of Europe, &c., where English sovereigns either form a part of the circulating medium, or are so well known that they are readily and easily exchanged. While Eng lish coin has been diminishing in the Bank, notwith standing the great increase of the sums coined, the gold coin of other countries has gradually increased from 3,081,9711. in 1847 to 6,309,2011., and of this increase nearly 3,000 ,000!. has occurred within the last two years. Other coin, therefore, than that of our Mint,—most probably American gold coin, but the return which states the facts does not tell the nationality of the foreign coins in the super seding our gold coin in the vaults of the Bank. fhe United States, like England, coins gold of their standard to any amount not exceeding l6O dollars free of expense, and the consequence is that these two countries, being now in possession of productive gold mime, are supplying a gold coinage to half the world lice of the expense of coinage. For " assay ing, refining, arid toughening" the gold the respec tive Mints make a charge, but for converting ingots of thtir iespective standards into coin, they charge nothing, and hence the additional value given to their coins snakes them so much more desirable in other countries, and kas hitherto catved them to be ! exported pretty nearly as fast as the respective Mints can supply them. Now, this circumstance gives to the whoop. Mint regulations a new bearing. We are beim. manufacturers of coin for other cations. Oa trade, pervading the globe, carries ear coin • with.it ; and the question arises •hether the.publio should bear the cost of this manufacture far foreigiMre. - it is proposed to levy a seignorage nn it, which they would then have to pay ; but the United States are placed in almost the same condition as England. They have great gold mines; their trade is fast pervading the world; and they are eoin manufacturers for other nations. Even in the matter of coinage, therefore, which is still claimed by prerogative, unrestricted competi tion, and not Mint regulations, except as they con form to its dictates, will be the guiding principle. Wo shall only retain this new business of coin manu facturers, provided our coinage be good, simple, and cheap. The exportation of our coin for use abroad has facilitated the diffusion of the new formed bul lion and prevented us from being smothered with our own gold. It is desirable therefore, that it should be continued. Why should we not when we have a plentiful supply of the raw material, and great ac credited skill, continue to be coin manufacturers? Though it may be right to charge the cost of the manufacture and the ordinary rate of profit, we must not raise the scignorar so high as to impede the export. To the United States this reasoning applies as well as to England, and thus we shall be compelled, by penalties of serious loss, not only to look at our coinage regulations, but to make our coins as nearly as possible approach in all points to perfection. Whenever they are meddled with, they must be remodelled on the decimal sys tem, and divided in a rational manner. Whether our statesmen like it or not, they will be compelled to take our coinage in hand, and being so compelled, and exposed to competition, it will he only cummon sense in them to consider carefully the principles of , coinage, and to make the necessary change at once comprehensive and complete. The gold discoveries have been justly described as constituting a great epoch in social history, and in no respect will they be more important than in making England and the United States the means of spreading over the world a uniform gold coinage of the best possible form. Something of the kind took place with the Spanish coin after the discovery of America. It was generally nationalised, and became to a great extent the money of the world. A similar effect is now to inning to take place with respect to our coin and the coin of the United States. No Government can prevent an excellent foreign coin from invading its country, if it have any trade, ex cept by making its own coin equally good. Thus the end we contemplate will be answered, though the names of the coins should be different in different countries; and a uniform measure of value, so long desired, seems likely to come into use at no distant date, and to become universal. For such circum stances Governments should be prepared, and should not be surprised by them, as by a thief coming in the night, and suffer themselves to be despoiled by them of their reputation, honour, and power. FRANCE. [IT SOBIIARIIII TILEGZATIL) PARIS, TUESDAY, 8 am. The ifonitear of this morning states that, accord ing to special accouots receivol from Constantinople, there wu a prospect of a settlement of the Oriental affairs without compromising the good understanding existing between the European powers. PARIS, MONDAY EVZNING. The Nerve! steamer has been appointed to convey M. de la Cour to Constantinople, as Ambassador of France to the Sublime Porte. That vessel is ap pointed to leave Marseilles on the 28th of March. Public feeling is to-day in a state of painful uncer tainty with regard to the Turkish question. Although I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of my private information that France and England are acting in concert, 1 find opidions here extremely divided on the subject. If it were generally known that the two fleets were approaching the Darddnelles with a common purpose I do net hesitate to say that the funds would almost entirely recover from the heavy fall they have sustained. People would then agree in what Emile de thrardin said last night, that a joint demonstration by France and England would at once restrain Russia from insisting upon any unreasonable pretensions, and would ensure a peaceable ' , dation of the difficulty. But on the Bourse to-day the question universally asked was u Why has the Beet lett Toulon r Aud to this ques tion, it was very generally considered, no satis factory answer could be given upon safe grounds. Very many thought it more likely that the order was sent from a jealousy of English influence, and with a view to support a separate line of policy, than in pursuance of a cordial understanding wit/lElBoyd The Muniteur, which, after what took plebe at the Casino yesterday, might have been expected to make some announcement calculated to prevent a panic at the Bourse, is silent. The semi-official Journals • they to increase French influence in that capitaL Nervaez makes very slow progress in his journey frstn Bordeaux to Paris, ' On the 14th /aka& only: "got as far as Poitiers, sad eepording to a letter of that date, he ; found himself : weak that..he pro posed resting there for some 'flays. . According tothe tariff on , mineral ores, In force be fore the decree of yesterday, ironiore‘paid bat 1 cen 'time per kilogramme, whether imported in Trench or foreign vessels. All oche? ores paid 10 centimes per kilogramme, under any flag, except only lead ore, which, in foreign bottoms, was charged 3f. 80c. per kilogramme. The new tariff exempts from any duty all ores (sulphur excepted) imported in French Teasels or by land, but fixes a uniform duty of If. per kilo. upon ores brought in foreign ships. With the important exception, therefore, relating to lead ore, the decree consider. ably inoreases the protection given to French naviga tion. In 1851, the amount of iron ore importeJ was from 17 to 18 millions of kilos., and in the same year there were imported from Chili and Peru 2,300,000 kilos. of copper ore. The reduction made in the duty on liquorice is very considerable, being from sf. in French ships and Bf. in foreign to 2f. in foreign vessels, while im ports under the French flag will be free from all duty. The imports of this root in 1831 were 1,763,000, almost all brought from Spain. The latest returns give the following as the state of the French mercantile marine :—Captains au long emirs," 3,937 ; coasting captains, 6,573; pilots, 1,201 ; officers, 5,366 ; sailors, 64,213 ; boys, 17,272 ; workmen and apprentices, 13,641 ; total, 138,105. Notice has just been given by the Minister of Marine that no more volunteers will be accepted until further orders. The review of eight regiments by the Emperor took place this morning, according to announcement, in the court of the Tuileries and Place du Carrousel. It was quite a private affair, no person being ad mitted into the square without a ticket. The quays and the Rue de Itivoli were, however, densely tilled with a Palm Sunday crowd, who, although dis appointed at not obtaining admission, waited to see the regiments march out. The troops, the cavalry especially, must have suffered greatly from the in tense cold, and doubtless on this account the review was over sooner than usual, for at 2 o'clock, an hour after the hour fixed for the review, they were seen in all directions hastening to their quarters. It having been reported to the prefect of the Ave) , ron that several of the victims of the coup rljtat re cently set at liberty, have told their friends that they did not solicit their pardon, the prefect has sent a " communicated note ' to the journals of the depart ment stating that such base ingratitude is intolerable. He desires that the name of any person denying that he sued for pardon may be reported to him, in order that such person may be again placed in the state of punishment from which ho was released. The Senate, whose existence as a deliberative body the public had almost forgotten, assembled yesterday to receive the new Senators appointed by the decree of the 9th of February and the 4th and Bth of March. After the new members had taken their oaths and seats, 23 bills, for the most part local, and none of any public interest, which have lately been passed by the Corps Legislatif, were presented for confirmation. Considerable amusement has been occasioned at the Luxembourg by the circulation of the following anec dote. After the last ball given by the Senate a quan tity of jewellery—rings, pins, and bracelets—was picked up in the drawing-rooms. Extraordinary pains have been taken to restore the precious orna ments to their fair owners, and a pubic advertise ment was even inserted in the journals, stating that ladies who had lost jewels might have them upon application and a "proper description of the pro perty." The ball committee, who has a large chest of glittering baubles in its custody, has been much surprised at finding no claimants come forward. But a close examination has disclosed the terrible fact that all the lost jewels are false. But little expecta tion is now entertained that the committee will ever be called upon to account for their trust, and it is said that after a few more weeks' delay the Ruotz metal will be sold, and the produce given to the hospit ~; seem to have received no instructions, for a. , talk at random, and their conflicting explanations of the crisis only tend to increase alarm. The Petrie of last night said it was not impossible that the squadron might have left Toulon merely for an experi mental ail in the ordinary course of its campaign of evolutions. This puerile suggestion is not believed for a moment, and is wholly inconsistent with the version of the Pays, which says: Th. French government thought it • moat reasonable step yours Wipe) on its past to amid the squadron of evo- Ilium' of the Mediterranela %awards the same point as the Brigli,h squadron, sad it is with this view that our Sett lyiair at Toulon was or to premed to the Arehipelago. This resolution, people may very sure is a simple measure of precaution, which implies no serious oonsequesees, for, we repeat, irlrdy yet know; what are the rent instructirms which Prince Mentscliikofr has received from his government. I The French squadron goes to the Levant to watch what is passing, net to he a Swale*, or an arm ready to fight, but rather • vigilant guardian of the interests of the general peace, a loyal safeguard for the maintenance of those tree ties which are of such immense importance for the preser vation of the balance of power in Europe—treaties whisk meow be seriously threatened to be broken. The Osnefitistionnet favours the idea of concert by France and England, and consider* the sailing of the fleet from Toulon as a confirmation of the departure of the English fleet from Malta for the Archipelago. It also contradicts the report that the Sultan had refused to receive Prince Mentschikoff in a private audience. A camp is about to be formed at St. Omer. A' company of engineers has already received the route for that place, and other troops will move in the same direction early in April. A credit of 25,000 fr. has been opened to repair the barracks of the camp at Helfant, which were used by the Chasse= in 1846. Independently of the garrisons of St. Ouse and Ake, which will doubtless furnish their coati*. gent, the camp will be composed of three regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, a battery of artillery, and la company of engineers, forming an effective force of from 6,000 to 6,500 men and 000 or 800 horses. 'The local journals connect this announcement with the expected visit of the Emperor to the northern de partments. Marshal Narvace has arrived in Paris, and is stay ing at No.l, Place Vendcime. There has been a very heavy decline on the Bourse I to -day in the prices of all securities. Rentes, rail ' ways, and other obligations have alike partaken of the depression, which has been of a serious character. Bank Stock declined five francs ; the Three per Cents. fell as much as a franc and a quarter below the closing rates of yesterday, both fur money and the account; and the Four-anda-Half per Cents. fell If. 10c. for cash, and If. 25e. for the settlement, the last rates this afternoon being :—For the Three per Cents., 7sf. 25c. for cash, and 78f. 15c. for the amount; Four-and-*Half per Cents., 102 f. 15e. mosey, and 101 f. 73c. for the accouit ; Bank Stock, %WM. PARIS. SCXDAT The Marquis de Turgot will leave for Madrid in about a fortnight. He is the first senator appointed to a foreign embassy. The reason for selecting him for this post, apart from his wel-kuown ability, is probably, that he is by marriage nearly connected with the Duke of Alba and ftPrwick, the brother-in iaw of the Empress Eugenia. Ilia wife is the daughter of the Mark:hale do Loban, Princess of Arberg, who was a first cousin of the Countess of Montijo. The simultaneous presence of the Em peror's mother-in-law and of the Marquis de Turgot in Madrid may be expected greatly THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 22, 1863. TURKEY. We read in the Debuts :—"The journals and ids: *pendency from abroad throw no new light upon the affairs of the Levant. Tho English war steamer Caradoc, commanded by Captain I)erriman, arrived at Marseilles in the night of the 16th and 11th of March, with the despatches brought to Malta by the Wasp from the English Chargé d'Affaires at Constan tinople. All accounts received by the same steamer concur in stating that the resolution of Colonel Rose to send for the Euglish fleet was completely sponta neous. The decision was come to, not precisely against the will of the Porte, but without any sort of solicitation on its part. It is confidently stated this evening that the French I fleet at Toulon has been ordered to the Levant. Be fore his arrival at Constantinople, and doubtless for the purpose of giving to his mission the most threat ening character possible, Prince Mentschikeff, besides inspecting the Russian fleet and army of the Black Sea at Sebastopol, went out of his way to Bessarabia, lon the Turkish frontier, where he reviewed a divi sion of the army stationed on the sea shore, and made them execute under his own eyes manceuvres of em ' barking and disembarking. The crisis that has now broken out at Constantinople is the more to be re gretted, because people had begun to entertain some hopes of an amelioration in the financial condition of the country. A project for the foundation of a new bank at Constantinople, proposed by a Frenchman, M. Trouve Chauvel, the :Minister of Finance, under the government of General Cavaiguac, had been received with great favour by the Turkish government and the commercial world. The affair seemed on the point of being concluded, and it was thought to be so certain that all public securities rose considerably in consequence, and the rate of exchange fell from 123 to 116. All these projects are unquestionably menaced by the present crisis, which will perhaps prevent the realisation of the hopes held out by Lord Clarendon to the Turkish bondholders that their advances would be repaid within a month. It appears, moreover, that upon this particular question new d:fficulties have arisen, and that the Turkish government, the Bulk of Con stantinople, and the London agents arc not agreed with regard to their respective liabilities." The Constdutiontsel, differing in this particular from the Debate ' mentions a rumour that the Eng lish fleet had been sent for in consequence of an imperial finnan. This paper also says, desiring at the same time not to guarantee the truth of the re port, that the Sultan had refused to receive Prince Mentschikoff at a private audience. The Courrier de Marled/es says that the Sultan, finding that all his concessions, including the dis missal of his brother-in-law, the Minister for Fo reign Affairs, failed to satisfy the Russian envoy, had formally claimed the protection of England and France, and that the Wasp had been sent for Ad miral Dundu in consequence of the Sultan's applica -1 Om The Patrie, which appears to have a mission to write for the sole purpose of tranquillising the French Bourse, says:—" Unfounded rumours have been cir culated at the Bourse. According to the latest news arrived at Pari., the English squadron had not quitted Malta. The Russian fleet had not left Sebes . . topol, in the Black Sea. The announcement that a division of this fleet had arrived at Kili, a place not far removed from the Straits of Constantinople, is The ansatitutionnel observes upon this that it is title the latest intelligence only speaks of the requi sition made by Col. Hose to Adm. Dundas, and does not go on to say that the English fleet had actually left Malta on the 14th. It admits also that the re port of the linisiaa fleet having arrived at Kili was an exaggeration of the Bourse, but then it says that the 27 ships and 30,000 men ready to embark, re viewed by 'Mentschikoff at Sebastopol, are at the entrance of the Bosphorus, which is only a step from. Kili. In any case this government journal concludes, the situation is serious enough without adding con jectures to real facts. The Assenthlee says :—" It appears to us very im probable that the reasons which determine the English charye daffaires to send for the fleet can be known. The despatches for Lord Clarendon were sealed, and the pasaengers on the steamer which brought them from Malta must have been completely ignorant of what passed in high diplomatic circles at Constantinople. If then the symptoms of the situa tion are serious, sod as vet they are but symptoms, it would be wrong to allOw ourselves to be alarmed belond measure. Ile Journal de Constantinople of Feb. 24, states that Prince Nicholas Soutso has been placed at the head of the Provisional Administrative Council of Moldavia. ITALY. The Dibats publishes the following despatch: VIENNA, M tacit 20. An Imperial decree, proclaimed yesterday at Mantua, in the midst of the loudest acclamations, coders the abandonment of all the impending prose cutions for high treason. GERMANY. A letter from Vienna, of the 14th, contains the I following statement :—The ministry of police has just re-invigorated an order published respecting the passports of English travellers on the occasion of the affront offered to General Ilaynan in England. At that time the Lloyd company at Trieste remonstrated, inasmuch as the steam boat line to Alexandria was likely to be ruined, seeing that it was supported al most wholly by English travellers. The order was withdrawn, because, at that time, Baron Bruck was the manager of the Lloyd. Now, however, it is sure to be retained, but will have no other effect than to in duce English travellers to avoid the Austrian States to the advantage of Switzerland and Piedmont. It is especially in the capital of Austria that this Anglo phobia is carried to such ridiculous excess, being nourished by a few servile journals, which faney thereby to make their court to the powers that be. Letters from Berlin confirm our statement that Prussia had adopted the view of the Mannheim court which pronounced the illegality of the " Introduci- 1 tion" of Gervinus. The prohibition, however, i s little more than nominal, as the public is well SP,p plied, and the work is " out of print," the amend e &. tion having been entirely sold. The members of the Zollverein conference held a sitting on the 17th, when all unreservedly - approved the accession of Hanover to the union. The official Vienna tiazeite annonnot-s that the body of General Haynau has been re•.noved to the Imperial Military Hospital, where it is to lie in state. _ _ The Cologne Gamete states, under date Berlin, March 17, that a new four per cent. loan of five mil lion thalers has been negotiated with the association called the Seehandlung. The issuing price is 118} per lent. A Prussian ministerial order constitutes M. Hiuckeldy. hitherto chief of police of Berlin, the I superior director of the entire police of the kingdom, under the control of the Minister of the Interior. A letter from Berne of March 17, in the New Zurich Gazette, says : Yesterday, K. deltaimicky, the Austrian ambassador, seat in a written reply to the President of the Confedera tion, maintaining all the accusations brought against Ticino in preceding notes, but without giving any proof in sup port of the charges made. The journal l'ohrlattd remarks on this reply that Austria demands—fine, that the political refugees uz the canton should be sent away ; and secondly, that the measure adopted against the Capuciav of Ticino should be revoked in what regard' the liberty of the Aus trian subjects in Switzerland. The Gazette de St. Gall gee the length of submitting to the public its plan of warlike operations against Austria. It is opposed to remaining on the defensive, and recommends that offensive measures should b. taken against the Voralberg. The Swiss papers speak of a new expulsion of Ticinese from Lombardy. The valley of &bonne is a part of the larger valley of Inteloi, situated in Lombardy, but the property of the Ticinese, who ' reside there. These people, to the number of one hundred, were compelled on the lath inst. to aban don houses, flocks, and all that they poswssed to :he hands of strangers, and have arrived at Sendestad, stripped of their all. GREECE. The official Observateur d'Athenes of the 7th con tams a royal decree, which, after reciting that in the course of the revolts of 1847 and 1818 many persons of all classes, and military as well as civil, in the fulness of their patriotism, loyalty, and zeal in restoring order, and sometimes under the necessity of self-defence, performed actions which, although not culpable, were contrary to the letter of the law, and have thus exposed themselves to legal prosecu. Lions, amnesties such persons, and delivers them from all penal pursuit. THE BENGAL STEAMER. The screw steamer Bengal arrived yesterday at Southampton, with the heavy portion of the India, China, and Australian mail. She left Alexandria on the 6th inst. ; Malta, on the 11th ; and Gibraltar, on the 15th. She brought 80 paseengers, and amongst er carper. 16 boxesof theme. She averaged above elevcia Koine out, and above nine on ler homeward passage. Coming home she expe rienced head winds the whole way, and in the Bay of Bis cay she met with a heavy gale. which delayed her. As this is the that screw steamer ever allowed to carry the Indian me 11, some anxiety has been felt as to her perform ance, as true government is prejudiced against such steamers, and if the Bengal bad not proved remarkably fast she would not be permitted to carry the mails. On her eastward voyage she beat everything that ever, went into the Mediterranean, and oa her home— ward passage she has kept better th an contract time. The Bengal is the largest steamer afloat : • thousand per son's can promenade oa her deek ; 150 can dine luxurimudy in her saloon ; and she provides cabin accommodation for I'4o pi...agars. Her cabins, for size, are like rooms in dwelling-houses. It was a magnificent sight to see her ieater the Southampton docks. Hundreds of spectators were present to witness it. A splendid brass band was playing on her deck, and the Indian wringers were parading about, accompanied by ayahs, and other native servants. Malaban of the crew were Maltese. The monster West India steamer Parana, which entered the dock at the same . . ... _ tine le the Bengal, looked small by the side of her. Such is the immense sine of the Bengal, and her steadinesl in 1 1 the water, that in the summer season, a voyage in her to the Mediterranean would be unattended with ssa sickness. Some idea of the economy of screw over paddle• box steamers, as far as fuel is concerned, may be leathered from the fact that the Bengal consumes about 45 tons of coals daily, and the La Plata steamer, the fastest paddle-box steamer afloat, if steaming at the first grade of speed, would consume 140 tots daily. Among the passen gers on board the Bengal was a Mr. Pemberton, who left Liverpool the latter end of last year in the Great Britain steamer for Sydney. He went out to Australia by way of the Cape of Good Hope, and has arrived home by way of India. He came from Sydney to Singapore in the steamer Chums. He thus has been more than half round the globe and back again by steam during the last six mouths. OUR MEDI FLEET. At the present moment the following statement of the force of our Mediterranean fleet has peculiar interest : _BIIIPS 01 Z fl LINT. Guns. Men. _ Britannia Trafalgar l2O 960 Capt. °ravine. Albion Rodney 92 820 Capt. Graham, C.B. Bellerophon 7B 650 Capt. Lord 0. Paulett. Aretbass Modest* l6 14.5 Com. Lord Compton. - ------- - Guns. Men. It. p. Retribution 28 300 400 Capt. Drummond. Tiger l4 220 400 Capt. (heard. Furious Fury Wasp (screw) l4 170 100 Com. Lord J. Hay. Niger (screw) l4 170 400 Com. Heath. Caradoe 2 63 350 Lieut. Com. Derrimaa. Triton Shearwater Thus staking a force of five sail of the line, a heavy frigate, and a sloop, three steam-frigates, three steam sloops, and three other steamers. Total, 16 ships, 666 guns, 6,319 men, and 2,930 horse power in steamtrs. In addition to the above, there is a steamer, the Antelope, at Gibraltar; v the det-olup Ceylon, at Malta; and a steam sloop at Lisbon, the Inflexible, 6 guns, 160 men. TILE PASSPoRT SINTEM.—The Journal de Geneve circulates the following story :—Mszeini is said, on leaving London, to have gone direct to Paris, where he stopped at the Hotel Meunier, as an English gentleman, with light hair and rather weak eyes, and provided, of course, with a cor rect English psisport. From thence ho went to Strasburg by railway ; the police, however, bad got on the scent, and followed, but could not meet with any such gentleman there. The only individual they found was a respectable English gentleman, with brown hair, very lively eyes, and quite a differ( ut passport. While the French police were therefore directing their .ttcntion to Lyons with a view to the apprehension of the light-haired 11140, the brown-haired Mamini was playing off the same counterfeit again on the German police, and passed through Germany to Milan, where lie is reported to have stayed a few days. of our ~ WOr Court. WINDSOR, M•RCK 21. The S. Colonel Liddell, Equerry to the Duchess °s ail of Olou , 001,4 at the Castle last evening, to inquire &fter her , on behalf of her Royal Highness. 'The D a Ambridge, the Duke of Norfolk, and the Earl of •Abitideen, arrived soon after nine o'clock this morning, and returned to London about two o'clock. The Marquis of Breadalhane, the Lord Chamberlain, and Mr. Norman Macdonald, also arrived at the Castle to , . day, to inquire into the Saturday night. attending the fire on The Austrian Minister had an interview with the Earl of Clarendon yesterday. The Earl of Aberdeen left town at eight o'clock yesterday morning fur Windsor Castle. His lordship returned to town in the afternoon. A deputation, consisting of Mr. James Macgregor, M.P. (chairman), Mr. Coles Child, and Mr. Henry Rich, M.P., from the South Eastern Railway Company ; Mr. Lco Schuster (deputy chairman), and Mr. C. S. Crowley, from the Brighton and South Coast Railway Company; Mr. Alderman Humphery from St. Saviour's parish ; Messrs. Martin Ma lard, William Baugh, J. 0. Beard, Francis Rider, and Thomas J. Russell (churchwardens of St. Sa viour's) ; Messrs. J. Thwaitcs and Thomas Bailey (inhabi tants of St. Saviour's) ; and Mr. Herbert Sturney (vestry clerk), had an interview with Sir William Molrsworth yes terday, at the Office of Works and Public Buildings, in Whitehall-place. The deputation was accompanied by Mr. Apslc7 Pellatt, M.P., and Mr. Eli Richards. The Sicilian Minister transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office, Downieg-street. Mr. Ross and Mr. Jackson had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday, at the Colonial-office. THE FIRE AT WINDSOR CASTLE. But little remains to be added to the account already given of the events of Saturday night It was mentioned yesterday that the smoke when first discovered was bound to proceed from some bedrooms ever the dining-room. The flame, it appears first issued from a passage leading to • room occupied by Mr. Norton, and for tome time after it increased in volume, and seemed to defy all efforts to master it. The site of the Castle being inins.derably above the town, and the burning portion looking away from the principal streets, it was only from a northern or eastern direction that any flirnes were visible, and front those quarters they are said to have been seen for many miles. Nothing could exceed the efforts wade by the military and the few civilians present. The parish of Eton claims for its engine the merit of having been the immediate cause of extinction, the Windsor parochial engine not having been, it is said, in working order. Colonel Phipps and Colonel Grey are said to have been especially active throughout the night in urging on the military in their efforts, which ulti mately included the tearing asunder of flours, rte., in order to prevent the possibility of further extension. There are . . rumours to the effect chit when the work of extinction was nearly over, a few of the soldiers., who were in all several hundred strong, availed themselves rather too freely of , the hospitality by which their labours were sus tained, and that punishment awaits them in consequence. Should this be the fact, it will probably be taken into ac count, in awarding the penalties, that a breach of order is too common on such occasions, and that the breach of dis cipline in this case was committed in encountering en un wonted enemy. The fire has left but few external traces ; as, indeed, may well be imagined by those who are familiar, through per sonal inspection, with the massive stonework of the whole edifice. The north-eastern angle, until closely examined, presents its usual aspect, and any one who bad not heard of the calamity would scarcely discover that there had been one. There is hardly any discoloration in front, the out line of the battlements is but little defaced, and the long , narrow windows alone indicate the recent ravages of fire. Soon after eleven o'clock yesterday morning the Lord Chamberlain commenced a minute examination of all the rooms and passages belonging to, or immediately communi cating with, the Prince of \Vales's Tower, where, it will he remembered, the chief damage has been sustained : being accompanied by his secretary (Mr. Macdonald), by the Master of the Household, and by Mr. Braidwood, the Superintendent of the London Fire Brigade. The inqiury was prolonged for two or three hours, and everything was done which was at all likely to elicit the origin of the dis aster; but it is believed that little was added to the infor mation previously obtained. There is still reason to suppose, however, that the fire originated in the over heating of a flue—a conclusion which will probably be confirmed when, as had not been done yesterday, the plaster and masonry have been removed so as to expose the seat of ignition. The quantity of water poured upon the burning rooms must have been enormous ; fur during the whole of yesterday a great deal was still percolating through the ceiling of the passage immediately below the Queen's dining-room. The lobbies under this part of the tower are so intricate and wiudiug that, had the fire ex tended, great confusion, if not loss of life, would probably have resulted from this cause. In asmall court-way connected with them was seen a great quantity of hose, and within three or four yards of this a branch pipe, with very minute instructions as to the proper mode of proceeding in case of an alarm of flee. Before leaving this part of the subject, it should be added that Mr. Turnbull, the clerk of the works, of whose exertions such honourable mention has been made in the " Court Circular," was yesterday confined to his room from indis position produced by his effort' in superintending the work of extinction before the arrival of Mr. Braidwood. It having been stated that her Majesty and the Prince Consort, on learning that all danger was over, proceeded to Frogman, Unsay be as well to °users° that this statement has been contradicted on what is believed to be good authc”. rity. Indeed, a little reflection would have sufficed to make anyone incredulous with respect to it. Much as the calamity is to be ri gretted, the Prince of Wales's lower is bat an insignificant portion of the entire edifice. Until yesterday afternoon the firemen of the London Brigade still remained at the Castle ; they then left for the metropolis, taking with them the last of the brigade engines. As to the extent of damage, all that can be positively stated yet is that both in print and in general conversation it has been greatly exaggerated. As already intimated, the only costly part the ruin is the dining•room, from which everything portable was safely removed at • very early period. The adjacent compartments, though gutted, must be capable of restoration without any vast expense. Probably 20,0001. is a mush better proximate estimate than 80,0001. or 100,0001., into which the leas has been magnified by rumour. THE EMPRESS OF FRANCE. TO TR EDITOR OP THE IMPRESS. Slit,—The many erroneous genealogical statements of the family of the Empress of France induce me to give you the real one, which you may depend upon as correct. Mr. Henry Grivignee, a native of Belgium, had four daughters and one son. The eldest of the dauters, Dona Minute, married a Dorman, Mr. Neumann, Polish consul at this place ; the second , Doss Francisca, married Mr. William Kirkpatrick, then American consul ; the third, Dona Catalina, married M. Letups ; and the fourth, Dona Dolores, a Mr. Power. Mr. William Kirkpatrick had three daughters, of which the eldest, Dona Maria, married Don Cipriano Palafox, then Count de Teba, grandee of Spain of first class ; later, at the death of his elder brother, he be came Count del Montijo. The second daughter, Dona Car lota, married a cousin of hers, Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick, jun. ; and the third, Dona Enriqueta, married • son of Count Cabarrua, whose sister was the distinguished Madame Tallien. The Countess of Montijo (formerly Countess of Teba) hu two daughters, of which the eldest is married to the Duke of Alba and Berwick ; the second, Dona Eugenia, is the Empress of France. The leis Mr. Wtn. Kirkpatrick bad a brother, Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick, here, who was married to the daughter of a German gentleman of the name of Plink ; the sister of this Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Dona Dolores, married Lieut.-Col Montgomery, late 18th Dragoons ; and the youngest, Dona Ana, married Lieut.-Col. G. Thompson, R.E. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick, jun., are both dead, and have left three children—Charlotte, Alexander, and William. Alexander has lately bet% appointed British vice-consul at Garrucha. A brother of the above-mentioned Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick, jun., resides at Aden as 11.8.M.'s vice-consal. Malaga, Feb., 1853. E. D. ECCENTRIC TESTATORS.—There is hardly a pariah that does not enjoy the fruits of testatory eccentricity. I think I see Matthew Wall, who, in 1.595, wrote "I give and bequeath," and appended to these words the following pro visions for the perpetuation of his name on the smallest pos sible terms:—To the sexton to make up the testator's grave yearly, and to ring the bell, one shilling and tenpeoce: To sweep the path from the testator's house to the church-gate every year, one shilling: To the vicar of Stortford, to make proclamation yearly, on Ascension and Michaelmas Day, that the testator left his estate to a Matthew or William Wall, as long as the world should endure, eightpenes To the parish clerk at Ilalliegbury for the same, eight pence; and to the minister and churchwardens, to este the testator's will carried out, five shillings. Matthew Wall also gave twenty groats to twenty boys, and ten threepenees to ten aged and infirm persons. The general intention of Matthew in this document is a little too obvious : he bun gled in his bargain for local immortality. Edward Strode, who wrote " I give and bequeath" about one century after I Wall, did not exhibit any remarkable advantage over the little hero of Stortforil. Strode fixed upon Sheptcn Mallet, ; is Somersetsbire, as the abode of his immortality, and caught the happy idea of founding .dnishourin to be called by his name. More—ke determined that the recipients of his bounty should wear the budge of his charity upon them ; that the letter E should "be cut large in blue cloth and well sewed on the right sleeve, and the letter Son the left sleeve, plain to be seen." Thus Strode contrived that four poor o ld men of his parish should wear his livery and cony the initials of his name about the country for ever. I can picture Strode to myself also—a weak man anxious to make a bargain for his soul and a salve for his vanity at the same tine.—Dickees's Household Words. PnorEssonsturs IY SCOTLAND.—Yesterday, a bill, which id before the House of Commons, was printed, to regulate the admission of protestors to the lay chsira in the universities of *Scotland. Professors are not to be required to subscribe to the Confes,ion of the Faith, bat to sign • declaration that they will not exercise the function of their office to the prejudice or the subversion of the church of Scotland, as by law established. ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAI FUN: The fourteenth anniversary festival of this chstrity was held yesterday at the London Tavern, the lion. .li. F. DRIIKELIT, MP., in the chair, who was supported b„ Charles Dickene, EN., Mark Lemon, Esq , J. If, nd. stone, Emu, and a large numb, r of the pr sup porters of the institution. The musical arrancements, which usually constitute one of the features of this festival, and which were remarkably effective, were under the Mese tion of Mr. Alfred Mellon—who composed a new :lee for the occasion—and comprised the services of Min Louiss Pyne, Mrs. Weiss, the Misses Wells, Miss ltausford, Mug M. Williams, Miss Pyne, and Miss P. Horton (who cams from Scotland purposely to assist at the festival), Mr. Welu, Mr. Donald King, Mr. (lenge, Mr. Perren, &c. After the usual loyal toasts, and that of the army sad navy, with which the name of Mr. T. P. Cook e wee coupled, and who returned thanks for the " navy," The CHAIRMAN rose to propose '• Prosperity to the Ge neral Theatrical Fund," and, in doing so, alluded to this i being the second time on which tl.o society had bee n d e . privcd of the assistance of Mr. Macready as chairman i n consequence of severe domestic affliction, and 0 claimed the indulgence of the company in consequence of the dis advantage under which he laboured in following two such chairmen in succession as Sir E. Ifulwer Lytton and Mr. Charles Dickens. lie stated that at this, the 14th anniver oar. eof the fund, he had to congratulate its suppo r t er , on its healthy state and flourishing condition, and he felt sure that it the same exertions were made to forward its interests as had hitherto been used, it bid fair ere long to become of exteneive utility. He then alluded to the small phalanx of members of the profession with whom this charity origi nated, sod whose names lie read, whom he declared to huts a claim not only to the thanks of their brethren, but to de serve welt of posterity for being the instruments of creating a great pubis got d. Ile eulogised the charitable feelings and kindly interchange of good offices among each other which characterised the theatrical profeisiou as a body ; and proceeded, in a very humorous and effective manner, to defend the drama and the stage from the attacks which he stated had been made on it from various pulpits M places which he mentioned. In strong contrast to that course of proceeding, he held up the patronage bestowed on the stage by her Majesty, as evidenced, not only by her attendance at the public theatres, and in her allowing her self to be named the patroness of this institution, but by her bringing into her own palace the professore of the dn. matic art, in order that they might illustrate the best spe e i• melts of the drama before her own rising family. (Chei rs.) So that when the stage and its professors aere assailed by bigotry and prejudice they need not fea r , as t h ey could take refuge at the foot of the throne. (Cheer:.) Ile wished all prosperity to a profession which represented one of the noblest branches of English literature, which was founded on morality, and was one of the requirements of an age of civilisation. (Cheers.).. The next toast was ' " Mr. Suckstone, the Treasurer, anti the Officers of the Institution," and in prepoeine the toast the Chairman alluded to the new undertaking of Melluck stone as manager of the Haymarket Theatre. Mr. liverseurre, who was greeted with great applause, said, Gentlemen, in returning thanks for the toast you have just given, I am happy to Bay that my brief address to you this evening will consist of everything that is prosperous and pleasant se relates to the General Theatrical Fund. In the first place, it is most gratifying to us, and complmentery not only to our society, but to the stage, that every year we find gentlemen of high standing its the literary, political , and dramatic world, to preside over us nn this festive occasion; not amongst the least of those who have so honoured and helped tie is our worthy chairman of this evening. Besides his own warm attachment to the drama, he is one of the members of s noble family that have always been amongst the foremost to patronise our art in the west substantial way, for on relenting to the list, gentlemen, of the annual suksenhers to our fund, you will find the name of the Earl I , i:the/dingo standing in • most liberal position ; and while we possess such noble patrons, end such genuine well-wishers as our excellent chairman, end his noble brother, ne ith er our f un d nor the drama need ever despair. (Cheers.) It is necessary, gentlemen, as there may be many present who arc not quits acquainted with our objects and intentions, that I should not only explain them, but give a full account of our pool tion at this moment. The General Theatrical Fund was established 13 ye are ago, for the purpose of affording relief and granting annuities to every member of the drama in the United Kingdom, and to all who gained alivelihood on the stage, admitting such professors as pentomicaists, daacers, and prompter!, that the more exclusive foods of the two great theatres did not recogeise. Slowly, but surely, suc cess attended all the exertions of the originators of our institution, till we became of such importance, and gained such firm friends, that we were enabled to make this annual appeal to the liberality of the public. (Cheers.) Her most Gracious Majesty's attention then became directed to us, and with that kindness and generosity for which she is as much distinguished as for the unaffected dignity and grace with which she adonis her royal station, presented us with an annual donation of one hundred pounds. Te be incorporated by charter was our next am ' bition and which, I em happy to say, has been completely achieved, and, thanks to the considerate liberality of one solicitor, Mr. Jerwood, end the generosity of Mr. Hind man'', the barrister, who, to the honour of the legal pro . festion, refused the lees to which he was entitled, and for which kindness we all feel bound in gratitude never again on the stage to speak disparagingly of • lawyer—(cheers and laughter)--thanks therefore, gentlemen, to the skilful and honest hands ium which we had fallen—the eutiro en- pease of our charter has only amounted to 3401., while our ; capital will this eveniug be considerably over 7,0001. (Cheers.) By virtue of our charter we are now ens. bled to place that capital out to greater advantage than we have hitherto done, and find ourselves in the mei. able position of being able to ask one another what is best to do with oar money. (Cheers.) A quer tion that I have no doubt, with our many friends here in the heart of the city, will soon be most satisfactorily I answered; while, to show how much we are deserv ing of your attention, it is my duty to inform you that we have already eight annuitants, three of whom are in re ceipt of 601. per annum, that during the put year we have paid a large amount of money towards the expenses of the funeral of deceased members, or returned half the amount of their subscription to their survivor", aceoreliag to our rules, and no more strikicg proof can I give you, gentlemen, of the excellence of our institution than in relating one instance connected with it. A meritori ous actor and an excellent man, a member of a favourite metropolitan theatre, and who has often in this room shared our festivities, was taken with an illness, which prevented him following his profession, and earn ing a living. His medical attendants assured him that any excitement or exertion would be fatal, and he was ordered to live is quiet retirement. Fortunately he was a member of this fund —he had subscribed to it the required seven years, which qualified him to obtain Its benefits; and although the gross amount of his subserip tion daring that term was not much over au, he is now in the enjoyment of an annuity of GOl. a year. Nor do we, gentlemen, allow that sum to be the limit of his income— as we grow richer it will be increased, added to which soy ' annuitant is permitted to hold property to the fall amount he receives from us; we, therefor , , repudiate the words, u they run in the programme of one, at least, of the greet funds, "for the relief of the indigent actor." (Load cheers.) No, gentlemen, we do not wound their feelings in that way—we look upon the annuity given to our members as their just right, purchased by their prudence, their punc tuality in their payments, and their savings, augmented by your generosity. And we hope that we shall always experi ence and deserve that generosity, even though our benevo lence be confined to our brother and sister actors and sc• tresses—for we are no sham philanthropists—we do not let our sympathies go over the sea, while want end helpless ness are to be found in oft land. No, gentlemen, we tura our batiks upon ladies with missions. (Cheers and laughter.) I assure you there is not a Mrs. Jellyby amongst us; and that while suffering and sorrow are to be found at our own doors, we shall give our first attention there before we fall inip a frenzy of feeling for the unknown inhabitants of B.rioaodagha. And here allow me is conclude an anec dote commenced by your worthy chairman. I bare heard from my excellent friend Mr. John Barlett, the celebrated musical composer, of the worthy divine referred to ; and 1 have been further informed that at one time he hod not 60, but 200 pairs of slippers in his museum. Had he been a Mussulman he might have found a use for them—(laughter) —but not being so, he sent them up to London and geld them for his own personal behoof and profit. (Cheers and laughter.) To refer once more, gentlemen, to our charity, 1 wish to bring to your remembrance our first treasurer, the late ex cellent Mr. Elton, whose sad fate has always been ea deeply deplored, and who was one of the most ardent originator , of this fund. Hie aunt was so strongly impressed with the necessity of this institution that elle made a promisedo gin it a legacy. That lady is now dead ; she kept her promise; and I have :just received her bequest of 2001. The lady' name was Mrs. Elisabeth Drew, and I feel no little Feud cation in assuring you that while she remembered us ehe did not forget poor Elton's children. (Cheers.) But for our charter, gentlemen, this sum might have been 100 to us. (Cheers.) But it is not; for I have it—though, I am sorry to add, with one alloy, the deduction of the legacy duty of 10 per rent., and I am convinced the our worthy chairman, in his place in parliament, v;. l one dap think of that duty. (Laughter.) Pardos me if I now venture to reply to the kind alas) , made by our worthy chairman to the new position in the drama that I am about to occupy. I can only say as regards the Haymarket Theatre, it shall be m s t ron g endeavour a maintain the high character which t hat house has alWar borne, from the days of Foote end charge Colman to thou of Mr. *Webster. I assure you I Lave no belief in %boss drearg cant words, " the decline of the drama"—(cheen) -- and which, after all, are mostly uttered by those who "rota' in with orders." (Laughter.) I am firmly convie ttd the buoyancy—the vitality—uf the dr;nita, when preen means are used to attract the public ; uml though flatus tions must be eznected lq gnu pu l tuit, rr; in this I am . Santana er.OUgh . ta think, that with right entrgy , success may be attained. I commenced ;ny dramatic mere boy, and on the low. at step of the ladder ; as 1 asel ' I found each step firm and sustainii.g, and now that . $ 3 , about to plant my foot on the lust ad highest stil), would be bard indeed it that should gat e way b eneath so —and I don't think it will. (Cheers.) To those who may consider me too trusting 1 can only Po desponding or timid man should ever embark is a pa de t e.derprise. (Cheers.) Now, gentlemen, let m e hope Pol will do your best this evening fur those who have passed loog life in striving to amuse and instruct you ; 1011 2 1 Thu ,. insane stedfast trustee, Dickens , Mr. Charles Dicke. floc ° a stunt presence here, and assistance on every oc casion—. thauking you for the patience with which ) on har e totenr.d to me—l leave th.. collecting committee to proceed their vigorous duties, feeling convinced you will sot for g et I"' I know you consider to be your own. (Cheers.) Mr. C. Dtca: ENS. in a short but effective speech, pro t the health of the Chairman, who acknowledged the in appropriate terms. reply Mobilo,