The Sun. — London, England, 1860-01-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 5, 1860, TOBIA TUB OPENING OF THE VI BRIDGE, CANADA. (Frnm the Montreal Herald,) _ On Saturday, the 17th of December, the Victoria Bridge, the greatest in the world, was finally opened for traffic. Holding in mind the formal opening by the company next spring, Mr. Hodges, the agent and representative of the contractars,• did not intend to make the occasion a grand celebration. Yet he felt that he could not allow the opening of the bridge for traffic to pass without inviting his friends to cross it in the first train, and partake of a collation. Nearly a thousand 11fontreallers, members of the Govern ment, &c., wended their way to the Point St. Charles depot. A train of 14 carriages was made up for their accommodation. The engines were gaily decorated with flags and, evergreens, as was the entrance to the bridge. Shortly after 1 o'clock the signal was given, and the train started. We noticed just ere entering the tube two cars laden with cotton, brought through from Cairo by this route for shipment, or for New England factories. In two or three minutes the bridge was reached, and we plunged • into the twilight which reigns in the interior of the great tubes, rendering the light ing of lamp necessary within the carriages. Nine minutes were consumed in ,crossing from abutment to abutment. On arriving at the St. Lambert side the train paused, to allow people to examine the end of the structure, and enjoy the view of the city the embankment there affords, and again at the crossing over the Champlain Railway. Over the entrance to each abutment wall is engraved : ERECTED MDCCCLIXi ROBERT STEPHENSON AND A. McK. ROSS, ENGINEERS. Over the entrance to each tube the names of the contractors and of Mr. Hodges find their appropri ate place. From the end of the bridge the train proceeded to Charrons, where the new line connects with the old leading to Longueuil. Thence after a short delay it returned, an the passengers being again landed on the north side, went thence to the mas sive stone entrance built above the abutment, which had been roofed in and prepared as a banquet hall for the occasion. Mr. Hodges presided here as representing the contractors, having on his right his lordship the Anglican bishop of the diocese, the Hon. J, Rose, Mrs. Fulford, Mrs. Holland, Mrs. Hodges and seve ral other ladies ; on his left his Excellency the COWL mander of the Forces, Mr. A. McK.Ross, the Hon. John Young, Mr. Bruce, C.E., Mr. Stikeman, C.E., the Hon. John Ross, president of the company, and several other ladies and gentlemen. The band of the Royal Canadian Rifles occupied the tempo rary orchestra. Due justice having been done to the edibles. Mr. HODGES, in rising to propose the first toast, was very warmly received. He said—l desire, before givinyou a toast, to make one littl e ex planation. When I proposed to ask the presence of a few of my friends here to-day, I did not expect to meet so large a number as are now assembled. The number is so great that I am afraid this may be considered a public opening of the bridge. But it is no such thing, and anticipating something that will take place very much grander than this, I wish it to be understood that this is not the opening of the bridge, and I would like the yress to note the fact. (Hear, hear.) I have much pleasure in pro posing to you her Majesty's health, standing as we do in this tremendous structure, the strength of which has been tested by having to withstand the pressure of millions of tons of ice, such as no other structure in the world has had to resist. (Cheers.) ,The health of her Majesty has been drank in many an extraordinary place, but I question if it bas ever been drunk before in a place like this, through which a locomotive has passed a few minutes ago, drawing a train with nearly a thousand souls in it. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to drink the health of " The Qaeen." The toast was drunk with three rounds of loyal cheers, and the band played the Royal Anthem. Mr. HODG ES , i n proposing the next toast, said he was sure it would be responded to as warmly by every loyal subject of her Majesty, as had been the toast 'which had just been honoured. Ho begged to give—" The Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, and the Royal Family." (Cheers.) He might take this opportunity of mentioning that, in the antici pation of a visit from the Prince of Wales at the time when the formal inauguration of the bridge would take place, one of the stones of this great work had been left unset, the stone which might be seen at the entrance, so that upon his Royal High ness might devolve the task of completing the work. (Cheers.) Band—" Prince of Wales's Band March." Mr. HODGES next proposed " The Governor- General." Band—" Old English Gentleman." Mr. HODGES then gave " The Army." Mr. HODGES, in giving the next toast, said he felt it quite unnecessary to accompany it with a single word of comment—" The Grand Trunk Rail way Company." Band—" Grand Trunk Celebration Polka." Hon. JOHN Ross responded. He said—Ladies and gentlemen, as President of the Grand Trunk Railway Company, I am very much obliged to you for the very kind manner in which you have been pleased to receive this toast. In replying to it, I feel that I shall best consult your comfort and wishes by saying as little as possible on this occa sion. Mr. Hodges has stated that this is not the formal opening of the Grand Trunk, that it is but a private meeting of his own friends whom he has called hero to-day to celebrate this event—which is a most important event to the company which I have the honour to represent. It is a most impor tant event to the company because it enables us to send on the traffic which is crowding upon us in thousand of tons, and which we would have been unable to carry had not the bridge been completed just at the time when the cold of winter was closing the natural channel. And I accept your cheers as showing your conviction that it is not only a great event for the company, but a great event for this province, nay for the world—(cheers)--that so splendid a structure should in the short space of time which has been employed in its construction, be reared before us in all its magnitude and mag nificence. No one can look at it without being grateful to the Almighty for the way in which it has been carried through by the skilful heads and able hands which have been entrusted with its exe cution—those of Mr. Hodges and the engineers who have acted with him. (Cheers.) I trust you will excuse me if I do not trespass longer on your attention, and I conc l u d e b y again thanking you for the manner in which you have received this toast. Mr. HODGES again rose and said—l have now a sad task to perform. I have to ask you to drink in silence the memory of the greatest man in the engineeri ng profes s iO n t h at ever lived. (Ifear, hear.) It 3 scarcely more than six years since he visited thi s country, accompanied by my friend . Mr. Ross, a n d s t an di ng on the banks of this river, not a hundred yards from where we now stand, he saw in his vivid imagination the bridge as you see it now, an d these two great men pro ceeded to plan the structure such as it now stands before you. Unhappily, only one of them is left to witness the realisation of those plans. I am sure you all join me in the deep regret that we can not drink the health of those two great men toge ther. But respect to the deceased requires that we should drink to his memory in silence. The way be was received, when he was himself amongst you, showed how much you respected him. I ask you to drink to the memory of Robert Stephenson, the greatest engineer the world ever saw. Drunk is solemn silence. Band—" Dead March in Saul." Mr. HODGES—I give the next toast with great pleasure. The man - whose health I am to propose is before you. You all know him well, for his works speak for him—(cheers)—and it is unneces sary that I should pronounce upon him any eulogy. It is enough that I give you his name—Alexander Mackenzie'Ross, the engineer who assisted in plan ning, and who has superintended. the carrying out, of this mighty structure on which we sta n d. (L ou d chee rs .) Band--" Scots wha hae." air. A. M. 'toss, on rising to respond, was lo u dly cheered. Ile thanked the assemblage most cordially for the complialsos raid to bins in the way his health had been a received on this most inte res ti ng occasion. Takin getrospective view of the part he had borne in this work,much pleasure. expression of thei r approbation gave him mind pleasure. At the same time, having present to his n d have ,golden rule, " Do unto others as y ou would c others do t o yon," he must say th a t, with the had had, his task had be en an eas y cu e, so far at c o-operation he least as the duties pertaining t o hi s own special* call ing had been concerned. Y e t it wouldgse bee too much to have expected that a wor k like this,n conducted in the face of the more than ordinary conflicting elements of a rig'oro'us climate, could have been accomplished without some difficulties and drawbacks. These difficulties, however, had only served to draw out into action otherwise latent energies, and he must say that the respected and talented agent of the contractors, who had been in vested with the responsibility of carrying out this great and important work to its present perfection, had never been found wanting. (Cheers.) The re sources of his mind were at all times equal to the exigiencies of the case, and so far from incur ring any reproach, the result had been such as to win for Mr. Hodges the unrningled approbation of all who were acquainted with what had been done. (Cheers.) He hoped the completion of 'the bridge would serve still more closely to 'cement that bond of union which should exist between man and man. (Cheers.) Mr. Ross went on to refer to the oppo sition which the Grand Trunk bad met with from various parties, and the charges which had been brought against those connected with its manage ment. If we understood the line of his argument correctly, he attempted to meet these charges by instancing the admirable qualities which had been displayed in carrying out the work, and quoted a remark which he remembered to have heard Mr. Hincks make some years ago—" Prudence, the first of virtues, never could be used in the cause of vice." He concluded by expressing a hope that this coun try had entered on a splendid career, in which the results that would flow from the event of this day, the opening of the Victoria-bridge, would play no unimportant part. (Cheers.) Mr. G. B. BRUCE said he had been asked to pro pose a toast, and it afforded him great pleasure to do so. The company already had the melancholy pleasure of drinking the memory of the late Robert Stephenson ; and he must now congratulate the people of Canada on having among them so worthy a relic as the bridge of that great man's genius. He must also congratulate them on having enjoyed the services of his friend Mr. A. M. Ross, a name eminent from the commencement of railway enter prise, and one which was conn ec t e d w ith thi s un dertaking from the beginning. It afforded him the greatest pleasure, as an old pupil of Mr. Stephen son, to be seated that day by the side of Mr. Ross, within the province of Canada. He remembered, when in India, reading the report of a speech de livered in this city by Mr. Stephenson, in which that gentleman spoke of a certain class of men whose exertions, :talents, and skill, left to the en gineers nothing but the " poetry of engi neering." The idea struck him as a beautiful one, I and beautifully expressed; and if ever there was a company who_ by their exertions, skill, capital, and enterprise, left to the engineers nothing but the " poetry of engineering," it was the firm of Peto, Brassey, and Co., who were so well represented here by Mr. Hodges. He only repeated what he had heard from Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Ross, that much of the success of this undertaking had, been owing to the skill, energy, and unfailing resources in difficulty of Mr. Hodges. He had ex amined closely and critically every part of that work, the opening of which, whatever Mr. Hodges might say, they were met to celebrate. No iron tubes were ever put together over which passengers might more safely pass. No masonry was every heaped stone on stone with greater art, or with more precaution to secure solidity and durability. Ho was, therefore, justified in proposing on this occasion the health of Messrs. Peto, Brassey, and Co., and in coupling with it that of Mr. Hodges. Before concluding, he would express his earnest hope that the future of Canada might be typified , by the grandeur of this enterprise, and the rapidity , of her improvement equal that which had distin guished the construction of the bridge. (Cheers.) Band—" For they are jolly good fellows." Mr. HODGES replied on behalf of the contractors. He said—lt gives me great pleasures to convey to you my appreciation of the feeling With which this toast was given and received by you. In carrying out this great work over which you have this day passed, we have had to encounter many difficulties which are not apparent to you ; the greatest of which, perhaps, has been caused by financial diffi culties consequent upon the period during which this great work has been carried on. But, owing to the skill an d reputation of the contractors, the work, notwithstanding these financial diffiulties, has been brought to its present successful termina tion. And perhaps it would be well for me to say that this work will last as. a monument of their ability to perform to the utmost whatever they may undertake. On their behalf I thank you most heartily and cordially for the way in which you have drunk this toast. _ _ _ His Lordship the Anglican Bishop of MONTREAL then rose and said—l wish to be very brief in what I have to say. Mr. Bruce has very properly joined in the health which you have just drunk to the honour of Messrs. Peto, Brassey, and Betts, the name of Mr. Hodges, but it should also be given separately, and I have claimed from him the right to propose the toast. Of course Ido net speak here as a politician, or take part in political controver sies, but in viewing the great and gigantic work this day inaugurated, whatever politicians may say of disunion, I cannot but think that this great iron road is clasping the covtry closer together, and is 'a proof and pledge of the unity of the interests of this great country, whatever politicians in their party squabbles may , say to the contrary. Mr. Hodges has laid out in this work at the rate of about a thousand pounds a day during the last seven years. Almost the whole of that money has come from other countries than Canada. And when we can show the great capitalists of Europe that as a people we can be depended upon as reliable and trustworthy, and as adequate to the erection of such lasting works as this, and when we look at the rate of interest in this country compared with what can be obtained in the old country, the capital of Europe must as necessarily flow into this country as the St. Lawrence flows into the sea. For the rest, I have only to say that I came here to-day, not merely because I have taken a great interest in watching this gigantic work of which you have heard, in watching each pier in its erection, or in watching the multitudinous rivets which have connected the vast tubes together—not merely because I wished to join with you in celebrating its opening, but be cause I wished to pay personal respect to Mr. Hodges, who in after years will be remembered with pride—remembered for his integrity, honesty, and ability, and the Christian principle with which he has endeavoured to provide for the education of the young and the spiritual supervision of all the people connected with the works in which he was engaged. I look upon that as a noble example that all employers of large numbers of men ought to follow, they having no business to congregate to gether large bodies of men and not provide for their spiritual welfare. And when the greatest works existing, of which this is one, shall have crumbled away—when, as our great English poet says, "The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherits, shall dissolve," —the integrity of character, the honourable prin ciple, the Christian philanthropy which has actuated Mr. Hodges will remain. These things have their record through all eternity. I propose to you indi vidually, as he deserves, the " Health of Mr. Hodges!' This toast was drunk with the, greatest enthusi asm and applause, and followed by, music from the band. Mr. HODGES, in reply, said—l can only thank you—more I cannot say, and then resumed his seat. He then rose again and said—l seem by soma means to have gained the esteem of most of you, arid-I hare gained it at the expense of others. (Cries of " No, no.") The staff I have had under me have Bono the work—l have done nothing. I had hoped and intended to say a great deal in their behalf, but little time remains for me td do so, as I mean to ask the ladies to promenade in this tube, for the last time they will have the opportunity of doing so. But I wish to perform a duty to those to whom lam so much indebted. And I will say this, that whoever will engage any of the staff, whether en gineers, whether foremen, whether sub-contractors or mechanics, they may think themselves happy in having secured the services of honest and talented men, second to none in the world. I give you, with all my heart and soul, "The staff—engineers, foremen, sub-contractors, mechanics, and staff at Birkenhead." Drunk with the usual honours, and the band having played a march, Mr. DUNCAN, C.E., replied on behalf of the staff. He said that they would soon probably be dis persed, some of them moving to lands beyond the sea; but they would never forget the pride and satisfaction with which they had worked under these contractors and Mr. Hodges. They would never forget the kindness and sympathy which had been shown them, the very kind way in which Mr. Hodges had proposed their healthond the manner in which that large and distinguished assemblage of the people of Montreal had drunk it. Mr. HODGES then told the ladies he hoped they would prdmenade through the tube as this would bo the last opportunity for them to do so. He then called upon all, previous to dispersing, to join with him in drinking the last toast, and concluded by giving " The Ladies." The good old toast was drunk with no lack of enthusiasm, after which the band struck up " Here's a health to all good lasses." After the collation and speeches were over, acon• siderable number of the guests walked for some distance down the tube, some of them as far as the centre tube. Here the opening was large enough to enable them to pass through, a nd to look down upon the river rushing below with its surface of broken ice, upwards on one side to . the Nuns Isle, Laprari e , Sec., an d on th e o th er t o St. Lambert, St. Helen' s I s l an d, an d th e c ity, o f th e f ron t o f which One gets pe r haps th e b est p oss ibl e ' v i ew f ro m this point. H ere, too, one gets the best idea of the .im mense Hong lo e n x tent of the work, looking in eitherdirec tiona. line of nearly a mile of iron tubes. Before closing this account of the virtual opening of the Victorial Bridge,' t will not be out of place to state that th e b ri d ge has been sill - joy -tot?, by the English engi neers, as we understand, to the most severe tests. Waggon s loaded with stones to their utmost capacity h ave b een drawn over it by three locomotives attached . togethe r , an d a stra i n pro d uced equal to three or four times th at wh i ch can b e pro duced by ordinary freight trains. It is after such a tat Mr. Bruce declares that no better or stronger work can be found anywhere. We feel we may congratulate Mr. Hodges, the contractors, the en gineers, the company, the city, or rather the w hole country, that this truly gigantic undertaking is thus triunivhautly eclmpleted—that the immense expenditure of money upon it has at last achieved a practical result. The immense importance of the Grand Trunk Railroad is beginning to be realised by the people of the United States. The Chicago Tribune com mences an able article on this subject with the fol lowing glowing introduction :—" The Jesuit mis sionaries, who first penetrated the central portions of the American continent, were possessek of indo mitable energy and magnificent conceptions. De riving their ideas from the grandeur of the lakes, and the rivers, and the prairies which they were the first to explore, they established a cordon of military posts between Quebec and New Orleans, and for years cherished the sublime scheme of grasping the entire continent. The commencement of the year 1860 will witness Quebec and Ncw Orleans con nected by bands more powerful and enduring than were dreamed Of by those old exploring heroes. In the comparison, military posts are but as cobwebs, and for all time to come commerce will bind, as by hooks of steel, Quebec and New Orleans to Chi cago, the great central city of the continent. The magnificent Conception of the old Jesuits will soon be more than realised." ge, The road is completed to Sarnia, and is now in good running order, with the exception of the Vic toria Bridge, which, however, will be ready for trains to pass over it in the early part of December, The Tribune says : "No man would dare to estimate the advantages which the opening of this road will confer upon the West. The first thing to be noticed is the esta blishment of a weekly mail between Chicago and Liverpool and London. A contract with our Go vernment has already been obtained, and the first mail between Chicago and London is to be made up on Wednesiay evening, Nov. 23, and will leave this city on Thursday morning, Nov. 24,'at eight o'clock, connecting with the Royal Mail steamer which is to leave Portland on Saturday morning, the 26th. The European mail will leave this city thereafter every Thursday morning, connecting with Saturday morning's steamers from Portland. Passengers leaving with the mail on Thursday morning will be sure of the connection at Portland, as the steamer wilne delayed till the mail train arrives. There will be but one change of cars, after the Victoria bridge is finished, between this city and Portland. In the above paragraph we have spoken only of Portland. In the summer cars will run to Quebec, and the ocean steamers will sail from that city. The distance from Chicago to Portland is 1,129 miles; time only 48 hours." Turning to the South, the editor says that only a small rail of 24 miles requires to be finished on the "Mississippi Central," and this is to be done before the Ist of January, when there will be all rail, via Chicago, between New Orleans, Quebec, and Portland : _ _ " The locomotive will run from the mouth of the St. Lawrence To the mouth of the Mississippi, and the distance which it took the old Jesuits in their bark canoes weary months to accomplish will be made in less than four days. Who can doubt that the opening of this great line from gulf to gulf will work a vast change in the business of the continent ? Who can doubt that Chicago, situated at the head of our magnificentiinland seas, on the dividing ridge between the valleys of the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence, and near the centre of this great thorough fare, will reap immense advantages from its comple tion ? It will be interesting to put the distance and the time between Portland and New Orleans in tabular form : Miles. Hours. Port'ant to Chicago 1129 .. 48 Chicago to Cairo Cairo to Columbus 25 . . 1i Columbus to New Orleans 526 .. 26 Total . 2045 93i It will be seen that the time between New Orleans and Chicago will be less than two days ; between New Orleans and Portland about four ; and fourteen days will suffice for the passenger to pass from New- Orleans, through the heart of the American coati• nent, and across the Atlantic to the capital of the British empire. Was ever Arabian tale more truly strange and astounding ?" The Boston Transcript has also an article on the same road, from which we take the following extract : " Some few weeks ago, our readers may remem ber, in the telegraph despatch of the day, a state ment that representations had been forwarded to the State Department at Washington, in regard to the efforts being made at the West, by the agents of the Canadian roads, to attract freight from our own roads, via Canada; and, judging by the quantity of freight brought by the Portland steamers, we doubt not the statement referred to was correct. The boats of the Portland Steam Company have landed at Central Wharf about 1,400 barrels of flour per day for the last few weeks, with immense quantities of other merchandise. To day we saw landing a lot of cotton, which had been shipped from Memphis to Boston via Mon treal and Portland, at a cost, as we learned, of about 4 dols. per bale. So large has been the increase of freight from the Grand Trunk road, that the Portland Steam Company have found it necessary to increase the number of boats • and also, we learn, they have leased another berth of the Central Wharf Company, and are now erecting a large warehouse to accommodate their increasing business. When the great bridge across the St. Lawrence at Mon treal shall have been finished, which will probably be accomplished during the presont month, freight will then come from St. Louis to Portland with but two transhipments, and must, we think, prove a very popular route from the west to the east. " THE GREAT ST. LAWRENCE VICTORIA BRIDGE. A great event has just occurred in Canada. The Victoria-bridge, the greatest work of Robert Stephenson, has been opened for traffic. We be lieve that seven years and upwards have been con sumed in the construction of this wonderful. bridge, and at last a train has passed over it, and the St. Lawrence is no longer an obstacle to free communi cation between the Canadas and the United States. This bridge is the most magnificent work of the kind in existence ; for, although within our own island we have the bridge across the Menai Straits, yet in every point the Victoria-bridge is far superior. The St. rawrence, as may readily be seen by a reference to the map, together with the great chain of lakes, actually divides North America in two, from the Rocky Mountains to New Brunswick. There is, indeed, an admirably planned wooden bridge at Niagara, but it is not to be mentioned as a rival of the stupendous achievement at Montreal. The provinces of the North American Union are now so intimately connected by iron lines that all that was wanting to bring the Union into close communication with Canada was to span the St. Lawrence, and this has now been done. It seems a prosaic test to apply to a work which appears to have been inspired by the very poetry of engineering, but to us there seems something very prophetic of the future in the simple statement of freight carried over the Victoria-bridge during five nights after it had been opened for traffic. We read that from west to east there passed 162 cars, containing 11,723 barrels of flour, 1,552 barrels of pork, 140 bales of cotton, and 110 tons of general goods. From cast to west there passed 130 cars, containing 524 tons of general goods, 170 tons of iron; and 39,000 feet of lumber. Now, this looks very prosaic and commonplace, but let us see what it means. Here we have evidence that the corn-growers, the provision merchants, and the cotton-planters of the United States are ready land eager to avail themselves of this opening for I traffic. On the other hand, and on the Canadian side, all persons engaged in the timber and iron trades, and, as we may presume, the general mer chants in this mother country, are nothing loth to meet the producers of the Union half-way. This simple register of commercial transactions, which at the first glance reads like a mere invoice, is more significant than any of the considerations which were urged with exuberant rhetorical power by the speakers at the opening banquet. It must be remembered that, independently of the engineering difficulties of this undertaking, the work had to be ca rr i e d on i n a c limate whi c for many months of the year is almost Arctic in its severity. It is said., however, that no iron tubes, despite of these drawbacks, have ever been put to gether more scientifically or securely, and that eever has stone been heaped upon stone with greater care to insure durability than in the case of the Victoria-bridge. It is, indeed, to be doubted if ever a monument has been raised by human hands which can offer a prouder memorial of the race which reared it than the Victoria-bridge. To Robert Stephenson is due the merit of its concep tion ; to Messrs. Peto and Brassey the praise which belongs to the contractors for such a work when successfully executed. We believe that the great bulk of the money which has been employed upon the construction of the line and the bridge has cone from the' pockets of British capitalists. The opening of the Victoria-bridge will, as we all trust, prove the commencement of a new era in the prosperity of the Canadee. An epoch of steady industry and an absence of political turmoil and squabbles are all that is needed to place the provinces of British America in as favourable a position as their most fortunate rivals of the United States. What is mainly required is that they should inspire confidence in the honest manage ment of their finances and in the industrial deve lopment of their country, We confess, however, we cannot read of this opening. of the Victoria bridge without a pang of regret. Alas for Robert Stephenson ! Alas for the great engineer who a few year back looked down upon the ice-drift of the St. Lawrence, and spanned the river in his thought! His presence at Montreal the other day was all that was needed to make the festival day of the St. Lawrence as brilliant in all its particu lars as it will, we trust, prove an augury of prospe rity and happiness to the Canadian dominions of the Crown.—Tigzea. VOIUNTEER CORPS. THE QUEEN'S. Yesterday evening about 200 effective members of the above corps assembled at Westminster-hall, for the purpose of forming the corps into companies, in accordance with the resolution agreed upon at 'the meeting held on Tuesday at Pimlico—namely, that of sizing the volunteers. Earl Grosvenor, M.P., assisted by Mr. Russell, Mr. Swift, and two sergeants, conducted the operation of sizing, the tallest members when sorted being made to form No. 1 company, and so on with the rest, until eight companies were formed, consisting of 60 members each, and all those who join the corps in future will, according to their size, be draughted into com panies. The volunteers, after the operation of sizing, were put through the usual drill, which they performed in a most creditable manner. The question of facings has not yet been decided by the committee appointed to decided upon the dress for volunteers. they employed to pursue the necessary drill, and gain some insight into military details. Mr. HERMANN seconded the motion. Mr. MARCHMONT (au ensign in the West Kent) then gave an explanation with reference to the misunderstanding between, their corps and the 11 . t Surrey. They had thought the latter corps in recruiting in the district of Dept ford for their own body had somewhat over stepped their own boundary, but the question had been treated on each side in a conciliatory and gen tlemanly spirit, and, while they hoped to maintain the ancient supremacy of Kent, they would cor dially support the Ist Surrey. The resolution was then carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. MONEY, incumbent of St. John's, )eptford, proposed the second resolution : " That the organisation on an extensive scale of volun teer corps in aid of her Majesty's regular forces ought to be earnestly promoted, and, as the Ist Surrey, or South Lon don Rifle Battalion, is a thoroughly organised regiment, this meeting pledges itself to use every exertion to promote the formation of a company for Hatcham. new-cross, and the vicinity, in connexion with that regiment." The Rev. Mr. EVANS seconded the motion. Captain ItOGERS supported the resolution, and explained the misconception which had arisen be tween their corps and the West Kent. Th 9 resolution, on being put from the chair, was carried by acclamation. Several other gentlemen afterwards delivered addresses, and the meeting, which had been an unusually enthusiastic one, separated after the usual compliment to the chair man. CUSTOMS CORPS. Several meetings have been held at the Custom• house within the last fortnight for the formation of a corps of Rifle Volunteers, consisting of gen tlemen belonging to the Customs' Department. A desire having been expressed by the officers to do so, the commissioners deemed it to be their duty to communicate with her Majesty's Govern ment on the subject. In reply they were informed that the Lords of her Majesty's Treasury learned " with satisfaction the public spirit thus manifested" by the civil servants of the Crown, and could have no objection to the adoption of such a course by purely voluntary effort, without interfering with the indis pensable duties of the public service. At the first meeting the Treasury letter was com municated to the gentlemen present, who assembled in large numbers, but the Board of Customs re frained from any expression of their wishes on the subject, except by an intimation through the chair man of the meeting, to the effect that, in the event of a corps being voluntarily formed by the officers themselves, they would be happy to afford any faci lity to it in their power, and to give it their support. This meeting resulted in the enrolment of 127 honorary and effective members, who spontaneously came forward to record their names, 77 entering themselves as effectives. At a second meeting, on Thursday last, the rules for the government of the corps, prepared by a pro visional committee appointed for the purpose, were submitted to the members and approved. On this occasion the chairman read to the meeting a letter received by him from the commissioners expressing their cordial appr ova l o f th e course which the offi cers had pursued, and communicating their desire to subscribe—the chairman five guineas, and the other members of the board three guineas each, and to become members of the corps—Mr. Commissioner Grey declaring his readiness to join as an effective, and the other commissioners as honorary members, The Chairman, in reply to some inauiries as to the effect of the Treasury letter, pointed out that the great object of forming rifle corps throughout the country was to produce a powerful moral effect; that the establishment of a competent volunteer force, though an instrument of war, was in fact the greatest safeguard of peace, but that it would be vain to boast of several hundred thousand rifles to oppose to any enemy that might have the audacity to menace sir shores, unless we could add that they were in the hands of as many thousand men capable of using them with effect ; hence the import ance of making the rifle volunteers not merely no minally effectives, but de facto:efficient men. That movement was not designed as a menace to any particular country, but as a wise precaution in the interests of peace, and if it produced that effect there would be no necessity for the civil servants of the Crown to desert their proper civil duties ; while, in their military character, they would be conduc ing, equally with the non-official volunteers, to the grand object in view. In time of war—in the event, that is, of .invasion—our commercial and maritime operations would necessarily be to a serious extent paralysed, and the duties especially of the Customs department would be materially lessened ; the ship ping interests, upon which their avocations so much depended, would of course be seriously affected in proportion to the danger, as commercial enterprise must necessarily receive a check, and in that case the indispensable duties of the revenue department would be so much lessened that the honorary mem bers of the corps—the majority of whom almost of necessity consisted of the experienced seniors— would be able to conduct the indispensable duties of the Custom-house, while the young and effective men might be spared, without any inconvenience to the public service, to take up arms in defence of their country. Under these circumstances the aug ment,ition of what in the highest sense of the word may be called the National Guard of a free and en lightened people by the addition of a Civil Service Brigade to theriflevolunteers of the country would aid, by swelling the numbers, the great preventive demonstration, which was the primary object; and if, from any unforeseen circumstances, it should fail to preserve us from aggression, the Civil Service Brigade would no doubt be available to swell the ranks. This meeting resulted in the accession of about 133 mare volunteers from the Customs. The num bers are hourly increasing, and it is confidently an ticipated that, when the rules of the corps—already transmitted to the Lord Lieutenant for approval— have received the necessary sanction, and have been promulgated, at least three full companies of effectives of 100 each, will be enrolled as " Her Ma jesty's Customs' Corps of Rifle Volunteers." The members of the corps are animated by the most ardent desire to render themselves fully effi cient, and are urgent to commence their drill, for which purpose arrangements Aire being made. The numbers to January 4 s t an d th us -183 effective and 131 honorary, giving a total of 314. FIRST SURREY. Last evening a meeting was held at the Naval School, New-cross, in order to promote the forma tion of•cempanics for the districts of Hatcham and the Old Kent-road in connexion with the above corps. There was a very numerous attendance, the hall being crowded in every part, almost to suf focation. A considerable number of ladies were present, and the volunteer band was also in atten dance. Mr. Alderman Wire presided. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he was glad to see so many ladies present, evincing their interest in the movement. Some misappre hension had been caused by the meeting being held ; another corps which had been formed in the Borough having protested against it, as a corps for Deptford and New-cross had been formed so far back as the 26th of November; but he could not see why there should be any objection to their working harmoniously together. He then r ea d •a letter containing the protst referred to from the secretary of the West Kent Volunteers. Letters were then read from Mr. ltoupell, M.P., and Mr. Angerstein, M.P., regretting their being prevented from attending the meeting. The CHAIRMAN went on to say that some months back there had arisen a feeling that it was necessary to take some measures for the internal defence of the country, and it would be a great shame if the young men of Deptford did not come forward voluntarily in defence of their country. The bare possibility of an invasion was enough to stir the blood and rouse the energies of Englishmen, and it would be a lasting disgrace to them if they did not stand up and defend their birthright. They must remember it was not a war, but a preparation for war, and they could never bi prepared to meet an enemy in the field with any prospect of advantage unless they had been pro perly trained and drilled. We had heard military men say that 25 properly trained military men would put to flight a mob of 1,000 men, and he did not doubt that a properly trained rifle regiment would be able to put to flight an unlimited number of untrained *nen. They might never be called upon to exercise the power they would acquire, but there was an old saying that preventionixas better than cure. He adjured them not to forget the duties they owed to themselves and their country, and, as it was a volunteer movement, to come for ward without any other compulsion than the love of their country' and their brethren. The Rev. A. K. GRANVILLE proposed the first resolution : "That this meeting, while earnestly trusting that friendly relations will continue to be maintained with foreign States, is at the same time impressed with the con viction that the truest way of averting the dangers of war and continuing to our beloved land the blessings of peace and commercial p ros p er ity, i s a thorough and complete sys tem of national defence." He said the best way of averting war and main taining peace was by showing that every man in the country was prepared to defend it ; he did not believe there Was any intention of invading this country. The Emperor of the French knew tao well the spirit of the country to attempt to carry into it fire and sword without a pretext. He con curred heartily with the words of the resolution he had proposed, and believed the best means of carrying out a complete system of national defence was by the organisation of rifle corps to serve as an aid to the regular army. Ho strongly urged upon employers and others the advantages of the early closing movement and the Saturday half holiday, which would afford leisure to those whom THE ARMY PURCHASE SYLTEIII: As the existing practice of buying and selling commissions in the army is likely to be considered during the coming parliamentary session, the fol lowing illustrations of its working are not without interest:— The Gazette of December 20 informed us of the following arrangement :—" Coldstream Lieutenant and Captain and Brevet-Major Lord Bingham to be captain and lieutenant-colonel, by purchase, vice Burdett, who retires." In Hart's Army List is told that "Lord Bingham served the Eastern campaign of 1854-5 as aide-de camp to the Earl of Lucan, including battles of Alma, Balaklava, And Inkermann," Lieut.-Colonel Burdett " served in the Crimea from December, 1854, and was at the fall of Sebastopol (medal and clasp)." This officer did not buy the grade which he has just seld. The London Gazette, of Nov. 29, announced : " Coldstream Guards—Lieutenant and Captain and Brevet-Major Goodlake to "be captain and lieute nant-colonel, by purchase, vice Newdigate, who re tires." Re-opening Bart's Army list, we find that Good- ' lake, the buyer, " served the Eastern campaign of 1854-5, and was present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, and Tchernaya." He is de corated with the Victoria Cross for his bravery. Newdigate, the seller, on the contrary, does not appear to have served against the enemy. It is cer tain, however, he did not purchase his lieutenant colonelcy—the step which he has disposed of to Goodlake. Here, then, we have two recent instances of offi cers who have seen little or nothing of war selling what they did not buy to officers who have seen comparatively much of war, Such is the " pur chase" system. Gentlemen with " good luck," who remain quietly at home, may put a few thousand pounds into their pockets by selling what the pub lic has freely given them to soldiers who have risked their lives in the service of their country. It would be interesting to know if the bargains were done at regulation par, or at the conventional premium, about which the Horse Guards prudes affect to know nothing.—Daily News. THE BO jT ACCIDENT AT LIVERPOOL. An inquest was held before the borough coroner of Liverpool on Monday on the body of Edward Butler, one of the unfortunate men who lost their lives by the boat accident on the Mersey on Friday afternoon. Wm. Williams deposed—l am a rigger, and re side in Worfield-street. The deceased, whose name was Edward Butler, was also a rigger. He was 55 years old. He and I were well acquainted ; we had been working together for years. Last Friday morn ing the deceased, I, and ten other riggers, and a lad, went over to the Birkenhead Dock to the ship Grand Trianon. We left the Birkenhead Dock about one o'clock, a little before high water. We took the ship abreast of Rock Ferry, in the river, and came to an anchor. Between three and four o'clock we left the ship in Thomas Mackay's boat. He had been inattendance on the ship all day. The wind was about southwest, blowing fresh, and the tide about an hour or an hour and a half's ebb. The boat came' to the port aide of the ship, and I think about 30 men got into her. Some of the men complained there were too many on board. I heard Thomas Mackay, the owner of the boat, say " She will carry 30 men." She is certainly a fine boat; there is no mistake about that. We were making for the Cockle Hole, between the Brunswick Dock and the Coburg Dock. She went along very nicely until we got on the edge of Pluckington Bank, where there is always a ripple of sea at that state of the wind and tide. When we got there the boat shipped three seas right in over her bows. She filled with water, and sank right under us. We all jumped out of the boat into the water. I was picked up by a boat that put off to our assistance. The captain of the Grand Trianon, who was on the boat with us, was picked up by the same boat I was. I did not see the deceased again until I saw and recognised him lying dead in his own house in 10 Court, Grafton street, on Saturday. The boat was under her fore sail. There was no one pulling at the oars, because we had a fair wind. The back set of the river from the Brunswick Dock wall made a head sea as we got on the edge of the Pluckington Bank. The Coroner (to Williams)—How many do you think it was prudent to have in the boat ? The owner says she would carry as many as were in ; what is your opinion P Williams—She would carry thirty well enough in smooth water. There was no danger till you came to Pluelting ton Bank ?—No; there was no danger till we got there, where there is always a ripple of sea. I have heard that if you had all remained still *ll would have been safe ?—There was not a single man moved. Do you consider that the captain (of the Grand Trianon) was at all to blame in the matter ? Had he any control at all ? Could you have remained or go, as ycn chose, or were you under his control ? —He was no more then than any.of ourselves. We could do what we pleased. Richard Miller, a shipwright, living at 67, Hill street, who witnessed the accident whilst standing on the Coburg Dock pier, deposed that the rebound of the water from the wall drove it over the boat, and she went floating down the river. The boat appeared to have been skilfully handled. He as sisted in saving one man with a life-buoy. Edward Varley, police-officer 431, deposed to finding the body of the deceased about half-past eight o'clock, on the sands of Pluckington Bank, where it had been left high and dry by the tide. A verdict of " Accidental death" was returned. -4.5T4T10NS 07 lIEB R0Y4.1 iVAVY COHMISSIO.Y. With the dates of Cominission of the Officers in Command. Aboukir, 90, se., Capt. C. F. Schomberz, 1851, Channel Flt. Acorn, 12,y0m. R. B. rearse, 1856, East Indies. Actaeon, 26, Corn. J. Ward (b), 1858, East Indies. Adventure, sc. troop-ship, Com. E. Lacy, 1856. E. Indies. Agamemnon, 91, so., Capt. T. Hope, 1852, M e diterranean. Ajax, 60, sc., Capt. J. M•Noil• Boyd, 1846, Coast Gnard. Alert, 17, so , Corn. W. A. R. Pearse, 1855, Pacific. Algerina, sc., gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. W. Arthur, 185 i, East Indies. Algiers, 91, sc., Capt. G. D. O'Callaghan, 1846, Chan. Fit. Amethyst, 26, Capt. S. Grenfell, 1853, Pacific. Amphion, 36, sc., Capt. T. Cochran, 1557. Chsnnel Fleet. Arachne, 18, Com. J. E. Montgomcrie, 1855, N. America and West Indies. Archer, 13, sc., Capt. W. N. W. Hewelt, V.C. (acting), Coast of Africa. Ardent, 3, st.-v., Com. J. E. Parish, 1857, Devonport. Argus, 6, st.-v., Com. H. F. F. Ingram, 1856, Mediter ranean. Ariadne 26, screw, Capt. E. W. Vansittart, 1856, Portsm. Arrogant, 47, sc., Capt. W. Edmonstone, 1853, Ascension Asia, 84, Capt. G. T. Gordon, 1846, Portsmouth. Assistance, screw store-ship, East Indies. Assurance, 4, sc., Com. C. M. Aynsley, 1856, Mediterranean. Atalanta, 16, Com. T. M. S. Pasley, 1855, N. A. and W. I. Athol', 4, Com. E. Wilson, 1845, Greenock. Banshee, 2, at.-v., Cora. C. A. Campbell, 1858, Mediter- ranean. Banterer, sc. gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. J. Jenkins, 1853, E. T. Basilisk, I, at.-ves., Cora. G. A. Phayre, 1851, N. Amer- and W. Indies. Beagle, 4, sc., Cora. E. Hay., 1853, East Indies. Black Eagle, st.-yac., Mast.-Com. J. E. Paley, 1844, par ticular service. Blenheim, 60, se., Capt. F. Scott, C. 8., 1848, CL-Guard. Boscawen, 70, Rr-Ad. the Hon. Sir F. W. Grey, K.C.8., Capt. R. A. Powell, C. 8., 1855, Cape of Good Hope. Bouncer, 2, sc. gun-boat, Lieut.-Cone. A. R. Owen, 1852, Devonport. Thick, 16,.5c., Capt. A. F. It. D'Horsey, 1557, C. of G. 11. Britannia, training-ship, Capt. R. H. Harris, 1849, Potts. Brune, at. •ves., Lt.-Coin. E. F. Loddor, 1854, C. of Africa. Brunswick, 80, sc., Capt. E. Ommannoy, 134 G, Areditern. Buffalo, sc., Mas.-Cora. A. Brown, 1854, particular service. Bustard, 2, sc. gun-boat, Lt.-Com, F. W. Haliowes, 1866, r East Indies. Buzzard, 6, at.-v., Corn. F. Peel, 1855, S. E. Coast of Ann. Cadmus, 21, sc., Capt. 11. S. Hillyar, C. 8., 1854, Mediter. Caesar, 90, sc., Capt. T. H. Mason, 1849, Mediterranean, Calypso, 18, Capt. F. B. Montrosor, 1851, Pacific. Cambrian, 40, Capt. J, J. M,Cleverty, C. 8., 1848, E. Indies. Cambridge, b ounneiy-ship, Capt. A, W. Jerningliam, 18.51, Devonport. Camilla, 16, Cont. G. T. Colville, ISZ, East Indies. :Caradec,.2, at,-ves., Lt.-Com. C. M. Duckle, 1847, yedits, Centaur, 6. st.-v., Com. E. D'o, D'a, Aplin, 1853, Z. In. Centurion, 80, sc., Capt. C. G. E. Patey, 1846, Devonport Chesapeake, 51, sc., Rear-Admiral J. Hope, C. 8., Capt. G. 0. Willis, 1856, East Indies. Clio, 21, screw, Capt. F. Miller. 1855, Pacific. Clown, sc. gunboat, Lieut,-Com. W.F. Lee, 1855, E. Indies. Cockchafer, 2, sc. gunboat, Lt. Com. H. L. Holder, 1854, Devonport. Conqueror, 101, sc., Capt. W. J. C. Clifford, C. 8.,, 1847, Davenport. Coquette, 4, sc., Corn. the Hon. F. A. Foley, 1855, h [editer. Cordelia, 11, sc., Corn C. E. H. Vernon, 1855, Austr: Cormorant, 4, Sc., Corn. A. Wodehouse, 1856, East Endies. Cornwallis, 60, sc., Capt. G. C. Randolph, C. 8., 1854, Coast Guard. • Cossack, 20, cc., Capt. R. Moorman, 1857, N. Ame:rica and W. Indies. ' Cresv, 80, sc., Capt. the Hon. C. G. J. B. Elliot; ' C. 8., 1841, Mediterranean. s • Crocodile, 8, rec. ph., Corn. W. Greet, 1854, off tho Tower. Cruiser, 17, sc., Corn. J. Bythesea, 1856, E. Ind ies. Cumberland, 70, Capt. E. B. Rice, 1355, Sheerness . Curacoa, 31, sc., Capt. A. Philtimere, 1855, S.E. Coast of America. Cyclops, 6, st.-v., Capt W. J. S. Pullen, 1856,1 E, Indies. Dasher, 2., st.-v., Com. E. G. Hore, 1854, parti nilnr sere. Dauntless, 31, sc., Capt. L. G. Heath, C. 8., J. 854, Coast Guard. Dee, 4, tr.-sh., Mas.-Com. T. C. Pullen, 1844, part. service. Diadem, 32, se., Capt. J. H. Cockburn, 1851, Channel Fleet. Donegal, 122 ac., Capt. H. Broadhead, 1846, Cluinnel Flt. Doris, 32, sc., Capt. E. Heathcote, 1552, Medi a rranean. Drake, sc., gunboat, Lieut.-Com. A. It. Blanc) . 1856, R.I. Eagle, 50, Capt. E. Tatham, 1854, Coast Guaivi. Edgar, 91, sc., Rear-Adm.. J. E. Erskine, Capt. J. E. Baton, 1856, Channel Fleet. Edinburgh, 58, sc , Capt. E. C. T. D'Eync :mut, 1859, Coast Guard. Elk, 12, Cora. IL Campion, 1855, Australia. Emerald, 51, sc., Capt. A. Cumming, 1854, anannel Fleet. Encounter, 14, sc., Capt. It. Dew, 1858, E.I- Esk, 20, sc., Capt. Sir R. J. Le M. M'Clure,. 1850, E. I. Euryalus, 51, sc., Capt. J. W. Tarleton, C. 1., 1852, Medi terranean. Excellent, 46, gunnery ship, Capt. It. S. :Hewlett, C. 8., 1850, Portsmouth. Exmouth, 90, sc., Capt. J. J. Stopford, 1843,, Mediterran. Fairy, ac. yacht, tender to Victoria and Albert yacht,Ports. Falcon, 17, sc., Corn. A. G. Fitz Ray, 1857, Coast of Africa. Ferret, 8, Corn. W. E. Fisher, 1856, partizular service. Firebrand, 6, st. ves, Com. J. Dayman, 1858, particular service. Firefly, 4, st.-v., Master-Corn. F. F. F. Taylor, 1816, Wol. Firm, sc., gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. W. It. 130nit0n,1854,E.1. Fisgard, 42, Commod. Hon.. J. R. Lreummond, C. 8., Woolwich. Flamer, Sc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. H. M. Bingham, 1851, East Indies. Flying Fish, 6, sc., Com. C. W. Hope, 18E4, particular ser. Forester, 2, sc., gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. A. 3. Innes, 1853. East Indies. Formidable, 84, R. B. Watson, 1842, Sherness. Forward, 2, sc., Lieut.-Cora. C. It. Reton, 1851, South America. Furious, 16, st.-ves , Capt. 0. J. Jones, C. 8., 1555, East Indies. Fury, 6, st.-ves., Com. W. A. J. Heath, 1856, East Indies Ganges, 84, Rear-Ad. B. L. Baynes, C. 8., Capt. J. Ful ford, 1848, Pacific. Gannett, 11, Corn. E. H. G. Lambert, 1854, Mediterranean. tiladiator, 6, st.-ves., Com. H. D. Hickley, 1858, N. Ame rica and W. Indies. Gorgon, 6, st.-ves., Com. B. C. 7. Pym, 1858, N. America and Weai; Grapier, 2, sc., Lieut.-Com. A. P. H. Helby, 1849, Pacific. Grasshopper, sc. gun-beat, Lt.-Com. J. C. Tucker, 1855, East Indies. Greyhound, 17, sc., Com. J. W. Sullivan, Devonpert. Growler, 2, sc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. H. E. Crozier, 1851, Mediterran. Hannibal, 91, sc., Rear-Ad. G. R. Mundy, Capt. Conolly, 1858, Mediterranean. Hardy. 2, sc. gun-boat, Lt.-Com. A. G. Bogle, 1855, East Indies. Hastings, 60, sc.,, Capt. W. R. Mends, C. 8., 1852 , Coast Guard. Haughty, 2, sc. gunboat, Lieut. •Com. G. D. Broad, 18b1, E. Indies. Havock, 2, sc. gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. C. Fairholme, 1851, East Indies. Hawke, 60, sc., Capt. W. Crispin, 1852, Coast Guard. Herald, 8, sur.-v., Capt. H. Denham, 1846, Feejee:lslands. Hermes, 6, st.-v., Com. W. E. A. Gordon, 1854, Cape of Good Mope. Hero, 91, sc., Capt. G. H. Seymour, C.B„ 1844, Ch. Fleet. Reaper, sc. st.-ship, Master-Com. J. Loans, 1816, E. Indies. Hibernia, rec.-ship, Rear-Admiral 11. J. Codrington C. 8., Capt. F. Warden, C. 8., 1815 , Malta. 2 Highflyer, 21, sc., Capt. C. F. A. Shadwell, C. 8., 1853, East Indies. Himalaya, sc. store-ship, Com. J. Seccombe, 1855, particu lar service. Hogue, 60, sc., Capt. It. J. J. G. Macdonald, 1854, Coast Guard. Hydra, if, st-v., Ccm. It. V. Hamilton, 1857, par. ser. Icarus, 11, sc., Cora. N. Salmon, 1858, Sheerness. Illustrious, 72, Com. H. C. Harston, 1845, Portsmouth. Imaum, 72, Commod. H. Kellett, C. 8., Corn. H. J. Grant, 1855, rec.-ship, Jamaica. Impregnable, 104, Vice-Adm. Sir B. Reynolds, K.C.8., Capt. W. H. Stewart, C. 8., 1854, Devonport. Imperieuse, 51, screw, Rear-Admiral L. T. Jones, C. 8,, Capt. R. Maguire, 1854, East Indies. Indus, 78, Rear admiral Sir H. Stewart, K.C.8., Capt. W. R. Hall, 1853, North America and West Indies. Industry, st-v., 2, Mast.-Com. G. J. Hodges, 1841, S. America. • Inflexible, 6, st.-y., Com. G. A. C. Brooker, 1856, East Indies. Intrepid, 6, sc., Coss. J. H. Marryat, 1855, Mediterranean. Iris, 26, Com. W. Loring, C. 13., Australia. Jackal. 4, at.-v., Lieut.-Com. J. Simpson (6), 1845, par ticular service. James Watt, 91, sc. ' Capt. E. Codd, 1851, Mediterranean. Janus, sc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. IL P. Knevitt, 1855, East Indies.. Jasper, ec. gunboat, Lieut.-Cora. W. Fyn!, 1849, West Indies. Kestrel, sc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. G. D. Bevan, 1853, East Indies, Lapwing, 4, screw, Com. M. F. O'Reilly, 1858, Medittern. Lee, sc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. , E. Indies. Leopard, 18, st.-v., Rear-Adm. Sir S. Lushingten, C. 8., Capt, J. F. B.tWainwright, 1856, S. E. Coast of America Leven, 3, sc. gunboat ? Lieut.-Com. J. S. Hudson, 1851, East Indies. Liffey, 51, sc., Capt. G. W. Preedy, C. 8., 1855, Mediter ranean. Locust, 3, st.-v., Lieut.-Com. J. B, Field, 1846, particular service. London, 90, sc., Capt. H. Chads, 1848, Mediterannean. Lynx, 4, screw, Lieut.-Com. H. Berkeley, 1854, Coast of Africa. Lyra, 9, screw, Com. R. B. Oldfield, 1855, Cape of Good Hope. Madagascar, store-ship,l Capt. It. D. White, 1856, Rie Janeiro. lkaander, Capt. Sir M. Macgregor, 1E56, Ascension. Magicienne, 16, st.-v., Capt. J. E. Commerell (acting), ' East Indies. Marlborough, 131. screw, Vice-Admiral A. Fanshawe, C. 8., Capt. the Right Hon. Lord F. H. Kerr, 1854, Me diterranean. Mars, 80, screw, Capt. J. N. Strang., 1654, Portsmouth. Medina, 4, st.-v., Capt. T. A. B. Spratt, C. 8., 1855, Medi terraneEm. Medusa, 4, st.-v., Corn. W. Bowden, 1854, Coast of Africa. Melpomene, 50, screw Capt. C. J. F. Ewaxt, 1855, Channel Fleet. Mersey, 40, sore Capt. H. Caldwell, C. 8., 1858, Channel Fleet. Minotaur, Capt. E. P. Halsted, 1842, Sheerness. Mohawk, 4, se., Com. P. C. C. M'Dougall, 1856, Mediter. Monkey, st.-tug, Sec. Mas. G. Syndercombe (act.), Wool wich. Maine, 17, s, Com. W. Graham, 1858, Ports. Naiad, 42, store-ship, Mas.-Com. W. W. Dillon, 1843, Callao. Nautilus, 6, Lieut.-Com. W. B. Grant, 1852, apprentice ship. Neptune, 91, ac., Capt. F. A. Campb3ll, 1857. Nereus, 42, store depot, Mas.-Com. C. J. Barlow, 1855, Valparaiso. Niger, 14, se., Capt. C. P. Mends, 1853, Australia. Nile, 90, sc., Capt. A. P. E. Wilmot, C. 8., 1854, Devnpt. Nimrod, 6, screw, Com. R. J. Wymuatt (act.),lBEs.2,lsnd. Co. Oberon, 3, st.-v., Lieut.-Com. F. G. C. Paget, of Americ. Odin, 16, st.- a y., Capt. Lorci T. Hay, C.8.,1851, E. Indies. Opossum, 2, so. gunboat, Lt.-Cona. C. 3. Balfour, 1853, East Indies. o p m , B . G . F. H.K. . 1 13 85 0 t e M r, e i d 8 i 4 te 2 rra ,put nean icaiar Osborne, Orion, 9 l s, t s . , C; l p a t s .. _J c . service. Osprey, 4, sc., Corn. H. S. Blomfield, 1855, Mediterra nean . Pearl 20 Capt.sc., cap tJ..FRo. u r . lu p se .s , eCy.m80.,ur1,852, 1854, E Australia. ast , Pei° , , 21, Pembroke, 60, Capt. E. P. Charlewood, 1855, Coast G uar d. Perseverance, 2, troop-ship, Cora. E. It. Power, 1850, partic. service. • Persian, 12, Com. E. Hardinge e of Good Hope. , 1856, Cap 6, Sc., Corn. H. A. Reilly, 1858, East I n di es . cc. gunboat, Lieut.-C om . N. B. S m ith ( ac ti ng ) Ppiloonve erg er 1855, East Indies. Plumper, 9, cc., Capt. G. H. Richards, 1854, Pacific. Pluto, 4, st.-v., Lieut.-Com. C. H. Simpson, 1848, Coast of Africa. Porcupine, 3, st.-v., Capt. H. C. Otter, 1854, Devonport. Princess Charlotte, 104, Mast.-Com. H. G. Thornsett, 1854, Hong Kong. Prometheus, 5, st.-v., Com. G. Skipwith. '1842, Woolwich. Pylades, 21, sc., Capt., M. de Courcy, 18 52 , Pacific. Quail, 2, cc. guboat, Lieut.-Com. N. Osborn. 1856, Mealier. Queen, 116, cc., Capt. C. F. Hillyar,lBs2. Portsmouth. Queen Charlotte, 104, Vice-Admiral E. Harvey, Capt. H. Harvey, 1852, Sheerness. • Racer, 11, sc., Com. the Hon. T. A. Pakenham, 1856 , North America and West Indies. Racoon, 21, cc., Capt. J. A. Paynter, 1854, Mediter. Recruit, 6, et.-v., Corn. D. Spain, 1856, Mediterranean. Renard, 4, so., Corn. J. G. Goodenough, 1858, E. Indies. Renown, 91, cc., Capt. A. Forbes, 1846, Mediterranean. Retribution, 28, steam vessel, Commod. H. E. Edgell, East Indies. Rhadamanthus, 4, steam vessel, Master-Com. F. R. Stun , dee, 1843, particular service. 13,* OV e 4 cc . , Corn. R. G. Crargre, 18a6, Ports/n*ll4, 111,, Roebuck, 6, cc., Com. E. C. Symons (act).), East Indi es . Rolla, a, Lieut.-Corn. C. G. Nelson, 1854, Port smout h . Royal Adelaide, 104, Rear-Admiral Sir T. S. Paaley, Bart Capt. W. J. Williams, 1841, Devonport. Royal Albert, 121, screw, Rear-Admiral Sir C. H. Fre mantle, K.C.8., Capt. H. J'.'Lacon, 1856, Channel Flee Russ9ll,' 60, cc., Capt. G. Wodehouse, 1854, Coast Guard. St. Jean d'Acrc, 101 , sc., Capt. P. T. Thompson, 1847, Mediterranean. St. Vincent, 102, Rear -Admiral G. Grey, Capt. T. Wilson, 1853, 'Portsmouth. Sampson, 6, st.-v., Capt. G. S. Hand, 1352, East Indies. Saracen, 4, Master-Com, W. Stanton, 1352, East Indies. I Satellite, sc., 21, Capt. J. C. Prevost, 1856, Pacific. Saturn, 72, Capt. G. Ramsay, C. 8., 1843, Pembroke. Sconrge, 6, screw, Com. W. G. Jones, 1854, Mediter. Scout, 21, se., Capt. J. Corbett, 1857, East Indies Scylla, 21, sc., Capt. R. Lambert, 1855, Mediterranean Seagull, sc.'rr b unboat, Lieut.-Com. W. Chimmo, 1850, part. service Sharpshooter, 8, screw, Lieut.-Com. C. Gibbons, 1848, coast of Africa Sidon, 22, st.-ves., Capt. It. B. Crawford, 1856, Cape G.H. Simomn, 8, sc., Com. J. M. Cooke, 18.52, part. service Siren, 16, Com., G. M. Balfour, 1856, S. E. Coast of America. Skipjack, sc., gunboat, Lt.-Com. J. Murray, 1848, West Indies Slancy, 2, cc. gunboat, Lieut.-Com. H. R. Leet, 1855, East Indies. Snake, 4, sc., Corn. H. Harvey, 1857, East Indies Snap, se. gunboat, Licut.-Com..W O. 13uticr, 1855, E.I. Sparro‘vilawk, -1, sc., Com. J. C. Byng, 1856 East Indies. Sphinx, 6, st.-ves, Corn. G. F. Day, V. 0,1855,, Portsmouth Spitfire, 5, st.-ves., Lieut.-Cora. W. C. Chapman, 1859, Coast of Africa. - - Spy, 3, Lieut.-Com. J. Hanmer, 1848, S. E. Coast o f America. Starling, se. gun-boat, Lieut.-Com. J. A. Whitshed, 1854 4 East Indies. Staunch, 2, sc., gun-boat, Lt.-Com. E. J. Pollard, 1855, East Indies. Styx, 6, st.-ves., Com. C. Vasey, 1854, North America and. West Indies.- Supply ch , st.-sh., Mast.-C om . W. H . B a lli ston, 1855, Wool- Surprise, 4, sc., Corn. Lord E. H. Cecil, 1857, Coast of Aftica Tartarus, 4, at., Com. A. L. Mansell, 1855, Mediterranean. Termagant, 25, sc., Capt. R. Hall, 1855, S. E. Coast of America. Terrible, 21, st.-v., Capt. F. H. H. Glasse, C. 8., 1846,, Mediterranean. Terror, 16, Capt. F. Hutton, 1814, Bermuda. Topaze, 51, sc., Capt. the Hon. J. W. S. Spencor, 1854" Pacific Tortoise, 12, store ship, Capt. W. F. Burnet, C. 8., 1854, Ascension. Trafalgar, 91, sc., Capt. E. G. Fanshawo, 1845, Chan nel Fleet. Tribune, 30, screw, Capt. G. T. P. Hornby, 1846, Pacific. Triton, 3, steam-vessel, Lieut.-Com. R. H. Burton, 1819, Coast of Africa. Urgent, sc. troop-ship, Cora. H. W. Hire, 1855, partcular service Valorous, 16, st. v., Capt. W. C. Aldham, C. 8., 1853, W. Indies. Vesuvius, 6, st.. v. Commod. C. Wige, C oas t o f Af r i ca . Victor Emmanuel, 91, sc., Capt. J. Willcox, C. 8., 1850, Mediterranean. Victoria and Albert, 2, steam-yacht, Capt. the Hon. J. Denman, 1841, Portsmouth. Victory, 101, Admiral W. Bowles, C.B. ; Capt. A. Far-i quhar, 1849, Portsmouth. Vigilant, 4, so., Com. W. Armytage, 1855, Mediterranean.. Viper, 4, screw, Cora. Coast of Africa. Virago, 6, st.-v., Com. M. B. Dunn, 1856, particular ser. Vixen, 6, st.-v., Cora. L. Lambert, 1858, Pacific. Vulcan. 6, sc. troop-ship, Cora. A. C. Strode,lBs6, Ports., Vulture, 6, st.-v., Capt. G. Parker, 1854, Meditern. Wanderer, 4, sc., Cora. M R. Pechell, 1354, Meditem. Watchful, 2,' sc. gun-boat, East Indies. Weazel, 2, sc. gun-boat, Lieut.-Cora. W. Haworth, East Indies. Wellesley, 72, Capt. Sup. G. Goldsmith, C. 8., 1842, Chat. Wellington, 72, Capt. It. S. Robinson, 1840, Devonport. Weser, 6, st.-ves., Cora. H. J. Raby, 1855, V.C., Wool wich Woodcock, sc. gun-boat, Lieut. -Com. G. S. BoNanquet, 1855, East Indies. Wraagler, 4, so.„ Lieut.-Com. R. J. Douglas, 1853, partic. service. COUNTRY MARKETS NEWARK-JAN. 4. At the market this morning the attendance was tl'Jn, and there was a small show of wheat. Trade fair. Beat qualities obtained late prices. Malting barley a slow sale, and grinding also, at late rates. Oats came slowly to hand and in fair . request, at late rates. Beans and peas met a steady request. White wheat, new, 49s to 54s Barley, grinding.. 30s to 314 Red do. 44s to 48s Oats, old, .. 22* to 25s Old white 4 0 s to 54s I New do —s to -4 tied 44s to 488 I Beans.. 42s to 455 Barley, malting 40s to 43s 1 Beans, new —s to -- , i do BULL--JAN. 3. The corn market was very thinly attended by farmers. and a slow business was done in English wheat at fully late rates. Foreign was at full prices, and very little business doing in that article. Malting barley fully as dear, and grinding barley in limited demand. Beans and peas had a slow sale. Oats without any noticeable change in price, but the demand inactive. Wheat . ... Old white.... per qr .. 46s Od to 50s Od Old red ...... „ New white .. „ New red .... ' , Dantzic, Konb , Scc. old white 48s Od to 55 3 Od Dutch, Belgian, and French 4ss Od to 47. Od Baltic and Hamburg, red 44 s Od to 4 6 s Od St. Petersburg and Riga, old 4os Od to 42s Od Barley... . English malting 32s Od to 3Ss Od Grinding 3os Od to 32s Od Seal and Oderbruck Holstein and Danish 3os Od to 31s Od Grinding Oats English, old Archangel and Riga, per st Os lOjd to nal Friesland and Dutch Oslld to 03110 Swedish and Danish Oslld to 03110 Beans .... English, old, per qr 46s Od to 48s ed Now pigeon 4os Od to 42e 04 New tick Egyptian .. 37s Od to 38: ,01 Peas ...... Foreign breakers Grinding Tares ....Winter —B Od to - -s ea Indian Corn Linseed, feeding sos Od to 52s (al crushing Linseed cakes (Hull) £8 10 0 to LA 15 0 Foreign t ... 715 oto 8 6 . Rape cakes 415 oto 5 0 u Bones 4 15 oto ' 5 6 0 MELTON MOWBRAY-JAN. 3. There was a middling- show of wheat to-day, •frith a stead/ business at the annexed prices :—White wheat, new, 43 1 Od to 45s Od ; red, 40s Od to 43s per 36 stone ; barley dull trade, at 40s to 43s malting, and 30s to 338 Od peg qr. for grinding ; oats, 23s to 33s Od per 24 gtone • bean* 43s to 53s for old; new, —s per 38 st. DUBLIN-JAN. 3. Our market was pretty well attended this, morniall there was a moderate supply; • Every dese.ription of - gray met a steady demand except oats, which 1- rung heavily hand, and we repeat the quotations of last Fridity. s. d. e. d. I • d. Wheat, white.. 28 oto 30 0 Do., new . 11 oto 12 Do., red 27 oto 29 0 Bere Do., new .... 0 to 0 1 Rapeseed Barley Oats Do., black l2 oto 12 6 Indian corn .. 31 oto 33,0 COAL' MARKET—JAN. 4. (Prices of Coal par Ton at the close of the market.) s. d. Walls End. Burnhope 14 Davison's West Hart ley ....15 6 Carr's Hartley . .... ..15 6 Tanfield Moor Butes..l4 9 Eden Main lB 3 a. 5. Hough Hall 18 g South Durham lB 6 Kelloe l3 6 Hetton.. .. .... l9 6 Sheriff Hill Stewart's 19 6 South Hartlepool. 18 6 Trixndon Hartlepool lB : Powell'sDuffryn Steam 22 6 Garway and Duffryn Malting Nixon's Duffryn .. 22 • Walls End. Cassop South Kelloe lB 6 Harton l7 3 Brandon. l7 6 Whitworth 16 0 Hartlepool.... Ships at mark 42—Sold, 37. FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST. in the following table E signifies that letters are despatehei by evening mails from London, and M by mo rn lug mails. _____ Next DESTINATICM 8. Despatch Port of Hail of Mai s. Despatch. due. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton Jan. 12, MlSouthamp. Jan. 10 Ditto, via Mareiilles Jan. MI, E Jan. 4 Bahamas and Havana via New York Jan. 20, E Liverpool.. Jan.l9 Canada, &c. (by Canadn. pckt ) Jan. —, E Liverpool.. Jan. 4 Cape of Good Hope, Ascen sion, and St. Hale! to China, Penang, and Singe pOre, via Southlutr)ton Ditto, via Marseili es Jan. 10, M Jan. 12 Gibraltar, via Southt mpton .. Jan. —, 31 Southamp. overdue Honduras and Blewfi aids .... Dec. —, Al Southamp. Dee. India (Calcutta) and Ceylon, via Southampton Jan. 4, M Southamp. overdue Ditto via Marseilles Jan. 10, K n. 1 2 India (Bombay), via South ampton lan. 12, 31 Southamp. Jan. 1 0 Ditto. via Marsel Iles Lisbon, Brazils,Bue aos Ayres, and F. Islands ... Jan. 0, II Southamp. 5 Lisbon, Vigo, and 0 p0rt0.... Jan. 7,11 euthamp. a. 1/ Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan. --, M outhamp. overdde Ditto, via Alarselb es Jan. 10, E Jan. 4 Mexico and Havana 'Jan. 17. M 'outhamp. Jan. 14 Newfoundland .. Jan. 6, E Liverpool.. United States and Ta.itish N. America (by 13 - rith hpaeket) Jan. 8, E Liverpool.. Jan. 11 Ditto (by . U. S. paci [et) ... Jan. 11,E Southamp. West Coast of Africa, Ma deira, and Tenerife Jan. 23 E Liverpool.. Jan. 10 West India, California, vane zuela, Chili, Pert; Grey town, New Gran..da.&e. Jan. 17, 31 Sonthamp. Jan. 14 ...—. zz......-...... TUE ROYAL CRARTER.—A further parcel of gold, amounting to about £320, has been received in save. reigns and dust, and ono bar of gold, value not stated. It is concluded that as only about eight bales of wool ou board the vessels have 1 en found, and very little loose, the majority of the staple is still with the wreck. 13 llt T 5. CAMPBELL.-...0n the ad inst., at St. Ann's, Lewis, Sussex, the wife of Dr. John Campbell, R.N., of a daughter. COURT. —On the 3d inst., at Dover, the wife of Percy S. Court, Esq., of a son. O'SHEA.—On the 2dinst., st Cosham, Hants, the residene• of ber father, Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Bart., C. 8., the wife of aptain R. P. O'Shea, 2d Batt. 20th Regt., of a daughter. MARRIAGES. HOPETODN—RIYNARDSON.-011 the 3d inst., the Earl of Hopetoun, to Etheldred Anne, eldest daughter of C. T. S. Birch Reynardson, Esq., of Holywell Hall, Lincoln shire. IMAGE—LAWRENCIL—On the 3d inst., at St. Nichol*s Church, Brighton, the Rev. John Image, M.A.. 0 Sarah Blizard, second daughter of John Lawrence, Esq., of Brighton. DEATHS. ADAMS.—On the 4th inst., at Pimlico, Mr. John Adams, of York-road, Lambeth, aged 62. Burrr.—On the 30th ult., at Wakes Colne-place, EriSexy Nary, relict of Wm. Brett, Esq., ai.red 89. BULFORD.—OR the 26th ult., at Dinan, France, John Bul ford, Commander R.N., aged 77. CLARK.—On the 2d inst., at 22, Argyle-square, Euston. road, Anna, kelict of Thos. Clark, Esq., aged 91. CLEMENTS.—On the 2d inst., at Hammersmith, Mr. Geo. Clements, aged .52. SCHOPIELD.—On the 2d inst., James Schofield, Esq., of Heybrook, Rochdale, aged 77. SCOTT.—At Cawston, Rugby, the Lord John Scott, aged 60. SCOTT.—On the Ist inst., at Whitfield, Northumberland, the Rev. T. Hobbes Scott, M.A.., rector of Whitfield,' aged 78. LioN Dow : Printed and Published by 1.11.1.iii,D0 YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printoir, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of tho Savoy, in the county of Middlesex, Thursday, January 5, 1860. apps Daet • - One B~ Th of th to th Bh purl, le dg tries the T wit =torn AI will ed., are 1 atom wine Orel Tli valid the h ackn, facet To of th All P and I pror• ♦enti thug Bard by 132 Aren perec suidN atten Ain S I PET Lion 51":1 Very It le Pert and Coat in I stall aeon 1 da y See trot anc Tlll eleg Ivi tl I:V] "V.