The Press. — London, England, 1857-12-19 00:00:00

THE PRESS, DECEMBER 19, 1857. 1236 be found one, the Buaze, growing on the banks of the Zambesi, possessing a fibre so far adapted for paper that it is superior in every quality to the fibre of flax. Of animals and their habits there is much valuable detail. An entirely nets species of antelope, the Leche was discovered, and a new light altogether thrown upon the lion. He is by no means that daring and magnanimous creature as hitherto repre sented. He " funks" at a. " pitfall," and runs away from you in daylight ; and as for his roar, writes Dr. Livingstone, " to talk of it as " being majestic" is mere majestic twaddle Then he is very cunning ; in general he attacks only the defenceless young of other• animals, but when very hungry the sight of an animal " may make him commence " stalking it. In one case a man, while " stealthily crawling towards a. rhinoceros, " happened to glance behind him, and found " to his horror a lion stalking him ; he only " escaped by springing up a tree like a cat." Numerous anecdotes, most interesting because the result of personal observation, of the habits of other beasts, birds, serpents, and ants, will be found in this valuable book ; and we can only say in conclusion that, although Dr. Livingstone may prefer " crossing the African continent" once more to writing an other book, he has given us so excellent and agreeable an example of his powers of compo sition that we trust, if he is spared to return to us once more, he will forego his hasty reso lution, for never in the history of travels has a book abounding in such vivid representations of bush life, and at once so truthful, instruc tive, and interesting, been presented to the public. Apart from this there is a greater value to be attached to it, for it offers us the only sensible solution of that great problem, the abolition of slavery, and the extension of Christianity and commerce over Interior Africa. The book, though somewhat bulky, is very handsomely printed, ani contains numerous engravings from exquisitely characteristic drawings. PUBLICATIONS REC E IVED.—DEcnmER 17. BOOKS. Morrie England: its Sports and Pastimes. By Lord Wil liam Lennox. Newby. arfuril Essays. Contributed by Members of the Univer sity. J. H. Parker. Cambridge Essays. Contributed by Members of the Uni versity. J. H. Parker. The Eighteen Christian Centuries. By the Rev. J. White. - - Blackwoods. The Sporting Woad. By Harry Hioever. Newby. The Lettere of Horace Walpole, Earl of O .rfor d . Edited by Peter Cunningham. Bentley. Katharine, and Lady Wallace. the Moment of Fortune. Translated 1;;y Three Vols. Bentley. _ Memoirs of Alebrated Characters. By Alphonse de Lamar- tine. Bentley• Our Antipodes. By Lieut -Col. Godfrey Charles Mandy• Bentley. Gardenia. By William S. Sanders. E. 3. Milliken. Clara Leicester. By Captain G. de la Poer Beresford. Three Vols. Hurst and Blackett. Four and Twenty Fairy Tales. Translated byJ. R. Manche. Routledge. The Hundred Days of Napoleon. By Archibald Belaney. Hall and Virtue. PAMPHLETS. A Selection of Articles and Letters on various Indian Ques!ions. Chapman and Hall.—lndia. By Richard Con- Breve. Chapman.—. 4 Lecture on India. By T. H. Gil lam, M.A. J. H. and J. Parker.—Speech of the Earl of Derby in the House of Lords in answer to Her Majesty's Speech. Hatchard.—lrish Protestant Liberalism in 1847. By .1 H. B. Herbert. The Educational Franchise. ilateliard.—Answers to the Questions Communicated by Lord Orerstone to the Decimal Coinage Commissioners. Rickerby. —Lieut.-Col. Macdonald's Letters on the Bank Charter Act of 1844 and the Currency. Ilichardson.-21 Letter in Defence of the Liberty of the Press in India. By John Cameron, M.A. Algnr and Street.—Addreas to the Right Hon. Sir John M'Neill, G.C.B. Blackwood. —St. Luke's Hospital for Lunatics: Reports for the Year 18:A. Teapea.—Euphraies versus Sues. E. Wilsomm.—Tables of Contributions for Pay ments in Sickness, cc., for Friendly Societies in England. Eyre and Spottiawoode.—Time Inaugural Addresses delivered by Lords Brougham, Russell, Sir J. Pakinglon, and Sir B. C. Brodie. Parkes. PERIODICALS. I °Mon rnirrrAily Magazine. Hall and Virtue.—Jour nal of the Statieticai Society. J. W. Parker. nx.+wlNG. The Victoria Bridge at Montreal. Agar and Street. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.-At the close ofJullien's performances, the bal masque on Monday night will entirely conclude the series. Her Majesty's 'Theatre will he enlivened for a short period by the presence of the Piccolomini, who, with Giuglini, will appear on Tuesday, Dec. 29th, Thursday, 31st, and Saturday, Jan. 2nd, in the three operas II Trovatore, La Traviata, and Lucia di Lammermoor. After the conclusion of this short opera interlude the theatre will be given up to the workmen to be fitted for the approaching performances in honour of the marriage of the Princess Royal. These per. formances, we believe, will be four in number, and will include, first, the tragedy of Macbeth, in which the veteran Bartley and Mr. T. P. Cooke will assume the character of witches; second, a comedy and farce ; thirdly, an English opera ; and, fourthly, an Italian opera, in which Piccolomini and Giuglini will appear. The arrangements are principally in the bands of our old friend Mr. Mitchell, upon whose care and judgment we may rely to bring together all the available talent of the English stage, so that every part may be well sustained. The fittings and decorations for the occasion will be entirely new, and we have no doubt that the house on these four great occasions will present the most brilliant appearance within the memory of the present generation. PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—Mr. Harris, stage. manager of the Royal Italian Opera, will succeed Mr. Charles Kean as lessee of this theatre. Shake- speare's King Lear will be brought out about the end of January. [Advertisement.) MONSTER GUNS. TO THE EDITOR OF " THE PRESS." Sir,—As T wrote to you on the 28th ult. that I had never seen Mr. Mallet's 30-inch mortars till a few weeks ago, and did not now think much of them, I consider his repeating his accusation (that I wish to be thought the manufacturer) in your last impression such a wilful calumny that I have asked my solicitor if it can be promul gated with impunity. My inventions differ from M. Thiery's exactly in the same particular as Mr. Mallet's from the original bom bards, like Mons Meg at Edinburgh. As Mr. Mallet took part in the discussion on my paper to the British Associa tion in August last, his memory must be bad. In page 152 of his book, which T quoted in my letter of the 20th ult., he calls this the essential difference between his and others. As I took my patent in February, 1855, T cannot have been anticipated by his paper read June 25 same year, nor could he have got any information from me, as patents are not published for some months. This one principle discovered by each of us independently I con sider the only redeeming point of his mortars. A few days will show.—l am, sir, yours, &c., T. A. BLAKELY. Manor Lodge, Tunbridge Wells, Dec. 10. mane, Carpet ant) 6ttg 4uttiligtatt, FRIDAY EVENING. ME return of the Bank of England for the week ending Wednesday last, the 16th inst., shows the following changes compared with that for the week prece ling : Decrease in Circulation Increase in Public Deposits Increase in Other Deposits 636,704 Increase in Government Securities 12,109 Decrease in Other Securities Increase in Bullion Increase in Rest Increase in Reserve 1,880,576 Bullion in both Departments Circulation, including Bank Post Bills This comparison shows that the present return is the most :favourable of any that has appeared during the commercial crisis. The position of the Bank is amazingly strengthened by the large additions to the Bullion and the Reserve ; and, on the other hand, a considerable amount of Private Securities have been redeemed, although that item is still in excess of twenty-nine millions and a quarter. The notes in reserve amount now to 5,757,1751. The Bank is thus apparantly in a condition to cancel the 2,000,0001. issued under the authority of the Government letter, and to replace the securities against them in the banking department, leaving nearly 4,000,(1001. notes in the till. From this fact we infer that the extra issue will not continue more than a week longer, if it has not been cancelled already. The Money Market has shown signs of returning ease, owing partly to the improved position of the Bank, as shown by the above comparison, and partly to the diminished commercial demand, which has left the joint-stock banks and discount-houses with large supplies on hand. In the open market the best bills are done at one and one and a quarter per cent. below the Bank minimum. The Bank, how ever, maintains the ten-per-cent. rate, and will continue to do so until the reserve is so strengthened that the 2,000,0001. of notes issued against securi ties under the authority of the Government letter have been cancelled. This appears to be the case now. The Bank of France yesterday reduced its rate of discount all round to six per cent. There are, there fore, no discriminating rates between one, two, and three months' bills. According to the returns published in last night's Gazette, the gold imported during the week ending on Wednesday last was to the value of 1,001,9874 • while the silver amounted to 420,9081., making a total of 1,512,895/. The exports were 71,5351. of gold, and 86,5561. of silver: total 158,0911. Consols have been steady at nearly one price all the week. Llst Fridsy they closed at 91f to ex div., and the lowest quotation since has been 91/ to I. The decline was caused by sales on account of some of the savings -banks in the manufacturing uistricts, where the diminution of employment has compelled the depositors to withdraw a portion of their savings. Yesterday afternoon they improved to 91; to 92, in anticipation of an early reduction in the rate of discount, and the market left off good. To day they were very firm, and closed at 92i to ex div. In the Foreign Market the most remarkable feature has been a rise of nearly two per cent. in Turkish Six Per Cents. Buenos Ayres stock has also advanced. Railway Shares, on an average, have improved ono per cent. in the course of the week. Midlands, however, have advanced two per cent. The market generally has been very good ; but the buying has been principally of a speculative character. French shares have advanced—Canadians, however, in con. sequence of the reduced traffics. To-day the im provement was confirmed. Joint-stock Banking Shares have recovered the fall of last week ; but the dealings in them are upon a very restricted scale. Exchequer Bills remain at 4s. dislto par. Commercial accounts from the country are again extremely unfavourable. Numerous failures have taken place in the manufacturing districts, and pro duction is diminishing on all sides. ( .111ttrupolitan Itiarktts. Renortedlstelusivelv for "The Parma.") CORN EXCHANGE—During the week only limited supplies of English wheat have come to hand—coastwise and by land carriage. Selected samples have been in somewhat improved request, at full prices ; but the value of other kinds has given way from Is to 25 per quarter. Foreign wheat has continued in good supply, and heavy request, at barely late rates.. In floating cargoes of grain only a limited business has been transacted. There has been only a moderate inquiry for barley, and, in some instances, the quotations have given way is per quarter. Melt has moved off slowly, on former terms. The oat trade has continued steady, at full prices; but the value of beaus has given way ls to 25 per quarter. In peas very littlo has been passing, and foreign flour has ruled in favour of buyers. e.rioLisir—Wheat, Essex and Kent red, 42s to 19s; white, 435 to 555; Norfolk and Lincoln red, 405 to 485. Malting barley, 84s to 41s; grinding ditto, 23s to 285: distilling, 28a to 315. Malt, ,!.55 to Vs. Feed oats, Els to 225; potato, 23s to 295. Rye, 305 to 355. Tick beans, 345 to 375; Harrow, 355 to 305; pigeon, 40e to 41s. Grey peas, 395 to 41s; maple, 40s to 425; white boilers, 40s to 44• perquarter. 'l'own•made flour, 45s to 475: country marks, 34s to 375; households, 33e to 39. per 980Ibs. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour. F. ngllsh .. 202 U .. 910 .. 910 .. 10(30, Irish Foreign .. 7620 .. 2070 ~. 1370sk e. brie, IMPERIAL WEEKLY AVERAGES—Wheat, 49s 5.1; bar- ley, 3tis 56; oats, 23s 3d; rye, 34516; beans, 41s ; peas, 41s 2d. THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES—Wheat, 50586: barley, 38s 106; oats, 245 36; rye, 34s 56; beans, 49s 2d; peas, 42i 2d. ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK Wheat 100,416; Seeley, 95,651; oats, 10,268; rye, 194; beans, 5,328; peas, 1,754 quarters. BREAD—The prices of wheaten bread in the metropolis ire from 76 to 86, of household ditto, 51d to 6ed per albs lust. TEA—There is an improved demand for nearly all kinds of tea, and common sound Congou has realised Is per lb. The show of samples is very moderate. Congou, 114 io 25 16; Ning and Oolong, 1s 36 to 2s; tiouchoug, 1536 to 2s tid ; Flowery Pekoe, 2s 31 to 4s ; Caper, —; Scented Caper, Is 3d to 1s 10d; Orange Pekoe, is Id to is 4d; Scented Orange Pekoe, 1s 8d to 2s 46 ; Twankay, 9d to is 9d ; Hyson Skin, 86 to Is 26: ilyson, Is 21 to 4s; Young Ilyson, 10d to 2s lii; Imperial, is to 2s 3d; Gunpowder, 1s to 3s lid; Assam, 48 06 to lls 0.1 ner lb. SUGAR—The demand for raw sugars has fallen off this week, and the quotations have given way about is per cwt. West India qualities have sold at 46s to 455; Bengal, 35e 66 to 445 Gd per cwt. The refined market is but moderately supplied, yet the transactions are limited, at 66 per owl less money. Good titlers have sold at 570 Od ; and wet lumps, tiOs to 52s per cwt. MOLASSES—So little is passing in this article that the quo tations are nominal. CO FE ENI —Plantation kiwis have mostly sold at last week's srieee: but the value of foreign parcels has !receded Is to 2s per cwt. ct IL:OA—The demand is lisavy, at bsrely late rates. RIC E.—Compared with last week, there is rather mire passing in this market, at previous quotations. PROVISIONS—NearIy all kirtis of Irish butter have met a deli inquiry, on rather lower teeing. Foreign qualities are very and somswhet cheaper. In the value of English we have no change to notice. Bacon sells heavily, at a further decline of from 2s to 3s per cwt. COTTON—The trade is heavy In the extreme, and American qualities may be purchased on lower terms. H AND FLAX—These articles move off slowly, at last week's prices; but Jute has fallen 20s to 30s per ton. INDIGO—We have no transactions to report in any kind. SlLK—Prices are nominally lower than last week. There Is no demand for any kind. TwooL —To effect sales, lower rates must be submitted to the trade is in a most depressed state, and large parcels of wool on tinue to be returned from the United States. SALTPETRE— Prices have given way la to Is 66 per cwt. English refined is quoted at 4de per cwt. METALS —Scotch pig iron has fallen to 51a cash. Spelter, on t he spot, has sold at 231 per ton. Tin, tin plates, and lead are still drooping. SPIRITS—There is a moderate inquiry for rum, at last week's prices. Proof Leeward., 2a 2d; East India, 2s per a II