The Sun. — London, England, 1846-12-21 00:00:00

LITERATURE. IHE BATTLE OP LIFE. A Love Story. Charles Dickens. Those who have latterly seemed to rejoice in cavil ling at the Christmas books of Mr. Dickens will find some difficulty in discovering any theme for ridicule or reprehension in this exquisite "Love Story." It contains to description of a race between a kettle and a cricket, as did the " Cricket on the Hearth ;" neither are its pages peculiarised by a dissertation upon tripe, as were those of the " Chimes." Among , its characters we can discover no William Fern, talk ing revolutionary sentiments in words of rustic elo quence ; among its incidents there is no narrative ,n a Lilian hurrying to the river to commit suicide. Altogether, there is not here a single peg upon which the most churlish reviewer could, with any degree of plausibility, hang up his scarecrow objections. 'There is no opportunity, in critscising the present publication, for any one to vituperate upon the author for what might be construed into an affecta tion of drollery or the indulgence of a spurious phi lanthropy. If ever Mr. Dickens wrote without ostentation, he has so written in this little volume. It is the most graceful composition he has yet penned. ihere is less mannerism about it than about anything he has ever produced. The author has written upon the simplest plot imaginable, has introduced the most natural characters, and has told his tale of the human affections with the most delightful volubility and the most genial pensiveness. As to the pur nose of the narrative, it is noble and unaffet ted en 'ugh. It is so condensed into a single sentence uttered by the hero, that we shall transcribe that sentence entire. " I believe," he says, speaking of the battle of life, "I believe there are quiet victo ries and struggles, great sacrifices of self and noble acts of heroism, in it—even in many of its apparent lightnesses and contradictions—not the less difficult to achieve, because they have no earthly chronicle or audience • done every day in nooks and corners, and in little households, and in men's and women's hearts —any one of which might reconcile the sternest man to such a world, and fill him with belief and hope in it, though two-fourths of its people were at war, and another fourth at law; and that's a bold word." Beautifully are these grand and elevating principles expressed by the deeds recorded in this little book: beautifully are these " quiet victories," these " great sacrifices of self," and these " noble acts of heroism" in men's and women's hearts, exemplified in its occur rences : beautifully are merriment and melancholy combined in the materials of this simple fiction. Scrooge was shown the foolishness of his misanthropy by the visions of the " Carol.:" Trotty Yeck was ren dered contented even with his miserable existence by the nightmares of the " Chimes :" John Peerybingle was convinced of the faithfulness of little Dot by the dreams of the " Cricket on the Hearth." In the "Battle of Life" a transformation is effected in one of the principle characters, not however through the agency of gob lins, or fairies, or spirits, or other supernatural visi tors, but by the purity, the valour, the self-denial, and the magnanimity of virgin hearts. Doctor Jed dler, at the commencement of the story, is described as a great philosopher, the heart and mystery of whose philosophy was " to look upon the world as a gigantic practical joke ; as something too absurd to be con sidered by any rational man." Before the conclusion of the book this same Doctor Jeddler is forced to ac knowledge that " it's a world full of hearts, and a serious world, with all its folly ;" that "it's a world on which the sun never rises but it looks upon a thousand bloodless battles that are some set-off against the miseries and wickedness of battle-fields ;" that, in fine, " it's a world we need be careful how we libel." So genial and purifying is the effect produced by the perusal of this volume; so generously is the mind impressed by the nature of the truths embodied in it; so vivid and so beautiful is the sentiment by which its every passage is pervaded, that we close the leaves with that golden sentence ringing in our ears— " Heaven forgive us, for it is a world of .sacred mysteries, and its Creator only knows what lies beneath the surface of his lightest Image!" In saying this, we are uttering no idle panegyric on the book ; the justice of our commendations may be settled in a couple of hours by the perusal of the " three parts." First as to the plot : —The story occurs " once upon a time," about a hundred years ago, and opens upon a spot where, long before, a tierce battle had been fought. "It was fought," says the historian, "upon a long , summer day, when th a wav i ng grass was green. " Many a wild flower," he continues, "many a wild flower, formed by the Almighty hand to be a perfumed goblet for the dew, felt its enamelled cup fill high with blood that day, and shrinking dropped." The description of the battle-field is a ghastly but instructive picture, even in the grim fertility which is described as having followed the carnage. Here, however, the author abruptly changes his theme by pourtraying a pastoral land scape in autumn, and by especially directing the reader's attention to one particular orchard where two young girls are dancing merrily together on the grass, while peasants arc gathering apples in the sur rounding trees : " If there were no such thing as display in the world, my private (Tinier; is, and I Ii pe you agree with roe, that we might get on a great deal better than we do, and might be infinitely more agreeable comp'iny than we are. It was charming to sec how these girls danced. They bad no spectators but the apple-pickers on the ladders. They were very glad to please them, but they danced to pleaze themselves (or at least you would have supposed so); and yen could no more help admiring, than they co&d help dancing. How they did fiance! " Not like opera dancers. Not at all. And not like Madame Anybody's finished pupils. Not the least. It was not quadrille dancing, ncr minuet dancing, nor even country-dance dancing. It was neither in the old style, rior the new style, nor the French style, nor the English style, though it may have been, by accident, a trifle in the Spanish style, which is a free and joyous one, I am told, deriving a delightful air of off-hand inspiration, from the chirping little castanets. As they danced among the orchard trees, and down the groves of stems and back again, and twirled each other lightly round and round, the influence of their airy motion seemed to spread and spread, in the sun lighted scene, like an ex panding circle in the water. Their streaming hair and fluttering skirts, the elastic grass beneath their feet, the boughs that rustled in the morning air—the flashing leaves, their speckled shadows on the soft green ground —the balmy wind that swept along the landscape, glad to turn the distant windmill, cheerily—everything be tween the two girls, and the man and team at plough upon the ridge of land, where they showed against the sky as if they were the last things in the world—seemed dancing too. These are the daughters of Dr. Jeddler, already men tioned, the elder named Grace, the younger named Marion. And admirable creations are Grace and Ma rion. :Excepting Little Nell, they are the most exqui site female characters yet conceived by Mr. Dickens. Making certain allowances fort the brevity of the "Battle of Life" when compared with the " Pirate," Grace and M ar i on are qu i te equal to Minna and Brenda, the most charming of the heroines of Sir Walter Scott. Both these maidens are in love with Alfred, Jeddler's ward, who, on attaining his ma jority, leaves his guardian to seek his fortune. Marion, the younger -- sister, is affi ance d to Alfred—Grace, with a noble self-forgetfulness, concealing her own passion for him, enl fostering by every means the affection of the lovers. The first part closes with the departure of the hero from the house of his guardian and his separation from his betrothed. Exquisitely is the conquest of Grace over the impulses of her own heart pourtrayed with those honest eyes of hers beaming upon her,'sister, "so calm, serene, and cheer ful!" Exquisite is that little incident related where Marion gazes for a moment after the retreating figure of her affianced, and " then turning back again, and meeting for the first time those calm eyes, fell sobbing on her neck Oh, Grace ; God bless you! But I cannot bear to see it, Grace ! It breaks my heart.' " Three years have rolled by when the story is resumed in the second part. One Michael Warden a half-ruined squire is then introduced ; he is de scribed as wonderfully reduced in circumstances and as desperately in love with Marion. They meet clandestinely, and everything indicates a reciprocal affection, when a letter arrives from Alfred Heath field, announcing his intention of returning home. A grand party is given by Dr. Jeddler at Christmas time in honour of his nephew, who is expected to arrive that night. During the height of the festivi ties Marion steals out of the banquet room and elopes, as the reader imagines, with Michael Warden. Alfred reach his home only to find his betrothed has become a fugitive under the most unfavourable circumstances. Six years have elapsed, when the personages of the fiction are again introduced in the third part. Grace has married Alfred, but mystery still envelopes the fate of Marion. One evening, a favourite anniversary, the elder sister is promised that before the sun has set she shall know all particu lars about the younger. The day-god is slowly sinking b e l ow th e h or i zon, a figure is perceptible on the threshold of the orchard, a rustle of a white garment is visible in the evening air. " Oh, God ! Was it a vision that came bursting from the old man's arms, and with a cry, and with a waving of its hands, and with a wild precipitation of itself upon her in its boundless love, sank down in her em brace !" Marion has returned, still a maiden, still unmarried, still unbetrothed. During the six past years she has b een sec l u d e d w i th her aunt Martha— aving resolved, in the greatness and nobleness of her nature, to conquer h er own sel fi s h f eelings, and by this retirement to enable Grace to be united to the man they both loved so truthfully. So is demon strated the heroisln of tho se b a ttl es o f lif e fought " in little households:' So is effect e d th e convers i on of Dr. Jeddl er to a knowledge e of th e grandeur, and the invstri pathos, and themysteries, the magnan i m i ty in God's which are dis cern i ble creation. o Michael Warden, meanwhile, again, with his h as t une d evity . somewhat and his h. fortunes l some what way, what imprpved,and the author, in Tivae-7-rr''th Nvh9in 1 h e a tdhethe pleasurelatter p o a f r t a observeS; " with whom I have of this story, and w me five and • personal' ac quaintance of so thirty yea rs ' ily upon his scyth e , duration, inthrtued THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBERN2I, 1846 that Michael Warden never went away again, and never sold his house, but opened it afresh, maintained a golden mean of hospitality, and had a wife, the pride and honour of that countryside, whose name was Marion." Thus terminates this beautiful " love story"—conceived in the most graceful vein—fraught with a lofty truthfulness—painted with the sunniest colours. Secondly, as to the characters :—Of Grace, and Marion, and Doctor Jeddler, and Alfred Heath field, and Michael Warden, we have already spoken. Then there are a brace of attorneys, called (very euphoniously) Snitchey and Craggs—men possessed of a wonderful office, containing, besides other strange chattels, " tiers of boxes, padlocked and fire-proof, with people's names painted outside, which anxious visitors felt themselves, by a cruel enchantment, com pelled to spell backwards and forwards, and to make anagrams of, while they sat, seeming to listen to Snitchey and Craggs, without comprehending one word of what they said." Snitchey, in his way, has a smack of Tackleton and Gruff in his disposition. But there is one Benjamin Britain—a superb fellow. He is described as " a small man, with an uncom monly sour and discontented face." Having forgotten himself by laughing while serving at Dr. Jeddler's breakfast table, Britain is remonstrated with, by a fellow-servant exclaiming— " Do you know where you are? Do you want to get warning ?' " I don't know anything,' said Britain, with a leaden eye and an immovable visage. 'I don't care for any thing. I don't make out anything. I don't believe any thing. And I don't want anything.' "Although this forlorn summary of his general con dition may have been overcharged in an access of des pondency, Benjamin Britain—sometimes called Little Britain, to distinguish him from Great; as we might say Young England, to express Old England with a differ ence—had defined his real state more accurately than might be supposed. For serving as a sort of man Miles, to the Doctor's Friar Bacon ; and listening day. after day to innumerable orations addressed by the Doctor to various people, all tending to show that his very existence was at best a mistake and an absurdity; this unfortunate servitor had fallen, by degrees, into such an abyss of confused and contradictory suggestions from within and without, that Truth at the bottom of her well, was on the level surface as compared with Britain in the depths of his mystification." In the subsequent portions of the book Britain is transformed—improved as a man, but deteriorated as a comic character. "He was very much broader," says his biographer, " much redder, much more cheerful, and much jollier in all respects. It seemed as if his face had been tied up in a knot before, and was now untwisted and smoothed out." In the end he marries Clemency Newcome— capital Clemency Newcome. This is one of the best pictures in the " Boz" portrait gallery. Cle mency Newcome is not a jot like the Opportunity Newcome described in Cooper's: "Ravensnest.' Opportunity has the coldest heart in a well-favoured covering ; Clemency has the warmest heart in the oddest body conceivable. Mr. Dickens, - however; must &peak for himself : "She was about thirty years old, and had a sufficiently plump and cheerful face, though it was twisted up into an odd expression of tightness that made it comical. But the extraordinary homeliness of her gait and manner, would have superseded any face in the world. To say that she had two left legs, and somebody else's arms; and that all four limbs seemed to be out of joint, and to start from perfectly wrong places when they were set in motion; is to offer the mildest outline of the reality. To say that she was perfectly content and satisfied with these arrangements, and regarded them as being no business of hers, and took her arms and legs as they came, and allowed them to dispose of them selves just as it happened, is to render faint justice to her equanimity. Her dress was a prodigious pair of self-willed shoes, that never wanted to go where her feet went; blue stockings; a printed gown of many colours, and the most hideous pattern procurable for money; and a white apron. She always wore short sleeves, and always had, by some accident, grazed elbows, in which she took so lively an interest that she was continually trying to turn them round and get im possible views of them. In general, a little cap perched somewhere on her head; though it was rarely to be met with in the place usually occupied in other subjects, by that article of dress; but from head to foot she was scrupulously clean, and maintained a kind of di s l oca t e d tidiness. Indeed, laudable anxiety to be tidy and compact in her own conscience as well as in the public eye, gave rise to one of her most startling evolutions, which was to gras p h erse lf somet i mes by a sort of wooden handle (part of her clothing, and familiarly called a busk), and wrestle as it were with her garments, until they fell into a symmetrical arrangement." Clemency's mode of writing has been already de scribed, almost in the same words in regard to Christopher IsTubbles. Here is a humorous narra tive of how Clemency Newcome brought a letter,into the drawing- room of Dr. Jeddler, and of how she conducted herself after Dr. Jeddler cried out " What's the matter ?" "' It's only me, Mister,' said Clemency, putting in her head at the door. " • And what's the nritter with you?' said the Doctor. " • Oh, bless you, nothing an't the matter with me,' r-iturned Clemency —and truly, too, to judge from her well•soaped face, in which there gleamed as usual the very soul of good-humour, which, ucgainly as she was, made her quite engaging. Abrasions on the elbows are not generally understood, it is true, to range within that class of personal chorms called beauty-spots. But it is better, going through the world, to have the arms chafed in that narrow passage, than the temper: and Clemency's was sound and whole as any beauty's in the land. " Nothing an't the matter with me,' said Clemency, entering, but—come a little closer, Mister.' "The Doctor, in some astonishment, complied with this invitation. " You said I wasn't to give you one before them, you know,' said Clemency. " A novice in the family might have supposed, from her extraorainary ogling as she said it, as well as from a singular rapture or ecstasy which pervaded her elbows, as if she were embracing herself, that one,' in its most favourable interpretation, meant a chaste salute. Indeed the Doctor himself seemed alarmed, for the moment; but quickly regained his composure, as Clemency, having had recourse to both her pockets—beginning with the right one, going away to the wrong one, atad afterwards coming back to the right one again—produced a letter from tho post office. " Britain was riding by on an errand,' she chuckled, handing it to the Doctor, 'and see the mail come in, and waited for it. There's A. H. in the corner. Mr. Alfred's on his journey home, I bet. We shall have a wedding in the house—there was two spoons in my saucer this morning. Oh, Luck, how slow he opens it!' " All this she delivered, by way of soliloquy, gradu ally rising higher and higher on tiptoe, in her impatience to hear the news, and making a corkscrew of her apron, and a bottle of her mouth. At la , ;,t, arriving at a climax of suspense, and seeing the Doctor still engaged in the perusal of the letter, she came down flat upon the soles of her feet again, and cast her apron, as a veil, over her head, in a mute despair, and inability to bear it any longer." In the account of the hostel called " The Nutmeg Grater," and kept by Benjamin Britain, the writer gives this natural but ridiculous incident. A stranger has entered the bar, and Clemency, having discovered that it is none other than Michael Warden, endea vours to convey her discovery to Britain by dumb show : " Seeing that the stranger's face was turned towards the winthw, and that he seemed intent upon the pros pi et, she made some eager signs to her husband, and pointed to the bill, and moved her mouth as if she were repeating with great energy, one word or phrase to him over and over again. As she uttered no sound, and as her dumb motions, like most of her gestures, were of a very extraordinary kind, this unintelligible conduct re duced Ur. Britai❑ to the confines of despair. He stared at the table, at the stranger, at the spoons, at his wife— follwed her pantomime with looks of deep amazement and perplexity—asked in the same language, was it property in danger, was it he in danger, was it she— answered her signals with other signs expressive of the deepest distress and confusion—followed the motions of her lips —guessed half aloud ' milk and water,' monthly warning," mice and walnuts'—and couldn't approach her meaning." On the return of Marion, Clemency is wonderfully excited. She is ignorant of the return of the long. lost -- " When, looking up in wonder, and in indignant re monstrance, and in the added emotion of ,a great roar from Mr. Britain, and seeing that sweet face so well remembered close before her, she stared, sobbed, laughed, cried, screamed, embraced her, held her fast, released her, fell on Mr. Snitchey and embraced him (much to Mrs. Snitchey's indignation), fell on the Doctor and embraced him, tell on Mr. Britain and em braced him, and concluded by embracing herself, throw ing her apron over her head, and going i n t o hy s t er i cs behind it." But to appreciate Clemency thoroughly the book itself must be read. The frontispiece, by Daniel Mac:Esc, depicting Grace and Marion dancing under the apple-tree, is a gem. Th e fi gures of the two damsels are exquisitely drawn. The three other illus trations from the same eminent hand are excellent. Those by Stanfield, particularly the Nutmeg Grater, are good. Leech has used his pencil for once indif ferently; and the three embellishments by Doyle are execrably bad. They would entirely spoil the volume if anything could. Mr. Dickens has unquestionably made an improvement upon his last Christmas book. " The Battle of Life" is a charming love story—a story not unworthy of its distinguished author. The " Observer" of Sunday, Dec. 6, contained an impartial review, with extracts from Sir E. L. Bulwer Ly tton's new work entitled " Lucretia," to the extent of four of the Observer folio columns. The Observer of Sunday, Dec. 13, contained an impartial review, with extracts from the second series of "Lord Campbell's Lives of the Lord Chancellors of England," to the extent of two folio columns and a half. The Observer of Sunday, Dec. 20, contained an impartial review, with extracts from the annual Christmas work by Charles Dickins, Esq., entitled, " Tho Battle of Life, a Love Story," to the extent of nearly five of the Observer folio columns. A Monday's edition of the Observer is regularly published at four o'clock on Mon day afternoons, which is best adapted for the country and readers abroad. ILLU3TILATED TALE IN "THE MIRROR," Price Is. On January 1, 1847, Chapters 1., IL, 111., and IV., of THE MISER'S WILL ; Or, LOVE ANI) AVARICE. An English Tale. By PERCY B. ST. JOHN. The Mirror will continue to be Edited by Mr. St. John, assisted by several eminent writers, and will be illustrated in the first style of art by Hine, Archer, and Walmsley. Now ready, Vol. 1., new series, price ss. 6d. 11. llurst, 27, King William-street, Strand. WILS ON'S LAST NIGHT. CROSBY HALL, BISHOPSGATE. TO-MORROW EVENING, TUESDAY, 22d December, at Eight o'clock, Mr. WILSON will give his LAST ENTERTAINMENT, when he will sing a SELECTION of the SONGS of SCOTLAND, Two Songs by German Composers, and the English Cantata of " The Soldier's Dream." Part I.—Of a' the Airts the Wind can lolaw—Ower the Water to Charlie—Thou halt left me ever, Jamie—Saw ye Johnnie coming ? quo' she—ln yonder happy Cottage—She Is mine—John Anderson my jo—O whistle and I'll come to ye, my Lad. Part ll.—The Soldier's Dream—My Boy Tammie—The Flowers of the Forest—My Tocher's the Jewel—Anna Lawrie—Allister M'Allister. iIIGH WATER AT LONDOS-liltI1)(W TlllB DAY. Iforning .. 33 minutes after 3. I Evening .. 56 minutes after 3. ing with the rights of property, and without unduly favouring individuals at the expense of the community, Provisions of a beneficial tendency were undoubtedly made by the sth and 6th Vict., cap. 89, by the Bth and 9th Viet., cap. 69, and by the 9th Vict., cap. 4, empower ing the Board of Works to undertake certain drainage works, but those provisions required considerable mo dification before any permanent advantages could accrue. By the enactments Ist and 2d Will. IV., cap. 33, sec. 32, amended by 9th Viet., cap. 1, sec. 6. it was provided, moreover, that loans might be made to individuals for the purpose of enabling them to effect the improvement of their estates for themselves, by drainage, reclaiming waste lands, or other works of substantial improvement. These admirable ar rangements, however, were unaccompanied by any clauses affording sufficient power to the Executive, in securing the return of the moneys advanced, and, at the same time, of not unduly tampering with the rights of individuals. So many complicating claims are associated with land in Ireland, estates there are entangled in such a network of mortgages, the tenure of land is, indeed, so terribly complicated in that island, that the extri cation of the proprietors appears, at a superficial glance, to be almost an impossibility. By a persevering consideration of the matter, however, these difficulties are not so utterly insurmountable as would be at first imagined. By a searching investigation the entangle ment becomes unravelled, and from the "Treasury Minutes" of the Ist ultimo, and the letter forwarded by Mr. TEEVELYAN to the Commissioners of Public Works, we would fain believe that the clue has been at last discovered which may guide us from the labyrinth. From these two important documents it would seem that the Government are really solicitous to afford that encouragement and aid to Irish agri culturists which have been so long desiderated. It has been resolved by the Lords Commissioners of her MAJESTY'S Treasury, that the Board of Works " Shall undertake the execution of such works as are necessary for deepening or removing obstructions in rivers, their tributary streams, or the larger watercourses of the country, by means of which great improvement may be effected in the main outfalls of drainage for considerable tracts of land." This arrangement is unquestionably of a most desirable character, seeing that such enormous works could 'never be effectually undertaken by any indi vidual. Whatever difficulty might be experienced in consequence of these main drains passing through the estates of many different proprietors is obviated "By the power which the Board of Works possesses of proceeding with the consent of a certain number of proprietors, and of charging the repayment upon the lands drained, even of dissenting proprietors, in propor tion to the bPnefit conferred upon them." Aware of the numerous delays caused, and obstruc tions presented by the undigested clauses of the Act 9th and 10th Vict., cap. 101, it is here announced by Mr. TREVELYAN, of the Treasury, that her MA JESTY'S Government "Propose to submit a Bill to Parliament founded on these principles, embracing and extending the objects of the 32d section of the Act 1 and 2 Wm. IV., cap. 33, amended by the 9th Vict., cap. 1, sec. 6, and of the 9th and 10th Vict., cap. 101." Among the arrangements thereby effected are —that the loans shall not be restricted to drain age, but shall be rendered available for the pur poses of general improvement of lands, including drain • age, and that to obviate the difficulties arising from the encumbrances upon lands and the multiplicity of interests in estates, a proportionate contribution towards the repayment of the loan shall be apportioned on the various parties who will derive benefit from the improvement, " the whole principal and interest being payable to the Government by the person who shall be deemed proprietor of the land drained or improved, and the contribution on the part of the occupier being in the shape of increased rent to the proprietor." Beyond this the Government pro pose to submit a separate Bill to Parliament, in which the provisions of the sth and 6th Vict., cap. 89, Bth and 9th Viet., cap. 69, and the 9th Vict., cap. 4, will be consolidated and simplified. As an additional boon to the starving population, the loans are to be made at the reduced interest of four per cent. It is in the concluding paragraph, however, of this letter from Mr. TREVELYAN that the principles of the pro posed innovation are condensed : " My Lords are further of opinion," he writes, " that with the view both of providing security for the repay went of the advances from the public purse, and of re lieving entailed estates from the evil of accumulated charges, two powers should be conferred by the measures which it is proposed to submit to Parliament. "First, a power to the proprietors of an entailed es• tate to sell for the purpose of repaying the advances for improvements made by the Board of Works, or if made by himself, with the aid of Government money, under the inspection of the Board of Works, any part of the estate so improved, or of other estates settled to the same uses, in the same manner as a power exists in this country of selling for the redemption of the land tax. " Secondly, a power to the Government of selling, in default of payment of two consecutive instalments, so much of the land improved or of other estates settled to capital, inter est , and expenses of sale. " the same uses, which the pr opr i etor might prefer, as would repay While it is impossible to deny that this will afford the Executive an enormous power, it will be never theless equally impossible to deny that the benefits accruing to the proprietors and the peasantry of Ireland, will fully counterbalance any objections to the proposed plan. Is it not better that they should be driven into prosperity than be abandoned to an independent starvation ? In another part of our paper we publish the Reso utions of the Independent Committee of- the Cor poration, setting forth the insult offered to the citizens of London, through their representatives, by the LORD MAYOR positively refusing to put a ques • tion, duly moved and seconded by old and qualified members of the Corporation, in Common Council assembled. As faithful journalists, it is our duty to weigh carefully the arguments adduced by the con flicting parties, and endeavour to arrive at a just con clusion as established by indisputable evidence. Certain inconveniences arise as to the qualification of members of the Common Council, in consequence of " various changes having taken place in the customs and habits of the citizens of the said city, and in their mode of conducting business in the said city, in con sequence whereof many of the most substantial citizens, duly rated in their several wards, and carry ing on trade in, and habitually resorting to their shops, counting-houses, and offices within the city, have nevertheless dwellings for themselves and their families in the suburbs of the said city ;" to remedy which a reference is made to a committee, a report is brought up, it is referred back, with instructions to prepare a bill to meet the case ; a bill is brought up, read a first and a second time; to all of which the Aldermen, as members of the Common Council (and many of them are members cf the committee) are assenting parties. Not a word of objection is heard until it has become pretty generally known that another Bill is to succeed this, limiting the power of the Aldermen to draw upon the City purse. Then, and only then, they come forward with a protest read by the Recorder, declaring that as the Bill alters certain "usages and customs" of the City, they cannot sanction it, and in discussion declare that without their assent the Bill is of no avail; nay, more, they claim the privilege to originate all matters brought before the Common Council. We find presumptuous assertion here —we find no argument. What says the Bill as proposed? " And be it enacted, that from and after the passing of this Act, any freeman of London being a householder, o f any freeman of London, though he may dwell out of the city of London, shall be capable of being elected to be a member of the Common Council, provided at the time of such election he is, and for twelve months pre viously he shall have been, the occupier of a house, shop, counting-house, or office, situated within the ward for which he shall be so elected; and provided that he is, and for twelvo months previously he shall have been, rated in his own name to the Consoli dated Rate in respect of any house, shop, counting house, or office within such ward; and also provided that during the time of his being so rated as aforesaid be shall have resided in such house, or habitually resorted to such shop, counting-house, or office, for the purpose of carrying on occupation therei n , anv act, order, or ordinance, custom, any art, my s t er y, t ra d e , p r of e ssion, or or usage, to the contrary notwithstanding." What custom or usage does this violate ? It is and has been the " custom and usage" to have Com mon Councilmen; they are retained. They must be freemen, having premises within the City and within the ward for which they are elected, and be voted to certain rates. This is still to be the case. We repeat, what custom or usage does this violate ? None ! It simply and prudently defines a qualifica tion which the old term "householder" left vague and uncertain, being liable to bear almost any construction anybody might put upon it. It is quite clear that this Bill is not the bone of contention. No, no ; it is that which is behind and rather than the Aldermen—a body elected for life, consequently irresponsible—should have any inde pendent control over the City funds, the responsible representatives of the citizens are determined to go to Parliament and dissolve the Corporation, so that it may be remodelled to meet the spirit of the age, and be in harmony with the advancing intelligence of the times. These are not the days for individuals or small cor porate bodies to attempt to claim irresponsible power. We advise the Aldermen, as those who much respect the Corporation, to listen to reason. The Common Council have liberty, right, and progressive policy on their side, which must prevail. So long as the Corpora tion continues to modify its rules and regulations so as to render them assimilate to the necessities of the times, they will endure; but so soon as they become obstructive their doom is sealed. It is consistent with proper representation that the properly elected and responsible body should control the expenditure ; and for an irresponsible, life-elected body to claim such a power seems monstrous ; and for my LORD MAYOR to refuse to put any question duly proposed and seconded, is to gag the mouth of the Com mon Council, and prevent free discussion. We protest against any such assumption ; and if the citizens of London 3uccumb to such a dictum, they are made of different stuff to what we ever thought them, and truly their ancient glory has departed. Accounts from Italy state that the sth of December, the centenary anniversary of the expulsion of the Austrians from Genoa, had been observed as a day of rejoicing throughout almost the whole of the north of Italy. The Sardinian Government would authorise no public demonstration, but many private assemblages were held at Genoa, in which the toasts of the "Independence of Italy," and "Down with the Austrians," were drunk with great enthusiasm. At night, in the same moment, bonfires were lit on all the mountains surrounding Genoa. Similar bonfires were seen blazing along the whole line of Appenines, in the direction of Florence and Bologna, of Rome, and of Naples. At Florence two large bonfires were kindled in the two large squares, and the walls were covered with placards, on which were printed in red ink, "Death to the Germans." One of these placards was affixed to the hotel of the Austrian Minister, before the gates of which a body of singers chanted a de profundis. No outrage was committed on persons or property. Madrid papers of the 10th and 11th have been received. Up to that time the result of 103 elections had become known, of which 78 had been gained by the Moderadoes, 17 by the Progressistas, and 8 by the Puritans and Absolutists. Senor OLOZAGA has been returned for Albacete. MADRID BOLSA, DEC. 11.—The Three per Cents. were done at 34i for cash ; the Five per Cents, at 21i; the Vales at 8i ; the Passives, at 61 ; and the Coupons, at 19k. We have received the Paris papers of Friday and Saturday. The most important article of news contained in them is the following literal transcript of the dispatch on the subject of the annexation of Cracow, addressed by M. GUIZOT to the French Ambassadors at Vienna, Berlin, and St. Petersburgh. It is as follows : " Sir,—The Austrian Charge d'Affaires has commu nicated to me the dispatches from Prince Metternich, announcing to the King's Government that the incorpo ration in the Austrian empire of the free town and ter ritory of Cracow is resolved upon by the Courts of Vienna, Berlin, and St. Petersburgh, and they explain the motives. I transmit copies of them. I have laid them before the King in Council. His Majesty's Go vernment has experienced from them a great and pain ful surprise. We received in February and March, as we did in 1836 and 1838, assurances that the occupation of Cracow by the troops of the Three Powers was a measure purely military, and not political, commanded by necessity, and which should be at an end with that necessity. Now it is said that a temporary occupation will not suffice, and that the measure adopted by the Three Courts is indispensable to guarantee definitively in their states order and peace, which have been incessantly disturbed by insur rections,_ of which Cr acow h a d b ecome the permanent focus. But since the suppression of the small state of Cracow is to put an end to those disorders, its existence must have been their unique, or at least, their principal cause. This supposition is inadmissible. The so fre quently recurring fermentation of the ancient Polish provinces has arisen from causes more general. The scattered members of a great state, destroyed by vio lence, still continue to agitate and rise. Treaties which recognise such facts do not cause to disappear at once the social wounds which result from them; time, equity, kindues , , and prolonged good government can alone suc ceed in it. for these are the only means which the civili sation of Europe now renders possible. The sovereigns and the statesmen, assembled at the Congress of Vienna, thus considered it. They wished at the mo merit, even when Europe united ratified the partition of Poland, to give to the Polish nation arid to the conscientious feelings of Europe, which were disturbed by this partition, a constant moral satisfaction. They had at the same time towards their Polish subjects perspective views of amelioration for the internal government of the country. Serious disturbances may interrupt the course of that policy, at once wise and generous, but not cause it to be entirely abandoned or abolished. Nothing compromises a Government more than to declare itself' unable to fulfil, even slowly and in course of time, the promises and hopes which it has itself given. The destruction of the petty State of Cracow may deprive the spirit of Polish conspiracy of some means of action, but it may also keep up and even irri tate the feelings which obstinately give rise to these de plorable enterprises. It weakens throughout all Europe on this painful question the principles of order and conservatism, to the profit of blind and hateful passions. Article nine of the treaty of Vienna imposes on the Republic of Cracow the obligation of removing con spirators from its territory, and the Three Protecting Powers had doubtless the right to demand the accom plishment of his obligation. But had they not, in order to attain this object, no other means than to abolish the independence of this petty state, and to sup press the state itself ? The narrow limits of the Re public, the immense strength of the three great Powers, by whose states it is hemmed in, all tend to induce the belief that measures carefully combined would have been sufficient to counteract efficaciously the evil, without having recourse to extreme means, which involve some perils in the pr os p ec t o f frequently creating fresh and more serious evils. It was in all cases the incontestable right of all the Powers who were parties to the treaty of Vienna to take part in the deliberations and the decisions of which Cracow might be the object. If Prince Metter. nich means in his dispatch that the three Courts had by themselves created the small state ofCracow, and that they I I afterwards presented to the Congress for enrolment the convention they had passed between themselves, the King's Government could never admit of an assertion so contrary to the principles, and even to the language of great trans actions constituting the public law of Europe. Inde pendent powers are never called upon to enregister deliberations or acts entered into and passed without their participation. In so far as regards Cracow and Poland, the sovereigns and public men say that long discussions between the representatives of all the Powers preceded the conclusion of the special treaty of May 8. The very text of the treaty of Vienna demonstrates that the fate of Poland was regulated after a deliberation of all the representatives of Europe. Articles 1, 2. 3,4, and 5, define the share which each of the three Powers was to have of the territory of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. There is not the least difference between these articles and those which give to Prussia a part of the states of the King of Saxony. The foundation of the republic of Cracow is placed on precisely the same ground as the stipulations which formed the other states, even the most free, which have created the Germanic Confederation. The Government of ( his Majesty, therefore, has used only an evident right, and at the same time fulfilled an imperative duty in protesting solemnly against the suppre!sion of the Republic of C racow — a n Act positively against the letter as w e ll as th e mean i n g of the treaties of Vienna. aeyminagde respect to treaties sacred th a t s h e After the long and redoubtable agitations which have andsh a ken those riEurope,ghts whichit is only they h by a p v maintains herself. No power can enfranchise itself from them without enfranchising the other powers by the same Aot. France has not given any similar example of an attempt against the policy of conservation and peace. France has not forgotten the painful sacrifices imposed upon her by the treaties of 1815. She might rejoice at an act which would authorise her in just re ciprocity to consult henceforth none but her own in terests, and it is she who calls for the faithful observ ance of treaties by the Powers who h ave d er i ved from them the principal advantages. It is she who, above all, is occupied in the maintenance of the rights acquired by others, and in respecting their independence. (Signed) " GUIZOT." In commenting on the very guarded language of this dispatch, and comparing it with the " big words'' of the newspaper organs of the Government and the boasts of what great things M. GuizoT was to say and do, the Legitimatist France sneeringly observes— " It will be remarked that M. Guizot, while proclaim ing the violation of the treaties of 1815, while protesting against the annexation of the republic of Cracow, care fully guards his words from bearing the character of a menace. Supple and polite in his ill-humour, he de plores in lengthened terms what has been done; he sighs heavily over the scattered fragments of the treaties of Vienna ; but his despair does not lead him so far as to be willing to declare that he also is freed from these con ventions. His courage fails him when he draws to a conclusion, and says what France will do iu face of these violated treaties of 1815. If, then, as everything tends to make us believe, the protest of M. Guizot is con ceived in the same spirit as his circular note, the French Government must have greatly modified its violent atti tude." The National of Friday was seized at the Post office 5 wby, it professes to be =Able to tell, Pro• ► ably, however, it was on account of an article on the Spanish elections, in which it stated that CHRISTINA, alarmed by the attentions paid to the Count DE MONTEMOLIN in London, was anxious to enter into some sort of compact with the Progressistas, as it was felt that if a Carlist outbreak should take place, BRESSON and MON would be found insufficient. The Arab prisoners, who were to have been ex changed, have been returned to their prison in the Ile St. Marguerite. The Constitutionnel says— " M. Barbet de Jouy, the French Consul at the Mau ritius, whose recent dispute with Admiral Dacres has been made known, is said to be about to be removed to Honululu, in the Sandwich Islands, a newly-created consulship. It is stated that among the papers of the Ministry there has been found an application for a change made by M. Barbet himself before the affair oc curred at the 'Mauritius." We also find in the same paper the following:— " The British Government has lately received in formation, from its agents on the western coast of Africa, of a frightful occurrence, which, however, is not novel in the annals of slavery. A negro chief having 2.000 slaves upon his hands, and being unable to dispose of tbem,had them all killed before his own eyes. The French Go vernment has also been made acquainted with this hor rible massacre. We are assured that the Cabinets of London and Paris have resolved to joi❑ in punishing with severity the cruel chief." The Presse states that Oporto has been taken by the QUEEN'S troops. The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on Satur day at 80f. 85c. ; the Five per Cents., 118 f. 70c. ; the Orleans Railroad Shares, 1,265 f. ; Rouen, 910 f.; Havre, 660 f. ; Great Northern, 648 f. 75c. ; Avignon, 897 f. 50c. ; Vierzon, 612 f. 50c. ; Bordeaux, 562 f. 50c. ; Boulogne, 442 f. 50c. ; Troyes and Montereau, 350 f. ; Basle, 218 f. 75c. ; Dieppe, 380 f.; Paris and Strasburg. 487 f. 50c. ; Tours and Nantes, 497 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 512 f. 50c. ; Lyons and Avignon, 490 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 445 f. ; Spanish Actives, 34 ; Spanish Three per Cents., 38 1 / 2 . 'lllAasEir.LEs, DEc. 14.-Marseilles and Avignon, 8871. 50c. ; Northern, 646 f. BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, DECEMBER 19. Dutch Rhenish, 4.%—Northern of France Constituted, 10 3 / Orleans and Vierzon, l334—Orleans and Bordeaux, B',4—Paris and Lyons Constituted, 5 1 4 ex int.—Sambre and Meuse, 44—Tours and Nantes Constituted, 4%. f l e RI ' .-t- -• dl . ..5..• ". ..- 2 .. a ! , G S % ,•• ~;, - ' a 0: • Alt; U ''''' ' 6 a. j. • NO V i .. ....." ....--. ........ ' , 4, .., MARKET .NEWS.-(TirIS DAY From whence. Oxen. Harlingen 9 ... Itotterilarn l2l ... 115 ... Leer Boulogne 1,178 ... 4 383 ... 605 ... - Per 81bs. to 81 s. d. s. d.l nferfor Beasts .... 3 4 3 C I link the offal. Second quallty . ditto 4 2 41. d,t 0 s. 4 3 10 Coarse -woolleddltto 4 6 4 8 Second qualitY - dlitO - . 5 £3 Prime large Oxen.. 4 0 4 2 SoutbdownWethe, 410 5 2 Prime Scots —•. . . 4 2 4 4 Ditto out of the wool ._ Large coarse Calves 3 8 4 2 Large Hogs ...... 3 8 4 4 ['rime 4 8 Small Porkers ...• 4 6 4 8 suckling 30 0 Quarter old Pigs ..1 6 0 19 0 sm Calvesa small ditt o . ...18 4 0 4 SUPPLY AT MARKET. Inferior Sheep .. .3 10 4 0 Lambs ..... ..... 0 0 0 0 Peaks. I Sheep. I Calves. I Figs. 16.230 54 1,582 210 NEIVTGATE AND imeanavnara.. 'These markets are extremely well supplied with all kinds of meat, beef and mutton in particular, the quality of which has been seldom equalled. Owing to many of the large town and country butchers having purchased freely in Smithfield on Monday last, and to the change of the weather, the gene ral demand was heavy, and, in some few instances, the quo tations bad a downward tendency. The arrivals from the country have been seasonably good ; but, with foreign meat we have been rather scantily supplied. , At per ston e , by th e C arcase. s. d. to s. d. ' s. d. to s. d. Beef, inferior...... 210 3 0 Mutton, inferior •• 3 6 3 8 middling .... 3 0 3 2 middling •.3 10 4 2 prime large •• 3 4 3 6 prime —• • 4 4 4 8 prime small •• 3 6 3 8 Pork, large ••••• • • • 3 6 4 2 Veal •••••••• • • • • • • 3 8 4 8 small.. •••• • • 4 4 4 8 Lamb. Os Od to Os Od. BOROUGH HOP MARKET. The finest parcels of Hops are in moderate request at last week's prices. In other kinds so little is doing that the quo tations are almost nominal. BOROUGH AND SPITALPIELDS. Although the supplies of Potatoes on offer at the water side since our last have been small, the demand is by no means active. About 500 tons have come in from abroad in good condition. WOOL. In the last week the imports of Wool have been chiefly composed of 1,195 bales from Sydney, and 159 from Alexan dria. Although exceedingly little business is doing either in English, Colonial, or Foreign Wools, prices may be consi dered tolerably firm. TALLOW. This market may be considered very firm, and prices are looking upward. We know that 51s 6d was paid for 150 casks of fine Y. C. in one parcel, and sellers are now asking 525. For January, February, and March, the price is 52s to 52s 6d. In new Y. C. Tallow for the last three months of next year, 453 6d has been paid in several instances during the past week. Town Tallow 51s net cash. MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.—At the Privy Council held at Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon. a procla mation was ordered to be issued, directing Parliament to assemble for the dispatch of business, on Tuesday, the 19th of January next. The Ministers are leaving town for the holidays. Lord Grey, for 8, - )wood Park, on a visit to Lord Lans downe ; Lord John Russell, for Woburn Abbey, the seat of the Duke of Bedford; Lord Clarendon, the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, and file other members of the Cabinet, for different country seats. The Judges have at length declared their decision, as visitors of the Inns of Court, on the Inner Temple Bench question. It is, that Queen's Counsel have no legal right to the office of bencher, but that the mode of election pursued at the Inner Temple is improper, and ought to be abolished. In other words, the benchers have dole a wrong thing, though they had a legal right to do it ; which is precisely what we have maintained from the first—From a Correspondent. WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.—On Saturday the eastern footpath across this bridge was re-opened to the public, and an intimation given that on or before the 24th inst. the throughfare for carriages would be thrown open as formerly. CORN-EXCHANGE.--MONDA Y. Last week the arrivals of English Wheat for our market were moderately good, and of full average quality ; but the receipts of all other articles of home produce were on a limited scale. From Scotland very few parcels of grain reached us ; but the fresh supply of Oats from Ireland, though small for the time of year, was somewhat on the in crease. The imports of Foreign Wheat and Flour were but those of Barley, Beans, and Peas were somewhat extensive. Fresh up to-day the receipts of English wheat were moderate, though by no means large, the time of year con sidered ; still, however, the other samples of that article was fully equal to the wants of the dealers. Altogether, the trade was much less active than on Friday ; • still the few sales effected were at an advance in the currencies obtained on Monday last, of from is to 2s per quarter, at which amount of improvement the market closed heavily, and a total clearance was not effected. The quantity of free foreign Wheat on offer was not to say large. The demand on Irish account having subsided for the present, that article ruled dull, at a decline on Friday's currencies of fully is per quarter, yet the advance on the rates paid on this day se'ennieht was is to 2s per quarter. In Corn under lock next to nothing was doing, yet the holders refused to sell except at highr rates. The stocks in warehouse are now unusually small. There was a very steady inquiry for the best malting and distilling Barley, at a rise in the quotations of is per quarter; while the value of all other kinds was well supported. Su pnrfine Malt was Is per quarter higher, with a steady de mand. In all other kinds no variation was noticed, although the supply of such was small. Notwithstanding the supply of Oats was somewhat on the increase, the Oat trade, owing to many of the dealers being short of stock was firm. Fine Corn was is., and the secondary qualities 6d per quarter higher. The show of Beans being small, that description of Grain moved off steadily, at a rise of fully is. per quarter. Grey and Maple Peas were Is. per quarter dearer, with a firm inquiry. Town-made Flour advanced to 60s. per 280Ibs. while barrelled parcels were 2s. dearer. CURRENCY PER 1111 PERIAL MEASURE wheat—Essex & Kent, 31 eh—Chevalier • • 763 to 77s Red, New .. • . 61s to 71s Oats—Yorkshire and Ditto,White, New 67s 74s Lincolnsh., Feed. 29s 31s Norfolk and Lin- Pot atoe .. 33s 34s coin, Red..... 61s 68s Youghal and Cork, Ditto, White —— €2s 69s Black . ... •• • 27s 29s Irish, Red..— ••• . 60s 62s Cork, White ..... 26s 338 Ditto, White —— —62 s Scotch, Feed. • • 32s 34 8 Rye—Old ...... —.• .. 44s 48s Beans—Tick ..... —• . 42s 47 8 New. ...... .•• • —46 s Pigeons sos 55 8 Barley—Grinding ... • • 37s 40s Pease—Grey. •• —46 s Malting ....• • • —44 s Maple. .. .. . • .... 48s 50 6 Chevalier .. .. •• • • 50s 52s White ... .. . • .... 54s 56 5 Malt—Suffolk and Nor- Boilers •.. folk.. Brown . ..... •.• • • 58s 60s Suffolk .. .. Kingston and Ware 74s 75s Stocktn & Norfolk 46s O R SMITHFIELD. The imports of foreign stock into London since Monday last have been as under : Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 110 ... 591 ... Total At the outports about 200 beasts and 700 sheep have been landed, chiefly from Holland, while, from Ireland, by sea 300 pigs, 49 oxen, and 5 calves, have been received for this market. The state of trade experienced here in the past week having formed the topic of much discussion amongst the grazing community, we shall here offer a few observa tions upon its actual bearing, especially as we perceive some of our contemporaries have described it as the reverse of fact. For instance, it has been stated that the beef trade was a very dull one. This we deny, for relsons we shall promptly state. The practical reader will perfectly understand us when we say that the number of beasts brought forward on this day se'nnight was the largest on record during the last ten years, if we except that shown on the great day in 1644; and further, that the actual weight of beef offered and dis posed of has never bees equalled, even making due allowance for the extra number on sale in the year just mentioned. To support our position in these particulars, we shall now refer to a few figures. On Monday last the number of beam in the :market was 5,470, of which 5,100 found buyers—leav ing for the Friday's market only 370 head ! And yet we have been told that the beef trade was very dull! On look ing closely into the result of the trade. we feel perfectly jus tified in again stating our opinion, as we did last week, that the trade, under the circumstances of an extraordinary supply, both as regards number and quality, was STEADY, though, on the other hand, it is perfectly apparent thet many of the beasts did not remunerate their owners; while, we conceive, owing to the great change which has lately taken place in the weather, that many of the butchers will be considerable losers by their purchases. To-day we had on show about 100 beasts and 800 sheep from abroad, in very middling condition. The number of home-fed beasts on offer, the time of year considered, tole rably extensive, and of full average quality. Notwithstand ing the very unfavourable state of the weather for slaughter ing, the beef trade Wail somewhat steady; yet, as the condi tion of the stock was not quite equal to that exhibited on this day ae'nnight, we have reduced our quotations 2d per 81bs, the extreme fignre for Scots being 4s 4d. The beasts were divided in about equal portions from the northern, western, and midland districts. With sheep we were fairly supplied ; vet the mutton trade was firm. Prime old Downs readily produced 5s 2d per Sibs, and at which a good clear ance was effected. Calves, the supply of which was small, moved off slowly at late rates. The pork trade was firm, at last week's currencies. Pianoforte, Mr. Land. RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE. MESSRS. LAMOND and Co., _RAILWAY SHARE 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 TckgnAy and FRIDAY, at One o'clock, at the Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London, to which place, favours, containing instructions (with a reference), are respectfully requested to be addressed. All Scrip and Share Certificates must be deposited, the day previous to their being offered; and advices of results will be rwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds lame bluely disposed of according to instmctions. °Mull, Hall of Commerce, Threadneedle-street. London. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. Last Night but Two of Mademoiselle SOPHIE FUOCO. THIS EVENING Will be performed the grand Opera of THE BOHEMIAN GIRL. Count Anaheim, Mr. Aorrami ; Florestein, Mr. Harley ; Thaddeus. Mr. Rafter ; Devilshoof, Mr. Stretton ; Queen of the Gipsies, Mrs. llughes ; Arline, Miss Rainforth. After the Opera, will be presented a new grand Ballet, called THE WAGS OF WAPPING (performed at the Academie Royale, Paris, under the title of " Betty.") In which will appear Mdlles. Sophie Fuoco, Louise, Benart, Mad: me Giubilei ; MM. Huguct, ♦drien, Paul, Tell ; Messrs. Howell, l'riorson, &c. THEATRE ROYAL, HAY MARKET. Under the Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee. THIS EVENING Will be performed a new and original Drama, called THE ROUND OF WRONG. Sir Arthur Foljambe, Mr. Stuart; Lichen, Mr. Rogers ; Reuben Gwynne, Mr. Webster ; Ducks, Mr. Buck stone; Harwood, Mr. Howe; Lady Charlotte Willoughby, Mrs. Clifford ; Mary Ryland, Miss Fortescue ; Jenny, Miss Woulds. After which, an entirely new Comic Drama, entitled STORY TELLING ; or, Novel Effects. Dr. Hardenberg, Mr. W. Farren s • Frederick Vandervelt, Mr. Caulfield ; Raps, Mr. Buckston e ; G ra b. Mr. Rogers ; Theresa, Miss Telbin ; Rose, Mrs. Hamby. During the evening the Band will perform the Overture, " Cheval do Bronze ;" " The Annen" (Polka); " Czarina" (Mazourka); " Douro " (Walser); and a New Overture. 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 HIS LAST LEGS. Characters by Mes Li's. Hudson, Holl, Tilbury, Mrs. Clifford, &c. THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM. Under the Management of Mrs. Keeley. TIIIS EVENING Will be performed a Drama, founded on the New Christmas Annual of Charles Dickens, Esq., and adapted to the stage (by the exclusive permission of the author, from the proof sheets) by Allier t Smith, Esq.. called THE BATTLE OF LIFE. Principal cha racters by Messrs. Leigh Murray (his first appearance here), Turner, F. Matthews, F. Vining, Meadows, Keeley; Mrs. Woollidge, Miss Daly, Miss May (her first appearance here), Miss Grove, Miss Foster, and Mrs. Keeley. After which, the laughable Farce of MRS. WHITE. Characters by Mr. Turner, Mr. Oxherry (his first appearance in this company), Mr. H. Butler ; Miss Arden, Miss Villars, and Mrs. Wigan. To conclude with the sucwssful Comedy of TO PARENTS AND G UARDIANS. 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 Wilts Bride. Principal characters by Mr. Wright, Mr. P. Bedford. Mr. 0. Smith, Mr. Cullenford, Madame Celeste, Attu Marian Taylor, Miss Emma Harding, Miss Ellen Chaplin, and Mrs. Laws. After which, the Comic Dram of THE MAID WITH THE MILKING PAIL. Characters by Messrs. Wright, Selby, Boyce, and Mrs. Fitzwilliam. To conclude with a Terpsichorean Burletta, called POWDER AND BALL ; 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. 31. Maddox, sole Lessee and Manager. THIS EVENING Will be perform e d a new Comic Drama, entitled TILE TWO RAINBOWS. Characters by Messrs. Compton, Granby, S. Cowell, Henry; Mrs. 11. Hughes, and Miss E. Honner. After which, a new and original Musical Romance, entitled THE SEVEN MAIDS OF MUNI'JH ; or, The Ghost's Tower. Col. Bertrand, Mr. C. Fisher ; Capt. d'Armincourt, Mr. Allen ; Capt. Bellejambe, Mr. Leffler ; Lieut. Adolphe, Mr. Wynn; Cornet Grosdos, Mr. Compton ; Baron Bristlebach, Mr. Walton ; Bumps, Mr. Honner; Seven Maids of Munich, Misses Sara Flower, Rourke, E. Honner, Mucks, Millar, L. Marshall, Laporte; Uriel, Miss Marshall; Madame Groutz, Mrs. Fosbroke. To conclude with Goldsmith's Comedy of SIIE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Sir Charles Marlow, Mr. Wynn ; Young Marlow, Mr. Vining; Hardcastle, Mr. Granby ; Tony Lumpkin, Mr. Compton ; Hastings, Mr. Roxby ; Diggory, Mr. Cowell ; Miss Hardcastle, Mrs. Stirling; Miss Neville, Mrs. Hughes ; Mrs. Hardcastle, Mrs. Fosbroke. FRE.NCII PLATS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell. TIIIS EVENING Will be performed Scribe's favourite Vaudeville, entitled LES GRISETTES. In which MM. Tourillon, David, Lucien, Sola Madame Deluc, Mdlles. Vallee, Khin, 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 Comte Bertrand de Rantzau, M. Perlet. The other characters by Mdlles. Brohan, Vallee, Madame Grassan ; MM. Langeval, Pascal, Felix, Cartigny, Rhozevil, Paenier, Dorgebret, and Masquillier. Boxes, 65.; I'it, 33,6 d. ; Stalls, 35.; Gallery, 2s. Doors opened at half-past Seven, and the performances commence at Eight. ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. The celebrated Ethiopian Serenaders, Pell, Harrington, White, Stanwood, and Germon, will have the honour of repeating their inimitable Entertainment at the above theatre TO.MOIIiZOW EVENING, December 21, and every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening, during the Christmas holidays. - Due notice still be given of their first :Morning Performance. The programme will include " Old Joe," " Lucy Neal," " The Coloured. Fancy Ball." " is on the shore," and the cele brated tread Overture. 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 efght, commence at half-past. Boxes, 45.; Pit, 2s. ; Amphitheatre, 2o.—Private Boxes, Stalls, and Places may be engaged at Michell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street, and at the Box-office of the Theatre.—Open from II till 5. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty. Patronised by her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Prince Albert, and Royal Family, Last Three Nights previous to the Christmas Holidays. TIIIS EVENING Will be performed a grand new Magical Equestrian Romance, en titled THE DEMON HORSE ; or, 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 Drama of ROB ROY 3IACGREGOR ; or, The Mountain Outlaw. On SATURDAY next (Boxing-Night) a double rotation of Eques trian and Gymnastic Novelties, and first night of the Grand Comic Fairy Pantomime, written by Nelson Lee, Esq., entitled THE FORTY THIEVES ; or, Har'equin Ali Baba and the Robbers' Cave, in addition to the present successful Spectacle. i;ox -office open trout eleven till five o'clock.—Doors open at six au I c unmence at half-past six o'clock.—Stage Manager, Mr. W. iiroadfoot. rii E WEATHER.—SUN OFFICE, DECEMBER 20. gERMOMETER, Lowest, 42; Highest, 45 ; Noon, 46. BAROMETER, 29.84.—W1ND W.S.W., fine. DECEMBER 21. TeERMOMETER, Lowest, 43; Highest. 47 ; Noon, 49 BAROMETER, 29.05—a fall of 79. WIND W., rainy. ebevning - - LONDON, MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1846. The multitude of obstacles to the improvement of pasture land, the reclamation of waste land, and the manuring and drainage of arable land in Ireland, have hitherto acted most prejudicially upon the agriculture of that country, and have tended more than anything , else to prevent the peasantry from obtaining employ ment. There has been all along an inexhaustible wealth buried and locked up in the mountains—it has only required an " Open Sesame", to afford the starving population access to those riches. A number of spurious Aer BABAS have started up from time to time, crying aloud " Barley !" and so forth, to no purpose. The portals of agrarian wealth have re mained closed. The true talisman has not been dis covered. The land has continued to be undrained, unmanured, and unremunerative. The embarrass ments, both of the proprietors and the occupiers, have increased. The people have found a greater difficulty in obtaining work—and starvation and beggary have ex tended in proportion.' Knowingthe generous and fruit ful character of the Irish soil, when properly cultivated, and remembering the miserably neglected condition of Irish agriculture, it is impossible not to be im pressed with the conviction that that island possesses the means of its own redemption. Lord DEVON'S Commission proved this long ago. It proved that an abundance of nourishment might be extracted from thousands upon thousands of acres, providing certain reasonable facilities were aftbrded to the national husbandry. It. showed that a present expenditure of money would thereby produce extraordinary returns to the borrov.er, and ensure a certain and profitable repayment to the lender. It proved that there was an assura - ace of perpetual advantage to the land owners, of:increasing remuneration to the leaseholders, of abun(aant provision both for home consumption and for exportation, of endless emolument to the en terprisitvg, and of continual labour for the unem ployed, - providing a liberal but discriminating assist ance were afforded to the agriculturists of Ireland. For ye ars there has been no doubt whatever of this. No one has the temerity to deny the accuracy of these calculations. The facts of the case are too stubborn to be gainsayed, and so are the figures. The only difficulty has been how to afford the necessary assist 'ince, With any degree of security, without interfer- , MONEY and COMMERCIAL. NE WS ' CITY, QUARTER TO TIIRE E • The Cotton market at Liverpool was qu i e t e r on Satio" day. Sales 3,500 bales, of which 1,000 were on sPee ti• lation.—Shares were rather firm again. the There have been very numerous arrivals fror n t h colonies to-day, from the 'West Indies, from New ° °u ',. Wales, the Cape of Good Hope, and other colonles Generally speaking the advices from the West le ri a i n . e are of a satisfactory character. Also from the uli c; of Good Hope, as well as from Sydney, the lett e r are of an improved tenour. At the Jer, 1 . 1 _,,,,, 5 lem Coffee-house, late accounts have bee n received 11.7 Graham's-town. Reinforcements were rapidly utter. Colonel Somerset had been very active on the Weil!, His . Excellency had made overtures to the Gaya ehlu; First, that all the tribes should lay down their I . l ll i 3 j c i secondly, that all the cattle, &c., seized, 9n°`",, be given up; and, thirdly, that all the e ollll _, tr Y It far as the River Kel should be Ced ed the is represented that Mocoma was disposed to seeeP f the terms, but there was this difficulty, that m an y ° an d cattle had died of fatigue, or been killed for fookr. compensation for which did not exactly suit the feeultnE; or perhaps the means, of the chief. The forces bead Colonel Somerset had recaptured about 1000 lc it ; 0 cattle, very many guns, and stores. All was 4 1 1 , 1 on ner• Cape Town in forwarding military stores to the __A in A most important association has just been for: Close the the city of London, at a private meeting held t s alons of last week, to extend the efficacy o f the regiet r it is in the Liber a l ca use in the capital of Engla nd hiberol headed by a phalanx of well - know n admirers 0 w ho principles and practically-experienced etit v all are, it would appear, resolved to e i "" e l ec tiou, thus serving as a beacon and a guide t o before them at the coming general _eroug the i ll ti : 0 so constituencies in all parts of the United ICing w _ e i n s of go and do likewise." If the official announeen.ed ia the formation of this powerful body be not our elm sdrerifwas this days Sun, it w ill, no doubt, appear in in a day or two. m ar ket di le The principal feature in the English MOO' olio for morning has been a constantly fluctuatie4 P r ; ha s beel E . Exchequer Bills, the range taken for %Tic se nteci t from 9s. to 13s. In some to it is `he rite et that Government are about to add a trifle te,_ i t c aorlet interest per diem. The value of Cansols for t 7 Tb aucea ha s remained at 931 ; for the Three per Ceitts.t.. 951 t° passing . The nh ßank et dhie. thisv dividends Stock t eo o mnr c deo k si rgn i n s i nagFt Funds not 94 ; and for the Three-and-a-Quarter per Gen • gbasbeell not Ou ch Wine r at& having been announced. pa yment 0.. - Andr e . next (with the deduction, most unfair 114 Poi;boe. thist without qnestion is) has led to 50 03 , 5 e r „ P ,. the Ite e° „„ u „ ° ,4 morning, at an advance from 38 to 4t , .v . cot. Bon ds morning, upon the for Fortuguel thFoottrigiaype_gial and to 39 for money. Spanish Three pe r , 7 ge%ie"" h were flat at 37 i -,1 and the Deferred aAt at '2* 1-. Bonds are lower, having been 11 ° te " Dutch Four per Cents. area 93 .4 rations hl In tho Railway Shares and Scrips the 1e,.. The I -- been few to- day. The market is not "'"" curate quotations arc annexed. Tll CD° S gs. a 166 1 2 0 r PRICES OF BRITISH FUNDS. O'CLOC•-• 9 4 Bank Stock •••- . , •,206 0 , 9 5 44 3 per Cent. Reduced Anns ~..„ 9 4 % .'',/ 9* New 3 1 % per Cent. Annuities 9 5%4 %75 9 3 % Long Annuities to expire J an. 1860 -- 12 P Consols for Opening 935 l2 P 1 2 P Exchequer Bills, 10001. I%cl. . . 10 13 9 2 P • 10 13 12 P 1 I )ftto, 5001 10 3 9 Ditto, Small T ES SI C ...,,,, RICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. 0 0 , cu ,, 23i Mexican , 5 per Cent. 1846........ ~ 8 5 Ditto, Account . .................. 23 ' 74 10 1 ,_rt 5 9 % Portuguese 5 per Cent 5...... ....... 83 39,6 Ditto, 4 per Cent ................... 39 .... Ditto, Account ..................... 40 1 1 , Spanish 5 per Cent. 1840. ......... --, 577 1 Ditto Deferred .................. ... I ,' , 74 Ditto 3 per Cent. ........... Dividends on the above payable in „ 5 t P 4 Dutch, 2% per Cent . Ditto, 4 per Cent. Certificates 93 , TE CO S° PRICES OF RAILWAY SHARES PAID. A T oiclts. 0 CIA"' 25 ......... Aberdeen .., Amber., Nott., Boston, _ --- • ......•••••• and Eastern Junction 2%•••••• Armagh, Coleraine, and .............. Portrush Belfast & County Down 4 3 / 4 ...... - 6 - 5i .6% P.• Birmingham and Dudley 425. ••• ............... Birmin. and Gleucester..loo ...... 129 ....... ..... Ditto New Birmingham. and Ox- 17% ...... -- "55°1 D. 0....--jr, rill 454 2 ... 10% 111 104 11 ford Junction Birkenbead, Lancashire, ~, ..... . .............. and Cheshire June 2,4. ..... p..... '.. Boston, Stamfd, & 13irzn. 2 2 5• .......... 75 % " •••..••••••• Bristol and Exeter .......... Ditto, New - ••• ....... ........ Bristol and Gloucester 3O ...... -- ........ Bristol and Liver. June 2 l /2 ...... ............ Buckinghamshire 30 ...... 28% ............ Caledonian Ditto Half Shares...- 2 l/i ...... 2.... .. Ditto, Clydesdale Jana 25 Ch ester and Holyhead 27% ...... --• .......... " ... . Churnet and Blythe ." 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 Cerk and Waterford ... 1% — ............... ..........••.•• 6' P 129 - ............... . _ Cornwall 5 ***** .............. . / Ditto, Half Shares ..., Direct Lincoln, East Ret ford, and Sheffd. Junc. 2% ...., .............. I/ Direct Northern Di rectNorwich Dublin and BelfastJunc. 12% — ••• ........... / Dublin, Belfast, and „, ....... C o l era i ne ..., Dublin and Galway... .. 4 .. et ...... Dundalk & Enniskillen 10 29 -A • ............. , y Eastern Counties 14/. 16s ,, ...... EE Enniskillenxl ye l t ) ggare i nloor t i id t ,vv o ly Ne w l2l. 165.•..... 74 7S I ) * .. ,0 Ditto Perpetual, 5 per Cent, No. 1. 6/. 13s. 4d... ................ , 44 Ditto ditto. No. 2... 61. 135. 4d... ABP 'hid/. ........ --. Do., York Extension.. 2 •• •-• 3 ........ 51 EastDereh'm andNor'ch 1 ...... --- ................ •-• Eastern Union 35 " ••• ••• ............. East pp ooa:n,dddo oo..,rNin(latees Lancashire kwir s Ditto. Quarter Shares 8% ...... ........ ,„.. .-- s4 Do. Exten.(Harwich) 17i i ...... -- ............... 17-11 Do., Camb. and Ely 2 l /2 ............ ~.. 14 ...... 5 ......... - - . . . ... 17/ . :: ............ Ditto. New Preston 2r ip 51 5 v, ..3 is ... 2'b ......................... -• East Lincolnshire —II 1 1, 4 . -- ........... 2 ............ . ..... 04 Last & West of England 1% ... • ---, " ..... ••• '' / Edinburgh and Glasgow 50 ....:: 7572. " ........... ... Ditto Half Shares ... 10 --" ...... " s. --.. Ditto, Quarter Shares 12% ... ....., --- ••• .... . . •••• / Edinburgh & Northern 12% .. .. ... -- ' .............. ..„,-... Edinburgh and Perth... 3 . — ...... • ... - ,O, ll KeD( u ) juvnianimotili,datfirge,dDl&siog,onAorasyrn...e...dt.. 50 ...•.• .. ... . ..........- - •" Ditto, .-- G G l aC a s s al ... ....... ..-• ............. ..... Ditto, New •••• Do., 1 4 Shares (5 per ....... 14 cent. guar.) - ............... Goole, Doncaster, &c. .. 2 Grand Union (Notting- .. •"'' / and Lynn - •' .......... . na .. i• Great Eastern &Western 2%...... -- .. ;'''' Great South. and West. ....... / (Ireland) •• .. Great Munster 2 lh ...... ........... 0 Great North of Scotland 2%...... --..... " ......... ..-• Great North of England-100 237 2 38 ' ''. . 5 4 0 . Ditto New ~ 197 , ... •• Ditto, New . Ditto, New ..... Great Western. B5 129 127 ..... . .04 ....... ...• „ Ditto % Shares. ... Ditto 4 Shares Ditto Fifths .0. Ditto, New .... -.. 2 .. .0, •• Huddersfield & Blanches. 13 - ....... ... .. .., Ditto, Extension 3 - ..... • • ...... ~.. Hull and Selby Do. Half Shares 25 — ... .............. 1, Ditto 1 4 Shares Ipswich & Bury St. Edm. 11% 13% .................. / Do., do., and Norwich 2% 4A ifs .............. / Lancaster and Carlisle... 50 .... ~... Do. New - .... .... 4°. Leeds and Bradford Leicester and Bedford... 16s. Leeds, Dewsbury, &c.... 22% —•• ......... . . •", Do., Branch (Blue) ... 2% — ............. 1 Do. Extension( Green) 2%.. ........ Leeds and Thirsk 17%...... 14% I , .. / Ditto, New 5 — ........ •• .. Do., Prefer., 6 per Ct. 3% — ...... .... .. •••• Do., Mnchatr &New ..0 ~. ...• castle Junction .... 2% - .......... .-• London and Blackwall. 16/. 13s. 4d - .............. ... - Do. New Ditto Extension ~. 7V ....... • 55S London, Brighton, and .... South Coast _58% .... .... ........................ ..„ Ditto, Fifths ..... Do. Consol. Eighths ... 9 De. Guarant. 5 per ct. 9 London and Greenwich 12115 s 4d 9 3h ........... Do. Preference ...18/17s 2d — ............. .. .0 London, Hounslow, and ~... 196 Western London and N. Westeraloo 194 195.••••• .... 1 454 Do. Quarters vo Do., do., New Ditto Fifths •••• leg. ...... ... ,«•• D D o o. 4 14 0/. S Sh ha a r r e e s s ( ( L G ..4: )) 8 5 ...... 75 ......... .., Do. 40/. (M. & B.) ... 40 Do. 10/. (M. & B.) A. 5 „.. Do. 10/. (M. & B.) B. 5 .............. Do. 10/. (M. & B.) C. 1 London, Oxford, and ..... •• 6 3 Cheltenham . . —•—• " ". ... .....,/ Lond. & S.Weatern 411 6s 10d .... .... 14 Do, New Consol Bths 40 ..... . ...... ''' - ............ ....,% Do. New Do. New Ditto Tenths Ditto Tenths ... .....4 ...... ............. .... Ditto Scrip ...... .. ..• .•••• Ditto ditto ...... . Landon and York 2 1,4 ..... .......... .... Do. Extension London, Salisbury, and Yeovil ..... .... ''''': ........ Londonderry&Coleraine 15 ...... --. ••• .0 Londonderry and Ennis ... •. ..•••• ....„ Lynn 1 13 - kili n n in n t :an ao n niA d d 15 --....— .......... (41 Ely sm ............. ..., ......... i Manchester and Leeds B2 .......... --- ..... .. ........ i 49 1 / 4 ........ .... , e . 0.1 Do. Quarters 2 ...... -- . . ....... ii,6 .0 ...0 . g ;t .0