The Sun. — London, England, 1865-04-04 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING• The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. _ PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL. Some petitions were presented against this bill in toto, and several others against some of its details. CONSTITUTION OF JURIES IN CRIMINAL CASES IN IRELAND. The Marquis of WESTMEATH moved for leave to in troduce a bill to improve the jurors in Ireland appointed to try criminal cases. He said that an amendment in the law on this subject was necessary, and ho thought it should have been taken up by the law officers of the Crown, in stead of being left on the hands of a private member. He alluded to a recent trial in Ireland as illustrative of the necessity for some measure as he proposed being adopted. The bill was read a first time. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Poole and Bournemouth Railway Bill was read a second time. The Kilwelly and Llanelly Canal and Tram Road Bill, the Saltash and Callington Railway Bill, the Launceston, Bodmin, and Wadebridge Junction Railway Bill, the Market-Drayton Cattle Market Bill, the Midland Great Western Railway of Ireland (No. 1) Bill, the Northern Assurance Company Bill, the Fishguard Railway and Har bour Bill, the Stourbridge Railway Bill, the Stourbriclgo Canal Bill, and the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway Bill were severally read a third time and passed. PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL. The Earl of CLARENDON, in moving the second read ing of this bill, said that the measure was the result of the commission which had been appointed to inquire into the subject, and stated the reasons that made an inquiry neces sary, and the manner in which it had been conducted by the Royal Commission. The members of that Commission were persons entitled to the confidence of the country, and the report they had issued deserves serious consideration. He then described the provisions of the bill, which he be lieved would not alter the great features of our public school system, and its results,--a manly spirit of independ ence, and love of freedom, combined with a respect for authority, by which Englishmen are distinguished. The first change proposed by tho bill was in the governing bodies of public schools, in which some modificaLluus Lad been rendered necessary by the lapse of time and the pro gress of knowledge and opinion. The bill in this point, as in others, follows the recommendations of the report. The governing bodies will be changed only by the addi tion of new members, not by removal of the old. To these bodies, so constituted, will be left full power to draw up any rules as to the management of the school; or the course of instruction to be adopted in it. With these details the measure in no degree interferes. But in any alteration of tho statutes, or the ancient constitution of the school, the new governing body is subjected to the control of Parlia ment and the Crown. In all other respects the power of the governing authorities is not limited by the act. Hav ing read some extracts from the evidence taken by the Commissioners, Lord Clarendon said the measure was necessary, judicious, and moderate, and might, indeed, from its moderation, expose the Government to censure from the two extreme parties—those who wished for a greater change, and those who opposed any alteration whatever. He concluded by moving the second reading, assuring the House that any amendments proposed in the committee after Easter would receive the fullest and fairest consideration. Lord STAN/TOPE, though be would not oppose the second reading of the bill, objected to many of its details. He especially deprecated the introduction of Government nominees into the governing bodies of the public schools. He feared it would also introduce some degree of party among these authorities. He pointed out some other ob jections, the object of which, he thought, would have been better effected by some distinct body. Lord DEVON supported the bill, and defended the change proposed in the constitution of the governing bodies. The Bishop of LONDON was disposed to agree with Lord Stanhope in a regret that, in a reform of the public schools, the precedent set by the reform of the Universities had not been followed. It*might have been better had an Executive Commission been appointed to carry the objects of this bill into effect. In proportion to the popularity of such schools as Eton with parents, they should be made efficient as places of education ; and that there *ere defects in the public school system there could be no doubt. But whether those defects would be remedied by the change made in the constitution of the governing bodies was ques tioned by the present authorities. All that could be ef fected by the appointment of what was called " men of science" could be better done by the head-master. He read an opinion expressed by Dr. Temple, head-master of Rugby, against these appointments. Still he should be glad to find that the measure would tend to promote the improvements required. Lord DERBY objected to the bill that it did not really effect any one recommendation of the Royal Commis sioners. It changed nothing in the present course of in struction in the schools. It merely modified the constitu tion of the present governing bodies, leaving it to them to carry out the desired reforms in the system of education. He thought the appointment of Government nominees among the authorities of the schools would be the ad mission of a vicious principle, whether the number of such nominees were large or small. In the appointment of the men of science" there was also this danger, that they would naturally be, disposed to insist on the introduction of the study of that particular science they had themselves pursued. There was . an understanding that the second reading should not be opposed, but after Easter he hoped the Government would consent to refer the bill to a select committee. If not, he should himself move that this course be adopted. - • . • The Archbishop of CANTERBURY briefly addressed the house, expressing a preference for giving the powers required to an Executive Commission rather than to the newly constituted governing bodies, as proposed by the present bill. Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIEFE acquitted the Government of any desire to produce a prejudice against the public schools, but ho saw many serious objections to the bill ; and unless greatly altered in committee he should find it very difficult to give the measure his support. Lord LIOUGHTON thought the appointment of an Executive Commission would be more convenient andmore satisfactory to the public than giving , the control of the schools to seven or eight different commissions, which the governing bodies would be. The plan adopted was very cumbrous, and not likely to succeed. After some observations from Lord Powis, Lord LYTTELTON supported the bill. Ho thought it probable that legislation might horeafterhave to go oven farther. Lord CLARENDON replied. In reference to the pro posal of Lord Derby to refer the bill to a select committee, ho could not assent to it, the suggestion having taken hint by surprise. 'rhe bill was then read a second time. The Mutiny Bills went through committee. Their lordships rose at 20 minutes to 9. HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAST EVENING. The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. T. ACLAND took the oaths and his seat for North PRIVATE BUSINESS. Devon. The following bills were read a third time and passed :—Beddgelort Railway ; Bristol Water; Cor wen and Bala and Bala and Dolgolly Rail ways ; Dorking Water ; Fareham and Notley Rail way ; Furnoss Railway ; Hammersmith and City Rail way ; London and South Western Railway (Pirbright, Aldershot, and Farnham Junction); Mersey Docks and Harbour Board ; Tyldosley and Shakerley Local Board ; Acton and Brentford Railway ; Banbury Water ; Barnet, Hendon, Hampstead, and London Railway ; Bristol and Exeter Railway; Bristol Docks; Coventry Central Station and Southam Junction Railway ; Great Eastern Railway (Additional Powers) ; Halifax Extension and Im provement; Littloborough Gas; Manchester Improvement; Metropolitan and St. John's Wood Railway; Redhill Gas ; Scarborough and Whitby Railway ; South Metropolitan Gas ; Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway ; Sunderland Cor poration ; and West Sussex Junction Railway. LAW IN CHINA. Col. SYKES said on Thursday next ho would ask the Attorney-General wlxther the law controlling British sub jects in China was in such a state as to b© ration for the punishment of Cr i me ? properly in ope ration OBLIGATIONS. Mr. B. COCHRANE said on an early day he should call the attention of the house to a matter with reference to the breakage of certain treaty obligations by the Turkish Go vernment CUSTOM-EfOUSE OFFICERs. Mr. LYALL asked the Secretary to the Treasury w h y such an unequal system prevailed at the Customs for re munerating their out-door officers, so that in some ports like Whitehaven, where both the cost of living w as h igher and the business much greeter than in many other p or t s, yet tho salary of the officers was on a more reduced scale? Mr. P. PL'EL said since 1856 the pay of the out-door officers of customs had been regulated by the average rate of wages they laid received during the three years previous to that date. COLLECTION OF TAXES, Mr. BAZLEY asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it was his intention to re-introduce the bill for the collection of taxes; 'and, if so, include exceptional clauses in the same, or the compen.sation clause as before. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCTIEQUER said ho was quite aware of the inconvenience, but he did not think that dtiring the present session it was possible to pass a measure. lie hoped on a future occasion to do so. • INCOME TAX' Mr. LOCKE asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he had recently received any communications re lative to certain discrepancies in the papers which persons assessed to the income tax are called upon to fill up ; and, if so, whether ho would lay the same upon the table of the house? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said ho had received a communication from a gentleman named Hay ward. It had been found in the Board of Inland Revenue, and the report could be seen by the hon. gentleman. Ho then would be in a position to say whether he wot Id move for its production.. SOLDIERS' GARDENS. Mr. W. EWART asked the Under Sec -eta) y of State for War whether he would state, or allow a return to bo made showing, to what extent the cultivation of gardens by soldiers had been adopted in the army ? Tho Marquis of HARTINGTON said a circular had been issued on the subject, but ho would rather the lion gentleman would wait to see the effect of it before the re turn was ordered. UNION CHARGEABILITY BILL. Colonel WILSON PATTEN asked the President of the Poor Law Board whether he would fix a later day after Easter for going into committee on the Union Chargea bility Bill? Mr. VILLIERS said he would state on tho 24th the day ho proposed to proceed with the measure. OYSTER FISHERIES. Mr. CAVE asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the report of the sea fishery commission would be made in time for legislation on the oyster fishery dur ing the present session. Mr. T. M. GIBSON did not think it would be presented in time for legislation during the present session. VOLUNTEER OFFICERS. Mr. A. EGERTON asked the Under Secretary orgrato for War whether the Government had come to any deci sion on the question of the exemption of officers of the volunteer force from service on juries ; and whether, con sidering the great need companies in administrative batta lions had of Government assistance, it was intended to make any provision ;for defraying the cost of such equip ment. The Marquis of HARTINGT ON said the militia officers wero only exempt when their regiments were actually embodied. The Government could not give an exemption to volunteers which was not possessed by the militia. GUNNERY EXPERIMENTS. Mr. PEACOCKE asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether it was intended to test the Lancaster, Scott, and French 7-inch gun, competition guns, by firing from them shells filled with powder before coming to a decision as to the best system of rifling ; and whether it was true that the 7-inch shunt and French guns have, in the late competition at Shoeburyness, been placed under similar conditions ; and whether ono had yet been fired from a wooden and another from an iron carriage ; and whether other advantages have not been given to the shunt gun ? The Marquis of HARTINGTON said it would be highly inconvenient to give information before the experi ments now going on were concluded. No advantage was given to the shunt guns over the other. Shells filled with powder had not yet been fired.. THE LATE MR. COBDEN. On the reading of the orders of the day, Lord PALMERSTON rose, and was received with loud cheers. The noble viscount, who evidently spoke under the influence of deep emotion, said,—Mr. Speaker, it is impos sible for this house to have that order put without calling to its mind the great loss which this house and the country have sustained—(cheers)—by the event which took place yesterday morning. (Cheers.) Sir, Mr. Cobden, whose loss we deplore, occupied aprominent position both as a member of this house and as a member of the British nation. (Cheers.) I do not mean, in the few words I have to say, to disguise or to avoid stating that there were many matters upon which a great number of people differed from Mr. Cobden, and I among the rest, but those who differed from him the most could never doubt the honesty of his purpoee (cheers) —or the sincerity of his convictions. (Cheers.) They felt that his object was the good of his country—(cheers)--- however they might differ on particular questions from him as to the means by which that end was to be accomplished. (Cheers.) But we all agree in burying in oblivion every point of difference, and think only of the great and important ser vices he rendered to our common country. (Cheers.) Sir, it is many years ago since Adam Smith elaborately and con clusively, as far as argument could go, advocated as the fundamental principles of the wealth of nations freedom of industry and unrestricted exchange of the objects and re -11 sults of industry. These doctrines were inculcated by learned men, by Dugald Stewart and others, and were also taken up in process of time by leading statesmen, such as Mr. Huskisson and those who agreed with him ; but tho barriers which long-established prejudice, honest and con scientious prejudice, had raised against the practical appli cation of those doctrines for a long series of years pre vented their coming into use as instruments of progress in the country. To Mr. Cobden it was reserved by his un tiring industry, his indefatigable personal activity, the indomitable energy of his mind, and I will say that forc ible and Desmothenic eloquence with which he treated all the subjects which ho took in hand—it was reserved to Mr. Cobden, aided no doubt by a great phalanx of worthy associates—by my right hon. friend the President of the Poor Law Board (cheers), and by Sir R. Peel, whose memory will ever be associated with the prin eiples Mr. Cobden so ably advocated—(cheers)—it was re- I served, I say, to Mr. Cobden, by exertions which never were surprised, to carry into practical application those abstract , principles with the truth of which he was so deeply im pressed, and which at last gained the acceptance of all rea sonable men in the country. (Cheers.) Ile rendered an inestimable and enduring benefit to our country by the re sult of those exertions. (Cheers.) But great as ware Mr. Cobden's talents, great as was his industry, and eminent as was his success, the disinterestedness of his mind more than equalled all of these. (Cheers.) He was a man of great ambition, but his ambition was to be useful to his country—(cheers)—and his ambition was amply gratified. When the present Government was formed I was authorised graciously by her Majesty to offer to Mr. Cobden a, seat in the Cabinet. Mr. Cobden declined, and frankly told mo that ho thought he and I differed a good deal upon many important principles of political action, and therefore ho could nat either comfortably for me or for himself join the Administration of which I was the head. I think he was wrong ; but this I will say of Mr. Cobden, that no man, however strongly he may have differed from him upon general political principles, or the application of those prin ciples, could come into contact with him without carrying away the strongest personal esteem and regard for the man (cheers) with whom he had the misfortune not entirely to agree. (Cheers.) Well, sir, the two great achievements of Mr. Cobden were, in the first place, the abrogation of those laws which regulated the importation of corn and the great development which that gave to the industry of the country, and the commercial arrangements which he nego tiated with Franco, which paved the way and tended greatly to extend the intercourse between the two countries. (Cheers.) When that achievement was accomplished, it was my lot to offer to Mr. Cobden not office, for that I knew ho would not take, but to offer him those honours which the Crown can bestow—a baronetcy and the rank of a Privy Councillor, honourable distinctions, which it would have gratified the Crown to bestow for important services ren dered to the country, and which I think it would not have been at all derogatory for him to accept. But the same disinterested spirit which actuated all his conduct, whether in private or in public, led him to decline even acknow ledgments which would properly have been made for the services he had rendered. (Cheers.) Well, sir, I can only say that we have sustained a loss which every man in the country will feel. (Cheers.) Wo have lost a man who may be said to have been peculiarly emblematical of the Consti tion under which we have the happiness to live, because he rose to great eminence in this house, and acquired an as cendancy in the public mind not by virtue of any family connexion, but solely and entirely by means of the power and vigour of his mind—(cheers)—that power and vigour being applied to purposes eminently advantageous to the country. (Cheers.) Sir, Mr. Cobden's name will be for ever engraved on the most interesting pages of the history of this country—(cheers) —and I am sure there is not one in this house who does not feel the deepest regret that wo have lost ono of its proudest ornaments, and that tho coun try has been deprived of one of her most useful servants. (Loud cheers.) Mr. DISRAELI—Sir, having been a member of this house when Mr. Cobden first took his seat, and having remained in the house during the whole of 'his lengthened carreer, I cannot reconcile it to myself to be silent on this occasion, when we have to deplore the loss of one so eminent, and that too in the ripeness of his manhood and the full vigour of his intellect. (Cheers.) Although it was the fortune of Mr. Cobden to enter public life at a time when passions ran high, and he himself by no means a man insensible to poli tical excitement, still when the strife was over there was soon observed in him a moderation and a tempered thought that intimated a large intellectual horizon, and the pos session of statesmanlike qualities. (Loud cheers.) Though formed in the tumult of popular opinions, with which he identified himself, there was in his character a vein of re verence for tradition which, even unconsciously to himself, subdued and softened the acerbity of the cruder conclusions to which he may have arrived. That in my mind is a quality which in some degree must be possessed by any one who aspires to sway this country. For, notwithstanding the rapid changes in which wo live, and the numerous improvements and alterations we anticipate, this country is still Old England, and the past is one of the elements of our power. (Cheers.) Of Mr. Cobden's conduct in this house all present are aware, yet, perhaps, I may be per mitted to say that as a debater he bad few equals. (Cheers.) As a logician he was close, complete, acute, perhaps even subtle, yet at the same time ho was gifted with such a de gree of imagination that he never lost sight of the sympa thies of those whom he addressed, and so, generally avoid ing the driving of his argument to extremities, ho became as a speaker both practical and persuasive. The noble lord, who is far more competent than myself to deal with such subjects, has referred the house to Mr. Cobden's conduct as an administrator. It would seem that, notwithstanding his em i nen t position and the various opportunities which offered for the exercise of that ambition which ho might legitimately entertain, his life was destined to pass without his being afforded an occasion of showing that ho possessed those qualities invaluable in the management of public affairs. Still, fortunately, it happened that before he quitted us there came to him one of the greatest opportunities over Offered to a public man, and it may be justly said that by the transaction of high affairs he obtained the considera tion of the two leading countries of the world. (Hear.) There is something mournful ip the history of this Parlia ment, when we remember how many of the most eminent and valued colleagues have gone from among us. I cannot refer to the history of any other Parliament which will bear to posterity so fatal a, record. But there is this consolation when we remember these unequalled and irreparable visi tations—that these great men are not altogether lost to us ; that their opinions will be often quoted in this house, their authority appealed to, their judgments attested ; even their very words will form part of our discussions and de bates. (Cheers.) There are, I may say, some members of Parliament who, though they may not be present in the body, are still members of this house—who are independent of dissolutions, of the caprice of constituencies, and even of the course of time. I think Mr. Cobden was one of those men. (Hear, hear.) I believe that when the verdict of posterity is recorded on his life and conduct, it will be said of him that, looking to all ho said and did, he was without doubt the greatest political character the pure middle class of this country has yet produced—an ornament to the House of Commons, and an honour to England. (Much cheering.) Mr. BRIGHT, who evidently laboured under deep emo tion, and with difficulty restrained his sorrow during the delivery of his remarks, then rose and said—l feel that I cannot address the house on this occasion. Every expres sion of sympathy which I have heard has been most grate ful to my heart ; but the time which has elapsed since I was present when the manliest and gentlest spirit that ever actuated or tenanted the human frame took its flight is so short that I dare not even attempt to give utterance to the feelings by which lam oppressed. I shall leave it to some calmer moment, when I may have an opportunity of speaking to some portion of my countrymen the lesson which I think will be learnt from the life and character of my friend. I have only to say that, after 20 years of most intimate and most brotherly friendship with him, I little lmew how much I loved him until I found that I had lost him. (General cries of " Hear, hear.") The house then proceeded to the business of the day. SUPPLY-THE STATE OF THE DOCKYARDS. Ott the motion for going into committee of supply, Sir M. PET 0 rose to call the attention of the house to the constitution and administration of the Board of Ad miralty, which he contended was defective in many and most important respects. He urged that there ought to be a regular debtor and creditor account kept of each of the dockyards, that there should be a periodical stock taking, and that it should be shown how the labour was expended and applied. He complained of the great unsteadines and uncertainty that characterised the action of the depart ment, and recommended the abandonment of the patronage system and the substitution of promotion on merit alone, and that the construction of docks, basins, and other neces sary works should be committed to the hands of a board of engineers to be appointed for that purpose. After some observations from Mr. G. P. Bentinck, Mr. H. Robertson, and Mr. Whitbread, Lord C. PAGET argued, in defending the Admiralty, that the works which Sir M. Pete wished to confide to a board of engineers and others were such as nautical mon alone were competent to undertake. He admitted, however, that if the department were thoroughly reorganised some useful changes might be effected. Sir J. PAKINGT ON remarked that the Board of Admi ralty was not quite what he desired to see it. Nevertheless he was not prepared to acquiesce in the suggestions of the hon. member for Finsbury. Sir J. ELPHINST ONE, in the course of some criticisms on the Board of Admiralty, referred to the administration of the department by the late Sir James Graham, which he declared had proved more disastrous to the British navy than tho great war with France. Under the present sys tem the sailors were half-starved and driven to chow tobacco for the purpose of mitigating the intolerable pangs of hunger. Observations were also offered by Mr. Seely and Sir F Smith, and Mr. Childers (civil lord of the Admiralty) gave explanations in reply to the speech of Sir M. Pete. THE NAVY ESTIMATES. On the vote for .£175,957 for officers and contingent ex penses of the Admiralty, Sir 31. PET 0 wished to have a clear understanding on the subject of the consolidation of the Government offices at Whitehall. Lord C. PAGET said the reason why the change had not been carried into effect was the enormous expense incurred in the reconstruction of the navy. Ho hoped those who succeeded the present Government would make every en deavour to concentrate the offices either at Somerset House or Whitehall. In reply to Sir J. Pakington, the noble lord said, instead of increasing the staff of clerks, temporary em ployment was given to writers. The vote was agreed to. The next vote was £284,395 on account of the Coast guard Service, the Royal Naval Coast Volunteers, and the Royal Naval Reserve. In reply to Mr. AYRTON, Mr. dIiILDERS pointed out that the vote for the Coast guard Service showed a reduction upon the vote for last year. The vote was agreed to. On the vote of £70,042 for the scientific branch of tho navy, Mr. A. SMITH called attention to the increase of the estimate for the school of naval architecture. Last year the item was £2,300 ; this year the sum required amounted to £4,000. Mr. Alderman SALOMONS regretted that the collection of models at South Kensington did not include such ships as the Warrior, and expressed a hope that means would be taken to make the school as efficient as posiible. After a few words from Mr. AYRTON, who condemned the establishment of a school at a point so far distant as Kensington, Lord C. PAGET defended the item, and mentioned that the French Government had for several years devoted a like sum to a similar purpose. The vote was agreed to. A sum of £192,415 was proposed for defraying the ex pense of her Majesty's naval establishments at home. Sir J. ELPHINSTONE moved that the Chairman report progress. Viscount PALMERSTON hoped the hen: member would not press the motion at that early hour (10 minutes to 12 o'clock). Sir J. ELPHINSTONE said the next vote was an ex tensive one, and it would be impossible to get through at that late hour. The committee divided— For reporting progress ... ... 27 Against ... ... 51 Majority ... ... ... —24 The vote was then agreed to, as was also the sum of £37,332 for her Majesty's establishments abroad. The Chairman was ordered to report progress on the vote of £1,158,797 for wages to artificers employed in her Majesty's establishments at home. CIVIL SERVICE ESTIMATES. Mr. PEEL proposed a vote of £1,748,000 on account of Civil Service Estimates. Considerable discussion took place on tho propriety of granting such a sum on account, inasmuch as it would preclude the committee from taking effectual objections to any of the votes, which it might include when proposed seriatim on a future occasion. Eventually on the motion of Mr: AYRTON, the Chairman was ordered to report progress, and the House resumed. The Prisons (Scotland) Act Amendment Bill was read a second time. Tho Small Benefices (Ireland) Act, 1860, Amendment Bill was road a third time and passed. Lord ELCIIO obtained leave to introduce a bill to pro vide for the maintenance of turnpike and statute labour roads and bridges in Scotland. Mr. FINLAY obtained leave to introduce a bill to au thorise the alteration of the time for holding statutory meetings of commissioners of supply in Scotland. The House adjourned at 25 minutes past ono. The Bank Returns, The Banker's Magazine furnishes the returns of the cir culation of the private and joint-stock banks in England and Wales for the four weeks ending the 4th of March. These returns, combined with the circulation of the Scotch and Irish banks for the same period, and the average cir culation of the Dink of England for the four weeks ending the Ist of March (the nearest date furnished by their returns), will give the following results of the circulation of notes in the United Kingdom when compared with the previous month : Feb. 4, March 4, 1865. 180 1 . ;Increase. Decrease. Bank of England 20,407,763 19,951,941 515,82! Private Banks 3,074,15 ; 2,954,480 119,67) Joint-stock Banks 2,788,089 2,733,606 49,483 -...... Total in England. 26,33),011 25,645,027 634,681 Scotland 4,167,578 4,069,154 88,4,.2 Ireland 1 5,713,708 5,70:,539 11,119 -- United Kingdom. ! 36,2)1,295 35,416,773 784,525 And as compared with the month ending the sth of March, 1864, the above returns show a decrease of £380,402 in the circulation of notes in England, and a decrease of £167,961 in the circulation of the United Kingdom. On comparing the above with the fixed issues of the several banks the following is the state of the circulation:— The English private, banks are below their fixed issue •.. .C 1,253,306 The English joint-stock banks aro below their fixed issue 487,751 Total below fixed issue in England ... £1,746,057 Tho Scotch banks aro above their fixed issue... 1,319,883 The Irish banks arc below thei r fi xe d i ssue ... 651,905 The average stock of bullion held by the Bank of Eng land in both departments during the month ending the Ist of March was £14,616,770, being an increase of £355,756 as compared with the previous month, and an increase of £889,385 when compared with the same period last year. The following aro the amounts of specie held by the Scotch and Irish banks during the month ending the 4th of March : Gold and silver hold by tho Scotch banks ... £2,422,738 Gold and silver held by tho Irish banks ... 2,098,935 £4,521,673 Doing a increase of £1,064 as compared with the pre vious return, and an increase of £223,504 when compared with the corresponding period last year. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. IMPERIAL MEXICAN. A special general meeting of the shareholders in this company was held on Friday at the London Tavern ; Mr. R. W. Crawford, M.P., in the chair. The report stated that soon after the formal con stitution of the company and the receipt of the de posit on the shares the Board took measures for the establishment of the company in Mexico. Mr. T. C. Sandars, a director, and Mr. Samuel, the consulting engineer, were sent out to Mexico, the former to enter into relations on behalf of the company with the Imperial Government, and the latter to receive charge of the works and line. On their return to this country they stated the result of their mission to the board. The terms concluded be tween 11r. Sandars and the Imperial Government were in various respects more advantageous for the interests of the shareholders than those contained in the original concession. The arrangements between the Government and the company were to take effect from Jan. 1, 1865. The company were to hold the concession in perpetuity, with immunity from com petition for 65 years. Five years were allowed for the completion of the works from the Ist January last, as well as for an annual subscription to the share capital on the part of the Government of 15 per cent. of the Customs revenue of the empire. The subscrip tion of the State,which it was calculated would amount to £160,000 per annum, or £BOO,OOO in all, would, it was estimated, produce not less less than £220,000 per annum, or £1,100,000 of the capital of the com pany. The shares which were to be given in ex change for the capital thus provided would be ina lienable in perpetuity, and would not bear interest during the construction of the works. Theprivilege of exporting silver free of duty extended not only to an amount equivalent to the value of the materials imported for the purposes of the railway, but also to a sum of $560,000 per annum for a period of 25 years, being the amount of the yearly payment to be made by the Government in respect of its sub vention. The fares and charges for passengers and goods were at the absolute discretion of the directors for the term of 20 years, subject to the maximum of rates agreed upon between the Government and Mr. Sandars. After that time they would be subject to modification on an equitable basis. From the re port of Mr. Samuel, the engineer, it appeared that from two sources of traffic alone there was a pros pect of considerable returns without taking other sources of traffic into account. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re port, said the company was founded on the basis of receiving a transfer of the concessions made by the Mexican Government to Mr. Escandon in 1857 and 1861. Mr. Sandars arrived in Mexico in December last, and was met by all parties with the utmost cordiality. The Mexican Government at once con sented to ratify the concession, and at the same time to make modifications with a view to facilitate its working. Witlyrespect to the tariff the Government had assented to the company's charging its own tariff up to ls. 6d. per ton per mile for first-class goods, is. 4d. per ton on second-class goods, and Is. 2d: per ton. per mile on third-class goods, which was six times as much as any company was autho rised to charge in France. From those rates they made a reduction of 15 per cent., and perhaps in the lapse of a year they might make a further reduc tion, but the whole matter was practically in the hands of the company. Al to the prospects of the company they were excellent, and would far exceed that which would amply satisfy the most sanguine of its promoters. The report was unanimously adopted, and spe cial thanks were voted to lir. Saudars for the zeal and ability with which he had conducted the nego tiations between the company and the Imperial Go vernment of Mexico. Tie proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. BAHIA AND SAN FRANCISCO. The report of the directors states that the total traffic receipts of this company for the year 186-1 amounted to £23,805 and the expenses to £51,953, leaving a deficiency of £28,148. The largest item of expenditure was still the maintenance of the line (sleepers and fencing), the amount for this being £11,263 for the last half-year; every other item of expenditure had been considerably reduced, except the repair of carriages and waggons, upon which there had been a small increase. The reduction of wages and salaries for the half-year had been £2,606. The unexpended balance on capital ac count remaining in hand was £42,103, including the amount of accrued interest of £11,568, but the engagement for works immediately necessary would nearly absorb this amount. The above deficiency of £28,148 being deducted from the guaranteed interest on £1,800,000 at 7 per cent. already received from the Imperial Government, left a balance of £97,852 for dividend for the year 1864. The interim dividend paid last July at the rate of 52 per cent. per annum, and the income-tax on that payment, absorbed £50,708, leaving a balance of £47,144 to be divided. The directors proposed that a further dividend of 10s. per,share, or 2i per cent. free of income-tax, be de clared, leaving a balance of £1,019. The net revenue for the year was at the rate of £5 Bs. 9d. per cent. per annum. The vacancies in the direction caused by the resignation of Mr. J. Samuel, Mr. B. Cohen, Lieutenant-Colonel Miller, and Mr. T. A. Mitchell, M.P., had been filled' up by Sir 11. Rich, Mr. S. Neave, Mr. 11. Lewis, M.P., and Mr. J. Morgan. The present Board did not in tend to enter into any discussion respecting the report of the committee of shareholders ; but having conferred with the retiring directors, they called attention to a few of the observations made by the committee. They stated, as regarded the first estab lishment of the company, that the late board, who were appointed by the Brazilian Government, were not parties to th&negotiation of the concession with the Brazilian Government, or with the promoters that the appointment of Mr. Vignoles as chief en gineer had virtually taken place when the present company was formed, and only required the confir mation of the board, and it had never for one mo ment been regretted by them; that the ccntract with Mr. Watson was concluded after other con tractors of eminence had been invited but declined to compete, from want of knowledge of the country, that the result had been that the line had been con structed, and all the various requirements of the Brazilian authorities would be met at an expendi ture within the sum undertaken to be guaranteed by the Imperial Brazilian Government. The new board considered that the undertaking was capable of such development as to render the shareholders secure of receiving the guaranteed interest. There were works connected with the railway still to be 'com pleted, and the line itself had not been definitively accepted by the Government. DUMFRIES AND LOCRERLIE. The half-yearly meeting was held on Friday ; Sir W. Broun in the chair. The CHAIRMA.N, in moving the adoption of the report, said the cost of the lino was about £lO,OOO a mile, which, considering the cost of the viaduct over the Annan, and other heavy expenses, was not excessive. The directors considered the bargain to amalgamate with the Caledonian, on the terms of receiving 6 per cent. in perpetuity on their capital, and being freed from all liabilities, a very fair one. It was at one time expected that a larger dividend than 4 per cent. would be declared, but the late ex traordinary rise in the rate of interest, and the gene ral depression of trade in the district, rendered that impossible. The report was adopted, and a dividend at the rate of 4 per cent. declared. MANCIIESTER, SHEFFIELD, AND LLN- COLNSIIIRE. The total expenses of this company's railways, in cluding rents, tolls, duty, Bc.c., from Jan. 1 to March 26, 1865, amounted to £95,669, as against £93,882 for the corresponding period of 1864. The propor tion of the South Junction receipts accruing to this company from Jan. 1 to March 26 amounted to £7,805, as against £7,945 for the corresponding period of 1864, and the expenses to £4,407, as against £4,024. The Anglo-Austrian, Commission of Inquiry. VIENNA, March 30. The official Wiener Abendpost publishes the fol lowing remarks upon the impending inquiry of the commission charged to examine what steps can be taken for the mutual advantage of the trade and commerce of England and Austria : " It will hardly be wrong to seek the motive of the movement now taking place in our commercial and industrial life in the well-founded desire to gain a worthy position for Austria in the traffic of the world. 'While with the great advantages she pos sesses for such a position,;it is an undoubted duty of each individual to use every effort for the attainment of this object, the Government upon its part must be none the less active in paving the way for Austrian trade and industry by all the means at its command. " Austria has therefore readily availed hersa of the opportunity presented by the Government of Great Britain to examine, by a commission of prac tical men of both countries, into the question—what can be done in the mutual interest of their trade and commerce to nominate and develop the traffic of Austria with adjoining States in general, and with England in particular? " In the formation of such a commission, and the prospect of its being brought to a useful result, the principle mainly to be liept in mind is —first, that Austria, having been from ancient times most inti mately connected with the trade of Germany, never can and never will enter into engagements of any kind calculated to injure either her already existing natural relations to the German States as settled by treaty, or a future closer connection that may spring up between them. Upon the other hand, it could not but be of the highest value to enlarge and secure her connection with the markets of the world in England, to derive advantage from the experience of the foremost industrial nation in the universe, and in this manner prepare the way to reciprocity, which can certainly only operate beneficially for Austria. " The commission established upon this basis will now very shortly come into existence. In the wide field of labour which lies before it it is requisite to establish upon the one hand the spirit and progress, and upon the other the limits of its activity, in the sense of the greatest possible mutuality, calculated upon knowledge and recognition of the special rela tions and interests of both countries. " The questions which will form the object of ex amination by this international commission refer naturally in part to the relations of production, and the export therewith bound up, partly to interna tional communications, partly to international right of intercourse. " As regards the first of these branches, the com mission will have to establish what are the existing capabilities for exporting various articles of produce in the mutual intercourse of England and Austria, and what mutual demands and concessions will have to be made in order to promote reciprocity of traffic. In this respect a series of the most important questions will no doubt be subjected to examination, and their sufficient answer will, under any circum stances, be of great value to the animation of mutual intercourse, and partly also to the direction it has taken. Should wishes and claims specially bear ing upon the tariff rates valid in both States be set up, a correct estimation of the relations of Austria must be based upon the fact that such alterations can only be made when balanced by definite reci- • procal facilities in intercourse with Great Britain and her non-European possessions. With special reference to the progress of this part of the inquiry, it will be serviceable to examine first the subjects, then the taxes imposed upon each in both countries ; the.respective taxation systems ; and, lastly, the ad vantages to be derived by either from any mutual concessions. " The second branch of the inquiry will relate to the conditions of the development of international systems of communication, navigation, postal sys tem, and consular relations within and without Europe. The special questions will arise here out of the nature of the subject ; every practical man will easily recognise their importance. " The third branch refers to the most important points of the right of intercourse, viz., the relations of protection respecting pattern and trade marks, literary property, International right of action at law, and questions of a similar kind. " If the task of the commission be taken up, commenced, and cartied out in this sense, no doubt exists that it will be, under any circumstances, highly advantageous to the mutual good under standing and intercourse of both nations in the immediate present as well as in future, and there fore worthy in every respect of most energetic sup port." The Gorman Policy of Austria. VIENNA, MARCII 30. At to-day's sitting of the Lower House of the Reichsrath, Count Mensdorff-Pouilly, Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke upon Austria's position with regard to Prussia, and in especial on the Schleswig- Holstein question. He said : " Far removed from thinking diplomacy an exclu sive secret, only accessible to a privileged few, I en tirely share the view that has been expressed, that it is possible for every educated man, even of only moderate endowments, to form a correct opinion in matters of foreign policy without having passed through any diplomatic school. But I also claim the liberty to retain my humble opinion that the treat ment of these foreign questions requires the utmost discretion, if we are not prepared to abandon the diplomatic field and enter upon that of acts. The words which publicly pass the lips of the Foreign Minister of a great Power must be well and care fully weighed, because they impose upon the State 1 1 the obligation of supporting them with its entire strength, if requisite. (Cheers.) This may perhaps be the reason that in all times and. at all places the maintenance of reserve has formed and still forms one of the first rules of diplomacy. "After the picture of our home affairs presented to this house in sufficiently gloomy colours, it be comes a doubly solemn duty for him who has the honour to be entrusted with the guidance of foreign affairs to apply his whole strength to the mainten ance of that peace which the Empire seems in every respect so urgently to require. It is our belief that we have never lost sight of this end, and that, indeed, it has been so far gained by the course taken by the Emperor's Government that at the present moment no serious danger of war threatens from any quarter. No one can really have believed in the rapid solu tion of so involved a subject as the Schleswig- Holstein dispute. Were the question of right so indisputably clear and undoubted as has been re presented here by several, such different opinions would hardly be still entertained, and the matter would long since have been settled, The Emperor's Government will have the opportunity of showing the stand-point it intends to take up in the question at Frankfort on the Gth of April. Austria is in a position, by her co-possession of the Duchies, to prevent a solution disadvantageous to her interests, and to guard the well-founded claim of the Ger manic Diet. (Cheers.) Prussia enjoys similar ad vantage: with the same rights, and we are strongly of opinion that it is just the much-abused diplomacy that will succeed in bringing about a solution with out endangering the good understanding with Prussia which, notwithstanding all assertions to the con trary, it is my profound conviction has hitherto kept off the interference of foreign Powers in German affairs. I look upon this still as the basis to a greater union of Germany, and therewith also to the eleva tion of her reputation abroad. " A less thOughtful policy would probably have already involved us in a war, upon the dimensions and results of which I must refrain from giving any opinion. Whether our financial difficulties would thereby have been lessened, and the development of our constitutional progress would have advanced, are questions which hardly seem to require an answer." ADITETISEMENT.i—IroIIoway's Ointment and Pills.— Unerring Precision.—When the health is breaking down from the continuance of some weakening discharge, when ulcers refuse to heal, and extending mischief is threatened, then is the time to try the potency of Holloway's healing ointment and purifying pills. No treatment for giving ease, and safely leading leading to a cure, can be compared to this. The ointment cleans and cools the foulest and most angry sores, diminishes the inflammation, reduces the swelling, prevents the growth of proud flesh, and spares both pains and danger, Thousands testify from their own personal experience to the unvarying success attending the use of Holloway's medicaments in cases of ulcerated legs, enlarged veins, scurfy skins, and swelled ankles. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. Trims.--The two leaders of the House of Com mons, Lord Palmerston and Mr. Disraeli, did elo quent justice last night, not only to Mr. Cobden's great abilities and his eminent services, but to the nobler features of his character. There is, indeed, no man of our times who has more completely fuWi ,, A . . success. But the vast the first palpable conditm mass of the English people see and feel more than this in the man they have just lbgt. Mi Cob den's has been t,li English career. He did a great work ; it was peculiarly an English work, and done in English fashion. He was English in his great ness, English in his weakness ; English in. lily aehieve ment, English in h 1 shortcomings. Englishmen understood him because it is in them to attempt noble deeds, and the kind of deeds that this man did. The most loved names in our annals are those of national deliverers ; of the men who broke the yoke of a tyrant, a foreigner, or a dominant class; of Reformers, of Protestants, of all that fought for law ; of those that devoted their lives to the de. liverance of the sacred shrine, or the domestic altar, or the prisoner in the dungeon, or the enslaved race ; of the still more scant band of worthies who lived to purge our laws of blood, our Legislature of corruption, or our social state of lingering barbarism. Whoever it was that we were to honour, whether prince, or grandee, or priest, or public man, the question always was " What had he done ?" There was no question here. Mr. Cobden was the chief, the prime mover, the spirit of that band which devoted itself to set free labour, which is the life of the million, from those burdens and trammels that constituted a second curse on the soil of human industry. This he did, in spite of an opposition which only made the triumph greater. He did it, not unaided by events, but with a com pleteness wanting to many a victory. He did it, and he afterwards clenched it, and made the world a partner in the act as well as a participator in its benefits. He made the example contagious as well as beneficent. It is this that brings Mr. Cobden so thoroughly within all English sympathy and com prehension. The first debt we owe to such a career is to recognise its ennobling character ; the second to perceive its limits, its shortcomings, and its faults, inevitable perhaps, but not less to be observed. It was no fault of Mr. Cobden, but yet a calamity and an injury to none more than to himself, that the victory was to be won over a class of fellow-coun trymen, and that a high and noble class. This was a civil war of interests and opinions, and the assail ants for the time were in the position of rebels and malignants. Every step in such a warfare was too likely to contract the range of sympathy, and to blind the political sense, not only to great personal merits, but also to many rights and necessities in an ancient, vast, and complex social system. Mr. Cob den, in the nature of things, became pre-occupied with his one great work, and as the work filled every region of his mind, so all the world became to him the personages in that one drama. The drama might be played out, but the personages, the plot, the moral, the sentiment would remain; and the theme would reappear with new places, incidents, and names. Could England and all the world grow in fact as they grew in Mr.Cobden's vision,and become a grand financial problem working itself by certain steps to an inevitable solution, then Mr. Cobden must have been not only our greatest hero, but everything, all in one, the very centre of our hopes and asph ations. But meanwhile England and the world have been pursuing a course of their .own, perfectly independent of Mr. Cobden's speculations, and far away from his centre of thought. He could not take into his account the fountains of the great deep that have since been broken up, and the win dows of heaven that have since been openel Lust of territory, empire, and pre-eminence he had ha bituated himself to regard as the special sins of tyrants and aristocracies. Wars, if not for con quest, were to provide ships and regiments for the scions of noble families. It was only a State of the Old World that could plunge into an abyss of debt to gratify the passion of the hour. Allow men to govern themselves, and they must be too wise to throw away all the fruits of their industry. ; and forge new chains for their own limbs by ruinous and suicidal wars. That men of hereditary greatness or high accidental position should hold their own and fight for any cause that promised length of reign to themselVes was likely enough ' • but the honest and industrious millions, with liberty for their best and only heritage, could not be guilty of such errors. This, however, has come to pass ; and it is only one of many events which could not possibly have entered into the ken of the great Freetrader. The world drifts it knows not whither ; but we all see it wants more landmarks, newer soundings, and altogether fresh instructions, than what seemed to suffice twenty years ago. But it all seems to come to this—that Mr. Cobden was not something more than Mr. Cobden, and that he has not been able to do more than his one great work--it may well 'be asked whether any other man, of a larger nature, more varied qualities, and a wider range of powers, would or could have done his work. The English gentle man, such as we fondly imagine him, so educated, so circumstanced, would never have dealt so rudely with the great idols that fell before this ruthless iconoclast. Even if reason taught him that the theory of Protection was unsound, and that it sapped the foundation of that industry which is our common life and weal, still a false delicacy and a relenting tenderness would have unnerved his arm and made the edge swerve from its aim. What prince could hew a brother prince to pieces? It wants another caste, and that only stern prophetic stuff, to do so dire a deed. The English gentleman, like the patrician of old Rome, is everything, pre pared for every part, and with a soul open to all that is great and good. He recognises the supremacy of faith, loyalty, and law ; and must love, not only his country, but all the traditional features that from time immemorial have constituted that one great whole. So many are the objects of his vene ration, so vast the field of honourable achievement, so many parts to be performed with honour, that he is distracted by the very abundance of his political wealth, and cannot easily address himself to any one absorbing task. It is not convenient that there should be many adventurers of one idea and one aim. That is not the way in which England prospers. We all work and grow together in one mighty unison. So when some great work is to be done—as ever has been, and will be to the end of time—when a great error is to be corrected, or the chains of a great tyranny thrown off, we must be content to welcome our deliverer from some quarters least expected, it may be least loved ; the man from the ranks, the man of a peculiar school, the hermit in thought, the agitator with the faults of the class he comes to rescue. We must not complain that he is not one of us in education and feeling . If he were, he would only do as we do—and perhaps do nothing. But what lays out his work far him also limits it, and when he has done what he only would or could do he can do no wore. POST.—The Board of Admiralty is so accustomed to being abused that the animadversions:made upon it last evening were accepted by it s official represen tative in the House of Commons as a matter of course. Nor can it be said that these animadver sions were utterly undeserved. A body of men who have so many and so various duties cast upon them as those which the Lords of the Ad miralty are called upon to discharge, must, in the necessity of things, commit occasional errors ; and the fair way of testing the merits of those to whom the management of our navy is entrusted conse quently is to inquire not whether they have laid themselves open to censure in some respects, but whether any other men, placed in a similar position, would have furnished less occasion for blame. The Admiralty have to decide on the most efficient class of ships to be employed in the public service on the most economic mode of providing them, and on them is cast the responsibility of launching from her Majesty's dockyards vessels which, in respect of excellence of construction, will successfully vie with any which may be built by private contractors. The same observation applies to the armament with which these vessels are furnished. But the functions of the Admiralty do not end here. A fleet, when built and equipped must be manned, and when manned the crews mus t b e supported in a manner which will at the same ti me sa ti s f y the requirements of a wis e economy with out discouraging the classes from which those crews are supplied from devoti ng th emse l ves t o th e service of their country. However well constituted, therefore, a Board of Admiralty might be, and how ever zealously and efficiently those who compose it might discharge th e i r f unct i ons , th ere mus t at all times exist some cause for complaint which those who so desire it may advance as a reason for effect ing a reform in that department of the State. The suggestions offered in the course of the debate last evening for the reconstitution of the Board of Ad miralty proceeded almost exclusively on similar and, what we think we are justified in terming, one sided views. Sir Morton Peto may be accepted as the representative of a class. As a great and suc cessful contractor he not unnaturally considers that much of the work done by the Goxernment, through the instrumentality of its own workmen, could be much better and more cheaply done by private firms. This was an opinion held by him whom, alas, we are now compelled to speak of as the late Richard Cobden, and is based upon the supposed advan tages which accrue to the consumer or purchaser when the sources from which his supplies are de rived are as varied as possible. But it was not to this fundamental error in the policy of the Admi ralty that Sir Morton Peto last evening addressed his remarks. The question which the member for Finsbury proposed for discussion was whether the Board of Admiralty, as at present constituted, was fitted for the duties which it is called upon to discharge. He thinks it is not, and his reasons for arriving at this conclusion are that the members of whom it is composed are personally unacquainted with many of the matters on which they are called upon to decide. What can the Lords of the Admi ralty know about the construction of docks, asks Sir Morton Peto, and what constitutes them the uo pages of the merits of different classes of vesi sels of war and of Varies species of artillery ? If it be the interot tile i§tate, as it Unquestionably IS, to secure the best built and most commodious docks, the most forminable vessels, and the most effectivo artillery, surely the decision in matters Of this ,kind could, rest cith fled qualifies them to pronounce authoritatively on such questions. And accordingly Sir Morton Peto . sug gests that the Board of Admiralty should be re placed by boards of engineers, who should bring to the consideration of the points submitted for their decision not merely the knowledge acquired from the representations of others, but that personal acquaintanceship with the several subjects with which is presumed they would be familiar. Lord Charles Paget and Sir John Pakington joined in pointing out the fallacy of these conclusions. It is, as the latter justly observed, one thing to find fault with a department, and another to provide for its reorganisation. The Board of Admiralty, called upon as it is to deal with naval matters, should be composed of nautical men ; an d th ere certainly can be no reason for concluding that they would fulfil their duties less efficiently than engineers. It is, besides, extremely doubtful whether men possessing special information, as for instance a r till er i s t s , or engineers, or shipbuilders, are the best fitted to decide on matters coming within that particular range of science in which they excel. At industrial exhibitions it is all very well to delegate to the re presentatives of particular branches of the arts and sciences the duty of deciding on the merits of those who lay claim to excellence either as painters, or sculptors, or manufacturers. But the application of the same principles in the manage ment of the various departments of the State would not command universal approval. It is, in our opinion, one of the great advantages of the Board of Admiralty, as at present constituted, that those who compose it act less on their own personal opinions than on the deductions which they draw from the , representations of others. If Parliament, for ex ample, desires to know why a particular class of vessels has been built, a particular kind of cannon adopted, or certain docks constructed, the Admi ralty immediately furnish the various reports from shipbuilders, or artillerists, or engineers, with which they have been supplied, and the results of the ex periments they have made, and by this means give to the public the means of judging of the grounds on which they have pursued a given policy. But if the Admiralty were to be split into a number of distinct Boards, we should have them acting in ac cordance with preconceived notions, and probably prejudices, and the same guarantees would not be afforded as under the present system for the pro tection of the interests of the public. The Board of Admiralty is fax from perfect, as even its warmest admirers must admit, but the change suggested by Sir Morton Peto would certainly not be for the better. It is, however, satisfactory to know that reform may be effected without that complete re organisation of the department which some demand, and it is only fair to admit that during the past few years the Admiralty has undergone changes which contrast it favourably with the Admiralty of former times. COUNTRY MARKETS ------- -t---~----._ NORTHAMPTON.--Arßn, 3. There was a moderate quantity of wheat on offer at our corn market to-day. The inquiry of wheat was pretty fair, and samples were disposed off steadily at an advance of Gd to Is per qr. on the rates of last market day. Oats was rather scarce: New white wheat, 38s to 42s ; new rod, 36s to 38s ; old white, 43s to 44s ; old red, 38s to 39s per 36 stone. Barley for malting, 31s to 33s per qr. ; • grinding, 26s to 31s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 25s to 26s ' • new, 18s to 24s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 36s to 40s ; .n ow , 35s to 38s per 38 stone. Peas, 33s to 38s per 36 stone. COLCHESTER-APRIL 1. A small supply of wheat. The trade ruled firm, and in many instances- is per qr. advance on last week's prices was obtained. Fine barleys are making full prices, other sorts is dearer. Beans and peas in favour of the seller. Wheat, white 40s 4CB Beane, Mazagan......338 red 3's 42s Middle and 5ma11...35s 40s Barley Oats 2oa 25s , grey —Ns 3Ss GRANTHAM-APB 1. Old white wheat, 41s to 445; 41 rod, 38s to 41s ; new white, 40s to 44s ; new red, 37s to 40s per 36 stone. Bar ley for malting, 29s to 33s per qr. ; grinding, 24s to 26s per 30 stone. Oats, old, 25s to 27s ; new, 22s to 24s per 24 stone. Beaus, old, 39s to 41s ; new, 36s to 38s par 38 stone. Peas, 34s to 36s per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD-MARCH 31. There was a good attendance at to-day's market, but business was - by no means brisk. - A few samples of supe rior wheat changed hands at an increase of is per qr. on last week's prices, but inferior sorts were a shade cheaper. Good hard beans were in some request at is per qr. over recent quotations. Other articles quiet and without altera tion in value. • Wheat, old white....4os 456 new 4os 45s old red 30s 405 new. 37e 40s Barley.. 2tB 32s Chevalier 26s 13s Grind ng Os Fs Gls 67s Chevalier 6ls 63s Oats Peas, Partridge 3Gs 38s IV hite ..3 s 348 B. i ling 38s 42s ..... 3ls 355 dit o, new —s —4 Beans, Tick, old 3is - s new. - s - s Harrow t icks 35s - 0 new - s -0 Mazigan , 335 33s ABERDEEN-MARCH 31. Business was tolerably brisk, and prices firm at former rates. White wheat 34s Od to 37s Od} 621 b 11 bushel: Red wheat 33 s Od t o 34s Od Potato oats 16s Od to 16s 61. 401 b 11 bushel. . Common oats 15s Od to 15s 9d Bero 19s 6d to 20s ocl l. 5 3 / b 1.1 bushel. Barley 19s Od to 20s Od Oatmeal 13s Od to 14s Od 1-1 boll of 140th. Flour, fine 31s Od to 32s Od ll sack of 280th KIRKCALDY—APRIL 1. Small supplies of all kinds of grain. Sales quick, at an advance of 1s per qr. on wheat and oats. Barley un changed. Wheat. Barley. Oats. First. 33s 61 IPsOd I 19s Od econd 35s ‘d 6•rs 01 21s 6d r raird 378 6d 82s Od 22s Od Foreign Mail Packet List. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton April 18. Ditto, via Marseilles April 12. Brazil and Cape Verds, by British paot,et April G. Ditto, by British packet •. April:—. Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena—. April 23. China, Penang, and Sin,g4por3, via Sou. hampton..April 1. Ditto, viakarseilles F a lkland Islands April 12 Gibraltar, via Southampton India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, vla Southampton..., April 4 Ditto, via Marzeilles • India (Bombay), via Southampton. April —. Ditto, via Marseilles .. April 5. Mauritius, via Southampton April 11. Ditto, via Marieit e?,... April 5. Newfoundland April 12. Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon... United States and British North America, by Bri- Usti packet Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via C.;rk Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry April 7. West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe April 12.. West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico ...................April 13. Bahamas, via New York. Apri. 0. Bermuda, ditto April 12. Cuba and Mexico Apr.l 23. Births. BYNG.—On the 3d inst., at 33, St. George's-road, Eccles ton-square, the wife of the Hon. W. F. B yng, o f a daughter. Conzos.—On the 31st ult., at East Dean, Romsey, the Hon. Mrs. Henry Curzon, of a son. COLQIIIIO.IIN.—On the Ist inst., at 8, Chesham-street, the wife of the Rev. J. E. Campbell Colquhoun, of a daugh ter. NAAs.—On the 2d inst., at 8, Queen-street, Mayfair, Lady Naas, of a son. Marriages. GOODWIN—RUDDERFORTIL—On the Ist inst., at Saint James's, Piccadilly, Charles Wycliffe Goodwin, Esq., of Lincoln's-inn, to Augustine Anne, second daughter of E. H. Rudderforth, M.D., of Air-street, Piccadilly. HASTINGS—HOLT.—On the 28th ult., at Saint George's, Hanover-square, Graham Hastings, Esq., of Lincoln's inn, barrister-at-law, to Constance A., eldest daughter of the Rev. E. 0. bolt, of Eccleston-street, Chester-square. • Deaths. Bos.—On tho 31st ult., at Acton• place, Kingsland, Jan Bos, Esq., aged 87. GUISE.—On the Ist inst., at Elmore Court, near Glouces ter, General Sir John Wright Guise, Bart., G.C.8., aged 88. GORDON.—On the Ist inst., at. Englefield-green, Egham, S urrey, the Rev. Hastings Gordon, second son of the late Alex. Gordon, Esq., of Old Broad-street, aged 47. HAunisoN.—On the Ist inst., at Waterloo, James Leech' Harrison, Esq., formerly of Liverpool. Hicks.—On tho let inst., at Brighton, George Hicks, Esq., aged M. LUSHINGTON.—On the Ist inst., at Aspenden Hall, Hertet the infant daughter of Sir Henry and Lady Lushing ton. London : Printed and Publibhed by WILLIAM AN nit ZAPS. of No. 112, Strand, Pllnter, at Tun SUN Office, No 112' Strand, in the Preckict of the Savoy, in the County of Allthilesex.—Tuesday, April 4, 1865. rHE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 4, 1865,