The Sun. — London, England, 1852-01-02 00:00:00

Arrived from the River and sailed, Feronier, Bar hadoes. Ski. Achilles, Sydnf.y, New South Wales; Car , line Agnes, South Australia; Jenny Lind, Havre •nd Lima. MARKET NEWS.-( TiliS DAY CORN-EECHANGE-FRIDAY. Coastwise from Essex, Kent, and Suffolk the arrivals Of English Wheat, this week, have been moderate, viz., 2,390 quarters; but fresh up, to-day, by land carriage, tke supply was ;mall. The sbow of samples of both Red and White being very limited, and the attendance of both town and country millers on the increase, all kinds of home-grown Wheat moved off steadily, at fully Monday's prices. For forward delivery very little was doing. The imports of Foreign Wheat have been 4,070 quarters, chiefly from the westward, and of in ferior quality. Fine D4utzie parcels were held firmly, at higher rates; but the amount of business doing was not large. Low and middling kinds were unaltered. For 11 sating cargoes we had very few inquiries. With both English and Foreign Barley we were seasonably well supplied. Malting parcels moved off steadily, at full quotations, but grinding and distilling sorts con manned very little attention. We had a fair inquiry for Malt, at late figures. Good heavy and fresh Oats were quite as dear. Damp parcels met a slow inquiry. Beans and Peas witno u t an i m ation; but Indian Corn and Flour were very firm. The imports of the latter article are only 200 sacks. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. Barley. Flour. Qrs. i Qrs. I Qrs. English•. I 2,390 3,580 1 3,450 Irlah •• • - Qrs. Sacks 2,550 1,130 6,160 Foreign ...• •• I 4,0:0 I 4,790 3,110 I 200 SMITHFIELD. To-day's market was very moderately supplied with beasts, both as to number and quality. On the whole, the Beef trade ruled steady, at prices equal to those of Monday last—the primest Scots having realised 3. 10d per Albs. Owing to the high rates demanded by the salesmen, the demand for Sheep was inactive. Never theless, the late advance was well supported. Prime old Downs sold at from 4s 4d to 4s 6d per Albs, and a clearance was readily effected. Prime small Calves realised extreme currencies, Otherwise, the Veal trade was heavy. Pigs changed hands slowly. Mulch Cows were selling at from 141 to 181 5. each, including their small calf. Per Bibs. to sink the oal. a. d. to Ei. d. a. d. to a. d Inferior Beasts...—. 2 6 210 Inferior Sheep .. . 3 0 3 2 Second quality •... 3 0 3 2 Second qua]. Sheep 3 4 310 Prime large Oxen.. 3 4 3 b Coarse-woolledditto4 0 4 2 Prime Scots ——•• 3 8 310 Southdown Nether 4 4 4 6 Large coarse Calves 3 2 3 8 Ditto out of the wool 0 0 0 o Prime small ditto .. 310 4 2 Large Hogs —••— 2 8 3 1 Suckling Calves •• 18 0 21 0 Small Porkers •• —3 10 4 0 Lambs .......... 0 0 0 0 Quarter old Pigs ..16 0 20 0 TOTAL SUPPLY AT MARKET.. I fihapp. I Calves. I Pigs. 3.002 190 330 FOREIGN SUPPLY. B lasts. I Sheep. I Calves. I P ea. 131 40) 70 10 NEV7GATZI AND MEADENIIALL. Beasts. 797 These markets were tolerably firm for each kind o stock, at very full prices. At per stone by the Carcase. s. d. to s. I. d. to s. d. neef, inferior...... 2 4 2 6 ifutton,inforior .. 2 8 3 0 middling .... 2 8 210 ----middling.. 3 2 3 8 primelargo .. 3 0 3 2 - prime •• 310 4 - prime small •• 3 4 3 6 Pork, large •••••• • • 2 8 3 8 •• 3 0 4 0 - 5ma11........: 8 310 ZIOROUGN ELOP MARKET. There is rather inure doing in East Kent and Sussex pockets of the present year's growth, at very full prices. Otherwise, the demarld is in a sluggish state. Sussex pockets, 51 8s to 6163; Weald of Kent, 6110. to 7155; Mid and East Kent, 71 to 121 per cwt. COMONIA.3.. SIIOA.R.—Ther e have been a few private sales in yel low Havannala at full prices, and refined brown lumps bare been sold at 44i. COIFEE.—Some demand has arisen for Native Ceylon for home use, geed ord being 39. to 39s 6d, and better kinds up to 41s. SALTPETRE.—Prices are firm. COTTON. —There is a steady market. TEA. —The demand has improved within the last day Or two, and higher prices are paid. TALLOW.— P. Y. C. is 393 6d per cwt on the spot. GREEN FRIIIT.—The market has been dull this week, Owing to the dealers having fully supplied themselves with stock before Christmas. Two cargoes Oranges from St. Michael, one treat Terceira, and one from Se ville, sold by Keeling and Hunt at public sale, went at a reduction from Is to 2s per package. Lemons are is per case lower; other fruits without alteration. The complaint mentioned in our last against the Customs for detaining some cargoes of Oranges for increased duty, is undergoing investigation by the Customs authorities, With every probability of the evil being in future remedied. OUTES TO SAN FRANCISCO—PRICE OF PASSAGE, 6 , .c. (From the .New Fork Herald) In answer to numerous 'letters from different parts of the country relative M the best route, price of pas sage, &c., to San Francisco, we make the following statement PACIFI C MAIL STEAM-SHIP COMPANY.—M. 0. oberts, No. 177, West-street , New York ; Arm strong, H arr i s, an d C o., No. 43, Natchez street, New Orleans, agents. This company have, in conjunction 'with the United States Mail Steam-ship Company, twenty-four steamers, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 tone burden each, eight of which are kept in the line between New York and Chagres, and sixteen in the line connecting Panama with San Francisco. Their regular days of sailing from New York are the 9c13, 11th, 24th, and 26th of each month. At present they do not contract to carry passengers across the isthmus, the transit o f w hi c h , h owever, can a be e ff ecte d at small cost to well and hardy Men. Parties at Chagre s will contract to carry pas sengers from Chagres to Gorgona, with 100 pounds of baggage, for from 8 dolls. to 10 dolls. ; having ar rived at which point they have accomplished the Whole of the river navigation, which takes about thirty-six to forty-eight hours', and they they have but twenty-one miles of land travel, which is per.. formed by about two-thirds of the passengers on foot in the space of twelve hours. If passengers desire to ride this distance they can do so at an expense of from 10 dolls. to 12 dolls. ; the price charged for mules does not vary much from this, either for packing, freight, or riding ; 2001 b. is a load for a mule, so that any one can calculate exactly what the expenses will be. If he goes with, say, a couple of changes of clothing in a travelling-bag— which, by-the-by, is all that any one should take— and walk from Gorgona to Panama (which is, in fact, preferred by many to riding a mule), it would not Cost him over 12 dolls. or 15 dolls. Houses of en tertainment are interspersed throughout the route, where provisions can be had at a moderate rate. The steamers at Panama only await the arrival of the mails and passengers, when they are immediately dispatched, and no delay is experienced at any point throughout the route. They can calculate almost to a certainty of making their trips through inside of 28 days, and when the railroad is fully completed, 23 to 25 days, will be all that is required. Passengers are found everything on board, and ex . e - perienc e d p h ys i c i ans attend to any b 11l free of ch arge . one who may Which, There are three diff eren t gra d es o f p as sage, for in comparison to any other line of steam ahiPs, their charges are moderate. For first-class they ask 265 dolls. ; second, 215 dolls. ; and steerage, 1 50 dolls. ; each passenger being allowed 2501b5. of baggage free. For children under twelve they charge half-price ; infants nothing. NICARAGUA LINE.--D. B. Allen, No. 9, Battery place, New York, agent —This line is composed of three steam-81 1 4 3 a, two of which leave New York, one on the 7th and the other on the 22d of each bavth, con nec ti ng by the Nicaragua Transit Route, having but 12 miles of land carriage. On the arri val of the steamer from New York at San Juan Del Sud, the Pacific terminus of the Transit route, the delay. Passengers for San Francisco will be forwarded with outgrades of By this line there are four different passage, viz.:—State room on deck, 320 ; first cabin state room, 300 dolls.; second ca b in i open berth, 250 dolls.; steerage berth, 180 dolls. ----tnreugh t o 250 San Francisco. Baggage in the steam ship, p Pants ounds, free; across the Isthmus, 15 cents. " Pound. Children under 12 years half-price ; in da nothing The time by this route is 25 to 28 311, and the . above charge covers the whole distance from New York to San Francisco. either As a , o ,„ the Nia gene ral rule the cost is about the same by l ite, and the time one or two days less by —arsgurt route than by that via Panama. THE BELPER MURDER. 0 13 ,. 3t i i: 1 8 1 , WED NESDAY E VENING. —Th e a dj ourne d in resumed this mornin g; a nd after th e exami ,l" of Miss Harrison, a lady visitor in the house, and "'°' Evans and Lomas, surgeons, th e j ur y i mm e- Y returned a verdictWilful murder " against Atli? tt,hrti)aniyatTtu he rner who was forthwith committed to take e vv eusu ing March assiz , s at Derby. cu prit , is pres e nt during the investigation, and whi e r T t h °l 3 Pear at all concerned at the awful situation in th • - ° Was plac e d. Previous to the jury returning le" v rdiet he ascrided a platform close by the side of n °n °r, andaddressed the court at considerable Th - '" • Ha admitted that he had killed the deceased. ° subject to ss•hi h he principally alluded was a B ,"les of grievanc,s against his victim—first, be e kept sti ille g iti m at e child o f M rs . Barn e s' late •p,„ ° ti t . " -n r, with the promise trom that gentleman that care d u , e be tak en of he infant i n th e w ill, w hi c h was no t t o ti 'eeondly, b. cause Mrs. Barnes declined to accede btili vi i l °nt• sod ito4ulting demands for money on that thirdly. because she, his mistress, had been tn.,„, -1 ,`” )1 .* - xerci,irt g - her own an.h..,rity in the manage . ..wn tiffairs. This annoyed him, and the ,9.41 uturdered nen,factor. pit ` CORONER v•iii he should not, commit his state e..,°L t o writtn v „ as i t appears more in the shape of an „, u t-'ss to c l e a r himself with his friends than a formal w nient. veThe Court -house was densely crowded during the in tl. * Ration, and a large m o b ~uirouoding the building on l ' l 'l t.::l ( } ' l %l , ; ( s ii!e. When d away, he was 3 riled )11 11 by t e mob. th , r e is not the sligh test wit ground for supposing that 0,-t p ri soner is inAane.; ottsha-tioutraryt• he is perfectly Zo_a and collected, and delivered his address with the 9.oeatve mad ananm, )1109 i$ iam ' obovil env a g li[. a °,l° r , gO O- i t fill sari° os 1 ; 26 e 971.7 98)v 64 68 P 68 P 66 P 56 P 56 P 7,othoi ll Euess* a. )1 % 87 , ,• 22 22% bi 93 1 A ex ' 9(:)is %.Y.) It air" ()laid°, n, Jih; F, auk 'eel . 0 o n the rie arlY cliort 4 caig° MAW 010 97/ THE CHRISTMAS BOOKS, ALICE LEAIOIOAT; a Fairy Tale. By the Author of " Olive." With Illustrations by James Godwin. Chapman and Hall. A genuine fairy tale, charmingly written, and most_ gracefully illustrated, "Alice Learmont" is worthy of being classed among the most attractive of " Christmas books." The illustrations are singularly beautiful, and promise well for the future achieve ments of Mr. James Godwin. The tale, as the title page says, is a "fairy tale," and as such gives a full and entertaining account of the strange caprices and fitful vagaries of the "good people." Alice Learmont, like many another young maiden, whether of high or low degree, has a divided heart and almost a divided existence. D welling from infancy among the deceitful splendour and heartless gaities of fairy land, but, unlike her elfin companions, possessed of a human heart, which now and then yearns with a strange intensity for the human love which en circles the humble hearth of her mother's cottage, Alice endures a struggle which, as we have said, finds its counterpart in many a youthful breast divided between the claims of Art and Nature, of Fashion and Home. To such and to many more "Alice Learmont" will not be without a moral, and its beautiful pictures of home affection, and especially the charming portrait of Marian Learmont, the ideal of motherly love, entitle this fairy tale to a prominent place among the favourite books of the Christmas season. THE FLORAL MONTHS OF ENGLAND. By Jane E. Giraud. Ackermann. " To all who consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, this wreath of England's wild flowers is dedicated," says the introductory page of this very beautiful volume, and to all those, and possibly to many others who have no opportunity of considering them as they grow, these graceful representatives of some among the most graceful of the flowers of the field will pro►e most acceptable. The volume, which is in every particular as beautifully finished as are all the productions of the Messrs. Ackermann, contains twelve delicately-coloured groups of the principal wild flowers, &c., of each month, among the most beautiful of which are the pink and white hedge roses of June, and the red berried-holly and ever greens of December. A group of various mushrooms is the strange illustration for one of the autumn months, and contrasts well with its more elegant companions. FLORAL POEMS; with Pictures in the Flowers. The Poetry by F. W. N. Bayley. Ackermann. Another elegant adornment for the drawing -room table is this fanciful combination of pictures and verses, where delicate gossamer- winged ladies and gen tlemen disport themselves among the blossoms and leaves of symbolic flowers, most gracefully designed, and beautifully coloured. Mr. Bayley's poetic de scriptions appear to be designed to serve the purposes of valentines, for which they are eminently qualified, besides affording a very graceful interpretation for the various pictures. THE HUNCHBACK'S CHEST. By the Rev. W. Wiekenden, 8.A., the Bard of the Forest, Author of " Adventures in Cireassia. A pleasing collection of prose and verse, consisting of several tales, a dramatic sketch entitled " Achilles and Cleone," and several short poems, which are very graceful ; among them may be noticed " A Sea Chant" and a " Fancy Sketch." " Blethyn," the longest of the tales, is of the time of the Cavaliers. LADY FELICIA ; a Arovel. By IL Cochton. Office of the National Illustrated Library. Entertainment will be found in this tale, which is in conformity with the general purport of publi cations at this season. The heroine is very spirited and intelligent, and the miseries of her home and cruel treatment of her relatives furnish her with a sufficient excuse for taking a step that might else be censurable. Alfred, the hero, proves the power of perseverance, and the truth of the assertion that merit and prudence may overcome many obstacles and succeed to an almost incredible extent. There is ❑othing heavy or solemn about the book, all is oharac tefised by briskness and vivacity. THE PATHWAY OF THE FA WY. By Mrs. T. K. Hervey. Office of the National Illustrated Library. This is " a tale of the New Year," the scene is laid in Germany, and the plot, though complicated, is interesting. Its chief object seems to be to show the effect of beautiful influences upon the mind. Why it is thus entitled is not clear, as the pathway of the fawn is but a name given to a path in the woods which is seldom referred to. The style is striking and poetioal, in some instances almost too much so, yet the reader cannot fail to be fascinated by it. The following extract is taken from the com mencement, where a group of friends are awaiting the New Year:—" I do truly believe," was the answer of the young and enthusiastic Ernst, "that words involuntarily uttered at such a sea -1 son as this whether around such a board or elsewhere ; whether spoken on the summit of the Brocken, or beneath the pitchy boughs of the Schwartzwald ; whether in the green depths of the Rhine valleys, or beside its winding waters—are alike potent from the lips that gave them breath ; nay, further, that while the worse spirits are at times per mitted to apply such terms in a strained or fatal sense—if at all ambiguous—on the other hand, the words themselves on the lips of the just may become words of power, controlling the designs of demons, and forcing them to work out the good of the utterer against their will. I ha ! ha!' shouted NVilhelm von Fern, ' further then this the tide of superstition can scarcely run. But see,' he added, suddenly point ing to the dial plate, we have almost forgotten the watches of the night. It wants but a minute to the charmed hour.' That minute was one of the deepest hush. Every eye turned in the same direction, and became rivetted on the time-piece. Wilhelm von Fern arose, and treading the boards as if hie steps would have disturbed some sleeper, turned to the window and noiselessly opened the casement to its full swing, in order that the chimes of the distant cathedral might be distinctly heard. Still not a breath stirred not a star was visible. But down, far down the rocky steep lay the ancient city at its foot, with all her innumerable lights reflected in the waters of the darkened Rhine—so many witnesses of the anxious and breathless watchers that awaited the signal of another birth to time, a year for hope, for love, young voices and old graves." There are several songs introduced which are very graceful and pleasing, and the volume is altogether most attractive. LITERAT URE. TRAVELS in TARTARY, THIBET, AND CHIINA• Office of the National Illustrated Library. These accounts are translated from the French, they are the records of a lengthened sojourn in the East by Messrs. Shec and Gabet. No one can fail to be interested in such minute details concerning nations about which so little is known and where so few have been able to penetrate. PICTURES OF TRAVELSth THE SOUTH OF FRANCE. By Alexandre Dumas. Office of the National Illustrated Library. It is truly observed in the pretace of this work, that no one should attempt to write on scenes so near home without being well acquainted with them. The principle points of interest and the historical associations connected with Lyons, Vienne, Marseilles, Fontairi bleau, &c., are commented on, and much valuable in formation is thus given. THE PICTORIAL SCRIPTURE ALPHA- BET. By Miss Schreder. Ackermann. A series of cards representing the letters of the alphabet. On each is a coloured design of some leading subject met with in the Bible. Very useful descriptions are given on the back, and a moral is Sought for in most cases from the texts which contain the words exhibited. But one thing sug gests itself, that the children for whose use the letters proclaim it to be intended would never have the capacity to comprehend the abstruse reflections that appear. Indeed, there are many accounts given that those of m a t ure years are doubtless unacquainted with, and they may here gai n i n f orma ti on w h ic h is i n every way desirable. APPOINTMENTS TO OF FlCES.—Yesterday the Act of Parliament to simplify the forms of appointments to cer tain offices and the manner of passing grants under the Great Seal (14 and 15 Victoria, cap. 82) cam e i n t o f orce , re pealing the statute 27 Henry VIII., cap. 11, by which all writings to be passed under the Great Seal were passed through the offices of the Signet and Privy S ea l by warrants. In every case where any gift or grant is required to be passed, her Majesty may, by her warrant to the Lord Chancellor, cause letters patent to be passed, which warrant shall be a sufficient warrant for passing the letters patent, and no Queen's bill, Signet bill, or Privy Seal bill shall be necessary to the passing of such letters patent. The offices of clerks of the Signet and Privy Seal are by this Act abolished, and compensation to be given to the persons holding the offices. The duties of the Signet-office (not superseded by this Act) are to be performed in the office of the Secretary of State. The Treasury is to regulate the Privy Seal offices, and to fix salaries. Rules are to be made for passing letters patent. The Act does not affect letters patent, &c., not passed through the Signet and Privy Seal offices. The Act takes effect from the 31st 'December, 1851. SUPPRESSION OF THE CONVICT MUTINY.—The eighteen convicts who were separated from the other con yid W 1 s on board the Warrio r a t Woolwich Dock) and onues day last, and, after being heavily ironed, placed on board the Wye convict ship in the river, were taken on shore on Wednesday afternoon by order of Captain Whitty and con veyed in omnibuses hired for the occasion, in the dusk of the evening, to Millbank Penitentiary. The other convicts have resumed their labour under their guards as usual during the day in the dockyard; but, from information Captain Whitty has received, there are seven other convicts still among those at the dockyard whose conduct was very bad, and he has considered it necessary that they should be flogged as an example to the others. The Royal Artillery have been ordered to take their turn of convict guard duty with ylao Royal Alariues• Malt. Oats. SUN, LONDON, THE MAGAZINES BLACKWOOD. Although the political article with which Black wood opens its number for January is, in arrange ment, somewhat scrambling and desultory, it is vigorous in its tone, and comprehensive in the range of its observation. Entitled "Political and Monetary Prospects," it begins with an allusion to Louis Napo leon's coup d'etat of the 2d ultimo, and ends with a confident prediction (upon one proviso) of the aban donment of the free-trade policy. We don't think the most ardent admirers of that policy would object to run the risk of the danger here implied by the realization of that household suffrage " the first effect" of which, according to the writer in Maga, would, "in all probability, he the restoration of Protection." By all means let us at least try the experiment. After the paper in question, comes a most genial review of ‘• Dramas by William Smith"—a name stranger for Phoebus to "chronicle in the rolls of fame," than even that of Amos Cottle, whatever Lord Byron might have thought to the contrary. It is amusing to witness the apologetic attitude assumed by the critic on presuming to commend a Mr. Smith as a poet—the generic title being as he himself acknow ledges the " very incarnation of 'Ouric." Oddly enough another Mr. Smith is being just now an nounced to the world as a true son of the muses—his sponsors being the Eclectic Review and Critic—so that we are likely to be overrun with votaries of that god of poetry, Apollo, who, among his other names, himself rejoiced in the kindred one of Sminthius! Sooth to say, the critic, in Blackwood, justifies to the very uttermost the generous warmth of his panegyric by some really exquisite, and [if we may so speak in regard to purely intellectual tastes] most appetiz ing quotations. Those who read his comments upon " Guidone," upon " Crichton," and upon " Athelwold," will be disposed to turn, themselves, to the perusal of those dramatic compositions. The next composition is an agreeable chapter, descriptive of a visit to " Mont Blanc," written by no less lively a narrator than Albert Smith, the most enterprising of jokers, the man who, as Dr. Syntax went in search of the picturesque, has, on his part, gone in search of the humorous, penetrating, to this end, the solitudes of the Alps and the streets of Constantinople. After. wards we are treated to a delightful paper, recounting to us some of " The Rural Superstitions of Western France"—followed by a fantastic, but important, article entitled "Husb an d s , Wives, Fathers, Mothers." Then comes the cus tomary charm and attraction to the pages of Black wood—" llfy Novel ; or, Varieties in English Life" —the personal pronoun•no longer signifying Pi s i s . tratus Caxton, but Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. The retirement of the Caxton family from any participa tion in the course of the serial is formally announced in the " initial chapter" prefixed to the present (the ninth) book of the narrative. Henceforth those de lightful prefatory gossips, in which the author establishes an immediate confidence between himself and the reader, will be restricted to abstract con siderations. This time the reflections heralding th e continuance of the story have reference to the sub ject of public life. They are especially dedicated to the consideration of vestrymen and chairmen of quarter sessions. Riccabocca has removed to the vicinity of London, where Randal has all but com mitted himself to an alliance with Violante, when he discovers betimes that she is likely to prove to one such as himself a bride altogether penniless. Richard Avenel has fallen into the meshes of Baron Levy. Audley Egerton is on the eve of passing with his ministerial colleagues from the offices of Govern ment. Helen has returned to England, and is now affianced to her chivalric and gentle guardian, Harley L'Estrange, noblest and best of all these fictitious personages. The interview between the Count di Peschiera and Randal is admirably depicted, the two villains recognising each other, as it were, instinc tively. Poor Frank Hazledean is evidently dropping into a mesalliance with Madame di Negra—and as evidently the occupant of the Swiss•like cottage op posite Riccabocca's suburban residence, is the writer of the popular novel, and the writer of the popular novel is Leonard Fairfield. Among the most charm. ing characters in the story,kafter all, is—Jemima Tie plot of the fiction has now become agreeably en tangled. After a magazine tale, called " Struggles for Fame and Fortune," Blachwatd closes with a hasty but favourable notice of Mr. Disraeli's political biography of Lord George Bentinck. MERVYN CLITHEROE. No. H. By W. Harrison Ainsworth. Another portion of Mr. Ainsworth's new story only assures us more forcibly of the correctness with which we augured well from its commencement. The interest of the fiction has already become enthralling, and its readers will watch with eager curiosity for the destinies awaiting both Mervyn himself and his evil genius Malpas. Desolation has suddenly fallen on the hospitable roof tree of Netherscroft in the death of its mistress. The way in which this incident is described is beautiful and affecting—the readers curiosity being excited to a strange intensity of dread even in the midst of the Twelfth-night merrymaking in the barn at Farmer Shakeshaft's. The festivity here mentioned is the feature of the second number, and Phiz has felt this in his humorous and grotesque illustration. The interview with the gipsies, the incidents connected with Sissy, and the absurd officiousness of Pownall, the barber-surgeon, help to enliven the tale as it progresses. Before we close the present instalment we find Alervyn back again at Cotton borough—first at the Anchorite s and then among his schoolfellows. Scarcely has he returned to the latter, when his favourite, John Brideoake, is seized with a dangerous illness, from over-application, and the hero finds himself unexpec tedly face to face with one we feel sure will prove to be the heroine—Apphia Brideoake. Throughout all these homely and domestic events it is impossible not to recognise an extraordinory verisimilitude to nature —such as induces us to regard the scenery and many of the characters as owing their existence rather to memory than to imagination. From what we have already seen of "Mervyn Clitheroe" we are prepared, for many reasons, to find in it its author's masterpiece. 1111VT8 ABOUT MECHANICS' IN STITUTES. The causes of failure we think are not far to seek. First, they have failed because the working people of this country have not yet been educated up to the point at which they can derive any large amount of benefit from Mechanics' Institutes. Secondly, among that part of the working class who have the desire for self-culture, there is a general reluctance manifested to enter a Me chanics' Institute, as at present constituted; because they reel that they are not placed on the same level as the other members of the Institute. They are excluded from all interest or share in the management. They are treated in a patronizing manner; and, generally speaking, working men do not like to be "patronized." Hence, they prefer forming themselves into what are called Mutual improvement Societies, where they can meet on the same level, and manage their own affairs entirely by themselves; and this is the case even in those towns where some of the most thriving so-called Mechanics' Institutes arc located. A third cause of failure is to bo found in the fact, that the subjects which, of all others, interest intelligent work ing men in these days—namely, questions of political and social well-beirg—are excluded from Mechanics' Institutes. Another cause, and by no means an unim portant one, is the absence of amusement in Mechanics' Institutes generally; in place of which, the audience, not unfrequently, has to listen to a very heavy and un profitable lecture—on somebody's poems, or on some body else's novels, or on Shakspere'a women or fools, or on cryptogamic plants. Such lectures are very apt to send a man to sleep, who has been working ail day amid the whirl of machinery and the beating of hammers. It is really too much to ask an artisan to come and listen to such things. You must give him some entertainment that will at least keep him awake, and amuse if not instruct him. Not that sound infor mation should be excluded to make room for amusement; but amusement and attraction of some kind there must be, if not, the public-house and the casino will attract the operative as now, and not the Mechanics' Institute. —Eliza Cook's Journal, DISAPPEARANCE OF A YOUNG LADY.—A young lady, of highly respectable family, who has for some time p m a r s . t Arensdidreedwinputnliceacna,paityof Hatfield-place,governess neawr this cityithth family(B (Bath), ()f ), is missing under alarming circumstances. The young la dy,h church on th it accompa niedapp ears,emorningo one Christmas -day, but,uncan's beforedaughte the sto e the service e hn r had ch, been complaining T h f e r e m p e w h - e o r p s e e n a e t r to e struck by her strange and excited air, invited her to go into the vestry ; but the young lady declined to do so, quitted the church, and has not been heard of since. Some other cir cumstances, unhappily, point to the probability that she has been drowned. We understand that not long after she had left the church the landlord of the Dolphin Inn, oppo site Twerton, observed a young lady answering to the de scription of Mr. Duncan's governess walking along the bank of the river in a hurried manner, and within a few minutes after he had lout sight of her another person saw a female struggling in the water. He immediately ran to get assist ance, but, on returning to the spot, all was quiet, and not a trace remained of the drowning person. The river has since been dragged, but without success, owing, it may be, to its being much swollen. There is no absolute certainty that the missing young lady and the person seen in the water are the same, though it is very probable, especially as the young lady had, for some time previously, been suffering from depression of spirits, to which, we are informed, she was constitutionally disposed. Her friends, we need not say, are s ‘ ll ,l oie, e )tn r nh i n sehcr g aEas g liNro r ie e Tch a ei t anEe a tsi n w x a i e n r ebeing away, f a a e dreadful t h u e n c river,e i n t o y; committed suicide .—Bath chronicle. taken place CHINA.—A ce A. frome r h e i nl na a , l c k o a n b si l s e ti i n m g p o o f r tat a series of paintings, or, more properly, carvings of an elaborate character, painted and contained in a kind of frame, each having hinges inversely so as to close after the manner of a draught-board in the form of a book. On examination of this piece of mechanism it was found that each of these painted carvings formed a slide which discovered another carving of an equally elaborate description but of a grossly obscene character, the figures comprising these obscenities being carvings in ivory representing Chinese characters. It is believed that on no previous occasion has the skill of mechanical art been more grossly perverted to an improper purpose. The articles were, it seems, in transitu for France, but the authorities have given directions for these obscene carvings to be immediately and entirely destroyed. EVENING, JOURNALS. TIMES.—It is related that upon the arrival at Naples of the intelligence of the coup d'etat of the 2d of December, his Majesty King Ferdinand testified his joy by embracing the officer who brought this congenial intelligence, and conferred upon him a step of promotion in the Guards the very next day. There was for once common gladness in the Capo di Monte and in Carlton-gardens ; and the Monarch of the Two Sicilies recovered a flow of animal spirits which has been checked since the publication of Mr. Gladstone's letters. We cannot wonder at the eruption of Royal satisfaction, for the proceedings of the French Go vernment have so far surpassed those of the Neapo litan autocrat that the latter appear light and liberal by comparison. In Naples charges have been made on corrupt ev id ence an d t r i e d b y di s h ones t cour t s o f justice ; but in France hundreds of political offenders have been condemned and punished —nay, even put to death--without even the formality of any trial at all. In Naples we learnt that 2,C00 political captives groaned in the wretched prisons of that kingdom ; in France it seems that about the same number will be deported to Algeria and Cayenne. In Naples we have read of a catechism imposed by the priest, which makes abject servitude to despotic government the whole duty of ma n ; i n F rance, the pr i ests of the same church show e qua l a l acr i ty in preparing fetters for the nation now handed over to their authority by the secular arm. Wherever an oath has been broken, wherever a constitution has been overthrown, wher ever military force has become the basis of govern ment, wherever law has been set aside, wherever the police have been let loose to track the nearest secrets of domestic life, wherever the press has been silenced, and even the diversions of society placed under the frown of a censor, France will henceforth be invoked as a precedent and an example for all that has hitherto been held most abhorrent to the rights and liberties of civilised communities. She differs from her fellows in oppression by one consideration only, which does not lessen the guilt of her oppressors so much as it lessens her own dignity and character in the world— namely, that these evils are to a great extent self-imposed, that she thanks the hand that has struck her, and has sanctioned the destruction of her freedom by eight millions of voters. Her tyrants may exclaim, with the lawyers of Rome, Volenti non fit injuria, and it is their only defence. The emotion thus ludicrously expressed by the King of Naples on such an occasion was not alto gether unfelt by more dignified personages in other parts of Europe, and we have heard without surprise that the establishment of military despotism in France had been greeted with satisfaction by those who had fixed their minds and policy upon the impending terrors of democracy in the year which has just opened. But, if the first impression was that of relief to Eu rope from one species of peril, the next moment brought with it considerations of increased gravity arising out of the new state of affairs. Whatever may have been the defects of the Republican Government in France, it had shown by experience that it was not an aggres sive Government; it had practically adopted the ter ritorial limits of 1815 ; it had faithfully respected the rigbts of foreign nations ; it represented the most pacific elements in French society ; it had abstained from, and even opposed, revolutionary propaganda abroad ; and, as far as we are concerned, it had wit nessed the happiest and most cordial period of union that ever existed between the people of England and the people of France. Whatever the secret policy of the exe cutive power may at times have been, that of the National Assembly was clear, and it was strongly opposed to war. That Assembly was, in our judg ment, the main guarantee of peace, as the Chamber of Deputies had been before it, because it was a power so constituted as to support the Government in resist ing those popular and military impulses, which are always to be apprehended in such a country as France. That barrier is gone ; those popular and military impulses would now, if casually excited, prove irresistible; for, however the Government may be prepared to exercise compression at home, it must give great latitude to the national passions or delu sions of the people towards foreign states, and it may even, under certain circumstances, direct and ex cite them. The eagles which have just reappeared on the standards of the French army are not, we presume, the tame eagles of Boulogne ; or, at any rate, Louis Napoleon may be ready to prove that the bird has not degenerated by a few years of captivity. It is a thing not to be lost sight of by any continental statesman or by our own Minis ters, that the true conservative element in France, which maintained peace upon the principles of en lightened public interest and duty, has been de molished to make way for the Imperial symbol of force and ambition. The Government of Louis Na poleon has hitherto abstained from any general pledges or professions of its views on foreign policy ; but we believe that four confidential diplomatic agents, two of whom have lately filled the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs, are about to be dis patched to the several Courts of Europe for the pur pose of explaining the intentions of the French Cabinet, and of obtaining some further insight into the disposition of Europe towards France. Never, certainly, was a more important mission confided to the servants of any Government, not only as regards France, but as it involves the common interest of the world. If the object of these missions be simply to claim the recognition of foreign Powers for a successful military Government, adopted by th e people, and resting upon the public engagements of the French nation, no doubt can be entertained of their entire and immediate success. But we are not ignorant that, on some former occasions, the ostensible objects of Louis Napoleon's diplomacy have been accompanied by other proposals, kept back even f rom the knowledge of his own ambas sadors ; and that, ev en w h en th e con trol of peace and war wa s not absolutely in his own hands, he showed a prop ens i ty, if not a desire, to purchase on any terms the assent of one or more of the Continental Powers to particular projects of his own. These were the motives of M. de Persigny's missions into Ger many in 1849 and 1850, when his overtures were politely listened to, but rejected. In some form or other, but more probably in different forms at diffe rent Courts, we expect that the same policy will shortly be renewed ; for, without any definite system, Louis Napoleon must endeavour to establish closer relations with some portion of Europe at the expense of the other part. It is one of the disastrous effects of the late revolution in France, that it has a tendency to kindle and inflame, by the triumph of bad ambition and illegal violence there, what ever sparks of the same nature are lurking else where. The defection of France from the general order of things established in Europe for the com mon benefit would at once palliate and facilitate an y other infraction of the conditions of peace. She m ay hold out to Russia the lure of aggrandisement in the East; she may attempt to revive in Prussia that fatal rivalry of Austria which brought the Germanic vergesee t oof cajolehostilities A ns t r b i a u t h a y few Confederatio nmonths ag o ; she h t to trnh ay sa crificing the neutrality of Switzerland and the inde pendence of the Sardinian dominions. We judge of hYisofuLnooltsii,swhNioahpohleeohnabsypltahoeedpohretfeonre licy an d i nstruments at home, and ht t o h i us e soye foreign xesa,mbpyl policy io l s i f c la b y some of his own previous negotiations. Ere many weeks have elapsed the old tempter of Erfurt and of Schonbrunn will be abroad, and the principles of European Governments in their relations to each other and to the general peace may be exposed to the hard est trial they have yet (sustained. We trust by all that is sacred and precious to the first interests of mankind, that in whatever form such temptations may come, they will be firmly and uniformly re sisted—that no negotiation will be opened or enter tained by any Power with reference to the territorial distribution of Europe which shall not at once be communicated to all the Courts, and that no states man intrusted at such a crisi s w i th the conduct of affairs willto divertal! o w himany secondary from from the m os t h earty an d question or separa t e interest steadfast adherence to that which is the common in terest of all. In comparison with what may now be at stake, how paltry and contemptible are the lesser considerations that have divided or united Cabinets namely the lied against th e and on ly C t hoiunrgt of! w \ h V i h c h a t we a n w n e o r w e b s en sure, prin ciple of common respect for all the rights established , by treaty thr oug h ou t Europe ? Wh at security would remain for an y por ti on of that Compact if by any blind connivance with its adversary, one essential point in it be broken down ? The history of Napo leon's victories lay in the divisions he succeeded in effecting in Europe ; that of his def eat i n the union of nephew,all. N i e ll it ih,r rane in provoke the c a l amity of univer sal war, unsupported by an accomplice or an all will his hands, nor in th ose o f his COMMERCIAL 'TRAVELLERS' SCHOOLS.---A dinner, attended by several ladies and gentlemen interested in the above-named excellent institution took pl ace on M onday evening, at the London Tavern, at the concl us i on o f t h e half her zealous and benevolent exerti ons i n a i d i ng to ye arly ju election r. so J. f it.e children. uffiy e The object testimonial o to comme moratef the meeting was to present found, and subsequently in promoting the prosperity of the charity referred to. The testimonial consisted of an elegant silver salver and tea service, and the chairman in presenting it, and several other gentlemen, bore testimony to the value of the services rendered to the institution by Mrs Cuflley. The proceedings appeared to give the highest satisfaction to all present, and after an evening spent in the greatest cor diality, and in the interchange of friendly sentiments and mutual resolutions to promote to the utmost the prosperity of the schools, the party dispersed. - - Nzw YEAR'S D AY.—Yesterday b e i ng New Year ' s Day, the customary gifts were distributed to the deserving poor in the metropolitan and suburban parishes, by the churchwardens and overseers in their respective districts, the donations consisted principally of coals, bread, and potatoes; but in some localities, where meat was not given at Christ mas, a supply of that article was issued. The inquests in the various wards throughout the City have supplied large quan tities of coals, &c., to the poor inhabitants in the several precincts; the bequests to the poor in the various parishes were distributed by the trustees in actordauee to the wills of the testators. FRIDAY SPIRIT of thi JANUARY 2, 1852 1 IRELAND. DUBLIN, THURSDAY. PROGRESS OF RIBBONISM. The murderous Ribbon conspiracy thrives apace— even in the presence of an increased constabulary force, backed as it is by a strong party of soldiery. Dundalk has been the theatre of another bloody tra gedy. On Monday evening a bailiff was shot, and, it is apprehended, mortally wounded. Dr. Brunker, the medical gentleman who has charge of the wounded Mr. Eastwood, was called to the aid of the unfortu nate bailiff. This last atrocity was perpetrated in one of the proclaimed districts of the county Louth, in the immediate locality in which the attempt to murder Mr. Eastwood was committed, and but four days after that atrocious deed. The tenant-right paper of the district gives the following details :-- `• On Monday evening, as a respectable man named John Overend, was returning home to the village of Louth, from the market of Dundalk, he was met by two men at a place called Knockbridge. Having passed by him, they suddenly turned round, when one of them discharged a pistol at him, lodging the contents (slugs) in the small of his back. Overend fell to the ground immediately, and the miscreants, believing they had taken his life, decamped. We understand that ho had a pistol in his pocket at the time; bat from the suddenness of the attack he was unable to use it. The slags have since been extracted by Dr. Brunker, and we are happy to state that Overeud is not very dangerously wounded. He was employed as a bailiff on the estate of the Rev. Arthur Clive, in this county, of which Gra ham Johnston, Esq., of Dundalk, is agent. Two persons have been arrested on suspicion by the Louth police, and lodged in Dundalk gaol." Three persons have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the attempt to murder Mr. East wood. The Newry Telegraph calls upon the Lord Lieu tenant to issue a special commission for the counties of Louth and Armagh, to try the prisoners already in custody charged with Ribbon offences. HIGH SHERIFFS FOR 1852. The following complete list of the High Sheriffs for Ireland for the present year, is from Thom's Al manack, just published:— ANTRIM.—Robert Smyth, Esq., of Gaybrook, lingar. ARMAGH.—Marcus Sinnott, jun., Esq., of Ballymoyer House, Newtownhamilton. CARLOW.—Clement Wolsley, Esq., of Sandbrook, Tallow. CARRICKFERGUS TOWN.—William K. Martin, Esq., Carrickfergus. CAVAN.—Samuel Winter, Esq., of Agher, Summer Hill. CLARE.—Edmund John Armstrong, Esq., of Willow Bank, Ennis. CORK.—John Courtney, Esq., of Ballyedmond, Middleton. CORK ClTY.—Francis Bernard Beamisb, Esq., Cork. DONEGAL.—Thomas Alexander, Esq., of Ahilly, Bunarana, DOWN.—Samuel Delacherois Cremmelin, Esq., of Carradore Castle, Donaghadee. DROGHEDA TowN.—George Harper, Esq., of Killi neer, Drogheda. Dunum.—John Edward Venables Vernon, Esq , of Clontarf Castle, Clontarf. DUBLIN ClTY.—Thomas Wilson, Esq., of Temple street. FERMANAGH.—John Gerard Irvine, Esq., of Rock field, Enniskillen. GALWAY.—Thomas A. Joyce, Esq., of Rabasan Park, Craughwell. GALWAY TowN.—John Ireland, Esq., of Eyre-square, Galway. KERRY.—The Hon. Deyrollee B. De Moleyns, of Burnham House, Dingle. KILDARE.—Robert Borrowes, Esq., of Gilltown, Ki cullen. KILKENNY.—George Bryan, Esq., of Jenkistown, Kilkenny. KILKENNY ClTY.—Edmund Smithwick, Esq., of Kil creene, Kilkenny. KING'S COUNTY.—John Gilbert King, Esq., of Bally. lin, Ferbane. LElTRlM.—Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Wm. Story, of Riversdale, Ballinamore. LIMERICK.—John Low, Esq., of Rockbarton, Bruff. LIMERICK ClTY.—William Gabbett, Esq., of Strand House, Limerick. LONDONDERRY CITY AND COUNTY. —Leslie Alexan der, jun., Esq., of Foyle Park, Derry. LONG/ORD.—Henry B. W. Slator, Esq., of Whitehill, Edgeworthstown. LOUTEL—J. Murphy, Esq., of Castletown, Dundalk. MAYO.—J. Knox, Esq., of Greenwood Park, Ballina. MEATH.—Edward Rotherham, Esq., of Crossdrutv, Oldcastle. MONAGHAN.—CapeI St George, Esq., of Dromore, Omagh. QUEEN'S COUNTY.—William Kemmis, jun., Esq., of Kildare-street, Dublin. RoseostmoN.—Christopher , French, Esq., of Clene quin, Tulsk. SLIGO.—John Irwin, Esq., of Raheen, Elphin. TIPPERARY.—Sir Thomas B. Dancer, Bart, Modreeny, C loug j ordan. TYRoN.—William L. Ogilby, Esq., of Tirkeenaghan, Donemana. WATERFORD.—Thomas St. John Grant, Esq., of Kil linurry, Fermoy. WATERFORD ClTY.—Charles Newport, Esq., of liam-street, Waterford. WESTMEATH. John Malone, Esq., of Darlington Lodge, Ballymore. • - WEXFORD. —Wm. Jacob Blacher, Esq., of Wood brook, Enniscorthy. WicKLow.—The Right Hon. James Grattan, of Tinnehinch, Bray. THE UNIVERSITY.—The Rev. W. Digby Sadleir, D.D., son of the late Provost, succeeds to the Senior Fellowship of Trinity College, vacant by the promo tion of Dr. M'Donnell. THE LISBURN ELECTION.—The election for the borough of Lisburn will take place on Saturday ; Sir E. Tennent is pursuing his canvass. Although opposition is threatened, there is very little doubt of the success of Sir Emerson. RIBBONISM IN KING'S COUNTY.--A party of five armed men attacked the dwelling-house of Thomas Hoolahan, a farmer residing at Ballywilliam, in the parish of Eglish, near Parsonstown, on Friday night last. All the family had retired to bed except Hoolahan ; the loud barking of his dogs caused him to go to his kitchen window, from whence he observed five men approaching his house, A shot was immediately fired through the window, and be heard a voice say, "Have nothing to do with William's land." A second shot was then fired into a bed-room window, the ball perforated a tray which was placed against the window, and lodged quite close to the bed where Hoolahan's wife had been sleep ing. Hoolahan, and his wife and sister saw the five men going across the yard into the fields, and heard the leader of the gang, who was armed with a long gun, " order numbers 1,2, 3, and 4 to naarch on." On the following morning a notice was found in one of the windows, ordering Hoolahan to have nothing to do with either the widow Carry's or John William's land ; a coffin was at the bottom of the notice, and it was signed " Captain Fireball." The persons whose lands were referred to in the notice have been evicted, and their former holdings adjoin Hoolahan's farm. Sa turday night constable Wbite and a party captured five persons, who were brought before Captain Pollock, R.M., on Sunday, and remanded for examination until Monday, on which day an inquiry was held at the court house, by Captain Pollock, assisted by John Warbur ton, Esq., J.P., and John Julian, Esq., Crown solici tor. Several witnesses were examined; Hoolahan, his wife, and sister, identified three of those arrested by constable White—namely, James Duffy, Andrew Carry, and John Carry, and they have been fully committed to abide their trial at the ensuing assizes. Duffy formerly lived as servant with Hoolahan, but latterly he has stopped with a farmer on an adjoining townland, in whose house two guns were found, a long gun and a double-barrelled gun, the former ap peared to have been recently discharged, and one bar rel of the other was loaded, and there was an exploded cap on the nipple. This (says the King's County Chronicle) is the third time of Hoolahan being attacked within the last few years. Sometime ago every per son in his neighbourhood refused to labour for him, and the local magistrates sent their ploughs, horses, and servants to till his farm under police protection. The cause assigned for the last attack is, that it was supposed in the country he would take the evicted land. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIL—Mr. Jacob Brett, whose name is so creditably identified with the Dover and t Calais submarine telegraph, is making arrangements for introducing to the Irish public a plan for carrying__ out a similar mode of communication between Kings_ town and Holyhead. Mr. Brett had an interviewba with the Lord-Lieutenant on the subject on Monday at the Viceregal Lodge. FIRE AT LIIKERICIC—The cornstores of M essrs. Myles, at Limerick, were accidenta ll y burned on Tuesday evening. The store, which destroyed. Th e was filled with grain to the value of 1,00 01 ., wit? _ompany. Th e C property was insured in the Imp erial premises, which belong to Mr. Gabbett, were also f England (Mice for 5001. insured in the West C. RAILWAY ACCIDENT. -- A n inquest was held at Caber yesterday on the bod y of a young man, a b out 18 years of age, who was killed on the previous day by a lorry belonging to the Waterf o rd an d Li mer i ck Railway, passing over him. The verdi c t was acci dentaly added that th e r e was no t death, but the jury proper care taken by the company to pre serve th e public from injury. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—At th e mont hly general meeting, held yesterday, at the society's house, in Hanover square, Mr. Broderip, vice-president, in the chair, Messrs. A. B. Hope, M.P., J. D. Gordon, and G. H. Gray were elected fellows, and Messrs. J. H . G urney, T . Lacy, G. Gillett, 14. O'Brien Jameson, and Miss Burdett Coutts proposed as candidates for the fellowship. The report of the Council stated that the total number of visitors to the gardens during the year 1851 had been 667,243, and ex hibited an increase over 1850 of 306,841. The most impor tant additions to the menagerie during the last month con sisted of an apteryx, presented by Lieutenant-Governor Eyre, which had been brought from New Zealand by Cap tain Erskine, R.N.; a weka (ocydroinus Australis), also from New Zealand, which had been presented by Captain Stokes, R.N., late of her Majesty's ship Acheron ; and two specimens of boa diviniloqua, presented by Lieutenant For man/ of her liaje6ty'd 88th Begin:teat, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. rORTSMOUTH, JAN. I.—The Champion, 14, Com mander J. M. Hayes, arrived at Spithead from the Pacific and the Brazils this evening, at five o'clock, bringing 668,273 dolls. on merchants' account, which Messrs. E and E. Emanuel, freight agents and bul lion merchants, of this port, have the carriage of to the Bank of England. She left Valparaiso on the Ist of October, leaving there then the Portland, 50, Rear-Admiral Moresby. The Thetis, 36, Captain Kuper, C.B ' and Gorgon s t eam-sloop, Commander Poynter, had sailed for Coquimbo to blockade that port, provided Captain Kuper thought it expedient. The Driver steam-sloop, Commander Johnson, was at Valparaiso, The Daphne, 18, Captain Fanshawe, had been to Vancouver's Island with the Admiral. The Amphitrite, 26, Captain Frederick, was off Cen tral America. The Cockatrice schooner tender, Master-Commander Dillon, was about to sail for Central America, and was going thence to the Islands. The Daedalus, 20, Captain Wellesley, full up with stores,.had gone to the northward to supply the ships with necessaries which are looking after the Franklin expedition. The Swift, 6, Commander Oldham, had been left at Honolulu by the Portland at the time she sailed for Valparaiso. The Champion arrived at Rio on the evening of the 4th of November, and sailed on the Bth. Rate of exchange 291 to 29i. Rear-Admiral Henderson, in the Centaur steam-frigate, had gone to the River Plate to meet Rear-Admiral Reynolds and to relieve him. The Cormorant steam-sloop, Com mander Chamberlain ; the Plumper steam-sloop, Commander Nolloth ; and the Harpy, tender to the flag ship, were at Rio. The Southampton, 50, Rear- Admiral Reynolds, was then expected on his way to England. The slave trade was to all appearance ex tinct. The Plumper, however, had started on the same day the Champion left, in search of something she had received secret information about. The Con flict steam-sloop, Commander Drake, arrived at Rio on the 6th of November from Bahia; she bad been blockading some time, but the day after the Conflict left the spot the vessel she had been watching for landed her cargo. The Virago steam 'sloop, Com mander Stewart, arrived at Rio from England on the 6th of November. Outside of Rio the Champion saw the Grecian, 16, Commander the Hon. D. Keene, going out on the 4th of November. The Champion has been in commission four years, and will now be paid off. She has proved herself a most comfortable and wholesome vessel, and in a trial of sailing with the Asia, 84, and Amphitrite, on a wind, the Cham pion had a decided advantage ; but off the wind, the larger ships beat her. But she signally beat the United States' corvette St. Mary, a fine new vessel of 1,000 tons. The examination of the preserved meat in store, supplied under 111 r. Goldner's contract, commenced at the Royal Clarence Yard yesterday. Up to the present time abo ut l , 42 ocanisters have been examined, of which 1,300 having been found to be bad were thrown overboard at Spithead ; and the remaining 120 being considered fit for food, were given away to the poor of the neighbourhood, as directed by the Lords of the Admiralty. DEVONPORT, WEDNESDAY.--The Rapid, 8, Com mander Blane, which put back to this harbour on Sa turday last, has come into harbour to repair defects. Her bowsprit will be put on board to-morrow ; the other defects will be completed in a day or two, when she will be again ready for sea. Impregnable, 104, Captain Arthur ,Lowe, bearing the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, ',Admiral Sir J. A. Ommanney, was paid off to-day, and will be re commissioned to-morrow (Thursday), by the same officers, with a complement of 208 officers and men. Vesuvius, reserve steamer, has been taken out round the Eddystone this day to exercise her engines. The troops at present occupying Cumberland, Frederick, and Ligonier barracks, have received notice of removal prior to the clearing of the sites for the proposed new barrack accommodation for the troops stationed at this place. DOCKYARD.—The. hired ropemakers and labourers entered for the purpose of completing the store of yarn in this establishment, having completed their task, were this day discharged. The principal portion of them, however, were retained to fill the vacancies for labourers. Twelve ropemakers and six labourers only are leaving the establishment. APPOINTMENTS. Woomvicu, JAN. I.—Clerks—Thomas W. Wells (1848), to the Britannia, 120, at Portsmouth; Harold Millett to the Queen, 110, flag-ship on the Mediter ranean station. The Sprightly steam-vessel arrived at Woolwich on Monday last, and went up to Deptford to land about 60 old chronometers, which have been brought round from vessels recently paid off at the eastern ports. She also conveyed the party of Royal Marines who had been serving in the Havannah, 19, on the Australian station, from Plymouth, the port where the vessel was paid off, to Chatham, to join the head quarters of their division. The Sprightly will leave Deptford and Woolwich to morrow, and will take round to the eastern ports a number of new chro nometers for the vessels now fitting at them for sea service. The Dee steam-vessel, Lieutenant- Commander William J. Crowder, arrived here at half-past three o'clock P.M. to -day from the Cape of Good Hope, and shortly after went down the river to show the state of her engines to the engineers of the steam factory. The Dee is to be paid off here, having been in commission since March, 1848. ROYAL ARTILLERY. Deputy Adjutant-General's Office, Woolwich, Dee. 30, 1851. Her Majesty having been pleaEed to sign the com missions of' the Gentlemen Cadets promoted to be Second Lieutenants (the names appeared in the Gazelle of this evening) in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, they have been appointed to the following companies, viz.:— Second Lieutenant Thomas Bland Strange to Captain F. D. Cleveland's company, 12th battalion. Second Lieutenant Francis Lyon to Captain W. J. Smytbe'a company, 6th battalion. Second Lieutenant Markham Le Fer Taylor to Cap tain C. Sandham's company, Ist battalion. Second Lieutenant Raynsford Cytherus Longley to Captain J. B. Domvile's company, Ist battalion. Second Lieutenant Edward Keate to Captain A. F. W. Papilon's company, 11th battalion. Second Lieutenant Thomas Wright Blakiston to Major T. P. Flude's company, 7th battalion. Second Lieutenant Arthur Lister Kayo to Captain H. W. Montressor's company, 6th battalion. Second Lieutenant Jones Julian Smith to Captain J. W. Fitzmayor'a company, 3d battalion. Second Lieuten a nt E ar dl e y M a i t l an d to M a j o r Shut tleworth's company, 2d battalion. Second Lieutenant Maurice Edward Covey Stocker to Major J. G. Walker's company, sth battalion. to Major Second Lieutenant Willi am A rno ld B u rrowes parkland's company, 4th battalion. to. Captain SC. Bec.oun.dKLeinenuetednya,sntcoJmophannyL, battalion.a7rtdhne 2d battalion. St. J. T. Browne's company, 4t Second Lieutenant Algernon h l h 'u a r t l t i a n u g oo J . o ) Major Dunlop's Company, 7th r Clarke Thornton . Second Lieutenant ilheantrtyaliTonh.ornhill to Captain C. Second Lieutenant Arthur Grea twicke Thomas pilau x Carey to Captain Pe s a e r c se on t d o L M i a e j u o t r eh ll an . t P T oo h l o e m 's company i , G. Graydon's company, Ist battalion. Second Lieutenant William Francis Walker to M a j or J. Hill's company, Bth battalion. J. E. JONES, Colonel, Assistant Adjutant-General. Dated December 17, 1851. Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Downman, C.B , K.C.11., Commandant of the gar r i son, has caused the. following to be entered in the order-book, dated Decem ber 30: — m a Commandant being desirous of commencing the new year with as clear a list of defaulters as the nature of their crimes will admit of, begs commanding officers , will explai n t o t h e non-commissioned officers cbeartstBali &C and that he is induced to take this lenient step by the general exemplary conduct of the regiment i n garrison for a long time past; he therefore directs that men under confinement in the garrison cells and at punishment drills be released on the 31st inst., with the exception of those whose offences and general character their commanding officers do not consider worthy of this indulgence," HORSES POISONED..-..DRIFFIELD.-Mr. Thomas Wilberfoss, of Wetwang, has lost three valuable draught horses, under circumstances at present involved in mystery, though there is no doubt that their deaths have been caused by poison. A fourth horse is also in a very precarious state, and not likely to recover. The stomach of one of the horses has been sent to a chymist in York for analyzation of its contents. It is not said that any one is suspected to have intentionally or otherwise administered the poison. There is, however, a very reprehensible practice among farmers' servants of drugging their master's horses for the purpose of making their skins look sleek and smooth and in good condition. Many of the waggoners have no little pride in having their horses prim when they go to deliver corn. They tie up the animals' tails and plait their manes with gay ribands. Several old cads and jockies are said to be going about the country selling to farmers' servants receipts for horse " constitution balls," and other nostrums for drugging horses, and the waggoners get these prescriptions made up at druggists at their own expense, the ingredients being often of a very dangerous nature, and highly injurious to the horses. It is not long since that a farmer in this neigh bourhood detected one of his servants in this practice, and very properly summoned him before the magistrates for Lis conduct, when he was severely dealt with.—Hull Ad vertiser. MUSIC AND DANCING-ROOMS IN THE METROPOLIS —With the view of insuring good order and proper regulat tions in places licensed by the magistrates of Middlesex for music and dancing in the metropolis and its vicinity, they have passed a standing order requiring the clerk of the peace annually to transmit a list of the persons making ap plication for music or dancing licences, under the s tatute of the 25th George the Second, cap. 36, t o the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, and to the police courts of the districts in whili the houses occupied by such persons are situate, for the purpose of ascertaining whether any and what complaints have been made against them during the year; and that the answers from the Inland Revenue Board, and the police authorities be laid before the Court of Magistrates wh,n such licences are applied for, or for the renewal of licences already granted. THE FRENCH PRESIDENT. By the voice of the people, as well as by f orce o f arms, Louis Napoleon is proclaimed ruler of the des tines of the French nation. An overwhelming ma jority places him in supreme power for ten years. And be it observed that this result is obtained not by the suffrages of Ihe arrondissements of Perm, but by those of the departments ; not only by those of the working classes, but by those of th e merchants, the capitalists, and the clergy. A large majority of the French people, and a large majority of the various classes of the community pronounce for the Prince President. In doing so numbers doubtless believe that they are supporting the cause of order against anarchy, and of constituted authority against licentious tyranny. Can we be surprised at thou sands of Frenchmen saying —Give us peace at any price. In fact, this fiery and hot-spirited people seem to bo subdued by suffering into a contempt for theoretical liberties, in the attempt to attain which they are ruined or starved ; and a desire to secure, by almost any political sacrifice, their material well being, and the liberty to live by honest industry. Unless Louis Napoleon is a less astute man than we give him credit for being, he will now endeavour to pro mote the physical comfort and welfare of the people. His plans for engaging the working classes in rail ways and public works show that he is alive to the importance of securing remunerative labour for them. We trust also that the President is by no means ignorant of the infinite advantage of attempting to raise the moral character of the French schools, and the means of religi ous i nstruction will not, we have reason to believe, be neglected by him. We failed to perceive, amidst the torrent of abuse poured upon the President by a large portion of the Press of this country, any sound reason or high principle for their unmitigated denunciation. Every abusive epithet nearly in the English language --we will not transfer them to our columns—has been applied by them to a man placed in most difficult circumstances, and con tending against a most unprincipled and reckless op position by parties agreeing in nothing but hatred of the strong hand that held them in check. Again, none can deplore more than ourselves the excesses committed by an infuriated soldiery ; but the dreadful experienc e of former revolutions has manifested that any half measure towards the ruffian mob of the bar ricades is mistaken, and in the end calamitous, mercy. Many an act of desperation committed by the troops will be as much regretted by the President as by any man. We repeat that we are not yet in possession of facts which can justify public writers who have ever professed the doctrine of non-inter ference with the domestic affairs of other nations, in those violent attacks, calculated to do the greatest possible mischief, at a critical time, to the French governing power. The inexpediency of destroying all friendly feeling on the part of the man who is, let him be what else he may, the chosen of the French people, towards ourselves, is also self-evident. And if the resignation of Lord Palmerston, which we this week announce, is attributable, as is rumoured, to his disap probation of the strong line of opposition adopted by some of his colleagues towards the French President, we incline to think that that experienced and far sighted politician —to whose policy we have at times been considerably opposed—will on this occasion be found on the right side of the question.—Derbyshire Courier. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERsALL's—YESTERDAY. __------• METROPOLITAN RANDICAr. 400 to J 0 each laid agst Kick-up -the-Dust, Elthiron, and Follow -me-Lad. Nothing else mentioned. TWO TZTOIJEAND GIIINEAS STAKES. 5 to 1 laid to 101. agst Hobble Noble, and 50 OYER between Vortex and Claverhouse. DERBY. No change, except in Claverhouse, against whom as much as 25 to 1 has been offered at the Clubs. He is, in fact, almost friendless. CHESTER CUP. The following are the entries in London, at Chester, and York, up to eight o'clock last night:— Dutch Lady —Old English Oak, 3 yrs—Retail, 6 yrs —Nancy, 4 yrs—Maid of Lincoln, 3 yrs—Trickstress, 4 yrs—Truth, 4 yrs—Timid Fawn, 4 Crs—Cockcrow, 4 yrs—Barley Sugar, 3 yrs—St. Michael, 3 yrs—Knaves mire—Alonzo, 5 yrs—Finesse, 4 yrs—Duc-an-Durras, 4 yrs—Allegro, 3 yrs—lndian Warrior, 3 yrs—Sister to Fencer, 5 yrs—Koh-i-noor, 3 yrs—Bushbury—Ul r i ca , 3 yrs—Diamond, 3 yrs—Thunder, 3 yrs—Chief Justice, 5 yrs—Elthiron, 6 yrs—Hippolytus, 4 yrs—Abbess of Jerveaux, 5 - yrs—High Sheriff, 3 yrs—Marlborough Buck, 4 yrs—Justice, aged—Ephesus, 4 yrs—Gholab Singh, 4 yrs—Newminster, 4 yrs—Lough Bawn, 4 yrs —Cyclops, 4 yrs—c by Cotherstone out of Wryneck— The Countess, 4 yrs—King of Trumps, 3 yrs—Harp, 4 yrs—Tancred—Lady Evelyn—Prince Patrick, 3 yrs— Lancaster, 3 yrs—Neasham, 4 yrs—Story Teller, 4 yrs —Confessor, 4 yrs—Breba, 4 yrs—Ballet Girl, 5 yrs—Goldfinder, 4 yrs—Payment, 4 yrs— My Fancy, 3 yrs—Rhesus, 6 yrs—Jessica, 3 yrs—Back biter, aged—i by Ithuriel out of Sordlis's dam, 3 yrs— Lizzy—Burndale, 4 yrs—Ebor, 5 y rs—Block Doctor, 4 yrs—Woolwich—Bro to Russborough, 3 yrs—c by Melbourne out of Sally Warfoot, 3 yrs—f by Laner cost out of Jemima, 3 y rs—Russhorough, 5 yn—Red mond O'Hanlan, 3 yrs—Clincher, 5 yrs—lVater Lily, 4 yrs—Vampyre, aged—Bardolpb, 3 yrs—Young Troublesome, 4 yrs—Candlewick, 5 yrs—Athena Pat las, 3 yrs—Sir Rowland Trenchard, 4 yrs—Raohete, 3 yrs—Miss Ann, 6 yrs—Mary Aan, 3 yrs—Masham, 3 yrs—Paddy Bird, 3 yrs—Baby, 6 yrs—Galvanism, 3 yrs—Richard Prince —Mark Tapley, s yrs—Tom Holtby, 4 yrs—SurpriEe, 3 yrs—Ellar, 3 yrs—Gladiola, 5 yrs—Herbert—Earl of Warwick, 5 yrs—Marquis, 4 yrs—T. ddington, 4 yrs — Mendicant, aged—Kate by Auckland, 3 y rs—Proudfoot, 3 yrs—Lord of the Manor, 4 yrs—Lady Amyott, 3 yrs—Young England, 5 yrs —C, rus, 4 y rs Captain Flash, 3 yrs Daniel O'Rourke, 3 yrs—The Castle, 4 yrs— 'C4onYsrtsa---n- -g2 a s t t i i: d f: , ll Tophana, aged—Nutshell, 5 years—Mountain Flower, 3 yrs—King of Oude, 5 yrs—Urbanity, 3 yrs—J o h n of e 3 r p Y s r ic — h o la r e a 74 rs—Constan tine, j a I L e rs—Kathleen, 5 rt—() ' moGuntain Doer, 5Yr8 ::: Berwick, 5 yrs—Uncl: T S B— am T , 3 4 yrs—Mouse, yrs — Dulcet,— e,' Kick - np - the - Dust, 4 yrs—Cossack, seed—Trousseau, 3 y S . ificions, 5 yrs —Little Harry,3 Yra -4 yrs—Hothorpe, 4 _Y e r t a t — recian, 4 yrs— Grosvenor, 4 yrs—Tested, 3 y b - 1 -4 lb rs— erpress, 4 yrs—Royalty, 3 yrs— fby Ratan, dam y e ourne, 3 yrs—Grey Tommy, 3 yrs—Birminst!un , 4 Y s— Paquetta, 4 yrs—Shadow, 3 yrs—AehYra nt . nes, 5 yrs—Marin, 3 yrs—Poetess, 3 yrs—f by Pantaloon, out of Fugleman's dam, 4 yrs— pi,sford, 5 yrs—Joe Miller, 5 yrs—Grand Duke, 4 yrs —Sophistry, 3 yrs—Vernautb, 3 yrs—Aphrodite, 4 yrs —Heriot, 4 yrs—Snarry, 3 yrs— Wildfliwer, 4 yrs—La Fiancee, 3 Y r s — Dalton 3 , yrs—Calculator, 4 yrs— BrLe, 5 yrs--Le J • ' e me 5 yrs—Consolation, 5 yrs —Mr& Birch, 4 yrs—Benita, 4 yrs—The Niece, 4 yrs —Woodlark, 4 yrs—c by Harkawa out of Duc-an- Durres,' dam, 4 yrs—Merry Bird, 3 y rs—llungerford, 4 Y rs—H aPP3' Joe, 3 yrs—The Settler , 3 yrs—Vatican, 6 yrs—Harefoot 4 , yrs—Sir Charles, 5 yrs—Sir Charles N a i P er, 3 yri—Alfred the Greet, 3 yrs—Young Haw. those, 3 yrs—Knock Knoll, 4 )rs—c by Priam—Exett r, 4 yrs—Equal, 3 yrs—Delia cult, 3 y rs—Corypt é , 4 yrs—Recruit, 4 yrs—Broken-beerted Lsdy (late Chter- Jul), 6 yrs—Musician, 5 yrs. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. Nominations up to eight o'clock last night. Peter Simple, Silent Friend, Maria Monk, Miss Mow bray, Carrig, Perjury, Lacsitnne, View Halloo, Royal Bourton, Hinton, Ringdove, De Ginkle, Sir John, St. Helier, Bullfinch, Maley, Half-and-half, 03in, Forest Lad, Vainhupe, Joan of Arc, La Gr;aZ3 Ladra, Abbot of St. Lawrence, Chieftain, Little Queen, Mac Li r., James, Everton, Bedford, Vulture, Lord George, Fern hill, Agis, Postilion, Maria Day, British Yeoman, Ven geance, Sir Peter Laurie, Hardwick, Lucy Neale, Maid of the West, Viotress, Scavenger, Oscar, Abd el-Kader, Duc-au-Durras, Warner, Kissaway, Peter. EPSOM SPRING MEETING. The following are, as near as we have been able to ascertain, the acceptances for the Metropolitan Han dicap:— Age st. lb Elthiron Landgrave The 1.3.111 4 8 5 Miss Ann Backbiter Raby Mark Tapley 5 7 8 Cock Crow 4 7 6 Comas 4 7 4 Hesse Homburg' 4 7 3 Officious Grand Duke Age st. lb. Curl Perjury Bardolph 3 5 11 fiaresfoot Old Rowley 3 5 7 Sally Warfoot colt 3 5 6 Joe Miller Ingratitude 4 5 5 Janina Cyclops ............ 4 5 5 Follow-mc-lade ••• 4 5 3 Burndale ....... .... 3 5 2 Stamford ........••• 4 5 1 Snowdrop j lE eui th i e tn lw a ol fi f ily 33 5 5 4 (:1 (Captain Bonita i er r ny i, C it a b e a : rk. Flashl. e c. s .o lt. ...... Napier 3333 4 444 1 11 22: Kate Urbanity 3 4 11 Ratan filly 'Czarina Barbara Bell Royalty Uncle Sam Ellar Snarry 3 4 0 I L: i a i e l k rna u r 5 7 0 p . i h 0 . Dust 4 6 12 Hungerford 4 6 12 John of Berwick 5 6 10 Achyranthes Grey Tommy 3 6 7 1 Knock Knoll Sister to Cloth worker C 6 7 Kathlcen 5 6 6 Candlewick 5 6 4 Letterpress Masham .. : Pelopidas Ischia Young Trouble some FEMALE EMIGRATION. —Th e C omm i ttee of the Fn Emigration Flid, under the a us pi ces o f th e Ri g ht i lo Herbert, h ave, we understand, engaged the tine vessel Euphrates t o convey a party of sixty females to Sydney. The vessel is t o l eave the river on the 12th inst. The emigrants sent out by this committee now .number n early 700, m ost of whom are doing well in the Colonies, where the uem an d for servants continues to be very great. By this emigration th e co l on i sts are h enet i tted b y an thilux Female of respectable females, whilst the mother country is at the same time relieved of a body of, in most cases, extremely destitute individuals. The advantages held out to them by this benevolent society are open to any young woman in London of good moral character and industrious habits, and the class of slopworkers and domestic servants earning low wages, do not appear slow to avail themselves of these ad vantageous opportunities. VALUE OF GAME TO TEE HIGHLAND!.--The value of grouse shootings have increased greatly in Athole during the last ten years. The game on an e!tate now in the mar ket, which let fur many seasons at 100/., and the highest 1201., is now on a lease at 2001., independent (.f the grazing rent. This is equivalent to an enhancement of 3,0001. on the value of the property. —Dundee Adaertier, I I I Ll* If t '''' I, Eta` - 2 - 04 9414 47.9 ;;'4 174