The Sun. — London, England, 1865-05-24 00:00:00

that tax, the price of rags throughout the British dominions was raised to the price of foreign rags. Many persons, observed Mr. MAGUIRE, had paid little heed to the apprehensions of the papermakers in 1860, believing their alarm to be groundless ; but the experience of four years had shown that their gloomy prognostications had been below rather than above the mark. In 1861 a committee of inquiry was appointed, which decided that the position of the papermakers was deplorable, and that unless the Government took up their cause and persuaded foreign Governments to abolish the tax on rags the consequences would be serious. Nothing whatever has, how ever, been done for their relief, and Mr. GIBSON says that something might have. been accomplished if they had kept more quiet. We all know how much is likely to be got from a Govern ment without pressure, and how very con venient is the ready answer, " There has been no agitation on the subject; the grievances spoken of cannot, therefore, be very great." In answer to the official declaration that the paper trade was flourishing, Mr. MAGUIRE explained that it was useless for the exports and imports to in crease if the manufacturer made no profit. He showed that a desperate effort was being made by the manufacturers to increase the amount of produc tion, and thereby comparatively to reduce the amount of his fixed charges. Out of the £8,000,000 worth of paper made in this country, only £500,000 worth, or one-sixteenth is exported ; while, on the other hand, in 1859, the foreigner sent us only 700 tons of paper he now sends 12,000 tons:per annum, the value being raised from £35,000 to £600,000. Mr. MAGUIRE observed that he did not for a moment complain of the amount of paper imported, but that the British manufacturer was forbidden to meet the foreign manufacturer on equal terms. As for the argument about paper being made from raw fibres, Mr. MAGUIRE disposed of it by showing that the export duty on rags had trebled the price of exports of Spanish grass, the material chiefly employed. " The Belgian manufacturer, protected by his Government, could get rags from which he could make paper to rival that manufactured from exports from £l3 to £l4 per ton." As the hon. member very sensibly observed, the Government might, if it had acted with common prudence, have given the boon it wished to bestow on the penny press without doing any injury to British manu facturers. " Four newspapers, one of them a very large one, had, according to documents in hishands, gained to the extent of £lOO,OOO from the liberality and care of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade, To one newspaper in London £34,000 was given in the shape of remission of the Excise duty ; and, adding the three-farthings which had been taken from the pockets of the British papermaker, amounting to £17,000, it appeared that that paper had gained by the policy of the Go vernment £51,000 or £52,000 per annum, or about £200,000 since the change was made." The tax of three farthings in the pound, said Mr; MAGUIRE, amounted with a manufacturer who produced only ten tons a-week to a tax of £3,640 a-year. But the whole case is full of similar inconsistencies. What is given to one side with great professions of free trade and love of justice, is taken from the other side without show of right or reason. It is quite time that the matter was fully and fairly looked into, if we do not wish to see an important trade sacrificed to official caprice or convenience ; and, in spite of the adverse decision of last night, we hope things will not be allowed to rest in their present position. du. aitg LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1865. A case of manifest injustice seldom passes alto gether unnoticed by the English public, and it would be difficult indeed for it to do so when the aggrieved persons form a large and influential branch of our commercial classes. One would think that in these days of free trade it would only be re quisite to show that an important trade was suffer ing from unjust and oppressive burdens for imme diate steps to be taken for its relief ; but, strange to say, a case of manifest hardship has been suf fered to continue for four years without any effort being made to ameliorate the condition of the suf ferers. At the time when the French Treaty secured' many advantages to both countries, it was felt and said that there was one portion of it which pressed very hardly upon the British manufacturer, and it is only wonderful how a man of Mr. COBDEN'S com mercial sagacity could ever have consented to inflict such serious injury on a trade which he always ex pressed himself anxious to befriend. The fact was that he had very great difficulties to contend against, and in his anxiety to carry his main object he was willing to make some concessions and grant to the foreign merchants and manufacturers some advantages which they had no right to claim. Considering the general success and sagacity of his commercial schemes, it is very much to be regretted that Mr. COBDEN should have sanctioned such grievous injustice to our paper makers as formed part of his famous Treaty. The removal of the import duty on paper was fair enough, and in full accordance with the principles of Free Trade, which are now the recognised rules of our financial policy, provided always that the duty on rags exported from foreign countries had been removed at the same time. It is absolute non sense to talk about fair competition and free trade while there is a heavy tax on the raw material. It might as well have been called free trade to have retained the duty on imported corn and allowed ready-made loaves to come in free of duty. The paper makers of this country have, it is well known, to seek part of their supply of rags elsewhere, and if a duty of 20 per tent. has to be paid for the raw mate rial, how can they compete with the manufacturers who have at home an ample supply, and then can export the manufactured goods to this country duty free ? The English manufacturer carries weight in the race, and the effect of that weight is very clearly seen in the present condition of the trade. Mr. MAGUIRE, in his clear and able statement last even ing, brought forward convincing testimony of the great injury inflicted on the trade by these arrange ments, and Mr. MILNER GIBSON, who, on the part of the Government, opposed all consideration of their grievances, was totally unable to answer them. Letters from paper-makers in England, Scotland, and Ireland all told the same story, and even the . conflicting epistles so obligingly put in the hands of the President of the Board of Trade failed to sub vert their evidence. It is, however, worth notice that one of the letters read by Mr. MILNER GIBBON was not - written by a papermaker, but by a paper con s u Tiler, scarcely so good a judge of the prospects of the trad e ; while the other came from a paper manufacturer, who made his paper entirely of raw fibre. How Mr. GIBSON can talk of applying free competition to all the interests of the country with any regard to logi c is somewhat perplexing. He talks of the House reversing its policy by any movement in favour of the papermakers, forgetting that it is, in fact, the reversal of a protective policy that is asked for. If our papermakers were allowed free competition with the foreigner they would have n o grounds for complaint, but, while the free trade is all on one side they have every reason for dis content. Mr. MAGUIRE said that he believed the most beneficial results would follow from the French Treaty, but that the interests of the British papermaker had certainly been forgotten when it was made. Why the abolition of the duty on rags was not insisted on as a necessary condition of the removal of the duty on paper is a problem not easily solved by the English manufacturer. The injury done to their trade was not, as Mr. MAGUIRE showed, to be measured by the actual amount paid for the 10,000 tons of foreign rags imported, but by the fact that, in consequence of Lord CHELMSFORD last night addressed the House of Lords upon an important subject, the English Prisoners in Abyssinia. The circumstances relat ing to this affair are but imperfectly understood, and it is quite as well that the public should have an opportunity of informing themselves by the pro duction of the papers relating to the affair. Well might the noble lord say that it was a painful matter of which he treated, and also that it seemed very remarkable that for a long space of time, eighteen months in fact, Englishmen had been imprisoned in Abyssinia. Certainly, strange things go on in many places of which little or no cognisance is taken ex cept by those immediately concerned, but such an event as this is really of too much importance to be passed by with the , silence which is so convenient to those in authority, and so especially advocated by them with every possible caution. Lord CHELMSFORD has very properly put ' aside these warnings, and taken the responsibility upon himself of broaching the affair, for we may go on for ever in ignorance of what has transpired if we wait for the tardy enlightenment of the Foreign Office. It is not the way to induce foreign poten tates to treat our fellow-subjects with respect, if they find that whatever they do no notice is taken by the English public, and such an immense deal of time is wasted in the circumlocution offices of state, that in the end their delinquencies are condoned, and their sins escape with impunity. This pretext of the inconvenience of discussion, and the injudi ciousness of publicity, has been so often resorted to that it is quite a refreshing change to find a noble lord or an honourable member who sets it at defiance and determines to let a case rest upon its own merits. Those who study the chief points of this affair will concur in the opinion of Lord CHELMSFORD, that the Foreign Office has been guilty of " extraordinary carelessness and want of judgment," and consequently the inconveniences and sufferings of the prisoners have been prolonged and increased. The fact is, that there is always so much delay in all cases where decisive action and determined spirit are wanted that tricks are played, or advantages taken, which some time back would not have been tolerated. In the course of his speech Lord CHELMSFORD entered into some details re specting the treatment which the prisoners had received at the hands of the EMPEROR, and it was certainly harsh and unfair in the extreme. No doubt the parties concerned in the affair acted with indiscretion, and did not sufficiently control their feelings, but nothing can possibly extenuate the savage treatment of the potentate who gave vent to his violent temper, and appeared to think that he had slaves he could trample on and kill at pleasure instead of the free subjects of a great nation. The EDIPEROR'S irritable state was further in creased by no answer being received to his letter to tho Foreign-office, in which he requested permission to send an ambassador to this country. It could not have been necessary to take sixteen months to find out what reply was a suitable one. In any case such procrastination would have been quite out of \ character, and consorted ill with the dignity and decorum of this nation, but under the peculiar circumstances referred to it was productive of the most lamentable results. Surely, as Lord L CHELMSFORD said, a requisite - answer might have been framed in a month at least. When it was t known that, justly or unjustly, the EMPEROR was irritated, what exc use there ti ngh t beo onlyformethod waiting t such a long ti me before could of appeasing the offended potentate ? To add to the confusion worse confounded of the affair, no pains were taken to send out the long-delayed answer in a fitting form, and therefore the messen ger was not received, and is now waiting in vain with his lm`ter. The EMPEROR has been informed LATEST INTELLIGENCE that if the captives are liberated no reparation will (REUTERS TELEGRAMS.)' be required. This is an extraordinary m o de of proceeding, and quite a new style of lan guage for England to adopt when wrongs and violence have been sustained by her sub jects. There was a period in our annals, and there have been statesmen at our councils, when such things would not have been tolerated. Doubt less Earl RUSSELL thought that if the demand of Lord CHELMSFORD was not complied with he could patch up the affair somehow or other. It is just as well, if only as a warning for the future, that all the circumstances of this ill-managed affair should come out, and that due attention should be paid to the modern method of diplomacy which is in vogue at the Foreign-office. Earl RUSSELL, of course, made some very plausible excuses ; but he began by exposing his vexation a little too plainly, for he said that he was puzzled to know whether it was the noble lord's object to throw blame on the Foreign-office or to mitigate the sufferings of the prisoners in Abyssinia. He then proceeded to tell Lord CHELMSFORD that it would be his fault if any Increased inconveniences were experienced by the prisoners, because he persisted in introducing a distussion of the matter. The noble lord declared it was the intention of her MAJESTY'S Government to send out an officer of high rank to Abyssinia, in order to procure the release of Captain CAMERON, our Consul. This is a very satisfactory announce ment, but why was not this wise resolution come to at an earlier period of the affair ? Much misery might have been prevented thereby, and it would have prevented an awkward precedent being esta blished as to the treatment of our subjects by any foreign potentates who have real or imaginary grounds of offence against them. The House for tunately divided in favour of Lord CHELMSFORD and against the Ministers. It is very desirable that for many reasons we should be put in possession of the facts that are intimately connected with this affair. It is important that our relations with Abyssinia sheuld be maintained in a friendly spirit, but they are not likely to be so if a hesitating and vacillating policy be pursued. It is wise to pro pitiate those whose styles and customs make them depend too much upon external show and empty forms, and by a little dexterous manceuvring much may be done ; but it does not appear that our Government has taken this view of the matter at all. On the other hand, they have suffered the subjects of our Sovereign to sustain insults that have been passed over, and injuries that have been treated with indifference. A little more care and consideration would have prevented all this in a great measure. Had a fitting reply been sent to the EMPEROR'S letter in an appropriate style shortly after it had been received there would not have been the same cause for provocation ; and, again, had more decided representations been made, no doubt long before this the prisoners would have been released. At all events we shall have now an opportunity of studying the particulars of this affair, and of seeing in what ingenious manner it has been so mismanaged. Nothing can be more in jurious than the constant habit that prevails among members of the Government of shirking these demands for copies of letters and papers of great importance and interest. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMMONS-MAY 23. PAPER TRADE. AUSTRIA. PESTH, MAY 24. The Pesther Lloyd of to-day says it may be con sidered certain that the Emperor of Austria will go to Pesth early next month to be present at the races. EGYPT. ALEXANDRIA, May 13. On the 9th inst., Sir Henry Buiwer left Alexan dria for Constantinople by one of the Egyptian war steamers, placed at his disposal by his Highness Ismail Pacha. The guns of the forts and shipping saluted the departure of the illustrious diplomatist. Sir Henry's health has been thoroughly re-estab lished. The usual reception on the occasion of the Bairam festival took place on Friday last and was attended by all the Consuls and elite of Alexandria and Cairo. His Highness the Viceroy appeared in excellent health and spirits. The Consul-General Testa, as senior member of the consular body, pronounced an address of congratulation, to which his Highness most graciously and felicitously responded. On no former occasion was there a greater assemblage to pay honour and gratitude to the Viceroy. The Hon. Mr. Hale, the American Consul-Gene ral, having requested the several Consulates to sym pathise in a general mourning for the death of President Lincoln, it was arranged that for seven days the colours of the various nationalities should be hoisted half-mast. Letters from Cairo state that the weather hai l been unseasonable, the cold and wind being de structive to the crops and the health of the people. FRANCE, PARIS, May 24. The Constitutionnel of to-day publishes the fol lowing article, signed by M. Paulin Limayrac, a summary of which was telegraphed yesterday : " For some days past pessimist thinkers have been freely expressing their opinions with regard to the news from America. It was announced that the agents of Juarez were publicly recruiting volun teers in New York and other centres of population ; the demand addressed by the Federal Government to the maritime powers to no longer recognise the Confederates as belligerents likewise caused pre occupation ; in fact, great pains were taken to point out difficulties probably contingent upon such an array of circumstances. " Now in such apprehensions there was evident exaggeration. The steps taken pursuant to the declaration of neutrality by the French Govern ment were rendered necessary by the circumstances of the war, and ought, of course, to cease with the war. If we are well informed, the order limiting the stay of Federal vessels in our ports to 24 hours has already been withdrawn by the Minister of Marine. As to the Confederate flag, it is carried by two or three vessels only, -which do :not now seem likely to remain at sea much longer, and which, in the actual state of things, cannot presumably be the cause of any difficulty between the Federal Govern ment and France. " With respect of the enrolments which are be ing carried on in some cities in the United States we are not surprised that some attempts should have been made after the late military events ; but we doubt that they have been more successful than the appeal of the same nature made by Ortega a month since. According to the New York telegram of the 11th of May, published in this morn ing's journals, a large portion of the press declaim energetically against manifestations hostile to France. President Johnson appears to have himself taken up the matter, and has, it is stated, signified his intention not to tolerate any manoeuvre which might compromise the neutrality of the United States. The Federal Government is armed with a law prohibiting enlistments of this kind, and their language attests from the present moment that, in case of need, they would use the powers which this law places in their hands. Moreover, any practical difference would be contrary to the senti ments hitherto manifested by the Cabinet of Wash ington, as, for three years past, it has repeatedly disavowed all intention of creating difficulties for us in Mexico. Of this the diplomatic documents delivered to the Chamber in the session before last contained unequivocal proofs. A few days before his death Mr. Lincoln caused to be transmitted to, the French Government fresh assurances of a no less satisfactory character, that the Washington Government had resolved to remain completely neutral in Mexican affairs. We must add that the reply of President Johnson to the speech of the English Minister, and the language of Federal diplomacy, are rather of a nature to confirm than than to belie these proofs of a pacific disposition towards foreign Powers." An Imperial decree, signed by the Empress- Regent, makes ten promotions to the rank of Officer in the Legion of Honour, and 31 nomina tions of Knight, all for service in the, Mexican ex peditionary army. Another decree nominates four civilians to the dignity of Knight. The Moniteur publishes the promulgation of a treaty between the French and Peruvian Govern ments, to reduce the import duty on guano brought to France by foreign vessels. The Duke and Duchess de Saldanha have left Paris for Bordeaux, where they are to embark for Portugal. The inauguration of the tomb of Eugene Dela croix, the painter, took place yesterday morning at Pere-la-Chase. After mass had been celebrated, addresses were delivered by M. Rivet, relative of the deceased, by the chaplain of the cemetery, and by M. Berryer, an old friend of the artist. " The Paris Mint," says the Phare de la Loire, " is at the present moment striking a medal com memorative of the visit of the Emperor to Algeria. This medal will bear two legends, one in Arab cha racters and the other in French, and will be dis tributed to the principal native chiefs." _ _ Motion made and question put, " That the position in which the British paper trade has been placed by the abolition of the import duty on foreign paper, leaving the foreign export duty on rags in full operation, is one of great hardship to the British manufacturer, and calls for prompt legislative interference, with the view of placing the home manufacturer on terms of fair and equitable competition with continental manufacturers." The house divided—Ayes, 95 ; Noes, 140. _ . AYES —95. Ang,erstein, W. Ferrand, W. Mundy, W. Anstruther, Sir R. Filmer, Sir E. Noel, G. J. Archdall, Capt.M.E. Forester, Gen. O'Donoghue, The Bateson, Sir T. Galway, Viscount O'Neill, E. Beamish, F. B. Gard, R. S. Parker, Major W. Beecroft, G. S. Gore, J. R. 0. Percy, Eiirl Benyen, It. Grogan, Sir E. Pevensey, Viscount Beresfbrd, W. Hartopp, E. B. Ridley, Sir M. W. Berestard, D. Harvey, IL B. Smith, Abel Black, A. Hervey, Lord A H. Smith, Augustus Blake, J. Hennessy, J. P. Smith, Sir F. Booth, Sir R. G. Heygate, W. U Smith, M. T. Boyle, G. F. Holmesdale, Lord Stronge, Sir J. M. Brady, Dr Bornby, W. H. Sullivan. M. Bremridge, R. Ingestre, Viscount Surtees, H. E. Bruce, Sir H. Jones, D. Taylor, Col. Cairns, Sir H. Kelly, Sir F. Torrens, It. Clifton, Sint,. Kennedy, .2. Tottenham,Lt.-Col. Cochrane, A. D. B. Kuox Col Treherne, M. Cole, H. Knox, Major W. S. Turner, J. A. Cole, J. L. Langton, W. G. Verner, Sir W. Corbally, hi. E. Lanigan, J. Verner, E. W. Dalkeith, Earl of Lawrence, J. C. Walcott, Admiral 1 Dawson, It. I'. Lee, W. WaldegTave-Leslie Dick, F. Legh, W. J. Waldron, L. Dickson, Col. Lever, J. 0. Walker, J. R. Du Cane, C. Lopes, Sir M. Waterhouse, S. Duncombe, W. E. Malcolm, J. W. Whitmore, H. • Dunkellin, Lord Malins, It. Williams, F. M. Edwards, Col. Manners, Lord J. Elphinstone, Sir J. Miller, W. - TELLERS. Farquhar, Sir M. Morgan, Major Maguire, J. F. Farrer, J. Mowbray, J. It. Doulton, F. NOES-140. Acland, T. D. Foljambe, F. J. S. Morris, W. Adam, W. P. Forster, C. Nicol, W. Agnew, Sir A. Fortescue, C. S. I'admore, R. Autrobus, E. Gaskell, J. M. Paget, Lord C. Athlumney, Lord Gibson, T. M. Palmer, Sir it. Ayrton, A. S. Gladstone, W. E. Pease, H. Bagwell, J. Glyn, G. G. Peel, Sir It. Baines, E. Goldsmid, Sir F. Peel, F. Baring, T. G. GoscheniG. J. Portman, W. 11. B. Barnes, T. Gower, F. L. Potter, E. Baxter, W. E. Greenall, G. Potter, T. B. Beaumont, W. B. Greene,'J. Powell, F. S. Berkeley, C. I'. F. Greenwood, J. Pritchard, J. Blackburn, P : Grenfell, C. Proby. Lord Bright, J. Grey, Sir G. ltobartcs. T. J. A. Bruce, Lord C. Grey deWilton,Lord Robertson, D. Bruce, H. A. Haufleid, G. Robertson, 11. Caird, J. Hankey, T. Rothschild,Baron al Calthorpc, F. H. Hayter, Sir W. Russell, IL Cardwell, E. Headlam, T. E. Russell, A. Castlerosse, Vist. Ilibbert, J. T. Russell, Sir W. Cave, S. Hodgkinson, G. Salomons,Aiderman Childers, H. C. E. norsman, E. Scholefleid, W. Cholmeley, Sir M. Hubbard, J. G. Seymour, A Clay, J. Ingham, R. Shafto, R. D. Clifford, C. C. Jervoise, Sir J. Shelley, Sir J. V. Collier, Sir R. P. Kendall, N. Sheridan, R. B. Collins, T. King, P. J. L. Smyth, Col. Cowper, W. F. Kinglake, Serj. J. Staniland, M. Craufurd, E. 11. J. Kingscote, Col. Stansfeld, J. Crawford, R. W. Kinnaird, A. F. Steel, J. Dalglish, R. Knatchbull-Hugess Stuart, Col. C. Davey, it. Lawson, W. Sykes, Col. W. H. Denman, G. Lefevre, G. J. S. Thompson, H. S. Dent, J. D. Leighton, Sir B. Tite, W. Doucrlas, Sir C. Liddell, H. U. Tollemache, F. J. Duff, M. E. Lowe, it. Trollope, Sir J. Egerton, E. C. Lyall, G. Villiers, C. P. Enfield, Viscount Mackinnon, W.(Ly.) Vyner, RA. Enpis, J. Mackinnon,W. A. Western, S. Esmon de. J. 3.l`Malion, P. Whalley, G. H. Evans, T. W. Mainwaring, T. Wood, Sir C. Ewart, W. Marsh, M. H. Wynne, W. W. B. Ewart, J. C. Martin, J. Wyvill, 31. Ewing, H. E. C. Mills, J. It. Fenwick, E. M. Mitchell, T. A. TELLERS. Fenwick, H. Moncreiff, J. Brand, H. Finlay, A. S. Montagu, Lord R. White, L. " At the Exhibitions of 1851, 1855, and 1862," says the Constitutionnel, " many exhibitors of machines complained, and not without reason, of the difficulty, they experienced in procuring the motive power necessary to work the ap paratus they exhibited. We believe we may state that measures are already being taken to prevent, in the Universal exposition of 1867 the recurrence of any such inconvenience. As it is almost impossible to obtain good results by the Government undertaking to supply the whole of this motive power a new combination will probably be adopted. It was proposed to divide the machine gallery into 16 sections. All owners of motive machines exhibited' will be invited to state the terms THE FRENCH OAKS.—Magnificent weather and the running of the French Oaks yesterday (Sunday) attracted all the sporting community of Paris to the head quarters of racing in France. The course being in excellent condition, Deliane, the disgraced Derby favourite, won the great race of the day, and proved, as we remarked on the occasion of the Emperor's Prize, that her defeat on that occasion was owing to the saturated state of the ground, which gave horses of less speed but a stouter build an advantage. Her victory yesterday was one of the easiest imaginable, as no other horse was within throe or four lengths of her at the winning post. M. Aumont's Finn& appeared for a moment as about to dispute the race, but when called upon at the finish she showed temper and swerved aside, as she had dono at Paris in the Prix du Printemps. But even with that untoward incident the result would have no doubt boon the same. Deliano was at once reinstalled in the place of first favourite for the French Derby which she had so long occupied, 3 to 1 being her current price after the race. Next in importance was the handicap, which brought out a field of 12, and produced an excellent race, seven of the starters coming in almost abreast at the finish. The race was won by allead only, and five of the horses followed so closely on Fontagnes, who came in second, that the judge could not decide which was third, and placed only two. The winner was the top weight, La -Reine - Borthe, half-sister to Stradella.— Galignani. THE TRIAL OF DR. PRITCIIARD.—WO learn that the trial of Dr. Pritchard, on the charge of murdering his wife and mother-in-law by means of poison, will take place at Edinburgh, for certain, between the 15th and 20th of June next—that is, if it does not commmence on Thursday the 15th, it will on Monday the 19th, or Tuesday the 20th. The Lord Justice-Clerk will judge the case and take notes of the evidence, although two other Justiciary Judges, who have not yet been fixed on, will also be on the bench. The Lord Advocate will conduct the prosecution.—Giavow Mining Journal. upon which they would undertake to set in motion all the apparatus exhibited in each one of the separate sections. They will at the same time be requested to point out the means they intended to employ. The service of one or of several sections will be entrusted to those who make the best offers, both as to the efficient working of the machines and as to the expense involved. The means of transmission and the motor-engines them selves might also be considered as objects exhibited, and might, consequently, compete for prizes. In case of several competitors of different countries offering the same conditions, the preference would be given, in the French part, to Frenchmen, in the English part t.i English, and the same for other nations. This appears to be a happy innovation, which, opening a wide field for competition, will put in action the most varied interests to contri bute to the success and renown of the Universal Exhibition of 1867." The Paris Savings' Bank received, during the fortnight ending 22d inst., deposits amounting to 748,102 fr., and reimbursed the sum of 782,755 fr. During the same period the payments made into the Caisse de Retraites for the Aged were 104,341 fr. The bulletin of the Paris Observatory gives the following as the atmospheric state of Europe yester day : " The considerable barometrical decline which had taken place on Sunday morning on the Channel produced a storm which last evening crowd the north-west of France, At six the TIT E DERB Y.-CALLAGHAN'S NEW DERBY RACE GLASS. price Us. with Sling Case complete. This new model, ombining high power and portability. Is at once the cheapest and best glass ever offered to the public. Post-office orders have immediate attention. Wm. Callaghan, optician,23A, New Bond-street,VV. (corner of Condnit-street), sole agent to Voigtlander; Vienna- ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. -OPERA. GLASSES, in every variety of form and mounting, matchless for their great magnifying power and sharpness of definition, at CALLAGHAN'S, No. 23A, New Bond-street, W. (corner of Conduit-street), sole agent for the celebrated Opera and Field Glasses, by Voigtlander, Vienna.,; g THEATR E-R 0Y A 14, HAYMARKET. Lessee. Mr. Buckstene. THIS EVENING the performance will commence with OUR MARY ANNE. After ch (first time), BROTHER SAM. Messrs. Sothern, Bac k stone, Compton, &e. ; Mesdames Snowdon, Moore, &c. To 'be followed by THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER. Messrs. Cooper, Whifrx, Braid, Clark, &c. ; Mesdames L. Keeley, F. Wright, &a And A KISS IN THE DARK. To commence at 7. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHL— oaIe eroortwtor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING, THE IRISH TIGER. Messrs. C. H. Stephenson and Eburne; Mies K. Kelly. After which, at 8, FAZIO; OR, THE ITALIAN WIFE. Bianca, Miss Bateman; supported by Messrs. Jordan, Stuart' C. J. Smith, Eburne, Ashley, and Mrs. Billington. To conclude with THE STEEPLECHASE; or, In the pigskin. Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford ; Miss K. Kelly Commence at 7. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. THIS EVENING, A DAY AF PER THE WEDDING. Messrs. C. Horsman, Collett, Mgaityre, &c. ; Mesdames C. Horsraan and G. Leigh. After which. at Eight, DON CESAR DE BAZ AN. Don Caesar, Mr. Fechter; Messrs. Ryder, Fitzpatrick, Garden, Clifford, Collett; Miss Lavenn, Mrs. Lee, and Miss Carlotta Leciercq. To conclude with THE LOST CHILD. Mr. Widdicomb. Doors open at Hall-past Six. The Box-office open daily from Eleven till Five. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Vining. THIS EVENING, a new Farce, by Mr, David Fish entitled HEART -STRINGS AND FI D D LE-STRINGS er, . Alter which, H . NA POGUE : Messrs. Dion Bonci cault, S. Brougham, H. Vandenhoff, 1). Fisher, D. Murray; Mrs. Boupicault and Miss 31. Oliver. • To conclude with AN. AMPLE APOLOGY. Commence at 7. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manageress. Mrs. Swanborough. THIS EVENING, ONE TREE HILL Messrs. Craven, Stoyle, Jamei, Belton:1; Miss A. Swanborough and Miss M. Palmer. After which, AL ADDIN. Messrs. Thorne, and James ; Mesdames Hughes, Weston, Thorne, and Eliza Holt. To conclude with UP STAIRS AND DOWN STAIRS. Mr. Stoyle ; Miss Simpson. THE LAST EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing the Latest SPOUTING INTELLIGENCE, ban be had Every Evening of (.4. R. GLIGNIE, Nzws AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN " supplied, as soon as published every Evening by W. ALEXANDER (late BROOKS), Newspaper Agent, 21, Old Cavendish-street, Oxford-street THE LAST EDITION of " THE SUN " splied as soon as Published. containing all the LATES HARRIS , and SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, by Newspaper Agent, 4, Blackfriars-road, H. W. London, S. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. T DAT.—Morning, lh. 10m.—Afternoon, lh. 36m. o-31 onao w .4d o rnin g, 2h. Om.—Afternoon, 2h. 24m. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EV. ~~~~ NING, MAY 24, 1865. weather was rough at Havre ; at nine lightning. gleamed over Paris ; and at half-past ten the storm burst over the capital. The barometer is continuing to 'fall on the north-west of Europe, but is rising over Spain. A squall is passing over the north-west of England, and fresh storms appear to be passing over France from the Bay of Biscay towards the North Sea." Yesterday afternoon at three, in Paris, the thermometer marked 26i Centigrade (10 Fahrenheit). About seven in the evening some flashes of lightning were visible with thunder, but at a great distance to the nor th -west. A letter from Athens states that a serious accident has happened to General Vlachopoulo. While standing on the balcony in front of his house, the balustrade suddenly gave way and he fell into the street, dislocating one of his feet, cutting both his hands, and giving his whole system a most violent shock. BOURSE, May 23.—There is little in the aspect of the market to-day to call for particular notice— business having been conducted at about yesterday's closing rates. Threes, for the Account, remain un changed at 67f. 35c. Mobilier Shares have fluc tuated between 775 fr. and 767 fr., the latter being the ruling quotation at this hour. The Stock of the Mexican Loan and Italian Five per Cents. have slightly improved, the former. being negotiated at 47fr. 25c., and the latter at 40fr. 90c. The market has not maintained the attitude it assumed at the opening, and transactions in the two principal Securities have taken place at lower rates—the fol lowing being the closing quotations : _ 4-} per Cents 95 50 Italian Loan 65 95 Do. end month — Do. end month 65 82 3 per Cents. 67 20 Ditto Threes 66 20 Do. end month 67 22i New Mexican ... _ .. . ... -- . Credit Mobilier ... 762 56 1 Russian Do. end month ... 765 1 Austrian Bank Shares 3620 I Spanish Threes ... Credit Foncier 1270 Home Debt Roman RAILWAYS. Cash. Acct. Orleans' B3O 830 Northern 1066 25 ... 1065 Lyons and Mediterranean 897 50 897 50 Southern 6OO ... 595 Western 525 Eastern Sardinian , 306 25 805 Austrian Lombard 516 25 ... 516 25 North of Spain 245 ... 245 Saragossa 341 25 ... 342 50 Ditto to Barcelona 145 THE BOMBAY MAIL. The Indian Overland Mail, which arrived in London yesterday, has brought journals and private advices to the following dates : Calcutta, April 22 ; Bombay, April 28. The Bengal Hurkaru publishes the following items of intelligence, which are all of any import ance to be chronicled from Culcutta In consequence of the fall of Dewangiri the Bhooteas, we learn, are again endeavouring to ne gotiate terms of peace; they have addressed several letters to the chief civil officer with the Bhootan field force on the subject. But after the experiences of Mr. Eden's mission, we think the Government ought to insist upon the unconditional surrender or submission of Toungsoo Penlow as a guarantee of good faith, before any terms are listened to. We learn from the frontier that 9 per cent. of the troops in the Dooars are on the sick list, and that the weather is daily becoming more oppressive and sultry. The Gazette contains a notification of the breaking up of the Bhootan field brigades. They are again formed into one brigade, under the command of General Tytler, with headquarters " ordinarily" at Gowhatty. In consequence of this arrangement General Tombs reverts to the command of the Gwa lior District. We gather from a newswriter at Furruckabad that cotton has so greatly fallen in price that all dealings in it have been stopped. The people and the mahajuns alike decline dealing in an article subject to such sudden and such excessive fluctua tions. The great bathing day at Hurdwar is now over, and those who came to perform their yearly ablutions in the sacred waters of the Ganges have left the place. There must have been at least three millions of visitors ; strictly speaking, it was not a fair— this is to follow—as there was nothing brought for sale. It is the anniversary of some great event that comes round every twenty years. The excellent arrangements made by the police authorities pre vented many accidents ; but several lives were lost in the streets by the pressure of the crowd seeking food or eagerly straing to reach the sacred ghauts. Accidents of more or less serious nature also oc curred during the rush into the water at the first in timation given by the high priest of the commence ment of the auspicious time for immersion. The number of deaths from these causes cannot be accu rately ascertained, but it has been estimated at from 40 to 400. A large proportion of the bathers were women, who journeyed to this distance from the southern and eastern districts of Bengal, the Central Provinces, and Central India, and, amongst these thousands, it does not say much for the beauty of the houris of the East, not a single really beautiful woman could be seen. Old and decrepid women seemed to counterbalance the young, and when these, after the immersion, arose from the waters " like Venus from the sea," they did not strike the spectators as possessing in any remarkable degree the grace and beauty of the form divine. The Brahmins must have made a splendid harvest from these millions of unfortunate votaries to superstition : They were collecting money in every shape, from shells and copper to gold, in all directions, sparing neither rich nor poor. One old Raja, to pave his way to the regions of bliss everlasting gave 55,000 rupees, and would have given more, but that the unfortu nate and crazed creature kicked the bucket before he could finish his almsgiving. Native re ports state that the water of the Ganges would lose its sacred virtue within the next 14 years, and that this would be the last anniversary of the kind that would take place. Hence, probably, the increased I number of pilgrims. _ _ _ The subjoined is extracted from the Bombay Gazette : It is stated that Government have determined upon constructing an additional line of telegraph between Bombay and Kurrachee. Mr. H. B. Harington re tires from the Bengal service after a period of 40. years' labour. Sir W. Mansfield has appointed Major F. R. S. Flood his military secretary, Lieut. H. T. Christie aide-de-camp, and Surgeon J. T. C. Ross, surgeon. His Excellency the Viceroy left Calcutta on the 17th instant for Simla. It is ru moured that the Hon. Mr. H. L. Anderson is about to retire from the Bombay Civil Service. Mr. Anderson has arrived in Bombay from Calcutta, having resigned his seat in the Governor General's Legislative Council. His Excellency the Governor of Bombay and staff proceeded, on the 26th inst., to Mahableshwur for the hot season. Mr. Temple, Commissioner of the Central Provinces, goes home on six months' leave. Mr. Campbell, Judicial Commissioner, officiates as Chief Commissioner during Mr. Temple's absence. Major Nixon has been appointed political agent at Meywar, and Captain Impey to the political agency, Marwar. Lieutenant-Colonel Eden has been appointed agent to the Governor-General for the State of Rajpoo tana, consequent on the demise of Colonel Elliot. Mr. G. Inverarity retires from the Commissioner ship of Customs; Mr. A. D. Robertson, now in England, is to succeed to the appointment. Mr. A. T. Crawford is to act as Collector of Bombay, and the Hon. G. A. Hobart as Registrar-General. Mr. F. S. Chapman is to be Secretary to Government in the revenue, financial, and general departments. Mr. Rogers will succeed the Hon. B. H. Ellis as Revenue Commissioner, northern division. THE TIPTREE-HALL ESTATE.—An agricultural journal says :—"lt has been understood for some time past that tho Tiptree-hall estate was in the market ; but it is now proposed, through a committee of noblemen and gen tlemen, to purchase the property and present it to Mr. Mechi, as some appreciation of his services in the cause of agriculture." Essex, we are sure, would be ready to join heartily in such a testimonial to a gentleman who, what ever difference he may have had with them on practical matters, had by his demeanour and general bearing, and earnest love of agriculture, won the goodwill and respect of the farmers of the county,—Eanx Herald, ~- The Enc,, , lish Treaty with Madagascar. ALEXANDRIA, May 10. A letter received here from Samatava (Madagas- car) says : Although Mr. Pakenham was received with very great honours upon arriving at the capital, and still continues the object of much attention, he has as yet obtained nothing. The treaty drawn up in London, which he has laid before the Queen, has been altered and modified to such an extent by the Ministers and privy councilors of the Government, that scarcely a trace, so .to speak, remains of the original draft. The Hovas will not hear of a dimi nution in the customs tariff, either upon imports or exports. They also refuse to understand the pro posal made to them to concede the use of lands to be worked by foreigners. This methOd of simple lease seems to them a disguised form of taking possession of the country. But the Malagash soil belongs .to the Queen in person ; it is she who authorises her subjects to work it, but she can also recall the per mission and expel them if necessary or whenever such is her pleasure. It is intelligible, up to a cer tain point that, with such ideas and principles, the Hova Government is disinclined to bind itself by contracting engagements with foreigners. But this is not the only clause of the English treaty which has been struck out by the Ho'ras. They refuse to acknowledge the jurisdiction of a foreign power over its own subjects. They claim to be the sole judges of acts, whatever they may be, taking place on their territory between Hovas and foreigners, and even between foreigners solely. This last claim is extravagant, but the matter in any case will soon be settled. I understand that Mr. Paken ham will arrive here next month to await the return of the treaty which he forwarded to England in December last. In other respects, since the sentence of banish ment pronounced against the ex-Premier and some of his most devoted friends, everything goes on very quietly in the capital. In consequence of that sen tence it ha's been found necessary to disarm the Bet simsaracks, to whom the exiled Minister had for merly had a large number of muskets distributed ; but the measure was carried out without difficulty. Military service is an obligaSion from which the Malagashes are always eager to escape. The Great Storm at Preston, We intimated yesterday that a great storm of thunder, rain, &c., had taken place at Preston on the previous day. It seems that the lightning struck several buildings in the town. In Bushell-place a house was set on fire and the water-engines had to be sent for to extinguish the flames. The roof of a cotton factory on the eastern side of the town was smashed, and some of the ruins fell upon the machinery below. In many of the mills the opera tives were so alarmed that they durst not work. The refreshment-room at Deepdale-road railway station was struck by the lightning, but not much damaged. A grocer's shop adjoining was also hit. The coachbuilding establishment of Mr. Dallas, Lancas ter-road, was slightly damaged by the lightning. At one of the villages near Preston a man was killed by lightning ; and at another a cow was struck dead in a field. The greatest amount of damage sus tained in Preston appears to have been caused by the extraordinarily heavy rain and hail which fell on Monday afternoon. One tradesnian in Friar-gate had £lOO worth of goods (stored in his cellar) de stroyed by the water which flowed from the street. Another person had £5O worth destroyed in a similar way. The furniture in some of the houses in the lower portion of one of the streets in the centre of the town was floating about, and a few of them were so completely inundated that the inmates were glad to make their escape and get shelter else where. A portion of the embankment of the Preston and Longridge railway, near the Preston workhouse, was washed down, and towards Maudlands station the line was blocked up with sand, old railway sleepers, &c. The generality of the houses in Preston were injured more or less through the rain. A good deal of glass was broken in both Preston and the country districts about by the rain which fell. In some places hailstones fully an inch in diameter were picked up. Plenty as large as marbles could be found in the streets. They were very hard, fnd more like icicles than ordinary hailstones. On Monday evening, after the storm, the weather cleared up, and was very fine. At noon yesterday several loud peals of thunder were heard. CARDINAL WISEMAN'S MEMORIAL.—His Grace the Archbishop-Elect of Westminster, Dr. Manning, will take the chair at a pUblic meeting at Hanover-square Rooms, on Thursday next, May 25th (Ascension Day), at half-past two punctually. The object of the meeting is to inaugurate a public movement for the erection of a Cathedral as a memorial of his Eminence the late Cardinal Archbishop. ASSAULT OF ARMS—ST. JAMES'S HALL.—The soldiers children, supported by the Royal Caledonian Asylum, will be present with their band at the grand as sault of arms which will take place in the presence and under the patronage of his "loyal Highness the Prince of Wales, in aid of the funds of the asylum. ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION.--Last evening Mr. Beresford-Hope, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, delivered a most interesting lecture, entitled " Incidents of old English architecture, civil and ecclesiastic, especially in rural districts," before a numerous audience. Commencing with a description of the various styles, materials, &c., which had prevailed, he explained the causes which produced these varieties, and remarked that each rural district possessed distinctive features pecu liar to itself, and cited various examples in the Mediaeval, Tudor, and the style of the period of Queen Anne, as also of the numerous half-timbered houses spread over various parts of the country, drawing conclusions in favour of the first-named on account of its greater picturesqueness, variety of outline, and light and shade, and its greater fit ness. The lecture was listened to with great interest and warmly applauded. Mr. Digby Wyatt proposed a vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. CHINESE FUNERAL'.---A cart, containing the mor tal remains of a Chinaman enclosed in a very hand some coffin, passed through Talbot on Thursday, preceded by a European undertaker and a Chinaman, who scattered small slips of perforated paper along the road at every few yards. About 40 Chinamen followed. On arriving at the cemetery where the grave had been prepared a little delay was caused, as the friends of the deceased considered it necessary that his body should lie so as to face the west, and the ex cavation had to be altered accordingly. After the coffin had been lowered Mr. Gore read the funeral service according to the form of the Protestant Church, deceased having bee a con verted to Christianity. The grave having been filled in, deceased's friends broke food and scattered it on the ground and also spilt liquor. A live cock was brought to the ground by the mourners, and it was no doubt sacrificed at some ceremony on their return to the Chinese camp, where a great feast had been prepared during the day. One of the most noticeable features was a huge porker roasted whole, the method being peculiar to the Chinese, who for this purpose build a high circular oven of stones and clay open at the top, in which, after it has been heated, the pig is suspended. The aperture is then closely covered, and in the course of time the pig is done.to a turn. No ceremony is considered complete by Chinamen without pork and crackers.—Ararat (Australia) Advertiser. A NEW SYNAGOGUE.—A new Jewish synagogue in Southampton was consecrated on Monday by Dr. Adler, the Chief Rabbi. The musical portion of the service was conducted by a London Jewish choir. The ceremony commenced by the Rabbi, with the officials of the syna gogue, carrying the rolls of the law, walking seven times round the aisles, and reverently bowing each time they passed the ark. During the procession psalms were solemnly chaunted in Hebrew. After depositing the rolls in the ark Dr. Adler preached a sermon, in which he re joiced at the civil and religious liberty enjoyed by Jews in this country at the present day, and alluded to the times of the Inquisition. He spoke of the exalted civilisation of England, and of its almost faultless political constitution. During the service a prayer for the Queen and royal family was offered up in Hebrew. A number of the principal inhabitants were present at the ceremony. The Jewesses were separated from the congregation. A GALLANT SAILOR'S REWARD.—Edward Cleary, the sailor who saved the lives of the captain and crew of the Govindpore during the cyclone at Calcutta, last Septem ber, has been presented with the Royal Humane Society's gold medal. Its presentation, along with some other gifts, was made by the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, in the presence of the Viceroy and a number of spectators.— Times of India. CONDITIONAL MARRIAGE.—A curious case is re ported from the Transvaal Republic. One De Villiers, who left a wife in the colony, married again at Rustenberg, but the landrost, in marrying him, imposed the condition that he should, within six months, produce proof of his having a divorce from his first wife, or otherwise the second marriage should be declared null and void.— SVlith African Advertiser. (11 - zurt'*'' eitrolliat HER MAJESTY - BALMORAL, May 20. The Queen and the royal family went out in the neighbourhood of the Castle. ...w---. The Prince and Princess of Wales. The Prince of Wales, attended by Major Tees dale and Lieutenant-Colonel Kingscote, w as pre sent yesterday morning at the review of militia in Hyde-park, held by the Duke of Cambridge. The Princess of Wales, accompanied by Princess Mary of Cambridge, and attended by the lion. Mrs. Coke, drove out, and was also present at the review in Hyde-park. The Prince of Wales, attended by Earl Spencer, Lieutenant-General Knollys, and Major Teesdale, went to Paddington in the afternoon, and laid the foundation - -stone of the new wing to be added to St. Mary's Hospital. _ _ His royal highness afterwards rode out on horse back. The Prince and Princess of Wales went to the Italian Opera, Covent-garden, in the evening. The Countess of Morton has succeeded the Hon. Mrs. E. Coke as Lady in Waiting to the Princess of Wales. Visit of the Prince of Wales to the Great Eastern Steam-Ship—This Day. This morning his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, accompanied by a distinguished party, left the metropolis by a special train on the North Kent Railway to visit the Great Eastern steam-ship , lying in the Medway, off Sheerness, and to inspect the works in connection with the shipment of the Atlantic telegraph on board that vessel. The special train was appointed to leave the Charing-cross terminus at 12 o'clock ; the hand some saloon carriage was arranged for the use of his Royal Highness, and the platform Was covered with crimson cloth. The Prince arrived at the station a few minute s, after the appointed time, and was received by th e , chairman, the directors, and the officers of the Atlantic Telegraph Company. His Royal Highnes was accompanied by the Duke of Sutherland, La u Alfred Paget, the Duke of Manchester, Lord Tor rington, and other noblemen, and as soon as th e , royal party were seated the carriage drove o ut of the station, the Prince acknowledging the saluta tions of the company assembled on the platform. The Royal train was in charge of Mr. Eborall, the manager, and proceeded via Gravesend to Strood, where his Royal Highness and the other . distinguished visitors will embark on board one °I the Admiralty steam tenders, which would convey them down the river Medway to the Great Eastern steam ship. His Royal Highness and party will, it is under stood, make a minute inspection of the telegraP h ; and the peculiar arrangements for its shipment, and return to town this evening. - - Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prine o of Wales will honour the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland with their company, on Monday next, at Stafford gouge, St. James's. His Royal Highness the Duke de Brabant arrive d in London yesterday evening by the mail train on the Sa tll Eastern Railway, and on reaching Charing-cross Station proceeded to Claridge's Hotel. It is anticipated that bi g royal highness will be present this morning at the part' d° of household troops in celebration of the Queen's b iro ' day. The Dowager Marchioness of Sligdand the Ladi es Browne have arrived at their residence, No. 16, Mansfield street. The Earl of Denbigh and the Ladies Feilding have left town for a villa at Oak-hill, Hampstead. The Earl and Countess of Kintore have left Grosvenor-square for Keith Hall, Scotland. The Countess Cowley and Lady Feodora ley have arrived in town from Paris for the season. The Countess Dowager of Morton and Lady Agnes Douglas have arrived in Brook-street from Bool e ' where they passed the winter. Viscount and Viscountess Powerscourt have or rived in Grosvenor-square from their seat in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs, Charles Kean. The short engagement of Mr. and Mrs. Charl es Kean at the Broadway Theatre, New York, wa s brought to a close on the Bth of May. The theat re was crowded with a most select, critical, and fashion able audience. Parquette, dress circles, galleries, and private boxes were filled to their utmost eaP a- • city, while the lobbies and passage ways were CO a c i pletely chocked up with stools and chairs. the building been twice as large as it is it Wow have been filled. The plays performed W " Henry VIII." and " The Jealous Wife," in amore of which Mr. and Mrs. Kean performed with 01°— spirit than on any other evening of their engag e ; ment, and elicited the most enthusiastic apPlata At the end of the first piece the audience i nsia upon calling the two artists before the curtain ; in reply to loud calls Mr. Kean delivered the f° lowing speech : " Ladies and Gentlemen,—This. even i ng c oncludes ( e rat brief engagement ; and, judging by its success, I am couraged to believe that, had circumstances permitted, eye°f might have continued some time longer. Such a proof 11 your good opinion is especially gratifying to Mrs• and myself ; for, after an absence of 18 years, with a 11-.0 generation of playgoers, we approached New York °li n o some apprehension that we might have passed from s led memory. That cloud, however, has happily been OP° by your kind and cordial reception. I cannot sufdeielj express the pleasure we derive from this reunion, ce u.sr :i e e ing as it does the agreeable impression that the publi c Y-r f , to of to-day is the echo of the past. We are now ab ell ,: ic h make a three months' tour through the country, after 28th we have arranged to return here. On Monday, til e - no r of August next, we propose, with your permission, cii-oto mencing our second engagement in this city; ati d ' rata that date, ladies and gentlemen, we respectfully a nd g fully take our leave." thei From New York they go to Baltimore ,w here et are under an engagement at the Holliday -stre Theatre. The anniversary of the birthday of the Q u v ee was celebrated to-day. The several battalions of th e „ i ,:o Guards were inspected on the parade in front of the 1-`-,itll Guards, shortly after ten o'clock. In addition to his 114 :: f Highness the Duke of Cambridge and staff, the Pri ll°- ° Wales attended. ICA I4 THE QUEEN'S BIRTH-DAY.--THE AMEI3-- n i o g SHIPS IN THE RIVER.—(THIS DAY). —The ShiP.rei in the pool and the different docks presented a verY scene by the way they were dressed out with flags t oy bration of the anniversary of the Queen's birth -d* ves spicuous among the fleet of ships were the .Anlerican „tea sels in the London and other docks, which were clec°l`ol in a truly beautiful style with innumerable colotlrswit signal flags. It is seldom that such a scene has be e ,„ ll oot es nessed. Flags were stretched out from th eir iibw over the topgallant mast-heads down to the starlit °' minent position being given to the British elasig il r ;,' r eel" union jack was hoisted at all the dock entrances, ocl wich Hospital, Deptford and Woolwich DockYtllcilovi" the fleet of steamers belonging to the General Stesra th gation were profusely decked. The brillianeY % o lio weather added much to the gaiety a the sce ue 00 river. A seri.- ACCIDENT IN THE CRICKET FIELD.---. accident occurred to two of the competitors 311111,), cricket match played on Saturday afternoon last, at 1 31 , 5 ,.0 heath. The Hop Trade Club and the East Central 0 a were contending, and during the playaball Wa s b iv .l.l high into the air. Two gentle e n ed respoefi,e' bi; catch. Wood and T. Adams ran at themsanmeammoment tot " e c i t to the same With their eyes fixed upon the ball ths9 11151'e Afr' r a e n l d iyn came violently into Adams, Wood was spot, was removed directly to Guy's Hospital. , ri 11 e EXTENSIVE FAILURE IN BIRMINGIIA,ig.„..nuIia" failure of Messrs. R. and W. Aston, of -U"`—fordsl a d d habisalnetg tbhreokefnac.eg' :11-1(16° street, in this town, gunmakers, was announCed 9°s"-,00- (Monday). The firm which is one of some standn% gr. sisted of Mr. Richard Aston, Mr. Wm. Ast° n, 6 , 13 i p. ted James Francis. The amount of their liabilities is °sci" to t' 1)6 at about £20,000, and the bankruptcy is suPP ° collision. a Isl .. Sup pos ed tro ll brought about by the fact of the firm having o ver ; c: 0 their account with Messrs. Attwoods, Spooner, aoo_ cify Bank, the payment of the balance of which has bee n '-:: ste r manded by the assignees. The petition was filocl_)iicjf of day by Mr. W. S. Allen, of Waterloo-street, on ba viv i 9 Mr. W. H. Dixon, coal dealer of the Old Whar f, i ,tea the petitioning creditor,and oue of the coramittoo IP:a . 01 0 by the creditor of Attwood s ' Bank to superi?' Willain-UP of that estato,—grazinyhcon Gazettot