The Sun. — London, England, 1860-02-28 00:00:00

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA COVENT-GARDEN. Under the management of Miss L. Pyne and Mr.W. Harrison. THIS EVENING (Monday), will be produced the grand Opera, entitled LURLINE, by W. Vincent Wallace. Messrs. W. Harrison, Santley, Corri, and G. Honey ; Misses Louiss. Pyne, Pilling, and F. Cruise, Conductor, Alfred Mellon. To conclude with the new grand pantomime, called PUSS IN BOOTS ; or, Harlequin and the Fairy of the Golden Palms. Messrs. W. H. Payne, H. Payne, F. Payne, Barnes, Tallien, Infants Lauri, and Miss Clara Morgan. Doors open at half-past 6—Commence at 7. THEA TRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, FISH OUT OF 'WATER. After which, will be performed the new and original Comedy, in three acts, entitled THE OVERLAND ROUTE. Messrs. C. Mathews, Buckstone, Compton, Chip pendale, Mrs. C. Mathews, Miss Weekes, and Mrs. Wilkins. Follewed by the new Haymarket Comic Christmas Panto mime, VALENTINE'S DAY; or, Harlequin and the Fairy of the True Lovers' Knot. The pantomimists the unrivalled Leolercqs. trHEATRE-ROYAL LYCEUM.- Sole Lessee and Directress, Madame Celeste. Brilliant and Increased Success of the new Drama —Colette Dubois and Therese Defarge, by Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, the new Drama of A TALE OF TWO CITIES, by Tom Taylor, Esq., from the story of that na me by Charles Dickens, Esq. Principal characters by Mr. James Vininw, Walter Lacy, Villiers, Rouse, Forrester, J. Johnstone, T. Lyon, Morton, Palmer, White, H. Butler, Clifford, and Fredericks ; Misses Kate Saville, Stuart, Turner, Mrs. Campbell, and Madame Celeste. After which, will be produced the Grand Christmas Ex travaganza and Pantomime, KING THRUSHBEARD, the LITTLE PET and the GREAT PASSION, in which is pre sented one of the most novel, costly, and brilliant effects ever witnessed - designed and painted by Mr. William Callcott.— King Thrushbeard, Miss Julia St. George. Commenoe at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Lessee, Mr. A. Harris. „ _ THIS EVENING, the Comedy of MONEY. Messrs. Geo. Melville, Ryder, Frank Mathews, Widdicomb, H. Bland, H. Saker, Garden, Graham ; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Clifford, and Mrs Charles Young After which, a new Christmas burlesque pantomime, by 11. J. Byron, called JACK TILE GIANT KILLER ; or, Harle ouin King Artliur and the Knights of the Round Table. Jack, Miss Louise Keeley—Harlequin, Mr. Cormack Panta loon, Mr. Paulo--Columbine, Miss Caroline Adams—Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest. MEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI. 1 Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. First Night et a New and Original Comedy, by Watts Phillips, entitled PAPER WINGS. THIS EVENING, ICI ON PARLE FRANCAIS, Mr. .T. L. Toole, Chas. Selby, Billington, Mrs. Chatterley, Mrs. Bil lington, Miss Kate Kelly, and Laidlaw. After which, PAPER WINGS, Mr Alfred Wigan, J. L. Toole, D. Fisher, Billington, P. Bedford, Stuart,' C. Selby, Eburne, C. J. Smith, Powell, Romer, Mrs Alfred Wigan, Miss IL Simms, Miss Kate Kelly, and Mrs Chatterley. Followed by DINORATI UNDER DIFFICULTIES. Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Eburne, C. J. Smith, Miss K. Kel'y. Doors open at half-past six—Commence at seven. Box- Moe open from 10 to 5. No charge for securing seats, nor ter bills of performance. All fees to servants of this establishment are strictly prohibited. Acting Manager—Mr. Win. Smith. ROYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, King-street, St. James's. Lessee, Mr. T. B. Chatter ton. Directress, Miss Wyndham. The nearest Theatre to Chelsea, Pimlico, and Westminster, the Park being open to carriages and foot passengers all hours of the night. THIS EVENING the performances will commence with I WILL, IF YOU WILL. After which, FIRST AFFECTIONS. Messrs. 11. T. Craven, G. Spencer, and Miss eiryndham. Followed by a new burlesque called DIDO. Mr. Charles Young, Mesdames Wyndham, Clara St. Casse, Murray, Eliza Arden, C. Ranoe, A. Evans, and Corps de Ballet. To conclude with MAGIC TOYS. Miss Lydia Thompson. Reduced Prices—Gallery, 6d; Pit, Is. The Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at hall-past six; perform ance commences at 7. CANTERBURY HALL CONCERTS.- THIS EVENING, LUCREZIA BORGIA, (Danizetti). Donna Lucreaia Maffio Orsini Mrs. Anderson. Gennaro Mr. Henry Herbert. Don Altonzo Signor Tivoli. Conductor—Mr. Jonghin ans. Comic Vocalists —Messrs. George Hodson (the Irish Come dian and Mimic), W. T. Critchfield, and E. W. Mackney. Several interesting Pictures are added to the Fine Arts Gallery. The suite of Halls have been re-decorated and beautified, and constitute one of the most unique and brilliant sights of the metropolis. The gallery is open from 5 till II on Sunday Evening. THE WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, FEB. 28, 1860. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 48—highest since noon yesterday. 44—lowest this morning and during the night. 52—this day at noon. BAROMETER-29.30. WIND. North-Westerly ; fresh, and very squally—a gale—with fine cloudy weather. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tits DAY.—Morning, sh. 27m.—Afternoon, sb. 44m To-moußow.-Morning, 6h. 2m.—Afternoon, 6h. 24m - u . "fi; .„.;tf,l • s_ t ilsl,:, • 217: 7 VL . .'Cts,' sl- .1"& -fr ' ' no a' • 2• L' — • 4 THE SUN. LONDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 28, 1860. -- + -- Now, if ever, we have the opportunity of securing to the central part of the metropolis the long wished-for advantage of a Thames embankment Little more than the cost of labour is required for the realisation, at once, of this obvious improvement. The material is there "to hand"—meaning the mass of stones and debris which will have to be carted away from the old bridge at Westminster. Labour, of course, will be required to cart all those stones and all that pile of rubbish away, and that labour will have to be paid for out of the proceeds of the sale of the material thus removed. Why not keep the rubbish and the stones instead of sell ing them ? Why not diminish the amount of labour that will be necessary for the removal bjtaking the debris to the shortest distance ? Why not, in fact, employ the earth, gravel, sherds, and rubbish of the old bridge in building up a portion, at least, of the long-projected embankment between West• minster and Blackfriars, employing the stones of the used-up structure for the river facing of that embankment ? Not to do this would certainly be the waste of an op p or t un ity th a t we shall look for in vain afterwards. For the old bridge at West minster, now about to be broken up and taken piecemeal elsewhere, will be a very quarry close at hand for the raising of this embankment. If in this direction we went only as far as the materials now within reach of us, as it were, would allow us to go—itwould, even if ending there, prove for the time being inestimable in its way if only as a commence ment. We should at least have made a beginning. We should at any rate have been able thus to raise an embankment at the smallest possible cost, and with the least possible trouble, in front of White hall-gardens—an embankment supplying the inhabi tants of the metropolis, along that part of the river, with a promenade sixty or eighty feet in breadth, thereby demonstrating the advantages of the system 1 which we might hope to see extended at length on either side of the Thames, from Battersea, to Black friars. A commencement has already been made a little higher up the river, at the other side of Vauxhall. There a fragmentary embankment has been raised, extending along the margin of the Thames, from Vauxhall-bridge to the western end of the river front of Chelsea Hospital. It was originally in tended by the Legislature (which took this project in hand as far back as 1846) that the embankment at that part should extend between the bridges respectively at Vauxhall and Battersea. To this 'end, indeed, now fourteen years ago, the 9th and 10th Vict., c. 39, was passed empowering the Exe• eutive to ca rr y ou t thi s particular improvement. The enactment was accompanied by a vote in 1816 of the munificent sum of .£143,000 for realising the design of tl.is embankment. Gradually, as the work went on, and as the money was little by little expended, difficulties arose---;he embankment stopped short, as we have seen, at the western ex tremity of the river front of Chelsea Hospital—and now (after the lapse of a few more years, during which the project has been lying altogeth er dor mant), the promoters of the design b e thi n k them selves that they may as well be once more astir, and deem it advisable at the veryleast that they should ask the Chief Commissioner of P üblicWorks about the balance yet remaining unexpended out of the original sum set apart by the House of Commons for the payment of the estimated cost of this embankment. Hence the deputation which yesterday afternoon ........,..—.. waited upon the Right Hon. W. COWPER, at the office of the Board of Works, in Whitehall. A pre- vious deputation had, in ans rto inquiries of a like kind, received some time back from Lord LLAIs.TOYER, then (as Sir BENJAMIN HALL) Mr. COWPER'S predecessor, the not unwelcome informa tion that £38,000 yet remained out of the sum of £145,000 originally voted by Parliament—£3 B , ooo still (at the time Sir BENJAMIN HALL spoke) in the hands of the Board of Works, available for the com pletion of the embankment. The deputation yester day, encouraged by this recollection, put it to the pre sent Chief Commissioner of Public Works whether —seeing that £60,000 might yet complete the de sign of this improvement—an additional sum of £22,000 might not be asked from Parliament to add to this £38,000 already in hand out of the first vote of £145,000? What is the reply of the present Chief Commissioner to the inquiry thus put to him by Mr. TITE, as the principal spokesman of yes terday's deputation ? It is explicit enough, and sufficiently fraught, too, with disippointment. It came thus painfully before the deputation — Mr. COWPER remarks that " if, as Mr. TITE had stated, the £38,000 remaining unexpended of the sum voted by Parliament were readily accessible, there would no doubt be a claim, as had been sug gested, to go to Parliament for the revival of the powers of the act, and to see how far that money would go, but the fact was that the money was not available ! " Then followed this agreeable little explanation—" It was a rule," said Mr. COWPER, " with the Treasury that when votes of money passed by the House of Commons were not issued within three years, they were written off and taken into the general revenue of the country, and that was what occurred in this case. This £38,150 was found in March, 1859, to have been unex• pended and uncalled for for three years, and the Treasury, in consequence, following the ordinary rule, wrote it off as so much money saved !" All is grist that comes to the mill of that insatiable and voracious functionary the Chancellor of the Exchequer. And so this £38,150 have gone the way of all similar waifs and strays of neglected moneys sucked down into the all-absorbing vortex of that grand maelstrom of the Treasury ! When the Chief Commissioner has added that " he should be glad to render all the assistance in his power and to urge the views of the deputation in the right quarter, but he could not hold out any hops that Parliament would at present be disposed to vote the necessary funds"—the deputation has nothing left for it to do, after the utterance of a few ineffectual words of entreaty and expostulation, than. [liko the mystical gallipot in the adage—about whose identity we should like to ask Notes and Queries] to thank Mr. COWPER " for nothing," and to retire bowing from the presence of the right hon. gentleman. By the articulation yesterday of the few words we have here quoted, Mr.. COWPER, it is undeniable, has effectually put his " spoke " in the wheel of good fortune (for the time being at least) of the project of the Battersea and Vauxhall embankment. The same valid reasons, however, certainly do not exist in regard to the embankment designed to be built to the east, and to be actually constructed out of—the old bridge at Westminster.' Let us look hopefully for a more favourable decision, at any rate in regard to this embankment, from the new Chief Commissioner (whatever his title) of Public Works, Woods and Forests, Parks and Palaces. It is with great satisfaction we observe that the attention of the House of Peers has been called to the employment of women and children in the bleaching and dyeing works by no less an autho rity than Lord BROUGHAM. That eminent and venerable peer, whose energetic voice has been so often raised in the cause of suffering humanity, de elared last evening that he had scarcely ever read anything equal to the disclosures made in the reports and tracts which have been recently issued through the indefatigable philanthropy of Mr. THOMAS I fort,liv. "For hours," said the noble Lord, "after he had read the particulars contained in these documents, he had been unable to get the subject discharged from his mind." Lord GRAN vILLE, in reply, promised to make inquiry into the subject, and we trust, for the honour of our Eng lish Parliament, this promise will be kept. The state of things revealed by these reports is a dis grace ~ to our national humanity. They reveal a system of cruelty and oppression the more intolerable because exercised towards helpless infancy. In the midst of a free self-govern ing nation, which prides itself on the extended bene volence which embraces tribes of savages whose names are scarcely known to us ; on the commercial enterprise, which has invested trade and barter with the dignity of a national heritage; which resents the exercise of undue coercion over even the ex pression of opinion or the license of speech ; in the midst of all this,the health and lives of children, of tender years, are being sacrificed, slowly, delibe rately, and remorselessly, as surely as if they formed part of the infant sacrifice to JUGGERNAUT, which our Indian statesmen have striven so hard to re press. The following extracts, taken from crowds of similar statistics, speak for themselves : " At times, if a sudden order has come, we have not been in bed mote than 16 or 18 hours in the week (averaging more than 211 hours of unrest out of the 24 during soven successive days and nights for girls and boys, some of them no more than 12 years old)." —Report of the Com missioner appointed to inquire how far it may be advisable to extend the Provisions of the Acts for the better Regu lation of Mills and Factories to Bleaching Works, pp. 10, 11, Nos. 81-84. William Johnson, finisher—" I am twenty-four years of age. I was eleven when I first went to work. I worked first for Mr. Fletcher, Leylands, ten years. At my com mencement" (that is, when he was a child of eleven) " I began at twelve o'clock on Sunday night, and worked till eight on Monday night (20 hours) ; then we started at six o'clock on Tuesday morning, and worked till 12 at night (18 hours); and we did that for two or three months without stopping. a * * * I have been at a worse place than that for long h ours since ; at Mr. Whowell's, Tvv o ** rs of There ag w e e . r _ e a deal p o . f 9 y:o N u o n . g 6B g . irls, one oßrrot underl o v lc o s. * ten years [To have a full perception of the severity of this toil, it should be borne in mind that a very large number of the workers in these establishments are standing and " work- • ing hard" (as rapidly as possible) during almost the whole of these lengthened periods. It is shown in evidence that sometimes for days in succession the girls and boys have no opportunity whatever of sitting down (save f or th e i r hastily-snatched meals during the whole of the time spent at the works. —Reports, passim.] Ann Simpson (14 years old), Elizabeth Hilton (15), Sarah Higson (16)—" We came to work last Friday morn in., at half-past six" (at Mr. Ridgway Bridson's Bleach works, Bolton). "We worked all Friday night till half past five on Saturday morning" (twenty-three hours.) "Wo did not sleep any time in the nigh t, except on Saturday the morning at half-past five we laid flown to sleep on than two and slept till a little after se ven" (less two hours' sleep—and with the clothes still on—after twenty-three hours' work) ; " then wo went to breakfast for half-an-hour, and then came and worked till ten minutes past eleven."—Bid., p. 2.5, No. 233. No wonder with such severe and unremitting toil, tarried on, it must be remembered, in the hot atmosphere of a crowded factory, no wonder that " a strong and healthy man" confesses to being so tired that he has often to sit at his bedside when he gets up in the morning, with his fingers so stiff, he can scarcely dress ! After which admission we can but echo his own question, " If I feel thus tired, what must . the young girls and boys feel ?" The evidence given by the foremen and managers only too painfully confirms the reports of the workers. " James Thomson (Mr. Wallace's Bleaching, Scouring, and Finishing 'Works for Cotton and Woollens, Burn bank, Glasgow)—" I am manager of these works, and nephew of the owner. In summer some of the hands work occasionally from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m." (18 hours) " the whole week through ; we did this last summer several times. Three days we worked 20 hours each day. The ages of most of our girls is from 10 to 18." (Observe these ages—some of the girls mere children.) " The stove-rooms in which they work are in winter heated up to 100 or 110 deg. ; in summer the heat is from 120 to 130 deg." (and at times very much higher, as stated by the same witness in evidence given at a subsequent page.) " I feel, when lam urging the females to work these long hours that I am doing what is not right, but I have been urged to do it to get a lot of goods finished. Sometimes they stay here all night, and then we make a place for them to lie down upon in a store room upon the pieces of goods unfinished. Sometimes 14 or more girls will pass the night in this manner, after work ing 19 hours, and coming out of those hot places dripping wet with perspiration, and their clothes wet through with it." p. 59, Nos. 643-64 i. What can be more pathetic than the picture of the poor victims falling asleep over their work ? LATEST NEWS. The following telegrams have been received a Mr. Reuter's office : BERLIN, FEB. 27. It is stated that the proposed conferences of the five great Powers have failed mainly because Eng land declines to allow eventually the free discus sion of the treaty of 1856. According to reliable information, the statement in reference to a treaty between Russia and Aus tria is totally unfounded. MADRID, FEB. 26. No news from Africa. The whole press, particularly the Progresista section, violently attack England. The censor has prohibited the circulation of the Novedades on that account. The French ambassador has presented to the Queen an autograph letter of the Emperor Napo leon. INDIA AND CHINA. CALCUTTA, JAN. 24. Trade flat. Imports : 40's mule twist, 5r to 5r 3a ; shirting, 50 reed, 61bs, 3r 151 to 4r ; Alada pollam, 50 reed, 31bs, 2r 4a to 2r 5a ; copper sheath ing, 44r to 44r 8a ; tile, 44r. Exports : Indigo firmer in tone ; the biddings at public sale have been spirited. Raw silk, 20r 8a to 21r per seer; native, 15r; saltpetre, 5 per cent. refraction, llr per maund ; rice, best table, 4r to 4r 2a; second and third quality, 2r 10a to 2r 14a. Linseed, fine, 3r 8a ; low to middling, 3r 2a ; rapeseed, 2r Ba. Freights rising rapidly to England—for saltpetre, 45s to 47s ; sugar, 50s to 523 6d; indigo, 80s to 1003. Exchange on London, 2s 14-d to 2s 11d. BOMBAY, JAN. 28. Money quiet. Exchange on London, 2s 1:d to 2s 1i d. CANTON, JAN. 14. Trade depressed, owing to the approach of the Chinese new year, Tea inactive, 2 chops settled. Grey shirtings, 61 catties, 2 dole 85c. Exchange on London 6 months, bank bills, 4s 9d to 4s 91d. SHANGHAI, JAN. 7. THE SUN ' LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRU ;Y 28, been charged to proceed itself to the restoration of the dipossessed dynasties, without the result of the war being annihilated, and its object disavowed ? Could France, in her turn, without violating her principles, do violence to the populations ? I leave to the loyalty of Count de Rechberg the task of replying to these questions. Thus in the two cases there was a moral impossibility of acting. " A new fact must, moreover, be mentioned here. From what took place ten years ago, the belief might have been entertained that anarchy would invade Central Italy, and that the disolving spirit of revolution would soon spread everywhere. These apprehensions have not yet been realised; and to whatever influence that result, according to different opinions, may be ascribed, what is certain is that order has generally prevailed, notwithstand ing the excitation of circumstances, and the irregu lar authority of the Governments. The unexpected spectacle presented by Italy, while impressing some persons, has inspired others with sympathy ; and this latter sentiment has been manifested over a part of Europe with a force which cannot be disre garded. This creates a situation which neither the Emperor's Government nor Austria can, on account of the consequences which would flow from an erro neous appreciation of the dispositions of public opinion, fail to take into very serious consideration. " God forbid, Monsieur le Marquis, that we should not be as convinced as any one of the sanctity of engagements. But did France bind herself, at every price and by all possible means, to re establish on their thrones the dynasties of Parma, of Modena, and of Tuscany ? Neither the stipulations of Villafranca nor those of Zurich have, assuredly, such a bearing. France only promised her moral co-operation--a co-opera tion of which we must, after six months' efforts, admit the impuissance. Her regret—let not the Cabinet of Vienna doubt it—is sincere and profound, and the Emperor's Government expresses it with out hesitation ; but that Government is obliged to reckon with insurmountable difficulties, which even the Austrian Cabinet itself, as is proved by a recent communication of Prince Metternich, renounces the hope of seeing solved by the influence of a Congress. " Must we be indefinitely stopped by such an obstacle ? Must we shut our eyes to the dangers with which this state of uncertainty threatens all Europe ? Must everything be left to chance, at the risk of seeing purely revolutionary sentiments necessarily take the place of those which we do not ask Austria to approve of, but which she can not expect a Government based on universal suf- " I have scores of times seen both men and children asleep at their work. and very dangerous work too" (No. 10).—" Very often they go to sleep over their work" (No. 51).—" I have almost every day to take a board and beat it on the table to waken them, as they were slumbering at their work." (Observe the expression, reader—' at their work'). " At that time they would be hooking cloth ; and while they should be doing it, I see them nodding and trying to catch the hook" (No. 83).—" As to the older ones, I have often and often seen them down asleep, not being able to hold up for their work. If the manager had gone out, they would drop down in a minute in the packing-boxes and go to sleep" (No. 68).—" We have often gone to sleep on the tables, or with our heads on the wet cloth, or anywhere where we could sit still" (No. 378).—" The little ones very often fall asleep standing to their work"— No wonder the managers, whose task it is to keep the poor little ones awake as " they fall asleep standing," say that their hearts are so sore for them they can hardly fulfil their painful office. No wonder the " retiring from work to die" is so common that ten conse cutive witnesses, employed at different esta blishments, mentioned many cases within their knowledge of boys and men having been ill arid off work, who died from long hours. What must be the case then with the women and little girls? And after all this evidence given openly before parliamentary committees, uncontradicted and un refuted, embodied in their official reports, can our legislators presume to say there is no call for their interference ? Can they dare to justify this sys tematic cruelty ? It is doubtless only regarded by the heads of these establishments as part of a sys tem which they did not originate, and for which they are not responsible ; but let the people of England see that such things are no longer possi ble while they have a voice in the legislation of their couJry. Political theories or questions of party may be safely left to the test of time and success, but surely this is a case whose merits all cai appreciate. There cannot be two opinions as to the cruelty of forcing children of nine or ten years old to work 18 and 20 hours for many days together; as to the hardship of a band of girls "mostly from 10 to 18" working for three days, 20 hours each day. Who can read these de tails without thinking of HOOD'S pathetic words— "lt is not linen you're wearing out, But human creatures lives." How his fervent indignation would have glowed over such a recital, how his warm and tender heart would have sympathised with the drooping little ones, truly, as Mrs. BROWNING has pathetically called them-- "Martyrs by the pang without the palm." Surely the efforts which are now making in this good cause will not have been made in vain. Surely among our legislators some will be found who are not insensible to the sufferings at home while descanting eloquently on the wrongs of those abroad. Surely when Mr. CROOK'S bill is brought forward for a second reading, towards the close of March, it will receive careful and deliberate atten tion from the Commons who represent the people of Great Britain, that something may be done to re move this stigma from our nation, and to prove that the pursuit of gold and the attractions of commerce have not made us altogether indifferent to the blessing which is promised to the merciful. It is a remarkable fact that capital is always to be found for investment in undertakings when a reasonable prospect of profit can be shown to exist, and how soon a public want is supplied. When we look at the history of Life Assurance Institutions, we find that in the years 1836-7-8 upwards of twenty companies were established, and as all of these, with one or two notable exceptions, are in a flourishing condition (some of them taking place in the first rank), we may fairly assume that their establishment supplied a public want. Then we have seen the Discount Companies and Joint- Stock Banks ; and, despite the heavy blow to this latter interest from the disastrous termination of what may be termed ill-judged and ill-managed speculations, no sooner are new Banks projected upon a sound basis, with a fair guarantee for honest management in the names of the directors, than capital is immediately forthcoming. And within the last few years we have seen two Metro politan Joint-Stock Banks starting in vigorous operation at the same time, with what successful results the public are already familiar from their balance-sheets. But by far the largest field for joint-stock opera tions, at the present time, appears to be that of Marine Insuaance. Notwithstanding the enormous increase in our shipping trade within the last quar ter of a century only three companies of any great importance have been established since 1720. The subject has received considerable attention within the past few months, and no sooner is the want of increased facility and fair competition apparent than we find British capital ready for investment. The London and Provincial Marine Insurance Company is one of those brought before the public at the right time, under the auspices of a very in fluential Board of Directors, composed of merchants and shipowners, men practically acquainted with the business; and-especial care has been taken to obtain the support of leading firms in Hull, Bristol, Liverpool, &c. We think ample scope will be found for the operations of these new undertakings, and certainly the price of the shares in the older companies would prove the business to be of a very profitable character. NEW ADELPIII THEATRE. A new and ori g inal comedy, by Mr. W. Phillips, entitled " Paper IVings," was produced last night at the Adelphi. The plot turns upon a simple minded baronet being led into monetary specula tions by an astute but not over scrupulous stock jobber, who manages to net a large portion of his victim's capital, and to lead him to the very verge of ruin, from which, however, he is rescued by the sister of the wily man of business, and the piece terminates happily, the comfort of the virtuous characters being secured. The construction of the comedy does not display any great amount of ori ginality ; one scene forcibly calls to mind the " School for Scandal," while another is replete with reminiscences of " Money." The dialogue, too, is not always up to the standard ; there is plenty of pretentious writing, and several attempts at spark ling wit ; but although a great deal will pass Inns ' ter, there is much that will excite a laugh at rather than with the author. The principal parts are played by Mr. and Mrs. Wigan, Mr. David Fisher, Biilington, Mr. Took, and Miss Henrietta Simms. Mr. Wigan is especially excellent as the speculative baronet, and in the last act is truly ad mirable. Mrs. Wigan is easy and natural, while M r . Toole extracts great fun from a part. which in 'itself affords but little scope for the display of the humours of a low comedian. Mr. David Fisher deserves special mention for his exceedingly effec- tive acting. At the conclusion of the comedy the principal actors and the Author were called for. Advices from Aspinwall state that Captain Pyai, of her Majesty's ship Gorgon, had made an examination cf the San Juan River and Colorado branch, with the view of ascertaining the practicability of the route for the transit of the English and Australian mails, and that he was confi dent of success. Imports—Trade dull, several cargoes having ar rived from England. Grey shirtings, catties, 1.95 to 2.2 taels. 1111 scarlet, long ells, 7.5 tads. Lead, 5.4 taels per picul. Exports—Tea, to Great Britain, 22,118,2051b5.; to the United States, 12,534,9941b5. ; prices as before. Silk, to Europe, 40,296 bales, prices 5 tails higher; No. 3 Tsatlee, 400 to 410 taels. Exchange on London, bank bills, 6s 41d; private bills, Gs old to 6s 6d. On India, 60 days, 313 to 305. FRANCE AND AUSTRIA. The following is the text of the despatch of M. Thouvenel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the Marquis de Moustier, French Ambassad'r at Vienna, of which mention has been made in the journals : Paris, 31st January. " Monsieur le Marquis—My preceding despatch made known to you the propositions relative to Italy of which the Government of her Britannic Majesty took the initiative, and of the manner in which, in conformity with the orders of the Em peror, I received them. We entertain the firm hope that the Cabinet of Viemna will appreciate the character of our replies, and the sentiments of frankness and loyalty which have inspired them. " In taking possession of my functions at the present conjuncture, I find myself in presence of a difficult situation, the prolongation of which would present the gravest dangers to Europe, and I have consequently had to occupy myself above all with the means of putting an end to it. From conversations I have had with my predecessor, and from an attentive study of official documents —a task to which I broughi a mind free from all prejudice-1 have arrived at a conviction which it was my duty not to disguise from the Emperor, and his Majesty has authorised me to write to you unreservedly respecting it. " Without going further back, I take the facts at the date of the signature of the preliminaries of Villafranca. " The day after that memorable event, the Em• peror, still full, if. I may so speak, of the reminis cences of the interview with his august adversary of the day before, characterised in a proclamation addressed to his army the result which he believed he had obtained without carrying the war further, owing to the moderation of the two Sovereigns. The bases of peace are settled with the Em peror of Austria,' said his Majesty on the 13th July last. The principal object of the war is attained— Italy is about to become for the first time a nation. Venetia, it is true, is to remain under the sceptre of Austria, but she will nevertheless be an Italian province. The Governments which did not take part in the movement, or which may be recalled to their territories, will understand the necessity of salutary reforms. Italy,henceforth mistress of her destinies,will only have herself to blame if she does not progress re gularly in order and in liberty !' " In pronouncing these words, Monsieur le Mar quis, the Emperor entertained the hope that the new organisation of Italy might be conciliated with the restoration, under certain determined conditions, of the old dynasties. His Majesty in particular took pleasure in thinking that the chiefs of those dynas ties would themselves endeavour to remove the dif ficulties which they would have to overcome in order to render the disposition of their subjects fa vourable to them, and that a precious time would not be lost. But, on the contrary, what happened ? The Governments which had remained in possession of their States did not accomplish any of the reform which the Emperor had in view. The Holy See, though showing itself somewhat more di posed to follow our counsels, thought right to adjourn inde finitely the realisation of its promises. The Austrian Government maintained silence on the generous in tentions manifested by the Emperor with regard to the Government of Venetia. The Duke of Mo dena desired to return by force to his States, and the Grand Duke of Tuscany, before adopting a re solution which the interests of his House pressed him to adopt without delay, waited so long that an Assembly met and proclaimed his deposition. The general situation, in a word, was already gravely compromised when negotiations for the signature of the treaty of peace were opened at Zurich. " The Emperor's Goverament, nevertheless, faith ful to its promises, frankly admitted the reserve of the dynastic rights in Tuscany, in Modena, and even in Parma, although nothing was agreed to at Villafranca in favour of Duke Robert. " Whilst this pledge was given by the Emperor's Government in the stipulations of Zurich, two en voys, first, Count de Iteiset, and a little later, Prince Poniatowski, whose former relations in Tuscany particularly qualified him for the mission, were • charged to proceed to Central Italy to give counsels and exhortations.. The impression which their lan guage and proceedings caused suffices assuredly to demonstrate the sincerity of them. I appeal with out fear on this point to the information which the Court of Vienma may have collected. " Entertaining a strong desire not only to fulfil its promises, but to labour effectively for the suc cess of an arrangement which appeared to it cal culated to assure the tranquillity and independence of Italy, the Emperor's Government did not hesi tate to compromise its popularity. The language which it employed at the same period at Turin was equally firm. But all its efforts faired in presence of the resistance of the populations. " After having thus multiplied its measure's to bring about a reconciliation between the Princes and their peoples, his %lajesty's Government, in . presence of the inefficaciousness of those measures, and seeing the arrangement which it had pro mised to support opposed the more strongly the more it was insisted on, thought that the autho city of assembled Europe would realise the object which it proposed. Desiring above all thing's to fulfil its engAgements, but from the opposition ma nif,•sted in Central Italy despairing of success with out the cooperation of other Cabinets, it proposed the meeting of a Congress. Better than any other power, Austria knows the perseverance with which we pursual that line of conduct. She knows also how much we have regretted the objections which the convocation of the plenipotentiaries gave birth to when they were already on the point of meeting. " The Emperor's Government, Monsieur le Mar quis, thus found itself in presence of the hypothesis which the Court of Vienna long know that we neither could nor would accept—that of the em ploytnent of force to impose solution. " I will say nothi ng th a t can sur p r ise Austria, and still less would I allow a single word to escape eAlculated to offend. But could that power have frage io condemn absolutely ? In this perilous game, the nioaarchical idea which have never ceased to characterise the Italian movement would soon give way to ideas of another kind. The popu lations would at last get accustomed to a mode of Government which only wants its real name—a. Government which would find its basis in the an cient traditions, whose i:race is not yet obliterated in certain portions of Italy. " I do not suppose that these considerations have never presented themselves to the mind of the Em peror Francis Joseph, and they could not have escaped the notice of theamperor Napoleon. " When the employment of foreign force is ex cluded from all these combinations, how is the dif ficulty to be surmounted It is the profound con viction of the Emperor's Government that the last of the four English propositions may serve to indi cate the means. It well knows that, even supposing this conviction to be shared by the Court of Vienna, that Court could not make such an announcement. What we hope from its wisdom is, that if the dif ference of principles may and sometimes must lead to different conclusions, there is no necessity that there should result, when the honour of both parties is safe, disastrous conflicts, which are far from the intentions of both France and Austria. "Let us for a moment waive the minor inci dents, and come straight to the point of fact which is the key of the situation. Italy, for centuries past, has been a field open to the struggle between French and Austrian influence—it mist be so no longer. If ono of the two powers formerly rivals made a sacrifice which should be directly to the advantage of the other—if the supremacy in Italy, only chang ing hands, was again to be ours for a time, the ques tion would appear under an aspect rendering all discussion idle and fruitless. But the question is not so propounded. France does not seek to sub stitute herself for Austria in Italy ; the matter is to constitute Italy herself as an intermediate party —as a kind of neutral ground, henceforth inacces sible to the action, alternately predominating and always precarious, of one or other of the two powers. " Elsewhere than in such a solution—which, I do not hesitate to confess, is not, if not as regards its spirit, at least as regards its form, that which was anticipated at Villafranca and Zurich—l vainly look for any other not containing the elements of future troubles. Let this solution, however, be realised, I do not say with the support of the Ca binet of Vienna, which the Emperor's Government, does not seek to obtain, but without its formal op position, and the most penetrating glance cannot thenceforth discover a cause of conflict between Franco and Austria ; there w ill not remain, in fact, a single interest of importance in Europe on which they can have any difficulty in coming to an understanding. To this identity of interests, I am authorised by the Emperor to state that there would be superadded on his part the sentiment of private esteem for the Sovereign and Government who, in circumstances equally delicate and mo mentous, should show towards him a friendly feeling which his Majesty would ever appreciate. I need not add that if the Austrian Government adhered to the combination proposed by the Go vernment of her Britannic Majesty, the Emperor's Gove , ai cent would feel bound to surround the execution with all desirable guarantees of sincerity, and that if any chance of a restoration remained for the dispossessed dynasties, we should take the most scrupulous care that it might not be lost. " You will observe, Monsieur le Marquis, that I have said nothing here of the situation of Ro magna, simply because that question has not been the object, like the duchies, of express stipulations between France and Austria. I shall treat that subject in any early despatch. I dot not, however, hesitate to say, even now, that if, with reference to international acts, to which the court of Vienna has been a party on the same footing as ourselves, the Emperor's Government cannot consider the possession of the Legations by the Holy See in any but a temporal point of view, it none the less deeply deplores that the court of Rome, deaf to its counsels, and it may even be said, with more rea son, indifferent to the unanimous counsels of Europe ever since 1831, as well as to the teaching of events, has let things come to their present pass, and that we are still ready to lend our support, on the sole condition that the principle of non-intervention on the part of foreign Powers is maintained to all the compromises and combinations which may be thought calculated to bring about a solution less radical than dismemberment. " You will please to read this despatch to Count de Rechberg, and give him a copy, if he desires it. Acc-pt, &c., " THOUVENEL:' THE BOURSE, Feb. 27.—The market has been somewhat depressed by a fall in the English Con sols, and by the arrangements consequent on the approaching liquidation. Threes, which opened at 671 65c, declined to 67f 50, and are now at 67160 c ; Nlobilier varied from 732 f 50c to 741 f 25c ; Lyons, 880 f to 883 f 75c; Orleans, 1,360 f to 1,365 f ; Northern, 907 f 50c to 9101; Austrian, 497 f 50c to 501 f 25c ; Lombard, 541 f 25c to 543 f 75c. The following are the last quotations :- 14 per Cents. 97 45 Do. end month — 3 per Cents 67 80 1 Do. end month 67 75 Bank Shares 2BOO Credit ➢iobilior .. 741 25 Do. Account ..... Credit Foncier 740 Bchrian 4} . — Piedmontese (5) BO 50 Roman BO Austrian — Spanish Times Home Debt 43 RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern New ditto B3) .. 825 ,Lyons and Mciditerranean BB5 .. 888 7 5 G , ..m.eva 490 .. 485 Southern Western 582 50 .. 582 50 Ea,:tern Sardinian 390 .. 3 05 Austrian Lombard .. Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25.1. 111 c. ; money, 251. 10c. ; three months, paper, 241.90 c. ; money, M. 871 c, AN EMIGRANT SIIIP WRECKED. —The reported catastrophe to the 41.merican ship Luna, outward bound to New Orleans, with a loss of upwards of 100 lives, on th e ocks oil Bai fleur, near Cherbourg , last Sunday, is unhappily confirmed. The loss took place about mid day. For hours previously the ill-fated ship was seen off the coast, baffling wit!' a 0-ale of wind from the N. AV., till at length she ap pmred to become unmanageable, and was driven on to the rock- about 200 fathoms from the shore, where she speedily became a total wreck. Her perilous position was observed by the people on shore long before she struck, but, owing to the terrible sea rolling in, it was utterly impossible to launch a boat through the surf to go to the assistance of the ship and her living freight, the whole of whom, num bering 107 persons, perished. Two only reached the shore alive; one of them died almost immediately afterwards. The survivor, en Italian, named Clement, was unable to give any satisfactory details of the loss of the ship for two or three days afterwards, owing to his greatly exhausted condition. Ile stated that the ship sailed from Havre - on the previous day (Friday), and that there were on board 75 passengers, of whom 47 were men, 27 women, and one c hild. The crew mustered 26 hands, besides a French conk for the passengers. Her cargo was of a general descrip tion. The captain saw his imminent dznger when off Bar flour, and attempted to beach the ship on a sandb an k situate between Barlleur Church and the lighthouse where there might be a chance of saving th e passengers, but in run ning for it the violence of the gale and heavy sea drove her on the rock, where her destruction followed. The coast is strewn with the wreck. Many bodies have been washed up. Hats of silk shag, laid upon felt, linen, or other material. Iron and steel, wrought or manufactured, viz.: machi nery, wrought castings, tools, cutlery, and other manufac tures of iron or steel not enumerated. Do., fancy ornamental articles of iron or steel. Do., manufactures of, ooated with brass or copper by any galvanic procoss. Jewels, emeralds, and other precious stones, set. Lace and articles thereof, as denominated in the tariff. Lead, manufactures of, not otherwise enumerated. Leather manufactures (except gloves), as denominated in the tariff. Do. gloves, after the let February, 1861. Linen, or linen and cotton manufactures, as denominated in the tariff. Lucifers of wood. Do. of wax. Medlars. Morphia and its salts. Musical instruments, as denominated in the tariff. Oil of almonds. Do. bays. Do., chemical, essential, or perfumed, as denominated in the tariff. Opera glasses, single or double. Pears, raw. Percussion caps. Perfumery, not otherwise enumerated. Quinces. Quinine, sulphate of. Silk, millinery, or manufactures of silk, or of silk and any other material, as denominated in the tariff. Stays and corsets, of linen or of cotton, or of linen and cotton mixed. Sulphuric acid. Toys, viz.: marbles. All other toys. Turnery. Watches, as denominated in the tariff. Woollens, viz.: manufactures of wool, or wool mixed with cotton, as denominated in the tariff. Goods, being either in part or wholly manufactured, and not being enumerated or described, nor otherwise charged with duty, and not prohibited to be imported into or used in great Britain or Ireland ; but if any such goods shall be composed of any article liable to duty, as a part or ingre dient thereof, then such goods shall be chargeable with the full duty payable on such article, or if com posed of more than one article liable to duty, then with the full duty payable on the article charged with the highest rate of duty. 5. Resolution reducing the duty on corks, hats, and gloves (under treaty). Resolved, That in lieu of the duties of Customs now chargeable on the undermentioned articles on their importation into Great Britain and Ireland, the following duties shall be charged until the days hereinafter mentioned, and that from and after those days the duties shall cease and determine, viz. : Until the 31st day of March, 1862, inclusive. s. d. Corks, viz.—Ready made the lb. 0 3 Squared for rounding the cwt. 4 0 Hats or bonnets, viz.— Until the 31st day of March, 1861, inclusive. Of chip ..the lb, 1 3 Of bast, cane, or horsehair.... the lb. 1 3 Of straw the lb. 1 3 Until the Ist day of February, 1861, inclusive. Leather manufactures, viz.— Gloves of leather. Habit mitts the dozen pairs 1 2 Do, gloves Men's gloves Women's gloves or mitts sa. Paper Hangings to be reduced (under treaty). Resolved, That, in lieu of the duties of Customs now chargeable on the undermentioned articles on their importation into Great Britain and Ireland, the following duties shall be charged until the 15th day of August, 1860, inclusive ; and that from and after that date the duties shall be the same as the Excise Duties for the time being on paper of British manufacture. Paper, viz. s. d. Printed, painted, or stained paper hangings, or flock paper the cwt 14 9 Pasteboard His Royal Highness Prince Alfred landed from the Euryalus at Portsmouth this morning, and arrived in London at two p.m. His Excellency the Ambassador of France and the Countess de Persigny left Albeit-gate House yester day on a visit to Baron and Baroness Meyer do Rothschild at Mentmore, Buckinghamshire. His Excellency the Minister for the Netherlands has left town to join his Royal Highness the Prince of Orange in his excursion through England. The Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby have left the St. George's Hotel for Brighton for a few days. Lord and Lady Tredegar have left Grantham for Tredegar Park, Monmouthshire. Lady Lyndhurst and the Hon. Miss Copley left town yesterday on a visit to Baron and Baroness Meyer de Rothschild, at Mentruore, Buckinghamshire. Yesterday's hloniteur publishes an exceedingly long report from M. Rouher to the Emperor, on the best means of laying out in public improvements the sum re.• mailing from the last loan, which his Majesty had inti mated he should propose to the Legislative Body to apply in that manner. M. Rouher suggests that 100,000,000 francs should be expended as follows :—Roads and bridges, 15,000,000; internal navigation, 42,000,000; harbours and lighthouses, 35,000,000 ; agricultural improvement, 8,000,000. The consideration of railways M. Rouher re serves for a future report. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERAI COVENT-GARDEN.— Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, her Royal Highness the Princess Mary, attended by Colonel Home Purvis; the Austrian Minister, Countess d'Apponyi, and the Countess Baumgarten, honoured the performance of the new opera of " Lurline" and the pantomime with their presence last evening. CmusTY's MnstsrßELs.—These celebrated sable choristers recommenced a farewell season at the Polygraphic Hall, King Williatu•street, Strand, last night, under the management of Mr. Rayner, and went through the three portions of their entertainment with great eclat. Mr. J. W. Rapier sang a new song, composed expressly for him by Mr. Balfe, the words by Mr. Wenford, and was cordially greeted in it. The (lancing awl singing are unrivalled in their way, and well deserve all the patronage they rective ; and these also who have not seen them should take advan tage of this short farewell season to do so. DEATH OF AN EMINENT POLISH EXILE, MR. CHARLES SIE NKIEWICZ.—The Polish emigration and Po land have just sustained a very painful loss. Mr. Charles Sienkiewiez, a distinguished Polish poet and historian, died suddenly in Paris on the 7th instant, in the 68th year of his age. When young his name had already acquired a renown for his beautiful poems, and particularly for his splendid translation, in rhyme, of Sir Walter Scott's " Lady of the Lake." In Poland hinee Adam Czartoryski had confided to him the direction of the celebrated and rich library, as well as the national collections in his country palace, Pulawy. In the emigration he was, as it were, the soul of the Poli s h Hi stor i cal Society, established by the late J. U. Nienicewiez, the labours of which have brought about the foundation of the Polish Public Library, situated at No. 6, Quai d'Orleans, Paris. The enlightened and pa triotic activity of Mr. Sienkiewicz during the 30 years of his exile was chiefly signalised by his publication of the Polish journals, the Chronicle, the Historical Review, and the Historical Trtasury, in the last of which newly found historical documents have been enshrined with a rare intel ligence. Among many enterp:ises undertaken by him, we may mention the perpetual funeral service at Montmorency for the repose of the souls of the patriotic Poles in exile, the medallions struck in honour of General Lafayette, Prince Adam Czartoryski, and Lord Dudley Stuart. The esteem in which he was held, and the regret at the loss of 8o good a Pole were illustrated by a large number of his country men, including the venerable Prince Czartoryski and his sons, who accompanied his remains to their last resting, place. The deceased left a widow and three sons, one of whom is an officer in the Sardinian army, and the two others are pursuing no less honourable literary careers. Our Greenland whalers are starting for their ex citing work amongst the ice. On "Wednesday last the St, Andrews, Capt. Coultrey, jun., left the Aberdeen harbsur, and on Saturday the Lady Franklin, wider her well-k nown commander, Capt. Penny, accompanied by the Capt. Coultrey, departed on their mission The monthly Conversazione of the members of the Hertford Literary Institution, was held at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening. There was a very numerous attendance. The Mayor (H. Gilbertson, Esq.), presided. Robert Dimsdale, Esq., read a paper on " the Italian Campaigns of Napoleon I." The subject was introduced as one which, although purely military, was specially interesting at this moment, owing to the fact that public attention was prominently directed to the means by which the country might be best defended from a foreign enemy. Napoleon had laid it down as a rule that war could be effec tively studied, only by meditating upon tne cam paigns of great commanders, and it was this ex ample Mr. Dimsdale desired to follow in bringing a military subject under the notice of his auditory. The paper treated of the Italian campaigns of 1796 and 1797, when Napoleon first assumed an inde pendent command, and the war of 1801, with the passage of the Alps, and the battle of Marengo ; and, therefore, embraced only the beginnings of a remarkable career, but prec!sely that portion of it which enables us best to comprehend the mili tary genius of Napoleon, because showing what he was able to do with smaller means than were at his disposal in the subsequent portion of his career. The paper was an able one, clear, con centrative, and forcible. The early successes of Napoleon as a soldier of the republic were briefly glanced at; his first great campaign in which by his readiness and energy, he defeated the Aus trians and Sardinians, and detached the Sardinians from the coalition, graphically described ; and the moment when a great ambition first arose in his mind, after the daring passage of arms at Lodi, pointed out. The obstacles thrown in the way of the successful general by the Directory, and the appeals, argumentative and pecuniary, addressed to Barras, were next adverted to. The subsequent exploits of the conqueror, his contests with Italian insurgency his difficulties in the famous quadrila teral which Napoleon 111. never entered, the attack upon the Papacy, the treaty with the republic of Venice, the invasion of Tuscany, the artifice by which Napoleon escaped capture when reposing at Lonato, the passage of the Bridge of Arcola, the capitulation of Mantua, the spoliation of the Roman States, the closing portion of the campaign, and the negotiations which terminated in the treaty of Campo Formio, which gave to France all the con quests of Bonaparte, and freed from Austrian rule all Northern Italy, except Vtoetis, were clearly and sententiously chronicled. The paper concluded as follows : " It is, in fact, upon the laurels gained in these campaigns that Bonaparte's fame as a general must mainly repose. In his later wars, when at the head of a powerful empire, and wielding at will almost boundless resources, his forces were, for the most part, so stupendous as to bear down all opposition ; but has we have seen him he struggled alike against superior power and the incompetency of the Home Government, which frequently withheld from him the necessary reinforcements, and constantly thwarted his boldest aspirations, through a mean-spirited jealousy, coupled with a short-sighted parsimony. " And now one word about the beautiful country which was at once the scene of his labours and the theatre of his triumphs. From the days of Charle magne, when the temporal power of the Pope was first established, down to the presen moment, when it appears to be tottering to its fall, Italy has ever been the prize for which rival potentates have con tended; never, reliant upon her own energies, has she succeeded in achieving her national independ ence. Blessed by Heaven, she has been cursed by man—on her fair brow is " sorrow ploughed by shame;" but, amidst the deep lowering clouds which shroud her, of despotism and misrule, faint streaks of returning sunshine may be traced on her horison. " Yet upon Italia's sky Stars are scattered pure and high, Yet her wasted gardens bear Autumn violets, sweet and rare— Relics of a spring time clear— Earnests of a bright new year 1" "To Sardinia all eyes are turned; upon her and upon Florence all hopes are centred, while the gal lant protest of Central Italy against the Villafranea arrangement opens out a brilliant prospect of dawn. ing liberty. With confidence we may look forward to the day in which Italy shall arise from the tomb in which centuries of oppression have enshrined her, and claim for herself a place in our European system, worthy of her heroes and her martyrs, her country and her name !" The paper was illustrated by a large coloured map of Italy, the various places referred to being pointed out, as the reading proceeded, by Mr. Pearson, a friend of Mr. Dimsdale. Upon the table werenumerous interesting objects, gatherings from the places through which Napoleon had passed in the course of his wonderful career, a splendid en. graved portrait of the conqueror, photographic views, coloured drawings, &:c., and amongst other things, a quaint looking French tobacca-box picked up on the field of Waterloo. At the close of the reading, the company passed some time in inspect ing these relics. Tea and coffee were then served, after which, there was some interesting conversa tion, in which Mr. Pearson, who had been over all t h e Napoleonic battle fields, took part. The thanks of the 'meeting were unanimously voted to Mr. Dimsdale, on the motion of the Rev. H. F. Skritnshire, seconded by Mr. S. Hatchard ; and a vota of thanks having also been given to the Mayor, the proceedings terminated.—Hertford Mercury. MASSACRE OF THE C.RETV OF HER MAJESTY'S STEAMER O.YRUST. SINGAPORE, FEB. 21. Her Majesty's steamer Onrust, lying in a narrow creek about five days' steaming above Banjermassing, on the 27th December, was attacked by about 600 men in a great number of prahus, who suddenly made their appearance from the zreeks, so that the crew had not time to fire more than one shot. When the assailants were in possession of the vessel, after murdering all on board (seven officers and fifty men), they ran the vessel aground. ARTICLES TO BE MADE FREE OF DUTY UNDER TREATY. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will propose the fol lowing amended Resolutions in Committee on Customs Acts : Resolved,—That the duties of Customs chargeable upon the goods, wares, and merchandise hereinafter mentioned, imported into the United Kingdom, shall cease and deter mine, viz. : Agates, or cornelians, set. Apples, raw. Do. of and from British possessions. Arms, as denominated in the tariff. Brass manufactures of. Brocade of gold. Do. of silver. Bronze, manufactures of, or of metal bronzed or lac quered. Canes, walking canes or sticks, mounted, painted, or otherwise ornamented. Do. umbrella and parasol sticks. Caoutchouc, manufactures of. Cherries, raw. China or porcelain ware, plain, painted, gilt, and orna mented. Clocks, as denominated in the tariff. Corks, ready made, and squared for rounding, after the 31st March, 1861. Cotton manufactures, as denomineted in the tariff. Earthenware, not otherwise enumerated or described. Embroidery and needlework, as denominated in the tariff. Feathers, as denominated in the tariff. Flowers, artificial. Fruit, raw, not otherwise enumerated. Grapes. Gutta porcha, manufactures of, not moulded. Do, articles moulded. Hair, manufactures of hair or goat's wool, or of hair or goat's wool and any other material, wholly or in part mad. up. Hats or bonnets, viz. : Of chip Of bast, cane, or horsehair after 31st March, 1861. Of straw Of hair, wool, or beaver. Of felt. 2HE NAVY. Her Majesty's ship Euryalus, Captain Tarleton, anchored at Spithead at half-past six yesterday from Lisbon. It was blowing hard from the north west at the time, with a heavy sea running through the roadstead, rendering it very doubtful whether any communication between the ship and the shore could be made before this morning . It had blown a hard gale from th e n or th- wes t a ll day. The gig of her Majesty's yacht Victoria and Al bert left the yacht yesterday at 3.20 p.m., under a reefed lug sail, having en board Mr. Price, inspec tor of machinery ; Mr. Madge, Mr. Brown, and Mr. M‘Luckie, engineers, with the intention of landing at the King's Stairs ; a heavy puff of wind caught the boat's sail on clearing the lee of the Carnatio coal depot, and at once capsized the boat, and threw the passengers and boat's crew into the water. Happily, all hands were rescued. The following appointments were made yester day at the Admiralty :—Lieut. H. J. Dyke, addi tional to the Marlborough, for disposal; T. G. Heaven, let class assistant-engineer, confirmed to the Melpomene; W. A. Houghton, 3d class assistant engineer additional to the Fisgard, for chtrge of the machinery of the Torch ; Edwin J. Wilson, acting 3d class assistant-engineer, to the Firebrand. IIERTFORD LITERARY INSTITUTION 2111 S DAY'S MARKETS. HAY MARKETS. SurrurtELn.--Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 80 ; clover, £4 Os to £5 53 ; and straw, 6s to £1 lOs per load. A slow trade. CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £2 15s to £4 108; clover, £4 Os to £5 5s ; and straw, £1 6s to £1 123 per load. Both hay and straw sold slowly on former terms. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £2158 to £4 8s; clover, VI 5s to £5 5s ; and straw, £1 5s to £ll9a per load. Trade firm. COLONIAL. TEA.—The Market remains very inactive, and prices are unaltered. SUGAR.—There has been only a limited inquiry in the private market, and but few public sales have taken place, late rates being in most instances current. COFFEE.--The demand far plantation Ceylon has been steady, and prices have slightly improved. The stocks on hand, compared with those of the same period of last year, show a falling off of about 400 tons. RlCE.—There has been a rather active inquiry for thi better qualities, and values have tended upwards. SALTPETRE.—No dealings of importance have been re• corded, and prices remain unaltered. TALLOW.—The market continues firm although only a moderate business has been done. P.Y.C., on the spot, is quoted 60s to 60s 3d ; March delivery, 60s, and last three months, Os 6d per cwt. COAL MARK (Prices of Coal per Ton at ET—FEB. 27. the close of the market.) s.d. Bate's Hartle.; l4 0 Burnhope 13 0 Davison's West Hart- Waits End. a. d. Framwellgate... .. l7 9 Ederi l7 9 Acorn Close 17 9 Heugh Hall. 17 9 Trintdon Hartlepool-18 6 Cassop lll 0 Russell's Hutton 18 0 Hetton.. l9 0 Riddell l7 0 Carway and Duffryn Malting- Powell', Iluffryn Steam 22 6 Hilda l6 3 ley ....14 6 Lambert's West Hart- ley 14 6 Tanfield Moor ...13 6 i'anfield Moor Butes-13 6 Wylam 16 0 IVest Hartley l4 6 Walls End. Braddyll's lletton . 18 0 Brandon.. . Keiper Grange 18 0 Ships at market, 45—Sold. 26. A COLLIER'S WEDDING.—A wedding of this kind which took place at Clutton, o n M on d a y l as t, excited Considerable interest in the village, inasmuch as the whole of the colliers eeased working, for the purpose of doing honour to the bride and bridegroom. The young cou ple were aged respectively 18 and 19 years. The marriage was performed by the Rev. Mr. Johnson, rector of the parish; and, at the conclusion of the ceremony the bride and bride groom found a waggon duly awaiting them to be d ea wn , bl the colliers, who were anxious to escort them home. Ih e happy pair declined this polite attention, and took reNge from their too enthusiastic admirers within the Warwto 6 Arms, Clutton, and ultimately succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the friends who wishrAi to du them honour.' .Bath Chronicle, II { r