The Sun. — London, England, 1846-12-17 00:00:00

L NI TED STATES. ARRIVAL OF THE ACADIA. LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY. The Acadia, the royal mail steam-ship, which left Boston on the let, and Halifax on the 3d inst., arrived here this forenoon with the usual mail, and 53 passen gers. We have received by her papers to the date of her sailing. The intelligence since the departure of the Great Western is of considerable importance, although the in terval is only fi ve days, one of which was the Thanks giving, and another, Sunday. The city of Tampico was captured without bloodshed, by the fleet under Commodore Perry. In accordance with the plan of the campaign which Santa Anna appears to have adopted, the Mexican forces retired from Tampico on the approach of the American fleet, and that city and garrison surrendered to the United States forces on the 14th of November. Later advices state the United States steamer Missis sippi, Commodore Perry, left New Orleans on the 21st, with a detachment of 50 men and the guns and muni tions of war belonging to the State of Lousiana, te:dered for the use of the United States by Governor Johnson. General Brooke is prepared to take the responsibility of despatching to Tampico any amount of troops that may be deemed necessary to its defence, and General Jessup is furthering this important object with alacrity, iu his department. About 600 men will soon have been sent from New Orleans to guard the captured city. Advices from Havanah to the 13th instant, received at New Orleans, state that nothing has yet been done under the letters of marque and naturalization which MexiCo has sent there for sale. The New Orleans Picayune of the 28th instant gives extracts from Vera Cruz papers to the Bth November. Santa Anna is implored to take the presidency himself, which he declines. Eighty Mexicans were killed by the bombardment of Tobasco. Members of the new con gress were elected on the 15th of November. Old Herrera was unanimously chosen in Jalapa. Another proposition from the United States Government was received at Vera Cruz on the sth of November, which the papers ridicule, declaring that no one thinks se' peace, all call for vengeance. Americans have been ordered out of the state of San Luis Potosi. The 'lndians are committing outrages in Durango and menacing Zacatecas. An insurrection against the Americans at Los Angelos, California, in September, terminated in the death of the Mexican leader and a few subordinates. M. Gasquet. French consul at Monterey, is in custody of the Ame rican squadron for protesting aga inst the s eizure of California. The United States sloop Cyane was re pulsed at Guayamas, with twenty men wounded. Arrangements were making to seize Mazatlan. The Washington Union contains dispatches from Com modore Cc - seer. asking for troops to garrison Tampico. Santa Anna's position at San Luis Potosi calls for large reinforcements for our posts. Preparations are making for a decisive battle. The Mexican Commander-in- Chief is concentrating an immense army at San Luis Potosi, between Monterey and Tampico. The importance of this position will readily be appreciated by a glance at the map of Mexico. General Taylor cannot receive reinforcements at Mon terey before the Ist of January, nor can he unite his forces with those at Tampico without passing near San Luis Potosi. There Santa Anna had collected up to last advices, nearly thirty thousand met . General Taylor cannot have more than nine thousand available for a march upon San Luis, nor can the United States land more than seven thousand at Tampico. Hence the strength of Santa Anna's position at San Luis, on the only road by which the United States forces can be united. If the dissensions in Santa Anna's camp do not divide his forces, we may look for another battle in January or February, the greatest and most destructive, probably, of any ever fought on the American continent. Important intelligence from Mexico was received at Washington on the 28th of November, from the vici nity of Pan Luis Potosi. The Mexican Cabinet is said to have been dissolved ! and the Hon. Mr. Bankhead, her Britannic Majesty's Plenipotentiary, having ordered the restoration of the two millions of specie which Santa Anna had seized, the property of British subjects, Gene ral Almonte was appointed Minister to England, doubt , less to solicit the aid of the British Government. SHIPWRECK OF THE STEAMER A ILANTIC. One of the most beautiful steamers in the United States has been cast away in the Sound, about one hun dred and fifty miles from New York. It is supposed that between thirty and forty lives have been lost by this disaster. Thirty-one bodies were recovered. The names of forty-seven persons saved have been published, among whom is Henry Van Wart, Esq., of Birming ham, England. Among those lost, were Jslin Walton and his wife, and their children, John, James, and Elean.a• Jane, and an infant, an English family. Only one of this family escaped, Jacob Walton, a boy twelve years of age. The steamer Atlantic was a regular packet on the Boston and New York line. She left New London on Thursday, 26th November, at ten o'clock, A.M., having on board the passengers for New York from ttn Boston railroad train of the previous evening. As sl c entered the Long Lland Sound, she received the ful force of a sev, re hurricane, which strained her machinery and the bursting of the steam chimney, which imme diately followed, disabled her engines. Anchors were then got out, but she still drifted, and at half-past fon; o'clock next morning, (Nov. 27) she struck the rocks on Fisher's Island, twenty cc thirty miles south east of the point at which the first accident occurred. She went t pieces within five minutes after striking. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. (From the lierahlAr Europe.) It is with feelings of the most painful nature that we find ourselves constrained to publish the particulars of the loss of the once magnificent steamer Atlantic, and about forty lives. She had comparatively a small num ber of passengers. If she had been as crowded as she usually has been, the disaster would of course have been more dreadhil and terrible in its results. The passengers for this fated steamer left Beaton at half past five o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. They proceeded over the Worceater and Norwich-road, and reached Allyn's Point at half-past eleven on that night. There they went on board the Atlantic. She left for New York between twelve and one on Thursday morning. There were between seventy and eight persons on board, in all, including passengers, officers, crew, and servants. The Atlantic *et well under way, and was running along finely, when the steam-chest exploded; and nearly at th!. same moment the wind shifted from the north-east to Vie north-west, and blew almost a hurricane. The steamer was thrown into the midst of darkness and contusion, and the air rescinded with the cries of the scalded. It was a frightful scene to behold. Captain Dustan instantly called all hands to the fore-de'ck, and ordeiei them to heave over the anchors, but it was found almost impos sible for a man to stand on deck, in consequence of the violence of the gale, the sea continually making a breach over her bows. 0 ing to this, it took nearly an hour to get out the three anchors. The steamer worked heavily, plunging her bows under at every lurch, and dragging her anchors. Between the time of anchoring and daylight, it is thought that she dragged over the distance of about eleven miles. This was a terrible time to all on board. The fires were all put out by daylight on Thursday, and from that tine to the period of going ashore, the passengers and crew suffered from the intense cull. The only means of keeping warm was to wrap themselves in blankets, and walk briskly around the steamer. All, at this time, be , 411 to look to their own personal safety. All put on ti 7 es life-preservers that the boat waii so plen tifully' supp:ied with, and prepared themselves for any emergency. Some put on one, come tv..o, and some four life preserver , . The doors, shutters, settees, &c., &c., were detached and cot away for rafts to drift ashore upon whenever the steamer should strike. The gal, increasing in violence, C L pt. Pus:an, who preserved his self-possession throughout the perilous time, ordered about 40 tons of coals to be thrown overboard, in or. der to lighten the vessel. About noon, on Thursday, the smoke pipes, which were very large and heavy, wire ordered to be thrown overboard. This was done, the captain assisting, and the steamer was eased for a shot t time. After this less resistance was offered to the wind. The steamer continued to drift, however, and everything looked terribly hopeless. The danfer in creased so rapidly, that between two and three o'clock Captain Dustan ordered the decks to be cleared of all merchandise, of everything that was in the way. Case, of boots, shoes, barrels of flour, stoves, &c., &c., includ ing one package said to contain 7,000 dolls. worth of plate, were thrown overboard. There were six to eight thousand dollars worth of lace on board, belonging to one of the passengers, who had previously said that he would give the whole to any one who would put him safely ashore. This lace was afterwards seen strewn along the beach. All these efforts, how ever, to save the steamer were unavailing. No person worked harder than Cfptain Dustan, and his passengers and crew. It was for life or death. After these repeated and united efforts had failed, all hopes of safety were over, and all felt desirous and anxious that the steamer should strike the beach. It was a frightful sight ; but the feelings of those on board had been wrought up to such a pitch, that a re-action came over them, and they were resigned to their fate. About midnight she parted one of her cables, there being four out, one attached to thirty hundred-weight of furnace bars, and the others to anchors. After this the gale continued to increase, and now blew a perfect hurricane. She was drive n s till nearer t h e shore, but passed a point that all expected she would strike upon. She then drifted about eleven miles more, making in all twenty two miles, whi c h occup i ed about forty-eight hours of terrible uncertainty and suffering. She then struck, stern first, on a l e d ge of rocks on Fisher ' s Island, when a tremendous sea seemed to lift her up on to the very top oveof the o l e d ge; so far up, indeed, as almost to throw her . n tes the other side. This was the crisis in the elssastereiritt five terrible, and heartrending in the ex treme. thesee minutes after she struck she was in pieees., on board the A. five minutes at least one-half of those tl Some we re were taken from time into eter frozere o death. 7ricllerowned, some crushed, and some the sea t were dreedful. screams, the crash, the roar of From t further accounts persons saved i s 3 7; of :we learn that th e num b er of three female, passengersthe crew 24. Th ere were but L ndc Nf.ins of Satard •n • .oard— a ll l ost. The new a 3 gives recove.vd thas far to be 27. the n um b er of bodies CLC )SE OF THE AMERICAN CANAL, Canal: r lavigation was suspended throughout ti e State Of New IP ork on the 27th November, which revived the drooping spirits of the dealers in bread stuffs, and mused A slight tit ill prices. THE SUN, LON,JON, THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 17, 1846. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. (From the New York Courier and Enquirer.) NEW YORK, MONDAY, Nov. 30.—There seems reason to anticipate that, in order to more revenue, the Presi dent's message will recommend that duties be imposed on some articles now free, and especially on tea and coffee, and that said duties be laid avowedly as war duties, and to cease with the occasion that calls for them. More money must be had—and, when the whole case is known to the country, can be had—for there is no want of confidence in the security, but only an unwilling ness among capitalists to go blindfolded into loans, without knowing what the extent of them will be. The condition of the country at large is exceedingly prosperous. The great demand for, and sales at high prices of, so much of its agricultural surplus adds greatly to the means of the people, and with ordinary skill in the management of the treasury, these means can be made available to the public service. The cold weather of the last week has partially closed the canals, but not yet the river, so that all the stock accumulated at Albany will reach the seaboard speedily, and that not yet sent forward will be hastened along from the western part of the state by the railroad that tra verses it, and find its way to ships by the river, while that remains open, and then by the Western Railroad to Boston. Oar latest dates from England are those by the Acadia, of the I 1 th instant, and, as stated in our re ma:ks in the paper of the 26th by the Great Western, which took her departure on that day, the effect of the advtces then received was to depress all prices. They are still drooping. Cotton has declined since the 15th instant id. per lb. —freight meanwhile to Liverpool has advanced id., and exchange has declined 1 per cent. ; orders, therefore, cannot be executed on better terms. The market closes with-ut animation—the daily sales averaging about 1.000 bales chiefly fur England, the Mediterranean, and the North of Europe. For the week ending Friday, 27th instant, the transactions amounted to 8,000 bales, and on Saturday, 1,100 bales were sold at the annexed quotations : Ordinary. Middling. Fair. Good fair. New Orleans and Mobile .... Sit° i... 9 to 91...10i to *. .11 to 114 Florida & Uplands 8 1 9 9i to 10... 111 The qualify of the new crop received from Savannah and Charleston averages " middling fair," and the staple is very superior; from Mobile and New Orleans we have not received sufficient to give a decided opini , s.:i ; but the first receipts (if a fair criterion) indicate a falling off as compared with last season, being generally leafy and tender in staple. • Crop—Oa this tibject no new facts have been pre• sentcd to auinorise any change in previous estimates ; opil,ions still vary, from 1,800,000 to 2,000,000 bales, the majority inclining to the latter quantity. It would require but few figures to prove that a crop of even 2,100,000 bales wluld cause, within twelve months, a further reduction in the stook held abroad, provided that the consumption progressed in the ratio of the past season ; but the high prim of bread stuffs is at preseut adverse to such a result, and the event of this season's operations, therefore, depends rather upon the price of provisions in Great Britain and France (as affecting the home trade) during the coming winter, than upon a nu merical difference of 100,000 to 200,000 bales in the extent of the cotton crop. Until, therefore, later and more reliable advices are received upon this subject, buyers will act with great caution, however well satisfied they may be of the cor rectness of their estimates. From the New York Price Current of the 28th inst. we learn that the total receipts since the Ist of Septem ber amount to 268,950 bales, against 363,962 last year. Deficiency, 95,012 bales. Deficiency. Exported to Great Britain 42,261 vs. 130,564 88,303 France 32,320 „ 39,221 6,901 Stock in all ports 210,519 , 212,756 2,237 The stock of American cotton in Liverpool (at the last date 389,000) will not vary materially from 260,000 bales on the Ist of January next, allowing that the total export from the United States, to date, as annexed, 42,261 bales, should all be received by that period, and th e outgoings for consumption, meantime, be diminished 20 per cent. The price of flour and grain, which were a shade higher during the cold weather of la,t week, are flat again to day, under the intelligence just received by telegraph from Albany, that the boats on the canal were again in motion. Best brands of Genesee flour may be qoted at 5 Fells. to 5i dolls.; Indian corn, 60c. to 65c.; wheat, 106 to 115. Exchange on Europe is about at the quotations per I , st steamer-6i is the top price for sterling bills, and nacre are sold under than at that price. NEW YORK MARKETS. MONDAY, 1 P.M. The sales at the Stock Exchange this morning were !imited—the market was rather heavy. Foreign ex change was in moderate demand at Saturday's rates. Cotton—The sales reach 800 bales at our last quota uoris. Flour—All descriptions are dull; Genesee is held at 5 37ic., whilst the highest offers are 5$ 25c. Mi chigan, &e., may be quoted at 5$ 121 c. to 5$ 25c., from The wharf. Southern flour is held at 5$ 25c. to 5$ 37ic. CANADA• • Our accounts from Montreal ;d Quebec are to the iattA dates, but there is not any news of importance to communicate. The weather at Quebec, up to November 21, was mild. One of the papers of that city mentions that a diabolical attempt to fire a powder magazine at St Pierre, Newfoundlanl, with the intention of destroy ing every house in the place. From 30 to 40 houses are said to have been blown up, arid two lives lost. The villain who attempted the diabolical deed fell a victim to his infernal designs. A slight fall of snow had taken place in Quebec on the 231 Nov. At that date there were bet Ween twenty and thirty vessels in port ; the total number of arrivals till the same time was 1,439. A meeting of the Friends of Ireland, as they termed themselves, was held in the Royal Standard Hotel, Quebec, for the purpose of peti tioning Parliament for a repeal of the Union. Several speakers addressed the meeting, after which a petition was read, and unanimously adopted. This will comfort the declining years of the Liberator. We suppose they accompany their attachments to the repeal cause by con tributing to its sinking funds, and helping it to be " just before it is generous." The commercial advices frsm Montreal are not im portant, littiv business appeared to be doing, although heavy arrivals are taking place daily. From the 20th to the 24th November, 45,000 barrels of flour, and 70,000 bushels of wheat hact arrived at Montreal. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert walked, on Tuesday afternor , n, in the pleasure grounds of Ost orne House. Yesterday her Majesty and her Royal Consort touk their usual early walk. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice, took airings yesterday, in the walks and rides of Osborne House. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign office. At half-past two o'clock the follow ing Alinisters assembled :—Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor. the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Campbell, Viscount Nl(irpeth, the Enrl of Clarendon, and the Right Hon. T. 13. Macaulay. The Marquis of Lansdowne arrived in town yesterday to att,nd the Council, from his seat Bowood-park, Wilts. Lord John Russell arrived in town yesterday from his resil,nce, Chorley wood. The Earl of Clarendon ar rived in town from his seat Grove-park, Herts. The Earl of Minto arrived in town yesterday to be present %t the meeting. The Council sat two hours and a half. The Cabinet Ministers again assembled in the even. in , at the residence of Earl Grey, in Belgrave-spare, the Nuble Earl giving a Cabinet dinner. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday. HAYMARKET THEATRE. Story Telling, or Novel Effects, is the title of a pleasant, well, written farce, which was produced here last even ing, and announced for repetition amidst the unanimous uppla , nie of a crowded house. It fully answers to its title. We have a young lady, Theresa (Miss Telbin), in love with an officer of light infantry (Mr.:Caulfield). A. story-telling soubrette (Mrs. Humby), who, as in duty bound, exercises her craft in story-telling, to assist the lovers, and who herself is engaged in a flirtation with the drummer (Mr. Buckstone), in the young officer's regiment. An old guardian (Mr. W. Farren), to whom the young lady is ward, is engaged to be married, and, to circumvent whom, the young lady, the soubrette, the youn g o ffi cer , an d t h e d rummer; put their wits to work, and an old servant and spy (Mr. Rogers), who is faithful to his old master the guardian, and who tells him horrible stories of the proceedings of the lady, the officer, the sou b rette, and the drummer, to which stories the guardian turns an incredulous ear. These are common materials, but the novel effects are produced by the cond uc t o f the guardian himself, who is perfectly aware of the proceedings of the young people, and who per m i ts t h em to get themselves, by their plotting and story-telling, into all sorts of scrapes, and ends by giving his ward to the young officer, telling them, at the same time, that if they had chosen to have honestly told the truth, they might have saved themselves a world of trouble, and a vast deal of story telling. The piece, which is very short, was capitally acted by Farren, i Buckstone, Ro gers, and Mrs. Humby. The dialogue s carefully writ. ten. The repartees are quirk, smart, and witty, , so that there can be no doubt but that " Story 7 elhng will have a longer life, that is accorded to the generality of one act farces. MILITARY IN TELLIG ENCE.—TIIE DEPARTURE OF THE 31ST REGIMENT FROM CHATHAM.—Yesterday morning the Ih•ft wing of this distinguished regiment, re cently arrived from India, consisting of three companies, marched at nine o'clock, in two divisions, from Chatham Barracks, en route for Walmer, Kent. The strength of the two divisions consisted of 7 sergeants, 3 drummers, and 244 rank and file, and were under the command of Major John Garvick. The bead-quarters, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel James Spence, march to-morrow morning on the same route. On the medical inspection of the head-quarters, on their arrival here, it was found necessary to send to the invalid depot about 60 men, to be discharged on pensions. The st;th Regi ment—The reserve battalion of this regiment, under orders for embarkation for Gibraltar, consists of 2 staff sergeants, 38 sergeants, 14 drummers, and 483 rank and file, and is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel P. S. Norman. The battalion is expected to embark at the end of the present month. MIIS. TftOLLOPE'S NEW WORK. Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 3 vols., ATHER EUSTACE. A TALE OF THE JESUITS. By Mrs. TROLLOPE. Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street, NEW SERIES. Just ready, in One Vol., with Illustrations by Leech and George Cruickshank, price 10s. 6d. THE THIRD SERIES OF THE INGOLDSBY LEGENDS, and OTHER POEMS. With a Memoir of the late Rev. R. H. BARHAM. Edited by his SON. Richard Bentley, New Burllngton•street. RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE . MESSRS. LAMOND and Co:, RAILWAY SII ARE AUCTIONEERS, beg to thank their Friends and the Public for their continued support and patronage, and to announce that their Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c. take place every TUESDAY and FRIDAY. at One o'clock, at the tlall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place, favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are respectfully •equested to be addressed. All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day previous to their being offered ; and advices of results will be s)rwarded by the first post after the sale, fuel the proceeds Rome aately disposed of according to instructions. Offices. Hall of Commerce. Threadneedle-street.London. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. THIS EVENING Will be performed a new Opera, entitled TIIE BONDMAN. Marquis de Vernon, Mr. Weiss ; Floreville, Mr. Rafter ; Morliere, Mr. Horncastle ; La Valliere, Mr. Galli ; Ardenford, Mr. Harrison ; Mal-a-Propos, Mr. Harley; Madame Corinne, 311ss Romer; Grisette, Miss ebecca Isaacs; Frivole, Mrs. Hughes. After the Opera, will be presented a new grand Ballet, called THE WAGS oF WAPPING (performed of the Acailemie Royale' Paris, under the title of " Betty.") In which will appear :Mlles. Sophie Fuoce, Louise, Benart, Madame Giubilei ; MM. Huguet, Adrien, Paul, Tell ; Messrs. Howell, Prlorsou, &c. THEATRE ROYAL, ILLYMARKET. Under the /Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee. THIS EVENING _ • Will be performed an entirely new Comic Drama, entitled STORY TELLING ; or, Novel Effects. Dr. Hardenberg, Mr. W. Farren ; Frederick Vandervelt, Mr. Caulfield ; Raps, Mr. Buckstone; Grab, Mr. Regers ; Theresa, Miss Telbin ; Rose, Mrs. Humby. During the evening the Band will perform the Overture, " Choral de Bronze ;" " The Annen " (Polka); " Czarina" (Mazourka) ; " Douro" (Walzer) ; and a New Overture. After which an original Comedy, entitled LOr`: Y-'7.73kE YOU LEAP; or, Wooings and Weddings: I4tr, Oddington, Mr. W. Farren ; Mr. Rashleigh, Mr Liudson ; Mr. De Vere, Mr. 801 l ; Mr. Brandon, Mr. Howr.. Hardman, Mr. Rogers; Jack Spriggs, Mr. Webster; 'P.ui Tilley, Mr. Buckstone; Miss Brown, Mrs. Glover ; Oddington, Miss Fortescue ; Mary Oddington, Miss P. '!,-Aton Elinor Mortimer, Mrs. Yarnold ; Fanny Hardman, iiss Julia Bennett. To be followed by the petite Comedy of PERFECTION. In which Messrs. Tilbury, Holl, Clark ; Miss Reynolds, and Mrs. Humby will perform. To conclude with the Farce of MARE YOUR WILLS. Messrs. Buckstone, Tilbury, Brindal, Miss Telbin, and Mrs. Stanley will sustain the principal characters. Box-office open from Twelve till Four ; under the direction of Mr. T. Archer, Box Book-keeper. THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPIII. UNDER THE DIRECTION OF MADAME CELESTE. THIS EVENING Will' be performed a grand Fairy Spectacle, founded on the Ballet of LA GISELLE, entitled THE PHANTOM DANCERS ; or, the Wilis Bride. Principal characters by Mr. Wright, Mr. P. Bedford. Mr. 0. Smith, Mr. Cullenford, Madame Celeste, Miss Marian Taylor, Miss Emma Harding, Miss Ellen Chaplin, and Mrs. Laws. After which, the Drama of THE CABIN BOY. Monsieur Henri, Mr. Worrell; Monsieur Vincent, Mr. 0. Smith; Coquin Ballandier, Mr. Munyard ; Largarcette, Mt. Bedford ; Julien, Madame Celeste ; Clara, Mrs. Emsley. To conclude with a Terpsichorean Burletta, called POWDER AND HALL; or, St. Tibbs's Eve. Principal characters by Messrs. Lam bert, Worrell, Wright, Munyard, Mrs. Matthew, Miss Woolgar, and Miss Brooks. PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. J. M. Maddox, solo Lessee and Manager. THIS EVENING Will be performed an original romantic Opera, in three parts, entitled THE NIGHT DANCERS ; founded on the Story of " Giselle." The principal characters personified by Miss eeergiana Smithson, Miss Rourke, Miss Sara Flower, Miss Somers, Misses Marshall; Messrs. Leffler, Allen, Bodda, Walton, T. Hill, Ilonnor, Peren, &e. After which an entirely new Comic Drama, entitled TILE TWO RAINBOWS. To conclude with Goldsmith's Comedy of SIZE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Sir Charles Marlow, Mr. Wynn; Young Marlow, Mr. Vining; Ilardcastic, Mr. Granby ; Tony Lumpkin, Mr. Compton ; Hastings, Mr. Roxby ; Diggory, Mr. Cowell ; 31iss Hardcastie, Mrs. Stirling; Miss Neville, Mrs. Hughes ; Mrs. Hardcastle, Mrs. Fosbroke. FRENCH PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell. TO-MORROW EVENING Will be performed Scribe's favourite Vaudeville, entitled LES GRISETTES. In which MM. Tourillon, David, Laden, Sola ; Madame Deltic, Mdlles. Vallee, Rhin, Pascal, Fouquet, Leyder, and Cordely will appear. After which will be produced the celebrated Comedy, entitled BERTRAND ET RATON ; ou, L'Art de Conspirer. Le Ct.mte Bertrand de Rantzau, M. Perlet. The other characters I y Mdlles. Brohan, Vallee, Madame Grassau ; MM. Langeval, Pascal, Felix, Cartigny, Ithozcvil, Pat.enier, Dorgebret, and Masquillier. Boxes, 6s. ; Pit, 3s. 6d. ; Stalls, 30.; Gallery, 2s. Doors opened at half-past Seven, and the performances commence At Eight. ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Re-appearance of the celebrated Ethiopian Serenaders, Pell, Harrington, White, Stanwood, and Germon, who, will have the honour of repeating their inimitable Entertainment at the above theatre THIS EVENING, Deeerrber 17. and of continuing the same every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening, during the Christmas holidays. The programme will include " Old Joe," " Lucy Neal," " The Col ured Fancy Ball." "My skiff is on the shore," and the cele brated Ra troad Overture. Various novelties are in rehearsal. The public is respectfully cautioned that the Songs and Melodies, as sung by the above party, are published only at Mr. Mitchell's. Doors open at eight, commence at half-past. Boxes, 48.; Pit, 23. ; Amphitheatre, 2s.—Private Boxes, Stalls, and Places may he engaged at Michell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street, and at the Box-office of the Theatre.—Open from 1I till 5. DAViDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lessee, Mrs. Frances Davldge. THIS EVENING Will be performed TILE BEGGAR'S OPERA. Captain Mac heath, Miss Lou's& Lyons ; Filch, Mr. Webb ; Peachum, Mr. Neville ; Lucy, Miss Terrey ; Polly, Miss Atkinson ; Mrs. Peachum, Mrs. Daly. After which a Comic Ballet d'Action, called L'AMOUR ET LA FOLIE. In which Millie. Theodore and the Dettlin family will appear. To conclude with the ropnlar Drama of PEDLAR'S ACRE. In which Mrs. W. West and the whole talent of the Centrally will appear. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. IV. Batty. i'Vronised by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert. and itoyal Family. Splendid Equestrian and Dramatic Novelties. Continued success 01 " The Demon Morse and the Twelve Wishes." The celebrated Dutch Bottle Equilibrist, &c. THIS EVENING Will be performed a grand new Magical Equestrian Romance, en titled THE DEMON HORSE ; er, The Twelve Wishes and the Charmed Bit. In which Mrs. Batty and the Equestrian Ladies will appear on their trained steeds. New and entire change in the SCENES of the CIRCLE. To conclude with the popular romantic Drains of ROB ROY MACGREGOR ; or, The Mountain Outlaw. In active preparation, a variety of novelties for the Christmas holidays ; among the rest, will ho brought forward a Grand Comic Equestrian Pantomime, produced on a lavish scale of splendour, entitled THE FORTY THIEVES ; or, Hat equip and the Rob ber's Cave. itox -office open from eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six an i c , mmence nt half-past six o'clock.—Stage Manager, Mr. W. Broadfoot. 111E' WEATHER.—Sr OFFICE, DECEMBER 17. T JEBNOMETER, Lowest, 28; Highest. 34 ; Noon, 35 BAROMETER, 29.67.—W1ND N.E., fine. I Kh AT FAIN f/ON-liiia.t,OF, fUlt, LA V. lforning .. 36 minutes atter 12. Evening .. 0 minutes after 1. I)4 fly LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1846, Despotism, in grasping at the last fragment of Po ' land, has endangered the retention of all its previous spoil. By their outrageous violation of all laws, both human and divine, the laws of honour, of humanity, of justice, and of Christianity, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, have aroused in the western states of Europe an indignation which cannot easily be allayed. They have thrown aside the flimsy mask by which their hypocrisy had been hitherto but slightly aided. They have even cast to the winds the supposititious sanctity of their own compacts, and have shown in a strik ing manner that the most solemn stipulations of tyrants are as false as dicers' oaths. According to a respectable adage, we may discover " honour amongst thieves," but not all the proverbs of BACON, nor all the maxims Of ROCHEFOUCAULT could persuade us that any such redeeming quality is - discernable amongst despots. History has proved the contrary during successive generations. The rupture of trea ties from the earliest to the latest times may be de fined as the immediate cause of international' hos tilities—from the Punic wars to the Napoleon wars, from the days of NIMROD down to those of MASSENA. The recent proceed- ings in Iberia and Galicia cannot therefore be to us matters of astonishment. They are as explicable as the effects produced by the simplest chemical expe riments. We cannot feel in any degree amazed that the brother of the imperial egoist, ALEXANDER, and the descendant of the ruthless CATHERINE, should connive at the final robbery of Poland. We cannot feel in any degree surprised that his accomplices are a son of the false-hearted FRANCIS, and a descendant from that great FREDERICK who tarnished his mili tary glory by forcing upon Holland a' Stadtholder abhorred by the population. NICHOLAS has a por tion of that blood in his veins which flowed in those of his predecessor, when the latter held communion with the murderers of PAUL. That intensity of selfish ness which prompted the late Kaiser of Austria to employ his daughter as an instrument for the destruc of his son-in-law, the Emperor NAroixo N , appears to be a hereditary vice. King FREDERICK WILLIAM has profited by the insidious examples of falsity and obe dience which were afforded in such abundance by the Government of Berlin during the last European war. As some of the subtlest and cruelest maladies penetrate the muscular structure of the heart, the marrow of the bones, and the very ganglions of the brain, and are ineradicable by human art, so do the depravities of despotism cling to its heirs, from generation to generation, through the whole deplorable catalogue of a tyrannical dynasty. The great poet of the nineteenth century, when the stipulationi were being entered into by the allied , • • "!..::4; 41w, I . ' l idl/4 t - 1111111ik" ;$7 . ) , ( 3tA `; •e" • Sovereigns in Germany, immediately after the battles of Ligny and Waterloo, remonstrated even then with the enfranchised people of the west. " Have nations,'' he exclaimed, " Conquered to make one submit, Or leagued to teach all kings true sovereignty He recognised the fallacy of those hopes, and the credulity of those anticipations which were based upon the possible amelioration of the sorrows of that portion of mankind already under the domi nion or within the reach of the northern con • federates. In the rapture of his poetical improvisa tion he foresaw the future miseries which would result from this delusion. He prophesied the in trigues of the Galician insurrection by a hint, and the seizure of Cracow by an inuendo. " Shall we," h• cried— " Shall we who struck the Lion down, shall we Pay the Wolf homage. proffering lowly gaze And servile knees to thrones ?" Never was so dismal a vaticination so mournfully realised. The Duchy of Warsaw has disappeared, even the Cracovians have lost their miniature inde pendence. From Carpathia to the Baltic, from the Oder to the Borysthenes, the land of CASIMIR has been portioned out to the surrounding tyrants. Twenty millions of people—of an enlightened, generous, noble-hearted, virtuous, and warlike race— have degenerated into the serfs of Austria, of Russia, and of Prussia. The rapacity of one horrible century has been consummated by a lying proclamation and an imperial theft. We are rejoiced to observe th e depth. .31 - indignation with which the annexation of Cracow is regarded by the people of England. It is a solace, while the tem porising Cabinet of France is insinuating her dis pleasure to Prince METTERNICH, instead of commissioning M. DE FLAHAUT to give ex pression to a bold and manly wrath, it is a pleasure to behold something like a loyalty to freedom in England. The meeting which was held last night in the National Hall, Holborn, is only, we believe, a preliminary expression of sympathy to the Poles. In the chairman, Dr. BOWRING, M.P., there was an enthusiasm which could not but prove contagious among the most phlegmatic auditory ; but this enthusiasm was nevertheless cor rected by his judgment. The meeting over which he presided was not convened, as one of the speakers observed, for the purpose of instigating the Poles " to engage In any rash attempt to regain their nation ality." It was convened for the purpose of en abling the lovers of liberty and civilization to express their execration for the spirit of northern despotism. In the crusade which must inevitably arise out of the avarice of that baleful despotism, the free millions of Western Europe will not so much aspire after the restoration of two hundred thousand souls to independence as the re storation of nationality to twenty millions. The sympathy of the west extends beyond the boundaries of Cracow, it embraces the whole territories of Poland. " Yet," said Dr. BowRING, " I cannot but feel that liberty and civilisation owe some debts to Cracow. I cannot forget that Cracow was the seat of the first university founded in northern continental Europe. I cannot forget that Cracow was the place where the first Polish press was established. I cannot forget that from Cracow emanated one of the noblest declarations ever made in favour of universal religious liberty. I cannot forget that Cracow was the place where the ancient monarchs of Poland were crowned, and where theirremains still repose. I cannot forget that with Cracow is asso ciated the name of COPERNICUS ; and that in that city are deposited the remains of CASIMIR, of SOBIESKI, of POMATOWSKI, and of Kosclusito." While these things are remembered the abused Poles cannot want sympathy. The doom of Poland can only be sealed when they are forgotten. In another column will be found a letter from Dr. MILLINGEN, dated December 12, commenting on an article which appeared in our columns on the 20th of November, on the subject of the law of lunacy, in which we adverted to the cases of Mrs. CUMMING and Mrs. SAUTTLEWORTH, as illustrative of the necessity of such an alteration in that law: as should make a coroner's warrant, founded upon the verdict of a jury, necessary to authorise the incarceration by the keeper of any lunatic asylum of any person alleged to be of insane mind. In connexion with these cases we mentioned, incidentally, the name of Dr. MILLIN GEN, the proprietor of the asylum in which Mrs CUMMING and Mrs. SHUTTLEWORTH were confined, and this incidental mention of his name, Dr. MILLEN GEN stigmatises as an "unjustifiable attack upon him." The readers of The Sun will be surprised to hear such an accusation brought against us, because in attacking abuses it has always been our rule to cautiously ab stain from attacking the private character of those interested in upholding such abuses. But the public conduct of public men is, it is universally admitted, a fair subject for comment. In the year .1826 the late Mr. ABERNETHY applied to Lord Chancellor ELDON to grant an injunction to restrain Mr. \Yam.Er from publishing reports of the surgical lectures which Mr. ABERNETHY w as i n th e h a bit o f delivering Bartholomew's Hospital. Mr. `BARLEY, in at moving St. to dissolve th e i n j unc ti on, showed that the College of Surgeons refused to receive certificates of attendance on sur gical lectures, except such lectures were delivered by surgeons to hospitals, and contended that as Mr. ABERNETHY was a surgeon to, an hospital, and had thus conferred upon him the privilege from which others were excluded, of delivering lectures, certificates of which were received by the College of Surgeons, the public, which had conferred upon him that privilege, had a right to know exactly how he had performed his duties. Lord ELDON admitted the force of the argument, and dissolved theinjuncti on , an d i n g i v i ng judgment in that case he laid down ;the broad prin ciple, which has never since been controverted, that, wherever the law confers certain exclu sive privileges upon certain classes of per sons, the public has a right to inquire into the manner into which such privileged persons per form their duties. Now, the law gives to certain persons licensed by the Commissioners of Lunacy the power of keeping lunatic asylums, to the exclu sion of the rest of her MAJESTY'S subjects ; and, taking our stand upon the judgment of Lord ELuorr, in the case of " ABERNETHY C. WARLEY, " we claim for the public the right of inquiring into the manner in which every licensed keeper of a lunatic asylum per forms his duties. We will now proceed to "the unjustifiable attack," and we will quote every sen tence in which the name of Dr. MILLINGEN is men tioned, or in which any allusion is made to him, and we will call Dr. MILLINGEN himself as our witness to the truth of everything-therein stated. The following is the only passage in which the name of Dr. MILLINGEN is mentioned : " There was the case of Mrs. Cumming. The skil ful persons ' certified to her lunacy ; Dr. Millingen re ceived and incarcerated her. The Commissioners, during their visits, never dreamed that she was not insane, a commission de lunatico was issued against her, and yet so soon as she consented to make a disposition of her pro perty in favour of those who had set the skilful per sons' in motion, the certificate of the skilful persons" was thrown to the winds. Dr. Millingen was content to accept the guarantee of Muter Barlow, and Mrs. Cum ming, who, according to the skilful persons' was labouring under delusions, was at once set at liberty. How comes it that the visitors did not discover the error into which the 'skilful persons' had fallen? How:was it that Dr. Millingen, one of the skilful persons' in Mrs. Shuttleworth's case, became so suddenly en lightened ?" In Dr. AirwaliGEres version of this " attack," as given in his letter, the passage is somewhat distorted , but let that pass. No w r JOT .aL it 4 ILLINGEN'S own evidence in corroboration of our statement, in which, according to Dr. MILLINGEN'S assertion, there is not one syllable of truth. We imagine that Dr. MILLIN GEN will not deny that he received, and incarcerated, or put under restraint, if he likes the phrase better — at all events, deprived of her personal liberty, a certain Mrs. CummlNG, and that he was authorised to do this by the certificate of certain " skilful persons. Our next assertion is, " The Commissioners, during their visits, never dreamed that she was not insane." Our witness, Dr. MILLINGEN, -..- .... (one of the Commission ers ) was conv inced that the lady was of unsound mind, and, therefore , it is clear justified that we were perfectlysays that Dr. PRITCHARD in stating that the Commissioners, during their visits, never dreamed that she was not insane. "A commission de lanalico," the article proceeds, " was issued against her, and yet so soon as she consented to make a dis- position of her property in favour of those who had set the 'skilful persons' in motion, the certificate of the 'skilful persons' was thrown to the winds." What says Dr. MILLINGEN— " sow, Sir, in the case of Mrs. Cumming, a proposal was made by her counsel to the family, who, having ac ceded to it, directed me to discharge her ; and, although convinced, as well as Sir Alexander Thomson, the ex perienced physician of Bedlam Hospital, the Surrey Asylum, and consulting physician of the County Asylum of Hanwell, and Dr. Pritchard, a physician of European celebrity, that the lady was most decidedly of unsound mind, as I could not declare that she was a dangerous lunatic, she was accordingly discharged by her family." We imputed to Dr. MILLINGEN no want of skill, but we are not sorry that he mis understood our meaning, because it has drawn from him an opinion which greatly strengthens our case against the present law of lunacy, and it is against the law, and the law only, that we war. We have no desire to hurt the feelings of Dr. MILLING EN, or of any other honourable man, who, as a keeper of a lunatic asylum, is unfortunately placed in such a position as to be coerced by the present state of the law into doing that of which he does not approve. We have here, then, the opinion of Dr. MILLINGEN, that at the time Mrs. CUMMING executed that deed of settlement she was of unsound mind. Is that deed valid, if Mrs. CUMMING at the time it was executed was really of unsound mind ? If Master BARLOW really agreed with Dr. MILLINGEN in opinion, if he felt convinced " that if the jury had not been discharged by the arrange ment made on the proposal of the unfortunate lady's own counsel, little doubt could be enter tained as to what would have been their verdict," surely an inquiry ought to be instituted to ascertain what were the circumstances which induced Master BARLOW to sanction that arrangement. Surely Dr. MILLINGEN himself must admit that a state of the law which gives a family power to place a person in a lunatic asylum, and to withdraw such person from such lunatic asylum at their own mere will and plea sure, is so open to abuse as to require alteration! Our only knowledge of the case of Mrs. CUMMING is derived from the report of the proceedings before Master BARLOW, and from Dr. MILLINGEN'S letter. We admit that everything was done in this case strictly according to law. She was shut up as insane; according to law—she was discharged on executing a deed disposing of her property, and discharged according to law. She is either sane or insane ; if sane, she ought never to have been shut up; if insane, she ought never to have been per mitted to execute a deed disposing of her property, as the condition of her discharge; in fact, she ought not to have been discharged at all. Yet she was shut up according to law, she was discharged according to law, her mind having undergone no alteration. Therefore the law is bad, - and requires amend ment. As to the passage about the guarantee of Master BARLOW (if Dr. MILLING EN will read it again he will see that nothing was said about the guarantee of Mrs. CUMMING, it is the mere state ment of a fact alleged in the report to have occurred at the moment that Mrs. CUMMING was set at liberty. It is there writ down, that on the counsel for " the family" declaring, in announcing the compromise, that Mrs. CUMMING was at liberty to join her friends, Dr. MILLINGEN demurred to the release of the lady be fore certain formalities should have been gone through, whereupon MasterßAßLow interfered, and ordered her immediate release on his own responsibility, guaran teeing Dr. MILLINGEN against all consequences, should such release turn out to have been improperly granted. This expression of opinion which we have elicited from Dr. MILLINGEN, that at the time Mrs. CUMMING was discharged she was of unsound mind, is most important in another point of view. Dr. MIL LINGEN and Dr. PRITCHARD, " skilful persons," are of opinion she was of unsound mind. Other equally " skilful persons" were in attendance before the com mission to testify that in their opinion she was not of unsound mind. The Master, BARLOW, the lawyers on both sides, and the family must also have been of opinion that she was not of " unsound mind, and incapable of managing her own affairs," or they would not have accepted from her, or permitted her to execute any deed or document dis posing of her property. We have, therefore, on the one side, the opinion of " skilful persons " that she is of unsound mind, and on the other the opinion of persons equally " skilful " that she is not of un sound mind. Now, how is it possible to ascertain which set of " skilful persons " is right, except by calling upon each of the " skilful persons" to state that which Lord DENstAx,says it is monstrous to expect a "skilful person " should be called upon to state, viz.—" all the particulars upon which such skilful person grounds his opinion," and this brings us to Dr. MILLINGEN ' S exposition of the law of lunacy, as laid down by Lord DENMAN. We find, however, that our observations on this case of Mrs. CUMMING have extended to such a length, that we must defer our review of " MILLINGEN upon DENMAN" until to-morrow. We stated yesterday, in reference to our grand ury system, that it would be most unadvisable to countenance, in any degree, the proposition for abolishing this ancient institution till other adminis trative improvements in the law had been first effected. We have shown, on more than one occa sion, how the subject may be harassed and injured, both in his reputation and liberty, by being committed to take his trial, which frequently would never befal him, were the magistrate, who first hears and de cides upon the case, fitted for his functions by pro fessional acquirements. If the accused, conscious of his innocence, should experience the bitter disappoint ment of finding that the magistrate has taken an erroneous, or prejudiced view of the complaint pre ferred against him, to what tribunal does he next bend his anxious thoughts, to save him from the de gradation which his feelings naturally engender at the idea of appearing in a criminal dock in open court ? To a grand jury of his countrymen. It is very well to observe, that every man is considered inno cent till he is found guilty. So says the law ; but so thinks not always the world, which is not over nice, nor over charitable, in its opinions or conclusions. It is against human nature to suppose that any innocent person, unhappily committed by the magistrate, does not inwardly bless his country for the hope it affords him that, by the intervening institution of the grand jury, he may be rescued from the lowering position of being seen in a dock, where the worst felons are placed, and frequently only leave it to expiate their crimes on the neighbouring gallows. That this hope has not illumined in vain the breast of many an honourable being, may be presumed from the number of bills that are ignored. It may very well be that, in this way, from a variety of causes—collusion, tampering with witnesses, &c.—many guilty escape, at the same time that the innocent are freed from further persecution. It is in this latter respect that we set a peculiar value upon the continuance of the grand jury system. It still operates as a shield to guard the ho nour and reputation of our fellow-men. Our ances tors highly prized this institution from the very ear liest times, for the protection it afforded them against the dread power of the Crown on the one side, and the malicious persecution of powerful enemies on the other, who sought to warp the machinery of the law to the gratification of their avarice, animosity, or any other dominant passion. The judges of old knew well enough the popular check which grand juries could interpose b e tween the Soverei gn and his minions, and weak and oppressed subjects, when, from the very seat of justice itself they endeavoured by the use of the King's name, to awe the grand jury into finding true bills. It is true that the judges are not now as they were then, servile creatures, and dependent upon the pleasure of the Crown for the tenure of their high offices. But the magistrates, who first commit prisoners, hold their commissions only at the will of the Sovereign, and at every demise of the Crown there is a fresh commission of the peace made out, when the former magistrates may be included or not, as the advisers of the King may deem best. Law officers, of every description, should be so cho3en and appointed, that the public may have the best guarantee which human wisdom can suggest against any malverzation of power in troublous as well as in peaceable times. Looking, then, to the mode in which ma gistrates are appointed, to their frequent way ward ness, their notorious incompetency as a body, the necessary consequence of their legal ignorance, to their great power, to the futility of attempting to obtain any redress for the injuries that arise out of their grievous errors—we should deeply lament to witness the abolition of the venerable and venerated institution of the grand jury. That this system has its imperfections, like other h uman inventions, we do not conceal ; but it is one thing to amend, and another to destroy. The former, arid not the latter, is the spirit in which we should seek to free the grand jury institution from the slender objections to which time has laid it open ; but certainly we would guard it, in every way, as it is, till our magisterial system shall have been first thoroughly remodelled. We have received the Paris papers of Tuesday. On the morning of that day the Bey of TUNIS left Paris for Toulon, on his return to Tunis. These papers state that the Alinisty have determined to adopt a totally new plan for the Government of Algeria, the object of which is to provide more effec tually for the safety of colonists, so as to induce them to settle in the country. All the great military estab lishments are to be removed into the interior, instead of being located on the coast, as at present. The Governor-General, with his staff and the whole of the military administration, will be removed from Algiers to Aledeah, which is to be their station for the future. The Governor of Oran, together with his staff and military establishment, will henceforth be stationed at Alascarah. The Governor of Constantina will also be removed into the interior, but no town has as yet been fixed upon as his location. The mails from Germany and Spain had not ar rived in Paris on Tuesday. BOURSE—PARIS, TUESDAY. THREE O'CLOCK.—The firmness manifested for some days back has continued to-day, and the French Rentes are again higher. The Three per Crnts. opened at 81f. 30c., and after some variations, during which they touched elf. 10c., they closed at the opening price. After the Bourse they were done at 81f, 35c. Railway Shares were exceedingly firm, and are somewhat better. This being the reponse des primes for the half-monthly settlement for the railway market, almost all the primes were taken up. The continuations are moderate, though decidedly higher than for some settlements past. With the exception of Paris and Orleans at 2f. 25c. to lf. 75c., Rouen at It. 75c. to lf. 50c., and Avignon to Marseilles at If. 50e. to If. 25c., the continuations for the other lines are below If. Nothing was done in Spanish. For the Account, the French Three per Cents. have risen sc. Five per Cents. 20c. Loan not quoted. For Money the Three per Cents, are unchanged. Five per Cents. have fallen 25c. Loan not quoted. Gouin Bank 1,0001. Shares, Belgian Bank Shares, Roman, and Rothschild's Receipts, are all unchanged, the latter being 102 f. 55c. Neapolitan Bonds and Portuguese Five per Cents. not quoted. Exchange on London (thirty days), 25f. 45c.; ditto (Linety days), 25f. 30c. Railway Shares for the Ac count, settling of Dec. 16:—St. Germain, Avignon to Mar seilles, Rouen to Havre, and Orleans to Vierzon, having risen sf. each; Rouen,3t. 75c., Paris to Orleans, Versailles (Right Bank), Strasburg, Northern, and Orleans to Bordeaux, 2t. 50c. each ; Boulogne, If. 25c.; Nantes, Lyons, and Ver sailles (Left Bank), are unaltered. For Money, Rouen have risen 10f.; Northern, 7f. 50c.; Versailles (Left Bank), 3f. 75c.; Orleans to Bordeaux, Strasbourg, and Nantes, 2f. 50c. each. Lyons are unvaried. Paris to Orleans have fallen 2f. 50c. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DECEMBER 16. Luxembourg, : 4 —Northern of France Constituted, 10% —Paris and Lyons Constituted, 51, ex d..—Rouen and Havre, 25%—Tuurnay, Jurbise, Landen, and llasselt, 5%0. THE: DREADFUL FIRE AT SALONICHI. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The following particulars are furnished by the Impar. tial of Smyrna, of Me dreadful fire at Salonichi, Macedonia : A dreadful catastrophe has just plunged our city in despair, and reduced an immense number of the inha bitants to ,the utmost distress. Fire, that frightful scourge which has so often and so cruelly visited us, has again spread its ravages in the midst of our population. No exertions were able to check it. The day before yesterday (Tuesday), at eight o'clock in the morning, a gun fired from the fortress gave the alarm, but at that time, in broad daylight, but few persons entertained any serious apprehensions. Who could foresee what has happened ? The fire had begun in the Jew's quarter, in a small bazaar situated between the palace and the mosque of St. Sophia. The fire had broken out in a small old house, the proprietor of which was absent. In an instant the surrounding habitations were enve loped in flames, and when the fire-engines arrived the devastation had already spread to a fearful extent, the furions wind, which increased to a hurricane, spread the devouring element. Yacoub Pacha and the beys of the surrounding country were the first to come to the scene of disaster. The houses passed away, the men were exhausted with fatigue, and a want of water was experienced, and unhappily the cold was intense. Turks and Christians were praying in the mosques and the distant churches, but the fire, far from decreasing, became every moment more furious, and was burning in four or five quarters at once. The crew of the Ottoman brig and that of the steam-boat, the artillerymen, &c., laboured in demo lishing some houses, which was the only chance of setting a limit, as far as possible, to the extent of the fire. At length the wind abated, at nine o'cloek in the evening, and the workmen succeeded in extinguishing the flames, which had raged - with the utmost fury fo► some time. 860 houses are destroyed, among which there are only about 20 Greek houses near St. Sophia and St. Elerupa, 1500 families are homeless. The misfortune has fallen this time on the lower classes; most happily the merchants have been spared ; and have been able to relieve the most urgent wants of the poor sufferers. The day after the disaster a committee, composed of the most respectable merchants, was formed, and made an eloquent appeal to the public bone. volence. In one day 70,000 piastres were subscribed ; but however great public charity may be, it can afford but slight relief to so much misery. We there!orn appeal with confidence to the other cities of the empire, and to foreign countries, in favour of our unhappy population. The committee having waited on the Governor, he promised that two large camps should be furnished for four days with bread and fuel, at his expense, and his Excellency further promised to do for them in the sequel. The members of the municipal council have subscribed 13,000 piastres. The Europeans, Greeks, Turks, and Jews have all manifested a like sympathy and ardour in relieving the urgent distress occasioned by this fearful calamity. THE CONDE DE MONTEMOLIN. The Condo de Montemolin left his residence yester day, at half-past two o'clock, and preceeded to the Old Bailey, where, according to invitation, he was received by Mr. Sheriff Kennard and his attendants. The Conde was conducted over the two prisons, in the management and arrangements of which he expressed great interest. Returning to the Old Bailey, the Conde de Montemolin was invited to take his seat on the bench. The Conde observed the proceedings with minute attention, and ad mired the mode of administering justice which they exhibited. At five o'clock the Lord Mayor, the judges, several of the aldermen, and other gentlemen, were presented in the ante-room to the Conde de Montemolin, who was accompanied by his Excellency the Marquis de Villa franca and Colonel Merry. The whole party then pro where a su.tiptuous banquet pro ceeded to the dining room, was served up. The cloth being removed, th e toast of " Church and Queen" was drunk with great applause. " Prince Albert and the rest of the Royal Family," and other loyal and patriotic toasts, having been only honoured, the Lord Mayor proposed the health of the Prince who was their illustrious guest. To this toast the Conde de Montemolin replied in the following terms:- 4. M y L o rd Mayor, my Lords, andGndenittl i e m in p e o n s , ible to ./ p ra y you to pardon me if, when 1 a t tempt to ex press language, I find feel. ~ ss F myr all country, and i n my actual circum stances, speakr e aft t rh h oa thanks k I s in y my stances, my heart is touched by the kind hospitality with which a magnanimous people softens my m i s f ortune. Thankful to that people, and to the gracious hand that rules them, I have heartily joined with you in drinking the health of her Majesty the Queen Victoria whom may God long preserv e , .4 In a country whose institutions guarantee so surely the observance of the laws, the rights of liberty, the protection of arts, of industry, and of commerce (and as such I admire and respect it), I hope I may, in this pre sence at least, afford myself the gratification of propos ing the Health of the Lord Mayor, the Sheriff s , th e Aldermen, and C orporat i on of the- city of London, and of the Learned Judges of the realm.' At the conclusion of this speech the party separated with every expression of mutual good feeling. P-- ORTUGAL AND HER STREET.—lnsolvency has ,ong been associated with the name of Portugal, from the Court of the former being situated in the street of the latter. Now that the Portuguese are in a state of bankruptcy, the location of the Insolvent Court in Por tugal-street appears singularly appropriate.—Punch. SINGULAR DEATlL—Yesterday Mr. Mills held an inquest at the Middlesex Hospital, on the body of Owen Murray, an Irish labourer, formerly living at 11, Rus• sell-place. It appeared, that deceased, while dining on Sunday week, swallowed a piece of bone of considerable size, and suffering much from the accident, became a patient at Middlesex Hospital. The bone was found to be fixed in the larynx, and on Monday last the inflamma tion and oppression of breathing increased, an 4 an ope ration was recommended ; but this he refused to un dergo, and died the same night. In consequence of in. jurious, accusations made by some Irish friends of the deceased against the hospital, the governors thought it advisable to prove to the jury that the operation might be performed with perfect safety, and a patient was brought in who had met with a similar accident, and having submitted to the operation was now doing we;l, respiration being carried on through a silver tube inserted into the larynx through an incision. The jury appeared satisfied, and finally returned a verdict that " deceased died from suffocation," caused as above described. A regiment of rats, who had made choice of a stack of corn upon the premises of Mr. Graham, of the Hos pital, near Penrith, for their winter quarters, were very unceremoniously ejected from their well lined domicile on Saturday week, by the servants of that gentleman. There were ample outward and visible signs in the stack that a lodgment had been made within by a numerous and destructive company, and it was therefore deter mined to house it as the only means of getting rid of the plunderers. This step having been decided on, all the terrier dogs in the neighbourhood were accordingly mustered in the stack -yard, and before the half-destroyed pile had been removed, no less than 200 young rats, and 75 old ones, had been numbered with the dead I—Cum berland Pacquet. MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS. CITY, QUARTER TO THR.EL The sales of Cotton at Liverpool yes terday were To' ,0 large, being 10,000 bales, 5,000 of which were on spates lstion. The market was firm. There were of American taken at sd. to 7d; 500 of Pernambuco an°, Slaranham at 7d. to Bd.; 200 of Bahia at 8c1.; 600 of Egyptian at ld. to 9d.; and 1,400 of Surat at 4id. to 5i d. per pound. Shares were rather heay. of The intelligence received relative to the surrender Tampico to the, United States forces has canoed wee: 7,000 b anxiety among the merchants, the bondholder!. and others connected with the trade with O r :: republic. Should, however, any treasure , the PrO e ( ;'f of British capitalists and others, be taken possessien_, by the invaders, a full and satisfactory account r j ; undoubtedly be rendered to our Government• uP°lO this score, therefore, very little apprehension oUgt . p g exist, although serious delays may occur in remittances. The Cotton and Corn markets of the United Stag appear to have been active, tied money was eawith* tser doubt we shall do a good spring trades bo 0 , Jonathan in our principal manufactures for Pal P went of his staples. It is stated that--" The Atlantic and St ' c omplet ed ' Railroad is fast progressing, an d will, when tie one of the most important and profitable roads country -280 miles; and Portland is. in connexion.no ~he lakes, grasping the whole westerx trade. It irl j t e ahead, with rapid strides, of Boston, and will °, O s principal depot of the Atlantic steamer s t he year or two. No city in the 111:11011 has 475 same natural advantages. New York is. Las s miles from the lakes ; Boston, 525 ; P ortlana noble harbour, but three miles from the broad Atlef she No pilots are required to enter or leave her port, an o u rio c will undoubtedly become one of the most import, s o commercial cities in the Union. The BosOnia St i t is not willing to believe that this road w ill be m kee ade, p SO dead against the city of Boston, Tillie —h in ° wide awake or be beaten." 00 e; The weather in the United States and Cana d a deo cidedly wintry, and most of the shipping whic,hfireb:fore to leave the latter country for England had le the close of November. We have received, in common with our contour olio the following extract relative to Customs' frauds fro London Mercantile Journal : roost e lc. "We have this week to expose a fraud o f a ere ,_esest w tensive character, committed in one a the 0 03 panit houses belonging to the St. Katherine's De ck s • charg e s by the connivance of the Custom's offi, ce 'ssa l° ,: of that warehouse. We understand the e- -° • this 1111 d which the revenue ha s b een d e frauded ihouse ° instance, to be between twenty and tbill pounds. a beg "" " Sugar is the article by which this frai l :flin ty this : effected, and the way it has been done is I r - d e liver , —Upon the presentation of warrants for the i s the of goods, to the Company's. clerks, 10sIter he practice to present the document te the .ust on the premises, for him to certiff that has received the necessary order House that the duty has been paid, he, f° ; : e instan ce s , livery is allowed to take place. In t n - r ,s of t " - the locker asserted that he was in rec e 'r 0 dal ' order' when such was not the cases, f i re d tbe having been paid. The Dock Campany d el ; e o loc i t e ; r 4 from tbe the de„ sugar, and, we presume, stands exonerated• cun t in P . has decamped with, we suppose, half the aln° ll ; c saag e pocket, which may tor a poor fellow whose duty commences at sib s iss dieg be considered not a bad e n o , s loel‘ in the morning, who is the lickspittle of the gods • waiters and surveyors, with a salary of nine t Y P° year, without the chance of preferment. Jigg le " Of course it will be supposed that this Ter./cooed method of plundering wholesale was at once di, s rbs saes' by the fat, well-paid functionaries in 'sew er bece ld street ; but oh I no for them it we e remained —as we unhesitatingly say, r' s/P lt y ghee as gross are at present—undiscovereo% brag"; was a among the actors whie' n oe s a l* this affair to light, and it is to simi lar differe_, of the the public are mainly indebted for al l they 10" f t he frauds upon the Customs, and the Chan cellor har e 0f chequer, for all he may have received , in the verdicts, from fraudulent traders." k e e " g There was not a syllable said at the Ban o ttes' held this morning, relative to any alone *ll tel 'i that tbe However, it is still the opinion of some peop ' sa wed. rate of interest on discounts, will shortly he,__ lu i . o babli The profits of the Bank of England would u7 se3s were increased thereby, though a less extensive busty done than at present. - t alteration. The English securities have bees without a lteration. Consols are 931 1 for the January acec. )12 ,,, 1 t shape eir* bills realise 10s. to 13s. premium► Cents, bring 954- 8 ' The New Three-and-a-Quarter Per n `i e k stoc k is 207. f and the Three per Cents. 94 tot'' is eehases The effect of one or two considerable p Mexican stock made partial ly_ Mexican the 3 s counterbalanced by the intelligence s - q 3 to of Tampico. The Bonds are nOW 37 to t Portugte se Four per Cents. have been quotea a t d, .1;1s Spanish have not been dealt in. Dutch Twceanu per Cents. are 60-1 1. tO O gch yesterday bas been Railway Shares are steady, although there is n doing in them. CAI. orrE ra i l PRICES OF DitrrlsH FUNDS. O'CLOCK. 2 0 dank , Stock 207 9 4 ,,, 3 per Cent. Reduced Anns 94 1 i 94 951 New 3 , 4 per Cent. Annuities 95 % 3 /4 ...- Italia Bonds, 1,0001 Ditto under 1,0001... .., South Sea Stock Ditto New Annuities ... 933; 9 5 1 Consols for Opening 93 I i ` . i 15 P Exchequer Bills, 1000/. 1 1 %d.... 10 13 p 13 P Ditto, 5001 Ditto, Small CIP e.IS oNE 0 1 ' ,S0 7 5 RILES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. O'CLOCK lexican, 5 per Cent. 1846 2 3 3/ 2 4 Ditto, Account . 23% % 24 ..-- 81 1 / 1 Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent 87 4 37 37 40 au°, Account Venezuela Bonds, 2 per Cent 4O Dutch, D 2 i % vid p e e n r d C s ci ,_ .94 i RICEb OF e o n n t th . e above payable in London. 60% R tILWAY SHARES PAID. AT ONE S O/OL D OC Ii it .... 11 1 43 Aberdeen .. ... •••• Amber.. Nott., Boston, .... and Eastern Junction 2%...... —. .. ........ ••••• Armagh, Coleraine, and ....... Portrush IA - .......... .• ...• Belfast & County Down 4 3 / i — ........... •• --- Birmingham and Dudley 421. ... •• .... • ..... ... , Bi p rm it i t n o . a N n e d w 7 Gleucester 100 - .......... .. ••••• ON Birminghamford Junctionand Ox- 1 1 / 2 — 2 9.:. .............. -- Birkenhead, Lancashire, ........ and Cheshire June.... 23 1 — ........... ; Boston, Stamfd, & Birm. 225 4 . — ................. 7 Bristol and Exeter 75 •• ..... ....... --- Ditto, New Bristol and,Gloucerter 3O ...... ....... .. , diti. Bristol and Liver. June 2% ........... l's 3 3/ .....„ .. , ..... 2 Buckinghamshire ....... t.:aledonian Ditto Half Shares 2% 2% ...... ... .. ~.. ..... Ditto, Clydesdale Jane 25 Chester and Holyhead... 27% — ................. C : zuniet and Blythe 2 ....... Chester and Manchester 425. Cheltenham and Oxford 2 ..... ........ Clarence ... .... Do. Ist Class, 6 per Ct. 10 ...... Do. 2d Class, 5 per Ct. 10 ..• Do. Government Loan, ......... ..., 4 per Cent. Cork and Killarney ........... ~. 170 Cork and Waterford Cornwall Ditto, Half Shares ..., Direct Lincoln, East Bet- .. . ...• ford, and Sheffd.Junc. 2% --• ............ Direct Northern ....... Direct Norwich Dublin and BelfastJunc. 12% — ••• ........ Dublin, Belfast, and ...... Coleraine Dublin and Galway... .. 4 Dundalk & Enniskillen 10 Eastern Counties 141.16 s Ditto New l2/. 16s Ditto Perpetual, 5 per Cent, No. 1....... 6/. 13s. 4d —2llAl 3 / 4: • P I:1:1.:::::::::: : .: Ditto ditto. No. 2... Gl. 13s. 4d — ............ Do., York Extension.. 2 EastDereh'm andNor'ch 1 Eastern Union 35 —"* ... ........ .• Ditto,Quarter Shares 1 . 44 '—''''''''''''''' Do. xten.(Harwich) ••••••• Do., Camb. and Ely.. VA.-- ...... . ....... ... . ' East Lancashire Ditto. New 5 ..........••••. Do., do. (late Preston and Ormskirk)... .. 5 — ....... Do., do., New Scrip... 1 1 4 — East Lincolnshire ... • 2 3 4 ................ East & West of England 1% — ............. Edinburgh and Glasgow 50 Ditto Half Shares ... 10 Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% .... Edinburgh & Northern.. 12% ........ .. Edinburgh and Perth... 3 Elyand Huntingdon ... 12% — ................ Enniskillen and Sligo ... 2% — .......... Exeter, Yeovil,& Dorset 5 Gaslgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle .... Glasgow,Kilrnar.,& Ayr 50 Ditto, New .. 15 ...... • • .... ~......• " 14 2 20 ..0 5,‘ Do., 4 Shares (5 per ~- 2•• cent. guar.) ... ...... 12%.„ ............. Goole, Doncaster, &c... 2 Grand Union (Notting and Lynn Great Eastern &Western 2% ....... .. " Great South. and West. Great Al No u re n twi s i ter ....• (Ireland) : G ir r r DDDe ela i a ii i ti tt N oW: N o rt h o f Engl a n d . .100 21 237 ..... ... ...... ..-- 4 of Scotland 2A... . . . ..... - ........ 237 Ditto, New . Ditto 1 4 eN5 Shares Steewhrallre s • • 5 1 81 0 05551% ................... .... ------ - ............................................................................. - . 5. ' . 4.1 Ditto Fifths ....... ............... 6 Ditto, New ..... ... 2 ...... 6% ............. .... Huddersfield & Manches. 13 ...... ............ " ".... Dit , o, Extension Hull and Selby 1)0. Half Shares Ditto Shares 14 Ipswich & Bury St. Edm. 2515 — •...... ... .. 1 4°1 1 °3 % . ........ 107 1 . 0 . ... -.-./ N .................. : ... "-- ... ............... " tA Do., do., and Norwich 2 ... . . . -- . . . ............ - Lancaster and Carlisle... 50 ............... ......9i Do. New ...• •••• •• Leeds and Bradford Leicester and Bedf3rd... 165......• •••••" ........ ~ Leeds, Dewsbury, &c.... 22% - •• ...... ...... ''''' Do., Branch (Blue) ... 2% — ............... ...,..... Do.Extension(Green) 21 — ............ Leeds and Thirsk l7l / 2...... ...... .... .......... .--- Ditto, New Do., Prefer., 6 per Ct. 3% --• ..... ... ......