The Express. — London, England, 1864-02-17 00:00:00

HOW COLD IT HAS BEEN.-NEGRETTI sad UMBRA celebrated THIBMOYITII,B will cce rectly register the lowest temperature. Price ea liettee- Amdeo , 69, Corn= , 163, Irleetatreet and 129, Bagent-street. Agents wanted. WHERE CAN WE MEET AFTER THE PAILNTOYINLIS ? My dear fellow I geatterma sap at IVANWS, Cloreatigardea. %Mt entrefa• TO 0011.11.18PONDZITIS. Avert:lumina' t•tended for The Koren Piper, mutt be at the taloa, 10, Bowen •'dock on the day or pablketion„ , 1" London Waft cioatreek by TIYO 00VENT-O.ULDILN. THIS Evian% SHE TrFOTHIS TO E coNgura Messrs. W. H. Wein, H Corri, G. Perron, and W. Harrison. Misses L Irina and A. [ilea—Conductor. Mr. A. Idelion—and Um opening of ST. GEOEGE .L.M) THE DLAGos.—Conunence all. THIS ISYNNIWO, LITATDAIST. 2 7HE RIVAL& Meson Buckstone, Powe,Chippendais.FlrrandininistSbut ; 1 " .4 "ael Angel, 1. itzw aharn, Snowdon, Undley.—And KING ARTHUR.. Mr. Compton , Mei...tames L Loamy, Wright., Undky, &Romer. PRINCESS'S. TRH Ev=nig PAUL'S ILEICILN. Years. Vining, Nelson, Fisher. Yerrester,'llellon. iwywa,Cathcart .Mastlahtet Manton. C. Carsou, roweLl, sod Kate Barill&—And HARLEQUIN LITTLE lOU 'MIME LYCIUM. LOST WILD. Mr. Wlddleomb and Miss P. Leclercq —BIL DIMONIO, a Lore Mory. Masora Yeentsr, Brougham, Brom, Marks. and Jordan Maser Kate Terry. lamas, and Blaweelby, and Mr.. Lea is!!!TA.inaL. Tun Rvyamo. HICKORY. HICKORY, DOCK. lirs. ti lone and nritditte Pantomimist/L-11U GREAT GHOST AFFECT.—Arthar and Bertrand.—The lal7 Fountsln..—And MY LORD lILLCOILL NIGH %TATAR AT LONDON LtRIDOL TEM DAT Marelmg, *, 43m Ahormoco. 10b. 2444. Tamozzoll 4.. Morplaa, lib. Sm Llama& 110. 47m. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17. IN the midst of the conflict as to metropolitan communications, which is assuming almost a national importance, peculiar interest attaches to the Blackwall Railway. Since 1859, when the stock of the Blackwall Railway Company was consolidated, the company has paid the following dividends : 1833 1860 1861 • 1862 1863 The comparatively small amount of these divi deeds frequently leads to the observation that metropolitan railways cannot be made to pay. Even some of the most intelligent among those who discuss railway affairs are accustomed to exclaim, " Look at the Black wall ! " Now, we are anxious to take the opportunity of looking at the Blackwall, and inquiring why it does not pay 6 per cent., like the North London, or 7 per cent., as we believe it ought to do. The Blackwell Railway was constructed specially for the object of opening up • communication be tween the City and the docks. It was to clear the Commercial-road, Rateliff-highway, and the other streets leading from the great centre of metropoli tan trade to Blackwell of the heavy traffic with which they promised to be over-crowded. Now, it is a moat remarkable fact, that whilst as regards one portion of the traffic (the passenger traffic) between the City and Stepney, Limehouse, Poplar, end Blackwell, the railway has most effectually cleared the pavements, yet as regards the goods traffic from the docks the railway scarcely carries any of it. We do not know whether it is the fault of the Railway Company or of the East and West India Dock Company, but certain it is that the Black well Railway, although it runs from those docks past the dock warehouses at Crutchedfriers, carries scarcely any of the East and West India Dock Company's goods. All the sugar, and tea, and apices that come from those docks into the City continue to be carted through the thoroughfares. Last week the earnings of the Blackwell Rail way amounted to about 1,6001., of which nearly 1,4001. arose from passengers, and little more than 200/. from goods ; and even this small amount of goods traffic can scarcely be considered • Black well traffic proper. It arises from goods passed over the line by the Loudon and North Western, the Great Northern, and the Victoria Dock Com panies, to and from their City warehouses in Haydon-square and in the Minoriea. The Black well Company, we believe, scarcely possesses a goods track, and it carries on scarcely any goods traffic of its own. In the face of these facts, it is not wonderful that a line which originally cost nearly 500,000!. per mile to make, and which, with its Stepney Junction Extension, is now estimated to have cost, in construction, nearly 305,000!. per mile, should not pay more than 31 per cent. The only matter for surprise is that so large an amount can be earned on a capital of 2,000,000/. sterling, in sums never exceeding 6d., and rarely exceeding 3d. Such a fact shows the wonderful extent of pas senger traffic, where it is regularly and frequently conducted at low rates of fare, and in the midst of a teeming population. So far from regarding the Blackwell Railway as affording any evidence against Metropolitan lines, it ought to be considered as exemplifying the convenience they afford to mul titudes of passengers. Whilst the passenger traffic of this line is well worked, it must, however, be admitted that the management of this Company has been slow to develop any other class of trade, that it has not fully availed itself of the advantages arising from the position of the line, and that it has not been so successful as it might have been in its dealings with other companies. It is only within a very short period that it has been discovered that the line was able to afford any facilities for a coal trade. Recently, however, we believe, many of the numerous arches of which the line is composed have been let, with great advantage, to coal owners, and a coal trade has consequently sprung up in the district, which is proving successful, and which is considerably extending itself. The rates which the Company obtain for traffic over their line by the other railway companies which use it are also, with one or two exceptions, understood to be unreasonably low. Vut amounts of goods traffic are passed over the Blackwell by other com panies ; but, unfortunately for itself, the Blackwell has allowed those companies to erect or take ware houses of their own upon the line, instead of pro viding such accommodation for them. Instead, therefore, of doing the business which they might do in these goods, the Blackwell Company only acts as toll-taker, and the other companies make all the profit. These are really the causes why the Blackwell Railway is not a better property. But a day will come, and that at no distant period, when this property will be improved. It is remarkable that almost every project for new Metropolitan communications in some way or other affects the Blackwell. The Company is wooed in every direc tion. One set of projectors desire to link it with the southern railways by means of the Thames tunnel ; others want to connect it with the Brigh ton line by bridges across the Thames ; all the lines which run along the Thames Embankment propose, in some way or other, to form a connexion with the Blackwell ; and the great outer and inner circle project proposes to join it at both its ends. There is, in fact, scarcely any plan that can be adopted in Loudon that will not touch the THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1884. Blackwell ; and this indeed is scarcely to be won dered at, seeing that this raiktray runs thiongli nearly sit miles of houses at the East of Li•don. The Blackwell Railwity Company itself his wisely avoided embarking in any of the new pro jects, and only proposes during the current session one short extension, which will enable it to form • station amidst that vast hive of manufacturing industry now rapidly accumulating in the Isle of Dogs. Another branch, which may be of great importance to this railway, is now nearly completed —we refer to the branch which will carry the Blackwell Railway into the London and St. Ka tharine's Docks. if this branch is well worked it will have • most important effect in clearing the streets of traffic ; but in order to accomplish that object, the management of the Blackwell Railway must apply itself more to the business of goods conveyance than it has done hitherto. If the management will only prove itself progressive, there is no railway which has • brighter future before it than the London and Blackwall. , i4TEST INTEILIGENCE. TAki INVAiIION OP SUITWIG. The position of the belligerent parties remains the same, as far as our intelligence, ltkidh is scanty, informs us. Both sides seem to be preparing for a coming struggle. A Copenhagen letter of the 11th says : The ant report of General de Luttich►n, the new com mander-tn-chisf, has arrived here. It rtatee that during two days and two nights the Danish troops had to struggle in the midst of mow and ice, during the whole course of their retreat against forces three times more numerous. Extenuated by fatigue, but still unbroken, the Danish batta lions, to the number of 14, were able to reach the heights of Dap*, and thence, for a certain number, the island of Alien. Unfortunately a body of 5,000 men of infantry and three regiments of cavalry, who ware separated for several days from the main army, were obliged to proceed north wards towards Jutland, constantly pursued by she enemy. They succeeded, however, in crossing the river Kienigeau, and escaped from the attacks of the invading troops. According to the Rhenish Gazette the members of the deputation of the Senate of the University of Kiel who were charged to inform William I. of the wishes of the inhabitants of Holstein, and whom he referred to Count de Bismark, declare that the feeling of the people of Holstein is not favourable to Prussia. If, they say, the choice were given to Holstein to be again united to Denmark by a per sonal union, or to be joined to Prussia, the former power would have the preference. The Austrian semi-official press is again most violent in its attacks against England. Those journals declare that the protocol of London is nothing more for the German powers than an historical document. The Powell with the heavy portion of the same mails left at 7 p.m. She may be expected at South ampton on the 24th inst. EXPRESS FROM PARIS. . (nom OUR OWN col PARIS, 'TUESDAY _EVISIDS36. The Emperor of Austria's speech was favourably received at the Bourse, which has been quite bril liant. After a little hesitation, caused by a report that the bullion in the Bank of France had again decreased, the upward movement prevailed, and all kinds of securities closed with great animation, some of them at a considerable rise. Bente rose sc. for cash, and 20c. for account, closing at 66fr. 50c. and 661 r. 65c. Mobilier rose 27fr. 25c. Spanish Mobilier was in immense'request, and rose 31fr. 25c. Railways were firm, but only at an advance of 2fr. or 3fr. But although optimist views seem to prevail for the moment in financial circles, the journals im mediately inspired by the: government continue to put the worst possible oonstruction upon all the news, and are especially bitter in their observations regarding England. The Petrie says : Two principal results of the invasion of Skew* are to be noted. The proof that the two great German powen are no longer to be ranked as defenders of order, vested interests, peace, and conservatism ; and the ruin of the prestige of England on the Continent. These are minfortunse which we can easily bear. _ The trial of the four Italians, Greoo, Trabuooo, Imperatori, and Saglio, accused of a conspiracy to assassinate the Emperor, is fixed for Feb. 25. M. Devienne, the First President of the Imperial Court, will be the presiding judge. It is confirmed that Mazzini is included in the indictment. Itwould, however, be quite unjustifiable to draw any inference against him from this fact, The French parquet is not particular about proofs in the case of an absent person. It will be remembered that Ledru Rollin was tried as an accomplice of some Italian assassins years ago, and that no scrap of evidence was pro duced against hitu, except that one of the prisoners said be had talked over the affair with a stout gen tleman in London, who was called " Rodrone/ The present trial is expected to be a long one, because none of the prisoners speak a word of French, and it will be necessary to interrogate them through an interpreter. One of them only has chosen an advocate. The other three were brought before M. Davison° this morning to have counsel assigned to them. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) WIIMIZEDAT, FIBILCARY 17. II L. A DANISH FRIGATE OFF PLYMOUTH. (THIS DAY.) -.6-- EXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH A PRUSSIAN FRIGATE. PLYMOUTH, WIDIZZDAY, 10 A.M. This morning the Danish frigate Neil-Juil, 46, was seven miles beyond the breakwater, ander steam and canvas, steering due south ; wind north, with afresh breeze. Her coal bunks have been replenished. Captain Gotleitt, en application being made to him, can didly announced his intention to seise the Austrian brigs Milost and Buda' (now here) if he caught them three mike outside the English coast. Besides the Austrians there are two Bremen barques and ow Prussian torque in harbour. The proceeding, of the frigate excite great interest here. A Plymouth branch pilot has been eng•gsd on board for • short service (nominally between the Lizard and Portsmouth). The course of the frigate will take her—say 20 miles south-west of the Eddystone, where she will be in the fair way track of all merchant vessels going up and down Channel, bat • continuation of this course will take her near Brest, where there is the Prussian frigate Thetis (formerly English), an encounter with which the Danish officers have been constantly referring to since their arrival at Plymouth oe Sunday. qt Court. OSBORNE, Fn. 16. The Queen, attended by the Countess of Cale don and Lieutenant-Colonel the Roo. D. de Roe, drove out yesterday. A deputatioo, introduced by Lord Alfred Churchill, M.P., and consisting ci the Very Rev. the Dean of Perth, Major Sanford, Mr. H. C. Gregory. Mr. T. Fawcett, Mr. H. Man ning, Mr. W. Fele* Mr. B. M. Ha!mood, Mr. H. lard. lett, and Mr. U. litlicitte, bad an interview at the Colonial office yesterday with Mr. Chichester FOTWOCLA M.P., on behalf of the Duke of Newcastle, on the subject of the con• tinuance of transportation to Western Anetrali► The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yester day. An appeal from Bengal, " Joykiaken If ookerjee v. the Collector of E. Burdwen," was heard. Judgment reserved. The lords preeent were Lord Kingeclown, the Lords Justices Knight Bruce and Turner, Sir Laurence Peel, and Sir James Colvile. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial Office from the Governors of the North American Provinces. Despatches were east to the Governors of the West India Wands and British Columbia. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES. ST. LEON.UIDS-ON-SEA, TIJIBDAL The Princess of Wales, attended by the Hon. Mrs. Coke, drove out la an open phaeton yesterday afternoon. Her royal highness pared up and down the wade several times, and then proceeded to meet the Prince of Wales on his return from hare bunting with the Bexhill hariers. This morning great interest was oecasioaed by the anticipated prussic, of the Prince of Wales at the meet of the East Susan foxhounds at Silky green. The weather, up to hilt-pest 10 o'clock, was very un favourable, and some doubts were entertained whether his royal highness would fees it. All the sporting gentlemen of the neighbourhood, and a great m►ny ladies, eseembledat Sid ley-green at 11 o'clock. A number of carriages filled with ladies from St. Leonardo end Hastings were also at the meet. It wu nearly 12 o'clock when the Prince arrived. His royal highness drove a waggonette, in which were the Princess of Wales, the Hoc. Mrs. Coke, and Major Tees dale. The Prince on Deering Sidley-green, handed the reins to his servant, and mounting his hunter, a fine clamant mare, rode forward to meet Mr. Curteis, the muter of the hounds, with whom he cordially shook heads. The hounds were cow trotted off to a favourite cover, called Cond. log/arse, about three miles distant, the whole field giving the Princess the lead. Mr. Arthur Brook, proprietor of the Bexhill hariers, led the way, end then followed the Prince of Wales, Tidier/ with John Harrison, the huntsman, for merly a greet favourite in the Basle country ; Mr. Curteis came next, with Major Teesdale, sad then followed the Princess's waggonette, after which, at a respect ful distance, came the whole field, trotting along as well as the narrow Sussex lanes would allow. Arrived at Conding gores, where • =evilness:it sea view opened to the Prin cess, the bounds were laid oe, and in a couple of minutes a fine old dog fox ran out of the wood, almost under the Priacess's waggonette, holly followed by three or four hounds. The Prince, who heel riddsa forward • short dis tance, caught the old bootie:owl's view-halloo in an instant, and was among the first flight of rider', saluting the Princess as he passed. The fox made direct for the open country, and coon got a fair lead of the peck. The rectumd was dreadfully heavy, and there were some terrible fences at starting. The Prince rode with great spirit, but his royal highness fell at the second leap. Alighting on his legs he was instantly in the saddle, sad the high mettle of his mare very soon brought him into the front rank again. Beynard suffered from the heavy state of the ground, and after half an hour's clipping run across the open, he at. tempted to save himself in the high woods, near the village of N infield- Driven main into the open for a few minutes, he again took to the wood, when he was run into after a quarter of an hour's check. The hantamaa rescued the body, and carried it out into • field, where the brash was handed to his royal highness, at whose request the head (a very fine one) was •hio preserved. It was now two o'clock. and the field was hot for more sport, and Mr. Cartels had several other covers drawn, a second fox being at length found in Sidley High Woods. After half an hour's clipping run, Reyoard got to earth, sad t►e afternoon was too far ad vanced to dig him out. Oa parting, the Prince Rucked Mr. Curteis very cordially for the day's sport, and premised to join the meet on Friday ►t Holltegton. The Princess returned to Si. Leonard's at 1 o'clock, and subsequently went out walking. Her Royal Highuese the Duchess of Cambridge, her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg Streik; Colossi Home Purees, and Captain Ellis visited the St. Jamea's Theatre last evening, to witness the new comedy of "The Silver Liniog." The Countess de Grey has issued invitations for so "at ham." ma Friday amt at the family residence is Caritas-gardens. The Earl and Countess Russell had • dinner party last evening at the family residenoe in Chatham-plane. Coven were laid for 18, and among the guests were—his Estelimey the Prussian Ambassador and the Countess Bernstorlr, hie ElmsHomy the Marquis d'Azeglio, Leal and Lad, Stanley of Alderley and the Hon. Mies Stanley, Lord Fredenck Cavendish, the Right Hoe. Sir David Dundee, Mr. &add*, Mr. Wade, Mr. and Mrs. Villiers Lister, Mr. Browning, Mrs. Credos's, he. 1 The Earl ef Sefton has left town for Croxteth Park, Liverpool., for the coursing meeting at Allow. The Hon. Robert Petra, 11012 of the tenth Baron Pe,'" died a few days since at his residence in Manchester street. The boo. gentleman was in his 62nd year. The Duke of Sutherland left Stafford House, St. James's, yesterday, to speed a few days with the Duke and Duchess of Manchester, at /Limbolton Castle, Banta. a, a.. ARE 1/CHLLN MEMORIAL TO THE LATE PRINCE CONuoll7.—n special meeting of the corporation of Dublin was held or, Monday in the City Hall • the Right Hoe. the Lord Mayor presiding. principal business of the day was the consideratiou of a resolution relative to a Ste is Collage-groan for the Alters Memorial: A counter request wee brought forward by Mr. Sullivan, on behalf o f a statue for Heury Grattan on the earns site aa that proposed for the late Priam Consort. A very heated—in fact, a vary angry— . debate ensued. The building was crowded to excess, and the galleries were literally crammed with an excited mob. Despite all efforts to bring about the rejection of the motion, it was carried byanoverwbelmieg majority.—Daily Nxpress. ! FREE LIBRARY POE EDISECEOII.—At the meet ing held in Edinburgh on Monday week in omnexion with the establishment of a Free Library in Edinburgh, the following letter was read by Mr. Tod, the secretary Pdaacree, Duzikeld, October 25.—My dear Sir,—l am much interested in your efforts for the establishment of a Free Public Library in Edinburgh. I observe the notice of my late brother Sir John Potter • name in coo exioe with the foimatioe of the Manchester Free Library, and also of my own as having called the attention of your corns. .ipoedent, ' R. W. S.,' to your ant letter which appeared in the S.' , ......essere of the sth instant. I have no connexion with your city, but I have the greatest interest in everything which has a tendency to develop the intelligenoy and thereby the legitimate iorluence of the working-classes all over the kiogdom, believing as Ido that the future pros perity of the country depends in the main epos them. I shall rejoice, therefore, to see your efforts crowned with sitcoms. If you will swept the ad of • stranger I will eon. tribute 1001., or, if considered better, w ill j o i n n i neteen others in raising e sank of 2,0001. to further your object. It is to-day the fifth easivmeary of my brother's death, and I can pay no more graceful tribute to his memory than to give my bumble support to a came which be bed deeply at heart, especially is a city at whose university some of the happiest of hie early days were spent. —I am, my dear sir, yours very truly, THOMAS BATLIT PUREE." A PRUSSIAN ORDER OF THE DAY. The Prase of Vienna thus expresses itself with ( regard to the last order of the day of Prince Frederick Charles :—" The last order of the day of Prince Frederick Charles, dated Olucksburg, Feb. 8, has naturally produced a great rensation in our military circles. We leave to military pens the teak of criticising in detail this unique document of its kind. We shall confine ourselves to saying that the Prussians did not pass the Schlei at Arnie until they were well assured that the Danes bad already left, and that this appears from the details which their own journals have given on this Pazafge" The Oat Deutsche Post says on the same subject : —" The painful surprise which has been caused by the pretended order of the day of Prince Charles of Prussia undoubtedly rests on a misunderstanding. This document must be apocryphal. The awk ward imitation of the celebrated bulletins of Napoleon L already appears to prove its falseness. The grand conqueror wrote thus when he was at the height of his glory, on the day after his most splendid victories. A young general would not express himself thus after a few days' campaign, and some malevolent spirit has played Prince Frederick Charles the evil Lick of attributing to him this proclamation. A gene ral who acts in concert with allied corps would not write thus. One has only to recall the bulletins of the French marshals in the Crimea and in Italy, and the esteem, the courtesy, and the brotherhood of arms, which they displayed in 'relation to their English or Piedmonteee allies, to be convinced that the tone and the tenour of this order of the day would rank, if it were authentic, with the most extraordinary enormities in the history of wars." RUSSIA. A communication from St. Petersburg of the 9th says : No one can be found here to accept the portfolio of finance. Tbe state of ►ffairs is so delicate that even t►e boldest are afraid. One of the eminent men to whom t►s office was offered, General Tchekvine, formerly /Galatea. of Public Works, refused it in the following terms :—" To accept the portfolio of finance in the present state of things, • man must be either a genius or mad, and, as I am neither, I refuse" M. de Rantern will therefore remain at his post ; • proof that he, at all events, k not wanting it oor -age. (azursea Trumm.m6.) THE WAR IN SLESWIG. APE-N. - FADE, Fla 16. The Austrian head-quarters have arrived here, and the Prussian head-quarters have been trans ferred to Grauenstein. Field-Marshal Von Wrangel is on his way to the latter place. There are indications of an intention on the part of the allies to enter Jutland. SPEECH OF FIELD MARSHAL VON WRANGEL. FLENSBERG, Fa. 16, Erma. Field Marshal von Wrangel on his departure for Grauenstein took an affectionate farewell of the principal inhabitants of this city, and ex pressed a hope that Sleswig would soon be freed from the evils of war. IMPORTANT SPEECH OF THE AUSTRIAN COMMISSIONER. ALTONA, Pics.l7. The Aturtrian Civil Commissioner, M. Reverters, in a speech made at Flensburg, said that all the wishes of the Sleswig-Holsteiners would be satis fied, although a personal union of the Duchies with Denmark could not be given up. Prince Frederick Charles received yesterday a deputation of the citizens of Flensburg. SWEDEN AND THE PROPOSED ARMISTICE. ESTOCKHOLM, F. 16. The official Post Tisininv states that Sweden does not support the proposal of en armistice between the Austrians and Prussians and the Danes, neither has she recommended the withdrawal of the Novem ber constitution. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, FIB. 17. The Austrian Provincial Diets, with the excep tion of Hungary, Croatia, Transylvania, and Venetia, have been convoked for the 2nd of March. SPAIN. MADRID, FEB. 16. A bill lima been brought into congress calling out 35,000 men. Advice* received here from St. Domingo repre sent the insurgents to be much discouraged. Fresh reinforcements were constantly arriving. AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, FEN. 17. The Hamburg and American Company's steamer Germania, from New York, on the 6th inst., has arrived off Cowes. She brings 38 bags of mails, 59 passengers for this port, Havre, and Hamburg, 89,675 dole, in specie for England, 125,200 doll. for France, and 2,000 dole, for Hamburg. Off the Scilly Islands she spoke the ship Cer berus, bound West. Her news has been anticipated. The following telegram has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigiation Company, this day. BOMBAY AND MAURITIUS MAILS. MALTA, Fn. 15. The Vectis will leave Malta at 10 p.m, with the Marseilles portion of the above mails. 14;7 a. 1 14 Nairn.. 130 r.• itberdes 10.02 361 Leith 10.07 37 Ardroman 30.14 41 Orveacastle Ski 40 °slimy talk Valenti. lll.l Cape Cle-r Quitenetara 3O. Liverpool lO. 40' 013 bead FI9 471 Pembroke IO.II Pomona. . 1 44 , Brest L'Oiient IO.OBU Rochefort ...- .1 43 Plymouth .114 t Weymouth Portsmouth Loadon Dover ts Yarmouth.-- 19.34 30 ice:borough-. I Shields l Bll l3 Bl aitilkotead W.ii.W. LW. N.!. N. N.L N.W. Z N.L N.W. N.N.W. N.W. N. N.N.L x.ir.w. ------ x. N.W. N. N, W. N.N.W. N.N.W. N. N.W. Planalll.ll TiftIUIDAT. Of MOOTNEIa VILIDAT. S.W. to N and beck, 00•121. N.L to N.W. and strong to moderate, R. W., moderate to some wow or rola tweak eons meow to •heat . to W., moderate to trash, generelly tine. N. W. to N.E. and back. Wiertalt. fresh to moderate, same rain In places. W.N.W. to N.N.I. and Poalligoll. N. E. to N. W.. trtsh to to E. In places, fresh, moderate, tine. generally tine. N.W. W &, strong, EMISZIN. k. to N. and W., treah, squally to &takeouts generally tine. mos in places. Northern:Scotland- Wastornslreload. Wall, and ad jorateteo Soothsm=dinglish Chonosl and ilimay Boy. Sodom lisotword England and liabgaisad. M. Eugene Simon has returned to Paris from Chine, after having accomplished a mlasion intrusted to him by the Emperor. Be has brought with him • flock of Chimes sheep, called °anti, consisting of two ram and 22 ewes, remarkable for their fecundity. This flock is • present made by the French residents of Shanghai to the Zoological Society in the Bois de Boulogne. Fifty per cont. of thesis ewes produos lambs Orissa • year, and three at a birth ; 20 per oe•t, produce two at • time twine • year. These sheep are of the middle sire, and resemble the South down. Their wool, though lon, is very inferior to that of the Merinos. It ill proposed to *end French sheep to Sues to be exclaimed with masters of ships coming from China for Chinese sheep. A statement from Rome, comparing the increase of the Jesuits, rys :—" At the end of the year 1863 it was 7,529, or 118 more than in 1862. They are distributed among 19 establishments, of w►ich five are in Italy, five in German♦ and Belgium, three in France, two in Spain, sod four In England and America. The Italian Jesuits number 1,617, the Austrian 362, the Betties 576, the Dutch 236, the German 584, the French 2,266, the Spanish, 868, the English 270, the Irish 139, and the American 350; the rest belonging to other salines. As may be seen, France has the most. At Rome there are 344, and in the foreign missions 1,362, of wham 560 are French, 296 Spanish, and 2io Italians, the remainder being natives at other countrisa. English Jesuits number 270." DIDOT'S "ANNCAIREDU COMMERCZ, 1864."—This work will be found of the greatest service to all merchants sad others who have immediate business relation with France. It is much larger and more oonsprelteasive than our own " Post Oflioe Directory," and abounds in informa tion and statistics only found hitherto in dictionaries and almanacks. In these days of incessant and increasing com munication between Francs and England, the Paris Dine bey becomes most useful to us here ; and M. Didot's work embraces all ordain, professions, and trades. The political, official, diplomatic, and commerci►l parts of the " An nuaire " seem to be all done with equal care. _ _ plant or Ma. W ILLI ja Dirc2, R.A. —We regret to announce the death, at Streatham, on &today Let, of this distinguished artist, in the 58th year of his age. In 1844 the sample of freeoo manipulation seat by him to Weetminater Hall—" Two Heads," part of a larger composition, the " Consecration of Archbishop Parker in Lambeth Chapel, A.D. 1559 "—obtained for him a commis sion for further specimens. During the summer of the same year be was appointed by Primo Albert to take the place of Etty, as one of the select decorators of the rummer house in Buckingham Palace-gardens. Is 1845 his cartoon, fresco, and coloured sketch for the "Baptism of &bel lied " were approved and accepted. The subject was soon afterwards executed on the walls of the House of Lords. This fresco displayed a knowledge—historic, anti quarian, and technical—that has given him a decided pre ference over his brother artists in this branch of art. Since that period Mr. Dyes continued to receive the patronage of Prince Albert in private, and of the royal commission in public. Is 1845 he waa eluded Associate of the Academy, and in 1848, It. A. Mr. Dyoe, before his death, had from his broken health relinqniabed hie frescoes in the room assigned to him i• the Houses of Parliament. He had made great progress is hie aeries of designs—from the Mort cr Arthur—acid was hit terly mortified by the complaints of delay made against him by the committee of last session which reported on the state of the decorations. _ STANDING MIMIC* IN EITKOPZ. —Russia's standing army is 1,000,000 men, costing annually 26 millions ster ling, or 42 per smut. of the national bodpt ; France has 673,000 men, meting 34 million, or 33 per cent.; Austria. 467,600 men, meting 16 !millions, or 37 per cent.; Turkey, 434,000 w ; Italy, 314,000 men. costing 16 minims ; England, 300.000 men, meting 73 millions, or 39 per omit.; Prussia. 314.000 men, metier 74 millions, ce 30 per omit. Sweden. 67,600 men, costing 40 per mat.; Denmark. 50.000,; caseliag 37 per mat. The whole standing army of Europe is 3,815,847 men, casting annually 170 sterling.— American paper. THE ADVENTURES OP A BLOCEADE RUNNER. LIVERPOOL, Tusepsy. By the arrival of the Cunard steamer Canada this morning we eve put in poorer of the detai'a conarted with the loss of the steamer Vesta, Capt. Meter. The in. cidente are obtained from • Confederate officer, who was a passenger In the Vesta from Bermuda. The Vesta left Bermuda on the 3rd instant. For seven days she was chased over the seas by • number of Federal cruisers, but succeeded in eluding them ; and on the 10th instant made the coast in the vicinity of Wil mington. Being compelled to lay to, she was descried by • Federal cruiser. which gave chase, and in half an hour more eleven mortar vessels were bearing down upon the euddaaly discovered craft. The Vest,, although apparently surrounded, ran the gauntlet in splendid style. Some of the cruisers attempted to arose her bows, but she was too rapid for this manoeuvre ; and at half a mile distance some of the cruisers opened their broadsides upon her, while five others were coatinually using their bow guns, exploding shells right over the deck of the devoted vessel. Fortunately, no one was hurt ; and the vessel ran through the squadron, mitering only from a single shot, which passed amidships above the water line, but happily missed the machinery. But the trouble seems to have commenced with what the presagers anticipated to be the triumphant war from the wares, for the captain, at 2 o'clock in the morning, directed the pilot to take her ashore, telling him that the ship was ten miles above Fort Prober, when the fact was that she was at 40 miles to the southward of Frying Pan Shoals. Fifteen minutes afterwards, the Vesta made land, the pilot having run her so far ashore that it sou impossible to get her off. She was run aground as Little River Inlet ; the passengers landed in boats minus their luggage ; and although there were no Federal cruisers io sight, and not the least oemision for precipitation, the vessel, with all her valuable cargo, was tired before day light by order of Captain Erten, sod Mimed to the water's edge. The cruisers did not get up to the wreck until 2 o'clock on the afternoon of the next day. The cargo of the Vesta was of the most valuable description thresloarths of it on government account, consisting of army supplies, and including a very a:maxim lot of English shoes. There was also lost in the wreck • splendid uniform, intended for General Lee, from some of his mirrors in London. Nothing of any amount was saved. Amongst the passengers on board the Vesta were Mrs. John Mitchel, Miss Mini* Mikdiel and Mr Isabel Mitchel (wife and daughters of Mr. Joka Mitchel, of '4B notoriety, who were returning to Richmond from a visit to E a o) ; Mr. T. J. Lend, England ; Mr. Perrin, Confide rtarortates Navy ; Lieutenant J. H. Gardner, Confederate Stair Navy ; Dr. William Shepherdsoe, Confederate States Navy ; Paymaster Maim Coddler' States Navy ; and Mr. Kirlebase, Bermuda. This was the first trip of the Veda from England. She was a double screw steamer, puler in all appointments ; and, at the time of the wreck, was worth about 3C0,0004 to the Codederstas. THE INTWATIONAL FINANCE SOCIETY (LIMITED). The first report of the directors of the Inter national Financial Society (Limited), to be sub mated at the meeting on the Ist March, has been issued, and we subjoin it in extetwoo: In submitting to their shareholder. this, their first re port, the directors think that they may with justice oon. gratooote themselves on the rerun of their labours. The accounts embrace the operations of the society up to 31st December last, and show that the net profit, after deducting all current expenses, and writing off all preliminary ex penses, amounts to the sum of 199,9601. 18s. 11d. The etpital called up is 750,001.. or 51. per share, of which one-half was paid on the 28th May, and the remaining half on the 13th July last. The directors are of opinion that, in this early stage of the company's operations, it world be unwise to divide too large a proportioe of the profits, notenthetanding the favourable wadi timid under which they have entered upon the pew you. 'They, therefore, recommend that the balance be applied as follows :-Ist. 19,9311. 10s. Id. to payment of intermit at 5 per rent per annum on the called np capital, in eoefonnity with clam, No. 164 of the arti cles of emaciation. 2nd. 77,5681. 9a. 11d. to bans; to make, together with the above interest, a dividend of 13s. per share, free of income tax ; equal in all to 25 per cent. I per aonum. 3rd. 18,(E31. 19a. sd. to reserve fund, in coo formity with clause No. 25 of said articles. This, after de , ducting the neessaary iusoants for directors' commission, and income tax oil the dividend, will leave a bassos of 766801. 19e. sd. to berried forward to sew amount, which balance, together with the amount of 16.0001. 19e. sd. placed to reserve fun d, leaves a total of 91,6811. 1114. 10d. undivided. The directors have secured permanent offices at the building sow in souse of erection at No. 60, Thread needle-street, which they believe will be ready for mon ' potion about June next. Mr. R. P. Harding and Mr. Edwin H. Galaworthy bare been appointed auditors, and their re maceration will have to be fixed by the meeting. The same gentlemen offer themselves for re-election. The following is the balance-sheet, se nude up to the 31st December : DL To capital account, viz. Deposit of I/. 10s. per share Os 150,000 shares 4375,000 0 0 Pkat call d 18. 1l per share on 130,000 shares 375,000 0 0 1750,000 0 0 10 sundry creditors Mitt It To prat and loss : Balance at the credit of this account 411.188,126 11 1 Co. By omit at boaters, In hand, sad on deposit.— CAM 17 7 By sundry debtors: For athances on sscarlty, &c. SUMO U 0 By Hudson's Boy Company-17.140 shares at par 347,000 0 0 By sundry In% estments ,at cost price) _61.1811,1116 U 1 The manner in which the balance of 199,9501. at the credit of profit and loss account is to be appro priated, is clearly shown in the annexed : To directors' COMMiliioll, so per aetlele of association No. 707 C4,9116 15 1 To Interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum on pald.up capital . £19931 10 1 To bonus of 10s. Id. per share 77,500 0 To amount to auks op dividend and bonus to 13a. per share 97,500 0 0 To Income tax on above amount.... 20363 16 0 To amount earned to the credit or reserve fund, as per article of asso dittos No. IS To balance carried forward to prolit and lou new account NMI 18 10 L 199,960 18 11 Tau NET/ Rirome Balms has Oyez notice that he Mends, cm the Sib of March, to bring in a ball for extendiog the borough fraisAise to peracios paying a 61. natal. This is the measure which the whirm proposed when they wanted to term Lord Derby out, and dropped when they bad maceseded. It is • measure to which reformers in parliament sod in the country are deeply pledged. It is a debt of honour. doe to the people—more Lima • debt of homer—a solemn party compact. The time lam come to exact pay ment with • determined tone. The reform question most be made a sine quid non. Faint argumentation and mild ap peals will not avail. People must say, and they are preparing to esy it--uumbers have already mid it in this city--" We will stir for Roth* and for nobody till this debt is paid." If Palmerston and Co. dishonour their own accoplemes. Tat them pay the penalty of dishonour. Our watchword Is "reform—woe to the whip if they go to the coustry with out it."—Norfolk News. FATAL FALL INTO Alt OPEN STREET CUTTINO.-- Yeateiday ottoman Mr. Humphreys, Middlesex dormer, held se inquest at the Loodou Hospital upon the body of Emma Ehrhart, aged 30 years, who wee killed by w a hi t . l into • deep cutting or exesvatioa is Thmass.street, amid. It appeared from the eviderice that the deceased was • shopwomae. employed at Mr. Panned* confectioner, in Cambia, and that every night she went home to her father's house, is Thomas-street, Whiteohapel. For tea days past the Board of Works have had hi course of coo. .emotion • More sewer down Thomas-street. Oa Thursday night last deceased did oat return home as usual, end the next morning she was found lying deed at the bottom of the a:aeration, In front of her father's deer. Her neck sad spine had bees broken by the fall. It was proved that there were poles around the cutting as • preteetlea, bat ia one place they were merely laid on • monad of earth. It was supplied that In the darkness the unfortunate deceased walked over the mound into the cutting. The Jury returned • verdict "That deceased was totted dead hems a teal as the bottom of • certain excavation in the Ant* bat how she awns to fell the evidence did not prove." IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF CONMONS.--(THIS DAY.) . _ . . . . The Brum took the chair at 12 o'clock. Several private bills were read ► sewed time. THE CRAWLEY COURT-MARTIAL. Lord HOTHA.V gave notice that on Friday next he should move for a oopy of any minute or memorandum , signed by the Adjutant•Genersl of the Forces, and addressed to t h,, commander-in-chief in India, Sir H. Rose, between the 18th of December and the let of January, in which his Royal Highness. the Field-Marshal Commander-in -Chief was stated to have modified his opinion on the remarks of Sir H. Rose on Surgeon Turnbull, late of the Gth ling Dragoons ; and a copy of any order or metneraodni• dated Horse Guards, Jen. 14, 1864, and signed by the milli. terry secretary to the commander-in-chief, on the subject of the late court-martial on Colonel Crawley. (Hear, hear.) CHALV CABLES AND ANCHORS BILL. Mr. LAIRD moved the 'wood reading of this bin, th e main feature of which was to empower private murder. amn and mun i c ip a l bodies to erect treating machines for anchors and cables, and thus to make manufacturers respos. sib's for their own work. The cost of one of them machines would not he more than 301. Lloyd's committee and the L. • don Shipowners'Association, and all the great shipowners, as well as the anchor and cable manufacturers throughout the country, had given their approval of this measure. During the last year ninety-three vessels had been lost through parting their cables, and the well known wreck of the Royal Charter was attributable to the same cause. With those facts so patent he trusted that the house would pass ibis measaza Sir J. ELPHINSTONE supported the bill. The iscreese of wrecks had, he said, during the past year bus 40 per mat., the lives of MAXI valuable sailors had bees leo. pardised, and 1,000 hadlost their lives inconsequence of the no. fections of our ground tackle. A flestof ships was recectiv blown from the coast of Northumberland to the cow of Holland, and all were there lost except one ship, whose cables and anchors held for 17 days, until the gale male. rated. 329,245 toes of shipping had been lest in 1442 including a loss et upwards of three millions of money, and upwards 900 lives, and this mainly through the inaperfec • tions of gear and t ackle. Surely then it was time for that house to interfere, and in its wisdom see fit to pass the second reading of this bill. • - • Mr. HUTTadmitted that there was an anxious desire on tha part of the public, the shipowners, and be believed also of a majority of the members of the house, to provide a remedy foe the evils which had been stated be the boa gentlemen who moved and seconded the motion. The object was to provide some adequate means for saving property at sea. and the lives of a class of men who were peculiarly deserving of tip, can and consideration of the house. (Hear, bear.) He should not therefore oppose the motion feeiheseeend reed' ing, but at the same time he must express Ms strong doubts whether the provisions of the bill would secure the object intended. Mr. Alderman ROSE supported the motion, and remarked that 80 pee mot of the chains and cables manufactured were under the proof required. Mr. LINDSAY admitted that it was desirable to have chaise end cables properly tested, bat the difficulty was bow they were so attain the tied proposed. The large ship. owning firms carried out now what the bill proposed to do, and he doubted whether if this bill had bele in full operation any of the wrecks mentioned by his honourable friend would have been prevented. The system of licenses proposed by the bill would bare the effect of throwing the manufacture of chains and anchors into the bands of the large manufacturers of Staffordshire and Wales. He would not oppose the second reading, and should smut in making the bill as perfect as possible in committee, but be could not help thinking that it proceeded on a false principle, for it would remove responsibility from the shoulders of the shipowners, while it would interfere with the freedom of trade. Mr. CAVE supported the principle of the bill, but ad mitted these were difficulties in the way of carrying it out. Mr. BENTINCK thought the house was not only bound to pees the measure, but to pees it in its most stringent form. Mr. HORSFALL was surprised at the objection urged against the bill, namely, the difficulty of connecting the certi ficate with the cable. He hoped that shipowners were not all rogues ; sod if they were, the 9th clause of the bill sub jected them to punishment. Mr. LEFEVRE objected to the bill on principle, because it was not the function of the state to interfere in matters of this kind. Mr. HASSAB.D supported the bill on the ground that it would afford greater security to the lives of the crews. The bill was then reed a sewed time, and ordered to be committed on Wednesday next. POOR'S RATE. Yr. BERNARD moved for leave to bring in a bill for the more equitable distribution of the charge on landed pro peaty for the relief of the sick and destitute, known by the lame of poor's rates. The home then adjourns& THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE AMERICAN CRUISERS. There are now several notices on the list of parliamentary business, relating to the American cruiser portico. Thus, to-morrow night, Mr. Henry Banns is to list the Attorney-General " whether he is of opinion that when an English merchant vessel is captured by an Ameri can ship of war in the harbour of • neutral state, it is the duty of the government to wait for the action and decision of a prize court before reparation and satiate/Akio are demanded from the Americas government ; ad, if so, whether the government would also have to wait for the action of a prize court if an English vessel should be taken out as a prize from an Eogliah harbour; and whether the cap tore of the British vessel the demos, by as American ship of war in the Mexican harbour of Matamoros, was net • violation of i•ternational law, and a direct act of hostility spinet England." And on Friday night, Mr. Lefwvre, on the other side, will ask the Under-Seswistary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it be true that • British ship, the Mariam, has been captured by the Alabama, and bona by order of its captain ; and, if so, "what steps the government are taking to obtain mention and to prevent the repetition of such outrages." Oa Friday, the 4th March, Mr. Peacock* "will draw at. tention to the demaade made in the cam of the Alabama ;" sad the mine pntleman bee Lime notice that on going into committee of supply he will " call attention to the claim by the Vatted States goverment foe isompeseatem for ra. rages by Confederate cruisers, and make a motion." EXPENSES OP SHIPS. DOCKYARD ACOOUNTB AND ECONOMY. This morning was issued a parliamentary return, of 90 pages, showing the charges incurred in her Majesty's dockyards and at the Admiralty for works upon ships' seniors" during the year ended the 31st March bar To the accounts is prefixed a report thereon from the Aooonnteat- Ceara of the Navy, dated the 12th of the present month. In the course of his report the Aosoustunt-Geserel„ after elating that the stork of timber and Umber ms• trials and stores in the several dockyard. are to be valued on the let of April zest, continues:— " As a further ccesequence of Mr. itanefeld's ioveetigations bibs dockyard accounts and economy, an extension and modification have been made in the new regulations, which have bees framed for the preparation of the dockyard sod factory accounts of expenses upon ships, services, sad con versions, and which it is proposed to bring into operation on the let of April next. The chief objects sought to be obtained in these regulations am to ensure in the future preparation of these accounts that the charges should he rendered upon a uniform principle ; that all arbitrary or per.centsge charges should be discontinued, and that the expenses exhibited is these accounts should represent either a direct or an indirect charge against the particular ship or service, sad inns afford upon all common points of agree ment a ormparieon of the expenditure for ships buildierand manufacturing operations in her Majesty's dockyards with that incurred in private trade. It is further intended, so a consequence of the valuation of the stock of timber, timber materiala, and stores in the several dockyard. on the let April, 1864, to keep a ecietieuone record of the value of the receipts and issues of stock, so is, at the ex piration of each year, to be enabled to show under certain general heads the severs/ transactions throughout the year, as well as the value of the remains of stock at the end of the year. It only remains for me to observe that the balsam-sheets of manufacturing operations and of con versions of timber et the severed dockyards sad gleam factories at home for 1862.63, are in mune of tabulation. and will he forwarded shortly to their lordship. for pre sentation to pa/lima/et. may are being abstracted in such a form, sad under such uniform classification of emu fostered articles ea will admit of similer operations at the several yards being compared as to general result. ; sad by the introduc►ion into such balance-sheets of the rate- book prime of the articles manufactured or tireless con soled. the wet of the conversions at each yard ese be compared with the mks@ at which the stases sad timber are issued to ships. The discsapancies, if any, wbicit my be apparent upon cook comparison will in futons be mate rially adjusted by the wrestles of the mte-hsok, sew in eosins of revidoe, sad by its future annual revision." 1 limm term shin Belle` man wbo take togry room c.t l , - - Or room rei. Thi ohm Thi Thi end i szatu that about Mr, 151. ii that) at fiv, total Hil result Del ch t4 &op, r. E costa, Mr. r°t4.