The Sun. — London, England, 1865-11-30 00:00:00

~~ The Blockade of the Chilian PortE. (From the Times' Correspondent) SANTIAGO DE CHILI, Oct. 13. The steamer which left Valpariso on the sth inst. will before this reaches you have made known to Europe that on the 25th of last month Chili for mally declared war against Spain. As the causes which have led to this result, as well as the condi tion and prospects of the interesting country which has thus boldly dared the vengeance of one of the most ancient monarchies of the Old World, may, I apprehend, be but imperfectly known to many of your readers, I submit the following in the hope that it may help to correct any erroneous impres sions which may exist. Since the close of the War of Independence, now more than 40 years ago, commercial and political relations between Chili and the other maritime na tions have exhibited an extraordinary development. Occupying one half of the west coast of South Ame rica, with innumerable harbours offering every faci lity to foreign trade, Chili, which under Spanish rule, was considered the poorest and most backward of her colonies, earnestly applied herself to turning these advantages to the best account. Possessing a fertile soil, with inexhaustible mines of coal, silver, and copper, she soon became known to foreign na tions as a thriving people, less disturbed than other South American States by the ambition of military chiefs, and only anxious to make the most of the advantages nature had so liberally bestowed upon her. A few years of anarchy, indeed, followed the overthrow of Spanish power; but for more than 30 years the country has been disturbed but by two or three revolutionary attempts, which, being promptly suppressed, left the authority of Government more firmly established than before. So completely, in deed, has the revolutionary spirit been crushed by these repeated defeats that for some years past the most fiery reformers have abandoned all hopes of car rying out theirviews by violence, and have apparently honestly entered on a course of legal agitation for the removal of the more objectionable features of the ruling Constitution. To this Constitution, faulty as it in many respects is, Chili undoubtedly owes the prosperity she has long enjoyed. A strong centralised power, capable of subverting at the out set the plans of men who have no idea of any re form but that brought about by violence, has been the great want of all her sister Republics. Happily for Chili, the founders of her Government, having no base interests to serve, or, if they had, the pro perty of her Exchequer precluding their gratifica tion, from the first applied themselves to her in ternal organisation ; and, considering the materials with which they had to work, have left behind them a monument alike honourable to their talents and their patriotism. In order to show the progress Chili has made since her emancipation from the rule of Spain, I have gathered the following statements, made dur ing a debate a few months ago in the Chamber of Deputies, on a motion for a reform of the Constitu tion ; also some others from the annual reports of the Cabinet Ministers :—ln 1810, the first year of the War of Independence, the population of Chili amounted to, it is supposed, as no regular statistics were then ever thought of, between 600,000 and 700,000 people. Santiago had a population below 30,000 ; Valparaiso between 5,000 and 6,000, and the latter so poor that they could not afford to pay a salary to their parish priest. The Customs revenue did not amount to $60,000 ; and there was but one passable road, that between Santiago and Valpa raiso, about 90 miles long. The exports of produce had never risen to $1,000,000. Since then, not withstanding:a desolating war, not entirely con cluded for 15 years, in order to drive out the Spa niard, and seven or eight years of domestic troubles, with something over 30 of peace, the population, according to the census taken this year, has in creased to a fraction less than 2,000,000. Santiago has more than 120,000, with entire streets of sump tuous private residences. Valparaiso has close on 80,000, and increases with amazing rapidity, some of its most important establishments being con structed on ground over which the ocean not long since rolled. Roads have been opened in every direction, under the superintendence of skilful en gineers, both native and foreign, and although in this branch much still remains to be done, still the results already obtained are highly encouraging. Bridges are still scarce, owing to the want of funds, but have been erected in the more important points. There are some 600 miles of telegraph, 330 miles of railway have been opened to the public, 100 more ought to be finished at the end of this year, and another 100 miles are about being immediately commenced. The railways already finished have cost something over $16,000,000. The Customs' revenue last year amounted to $4,047,787 ; impor tations from foreign countries, formerly confined to a few arrivals from the Viceroyalties of Peru and Buenos Ayres, amounted last year to $18,867,365, exportations to $27,242,853, England with her colonies standing at the head of both buyers and sellers. The coasting trade for the same period was $28,896,783. The educational movement, though not so gratifying, is still worthy of attention. The jealous policy of Spain in endeavouring to strangle every attempt at education in her colonies is well known, and to it more than to any other cause may be attributed the many calamities which have befallen the Governments which have succeeded her. In Chili the only establishment for education was the University of San Felipe, in which a limited number of students imbibed a small amount of bad Latin, together with an unlimited supply of such scholastic divinity as was in vogue in the middle • ages. Some primary schools must, no doubt, have existed in the larger towns, but all recollection of them and of their system, if they had any, has long since passed away. Women were jealously shut out from all means of improvement ; to a few reading was permitted, but writing was a thing not to be thought of. At present public instruc tion is presided over by a Cabinet Minister. The University of Santiago has at its charge the inspection and direction of the provincial lyceums and the primary schools. In the capital city of each of the fourteen provinces there is a lyceum, and the primary schools are scattered over the whole republic. According to the Minister's report, there on 611 year in operati on were last schools for gratuitous education, supported by Government funds, and 352 private establishments for education—in all 993 primary schools. In the former the number of n and 12,744 g irls gular attendants was 26,492 boys, —total, 39,236. The latter attend ed by 8,630 boys, and 2,941 girls — tota l, 11,571 ; makin g in all 50 ,807 of both sexes---a result highly gratifying and very creditable to the zeal of the authorities when one considers the many difficulties the poor seeking after knowledge have to encounter in a country stretching over more than 25 degrees of latitude, with not a twentieth part of its surface peopled, and with as yet very imperfect means of communication with its settlements at enormous distances from each other, and even neighbouring ones often separated by ut terly impassable mountains ; added to this the scarcity of funds and the almost total impossibility of securing proper localities for schools in the poorer and more remote districts. Nothing, shows more the honourable character of the men who have directed the destinies of Chili than the economy they have introduced into all the branches of administration. With an army of 3,000 men, well equipped and carefully disciplined ; a Na tional Guard, tolerably well or g anised, which can at any time be rais e d to 90,00 0 or 100,000 men, who in national and civil Wars, and under the ccm mand of good officers, have of ten proved themselves s t ea dy and reliable soldiers ; a navy which, though now reduced to few almost useless vessels, in times not very remote, and led by Cochrane, Blanco, and Simpson, has carried her flag triumphant through the charges of fight, many a bloodyadminist ra tion, together with the interest on:the public debt, have been all met and punctually discharged with a re venue which has never exceeded $7,000,000 (about £1,400,000). kThis well-known probity of her rulers and the energetic character of her people have long given Chili an influence among her less fortunate sisters far beyond what her population or resources could entitle her to. Instead of wasting her little revenue on armaments or jobbery, she has carefully devoted it to her internal organisation, her harbours, her roads, and the development of her agricultural and mining interests. So that now, when Spain comes to revenge the many humiliations which in former times she suffered at her hauds, she finds her with scarce a ship or a gun to resist her ; her forts tumbled into ruins, her navy gone to pieces, and nothing but the stout heart and indomitable will which once before, and it is to be hoped will again, carry her triumphant through the contest. Her political and commercial relations with the mother country have been long confined within the narrowest limits. While her shores were sought by the ships of all other nations ; while in her ports the English, Frenclytmerican, German, and other flags were never absent, the Spanish were rarely to be met with ; and while the merchants of other nations formed wealthy establishments all along the coast, the Spaniards, except a few in Valparaiso, were rarely to be met with, except as the keepers of the lowest class of retail shops—honest and industrious, it is true, but brutal and repulsive in their manners, and never caring to hide their hatred towards the little republic which, on the bloody fields of Chaca buco and Maipu, has chastised the arrogance of the Lion of Castile. Nevertheless, owing to their in ferior social position, this class of persons could exercise but little influence on the great mass of the nation. The memory of the ferocious struggle was beginning to pass away. • The Chilian, wealthy and prosperous, recollected he had an affinity to the former lords of his country, looked out anxiously for the sangre azul that might still course through his veins, and when he could find any felt himself a prouder if not a better man. I have no hesitation in saying that up to two years ago, notwithstanding all the gasconade of " Independence Day," the Chilian looked with pride and exultation on his relationship to his old masters. Somewhere about that time the Government of Isabella bethought it of sending a " Scientific Commission" to the Pacific. Some incredulous persons shook their heads at this, more particularly when it was known that the " Scientific Commission" was to be escorted by two powerful fri gates and several heavily armed gunboats. The Government, I believe, shared in these fears, as there was an attempt made to get some money to strengthen the marine ; but the alarmsoon passed away, and when the squadron cast anchor in Valparaiso Bay it was received with the warmest demonstrations of friendship. Balls, dinners, serenades, &c., were the order of the day, and the good citizens of Valparaiso went almost wild with joy. Soon Admiral Pinzon, with his officers and the " Scientific Commission," made their appearance in Santiago, where their reception was also most flat tering. The President entertained them at an official banquet, the flags of the two nations floated over the heads of the happy guests, and everything pro mised a lasting friendship. The officers frequented and found themselves the lions of all assemblies, and " all went merry as a marriage bell." But a change soon came ; the Santiaguino, cultivated and mali cious, soon got disgusted at the free and easy fore castle manners of many of his guests; the "Scientific Commission" was quickly found out to be an arrant juggle ; the Admiral himself had evidently never been a very diligent student of " the proprieties," and the late " lions" suddenly found that their absence was far more sought for than their com pany. They returned to Valparaiso, sulky and discontented, got into rows, and some personal encounters took place ; finally, the squadron took its departure without beat of drum, and leaving much soreness of feeling behind. Some months afterwards the nation was suddenly startled from its propriety by hearing that the " Scientific Commis sion" had, on some pretext invented for the occasion, treacherously seized the Peruvian islands of the Chinchas, and that, probably for a more scientific analysis of their contents, it intended to keep them. As the Chilians, more than any others, had been instrumental in the establishment of an inde- pendent republic in Peru, this outrage was fel as a national insult. The excitement was tremen dons, but it is false to state, as the Spanish journals have reported, that the Spaniards have been ill treated or their properties injured; so far from that, they have up to the present, even since the commencement of the war, been so little molested that they keep Pareja well posted in every matter that he takes interest in. To return—a meeting was called in the theatre to protest against the seizure. Unfortunately the Spanish Minister lived close by, and as a party of processionists passed by the house, from the staff of which floated the Spanish flag, some of the mob shouted out, "Down with the flag!" The more sensible of the party, however, formed themselves into a circle round the obnoxious emblem and prevented any mischief being done. The crowd passed on, and nobody thought more about the 1 affair till it was known that the Minister Tavira had demanded satisfaction, which was refused on the ground of no offence having been offered. The difficulties in Peru continued : the Congress of that country had authorised the Executive to declare war ; Chili proclaimed coal contraband of war ; scurrilous publications made their appearance, re clamation followed reclamation, and everything foreboded an open rupture, when the better sense fof Narvaez, who had succeeded O'Donnell, put a stop to all by patching up the difference with Peru, which showed herself ready to submit to any amount of humiliation, iu order to get back her guano islands, and authorising Tavira to settle the affair with Chili. But a new turn takes place in the ever-changing kaleidoscope of Spanish politics ; O'Donnell comes again on the scene, with no object, it would appear, but to undo whatever his rival had done. The ar rangements of Tavira are disapproved, he himself recalled in the most insulting manner, and the new Admiral, Pareja, sent down from Peru to try what virtue there is in great guns. Pareja has an injury of his own to revenge. Of a Peruvian Royalist family himself, his father had been killed in a san guinary battle in Chili, and his bones rest in the desolate graveyard of Chillan. Forty-six years have, it appears, not lessened the son's desire to have vengeance for this, and he now comes to exact it if lie can. From the first he opposed every arrangement if not made at the cannon's mouth, and his repre sentations, backed by the violent protests of the Spanish residents, have been listened to by the O'Donnell Cabinet, which has given him full au thority to carry out his own views. Accordingly, on the 17th of September, the first day of the cele bration of the National Independence, and, of course, chosen for that reason, he entered Valparaiso in the powerful frigate Villa di Madrid, with topmasts struck, hammocks stowed, and everything prepared as if for a bloody combat, and cast anchor along side the Esmeralda, a beautiful little corvette of the old class, the only war ship the Chilians possess ; built on the Thames some years ago, and mounted with some 20 light guns, but which half a broadside from her formidable neighbour would blow out of the water. lie immediately forwarded an ultimatum to Santia go , couched in the most insulting language, inform e d th e Government of the disapprobation of Tavira's conduct, d emanding a salute of 21 guns before negotiations should be entered on, and giving four days to think the matter over. Even had the Government been inclined to make concessions the style in which they were demanded precluded the grant of any. Orders were instantly despatched by t e l egr aph, and that night at 12 o'clock the Esme ralda, which was to have been the first victim to Spanish prowess, suddenly lighted her fires, hoisted her anchor, and, before Pareja could take any men . sures to stop her, wheeled in her berth, and with her band making the night air ring with the martial strains of the National Hymn, she plunged off into darkness. Since then she has not been heard of. As she takes many more than her regular comple ment of officers, it is supposed that she has gone to play the Alabama in the Atlantic, and that she carries orders for the commissioning of others. The Government refused Pareja's demands in the most peremptory manner, and with the highest disgust bid him do his worst, and appealed to " God and the nations" for its justification. The diplomatic body unanimously tried to induce the testy Admi ral to listen to reason, and, finding he would not, protested against his conduct. Threats having failed, force was immediately resorted to, and Val paraiso and the whole cost of Chili was declared in a state of blockade. Whether foreign Powers will recognise this blockade remains to be seen. The idea of blockading 500 leagues of coast, wi • th in numerable islands , by I means of five or six frigates and gunboats, is simply absurd, and, besides, harms TEE SUN, LoNDON, THURSDAY - EVENING-, NOVEMBER_ 20, 1868. foreigners more than Chilians, who seem rather amused at the seizure of ships which, though carry ing their flag, belong in nine cases out of ten to the foreign merchants of the coast. The establishment of the blockade was followed by an immediate de claration of war against Spain. All the acts and the proposals of the Government to the Congress were unanimously approved by that body. The leaders of the different factions, which had been persecuting each other for the last 50 years, embraced in the presence of the Chamber of Deputies, and amid the enthusiastic acclamations of an immense body of citizens solemnly vowed to bury in oblivion every recollection of the past. Pareja, knowing that more than half the revenue of Chili was derived from the Customs, imagined that by cutting off that revenue he had her at his mercy. The answer to this was the immediate abolition of all Customs' dues during the war, and the imposition of a property tax of 5 per cent. in their stead. _ _ Loans, gifts, paper money, donations of all kinds, anything and everything is sought for in order to provide the material for a long and costly war. Emissaries have been despatched to the sister States to stir up their hatred of the mother country, and all classes seem determined to stake everything in order to save the national honour. Meanwhile, trade is at a standstill ; nothing is in demand but warlike stores. The owners of the confiscated ships are tearing their hair and appealing to their Consuls, who, though animated by the best intentions, can, I believe, under the circumstances, do nothing. Pareja has probably already achieved all the glory he is ever likely to be crowned with, as it is not pro bable there are many more ships to be seized, and the worn-out men-of-war have been sunk before his eyes. He will scarcely risk a landing, as he has but few troops, and should he ever be reinforced they would find tough customers in their way—fel lows fully able, and more than willing, to give a good account of them. His achievements in that line will probably be confined to sudden descents on de fenceless towns, taking good care that his men do not advance beyond the range of his broadsides. His coals and provisions must soon run short, and where is he to provide himself with these requi sites is probably as much a mystery to himself as it is to everybody else. Chili= cruisers will soon be doing a thriving business among the Spanish mer chantmen, which will scarcely find themselves safe in their own ports ; and Spain, which is now engaged in an attempt to revive an influence which would be that of his Most Serene Majesty the King of Da homey, may have cause before long to sorely regret that she provoked a war with a country that was willing to be her friend--•a contest from which she can reap no advantage, and from which she will be fortunate if she can retire without a still further loss of prestige and of power. (From another Correspondeat.) VALPARAISO, Oct. 18. The blockade of this port, as that of Coquimbo and Caldera, continues to be carried out most strin gently, and in some cases it is attended with great hardships. One British ship coming into Caldera, with half her crew down with scurvy, was ordered off, and took refuge in the small and miserable port of Cobija, on the coast of Bolivia, a place where there is no water except what is distilled from the sea, and no fresh provisions to be had, the country for miles around being a complete desert, and where no rain falls. The foreigners here have certainly not had occasion to grumble. The Spanish admiral for soma time granted every reasonable request made to him, ad mitted many vessels in, and gave permits to others to load copper at the coast ports belonging to fo reigners. At the northern ports, Coquimbo and Caldera, the terms of the blockade were strictly en forced, as the commanders of the frigates appear to have had no discretionary powers. The most serious ground of complaint was the absurdly short time allowed for vessels to discharge and load— viz., ten days. The bay, where usually from 80 to 120 merchant vessels are to be seen at anchor, is now completely empty, nothing being :left but some coal hulks and two or three vessels under repairs and unable to get to sea. At one corner are the foreign men-of-war, consisting of her Majesty's ships Mutine and Columbine, the United States' corvette St. Mary, the French screw frigate Pallas, and the Italian screw frigate Principe Hum berto. ller Majesty's screw frigates Leander and I Scout are daily expected. _ As yet there are no signs of a bombardment, b our Charge d'Affaires, - Mr. Thomson, has made public the reply of Admiral Pareja to an official communication made on the7th inst. by Mr. Thom son, but which he has not published. From this document we are to understand, however, that in case the Government of Chili should continue to refuse the required satisfaction, the Spanish Admiral may be under the necessity of bombarding the public property, and mentioning the Alniacenes fiisales, or Government bonded stores, where a very large amount of English and other foreign property is warehoused, and that it would be the interest of the foreign merchants to take such measures as may prevent loss to themselves should such a contingency arise. Applications have been made by several merchants to the Chilian Government requesting they may be allowed to have their goods removed in bond to pri vate warehouses. This has been refused. The Government naturally feels that the large amount of foreign property in its bonded stores is the only protection it has against their being levelled to the ground. In case of bombardment, the only remedy will be to pay the extravagant ad valorem duty of 25 or 30 per cent. on goods a large amount of which were destined for other markets as not suiting that of Chili, Valparaiso being the great depot for the whole Pacific coast from Mexico down, as without vessels it is now impossible to ship them away. Few prizes have been made by the Spaniards, and it is strange that out of a large mercantile fleet under the Chili flag so few have fallen into their hands. Vessels making this port pass close under Curau milla Point, some 15 to 20 miles to the south, where the Chilians have stationed a number of whale-boats to warn every vessel they can get near ; by this means many Chili ships have been saved. The Spaniards are evidently ignorant of the fact, having taken uo steps to capture the boats. A great deal of discussion has taken place relative to the capture of the steamer Matins Consino, men tioned in my last letter. She is a fine new screw boat of 1,000 to 1,200 tons burden, only recently arrived from England, where she was built by order and for account of a native house. On her arrival she was put into the Chili flag, and sent to the northern posts, but on the appearance of hostilities breaking out with Spain she was transferred to a British subject, a clerk in the employ of the owners, and a sailing letter granted by the English Consul two or three days previous to the blockade being put on, and by means of a small vessel, which ran the blockade from this, these papers and an English ensign i ere conveyed to her, whereupon the captain hoisted the English flag and put to sea ; however, she was fallen in with by the Spanish frigate Berenguella, and after a chase boarded, and found to have no clearance, and her other papers not entirely in order. She was consequently made a prize, and sent in here. • The consul has made a demand for her delivery, but without effect, as she sailed two days ago with a Spanish crew. She had on board a cargo of 800 to 900 tons of copper ore. Thomson, but I cannot vouch for the truth of the statement, th a t Ad m i r al Pareja agreed to leave Ith ehoinsoi, to i be settled to urChaadrpuediactaSteanitniatghoe, mtr. is . question matter. There is not the slightest appearance of the Chili Government giving way, will be resisted to th e last.a nd s o the m e S n p a a t n i v i s e h demgoands r as to say that no foreign intervention will coerce them, and that the country would prefer becoming a second Paraguay. So far the losses fall on the foreigners, and the time has - not yet arrived when the natives will feel the pressure. They are exceed ingly jealous of the new favours granted by the Spanish Admiral to foreigners. The Government, I consider, are in most matters acting with great judgment in the laws they have passed. No time has been lost in establishing postal communication by land with all the principal towns both north and south. New telegraphic lines are to be opened ; new cart roads made. The whole of the ports in the Republic are thrown open, and all goods or merchandise introduced after the blockade are free of all duties and restrictions ; the same applies to exports. There is a curious law, however, which prevents this coming into operation at once. The law is promulgated at Santiago, and takes effect at the different points, according to the distance from Santiago ; it travels at the rate of four leagues per diem, so that although the 9th inst. was the day upon which the decree was signed it only takes effect here on and after the 19th inst., and at some of the northern ports it will be the end of next month before it takes effect. All idea of resistance by sea appears to be given up. Troops, however, are being organised in case the Dons should attempt a landing. The fort on the the hill at the entrance of the harbour has been dis mantled, as the Spanish Admiral expressed his in tention of doing so if the guns were not removed. The tone of the native population is much more sub dued than it was at the commencement. The large number of miners who will be compelled to abandon the copper mines throughout the whole northern district will be a very serious embarrass ment for the Government. Already riots are said to have taken place in some of the districts to the north of Capiapo ; if this occurs now what will be the state of things when these lawless people find themselves without food or the means of obtaining it. Business is at a complete standstill. Gold has quite disappeared from circulation. Her Majesty's ship Scout, from England, anchored in the bay at 2 p.m. The mails close at 3 o'clock. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. WATERFORD AND KILKENNY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London Tavern ; Mr. Dela hunty in the chair. The report stated that the traffic receipts for the half year ending the 29th of September last amounted to £12,095, leaving a balance of £6,000, which was £540 more than for the corresponding period of 1864. To the balance of £6,000 was added £39, the balance from the previous half-year, making £6,039. From this was deducted £3,618, the interest on loan capital, leaving to credit of re venue for dividend £2,421. The directors recom mended that a dividend at the rate of 2 per cent. per annum be paid on the preference stock of the company for the half year, leaving a balance of £452. The opening of the part of the Kilkenny Junction Railway between Kilkenny and Abbey leix (a distance of 19 miles) had increased the gross traffic for the half-year to the extent of £1,381 over the corresponding period, and for the six weeks since the 29th of September the increase had been £5ll, and when the further distance of nine miles was completed to Maryborough, where the Junction Railway would meet the main line of the Great Southern and Western Railway, a considerable ac cession ,of traffic would take place. The capital account showed a total expenditure of £595,885. The CHAIRMAN, in moving - the adoption of the report, congratulated the shareholders on the im proved position and prospects of the company. In _ _ following out the views of the shareholders ex pressed at the last meeting the directors found that to enter into working arrangements with the Great Southern and Western would have been prejudicial to the interests of the company, and they, therefore, refused to enter into any agree ment. No doubt, when the Kilkenny Junction line was further opened to Maryborough there would be a great accession of traffic on their line, and the increase of traffic would be still more when they could extend the new line from Maryborough to Mullingar, as proposed in the circular which had been sent to the shareholders. Mr. THORNTON said he thought that the report ought to have been fuller and more explicit. The CHAIRMAN said they did not think it prudent to state all they had in contemplation, but he inti mated that they would probably be able to enter into advantageous arrangements with the Great Western. Mr. ADAMS thought the Board had endeavoured to do the best they could, and agreed that it was to the interest of the company to work in connection with the Great Western of England Company. Mr. CIIAMPNEY was glad the Board had taken an independent stand, and thought the line was now in a more promising state than it had ever been. The CHAIRMAN said the directors would be glad to consult with Mr. Adams, Mr. Thornton, Mr. Freeeman, and other shareholders as to what should be done. The report vas then adopted ; and a dividend at the rate of 2 per cent. per annum was declared on the preference stock, payable on the 18th of December. In reply to a question it was stated that the directors had obtained a concession from the Loan Commissioners extending the time for the repay ment of the loan from six years to 16 years, and reducing the annual payment from £lO,OOO to £7,000. The proceedings concluded with a, vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. that the Government would meet the question in A just and equitable spirit, as, in the case of Pondi cherry, the French Government had done in their negotiations with the board, which were yet under consideration, and which would be submitted to the shareholders in due course, when the whole ques tion of the future extension of the company's opera tions in India would come before them. Mr. G. NORTON, a director, in seconding the motion, said he had great confidence in the under taking, and that the proprietors would be satisfied with all the directors had done. It was an extra ordinary circumstance that the traffic for the first three months of their experience had shown a net return at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum on the outlay. The directors had fulfilled their promise in a cautious and prudent way, relying on experience at every step with a view to a satisfactory result. The French Government at once saw the advantage of the company's system of railways, and readily offered terms to undertake those works for them. Mr. G. SMITH and Mr. Alderman ROSE expressed their great satisfaction at the admirable manner in which the .affairs of the company had been con ducted. The report was unanimously adopted, and the re tiring directors, Sir M. Stephenson, Mr. Norton, and Mr. Leith, were unanimously re-elected. The retiring auditors, Mr. Franklin, and Mr. Smith, were re-elected, with an allowance of ten guineas each for their services during the past year. - . . On the motion of Captain CUNDY, seconded by Mr. PRATT, it was unanimously resolved that the directors be paid the usual remuneration for their services since the establishment of the company, and that they be requested to accept it in paid up shares out of those remaining unallotted. The meeting was _then made special, and the directors were authorised to arrange with the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for India in Council for the extension of the line from Conjeveram to Pon dicherry upon such terms as the Board might ap prove, subject to confirmation by the shareholders at a meeting to be convened for the purpose. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. SOUTH EASTERN, AND LONDON, CHATHAM, AND DOVER. These companies have given joint notices of their intention to apply in the next session of parliament for power to make a railway from the Mid Kent line at Bromley to Farnborough and West Wickham ; and also for power to make a railway from the South Eastern and London, Chatham, and Dover Rail ways at Beckenham to East Grinstead, Lewes, and Brighton, with branches ; iu fact, another line from London to Brighton. They propose to raise jointly separate capitals for those purposes, and to appoint joint boards to carry them out. INDIAN TRAMWAY. The half-yearly general meeting of this company was held yesterday at the offices, Moorgate-street ; Sir Macdonald Stephenson in the chair. Mr. M. R. Scott, the secretary, having read the notice convening the meeting, the report, an abstract of which has appeared in The Sun, was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said his observations upon that occasion would be brief, owing to the probability of another meeting being shortly held with reference to the proposed Pondicherry extension, at which the share holders, with the complete information then before them, would be better able to consider and discuss the whole question. In the meantime he congratu lated them upon what had already been accom plished. The Board's promises had been strictly kept, and the expectations held out had been com pletely fulfilled. The railway had been constructed not only within the capital, but within the mileage cost originally assumed, and the returns already ex ceeded the percentage ever obtained on any colonial. line during the first few months. A weekly mileage return of £9 would pay 5 per cent., and the line was earning at starting about £7 of that sum, with a constantly increasing traffic. The shareholders were entitled to the full credit of having established the important fact that cheap light lines of railway could be made in India at a total cost for all ex penses, including engines and rolling stock, of £4,000 per mile, capable of transporting loads of 100 tons at 35 miles an hour, at a very moderate cost for fuel, with working expenses commencing at 65 per cent., which had since been reduced to about 50 per cent., and at its earliest opening paying a dividend of 4 per cent. Tl to means by which this satisfactory result had been obtained reflected no less credit upon the engineers at home and in India than upon the company's agents, who had exerted themselves to the utmost to se cure the success of an undertaking which they regarded as the prototype and forerunner of a system which must shortly spread throughout the country. To Mr. Holloway, the resident engineer, to Mr. Wlacfayden, and to the officers of the Madras Railwa3 - Company, especial acknowledgments were due. As regarded the future the board hoped that at an early - date they would be prepared to lay before them sue& suggestions founded upon such conclusive data for the extension of the works as would meet their 11nanimous approval, inasmuch as unless the co-operation of the Govern ment was ample and sufficient the board would not recommend any further extentsions. (Hear, hear.) The well-grounded objections to the original terms proposed by Colonel Strachey, ax A adopted by the Government, had been the cause of so scanty and insignificant an area of the coup try benefiting by the great principle of light cheap railways, and it was to be hoped that the Governor tent would after several years' experience come Mill d to the conclu sion at which practical men had lono since arrived. That Colonel Strachey, one of fhe ablest officers in the service, framed those condiltions, and that the Government adopted them uncle r the conviction of their equity, liberality, and sufficiency, no one could doubt. They did their best in tbe public 'interest, and failed. All the board desired was that they should profit by past experience, and still consult the public interests. He expressed blis confidence The Stranding of the Savoir Faire. The following is a copy of the official report of Mr. Raffles, stipendiary magistrate, with respect to the stranding of the above vessel : To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Com mittee of Privy Council for Trade. My Lords,—ln pursuance of instructions from your lordships, I have held an inquiry into the circumstances attending the stranding of the ship Savoir Faire on Blackwater Bank, on the morning of the 7th inst., in which I have been assisted by Captains Harris and Hight, as .Nautical Assessors. The Savoir Faire left Liverpool at 7 o'clock on the morning of Nov. 6, bound to Calcutta, with a cargo of salt, under the command of Mr. Meikle, who holds a certificate of competency as master, and a crew of 32 persons. She was an iron vessel of the burthen of 1,395 tons, ship-rigged, and owned by Mr. Fletcher, of Liverpool. The ship was towed out to the Ormshead, the wind being moderate at N.E., and weather fine. At 8 p.m. the South Stack Light was sighted to S.E., at a distance of 18 miles, The ship had been steering W.N.W., and continued to do so under all plain sail until 11 p.m., going from 8 to 9 knots, when the Kish Light was re ported on the port bow, and the Irish coast was visible. A cast of the lead was taken in 15 fathoms, and the ship was hauled out to S.E., and stood on that course till 2 a.m., when she was gradually brought up to W. and N. About daylight land was seen on the starboard bow. The same westerly courses were pursued towards the land till the ship struck, about 9 a.m., on the Blackwater Bank. Every effort was made to get her off by throwing cargo over board, and eventually, by the aid of a Liverpool tng steamer, which was sent to her assistance, she floated off the bank on the 12th, and ou the following day was brought to Liverpool. Upon examination she was found to be materially damaged. The first and most obvious remark which I have to make on the above facts relates to the extraordinary courses steered by the master of this ship. Instead of taking the usual south-westerly course down the Irish Channel after passing the Skerries—of which and of the South Stack he took no bearing—although he had a fair wind, he steered right across on a W.N. course till hewas pulled up by the Kish Light, as he discovered from sounding in 15 fathoms and a reference to his chart. He then hauled off, and subsequently steered various westerly courses, again approaching the Irish coast, apparently doubtful of his position, and neglecting to use the lead till about 9 a.m., when she grounded on the Blackwater Bank—a casualty from which a single cast of the lead might have saved him. It is difficult to conceive how any man at all acquainted with the navigation of the Irish Channel, and in the full pos session of his senses, should have adopted such a course. The court, therefore, was not surprised to learn that a rumour of insobriety on the part of the captain had prevailed. Nothing, however, was adduced in evidence to substantiate so serious an accusation, though all the witnesses before the court were carefully questioned upon the point. I am bound also to add, that all the antecedents of the master .are strongly in his favour, as he pro duced before the court the highest testimonials to character from previous employers for many years past. The fact, however, remains that the courses steered under the direction of the master caused the stranding of this ship, and the court necessarily pronounced the master in default. I willingly give the master credit for his exertions after the event; and it may be mentioned in his favour that he had only just completed a successful voyage in the Eastern seas in the same ship, occu ing a period of 22 months, and involving a more difficult navigation. But, after taking all these cir cumstances into consideration, I have felt compelled, with the full concurrence of the assessors, to suspend the certificate of Mr. George Meikle for nine calen dar months from this date.—l have the honour to remain, my Lords, your most obedient servant, T. S. RAFFLES, Police Magistrate. Liverpool, Nov. 25, 1865. We concur in this report, 11Y. HARRIS, Nautical Assessors. EDWARD HIGHT, [ADVERTISEUENT.]—Dee Barry's delicious and health restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, which oontains three times the nourishment of the best meat, saves fifty times its cost in other remedies, restores perfect digestion, strong nerv.s, sound lungs, healthy liver, refreshing sleep, func tional regularity, and energy to the most disordered or en feebled, removing speedily and effectually indigestion (dys pepsia), habitual constipation, diarrheas, haemorrhoids, liver complaints, flatulency, nervousness, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds, influenza, noises in the head and ear , rheumatism, gout, impurities, eruptions, hysteria, neu ralgia, irritatAlity, sleeplessness, acidity, palpitation, heart burn, headache, debility, dropsy, cramps, spasms, nausea, and sickness, sinking fits, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, inci pient consumption. scrofula, tightness of the chest, pains at the pit of the stomach, between the shoulders, &c. Certi ficate No. 29,410. We find it the Bakst remedy. Andrew Ure, M.D., ; Dr Harvey; Lr Wurzer ; Dr Shoriand ; Dr Campbell. We quote a few out of the 62,0 0 cures : —Cure No. 57,314. Tittenson • I cannot express my gratitude for the benefit I have derived from Du Barry's food. My ap petite is perfectly restored, the pains in my leg, back, and chest are quite gone, and I am fast gaining strength and flesh. Mrs A. Owen.—Cure No. 51,812. Miss Virginia Zeguers, cured of consumption, after her medical advisers abandoned all hopes of recovery. Cure No. 49,832. Of fifty years' indescribable agony from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, a .d vomiting. Maria Joly, Wortham, Ling, near Diss, Norfolk.—Cure No. 47,121. Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, of Nazing Vicarage, Waltham Cross, Herts, of extreme nervous ness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, and nervous fancies In tins, 1 lb., N. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d ; 51b., 11s. ; 121 b., 225. ; 241 b. 405.—Barry )u Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, London; also Phillips, tea dealers, 9, King William-street ; likewise at 61, Gracechurch-street ; 4, Cheapside ; 49, Bishopagate street "Within ; 63, 150, and 298, Oxford-street ; 330, Strand; 51, Upper Baker-street ; 103, Tottenham-court-road ; 93, Upper-street, Islington, N. ; Harvey, Notting-hill ; Close Brothers, 65, High-street ; and Stubbs, Queen's-terrace, St. John's-wcod, London ; and all respectable grocers and elle . mists.—Beware of spurious imitatious. SPIRIT OP TIMES.—An Empire such as ours must expect a few surprises. All kinds of phenomena find scope on so magnificent an area. Every year, probably, a total eclipse, or an earthquake, or some dreadful con vulsion of nature occurs in some part of the Queen's dominions. Occasionally a British island subsides awl is lost sight of beneath the waves, or a similar rock emerges into light, and is taken possession of by the post-captain on the nearest station. As to wars, rebellions, complications, and difficulties, there is no end to such events, and we only hear of them, perhaps, when they are either forgotten on the scene of the occurrence, or too far gone to be stopped. The most ingenious speculation would fail to tell us where the next was most likely to turn up ; in fact, _ _ one quarter of the globe is about as promising as another. It is not always easy to trace our liabili ties on a map. More than a hundred years ago, when the Duke of Newcastle was Minister, it was urged upon him most strongly in a certain emer gency that " Annapolis should be defended." The Minister could not resist the argument. " Oh, cer tainly, certainly," he cried ; " Annapolis must be defended, certainly. Pray--pray where is Annapo lis ?" The perplexity of that famous statesman must have been felt by a goodly portion of the public at a piece of intelligence just arrived. Thus runs the story :—The Jamaica packet, when nearing the port of her destination, encountered a rebel steamer, called the Valorogue. The Valorogue fired into the Jamaica Packet, upon which the British steam ship Bulldog, being close by, approached, and inquired the cause of the attack. On hearing the explanation the captain of the Bulldog threa tened to sink the Valorogue unless she desisted, so she desisted accordingly. On this, Salnave ordered that all the people who had repaired for refuge to the British Consulate should be forcibly removed. The captain of the Bulldog incontinently demanded satisfaction, and failing to obtain it began to shell Fort Cirolet, after which he sank the Valo rogue according to promise, and an armed schooner into the bargain. He also blew up the powder maga zine and set fire to the town ; but, unluckily, in the prosecution of these vigorous operations, he got into trouble himself, for, somehow or other, the Bull dog, in the course of her manoeuvres, ran upon a reef. There, too, she stuck fast, in spite of all at tempts to release her, and at last the captain, rather than see her fall into the hands of the rebels, set fire to her. Hereupon, President Geffrard placed a steamer at the captain's disposal, and on board this friendly vessel he and his crew were carried off, though not before two or three had been killed, and four times as many wounded, in the engagement re corded. Now, there will assuredly be one question in everybody's mouth—What in the world does all this mean? Who are " the rebels ?" Who is " Sal nave?" What flag was the Valorogue flying, and why upon earth should she attack the Jamaica Pac ket, especially with a British man-of-war alongside? Where is "Fort Cirolet," and what is the " town" that was bombarded ? Are we at war with any State, or have we infringed our neutrality between any recognised belligerents ? Above all, where did it all happen? Was it in American or African waters, or anywhere in the East? There is only one intelligible incident, one homely feature, one fami liar name in the whole story. The Bulldog was evi dently a true British animal of the purest bread and stanchest temper. In all that she did we recognise the national stamp. She fastened upon her adver sary, and made her teeth meet in his flesh ; she held on till the last, in spite of plunging and tossing, till in the end her own life is lost, and that finishes the battle with total destruction on both sides. But what is the piece of work which has cost us a fine man-of-war? Well, the affair occurred "off Acul," a bit of description which will probably recall the Duke of Newcastle's "Annapolis" to the reader's mind. Acul, then, is a little town situated on the north-western coast of San Domingo, and in this piece of information a great many possibilities are undoubtedly conveyed. San Domingo has been divided, and contested, and partitioned, and re-set tled so many times, that it is hard to say how many Governments, or Pretenders, or Nationalities, or Powers the island may contain just now. Acul, too, is in the Hayti division of the island, where the negroes set up an empire ; but what the Jamaica packet was going to do, of what she was suspected, and why she was attacked, we cannot pretend to say. Perhaps there is a Congress of black Fenians sitting somewhere in Hayti for the encouragement and assistance of blacks in Jamaica. Perhaps the Bulldog was keeping an eye upon these proceedings. One thing, however, must needs be allowed—the " rebels," whoever these enemies May be, did cer tainly begin the fray by firing into the British Ipacket; indeed, according to the narrative , there was no previous altercation, and the blow came before the word. Under the circumstances there was even a certain amount of moderation in the first attitude of the Bulldog. She only showed her teeth, and begged, as she might reasonably do, that the Valorogue would desist from cannonading a vessel under her protection. But what was the purpose of the mysterious Salnave in removing " refugees," and what was the satisfaction which was demanded and refused . ? Whose powder magazines have we blown up? Whose town have we destroyed? Who are " the rebels" whose " losses" in the action were so " heavy ?" It is obvious to surmise that we must have done some legitimate Gdvernment considerable service by thus destroying an arsenal of the insur gents, but have we done anybody else any harm or made enemies of any other people ? It is a pretty little predicament, and very characteristic, we must say, of British history. Our naval forces have been engaged, and we appear to have won a battle and silenced every antagonist ; but we have lost a man of-war, and her captain and crew are dependent on foreign hospitality. When we last hear of them they are on board a strange steamer, going some where or other,—it is not said where ? What is to be the upshot of it ? Have we heard the last of it ? or is there more to come ? We may possibly have asserted our national honour, and accomplished something advantageous at the cost of a six-gun sloop ; or we may possibly have entangled ourselves in an affair which was none of ours, and which will bring us no profit. Let us hope, not only for more explanation, -but for more satisfactory tidings. PosT.—The answer returned by the Prime Minis ter to the Bradford memorial on the subject of Par liamentary Reform removes all doubt as to the policy of the Government in reference to that ques tion. Speakin g for himself, Earl Russell adheres to the opinions he has repeatedly expressed ; but as a Minister of the Crown he is not prepared to bring forward a measure intended to effect a change in the representation unless it is fully matured and founded upon well-ascertained facts. This announce ment will give general satisfaction, and serve to abate the feeling of uneasiness which was reluctantly admitted. The question remains in static quo. It has doubtless been considered in the Cabinet, and the decision arrived at will, we would fain hope, convince the most sceptical that the illustrious statesman who identified himself with the interest of his country presented no obstacle to its progress. This is due, if not to the memory of Lord Palmer ston, to the political character of those who thoughtlessly committed themselves to assertions wholly averse from the truth. It may be assumed that Parliament will readily assent to any proposi tion calculated to provide what is required—a full and fair inquiry, and evidence to proceed upon ; and the best service the advanced Reformers can imme diately render to the cause they profess to have at heart is to observe the example of prudence which has been set before them. There is a certain re sponsibility attaching to the Government of this country which they fail to apprehend, and it is only by conforming to public requirements that they can qualify themselves to take a leading part in the Ad ministration. They must learn, at least, to respect the national institutions and abide by them. They must put away their theories, subscribe to established principles, and renounce the idea of assimilating the condition of England to that of any other State ; and, if they are not able •to make these sacrifices, they must not be disappointed if the nation turns a deaf ear to their appeal. It should be understood, too, that the decision of Government:is not susceptible of modification, that is to say, there is no ground for agi tation. Ministers may, if they think proper, adopt the suggestion of appointing a royal commission, but anyway the question cannot be entertained until it is ripe for a solution, and this delay is really in favour of the claim. If it had been determined to press Parliament to a vote, the reformers would simply have lost an Administration which they could trust. It is morally certain that a motion for a pre liminary inquiry would have been carried, and to threaten a dissolution under such circumstances is worse than idle. Earl Russell could not advise her Majesty to exercise the royal prerogative for the pur pose of forting a measure upon the country. Mini sters have, in fact, taken the only course that was open, and in following out the policy of Lord Pal merston their conduct will commend itself to public approbation and support. It remains, however, matter of regret, if not of surprise, that, on these conditions, the Administration should be compara tively weak in the House of Commons. Altogether, perhaps, the accession of Mr. Goschen is barely an adequate compensation for the secession of Sir R. Peel. Mr. Lowe and Mr. Horsman are formidable critics, and Sir Robert Peel is quite capable of de livering an incisive speech. Of course, unattached members may fill up the gap ; and the Attorney- General, if he should be again, as he was once in the late Parliament, betrayed into rising before Sir Hugh Cairns, might count upon Mr. Coleridge. But, anyhow, the last words which Lord Palmerston used to throw into the scale will be missed, and Mr. Glad stone cannot possibly answer everybody. It may not have been practicable tv gtrengtheu the debating JOURNALS. „Vs power of the Government, though, looking at the Liberal benches, the omission would seem to need explanation. Lord Stanley's time is not yet come, and it is easy to understand that he could not join the present Administration unless its foundation was sensibly extended ; but Mr. Lowe and Mr. Horaman are differently situated, and if the Reform difficulty be compromised there is apparently no impediment in their way. How ever, it is improbable that the Opposition will venture to attack a position fortified by the ad journment of the only question on which the Government might have been overthrown. There can hardly be any dispute as to the form of inquiry; that it is a matter which the House will, no doubt, decide upon its merits. A royal commission, em powered to report generally on the subject in all its bearings, appears to be the most suitable agency. No partial investigation would be satisfactory. The claims that have been put forward, and the inge nious schemes that have been devised to meet them, had better be eliminated. They would only dis tract attention from the points that have to be con sidered, and the simplest instruction might suffice. Given a competent commission, and it follows that the report, whatever it advised, would be exhaustive. This will take time, of course, but that is not a consideration. The country has exhibited no im patience, and the interests involved are not of a nature to be trifled with. If there was no alterna tive between remaining as we are and proceed ing in the dark, the election might be made at once. But as there is another outlet, and. as we have drifted into a rather aggravating political dilemma, it may be expedient to see what can be done to prove to those who habitually depreciate our system of government that the institutions of this country are both strong and elastic. It should also not be forgotten that, in effect, the author of the Reform Act proposes to have it reviewed, and, if possible, revised. This is highly creditable to Earl Russell. We are not all of us ready to make the admission which is to be implied. There can be no doubt, however, that the representation established thirty years ago might be improved, and, if it is to be changed at all, there can, we apprehend, be no objection to any change that may be deemed desir able. The chief difficulty that is experienced in framing a measure for the extension of the fran chise relates, as we understand it, to the mainte nance of the balance of power. Now, it is conceded that we are not bound to the existing borough suffrage, nor, for that matter, to any suffrage, and, for the purpose of inquiry, it might be convenient to suppose that the Reform Act was repealed, or even to go back to the antecedent state of things. In short, the examination cannot be too compre hensive ; and, if this be an argument against enter ing into it, all we can say is that it is no part of our duty to gild the pill we have not prescribed. COUNTRY MARKETS GAINSBOROUGII-T UESDAY. At our market to-day the show of wheat was good, but much of it was damp owing to the wet weather. Business was very flat. Fine old and dry new found purchasers at last week's prices, but other sorts were neglected. Malting barley rather lower, with a slow sale. Winding very scarce, farmers using it for stock. HULL.-T UE MAI% At our market to-day there was a very small show of English wheat, at last week's prices. Both malting and grinding barley was very scarce, and extreme rates were maintained. Beans, peas, and oats without change. In the linseed market there was free inquiry. English old white wheat, 52s to 54s ; old red, 47s to 495. Barley, English, 34s to 38s. Oats, Russian, 24s to 250. Beans, new English, 43s to 445. Peas, English blue, 403 to Ils Od ; grinding, 40s to 41s Od per 36 stone. SALISBURY.-TUESDAY. There was only a moderate supply of wheat, which made last week's prices. Barley unaltered. Oats were about the usual offer, and made fully as much money as be fore. Beans firm, but not much doing. Peas at last week's quotations. The following are the quotations ;—Wheat realised from 36s to 52s ; barley, 35s to 42s ; oats, 22s to 32s ; beans, 405 to 51s ; and peas, 42s to 50s per qr. Tares, from 6s to is 3d per bushel ; Best bread, 13d ; household ditto, 12d per 81b loaf. Flour, 34s to 40s per sack. MARKET HARBOROUGH.-TUESDAY. Old white wheat, 50s to 56s ; new red. 44s to 48s per 30 stone. Barley, fine, 38s*; other kinds, 26s to ;29s per qr. Oats, new, 20s to 24s ; old, 26s to 30s per qr. Beans, old, 40s to 425; new, 34s to 36s per qr. NEWCASTLE-TUESDAY. There was a fair supply of wheat from the country, but very little either coastwise or from abroad. The trade ruled tolerably firm, and old and fine dry new obtained late rates. Malting barley is decline ; malt as before ; beans were 1 0 higher ; peas unaltered ; oats 6d advance ; flour at previous terms. LYNN-TUESDAY. At to-day's market the show of wheat was moderate, and tho demand was active. Beans and oats were 6d to 1s pa qr. dearer. New wheat, 44s to 50s; new red, 42s to 468; old white, 51s to 538 ; old red, 48s to 51e per 36 stone. Barley for making, 34s to 36s ; secondary, 26s to 325. Oats, new, 18s to 24s per 24 stone. Beans, small, 42s to 448 ; large, 40s to 42s per 28 stone. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at tho close of the market. s. d. 9. 0 . Buddle'sWestllartley 19 6 Walls End Haswell... 20 6 Tunstall Hetton 2O 6 Malting 2l u Hartlepool East Hartlepool 9 South Kelloe Ships at market, 21; sold, 21. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton Deo. 19. Ditto, via Marseilles Dec. 1 3 . Brazil and Cape Verde, by British pao..et Dec. 4. Ditto, by French packet Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena... Deo. 22 China, Penang, and Singapore, via Sou, hampton D.A. 2. Ditto, via Marseilles Deo. 1 3 Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton . Dec. 2. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton.... Dec. 2 Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Deo 1L . Ditto, via Marseilles .. Mauritius, via Southampton Dec 1 2 Ditto, via Marseille Newfoundland •• Dec G. Portugal .....Dec 4. Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet Ditto. by United States packet, via Southamp- tcn Ditto, ♦ia Cork Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonderry.. Dec. 1. West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Teneriffe Dec. it. West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cuba, and Mexico Cuba and Mexico Dec. 29. Bahamas, via New York. Dec. 1 4 . Bermuda, ditto O Dec. 20. THE RIVER THAMES.—The Commission appointe d to inquire into the condition of the Thames held its firs t sitting at the Town-hall, Windsor. Mr. Rawlinson, th e engineer, acted as chairman, and evidence was taken of t" state of the local drainage and sewerage, and_ the naviga tion of the river. The commissioners are Mr. Rawallsc n t Mr. Harrison, and Mr: Way. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —Holloway's Pills. The }lead } ' Remedy.—When winter sets in the human constitutiol undergoes many trials, from some of which disease spring unless the blood repelled from the surface of til° body finds organs capable of receiving it and secretloll! adapted to consume it. This preservative power is ad 13 1 .1 111 ably displayed by proper do . ses of Holloway's pills, wh ic a , relieve the liver, kidneys, and bowels from undue c onge 'o tion by immediately augmenting their secretions, 8 01 . 9 0 diverting any surplus quantity of blood from a situatlo when its continued presence must be mischievous. Births. GOVAN.—On the 27th inst., at 23, Maryon-road, Chttrit°°' the wife of Major Govan, R.A., of a son. Ha o v f t st M il a ib r o cs IL m hi . toun Hall, the wife of Admiral ifaie* NORT—On the 28th inst., at 16, Arlington-streovt the Hon. Mrs. North, of a daughter. Porr.—On the 29th inst., at 16, S ussex - gar dens, 05(1°- park, the wife of Robert Pott, Esq., of a daughter. Marriages. tit' {tolls CHAMBERLAIN —llAmmong3.—On the 28th inst., at ‘-i. l the Henry T. Chamberlain, Esq., of Redland, to Mari' lli ,;ol , - 4 , youngest daughter of William Thomas lialn in- r ot - Esq., of Clifton, Gloucestershire, and Borrow, ~0 shire. Saint WhilEnroucE—L ANGrOnD. —On the 28th inst., - t , r eel Paul's, Knightsbridge, Albert Basil Orme Wilber'?oo- cla Esq., to Caroline Charlotte Jane, eldest surviving ter of Captain Netherton Langford, R.N. Deaths. v ( 301 4 ,1 BAINEB.—On the 27th inst., Edward, second so u of oge. Baines, Esq., M.P., of Headingley'Lodge , Lects ' 31. of FLOCKTON.—On the 28th inst., Stephen F10c...0-1 Hampden House, Romford, aged 65. 110 0° FRASER. —On the 29th inst., at Highbury Lo d g e, H. Fraser, Esq., of No. 20, Bolton-street, Piccadi Juip HooPER.—On the 29th inst., at his residence, 271 Holborn, John Hooper, Esq., aged 87. 3f. LOCKWOOD.—On the 28th inst., at P 159., Itol,-e rt wood, Esq. N otson , WATSON.—On the 28th inst., at Scarlioro u g b, Esq., late of Scalby, aged 52. A.1 , 11 0 q2; London : Printed and Published by WILLIA No. l o t of No. 112, Strand, Pfinter, at Tiv.: Sul Ol ee v ,' Q uoti Strand, in the Precinct of the SsvoY• -n - Alledlen*--7Thuraday, Nortember 30, 1M ■ I i