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

MONEY MARKET ~,ID COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two O'CLOCK. It is satisfactory to notice the general feeling of confidence with which the commercial public are looking forward to the probable course of events during the year just commenced. Indi cations of improvement having been observable, the last two or three weeks, the gloom occasioned by the crisis and its lamentable results, is fast die appearing, and, with a further reduction in the value of money, pr-parations will soon be com menced for a resumption of business, on a safer though less extensive basis tha❑ existed prior to the general collapse. The gigantic failures that have taken place have cleared the mercantile rela tions of this country, of America, and the northern cities of Europe also, from much that was unsound and pernicious ; it may, therefore, be hoped that the causes which have produced such incalculable distress may be avoided hereafter. As it is im possible to prevent speculation, however, it is ridiculous to suppose that there can be perfect immunity from similar convulsions, but after what has occured during the Autumn, we may anticipate a much healthier state of things for the next few years, until, in fact, the trade of the United Kingdom is again forced beyond legitimate bounds. The incidents connected with the crisis are too fresh in the minds of the public to require recapi tulation ; and as they afford an instructive lesson that will act as a guide to the numerous compara tively young firms., who will now become more pro minent, through the fall of so many of their larger competitors, it is desirable that they should not be soon forgotten. The lax system of credit which seems to have been extensively and almost univer sally introduced, is proved to have been abortive, and although it is impossible to anticipate its com plete suppression, a hope is indulged that the mer cantile interests will henceforth relinquish, as much as possible, the use of " open credits," and other similar but equally destructive devices, in order to maintain their position. During the past year the fluctuations on the va rious public and private securities have been im portant. In the English Funds the variation has been as much as 8 per cent., and in some of the Foreign Securities, such as Turkish Bonds, he difference in values has been about 14 per cent. Railway Shares have shown some considerable changes. The different stocks and shares and the variations in quotations are shown in the following table : r ENGLISH STOCKS. Highest. Lowest. Difference. Bank Stook Reduced 3 per Cents... 94i Consols, money New 3 per Cents. Exchequer 8i115.... ..... 7s. pm. India Bonds 3s. pm. 51s. die 6Bs. India Stock Consols, account FORBIGN SECURITIES. Highest. Lowest. Brazilian March 103+ Mexican March 24 Russian 5 per Cents.... —.Aug. 113. - Dec. 103 Russian 41 per Cents Sept. 99t .... ..... Nov. 94 Sardinian May 92 ..... .... Dec. 84 Spanish July 421 ... ... Aug. 39i Spanish Deferred ..... June 261 Turkish 6 per Cents March 99f Turkish 4 per Cents. Jan. 103 i Dutch 24 per Cents. June 66 ... ...... Dec. 624 Dutch 4 per Cents Sept. 100 RAILWAY SHARES. Highest. Lowest. Caledonian Sept. Oct. 86 Eastern Counties Great Northern • June, July 100 Great Western Lancs.shireandYorkshire A.pril 1033 Nov. 81 North-Western Feb. South-Western Feb.... • lOBl Brighton ... Jan. ll3l Midland South-Eastern North-Eastern (Berwick) Aug Northern of Franca April Sambre and Meuse Grand Trunk of Canada May 6B Nov. 32 Great Western of Canada March But Indian The demand for money in Lombard-street and at the Bank is moderate, and the terms out of doors are still 1 to 1 per cent. under the bank minimum. It is fully expected that the directors will make a reduction next week. The London and Westminster Bank have reduced their allowance for deposits to 4 and 5 per cent. This measure will no doubt be adopted by all the other joint-stock banks. Nearly 70,0001. in gold was taken into the Bank yesterday. The usual half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the London Docks Company has been held this morning. The accounts to the 30th November last show that the number of vessels that entered the Docks during the half year was 517, of the bur then of 207,923 tons, against 542 vessels of 208,254 tons in the previous half-year. The receipts were 266,4071. 7d., against 249,6661. 9s. 3d., for the like period of 1856. The hilance to the credit of pro fit and loss was 239,4581. A dividend at the rate of 2i per cent, for the half-year was agreed to. Although the market for English securities is rather dull, the prices are buoyant, and Consols have risen about per cent. Several large pur chases have been made, and these have increased the firmness of the market. Consols have been 93/ -4-; and they a.re now 94 to 941 ; the New 3 per Cents, are 94f, and the Reduced 94k. Exche quer Bills are par to 4s premium;tind India Bonds, under 1,0001., 15s. discount ; Bank Stock is 217 to 2184. Foreign Stocks are rather flat, but a fair amount has been recorded at rather higher rates. Turkish 6 per Cents, are 98 to 981 ; ditto 4 per Cents., 1021 Bueuos Ayres 6 per Cents. 95 ; Grenada New Active, 201 ; Mexican 3 per Cents., 20i ; Russian 4 3 / 4 per Cts., 97 ex div. ; Sirdiman 5 per Cents., 851 ; and Spanish New Deferred, 25i The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 6 ; Mexi can, 20i 21 ; Peruvian 4i per Cents., 77; 78i ; ditto 3 per Cents., 53 54 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 44 45 ; Russian 5 per Cents, 106 108 ; do. 44 per Cents., 96 98 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 401 41 ; ditto New Deferred, 251 ex. div. Messrs. D. Bell, Son and Co., give the following as the prices of American securities : GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Redeemable. Cent United Stat es 6 p er C en t s. 1867-1868...10 1Per 103 United States 6 per Cent. Bends 1868...101 103 STATE SECURITIES. Alabama 5 per Cent Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) Massachusetts 5 per Cent. (Sterl. Bonds) Mississippi 6 per Cent. Pl. Bk Bonds lB4l-1871... 40 42 ‘tississippi 5 per Cent. Union Bk Bonds ... 20 2 Pennsylvania 5 p er C en t . S toc k ... 71 73 The Railway Share Market this morning has been moderately active, and prices generally were well supported. Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, Brighton, North-Eas , ern Berwicks, and Oxford, N'N orcestor, and Wolverhampton advanced 58. ; Eastern Counties and South-Eastern 10s. ; and Edinburgh and Glasgow, 1/. Mid land and North British declined 108. The foreign lines are very quiet, and no important variation can be noted in values. In the Colonial undertakings very little business has been reported. Grand Trunk of Canada advanced about ss. to 10s. ... 78 - ... 88 90 ... 96 9 i Mines, Banks, and Miscellaneous Shares are at almost nominal quotations. Union of Australia improved 55., and Union of London about ss. ; London General Omnibus Company advanced ss. BR [TISII FUNDS.—CLOSIN U ?MOM—THIS DAY, (Prom the Official Liat:) Businessdeco. ts . niti Stock 3 per , -.ent. lioducod Annuities NOW 3 94 3i 4k per Cont. Annuities i In Li, RendsXl(l'dl r) itto, under £lOOO 94 3 4 0 15 d gil-sola for A ccount 93i i 4 p ; ;;Es , . • , , `ilil,„ 2 ," ' ZlOOO ....... s iZ =. so: ll ............ :........ .... ...... ... .. ... • PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY. Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 p Cent. — Ditto Acc0unt............. Grenada New Active, 21 per Cen;.* .................. 9 2 5 01' Mexican 3 per Cent ............... ............... Thtto Account Russian Rends, 1N22, E St., 5 per Cent. -2 Ditto, 46 per Cent. .......................... 97 x d Ditto Small . 98 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cont. ..... .......... _._ 2 Ditto Account .... ............................ 85i 5 i Spanish Beads, 3 per Cent. . ' •1 ttc N OW Def erre d, 3 per Cent. Be'.Ditto Account ,ingh Committee Cart. of Coup. not fun. 54 4 t TRAM 3 , )r.da. G per ,:eot oLtiA, Account h,0,, Uuartuteed, 4 per Cont. Ditto Account Dividends on th.• Above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cen:;., 12 Guilders Do, 4 per Cent, Certificates 1 th/BE O'CLOCK. Conioli account, Jan. 8.,..., 94i 3 x d THE WEST INDIA MAILS. The Royal West India Mail packet La Plata, Capt. Weller (Admiralty agent, Lieut. W. Seaward, R.N.), arrived at Southampton yesterday with the West India mails. The following are the dates of the advices by this arrival :—Vera Cruz, Dec. sth ; Tampico, 3d ; Havannah, 9th ; Greytown, 2d ; Carthagena, 11th ; Jamaica, 11th ; Demarara, 10th; Trinidad, 9th ; Barbadoes, 12th ; Antigua, 13th ; Dominica, 14th ; St. Thomas, 17th ; St. Lucia, 13th ; St. Vincent, 11th. The freight on board consists of specie to the amount of $1,119,583., of which $12,000 are on account of Mexican dividends. The specie consists of $151,122 value in silver, and $55,621 value in gold. In Jamaica the public health had much improved, although there was still considerable tendency to febrile indisposition in the intermittent form, and many fatal cases had occurred. The legislature had been engaged in a plan brought forward by Mr. Hosack for completely revolutionising the financial system of the island by abolishing the he redttaments tax on the assumed value of landed property, and substituting new taxes, chiefly on exports. The mode in which it is proposed hereafter to levy 23,7001., which is the sum found equal to the net parochial wants of the island, is variously distributed. It is proposed to levy in the first place a tax of 3s. per hogshead on sugar,which, on 30,000 hhds., is calculated to yield an annual revenue of 4,5001.; on 16,000 puns. of rum, at 2s. 6d., 2,0001. ; 6d. per head on 100,000 breeding stock of all knds, horned stock, mares and followers to be paid by way of licence, 2,5001. ; 9d. per bag on 50,833 bags of pimento, 2,910/; on 6,666 tierces of coffee, at 6s. 6d., 2,1661.; on minor articles of ex port not enumerated, 8001. ; by a registration tax on houses, rateably according to annual value, if and above the value of 201. per annum, 3,7761. ; by additional duties on soap, say ls. per box on 30,000 boxes, 1,5001. ; on tobacco, 2,5161. ; by an additional 3d. per gallon on rum consumed in the island, 3,0001. ; total, 24 , 6681. Amount required 23,7101.; surpus, 9581. The resolutions, affirming the principles, as well as most of the details, of this scheme, were successfully carried in committee of supply on the evening of Dec. 1. In British Guiana the public health was good, and the weather all that could bo desired ; vegetation was most luxuriant, and the cane crop in a most satisfactory condition. The following are the ex ports for the last fortnight:—Sugar, 2,084 hhds. 128 tres. 185 brls. 1,235 bags ; rum, 1,047 puns. 294 hhds. 205 brls. The Legislature was convoked in extraordinary session on Nov. 26, when the proposed introduction of sepoy mutineers into the colony, and the affairs of the Demerara Railway were prominent topics in the speech of the Lieutenant-Governor. Subse quently, after a long discussion on the former sub ject, the house passed the following resolutions :- 1. That looking to the great resources of the colony and to its capabilities of employing an unlimited amount of labour, and to the need which exists of an additional number of people to maintain even the existing cultiva tion, and also to the expressed general desire that large numbers of those engaged in the East India rebellion should be transported from the country, this court an ticipates that when the present unhappy struggle shall have terminated, and British supremacy once more firmly established, there will be found at the mercy of the government a very large number of mutineers who have been led or forced into the revolt by others, but who, nevertheless, have not been actively concerned. 2. That in the event of the East India government being disposed to transport, at its own expense, such persons for life to the West Indies, this Court is of opi nion that many such persons, exclusive of their wives and families, might be safely and advantageously received into this colony, with their wives and families, in such numbers, and upon such terms and conditions, as her Majesty's government and the Governor and Court of Policy of this colony may hereafter frame with that view. 3. That on ascertaining the views of her Majesty's government and that of the East India Company, this Court pledges itself to make the necessary financial pro visio❑ for carrying out the foregoing resolution. 4. That his Excellency the Lieut.-Governor be re quested to communicate these resolutions to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for the information of her Majesty's and the East India govern ments. These resolutions were not adopted without - a strenuous opposition by a small minority. The subject of the Demerara Railway Company was discussed on Dtc. 1. All were agreed that it was "an undertaking advantageous to the interests of the colony, and consequently deserving of sup port." In the beginning of November the sea broke through the eastern wall that protects Demerara, and the adjacent estates. The lighthouse and the district of Kingstown are in great danger of being submerged. The King's House is already gone ; the barracks must go next. At Porto Rico they are fitting out slavers with the most sanguine expectations. A company has been formed, and pledges itself to supply the island with 8,000 slaves immediately. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. KINGSTON, DEC. 11. During the fortnight the prices of all American stuffs had considerably declined. The market, which for many weeks had been almost bare i❑ consequence of the cessa tion of shipments from the States, became supplied by the cargoes of several vessels, the greater number of which arrived in one day ; and this fact naturally caused a heavy fall in the market value. Great activity had prevailed, however, and the bulk of the cargoes had ohanged bands. Heavy rains had prevented the bringing down of produce to market, and there had been very little done in consequence in this branch of trade. Sales of Irish butter at Iqcl. Sales also reported of 25 firks. and 50 firks. at 17d. Sales of beef, 50 half-barrels at 68s. pe- hatf-barrel. Sales of 600 bones of candles, Smith and Curlett's at 100. per lb. Coffee is quoted at 36- , . to 40s. per 1001bs. In freights the only transaction reported is for New York at 4 dols. for wood. Sales of J and R. Tennent's double strong ale at lie. 6d. per doz. quarts ; pale ale and brown stout at Bs. to Bs. 6d. ; pints inquired for. 30 bagels porter at 7s. 6d., and 30 barrels pale ale at is. Soap—No sales. Sugar sells at from 18s. to 225. according to quality. Exchanges—On London : Jamaica Bank, 90 days, per cent. preen. ; merohauts' bills, 4 per cent. dia. to par. CHILI. Advices from Valparaiso are to Nov. 15. The steamer Constitution (insured in England) was lost on the bar of the river Maule, passengers and crew saved ; the cargo, which consisted of provisions for the destitute inhabitants of the district, was lost. Congress is still in extraordinary session, and progresses slowly with its labours. A law autho rising the raising of a loan of 7,000,000 d o l s , t o compete the Valparaiso and Southern Railroads has been passed, large grants have been made to wards the erection of custom-houses, wharves, and other public works. The works of the electric telegraph between Santiago and Talca are progressing, and will be completed in a short time. The Chilian war steamer Esmeralda sailed with secret orders for Cobija, for the purpose, it was surmised, of claiming an American vessel seized by the Bolivian authorities in the port of Santa Maria —the right of sovereignty over which is in dispute between Bolivia and Chili. The affair of the seizure of the Sportsman is not yet settled by the American minister. Mr. Philip E. Barnes has been recognised as consul of Denmark in Coquimbo. The German residents in Valparaiso have re solved to establish a church and school—the Eng lish and American residents have already done so. An interesting report on an exploring expedition to the Lake of Nahueluapi, has been published by order of the government. PERU. Advices from Callao are to the 27th November. The following is from the Callao Mercantile Ship ping Gazette of that date:— _ _ "The market is very dull, and has been so for a long time. Merchants and tradesmen find a very great depres• sion, and a still greater scarcity of money not only in this city, but everywhere else on this coast, owing to a series of continued revolutions, which ruin this ancient and rich country. Flour is scarce and has risen in price ; owing to very limited supplies from Chili, which support this country, this necessary and staple article of food is per qil in bond, 8 dol. Salt beef and pork scarce, and in great demand—prices are quoted by holders—Pork, per barrel, 32c. ; beef, per barrel, 25c. ; ditto per tierce, 38c. ; rice, per bag, 1801 b., 14c. General produce has a small tendency to an increase. Freights are almost closed ; very little had bee❑ done. Charters have been made a week past at the following rates—Europe, 3/. 12s 6d to 3/. 15s Great Britain direct. United States (no charters) 16 dole, West Indies, 3/. 10s. To load at Iquique, 3/. A RICHMOND DINNER THREE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. —We find, in the Lansdowne manuscripts, that about Christmas, 1509, certain officials of the Court of King Henry VIII. diced together at the village of Shene, now called Richmond, and that at the end of the enter tainment my host of the Star and Garter, with many salutations, handed them the following bill :—For bredo, 12d.; ale, 3s 4d ; wyne, 10d ; t wo l oynes mo t on, 8d ; maribones, 6d ; powdred beef, 5d ; two capons, 2s ; two geese, 14d ; five conyes, 15d ; one legge moton, 51b weight, 4d ; six plovers, 18d ; six pegions, 5J ; two dozen larkes, 12d ; salt and sauce, 6d ; buter and eggs, 10d ; war :yens and quynct3, l2u ; b.rbes, ld ; spice', 2s 4d ; flour, 4(1 ; whighL cuppes and cruses, 63 ; which summed up gives exac'ly 11. sterling as the total ex• !lenses of this aldermanic feast. Many a party, gentle and simple, has since that time dined at the Star and Garter, but none ever got so many substantial things for their 20s. as the subjects of young King Henry VIII. — Tlzo Seciteman. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day. CITY SHERIFFS' COURT. (Before Mr. Prendergast, Q.C.) BARRATT AND ANOTHER V. PIOEFORD.-IMTORTANT QUESTION ON A GUARANTEE. The plaintiffs in this action were printers, and sought to recover the sum of 41. 3s. on a guarantee. It appeared by the evidence that the work was one for a proposed new company, " The National Viitriolic Company", and defendant had given a guarantee for payment to the extent of 101. Mr. Beard, from the office of Mr. Buchanan, con tended that no action would lie on the guarantee, as no consideration appears on the page of the document. His Honour held that by a recent act that was not necessary. Mr. Beard then cross-examined the witness as to an alleged admission by the defendant, and a promise to pay. The witness, however, would not swear to any precise words, but he did not deny that he had given the guarantee ; he said that if the party who ordered the goods had been applied to, the bill would have been paid. He (Mr. Beard) therefore contended that the plaintiff had not made out his case, for no admission or promise to pay had been made out, as the witnesses drew a conclusion, although they could not state what really took place. His Honour said that it was clear that a guarantee had been given by a person named Piokford, and that defendant had been applied to, and that some conversa tion took place—that was not denied, and it was not material what it was. In the absence of evidence for the defendant, he must hold that the guarantee had been given, and that defendant was liable. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.— (This Day.) WESTMINSTER DISGRACEFUL MILITARY OUTRAGE.—Robert Gurkin and Joseph Buxton were charged with a most disgrace ful outrage upon the police. The two prisoners, who ware not even alleged to have een intoxicated at the time the offence was committed, were placed in the dock. They had been given into custody for felony, and the objects of their violence, Ben jamin Brett, 262 C, and James Charwood, 104 B, both had their heads covered with linen bandages, and were in a very weak state. It seems that last night the de fondants, who are soldiers in the 2d Regiment of Guards, were at the New Star and Crown, Broadway, Westmin ster, when a man there called the police and charged the defendant Gurkin with having robbed him of some duplicates and papers, and Brett found him concealing a portion of them. Brett proceeded with Gurkin a short distance when he commenced a violent attack upon both him and the prosecutor. Charwood came to Brett's assistance, when Buxton came up and joining the other defendant, inflicted the most desperate assault upon the two officers. Buxton taking off his belt, struck the two men about their heads until they became insensible, and were conveyed to the hospital. Two other constables were likewise assaulted by the defendants, who escaped, but were afterwards appre hended. The wounds were inflicted with the heavy brass buckle at the end of the belt. Mr. George Pearce, surgeon, proved that beside other wounds and injuries, Brett was discharging blood from the bowels, while Char wood bad two severe scalp wounds. It would be some time before the men were in a condition to resume their duty. In the course of the inquiry it was stated that Brett had called upon a corporal with a file of soldiers to assist in conveying the defendant Gurkin to the station, but he had refused to do so. Mr. Arnold said that he could not think of dealing with so serious a case as this, which he should send for trial. He then animadverted upon what appeared to him to be unbecoming conduct of the corporal in refusing to aid the civil power; and said that the commission of the injuries the constables bore was mainly attributable to the corporal's non-interference when called upon. Defendants were remanded. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. ASSAULT ON A PUBLIOA.N.—STRANGE CASE.--Mattie Mortimer, a respectable looking female, was charged with committing a violent assault on William Barnes, of the Crown and Sceptre, Foley-place, under the following circumstances : The prosecutor said the prisoner came into his house on the previous evening and requested to be furnished with drink, but perceiving that abe was already under the influenoe of liquor, he refused to serve her. The pri soner then seized a bottle, which was on the counter, and threw it at him, inflicting a terrible bruise on his arm. He then gave her into custody. The prisoner said the tact was she had been acquainted with the proaeoutor for some time, and the result was that she became pregnant and had had a miscarriage, and she had merely gone to the prosecutor to ask for a little money. So far from being drunk, she had merely had a pint of porter previously. In answer to questions by Mr. Bingham, the prosecu tor denied the truth of the prisoner's statement. He had only gone to her house to see another party, and that on business. The prisoner still asserted that what she had said was tilt % The prosecutor had professed great affection for her, and she had permitted him to visit her where she re• sided. The prosecutor again denied the truth of this. Mr. Bingham said if the prisoner had really gone for what she said, she had not gone in a proper manner. She should have gone quietly, and not to asranlt the prosecutor. All he should do, however, was to order her to find one surety for her keeping the peace towards prosecutor. THAMES. Sr E T C A E T A I S O E N D TO s MI N N . HEE! SEAMAN.—Eleanor WAGER nor M A a N r D y EFFECTS FA LsEE R OF ErE a R Davies, a married woman, aged 37, who was appre hended yesterday afternoon by Inspector Thomas, of the Thames-police, at 53, Prince's-road, Bermondsey, was brought before Mr. Yardley, charged with making a false representation for the purpose of obtaining from the Board of Trade certain monies, being the wages of a deceased seaman. Mr. Cumberland, from the Customs Solicitor's-office, prosecuted en behalf of the Board of Trade, and referred to the 203 d section of the Merchant Sbipping Act. The prisoner was charged with making a false repre sentation to the shipping master at the Shipping-office, Poplar, and claimed the wages and effects of a deceased seaman named John Brewer, who died on board the ship Tweedside, on the coast of Africa, and whose wages were paid to the shipping-master at Poplar on the arrival of the ship in this port, and his chest, clothes, and effects deposited there. The prisoner applied to the shipping. master at the end of September or the beginning of Oct. to have the wages paid to her, and described herself as the sister of the deceased and that all other relatives were dead. The shipping-master asked her her maiden name, which she said was not Brewer, and upon being desired to give an explanation, she stated that her mother had married the deceased seaman's father. A. printed form was given to the prisoner to fill up, and she re• turned it with the false representation described. She bad written that she was the sister and only surviving rela tive of John Barber, and the form so filled up had been returned to the Board of Trade who discovered the intended fraud and directed this prosecution. The prisoner was liable to be punished with penal servitude for a term not exceeding four years, or with imprison ment with or without bard labour for a period not exceeding two years. A form was put in, and John Foskett, clerk at the shipping-office, Poplar, said he filled up that form at the solicitation of the prisoner, who said she wanted a form of claim for John Brewer's wages and effects, and that she arts his sister. John Brewer, of Stonecbaise, Plymouth, said he was the father of the deceased seaman who died on board the Tweedside. The prisoner was no relative at all, Mr. Yardley—Did you marry the deceased's mother I Brewer—l did not, sir. Alter the production of some further evidence, clearly bringing home the charge to the prisoner, she was re manded for the completion of the depositions uritil o-morrow (Saturday). .ALLEGED STARVATION OF A CHILD, ADJOURNED INQUEST. Yesterday evening Mr. W. Payne, the coroner, re nt:nod an inquiry, at St. George's Workhouse, South- wark, as to the death of Anna Mary Blake, a child five years old, whose death, it was alleged, had been caused by starvation. Mr. Cooke, the summoning officer, said he bad been to Mr. White, the surgeon, of Lamb's Conduit-street, who informed him that he attended on the deceased child for the small-pox, and when he last save her she was in very good health, and only required nourishment. From that time he had not seen her, On Monday last the father waited upon him, and wanted him to give a certificate as to the child's death, to prevent an inquest being held, but he refused to do so. The mother of the child was recalled, and she said that sometimes she got the child beef-tea, and that she got her all the nourishment she could. She gave her a powder, which operated on the day she died, and she thought that had hastened her death. A Juror—Why here was a child wasting away every day for five or six weeks. How was it that you had no medical advice I Mrs. Blake—l did not think she was so bad. _ _ After some further deliberation, the jury returned the following verdict :—" That the death of the child was caused by a disease of the lungs and spleen, but that the cause of death was accelerated by the want of sufficient nourishment, and they wished the mother to be censured for her conduct in not obtaining medical assistance." The Coroner (addressing the mother) said The gentlemen of the jury have no doubt that this child was suffering from the effects of the smallpox, but they think that it was your bounden duty in the last part of her life to have obtained medical assistance, and for not doing so they desire me most strongly to censure you. They also consider you are deserving of censure in not doing more than you did in obtaining comforts for the child, and they have a very strong opinion upon it. Mrs. Blake—l did all I could. The Coroner—The gentlemen of the jury think you have not done so. We have received Cape Tuwn papef a down io theen.; of October, but they contain nothing important. The Kaffit, , , compelled by starvation, were still migrating in hundreds to the colony, and relief committees were formed at Graham's Town, King William's Town, and elsewhere to aid them with soup kitchens, and other charitable establishments. MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE OF A YOUTH. Yesterday an inquest was taken by Mr. Baker, at the Adam and Eve, Homerton, on view of the body of a male person, unknown, about 20 years of age, who is supposed to be respectably connected, and who,shot himself with a pocket pistol in Hack neyfields. William Chickley, butcher, No. 7, Church-place, Marlborough-row, Hackney, said that on Saturday evening last, about 9 o'clock, he was crossing the pathway westward in the Hackney-fields, when he heard some footsteps behind him, and at the same time he heard the report of a pistol. He looked towards the spot, and then saw deceased on the ground, at a distance of about 30 yards from him. He went up to the deceased and saw him lying on his bank. He observed that his shirt was on fire near the lower part of the chest. He was dead. Witness called out "Police _ _ _ Police-constable Smith, 160 N, produced the pis tol, which was of Birmingham make, and had no name on it. He extinguished the fire on the shirt. There was a wound about the size of a halfpenny, near the spot where the fire was. Police-constable Davy, 266 N, said that the de ceased had on a black Oxonian coat, a black vest, corded trousers, and the usual under-dress. He was about 5 feet 7 inches in height, had dark brown hair, and was pitted wit h the smallpox. He searched the deceased, and found on him a piece of paper, on which were a Latin and a Greek quotation. The Coroner stated the Latin quotation to be : " The cause lies hid, and is well known. The times have been most hard and ungrateful to me." Witness also found a valentine, which was ad dressed to Mr. Stevens, No. 39 (the remainder of the address was torn off)—from which it was sup posed that the cause of death was some love affair. The Coroner directed Mr. Rawlandson, the summoning officer, to keep the documents, as they might lead to the discovery of the deceased's rela tions. The surgeon proved that the shot was in the body of the deceased. Verdict—" That the deceased shot himself with a pistol, but in what state of mind he was there was not sufficient evidence to show." MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) CORN EXTiIIA.NGE. The arrivals of English wheat fresh up to our market to-day, coastwise and by land carriage, were very limited, and the show of samples was consequently small. In the demand, however, no impro►ement took place, yet Mon day's prices were supported. Rather over 12,000 qrs. of foreign wheat have come fresh to hand this week. Good and fine qualities realised full quotations, but all other kinds were quite neglected. Floating cargoes of grain were dull. Fine barley sold steadily, other kinds slowly, on former terms. Malt changed hands to a moderate extent, at full prices. Oats were the turn dearer ; but beans, peas, and flour met a very slow inquiry, at Monday's quotations. ARRIVALS TIM WEEK Wheat. Barley. I Malt. 1,140 2,630 15,450 English._ Irish Oats. Flour. 970 1,080 600 -- Foreign lt 12,650 13,360 1,370 aka 3,340 2,190 bls METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. Although only a moderate supply of beasts was on sale in to-day's market, the demand for all breeds ruled inac- tive, at Monday's currenoy. We were but scantily sup plied with sheep, which moved off slowly, at unaltered quotations. The extreme value of the best old Downs was 5s 6d per 8 lbs. Prime entail calves were very scarce, and 6d per 8 lbs. dearer. Inferior veal met a slow inquiry. Pigs and milch cows sold heavily, at barely stationary prices. Per 81be to sink the offals. s. d. s. d. I s. 4. o. d. Interior Beasts... 3 4to 3 oPrimeSouthdown 5 2 5 $ Second quality.... 3 8 4 °tone ergo. calm 310 4 6 Prime large oxen 4 2 4 4 Prime small do 410 5 6 Prime Scots, 40. 4 6 4 8 Large hogs Inferior Sheep ...3 6 310 Small porkers 4 8 5 2 Second quality ...4 0 4 2 Suckling calves 18 0 26 0 Prime crse.-wlled.4 4 5 0j Quarter old pigs 20 0 26 0 FORBIGN Burma,. TOTAL SUPPLY: Boasts 9OB Sheep and lambs 2,81.5 Calves 215 Pigs 3OO Boasts Sheep and lambs 200 Calves l5l Pigs NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. About an average business was transacted to-day, as follows : Per Blbs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, interior 3 0 3 4 Do., middling 3 6 3 8 Do. prime large 3 10 4 2 Do., do. small 4 2 4 4 Pork. large 3 6 4 4 Mutton, Inferior 3 Do., middling 3 Do., prime .4 V0a1.... 4 Pork, small 4 d. s. d 0 3 4 6 4 0 2 4 10 0 5 0 6 5 2 BOROUGH HOP. Our market is fairly supplied with nearly all kinds of hops. Good and fine qualities are firm, and quite as dear as last week. In other kinds very little is doing. New Mid and East Kent pockets, 82s to 120 s ; Weald of Kent ditto, 58s to 80s; Sussex ditto, 54s to 75s per cwt. COLONIAL. Tho Colonial Produce Diarkets are closed for the Christ mas holidays, and will reopen on Tuesday, the sth inst. Privately, a rather active business has been don• in most of the principal staples, and rather higher rates are current than at the close of the market. TEA.—There is an improved demand, and a fair amount of business has been done. Common Congou sold at 12id per lb. SUGAR.—There is a rather active inquiry for the good grocery descriptions, and prices have advanced about is per cwt. In the refined market a further ad vance of 6d to is per cwt. maybe quoted on all descriptions of dried goods. COFFEE.—The market has a firmer appearance, and plantation Ceylon is fully Is. per cwt. dearer. RICE.--Rath er more inquiry for the better descriptions, but little c h ange can b e repor t e d i n values. FRUIT.—The inquiries for medium qualities of currants have been active, and higher rates are current. Holders not pressin g sa l es ow i ng t o the shortness of stook. SALTPETRE.—A few sales have boon effected, and mostly at higher rates. TALLow.—The market is firm. P.Y.C., on the spot, and Janiary to March delivery 535. 3d., and for March only 535. 6d. per cwt. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, Jan. I.—Wind this day at noon, S.S.W. ; light breeze and fine. OFF RAMSGATE, Dec. 30.—Arrived—St. Helena, from otterd am, for West Indies. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 31.—Wind E.S.E.—Sailed—Cold stream, for Melbourne. SWANSEA, Dec. 31. Wind S.E. — Sailed — City of Kandy, for Caldera ; Barbara, St. Michael's ; Aurora, San Sebastian. QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 30.—Wind E.S.E.—Arrived—From Caledonia, St. John,'s Newfoundland, with loss of anchor and chain, and part of „cargo thrown overboard, Louisa Bilham, from Newcastle, for New York—leaky. BELFAST LOUGH, Dec. ,30.—Sailed — Rantan, for Born bay, after repairing. YARMOUTH, Dec. 31. Arrived—Guillaume, from Val p,t.raieo ; Fanny, Rio Janeiro. FOWEY, Dec. 30.—Wind E.—Arrived — Thomas Bayne, from St. Mary, N.S. OFF PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 28.—Arrived—Griffin, from Buenos Ayres, for Hull. GLOUCESTES, Dec. 31.—Arrived—Greenland, from New York. BEIUMAHIS, Dec. 31.—Sailed—Cornelia, for Bombay. CASTLETOWN, Dec. 30.—Wind S.S.W.—Lizzie, for Demerara. OFF FENAANGE, Dec. 30.—Arrived—Electra, from Sydney, New South Wales. (BY BLECTBIO TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, Friday Morning. Wind E., fine. Arrived—Reaper, Branch, and Flora, from Sunderland ; Express, and Atalanta, steamers, Jersey; La Plata, steamer, St. Thomas ; Jolly, 3 ersey ; Bosphorus, steamer, Liverpool. LIVERPOOL, Friday Morning. S. E. Arrived, Dec. 31—Iceni, from Pernambuco; Evening Star, New Orleans ; Christiana, screw steamer, Ssloncia. Arrived, Jan. 1, 1858.—Halls, from Smyrna ; Paragon, Demerara ; Ann Logan, Iquique. QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 30. Wind E.S.E. . Arrived—Numa, and Pira, from Odessa ; Caledonia, St. John's, Newfoundland; Snowdon, Rio Janeiro ; Macedonia, Alexandria. WATMORD, Deo. 30. Wind W.S. W. Arrived—Flume, from Odessa. DI SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH. GRAVESEND, Friday Morning. Wind, calm ; one hour's flood ; weather fine. Arrived, Deo. 31—Due Sorelle, from Messina ; Provi dentia, Havannall ; Favourite, Dunkirk ; Olive, Belfast Lass, and Capital, Antwerp ; Orbit, Termond ; Prothesa, St. John's ; Prosper, St. Michael's ; Alliance, Ghent ; Mary Mathews, Venice ; Rose, Antwerp; Express, Saville. Arrived, Jan. 1, 1858—Eva, for Dunkirk ; Jane, Ghent; Jarrow, Palermo. Sailed, Jan. 1, 1858—East Anglian, for Harbors ; Flecha, Ghent. DEAL, Friday Morning. Wind W. by N.; light, and hazy. Passed, Dec . 3 1—Ipswich Lass, from London, for St. Michael's ; Raby Castle, London, Sydney. Anchored — Emperor, from London, for Algoa Bay ; Helen, London, Dublin ; Mantura, Shields, London. CASUALTY TO A TROOP STIAISER.--We have been favoured with an extract of a letter from an officer of rank at Masulipatam, from which we learn that the steamer England had arrived at that port after encoun tering a very severe cyclone. Everything on deck, 150 tons of baggage, cots, tents, and six horses, were washed overboard; six ❑ative followers were also unfortunately s wept off the forecastle by a heavy sea. The ship is much damaged, every sail split to ribbons, all the boats but one washed away, foremast sprung, maintopmast damaged, and a leak and nine feet of water in the after compartments. For 12 hours the starboard bulwarks were under water and the ship in great danger. Most of the passengers have lost everything they possessed, and some are without even a change of clothes. The England left Bombay on the 12th of October for Calcutta and Madras, and had on board the depot and famili3a of her M. , j,!sty'. 12th Lancer: , , who were to land at Mioulipatiini and thee proceed to Secunderabad. She lett Madras on the 29th ultimo, with a large number of European and native passengers for Masulipatam, Vizagapatatn, and Calcutta; and it is matter of great thankfulness that the loss of human life through the Icyclone in which she was overtaken is not greater than we have at present to deplore. — Madras Spatator. THE INDIAN MUTINIES. THE OITTBREAK AT CHITTAGONG. A writer adverting to the recent mutiny at Chit tagong, says :—" I am sorry to say— and it shows how far from hopeless the rebels yet consider their case, that the three companies of the 34th Native Infantry that had remained apparently true have thrown off all disguise, risen, released all the pri soners in the gaol (at Chittagong), plundered the treasury of three lass of rupees, murdered a non commission‘d officer who tried to dissuade them from violence, and gone off with their booty and the Government elephants, making, no doubt, for Dacca, where there will be a disturbance unless the most prompt measures are taken. Lord Can ning has been most unjustly assailed touching many matters ; but as respects this outbreak at Chittagong I confess I do not see what excuse can be made. To have relied on the fidelity of any one native regiment in the service, or of any por tion of any regiment, was a strange infatuation after the lessons of the last six months. Troops have been arriving daily in large numbers, and only two or three days ago about 4,000 men were in spected on the Midan. We have a large num ber of steamers here ; Chittagong could have been reached in a few hours, and one company of British bayonets would have preserved the peace, saved 30,0001., and prevented the junction of these latest rebels with the disaffected of the adjacent districts. The fact is, that when the Government saw the Bengal army was thoroughly disorganised it should have disarmed, if not disbanled, the whole. Supposing even half-a-dozen regiments had remained true (for want of opportunity, pro bably, to throw off their allegiance), the inconve nience would not have been small when the time came for the re-formation of the army. At this moment there is a native regiment of infantry, and two of irregular cavalry—some 3,000 men—at Berhampoor, with arms in their hands, which we have a right to fear would be turned against us if the utmost vigilance were not observed. When everything has to be done by British soldiers, and when the few we have hitherto had have had to watch their native allies, would it not have been better to get rid of the fellows alto gether ? The Chittagong affair is damaging, and the outcry will be loud if things go wrong at Dacca." NATIVE CREDULITY OF ENGLISH SUCCESSES. A private letter from Calcutta mentions the utter incredulity that pervades the native mind as to the reality of the successes we have obtained. The writer says :—" Lucknow has been relieved but not taken possession of ; indeed, the latest news only places us in one of its outskirts, which was not gained until after some very severe fighting. My opinion is that there will yet be very serious oppo sition in Oude ; and where the news of the fall of Delhi is believed, it does not seem to have had the anticipated effect. But you will be surprised to learn that it is very generally disbelieved by Mahommedans ; and here, in Calcutta, it is a fact that up to this day they believe that we land a regiment and send it down the river again and re-land it, as a means of impressing the people with an idea of the rapidity with which larger reinforce ments are arriving. This seems incredible, but I repeat that it is a fact." WORK YET TO BE DONE. Although Lucknow has fallen, every spot of ground yet remains to ba conquered in Oude. Imagine the Russians ten thousand strong making a descent upon London and seizing it. England would not then be conquered ; every castle, every mansion would be converted into a place of defence. And yet Oude is larger than Eugland ; her people, though defeated, hate us with an intensity of hatred scarcely to be accounted for. Every class has turned against us, from Maun Singh, the Prince of Zumeendars, down to the poorest ryot who cul tivates the soil. They have murdered our country men to the cry of " Death t o the infidel," and their hatred will not be appeased, even if we would allow it to be so, by their dispersion at Lucknow. The very day before the Commander-in-Chief made his successful attack, 19 of our countrymen and women, who, ever since the insurrection in June, had been hidden by a faithful Zumeendar, one loyal amongst a thousand traitors, were brought into Lucknow. Every one of them was inhumanly butchered. It is not difficult to guess the future movements of the Commander-in-Chief. It is cer tain that he will not abandon Lucknow. Ile will make that the point from which he will subdue the whole country.—Letter from, Calcutta, Nov. 24. ♦ REPENTING TRAITOR. Another notorious leader of the revolt, though much less of a ruffian than Nana Dhoondoopunt, Maun Singh, has lately died. He was severely wounded at Lucknow, on the occasion of the first engagement with General Have lock's forces, and, finding hie end approaching, desired to be conveyed to Adjoodhia, the most holy city in Oude, where he died, after making his will. It is said that he bitterly repented having been per suaded to turn against us, His hands were never enahrued with the blood of our countrymen, and he betrayed, even in his enmity, higher ideas of civili sation than any other amongst our opponents. A SETTLEMENT FOR THE MUTINEERS. An expedition, says a letter, dated November 24, is about to leave Calcutta in a day or two for the purpose of exploring a portion of the Andaman Islands, with the view of ascertaining their capa bilities as a penal settlement. It is supposed to be the intention of Government to transfer the Kings of Delhi and Oude, with many of their de voted adherents, to that delightful spot. A better move could not be made. The s-poys, so warlike that they must rise against masters who acted as their slaves, EO tender were they even of their spiritual wants, will there find abundant oppor tunities of keeping "their hands in" in contest with the cannibals who have hitherto possessed those islands. They will find no one there to interfere with their caste, or to besmear their cartridges with hog's lard. They will live under the beneficent sway of the descendant of the Moguls, and this potentate, finding his empire bounded by the Ocean on three sides, and the cannibals on the fourth, will be able to con gratulate himself that ho is at least rid of the Fer inghee infidel. But this is only a dream. We can not believe that a government which has through out sympathised with the natives, that sent up a pragmatical civilian to prevent and put a stop to the execution of justice on their persons, that spared the King of Delhi, and allowed regal honours to be paid to his son, will ever ri,e to such a mea sure as this. To England, to her Parliament, and her people, we look to ensure a just measure of re tribution on the authors of this revolt, and to re move the impediments which now exist at Cal cutta and elsewhere to such a measure being car ried out. THE GARRISON AT LUORNOW. The following is a letter from one of the officers who were cooped up in Lucknow, and now depicts the state of affairs before the relief : Lucknow, Oct. 27. Thanks to these wretched mutineers, my epistle will have tobesmuggledout, and perhaps will never reach its destination ; should it do so, it will sot your mind at ease about - who is alive, and what is wonderful with a whole skin, in spite of the enemy's shot and shell. Danyets is here in capital health and spirits, and untouched ; Captain Willis of the 84th was wounded, but is now out of hospital. We are still completely invested, though the investment is not quite so perfect as it was previous to the arrival of the relieving force. We now get occasional messages from our friends out side, with letters concealed about their persons, but nothing in the shape of food has yet been procured. The enemy's troops still surround us, and aro close upon our outposts, but the amount of musketry and artillery fire is nothing to what we wore ac customed to formerly, and we can walk about our garrison now with comparative safety. When the mutiny broke out in Lucknow, on May 30, I was then away in the neighbourhood of Cawnpore, with a squadron of cavalry, two light field guns, and a couple of companies of native infantry on the Grand Trunk Road, en route to Mynpoorie. The brigadier (Handscombe) was killed, and an officer of the 71st, named Grant, and the greater part of the mutinous troops made their escape into the district ; fortunately all the ladies had been removed from the cantonments two or three days previously, and were packed together in the city residency. When I returned to Luck now on the 4th June everything appeared quiet again, and remained so until the end of the month. On the 30th June we went out about daybreak on the road to Fyzabad, hoping to come upon, and to drive back, the advance guard of the insurgents, who, we heard, were approaching in that d l ir o e o c o - tion. We expected to meet onl y about , men or so, believing the main body of the enemy's troops to be a day's journey in rear. We went out about six miles to a place called Chinlut, where we found the i ns urgent army in positi on ned fire upon Us from behind a village. They ope their artillery in the centre of their line, to which we replied with light field guns, and an S-inch howitzer we took with us. Thanks to the howitzer, their artillery was soon silenced and driven from their original position, and had we only been pro perly supported by the native artillery, I verily believe that, in spite of the immense numerical su periority of the insurgents, we should have come off from the field victorious. As it was, when their centre was driven in, the enemy deployed on either side, and brought light guns to bear upon both flanks of our small force, and sent their cavalry in swarms in our rear, cutting off our communioation with Lucknow. We began to retire, of course, at once, and soon the whole affair became perfect rout. Thanks to the cowardice of the in surgent cavalry, a great number of us succeeded in reaching Lucknow ; but we left no less than 130 Europeans on the field, The enemy's force on that day has been estimated at from 15,000 to 20,000 ; ours about 300 .of the 32d, about 200 natives, some 30 Volunteer Cavalry, 4 European light field guns, an 8-inch howitzer manned by Europeans, and I think six field guns, which were manned by natives, which were worse than useless to us. We lost the 8-inch howitzer and three field pieces. The insurgents quickly followed up their success, and before twelve o'clock that day round shot and shell were flying into the rendezvous. From that day to the day of the arrival of the re lieving force under Sir James Outram, we were exposed to a continued fire day and night ; the enemy were within 60 yards of our defences on every side, and we were unable to stir in any direetion without running the gauntlet with the insurgent sharpshooters. We had three regular attacks during the siege— e first and boldest of which took place on the 20th July ; they then came on in swarms ou all sides, but were driven back with terrific loss by the bravery of our handful of men. In spite:of their perseverance, their numbers, their showers of shot and shell, we never yielded an inch of ground, and when the reinforcements arrived, we were exactly on our original ground, though many of the houses were reduced to mere heaps of ruin. It would be impossible to g ive you anything like a correct idea of the nature of our posi- tion ; our defences were scarcely deserving of the name ; we were merely defending a certain number of houses in the very heart of a large city, with the enemy in possession of the houses adjoining in the line of defence between us, consisting only of hastily con structed ditches and barricades. Fortunately we had a good supply of shot and shell, eight 8-inch howitzs-+, eight 18-pounder guns, and about 30 light field-pieces, with a plentiful supply of wheat, dal, and rice. In a short time more we hope to be perfectly relieved, as we bear troops are advancing with all possible speed. I must not write more, or my epistle will exceed the pre scribed size, so I must postpone all further details until I can write again. LOYAL INSTITUTION. Professor Faraday delivered the second of his course of lectures on electricity to a juvenile audience, yesterday afternoon, at the Royal Insti tution. The branch of the subject to which he directed attention was the consideration of the consideration of the characters of the electz le force. He commenced by showing experimentally that electricity repels as well as attracts, and that when a ~light substance has had a charge of electricity imparted to it by contact with an excited glass re], it is afterwards repelled by the glass instead of being attracted, and that it continues to fly from the glass until it has touched some other body, and thus been deprived of its electricity. He then showed that a substance repelled by an excited glass rod is attracted by sealing wax, gutta percha, or sulpur, when excited. These different actions of electric force were illustrated by a variety of ex per invents, in which Professor Faraday made use of severa ltoys as parts of his apparatus. The ex periment that gave most pleasure to the younger p irt of the audience was one with the figure of a fishwoman will a basket containing a number of paper fish upon her head, which flew away in all directions when she was placed on an insulated stand and electrified. The opposite actions of the force produced by the friction of glass, and of that exerted by the friction of sealing wax, proved that there are two kinds of electricity, each of which attracts the other, but repels itself ; and Professor Faraday showed that they have the power of apparently annihilating each other. Thus, for ex ample, two large metallic balls were suspended separately by silk strings to insulate them, and one was electrified negatively by touching it with the coating of a Leyden jar, and the other was charged positively from the knob. When either ball was brought separately near the elect' °meter the gold leaves diverged, indicating that b eth were electr:orl ; but, after the balls had teen brought into contact, no trace of electricity was perceptible. Another experiment, still more striking, was the following : A small flannel cup was fitted on to the top of a shell-lac, and the rod was twisted round in it whilst held tight. By this action a quantity of electricity was generated, but s , ) long as the cop remained on the rod there was no indication of its preieauce ; the instant, however, that the cup was withdrawn, both the flannel and the shell-lac acted strongly on the gold leaves. On being placed to gether again their combined effect completely neutralised each other, and the gold leaves remained unaffected. Professor Faraday said there could be no doubt, from these opposite manifestations of force, that the electricities in the flannel and in the shell-lac were different, and should call them the the two electricities. At one time he was of opinion there might be an intermediate electric condition, bat his investigations had tended to sliew that there are only two. Notwithstanding the the different character of the electricity generated by glass from that generated by shell-lae, yet the same substance may, under different conditions pro duce the opposite electricities. This fact was illus trated by a remarkable experiment, the ratiouate of which is not yet understood. The gold leaves of the electrometer having been made to diverge with positive electricity by the friction of a glass rod, the same rod was heated in the flame of spirits, and when again rubbed three or four times, its ap proach to the electrometer made the gold leaves collapse, proving that it had become negatively electrified ; but, after leaving been briskly rubbed its or ig inal losition was restored, and the gold leaves diverged still farther as i - , was brought near them. Professor Faraday said that it might be thought strange that he should thus bring before the notice of his juvenile audience an experiment which he could not himself understand, bnt he thought it desirable that they should khow there are phenomena in electricity the elucidation of which is yet to be accomplished, and that they were all philosophers working together fur the discovery of truth. THE SILK TRADE. The following is from the trade circular of Messrs. Percival and Ludlow, of Manchester : " By few could it have been anticipated, even by those least sanguine, that the apparently prosperous condition of the silk trade at the commencement of the past year was so soon to terminate. From the calami tous effect of over-trading and excessive speculation— which has shaken the commercial credit of the trading communities of the world, and caused an amount of dis aster before unequalled, either in magnitude or in the wide spreading of its infiluence—the silk trade has not been exempt. Nether it be the importer, the manu facturer, or the throwster ; whether those engaged in the European, Asiatic, or American trade, all have suf fered to a greater or less degree. At she commencement of the year all appeared encourag i ng , with a fair promise of a continuance of the prosperity of 1856. The impor ter having a good demand b oth for home and foreign consumption ; the manufacturer being well emplo3ed ; the throwster being full of work ; money tolerably easy ; and the raw material, though certainly rather high in pia , 'oe n ot more so than the relative position of supply and demand seemed to warrant ; consumption certainly on the increase, but not beyond what prudence appeared to dictate ; and so all went well until gradually a spirit of speculation set in, first originating with the Italians, and quickly followed by the French, who, sti mulated by the failure of the last European crop, became very large buyers of China silk, both in our markets and in Shanghai, causing an increased drain of silver to the East, which quickly acted upon the fiscal arrangements of the continent. Meantime the fever of speculation spread to this country, and the legitimate demand wra overtaken, and par al y sed ; faci lities were obtained too readily, and the paper money of houses of straw was found current to a ruinous extent. Then came the American crisis. In Lyons, St. Etienne, Italy, Switzerland, Prussia, and our own country, the trade became prostrate. Silk held on foreign account co was thrown on the market to be forced off . t any pri , a general depreciation was the result ; fail.ufse uponfelllower fail ure followed in rapid succession, the year, a or reaction cent. This and lower, without even a temporaaryndopinaPutr:oec; till they now stand at the lowest p 45 per measure caused, g t r o eat reductionfromJu extreme depression and in the first instance precipita n e rites c b e e s e o n. f i 4 n o ted, by the reprehen sible currency which has been given to the acceptances and drafts of men of no means whatever, thus trading upon fictitious oapital, to the serious detriment of the b o na fide producer. Several cf these reckles s traders have since succumbed, but unfortunately not withou dragging in the vortex others who have the full sympathy of the trade. .t cinNa SlLK.—There ha s aga i n b een a very l arge i mpor t of this silk, the common result of high rates, but the quantity of really available and useful sorts at market is not so large as generally supposed. There are complaints of the imports of the present being even fuller in size than usual. The consumption has again been large, the scarcity of European silk still causing our manufacturers to substAuteAsiatic wherever practicable. Again, we may notice how desirable it is that this silk should be reeled finer. It has been taken largely for foreign account. " The year closes with a decidedly better feeling, and we cannot help looking forward to the future with confidence. We have a purified atmosphere ; a large stock, which will prevent a recurrence to excessive rates for some time to come ; and great probability of early monetary ease : these are good reasons for expecting a fair and legitimate trade which will be remunerative and satisfactory to all concerned." THE AMERICAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday —The Uniti-1 States' mail steam-ship Ariel, Captain G. D. Ludlow, left Havre this morning, and Cowes tF,i evening, for New York, with the German, French, and English mails, 98 pat-sengers, 1,000/. In specie from this port, and a large cargo. Dense fogs at Bremen and Havre are assigned as the cause of her detention, yes terday being her proper day of departure. THE IMPRISONED ENGLISH ENGINBE. AT SALERNO. 0 The following is a copy of the official papers relative to the imprisonment of the engineers, Watt and Park, at Salerno, which were yesterday printed by order of Parliament : ACTING-CONSUL BARBAR TO THE EARL OP CLARENDON. Extract.) (Received Dec. 5.) NapleP, Nay : 28, 1857. I have the honour to report to your lordship that on the 25th inst. I proceeded, together with Mr. Park, to Salerno to visit the two engineers. On reaching that town I applied to the Attorney-Ge neral, in order that he would issue the necessary orders to the prison authorities for our admission, and I availed of the opportunity to express to him my regret that when II of the crew of the Cagliari had been released from prison the engineers Watt and Park had not been included, and I requested to be informed when the trial would come on. . .—.- He replied that they were not released, because a letter of Mi s s Whyte's of a seriou s na t ure had been found on Watt, or in his cabin on board the Cagliari, which had been conveyed to him from the shore at Genoa Park, and that he could not state when the trial would commence. On entering the prison where the two engineers were confined I strictly examined them both on the subject of the letter in question, and I am happy to say that the Attorney-General's report to me was completely false, Park never took any letter on board, and Watt never received one. Park assured me hat some days since be was brought before the Attorney-General, where he found already waiting there one of the insurgents, who Rai brought to give his evidence. This individual deposed in favour of Watt and Park, completely exo nerating them from any complicity in the affair of the seizure of the Cagliari, and stated that be (deponent), wi h others, bad forced a notice upon Park by holding daggers at hisjtbroat till he took it ; that the notice was to the effect that if he did his duty no harm would hap pen to him (Park) and his companion ; but if otherwise they would forfeit their lives." That both engineers were then forced down the engine-room, and one of the insurgents stood over them with a pistol, while another, also armed, stood at the top of the engine-room pre pared to fire on the engineers if the insurgents perceived anything to rouse their suspicions. Park farther informs that when the witness bad stated thus Bauch, the Attor ney-General, who bad apparently taken down the depo sition as it was uttered, had purposely so altered the wording that on reading it to deponent be refused to sign it, as the Attorney-General had contrived to make the deposition against the engineers, instead of a com plete acquittal. The deponent insisted upon that page of the procts being torn out, and the Attorney-General finally, but reluctantly, did so. I was informed at; Salerno, by good authority, that en the 19th Oct., when the engineers were pronounced to have been lawfully arrested, the President of the Grand Court was very desirous of setting the engineers at liberty ; but the Attorney-General insisted that it should be otherwise. _ _ Unclosed, I have the honour of transmitting a state ment which I have drawn up from the reports of Watt and Park, male to me in the presence of the father of the latter, who has signed it with me ; it is too full of the misery which the poor men have suffered to require any comments from me. ENCLOSURE. Statement drawn up by Mr. Acting-Consul Bsrbar from the report verbally made to him by Henry Watt and Charles Park, British subjects, late engineers of the Sardinian steamer Cagliari, now,confined in the prison of Salerno, near Naples, and testified by Mr. Charles Park, father of the fore-mentioned Park, who was likewise present. Watt and Park were landed from the steamer Cagliari at the end of June last, together with the captain of that ship, her crew, and passengers. The captain, engineers, anti passengers were at ottce conveyed to the Vicaria prison unbound, but the crew were handcuffed. As soon as they reached the prison the engineers, as well as the others, were desired that if they bad any papers they would give them up. Watt had none. Park gave up his pocket-bookAwherein he had a copy of a note which the in-urgents had forced upon him when they took posses sion of the steamer shortly after leaving Genoa ; the original remained on board. This note was not signed by any person, nor addressed to any one, and was worded nearly as follows, viz : " We have resolved to free our country from the yoke ~f slavery under which we have so long suffered, and we call upon all upright men to aid us. If you do your duty, no harm shall befall you ; but if otherwise your lives are sacrificed." They (the engineers and others) on arriving at the prison were stripped naked by the police or prison authorities, and in that position were jeered at by them. Atter allowing them to dress again the two engineer., with the passengers were conveyed to a prison on the ground floor, consisting of two small rooms, which were very damp, with one small iron-barred window, whisk looked into the prison yard. Through this window the sun never entered, and scarcely were they able to distin guish daylight through it. To the misery of damp and bad ventilation was added one greater —via., that, in lieu of wateroloset, a wooden tub was placed in the middle of each room. These two tubs were emptied every evening, if the engineers paid some person to do so, but not otherwise. They were ❑ever washed, and the stench, especially at night, when the small barred window was closed, was very great; and their health soon began to suffer. These two men were kept in those roomsduringthe threehottest months in the year--viz, July, Aug., and Sept. They were taken cut of them when required by the police authorities to submit them to an interrogatory. On such occasions they were handcuffed before leaving the room, and brought back in the same manner. Park mentions that on one occasion they c inducted him through damp underground prisons before bringing him to be interrogated; and from the manner of the men who guarded him, he understood that the intention was to intimidate him. The allowancs niads to them by the Neapolitan Government is—black bread of a very bad quality, and coup of so nauseous a nature that they turned always from it in disgust, and four grani per day each (less than 2d.) in money. Money was oscasioually sent to them by myself and some English engineers resident at Naples, by which they were enabled tc buy better food. Their beds consisted of boards supported on wooden trestles, with ono mattress stuffed with bad tow, mixed with bits of straw. They suffered much from vermin. In the beginning of October they, with the captain and crew, were removed from the Vicaria prisons to those of Salerno. The manner this was effected was as follows: — The police handcuffed Park, and passed n leather strap besides, through both arms ; they attempted the same with Watt, but he resisted the indignity as long as he had strength, but being overpowered, he was hand cuffed and strapped in the same manner as Park. They were then tied together, and put into a carriage into which three gendarmes likewise entered. The windows of the carriage were drawn up ; and thus suffering from the tightness with which they were bound, they were forced to perform at a slow pace a journey of about 30 miles by night, in a carrieze hermetically closed. They begged repeatedly that a window might be let down for the sake of air. Their request was not complied with. When they reached the prison of Salerno the crew of the Cagliari were placed in two rooms—one a large airy room, the other smaller, but well ventilated. The captain and the two engisteere were put into a small room immediately under those occupied by the crew, which belonged to the gaoler. The room being situated very low, and the space occupied by their three bebs leaving them little space to walk in, the captain commenced suffering from bowel complaint ; Watt has threatened insanity ; and Park, who enjoyed very good health before his imprisonment, now suffers from fits. A petition was sent by them to the Attorney-General, begging that they might be placed in the same rooms with the crew, which was granted one day before our going to Salerno—namely, on the 24th of November. They have now a certain space to walk in, in the larger room of the two. " Since their arrival a Solerno the engineers have fre quently been conveyed from their prison to the tribunal to be examined by the Attorney-General. On these oc casions they have been paraded through the streets of Salerno, strongly guarded and handcuffed. They have repeatedly begged that they might be spared the pain and humiliation of n andcuirs, but their prayer has always been refused. The handcuffs are made of iron. Park states that for several days after they reached Salerno the marks were still visible on their wrists and arms, from the tight ne,s,sTwieths NaplesmVi ha small o h s t hey u m o were bound when they were taken from Salerno.fur grani per day, allowed to sack man by the Neapolitan Government, enables them to pay for the hire of their beds. " The beds are of a better description than those they had at Naples. " The company to whom the Cagliari belongs allows about 12s. 2d. daily to assist the 1 6rew in their subsis tence, but this small sum, having to be divided among 22 persons, helps them but very little. "The earnest prayer of the engineers is, that they may speedily be brought to trial. They have already been confined for five months without being allowed, until within the last 10 days, to see any one, excepting on one occasion, when an engineer named Wood saw them in the prison at Naples for a few moments ; and, if this just prayer is not immediately complied with, we, the undersigned, fear to dwell upon the consequences which are likely to befall these men. (Signed) LEWIS J. BARBAR, Acting British Consul. CHARLES PARK, senior, rather of Charles Park, late engineer of the Cagliari, now imprisoned at Salerno. Naples, Nov. 26. _______ SMOKING NOT ALLOWED.—On Wednesday last, while Lord Stanley was being conducted over the northern docks and works at Liverpool, Mr. Charles Darner of- fered a Havannah cigar to his Lordship, and both having provoked the perfume consequent on ignition a police- man suddenly appeared with—" No smoking allowed here, Sir." " Nonsense," said Mr. Turner, "I am the chairman of the dock committee." "Then," respondesi the constable, ",you ought to know better than to violate the law—you must not smoke here." Tht• policeman applied for and obtained a summons *gains L. Stanley and Mr. Turner ; but Major .G . r e b i e t c o:: "thdraw tbe and obtained permission to with stable was an in. Saturday, applied to Mr. Dixon, thin on %%minion,. conscious instrument in pervi3etrt,:.gbyhmr. Alderman rect sense of duty vr othe r fl memberse of The rumour, however, is that the :ov a _ the committee, Bold, who, with the " 001 Post cots; for big cor. •, enjoyed th'ejoke,---ioerr rJIE SCN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY_ 1, 1858.