The Sun. — London, England, 1858-02-16 00:00:00

R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, will be peiformed Skakspere's Play of A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM. After which, a now grand comis Christmas Pantomime entitled HARLEQUIN WHITE CAT ; or, The Princess Blanche Flower and her Fairy Godmothers. The Princess Blanche (White Cat), Miss Kate Terry ; Harlequin, Mr. Cor nia,ck ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo ; and Columbine, Miss C. Adams. 0Y A L SURREY THEATRE, 111 Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. THIS EVENING, will be performed an original English Play, RIGHT AND WRONG. After which, QUEEN MAB ; or Harlequin Romeo and Jolliet. Clown, by the Surrey Buck ; Pantaloon, Mr. Brad. bury. CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — OPEN THIS EVENING and To-morrow Evening (ASH WEDNESDAY.) —The follow 1g company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of S ,leetions from all the popular OPERAS, MADRIGALS, CHORUSES, GLEES, DUETS, dEc., :—Miss Russell, Mrs. Badzey, Madlle. Marietta, Miss Brunel, Miss Ray, Madame Bartoletti, Miss Montague, and Madame Marietta ; Barr P. Jonghmans, Mr. Renshaw, S. Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, Senor Antonio, E. L. Rime, Mr. Badgey, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Bell, and r. Bernard; Messrs. T. Maclagan, W. T. Critchtield and E. Mackney. Piano forte, Mr. Cecil Hicks ; harmonium, Master Williams ; Director, Herr F. Jonghmans. Commence at Seven o'clock precisely. Suppers, dts., until twelve o'clock. Mr. AUGUSTUS BRAHAM will appear every Evening. Just published, Part 1., price Is:, to be completed in about 40 rarts: THE COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY OF INDIA, CIVIL, MILITARY, and SOCIAL, from the First Landing of the English to the Suppressison of the Sepoy Mutiny ; including an Outline of the Early History of Illndostan. By HENRY BEVERIDGE, Esq., Advocate. Illustrated by Five Hundred Engravings on Wood and Steel. Blackie ind Sen, Warwick-square, Newgate-street, London ; and all Booksellers. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.- LAST NIGHT BUT FIVE. THE BOHEMIAN GIRL. THIS EVENING, TUESDAY, will be repeated, the sth thus in England, LA ZINGARI, being the Italian version of 13alfe's Opera of The Bohemian Girl, by Madlles. Piccolomini and Sannier; Signori Bellerti, Violetta, and Giuglini. n the second Act a new Divertissement, by M. Massot (the music entirely new, composed by Mr. Balfe), by Mdlles. Clarelle, Morlacchi, and Pasquale. To conclude withl the successful Divertissement, by M. Massot, entitled L'HYMENEE, by Madlles. Clavella, Mor lacchi, and Pasquale. Prices :—Pit Stalls, 12s 6d; boxes (to hold four persons), pit and one pair, 21. 2s; grand tier, 3/. 3s ; two pair, 1/. 55.; three pair, 15s ; gallery boxes, 103; gallery stalls, 3s 6d ; pit, 3s 6d; gallery, 2s. - Erg MAJESTY'S THEATRE, LAST NIGHTS. Piccolomini, Spezia, Sannier, Belletti, Yialetti, Aldighieri, Luchesi, and Giuglini. THURSDAY, Feb. 18 (Last Night but Four), LA TRA VI ATA SATURDAY, Feb. 20 (Last Night but Three), LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR. TUESDAX, Feb. 23 (Last Night but Two). LA FIGLIA DEL REGGIMENTO, and Last Act of LA FAVORITA. THURSDAY, Feb. 25 (Last Night but One), LA ZINGARI, being the Italian version of the Bohemian Girl. SATURDAY, Feb. 27 (Last Night), IL TROVATORE. Applications for Boxes, Stalls, and Tickets to be made at the Box-office at the Theatre. T R EATRE-R OYA G, DRURY-LANE, Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, will be performed the new comic drama, A LUCKY HIT. After which, TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE. Followed by the new grand pantomime, LITTLE JACK HORNER. Commence at 7. T HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee—Mr. J. B. Buckstone. THIS EVENING, to commence at Seven o'clock, with THE RIVALS. After which, a new comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD; or, Harle quin and the Spiteful Fairy. Harlequin, Mr. A. Leclercq ; Columbine, Miss Fanny Wright ; Pantaloon, Mr. Mackay ; Clown, Mr. Charles Leclercq. Orchestra Stalls (which may be retained the whole of the evening). 6s. each. (No charge for booking.) First Price. s. d. Second price. s. d Dress Boxes Upper Boxes . 3 0 Upper Boxes 2 0 Pit 2 0 Pit 1 0 Gallery T HEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI. Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster. THIS EVENING, will be performed THE FAIRY CIRCLE. Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams. After which, YANKEE COURTSHIP. To conclude with LATEST FROM NEW YORK. Commence at Seven. ROYAL LYCEUM THEA.TRE.—SoIe Lessee and Manager, Mr. C. Dillon.— THIS EVENING, WILD OATS. Rover, Mr. Charles Dillon. After which, a domestic tale, by Westland Marston, en titled A HARD STRUGGLE. Mr. C. Dillon, &c. To conclude with the Burlesque and Pantomime, LALLAH ROOKH, and the PRINCESS, the PERI, and the TROU BADOUR ; or, Harlequin and the Ghebers of the Desert. Supported by Mesdames Charles Dillon, Buckingham White, Eliza Webb, Maria Ternan, Esther Jacobs, and Woolgar ; Mesas. Barrett, Calhaem, Holston, Poynter, and J. L. T ,ole. Clowns, Messrs. T. Matthews and R. Stilt ; Harlequin, Mr. J. Ricketts; Pantaloon, Mr. A. Stilt ; Sprites, Herr Zeleski and Sons ; Columbines, Misses Malcolm and. Lees. Gorgeous Feast of Lanterns.—Fenton's Grand Trans formation Scene. Doors open at half-past 6, to commence at 7. 3ox-office open from 11 to 5 daily. STRAND THEATRE.—Lessee, Mr. T. Payne. Under the management of Mr. W. H. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, first night of a new Drama, adapted from a work of Mr. Charles Dickens, entitled SILVER S I'ORE ISLAND ; or, Perils of Certain English Prisoners. Supported by Messrs. H. J. Turner, Bolton, Howard, Dean, Van Buren, dia.; Misses Portman, Hastings, Victor. To be followed by the highly successful Bur:esque of IHE LADY OF LYONS; or, Twopenny Pride and PeJny-tence. Characters by Messrs. Gomersal, Bolton, Howard, Swan borough; Misses Victor and Tempest. To conclude with the screaming Farce of A WOMAN IN MY DUST HOLE. Messrs. L, Buckingham, Turner, and Miss Craven. Commence at Seven. Boxes, 2e.; Stalls, 30. ; Pit, ls. ; Gallery 6d. price at Nine. Commence at Seven. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TIM BAY—Morn., 35 min. aft. 3—Even., 51 min. aft. 3 To-Mom:tow—Morn., 8 min. aft. 4—Even., 26 min aft. 4 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, FEBRUARY 16. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 44—highest since noon yesterday. 40—lowest this morning anti during the night. 43—this day at noon. BAROMETER. 29.93. • WisD, North-Easterly ; light and fine. - , §4141.A. ;.. ;VV4,-N, :' LONDON, TUESDAY, FEB. 16, 1858. The debate on the Bill for transferring from the East India Company to the Crown the government of her Majesty's East India dominions has again been adjourned. It will be resumed, and we trust disposed - of this evening. It is full time that the main question should be decided, namely, whether the Double Government is to be retained, with all its cumbrous machinery, or a new system is to be introduced more in accordance with the spirit of the age, and the wants and requirements of that important empire. It does not follow that in order to justify the change any charge should be established, or even preferred against the Directors, or Court of Proprietors. They neeincompetentshownnot be shown to be either indolent or apathet i c , or corrupt. They may be actuated by the purest intentions, and may have displayed ability, fidelity and zeal on every occasion. But still the question remains, are theirservices requisite, or even bene ficial, do they in fact conduce to the welfare, prosperity, and happiness of either our English or Indian fellow subjects. This view of the subject has been completely ignored by the advocates of the Leadenhall-street Bard. They are riding off on collateral issues, and putting forward elaborate defences to imaginary accusation. They assume that there must be grave charges clearly and distinctly sub stantiated to justify the contemplated change. Accordingly we find Mr. WAITESIDE the ablest opponent of the bill who spoke last night, direct ing all his energies to prove that there had been So offences either of commission or omission on The eminent advocate the part of the company. was, as usual, brilliant and effective, more espe cially in a matter which so exactly suits him as a defence. It was only to be regretted that his arguments Were wholly beside the question, and that even if the Directors were "all his fancy r painted them," the most perfect of human beings, i THE SpN J LONDON, _TUESDAY EVENING, _ FEBRUARY 16, 1858 only " wanting wings to be angels," it could not decide the point at issue. We confess we do not entertain quite so exalted an opinion of these modern CRICIETONS, and shall, in case of need, be prepared to support our doubts. We refrain from doing so for the time being, on the simple ground that the matter is not a personal one, and that the contest is waged not against the men but the system. Lord PALMERSTON clearly foresaw the line of argument that would be adopted, and very judiciously cut the ground from under the feet of his opponents. In place of attacking he rather complimented the Directors. He did not utter a single word against either their morality or ability. He contented himself that their agency could only be detrimental to the interests of the country, which by a species of legal fiction, they were supposed to govern, that they were incapable of doing good, although potent for mischief, and that even under the most favourable circumstances, there must be inevitable delay and procrastination, and an almost total abuse of responsibility. Practically the government has been with the Crown. Her MAJESTY'S Ministers have been enabled to do nearly as they liked, but at the same time to avoid the responsibility that should have attended their policy. The directors might recall an efficient Governor-General, or otherwise a bril liant General, because he was not profuse in " lip service," and not prepared "to boo, and boo, and boo," to the satisfaction of those who retained but a semblance of sovereignty as shadow of their former power. But they could really do nothing except clog and impede the wheels of the State machine, and that when additional power was required rather than a self-acting break. Mr. ROEBUCK and Sir H. RAWLINSON, the newly elected Member for Reigate, made very able speeches in support of the measure. The great leaders, however, on both sides have reserved themselves for the last night, when the conflict will be more furious, and the impressions of the House will be manifested in the most unexcep tionable manner on the lobby that holds the majority of members. We have but little doubt as to the result. Indeed, as we have stated, our chief objection is that the measure does not go far enough—that there is no provision for an improved administration of justice—and that India will still remain, as it has so long been, for the almost exclusive benefit of the civil service. The Conspiracy Bill has not yet received the Legislative sanction ! The National Seal has no t been affixed to this act of British degradation ! We earnestly hope that the people will yet bestir themselves, and that their chosen representatives may understand the full amount► of responsibility they are incurring in voting against the will of their respective constituents. We have already explained how important is the alteration contem plated. It is not merely in the amount of punishment to the convicted criminal, but in the machinery that may be put in operation to detect the alleged guilt. This, as we proved on Saturday, may be made an instrument of oppression and annoyance, which will render the so-called right of sanctuary of comparatively little value, and enable any foreign power, not France merely, but Russia, Austria, or even Naples itself, to perse cute, through the assistance of the English Go vernment, any obnoxious refugee, until he is driven to seek shelter and protection across the Atlantic, where the only land of freedom will then be found—that is to say; of freedom for all who have not African blood in their veins 1 Last night a very,numerous meeting was held at the Freemasons' Tavern "to protest against the surrender of English liberties at the dictation [of a foreign Power." Many Members of Parliament whose presence in the House of Commons was required on the ad journed debate on the India Bill wrote letters ex pressive of their sympathy with the objects of the assembly. Mr. JOHN BRZGHT hit the right nail on the head. While expressing anxiety to avoid causing any irritation between the people of this country and France, he showed that our own Go vernment was to be blamed for a total want of dignity in the matter, and from shrinking from their duty in not giving a proper and respectful, but firm reply to the French despatch. As the Honourable Gentleman truly declared, the mea sure could give no additional security to the Emperor, or to any other person, and can only be regarded as " a humiliating concession to a hasty and needless demand." We all know how earnestly the honourable gentlemau deprecates any course that could lead to hostilities. He must therefore have felt tho roughly convinced that the line which he advocated would not only be perfectly safe, but that it would be best calculated to avert perils looming in the future from any quarter whatsoever. There was a sound truth contained in the hibernicism, that " the best way to avoid danger was to meet it full in the face." And everyday's experience proves that the men who are most jealous of their honour, and will tolerate no insult or imputation, are seldom if ever exposed thereto. We have already commented on the extraordi nary omission of the French Government, in omit ting to publish the explanatory despatch of Count WALEWSKI, expressing the regret of the EMPEROR at the insertion of the objectionable addresses from the Bobadils of his army, in the Moniteur, the medium through which the insult to England was conveyed. This could scarcely be an " act of inadvertance," considering the manner in which the previous despatch of the Foreign Minister vas forced on the public atten tion, being not only given by every journal, offi cial, and non-official—but posted in every tho roughfare, so that he " who runs might read." And surely it is time that the French people should learn that we have not yielded to the bland " invitation;' for further legislation, without having received an official expla nation of the insult inflicted on us by the truculent sabreurs whom the E'nperor delights to honour. We are glad to find that Mr. GRIFFITH has given notice of his intention to exhibit an interrogatory to Lord PALMEItSTON on this subject. it is to the following effect Whether, since the letter of the 6th of February from the French Ambassador, expressing the regret of the EMPEROR for the publication of the addresses in the Moniteur, has n o t appeared in that paper the same way A S it s p re d eces sor of of intention Janu ary, as ki ng f or re d ress, for the information h eth of the Fre nc h pu bli c, it be the of Governm ent t:thatto istusggepstubltiocattiohne French Government, would, in their opinion, be d • non ucive to the satisfactory termination of the transaction." It will not, of course, in the present condition of the French press, be notice , unless the Emperor, knowing that the bill h as not yet passed its second ' reading, should think proper to repair act of negligence, and to caution the redacteur of the Moniteur not to be guilty of a third act of inadvertence. 1 In Lord PALMERSTON'S Government composed of some sixty members, holding what are termed l• Parliamoutary places, either in the public offices or t Curt, we fiad :(excepting the mere working law officers) that 26 are held by Peers ; 20 by Peers' sons and sons-in-law ; 3by gentlemen closely connected by blood with the Peerage ; 12 by others, nine of whom perform the hard work of subordinate secretaries without any authority or patronage whatever ; and of the other three, one only is at the head of what may be fairly called a department. Such is the summary presented us of aristocracy in the Cabinet by the author of " Parliamentary Reform—What and Where," who in the time of the first reform discussions was the author of another well-known pamphlet—" What will the Lords do ?" He seems to have kept his eye closely on the House of Lerch, for the latter half of this present pamphlet is occupied with the question of Peerage Reform ; a reform which he thinks, pro bably justly, to be as important as Representative Reform. As the two houses must co-operate in the legislature, he insists on adjustment of the two to each other as no less important than the reform of the lower of the two. Ilia object is to raise the sta tus of the House of Commons, and to improve, by reduction and otherwise, the quality of the Upper House, and thus to bring both more into harmony with each other. The pamphlet indeed is chiefly interesting as handling the Reform question from an important point of view—that of adjustment. It is but to glance at the quotation with which we began, to see definitely stated, what we all knew generally very well before, that the pro fessedly liberal and popular Ministry of Lord PAL MERSTON is overrun with aristocrats. Probably we have bad none since the Reform Bill was passed, in which the peerage and their connections so pressed themselves into all the public employments worth having. Why is this ? Is it entirely the Premier's fault ? This, from mere prudential con siderations, is hardly likely. Lord PALMERSTON would probably prefer to have a fair proportion of men of the people around him, if only to preserve appearances. But whatever his wishes may be, one reason why he must employ a large number of the lordly class is, that its number is become so large. "At the beginning of the last century we had 167 English peers; at the close of the reign of GEORGE 11., 175. We have now 393 ! In the first period of sixty years the peerage was increased by eight ; in the second period of 100 years a like proportion would have given an increase of 14 ; but instead of that the actual increase amounted to 215 1" The peerage was much more than doubled. The peers of different kinds now number 460, with a tendency to rapid increase ; indeed, we are told that we have now no lesehan 555 hereditary peers and peeresses in their right within the United Kingdom ; and that, too, while the number of members in the House of Commons is slightly diminished. When with this is coupled the fact that no property qualifica tion is required for the House of Lords, the increasing numbers and necessities of the aristo cracy are alone sufficient to account for the charac ter of the PALMERSTON Ministry. All will agree with the writer's remarks that " there are few greater evils than a faineante noblesse ; but it is hardly less an evil when the same body appropriate to themselves and their families nearly all the great offices of the State, and press their children on to the front rank in all its working departments." This will certainly be the case if the peerage i 3 suffered to be indefinitely increased, and a body so closely bound together by pride, family connections, and hereditary pri vileges, to becsome also a very large one. The remedies do not appear to be difficult to find, and as they would tend, most of them, to increase the value of a Peerage, there is no reason why they should not be acceptable to the House of Lords. Limitation of the number of each class of Peers is one of the most obvious restrictions ; enforce ment of a property qualification another ; and the departure from the original arrangements, by which the Scotch and Irish Peers have increased so largely, affords another means of reduction. The elective Peers for those parts of the United Kingdom are now become a great abuse. They are practically two close peerage boroughs, furnishing 16 and 28 votes respectively to the patron. Our author is much more interested in increas ing the weight and dignity of the House of Com mons, than in popularising the constituency which returns it. He, indeed, from his point of view, regards larger constituencies chiefly as one mode of giving importance to our Representatives, He is therefore desirous that the 101. franchise should be lowered, and every arrangement made to include the educated and wall informed classes, in order to give the House a firmer hold on the country, since he acknowledges that this has been one great advantage of the Act of 1832. Ho is also speci ally desirous that the public service, science, lite rature, and the press, should have easier access to the House, and that the presence of represen tatives of these classes would correct and fill up many defects. His proposals for giving the House of Commons a " broader basis and a higher tone," are an exten sion of the suffrage to the competent classes ; in. , creasing the numbers in small constituencies, so far as to render them independent of dictation ; and transferring the franchise to larger constituencies when a constituency cannot be rendered indepen dent. ,To raise the tone of the House he proposes to check the aspirations of its Members to a peer age, and thus to fix their ambition to their own House ; not to exclude high legal and other autho rities who are above Ministerial and party control; to admit retired public servants without impeach ment of their pensions ; to form such Corporations or Societies into constituencies as would presum ably return men of eminence ; to associate our colonies in groups with the Imperial Legislature ; to thrown open to both Houses all appointments in the State and Court which are usually denomi nated Government offices ; to give Members of the House of Commons precedence over all ()the? Commoners ; and to abate the hunt after patro nage, through the steady carrying out under well-digested arrangements of free competition for all first appointments. Such are some of the principal recommendations of a writer who certainly has a right to be heard ; one who compares the Reformed Parliament to great advantage with the old one, and who is desirious to advance in the same course, while pro viding that the House shall rise in importance. TIIE IRISH VICEROYALTY.—DUBLIN, Monday.---A metting was held this day in Dublin, to oppose the abolition of the office of Viceroy. L,ird Howth proposed the first resolution, to the effect that Mr. Roebuck's motion, coupled with Mr. foreman's attack on the office of Viceroy, made it a duty on the part of the meeting to resist, by all caLstituional means, a proposal to insult the Irish peopl,., and to compromise the jute r,..sts of the Crown itself. Colonel Taylor seconthd the resolution, which, with others of a similar tenor, was adopted. IMMENSE ABUNDANCE OF FISH.—For some weeks past the mouth of the Tees has been literally tided with 631, , chit./1y gprats and herrings. On one occasion the an short li:ttetdim the men belonging to a n o ble ran out their net on the shal• efi fi ll s e ll al lows n ear th o n i n th b uoy, an d th e fi s h th e y t oo k were 80 many that th e y cou ld tibt draw it in again without b rea ki ng t h e net. T he men got i n t o th e wa t er a into as tothieuicl asobl i b t y c h o a ui sllet c s ar fu ry ll . , and in in brought them to Stockton, and sold the quantity to one man at 2d. a Elton abuoda n t as at ° (14'b • ) The shoal continues as day with up war d s of first, and several nobles corne in every the quay t o persons from ton o f fi s h , which are sold on boatit al, o r I.ld . a etrooill , the inl an d t owns at 303. a been 1 n wn befor e in the. Such au o ccurrence h as no t memory of th e o ld es t fishermen on the 'rem—Sum/O'lOW llent/a. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, yesterday, at her residence in St. James's Palace. NV His Excellency Rear-Admiral Van Dockum, the newly-appointed Dan:sh Minister at this Court, has taken a mansion, No. 7, Lowndes-square, at which place the business of the Legation will in future be conducted. His Excellency Count Adolphe Dubsky (Lord Chamberlain to his Majesty the Emperor of Austria), accompanied by his b o ther, the Count Vi c t o D a b s k y , arrived v i t n tt n h a. eßruns wick Hotel, St. James' s , on S a t ur d ay Irons Riron and Baroness Stutterheim have left Fenton's Hotel for Germany. Sir C. R. Rushout, Bart., the Hon. Lady Rushout, Miss Rushout, and Miss Pamela Rusbout, have left Fenton's Hotel for Seizincote, Gloucestershire. Sir Paul and Lady Hunter have arrived at Claridge's Hotel, from Mortimer-hill, Berks. Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Hamilton Beckett have arrived at their new residence, 55, Rutland-gate; Mr. Gordon, M.P., and the Hon. Mrs. Gordon and family, arrived at 19, Hill-street, last week, for the season, Mr. and Mre. H. C. Ibbettson have arriv(d at Fen ton's Hotel. The Mayor of Manchester and the Mayor of Ashton-under-Lyne have arrived at the same estab lishment. DEATH OF ADMIRAL ARCHIBALD DUFF.—We regret to announce the death, at the mature age of 84, of this veteran naval officer, which took place at hie house of Braensoriston, on the 19th lied. The deceased was the second son of Major A. Duff, and grandson of Mr. John Duff, of Culbin. Heentered the navy as a boy, attained flag rank in 1840, and was placed, as admiral, on the reserved list in 1855. In 1837, on the death of his bro. ther, Mr. J. Duff, he succeeded to the entailed estate of Drummuir, in the counties of Banff and Aberdeen. Soon afterwards he purchased part of the lands of Jove rugie, in this county, on which he expended considerable nos in improvements, especially upon the harbour of Hopeman. In politics Admiral Duff was a stanch Con eervative. In the management of his extensive landed pro perties he acted on the principle that the larger farmers are able to protect themselves, but that small ones should be fostered and encouraged ; and on few estates were cotters and small farmers more independent. Having left no children he is succeeded in the family estate of Drummuir by his cousin, Major Lachlan Duff Gordon of Park, M.P. for Banffshire, and cousin to the Earl of Fife, who will assume the name of Duff, in terms of the deed of enteil.—Elgin Courant. SURREY SESSlONS.—Yesterday morning the Clerk of the Peace (Mr. Greig) read a letter, addressed to the Court by J. W. Freshfield, Esq., expressing his wish to retire from the chairmanship of the Reigate Sessions, owing to increasing infirmities, which chiefly consisted of deafness, requesting at the same time that the Bench would, at the next Quarter Sessions, proceed to elect a gentleman as his successor. LEVIATHAN Excleasions.—The railway companies announced excursion trains to start on Saturday last train Manchester and Liverpool, "to see the Leviathan a float," at 12s. 6d. first class, and 7s. 6d. in covered carriages, there and back, allowing four days in the metropolis. The result was a monster train by the London and North Western Railway from Liverpool, drawn by three engines, and conveying from 2,000 to 3,000 passengers. Another train by the Great Northern route conveyed 260. From Manchester, the Great Northern train conveyed 500 pa s s e ngers, and there was also a heavy train by the London and North Western, the number of passengers by which cannot be exactly stated, but it is supposed by the officers to have been upwards of 500. THE SPEAKER.—The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of Commons gave his first Parliamentary full dress dinner this year, at his house in Carlton House terrace, on Saturday evening. The following had the honour to receive invitations :—Viscount Palmerston, Sir George Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir C. Wood, Right Hon. Hairy Labouchere, Right Hon. H. T. Baines. Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, Viscount Castlerosse, Viscount Duacan, Lord Ernest Bruce, Lord Alfred Paget, Right Hon. W. F. Cowper, the Judge Right Han. Sir B. Hall, Right Advocate-General, Righ; Hon. E. P. Boaverie, Right Hon. Henry Fitzroy, ight Hon. Robert Lowe, Ri g h t H on. 11. A. H e rbert, Right Hon. W. G. Hayter, llon. Henry Brand, Sir John Ramsden, the Attorney-General, the Solicitor-General, the Attorney-General for Ireland, the Lord-Advocate, Mr. Massey, Mr. James Wilson, Mr. C. Fortescue, Mr. Osborne, Mr. R. W. Grey, Mr. Denby Seymour, Mr. F. G. Baring ; Hon. George Waldegrave, secretary ; Rev. Henry Drury, chaplain. ATTEMPTED MURDER IN PRESTON GAOL BY A PRISONER CHARGED WITH PARRICIDE.—It will be remembered that Themes Kershaw, 19 years of age, a factory operative, was on the 15th tilt. committed for trial at the Lancaster assizes on a charge of having murdered his father on the 13th ult., at Over Dar wen, by striking him ou the head with a poker. After committal he was removed to the gaol at Preston to await his trial, and was confined in one of the hospital wards, two orderlies, named Collins and Garner (also prisoners) being appointed to watch him alternately. It seems that he has made some state ments to CrillmS about the murder, which Collins has written down and given to Colonel Martin, the governor. He told Collins on the Bth inst. that he intended to act mad before the assizes." He has since charged Collins with telling tales of him, and threatened to use the poker and tongs against him. On Friday morning Collins was sitting by his bedNide, reading the Testament, when prisoner got out of bed and struck hire on the head with an iron fire-shovel. Collins was knocke I down insernihle, and dreadfully injured. Other men ran in and seized Kershaw, who only said, ' I may as well be hang for two murders as for one." The mat ter was investigated by the visiting justices on Saturday, and he was committed on this additional charge. an official in the gaol the governor, that Thomas LOAPE FROM HEREFORD COUNTY GAOL. - Shortly r t p te ) r r B ted o'c t l o o c C ock a o p n t a F i n ri d G a l y m en n, o h n Davis, a prisoner who was committed for trial to the next assizes, for housebreaking at Little Hereford, was miss ing. It was found that the prisoner had removed a large lock from the door, and wrenched it off; the top plate of this lock has not yet been found. He also wrenched off a heavy bolt, and seems to have picked a large padlock, removing the top plate by means which have baffled all scrutiny to ascertain. A bag, composed of strong twine network, is placed in each cell, and in this the prisoner every eight deposits his clothes, which are removed from the cell, and restored at 6 o'clock in the morning. In this case, the prisoner, on receiving his clothes and the net in which they were placed, must hive at once set to work in an ingenious manner. He formed a ladder of the net-work of the bag, and pro vided steps for his feet by breaking up his wooden trencher into steps. He must then have forced the locks and made his way to the outer wall, which he succeeded in climbing by the aid of his rope ladder of novel con struction, and got clear away before his escape became known. A description of the fu g i t i ve , and a reward is offered for his apprehe nsion ; but no tidings of him can be ascertained. Since his esca p e a robbery has been committsd at a house i n the directio n in which it is sup posed he has gone ; and, from the fact that wea r i ng apparel was the booty of the robbery, it is deemed to be more than probable t he p risoner was the perpetrator, in order t o change his attire.--9locester Jo urna l . T HE ADMINISTRATION OF INDlA. — Yesterday was pub• licked a cony of a memo randum (prepared at the India house) of the improv ements is th e administration of India during the las t 30 y ears . The statement is ushered in by a prefatory notics, to th e E ff ect t h at at this thee, when a calamity unexampled in th e hi s t ory of India has excited an unusual amount of interest in Indian affairs, while the statements publicly made and the opinions expressed concerning the Government of India strikingly manifest the deficiency of correct infor mation on the subject, a brief survey of the principal measures which have of. late been adopted for improving the internal government of the country and the physical and mental condition of its inhabitants, may be ser viceable in removing false impressions and in supplying materials for a deliberate 'judgment. It is thought proper, considering • the very recent p er i o d at w hi c h the charter was renewed (1853), to "trace the stream etc. Indian improvement from a point much higher up in its course. ' The memorandum refers to the connection of the revenue system with the rights, lee., of the people, to the permanent settlement of Lower Bengal, the pre seet improvemeete in that Presidency, the ryotwar system in Madrasi, the ryotwar reform in Bombay, the settlement of the North-West provinces, the fiscal system of India, the land revenue, the opium and salt monopo lies, Customs, the post-office, judicature, and legislation, police and prisons, Thuggee and Dacoit suppression, eiracy,' Suttee, witchcraft, Tragga, Meriah sacrifices, slavery, the remarriage of widows, public works and railroads, education, the cultivation of tea, and the im provement of native States. The whole forms a Parlia mentary pamphlet of nearly 40 pages. DREADFUL FIRR—The Carlow Post of Saturday con tains the following O a T hurs day morning last, at about five o'clock, a fi re b ro k e ou t i n the clothes store of Athy Workhouse, a n d th e con t en ts being of an in• flammable nature th e flames quickly spread to an adjoining dormitory, in which there wire about 13 children sleeping. This room also caught fire ; all t he children escaped, ex ce pt th ree , who, melancholy to relate, were buret to ashe s . Th e sc hoolmaster made several attempts to rescue the un f or t una t e children, but in vain, fur the fl ,mes had spread to such an extent that it was impossible to obtain access to the room. Subsequently the heated vapour coming from the burning building extended to a dormitory occupied by 12 men, seven of whom, on hearing of the fire, immediately got out of bed, dressed themselves and (petted the room ; but the other five, not being able to escape, such was the powerful influence the smoke had oa them, remained, and were suffocated. A cirournstaace connected with the Buff). cation of these men deserter to be related. There were two brothers sleeping in cue bed. On the alarm reach ing them one awoke the other, and told him to get up as • quickly as he could, that ;he house was on fire ; but the unfortunate man was so much overpowered from the effects of the smoke that he was unable to move, and was afterwards with the other four men, suffo ca'ed. The fire was first discovered by the cook, who immediately informed the master, Mr. Tracey, and he at once proceeded to unlock all the dorm.- tories, in order to allow the inmates to escape, which, when dine, he despatched a messenger to the police barrack for a fire-engine ; be also ordered the alarm bell to be rang. In a short time the fire-engine arrived, and of civilians, who rendered very great assista nce in ex was worked most efficiently by the police and a number tinguishing the fire, which was completely done before 8 o'clock. The amount of property destroyed is esti mated at between 3001. and 4001. The building is fully , the result of (Saturday)lay insured in the Sun Insurance Company. An in q uest was held on the bodies yesterday (Friday) , which we have not yet heard. On this the commissioners' inquiry will be held to examine into the particulars of the case. How the fire originated is not known ; when the inquest is held all the circum stances connected with the tragic, occurruce Will appear," LATEST NEWS. PARIS, FEB. 16. The Duke de Montebello has been appointed Ambassador of France at St. Petersburg. FRANCE. PARIS, MONDAY EVENING. The Emperor and Empress yesterdity gave a pri vate audience to Lord Cowley, who presented a letter from Queen Victoria notifying to their Ma jesties the marriage of the Princess Royal of Eng land to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. Afterwards, .Kaider Effendi, charge d'affaires of Turkey during the absence of Mehemed Djemil Bey, bad the honour of being presented to their Majesties ; as bad, also, M. Bornemann, charge d'affaires of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The trial of Orsini and his accomplices is re ported to be postponed to the end of the present month, in order to allow time for the translation into French, by sworn interpreters, of a great num ber of documents in the English and Italian lan guages._ - Marshal Pelissier is expected in a few days to be appointed Governor of Paris, a post which existed under the first Empire. The Minister of War seems to be thrown into the shade by all these changes. M. de Persigny arrived here from London on Saturday night. As invariably happens when this gentleman visits Paris, rumours have got afloat of the retirement of one or two of the Ministers ; gene rally one of them is the Minister of the Interior, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs is invariably the second. Whether or not such a step as the retire ment of M. Walewski from office is really contem plated, the presence of the French Ambassador at this moment is, perhaps, something more than a mere complimentary visit. M. de Persigny will have an opportunity—and there is little doubt he will avail himself of it—frankly and unmistakingly, as is his wont, to explain the bad effect produced in England by M. de Morny's address and those of some of the regiments. In consequence of a recent arrangement between Russia and the Porte s:x new Consular appoint ments will, it is said, be made in the Ottoman empire. The Indian news which has reached Paris, dated Bombay, January 23, says :—" The flying columns which ale scouring the country are restoring older and tranquillity everywhere. They had but a few unimportant engagements with the enemy." By order of the Minister of Finance, the interest on Treasury Bonds is fixed as follows from this day :-31- per cent. for bills from three to five months' date, 4 from six to eleven months, and 4i for those of twelve months. The Moniteur publishes a list of names of per sons who have been authorised to wear foreign decorations. :Among them are the Marquis de Moustier, French Minister at Berlin, for the order of the Red Eagle of Prussia, Ist class ; M. Rce derer, secretary of legatio❑ at Darmstadt, that of Knight of the Belgian Order of Leopold ; M. de Morny, director of the Ministry of Agriculture, that of Commander of the Danish Order of Dane brog. BOURSE, FEB. 15.—Notwithstanding the change in the interest on Treasury Bonds, and a rise of in the English Consols, the market at first declined to 69fr. 75c. and 69fr. 70a., but afterwards Tallied to 69fr. 85c. and 69fr. 90c. The following were the last quotations :- 4i per Cents 94 70 15o: end month Credit Fonder Belgian 4 Piedmontese (5) .. 9O Roman BB Austrian Spanish Threes Home Debt 371 3 per Cent. ..... 69 75 Do. end month 69 70 Bank Shares 3060 Credit Mobilier 950 Do. Account 947 50 RAIL' Orleans Northern New Ditto BO5 Lyon and Mediteran. 870 New Ditto B3O Geneva Midi Western 6914 Strasburg Grand Central Sardinian Austrian THE DANUBE. A letter from Vienna, in the Independence of Brussels, says " The Porte has sent a new circular note, under date of the 26th ult., on the subject of the treaty of navigation of the Danube. Taking no notice of the controversy of which the said treaty has been the object, the note commences by an historical explanation relative to the two commissions ap pointed to regulate the navigation of that river, and then comes an analysis of the question as connected with the prescriptions of the treaty of Ppis. The object of the reason;ng i 3 to azsimilate the Danube to the other rivers which flow through and separate several States, such as the Weser, the Elbe, the Scheldt, and the Rhine. It is on these grounds that the Turkish Cabinet founds its opinion that the congress of Paris has not merely the right but is under the obligation to examine the treaty in question, in order to ascertAin whether that assimilation has taken place or not. As to the riverain states, the note states that the proof of that assimilation is incumbent on them, and that if it does not appear in the treaty whioh they signed, the conventions of it must be modified by an additional article. This note, therefore, lays down a dilemma which it is difficult to solve—either the assimilation of the Danube to the .other rivers has been established by the treaty concluded be tween the riverain states, and in that case the con ference of Paris is bound to verifythat assimilation ; or it has not been so established, and the riverain states must then conform to such modifications as may be necessary to effect that object. This is putting the question in a new point of view, and the clearness and force•of the arguments brought forward appear of a nature to facilitate a final understanding." AMERICA. ARRIVAL OF THE STEAM-SHIP EUROPA. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY. The British and North American Royal Mail steamship Europa arrived at this port at noon to day from New Yolk, with the weekly United States mails. She has brought 33 passengers, 2,225,981 dols. in specie on freight, the usual mails, aud ad vices from New York to the 3d inst. She pas ed the steamer America of the same line at 1.30 p.m. on the 14th, which left this port on Saturday for Na w York. The New York Journal of Commerce says that it is understood the Government has declined to entertain any negotiations for a renewal of the mail contract, which expires in June, with the Collins' line of steamers, and an officer in the ser vice of the company went out in the Baltic, on the 16th ult., to see what could be done towards effect ing a sale of the vessels in Europe. Report says that the losses of the company have used up their available means, and that their bankers, Messrs. Brown Brothers and Co., have declined to make further advances without additional security. The War Department has received despatches from the Utah expedition, but the character of the news has not yet transpired. It is reported that General Scott will leave for California on the 20th of next month. Late advices have been received from the Utah expedition at Weston, by the arrival there of Mr. Davidson, who left the army on the 14th. The heLlth of ? the troops was good, and they were as comfortable as circumstances permitted. There was no snow to the east of Fort Laramie, and grass and buffalo were abundant. A salt train from Fort Laramis was met by Mr. Davidson on its way to the camp. Nothing had been heard from Captain Marcy. Additional advices from the Utah army state that as soon as Captain Marcy arrives from New Mexico, which will probably be about the middle of April, an attempt will be made by Colonel Johnston to enter Salt Lake City. The Indians on the Pacific have been somewhat excited by the news of the destruetion of the Government stores, but as yet have made no hostile demonstrations. The friends of General Walker held a meeting at Mobile on the Ist inst., at which the General was present. He gives as a reason for the opposi tion to his schemes, that he had rejected overtures from the Government to go to Mexico and incite rebellion there, with a view-of Mexico falling into the hands of the United States. The Grand Jury at New Orleans have refused to find a bill against Walker. Ale tter from Havana says that the slave schooner which drove off the boats of a Spanish man-of-war, whe❑ endeavouring to capture her, killing two men in the boats sent to board her, landed her cargo to the west of Havana—officers and crew safely housed in that city, ready again for action. COMMERCIAL. NEW YORK, FEB. 3. The stock market has been moderately inactive, with de clining prices. The quotations of most of the railroad bonds and stocks were fully up to their intrinsic values. In exchange there had been considerable business for the Europa in sterling and French bills, prices closing very firm. New bills on London were quoted 94 to 10i per cent. ' • France, sf. 164 c. to sf. 124 c. ; Antwerp, sf. 176 c. to sf. 1 . 50. ; Hamburgh, 371 to 37A. Cotton—The New York Shipping List reports, on the 3d, that the cotton-market remained firm, with a fair demand. Sales, 6,000 bales. The crop estimates from the South re main unchanged, and 3,000,000 bales seem to be regarded as a maximum. Breadetuffs There was a continued dull market for state and western flour, with a decline of Go. to 10c. on the medium and low grades. Freights --There was literally no charge in the freight market, and the business continued moderate. NE W ORLEANS, FEB. 2. The cotton market is slightly dearer. Sales to-day 12,000 bales, at 100. to 10ic. for middling. THE INDIAN MAILS. - The following telegram has been received from the Peninsular and Oriental Company's agent at Malta " The Veetis, with the homeward Bombay mail, left here for Marseilles on the 14th at 10 3.m. " The Valetta arrived from Marseilles on the 14th at 7 a.m., and sailed for Alexandria at 10 a.m. " The Pera, from Southampton, arrived on the 15th at 10 a.m., having experienced strong head winds. She leaves at 4 p.m. for Alexandria. TIIE THEATRES. LYCEUM. Mr. Roberts, the American tragedian, who made his debut last season at Drury Lane, is engaged at this house, and played Othello last night in the presence of a numerous audience—Mr. C. Dil on taking the part of Ingo, and Mro. C. Dillon that of Dendumoua. Miss Helen Faucit is engaged for a few nights; and will appear on Thursday as Lady Macbeth. ADELPIII. The hiatus valds deflendus created at this theatre by the absence, on a tour in the provinces, of Madame Celeste, Mr. B. Webster, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Paul Bedford, has been in some measure filled up by the engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Williams, who made their first appearance this season last night, an d experienced the cordial reception which never fails to await them at the hands of the Adelphi audience. A little piece entitled " Yankee Courtship ; or, Away Down East," was produced in the course of the evening, and provoked volleys of laughter. It is ambitiously called "a new and original comic drama," but it is, in fact, a farce of the genus " r oaring ar,d had it b een so sty l ed i t would have fully justified the designation, for it is instinct with fantastic drollery, and the humour is of the broadest and most extravagant. A married Englishman is on his travels in America, and being put to his wit's end to replenish his exhausted exchequer, hits on the not very credi. able expedient of making love to a wealthy spinster, who is silly enough to give ear to his suit. The mirth centres in Mrs. B. Williams, who, fathoming his nefari ous design, betrays him into a series of the moat ludicrous dilemmas, which fortunately result in his restoration to the embraces of his injured wife and four disconsolate cnildren. Serious criticism on such a trifle is out of a e question. It will suffice to say that the farce abounds in wild, uproarious fun, and that one continual shout ut laughter attests the satisfaction of tee audience. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are understood to be the authors. LLOYD'S SIIIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, Feb. 16.—Wind this day at noon, N.; strong breeze a.ad En's. PORTSMOUTH, Feb. 15.—Wind E., foggy.—Arrived— Methada, from Callao. NEWPORT, Feb. 15.—Wind N.E.—Arrived—Corbrere, from Jersey for Buenos Ayres. SWANSEA, Feb. 15.--Wind E.—Sailed—Africana, for Gibraltar. HULL, Feb. 16.—Wind N.—Sailed—Serpent, for St. Michael's. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) SOUTHAMPTON, Tuesday Morning. Wind N. Arrived—Wonder, steamer, from Jersey; La Poole Cherbourg ; Alliance, steamer, Hav re . , Sailed —Express, steamer, for Jersey; Havre, atoamer, Havre. LIVERPOOL, Tuesday Morning. Wind N.N.W. Art ived— Mentor, from Cronstadt ; Felix, Nantes; Corrido, Mecillones ; Sat% Witch, China and Dublin. CORK, Feb. 12. Tho large vessel reported as having, with sugar, &c., struck on the'rocks of Ballycotton, proves to be tho Cathe rine and Isabella, from Cardin and New Ross. (BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Tuesday Morning. Wind W.N.W., tide one hones flood, weather fine. No arrivals. Sailed - -Seine, (s.), for Boulogne ; Belgium, (s.), Ostend ; Wabush, Boston. _ _ _ DEAL, Tuesday Morning. Wind, N.N.W., moderate. Passed, Feb. 15.—Hopewell, for St. Helena ; Storm Nymph, Malta; Jonadab, Sau Juan —all from London. Anehored—Bonita, from Terceira, for ordera ; West Indian, from Demerara, for London. Passed in tow--St. George, (a.s.), from the westward, Li. London. }RUE MONUMENT.—The Puna übscriLed for a monu ment at Montrose to the late Mr. Joseph Hume is about 5001. It was resolved that Mr. Calder Marshall should be employed to execute a freestone statue and pedestal, the figure to be nine feet in height, THE PRINCIPALITIES. "The reports of the members of the international commission of Bucharest," says a Vienna later in the Cologne Gazette, " are looked for with con siderable anxiety. It is affirmed that the French Commissioner has proposed a constitutional form of government, and that Russia, Prussia, and Sar dinia approve of his views. On the contrary, Austria and the Porte are of opinion that the con stitutional form should not be insisted on. Eng land is said to admit the French views, but with some modifications. Opinions differ likewise on the point of hereditary right for the Prince at the head of the Government. Persons who are well informed think that in the end a Hospodar for life will be decided on." SPAIN. The Madrid journals of the 10th contain no political news of importance. In the Congresa, the Minister of the Interior had presented bills relative to the administration of provincial councils and on the atributions of governors of provinces. The workmen employed in the works at Torrelo dones, in the first section of the Northern Railway, had created some disturbances, but the Civil Go vernor of the district had repressed them. The cause of them is not stated. The death of Lieut.-General Count de San Antonio from an attack of apoplexy, just as he was about to go out for a walk, is an flounced. A Russian colonel of engineei a, of the name of Kwita, was occupied in examizing the plans and documents of the War Department, and in visiting the military schools and establishments. A royal decree in the Gazette authorises the Duke de Montpensier, in consequence of his promotion to the grade of captain-general in the army, to have three aides-de-camp. The Barcelona journals contain accounts of some disturbances at Blanca, in Catalonia. A band of insurgents ou the 6th invaded the town, and possessed them selves of the, Town-hall ; the municipality resigned and a new one was establisbei. A conflict then took place (it is not said between whom) and four men were killed —several wounded. The military commander of Girona, on hearing what bad occur red, hastened to Blanes with troops, but found all calm. Tie Captain-General of Catalonia, on his part, despatched three columns by railway, but on arriving they found thei e was nothing for them to do. A of troops was, however, ordered to remain in the place. At Armontera there had been a conflict, in which two men were killed and several wounded. The object of the disturbances is not stated, neither is it said what was the cry of the insurgents. A letter from Ragusa of the Gth, in the Nord of Brussels says " Accounts received to-'ay from Montenegro announce that the Turks have resumed hostilities, and that some troops from the garrison of Podgeritzi have marched to Pipersk ~ in the valley of the Moracca. On the 30th ult. the Turks left the fortress with three pieces of artill ry, and followed the banks of the Moracea as far as the Montenegrin frontier, which they crossed. At the momeit when they were about to return to tLe Turkish territory, driving before them a quantity of sheep and e•xen which they had taken possession of, the Montenegrins attacked them, and a desperate conflict took p!ace, in which several of the Montenegrins were killed, the Turks also leaving a number of killed and wounded on the field. The govertimmt of Montenegro sent information of the occurrence to the Pacha of. Scutari, and demanded the prompt chastisement of these marauders. Up to the present time the Pacha has not given any reply, and fresh disasters will certainly occur if the Montenegrins aro compelled to take the law into their 91411 hands Prince Danilo is said to have adopted the most severe measures to maintain order on the frontier." Advicei from Vienna say ;—" The question of the Danube Navigation Act appears on the point of settlement. The present document will remain as it is, but the riverain powers have declared themselves ready to add additional clauses con taining the extensions demanded in Paris and London." In the Second Chamber of Prussia on Saturday, M. Bardeloben gave notice of a motion for regu lating the circumspection of electoral districts for the election of members of the Chamber ; and M. do Gerlach, of onefor fixing the duration of each parliament at 6 years. The Chamber subse quently approved of the treaty of commerce with Persia. Accounts from the Hague state that in the sitting of the Second Chamber on the 11th three bills were presented ; the first having for object the regulation of the general accounts ; the second, relating to the composition and labours of the general office for accounts ; and the third, concern ing the financial responsibility of ministers. rAYS. LITERATURE. Margaret Hamilton. By Mrs. S. C. Newby. 3 vole. Bentley. We meet with a most pleasing story iu these volumes, there is nothing very romantic in their details, nor extraordinary in their progress, but the attention of the reader is attracted, and the inte rest kept up till the end, although it is a mournful fact that the position of the Hamilton is " the tale the truth of every day," it is one replete with incidents that may serve to illustrate the pages of fiction. The parents are only mediocre sort of in dividuals, the father becoming desponding and the mother garrulous under their troubles ; the young girls of the family are nothing particular, but it is in the two elder members of the household that the interest centres, Mark and Margaret. This brother and sister were congenial spirits, they could not bo together as he had to reside in chambers, being a lawyer just commencing his arduous avocations, but when they did meet it was a delight to both. Margaret ex perienced the trial so hard to be borne by the young and enthusiastic, that of feeling her ardour extine guished, and her energies damped by the over whelming force of circumstances, and the chilling blasts of poverty. She was not destitute of that better hope, and brighter knowledge which whis pers consolation to the wounded spirit, and assures the upright mind that those never work in vain who make others their first object, and endeavour to see good in all that may occur. However sweet and sustaining it was to the afflicted heroine to feel that she was actuated by a purer motive than self-indulgence, and was struggling for a nobler end than self-aggrandisement, failure was bitter all the same. It was not the want they were some times reduced to, the daily annoyances, and petty mortifications which those who have come down in the world feel tenfold more than those born and bred in indigence, but it was the sharpest sting of poverty to find it effected a change in more than the bodily feelings, that it corroded the mental and moral qualities. When her sister Alice made an unsuitable marriage to one she did not like, on the plea of her own home being so bad any change must be . for the better, when her mother became a perfect torment to herself and an inflic tion to all around her, ruining every faint chance of amusement, and doubling every annoyance by her moroseness and unhappy manner ; above all, when her father, led on from trouble to impru dence, at last stooped to guilt, no wonder that then even the high spirit quailed, and the trusting heart was in despair. Margaret quickly roused herself and met the emergency. She contrived td screen her father from open proof, though flying rumours were circulated of a dark story. She was hardly more fortunate abroad than at home, for, when she went to visit her aunt, at Hastings, hoping that a change of air and scene would renew her faded strength and revive her drooping spirits, she met with new troubles. Mrs. Daventry, or "Aunt Anne," as she was always styled, was very good-natured, but nothing more ; and, therefore, though considei ably wealthier, she could be of no essential service to her brother's family. At her house, Margaret renewed her ac• quaintance with Mr. Travers, a gentleman whose mental gifts and moral excellence rendered him peculiarly the object of Margaret's attention Aunt Anne threw an evil spell over their intercourse by intermeddling, and the consequence was her niece's hasty departure from the spot, and the abrupt tei misation of their summer pleasures. Maik had meanwhile had his difficulties to en counter, and his spirited defence of his old serv ant Jasper, who was falsely accused of theft, is well described as the turning point of his career. From thence it might be steep and arduous, but never more hopeless, as the first part of the ascent had appeared to himself, and indeed to others also. Some diversion is ingeniously con trived to the narrative by the courtship of Richard Daventry and Julia Anstruther. It is satisfactory to find the deceiver unmasked at length, 'the more so as, with all his faults, the idolised son of poor Aunt Anne was really deserving of abetter fate than could have been his when once united to such a woman as Julia proved herself to be. Kate Lynd hurst is an agreeable girl, and one whose lively disposition and buoyant spirit were well calculated to prove a blessing to Mark, so engrossed in ab struse studies, and so further depressed by care within and early acquaintance with some of life's sternest realities. Mr. Travers fulfils the promise he held out of being a genuine character, by seeking out Margaret in her obscure home and offering her a far fairer prospect. The best natures are those which endure trouble as a refiner's fire, and come out purified and softened ; and such were Margaret and her brother, whose fortunes have afforded us pleasing study, and whose virtues, while not in. , o ,mpatible with humanity, are of that exalted order which forms its most glorious crown. • NEW MUSIC. The Maiden's Reply. Ballad. Written by John Ellison, Esq. Composed by M. Enderssohn. Joseph Williams, Cheapsido. A most beautiful ballad, of which the arch little story is charmingly interpreted by the composer,, the melody being no less original than " catching.' We have no hesitation in pronouncing our verdict that it is destined to a very long career of popu. larity, both in the concert-room and iu private circles. MARKET NEWS.—(Tins Day.) HAY MARKETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 21 10s to 3l 15s; clover, 31 10s to 41155; and straw, 1/ 4s to 1/ 8s per load. A moderate supply and a slow trade. CIINBERLA.ND. —Meadow hay, 21103 to 41 Os; clover. 31 10s to 41 15s ; and straw, 11 4s to 11 9s per load. A dull inquiry. WHITEcHAPEL.—Meadow hay, 21 lOs to 31 153; clover 31 lOs to 41 15s ; and straw, 1/ 4s to 11 8s per load. A fair average supply, and a heavy demand. COLONIAL. TEA. —A very small amount of business has been trans acted, and little change has taken place in prices. Com mon congou is quoted 13d per lb. SUGAR. —The market continues steady, although there is an absence of any active demand. The finer qualities sur port previous rates ; but other descriptions are rather cheaper. In the Refined market there is a fair amount of business doing, and full rates are current for dried goods. Good'and, fine pieces realise 45s Gil to 47s 6d, and very fine 48s 6d per ewt. COFFEE. —There is very little enquiry for any description and not the slightest change can be reported in prices. COCOA. —For good and fine qualities there is a fair en' quiry, but common kinds are less sought after. Fully late rates were maintained for the better descriptions. Elm—A rather large speculative business has been re ported, and prices have improved about 3d. per owl. adders exhibit increased firmness. RUM. —The market remains very dull, and the few ludo' reported have been at about former quotations. SALATETRE—A rather active business has been trans . acted in the inferior descriptions, but prices have been de pressed. INDIGO---The Public Sale, which commenced on the 9th inst., was concluded yester day. The , total quantity de clared was 9,018 chests, el. which 1,813 were so ld , 2,06 8 bought in, and 5,037 withdrawn. C om p are d w ith the prices current in October last, fine Bengal declined 6d to 9d ; middling and Oudes, 10d to is. 2d ; Kurpahe, 9d ; and , adadras, 3d to Gd per lb. TALLOW —There is not much business, but prices remain steady. P.Y.C., on the sp o t, 52 s 6d, 52 s 9d ; Marc's,w, o 52s 6d, 52s 9d : April to Ju ne , 62 s Gd ; an d t o wn tallow, 51s Gd per cwt. COAL MART Prices of Coals per ton al BT.—FEU. 15. the close of the market Wei Wend, to. s. d. Davison's West Hartley 14 3 Holmside Gas ll, C Bates's West Hartley l3 6 Carr'a Hartley .. 14 3 Longridge's Wit Hartley 14 3 Bebside's Hartley 14 Wallsend, &a, • Acorn Close - l6 3 Kolloe 17 Russell's Hutton 17 6 Hartlepool l7 t Trim(lon .. ,17 Ships at market, .01:ISE OF JORDS, Feb. 15. CROFT V. LUMLEY.-- THE OPERA-HOINE.—This was a writ of error from the Court of Exchequer Chamber affirming a decree of th e Court of Queen's Bench. Th e matte r came before the latter c ourt in an action of ejectment brought to recove r possession of the Opera-h ouse i n t h e H aymar k e t, under a . proviso i n the leas e f or re - en t r y on th e groun d of for feiture. At the trial a verdict for the plaintiff was takes by consent, subject to a special c a s e , w hi c h ra ised toe questions, first, whether the lease had been forfeited ; and, secondly, whether there bad been any waiver o f the right of re-entry. A majority of the learned judge': were of opinion that there had been no forfeiture, an that if there had been there had been also a waiver. LAW AMENDMENT SOCIETY.—Last night the usual bi-monthly meeting of the Law Amendment Society was held at th e i r roome , W a t er l oc -pl ace —L or d Broughae l in the chair. Mr. Ei ger b roug ht u p the report of a committee appointed to consider the subject of profes sional remuneration. This report insisted upon the principle that the remuneration of professional labour was a matter to be settled between the employer and the employed, so that they regarded the present system o f imposing charges upon a fixed sale of costa as entire', opposed to this principle. They also maintained the!, in settling the amount of remuneration for legal ig?r, vices, consideration should be given to any epee aa .. agreement which may have been entered into by CO " potent parties. A short discussion followed the r ead i ng of this paper with respect t. , the comparative) e xtent o f law chaige. in England and in Scotland in respect to the ouUt ieg ef judgment upon a bill of exchange' tre e ! which it appeared that in Scotland the cost is (men f o urth what it is is England. Tho report was t he n ordered to be printed and circulated among the neewv, er tl for future consideration, and the proceeJlogsiterrnroated in the usual wanner, .. e. (1. Riddell l4 6 Eden „le 2 Cassop .17 0 Framwellgate l6 3 draddyll l7 0 lengn Hall 16 0 Cowpen Hartley ... ~ 14 3 Northumberland 14 „° rietton 1 v south Hatton lii 9 itowArt's 1 8 6 Lambton lB 6 , 59—Sold, 50. I