The Sun. — London, England, 1858-12-06 00:00:00

• MATANZAS and SABANILLA RAILROAD . SEVEN PER CENT. BONDS. The half-yearly interest on the above Bonds, due on the 15th inst., will be paid at the Counting-house of Messrs. J. HENRY SCHRODER and 45, Leadenhall - street , o n that day, and every succeeding CO.,day, between the hours of 11 and The coupons, with a list, in numerical order, must be left Two clear days previously for examination. Printed forms. may be had on application as above. London, Gth December, 1858. THEATRE -ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.—Uneler the Management of Miss Louisa Tyne and Mr. W Harrison. THIS EVENING, MARITANA. Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Susan Tyne, Miss M. Prescott, Mr. F. Glover, Mr. J. G. Patey, Mr. G. Honey, and Mr. W. Harrison. Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon. To conclude wii:h a new Ballet Divertissement, LA FLEUr D'AMOUR : Mesdlles. L. Michelet, Morlacchi, and Pasquale. ROYAL ?RINCESS'S THEATRE. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING will be presented Shakspere's Tragedy of MACBETH. Macbeth Mr. C. Kean ; Lady Macbeth, Mrs. C. Kean. Preceded by a new Farce, in one act, entitled THIRTY-THREE NEXT BIRTIID AY. THEATRE -ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckstone. TIM; EVENING will be performed SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Mr. Buckstone and Miss Reynolds. A new Spanish Ballet, THE INFLUENCE OF GRACE, In which Perea Nena will appear. With WHITEBAIT AT GREENWICH. John Small, by Sir Wm. Don, Bart. And A DAUGHTER TO MARRY. Commen*2 at 7. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE, Lessee and Directress, Miss Swanborough. THIS EVENING, THE LITTLE SAVAGE. After which THE MAID AND THE MAGPIE. WOOING IN JEST AND LOVING IN EARNEST : Miss Swanborough. And THE BONNIE FISH WIFE. Commence at 7 o'clock. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE, Westminster-road. Sole Lessee, Mr. William Cooke. The Lessee has the honour to call public attention to thepro duction of a new grand military and equestrian drama, on Satnrday, Nov. 4, for the first time. • THIS EVENING, and during the week, will be repeated a new grand Spectacle, entitled LIFE:IN THE EAST ; or, The Fugitives and their Faithful Steed. Written expressly for this amphitheatre by Mr. R. Phillips, and embracing the entire strength of this vast Hippodramatic Temple. Princi pal characters by Messrs. R. Phillips, Holloway, J. Anson, Mark Howard, Francis ; Miss Dowton, Miss Weston, &c. Followed by the inimitable SCENES IN THE ARENA, in which Messrs. W. Cooke, Runnels, W. Cooke, jun.; Mes dame Blanche, &c., will go through their unrivalled feats. No fees to box-keepers. The art of riding taught. Commence at seven. Carriages at Eleven. Prices of admission :—Dress Circle, 3s. ; Upper Boxes, 28.; Pit, Is, ; Galleries, 6d. ; Private Boxes, from £1 is to £2 2s. and upwards. Stage Manager, Mr. R. Phillips. • CANTERBURY HALL, Westminster-road. — Proprietor --C. MORTON. The public is most respectfully informed that the FINE ARTS GALLERY, in connection with the above Hall, IS NOW OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, from 11 o'clock a.m. until 12 o'clock p.m. The New Gallery contains an extensive Collec tion of Pictures, by Ancient and Modern Masters and is also devoted to Art productions generally. The Proprietor feels he may confidently assert that, viewed altogether, the exist ing Music Hall, the New Fine Arts Gallery, and the recently added Ante-Hall, will present an attraction which, whether as regards the architectural beauty of the structures them selves, or the varied and hitherto unattempted combinations within, will be found to be wholly without parallel in the Kingdom. The MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT commences as usual at Seven o'clock. THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, DEC. 5. THERMW3IETER, IN THE SHADE. 55—highest since noon yesterday. 47—lowest this morning and during the night. 48—this day at noon. • BAROMETER-30.08—Tising. WIND, North-Westerly; light, and fine sunshiny weather. Heavy rain in the night. t Dec. 6. 51—highest since noon yesterday. 36—lowest this morning and during the night. 38—this day at noon. BAnomETER.-30.29—rising rapidly. WIND, North-Westerly; light, with foggy weather. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 6, 1858. THE SUN. MONDAY. DECEMBER 6, 1858. Queen VICTORIA is henceforth the Monarch of India. The proclamation which terminates the trust hitherto confided to the hands of the Company was duly published on the Ist of November at Bombay, Madras, Agra, Delhi, Kurrachee, Poonah, and other presidency towns. The name of her most Gracious MAJESTY was hailed with rapturous enthusiasm as " Queen of ENGLAND and Empress of HINDOSTAN." Never has a more magnificent and populous territory been transferred by a peaceful and constitutional act—never was such a scene witnessed. It was a complete triumph of law and order. One Government has expired—anoth( r,which will maintain a still higher r resti g e, will supply its place. And these extraordinary changes have been produced by the pen, not the sword. A single drop of blood has not been shed in bringing about these miraculous alterations, and transferring one hun dred and fifty millions of human beings to a new rule. It is a stainless victory. There is nothing to dim the brilliancy of the British triumph in the events that have occurred. We can turn to the page in our future history without wishing that a single passage or word should be erased. The Proclamation, without being verbose or grandiloquent, is just what it ought to be—quiet, but effective ; simple, but powerful. It continues every officer of the company, from the highest to the lowest, in the situation he hail previously held. From the Governor-General to the humble sweeper of an office, all remain unaltered, although, of course, they will be subjected to such laws and re gulations as may hereafter be enacted. It also lays down a broad rule for future dealings with native princes. That was, perhaps, the weakest point in the Company's rule. ,They were, perhaps, but too happy to seize on any plausible pretext to take possession of any valuable property. The right of adoption was ignored, as well as other principles highly cherished by the native chiefs of all ranks. They are now informed that all treaties made with them by or under the authority of the East India Company are accep t ed, and will be scrupulously main tained, and that a like observance is required at their hands ; that, in fact, there will neither be anything in the shape of aggression or undue en croachments on the rights of others, nor will any thing be tolerated against others. In short, the same obligations to respect the rights and privileges and promote the welfare and prosperity of every one of our Hindoo fellow•subjects that has so long ' been recognised with respect to our own has been accepted by her MAJESTY. The paragraph relating to universal religious toleration will command general admiration. Firmly relying on the truth of Christianity, h er MAJESTY disclaims alike the right and the desire to impose her convictions on any of her subjects. She offers religious liberty to all—will not permit any to be either favoured, or molested, or disquieted on account of their religious convictions. The policy of abstention is expressly imposed, and proselytism in any form prohibited. The unnatural war now waged by many who had proved unfaithful to their salt could not, of course, be passed over. It was necessary to show in what manner the mutineers would be dealt with. Striking effects may be produced by the knowledge of the class of offences that are placed altogether beyond the pale of mercy, and of others that will be subjected to secondary punishments only. The participation in the murder of British subjects, there can be no pardon for such male factors. The blood of these victims cries to Heaven for vengeance. To those who gave protection to mur derers,— or, in the words of English law, became accessories after the fact, o: who acted as leaders or instigators in revolt, life only is pro mised, but full attention will be given to every favourable circumstance that can be put forward on their behalf, while full and free amnesty is offered to all others. There can certainly be no objection made to the plenitude of the mercy tendered. It includes every man whom the most morbid sentimentalist would desire to see brought within its terms. A fair and reasonable day of grace is also given. All who come in before the Ist of January will receive the benefits offered by the proclamation. There is also a promise of pro moting works of public utility, when tranquillity has been perfectly restored. While the proclamation has tendered peace, Lord CLYDE has taken the most effectual measures to enforceit. TANTIA TOPEE, the most energetic and able leader of the rebels, has offered to surrender if his life be guaranteed. He is, in fact, driven into a corner, and, now that additional forces are in the field, has no further hope of evasion. Other victories, too, have been obtained, and it may now be anticipated that the nation has witnessed the beginning of the end of the terrible struggle. As Christmas is now fast approaching, the Me tropolitan Board of Works has in due course deemed it prudent to overhaul its accounts. At the last sitting of the Board it was announced to the as sembled members that the whole sum required by the Board, toward its expenses for the current year, ending upon the next 31st of December, amounted to a few shillings and pence over £lo7,oB7—the total current ordinary expenses of the Board being estimated at X 67,983, the compen sation allowances at £2,591, and the repay ment of loans and interest at £42,686, Not a very exorbitant amount, not a very extravagant calculation surely bearing in mind that it relates to the wealthiest capital in the world, to the twin cities of London and West minster. Rapidly though the organisation of the Board of Works has developed of late years, we cannot but regard it as now merely in its pupilage. The lEdilship of England is yet but feeling its way to its true, rational, legitimate authority. Its conspicuous characteristic hitherto has been its timorousness. But for the great fire of 1666 we can hardly conjecture what might not now have been the narrowness, the squalor, and the complication of our inner network of metropolitan thoroughfares. Even when we build a masterpiece of architectural beauty and splendour like St. Paul's Cathedral, we require a century or two to elapse before we ven ture to turn it to any account beyond that of a mere colossal stone decoration. If we raise a testi-' menial to our greatest hero, we accept an alms of £5OO towards its completion from a foreign despot— , and even then don't complete it after all! Patching on, one by one at remote intervals, the four bronze bassi relievo—one of which had to be taken down bodily and replaced by another, because the origi nal specimen (done by contract) proved to have been fraudulently manufactured. John Bull— let alone his public works—has often and often before this proved after the same fashion to have been literally himself " done" by contract. He pays through the nose as well as from the breeches pocket. He squanders large sums of money upon monuments of his own folly in this way— only to find them, after many years have elapsed, left upon his hands unfinished—or finished altogether ridiculously. The finest site in Europe is an accumulation of the most painful evi dences of this. In the middle of it there is the Nelson Column still to this day minus the promised colossal lions for the four corners of the pediment. There is the lamentable National Gallery in the background—a dingy jumble of blank walls and stone pepper-casters. There arc sparsely sprinkled here and there, over the wilderness of flagstones— the veriest odds and ends of bronze castings and specimens of unmatched, and so far only matchless, sculpture. A royal lout in one corner, straddling a horse. In the opposite corner, a vacant pedestal. On one side of the square, down in front, General NAPIER standing with a little squat figure seated beside him—the discoverer of vaccination. Oppo site this brace of illustrious but incongruous wor thies no effigy at all, either seated or standing . Flanking the open space, stone parapets. Dribbling in the middle of it a couple of the wretchedest foun tains in the world. It seems such a miserable old, old story, that it is hardly worth the telling all over again. Yet tell it we must and shall until the unsightly site may have been at length in some degree modi fied and beautified—tell it we must and shall, if but perpetually to point the moral and adorn the tale of which it is, in this capital of ours, the most flagrant and glaring illustration. Next year, let us hope, that the Board of Works will have more to show in the way of metropolitan improvements for its annual £lOO,OOO expenditure. The concentration of the Law Courts and Offices we have recently referred to at some length as an enterprise peculiarly entitled to the regard of her Majesty's Government. It has long been recog nised as an undertaking in every respect most desirable. Calculations of the simplest and clearest kind not only prove it to be feasible, but demon strate beyond the possibility of misapprehension the fact that it would actually, be economic. Instead of the public money being squandered, it would absolutely, in the end, be saved by a bold outlay of £600,000, according to the estimate of Sir CHAS. BARRY, or, according to a more probable anticipa tion, of fully £1,000,000. The immediate re sults, m7reover, of thus concentrating the whole of the now scattered law courts and offices in one noble edifice suitably situated would comprise atvong their number—an economy of time, a sim plification of proceedings, some rational regard at least to the dignity of our great judicial adminis tration, and at length something like a reasonable consideration for the convenience and com fort of every one—from the highest to the lowest in any way engaged in the admi nistration of the laws of England from the humblest lawyer's clerk, from the very door keepers to the judges of the land, to the Lord High Chancellor himself. To recognise at a glance how obviously these and a variety of coneomitant advantages must accrue from the long projected change referred to, it is, really, only necessary to take into consideration for a few moments the actual condition of things as the y exist at present in this particular department of the National Administration. Recollect, for a moment, how preposterously the Law Courts and offices are scattered up and down this huge metropolis ! How meanly the highest dignitaries of the profession are housed ! How inadequate are the miscalled accommodations sup plied to those entrusted with the administration of justice ! How dark and close, how- obscure. and miserably ventilated, how narrow in space and wretchedly mean in appurtenances are the most august judicial courts in the Empire ! The Courts of Equity are located in this way in Lincoln's- Inn—the Common Law Courts in Westminster. Nearly two miles of intricate and crowded thoroughfares intervene between the two. And while the Courts of Common Law and Equity are thus absurdly separated from each other, the Legislature is gradually imparting to them a certain rational concurrence of juris diction—enabling the Courts of Common Law, for example, incidentally to administer equitable relief, while, on the other hand, empowering the courts of equity to exercise some portion of the jurisdic tion hitherto belonging to the courts of Common Law exclusively. Simultaneously with which wholesome tendency of judicial legislation, we repeat the street traffic, rolling to and fro per petually between the divided sites of the courts of equity and common law, is fast increasing, and in creasing with the steady development of the com mercial enterprise of the capital—raising higher and broader a barrier already sufficiently formidable. Remember, again, what are some of the more glaring makeshifts consequent upon this preposter ous separation. In order to accommodate the courts of Equity in Lincoln's, the Old Hall has been, by a master-stroke:of architectural vandalism, boldly divided into two compartments. Here, in one of these, sit the Lords Justices of Appeal. There, in the other, sits the Lord Chancellor. The Master of the Rolls is hid away in the Rolls Court, Chan cery-lane—his honour's chambers are in a separate tenement in the latter thoroughfare. The Vice Chancellors, or at least two of the three, are afforded temporary shelter in a couple of exceedingly primitive courts constructed in Lincoln's-innrser tainly not from the designs of a BARRY or a PALLADIO. The Taxing Masters are- banished away in Staples' Inn. The Judges' Chambers are in Sergeant's Inn. The Court of Bankruptcy is in Basinghall-street. The Court of Insolvency is in Lincoln's-inn Fields. The Courts of Queen's Bench, of Common Pleas, and of Exchequer are pigeon• holed off Westminster Hall. The Court of Probate yet remains unsheltered by any permanent roof tree. And so on with the Chief Clerks, the Regis trars, and the Accountant-General Sergeants and Queen's Counsel, Barristers and Solicitors, flitting hither and thither in this sordid and distracting maze of muddle and confusion. Hence delays are multiplied, expense is incurred, comfort is unknown, splendour and dignity are attributes in connection with our law courts altogether non existent. These are the evils requiring removal by means of a comprehensive enterprise like the very alluring one referred to by us at the outset of these remarks—the choice and purchase of an appropriate site for the concentration of the hitherto scattered law courts and offices, and the construction upon that site of a Palace of Justice, within the walls of which the ancient laws of this realm might be fittingly administered. PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM COMPANY. A meeting of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company took place on Saturday, Mr. B. M. Will cox, M.P., in the chair, when the report was adopted unanimously, and a dividend declared for the past half-year at the rate of 3 per cent., with an additional payment of 1 per cent., be,ides 2 per cent. on the underwriting account. The chairman observed that the purchase of the four new steamers was negotiated within the last week, and that the operation has been highly satisfactory in a financial point of view. After a passing allusion to the Aus tralian contract and the cordial assistance the com pany formed to carry out that service in 1856 had ever received from the Peninsular and Oriental, he announced that the late Pasha of Egypt had agreed to lower the terms of transit on the Suez Railway on its compl.etion throughout. As the line will now shortly be finished, Mr. Anderson, one of the ma nagers, is about to proceed to Egypt to adjust the question with the present Government. In answer to a shareholder it was mentioned that the Suez Canal might undoubtedly afford great facilities in enabling the company to send ships through to India, but that the matter was of little consequence, as it was very improbable that- the undertaking would be completed either in the time of the pre sent generation or their sons or grandsons. It was explained that the loss by claims against the com pany in connection with the cargo of the Ava arose from the agent having irregularly used some old bills of lading, which did not give power to de viate. The local insura nce offices relied upon the Ava's touching at Trincomalee as a deviation, and refused payment—a course which was not followed by the London establishments. Annexed is a list of the company's fleet : Tons, Customs' Horse- Measure- power. ment. Alexandria Line : Pem (screw) ZOI4 • . 450 Ceylon (screw) • 2,021 .. 450 Indus (paddlewheel) Ripon (paddlewheel) Sultan (screw): Peninsular Line : Tagus (paddlewheel) 782 .. 280 Alhambra (screw) Marseilles and Alexandria Line : Euxine (paddlewheel) Vectis (paddlewheel) Panther (chartered and paddlewheel) Calcutta and Suez Line : Simla (screw) Bengal (screw) 2,185 .. 560 Alma (screw) Nubia (screw) Nemesis (screw) Candia (screw) Bentinck (paddlewheel) 1,974 .. 520 Hindostan (paddlewheel) Oriental (paddlewheel) Bombay and China and Bombay and Suez Lines : Ganges (paddlewheel) Cadiz (screw) Norna (screw) 969 .. 230 Ottawa (screw) Malabar (screw) Aden (screw) Singapore (paddlewheel) Madras (screw) Bombay (screw) Pekin ,(paddlewheel) Pottinger (paddlewheel) Hong Kong and Shanghai and Hong Kong and Manilla Lines : Chusan (screw) Shanghai (screw) - . . Formosa (screw) 675 .. 155 Lady Mary Wood (paddlewheel) 553 .. 260 Canton (paddlewli6el) -- -- - 348 .. 150 Rajah (screw) Manilla (screw) Mauritius Line :.. Azof (screw) Granada (screw) 561 .. 160 China station : Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy (paddlewheel) 126 .. 3 Ships on the way to India and Australia : Malta (screw) Benares (screw) Salsette (screw) Northam (screw) ...... Emeu (screw) Mazagon (pad.-wheel, st. tug, Bombay) 86 .. 45 Ships just Purchased : * , * * about 1,650 .. 350 • • * * about 1,650 .. 350 • * * -*- • * a a about 1,650 .. 350 Ships Building and under Alteration : Colombo (screw) 1,864 .. 450 Valetta (paddlewheel) Jeddo (screw) o m l,BOO .. 450 Nepaul (screw) Union (screw) 341 .. 60 Delta (paddlewheel) o m 1,877 .. 400 Massilia (paddlewheel) Transport, Store, and Coal Ships : liaddington 1,460 .. Precursor 1,817 .. Zenobia 9OO .. Fort-William Santa Anna 1,500 .. Ariadne 9OO .. Total 81,615 18,610 Sir William and lady Middleton have arrived in town, from Shrubland Hall, Suffolk. Mr. and Mrs. Ladbroke have left Farrance's Hotel, Belgravia, for Worthing. -We .regret to say that we fear the health of the noble Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, the Marquis Dalhousie, is failing so fast that his medical attendants hesitate even advising him to risk seeking a warmer climate for the winter. It was intended, as before announced, that the noble marquis should proceed to Malta ; but, desirable as this is for many reasons, there are grave doubts now that the time has come for him to take his departure whether his strength is sufficient to enable him to bear the fatigues of travel, or the disturbance of a voyage. Lord Dalhousie still remains at his ancestral castle, and there is little pro- I spect of his being able to move.---.Dovvr Chronicle. . - LATEST NEWS. The following telegram was received at Mr. Reuter's office, December sth : MADRID, SUNDAY, Dec. sth. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. The following is the summary of the Queen's speech at the opening of the Cortes. The Queen expresses her satisfaction at the re ception she has met with in her recent progress through the provinces. The Government has given instructions to the ambassador at Rome to settle vending questions. The relations with foreign powers are intimate and cordial. Her Majesty hopes that the difficulties with Mexico may be shortly solved, but states that ener getic measures have been decided upon in the event of a contrary result. Morocco has made reparation for the vessel which had been plundered—a cir cumstance which the Government hopes will pre vent the renewal of depredations by the Riff- Pirates in future. The expedition to Cochin China has been under• taken in contort with France. The internal condition of Spain is satisfactory, and measures will be introduced by the Govern ment affecting the Municipalities, the Provincial Deputations, the Press, and redemption of Quit rents. Her Majesty concludes with promising to accelerate the formation of public roads which tend to develop the resources of a country. ST. PETERSBURG, DEC. 4. The .2Vorthern Bee of this day publishes a lead ing article stating that the English Cabinet will be obliged to present a Reform Bill to Parliament, in order that other political leaders in the house should not anticipate them in this measure. The bulletin published by Government an nounces the fact that the cholera has ceased in St. Petersburg. The disease was not epidemic. Tomorrow a Te Deum will be sung in ad the churches of St. Petersburg. FRANCE. PARIS, SUNDAY. An Imperial decree, dated the Ist December, issued on a report from Prince Napoleon, charged with the Ministry of Algeria and the Colonies, de clares that for the future the position of judges in the higher courts of law in the colonies shall be assimilated to similar functionaries in Algeria. To that effect, the judges and other officers of the Imperial Courts and Tribunals of the Colonies shall be considered as detached from the Ministry of Justice, and placed under the authority of the Minister of Algeria and the Colonies ; but that the disciplinary measures which may have to be taken with respect to them shall be concerted between the Minister of Algeria and the Colonies and the Minister of Justice, without, however, encroaching on the powers assigned to the Gover nors, Courts, and Tribunals of the Colonies. Like wise, all degrees nominating or revoking members of Courts and Tribunals in the Colonies shall be issued on the joint proposition of the Minister of Algeria and the Colonies and the Minister of Jus tice, and shall be counterigned by them. BOURSE, Dec. 4.—The article published by the 3loniteur produced a slight improvement in the first quotations of the Rentes, but further sales have since depressed the market. Threes have been done at 74f. 20c., but have receded to 74f. ; Mobilier varied from 995 f. to 975 f.; Orleans, 1,390 f. to 1,382 f. 50c.; Lyons, 876 f. 25e. to 872 f. 50c. ; Southern, 577 f. 50c. to 575 f. ; and Austrian 648 f. 75c. to 645 f. The following are the last quota tions It per Cents. .... 96 20 Credit Fonder Do. end month .. Belgian 4t . — 3 per Cents. 73 95 Piedmontese (5) 94 Do. end month.... 74 Roman 93 50 Bank Shares 3165 Austrian Credit Mobilier .. 972 50 Spanish Threes Do. Account ..... 978 75 Home Debt 43 eek information through an organ independent of past lonian politics as to the causes of those embar. rassments and the best means of removing them. " On the one side the British Protectorate over these Islands, on the other the substantive exist ence of the lonian State and its title to Constitu tional Government, having their respective roots in the treaty of Paris, are derived from a source higher than the will of any single State, whether Sovereign or subordinate. They form a portion of the public law of Europe. They cannot be in fringed or altered by any authority inferior to that from which they flow. It is therefore readily to be understood, alike from the terms of the Com mission and from the reason of the ease, that my mission avoids every ulterior question that could derogate from the relations in which, by the concert of so many great States, England and the Islands have been reciprodally placed. The liberties guaranteed by the Treaty of Paris and by lonian law are, in the eyes of her Majesty, sacred. On the other hand, the purpose for which she has sent me is not to inquire into the British protectorate, but to examine in what way Great Britain may most honourably and amply discharge the obligations which, for purposes European and lonian rather than British, she has contracted. " For this object, then, I earnestly invite you, the Chief Executive Authority of the State, and all other persons representing or having an interest in the Government, the institutions, or the people of the country, to assist me freely with all such infor mation and counsel on the state of the Islands and of their laws as ought to influence the conduct of the protecting Power. For it is only by this efficacious aid that I can hope to give effect to those affict tionate wishes for the welfare of the Islands which have been permitted to hear uttered personally by her Majesty. " It has pleased Almighty God to endow the lonian people with remarkable gifts, and also to try them in other times with many vicissitudes. May it please Him now, in an age alike of peace and of hope, to afford them more and more all the blessings of civilised and Christian life ; may your countrymen find in the subsisting relations, wisely developed, a position worthy of their best energies and of their ancient and distinguished traditions, and may their happiness ever be secured by the double union of freedom with public order and of knowledge with the Christian faith." ANSWER OF HIS HIGHNESS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE. " Excellency,—l beg your Excellency to accept, through me, the thanks of the Senate for thehonour which you have been pleased to confer by the ad dress which you have pronounced. " If the subject of your Excellency's mission had not already engaged the attention of the Senate, I should have had to solicit your Excellency to appoint another day that their reply might be sub mitted ; but, as the subject had been previ ously communicated to the Senate through the special medium of his Excellency the Lord High Commissioner, Sir John Young, I feel myself au thorised to state that the Senate regard it in the obvious and dignified sense in which your Excel lency has been pleased to explain it, and that they feel a deep sense of gratitude towards Her Majesty the Most Gracious Sovereign Protectress of these States for the new proof now afforded of her constant solicitude for the happiness and the welfare of the people under her protection. ";Certain of the sentiments of the Senate, I can assure your Excellency that, in the fulfilment of your high mission, they will be ready to furnish every information—every document and every assistance—that may become necessary in the course of your functions, in order that you may attain your high purpose. " I thank your Excellency, in the name of tha Senate, for the kind wishes expressed in favour of our fellow-citizens; and I venture to manifest a hspe that the expressions contained in your learned address will tend to infuse tranquillity in the minds of the lonians, as a condition necessary to insure their progressive welfare, under the auspices of the high protection that shelters them." The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has personally made a most favourable impression with all classes here. The real interest he has shown into everything connected with this country, his eloquence and cap tivating address, and the earnestness which charac terises his research into the causes of their mal content, have clearly convinced all lonians, with whom he has been brought in contact that there is no lack of goodwill towards them on his part. Yes terday morning he held a public levee at the palace of St. Michael and St. George, which, in spite of the unfavourable weather, was attended by num bers of the most respectable portion of the inhabi- tants. The Greek clergy, the officers of the garri son, and all Corfiotes of any note were on this occasion presented to him. Her Majesty's steam frigate Terrible has been placed at the disposal of Mr. Gladstone during his stay in Greek waters. He is accompanied by Mrs. Gladstone and his daughter, the Hon. Arthur Gordon, his aide-de-camp, and a Neapolitan gen tleman who acts as his secretary and interpreter. On the 6th of next month he leaves on a tour to Cephalonia, Zante, and the more southern islands, and, after a visit to classic Athens, is expected to return to Corfu by Christmas. . • : T' \ ~::, '•• __T I V L ,.:7 \`:_ 4 16,01 4 ,j6 :-N ;,, 4 ' .4 44--7-;i74' 410 1 1110 \ 11.4 . ''' \ lt , , .. A , ,_ . . .......z.j-„, RAILIVAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans Northern New ditto 832 50 .. 832 50 Lyons and Mediterranean 875 .. 875 New ditto • Geneva . .. 622 50 - - --- Midi — • . Southern WestQrn 605 .. 600 Eastern Grand Central - — Sardinian 445 .. 445 Austrian Exchange on London, at sight, paper, 25f. 121 e. ; money, 95f, 1 le. ; three months, paper, 24f. 95 c . ; money, 24f. 921 e. THE . lONIAN ISLANDS. CORFU, Nov. 30. The peaks of San Salvador and Santa Decca, the greatest heights in Corfu, were clear on Tuesday evening ; a most welcome sight to all who inhabit this island, as a sure sign of fine weather. For the last six weeks we have been visited by a continual pour of rain, broken by alternate glimpses of sun shine, diversified by a most disagreeable and relax ing sirocco, and accompanied by several shocks of earthquake. Wednesday, however, proved a chilly morning. The Terrible was early signalled off Butrinto, and soon appeared as a speck in the magnificent pano rama which extends around the open gulf in front of Corfu. The news of her approach soon spread, and crowds of the inhabitants hastened to the walls of the town, which ove:icok the sea towards Albania, to await the arrival of the new Lord High Commissioner Extraordinary. The Terrible sounded the Islet of Vido at 11 o'clock, and cast anchor in front of the citadel rock. At half-past one o'clock the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone landed amid a salute of 17 guns. He was received at the Palace by Sir John Young, the Lord High Commissioner, Major-General Sir G. Buller, commanding the military forces in the lonian Islands, and the other principal authorities of Corfu. A guard of honour, composed of a detachment of the 2d battalion 2d Queen's Royals, was stationed ,at the Palace, awl welcomed him to the tune of God save the Queen. Since his arrival here Mr. Gladstone has been in communication with all the Greek authorities of Corfu. o,n Thursday he called on the Bishop, and had a lengthy conference with him. He has also visited the churches and every object of interest in the city. On Friday the Queen's warrant, appoint ing him Lord High Commissioner Extraordinary to the lonian Islands, was read to a full meeting of the Senate, and he on that occasion delivered the fol lowing speech in Italian : " Your Highness and most Illustrious Sirs,— " You have heard the words of the Sovereign Protectrress of the United States of the lonian Islands. " From the Commission which has been read to you is derived whatever title I possess to your re gard and assistance, and to that of other lonians in the execution of my duties. It avoids, as you will observe, all interference with constituted authority, whether in your hands, in those of the Lord High Commissioner, or in any others ; and while binding me, as the subject and servant of her Majesty, to a given purpose, it does not bind any lonian, but simply empowers me to appeal to a free and voluntary aid in furtherance of my endeavours. " Nor is it only the title, but the matter and scope of my charge, is• to be gathered from this Commission. Her Majesty, ever solicitous of the well-being of the people when she governs or protects, is ear nestly desirous that the inhabitants and subjects of the lonian State should enjoy in the fullest sense, according to the spirit and opportunities of the time, every advantage which was contemplated on their behalf by the treaty of Paris in Nov., 1815. " Aware that embarrassments have heretofore from time to time beset the action of the institu tions established-under the treaty, she designs to THE IRON AND COAL TRADES. Although, as usual at this period of the year, the condition of the iron and coal trades is that of gene ral quietude, yet it is not, we are happy to state, greater than might have been anticipated, taking into consideration the crisis through which it has recently passed. Some of the mills and forges in the district are in fair operation, and there is every probability of a further improvement. Several large furnaces which were blown out at the time of the panic have been taken by other large firms ; at some of these work has already been com menced, and at others it is expected work will shortly be resumed. The impression amongst the leading members of the trade is that there will be a good trade in the spring. This idea is based chiefly on the supposition that the prospects of trade generally are brightened from the fact that the stocks of merchant iron are smaller than usual; and further, there is a bareness of stores of all kinds of Staffordshire iron at home and abroad. Some orders have been received in the districts for iron for America, and inquiries for spring deliveries to the States are increasing. There are also considerable inquiries for railway iron for America and Australia, the Government of Victoria having advertised for tenders for 4,500 tons, but nearly all the orders have gone to Wales, the Welsh houses having so thoroughly the advantage of those in Staffordshire in the pro duction of this description of manufactured iron, and it is said they are taking ss. per ton more than they were a month ago. This is considered a favourable symptom, as it will give the Staf fordshire masters a chance of competing with the Welsh houses in the production of this kind of iron. All the producers of good mine pig iron continue to command quarter day prices, and under any circumstances have a sufficiency of orders on hand to enable them to maintain these through the quarter. For second rate and more inferior " makes" it is not easy to fix quotations, but prices have not receded to any material extent. An improvement of a substantial character in the iron trade in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Lanca shire, is stated to have taken place, as there has been an increase in the demand for all descrip tions of iron, and prices arc well maintained. There is a general impression prevalent that the period of commercial dulness is fast disap pearing. Great hopes are entertained of better trade, and that a long course of commercial prosperity may be expected. • A report from Northumberland and Durham states that the question of wages is still in an unsettled state in those counties, in consequence of the organisa tion of the union which was commenced a short time ago. It is, however, s tated that it is only the most unreasonable individuals among the workmen who are endeavouring to introduce a new practice in relation to the working of the . pits, and it is hoped that the m ore intelligent workmen will endeavour to put a stop to it. The condition of the iron trade in Monmouthshire and South Wales is stated to be not very favourable. In Monmouthshire there is much slackness, and only partial employment can be afforded. There is considerable dulness at Pontypool and Abersychan, but in Glamorganshire the state of trade is better, though it is far from being of a satisfactory cha racter.— Wolverhampton Chronicle. THE BRAZILIAN MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, SUNDAY EVENING, The Royal mail steamer Tamar, Capt. Jellicoe, has arrived with the Brazilian and River Plate mails. Her dates are—Buenos Ayres, Oct. 28 ; Monte Video, 31; Rio de Janeiro, Nov. 9 ; Bahia, 13 ; Pernambuco, 15 ; St. Vincent, 23 ; Lisbon, Dec. 2. She brings 74 passengers, £16,583 in specie, diamonds value £27,966, 450 rolls and 10 bales of tobacco, 200 barrels of tapioca, 100 bags of coffee, and sundries. No political news from Buenos Ayres. The pro spects of the revocation of the differential duties were considered as having entirely ceased, and it was almost certain that the additional duties upon produce from the confederation would come into force the beginning of next year. There was no doubt that this latter demonstra• tion of Urquiza would continue to affect general trade most severely. Peace had not been interrupted at Monte Video since last steamer, and there was every chance of its continuance. A steamer arrived from Buenos Ayres on the morning prior to the packet's departure, by which rumours were spread of a revolution having taken place at the Guardia del Monte among a division of the army there. At Rio the weather had been unusually wet and cool. There was no sickness among the shipping or in the city. The advices from Europe were con sidered favourable, and business generally active, with a tendency to greater ease in the money market. The agents of Mr. Price, the contractor for the first section of the Dom Pedro Segundo Railway, having refused to hand over to the company the last part of.the section, the directors attempted to take possession of the same by force, but failed, on which the Government interfered and possession was given, : the Government undertaking to settle promptly the contractors's claims. _ _ _ Coffee - had. declined 100 reis as compared with last month's quotations, but freights having consider ably advanced, there was no difference in the ster ling value. Stocks amounted to 50,000 bags, and no immediate decline in price was looked for, espe cially as the continued unfavourable weather would interfere with supplies. Quotations were—superior, washed and pulped, 5,500 to 6,800 reis per arroba ; superior, 4,900 to 5,100; first good, 4,600 to 4,800; first ordinary, 4,200 to 4,400 ; second, 3,400 to 4,000 ; triage, 2,500 to 2,800 reis. In sugars no material alteration of price had occurred since last mail. Hides quoted at 340 to 360 ; sales were 7,515, and stock on hand 18,000, including 9,063 imported from Rio Grande. Little doing in stock, but firm. Freights to England, 25 ; English Channel, 25 to 40 ; Ham burg, 30 ; Mediterranean, 35 to 45. Exchanges closed very firm at 261 d. on London ; 375 to 360 Paris ; and 676 to 680 Hamburg. At Bahia sugars were without alteration; un important purchases for European markets at 2,500 to 2,600 reis for browns in cases and bags ; raw, in bags, at 2,400. No transactions in coffee. Holders demanded 4,200 reis, and stocks amounted to 6,000,000 bags. Cocoa inquired after at 4,200 ; other produce without alteration. Rum in brisk demand, and firm at 700 reis per canda. Freight —Rates were looking up. The British barque New ton was chartered for London at 20s. per ton. Ex-. change firm at 261 d. Something done at 26td. 90 days, Hamburg, 670 to 680; Paris, 360 to 370. The heat at Bahia had been intense. The town was healthy. Business at Pernambuco had not been so brisk at this season, owing to the lateness of the sugar crop ; the entries of sugar had been only 41,836 bags, or 2,988 tons. The Tamar's Euro pean advices caused a decline in prices of low qua lities, but clayed and good unclayed muscovados had been in good demand for the United States. Whites were extravagantly high, principally for home consumption and, for export to Para, Rio Grande do Sul, and the Azores. Whites were quoted 3,1000 and 3,200 to 4,800; browns, 2,400; and Paraiba muscovados, 2,700. Cottons had ad vanced to 8,000 to 8,200 ; Paraibas, 8,600 to 8,809; and Maceios, 8,300 to 8,400. Hides were at 230. Freights last quarter for the Channel were at 325. 6d. and 5 per cent., with the usual extras for the continent. In excange about £220,000 had passed for this steamer at 2644; discounts 10 per cent. for four and six months' bills. Pernambuco healthy. The Benmuick Dhui, advised by last mail as hav ing gone ashore, was repairing at Pernambuco, and would shortly proceed on her voyage to St. Helena. Part of the cargo would have to be sold to defray expenses. The barque Carib, from London for the Mauri tius, got on a reef off Cape St. Rocque, five miles frotn shore; cargo all saved, and part landed at Pernambuco, and it was reported that the vessel had been got afloat, and would shortly be towed down. The British barque Caledonia, of Dundee, which sailed from Cardiff on the 26th of Aug., with coals for Maranham, was totally lost a few miles from St. Ann's lighthouse, near that port, on the 28th Oct. ; one sailor drowned. H.M.'s ship Harrier was at Montevideo, and Madagascar and Spy at Rio. The Oberon sailed from Rio on Nov. 8, for the River Plate. The United States' ship Marion was at St. Vin cent. The Pacific Company's steamer Lima arrived at Rio from Valparaiso on the 6th of Nov., en route to England, and was to sail on the 10th. Nov. 9, in lat. 23 4 S., long. 42 34 W., the Tamar spoke the barque Margaret Blair, steering west ward. 13th, off Bahia, spoke the barque Mary Ann Beresford. The Cape. Verde Islands were healthy. No news. The screw steamer Tweedsdale, from Calcutta, ar rived at St. Vincent on the morning of the 23d. The Tamar had fine weather on the Brazil coast ; fresh north east winds to St. Vincent ; moderate winds, but a very heavy north-westerly Swell, the entire distance from Cape Verde. She was signalled at Lisbon at 9 a.m. on the 30th ult., but obliged to go out to sea again in consequence of furious south-west and north-west gales, and only got into the Tagus at 2 p.m. on the Ist inst. Nothing was able to cross the bar. The weather was calm on the 2d. No news since the Tagus packet left on the 29th ult. The English screw steamer Christina, of London, from Alexandria, Malta, and Gibraltar, put into Lisbon on the Ist, having experienced a very heavy gale off the Bur lings on the night of the 30th ult. ; her cargo shifted and pumps were choked. The ship Forest Queen, Grisdale master, from Liverpool, arrived at Bahia-on the 25th of October. She reports having spoken on the sth of October the Shepherdess, from Liverpool for Melbourne, in lat. 9.15 N., long. 24.31 W., out 31 days ; 6th, the bark Philo, from Sunderland to Calcutta, in 7 N. long. 23 30 W., out 43 days • 7th, the French bark Maurice, from Nantes for Mauritius, in lat. 6 18 N., long. 23 W. ; Bth, the bark Fleetwood, from Glasgow for the Mauritius, in lat. 6 N., long. 21 49 W. ; 9th, the ship Arracan, from Liverpool for Calcutta, in lat. 5.45 N., long. 21.30 W., out 32 days. The Tamar passed at 3 o'clock this afternoon, off the Bill of Portland, the screw steamship Ceylon, with her bowsprit and figurehead gone, towing the ship Wavan (?), with stern and port-quarters stove in, and rudderhead gone, the two ships having been in collision. They were making for Portland Roads. A telegram has been received here this morning stating ,. that the Ceylon, after towing the other Vessel i n, had proceeded on her voyage to the Me diterranean. THE PALACE OF THE PEOPLE, MUS WELL-HILL. Lord Brougham has added another claim to the gratitude of his fellow-countrymen by accepting the office of President of the educational depart ment of this important institution. The objects aimed at by the founders of " The Palace of the People" require a master mind to ensure their right adjustment and development. Alen are always to be found ready to cater for the amuse ment of themasses according to the varying tastes of the day ; but English history, astronomy, geo logy, and mining are subjects of permanent and growing interest ; and, for their proper illustration, a broad basis should be laid , admitting of expansion, as fresh light is cast upon them by the researches of science. We understand that the plans and de signs of the building will be ready for inspection in the course of a few days, and that they will p re . sent many novelties as compared with the Crysal Palace at Sydenham. Amongst other features will be included a glass dome of 200 feet span, covering a winter garden, and a concert room will be thrown out from the main building capable of holding more than 10,000 people in comfort. Visitors, whether by railway or carriage, willalight in the palace under cover ; and a spacious arcade will surround the building, affording an agreeable promenade in all weathers. • A successful combination of these distinctive features will afford full scope for the exercise of Mr. Owen Jones's well-known artistic skill. Mr. Speiicer, of Bowood, the eminent horticulturist, has carefully surveyed the grounds, and has pronounced them to be unexceptionably situated, both as re spects the character of the soil and the configura tion of the ground for ornaments of gardening and park scenery. We trust that the undertaking will soon be launched under auspices which will secure to the dense population north of the Thames what has long been felt to be a great desideratum, viz., a palace and a park adapted to the improvement and recreation of the people. ADDRESS OF THE BIRMINGHAM RE FORM ASSOCIATION. (From the Birmingham Journal.) The following address was adopted yesterday by the Reform Association of Birmingham, and will be immediat3ly issued : " THE REFORMERS OF BIRMINGHAM TO THE RE FORMERS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. " Fellow-Countrymen,—We invite you to co operate with us in an attempt to obtain, by legiti mate and peaceable means, an efficient reform in the representation of the people in the House of Commons. " The association we have formed embraces men of all shades of Liberal opinion, enfranchised middle classes, and non-electors. We have agreed to sink our minor differences, and to work together to ob tain these reforms, viz. : " 1. A large extension of the suffrage. " 2, Vote by ballot. " 3. A more equal appointment of members to population. " These reforms, we believe, lie at the root of all other about which Liberals have hitherto been un happily divided. They offer a broad and well defined common bond of union, for they lie in the direction in which the most decided Liberal is ad vancing. " We are no theorists. We do not wish to impair institutions bequeathed by our forefathers, and which, on the whole, have proved suitable to the wants of our country ; our object is to expand, consolidate, and strengthen them. We are loyal subjects of the Crown, and venerate the illustrious lady who fills the throne. We have no desire to interfere with the fair and legitimate action of the House of Peers in the government of the country, nor with the just influence of the aristocracy. - We have no intention to set class against class. We believe all to be so intermingled that the permanent interests of the peer and the peasant, the manufac turer and the artisan, are identical and inseparable. " But we claim for the House of Commons that it shall represent the opinions and interests, not of a class, but of the great body of the people. "It is notorious that with the present restricted franchise, with the hindrances to its honest exercise which the plan of open voting interposes, and with the system of counterpoise by which small consti tuencies neutralise the opinions of vast bodies of electors, the House of Commons does not truly re present the national will. " Reformers are accused of seeking Reform for the mere sake of change. We deny the charg.e We desire a change because we want good government. " Under the present system, with the influence of the aristocracy predominant in both Houses, Mi nistries are confined to two parties, and a few fami lies have generally monopolised the government of the country. The Administration is the Ministry of a party ; its energies are wasted in the endeavour to maintain place and power, and, however pa triotic, it is rarely able to grapple with any subject which might affect the interests of its supporters. Hence the constant changes in the Administration, hence the personal unfitness of many of those who direct the great departments of the State, the con sequent detriment to the public service, and the scandal to political morality. There is no national Administration. The business of the Legislature is neglected, measure after measure is introduced and abandoned ; commissions issue without result, and _the real work of legislation is made subordinate to the possession of office. " Although these facts are obvious enough, it may be well to notice a few of the subjects that have long required the attention of successive Govern ments, but have been neglected. " Administrative reform is required in almost eve department of the State. We require immediate attention to our financial condition. With a debt constantly . increasing, the budget constructed on no fixed principle, merely Aiding over the difficulty, and attempting to show a favourable balance on the year's account, no pro vision is made for extraordinary emergencies, or any suggestion even of diminishing the debt. " We require a readjustment of the property and income tax, so that the tax on income derived from realised property and the income tax upon industry shall not remain the same. On no grounds of equity can it be maintained that the man who gains £lOO per annum by his profession or trade should be taxed in the same ratio as he who derives the same income from the funds, landed, or other accumulated property. " We require free trade internally ; that the home manufacturer shall not be cramped by vexatious Excise duties, when the foreign article is imported free. As, for example, in the case of the paper and hop duties, both of them opposed to the fundamental principles of free trade. "We require a settlement of the question of national education, " We require an investigation into the causes of the enormous mass of pauperism that now presses on the country-1 in every 11 of the adult popula tion being a pauper, and propably as many more just on the verge of destitution. " We require stringent laws against seduction, and that the disgusting profligacy which disgraces both town and country should have the serious attention of the Legislature. "We require a searching investigation into charitable and other trusts, in which the funds are either misappropriated or the trust badly adminis tered. Nearly every parish in England can furnish an illustration. " We require a revision and consolidation of the Statute Law. Many laws are obsolete, many con tradictory, and the judges have often to decide by majorities what is law. "We require a complete change in the Bank ruptcy Laws. Bad as the old law was, the present is much worse. Barristers and official assignees are appointed to manage insolvent estates, without competent qualifications to decide commercial ques tions ; and the proceeds of such estates are often swallowed up in charges. "We require facilities for the transfer of real estate. At present the expense is enormous, and numberless titles are defective. In the United States, or in our own province of Upper Canada, real estate is transferred at the expense of a few shillings, and the titles are incontestible. " Such, fellow-countrymen, are a few of the ques tions in finance, in commerce, in morals, and in law—all of them out of the province of party war fare—which have been postponed to the cabals and intrigues of rival statesmen and place-hunters, which ought to have occupied the attention of the House of Commons, and which will do as soon as that house fairly represents the national will. " If it were necessary to make out a case in favour of an extension of the suffrage, the reasonableness of which even the opponents of popular govern ment now admit, we might contrast the present state of society with its social, intellectual, and commercial condition a quarter of a century ago. Intelligence has immensely increased—the working man is more sober, thoughtful, and provident, con scious alike of his rights and his duties. There is a greater respect for the laws, a more intimate know ledge of the relation in which one man and one class stands to another. During these 25 years, while this capacity for self-government has been increasing to an extent that makes the working man of the present day equal in intelligence to those enfranchised by the act of 1832, the existing basis of representation, with its disqualifying clauses of ratepaying and registration, has shut him out from all share in the government of the coun try, and the great industrial interest has been, and is, practically unrepresented. "Fellow-countrymen,—The reformers of Bir mingham have united themselves together for the purpose of removing this injustice by ob taining a fairer and more honest representation of the people. Progressive Liberal and Advanced Reformer, Elector and Non-Elector, we have re solved to sink all minor differences of political faith in the determination to advance our common cause. " In this cause we have no wish to lead. We will either follow or go side by side with others. We desire only the welfare of our common country. " We call upon you to aid us in our endeavour to secure the efficiency ofany measure of Reform which may be introduced into Parliament, by forming associations, by public meetings, by petitions to Parliament, by obtaining the co-operation of your representatives,.and by every legitimate and peace able means which the constitution allows. Above all things, be united. Apathy has to overcome , active opposition to be defeated, and discord and distrust to be guarded against. " Reformers, you can succeed if you will. Upon your determination now depends the character of the next Reform Bill. • Your earnestness may now decide whether party or the national will shall triumph, whether an end shall be put to the con stant agitation and discontent which a sense of in justice inspires, or whether the moderate demand now made by the people for a fair share in the government of the country shall be accumulated by vexatious delays, so as ultimately to create—as pro crastination did once before--so .violent an impulse as will no longer admit of a calm and deliberate consideration and settlement of the question. " Signed on behalf of the Birmingham Reform Association. " P. H. MUNTZ, Chairman. " Birmingham, Dec. 3." IMPORTS OP CATTLE.—The following is a return of the number of foreign cattle, imported into Hull las t week :—Per S ea h orse , from Rotterdam, 3 cows, 17 calves, 3 pigs, and 12 sheep ; per Twenthe, from Kampfen,4 cows, 20 pigs, 5 sheep ; per Norfolk, from Rotterdam, 7 6 co ws, 9 calves, 0 pigs, Total-83 cows, 26 calves, 29 pigs, and 17 sheep. foreigi The rented bal es i Way S 1 acted, Thel aCCOmi month to becc th e pr A ill p indicat (Hain n Nom e pupa% Withou th e . sal rent co tio n . thr ougi 4811131 e; 3-‘lris} 3 per Cent NQper ,Cent biteittto 3 1 )( 1 ) St e' cob, fo D; D P. px , shitto bi t s' equei t 4.50 t Dittoz snia le heque] l'h 11 I CE ( brazilian ..ue rlos A iquad or Sp a 7 tl !Ples r i , sh 3 I, TDBeh l itt o A i llr Ditto A vbittoittO b NI " I ,ezu e i n -uitt o A"., 4 Di Inch .1, —itt o c 4