The Sun. — London, England, 1858-03-30 00:00:00

THE NEW INDIA BILL. The following is an abstract of the Government ofindia Bill (No. 2) A Bill to Transfer the 'Government of India from t h e E iso t India Company to her Majesty the C:10012. Whereas by an act of the session holden in the 16th and 17th years of her Majesty, chap. 95, "to provide for the government of India," the terri tories in the possession and under the government of the East India Company were continued under such government, in trust for her Majesty, until parliament should otherwise provide, subject to the provisions of that act and of other acts of parlia ment, and the property and rights in the said act referred to are held by the said company in trust for her Majesty for the purpose of the said government, and whereas it is expedient that the said territories should be governed by and in the name of her Ma jesty ; be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and con sent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com mons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows ; that is to say, TRLN SYS& OF THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA TO HER MAJESTY. I. Territories under the government of the East India Company to be vested in her Majesty. 11. India to be governed by and in the name of her Majesty. 111. Secretary of State to exercise powers now exercised by the company or Board of Control. IV. Four principal Secretaries and four Under Secretaries of State may sit in the House of Com mons. V. Seat of President of Board of Control in the House of Commons not vacated by his appoint ment to the Secretaryship of State. VI. Salaries of one Secretary of State and his under secretaries to be paid out of the revenue of India. VII. Until appointment of Secretary of State, President of Board of Control to act. COUNCIL OF INDIA. VIII. For the purposes of this act a council shall be established, to consist of eighteen member?, and to be styled the Council of India; and henceforth the council in India now bearing that name shall be styled the Council of the Governor-General of India. IX. The thirteen persona hereinafter named, viz.:— shall be members of the said council from the com mencement of this act, and such persons and their successors respectively are hereinafter designated as the first member of the council, the second mem ber of the council, and so on progressively in the order in which such persons are hereinbefore named, and the remaining members hereinafter designated as the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth members respectively, shall be elected as hereinafter mentioned, as soon as conveniently may be after the commencement of this act. X. Upon every vacancy in any of the offices of the nine members of the council first named in this act, and their successors, it shall be lawful for her Majesty, by warrant under her Royal sign manual, to appoint some other person to such office, quali fied as hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) : the first member to be a person who has been ten years at least in such civil service of the government of India in the north-western provinces, or in terri . tories under the direct authority of the Governor- General in council ; the second member to be a person who has been ten years at least in such civil service in the lower provinces of Bengal ; the third and fourth members respectively to be persons who have been ten years at least in such civil service in the Madras and Bombay presidencies respectively. The fifth member to be a person who has been ten years at least in India in'the service of the govern ment of India, and who during five years at least of such period has served as political ageat or resident in any of the native states. The sixth member to be a person who has served for five years at least in her Majesty's army in India. And the seventh, eighth, and ninth members respectively to be per sons who have served ten years at least in the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay armies respectively. XL. Every vacancy in aoy of the offices of the tenth, eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth members of the council shall ba supplied by persons to ba elected as hereinafter mentioned from among per . sons who have been ten years at least in India, in the service of her Majesty or of the government • of India in any department, whether legal, civil, naval, or military, or who have been fifteen years at least resident in India ; and the persons qualified to vote in the election of such members shall be - all proprietors of one thousand pounds or upwards in the capital stozck of the East India Company ; all proprietors of capital stock or paid up capital in any company incorporated by act of Parliament for making any railway or other public work in India to the amount of two thousand pounds or upwards all persons who have teen ten years at least in India as commissioned officers in the military ser vice of her Majesty, cr in the military or naval snr vice of the East India Company, or as civil servants of the East India Company, or in the civil service of her Majesty : provided always, that no person shall be entitled to vote in the election of any such member as aforesaid unless he have been qualified as aforesaid for six months before the election, and be resid/nt in the United Kingdom, and be regis tered according to the regulations hereinafter men tioned. XII. The fourteenth member of the council shall be from time to time elected by the persons entitled to vote in the election of members to serve in Par- liament for the city of London. The fifteenth mem ber of the council shall be from time to time elected by the persons entitled to vote in the election Gf members to serve in Parliament for the city of Man chester. The sixteenth member of the council shall be from time to time elected by the persons entitled to vote in the election of members to s- rve in Parliament fur the borough of Liverpool. The seventeenth member of the council shall be from time to time elected by the persons entitled to vote in the election of members to serve in Parliament for the city of Glasgyw : And the eighteenth mem ber of the council shall be from time to time elected by the persons entitled to vote in the election of numbers to serve in Parliament for the borough of Belfast And no person shall he elected such four teenth, fifteenth, six-eenth, seventeenth, or eigh teenth member unless be shall have been during five years at least engaged in the commerce between India and the- United Kingdom, or in the manu facture of goods for exportation to India, or have been ten years at least resident in India : For the election of the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth members of the noun - cil, warrants shall be forthwith, af.er the com mencement of this art, and from time to time thereafter, as occasion may req u ir e , i ssue d by one of her t..jesty's Principal Secretaries of State to the returning officers to whom writs for the election of - members to serve in Parliament for the said- cities and. boroughs respectively are by law required to be issued ; and such elections of members of the council shall be conducted and had in like manner as elections of members to serve in Parliament, and the return to • such warrants shall be made to the S.Tretary of &ate ; and all laws concerning the expenses of such last mentioned - elections and otherwise in relation to such elections, so far as the same are applicab!s, shall extend to the elections of such members of the council. XIII. Six of the first members of the council appointed by and elected under this act shall go out 'of office at the expiration of two years from the Pominencerrent of this act, and six others of such tarot members shall go out of office at the expiration font* years from such conamencament, and the 'remaining six of such members shall go out of office at the expiration of six years from such commence ment. Th.* members t o go ou t o f office at the ex piration or !such two years and four years shall in each Case be th ree of t h ? e nine members first named in this act, and three members from among the four members last named in this act, and the fir..i 'members elected und er this act and such nine .firs t -na me d members shall determine by ballot -among themselves which of their number shall be the three members to go out of offic e at the expira tion of such two year 3 and four years respectively, and such four last-mentioned members and first elected members shall determine among themselves which of th e i r num b er s h a ll b e the three members to go out .of office at the expiration of such two Tears respectively ; and the Secretary of State shall preside at the taking of every such ballot as afore said. XIV. Every a vacancy ovaisitill-a appointed or . elected to fill of offi::e of " Y th t t c ex c p ( tration of the term o u t.a n ns c rii il pointed or eleerateruiietZfe computed from -ern, be to a be e appointed or elected to xpir D a o t". " ber whose office has bz,CV,,Y void Place e o r j a Per % on by the expiration of his term of ollerwla.aratehan appointed or elected for the remainder s hall be term : And evtry person ceasing, or w h o o i !, u 'Znh o re - a ppointment or re - e!ection would cease, to be„ r member of the council by the expiration term of shell be capable of being appo'nted or elected to supply the viriancyocalc.,Leti by a uAi expiration XV. Council to make regulations as to election 3 of 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th members of council. XVI. Committee of Council to determine que tons at elec ions. XVII. If upon the occasion of an ele:tion of a person to supply any vacancy among the tenth, eleventh, twel , h, and thirteenth members of the Council, any registered voter be desirous of voting THE SUN, LONDON, by letter of attorney, he shall be at liberty so to so, provided that such a letter of attorney exprese the name or names of the candidate or candidates for whom such registered voter is desirous of vot ing, and be executed within ten days next before such election ; and no such letter of attorney shall be subject to any stamp duty. XVIII. It shall be lawful for her Majesty to re move any member of Council from his office upon an address of both Houses of Parliament ; and if Parliament be not sitting, it shall be lawful for the Council, with the approval of her Majesty, to sus pend any member of the Council for criminal or disgraceful conduct ; and a statement of the fact of such suspension an of the grounds thereof shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament within our teen days after the next meeting thereo f ; and un less both Houses of Parliament, within thirty days after such meeting thereof, address her Majesty fur the reversal of such suspension, the member so suspended shall cease to be a member of the Conn cii. XIX. Members of the Council not to sit in the House of Commons. XX. There shall be paid to each member of the Council the yearly salary of 1,0001. Clauses from XXI. to XXIV. (both inclusive) provide for re-arrangement of the home adminis tration, reduction of establishment, superannna tion, &c. several presidencies and government of India as soon as conveniently may be after such act his been received by the Governor-General of India ; and until such proclamation be made, all acts, matters, and things done, ordered, directed, or authorised in India, in the name of the East India Company or otherwise in Telation to the government of India, shall be as valid and effectual as if this act had not been passed. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGE.NCE. Her Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief leaves town this (Tuesday) morning, at 8 o'clock, for Aldershot, to inspect the trovs in camp and the permanent barracks, which have already been occupied by the infantry and field batteries. The following General Order was issued by the Major-General Commanding the Forces in Ceylon, on the departure of the Head-quarter Division of her Majesty's 37th Regiment from that colony in October last for service in India : " Head-quarters, Colombo, 22d Oct., 1857. "1. The Major-General Commanding the Forces desires to express his satisfaction at the excellent order in which the Head-quarter Division of the 37th Regiment embarked for India ; the soldier like appearance of the men, and their steadiness and sobriety en the occasion reflect the highest credit upon the corps. "2. The Major-General begs Colonel Skelly and the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the 37th Regiment, to accept his sincere farewell, with his best wishes for their health, welfare, and future distinction. " J. R. BRUNKER, Colonel, D. A. G." The two-company depot of the 86th Royal County Down Regiment, under the command of Captain H. W. Welman, is ordered to proceed from Chatham on Thursday, and embark at the dockyard for Cork, for the purpose of joining the depot battalion at Buttevant. The Director-General of the Medical Department of the Army has directed the following changes to be made in the staff of medical officers attached to head-quarters, Chatham : Assiitant Surgeon Scott, 73d Regiment, to embark for the Cape of Good Hope, to join the service companies of his corps ; Assistant-Surgeon Slatter, 61st Regiment, and Staff Assistant-Surgeon Seate, to embark at Graves end in the Abeona, in charge of troops proceeding to Calcutta. Assistant-Surgeon Millar, 4th Foot, to proceed to Newport ; Assistant-Surgeon Long, Bth Foot, to Kinsale ; Assistant-Surgeon Long staff, 10th Foot, to Mullingar ; Assisiant-Surgeon Macintyre, 11th Foot, to Hull ' • Assistant-Surgeon Grey, 13th Light Infantry, to Winchester ; and Assistant-Surgeon Bennett, 14th Regiment, to Nam. Orders have been received for the following draughts to proceed from Perth to Gravesend to-day there to embark on board the steamship Abeona, fer conveyance to Calcutta :—viz., 26 men of the 42d Royal Highlanders from Perth, 11 men of the 93d Highlanders from Aberdeen, and some of the 79th Highlanders from Stirling. Lieutenant Shuttleworth, 42d Royal Highlanders, to proceed in charge. The Engineers' and general building depart ments at Woolwich are at present actively engaged in clearing the ground and making preparations for the immediate erection of various institutions ordered to be constructed according to the estimates voted for that purpose. The site of the Old Kent Waterworks in the vicinity of the Royal Marine Barracks, as well as the residence and grounds of General Ashmore, late Colonel-Commandant of the Royal Marines, has been cleared and laid out for the erection of a Marine and Naval Hospital, on a scale suitable to the increasing requirements of the garrison. The spot in Mill lane adjoining the Common, some months ago de signed and pronounced by the Engineer Depart ment as suitable for building a garrison church, is ordered to be levelled and laid out for that pur pose. The locality affording sufficient space for the depot and official departments of the Royal Engineers, the necessary establishments belonging to that corps, and which are at present carried on in various parts of the garrison, are ordered to be built thereon. The Soldiers' Institute, under the direction of Mr. Angerstein, the Rev. Mr. Ack worth, vicar of Plums' ead, and the Philanthropic Committee of Woolvvicb, who have generously contributed the pecuniary means of setting the establishment on a working scale, was yesterday morning opened to sub3cribe-s. From the pub licity already given by the public press, various contributions of most useful books have been re ceived by the committee. The house from its po sition near the Royal Marine, Artillery, and Mi litia quarters, as well as from the distribution of its numerous chambers, fitted up as refreshment, reading, and writing rootnP, &c., and affording cheap and reasonable means of amusement for the recreation of the soldier for whom it is intend.ed as a second home, will, it is considered, render its success little shor of a p',s'tive certainty. Major-General Sir W. F. Williams returned to Woolwich on Saturday, and resumed the command of the garrison yesterday morning. The whole of the division of Vie Royal Marine Light Infantry assembled at Woolwich Common yesterday morning in command of Lieut.-Col. H. Fleming, and went through a series of battalion movements and field drills. The St. Vincent, 104, has stripped to her lower mast?, and awaits the turn over to the Duke of Wellington, 131, screw, which will take up her moorings off Hard way. The rear-admiral superintendent's flea of the Portsmouth I/Jciiyard flies at the mizm of the Excellent, gunnery ship (pro tern). The corvette which we stated would be built in No. 6 dock, at Portsmouth, will be called the Rinaldo, screw, 17 gune. When completed she wid be "floated," not launched. Her Majesty's store transp , rt Rhaiamanthu3, Master- CJanmander Sturdee, air;ved at Woolwich on Saturday evening laden with steam boilers, &.7., for transship ment for her INlaj , sty's steamship Coromandel in China. The Imperieuse, 51, screw, will be taken into the steam basin dock at Portsmouth as soon as the Duke of Wel lington, 131, screw, hauls out. THE CONDITION OF TIIE NAVY. (Prom. the Morning Herald.) The condition of our navy on the return of the Conservative patty to power must be very interest ing to our reaJers. The circumstances under which that party again forms the government of the country are most remarkably coincident with those under which Sir Robert Peel succeeded Lord John Russell in 1841. It will not be forgotten that for some time previously the government had been en gaged in various squabbles with foreign powers. The Syrian difficulties had scarcely subsided ; our relations with Francs were most unsatisfactory ; with America we were on the verge of quarrelling, and with China we were at open war. Singularly enough, Lord Derby has just such another le gacy left him ; but happily the navy at this mo ment is not comparatively in the same dis gracefully weak condition al it was in 1841, yet it must be confessed that it is a source of con siderable uneasiness to its best friends that nearly one-third of the efficient forces of the navy is concentrated on one station—China ; leaving only about 28,000 officers, seamen, marines, and boys, in the Mediterranean, West Indies, North America, Cape of Good Hope, coast of Africa, Brazils, Pacific ; and for the coasts of Engl a nd, Ireland, and Scotland, the transport service, the receiving ships, depot ships, training ships, and home ports. Fortunately, the ships that are on foreign sta tions are fully and efficiently manned ; but in con sequence of the most unwise reductions last year, at the cry of economy and retrenchment, we find ourselves engaged in another China war with only peace forces and half-manned ships at home. We doubt not that if any real danger threatened the peace of Europe we should have plenty of men for the fleet ; but it must be confessed that at the present moment we have scanty resources ; for our best men have been sent adrift, our most intelligent lads have been dlowed to quit the service, and all vacancies have latterly been filled by the most in ferior classes. The following lists aro made up to March 1 : THE FLEET OF THE LINE. SCREW SHIPS OF THE LINE. Guns. Men. H. p. Station. Marlborough Duke of Wellington l3l 523 700 Portsmouth. Royal Albert l2l 1000 500 Mediterranean. Royal George lO2 376 400 Sheerness. Conqueror v lOO 930 800 Mediterranean. Princess Royal _ . _ Hannibal Renown 91 452 450 Portsmouth. 91 860 800 Portsmouth. Exmouth Nile Cressy Centurion 80 452 4co Sheerness, 80 750 400 Mediterranean. Brunswick BO 750 400 West Indies. Sansparei! . 70 620 400 China. The Marlborough is fitting at Portsmouth to relieve the R )Sal Albert in the Mediterranean, Ad miral Fanshawe succeeding Admiral Lord Lyons. The Duke of Wellingt.)n, Royal Ge -, rge and. Nile, ar e home-portfiag ships ; and Hannib +I, ixmouth, and Cressy are steam guard ships at their resppctive ports, the officers commanding being in charge of the steam withr. screwts only oci,aEu partgu called ir la c o d m a ha p ni p l complements. ;distributede effectiven s. ordinaries. But all these latter are sea-going s'i,p-, \ may bet Within the Itte s t f e e frigates have .beenw places suppli e d b iglancl, Ireland, and Scotland. These h o T in h ee atfollowing service the f e r variousac er are Weeks many old 50-gun sailing sent to the ordinaries, and th • Y the above .>- screw cur elups—all of DUTIES AND PROCEDURE OF THE COUNCIL. XXV. The Council shall, under the direction of the Secretary of State, and subject to the provisions of this Act, conduct th e b us i n ess transacted in the United Kingdom in relation to the government of India and the correspondence with India in the public department, but every order or communica tion sent to India shall be signed by one of the principal Secretaries of State ; and save as expressly provided by this act, every order in the United Kingdom in relation to the government of India under this act shall be signed by such Secretary of State, and all dispatches from governments and presidencies in India, and other dispatches from India, which if this act had not bean passed should have been addressed to the Coutt of Directors or to their secret committee, shall be addressed to such Secretary of State. XXVI. The Secretary of State to divide the council into committees, and to regulate the transaction of business. XXVII. Secretary of State, president. XXVIII. Meetings of the council shall be con vened and held when the Secretary of State shall from time to time direct ; and upon requisition in writing by six or more of the members of the council, one of their secretaries or assistant secre taries shall convene a meeting of such council, giving three days' notice in writing thereof to the Secretary of State and each member of the council. XXIX. The questions at any meeting of the council at which the Secretary of State is not pre sent shall be determined by the votes of the majority of the members present, and in case of an equality of votes, the Vice-President shall have a second or casting vote ; but at any meeting of the council at which the Secretary of State is present, if there be a difference of opinion on any question, except as to the validity of elections or returns of members, or as to such appointments and admissions to services as by this act are authorised to be made by the council, the determination of the Secretary of State shall be final ; and all acts done at any meeting of the council in the absence of the Secre tary of State shall, except as to such elections and returns, appointments and admissions to service as aforesaid, require his sanction or approval in writing ; and in case of difference of opinion On any question decided at any meeting, the Secreta►y of State may require that his opinion, and the rea sons for the same, be entered in the minutes of the proceedings, and any member of the council who may have been present at the meeting may require that his opinion, and auy reasons for the slme that he may have stated aa the meeting, ba entered in like manner. XXX. The Vice President, and such two other members of the council as the Secretary of Stare may from time to time in this behalf appoint, shall be a secret committee of council for the purposes of this act ; and any such member so appointed may at any time be removed by the Secretary of State. XXXI. Every order or communication proposed to be sent to India, and every order proposed to be made in the United Kingdom, in the publicdepai t ment by the Secretary of State, shall, unless the same has been submitted to a meeting of the coun cil, be placed in the council-room for the perusal of all members of the council during seven days 13,-;- fore the sending or making thereof ; except in the cases hereinafter provided ; and it shall be lawful for any member of the council to record in a mi nute book, to be kept for that purpose, his opinion with respect to each such order or communication, and a copy of every opinion so recorded shall he sent forthwith to the Secretary of State. XXXII. Secretary of State acting against the opinions of the majority to record his reasocs. XXXIII. Provid_d, that where it appears to the Secretary of State that the despatch of any order or communication, or the making of ally order in the public department is urgently re quired, notice thereof shall be given to every mem ber of the council ; but the communication may Le sent or order given notwithstanding the same may not have been submitted to a, meatier , of the coun cil or deposited for seven days as aforesaid, the urgent reasons for sending or making the same being recorded by the Secretary of State. XXXIV. Orders now sent through secret com mittee to be communicated to the secret committee of council. XXXII'. Secret despatches from India only, to be communicated to the secret committee. APPOINTIIE.NTS AND PATRONAGE. XXXVI. The appointments of Governor Gene ral of India, fourth ordinary member of the council of the Governor General of India, and governors of presidencies in India, now made by the Court of Directors with the .approbation of her Majesty, and the appointments of advocate general for the several presidencies now made with the approbation of the commissioners for the affairs of India, shall be male by her Majesty by warrant under her Royal sign manual ; the appointments of the ordi nary members of the Council of the Governor General of India, except the fourth ordinary mem ber, and the appointments of lieu'eaant governors of provinces or territories, shall be made by the Governor General ef India, s u bj ec t t o t h e appro bation of her Majesty ; and the appointments of the members of council of the several. presidencies shall be made by the governors of such respectivo presidencies, subject to the like approbation ; and all such appointments shall be sutject to the quali fications now by law affecting such offices respec tively. XXXVII. Appointments now made in India to be continued to be made there. XXXVIII. All powers of appointing cadets, military and naval, and all other powers of appoin ing and admitting to service not herein otherwise expre,sly provided for, which would or might have been exercised by the Court of Directors of the said company if this act had not been passed, shall be vested in her Majesty : provided that names of such persons as may from time to time be recom mended by the council, under r:solutions made at their meetings, for appointments or admissions to service s shall be submitted to her Majesty by the Secretary of State ; provided also, that appoint ments of persons becoming entitled thereto as men tioned in sec. 41 of the said act of the 16th and 17th years of her Majesty may be made by any committee of the council as the Secretary of State shall direct. XXXIX. All powers of making regulations in relation to the appointments and admissions to ser vice and other matters connected therewith, and of altering or revoking such regulations, which if this act had not been passed might have been exercised by the court of directors or commiss'oners for the affairs of India, may be exercised at meetings of the council, subject to the approbation of her Majesty, and all regulations in force at the time of the com mencement of this act in relation to the matters aforesaid shall remain in force, subject nevertheless to alteration or revocation by the council as afore said. XL. Removal of officers by her MAjegty.: XLI. Real and personal property of the corn pany to vest in her Majesty for the purposes of the government of India. XLII. Powers of sale and purchase, and con tracting. XLIII. Divilend of the company, and existing and future debts and liabilities and expenses, charged on the revenues of India. Clauses XLIV. to LII. provide for the transfer of revenues, cash account at the Bank, &c. LIII. Audit of accounts in England. LIV. Accounts to be annually laid before Parlia ment. LV. Commis3ioners ta proceed to India to inquire into the finances and accounts. - LVI. Indian military anit naval forces to remain under existing conditions and service. LVII. New provisions may be made for persons hereafter entering her Majesty's Indian forces. LVIII. Servants of the company to be deemed servant.A of her Majesty. , Board of Control to rem LIX. All 6 rders of the Court of Directors i Lx. eemer of a po_naitn in force. directors, dzo. P LXI. Board of Contiro:::::::: or functions of 1 Cat Les LXII. to LXIX. provide for the tra. o a of powers and the con ti nuance of some e f ;c r isatnieneg arrangements. COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACT. LXX. This act shall commence and take effect on the day next after the passing thereof. LXXI. This act shall bo proclaimed in the TUESDAY EVEN! NG, MARCH 30, 1858. them old sailing two-deckers converted into screw ships with efficient armaments. Guns. Men. H-p. Station. Blenheim 6O 348 450 Portland. Ajax Edinburgh .. Hogue 6O 348 450 Greenock. Cornwallis 6O 348 200 Humber. Hawke 6O 348 200 Coast of Ireland. Hastings co 348 200 Liverpool. Russell 6O 348 200 Falmouth. Pembroke. 6O 348 200 Harwich. With the former list, we have a total of 23 sea going screw ships. SCREW FRIGATES. Guns. Men. 11.-p. Station. Shannon 5l 560 600 China. Chesapeake 51 530 400 China. Euryalus Diadem ...... 32 475 800 Portsmouth. Arrogant Tribune Curacoa 3l 340 350 Portsmouth. These seven frigates are of the most powerful classes, and perhaps the smallest is equal to the 74-gun sailing ship of the last war. The Arrogant is the first screw frigate designed for the navy, and the Diadem is the last production of the dockyards. The latter is a model vessel, of immense tonnage, immense power, and mighty armament. SCREW FLOATING BATTERY. Terror, 16 guns, 60 men, 200 horse-power, Bermuda. SCREW CORVETTES. Ships. Guns. Men. H.-p. Station. Racoon Pylades Pelorus Highflycr Satellite Tartar Pearl Esk 2O 240 250 China. • Niger ... l4 1. C .1 49 0... China. - The Niger is the oldest of this class, and the Ra • coon the youngest. There is, however, no com parison between the two, for the latter is equal in force to three of the old Niger, SCRSW SLOOPS. • Ships. Guns. Men. H.-p. Station- Cruizer Hornet Harrier Alert Wasp - l3 165 100 Brazils. Cordelia ll 120 151 Australia. Desperate 8 165 400 Mediterranean. Conflict 8 165 400 Coast of Africa. Ariel Curlew Swallow 9 100 60 Mediterranean. Lyra , . 9 100 60 Cape. Plumper Sharpshooter 8 90 202 Coast of Africa. Teazer Fairy . — 120 Royal Yacht Tender. SCREW GUN VESSELS. Nimrod Roebuck .... . . Surprise Cormorant 4 91 200 China. Assurance Sparrowhawk 4 90 200 China. Mohawk 4 90 200 China. Coquette........ 4 90 200 Mediterranean. Vigilant 4 90 2 , !0 Mediterranean. Osprey 4 90 200 Mediterranean. Wanderer Lapwing SCREW GUN BOATS. Bustard Haughty 2 37 60 China. Forster .... Opossum 2 37 60 China. Plover 2 37 60 China. Staunch Starling Forward 2 37 60 China. Skipjack 3 37 60 West Indies. Onyx . . 2 20 Bermuda, tender. Nettle 2 20 Bermuda, tender. Redwing 2 20 Devonport, tender. Lark Stork .... Traveller 2 60 Portsmouth, tender. Bullfinch 2 60 Portsmouth, tender. Lively 2 60 Sheerr e3S, tender. Biter Badger .... 2 60 Kingstown, t. (e.g.) Erne Louisa 2 60 Leith, tender (e.g.) Gos' awk Snap - 50 Greenock ten. (e.g.) Saudfly Ruby Spanker 2 60 Humber, ten. (e.g.) Magpie Dapper Hind Magnet Leveret Shamrock Seagull Dove Leven Slauey 1 40 80 China Algerine Lee Firm Banterer 1 37 60 China Clown 1 37 4G China. Kestrel Drake 1 37 40 China. Janus Watchful; Woodcock Lynx Viper .. Jascur ••• 1 41 80 West Indies. Jasper 1 41 80 West Indies. Fifteen of the above are tenders to the coas guard service ships at their respective stations. SCREW TROOP AND STORE SHIPS. Himalaya Adventure Assistance Megoera Simoom Vulcan Urgent Hesper Buffalo Sup ! ly Industry 2 53 80 Particular Service. The above, it will be seen, compose the principal forces of the Royal navy-129 screw ships. The following is— THE STEAM PADDLE FORCE. FRIGATES, CORVETTES, &C. Ships. Guns. Men. 11.-p, Station. Penelope l6 300 650 Cape. Retribution Leopard Magicieune l6 2 20 4 00 China. Furious Valorous l6 220 400 Devonport. Samson Cyclops Fury 6 16 5 515 China. Inflexible 6 1 65 3 78 China. Vesuvius 6 2U3 280 Coast of Africa. Centaur Vulture Hermes - 6 120 220 C ape. Hecate 6 135 240 Coast of Africa. Melo. Trident Virago 6 165 3 00 Brazils. Vixen 6 165 2 20 Pacific. Devastation 6 160 400 West ',dies. Medina •00 4 ICO 312 Mediterranean (sur.) Tartarus Porcupine...., 3 67 132 Hebrides (sur.) Basilisk ...... Buzzard 6 Its 300 West Indies. Styx 6 Its 2 80 West Indies. Recruit Weser Dasher 2 6 9 100 Channel Islands. Locust Otter . Alban 4 55 100 Fitting. Alecto Medusa 4 100 312 Coast of Africa. Merlin 4 100 312 Coast of Africa. Ardent 3 100 200 Coast of Africa, Firefly 5 80 220 Coast of Africa. • Pluto Antelope 3 65 260 Coast of Africa. Myrmidon Sp tfire Bloodhound Caradoc .. Harpy 1 50 200 Mediterranean. Jackal 1 50 150 Fisheries. Brune 2 80 Cof Africa, tender. Pigmy 3 • 37 160 Portsmouth, tender. S; rightly Fire Queen ... , 28 120 Portsmouth, tender. Advice Lizard — 47 150 Sheerness, tender, —.., Wildfire Fearless Asp — 50 Pembroke, tender. Lightning Advice — 24 180 Queenstown, tender. Coromandel Rhadamanthus Dee Kite — 170 Bermuda, tug. Redpolo - 24 170 Gibraltar, tug. Hearty YACHTS. Vict. & Albert 2 138 600 Royal yacht. Elfin — 40 Royal yacht, tender. Osborne 2 80 430 Admiralty, Portsth. Black Eagle Vivid Emperor — 39 Japan. THE SAILING FLEET. That part of our navy now composed of mere sailing ships is regarded as the least powerful and eff-ctrve portion of it. These ships, it may be said, are being merely worn out, and used on foreign stations in order to keep the more effective screw ships available at home. TWO DECKERS. 011118, Men, Station. Calcutta ...... 84 720 China. Gauges Monarch Indus 7B 650 West Indies. Boscawen 7O 650 Cape. Cumber!and FRIGATES. Nankin ....... . 53 5'.)0 China. Eagle (50) Cambrian ........ Sybille 4O 350 China, Pique Castor . .. 36 330 Cape. CORVETTES. Amethyst Iris . 26 230 Australia. Alarm Actaeon... 26 153 China. Savannah „, l9 240 PACIAC, Calypso Herald 1 121 Australia (sure.) SLOOPS, &C. . - , - Arachn e Atalanta l6 130 West Indies. Camilla Acorn l2 130 China. ___ _ __ 12 130 China. Comus l4 130 China: Racehorse Sappho Persian Childers Heron Spy' FLAG, ORDINARY, STATIONARY Suers, So, Royal William Waterloo l2O 222 Sheerness. Victory Hibernia (104) Princess Charlotte (104) 12 4SO China, floating brcks. Impregnable Cambridge Excellent Wellesley.., 73 337 Chatham. Implacable (72) 2O 80 Devonport, training. 11l strious (72) ...... 20 131 Portsmouth,training Imaum (72) lO 82 Jamaica. Belleisle (72) Melville (72) ...... 6 219 China, hospital. Miudon (72) Fisgard Saturn TENDERS. Bittern Bramble lO Australia. Adelaide — Cape. Cockatrice 4 Pacific. Netley Nautilus Sylph Sealark 8 Portsmouth. Rolla 6 3 Portsmouth, training. Mercury Ceres Fanny Hart — 9 Sheerness. Wizard — 18 Queens own. Gipsey — 21 Queenstown. STORE SHIPS. Tortoise Madagascar. 12 230 Ascension. 8 69 Rio. Nereus „„ Naiad ... Athol ... Crocodile 6 27 Pacific, 6 22 Pacific. 4 30 Greenock. 4 41 Thames. HULKS, Ste. Alligator Sapphire Sringapatam Pyramus Weymouth The above are the actual forces of the British navy in commission —effective, sea going, sta tionary, and otherwise. Since the break-up of the late Si/ Robert Peel's Government, in 1847, the screw ship has superseded, not only the old sailing man-of-war, but the paddle-wheel vessel, and now the real strength of the British fleet is the number of three-deckers—such as the Duke of Wellington, Marlborough, Royal Sovereign ; two-deckers—such as the Conquerer and St. Jean d'Acre ; frigates— such as Shannon, Imperieuse, Diadem ; and cor vettes, gun vessels, and gun boats—such as Racoon, Slaney, &c. propelled by powerful screw machinery. In the lists above enumerated will be remarked the Blenheim, Ajax, Rogue, and the Arrogant. These were the pioneers of the screw steam. fleet. The former three were the first experiments, being old 74 sailing ships converted into screws, and the last-named was the first frigate designed to be pro pelled by screw machinery. Her speed and quali cations as a powerful frigate have now been sur passed by our modern screw frigates, but for her tonnage and power she stills holds a good position in the list. It must be a source of sincere gratifi cation to the new Secretary to the Admiralty, the Right Hon. T. L. Corry, to see the ships above mentioned converted and designed under his secre taryship, and at his earnest desire, 10 years since, figuring so prominently as they still do in the effec tive forces of the British navy. ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND, Yesterday the 13th anniversary festival of the General Theatrical Fund was held at the Freemason's Tavern- 2 W. M. Thackeray, E,q., in the chair. there was a very full attendance of gentlemen interested profession ally and otherwise in the institution, and a number of ladies were also present. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly honoured, The CHAIRMAN rose to propose the toast of the even ing, and said—Having seldom, indeed only once before in my life, been called on to fill the chair on an occasion like ails, and not possessing that happy genius and skill in such maters which belong to a friend of mine not very far from me (Ur. Dickens), I thought I could make up for my deficiencies by previous assiduity and study ; and I went through a long course of reading relative to the drama, beginning with its very commencement, with occasional alight ramifications into the history cf the Chinese and Turkish stage. (Laughter.) The com mencement of the drama, I find, was at a period about 570 or 580 years before the Christian era. It happened at a time when one of the seven wi• e sages of Greece flourished in Athens, and who was called Solon. He was a man of great eminence in his time, and I have introduced his name because I wished you to see how assiduous I have been, and also with a view to your en joyment of the puzle which you will experience in won dering what the sage Solon has to do with the toast of to-night. (Laughter.) Solon, being one of the greatest 'senora in Athens, consented to witness a dramatic re presentation by Thespis, its discoverer, and who went i❑ a waggon—no doubt, a stage-waggon—(laughter)— about a theatrical circuit. (Laughter.) Having witnessed the performance, Solon sent for Thespis, and having a large stick in his hand, he said to him, "How dare you tell such a parcel of lies ?" Thespis remonstrated, and sail that his songs and interludes were not meant to be taken as matters of fact, but were simply intended to anera e On which Solon tliumped his stick oh the ground and said, "Begone ! A man who will tell such fibs on the stage wou'd forge a bill of exchange." (Laughter.) This story is told in Plutarch's Life of Solon, and I never read of his life after that. (Hear, and laughter.) What a num ber of years have passed since Solon has been called to his rest, and poor Thespis has gone to his long account! Every one present is aware how often a character on the stage is acted over and over again, and though Solon and Thespis are dead, their parts are still acted among us. When your worthy treasurer was making that journey of which he tell us on the occasion of one of the festi vals of this institution, with fourpence-halfpenny in his pocket, provided with a little skimmed milk for refreshment, and clothed in a printed calico waistcoat, but with a cheerful heart under it—suppose that S.don had overtaken him ; no doubt the sage would have had as light an opinion of him---would have looked down on him, and surveyed his calico waistcoat with contempt, while be congratulated himself on how supe , rior he was to that poor person struggling manfully on the road of life. There are Solons among us even now. There was a Solon in a German band who once said to me that he did not read novels because they were not true. (Laughter.) This was worthy of a Solon, for a Solon may he a pompous humbug, though he thinks himself far above a wandering actor, There may be Sa lons who cannot appreciate music, because they have no ear for it, and cannot tell the differeCce between "Water parted from the Sea" and "the music in Aliaine." (Laughter.) Let us then suppose that his indifference proceeds only from his own dulness, and not from any more unfavourable feeling. But because Solon is so wise and virtuous, is there any reason why there shall be no more cakes and ale No, despite of Solon's gravity, all youth any humour say we will have our sport ; Harle quin shall dance with Columbine, the Clown shall eat his sausage, and Hamlet shall kill his wicked uncle, and we will not be horrified at the transaction. (Laughter.) Claude Mclnotte shall still walk up and down with Pau line under the spangled heavens, and still adorned with a pair of spangled tights, and we will have our sports and our sports, despite of all the Solons, with sticks as thick as a beadle's. (Hear, hear.) Perhaps, however, when Solon comes to look at a society like this, and sees how prudent and how generous you are disposed to be, he will be inclined to have a greater respect for Thespis in his cotton waistcoat than when he met him trudging on the road. How proud all the members of this society ought to be 1 She is not yet 20 years old, yet she has saved 10,00001., and she has spent 9001. a-year in doing good. Sho has relieved the orphan and the needy, and taken to their last home the friendless poor; and she has done more than this, for she has enabled men who never came to her, and who were never likely to come to the society, to have the satisfaction of feeling that thi - re was such a place to come to if need be. (Hear, hear.) The contributors and subscribers to a society like this know that there is a' bank on which they can draw without shame, and I hope that we shall soon hear of the increase of its funds, that its means of usefulness have become known all over the kinedom, and that it will have large recei e ts every year from such members as recognise its admirable uses and efficiency. There is no need to recommend the society to the pro fessional gentlemen present ; they know its excellence, they have looked into it themselves, and they advocate it among their brethren. As for us, who are visitors to-night, we, from many a kindly association, must have strong regard for the stage, for we owe to it a multitude of happy hours, and we will show our appreciation cf it to-night by most cordially drinking "Prosperity to the General Theatrical Fund." (Loud cheers.) Mr. BJCKSTONE then rose and said—Gentlemen, as this is the 13th annual festival of the General Theatrical Fund, and as for 13 years I have never been absent from this celebration, except on ore occasion, and hay- l ing therefore at 11 of these dinners risen to return j thanks for the toast you have this moment so greatly honoured, you will perceive that for many years I have been preaching from one text, and as this is now the twelfth time that I rise to address you on the same theme, you must not be surprised if there is little variety in my subject matter. (Cheers.) Paganini certainly executed many extraordinary and various passages on one string of his violin, but to continue for many years to preach from one text is an exploit which, I think, would somewhat puzzle even the Rev. Mr. Spurgeor. (Laughter.) However, I will endeavour to be as varied as possible, and state facts, and exhibit fancies, as clearly as may he in my power, to the ladies and gentlemen present. (Cheers.) I say ladies and gentlemen, be cause both are not only here to-night, but they are placed 'according to the arrangement of a pious quadrille —(laughter)—suggested by the rev. gentleman I have alluded to—the ladies by themselves, and the gentle men by themselves ; though I have little doubt, if a dance were to be proposed in the course of this evening, that, in defiance of the plan of the preacher, we should find that the ladies and gentlemen would speedily amalgamate. (Applause and laughter.) In returning thanks for your toast, gentlemen, I must arrange my dis course into four divisions—Firstly, to thank the chair man, and to say something about him ; secondly, to set forth the purposes of our fund, the amount of money we possess, and what we do with it ; thirdly, to appeal to your sympathies, and use whatever powers I may possess to call forth the generous feelings of your nature ; fourthly, and lastly, to thank you all, and make the way easy for our worthy secretary when he audibly an nounces your liberal donation% Now, gentlemen, I thank the chairman, and say something about him. Twelve months ago, in this hall, Mr. Dickens announcer that on our anniversary festival this year the chair would be taken by Mr. Thackeray ; the announcement was re ceived with the warmest expressions of sadsfaction, and though, when we reflect on the many chances against life and health, it was a long time to look forward to such an event, yet lam happy to say here it is. (Cheers.) Here is our chairman, doing his utmost to benefit us, and looking as hearty and stalwart as ever—(cheers) — and that he may long continue to look so must be the sincere hope of every lover of honest and manly litera ture. With the knowledge twelve months beforehand who was to be our chairman on this occasion, the com mittee of management was relieved from much anxiety ; they had not to go from one celebrity to another to soli cit his services, as all was settled : and if our beat friend and faithful trustee, Mr. Dickens, could make a similar announcement this evening, we should indeed feel de lighted and grateful. (Cheers.) But to our chairman, gentlemen, and to our trustee present, the members of the General Theatrical Fund point with emotions of pride and pleasure, for to see such gentlemen honouring us with their presence, pleading for us, and using all their influence in our behalf, speaks more for the honest purposes and soundness of our institution than all the glowing prospectuses that ever were published of any company of limited liability or otherwise. (Cheer-.) When such readers of the human heart, such depicters of human character, as the author of " Vanity Fair," and the author of " The Pickwick Papers" can appear to gether at one table, to plead for any society whatever, it is an unanswerable guarantee that such a society is well deserving of your patronage and support; there fore, what must be the gratification of the friends and members of our fund to-night to see its cause advocated by the Sue - Tett and the Fielding of the present age (applause)— though if you were to ask me which is the Fielding and which is the Smollett I could only reply in the words of the showman when asked by the little boys peeping into his show, " Which was the lion and which was the unicorn ?"—I could only say, " Which ever you please, my little dears, you pays your money and you takes your choice." (Laughter.) But to Mr. Thackeray we are indeed indebted ; and, in the name of all the meaibers of the fund, I heartily thank him for givi; g us this evening so much of his valuable time, his influence, and his eloquence. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, I must come to the second division of my discourse—the pur poses of our fund, the amount of money we possess, and what we do with it. It is now widely known that the otject of the General Theatrical Fund is to provide life annuities for all persons practicing the art of acting, dancing, or singing ; also for pantomimist: and promp ters belonging to the fund ; while all members who have subscribed for seven years may claim their annuities at the expiration of that short term, should they become incapacitated from following their art by accident or in firmity ; and, gentlemen, we none of us bear a " charmed life" against affliction, whether of the mind or body— we know not how soon we may require that little but honourable independence to which you so goner eisly subscribe. Should thevJuilet of the evening that you have so much admired slip in her descent from the bal cony, and the nurse, unable to arrest her fall, should she fracture a limb in consequence or be otherwise disabled, should the bounding dancer, whose gyrations have called forth your rapturous applause and your bouquets—should she, in turning one of her astonishing pirouettes, happen to dislocate that ancle, the form and proportions of which you have so closely scanned through your opera glass— should the tragic actor and graceful fencer, while show• ing his skill at carte and tierce, in the character of Hamlet, have an eye thrust out by some awkward Leertea, or any of es suffer from "the thousand natural shocks" that the player, as well as other fle-h, is heir to, I am sure, gentlemen, you will neither dine nor sleep the worse for knowing that you have assisted in allev‘ating these calamities. (Applause.) I am, indeed, happy to tell you that our fund is in a flourishing condition, and that we are enabled to carry out all its purposes. From the time we first commenced paying annuities we have had 17 claimants, who have received from 301. to 901. per annum ; some of these have died, but we have now nine receiving annuities, five of whom are females. During the past year we have,, reterneri, according to our rules, 1001. to members retiring from the fund ; have expended 301. in funeral expenses ; and though it is not our cus tom, yet in peculiar and extreme cases we have not with held the hand of charity—and yet, having done all this, our capital after to-night will not be far short of 11,C00/. (Loud cheers.) This capital, gentlemen, has been created by.the subscriptions of 163 members, assisted by your liberality on these occasions, and the donations of friends and well-wishers. (Cheers.) Having disposed of the second division of my discourse, I now proceed to the third—to appeal to your sympathies, and use whatever powers I may possess to cis , ' forth the generous feelings of your nature. The world is full of institutions, from one end of it to the other—from the sutteeistn of the Hindoo to the cannibalism of the South Sea I , lander. (Laughter.) In America, the other day, a worthy citi zen declared that " woman was an institution"—(laugb ter)—while in France at the present moment there is a peculiar institution called the passport—(laughter)—the difficulties in obtaining which may turn out to be a real blessing to the roving Englishman, and send him about to see his own country, and to discover to his astonish ment that it is the most beautiful to be found anywhere. But in England, gentlemen, thereds an institution which does not exist amongst any other of the nations of the earth. It is an institution so thoroughly En g lish, that only an Englishman can thoroughly enjoy it ; for while it is as national as it is pleasant, it is 33 substantial as it is beneficial. Gentlemen, it is the institution of dining-- (cheers)—that is to say, dining toge , her in large companis s fir the purpose of being charitable—(cheers)—and that instituti 'n you are now nobly carrying out this evening. It is not the midnight Bacchanalian festival, when pro mises are often made that in the morning are quite for gotten. You are called upon shortly after you have dined—when you feel disposed not only to be at peace with your neighbour but with all the world—you are called upon to be benevolent, and you are so at once, for on these occasions it is no credit system—the money is taken over the counter. Then, is not this dining to gether as noble an institution as it is a national one and long long may it continue to be an honest and a hearty Ehelish method of doing good. (Cheer.) And now, my dear friends—(laughter)—fourthly and lastly, I must thank you all, and make the way easy for our worthy secretary to announce your donations. We have present a genial party of friends to whom . ' must particularly allude, namely, the company of amateurs who performed last year for the benefit of our fund. We have received a very handso me sum from their exsr Lions on that occasion at the St. James's Theatre, and it was their wish to have done the same this year, but the theatre being in the possession of a celebrated con juror, it was not to be had at present, but when be has exhausted his wonders they intend after Easter to " do the trick" themselves--.(laughter)—and to xszt their talent and their influence in our cause ; and while we thank them sincerely for their pains, I am sure it will be a comfort for them to know that I read the other day in a weekly paper, amongst certain answers to corre spondents, how " jecnima" was informed that the editor was of opinion that amateur acting was not injurious to Public morals. (Loud laughter.) And now, gentlemen, I must conclude with announcing to you that we have received the noble annual contribution from her gracious Majesty of one hundred guineas. (Cheers) I know that we have her best wishes. I know that there is no greater lover of the English drama than the Queen — (cheers)—that it is her delight ; and for the comfort of actors yet to come, and for the future prospects of the stage , it is pleasant to kn ow th a t s h e f requently brings the royal family to the play when the play is 1 ti. t.: t 4 A s A 4 4 Colchester ( Harwich 4 50 300 1802 220 I, eigh ', 280 20 42 Ilaldon :1318, 190 1 367 73 ; 420 Elk .. good and worth seeing —(cheers)—and, in announcing► this queenly donation, I will end my discourse with the aphorism, that as charity covers a multitude of sins, come, then, and according to thy means do likewise. (Cheers.) Mr. CHARLES DICKENS, who was received with mach applause, next rose and said—ln oar theatrical expe rience as playgoers we are all equally accustomed to predict by csrtain little signs and portents on the stage what is going to happen there. When the young lady, an admiral's daughter, is left alone to indulge in a abort soliloquy, when certain smart spirit rappings are heard to proceed immediately from beneath her feet, we fore tell that a song is impending. (Laughter.) When two gentlemen enter, for whom, by a happy coincidence, two chairs, and no more, are in - waiting, we augur a conver cation, and that it will assume a retrospective biographi cal character. (Laughter.) When any of the per formers who belong to the seafaring or marauding pro fessions are observed to arm themselves with very small swords to which are attached very large hilts, we pre dict that the affair will end in a combat. (Laughter.) Carrying out the association of ideas it may have oc curred to some that when I asked my old friend in the chair to allow me to propose a toast I had him in my eye; and I have him now on my lips. (Laughter and applause.) The duties of a trustee of the Theatrical Fund, an office which I hold, are not so frequent or so great as its privileges. He is in fact a mere walking gentleman—(laughter)—with the melancholy difference that he has no one to love. (Laughter.) If this advan tage could be ad led to his character it would be one of a more agreeable nature than it is, and his forlorn posi tion would be greatly improved. (Laughter.) His duty is to call every half year at the bankers, when he signs his name in a large greasy inconvenient book, to certain documents of which he knows nothing, and then he de• livers it to the property man and exits anywhere. (Laughter.) He, however, has many privileges. It is one of his privileges to watch the steady growth of an institution in which be takes great interest ; it is one of his privileges to bear his teetieeony to the prudence, the goodness, the solid-trial and the excellence of a class of persons who have been too long depreciated, and whose virtues are too niuch denied, out of the depths of an ignorant and stupid eupersti-ion. (Hear, hear.) And lastly, it is one of his privileges sometimes to be called on to propose the health of the chairman at the annual dinnersof the in stitution, when that chairman is one for whose genius he entertains the warmest admiration and whom he respects as a friend, and as one woo does honour to literature and in whom literature is honoured. (Loud cheers,) I say when that is the case, he feels that this last privi lege is a great and high one. (Loud cheers.) From the earliest days of this institution I have ventured to im press on its managers that they would consult its credit and success by choosing its chairman as often as possible within the circle of literature and the arts—(hear, hear) —and I will venture to say that no similar institution has shown itself as having been presided over by so many remarkable and distinguished men. (Hear, bear.) lam sure, however, that it never has had, and that it never will have, simply because it cannot have, a greater lustre cast upon it than by the presence of the noble English writer who fills the chair to-night. (Great cheering.) It is not far me at this time and in this place to take on myself to flutter before you the well-thumbed pages of Mr. Thackeray's books, and to tell you to observe how full they are of wit and wisdom, how out-speaking and bow devoid of fear or favour ; but I will take leave to remark, in paying my clue homage and respect to them, to say that it is fitting that such a writer and such an institution should be brought together. (Hear.) Every writer of fiction, although he may not adopt the dramatic form, writes in effect for the stage. He may never mite plays, but the truth and passion which are in him must be more or less reflected in the great mirror which he holtls up to nature. Actors, managers, and authors are all represented in this compan ;t, and it may be supposed that they all have studied the deep wants of the human heart in many theatres ; but none of them could have studied its ieysterioue workings in any theatre to greater advent. tare than in the bright and airy pages of " Vanity Fair." (Hear.) To this skilful showman, who has so often de lighted us, and who has charmed us again to-night, we have now to wish God speed, and that he may continue for many years to exercise his potent art. To him fill a bumper toast, and fervently utter, God bless him I Ctieers.) The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and expressed his gratification at the terms in which he ha I been spoken of by his friend, Mr. Dickens, as well as at the circum stance that two literary gentlemen could be found who entertained such sentiments towards each other as they did. (Cheers.) Several other toasts followed ; and the contributions, including 100 guineas from the Queen, reached 4001. The musical entertainments, as usual on this occasion, were of a high order. Many of our ableet vocalists at tenrlid ; Madame Rudersdorff, in particular, excited great applause by the admirable manner in which she sang " 'T Aas withi❑ a mile o' E4inbro' town." Miss Poole a'so sang very beautifully, as did several other vocali te. The direction of the music was confided to Mr. Lovell Phi:lips. CountrytVlarkets. COLCHESTER- MARCR 27. A short supply of wheat, with a slow sale, at is per qr. reduction. Malting barleys in good demand, and last week's rates maintained. Beans rather dearer, and peas as before. Prices to-daywere as follow :—Wheat, white, 46a to 501 red, 42s to 465; barley, 36s to 43s ; oats, 24s to 28s ; beano, liazagan, 31s to ; middle and small, 36s to 40s; peas, white, 40s to 42s ; grey, 40s to 425. Official Statement of the. Quantities of Corn, Ste in the port of London, from the following pi March 22 to March 27, both inclusive. ~ received )rts, from C L.M.S FORD-MARCH 26. There was an inactive trade in grain to-day, and prices of wheat receded is per qr. from last week's quotations. Spring corn of all sorts not so much in request, and the prices unaltered. Wheat, white, old, per s. qr. 43 new..-43 red, old 40 ' new..-38 49 i Oats, 49 I Peas, 44 44 40 8. 8. per qr 24 29 Partridge 40 43 White 38 42 Boiling 39 44 Barley 34 Chevalie'r 38 Grinding 28 Malt, 70 Chevalier 72 Dun - XBl 44 Beans, Tiek 36 32 . Harrow ticks 36 - - Mazagan 32 Ditto, new 32 KIRKCALDY_MARCH 27. We had poor supplies of grain to-day of all kinds. Sales quick, and prices of barley and oats is per quarter higher than the rates of last week ; wheat sold slowly, at barely late prices. Wheat. Barley. 1 Oats. 1 Beans. First Second Third 36s 01 I 24s 01 22s OJ Os Od COAL AARKEI Prices of Coals per ton ai [ . .;211A80H 29. the close of the market Wa SEc. Fanfold Moor l3 0 tuifieid MOor Butes 13 0 Bebside's Hartley l4 Davison's West Hartley 15 0 Haswell Gas 13 0 Howard's West Hartley Netherton 15 0 Lougridge's Wst Hartley 14 9 North Percy Hartley l3 0 Walker Primrose 3 Bell's Primrose l2 0 Wylam ...............12 C s. e/. Iletton l6 9 Larnbtou l6 3 .i'osforth l3 6 qraddyll l5 6 Tees l6 9 South Hetton 16 li Riddell l3 itussell's Iletton Kolloe , 15 15 Northumberland l3 itewit's 16 6 South Durham ,...14 0 Wen Main l4 9 Wallsenll, Ilaswell 16 9 . ships at mark ,t, 79 ; sold 52. BIRTHS. ALDERTON —On the 27th inst., at 14, Paddington-green, the wife of W. J. A , deiton, Esq., of a daughter. BAKER—On the 27th inst , at 28, Leinster-gardens, Hyde p.,ik, the wife of Adolphus Baker, Esq., of a eon. EDGAR -On the 28th inst., at the Limes, Clapham-com mon, the wile of Mr. Wm. Edgar, jail., of a son. NORCHI-0, the 27th inst., at 66, Regent-street, the wife f Mr. E. Norchi, of a daughter. STOUGHTON -011 the 28th inst., at 5, Grosvenor - plac 4 Hyde-park, Mrs. Charles William Stoughton, of a sop,. MARRIAGES. COLLINGWOOD—NATT. EWS —Ou the 27th inst., in London, Mr. Inch rnf Collingwood, youngest son of the late N ir . J. H. Collingwood of Grantham, to Eliza M. Mattlw ws, of Kinvland. DEATHS. L U i p a p t e h r il D 1: R al' ox i b e u u r t g . hshirey CooPER—On the 27th inst., at Henley -on- Thames, iis.mes Cooper, Esq., aged 99, Lde a o t f CURRIE —On the 25th inst., Win. Currie, Esq., aged 79. CIIALLEN- On the 27th inst , at Sberrnanbury-park, Sus sex, Stephen H. Challen, Esq., aged 84. DICK—On the 26th inst., at Curzon- s t ree t, Mayfair, Q,liutin Dick, Esq. , aged 81 . FINNIss—On the 3d Jan., at Finnissbrook, near Adelaide,. South Australia, Anne Frances, wife of Boyle Traverse Finuis3, Esq. , la te Colon ial Secretary. LONDON' Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG. of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at 77te Sun Office, No. 11'2, Strand, in :be Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Alicia esex, Tuesday, March 30, 1858. ~ r . -.->,..