The Sun. — London, England, 1852-12-28 00:00:00

LAThittOIL , SUN OFFICE, Seve n o'clock. LATEST FROM FRANCE. The following is the recent Imperial Decree ap pearing in the Moniteur : " Napoleon, by the grace of God and the national will, Emperor of the French, " To all present and to come, greeting : " We have sanctioned and do hereby promulgate what follows : " SENATIIS CONSULTIIM, " Explaining and modifying the Constitution of January 14, 1852. _ "Art. 1. The Emperor has the right to grant pardons and accord amnesties. "Art. 2. The Emperor presides, when he thinks proper, over the Senate and the Council of State. Art. 3. Treaties of commerce made in virtue of Article 6 of the Constitution have the force of law for the modifications of the tariff therein stipulated. " Art 4. All works of public utility, and more espe cially those designated by Article 10 of the law of the 21st April, 1832, and Article 3 of the law of the 3d May, 1841, and all enterprises of general interest, are ordered and authorised by decrees of the Emperor. Those decrees are issued in the forms prescribed by the regulations of the public administration. Nevertheless, if these works and undertaking have for condition, engagements or money from the Treasury, the credit must be accorded, or the engagements ratified by a law, before the wo r k s are commenced. When the matter relates to works exe cuted for the State, and which are not of a nature to be come the object of concessions, the credits may be opened, in case of urgency, according to the forms prescribed for extraordinary credits. Such credits shall be laid before the legislative body at its next session. " Art. 5. The dispositions of the organic decree of the 22d of March, 1852, may be modified by decrees of the Emperor. "Art 6. The members of the Imperial family called eventually to the succession, and their descendants, are French princes. The eldest son of the Emperor takes the title of Prince Imperial. " Art. 7. The French princes are members of the Senate and of the Council of State, when they shall have attained the full age of 18 years. They can only sit there by the consent of the Emperor. ' " Art. 8. The acts of the etat civil of the imperial family are received by the Minister of State, and trans mitted on an order of the Emperor to the Senate, which orders their inscription on the registers, and their depo sit on the archives. "Art. 9. The dotation of the Crown and the civil list of the Emperor are regulated by a special Senates Con aultzz74. " Art. 10. The number of Senators nominated di rectly by the Emperor cannot exceed 150. "Art. 11. An annual dotation for life of 30,000 f. is appropriated to the dignity of Senator. "Art. 12. The budget of expenses is presented to the Legislative Corps, with its administrative subdivisions, by chapters and by articles. It is voted by ministries. The distribution by chapters of the credit granted for each ministry is regulated by decree of the Emperor, prenOunced in Council of State. Special decrees, pro nounced in the same form, can authorise transfers from one chapter to another. The disposition is applicable to the Budget of the year 1353. " Art. 13. The compte renclu, ordered by Art. 42 of the Constitution, is submitted, before its publication, to a commission, composed of the President of the Legis lative Corps and of the Presidents of each bureau. In caoe of an equal division of opinions, the President of the Legislative Corps shall have the casting vote. The proccs-verbal of the sitting read to the Assembly records merely the operations and the votes of the Legislative Corps. "Art. 14. The deputies to the Legislative Corps ceive an indemnity, which is fixed at 2,500 f. per mond during the continuance of each ordinary and extraord . . nary mission, "Art. 15. The general officers placed on the reserve may be members of the Legislative body. They are to be considered as having given in their resignation, if they are employed in active service, in conformity with Art. 5 of the decree of Dec, 1, 1852, and,with Art. 3 of the law of August 4, 1839. " Art. 16. the oath described by Art, 14 of the Con stitution is in the following terms :--` I swear obedience to the Constitution, and fidelity to the Emperor.' " Art. 17. Articles 2,9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 37 of the Constitution of the 14th January, 1852, are abrogated. " Given at the Palace of the Senate this 23d of De cember, 1852. " MESNARD, President " Baron T. DE LACROSSE, CAMBACERES, " General JiEGNAUD D'ANGLEY, Secretaries. " Examined and sealed with the seal of the Senate, " Baron T. DE LACROSSE. " We order that these presents, invested with the sea of the Senate, and inserted in the Bulletin de Lois, shall be addressed to the courts, tribunals, and administrative authorities, that they may inscribe them on their regis ters, duly observing the same and causing them to be observed ; and our Secretary of State for the Depart ment of Justice is charged to look to their publication. " Given at the Palace of Compiegne this 25th of De cember, 1852. (Signed) "NAPOLEON. (Countersigned) " ACHILLE FOULD, Minister " of State. " Examined and sealed with. the Great Seal." " ABBATUCCI, Minister of Justice." THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) MASTER OF THE HORSE'S OFFICE, DEC. 1. The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint Colo nel Everard. William Bouverie, of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, to be Equerry in Ordinary to her Majesty, in the room of Lieutenant-General William Wemyss, de ceased. FOREIGN-OFFICE, DEC. 24. The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. William S. H. Newman as Consul at St. John's, Newfoundland, for the United States of America. WHITEHALL, DEC. 27. The Queen has been pleased to present the Reverend Philip Salisbury Bagge to the Rectory of Walpole Saint Peter, in the county of Norfolk, and diocese of Norwich, the same being void by the death of the Reverend Arthur Moore. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of the North Ridin of Yorkshire. Digby Cayley, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant, Dec. 21. Commissions by the Lord:Lieutenant of the Tower Hamlets. King's Own Light Infantry Regiment of Militia.— Major Wm. Lewis Grant to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Gant, deceased ; Adjutant John Gray to be Captain by Brevet; Vaptaih Frederick John Parry, late of the 17th Lancers, to be Captain of a Company, vice Overend, de ceased; Captain Charles Wm. Tupper, late of the 7th Fusiliers, to be Captain of a Company, vice Burrows, de ceased, Dec. 23. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of Southampton. North Hants Regiment of Militia.—William Percivr Heatheote, Esq., to be Captain, Dec. 18. Commissions by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dumbartonshire Stirling, Dumbarton, Clackmannan, and Kin r o ss R eg i. runt of Militia.—C a pt a i n Joseph Tucker Geils to be Cap. tain, vice William Cunningham Routine, resigned; Geo. Park Macindoe, Gent., to be Captain, vice Thomas Mon tague Martin Weller, resigned, Dec. 17. Commission by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County Pala. tine of Chester. The Earl of Chester's Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. —Shallcross Fitz Herbert Jacson to be Lieutenant, vice Worthington, resigned, Dec. 1. BANKRUPTS. Westbo Hawkshaw Percival, bookseller and publisher, Bloomsbury-square, to surrender, Jan. 6, at eleven, and Feb. 10, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings; Rose, Great Prescott-street, Goodman's fields. William Tanner, draper, Alcester, Warwickshire, Jan. 11, and Feb. 2, at eleven, at the Birmingham District Court. Bittleston, official assignee, Birmington ; Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon ; Hodgson, Bi rm i ng h am . Joseph Tall and John Mingay, mechanical tool manu facturers, builders and cabinet makers, C raw f or d- s t ree t , t ryanstone-square, and Tichbourne-street, Edgeware-road, Middlesex, 10th Jan., at eleven, and Bth Feb. a t t we l ve , at th e C ourt of Bakruptcy. Edwards, London, official 4 aLgnee ; Moss, London. Feb rge Collier, bookbinder, Hatton-garden, Jan. 11 and ome • 11, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, vill e i . a .4"signee, Coleman-street-buildings ; Starling, Sack- Willis•-reet Pee a mi,"6-eorge': draper, 5, at one St. John-street-road, Jan. ru t and Feb. 8, at twelve, at the Court of Bank , P c Y' gtansfield, official assignee, Basinghall-street Bank- Lawrence, Abraham. and Boy er, Old Jewry-chambers. azelton stone delver,Mount Tabor, Halifax, Court. 20, y e ,. , c our t. yo ung, u at eleven, at the Leeds District ofae al assignee, Leeds ; Wavell and Foster, Halifax, ___ _________ MA-R -"T INTELLIGENCE. ---- -----„______ L (From the London New Price Current of th,is day.) SUGAR.—Of all descrip tio n s to this port since the year commenced have been j i s :;6 4-I to ß ng, • for home c.enau4ption the against 215,000 in the previous one n 3 000, and in the • " quantity taken tons, and in 1851 it. was 170 ,000 4 has been 199,.000: and in t_li.F, forroet portation deliveries are a , . previousseason 20,000. Stocks consist of 69,000, year 89,000, the Gazette average prices a ru rkee h w ailer by 4s 6d per cwt. The West India sugar m t o be under°p f en on the 4th of January, and is expected paiLourable t of constun auspices, there being every prospec d retail 1 1 11 e " ( ea ers aro tinning large, supplies moderate an . in good demand for scantily supplied. To-clay sugar wa s ho me consumptio n , an d ra t es are fi rm a t 45s to 45s 6d f or stained f or brown l umps. Previous terms are well su Crushed sugar. REFINED. —Arrivals of F ore i gn R e fi ne d have been again light. A f ree sale exists for Bastards—brown at at 26s 6d . to 31s, an d yellow 32s to 34 s 6d . Pi eces are mach wanted o —low to mid a t 35 3 to 38s 6d and good to fine 30s to 4.... s . Treacle is less required and more d es i re i s ev i nce d t o se ll boiled from West India Molasses at 15s ; Patent lss fid to 16s. and Golden Syrup at 16s 6d to 17s. Several buyers of Belgian at 24s to 28s. In loaves purchases are of im ortance, and rates tend u p wards. Turkey 1 to Nibs seling at 423 to 465, Ilambro` 6 t o 15 di tto 32s to 355, tittlers 22 t o 30 , ditto 325, Prussian 40 to 45 ditto 30s to 30s 6d. Dutch made loaves 6to 10 ditto 31s 6d to 32spand Belgian 29s to 20s 6d. MAURITIUS.—Prices for fine to superior yellow rule at 36s to 395, middling to good 343 to 35a 6d, ordinary 33e to LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ADDRESS. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF LONDON. GENTLIMEN,—Having contributed by my vote to the overthrow of the Administration of Lord Derby, I have considered it my duty to assist, when called upon by my Sovereign in the formation of a new Ministry. I have felt it incumbent upon me, in order to give to the country the full advantages of a liberal policy, to sink those personal pretensions which my po sition might have entitled me to form. I have conse quently accepted office under the Earl of Aberdeen, upon whose upright character and enlightened views I place the greatest reliance. My seat is therefore vacant. I have little of novelty to add to the declarations I addressed to you on the 22d of May, previously to the late General Election. I then said that I could have no hesitation in accepting the challenge—to decide finally, completely, and conclusively, the contest be tween Protection and Free Trade. That contest has been decided, finally and conclusively, in favour of Free Trade. I then said, and I now repeat, that the commercial policy of the last ten years was not an evil to be mitigated, but a good to be extended—not an unwise and disastrous policy, which ought to be reversed, altered, or modified, but a just and benefi cial system, which should be supported, strengthened, and upheld. I adverted at the same time to the lega difficulties and expenses which clogged the transfer of land, the complicated machinery of the Customs depart ment, and the remaining burdens and restrictions on the shipping interest. Now, as then, I am prepared to attempt the removal of these impediments to the increase of our prosperity. Now, as then, I am prepared to attempt the relief of that portion of our fellow-subjects who are still excluded by their religious belief from political privileges. I enter tain a sanguine hope of success in that endeavour. I then stated that the progress of the working classes in knowledge and intelligence ought to be accompanied by an increased share of political power, while I was aware how difficult a task it is to adjust, in any plan of representation, the respect due to ancient prescription with the claims of advancing trade, increased population, and growing intelligence. To this task the Ministry of the Earl of Aberdeen will anxiously apply themselves. A matter of so much im portance requires from the Government the most delibe rate consideration before any measures are submitted to Parliament. Ey joining the Administration of Lord Aberdeen I believe that I shall best promote the cause to which my political life has been devoted—that of rational and en lightened progress. It is to progress that all our efforts Will be directed. I look to the extension of education, of civil and reli gious liberty, of commercial freedom, and of political under , as the true means o f preserving those institutions which We have enjoyed so much happiness, r I have the honou r to be, Gentlemen, Your grateful and obedient servant, Chesharn-place, Dec, 27, 1852, J. RUSSELL. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 28, 1852. 33s 6d, fine brown 32s to 32s 6d, orher sorts 28s to 31s 6d, refining common to middling 32s to 335, good to fine 34s 6d to 375, grainy yellow 35s to 41s, white ditto 42s to 445, and brown 33s to 34s 6d per cwt. To-day Mauritus Sugar is wanted at last week's rates and there are few sellers. EAST INDIA.-There is a large demand privately for soft brown Bengal at 27s 6d. to 28s 6d, yel. 29s to 325. Other sorts are wanted, prices have an upward tendency-ruling for Benares, good to fine white at 38s 6d to 40s, low to middling 37s to 38s, grainy white 41s to 44s 6d, yellow ditto, fine 39s to 40s 6d, common to good 36s to 38s 6d per cwt. To-day considerable purchases were made in brown Bengal and Madras, at 28s to 295, and ordinary yellow at 29s 6d to 31 s p er cwt. FOREIGN.-Since this day week operations in duty paid panels have been of importance, consisting of 10,000 chts yellow Havannah at 35s 6d to 40s 6d for common to fine, small parcels brown 34s to 355, floretts 41s to 41s 6d; 30,000 bags unclayed Manilla 30s 6d to 31s 6d, some parcels clayed 33s to 34s 6d ; 300 hds Porto Rico, fine yellow 39s to 41s, low to good 35s to 38s 6d, brown 33s to 34s 6d. ; 300 chests Brazil, white 36s to 40s, yellow 34. s to 35s 6d, brown 31s to 33s 6d, some parcels Foreign Muscovado, low to fine yellow, 34s 6d to 395, brown 32s 6d to 34s ; 4,000 China at 30s to 328 6d, grey and white 33s to 365. To-day Foreign Sugar was much enquired after for all purposes, but holders refusing to sell at former rates, business of moment was prevented for shipping or home consumption. MOLASSES.-There are several buyers at previous prices, few parcels can, however, be obtained. , The value of An tigua is 16s 6d to 17s ; other sorts West India, 14s 6d to 16s. Cuba and Porto Rico 15s 6d to 16s 6d. Bengal and Mauritius, 13s 6d to 14s per cwt. The supply is expected to be larger next year. Honey is still wanted, and keeps in small supply. The rates paid for Narbourne are 50s to 64.3 ; Cuba, 36s to 48s ; and Jamaica, 42s to 52s per cwt. Several purchases have been made in Tamasind, West India, 24s to 44s ; and East Inds, 9s to 14s per cwt. COFFEE.-There is a reluctance 'to operate in foreign coffee, still supply keeps small, and the currency is main tained. For Costa Rica the prices required are for good to fine ord at 48s to 51s, fine fine ord 52s to 54s ; low mid to mid 55s to 62s ; good to fine 64s to 90s ; Brazil, low to good ord 37s to 39s 6d, fine 40s to 41s, washed 43s to 545. Rio afloat is held for 40s to 40s 6d for good first, and 38s to 38s 6d for second quality. There is not much doing in coffee at the markets on the continent; and rates rather incline downwards. Exports from Rio remain much under the previous season. To-day there were several buyers of Native Ceylon Coffee at 46s 6d for good ordinary, but there are few sellers. Mocha is wanted, but cannot be obtained at the previous currency. There is more demand for plan tation Ceylon at previous terms. COCOA.-At present not much demand exists, still the currency is firm, Trinidad, fine red at 40 s t o 455, low to good 34s to 395, grey 32s to 355, and Grenada 30s to 37s per cwt. • Imports are expected to decrease in 1853. Foreign attracts little notice, but sales are not pressed. The cur rency is for Bahia 24s 6d to 25s 6d, Para 26s to 27s 6d, and Guayaquill 35s to 36s per cwt. Stock is much the same as last year. No increase of supply is expected in 1853. TEA.-There continues to be reluctance to operate in in ferior Congou, and rates rather incline downwards ; but better sorts are more in request, and the currency is firm. Prices for low to good common rule at 10d to lO t id, rather blackish leaf to blackish leaf 11d to ls, strong to Pekoe sorts is tAI to is Bd, fine, of the new crop, is 9d to 2s 2d. In Hyson, Gunpowder, and young Hyson many purchases have been made, and full prices are obtained, but there is a reluctance to operate in other sorts of green Tea, still in v due there is little change. Low to middling Hyson is is 2 , 1 to 1s sd, good to fine is 6d to 2s 10d, choice 3s to 3s 4d, young Hyson Canton 10d to ls, Hyson kind is 2d to is Bd, fine to superior, is 9d to 2s 3d. Twankay 10d to is id, Gunpowder Canton 10d to is ld, Hyson kind is 2d to 2s 9d, fine 2s 10d to 3s 6d, Imperial Canton is to is 2d, Hyson sort 18 3d to 2s, Hyson skin 8d to 9d. C a p er con tinues to be pur c h ase d with reluctance ; there are sellers in boxes at Bid to is ld, and scented rid to is 7d. In Flowery Pekoe sales have been trifling, although low t o mid can be obt a i ne d a t i s 3d t o i s 8d and good to fine is 9,1 to 3s 6d. RICE.—A reluctance is evinced to operate in Cleaned, and a desire is shown to sell ; low to fine Patna at 12s 64 to 17s 6d, first sort Carolina 325, second ditto 235, and American dressed 23s to 26s ; at present supply exceeds consumption. Purchases in East India on the spot are of little moment, yet holders generally are not inclined to press sales. SALTPETRE.—Imports to this port have been 3,000 tons greater than in the previous year, there is an excess in de liveries of 2,200, and stock is larger by 1,000 tons. There are still ready buyers, and prices show a further advance, the parcels sold privately were—Calcutta 2 to 7 per cent at 933 6d to 31s 6d ; 17 to 8 ditto 25. Od to 28s, and Madras at 24s to 26s per cwt. There is a free sale for British Re fined at 29s 6d to 40s. Of Nitrate of Soda supply is not .equate foi the deinond, and 16s 6d to 17s are the rates paid. INDIGO.—A material increase in orders is shortly looked for, there being a large consumption in this country and on the continent. Spanish is wanted, and supply is small, whereas previous terms are easily obtained, Caraccas realising 3s to 5s Bd, Guatimala 5s to ss. 6d, low and lean 2s 7d to 2s lld per lb. There is a larger stock than in former season, but accounts are favourable respecting the crop. COCHlNEAL.—Purchases have been of importance by private contract ; rates are also on the advance, and rule 3d to 4d per lb above those current two weeks back. Hon duras realised for common to fine Silvers 3s 11(1 to 4s 4d, black 4s 4d to 5s 5d • Mexican Silvers 3s 10d to 4 s , bl ac k 4s to 4s 4d. ; Tenerife() 4s ld to 4s 7(1, Silvers 3s 10d to 4s Id per lb. Stock of Cochineal is 3,300 bags more than last year, and deliveries 5,000 less ; the decrease in imports is 2,000 bags. To-day there were several buyers of Cochi neal at previous rates, and with few sellers. The market is scantily supplied. TALLOW.—There is a reluctance to operate, and prices have declined, a larger quantity having been brought for ward. South American has been selling at 42s to 455, Australian mutton 43s to 455, and beef 42s to 44s 6d per cwt. Stock of Tallow is 16,000 casks less than last year. Deliveries are rather smaller, and prices higher by 6s 6d to 7s 6d. To-day Tallow was operated in with more freedom and rates closed firmly at 45s to 45s 3d for fine yellow Itus sion on the spot, and delivery in spring. Le c DYE.—There is more demand, and holders are re luctant to sell at former rates, although stock is 2,500 chests over last year, but consumption is equal, and only limited arrivals sae looked for. The value is now for native marks, 6d to 11d; very ordinary, 4d to 5d ; factory, 1s ld to is 8d ; and fine, is 9d to 2s 4d per pound. OILS.—The valtte is from 341. to 371. lOs for low to fine. Olive is less required, and a desire is evinced to sell Galli poli at 59/. to 601., other sorts 561. to 581., still there is no decrease of consumption, or are supplies larger. The mar ket is inactive for Sperm, and prices incline downwards, ruling at 841. lOs to 861., and Headmatter 861. to 881. Palm sells more freely from 31s to 33s 6d for low to fine quality. Cocoa Nut met with litle notice ; Cochin can be obtained at 38s 6d to 39s 6d, and other sorts 36s to 38s. A slow sale for Lard Oil at 59s to 60s. Purchases in Lin seed Oil have been limited both for shipping and home consumption, and there is a decline, 29s 3d to 29s 6d per cwt having been accepted. COURSE OF EXCHANGE—TRIM DAY. Amsterdam .. .......... 11 16 3 ,4 Gibraltar .............. Ditto, three monLhs .. 11 18U Leghorn ..............30 35 Rotterdam ..... . • • .... 11 1834 Genoa 35 Antwerp .......... 25 30 Milan ................ Brussels .... .......... 25 30 Venice ................ Ilamhurgh ............ 13 6 1 4 Naples ..... ....... •• .. 41% A1t0na............ Palermo • ..... 121% Paris.. .... 25 734 Messina .......• • • .... 124? Ditto, three months •. 25 273¢ Lisbon ................ 534 25 30 Oporto ......... • ...... 53% Bourdeaux ............ Rio Janeiro .. — Frankfort-on-Maine .... 119% Buenos Ayre5.......... Berlin ................ New York, 60 days' sight Vienna ................ 11 17 Philadelphia .......... Trieste ................ 11 18 PRICES OF BULLION, rxa oz. Petersburgh............ 38% Foreign Gold In Bars £3 17 9 Madrid 5034 Portugal Gold Coln .. 0 0 0 Cadiz 50% Mexican Dollars .... 0 4 11 % 8arce10na............ .. New Dollars ...... 0 0 0 eviile ................ Silver in bars ...... 0 5 1% THE OOMMERCIAL TIM VELLERS' ORPHAN SCHOOL. The anniversary of this excellent institution was cele brated last evening by a dinner at the London Taver n , the Right Hon. th Lord Mayor presiding. It may be desirable on the present occasion briefly to narrate the origin of the Travellers' Orphan Schools. With the ex ception of the road-side inns, and the coachmen and guards of the old four-in-hand, no class suffered more severely from the formation of railways than the "commer cial gentlemen," i. e., those of the commercial body who represented the houses who carried on businesr on the principle of " the good old times." A guinea a day for expenses, and a stay of four or five days or a week in a town, was equivalent to the commercial traveller of fif teen or twenty years ago of chops for breakfast, a sirloin of beef and a bottle of wine for dinner, and a devilled turkey for supper. These things, however, became changed by the formation of railways. Travellers were more numerous ; less expenses were allowed ; the "com mission" principle was adopted, and travellers, like all other people, must conform to.the spirit of the times. The change in the position of the commercial traveller became not less marked than that of the " helm" of the stage coach, who, from levying is. each from a dozen or twenty passengers for conducting them safely to the end of as many miles, now finds himself the driver of a London omnibus, earning 30s. or 40s. a week. The commercial tra veller was in many respects found indeed to be in a worse Position than the knight of the whip. The "commission" principle rendered it necessary that he should earn " his dinner and pint of wine" before he could consume them ; but if it should so happen that his orders taken proved " bad debts," he must be content to have his dinner and pint of wine deducted at the " settling day." All these things rendered the position of the " commercial travel ler" one of uncertainty. Hence, some half-dozen years since, some gentlemen connected with commerce, and who had had the experience of a traveller's life, formed the idea of establishing a school for the orphans of com mercial travellers. . The idea was an excellent one, and it has prospered in a remarkable degree. The institu tion now numbers nearly 100 scholars, who are educated and clothed, and otherwise supported in a most suitable and praiseworthy manner, and has become one of the perthanently-established benevolent institutions of the metropolis. On the present occasion the Lord Mayor presided, supported by the Sheriffs of the City, Mr. M. Mines, M.P., Mr. Waddington, M.P., Mr. George Moore, the Rev. Dr. Mortimer, &c., &c. In proposing the toast of " Prince Albert and the rest of the Royal Family," his lordship observed that his Royal Highness iad a heart as large as any gentleman present, and he vas sure that it was his Royal Highness's desire to enable them to enter on the principle of unrestricted 3ompetition—(a laugh)—upon which they had entered, by encouraging everything that conduced to the pro motion of education and science. (Cheers.) In pro posing the next toast, his lordship called the attention of the company to the picture in the gallery, where they saw about 80 or 90 as interesting boys and girls as were ever assembled. It had been said by Mr. Moore that 15,000/. was wanted to place their institution on a proper basis, of which sum 10,000/. had been raised ; and he did not wish them to consider how they should contribute a shilling extra, but how they should raise the 5,0001. (Cheers.)' He felt that the desired sum might speedily be raised if the members of the great mercantile firms and their travellers would contribute, as was their duty. It had been said that there were in the kingdom 30,000 commercial travellers, and he could only say that, if such was the case, many commercial travel lers ought to be ashamed of themselves that they had not yet contributed to the funds of this society. The necessity for the establishment of an institution of this kind must be apparent. In the first place, a commercial man must be taken very much from his home, and, there fore, could not superintend the education of his children. In the next place, it was requisite that he should be a man of superior abilities, and of high integrity. And, in the third place, as generally devoting his energies to the services of persons of great wealth, it was felt that he had a great claim upon their sympathy. (Cheers.) It, had been his (the Lord Mayor's) lot to see the widows of some of the highest and wealthiest mercantile men reduced to poverty, and it was clearly the duty of all who had been raore favoured by Providence to contribute to the relief of those who had experienced adversity. The list of subscriptions was then annogrlsed, which included the following :—Mr. Brown, of the firm of Morrison, Dillon & Co., 20 guineas; and Mr. Nicholson, 50 guineas. The children who are being educated in the society's school during the announcement of the sub scriptions passed round the room. Their appearance evidently excited much admiration, not unmixed with feelings of sympathy. Mr. WADDINGTON, M.P., congratulated the company that all religious and political feeling had been merged on the occasion of the establishment of the Com mercial Travellers' Orphan School, and that the only unrestricted competition (laughter) —in which they were embarked was that of vieing with each other who should do the greatest amount of good. (Cheers.) The LORD MAYOR said he would reciprocate the sen timent of his honourable Protectionist friend. Although they differed upon political questions, he was sure that they did not differ in this respect—in the desire " To cast all care and sorrow round, Till not an aching heart be found." (Cheers.) The question before them was the money question—(a laugh)—and how they sho,zild raise the ways and means of carrying on their institution as they wished, It was an important question, for but for the money question. Disraeli would never have gone out, and other persons would never have come in. (Laughter.) As an illustration of what could be done, he might men tion that Miss Tance and Misses Alice and E. Dance had collected the handsome sum of 1791. during the past year in support of their institution. Mr. MONCKTON MILNES said that all pasties having now agreed to travel on that great high road of commer cial truth, free trade and unrestricted competition— (laughter)—he hoped that it would never be asked whether a man came to this conclusion in this month or in that month— (cheers)—but that they should hence forward act harmoniously together. The body of com mercial travellers were to their employers what the Go vernment of this country were to the people. He could remember the time when he had travelled by the stage coach in company with the commercial traveller, and how he had thus acquired much information which had been of service to him in future years. The LORD MAYOR, in proposing the health of Mr, George Moore, designated him as the Milton and Shak. spere of their schools. - Mr. MOORS returned thanks. He said that of the 15,0001. required for the institution, 10,6001. had been already raised. Twenty-one acres of land had been pur chased, and the building for their schools had been con tracted for under the most judicious and advantageous terms. During the past year the agent of their institu tion had collected 1,600/. in Manchester ; and in Liver pool, Glasgow, and another place, each 7001. The in come of the society during the past year had been 4,6001. against an expenditure of little more than 3,000/. ; so that if the great mercantile houses and com mercial travellers would but do their duty, the sum ne cessary to provide permanently for the education of the desired number, 123 children, would soon be raised. Several clergymen of the Church of England had in a most commendable manner devoted their pulpits to the cause of their institution. Collections had been thus raised after two discourses, amounting to 1501. The Archbishop of Canterbury had promised to preach in favour of the institution at Bow Church on the 31st o March, and he hoped on that occasion to see the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs and others present. He should ob serve that the National Mercantile Life Assurance Com pany, the Goldsmith's Company, and the city of London, had severally contributed 100 guineas to their institu tion, and that during the past year Mrs. Caffiey, had obtained the enrolment of sixty-eight annual subscribers. He (Mr. Moore) remembered what Mr. Nicholson had once said to him, " George, the more you give, the more you will get" He believed him. (Cheers.) He be lieved, further, that the only pleasure that did not wear out was the pleasure of doing good, and with these marks he would commend the Commercial Travellers' Orphan Schools to their warm support. The subscriptions were shortly afterwards stated to amount to upwards of 700/. The musical arrangements of the evening were under the direction of Mr. Ransford, assisted by Miss Rans ford, Mr. W. E. Ransford, and Mr. Perren. Mr. Harker was an efficient toast-master, and the entire proceedings were in acdordance with the usual taste and liberality of the London Tavern. RUFUS'S SPUR.— At the " Queen's House," in Lynd hurst, is preserved a curious relic of antiquity (boast: ing, perhaps, a much more venerable age than it has any claim to) called " Rufus's stirrup." It has the form of a stirrup, of very large dimensions, of steel, with an appear. ance of gilding or lacker on some parts of it, the loop for the leather being in a horizontal instead of vertical plate of metal. A doubt is suggested as to its being a stirrup of that date, on the ground that metal stirrups were then unknown in England. Is this so ? The common tradition which assigns it to the Red Monarch connects It also with the cruel custom of " depeditation" practised on mastiffs and large dogs found in the forest. It was said to be the test of a dog's harmlessness that he was small enough to pass through the stirrup. If he could not pass the ordeal he was carried before the ranger, and " depeditated" by means of a mallet and chisel. The latter part of the process is described with minuteness by the chronicler of the forest laws, who, however, makes no mention of the test.—Notes and Queries. ANTICIPATED CONFLAGRATION OF ROME.—Dr. Cum. ming, in his " Apocalyptic Sketches," and many other authors, have asserted, as their interpretation of some parts of the Apocalypse, that Rome will be destroyed by fire from heaven, or swallowed up by earthquakes, or overwhelmed with destruction by volcanoes, as` tbe visi ble punishment of the Almighty for its Popery and its crimes. lam unwilling to deduce any argument of this kind from the prophecies which are unfulfilled ; but I beheld everywhere--in Rome, near Rome, and through the whole country of Italy from Rome to Naples —the most astounding proofs, not merely of the possibility, but of the exceeding probability, that the whole region of central Italy will one day suffer under such a catas trophe. The soil of Rome is tufa, of a volcanic origin ; the smell of the sulphur, which we found to be most dis agreeable, must be the result of volcanic subterranean action still going on, At Naples, the boiling sulphur is seen bubbling near the surfame of the earth. When I drew a stick along upon the ground, the sulphureous smoke followed the indentation ; and it would never surprise me to hear of the utter destruction of the entire peninsula of Italy.— Townsend's Journal of a Tour. A HINT TO OYSTER-EATERS.—When too many oysters have been incautiously eaten, and are felt lying cold and heavy on the stomach, we have an infallible and imme diate remedy in hot milk, of which have-a-pint may be drunk, and it will quickly dissolve the oysters into a bland, creamy jelly. Weak and consumptive persons should always take this after their meal of oysters.—Dr. Evans. POLIO. 'ENCE. liquor. By Mr. Church : owing to the detention of the train, arising from the defendant's negligence, a risk was in curred of a collision taking place on the line. Mr. Church ; could the defendant have been aware that at the time he left the terminus only two carriages instead of thirteen were attached to the engine ? Witness : If he was sober, as he is now at the bar, he would have been enabled to judge whether he had only two or thirteen carriages attached. Any experienced driver would have discovered it very soon by the differ ence in the propulsion required by an engine drawing a heavy and a light train of carriages. Cross-examined : Defendant had been four years in the employ of the company. Never saw him drunk before. Mr. A'Beckett—What reason have you for stating that the defendant was intoxicated ? Witness—His ap pearance, language, and conduct altogether led me to believe he was drunk ; but at all events he was in that state that I should not consider myself justified in per mitting him to act as driver to the train. Mr. Church suggested that, if it met with the magis trates approbation, they would not press the charge of drunkenness, but that of interfering with, and being insolent to, the station -master in the execution of his duty. Defendant's solicitor said, as the charge of drunken ness was withdrawn, his client pleaded guilty to the other charge, and expressed his contrition for it. Mr. A'Beckett said the charge of intoxication was not in his estimation, satisfactorily proved, and as it involved a serious amount of punishment on a person holding the responsible situation of the defendant, in the event of a conviction, he (the magistrate) therefore should not, under the circumstances, deal with him for that offence, for, if the case was clear on th a t p o i n t, h e s h ou ld h ave no hesitation in sentencing him to the full penalty for it. As the case at present stood, if the company wished they might take it to the sessions ; but, on the contrary, if they desired that he should summarily deal with the defendant, he should at once consent to their wishes on the subject. Mr. Church, on the part of the company, expressed their satisfaction at the magistrate's decision, whatever it might be ; and added that the defendant had been dis- missed from his situation in their employment. Mr. Alieckett—Then I shall inflict a penalty of 51. on the defendant, and, in default of payment, commit him for two months to gaol. WESTMINSTER.—On the 30th ult. the proprietor and corps dramfdique of a " Penny Theatre," in York street, Westminster, were brought before Mr. Arnold to answer for playing without a licence. The proceedings had been taken by direction of the magistrate, owing to it having on several occasio n s t ran spired that children committed petty thefts in order to raise money to visit the "gaff." Evidence having been given, showing that a ballet of action, as it was termed, entitled The Ice Witch, was represented, Mr. Arnold ordered a conviction to be recorded against the parties, but, on the understanding that the place should be closed, suspended judgment, and the defendants were liberated upon entering into their recognizances to come up for sentence whenever called upon. The police had directions to keep an eye upon the place, and having reported that the place was still open nightly, although the " entertainment" had been varied, so as, if possible, to avoid tie statute, Mr. Ar nold determined upon enforcing the law, at least against Thomas Cornelius Glover, the proprietor, and Reuben Watts, who appeared to be taking an active part in the concern under him. Summonses were accordingly issued, requiring the attendance of those two, an d Reuben Watts was convicted in the penalty of 40s. ; the other, however, was not forthcoming, and divers dodges were resorted to, to evade the law. By dint, however, of considerable trouble, process was personally executed upon Glover, who now appeared before the magistrate. Mr. Roberts appeared on his behalf, and wanted to show that Glover had no control over the premises, he having let them some time before his conviction. Mr. Arnold was not to be jockeyed in this way. R e could not consider how for a moment such a thing could be, as the ownership was not disputed when Glover was charged and convicted. On the contrary, the defence set up was, that he thought he was justified as he had her Majesty's trumpeters' licence, and it was on this plea that the conviction was merely recorded, but with a most perfect understanding that if the place were not shut up he would be called up for judgment. The case had been clearly proved against Glover before the con viction, and all he now had to do was to pass sentence. The defendant was fined 201., to be levied by distress warrant upon his goods,. and in default three months' imprisonment. YORKSHIRE WINTER GAOL DELIVERY.—SIIIIIMARY OF THE SENTENCES.—On Wednesday night last the business of the winter gaol delivery was brought to a conclusion, and the trials of the several prisoners-125 in number—presented the following results :—To be hanged, 2 ; death recorded, 7 ; transported for 20 years, 3 ; for 15 years, 4 ; for 10 years, 1 0 ; for 7 years, 13 ; imprisoned for 18 months, 3 ; for 12 months, 15 ; for 9 months, 2 ; for 6 months, 5 ; for 4 months, 1 ; for 3 months, 4 ; for 2 months, 5 ; for one month 1 ; for 14 days, 1 ; for 7 days, 2 ; admitted evidence, 2 ; removed by certiorari, 1 ; no prosecution, 4 ; no bills, 6 ; ac quitted, 34. THE FLOODS.—Another life has been lost near Wind sor in consequence of the floods. On Christmas-eve a youth named Munday, whose parents reside at Eton, accompanied by an acquaintance, went to spend the even ing at the house of a mutual friend residing at Datchet. On their return they parted not far from that village, and Munday, contrary to the advice of his friend, pro ceeded by a lane which communicates with the turnpike road near Eton College. The lane was then about twelve inches deal) in water, and presented no great difficulty, but Munday did not return home that night. On the following morning search was made, and he was found up to the chest in a ditch by the side of the lane quite dead, SOUTHWARK.—John Davidson, an engine -driver in the employment of the South-Eastern Railway Com pany, was brought before Mr. A'Beckett, charged with being drunk and incapable of performing his duty, and refusing to leave the engine when desired to do so by the station-master. Mr. Church, the solicitor of the company, attended for the purpose of prosecuting the charge. Henry Laing, inspector of trains in the employ of the South-Eastern Railway Company at the London-bridge terminus, stated that on Friday evening the defendant was about to start as driver of a train to Woolwich, when he (witness) asked him if he intended taking 14 carriages down the line to that place. There were 14 carriages attached to the engine at that time, and the defendant replied that he did not, when witness desired him to uncouple, one of the carriages in front, and for that purpose it was necessary for the defendant to move into a siding. Instead, however, of doing this, when witness called out as usual, "All right for Woolwich," the meaning of which was that the defendant was imme diately to have moved the engine to the siding, prepa ratory to going off, he set the engine in motion, and started for Woolwich with only two carriages attached, instead of eleven more. Witness was surprised at the circumstance, but the defendant was out of sight before he had time to prevent such an occurrence, and he (witness) immediately proceeded to telegraph to the New-cross Station, in order that the de fendant might be sent back again. When witness afterwards left the telegraph-office, and had re turned to the platform, he found the defendant had returned on the engine with the two carriages, and he then spoke to him on the subject of his negligence on the occasion, and he (witness) then observed that he was under the influence of liquor, and having represented the fact to the station-master, the defendant was subse quently prevented from acting as driver to the engine and given into custody. Witness added that he was present and heard the defendant use language of an im proper description to the station-master, when the latter expressed his intention not to allow a man in the condi tion he was in to act as engine -driver to the train. De fendant started three minutes before his time. By Mr. Church Owing to the defendant having started off with the engine in the way he did, a collision might have taken place with the Greenwich train. Cross-examined by defendant's solicitor—Witness did not ring the starting bell for the 'Woolwich train before the defendant, went off on the engine. He appeared to be drunk when he returned with the train, a circum stance which witness did not previously observe, not having such an opportunity. Was not aware that the defendant had come up from Stroud a short time , pre viously, nor did he know how long defendant had been in the company's service. The eleven carriages defen dant left behind him when he started off for Woolwich had a number of passengers in them, but the two he had with him attached to the engine had only a few pas sengers. Bainbridge, in the employ of the company, stated that he saw the defendant on the evening in question, both before and after his return to the platform. Witness heard the words that passed between the defendant and the first witness, and afterwards saw him when he came back on the engine. When first witness saw him he did not appear to be drunk, but when he came back with the engine he (witness) perceived that he was flurried, and heard him insist on driving the engine to Woolwich against the orders of the station -master. By Mr. Church—When first witness saw defendant, he did not appear to be in liquor ; but he (witness) was of a different opinion when he returned with the engine. Mr. A'Beckett—You say that 20 minutes before the defendant returned to the platform he seemed sober, and that afterwards, when he came back with the engine, he seemed flurried. What other symptoms did he exhibit besides those you mention ? Witness—l was near enough to smell his breath, and it knelt as if he had been drinking porter. He did not, so far as I could judge, appear sober. Mr. Weatherhead, the station-master, was then exa mined, and he stated, that on being apprised on the even ing in question of what had occurred, as above des cribed, he went on the platform, and seeing the defend ant on the engine,, he spoke to him and called him down. He then remarked that the defendant was not sober, and told him that he had been drinking. Defendant, however, denied that he had ; when witness repeated that he was convinced he had ; and, at the same time, expressed his determination that the defendant should not endanger the lives of the passengers by acting as driver of the train. Defendant said he would go, and jumped from the platform on to the engine ; and witness in order to prevent a man in his condition from driving the engine, was compelled to employ force to get him down again. When he was dragged down, the de fendant began to abuse him, called him la liar, and ex claimed that he was as sober as he was. The train was detained upwards of ten minutes beyond its usual time, and witness was compelled to procure another engine -driver, and also another fireman for the train ; as the one who accompanied the defendant was also in LIFE ASSURANCE. DECLARATION OF THE MANCHESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The following very important paper, bearing the sig nature of Mr. Bazley, as President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, and issued by " order and on behalf of the directors" of that body, has been made public in Manchester. It appears to have been immediately called forth by a letter, which we also publish, addressed to Mr. Bazley, in his official capacity, by Mr. J. Young Caw, on the 23d of September last— at the time when it will be remembered that public attention had just been directed to the subject of Life Insurance by the appearance of one or two pamphlets, by the prominence given to it in our own columns, and by other causes. Mr, Bazley's letter is a most valuable document, and we direct attention to it with peculiar pleasure, seeing that is expresses views, and contains statements, which correspond closely with those which, from. the commencement of the controversy, have been adopted and enforced by ourselves. We give in the first place the letter of Mr. Caw, and in the second the reply which it called forth from Mr. Bazley : "Bank, Mosley-street, 23d Sept., 1852. "Dear Sir,—ln bringing before your directors the state of the life assurance offices, I believe I am doing that which in some shape or other has already been done, for the public press has recently so often alluded to it, that in some degree or other it must have been considered by all of them. Still, as there are some points of im portance which deserve special consideration, I trust I may be excused in endeavouring to select from many objects of attention, those which appear to be the most practical and most prominent. Life insurance, con ducted upon prudent principles, is of immense advantage to the community. Having enunciated this proposition, so universally admitted, it remains to examine what are prudent principles ? A prudent man will be desirous, when he insures his life, to know that when he dies the engage ment will be duly met. This brings on the consideration of the office in which he ought to insure. Now, the returns recently published by authority of Parliament, give a certain amount of information as to companies formed under the 7th and Bth Vict., cap. 110 ; and as since the passing of that act, 105 assurance companies have regis tered themselves, it may tend to assist some if the state of these accounts be considered. I have not the slight est hesitation in pronouncing a very large proportion of these offices to be practically insolvent ; and there is not any one of common judgment in business matters who can arrive at any other conclusion after examinine , the accounts these office rs h ave f urn i s h e d . Th e first item that appears of importance is preliminary expenses, under which vague title most of the offices place a large amount of money. The second is, the large sum for directors's fees. The third is, the large law expenses. And the fourth, the charge for establishing agencies. These matters require much attention. The next point is, a great reduction of premium. This has been carried to an excess, and ruin must be the consequence. Many of the offices to which allusion has been made are esta blished in London, and have placed in Manchester local boards as an inducement for the people at Manchester to insure. It is to this point particularly that I beg the attention of your directors. No legislative enactment can interfere in this matter with success. Any such en actment would be an opposition to free trade. But the moral influence of your society in expressing an opinion upon the following points, which every insurer ought to inquire into, may be of service. How this is to be done must be left to the judgment and discretion of your di rectors. Persons have lent their names as local direc tors' without holdin g s h ares i n t h e company, and with out being insured in their own office. The deduction from this is, that weak and ignorant persons have been puffed up through vanity to show their extraordinary benevolence, and have lent their names without any in terest in the society. Some persons have been induced to lend their names without taking shares or insuring, because they have been allowed a fee for their attendance as directors. This class are perfectly contemptible ant degraded, and but for the mischief they may do, are not worthy of consideration. Another class insure for a small amount, and receive in fees more than their pre miums—a class of decoy duck. It appears evident that something may be done to protect the young men of Man chester from the dangers which threaten them ; as it is to be observed that these recklesss offices pay agents, exorbitant commissions, and high salaries, which the business cannot afford. One mode of protection is, to inquire at the local boards if their names are used with their own consent ; to ask whether they are shareholders and liable in any degree for the policies, or whether they are liable for 201. or 1001. paid up by shares ; and, further, to know whether the local board dare trust their own office so far as to ensure their own lives in it. I bring the matter before you for your con sideration. If you can do anything to avert evil, do it. At any rate, the fact of its being laid before you will probably neutralize much mischief. I may further add, that although the above remarks refer' more particularly to offices registering under 7 and 8 Vict., cap. 110, there are offices established prior to that act in England, and also Scotch offices, whose rates of p rem i um are so ruin ously low th a t by-and-bye they will be found out and ruin follow. Cheapness in life assurance is not always an advantage.—l remain, my dear sir, yours very faith fully, " J. Y. CAw. " Thomas Bazley, Esq., President of the Chamber of Commerce, Manchester." " Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, Manchester, December 9, 1852. " Dear regret the delay which has intervened in replying to your letter of the 23d of September last, in which you call upon the directors of this chamber to use their influence towards averting from the young men of Manchester the dangers which you foresee to impend over them from the position into which the business of life assurance in this country has recently fallen. " When your communication was first brought before the board, the pure philanthropy and honourable mo tives which prompted it, were duly appreciated, but some hesitation was felt as to how far the subject fell within the province of this chamber. Mature conside ration has, however, convinced the directors that your apprehension of dangers is well founded, and that they cannot be wrong in endeavouring to direct the attention of their fellow-citizens to a careful consideration of so momentous a question. I am, therefore, to state, as briefly as I can, the grounds upon which this board ven tures to L raise a warning voice, and to exhort all, and especially the young men of Manchester, to exercise the utmost caution in a matter which involves the future weal or woe of the objects of their tenderest affections. The board agrees with you entirely, that life assurance, condlicted upon prudent principles, is of immense advan tage to the community. If it be not prudently conduct ed, if it fall into the hands of imprudent men, or of reckless adventurers (of which examples have not been wanting), it may become in the one case a source of misery, in the other, of heartless robbery. In the first place it will be useful to consider what is the nature of a life assurance. It is a contract between two parties—one of which engages to provide a given sum on the death of the insurer, the other to make given payments until that event occur ; but, unlike every other species of contracts, neither party is desirous of an early termination. The risks, however, may not be equa l. Th e assure d must make hi s yearly payments, he parts annually with the stipulated capital, and has no control over the manner in which it is to be managed ; he is bound for life, and even should he subsequently have cause for suspicion, he cannot recede without severe loss. The obligation of the assuring office is so to manage the funds entrusted to it, that, on the determination of the contract, it shall be prepared to fulfil all its engage ments. The very first consideration for a person about to assure his life should therefore be to connect himself with such institutions only as shall give the strongest hope of eventually performing the promises they have held out. The board believes that many such exist, which, by careful management, the length of time during which their operations have continued, the amount of realised capital, and the fortunate circumstances which attended their infancy and growth, have placed them selves in a position to deserve unlimited confidence. But the directors have seen, with deep regret, in the promises held out by the almost innumerable projects of latter days, such a departure from the prudent course of the older offices as to excite in them great alarm, and they there fore desire to throw out some suggestions which they think may be serviceable to the young community around them.* The scheme of life assurance is supported solely on the hypothesis that the contributions of the members taken year by year and invested in some fund which will produce an interest thereon, will be sufficient, of them selves, to spay to the representatives of each member, when his life drops in, the sum assured under his policy, and the contingent promises held out to him. The realisation of this hypothesis obviously depends on several considerations, the most important of which 1. That the probable average duration of life shall have been correctly estimated, but especially that it shall not have been over-rated. 2. That the full rate of interest assumed by the society in its calculations shall be actually realised. 3. That a surplus shall be annually created at least suf ficient to discharge all the expenses of management. 4. That an equal or nearly equal degree of risk be distributed over all the lives. 5. That the funds of the society shall be invested in such securities as will not fail to reproduce them un diminished in value when required for the necessities of the institution. On the first of these considerations depends the rates which each office shall assume. The board would not presume to give any opinion whatever upon the proper rates to be charged ; but it has seen a constant tendency in the recently-established offices not only to make great reductions from the rates charged by the older societies, but, at the same time, to promise much greater advan tages. These allurements are sought to be justified by the assertion that the rates of the old offices have been excessive, and that the average duration of life has in creased. The board will not deny either of these pro positions to some extent ; but it does not hetitate to ex press a very strong fear that the reasons so assigned are pushed beyond the reality in both cases, and that a reck less competition, if no worse motive, has given birth to some delusive and most dangerous associations. The rates of payment are certainly an important element in a con tract for life assurance, but they sink into comparative in significance when ultimate security is taken into account. The solidity of an assurance society cannot be tested in its * Extract from a very valuable pamphlet, entitled " Life Assurance, its Schemes, its Difficulties, and its Abuses," published 1852, by W. S. D. Pateman, price ls., which the board would recommend to the perusal of all who wish to &come their lives. ' FATALITY OF A RING.—In October, 1845, a man, named Donald Fra ser , was transported for the theft of the same ring which formed a very important link in the chain of evidence against George Christie for th murder of Mrs. Ross and her grandson. STRANGE MEETING.—One afternoon, last week, a very singular meeting took place in High -street. A labouring man passing up the street observed a woman (in com pany with a man, somewhat like himself id years and circumstances) whose features. he was sure had been at some period familiar to him. Curiosity prompted him to accost the woman, which fie did, and the three ad journed into a public-house. After much conversation as to the one and the other, all three having seen each other before, it ultimately was elucidated that the woman was the wife of the labouring man, and that he with whom she was accompanied was also her husband. The surprise of all the parties on such a revelation may be imagined. It appeared that the first husband, on the night of his marriage, 25 years ago, had deserted his better half, and had not seen her before the day in ques tion with the husband she had married in his absence, under the belief, no doubt, that the first was dead. The parties, were, however, mutually satisfied with the existing state of things ; the first husband giving the second every privilege with the wife's portion of his property, and all got merry together.—Perth, Courier. THE EDINBURGH REVIEW.—The gentleman who is to replace Mr. Empson in the editorship of the Edinburgh Review is Mr. George Cornewall Lewis—long the Whig financial secretary at the Treasury—and on three occa sions the unsuccessful candidate for election into the present Parliament. Mr. Lewis is favourably known as an author—is distinguished for his knowledge of political economy—and though not himself a contributor to the higher classes of literature, is said to appreciate literature in all its branches with a hearty and discriminating relish. In his hands, therefore, the Edinburgh may probably again become more a representation of general literature than it was under Mr. Empson's management. Athenceunt. CHRISTMAS CUSTOMS IN NORWAY.—At Christiania, and in other Norwegian towns, there is a delicate Christmas way of off er i ng t o a lady a brooch, or a pair of earrings, in a truss of hay. The house door of the person complimented is pushed open, and there is thrown into the house a truss of hay or straw, a sheaf of corn, or bag of chaff. In some part of this " bottle of hay" envelope, there is a " needle" of a present to be hunted for. A friend of mine received from her betrothed, ac cording to this Christmas custom, an exceedingly large brown paper parcel, which, on being opened, revealed a second parcel with a loving motto on the cover. And so on, parcel within parcel, Motto within motto, till the kernel of this paper husk—which was at length dis covered to be a delicate piece of minute jewellery —was arrived at. One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of giving, on Christmas-day, a dinner to the birds. On Christmas morning, every gable, gateway, or barn-door, is decorated with a sheaf of corn, fixed on the top of a tall pole, wherefrom it is intended that the birds shall make their Christmas din ner. Even the peasant will contrive to have a handful set by for this purpose, and what the birds do not- eat on Christmas-day, remains for them to finish at their leisure through the winter. The carolling of birds about these poles make a Norwegian Christmas in the fields quite holy to me.—Dickens's " Household Words." [ADVERTISEMENT.]—DEAFNESS—NEW DISCOVERY.- 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, observe, opposite the York Hotel. The Organic Vibrator, an extraordinary powerful, small, newly-invented instrument for deafness, entirely different from all others, to surpass anything of the kind that has been, or probably ever can be, pro duced. Being of the same colour as the skin, it is not perceptible ; it enable's deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public assemblies ; the unpleasant sensa tion of singing noises in the ears are entirely removed ; and it affords ' all the assistance that possibly could be desired. The Royal Exhibition —Valuable newly-in vented, very small, powerful Waistcoat-pocket Glass, the size of a walnut, to discern minute objects at a distance of from four to five miles, which is found to be invaluable for yachting, and to sportsmen, gentlemen, and game keepers. Telescopes, possessing such extraordinary power that some, 34 inches, with an extra eye-piece, will show distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ring, and the double stars. They supersede every other kind, and are of all sizes, for the waistcoat-pocket, shooting, military purposes, &c. Opera and Race -course Glasses with won derful power; a minute object can be clearly seen from 10 to 12 miles distant. Invaluable newly-invented Spectacle.—S. and B. Solomons, aurists and opticians, 39, Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, observe, opposite the York Hotel. BENEFICES, &c.—The annual return obtained by the Marquis of Blandford respecting benefices in England and Wales was on Friday printed. According to the document, there were 11,782 benefices. The total resi dents numbered 8,077, and the non-residents 2,952, of which last-mentioned class there were 1,137 performing the duties of their respective parishes. Under the class " miscellaneous cases' 699 were returned, including vacancies, sequestrations, &c. In England and Wales there were 8,214 glebe-houses when the return was made. Another part of the return was required to show the net annual value of the several benefices in which the incumbents were non-resident in each diocese in England and Wales according to the returns for the year 1850, made to her Majesty in Council by the re spective archbishops and bishops, in pursuance of the Act 1 and 2 Victoria, chap. 106, sec. 53. No return of the value was made to 1,297, and in the others the value was from 101. to 2,1801. a year. The total was 2,960/. A TOUR OF INQUIRY THROUGH FRANCE AND ITALY. By Edmund Spencer, Esq. 2 vols.—At a moment like the present, when events are enacting at our very doors that startle as much by their suddenness as they agitate the whole civilised world by their importance, it affords us pleasure to announce a work entitled, " A Tour of Inquiry through France and Italy, illustrating their present Social, pence Political, and Religious Condition," by Edmund S r, Esq.. a gentleman f avoura bl y known i n the world of litera ture as one of tho mo::t tihtin3uislied traveller:, u.'tlia day, and who, having long resided in France and Italy, is emi nently qualified to throw light on the causes which have led to this upheaving of the nations, and its probable effects on the future prospects and civilisation of Europe. are— early years ; an unsound one even may run on very smoothly for many years, but if its basi s h ave b een er roneous, a time w ill assuredly come when its inability to perform its promise will be declared ; and the longer that that declaration is delayed the wider the misery that will be diffused. It cannot have escaped observa tion that, amidst many other blandishments recently offered by the projectors of new assurance offices, " the lowest rates of premium possible, without compromising the safety of the institution," are put prominently for ward. Who, in his senses, would consign the premiums of, as he hopes, 20 or 30 years, into bands so regard less of unquestionable safety, or to one so willing to stand upon the very brink of a precipice, into which any casualty, an unforseen one, perhaps, may precipitate him. The second, third, and fourth propositions above enu merated are self-evident, and do not require a word of elucidation ; but the fifth is so intimately interwoven with the welfare of assured persons, that I may be par doned in venturing a few words upon it. It forms, indeed, in conjunction with the question of rates, the very essence of the warning which the board is anxious to give. Whatever estimate may have been put upon the increased duration of life, it will not be believed that the lowest rates of premium now offered can be based upon the lowest rate of interest. But whilst the rates of premium are reduced in almost every new project, a rate of interest is prevailing which is lower than at any former period, and is likely to con tinue extremely low for many years ; whilst the public funds have attained a height at which, from their ex treme sensibility to very slight incidents, it would be dangerous to make investments. With a diminished capital, and a diminished rate of interest, the board has not faith in the promises of enlarged advantages ; and if for the purpose of obtaining higher rates of interest the funds of the assured be invested in securities of a more questionable and hazardous character, then does the danger become more imminent and distressing. I have expressed the opinion of this board that reck less competition has had much to do in the formation and conduct of modern life assurance societies. This board is not hostile to any legitimate competition ; it has ever advocated it in matters of commerce as the mainspring of industry. But these two species of competition are in no way analagous ; competition in trade cannot be long continued beyond the point of securing some profit, it will cease with the means of the disturber ; his operations are open to the observation of all who deal with him—they are brought to issue within a short period—and no one is compelled to trust capital to him. If he fail, it is he who has sold his wares below their cost who makes default ; it is the seller who suffers. But in a life assurance the case is essentially different ; there is competition, indeed, in selling at prices below the cost, but the purchaser is compelled to make fresh payments year after year—he has no discretiori in the use of his capital—he knows not how, except to pay the expenses of management, it is to be applied ; his danger may not be apparent for many years, and when discovered he cannot fiy from it with out extreme loss, perhaps ruin. If default be made, it is the unhappy purchaser who has to suffer. I do not press the subject further, not for lack of points for animadversion, but because I think that, together with the observations contained in your letter, enough has been said to cause due consi deration in those who wish to purchase a life assur ance. It is not the object either of yourself or of this board to discourage life assurances ; we should both, on the contrary, most cordially encouraging them ; we would exhort every one, however, to use the utmost cir cumspection in the choice of their assurers. It is evi dent to this board that there is great danger ahead, which no act of the legislature can effectually avert, and which can alone be avoided by a resolute rejection, on the part of the public, of overstrained and suspicious offers. This is the advice which we give to all, but especially to the younger members of our community, whom we would nevertheless counsel to enter into life assurances with sound and well established offices ; and we would emphatically impress upon those who wish to invest their savings or their property in the purchase of annuities never to forget that their safety will not, but that their greatest danger may, consist in seeking to obtain the highest rate of interest, and that their capital, if once parted with to improvident hands, is gone for ever. Let them consider that as with others who for the present possession of capital will give exorbitant rates o. interest, so may it be with assurance and annuity socie ties. I apologise for the length of these remarks, but the importance of the subject would justify even an exten sion of them. They may possibly preserve many of those who in the exercise of a most laudable course can least afford to be dupes from future pangs. By order and on behalf of the directors of the Chamber of. Com merce and Manufactures at Manchester. THOS. BAILEY, Presiden J. Y. Caw, Esq., Manchester. COUNTRY MARKETS• COLCHESTER—DEC. 24• , oto Prices to-day were as follow :—Wheat, whrte,,,,,. b , red, 38s to 50s ; barley, 28s to 34s ; oats, 18 s to '47:7,1. / Mazagan, 30s to 335; middle and small, 34 3 to ;J °. ' white, 40s to 42s ; grey, 30s to 325. CHELMSFORD—DEC. 24- o ld 44 0 Prices to-day w ere as f o ll ow :—Wheat, w hite, to 59s Od, new 42s to 55 ; red, old 40s to 495, ne cn diJ 45s ; barley, 25s to 28s ; chevalier, 28s to 33s ;.° B , oi 21s to 27s ; malt, 55s to 56s ; chevalier, 55 s to i o 19s to 25s ; peas, partridge, 30s to 35s ; white, 31s tie l y ; boiling 37s to 40s ; dun, new, 29s t 33s • be ans ' $4. to 0 to 34s ; Harrow ticks, 31s to 36s ; gazagan) 4" The following is the official statement of of corn, &c., received in the port of London in Essex, from the 20th to the 25th Decerab , inclusive : the T ool from i ll ,° l :r. Colchester Harwich Leigh Mallon 281 22 422 1571 114 , 1542 351 - 203 i - 276 J 320 75 I 101 , 93 4 1 1 - I 331 - KIRKCALDY— DEC. 25. The following are the quotations for grain : Beall Wheat. Barley. I Oats. 1 o s 0 I First Second 22s 6d og ° I Third 44s Od 25s 6d I 18s Od , 50,1. Oatmeal, per bag o f 2801b s i mperial, 28s Od to " COAL MARKET -DEC. 27. Prices of Coal per t on a t th e c l ose of t h e m arket • s. d. Rate's West Hartley 15 6 Riddell ........... Carr's Hartey l5 6iClennell Hedley's Hartley l4 61ICillingsworth E. Holywell .16 6 Eden Main..... Howard's West Hartley Belmont Netherton 15 6 Braddyll.. ..... Smith's West Hartley l5 6 Hetton Jonassohn's Hartley 14 0 Haswell North Percy Hartley ...14 9 Kepler Grange Pelton Main l5 6 Pensher RavensworthW. Hartley 15 6 Russell's Hetton Redheugh Main 13 6 Stewart's ... South Peareth l4 0 Heugh Hall, Tanfield Moor l4 6 Kelloe .. ... . ...... . ..... Tanfield Moor Butes 14 6 South Hartlepool ..... • West Hartley 15 6 South Kelloe ..... Wall's End, &c. Tees Gosforth 16 0 Llangennech ..... Hedley ' l5 0 Sidney's Hartley Lawson l5 6 Aberanam Steam Northumberland E. l4 6 Ships at marbet ..... • •. ...... ...... ...... •••• ;3 I Sold 4S• RAILWAY SHARE MARkETS. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market to-day has b ee so lt and very little busine ss d o i ng. Th e following es closing prices :—Bi r k en h ea d , L ancashire, an d ni (late Chester and Birkenhead), 221. shares, 2g di,' cashire and York s hi re , 84g ; L eeds Northern (isbe and Thirsk), 18R ; London and North W e stern , Midland, 794 ; No r th British, 9 ; South East ern Dover, 258 ; Dutch Rhenish, 1 dis. MANCHESTER, DEC. 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.—We have had very little e u7r, but prices have slightly a d vance d . Sheffield N"`.l/4 7-16 p. ; Dovers, 25 ; Leed s , 80 ; Midlands, 79V Western, 84. BIRMINGHAM, DEC. 27. • it STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was b u t a v 04.,..,, 7 1111/; o co market to-day, and scar ce ly any b us i ness was trall s ac A little lot of Shrewsbury and Birmingham stock "' ii te at 66i, and the London and North Western g ll3ll at 78. LEEDS, DEC. 27. STOCK EXCHANGE.---We have h a d a very fif e ste share market this m orn i ng . B uyers generally ipelefol a disposition to await th e arr i va l o f L ondon a d vic e° operating. SEABORNE MAILS. (N signifies that the mails are sent from the General po by the night—and M by the moniing—dispatch.] Day when made up From what tit , COUNTRIES. in General Post- port Office, London. Dispatched. America (byßrit.pack.N Dec. 31 .....• • • .. Liverpool ..• America (by United Sts. 6 packet) ..........N Dec. 28 • • Liverpool JO. America (by U .States packet) ..........N Jan 5 Southampton Dec. Australia (via South ampton) Ditto (via Marseilles N 24th of the month Dover ..... *Ditto (via Cape of Good 3 0 Hope) .. ..N 2d of February.... Plymouth .. Noy' Africa (West Coast) ..N 23rd of the month. Plymouth .. Alexandria* N 19th&30th of mon. Dover ...• Belgium •• • ... Dover .. •• D 3, 1 6 Brazil ..............M 9th of the month.. S ou th amp t o n Ja i " pi Buenos Ayres ...... —III 9th of the month.. Southampton 1 0 ' I California !cl & 17th of month Southampton 03 ' 9.6 Cape of Good Hope..N 14thof the mon th .. Southampton Jali' Cape de Verds ......N 14thof the month.. Southampton JO' 30 Constantinople „N 7thl7th27thof mo.. Dover .... • • 0 .. ,, e5 '1 Central America —.Ai )nd & I7th of m on . Southampton J"":0•,. Channel Isles ........N 6fon•Wed.BoFriday Southampton ru Chi1i............... /d& 17th of month . 4 outhampton France ........ M & N Twice daily ...... Dover ...• Greece* ............N 7thl7th27th °futon. Dover ...... Hamburgh Tuesday & Friday London T d .,l•ll o ' . Holland ----ill Wednesday & Sat London ..... So"' 16 Honduras ..........N 17th of the month Southampton .1 101 .,411 1 ' Ireland ........M Bz 6 N Twice daily ...... Holyhead ... TW I "3I India (viaSouthampt.)M 20th of the month.. Southampton Ja b India (via Marseilles) N Bth& 24th of month Dover ... A n. India (via Cape of Good 0 6 14th of the month.. Southampton Jai n ' Mauritius 14th of the month.. Southampton JO' ' Mediterranean (via Southampton 3l 20th of the month , Southampton . 0 " „ : Ditto (via Marseilles) N Sth& 24th ofmonth JA I " Mexico M 2nd of the month. Southampton Ja n ' I 6 Madeira .... 9th&23dofthe mon. Southampton Jan ....N th, 1 70,190,27th, 3 5 &30th of the month Dover .. Naples* ... N sthlsth2sthOfm on . D over ..... Jan' 9 Papal States*.. N ithlsth2sthormon. Dover Peninsula .... 'thl7th27thofmon. Southampton JO' Peru ...... .. Tuscany* ....N sthlsth2sthoTmon, Dover Jan' i West Indies ........M 2d & 17th of month Southampton 30' Tan Diemen's Land (see Australia) ,_— de 0P $ $ * The mails for Australia via th e C ape o f Good Hope are 03,e10 on the 2d of every alternate mouth. Tho se ma d e up on t 'c ,i and 24th of each month via Southampto n an d Marseilles ar e ° oil sailing vessels at present from Singapore, but next year they sent in steamers. 4 , to , f Mails are also made tip on the 2d of every alternate nu7S the Cape of Good Hope. °' ofi * The mails to those coun t r i es th us marked (*) are coo , , e l French packet to Marseilles. RACING FIXT. 'RES FOR 1853. Liverpool Spring 2 Coventry Spring 8 Doncaster Spring 8 Salisbury ARCH. if Warwick Spring••••••' : 1 Kiplin Coates ....... ••••• 1 Northamptonbegavenny .. (2.). .... .... ::: • tit A 'RIL. Croxton Park 6 Newmarket Craven ll York Spring l9 Malton Newmarket F. 5..... ..• .1.1.1, Chester t 3 Newmarket Sec Sp lO Shrewsbury Ju: A.Y. 1 1 , 8ath..................... •.• 1: , Manchester (3) ...... . • -• ' ;► Epsom ................... ITE. 2 3 Stockbridge ............. •" Winche5ter..,......... ••• ip Newcastle ............... • ' Ascou. Hampton Beverley, Hull, &c l5 Bibury 22 Ju Newmarket Worcester Carlisle (3) Liverpool LY. 1 9 Stamford ................. Nottingham ........... -•• 56 Goodwood ............. •,* 131 AUG Brighton -- 3 Brighton Club 5 Wolverhampton 8 Reading lO _ . SEPT: UST. Y0rk.................... •••• Derby ................. •• ' Egham °r Warwick . Doncaster Bedford .. Leicester .. MBER. tl' i d Lanark -•• ni Manchester ............. •" ;1 Newmarket F. 0 ..... •• f ,9 Northallerton ...• 13 20 21 OCT Chester Autumn 4 Newmarket S. 0 ..... ) BER. Richmond ............. NT ... —ewmarket •,•• [ADVERTISEMENT.]—HoIIoway's pills for the C'i Headaches, Bile, and Indigestion.—Extract of a 10t 4 from Mr. Folkes, Chemist, Hyde, near Ma,nchoo" 4 , dated 10th September, 1852. To Professor Ho —Sir,—l am happy to inform you, that your pills '` e t' ointment have been of the greatest service to maolVvo sons in this neighbourhood ; 'one in particular, who me an account of your pills in the most flattering to for a long time he was subject to violent pains in Do head, arising from bile and indigestion, fr o m which 10' could obtain no relief until he took some of your in v `a - to able pills : by these means he was complet e ly restor e j p, health. Sold by all Druggists, and at P ro f e ssor fi ° way's Establishment, 244, Strand, LondoD. BIRTHS. OF A SON. On the 26th inst., Viscountess Maidstone. sose %l On the 24th inst., a t th e Dicker Parsonage , the wife of the Rev. H. L. Cooper. On the 25th inst., at 6, Newington-place, Kw: oi las. W. Iliff. MA RR I . Ro be r t On the 22d i ns t ., at St. Peter's ED -church, Dublin/ - 31. VD B. Woolsey, E sq., eldest son of J. Woolsey, Esqt' 01:13 ' to Lalla Marcella, (laughter of the late Capt. G. 1 31 u, ... 11 pi' On the 23d i nst., at St. Mark's, Kennington, Esq., to Henrietta Julia Carlina Solari. DIED. ,iciii On the 23d i ns t., a t St. Matthew's-rectorip W" Jane Trimmer, the wife of th e R ev . C. H. G a:8;11: , bl On the 25th inst., at P u t ne y -h ea th , J. H. 333 re Esq., aged 77. Sio lif ' 64‘ On the 22d inst., at Bath, E. R ogers, E sq ., park, near Ludlow, forme r ly M.P. f or Bi s h op 's C,,. o bet : : On the 25th inst., at T o tt en h am , age d 92, 1411 , .eliet of the late W. Beer, E go . ~..,,- rvacsam...k, swoommn. ,, axesu.t . ...r . 22l--- - 71 LONDON : Printed and Publi s h e d b y MURDO 0 of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, _„ 41 01 Strand, in the Precinct of th e S avoy, i n the 1- m Middlesex, Tuesday, December 28, 1852. 15 4 . 11,Ex. ISSUE :Porated '4 lll is Line be, Been, , 1a ie inland 4 y, liuntl loi l, . e , 2l 3 , resen, enti ot'l2pUeation h,ttne%afodllol Iti-court,ZO 4ett either of c tits, and n ;LONE AL' 4ue I, el A. Th e l" 5, 15 .30 A, C ONIM , 4Yern Pre OEINEthisP JOII ,Oth an I ' 4c e• At th D avies, •,q) Chary L at ",. t riPston Yc ' 1 °3",1 Ift 4 ud, Hem I t ' 8 ) Arth ur 4 h, Edrvar t, Eliza ,hose marl Ch eap* TURD ri t , e ALL L 6 nee of the GE C_ k N . ° See : tootion : ] pa ternost er - i ..._ IT lIIE I.lrallowley - ` ° rge Coocb \ Plea Crac e,; O e - s yn a o r 41 4 dge, Sta b taand er 'At 1 1 , 4 °4 C. Po( illlarn Prig Place West i7uert A.ndr, 7. Scanlan I,l ¢s, It in ,a., and lam Jon, ' ll. Charles I b ilr • 1 " 1. . Scanlan, Ch 'flPeen 'William bl'he pubb ePosit Sys and is ui P.L S. -nrnp rat . 7enexl wkssuranc( s t, , , :,§.,.. Annual 1 , t r Premium iv assure in z., 500/.* 1----. 2 0i/ ... 1 ~s. 3d, 24 k 1.103 0, Such an d r , E , o ally confer s Hands o 4 se of 4 ADS in ca B:rt:t ern 4-6vA: TO ft 5*(100/. Live: t eiecte, Cular d L)ar real or eons, have hood othe ado, tehn The th. ega eve] to Altt Of 14.4 Boa Rill Inv tag c, l A n n N - 0111 Drerni t trlarke rest c o Which Det; Posit s cation ON T NV , 'A Ft b et