The Sun. — London, England, 1867-01-19 00:00:00

THE WEATHER. After the heavy fall of snow which took place yesterday morning, the biting, northerly wind almost departed, leaving the temperature much milder, al though the thermometer at the Receiving-house re gistered 25 deg. during the nighs and up tog o'clock yesterday morning. After that hour it gradually rose, until at noon it had reached 33k, but again gradually decreased, and at 9 o'clock at night it stood at 31, or 1 deg. below freezing point, with a slight wind from the north-west. The following is the report from the various parks :—On the Serpen tine the ice is in good condition, being from three and a half to four inches in thickness. There were 10,000 persons on it during the day, without any casualty having occurred. Last night at 9 o'clock there were about 2,000 persons on the ice, either skating, walking, or sliding, with a bright and clear moon. The banks were crowded with people. On the Round-pond, Kensington, the ice is also in good condition—three and a half inches thick. About 6,000 persons were on it during the day, without any casualty. On the Long-water the ice is sound, and of the same thickness as above. About 7,000 persons were on it during the day and no casualties. In St. James's-park the ice in many parts is dan gerous. Upwards of 7,000 persons were on it dur ing the day. There were 15 immersions, and 11 persons badly cut from falls. These cases were all attended by Dr. 11‘Cann. About 8 o'clock in the afternoon Robert Trowbridge, a private in the Scots Fusilier Guards, had a severe fall, resulting in con cussion of the brain ; and about the same time John Sheppard, 23, Burnham-street, Plaistow, fell while sliding, and fractured his knee-joint. The navigation of the Thames was partially opened for lighters towed by steamtugs. The traffic to Dover was resumed on Thursday night on the South-Eastern Railway. The traffic between Canterbury and Ramsgate on the South- Eastern is entirely suspended on account of the snow ; and on the same line yesterday the snow was lying nearly six feet deep between the Saltwood tunnel and Shorncliffe. The trains from Dover arrived safely, however, at Cannon-street yesterday morning, though a little behind time. The snow on the Kentish coast has been very heavy, and the pas sage from Faversham to Ramsgate on the London, Chatham, and Dover line is completely blocked. The company have, however, obtained the sanction of the War-office to allow all available men from the garrison at Chatham to assist in removing the snow. A train which left Ludgate-hill on Wednes day night now lies buried in the snow between Bekesbourn and Adisham, and a luggage train, con sisting of the engine and 42 trucks, is in the same predicament on the Ramsgate branch. I he telegraph wires between Faversham, Herne Bay, Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate are broken down, and all communication stopped. The traffic on the Great Eastern Railway, interrupted on Thursday by very heavy accumulations of snow on many parts of the line, was reopened almost everywhere yesterday, and the main line trains ran with tolerable punc tuality. By far the heaviest fall of snow yet experienced in the North Riding of Yorkshire occurred on Thursday night, and the roads are all more or liss impassable. The work of cutting out the imprisoned railway trains in the Speeton cutting, which had to be left on account of the exhaustion of the men, has been undone, and yesterday morning the line which had been cleared was again blocked up. There are drifts quite 10ft. thick in places, and the goods train which first stuck fast is quite snowed over, only the top of the engine funnel being visible. The passen gers by the imprisoned trains have been got out, and have returned either to Scarborough or Dritlield, and some of them who wished to be at Scarborough, and had to go round by Mahon, were about 30 hours on the journey, one whole night being spent in the snow. Yesterday a telegram stated that the line was ob structed from Sedmer Junction to Filey. Gangs of men were at work at the Sedmer end and at the Brid lington end of the obstructed line; but as snow con tinued to fall, and was so light that the least wind drifted it, it was not expected the traffic even on a single line could be resumed yesterday. Fortunately the Malton and Driffield line is open, though on the Mallon slope of the \Voids a great fall of snow has occurred. The trains get through, however, with two powerful goods engines attached. The Hull traffic is all worked the Mahon way. The line be tween Malton and Scarborough is in places greatly drifted, but trains, though late, get through with two engines attached. The Whitby line yet con tinues open, but the snow is so deep that the car riage steps cut through it. Oa the Thirsk line there is also a great amount of snow. The great snow fall is seriously impeding the coal traffic, and supplies are very short. On the moors the snow is stated to be some feet thick. A collision occurred on the Blyth and Tyne Rail way on Thursday afternoon, near the Backworth station, through the line being so much blocked up by drifted snow. The drifts had been heavy during Wenesday night and Thursday, and as there is a heavy coal traffic on this railway great efforts were made to get it clear and keep the traffic open. Not withstanding the best efforts of the manager, the trains could not be got to Tynemouth before the afternoon, and one of the up-trains ran off the line between Whitley and Earsdon, blocking up that part cf the road, and the up-train passengers had to be transferred to a train on the down line. The pas sengers by the 1 30 p.m. train from Tynemouth were thus transferred, and were run up to the Backworth station, the engine pushing them up from the rear. At the Backworth station the Tynemouth branch joins the main line. The engine was detached from behind and ran ou to the main line to be put in front of the train, and to bring it on its proper line of rails. While this was being done the train, hav ing got a push, ran down the line of rails between Tynemouth, and could not be stopped. The car riages were met by an engine which was sweeping the line of snow, which ran into it, smashing up the hindmost carriage, and severely injuring several of the passengers. Mr. Donaldson, the engineer to Backworth Colliery, was taken out of the broken carriage which was knocked off the rails. He was quite insensible, and blood was pouring from a number of wounds in his face and head. One of his eyes was much injured, and his left leg was out of joint. He is in a most critical condition. Mr. Nicholson, farmer, Monkseaton, had some of his ribs broken ; and Mr. hall, of Cairnside, another farmer, was badly hurt, having had his legs jammed between the seats of the carriage. Other persons were hurt, but not seriously. The snow was lying deep in the county of Northum berland yesterday, and there had been another fall during the night. The 'Scotsman of yesterday says of the storm in Scotland :—" The snow continues seriously to inter fere with railway traffic over the country. All the through trains from the south were detained yester day again considerably past their time. The express from Carlisle at 6.28 a.m., and due at the Waverley- , bridge station at 9.38, did not arrive till 10.51, being a detention of an hour and 13 minutes. The express from London by the east coast route, due in Edinburgh at 8.30, was 31 m i nutes late. The fast train from Carlisle to Edinburgh, leaving at 2.16 a.m., and due at 5.40, was 20 minutes late. The train from York was 29 minutes behind time. The train from Perth by the Scottish Central line, due here at 9.45, arrived punctually. In consequence of a fresh fall of snow the Aberdeen line has been again blocked up. We are informed that in the Vale of Yarrow the snow is lying to a depth of S feet. In Inverness, we learn from the Courier, the streets are partially blocked up, and to vehicles almost i passable." The following appears in the Dundee Courier of Thursday :—" A train which left Peterhead on Sa turday at 12.20 arrived at Ellon about 40 minutes late ; but about 3 o'clock, when about a mile on this side of Udny,. it got fast in a snow drift. Some 30 men were put on to try and clear the way, but very little progress V 7,19 made. The engine was detached from the train and went ahead to make way for its passage, but when a short distance from New Mach ht. it got into a heavy drift and stuck fast. The passen gers, about 30 in number, remained in the carriages for a time, hoping the engine would return oranother would be telegraphed for; but after, several hours, there being no s i gns o f h e lp, m o s t a thew repaired to a small house at a crossing and got their toe, warmed by turns during the succeeding night - ; while some of them remained in the carriages alid roughed' it as best they might, without either light or heat. We have been informed by some of the passengers that had it not been for the kindness and hospitality of the woman in charge of the cross ing, who supplied the ladies with tea, some of them might have perished in the carriages with cold. They were constantly in the hope that an engine would soon be sent to take them on, and were, on the one hand, afraid to go back to Udny lest they should lose their fare, and on the other to go to New Machar, which was not far distant, lest they should be met unawares by the returning engine. It would appear that, although word had reached the passengers that the engine was sticking among the snow, no one told them that they would not be relieved till morning, or advised them where to seek shelter over the night." The Earl of ilarrowby o I Education. • ----- The annual general meeting of the subscribers to the Birminghaux and Midland Institute was held on Monday evening ; the Earl of llarrowby, K.G., the president, in the chair. Ilis lordship was ac companied by the Mayor and by several officers, past and present, of the institute. The noble PRESIDENT ; in moving the adoption of the report, said the report had informed them that the institute was going on increasing, and it was, in deed, most satisfactory to know from that exceedingly able document that the most intelligent progress was being made, not only in one direction, but in all directions. It had appeared to him at a meet ing that he had attended that morning that an institution of their town—the Children's Hospital— was in a very satisfactory state ; and he was re joiced to find that that institution was also in a sound condition. In the first place, the subscribers last year were 611, now they are 710—a notable in crease. The industrial department showed an increase of nearly 30 per cent., there being about 300 persons in attendance upon the classes. Indeed, this was a most remarkable increase, and one calculated to en courage in the highest degree those engaged in the good work. At the corresponding period of last year there were 1,067 in attendance upon the industrial lectures, and there appeared to have been at the corresponding period of last year an attend ance of no less than 1,371. (Applause.) Indeed, the figures disclosed a very satisfactory state of things ; not only was it encouraging in regard to the number, but it was also encouraging in regard to the gravity of the subject. There was, besides, a very considerable increase in one of the more enter taining departments--in a department not sc purely intellectual. The singing class had increased from 169 to 278. That was very well—(hear)--it was pleasing to see progress made in one of the great accomplishments which are a charm to existence. (Applause.) He was glad to see this, because it was not merely an ornament, but an aid to intellectual development. There was one very satisfactory in crease—or what he should rather term a creation and that was the class for Latin. (Hear.) Although he wag no worshipper of . ,Latin, and although he had denounced the practice of compelling the learning of Latin in preference to other languages, yet still when he found that at once, after the starting of the class, in the first term, there should be so large a number as 93 in the Latin class-93 who without any immediate hope of reward sat down to the learning of a difficult language, the benefit of which was in the future, in the development of their men tal capacity, of the understanding, of the power of thought and expression and style—when, he said, he saw these results they were very encouraging, and left no doubt whatever of the benefit to be de rived from the Latin class now in full operation. (Applause.) The increase also of the French class, which had always been a very popular class, showed that it still maintained its popularity. Then as to the lectures—the penny lectures were an increasing attraction. They had been delivered from time to time by persons eminent in science and literature, and no doubt they had b2en the cause of attracting considerable numbers to their walls. The increase in chemistry was very considerable, and the class presented all the features which one would look for in a satisfactory v, ork of the kind, which was not merely an exercise for the understanding, but a most charming pursuit, that could but interest every one who joined in it, and promote not only a better knowledge of the subject, but lead to new disco veries. (Hear, hear.) It was not only desirable, but it was necessary that a knowledge of chemistry should be spread among the population of Birmingham, a population composed of so many industries with which the science was connected. There was one point which struck him as a stranger, and perhaps it was because he was a stranger, and that was the small number who attended to study practical mechanics. (Hear.) He believed, if he read the figures correctly,they only numbered about 20, out of a population of two or three hundred thou sand people. It was singular, at least it appeared so to him, that out of so dense a population, out of so vast a number of industrial people devoted to practical mechanics of all kinds, there should be only so small a proportion as 20 willing to devote themselves to the study of practical mechanics. This seemed at first sight rather remarkable ; but perhaps it was attributable to that desire which most of them had when learning their work to get rid of " shop" as much as possible. (Laughter.) Looking at the increase in the numbers under all the other heads—looking at the - very pleasing state of the Institute from all the other points of view which had been presented to them that day, per haps this was the real explanation of the very small amount of attendance upon the practical mechanics class. Well, so far, he was saying that they had been making progress. First, ho had remarked upon the large increase of subscribers ; secondly, he had dwelt upon the large increase in the attendance upon the classes—upon many of the most useful and se rious classes as well as upon those classes which con tributed to refinement and entertainment. But there was one new element which he should be very sorry to pass by without notice—that was the ladies' class. (Hear.) He confessed he looked with great I favour on this new department of instruction, and he was glad to see that it had proved successful, and that it was increasing. He did not dread the import ing of anything like a masculine character into the female mind by the labour necessary to obtain sound and well constituted knowledge; on the contrary, there was no fear whatever of interfering with the feminine characteristics. It was an advantage to hus bands, brothers, and sons that women to the peculiar qualities which distinguish female character should add the advantages of a sound and well-conducted un derstanding. And he confessed that he should be ex tremely glad to find that the ladies did not neglect the study of Latin. He believed it to be a great help and assistance in promoting accuracy of thought and expression, and that anything which induced in the female mind sound thought and accurate expression would be very advantageous to their intellectual character. It was, as they knew, one of the subjects of the day how to dispose of female labour ; how to discover the most advantageous mode of employing the great amount of female capacity which was very often lying idle for want of a proper field and a pro per opening. By carefully availing themselves of the advantages offered by that institution the ladies would become properly qualified. teachers ; and even if this should not be their scope of labour, they would reap great advantages through life from the study which they had undergone. He thought there were several of those young ladies present to whom he should in a short time have the privilege of offer ing prizes, and he was sure that nothing would oc cur in the p resen t at i on o f those marks of honorary distinction which would in the slightest degree be calculated to repel the finest nature or prevent the ladies coming forward to receive the mark of their zeal in the pursuit of knowledge. (Cheers.) He, therefore, after looking back at the past, felt himself able to encourage them to go on in this goof work, extending it from time to time, feeling their way to new branches, enlarging the sphere of their opera tions, and while at some times they followed the public mind they would try at other times to guide it. He believedthey had already encouragement before them. He was convinced that this was SO ; they saw the results that had followed---were they THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENINU, JANUARY 19, 1867. calculated to deter them? He was informed that several of the lectures which bad been delivered were very popular, and had attracted some consider wlle notice. They should take encouragement, then, and perhaps they would feel justified in following - precedents which had been set them in many other .cases—viz., to create a demand. He believed that in education this was very often the case, and fre quently it was desirable. 'They must not wait until -the were asked for a certain class of students for a -certain work. They much teach and make progress, And merit would declare itself ; it would create a want, and there would soon be a demand for it. "When excellence was observed it was speedily ac knowledged ; it then became attractive, and was next desired. (Applause.) This was how they must proceed ; but they must take heed, and they must never despair. At present, however, happily there was no ground for entertaining anything 'ap proaching the feeling to which he had referred. (Hear, hear.) Now, they had before them motions and resolutions enough on the agenda to occupy a Parliament. (Laughter.) He hoped there would not be so many divisions as there were likely to be i❑ the forthcoming Parliament. (Laughter.) There were certain points upon which they would exercise vote by ballot. The Legislature had not got quite so far, but he believed they would exercise the vote in kindness, and as it was exercised in many pri vate societies. There were as many books to dis tribute as would occupy them some time ; and there were so many prizes to distribute that he should only be warranted in speaking of the time that would be required in awarding them by experience. (Laughter.) When he was in Birmingham a few months ago he took the liberty of suggesting a few topics, which had caused some discussion in the public journals. He was still of the same opinion as then, and he believed the result of the adoption of his suggestions would have been the promotion of greater interest, and at the same time to elicit the display of a greater amount of talent. The things which most interested men were politics and religion, and under proper control he believed their discussion would be free from all inconvenience, and would highly benefit the classes. He could not but think it was highly important that they all should be brought round to a state in which they could meet together calmly, and quietly discuss the things upon which they differed. (Hear, hear.) Let them learn to listen a little, let them learn to reason a little, and then they would hear pa tiently what had to be said against their own convictions. He had an illustration in his mind's eye at that moment. There was a case in point only a few days ago at Stafford, where, at a lecture by an eminent Professor, the representa tives of labour and capital were present. They all knew that there were sometimes disputes between the two, and that when employed and employer were brought together the meeting was likely to partake of a lively character. Well, the Professor was very able and well qualified to deal with the subject ; and it was rather amusing to observe the members of one class, when he gave a little turn of the scale, give a little murmur ; then, when he gave a little turn the other way, there was another mur mur from the other class. Ile thought that discus sions of these questions and discussions of other matters not relating to trade might be conducted calmly and philosophically. If this could be done it would be a great advantage to all parties, and would improve them in many ways, of which they could not gain a view from their present position. He believed they had all a great deal to learn in this respect, and they should all try to discuss mat ters on which they differed without animosity, with out angry feeling, and without reference to party. He next referred to the accommodation for the students of the Institute, and expressed the hope that as the members increased they would have ac commodation for all who presented themselves for participation in the advantages it offered. (Cheers.) A vote of thanks was awarded to Lord Harrowby for his services during his presidency, and Mr. Com missioner Hill, Q.C., was elected president for the ensuing year. - The Atlantic and Great Western Railway. The following, taken from the Railway News, Of the 12th inst., with Messrs. Glenn and Co.'s reply thereto, may be of interest to our readers : Some correspondence has been forwarded to us for publication, relative to the Atlantic and Great Western Railway, and which may serve to illustrate some of the means by which the securities of this railway have recently been so unduly depreciated and affected. We are informed that daily, for several months past, large amounts of money have been offered to be advanced upon the securities of the Atlantic and Great 'Western Railway Company. Coincidently most of the leading bankers and finance companies have been importuned for loans, the object being to make it appear, on the one hand, that the company is in need of such loans, and, on the other, that its securities are in excessive supply. This singularly original method of " bear ing the market " has been conducted by about twenty persons and firms, who are clever at invent ing new combinations after each successive ex posure of their plans. We are informed upon reliable authority that it is not possible for any one to have control of the important amount of securities offered so freely. 'The following is the correspondence referred to :- 16, Water-lane, E.C., Dec. 10, 1866. "James Mllenry, Esq. " Sir,—Not having heard from you since the 7th inst., when writer left with you all our papers, relating to the loan on the security of Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Mortgage Bonds, which Messrs. Glenn and Co. had asserted they were instructed to negotiate on direct behalf of the bondholder, for which purpose appointment had been made to meet the bondholder at two o'clock at Messrs. Glenn and Co.'s, to, bring him and Mr. Curtis to the moneyed party, when, after waiting some time, no bondholder was coming forward, so that on that day the first loan of £50,000 could not be settled as arranged, owing to the default of Messrs. Glenn and Co., on account of which we claim our commission of £250 on this first loan, and refuse to go into the matter again until paid. Will you kindly let us know what result the interview had, for which you send a clerk of yours to Mr. Curtis? We also shall thank you to inform us whether you think our claim is strong enough on Messrs. Glenn and Co., so that we undoubtedly get the verdict, and also whether you believe in that case the firm would be able to pay the amount and costs. We add that, should you or your friends at any time wish to negotiate a loan on security of marketable commodities, which you want to have arranged quietly, wrt shall be very glad to receive your instructions, having no doubt that we could satisfy you and yours in every respect.—Sir, your s respectfully, (Signed) " FELDHOFF AND CO." " 10th December, 1866. " Messrs. Feldhoff and Co., 16, Water-lane, E.C. " Dear Sirs,—l have your favour of this date, and, on reflection, I cannot think that the affair of Messrs. Glen and Co. is worthy of further notice from me. In reference to your offer of as3istance in any further business, I beg most emphatically to state that I have not been a borrower of money during this last year, and am not likely to be for a year to come. But I thoroughly appreciate the kindness with which you have brought this matter before me, and shall be glad at any time to put any business in your way.—l am, dear Sir, yours faithfully, (Signed) " JAMES M'IIENRY." " 1G Water-lane, E.C., Dee. 15, 180 G. " James M'lTenry, Esq., " Dear Sir,-,-Your kind note of the 10th inst. has duly come to hand, and we are obliged for the expression of goodwill towards us it contains. As you did not answer our question in the matter of Messrs. Glenn and Co., we had to follow our own opinion iu it ; and we beg to acquaint you that we have resolved to put them in court, which we in tend to do to-day. As your evidence relating to the interview, ordered in writer's presence, with Mr. Curtis, will be of importance, we beg to ask you whether we can count upon you as a willing witness without any legal formality. We further beg to tell you that we are once more engaged to advance £200,000, on £600,000 Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Bonds, which bonds a house of standing in the city assures us will be forthcom ing. We intend to investigate this affair and to follow it up. Should the transaction be carried through we shall inform you of the fact. Should the bonds not be forthcoming we shall have no ob jection to give you the name of the City house above referred to.—Waiting your answer, we are, dear Sir, yours truly, (S►gned) " FELDHOFF AND CO." " 5, Westminster Chambers, S.W., Dec. 15, 1866. " Dear Sirs,—ln reply to yours of this date, I shall be most happy to confirm, as a witness or otherwise, what I have stated to you so emphatically, that no one is in a position to ask for such a loan as Mr. Curtis mentioned to you. As to the pro posed loan of £200,000, either directly or in directly, it is a swindle. This company has not borrowed any money during the year 1866, and it is not likely to want any for a year to come.—l am, dear Sirs, yours faithfully, JA.MES MMEIsTRY, " To Messrs. FeldhofT and Co., 16, Water-lane, E.C." is 16, Water-lane, E.C., January 2, 1867. " James APHeury, Esq. "Dear Sir,—Your favour of the 15th ult. reached us in due course, and according to our promise we now beg to inform you that the £600,000 Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Mortgage Bonds referred to in our respects of the 15th ult. have not been produced ; that Messrs. Trevit6 and Grei,g, 77, Cornhill, were the parties with whom we had been negotiating, that the statement in writing put forward by them was :—, Wanted to raise £200,000 on £600,000 Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Mortgage Bonds. There is nomistake about the bonds being forthcoming, &c.' That since we put the matter in our solicitor's hands they have written to the latter, that Mr. William Abbott, sharebroker, 10, Tokenhouse-yard, had been their principal, and had handed them the statement re ferred to ; that Mr. Abbott had got the business from Mr. James Madden, 3, Leadenhall-street, who had written it. Our solicitors have since issued writs against T. and G. for 1f per cent. commission on the whole amount in two actions, one as for commission, the other as for damages. The writs have been served, and the defendants' solicitor has entered into an engagement to defend the actions. Messrs. Glenn and Co have also been served with writ for commission, per cent. on £50,000, and their solicitor has entered his appearance. We have further opened proceedings against Messrs. Morgan and Carter, accountants, 21, New Bridge-street, Blackfriars, E.C., for com mission, £3BO, for a loan of £50,000 on £150,000 Atlantic and Great Western Consoli dated Bonds, for which no bonds were produced. All these actions are pending in the Queen's Bench, and will, unless settled to our satisfaction, proceed to trial. These measures of ours have had the effect that since the 17th ult., the day we placed the matters in the hands of our solicitors, we have not again heard of any loan being wanted, and we are informed that since that time this loan fever has altogether ceased.--Wishing you the compliments of the season, we remain, dear Sir, yours truly, (Signed) 6 , FELDHOFF AND CO." " 5, Westminster Chambers, S.W., Jan. 3, 1867. " Messrs. Feldhoff and Co., 16, Water-lane, E.C. " Dear Sirs,--I have your favour of the 2nd inst., and approve very much of your energetic measures. May I be allowed to print your correspondence ? I am, dear Sirs, very faithfully yours, (Signed) " JANIES AMENRY." " 16, Water-lane, E.C., Jan. 4, 1867. " James I\l'llenry,Esq. " Dear Sir,—ln answer to your yesterday's favour, we beg to say we have no objection what ever against your publishing the correspondence which has taken place between us.—We remain, dear Sir, yours truly, (Signed) " FELDITOFF AND CO." Miscellaucous American News. - - At the banquet given to the Congressional excur sionists at Memphis several political speeches were made. Senator Wade spoke at length, declaring that Congress would take no steps backwards. The President on the 19th December, through the War Department, directed General Sickles to issue an order, suspending in his department until further instructions articles five and six of his General Order, declaring that corporeal punishment should not be inflicted upon any person other than a minor, and also interfering with the State law on the subject of vagrancy. In compliance with the request made in the same letter, a copy of the order directed to be issued has been received from General Sickles' head-quarters. Through the Atlantic Cable we have the informa tion that the Radical members of Congress are per sistent in their efforts for the impeachment of the President. The call for a Congressional N a ti ona l Tempe rance Society has been very g enera ll y assigned. The wholelllinois delegation have th e i r names upon it, and the m ittee have invit e d A n d rew Johnson to com affix his autograph to the call, and then preside at their meetings. If he declines General Grant will be invited. It is the intention of the members im mediately upon organisation to issue circular let ters to all the Governors inviting them to agitate the subject with the Legislatures. Darling's Committee have developed extensive frauds in the manufacture of 'whisky in New York city. They find nearly every revenue officer there in complicity with illegal stills, while many very prominent citizens are seriously compromised. One inspector, who bas only been serving a few months, and who was absolutely destitute when appointed, now keeps his carriage and liveried servants, and lives in an elegant mansion, for which he paid promptly on its purchase. They will continue their investigations after the holidays. The Post-office at Port Deposit, Maryland, was entered on Monday night, 24th Dec., by burglars, and all the letters in the office rifled, including the mail matter of the Southern and the Eastern mails, and also for Lancaster and Washington, to be mailed next morning. From 600 to 700 letters were taken away. An officer of the Post-office Department has left Washington to investigate the matter. Work on the Pacific Railroad has been suspended for the winter. It is open for 268 miles west of Omaha, or about half way to Denver. The faro through to Denver is $lOO or $25 for 300 miles of railway, and $75 for 300 miles of staging. Express freight is 85 cents a pound. The Commissioner of Crown Lands has received from the inspector of the Medoc gold region rich specimens of gold in quartz and sand. The inspec tor reports mining operations carried on- in five concessions in Medoc, and 14th concession of Hun tingdon. From one lot between $l,OOO and $1,500 have been taken out. Gold was first struck at a depth of 20 feet. From specimens of quartz seen the inspector is of the opinion that gold exists through the townships of Rawdon, Medoc, and Eliziver, and portions of Marmora an 1 Tudor. Three thousand persons visited the mining regions last month. The Philadelphi a Inquirer remarks that " the proclamation of the President, showing that by 'recent regulations made in France, vessels of the United States are to be admitted to enter the ports of that country upon the same terms as French vessels, as far as regards tonnage duties, is an agreeable commercial fact. The favour being granted, it is ours to reciprocate, and so we have the official announcement, that, in consequence, French vessels, hereafter in our ports, or so long as the said French regulations are in force, shall pay no greater tonnage duties than our own vessels. Reciprocity in thes e ma t ters l ea d s t o better feeli ng in others, and amity i s streng th en ed and enforced by the mutu a l o bli gations and d ut i es w hi c h ar i 6e . between nations." The National •lntelligencer gives the following estimate of the production of gold in the United States during the year 1866 ;--" The value of the bullion in lumps, bars, ingots, or otherwise,' assessed during the fiscal year 1866, is given by the internal revenue returns at $81,389,451. Of this amount $70,032,805 was assessed in the Pacific and Rocky Mountain States asd territories, and the re mainder chiefly in the Atlantic seaboard cities. It is estimated that in the gold-producing regions of the country at least 25 per cent. of the product escaped assessment, and that of the gold assessed in the Atlantic seaboard cities one-half is of domestic production. In view of these facts, and taking the internal revenue returns as a basis of estimate, the production of gold in the fiscal year 1866 is calcu lated at $93,219,374. The production of gold in 1865 is estimated at $73,541,358, an increase in 1866 of $19,675,015." From Harrisburgh we hear that a very exciting contest for the Speakership of the House closed on the evening of December 31. The successful can didate was Colonel Glass, of Allegheny. Colonel Glass was opposed by Mr. Qaay, of thaver, but after a hard contest Mr. Quay withdrew before entering the caucus, and the result was the unani mous choice of Colonel Glass. No other nomina tions were made by the caucus, except one for the Clerk of the House. It was understood that a State Treasurer was to have been nominated that night, but owing to the excitement attending the Speaker ship question, it was postponed. The election of Senator does not take place on January Bth, as has been stated, but on January 15th, the same day on which the Governor is inaugurated. Another correspondent mites :—Dec. 31—At a caucus h-ld this afternoon by the Republican members of the Senate, the following were chosen officers of the Senate :—Speaker, Louis W. Hall, of Blair ; Clerk, George W. Hammersley, of Philadelphia; Assistant Clerks, Lucius Rogers, of M'Kean, and Colonel Fred. Hitchcock, of Luzerne ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Major William Hinkson, of Chester; Doorkeeper, Edgar King, of Fulton ; Messenger, Robert Sharp, of Phi ladephia ; Librarian, Jacob Styers. Commissioner Wells announces his intention of defeating the House Tariff Bill, and has said to a distinguished North-Western senator I intend to kill it, if not at this session, then at the next." The wool-growers charge boldly that he has gone over to the interests of the Free-traders. Ground will be broken on the European and North American Railway, Bangor (Maine), on the Ist of January. The mayor, city councilmen, and other prominent citizens will be present. The bridges are being built, and the work of grading will be commenced early in the spring. There is no doubt that this great national enterprise will be rapidly pushed to completion. The number of fires recorded in late American papers are unusually numerous. From Chicago we hear that on the 31st December a destructive fire occurred at Minneapolis, burning down the Chro nicle office, and nine buildings on Washington avenue, between Helen and Minnetonka streets. The loss is $lOO,OOO, with an insurance of $50,000. On the previous evening a fire at Sterling (Illinois) destroyed four wooden buildings, including the stores of Allen Green, grocer, and M. D. Lewis, gun smith. The loss is $lO,OOO, with a small insurance. Also, on the 31st December, the Park House at New port was destroyed. Loss about $6,000. Insured. At New Haven the same day, an explosion took place at the oil refinery of Cowles and Leete, on Long Wharf, instantly killing the foreman, Fred. Thompson. The building immediately took fire and was consumed. The loss is about $15,000. On the same day at Cleveland a fire broke out in the crockery and glassware importing house of W. 0. Fowler, on River-street, and burned for five hours. The loss on stock and building will reach from $50,000 to $60,000, which is well insured in eastern companies. At one time a terrible conflagration was threatened, as there are several oil works and liquor stores in the vicinity. Many other instances are recorded from over-heated stove-pipes, careless ness, or explosions old oil. The destruction to pro perty, and the risks to life, imperatively demand the greatest caution to be exercised, and stringent regulations to be enforced with regard to safe cus tody of inflammable and explosive materials. The Royal Engineers have been surveying the south side of the river St. Lawrence, for the last six months, for fortifications to protect the city in that quarter. It is understood that the Kingston, Ottawa, and Toronto districts will shortly be sur veyed for over 200 miles. The internal Revenue receipts of the United States, Jan. 1, were larger than they had been for several weeks, amounting to one million and a quarter dollars. General Ashley, Chairman of the House Com mittee on Territories, has remained in Washington during the present recess, attending to committee business. He has prepared a bill to be reported on the reassembling of Congress, having in view the reorganisation of the Southern States, not, however, remanding them to a territorial condition, but re cognising the present arrangements until conven tions can be called to remodel the respective State Governments. Grounds and buildings for a coloured university have been purchased in Washington by General Howard, one of the trustees. At this institution preachers, doctors, and teachers will be fitted, the first two professions, it is said, being united. The college will be opened about the Ist of February. The American Social Science Association has de cided to hold during the year special meetings cf the several sections into which the society is divided. The section on education is to meet in Boston on the first Wednesday of March, President Sears, of Providence, being the sectional chairman, and Hon. John D. Philbrick, of Boston, secretary . A party of miners who were recently coming down the Missouri river in a mackinaw were at tacked by Indians near the mouth of the Yellow stone, and the entire party murdered. We make the following extract from the Nation: —"President Roberts has characteristically enough written to Lynch, one of the condemned prisoners in Canada, expressing his (Roberts's) regret that he is not to be hanged, and exhorting him, if he is hanged, to die bravely. The Fenian farce would hardly have been complete without this little touch. Artemus Ward's willingness to have the blood of his wife's uncle shed on the altar of his country is very like Mr. Roberts's devotion to the cause of Ireland. It seems so easy in the Bowery, New York, for another man not to be afraid of being hanged in Toronto." It is said that a new oil has recently been dis covered in some of the shales of Central Mis souri. It is non-explosive, and reported to be superior to ordinary petroleum. About sixty gal lons are obtained from a ton of the rock. The Legislature of North Carolina has passed a bill granting a general pardon and amnesty to officers and soldiers of the United States and of the Confederate States, for offences committed against the criminal laws of the State, in the discharge of their duties. The New Bowery Theatre, New York, belonging to Mr. Lingard, was totally destroyed by fire on the afternoon of Tuesday, the 18th of December. Whether truthfully or not, it is officially an nounced, through the Mississippi Clarion, that in that State, freedmen may, and dopurchase and hold legally, real estate, and bear arms without a license. There is coloured emigration from South Caro lina to Liberia and Florida ; and white and coloured to Louisiana and Texas. In Frank Leslie's illustrated Newspaper, Jan. 3, page 233, there is a picture of an admirable colum nar fountain, one of the projected erections of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These fountains will be so constructed as at once to supply water to thirsty passers from the faucets, to horses from the broad circul4r trough, and to dogs and other smaller animals pecu liarly subject to suffering from thirst and conse quent hydrophobia, from the small square trough at the base. They will at the same time form hand some architectural ornaments to the streets, and we trust that so humane and useful a design will be very generally imitated. There are at this time in South Carolina 11 cot ton factories in successful operation, running 27,200 spindles and 996 looms, the largest one, the Kalmia Mills, having 10,000 spindles and 600 looms, and the smallest one, the Valley Falls Factory, having 500 spindles. Mr: Stevens ,true to his convictions o the import- ance of education now, as when he struggled for a pub lic school system in Pennsylvania, has obtained in the house the appointment of a committee of seven " to report a bill to establish a system of free common schools for the district of Columbia, from which no child six years old or more, residing in the said district, shall be excluded, except for improper con duct ; the schools to be supported by taxes impar tially levied on the assessable property of the dis trict, together with such fixed annual appropriation as Congress may grant." The committee appointed is a strong one, and very properly embraces but a single Democrat. The Nation remarks—" We see it is proposed, in order to prevent a certain class of frauds upon the Department of Internal Revenue, that the United States should go into the business of whisky - making. People who habitually drink spirits would no doubt be very glad to know that the faith of the nation was pledged for the goodness of the national beverage, and even the man who has got no further on his 'road from the caster to the gutter' than the drinking of tea and coffee might properly enough rejoice philanthropically that some at least of the spirits drunk were innocent of vitriol and turpentine. And the injury to the Treasury now daily inflicted is certainly immense and calls loudly for a cure. It is notorious that a detective in search of an offender has before him a task of hardly more difficulty than this—to find a distiller. Then if he waits long enough his pains are pretty sure to be rewardol. But it would be a singular way of remedying the evil of fraudulent returns and the bribing of officials to encourage universal illicit distilling, and this would surely ensue. What is certain about distilling is, that whenever the tax on distilling is high enough to make illicit distilling profitable, illicit distilling there will be ; and if the tax be very high, there will be a great deal. This plan of putting down dram-drinking has been tried in Great Britain and failed. Drunkenness does not diminish under it, while the quality of the liquor is lowered, and fraud and perjury greatly increased. Government distilling in this country, managed by a system of rotation in office, would probably combine every known form of rascality and vice, exclusive of crimes of violence." A son of General Robert E. Lee has been chosen Professor of Mathematics in the Maryland Agricul tural College at Bladensburg. He is a graduate of West Point, and an ex-officer of the late Southern Confederacy. Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts, has introduced into Congress a bill for the establishment in Wash ington of a library and reading-room for the free use of Government employes. Since Mr. Campbell, the new Mexican Minister to Juarez, has been in Mexico some thieves ha v e visited his residence in Ohio, and stolen all hi s horses, carriages, and harnesses. Hepworth Dixon has announced that his work on New America will be published early in January. " St. Elmo," Miss Augusta Evans' new story, will be published simultaneously in New York and London. Alderman Lowe has written a letter to a New York daily, in which he announces that the aerial bridge to span Broadway, corner of Fulton, is to be erected without delay. Mr. A. T. Stewart is about to retire from active business. Mr. Hamilton Murray, president of the City Bank, died at Oswego, Dec. 31. A private in the Rifle Brigade was accidentally killed on Christmas-day at the Victoria Barracks, Montreal, by falling down stairs. Secretaries Seward and Welles did not receive visitors on New Year's-day, on account of recent domestic affliction in their respective families. Mrs. Senator Patterson and Mrs. Stover were to receive, with the President. The opening of the New Year was to be observed as a holiday. It is stated that Sir Moses Montefiore has de termined, since his return last spring from the Holy Land, to erect another hospice at Jerusalem for the residence of several poor Israelitish families. This building will be on a large scale, anl is to be near to that which was erected in the year 1859. At Albany recently a little boy named Hogan was playing among some empty potato barrels with three or four children. He got into one of them feet foremost, and his innocent companions play fully raised the barrel upon its end, thus placing the boy upon his head. In this position lie was left until the blood rushed to his head and his face had become black from the came. When removed he Was taken to his home, but died in a few hours afterwards. Samuel B. Ruggles, one of the United States Commissioners to the Paris Exposition, is now in Washington for the purpose of conferring with the Government and Congress on the present condition an d prospects of that affair. Ile reports a very large amount of cereals, mineral products, agricul tural machinery, &c., as having arrived at the agency in New York, and that everything looks most favourable. EMIGRATION TO AMERICA.—The number of emi grants which have arrived at New York during the year will closely approach, if it does not exceed, 230,000 ; probably a quarter of that number has arrived at other ports in the same time ; so that the year's emigration may be roughly estimated at about 300,000. The increase over last year is very con siderable, and yet, looking to the causes tending thereto, it is not marvellously large. The produc ing power of the country is largely increased by emigration, and the tax-bearing strength of the people considerably advanced. It is estimated that every emigrant—man, woman, and child—is good for an import of specie to the amount of at least $6O. Many, it is true, bring very little or nothing, except their readiness and capacity for labour; but others have their hundreds, and even thousands, and thus make up the average. Taking this average as correct, the immigration of this year has added to our supply of hard money, the handsome sum of about $ 1 8,000,000. There should be some more efficient provisions than are now existing, to transfer this great flood of people at once to the interior from the-seaport cities. In the central, western, north-western, and south-western States, their means and labour can be employed to more use and profit to themselves and the country at large than in the great cities on the Atlantic or on the Gulf. The labour market in this city is already overstocked, while_the - farming districts of the West and the rising country towns of the interior afford opportunities unparalleled anywhere for every one not only to gain a living, but soon to rise to comparative independence. Even for pro fessional men, such as physicians, civil engineers, &c., the advice is best, "Tarry not a moment longer than absolutely - necessary in the city where you landed--bend your steps at once to the West." —New York Times, Dec. 29. A report of the superintendent of the Mint in the United- States shows that the coinage in that country of gold, silver, and copper between the years 1793 and 1867 amounted to 9 87,500,000 dollars, of which 845,500,000 dollars was gold. The coinage in Calfornia for eight months of last year was 9,642,000 dollars in gold, and 500,000 dol lars in silver. WEALTH OF AMERICAN MINES AND MANUFAC TURES.—The figures of the Report of the Commis sioner of internal Revenue present the strongest possible proof of the ability of the country to sustain and pay its present debt. The total amount raised from this source of taxation is $3111,906,984.17, an amount within 22 millions of the total revenue of the British Empire, and far in excess of the amount raised from similar taxes in that country. This is an increase over the proceeds of the last official year of nearly ninety millions. The tax on iron and steel, notwithstanding its reduction, has produced $13,728,133.36, an increase of four and a half millions over last year. Petroleum pays $5,317,396, an increase of nearly two and a quarter millions ; tobacco and cigars nearly sixteen millions, an increase of over four millions ; while spirits, notwithstanding the evasions of the law, of which the Commissioner complains and almost despairs, unless a self-registering still be invented, produce $29,198,578.15, an increase of over 13 millions ; and the three mouths that have elapsed, since the close of the fiscal year, show a more than corre sponding increase in the tax arising from this article. A yet more remarkable increase is seen in the growth of the returns of income tax, from $20,567,350.26 to $60,894,135.85. The Commis' sioner, among his recommendations, suggests the increase of the amount exempted from this tax to sl,ooo.—Pittsburgh Mining Journal. COUNTRY MARKETS. WAKEFIELD.—FRIDAY. Wheat trade quiet at last Friday's priecs. Fine barley rather dearer. LINCOLN.—FRIDAY. Our market was well supplied with wheat, and superior sorts were disposed of at is per qr. advance. Barley w° 9 a moderate show, and met with a strong demand at (I°T 3 is per qr. more money. Not many oats on offer—the trade ruled firm at quite last week's prices. Beans came slowly' to hand and commanded high prices. Peas were dear. • New white wheat, 60s to 70s ; new red, 59s to 63s Per 3G stone. Barley for malting, 49s to Ms per qr ; grinding , 26s to 3Gs per 30 stone. Oats, 21s to 31s. Beans, 483 t° 50s per 38 stone. DERBY—FRIDAY. With a middling supply wheat met with a firm demand at quite is per qr. more money. Barley was sparingly represented, and a fair inquiry, prices advanced is per qi . Oats were in good request, and fully maintained their value. Beans met with a very steady demand at extreme prices. New white wheat, 60s to 68s ; old red, Gss to 68s per 3 6 stone. Barley for malting, 44s to 48s per qr. ; grinding', 37s to 38s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 27s to 295; old, 29s to 34s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 50s to 52s ; new, 46s to 503 per 38 stone. LlVErd'uoL.--FRIDAy. We bad only a limited attendance at our market to-dt.iY, and both wheat and flour were in moderate consiimptiYo request, at the extreme rates of Tuesday. There is 6° little Indian corn offering that holders obtained an advance of fully 6d per qr. Beans slightly easier. Oatmeal steadi• Oats in fair request at full rates. STAJSIFORD-FRIDAY. About an average quantity of wheat, the demand for which ruled firm at is per qr. over last week's currencieS• Barley a fair trade at. upward rates. The supply of eats was scanty, and prices were in favour of the seller. Beaus at top prices. New white wheat, 64s to 68s ; red do., 58s to 62s per 86 stone. Barley, malting, 44s to 50s ; gr i n di ng , 27 s to 353 per qr. Oats, new, 24s to 28s ; old, 28s to 32s per 21 stone• Beaus, 52s to 54s per 38 stone. Peas as of late. RIPON-FRIDAY. White whoat, 8s Od to Os Od per bushel ; red, 6s 6d to 8s Od ; beans, 7s 3d to 7s Od ; oats, 26s to 32s per qr ; barlsf 34s to 42s Od. BRISTOL SUGAR.—FRIDAY. Tho demand continues very active, and prices aro about is dearer. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. s. d. (I. s. Walls End Haswell... 28 0 Riddell East Hartlepool Pitting-ton 22 0 Wharncliffe Acorn Close 25 0 B u ddl e ' s Westllartley 18 3 Harton 25 3 West Hartley Brancepoth Cannel ... 18 0 Holywell Main 2O 0 Ships at market, 25 - -sold, 23. Foreign Mail Packet List. MAILS DUE. Australia and New Zealand, via Southamptoa Jan. 19 ; Ditto, via Marseilles Feb. 13 ' Brazil and Cape Verds, by British pa0ket........ • • Feb. 4 Ditto, by French packet . . , Jan. 24 Cape of Good Rope, Ascension, and St. Helena... Dso. 21 China, Penang. and Singapore, via Sou:hampton Jan 1 9 . Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 27 Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Jan. 19. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton... Jan 19. Ditto, via Marseilles India (Bombay), via Southampton. Jan. 1 / Ditto, via Marseilles . . Jan. 22 Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Jan. 19 " Ditto, via Marseilles Jan. 22 . Mauritius, via Southampton Jan. 19 ' Ditto, via Maroon ei... ... .. Jan. 19 Newfoundland •• . . Feb. 13. Portugal Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon. United States and British North America, by Bri tish packet. .. Ditto, by United States packet, via Southamp ton Ditto, via Cork Ditto, oy Canadian packet, via Londonderry ..Jan West Coaf.t of Africa, Hadelra, and Tenerife Feb. 3 West Indies and Pacific (except Batta.nas and Honduras) J a n 28 Bahanr...4, via New York. Feb 7 Cuba aid Si.xlco. Jan ';b Bermuda., via Halifax " The Anglo-French Commission on the fisheries, says the Etendard, " continues to meet frequent l y at the Ministry of Marine. A spirit of liberality i° manifested more and more amongst its member s ' and there are reasons for thinking that it is in t hL4 sense the Convention of 1839 between the tsv e Powers will be revised. The principle of t he right of exclusive fishing, reserved to the fisher men of each country in the national waters, d° not appear open t o di scuss i on ; b u t a compl ete liberty might be granted to those of both to land and disposeof their fish in the ports of either." From the educational statistics introduced lo t° the fourth volume of the Census Report of th e United States for 1860 we glean the following figures :—The number of elementary public sane ° is estimated at 100,000, and of elementary privat e schools at 50,000. There are nearly 7,000 academies and public high schools, and not quite 500 colleges and professional seminaries. In 17 Northern States , from which recent reports have been received, me re than 5,000,000 pupils are taught in the publi schools, at an annual expense of nearly $23,000, 000. The Italie says that the Western Powers have taken up the Eastern question diplornatical i f . Turkey, it says, has addressed to them a Note enl iv plaining of the policy of Greece, and Greece on h er part has sent a c oun t er - no t e, arra i gn i ng th e co nduc t of Turkey, adding that if justice be not done to h er she will adopt efficacious measure to defend b ee rights. Upon this the Italic remarks that it is me re easy to make threats than to carry them into exe eti i tion. A war against Greece would be the signal 0 the ruin of the Ottoman Empire. If the Turks ha v e not been able to Conquer the Greeks ch lr i i ing a war of six years, from 1821 to 182 7 , 0 in 1866 they had not the power to red°' the island of Crete, how can th ey h ope to conquer Greece ? Europe would not allow them to do se' She would infallibly interfere, and the Ottoma n Empire would emerge-from the crisis she had evoke" if not ruined, at least very much weakened. On the 81st of December last the Mont Cent s 4 tunnel had been excavated to the extent of 6, 37 metres, being 2,434 on the Modane or French sid e :, and 3,940 on the side of Ba r d onnec h e . Of th e so , s 6,374 metres, 1,025 were excavat e d i n 1866. 1 ,) whole length of the tunnel is estimated at 1 2,2 ' c i metres, so that more than half has been done, a l/ 5,845 remain. A new line of railway was opened last week b tween Calais and Boulogne. At present it is 115 : 1 ; only for local traffic, but about the middle of 115 the through trains to Paris will begin to run 01e , it, and half-an-h our w ill th us be sav e d in the j oi n ney from London. Births. BURNABY—On the 17th inst., at 51, Eaton-square, the - of Lt.-Col. Burnaby, Grenadier Guards, of a daughte r. b ., CA LCOTT—On the 17th inst., at 128, Stephen's-green, P il , lin, the wife of Major C. B. Ca' c ot; 28th Roe., of a 50 4 0 10 DELEYINGE—On the 17th irtzt., at 51, Oxford-street, wife of Ernest Deloving°, of .a. son. Of BIOERS —On the :17th inst., at Tewkesbury, the W" the Rev. W. 11. Peers, of a daughter. Marriages. 1131 4 HOOPER—STUART—On the 16th inst., at Stuart . county Tyrone, Edmund Iluntly, son of the W. F. 11. Hooper, in , umhont of Withi igt.m, to the P 3 ,1 0.. Ahoo a.ad atuart, fourth daughter of the Earl of La s ' stuart. Nouhrs—BoviLL—On the 17th inst., at St. George's, idea over-square, Harry G. Norris, Esq. Bth ~rlussars, to, son of It Norris, Esq., Swalcliffe Park, o.xforilsh l ,qiel Mary, oldest daughter of the Eight Hon. Lord - Justice Bovill. Deaths. „ of CROWTHER —On the IGth inst., Henry Crowther, Lockwood, near Huddersfield, aged 69. FITZGERALD —On the 16th inst., Sir James D. Aid' aged 36. MNAmAnA—On the 18th inst., at Castle-street, Fiw l3 . liffs Mr. Arthur M`NaMara, of Woodford, Essex, ' aged % - fa il MoonE—On the 17th inst., Mrs. Moore, Applebi Leicestershire. SMITH —On the 17th inst., at Jordanhill, Renfrowsli irel Smith, Esq., of Jordanbill, F.R.S., aged 85. nro TAYLon---On the 17th inst., at 23, Charterhouse -0,11 Henry Taylor, Esq., aged 57. o f, London : Printed mid Published by WILLIAM ANDc i .— jib of No. 112, Strand, Plinter at Tin:: Sox Ofl l 4 o, 11°. Of Strand, in the Precinct of the Savuy, in the, (74: 1031 "' Middleees.—Saturday, January 19, 1807. i a 1....................... I R~~~~- - U~.°.. . -