The Sun. — London, England, 1870-12-06 00:00:00

............... SHOW. Smithfield ural iibited and 3ry favour was looked aken gene whilst the d to this, necessary f a very t to keep , w . This her Ma" ,rly every 1 to be the 7ed in her kowners of tres Highness's particu ms to have ;her no less The Here t44T in the h ° ;ards num wons come .eed, which i 24, whilst ery meagre in the to; f £lO and cis are r he entries etive class 3xt in num" mns. The „ ep is, very There a rule they ) sa y they mplements eery gre?' t. ne quality, mating the Year there esigned e%'" ked horses an inveir L the mere time the own by W ;h the nevi ier vehicles vg less then awarded hY ,r• of several the exh! - y cousins is Abyssinian ompartTee b production s majority to anufactm:e. I fancy burr , aim of the he s mooth, y thousands ales early e not Acl ock in the )omme nced• a ever, an rangement a ich will go e inspect!ou as to which the palm, :ing, alloW particular is o pinion ons. rho owners were upon theme- Mr. Taylor, ize, and the he steer and cup, value leifers Mr cup valued Mr. Groves , secured the lasses of the Cobh ato xnd Mr, T. The short represented - chief judg e Packingtoo ket Deep n, Swindon , 'ark, York. gradually to ibitors asA l Mr. J. 113- 'orth-house; inners. Th e inly, and in little or no of sufficient show (210 0 ) L Kettering , all before it ;ra stock as and bred by ;way in the ous, and we, : o ll e ction Lord W 5l " 7d Sondes , ,vere among owever, Car ?ndid pen of d, and with ieee of Plat e for the best )p grouped , Le particula r . P also took sheep, th ° eeeiving to coalmen" 440 in Cle lB Dorsetshir e, 460 a silve r vick, for the m by a yell ,e before the rD SOU" to appeal t° r poor lite° nor once or months. Kitchen to Lis locality if distress hers se the nalco 3 ey, el othing , w, dear Sic , Secretary to ;ed Schools, ,1870. ig from 0 rney, Q•C" JTE Cliff/ fer hale" anced thoee diarly Friday 1,,4 or children ;. Giles aw l remaind er 3ermauent l Y nds permi t, ldren eve r y tions of the .tended, n 1 )" ''d on boar , ' ; t- eive an e c a seafaring e Industr° 3ixley, near practical in heir ern] n luring 1871 1 L2,-e situat ed ire 150 bed° , andl ° e remaind e ! for the 3 state that is only ee e re. To carr t c ,tly nod e associat/013 o w tat° arities r 3sti ,hmen, 113 ' e , able amou nt loubt, hale Lent society ,20,000, bot re is a great gent aPP ea charitable for wait SECOND EDITION. SUN OFFICE, 2.30 P.M. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. ME WAR. OCCUPATION OF ORLEANS BY THE GERMANS. ROYAL HEAD-QUARTERS, VERSAILLES, December 5, Evening. The Germans occupied Orleans last night. An officer has been sent into Paris with a letter to state that Orleans had been taken, and the Artily of the Loire routed, with the loss of 30 guns and S everal thousand prisoners. General Ducrot is supposed to have bee n killed "I the sortie. BATTLE AT ORLEANS. CAPTURE OF THE CITY AND SUBURBS. " VERSAILLES, December 5, (Noon.) "Orleans was] captured last night, after severe fi ghting, in which the French lost heavily in both 11111 3 and men. They retreated, with the Germans la pursuit. The King of Prussia has sent the following tele gram from the Royal Head - quarters t o Q ueen A ugusta VERSAILLES, December 4. After a severe battle which extended over two (S Ys, and in which the troops commanded by th e 1)1 eke of Mecklenburg was chiefly engaged, the e i clrPs of General Manestein captured this even in g t auburba of St. Jean and the railway termin us of (I" url ean ,. The other corps are in a position to ta ke the town „ wl-tnorrow. Thirty guns and more than 1,000 prisoners were Captured. Our loss was moderate. The Wrangel division kffered most severely. All quiet before Paris. Another telegram from the Prussian Head-quar t" says the French have destroyed t he p ontoon ridges constructed in the rear of the battle - fi eld at .8 t ie, and withdrew behind the Maine. A large ;quantity of ammunition and nine guns have b een °llad on the battle-field before Amiens. TOURS, December 5. There is intense excitement here, and a great c rowd has collected at the Prefecture to read the nnfavourable news which has been published. Gambetta, in trying to reach Orleans, was pre vented by the enemy, who took possession of the r ailway. The Uhlans fired at him, and he only e/ leaped by a miracle. He returned at three o'clock n the morning, and received an enco ura g in g des p atch f rom Jaure-Guiberry and Chanzy. VAurelles de Paladine, in order to avoid a bom bardment, has evacuated Orleans. There is some t all( of trying him by court-martial. The following messages have been received from t he Minster of War at Tours : ic GENERAL PALLIERES TO THE MINISTER FOR WAR. " ORLEANS, December 6 (12.5 a.m.) " The enemy demanded the evacuation of Orleans at 11.30 at night, threatening to bombard ithe town I n case of non-sompliance. As we were to have left St night I have accepted the conditions in the name of th e General Commanding-in-Chief. The naval batteries have been spiked, and the powder and war material destroyed." "TILE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE MINISTER OF THE HOME DEPARTMENT. " ORLEANS, December 5 (3 a.m.) " The enemy took possession of Orleans at mid night. The Prussians who have entered are s aid to no almost entirely without ammunition, and they n ave scarcely made any prisoners. "Despatches from the officers commanding the different corps announce that the retreat has been carried out in good order, but there are no tidings fr ° l7 a General Aurelles de Paladine, who has not l 'eut any message to the Government." TIIE SIEGE OF PARIS. HEADQUARTERS OF THE CROWN PRINQE OF PRUSSIA, VERSAILLES, December 3. The impression among the German officers is that t he siege of Paris may extend beyond Christmas as a merely military question ; but it is hoped that the French will be discouraged by the failure of the t econt sorties, specially by yesterday's recapture of ehampigny-sur-Marne. BALLOON NEWS FROM PARIS. General Trochu sends the fo llowin g re p orts from the heights between Champigny and Villiers, under date of the 2nd inst., 1.45 p.m. "The Prussians with enormous forces attacked the French position at daybreak to-day. The fighting has lasted more than seven hours, and at the mo kent of sending off this report the enemy is giving N vaY along the whole line, and once more abandoning the heights. " I have ridden along the line of skirmishers from ehampignay to Brie, and have been received with e nthusiastic cheers by the troops. "I expect that the enemy will return to the attack, and that the battle will last all day." The General's second report is dated Nogent, Dec. 2, 5.30 p.m.:— "The second great battle which I ex p ected has been more decisive than its predecessor. The e nemy attacked us at the revilllo, with fresh troops a nd reserves. We have fought three hours to maintain our position, and five hours to carry the Positions of the enemy, where we bivouacked for the night." Th e Official Journal of the 4th says : "The Prussians at daybreak on the 3rd com menced a series of attacks on our vanguard, pre ceded by a short cannonade. Calm was quickly r estored in the French positions on the Marne. The Prussian losses on the 2nd were considerable. Ac cording to statements of prisoners whole regiments Were destroyed. The 3rd of December was devoted t° improving the condition of our troops, who bear 11 1) with great fortitude against the severe weather. I le army of General Ducrot bivouacked on the night of the 3rd, in the wood of Vincennes, having re -crossed the Marne during the day. He has con centrated at this point in order to give effect to his o perations. About 400 prisoners have been taken by the French. Colonel Fielding, who took part in the last en gagement on the French left, has disappeared. The Colonel charged witlythe French Hussars against t he Prussian Cuirassiers. Two Prussian officers made their appearance yes terday at Peronne, and summoned the town to sur render. They were seized and incarcerated. A great Inovement of troops is going on in Lille. All communications with the interior of Havre is cut off. THE FRENCH ARMY OF THE NORTH. BRUSSELS, December 5. General F a idherbe has arrived at Lille, and taken the cammand of the French Arm y of the Orth. NAPOLEON AT WILHELMSHOHE. CASSEL, December 5. the Emperor has recovered entirely from his recent indisposition. Marshal Bazaine is ill and confined to his bed. lhe Emperor observed in conversation yesterday that no peace was likely to be made until the men of 121111; SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1870. THE MONEY MARKET. THE CONSERVXIIVE LAND SOCIETY. The eighteenth annual meeting of this society was held ' this day at the Norfolk-street offices, Viscount Ranelagh in the chair. The secretary (Mr. C. L. Gruneisen) having read the advertisement convening the meeting, the fol lowing report of the Executive Committee was submitted —The Executive Committee; in laying before the share holders their eighteenth, yearly . report, :are . enabled .to append thereto a satisfactory return of' the busi ness of the Society. as shewn in the audited ab stract of accounts .and balance-sheet for the financial year ending the 30th of September, 1870. It will be seen from the subjoined tabular form, that the receipts for the four quarters and the grand totals to Michaelmas, indi cate that no change has taken place in the continued prosperity of the Conservative Land Society, notwith standing the unforeseen and disastrous events which have marked the present year, causing such large fluctuations in the prices of public securities : CITY, Two O'CLOCK. On the Stock Exchange to-day the principal move molts are in Foreign Stocks and English, 'Railways. The English Funds are steady at the better prices ob tained yesterday. gonsohi are - now 91/ to 92 for money, and 92 for sth of January ; New and Reduced 91/ to 92 ; India 5 per Cents., .110 to 110} ; Exchequer Bills, 10s. to 15s. prem. ; and Bank Stock, 230 to 232. In Foreign Stocks Spanish are higher, and Turkish of 1869 1, the quotationsbeing—ltalian, 551 to 552 ; Spanish, 311 to 31i ; Turkish Five per Cents., 44/ to 451 ; French Scrip, 4 to 1 prem. ; and Japan, 97 to 99. The half-yearly coupons on the Ist proximo on the Honduras Government Railway Loans are announced for payment on and after that date. The annual drawing under the sinking funds of 3 per cent. on each loan will take place on the 31st inst. The subscription list for the 20,000 5 per cent. preferred shares of the Bedford and Northampton Railway will be closed on Thursday next, the Bth, for London, and on Friday, the 9th inst., for country applications. The shares were quoted 3 to 1- prem. The committee of the Stock Exchange have appointed. Thursday, the 15th inst., a special settling day in the scrip and bonds of the new 6 per cent. capital, amount ing to £750,000, of the Great Western Railwaylof Canada, which are to be marked. • At the half yearly general mpet:ng of the City of London Real Property Company (Limited), an ad-interim divi dend was declared of two per cent, for the half-year. The half-yearly meeting of the Madras Railway Com' pany is called for the 16th inst. The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors of the Union Bank of London will be held on the 11th of January, to declare a dividend. Berger, Spence, and Co.'s weekly report says :—A quieter feeling has pervaded the chemical trade of the past week, but it may be partly attributed to the fact that inquiries on account of contracts have perceptibly diminished. There is, however, a healthy demand for home consumption in most products, and bleaching powder is notably advancing. Soda ash remains the same as last.lCaustic Soda is slightly in favour of buyers. The briskness noted in soda crystals is on the decline, as is generally the case at this season, but prices are firm. The export trade is less than last week, and shipments to all parts have decreased, with the exception of soda ash to the States. In regard to minerals the improvement in iron ores continues, and some large sales have been made during the week. Some extensive contracts in pig iron have been made, the delivery extending over next year. Copper is again firmer. Tin remains without change, while lead is advancing. Spelter unaltered. Qrs. ending Slia re s progress. Shares Total Complete Shares. Receipts. Dec. 25,1869 March 25, 1870 June 25, 1870 Sept. 3 ), 1870 77 593 88471 I'2 6 8 7 478 216) • 0,70 £32,124 12 7 2 1 34,19; 4 :1 :46 6.'3 7 0 1:!3,276 15 11 Totals to Ml chaelmas, 32,596 1,450,082 19 3 G rand totals to Michaelmas,! -70 34,7 Z -G 1,583,359 15 8,55 t • Total withdrawals under the rules since the formation of the Society (1802) to Michaelmas, 1870, are ... •• • •• • 399,971 3 9 The last share number issued to Michaelmas, 1870, was No. 34,756. The reserve or surplus fund to Michalz mas, 1870 (exclusive of office premises and furniture account), amounts to ... £10,500 0 0 The four auditors appointed at the quarterly meeting of the shareholders, on the 10th of October last, namely, Mr. Clemow, Manager of the Dudley and West Broomwich Bank, and Mr. Goad, Estates Agent, Essex-road, Islington, elected by the members, and Mr. Thomas Russel,Public Ac countant, and Mr. Newman Winstanley, nominated by the board, under the certified rules, met on the Bth, 9th, and 10th of November, verified the vouchers, books, and accounts, duly signed the balance sheet, and certified as to all deeds and securities being deposited in the strong room. After leaving the reserve or surplus fund at £10,500 (exclusive of office premises and furniture account, which now stands at the present • value of £2,533 10s. 5d.), the executive committee are enabled Ist. To provide for the interest, at five per cent. per annum on shares (completed, or paid a year in advance), and for the interest of four per cent. per annum in De posit Department. 2nd. To add to the accounts of mem bers holding uncompleted invested shares, not in arrear (in respect of which no interest has been paid), a bonus equivalent to five and a half per cent. per annum, and on shares paid a year in advance and u p wards, a bonus of half per cent. will be added to the accounts in the Pass-book. 3rd. To pay to the holders of Completed Shares half per cent., in addition to the five per cent. already paid. Every payment on the shares on the register at the pre sent annual meeting, not being in arrear, will therefore realise 5i per cent. per annum for the present year, ending the 30th September, 1870. As regards the additional interest of half per cent. to which the holders of com pleted shares will be entitled by the above declaration of bonus, the amount will be included in t he half- y earl y Ludy-bay interest warrants issued and payable on and after the Ist of May next (1871). The rate of interest on shares (completed) and those in progress (paid a year in advance), will remain for the present at 5 per cent, per annum, and the half-yearly warrants up to Lady Day and Michaelmas will be issued at the customary periods, namely, the Ist of May and the let of November. As regards rate of interest for the deposit department, that is, for investors who are not members of the society, it will remain unchanged at 4 per cent. per annum, payable half-yearly on the Ist of May and let of November, simultaneously with the interest warrants of the share department. The ordinary quarterly meetings of the members were held on the sth of April, the sth of July, and the 10th of October. Since the last annual report., H. W. Currie, Esq., has ceased to be a member of the board, and J. C. Cobbold, Esq., honorary member of the executive committee, has retired from the office of trustee. The executive committee, under the rules, hand appointed N. W. J. Strode , Esq., of the Albany, and Camden Place, Chislehurst, a member of the board, as trustee, and the resolution as to the nomination has been duly certified as a rule of the society. The following members of the executive committee retire by rotation, viz. :—The Hon. Robert Bourke, M. P,. Colonel Augustus Meyrick, Sir Lawrence Palk, Bart., and Newnham Win stanley, Esq. ; and, being eligible, offer themselves for re election. The beneficial effects arising from the co-opera tion with the United Land Company (Limited) are suffi ciently.indicated in the subjoined return of estates on which the society has made building advances during the past year: Kilburn and Harrow-road, Middlesex ; Finchley, Mid dle:lA%; Ealing, Middlesex ; Fulham (West London No. 1), Middlesex • Fulham Fields (ditto No. 2 ) , M iddlesex ; H amme rsmith' (ditto No. 3), Middlesex • Holloway, Middlesex ; Kentish Town, Middl esex ; *tied Green, 'Middlesex ; Willesden, Middlesex ; Portsmouth (Nos. 1 and 2), Hampshire ;_ Clapham Junction (Nos. 1, 2, and 3), Surrey ; West Hill (Putney Heath), Surrey • Plough Lane (Battersea), Surrey ; Red Hill, Surrey 2 Walling ton, Surrey ; Putney Co mmon, Surre y ; Sutton,_ Sur rey ; Carshalton, Surrey ; Wanstead, Essex ; Forest Gate, Essex ; Sheerness, Kent ; Sandown, Isle of Wight ; New Ferry (opposite Liverpool), Cheshire. As regards the Advance Department for the current year, applications have been made for the annexed properties : Wellingborough, Northamptonshire Northampton (Kingsthorpe), Northamptonshire ; Ilavant, Hants ; Gipsy Hill (Norwood), Surrey ; Muswell Hill (Alexandra Palace), Middlesex. As the United Land Company, Limited, have acquired estates at Wolverhampton (Staf fordshire) and the Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire), and are in treaty for other eligible properties, there will be no lack of building Proposals, the extent and proportion of the loads on which are matters of consideration at the weekly Boards of the Directors. The Execu tive Committee have again to refer with gratification to the success of the system of combinedaction; as proved by the readiness displayed by the members in the taking of the shares of the United Land Company (Limited), on their third issue. 1 4 nineteenth year of the Conserva tive Land Society is in progress, and no exertions will be spared by the committee to secure a continuance of the confidence reposed in them for so many years by the members, and to ensure a steady rate of interest for their investments. It never has been, and it never will be, the policy of the board, to embark into speculative transac tions on the chance of obtaining large profits. Security is the first consideration, and no sounder security can be found than that of land and houses. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.-THIS DAY. IMPORTANT TO TRADESMEN.—Mr. William Haynes, an extensive greengrocer, carrying on business in various parts of London, was summoned, at the Westminster Police-court, under the Metropolitan Streets Act, for allowing vegetable on a barrow to rest longer than neces sary for loading or unloading in a certain public carriage way in Tachbrook-street and Churtin-street, Pimlico. The facts were not disputed ; Sergeant Hillock, of the B Division, proving the barrows 'standing for five hours, and the defendant and his servants serving therefrom. Mr. W. D. Smyth, of Rochester-row, appeared for the defendant, and submitted broadly that the commissioner of police, under the powers of the Metropolitan Streets Act, had made regulations for the guidance of coster mongers, itinerant traders, and hawkers, who congregated in large numbers round the defendant's p remises, and in some instances undersold him. He saw no reason to believe that the defendant, although a tradesman, should not be a costermonger, if he chose; for his own protection. After referring to the definition of the word costermonger, which appeared very vague, Mr. Smyth said his client had no wish to offend, but he required the matter set at rest, and to put au end to the frequent complaints of the police. Mr. Woolrych was clearly of opinion that a costermonger was not a shopkeeper, but an itinerant vendor. He, therefore, was against the defendant, but in consideration of the question he had raised he should only order him to pay the cost of the summons. COWARDLY ASSAULT ON Two POLICE OFFICERS.—Wm. Gloggon, an Irish coal whipper, aged 20 years, was charged at the Thames Police-court with violently assaulting Thomas Smitheram, a police-constable, No. 50 K R, and Charles Brake, another constable of the same division. The prisoner was drunk and disorderly, and quarrelling with some women at the door of his own dwelling in Bluegate-fields, Shadwell, on Saturday night last at 12 o'clock. He was desired. by Smitheram to go indoors, which he refused to do, and on his approaching him, he kicked the constable in the lower part of his person, and completely disabled him. Blake went to the assist ance of Smitheram, and was kicked in a similar barbarous manner. Smitheram has not been able to go on duty since. Mr. Lushington said the prisoner had committed a savage and unprovoked assault on the two officers, and disposed of the case under the Habitual Criminals' Act, by sentencing the prisoner to six months' imprisonment and hard labour. ROBBERY OF SUGAR AT THE DOCKS.—Thomas Daisley, a" labourer, aged 45, was charged at the above Court with stealing 181bs. of raw sugar in the Milwall Dock. He was coming out of the dock with a coat hanging loosely over his left shoulder, and on putting it on one side Margetts, a constable, discovered a bag containing the sugar, which was quite clean and good. The prisoner said he collected the sugar out of a dust tin behind , one of the warehouses. Mr. Lus hington disbelieved the defence, and sentencedthe prisoner to 21 days' imprisonment and hard labour. A QUEEN'S COUNCIL DISBARRED. At a meeting of the Benchers held on Saturday, at Dublin, Mr. Sydney, Q.C., was disbarred in consequence of his notorious bill transactions, as made public in the case of "Harris v. Bagot," several times tried and untimately resulting in a verdict implying that Mr. Sydney had forged the bills which were the subject of action. TUE IRISH FISHERIES. Mr. Blake and Major Hayes, who have been holding meetings relative to the inland fisheries at Killarney, Kenmare, and eaherciveen, arrived at Bantry Bay, on December Ist, for t he same purpose. These gentlemen also commenced an inspection - of the seacoast at the Island of Valencia. - The most noteworthy circumstance connected with their investigation respecting the sea fisheries is said to be the extraordinary quantities of pilchards which are appearing in many of the bays and estuaries along that part of the coast. Unfortu nately, however, a thousandth part of this valuable fish cannot be caught from the very wretched state of the boats, and this could undoubtedly be remedied to a great extent by carrying out the recommendations of the last Parliamentary Committee that reported on the Irish fisheries with respect to doans. It is a thousand pities to see such wealth as is now offered by the vast shoals of pilchards running to waste for the want of means to cap ture and cure them. Probably, not even in Cornwall, could more be realised by pilchards than along this coast if the people were put in a position to ply fishing industry. That this might be done with perfect safety to the Ex chequer has been fully demonstrated.—Freeman's Journal. Sir Roderick Murchison had but little sleep on Sunday night, and was not better yesterday. The Jewess Abduction case will come before the Cardiff magistrates again on Friday next. Mrs. Frank Matthews is most seriously ill, an attack of paralysis having completely prostrated her. A. correspondent informs the .Echo that a well known clothing firm at Oxford have received orders for 40,000 pairs of winter trousers for the Gardes Mobiles of France. CRYSTAL PALACE.—One Shilling Day, Monday; Dec. sth, 1870. Admission by season tickets, 834 ; ditto on payment, 456 ; total visitors, 1,290: OPERA COMIQUE.—Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales honoured this theatre with their presence last evening, accompanied by the Duke of Sutherland, Hon. Mrs. Grey, and Col. Ellis. The brig Mabel, of Hartlepool, w as abandoned in a 'sinking state, on the 24th of October , off Lister, on the coast of Norway. Six of her crew succeeded, with the ship's boat, in reaching the barque Friedrich Wilhelm ' Jebens, J. D. Hoppe master, of Dantzig ; but, being exhausted through having worked t he p um p s for two days, could not return to the Mabel for the master and mate. Their rescue, however, was effected at conside rable risk by the mate of the Dantzig vessel assisted by two of her crew. For these servi ces the Board of Trade have awarded Captain Hoppe a telescope, and a sum of £llos. to the mate, and £1 each to the two scame n, September 4 had exhausted the very last means of defence. "Better thus," he said, "as otherwise they would always claim that France could have been saved by them."—Telegraph. GERMANY. BERLIN, December 5, (12.20) p.m. The North German Federal Council ratified the Bavarian Treaty of adhesion by a majority of only two-thirds, many of the minor Governments ob jecting to the exceptional privileges accorded to Bavaria. The Bavarian Liberal Press inveigh against its Government for demanding these privileges. Amendments to the Treaty will be proposed in the Federal Parliament. The Prussian Chambers will probably be convoked fDr at a short session on the 12th instant. THE NEW GERMAN FEDERAL LOAN. BERLIN, December 6. The bankers have paid into the Treasury the first instalment of their sub:eription of one-third of the 34 million loan. They say they are quite ready to take another 17 millions of the same loan. THE EASTERN QUESTION. THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BLACK SEA. FLEET. ST. PETERSB URG, December 5. The Government has forbidden the national subscription for the Black Sea Fleet, on the ground that such subscription would not be for a purpose allowed by law, and that in time of peace the naval and military forces of the Empire require no outlay which the Imperial Exchequer does not supply. The Moscow nobility have presented an address to the Emperor, thanking him for the Circular recently issued by the Government, and for the abolition of class distinctions by the new decree an military ser vice. The Moscow nobility are ready, they say, to serve in the ranks, for the defence of their homes and the integrity of Russia. THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE. PESTH, December 5. The Austrian Government having received posi tive assurances from the Russian Government that all the stipulations of the Paris Treaty relating to the freedom of the Danube navigation will be main tained, the discussion in the London Conference will be confined to the Black Sea question. BERLIN, December 5 (12.30 p.m.). The negotiations respecting the basis on which the debates of the Conference are to be conducted continue. A. telegram from Constantinople, dated the 3zd inst., says the Porte has agreed to the Conference on the understanding that the points raised in Gort,schakoff's despatch shall be the only matters discussed. THE ENGLISH ECLIPSE EXPEDITION. Her Majesty's screw transport Urgent, Captain S. H. Henderson, yesterday embarked at Portsmouth the party of scientific men, with their assistants, forming the English Eclipse Expedition proceeding to Cadiz, Gibraltar, and Oran to observe the coming eclipse, and sailed this morning at 8 o'clock for Cadiz and Gibraltar. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) ALLEGED ROBBERY AND FORGERIES. Yesterday Mr. Whitehead, of Harrogate, was charged before the Knaresborough magistrates with stealing a bank book, and forging and uttering cheques of Messrs Brown and Co.'s Bank, Leeds. The bank-book was the property of Mr. Chiesman, of that town, and was stolen from a portmanteau in transit from .Harrogate to Man chester. Evidence was adduced to show that the prisoner had obtained money and goods through the cheques at Manchester and Sheffield. The prisoner, who moves in a high position, was remanded, bail being refused. A SCHOOLBOARD FOR PORTSMOUTH. The Portsmouth Town Council unanimously agreed, at a special meeting yesterday afternoon, to apply to the Education Department for power to form a School Board. CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT. Yesterday, a young man named Joseph H. Penklyn, alias Frederick Sykes, was brought before the Queenstown magistrates, charged with embezzling from his employers in London the sum of 2100. A transit warrant was granted to Detective Campbell, of Scotland-yard, to con vey him to London. The prisoner was arrested on board a steamer about to start for America. UNIVERSITY TESTS ABOLITION BILL. A meeting to discuss the subject of the University Tests Abolition has been held at Cambridge under the pre sidency of Mr. Aldridge, of Trinity College, Cambridge. It was confidently stated that the Government intend to make the University Tests Abolition Bill the first mea sure to be discussed in the forthcoming session. The bill will be the same as the last, and if it is thrown out Go. vernment will introduce a larger measure. Mr. Fowler, M.P., and other speakers advocated the abolition of the compulsory clerical fellowships being proposed in com mittee. CHARGE OF WIFE MURDER. At the Manchester Assizes yesterday a man named William Brackley, 60 years of age, was charged with having murdered his wife on the Ist of October, at Wit tington, a suburb of Manchester. The prisoner had struck deceased so violently as to cause compound frac ture of the skull, under which she succumbed ten days afterwards. The prisoner, in defence, said :—" I was a lunatic in drink ; I do not remember anything about it.' He was sentenced to penal servitude for life.—At the same assizes a man named M'Evoi was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment for causing the death of his wife by violence. BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.-£1,200 AWARDED TO A BARMAID. In the Nisi Prius Court at the Manchester Assizes yester day, Eleanor Marsh, who in 1866 was engaged as a bar maid at the Thatched House Hotel, Manchester, obtained £1,200 damages from James Kenworthy, a cotton spinner, at Ashton for breach of promise of marriage. The defen dant induced the plaintiff to leave her situation in 1866, under promise of marriage, and had held her under expectation of marriage ever since, until August last, when he married another lady. SENTENCE OF DEATH FOR MURDER At the Manchester Assizes, Patrick Durr, a labourer, residing in Red Bank, Manchester, was sentenced to death for the murder of his wife, Catherine Durr, on the night of tha 17th of August last. The prisoner and his wife had been drinking together ; they were, and had been for some time, on bad terms, in consequence of the woman's habit of pawning ; and they quarelled violently. Both were the worse for liquor. The prisoner, overcome by passion, strangled his wife with a rope in the presence of his son. This lad was nearly 14 y ears of age, and he said that though nearly 20 minutes elapsed before his mother ceased her struggles, he was too much frightened either to interfere or to call for help. The prisoner, when he discovered his wife was dead, gave himself up to the police. Mr. Justice Brett, in passing sentence, held out no hope of mercy. Mr. James Irving Scott, proprietor and editor of the Reporter newspaper, was committed for trial by the Lord Mayar or London yesterday for libel on the Globe Marine Insurance Company and their secretary. Ile was admitted to bail. - The new regulations for the Mathematical TripoS, at Cambridge, while introducing fresh subjects into the examination, also contemplate the higher branches being more thoroughly read. The scheme is to come into operation next term. It is announced that Professor C. L. Bloxam.has been appointed to the chair of chemistry in King's College, vacant by the death of Professor William Allen Miller, M. D. , F. R. S. Mr. Kavanagh, the Roman Catholic candidate at the School Board election in the Lambeth district, has forwarded to the Recorder a protest against the validity of the election on the ground of various irregularities in the mode of conducting the election. At a large meeting of Roman Catholic ratepayers held on Saturday night at the school-rooms at St. George's Cathedral, Southwark, Mr. Kavanagh stated that he intended to secure the services of the Solicitor-General, and that he would pur sue the matter to the end. A resolution was adopted . protesting against the illegality of the election, and thanking Mr. Kavanagh for his determination to follow the matter up. DEPARTURE OF MR. MOTLEY. Mr. Motley has received his letters of recall, and takes leave of the United States Legation to-day. His Excel lency will have an audience of the Queen at Windsor at three o'clock in the afternoon. Mr. Moran will act as Charge d'Affaires, pending the appointment of Mr. Motley's successor. COLLISION ON THE HIGH SEAS. SUPPOSED LOSS OF EIGHTEEN PERSONS. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM.) The Ransome, screw steamer, belonging to Ipswich, bound from Newcastle to Ipswich, whilst off the Norfolk coast, between Cromer and Winterton, on Sunday after noon, fell in with a ship's lifeboat, containing eight hands. They said they belonged to the screw steamer Gladstone, and that while voyaging from Middlesborough to London, the Gladstone came in contact with another screw steamer, whose name is unknown. This occurred at five o'clock on the Sunday morning. The Gladstone is supposed to havegone down and a crew of eighteen with her. All the passengers, the captain, and the officers are supposed to have perished. The hands picked up include the chief engineer (who in attempting to hand forth a lady passenger had his hand severely smashed), two stokers, and five seamen. They have all been forwarded to their homes. Later information shows that the steamer Gladstone, which came into collision with another screw steamer while voyaging from Middlesborough to London,did not go down as was supposed by those of her crew who were picked up by the steamer Ransome, but steamed into Lowestoft, and was sent on to London with the assistance of a harbour tug. - SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TAITEILSALL 7 S-L AST EVENING. WATERLOO CUP. 20 tg 1 agst VE:SpinWsnOMination (t). 20 to 1 agst Lord Lurgan's nomination (t and off). 20 to 1 agst Lord Haddington's nomination (off). 25 to 1 agst Mr. Clark's nomination (t). 25 to 1 agst Mr. Carrnther's nomination (t and off). 30 to 1 agst Mr. Brocklebank's nomination (t). 33 to 1 agst Mr. Heywood's nomination (t)-. 33 to 1 agst Mr. Lister's nomination (t). 33 to 1 agst Mr. Bland's nomination (t). 33 to 1 agst Mr. Deighton's nomination (t). 33 to 1 agst Mr. Green's nomination (t). GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. 30 to 1 agst The Lamb (taken and offered) 33 to 1 agst Red White and Blue (taken) 1000 to 30 agst Doctor (taken) 33 to 11 agst David Copperfield(offerod-40 wanted) TWO THOUSAND. 6to 1 on the field (offered) 10 to 1 agst Ringwood (taken to £25) DERBY. 9to 1 agst King of the Forest (offered) 10 to 1 agst General (taken) 10 to 1 agst Albert Victor (taken and offered) 10 to 1 agst Bothwell (taken and offered) 10 to 1 agst Cricklade (taken) • 25 to 1 agst Ringwood (taken and offered) 1000 to 30 agst Fisherman (wanted) A. deputation of Irish peers and commoners, headed by the Marquess of Clanricarde, is to wait on the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland on Wednesday, to confer as to the purchase of the Irish railways by the Government. They last year presented a 'memorial praying the Govern ment to carry into effect the recommendations contained in the report of the Irish Railway Commissioners ; and the object of the committee in waiting on the Lord-Lieu tenant is to ascertain the intentions of the Government in reference thereto. 1,816 28,237 THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE The Times publishes the following telegraphic report of e President's message, per Atlantic Cable : NEW YORK, DEC. 5. The President trans- Congress met at noen to-day. mitted his annual message. Ili it he says : The United Statse have kept aloof from the European war, declining intervention, but have used their good offices for the protection of the citizensof the belligerent nations. Should the time come when the action of the United States can hasten the return of peace by a single hour, ti►at action will be heartily taken. The insurrection in Cuba has not changed its aspect since the close of the last session of Congress. Arbitrary arrests in Cuba by the Executive have interfered with the rights of American citizens there, and negotiations are pending at Madrid for redress, but are not yet concluded. In these the President proposes a joint Spanish-American Commission in the United States, with power to adjudicate claims arising from these arrests. The President hopes this plan will he received favourably by Spain. Should the nego tiations be concluded, he will communicate the fact to Congress, inviting its action on the subject. The Presi dent regrets that the San Domingo Annexation Treaty failed of ratification by the Senate, and says that as soon as it is known that the United States have aban doned the project of annexing that island a free port there will be negotiated for by European nations. He still strongly urges its acquisition by the United States as desirable, devoting a large portion of his Message to the subject. No conclusion, he regrets, has been reached for the adjustment of claims growing out of the course of the British Government during the rebellion. The Cabinet at London, so far as its views have been expressed, does not seem willing to concede that the British Ministry was guilty of any negligence, or had done, or permitted any act during the war, of which the United States have just cause of complaint. Their firm and unalterable convictions are directly the reverse. He, thsrefore, re commends Congress to authorise the appointment of a Commission to take proofs of the amounts and ownership of the claims, and give notice of them to the representa tive of her Majesty at Washington ; and that the autho rity be given for the settlement of these claims by the United States, so that the Government shall have the ownership of the private claims, as well as the re sponsible control of all demands against Great Britain. It cannot be necessary to add that when ever her Majesty's Government shall entertain a desire for a full and friendly adjustment of these claims the United States will enter upon their consideration with an earnest desire for a conclusion consistent with the sense of honour and dignity of both nations. The course pursued by the Canadians towards the fishermen of the United States during the past season had not been marked by a friendly feeling. The President recounts the history of the negotiations and treaties on this subject, and says an irresponsible agent has exercised his authority in an unfriendly way. Vessels have been siezed without notice, in violation of the custom previously prevailing, and been taken into colonial ports, their voyages broken up, and the vessels condemned. There is reason to believe this unfriendly and vexatious treatment was designed to bear harshly upon the United States' fishermen, with a view to a political effect• upon this Government. The Canadian statutes assume still broader and more unten able jurisdiction over United States vessels ; they authorise officers or other persons to bring vessels hover ing within three marine miles of the Canadian shore into port, search the cargo, and examine the master on oath, and inflict heavy penalties if true answers are not given. The President recapitulates another Canadian statute on the subject, decreeing the forfeiture of vessels. It is not known, he says, that any condemnations have been made under this statute. Should the Canadian authorities attempt enforcing it, it will become the Presi dent's duty to take such steps as may be necessary to pro tect the rights of American citizens. The Canadian laws deny American fishing vessels access to their ports, except for supplies, and then compel departure in 24 hours. No seizure is known to have been made under this law, but so far as a claim for its enforcement is grounded on an alleged construction of the Convention of 1818, it cannot be acquiesced in by the United States, and it is hoped it will not be insisted on by her Majesty's Government. During the conferences pre ceding the negotiation of this Convention the British CoMmissioners proposed to expressly exclude the fisher men of the United States from the privilege of carrying on trade with any Canadian subjects residing within limits assigned for their use, and also that it should not be lawful for vessels of the United States engaged in such fishery to have on board articles, excepting articles necessary for their fishing voyages, and that vessels contravening these regulations would be seized and confiscated. This proposition, iden tical with the construction now put upon the language of the Convention, was emphatically re jected by the American Commissioners, and there upon was abandoned by the British Plenipoten tiaries; and Article 1, as it now stands in the Convention, was substituted. If, however, it be said this claim is founded on colonial statutes, and and not on the Convention, this Government cannot but regard it as unfriendly, and in contravention of the spirit, if not of the letter, of the Treaty, for the faith ful execution of which the Imperial British Government is alone responsible. In anticipation that an attempt may be made by the Canadian authorities in the coming season to repeat their unneighbourly acts towards our fishermen, I recommend Congress to confer on the Executive power to suspend by proclamation the laws now in farce authorising the transit of goods in bond across the territory of the United States to Canada ; and further, should such an extreme measures become necessary, to suspend the ope ration of any laws whereby Canadian vessels are permitted to enter the waters of the United States. A like un friendly disposition has been manifested by the Canadian maintenance of the claim of a right to exclude citizens of the United States from the St. Lawrence river. The stream is a natu ral outlet of the commerce of the United States, and the President argues at length against the Canadian right to close it to such commerce. He cites the Rhine, the Danube, and other rivers whose navigation has been declared free. He hopes the British Government will see the justice of abandoning the narrow and inconsistent claim to which her Canadian Provinces have urged her adherence. The President refers to the depressed commerce, and thinks that hereafter we shall have to look to countries south of the United States for its revival. He recommends Government to encourage the construction of iron vessels, and also encourage other branches of shipbuilding. The remainder of the Message refers exclusively to domestic affairs. "LoRNE STREET."—The now street in rear o the Kensington Improvement, called Queen-street by the Metropolitan Board of Works, and Ball-street by the Kensington Vestry, is likely to have and to retain the designation of Lorne-street. MR. AYRTON AGAIN !—Thanks to Mr. Ayrton, Rotten-row seems to have been prepared for a gallop of hostile cavalry, Uhlans perhaps. Soft, indeed, looks the new layer of sand which has been strewn over brick rubbish, but there is more than meets the eye in that in viting surface. Beneath the sand is, not exactly a chevaux de frise, but something almost as deadly, in the shape of several loose stones artfully mingled with the sand, which of course throw horses down when they at tempt to gallop. Two horses have lately been thrown down owing to these stones, and as the season advances, and Rotten-row is thronged as usual, we shall doubtless hear of more catastrophes of a similar nature. — Pall Mall Gazette. THE MELBOURNE UNDERWRITERS AND THE WAR, PREMIUM.—The Melbourne Underwriters have agreed to a modification of the w ar p remium of 2i per cent. imposed last month on all extra-colonial risks. At a meeting held on the subject, the following resolution was passed " That pending receipt of further news, the following war premium be charged in addition to the ordinary rates of insurance by neutral bottoms :—From foreign ports to Australia on risks afloat, per cent. ; from Australia to foreign ports on risks attaching at once, 2 per cent. • f r om Australia, by t he out g oin g mail steamer, 1 pe; cent." THE LE DB IT RY Can.—The reversal cf Sir Robert Phillimore's decision in this case suggests grave reflections. It is a signal proof of the danger of intrust ing to a solitary Ecclesiastical Judge a question of fact involving the character of a clergyman. The Lord Chancellor and the other Judges of the Judicial Commit tee, after four days' hearing, declared their disbelief of the evidence of the principal witness, and being unani mously of opinion that the Dean of Arches was clearly wrong, at once and without delay reversed his sentence. Had it been a question of law the reversal would have been no surprise to the Bar or the public ; but a case involving character, and relating to a matter of fact, is too important to be trusted to a solitary judge, and especially one not remarkable for extraordinary judi cial acumen, or the unassailable solidity of his judgments. There should in such cases be a reference to a jury, as was provided by Lord Shaftesbury's original Ecclesiastical Courts Bill.—. Record. THE SORTIES FROM PARIS. In a letter dated from the Headquarters at Versailles November 30th, the special correspondent of the Telegraph says :—Since the night of the 27th instant, we„have lived in a constant row and racket ; our windows rattling in the frames with the incessant concussions produced by the firing of the forts. Sortie after sortie has been made upon different sections of the investing circle—all ineffectual not only because the dispositions of the German are so admirable that their lines are vir- ;roop tually impregnable, but because the forces em ployed by the French commanders are invariably alto gether inadequate to the task allotted to them. Two men have been killed and twelve wounded, by an expo aditure of ammunition that has probably cost France a million of. francs. As if, however, to make up for the remarkable exiguity of the losses caused by the cannon of Paris to the besiegers, death has been unusually busy of late in the German ranks. The three brigades of the 10th Corps, with the 52nd Regiment in support, engaged on the 28th with the main body of the Loire Army suffered heavily, and the Saxons, in this morning's affair—a most obstinately con- tested fight—have had no fewer than seventeen officers put hors de combat. Yesterday's repulse of the sortie from Montrouge and Bicetre, which cid ninated in some very hard fighting near L'Hay, cost the 6th Corps two officers and 100 men ; and the number of French killed and wounded in all _the three engagements cannot, according to the accounts that have reached me this evening, be far short of nine thousand. They left over a thousand dead on the field of battle at Beaune-la-Rolande ; it is therefore more than probable that their wounded amounted to four or five thousand on that occasion. Both the sorties have turned out disastrously for them ; in the smaller of the two, that of yesterday, several of their officers were killed while gallantly calling on their men to follow them under a withering fire. A Prussian General, who was present at the affair, says that he distinctly saw the officers of the line troops engaged Aris ing the unwilling soldiers with the flat of their swords, and heard them shouting "En avant 1 en avant 1" In vain ; the men hung back, and nothing—not even the splendid example their leaders set—could induce them to advance beyond a certain point. A large number of prisoners—between four and five hundred—were cap tured before L'Hay, and they al give very bad accounts of the Moblets and Gardes Nationales that con stitute the inner defence of Paris. Prince Frederick Charles took more than 2,000 prisoners on the 28th, and nearly as many more have fallen into the hands of the different corps engaged in the recent affairs before Paris. On the morning of Dec. 1 the French gained the advantage of establishing themselves in the villages near Brie-sur- Marne, and will have to be expelled. At one time they had occupied those to the right and left of Ormesson, but were driven back with loss by the Wurtember,gers. The order was given last night that the first-mentioned posi tions were to be retaken, which will be done with a force of 50,000. Every hour we expect to hear the fire recom menced. ,:- THE SORTIE AGAINbT EPINAY. Writing from the Headquarters of the Crown Prince of Saxony, Margency, December 1, the correspondent of the Pally News says :—lt was about three o'clock in the afternoon that the French made their rush. No doubt they succeeded in surprising the battalion of the 71st,which occupied Epihay. The fire from La Briche had been all day so strong that it was necessary in Epinay to huddle very close under cover. The French simultaneously burst out of St. Denis at the double, and started the gunboat with its living freight. The vessel as it came down stream swept the banks clear of the German outposts with its fire, and landed its cargo at Epinay just as the troops arrived that bad come by terra firma. The houses by the river side and round to the west side of the village were occupied, ana the 71st at least half surrounded before it had well realised the fact that it was attacked. It had got so late in the evening that no sortie was anticipated. While the French were crossing the plain. the German batteries on the crest in front of Montmorency played upon them with con siderable effect. A lodgment having been effected in the village by a force so immensely superior, nothing remained for the battalion of the 71st but to extricate itself, with as much credit as possible, from its awkward plight. It evacuated the village, fighting as-it retreated, and fell back towards St. Gratien. Here it found immediate reinforcement. Tho French utilised the time by barricading themselves in Epinay, and making preparations to give a warm recep tion to the force which should attempt to retake it. That force consisted of the whole of the 15th Brigade, the 71st and 31st Regiments, in all six battalions,. with three companies of the 26 , A1 Regiment lent by the 16th Brigade. The whole belong to the Bth division, which is commanded by General von Schoeler. A rapid march was made on Epinay, the ardour of which the French were unable to baulk, and the place was retaken after having been held by the French not qute two hours. The loss of the Germans was very considerable, to be accounted for from the fact that they were the assailants. There• were killed outright between 40 and 50 men and five officers. The wounded are about 135 men and eight officers. It is believed the French were able to carry off no prisoners, although one officer is re ported " missing," as also are several men, but it is. thought likely they may be lying either killed or wounded in some of the houses not yet explored. The wounded were brought in the first instance to St. Gratien, where the chateau of Princess Demidoff was converted for the time into an hospital. The position, however, was too exposed, it being within easy range of St. Briche, and therefore the poor fellows were this morning remov4.l further back—some to Month:ore:icy, but the greatest number to Eaubonne. They will be sent to Germany an soon as possible. THE ENGAGEMENTS BEFORE AMIENS. Writing from St. Sanflsen on the 27th ult., the corres pondent of the Telegraph says: At the town of Sains two battalions of the 23rd and two battalions of artillery, leaving the road to St. Fuscier,marched upon affirm called Cambos. Meanwhile the 05th Regiment, with some artillery, marched upon St. Fuscier, to keep up the line of communication with the 16th Division, already engaged before Dory. By this it will be seen that the French left rested between St. Nicholas and Gentelles, whilst their right was in Dury and their centre in Boves. Accompanied by his Staff, General von Goben, hearing the sound of heavy firing to his right rear, went in the direction of Fonencamps. As we rode across the open ground towards Boves, an aide-de-camp brought intelligence of the movements of the 16th Division. The 9th Hussars had charged a battalion of Marine volunteers, and completely cut them to pieces, with the losA of the Prince Hatzfeld ; the 70th Regiment had stormed the village of Dury, and the ar tillery had five officers hors de combat. The enemy was in full retreat upon Amiens. With a smile upon his face the General rode forward until he came opposite the French position, whence we could see the French troops retiring upon Boves before General Strauberg from the wooded ground above St. Nicholas. Here the Staff awaited the advance of the troops. The 33rd Regi ment—that is to say, two battalions—marched forward to the ravine between St. Nicholas and Boves, to storm the village and the French position; whilst a battery of artil lery stationed themselves at a distance of 2,000 yards, about a quarter of a mile in front of the farm at Cambos. No sooner dill the 33rd deploy, and, covered by half a company of skirmishers, -advance to the attack, than the enemy opened the most determined fire. They however, were but weak in artillery. After the lapse of half-an-hour the French were driven from their position, p re ri s ti ro pun is hed e n d er s b , yl theoswi n a g y , F h r , o e w n c e h v e r , columnm an y s the 33rd storming the village of Boves, and taking 200 men. sev severely yur as batte th ri e e y s of Amiens ; but the battle to the right still went on vigorously. As evening fell the French brought out some guns from Amiens in order to cover their troops, who were making an anything but orderly retreat into the town by way of the Roye road. After the taking of Boves, General von Goben rode to the right, where General Strauberg, commanding the 30th Brigade 15th Division, was still engaged with the enemy. This brigade had been fighting since nine o'clock in the morning. We found the French in an entrenched position between Gentelles and St. Nicholas, with two guns; and it was deemed advisable not to attack them, as night was fast coming on, and we could scarcely see. in the evening, at six o'clock, General von Goben left the battle field, having thoroughly reconnoitered the position of the enemy, and rode to St. Sauflien, on the Amiens and Dunkirk road. At five p.m. yesterday (the 30th) the 70th Regiment had been relieved by the 40th Regiment, which occupied the cemetery immediately opposite the French lines between Dury and Amiens. The unusual stillness and nonappear ance of sentries front of the spot in which the French were supposed to be, induced the commanding officer to send a patrol forward to reconnoitre ; the distance was some 300 yards. You may imagine their surprise when, entering the works, they found nothing but the cannon and the dead bodies of those slain in yes terday's combat. Intelligence was immediately sent tc General Barnekow, who at once ordered an advance of the troops. They, without opposition, entered the town ; and thus ingloriously fell the good city of Amiens.