The Press. — London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

1222 PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.—Dsc. 20. BOOKS. _ _ ___ _... The Library of Biblical Lireralure -- . Vol. 111. Freeman. A New History of England, Civil, Political, and Ecclesiag- Geol. G. S. l'aulton. Freeman. The History of England from the Accession of James 11. RiThemas B. Macaulay. Vols. 11. and 111. Longmans. Irish Melodies. Thomas Moore. Longmens. History of Latin Christianity. Vole. IV. V. and VI. Murray. The Confidential Correspondence of Napoleon Bonaparte wills his Brother Joseph. Vols. T. and 11. Murray. Puss in Boots. Alto Speckter. Murray. Consumption. Its Causes, Prevention, and Cure. Thomas Bartlett, M.D. Hippolyte Bailliere. Rachel Gray : d Tale founded on Fact. Julia Kavanagh. Hurst and Blackest. The Drawing Room Sybil. Hamilton and Co. New Zealand. Edward B. Fitton. Stanford. Dorothy : A Tale. J. W. Parker and Son. `PAMPHLETS. The Fountain af a National Party in Germany. Frederick Roman. Ridgway. Position and Prospects of the London Reformatory Instills , tions. Miller. Johnson's Companion to Moorc's Almanack for 1856. Stamford: H. Johnson. Cathechism to Practical Agriculture. lilackwoods. What is Wine ? H arrild. Currency Principles and Currency Taxation. Walker. Our Colonies. J. W. Parker and Sons. The Political History of the as predicted in the Pro phecy of Daniel. MUSIC. The Lavrel: A lifililary Dance. Dalrnaine. The Chriamas Polka. Advertising Hall, Strand. NlUsit. EXETER HALL. THE Elijah, on Monday evening, displayed to a still greater degree than in The Creation the excellence and perfection of Jenny Lind's singing. Men delssohn's music, in his sole oratorio is of a more sublime nature and of a more lofty beauty than any other composer,s. In parts The Elijah is peculiarly dramatic, and the scenes between the widow and the prophet, in "Thus said the Lord of hosts," and in the lamentation of the angel over the sons of Israel ; while in the " Holy, holy," and "Lift thine eyes," the grandeur and simplicity of the music is unsurpass able. In all these airs, some of them comprising the finest music ever written for a soprano, the exquisite voice and perfect execution of Jenny Lind, singing every note and expressing every word with accurate finish, was beyond all praise. Jenny Lind has no rival in sacred music. Her reception on Monday night was enthusiastic, and she never sung with greater power. In the quartet and chorus " Holy, holy," her magnificent voice soared above the orchestra and chorus with such a wealth of purity and power as drew down thunders of applause from the whole house. On Thursday next she sings in The Messiah. The Sacred Harmonic Society, under the direc tion of Mr. Costa, performed The Messiah last evening. Mme. Clara Novello, Miss Dolby, and Mr. Luckey, were the principal singers. The excel lence of the performance was, as usual under this society, of the highest order. The hall was densely crowded, and the reception accorded to the singers most cordial. The solos wrre all given with exqui site finish and precision, while the choruses and concerted pieces were marked with more than ordi nary care. ate puma. THE Pantomimes this year promise well. First on the list comes COVENT GARDEN, with The Belle Alliance ; or, Harlequin Good Humour, with the Field of the Cloth of Gold, in which the famous visit of Bluff King Hal to Francis I. is depicted with every incident, including a terrible gale of wind between Dover and Calais, the brilliant tournaments upon the famous field, and the trifling amusements of kings in the country. The Harlequinade here intro duces Mr. Flexmore as Clown, Mr. Brown and Mr. Barnes as Pantaloon and Harlequin, and Miss Horne as Columbine. The scenery is said to present many new and striking features ; the dialogue pro- mises well, and for the tricks and fun in the Harle quinade, Mr. Anderson's name will be sufficient guarantee that something far beyond the average wilt be given. HAYMARKET.—The Butterfly's Ball, founded on a poem of ltoscoe's, is to be the pantomime at this theatre. The story is one of love, which does not run at all smoothly, between the butterfly and grass. hopper, an envious spider and a rejected wasp mali ciously striving to destroy their happiness. Mr. Milano is the Harlequin and Mr. Appleby the Clown. The opening scenes are written by the author of Little 80-Peep, and that promises well. The changes of scenery are said to be both novel and beautiful in effect. THE PRESS. STRAND.—Douglas Jerrold's Black-eyed Susan sup plies the pantomime for this theatre. The opening scenes, we believe, are written by Mr. Frank Tat board, whose reputation insures capital dialogue, in fin►te puns, and as much genuine fun as one could desire. rpm 11,11arltet atth ititg FRIDAY EVENING. The Bank return just published, compared with that of Friday last, shows the following changes : X Decrease in circulation 181,089 Increase in Public Deposits 12;209 Increase in Other Deposits Decrease in Government Securities 485,000 Increase in Other Securities Increase in Bullion Increase of Rest 12,454 Increase in Reserve Altogether this return is of a much more favorable character than was generally anticipated. The most unfavorable items in it are the decrease in the active circulation, and the trifling addition to the public deposits. The increase in the "Other Deposits" and securities shows the heavy demand for accom modation, to which we have referred below. The addition to the stock of bullion is quite nnexpected, but it is easily accounted for. It arises from the purchases, out of the late Australian arrivals, not having been hitherto brought into account, as was assumed last week ; and it is to be anticipated that the two succeeding returns will show a considerable reaction. The increase in the reserve is very large. It must be remembered, however, that it includes the whole of the 475,0001. added to the circulation in this week, in consequence of the lapsed issues of country banks, under the order in council of the 7th inst.; and it will be observed that the " Securi ties" in the issue department are consequently in creased to that extent. The decrease in " Govern ment Securities" is considerable ; and it shows either that the Bank or the Chancellor of the Exchequer, or both, have been sellers of stock. Money is very dear, and in active demand. It was anticipated that considerable ease would have fol lowed the payment of the two loan instalments, but the result has proved the contrary, for it is both higher in price and more in dema.id. To some ex. tent this is attributable to the time of the year, which requires large balances to be kept, and to the re quirements of trade; but it is also owing to a desire on the part of capitalists, bankers, and others, to be in a position of safety, if it should happen that, in order to keep up its stock of bullion, the Bank attempts to act upon the exchanges by a further ad vance in the rates of discount. An impression pre vails that some such step will shortly be necessary if supplies from Australia are delayed much longer. The Bank of France is in the market taking out gold by purchases at a premium, and even Russia is draw ing some amount from this country, notwithstanding the expense and circuitousness of the operation. From these causes discounts are being restricted as much as possible by the Bank, by high discrimina ting charges, but the demand is continuous, and in creasing upon the establishment. Lombard-street has been doing an active business in discounts, but is now restricting advances. On the Stock Ex change money is worth six per cent. The arrivals of gold last week were very small, but this week they have been still smaller, whilst the export has been larger. Of gold, only about 8,0001. worth has arrived from Africa, and silver to the value of 126,8001. from South America. Some additional quantities may have arrived through private hands from the Continent, but the amount must be be immaterial. On the other hand, about 100,0001. have been sent to France, having been taken from the Bank for the purpose in exchange for notes and by means of discount, 3,7001. have gone to the East Indies, and 1,0001. to the West Indies, exclusive of the sum sent by the Government to the seat of war, no account of which is published. The expor, of savor has largely exceeded the import; for, 18,7401. have been sent to the Peninsula, and 360,947/. to the East Indies. A considerable aioount of silver specie was brought from the Continent last week ; but not, even including the South American arrivals this week, equal in value to the export. The price of the article consequently is firm at ss. lid. per oz. The comparative exchanges this week show that gold is dearer in Paris and Hamburg than in Lon don, and that the course of exchange at New York is nominally against England, but that the rates would leave no profit on the transmission of gold either way between England and the United States. Business on the Stock Exchange has been quiet, but with almost a surprising amount of firmness in prices. Cunsols have fluctuated very little, for the closing price last Saturday was 88f exactly, and yes terday it was Mt to 1, the variations having been from 88e to 891. The closing price for the account to-day was gig, thus showing that the extreme SATURDAY, variation of the week has been only from one-half to five-eighths per cent. Considering the value of money, the demand in which it has been every day, and the uncertainty as to the return of peace, so small a fluctuation may be regarded as most satis factory. Much of this firm tone is owing to the con fidence felt by some leading operators in the success of the Austrian mission to SL Petersburg with the terms on which the Western powers would accept peace. Several of these gentlemen have been consi derable buyers at 88}, and but few have reversed their operations. On the other band, many believe that Russia will not yield to the conditions ; but they are extremely cautious in contracting engagements founded upon that impression. The whole of the Sixteen Million Loan has now been paid, the final instalment of L 600.000- having been liquidated on Tuesday. Holders are quietly disposing of the Stock created in consequence, some apprehensions having been felt that the Government would now, or shortly, resort to their powers of sell ing Savings-bank Stock, to be replaced by a portion of the unissued Exchequer Bills. Notwithstanding the necessities of the Government, they have not yet availed themselves of this power, nor is it probable they will during the remainder of the year, whilst money is so dear and the unfunded securities at so considerable a discounts Great sensitiveness, how ever, is visible on the subject, as such a proceeding would necessarily produce a decline in present prices. The principal event of the week in the Foreign Market has been a considerable rise in the Pori u. guese Four per Cents., owing to negotiations with the Portuguese Finance Minister for a more equita ble recognition of the bondholders' claims. Before the advance this Stock had been immoveable at 46, but on Monday the price suddenly rose to 48, and the improvement was fully supported on Tuesday. On Wednesday a further advance of 21. was established, which was maintained on Thursday and yesterday. In other Securities there has been comparatively little doing, and prices, for the most part, remain without any material change. The two Turkish Stocks have, on the whole, been dull, with a ten dency to weakness. Some disposition has been manifested to operate in the Spanish Three per Cents., but the movement, which ended in nothing, was purely speculative. The quotations, however, are better in consequence. 1 here has been no movement in Russian Stock in either of the two Stocks, but the fall in the Five per Cents. which took place on the announcement of the new Eight Million Loan has not been recovered. It has not yet transpired whether the allied Governments have called upon Prussia far an explanation of her neu trality by permitting a portion of the luau to be sub scribed in Berlin. It is believed, however, that a remonstrance of some sort has been sent both from London and Paris. In the meantime the committee of the Stock Exchange have issued the following notice for the information of member caber others : December 1, 1855. It having come to the knowledge of the committee that neutral powers have permitted subscriptions to loans for Russia within their dominions, the committee unani mously resolve that they will not, either now or at the restoration of peace, recognise transactions in, or ailow the quotation of, any loan raised by a power while at war with Great Britain. Ciao. WEBB, Secretary. Independently of the jurisdiction of the committee of the Stock Exchange, it would be illegal, under the act of last session, for any British subject to deal in or possess Stock in this Loan. It seems likely, how ever, to be filled up in Hamburg, Amsterdam, Berlin, and St. l'etereburg, though with some difficulty, notwithstanding the comparative smallness of the amount. In Railway Shares the business of the week has been extremely limited, but prices have remained firm. Occasional weakness has certainly been mani fested. Great Westerns have received au upward impulse from the effects of considerable purchases, and from a report that a dividend will certainly be paid out of the earnings of the present half year at the rate of two or two and a half per cent. per annum. The traffic returns of the company appear to warrant this conclusion, taken in connection with the economy infused into the general management by the watchfulness of the chairman. On Saturday the Shares were sold at 50i ; on Thursday they closed at 53 to but to day they are lower. . Some fluctuation ha:4 taken place in Caledonians, caused by the traffic returns showing a comparative falling off, and transactions have been entered into for the divi dend at from Ils. 6d. to 12s. 6d. per share. Eastern Counties are without animation at previous quota tions. Nothing particular has occurred in other Stocks. Bank Shares have receded 2/. City Bank and Bank of London have improved, the first from 63 to 06, and the second from 55 to 58. Exchequer Bills are now from Bs. to 4s. dis., but they have been at 10s. dis. The Canada Land Company lave declared a divi dend of U. per share. MIN