The Sun. — London, England, 1862-01-01 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL STATISTIC'''. The question whether — Berkshire should furnish agricultural statistics to the Government, after a form suggested by the Secretary of State in a cir cular letter issued to all the chairmen of Quarter Sessions in England, in the month of May last, was very fully discussed at the County Sessions, held at Beading, on Monday last. Mr. R. Palmer, of Holme Park, and many years M.P. for the county, occu• pied the chair, and of the magistrates present there were the Earl of Abingdon, Lord Overstone, Viscount Barrington, Right Hon. J. R. Mowbray, M.P., Mr. Walter, M.P., Hon. P. P. Bouverie, 31 P., &c. Mr. Bxos, chairman of the last Sessions, held at Abingdon, stated that, in compliance with the reso lution of the Court, he and the members for the county had had an interview with the Home Secre tary on the subject of furnishing agricultural sta tistics. After stating fully their views to the Home Secretary they were requested to put in writing the points upon which they desired specific infor mation. They accordingly did so, and a reply had been received from the Home.office, from Mr. Wad dington, the Under Secretary of State. The fol lowing extracts were read : " In reply to the questions on which you desire further information, I am to state that it was not contemplated that, if the police were to be employed _ _ in collecting agricultural statistics, they should do emore than distribute the forms and collect the returns, without being responsible for their being accurately filled up. No decision has yet been formed as to the necessity of making the returns compulsory. This would probably depend on ex perience of any plan to be adopted for their collec tion. If any extra expense should be incurred by he employment of the police in this duty, Sir Geo. Grey thinks it might be defrayed without any ad ditional charge on the county-rate. " The object of obtaining the information would be fully attained by returns for parishes or districts instead of for each occupier's holding." Mr. BROS, after remarking at length upon what took place at the Home-office, proceeded to state that he felt great reluctance to put upon the con stabulary of the county any duty not immediately connected with their office. He believed that the returns asked for would be very interesting and of great public advantage. If he were an occupier of land, he should have no objection to furnish the particulars asked for ; and if he had any influence with tenant farmers, he should recommend them to make the returns. The statistics appeared to him to be utterly unobjectionable in every way; but with regard to employing-the police in the matter lie objected to it on principle. He therefore pro posed that an answer should be returned to the Home.office that, in the opinion of this Court, it Was inexpedien to employ the police of this county in obtaining agricultural statistics. Mr. CRUTCHLEY seconded the proposition, and Stigmatized the notion of obtaining agricultural Statistics as not only inquisitorial, but impertinent. Major COURT thought that public utility re quired these returns to be made, and the only ques tion was as to the mode in which this should be done. He did not know that there could be any objection to the police being employed to distribute the papers at the several farms, but as in each parish there was a surveyor, overseer, and collector of taxes, it would be desirable that either of those 'Should be engaged in the collection. And the ad vantage would be this, that as some of the farmers `would not probably know how to fill up the returns, either of the officers he had mentioned could give the assistance required, and thus help to insure accuracy in the return. He moved, as an amend ment, that, in the opinion of the Court, it was ex pedient that the county police should be employed in the distribution of the papers, but not in the collection. Mr. WALTER, M.P., said, although on several occasions he had expressed himself adverse to the employment of the police in this matter, he felt some difficulty to know how to support the propo sition of Mr. Bros, because it seemed to him, if this was intended as an answer to the question pro pounded at the last Sessions, it would be an answer in a different sense to that intended by the Court. No doubt that the notion of employing the police 'was founded upon the circumstance that the police were employed in Ireland, but Sir George Grey had entirely disposed of that objection, by saying, as he did in his (Mr. Walter's) hearing, that there was no analogy at all between the rural police of England and the rural police of Ire land. The Irish county constabulary were a totally distinct class of people. They were employed more us gendarme; or as military force, and stood upon a different footing from what the police did here. And there was an ambiguity as to what was meant by the term " collection," and the sense in which that word was employed. No doubt, it solely re ferred to the mode of collecting the statistics, and that the persons employed in the collection of them ,should not, as in Ireland, be employed in going over the land and making out the returns themselves. That war not the sense in which they were to be employed here. The county police here were not asked to be employed in collecting the statistics, but merely to act as letter-carriers to deliver the papers in which the particulars were to be stated. It was a question whether the Felice should be em ployed in this duty, and, looking at the question in that aspect, they might as well argue whether the persons to be employed should have one leg or one arm. He saw no objection to employing the police to deliver certain forms, excepting that, the duties of the police being of a criminal nature, it might be supposed, on this particular occasion, that there was something of a penal character connected with the collection of those statistics, rendering the pc r- Ben on whom the ,notice was served liable to a penalty. To that extent there might be something invidious in the employment of the police, but he saw no objection to the police bring employed to deliver certain papers at certain houses. At the Barn() time he was not disposed to concur in the mo tion of Major Court, for he did not see - why a ma chinery of another kind should not be employed, and one more desirable. It seemed to him that the objection to furnishing these returns was disposed of by the returns being eventually made not of dis tinct holdings. but of large districts. Now, sup posing these returns were forwarded to the magis trates' clerk for each division of the county, it was quite clear in any case, whether Ly the police or any other body, there must be some intermediate agent between the police and the Home office. His notion was that the re turns should be sent by the Home-office to the Magistrates' clerk of each division, and the Bench should be authorised to employ either the police or any other officer, such as the overseer, to deliver these returns or papers at the house of each farmer. He suggested that the Post -offi c e might do this, but an objection might be urged that this would be attended with a heavy expense, and, be sides, it would require on the part of the person sending them a degree of local knowledge which he could not reasonably be expected to have, and ho , could only obtain it from some authority in the different districts. His opinion was that the ob ject sought by the Government would be best pro moted by leaving the magistrates in petty sessions to employ thepolice or such other agents as they might think qualified—that the returns when filled lap should be sent to the magistrates' clerk for each 'division, and they should be sent from each divi sion to the Home office. That seemed to him the simplest and most effective mode, and he thought if they sent an answer to the Secretary of Slate in the form proposed by Mr. Bros it would be an answer given different frcm that intended gene rally by the Court to the question proposed by the overn :Dent. (Hear, hear.) M r . G. H. VANSITTAET, late M.P. for Beaks, said, so far as he was concerned, he did not think it advisable to throw upon the police, who had already onerous duties to perform, other duties which would occupy much time, and with a very faint prospect of being remunerated. He had no hesitation on that ground in supporting Mr. Bros's proposition. Mr. A. W. Ye tNo, late M.P. for Yarmouth, was of opinion that it was not expedient to put the police of this county in the invidious position of I:.aving to obtain these returns from the farmers. _WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 1, 1862. His opinion was that there was no ground for sup• posing these returns would lead to any practi cal good. (Hear.) If, however, any goo I could be shown to arise from it, then individuals must give up their prejudices and Government must have the thing they wanted. In the absence of any proof of this kind as to the utility of the thi le-, he should object to the police or any other machinery being employed. Mr. T. L. GOODLAKE said the value of the statistics depended upon the period of their being published, but the statistics for Ireland for the year 1860 were not published until the autumn of 1861. This fact disposed of the argument of their general utility. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN was about to put the proposition of Mr. Bros, when Lord OYERSTONE said he was very much afraid if the motion should be carried in the affirmative it was calculated to have an effect on the general question of agricultural statistics not intended by the mover, and hardly so by the members of the Court. To return a pure negative to the question, simply saying that it was not expedient to collect agricultural statistics through the medium of the county constabulary, unaccompanied by any sug gestion, would be felt by the Government and pro duce an impression in the country that in the opi nion of the county of Berks the collection of agri cultural statistics was inexpedient, or, at least, that it was a very questionable act. He did not believe that that was the feeling of the Court generally. He would ask the Court not merely to consider the technical reply to be given, but the substantial effects of it. If, after full deliberation, they were prepared to co-operate with the Government to ob tain good agricultural statistics, but thought that there should be some better mode of collecting them than that proposed by the Government, that would be a very regular and business-like way of dealing with the question. He hoped the Court would not return the dry answer that it was inexpedient to collect these statistics without suggesting an alter native course. With regard to the expediency of collecting agricultural statistics a few words only would be necessary. In every other branch of in dustry in this country it had been found uniformly desirable to collect from all engaged in those indus trial occupations the best information that could be, gained, and in proportion as they had been ren dered with accuracy the interests of the parties engaged in those pursuits had been promoted. Could any reasonable man doubt that that which was true of other industrial parts of the empire, and had proved to be true, could be otherwise than true with agricultural matters ? The agi iculture of the country was a trading interest as much as any other. Its success depended upon the:same princi ples, and upon the exertion of the same wisdom, the same prudence, and the same forethought and con trivance, and they might be assured on general grounds, without going into detail, that in propor tion as the information was correct it would be valuable to all engaged in that important pursuit. He trusted on that ground, the Court would in their resolution express the opinion that the magistrates and gentlemen of Berkshire were ready to co-ope rate with the Government in any reasonable effort to get the practical and detailed information which had been found useful in other branches of trade. With regard to the point that the statistics would not be sufficiently accurate to be useful, he believed that the history of agriculture would follow the his tory of everything else. The first effort would be incomplete, but as confidence was obtained and pre judice obliterated, they would find these statistics would increase in their accuracy, and they would find in a short time that that information would facilitate all reasonable calculations of landlords and tenants, and limit the evils arising from ex treme fluctuations resulting from ignorance of this information. Then with regard to the question as to the best mode of obtaining this statistical infor mation, he thought that was a question more fit for the Government to consider and decide than for the magistrates in Quarter Sessions. He was a little surprised at the form of the question put to the Quarter Sessions, but he had no doubt that the meaning was to obtain from the discussion which would arise some indications for the guidance of the Government and what were the feeling and opinion of the country as to any effort requisite for obtain ing the information, and whether the Government might calculate upon aid and co-operation from different Quarter Sessions as to the best mode to obtain it. With respect to the question of the collection being made through the county constabu lary, ho thought the remarks of Mr. Walter were correct, namely, that the original impression hostile to it was founded upon the impression that the duty imposed upon the police was of a far more dange rous and delicate character than intended by the Government. The question resolved itself into one the narrowness of which was almost ludi crous. The question was whether any groat and for midable difficulty existed in the way of sending out the papers to the farmers through the hands of the police. That was the question, and it seemed to him that it was one hardly fit to occupy the time of the Court. He would really suggest that the Court should pass a resolution something to this effect : That they should first thank the gentleman who had been kind enough to see the Home Secretary, and that they should send a reply that they were ready to co-operate with the Government for the purpose of obtaining the best possible agricultural statistics, whether through the medium suggested by the Government, or through any other medium which, upon full communication with the Quarter Sessions, the Government might deem most practi cal and expedient. Ho thought an answer of that kind would become the Court, and not violate the feelings of any magistrate. Lord BARRINGTON said personally he felt much indebted to the noble lord (Lord Overstone) for the able speech he had made on the subject, and he quite agreed with every word that had been uttered. He should be glad to see these agricultural statistics collected in some way or other. If the Court did not like the information to be obtained through the po lice, he hoped they would resolve to find out some other way. He thought his friend Mr. Walter had made a sugg. stion well worthy of consideration. He would not say that it should be necessarily adopted, but at any rate, it was one of those things which he could state in his place in Parliament if any bill were brought forward, as he supposed there would be hereafter. He should be sorry to put a ne gative on the collection of agricultural statistics, and if the noble lord (Lord Overstone) would move a resolution to the effe3t he had suggested he (Lord Barrington) would be happy to second it. The Hon. P. P. BOUTERIE, M.P., said, acting upon the suggestion thrown out by Lord Overstone, he would ask Mr. Bros whether he would not mo dify his resolution so that, after expressing the in exp;(liency of employing the county police, it should go on to say it was the opinion of the Court that it was desirable to collect agricultural statistics in some mode to be devised by the Government. Mr. W. H. STONE said he thought it would gene rally be considered by the farmers to be a nasty in quisitorial, thing, and he hoped the Court would not sanc ti on it. He was quite sure no other Govern ment but the present would have ventured to ask for such a thing. Mr. NORRIS, MY., (Hear, hear.) said he bad taken consider able pains t o ascer tain the feelings of the tenant farmers in his neighbourhood on the subject , and he had found them uniformly willing to give the in formation as k e d , believing it to be a general public good. Mr. llorKnis said he mentioned the matter to his tenants at a l a t e rent audit, in stance they declared th at they wou ld not make any return. and in every Sir CHARLES RUSSELL said 4 1 Government simply proposed to try the experiment of collecting these statistics, and he hoped that Berkshire would not be the only county to Withhold the information sought. For his own part, he saw no objection to tt e employment of the c - :unty police, as they had ready means of acce ss t o a ll t h e f arms, and could deliver the papers without imposing any great ad ditional labour upon them. A discussion ensued as to the precise terms i n which a motion shonld be submitted, and eventually Lord OVERSTONE proposed the following :—" That this Court will readily give its best assistance to the Government in any efforts which it may make for the mit; t o WON I purpose of collectingagricultural statir usthrough out the kingdom; but that, in the opinion of this Court, the responsibility of deciding upon the best means for accomplishing that object properly rests with the Government." Mr. ARBUTHNOT seconded the motion. Mr. BRos said he felt this resolution of Lord Overstone left the question open as to the employ ment of the police, and he therefore must keep to the motion he had submitted to the Court in the earlier part of the proceedings. It was then arranged that the proposition of Lord Overstone should stand as an amendment to Mr. Bros's motion, and The CHAIRMAN said he really could see no objec tion to granting such returns as asked for by the Home Secretary. What was wanted was the quantum of acres cultivated in any particular way, and to the principle of the thing he saw no objection whatever. A division then took place, and the amendment of Lord Overstone, stating the willingness of the Court to co-operate with the Government in obtain ing these returns, was carried. The numbers were For Lord Overstone's amendment .... 26 Against it Majority for the amendment At the close of this discussion the larger propor tion of the magistrates left the court. KINGLAKE,_3I.P., AND 1113 CON- 8117 UEN7 S. On Monday evening a crowded and enthusiastic meeting was held at the Town-hall, Bridgwater, to hear from Mr. Kinglake his annual address to his constituents. The chair was occupied by the Mayor (Mr. J. Browne), who appropriately introduced the business of the evening. Mr. KINGLAKE, after alluding to the loss the coun try had suffered in the death of the Prince Consort, said—l will abstain from adverting to any of those legislative measures which have occupied the House of Commons, except those only with respect to which I think it is desirable to address to you one or two observations. During the last session of Parliament we were occupied, with the exception of the Church-rate Bill, upon which I shall pre sently speak, with four measures, all more or less affecting the religious liberty of the British subject. First, there was the Affirmations Bill, then the bill relating to certain religious tests which are still applied to persons accepting particular offices ; then Sir Morton Peto's Bill, respecting the last rites of sepulture due to Nonconformists ; and then there was also the bill relating to Charity Trustees. Well, gen tlemen, all these were bills which more or less inte rested the great Liberal party in this country, and to all these measures, in all their stages, I gave my cor dial support. (Applause.) I am sorry to say in vain, none having become the law of the land. Then, again, there were several measures relating to the represen tation of the people brought before Parliament. There was Mr. Locke King's Bill—a very wise one, as I think—relating to the county franchise; there was Mr. Baines's measure, relating to the extension of the borough franchises; and there was Mr. Berkeley, with our old friend the ballot. (Hear.) All these measures were submitted to the House of Commons, and to all of them I gave my humble support in all their stages. (Applause.) But with respect to all these, also, my votes were all in vain, because none of them became the law of the land. And now with regard to the measure on church rates. The number of votes having been found to be equal, the Speaker, although taken a little by surprise, yet in admirably appropriate words--for so the house considered them—stated the grounds on which he felt it to be his duty to give his vote for the "Noes." They were grounds quite uncon nected with the merits of the measure, and were founded on the custom which his predecessors had adopted of so voting as to give the house an oppor tunity of reconsidering its former decision, and the result is that for the last session the bill was en tirely lost. Well, gentlemen, I have enumerated no less than eight measures of importance, all of them more or less dear to the Liberal party and at a time when the Liberal party is supposed to be in power, and all of which have failed. I therefore think it right to inquire why it is that this failure has visited us. (Hear.) I know, gentlemen, the ready answer of our opponents will be that it is as clear as possible that there is a great Conservative reaction. But I don't believe that that is true. (Hear, and applause.) I don't believe that that is a solution of the question. I believe that the reason may be more safely sought for in this direction. I observe that all these bills are bills which have been introduced into the House of Commons by private members of Parliament, and experience teaches us that measures introduced into the House of Commons by private members are not those which lead to actual and practical legislation. (Hear.) There are many causes which I think tend to account for this. 'When a bill is introduced by a member of the Government, then, if not the ex• istence of the Government, at all events the credit of the Government, is at stake, and the very fact that such is the case gives a practical character to the discussion ; and this, I must take leave to tell you, is wanting in bills introduced by private mem bers of Parliament. I would therefore submit whe ther it would not be better that such measures should be left to the patronage of the Liberal Go vernment rather than to what we may call the volunteers of the Liberal ranks. (Hear, hear, and applause.) You will remember that in the year 1859 Lord John Russell brought forward a very important amendment on the subject of the repre sentation of the people, and when you call to mind that the amendment was followed by a dissolution of Parliament, and that the general election which followed brought about a change of Ministry and placed in power those who now occupy the offices of State, you will perhaps feel entitled to ask what has become of the Reform Bill. But before we cast any blame upon her Msjesty's Government for not further pushing the question of reform we must remember what degree of strength we gave them for carrying such a measure, (Hear, hear.) If I remember rightly, the majority which, by a good deal of coaxing and management on the part of Sir Wm. Hayter, was secured, was only 13 on a great party Tote ; and all experienced legislators will tell you that that is not a majority which will enable a Ministry to carry through Parliament a great and complicated measure. Now, gentlemen, before I come to the subject which has occupied nearly the whole of you for some time past—l mean the threatened war with America--I desire to say a few words on the state of European politics. Perhaps, after all, the most momentous events to be expected from this new American war will be those for which we may have to seek in Europe. (Hear, hear.) At present all Europe tell us that we are right in this quarrel, but experience tells us that nothing is more quickly forgotten than the mere cause of a war. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, if this war should break out, those nations Ni hich bear hatred against England will inquire whether or not this may be an occasion for venturing an attack upon us; or, what is much more pro bable, they will inquire whether this may not be the time for attempting those territorial changes which cannot be sa'ely attempted when England's attention is fixed upon European affairs. (Hear.) Gentlemen, I will not conceal from you that if this emergency—this Transatlantic emergency —had occurred two years age, there would have been great ground for anxiety with regard to our relations in Europe. (Hear.) But 1 rejoice to be able to say that since last I addressed you in this hall a great improvement has taken place in the re lations between this country and the Powers of Eu rope. (Hear, hear.) When Net year I addressed you in this hall the military Powers of Central Europe were in so distressed a state as to exercise no power at all, and the Emperor of the French was at that time so completely the master of the situation—l mean the Emperor of the French personally and not France, that England was placed in circumstances of embar rassment and difficulty, which I then endeavoured to describe to you. I recollect at that time showing Toll how perilous was the situation of England. The justice of the words I then uttered was very generally recognised in this country; and I have come reason to believe that it was also recognised in a quarter where it might have been sup posed to have been unwelcome. We now find that. M. Fould, the Finance Minister of France, has ad dressed to the French Emperor words exactly coin iding in principle with those I spoke to you. (Hear, hear.) He has told the Emperor that it is impossible that he can ever have credit among the other Powers of Europe for being a peaceful poten tate while he has in his hands the whole means and capabilities of France. (Hear.) The justice of this the French Emperor has recognised, and it is now promised that there is to be something like constitutional government of France. It is no matter to us what the government of France may be, so far as the mere personal feeling of French men is concerned; yet it is of great importance to us that there can be no war in that country without the assent of the French people—(hear, hear)—without such an assent as would give us fair notice of what is coming. (Hear.) Well, gentlemen, turning again to the period when I last addressed you, within two months after that time I had some duties imposed upon me—l found myself engaged in a labour and discussion in the House of Commons of a most anxious kind. I am speaking of the period of the commencement of 1860. I and some others were then engaged in a very anxious and toilsome labour, but no labour of that kind can be so great, no anxiety of political spirit can be so acute, as not to be amply rewarded by a declaration which was made by Lord John Russell on March 20, 1860. Lord John Russell, in quiet, temperate, but firm language, then intimated to Parliament that the time had come for England to make a stand against further encroachment ; and he added that, however friendly the Government of England might be towards the Government of France, yet, in order to maintain the tranquillity of Europe, England must no longer hold herself aloof from the other Powers. (Hear, hear.) No sooner had these words been uttered than England recovered, I will not say her rank as a first-rate Power, for that had not been altogether lost, but the authority in Europe which she owes partly, in deed, to her strength, partly to he's moderation, partly to the freedom from all ambition for territo rial aggrandisement, and partly from the commu nity of interests which binds her in amity with all Powers, and determines her to hold her own, but nevertheless remain free from the desire to encroach upon the possessions of others. (Applause.) The value of that change in our policy was tested last year, when I happened to become acquainted with the fact that a scheme was in agitation for annex ing the island of Sardinia to France. I did not hesitate to go down to the House of Commons and state in simple words what I happened to know. I stated no more than the bare facts. I did not say that any actual agreement for this cession' had been made, but merely told the House what had chanced to come to my knowledge. (Hear, hear.) The statement elicited from Lord John Russell, as I humbly hope, will have the effect of inducing France to abandon any scheme of the kind. (Hear, hear, and applause.) My belief is that that scheme had been entertained without any knowledge of the full extent to which it would excite opposition on the part of England; and that the French Empe ror was enabled to perceive, from what passed in the House of Commons, and from the feeling of the country generally, that this was not a measure that could not be tolerated by England consistently with her determination to preserve the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean. (Hear, hear.) I tell you frankly that it was on account of the good faith they have shown that I have been a sup porter of her Majesty's Government. And, when I tell you that, I mean that I have not been a sup porter by halves. (Hear.) Night and morning I have done all that I could, by the votes which a member can give, to accord my support to the Go vernment. (Applause.) In the spring of last year several of the Southern States of what we were ac customed to call the United States of America, chose to secede from the Government with which they had been connected. Her Majesty's Government soon found that these seceding States comprised a population of some 8,000,000 men ; that they were as peacefully and regularly governed as any European State ; that they were maintaining war against the Northern States, for the most part, it appeared, with some success ; and it was quite evi dent, therefore, that our Government had no choice but to recognise these 8,000,000 people as bellige rents—that is, as men who were carrying on war, for you could no more deny that they were carrying on war than that the sun shines at noonday. (Hear) At the same time the Government of this country determined to maintain a rigid neutrality. (Hear, hear.) The people of the North had, perhaps, some sort of ground for supposing that the strong feeling which this country entertained on the subject of slavery might affect the course which we should take when the Southern States became separated from the North. They seemed to think that on that ground we should at once have declared for them in order to abalish the evil which we had always denounced. We did nothing of the sort ; and, from what has happened, I draw a lesson in support of a principle I have always enforced — that in the policy of States a sentiment never can govern. (Hear, hear.) Depend upon it that the relations between various States will always, or almost always, be governed by their great in terests. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, there is another lesson to be drawn from what has hap pened in America—that, where a State is sub ject to domestic broils, there is a strong inclina tion on the part of many—and this is especially the case in some States—to seek an issue out of their domestic troubles by finding a qu arre l with a foreign State. (Hear, hear.) And I must say that I never saw so strong an instance of this policy — if policy it can be called—as on this occasion. (Hear.) I own to you that it has been the custom of Eng land during many years to be a little too negligent in the maintenance of her rights as against the United States ; the feeling of every one was that we should submit to anything rather than get into a quarrel. (Hear, hear.) That was a very peaceable feeling—a feeling for which I refuse to cast blame upon my conntry; but it was not statesmanlike, be cause experience tells us that by Such a course we may be forced into a war which might have been avoided bya little firmness at the outset. (Applause.) I don't think this would be the place for me to at tempt to go into the grounds on which I say the act of Commodore Wilkes, which you all know of, was unlawful, but I tell you with confidence that it was so. (Hear.) If I had addressed you a fortnight ago I should have found it necessary to argue the question, but now that all Europe has pronounced the act to be unlawful, I may be content with as serting what might have argued then. (Hear.) M. Thouvenel, in beautifully clear language, has told the American Government that they are doing that which is indefensible. (Hear, hear.) This is the more important and interesting because all who I have read history know that America owes her in dependence to the aid she got from France, and that France and America have always been competing side by side for the rights of neutrals. (Hear.) For the solution of a question of this kind international law had provided a competent tribunal, and he who withdrew this matter from that tribunal was Corn modem Wilkes, because if he honestly imagined the Trent was carrying contraband of war, it was per fectly competent in him to take possession of her, and carry her into the prize courts and have her law fully condemned. (Hear.) But he rejected the prize courts, and took the law in his own hands. I want to ask who cent Commodore Wilkes to carry on war against a peaceful mail packet? I am afraid I must answer the question myself by telling you that he was sent by a Power to which we in England are always accustomed to bow with defference, and which we:all infinitely respect. He was sent bypublic opinion. But, then, how comes it that that Power which rules us all here with moderation is in Ame rica so low, so perveree, so lawless, so mad as to send this man on a mission which is no less destruc tive to his own country than offensive to ours? (Hear.) I am afraid that the answer is one with whicti all who have observed with care the United States of America have been long familiar—namely, that although good men there abound, yet, from some cause connected with their system of govern ment, the good men are driven into the shade, and the bad men aro prominent. Commodore Wilkes seems to have calculated that by doing a simple lawless act of this kind he would obtain the good opinion of his fellow-subjects—that is, all those of them who would come forth. As soon as the news was received in this country there was a firm deter mination to uphold the honour of the flag, and that that honour should be vindicated according to law. (Hear, hear.) No man desired that we should pass those bounds which the law officers of the Crown might prescribe. (Hear, hear.) With admirable patience the country waited until the law officers of the Crown had given their decision, and as soon as it was given there was hardly a man who ven tured to question it. (Hear.) Upon this a despatch of a very, cogent kind was addressed by her Majes ty's Government to the Government of the United States, and had our Government done less they would have ceased to be a Government. (Hear, hear, and applause.) I have not the slightest doubt that the despatch was couched in terms the most courteous, and that it expressed the belief of her Majesty's Government that the act of which Com modore Wilkes had been guilty was one which they would repudiate, and therefore instructions were sent toWashington to request that reparation which ought to be given. I have no doubt that a clear distinction was made between the reparation in the restoration of the two commissioners and the reparation that due notice be given of the act of which Corftmodorc Wilkes has been guilty. I have no doubt, with respect to the latter, that our Government,wwould be willing to negotiate with temper and moderation, but it must be understood that, with respect to the restoration of the commissioners, that was made a condition without which it would not he possible for Lord Lyons to remain at Washington. (Hear, hear.) I wish to explain what has been said in reference to the subject of arbitration, Whatever question may hereafter arise, no man who understands occasions of this sort will' impute to her Majesty's Govern ment the smallest blame for not urging a settlement by arbitration, for when her Majesty's Government addressed that despatch to the Government of Washington there was no dispute, so to speak, be cause our Government had not at that time any right to suppose that the Government at 'Washing ton would support the act of its officer. (Hear.) It would have been discourteous in the highest de. gree to suppose that the American Government would: dispute that which we considered indisput able, and therefore the duty of first proposing arbi tration could not come from our Government. Many considered that if there should be a refusal to give up the prisoners war would be immediately declared. I don't understand that that is the case. If the request shotild not be complied with, I appre hend that it would be the duty of Lord Lyons to ask for his passport and bring home with him the whole legation. But he would bring with him also I imagine, the answer which the American Govern ment may :think fit to make to the demand of our Government. (Hear, hear.) When we have that answer then it would be right for her Majesty's Government to decide what course she would take in dealing with it. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the suggestion of submitting questions to arbitration I have something to say, and perhaps there are few persons in this country who have much more right to speak upon the subject. You may have heard that in the Congress at Paris in 1856 a protocol was signed, which recommended, if I may so express myself, a wholesome principle of referring questions of dispute to arbitration. It was obvious that to introduce into international law a new principle of this kind would depend for its suc cess upon the way in which the first attempt to appeal to the principle should succeed. (Hear.) The first occasion on which the attempt was made oc curred very soon after. You all know the deep interest which this country has always taken in the efforts to suppress the slave trade. In 1858, after much urging, she got the Portuguese Government to suppress the slave trade upon the African coast. . The Portuguese Government, not very willingly, and in sheer obedience to our dictation, captured a French vessel having upon it all the indications which are usually regarded as sufficient to convict the vessel of being engaged in the slave trade—l speak of the Charles-et-Georges. The French Government indignantly required that the vessel should be restored, although it was clear to everybody in England and everybody in Lisbon that the vessel was liable to be condemned. The French Government was vastly more powerful than the Portuguese, and refused to appeal to the principle of arbitration. England, though she had compelled the Portuguese to take this step, was obliged to stand by and see the vessel given up. Here, then, I fear is an end to the principle of referring questions to arbitration, be cause, if the first time one of those questions occurs, a great Power refuses to be bound by it, how can any other Government be expected to do otherwise P (Hear, hear.) I trust that, in order to avoid the unspeakable horrors of war, the United States will yield, and that they will not allow fellaw-subjects of ours to remain in felons' cells. (Hear, hear.) There seemed to be some ground for supposing that the Emperor of the French was not indisposed to take the same view of the matter as we bad; but I believe I may say that means have been taken to ascertain what is the feeling of France on this sub ject, and the feeling is that in this matter England ought to be left to fight her own battles. I believe I may say that it is not the desire of this country to ask the alliance or seek that of any other European Power. But, gentlemen, supposing we are alone in this quarrel, is it certain that America will be alone I have already said to you that when war once breaks out the original cause of the quarrel is soon lost eight of, and that nations will range themselves according to what they suppose to be their best in terests. I venture to remind those who may be meditating any thing against En gland on the ground of the trouble which now threatens her that the very last time we were engaged in a war with Ame rica, which broke out in 1812 and continued for some years afterwards, was exactly that period when we invaded France and achieved our greatest victories. At the conclusion of Mr. Kinglake's address, Mr. R. FORD, ex-Mayor, moved a resolution pro testing against the hon. member's foreign policy, especially his conduct towards our " august and faithfully ally, the Emperor of the French." Dr. KING seconded the resolution, for which only two hands were held up. A proposition, moved by Mr. J. L. SEALY, and seconded by Mr. It. BALE, thanking Mr. Kinglake for his address, was carried amid much cheering. IIEALTH OF LONDON .DURING THE WEEK. (From the Registrar-General's Weekly Return.) In the week ending last Saturday (December 28th) 1,148 deaths were registered in London, of which 234 cccurred in the population of the age of 60 years and upwards, 304 between the ages of 20 and GO years, and 610 in the first 20 years of existence. The mortality was not so great by 100 as in the previous week ; in the corresponding weeks of the last ten years (1851.60) the average number 'corrected for increase of population is 1,548. So the deaths to the present return are less than the average by 400. The mortality from small-pox is much below the average. Measles has caused less than the usual number of deaths, only 19 having occurred last week, though the corrected •average is 39, and in the corresponding week of last year the deaths from measles lose to 49. The deaths by scarlatina and diphtheria are in excess of their averages. Whooping-cough was fatal to 45 children, a num ber below the average ; and the deaths from this infantile affliction in the previous three weeks re spectively numbered 50, 55, and 61. The fever of London assumes three forms, which are respectively designated typhus,typhoid (typhia), and relapsing fever (typhinia.) Fifty persons died of these fevers last Week. The typhoid fever,some times called gastric fever, for it affects the intes• tines, is propagated in air and water by the exe cretions which are accumulated in the cesspools and sewers of cities. • Its ravages will be reduced effec tually when this matter is restored every day to the cultivated soil, of which it is a natural consti tuent. The mortality from diarrbcea is rather below the average. The pulmonary complaints now fatal to a considerable extent are bronchitis and pneumonia. 108 children died under the age of 15 years, 35 persons between 'l5 'and 60, and 37 at 60 years and upwards died of those diseases. Eight women and one man were registered at the advanced age of 90 years and upwards; the oldest was a woman, aged 99 years. Last week the births of 780 boys and 734 girls, in all 1,523 children, were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1851- 60 the average number was 1,667. FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST NIGHT. LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S-OFFICE, DEc._3l. Orders for the Court's change of mourning on Monday, the 27th of January next, for his late Roy al Highness the Prince Consort, viz . The ladies to wear black silk dresses trimmed with crape, and black shoes and gloves, black fans, feathers, and orna ments. The gentlemen to wear black Court dress with black swords and buckles, and plain linen. The Court further to change the mourning on Monday, the 17th of Feb. next, viz. The ladies to wear black dresses with white gloves, black or white shoes, fans, and feathers, and pearls, diamonds, or plain gold or silver ornaments. The gentlemen to wear black Court dress, with black swords and buckles. And on Monday, the 10th of March next, the Court to go out of mourning DOWNING-STREET, DEC. 30. The Queen has been pleased to appoint Thomas Price, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Governor of the island of Dominica. CROWN.OFFICE, DEC. 30. MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN TILE PRESENT PARLIAMENT. Town of Nottingham—Sir Robert Juckes Clifton, of Clifton Hall, in the county of Nottingham, Bart., in the room of John Mellor, Esq., who has accepted the office of one of the Justices assigned to hold Pleas before the Queen herself. WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, DEC. 31. 2d Regiment of Dragoons—Captain Charles Jefferys Wat son Allen from half-pay, 12th Lancers, to be Captain, . . vice Brevet Major Jan;es Leith, who retires upon‘halfL pay. 6th Dragoons—Major and Brevet-Lieutenant-Colcnel John De Montmorency Murray Prior to be Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase, vice Edmund D'Arcy Hunt, who retires; Captain John Edward SwiDdley to be Major, by pur chase, vice Prior; Lieutenant John Baskerville to be Captain, by purchase, vice Swindley ; Cornet James Stocker Grant Smith to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Baskerville; Charles Douglas Beresford Creagh, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Bennitt, promoted. 12th Lancers—Edward Albert Pole, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Blacker, promoted. 14th Hussars—John Bradney, Gent., to be Cornet, by pur chase, vice the Hon. F. Amherst, promoted; George Staunton Lyncb..Stattnton, Gent., late Lieutenant Hants Artillery Militia, to be Cornet, by purchase, vice Browne, promoted. 15th Hussars—Robert Marcus Briscoe, Gent., to bo Cornet, by purchase, vice Walker, promoted. Royal Artillery—Captain Andrew Orr, from the Supernu merary List, to be Captain, vice Henry Heyman, re moved to the Supernumerary List; Second Captain and Brevst-Major Frederick Miller to be Captain, vice Bre vet-Major Charles Ingilby, remo ve d to th e upernume rary List ; Second Captain Robert Wolseley Haig, on the Supermtmerary List, to be Captain; Second Captain. and Brevet-Major Charles Henry Owen, on the Super numerary List, to be Captain; Second Captain and Brevet-Major Alderson Milman to be Captain, vice Brevet-Major Miller, removed to the Supernumerary List ; Lieutenant Frederick Coulthurst Elton to be Second Captain, vice Vivian Dering Majendie, removed to the Supernumerary List ; Lieutenant Charles R. Franklen to be Second Captain, vice Eden, appointed Adjutant ; Lieut. Clennell Collingwood to be Second. Captain, vice Brevet Major Miller; Lieutenant Frede rick Augustus Anley to be Second Captain, vice Brevet Major Milman; Second Captain Morton Parker Eden to be Adjutant; Sergeant-Major John Pitt to be Quarter master • Surgeon Ethelbert Henry Blake, M.D., having completed a period of 20 years full-pay service, to be Surgeon-Major under the Royal Warrant of Ist October, 1858. Coldstream Guards—Ensign and Lieutenant Hugh Gran ville Fortescue to be Lieutenant and Captain, by pur chase, vice Philip Le Belward Egerton, who retires; Ensign John Barton Sterling, from the Bth Foot, to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Fortescue. Ist Regiment of Foot—Assistant. Surgeon Wm. Chalmers, from the 17th Foot, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Wm, White, appointed to the Staff. Bth Foot—John Mount Batten, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice John Barton Sterling, appointed 4o the boldstreim Guards. 16th Foot—Lieut. Charles Pressly render, from the 37th to be Lieutenant, vice Charles Henry Woodmass, who exchanges; Staff-Assistant-Surgeon Edward O'Connell to be Assistant-Surgeon. 18th Foot—Ensign Ferdinand Ogilvy Fitz Gerald to be , Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Sydney Darvell, who re tires; William Edward Chapman, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Fitz Gerald ; Quartermaster John Staniforth, from half-pay, late 67th Foot, to be Quarter master, vice C. Godfrey, appointed to a Depot Battalion. 21st Foa—Ensign Edward Walker to be Instructor of Musketry, vice Lieut. John Blaksley, exchanged into the Ist West India Regiment. 34th Foot—Assistant-Surgeon William Sly, from the 16th Foot, to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice G. Smith, deceased. 37th Foot—Lieut Charles Henry Woodmass, from the 16th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Charles Pressly Pender, who exchanges, 38th Foot—Charles Alexander Stuart Monteath, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Brady, who retires. 41st Foot—Lieutenant Ashton Henry Warner to be Adju tant, vice Isaac King, who resigns that appoinment. 61st Foot—Staff-Surgeon Themes Ligertwood, M. 8., to be Surgeon, vice Herbert Taylor Reade, who exchanges. 70th Foot—Lieutenant Eustace Cay to be Captain, by pur chase, vice Oswald Pilling, who retires ; Ensign Henry Bally to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Cay; Charles Townley Martin, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Bally. 87th Foot—Lieutenant Alfred Herbert Hugh Smith to be Instructor of Musketry, vice Ensign Vowell, deceased. 98th Foot—Lieutenant Frederick Jackson, from half-pay 27th Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Thomas Gardiner, pro moted, without purchase, to an unattached Company; Ensign William O'Toole to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Jackson, who retires ; Henry William Roberts, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice O'Toole. Rifle . Bnpule—Staff-Assistant-Surgeon Thomas Kennedy to be Assistant-Surgeon. Ist West India Regiment—Ensign Arthur George St George to be Lieutenant, by purchaPe, sice Panter, pro motea ; Harry Golding, aerie. to be Ensign; by purChase, vice Mansergh, promoted ; Joseph Guy Knight, Gent., late Lieutenant Leicester Militia, to be Ensign, by pur- chase vice St. George, promoted. DEPOT BATTALIONiI-::Captain George Newish Adams, of the 86th Foot, to be Instructor of Musketry, vice Captain Macdonald, under orders to join the Service Companies of Ist Battalion, 16th Foot; Quartermaster Cornelius God frey, from the 11th Foot, to be Quartermaster, vice John Desmond, who retires on half-pay. COMMISSARY DEPARTMENT.—Deputy Commissary- General William James Tyrone Power, C. 8., to have the local rank of Commissary-General in British North Ame rica. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.— Surgeon Herbert Taylor Reade, from the 61st Foot, to be Staff-Surgeon, Vice Thomas Ligertwood, M. 8., who exchanges ; Assistant- Surgeon William White, from the Ist Foot, to be Staff Assistant Surgeon, vice Joseph Salkeld Johnston, M.D., appointed to the 72dd Foot; Assistant-Surgeon St. John Killery, from the 36th Foot, to be Staff Assistant-Surgeon, vice Robert William Jackson placed upon half-pay. VETERINARY DEPARTM ENT.—The promotion of the undar-mentioned Veterinary-Surgeons, as First Class Vetinary -Surgeons, to bear date of Nov. 26, 1861, instead, of Tuly 1, 1859 : —F. F. Collins, 16th Lancers ; A. J. 0 wles ' 6th Dragoon Guards; J. S. Stockley, Royal Artil lery ; S. P. Constant, sth:Dragoon Guards; H.Withers, 3d Hussars. BREVET. Captain Charles Terrington Aitchison, Bombay Infantry, to be Major in the Army. Captain James Alphonse Collier, Bombay Infantry, to be Major in the Army. Quartermaster John Desmond, retired on half-pay, De pot Batalion, to have the honorary rank of Captain. The undermentioned promotions to take place consequent on the decease of Lieutenant-General the Hon. John Finch, C. 8., Colonel of the 24th Foot, on Nov. 25, 186 I. : Major-General William Beckwith, Colonel of the 14th Hussars, to be Lieutenant-General. Major General Charles Ash Windham. C. 8., Colonel of the 46th Regiment, p• omoted for distinguished service on Sept. 8, 1855, to be placed on the fixed establishment of Major-Generals. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Bruce, 2d Foot, to be Colonel. Major John Hackett, 44th Foot, to be Lieutenant-Colonel. Captain William Ranby Goate, 35th Foot, to be Major. ADMIRALTY, DEC. 24. CORPS OP ROYAL MARINES._ First Lieutenant Frederick William Arthur Boyd, to be Captain, rice Huskisson, to half-pay. Second Lieutenant' Charles Rowley Brand to be First Lieutenant, vice Boyd, promoted. BANKRUPTCIES ANNULLED. Joseph Smith, tailor, Lombard-street John Gabriel Turtle, shoemaker, Poole, Dorsetshire BANKRUPTS. James Pearce Lidgold, lutcher, Kingston, Surrey William Octavius Hustler, attorney's clerk, Halstead, Essex John William Clunne, licensed victualler, Gravesend Henry Tyler, hotel keeper, Dovercenirt, Harwich hobert Allcock, general dealer, Upper John-street, Fitzroy. F quare Augustus Wells, fishmonger, King William-st., City Selby Le Vera Spencer, clerk in the Admiralty-office, Hanover-street, Pimlico Charles Burcher, tailor, Havant, Hants Josiah Timmis , lime dealer, Bridge-street, Westminster Wm. Stidolph, late of Greenwich • runnel Fleran, printer, High Wycombe William Docking, cloth merchant, Cannon-street West Thomas Owen, dealer in building materials, Islington David Roach, late of Paris Thomas B. King, jun., clothier, Northampton Henry F. W. Tarner, watchmaker, Holborn-hill Thomas Gardiner, merchant, Leadenhall-street Henry David Glen, publican, Hill-street, Knightsbridge Henry Cuming, auctioner,London-street,Fitzroy-squa re George Gubby, sen., timber dealer, Chelsea John Sabin, wire worker, W.-et-street, St. Giles James Kniveton, clothier, Longton, Staffordshire Emanuel Combill, out of business, Oldswinford, Wor cester Charles Leech, corn merchant, Judd-street, St, Pancras Albert Edward Gauntlett, poulterer; Euston -road James Fancourt, licensed victuallee, Old Ford, Bow Edward and Henry Snow, seed-merchants, Birmingham Samuel Bother, licensed victualler. Warwick Jeremiah Houlston, grocer, New Hadley, Shropshire Naphtal Herz, cigar merchant, Nottingham Thomas Welters, linen draper, Nottingham Edward Hutchins, solicitor, B r i s tol EdWin Powning, miller, Kenwyn,:Cornwall theatrical manager, Scarborough T. Cooper and T. Sinclair, tallow chandlers, Pemlerton Walter, Sheppard, auctione er , M anc h ester Samuel Bevan, ironmonger, Dukinfield William Brown, shoe dealer, Sunderland Thomas Shore, brewer, Birmingham. George Brown, farm labourer, Seac roft Meshach Clement, corn dealer, Bristol Richard Whiteford, Everton, Lancaster George Gordon, farrier, Liverpool John 'Young D. Rutherford, tailor, Manchester Henry Cohen, jeweller, Sunde r l an d John Heney, hawker, Great Yarmouth Samuel Rayner, tailor, Hunslet, Leeds James Proffitt, saddler, Stafford Ham Road, publican, Birmingham - Thomas Murrells, bookseller, Brighton Thomas Hunt, shoemaker, Stonesfield, Oxfordshire Elijah Grove, jun., butcher, Kidderminster Elise De Neuville, musician, Sheffield Giles Williams, haulier, Llanwonno, Glamorganshire Joseph Everit, locksmith, Wolverhampton Henry Hubsdell. grocer, Gosport, Hant s Joseph Rough,- farmer, Atlow, Derbyshire Wm. Cartwright, grocer, Stoke - upon-Trent . . . Jose& Fupifull, painter, Ecolealield Euseby Pear son, farmer, Keysoe, Bedfordshire - - William Lon gman, mason, Exeter :T T ol o h, h ,roi n ra T lava u i r Ei n soi e l l t , „, , ,p b p : ai tc )ini h ic, a e a r rn: ,E lpswich j e a , - Shropshirei iole, a rh am W Fanner, car driver, Solihull, W arw i c k s hi re :artlidge , wearer, Leek, Staff or d s hi re Charles illian . ' t, Charles Tat.' e r , pi tblican, Hanley itcher, Tunstall, Staffordshire Thom ljvahmn. nr , 7 - s uo : P r.& is a fka r elk:L:' ' ao ri b ioa , Derbyshire t r , Cardiff Ben. Forste7.. li Carr b an k eeper, Huddersfield . .auctioneer, Huddersfi e ld Doses H. ThorntoX,. John North, sen., belk "retailer, Hudder s fi e ld ever -street Head, Kidderminster Darius Haigh, coal mlck. chant, Huddersfield Wm. Watkinson, fellm.six t :r vi er e , r Sheffield Charles Jackson, baker, John Vaux. cabinet-mak er, Sheffield William Henry Naylor, a;ictis oneer, Sheffield Samuel George Broomhead, bui,cher, Liverpool William Whitby, salt broker, Liverpool Peter Anderhub, fancy bag rc esker, Manchester SCOTCH BAN..KRUPTS. William Henderson, draper, Li. nlithgow James Henderson, farmer, Falk. land William Johnstone, commission r Agent, Edinburgh William Parker, grocer, Bailliestr vsi John Scott Greenfield, commission. agent, Edinburgh CRICKE7 1W AUSTRALI:4. After months passed in anticipation of an ar rangement being made by which an English Eleven could be prevailee' upon to visit th e i r an tipodea n brethren — a fter se,hemes had fallen th roug h, no t from lack of enthus.,asm, but from want of organi sation, the news that Messrs. Spires and Pond had, through their indefatigable agent and their Own , perseverance and liberality, succeeded in overcom ing all objection ,on the part of the Eleven, was most cordially received in this colony. Apart from cricket, the visit is looked upon as a means of draw ing the bond of maim more closely between us and the mother co untry; and for years to come an influence will be at won ,: in England, arising out of the experience of our visit.lrs that will operate most favourably upon this colon, l ' 7 . They will find that Victoria is not in New South Wales—that the co lonists are not all in a semi-swage state, and that so careful have they been to encourage a love of Anglo-Saxon sports, that a large sum of money is annually spent in the improvement of cricket re serves, and that the interest attached to the Angrlo- Victorian match is shared by all classes of the coal munity. Ere the journals ox this day are delivered' in England, the Eleven will have crossed the wide expanse by which they are now distant from us and in two months (at least we hope by that time) they will have exichanged the snow and frost of Old England for the bright cloudless weather of Aus tralia. As might be expected, the good news whit - th arrived showed the necessity forimmediate action on the part of our cricketers, and the general meeting was convened, at which a committee, was appointed, consisting of the presidents of vari ous clubs, and other gentlemen who have at heart: the prosperity of cricket. Since that period a letter has been received by the committee from Messrs. Spires and Pond, on behalf of the All England Eleven, challenging 18 players from the Melbourne district to play a match on the 26th, 27th,and 28th of December. In the event of the Eleven not hav ing arrived by that time, the 2d, 3d, and 4th days in January are appointed. Messrs. Spires and Pond mentioned 18 as the number of Victorian players; but the committee thought that number too small, and substituted 22. For our own part we are in clined to think that for the first match, 18 will be sufficient; for in the event of our men being beaten; they will then have a greater chance in a second struggle, when four extra men would be allowed. them. Should it be decided that 18 is to be the number, so much the better, as it will conduce to persuade our cricketers of the necessity of constant practice—of preparing themselves by well organis ing a team to meet their formidable adversaries. We have some good men here, and the only thing required of them is that they should play together, so as to have every man in theright place. That appears to be the wish of those who are taking an interest in the match ; and as soon as the team is selected, no doubt ample opportunities will be given to judge of each man's fitness. The season has al ready been favourably opened by the Melbourne club ; a match between them and a good 11 from the' rival club of Richmond, lasting for three after noons, and terminating in favour of the Melbourne men. Steps have also been taken towards prepar ing for the celebration of the annual intercolonial match between New South Wales and Victoria ; so that the season will be full of interest.-41elbourne Argus, Get. 25. COUNTRY ~ ~'\ LYNN—DEC. 31. At to-day's ecrn market the quantity of wheat exhibited was again limited, and an inactive business was done at last week's rates,. Other articles as before. Old white „ 65s to 67s I Barley, ... 3os t o 46 s ..02s to 658 Oats .22s to 26s Beans .425 to 46s I Peas 48s to 54s MARKET HA RBOROUGH—Dec. 31. At this market to-day tiler° was a small show of wheat, and the demand was slow; prices had a downward ten dency—old, 40s to 50s; 54s to 60s per 36 stone. Barley quite as easy as in the: week previous, malting selling at 34s to 38s per qr., grinding 30s to 33s per 30 s t. Oats a heavy sale, and less money obtained. Beans were scarce, at high rates. LEEDS-DEC. 31. Arrivals of wheat moderate. There was a thin attend ance at market. Wheat unaltered in value from last Tues day. Barley at full prices. Beans and oats in favour of the buyer. No change in other articles. MELTON MOWBRAY—DEc. 31. There was a limited show of wheat to-day, and, with a quiet trade, prices same as last Tuesday. Barley was ira small show, and trade steady. Prices—white wheat, 60s Od to 65s Od; red, 54s Od to 60s per 36 stone; beans firm, at 48s to 50s for old; new sorts, 42s per 38 st. ; barley, 36s to 41s for malting, and 30s to 32s per qr. for grinding; oats, 24s to 27s Od per 24 stone. NORWICH 'CATTLE. The show of store cattle to-day was rather limited, consisting of Scots, shorthorns, and Irish. A small at tendance of buyers ' but a fair trade. Scots, 48 Od to 4s 6d ; shorthorns, 4s to 4s 6d ;. Irish, 3& 6d to 4s Od; Devons, 48 to 4s Gd (estimated weight when fat). Tat beasts a small show and sales firm, at 8s Od to 8s 6d per 141 b. _ Sheep—There was a good supply of sheep in the pens and a fair sale- Fat sheep, 8s Od to 9s 6d per stone; prune, 9s 6d., and all sold. Pigs—A fair supply. Store pigs, 22s to 255; fat pork, 8s Od to 8s 6d per stone. 701?E1GN MAIL PACEBT LIST. MAILS DUE. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton Jan. 18. via Marseilles Jr n 12. Brazil and Cape Verds, by British pacitet. Jan. 4. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena., Jan. 1. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. Jan. 2. via Marseilles Jan. —. Falkland Islands Jan. 4. Gibraltar, via Southampton India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Jan. 2. via Marseilles Jan. —. India (Bombay), via Southampton Jan. 10. via Marseilles Jan. 4. Lisbon Jan. 1. Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan. 2. via Marseilles Jan. —. Newfoundland Oporto and Vigo . Jan. 1. U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packet.... Jan. 2. by U.S. packet.... by Canadian packet. Jan. 1. W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe .. Jan. 10. Bahamas, via New York Jan. 16. Mexico ....Dec. BENSON'S WATCHES AND CLOCKS.. Perfection Of mechanism."—Morning Post. Gold watches, sto ICO guineas; silver watches, 2 to 50 guineas. Benson's new Illustrated Pamphlet, free for two stamps, descriptive of every construc tion of watch, enables persons in any part of the world to select with the greatest certainty the watch best adapted to their use. Watches sent free and safe by post on receipt of a remittance. —J. W. Benson, 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, s 6 and 47, Cornhill, London E.C. Established 1749. BIRTHS. BENJAMIN.— On the 31st Dec., at Thurlow Lodge, Clap ham, Mrs. M. Benjamin, of a son. JAMES.--On the 27th Dec., at Rochester, Mrs. Percy V. James, of a daughter. RICARDO.—On the 30th Dec., at Charles-street, Lowndes equaie, the wife of Albert Ricardo, Esq., of a son. - _ SWAFFIELI).—On the 26th Dec., at Colchester, the wife of Major Swaffield, of a daughter, stink. tn. MARRIAGES. JARDINE—YourroEu. — Un the 28th Dec., at 16, Carlton terrace, Edinburgh, by the Rev. Thos. Cre.uford, D.D., Alexander Jardine, Esq., of Applegarth, to Henrietta, third daughter of the late Younger, Esq,, of Craighlands. MAIILE—CLARK.— Onthe 30th Dec., At St. Peter's Church, Southampton, by the Rev. Mr. Langley, from the house of Captain Vincent, Alexander Fox Maule, Esq., of Bath, to Emily Milicent, youngest daughter of William Clark, Esq., of Maindee, Newport, Monmouthsire. DEATHS. FOOTE.—On the 17th Dec, at Gibraltar, Mary Glasgow, widow of Charles Foot.) Btci. , M.D., of that city, aged 61. GIPPORD.—On the 19th Dec., at Glasgow, Miss Andria Gifford, daughter of the late Andrew Gifford, Esq., of 011abery, Shetland Isles. UOLLINWORTIL—On the 28th Dec., suddenly, at South sea, Admiral John Ibbetson. liollinworth, Royal Navy, aged 80. JONES.—On the 30th inst., Mr. W. H. Jones, of Clifford's- inn. MACAULAY.—On the 27th inst., at Monson House, Tun bridge-wells, Ann Gee, widow of the late Colonel Hon. John S. Macaulay, R.E. LONDON : Printed and Published by AWED° YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN ()Mee, No. 112,8trat: d, in the Precinct of the Savoy in the County of Middlesex, WednesdaY, January 1, 18e2. I ._< N._ . _ f'.. 7