The Sun. — London, England, 1858-03-15 00:00:00

ONEY MA. RIC ET IVIARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocK. The advices received from the manufacturing districts this morning represent that very little improvement can be reported in the general business of the country. At Birmingham trade is becoming gradually worse, and almost all de partments participate in the general depres sion. The iron trade continues very dull, as many of the mills and furnaces are only partially employed ; in the jewellery trade and general fancy business of the town there is no improve ment whatever to report. At Manchester the de cline in yarn, during the week, Las been -id. to gd. per lb., and sellers of cloth have given way very unwillingly. The experts to the Indian markets have been exceedingly light. At Leeds there had been a slight improvement in the woollen cloth trade, chiefly for home consumption, but there is no particular change to report in either wools or cloths, the late severe weather having in some measure retarded the opening of the Spring trade. Business at Bradford has been exceedingly dull, and a feeling of heaviness and inactivity prevails in all descriptions of business. The lace and hosiery trades at Nottingham and Leicester have continued in a very quiet state ; for the lower descriptions of cotton hose a few orders for export have been given out, but not sufficient to give the workpeople full employment. The carpet trade at Kidderminster has slightly improved. Letters from Liverpool mention that the Cotton Market en Saturday closed heavily, but prices of all descriptions were quite as dear. The sales were estimated at 4,000 bales. The Railway Share Market manifested a quiet appearance, and values were without alteration. The public sales of foreign and colonial wool for the present year, which commenced on the 25th ult., closed on Saturday last. The total quantity offered consisted of 35,966 bales colonial, 566 bales German, and 1,001 of sundries. The attendance of home buyers was good throughout the sales, but of foreign there was a scanty attend ance, There was little alteration in the prices realised from those current at the close of the last November auctions until within the last few days, where a large quantity sold very heavily at a decline of about Id. to lid. per lb. for the better qualities of both Australian and Cape wools. About 3,000 bales of raw East India, Jamaica, and China wools will be sold on the IGth and following days. An announcement has been made by Messrs. Heine, Semon, and Co., on Saturday, that they are ready forthwith to pay every creditor in full with interest at 5 per cent., and that they have also resumed business. The experience gained by the late crisis is likely to lead to several changes in the credit system, which has been so extensively adopted for some time past. Many innovations have already been made in particular branches of trade, but the most important one is that just determined by the Bank of England, under which the directors will refuse henceforth to re-discount paper for the bill brokers. The operations of the latter will cor.sequently be restricted, and an effectual check is at once imposed against the wholesale manufacture of bills. There is a slightly increased demand for money, but the rates of discount are unchanged, being still 2i to 21 per cent. The supply is excessive, but as it is reduced by revived trade, the terms will stiffen, and already some favourable indications are visible. An improvement cannot be expected all at once ; it must of necessity be ver y gradual, especially as Foreign markets are well stocked, and are suffering from an absence of de mend. During the present year commerce will no doubt appear exceedingly dull, but the operations, though limited, will be legitimate, and if the profits resulting from trade prove small, few losses on the - other hand will be incurred. Silver is in moderate request and at steady quo tations. Bars are 53. lid. per oz. standard. The Rhine, from Boulogne, has brought a supply equal to about 40,000/. These imports must entail pro portionate shipments of gold. The Africa has arrived from the United States, la with only 16,6711. in specie. The previous advice. stated that the remittances for the present would be restricted, notwithstanding the exchange was at a steady quotation. The fact is, however, that trade between the two countries is now reduced to very small proportions, and the balance of pay- Merits is favour of this country is exceedingly email At a meeting of Messrs. C. Walton and Son's creditors, held to-day, the liabilities were stated at 4 0,0001., and the assets at 7,9001. The market for public securities is extremely heavy, and very few transactions have been re corded, attention being chiefly absorbed by the liquidation of the foreign stock and railway share accounts. The unfavourable feeling produced with reference to affairs its France, and our relations with that country, still continues, and the result is general depression in prices. Consols have been for money, and 96g for account. They have since been 961 and 964 respectively, but are now at the former quotations. Exchequer Bills aro 395. to 425. premium, and India Bonds 25 to 26. About an average amount of business has been transacted in the Foreign Stock Market, but the quotations have appeared heavy. Turkish 6 per Cents. are marked 101 k ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 44 ; ditto Deferred, 26f ; Sardinian 5 per Cents, have been dealt in at 91 ; Russian 5 per Cents. at 110 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 451 ; Mexican at 20 ; and Danish 3 per Cents. at 83 to 84. In the Railway Share Market this morning the chief business transacted has been in connection With the arrangements for the settlement of the half-monthly account. Prices have varied to the extent of about to per cent. Eastern Counties and North-Eastern (Berwick) have declined ss. ; Caledonian, 10s. ; and Lancashire and Yorkshire, 11. Midland and South-Easternimproved ss. ; Great Northern, North-Western, Nortb-Eastern (York), 108., and Vale of Neath, 11. The foreign and colonial undertakings are at about previous quotations. •Grand Trunk of Canada, however, have declined 10s. to 155., and Great Western of Canada ss. Mining Shares are very quiet. Sortridge Con sols are 14- ; Great South Tolgus, 15i ; and San tiago de Cuba, 21. For Joint-Stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares there is scarcely any inquiry. London Joint-Stock are steady at 30 , and South Australia have de clined to 204. National Discount Company are 4 } to ft. FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES—THIS DAY. (Front the Official LW:I _ _ taak St oc k Businecs done. Shut Pe , ent. Reduced Aneuitioh per lieut. Consols Annuities Ditto, under i'.looo USK' ....... UJLsols for Account Einegner 2id. k!s€lo 42 .......... PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY. I) anish Bonds, 3 pei Cent., 1825 B3 4 Poziean 3 per Cent 2O 19/ 20 eravian Bonds, 4i per Cont BOl P ortuguese Bonds, 5 per Cont., Con. 1841 Ditto 1853, 3 per Cont... 49 Artesian Bonds, 132', E St., 5 per Cent llO tiarclininn Bonds, 5 per Cent. .. .....•••••• VI 1 , nibh Bouds, 3 per Cent. Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cen‘. Ditto Account T urkish i;onds, 6 per cent ltli f Ditto Account Dividends on tho above payable in London. tittEß O'CLOCK. Consols, money 9ni Consols for Account, (April 8) Th. Portuguese government steamer Don Carlos, P 4l3 taia Redvatho h as arr i ved at Black wail from Li s b on th Captain White, officers, and crew for the King of b : rtagal's new screw-fri ga t e , Bart o l omeo Diaz, in the st Indi a Doc 0 k.,, whicis is t convey the future Queen Portu ga l to Lisbon, She is expected to leave on t klijay for Lisbon. PALACE. I TETAL — Half-Crow n D ay.—Satur d ay, -4 4 it 13 . —Admissions on paym en t, 4 19 ; ditto by 4104 tickets, 1,477; total visitors, 4%16. `lns Day.) CORN EXCHANGE. In the country markets held on Saturday, about an ave rage business WAS transacted in wheat, and the value of fine qualities was well supported. Barley, beans, and peas were in steady request, at extreme quotations; but other articles were a slow sale. Throughout the Continent, wheat continues heavy, at about previous quotations. For export to England, very little is doing. Barley and other spring corn rule firm. For the United States the fluctuations in the value of pro duce have been trifling. At most of the large ports the stocks of produce are extensive. Very moderate supplies of English wheat were received up to our market last week. The imports from abroad amounted to 7,338 qrs. of wheat, 15,547 barley, 13,754 oats, 660 beans, 100 peas, 977 tares, 9,470 linseed, 2,250 rapeseed, 3,415 sundry see d s, an d 1 ,931 sacks and 8,972 barrels of flour. Fresh up to-day from Essex the receipts of wheat were somewhat in excess of Monday last, but the supply from Kent was less extensive. Notwithstanding that the show of samples was by no means extensive, the demand for all kinds of wheat of home produce was in a sluggish state, and in some instances prices were the turn in favour of buyers —say is per qr. The general weight and condition of the samples were good. We were well supplied with most kinds of foreign wheat. Selected qualities of both red and white were held some what firmly, at full prices, but the business doing in them was rather limited. Low and middling parcels were very dull, and the quotations were almost nominal. Very little English barley was in the market, and the supply of foreign was only moderate. For most kinds we had a steady demand, and last week's prices were well supported in every instanee. For malt, the show was only moderate, there was a slow inquiry on former terms. The oat trade was not very brisk ; nevertheless, prices generally were well supported. Beans moved off steadily at very full prices. The inquiry for peas ruled steady on former terms. In flour very little was doing at late rates. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL afEASRE. Wfteat—Essox & Kent, Malt—Chevalier II •• 668 to 68s Red •• new 403 to 475 Oats Yorkshire and Ditto old —8 —s Lincolnsh., Feed 208 23s Ditto, White new 43s 52, Potato . Ditt0........ old —a —s Toughs! and Cork Norfolk and Lin- 81ack....... 19s 241 coin, Red, old Cork, White •• 20s 30s Ditto new •••• •• 495 485 Scotch, Feed..... 20s 25s Rye—Old .......• •• —s —5l Beans—Tick ......• •• 33s 845 New .......• 32s 348 Pigeons ..... 378 428 Barley — Grinding... 26s 308 f Peas—Grey •• •• 398 4ls Malting •• 353 38s Maple Chevalier.. . 389 41s White... ...• 40s 42, Malt—Suffolkand Nor- Boilers •• 428 44, folk— •• 585 689 Flonr—T own - made. .. 40s 43, Brown ............ 545 568 Suffolk •• 33s 38" Kingston and Ware 585 66s Stocktn &Norfolk ale 32 METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. The total imports of foreign stock into London last week were 294 head. In the corresponding week in 1857 we received 1,988 ; in 1856, 181; in 1855, 558 ; and in 185 1., 2,399; in 1853, 2,488 ; in 1852, 1,726 ; and in 1851, 2,124 head. IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WREN, From Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs Oporto Antwerp — Ostend - ... - ... 7l - ... - ... 23 T0ta1.... 200 94 The yearly comparison of weekly imports is as follows : Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs. 185 r 517 2,229 „, 242 1856._ 1855 356 (;6 .„ „, 133 1854 746 1,377 206 1853 615 „. 1,577 ~, 296 18 52 337 .„ 1,205 ..„ 184 1851 466 1,395 ,„ 219 4 An unusally small supply of foreign stock was on sale in to-day's market, and its general quality was by no means first-rate. A fair average supply of beasts, in fair condition, was received fresh up from Norfolk, &c. ; but, from other quarters, the receipts were very moderato. Although the attendance of butchers was tolerably numerous, the demand for all breeds of beasts was in a sluggish state, at a decline in the quotations, compared with Monday last, of 2d per Sibs. The top price for beef was 4s 4d per 81bs. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, we received 2,050 Scots and shorthorns ; from other parts of England, 420 of various breeds ; from Scotland, 400 Scots ; and, from Ireland, 350 oxen. The supply of sheep was rather on the increase, com pared with Monday last. For prime kinds there was a fair demand, at full quotations, the highest figure being 6a 2d per 81ba ; but other kinds of sheep moved off slowly, on former terms. There were about 1,000 shorn sheep on offer, at fully 6d per Blbs beneath those in the wool. Lambs were in short supply, and in active request, at from Gs 8d to 7s per 81bs. The fww calves in the market sold without difficulty, al eattreme rates, viz., 45 to 58 4d pe r Sib s , _ _ We had a dull trade for pigs. In prices, however, no change took place. Per Blbs to sink the offals. e. d. Interior Beaste....3 2t , Second quality.... 3 Prime large oxen 3 10 Prime Scots, lac. 4 2 Inferior Sheep ...3 2 Second quality ...3 8 Prime crse.-wlled.4 2 TOTAL SUPPLY. s. d. I s. (1. s. d. 3 4:PrlmeSouthdown 410 5 2 5 B,4Arge crse. calves 4 0 4 8 4 0 1 Prime small do 410 5 4 4 4iLarge hogs 3 6 Small porkers ~ 4 2 4 4 4 0 Suckling calves 19 0 20 0 4 6,Quarter old pigs 19 0 25 0 FOREIGN SUPPLY. Boasts Sheep and lambs 16,910 Shoop and lambs,. Calves 39 Calves — Pigs 305 Pigs -- A. statement and comparison of the supplies and prices of fa stock exhibited and sold in the Groat Metropolitan Cattle Market, on Monday, Uftrch 16,1857, and this day, Monday, Ilitrch 15, 1858, I Per 81bs, to sink tho °Tale. March 16, 1857. Mar. 15,1858 s. d. s. d. Js. d. s. d. 3 4to 3 6,3 2to 3 4 3 8 4 0 1 3 6 3 8 4 2 4 8 110 4 0 410 5 oi4 2 4 4 4 6 4 10 1 3 2 3 6 5 0 5 23 8 4 0 5 4 5 6:4 2 4 6 ... 610 0 o'4 10 5 2 Coarse and inferior beasts Second quality ditto Prime large oxen Prime Scots, die Coarse and inferior sheep Second quality ditto Prime coarse woolled ditto Prime Southdown ditto Largo coarse calves Prime small ditto 5 4 5 B'4 10 5 4 Large hogs 3 8 4 4 3 0 4 0 Neat small porkers „. 4 6 5 2 4 2 4 4 Beasts... ~. 3.366 4,104 Shoop and lambs 1 6, 92 0 16,910 Calves... 69 39 305 SUPPLIES ON SALV, March 17, 1856.—Beasts, 3,709 ; shoe and lambs, 21,510; calves, 54; pigs, 140. March 19, 1855.—Beasts, 4,311; sheep and lambs, 20,040 ; calves, 107 ; pigs, 310. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. These markets continue to be seasonably well supplied with Scotch and country-killed meat. The supplies offer ing slaughtered in the metropolis are very moderate, and the trade generally rules very inactive, as follows : Per 81bs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 2 10 3 2 Do., midaling 3 4 3 6 i Do. prime large 3 8 3 10 f Do., do. small 4 0 4 2 1 Pork, large 3 0 3 8 N. di. N. Mutton, Inferior 3 0 3 Do., middling 3 8 4 0 Do., prime ,4 2 4 t; Veal.. ,3 8 4 8 Pork, small 3 10 4 0 BOROUGH HOP. Medium kinds of weal! of Kent and Essex hops, of last year's growth, are in somewhat improved request, at full prices. All other hops rule heavy, and the quotations are barely supported. The imports of foreign hops last week were 33 bales from Boulogne. New Mid and East Kent Pockets, 70s to 120 s ; Weald of Kent do., 56s to 70s ; Now Sussex do., 52s to 62s ; Year lings, 21s to 50s. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS. Rather increased supplies of home-grown potatoes have come to hand coastwise and by land carriage, since this day week. The imports have amounted to 227 tons from Antwer d , 20 tons from Calais, 904 tons from Terningen. On the whole, the trade rules arm, as follows : York regents, 120 s to 180 s per ton ; Essex and Kent, 100 s to 139 s ; Scotch, 120 s to 140 s ; ditto cups, 90s to 100 s ; middlings, 75s to 95s ; French, 90a to 100 a; blues, —s to —s ; Belgian, 80s to 90s. WOOL. The public sales of colonial wool have been brought to a close, but East India qualities yet remain to be offered. During their progress, fine wools advanced 2d to ld per lb., but no improvement took place in the value of other kinds. Since our last prices have ruled as follows : Australian—Clean sheep's, is 5d to 2s 4d; scoured, Is 8d to 2s Gd ; hand washed, is 4d to le lld ; lambs' is 103 to 2s 24d; pieces, &c., 10d to is 70. Port Philip—Clean sheep's, i s Gd t o 2s 3Ad ; scoured, is 4(1 to 2e 3d ; hand washed, is 10Ad to 2s • lambs, is '7(l to is llid ; do. scoured, is 6d to 2s sd; pieces, &0., is 3d to is 8 0. Adelaide—Grease, 8_4(1 to s Vl. New Zealand—Sheep's, is 7d t o is 110. Van Dieinen's Land—Clean sheep's 's 4d to is Bd. Cape—Sheep's, 80(1 to is 91d. Skins, with wool on, went at is Gd to 3s each. Last week's im ports were 3,871 bales from Sydney, 3,109 from Melbourne, 856 from P or t Beaufort, 801 frOna the Cape, 1,100 from Algoa Bay, 91 f rom Itogadore and 118 from Alexandria. Privately, th e market is heavy.' SEI W e continuo to have a vol and white cloverseed ; never roncy has, in most instances, no change has taken place. but mustard continues dull. well as cakes, are in good den Tarnip,Whito,per bush. 155 to lOs Swede .. • • .... •• 20,3 233 Mustard, 8r0wn.... •• 103 15s White, n0w...... Its 228 Tares, Winter, new.... 55 Od 5s 9d Old ............ .. —5 —s Canary,per quarter .. 823 928 Rye grass (new) .. .... 23s :As Cloyer,RedEng.(ewt.) 523 68, White .......... 603 713 i Foreign Red.-- 503 625 1 white.... 54s 743 1 Trefoil, n0w.... 203 253 ry slow inquiry for both red srthelesse last Monday's cur. 1, been supported. In trefoil Canary -seed is quite as dear; Linseed and rapeseed, as wand, at extreme quotations. carraway •• •• 44s 46s Coriander.., •••• •• 28 s 32s Ilempseed, per quarter 405 44s Linseed, Eng. Sowing•• 704 728 crushing .• •• — s — s Balti c .• •• ••• • .. 48 s 50s Odessa •• •• •• • • 5 0s 523 Ltniteedcake, • pr. ton-- English ••• 9? 10s 10 . 5 s Foreign,per ton 101 0, 10 15s Rape Cakes, per ton 5/ 15 s 5, Io€ Rapeseed, new, pr qr. 685 70: The demand for t a II o w TALLO to-da W. y is by no means active. Prices, however, are tolerably firm. P.Y.C., on the spot, is rough s fat ,g at 555.11 id. per cwt. Town tallow, tilss, nett c as h ; 2s. L 854. 1855. 1856. 1857. 1854. I Stock this day ,_..• 35 . 48 3 35,532 Price of Y. C 64s “. 47, Ga i—a 0:1 o— s 9d . Delivery last week 1,407 1,439 Ditto from June I—.l 82,921 66,89 Arrivals last week.. 2,60 5 892 Ditto from Junel.... t 95,483 66 ,423 I Price of Town" ~ I 64, 94 501 Oct 22.652 55s 6du , --s Od 962 88,530 491 64,640 534 Gd 0,,N10 7 0 N N l O Nb A Y VTF i NO, MARC 11 15 1858 TaE SUN, GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE. To-day about mid-day the inhabitants of this country had an opportunity of witnessing the rare and, at the same time, remarkable phenomenon in astronomy—a solar eclipse. Foremost among all the sublime and beautiful pheno menon which flow from the operation of the laws of nature, exciting the admiration and the delight as well as the terror and the gloom of mankind, may be classed solar eclipses, more especially if they are total eclipses. On no other occasion, in fact, does the stupendous power manifested in the economy of the physical universe exer cise so subduing an influence over the mind, or produce -uch a humiliating conviction of the impotence of all human efforts to control the immutable laws of nature. The sun, while riding with unclouded splendour, begins to fade away from an unseen cause, and soon totally dis appears, leaving the ere while laughing earth and heavens iii darkness. In early times an eclipse of the sun cast dismay on whole nations, and Milton says " perplexed monarchs with fear of change." It was then regarded by Christian and Pagan as a manifestation of divine wrath with man kind ; now it is known to be a necessary consequence of the laws of nature. Eclipses are therefore none the loss remarkable for that reason. Seven eolipree may take place in each year, and two certainly must take place, and of these, on an average of 18 years, the greater number are solar. But though solar eclipses are, there fore, not uncommon, a nearly total eclipse of the sun is an event of great rarity, and of still greater rarity is its occurrence in any particular place —so near, for instance, the meridian of London as Swindon. In fact, there had not been a total eclipse of the sun in or near London from the 20th March, 1140, to the 3d May, 1715, ac cording to the calculations of the astronomer Halley— that is to say, for a period of upwards of 500 years. The most ancient total eclipse of the sun is that recorded by Herodotus, as having occurred while the battle be. tween the Medea and the Lydeans was going on. The contending armies regarded it as a sign of the displea sure of the gods, and, desisting at once from the com bat, hastened to make peace. This eclipse was predicted by Thales of Miletus to the lonians ; and it is calculated by Cicero and Pliny to have happened in the fourth year of the forty-eighth Olympiad, which would concur with the year 585 before the Christian era. That date was adopted by Sir Isaac Newton and other modern autho rities ; but Bailey, the astronomer, found it on calcula tion to have happened in the year 610 8.C., or a quar ter of a century later. Herodotus also records a second total eclipse of the sun, which has been referred to the year 480 8.C., when Xerxes was advancing with his army from Sardis to Abydos to invade Greece. Another is recorded by Thacydidee, as having occurred during the first year of the Peloponesian war, Aug. 3, A.C. 310, in which the stars were visible at noon, when it took place ; and Diodoruo Siculus mentions a further eclipse of the same character—namely total —when Agathoclis was proceeding with his fleet from Syracuse to Africa, A.C. 310, Aug. 16. The other total eclipses recorded in ancient times are that which preceded the death of Domitian, the Roman emperor, A.D. 95; that referred to by Plutarch, supposed to have taken place A.D 113; that mentioned by Philostratus, A.D. 96 ; and those which happened in the years 237, 360, 418, 484, 787, 842, 873 , 957 , 1113, and 1140. The latter took place on the 20th of March ; and it is a re markable fact the only account of it is by William of Malmesbury, who is supposed to have observed it from the monastery in which he resided —not far from the spot where the eclipse of this day was most com pletely visible, viz., Swindon. That old chronicler states that it oceurred at noon, " while persons were sitting at their meals," and that "the darkness was so great that they feared the ancient Chaos was about to return ; and upon going out immediately they perceived several stars about the sun." There were subsequent total eclipses in the years 1137, 1241, 1415, 1433 (the latter known in Scottish history as " The Black Hour") 1485, 1506, 1530, 1544, 1560, 1567, 1598 (called The Black Saturday), 1605 (called the Black Monday), 1652, and 1699, but none of these were total to Eng land. In the year 1715 (May 3) there was a total eclipse in London, before which it was observed that the , cocks began to crow as if it were dawn, and then went to roost—crowing again with all their might and main when the sun reappeared. The shadow of the moon in this eclipse passed over Switzerland, and from the high mountains in that country the stars were observed as thickly strewed in the heavens as if it were midnight. In London, according to Halley—who observed the eclipse, astronomically—it created a sense of horror in the minds of the people, besides causing the greatest concern to all the inferior animals, wild and tame— `birds, beasts, and fishes." The eclipse only lasted four minutes nine seconds, but some solar eclipses are re corded as having endured full three hours. Several other total eclipses have taken place since then in various parts of the world, the most accurately observed of which was that of July 8, 1842. The great astronomer Aragn gives an aceount of this eclipse as noted by him at Perpignan; and other astronomers equally describe the evraordinary appear ances of the earth and of the heavens, as well as the singular effects produced by it upon the animal creation. Horses and other animals employed in labour halted at once when the eclipse became total, lay down, and obstinately refused to move for whip or spur until it was over. Bats came forth as though it were midnight ; so likewise did owls, who were seen flying in the streets of populous cities. The swallows disap peared ; the fowls went to roost ; a herd of cattle in a field formed itself into a circle as if to resist an attack ; plants closed up their leaves ; and many other curious results were proved to have been caused during the con. tinuance of this preternatural darkness. Rose-coloured protuberances were seen on the moon's edge —no doubt the tops of the higher lunar mountains ; stars of the first magnitude were visible ; the little light that remained had a livid ashy colour; reddish zones extended along the horizon ; the sudden cold of the atmosphere was severe for the moment, the centigrade thermometer falling 3 degs., and a heavy dew rising during the obscu ration. This was one of the most striking eclipses on record, though in no respect more extraordinary than that which occurred to-day; the magnitude of the scale —atmospheric and celestial —upon which it took place being patent to every observer, as no doubt it was at Swindon. "The extensive colouration of an un usual hue that was visible," writes a scientific observer (Signor Piolo), "the rapid changes which occurred, above all, the obscurity which settled over nature, like a funeral pall thrown over a dead body, and whose subse quent withdrawal in an instant operated like a resurrec , tion—all this pr , duced on the mind a mixture of pro found and undefinable impressions, which it will be pleasing to hold long in remembrance." Arago, who observed it at Perpignan, says the birds ceased to sing ; that a profound etiliness reigned all around, in the air, on the earth, and that an undefinable feeling of melan chi ly pervaded the breasts of the thousands of spectators who had assembled to witness the phenomena. But when the sun again burst forth, a universal cry of joy from all nature seemed to greet him, and men congratulated each other that the eclipse was over, as though they had escaped from a terrible calamity. This eclipse was not visible in the British islessthe lunar shadow being limited to the southern portions of France, Germany, and Russia. The last total obscuration of the sun in this country was that of 1715, mentioned above. It will be perceived, therefore, that the phenomena of to-day presented features of the most unusual character, which are not likely to be again wit nessed by any one now living; and it is certainly credit , able to the public utility, as well as to the private enter prise, of the Great Wester n Ralway Company, that they have laid the special trains at an extremely reduced rate to Swindon and back for the day, to accommodate the curious and the intelligent thousands who doubtless desired towitnees the wondrous obscuration of the heavens and all its extraordinary concomitant circumstances then to be seen. SPORTING NOTES. TITTLE TATTLE. The betting has not been marked by any incident which at present calls for especial com ment. With the exception of those meetings which took place at Lincoln, Nottingham, and Derby, the gathering whioh will commence to-morrow at Warwick is likely to be the most successful of the present season. People anticipate an unusually interesting Trial Stakes from the fact of so many good horses being amongst the nominations. Saunterer will only have to go sound and well to the post to make the event "all one way." It is said, however, that Commotion and Tour nament are likely to be the only combatants. I am induced to stand the two Jumpers, }K n i g h t o f th e Shire and Lough Bawn, for the Willoughby Handicap, and for the Great Warwickshire I shall select Vander meulin and Broadlands. Sister to Goldfinch will carry off the Two-year-old Stakes, and for the Handi cap Plate I shall look to either Englemere or Barbara to be the winner. Weatherglass may show the winner of the Welter. Thursday's racing I shall reserve for dis cussion until Wednesday. March 15. A FRESH DIAN, This is the only eclipse of the sun which will be nearly ,otal in England during the remainder of the present cen ,ury. THE METROPOLIE. The morning betokened everything that the most ardent astronomer, amateur, or the curious publio could have wished. The sky was clear and unclouded-- not the slightest dash of the most flimsy cloud eould be dis tinguished, and the sun shone forth at an early hour with a brilliancy greatly in contrast with the sombre character of the horizon with which the metropolis has lately been blessed, and every one anticipated that nothing would by possibility occur to mar the plea sure, delight, and instruction to be derived from a full and careful observation of this great phenomenon DONCASTER SPRING MEETING. --SATURDAY. of Nature. The consequence was that thousands were Red...(i3 ...(Bra y ) goose l The Scurry Stakes (Handicap) of 8 soya each, with 20 induced to leave their homes at an early hour in the added. A w inne r a fter the publication of the weights, morning for the best places of observation, and the streams of numerous persons in and from the metropolis 3 13 a y v r e s , h 7 is st s S t a l b k . e . .. . . . at once informed the minute and careful observer of inci- in. 7 subs. dents the quarter to which the sight-loving inhabitants Mr. Hynde's Queen Lily, 71b extra. The second to of the metropolis were making the best of their way. Every p o i nt o f prom i ne nce, both in the metropolis and Mr. Dunn's Pontifical, 4 yra, Bst 61b ...... (Charlton) 3 Captain Verner 's Lancet, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Wilberforce) 2 in what might be termed its neighbourhood , drew The following also ran :—Antidote, Lady of Tam worth, and Little Emma. together a large concourse of persons. The arks Primrose hill, Hampstead heath, Greenwich park, Black. Betting-6 to 5 apt Queen Lily, 9to 2 agst Antidote, heath, and the other different open spaces, were thronged Queen Lily being second and sto 1 agst any ether. Lancet got on a long way in 14.893 17,562 ---- by persons provided with glasses to observe the sun's advance, Pontifical and 66,0d to 55s Od to .I).ouration, as was Trafalgar-square, the bridges, the third, close together. At the distance Queen Lily ---. 00 --s Od Duke of York's columir, the Monument, St. P 334 1,256 the public offices, and, indeed, every place from by a short neck ; about three lengths bet ween the•secoud 90,217 90,281 which an - uninterrupted sight was likely to "'IP', challenged Lancet, and after a good ease in, beat him 1,394 998 be ' and third The others were tailed off. 88,130 94,731 obtained ; and the itinerant vendors of stained The Betting Room Stakes of 5 soya each, with 50 added 531 64 50§ 64 glass Obtai t ed a ready !Imo for flair "mon till for 2-yr-olde and upwards, Allowances and penaltieL ._ ___ about the middle of the day, when a "change name o'er the spirit" of the dream, and the obscuration of the sun by the clouds that then took place put a stop to their traffic, and cooled the ardour of many a spectator. As we have stated, the sky was cloudless, and the sun shone with brilliancy delightful to behold, and the re membrance of yesterday, when a change took place . about mid-day, and the sun was obscured, was looked upon in the character of a " rehearsal " not likely to occur to-day, and the public were kept in the beet spirits up to 12 o'clock. About 44 min. 55 sec. past 11 o'clock the com mencement of the eclipse was first visible, through the medium cf coloured glasses, to those who had congregated in St. James's Park, but at first, as cer tain capricious clouds had burst their bondage and were flitting about, hither and thither, over the sun's face, it was doubted whether it was really the com mencement of the extraordinary phenomenon so many thousands bad b: en induced to leave their homes at an earlier hour than usual on a spring morning to witness. However, after looking stedfastly at the sun, it soon become apparent to all that the astronomers were right in their calculation, and in a few minutes after the lower part of the sun, on the right hand side, presented a speck of obscuration very like (to use a homely phrase) a small bit taken out of a halfpenny, and which appeared to increase rapidly. From this time the clouds began to come up from the west ward, covering the sun at frequent intervals, as if Nature was jealous of her handiwork, and wished to hide from public gaze this extraordinary phenomenon, which requires the work of centuries to accomplish in this part of the globe. As time progressed, and the admiration and anxiety of the public increased, the clouds begaa to gather with a rapidity truly astonishing, and by 12 o'clock a dense curtain, which entirely hid the sun, had spread itself from east to west, and north to south, so as to dissipate all h o p es o f ano th er g l an ce at the eclipse, foli o we d b y a cold wind and a heavy leaden misty kind of haze, very much resembling an early autumnal metropolitan fog. The appearance of the sky and all around continued in this state till about a quarter to one o'clock, when darkness began to appear a little visible, and continued in that state till a few minutes before 1 o'clock, but at no time did it assume a most unnatural aspect ; a livid hue overspread all objects around the scared spectator ; the plants closed up their leaves as on the _approach of night ; the domestic fowls sought their resting-places ; the song of the birds was hushed, and universal nature seemed for the time to have relaxed her energies, as if the pulse of this world stood still, and the universe were dead." At this period, which was the darkest throughout the period of the eclipse, and which must have been during the time of the greatest amount of totality many of the shops in the metropolis lit their gas, and some of the illuminated clocks showed a strange ruddiness of hue for a limited period and soon faded before the ligh' of day. ' The second to save his' stake. ^ Red House in. (18 subs.) Mr. S. Williams's Costrel, 3 yrs, 9st 31b, (inc. 31h ex.) (Flatman) 1 Mr. Parker's Snap, 2 yrs, 7st 2lb (in c , 51b ex ) (Bray) 2 Mr. J. Bates's Raßpberry, 2 yrs, 6 , 4 11lb (Challoner) 3 Mr. J. Merry's Miss Finch, 3 yrs, 7a (Inc. 31b extra) Sapp) 4 Betting—Even on Costrel; 3 to 1 aget Miss Finch. After about a dozen failures and much waste of time, the flag was lowered. Miss Finch made the running to the distance, where the favourite came up on the out side, and deprived her of the lead ; half-way up Snap came with a rush, but Costrel held his lead to the end, and won very easily by a neck ; half a length between the second and third, and a neck between the third and fourth ; Macbeth was fifth, Lady Bell *as last. The Grand National Steeplechase Han& ap of 10 sovs each, h ft. with 100 added. Winners after the decla ration of the weights to carry extra. The second to save his stake. About three milles and three-quarters. (46 subs.) Mr. S. Jacob's Glautias, 5 yrs, Pet (inc. 71b extra) (McLean) 1 Mr. H. Edwards's Border Chief, 6 yrs, 9st 101 b (Watling) 2 Mr. Barber's Potter, aged, 9et 71b (C. Green) 3 The following also ran :—Old Dog Tray, The Forest Queen, Morgan Rattler, The Colonel, Abd-el-Kader, Omar Pacba, Chance, The Sweeper, Fleur de Lis. Betting at Starting.-4 to 1 aget The Potter, 7to 1 each agst Morgan Rattler and Abd-el-Bader ; 8 to 1 each aget Old Dog Tray, Forest Queen, and Omar Pacha ; 10 to 1 each agst Border Chief, 12 to 1 agst Glautias. The Colonel, with The Potter well laid up, made nearly all the running until after crossing the road the seam d time round, when he dropped away beaten, and The Potter landed first over the Dyke leap on to the racecourse, but about midway across the Common he was passed by the B girder Chief and Glautias. Glautias waited upon Border Chief until after landing over the last hurdles, when he challenged, had him safe half way up to the distance, and won easily by a length. The Potter, who pulled up lame in his near fore leg, finished about the same distance from Border Chief. Morgan Rattler was cannoned against at the hurdle, soon after starting, unseated Burrowes, and got loose ; and Old Dog Tray fell on jumping out of the road the first time round. Forest Queen came down at the blind ditch in the low pasture—the same spot where Sandboy fell last year—the second time round ; and Omar Paoha whilst lying forward, came to grief at the second fence, after landing on the racecourse. The Sweeper and Fleur de Lis were beaten early, and Abd-el-Kader and Chance were stopped in the low pasture, the second time ronsd. Only the three placed past the post. The pace was severe throughout. .M`Lean rode the winner with admirable tact and patience throughout the encounter. LATEST BETTING. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 100 to 8 agst Costrel (taken) 14 to 1 aget Zoyder Zee (taken) CHESTER CUP. ,SPO to 7 agt Adamas (taken) At 10 minutes past one o'clock a slight break in the clouds showed the faint outline of the sun with the shadow of the moon just leaving after totality of obscuration, which had a most beautiful effect. This continued for a few seconds, and the outer line of the sun, crescent-shaped like a new moon, shone out with a brilliancy truly delightful, and was again as suddenly lost to view. The light from this time continued to io crease till it assumed the usual sm o k y aspect of a Lon don wintry day, and which continued throughout the remainder of the day. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (From the Times.) It can serve no good purpose for us to avoid allusion to a matter which has become the subject of common conversation, and which may at any time produce consequences important to ourselves. The position of the French Government and the state of things which now exists in Paris are noto riously the cause of much uneasiness throughout Europe. The feeling must naturally be strongest in this country. We are close neighbours of France ; we are joined to the French people poli tically and commercially ; we are not only their allies, acting with them on several great European questions, but, what is of even more importance, the two communities are united by comtnere al re lations, whin affect the interes s directly or indi rectly of half the families in England. The prices of French funds and French railway shares are quoted every day on the London market, our ma nufacturers supply the French with a ' , umber of articles, and our people take other articles in re turn. Then, the English are fond of travelling and excursions ; Paris is withib 12 hours of Lon don, and they have of late years come to consider a visit to the French capital as a pleasant way of spending a few days which they may have to spare. So, while fully admitting that no nation has a right to interfere in the domestic concerns of at F the Franco, of government which is being orga nised in that country, and to raise a voice of re monstrance, while there is yet time. This we do with no feeling of hostility to the existing autho rities, but merely in the interest of quiet and good order in Europe. Common sense, when not blinded by fear or the intoxication of power, must point out how dangerous are elaborate schemes of sur veillance and repression, and how hopeless is the attempt to check the tongues or watch the move ments of many millions of people. We are told that the Ministry of Police is to be reorganised, and that its Chief will be placed in the first rank of Ministers. He should, indeed, take precedence of them all, for everything seems likely to be brought within the sphere of his con trol, The gay city of Paris, the home of social intercourse, of lively conversation and free opi nions, hardly knows itself. The outward aspect of the place is the same ; there are the same Boule vards, the same fountains flashing in the sun, the same cafes frequented by the same loungere, and in private life the same drawing-rooms, and hang ings, and toilets. But over everything there are gloom and uneasiness. People are talking timidly and with unusual dulness on unusually common place topics. Families are hesitating whom they shall visit and whom they shall be visited by. Men consider whether they ought to be seen walking with a friend whom they have known for years. Two persons will be speaking together, and on see. ing a third about to join them will suddenly pause and turn the conversation. There will be in the midst of a social concourse a man who checks the mirth and puts a guard on every tongue. People will talk with him, shake hands with him, but they will be careful of what they say before him. Indi viduals are careful of what books they have in theie libraries, what papers they have in their writing desks. They do not talk affably with their inferiors, as light-hearted Frenchmen in the old times did. The concierge, the waiter at the cafe, even the private servants, are kept at a distance. In a rail way carriage it is as well not to be too communica tive with a neighbour. In a letter it is as well to confine yourself to your own private business and good wishes for your correspondent's health. For Paris and France are under strict surveillance, and no one knows who are the watchers and who aro the watched. The Empire is espionnage. Its incar nation is a mouchard. It is not only that tectog nised agents of police are in every street and every public place, that the comings and goings of well known Democrats are watched, that the assemblies of Communists are hunted out, but men of every rank, every phase of character, every shade of political opinions, are at the mercy of an immense army of spies, who penetrate everywhere, who fol low the individual into the cenfideuce even of his family and his private life, and who have spread distrust and apprehension throughout the country. It has, indeed, long been the misfortune of France that the security of private relations has been weakened by the means used by Government to obtain intelligence, and this fact has doubtless had no little effect on society and domestic life ; but it would seem that now the evil has assumed fearfu' The severity of the weather "mulled" the Liverpool meeting, spoiled the Doncaster gathering, and caused the races at Thirak, Ludlow, and certain minor places of sport in Lincolnshire, to be abandoned. The Ludlow meeting is not likely to be revived, and Mr. Frail will not deem it expedient to make another spring venture in that locality. The suddenness with which all the favourites came to grief in the steeplechases at Liverpool and at Doncaster, has ctauled those en coueters to be regarded with snore than usual interest. Still the unexpected results were perhaps mainly the effect of rotten ground. The muccess of Little Charlie at Aintree, however, did not create half the surprise which was excited by the triumph of Glau tias at Doncaster. The latter, trained in the town, in deed completely astonished the natives, albeit his owner placed some faith in his horse's chance after his easy success on Friday. Glautias was well served by the Doncaster ground, and his trainer, Mr. W. King, had evidently taken advantage of the comparatively open weather which bad lasted at Doncaster up to the Sunday before the meeting, when a frost set in which necessitated a postponement of the events. Despite the success which has attended the establishment of the Hopeful Stakes, and the general popularity of the meeting, the race committee seem easily discouraged by difficulties, and are, it is said, determined either to discontinue the meeting altogether, or will alter the fixture to a more congenial period of the year. In the crowd of meetings which are appointed between April and September, however, they will be puzzled to select a suitable time for celebrating their ....ciering Meet ing. A steeplechase in the summer months will be a novelty in Edgiand, and at Doncaster I am informed that it will ho perfectly practicable. Mr. Rarey has summoned numerous horse trainers into existence. Whether be be the only original pos sessor of the secret, and the fitting successor of the cele brated " whisperer" I am not able to determine. Amongst the host of persons who proclaim their know ledge of Mr. Rarey's secret, or some art equally effica cious there must be many sham prefessors, and I would warn the public against being too easily duped by their tricks and assertions which certainly seem to me mendacious. 'What most surprises me is that Mr. Rarey's fame never preceded him from America, journals s b into e n t the is the American fa ct that everybody and that h e appears to be only known in his own country by the report s w hi ch have been copied out of the Englishau n An has nther se for long known ho w t o practioe on the nerves and sym pathies pathies of the horse. Veterinary surgeons of deservedly vast reputation have declared that Mr. Rarey's art has been long known to them, and that yet they have never practised it. Why, many carriage horses worth 5001. have been degraded to the cab rank simply on account of their vicious propensities, and now we are informed by certain people whom I must deem charlatans that in a quarter of an hour the most unruly horse can be rendered perfeety docile and ma nageable, without d etracting from its courage and usefulness. I have heard many stories of vicious horses being perfectly cured. The last one is, that a gentleman was riding an unruly brute down a green lane, and that suddenly the horse stopped, plunged and kicked furiously, and refused to budge an inch. These antics be bad frequently repeated before, but never, perhaps, le W ildl y, an d his owner was in despair, when up came hi s good genius in the shape of a burly butcher, who proffered his as sistance. He 'lmmediately seized the vicious beast by the head, and rammed a handful of dirt into d its mouth I The effect was inetantaneone, and ever after the horse became as quiet as a lady's back I Such is the story as I had it from a person, too, who evidently placed im plicit faith in it. All Persons apparently agree that either drugs are used or the nerves are practised upon, yet if my memory serves me aright, Mr. Rarey states that he effects bis cure by simply appealing to the passions and the intellect" of the horse I A friend of mine, at my elbow, suggests, that to do this he must be well verged in the Norse language.—So many people have expressed themselves satisfied with Mr. Rairey'e experiments, that I am —against my own convictions I confess—fain to think that there must be something in his art. proportions. We bear of professional spies of every apparent rank in life, from the well-dressed gentle man to the workman in his blouse ; we hear of lorettes paid for information concerning those with whom they associate ; we hear of hotels and restau . rants being frequented by persons whose duty it is to listen to the conversation of suspicious visitors, and to endeavour to draw them into au expression of opinion. But the worst feature of all is the en couragement of domestic treachery by the corrup tion of private servants. No one can be secure that the man who brushes his coat or the woman who attends on his children is not in correspondence with the police. We are not repeating any gobe mouche gossip ; we are stating facts proved beyond a doubt, and commenting ou practices which are not even denied. Domestic servants of every de gree are encouraged to report what passes in the houses where they are employed—who comes, who goes, what is said, what is proposed to be done. Apart from the moral degradation which a Go vernment receives by a resort to such practices, it is evident that the information must be most untrustworthy. The sort of half-knowledge which servants have of their masters' proceedings will naturally cause them to distort all they see and hear. The most innocent conversation will be misinterpreted ; any allusion which the spy does not understand will be construed into trea- son ; a letter from England or a trip into Swit zerland will be at once a correspondence with re fugees, and disaffection will be found in a shrug of the shoulders or a raising of the eyebrow. How much will this tendency to exaggeratioß be increased when the servant knows that the value of his re- port and the reward liereceivesiiso i❑ proportion _ to the incrimination of his virtue. Such a system as this, added to the new law of public security and the appointment of General Espinasse, has naturally thrown over the capital a gloom which seems not likely to be dissipated. The baneful consequences, even in a material point of, view, aro to be found in the sudden depression of business and the general anxiety of the mercantile world. The whole policy of the French Govern ment of late is indeed much to be regretted. N o one w ho has watched the career of the Emperor and has seen his opportunities can help regr.-tting tat be sir' uld have allowed those who surround hint to entangle him in such a net. He has involv.d himself in a system which no man can hope ro con trol, 'and which must every day become More un manageable. He is striving to take the whole of FRAM. into cultocly. To live every infui 0 1 wealth, j or position, or political note in the empire, every theorist, or fanatic, or vainglorious democrat, or reckless desperado under his eye, is the purpose i.f t. 6, present ruler. Th a t h e must be unsu- ces-ful we know beforehand, and ,the ques ion is whether the only eyik -Twill be th?-ili lure cif his object. - 0 ; o ..pinion‘ must b , that such a Lua . chiliey - Will tend to create what it seeks to repress. Sedition will be generated bythe intolerable omnipresence of the police. Every advance of the new power will necessitate a still further ext-nsion, until a crisis arrives, on which it would be premature to specu late. The proceedings of the French Government are not only unjust but unwise. What was there in the attempt of January 14 which called for such measures I The general impression at the time was that the deed would add to the Emperor's popularity, and the resul!s of an examination seemed to confirm this view. Four or five Italians were alone overtly concerned in the crime, and it would have been in the powerof the Imperial Court to proclaim that France and Frenchmen were strangers to the treason. The circumstances of the act might also have shown the Emperor and his advisers how little can be done by the most elabo rate system of precaution. In spite of passports, and police, and t elegraphic despatches, the assassins penetrated to the Emperor's person with their in struments of death, and a score of police agents, blind to their mast er ' s d anger, were struck down by the explosion. Ought not this to have been a warning that security is to be sought rather in the confidence and respect of the people than in any web of detection ? The exhibition by the Emperor of confidence in his subjects would have done more to deter future attempts than any penal law. Frenchmen, even where they did not love their ruler, would have respected him, had they seen him con tinuing to maintain the confident bearing for which he has always before been so remarkable. Some thing like contempt will be their feeling for thi s frenzy of repression i n a S overe i gn w h o used to show himself so fearlessly, and who was at least as safe driving his phaeton like a private g entleman on th e Boulevard as whe n surroun d e d by spies and with whOle squadrons for an escort. That the Ministers of the Emperor are more to blame than their master we can well believe, but he himself will have to bear all the punishment. Distrust and fear reign in Paris, but nowhere will they be stronger than in the Imperial breast. All history teaches that those who govern by such means suffer more than they inflict. Why should Napoleon 111., after all his exploits and his glory, prepare for himself the old age of Tiberius t He has still the opportunity to be the admired Chief of a free and great people ; why should he throw it away under the advice of men whose incapacity is no secret to Europe ? Personally, he has the good wishes of the world ; no one wishes to see his Em pire overthrown to make place for an effete Bourbon or a Republican President. But, in the name of a friendly people, we must tell him that the system which his Ministers have organised for the government of a high-spirited nation is full of danger to himself and the world. Is this an age for the suppression of all private political action ? Is this an age when a quick-witted people can be totally deprived of intellectual food by the extinc tion of the public) press 7 Already men of every class are uneasy, and the roll of political offences resembles that of enslaved Rome. If a man is popular, he is dangerous to Vie Prince—if he is riots, he is likely to be a powerful enemy—if he is poor, poverty may spur him on to crime, if lie is lively, he must be expecting some sediti us intyllt genre—if he is melanihely, he is grieving at the supremacy of the established power. Nay, to make the parallel comple e, we have recently heard such phrases as " seditious si/ence " and " culpable expectation." So that no caution, no abnegation of publicity, can avert suspir ion. Quanto metu occultior Canto plus fanta adept us. For the sake of France and the world we hope that this dark phase of history will be but temporary, and that the Emperor's good sense will soon sweep away a system which threatens to bring so many troubles on a great people. ►NOLIfIC LIES ASSURANCE SOOIETY ECI The annual general meeting of this society was held on Saturday last at the offices No. 6, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, to receive the report of the directors and to elect auditors for the present year. The chair was taken by H. F. Stephenson, E•q. Mr. MACDONALD (the secretary) having read the ad vertisement convening the meeting, The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said the firstibusiness of importance was the consideration of the cash' account for the past year. It had been printed and was in the hands of the proprietors. If it was the w sh: of the meeting the secre tary would read it, but if, on the contrary, it was taken as read, he should be happy to answer any questions that might be put to him, and after that he would submit the formal resolution for the adoption of the accounts. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Downe3, their actuary, would now state the progress of the society during the last year. Mr. DOWNS, said-The progress of the society's busi nese during the past year has, upon the whol e , b een satisfisfactory, alth o u g h it was slightly checked towards the close by the late financial crisis. During the year 554 proposals for assurance were made, whicn were disposed of in the following manner :-485 were accepted and 69 de clined. Of the 435 accepted 39 were not completed, and 446 policies inrespect of the others have been issued, assuring in the aggregate the such of 334,471/. The amount of premims paid in the year for the first time is 11,600/. 6s. 6d , which, added to 166,130/. Be. 9d., the amount of re newals, and the sum of 4,799/. 17s. rid. remitted as bonus, kc., gives a total of premium income of 182,526/. 124. Bd., showing an increase of 4,656/. 15s. 11d. on the pre mium income after deducting the loss arising from dis continued assurances. The description of business transacted has been the best kind, as the whole of the policies issued, with the exception of eight, have been for the whole term of life, and principally London busi ness. Claims have risen during the year on 114 poli cies,, assuring 95 lives in the sum of 85,169/. Bonuses to the extent of 13,2861. became payable on 93 policies, giving an average bonus of 20/. per cent, on the sums assured ; the maximum bonus being 49/. 7s. per cent., the minimum 7/.Bs. per cent. The total amount of claims accrued durirg the year, including bonus, is less by 34,000/. than the estimate founchd on the office tables. In addition to the 114 policies relinquished by death, 147 have ceased from other causes, making a total decrease of 261, which being deducted from 446, the number of new policies issued shows a net increase of the invested capital and the amount of ditninu- ion of risk produced by discontinued policies are annexed to the financial statement. A SHAREHOLDER wished to know the actual number of policies in force on the 31st of December, 1857. Mr. DOWNER -The actual numb. r was 7,621, assuring a sum of 6,089,531/. (Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN-We have now waited with that patience which becomes a board of directors, before we submit the resolution adopting the accounts. I now, therefore, propose that the I dlowiug cash statement be received, and I may just observe in passing, that the whole of the arrears of interest outstanding in the large amounts of invested capital, does not exceed the enormous sum of seven and twenty pounds. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) The resolution of the Chairman was adopted, and the cash aocoun', as follows, was agreed to- GENERAL ACCOUNT ?OR THE YEAR 1 857.-Received Cash in hand let January, 1857, 12,575/. ss. ld. ; assur ance premiums, less commission, 170,196/. 17s. 2d. ; pro ceeds of investments, less income tax, 69,836/. 9s. ; total, 252,608/. 11s. 3d. Paid : Assurance claims, 93,0.11, 4s. 9d. ; annuity cl a im s , 1,415/ . 10 s.; purchase of policies, 5,8441. 6s. 6d. ; re.assurance premiums, 389/. ls. ; office expenses, medical fees, g enera l l aw charges, and charges re Hunt's trial, 9,3011. ss. 7d. ; cash on hand 31st Decem ber, 1857, 7,367/. 15s. ltd. ; balance of account, 132,236/. 7s. ac. ; total, 252,608/. lls. 3d. ASSURANCK FUND. -Dr. : To balance, Ist January, 1857, (consisting of-funded property, 521,973/. Is. 7d. ; loans on policies, 50,7721. 13s. ; mortgages, 873,209/. 7s. 7d. ; life interests, 82,190/. lls. Gd. ; reversions, 31,7561. 19s, 10d, ; cash on hand, 12,5751. ss. ld.). 1,575,177/. 18s. 7d. • profit and loss (on one rever s i on an d one life interest), 2:410/. 7s. sd. ; amount invested, viz., Government securities, 123,3061. ls. 10d. ; mortgages, 67,299/. 17s. 4d. ; loans on policies, 17,265/. ; total, 1,785,7591.5 e. 2J. Cr.: By return of capital from-termi nable annuities, 9,854/.65. ; sale of Government securities, 9,9251. Us. 84. ; mortgages repaid, 62,114/. ; loans on po licies repaid, 3,595/. ; bankers, 5,2071.95. 2d. ; balance 31st December, 1857 (consisting of-funded property, 628,4991. 17s. sd. ; loans on policies, 64,442/. 13s. ; mortgages, 882,399/. 12s. Bd. ; lif e interests, 81,092/. Os. 3d.; reversions, 31,260/. 19s. ld.; cash in band, 7.367/. 155.11 d.), 1,a5,062/. 18s. 4d.; total, 1,785,759/. ss. 2 d. Assurance found, 31st December, 1857,1,695,06:/.18 s. 4d.; ditto, 31st December, 185 6 , 1,575,477 1 . 18s. 7d. in crease s of investment, 119,584/. Iv the assurance fund by the sum of 11 9d. The increase of 9.585/. is the result of investment made during the year; while by tho applica tion of surplus income to the purchase . of policies, payment in respect bonus, &c., the financial position of the i nc rease of assets and dimi nu ti on of society, arisionfgfr momiproved to the extent of 134 , 000/ . A MEMBER-There liabilities, has b een is a question out of doo rs a t t hi s particular moment agitating with respect to the days of grace-I s hould like to know the view the direct ors t a k e of the subject The CHAIRMAN-It is the invariable practice of this society never to take advantage of the days of grace. If a premium which was due say on the let of January remained unpaid for the 15 days allowed by the society, and death took place within that time, the policy would be paid as a matter of course. (Hear, hear.) The statement relstive to the days of grace would for the future be embodied in the policy, and announced in the usual advertisement. A MEMBER—I Phould like to know how many times the society has contested a policy in a court of law I • The CHAIRMAN—Twice since the formation of the society 35 years ago. (Cheers.) The retiring auditors having been re-elected, The CHAIRMAN announced that the vacancy in the direction caused by the death of Mr. Hastie had been filled . up by the election of Mr. G. K. Rickards, and that Mr. Bbnjarnin Travers had been elected consultir.g bad surgeon in the room of the late Mr. Travers, ho t h c : been , : c n e i l l f e a c r t e e d by vt the ski c i o a c n i e d t yk, knowledge, e greatly v cr contributed ueoiw formation. And secretary terminated t p A vote of thanks to tbe h c e bai r rm gc s o n ed , idpigr,e.ctors, actuary, _ - NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE. _ - RBOURS OF REFUGE. (Front Me .3forning Advertiser.) If 'he considerations we have already urged in favour of the claims of Wick as a barb,ur of refuge on the East coast of Scotland, require an addition, there yet remains one of such force as to place the subjec, beyond all dispute. We refer to the first rate importance of Wick Bay as a look-out in times of war, and as a refuge to our navy in going to or returning from any Northern Power with which we may be at war. We need not, after our late unhappy contest with Russia, say how incumbent it is on us to be in a state of defence against aggression from that Power, and how necessary it is that we should have a harbour of refuge for. our navy in case further disagreements should spring up between us and our late antagonist. Antici pating such a possibility, against which it would he madness for the government to close its eyes, the importance of Wick cannot be overrated, while it would be absolutely ridiculous to speak of Peterhead as, in this view of the matter a rival to Wick. The evidence of Captain Washington on this point is most important. That very competent 1 witness says, in answer to a question as to the value, of Wiok for the protection of the fleet, that it is "a very important position, and that it will be absolutely necessary, in the event of another North of Europe war, to have some station there abouts." He shows that there is no harbour where vessels could lie for the purpose of watching a fleet of cruisers coming round the North of Scotland. Let it be particularly noticed, also, that at Wick there is sufficient depth of water for men-of-war of any size. We claim special attention, also, to the impor tant evidence of Captain Sullivan. That gentle. man was asked whether, iu case of our being at war with a maritime power, Wick would not be a very important place as a naval station, for the purpose of enabling vessels to lie there watching the North of Scotland ; to which he replies ;--" It would be the only place north of the Frith of Forth—the only place that would be at all useful for vessels." He says the other vessels might use Orkney and Shetland ; but that on the coast of Scotland that would be the only place. Re adds, that "it is the most important positi on as a nava l station in the event of war North of Edinburgh." The same witness supports the value of Wick as an advanced coaling station, respecting which, we suppose there cannot be two opinions. We suppose the advocates of Peterhead would not be so wanting in patriotism as to advance its claims in opposition to those of Wick as a ren dezvous fur our military marine. They know that the point at which a harbour of rrfuge against northern that therninvz ud invaders catchsh, ul d b sighte fi o fixed the fo d upon at ea a tn lati tude possible period, so as to give security to tlie earliest greatest extent of coat. Peterhead can offer la o•suell advantage to the Government and the country. There are industrious men who have shown a woo det ful degres of activity in behalt of this well patronised loc,:lity. They have got up re presiettitions, and subscribed petitious, and made speeches in Edinburgh, all brimming over with eloquence, and if artifices of this kind could triumph, Wick, with its fishermen, and shipping, and steamers, would fall into the background. But we suppose that the Government, and all influenced members of Parliament, will have too much regard to the safety of the country, and too deep a sense of their responsibility in these belligerent times, to give to local rapacity the boon required by obvious justice and patriotism. Peterhead is highly favoured by some of the authorities of Edinburgh, but this patronage, great as it is, may be over-estimated. It might be a great thing for Great Britain, in case of any northern invasion, to be supported by the valour and prowess of the civic authorities of the modern Athens. It might be thought that we might safely allow our foes to come as far as Peterhead, if we were sure that the bailies of Edinburgh would put out their martial courage in defence of their country north and south. Those whose reading has extended as far as the historic novels of Sir Walter Scott, know the estimate due to the military valour of Edin burgh, and must have a grateful recollection of the entertainment afforded them at the expense of those functionaries 100 years ago. I if Peterhead is passed b y, we shall losterOthasy military, defence defence of the Edinburgh authorities who have been its eloquent advocat es . B ut we must not b uy gold too dear. We cannot vote for Peterhead even for the sake of Edinburgh. We must vote for that which is o b v i ous l y just and expedient, and secure for our navy a good place of shelter as far North as our little island admits. We demand, therefore, that this question be now taken a lt oge th er ou t o f the class of local con tests and treated solely as a question in which the interests of the nation are in volved. If the matter were simply a question affecting the landowners and trade's in these rival places, we should be quite satisfied to allow the controversy to be settled by local competitors and advocates. We cannot, however, permit our national interests to be sacri ficed to any local interest, however great. We should be ourselves wanting in fidelity to our duties were we to look on quietly while the good people of Edinburgh and the local interests of Peterhead were doing a thing which, however it might bene fit themselves, was inflicting most serious, and, it might be, irreparable damage on the nation. We have called the attention of tits tnetr°P° lis, of Parliament, and of the countr longer have a hole, and-corner character and be le subject., in order that it may no the control ft under enders to give some of any clique. We invite our readers we have brought i n g eneral to this attention to this subject, wh its to u rgency, ag ain againandand because e u e a n u d s e e r theirit was n oottiiere, purpose e e n o o f t a llow j,,bbdry to be practised at the expense of the country and to its great damage. We claim no favour or patronage for Wick, but we honestly de• wand that the national interests be not damaged ill favour of it, rival, 'The autlicei , ies o f th e W ar Department h av i ng direc—et the MTdiarni ff 'COYP - Corp Ise PUPPlieq-Witll;(l,d4l,/ o ut:cleer.p' ion of uiifortu to -bat now %V ry t i,, in, a larg supply of the Dew clothing arrived at the head-quarters of the corps, Chatham; on Saturday, from Weedon. The men will appear in their new ut iferu a on the Ist Anril, the same clothing being also issued to those men who have been raised under the new regulations of hat corps. L'eut. - J. F. Wyse, 34th Regiment, "has been a - p, po nted assistant rifle instructor of the Ist Battalion of Infantry at Chatham. Le , ters received at Plymouth dated Fort George, Jan. 9, state that the draughts for India have re duced the forces in the island of Mauritius to 64 Royal Engineers, 60 Royal Artillery, and 350 men of the 4 h Regt. Summer heats, Jan., 135 degs. ; Dec., 142 dgs. in the sun, and 90 dgs. in the shade. On Saturday a large number of volunteers from the Oxford Militia arrived at Chatham from Alder short, for the purpose of joining the depots of the 10th and 32d Regiments. The Argus, G, paddlewheel steamer, having com pleted her alterations and repairs at Chatham, was towed from that port on Saturday morning to Sheerness, for the purpose of being attached to the steam reserve division at that station. The Dragon, 6, paddlewheel steam frigate, is ordered to proceed from Sheerness to Chatham this her defects made good. for the purpose of being d oc k ed and having er The Colessus, 80, screw steamer, is intended to be hauled out of dock at Chatham during the pre sent spring tides, when she will be immediately towed to Sheerness to be placed in the steam re serve at that port. The officers of the Military Store Department at Woolwich have adopted the uniform prescribed in the dress regulations which have been transmitted to the principal military storekeeper for their re spective guidance. The a. s. blockship Ajax, 60, Capt. T. M‘Neilßoyel, went from Hamoaze into Plymouth Sound on Wed nesday. Her crew have been paid wages prepara tory to sailing for Ireland, where she will be eni ployed as a coastguard training ship. The screw gunboat Lapwing, 4, Commander M. F. O'Reilly, having bad defects made good went into the Sound on Friday. The screw blockship Hogue, GO, Capt. T. Moore, C. 8., was docked at Keyham on Wednesday pre paratory for service in Scotland. The successor to Captain, now Rear-Admiral Craigie, who relinquishes the appointment in con sequence of his promotion, will bo the sixth Cap tain Superintendent of the Royal William Victual ling Yard and Naval Hospital in a period of nine years. His retirement from Plymouth is much re gretted, as in addition to his other qualifications the gallant officer possessed much experience in the civil department of the office, having been chair man of the Transport Beard between March, 1855, and Feb., 1856, when, by some judicious arrange ments, very considerable savings of public money were ac.lomplished by an alteration in the mode of employing shipping, (tic. The field-train dep trtmentat Woolwich, hitherto a separate corps, Major General W. Cator, C. 8., Director-General of Artillery, commanding, has been abolished, the duties of that department hav ing been consolidated with the military department of the Roy 1 Arsenal, under the superiutendanco o! Mr. Pella.t. The clerks and other officers of the late department are to be installed in the Military Stor k,eper's offices, in similar positions, according ) to their firmer rating.