The Express. — London, England, 1867-01-28 00:00:00

JOHN BROGDEN. ORIGINAL GOLD CHAIN MANUFACTORY, 16. fiIINILISITA-13T1117, COVINT-OLIDIN. JOHN BROGDEN'S 18-carat GOLD CHAINS. JOHN BROGDRN'S GOLD GUARD CHAINS. JOHN BROGDEN'S GOLD ALBERT CHAINS. JOHN BROOMS'S GOLD BROOCH CHAINS. BENSONS WATCHES. 58 and 80, Ladgebettifi: 25, Oldßoadetreet. BROWN and POLSONT CORN FLOUR for CHILDILI:rS DIET. To obtain extra profit by the .at. other Ida& se. sometimes adiend Instead of BROWN and POLSOWS. each John we." "Jolla Folsom," is lined by tae mattes on packet. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ROOMS, 218, High Holborn. —This v elegant and specious establiatunent having been entirely ry redecorated OPEN KVE&Y KV IN LNG. The grand bend. conducted by Mr. W. 11. Pecker, tent perform nightly a choice aelectio• of *paretic sod dance issic. Open at half• past b ; dome at 12. Adndinion. he. Elie enrrtoo. TO CORRE4PONDENTS. Advertieemente intended for " The Expense," London Evening Paper, must be et the Mee, 10, Bouveriestreet, by Two reel°, k on the dav of publication. DIUItY LANZ. Tin Evrinto, JOHN BULL 167 Phelps. Mesas. Aida bourne, K. Phelps, and Barrett; Mesdames H. Vain, Isabel Adams, & H.Vandenhot —And NUMBER NIP; OL, HARLE QUIN AND TB& GNOME KING OP THE GIANT MOUNTAIN. HAYMAIkri. TNT Ilvinmea, A L 1167407.7 FOIrIIFE. Means &Ahern, Means, Clark. yougest. de. Mrs. Chippendale, Mimes Hill, Wright, etc.—And THE sEKIHUS FAMILY. Mama Buck/tone, Rowe, Fence, Me.; Mesdames Chippendale, Moore, Burke, Ac. PRIMMER. Tao! IVWPU. DELICATE OROUND. Henna Vining and Ilhore; Mire Katherine Roderes.—And THE STREETS OF LONDON. Messrs. V. Villiers Blume, Calhaern, Forrester. (=h eart, Mellon. and Vining ; Mn. H. Manton and Miss Rodgers. LXMI7_II. ivringo, TER Teitigiati. Wr. Widdlcoreb —And ROME ET NOIR. Meows. ►echter, Uwe', Cowper, Moreland, Nitapataick. Dalton, Itameolde, lamas, Andrews, Price, de. ; 31.te.1.. Murray, and Mimes Hearsde, Ora/tail, and C. Leclereq. BYRAND. r 1179 Evswtio, NEIGHBOUIt&—After wields wW be produced • Greed Burlesque, GUY FAIVICY.S.—sod A SUIT OP TWRIUYS. HOLBOIII4. Tine Vining°, MY YUAN NEXT. Mr. Behnote limes Foote and Lennon. —And FLYING SCUD. Mews. Seville. Bel abors, Blake, Vollalre, de. Mesdames T. Josephs, C. Saunders, Drake loot.. Mad , " Lennon. Itane o && &C. BRITLNALL TEM Ihnitarao, THE P6iMC6BB Of THE PEARL ISLAND 1 01, THE THREE KINGDOMS OP PEARL, GOLD, AND SILVER. Mn Lane and Mint Jaooba—Pint•rate Pantomimist& —lad THE SKELETON CREW. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Ts= 7h, 5 9 29. To-Itobsow—blarobag, 90. 27m....„Afterboon, 9b. 3. LONDON, MONDAY, JANUARY 28. THE financial position remains almost un changed. There have been further withdrawals of gold from the Bank for the Continent, but latterly they have been somewhat falling off. The foreign exchanges also have been generally steady, so thaL it would appear that the drain of bullion is not only pretty nigh exhausted, but is not likely to revive for the present. Our continental neigh bours have in fact collected the debts we owed them, and taken back the capital which they feared to employ in a country upon which, according to their absurd idea, a revolution is impending. Pro bably some further small sums may go, but there the question ends. As far as trade is concerned, this unexpected bullion movement has been of little consequence. The rate of discount has not been in the least affected. The best bills could always be cashed at 3 per cent., or per cent. below the Bank minimum, and often at 21 and 24. Looking to the state of the Bank, its resources have not been diminished in more than an infinitesimal degree. Although the coin and bullion show a decline in the last account, compared with the previous week, of 390,0001., the reserve is only 8,000/. less. With these facts before them, it may seem strange that the directors did not reduce their rate of discount last Thursday, especially since the "other securi ties" had run off by 388,000/. This, however, is a question in which the public generally have little interest. It is of no particular importance whether the Bank choose to charge 34 per cent. for the use of a commodity that can be readily got elsewhere at 3. The outside public will, of course, deal in the cheapest market. It may be admitted that the position of the Bank has been compara tively strengthened by avoiding a reduction in the rate (although this conclusion is open to doubt), but to what purpose? The reserve amounts to the immense sum of nearly eleven millions, and there is surely no desire, at all even;.s in these days, to increase it beyond this point. The fact appears very simple, that tho posi tion of tho Bank is at present so strong that no conceivable reason can be shown for making even the most insignificant sacrifice in order to strengthen it still further. Still, this is a mere matter of business, which can be most fitly decided by the directors of the Bank and their consti tuents. It is an evident proof of the defective working of the Act of 1844 that the precise virtues that have always been ascribed to it never come into play except when they are not wanted. The theory of its supporters is just now being exemplified to the letter. The Bank has been losing bullien ; therefore the directors keep up the rate of dis count, and, if necessary, would have raised it still higher. " See how admirably the system works," it will be said. "By carrying out the principles " of the Act in their strict integrity it is evident " that even a drain of bullion is powerless to " cripple the resources of the Bank. The reserve " has fallen next to nothing." Very true ; but supposing the reserve had fallen half-a-million or more, money would still have been at 3 per cent. in Lombard-street. It is while capital is abundant that the repressive system is found efficient. If the official minimum is 34 per cent. when 3 rules in the open market it neces sarily deters custom. The commercial bills run ning off at the Bank are renewed elsewhere. A great deal of money flows in, and scarcely any goes out. The theory thus acts with admirable effect exactly at the moment when no one cares about it. Let the rate of discount, however, be at 10 per cent., and somehow the theory when really required is of no value whatever. It fails to attract bullion, it causes distrust both at home and abroad, the reserve is only maintained by making large sales of Government securities, and the disinclination of private discounters to do business sends everybody to the Bank. The high rate thus tends to multiply demands instead of diminishing them. The present condition of the money market is the precise converge to that of last May. A drain of bullion was then expe rienced, which was unchecked by 10 per cent., and the financial pressure was extreme. In this month there is again a partial drain, but it causes neither uneasiness nor pressure. Confidence once restored the movement of a few hundred thousand pounds in gold one way or the other is almost en tirely disregarded. The effect of this slight check to the downward THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28, 1867. tendency of the money market can be only tem porary. Bullion is arriving from Australia and the United States—in the latter case in flagrant violation of the laws of trade, since we are told its importation here leaves no profit. These foreign supplies are likely in a great degree to be taken to the Bank, which is also receiving considerable amounts of sovereigns withdrawn from internal circulation. The slack ness of trade is unfortunately too calculated to promote this movement. Commercial and finan cial enterprise shows as little sign of revival as ever, and even the railway companies, usually so prodigal of expenditure, will this year call upon the British public for a mere modicum of the capital they have been accustomed to raise annually. The experience of each week only con firms the belief that the crisis of 1866 will be followed by the consequences that have invariably occurred after modern commercial panics. Contraction of trade, and, therefore, cheap money, are the characteristics. Certainly the latent distruat, the legacy of the events of last May, shows no material symptom of being mitigated. Almost every new channel for the employment of money and many of the old are shunned ; but, on the other hand, it is satisfactory Ito find that well-established investments are gra dually rising in public favour. As regards the former, however, it is necessary to make some exception. The success of the new Russian Loan has been exceeded by that of the Chilian operation, but it is not certain that the example will be very extensively followed. No doubt there are many governments who would be only too glad to borrow from us on our own terms, but English capitalists have from long ex perience learnt the necessity of using caution. Russia and Chili enjoy a deservedly high reputa tion for strict faith to the foreign bondholder. How many other countries can may the same I As a rule we are disposed to condemn the system of foreign loans. Nine times out of ten the proceeds are wasted in unproductive warlike expenditure, !entailing a continued burden upon the nation for which it has received no benefit whatever. Still, while disapproving of the practice, it is only fair to concede that as regards Chili and Russia at least the national obligations have been punctually fulfilled, whether the money raised has been squandered uselessly or not. The principal demand, however, of late has been for the best English railway securities. The unfortunate revelations respecting the Great Eastern, the London, Chatham, and Dover, and the North British produced, not unreasonably, a kind of panic in the public mind, and the result was a general depreciation in all descriptions of stocks, including those which were absolutely above suspicion. More than once attention has been drawn to the necessity of exercising a fair discrimination, and of avoiding the unjust course of condemning all railway investments because one or two had gone wrong. The reaction has now come. The desire to purchase railway stocks is as strong as was some time ago the in clination to sell. The result is a rapid recovery in prices, and at each succeeding settlement the dealers on the Stock Exchange find a scarcity of stock for delivery. In a similar manner Consols have im proved, and hence a growing disposition is shown to invest in our best home securities. Still for every buyer there must be a seller, and the question equally remains how these funds are to be employed. The probability is that they will come into the discount market. Tho balances with the banks will increase until, after the lapse of a year or two, they may find a vent in some fresh shape of speculation. Meanwhile the supply of money bids fair to be superabundant. How the national accumulations may he eventually used is, of course, beyond the reach of conjecture. Ac cording to precedent, we have at least one, if not two, years of stagnation before us. The solution of the problem cannot therefore be looked for before 1868, and perhaps 1869. It is, however, to be hoped that the public will not be tempted by the same class of specious schemes as the Cali fornian mining companies of 1852, or be led to support indirectly the overtrading that figured in the early part of 1857. OUR CONTEMPORARIES. (THIS DAY.) thnonials, it says, are always unsatisfactory when the persons who give them " cannot venture to refuse." )CS TOPICS. , In the opinion of the Tima the charge against the Gur neys could only be sustainable by such proof as has not yet been established. Shareholders, however, have reason to complain, though it does not appear probable that they can be absolved from the liability which their subscrip tions entailed. On this critical point the Vice-Chancellor has already expressed his opinion without much reserve, and we must consequently expect to hear that this famous transaction, whatever may be its complexion in other re spects, involved no such acts as would deprive the creditors of the security on which they relied. The policy of inaction attributed to the government in the question of reform shows the blunder, remarks the Daily Pews, of assuming that a great party—pledged by the action of last session, even if by nothing before, to stand or fall by reform—will consent to please the govern- ment which has taken their places by saying nothing more on the subject. It assumes that the nation is equally apathetic and equally acquiescent. But in the last place, the policy has the damning vice of depending for its success on the operation of motives which are temporarily powerful, but are of less force than others which are the permanent springs of conduct. It assumes that dislike of a reform bill will lead forty or fifty men belonging to the liberal party and elected by liberal constituencies to desert their party to keep a tory government in offioe. Ultimately the critical vote will be taken on the question not of men but of measures ; and as Reform has now become the very shibboleth of the whigs, it is hardly likely that there are many on the liberal benches who would dare to affirm that there ought to be no measure. But if they did, and placed on one side the great houses and the small boroughs, and on the other the metropolis and the great towns, such a flagrant demonstration that a radical reform was essential would not be long endured. The Times compares the readiness of the public to invest in foreign loans, as just shown in the case of Chili, with the languishing state of the domestic investments which are to be found on the share list. This of course is mainly due to the deep distrust which the catastrophes and reve lations of recent times have created among ordinary in. vectors. The hankering of the public now is rather for good security than a high rata of interest. Certainty of facts, punctuality of payments, and stability of capital— these are the requisites for repute in the money market. Foreign loans seem to fulfil them, but foreign loans have before now had their turn of discredit, and there is ample room and no bad chance for competition on sound and rational principles. the Court. OSBORNE, JAN. 26. The Queen drove out yesterday afternoon, ac companied by Princess Christian and the Duchess d'Atunale. Colonel Ponsonby was in attendance upon boneback. Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice walked and rode on ponies this morning. Princess Louise, Prince Leopold, and Prince Henry of Prussia walked in the grounds. Prince Arthur drove out, attended by Major Elphin stone. The Duke and Duchess d'Aumale, attended by Mdlle. Clinchamp, left Osborne to-day for Twickenham. Their royal highnesses ensiled over to Southampton in the royal yacht Alberta. General Peel hadthe honour of dining with the Queen and royal family yesterday. He left for London this morning. JAN. 27. The Queen, accompanied by Princess Christian, drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by the Dowager Duchess of Athol°. The other members of the Royal Family walked in the grounds. Her Majesty, and Pi:nce and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Princess Beatrice, attended Divine service this morning at Whippingham Church. The Rev. George Prothero officiated. Mr. R. B. Morier arrived at Osborne yesterday, sad had the honour of dining with the Queen and the Royal Family. A Committee of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council sat at Whitehall on Saturday on matters relating to quarantine. Despatches were received on Saturday at the Colonial offiee from the Governor of Canada. Despatches were sent to the Governors of Gibraltar, Malta, the Mauritius, Ceylon, Hong Kong, Labuan, the Australian Colonies, the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, and Canada. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has forwarded 25/. towards establishing a central hall in con nexion with the Working Men's Club and Institute Union, in addition to 211. previously for the general find. A Sunday contemporary states that the Earl of Derby, who since his return to London has enjoyed ex cellent health, was on Friday seized with an attack of gout. The Earl of Dudley has loft Hanley Hall, where the earl and oounteu have been vialting Lady Ward, for Enville Hall, on a visit to the Earl of Stamford and War rington. The countess has gone to Witley Court. The Earl Cowley has left Hatfield Howe, Herta, the Marquis of Salisbury's seat, for Dray**, Wilts. The countess has gone on a visit to Lord and Lady Ebury at Moore Park, Rickmansworth. Lord Stanley of Alderley arrived on Saturday at his residence in Dover-street, from Alderley Park, Cheshire. Lady Stanley and Hon. Miss Stanley are expected to arrive in town in a few days. Mr. Arthur Russell, Lord Enfield, and Mr. Bouverie are at Paris just now, with other liberal mem bers. Mr. Charles Dickens will shortly commence a series of readings in the provinces, and in the course of next month he will vials IrcLuid. DEATH OF SIR JOHN SHELLEY, BART.—We regret to have to record the death of Sir John Vilna's' Shelley, Bart, late M.P. for Westminster, which took place on Saturday, at Mareefield-park, Sussex. He was eldest son of the sixth baronet, whom he succeeded in 1852, and was born in 1808. He was educated at the Charterhouse. In 1832 he married Miss Knight, only daughter of the Rev. S. J. Knight, rector of Welwyn, Herta, and vicar of All. hallows, Barking. He wee M.P. for Westminster from July, 1852, to 'rely, 1865, and was an unsuccessful candi date for Same: in July, 1841. He was appointed lieu tenant-colonel of the 40th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. He was a claimant to the ancient barony of Soddy (in abeyance since 1336) as representative of one of the co heirs. He is succeeded by his brother, the Rev, Frederick Shelley, rector of Beer Ferris, Devon. DEATH Or THE DOWAGER COUNTF.SI9 OF JERSEY. —We regret to learn that Sarah Sophia Child, Countess Dowager of Jersey, widow of George Villiers, fifth Earl of Je - vey, and principal partner in the old banking firm of Child and Co., Temple-bar, died on Saturday night some what suddenly at her town mansion, in Berkeley-square. She was grand-daughter of the late Mr. Robert Child, of Osterly-park, Middlesex, who made her his heiress in con sequence of her mother's elopement with John, tenth Earl of Westmorland. Lady Jersey was in her eighty-second year. HONOCRS AT CAMBRIDOR.—The number of wranglers this year at the University of Cambridge is 42, as compared with 41 in 1866 ; of senior optimes, 37, as comp—red with 27 in 1866 ; and of junior optimes, 39, as compared with 23 in 1866. Adding one agrotat, we have a total of 119 this year, as compared with 93 in 1866. The 42 wranglers of this year were derived as follows from the various colleges :—C la re, 3; Pembroke, 2; Caine, 3 ; Corpus Christi, 1 ; King's. 1 ; Queen's. 1 ; St. Cathe rine's, 2 ; Christ's, 2 ; St. John's, 12 ; Trinity, 9 ; Em manuel, 5; and Sidney Sussex, 1. Including senior op tima' and junior optimes, the number of honours carried off by each college was as annexed :—St. Peter's, 6; Clare, 4 ; Pembroke, 5 ; Cahn, 5 ; Trinity Hall, 4 ; Corpus Christi. 4 : King's, 1 ; Queen's, 4 ; St. Catherine's, 5 ; Jesus, 5; Christ's, 10 ; St. John's, 24 ; Magdalene, 3 ; Trinity, 25 ; Emmanuel, 9 ; Sidney Sussex, 4 ; and Downing, 1. THE LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER RAILWAY. —The following notice was placarded at the Metropolitan Extension stations and also at Ludgate-hill terminus on Saturday afternoon :—" Take notice that all th e fi x t ures , goods, chattels, and effects in, about, and upon these pre mises are the property of Major Henry Jelf Sh a rp, of Kincarrathie, in the county of Perth, and of Hall Rokeby Price, of Cowper 's-court, Cornhill, in the city of London, }:sq., and that the use thereof is rented of them by the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway Company. Any person or persons intermeddling or interfering with the same will do so at his or their peril. January, 1807. Few and Co., 2, Henrietta.street, Covent-garden, solicitors for the said H. J. Sharp and H. R. Price," This notice is sup posed to be specially addressed to sheriffs and their officers to prevent them seizing property in execution. LATEt3T INTELLIGENCE. SPAIN. It is reported that Narvaez intends to suppress the present Senate by royal decree, and to replace it by an hereditary one composed exclusively of the high aristocracy, with perhaps some additions from large landholders and great capitalists. (RZITTICR'IS TELEGRAMS.) PRUSSIA. BERLIN, J.or. 28. General Manteuffel who, on account of weak health, has repeatedly requested the King to relieve him of the chief command of the 9th Army Corps, has obtained his Ma jesty's permission to retire from that position. General Manteuffel will only retain his post as general aide-de-camp to the King, and in order to enable him to recruit his health, is relieved from all other functions for a period of one year. Lieutenant-General Mannstein is designated as his sucxesor in command of the 9th Army Corps, but has not yet been definitively appointed. ITALY. FLORENCE, JAN. 27, EVENING. The bill for the liquidation of the ecclesiastical property is followed by the convention concluded between the Italian government and MM. Lan grand Dtunonceau. This stipulates that if the bill be approved by parliament and the majo rity of the bishops consent to effect the con version of the property, MM. Langrand Dumon ceau will undertake on behalf of the government to collect the 600 million lire, or whatever less sum may be determined as the quota appertaining to the state from the proceeds of the liquidation. BELGIUM. BRUSSELS, 'AV. 2g. Royal decrees have been issued prohibiting the import or export of cattle in the town of Hassell, and the entry or traruiportation of cattle or hides, horns, &c., on the widen), Belgian frontier from Montzeu to Athus. . I lidnona I '. a 12 . W. i IP i. ,--.......--....1 W. IL. lid o 19 .Y. . D. I 1 a --..- —'— ---.- -- Mane ---an 41 B.W. I &W. ao 0.06 2 Aberdeea ..!3.33'42 1 B.&W. 1 3 8. Iro 0.36 1 3 Leith Ardromeao 36 471 8. / 7 I 8. Iro 0.90 6 Greancsetb 34 46, W.S.W. • 4 W. re 0.84 4 ValenUa ts.ea 47; B.W. 1 8 I B.W. to 0.64 6 Cape Clear 29.67 01 W.S.W. 7 W.N.W. tm 0.116 7 Holyhead W 50 . 1 49 8.14. W. I 6 8.8. W. 0 0.60 5 renzanoe :29.95 62 W. I W.S.W. ro 0.53 3 Brag ....- 60.0 R 60 W. 8.17. . 6 I W. fr 0.28 5 [orient 30.0660 &W. ' 4 &W. tr 0.20 4 Rochefort 30.3462' W. 1 &W. to 0.1! 6 Plymouth _29.97 61 8.8. W. II &W. r 0.35 4 Weymouth 19.97 50 15. W. 4 &W. ort :0.43 3 Portsmouth- 29.96 49 B.S.W. 8 W. r 0.60 7 London 29.93 50 &W. 6 B.W. as 0.64 - Yarmouth_ 29.88 50 W. 6 N. ro 'O.lB 3 Scarborough. a 6651 B.W. 3 N.W. Ico 0.06 2 Shields - 2 Helder Barometric pressure this morning Is unsteady, and much higher In the south of England than In the north of nootland. Temperatures have risen considerably. The winds are chiefly southwesterly, very strong on our wodern coasts, and moderato to fresh on our other coasts. The weather in overcast, with rain and fog In Name. THE MEETING OF THE FRENCH CHAMBERS. —The Mosileur of yesterd►y contains an Imperial decree convoking the French Senate and Corps Legialatif for the 14th February. The new French Minister of Marine has given orders, says the Ind(pendance Beige, for the construction of 15 armour-plated vessel% . Fire of them are to be ships of the line on the model of Le Tigre. The remaining 10 will be frigates. Marshal Niel, who has completed his " Life of Vauban," hu ordered a general inspection of the fortified places in France, in order that he may be assured of their strength. A meeting of the editors of Paris journals is to be held to-day, at the house of 51. Navin, the editor-in chief of the Si.-le, for the purpose of coming to a common understanding as to the reforms which should be asked for under the imperial decree of Jan. 19. Certain hia.;aachusetts journals have nominated Mr. Charles Sumner for the Presidency. At New Orleans on the 6th, a dinner was given to John Francis Maguire, Req., editor of the Cork Examiner, and M.P. Generals Hood and Buckner were among the guests. _ - - Amercan advices state that Ristori has gone west to fulfil her engagements there. She will not reap pear in New York until April. At the conclusion of that season she will sail for France. PROTECTION FOR AMERICAN PAINTERS.—ThCre is a story afloat that some of the artists are agitating for • tolerably heavy tax on all pictures imported from Europe, by way of protection to their own works. We doubt the truth of the story, but we, nevertheless, are cur pr.,sed that gentlemen who find their pictures un saleable have not hit upon this method of " working them" off long ago. From the standpoint of • bad painter, which, without ever having had a brush in our hands, we conscientiously endeavour to take, our only objection to this scheme is that it does not go far enough. The bill ought to contain a provision forcing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase all pictures of native artists that nobody else will purchase, for the formation of • " grand gallery." Our opinion, still from this standpoint—has always been that all bad painters and bad writers ought to be sdpported by the country, though we have always been willing to leave the paltry details of the arrangement to congress. If a man writes or paints as well as he can, and he still cannot get • living, who is to blame but the rascally public? We need hardly say we are in favour also, on our own acoount, of the exclu sion of all foreign publications. We think, for example, that the Nation and Nora& Anterioan &view ought to be protected against the English weeklies and quarterlies, and also against ErerN Satarday and Littett's Lining Aar. The Japanese and Chinese are much decried in these days, but they at least know how to foster native art and litera ture.—Nno York Nation. The Hands Advertiser understands that a govern ment investigation will immediately take place into the causes of the mortality attendant upon the present epi demic visitation of yellow fever at St. Thomas, and its ex tension to the unfortunate crews of the Royal Mail Steam packet Company's steamers. The Lord Chancellor has, on the recommenda tion of the Hertford Town Council, appointed Mr. George Ludlow, conservative, a justice of the peace for the bo- rough of Hertford. There are now on the commission for the borough six liberals and four conservatives. THE REGENT'S-PARK ACCIDENT. ADJOURNED INQUEST.-(THIS DAY.) The inquiry by the coroner's jury into the cause and circumstances of the recent ice accident, whereby the lives of forty persons were sacrificed, was resumed at 10 o'clock this morning, at the court-house, iMarylebone. Dr. Lankester, the coroner for Central Middlesex, who conducted the investigation, was assisted by his deputy* Dr. Hardwicke, and there were also present represent►tives of the Department of Woods and Public Works, the Com mission of Police, and the Royal Humane Society. The Coroner said the case of James Cranley was dif ferent to the others, as he was not dead when taken to the workhouse, and he proposed to take that first. Mr. James Cranley, the father of the deceased, was re called. He said—l heard of the accident about twenty minutes past 5, and I want to the workhouse, but got no account of my son. I then went to St. Mary's Hospital to see if either of the bodies was that of my son, but here I was again disappointed, and I returned to the workhouse about 7 o'clock, where I recognised the body of my son. From the appearance of his clothes it looked as if he had been jammed by the ice. I am perfectly satisfied with the treatment he received, and feel deeply indebted to Mr. Douglas for the kindness he exhibited. My son was in company with his brother, who escaped. Dr. Randell, the medical officer of the workhouse—On the Tuesday 14 persons were brought in alive, and one on Wednesday. All recovered with the ex ception of Cranley. He came in in a dying condition. His face was livid, his extremities cold, and his heart feeble. He did not breathe after the first few minutes, and he died in about three quarters of an hour afterwards. We employed four rubbers and two or three nurses. I think the deceased suffered from asphyxia and cold. Several others presented the same symptoms, but not so severe, and in this case there were no evidences of internal injury. The marks on the body were produced by the remedies applied. Six or seven of the others were delirious and two were comatose. By the jury—The deceased was cut in the wrist by the ice, but there can be no doubt he died from asphyxia. The method of recovery resorted to by Dr. Silveater is very simple, and I have found it in several cases to be highly st.cceatful. Its the beat plan that can be adopted in such cases as these. Two of the Royal Humane Society's men, named Smith and Sheridan, were also brought to the workhouse in a very exhausted state. They had got im mersed in saving and trying to save others, and one of them was in a comatose state. They, however, ultimately recovered. Dr. &duster was then called, and with the aid of • model human skeleton he explained his mode of resuscitating half-drowned persons, and illustrated its effects upon the respiratory organs The The sub ject, he said, had puzzled the faculty for the last 200 years, and be had directed many years' study to it. After the doctor had disposed of the model ? a boy almost in a state of nudity was introduced, and being laid upon the table, the method was further demonstrated, the ex planation partaking rather more of the character of a medical lecture, than evidence for the jury. There were cases on record of persons recovering after two or three hours' application of his process. The Royal Hu mane Society had adopted Lis plan, and he believed it was the best that had yet been discovered. In ordinary health persons respire 14 to 18 times a minute, and by his method the arms were moved up and down 15 times a minute. He had devoted time, health, and money to this discovery ; but as yet had received no recognition of his services from the public. George Fred. Grant, inspector of park constables—l was present at the accident, but I cannot tell the cause of it. The force under me consisted of one sergeant and thirteen constables. The ice was broken around the island, but I am not aware that the sides were cut away on the north, or mound side, of the lake. It was not broken to any extent. There were thousands of spec tators present and the orders to the constables are to pre vent people from breaking up the ice. By the jury—l never saw the ice broken on the Sussex. place or south side. It might have been broken by the public previous to Tuesday. William Archer, 19,Henryatreet, Portland-town—l am a boat-builder in the employ of Mr. Searle. I was in the park, and saw the whole of the accident. I was also them on the previous days, and on the Sunday there appeared to be no ice at all. It has always been the prac tice to cut all round the islands, but nowhere else. It was so cut at the first frost. There was no cutting away on the north side, but it was very much broken b 7 immer sions on the Mon day, and I think it weakened the ice. The constables tried to prevent the bresking as much as pos sible. I did not witness the rush of people that has been spoken to on the north aide. Opposite the boat house the ice was quite sound, and there were ample means of escape at that point. I think the depth of water ought to be reduced. If it had been shallow all would have been saved. The people I think, went down, and were covered by the ics. The people I rescued supported themselves on the broken ice. The gentleman with the two children I saved ; but had he been shorter in sta. ture he must have been lost. I saved nine persons. There were plenty of appliances on the spot, but the accident was so sudden and extensive that they could not all be brought into use. As far as I saw, the Royal Humane Society's men .lid their duty, and Ido not think any other class of men could have done more. By the jury —The appliances were insufficient for the suddenness and extent of the accident. I had no idea whatever that such an accident was likely to happen, as the ice appeared to be safe near to our boat-house on the north side. Mr. Whiteford, a former witness, was re-called, and stated that the ice was not broken on the north side. Mr. Edwards. the park superintendent, gave evidence as to what had been done to search the lake. He thought the operations bad been carried on so curefttlly, that bad there been any other bodies they must have been discovered. The water had been dragged over and over in all parts, and nothing could bo found. He did not believe there were any more, and therefore the drainage work/ were sus pended. Mr. Douglas said the inquiries at the workhouse had ceased. Mr. Boyle, the beadle, intimated that the supposed missing Egertons had been searched for at Haventock hill, but no such persons could be found. John D. William Stewart, gardener to Mr. Burton, South Villa, Regent's-park—l cut the ice round my master's lawn to keep the people off it. We generally cut it as soon as we find it is sufficiently strong for people to cross from the water on to the land. I have never had to ask any one's permission to cut it. I have only my master's authority to do so. I cut it on Monday, but did not observe that the water had sunk at all or that air had got under the surface of the ice. I do not think there was any vacuum between the water and the ice. Mr. Young confirmed this latter opinion. Witness continued—l consider the cutting of the ice had nothing to do with the accident. I attribute it to the thinness of the ice, as the great width of the water re quired more frost to make the ice sufficiently strong to bear so many people. lam satisfied our cutting did not prevent the escape of any persons. Mr. Earnest Bunsen, of Hanover-gate, Regent's-park, who witnessed the accident, deposed—l went to the ice about 10 or 20 minutes before the accident, and looked out for some young friends who bad preceded me. I was told they had gone just round the island, and at the same moment I saw three men engaged in cutting away the edges on the south islands. I gave direc tions to get the young gentlemen off directly, as I thought the water had sunk. I made a remark to my servant that I did not like their cutting away the edges of the ice, and he said they were doing so because the water hail sunk. I saw it would be exteedingly den. germs for the young gentlemen to come off the south island in the direction of Clarence-g►te, and I ran round by the suspension bridge to the north aide. When I got there I saw several people fall in near the broad water. The same instant, as near as possible, the whole body of ice broke in. I afterwards succeeded in finding that my young friends were quite safe. I saw the ice on the Sunday previous to the accident, and the ice appeared to have been broken on the north side, the pieces being thrown into the centre. In the Bois de Boulogne when the water is frozen over, the ice is always cut round the edges before skating is allowed. The reason for that is the irre gular supply of water, and to let the ice sink with the water in case it should sink. I observed that the ice in the Regent's-park was broken on one side, but nut on the other, and from that circumstance I anticipated danger. because the effect of the cutting was to make the ice sink on one side only. I assume that to have been the cause of the accident. By the jury—l am of opinion that the continental plan of reducing the depth of the water and having the roe to the level of the water is the best preventive of such accidents. In Berlin there are ornamental waters, and the water is let out to a shallow before the winter seta in. It is a trespass to go on the water in Berlin except under permission. Mr. A. Smith, 8, Burton.crescent—l was on the ice at the time of the accident, and got immersed. I went on near the mound, and commenced skating about the broad water. I thought it looked dangerous, and yet I went on. The ice was very much cracked. About a quarter to 4 o'clock I was between the two islands on the north side, when I observed the ice breaking up in all directions. Before the breakages reached me I felt a kind of swell—a kind of wave, and then the ice broke into pieces. I went on my knees, but not to say my prayers, and then I slipped into the water. I then struck out to swim, and when I got into open space I saw a boat within about 50 yards of me. I called out and the boat came to me, but I was so intensely cold that my right arm became stiffened, and I called to the man to strike it. I was in the water about 2 minutes. When I got into the boat I found it so full that I made my mind up that I should have to go into the water again, and I took off my skates and coat to prepare to swim spun. A poor fellow clung to the boat, crying " Save my body, oh save my body," and a man replied "Never mind your bed, if your soul is saved." I believe he was saved. When e T e got near the island another boat came out to as, and then I had an opportunity of looking around me. It was fright ful to see the uplifted arms above water and I scarwly know how I escaped their grasp. I got on to the isLud and then creased the ice to the shore. By the jury—l should not have got o ff with lif e h ad the ice been broken between the island and land. I dont think the ice should have been broken at the side., brat that was not the cause of the accident. In my opinion It was occasioned by the wear and tear of the ice, which ea, completely worn out. Everything was done that 1. 4 possible under the circumstances, and I must admit that I was warned not to go on the ice ; bat I elected to tak e my chance 'with other people. I met with every ki n d. new on getting ashore, and I shall ever feel indebted to the Humane Society. Mr. Bunsen said from what he saw the men did all they could ; but he did not think the appliances were mt. dent, or the beat adapted to meet the accident. The rope s were too large. Mr. Young contended, on the part of the Humane Sociy, that the ropes were the beet and lightest that could be used. Experience had proved this to be so. Mr. Charlick exhibited an apparatus of his own levee. tion for extending ropes across the ice in cases of accideit, Mr. Young said it was an ingenious invention, sod he should be glad to see it practically tried. Mr. 011ey, the father of one of the deceased person, stated that he was afraid his son, who was a good swimmer, lest his life through attempting to save others. lie most have died from eihaustion and want of strength, as when his body was brought up it was found clasped is another. His own opinion was that the accident irm caused by the air or the gas from the mud getting between the water and the ice. The Coroner did not think there would be any gis given off under the circumstance:, but the idea ear another evidence of the necessity of draining and clanging the lake. Oiley read a statement to confirm hie theory tbAt the action of the decomposing matter was the cause of the accident. He h►d only to thank the officers of tilt workhouse for their kindness through this painful affair. The court then adjourned for 20 minutes. ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, AND AUSTEALIAB BANK ( LIMITED).-f THIS DAY.) The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders vu held this afternoon at the offioes, 73, Cornhill ; Mr. A. L ELDIR in the chair. The report and amounts, issued several days before, having been taken as read, The CHAIRMAN moved their adoption. Twelve months ago, he observed, be held oat hopes which had not II yet been realised. The year 1866 had crushed many hopes, and taught them all very important lessons ; but that bank had weathered the storm, and was now in comparatively smooth water. The accounts presented included all the losses incurred up to the settlement, but he regretted to say that since the accounts were made up advices bad been received of other losses at Sydney, which, however, he was happy to say were not likely to affect the divi- dend. In tact the bank was never in a sounder poetics than it is now. They had every reason to be satisW with their representatives in the colonies, and he hoped soon to see the bank taking that position which it had not yet attained, but well deserved. The price of the shares depended on public opinion, the directors hid no control over it, and all they could do was to take care that they merited the conff deuce of the shareholders. Mr. THOMPSON, • director, seconded the motion. Mr. Kt/ mu regretted to hear the announcement that there had been fresh lames, but was consoled by learning from the chairman that the dividend would probably not be affected. The CHAIRMLN—The future dividend. Mr. K Her REA would be glad to know what wu the amount of loosen just reported. Mr. WILKINSON shared in the disappointment jut expressed at the statement of new losses. Notwithatand. ing the large business done, they were only getting a late of interest which might be obtained from a colonid bank without any risk. It would be better to amalgamate with some other bank than to go on making simply colonial interest. iiii;atznoLoga who said he had spent • large portion of his life in Australia denied that 7 per cent, could be safely obtained by ordinary investments. He had himself lost half his capital invested on mortgage there, and was glad to invest the remainder in that bank. He did not at all concur in the feelings of dissatisfaction expressed by the previous speakers. He believe," tlut with decently-prosperous times the bank had • fair pros. pest of success. The CHAIRMAN, in reply, said it was impossible to gin the amount of the loss. The gre..ter part of the debt vu covered, but a portion of it would go into the past-0m list Mr. KiNTREA inquired whether the loss would amosct to 50,000/. The CHAIRMAN believed the portion which wool,' :o into the put-due list was under 17,0001., adding mat there were several estates to be claimed upon in respect to that amount. . . Mr. W. 17 140 N, a director, observed that it was possible that a large portion of the loss might be recovered, shoe being many names on the bills. In reply to a question, The CAW MAN observed that the reserve fund was not vested but employed in the busincis of the bank, where 3 was more profitable than it would bo in securities. A discussion ensued on the question whether the reserve fund ought not to be actually invested, the result bent/ that the chairman pledged the board to take the mane into consideration. W T The report was adopted, and a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent. per annum declared payable on the ith of Feb ruTha. ry e retiring directors were then re-elected, and the meet ing terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman and the other directors. The Post says of the death of the Countess Dowager of Jersey :—" We are informed that after a cheerful dinner, and to every appearance in excelkat health, the countess, shortly after 10 o'clock, vat to her dressing-room. In • few minutes the house bold were alarmed by a violent ringing of her bell, and on an attendant going into the apartment, the come tess said she feared she bad broken a blood vessel. Medical aid was immed ia tely obtained, but to no purpose, for lierlsdp ship expired shortly before 11 o'clock." The Post also says: " The Dowager Countess of Jersey had for more than half century occupied the highest position in society. She Cu a woman of extraordinary abilities, and no female member of the aristocracy could pretend to a tithe of her hoe. ledge of European politics. For nearly 50 years her saloons were nightly open to receive the distinguished foreign diplomatists of the day and the prominent political the ranters of the tory and conservative party." On Saturday evening Professor Goldwin Smith delivered his lecture on " Pyre," in the small Concert-room, St. [George's-hall, Liverpool. Mr. Yates Thompson occupied the chair, and there was a large audience. Amongst those present vat Messrs. W. Rathbone, jun., J. R. Jeffery, I a Macrae, R. G. Rathdone, D. Kerr, R. Trimble. G. Ma John Campbell, C. Johnstone, C. Melly, G. H. }lowlier , R. H. Hamilton, T. H. Dudley (Fnitedi States eAlsii% J. Patterson, H. A. Bright, George Holt, J. Hubbset,L Baily, Henry Duckworth, Thomas Gair, A. Holt. 11- Hyslop, R. Gaskell, H. Eccles, M. Williams, the Boa Henry Romilly, &et. At the Rochfort petty sessions, on WednesdaY , the Rev. Mr. Warner, incumbent of the parish of Ca.* east, county Westmeath, was summoned by Lord Kd mains, a resident of the same parish, for has nig, es the night of the 2nd of December, been detected in the act of wantonly levelling a portion of a wall adjoining the pub• lie road, the wall being a part of that enclosing his ship's demesne. The only witness who gave evidence for the prosecution was a constable of police named Mitchell , who was, it appeared, watching this portion of the wall. which bad on former occasions been levelled. A lie"' of W. and meta was indicted on the rev. gentleman. The excitement throughout the neighbourhood was Audi as had never, perhaps, been witnessed on any former occadon There were eight magistrates on the bench. Mr. t;• ( ;" 2 * ning appeared for the plaintiff, and Ceunsellor Moe" gomery, instructed by Mr. W. Mooney, fur the defeielat. The Irish Times states that it ham been deter mined to provide • residence for biz Royal II ig100... , file Prince of Wales in Ireland, where the prince sillt future, spend some portion of every year. The Sunday Gazette states that the honour ..f baronetcy is about to be conferred on Sir James Eme""° Tennent, and adds its belief that it is the first occasion which an Irishman has received the dignity as a cowl meat to literature. . . _ Mr. F. P. Onalow, banister, of Linco bas been appointed secretary to the Neutrality c."'' w sion, which will meet on an early day after the ele...e . G.r ment of the session of parliament. It is stated that a measure will be hroii t f'f ward by the government terly in the ete•it : mg order to place not only the existing gas and water come . nies, but all new companies, on certain conditioni, the authority of the Board of Works. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., 31. P., has issued a cil . " cular inviting his constituents and friends to tacit I! I ' M rt 7 o'clock next Thlrmlay evening, at the Town-ball. 1.'2 ; worth, to hear from him an address on " The eher eh . * established by law; its rates, fees, and mansgra..ent , charities in relation to the public, and more Psrti cuil l to the working classes and their institutions, with as it sight into the management of savings banks." PprALIRATION OF POOR RATER. The facts of the case against the present system of r►ting in the metropolis may be summed up, s►ys the Daily Nevi, in one sentence, that in London taxation for the support of the poor is cast upon the poor, the pres sure of the inequality being so enormous in some cases that in parts of London the relief of pauperism is itself making paupers. In the opinion of the Daily News equalisation of the metropolitan rates is not only • corollary from the principles of the Union Chargeability end the Homeless Poor Acta of previous sessions, but it is necessary in order to prevent the great reform in the law of settlement, with which the name of Mr. Villiers is honourably associated, from creating hardships almost as severe as those which it abates. The present state of the law throws upon the poorest parishes and unions the obligation to support men who may have been attracted to London by • temporary demand for labour in the richest quarters ; for the poor who labour in rich districts do not live there. In effect, it perpetuates an abuse analogous to that of the close parishes which the Union Chargeability Act was intended to sweep away. To • favourite argument for the m►intenance of things as they are, the Daily News replies that the tenant has in truth to pay a rent which will give the landlord the usual profit upon his capital, and he has to pay the poor rates in addition. This he ten seldom afford to do ; there is consequently no demand for new houses in poor localities, and the abuses of overcrowding and sub-letting are fos tered. For these evils and all their demoralising conse quence. the present system is largely responsible. Things cannot remain as they are. A measure of peddling and retching each as Mr Gathome Hardy seems to favour will afford another proof of the inability of the rich alone to legislate properly for the poor, and afford an argument for large political changes as the indispensable means of redressing social wrongs. THE LABOUR QUESTION. The Times says that the meaning of the address which the trades' unions of Sydney have sent over (and which we give in another column) is simply that their market is overstocked, and th►t immigration is but productive of evil. To the great amount of immigration and to the importation of articles produced in their trades, do they attribute the general distress. It does not occur to them that if protection is fair for one trade it is fair for all, and that if the carpenter or joiner could get a little more work by having his own way in this matter, be would at the same time have to pay twice as much as before for his furniture and his utensils, his clothes and his shoes. That is the point which is always overlooked in such arguments. Accepting the statistics of these documents as substantially true, the rialtt observes in that case our working-classes at home may well ask themselves whether they have not more rea. son to be content than they appear to believe. THE TORT JOVREALR AND MR. BRIGHT. The Herald ridicules Mr. Bright's reception by his workpeople, and represents him as " going a begging for some oue to give him a good character." The value of such spontaneous testimony, coming from persons who are dependent upon him for their daily bread, must be obvious to all the world. There can, of course, be no lees suspicious evidence as to the virtues of a manufacturer than the certificate of those who look to him for their wages every Saturday. The Standard treats the subject in the same spirit. Tee- FEARILL BOILER EXPLOSION IN SUNDER- LAND. At 8 o'clock on Saturday morning the residents of the west part of Sunderland were startled by a loud explosion, accompanied with a darkening of the atmos phere, indicating that an explosion had occurred. It was soon discovered that one of the boilers attached to the Het ton Coal Railway, supplying steam to the stationary engine which draws the coal waggons had " gone away " and caused much destruction of property. The boiler was one of three, two of which were in use, and the third was undergoing repairs at the time. It was the outside boiler which exploded and did so much mischief, and this was of cylinder form, about six feet in diameter and 30 feet long. The steam had been up since 3 o'clock in the morning, and the pressure just before indicated 35 lbs. Fortunately at the time the only persons near were a mason and a lad, who were under the fire hole of the boiler out of use, doing some repairs ; they escaped by a miracle almost uninjured; the engineman had left the engine house adjoining only • minute or two previously, and gone along the railway, while the fireman was at the north end of the boiler yard. The shed covering the boilers was completely blown away ; the boiler was lifted bodily from its bed of masonry, and flattened out like a sheet of paper, one end being blown across the railway. The engine chimney is rent from top to bottom with large gaping fissures, several feet of the upper part carried away and it will have to be taken down. The roofs of most of the houses within a radius of 200 yards have suffered severely, and the win dows are all broken. The roof of a cottage was knocked in on to a bed, where a child lay, but it fortunately escaped with a few slight bruises. Another massive piece of pipe was blown to the west, and one end buried in the ground to the depth of three feet. The glass roof of Messrs. Hartley and Co.'s glass works was much injured, and in Hedley-street, more than 300 yards distant, a brick was shot through a house window, and seriously injured a woman who was sitting at her fireside. The cause of the explosion is unexplained, but the boilers were supplied with water from • well on the premises. —Lads Mercury. WEATHER REPORT.-(THIS DAY.) MoNDAT. JANUARY IL 8 AIL I__ " foil a Tel have The 0/011 7 1 Zoth mash state Lyne that room Bard, Plain &YUOt Bowe duns upon rate' wu had whial all t !able. M°'; Ur: neferer contuse he and matter Mrs. the fur Louse. lrft, b l i Pewees *PPos.it The 1 4,6901. 11r. 1 for Saki tow ed , €00! t o .4 which I with (14 Mr. / - .. rs H Ylesti o tAru. ,Qtr, Alde n . C. 111.1 be to t% uat tel rttri •