The Express. — London, England, 1852-01-01 00:00:00

4 43 1 gr4111"111.0420 /I.A - N, _ .. ...e-s , '••• - ~ .i• H..: , :i# 4 46 . . ,•.• -• . /41 / 7 :4f11- ._...2- 1 -2 - „„.......,,......„..—. ;; ;;',;Z._, e ,....e..;.ev-_...__.. : . , - r. . • ------......._,/ .............-- . . . ... . . . tt _ . + ~ ... LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 1852. [THREEPENCE. No. 1,671.] . COMMERCIAL AND MARKETS. No ready. price Mt itliMiNer. ST. DUNSTAN and THE DEVIL The True Lrierd slomeiNg bow Ye 110116V4114W, berme • dons apart WilillkwWWWw. by UNkmus ‘11.tova••• • mix••••by J. Twoosom. I) %give. Ibretolbre4 london. god allemegetliNs. ICAILWAIB. THIS DAY. Two o'CLocz. The share market opened better than it left off yesterday ; Caledonians, Lancashire and Yorkshires, North Westerns, Midlands, and South Eastern. being transacted at an advance. With the decline iu Consols prices of shares also receded, but since it has become known that the Bank has reduced its rate of discount, a feelin of considerable buoyancy ban been im parted, and at the instant we write prices show a sensible tendency to a Hee, though the quotations are as yet scarcely fixed. The ftures of to-day's sales given below can only be regarded as repre senting the earlier portion of the day'. business. French shares continue to show an upward ten dency. Northern, have reached 19. L) shares, V.W ELL EltY. - 1101)11, Blttni E HS, 413, Cotaitl, ,Harter-hompe .341. jevr-lloris, silvrtornttbs. sad Mt to oohed an Hugo. tier of %bob 011ife•i•O AIOIOIIIT MEN r ILT MINATILSTS. lard I 4ealigel the el. , kont malls 41,01. MB (Mile. 'fie bi sat malls Laidua.—ak=. WIDNIIIDAT ETU ING, MINCING LANE.-THIS DAY. We have not any sales of importance to report to-day in the private contract markets; yet there seems more dis position to buy low-priced articlettthan of late. Native Ceylon Coffee is held fl mly atM9s. 6d. to 10s. The Tea market is also decidedly better, and prices in many instances show an advance of Id. per lb. on the late lowest point of the market. i:Asi)s ABLE. FESTIVITIES At this frstive „„ ins Ihr iultortauf sarmaked 4branwerire fur the wan ca3r I vtlo attotawd Maktuutum, n•sarly, 11,11WLANDa' aimAyoug npf enninilf .1.1.1.11114 lusuriaat bred of bolt. IfusLa 4.' for holeruqg aad m ai d, * ; ••t-` rta. 4 , f Hari belnlnUlP, lespartlai pimrta&k. wallow t.. tra. ter• b and 111.410.4144' Aqua Iforo k a (re past muter IT t• •uo k• Our. , in tnnIBII .1 S'n.S& asument to pawner warm nu .0..1 in ruuda Tug NATlsnyir at "qua" wl~Lonl kart 441,411ta1f ellleasy of UMW irwr itu 414 • ....b tty uapar.41!4•14.41, and mw er tam pan. Moly ehreakt • .! bit 184seati. tits.'' 44 'purl... Irelltadwle.l VW all is. A .1. h. tl.ll. the Mina 44 ItowlAnd.• that a tir th, wrapper wt WeL - .4i41141 A. IgoWLYIZ I ZI SUM. 20, Illatualr... Leeds% and by lei lieftligle. SHARKS MID snicks ItasLwAts. In 1641 q up to I p.a. THE LAU COLLIERY EXPLOSION& (Frnat the !Me, Start) Tiii reeklesi and C 3110114 Waste of hump lii in coal-pits--the eonsequenee ii slicer t and shabby stiagait-s, -is iutukTable. b4Cit:daeesell ground black republics are well-nigh as prelate in slaughter a rid republic above ground could be. On a rent S ourday miming there was a coal pit explosion At Raw marsh. near Rotherham ; at beat fifty pollic lost their lives; on the following Tuesday rort)-one funerals tool: place in the small %Wage churchyard--holly pits, calculated to receive several occupants. having been pre pared for the occasion. On Monday week there was an explosion of tire-damp in a colliery near Wigan; thirteen people were kit ed, more were injured to an extent that forbids all hope of recovery. At the inquest held On the bodies of the sufferers at Rawivarsh, the coroner adverted to a similar accident which bad occurred at Woodthorpe in the course of last month; to the lianby mean explosion in 11419, by which ;:r persons lost their lives; to the Ardaley explosion in INC. by which 70 were hur ried into eternity. Year after year the work of de struction is all., e eel to go on unchecked. Every week has its tale of horror. NOW Lancashire is the scene of the massacre-. now Yoe . ..shire. In the coal districts weekly liesatonilis arc offered up to the evil powers of ignorance. rashness and cupidity. In every case almost it is clear that the most slo venly and culpable carelessness has been the cause of the fatality. In the civil-pit near Wigan, we are told that the men socked a ith naked candles; and that on the strength of there having been " not any explosion tit any Conbeglit'llCe baste," although it is admitted that there had been " what the colliers term ' Hushes,' by which men have been slightly burnt." It appears from the evidence of the engine tenter of the colliery at Reamers'', that a 'fire trier' was indeed in the habit of going down every morning to we that the works were all safe ; but that " it was PO 11611114 to report on the state of the pit ;" that the engine-tenter a as not cautioned to prevent others from following the tire-trier till the state of the work* was reported; that other men were actually let down along with him. Here too, as at Wigan, "the men were not furnished with Dave-lamps, the pit being considered to be safe to work with the naked caiedk." In the Itawmarsh case the evidence given on the inquest, printed in our journals, shows the existowe of st it t gre uter negligence. 'the culpable rashness evinced in thew two caws must be inconceivable to any Arson not familiar with the business of excavating coal. When such a per son reads the account of the Itawmarsh explosion, is told how the accident converted the shaft of the pit into a monster cannon, from the mouth of which " carves, chair, rope, and coals: weighing from two to three tons, were propelled like canister or chain shot,—when lie reflects that the development of in flammable gas is, in coal pits. the rule and not the exception.—be can scarcely, even with the fatal evi dence of the truth Mere him, believe that men can be found fool-hardy enough to work with naked candks, or employers so callous as to content them selves with sending down a " fire trier" as a mere matter of form. The explanation is. however, obvious enough : the men are ignorant and unreasoning; their employers have no due sow of the responsibility they incur by exposing such men to danger. It is notorious how brie I an impunity reconciles men to posts of extreme peril : how soon caution is relaxed among those who have to work daily amid the nest powerful elements of destitution. .1 he driver of a steam locomotive be comes in a few days as insensible to the risk of be ing blown tie or run away with as if he were be. striding a Newroundland dog; the operative in a gunpowder mill exposes himself to be blown up ra ther than he at the troub:c of changing his = to obtain a little more light the collier uses a candle amid explosive gas constantly geuerating. The emplovcrs of these men know their obtuseness and lack oat foresight, but to save themselves trouble, or to save themselves expense, they leave them to their Dan heedlessness': even when the law imposes precautions they are enforced in a lax, inefficient manner, barely sufficient to save appearances, and escape a conviction. It hat e in he done to reform this scandalous state of affairs? In the virtue of a government superiu- Widener, we confess we have no faith. We nave government inspectors of collieries, and what have we got by them? A few pretty ingenious dilet tante essays on the dangers which beset the excava tion of coal, on the precautions adopted in other countries, on the moral duty of being cautious and careful; essays duly printed every session for the use of members of pailiament who could not read a tithe of the blue books with which they are inun dated, even though they were to devote all their waking hours to the task ; essays iuto which no mortal ever looks except some dozen or two of en thusiastic amateurs of such inquirers. It will be said, multiply your colliery inspectors, inert-am their powers. But if the men whose line are put in peril, the owners who arc exposed to lon by their machinery being destroyed and their pits rendered for a time unworkable, uniformly boxing Ca/View and reckless, what motives elle =IMO limp less, incessant, efficient wetchfuloon OE the port men who draw regular salaries as long as t han enough to save appearances, are exposed to no per sonat danger, and have nothing to lose by the demential* of machinery and the spoiling of cost. pits ? It is absurd to imagine that grown nee who have the strongest possible inducement' ell take cue of themselves, if they neglect to do le s On tie taken care of by men whose motives are 1111111 strong, as children are taken care of by a names& Without denying that something is to be by placing at the disposal of government a 101 preventive, or di teetive, or precautionary cnailit pities, it may be held to be proved that tag given number of inspectors, armed with any fninP ginable powers, cannot materially diminish Heir fres queue, or destructiveness of coal-pit accidents. Ts accomplish this desirable end we must go to nark with the owners and their workmen, and teach then to take care of themselves. Something may be done in this way by penal legislution and its vigorous enforcement. Severe pe nullity, sternly exacted, upon every man con victed of having caused or contributed to an accident by his carelessness, and upon all owners convicted of having failed to establish and carry out a strict system of precau tionary discipline, cannot be altogether unavailing. Abstractedly considered, it may appear to be aboard to imagine that men, utterly regardless of life, limb, or property, can be influenced by any such additional punishnwiits as public opinion would allow them to be subjected to. But, if we look to the history of our voice courts, we can see how efficacious the ad diti in of punishment is to check fools, over wham considerations of common sena° and common morality have no control. The house of correction has been found an eminent counter-agent even to the insane propensity to seirmit suicide. Something, however, is wanted in addition to penalties. The efficacy of coercion and punishment to restrain delinquencies is limited. Among tolerably intelligent and moral communities, comparatively few punishments are required to keep men in order : among ignorant and depraved communities, coercion and puntshtuent create a momentary terror, but, at the same time, a permanent rebellious and com bative spirit of resistance and evasion. Now, then, is the morale and the intelligence of the coal-working and the coal-owning community to be improved That is a problem .that can only be solved by some person intimately conversant with the condition and habits of that portion of the popu lation. We du not pretend to such a knowledge of all ear coal districts ; and we know that the social mini economical condition of different districts differs But we have been much with and among iial`OW110:1111 and colliers in mote than one district and there is one feature of the social circumstances hall with which we are acquainted, to which it may not be unprofitable to direct attention. In all the districts to which we refer there has been a material change for the course in the character both of the employers and the employed the last fifty years. The former have more remiss in their duty of enforcing nstemetic audios sad en orderly habits aog the man • the latter have become mere rude, km intelligent, less honest, more reckless. To this disastrous change two things have chiefly contributed. The first was the sudden and enormous extension of the coal trade ; the second, the foolish and grasping spirit of the men. ilte first began the evil; the second augmented it ; and then the first came again into play to complete the mischief. Up to the beginning of the present century the occupation of coal mining was, in a manner, a here ditary business. Both among employers and cm ploj cel it was transmitted from hither to son. The demand had nut become so great as to overtook those already engaged in it, or to attract new speculators. The masters were in easy circumstances, and could afford to be liberal; the men might be illiterate, but they had a rude art and science of their own—a pro fesoonal skill in which they prided themselves; and this partial development of their faculties, and their habit of regarding themselves as supe rior to common wurtmen, made them pru dent and forecasting. The increased demand for coals consequent upon the growth of manufacturing industry brought new capital and new employers into the business. Greater demand for labour raised wages, but at the same time employment became subject to the same intermissions as in the manufac tures to which coal had been rendered subservient. As in other trades, the wen combined to exact regu lar high remuneration from their musters. The nature of their employment rendered combination and coercion on their part comparatively easy. They insisted upon prescribing what quantity of coals each man should be allowed to turn out in • day, and what men should be exclusively allowed to work. For • time the masters yielded; but the laws which regulate labour and the application of capital could not be controlled. To escape bank ruptcy they were obliged to call in a new class of hands; the new speculators had little scruple in doing so. The new workmen, collected from all quarters, were morally and intellectually inferior to the old. The old hands soon found themselves obliged to evade their own regulations; the quantity of coals a man could turn out in a day was limited, but he took one or two of his children down the pit with him and claimed to turn out an additional quantity in their name. The rising generation thus prema turely tasked became in all respects more obtuse and reckless than their hithers; the old and new colliers sank to a common level. l'ileanwhile new coalpits were opened by capitalists who had other occupa tious, and left the charge to overseers, less interested in the maintenance of discipline, less able to enforce it. The result has been that ignorance, these habits of irregularity among the workmen, and that lax superintendence and control which, as we have seen, have occasioned such fatal accidents as those at Haw marsh and Wigan. We repeat, these observations apply only to a few coal districts. How it may stand iu ethers we know not ; but it is obvious that owing to the causes we have enumerated or others, the increasiug ignorance of the men, and the culpable indifference ut inaaters, are all but universal. 'flare can be no safety in coal pits till a great reform iu these respect* has taken place. Aud to the musters, whose education and social position render them most capable of origi nating the reform,—and whose culpability is in conse quence greatest if they shrink from originating it, —society is entitled to look for the beginning of the good work. NEW POSTAL ARRANGEMENTB.—After the sth of this month the whole of the letter receivers in rural dis tricts wi.l be denominated subisostmasters, and the name of receiver will be limited to those who keep letter eerie ing boxes in towns. After the above dete also the machinery fur accounting to the pulthe revetsue for the unpaid puer ou letter. originating and dklivend in the some official d teis trict will be simplified. This can now be door, it appears, in consequence of the compulsory prepayment of postage by stamps in the provinces. Already this new regulation , or' compulsory stamp prepayment has reduced the sums .tecteil by cosuitry picitunuiters fur postage on letters sent ay cress-road mails to oue-eighth of whit it amounted to peviria to the introduction of the new regulation, and it has also reduced the pottage collected by country post masters is ceensperdeace peening through London upwards 04•30 pet amt. Fee the year ending in Janaary, 1831, pro wiserl pastaseders solicited upwards of 400,000/. in money postage, sail upwards of 800,0001. for postage stamps. Foe the future the amount of postage in money will be im mensely reduced, and the amount foe postage stamps will be proportionately increased. APPOINTME-VTS TO OFFICES.—This day (Thursday) the set of parliament to simplify the forms of appointments to certain offices and the menace of passing grants under the great seal (14 and 15 Victoria, cap. 82) tomes into force, repealing the statute 27 Heavy Vlll., C. 11, by which all writings to be pared under the great seal were passed through the offices of the Signet and Privy Seal by warrants. In every ere where any gift or great is required to be pared, her Majesty may, by her warrant to the Lord Chancellor, cause letters patent to be peened, which warrant shall be a sufficient warrant for passing letter& palest, and no Queen's bill, Signet bill, or Privy Seal bill shall be Dere eery to the paring of such lettere patine. The offiees of clerks of the Signet and Privy Seal are by this set abol ished, sod nom ton is to be gives to the perms luddi the °Mese The duties of the Signet-take (act aa prrseded by this act) are to be performed in the 'Ma of the Secre tary of State. The treasury isle regulate the Privy Seal offices, and to fie whines. Rehm are to be made for paring letters patent. The act is not to affect letters patent, &e., not pass , d through the Signet and Privy Seal Maces. The act is to take effect from the 31st of December, MI. EXTINCTION OF A COAL-MINX 1 7 1112.—The fire in Lord Bradford's coal mine at Great Lever, near Bolton, which originated from an explosion of Are damp, a few week; ago, has been extinguished by Mr. Gurneys system of filling the ease with choke damp. The level where the Are existed is still very hot, but there is so appearance of the existence of Are. Search has been made for the bodies of the two unfortunate men who lost their lives by the ex plosion, hot hitherto without seems. A portion of their clothing, w►ieh they take of before commencing work, was found near the place where they were employed, bat the bodies were not there, so that it as probable they may have perished in some of the old working, whilst endeavouring to make their escape. Or, it may M that the bodies are covered, the roof of the mine having fallen in various places. —Mgercheater Guardian. THERM WILL BE. Five 61:NDATS IN FERRtART NEXT. A similar event will occur after 28 years, viz.. in 1880. Afterwards there will be no similar occurrence for forty years, ma, 1920 ; because the year 1900 will not be leap year, owing to the dropping of a day on the comple tion of each century. ELF.CTRIC TELEGRAVII IN I'ltt7SSlA.—The directors of the Royal Prussian Telegraph have just directed tenders to be taken in the English market fur • considerable supply of wire for their telegraphs. It may wit be generally known that the Prussian system of telegraphs has been what may be called " subhumoui," or underground. This system, owing to the want of the wires, as in this country, being properly protected by pipet or gotta perch', has been found not to answer, and the directors of the Royal Prus sian Telegraph now propos; in order to place the wires beyond the reach of the rats and mice that have hitherto deetroyed them, to Rs, them, as in this country, upon posts as the route. II " ; 1 i Kite a. re ice; . : 'L iiihn "INN - 16 & — s issia _ . , illiftWely. 41011 m,.., Illibmisell. larsakinhlk Clia Am" Me $141•44. Maisel *Was ... .. iMita l at ji ria l IltM ues Per s tb rem and Aber limn Nem (till L: & sae D) (sis a WIC; :. Eamon Thin, assa A . Ms ILL IL) be. e r r • fad DD. Smr dorsi tat 41i !Nen ladis I sad — llOm Pardon_ FAmburdi rad 01&Wow Gallo bumf. kertk, Mode. Gk•gow k Mal Woken (west ?ortbers - CZ ii l ; l7o ;:a.D 4 i"- las. I B,llpsec atilt's b. moil en. (Ira laissmkst sad Carlisle .. Laaeaddas mad Tcaltsbirr DDA. Warlattslieli . e Loam rid 116sktall es. Mr fithh" ko. Cris Lek! i Itatb-Wooten Do. bi.111076.,h..bi h.(6 iLesima h hahh.Weshiroi iles.orillastke 11Whicaladis. Usioo .D4i7 Mani 01 OSI Watern(l) . 1 ;;;;Nec . Abervvesirf. I sod Bwird „ 4 ~a.i rtu....~ Ow Pow Plortiora Gernies Uskos Nee* =Mire: 'kw* *Mb . I Ilenli Iteestli Ware .,ar.Wa Weber. elbesin. am A UO. Clue 11 atTrii;rrbary awl Motor ge. utr. W.111E.) OW= ONO Imam dm* Wales_ 4.1 h Tailiallftsrpa. t=dm/Duslinetlx, I s mei 'West Miura ...... Watidonill and 4 tpreiell naluselons Do.O.N. — lLP•rdmes fork sad Nee* 11141m` LIMY LWID AT ..sii37. Bart, MIK. owl Deft lamed to E 00•44.00.10 ductiftimmlin *ad isfilisdiS.Wiranti . pftlisis Jambs *owl to Crisdadis ."1.0! (Wool to OS /o, ti SO GloeseMer Dm" 6 ()mod toOrestvero, 32 N 1141111/1411,(1.11orldiNS SI 'SS Do. i Amos (ditto) Ili Ili Do. 1 Astro (44) So So lirodbed 01111diood 111 tondos sad Onmeawaohl Dewed tolled It &Wen 10 10 . Ditto Prolongs, (ditto) 10 II LowatokO:1.1.11p1r000.t Domed le II 10 IturainiDlto4 e r s Wi lowa Niel. 10 43 Ditto Mao Now 14 j SS IrrontoshWyro(l44.. Soo aS.WinSiLosia.AT DV 11 ,IXtts thier d e: ) le I 20 Led, miend Nerd se' al Swift Omit l el& lenleta lllides (lees. le It HY Ds theeredi Sites (dim II 23 nollnenterallee timed le Mr. lleinte— tt 21 Weer Velliaa k c.t. " et. lee & &usenet (Ineee to Omit 11401114 IS1 1 • 1 "ma - PP. mol Vabbbal reti guisi .. b - - Uateiliesl Eamers Owaties per et Do. Ditto et. Do New 4 per Clot. !toil', Pe o44.ooiso. a fA ris Dumb% Si per .. Peet Ilen ben 3 1111 -5- lei 1 i Os 24 21 lii Pia 'I ~ 107 I Ii 111 Ilb I Pm I. Imo 1 pm 1 2 04, II Is 133 lei It 4 4 4 6 6 l i di• w ri. ISi IS II IS If 141 1l !+r lei i i 91 ~j Ipo. 6 wx 0661..!?di tom , ;Da Now 6 went: M.Wiletdore Ilmarlos) 6 par larlasitatlaWrotan M•wt lir.lllll.lllltUas. Intel Do. DI I lo I $ O. 110! ..ard. Worn*liir; ci a:l WeMr, SIL Spit iirelpsialrallkwOrr. illimakeloolapke.W. Ms.) • pre Oakt... . . TO1111•••••14,111 Ism, 01.11wth of Rag.pureb. 8 Nue Ditto .. .. 111 Taatia4Ald.ll4o.l4ifte. 1 1144 147 Dale l a ?Moms...: Sofia ialsagas... Wirral*sal M pa Sank INallwablaa lerg, ii l - I a ; le , le 2I I is It I 17 WI • FOREIGN RAILWAYS. ▪ 1 1- 111001000 i 404 deism ... 114 V a t 11 10 About' Vabb (Victim) 1 10 1 1 'Dutch —4l dis $ IS /Kim 1001 as . SI pm I 5 ocrat Indian Psaboila... 1 3 1( 1 1 . bi 11 lbseshiletic .„ SI 10 10 Du. (Ilailway) 11 1 3 S Do. (Curl) 4 Ili 371 Nub 10 1111 110, M. Noir SO 10 Miami am LIM At 7 10 IA "liftbrrn IrAstre... IRe IS/ N 9 Odium Nod 3( N Grimm 40 41 N 10 'Paris end bows ISt Mt N IS ,Parts end ntrarociirg ... 14 11 IN N 10 Mims sad Ilaino Pt 91 11 ton illisbm AM Memo— ... 4 4 21 1 10 17 115iim mei Nmtrii n 1 db. 1111 Si Web 21 1111 I Io Ili in If 1111 II If BELFAST AND COUNTY DOWN BAILWAY.—Tho traffic on the above railway was, for the week ending Dee. 28 :—Vassengers, 2261. Is. NI.; subscriptions, 111.95. 6d.; goods and parcels, 351. 12s. M. Total, 2731. 12s. Id. Cerreepoadleg week last year, 3621. lea 111 SS IS 11 die if II Pe 40 4 Si li 7 1 •• 6 4 . 171 I 7 te 114 14 117 f 1171 ii pm Ilf II lii I „ SI 17 74 Ms 13 Ili II „ li a - aa a. Ili die ri 14 l e l 1:1 tis t. 7 I 74 Ms 4ft par IS 151 14 11 9 9 4 1 7 : 1 $44 k 14 14 7 a 10 It I W 34 31 dig H 16 1111 WI at at 111 9 10 II II to IS Os Me If! fts " IS SO ■ II II 11 pa 7 •N 111 IS! I s s s l• 4 14 10 4 ' Pa 13 . " ft i tie 11014 11.4 41 41 NI II 21 I Iff 11 14 II a a Ipa M 44 Se 9 4 Psi 214 211 8 *4 If fpm 14 as n Id U SMAII". is is Si di 50 SO 1 too 1 'I sou itoo !47 as ei `ioo E. al 13 20 id I it. $0 a 174 SO ''. I ii THIS DAY. Two o'Ctocx. The Bank of England minimum rate of discount, after standing lbr upwards of twelve months at 3 per cent., has lit length been reduced to 21 per cent. by the hard of directors at their weekly meeting this day. The meeting having been unnsu ally long, the information has only just reached the Stock Exchange, where its effect upon prier has been Namely so marked as was expected, a eueum stanco mainly duo to the continued reports of the • of the Cabinet. 4 r i 1 Console yesterday at the reduced rate of 961 to 97 cx div. for the 16th January, on males founded upon ministerial embarrassments. To day the market opened gather better, the price beiag first market 7 11, and Mier a little weakness, the easeememimil et do lisp taken by the Bank serried it to 971 to 1. Sellers again offering, however, the present quotation is only 97/ to 1, but it meg be noted that more decision is now given to the dealers, operations having been much interfered with by the prevalent uncertainty with re kenos to the rate of discount. At the figure of 974 the wer unmet broker has again invested in liteterei_Vrem. Mad prices are :—Thres per -Cent. Illronsols for account, 97/, 97. Three per Cent. Reduced, 971, 1. New Three-and-a-Quar ter per Cents., 981, 1, I, /. Long Annuities, 1860, 7 1-16 ; ditto 30 years, 1859, 61. Bank Stock, 216. Exchequer Bills have remained well supported at 565. to 595. prem. What effect the measure of the Bank Directors will have, remains to be seen, but it has been in a great measure anticipated. India Bonds rule at 655. to 68s. prom. With the exception of Mexican Bonds, which are lower, the foreign stock market is firm, but the dealings to-day have not been extensive, operators awaiting the course of events. The sales as yet recorded are as follows: Dutch Twcrand-a-Half per Cents., 581, 591, 59 ex div.; ditto Four per Cent. Certificates, 901. French Five per Cent. Rentes, 100 fr. 75c., 100 fr. 50e. (exchange 25fr. 25c.). Mexican Bonds, 281, 28, 1. Peruvian Five per Cents., 1849, 94; ditto, Deferred, 471, 471. Portuguese Five per Cents. (Brazil guarantee), 921; ditto Four per Cents., 34. Sardinian Five per Cents., 87. Spanish Active Five per Cents., 211, 22; ditto Old Three per Cents., 401, 1 ex div.; ditto New Deferred Three per Cents., 171, k ex div. The market for Gold Mining shares is flat, with little doing. Aqua Frio are rather lower at 1 to 1 prem., and Nouveau Mondes at 1 to 7 prem. Anglo Californians rule at k to 4 prem; and"British Australian Gold at par to 1 prem. English and Australian Copper Companies shares are worth Ito Am o lthough tho tendency . of railway . traffic, as shown in the returns now in course of issue, is not so strikingly in the direction of an increase as hitherto, still the receipts, on the whole, keep up very well. 'fhe London and North Western return for the last week is 41,6791. against 41,5531. in the corresponding week of last year, being an increase of 1261.; the Mid1and,24,5411. against 23,8081.—increase, 7331.; the Lancashire and Yorkshire, 15,9971., against 13,4061 . — increase, 2,5411.; the London and South Western, 9,0541., against 9,sB7l.—decrease, 5331.; the Great Western, 15,8201., against 14,8441.—increase, 9761. ; the York and North Midland, 7,7881., against 6,B99l.—increase, 866/.; the Bristol and Exeter, 4,2241., against 3,6811. —increase, 643/. ; the York, Neweastk, and Berwick, 14,8671., against 13,8551.—increase, 1,0121.; the Great Northern, 11,3881., against B,3osl.—increase, 3,5331. The suspension is this morning announced of Messrs. James Bult, Son, and Co., bullion dealers, in Cheapside. who are also designated bankers. The arrival of two-and-forty tons of gold valuta fremiCledihrula-bisaiiseited mask lutenist, and the con.siment was shown on the premises Messrs. D avies, of Gracechurch-street. Tha prod", fills about a hundred barrels, which gave rise to the report that the quantity was one hundred tons. It is from the now favourite district of Nevada county, being raised from Grass Valley, and being shipped by mail steamer at San Francisco, was transshipped at Panama for Chagres, thence carried by steamer to New York, and from the latter place brought by the Hendrick Hudson liner. Tho specimens are of various degrees of richness, some small choice ones abounding with gold, but in the great bulk as yet unpacked, gold is thinly disseminated. In many cases there are no outward signs of gold, but there is every reason to believe that the cargo is a rich one. The picked specimens are valued at the rate of 7,0001. per ton, and have been anxiously sought after by some of the Californian companies that lave no local habitation in the golden regions; the balk of the rock is valued to average 1001. per ton. This con signment creates great interest, because it will to sonic extent afford materials for future operations of the same kind. The quartz is in such lumps and in such quantities as to enable effectual experiments in stamping to be made, which will throw some light on the nature of tho machinery expedient to be used here and in California. If, too, the venture prove in any degree satisfactory, it will lead to fur ther consignments. It is very true the freight on this cargo has been very large, and the freight on quartz rock from San Francisco to London must, under any circumstances, be high, but it is tree. tionablo whether the expense of maintaining and working reduction machinery iu California is not so considerable as to more than counterbalance the freight. In the general joint stock share market there is an absence of active movement, with the exception of insurance shares, to which a certain amount of at tention continues to be directed. Generally, how over, there is no disposition to concede lower prices. Very little business has been done in bank shares during the week, but prices are well supported, and Oriental Bank, National l'rovincial of England, and Provincial of Ireland, have met with purchasers at full rates. The sales are limited to :—Australasia (401. paid), 39 ; British North American (501. paid), 48 ex div.; National Provincial of England - (331. paid), 41; Oriental Bank Corporation (251. paid), 30; Provincial of Ireland (25/. paid), 45; Union of Atutralis (21. 10s. paid), 31. Duck shares are quiet and steady. Commercial stock is worth 831; East and West India, 145; London, 121; St. Katharine, 81. In steam-boat shares there is also an absence of movement, but a few sales of Peninsular and Orientals have been made at a rather lower figure. General Steam Navigation shares mark 28, 271; Peninsular and Oriental, 74), 731; ditto, Now (101. paid) 18; Royal Mail Steam, 801, 1, 1. Insurance shares remain firm, and an improve ment has occurred during the week in Alliance, Atlas, and Clerical, Medical , and General Life shares.l The latest quotations of the market are u follows : Albion, 86; Alliance, British and Foreign, 211 ; ditto, Marine, 42l ; Anchor, 11 • Atlas, 171 • ' British Commercial, 71 ;Clerical, Medic a l, and General Life, 271 ; Crown, 1.5; Eagle, 0/ ; Equity and Law, 4 h English and Scottish Law Life, 31; European Life, 12; General, 31; Globe, 133 ; Guardian, 5.5!„ 1, 35 ; Imperial Fire, 243 ; Imperial Life, 18; Indemnity Marine, 48 ; Law Fire, 3 1 ; Law Life, 461; Legal and General Life, 41; London Fire, 201; London Ship, 201 ; Marine, 151 ; Medical, Invalid, and General . Life, 21 ; Monarch, 19s. ; National Loan Fund, 24 ; Pelican, 38 ; Phrenix, 100 ; Professional Life, ; Provident Life, 30 ; Rock Life, 0 4 ' ; Royal Exchange, 225 ; Sun Fire, 209 ; ditto Life, 48 ; United Kingdom, 4 ; Victoria Life, .5, 61. The General Reversionary and Investment So ciety's shares are quoted 95 ; Equitable Reversionary, 1071 ex die. ; London Reversionary, 44 ; Reversion ary Interest Society,lool. Miscellaneous shares are quoted as follows in the official list:—Assam Tea Company, 91; Australian Agricultural, 13 ; Australian Trust, 201, 1; Anglo. Mexican Mint, 241; Canada Company, 49 ; Had son's Bay Stock, 206; South Australian, 231; Van 134 Ili 13 gt I : • 161 13j 16 96i 114 17 IS To-day the accounts in the foreign stock and in the railway market were brought to a period, and a com mercial year closed, which has proved one of great anxiety. It opened, it is true, with some depression from the silver panic, but with strong hopes of a sti mulus to trade from the Great Exhibition. On the other hand, at an early period, from the nature of the winter, serious fears were entertained as to the Train crops throughout Europe. On the whole, if sanguine expectations have been disappointed, so have brooding fears; but to have got fairly through the year is all that can be claimed at the end. A large export business has been done, chiefly in the beginning of the year, but low prices and small pro fits have prevailed, and the foreign produce market has, contrary to anticipation, been subjected to a con siderable decline in prices. In the course of the year many failures have occurred, which have generally been of a quiet character, not partaking of the nature of a panic, and generally attributable to the rotten condition of firms long engaged in trading beyond their means. Lcd on by the supposed influence of Cali fornia and the prospects of the Exhibition manyhouses in desperate circumstances made a last venture, and which resulted in their utter prostration. Events of this kind have rather contributed to the soundness of trade than otherwise, but there is still reason to be lieve that a large number of houses of a like clan to those which have failed are in serious difficulties. In the United States similar occurrences have been brought under notice, although there tho general prosperity has been of a more decided character, nor, indeed, is it to be expected, that under any condition of prosperity we are to be exempt from failures, nor that recklessness and dishonesty are to be indulged with perpetual protection. Last rear great alarm prevailed, owing to an ap prehension that the Californian supplies of gold had disturbed the price of silver, and were about to in fluence that of all commodities; this year, although Australia has opened her stores, and unusual sup plies have been obtained from California, less de cided opinions are adopted. We have witnessed a re-action of prices in the precious metals, which restored the former relations of gold and silver, but this has now been interrupted by political causes, under the cover of which, however, operations in prices may be as yet concealed. Tho same political causes eve a check to joint-stock speculations which had their origin iu the plethora of capital and the want of favoured channels for its employment, but we have no assurance that such spirit of speculation has been extinguished. So far as prices have been concerned, those of public securities have been pretty evenly supported. With regard to railway stocks, the rise of prices in the spring was checked, and although the traffic has shown a continuous progression, independent of the Exhibition, no adequate rally has taken place. There has been no great call for capital in this department or in any other branch of joint-stock industry, but guaranteed shares having come more into favour a &race foundation has been laid for future operations. The prices of grain and home productions generally have not been subjected to great fluctuations, which have been most marked es already observed in foreign produce. Hitherto the tendency has been decidedly towards an adjustment on lower prices, but there are certainly indications of an action in the opposite di rection, and, an extreme probability, if peace be maintained in Europe, of a rise in prices resulting :tom the large imports of bullion. ISNOLIaII WIN ~..—Tuts DAT. Ikllt Moat. 2U itil LAAK Aramlties,rbut 3 in (.1. Natured. Nil I 'Wh trtook. that 3 ver IX. Color .Ir, that Illtto 1t05r10.0i..01., 665. 6%. Ditto for Ace. . 911 i Erchrwour Bithl,lNrui, SC. 30a. 13 por VI. Coooolk NI t FOREIGN /UNDO. 4i par i ft. i .n. 92 4 3 pea Ct. Mezteea. 34 f 6 w x 1 1...tra i ril , lir. el 4 6 per Ct. Permian. 91 Il DIVA Pefeeerthl. /444 t lose .. pet it &e " I Ct. 3 Ct. I 14 !per Ct. Ctill GI 4 Iffer ta. Remise, 1 3 3 per Ct. , Danish, NO at 6µr Ct. mantel% A ea Ili 2 2 1 Pee Ct. Dutch. .•9 Al 3 per Ct. 24azzln. 4 1 4 $3 4 per Ct. Dutch. NG 3.04 D. Paste., 3 4 Matador. 3 4 24 per Cl. Venezuela. 33 7 1 per Cl. Chmesds. 11 13 De. Deferred. II 13 finials. 6 per Get. SS to ell. LOCAL SHARE MARKETS. Ltrnaroot, Dec. 31.—Our share market has kept steady throughout the day, and closes firmly with price. fully sup ported. Aberdeen, 121— Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire, 111 d.—Ditto (late Chester and Birkenhead), 161 —Caledonian, 161 1 1 I—Chester and Holyhead, 211— East Lancashire, 16—Lancushire and Yorkshire, 6111 I—Ditto (fifth shares), 7 916 d.—London and North Western, 1181 I—Ditto (new 1-shares), 3j c. c.p.— Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 341—Midland, 681 Ic. —North Union B (guar. by L. and N. W. and Lan. and York.), 177—North Western, 12 d.—South-Eastern and Dover, 211 2 11—York and North Midland, 231 1 — Great Southern and Western, 351. BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 31.—There was not much business done in this market to-day, but prices continued firm. Shrewsbury and Birmingham B's were done at 41. 13s. 9d., and, in local stocks, Birmingham Canals at 95, and Bir mingham Banks at 281. MANOHLITIR, Dec. 31.—Prices opened firm, and there was a good business, but the market closes weaker. There was a Marge sale of East Lancashires, which opened at 151, reached 16, and closed at 16 13-16; Leeds, 4; Midlands, 681 ; Sheffield., 311, 1 N 1 ; York and North Midland, 221; London and North estern, 1171; and Dover., 211. LERDS, Disc. 31.—We have had a rather weaker market this morning, but without any material change in quota tions. Closing sales.—Caledonians, 161 ; Lancashire and Yorkshires, 64; North Westerns, 111. 16.. 3d.; Leeds Northern., 16; York and North Midlands, 231; North Western pref., 14; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln shires, 341 ; Midland stock, 681. BRISTOL, Die. 31.—We had a good business done to-day, and at greatly increased rates. Ores: Westerns were done as high as 88, and Bristol and Ezeten advanced to 81. THE FORTIFIED LINE or ENCEINTE ROUND PARIS, which has caused so much observation and discussion, is composed of a rampart, ditch, covered berm (broad enough to be manned by skirmishers, or riflemen), and raised gluts, as accurately as I could measure them—which any person is allowed to do—of the following dimensions: Height of the masonry of the escarp, above which is an earthen parapet, 33 ft.; breadth of the ditch, from 65 to 150 ft.; height of crest of glacis above the bottom of the ditch, 26 ft. The masonry of the escarp is so well covered in front, that it would evidently be impossible to breach it front • distance; and the enceinte, being a bastioned line, is in every part thoroughly well flanked; besides which, its ex tent is so great that, practically speaking, it pomessesalmost the advantage of being a straight interminable front, which of course would prevent an enemy from enveloping its works for the purpose of enfilading them. The cowl tencarp has not been riveted ; and thus not only has • great expense been saved, but as tho army of de fence would always be on a very large scale, the slope upwards to the covered berm and crest of the glacis would enable columr.s of troops of 10.000 or 20,000 men to make sorties on extended fronts from the ditch, which would again afford them most easy and convenient shelter if re pulsed. The passage through the enceinte for the high roads (similar to that in which my carriage was steadiest) would, of course, have proper gates, barriers, and loophole,) defences applied whenever there appeared any probability of their being required, and at the same time the works would he armed. The fortifying of l'aris is generally acknowledged to have been • very judicious measure, and in this opinion I quite concur. Wars will here after be more likely to be made by coalitions than formerly, and France more than any other country likely to ba attacked by a powerful coalition. The armies of the continent of Europe are much larger titan they used to be ; and from these facts combined, it is un deniable that France may be assailed by 400,000 or 500,000 I men at once. Under such circumstances, the old lines of frontier-fortresses would not, as they were intended, afford the resource of chocking the enemy at the threshold for months, because he would have forces enough to mask or watch them, as also his commun.catanns, unit to make a dash at the capital with 100,000 or 150,030 troops, as was dose in 1814, and again after Waterloo, and as, on similar principles of his own originating, Napoleon did in 1809 and 1812, &e. Besides this, the frontiers of Fran. e, by the peace of 1815, have itf ell left comparatively open as regards the covering by fortresses, and thus all the studies and labours of Vauban, Louis XIV., and Bonaparte, have been completely annulled. If Paris, therefore, could be male defensible, so as to afford time, before it were taken, to give to the government a chance of reorganising new armies, and of then acting upon the more extended lines or operations of the invader, it would more than replace the advantages of the frontier fortresses, inasmuch as the movement, against it would be much more diticult to support, and consequently much ranee dangerous to attempt.—lkaa's Faggot of French Shoe. Correr.—This article has been declining during the year, and heavy losses must have been sustained. Native Ceylon may be considered the Consols of the coffee market, and the prices indicate pretty accurately those of other descriptions. The year opened with a large quantity of native held by speculators, but with public opinion against the speculation. On Jan. I the prices were Ms. to 575. ; March 1, 465. to 475.; June I, 395. to 40s. ; September 1, 3se. to 395. ; December 1,40 s. to 40e. 62. ; and the quotation to-day, 31st December, 395. to 395. 6d. The reduction in the duty on foreign coffee brought this description into competition with British plantation for home consumption, and large parcels of Costa Bios have been bought by the home trade derlers, hut this has b e en partly counterbalanced by exporters buying good and fine coloury plantation Ceylon as a substitute for Costa Rica and other descriptions which formerly the differential duties ex cluded from our markets. The deliveries for home con sumption this year has exceeded that of 1850 (which•was very small) about 700 tons. The importation fur the year has been 22,000 tons, against 22,700 tons, 1850. The deli veries for home consumption, 14,700 tons, against 13,940 tons. The stock on band is 1,800 tons, against 19,200 tons 1850. CHICORY still continues materially to interfere with the consumption of this article. Nearly ooe•third of this uncle If adulteration is used, and of course buyers who send for and presume they have a pound of coffee delivered to them by the grocer, have only three-quarters of a pound delivered, and the importer sells so much loss. TALLOW MARKET.—THIS DAY. Ths Tallow market is unaltered, at the following quota tions:—Petersburg Y.C. on the spot, Ns. 9d. ; new year (1852), aia.; January and March, 3C4. SMITHFIELD HAY MAItKET.—TIIIS DAY. Messrs. Cooper and Doyle report trade very heavy, at the following quotations: Prime Meadow Uay, 664. to 78e ; interior, 60s. to 63v. Uowen, 665. to 60t. Clover, old, 70s. to 80s. Straw, 225. to Zs. COALS.-Lotennsr, Disc. 31.-CLOSE or Tilt M• 11. urx.-Allerdean Hartley, 13,.; Carr's Hartley, 141.; Chester Main, 14,. 64. ; Rulings' Hartley, 14s. ; Howard's West Hartley Netherton, 14s. ; Newcastle Hartley, 141. ; Ravensworth West Hartley, 14s. ; Redheugh Main, 13e. ; Tanheld Moor, 14e. ; Tanfield Moor Butes, 14s. ; Townley, 14s. 64. ; Tyne Main, 12s. 91. ; Walker Primrose. 12e. 6d. ; Wylam,llsl. 9d.; Walls End Burnhope, 14s. ; Walls End Bell and Brown, 15e. 3d. ; Walls End Elm Park, 151. 3d.; Walls End Goeforth, 15s. 3d. ; Walls End Heaton, 15e. 32. ; Walls End Riddell, 1.5 e. ; Eden Main, 16s. 34. ; Lambton Primrose, 164. 6d. ; Walls End Belmont, 161. ; Walls End Braddyll, 17s. 6d. ; Walls End Helton, 17s. Gd. ; Walls End Lamhton, 171.; Walls End Lumley, 16s. ; Walls End Pensher, 16s. ; Walls End Russel's Helen, 175.; Walls End Scarborough, 16s. ; Walls End Stewart's, 17s. Gd. ,• Walls End Whitwell, 14s. 94.; Walls End Hartlepool, 17s. 6d. ; Walls End Heugh Hall, 16.. 3d.; Walls End Hunwiek, 145.; Walls End Kelloe, 17s. 31. ; Walls End South Hartlepool, 17s. ; Walls End Thernley, 16e. 3d. ; Walls End Whitworth, 14s. 3d.; Walls End Adelaide Tees, 16s. 641. ; Walls End Cleaveland Tees, 15s. Gd. ; Walls End Matlean's Tees, 14s. 64. ; Walls End South Durham, 15s. 3d. ; Walls End Tees, 17s. 3d. ; Walls End West Cornferth, 15s. 3d. ; Cowpen Hartley, 14s. ; Derwentwater Hartley, 14s. ; Hartley, 131.6 d. ; Helton Nuts, 13s. ; Nixon's Merthyr and Cardiff, 21s. ; Sydney's Hartley, 141. ; Whitworth Coke, 20e.- Ships at market, 246; sold, 101. PUBLIC SALES. Dec. 31.—8 y Messrs. PAO. and CAMEROV, at Gam way's —Freehold property, land tax redeemed, known as the King's Head Tavern, Poultry, with the goodwill and possession —knocked down at 6,9201. By Messrs. 11. Beowe and T. A. Boozers, at the Mart. —Two villa residences, called Tring-road Villas, near the railway station, Aylesbury, held fur 74 years, at 151. per annum—sold for 1,1001. A smaller residence, adjoining the preceding, held for the amuse term, at 51. per annum—sold for 3601. Two !louses, Green-lanes, Stoke Newing ton, let Ow 604 pr mane, WI Mese, held for 72 years, at 101. IN.—knocked down for 2861. Four unfinished bosses, Ann-street, Plumstead, Kent, held for 70 years from 1845, at 91.—sold for 1001. THE NEW WESTMINSTER BRIDGE. The report of the commission, says the Builder, ho not yet been pre sented to parliament, hut we can give what we believe will be the recommendations contained in it. The commie 'loners recommend that the old structure should be used as a temporary bridge, and that a new bridge should be con structed adjoining, or as near as possible to the present bridge, on the north side, that is, lower down the river; that it should not be lees than 60 feet in width, including the footways; that the height of headway of the centre arch should not be less than 25 feet 6 inches above Trinity datum ; that it should consist of no more than five arches ; and that it should be an iron structure resting on stone piers, as this would require less rise than a stone bridge, admit of a greater span of arch, and throw less pressure on the foundations. With respect to the height rind width, Mr. Barry, in his evidence, stated, as indispensable conditions, if the bridge were to remain where it now is, that the roadway should be level from shore to shore, that the width of the roadway should not be less than 100 feet, and that the height of the road should not exceed 29 feet above Trinity standard. These conditions, of course, had refer. epee to the effect of the Now Houses of Parliament, and the commissioners admitted their importance in that respect; but, considering that a bridge of this limited height and ex tended width would prove en obstacle to the passage of 'res ole they have not adopted them. A bridge of the width proposed by Mr. Barry would be a fine feature as well es great convenience, and it should be considered whether or not it might he obtained, or, at all events, approximated, without increasing the obstruction in the river, by means of overhanging foothpathe carried by cantilevers or balance girders. The property scheduled to come down includes the boasts on the south side of Bridge-street, extending as far ws the India Board, and then returns into Parliament street. On the Surrey side the houses now standing on both sides of Bridge-road arc taken as far as Belvedere. road on the north side, and Btsngate on the south aide, and a few houses on the east aide of Belvedere-road, at the corner ' of Bridge-road. How OUR ANCESTORS "PROTECTED' US.—ln the reign of James the Fourth of Scotland, the magistrates of towns were enjoined " to set prices upon bread, ale, and all other necessarie things, wrought and bought." James the Fifth appointed a commissioner " for setting prices on eraftsmen's work and stuff, victual and salt." Then, the law told every man what price he was to set upon all goods in his shop: now, the tradesman is left to make for himself Maple: calculations, and to discover through much trouble whoa he aught to charge in order to insure an honest living. Qualm Nary decreed th at prices should be set also on wild OM low fowl. "The black cock," says her Majesty, per asoisle, "is to be ea: pennies, and the tame hen eight peamles." . . Charles the Second prohibited the im partation of gold and silver lace, buttons, thread, or Manila willow gold or silver were to be found or counterfeited ; linen, , damask, calico, cotton, wool, lint ; carpets, silt bads_ stockings, shoes, bows, gloves, &c. James the Math bad interdicted the exportation of " linen cloth, lint tai; thodbes, tallow, butter, hides, shoes, cattle, cools, eMls„ lases,, wool, skins, herrings," lc. Charles the Second •4114 to the list worsted, woollen yarn, broken copper, beam, es pewter, under pain of confiscation, one-half to the king. one half to the apprehender. The British subject was evidently being taken care of; he felt every day of his life, as a child does, the paternal coercion for has goad. As fur navigation, it was very properly attended to. "It wax forbidden that any vessel should pass out of the realm without the king's consent." (James the Sixth.) It is well known what care a father takes to keep his children from uncontrolled rambling on the public highways. No thing can be more scandalous to any family than a neglect of this precaution. 'The wise spirit of our ancestors perceived this, and James the Fourth enacted, "That no man, spi ritual or temporal, pass forth the realm without licence, or being abroad, do anything against their license." They were ordered to be good boys; and were kept out of the temptation of strange pie -men and pastryceeks by the ba ther provision of the statute Money wee protected no lees carefully. Wu all know how, in the present day, coin slips out of our fingers. Formerly, bowers r, Britons were commanded by the law to hold it tight. Under Charles the Secend • strict act was passed " appointing merchants to swear before the Treasurer not to export coined money ; nor to suffer the SAM to be exported ; nor to conceit! the cavorting thereof. And that no merchant or skipper trade or make voyage to any forraign place before they take the said oath." And there is only allowed to passengers sixty pounds (Soots pounds, twelfths of a pound sterling) for their charges ; and all licensee are discharged, except to such se should make faith, or give bead that the money is to be bestowed for timber in Norway, or" for vic tual in time of extreme dearth -` " the ouperfios."—Dickena's "if; NoßTli STAPPORDSUIRE for railway and canal for the w Ourreepooduzi week last year, 1; and that they dull return Househoki Word , '" E ItmLwAY.—Traffic return wri, ending Dee. • 4,735 i. r,4,6281. 10.* :1 1 Q 1 4 lis r . .' iNi 1 r i ' • e . • • , ':-..,. 4 CI ..., ::"C' II IN Si le • I I 1 1 I tO 13 lit 411 61 17 3 so 6 I 11 U 0 If N 14 2 .9 $4 33/ 117 i 4 e►l 11 Si dim 111 SI Me & 1 8 II I -. a