The Sun. — London, England, 1860-02-29 00:00:00

--- BENSON'S WATCHES. " Perfection of mechanism." ----Morning Post. Gold Watches 4 to 100 guineas. ISilver Watches 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, London, E.C. Bend 2 stamps for Denson's Illustrated Pamphlet on Watches ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA COVENT-GARDEN. fader the management ci Mis s L. P y nc and Mr.W. Harrison. THIS EVENING (iVedn,?sday) , will be produced the g rand Opera, entitled LURLINE, W. Vincent Wallacsese. Messrs. a W. Harrison,..Santley, CorH, and G. Holley ; Mis Louis Fyne, Pilling, and F. Cruise, Conductor, Allrol To conclude with the new grand pantomime, called PUSS IN BOOTS ; or, Harlequin and the Fairy of the Golden Palms. Messrs. W. 11. Payne, 11. Pa)me, F. Payne, Barnes, Tallien, Infants Lauri, and Miss Clara Morgan. Doers open at half-past 6—Comlnence at 7. • THEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Bnokstone. THIS EVENING, will be performed the new and original Comedy, in three acts, entitled THE OVERLAND ROUTE. Messrs. C. Mathews, Buckstone, Compton, Chip pendale, Mrs. C. Mathews, Miss Weekes, and Mrs. Wilkins. Followed by the new Haymarket Comic Christmas Panto mime, VALENTINE'S DAY; or, Harlequin and the Fairy of the True Lovers' Knot. The pantomimists the Unrivalled Leelereqs. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM.- Sole Lessee and Directress, Madame Celeste:' Brilliant and Increased Success of the new Drama—Colette Dubois and Therese Defarg - e, by Madame Celeste. THIS — EVENING, the new Drama of A TALE OF TWO CITIES, by Tom Taylor, Esq., from the story of that name by Charles Dickens, Esq. principal characters by Mr. James Vining, Walter Lacy, Villiers, Rouse, Forrester, J. Johnstone, T. Lyon, Morton, Palmer, White, H. Butler, Clifford, and Fredericks ; Misses Kate Saville, Stuart, Turner, Sirs. Campbell, and Madame Celeste. After which, will be produced the Grand Christmas Ex travaganza and Pantomime, KING THRUSHBE ARO, the LITTLE PET and the GREAT PASSION, in which is pre sented one of the most novel, costly, and brilliant effects ever witnessed—designed and painted by Mr. William Callcott.— King Thrushbeard, Miss Julia St. George. Commence at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Lessee, Mr. A. Harris. THIS EVENING, the Comedy of MONEY. Messrs. Geo. Melville, Ryder, Frank Mathews, Widdicomb. H. Bland, H. Saker, Garden, Graham ; Misses Carlotta Leelereq, Clifford, and Mrs Charles Young After which, a new Christmas burlesque pantomime, by H. J. Byron, called JACK TII GIANT KILLER ; or, Harle quin King Artkur and the Knights of the Round Table. Jack, Mias Louise Keeley—Harlequin, Mr. Cormack - Panta loon, Mr. Paulo—Columbine, Miss Caroline Adams—Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest. NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHL Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. First Night et a New and Original Comedy, by Watts Phillips, entitled PAI'ER WINGS. TIIIS EVENING, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS, Mr. J. L. Toole, Chas. Selby, Billington, Mrs. Chatterlev, Mrs. Bil lington, Miss Kate Kelly, and Laidlaw. After which, PAPER WINGS, Mr Alfred Wigan, J. L. Toole, D. Fisher, Billington, P. Bedford, Stuart, C. Selby, Eburne, C. J. Smith, Powell, Romer, Mrs Alfred Wigan, Miss 11. Simms, Miss Kate Kelly, and Mrs Chatterley. Followed by DINORAH UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Eburne, C. J. Smith, Miss K. Kel y. Doors open at half-past six—Commence at seven. Box- Once open from 10 to 5. No charge for securing seats, nor for bills of performance. All fees to servants of this establishment are strictly prohibited. Acting Manager—Mr. Wm. Smith. ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, King-street, St. James's. Lessee, Mr. T. B. Chatter ton. Directress, Miss Wyndham. The nearest Theatre to Chelsea, Pimlico, and Westminster, the Park being open to carriages and foot passengers all hours of the night. THIS 1 , 3 trENING the performances will commence with I WILL, IF YOU WILL. After which, FIRST AFFECTIONS. Messrs. H. T. Craven, G. Spencer, and Miss iVyndham. Followed by a new burlesque called DIDO. Mr. Charles Young, Mesdames Wyndham, Clara St. Casse, Murray, Eliza Arden, C. Ranoe, A. Evans, and Corps de Ballet. To conclude with MAGIC TOYS. Miss Lydia Thompson. Reduced Prices—Gallery, 6d ; Pit, Is. The Box-ofEce open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past six; perform anise commences at 7. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS.- TEUS EVENING, LIICREZIA BORGIA, (Doniz et ti). Donna Lucrezia Mat'fio Orsini Mrs. Anderson. Gennaro Mr. Henry Herbert. Don Altouzo Signor Tivoli. Conductor—Mr. Jonghmans. Comic Vocalists—Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come dian and Mimic), W. I'. Critchfield, and E. W. Alackney. Several interestinex Pictures are added to the Fine Arts Gallery. The suite of Halls have been re-decorated and beautified. and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant eights of the metropolis. The gallery is open from 5 till 11 on Sunday Evening. THE WEATHER.—Suri OFFICE, FEB. 29, 1860. THERMOMETER, IN TILE SHADE. 52—highest since noon yesterday. 35—lowest this morning and during the night. 44—this day at noon. BAROMETER-30.03 ; a rise of nearly an inch. WIND. West-North-Westerly ; fresh, and very fine clear weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY.—Morning, Gh. 2m.—Afternoon, Oh. 24th T 0-M0 RROw.-Morning, Oh. Om.—Afternoon, Oh. Om ~ a 4, ~f 0., 1) 4,-,„ 5 . „ , _.-_., __,; ” ~._,.5. ..,, ,_,,,,,.,,, , 4,, fb, r t," ....,qa - P.-4 .."....,Icc: .i ..- . ) , „:7 ,, , - . .!_ 1 5,,,,w,,,17-(...,„,--iL,---,_ 7 -Y - _in.1...) . , ~.„,,,,,,,.,,,..,...x , o, r' ':' ."----- 7,,V ^o .: THE SUN. LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 29, 1860. The plot thickens in respect to Savoy. Last evening Mr. KINGLAKE would take no denial to his motion, and his perseverance was crowned with success. Tie was most ably—aye, enthusiastically —supported by Sir ROBERT PEEL, and Ministers deemed it the better part of valour to be discreet in making a timely surrender. The fact is, the Cabinet, as Englishmen, are as much alarmed at the future aspect of events as the nation at large. Hence the manly but cahtions observations of Sir GEORGE GREY, and even of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, in assuring the House that the Emperor NAPO. LEON was too prudent to covet any accession of territory such as Savoy, lest it might prove, in the end, a very troublesome, if not a very doubtful gain. In fact, it might unsettle Europe. And so it would. Where, then, would be the gain to the Emperor NAPOLEON or to France ? For France may be, and no doubt is, too strong for Austria, as she has lately proved ; but against the world in arms, even the chivalry of our warlike neighbours would look rather askance. Indeed Sir GEORGE GREY said that the Government did not differ from the general tenor of the observations of the two gentlemen (Mr. KINGLAKE and Sir R. PEEL), and he believed there was not a man in the House who did not earnestly deprecate the annexation of Savoy to France—a sentiment that was received with hearty cheers. Lord JOHN RUSSELL went even farther. But we must refer to his speech. He said that he did not believe there was any treaty concluded between France and Sar. diniaprerioas to the war. At least he was so in formed-. No doubt he Was. It was not likely that those concerned in the plot would let our Government into the secret. They knew better. A morning contemporary in referring to this subject observes : " It is not likely that the prime movers of the conspiracy will ever willingly come forward and disclose the parts they have played. Neither VICTOR EMMANUEL, nor CANOUR, nor NAPOLEON, will voluntarily affix so indelible a stigma on their reputation. Secrecy was their aim, or we should not he denouncing in the nineteenth century a new paste de fittnille, recording ambitious designs and treacherous concessions, subversive of the European equilibrium and dangerous to the peace of the world. M r . K INGLAKE t e ll s us th a t on t h e eve o f the marriage of the Princess CLOTHILDE of Savoy with the Emperor's cousin a 'mete do fcuttille was signed, Promising aid, offensive and defensive, to Sardinia, the K •'Noo n his side promising Savoy and Nice in retun for whatever possessions he might gain in Lombardy. 'This wa s in March, 1859. Lord CoIVIEY, directed by Lord M.ALMEsPU RY to ask a quetion on the subject, was assured by M ..rAT.E\V r that there was no treaty. Of couise not. Count CAVoult and. LOUIS NAPOLEON knew better ti an to sign a treaty at that early stage of the con spiracy ; but a pacts (le .famille would entirtly throw the st raightfor ward Englishman off the scent. It was necessary to hoodwink the English nation and parade a gcnuinesymPathy with Italian liberty. Nothing could be more calculated to disguise the real grounds for French intervention in Italy than the premature disclosure of any scheme of French aggrandisement. And, therefore, 31. WALEWSKI THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY' 29, 11360. replied that thei 'e was no treaty ; and therefore the ' Due DE MALAR:ROFF went out of his way to declare " that the passes of the Alps are not in our hands, and it is in the highest degree important to us that the key of them should remain at Turin solely ;" and therefore the EMPEROR himself protested, in his Milan proclamation, against the enemies of France and Italy, who were "trying to persuade the world that he was carrying on the war for personal am bition, or to aggrandise the territory of France." Why, if Mr. KINGLAKE'S information be substan tally correct—and the march of events certainly favours the supposition—then it would be difficult to find words to express the depth of the perfidy which the project reveals. It can hardly be a matter of doubt but that if that pacte de fanzine had been known to the world LOUIS NAPOLEON would have had, not Austria alone, but probably Europe to contend with. It was the sympathy with the efforts of Italians to achieve their independence which disarmed the Continent, and induced rulers, and peoples to stand by, reluctantly and sus piciously indeed, but still to stand by, and await the issue of the contest which France and Sardinia provoked. We know now, how that sympathy has been abused, and how ignobly the name of liberty has been prostituted to a vulgar scheme for French aggrandisement. What a new light is thrown upon the negotiations of the first three months of 1 1859, the ambiguity and reserve of the Moniteur, the shiftings and twistings of French diplomacy, all tending to one grand rasult—war. Fools only, the proverb says, are wise after the event; and the English nation is but now awakening to the wisdom of that attitude of vigilant neutrality which the late Ministry assumed, and their successors have so weakly abandoned." For the national honour we wish Ministers well out of this very questionable business. We believe that they are not in fault, but somebody is, and that somebody may yet rue the day— " Big with the fate of Ctosar and of Rome :" At the commencement of the late war between France and Austria, the Austrian Government, being unable to raise a loan, issued a certain amount (13 millions) of inconvertible notes, through the National Bank. At the same time the Government decreed that the taxes should be paid in silver. In The Sun of May 5, 1859, we pointed out that the issue of paper money by Austria was in itself a judicious step, but that the refusal to receive these National Notes idpayment of taxes was a fatal mis take. What, we asked, will be the effects of this unfor tunate error? " The immediate effect will be to throw discredit on the National Bank notes. Go vernment expects the people to take money in ex change for their commodities which it refuses to take itself. There will be a paper price and a silver price for commodities. As silver is drained away its price will rise, or, in other words, the price in silver of all commodities will decline. The result of this will be that the burden of taxation will be come insupportable, because the merchant will have to give a larger quantity of commodities, the farmer much more of his produce, and the working man an increased amount of labour for the taxation money —l. e., silver. Loans must be contracted on ruinous terms. Commerce will be most injuriously affected. Distress, panic, and financial difficulties of every kind, will ensue. And for these the Austrian Go vernment will have itself to blame." How speedily these predictions have been verified, all who have watched the state of things in the Austrian domi nions know too well. The war with France, with its attendant increase of taxation, was a great evil. The weak and tyrannical system of government is also a constant drawback on the energies and resources of the nation. But per haps nothing presses so directly on the great masses of the people, and entails so much misery, as the bad financial system ; and of that bad inan cial system the issue of paper money which the Go vernment repudiates for taxes is the most mon strous and pernicious. In confirmation of this, we beg to call the attention of our readers to a com munication received from Pesth, under date the 11th instant, and which appeared in the Times:— " Agitation is rapidly spreading among all classes in the country ; among the rich from the evident fact that the Austrian Government will not make concessions to the nation ; among the poor from misery. The question of misery, indeed, threatens soon to become of fearful magnitude. Owing to the enormous burden of taxation imposed by the Austrian Government, large tracts of land are left uncultivated, and in towns the rents of houses and lodgings have risen enormously—here in Pesth some 60 per cent. But what causes more misery even than taxation is the featful depreciation to which the paper money of the Austrian Government is sal jected. he great merchants and wealthy nobles bore to submit to a loss of 33 per cent. on this paper, while the lower orders, having for the most part to make only petty purchases, are naturally fleeced still more ; lucky are they if they do not lose more than 40 per cent. Great, however, as is the misery in Hungary Proper, that which prevails in Croatia is still worse. The people there are literally starring. The Bann, in consequence, has had to establish what he calls a N'othlands Comite—' Com mittee of Misery !'—to distribute grain and other articles to the suffering. He has addressed to the Austrian Government a report stating that he must have money to buy food for the people, but the deplorable financial situa tion in which the Government is placed renders compliance with his demand almost impossible." It will be observed that the " fearful depreciation" of the "paper money of the Austrian Government" is here spoken of as the great cause of the misery of the people. This depreciation is stated to be from 33 to 40 per cent. The unhappy peasants, therefore, find at once one-third of their hardly-earned wages confiscated by the action of this depreciation. The paper money, in which they are paid, becomes less valuable by one-third than it ought to be—i.e., food and the necessaries of life become dearer by one third. But in addition to this the employers of labour are injured by the same process—" large tracts of land are left without cultivation "—and there is less demand for the only thing which the poor man has to sell—that is, his labour; he can sell less labour, arid the little he can dispose of is paid for in depreciated money. A policy more unjust, more cruel, more suicidal, than that adopted by Austria cannot be conceived. And this was, in effect, the policy adopted by PEEL in 1819, when he obliged the English people to pay in gold the debt which had been contracted in "depreciated" paper. During the war, from 1797 to 1815, the English people paid l their Lace:; in the paper money issued under the-'authority pf Government. From 1819 to the present time the taxes are extorted from the people in gold, or in paper convertible into a given weight of gold. The misery endured by the peo- ple of England has, we believe, been often as great as that suffered at present in the Austrian do minions. We still endure the pressure of an unjustly heavy debt, and we have a panic every few years In Consequence of PEEL'S and OVERSTONE'S mone tary blunders. Nor let it be for a moment sup posed that the evils are the necessary consequences of a paper money system. They are the consc quences, not of the use, but of the abuse, of paper money. A penny postage stamp does not depre ciate, for it is always receivable by Government for a pennyworth of postage tax. Did our Government issue national bank notes, receivable for taxes, they would never depreciate. Gold might then go in or out of the country, and the effect would be as innocuous as the exportation of so much iron. We should then cease to have discounts fluctuating from 1 to 20 per cent., and the reign of panic would be at an end. Mr. HAWKSLEY'S plan for dealing with the filthy old Serpentine is surely doled. There is some satisfaction at least in that consideration. Although much time and some moneys have been wasted in preparing to bring that foolish plan into operation—although in consequence •f its adoption not one single step has yet been taken towards the real cleansing of the river or lake of the Serpentine, or whatever else we ought to call it (for the claim of that—at any rate in appearance—beautiful sheet of water to the title of either lake or river is certainly somewhat ambiguous)—we have reason at this moment to rejoice over the course which has now been taken in this matter by the right hon. gentleman the new Chief Commissioner of Public Works. Mr. CowrEn. is adopting already the very best means for vindicating the fact of his own preferment—for justifying his stepfather's selection of him to the vacant post of the hEdileship of England, but more especially of the metropolis. If to the course just taken by the new Chief Commissioner in regard to the treatment of the Serpentine, be added, with all convenient speed, the carrying out of such public works as the build ing of a portion of the Thames Embankment between the river and Whitehall-gardens—doing this, as we took occasion to recommend the other day, with the stones and debris of the old bridge at Westminster, now about to be pulled to pieces and removed ! If again Mr. COWPER resolves upon taking measures for the speedy completion of a great national monument like the columnar testi. monial to Lord NELSON in Trafalgar-square, doing so by the simple device of hasten ing the completion of the four colossal granite lions for the decoration of the pediment — we shall certainly begin to think in earnest that the Premier has given us, in his step-son, a very good successor even for Lord LLANOVER. At any rate, we must allow at once, without a moment's hesitation, that Mr. COWPER has made an admirable commencement. He has acted in the wisest way he possibly could have acted in reference to that unfortunate pool or stream of the Serpentine. On accepting the ministerial and administrative post he now occupies, Mr. CowPER was, in reference to this particular matter, the treatment of the Serpen tine, in a somewhat difficult and even, it might ap pear at the first blush, a rather bewildering position. He could not very well act according to the dictates of his own judgment. He could not treat the subject upon his own responsibility. His predecessor had blundered, somehow or another, to the conclusion that this really ludicrous scheme of Mr. HAwK SLEY'S was, for some mysterious reasons, utterly incomprehensible to us at the present moment, a thing to be desiderated. Mr. FITZROY was en couraged, strangely enough, to arrive at this amaz ing conclusion by one of the greatest engineers incontestibly that the world ever possessed—Mr. ROBERT STEPHENSON. Acting upon the advice of Mr. FITZROY, but still more urged on by the persuasive recommendations of Mr. STEPHENSON, the House of Commons adopted Mr. HAWK SLEY'S plan, and voted a sum of no less than £17,000 for carrying it into execution ! This astonishing plan, which was to leave all the filth and all the inequalities of the Serpentine at the bottom of that pestilential and perillous sheet of water—restricting itself to pumping some of that water alone out of it—carefully draining what was pumped up, and then pouring it back again into the dirty basin and the rest of the dirty water— and so going on pumping and draining and pouring back, pumping and draining and pouring back in saclike sceculorum ! It certainly required not an iota of the engineering skill of Mr. ROBERT STE PHENSON to recognise at once the absolute absurdity of such a mode of proceeding as this. And so we protested against Mr. HAWKSLEY'S plan from the first as a plan utterly futile, and at the same time utterly preposterous. We have continued protesting against it since then at every available opportunity. We did so the last time as recently as forty•eight hours ago. And at length we have the gratification to note that the argu ments we have endeavoured to enforce, have so far "told" that the right hon. gentleman the Commis missioner of Public Works will, this afternoon, move for a select committee to inquire thoroughly, for once and for all, into this long-vexed question, namely, as to the best mode of cleansing the Ser pentine. The names set down on the Parliamentary paper for this committee are as follows— some of them we cannot but think admirably well selected :—Mr. Cowper, Lord John Manners, Sir John Shelley, Mr. Blackburn, Sir Morton Peto, Mr. Joseph Locke, Mr. Walter, Sir Joseph Paxton, Lord Fermoy, Mr. Byng, Mr. Algernon Egerton, Captain Archdall, Sir Frederick Smith, Mr. Beach, and Sir Matthew White Ridley. In Sir MORTON PETo, Mr. HAWKSLEY will find the most generous advocate yet left to him, now that his two chief supporters, Mr. FITZROY and Mr. STEPIIENSON have both unhappily been removed from amongst us. But no ad vocacy whatever, we conceire no matter how ingenious or energetic it may be, can possibly secure, to such a plan as Mr. HAWKSLEY'S, the countenance of a Committee of Inquiry, such as the one this afternoon proposed by the Chief Commis sioner. If the works actually commenced with a view to the carrying out of that plan be promptly and peremptorily put a stop to, until the report of this Committee shall have been laid before Parlia ment, we shall rest perfectly contented. For we are as firmly persuaded as we can well be of anything that the Committee in its report will urge upon the House of Commons the immediate abandonment of this absurd and costly scheme of Mr. HAWKSLEY'S—substituting for it the far simpler, far cheaper, and perfectly effectual plan by means of which, at the instance of Lord LLAN OVER, the ornamental water in St. James's-park has been rendered perfectly safe, salubrious, and beau tiful. What has been done iu St. James's-park we want to see repeated in the instance of the serpen tine. We are informed that Mr. W.Fairbairn, of Man Chester, will read his remarkable paper on iron ships to the members and friends of the Institution of Naval Archi tects, on Friday morning (March 2d), at 11 a.m., at the- Society of Arts, John-street, Adelphi, London. SEE OF ItociusTEß.—We have authority to state that after some hesitation Dr. Vaughan has finally declined the Bishopric of Rochester. The Agra Bank has declared a dividend at the rate of 10 per cent., with a bonus of £1 per shake, being equal to 12 per cent. for the past year. At a meeting of the British Empire Mutual As surance Company yesterday the report stated the amount of assurances now in force to be £1,723,115. The annual income arising from premiums is £53,835., and from inte rest on capital invested, L 5,499. DEATH OF THE DEAN OF LINCOLN.—For some few days past the Very Rev. John Giffard Ward, D D., Dean of Lincoln, had been confined to his room from ill ness. On Monday last the rev. gentleman was worse, and during the night expired. This is the second cathedral dignitary who has died within a year. LATEST NEWS. The following telegraus have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, FEB. 28. The Pays and Patrie of this evening give a de nial to the news of an offensive and defensive alliance between Russia and Austria, MADRID, FEB. 27. The Spanish squadron has bombarded Larache and Arcilla, causing great destruction in those two places. Some of the Spanish vessels were slightly damaged. The Spanish loss was one man killed. It is said that Rabatt has been also bombarded. BELGRADE, FEB. 27. A new Ministry has been formed as follows : Minister of Justice Minister of the Interior Director of the War Department Sehujevits. Minister of Police Prince Milosch continues ill. The Paris correspondent of the Times (second edition) says : " The fact of something positive by way of an swer to the repeated inquiries of Piedment as to her position in Italy being sent on Friday last, is, I bel;eve, beyond doubt. As I mentioned on Sun day, Tuscany, most people agree, is not to be an nexed to Piedmont ; but the Tuscan people may choose whom they please as their ruler, with the exception (which, doubtless, is very disinterested on the part of France) of Prince Napoleon—l mean the son-in-law of King Victor Emmanuel, and, I believe, the Prince of Carignan. Modena and Parma will, should they desire it, be annexed to Piedmont. The Romagnas also, if it suits them (because, af_course, absolute freedom of choice is allowed), may, as I have said be governed by a vicar from the family of the King of Sardinia; and the Romagnas will have to pay a certain yearly tribute to the Pope as Suzerain, and which may be fixed at 3,000,000 francs, more or less, pretty much as the Moldo-Wallachians do to the Sultan. It is said that the King of Sardinia has accepted this proposal for 'the settlement of the Italian ques tion,' and that Piedmontese troops will soon occupy the Romagnas." that God will bless and recompense their noble con duct, as the Queen blesses and will recompense it !" The French Ambassador had given a grand ball. The progressist press was attaking England in violent terms. The censorship had prevented the circulation of the Aovedades for that reason. FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY. During the whole of yesterday the wind blew in violent squalls in Paris, with at times showers of rain and sleet. Several chimney-pots were blown down, and, in very exposed places, trees were torn up, but no other accidents are mentioned. The murder of th• aged couple named Laly, for which Jossett was condemned to death a few days since by the Court of Assizes of the Aisne, has given rise to a singular lawsuit. It appears that M. and Mme. Laly had each made a will leaving their property to the survivor. The heirs of each party have accordingly appealed to the tribunals to decide which of the two deceased was murdered last, as all the property goes to the heirs of that one. The murderer asserts that he killed the wife first, but the admissibility of his evidence is ques tionable. THE BOURSE, Feb. 28.—The market has been firm, but with little business d3ing, Threes, after having been done at 67f 70c, improved to 67f 90c. Mobilier varied from 742 f 50c to 748 f 75c ; Lyons, 885 f to 890 f; Orleans, 1,370 f to 1,375 f; Austrian, 502 f 50c to 505 f. The following are the last quo tations : II per Cents. .... 98 Credit Fonder 740 Do. end month .. —•— Belgian iii — 3 per Cents. 6B 30 Piedmontese (5) Do. end month.... 68 15 Roman BO Bank Shares...... 2800 Austrian — Credit Mobilier .. 751 25 Spanish Threes Do. Account ..... 750 Home Debt 43 25 RA ILWAY 8 . Cash. Account. Orleans Northern ... New ditto. 832 50 .. Lyons and Mediterranean 895 .. 895 Geneva — .. 490 Southern Western 585 .. 585 Eastern Sardinian .. 397 50 .. 395 : Austrian Lombard .. ......... 547 50 .. 545 Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 111 c. •, money, 25f. 10c.; three months, paper, 24f. 90c. ; money, 24f. 871 c. PR USSIA. " The Prussian Chamber of Deputies," says the .Nord, " has voted the four finance bills which are to provide the resources indispensable for the re organisation of the army. The Chamber of Nobles is in favour of the military reorganisation, but does not at all approve of the money bills, espe chilly that which suppresses exemptions from the tax on landed property. They would readily vote the tax on buildings, which would throw fresh burdens exclusively on the middle classes of the town populations, but the Minister of Finance has baffled all their manoeuvres by declaring categori cally that the four finance bills form an indivisible whole, and that the rejection of any one would cause the withdrawal of the others. Many persons are curious to see how the Noble Chamber will get out of the dilemma." ITALY. The King of Sardinia was expected back to Turin on the 27th. Count Cavour set out on the 24th for Cremona, but was also expected back to Turin about the 27th. The Government of Tuscany has, by a decree of the 23d, fixed the form of the oath to be taken by the National Guard. It is as follows :—‘, I swear to be faithful, to the King and to his royal succes sors, loyally to observe the statute (constitution) and other laws of the State, and to fulfil all my duties with the sole view of the inseparable wel fare of the King and country." The Roman correspondent of the Nord, after stating that the population of Rome obstinately re fused to appear on the Corso to take part in the official programme of the Carnival, but met in various other parts of the city, says, that the police, being determined not to acknowledge itself defeated, adopted a singular means of dispersing the crowd of some twenty thousand per sons near the Porta Pia. Knowing the in stinctive horror felt by all the people of the Latin race towards the public executioner, that functionary was ordered to proceed to the spot in his red costume, and walk among the crowd. This ingenious expedient meeting with little suttees, a proclamation was next issued forbidding persons to carry mocoletti (the small candles used in Carnival time) anywhere except on the Corso, under severe penalties. The following is the de claration of Giovanni Batista Bogatti, public exe cutioner at Rome, residing at No. 120, Borgo Sant' Angelo : 6' On Saturday last, 18th February, at four p.m., two of the Pontifical police, one of whom is per sonally known to me, his name being Andreani, came to fetch me. They brought a carriage, and compelled me to get into it, declaring that they were acting in the name of the Pope and of the assessor-general of police. I was conducted by then► outside the Porta Pia. On arriving there, I was repeatedly ordered by them, in the name of the sovereign, to alight, and walk about like other people. I obeyed." SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 23d contain no other news from Morocco than that the General Com manding-in Cal had, in an order of the day, pub lished an autograph letter from the Queen, saying, " Salute in my name, in that of my beloved hus band the King, and in that of my dear children, the illustrious generals, ssperior officErs, officers, and soldiers, who do so much honour to Spain ; tell them that our hearts tare always with them; and AMERICA. QUEENSTOWN, FEE. 28. The Montreal Ocean Company's steamer North Briton, Capt. Borland, from Portland, Maine, on the 18th of February, has arrived. She landed the Irish mails only. The Bohemian, from Liverpool, arrived at Port land on the 14th ; the Prince Albert, from Galway, arrived at Newfoundland on the 15th ; and Arabia, from Liverpool, reached New York on the 18th inst. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—A resolution has been adopted calling for a letter to the French Emperor on the subject of commercial relations and free trade. The Senate has expressed its gratification with the proposal of Paraguay. The bill abolish ing the franking privileges has been passed, and referred to a select committee. It is stated in democratic circles that if Kansas admitted the Wyandotte constitution the President would veto the bill. The Treasury balance was last week nine millions, subject to reductions for drafts drawn. Francisco dates are to the 2sd January. The markets were dull and unaltered. NEW YORK, Feb. 17.—Stocks firmer, but no material chaege has taken place. Money and ex change unaltered. Ashes firm. Cotton - lower for grade below middling. Sales, 10,000 bales. Mid dling Uplands, l l c. Flour more active, and prices are a shade better. Wheat and corn quiet. Pro visions—Sugar and coffee firm. Freights to Liver pool drooping; for cotton, 3-16 to 7-32; Orleans, 7-32. NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 17.—Sales of cotton, 6,500 bales, at easier prices, but not quotably lower. Freights to Liverpool, 9-16. Exchange unaltered. MoBILE, Feb. 16.—Sales of cotton, 3,000 bales ; middling, 101 to 10c. Market firmer. MONTREAL, Feb. 17.—Flour stnady. Numerous petitions have been signed for the repeal of the newspaper tax and the 10 per cent. duty on books. CUSTOMS DUTIES DURING THE PAST YEAR. The following account of the gross produce of the Customs' duties during the past year, con trasted with the two previous years will possess peculiar interest as the last of the period before the complete adoption of free trade. Each article is arranged in the order of the amount yielded, sugar being at the head of the list—a place recently oc cupied by tobacco. Among the principal items which will never appear again—the duties having been entirely abolished—are silk manufactures, which gave £307,561; butter and cheese, which gave £154,343; and tallow, which gave £75,602 ; while among those on which reductionc will operate to the largest extent are timber, wine, spirits, and fruit : Sugar .. Tobacco Spirits .. Wine .. Timber .. Fruit Corn Coffee Silk manufactures .. Retimal sugar .. ~folasscs Spices .. Butter Tallow .. Leather manufactures.. Cheese .. Eggs •••• • • • • Watches .. Cocoa .. Embroidery .. Clocks .. Caoutchouc Hops Woollen manufactures Worsted yarn .. Other articles Total 1857. 4,942,081 5,253,431 5,060,032 2,366,494 1,965,3i1 589,725 353,080 473,383 456,805 250,905 278,336 169,308 112,559 110,593 74,776 65,231 48,200 21,160 28,154 14,555 11,554 10,669 8,224 8,952 32,459 1,936 1,776 265,553 1858. 5,786,987 5,454,214 5,186,170 2,216,481 1,827,111 576,797 494,985 580,783 44 !,120 270,540 255,891 200,418 127,395 95,489 87,655 58,117 44,369 22,426 33,036 15,113 12,796 8,521 7 . ,748 1859, 3,663 37,320 1,5t9 2,207 289,911 LORD ELGIN AND SIR Al.. SEYMOUR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sir,—l enclose a copy of a letter which I have received from Lord Elgin, and of which he has authorised me to make any use I please. I shall feel much obliged by its insertion in your columns. —I am, sir, your obedient servant, LAURENCE OLIPHANT. 4, Mount-street, Feb. 28. " 110, Eaton-square, Feb. 27. "My dear Oliphant, —As I see that you are blamed for some statements in your narrative of my mission to China and Japan, I think it due to you to state that I was cognisant of your intention to write that book, and that my advice to you was, that you should give to the public the fullest informa tion on all topics of general interest, and that when you were compelled to touch on political points you should confine yourself strictly to what had been made public in the despatches already sub mitted to Parliament, abstaining from reference to matters with which you were acquainted through the confidential relations in which you stood to me. Having seen your work both in proof and in a pub lished form, I am bound to say that I think you have adhered very faithfully to this rule. " The best evidence of the care with which you conformed to my advice will be furnished by a com parison of your work with the papers which have lately been submitted to Parliament.—Yours, very truly, " ELGIN AND KINCARDINE." 124,155,852 122,956,371 125,065,01 KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. The annual court of the governors of the hospital was held yesterday, at 2 o'clock, in the board-room of the hospital—Dr. Jelf, of King's College, in the chair. The secretary, having read the minutes of last meeting, and their approval being carried, proceeded to read the 21st annual report of the commit tee of management. It was therein stated that the number of patients admitted during the year was 1,485, being a decrease of 137 in-patients compared with the admissions of 1858, but an in crease compared with the number admitted any previous year. There were 693 cases of midwifery at the patients' own homes, being also a slight de crease as compared with those of 1858. The num ber of out-patients who received advice and medi cine far exceeded that of any previous year, hav ing amounted to no fewer than 33,781, being 4,855 more than in 1858. Th e a verage period during whic4L each patient remained an inmate of the hos pital was 29 days, and the average cost of each patient was £3 18s. 2d. The total income of the charity, exclusive of legacies above £lOO, had amounted to £7,366. The annual subscriptions amounted to £1,507, being a larger sum than during any previous year, and the donations to £2,821. The total ordinary expenditure has been £6,402, and in addition the committee had been enabled to pay off the sum of £l,OOO borrowed in 1858. The outstanding liabilities at December 31, 1859, amounted to £1,339. The committee acknow ledged the following valuable legacies, which had been bequeathed to the hospital during the year : —By the late Miss Margaret Makepeace, of Wor thing, £260 ; the late George Biggs, .£lOO ; the late Charles L. Beard, of Camden -town, £lOO ; the late Mrs. Mary Johnson, of Nottingham-terrace, Marylebone, £5OO ; the late Mrs. Mary Ann Worley, of Stratford ; the late J. C. Cording, 19 guineas; the late Chas. Tellard, Strand, £10; and the late John Nichol', of Piccadilly, a sixth of the residue of his estate, payable on the death of his sister, estimated at £6,000. The committee have also received final payments of legacies amounting to £3,185. In regard to the building operations, the committee are happy to be able to announce that the second and largest portion of the new erec tion is rapidly approaching completion. This struc ture includes several large wards and day-rooms for convalescent patients, a new board-room and building offices, apartments for the ladies of St. John's-house and the resident officers, and also the great staircase, one of the most important features of the design, inasmuch as it will serve as a source of warmth and ventilation to the entire building, the want of which has been greatly felt in its present incomplete state. In consequence of the unhappy differences between masters and men engaged in the building trade, the works were unavoidably delayed for a period of more than three months, which was the more to be regretted as the building is to be de voted to the alleviation of sickness and suffering among the class to which the workmen on strike belong. The building is now, however, ready for the roof, and the committee expect that it will be in a fit state for occupation by the end of the pre sent year. As soon as possession is obtained, the old buildings at present in use will be pulled down, and the continuation of the Carey street wing, which has been already contracted for, at once commenced. Thus the large por tion of the new building will probably be com pleted in the autumn of 1861, when the governors will be in possession of a hospital replete with every comfort, and which will bear comparison with any similar institution in the country. The committee further paid a grateful tribute to the memory of the late Dr. Todd, who was so devoted to the interests of the institution. It was intimated that a subscription -- cadi;;;;opened. with the view of raising a sum sufficient to place a statue or me morial of him in the hall of the new hospital. The report being unanimously approved, the ordinary routine business of the meeting was goon through. The thanks of the governors was duly moved to the committee of management for the past year, and to the various persons who have benefitted the charity and other committees were nominated and elected for the ensuing year. On the conclusion a cordial vote of thanks was moved to 1)r. Jell for his con duct in the chair, and for the warm interest he has always taken in the management of the hospital. FINE ARTS.—Several very beautiful water colour paintinv are now being exhibited at the French Gallery, 1 9 0, Pall-mall. Amongst those on view are three rustic sketches, by a Mr. Edwin Tcovey, that d eserve notice. They are — A Cottage in Prussia," " A Study o f Trees in Durham," and "Leddington Stone Scotland.", The "Study of Trees" is a drawing of c ons id erable merit, and evidences on the part of the artist who executed it great power of landscape painting. We understand that Mr. Toovcy has hitherto pursued his studies in Brussels, but he intends to fellow his profession for the future in London. If the Water Colour Society could procure for their approaching exhibition these drawings) they wO4l add considerably to ite usual attractim i -1 • WRITWORTIPS _RIFLED CANNON. A writer in a contemporary says :—lt was my good fortune to be one of the gratified spectators who last week witnessed the experiments with Mr. Whitworth's rifled cannon upon the Southport beach. The astounding results there obtained have been faithfully made known to the world by your "Own Correspondent," and it is a true pleasure to me to bear the willing testimony ef a brother crafts man to the rare ingenuity and admirable mechani cal knowledge which Mr. Whitworth has displayed in perfecting the artillery which bears his name. It is neither my wish nor intention to pen one single word in discouragement of the great improve ments which have already resulted from the labours of Sir William Armstrong, or of the admirable ord nance which the establishments at Elswick and Woolwich are rapidly furnishing to the country; but, as one deeply interested in the due recognition of mechanical merit wheneeso:..yer it springs, and as one who is intimately acquainted with the vari ous developments of Mr. Whitworth's system of construction, with the years of unremitti ng an d un remunerated research that gentleman has devoted to an all-important subject, and as a firm believer in the soundness of his principle of ordnance, I would ask whether such fruits should not command an immediate, searching, and unprejudiced inves tigation of their practical value to the nation. .1 cannot believe that the Government will for one moment hesitate to order a battery of Whit worth's field guns to be rigorously tested by all the demands and necessities of actual field practice, and a ship of war to be armed with his cannon, and these cannon worked at sea. This comprehensive and national experiment is, in my opinion, not only due to the character and investigations of an eminent man, but is impera tively called for in the best interests of our country. The Duke of Somerset and Mr. Sidney Herbert will alike consult their own high reputation and the efficiency of the important departments of the public service which they preside over by securing for a trial of Mr. Whitworth's invention " a fair field and no favour." UNITED SEI?VICE INSTITUTION. A lecture was delivered in the theatre of this institution on Friday last, Major-General Sir R. Dacres, R.A., K.C.8., in the chair, on the cam paign of Marengo, by Lieut.-Col. Hamley, R.A., Staff College, Sandhurst. Colonel Hamley began by indicating the principle on which Napoleon acted in this campaign, namely, that of directing an attack upon the flank of an enemy's line, which was too widely extended for a united effort, and by the turning of that flank ensuring the advan tage of throwing himself across the line of retreat. Applying the principle to the theatre of war in North Italy, the lec turer showed how the angular formation of the frontier enabled Napoleon to turn his enemy's flank without at the same time exposing his own communications. The measures taken by the First Consul to ensure secrecy in the assemblemenb of his army and to direct them, in concert with a detachmest from the army of the Rhine, upon the Austrian forces north of the Po, were narrated. The course of the narrative then com prised the means taken to deceive the Austrian general by threatening Turin with the advance guard, while the French army accomplished its flank march to Milan ; the perplexities of the Aus trians as each successful step in his design was achieved by Bonaparte ; the movements of the French across the Po, thus cutting off the retreat of the enemy; the movements of the Austrians to wards Piacenza; the encounter at Montebello, and lastly the battle of Marengo, with its enormous re sults, which necessarily followed the successful exe cution of a great strategical plan. Much of the in terest of the narrative, apart from the exposition of scientific principles, was derived from a detailed account of the two remarkable episodes of the pas sage of the St. Bernard, and of the siege and sur render of Genoa. IRELAND. CORK, MONDAY EVENING. COUNTY OF CORK ELECTION. This day the nomination of candidates for the vacant seat in the county, caused by the appoint ment of Sergeant Deasy to the Attorney-General ship of Ireland, took place in the Court-house. After the formal preliminary prweedings had been concluded, Mr. Daniel Clanchy, D.L , Charleville, rose amid loud aptlan-ie, and propos e d th e e l ect i on of the Right Hon. Richard Deasy, Attorney-Gene ral for Ireland. The Rev. John Corcoran, P.P., Tracton, seconded the resolution. The Rev. John Peyton Blainey proposed that Lord Campden, an English Catholic nobleman, be elected to represent the county. Mr. Lowe, solicitor, Middleton, seconded the nomination in the absence of a gentle man who had specially to do so. During the delivery of the speeches of the proposers and seconders of each candidate, but particularly of the latter, there were frequent noisy interruptions. Mr. Victor Packe, J.P., then proposed the Rev. John Falkes as a candidate, which was seconded by Mr. Henry Hasset. Mr. Deasy, in a lengthened and eloquent speech, addressed the meeting, and was followed by Mr. Pope Hennessy, M.P., on the part of Lord Campden, who did not appear. The Rev. John Falkes next addressed the electors. The High Sheriff then called for a show of hands, which he declared to be in favour of the Attorney-General. The Rev. John Pey ton, on behalf of Lord Campden, demanded a poll. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the High Sheriff. Polling will commence on Thursday morning. A SLAYER AT CHARIEST° 4v A rakish, full-rigged brig reached this port on Wednesday, the Ist inst., from the coast of Lower ' Guinea, after a passage of 40 days, in char g. ge of Lieut. Arann, Mid s hi pman N. Far quhar, ,h ar andß. M. IP marines and 10 seamen of the United States navy. She was taken on the 21st December last, after a 12 hours' chase, by the United States ship Constellation, Commodore Inman, the brig then being on the coast of Guinea, about 60 miles north west from Cabenda. She displayed no colours, and no papers have been di scovered in her. It is thought, from information obtained from the sailing master who had command of her when taken, that her name is the Delicia, a Spanish vessel, built in Barcelona some 25 years ago, and at present rather old, but a fast sailer. She sailed from Sagua la Grande, in the island of Cuba, in September last, and in crossing the ocean for the African coast stood well to the north. She had be en h ove i n near the land for several weeks ious to her capture, and it i s believed was in prev momentary ex pectation of embarking a cargo of 600 Negroes when she was taken. No money was found on board. A slave-deck, boilers for cooking, and all the necessary appliances were found ready for im mediate u se . T he captain or supercargo was on shore when the brig was taken, and he was con sequently not captured. She had a crew of 13 men, in addition to her officers, all of whom ap perred to be Spaniards, The men were put on board the Constellation, but the first and second officers have been brought here in the brig. The vessel, &T., will be immediately placed in the hands of the United States' ?Marshal.—Charleston Courier, • CAPTURE OF GAMBLERS AT MANCHESTER.— TufoFiliation having reached the Machester police that two gaming-houses had been established in that city, Superin tendent Gee, and a number of officers under his co mman d , made a descent upon them on Monday evening, and suc ceeded in capturing 20 person engaged in playing hazard, and having considerable amounts of money posted on the tables. They were brought before the magistrates yester day, when Bartholomew Onley, keeper of one of the honses, situate in Turnex-street, where five persons besides himself were taken, was fined £lOO. Potts, the keeper of a house la I '44 l as-street, with whom 13 others were taken, was alto fined £lOO. The gamblers were fined in smaller slums of X 2 to £5 each, LAW IXTBLLIGENCE.—f This Day.) COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulbnrn.) N RE SHAW AND SHAW.-SINGULAR CASE.--FIRST-CLAS CERTIFICATES. These bankrupts were described as of John-street, Cam bridge Heath-road, boiler-makers, and to-day they came up for their certificate. From the report of Mr. Pennell, the official assignee, it appeared that the debts and liabilities amounted to only £79, and the assets had realised sufficient to pay 20s. in the pound and a surplus of £3B, so that at the time of the bankruptcy the bankrupts may be said to have been sol vent, but now the expenses would have to be deducted. His Honour could not understand why they should have been made bankrupts, Mr Vowles, for the assignees, said that the bankrupts were uncle and nephew, and had quarrelled. Mr. Pennell —A trader debtor summons was taken out against them, and neither would pay. His Honour—l never remember such a case. The bank rupts had a capital of £327 in September, 1858. They had clearly got into this difficulty by wrangling and quarrel ling. The question now was 'what class efleartificate they were entitled to. It could scarcely be called unavoidable loss and misfortune when it arose from wrangling; but ae all the creditors were willing, and Mr. Pennell saw no objec tion, he would grant a certificate of the first class, but he hoped if they ever entered into partnership again with any one they would not ruin themselves by wrangling. First-class certificates were granted. A LARGE FAILURE.--IN RE BRIM!. This was a meeting for choice of assignees in the case of this bankrupt, who has for very many years carried on business as a statuary mason, in the Euston (late New) road, and as a marble and stone merchant in the Caledonian road. Mr. Chidley appeared as solictitor to the petitioner, and was, after the choice of assignees, appointed solicitor to the estate. The accounts, by Messrs. Paul and Turner, show debts to creditors unsecured £44,774 ; secured, £7,626. Assets, property in the hands of creditors, £6,930 ; stock to realise £2,000 ; good debts, £329. (Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.) IN RE ROCKERY. This bankrupt was described as of Crisp-street, Poplar, licensed victualler, and to-day passed his examination on accounts by Messrs. Paul and Turner. The unsecured debts are inconsiderable, and the secured debts are about £2,300, and covered by the security of the lease, &c. IN RE WATTS. This bankrupt was described as of Northampton, draper, and this was a meeting for the last examination, which was adjourned in consequence of Messrs. Paul and Turner not having been able to complete the accounts through the ill ness of the bankrupt. The debts are stated at £ 15,000. The assets aro estimated at about £7,000. SECONDARIES' COURT. (Before Mr. Potter and a Jury.) SINGULAR BILL CASE.—LEVY V. SAVORY. This was an action upon a bill of exchange which defendant alleged had been paid. Mr. Levy was called and put in the bill sued upon. The defence was that the bill had been paid, and de fendant was led through the various items. On one occa sion he declared that he met Mr. Levy, who asked him if he had any money for him (Levy). Witness produced 11 and said that was all he had. He was willing to pay Levy 155., and asked that gentleman if he would take anything. Levy replied that he did not care about drink—he would have some oysters. They then went to Vinegar-yard, and Levy had two-and- a-half dozen of oysters and a pint of stout and 15s. (Much laughter.) The witness declares that he had paid the bill by instalments, and that plaintiff had promised to send him the bill. A witness was called and corroborated the evidence as to the oysters. Mr. Levy was recalled and said that the bill had not been paid. As to the oysters that was six or eight months ago, and not since this bill had been in existence. Defendant had paid small sums for interest on renewals, bat the bill now sued upon was every farthing due. Plaintiff received no money in the oyster shop. A juryman —Are you sure you received no money in the oyster shop ? Plaintiff—l don't think I did. Juryman—You are on your oath and must recollect. Plaintiff—l believe I did not. • Juryman—That is no answer for me. Plaintiff—l am sure I did not. The learned Secondary then summed up, and the jury found for the plaintiff. CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT—(This Day.) OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice "Williams.) William Mepham, 43, carman, was indicted for com mitting a heinous offence upon a boy named Peter Paskerell. The evidence was totally unfit for publication. The jury acquitted the prisoner of the capital offence, but found him guilty of the misdemeanour. The learned Judge sentenced him to two years' itn• prisonment, with hard labour. NEW COURT. (Before the Recorder.) FORGERY. James Ingram, 21, porter, was indicted for feloniously forging and uttering an order for the payment of £l2O, with intent to defraud the governor and company of the Bank of England. Mr. Giffard appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. T. K. Paten defended. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr. Giffard, in stating the case to the jury, said the pri soner was formerly in the employ of Mr. Birkett, of Nor • ton Folgate, and on the 3d of February he entered the Bank of England and presented a cheque, signed by "H. Bate man," for the payment of £l2O. He requested that change might be given in gold. The cheque was discovered to be a - forgery, and the prisoner was given into custody of Scott the officer. He said he knew nothing about the forgery, but that the cheque was given to him to get cashed by a person who had since gone to Boulogne. Mr. Henry Bateman said—l now carry on business in Old Broad-street, and formerly resided in Sun-street, Bishopsgate. On changing my residence I sold a quantity of waste paper to Mr. Birkett, of Norton Folgate. I was not aware there were any cancelled cheques amongst them. The two cancelled cheques put into my hand on Messrs. Grote are in my handwriting. I cannot account for the prisoner being in possession of them. The request for the delivery of the cheque book is not in my handwriting. I have smei this circumstance missed a bundle of cancelled cheques. I can't swear that any loose cancelled cheqUes were amongst them. ti‘shoimro l: s l eße r. wap ß taaeps i rk mteera e snp, t ,a t, aspna s ed t rm a lo t o i fn e h: n ais e vrt r e. , tfohofeunßateman,d. Norton sAomb F ell o a l nh g n kav t e c h cancell e de, e s ci a ui since—de ch eque sbe lox examined wn g e h eo f f ok T se h n o t ptroismony her,ouwsheotowaboinidh f m or y a em ge p n lo tl y e , m w a o n ia n d am , in ed c H ovi sarn ise o e f . business, meet with that cheque-book. A partner of Messrs. Hearn proved sending a folio cheque-book to Mr. Birkett to bind, from which, on exami nation, a blank sheet containing five cheques had been torn. Mr. Birkett: recalled—He could not swear that the pri soner, after the book was bound, had access to the volume. Mr. Wheeler, of tho Bank of England, said duplicate cheque-books were never issued. The jury convicted the prisoner on the second count of the indictment for uttering a forged instrument for the pay ment of money. The Recorder sentenced him to four years' penal aervi ado. DEATH OF A CHARACTER. We have to record the death:of "Jock," the cele brated railway dog, whose travelling propensities afforded us the materials of a paragraph some four months ago. In our autumn notice of Jock, we gave our readers some account of his many railway peregrinations—how firemen and drivers were his only favourites and companions —how he knew them all intimately, and loved them affectionately ----how he accompanied them all in their erratic courses —how trustingly he looked up into their sooty faces, and rubbed his nose on their oily trousers, and how kind each and all of them were to him In return—and how, although on good terms with all, he regarded the Scottish Central as his own par ticular railway, and the Fair City his principal place of residence. Since then, Jock had made frequent trips as far as London and Aberdeen ; nay, on one occasion much further. for a gentleman to whom he was well known recognised his familiar face in Paris, and a few days afterwards again met him in Lyons. But roam where Jock might he never liked to remain above a week or ten days at most from Perth, and the most of his time was taken up in paying visits to Edinburgh, Glas gow, Aberdeen, and intermediate places. Lately when in London, a Judas of a driver sold him to some worthless dog-fancier, but Jock hated slavery, and giving his new master the slip, was in Perth the next day. His last journey, poor fellow, was to Edinburgh. After viewing the capital and remaining a night, he returned on F r id ay week by' the Fif e line. Having breakfasted, h e th en t oo k the Central as far as Forteviot, but as the day was cold he purposed to return home as soon as possible, and accordingly watched his opportunity. At length the down train arrived, but Jock's short legs were not formed for leaping among snow, so loosing his spring, the foot-board of the first car riage struck him on the head and he was no more. His body being picked up, it was brought to Perth ; and Mr. Brown, George-street, is now busily en gaged stuffing his skin. Alas, poor Jock !—Perth shire Advertiser.