The Sun. — London, England, 1866-05-03 00:00:00

1401\ik-t NAEKET AND COMMEBC/AL INTELLIGENCE, TWELVE O'CLOCK. The rate of discount at the Bank of England has been advanced to 7 per cent., after having been maintained at 6 per cent, for fully seven weeks. This measure has been expected for several days past owing to the continual withdrawal of gold for the Continent, and the active manner in which the mercantile classes have been providing themselves With accommodation denoted with what certainty they regarded the increase which has now been made in the value of money. Gold to the amount of £5,000 was taken from the Bank of England yesterday. The biddings for £325,000 in bills on India took place yesterday at the Bank of England. The pro portions allotted were :—To Calcutta, £167,900 ; to Madras, £57,000 ; and to Bombay, £lOO,OOO. The minimum price was, as before, is. Hid. on Calcutta and Madras, and ls. 11 d. on Bombay. Tenders on Calcutta and Madras at is. Hid. will receive about 52 per cent., and on Bombay at ls. ll id. about 47 per cent. ; above these, prices in full. At the meeting held to-day of the London and South African Bank the directors intimated that they did not feel justified in recommending the de claration of a dividend at this time. Two O'CLOCK. -At the Paris Bourse this morning, according to neuter's telegrams, the Three per Cent Rentes were noted 64c. 20f. (? 65c 20f.) Firm and rather ani mated. The Money Market has been rather active since the alteration in the official minimum, which is also the lowest rate of the brokers for the best short dated paper. The public and private discount houses have made the following alterations in their allowance of in terest upon deposit accounts :-5 per cent. for money at call, 51 per cent. for seven days, and 6 per cent, for fourteen days' notice of withdrawal. The creditors of Messrs. Pento, Perez, Ashley, and Co., held a meeting to-day, and it was resolved to wind up the estate, under a deed of assignment Which hadtheen executed by the Messrs. Perez of B ,Pain. A vo t e o f sympathy was accorded to the lon. Mr. Ashley, expressing entire confidence in his honour and integrity. The English Stock Market has been active and buoyant to-day, the advance in the rate of discount having failed to check the steadiness of the Funds. Consols have been freely purchased, and the quota tions have risen 1 per cent., viz. to 86i f for 111 °neY and th e account. The New Threes and Reduced Annuities are 841 4 ; Exchequer Bills, B s. to 4s. dis. ; Bank of England Stock, 244 ; India Five per Cents., 105} ; ditto Enfaced Five per Cents., 1011 ; and ditto Bonds, 15s. prem. Foreign Stocks, excepting Turkish, which have advanced about 12 per cent., are generally at lower values. Turkish 5 per Cents. are now quoted 30 Greek, ; Mexican, 191 I ; the New Loan, 17 f ; 1 1,1-, 12; Spanish Passive, 251 ; the Certifi cates, 154 16 ; Italian, 424 431 ; Chilian Loan, par to prem. ; Brazilian Scrip, 42 4 di s . ; E gyp ti an Railway Loan, 3} 21 dis. ; and the New Egyptian Loan, 4 2 prem. United States Government 5-20 Bonds, 681 ; Erie Shares, 484 491 ; and Illinois, 76i 77. In the Railway Share Market business has re mained very quiet, and prices generally are a shade flatter. South Eastern have declined 15s. ; Great Northern A Stock, Great Western, and Metropoli tan each 10s. ; and Great Eastern ss. The Foreign and Colonial lines remain very in active, without material change in prices. Bank and Miscellaneous Shares are dull. Char tered Mercantile of India, London, and China are at 40i 41 ; Consolidated at 8f ; London Joint stock, 481; Credit Foncier and Mobilier of Eng land, _7 dis. ; Imperial Mercantile Credit, 5i 4j ths• ; and Overend, Gurney, and Co., 1 a dis. BRITISH FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK GCVERNMENT FUNDS. 3 per Cent. Consols " rie. Ac count, May 9 861 i P er 001 4 Reduced NeB4i per C en t B4i i , 3 21 per Cent. Jan. 189 4 Do. 5 per Cent. J an . 1873 — Annuities, 30 yrs, expire sth Jan., 1880 Do for 30 yrs, expire sth Aprill 188 a — (Red Sea Telegraph), Aug., 1908— March. June. Exche D quer Bills, £1,000,3 per Cent. ir D o 4 . £5OO 8 4 £lO £2OO Bank al England Stoc o k, _ 5 and per Cent Do Account radi an 11-TDIAN GOVERNMEN T SECURITIES. D o. Acco unt A di an Stock, I per Cent., AprillB74 ••••• Do. 5 per Cent. July, 1870 D„ 0 . 4 p er Cent., Oct. 1888 D. C ert i ficates _ 105} 5 5. Enfaced P aper 4 per Cent . Per Cent., J an . 187 2 D o. Do. 55 i per C ent., May 1879 — Do eb., 4 p er C ent., Aug. 1866 Do. und e d r £l,000 FOREIGN FUNDS—ONE O'CLOCK. argeotine Republic, 6 per Cent., £l5 pd — pm 4ustrian, Bonds, 5 per Cent, 1859 Brazilian 5 per Cent Do. 4} per Cent., 1852-58-60 Lo. 1863 '-',,, 1865 — Do. 0 Account 4} i dis , Do. Scrip, £45 d -11,8 Ayres 6 per Cent Doi Chilean 6 Ch per er Cent Cent. (Deferred 3 per Cent.) n° ip S er , P, £25 pa id D 0 '-'„0.o. 4 } per C ent pm 6 pe CO b' ~,, oua ia.tt scentic Cent. — j',l-lba) 6 per Cent. -all ish 3 per Cent., 1825 — banubian P rincipalities quador NewCoso 1 per Cent — Do., Provisional Land Warrant — Egyptian 7 per Cent. B5 1)°, Second Issue — D° £lOO Bonds 861- 6 Do. 1864 Do 4100 Bonds BBi ..-,0. Government Railway Debentures die GreekDo X5O paid --- il 5 per Cents., 1824-5, ex Coupons __- -0. Account Po. Coupons , 1)0. Account uuatemala 5 per Cent. — Italian 5 per Cent 1865 ,o. Account 14'u% lt aremmana. Railway -i•exican 3 per Cent —o. Acc oun t 19f 1 16f Do 1864 , bo 0 per Cent. Anglo-French . _ Liontevidean 6 per Cent., £3O paid 7,°orish Imperial 5 per Cent "ely Granada -D0 2 per Cent 1)0 Deferred D o '''°; 6 per Cent, 1864 _ _ Guaranteed, 4 per Cent peeeovniane: p 3 er Cent., 1865 - 1)o Account _ per Cent, 185 , 3 9, I) ,° 3 per Cent., 1856, '7, 4-,0. Account '6o, '62, '3, L - 4 Russian 5 per Cent., 1822, £St — DoD 4} per Cent. 1850 41 Per Cent., 1860 J l-. ) ,° 3 pet Cent. 1859 4 ', 0 5 per Cent. 1862 kart]jj 5 per Cent. 1864 nian. 5 per Cent S Do, Account 93,,nzisli 3 per Cent _— Do'° Account 411 11 New Deferred Account 34 .'-'oko Passive A.c.ctuut Bt'allish Cert. of Coup not funded — Sw edish l)o Account 4 Per Cent. . i i , I) °• 4i per Cent. 1864 orkish 6 per Cent. 1854 130 Account ..... .. . D„ 0 6 per Cent 1858 — o Account .. • .-- , 0 4100 Bonds .. ............. D e G D 0 Per Cent. 1862 -0 Account 63 Do £lOO Bonds 641 CI D u . , 6 per Cent., 1863 -,, u° 5 Per Cent. 1865, paid up Scrip —3ol 2,1 30i •-',O Account ' „Li% 4 per Cent. Guaranteed 9Bl _ • on9zuela 3 per Cent. _ Ditto account 1 -)0 r . . , ) per Cent 1862 — .-10 Account I 1=:). 1864 — p i ,, , I.",•i•..ends on the above payable in London. cu 2} per Cent., Ex. 12 Gull 59/ l) p -- 0 i per Cent. Certificates _ ititl9oli Rente s 3 per Cent. '44 5 I-- Cent 1.861 Ex. 25f. b° 4-`-'cunt, ." ................................ TWO O'CLOCK. C onsul r*-. s. form oney .............................. 86 v ACcouut . .......................... . ......... 92 94 PO f 3 90 93 7s 80 76 79 108 164 122 104 102 104 102 104 88 8) 162 101 1(5 1 7 103 105 107 109 104 106 104 106 99 101 90 93 90 95 871 88; 91 98 72 75 A 8 10') 100 105 107 103 104 BRITI Cam. Consol. Gold, lim Chiverton Clifford Amalgamated Devon G. Cops. (Tavist Drakewalla East Bassett (Illogan) East Caradon Ease Cam Brea Nast Grenville East Gunnislake East Love.l E. W'l Russell (Tavistk Gam. & StAubyn(G wen. Grcitt L ixey, limited Great South Tolgus Great Wheal Busy G. Wheal Vor 1 Heist Grenville lierod's Foot iiingston Downs Margaret (Uny Lelant Marke Valley xiwyndy Iron Ore, inn New Se con North Roskear N.Wh'l Bassett (Mogan North Wheal Crotty Prosper United.... • • . • Pr,vidence Uny Ltaant S. Caradon (St. Cleer) South Condurrow S.Wheal Fran. (Mogan Stray Park Tin Croft 7igra and Clogan, lim West Bassett (Mogan W. Caradon IL ,skeardl West Chiverton 111 MINES. 6 7 10 12 520 5.10 i 1 18 .0 64 7' 2.1.0 2.14.0, West Seton Wheal Bassett 'lllogan Wheal Buller (itedruth Wheal Mary Ann (Men Wheal Seton Wheal Trelawney (Lis 31 2.14.0 3.'40 10.8.0 all 0.14.6 14.9.6 3i 41 34 4 8 3 3} 5 7 21 22 2 is I 1a 20 22 4 3 38 40 4a 5 4 6 3 ti 2 4 Itd , 35 40 13 15 I I 1 32 34 375 400 If 2 ,5 20 4 6 13 15 3 5 1 2 3.2.6 18.18.9 35.15.6 g 9 (.11 723 130 140 , EO 85 20 22 - 3 5 20J 2 0 13 15 ritEEERENCE REs. Great Eastern, E. Counties Ex., No. 2, 971 Mid Consolidated, 6 per cent. stock, Di t to. Bristol and Birm., 6 per cent., 1:9 North Eastern, York, H. and Selby purchase, Stockton and Darlington B, 6 per cent., 31 F0R1 4 3 (Li RAILWAY S Sambre and Meuse, 71 South Austrian and Lombardo Venetian, 131 FOREIGN MIN IGr. Cape Copper, lira., 9i Cobre Copper, 14 Frontino and Bolivia Gold. lira., 1 St. John del Rey, Bin., b3i 4 Ydatiarhutana of S. Australia, lira., 1 BAN Agra and Masterman's, 1im.,:,45i 4i lim., 22 1I Charles Laffitte and Co., 8/1 Chartered 51er. of India, London, and China, 41} 401 Consolidated Bank, lim., English and American, lic. , 3 Eng ish Joint Stock, lim.; 6Z European Bank, Imperial Ottoman, ioi f Ditto, new, 9i London and Brazilian (lim.), 42 London and County, 77 London Joint Stook, 48} 8 London and 11 estminster, 96/ Mercantile and Exchange, Um., 2 Oriental Bank Corporation, 45} Union of Australia, 52 OCKS. ondon and St. Katharine,D 71 MISCELLANEOUS. City of London Real Property, Urn., 4 Credit Fonder and Mobilier of England, 44 Egyptian Com. and Trading, lira., 2/ / Electric Telegraph, 135 6 ) Gen. Credit and Finance of London, lira.. 3 a a Hudson's Bay, 15/ Imperial Land Company of Marseilles, lim., Imperial Mercantile Credit Asso., tim., 5 i 4} International Financial society, lim., 34 London Financial Association, lira., 13) ii 12} London General Omnibus Company, lira, 3 M idras Irrigation and Canal, 41 Ditto (all), 17i Merchant Shipping, lira., 91 National Proyinclal Marine, lim Oyerend, Gurney, and Co., lira., Hi 1 14 a Quebrada Land, it ill, and Mining, lira., 1i Telegraph Constructitn and Maintenance, 1irn.,171 Trinidad Petroleum, lira., 2 The Price of Gold. By advio:s from Hamburg the price of gold is 427 per mark and the short exchange on London is 13.5} per £1 sterling. Standard gold at the English Mint price is, ther e f ore, at about 2 .loths per cent. dearer in Hamburg than in London. Tae quotation of gold at Paris is about per raffle prn., and the short exchange on London is 25.15 per £1 sterling. On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of £3 i:s. mid. per ounce for standard gold, it appe,..rs that gold is about 2 -10ths per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. rile (*arse of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 d ays' sight is 1064 to 107 per cent. At these rates there is no Statesnrnt on the importa t io n o f go ld f rom t h e United . fi SHARE MARKETS.—This Day. - ORDINARY SHARES AND STOCKS. Share ; Railways. i p aid. ' Closing I Bu d s e i n n e ess Price. Bristol and Exeter Caledonian Cambrian Cork and Bandon Cornwall Dublin & Belfast June Dun„Perth, & Ab.Junc -: 'E.London, scrip Card Do. Glasgow & S. Western Great Eastern, (ird. st Do. E. Angl. at. Great North of Scotland Great Northern D.t. A stock Do. B stock Do. New, Is. at 25 pm GtS, and W. of trek:tn. Gt. Western -original Do. S. Vat. Rail gua. Do. South Wales Do. W. Mid.—Oxford Do. Newpo:t Do. II erefor.l Lancashire & Yorkshire Lcindon and Blackwal Lon., Brigh., & S Coast Lon., (hat., and Davi Do. Metrop. Ex. A Lon. & North Western Lon. & South Western Man., Shet., & Lincoln Metropolitan Do. New Do. Extension Metropolitan District Do. du. 10. Do. and 't. John'sW'd Mid and Do. £9 Share Do, Birmiu.. & Derby Kent ... North British Do. Ed., Pth., & Dun Nth. Eastern—Berwl4 Do. G.N•E purchase 1 Do. Leeds Do. York Do. Carlisle Do. Stock. & Darling. Do. do. 1800-61 North London Do. do. 1864 89 9l 1 27 128 55 65 13 15 3 5 67 70 70 72 20 15 ( 113 tl3 391 4., 6 122 124 1 6i 37, 67; 57 69 35 (0 34 31 I'4 O 3 121 Do. do. 1865 North Staffordshire N. & S. W. Juuction Scottish Cvntral Scot. N. E , Aber. stock tio. Scot, Mid. st..)ck Shropshire Union South Devon South R.stern , Staines, Wok., & Wok Taff Vale Do. C Vale of Neath Waterford & Kilkenny Waterloo & Whiteha West Cornwall BRITISH Atlantic a St. Lawrence Born., Baroda, Cen.ln. st 20 204 10 gu..5 per cent Do. 1 0 shares Buffalo do Lake Huron Do. Preference Buff., Brant, dz Goderich 6 p.c. 872-3- !.. • •••• . Calcutta do S. E., Bin l , ,:are Town Jr Dock, gu Demerara, 7 p.c. per. p Nast. Ben All, gu., 5 do East Indian, gu. 5 p.c. Do. .J Extension Grand Trunk of Canada Do. Equip. Mort, Bonds 1 charge 6 p.c Do. Ist rref. Bonds Do. do. deferred Do. 2d Prd. Bonds Do. do. deferred Do. id Pref. stock Do. do. deferred Do. 4th Fret. stock . Do. do. deterred ... Gt. India Pen. gua. o. Gua. 5 per cent Do. New gua. 5 p. e Gt. South of India gua. 5 per cent D per cent.... Do Great Wt s. of Canada.., Do. New Do. 6 p. c. Bds. pay. 1873 Do. do. pay. 1877-8 Indian Branch, limited Madras, gua. 5 p.o Do. 4} do Do. 4; do Do. Fifth Extension Melb. Cor. 6 p. c. Bnds. Mel. & Hudson's Bay N. til.C'ela,6pc Ist pf. bs Seindc Do. Delhi Do. do Do. Puniaub...•J t'o COLONIAL GONER: British Columbia, 6 per cent., Dec. 31,1572 Can.G 0v.6 p.c.Ja.& July 1877-84 Do. 6 P.C. Feb. & Aug Do. 5 p. c. Mar. & Sept Do. 5 p. c. Jan. & July Do. 5 p. e. Inscribed sk Cape G. Hope, 6 p.c. 1873 Do.Apl.& Oct . 1890-1900 Do. do: 1880-9 , Do. Jan. &July, 1890-9 i Do. 5 per cent. 15 April and 15 Oct., 1900 Ceylon, Nov. 1868,6 p.t Do. 1878, do Mauritius, 6 p. o, 1873, Jan. and July Do. P. 78 .. Do. 1882, May 15, Nov. it, Do. 1895, Feb. & Aug Natal Liov. 6 per cent N.B.Gov.t3p.c.Ja.,SzJul) N. S.W. Gov. 5 ire., 186 t Do. 5 p.c. 18;1 to 187 t• Do. 5 p.c. 1888 to 189: New Zealand, 6 p. cent Do. 5 per cent.... Nova Scotia Gov. 6 p. c sterling, 1875 Queensland Gov. 6 p. c 5. Aus.Gov. 6 p,o 1868-9 Do. 1878 & upwards I Vic,Gov. 6 p.c. Ja ,ti July Do. do, A pril & Oct 2.TENT SECURITIES. DO 98 27 21) 180} ;201 92 43 61 (33 ;33 134 2 :311 1 * I gl' 92 fjo 123 (234 1} 2 92 44 67 68 6 27 109 110 71 72 108 109 38 3,3 i 10 11 1. 120 121 1 2p 1 2p 74 76 108 112 149 151 64 68 49 61 73 74 8 9 40 143 1 3 ) 100 103 52 54 ESSION3, 54 56 lea 104 4i 1 fa 5 8 9 76 80 96 98 C 2 67 100 102 101 102 103 k 1044 22 24 85 87 63 66 55 60 55 57 50 55 41 41 40 41 25 27 25 27 1094 1.04 14 2 f , 14 2 p 99 101 91 93 151 16 5 41.1 91 96 83 •5 1} OD 100 101 91 03 86 88 61 '3 8 99 100 98 99 6 Li 97 99 POSS. 571 16i ELECTION COMIGT rEES.—This Day, ICHELTENHAM. The members of this committee reassembled this morn ing at the usual hour, and the evidence in support of the petition against the return of Mr. Schreiber was resumed. Margaret Barnes, the first witness called, was examined by Mr. Fitzjames Stephens. She said she was waitress at the Royal Hotel, Cheltenham (the headquarters of Mr. Schreiber), and was employed there during the last election. She remembered on the day of the nomi nation an agent of Mr. Schreiber being there in a room by himself. There wore five other men also there, but they were in a different apartment. They remained during the night, and were supplied with any amount of brandy, sherry, and whisky, for which they called. She believed they were all voters, and when she asked them for pay ment, they said what theyhad had was to be booked. Harris (the gardener, whose name has appeared so frequently in the course of the enquiry) was one of the men. Tsey were all very tipsy ; and when she went to supply them with breakfast the next morning, the room they occupied was in a very disordered condition. They left in the morning, but she did not know where they wont to. Mr. Stephens—What instructions did you receive from the landlord about giving these men refreshments? Sergeant Ballantine objected to the question. The land lord could bo examined on that point, as he was in attendance. The Committee decided that the question as to specific instructions was not admissible. Witness—She had received instructions. She did not book the orders, bat saw them entered in a book, which, however, she could not identify. There was a dinner at the Royal Hotel on the day of polling, and the five men in question, and about 20 or 30 others, wore at that dinner. As on the previous night, she was told that she was to book whatever was called for by all the party. The witness was cross-examined, but nothing material was elicited. Other witnesses were called to prove the allegation of bribery against the sitting members, and the proceedings, notwithstanding the length to which they have already extended, are likely to last some days longer. Liverpool Cotton Market---This Day. The market opens quiet. Sales probably 6,000 or 7,000 bales. The Power of Returning-officers at Elections, The law which regulates the duties of returning officers in England, Scotland, and Ireland is some what anomalous. In England the fact of being returning-officer is of itself no objection to a vote, but a returning-officer has no second or casting vote, and the practice when votes are equal is in favour of a double return, or, if needs be, as in case of a former election at Knaresborough, a treble re turn. A learned Rriter considers that if the votes are equal it is a void election, but adds that " the returning-officer may, without incurring censure, return either all the candidates who have equal numbers, or only one." But there is one case on record where the returning-officer, finding the numbers equal, declared if he possessed a cast ing vote he gave it for Mr. W. When, how ever, the case came before the committee, the second vote was given up without argument. In Scotland, by 2 and 3 Wm. IV., sheriffs are di rected to make double returns if the votes are equal ; while in Ireland, by 35 Geo. 111., the re turning officer is obliged to give a casting vote, whether he is otherwise qualified or not, under a penalty of £2,000. In England, therefore, a re turning officer may make a double return, in Scot land ought to do so, and in Ireland is forbidden under penalty to return two members. In Ireland, therefore, the mayor may. in some cases, as return ing officer, re-turn the candidate favourable to his own or his party's views. The case of Helston, which has just occurred, in which a Cornish may or has invested himself with Irish privileges, and ar rogated to himself a casting vote, must shortly come before the House, and we trust that some notice will be taken of such a needless discrepancy in the election laws of the two countries. At the same time it will be a nice point to decide whether the mayor has not violated a privilege of the House. Still, in the case of Helston, the same telegram which announces the state of the poll tells us that the Liberals had only a colorable majority, which on a scrutiny is likely to prove a true majority for their opponents.--Morning Post. The last week's railway receipts, ascertained up to this date, are in round figures as under:— 1866. 1865. Great Western £71,692 £71,199 North Western 120,478 111,692 South Western ... ... 23,383 27,163 Brighton 20.074 22,649 Midland m 50,383 45,895 South Eastern 22,260 22,384 Great Northern 38,028 37,004 Lancashire and Yorkshire ~. 44,680 38,546 Bristol and Exeter 7 196 7,151 North Eastern ... 69,965 65,163 Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln 20,899 18,231 Great Eastern 34,597 35,336 London, Chatham, and Dover 9,703 9,018 These returns, when compared with those of the corresponding period of last year, are in most in stances very satisfactory. On the Great Western there is an increase of £493 ; on the North Western of £8,786 ; Midland, £4,488 ; Great Northern, £1,024; Lancashire and York shire, £6,134 ; Bristol and Exeter, £45 ; North Eastern, £4,802 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin coln, £2,668 ; and London, Chatham, and Dover, £685 ; while the South Western shows a decrease of £2,780 ; Brighton, £2,575 ; South Eastern, £124 ; and the Great Eastern, £939. LEGITIMATE TRADE IN AFRICA.—The factories of Yelbana, in the Sherbro, and Sulymah, in the Gallinas rivers, upon the West Coast of Africa, are now in full ope ration. The sites upon which these factories have been erected were once the strongest holds of the slave trade, and at the Gallines, a few short years ago, a slave factory existed, which has been completely destroyed by the exer tions of a Mr. Harris. The result of the establishment of factories in the palm-oil, rice, and timber trades, has been to create a marked change in the habits of the surrounding tribes, who from a lawless state of existence have become peaceable and civilised, and property now is quite safe in their hands. The extension of legitimate trade upon the African continent is the surest means of destroying the iniquitous slave trade. CHOLERA AMONGST FOREIGN EMIGRANTS IN LIvERrooL.—T wo emigrants, one a Dane (a female) and the other a German (a male), who arrived early in the week from Hull, and were staying at a lodging -house in Hanover-street, Liverpool, were yesterday seized with cholera. They were at once removed to the workhouse. The local authorities are fully alive to the importance of precautionary measures, which are all the more needed in Liverpool, from the great number of German emigrants of the lowest class constantly arriving. NAVY ESTIMATES.----We understand that a sup plementary estimate is to be brought forward for repairing the Chancellor of the Exchequer's boats, which he so has tily burnt the other day, The expense is likely to be heavy. —The Owl. FREE TRADE IN THE UNITED STATES.—An ad dress from the Free-Trade Association of London to the American Free-Trade League, signed by Mr. Richard Moore, the chairman, and Mr. Jno. Noble, the secretary, has been forwarded to New York, by the City of Paris, which sails this day (May 3d). The address consists mainly of a resume of the financial policy of Great Britain since 1842, especially as to its effects upon revenue and trade, forming a short and comprehensive history of the fiscal history of the p 3 riod. In special relation to the United States it urges the inconsistency of Protective duties with the Declaration of Independence, the necessity of Free Trade, if a large revenue is to be required, and its importance as a means of reorganising trade and industry in the Southern and extending manufactures in the Northern States. PLY 310 UTII, Wednesday.—The ship Goolwa, Cap tain Johnson, belonging to Messrs. Anderson, Thomson, and Co., of Billiter-court, from Port Augusta, Adelaide, January 6, passed up Channel yesterday and landed a small mail and ono passenger here. Her cargo for Loudon includes 2,858 bales wool, 44 bales skins, 5,002 bags cop per oro, 40 pigs copper, 50 tons cobbing, 32 bales and 76 bags Mimosa bark, 55G bags ground bark, 42 bales and 250 bags chopped ditto, and sundry leather, mohair, skins, nd tin, 021 614 f 33 2} 123 6 1 i P 74 100 all 100 100 100 73 i 1091 i 10 I s i i i THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 3, 1866. Destructive Fire and Loss of Two Lives. Last night, shortly after 97;clock, a fire of a destructive character broke out in Bishopsgate, which resulted in the loss of two lives. The discovery was made by City POlice-constable No. 328, who observed smoke issuing from the cellar of Mr. Frederick Nix, tobacconist, No. 97, Bishopsgate, at the corner of Liverpool-street. The engi neers of the brigade, who are nearly opposite, as well as the Royal Fire Escape, with Conductor Steer, arrived, fol lowed by the powerful steam land fire engines of Messis. Shand, Mason, and Co., which got to work in first-rate style with a good supply of water from the mains of the New River Company. As soon as the premises were cooled the firemen went in search of the missing bodies, when they found Miss M. Nix, aged 7 years, on the landing, burnt to death, and a deaf and dumb man suffocated. A shell was procured, and the bodies removed to the dead house. Cause is at present unknown. AMERICA. The finnan steamship City of New York, from New York on the 21st ult., arrived at Queenstown at 12.10 p.m. to-day (May 2) with $31,521 in specie, and 242 passengers. She landed the mails and 31 passengers, and proceeded for Liverpool at 12.25 p.m. NEW YORK, April 21, 1.25 p.m. The Senate has passed the bill exempting officers of the army from trial by civil courts for acts com mitted in aiding the suppression of the rebellion. The New York Herald states that the Secretary of the Treasury contemplates issuing a New Five per Cent. Loan. The steamer Virginia has arrived at New York, having had 38 deaths from cholera on the passage. The disease broke out in the same latitude as on board the steamer England. The cabin pas- sengers were not attacked. The Virginia remains in quarantine—nine deaths have taken place on board since her arrival, and 34 are still on the sick list. The steamer England has left Halifax for New York with her convalescent passengers. No new cases have occurred on board. The Persia has arrived out. The St. David has arrived at Portland. A procession of soldiers and sailors has visited President Johnson to express their thanks for the late order recommending the Government appoint ments to be given to persons who have served in the army and navy. On this occasion the Presi dent, in a long speech, reiterated his views con cerning the admission of Southern representatives to Congress. He expressed dissatisfaction at the course taken by Congress. He declared that he had always been for the Union, and asked why the whole train of slanderers, calumniators, and traducers were barking and snapping at his heels. But he would live them down. One of the principles Americans fought for in the revo lution against England was that there should be nc taxation without representation. There was an idea prevalent that one man could be a usurper and a despot, but that several hundredsof men could not. The President, he continued, could originate nothing under the veto power, which power is con servative in its character. He could only stop action upon unwise and unconstitutional legislation, and wait until the people decided whether it was right or wrong. He intended to stick to his posi tion, relying on the judgment, integrity, and intel ligence of the masses of the American people, especially the soldiers and sailors. There were those who had been at home calculating during the war, who now bring to the consideration of the question of peace all the feeling of resentment which ani mated them when the excitement was running high. But the men who had fought in the army and navy, from privates upwards, knew better how to treat the present circumstances than any of these closet patriots. He urged them to cultivate all associa tions appertaining to peace, and the political mil lennium would then shortly be celebrated. In future they would see who would redeem his promise, who be most faithful. The coloured soldiers and citizens celebrated at Washington the anniversary of the emancipation proclamation. President Johnson, in a speech which he delivered to them, claimed to be the negro's best friend. They would find out, he said, before long who had been their best friends and who their friends from mercenary considerations. Senator Wilson also addressed the coloured assem blage. He said he would not dispute the President's assertion that he was the best friend of the negro. Anti-slavery men elected him, and wished him to exercise his high functions for the advancement of all. They would hail him as the negro's best friend whenever he proved himself to be so. General Aleade has arrived at Eastport, and has announced his intention to enforce the neutrality laws. At Calais General Meade had an interview with the British General Boyle, on board the American steamer Regulator. The result of the interview was :an understanding that the Federal troops would prevent any disturbance in the vici nity of St. Stephen's, the British troops originally destined for that place being stationed at St. Andrew's. General Meade is reported to have telegraphed for more troops to be sent from Port land to Eastport. The Federal authorities have seized a Fenian schooner at Eastport, and landed her arms at Fort Sullivan. Previous to General Meade's arrival at Eastport, quantities of arms had been taken surreptitiously from the schooner under the guns of the American gunboat Winooski. The United States vessels Don, De Sote, and Ashuelot have left for Eastport. The British frigate Duncan, vith Admiral Sir James Hope and the 17th Regiment on board, has arrived at St. Andrew's. The British war steamers Rosalia and Fawn are also at St. Andrew's with a battery of horse artillery and Armstrong guns. The steamers Tamar and Simoom are expected. Doran Killian left Eastport immediately upon General Meade's arrival. The Volunteers sent to the lower Canadian frontier have been recalled, Fenian raids being no longer feared. A meeting of the Fenian Senate faction has been held at the Cooper Institute, New York. Roberts then announced that this would be the last meeting before the final blow for liberty was struck. The Fenian prisoners at Cornwall, Canada, were examined on the 19th and remanded to the 25th inst. Both houses of the Nova Scotian Parliament have passed resolutions favouring a Confederation scheme and appointing a delegation to proceed to England to arrange the details. MEXICO. Advices received here from Mazatlan to the 23rd March, via San Francisco, state that 1,100 French troops had been defeated near Mazatlan, with the loss of 700 killed and wounded, the remainder being scattered and dispersed. The streets of Mazatlan were barricaded, and it was believed the Republi cans would occupy the place. Four thousand Im perialists, under Tobodas, were reported to be marching to the relief of Mazatlan. The Imperial Mexican Consul at San Francisco declares that no battle has occurred near Mazatlan up to the 25th of March. SPAIN, CHILI, AND PERU. News received from the Pacific announces that the Spanish frigates Numancia and Blanca returned to Valparaiso on the 14th March, after an unsuc cessful attempt to attack the allied fleet near Chili. The American steamship Uncle Sam had been seized by the Spanish fleet near Valparaiso for carrying contraband of war. ---.__.. ARRIVAL OF THE HANSA. SOUTHAMPTON, MAY 3. The North German Lloyl's steamer Hansa, from New York on the 21st ult., h as arr i ved here. passengers for thi s port, Havre, and 800 in specie fo r B remen. B S hr On b e r tn i h n e gasll 2 3d 7 6 t S3 h ult. the Hansa spoke the British bark C. R. C. on the 28th ; the Prussian bark Humboldt; and on the 29th the American bark Worcester. Her telegraphic news has been anticipated. CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS. SOUTIIA3IPTON, May 2. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer China, with the heavy portion of the above mails, passed the Needles at 2.10 p.m. to-day. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE— This Day. LET ELECTRIC TELEGRAPIi. I GRAVESEND, Thursday Morning. Arrived—Caroline, from Cimbritsharu. Sailed—Seine, steamer, for Boulogne; Lea], steamer, for Lisbon. DEAL, Thursday Morning. Passed, May 2—Susan and Anna, of Dartmouth, and Louisa, of Arundel, from the west, for the north. Passed, May 3—Nagpore, from London, for Calcutta. TILE CANNON-STREET MURDER.—The adjourned inquest was resumed this day, when, after the examination of several witnesses, the jury returned a ver dict of " Wilful Murder " against William Smith, and the Cprpuer made Put iA MuDAittal tc lionate. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF CO.MMONS--LasT EVENING. The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S 2ISTER. A number of petitions were presented in favour of legalising the marriage with a deceased wife's sister. CASE OP TIIE CHILD STEALING A PENNY. In reply to Mr. SHERIFF, Sir G. GREY said he had called upon the magistrates who had granted the conviction for a full statement of the case, and they had transmitted to him a letter re specting the case of the little girl named Barrow, who had been committed to prison for stealing a penny from another child by the Rev. G. R. Grey, of Worcester. He had sent the letter ho had received from the rev. gentleman to the Lord Chancellor, with whom rested the removal of persons from the commission of the peace, without stating any opinion. His lordship had taken into consideration the reasons given by Mr. Grey, viz., his long service, and his acting from the most con scientious motives; his lordship, while expressing his disap probation at the occurrence of such an extreme case, had, under all the circumstances, decided, on account of the long services and the regret expressed by the rev. gentle. man, abstained from taking the extreme measure of reliev ing the rev. gentleman from his duties as a magistrate. MARRIAGE OF A DECEASED WIFE'S SISTER BILL. Mr. T. CHAMBERS, in moving the second reading of this bill, said ho had undertaken the duty of bringing for ward this bill from a sincere desire of doing all in his power to obtain an alteration in the law, which was looked upon by a large number of her Majesty's subjects as ex tremely desirable. He felt that the motion was one entirely separate from party considerations, yet he had seen with regret an advertisement stating that the bill was to be opposed by the Conservative side of the House and the whole of the Scotch members. He had been given to understand that that was not an accurate statement, and had rejoiced at it, because all classes had con sidered this subject, and the general impression was that the prohibition was unwise and unnecessary, and ought to be removed. He therefore had taken the constitutional course of coming to that house and asking it to give its assent to the abolition of a bad law. The house had over and over again given its sanction to a bill having the same object as that ho had now the honour of submitting to Parliament. Ho could not understand how such a determined opposition was raised to this bill in some quarters, becaus3 all the authorities were on one side, viz., in favour of the bill; and he was certain the hon. member who opposed him that day (Mr. Hunt) could not put his finger on the name of any writer of eminence who had expressed opinions contrary to the object of the bill. The Jewish law of marriage was our law of marriage—it was the only marriage law, and was binding on all. If it was decided that his proposition was against God's law, there was an end of the question— they could not discuss it—(hear); but he and a great number of gentlemen who agreed with him, thought it was not so —(hear, hear)—and upon those grounds ho asked the _ _ house to enter into the subject. The honourable and learned gentleman then proceeded to examine the authori ties on the subject previous to the Reformation, and said he could not deny that the reformers left this marriage within the prohibited degree, but ho believed that in doing so they made a mistake, and the general opinion of Christendom was of the same opinion—(no, no)—the bench of bishops he knew was of that opinion, and it being so th• supporters of his bill were not to be pushed aside in their endeavours to obtain an alteration in law which was so largely demanded. He then referred to the number of eminent persons who were favourable to the measure, and concluded by moving the second reading of the bill. Mr. HUNT opposed the motion, and moved as an amend ment that the bill be road a second time that day six months. Mr. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSEN thought that the state of the law as at present existing operated injuri ously upon society, and that its alteration would tend to confer great and lasting benefits, and so thinking and so believing he could come to no other conclusion than that he ought to give a sincere and hearty support to the second reading of the bill. Mr. C. J. MONK thought the provisions of the bill at variance with the best interests of society, and opposed to those higher and purer principles of Christian morality which were introduced under the Christian dispensation. Entertaining these opinions, he concurred in the course pursued by the hon. member for Northamptonshire (Mr. Hunt), and hoped the house would pause before passing this measure. Sir G. GREY said he had expressed his opinions on this subject before, and he would not now repeat them. He thought the balance of opinion was against tho existing law. The Act of 1835 he held to be in itself indefensible and contrary to what Lord Lyndhurst himself proposed. He trusted this now Parliament would settle the question, as, owing to the present state of matters, parties were con tinually contracting illegal marriages in the hope that the law would be repealed. Sir W. HEAT 11COTE believed the great majority of the people were in favour of the existing law, and expressed his grief that the Secretary of State should have changed his viows on this question. Ho understood the right hon. gentleman to state on the last occasion that it was before the house that this was not a subject that ought to be continually before Parliament, that on that occasion he would vote for the bill, but that if it was unsuccessful he would make up his mind to support its opposers. Mr. CHARLES BUXTON said the fact of there being 1,000,000 signatures to the petitions in favour of the bill was sufficient to show that there was a wide-spread feeling in favour of an alteration of the law. The real reason why there was so much opposition was, because there was a feeling against having the law of the land at variance with the canons of the Church. He supported the bill on the ground that it was an act of simple justice to carry it. Mr. B. HOPE said the supporters of the bill could not stop short at the point proposed. In all the Protestant countries in Europe—England, Scotland, and Ireland ex cepted—marriage with one's own niece was allowable, and if they appealed to these countries, they could not help going further. If they did not do so they at once belied their own assertion that they wore practical men. What guarantees had the house, if this bill were passed, that they would not be called on to accommodate themselves to the condition of the other States of Europe, and not standalone in an insular singularity. Mr. PIM spoke against th e bill. _ _ _ _ Mr. LEAT HAM maintained that by far the larger part of the women of England disliked the idea of a marriage with a deceased sister's husband, and that this was a suffi cient reason to make the house pause before altering the Sir W. JOLIFFE supported the bill, and held that ii was a poor man's question. Mr. COLERIDGE said he would vote for the amendmeni of the hon. member for Northamptonshire. Mr. HADFIELD supported the bill. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought it was prepos terous to make such a law as was proposed by this measure, whereby all who had been breaking the law for the last 33 years should be deemed to have been obeying it. (Laugh ter.) He maintained that if the bill passed it would no longer be possible for a husband to treat his wife's sister as his own. Mr T. CHAMBERS having replied, the house divided, with the following result— For the motion 155 For the amendment 174 Majority -19 The motion that the bill be " now" road a second time was accordingly negatived. The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the house adjourned. THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.—At the meeting of the members of this society on Tuesday evening, the Ist inst., Mr. J. Fowler, president, in the chair, five members and 11 associates were balloted for and declared to be duly elected, including, in the former class, Mr. James Richardson Forman, Glasgow ; Mr. William Husband, Hayle, Cornwall ; Mr. Thos. Meik, chief engi neer to the harbour and docks, Sunderland; Mr. William R. Morris, resident engineer to the Kent Waterworks Company ; and Mr. James Muir, chief engineer to the New River Company ; and in the latter class, Mr. H. Bessemer, Mr. Wm. Brookes, Chancery-lane ; Mr. Rowland Brother hood, Chippenham ; Mr. Jos. G. Cooke, locomotive super intendent of the Imperial Mexican Railway, Vera Cruz ; Mr. J. Cundy, Surbiton; Mr. F. C. Finch, 8.A., Blaenavon Iron Company ; Mr. Chas. Goolden, M.A., Fernley Iron Company ; Mr H. G. C. Ketchum, St. John's, New Bruns wick ; Mr. W. C. Leechman, Hultsdorf Mills, Ceylon ; Mr. M. Smith, late of the Cape of Good Hope; and Mr. M. E. Wesley, Westminster. The number of members of all classes now on the register of the institution is 1,338, as against 1,239 at the Ist of January last. The number of elections into the institution since its first establishment in 1818 has been 2,138, from which it appeals that about 62 per cent. of all those who have joined the institution still belong to it. PRESERVATION OF LIFE FROM FIRE.—From the returns presented by the Secretary to the Quarterly General Court of the committee recently held at the So ciety's offices, Ludgate-hill, it appears that during the three months ending 31st March last 160 fires were attended by the Royal Society's escapes and conductors, and 22 lives saved—viz., two at the firo in the Whitechapel-road, on Jan. 4; four at the fire in Langley-place, on the 25th of the same month; two at the fire in Church-lane, Spite Melds, on February 18 ; four at the fire in Wilderness-row, on the 15th of March ; and, on the 26th, seven at the fire iu St. George-street, St. George's-in-the •East ; three at the fire in Southwark-bridge-road, on the 27th of same month. The rewards voted by the committee for presentation at the public meeting, usually held at the Mansion-house, under the presidency of the right hon. the Lord Mayor, compri sed silver medals, clasps, and testimonials, accompanied sv.:th sums of money according to the merits of the various cases. The return for the month of April showed 46 attendances at night fires, the conductors on one or two occasions prov ing of essential service in secur in g the safety of end angered persons, and in three instances the escapes were used by the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in aiding them to subdue the fire. The Fenian Muddle. Fenian affairs still continue in a wonderful state of complexity. If the grand expedition hat sailed, there are no further statements of its destination: It is certain that O'AIIAIIoNEY has not sailed with it, as the head-quarters of that chieftain are open, and the business of selling Fenian bonds has, on the strength of the reports, been resumed to a lively extent. O'AlAllosEv, with admirable financial tact, says nothing, but pockets all the money that is brought him. He increases the furore by publish ing a statement that STEPHENS is in Paris, having left Ireland on important business connected with the nationhood (" nationhood " is good) and " not because he had been forced by the enemy." He is also to go to the United States "for the purpose of restoring harmonious counsel and well-concerted action among all true friends of Ireland," &c., &e. He will " make a last appeal for his suffering coun try," &c., which means that he will ask for more money. On the other hand, the ROBERTS a n d WEENEY party p r o nounce d the " expedition " a hoax, S " cut out of the whole cloth. " B ut t h ey say that KILLIAN, with a corporal's guard, has gone to organisati on by some poi n t on the Canadian frontier, to distract the startling r certain Captain despatches, "full of sound and fury,signifyi ngn othicg.,, A c • JAMES F. MONTAGUE, who claims to be an • • original, unadulterated, and freshly imported I. R. 8., • just from the very atmos phere of the mysterious STirENs the New York jo urna l s with the denounces in e utmost virulence the O'M F ATIONEY faction o f the enians. He accuses deception the eminent Head C en t re of ; says he never sent one hundred rifles to Ireland • that he pretended to send twelve pilots to conduct a moon shine fleet to the shores of Erin, discharged them d n them while abroad without the means to get home. He says that O . IIAIIoNEY never intended to fight, and asks what has become of the tremendous amount of money contributed to that chieftain. These assertions and insinuations are bad enough, but there is one matter in Captain MoNTAGuE's letter which shows that the Fenian game in Ireland is lost. He says:—" I should like to know what can an unarmed, undisciplined people do in Ireland without arms after the suspension of the Habeas Corpus, sixty thousand soldiers, and a strong mili tary police force in every part of the country. The time for fighting in Ireland has gone by. To try it there now would be slaughter and the eternal ruin of our race. There are more than enough of sorrowing women and children there at the pre sent." This is a candid confession, and it is sufficient to show that the British Government has been too much for the I. R. B. But Captain MONTAGUE, whilst making this exposure, lauds the Canadian invasion plan of ROBERTS and SWEENEY as much as he deprecates the strategy of their rivals. He says : —" Your only way to obtain satisfaction, hostages, and the redemption of your country, is Canada first and Ireland afterwards." The time must come when some other MONTAGUE will exclaim as MERCUTIO did, " A plague o' both your houres."— Anglo-American Times. NEWS FROM ADULLAM.—Ur A TREE, May 1, 1866.—Dear Owl,—l write from a new hiding place I read in the Times to-day a letter from an Adul lamite. He has still stuck to the Cave, as it appears, and seems very well satisfied and contented. I can't say the same. You must know that there was a regular stampede at first after the division. Lots of Care men ran out afraid, I suppose, of their former masters, I among them, and I climbed up here where I am now, regularly up a tree. You see lamin a fix. I don't quite believe in the awful consequences which Lowe and the Times' Adullamite say will be the result of the success of the Government mea sure; and I want to get back to my old diggings. My constituents are very angry with me ; but what's to be done ? I can't say right off that on the whole I like Go vernment better than Adullam fare, particularly as I pro mised in the confusion to dine next Wednesday in the Cave, with all the other fellows. They gave a dinner to their chief to celebrate their escape, and I must wait till after that. So here I am. If the Colonel—what am I say ing ?—I mean, if Gladstone is in earnest, why then, like the American 'coon, I shall come down; but, otherwise, I should like to stay up hero just for the present. What do you think—is he in earnest 2—Yours truly, ANOTHER ADULLAMITE.—[WO beg to inform our correspondent that we think Mr. Gladstone is terribly in earnest.]— " HIGH ART" IN NEW YORK.— The frauds that are carried on at our popular picture auctions are far greater than those which used to be carried on in jewellery by the Peter Funks. The two sorts of knavery are very much alike. The old style of Peter Punks sold brass jewellery for jewellery of " real genuine gold, eighteen carats fine ;" the new style sell the most preposterous daubs for works of the great European masters, " just im ported by a celebrated connoisseur." The old style always took pains to inscribe upon their watches the name of some celebrated house, usually in Switzerland, as maker ; the new style are no less careful to attach to the canvasses the name of some celebrated artist, usually in Germany, as painter. The jewellry auctioneers onChatham-street "took in" chiefly verdant and unsophisticated folks from the coun try, who knew so little about gold and diamonds that they could not tell the real a_•ticle from the most flagitious coun terfeits ; the bogus picture auctioneers in like manner flourish by the patronage of artistic greenhorns, who do not know enough about art to tell a great work by an eminent artist from a feeble abortion by some oily char latan. Those who were " by the brass auctioneer had an advantage, however, over those who get sold by the canvass auctioneer; in that the former soon discovered for themselves how they had been taken in. The watch would fall to pieces, or the works decline to move, or the brass unmistakably indicate its brazen character. But those who are sold in the purchase of sham-pictures are not apt to discover the fact so readily. They display the pretentious hypocrisy on their walls for the admiration of friends and visitors ; and years may elapse before they discover, to their mortification, that they have all the time been displaying, as it were, a sort of brass-jewellery in their mansions. We have seen of late large numbers of the most execrable pic tures on exhibition previous to being auctioned, with the names of the most distinguished artists in Europe attached to them. Their drawing, their colour, and general treatment gave unmistakable evidence to all con noisseurs as to the falsity of the claims of their origin, and yet such pictures have been sold, and others of like character will be sold, for hundreds and even thousands of dollars. And the auctioneers will even display certificates that they were painted by those whose names they claim, The fact is there are now in Germany, France, England, and especially in Belgium and Italy, large paint shops in which pictures are manufactured wholesale for the Ameri can market. The works are made by poor apprentices, and poor women, and poor journeymen, on very small wages ; and few have any idea of the enormous extent of the busi ness, or the enormous market for such trash that this country furnishes. Thus our unsophisticated citizens are swindled, our native artists outraged, and the national taste for genuine art degraded. We advise all those who attend picture sales to exercise more discretion in purchas ing than our picture buyers have hitherto done. —New York Times, April N. THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS.— The fifteenth annual report of this society consists of 367 closely printed pages, and almost equals in size one of the ordinary parliamentary blue-books. Some of the facts made known by the report and the numerouspages of figures aro very remarkable. It appears that during the past year the Amalgamated Society has added nearly £28,500 to the previous accumulated fund, owing to the reason that during the year trade has been exceedingly good; 3,583 new members have boen added, and at the close of Decem ber there were in all 30,978 members. The accumulated fund of the society at the close of the year amounted m to no less than £115,357 13s. bid., or £3 14s. sid. po u r , It i le ure ber, apart from the arrears, although the espe d 2d. About during 1865 was as much as £49,172 to about ,‘ many 70 Post-officeo f the bsraavnicnhgess Banks,ha ve deposited am 0u nt ing thei raCbfsou. sx2i4,notohoe. " And I believe," writes the genera v..ege_a privilege more will avail themselves of th o i f s pri obtained through the kindness • who ilar i n stitutions." During thanks of this as well as all Exchequer, Mr. Gladstone, per member, has been the year £14,070 4s. richithye dCelasaenryceelslotrheof bestthe 9 d. , " 10 me w. , being ..£2,335 less than paid to members out of employment, On sick benefit there has that paid in the previous sum than superannuated l7, been paid , 9or Bs. id. per member expended 855 19s. Gd. to support of £5,1 84 17s. 4d. has been paid, being members the sum —the twoXbie3ne76Bststhlr4eemsqudiurfrninggntohelyesesara. £1,282 • 9d. more than in the previous year. This dif fernce is caused by the increased benefit now allo'ved to the members who, through old ago or infi rm i ty, are under t h e ne cessity of claiming superannuation. That is a most important benefit of the society, and one that cannot be too highly appreciated by the members generally, for it proved a great solace and relief to many old and deserving members, 260 of whom were is receipt of its benefits at the close of the year. In cases of accident the sum of £l,BOO has been expended, being £5OO more than the amount paid in 1864. The funeral benefit amounted to £4,887 or £985 in excess of the previous year, so that the sum of £39,728 2s. 10d. has been expended in payment of•the five principal benefits —namely, donation to unemployed members, sick, superannuation, accident, and that of funeral, during the year. SPORTING ,INTELLIGENCE. ASCOT RACES.-WEDNESDAY. I HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES OF 10 SOVS. each, with 100 added, for 3-yr-olds and upwards; the win ner of the Bralant 71b extra ; all other winners after the weights appear to carry 51b extra. Swinley Course. Mr. J. Stephenson's Kingfisher ......... (Kenyon) 1 Mr. Payne's Beadle (Challoner) 2 Baron Roths c hild' s Guinivere (Morris) 3 The following also ran :—P.roviso r , "Vixen, and Hasketon Maid. Betting-2 to lon Kingfisher, 4to 1 agfit Beadle. THE SUNNING HILL STAKES of 10 sons each, with 200 added, for 2 -yr-olds ; rzolt s g s t 101 b, fillies Bst 71b ; winners of 100 SON'S Sib extra ; maidens at starting allowed 3lb ; se cond to receive 25 sovs out of the stakes. Half a mile. 70 su b s. Baron Rothschild's Hippia, sister to Hippolyta... 1 Sir J. Hawley's Faker (IVeils) a Clairvoyante's dam colt came in first, but was disqualified for crossing, and Hippia gets the stakes. The following also ran :—Turpin, Satyr, Rescue, Miss Middleton, Kathleen, Huntsman, Ajax, Mis.. fortune, Verulam, Plunder, Miller's Maid, Lavinia, Blush Rose, Man of Ross, and Lady Craven. Betting -3 to 1 agst Plunder, 4to 1 agst Mis-S fortune, 6 to 1 agst Hippia, 8 to 1 agst Clairvq_ ant's dam c. HANDICAP SWEEPSTAKES OF 10 SQVS, each, with 100 added, for 3-yr-olds and upwards. T.Y.C. Mr. J. Palmer's Little Gentleman (Carroll) 1 Mr. Hodgman's Confederate ......... (Ileartfiold) 2 Baron Rothschild's Dalesmau ...............(Pe a k) 3 Vabalathus, Grapeshot, Harlequina, and Gay Tom also ran. Betting-3 to 2 agst Little Gentleman, 3 to, agst Confederate, 5 to 1 agst Vabalathus. Nc ou by a neck ; bad third. A PLATE OF 300 SOVS. ; for 3-yr-olds 7st, four Bst 121 b, five 9st 41b, and aged 9st 61b ; winners of 1,000 sovs to carry 71b ; of the Good wood, Ascot, or Doncaster Cup, or the Derby, Oaks, and. Doncaster St. Leger, 101 b extra; m and g allowed 31', a, and maiden 4-yr-olds and upwards allowed 71b ; tLord raMr. n ce, 2 girlhte s s, s o si n v nco s , ijo t it o tri ihs t a, h si e rs second horse. The Cup Course. ,14 John u rn D on a t v o i n s (Cov(q) 1 Mr. (Wellk 2 (Cannon) 3 Betting -6 t o 4on John Davis, 6to 4 agst. Sydmonton, 8 to 2 agst Corsair. A PLATE OF 50 SOUS. ; for 2-yr-olds 6st 121 b, three Bst 121 b, four 9st 61b, five, six, an d aged 9st 81b; the winner to be sold for 300 so.vs, if for 200 allowed 51b, if for 100 91b ; entrance, 1 soy to the second horse. Half a mile. Merry Sunshine .......................................... Soiled Dove Usher ...................................................... 2 ....... ...... Seven ran. SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY PLATE of 100 sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 10 sovs each ; f or 3-yr-olds Ost 71b, four list, five list 71b, six and. age d list 101 b ; five and upwards which have never w , on 50 sovs on the flat allowed 141 b, pure Barbs and. Arabs allowed 211 b, mares and geldings allowed 41b ; the win ner to be sold for 300 sovs ; if for 500 51b extra, if not for sale 101 b extra; second to receive 40 soya out of the stakes. Once round the course. Hazaldean Guinivere 1 Darabouka .... A PLATE OF 50 SOUS. ; for 2-yr-olds Est 101 b, three Bst 121 b, four 9st 101 b, five six, and aged 9st 121 b; maiden 2-yr-olds allowed 31b, three 71b, four and upwards 121 b; entrance, 1 soy- to the second horse. T.Y.C. Saccharometer Raven Primrose 3 Eight ran. LY. Radcliffe 23 Spilsby Winchester '24 Southampton 25 Huntingdon Caen Goodwood 3l rRES FOR 1866. Y. West Drayton Manchester Wye Paris Ascot Summer E. Chelmsford l9 Liverpool Summer Ipswich liungerford Newcastle on-Tyne 26 Worcester UST. York August 2l Dover 23 Plymouth Lichfield Tunbridge 2B Yarmouth Derby Summer Weymouth 29 Baden Baden Bl ;MBEIt Richmond Monmouth Manchester Autumn 2l Newmarket Ist October 25 Walsall , BER. Newmarket2d October 8 Newmarket Houghton e G FIXTURES. 'RIL. ~ 23 MAY. Curragh Baldoylo Spring B, 9 1 JUNE. 0 urragh 26, 27, 28, 29 JULY. Carlow SEPTEMBER. 0 arragh 4l 5 1 6 _____ OCTOBER. 0 urragh l6, 17 18 vG FIXTURES. Y. Vissembourg 2l. Paris (Summer) 26, 2T E. i Toulouse 24, 28 'LY. I Abbeville Le Pin 22 IChalon-sur-Saone ... 22, 23 Saintes 2B, 29 Caen UST. 1 Le Mans Laon ..................... 19, 20 Tarboe .................. 19, 22 Blois.. ................... 26, 25 I Baden-Baden 3l 31BErt. Pa i s (Autumn) 23, $e )888. Vincennes .................. 28 RACING FIXT Salisbury ... 3 Bath 8 York Spring _Harpenden lO Epsom Summer l5 Windsor Summer Newton Hampton 0 diham Beverley l3 Bibury l3 Stockbridge Carlisle Newmarket July Pontefract Abingdon Reading Nottinghain Down Royal Corp lB Stamford l9 AUG Deauville Brighton 74 I Brighton Club Lewes lO Egham l4 Wolverhampton l4 Stockton l5 Oxford " klastings 2l SEPT Warwick September 4 Leicester 6 Doncaster Brecon l7 Canterbury lB OCT Bedford Northampton 2 Royal Caledonian Hunt and Kelso IRISH RACn AP: Cork . FRENCH RAG Bruxelles 3, 6 - Chantilly (Derby) 6, 10, 13 La Marche 2l JU Vincennes ..................... 3 liontauban ............ 14, 17 Toulouse JU .I St. Omer Rouen Metz B, 9 Anxious AUG Deauville....., 4, 5 , 6 Rochefort 5 Bourge5... Valenciennes Moulins Cherbourg SEPTE Baden-Baden 3, 6, 7 I Chantilly OCTO Paris ........................... 7 I Chantilly ............... 14, 18 --.---- 1 aßidEN:f"thieENPTro,!Znpt Benevolent Fund was held last night in Tavern, . a large a Mr• R. W. Crawford, M.P , fes Cl ti L va ltt a ttendance. The chairman.,.-TleTrihcf: the London presiding. There was in proposing the toast of the evening, gave a brief sketch annFullar public festival of the establishment and progress of the society, am ount of good which had been ' and ref erre d t o th e great accomplished through its agency. He pointed out the benefits that were to be de rived from it, and warmly society had t o the urged the c l a i ms w hi c h th e sympathy and support of charitabl e persons. Th e association £30,000, b u t the demands made upon it were such as to afford room for increased liberality. The institution had been in exi s t encefor had been f oun d useful and about effi a ci g e u n a t rt a e n r d o h f a e t century, and . would be afforded it still further to extend rus it t s ad be n n e e a v n o s I .nce• He stated that a Bombay merchant had placed at his disposal the sues of £15,000, to be distributed anion g the charitable institutions of the metropolis, and that ho had given £5OO out of this amount towards the funds of the Provident Clerks' Benevolent Fund. Tho Secretary read the first list of subscriptions, which stated the £3,196 had been contributed by friends of the society. Thi s announcement was received with loud cheers, A number of toasts followed, including those of the chairman and the treasurer. WORKING MEN'S C L UBS AND INSTITUTES.—SouIe of these clubs in the heart of London were visited last Tuesday night by the Duke of Argyll, who is announced to preside at the approaching public dinner of the parent society. The duke was introduced to the secretaries of the respective clubs, and to such members of their committees as were present, by the Bev. 11. Solly, who also explained the modus operandi in them, and the advantages they offer The visits seemed highly interesting both to the nob'e duke And t 9 the working UNA whom, be yi§ited dal the Ind WO ord $13(1 eat l ea all 1,, the l iill ally , 0111' o C Y' ' • Tell ;05 t,fAi l r oa ,0 0 O a sv o lie re rcis, 51 05 ' i ia )191i 0 0 0 (gi ll , c t; use 100 100 100 all 100 100 100 . {lOO 2 100 100 190 100 100 1 , 0 100 100 101 IC4} 21} 986 9 1