The Sun. — London, England, 1865-02-14 00:00:00

INDIA, CHINA, AND AUSTRALIA, We have received, in anticipation of the mail, files of papers from Calcutta to Jan. 9 ; Madras, Jan. 13 ; - Hongkong, Dec. 31; and Melbourne, Dec. 24. INDIA. We take the following from the Calcutta Eng lishman of Jan. 9 : " There is nothing new to report since our last of the 6th, via Bombay. " The following General Order has been issued by his Excellency the Governor-General of India in Council, dated Fort William, Jan. 6 : " His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor- General, in Council, has great satisfaction in an nouncing to the army that he has received the autho rity of the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for India to declare that the rules hitherto in force with respect to the grant of pay and allowances at the full or half -batta rates are abolished, and that from Jan. 1 all officers, n on-commissioned officers, and men in receipt of regimental pay and allowances, wherever stationed, will draw such allowances at the full-batta rate. " 2. The above order in no way affects existing rules in regard to the rates of pay drawn by officers of the Staff Corps, or by officers holding staff ap . pointnaents. " H. W. NORMAN', Colonel. " 4 Secretary to the Government of India." CHINA. We take the following from the Overland China Mail of the 31st of December Affai rs i n J apan wear a doubtful aspect, but the balance seems to incline in favour of European influence. With regard to the murders of Major Baldwin and Lieut. Bird, we have to record that two Japanese have been executed as accomplices in the offence. It is, of course, not easy to ascertain whether or not those men were common felons produced and decapitated for the sake of appearances ; and the proceeding evinces a desire on the part of the Japanese to conform to the usages of civilised life. We have likewise to record the assassination of two French sailors at Yokohama. It appears that the men had become riotous on shore, and had been set upon by a crowd of armed Japanese and killed. Although it is alleged, truly enough, we suppose, that the men were in a state of intoxication, yet the result proves that there exists a party among the common people of Japan strongly hostile to foreigners. The other item of news with reference to Japan embrace the report that the batteries at Simonosaki are in course of being rebuilt, and that one of our gunboats has gone to the straits in order to ascertain the truth of the report. Turning to China, there is actually nothing of political impor tance to notice. The Imperialist possession of Nankin seems at present to be the trump card in the hands of the authorities ; and it may well be so. None can doubt that the occupation of theMings' capital by the Taeping rebels was a sore point with the Imperial Government, and now that it is once more restored to their possession we can easily enough understand the feelings of gratification that must have ensued. The well-known Tseng-kwo-fan has been left to protect this city from further attack, and to organise matters with a view to the future prosperity of tradal pursuits in the city and sur rounding districts. It is supposed that he is expected to be called to Pekin, there to receive extraordinary honours on account of the successful termination of the rebellion ; but the authorities at the capital, either through jealousy or policy, have ordered him to remain at his post for the present. We hear little or nothing of- the dispersed rebels, and it is not at all likely that they will ever be able to show a formidable front. So far as we can learn, the Impe rial Government are duly impressed with the value of British assistance, and will not hesitate to acknowledge their obligations, and in some degree to reciprocate the favours extended to them." COMMERCIAL SUMMARY. (From the Overland China Mail, Dec. 31.) The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's steamship Carnatic, with the English mails of the 10th, and the telegrams of the 17th of November, arrived in port on the 24th inst. YOKOHAMA, Dec. 17. Imports.—No new feature has presented itself during the fortnight. Imports have received fair inquiry, and, not withstanding some anxiety on the part of holders to move off their stocks, there has been little variation in the value of goods. Fair sales of shirting have been made. Dyed goods have also been moderatelypurchased. Woollens to a considerable amount have brought up prices. Some im provement is reported in the value of metals, resulting in improved sales of iron, while for lead holders are looking for an advance. Exports.—Raw Silk.—Prices have not varied much since last mail, and but a moderate amount of business is summed up for the fortnight; the demands of Japanese dealers are so extremely high as to prevent operators from buying, notwithstanding favourable European advises being re ceived. Supplies coming in have been rather scanty. Silks of the coarser descriptions are very scarce. Dappanois and other inferior kinds, bringing more than double last year's prices. The settlements for the season to date are 7,712 bales, against 11,763 bales last year. Stock on the market about 500 bales. Quotations—Maybash, inferior to best, $650 to $7lO ; Sinshu, inferior to best, $650 to $7lO ; Ida., medium, $690 to $730 ; Oshu, medium to best, $650 to £6BO ; Koshu, medium to best, $590 to $630 ; Hatchogee, medium to best, $4BO to $520. Tea.—There has been a steady demand, but the high prices asked have curtailed business to some extent. Better grades are rather higher, inferior remaining as before ; 1,700 piculs are the settlements reported. Common, at $8 to $l2 ; good ditto, at $l4 to $l9 ; medium at $2O to £2B ; fine at $29 to $32 ; and finest at $33 to $45. Stocks good ; common, 200 piculs ; medium, 1,200 piculs ; fine; 2000 piculs ; and old common, 200 piculs. Raw Cotton.—Continues to arrive, but no business doing. Fine is quoted at 825 to $26 per picul. Freights.—To London, tea and cotton, £3 10s. ; silk, £4 to £4los. per ton. . . . . _ _ Exchange.—On London, bank, six months' sight, 4s ; credits, 4s. ILustsow, Dec. 17. Imports.—Some little business had been done in the be ginning of the fortnight, but the market towards the close became unusually depressed. Nothing had been done in cotton goods, and they are quoted as in our former report. Exports.—Teas—The season is nearly closed, there being only some 10 chops more expected to arrive. The settle ments have been 10 chops at previous rates, at which the remainder of the stock is very firmly held. The total export from the Ist of June to date is 35,766,9261 b .; same time last year, 4818,860113; showing an excess over last season of 948,0661 b. Stock on hand, 6,000 chests, chiefly low Honam tea. Raw Cotton.—There are heavy stocks on hand. It is difficult to sell at quotations- 16 i taels to 17 taels per picul. KITJRIANG, Dec. 19. Exports.—Green Teas.—The market has opened, but the amount of business done has been quite small, and at prices above those at which it was expected would be the opening rates. Teamen are willing to do business at the rates paid, but the general feeling seems to he against purchasing at these figures, and until holders are prepared to accept lower terms very little business can be done. Three chops fine to medium teas have been settled at 321 taels to 357 taels per picul, and three small lots on private terms. The stock now consists of 112,000 half-chests country tea, and ,400 half-chests Kiukiang packed. T otal shi p ments, 21,862 half-chests, against 109,866 half-chests last year. Black Teas—The season is about finished; 1,800 packages have urm arrive -d a • g the fortnight, and two small chops. gchovr 8 11 266 half chests, at 161 taels to 17 taels are the settleraent7.l 1:;rlile arrivals to date are 119, 933 ha lf-chests; shiP raeuts very little moreie 1 0 6 half-chests ; stock, 2,177 half-chests, a nd come in. SHANGHAI, Dec. 24. Imports —The past SHANGHAI, has been about the dullest the import ever experien ce d i ti complete stagnation. market, resulting in almost among the Chinese as might is not such a scarcity of money be expected for the season, but they show little or ro4no di th s e posit l ion to purchase goods. Of British cotton ant 7 ei es, which have been almost entirely speculative, a pation o. an improvement bales eral reduction of from 1 after Chinese holidays, show ' had rather r f American drills are to 2 mace on last rates. A few g ore fo attention, and reported. Woollens have it is observed that purchasers are looking r to a better as sortment and quality, and are more willing higher prices than formerly. Spanish stripes are firm pa er y ells and hamlets not so firm. In metals there i s a fair Long mar ket for most descriptions of iron. Spelter is much Avr Rice, although there has not been a heavy businessadnotende, is fully maintained in value ; stocks light, and demand chiefly for Bengal. Sugar shows some appearance of im provement, brown meeting with a little more inquiry, end white not wanted. Transactions in pork and beef have been restricted from the high prices sought. California flour very dull. Sales of American anthracite coals have been made on lower terms to close cargoes. There have been no more arrivals of lumber, and that article continues very much depressed. Opium.-3falwa.—A dull market has ruled, and prices are 10 taels under last quotations. Owing to the inferior quality of the new drug natives are unwilling to purchase, even at an allowance of 1 to 2 catties per chest. The inquiry for Patna has been good, but heavy receipts have caused prices to decline, with a still downward tendency. Sales.—Malwa, 1,203 chests ; highest; price, 4(3 taels ; lowest, 450 taels ; closing at for good, 455 taels ; F oft cakes , 450 taels. Patna, 392 chests ; highest pric), 365 taels ; lowest, 340 taelB, which is the closil2,- rate. Stocks.— Malwa, 1,381 chests; Patna, 1,064 chests. AUSTRALIA. THE COLONY OF VICTORIA. We take the following from the Melbourne Argus of the 24th of December : " The first Session of the fourth Parliament of Victoria was opened by commission on Monday, the 28th of November. On the following day the Go vernor attended in person at the Legislative Council, and addressed to the assembled Legislators the cus tomary speech. We are promised a Land Bill, to be introduced without delay, which shall be simple in principle, unencumbered with superfluous and fin practicable conditions, and calculated to bring the lands of the colony within easy access of the public at large, while dealing equitably with existing inte rests.' The tariff is to be readjusted, partly by the reduction of duties already chargeable, and partly by the imposition of duties on commodities hitherto un- taxed. The Legislative Council is to be reformed. Bills are to be introduced for the regulation of mining interests , for providing water to the gold fields ; for the amendment of the law relating to public in- struction ; for the amendment of the insolvency law, for establishing Post-office savings -banks ; for im- posing a legacy duty ; and for several other pur poses of minor importance. The speech concludes by alluding, in turn, to the three great questions of transportation, colonial defence, and border _cus toms. As regards the second of them, we are in formed that application has been made to the Home - - Government for a material contribution, in the shape of ships and guns, to assist in securing the ... colony against aggression, and upon the other two subjects papers and despatches are promised. " The Intercolonial Anti-Transportation Confer ence has commenced its meetings. It will be re membered that some months ago the Chief Secre taryof Victoria forwarded a despatch to each of the neighbouring colonies proposing that an Interco lonial Conference should be held in Melbourne, to agree upon a common course of action with regard to the transportation question. Two of the colonies, South Australia and Tasmania, agreed to the proposal; and the representatives appointed by their respective Governments arrived a short time ago. The delegates from South Australia are the Chief Secretary (Mr. H. Ayers) and the Commis- sioner of Crown Lands (Mr. Blyth). Tasmania is represented by her Chief Secretary (Mr. White) and her Treasurer (Mr. Meredith). The representatives of Victoria are the Chief Secretary (Mr. M'Culloch) and the Attorney-General (Mr. Higinbotham). The first sittings of the conference took place on the 19th inst., but the proceedings being conducted in pri vate, nothing authentic has yet transpired. Mean-. while the agitation on the subject of transportation is still continued with unflagging perseverance and enthusiasm. During the past month a great num ber of anti-transportation meetings have been held in various parts of the country, and there is scarcely a village in the whole colony in which a.petition has not been signed, protesting in the strongest terms against the continuance of the abominable practice of trans porting convicts to our shores. " THE NEW ZEALAND WAR.—This month the war news again yields in interest to the political. Sir George Grey ultimately accepted the resignation of the Fox Ministry, and a new Government was com posed, consisting of Mr. Weld, Colonial Secretary ; Mr. Sewell, Attorney-General ; Mr. Fitzherbert, Treasurer ; Major Atkinson, Colonial Defence Master ; Major Richardson, Postmaster-General. Mr. Weld, Major Atkinson, and Major Richardson are members of what is known as the War party. Mr. Weld, in his statement of the Government po licy, declares that the double system of government by Governor and Ministers has resulted in evil to both races in New Zealand. He will recommend the Assembly to request the home Government to with draw the whole of the troops from the colony, and instruct the Governor to be guided by his constitu tional advisers. He recommends a small standing colonial force, and a strong military post about the centre of the Ngatiruanui country. If the Governor differs on any material point with his constitutional advisers, he would place his resignation in his hands. It is not yet known how far this policy will meet with the approval of the Legislature. In the province of Auckland the new Ministry is highly unpopular, inasmuch as it assumes office with the fixed intention of removing the seat of government to Wellington. On the occasion of their introducing a new tariff all the Auckland members left the house, and business could not be proceeded with. Active operations against the rebels remain suspended. The Waikato districts continue quiet, so it may be hoped that, though the leading chiefs have not tendered their submission, that the struggle here has practically ter minated. At Taranaki, however, the position is unchanged. The foe still has possession of the country beyond the guns of our redoubts ; he still forbids the settlement and cultivation of the lands he fairly disposed of, and the settlers are still un able to return to the homesteads they were forced from. Gen. Cameron is, however, at Taranaki, and the Governor's speech contained an intimation that steps would now be promptly and energetically taken to restore order. " TIM GOLDFIELDS.—Now that the end of the year is draWing nigh, it is satisfactory to know that the yield of gold has been well maintained. The exports alone furnish reliable data on which to base this conclusion, and up to the present time these amount to only a few thousand ounces below those of last year, to be very probably brought up to an equal quantity by the export of next week. It must not be supposed, however, from this that there is any return of prosperity to the poorer classes of miners—the pick-and-shovel men, as they are called on the diggings—for they have each year a greater difficulty in finding a living as the old and shallow ground is worked out. In no one twelvemonth has there been such an addition to the number of men on the goldfields working for hire, and the total yield has only been kept up by the increasing re turns obtained from the deep leads, and by the very much greater quantity of gold which has been taken out of the new reefs at Wood's Point and on the Gipps' Land side of the ranges. The turning-point has apparently been reached at length, and the failure of the shallow ground will soon be more than compensated for by the increasing yield from mines properly so called in which capital has been invested. The old independence of the miner is thus in a great degree lost, but with that indepen dence there was too often recklessness and improvi dence, and the altered state of things will give more stability to the yield of gold and all connected with this interest, and the men working on wages will in reality be able to live better, and far more free from care than the majority of them did when nominally their own masters. With regard to pros pects otherwise, we have only the old story to tell, except that companies are almost daily becoming p more numerous. The usual number of new ree fs have been opened, theaen.dtaken la usual ce, b number of new rushes bav to ground likely to afford employe best of these last is the neighliM nt to more tn a ited n u u t er none -of these h n umber of men. be ha b our hood of South Dunolly worked eda for lea some dh time has been traced away from a spot g ar b e e rich, nfr as six or eight ounces of go there. Some of the clam' eq as u m en a t n ly y s ld on ha t vi hi n s interferes much land near has been sold, and this taken from a bucket of wash -dirt and most of the with the pro °Tess of the work, miners never liking to pay for claims on private property until they are None of the pretty sure that these are of value. None other late rushes promise to become of any es p ecial importance. O n th e o ld er fields, deep sinking is becoming more and more the fash i on, an d boring rods are i n great request. This mode of try i ng d ee p ggenerally adopted, and much preliminaryis e w veryxpen is rlu no thus saved. Speculation in shares has • quite died aw f ay, beyond what always must be the result early information as to improved prospects in o any of the mines, and the companies formed now are formed for work. Water is becoming scarcen * many parts of the country, and this p rom i ses to be in this respect which the miners have had for some THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 14, 1865. years past ; but reservoirs of one kind or other are now so numerous that a want of water can never be so widely felt again, as it was a few years since dur ing a dry 'summer. " On the whole, the yield of gold from the reefs has been, perhaps, better maintained than the yield from the alluvial ground, if we except the deep leads. And from the reefs generally there will be no falling off, if there is not an absolute improve ment, for the opening of roads into the mountain regions is being taken advantage of to send machi nery where none has been before, and where there are thousands of tons of rich stone ready for the mill. Such is the case at the Crooked River especially, and it will not be long before many sets of stampers are at work there. The Wood's Point reefs are still yielding freely, and averages of 4oz. and soz. to the ton are not unfrequently announced from the reefs on the other side of the range. A few rich veins have been opened in other directions also, a parcel of 18 cwt. of stone from one of these near Mount Korong pro ducing 1950 z. 6dwt., or at the rate of 210 oz. to the ton. One ton of stone from a reef discovered a couple of months since in the M'lvor district pro duced no less than 2310 z., the yield from 60 tons crushed during that time having amounted to 700 oz. 13dwt. in all. Forty-two tons out of another reef in this district produced 186 oz. lldwt. Very good stone has also been taken out of the Pyrenees Reef, 110 tons of this having yielded 4470 z. Then 11 tons from a new reef in the Castlemaine district produced 114 oz. and a load of surface stone from a reef just found at the foot of Mount Alexander yielded 38oz. Among the best yields lately obtained in the Bendigo district was one of 117 oz. from 30 tons out of Specimen-hill, and another of 2560 z. out of 80 tons out of a claim on the Windmill-hill. The Tarrangower reefs have also been yielding very fairly ; but the Inglewood reefs are now yielding comparatively little, nor will there be any improve ment in them until there has been a sufficient ex penditure of capital, for the best of them are down to the water-level. The Port Phillip Company, at Clunei, crushed 1,160 tons of stone last week, with a yield of 3580 z. 12dwt. ; and during the month of Nov. 4,210 tons, with a yield of 1,7070 z. Bdwt. The Clune United Company crushed 600 tons, from the deep ground in their claim, during that time, with a yield of 3630 z. 6dwt. Large returns have been ob tained by the principal deep-lead companies at Bal larat lately, and shares in these have advanced still higher in price, without the aid of speculation. Thus, the Koh-i-Noor Company washed out 1,6780 z. dur ing one fortnight, and 1,2520 z. the next; but the Band of Hope Company did even better than this, having obtained 1,9690 z. for ten days' work in the first period, and 2,7570 z. during the second fortnight. It is not many weeks since this company broke into the gutter, and such returns, which are expected to be steady, will help to keep up the total yield of the colony. The largest of the lately found nuggets was one of 860 z., obtained by a party of Chinese at Burnt Creek. Others weighing 450 z., 310 z., and 250 z. were found respectively atTarnagulla, Inglewood, and Kin. gower." Railway and other Companies. LYNN AND HITNSTANTON. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Lynn, on Saturday ; Mr. L. Simpson in the chair. The report was taken as read. The expenditure on capital account to Dec. 31 had been £80,442. The OHAIR3IAN, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the shareholders on the growing prosperity of the company. Some houses, built at Hunstanton by a building company, had all been sold, and had paid the pro prietors per cent. The report was adopted ; a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum for the past half-year was declared ; Mr. L. Simpson and Mr. E. Durrant, the retiring directors, were re-elected ; and also the retiring auditor. The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman and directors. shore of Morecambe Bay, with a pier and breakwater pro jecting 850 yards into the sea. Capital, £96,000 ; loan, £32,000. SWANSEA VALE AND NEATH AND BRECON JUNCTION.— For branches to Abercrave and to the Swansea and Neath Railway. Capital, £45,000 ; loan, £15,000. AFON VAT.T.vy.—For a railway to the South Wales and Llynvi Valley Railways. Capital, £138,000; loan, £46,000. OGMORE VALLEY AND ELY VALLEY EiTENSION.—AmaI- gamation. PONTYPOOL, CAERLEON, AND NEWPORT.—For railway from Pontypool to Caerleon, and to the Great Western at Newport. Capital, £lOO,OOO ; loan, £33,000. DUNDRUM, FOKROCK, AND KINGSTOWN JUNCTION.—For a railway between these places, and communicating with the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford Railway. Capital, £50,000 ; loan, £16,000. BRAY AND ENNISKERRY.—A railway from the Dublin, Wicklow, and Wexford near Bray to the town of Ennis kerry. Capital, £30,000 ; loan, £lO,OOO. WEALD OF KENT.—Deviation. BURY ST. EDMUND'S AND THETFORD.—A railway from Bury St. Edmund's to Thetford. Capital, £120,000; loan, £40,000. • _ The bills withdrawn were those for the King's-cross, Islington, and Limehouse Railway ; the Blackwall, Green wich, and Woolwich Railway ; the East Surrey ; and the Saltcoats Harbour. Evans, but confessed he was entirely tired of such Liberals as Sir J. Shelley, whom he stigmatised as a fictitious re former who took care to walk out of the house when it was about to test the Ministry on the question of reform. Mr. MARSHALL observed that such had been the incon sistencies of the sham Liberals—men who were mere popu larity-mongers, who pledged themselves to everything they were asked, and as soon as they got into Parliament threw all their pledges on one side—that, as one of the electors of Westminster, he would rather have a Liberal Conservative like Lord Stanley, or some one they knew something about than a Liberal who, for the sake of getting into Parliament, was ready to profess everything and sacrifice all his profes sions the moment he got in. After some observations from Mrt Walton and Mr. Long staff, Mr. BIDGOOD said he thought it would be absolutely ne cessary that a perfect understanding should be come to between the committee and any future members on such great and fundamental questions asreform, university tests, church rates, and so on, for it was upon these conditions only he could consent to be a party to the movement. Any division among liberals was much to be deprecated. Tb line between liberalism and liberal conservatism had become so indistinct, that it was very difficult for a voter to say, " I will not vote for you in consequence of a name," and he had no doubt that many gentlemen on the conserva tive side of the house more truly represented the views of the liberal electors of Westminster than many who sat on the liberal side of the house. That made the position of the voters difficult. Major Lyon had made a reference to the old Rump of Westminster. Well, the old Rump of West minster had done some little good in its time. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that its example would be followed by any new organisation that might be formed. There had been no contest in Westminster for upwards of 12 years, which he considered a very great advantage. If they could keep out of a contest in consequence of this organisation, so much the better. General Evans had faithfully served them, and they honoured him. With respect to Sir J. Shelley, he was there to challenge anyone to say that either he had ab stained from voting in favour of measures he proposed to adopt, or that he had voted for measures to which he had stated that he was opposed. [A voice—" He walked out of the house on the very first occasion when the ministry was tested on the question of reform."] He would pledge him self to produce the address of Sir J. Shelley on his coming forward, and he would defy them to point to a single in stance in which he had dishonoured his pledged. He hoped the meeting would not be led away by a reference to model members, who saw their constituents once a year as a rule. The whole thing was balderdash. Just in proportion to the manner in which men ran about and pandered to their constituents were they useless and valueless in the house. He should wish to see an honourable, upright, strong minded man representing them, and he urged the meeting to beware of men who had nothing to recommend them but glibness of tongue, and who had no political character to lose. He went with the meeting in the formation of the committee, and ho was sure that the result would be that at the next election two good and true men would be elected. (Cheers.) Mr. BEALE explained the present political position of the City of Westminster. The present organisation was really intended to heal the breach which took place in 1852, and he was rejoiced to find that Mr. Bidgood had given in his adhesion. The fact was that the quietude of Westmin ster for the last 12 years was not the quietude of content, but that of death. The representatives of Westminster took no part in the great debates on imperial questions, and the condition of the borough had for a long time been a by word. He believed that the effect of the formation of this committee would be that it would open to the City of Westminster a new political future, and that the voice of its representatives would be again heard on imperial ques tions, so that they would once more be raised from the dull level of mediocrity in which they now stood. After a few observations from Mr. Cocks, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Hilton, the resolution for the formation of a committee was pu: to the meeting and carried unanimously. The CHAIRMAN announced that Mr. Donald had kindly placed one of the rooms of St. James's-hall at the disposal of the committee free of charge. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks to Mr. Donald was carried by acclama tion, and a similar compliment to the chairman for presid ing concluded the proceedings. The Garotte Robbery at Sheffield on Ear: Fitzwilliam's Coal Agent. SHEFFIELD, Feb. 13. The police have at length been successful in appre hending the third ruffian engaged in the desperate at tack on Mr. Burnby, on the 23d December, and from the effects of which that gentleman is still suffering severely. It will be recollected that, on the first examination of the prisoners already in custody, and whose names are Dennis Carr and Henry Smith, it was asserted that Hall—who was supposed to be the man who had seized Mr. Burn by from behind, and not only half-strangled him, but called upon his comrade Carr to hit him lower in the chest—had left Sheffield for Birmingham, and had escaped from the hands of the police there. On Thursday, Mr. Unwin, solicitor, who was engaged for the prosecution, applied for a remand, in order that the police might use further endeavours to produce Hall at the next examina tion. This reasonable application, though opposed by the attorney for Carr and Smith, was readily granted by the bench of magistrates, and I am now able to state that on Sunday the police succeeded in capturing him and lodging him in safe custody. His apprehension was effected in the following manner :—From information which the detectives had received, that Hall had an aunt residing at Stannington, a village a few miles from Sheffield, it was thought very likely he might make for her house as a harbour of refuge, and it was determined to search it on Sunday evening. Knowing the desperate character of Hall, the officers took the precaution of arming themselves well, and being very stealthy in their movements, for at Birmingham he had escaped out of a front window with nothing on but his night-shirt, and it afterwards turned out that he had walked the whole distance from that place to Stannington at night, sleeping in the daytime to prevent being identified by the police. Mr. 'Whiteley, who was the detective officer in charge of the case, taking with him detective-officer Winn, Inspector Bosher, of the West Riding constabulary force, and two other assistants, arrived at Hilsborough police station in a cab about half-past nine. Leaving the vehicle at the station, Mr. Whiteley and his men proceeded on foot to Stannington. Here, after making inquiries, they found out the cottage in which a Mrs. Furniss, the aunt of Hall, resided. Placing one officer at the front door, another at the back, while a third went into the next house to prevent any alarm being given by Hall's relatives, who were stop ping there, Mr. Whiteley, with Inspector Basher, demanded and obtained admittance. Mr. Furniss, the husband of Mrs. Furniss, who remained in bed, admitted that he had seen Hall that afternoon, and that he had left for Sheffield with another man. Paying no attention to the statement Mr. Whiteley went up stairs and searched minutely every room, but could discover no trace of him. It should be stated that to the cottage of Furniss a shop had been added and from one of the bed-rooms a dc,or opened into the shop, in which a trap-door had been constructed, leading to an other room underneath the shop, and communicating with the back part of the premises. Mr, Whiteley at once saw that this spot was in all probability his hiding-place, and almost immediately afterwards he found Hall in custody of Detective-officer Winn and Police -constable Pople. The resistance made by the prisoner was of the most desperate character, for in coming out of the back-door of the cottage he knocked Pople down, and would in all probability have again defeated the ends of justice had not Mr. Whiteley, with great foresight, placed Detective Winn as a reserve man. He immediately seized Hall, and in doing so re ceived a violent blow from him on the nose, and a desperate struggle ensued, Winn never leaving his hold, and using his staff whenever he had a chance. At last the prisoner cried out' " I yield." " Then put out your hands," re plied Winn, to put on the handcuffs. At this instant the ruffianism of the scoundrel was particularly manifested, for he inflicted a serious injury on the officer in a most delicate part of his person, and but for the latter hitting him until ho was insensible he would have made his escape, for he was as lithesome as an eel, and the fastest runner in Shef field. Being now secured he was brought to Sheffield in a light cart and lodged in the cells of the Town Hall. The serious nature, however, of the wounds he had received compelled the immediate attendance of the police doctor, who dressed his wounds and ordered him to be supplied with stimulants. This treatment is still continued, for he remains in such a prostrate condition that he was unable to attend before the magistrate 'with the other prisoners, Carr and Smith, who were consequently remanded until Monday next, when it is to be hoped Hall will bo suffi ciently recovered to bear an examination. I should add that Hall is a fine, wiry young fellow, about 27 years of age, stands about sft. Sin., and is a grinder by trade. He may be said, however, to belong to the criminal classes, for ho has often been summarily convicted, and was looked upon as one of the cleverest cracksmen in Sheffield. The apprehension of such a desperado naturally created great excitement in Sheffield, and too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Whiteley and his assistants for the indefatig able industry, courage, and skill which they displayed in the conduct of the case, and which promises to break up a gang that has long been a terror to the neighbourhood. Carr, the other prisoner, is a returned convict, and Smith has suffered several previous convictions. Winn has suf fered so severely from the struggle that he is unfit for duty, and it may be some time before he recovers. LADvEnnsEmENT.l—Holloway's Pills.—Desirable Pos session. —Without health no amount of wealth, no means of pleasure, are of the slightest value. It is inconceivable how small a disturbance of the animal functions begets wretchedness, and how readily it may be rectified by a few doses of some purifying and regulating medicine, such as these world-renowned pills. These have proved the best friend to mankind in every grade in every land, and under almost every circumstance. Holloway's pills purify the blood, rectify digestion, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and regulate the bowels. When fevers, influenza, and other ailments are epidemic, these pills should be taken occasionally by everyone to keep the blood and system free from the seed of the prevailing pestilence. RAILWAY AND CANAL BILLS. From a report of the Board of Trade it appears that the number of bills deposited this:session which relate to rail ways, canals, harbours, docks, and tidal waters in the United Kingdom is 439, of which 409 relate to railways. Of those railway bills, 348 authorise new works, which may be classed as follows :—By new companies in England, 162 bills are promoted for the construction of 1,980 miles of railway ; in Scotland, 14 bills, for the construction of 392 miles of railway: and in Ireland, 15 bills, for the construc tion of 306 miles of railway, making together 191 bills promoted by new companies foi the construction of 2,678 miles of railway. The number of bills promoted by exist ing companies is 116, for the construction of 1,262 miles of railway in England ; 30 for the construction of 290 miles of railway in Scotland ; and 11 bills for the construction of 40 miles of railway in Ireland, making together 157 bills pro moted by existing companies for the constructfon of 1,592 miles of railway. The total length of new lines proposed to be constructed by new and existing companies is there fore 4,270 miles ; and there are in addition 76 miles of de viation lines. There are included in the above 25 bills for the construction of 91 miles 5 chains of railway in the me tropolitan and suburban districts promoted by the follow ing companies :—ln the eastern division, by the Blackwall, Greenwich, and Woolwich, 4 miles 26 chains in length ; the East London (Thames Tunnel), 8 miles 47 chains ; the Great Eastern and London and Blackwall (lease or amal gamation), the Great Eastern (additional powers), 7 miles 3 chains ; the Hornsey and Kingsland Junction, 1 mile 57 chains ; the King's-cross, Islington, and Limehouse, 5 miles 22 chains ; the London and Blackwall and Millwall Exten sion, 5 miles 10 chains ; the Metropolitan and South Lon don, 9 miles 58 chains; the North London, Highgate, and Alexandra-park, 4 miles 38 chains ; North London (widen ing), 79 chains ; the South-Eastern, 4 miles 46 chains ; the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction (deviations), 1 mile 4 chains; and the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction (new lines), 8 miles 27 chains. In the western division the Balham and Brixton Junction, 3 miles 10 chains ; the Barnet, Hendon, Hampstead, and London, 10 miles 10 chains ; the Fulham, 4 miles 63 chains ; the Hammersmith and City (alterations), 29 chains; the London, Brighton, and South Coast (additional powers ), 1 m il e 45 c h a i ns; th e London, Chatham, and D over, an d t h e L on d on an d S ou th Western (running powers, &c.) ; the London, Chatham, and Dover (No. 1), 1 mile 20 c h a i ns, w id en i ng 3 m il es 10 c h a i ns; the Metropolitan (deviations), 23 chains ; the Metropolitan and St. John's-wood (extension to Hampstead), 1 mile 3 chains; the Metropolitan District, 78 chains ;„the North Surrey, 2 miles 16 chains ; and the Waterloo and Whitehall, 48 chains in length. Representation of Westminster. In consequence of General Sir De Lacy Evans having intimated that it is not his intention to ask for a renewal of the trust reposed in him by his constituents, a meeting of liberal electors and liberal members of the several vestries in the City of Westminster took place yesterday* at St. James's-hall. The meeting was called at the invitation of Dr. W. Brewer and Mr. Hugh Seymour, the churchwardens of St. George's, Hanover-square. Among those present were Messrs. Compton, James, Webber, Watkins, Gordon, Cook, Hadfield, Waggett i Downes, T. W. Marshall, F. Ogden, S. Smith, H. Ward, Westerton, Mantle,Beale, Bid good, &c. _ Dr. WM. BREWER, churchwarden of St. George's, Hano ver-square, having been called to the chair, opened the pro ceedings by observing that the object of the promoters of the meeting in calling together the electors of Westminster and the vestries of the various parishes was simply to give to the electors of that great city a fair opportunity of expressing their predilection for any particular candidate who might present himself in the event of a general election. It had been felt that no organisation of any breadth of character existed at present for that purpose, and in his opinion there waB room enough for such an organisation as might have its branches in every district and ward of the city. The increase of population in the city of Westminster and the modification of opinion that had taken place among the more thoughtful class of the population had hitherto pre vented any such organisation. That meeting was called together, not to enunciate any political creed ; their inten tion was simply, from the largeness of the organisation, to give a facility to candidates to present themselves to the 'electors before an actual vacancy took place, so that the number of candidates not being limited to two or three, a proper selection might be made by the voters, and through the ramifications of the organisation the return of the selected candidate might be secured. By means of such an organisation they would, he was convinced, be able to secure candidates of the highest qualities, but who were prevented from coming forward at present by the great labour and fatigue of a personal canvas of the electors. Major. LYON then moved the following resolution " That the persons present who are willing to form them selves into a committee to secure fit and proper candidates to represent the liberal party in parliament do signify their consent to act, and that such a committee be formed, with power to add to their number." He said that the resolu tion, simple as it was in itself, involved important conse quences. The chairman had stated that there had been no sort of organisation answering the purposes of such a committee as this. Whether the Liberal Registration Society, or what was called derisively, " the old Rump of Westminster," had acted hitherto, was not a matter of great consequence. The present meeting was gigantic in comparison with the meetings of the old Rump, and the very person who belonged to it seemed to have forgotten the purposes-for which it was formed. The present asso ciation was not formed for the purpose of supporting any candidate now in the:field forWestrainster. If, under these circumstances, Sir J. Shelley, or Captain Grosvenor, or any other gentleman who had put forth addresses, were present, it would be unbecoming in them to make, and unwise in this meeting to listen to, any expression of their political creed. He hoped that they would form such an association as should induce a higher class of men to come forward as candidates for the metropolitan boroughs than was now the case, for without mentioning names he did not hesitate to say that there had been persons recently sent to Parliament for certain boroughs who were no honour to Parliament, and no credit to those who sent them there. His view of a representative was that on local questions he was bound to put himself in communication with and ascertain the wishes of his constituents ; but on all great imperial questions he should act entirely on his own views. Had there been with the members for Westminster and their constituents within the last 10 years that communica tion that there ought to have been ? (No, no.) Had the members even addressed their constituents once a year as other members did ? (No.) The electors of Westminster, however, were now determined to have a more frequent communication with their members. (Hear.) It was pro posed that in every district a sub-committee should be ap pointed, which should be in constant communication with the central committee, by which means all parts of the borough would be put into constant communication with the member on all local questions. He wished it to be understood that they did not desire to shut out any candi date, but it was their intention to do all they could to re turn good sound Liberals to Parliament. At tht same time, if there were only two candidates, one a Liberal, but' a who did not go the full length to which it was desired he should go, and the other a Conservative, then they ought to do their best to return the Liberal, however moderate his libe ralism, in preference to the Conservative. Again, there might be candidates, men of great talent, holding the prin ciples of Messrs. Cobden and Bright--principles which might go beyond the views of many of the electors of West minster, yet if such a candidate and a Conservative candidate were brought forward, it would be the duty of the Liberals of Westminster to support an ultra-Liberal in preference to a Tory. The Tories were already combining, and in the forthcoming, election neither talent, nor energy, nor money would be wanting on the Tory side to procure a majority. They must not despise their antagonists, and think that they(the Liberals) were so strong that no Tory candidate would venture to place himself before the electors, because if they did, they might possibly at the last moment find that in consequence of their want of energy they had a Tory representative. He wished to see a strong liberal organisa tion in Westminster, and would devote all his energies to the accomplishment of that object. (Hear, hear.) Mr. MALLESON seconded the motion, observing that one had not far to go to select a man who would be a fit man to represent them. If, for instance, they could persuade to come forward a young reformer of such strong and well defined principles as Viscount Amberley, or a philosopher like Mr. J. Stuart Mill, an accomplished 'gentleman, or a liberal like Mr. L. Stanley, the son of Lord Stanley of Alderley, those would be men whose election they would be proud to secure. A lengthened conversation ensued, in which Mr. WEBBER suggested that before they should be asked to join a committee of this kind with an avowed object of sending good liberals to Parliament, a proper definition of liberalism should be given. He regretted the loss of Gen, MID-KENT. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes terday at the offices, Duke-street, Westminster ; Mr. W, Wilkinson in the chair. The report was taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said that its adoption would early with it the declaration of a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum for the half-year. The report was adopted, and the retiring direc tor, Mr. L. Simpson, was re.-elected,;as was also the retir ing auditor; Mr. C. L. Christian. Thanks to the chairman concluding the proceedings. ROYSTON AND HITCHIN. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes terday at the offices in Gracechurch-street ; Mr. J. C. Cobbold, M.P., in the chair. The CHAIRMAN proposed a formal resolution declaring a dividend at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum for the past half-year, less income tax, and the usual expenses, which was seconded and carried. On the motion of Sir R. CARDEN a vote of thanks to :he chairman terminated the proceedings. HULL AND SELBY. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Saturday at Hull—Mr. J. R. Pease in the chair. The CHAIRMAN said the only resolution he had to sub mit was for the adoption of the dividends of £2 9s. 6d. per £5O share, with like proportions for the half and quarter shares, less income tax. The motion was adopted, and the dividend made payable on the 27th inst. The CHAIHHAN congratulated the shareholders on the decrease of expenses, and as they had now a reserve accu mulating he hoped they would soon be able to pay their till dividend (10 per cent.) without deduction. Mr. Summers and Mr. Holmes, the retiring directors, were re-elected, and Mr. Wreggitt was re-elected auditor. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceed. ings. ULSTER. The report of the directors states that the gross traffic receipts for the half-year ending the 31st December last, on the Ulster and Dungannon lines, amounted to £66,372, and for the corresponding half of 1863 to £62,440, showing an increase of £3,932, being £2,680 on passengers and £1,252 on goods traffic. An act had been passed for making a sys tem of railways through Belfast, including a communica tion with the quays, in which clauses had been inserted for facilitating traffic to and from the Ulster line. The direc tors therefore hoped that the time was not distant whenthe railway would enjoy the advantages of an easy access to the port of Belfast for all classes of traffic. By the opening of the Newry and Armagh line, some of the traffic formerly enjoyed by the Ulster Company had been diverted. There had been a decrease in the grain and breadstuffs carried of about 3,500 tons, in consequence of the unusually large crop of potatoes. There had also been a deficiency in the dead pig trade of about 500 tons. The traffic over the Clones Extension was slowly increasing. The working ex penses (exclusive of rates and taxes) amounted to £30,481• There had been an increaso in the train mileage of nearly 13,000 miles, about one-half of which arose from an addi tion to the number of the Banbridge trains under the award. The remainder had been caused by the addition of a goods train on the Clones line, which was not running in 1863. The price of coals was higher during the past half-year than in the corresponding period. The amount paid for in terest was £7,844, and average £4 3s. 4d. per cent. After payment of interest and the rent of the Portadown, Dun gannon, and Omagh line, the balance amounted to £23,650, out of which the directors recommended a dividend of 225. 6d. per original share, lls. 3d. per half share, and ss. 4 4-sd. per quarter share, being at the rate of 4-} per cent. per an num, less income tax, payable on the 22d inst. The capital account showed that £1,375,847 had been expended, leav ing a balance against the company of £77,042. The revenue account for the half-year showed that £66,410 had been re ceived and £29,738 expended, leaving a balance of £36,671. NORTHERN OF FRANCE. The traffic receipts on this company's old lines, 658 miles in length, for the week ending Jan.2B, amounted t0£51,452, against £49,189 for the corresponding week last year, show ing an increase of £2,263. The total receipts for the four weeks ending as above amounted to £208,122, against £185,617 in the corresponding period, showing an increase of £22,505. The receipts on 70 miles of new line amounte d for the week to £1,782, against £1,740, showing an increase of £42 ; and the receipts for the four weeks ending as above amounted to £7,631, against £7,940 for the corresponding period last year, showing a decrease of £309. RAILWAY BILLS. bills, a n Y d e d s t e e c r l d a a re y d t h ti e ja, e t t a i m i e i y n e h r a s d c o c n o s m i d p e l i r e e d d t w h i e th f o l t l h o e w i s n t g a nding orders of Parlitiment : WEST YORKSHIRE. —To construct a railway from their Ossett branch to Wakefield. Additional capital, £20,000; loan, £G,GOO. WOLVERHAMPTON AND BRIDGNORTH. — From the Severn Valley near Bridgnorth to the Shrewsbury and Birming ham line at Tettenhall. Capital, £180,000; loan, £50,000. KING'S LYNN. —A railway from near Purfleet to Fisher's Fleet, with docks at Kin g 's Lynn. Capital, £66,000 •,loan, £22,000. HEYSHAM.—A railway commencing at Poulton by a junction with the Morecambe branch of the Midland, close to the North-Western Hotel, and terminating on the fore- SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—The last week has been somewhat more than usually prolific in actions for breach of promise of marriage—a species of lawsuit eminently favour able to forensic eloquence, but very apt to result in marriage capricious verdicts. _The contract of is the one contract on which almost all men have bestowed some thought, and the relations between the sexes are the one subject upon which reason is most likely to be overmastered by sentiment. Moreover, the exceptional character of this action is recognised in one respect by the law itself, for it is an established rule that the injury to the plaintiff's feelings, as well as the prospective loss of an advantageous settle- ment inlife,may properly be considered by the jury in their assessment of damages. This gives them a very wide discretion, and, as jurymen, happily for the injured ladies, always belong to the other sex, it is generally exercised with a strong bias to the weaker side. Where female affection and confidence have been deliberately betrayed by a heartless sedu- cer, as it always is in a novel, andmuch too often in real life, no fine that can be laid on the defendant is likely to be too heavy. He stands in the position of a delinquent from whom no definite penalty is ex acted by law, but whose guilt far surpasses that of ordinary criminals. It is far otherwise in those cases where there have been haste and imprudence in both parties, and still more in those where an ill-assorted match has been broken off from a sincere conviction that it must end in misery. In such cases the person most to blame is often the young lady's mother, and if vindictive damages are to be awarded at all, justice would require that they should be exacted from her. To sacrifice a child to Mammon, with a probability of lifelong torture, is not much less cruel than sac rificing a child by a speedy death to Moloch. This, however, is an instance of a wrong without a remedy, and the only class who can practically be made to suffer for rash matrimonial engagements are the gentlemen who go too far and then draw back. There is a kind of wild justice in the principle, but it sometimes works very gross and grievous hardship. No less than £2,000 damages have lately been given in two separate cases where no base conduct was charged against the defendant, and where the marriage could not have conduced to the happiness of the plaintiff. Both of these were tried in the Court of Queen's Bench, before the Lord Chief Justice, and in both Mr. Coleridge, Q.C., played a prominent part,—as counsel for the plaintiff in the one, and as counsel for the defendant in the other. ".Woodward v. Clarke" was an action by the daughter of a surgeon at Worcester against an In dian officer. The two families had been known to each other for some time, and the gentleman im proved his acquaintance with the young lady on his return from India in 1863. There was no disparity of age or other serious bar to the marriage, and it was virtually admitted that the defendant was really in love, but, thinking better of it, wrote a letter honestly avowing that he had been carried away by his feelings into a step which his mature judgment could not ratify. " The fact is, when I came home I was so excited by my long absence, and so pleased with the reception I met with, that I hardly knew what I was doing." That was the whole story of the cause of action ; and, but for two circumstances to be mentioned presently, we can hardly doubt that moderate damages would have been considered an equivalent for the injury. One of these circum stances was that the withdrawal was wrapped up, as serious announcements often are, in a number of religious phrases, said to have been contributed by the faithless suitor's mother. The other was that a denial of the promise was pleaded by his solicitor, who had not seen the letters, and that Mr. Sergeant Ballantine indiscreetly alluded to the Divorce Court as the natural termination of an ill considered union. The Lord Chief Justice com mented severely on these features of the case, and the jury mulcted the luckless officer in £2,000. The verdict in " Lewis v. Powell" is still more diffi cult to reconcile with our ideas of distributive justice. It appears that Colonel Powell, M.P. for Cardiganshire, being in his 50th year and a widower, fell in, last March, with a lady named Lewis, nearly 40 years old, and sister to a person who had acted as his secretary. She was an inmate of his house, with other relatives of her own, for nearly a month, and the engagement was contracted on the 27th of April, in the absence of Colonel Powell's relatives. It was expressly understood that, owing to the state of his health, she must be " more of a nurse than a wife to him," and the lady's own brother very naturally counselled more deliberation. However, when the Colonel's relatives returned they found the matter settled, and straightway set to work to break off the match. This was done in the course of the next month, but unfortunately reasons other than the true one were given for it to third parties, and unfounded asper sions were cast upon the lady's character. It is true that they were retracted without reserve, and with expressions of regret, but the mischief was done, and the minds of the jury were diverted from the con sideration of the actual loss sustained to that of the injury incidentally inflicted. This was inevitable and not altogether unjust, but we cannot help re garding £2,000 as an excessive compensation for either or both. Mr. Coleridge made the most of his client's cause, and dwelt forcibly on the pre sumption that Miss Lewis's motives in desiring to be the wedded nurse of Colonel Powell must have been mercenary and selfish. The Lord Chief Jus tice himself adopted much of his argument, pointing out the want of any evidence of tender affection, and endorsing all that had been said against the desecra tion of the conjugal tie by a manage de convenance. Still, there stood the fact that Miss Lewis had drawn a prize in the matrimonial lottery, and that it had been wrested from her grasp : She had aspired to the social position of being Colonel Powell's wife, and her expectations guaranteed by his promise had been disappointed. Persons of middle age, and still more advanced in life, have been known to contract marriage with a view to domestic comfort, and without experiencing, or even simulating, the ardent emotions of youth. Such persons have legal rights as well as more ro mantic and chivalrous lovers, and their blighted hopes are at least as capable of being assessed in money. All this was true, and no doubt the jury acted upon it conscientiously, but they ought surely to have put into the other scale the de'sagremens of the lot which Miss Lewis has selected for herself. Many of her sex would have given more than the £2,000 which she has recovered to be off such a bargain, and few women would have been disposed to indemnify her so largely for losing it. There is a saying of Swift that "the reason why so few mar riages are happy is because young ladies spend their time in making nets, not in making cages." When this art is practised successfully by ladies of mature years, we are not prepared to estimate their claim to compensation very highly. POST.—The report that certain provinces of the Mexican Empire had been ceded to France would scarcely have required to be contradicted if it had not purported to reveal a transaction which was to become the base of future operations. There seems to be a strong and increasing conviction that the two great maritime Powers of Europe will eventually be compelled to abandon the neutrality they have hitherto observed in the American civil war, and the Emperor of the French more particularly is supposed to be ready to enter into diplomatic relations with the Government of the Southern States. The pre valence of this idea, therefore, was favourable to the circulation of the Mexican fiction, and as its _reception in the Northern States was calculated to, impede to some extent the organisation of the new empire by encouraging the partisans of Juarez, the French Government thought it proper to state that the story was—what, when looked into, it appeared to be--a weak, albeit malicious fabrication. It is obviously the interest of the Confederates to ag gravate the suicidal hostility which their adversaries entertain towards England and France, but what they do they do openly, and the rumour in question may not improbably be traced to quite another source. The policy of the Emperor Maximilian has given great offence to the Ultramontane party. In Mexico, as in France and Italy, the Church is saidrto be in danger. It is worthy of remark, too, that a similar tale was published in Mazzinian binding as a sequel to the Convention of September ; and if the Holy See is supported by so-called Liberals in France, and assisted by avowed Republicans in Italy, its missionaries in the New World may not object to play upon the suscepti bilities of an excited people for the purpose, as they hope, of embarrassing the only Government that is able and willing to preserve to them the power they abuse, and to protect the religion they discredit. The Second Empire is founded upon principles that do not admit of its territorial aggrandisement, and Napoleon 111. has more than once resisted this which has been described as the peculiar temptation of princes. Europe is now at peace because France has not entered into justifiable wars. The halt on the Mincio is a memorable instance of self-restraint. We know how it disappointed the aspirations of Italy, and that Cavour himself was not more sensible of the sacrifice than the Emperor who commanded it. The emancipation of Venetia would have torn up the Treaty of 1815, revised the map of the Continent, and most likely advanced the frontiers of the French Empire. Later, and in regard to a question which is not yet satisfactorily solved, France checked the impatience of England. We have abundant cause to remember that there was a time when two or three words flashed along the electric wires would have sent our fleet to the Baltic and ordered a French army to bivouac on the borders of the Rhine. The Government of the Emperor paused again on the brink of a European war, and the Power that profited by the imperial forbearance has been shout ing its victories in our ears. These are events that speak for themselves, and if those who habitually represent France as coveting her neighbour's vi.„ ll , e : yard purposelyt ignore their meaning, history 'nu be more Just. There may be Continental Powers tha are dreaming of aggrandisement, but if France be one of them it is remarkable that her Government has neglected opportunities and declined invitations which could hardly have failed to lead UP to th q end. Political assassination, whether by means 0 false rumours or in the form of viperous epigrain s ' is an odious and significant phenomena. It mg be urged that France intervened in Mexico, as she did in Italy, to carry out an idea. There is one and, as far as we are aware, but one—objection to putting the argument in that shape. We are Wind, however, to admit that, so stated the question Inal be variously answered, and that it will n ot s uffice to e say the ideas of one country differ from the ideas 0 1 another country. All Governments are, or ough t ' to be, controlled by the common law of n ation sii But if the condition of Italy was such as to ira P e . r the peaoe of Europe, and if the anarchy subsistnig in Mexico was not only prejudicial to the comm ler." cial interests of other countries, but liable to 011111„; nate in the aggrandisement of a conteriniu°. State, that, according to the highest interpretatioutt of international law, forms a complete justifieatiert of the action taken by the Emperor Napoleon• is not therefore strictly accurate to describe that action as the fulfilment of an idea, and the .ter. may have caused some misconception. To illy% fere in the American war, on the Federal sugges.t,lea to abolish slavery, would be interfering on au and whether, morally speaking, right or V IT- ' the would clearly be an act not contemplated the law of nations. Still, the popular definition 01 ar imperial policy, though not exactly . correct, is 'l e e _ enough for our present purpose, seeing tha t the Loss cupation of Rome, the withdrawal from -which ,P.,„ called forth this attack of pamphlets and on a t y y . 7 was not only in obedience to an idea, but nuallif es ie altogether an abnormal proceeding. The prin el Y o f which have guided the Emperor must be judge,hat in their entirety ; and even on the assumption they are rather ideas than commonly received P r ' 0 ciples, it by no means follows that their terlde l ;2 3 :ol aggressive. When France claims her " na tu boundaries," and marches to a Duppel on the Rki t then there may be reason to cry out ; bu t as I.oa the Imperial Government has given no ()Nato whatever for the imputation it has been called l i t; to repudiate. With regard to the war in Arn er ., l o which has been interpolated to mask the real °,,r,,`ry, and intention of this reported cession of terrrone France and England are, we apprehend, 01 if a t mind. The neutrality that recommended it the commencement of the conflict still aPPe a ,g t ion, and expedient. There is no opening for nr The re and there is no ground for intervention• the cognition of the Southern States would fou, ° ," a a a acquirement of their legal right to claim rotic matter of course • and the subsisting d i r e n eed relations with the Northern States depend, w!„rnit not say, upon the reciprocal fulfilment of int' tional obligations. COUNTRY MARKETS GRAN T HAM.—FEB. 11. net Old white wheat, 42s to 455; old red, 3 80 t o 4" 13 0 : - white, 42s to 44s ; new red, 37s to 38s per 36 st° l l . 26sP er t ley for malting, 29s to 33s per qr. ; grinding, 24s t 30 stone. Oats, old, 25s to 27s ; new, 22 s to 24: 1 . 8 ; t0 0 stone. Beans, old, 39s to 41s; new, 36s to 380 per Peas, 34s to 36s per 36 stone. NORTHAMP TON.—FEB. 11. 38s ; old New white wheat, 39s to 42s ; new red, 3 6 0 to ra id white, 43s to 44s ; old red, 38s to 39s per 36 stone., per for malting, 31s to 33s per qr. ; grinding, 26s to 3 stop stone. Oats, old, 25s to 26s • new, 18s to 24s rne r 4 If Pew Beans, old, 36s to 40s ; new, '3ss to 38s per 38 s'°Pew33s to 38s per 36 stone. CHELMSFORD—FEB. 10. The The wheat trade was steady at this market to-dat s o best barleys were a trifle dearer, and inferior WO manded the same terms as last week. 36S 3 0 36s Peas, Partridg e ..... .3 A o White ....... . ' 351 B Aiing • .....310 Dun.• • • . n . ? . ;; • • 0 :, $ Beans, Tick, , 01 a ••• . 3 —s ,s new%,350 Harrow L V'f• • • .33$ Diaz Igen . ..... Whedt, old white.... 908 958 new 4os 998 old red 398 408 new. 37s 40s Barley.. 2ss 32s 1 hevalier 26s ~ 3 s Grind ng ,Os 8s Malt 6lB 67s Chevalier 64s 686 Oats COLCHESTER--FEB. 11. pp The supply of wheat was small, an d last week I.i e es; about maintained. Fine barley in demand at full p tu 00 other sorts rather cheaper. Beans a nd peas are ° turn dearer. 3 1 .30 An Wheat, white 40a 468 Beans, Itazagall••••• 350 red Oats. ...... ... ..... .. 2 B oB as Barley .. grey ......... . .° 4 235 2 5: s reMati3tdivdlheitaen.d. ......... .. ........ ssl ------ The weather is now more settled. ABERDEEN—FEB. 1 1 . pin note xtra. Here to-day we had bt a steall agenda u`„. We quote wheat rather- lower. B u and other article 9 ' slow sale, but not cheaper than lasjw e eek. White wheat 33s Od to 37s Odl . fl hob 9th WO" Red wheat 31s Od to 33s Odf --- V r) eliverie s aro _,.. hel• Potato oats 15s 6d to 16s 6d t . g o v bus Common oats 14s 6d to 15s 6dj he'. Bore l9s Od to 20s Od t 53tb v bus Barley 19s Od to 2 0 s Odf ii f 00. lb Oatmeal 13s Od to 1 4 s O d V bock 28011). Flour, fine 31s Od to 3 2 s Od V saci'• ° KIRKCALDY—FEE. 11. A moderate supply of all kinds of gra in ' Prices unaltered from this day week. Oa ts Wheat. Barier• 160 Od First. 2OB Cd I 210 6d l7O Od econd.... 32s Od 225 Od 1 80 Od Taira..... 31s Od 210 Od sales COAL MARK Price per ton at the ET, FEB. 10. d. c l o se of themarke' s. 15 Cow Pen ilartley .... 3 Walker Primrose ..... 0 West liartley ......... 1 5 6 Hastings liartley ...... 6 9 Holywell Dtfain ... y l l 1 4 6 Lambert 's W. ga r ' Tunstall ............... s. d. Carway and Duffryn Malting 22 0 Wylam l6 0 Eden Main Buddles'Westilartley. 15 3 Walls End Belmont 2O 9 1 Braddylls Hetton l9 6 Walls End Hetton Ships at market ,t, 15; sold, 13. Foreign Mail Packet List. , cf. Australia and New Zealand, via Southam pton cl ' e e D P:l: Ditto, via Marseilles llO. _,. Brazil and Cape Verde, by British pac et ▪A_ .I:Teb, /ii. Ditto, by British packet .......... .. ........... ,, 1S ~ _ Cape of Good Hope, Ascensio n, and st. Helena.• • fieb S. China, Penang„ and Sing,ip , :re , via Sou hampton. ;• , eD . 1 4 ' Ditto, via Marseilles - •Faikland Islands .................. Feu' IS. Gibraltar, via Southampton • . . Ed' 4 India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via SGuthampton. ,.. .„„b. • ' Ditto, via Marseilles ••• x ' ii• ............ . .• •• ~,,b. , India (B..mbay), via Southampton.. ............... .x., b , 2v Ditto, via ilarseiiles .. ......... ...... 8. Mauritius, via Southampton 0. Ditto, via Marseil e 3... .............. • ..... • ,rep• -6, Newfoundland ... ....... :.~gr. Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon • 000 OO ••'• • .. 95. United States and British North America, DI Sr i- Feb• tish packet ...... •• • Ditto, by United States packet, via Sou th Ditto, tf:n .. '• .. 11' Ditto, via C ..rk ... ... ...•"el).• 3 .3. Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Londonclexri•.osr West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe •• • "4 , 1 9. West Indies and Pacific (except Baha alas, Cuw . Feb' ' 9 . and Mexico. ................ .. ................. sal' 0 . Bahamas, via New York. ................. V D ' 98 , ............ Bermuda, ditto . . . .......... . rep. Cuba and Mexico ........... .. ................... _ate FATAL COLLIERY ACCIDENT.- -011 . 4 , P it,dye morning an accident occurred at No. l v ps ),.,": Wells Colliery, by which six • ers lost their li v- 'god "i colliery belongs to the Earl of Dudley, but 1 5 .„ 11111 0 1 1;c1 th r. Samuel Davies. At half-past 6 o'clock ill t ' e i . l :sf ec i t er as the men went down to work, and tha pit had he el „,eu, i 'l i g, usual. Mr. Davies and the “doggy,, l e ft the ' 0r i0,%4 and examining the pit, to go into another part of the on it w a t almost immediately after a crash was heard , a A - t ,e0 0 1 ; ascertained that the unfortunate men were bil rie v - yed ~e : 4 a d mass of coal, weighing some 50 or 60 tons. .'"•,,t 6 11 ' 1 0 e eavour was made to rescue the men, but en 5- c iec os oo each case life was extinct. The names of til d e joh es pit are :—John Smith, Emanuel Roberts, Ed` rel ,. - 1 3° ; ,11t Wm. Mansfield, John Ruff, and Edward Pilr e .' • „ for e r 'ea has been at work in the thick coal and ironstoo; occill• Tn ea .t rs, and this is the first accident that has l e ...Ea.W. 11aa...... •••••••• 0 1 Births. io • t he , DAVIDSON.—On the 11th inst., at Ewell, Surrey, .ow the Rev. Thomas Davidson, of a daught er ' ht-04 4 . EASTON.—On the 12th inst., at 20, Cono ll o s- tt oeli t . 0 Hyde-park, the wife of John Easton , M. A V f 0 ( 1 ° ' WIGAN.—On_ the 12th inst . at Luthers, l a c ht e-. Essex, the wife of Henry Wigan, Esq., ° f 5 - 114 0 willit', l , Marriages. to t, ghtv MYATT—RELF.—On the 11th inst., at Isill'gDas i ..t e 84/ ‘ Myatt, Esq., of Muswell-hill, Middlesex, aver of ''' f. street, city, to Mary Phcebe, second daugh te too , s Relf, of Highwood, Brightling, Sussex' ~ va ddi l3s oP l INCLAIR—CRUMP.--On the 11th inst., al ;;ft.Clite Duncan F. Sinclair, Esq., of Halstead, to Eittly o f P daughter m.tite of the late George Crump, 5(Jl. ' i s r. lA te Deaths. Brett , VSCIaAik BREM—On the 10th sandint Cha 1 s Curtis - n ,eott P " . 12th Royal Lancers, of r the Cavalry ''' ...adv . stone, aged 76. a , 01:4' w. i d e nC.l BRYANT.—On the 10th inst., at his res -,g , 0 0C 1 1 BRYAN.—On Surrey, Wm. L. Bryant, Esq, ag ed . 14°I.vg the 11th inst., at Lismore ilotise? los oj Robert Purdie Bryan, Esq., 8.A., a g ed 2 f 0 6 . ,...„ . ~d. 8 013 ti CRAMPTON—On the 10th inst., at Era e6-- Hillas Crampton,. Esq., aged 52. l i t ;fq' 0 D.,. '' 1 i.., London •• Printed and Published by w ll ' "Alf '''''' 14° ' °t of No. 112, :str.Lnd, Punter , at THE SDN OP' oot/ Strand, in the Precinct , of the Savoy , il l tn° Middlesex.—Tuesday, February 14, 1865. ItEM not ! l'( -_--'---- ft I Sale in Lae A :ea itt G/ Obser y f .„e kin , 4. f:lei:e at t oo ,Ytne t disp ''er'Y art St , C O art ' able ft ßt-tr.t e s ' —4l Pie; - 11 41 e ;„;:' e Of ValUi,b —tbor , tt ria t t: l/ n el ' B, o r ~ieh"t z 111 "' " 1 ter,E3 T RI; , P PE -1 are p In e°rPo ben r 081 t Cal t Yor l d 4 44 ,r st N 0 call t h —e tt a !'°n• ei r 'lway J. D. st 'ato 'N ] eub, ,C o " NI ga or lit 11. It' nort 411 7 4 Y It e itt efil ° 4 ll Behr Ale ki:Nrin g ; Wiltj fi r ° I'e 3 1 I,,arare 4 Lath o , AI:t 1 A e l ak k , a4 d L er 4111\1' ti. 4ohCll p„. an "eY li 14-Bre. Gib' 41e ::r7; o% in ?daPore. 4t:er"Bl I<3 n gaPor( ke s he srB. s mi 114,,Nation l 11 ‘ ;1:411 in Y, J, 1 1% 4 k r ei ZtO 4 L ,Z illor t 4 11 :1 8 e t ! SEC Tr, Pl` ° th e D?' ec • • ri 4h tlt iv ?e lit , li ttl 0 1 4 4 1134 titl e k t ,t k tha th t It:. 1 , 1 ,11t 4411' 1'4,4, I r `,., 114 :, I \4l 'lt4 Y or ° et ( : 11'41° Ie tkt iern k Dal t eal o,ll4 t h e t',‘ - ` * Dt hat a 4 1) ° / I tl l B4 eh e I e ,P IR et e t c't t 4: oZ l 4ti l o ' c ) l 4 ktial t° 4, er of