The Sun. — London, England, 1858-01-14 00:00:00

E[ER MAJESTY'S THEATRE, THIS EVENING. Piccolomini, Spezia, Giaglini, Belletti, Rossi, Vialetti, and Aldighieri. THIS EVENING (Thursday, Jan. 14), LA TRAVIATA. Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons), it and one pair, 2 /. 2 s ; g rand tier, 31, 3s ; two pair, 11. 55.; three pair, 15e ; gallery boxes, 103; gallery stalls, 3s 6d ; pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s, ITER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. — Her MAJESTY the QUEEN has graci ously signified her intention of HONOURING with her PRESENCE a SERIES of FOUR FESTIVAL PERFORM. ANCES, intended to be presented at the period of the ap proaching Nuptials of her Royal Highness the PRINCESS ROYAL with his Royal Highness the Prince FREDERICK WILLIAM of PRUSSIA. The general arrangements are under the direction of Mr. Mitchell, in co-operation with Mr. Lumley, and favoured by the assistance of the following Managers of the Metropolitan Theatres; Smith Theatre Royal, Drury-lane. Mr. Mr. Beckstone Haymarket Theatre. Mr. Webster Adelphi Theatre. Mr. Harrison and Miss Pyne Lyceum Theatre. Mr. Robson and Mr. Emden Olympic Theatre. Mr. Phelps ......... ..... Sadler's Wells Theatre. The prograxame will comprise the following Entertain ments On TVESDAY, January 19, MACBEIII. Produced under the direction of Mr. Phelps. Mo.cbeth, Mr. Phelps ; Lady Macbeth, Miss Helen Faucit. Wish Locke's Incidental Music, under the direction of Mr. Benedict. And Mr. Oxenford's Farce of TWICE KILLED. In which Mr. and Mrs. Keeley will perform. THURSDAY, January 21. Balfe's New Opera, THE ROSE OF CASTILLE, By Miss Flynt), Mr. Harrison, Mr. Weiss, and the Operatie Company of the Lyceum Theatre ; conductor, Mr. A. Mellon. With a COMIC AFTERPIECE. SATURDAY, January 23, AN ITALIAN OPERA, ty Maas). Piccolomini, Signor Giuglini, and the Principal Artistes of Mr. Lumley's Theatre. And a FESTIVAL CANTATA composed by Mr. Howard Glover. With a BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT. Fourth Performance, AN ENGLISH COMEDY, By Mr. Bnckstone's Company of the Haymarket Theatro. And an AFTERPIECE, in which Mr. Wright and Members of the Adelphi Company will perform. Admission to the pit (for which a limited number of tickets will be issued.... los. 6d. Gallery stalls (reserved and numbered) 6s. Od. Gallery 3s. Od. Applications for boxes, orchestra stalls, and tickets to be made at the Box-office of the Theatre, and at Mr. Mitchell's P.oyal Library, 33, Old Bond-street. - THEA TR E-R OYA L, DRURY-LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE LADIES' BATTLE, in which Mr. and Mrs. Leigh Murray and Miss M. Oliver will perform. After which, the new grand pantomime, LITTLE JACK HORNER. Commence at 7. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET, Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with SINGLE LIFE. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD ; or, Harle quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ; Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; Clown, Mr. Charles Leclercq. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the eveningk6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Moe. s. d. Second price. s. d Dress Boxes 5 0 Dress Boxes 3 0 Upper Boxes ....... ........ 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit 2 0 Pit 1 0 Gallery 1 0 Gallery 0 6 R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. , THIS EVENING, will be performed Skakspere's Tragedy of HAMLET. Hamlet, Mr. C. Kean. After which, a new grancl comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT; or, The Princess Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Harlequin, Mr. Cox.- ma* ; Clown, Mr. Flurme; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; and Columbine, Miss C. Adams. T HEATRE ROYAL, AD EL PHI, Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed the second and third acts of THE GREEN BUSHES, in which Madame Celeste, and Mr. Wright will perform. After which, a Mythological Extravaganza, entitled HARLEQUIN, OR THE LOVES OF CUPID AND PSYCHE. Jupiter, Mr. Paul Bedford ; Mars, Mr. Frank Hall ; Venus, Mrs. Billington ; Cupid, Miss Marie Wilton ; Psyche, Miss Mary Keeley. OYAL LYCEUM THEATRE.—SoIe Lessee and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— THIS EVENING, will be presented Sir E. L. Bulwer's play of RICHELIEU. Principal s . characters by Messrs ~, It • — •••4 • To conclude with the Burlesque and Pantomime, LALLAH ROOKH, and the PRINCESS, the PERI, and the TROU BADOUR ; or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames Charles Dillon, Buckingham Whits, Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Jacobs, and Woolgar ; Messrs. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Poynter, and J. L. Toole. Clowns, Messrs. T. Matthews and R. Stilt ; Harlequin, Mr. J. Ricketts; Pantaloon, Mr. A. Stilt ; Sprites, Herr Zeleski and Sons , • Columbines , Misses Malcolm and , Lees. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Trans formation Scene. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7. A Morning Performance on Saturday next, Jan. 16, to com mence at half-past 2, on which occasion the Boys of the Duke of York's School will attend. On Monday next, a new and original Comedy, by Leigh Hunt, Esq. 3ox.office open from 11 to 5 daily. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Craswick. THIS EVENING, will be performed PERILS BY LAND AND WAVE. After which, QUEEN NAB ; or Harlequin Romeo and %Met. Clown, by the Surrey Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Brad my. STRAND THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. T. Payne. —THIS EVENING, will be performed HARLEQUIN NOVELTY AND THE PRINCESS WHO LOST HER HEART. Harlequin, Miss Craven ; Columbine, Madlle. Deulin ; Sprite, Herr Kirt. The Lambert Family and the Red Man of Agar in their wonderful performance, Commence at Seven. Stalls, 35.; Boxes, 25.; Pit, Is.; Gallery 6d. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of Selections from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS lac., viz. :—Miss Russell, Mrs. Bedacy, Madlle. Marietta, Miss Brunel, Miss Ray, Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, an d. Madame Marietta ; Herr F. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, R. Grover, T. Farrant, 13. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Rime, Mr. Badgey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and Mr. Ber nard; Messrs. W. T. Critchfield and E. Mackney. Piano. forte Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, M as t er Wi lliams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, drs., until twelve o'clock. Mr. AIIGUSTITS BRAHAII will make his first appearance on Monday, the 25th inst. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TRIM DAT —Morn., 35 min. aft. I—Even., 0 min aft. 2 TO-MOBEOW—Morn., 20 min. aft. 2—Even., 40 min. aft. 2 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, JANUARY 14. THRRMONETER, IN THE SHADE. 49—highest since noon yeste_rday. 36—lowest this morning and during the night. 41—this day at noon. Beitozarnm 30.38. WIND. S.W. ; light, with hazy weather, and glimpses o f sunshine. Frost in the night. V - ,-...' -: 41 - ....... c- -, gr b ' Int ..,. ...•........ . LONDON, THURSDAY, JAN. 14, 1858. _...._ A. very important and interesting meeting took place yesterday at the East India House, Leaden hall-street, in reference to the contemplated abo. lition of the Company's charter, and the assump tion of the Government by Her MAJESTY, through her responsible Ministers. Of course, the Directors and proprietors were opposed to the project ! It was scarcely to be anticipated that any body of men would willingly surrender the power and patronage which they enjoyed under the existing system, or that they would not make every exertion to retain that which was very bene ficial to themselves and their friends, although it might be quite the reverse to the countless mil lions who were placed under their rule, and to an Overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of the United Kingdom. No m onopoly was ever surrendered witho u t loud protests on the pail of those who fancied that they were person ally interested in its continuance &eh persons have always endeavoured to cover their ow n wishes under the mask of patriotism Without their interference public matters could not be properly carried on, and while they were really looking only to themselves and their private in- 1 terests, it was something to be enabled to chatter 1 about the vast benefits_ they were conferring on the community at large. It has been from the beginning, and will be so to the end of the chapter—from the Alpha to the Omega. Parliament has, however, to look not merely to the East India Company, but to the general wel fare of the native population of India, and also to the interest of the British community. Neither have been promoted under the existing system, and it is full time that we adopted a different one, under which better prospects for the future might be ensured. The anomaly of the double Government has long been painfully notorious. It led to the mutiny of +he Bengal army, and the rebellion which has not yet been suppressed. There was no responsibility in any quarter, and complaints were bandied about so that there was 1 bat little chance of obtaining redress for any grievance, however flagrant. India was virtually held for the benefit of the Civil Service, and the Civil Service only ; and, unless a candidate for employment in that country had interest with some Director, he might abandon the expectation, without wasting his time or resources in the use less pursuit. Indeed, a person who had only merit to recommend him, would have a far better chance of obtaining a clerkship in the Treasury, or the Customs, or a commission in the British army, than a writerahip or cadetship. Nor is the system for the benefit of the pro prietors, save so far as they can procure a return for votes given at the elections of Directors. They receive a certain rate of dividend on their stock which will be paid, whether the affairs of India be prosperous or otherwise. For every 1001. invested they receive, and must until 1874 receive 101. 10s. per annum, and the charge can only then be redeemed by the payment of 2001. • Their pecuniary interests have thus been well attended to, and any others do not merit a moment's consideration by the Legislature. It was the policy of annexation, inaugurated by Lord DA.LHOUSIE, that mainly produced the present crisis. No doubt inefficient administration of justice by persons who, being bad diplomatists, or collectors, were pitchforked into the judicial bench, contributed to that deplorable result. Great expectations were entertained as to what the Noble Marquis might effect for India ; but unfortunately for that country, and for the United Kingdom, he lent himself to the Company, and strained every nerve to carry out their views. He might have rendered his name illustrious by the creation of great public works, and facilities for communication with this country. But now we can chiefly speak of his sins of omission—of what he might have done, but did not do, and other acts of positive injustice. He also set aside the former mode of conveying troops, which, if continued, would have been highly advantageous during the existing crisis. What, we ask, can be said of the gross negli gence manifested with respect to telegraphic com munications with India the existence of which would not only have relieved many anxious hearts, but would, even within the late year, have saved to the country more than ten times its cost. Two projects were put forward, either of which might have been properly accepted, and would have been of immense service. Both ought to have been advanced, for we ought not to have been dependent on a single line where there might have been a possible interruption. The Times, in its City Article, which we have inserted in another part of our impression, argues so justly on this part of the case that there is no necessity for putting forward additional reasons in ganvorhaisguit- - *Ur cm?"' notntni" itself, nor will it afford the requisite encouragement to private enterprise. The mere fact that HAYELOCE surrendered his noble soul with out knowing the public feeling of England, to say nothing of the poSsibility of his life being sacrificed, the slowness of communication would alone condemn the course of apathy and inaction that has been pursued. We cannot, however, place the burden on the right shoulders, or say who is the delinquent under the present regime. The sooner it is abolished the better for all parties concerned, even for the East India Company, and incomparably so for the people of the United Kingdom and of Hindostan. There is every reason to hope that the rate of discount at the Bank of England will be forthwith reduced to more reasonable dimensions. The store of bullion, and with it the reserve of notes, are rapidly improving, and the quasi national establishment is underbid in Lombard-street, and by all the discounting houses. The London and Westminster Bank has reduced the rate for money deposited at call to 3 per cent. for 500/, and upwards, and 2 per cent. for less sums. When unexceptionable bills are readily discounted at 4 per cent. out of doors, it cannot be supposed that the Old Lady can still exact 6 per cent. from her cus tomers. The payment of so exorbitant a rate ►would show that they could not be in a sound or healthy position. It is probable that a change may be made even this day, but if not, it is cer tain that it cannot be long deferred. The second suspension of the Bank Charter Act has thus again proved an effectual remedy against the terrible evils produced by that inequit able and impolitic law. It has been virtually abrogated, and the country was thereby saved from calamities, of which an adequate estimate can scarcely be made. The ;Times, the organ of the hard calculators, admitted that but for the tardy movement of the Government, the rate of interest must have advanced to 20 or 30 per cent., and that an immense amount of property must have changed hands at a heavy sacrifice by its present proprietors. Why, then, should a system be perpetuated that has produced or even aggra vated the mischief g The monetary code has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. It is opposed to the industrial community, and should be forthwith repealed. Free trade in currency is required even more than in commodities. It would be far better to pay higher prices with increased means than to be tantalised by want in the sight of abundance. We had a magnificent harvest. Everything would have been in the most satis factory con di tion, but for the drain of bullion, and still more from its being hoarded by " hard calculators." T is clear that all the money could not have simultaneously vanished from the earth, and again been miraculously restored when the emergency had passed away. it was at the same time wanting in every part of the old and the new world. It was not that any nation had obtained more than its due proportion, for all were equally embarrassed. It follows, therefore, as' a natural consequence that there must " have been a general conspiracy of hard calculators" in all parts of the globe to plunder their softer com panions. Surely then the time has arrived, when the British people ought to shake off the apathy into which they have so long been sunk, to arouse themselves to a true sense of their situation, and look to their own interests, and the real interests of the nation. They have been bamboozled and plundered for a series of years, and the "looting" will be continued JO long as they sanction the process. If the Commit tee be an open one, and its proceedings published daily, the mattx may be satisfactorily arranged, but if they are kept secret it will practically be shelved, and nothing will be done until, in the course of the inevitable pycle, another and a more terrible crisis occurs than that of 1847 or 1857, and the voice of public opinion imperiously de mands the abolition of the obnoxious law and the i übstitution of a better and more equitable mono hry code. 111 E SUN, LONDON, THU'RSP A NIN G, .;JANUARY 14, THE LEVIATHAN--(This Day.) This afternoon the Great Leviathan was pushed dos; .1 the ways to the full extent she will be re quired to go before the actual launch, which is postponed for the spring tides of Friday, the 29th inst., or Saturday, the 30th. Five or six feet re main at the extremity of the ways, but the power now required to move the vessel w ill be so small that there will not be the slightest difficulty in hauling her off at the full tide. All the preliminary opera tions are therefore complete, and no doubt is enter tained by Mr. Brunel about his being able to get the vessel into the water on one of these days. She will then be fitted up with all possible despatch, and the public will be admitted on payment of a fee to be hereafter regulated. Her Majesty and Prince Albert have intimated their intention of inspecting the vessel whex she is afloat. This morning, there were hundreds of small boats on the river, and the steamers brought down thousands of eager visitors. Owing to the quantity of water under the vessel at high tide this afternoon, she yielded easily to a pressure of 13 cwt. to the square inch. Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary will arrive at St. James's Palace te-day, from Cambridge Cottage, Kew, for the want season. His Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen and his Serene Highness the Prince Victor of Hohenlohe are daily expected to arrive at Howcbin's Hotel, St. James's, where apartments have been engaged for their reception. The Duke anal Duchess of Hamilton have been detained at Nice by the very dangerous illness of Lady Mary Douglas. We learn with much pleasure, from letters received in town yesterday, that her ladyship has been pronounced out of danger. The Marquis of Lansdowne will arrive at Lansdowne House, to-day, from Bowood. The noble marquis comes to attend the Cabinet Council, and returns to his country seat on Saturday for a few days. The Earl and Countess of Darby and Lady Emma Stanley come to town on Monday next from Knowsley Park, Lancashire. Lady Stuart de Rothesay arrived in town yesterday from Tittenhanger, Herts. Her ladyship will shortly accompany the Marchioness of Waterford on a tour through France and Italy. THE ANNUITY TO THE PRINCESS ROYAL.—The Act of Parliament (20th and 21st Victoria, cap. 2) to enable her Majesty to settle an annuity on her Royal Highness the Princess Royal was passed on the 26th of June last. Her Majesty is empowered, by letters patent, to give and grant unto the Princess Royal, or to such persons as her Majesty shall think fit, for the use of her Royal Highness, an annuity of 8,000/. for her life, to commence from the date of the marriage of her Royal Highness with his Royal Highness Prince Frederick William of Prussia, to be free from all taxes, assessments, and charges, and to be paid quarterly, on the sth of January, the sth of April, the sth of July, and the 10th of Octo ber. The proportionate share is to be paid on the next quarter day after the marriage. The annuity is to be charged and payable out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom. The annuity will therefore com mence on the 95th inst. BRIGADIER HOPE GRANT.—This gallant officer, who has just earned for himself an imperishable renown, by the manner in which he acquitted himself in dealing with the Gwalior Contingent, is the brother of the eminent portrait painter, Mr. Francis Grant, and of Mr. Grant, of Kilgraston, in Perthshire. The latter gentleman is married to the sister of Lord Elgin, The Brigadier went out with the late Lord Saltoan, as his aide-de-camp, to China. The gallant officer is a man of elegant and varied accomplishments, as well as of great military skill and experience. He is about fifty years of age, and has been married some years.—Morning Advertiser. WESTMINSTER ABBEY SERVIOES.—We are requested to state that an alteration has been made in the order of preachers at these services. The sermon next Sunday will be preached by Archdeacon Sinclair, and that on the 24th inst. by the Bishop of Oxford. The Dean of Can terbury will preach on some other Sunday. AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO COMMERCIAL CHAMBERS vr M . A Art•Frr. , ... PL.. -- Llllll butt Commercial Association are said to be progressing satisfactorily, The terms have been arranged of the directors of the two bodies, and only await confirmation at the annual meetings of the members of the two chain hers. COST OF PRINTING FOR PARLIAMENT.—A return presented to Parliament by the Royal command shows that the total amount of the cost for printing for the various Government offices (paper, printing, and binding) during the session of 1856 amounted to 24,9821. The Irish office figures for 6,4151., the Home-office for 5,9611., the Foreign for 1,4041., the Colonial for 1,3511., the Treasury for 3,5891., the Board of Trade for 2,3741, the War Department for 1,7691., and the India Board for 2,0191. The Admiralty only figures for 861. These sums are exclusive of the cost of printing ordered by the two Houses of Parliament themselves, and job-work printing, The number of copies of each paper printed varies from 1,750 to 4,750. REePrre OF A MIIRDERER.—The execution of Christian Settler, who was convicted at the recent sessions of the Central Criminal Court of the murder of a police officer, has been respited for three weeks, not from any doubt as to the merits of the case, but to give time for the argument and decision on a point of law which has arisen and been reserved for the Court of Criminal Appeal by Mr. Justice Crompton in a case tried be fore him upon the circuit, which has a material bearing upon that of Settler. The LATE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF MR. E. B. GAS TON, THE TRAGEDlAN.—Yesterday, Mr. Baker, the coroner, resumed and concluded an inquiry into the cir cumstances attendant upon this gentleman's sudden death, which it will be remembered took place upon Thursday last, at the house of a gentleman named Brook, residing in Hackey-grove, where the deceased had gone to spend the evening. The inquiry excited considerable interest, in consequence of its being rumoured that the unfortunate gentleman had died from the effects of poison. This, however, happily proved not to be true, and what gave rise to the report was that the deceased, who had been some time out of an engagement, was known to be in difficulties, and in consequence was of late very much dejected. He had upon the Monday preceding his death given an entertainment at the Manor Rooms, Hackney, with very bad success, and this it is thought seriously affected his general health. The only evidence given yesterday was that of Mr. Hacon, surgeon, of Hackney, who made a post mortem ex amination of the body, he stated the immediate cause of death to have arisen from apoplexy, caused by the rupture of one of the blood vessels attached to the inside of the skull, which might have arisen from deceased having run or walked fast ; in other respects the body was healthy. The jury upon hearing this re turned a verdict of " Death from natural causes." The deceased had been for about twelve years agreat favourite as a leading actor at the east end of London, and his last regular engagement was at the Standard Theatre, the manager of whom has headed a subscription list, and will, with Mr. Fullerton, a brother actor of the deceased, attend to the present incidental expenses, and temporarily relieve the necessities of three young chil dren, who are left quite destitute. ASTONISHING PERFORMANCE BEFORE lIER MAJESTY.— WINDSOR, Wednesday.—This morning, Mr. John S. Raney, from the United States, America, had the honour of exhibiting before her Majesty, the Prince Consort, and the Royal Family and suite, in the riding-house, his miraculous power over the horse, on various subjects selected for the occasion. He commenced with a wild colt, 18 months old, belonging to the Prince Consort, which was brought from Shaw-farm, and which had never been handled except by halter, and selected by Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood for the occasion. After being alone with the animal about an hour and a half the royal party entered, and found Mr. Raney sitting on its back without holding the rein, the horse standing perfectly quiet. Mr. Raney then made a few remarks iu regard to his great experience in the treatment of this noble animal. A dram was afterwards handed to Mr. Raney, which he beat with fury whilst sitting on the the horse's back, without the colt exhibiting any signs of fear. The royal party afterwards withdrew for a few minutes, and on their return found the animal lying down and Mr. Raney knocking its hind legs together, one of which he put against his face. Afterwards a restive horse, from Mr. Anderson's stables in London, which Mr. Raney had before handled, was then brought in ; this horse was placed at one end of the riding. house alone, Mr. Raney went to the other end, and at his command the her. o walked quietly up to him. He then made the horse lie down, in the presence of the Queen, when Mr. Raney crawled between his hind legs, and over him in various ways. Mr. Raney then rolled the horse on its back ; the horse afterwards was placed in various positions, in which it stood without holding and without a bridle. A. third horse, selected by Mr. Meyers, the riding master, as a very nervous animal, was then brought in, and in a few minutes afterwards it was made by Mr. Raney to do all which had been done by the other horses. At the conclusion of this exhibi tion of Mr. Raney's wonderful power over the horse. his Royal Highness the Prince Consort expressed to Mr. Raney his gratification and thanks. The secret hal been entrusted to Major-General Sir H. Airey in confidence, who has pronounced that there is nothing in the treat ment but what any horseman would approve of. The secret will be made known when a sufficient number of subscribers have been obtained (Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAM.) the sth to the 4th class does not LATEST NEWS t fi h x e e d E n m u p m e r b o e r r o T f i ir a e t a r p s: s e rri 4 as being the for drawn lir °or- THE PENINSULAR MAILS, i niounees that th e tuarisnt Joy, with the Penin sular SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY .111,:onxurct. sular mails, posed there at 9.20. a . m . AlhAamteblreagrsatmeamferro,mCalip THE OPENING OF THE DIET. BERLIN, JAN. 1 2. The opening of the Prussian Diet t o -d a y was preceded, a s usual, by Divin e S erv i ce i n the Evangelical Dam and the Roman Catholic Church for the members attached to the two different Churches. TLe ceremony of opening the session took place, as on former occasions, in the White Saloon of the Schloss, which has been renovated and much beaitified since last spring, but the coverings of crimson velvet on the throne showed one at once on entering that neither the King nor the Prince of Prussia would deliver the opening speech. A litte before 12 o'clock the various Ministers entered the saloon in a body, and, after they had taken their places to the left of the throne, Baron ffanteuffel read as follows : " Illustrious, noble, and honoured Sirs of both Houses of the Diet,—Since the conclusion of your last session our country has been afflicted by the severe illness of his Majesty our dear King and master—a visitation that has been deeply`and painfully felt in every circle throughout the land. We thank God that He has heard our prayers, and averted from the august sufferer the danger that impended, and that we are permitted to in dulge in the confident hope of his speedy and entire recovery. In the meanwhile the suprame conduct of public affairs has been delegated to his Royal Highness the Prince of Prussia by full powers, that have been renewed within the last few days. " The approaching marriage of a Royal Prince closely related to the Throne with a Princess of a powerful Royal House of kindred origin is hailed by every Prussian with joyful interest. May God grant all the bright hopes that attach to this union may find their fulfilment, and be a blessing to the Royal House and the country at large ! " In our pacific relations to all foreign Powers nothing has caused any interruption. " His Majesty's Government has, conjointly and in perfect harmony with the Imperial Aus trian Cabintt, laid before the German Diet the negotiations carried on with the Government of his Majesty the King of Denmark, Duke of Hol stein and Lauenburg, with a view to the protec tion of the rights of Germany. We are resolved in this important matter, and in union with all the other Governments of Federal Germany, to insist OR the vindication of German rights and interests. (Loud and unanimous bravos.) " Treaties of commerce have been concluded with several States, and they shall be laid before you for your sanction, as required by the Consti tution. " The late harvest has, in most kinds of grain, produced a larger yield than could at first have been expected. In consequence of this plentiful produce, conferring as it does a rich blessing on the land, the prices of the most essential neces saries of life have fallen, while, on the other hand, with many othr tall, - udispensabl, ;les y lers, equ, y indispensable artic. of consumption, this much to be desired allevia• tion of unusually high prices has as yet not shown itself. " An especially good result has also been afforded by last year's vintage. The wine-growing provinces will herein find an indemnification for the disappointed hopes of former years. " In the completion of the bridges over the Vistula and the Nogat, as well as in some new lines of railway lately opened, the means of com munication have received some important addi tions, and have exhibited the satisfactory result of a constantly increasing development of traffic. " Commerce and manufactures- r —wjeEr, lP Luelshost part not been behindhand in development. A shock to credit, however, that has extended from North America to all the resorts of commerce in Europe during the last few months, has, in its in evitable consequence, severely affected trade in our country, particularly in certain manufacturing districts. With a view to mitigating as much as possible the pressure that has arise n there from, without at the same time doing too great violence to existing legislation, Hi s M a j esty ' s Ministers have been impelled to suspend for three months the restrictions of the rat e o f i nterest as fixed by law. The Ministerial order to this effect will, without loss of time, be laid before you for your sanction. " Further, the bill for closing the Rent-banks that was brought in during a former session and not discussed, as also a law that i s much wanted for the better regulation of domiciliary settlement in the eastern provinces of the monarchy, shall be submitted to your approval. sc y ou will, gentlemen, with gratification see from the estimates for the current year, which will be laid before you without delay, that our finances are in good order, and that the revenues of the State have increased in a most satisfactory manner. Hereby it has become possible, iu addition to meeting several undeni ably necessary increases of outgoings to allot a small sum also for the improvement of the salaries of at least some of the worst paid civil servants of the Government which could not be any longer postponed. " Nevertheless, there will be many want s , b o th in this and other branches of the servi ce , l e ft un satisfied, an d many wishes left ungratified. " Gontlemen,—His Majesty's Ministers believe that in their conscientious endeavours after the welfare of the country in the present painful and grave circumstances they may reckon more confi dently than ever on your assistance. In this con fident hope I herewith, in virtue of the authority committed to me, declare the session of the Diet to be now opened." The only passage of the speech which produced anything like an overt manifestation of satisfac tion was that with reference to the protection of the German Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg ; b paragraphs, relatin g t o th e King's illness r a o ve silence. aching marriage of the Prince, w u t h d h e e t he fi t tw o e p p listened n rs t to anattentive On the session being declared to be opened, the President of the Rouse of Notables gave the word and the time for three cheers for the King, and the members separated, and set off for their re spective chambers. A letter from Sistowo states that the assertion in the Austrian journals, that the garrisons of the Turkish towns on the Danube were to be rein forced, has not been confirmed. It adds that new Pacha of Rouschouk, had made his entrance i n t o that town w ith g reat Ismail Pacha, the solemnity, and that the system of quarantines is to be re-established in all the towns of the ainube, which will, it is thought, be prejudicial to steam navigation. Intelligence had been r ece i ve d, at Vienn that the European commi ss i on on the pr i nc i pa liti es b a d dissolved itself, and t h at M. de Tal l eyrau d, th e a French commissioner, had set out on the sth to return to France. RUSSIA. A letter from St. Petersburg of the 4th, in the Nord of Brussels, says The year which has just expired has witn esse d a cons id era bl e modifica tion in the ranks i n th e c i v i l serv i ce in Res4a. Formerly, every civil clerk who had attained the rank of councillor of State (sth class), likewise every clerk at the end of a certain number of years obtained, as a matter of right, hereditary nobility. The Emperor Alexander limited that prerogative to councillors of State (4th class), and to pass from uepend on any but on the will of —asure is of great significancy, .orunner of a more important one in the committee of ministers, and of the —tell of State—the total suppression of the tchine, or rank by classes in civil service. In fact a position which after a certain period would give the right of hereditary nobility to persons in the go vernment service was the final object to which the views of all the copyists and other inferior func tionaries tended ; they used all their exertions to please their chiefs, in order to get advancement as soon as the rules of the service would allow, their principal aim being to attain the rank of coun cillor of State, and enjoy the privileges which the law attaches to hereditary nobility. Such a state of things was attended with considerable inconve niences, for a certain rank was necessary before any clerk, however meritorious or well qualified, could be made head of an office without having a certain rank, it was therefore rank and not capacity that permitted intelligence to obtain its just advantages. A young man who had received a first-rate educa tion at home, and entered the public service, would have to toil for years before he could be placed even in the 14th class, low as it was, while others, far inferior to him, would first enter five or six ranks above from the fact of their having been brought up at a public establishment. All these inconveniences will be remedied by the new measure, which, it is expected, will shortly come into operation, and allow intelligence to exercise its proper influence." IRELAND. DUBLIN, WEDNESDAY MORNING. ELECTIONEERING. The canvass of Major Gavin and Mr. John Ball for the voices of the Limerick city electors proceeds with as much energy as if Mr. Speaker had already issued his writ for a member to replace Mr. Ser geant O'Brien, appointed one of her Majesty's judges in the Court of Queen's Bench in Ireland. There is, however, nothing certain in this world, and all is still doubtful. The Limerick Reporter, received this morning, speaking of the progress of the canvass, hints at a solution of the difficulty by the appointment of Mr. Sergeant O'Brien, not to the judgeship, but to the Solicitor-Generalship, an arrangement which would be a great relief to the Liberals. FRANCE. PARIS, WEDNESDAY. Preparations are being made at the Palais-Royal fora splendid fete which is to be shortly given by Prince Napoleon. The Countess de Beus, wife of General Prim, has just been safely delivered in Paris of a son. BOURSE, Jan. 13.—The market closed at the following quotations : 4.' 2 per Cents 93 75 Do. end month — - - 3 per Cent. ..... 69 65 Do. end month 69 85 Bank Shares . 3225 Credit Mobilier Do. Account 905 - RAIL Orleans Northern New Ditto BOO Lyon and Mediteran. 885 New Ditto B5O Geneva Credit Foncier Belgian 4l Piedmontese (5) Roman BB Austrian Spanish Threes 1.19 me Debt 37i WAYS. Midi Western 690 Strasburg Grand Central , Sardinian `Austrian NAPLES. On the Ist of this month tricoloured cards were distributed abundantly by private hand and through the post to a vast number of persons, the Ministers and officers of State and the diplomatic body included. The inscription on each was,— " Voto pel, 1858. La nostra Costituzione." Printed placards also were distributed with these words :-- " 1558. " Yesterday was completed the tenth year during which interval a few days of liberty were followed by many years of tyranny. To-day we enter on a new year amid the hopes and desires of 9,000,000 of oppressed subjects, " People and army, be one our view, one our wish, one our goal, our constitution, and to show that it is our standard, our law, our right, tri-coloured signs have been given, and similar flags suspended. That this right has been basely violated is a disgrace to us in this y ear." Two large tri-coloured flags were found on the morning of the New Year's-day, one on the bridge of the Maddalone, and the other on the bridge of Sannita, in the hand of S. Januarius. Thus it is evident that the great wish of all the intelligent in this country never slumbers. A con stitution is looked upon, then, as the only remedy for the evils which they endure ; but if not a con stitution, any change would be welcomed. Her Britannic Majesty's ship Desperate, Capt. Craigie, came in on Monday morning last to relieve the Centaur, Capt. Clifford, which has just left for Malta. No bill of indictment has as yet been presented against our countrymen, the English engineers. JAPAN. The Emperor of Japan (.says a letter from that country in the Pays) has by a decree of the 25th October last appointed Prince Hayashi, High Imperial Commissioner of the three ports of Nagasaki, Simoda, and Hakodadi. In that capacity the management of relations with foreigners will be confided to him, and for his guidance the Emperor has caused to be drawn up a series of regulations, fixing the formali ties to be observed by foreigners who want to take up their residence in the ports opened to them, the manner in which they are to carry on trade, and the privileges their consuls are to enjoy. These regulations are of a liberal character, and are is ac rue present"Emlieror is a very enlightened man, and Prince Hayashi, who possesses all his confi dence, is also intelligent, free from prejudice against foreigners, and knows several European languages. When the Americans were here they presented the Emperor with models of a railway, and with a small electric telegraph. His Majesty was greatly, leased with both, and had the latter fixed up in his palace ; he thoroughly understands it, and appreciates its importance. He has ordered that a line of tele graph shall be constructed from Jeddo, his capital, to Simoda, where Prince Hayashi is to reside." SPAIN. Royal decrees in the Madrid Gazette of the 9th remove Generals Raivero and Galiano from the directorships-general of infantry and cavalry, and appoint General Marquis de Novaliches and General Joaquim Armero their successors. Other decrees make another very considerable number of promotions in the army in honour of the birth of the Prince of the Asturias. Another decree authorises the establishment of a bank of issue in share; at Corunna with a capital of 4,000,000 reals. The Queen had presented the Pope's Nuncio with a very valuably cross in emeralds and brilliants to wear on the breast. Her Majesty had also given a magnificent mantle in gold brocade, a crown, and various jewels, the whole said to be of great value, for the statue of the Virgin in the church ofAtocha. The journals contain no political news. ROYAL HUMANS SOCIETY.—At the general half yearly meeting of this society, held yesterday, Mr. B. B. Cabbell, vice-president, in the chair, silver medals were awarded to the following :—To Captain Castle, commanding the Sarah Sands transport, and Lieutenant- Colonel Moffatt, commanding the 54th Regiment, for their cool, courageous, and energetic exertions on the 13th of November, 1857, when the ship was on fire, and by whose united and admirable arrngements not a single life was lo s t ; to the Hon. D. a S. Deal. eon, acting mate of her Majesty's skip Hornet, who saved private Jobn Atkins, R.M., of the same vessel, ii% Canton River, China, November 15, 1856 ; Lieut. Oliver De Lancey, 47th Regiment, who tried to save Private M. Dempsey, 47th Regiment, at sea, May 27, 1857 ; James Beedon, A. 8., of her Majesty's ship Cumberland, who saved Charles Jenner, seaman, of the same vessel, at sea, July 9, 18i7 ; Rev. J. 3. Beresford, B. D.,-Precentor of Peterborough, who saved John Brown, 13, on the River Nene, Peterborough, July 13, 1857 ; Geo. Bate Hobbler, who saved Mrs. E. M. Cox Bade Haven, Cornwall, Aug. 6, 1857 ; Master Edward Forbes, 14, who saved Caroline E. Forbes, 7, on the Lake of Ge neva, July 13, 1857 ; J. H. Hunt, medical student, who saved Joseph Ward, 14, in the River Liffey, Dublin, July 16, 1857; Andrew Ferguson, fisherman, who saved John Murray, 15, in the River Tweed, Coldstream, N. 8., July 19, 1857 ; M. Victor Darras, who saved two boys named White in the sea, off Boulogne, Aug. 25, 1847 •, Captain George,Hathorn, R.N., who saved Georgeißartley in the harbour at Boulogne, Aug. 30, 1857; William Hodge, farmer, who saved Thomas Watts, carpenter, in the River Taw, near Ashford, Devon, Sept. 7, 1857; Mr. Charles Hughes, who saved Mr. E. W. Atkinson in the River St. Lawrence, near Mon treal, April 22, 1857 ; Constable J. Fahy, Cork Con stabulary, who saved Henry Mahony at C or k, Sept. 25, 1847 ; M. Achille Maubaut, professo r o f languages, who saved three boys at St. Berna r d' s R oc k, Jersey, Oct. 3, 1857. THE ROMAN WALL AND THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES. —The Gentleman's Magazine of this month, in paying a well-deserved compliment to the Duke of Northumber land for the survey of the Roman Wall by Mr. Mac laucblan at his grace's expense, makes this most remark able statement, which we think will rather startle the London Society of Antiquaries, unless it be as indifferent to antiquities as its president and council seem to be : —"lt is not g nerally known that, a few years since, his grace (the Duke of Northumberland), with the very best feeling, proposed, through the then director, Capt. (now Admiral Smyth), to receive, at the nomination of the Preqidentof the gociety of Antiquaries (Lord Mahon), a deputation of antiquaries, selected from among those who had made Roman antiquities their special study, with a view to institute extended researcbes along the line of the wall, on such a scale, and to be undertaken in such a spirit, ae sheuld leave nothing to be desired. His grace made this proposal in the most delicate and liberal manner ' • he offered to pay the expenses ; but at the same tim e , he generously desired to give the Society of Antiquaries the credit of being at the head of the explorations. Unhappily fer the society, the duke's proposition was not entertained, further than its being mentioned in the Council-chamber." Thus far our Contemporary. But what roust be the intellectual state of the society of Antiquaries, which taus, by its presi dent's judguient, or by its c,unoll's, declines to do the very thing for which it was established, and for not doing which it has been so loudly reproached t If the society be as yet ignorant of the noble bit of good fortune which was offered to it through its president, then we should say its case is hopeless ; if it does know it, and quietly sits down to its weekly meeting and coffee, then its case is more hopeless still.—Gateehea Observer. 18 56. ANOTHER COMMERCIAL FAILURE. The Cork Constitution states that a corn mer chant at Neath has failed, with liabilities to the amount of 30,0001. It is added that a house in Dungarvou is a creditor to some extent to the state. THE RETURN TIDE. Statements similar to the following, extracted from the Kilkenny Journal, are of late becoming rather common place : "For the last few months persons who left this city as emigrants have returned to their old employments in Kilkenny, and caution their neighbours against venturing to America at present. Several members of the families of those who left our city have fallen victims to American fever. The story of desolation and death which these poor emigrants relate is fearful, and we hope it may Earve as a caution to others to turn their thoughts from emigration and cling to the rock of the old country." PROSECUTION OF THE REV. MR. CONWAY. Notice has been served on Mr. Higgins, the attorney for the Rev. Mr. Conway, that an appli cation will be made to the Court of Queen's Bench on the part of the Crown to have the county Dub lin fixed as that in which the trial of the Rev. Mr. Conway shall take place. The motion is to be grounded on affidavits which allege that a fair or impartial trial could not be had in the county Mayo, and that therefore the venue should be changed from that locality to the county Dublin or some other county where the due and impartial administration of justice will not be interfered with. The motion will probably be moved to-morrow or next day, and will be opposed. —Freeman. THE METROPOLITAN GAS MONOPOLY. ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE DELE. GATES AND DEPUTATION TO .THE SE. CRETARY OF STATE. Yesterday, the adjourned meeting of deputations from the various metropolitan vestries and district boards was held at the Marylebone Court-house, for the purpose of taking further steps with respect to the recent district arrangements by the London Gas Companies, in the presentation of a memo rial to the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, calling for the aid of the Government in obtaining a Parliamentary inquiry into the gas question generally, with a view to a protection of the public by legislative enactment. Dr. Bachhoffner, of Marylebone, presided. The court-house was filled with the deputations, most of the metropolitan districts being represented. The CHAIRMAN observed that the committee I which the delegates had appointed at their previ ous meeting had completed their labours in draw ing up a petition to Parliament, which had been printed, and that day forwarded their adoption to the vestry of every metropolitan parish and dis trict board. The question was the next most ad visable course to be adopted to carry out their objects. - Mr. BEALE, St. James's, said he thought there were two further steps for the delegates to take. The first was, to prepare a memorial to go to the Home Secretary, and then to ascertain when Sir G. Grey would receive a deputation upon this sub ject. He thought, having prepared by a committee their memorial, they should then ask the vestry of Marylebone, to communicate with the metropolitan members and the Home Secretary as to a convenient time. Mr. Beale moved the fol lowing resolutions . . " That it be referred to a committee to prepare a memorial for presentation to the Secretary of State. That the Vestry of Marylebone be requested to arrange with the Home Secretary and the metropolitan members for presentation of such memorial to the Home Secretary by the deputies from each vestry and district board. That such committee be also requested t continue their labours by communicating with municipal corporations, metropolitan board and ♦estries, and other public bodies, and others, and obtaining information as to gas-works in operation under municipal or local control, and on any other point they may deem essential in furtherance of the object in view, and report on the same at any future meeting." _ _ _ Mr. JACKSON, of Wandsworth, seconded the re sol tin Of M . Mile - end in reference to the appointment of a committee, ob served that there were some districts not repre sented, and moved a resolution to the effect that those parishes not represented at that conference be written to and invited to be represented there and on the committee, to the end that their complaints may be fully explained and put forth. This motion was sec mded, and after considerable discussion, to the effect that every parish and dis trict board named in schedules A and B to the Me tropolis Local Management Act had already been invited, it was negatived. The meeting then adjourned till the committee were ready to present their memorial. PRESERVATION OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH. Yesterday a meeting was held at the Court-house, Marylebone, Mr. James Traverner presiding, for the purpose of finally considering the propriety: of petitioning Parliament to pass a special act for effecting the purchase of Hampstead-heath and the adjoining land as proposed, and thereby securing to the public that delightful spot as a place of resort and recreation.. Mr. GREENWELL, Vestry-clerk of St. Marylebone, explained that at a previous meeting of the metro politan parochial delegates, it was resolved that, as there was not sufficient time to adopt such proceed ings through the Metropolitan Board of Works before the assembling of Parliament, the vestry of Hampstead, who had taken a leading part in the movement, should draw up the form of an act, and place it before Parliament at the ensuing session. The vestry of Hampstead had adopted that course, and having made the way clear for the Metropolitan Board, they now sought the support of that body for the passing of the bill. Mr. Green well read the copy of a memorial which was to be forwarded to the Metropolitan Board by the vestry of Hampstead, requesting the board to take immediate steps in the matter, and, at the same time, drew attention to the fact that a committee of the board had recom mended the purchase of the heath as far back as March, 1856, but nothing had as yet been done, to the present time, towards effecting that desirable object. The cost of purchase the committee had ' estimated at from 150,0001. to 200,000/.; to mee t which the committee urged that a portion should be paid out of the public funds. The memorial like wise drew the special attention of the board to the several attempts which had been made to build on Hampstead-heath, and contended that it was a matter of expediency, both in a pecuniary point of view and for the security of the property, to at once effect the purchase. After some discussion it was resolved to me- • morialise the Metropolitan Board, in conjunction with Hampstead and other parishes friendly to the movement, for support in obtaining a legislative enactment during the ensuing session, for the entire purchase of the heath and the adjoining land. On the motion of Mr. FREETH, seconded by Mr. NICHOLA.Y, a warm vote of thanks was passed to the vestry and inhabitants of Hampstead for the laud .ble and active measures they had adopted for securing Hampstead-heath to the public. A vote of thanks was then passed to the chair man, and the proceedings terminated. POPULAR CONCERT-MR. SAM COWELL. A very successful concert was given in tho theatre hero on Thursday evening, in which Sam Cowell was the principal singer. He was supported by Miss Susan Wight, a sweet, graceful contralto singer ; by J. W. Keays, tenor, and Mr. F. Gough, baritone. Though the weather was wet and stormy, there was a large attendance. The renowned " Sam" was the star of the evening —comet we should rather say, his vocalism being so eccentric and extraordinary. If Edmund. Kean was the prince of tragedy, and Grimaldi king of clowns, so is Cowell unrivalled sovereign in the circles of comic song. His "Artful Dodger" is a life-like embodiment of the written sketch by Dickens and the pictorial sketch by Cruickshank ; features, dress, attitudes, and dialect are faithfully repro duced—the song and the figure that sings it are equally graphic, and so amusing that ordinary laughter cannot express their effect on the minds of an audience. His sea pieces, in which lie repre sents the queer appearance and odd ideas of the humbler class of our jolly tars, betray still greater art. Sam Cowell's instinctive appreciation of cha racter and imitative powers must be wonderful, and his studious application must have been great, to enable him thus to hit off these and other curio sities of our social existence. He has a capital voice ; and in accompanying it on the piano Mr. Keays evinced great taste and skill..—Lumfries Standard. PRUMOTIO. rE RANKS. A writer in a contemporary says : Notwithstanding all that has been put forward in the Times and elsewhere in regard to the promo tion of deserving non-commissioned officers and men from the ranks, it seems almost incredible that of the very large number of vacant commissions con- sequent on the casualties in India since the com- mencement of the Sepoy mutiny only two or three have been given to men from the ranks. Would there were in the East your " Own Correspondent," to whom the soldier and the public owe so much for his Crimean records, to paint in his graphic style the indomitable pluck and the patient endurance of terrible privations our gallant soldiers have manifested ; to chronicle how they marched and toiled and faced the foe ofttimes in the course of the day ; how they sank wearied in the swamps, and thinned and staggering from wounds and disease ; how they braced up their loins and pressed forward as the avengers of inno cent blood. Surely some, nay, many of these humble heroes are deserving of promotion, as re presenting their gallant comrades. Who will deny there are many Jack Steels in her Majesty's regi ments now serving in India ? But, alas ! there is no one there to advocate the cause of the poor soldiers, who—all due credit being► allbwed to the officers for a faithful discharge of their duties—have borne the burden and heat of the day. Row grievously their claims have been neglected the fact of their having been almost entirely ignored in the Gazette will only too fully prove. - By referring to the Gazettes any one will see in what way the vacancies have been disposed of. A few have been granted to students of the Military College. To such an appropriation within due limits no One will object. . _ As if to draw off attention from the alienation of the vacancies from the ranks of the regiments, others have been filled up by young officers from other corps, in which the chances of speedy promo tion are not so great as in those serving in India. But the great majority of vacancies lately oc curring in Queen's regiments oR the Indian establishment have been given without purchase to the generation of " gent," whose number is legion. Vory gentlemanly youths are these, no doubt—tolerably well read and crammed ; but still youths requiring months of drill and years of ex perience and growth to fit them in capacity and stamina for the duties and hardships of harrassing field service under a burning.sun. Meanwhile the duty must be done, and it is and will be virtually performed for a long time to come by the non-com missioned ulcers, in lieu of whom they have been promoted, and who will bear the brunt of the work and exposure while the young ensigns are learning the goose-step at Chatham. Not that it is implied that in due time the young ensigns will be deficient in gallantry and devotion. They are simply use less while they are wanted in the field, and their work is done by others who deserve to enjoy the honour and reward of the much-coveted rank. No one will deny that vacancies in regiments serving in the field should be filled up at once, and few reasonable men will doubt they they ought to be filled up,in great majority at least, by deafer ving soldiers on the spot, —men trained to war, of sound constitution, good character, and possessing a fair education. Of such there are many in India. The better pay and position of the soldier in the East, with the (too long deferred) hope of advance- ments, attract many well educated and respectable young men thither. An ensign can live on his pay anywhere in the field, and can always, with proper management, keep out of d e bt i n India. So that in no sense would promotion from the ranks be an injury to the individual or to the ,service ; while its denial to these gallant and enduring men is a crying injustice against which they hope you will wage war a l'outrance, and give the " authorities" no peace until a fair share of the rewards is given to those who bear the brunt of the toil, the dangers, and the privations of war. MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) CORN EXCHANGE. GENERAL AVERAGE PRICES OF BRITISH CORN For the week ended Jan. 14, 1858, made up from the Re. , turns of the Inspectors in the different Cities and Towns in England and Wales, per Imperial Quarter. WHEAT I BARLEY I OATS I RYE BEANS I nes 47s 10d 36s 3d 22s 8d 33s 6d 39 8 3d 40s 5d THE SIX WEEKS' AVERAGES. WHEAT I BARLEY I OATS I RYE I BEANS I PIO 488 4d 36s 3d 22s 10c1 33s 3d 40s 2d 40s 4d ENGLISH GRAIN SOLD LAST WEEK. Wheat, 83,674; barley, 86,563; oath, 9,514; rye, 29; beaus, 3,433 ; peas, 845 quarters. MEAT MARKETS. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL.—For each kind of Wet the demand ruled inactive as follows from Zsla , os ()a to 4s 6d; Veal, 3s 8d to 4s Qdi Pork, 3s 6d to 4a 10d per 81bs by the carcase. NSOUTHALL, Jan. 13.—The supplies of stock were only moderate, yet tho trade ruled heavy, at drooping prices : Beef, from 3s 2d to 4s 6d ; Mutton, 3s 6d to 5s 2d ; Veal, 4s Od to 4s 8d ; Pork, 4s Od to 4s Ed per 81bs, to sink the offal. ROMFORD, Jan. 13.—We had a very slow trade here to-day, as follows : --Beef, from 3s 4d to 4s 8d ; Mutton, 48 Od to 58 2d ; Veal, 4s 2d to 4s 8d ; Pork, 48 Od to 48 8d per 81bs ; Store Pigs, —a to --s ; Miloh Cows, —1 to —1; Lean Cows, —1 to —/ ; Suckling Calves, 171 to 26s each. HAY MARKETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow, hay, 21 10s to 4/ Os; clover, 3/ 12s. to 5/ N; and straw, 1i 6a to 1/ lOs' per load. Trade rather dull. CUMBERLAND. —Meadow hay, 2/ 10s to 4/ 4s ; clover, 3/ 103 to 5/ Os ; and straw, 11 6s to I/ 10s per load. A fair average supply, and a moderate demand. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, 21 108 to 4/ Os ; clover * 3/ 10s to 51 Os ; and straw, 1/ as to 11 10a per load. Supply good, and trade rather dull. LLOYD'S SHIPPING. —(This Day.) LONDON, Jan. 14.—Wind this 'day at noon, W. ; light breeze and hazy. PLYMOUTH, Jan. 13.—Wind N.N.W.—Arrived—Ses• tant, from Rio Grande. FALMOUTH, Jan. 13.—Wind W.—Arrived—Borland, from Ibrail. SUNDERLAND, Jan. 12.—Arrived—Kezie, from Deme• rara. SoILLy, Jan, 12.—Wind N.W.—Arrivesl—Garland, from London for Mogador. PILL, Jan. 13.—Wind N.—Arrived—Marie Eugenie, from Moats Video; Etechia, Demerara. Sailed—Galled, for St. Michael's. PORTSMOUTH, Jan. 15.—Wind W.N.W.—Arrived Cospatrick, from Londoi for Cape of Good Hope and Cal cutta ; Uncouth, ditto, for San Francisco; Voyager, ditto, for Aspinwall. Sailed— Her Majesty's steamer Urgent, for Gibraltar. SOUTHAMPTON, Jan. 13.—Wind N.W.—Sailed—Ftd ton (s), for New York. QUEENSTOWN, Jan. 14.—Wind W.—Arrived—Sea, from Mauritius. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday Morning. Wind N.W., nearly calm ; frost. Arrived-7Hamburgo, steamer, Hamburg; Expr e ss, Jersey ; La Poule, Cherbourg ; Alliance, steamer, Havre. Sailed—Fulton, steamer, for New York ; Despatch, steamer, Jersey ; Le Coq, Cherbourg ; Havre, steamer, Havre ; Harriet, Newport. LIVERPOOL, Thursday Morning. Wind W.N.W. Off—Jessie Miller Arrived—Balbec, screw steamer, from Have ; Baltic, screw steamer, New York; Reliance, steam tug, Renfrew. The Henry Harbeck, from Cardiff, for Alexandria,l7.S., has been towed round from Queenstown, for repairs. The Eclipse, from Liverpool, for Rio Janeiro, struck slightly in entering the harbour of Beanmaris. The Rose, from Liverpool, for Madras, at Beaumaris. QUEENSTOWN, Jan. 12. Wind W.S.W. Arrived—Science, from Smyrna; St. Thomas, packet, Porto Rico. KINGSTOWN, Jan.l3. 1 Arrived—Haggie, from Odessa, for Dublin ; Madona do Tersatti, Taganrog; Artemis, Ibrail, BY SUBMARINE ARID BRITISH TELEGRAPH. GRAVESEND, Thursday Morning. Wind W.N:W. ; two hours' flood ; light and hazy. Arrived, Jan. 13.—John Shelley, from Gothenburg. Sailed, Jan. 14.—Lord J. Russell, (s.), for Rotterdam. DEAL, Thursday Morning. Wind W.N.W. ; light. Anchored—Faithful, from Harwich, for Barcelona. FAILURES AT HULL.—The following comparative statistics of commercial disasters in Hull are given by the Hull News :—" In addition to many failures which have not been prominently before the public, no fewer than 34 bankruptcies, implicatin g 39 . i n di v id ua l s , h ave come from this district unde r th e cognizance of the bank ruptcy commissioner. The total liabilities of these 34 bankruptcies are 10 times larger than we had to report lastyear. Io 1856,21 individual bankrupts owed 73,5001.; in 1857, the 39 individual bankrupts owed 766,0001. (the debts already proved being 616,0001.), to meet which there are assets amounting to 305,0001 ., which sum will be diminished by the important judgment in Messrs. Hai rison and Watson's case (published by us last week) to the extent of 52,600/. The actual liabilities of the 14 Hull bankruptcies alone amount to close upon 720,0001. Of these, the liabilities of one are unknown to us ; one is below 1,0001., three are between 1,0001. and 2, 0 00/.,four between 3,000/. and 5,000/. one of 9,5004 one of 15,0001., one of 110,0004 one of 140,0001 and one of 4 26,0001. 14 bankrupts have received third-class certifi cates, t woof which, however, were suspended fort wo years without protection, and one for three years, likewise with out pr o tection ; one received a certificate of the second class, one of the first class, and four havo absconded. We may also mention that one of these bankrupts is undergoing a sentence of 4 years' and another of 10 years' penal servitude, for crimes of which they have been convicted. 1857 will also be memorable for the winding-up of that disastrous affair, the Hull Flax and Cotton Mills. When the liabilities of this ill-starred c.incern are added to the above enumerated the total is swelled to the startling amount of upwards of a million."