The Sun. — London, England, 1859-01-04 00:00:00

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT GARDEN, under the sole Management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison THIS EVENING will be presented an entirely new and mantic Opera, by Mr. W. Ealfe, entitled SATANELLA ; r, THE POWER OF LOVE. Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon. To conclude with the new Pantomime of LITTLE BED RIDING HOOD i or, Harlequin and the Wolf in Granny's lothing. Commence at Seven, .ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be presented THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Shylock, Mr. Charles Kean ; Portia, Mrs. Charles Kean. After which, a new grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE KING OF THE CASTLE ; or, Harlequin Prince Diamond and Princess Brighteyes. THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, will be performed the Comedy of THE RIVALS. Messrs. Buckstone, Chippendale, Howe, Clark, W. Farren ; Mesdames Reynolds, B. White, E. Fitzwilliam, and Poynter. After which, a new grand Comic Pantomime, entitled UNDLNE ; or, Harlequin and the Spirit of the Waters. Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer, THIS EVEnalNlNG—lncreased Attraction—Production of a new and origi Dra entitled MARION DE LORME ; or, The Cradle of Stea ma, m : in which Madame Celeste will ap pear. After which, will be produced the new Burlesque, written expressly for the Lyceum Company by Robert B. Brough, and entitled THE SIEGE OF - TROY. The principal cha racters by Mrs. Keeley, Miss Julia St. George, Mrs. Weston, miss Portman, Miss Talbot, Miss Kate Saxon, Miss E. Romer, Lc. ; Mr. Emery, Mr. Charles Young, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. J. Rogers, Mr. Barrett, &c. ; Miss Rosina Wright, Miss X. Charles, Miss Harriet Dalton, Sm. To conclude with the new Comic Pantomime, replete with new tricks and mechanical devices, entitled HARLEQUIN TOY HORSE ; or, The Cremome Fete. Clown, Mr Charles Lauri ; Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri ; Pantaloon, Mr. Henry Lauri ; Columbine, Miss Jenny Lauri. Reduced Prices—Dress Boxes, 4s. ; Upper Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Stalls, ss. ; Gallery, ls. Box-office open from 11 to 5 daily. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7 every evening. A Morning Performance on Saturday next, at Two. NEW THEATRE - ROYAL, ADELPHI. Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Benj. Webster. THIS EVENING, MR. WEBSTER'S COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT A PHOTOGRAPHIC SOIREE. Manager, Mr. B. Webster ; Photographer, Mr. J. L. Toole ; Memory, Miss Woolgar ; Everybody, by Everybody else. After which, MEPHISTOPHELES. Mr. Paul Bedford, Mrs. A. Mellon, Miss Keeley. Followed by THE BIRTHPLACE OF PODGERS. Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. C. Selby, Mr. Billington ; Miss Kelly, Mrs. • Chatterley. To conclude with the grand Christmas Pantomime, entitled MOTHER RED CAP ; or, Harlequin Johhny Gilpin's Ride to EdmontomaClown , Mr. Croneste ; Harlequin, Mr. Hilde brand ; Columbine, Miss Hayman ; Pantaloon, Mr. Lnpino ; Sprite, Mr. Le Barr. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborongh. THIS EVENING, THE RULE OF THREE. After which, the new Extravaganza, KENILWORTH ; or To Queene, ye Carle, and ye Maydenne. And THE LITTLE SAVAGE, Commence at 7 o'clock. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Westminster-road. Sole Lessee, Mr. William Cooke. Dress Circle, 4s. ; Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 2s, ; Gallery, ls. ; Upper Gallery, 6d. During the week, the great Eastern Spectacle of THE REVOLT IN INDIA; or, The Fugitives and their Faith ful Steed. After which SCENES IN THE CIRCLE by the Star Riders of Europe. To conclude with the great Operatic and Burlesque Eques trian Pantomime, entitled HARLEQUIN BARON MUN CHAUSEN, AND HIS COMICAL CREAM COB CRUISER. Baron Munchausen, Mr. W. Anson ; Harlequin, Mr. H. Hemmings ; Pantaloon, Herr Cole; Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest ; Columbine, Miss Julia Weston. The grand Transformation Scene, introducing Mr. W. Cooke's beautiful and highly-trained pal:ries, pronounced unpreeedentedly magnificent. The new scenery, including the matchless re presentation of the "New Palace of the People, at Muswell Hill," perfect gems of art. stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips. A Morning Performance of the Pantomime on the Bth, 15th, and 22d of January, at Two o'clock. Carriages for day performances at half-past for, and for night representation at half-past eleven, CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road.— Proprietor --C. MouToN. The public is most respectfully informed that the FINE ARTS GALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12 o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters and is also devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist ing* Music flail, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the Kingdom. The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT commences as usual at Seven o'clock. In addition to the usual entertainment, the SAUVLET FAMILY, of Amsterdam, Eight in number, whose varied instrumental performances have created so marked a sensa tion in the principal cities and towns of the Continent, will perform every Evening at Nine an I Eleven o'clock. THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, JAN. 4. THERMOMETER, IN Tll3 SHADE. 45—highest since noon yesterday. 44—lowest this morning and during the night. 44—this day at noon. BAnomETEn-30.53—falling. WIND, North-Westerly; light, with foggy weather, THE SUN. TUESDAY. JANUARY 4, 1859. The mystery respecting the Phoenix Clubs will speedily be unravelled. Fourteen persons have been committed for trial by Mr. TRACY, R.M., at the next assizes. One of the accused has been admitted to bail, but it was absolutely refused for the others, who will have to remain in gaol until the time of trial, unless an application to one of the Judges of the Superior Court, to be liberated on sureties, should prove successful. It is impossible to state, with any degree of certainty, the nature of the evidence to be offered against the prisoners. It is positively asserted that there are two approvers, HUGH CAROLAN and JOHN KELLY, both attorneys' clerks, and persons highly trusted by the different clubbists, who were astounded at the notion of their becoming traitors to the cause. It is more than hinted that several others were quite willing to obtain exemption for themselves by informing against their associates, but that the Crown pro secutor considered that there was quite sufficient evidence without bringing others into the field. There can be no doubt on that point. If one tainted witness cannot be trusted, twenty of a similar class are equally unworthy of credit. There must be corroboration from independent and trustworthy sources, as well as a verisimilitude that will satisfy an impartial jury that the man who has turned King's evidence is telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He must also be corroborated not only respecting the facts, but the persons, for nothing would be more easy than to state what had actually occurred, substituting one name for another, and casting the stigma on an innocent person that should properly belong to a guilty but favoured associate. Why, then, it may be asked, should there be two approvers ? Simply for the satisfaction of the law officers, who will have greater confidence in the accuracy of a story when confirmed in all its mate rial incidents by another person, who had no opportunity of concocting a tale together. With a jury it may, and doubtless will, be said that these persons might have entered into a previous conspi racy to betray th e i r assoc i a t es , or that they might have been enabled to meet and compare notes since their arrest. The authorities can, however, ascer tain to a positive certainty whether any, and what, weight should 'be given to such arguments, and may satisfy themselves with what would be insuffi cient to induce a jury to return an adverse verdict. But why 2hould there now be conspiracies in Ireland ? Why should our Hibernian brethren desire to exchange the mild rule of QUEEN VIC TORIA for either a military despotism or a wild democracy ? If they became Preach citizens the Press would not exercise the same freedom as at present. Nor would any, from the highest to the lowest, possess the liberty that they now enjoy. It would be worse to be Americanised, for in any struggle in which our rather pugnacious uncle SAM should happen to become involved, Ireland would be ,the vulnerable point which would receive the , m 4 4. 4 44f:4 7 , , , • bnOIT first and the heaviest blow, that is to say, suppos ing, for argument sake, that the conspirators could for a moment succeed in achieving their objects, and changing the government of the country. But they know little of the power or resources of Great Britain, or the devotion and loyalty of the ;vast majority of the inhabitants of the sister kingdom, if they could for a moment suppose that such a result was possible. No, we be lieve that the people of Ireland are faithful subjects. There may be, as there are in every land, exceptions to the rule men who, like Simon Tappertit, fancy that it is a great thing to be engaged in a conspiracy. We can almost fancy the grocers' assistants and attorneys' clerks swelling with even greater importance than that assumed by the " three tailors of Tooley-street," when planning a provisional Government after the overthrow of the existing dynasty, in which every one present was to take a leading part. The drilling, too, the acquisition of the goose-step, was doubtless another incitement; but the great temptation of all was the fact that the meetings were held at publichouses, and that the leading members of the new Govern ment did not part without imbibing sundry modest quenchers, which, if supplied at the expense of the general body, were accepted with tenfold gra tification. It may be thought that it would have been be neath the dignity of the Government to notice such ridiculous and abortive demonstrations, but this is a grave mistake. Treason is always infectious, no matter how diluted may be its character, and if prevention be better than cure, it is surely far better to nip such a system in the bud than to permit it to extend its rami fications, and to bring thousands of heed less persons within the meshes of the nets spread for their reception. In doing so they have de served the thanks and gratitude of the entire community. They have taught the salutary lesson that, although there may be " honour among thieves," there is none between con spirators. They have, by consigning a few dangerous lunatics to the hulks or more probably the treadmill, saved ten times their number from the bullet, the bayonet, or, worst of all, the gallows. We may fairly give the legal authorities credit for believing that they would not have taken such steps unless the actual facts fully warranted them in so doing. The frightful catastrophies resulting from some mere idle panic, in a public building crowded to inconvenience with a dense multitude collected together in quest of excitement—religious, musical, or theatrical—are latterly becoming rather fear fully multiplied. There was that destructive crush in the Surrey Gardens Music Hall, when Mr. SPURGEON was preaching. There was that almost equally destructive crush in the Music Hall at Sheffield, when an explosion of gas, or the snap ping of a lucifer match, drove two or three hundred people half distracted. There was, finally, only the other afternoon, towards the evening of Boxing day, the terrible and fatal accident on the gallery staircase of the Victoria Theatre, when sixteen unfortunate boys and/ striplings, ranging from eleven years of age to twenty, were suffocated for the very same deplorable reason—the ignorant and causeless panic of a large concourse of people. In every instance of this kind that has furred —the danger to the multitude lay altogether with them selves. Had they remained quietly in their places when the rails of the gallery balustrade cracked in the Surrey Gardens Music Hall —when the glare of light ran along the gas pipe in the gallery of the Music Hall in Sheffield —when the youth's coat tail was ignited by a fuzee box in the gallery of the Victoria Theatre—nothing lamentable, in any way, could have happened. Whoever leant against the balustrade in the first instance might have had a tumble that would have broken no bones, and have been picked vp again as tnough nothing had occurred. In the third instance particularized, the one in which sixteen unhappy lads were suddenly snatched out of life—the loss of a coat tail would have been the whole extent of the misfortune. While in the second instance—no evil result of any kind would have remained to be recorded—for, however alarming the flame may have appeared to be, there still remains, at Sheffield, unscorched, uninjured, the Music Hall supposed to have been threatened at the time with a conflagra- tion. The unthinking panics that have thus thrice caused, within so short an interval, such a really lamentable destruction of human life, are surely very sad spectacles indeed for contemplation. There is an evidence in each case of such a total absence of any power of self-command, of rational reflec tion, of what is termed reasonable self possession. The safety of a crowded audience appears to be at all times extremely precarious. A frivolous cry of Fire, raised by misapprehension or by way of a brutal practical joke, may at any instant—experience has recently proved this only too plainly—result in one of these disastrous cata strophies. The knowledge of this deplorable expe rience ought to be extended far and wide—if only for the better inculcation of the lesson of prudence it enforces. And that P—simply that the wisest thing each individual in an audience can possibly do in the event of any alarm is to remain perfectly quiescent. Had this been the course pursued in the three miserable instances already specified-- Mr. SPURGEON might have finished his discourse almost without any noticeable interruption, the musical performance at Sheffield might have ended harmoniously, and the Victoria Pantomime on Boxing-day might have closed its first performance hilariously instead of with this hideous denouement. Another reflection forced upon us by the frequent recurrence of these deplorable accidents—a reflec tion, moreover, particularly noticeable in a moment, as it helps in some measure to furnish a clue to the cause of each catastrophe—is that which points to the generally inadequate egress there is for an audience collected together in the majority of our places of public entertainment. If we remem ber rightly it was Mr. HARRISON, the eminent tenor singer, who directed att'ntion not very long since to the fact of there being some half-a-dozen doors carefully nailed or locked up, here and there, about Drury-lane Theatre, seldom if ever opened on any occasion whatever, and which doors only re quired to be opened almost to double the facilities for the passage out into the stairs, of the audience assembled within :its walls. In the reconstruction of our theatres of late due regard, it is gratifying , to note, has been paid to this important, often, it has proved, vitally important, accommodation. It is w, for example, in the Great Opera House in Covent-garden. It is so, likewise, in the admirable theatre reconstructed from the foundations to the roof-tree in the Ad.elphi. Let the points of egress be thus multiplied, and the audiences, in any case of alarm, remain quiet until the nature of the alarm and the reasonableness of it can be ascertained, and we shall then, but not till then, be guarded from a recurrence of these horrible catastrophies. 1 ROYAL NEW YEAR'S GIFT.—Her Majesty the Queen, as is her usual custom, has commanded to be de spatched from Windsor two fine sirloins of beef as a New year's gift to the ex-Queen of the French at Claremont. rnE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4, 1859. LATEST NEWS. THE BOMBAY MAIL. The Bombay Times of December 9 states that the intelligence from Oude is extremely gratifying, the talookdars universally submitting themselves wherever our arms appear. The chief and most active of our opponents is Beni Mandoo Sing, but Lord Clyde (who entered the city of. Lucknow on the morning of the 27th of November) is threaten ing him with an immediate checkmate by the closing in of our columns upon him. "He may succeed in forcing himself through the cordon being drawn around him, but it will be by leaving his 25,000 men and 12 guns behind him. Serious fighting is no longer expected in the province." Oomrao Sing of Kantha, another rebel notoriety, still holds out, and made an attempt, it is said, to surprise Poorna a short time since. The work of reducing the province between the Gogra and the Ganges is proceeding rapidly, the rebel forts being demolished as they are surrendered. The seat of rebel power and influence trans- Gogra is still at Bounree, where the Beghum and Ikba Shah hold court. The whole, however, are reported to be preparing for flight. The miscreant of Bithoor is still, it is supposed, on the confines of Nepaul. Brigadier Smith reports having surprised Maun Sing and about 2,400 men, on the 14th November, at Koondry, and having pursued them to Rajpore, killing six hundred. A forced march of twenty miles from Mongroulie on the Betwa brought the troops to within two miles of Attakaria on the 13th.. At four o'clock the next morning the column started again, and came upon the enemy at day light. The surprise was complete, and the rout immediate. The guns of Blake's troop arrived at the gallop, and poured in round after round of grape and canister, the 95th Regiment advancing in line on the right of the guns and sweeping the insur gents before them. The Bth Hussars and Ist Dancers were now let loose at the flying mass, and pursued them for eight miles, accounting, it is said, for 600 of them. Maun Sing himself escaped by flinging himself, half naked, upon horseback. General Grant, on the 21st November, encoun tered the enemy on the other side of the Goomtee, 4,500 strong, and dispersed them, killing 100 men and taking six guns. Captain George Hare, commandant of the sth Infantry, Hydrabad Contingent, was shot dead by a Sepoy on the evening of the Ist inst., whilst sit ting in the officers' mess at Ellichpore. Of Tantia Topee the Bombay Times reports : " The interest of the war may almost be said to be confined to the pursuit of this man, who with a body of followers, supposed to consist of about 2,500 fighting men, besides women and children, has again contrived to elude our troops, and is now supposed to be in Guzerat. Parke, whose pur suit of these insurgents over half of Central India, had been hitherto so constantly baulked, seems at last to have come up with them by dint of hard marching, upon the morning of the Ist inst., and to have given them a severe defeat. The only particulars as yet received of the engagement are contained in the following telegram from the Re sident at Baroda." Brigadier Parke writes as follows from Chota Oodeypore on the Ist inst. : " The force under my command attacked the rebels under Tantia Topee and Rao Sahib at Oodey pore at daylight this morning. The enemy lost at least three hundred men, chiefly Irregular Cavalry and Sepoys in British uniform. Our loss compa ratively trifling; not yet ascertained. No Euro pean officers killed. The rebels dispersed into three bodies ; pursuit was impossible, my troops having marched upwnrds of 200 miles since 23rd November, the last 20 miles through the densest jungle." The latest intelligence received is, that Tantia Topee has at last entered Guzerat, where vigorous efforts are being made to meet him. Sir Hugh Rose cannot be far behind Parke, and has with him a powerful and well-appointed force. It will be in the recollection of our readers that Tantia Topee was originally attended in his flight by the Rao Sahib (ne phew of the miscreant Nana) and by the Nawab of Banda. The Rao still remains with the insurgents, but the Nawab surrendered himself to Lieutenant Kerr's force near Charwa on the 17th ultimo, from sheer inability, it is alleged, longer to sustain the privations and suffering of the flight. Whether the hands of this man are stained with the actual murder of our countrymen seems doubtful, and his fate has not yet, we believe, been decided upon. The surrender to Lieutenant Kerr was made upon the single condition that his life should be spared until the instructions of the supreme government were received. An insurrectionary movement on a small scale has occurred in Burmah province, in which the village of Thorantay, distant about ten miles from Rangoon, was temporarily in the hands of a band of insurgents led by a fisherman who announced himself subsequently as prince. During the affray the civil officer of the station and his nephew were wounded, the latter, we regret to add, dying the day after. The rebels do not appear to have been guilty of the excesses which have marked the revolt in India. "To prevent the possibility of any as sistance being rendered by the Burmese of Rangoon, the guards were ordered to be strengthened, and sepoys were picqueted over the town. Two steamers were immediately dispatched with all the available troops, and in a couple of days 53 of the gang were secured. There was at first a diffi culty in capturing the soi disant prince, but the offer of a reward of 1,000 rupees induced the vil lagers to give him up. He is now in gaol, awaiting only his trial and transfer to the gallows. In extenuation of his treason, he pleads instiga tion on the part of a Burman official at Wallah, on whom the authorities here placed much confidence." DEATH OF BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN JACOB. News has just reached Bombay, by electric tele graph, of the death of Brigadier-General John Jacob, of the Scinde Horse. This melancholy event took place on the sth Dec., at Jacobabad, Scinde, brain fever being the cause of death. At a time like the present a casualty of this kind is little less than a public calamity. Brigadier Jacob held Scinde and the entire frontier in his grasp. The wild tribes regarded him with mingled feelings of fear and superstition, and even the rudest of their chiefs respected his authority and obeyed his man dates. • Brigadier-General Jacob was an artillery officer, having been appointed to the Horse Brigade in 1827. He was a corn plete soldier, and like Napo ] on, had mastered all the details and duties of his profession. The Scinde Horse, of which he was for so many years Commandant, are regarded as the fine.' t troops in the world. Whatever he un dertook to perform he performed well, and whether we look upon him ts a soldier, a general, an in ventor, a philosopher, or a politician, we perceive only the highest and most brilliant qualities. His death will b e deeply and generally regretted. COMMERC IAL INTELLIGENCE. BOMBAY, DEC. 8. The money marks '•t has become rather tight, and the Bank of Bombay has again raised its rates of interest and discount . one per cent. all round in the course of the fortnigbl • I MPORTS. Cotton Piece Go. Is—The import market con tinues in an improv ed and active state, the market for grey goods havit tg been particularly very brisk during the fortnigh t : and the prices of several descriptions of grey s t )ods have further Advanced. Grey shirtings are sc: arce and have advanced ; T cloths, red ends, are much inquired for ; grey jaconets, low, are hi fa your at advanced rates ; and grey madapollams hal e also shared in the improve ment of prices. Bleached and Fax tcy Goods.—The prices of bleached goods are Ulf dntained, and this description of goods is in demai td . Bleached jacconets, low to . medium, are very sr. ;al. ce ; bleached shirtings con. tinue in active demi tiild ; while in bleached mada pollams there have beet' few or no transactions. Yarns, both mule 3 and water, especially of the lower counts, have imprred in price, and are in demand. Coloured yarns have undergone no altera tion in value. EXPORTS. Cotton.—Since the last unfavourable advices from Liverpool, there has been a decline in the prices of this staple ; and the market appears to be dull. Oil Seeds.—These also have been affected by the latest home advices, and linseed hail declined as well as rape. Linseed is scarce, and the prices are unaltered. TONNAGE. The rates of freight, after a slight advance which had taken place, have again gone down to their former level, and we quote 12s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. for Liverpool, and 17s. to £1 for London. For China, we quote Rs. 31 to Rs. 4 per candy. EXCHANGE. The rates have given way for this mail, and can be quoted at 2s. Id. to 2s. id. for Bank and Credit bills, and 2s. ld. for Documents, at six months' sight. On Calcutta, at 60 days' sight, we quote Rs. 991 ; on Madras, at 30 days' sight, Rs. 99 ; and on China, at 60 days' sight, 220 to 222 per 100 dols. AUSTRALIA. By the Emeu ,we have received files of papers and our private correspondence from Melbourne to the 15th of November, and from Sydney to the 11th of November. We take the following from the Commercial Summary of the Melbourne Argus of 15th of No vember : The gold market has been subjected to but one fluctuation during the month that has elapsed since the departure of the mail steam-ship Vic toria on the 18th ultimo. On that day the rates of exchange were lowered by all the banks to par for 60-days' bills on England, and a consequent reduction, which had been partly anticipated, took place in the buying prices of gold. These are now quoted in Melbourne at rates said to be based upon £3 13s. 9d. per ounce for standard gold, namely :—For Omeo, 675. 6d. to 71s. ; Pleasant Creek and Goulburn, 745. 6d. to 755.; Castlemaine, Sandhurst, and Jim Crow, 75s to 765. ; Ararat, Maryborough, Dunolly, Fiery Creek, Avoca, and Amherst, 765. to 775. ; Ovens and Yackandandah, 775. to 78s. 6d.; Ballarat, 78s. to 795. Export entries were passed at the Customs' to day for 5,281 ounces, of which 238 ounces were for shipment in the Royal mail steamship Emeu, for Suez, and 5,053 ounces in the clipper ship Swiftsure, for London. This.latter vessel cleared out with a total of 84,755 ounces, shipped in the following parcels :—Bank of New South Wales, 25,000 ounces; London Chartered Bask, 20,893 ounces 17 dwt. ; Union Bank of Australasia, 10,842 ounces 19 dwt. Bank of Australasia, 10,733 ounces ; Bank of Vic toria, 6,742 ounces 15 dwt. ; Oriental Bank Corpo ration, 6,065 ounces 7 dwt. ; English, Scottish, and Australian Chartered Bank, 3,852 ounces 12 dwt. ; small shipments, 664 ounces 10 dwt. The escorts have delivered into the gold-office of the Treasury this week 48,361 ounces, a total above the weekly averages of the year. That for the first quarter was 41,925 ounces ; for the second quarter, 45,290 ounces ; and for the third quarter, 48,235 ounces. It is also above that of the year 1857, which amounted to 47,670 ounces. In the subjoined list the quantities are given separately for the week compared with those of the corresponding week of last year, the escorts arriving fortnightly only being distinguished from those arriving weekly by the prefix of an asterisk. 1858. 1857. Gold-field. Ozs. Dwts. Ozs. Dwts Castlemaine 6,441 10 7,778 0 Sandhurst 6,856 10 *Beechworh 7;690 10 10;201 10 *Heathcote _ _ 1,087 18 Ballarat *Rushworth 371 10 976 0 *Don°By Maldon *Creswick's Creek *Buckland River 753 10 910 0 Maryborough 2,121 0 1,919 0 •Yackandandah 48,961 0 50,986 13 Previous escorts Total for years.. 2,046,350 10 2,138,024 8 The shipments of the week have been : By Swiftsure, for London 74,775 oz. By Conway, for Calcutta By steamer, to Sydney Small parcels in passengers' hands 33 „ Previous shipments, corrected by compari son with entries passed at the Customs Total shipments for the year.. 2,198,739 oz. This quantity, brought into tons troy, gives 91 tons 12 cwt. 1 qr. 2 lb. 6 oz. ; 'the value of which, at £4 per ounce, amounts to £8,794,923. Up to the same period of last year the quantity shipped was 2,360,074 oz. ; or 98 tons 6 cwt. 9 qrs. 22 lb. 20 oz. In the present state of immigration the popula tion of the colony appears, when compared with the rapid growth of the number in former years, to be almost stationary. The increase by the seaboard during the current year has been only 10,697, while for the corresponding periods of last year and its predecessor it was more than double, and of 1854-5 more than quadruple that number. The total population of the colony of Victoria, calcu lated from the official returns of births and deaths, and of arrivals over departures, since the census was taken, now stands at 489,000 souls. At the close of 1857 the numbers for the adjacent colonies were :—New South Wales, 306,000 ; South Aus tralia, 110,000 ; Tasmania, 82,500 ; New Zealand (approximate), 50,000. The total population of the Australian group, omitting Western Australia, of the statistics of which colony we have no reliable records, but whose numbers are about 14,000, may now be stated at 1,037,500 souls. The money market has been plentifully supplied during the month, as the sales of. Crown lands have testified. Large sums have also been on offer on mortgage of first-class town and country properties at rates varying from 8 to 121 per cent., according to the improving situation of the lands, and to the extent of margin between values and the sums borrowed. In commercial paper there has been an inclination towards an easier market, but the dul ness of trade prevented this feeling from becoming very widely spread. The general abstracts of all the banks for the past quarter have been published. These returns show the average amount of liabilities and assets within the colony of the eight institutions carrying on business. The ninth, the National Bank of Australasia, was not then open. The aggregate average of commercial paper held by the banks, and of advances made by them during the quarter amounted to • £7,999,138 against £7,716,676 for the preceding quarter. The aggre gate average of deposits was £5,672,236 against £5,770,150 for the preceding quarter. The rates of discount at the banks are—for bills under 95 days' currency, 8 per cent. ; from 95 to 126 days, 9 per cent. ; and on overdrawn accounts, 10 per cent. Exchange on England is now at par for 60 days' sight, for large amounts, and at 1 per cent. pre mium for 30 days' sight for bills under £5O. Freight on gold by sailing vessels is taken at from 21d. to 3d. per ounce, deliverable in London ; insurance 11 per cent. ; by the overland route, I per cent. —that is, 7d. per ounce as nearly as possible; insurance, 11 to 1 per cent. Immediately on the closing of the last mail the banks announced this decline in their rates. The opinion of the Commissioner of Trade and Customs, himself the Chairman of the Board, and a large shareholder in the oldest local banking establishment, is, that the Government draughts on England to be issued in connection with the railway loan will be negotiable at a premium of from t- to 1 per cent. With regard to this loan, there has been some discussion in the Legislative Council as to the advantages of the arrangement entered into between the Government and the six banks, on the motion of Mr. Strachan, " That there be laid on the table of this House a statement de monstrating the relative advantages to the country, in the acceptance by the Government of the pro posal for the negotiation of the railway loan, made by the banking corporations (named in the margin) in preference to those made by Messrs. Baring, Brothers, and Co., Melbourne," This motion was opposed by the Government, but was carried. The Stock and Share Market has not been sub jected to any movement of importance, but prices of local joint-stock undertakings are generally a trifle lower than they were a -month since. Of the' Government securities held by colonial capitalists there are none offering in the market. The commerce of the year continues to exhib all the symptoms of sound health. The exports uniformly balance the imports, and in this respect the subjoined returns bear most favourable com parison with those of last year. The import trade has been dull in the extreme, and, although the brisk season is at hand, there is very little prospect of improvement. The arrivals and departures at Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne, are now posted daily at the offices of the Electric Telegraph Departments in all three cities, for the convenience of the public,and thus each market is kept in constant communication with the other. In a few months Tasmania will also be brought within the circle. An important change has been effected in one branch of trade by the legalization of distillation, hitherto prohibited in this colony. On the 28th ultimo the Hon. the Treasuyer carried a resolution in the House of Assembly to this effect and a Bill has since passed that House with a certainty of becoming law. Under this act the same duty will be imposed on spirits of colonial production as on imported spirits-10s. per gallon for proof. On spirits distilled from sugar, on which a duty of 6s. per cwt. has already been paid, it is proposed that the duty be 9s. 3d. per gallon. This latter clause will probably be modified before the bill comes into operation on the first day of the coming year. The Columbian, due on the 6th inst., with the English mails of the 12th and 16th Sept., has not yet arrived, and we are thus left in a state of com plete ignorance of what has been done by the Imperial Government in this important matter. NEW SOUTH WALES. We take the following from the Sydney Morning Herald of the 11th November : " The stream of adventurers has been diverted from the north. They are pouring back from Keppel Bay and Port Curtis. Some, however are still going, and these are the men who will be most likely to succeed if there are paying gold j fields in the neighbourhood of the Fitzroy River. They are mostly practical miners, who know and appreciate the difficulties which they will have to encounter, and who have both funds and stamina to give the country a fair trial. It still remains to be shown whether or not this region is sufficiently auriferous to maintain a large digging population. We have had, during the week, a celestial visitor of great celebrity. A comet, supposed to be that of 1556, has shown itself at the 'antipodes, on its return from its 300 years' travel. It was first seen in Sydney on Tuesday evening, but had, we under stand, been visible to the northward some evenings earlier. It is very brilliant and beautiful, and seems to have increased both in brilliancy and beauty every cycling since its first appearance. Its cha racter, size, and position have been fully described by several scientific correspondents who have ob served it. " The electric telegraph from Sydney to Mel bourne and Adelaide was opened on Friday. " The Chinese Bill has been shelved for the pre sent year. It was sent to a special committee of the Legislative Council, and that committee has brought up its report, but the second reading was negatived last night by a majority of 17 to 4. " The Electoral Reform Bill was sent back to the Assembly in the early part of the week, and has since passed through the ordeal of a consideration in committee by the latter house. The result has been that the bill stands restored in the most material points to its original shape. In parti cular, the changes whiah the Legislative Council made in reference to the franchise have been all negatived. It is entirely as a consequence of this, that when the bill comes again before the Upper House it will be cast out, unless a batch of new members is sent there to carry it. There are already rumours of such a step being in contemplation. " There was a heavy thunderstorm in Sydney last week, and the weather has since been rather cool for the present season. This storm came from the southward, and on Saturday evening so affected the telegraphic wires as to stay for a time the transmission of messages between Sydney and Melbourne. The arrival of the Austrian frigate Novara is an event of some importance, not only because she is the first Austrian man-of-war that has entered this port, but because she is engaged upon a scientific expedition. Various demonstrations of welcome to her officers are under discussion. MONEY AND SHARE MARKET. (From the Sydney Morning Herald) Since our last summary the share market has continued active, and a marked improvement has taken place in the prices of the shares of some of our banking companies. Money for investment has been pretty plentiful, and this, coupled with the news from England of an advance in Australian securities, had added increased firmness to the tone of the share market. The half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of theßank of New South Wales was held on the 27th October. The report, which was considered very satisfactory, was adopted. The net profits for the half-year amounted to £61,374 Os. Ild., and this, together with the undivided ba lace of profit of last half •year, £4,953 9s. 2d., was appor tioned as follows :—To payment of dividend, at the rate of 20 per cent. per annum, £50,000; increase of reserve fund, 15,000; and balance carried to profit and loss, "new account," £1,327 16s ld. With this increase the reserve fund now amounts to £175,000. The Hon. Sir Daniel Cooper was re-elected a director ; and Mr. R. A. Hunt was elected an auditor, in the room of Mr. E. C. Weekes, M.L.A., who retires by rotation. • At the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the New South Wales Marine Assurance Company, the usual divi dend, at the rate of 25 per cent. per annum, was declared. The sixth half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Sydney Fire Insurance Company was held on the 29th of October. The report, which was considered satisfactory, was adopted. A dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum was declared. The net profits for the half-year were £6,515 18s. 10d. The reserve fund was increased by the sum of £1,303 3s. 9d. to £4,344 3s. 9d., and £3,692 15s. ld. was added to the contingent fund, which will now amount to £11,491 6s. 9d. Mr. S. D. Gordon, M L.A., and Mr. Thomas Holt were re-elected directors; and Mr. C. B. Ebsworth was elected an auditor. Government debentures are steady, but transactions have been few. Terminables, , sdue in 1860, are worth part In terminables have changed hands at 97 and interest, at which rate there are still sellers. Australian Steam Navi gation Company's debentures have been sold at half per cent. premium and interest. THE CUSTOMS. The amount of Customs' revenue collected during the month of October was £40,276 Bs. 10d. In the correspond ing month of 1857 the receipts amounted to f 040,310 15s. 6d. There is, therefore, a slight decrease of £34 6s. Bd. in the revenue for the month. During the ten months ended the 31st of October 1857, the Customs' revenue was £423,522 13s. 9d. ; during thn same period of 1858, £446,005 ls. 11d., which is an increase of £22,482 Bs. 2d. in favour of the present year. THE MINT. The amount of golddust imported into the Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint, from the Ist of January to the sth of November, for the purpose of coinage, has been 291,925 oz. During the same period the amount of coinage issued has been 891,500 sovereigns, and 486,000 half-sovereigns. Total value £1,134,000. The business of the Mint continues pay ing, and it will be observed that almost all the gold received from our goldfields since Februaiy has found its way into this establishment. During the month of January a large quantity of gold was received from Victoria, but since then the amount received has been limited. The Escorts.—The quantity of golddust delivered by the escorts from our several goldfields during the month of October has been 22,037 ounces. Duringthe corresponding month of 1857 the amount received was 15,189 ounces. The increase in the receipts of the month is therefore 6,848 ounces, or about 45 per cent. For the 10 months of the year 1857 the receipts amounted to 117,493 ounces. During the same period of 1851 the quantity received has been 204,113 ounces. which is an increase of 86,620 ounces, or over 72 per cent. in favour of the present year. The amount of specie shipped by the Emeu for England is 23,250 sovereigns and 201 ounces of gold-dust. The following telegrams have been received at Mr. Reuter's office : PARIS, TUESDAY, JAN. 4. The Constitutionnel of this morning says that it is enabled to communicate textually the words the Emperor addressed to M. Hubner on New Year's Day, and -which, commented on in public, produced a certain agitation. The Emperor said:— " I regret that our relations with your Govern ment are not so good as they were, but I request you to tell the Emperor that my personal feeling§ for him have not changed." (Je regrette que nos relations avec votre Govern ment soient pas aussi bonnes que par passe. Mais je vous prie dire a I'Empereur, que mes senti ments personnels pour lui sont pas changes.) PARIS, lAN. 3. The money article (bulletin financiers) of La Presse of thip evening states that the pretence for the fall of the Rentes and shares was some words addressed by the Emperor to M. Hubner during the reception at the Tuileries on New-Year's-day. BELGRADE, MONDAY, JAN. 3. The Prince Alexander leaves to-day with his family for Vienna. Prince Milosch has sent a telegraphic despatch, announcing that he awaits with pleasure the depu tation bringing the offer of the Skuptschina. In consequence of this telegram there is great rejoicing among the people. MADRID, JAN. 3. The semi-official Correspondancia Autographa states that the Spanish Government has been in formed officially that complete satisfaction will be granted to Spain for the exactions of which the Spanish had been the victims at Tampico, in con formity to the demands of the authorities of Cuba. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY. Owing to the political character which public opinion insisted in attaching to M. de Persigny's proposed visit to Italy, he has renounced all idea of visiting the Peninsula for the present. BOURSE, lan. 3.—There has been a great agita tion at the Bourse, owing to reports about the reception given to the Austrian Ambassador at the Tuileries, and a general fall has taken place. Threes, after having been done at 72f. 50c., de clined to 71f. 70c., with a rate of continuation of 30c. Mobilier varied from 950 f. to 930 f. ; Austrian, 630 f. to 632 f. 50c. ; Orleans, 1,310 f. to 1,375 f. ; Lyons, 875 f. to 872 f. 50c. ; and Southern, 577 f. 50c. to 5'75f. The following were the last quotations : ft per Cents. .... 97 20 I Credit Foncier Do. end month .. —lBelgian 4f 3 per Cents 72 50 Pieamontess (5) .. 94 Do. end month 72 30 Roman ..... Bank Shares...... 3000 Austrian Credit Mobilier .. 955 Spanish Threes Do. Account . 950 Home Debt . RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern New ditto — .. 840 Lyons and Mediterranean 873 75 .. 873 75 New ditto Geneva.... Midi Southern 620 -, .. 612 50 580 - .. 580 - Western 6lO .. 605 Eastern Grand Central Sardinian Austrian 411 25 .. 415 - 635 - __ .. 631 25 Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 15e. ; money, 25f. 1210.; three months, paper, 241. 97tc. ; money, 24f. 95c. THE EAST. We have received Constantinople journals and letters to the 22d ult., but they have been deprived of much of their interest by the receipt of telegra phic intelligence a week later. A decree of the Sultan of the 21st confirms his sons-in-law, Ilhami Pacha, Ethem Pacha, and Mahmoud Pacha, in their restoration to the posts which they held pre viously to the sudden burst of economy which raged some short time back, and led to their dis missal from office. As the severity shown by the Sultan towards the members of his family was in a great measure caused by the observations made by Aali Pacha, it was naturally supposed that his fall would have immediately followed the return of the former to power, but instead of that, the Sultan has declared himself fully satisfied with the probity - and intelligence of the Grand Vizir, and that he places the utmost confidence in him. No small degree of astonish ment had been excited by the nomination of Nedjib Pacha, who was supposed to be in great disgrace, to the rank of lieuten ant of division, and by his being allowed to retain a place which he held at the palace, where he is reproached with having done much mischief. Kiamil Pacha, ex-governor of Aleppo, has been made Governor-General of Smyrna. Financial questions continued to be the object of the paramount attention of the Cabinet, who held frequent councils to deliberate on that important subject. Nothing, however, had yet been done, and the greatest obstacle which stands in the way of any decisive measure was said to be the immense number of forged notes which had lately been put into circulation. The Government had, however, again announced its determination to pay off the paper-money with the produce of the loan. Loud dissatisfaction is being expressed at the jobbing practised with regard to the cash which had already been received, a great part of which hat/. got into the possession of a few favoured houses, one of them intimately connected with the Minister of Finance. That fact was mentioned in the Council, and led to the scene which took place there, as we have already mentioned. The fine weather of the early part of December had suddenly changed. Snow had fallen heavily, followed by a sharp frost. SERVIA. The Provisional Government of Servia published the following proclamation on the 25th ultimo : " Prince Alexander Karageorgevitch having abandoned the Goveinment and the nation, the National Assembly, in the sitting of yesterday, thought fit to decree that the Government of the Prince shall be confided, up to the arrival of our Prince Milosch Obrenovitch, to a Provisional Government composed of four persons. In virtue of this decree the National Assembly nominated in the same sitting the undersigned members of the Provisional Government. We the undersigned, having in the name of God and by the will of the people accepted supreme power, make known to all the authorities and to the Servian nation, what follows :—ln order to maintain legal order and tranquillity in the country, we desire that all exist ing ecclesiastical, civil, and military authorities shall be recognised, and we hereby confirm them all in their places. By the present proclamation we invite the people to respect the authorities legally existing, and to see that the persons, honour, and property of all be respected. For our part we will employ all our efforts to preserve legal order in the country, to maintain the Ustay and the national laws of which it is the basis in vigour, and to cause to be rigorously observed by functionaries of all orders, civil and military, the Ustay, and the laws which in virtue thereof may in future be de creed in concert with the Senate. It is thus that we shall show ourselves worthy of the inappreciable benefits which our most gracious Emperor has ac corded us by the Ustay, and which the great Powers have guaranteed to us. "Signed : S. MAGASINOVICS, Prestvanik of the Provisional Government, Director of Foreign Affairs ; ILIA GARACHANIN, Director of Internal Affairs ; S. MICHAILOVICS, Vice-President of the National Assembly ; E. UGRICHICHS, President of the Supreme Court, member of the Provisional Government." A telegraphic despatch from Belgrade of the 31st ult. states that the Provisional Government, in stalled in the name of Prince Milosch, was acting regularly, and was supported by the country; also that complete tranquillity prevailed. The Skupts china had authorised the return to their country of political exiles and emigrants. A letter from Vienna, of the 29th ult. says : " Prince Milosch, who, on hearing of the meet ing of the Skuptschina, had left Odessa for Kra jowo (in Lesser Wallachia), went thence to his chateau at Cernetz, near Kalafat, on learning the last resolutions Of that body. According to a telegraphic despatch from Semhn, he has there this day received the deputation from the Skuptschina, requesting him to ascend the throne. It is asserted that he has accepted the hereditary dignity of Prince, and that he would make his entry into Bel grade in a few days." Another letter from Vienna states that Prince Milosch intends to occupy the crown of Servia, which has been offered to him, instead of, as was said, transferring it to his son. NAPLES. The Ost Deutsche Post of Vienna quotes a letter from Nice, stating on what it thinks good authority that the Russian government having applied to the King of Naples for permission to establish a coal depot at Brindisi, the latter has peremptorily re fused his consent. The letter attributes the follow ing words to the King of the Two Sicilies, ad dressed to the Russian minister at Naples, who had been reminding his Majesty of the friendly relations which have always subsisted between the courts of St. Petersburg and Naples : " My veneration and friendship," said the King, " for the Emperor Alexander is as sincere as that which I felt for the Emperor Nicholas, but as to policy the ease is dif ferent. I cannot explain to myself the tendencies of a government which courts Piedmont and also offers to join hands with Naples. These two things cannot subsist together. A station at Villafranca and a station at Brindisi are quite incompatible as regards the principle which they are supposed to represent." SARDINIA. A letter from Turin of the 30th ult., in the .211 - oniteur, says :—" As there is little political news stirring, the journals amuse themselves by spread ing all sorts of rumours more or less improbable. Some time ago it was said that the King had pro nounced a warlike speech, and when that was denied, it was alleged that Count de Cavour had issued a very pacific diplomatic circular. That assertion has also turned•out to be a mere invention, and now political missions are being invented. Thus the Marquis Alfieri, president of the Senate, who has gone to Rome on private business, is repre sented to be charged with a' mission to the Holy See ; and the Chevalier d'Azeglio, senator, who is going to Tuscany to pass the severe part of the winter, is stated by some journals to be charged with a political mission, and by others to be die' satisfied with the policy of the present Cabinet, and to have left in order not to have to oppose it openly. It was only by the journals these gentle men learned the objects ascribed to their journey. It is said that the Government has chosen for the approaching session the Marquis Alfieri as presi dent of the Senate, and. the Chevalier Desambrois and Count Selopis as vice-presidents. The S e nate itself nominates its four secretaries and two questors. The Chamber of Deputies immediately after its meeting will have to examine into the validity of the election of the nineteen deputies returned since the last session. It is not believed that any serious oppoition will be made to the admission of any of them." A DEPOSITOR OF £lO,OOO IN A BANS. TREATED AS A THIEF. A respectable young man, in a branch bank at Bangor, had appointed Christmas-eve to meet some friends in Liverpool, who were bent on plea sure ; but determined to go round by way of Man chester, and convey a large amount of specie, of which he had charge, to the superior branch in this city, for transmission to London. He arrived safely at the banking-house, rung the bell rather sharply; the door was opened quickly, and the money wag deposited in the lobby almost before his presence was discovered. He had frequently been there on a similar errand, but the servants, two females, had been changed since his last visit : and, being wrapped up in two large great coats, on account of the severity of the weather, and' speaking, perhaps/ somewhat confidently, their successors, who pre.' sented themselves, took it into their heads that he was neither more nor less than some one who, hay ing attained a knowledge of the absence of the manager and his lady, and the resident secretary, enjoying the evening with their friends at a dis tance from town, had a design upon the bank. The cook especially was much excited, and on his say ing he wanted the key of the bank-room to place the specie there, as he had immediately to go oft by train to - keep his pleasure engagement, she placed herself resolutely at the door, and defied hi's to obtain access to the room, while the other ser vant guarded the passage to the other parts of the house. Somewhat amused, he could scarcely explain his errand, and about ten minutes had passed in remonstrance and disputation, when a policeman presented himself, and addressed him as gc H a llo, presented himself, and addressed him as "Hallo, ov'nor, so I have got you at last. It was a very good try on, and at a very good time too ; but It won't do—you must . go with me." The gentleman treated the remark jocosely, and replied, " Hallo, my fine fellow, are you a friend of the cook ? Is the, kitchen a part of your beat ? " " Co me , com e,'' says the policeman, " I am not to be done in that way; you please to come with me," preparing to lead the way to the lock-up. " Very well," says the other, " if I must, I suppose I must, so bring along that bag, for where I go that must he with me, for the present at least." The policeman, thinking now he was in fair view of " a case," and perhaps dreaming of rewards and promotions, essayed to seize the bag, but, to his astonishment, found it rather heavier than he had anticipated—il contained about 10,000 sovereign's, and weighed more than 200 cwt. Seeing him in something of a quandary, the gentleman suggested that he had better sendlor some help, if he was determined to take him into custody, as the bag was heavy and it must go with him. The inspector shortly arrived, and put the:suspected through a long course of exa mination, but his suspicions and those of his assis tant were not removed. At length the gentlemag suggested that the servant should take his card to the manager, as she must know where he was to be found. A car was chartered, and, after tra velling about three miles, detaining the suspected for an hour and a half, under the immediate sur veillance of the police, the manager was found, and came to the rescue, but of course too late for the gentleman to join his friends in Liverpool.—' North Wales Chronicle. Jer 'Majesty the Queen of Spain having con ferred the Order of the Golden Fleece on his Royal High' ness the Prince of Wales, the Prince has been invested at Windsor Castle, by his Royal Highness the Prince Con sort, a Knight of the Order, on behalf of her Most Catholic Majesty, in the presence of M. Isturiz, Envoy Extraordi nary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the Court 01 Madrid, also a Knight of the Golden Fleece, and the Ear l of • Malmesbury, Principal Secretary of State for Foreiga Affairs. DEPARTURE OF THE PRINCE OF WALES Fo ll ' ROME.—Preparations are being made for the departure of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for Rome, which will take place on the 10th or 11th inst. The Prince Will be accompanied by Mr. Tarver, his two equerries, and hie medical attendant. He will take with him three carriageo and a suitable number of horses and servants. His roya l highness will pursue his studies at Rome for about five months, when he will return to England. DEATH OF . THE LATE MAYOKOF CLONMEL.--"" The Tipperary papers announce the death of Mr Davis Clancy, the mayor of Clonmel for the past year. FOREIGN MAILS.—The following notices were issued by the Postmaster-General yesterday, viz.: The steamer City of Washington, under contract with the United States Government, to sail from Liverpool with the mails of the evening of the 4th inst. The British mail packet Europa, to sail from Liverpo o l w i t h the mails of the evening of the 7th inst., to be conveyed to New York. The Circassian, under contract with the Government of NeW" foundland, with the Newfoundland mails of the evening of the 7th inst. Ship mails for Lisbon will be made up in the General Post-office, to be sent by the steamer Frank fort, which is appointed to sail on the 6th inst., and for Madeira, to belsent by the Comet, which is appointed to sail on the 15th inst. THE AUSTRALIAN MAIL.—The Marseilles portion of the Australian mail is expected in town to-morrow. The heavy portion is not expected at Southampton before Friday next. Although the mail arrived at Alexandria on the 22d, the Australian mail steamer Teviot could not get out there before the 25th, and would not leave probably before the 26th. The Australian steamer Emeu arrived at Suez be fore her time. THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SO CIETIES.—The two great agricultural societies of Bucking hamshire, at the periodical meetings of which Mr. Disraeli has frequently explained to the world the tactics of his party, whether in opposition or in office, are showing symp toms of premature decline. A meeting of the members of the Royal Bucks Agricultural Association is to be held at the George Inn, Aylesbury, to-morrow (Wednesday) week, to consider the propriety of acceding to a proposal of the Central Bucks Association for an amalgamation of the two societies. THE COMET AT THE CAPE.—A comet, no doubt the one seen in Europe about three months since, has at tracted great interest at the Cape. Thi s " interesting visi tor" was travelling very fast, in a southerly direction, and at the latest date was scarcely visible to the naked eye. When first seen it presented the appearance of a luminous head, with a fan-like tail of about twenty degrees, slightly curved. The Astronomer Royal is making careful observa tions, the result of which he will publish. This will, no doubt, be of interest to the scientific world in enabling it to trace more completely the career of the comet From ob servations already taken by Mr. Maclear the approximate places of the comet, at 7h., Cape mean time, were as fol low : Oct 11. R.A. 15h. 21m. 51s. N.P.D. 89 degs. 52m. 265. „ 12. —15 h. 33m. 265. 93 degs. 23m. 335. „ 14. —15 h. 55m. —s. 100 degs. sm. —s. —Cape and Natal News. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA.—The Washington st a tes says :—" We und ers t an d th a t con t racts are completed, and that work will be immediately commenced at Savannah, Ga., for the construction of a telegraph line to Feran.dina, Fla., thence by land to Cedar Keys, and from there to'Key West by a submarine cable. From the latter place a cable will also be laid to Cuba. The contractors for this work will leave New York in a few days for the field of operations. It is intended to complete the line to Key West by next sum,- mer, when it will be connected with Cuba as soon as the cable can be laid. In the present condition of affairs in the Gulf of Mexico it is of the highest inwortance to our govern ment that they have prompt means of communication with our fleet in those waters, whose headq uar t ers are at Key West. Aside fro m thi s fact, its importance to commercial men will be duly appreciated both north and south." Plc 8,0 qUc in asst but mere cont peri it is the , taut take Lone repo nage Tiuti( spiri by i loss The balm 7d., recox pose( the r Th the ( has r awai from in th depr( 11th The Redu sione 961,-E June bents Dere] Bond ditto been at 101 Ab trans in to( to West Gre 4 , West 15 s . ; The rata alter; Joi of Lc and In Ge ne and I to 82 Dank 3 per New ; Long India Ditto Comma Exchi Ditto Brazi D it Dit Chilit - Dii Orem Dit Mexii Dit Peru' Dit Dit Dit Port; Dit Russ, Dit Sa r di Span; Dii Dii Span: Tu r k Dit bit Di Ven( Di tont ii