The Sun. — London, England, 1866-02-08 00:00:00

_...-4 e ra, th athosr as his t pters -~ I[ONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE, TWELVE O'CLOCK. The Bank of England directors at their weekly meeting this morning did not deem it necessary to make any change in their minimum rate of discount. No alteration was expected. The rates out of doors are firmer in consequence of a large inquiry for commercial and other purposes. Loans on the Stock Exchange have been in request owing to the monthly liquidation. The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up to this day, are in round figures as under:— 1866. 1865. Great Western £64,395 £60,879 North Western ... 106,330 99.122 South Western. ... ... 21,780 18,771 Brighton ... ... 17,913 15,644 Midland ... 49,299 44,024 South Eastern ... ... 20,698 19,421 Great Northern .. ... 35,084 32,630 Lancashire and Yorkshire ... 40,383 35,270 Bristol and Exeter 5,667 5,410 North Eastern ... . 66,294 58,901 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln ... 19,648 16,358 Great Eastern 32,956 31,402 London, Chatham, and Dover ... ... 7,983 6,647 These returns, when compared with those of the corresponding period of last year are generally of a very satisfactory character. On the Great Western there is an increase of £3,516, on the North Wes tern of £7,208, on the South Western of £3,009, on the Brighton of £2,269, on the Midland of £5,275, on the South Eastern of £1,277, on the Great Northern of £2,454, on the Lancashire and York shire of £5,113, on the Bristol and Exeter of £257, on the North Eastern of £7,493, on the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln of £3,280, and on the Lon don, Chatham, and Dover of £1,336. Two O'CLOCK, According to Reuter's telegram the French Three per Cent. Rentes were quoted at 68f. 85c. Quiet. The principal portion of to-day's business in the market for English Government Securities has been connected with the completion of the monthly liqui dation. Temporarily there is evidently little desire on the part of time operators to enter largely into speculation, and the dealings for transfer are too Limited to produce activity. Consols are 861 for money, and 87f I for March. The'New Threes and Reduced Annuities are marked 864 ; Ex chequer Bills 7s. 2s. dis ; India Stock, 211 ; ditto 6 per Cents, 1021 I ; and ditto 4 per Cents., 96} I In the Foreign Stock Market a very good busi ness has been in progress, and quotations are gene rally buoyant. Speculators have now possessed themselves of an idea that Mexican securities have recently been far below their proper value, and numerous transactions been entered into for a rise. The ex all bonds have risen to-day I, namely, to 24 I, and the New to 181 19. Spanish Passive Bonds have not varied from their price of yester day, namely, 261 1 ; the Certificates are fraction ally higher, being 153 1 ; Greek have risen 3, to 1 33 ; Italian are 613 k , and the New, 663 67i Confederate Loan, 41 53 ; Egyptian Scrip, prem. ; and Brazilian Scrip, 31i prem. Railway Shares have shown little animation. Great Northern and North-Western have each declined 10s.; and Metropolitan, 58.; while Great Eastern and Lancashire and Yorkshire have each Unproved 55., and Brighton £l. The only feature in the Foreign and Colonial lines has been a further advance in Grand Trunk of Canada, which are dealt in at 44 45. Bank and Miscellaneous Shares have remained inactive at about former prices. Union of London are dealt in at 53, Imperial Alliance at 133 3, Alliance at 273, London and County at 781 79, Hudson's Bay Companyat 161 3, National Discount C ompany at 1531, and Overend, Gurney, and Co., at 193 BRITISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES. GOVERNMENT FUNDS. 3 Der Cent. Consols ~ Do. Account March 6 B 7i 1 i 2,per Cent. Reduced B6l New 3 p er C en t B6l 1 i ' e ''''' 31 per Cent. Jan. 1894 — Do. 5 per Cent. Jan. 1873 — k tanuities, 30 yrs, expire sth Jan., 1880 Do. f or 30 yrs, exp i re sth April, 1885 — , Do (R e d S ea T e l egrap h) , Aug., 1908 — eachequer Bills, £l,OOO, 3 per Cent. 2 Do, £5OO 7 2 , Do £lOO and ..£2OO 'Mk of England Stock, 5 per Cent I NDIAN GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. In dian Stock, 101 per Cent., April 1874 2ll 1 20 Account "0. 5 per Cent. July, 1870 Do. 4 Do. Certificates 113 ,0. Enfac e d P a p er 4 per C en t — ' l- .go. 5 per Cent., Jan. 1872 `"°. 5i per Cent., May 1879 — DO . 4 per Cent., Aug. 1866 — DO. Bonds, £l,OOO — Do. under £l,OOO ttIatFOREIGN FUNDS— ent, I CLOSING BS9 PRICES. rian Bonds, 5 per C — Dian 5 per Cent — 0. Loper Cent., 1852-58-60 . 1863 , Do. 1865 4 - 1 ,0 Account 741 5 j 3 " 0 . Scrip, £35 paid 1 -,, e110 a Ayres 6 per Cent — o ", 0. A.ccount i.:" 1 per Cent. (Deferred 3 per Cent ) ttilian 6 per Cent — , o. 4/ per Cent — 6°lore.bian 6 per Cent. — 0 1:41 1 6 per Cent. a h rLi sh 3 per Cent., 1825 - - 1 - I ° . 4 per Cent., 1863 — p —O. 5 per Cent., 1773-77, £25 paid — a tubian Principalities 1 „ Do Account 75 9,llaclor New Consolidated, 1 per Cent — t 0 ., Pr ov i s i ona l L an d W arran t — gYPtian 7 per Cent 921 'gip., Second Issue — ."0 £lOO B on d s D Do. 1864 93 "0 £lOO Bonds Gree k 5 per Cents., 1824-5, ex Coupons D 0•, Account "„0. Coupons t., "0. Account itifltternala 5 per Cent. (tat' D ea n 5 per Cent, 1865 ;40 Account tie'uo. Maremmana Railway — r \ '' i call 3 per Cent ' - ' O . Account Do 1864 lBl 19 .. 0 6 Ai o per Cent. Anglo-French — ti_ l i r e i t videan 6 per Cent., £3O paid 0 0 sh Imperial 5 per Cent ”elv Granada — Do 2 per Cent — "0 Def erre d 1 ) -1 -'0 Land W arran t s (H ectares) (3 * 6 per Cent, 1864 P D O G uaranteed, 4 per Cent e Nvian 5 per Cent ID , O . Account . ",-, 13 3 per Cent. (Uribarren)., — DO4"0 41 per Cent., 1862 Account A Account I t t 'iguese 3 per Cent., 1853 1 -, ° 3 per Cent, 1856, '7, '9, '6O, '62, '3, — 1 R Account Do an 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St 9l± b 4- i per Cent. 1850 2 4i- per Cent., 1860 B o ° 3 Pei Cent. 1859 DO 5 per Cent. 1862 Sa, 5 , Per Cent. 1864 — D o ' ll 'an 5 iper Cent D £ICO Bands B Ql l per Cent _ i n ttis h per Cent ...., o. Ace ./2, ount b ° New Deferred — 0 Ac count 0 Passiv e - / . ,,„ ° ; Account 261 1 1 1 7 f,""sh Cert. of Coup not funded — EiNveC.Account l 5l 1 1 1 14 1181 14 per Cent. _ l'i ll i t i 4 1 Per Cent. 1864 ... Do _ .A.:e:opuenrt Cent. 1854 — 911 901 1 901 D e per Cent 1858 — bk,.,0 Acc ount 7Ol ko £lOO Bonds De 6 Per Cent. 1862 0' Account 6Bl 1 1 ./3) XlOO Bond s DO 6 Per Cent., 1863 — DO per C ent. 1865 D o er iP, £35 paid to A ccount Ve t , e 2 4 Per Cent. G uarantee d 99 81 . Ditt "la 3 per Cent. 0 '-' 6 Per Cent., 1864 361 Dividencts on the above payable in London. 0011 501 s f THREE O'CLOCK. u D.,. . A or money ccou n t 14 i 'verpool Cotton Market. —Tbi3 ray. 12M,arket opens very strong. 0 00 bales or more. Sales probably Y l In l. h : e Queen's sp eec h w a s forwarded to Paris in tu utes by fi ve wires, and appeared in all the evening al)erB shortly afterwards. SHARE MARKETS,—This Day. ORDINARY iHARES AND STOCKS. Share) Railways. Paid . ! Closing Business Price. i done. Bristol ant "Exeter .... Caledonian ... .. Cambrian. ••• •• Cork and 8and0n...... 'orn wall üblin & Belfast Juno, Dun„Perth, & a b.J unc. E.London, scrip Certi. Do. Glasgow & S. Western Great Eastern, ()rd. stk. Do. E. Angi. st. No. 2 Great North of Scotland Great Northern D.). A stock 93 95 129 130 94 96 13 15 4i 54 68 70 70 72 114 116 39 40 7 8 128 i 129 196 147 Do. B stock Do. sew, is. at 25 pn , , Gt S. and W. of Ireland, Gt. Weste n 92 91 581 59z l) . S. V4l. Itail - g - ua. Do. South Wales Do. W. Mid.—Oxtord Do. Newport Do. Hereford 59 61 39 41 35 87 101 XO3 121 122 L;9 91 98 35 37 Lancashire & Yorkshire! Lundon and Blackwal4 Lon., Brigh., & S Coast' Lon., Chat., and Dover Do. Metrop. Ex. A Lon. & North Western Lon. & South Western Man., Shet., & Lincoln Metropolitan.... Do. New Do Extension 126 326 91 15 59 59..3 '37 138 2f 3Si 1 lip 98 10 Metropolitan District. Do do. do. Do. and John'sW'd Mid and Do. £9 Share 124 125 14 11 93 15 Do, Birmin & Derby $i id Kent . . North British Do. Ed., Pth , & Dun Nth. Eastern—Berwick Do. G.N'E purchaN Do. Leeds Do. York Dc. Carlisle Po. zqook.& Darling. Do. do. 1860-61 North London Do. do. 1864 Do. io 1865 . North Staffordshire 58 59 7 28 111 113 72 73 106 107 37 38 10 p' 124 1261 2 2-p 2 24 77 79 11 12 147 149 64 66 112 114 N. & S. W. Junction Scottish Central Scot. N. E , A ber. stock o. Scot, Mid. stack Shropshire Union South Devon 55 67 74 744 -outh E stern staines, Wok., & Wok Taff Vale Do. C Vale of Neath Waterford & Kilkenny Waterloo & IVhiteha West Cornwsli IatITISH P Atlantic & St. Lawrence Born., Baroda, Cen.ln. gu. 5 percent... Do. F shares Buffalo (IL Lake Huron Do. Preference Buff.,Brant, do Goderich 6 p.c. 872-3- Calcutta & s. E., Bin e Town & Dock, gu Demerara, 7 p.c. per. p: East. Ben_ al, gu., 5 do East Lilian, gu. 5 p.c. Do. J Extension f3rand Trunk of Canada Do. Equip. Mort, Bonds I charge 6 p.c Do. Ist -'ref. Bonds Do. do. deferred DO: 2d Pr f. Bonds. Do. do. deterred ... Do. nd Pref. stock... Do. do. deferred ... Do. 4th Pret. stook . Do. do. deterred Gt. India Pen. gua. sp.c o. Gua. 5 per cent Do. New gua. 5 p. c Gt. South of India gua. 5 per cent ll . 4f per cent Do Great W , e. of Canada.. D. New Do. 6 p. c. Bds. pay 1873 Do. 5, do. pay. 1877-8 Indian Branch, limited Madras, gua. 5 p.o Do. 4i do Do 4; do Do. Fifth Extension 3lelb. Cor. 6 p. c. finds. Mel. & Hudson's nay.. N.l3l.C'da,6pclstpf.bs. Scinde Do. Delhi lO 0 ,1 Do. do `l Do. Puniaub 1 Do.lndus St. Flo , ;oLONIAL GO VER: British Columbia, 6 per, cent., Dec.3l, 1572. ... ICan.GOv.6 p.c.ja.436July 1877-64 Do 6 p. c. Feb. & Aug Du. 5 p. c. Mar. & Sept 1 30. 5 p. c. Jan. & July Do. 5 p o. Inscribed sk Cape 6% Hope, 6 p.c. 1873 tio.Apl.SiOct , 1890-1900 I Do, do: 1680-9 Do. Jan.&July, 1890-9 , Do. 5 per cent. 15 April and i 5 Oct., 1000 Ceylon, Nov. 1868, 6 p.t Do. 1878, do Nlauritius, 6 p. c, 1873, Jan. and July Do. 1,78 ' )o. 188!, May .5, Nov. Do. 1805, Feb. & Aug.. _Natal o per cent.. N. B. Gov. 6 p.c.Ja. ct.l uly N. S.W. Gov. 5 p •c., 1860 Do. 5 p.c. 18:1 to 187, Do. 5 P.c. 1888 to 1892 New Zealand, 6 p. cent Do. 5 per cent.... Nova Sc , tia Gov. 6 p. c sterling, 1875 queensland Gov. 6 p. c Aus.Gov. 6 p,o 1868-v Do. 1878 & upwards 'Vic,tiov. 6 p.c. Ja &July Do. do, et pril & Oct 8 i 147 150 3 ip' 101 103 51 53 i SION - 56 60 99 10t id fp 64 6t 10 11 75 80 96 98 65 70 100 192 100 101 102 103 94 48 87 89 68 68 60 60 62 52 57 46 50 44 46 40 42 37 40 102 103 i P t P 93 100 91 93 16 lof 4} 4 1 92 04 84 e 6 1 Au 99 101 90 92 86 88 64 i 6 8 82 98 99 98 99 a a 98 99 61 60i 40 391 40} 38 7 103 2} 3 rT SECUR: 93 95 93 98 93 96 79 St 78 50 101 103 104 106 104 106 101 103 90 92 101 103 106 1.8 iO2 104 103 tOS 103 105 ic4 ;06 99 101 93 95 92 94 87 89 100 102 82 84 97 99 99i 100.4 IC4 106 105 106 BRITI Cam. Consol. void, lim l Chiverton Clifford A malgamated Devon G. Cons. (Tavist Drakewalls East Bassett (Illogan) Last Caradon East Cam Brea Last Grenville East Gunnislake .. East Loved E. W'l Russell (Tavistk Gam.& StA übyn(G wen. Great L ixey, limited Great South Tolgus Great Wheal tsumy G. Wheal Vor Heist Grenville II erod's Foot Hingston yowns Margaret (Uny Lelant Starke Valley liwyndy Iron Ore, lirn New Se ton . North Roskear .Wh'l Bassett (Mogan North Wheal Crofty Prosper United Pr vidence Uny Lvlant S. Caradon (St. Cleer) South Condurrow II MINES. S.Wheal Fran. k lii0g1;11 Stray Park . Tin Croft -- v - igra and Cl‘ gan, lim.. West i4u3sett (II ogan W. Caradon (L.skeard West Chiverton West Seton . Wheal Bassett 'lllogan Wheal Buller (Redruth Wheal Mary Ann (Men Wheal Seton Wheal Trelawney (Lis 2.1.0 29 2.14.6 3/ 2. !4.0 8.3.6 3.9.0 10.8.0 all 0.14.6 14.9.6 Great Lond , Kid I South 8.18.0 8.10.0 5.10.6 13.17.6 4.10.6 43i 181 4.4.0 2.13.0 7.1.6 10.6.7 9 10 15 17 67L 590 18 20 6 7 91 3 3* 11} 126 3 3.1 5 7 20 21 1 2 3i 3C 32 31 31 40 4z 61 5 7 4 4} 14c1 40 50 13 15 I 1 1 I 11 3.2.0 18189 35.15.6 37 39 410 430 2 ri :8 22 9 11 19 20 4 6 3 4 8 10 79 82 190 200 95 ILO 27 30 3 5 20 23 17 18 106 5 IIiEFERENCE SHARES Eastern, E. Counties Ex., No. 1, 102 itto, No 2, 100 )n and N. Western, Bedford and Cambridge 88 consolidated, 6 per cent. stock, t to. Bristol and Birm., 6 per cent., itto. 4s per cent. irred., 100 Devon, Anne., 10s., 14 LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. London and Chatham, 4i per Cent., - Ditto. Com. Fund stock 5 per cent., 961 London Tilbury, and Southend, 961 ultEl P 4 KAM WA Y ri. Antwerp and Rotterdam, 11 <<xrlla And San Francis°u li.a.) gun. 7 percent.. 15} I Belgian Eastern Junction, Great Luxembourg, 14 16 amur and Liege gua. 141. per annum, gi Namur and Liege, gua. 6 per cent. pl., 191 Sambre and Meuse, 9} SIGN NJ N Nl*. Chontales Gold and Silver alining, 4 f Frontino and isolivia Gold, lim., )4 St..lohn del [try, lim., 521 Washoe Gold, lim., Ditto (£4), 4} } DOCKS. London and St. Katharine, 73 4 BANKS. Agra and Masterman's, lim., 55 11 , .... 26} } Anglo Egyptian, Lim., 121 Bank of Egypt. 324 Bank of New Zealand, 17} Consolidated Bans, Um., 9} Eng ish Joint Stock, lim. European Bank, 1im., 114 Hindustan, China, and .1 span, ilm., Ditto, issued at 2 pm., Ditto. new, 17 Imperial Bank, lim., 271 Imperial Ottoman, 134 } 13 Ditto, new, 12 Lard Mortgage Bank of India, lim.. 4 London Chartered Bank of Australia, 23} 3 London and County, 79 8; London Joint Stock, 47} London and estminster, 94 National Provincial of England. Ditto, d and 3cl issue, 45 Scinde, Punjaub, and Delhi. lim., 5} Union of London, 53} 2} 3} MISCELLANEOUS. Atlantic Telegraph, 8 per cent. gua., 3 80... bay Gas, lira., 5} Ceylon Company, 94 China Steam hip and Labium Coal Company, 2} City of Moscow Gas, lim,, 5) Consolidated Discount. 11w , 3} 2} Credit Foncler and Robilier of England, 8} Crystal Palace, 35} Crystal Palace, 6 per cent. perpetl. deb., 1091 East India Irrigation and Canal. 8 Egyptian Com. and Trading, lira., 5 Electric Telegraph, i 35 Gen. Credit and Finance of Landon, lim.. 5} 1 I Hudson's Bay, 161 4 Imperial Mercantile Credit A sso., lim.. 6 } 5} International Financial 'ociety, 1im.,.5} Joint Stock Discount. lim., 44 London Financial Association. lim., 131 124 Millwall Freehold Land and Dock, 51 National Discount Company. 15} 6 Oriental Financial, lim., 10 94 Overend, Gurney, and Co. lim., 191 Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Mail, lim., 7} Quebrada Land, ttafl , anti Mining, Um., 44 Rio de Janeiro City lrnprove - nents. lim.. 22 Thames and Mersey (Marine) Insurance, lim., 7} 1 1 Universal Marine, Insurance, lim., 34 39& a 91 129 4 146 7 128} 9 58i G 81 121 } 89 971 8 7 127 61 / 911 1 * 1361 74 1 3 101 0 7 i # 964 91 124 1 6 4J it 112 111 721 77 8 100 all 100 100 100 16.13.4 100 100 100 all 1 'OSSE 1001 1121 3 21 431 41 34 5 100} i I 100 MEN ,ITIES. 100 I 09h THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 8, 1866. Provident Clerks' Mutual Life Assurance Association. The twenty-fifth annual general meeting of mem bers of this association was held last evening, at the London Tavern, to receive the report of the directors relative to their position and business transactions during the last twelve months. The chair was occupied by R. H. Jones, Esq., chairman of the board of directors. The advertisement convening the meeting having been read, The CHAIRMAN called upon the Secretary (Mr. Linford) to read the report, which was as follows : The Board of Directors have much pleasure in presenting to the members their 25th annual report, and in repeating, as they have been able to do for many successive years, that the new business of the past twelve months surpasses that of any previous year. The total proposals received were 1,546, for £288,000; of which 1,353, for £241,350, were accepted and completed, producing a new annual income of £6,774. The remainder were either declined, or deferred, or aro now awaiting completion. The total income for the year was £62,826 6s. 2d., and the sum of £6,195 10s. has also been received for sale of immediate annuities. After providing for all known claims, the sum of £34,695 4s: 6d. has been added to the accumulated fund, which amounted on the 31st December last to £284,744 7s. sd. The claims by death (including bonuses) amount to £20,755 4s. 10d., arising upon 113 policies. The close of the year 1865 affords the directors an oppor tunity of laying before the members the following tabular statement, which exhibits the progress of the Association dnring the quarter of a century it has been in existence : Annual Accumulated New Amount Income at Fund at end Policies. Assured. end of period. of period. let 5 years... 567 ~. £52,699 ... £2,400 ... £6,200 2d do. ...2,184 432,075 12,300 29,150 3d do. ...2,249 434,720 20,750 63, 500 4th do. ~.3,775 ... 648,310 36,500 146,000 sth do. ...5,207 _1,065,300 ... 62,800 ... 284,700 The board have to report with much regret the decease of W. G. Prescott, Esq., one of the trustees ; they have, however, been so fortunate as to secure a new trustee in the person of Robert Wigram Crawford, Esq., M.P. for the City of London. They have also to regret the retirement of Mr. Ratray, who having relinquished the active duties of his profes sion, has resigned the office of consulting actuary, which he has held from the commencement of the association. To fill the vacancy thus created, the board have appointed Mr. Robert Tucker, Vice-President of the Institute of Actuaries, consulting actuary. The following directors retire by rotation, viz. :—Mr. Alexander Dawson, Mr. Samuel Jepps, and Mr. James Lintott, all of whom being eligible offer themselves for re-election. The following gentlemen, duly qualified, are proposed as auditors : —Mr. James Richard Lloyd, Mr. Francis Frederick Toole, and Mr. Charles Woolley. In concluding this report, the board desire to direct at tention to the fact that with a constantly increasing amount of new business, they have been enabled to meet their members year by year with regularly diminishing ratio of expenditure. That a combination so important to the success of a life assurance office maybe still maintained the efforts of the board will not be wanting, but they nevertheless feel justified in claiming the co-operation of the members themselves, which is the true strength of a mutual association. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said another year had slipped away since he had the pleasure of seeing some of them, and he hoped that in addressing them for the twenty-fifth year they would have an agreeable and pleasant meeting. All their former assemblages had been marked by that happy feeling, and he hoped the present would be in consonance with those he had referred to. The recurrence of this their annual meeting brought forcibly to his mind that another year had irrevocably gone, and it impressed upon him the reflection whether he had done all he could as an individual for the success of the institution. It having been his happiness to be connected with the association for so many years, he need not say he was warmly attached to it—(hear, hear)—and it was a feeling of pride and pleasure for him to watch it year after year increase in prosperity and useful ness. The watchword of the present age was " Progress," and he hoped the directors might be permitted to say they had adopted it. (Hear, hear.) The transactions of the past year showed an increase over all its predecessors; the proposals for new assur ances during that period had been 1,546, of which 1,353 had been completed, by which the annual income was increased to the extent of £6,774. (Hear, hear.) There were some of the new pro posals still under consideration, but the total income for the year was £62,826 6s. 2d. (Cheers.) They did not appear to have lost ground from the Go vernment assurances, which were established to promote £lOO assurances. It was quite true that he was not in a position to show that those who had assured with the Government would have come to them if no Government assur ance existed, but it was true that their business had in no way suffered in consequence, as a comparison between the business transacted in 1864 and 1865 would show. In 1864 this association had assured 652 lives for £lOO and under, while last year they had 950 assurances for £lOO and under. (Hear, hear.) He thought that fact was quite enough to create confidence, and that it ought to show them that they ought not to be deterred from the energy kitherto exercised, but rather to induce competi tion with the Government. (Hear, hear.) The balance sheet was before them. It had been made up in a clear, comprehensive, and intelligible man ner, and although the claims from deaths no doubt had increased, compared with former years, yet it should be recollected that deaths must be increased according as their liabilities enlarged. (Hear.) It was a great pleasure, however, to know that 113 families had been provided for by the prudence and forethought of their deceased members. The ave rage interest on their investments for the last year averaged fully 44 per cent. On the last occa sion that he had addressed them they had £20,000 standing in the 3 per Cents. Last year they had lent £15,000 of that stock at 4i per cent., by which they obtained 1} per cent. more than if it had re- mained in the Funds. (Hear, hear.) He also directed attention to a receipt on account of rent for an office which they had let to the Provident Clerks' Guarantee Association, thereby reducing still further their expenses. Referring to the Guarantee Association, in which so many of their members were interested, he had the pleasure to in form them that it was now in full operation, and he trusted that all the members would do their best to promote its prosperity in every way within their power. The death of Mr. Prescott, one of their trustees, was a matter of great regret to the directors, and he felt certain that the great body of assurers would participate in that feeling. Mr. Prescott was an affable, kind, and courteous gentleman, always ready to render the association every assistance in his power. In selecting a successor to Mr. Prescott, they had, he thought, been particularly fortunate in obtaining the services of a gentleman of high standing and influence in:society—Mr. R. W. Crawford, one of the members for the city of London ; and the mem bers generally would be certain to participate in the pleasure the directors felt at that gentleman becoming one of their trustees. Last year he WAs congratulating the members on the happiness that prevailed owing to the long association and unani mity that prevailed amongst the executive ; but a gap had since then happened, and now they had also to regret the retirement of Mr. Ratray. 11l health had compelled that gentleman to relinquish the active duties of his profession, and with it that of consulting actuary of their association. The directors, he knew, had but anticipated the wishes of the great body of the assurers in present ing Mr. Ratray, on his retirement, with a small testimonial, engraved with a suitable inscription, the cost being but £26. (Hear, hear.) ThememL bers would also be pleased to know that they had secured the services of Mr. Tucker, vice-president of the Institute of Actuaries, as successor to Mr. Ratray, and he had come amongst them that evening, and, with his high character, he was quite certain to take good care of them in all matters that appertain to his office. (Hear, hear.) He doubted not that many of them would miss the face of one of the most valued and oldest friends, viz., Mr. Welch, their deputy-chairman. His absence was caused through ill-health ; otherwise it would have been a pleasure to have been with them that evening, and to have occupied the seat he had done for so many previous years. With these few obser vations he would conclude by formally moving the Adoption of the report. At the same time he incited any gentleman to make any observations, and the Directors would be only happy to hear him. Mr. SAWTELL said it gave him the greatest plea sure to second the motion of the Chairman. Mr. WARWICK made a few observations relative to lapsed policies, and said he thought it unwise on the part of the Directors to be too stringent in their decisions. It appeared, however, by the speaker's own showing that no premiums had been paid on the policy for nearly two years, and that the rules expressly forbade the revival of a policy after it had been in arrear a year and 14 days. The SECRETARY, at the request of the Chairman, explained the circumstances connected with the matter, and said the Directors, while they regretted the fact of a single policy lapsing, had certain rules imposed upon them for their guidance and the pro tection of assurances which it was impossible for them to disregard. (Hear, hear.) Mr. LLOYD said it would be fatal to the prosperity of the association if the rules were broken through to meet particular cases. The benevolent fund was open to all, and if that was not taken advantage of it certainly was not the fault of the directors. The directors in the case referred to had done nothing but their duty. The adoption of the report was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr. REYNOLDS said he had the greatest pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to the directors for their services during the past year. Mr. PILCHER briefly seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said it was a great happiness to him that there should be such unanimity in agreeing to the resolutions submitted to the meeting. For himself and colleagues he begged to thank the meeting for the kindness with which the vote had been proposed, and the plea sant manner in N%hich it had been received. The retiring directors, Messrs. Alexander Daw son, Samuel Jepps, and James Lintott were unani mously re-elected, as were also the auditors, Messrs. J. R. Lloyd, F. F. Toole, and C. Woolley, and their remuneration fixed the same as last year. Mr. A. DAWSON, on the part of the re-elected directors, returned thanks, and said he and his colleagues would do all in their power to enlarge the scope and heighten the prosperity of the society. Mr. F. F. TOOLE, on the part of the re-elected auditors, testified to the admirable manner in which the accounts of the association were on all occasions placed before his colleagues and himself, and acknow ledged the great assistance which Mr. Lloyd afforded as one of the auditors. Mr. Toole also suggested, as he reminded the meeting he had before done, that a large meeting should be held alternate years in the City and the West-end, independent alto gether of their regular annual meetings, and that all the clerks of the metropolis be invited to attend. He believed that this would be the means of making the benefits arising from connection with the asso ciation better known, and would bring to them many new members. Votes of thanks to the directors, auditors, secre tary, and the general staff of the association were then accorded, and a similar compliment to the chairman cancluded the business. The New Reform Bill. DEPUTATION TO EARL RUSSELL.—THIS DAY. A very numerous deputation from the National Reform Union and the deputation appointed at the recent meeting held in Leeds, waited by appoint ment to-day on Earl Russell at his official residence in Downing-street, in order, if possible, to ascer tain the nature of the measure about to be intro duced into Parliament. A great number of the Liberal members of the House of Commons accom panied the deputation. Mr. G. Wilson introduced the deputation, and informed his lordship that it consisted of various members of the National Re form Union, which originated entirely on the part of the working men who desire to become enfran chised. Mr. WAINWRIGHT addressed his lordship, and said the movement which was now taking place with re spect to Reform, was now in the hands of those in whom the working classes had the greatest confi dence ; but any measure which did not admit a arge proportion of the working class to participa tion in the government of the country would not be received at all. (Hear, hear.) The working class, he begged to inform his lordship, had fully made up their mind to reject all sham measures. It had been said out of doors that the difficulty that existed was whether the new Reform Bill was to be based on a £6 rating or a £6 rental qualifica tion. Now the number of working men that would be admitted to the exercise of the elective franchise if a £6 rating was adopted would be so small that it would not be worth accepting. The time had come to test the sincerity of the Liberals, and that test they hoped his lordship would apply. The proposition of a £lO rental for counties and a £6 rental suffrage for boroughs would be generally accept able for the present. It would settle the matter forsome time, but a£6 rating qualification would be generally and universally rejected by the working class, than whom a more loyal class of men did not exist. He hoped his lordship would insist upon such a measure as would satisfy the working class. If he did so they would rally round him by millions, and create such a movement that all opposition would be useless and futile. (Hear, hear.) Mr. PRICE said he claimed the franchise for the working class as a right, because their united income amounted to £250,000,000 per annum, whilst that of those who opposed them did not come up to anything like that sum. (Hear, hear.) The work. ing men of the north of England were ready to accept any bill, s u p pos i ng it to b e anyt hi ng l i ke that which his lord s hi p had on a former occasion promised the working class. (Hear, hear.) He advised his lordship to take a firm stand on the enfranchisement point —on that alone—and the working men would give him such a support that would break down all opposition and sweep a way every obstacle. The men in the north recol lected his lordship's declaration in 1831, and he felt a more fitting close to a long and glorious career of statesmanship could not be than the carrying of a bill which admitted a great body of the industrious classes to the exercise of the elective franchise. (Hear, hear.) Sir F. CROSSLEY said, as a member of the Liberal party in the House of Commons, he thought it better his lordship should know what measure would be acceptable before it was brought forth. No true reformer could be in favour of a rating clause, and therefore it was but wise and prudent to adopt that which would meet with the greatest support. He knew the difficulty there would be in passing a £6 rental clause through the Muse of Commons, but whether it be that or a higherfigure that was adopted —(no, no) —an admission to the franchise of a great body of the working class was now urgently demanded, Mr. HIBBERT, M.P. for Oldham, and several other gentlemen having spoken on the subject of an extension of the suffrage, Earl RUSSELL said he had listened with great interest and pleasure to the various speakers who had addressed him. He did not require to be reminded of the industry, providence, forbearance, loyalty, and attachment to the honour of the country by the industrious classes. Of that he was well a ware —(h ear , hear)—and the ability with which he had been addressed showed most convincingly the state of intelligence in which that class had advanced. (Hear, hear.) It could not be expected that he could state the nature of the mea sure Government proposed to introduce into Par liament. He would take care that the statements he had heard that day should be placed be fore his colleagues, and the deputation might rely that they would adopt the measures best adapted for the welfare of the country. He would carefully consider the whole of the statements that had been made to him. The members of the deputation, having thanked his lordship for the attention he had given them, withdrew. PROVIDENT CLERKS' ASSOCIATION.—We beg to direct our readers to the ♦ory satisfactory report of this Association, whose 25th Annual General Meeting is re ported in our columns of to-day. AMERICA. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ARRIVAL OF THE HANSA. SOUTHAMPTON, Feb. 8. The North German Lloyds' steamship Hansa., froniNew York, on the 27th ult., has arrived. She brings 78 passen gers, a large cargo of tobacco and cotton for Bremen, $12,000 for England, $121,100 for France, and $15,000 for Bremen. On the 31st ult. she spoke British steamer Virginia. Her news has been anticipated. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This Day. MARLBOROUGII-S TREET. A SURGEON CHARGED WITH BEGGING.—Goorgo Wilkins, surgeon, of No. 1, Elliott's-cottages, Blackheath, was charged, before Mr. Knox, with being drunk and begging. Police-constable Wood, 80 C, said that on the previous afternoon he saw the prisoner stop a gentleman in Picca dilly, and ask for assistance, at the same time exhibiting his left hand, which was swollen. He cautioned the pri soner, who was drunk, and afterwards saw him stop another gentleman, who stepped aside to avoid him. The prisoner then walked into an hotel, and the persons there having some trouble to get rid of him he took the prisoner into custody. The prisoner said he had been fearfully unwell of late from gout in the hands, and that had brought him to his present condition. He went to the hotel to see a gon- tleman. Mr. Knox said tho prisoner complained of being unwell and having the gout in his hands, and yet got drunk. He should commit him for seven days. MARKETS.—This Day. METROPOLITAN CATTLE. Our market to-day was but moderately supplied with beasts in somewhat improved condition. All breeds were in fair request at Monday's currency. The top figure was 5s per 81b. Sheep, the show of which was rather limited, changed hands steadily at full quotations. The best Downs and half-breds realised Gs 8d per 81b. Calves were in short supply and moderate request on rather lower terms. The demand for pigs was in a sluggish state at barely sta tionary prices. Mulch cows were very dull. Per 81b to sink the offal. s de d s dsd Crse. & inf. beasts... 3 6 3 r 0 Pmecrs-wool sheep 5 8 6 2 Second quality do ..4 0 4 4 Prime s'thdown e 0.6 4 6 8 Prime large oxen ..4 6 4 8 Large coarse calvcs.s 0 5 6 Prime Scots, &c.... 4 10 5 0 Prime small d0......5 8 6 0 Crse. and inf. sheep. 4 0 4 8 Large hogs ...4 v 4 6 Second quality do ..4 iO 5 6 Small porkers 4 8 5 0 Lamb....os Od to 0, Od. Suckling calves, 19s to 2:s; and quarter-old store pigs, 298 to 33s each. Head of stock on sale. Total supply. Foreign supply. Beasts 1,050 Beasts 34) Cows l_o Cows. .. Sheep Calves l9O Ca - ves lBO Pigs 7O Pigs MEAT MARKETS. NEwaATE AND LEADENHALL-Full supplies of meat are on offer, and the trade is heavy at barely stationary prices :—Beef, from 2s 10d to 46 6d ; mutton, 3s 8d to 5s Jd ; veal, 4s 4d to 5s 4d ; and pork, 4s Od to 5s 4d per 81b by the carcase. HAY SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 lOs; clover £5 5s to £6 15s Od ; and straw, £1 IGs to £2 2s per load A moderate supply. CUMBERLAND.—Meadow hay, £4 lOs to £5 15s ; clover, £5 5s to £6 15s Od; andstraw,:£l 18s to £2 5s per load. Trade steady. WHITECHAPEL.—Meadow hay, £4 4s to £5 lOs ; clover, £5 lOs to £7 Os Od; and straw, £1 16s to £2 2s per load. A slow trade. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d. Hetton .. 18 0 N.S taffordshire 17 0 Shaw's Hartley lB 6 Holywell Main l7 0 South Kelloe East Hartlepool Ships at market, 37; sold, 23. Hartlepool Bates' West Hartley l4 6 South Hatton Wylam l7 0 Haugh Hall l6 9 The Great Russian Bank Note Forgeries, THE EXTRADITION TREATY. The public will remember the conviction of five notorious foreigners at the Central Criminal Court, for being in unlawful possession of forged Russian notes, and since that time Inspector Thomson, of the detective force at Scotland-yard, has been en gaged in tracing another gang of six, named Chas. Brennus alias Colandes, Emilie his wife, Francois Dorchies, Louis Blanchard, M. Julhiette, and Etienne Lafonte, Comte de Mascaras, who had been at work at Datchet, where all the stone photo graphing and other apparatus were seized. It having been ascertained that the gang were living in Paris, Mr. W. Campbell Sleigh applied to Mr. Stuart and Mr. F. Farrar, at Slough, who granted a warrant for their apprehension. The de positions, with the warrant, were laid before the proper authoritis at Scotland-yard, and thence re mitted to the Home-office, from whence they were sent to Lord Clarendon, and ultimately the warrant was handed to Inspector Thomson, a letter having previously been sent to Lord Cowley with instruc tions to facilitate the object in view. Having arrived in Paris, Inspector Thompson waited upon Lord Cowley at the Embassy on Wednesday last, and his Excellency at once communicated with M. Drouyn de Lhuys, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, asking for the extradition of the alleged forgers, in accordance with the provisions of the treaty 6 and 7 Vic., cap. 75. Baron Budberg, the Russian Minister at Paris, also urged upon the French authorities the surrender of the alleged forgers. On Monday a reply was forwarded to Lord Cowley by M. Drouyn De Lhuys, to the effect that he regretted exceedingly that he could not comply with the request of his Excellency to surrender the persons demanded under the provisions of the treaty of 1843, on the ground that the persons alluded to were French subjects, and that the words of the first section of the treaty " any person" were not intended to include French subjects. This is said to be quite a new reading of the treaty, which, it will be remembered, will expire on the 30th of June next, notice to that effect having been given on the Ist of January last. This decision of the French Government has caused the utmost conster nation to the Russian authorities, and is calculated unhappily to enlarge to an almost unlimited extent the opportunities for all sorts of French swindlers and ruffians to escape with impunity. Foreign Mail Packet List MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton Feb. 19 Ditto, via Marseilles Feb. 13. Brazil and Cape Verde, by British packet Mir. 6. Ditto, by French packet Feb. 2z. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena Feb. 22 China, Penang. and Singapore, via Southampton Feb. 19. Ditto, via Marseilles Feb. 13 Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton.... Feb. 19 Ditto, via Marseilles . Feb. 13 India (Bombay), via Southampton. Feb. 13 Ditto, yia Marseilles .. Feb. 22 Mauritius, via Southampton Ditto, via Marseitei . Feb. 13 . Newfoundland Portugal Mar. 6. Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry Feb. 9. West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Tenerifi'e Feb. 11, West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico Ftb. 13 Cuba and Mexico Bahamas, via New York. Mar. 8.1 Bermuda, ditto Feb. 14 MADAME TUSSAUD'S.—The admirers of the late lamented Gustavus V. Brooke, the eminent tragedian, who was lost in the ill-fated steamship the London, will, we feel assured, be pleased to know that Madame Tussaud has just added to her exhibition in Baker-street a full length portrait model of the departed gentleman. As we anticipated yesterday, Lord Dufferin will be retained in the Administration. He will succeed the Marquis of Hartington as Under Secretary of State for the War Department.— Times. GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION.—An explosion, the second within 18 months, took place at the St. Allen powder mills, near Truro, on Monday afternoon. Two men wore dreadfully burnt. The building in which they were working, and in which the explosion, from some cause at present unknown, took place, was completely de- stroyed. THE CO3IING SEASON.—It is stated that all the fashionable dress and mantle trimmings for the coming season will be mixed with transparent crystal beads. It is a pleasing change from the jet beads which have now been so long in use, and the transparency and lightness of crystal make the gimps and ornaments with which they are interwoven suitable for all descriptions of spring and glummer dresses. THIRD EDITION. SUN OFFICE, 7 o'CLocK. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-THIS EVENING. The house met to-day at half-past four o'clock for the purpose of swearing in members, at which time the Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack, and the cere mony lasted until five o'clock. THE CATTLE PLAGUE. In reply to a question from a noble lord, Earl RUSSELL said that he would receive a deputation from the Agricultural Association on this subject next Monday. The Earl of CARNARVON complained of the course which had been taken in regard to the proposition which had been made for a national fast in consequence of the great calamity which had befallen the agricultural classes by reason of the cattle plague. In such cases, when the country was visited with a calamity, it was usual to have recourse to national humiliation. Earl RUSSELL said that there had been already a form of supplication adopted on this subject, and he thought the noble lord should have postponed his observations until ho was made acquainted with all the facts. The Bishop of LINCOLN said that, speaking from the experience of his own diocese, ho was satisfied that a large portion of the community were not satisfied with the ar rangement referred to by the noble lord (Russell), but expected that there would be a special national humilia tion on this subject. SALES OF ESTATES AT PUBLIC AUCTIONS. Lord St. LEONARDS rose to draw the attention of the house t•o the law relating to biddings at the sales by auc tion of estates, and asked for leave to bring in a bill on the ' subject. Ho said that the present state of the sales of estates by public auction was most unsatisfactory. It was well known that no estate was sold in this country without some person being present who represented the owner, and who bid, in order that the estate should not bo sold under its value. He did not object to that in principle but in practice it led to great abuse. The existing system enabled an auctioneer to bid for an estate, and he never knew a case in which that privilege did not lead to mischief, for it led to a fictitious value being placed on the estate. He cited some cases in support of his statement. His object was to give the bona fide bidder his proper position, and enable him to get possession of an estate which was not in the market as a genuine purchaser. Tho noble and learned lord then referred to some facts in connection with the present system to illustrate further his views, and contended that the existing law on the sub ject required more stringent and complete revision. Tho interests of the public were concern in this matter, and jus tice might be done to those interests without inflicting any injustice whatever on the owner of real property brought to auotion. At present the purchaser was saddled with expenses, such as the making out the title of the orginal proprietor of the estate, which should properly fall on the seller. Tho hardships arising from that state of things were very serious and demanded redress. The LORD CHANCELLOR said the house was in. debted to the noble and learned lord for bringing this im. portant subject forward, but at present only a general opi nion could be given on it. The bill was then read a first time. The house then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING: . The SPEAKER took the chair at a quarter before four. ELECTION PETITIONS. Petitions wore presented, complaining of undue returns for the boroughs of Wexford, Hertfordshire, and Bridge north. The SPEAKER informed the house that he had received a letter from Mr. Stirling, informing him that it was not his intention to defend his seat for Dunbarton. COMMANDERS IN THE ROYAL NAVY. Sir L. PALK gave notice that on the 6th of March he would bring the position of the Commanders and Masters of the Royal Navy under the consideration of the house. COMMUNICATIONS WITH RAILWAY GUARDS. Mr. SHERIDAN gave notice on an early day he should move for leave to bring in a bill to make it compulsory on railway companies to effect a connection between guards and engine -drivers on railways. CATTLE PLAGUE. Mr. HUNT gave notice that on Monday next he should move for leave to bring in a bill for the prevention of the spread of the cattle plague. He however wished to state that in the event of the bill to be introduced by the Go vernment on that evening being satisfactory, he should not proceed with his bill. HONG KONG. Col. SYKES moved for a copy of extracts of all corres- pondence in the Colonial-office respecting the rendition by the acting governor of Hong Kong, Mr. Mercer, to the Chinese authorities at Canton of a person described in the public journals as the Mo-Wong, and his barbarous execu tion.—Ordered. SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE. Mr. V. EWART gave notice that on an early day he should move that the sittings of the house on Tuesdays should be the same as those on Wednesdays, viz., that the chair should be taken at twelve and vacated at six. THE WEST AFRICAN COMMITTEE. Mr. ADDERLEY asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps had been taken towards carrying out the recommendations of the West African Committee ? Mr. CARDWELL said amongst the steps to be taken by the Government was the establishment of steam com municatioa with theso island; the plan for which had been considered by the Treasury, and which would be submitted to Parliament for its approval, and the abolition of domestic slavery as far as it was possible to do. MORTALITY OF TROOPS IN CHINA. Col. NORTH moved for a copy of all correspondence which had taken place relative to the sickness and mor tality in the 2d battalion of the 9th Regiment and the 2d battalion of the 11th Regiment in China and Japan. THE ADDRESS—ADJOURNED DEBATE. The order for the resumption of the adjourned debate on the address to be presented by the house in answer to her Majesty's most gracious speech on the occasion of the opening of Parliament having been read, The O'DONOGHI7E rose and said he was about to refer to a paragraph in the Address to which he could not agree. It was that portion of it which referred to the conspiracy that had been found to exist in Ireland. He had the greatest objection to the words as they at present stood; and, therefore, he should move an amendment be made to the effect that the house express its deop re gret at the state of things in Ireland, but that it is of opinion that the disaffection is the result of a grievance, the cause of which it is the duty of her Majesty's Ministers to inquire into and remove. The hon. member then proceeded to refer to the disaffection that existed in Ireland, and said that it had in a great measure been produced by the coldness and inattention by which representations from that country had been treated. Ho was of opinion that the whole of the wide-spread disaffec tion was misgovernment. He could not tell the house that the Irish people were loyal and contented, because contrary was the fact ; and he could not tell Irishmen that they ought to be loyal, because this country refused them justice. There were certain matters they ought to concede to Irish people, and amongst them was a tax on absenteeism ; to do a way with the ascendancy of one Church over another—(hear, hear)—to assimilate the poor-law with that of England ; and pass an Act with reference to tenant right, which would g i v e the tenant a firm h o ld on t h e so i l irrespective o f t h e ca price of landlo r d s . If t h ese concessions were made it wo uld indeed be difficult again to creat e di s affection in Ireland, but if, on the contrary, it was refused, then the present lamentable state of things would exist and enlarge. He hoped some steps would be taken to restore peace and tranquillity in Ireland before blood had been shed; before passion had taken the place of reason, before the demon of hate had risen up amongst them. The people of Ireland hoped for justice from the new and united Parliament, and he hoped their expectations would not be disappointed. Ho should press his amendment to a divi sion. Mr. BLAKE seconded the amendment. He had done his best to point out to the people in Ireland the utter folly and uselessness of persevering in th eir p resent course, and ho felt that the only way i n which peace could be restored was that the state of the country should be taken into consideration by Parliament with a view to its ameliorhtion. To take steps to secure a fair compensation for any improvement of the land and protect the tenant against being entirely at the mercy of his landlord for all the out la y he might have incurred in improving his property. If these matters were earnestly taken into consideration, and redressed, Ireland would be come the right hand of England, and peace and content ment would reign in place of disappointment and distrust. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND thought the house ought not to acceed to the proposal of the mem ber for Tralee. It had been said that some of the political prisoners had been subjected to corporal punishment, but that was entirely destitute of foundation. [LEFT SPEAKING.] LAW INTELLIGENCE.—This Day. _. -+-- COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. (Before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn and a Special Jury.) RYAN V. WOOD-LIBEL. Mr. Hawkins, Q.C., Sergeant Robinson, and Mr. J. 0. Griffiths appeared for the plaintiff ; and Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., and Mr. W. Williams for the defendant. Mr. Hawkins stated the case. This was an action brought by the plaintiff for a libel, to which the defendant pleaded not guilty ; and secondly, that the words written and published were true. The plaintiff was the son of medical gentleman in Ireland, but had for upwards of 30 years been resident in this couatry. He was engaged as a musical critic on the Morning Herald and Morning Stan dard, and the defendant was the proprietor of the Orchestra, a weekly musical newspaper. On the Bth of July last the alleged libel was published, and under the head of "Black Mail in Journalism," contained an insinuation that the plaintiff had obtained the services of certain eminent musi cal artists to perform at concerts, which he gave annually, by using his influence as a musical critic in preference t paying thom for their services. Nothing was more calcu lated to damage the reputation of the plaintiff, and he was bound to bring the present action to vindicate his character. Mr. Desmond Ryan was examined—He said that for 16 years he had been a writer, and had wrrtten several librettos for operas. Ho had been nine months secretary to Mr. Lumley. Ho was sub-editor of the Musical World. All the artistes who sang at his concerts were his friends, with the exception of Madame Harriet Whippen, who sang for him at her own request. In cross-examination he thought that a critic should witness a performance before ho criticised it, but he had adopted a different course in regard to a performance given by Madame Bosio. He blamed and praised those who sang at his concerts impartially. The .112mical World was published by Messrs. Duncan, Davison, and Co., and he was not aware that there was any editor. He certainly did not fill that office. He knew that epigrams were pub lished in that paper, but they were not written by him— ho was not clever enough. Mr. Coleridge—Oh, that would depend on their merits. There were squibs in the paper. Mr. Ryan—Yes; and there was one on you, Mr. Cole ridge. (Laughter.) Mr. Coleridge—Yes, and I brought it on myself. I should like to see it. Mr. Ryan—l shall send you a copy. The witness then stated that he was in no way influenced in his criticisms by the fact that some singers gave him their services gra tuitously at his concerts. He praised and blamed them impartially. In re-examination, the witness ex plained, with reference to Madame Bosio's performance, that he had attended the rehearsal and made arrangements with a friend to inform him if the performance went off as he expected, and in the event of his not seeing him, he was to conclude that it had. His friend did not keep his ap pointment, and he wrote the article accordingly. The Lord Chief Justice— That was unfortunate. Mr. Ryan—lt was to me, for I was dismissed imme diately. (A laugh.) The Lord Chief Justice—Did other gentlemen on the press give concerts ? Mr. Ryan—Mr. Howard Glover did when he was con• netted with the Morning Post. Mr. Sims Reeves said that he was a friend of the plain tiff's and gave him his services gratuitously. His fee for attending a concert was 30 guineas. He was not influenced by the plaintiff's position—he looked to the public. Madame Sainton-Dolby gave evidence to the same effect. Mr. Coleridge—What is your fee, 20 or 30 guineas ? Madame Sainton-Dolby—Am I obliged to state my terms ? Mr. Coleridge—Then I shall not ask you. Madame Lancia said she wrote to the plaintiff, asking him to be allowed to sing at his concerts. On the last occasion she was unable to give him her services, having another engagement. Cross-examined—She knew that the plaintiff was a theatrical critic when she wrote to him. She gave her services to Mr. Ryan gratuitously, but Mr. Howard Glover paid her when she sang at his concerts. Mr. Harrison and Mr. Benedict gave similar evidence. Counsel having addressed the court, tie witnesses being called for the defence, His lordship summed up. The jury, without leaving the box, found a verdict for the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at £250. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. —This Day. CARMARTHEN RACES-THIS DAY. [Br ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.] BOROUGH MEMBERS' PLATE. Dandy 1 Chance Four ran. COUNTY MEMBERS' PLATE. Arlescott 1 Daisy Five ran. TATTERSALLS'—This Evening No betting. VICTORIA CLUB BETTING-THIS DAY. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. 100 to 6 agst Cortolyin (taken) 20 to 1 agst Laura (taken) 30 to 1 agst Merrimac (taken) DERBY. 100 to 15 agst Rustic (taken) Very little betting. E LIVERPOOL SPRING rp. Age st 114 Junius 5 6 13 Helen Charmian .. 5 6 9 Miss Harriette Miss Williams Mephistopheles 3 6 7 Oracle 3 6 4 Fan 4 6 3 Jezabel 3 6 0 Caithness 3 6 0 Nizam 3 6 0 Begum 3 6 0 Delight 3 5 12 Slieve Came 3 5 12 ACCEPTANCES FOR T] Age st lb Twilight Eltham 4 8 7 Fantail 6 7 9 Bradamante 5 7 9 Joker 4 7 7 Pro visor 4 7 7 Brahma 4 7 7 Filbert Wandering Minstrel 5 7 7 Wel beck 5 7 7 Lima filly Convent 4 7 5 Grapeshot 4 7 5 Pirate 4 7 3 Cutaway 5 6 131 HORSES STRUCK OUT OF THEIR ENGAGE MENTS. Jan. 29, at 9 a.m., 011erton and Tambourine, out of all handicaps to date. Feb. 1, at 0.48 p.m., Sinking Fund, out of all handicaps published to date. _ _ - Feb. 2, at 9 a.m., Ithcebus, out of all engagements. Feb. 5, after 6 p.m., Dunsany out of Sefton handicap, Liverpool. Feb. 6, at 11.29 a.m., Lady Abbess, out of all engagements. Feb. 6, at 5 p.m., Shrapnell, out of the City handicap at Lincoln. Feb. 8, at 9 a.m., Turcos, out of the handicap hurdle race at Derby. Bank of England Returns.•--This Evening. An Account, pursuant to t. cap. 32, for the week ending 1 ISSUE DEI ,he Act 7th and Bth Victoria, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1866. E'ARTMENT. Notes issued .....£26,922,520 Governint. Debt..£11,015,100 Other Securities.. 3,634,900 Gold Coin and Bullion Silver Bullion £26,922,520, BANKING I): .£26,922,526- Proprietors' Capi tal £14,553,000 Rest Public Deposits (including Ex chequer, Sav ings' Banks, Commissioners of National Debt, and Div Accounts) 4,549,904 Other Deposits 12,344,200 Seven Day and other bills PARTIrEENT. Gorernmt. Secu rities(including Dead Weight Annuity) £9,865,483 Other Securities 18,857,681 Notes .............. 5,906,320 Gold and Silver Coin ~,. 784,473 £35,413,957 Feb. 8, 1866. GE( 1 £35,413,957 . FORBES, Deputy Cashier. PIRACY ON THE HIGH SEAS.—The six sailors charged with piratically taking possession of the ship Scot land, on her voyage from Bombay to London, were this day again brought up at Bow-street, and formally exa mined and fully committed for trial. The facts of the case have already appeared at great length in The Sun. THE ABYSSINIAN CAPTIVES.—The following in- there,d to dated ste formation has been received from Dr. Beke, dated Massowah, Jan. 16.—" We reached here in safety yester tdha ayt, andleletters e t rhse fromßritish Consular g h e , n d t c a a r came av down Amba Magdala, Sept. 28, 1865 , saying they were then all alive and well, which letters would be forw ar d e d imme diately to their destination. The agent said a l so that the the eaptive s a Emperor had since taken the captives with him into God-- jam, whero he had gone to attack Tadola Gwaler, and that his future movements would depend upon circumstances. There was also a report that he would come into Tigre shortly. The last news from Mr. Rassam is that he was at Sassela, the capital of Taka, on Nov. 6, and was going forward to Matumma. Since then no intelligence had been received of him, although the agent had sent two or three messengers after him." SUICIDES IN FRANCE.—The following, according to Dr. de Boismont, who has made the subject his special study, is a summary of the various modes of suicide cam mitted in France from 1827 to 1860 : Number. Males. Females. By hangin g 14,242 ... 12,152 ._ 2,000 By drowning 11,845 ... 6,688 ... 5,157 By firearms ,390 ... 4,337 ... 33 By charcoal 4,224 ... 2,917 ... 1,30 7 By cutting instruments 1,552 ... 1,272 ... 280 By voluntary fall By poison By other means 282 .. 228 ... 54 --- 38,671 ... 28,930 ... 9,741 THE CATTLE PLAGUE.—At the meeting of Con vocation to-day, the Archbishop of Canterbury stated that he had received a letter from the Home Secretary, declin ing to fix a day of national humiliation for the cattle plague. THEFT BY A MAIL GUARD. —At the High Court of Justiciary on Monday, Henry Orphoot Swanston, the mail guard who was apprehende d in October last for th e theft of letters containing money and stamps, while in th e execution of his duty on the Caledonian Railway, wa s , on pleading guilty to severa l of the charges against hi m, sen tenced 6 oid,hayesc:a tosu eight he o 1 v et iyears' si exchange os l t e o palnloaBtskise New i . t uldoer on London fo r bill s at cent. At thes e ra t es there . York is no profit on the import a t i on of go'd tr., M the United Sates. [ce, is The ss of t in a line, oiler's corn" ,••1 .----.. igh- sses the idea dale, yen" the rlia - by nerS Dula ,hOP 'Ott; Dr , r ate sves re- his c es, ttlo rge ng• aid ,nd 100 100 100 all 100 100 1021 9 i 1