The Sun. — London, England, 1858-01-22 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET 00 ZVI 51ERCTAL INTELLIGENC%. CITY, Two o'CLocK. The Foreign and Colonial Produce Markets during the last few days have been extremely active, and high rates have been current for most of the principal staples. For sugar of good grocery qua lities there has been an active business, the trade having purchased freely for home consumption, at an advance in some instances of about ls. per cwt. Coffee has been iu steady demand, and Plantation Ceylon improved about ls. to 2s. per cwt. Cocoa has been dull, andowin gto thelarge arrivals a decline of about 103. per cwt. has taken place. Spices have been dealt in to a fair extent, and in most instances full rates have been readily realised. Rice and rum met a limited 'inquiry, and at public sales of the former nearly the whole of the quantity offered was bought in at rates somewhat under late quo tations. Saltpetre has been in moderate request, at a slight decline, the inferior qualities having re ceded about ls. per cwt. Tallow has exhibited a slight downward tendency, the present current rates being P. Y. C. on the spot, 545. 3d. to 545. 6d, ; January to March, 545. 9d. ; and last three months, 51s. 6d. per cwt. Letters from Liverpool mention that the cotton market yesterday closed with a steady appearance, and prices tended upwards. The sales amounted to 12,000 bales, 2,500 of which were taken by the speculat - Ts, and 1,500 by the exporters. The Railway Share market presented a quiet appea.r since, and quotations were without any material alteration. At present there are no s;gns of any abatement of the influx of gold at the Bank of England. Fur some time past a large parcel has been daily added to the metallic reserves of that establishment, and the total probably now exceeds 14,000,0001., upwards of 200,0001. having been sent in yes terday. Besides the supply already on hand and unappropriated, heavy consignments are coming forward from America, and several vessels, some of which are overdue, are en route from Australis, with large remittances. The movement is likely to continue, and until some new demand from France or soma other country springs up, a rapid accumula tion will be insured. The Arago, from the United States, has brouglit 54,400/. in specie for England, and 40,0001. for France. These remittances, though small, must be a source of relief to the mercantile interest in the latter country, looking at the heavy losses which bavebeen entailed by the Transatlantic panic. It is admitted, however, and the fact is worthy of re cord, that the Americans are showing every dispo sition to discharge their indebtedness to their European creditors. Unless this course is adopted as far as possible, our merchants would be very chary of resuming operations, and it is hoped that in future both shippers and manufacturers will abstain from giving such extended credit as in for mer periods. Another slight advance has taken place in the English Stock Market, which now wears a buoyant aspect, in consequence of a few speculative pur chases, as well as bona fide investments. Still, there is not much animation, owing to the anxiety felt to ascertain what arrangements are contemplated by the Honourable East India Company. Consols are marked 95 to 95i for money, and 951 for account, the present prices being 95} respectively. The New 3 per Cents. are 951 ~ and the Reduced 951 ±. Exche quer Bills are 18s. to 225. premium ; the Bonds 100; and India ditto, 13s. to 17e. premium. Foreign Stocks are quiet, but a fair amount of business has been done at about previous quota tions. Turkish 6 per Cents. are 981 1. Brazilian 5 per Cents., 1021. Mexican 3 per Cents., 21 1, being firmer. Portuguese 3 per Cents., 44 1. Russian 5 per Cents., 991 100. Spanish New De ferred, 2511 ; ditto Certificates, 51 ; ditto Passive, si. Dutch Llt per Cents., 65 ; and ditto 4 per Cents., 99f. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks :—Greuada Deferred Bonds, 5 6; Mexican, 201 21k; Peruvian, 4i per Cents., 78 80 ; Ditto 3 per Cents., 54 56 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., Russian 5 per Cents., 109 111 ; Ditto 4i per Cents., 98 100 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 414 42 ; Ditto New Deferred, 254 26. Messrs.. D. Bell and Son give the following as Ms prices of American Securities : GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Redeemable. Per Cent. United States 6 per Cents. 1867-1868....- 104 United States 6 per Cent. Bonds 1868...102 104 STATE SECURITIES Alabama 5 per Cent Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds)... Massachusetts 5 per Cent. (5t41.1. Bonds). Mississippi 6 per Cent. Pl. Bk. Bonds lB4l-1871... 40 42 Mississippi 5 per Cent. Union Bk Bonds ... 20 2 Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Stock Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Bonds ...1877... 80. 813 Tennessee 6 per Cent. Bonds — Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds 1886... 81 83 Virginia 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) 1888... 81 83 LOANS OF CITIES. Boston 4. per Cent. Bonds 1883... 83 90 Montreal 6 per Cent. Bolds 1856-1865... New Orleans 6 per Cent. Stock 1883... ... 78 - ... 88 90 ... 89 91 RAILROAD BONDS. Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Ist Mortgage, not Convertible 1875... 62 S 4 Illinois Central 6 per Cent 1875... 82 84 Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Freeland Bonds 1860... 82 84 Illinois Central (Shares), $3O paid ... 5 d 3 d Michigan Central Bp. Cent., Convert 1860... Do, do. do. ........ 1869... 87 89 New York Central 7p. Cent., Convert 1864... 91 93 New York Central 6 per Cent., not Convertible 1883... 83 85 New York and Erie 7 per Cent. 3d Mort gage 1833— 73 75 N. York and Erie 7p. Cent. Convertible 1862... 40 42 N. York and Erie 7 per Cent. Sinking lFund 1875... 45 LO Panama 7 per Cent., Ist Mortgage 1865... - Pennsylvania Central 6p. Cent.. Ist Mort 1880... 86 84 There has been a very limited business trans acted this morning in the Railway Share Market. The variations however in some of the principal lines have amounted to about to per Cent. Caledonian, Great Northern and Great Western improved 15s. Brightons, and North-Westerns declined 10s. ; Midland North British and South Eastern, ss. ; and Norfolk, 15s. The Foreign and Colonial undertakings are very quiet. Northern of France have advanced ss. ; East Indian improved 10s. to 1/. ; and Grand Trunk of Canada, 15s. Mining Shares have been very quiet at about former quotations. For Joint Stock Bank Shares there was some inquiry, and prices slightly improved. Union of Australia advanced ss. to 108. ; Bank of Australasia, 10s. ; and London Chartered of Australia about 53. In Miscellaneous Shares no buAineas of im portance was reported. Peninsular and Oriental Steam improved about 10.. BR ETISH FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES —THIS DAY. (Irani the Official List,) Business doze. 3 PeT Cent. Reduced Annuities 3 per Oent Console Anuhlties 95 * I s4 ` , per Cent. Annuities 9 51 India Stock Ia (I% Monde, A:mit `Bete, under £l000 Ootsole ter \ lizeheqaer 58 £IOC.O ........... .................. ** 1g 22 P 1 3:11.11.- ...... ...................... . 18 2` ) P Exchequer Bonds, I tsB, 3i per Cent.— Ditto, 1350 ........................... . PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS--THIS DAY. lirmxinau 5 per Cent. Ditto Account ................. 1021 Mexican :3 per Cent .................... . ......... Ditto Account . ................. 211 1 Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841 Ditto 1853, 441 '3 per Cent Ditto Account ............................ 441 Rtmian - Bonds, St., 5 por Cont., llOl 10 Ditto, 4i per Ceut. por (Ant- D.ttc New Deferred, 3 per Cen . .. t,,Titto Account Ditt.. Passive BPenish Committee Cart. of Coup. not fun. 51 Tarki.,h por cent... Ditto Account Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cout. D itto Account Dividends on the above payable in Loudon. butch Exchange, Do. 4 p er C ent. CertiOcates 2. per Cent., 12 Guilders 55 99i mitEE O'CLOCK. Consols, money bitto account (February 4) Tilt Nal! SERGEANT.—Mr. Deafly, M.P., has been aPpoioted sergeant - at-law in the room of :Mr. Justice O'Brieil. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.) COURT OF CHANCERY. (Before Vice- Chancellor Sir William Page Wood.) EARL TALBOT V. ROPE SCOTT-DBILLFRRER, PLEA, MOTION. EARL TALBOT V. ISOPR BOOTT-rLEA, WITH MOTION. In the first cause this was a motion for an injunction to restrain the defendant frota receiving the rents anal profits of the settled estates t.f the late Earl of Shrews bury, and for a receiver, pending the establishment of the plaintiff's claim in the House of Lords as heir-at-law to the late Earl of Shrewsbury, and to restrain the de fendant from cutting down the ornamental timber on the estates. The Vice-Chancellor, in delivering judgment this morning, was of opinion that as the plaintiff bad not made oat his claim as heir-at-law to the late Earl of Shrewsbury, either in the House of Lords or in a court of law, his Honour could not grant the i❑junction now asked for by the plaintiff. And for the same reason, that the plaintiff had not mace oat his title as heir-at-law to the late Earl of Shrewsbury, his Honour said he must allow the defendant's demurrer to the plaintiff's bill, and dismiss the bill. The plaintiff, however, might after wards establish his title as heir-at-law to the late Earl of Shrewsbury. As to the defendant's plea in the second Cause, his Honour the Vice-Chancellor said that he would allow the plea on the plaintiff undertaking to reply by next seal. His Honour disallowed costs of an abandoned motion, and allowed costs io the cause. SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY NING, JANUARY 2 1 2, 1858. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. The following circular h%s been issued from the Recruiting Department : " Horse Guards, Jan. IS. "The standard of recruits for all regiments of infantry serving in India is reduced to 5 feet 3 inches until further orders, the age remaining as at presunt—viz., from 18 to 30 yearn. " By command of his Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Ch;of. " G. A. WETHERALL, Adjutant-General." Yesterday and the previous day a large number of Volunteers from various militia regiments sta tioned at Aldershot arrived at Chatham for the purpose of joining the various Indian depots at that garrison ; and as soon as they have undergone a course of instruction in the use of the Enfield rifle they will be sent to India. The number of re inforcements now under orders to embark is 650 men of all ranks. The authorities at the War-office having decided on preparing hospital accommodation at Yarmouth fur the reception of the large number of sick and wounded troops who are now on their passage home from India, the Director-General of the Medical Department has issued orders for several staff sur geons to proceed at onoe to Yarmouth in order to make the necessary preparations for the reception of the invalid troops. The transport York, Capt. Redpath, which sailed from Plymouth on Tuesday for Madras, had a cargo of shot, shell, gulls, and various stores. She embarked at Gravesend Captain Mute, in military command, and eight rank and file of the 43d Regi ment ; Ensign Heane, and 37 of the 44th ; Dr. Ethott, 95th, in medic +l charge; Captain Arbuckle (and wife), Bengal Artillery ; Mr. Wickham, and 50 men let Madras Fusiliers ; Mr. Crawford, Hon. East India C impany's service ; 13 men of the 60th Rifleq, 32 of ►he 66th Foot, and 12 of the 7th ; and at Plymouth one sergeant and 10 men of the 69th, in charge of the residue of the baggage belonging to that regiment. Within the last 10 days 350 of the Staffordshire Militia stationed at Devonport, have volunteered into varims regiments of the line. Her Majesty's state yacht Victoria and Albert, Capt. the Hon. J. Denman, is nearly ready to re ceive her crow, who wiq turn over to her next Tues day. It is net expected that the It , iyal marriage flotilla will leave Portsmouth for Gravesend before the end of the month. Every "available" vessel that cm be spared will be sent to the rendzvous of Gravesend, so as to make the Royal embarkation as imposing a spectacle as may be under the cir euntstAnoes. The Caragoa, 31, Capt. T. M. Mason, went out of Portsmouth Harbour yes'erday and 'aluted the Port-Admiral. She afterwards ran a course along the measured mile at S oke's B ty, and ultimately a►►chored at Spithead, to remain until ordered to the fharnes. The Caesar, 91, screw, is fitting out for the steam reserve at Portsmouth by the crew of the steam depot ship Blenheim, one of whose men, named John Kent, fell from the maintop of the Caesar to the deck on Wednesday aft ..rnoon, and was killed. The following military movements have taken place, or been ordered to take place, at Portsmouth : The newly built and spacious infantry barracks at the top of the High-street, named after the Duke of Cambridge, were taken possession of on Wednes day, and occupied by the 47th Light Infantry. The 47th now musters 850 serviceable bayonets, and is under tie command of a most energetic officer, Col. Wm. O'Grady Haly, C. B. The company of this re giment, lately quartered at Tipner, joined the head quarters on being relieved by a company of the Royal North Lincoln Militia. Two companies of the Royal Lancashire Militia moved from Gosport to the Isle of Wight on the 25th inst. to occupy the forts at Yarmouth, Cliff-end, Victoria, and Freshwater. A detachment of the 92 , 1 Highlanders (volunteers from various corps in Ireland) arrived at Portsmouth yesterday for embarkation to join the service companies at Gibraltar preparatory to their proceeding thence to Alexandria and overland to India. The remainder of the 68th Light Infantry, comprising about 150 rank and file, embark from the dockyard in the Irish steam vessel Preusscheradler, this day; to join the depot at Fermoy. On Monday morning last volunteering com menced from the Royal North Lincoln and the 2d West York Regiments of Light Infantry Militia for the line. There were many wiltinL, but few chosen, owing to the difficulty of " passing the doctor." The following is the result :—Royal North Lincoln—For the let Dragoon Guar la, 1 ; 4th Foot, 1 ; 60th Rifle, 33 ; R:fle Brigade, 20; Royal M-trinek 8 ; Coldstream Guards, 5 ; Royal Engi neers, 5 ; Royal Artillery, 2. 2d West York—For the sth Dragoon Guards, 2; 60th Rifles, 11; Royal Engineer., 1. Totals—north Lincoln, 64; West York, 14. Our correspondent at Plymouth has received from an officer of the 68th Regt. satisfactory con- Brmatiim rieryeint of the Utig t alii i gates passage to St. Vincent wmcn app our impression of Wednesday. The letter says the time occupied was eight days and six hours, average speed 11 6-10 knots. She is appointed to coal again at the Cape of Good Hope. The steamship Argo, with the left wing of the 68th, which arriv.-d at St. Vincent's on Ist Jan., a drty before the Aus tralasian, would probably be detained four or five days coaling ; she does not touch anywhere from the island to Madras. The race to India between full power an auxiliary is exciting great interest among the troops on board both ships. Surgeon Superintendent John Bower has been ap pointed to the Lord Raglan convict ship. The good service pension vacant by the death of Admiral Downman has been given to Vice-Admiral Sharp. Story, 62, Fleet-Street, praying for an inquiry re speciinr4 the nirnlg. , rnent 4* Br idowel I H.JspitA, nn the gr..und of non-aopropriation of the ittuds to the purpoi , es for which they were originally in tended. The petition lira:l ordered o lie on the table. casion in the cause of morality and justice. Mr. WOlans can eluded su e!0t41 ,-, nt wt j!ev, e; - ful speech l.y as;;ing the t u eetilw, t fi3 - 4. faith . t-he.&ifd'e spect. arid loy-dty of the wotking (Clic?rs.) A. resolution was also passed asserting the cl,.itn of the borough of fluddet glad to return two mem bers instead of one, on account of very I.lrgo in crease of its population of late years. The appoint ment of a deputation to carry the petition to Lord Goderich terminated the proceedings. legal authorities, it appears, draw a distinction be tween a tax upon :he lice Lino upon the plofitg of it, to enable .he Government to diminish - the swan sums that the Anglo-Belgian companies contrive to divide as interest and dividend. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. (Sittings in Banco before Lord Campbell, Mr. Justice Coleridge, Mr. Justin• Wightman, and Mr. Justice Crompton.) NICHOLSON ♦. ELLIS. This wag a special ca,u for the consideration of the Court, under the Common Law Procedure Act, relative to the emoluments of the Clerk of the Peace for West toineter. The plaintiff is the Clerk of the Peace for Westuaineter, and the defendant is the Clerk of the Peace for Middlesex, and the plaintiff claimed certain emoluments as belonging to his office enjoyed by the lefendant, which the latter contended wa • given him under the provisions of the C,ustnon Lai Procedure Act. Sir F. Kelly, for the plaintiff, contended that though the act of Parliament had merged the general sessions for Westminster into those of Middlesex, there was nothing in the act that took away from the Clerk of the Peace for Westminster the duties of his office, which continued to exist, and ought to be paid out of the fees received. Sir F. Tbesiger, for the defendant, urged that the act bad entirely abolished the sessions for Westminster, and transferred all the dutied to the Middlesex Sessions. The office had ceased to exist, and the learned gentleman referred to the 12th section of the Common Law Pro cedure Act, which provides compensation for the loss of office under the operations of that act. Judgment deferred. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. C.,rnrcossioner Face.) THE ROYAL BRITISH BAIM.-IN RE H. J. CIAILEBON. To-day was appointed for the adjoerned examination of this bankrupt, who was the manager of the R British Bank. An application was now made for a further adjournment until after the pending trial of him self and some of the directors, who hate been indicted, shall have taken place. An adjournment was granted without discussion, and the next meeting appointed for the 30th April next. IN RE BSTTERS-APPLICATION FOR DISCIARGE. This bankrupt was described as a mining and share agent, and now applied for his discharge, which was granted without opposition. The actual debts amount to about 1,0001., moats 3001., but he is under heavy liabilities in respect of shares held by him on which sales are expectel to be made. (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.) IN RE 3. SAMUELS. Mr. Sturgeon renewed his application that this bank rupt should be brought up for farther examination and discharged from custody. The case has been so fre quently reported that it is scarcely necessary to state that be had carried on business as a diamond merchant, in St. Mary Axe, and had been committed for not satis factorily answering questions as to his property, and it was alleged that his mind was affuctad by Lis in carceration. His Honour said that be would allow the bankrupt to come up, on depositing the coots of all parties, but he wishes it to be understood that the bankrupt was not suffering any hardship from the process of this Court, from which he could relieve himself by answering the question put by the assignees, but he was detained on civil suits for want of buil. (Before Mr. Commissioner Holroyd.) IN AE OLEIC N. To-day was appointed for consideration of the certifi cate of the bankrupt, who was described as of the Strand, newspaper proprietor. Mr. Sargocd appeared on behalf of Mejor Walker to oppose, in respect of certain transactions connected with the British Army Dispakh. _ _ (The case was proceeding and likely to occupy a considerable time.) POLICE INTELLIGENCE.— (This Day.) MARLBOROUGH-STREET. Victor Hilbert, a young, wel , -ch aimed Frenchman, was charged by Paul Da Crock, another Frenchman, with assaulting him. The complainant, who keeps a coffee-shop at No. 6e, Mar)lebone-street, said he was crossing the corner of Green-street, Leicester•square, between 8 and 9 yester day evening, when he was surrounded by three or four prostitutes, who abused him on his endeavouring to get from them. A policeman coming in sight, he beckoned to him, intending to benefit himself by his assistance, when the defendant came up, laid hold of his collar, and struck him on the head wiih his walking-stick, exclaiming at the ammo time, i❑ French and English, " It you charge my lady I will kill you." The policeman coming up, complainant gave him into custody, and he was taken to the station and detained on the charge. Procuring bail soon afterwards, he made his appearance at oom plainan 's shop, wbere after lavishing a deal of abuse on the wife of the latter, he, on his being remonstrated with, broke in with his foot the wainscot from the passage. Mr. Edward Lewis, who appeared for the defendant, cross-examined the complainant at some length, with the view of showing that he was a very unwelcome occupant of the premises he held, greatly in arrears fur rent, and that the landlord was using every effort to get rid of him, but Mr. Bingham was of opinion that all this was very irrelevant to the charge. Policeman C 113, said the prostitutes were French girls—he saw defendant strike the complainant, and afterwards close together in the scuffle, he came up and received the charge for assault. The defendant called a witness, who averred that the complainant first struck the defendant, and that the latter merely lifted up the stick and certainly did not use it on the head of the complainant. The landlord of the shop occupied by the complaisant, here stepped forward, and on questions put to him by Mr. Lewis, said the complainant was greatly in arrears for rent. That he bad been trying to get rid of him for a considerable portion of the few months he had been his tenant, but that he persisted in keeping possession of the premises and would only consent to leave on fore going all rent due and giving him 150 i. He had taken the premises of his agent. Mr. Bingham said he Lad oily to do with the assault and whatever complainant might be as a tenant, nothing would warrant his being assaulted. He did not believe the defendant's witness as regards the affray, but rather the constable, who had clearly stated he had seen the blow struck. He should therefore fine defendant 405., and order him to enter into his own reo3gnisance to keep the peace for three months. THAMES• ----- Joseph Riley, a powerful man, of sinister aspect, a well-known magsman and thief, was brought before Mr. Sells, charged with assaulting Mr, Wm. Ingram, a car penter and builder on the North Woolwich Railway. Mr. Ingram said he went to Woolwich yesterday to see the review, and his apprentice accompanied him. He got into a railway carriage at North Woolwich soon after 8 o'clock. The prisoner and another man got in at the same time, a n d immediately commenced singing and making us e of fi lthy language. He took no notice of . them until the prisoner applied a filthy epithet towards him. He remonstrated with the prisoner, who repeated his obscenities, and struck witness avi lent blow on the mouth. He took no measure of defence, but determined to give him into custody the first opportunity. Soon afterwards, and when the train was on this side of Bow, the prisoner rose from his seat and struck him a violent blow on the nose. H e bl e d cop i ous l y f ur a long time Thetime. witness exhibited a handkerchief stiffened with gore. Charles Dean, apprentice to the last witness, con firmed his evidence in every partioular. The prisoner, in a sullen manner, said the complainant began to insult hill?. Mr, Ingram—No, I did not ; he insitlted me and struck me most cruelly. _ _ The prisoner—l was drunk, sir. Mr. Selfe—Don't attempt to give any explanation. Is the prisoner known f Roche, the gaoler—He is, sir. He is a magsnaan, and keeps the company of thieves. Mr. elfe—There was a review yesterday at Wool. wich. I can understand why the magsman went there. The prisoner is fined 30s. The tine was paid. The Rev. Canon Trevor is appointed assistant preacher at St. Philip's Chapel, Regent-street, in the place of the Rey, J. M. Bellew. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL. Yewerday a court was held for the despatch o public business. THE FREEDOM TO SIR JOHN LIWRENCH. Alderman Sslomons postponed his motion that the freedom of the City be voted to Sir John Law rence for his conduct in India to the next court. SIR HENRY HATELOCK. Alderman HALE gave notice of motion that the blest of Sir H. Havelock be executed and placed in the Guildhall, in commemoration of the great deeds of that remarkable man. (Cheers.) TEE ADDRESS OF THE COURT OE ALDERMEN TO THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH. Mr. 13ssLEY complained of a breach of privilege. The Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen had agreed to an address to the Emperor and Empress of the French upon their escape from the attempted assas , ination without having communicated with the Court of Common Council on the subject. This was in contravention of a compact between the two courts that they should al ways join in addresses of publio importance. A resolution condemnatory to the exclusive vote of the Alderman was agreed to. TSB ITTIMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE EMPJAROR OP THE FRENCH. Mr. Whirs moved, and Mr. BUCKNALL se conded, that a congratulary address be presented to the Emperor and Empress of the French on their providential escape from the late attempted assas nation. The mo ion was carried unanimously, and an address was prepared and agreed to. THE VISIT OP THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OP TH FRENCH TO THIS COUNTRY. Deputy HARBISON, chairman of the Imperial Address Committee, brought up a report stating that medals had been prepared by Mr. B. Wyon and di-tributed. The following letter had been received from the Emperor of ;he French : " Palais des Tuileries Dec. 21, 1857. "My Lord,--I accept with pleasure the medal which you have the goodness to send to me, and I am happy to see that the honourable corporation of the City of London should have attaohed sufficient importance to my visit to consecrate the recollec tion of it in a durable manner. I beg of you, my lord, to be the interpreter of my sentiments of extreme gratitude towards your worthy citizens, and that you will yourself accept my sincere ex pressions of the same feelings. " To the Lord Mayor of the City of London." A letter of acknowledgment send by command of her Majesty the Queen and the Prince Consort had also been received through the Remembrancer. In addition to the foregoing, they had received a letter from the chief of the municipality of Paris, of which the following is an extract ;—" I cannot, my lord, express to you in terms too strop , my gratitude for 3 our having sent to me the medal, a chef d'ceuvre of art, which records tine of the most important occurrences which have been brought about by the alliance of the two nations. It will • reel to me also—and this recollection is particu larly dear to me—the magnificent and co r di a l h os - I t 'ic e h was ssogracefully given at thi s epoc h predecessors of your lordship t o th e hos pitality one ity o which f delegates of the municipal body of Paris." The committee had also received acknowledg ' nients from the Duke of Cambridge, the French Ambassador, and various public bodies, - • ----- VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR, chairman of the Royal Sar dinian Entertainment Committee, brought up a re port, which was agreed to, and ordered to be printed, and the committee dissolved. The report stated that the bronze medals, in honour of the King's visit, had been executed by Mr. B. Wyon ; the medals had been distributed ; the bills had been examined and paid, and amounted to 5701. 4 9 . 3RIDEWELL HOSPITAL. 4 ,Mr,.Gursium preheuted a petition from Mr. wit PAR, lAMENTABY REFORM. MEETING AT HUDDERSFIELD. On Wednesday evening a well attended meeting of the inhabis ants of Huddersfield was held in the Philosophical-hall convened by Joseph Shaw, Eeq., chief constable, in compliance with a requisition, signed by 480 magistrates, merchants, manu facturers, tradesmen, and others, to consider the question of parliamentary reform. The CHIEF CONSTABLE, having opened the pro ceedings, said he did not remember any requisition so numerously and influentially signed having been got up in Huddersfield during a residence of forty years in the borough. He read a letter from Mr. Akroyd, M.P., in which that gentleman stated, in a manner too abrupt and curt, without giving his constituents any sort of reason, that he was unable to attend the meeting. (This announcement oc casioned some expressions of dissatisfaction in the meeting.) Mr. C. H. J ONES moved t h e fi rs t re s o lution : "That thi s mee ti ng, coinciding w ith h er M a j es t y ' s the represent a ti on o f the people, government as t o t h e necess i ty o f a mending is of opinion that the franchise i n boroughs &•oeld in e xtended to every male l'rsen of fall age an I no su tis e t, to any le ga l incat acity, wh o s h al l occupy as wiier or tenant any premi ses w i t hi n a borough w hi c h are rate d t o the relief o f th e poor. " He dec l are d f r an kl e th a t he was no t a f ra id of an extended s'l ff i age' as l ai d down in th a t resolution. (Applause.) It was precisely the same suffrage as now ex ' s ' ecl for elec tion to municipal offices ; and if it were safe to elect the cowmen council of a horoughby such a stiff. age, surely it was equally safe for the election of mem bers of parliament. He confessed that he had more confidence in the poorest working man in that as sembly—sober, honest, and prudent—and the con sequences that would flow from his vote, than he had in the peraons who wattlel attempt to corrupt such a man. They had had e little of that in Hudderefield , as he could hear testimony. He had been to parliament as a petitioner against certain individual. , for doing certain things. He had ben behind the scenes ; and if he were to unfold the budget, altheugh they bad heard a good deal that was black and d irk, yet he could tell them far more than they at present kue tv—he could tell them that these parties had sp- nt thousands of pounds in corrupting persoes ; that he and his friends had spent thousands • f pounds to upset their proce, dings ; and he could tell them further, that all the d bti were paid. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the resol u ti on w hi c h h e had the honour to propose, it was right he should explain that it would be followed by a resolution in favour of what ought to accompany any extension of the franchise—the ballot. (Lo u d c h eers. ) Gi ve hi m that suffrage, and give him th e b a ll ot w ith i t , an d he had no fear whatever of evil consequences aris ing. (Hear.) He was ready to a d m i t th at mis takes would continue to be made even when they had a reform bill upon this besis•, that a time might come when working classes would be so prosperous as to be indifferent to political matters, and allow other people to do fur them what they ought to do for themselves. He could also conceive that there might be times of great distress, when the working classes would go to the other extreme, and elect idtu were c e as a consequence, demagogues, whose only qualifi ca ti on wou ld b e th e extent of the noise they made. B ot h t h ose thi ngs might occur, and in each a mi s t a k e wou ld b e ma d e. But both these things occur re d now. (Ch eers. ) What was occurring round th em a t t h e present d ay ? Did they not find all sorts of sh am men put up— (renewedcheering)—and returned, a misrepresented (Vehement c h eer i ng.) There was e d er t i h n e g) c - 0 n a s i t t danger in each case ; but of tee two he would choose the least, and that would be that every honest, every independent man, should have a vote, and the ability and protection to exercise it to the best advantage. Mr. W. CROSSLAND said that Mr. Jones' resolu tion spoke of a tenant. Did it include a man who was part tenant? Mr. JONES replied that the resolution certainly meant that a man who was on the rate-book should have the fr inchise, whethe r he was occupier of the whole or part of premises. Mr. GEORGE BARKER seconded the resolution in a speech of some length, in the course of which he said that he thought that the time had arrived when the middle and the working classes should uuiie for the great object of procuring an adequate measure of parliamentary reforin—(applause)-- which would leaf on to good government. (Re newed cheers.) Did any one there think that if they had possessed such a franchise at the last elec tion as was proposed by the resolution, Mr. Cob den would have been defeated at Huddeisfield 1 (Loud cries of " No, no," and cheers.) After their present member, to Mr. Ackroyd's disadvan tage, he expressed his belief that there were +et, many lawyers and military mon in Parliament. (Hear.) Mr. Barker next alluded to the enurtuous expenditure of public money, and the facility with which the House of Counno ,s voted away initnetspie sums—ooni resting the readiness with which 40,00 W. and 8,0001. a year were voted for the Princess Royal's dowry, with the niggardly refusal to con tinue to pay 15s. per week to the workmen in the dockyards, on the plea that it could not he afforded. He found, upon looking at the financial accounts furnished to Parliament, that 2,000,000/. were set set down for miscellaneous. What did that mean I Was it secret service money used at the last election for turning out such men as Cobden, Bright, and Milner Gibson, and putting in their place Govern ment hangers on. (Hear, hear.) Thanks, how ever, to Birmingham, Ashton, and other boroughs, Messrs. Bright, Milner Gibson, and Fox, and other real friends of the people and the country's advancement, were resuming their proper places in Parliament, there to fight the battle of the People. (Applause.) He urged the working classes to be up and doing ; for if they allowed the pre sent opportunity to go by, it would probably he ae many years b e f ore it ain occur red. (Hear, hear.) Ministers were pledged to introduce a R eform Bill, and if th e middle and working classes would unite, they might secure a good sysf7era of representation, and be abl e t o send a man to Parliament who would look after their interests. He implored the work ing classes to strive earnestly for the franchise ; and, as a first step, advised them to avoid the "..lerrY shops," which, he said, did more than any thing else to defeat the man of the people at the last election. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Mr. War. CROSSLAND franchise, o posed his amendment in . rating favour of a 5/ or the possession of 100/. a-year. Mr. D. GLEDHILL ridiculed Mr. Crossland's ideas of the franchise, and amidst much laughter asked how many of Mr. Crossland's workmen pos sessed 100/. a-year The amendment fell to the ground for want of a seconder, and the resolution carried with only was two dissentients. Mr. BOOTllR OYDconsidering "That proposed, the great and increasing evils which attend the pre sent system of open voting—considering that in msny cases b r ib ery, intimidation, and other illegal and unfair influences are made to overbear the honest expression of the opinions and convictions of electors —and considering also the satisfaction which the adoption of the ballot has given to the parties in our Australian colonies, this meeting is of opinion that the ballot is absolutely indispen sable to any measure of reform deserving of the sup port of the country." Owing to the non-protection of the voter by the ballot, the popular candidate had never been sent from Huddersfield but once, and then Lord Gederich was returned. (hislord ship's name was received with vociferous cheering.) Mr. J. RRODES, in seconding the motion said that an extension of the franchise was no boon to the working men without the protection of the ballot. (Cheers.) The third resoluti son, moved by Mr. JOSIPH WOODUEA.D, was—" That iu the opinion of this meeting there should be such a re-apportionment of seats as shall make such an approach to an equalisation of constituencies as shall give in the United Kingdom a majority of members to a majo rity of electors." In a forcible speech he gave a number of statistics, showing the anomalies exist ing in the present system of representation. The fourth resolution was this :—" That this meeting considers the duration of Parliament should not exceed three 3 ears ; and that the Scotch law, which requires no property qualification for members of Parliament, should be extended to the United Kingdom." On the motion of Mr. W. WlLLass, a petition to Parliament in favour of these measures was adopt ed. Mr. Willans lamented the absence from that meeting of some old reformers and spoke of those who, in 1832, shouted for the Reform Bill, but still remained outside the charmed c i rc l e o f the fran chise. Could, be asked, any mars who had ob tained the franchise by the aid of the working classes refuse to extend the privilege and return the service so willingly rendered ? The admission of the working classes within the pale of the con stitution tended to the security and consolidation of the whole nation. He advocated the extension of the franchise upon general grounds, and argued that it was the interest and duty of Government to concede reform to a quiet, and not leave it to be extorted by an excited Poople. He read a letter from Mr. Cobden, who argued at length the ques tion of giving the working classes a share in the government of the country, and said th a t th e work ing men's voices had been raised on every great 0e- RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST. The directors of this company have just issued their report for the past half-year. It states that the amount of capital raised to the 31st Dec., 1857, is 7,790,6151., consisting of 1,936,335/. mortgage debt, 1,000/. debenture stock, 1,234,726/. prefer ence capital, and 4,618,5541. consolidated stock. The total amount placed to the debit of capital during the half-year has been 326/., making the total capital expended 7,799,2581., and leaving a balance of 742/. The directors have, however, found themselves obliged to proceed with the altera tion of the Lewes Station and certain other works, which could no longer be delayed without serious injury to the traffic, and the amount of this outlet has been placed to the debit of a suspense account. The average rate of interest on the mortgage debt does not exceed 4/. 3s. per cent. The gross revenue for the half-year has been 431,361/. showing a di-, minution of 2,211/, as compared with the corres ponding half of 1856, the tetal revenue for tie ye sr 1857 being, however, 780,5871. as compared with 776,251/. for the previous year. The filling off during the past half-year is entirely in the goods traffic, while the receipts fr om p assengers show a small increase. One item of increase during the past half-year has been the traffic arising from the West-end line, which was opened from the Crystal Palace station to Wands worth-corninon on the Ist of December, 1856. The improvement. in the local traffic carried thereon has been rapid and contin ously progressive, the average number of passeneeis to and from London-bridge alone now exceeding 7,000 per week, and the directors anticipate the receipt of a considerable income as soon as that line is completed and properly worked as a subarban line. The number of miles run by the trains during the half-year was 1,048,946 against 963,103 in the corresponding period of 1856. The traffic receipts (including cartage) for the half-year amounted to 419,1831. against 421,0791., and the total working expenses and renewals (excluding cartage) amounted to 180,8821. against 183,450/. at the corresponding period of 1856. The ordinary expenses amounted to 151,245/., end the renewals and additions to 29,637/. against 151,5101. ordinary expenses and 31,940/. for renewals and additions at the corres ponding period of 1856. The expenses per train mile amounted to 3s. Wid. against 3s. 91d., the per cent. on traffic receipts to 431 per cent. against 42i per cent., the cartage to 7,611/. against 8,3581. end the total expense 188,4931. against 191,8081. at the corresponding penis dof 1856, From a tabu lar statement in the report it appears the number of passengers on the line for the year inct eased from 2,485,778 in 1848 to 7,241,077 In 1857, and the passenger receipts from 349,9771. io 545,8351.; the annual and season tickets from 10,4271. to 35,4761. the parcels from 13,130/. to 18,479/. ; the r-ails from 1,1971. to 1,2431.; the goods from 61,493/. to 133,733/. ; the cattle from 3,059/. to 4,046/. ; the rents, wharf-earning, &c., from 5,5811. to 14,402/. ; and the gross revenue from 453,408/. in 1848 to 780,5871. in 1857. The working expenses increased from 147,132/. in 1848 to 282,589/. in 1857; the taxation from 39,955/. to 51,693/. ; and the total expenditure from 187,0871. in 1848 to 353,9551. in 1857. The preferential charges have increased from 104,0411. to 148,176/., and the divi dend from 3/. 12s. per cent. in 1848 to 6/. per cent. in 1847. Although only one locomotive and one tender belonging to the working stock have been broken up during the past year, yet the revenue has again been debited with the cost of providing five new powerful engines and t:•nders, and of re- I building five of the old engines. In this manner the number of working engines has since 1851 been in creased, at the cost of revenue, from 112 to 124, and no corresponding credit has yet been tlken for the value of the 12 old engine-; which are still at work. The whole of the main line between London and Brighton has been relaid and fiA-jointed, and the timber replaced where necessary by ore .swed sleepers of the best quality. The principal portion of the cost of this work has already been placed to the debit of revenue. With regard to the extension of the company's traffic, the director's state that the accountinelotien at the London-bridge tertniuua has been taxed to it , utmost capability, the number of passengers, including season-ticket holders, who passed through the station in 1854, when it was enlarged, having been 5,178,341, while in 1857 they reached the extraordinary number of 6,062,716. This constantly-increasing demana upon the capabilities of the station has been the subject anxious consideration by th e bo ar d, w h o are con se.oua that, although additional space is only oh come when a further enlargement must take place, if the pressure should not be rt.lieved by the estab lishment of a proper West-end station. At the same time it should not be f , rgotten that a gt eat portion of the population residing west of Temple-bar can not, without some inconvenience, uncertainty, and loss of time, reach London-bridge. Accordingly, the directors, after mature consideration, accepted an offer which was made to them by a company formed for the purpose of constructing a railway commenc ing at the south side of the river at Battersea, cross ing the Thames, and terminating at the Grosvenor Basin, situate at the end of Victoria-street, West minster. An examination of the plan will clearly demonstrate the advantages which are certain to result from occupying such a position, and that it cannot fail to give a fresh impetus t o the traffic. The outlay cannot be deemed large when compared with the cost of the London-bridge terminus and ap proach, on which station alone no less than 470,000/. have already been expended, while the approach thereto over the Greenwich Viaduct (11 miles in length) involved the payment of a toll which in 1847 amounted to 10,819/., and which, had it not been commuted, would now have reached 27,000/. per annum (or about 1-12 d. per passenger). The arrangement made, subject to the sanction of the proprietors, is that a bridge over the Thames, the line of railway, and the necessary site for the tee - minus shall be vested in this company, the pro moters reserving a right of way over the bridge and the railway, for the purpose of constructing a sta tion on such portion of the site as will not be re quired by this company. It is further agreed filet this company shall not be called upon to bear any share of the preliminary, engineering, or Parlia mentary expenses ; and that, whatever may be the eventual cost of the land and works, the property stipulated for by this company is to be vested in them in consideration of a contribution of 450,0001., with an annual payment of 1,5001 , and under no circumstances is any further claim to be made upon them. The net amount at the credit of the revenue account, after providing for all preferential charges, is 165,3911., out of which the directors recommend the payment of a dividend of 34 per cent. for the half-year, amounting to 161,G49/., leaving a balance to the credit of the current half-year of 3,7421., and making the dividend for the year 1857 ainouut to 8 per cent. BIRKENHEAD RAILWAY AND DOCK. At the no-..etiug of the Liverpool Dock and Har bour Board yesterday afternoon, Mr. J. LAIRD, one of the Government commis sioners, thought that it was advisable that the result of a conference between deputations of the Board and of the Great Western, London and North-Westeln, and Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cbeihire Junction Railway Ccimpanies, ou the vexed que.Ation , )f the new Birkenhead duck plans, should be made public. Mr. F. SILL/fD, as the chairman of the confe rence, was not quite sure whether it would be right to go into particulars at present, although he might state that the result of that meeting was very satis factory, and that all the arrangements proposed were mutually agreed upon ; but it was understood that what passed at that conference was to be without prejudice to any proposition, whether those plans were to be concluded or not ou a subsequent occasion. Mr. LAIRD said this general statement, .that the , conference had been satisfactory, was quite suffi cient at present. It is understood that one of the conditions agreed to at the conference is that the Birkenhead dock works shall all be completed within six or seven years. WAVENEY TALLEY. The Parliamentary declaration of this company with reference to their proposed deviation line be tween Bungay and Boccie' and branch to Loddon seta forth that the expenses of the proposed works will be defrayed out of a sum of 110,0001. which re mains uncalled and unexpended ; and that after deducting the funds required for other works there will remain a surplus of 35,0001. applicable to the works first mentioned. The directors report their total share capital at 120,000/., and their total loan capital at 35,6661. BELGIAN. It is stated that the Belgian Government is act ing with much severity in insisting upo n th e pay ment of the " Patents, " a kind of income-tax upon profits of railways constructed in that country, not withstanding the concessions all, by special clause, absolve the companies from any tax upon the rail way during the concession, either for the benefit of the State, the province, or the commune. The MEETING OF MI DDLASEX MA ~9IST.RATES. Yesterday a special court of the magistracy of Middlesex was held at the Sessions House, Clerken well, for the purpose of hearing counsel on behalf of the cerouers, Mr. Wakley, for the western division, Mr. Baker for the eastern division, and Mr. Bedford for Westminster, against the dis allowance of fees for holding inquests, which, in the opinion of the Finance Committee, who have to investigate the coroners' accounts, were un nece.s ary. Mr. Pownall, chairman of the county bench, pre sided, and the attendance of justices was rather numerous. It will not be out of place to state, by way of introduction, what for some time past has been the practice of the court in dealing with the accounts of the coroners. They are referred to the finance committee, whO inquire into the grounds upon which each particular inquest has been held, and if it appears to them that the grounds were sufficient to warrant an in quiry as to the cause of death, they recommend the payment of the fee to the coroner, which is 1/. 6s. Bd. in each case, and it is ordered by the Court as a matter of course ; but in in.,' ances wherein they consider there was no nece-icity for an inquest they either disallow the fee at once or a ijourn the una•ter, requiring in the meantime the c , roner to turuish them with any further informa t;on he mty be capable of affording as to the reasons for which the inquest was taken. Tho cost of in quests, to the county of Middlesex, amounts to something like 9,000/. a-year, and as the number has of late years been on the increase, the maeis trAtes, as the guardians of the county funds, have thought it their duty to allow the coroner's fee only in such cases where there seemed to be an absolute necessity for an inquiry. It has been erroneously supposed that when the fees have been disallowed, the whole costs of the inquest were included. The only item that is disallowed is the coroner's own fee ; the other charges—witnesses' expenses, and money expended, being paid without dispute. Mr. Bodkin appeared as counsel for the coroners, and in a speech extending over three hours, and exhibiting great research and ability, placed their case before the court. He said the gentl.men for whom he appeared performed an important part in the administration of justice, and it was of tbo utmost importance that the office which they had to execute should be entirely free and unhampered. £he learned counsel dwelt at length upon the law b aring upon the coroner's duties, from the time of Edward I. down to the present reign. Formerly the coroners were unpaid officers, but by the statute of 25th George 11., c. 29, it was enacted that they should be paid certain fees in cases "duly" held. That word "duly" had given rise to all the difficulties by which the whole matter was now surrounded, as well as an endless amount of liti gation. The Court of Queen's Bench, in the case of " The King v. the Justices of Carmar thenshire," held that the legal meaning of the word " duly" involved that there must be a " necessity" for the inquest, but he was prep ired to contend that if any inquest had been formally, regularly, and properly taken according to law, it must be considered as having been held " duly," within the meaning of the statute. The court ruled that it was a condition precedent to the pay ment of the fee that the inquest was " duly," that was of " necessity," taken, but that applied only to the coroner's own remuneration, and did not affect—indeed, nothing at present could affect—. —payments which the coroner had to make, and charge upon the county. The learned gentleman made some general observations upon the institution of coroner, and the vast importance with respect to the security of human life involved in the office being freely and independently exercised, quoting the opinions of many eminent persons to that effect He referred to the Rugeley poisonings, where, after medical certificates had been given of natural death, through the interference of one person, the coroner's investigation took place, and the result was, as all the world knew, the disclosure of one of the most diabolical systems 'murder ever planned; had it not been for that. the grave would have closed quietly over the vi Aims, and th:2i murderer still left to pursue ha course of crime. In Stafford shire the rule vi,4 that no inquest should be held except in cases where there was suspicion of crime ; the result was that there were no inquiries into the cause of those deaths which afterwards became so notorious. He went seriatim through the cases in t‘e coroners' accounts in which the fen had been refkise'l, in all of width they had been called upon to act, and besought the court to take the whole matter into serious consi deration and du justice to gentlemen filling honour able positioa9, and having onerous duties to perform as public sarvants. _ Ou the motion of Mr. P. N. LAURIE, who com lIIMM, ; t kon l a r eTtry iirrT'AiigilirOVd,-61-A4l - present formed themselves into a special com mittee to take the subject into consideration, and the court a,ljourned. MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. It is in contemplation to present au address from the magistracy to her Majesty upon the occasion of the marriage of her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) CORN EXCH A.NGE. Since Mon•lay, and fresh up to-day, coastwise and by land carriage, the receipts of home-grown wheat have been on a very limited scale. The demand, however, for all kinds still rules heavy, at prices barely equal to Monday's currency. Over 9,000 quarters of foreign wheat have come fresh to haul. Even the finest samples moved off heavily, at barely previous rates. We had a dell inquiry for both barley and malt, at Mon day's quo•atiens. The supply of oats was very moderate. On the whole, the oat trade ruled stt , a.ly, at full prices. No change took place in the value of either beans or peas. Tho flour trade ruled heavy, and country marks were lower to purchase. ARRIVALS TINS WEER, Wheat, Barley. Malt. I Oats. Flour. 1,770 I 1,520 I 6,020 1,930 2,340 1,210 -- brls 15,080 780 Mks E nglish Irish Foreign.... 9,010 I 7,870 METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. The supply of beasts in to-day's market was limited ; nevertheless, the beef trade 'Wed heavy at Monday's prices. With sheep we wore scantily supplied. All breeds move d off slowly at the late decline in va.ue. Ca lves were 111 moderate supply and heavy request, at 2d per Sibs less money. In pigs scarcely any business was transacted on easier terms. Mulch cows were very dull and drooping in price. Per 81bs to sink the °gals. s. d. e. d. I s. 4. a. ti, interior Beasta....3 2to 3 4;PrimeSouthdown 412 5 4 Second quality.... 3 6 3 10;L , krgocrse. calves 4 2 4 8 Prime largo oxen 4 0 4 2 Prime small do 410 5 2 Primo Soots, duo. 4 4 4 E Large hogs Inferior Shoop ...3 4 3 8,3=11 porkers Second quality ... 3 10 4 0 Suckling calves 20 0 26 0 Prime arse.-wlled.4 2 4 B ; Quarter old piv, 20 0 26 0 TOTAL SUPPLY. I FOREIGN SUPPLY. Beasts Sheep and lambs 7o Calves Pigs BeilAte 90 Sheep and Limbs Calves l4O Pigs 220 NEWGA.TE AND LEADENHALL. Es.oh kind of meat was in fair supply and sluggish re quest, as follows : Per Ribs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. s. Beet, interior 210 3 2 Mutton, Inferior 3 Do., mickling 3 4 3 6( Do., middling 3 Do. prime large.. 3 8 3 10 I Do., prime .4 De., do. small ....4 0 4 2 Veal 3 Pork, large 3 2 3 10 Pork, small 4 4. r. • 2 3 6 8 4 4 4 S 8 4 6 4 S BOROUGH HOP. There is a steady demand for the best new hops, at fully the late improvement in the quotations. In other kinds, however, very few transactions have taken place. New Mid and East Kent pockets, 70 s t o 120 s ; Weald of Kent ditto, 50s to 70s; Sussex ditto , 50s to tits; Year lings and OMs, 21s to 47s per owt. COLONIAL.i in the market, and Titprices o t n Y gon is quoted 13 to Did per lb. I continue —Ther. isstevaedryy. lcit,t,mlemsocuticv readily obtained f or the finer qualiti es . I n the prices are S UOA a—There has been r ather less animation ; b u t f u ll Refined Market the dealings have been exten,i ve, and Pr i ce , are firm. The supply of dried goods, however, is demand.ion descriptions , y ce there is a fai r d emand, and good lou realised an a d vance of about is per cw t. public sale th e biddi ngs were brisk not e o e r q r n E a l qualitiesE_ t o F o the or all pl aAna t and slightly advanced rates were in most instances realised. COCOA--The market is very quiet, no business of any importance being reported and prices may be quoted fully 10s per cwt. lower. Riot—At public sale, only a small quantity of that offered found buyers at prices slightly under late quota tions. Cleaned rice, for home consumption, continued in fair demand at about previous rates. FRUIT —There is a fair demand for good old currants and prices are well supported. Raisins remain steady at fully former 'values. S ALTPITRIL—The market remains quiet, and there is little variation to report in prices. The tendency, how ever, is towards a decline. TALLow.—There is a steady demand for forward de livery, but little business doing for private wants. Prices, however, continue firm. P.Y.C. on the spot, 545. 3d. ; January to March, 545. 91 ; and last three months, 51s. 6d. per cwt. MALERI/GE OF THE PRINCESS ROTAL.—The offices of the Conservative Land Society will be closed on Monday next, the day of the nuptials of the Princess Royal with Ptizice Frederick of Prussia. LITERATURE. The Three Chances. By the Authoress of "The Fair Carew." 3 vols. Smith and Elder. Whatever may be the imperfections of this novel, almay certaiely l a y c l aim to t h e mer i t o f origi i'Y. The great point, lhe chief feature in the such an afli is the deaf ness o f i ts h ero. A t fi rst s i g h t iction appears peculiarly unromantic ; but, through the skilful management of the au thoress, it become s the cause of numerous and im portant events, including- three love affairs and a suicide. The hero, Manley Frere, is introduced to us possessing ell the f avours of fortune," and within a shoat period of his marriage with the object of his devoted attachment, a lady possessing the inhar monious name of Barbara Girdlestone. When suddenly seised with deafness he writes to liar in despair, offering to relinquish the engagement, and she, influenced by her friends, does not refus e to do so. Deeply grieved at this conduct he prepares to leave England, but first pays a visit to the family of his father's steward. This is a vulgar and unprincipled family of the name of Diva, who take advantage of his deafness, and, f or the sake of his wealth, flatter and attend to him, and . by a series of successful ma noeuvres bring about an engagement between him and the youngest daughter of the family, Pbehe Divet. In the meantime we have been in troduced to Colonel Hussey and his intended bride, the former, a kind-hearted, honourable, but some what tedious, individual, and the latter a very singular and unattractive person. She has ac cepted Colonel Hussey as a matter of prudence, and prides herself on her strength of mind and general indifference to things and people. Having no house of her own, she passes some ti me with the Divets, on whom she looks down with ineffable scorn and disgust, being in acts, if net in senti ments, very little be ter herself. Sh e b ecomes strongly attached to the deaf hero, and after many agitations and disappointments, her ill-regulated mind and undisciplined feelings, drive her to com mit suicide. Maria Palliser, for such is her name, occupies a large portion of the book, her struggles and suflerings are laid bare to the reader with care and minuteness, yet fail to excite much sympathy for one so self-confident, yet so reckless, possessing more skill in outward self-conimand than inward delicacy of feeling. Barbara Girdlestone has long repented of her conduct, and made various at tempts to meet her former lover, all of which are foiled by the expert Divots. The results of the hero's sudden recovery we leave to the reader to learn for himself; but the fact might have been turned to greater Advantage, for effect, by the authoress Thus tile affliction of the hero, which appeared at first to shut him out from all prospect of matri monial happiness, midi in his having, as he remarks, "Three chances." The relative value of the three is easily decided. The family of the Divets is a very large one, and is irredeemably odious. Their extreme vulgarity makes them appear overdrawn. There are many other characters in the rory in addition to those men , ioned—Richard Cranston, afr end of Frere's, being prominent. But there are very few in whom the reader can feel an interest ; and the presence of so many vulgar and low-minded schemers, renders parts of the book somewhat tedious. A few more incidents would have relieved it. However, the main idea is nuvel and striking and not unnatural. The authoress, though she sets herself, in conclusion, to plead the cause of deafness and its numerous mitigations and compensations, has proved the opposite side of the question. It was entirely owing to his infirmity that Frere was involved in the meshes of the Divots ' • that he was deceived by his friends, and imp ose d upon by his enemies ; that he became unconsciously the cause of Maria Palliser's self-destruction ; and that he narrowly escaped life-long misery. The style is somewhat verbose and weighty, but the book dis plays considerable talent, and the plot is so novel and striking that it will most probably become a favourite with the public. Buchan. By the Rev. J. B. Pratt, M.A. Black- wood and Sons. A pleasant and well written volume on the dis trict of Buchan in Aberdeenshire. The antiquities and archaeological curiosities of the neighbourhood, the natural wonders, the towns, their population, monuments, manufactures, Arc. The hi s t or i ca l an d geographical information belonging to it, and last, n, t least, the of I ballads and traditions that it lays claim to, are mingled in very w.tractive variety. It hut lately bec. , me the fashion to devote a volume to a thorough examination of the history and natu ral peculiaritts of some particular district, and it seems to be a sensible and successful method. While the residents or natives of the locality must, ' of course, regard such a work with especial interest, there are many readers who are not connected with it, who may be glad to gain some information about it which is not likely to be found in guide books or histories. This is more especially the cue if any remarkable event has occurred there, or any nota bility ,Lairric. ;. n 9 N ciu l 3 L l th z .o, 34i , _wt. yr,,,, , in n,4. omit to mention th e ....peflOr character. Some of the - 01;g — ravings represent very pretty views. Many will find something to interest and entertain them in this little volume. The Banker's Wife. By Mrs. Gore. New Knight and Son. This is one of Mrs. Gore's well-known and popu lar n ovels, and forms one of Knight and Co.'s cheap series of novels. Its chief feature is the alteration of its dedication. It will be remembered that it was inscribed to Sir John Dean Paul On its first appearance, "when," says the authoress, "I wan fsr from foreseeing that my own fortune would be come partially involved in a catastrophe similar to the one described in its pages," and though eh• gracefully remarks that to advert to the conduct of her former banker and trustee would now be un generous, she very naturally withdraws the eulo gistic dedication that would now appear a mockery. The book, like its predecessors, is pr►nted in excel lent type, and haudsomily bound. THE DEFENCE OF LUCKNOTV. - -- (From the homeward Mail from India and China.) The following short, but interesting narrative is extracted from a letter received from Captain It. P. Anderson, Assistant Commissioner at Lucknow, who commanded the outpost during the whole siege, and of whom Colonel Inglis writes : "At Captain Anderson's post, they also came boldly forward with scaling-ladders, which they planted against the wall ; but here, as elsewhere, they were met with the most indomitable reso lution ; and, the leaders being slain, the rest fled, leaving the ladders, and retreated to their batteries and loop-holed defences, from whence they kept up for the rest of the day an unusually heavy cannonade and musketry fire." Gawicroitz, Nov. 30, 1857.—We were very glad, 1 assure you, to see the first relieving force under Havelock and Outran'. They saved us, as we were getting very weak in numbers ; but their force was small ; and atter fighting its way into Lucknow, it could not get out with us, as we had so many ladies, children, and treasure in cash. The chief, however, male ample arrangements, and we left Lucknow on the 22d Novetubt-r, at midnight, in solemn silence. I lost all I had of value ; lamps were burning as I left my house. I commanded an outp,,st during the whole siege. I had 10 men of the 32d Foot cud 10 volunteers, in cluding lsubaltern officer. My house (which was an outpost, facing the road leading in from Cawnpore, and to the front of the residency, commanding a road, a branch of which would lead to the latter building, and which, I oonclude, was blockaded), was completely battered to bits. We had no less than nine 9-pounders playing on it for five months, day and night ; they also tried to mine it and bl ow not us up. I went into their mine galle r y w h en Out ram'sc a a r m d e s in,y house. I cou ld and found th ey h a d cut seine get in any further up the gallery,a s t h e ra i n had 25ya o yards towards w in; but it was cut mu c h f urt h er . so th i caused it to fall d very littlefrom they succeeded, my hous e ; an d had starcewas we could have all been blown into eternity at any moment. I had to wash in fact, my own clothes, cook, &c. • to do every work like a coolie, and ray house proof from shot. On one occasion& shell came through the wall where I was fi • ring from and knocked all the bricks the fuse, and ran to get into the next room ; but it exploded as I was just opposite it, and threw me on my face ; but, strange to say, I was not in the least hurt. Another shell burst, and a bit struck me on the boot ; but I was not hurt for more than a day or so ; it did not cut the skin even. I went out to charge a bat tery in a garden ; and after getting right under a gun, which was mounted upon a high ridge, I was firing away as fast as I could at the enemy, when a shower of bricks and stones were hulled at us down below ; and one hit me on the fore head, and brought me on the flat of my face to the ground. My nose was a little cut, and I felt faint, and fancied I had been hit by a round shot, but I got some water, and was able to hold out all day with the troops. It was a dangerous affair. Outram sent 500 men to take the garden and guns. and said he would give 10,000 rupees if this was done. I got up first, and Napier said we could not get further ; so we held the place, but did not ge nearly shot, the guns till next day. I was here very 5, dean too, by an arrow. A man next to me was °°' o out at through the chest, and the a rrow -point' leg, and two his back ; another hit a man in the i God, I escaped more fell at our feet ; but, t ha nk and the g uns The musketry fire was very h e avy, fired grape."