The Express. — London, England, 1853-12-14 00:00:00

AMERICA. . - Our correspondent writes : NEW YORK, Nov. 30. The coming event of the President's Message, ' Audi is to be delivered on Monday next, when cous ess assembles, is the principal topic of conver lidos among our political quidnunc'. The demo crstic piety controls the Congress, outnumbering as i t doss the.7%Vhig party ; and consequently there will be little Itfectual opposition to the measures of the adouni.,:ration which are dictated in accordance to t h e v i e w of the entire party. That party may, how rer, split on measures which will involve directly' or i n directly the great question of slavery, which Much as the pro slavery men of both parties ma y desire to pass over, or keep in the back round cannot fail to turn up in exciting discussions. A terr itorial government has to be p - ovided for Ne braska, which must involve a discussion of the ob itoioos question ; though it is the opinion of many that it will be impossible to extend slavery there, bon. desirous soever southern men may be to insist on thcirabstract right to do so. The fugitive slave bill which it is expected the President will strongly en d ors e, will not be disturbed, but it is very hkely to become a dead letter. Fugitive slaves will not re main to settle anywhere they may be likely to be ought. The norms, of the law at first took by surprise many slaves who bad escaped long ago, and who trusted to the chance of not being recognised by lapse ut time. This no longer operated, and no future fugitives will settle in dangerous localities. The principal topics of the President's message will be the tariff, our foreign relations, and what are called the compromise measures, which were passed to discountenance slavery agitation. The alterations to be proposed in the tariff will be of great interest to other nations as well as our own. The southern actions are opposed to a reduction of the duty on foreign sugar, and Pennsylvania is opposed to any reduction in the duty on iron. Both parties will be disappointed. Mr. Secretary Guthrie is considered a man of a large and comprehensive grasp of mind, and will not fail to see that the interest of the country Les in its extending the power of the country to con same, and that of the manufacturers to r4uce, at the least cost. The duties on s, dye stuM, and all articles which ore the materials of manufacture, will be removed in toga. all duties on articles yielding not more, or little more, than the expenses of collection will be re moved. The duty ou iron will be modified to suit the important interest of our railroads; the duty on foreign salt, which injures the farming intemt, will be repealed or reduced ; and the list of free articles will be materially extended, while specific duties will be partially at least substituted for ad valorem deities. _ . _ The state of the revenue is highly favourable to a very large reduction of taxation. There is a grow ing opinion in favour not exactly of positive free trade, but in less discriminating duties. Even the manufacturieg interest feels itself stronger, from its improved condition, of eucountering foreign compe tition. It has frequently been remarked that our bade will France involved large specie payments; as we take far more goods from them than they from us; while with England direct the ass is different, especially when, as sow, we export there much grain and flour. The public debt of this country stands to-day at 67,132,6.57 dole. 43c., inclusive of the five million un tamed stock to Texas. The course of the ministry es the question of the tariff will be plain, positive, and acceptable. On our foreign relations it is under lewd that the ministry will take high ground. Lord John Russell's despatch will be incidentally rebuked. A more direct interest in the state of Cuba than any ether 'nation, except Spain herself, will be insisted es ; and mild but strong ad ea/dam/am words will be need befitting the occasion. It is to be remarked, however, that President Pierce is more likely to imitate President Polk than President Jackson. lie will talk for the multitude while he will follow his own conservative notions ; for that be is essentially conservative and a lover of peace is as much predicated of him, as is his dispo sition and ability to shape his talk and his action to the state of the public mind. He will appear to yield while he will follow his own guiding will. Our ambassador at Spain will endeavour to pave the way h future ultimate action in regard to securing Cubs, if possible by purchase, or otherwise with Spain's own ocean' ; but no force will be attempted. There is a real and frank disposition to give way on the fishery question with great Britain, and we have not the least doubt that the fish and coal of Nova Scotia will be admitted duty free, and a freer trade with all the North American colonies established, in re turn for the tree navigation of the St. Lawrence and the right of fishing in the colonial fisheries on equal terms. The virulence of party feeling is more in talk than reality, and the measures of the administration are act likely be affected by it. In the state of New York most virulence of party has been felt, which hue operated to the division and consequent defeat d the democrats at the recent state elections and the triumph of the whip. This is, however, only only a4seal affair. EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA. —w— It it impossible not to feel mach interest in the sleets which the Australian colonies are making to pro mote edentioe. There are two systems eemnienaneod and supported by the legislature of Mew South Wales. One they all the " National ;" it is ossimelleal Ages naively the same principles as the Irish "MOW fleensks. Th• ether spume they call the "Demeneinatienel," which is analogods to that on which tbe pellemmallney grant is dis tributed:la Ragland by the Privy Osanoll ; that is, the four most important reliollne ilembietteme-4a• Anglican, Boman Cadsolie, are Wesiegan, receive • sham each, ee their respell's numbers, of a public great. se at home, the ditch& and philoso- Vim are strongly is favour of the " National "or Non sectarian" system, while the public penally prefer the "Denominational"—that is, they like better sending their children when they are taught the religion of their prime, as well an secular matters, wh there is a choice. The bishops (Anglican and Roman Catholic), and most of the elergy, oppose the National Schools; still they seem to be well suported and well oondueted, and I have as doult will, b 7 degrees, make their way into public hum, especially so country districts, where there is not • geflisistidy large population of any one religion to support • pod The number of children at all the schools, Wilk and private, in the colony in 18:11, was 21,000, out of a populati on o f 197,000. Of them 11,000 were Denomi national ; 2,800 " National ;" the balance " private." Just 60 per cent of the population profess to be Anglicans, about 25 per east. Roman Catholics, 20 Presbyterians, 6 Miscellaneous. The master of the Central School is, I am told, a very intelligent, competent man. They talkan amusing story about his appointment, which I without vouching for its truth. It is said that the local governmeat wrote to retreat that the Colonial Office would procure and send out• • ritiserm, wall acqnainted with the " leiih national system." TIM " dim ' applied, with ita usual discrimination, to the Disfe. of London, who sent tbm a very ma, trawl at Battersea. Mr. wept to Down sptmeet e sail erespeestved by the clerk, who said you're the schoolmaster for Australia. You un- 1 1 wood the Irish national system ? " " Nemeses' saw it in operation," said Mr. —, aghast. " Oh '. DOM naiad, you'll soon learn it, 1 dare say. Your wife is an experienced isistrem / " " I__!y Wife . I wee married." " well, you'll have to get a wife before you soil, for they waist a Master and mistress, who must be married. And you Dave not much time, for there's a vessel sailing for Swan River en Friday week, chartered by government, and there's a berth kept for you in her." Swap River ! I have been engaged for Sydney." " Oh, ind, there are plenty of ways of going from sue part of Australia to another. At any rate, it's settled so. and you must be ready." Whatever may be the troth of this story, Mr. cer tainly get safe to Sydney ; and being really a clever man, aad ea excellent schoolmaster, he has given complete satis faction his employers an d public. He gets 3)OI. a year, and the school foes, estimated at 1501. more.—Frascr's Magazin*. SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT A FOUNDRY.—An inquest was held at Manchester on Monday, before Mr. Herfurd, the coroner for that city, on the body of Samuel Ireland, aged 21, a founder is des smplripmest of Mr. Barninghats, his foaader, Canal Me, Females. One day, about th ree "Le age, dessaeors pair polled oat the door of the furnam, aad this issessed Imp in asbovel-full of scale wad iron swarf, is seas, leis supposed, to sprinkle the hot iron and cool it, but a parries et the Buse sad cinders came oat and get Are to hie shift% aad he was so severely burnt as to caste his death is listarday morning. The jury ratereed verdict of "Assikatal death." THE • FORTIFICAI7OIe6 AT Dov Eft.— Tbe work at the castle sad citadel, which have bees is ?revise terottehout the swarm sod sebum, are still /pine forward, sad by Jaly mot will, it is 'mid, be ready for the accessatodatiett of 1O°) addttioaal troops, The 'steno, of each fortress is also undergoing extensive 'spun and renovation. so as to give Dover the strength to which its frontier position estidee it.—SontA Eastern Ga te*. THE WAR IN THE EAST. .-.- .. -- PUBLIC MEETING AT NEWCASTLE•UPON TYNE. NEwcAsTLE, rVIVIDAY, Dtc. 13. Yesterday evening a public MCeting was held in the Lectnre•room, Nelson•street, " to consider the pro priety of petitioning her Majesty the Queen to co-operato vigorously with France in the defence of the Ottoman empire." The meeting was convened by the Mayor, Mr. A. Dodds, in pursuance of a requisition addressed to hiss, and signed by 120 of the principal inhabitmes, including Sir John Fife, and • considerable number of the member of the town•council, merchants, tradesmen, professional men, and others. The room in which the meeting was held is capable of accommodating upwards of a thousand persons, and it was crowded to excess throughout the pro ceedings. The MAYOR mas caned to the chair, and having briefly Mated the object of the meeting, and the pleasure he had felt in convening it, Sir JOUN Fire proposed the first resolution, declaring that the Sultan ought to command the sympathies of all Englishmen, and that the aggressions upon Turkey de served the mast serious attention of the British queen anent, on account of the imminent peril to the liberty and civilisation of Europe that might arise from the ambitious and encroaching policy of the Russian government. He said there was a painful impression on the minds of most men that the government of this country bad not been so prompt in this matter as our gallant neighbours, the French, nor so decided as it ought to have been in asserting the authority of international law, the honour of her Majesty, and the interests of the nation. (Cheers.) The documents issued of late from St. Petersburg stood unpa ralleled ant alone in the history of modern Europe for their unblushing falsehood and their domineering insolence. (Cheers.) They could not, however, wonder at the con dint of Rana when they thought of the shameful encou ragement she bad bad from a party in this country, of whom Lord Aberdeen was at the head. When they con sidered the character of the Czar, his insolence, his domi neering conduct, and his uawarrantable invasion of the Principalities were not to be wrndered at, foe they were due to these parties in this country who had so shamefully trilled with its interests. The defenders of Lord Aberdeen's conduct —and they were very few—said. so moderate had been hie lordship's course, that it had had the happy effect of obtaining the acquiescence of Austria. (Laughter.) Bat, remembering that Austria was nothing more then the abject tool of the Czar, he could not imsgine • keener sarcasm on the conduct of • prime minister of this orientry than to say ha had the acquiescence of Austria and the approbation of the camarille of Vienna. (Cheers.) This unotry ones had a prime minister called Chatham, aad, if he had fired in the present day, we should have had no war—we should have bad no creasing of the Pruth ; he would have told the Czar at once that he would sweep the Russian fug from the face of the ocean, and he would have 'kept his word. (Cheers.) lie (Sir John Fife) did not wish to speak disparagingly of the man to whom the country was principally indebted for the blessings of free trade ; but the argument held forth at the peace meeting in Edinburgh was this— If your ally, however old and faithful, be rather weak—if he is driven with his beck to the wall—by deserting him is his distress, you will save yourselves a little money. He (Sir John Fife) could believe that such an argument could weigh with the majority of his fellow.countrymen. (Cheers.) Rather than that they should become so dege nerate to the spirit of their forefathers, so debased in cha racter, it were better that Great Britain should be sunk beneath the waves of the sea, and that her grand old name should be erased from the history of the world. (Cheers.) There were parties in this country ready to invoke the spirit of Christianity in reference to this matter, but his opinion wee, that of the whole draught persona in this affair, the Sultan was the only man who had practised it. It was a saying of the witty end profligate Charles IL, that he had in his own breast jest salons virtue to enable him to. admire that quality when he saw it in ethers. (A laugh.) Not only was it that Austria and Russia dared not imitate the virtues of the Sultan, but they hated them ; for the Sultan bad shown them an example of something like constitutional govern meat, in the Danubian Principalities especially, which neither Austria nor Russia dared to follow. They also hated Turkey for her religious toleratios; and he would tell thus that the Christians in the Ottoman empire did net pay church:stem (A laugh.) They hated her too for her commercial freedom, her proverbial honesty, sad, most of all, for her noble hospitality. Those districts on the Danube which were occupied by the Sclavonian race had fee the last 400 years enjoyed under the Sultan something like constitutional liberty, electing their own chiefs and princes, and paying tribute to the Sultan which was rather more nominal than oppressive. Russia had sent a commis siossr there on the pretext of protecting the Greek Chris tine; but for the last fifty years the conduct of that feectionsey had been so uniform that it could not be attributed either to the innate depravity of the Russian character or in the individual, but could only be of - sweated for in one way, and that was by the systematic Instructions be received from St. Petersburg, for he had made it his business invariably to stir up and foment hostile feelings and jealousies between class and class, and to make the government of those countries bad and disturbed, and as dissatisfied as possible with the sovereignty of the Sultan. And this he had done by systematic bullying, lying, and elteatieg. In 1842 Prince Alexander was elected by the Serving as their Prince. The Csar, knowing that he was hostile to Russia, sent to the Sultan, insisting on the elu tion being rendered null and void. Prince Alexander was not popular its St. Petersburg, and the Czar would not have him. Sir Stratford Canning wrote to the British go verment, statist that, in his opinion, the Sultan ought to be supported in rseindag this insolent demand on the part Rammis ; bat who hemmed ? Lord Aberdeen said, very auk. that Prime Meander would very soon be glad to Mee Mee Minn pest* end that British interference was net . bowman Moths did not find it necessary to interfere. 1.04 Alesioder ' however, was re-elected, sad he was tknie Priam to this day. He (Sir John Fife) gave the ties as • specimen of the bullying theolosse Oahe Mee, sod to show the infatuated, doming =of Alleniese, and his entire reliance on the albs Cur. He believed that peace was one of the pnalestbiamiesson the earth, but he wasconvinced that peace meet MN be secured by mean compliances nor by a bees deseethis of the principles of justice; and whether they seeddesed this question in • moral, a religious, or • political point slview, they would see that it was the duty of this ornastry to show Russia that she should not invade, rob, sad planer at her own good pleasure. (Cheers.) Mr. CATCRIMIDI Wended the resolution in • humorous speech, sad it was carried unanimously. Mr. G. CJIAMSnAT moved the next resolution, express ing satisfied= at the repeated assurances given by more than one of her Mejesty's ministers, of the full determine- Ma of her Majesty, in concert with her ally, the Emperor of she French, to sewn the independence of the Sultan and of Turkey, at all hazards ; and asserting that the exigency bad now assessed a Am a which rendered it in dispensable that her Majesty should soak the advice of her parliament with as little delay as possible, He said the only apprehension he had in proposing this resolution was lest it should be thought too moderate in its language, for he believed that the indignation which they felt at the conduct of the Russian government was some thing too deep for words, and could only find its vent in deeds. They might have called upon the government at one to declare war against Russia. He had to complain of the unwarrantable degree of heresy that had been shown all along by the present government In reference to the Eastern question, the like of which had never been evinced in regard to previous war. His opinion was that every despatch which was either received or sent away by the government should be published to the nation in the shortest possible:tiose. But, as it was, enough had been known to cause great dissatisfaction with the manner in which the government had proceeded in this affair. lie did not pro use to move • voteof want of confidence in the government, bet that they should keep their judgment on this subject in li=He was confident that if the people only used a tle pressure towards the government, though it had basest Is se very unworthy • manner in the affair of the Thum miss, it would do all they wanted, and would re osunnend this keen of Great Britain, in conjunction with them et Immo and Turkey, to be employed in compelling the Resat en government to evacuate the Danubian prium rizHe was more alarmed at the negotiations at .....at the war on the Danube, and his opinion was that the pursuant should demand the perfect neutrality of Autria is this matter, and in the event of this not being complied with, that they should inscribe on their British flag the independent,. of Italy and of Hungary, and the ex Section of Austria, as they had already inscribed upon it the independence of Turkey. (Cheers.) He believed the nue of peace could only be maintained by action, and he trusted the resolution would meet with the approbation of the meeting, Mr. Cowes seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously, and a loyal memorial to the Queen, based upon the preceding resolutioi,s, was afterwards adapted, signed by the Mayor on behalf of the meeting, and directed to be intrusted to Lord John Russell for presentation to her Majesty. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Mayor. DEATH ON THE CARNARVoNsIIIRE MOUNTAINS.— A melancholy event, which has excited great sensation, has just occurred in the neiehbourbood of Llanllyfui, Carnet voluble*. About a week ago a young quarryman, nailed John Williams, 19 years of age, in the employ of the Car naevonshire Slate Company, left his work at the.Tahrallt quarry at the usual hour, and was seen by his fellow work men to run towards his home, about two miles off, in excel lent health and spirits. Us did not reach home that nlat, t' and sent day his hat was (shad about a !Otto rroinehis dwelling A heavy fog having Prevailed :ears were excited, . and a strict marsh was institutet. The young ma. was meth respected, and the whole of the quarrymen in the neighbourhood, several hundreds in number, made daily and nightly search, with torches, over the moantebis, dragging the rivers and lakes, but with ' out avail. The corpse was, however, discovered oe Monday last, by a man coming over the mountain called Oraig Las. The unfortunate deceased was lying on his face, his heads crossed under him, and his body appearing quits lusinjured. It is suppued that he lost his way in the fog, and perished through cold and starvation. THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 14, 1853 LICENSED VICTUALLERS' ASYLUM. POLITICS AND PROPHECY A T ENE FER•IIALL. 1 -•-- Yesterday an extraordinary general meeting of subscribers to the shoe chanteble iustitution was held at the London Tavern, for the ptic ) :;s• of devising m lice of raising the capital fund to such nu amottn: as should ei able the governon to raise the allowance of married cou pits, inmates of the asylum, from Bs. &I. to 10s. per week, act thoov of sole persons from 71. to Bs. Last night Exeter-hall was throni,.ed by an eager audience who had b een i nv i te d b y th e co mmittee of the Young Men's Christian Association, to hear the Rev. Dr. Commit ' , lecture OU the " Signs of the Times." The rev. gentleman commenced by remarking t 6 at we lived In times of extrandinary Importance, lune follow. 41 scene, and event thunderi ng u p on event w i t h startling rapidity—and that as signs and w arn i ngs p rece d e d t h e cross so signs and warn i ngs we were l e d to expect would precede the second coming. From • number of passages of Scripture, which he quoted, he drew t h e inference that 1,200 years was to be the period during which th! western apostacy should continue, and dating the commence ment of that apostacy from the year 532, when the ,Emperor Justinian first gave to the Pope civil us well as ecelesiastical power that was when the great papal organisation was first established, 1,260 years from that time would give the year 1793 as the period when it should be shaken ; and, looking back to history, it would be seen that it was is that year that God's judgments began to fall upon the great western apustacy, and the first part of the prophecy came into operation— .' lie shall consume it with the spirit of Hie mouth." The infidel spirit which was now prevailing in France, Italy, and other countries was but the reaction from the tyranny 'of Rome. Again, the prophet Daniel prophesied that ' 2,300 years was the duration of the Mahnnsedan power, which, dating from the time at which Daniel wrote, would land us in 1820, as the year when the "drying up of the Euphrates," the type of the Idal.omedan rule, should begin to take place. In that year it nes ebserved by the " Annual Register" that the Ottoman empire had reached its meri dian strength, and in the summer of that year Ali Pasha revolted, and is the autumn the Greek insurrection broke out. In a few years Greece was severed from Turkey, in 1828 Russia crossed the Balkan, and at this moment the Turkish provinces of Berns, Moldavia, and Wallachia were in the hands of the Russians, Algiers had become a French colony, and Bagdad, s Mectia, and Medina had been almost depopulated by earthquakes and plagues. In all this he saw the fulfilment of the prophecy in the Apocalypse is reference to whis: should take place on the opening of the sixth seal, when they were told " the drying up of the Euphrates " should take place. But though the Mahonausedan power must cease, it did not follow that Russia should plant its standard on the Mosque of St. Sophia. There was no reason to suppose that the 12,000,000 of Turks should not be come Christians, and thus present a stronger barrier to Russian aggression than they could now offer. Again, .they might he sure that as soon as t h e crescent waned and the Euphrates dried up, they would see an awakening among the Jews—the conversion of that people to the true faith, and their return to Jermslem. He saw in the present position of Persia, Turkey, Russia, Austria, the forcing of England and France into a participation in the troubles of other parts of Europe, whether they would or not, the working of the unclean spirits mentioned in the Apocalypse, and which were to have power until the opening of the e?veath seal. And he saw evidence of the approach of that event in increased inter-communication amongst people and nations, the numerous inventions in science, the many valuable medical discoveries, the preaching of the gospel to all nations, and the coming out of so many of the Loru's people from Babylon, which fulfilled the prophecies declaring that it should be preceded by a travelling to and fro, the exten sion of knowledge, and the preaching of the gospel to the ends of the earth. The events of the year 1818 were a great wave rising and threatening to destroy, that wave had receded but to gather fresh strength. It would return with augmented force, and bursting over the nations of the earth, would sweep away the corrupt weeds of centuries, re baptising and purifying, rather than overwhelming and destroying, the earth; 1864 he calculated would bring about the fulfilment of the apocalyptic prophecies, and the commencement of a better age. The rev. gentleman then referred to the table-moving mania, and expressed his un willingness to go the length of some writers upon the sub ject, who alleged that the influence at work was that of demons or the spirit of the wicked. The lecture was warmly applauded, and at its conclusion the unanimous thanks of the meeting were accorded to its author. the chair was taken by ARTHUR Km BARCLAY, E.q., and at the same table were seated Sir Edward North Buz ton, !dean. Bevan, Engin, Wigram, and 1 other influential representatives of the brewing, distilling, and licensed victualling trades. The meeting was very fully at. tended. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said that in addressing so numerous sad highly respectable a meeting, It might be necue-ry to explain why he sat there in the position of their president, seeing that there were so many of their own body who could better advocate the claims of their noble institution. Those individuals, however, would have an opportunity of add • g the meeting while mov ing the several resolutions. In looking fur a chairman, he thought they had only done what they had a right to do in calling on the representatives of those trades which were intimately associated with themselves, for assistance in carrying oat this charitable undertaking. lie fully conceded the principle that those wholesale mer chants who supplied the licensed victuallers with their com modities, such as brewers, wine merchants, distillers, and others—had a right, on an occasion of this kind, to rally round thou who are their best customers. (Cheers.) 1t was, therefore, that be was present on that occasion, being intimately connected with their trade, and being bound, by ties of long acquaintance and business connection, with most of the gentlemen lie saw around him. (Hear, hear.) He had been so long • brewer, and had seen so many changes in his time—for gentlemen did change their brewers from ‘ varions causes—(",hear." and a laugh) that it bad so happened that amongst the best and moat respectable publicans in London—indeed there were few who were not respectable—he had become acquainted with a very large number of the trade, even amongst thou:who were not clients of his own firm. It had been said that brewers were a sort of tyrants, that the victualler were tied down to certain brewers, and that changes such as he had alluded to could not occur. His experience was to the effect ;that changes were so fre quent as to cause considerable uneasiness amongst partners in breweriee, who were constantly on the stretch to keep their friends together as much as possible. His belief was that the monetary transactions between brewers and pubicans were pretty much the same as in any other trade. There might be • little interchange of assistance when required—they all killw that, and it was so in every business; but this be did know, that there was a feeling of intimate association between brewers and publicans which existed in uo other business whatever. (Cheers.) There were no persons upon whom the reputation of the brewers depended more than upon the publicans, and, therefore, he trusted that the brewers would do everything in their power to promote the iotereste of such valuable associates. (Hear, heir) He had said so much of an extraneous nature in order to show why it was he stood there ; and it was now kin helium to say a few words respecting the object which had brought s o m an y o f th e tra d e together. (Hear, Sear.) They were assembled there to make an effort of their own for the sapping of a noble institution, and he trusted that every individual present would exert himself to the best of his ability to augment the funds of an asylum intended for thcse members of the trade who had been less successful in life than them selves. It could not but be a feeling in the minds of every one prevent, that an institution like this was invaluable for the reception of persons who, having perhaps begun business with bright hopes, good prospects, and the sanguine feelings that inspire most young men, had yet from one cause or another gradually sunk down in the social scale, until at lut they were obliged to look to an asylum for the alleviation of their distress, and a shelter for their old age. (Loud cheers.) Let him beg of them to consider how precarious was all mercantile property. From the great merchant down to the humblest trader, uncer tainty was the common lot of all. The prosperous man of to-day might, from a succession of unforeseen calamities, such as alteration of neighbourhoods, or commercial panics, sink down to such a position as to require from his friends sad brethren in trade the means of preserving him front the compulsory charity of the parish, or the cheerless fare of the workhouse. (Hear, hear.) If he spoke thus strongly, he only did it for the purpose of rousing to greater energy the feelings of those whom he addressed. It he painted in strong terms the possibility of calamity for some, it was only to stimulate the exertions of the more prosperous, to do what they could, and when they could, for the allevia tion of that calamity. And let him inure them that the recollection of baying done se would be amongst the most pleasing reflections of their lives. (Hear, hear.) Ile would allude again to the absolute necessity of themselves working for the welfare of their institution. They had already Drought it to a very considerable position of pros perity, and he believed that it was the experience of all those who had had anything to do with establishments of the kind that the more prosperous the institution, the more likely it was to get additional subscriptions. (lieu, hear.) Once let it be seen that the subscription list was waning, and friends fell off, and difficulties Increased, but prove by your exertions that the undertaking was carried on with energy and spirit, that directors were attentive, and pro moters warm and then, additional funds front the gene ral public would never be wanting. (Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") What was really the state of the case ? Here, in these metropolitan districts, there were something like 8,000 licensed victuallers, of whom, he had been told, the subscribers to the institution numbered little more than one-half. Was there not, then, plenty of ground to explore ? He considered that so long as any member of the oracle declined subscribing, the fact must be that he had been unsolicited, and the coarse would be to get some friend to precut* his subscription. (Hear, hear.) He was sure they had done right in having this meeting, and calling on the members of the trade for their contributions. He believed that there would be a hearty response to their ap peal, and that, with • little exertion, they would get every farthing they required. (Cheers.) Mr. Joon.. the secretary, then proceeded to read the report ; which beim by _seegratelating the meeti ng on th e memos* of seselt leffilsenffial members of the brewing trade as their ehairmaa sad the gentlemen who sat near him. The object was to inumes the invested capital to such au extent as to enable the managers of the institution to increase the pensions of its inmates. At first the allowance to married couples was 7s. a week, and to sole persons 65., and this required an income of 8901. a year. The liberality of the supporters had already enabled them to increase Is. 6cl. in one case and la. la the other, making the yearly expenditure 1,2101. What they sought now was to raise such en additional sum as would enable them to make the allowance to mar ried couples 10e. a week, and to sole persons Bs. Tile amount upon which the society could really depend was MU a year, arising partly from a fund of 9,2501, uf which the brewers allowed five per cont., and the remainder of voluntary contribution. In order to make the allow ances he had mentioned of 10s. and Bs. respectively, they would require an income of 1,5601. a year, or a capital of 31,20 W., even if it produced five per cent. The capital sum of 9,2501. left a deficiency of 21,9301.; but of that deficiency they had received since August last, including 50 guin eas each from the principal brewers, a sum of about 2,0001., making the invested capital 11,2601. (Cheers.) They were in this position, then, that they required a sum of 19,9301. to bring their capital stock up to the necessary amount. The institution was the most extensive is this country supported by voluntary contributions; but this was not surprising it was remembered that the licensed victu alling trade formed a more numerous body than any class o the community. Althinigh they had 4,900 subscribers, there were not es yet mush more than one-half of the metropolitan members of the trade contri butors. The report concluded with a long list of subscrip tions, amounting in the whole to 2,51101. Sir E. N. BUXTON, Bart., warmly urged the claims of the charity, and avowed his surprise and pleasure at the libe rality which, in so short • time, had raised the sum of 2,50 W. He trusted that the splendid list they had heard read that day was only the force f success which would completely effect the object they had in view. Mr. LAMM, the Ant chairman of the society, moved the first resolution, and at the same time took occasion to compliment the chairman on following the footsteps of his demised father in the support of this institution. He (Mr. Larby) considered that, looking at the high prise of provisions, the present stipend was insufficient for the sup port of the pensioners. The resolution expressed the approval of the meeting for the attempt of the board to raise the capital stock. Mr. B. BATON seconded the resolution,which was carried unanimously. Mr. Sreoxer moved a second resolution, appointing a committee of 50 members of the trade to co-operate with the committee of management. This resolution, stuck was seconded by Mr. StatcLatn, was also carried unanimously. Mr. VW:SEXY rose to move the thanks of the meeting to the chairman of the day. ha (Loud cheers.) In doing so he reminded the meeting tt when the society was established in 1826, the father of their present chairman was one of its first and warmest supporters. (Hear, hear.) He (Mr. Vousely) thought that the thanks of the trade were due to the brewers and wine and brandy merchants, who had come forward to co-operate in the good work, but he could not help remarking the omission of the distillers' names from their list. (lieu, hear.) Hotfooted that those gentlemen would see the report of that day's proceedings, and that it would induce them to get up their " spirits " to a sub stantial " proof "of liberality. (Cheers and laughter.) The vote was carried by acclamation, and votesof thanks having been also passed to the several honorary officers of the institution, the procedings terminated. LETTERS AND NEWSPAPERS TO CALCUTTA. — GENERAL POIII , OFfICZ, Dec., 1853. The Postmaster General has been informed that the government express from Bombay to Calcutta has been discontinued ; and that, consequently, letters and newspapers addressed to Calcutta, when sent via Bombay, can only be forwarded in future by the ordinary daily mail. It is necessary to make this altera tion known to the public in the United Kingdom, as a notice was issued in May, 1847, Renouncing the image moats under which letters mitglit be conveyed teCalcutta by the _government ezprese, if specially so ad , lreseod. 'JIVE LIVERPOOL ELECTION PETITION. The Liverpool Albion states that the petition against the return of Messrs. Ilorstall and Liddell has Immo. withdrawn. THE BIILVINGHAJI CATTLE SHOW. BIRMINGHAM, 11;119DAY. This show or cattle and poultry wee opened for the private view this morning, and a very successful exhibition it is pronounced to be, excelling in many important essen tials all its predecessors. The show is already in its fifth year only, yet in most respect. it is oonsidered to be quite equal to that of the Smithfield Club. The great object which the promoters have had in view has been to foster and encourage the principle of " early maturity." All the clams for neat cattle were well filled with animals of the highest merit, and so equally matched that in some classes the juJgcs had very great difficulty in awarding the prize. There is not quite so large a show of Hereford oxen as la's year, .but in point of quality the display is, upon the whole, superior. The show of Hereford steers is eminently suc cessful, for a finer range of young oxen were never stalled. The Hereford heifers are equally good. In the short-horn classes some very fine specimens are exhibited, heifers chiefly attracting the attention of agrieulturiets. The breed of pure Devon. is well represented. The crow-bred. exhibited are superior to those hitherto sent here, and there was a larger number of animals stalled; the first prize in this class was awarded to the Duke of Beaufort for a cross be tween a West Highland Scotch bull and a pure Devon cow. A few long-horns are shown, quite average samples of their clue, but this breed finds less favour with breeders and feeders than some others. There is a capital display of the Scotch and Welsh breeds, in which, as usual, Mr. Hobbs, of Think, contributes some of the most meritorious speci mens. Altogether the cattle show is deserving of the very highest consideration. The classes for sheep were not so well filled as last year, but such as were shown fully maintained the character of the show, there being very excellent pens of Socithdowns and Shropshire'. There are between two and three thousand pens of poul try, which have attracted immense notice. The hall was excessively thronged from an early hour in the morning =nt in't. in the evening, fully half of the visitors being ladies. In this department large sales were elected at pro digious prices. Amongst the company were observed the Earl of Ayles ford and family, the Earl and Countess of Chesterfield and Lord Stanhope, Earl Howe, Viscount Cursou, Earl Spen cer, Lord Wrottealsy, Lord Sandy", Lord Hitherto's, the Marchioness of Dowashire Lord Hill, Lord E. Hill, the Earl of Digby, Sir. C. M. itanley, Mr. Newdegate, M.P., I Sir. F. Goodriehe, the Mayor of Birmingham, &c. A TORY OPINION ON THE COMING REFORM BILL. The annual cattle show of the Bruton Agricultural Society was held on Thursday lut. At the dinner Mr. W. Miuts, M.P., presided. In responding to the toast of " the (;oast y Members," the chairmen sad, la the course o f hi s remarks, " We are promised anew Rehm Bill ; and having had some little employment as chairman of election com mittees, I think that if a Reform Bill was necessary in 11332 it is certainly not unnecessary now ; because there can be no doubt that corruption exists to a very great extent among the borough constituencies of England. (Cheers.) Now, I think that any well digested scheme of reform which will cure that, and enable honest men to send their representatives to parliament, will be worthy of support ; and that any person bringing forward a proper measure for that purpose will deserve the thanks of his country. (Loud cheers.) I know not what the mea sure will be ; it will be difficult to frame; but whenever it is brought forward it shall have my very best considera tion. Because it is put forward by Lord John Russell that is no reason why it should be thrown out. (Hear, hear.) Having stated thus much you know what my opinions are upon the subject; you know what they have been; and what my endeavours have been to support these opinions. And as long as you continue me in the honour able position in which you have been pleased to place me, I shall maintain those opinions for the general good of the country, whether agricultural, commercial or manufsenur ing. (Loud cheers.)— Western Flying Post. THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY QUESTION.—A social HEALTII OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. meeting of this friends of the Early Closing Association, in ---. connexion with the Shoreditch and Bishopsgate-street du- The weekly return of the Registrar General dig- trict, was held on Monday evening, at the White Hart • covers a decrease of mortality in London on the two peen- hotel, ob ject Bishopegate-street ' Mr. R. Waled in the chair • ect of the meeting was to take steps to ous weeks, but it still indicates a not very favourable state The principal secure a general closing of places of business in that locality of the public health. The deaths registered in the last four the day following Christmas day. Mr. Lilwall said there weeks were 1,162, 1,339,1,414, and (in the week that ended should be a general suspension of business on the day in last Saturday) 1,308. In the ten weeks correspo n di ng to for two main reasons. First, because it w o u ld b e no last week of the Tun 1843-52, the average number was ga nttan ' isadvantage to employee , experience having pr ove d th a t 1,215, which if nosed in proportion to increase of popula- a tio no trade worth notice is done the day after Christmas-day, Clot,, ! even when the latter occurs on a 'ree k d ay , muc h I,3oB,:becomes 1,337. The actual number of deaths Dein it differs but to a small extent from the estimate amount. less will there be when happening on Sunday, as The increase in the deaths caused by camases of the res. re at psent, Christmas-box hunt ,n beiog almost the piratory organs has been the principal feature of late only customers at that P ali wt• SnondlY, because it returns. The numbers referred to this clam have been in immense cr & f ort an d means o f en would be an _t the last four weeks: 180, 297, 379, end 343. From phthisis joyment to the employed hat vast number of per. in the tubercular class, they were in the same periods 133, sons engaged in the varier, ' s h ops and other b usiness seta, ents of the metre, holidays than Good F. i. polls, many of whom have no other 188. 175, and 167. Last week bronchitis was fatal in 159 I ? ll ' ttat .iday and Christmas-day. If, on the NOM while the corrected average of ten correspondini Mond weeks (in 1843 . 52) was 113 ; pneumonia was fate other n and, ay , the 26th, be an open day of business, these clams willw hich , be excluded from those happy family in 142, while the same average was 134. Typhus the recollectioof in ch thil • and boopin“ough predominate at present amongst meet i ngs bny k,.... of_engoyers I country, are ever associated with epidemic diseases, the former numbering 64 fatal cases, thenames. He felt sure that the great latter 66. Typhus shows an increased tendency to prevail. ti Linden were quite prepared to grant Cholera rapidly declines ; it reached its maximum in the th e '""'". in g a iirlition, and that it only remained far an lus tiest week of November, when the deaths were 102 ; in the dersta . noing toi a „... .be come to on the point. With this view he Ave subsequent weeks they have been 98, 72, 46, 28 and mo ved .-- Aution recommending that the tradesmen of the ultras (last week) 13. should be forthwith canvassed upon the subject by deo- Last week [the births of 839 boys and 790 girls, in all , rations, composed, as far as possible, of empinyors. 1,628 children, were registered in London. In the eight , .his resolution wu seconded by Mr. Franklin, who oir corresponding weeka of the years 1845-52 the average nut 1 d that he thought the obtainment of the privilege of a her was 1.397. "'. closi d day on the 26th would prevent a large amount of At the Royal Observatory, Greenwicb„ the mein 'h e ha t Sabbath desecration, which would otherwise ensue. The of the barometer in the week was '40.001 fu . Tate ,;., resolution was unanimously carried, when arrangements temperature of the week was 5 :44 deg.., which is rather were made for carrying out the canvass. below the average of the w ake week in 38 y eas. The slit: T CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.—At a meeting at mean dew point telOpeontatft Was 38 deg. Liverpcol, on Monday, convened by the mayor, and com prising the chairmen of the different municipal committees, it was agreed that his worship should issue his proclamation calling on the inhabitants to observe the 20th as a genstel holiday.—Nerekern Times PORITOAL.—A letter from Lisbon in the 7leraldo of Madrid of the 7th, says that the King Regent of Por tugal intended to demand from the Cortes tb pn , claim the majority of his son King Pedro V. ; also that it was re ported that the young King intended to make a journey in Spain and Portugal, EARTHQUAKE IN TAE ALPS.—The Revue de Geneve reports that on the tth inst., between ten sneletswett orthe evening , . a shod' of earthquake, sufficiently violent to pro doee creeks ir, the wale of houses, was felt at Val dillies. The shock was repeated at six next morning. The undu lations of the earth were prolonged to some seconds and were preceded by a dull heavy noise. The same pheno mena were observed at F.lioit in the Valais on the 3rd inst. MUSIC. - - MISS DOLBY'S CONCERTS.—The third and last of Miss Dolby's SJinies Musicales was given last evening. It was as brilliant and successful as any of the preewling. The rooms were crowded to the doors with fashionable com pany; and an ezeellen: selection of music was admirably performed. The pieces, however, with two or three excep tions, were well known, and consequently do not call fur pm :ruhr remark. A New MS. S ong , com p ose d by Bene dict, a t... 1 sung by Mies Dolby, " From the Bosom of Ocean," „m e e g . -eat impression, and promises to become a perma nent favour its. There wu also • new instrumental trio, for the pianos, `rte, violin, and violoncello, composed by Mr. Osborne, and pe .-formed by him, with Mr. Dando a n d M r . Lucas ; an exceed.:'l l / elegant work, which will be cordi ally welcomed by the ..smateurs of these instruments, there being • great dearth u.f acuities of this description. Weber's pianoforte and Claneet lbet we: nicely played by Inoforte.,' Mr. Lindsay Sloper and Mr. Lazarus ; sad Di!. Sloper per formed some of his own gracef u l pieces on the 1„ The vocalists, besides Miss Dolby herself, were ai b mor Cubans, Mr. Alfred Pierre, Mr. Land, and Mr. Walter Bolton. ENGLISH AND GE LMAN GLEE UNION.—A series of vocal concerts nailer this title are now being given at Islington. The second performance took place last night, when a selection, chiefly from the works of the principal English glee composers, was very nicely given by the artists concerned—Misses !lenient and Eyles, Messrs. T. Young, D. Kiag, Wesley, and Weiss. The concerted musio was interspersed with some vocal solos of a popular character, and the entertainment altogether appeared to give great satisfaction to the audience, which filled the room. WEST FLANDERS RAILWAY. Yesterday the sixteenth half-yearly meeting of the proprieton was held at the offices of the company, No. 61, Moorgatsesteeet ; Mr. W. P. lticsanne in the chair. The SECRZTARY (Mr. Chubb) read the report of the directors which stated that there h a d b een a gra d ua l , although slow, advance of the traffic from the cammence , meat of 1848 to the present time. The half-year which ended June, 1848, gave 5,8181.45. 11d. • the present one produced 7,8761. 51. Bd.; while the expenditure had remained nearly the same. The whole line from Courtrai to Poperinghe was expected to be ready to De opened for traffic by the first day of next year. The number of paseengen carried on the new line was very encouraging, and would no doubt increase considerably. The receipts of the half-year, end ing 30th June last, had amounted to 9,41141. 10s. lld., the expenditure to 6,9791.6.. 6d ; of the former 7,8761. 5 s 2d. was to be attributed to the old line, and of the latter 5,123/., leaving a balance which, added to the last balance, would enable the directors to declare a dividend of 2e. a share, and carry over a balance of 6.51. 16s. 2d. to the new account. To the report of the directors was appended one of the directeur-gerant, which contained a statement of the pro ceedings with regard to the Diinv, Thielt, and Ingel munster line. The following is the substance of it : " Under date of the 29th of April last, tbeminister of public works informed us that a company was prepared to con struct the lino from Fumes to Dixmude and to Lichter velde, under a guarantee of 4 per cent. upon a capital of 5,000,000 f., and reqxesting us to state if we were disposed to compete for the construction of the said line. On the 6:h of May the minister was informed that we declined this offer, but that we were disposed to render every assistance to the parties offering to construct the line. Subsequently these parties, under the firm of De Pariente and Co., ob tained the provisional grant for the construction of a line from Fumes via Dixmude, not to Lichtervelde, but to fouler', and applied to us to give up our line from Deynxe via Thielt to Ingelmunster, which they were disposed to take to Roulen, so as to make a direct line from Fumes via Dixmude to Roulers, and thence vies Thielt to Devise. By the agreement we have entered into we give up part ofeur guarantee of 400,000 f. (16,0001.) per annum, proportionate to the length of the section from Device via Tnielt to logelmunster; and the only difficulty now offering to th e execution of the agreement is the obtaining the approval of the minister, or rather of the le iislature, to the division of the guarantee, 240,0001. of net revenue per annum being affected to the line from Courtrai to Ypres and Poperinghe, and 160,000 f. to that from Devise via Thielt to Roulette It being equally advantageous to all parties that the divi sion of the guarantee should be granted, there is hardly a doubt of its taking plus." The CHAIRMAN said the holding of the meeting had been delayed for some time, in order that as much infor mation as possible might be laid before the proprietors, particularly with regard to the arrangement with M. de Patients; while smelter advantage which had arisen from the delay was, that the directors were now in a position to announce that it was hardly possible that the line from Courtrai to Poperinghe should not be read' to be opened on the first day of the approaching year. fhe guarantee world commence from the time when the traffic commenced. They had hoped that the guarantee on the part of the Bel gian government would by this time have been settled. The accounts, however, having been sent in, the govern- ment had thought it necessary to appoint a commis. sion to inquire into them, but they had assu,ed the directors that the whole matter ehouldj be settled as speedily u possible. As regarded the negotiations with M. de Pariente everything had gone on most satis factorily, and the proprietors were to be asked to sanction what had been done at a special meeting. With respect to the traffic, it would be found that there was a small in crease on the corresponding six months of last year ; and it was satisfactory to observe that there bad been a gradual though small increase from the commencement to the pre sent time. The increase in the last six months amounted to 650/. Nine miles of new line having been opened in January, it appeared that nearly half the passengers who travelled over that distance also went over the thirty two miles of the old line. He should abstain from entering into any speculations with respect to the future traffic. He would only observe that their own officials, and all persoas who had any considerable acquaintance with that part of the country had formed the most favourable opinion as to the result. The directors had given an account of the Interest on the preference shares up to the 30th of Jun*. What they nude by the advantage of exchange and soon, paid the whole claim in respect of the preference shares. Since June they had had a much larger capital to pay interest upon, and the additional capital had been hitherto unfruitful in conse quence of the line from Courtrai to Poperingbe not having been opened. From the Ist of January would come into operation the guarantee of 10,0001. a year. Had the con tractor done his duty the new line would have been opened by the Ist of Nov. He (the chairman) mut confess that the weather was in the first instance very much against him. When, however, be came to the deep cutting at Zillebeke, his courage failed him, sad he ran away. He was after wards brought back, but he found himself quite unequal to the task and aban.loned it. Further, during the progress of the works, Mr. Chantrell met with a serious accident, which for a time entirely deprived the company of his ser vices. As regarded the Chancery suit in which be (the Chairman) was personally concerned, he would merely refer to the very concise declaration made by the Master of the Rolls in giving judgment, namely, that the suit failed in every respect and mast be dismissed with costs. If he were to dilate on that decision for half au hour he could add nothing to it. (Cheers.) In reply to a question from Mr. HERALPATH, The CHAIRMAN stated that the line from Courtrai to Poperinghe would be made for 35,0001., or about 4,0001. per mile. The report was then adopted, and a resolution passed declaring a dividend of 2s. per share. The meeting was then made special, and resolution/ were passed confirming an agreement made by the directors with bleurs. de Pulsate and Co. for the transfer of that portion of the line which lies between Deysze and the main line. The meeting terminated with a Tote of thanks to the chairman., IRELAND. It is expected that a plan has been been hi t upon fur De Dec. 13. disposing of the fund in progress of collection for the Dorgan Testimonial," which will meet universal approbation. At a meeting of the Committee held yesterday, Lord Talbot de Malahide read a report on t h e subject, and the following notice of motion founded thereon, and which in all probability will be adopted, was entered on the minutes : As it appears to this committee that provision is already made through the medium of the several schoulr, colleges, and other public institutions already in exigence fur pro moting industrial education, so far as the same can be done by providing teachers and professors, but that a public gal lery for the exhibition of the works of art and industry is still much required in Ir-land, and, if established, would tend to improve the public taste, as well as to advance these numerous branches of manufacture is which beauty and originality of design are requisite..—Resolved : That it is the opinion of this committee that the best wuy of applying the funds placed at its disposal, and the most suitable mode, under all the circumstances, of commemorating the Great Exhibition of 1353, and its generous air,: patriotic founder, Mr. Dorgan, will ha by erecting a suitable buNing for the nithr.;*. ; tiun of works o f art and i ndustry, to be ca ll e d the II A ime e Institute." The Neu.:..:4 Telegraph, received to-day, mentions the seizure of some ammunition and arms in the dis turbed district of Meigh. It appears that the police, acting on information which they had received, pro ceeded to the house of a maid named Laurence Shevlin, an umbrella maker, and there found con cealed under ground a quantity of ammunition, a large pistol, and a bag containing slugs. Shevlin, on being interrogated, denied that he had any arms, and he was then taken before Capt. Warburton, ILM., and by him committed for trial at quarter sellgons. The same paper furnishes a fresh catalogue of out rages, attributed to the ribbon system. Among the rest it gives the following: A diabolical outrage occurred within the last week near Rathfryland. Late on the night of Monde'', the sth inst., or early on the following morning, a shot was, fired into the residence of the Rev. Mr. Russborough, of Lenin, about a mile from Rathfryland. The rev. gentleman and Mrs. Rossborough being in Belfast were absent at the time of the outrage. The shot was fired through a window into the room of a female domestic, and the contents of the gun were lodged in the opposite wall. The particuhirs of the occurrence were communicated next day to Capt. Warbur ton, R.M., but though the most diligent search has been ramie, no clue to the miscreants has been discovered. The Lord Lieutenant has offered a reward of 101, its addition to one of 301. from the loci( crime and outrage fund, for in formation to lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators. A case of a curious character, and which has excited a good deal of local interest, terminated, after occupying the court three days, in the Court of Exchequer yesterday. Mrs. Kelly, whose name has been so constantly before the public for some years past, as one of the parties in the famous will case of'" Thewles v. Kelly, was the defendant in the case, and Sergeant Ryan, of the Dublin detective police, was the plaintiff; the action having been brought to recover the sum of 500/., offered as a reward for the arrest of Mr. George Birch, a solicitor, charged by Mrs. Kelly with the embezzlement of 40,0001., entrusted to him for her account. The chief defence set up was that the plaintiff had only ' performed his duty as a policeman in making the arrest ; that he was not, in fact, the discoverer of Birch, but was accompanied to France in search of him by Mrs. Kelly's attorney, Mr. Campion, all his expenses being defrayed, and Mr. Campiou being the man who pointed out Birch to him to be arrested. A great deal of curious matters were evolved in the protracted cross-examination of the beceral wit nesses, and the jury ultimately found that the plain tiff was the sole captor of Birch, and was conse quently entitled to the full reward. A difficulty which had arisen in respect to the elec tion of the mayor of Limerick, has been decided in favour of Alderman Watson, the proprietor of the Limerick Chronkle. Mr. Watson, though a conser vative, is very popular, and bonfires were lighted through the town last night to celebrate his success. The 46th Regiment of infantry has received orders to march for Kilkenny to replace the 62nd, which is under orders for the Mediterranean. The first de tachment marches to-morrow. A highly satisfactory report has been presented by the trustees and managers of the Cork Savings Bank; the government receipt for 291,5221., being within 1,836/. of the gross sum due by the bank, was pre sented at their last meeting. NAVAL. ADMIRALTY, DEC. 13.—APPOINTMENT.—Assistant Surgeon It. Burrows to the Medea, 6, paddle wheel steam sloop of 350• horse power, at Portsmouth. SPORTING. BETTING AT MANCHESTER.-TIESDAY. Speculation is still extremely fit; attendances at the rooms are very few, and the only events touched upon since our last are : LIVERPOOL GREAT NATIONAL STEEPLE- CHASE. 2.50 to 10 sgst Vainbope (t) 500 to 2.5 Sir P. Laurie (t) CHESTER CUP. 1250 to 25 apt Newasinster (t) 800 to 8 Virago (t) 1000 to 15 Peggy (0 DERBY. 6i to 1 apt Autocrat (off) 22 to 1 Ruby (t) 30 to 1 Meteora (t) 10 to 1 Haien of St. George (t to 501.) A " STARTLING EFFECT." Mr. Wyndham, the manager of the Theatre Royal Edinburgh, announced a "startling effect" last week. It seems (says the Caledonian Mercury) that for some days several new mechanical contrivances had been in prepara tion for the opera, and on Saturday night it was determined to try a new plan lately invented, we suppose, for the arti ficial production of thunder, a commodity in frequent request on the stage. For that purpose, the last act of the "Flowers of the Forest," in which a thunderstorm is introduced, was performed. A preliminary rumbling sound behind the scenes portended a tremendous peal, and imme diately bang went something in the further end of the upper gallery, which, [undoubtedly, if we had been in July insteadof December, might have passed for the genuine original. As it was, its success was too complete. For some reason, perhaps from the resemblance of the anise to a falling wall, a panic got up in the gallery, shrieks and cries of mur der were heard from all parts, and with the contagion of fear and the instinct of self-preservation, there was appa rently about to be that overwhelming rush to the doors, which, in the Dunlop-street Theatre in Glasgow in 1847, was attended with so great a destruction to human life, Mr. Wyndham, aided by some of the company, vociferated that there was no danger, and implored the people to keep their seats, but the pit was rapidly emptying itself, and some adventurous youths were sliding down the pillars from the galleries into the boxes. Happily the maaager's appeal was successful, and a loud cheer from all parts of the house conveyed the assurance that nobody was hurt, and an nounced at the same time the unparalleled success of this extraordinarily " startling effect." By the way, Mr. Wyndham seems to be atteaded with singular fortune in this way. There was to be a " startling effect" one even ing in May list at the Adelphi Theatre, and sure enough the public who went to witness it at the usual hour were soon apprised of the truth, for they found the theatre in a blue. NEW PUBLIC CEMETERY FOR ISLINGTON.—Thei burial board of St. Mary, Islington, have aimed an address to the parishioners, in which they say that, after mature deliberation, and personally inspecting several sites, they tburialw o i l th th t i h r e tyaemt r of land belonging to them at Finchley, and adjoining gale; own ec purchaseo ut own cemetery. Of this land they propose to ap::, ear iate boardhave e o n f t s ered r. pa into e ra : twenty acres to the members of the church of T.; es i mi a andpro parish, y I ten acres to the nonconformists. Icon - parishioners will be on the payment of So. annual rent allowed to bury in bo th ftroundS, On payment of ext:, a fees. The St. Pancras burial n°,ard have agreed to s:. iem t h em the for the us S o 7 f. :t he t ir wel l: ti Pe y i els, after which tlyy will be free. An outlay of 4,0001. Is thus saved to the T.arish of Islington. The board have agreed to pay 3001. per acre f or th e l an d , or 9,0001. for the 30 acres. The estimate for enclosing and laying out the ground, thoroughly draining it, making sewer-, and erecting the requisite buildings, will irobikly amount to 11,0001. more, making a total of P.l 1 If, the whole to be under contract a n d compet i t i on. It will be, therefore, necessary to raise, the first Instants, 1,800/. annually-8001. for interest, 0.n.1 1,0004 fot paying off the principal borrowed. A penny rate will hts sufiletent ter this purpose. In the course of four or fire - yeem, theft is every reason to expect that this rate willie slued to a halfpenny, the amount required for interestlessellinsteri year; and the profit arising from the cemetery; minus* In creasing. The probability is, that in eight or ten year( time, no rate at all will he required; tha whole charge being covered by the cemetery returns, while at the expirer tion of twenty year', when the loan has been entirely paid off, a large annual profit will accrue, which will perm*. uenUy reduce the perish rates. I .41