The Sun. — London, England, 1849-01-04 00:00:00

iN~-- OVER LAND MAIL INDIA. (Fr:m the Chronicle.) We have received by Extraordinary Express, in anticipation of the Overland Mail, papers from Bombay, and our private correspondence to the 3d of December. (From the Bombay Times of December 2 ) SUMMART.—The present is, we believe, the first occasion on which Government have gazetted Sun day as the day of the dispatch of the mails. A me morial from the inhabitants has been sent in, praying that, at all events, the Post-office might be closed on Sunday, whenever the steamer might be dis patched, but has not been acceded to. For some months past the day of dispatch previously gazetted has been altered, and if this state of matters con tinues, instead of stating the Ist and 15th as being our dispatch days, we must only speak of the beginning and middle of the month as our mail periods. These things are in every way most inexpedient, and ought to be strongly remonstrated against. Our news is more important on the present than it has been for some mails past. At the date of our last, the troops which had crossed the Ravee had be en directed to advance, and we have now as sembled on the Chenaub, under the immediate com mand of Lord Gough in person, an army of 20,000 men, with 70 pieces of artillery—including three re giments of dragoons, five of regular and four of ir regular native cavalry, seven ti oops of horse, and as many companies of foot artillery, with five field batteries, four regiments of European and fifteen of native infantry. These are expected to advance to the northward in two divisions in quest of an enemy. One body of insurgents, about 1.3,000 strong, are said to be posted a little way beyond the Jhelum, under Shere Singh and his brother, and a brother of Moolraj ; Chuttur Singh is somewhere near Fe shawur. The troops of the last-named station have mutinied. Mejer Lawrence and Lieutenant Bowie were obliged to seek safety in flight ; they are now in Kohat. The troops in Attock remain faithful, and Captain Abbott is still able to hold his own in the Hazareh country. Of the Jamoo division, under Colonel Steinbach, we have heard nothing since our last. After some days of severe skirmishing before Moultan, an attack was made on the field-works established near our camp, and by the fire from which our troops had been for some time greatly annoyed. The arrangements seem to have been admirable—the conduct of the troops be yond all praise. The enemy were broken and driven back at all points—five of their guns remaining in our hands. This occurred on the 7th of November. Since then everything has remained as formerly. The first portion of the Bombay column—above 7,000 strong, with twenty-four guns, left Roree on the 21st ult., and would be all on their upward march within a week afterwards; they would probably reach Moultan between the 12th and 20th inst. A detachment consisting of the 3d Native Infantry, Turnbull's battery, and 500 of Jacob's Horse, had got as far as Ooch, but when within a week's march of Moultan were directed to halt. All the troops now in the field, amounting to above forty thousand in number, excluding Whish's army and the garrison at Lahore, and including some 15,000 of our allies, seem in excellent health and the highest spirits. It is doubtful whether any operation of im portance will be commenced until all our troops shall have arrived at their posts. There seems much rea son to apprehend that we shall for the present have no railways in India: the Court of Directors seem re solved not to guarantee a dividend of five per cent., which some parties had expected they would have done, besides making good all risks, but to ensure this interest on the gross capital out of which the charges of the railway falls to be taken should its income fall under the expenses of working. A return of the Sheriffs of Bombay since 1800 has just been pub.. lished, showing that, on the twenty-six gentlemen who within the last forty-eight years have held the sinecure, 100,0001. of the public money has been bestowed—some of the more fortunate friends of the members of Government having received from 6,0001. to 10,0001. for which no service whatever was professed to be given. The office of sheriff, which has been condemned from the first as useless and a waste of public money, is still continued at a cost of about 10,0001. a year. Some discussion on the sub ject of the Mint at Bombay has brought to light the fact that the Mint Master enjoys a salary of 4,0001. a year—he being a ci v ili an pl ace d in office by virtue of seniority, without requiring to possess, or in general possessing, the slightest acquaintance with chemistry or mechanics. Toe present fortunate holder of the office was, just before his appointment, Postmaster at Bombay, Bullion is purchased by Government before being melted, and in the course of seven years before 1844, 30,000/. was set down as melters' loss, there being that much less coin turned out than there was specie paid for Of late years, under a change in the meltership, all loss under this head has disappeared. At Calcutta and Madras the Mint Master is also Mint Engineer—an arrangement by which, in salary alone, the Govern ment save about 2,0001. a year—and probably as much more in management. Thm saving that would be effected by the aboliti , ,n of the one office, and transfer of the other to the hands of an engineer, would in ten years make a hundred miles of good macadamized road at ordinary Indian charges—or open up the_ war from the cotton districts to the coast !—The Governor-General left Meerut for Saharunpore on the 231 ult., in progress to Umballa. The Countess Dalhousie was at Allahabad en the the 16th. Lord Gough joined the army of the Punjaub near Ramnugger on the 21st. 'The Governors and Commanders-in-Chief of Madras and Bombay are at the Presidencies respectively. The Bishop of Calcutta is at present at Bombay on visitation. The Commander of the Forces at Ceylon has met with an accident by which his ancle bone has been fractured or dislocated. The Government has been compelled to repeal the obnoxious gun, dog, and shop taxes. It is expected that Lord Torrington will speedily be relieved of the cares of Government, and be removed " to a more extended sphere of use fulness."—The Nizam of Hyderabad (Deccan) has dismissed his obnoxious Minister Sooraj-001-Moolk from office, and appointed another in his stead. The country is again getting into a troubled state. Mr. G. A. Bushby has been appointed Governor-General's agent at Gwalior in room of Colonel Sleeman, who has proceeded to take up the duties of Resident at Lucknow. Throughout India in general tranquillity reigns, and we have heard of no particular sickness in any quarter of the country. MOULTAN. At the date of our last there had been some severe skirmishing around Moultan betwixt the Ist and 3d of November. Of this we were hardly able to give a notice—we had not then been furnished with par ticulars. The insurgents having about the begin ning of the month established a battery in a deep watercourse within the range of the camp of Etivvardes and Cortlandt, opened a fire on our allies, which, though distant, was annoy ing to them; and General Whish accordingly deter mined to construct a battery a mile or so in front, commanding the flank of the enemy. This was armed with two 18-pounders, two howitzers, and four mor tars, which played on the insurgents at the distance of nine hundred yards with considerable effect. Cap tain Maitland and some of the men of the 32d were cut down by falling in with some of the enemy, who pretended to be our allies. At daybreak on the sth the working party returned to camp, when a heavy tire, which continued all day, was opened from the trenches. As usual, the superiority of the matchlock over the musket was obvious, and the enemy were able t o pick off our men at distances at which our shot never reached them ; yet they had no bullets, but rough slugs of lead for their guns. Instead of bombshells they fired pewter canisters from their mortars. The cannonade was resumed on the morning of the 6th, and the guards at the advanced post had some severe skirmishing with the enemy, who came in front and dared them to advance. Under such an insult as this the men were not to be restrained—thrice they threw themselves on the enemy, and thrice they drove them back in disorder. In these encounters ten Sepoys were killed, and fifteen Europeans killed or wounded. This state of matters could not long be suffered to endure, and on the evening of the 6th, accordingly, two bri , ades* of infantry were directed to prepare next morning for F attack. These consisted of 1,400 each, one under Lie utenant -Colonel Franks commanding her Majesty's 10th Fuot, th e under Lieutenant- Colonel Brooke, her 11,1 • -est Y's 32d Foot, and 600 cavalry • "Camp before I lloultan, Nov. 7, 1848.—Division Orders. "After orders of daysterclay.—The operations against the en emy the last three'not having had the desired effect, their position will be attacked to-morrow, when the following details will he in readiness at half-past fuur A.M., to proc3ed under the officers named : Cavalry and Horse Artillery, B ri 2d ..rids. and 1 1 th L. C., g. Salter commanding. 2d Do. I lth Ir. D o. complete to 160 Rank and File. :). 220 Po. D o . 2d Do. 7th Ir. Do. 2 4th Troop 3 d Brig. Horse Artillery. Infantry under Brigadier Markham. Under Lieut. 6 Co's. H.M. 10th Foot complete to 4O 8 „ Bth N.J. Col. Br(L)oiuet. , 12 c 01. FrankQ, , 52d do. 5 12 1 "i 10 h ' 6 Co's. H.M. 32d Foot complete to 35250(: Under t . 8 „ 48th N. I. 8 „ 5Ist do. "The 72d, and all details not included in the above, to re main in camp, under Brigadier Harvey, who will direct two thirds of the disposable Cavalry to parole the front of camp, troop at halt a mil e di s t ant , w i t h f our guns f r om the 4th I stbrig. H. A. " 1:‘ , 70 guns 4th troop Ist brigade H.A., and 60 Suwars t h Irr. Cal% to attend the Major-General. _" Forty pioneers to accompany the 4th troop 3d brigade sl,:s under Major Wheeler, with Anderson's troop of horse artillery, the whole under Brigadier Mark ham. I.t was resolved that they should move out an hour before daylight to the eastern side of the nullah that flanks the allied camp, and making a circuit, take the encamped position in flank, Major Edwardes's force at the same time making a cor responding advance down the nullah ( \Voile Maho med's Canal) on its western side, manning the ad vanced post. To leave the British at liberty for the flank movement and defence of their own camp, it was arranged that the heavy guns and the guard should be withdrawn, except two H. A. guns that re mained in the redoubt corner of the position—Lieut. Pollock being sent to occupy it with the Kutter mukhee regiment of Cortlandt's force, 1,000 of Lieutenant Lake's men, and 500 of Major Ed wardes's irregulars. About eleven F.M. (6th), this detachment took up their ground, but had not long been there when six companies of Cortlandt's regi ment; in fact, all the Poorbeeas of the corps went over in small detachments to the enemy, leaving Lieute nants Pollock, Patton (of the Engineers), and Bunny (of the Artillery), to congratulate themselves on not having been attacked before they went over, or been carried over as prisoners to Moolraj. The desertion of course encouraged the enemy, who came on shout ing to the rest of the men to follow the example of their brethren. Lieutenant Bunny, who was in charge of the two guns, immediately sent up to camp for his horses and reinforcements. The butly ing and inlying pickets of the right brigade (two companies of Euro pean and four companies of native infantry) went down to the post, the British officers (Lieuts. Pollock, Patton, and Bunny) remaining firm at their posts notwith standing their critical position. The desertion of one out of three regular regiments, on which the allies depended as their principal support, coupled with the depressing effect that the absence of all reinforcements from Sinde and Ferozepore must have had on Gene ral Whish's force, certainly placed him in a critical position that morning, as he could no longer depend on the co-operation of the allied force, and had not men enough for offensive operations on two sides ; while it became, at the same time, evident that something must be done to lower the spirits of the enemy, and raise those of the British and allied troops. To mend the matter, news had on that day been received of the defection of the Peshawur troops. Day broke in this position of affairs, and there was no longer any chance of surprise. An order was therefore given to the men to cook and make alight meal, aad be ready at half•past nine, A.M. They had hardly commenced when news arrived that Major Edwardes's camp was attacked in force by the enemy, who had outflanked his batteries. They were, however, eventually driven back with great loss, after a long hand to hand fight, by the regular regiments (those that remained staunch), who behaved very well. In the midst of this melee the British columns moved to the rescue, and were in time to confirm the allied force in the spirits they had gained by their successful encounter. They waited on the eastern side of the canal to form their columns, made a detour to the right, and went in at the enemy, cavalry and infantry emulating one another. Battery after battery was taken with trifling loss, and all the enemy's guns were taken possession of. It is a satisfaction to know that the enemy had suf fered severely in the attacks. The leader of the re cusant regiment that went over in the night was amongst the slain, and Hurree Singh, the commander of cavalry who deserted Vans Agnew was mortally wounded. It is hoped the battle of Soorujkooud will last the enemy till reinforcements arrive. No officers were even wounded, and only two Europeans killed, three or four natives, and about four teen of all arms wounded. The irregular cavalry charged the batteries in their zeal, and entered them with trifling loss. A troop of the 11th irre gular cavalry, under Lieutenant and Adjutant Matheson, charged a one-gun battery, and took it. Moolraj himself was in his temple, just con cluding the funeral rites of his nephew, who was killed on the 6th at the advanced post, when he heard his troops were running in. He called to the sirdars —" You gave them the guns, eh ? I thought you promised me that by this the whole camp should be moved to Soojabad. Go and break your heads with your devices. 't The enemy's loss on this occasion was afterwards computed at betwixt 500 and 1,000 in all. Our allies under Edwardes and Cortlandt behaved most gallantly, and did us yeomen service, but not without suffering severely in turn. It was remarked as singular, that on the 7th, the last of the guns which accompanied Agnew and Anderson were captured. The action lied been loudly and univer sally lauded ; we had not on this, as on too many other occasions, everything left to brute force—the excellence of our tactics seemed only surpassed by the conduct of our troops. Brigadier Markham is spoken of by all in terms of the highest commendation. From this time forward nothing of the slightest moment oc curred in camp; the field works of the enemy were destroyed, and such arrangements made as to pre vent their being replaced. In the intervals of war the sports of peace were resumed, and on the 14th sky races began. The first of the Bombay detachments will probably have arrived by the 26th November, should they have been allowed to resume their march from Ooch. The main body cannot be looked for earlier than the 12th December, if so soon ; and it seems unlikely that operations will be resumed until all have assembled. Moolraj has of late been strengthened by a detachment from Bunnoo, and is reported to have some 10,000 or 12,000 men under his command. It is not imagined that he will now give in. The following extract from the letter of a staff officer with the force gives the impression entertained of him by the seniors in camp : " All has been peace and quietness here since I last wrote you, and our young lads are this morning (14th) amusing themselves with sky races. Moorsj is a plucky fellow and no miaake; he had a grand parade of his troops the other day, and roundly abused his men who did not die at their guns, but considered prudence the better part of valour. I have no doubt that he himself is really desirous to strike one more desperate blow for success. He says if he tells and. dies on the field, our Government will respect his family, but if he waits the assembling of an overwhelming force, he and his will be equally involved in ruin. There is truth and spirit in these reported sentiments of his. This morning he is said to have been engaged in a solemn Puojah, and afterwards he was to give us battle, but the day is quietly passing away. Our fighting men would like nothing better than that he would keep his word; but his troops have not the same stake at issue, and are 1:ot likely now to be induced _ _ to play a desperate game. From firsi to last Moolraj has been fully aware of all the late orders and counter orders, and has turned this knowledge to good account on the minds of our allies. This was the main cause of the defection of the Hindoo portion of Cortlaudt's troops, and the present doubtful conoition of the remainder. The early arrival of the first instalment of our reinforcements, however small, will produce the best effect on our allies. I sincerely trust you will push on without a halt, and if so you will reach this about the same time with Colonel Nash's detachment, which left Ferozepore about 800 or 900 strong." Our latest news from General Whish's camp comes down to the 20th ultimo. The thermometer during the the day stood at 75 degrees, and fell during the night to 40 degrees ; yet, notwithstanding this great range of temperature, there was scarcely any sickness amongst the troops. The wounded men were doing well. On the 13th the enemy had hove in sight, but had prudently retired without attempting to molest us. A dispatch has been forwarded to Lord Gough by General Whish regarding the stop page of the 3d 80. N. I. on their march up by Ge neral. Auchmuty. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE BOMBAY MARKETS. FROM NOV. 16 TO DEC. 2, 1848, INCLUSIVE. SATURDAY AFTERNOON, FIVE O'CLOCK, DEC. 2,1848. —We have little change to notice in the state of our Import Market generally, since the date of our last, as the supplies that have since come to hand have been very trifling, only three vessels from England having arrived in the interval. The goods received have met with ready sale, and our market has at present a more healthy appearance, with more prospect of a continu ance of such, than has been the case for some seasons past; many articles of manufactures have improved fur ther in value, arid this would doubtless have been the case to a still greater extent if the short supply of rain in Marwar had not had the effect of keeping the dealers from that important district out of the market. We are glad to say that, as anticipated by us in our last, the panic caused by the discovery of forged notes of the Bank of Bombay, has been productive of no evil consequences. The Bank has lowered the rate of discount one per cent., and our Money Market is in an easy state. Cotton Piece Goods-40 inch grey shirtings of all qualities are in good demand, and have advanced in value since our List. 45 inch widths are also in good demand. Grey 11Iadapollams continue to be much asked for, and have advanced in value since our last one to two urines per piece. Grey jacconets arc very scarce and much wanted. 24 yard light domestics are also in very good request, and no stocks exist. T cloths meet with ready sale as they come to hand. A better inquiry has existed during the past fortnight for the line and heavy makes of domestics, but it has been chiefly of a specu lative nature, the [krill) dealers, who ought to make their appearance about this period, being still absent. Grey long cloths suited for dyeing purposes are in good de mand. - _ _ _ Blenched Goorls—Skirtings of all descriptions continue scarce, sad much wanted. Madapollaras also are in mush request. Jaceonets of middling quality are eagerly /sought after at a further advance in prices ; low quali ties are in good demand, nu:: in the finer kinds, the con sumption being limited, we have no improvement to notice. Cambrics, satin spots 33-inch 24 yards, satin stripes, and common jacconet checks and stripes, con tinue in good request.—Fur un improved inquiry exists. Dyed and Fancy Goods— Turkey red plain cloth, etarched mulls and jacconets are scatce, and in good de mand, but twilled cloth is not much inquired. for. Tur key red chintzts, of good quality and select patterns , are in fair inquiry. Lappets, collonude, veined, diced, and honey comb lappets, are in good request, as also choice styles of Swiss lappets, but the interior styles of AIM Gazette, Ncyr. the last named are little st.ught after, and to effect sales to any extent a retaurtion in prices wt mid have to ne sub mitted to. Subj-ined is a list of the sales for the past fortnight. It will be observed that several sales of goods to arrive hove bean Friade, and this would have been the case to a large extent had importers teen disposed to avail themselves of the willingness displayed by dealers to anticipte expected arrivaba Cotton Yarn—No. 20s Mule Twist have been very dull, and difficult of ssle since our last, and the price has receded further. No. 40s, on the contrary, have been in increased inquiry, and stocks being light, an improve ment on the value has taken place since our last. Other No:. are steady, and we have no change to notice. Dyed Yarn—Turkey Red continues dull of sale, and prices are somewhat under our last quotations. Orange is steady, and in fair request. Cochineal—The only arrival since our last is to the extent of 5,0001b5. The stuck in the bazaars consists only of a small quantity of interior quality, but there has been little inquiry during the past few days. We, how ever, look for some advance ere long, as the supplies for some time to come must be very small. Saffron.—There has been a good inquiry for this article during the last fortnight, and the price has ad vanced to Rs. 14 per lb. Stocks are very light. Metals—Copper of all kinds has been in good demand, and prices generally have experienced improvemer:t ; stocks are moderate. Iron—Swedish Bar is much anted, and no stocks exist. British Bar continues in good demand, and R.. 32 per candy is readily attainable for common assortment. Sheet and hoop iron have im proved in value since our last, as also nail rod. Swedish steel in tubs continues in good request. Pig lead has advanced further in value, being scarce, and much wanted. Lead in sheets has also advanced, and stocks are moderate. Spelter has undergone no change since our last. Spirits—Little has been doing in brandy since our last the extensive sales then reported having fully supplied the wants of dealers in the meantime. The only sale reported is of 55 hhds of inferior quality, at rs. 2:6 as, per gallon. Gin continues in good request. EXPORTS. Cotton Wool—During the early part of the last fort night transactions to some extent were entered into by shippere, in anticipation of favourable advises from China. The steamer, however, brought news that the staple had declined somewhat in value, and consequent upon this intelligence the market for several days past has been very languid, and prices hare a tendency to further fall. _ _ Opium—The market for this drug has been ♦ery firm since the date of our last, and we quote the price of the day as Rs. 1,225 to Rs. 1,240 per chest, with a tendency to further advance. The following notification respecting this drug has appeared in the Government Gazette : " NOTIFICATION.—TERRITORIAL DEPARTMENT, THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 4, 1849. REVENUE. "With reference to the Government Proclamation, dated the Ist December, 1846, published in a Supple ment to the Government Gazt tte of the lame date, the Right Honourable the Governor in Council is pleased to notify, that the existing price of Parses fur Malwa Opium, viz. (400) four hundred Rs. per chest, will con tinue in force until the 31st May, 1850. " By order of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, " W. COURTNEY, Act. Sec. to Government. " Bombay Castle, Nov. 23, 1848.': Freights—The rate to Liverpool has slightly improved since our last, and we quote it now as 2115 s per ton. For London, 21 15s to 31 per ton. An advance has also taken place in the rate to China, which we quote at rs. 12 to rs. 12i per candy. Exchanges—But little improvement has taken place in the rate of Exchange, holders of China Bills having shown much firmness. Many parties, too, have been sending bills on to Calcutta rather than give way here. Owing to these causes the rate has remained at is 9id to is 9id per rupee. We quote the former as the present rate for Bank Bills. There is, however, to-day an up ward tendency, assisted by advices from Calcutta this morning that the rate had advanced there to is 10d per rupee. Bombay Times Office, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1848. FREIGHT& To London. per ton .. To Liverpool „ .. To China, per candy. . ~.21 156 to 31 ~ 21 lis ... Rs 12 to 12i ••:Ziitrb -9.4Fitittton TATTERSALL'S—THIS EVENING, Sus. O'CLOCK. CHESTER CUP. 1,000 to 15 ag.t Clermont DERBY. 1,000 to 15 agst Silistica.' 1,000 to 30 agst Strongbow Nothing doing. THE WAR IN HUNGARY. VIENNA, DEC. 29.—A courier has just arrived from the head-quarters of Prince Windischgratz at Raab. He brings the intelligence of the defeat of a strung party of Hungarians by the brigade of Major- General Ottenger, whom the Prince had dispatched in pursuit of the retreating Hungarian army, after the occupation of Raab on the 27th instant. General Ottinger led his troops a forced march to Babolna, where he arrived at five o'clock in the morning of the 28th. He found the enemy's rear guard occupying that town, and proceeded forthwith to attack them. The main body of the Hungarians continued their retreat, but a body of horsemen of the ,late regiment, " The Prince of Prussia," were surrounded by two divisions of the Wallmoden dra goons, who cut part of them down and captured the rest. The Austrians made altogether 700 prisoners, 200 of whom were wounded. THE POPE. The following is the protest of the Pope, made at Gaeta on the 17th ult., against the creation of a Junta at Rome : " Raised by Divine dispensation, in a manner almost miraculous, in spite of our unworthiness, to the Sove reign Pontificate, one of my first cares was to endeavour to establish a union between the subjects of tne tem poral state of the Church, to make peace between families, to do them good in all ways, and, as far as depended upon us, to render the state peaceable and flourishing. But the benefits which we did all in our power to heap upon our subjects, the wide founded insti tutions which we have granted to their desires, far, as we must in all candour declare, from inspiring that acknow ledgment and gratitude which we had every right to ex pect, have occasioned to our heart only reiterated pain and bitterness, caused by those ungrateful men whom our paternal eye wished to see daily diminishing in number. All the world can now tell how our benefits have been answered, what abuse has been made of our concessions; how, by denaturalising th em , and pervert ing the meaning of our words, they have sought to mis lead the multitude, so that these very benefits and insti tutions have been turned by certain men into arms, with which they have committed the most violent outrages upon our sovereign authority, and against the tem poral rights of the Holy See. Our heart refuses to repeat in detail the events which have taken place since the 15th of November, the day on which a Minister,who had our confidence was barbarously murdered by the hand of an assassin, applauded with a still greater barbarity by a troop of infuriated enemies to God, to man, and to every just political institution. This first crime opened the way to a series of crimes committed the following day, with sacrilegious audacity. They have already incurred the execration of every upright mind in our state, in Italy and in Europe; they have incurred execration in all the parts of the earth. This is the reason why we can spare our heart the intense pain of repspitulating them here. We were constrained to withdraw from the place in which they were commit ted, from that place where violence prevented us from applying any remedy, reduced to weep over and deplore with good men those sad events, and the still more lamentable want of power in justice to act against the perpetrators of these abominable crimes. Providence has conducted us to this town of Gaeta, where, finding ourselves in full liberty, we have, against the authors of the aforesaid) attempts and ; acts of vielence, solemnly renewed the protests which we issued at Rome at the first moment, in the presence of the Re presentatives accredited to us of the Courts of Europe, and of other and distant nations. By the same acts, without in any manner departing from the institutions we had created, we took care to give temporarily to our states a legitimate governmental representation, in order that, in the capital and throughout the state, provision should be made for the regu lar and ordinary course of public affairs, as well as for the protection of , the persons and pro perty of our subjects. By us, moreover, has been pro rogued the session of the High Council and the Council of Deputies, who had recently been called to resume their interrupted sittings. But these determinations of our authority, instead of causing the perturbators and the authors of the acts of sacrilegious violence of which we have spoken to return into the path of duty, have urged them to make still greater attempts. Arrogating to themselves the rights of sovereignty, which belong only to us, they have, by means of the two Councils, instituted in the capital an illegitimate govermental representation, under the title of Provisional Supreme Junta of the State, which they have published by an Act dated the 12th of the present month. The duties of our sove reignty, in which we cannot fail, the solemn oaths with which we have, in the presence of God, promised to preserve the patrimony of the Holy See, and to transmit it in all integrity to our successors, obliges us to raise our voice solemnly, and protest, before God, and in the face of the whole universe, against this grand and sacrilegous attempt. Therefore we declare to oe null and of no force or effect in law all the acts which have followed the violence committed upon us, protest ing above all that this Junta of State established at Rome is a usurpation of our sovereign powers, and that the said Junta has not and cannot have any autho rity. Be it known then to all our subjects, whatever may be their rank or condition, that at Rome and throughout the whole extent of the Pontifical State there is not and cannot be any legitimate power which does not emanate expressly from us, that we have, by the sovereign motu-proprio of the 27th November, in stituted a temporary Commission of Government, and that to it alone belongs exclusively the government of the nation during our absence, and until we ourselves shall have otherwise ordained. " PIUS PAPA I. THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM NIVI.• GATION COMPANY.—Tho subjoined circular has been issued by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation COLnPany, announcing to their shareholders the completion of a contract with the Government for continuing the con veyance of the India and China mails between Southamp ton and Alexandria, the termination of the contract en tered into Sept. 1, 1640, taking place this day :—" London, Dec. 29, 18-18.-4 am instructed by the directors to yap prize you that, si nce t h e presentat i on o f their annual report to the prop r i etors , on t h e 13t h i nsta nt, the Lords Commissioners of th e Ad m i ra l s h av e made a proposal, and an agreement h as been entered into accordingly , fur a continuation of this company's contract for the convey ance of the India and China mails between Southampton and Alexandria, on the terms of an offer made to their Lordships by the directors, in consequence of their Lord ships having opened the service to public tender in May last—namely, for a period of not less than four years, and afterwards, until notice shall be given by either of the contracting parties to discontinue it. Payment, 24,0001. for the first year, with an abatement of 5001. per annum, for so l ong as the contrac t s hall continue thereafter—a conditi on w hi c h t h e di rec tors consider the gradual development o f t h e company ' s passenger and commercial traffic will enabl e t h em t o afford, and which , will tend to insure the p ermanency o f the company with the service.—l am, &c., C. W. H OWELL , Secretary. A GOOD HlNT.—There are th o usands and thou sands of acres in England o verrun w ith a plant of native growth, the value of which a s a f orag e crop hypo thetical, but has been establi s h e d by is not e xperience in the limited area to which it is cultivated for a larger sum than the finest crop of wheat. It requires no manure and no cultivation except during the first year; it is not particular about soil, provided it can have a dry bed, no mattter whether of loam, sand, 'gravel, or rubly rock, in which to strike its roots. Tbat plant is gorse —or, to use a name more familiar in the south of England, where we would urge its cultivation—furze. If such a plant were imported from the Falkland Isles or the Cape of Good Hope, what a treasure it would be deemed! It covers our own waste, and therefore it is despised, though of their journ a l th e y h av e told us not worth 3s. th e a cre yi e ld s a rent the vtha alutei.nln Royal Ireland one land number Agricultural Society have set their seal to its of more than 51. as gorse ground, applied to the feeding of young cattle. They have shown what a powerful engine it furnishes for the improvement of better soils, more worthy of surface cultivation. And yet, notwith standing all this, influential members of the Royal Agri cultural Society hesitate to recommend its cultivation for fear of being laughed at. We shall, on a future occa sion, point out an extensive district in the south of England, lying at present in a state of nature, large por tions of which are as capable of improvement as the once poor soils of Norfolk, which have been so largely in creased in value by cloying and marling, and by artificial and animal manures. Gorse flourishes on it in large quantities, without any culture, and in the greatest doersinmates) t ill t h e and in preventing water is ready to be thrown , as nothing causes a fire to luxuriance, and only requires to be applied to the feeding of cattle to become the motive power in improvement, and the means of generating organic manures, which are essential auxiliaries to improvement by cl aying: and marling.—Agricultural Gaartte. REGULATIONS OF THE LONDON BRIGADE I N CASS or Finns.—Yesterday the London Fire. engine Estab lishment issued to the police a code of regulations for the better guidance of that force and the public generally in the event of the outbreak of a fire within th e metro tanbfle a f in sew the days, e be wi t hi n t h e hands of and met ro p o li tan ity metro politan district. It is printed on thick cards, and a co py everyw ill,inpotihieee. police-constable s dis tricts. On one side of the card is printed a li s t o f th e several fire-engine stations , and the names of the com panies forming the brigade. On the other sid e i s p r i n t e d e windows of tthl: the following premises oi : fi—r‘ (afterl tot keepis hfound shut c es a es cape ee ther of y theuseful burn so rapidly as the admission of air. Any police constable who first discovers a fire without having his attention called to it by any one, is allowed a sum not exceeding 10s., provided no human lives are lost ; and it will generally be more prudent for one policeman to re main on the spot, and tend another person to call the engines. Any person giving the first call to a fire at any of the engine stations, is allowed ls. for each station, which will be paid by the engineer. Cab hire or other expenses incurred by a police-constable, for the sake of expedition, will be repaid, on the charge being certified by his superintendent.—(Signed) JAMES BRAIDWOUD, Superintendent, 67, 68, and 69, Watling -street, City, Jan, 1, 1849." DISASTER AT SEA. PLYMOUTH, JAN. 2.—The schooner Cygnet, 44 tons, Captain Goss, belonging to Messrs. Parker and Gleeson, of St. John's, Newfoundland, left that port on the 23d of November last, bound for the Herring ground in Fortune Bay. She bad in all seven bands —viz., five seamen and two coopers. When lying to off St. Peter's, on the 4th of December, she was over taken by a hurricane from Jhe north-north-west, which carried away all her rails, stancheons, covering boards, boats, &c., swept the deck, opened her seams, and compelled the crew to let the ship scud before the wind under a part of her three-reefed foresail. She leaked considerably, and it was only by ba ling water out of the cabin that she was kept afloat by the crew, whose only food was biscuit soaked in salt water. In this condition they scudded a distance of about 1,000 miles - in seven days, The barque Quentin Matsys, 444 tons, Captain Mitchelsen, of and for Antwerp, left lavannah on the 15th of Nov - ember, laden with sugar, 50 casks of honey, and a small quantity of tobacco. On the 10th of December she experienced a tremendous storm from the north-north-west, which carried away her foretopmast-yard, and sails, jibboom, flying jibboom, mizen, and all sails and rigging attached, hove the vessel on her beam ends, and forced the crew to throw part of her cargo overboard. While in this act, on the 12th of December, in latitude 37 30 N., longitude 30 40 W., they providentially des criedthe Cygnet bearing down, and lay to for her under close-reefed maintopsail and spencer. The schooner got under the lee of the barque dropped her canvass, and one of the crew hove a fishing lead and line on board ; to this the barque's studding-sail halliards were fastened, and the Cygnet's crew, after throwing off their heavy clothes, fastened the halliards round their waists, and were in succession drawn on board the barque, with the exception of Edward Oats, 33, a cooper, who had been speechless, insensible, and in a dying condition for three or four days previ ously. Great danger was incurred while the two vessels lay so near together in a heavy sea; the schooner's stern was once so close as to carry away the barque's iron outrigger on the starboard quarter. The Cygnet' crew were benumbed, frostbitten, and unable to stand for ten days after joining the barque. Captain Mitchelsen and his people, like true Samari tans, chafed their swollen limbs with brandy, anointed their wounded feet with ointment, supplied them with clothing and nourishing diet, and brought them safely to this port. Senor Antonio Ferser and his lady, who, with their two children, are passengers to Havannah , confirm Captain Goss in his expressions of gratitude towards the humane and kind-hearted Belgians belonging to the Quentin Matsys. THE LATE CALAMITOUS FIRE IN GRAY'S INN-LANE. Last evening a very numerous meeting of the inha bitants of St. Andrew's, Holborn, and other ladies and gentlemen who had contributed to the fund raised Ibr the relief of the sufferers at the above calamitous fire, assembled at tko inquest-room in St. Andrew's, Hol born, for the purpose of receiving the report of the committee and treasurer, relative to the fund, and to arrange the final distribution thereof. Mr. J. R. Taylor, the treasurer, presided. Mr. W. ELLIOTT, the Honorary Secretary, then read the report, which set forth that the sum of 1151. 1 ls. 10d. had been contributed. From the above sum had been awarded to Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, who lost all their fur niture, the sum of 25L; to Mr. J. J. Hogg, who lost all his tools, the sum of 201.; to John Thackeray, the. fa ther of the poor man who lost his life, SL; smaller sums to Policemen 90 V, and 91 E, and others, for their ex ertions in the preservation of life and property on that occasion, which, after paying for printing and other necessary expenses, left a balance of 321. 12s. 10d., which it was proposed to invest in a local savings' bank for the benefit of Ann Cullen, who, at the risk of her own life, so nobly succeeded in saving the lives of no less than three children. The report was then adopted. The respective sums were then paid to the respective parties. Ann Cullen was present, a pretty-looking girl, but a short slight figure, and by no means indicating the possession of that energy and courage she so eminently displayed. On the motion of T. Y. APCHRISTIE, Esq., (the bar rister), seconded by Mr. TARLTON, thanks were una nimously accorded to the chairman, which having been briefly acknowledged, the proceedings closed. HORRIBLE OCCURRENCE IN MARYLEBONE. Yesterday afternoon Mr. T. Wakley, M.P., Coroner, and a jury of the inhabitants of Marylebone, assembled . at the Royal Champion, Lisson-grove, for the purpose of inquiring into the death of Mr. Archibald Nicholls Arm strong, aged 65, formerly surgeon of the sth Royal Ve teran Battalion of Guards, and lately carrying on busi ness as a surgeon and apothecary, at 18, Earl-street East, Edgware-road. Police-constable Charles Bennett, 18 D, said he dis covered the body of the deceased on Saturday evening last, about half-past five o'clock, in the back parlour of his house, 18, Earl-street. Was induced to go there by Mr. Yates, a neighbour, who said that as the shutters had been up for eight or ten days pas', be feared the old doctor was dead. Obtained admission by the parlour window, in company with another constable, 135 D, after calling Mr. Armstrong twelve or fourteen times. Ho took this precaution because he was told that the old gentleman kept loaded fire arms. The body was lying wrapped in an old coat in front of the fireplace, and the parlour door was open, and there were two dogs came running in and out, sniffing at the body, and then running away. All the flesh had been eaten off his face, and the hands par tially. On searching the body there was found 16s. in silver and copper, and in an old stocking in the corner of the room was found 301. 16s. 6d. in gold and silver. In the room were found eight pistols, six of which were large horse pistols, all loaded, some of them with as many as six bullets. Found two diplomas bearing his name, one from the Royal College of Surgeons, and the other from the Apothecaries' Company, bearing date re spectively March and April, 1816. Mr. Henry Obie, surgeon, of Lisson-grove, said, when he saw the body it was lying on the floor in a very filthy condition, enveloped in an old coat. It was that of a man about_ sixty years of age, and five feet ten in height. The body was in such an emaciated condition, that it presented all the appearance of having been reduced to the last stage of exhaustion. The whole of the integuments of the face were removed, and the en tire bones, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the lower jaw, were completely denuded of flesh, leaving the bones completely bare. The cartilegee of the nose were also gone, and the sockets of the eyes were so completely cleaned out that they might have been :up posed to have been scraped with a knife. By the CORONER—My opinion is, that the flesh had been eaten away by some animal or other. I at first supposed it might be by dogs which were found running about, but I think it impossible that dogs would be enabled to have cleared the orbits of the eye so com pletely out. The flesh was also eaten from both hands, and since the body had been locked up and the dogs re moved, he had found they had been still more eaten. On opening the body, he found in the apex of the right lung a large abscess touching the clavicle. This abscess had broken, and discharged itself into the air-passage of the lung, no doubt causing death; there were also tu bercles, and other evidences of corruption, the breaking of the abscess being the immediate cause of death. The deceased bad evidently been dead for eight or ten days. The jury returned a verdict of " Natural death." Trrn CWMCWDY MunDint.—lt is now reported confidently, that Williams, alias Griffiths, the supposed murderer of the unfortunate Thomas Edwards, at Cwmgwdy, near Brecon, is hovering about the country and within a few miles f Hereford. It has been stated most positively by several elderly people, in the neigh bourhoods of Credeuhill and Tillington, that they have more than once seen the fugitive (whom they say they knew well) in the respective neighbourhoods; and it is moreover said, that a few evenings ago an old woman, having occasion to go to a shed after dark, in which she kept her donkey, saw Williams make his exit from the shed. Badnage-wood is supposed to be his refuge by day, and it is thought that he leaves his hiding-place by night, and receives sus tenance at the hands of some staunch friend, who is not to be tempted by the large price set upon his head. Persons residing near the wood assert that each morn ing they can discover traces of the fugitive through the wood, and some of the old people in the neighbourhood are much alarmed by seeing lights moving about the wood at night—these most probably procesd from per sons in search. However this may be, we are informed, upon the best authority, that there are good grounds for believing that this locality is the " whereabouts" of the wretched man. It may naturally be asked, Why do not those who are so well assured that ho is there apprehend him?" The task is much easier contemplated than performed. Badnage-wood is a most extensive one, and we have not heard of its having been visited by more than two or three persons at a time, whereas it would take twenty or thirty per sons to beat it properly. A wood, of all other places, is the one where a person might be soonest apprised of the approach of another, and where he might more easily escape detection unless a number of parties could surround him. Several unhappy Rights have been taken up on suspicion, and, after examination, have been dis charged—in particular, one at Aberystwith, and another at Stourbridge. One poor fellow, from his un lucky resemblance to the fugitive, has been apprehended five times. On the last occasion ho begged that the ma gistrates would give him a certificate that he was not the man—a petition that was granted. It is to be regretted that the reward for the apprehension of Wil liams was not offered in the Hereford papers immedi ately on its first publication, as he is so well knoe.n in Here ford and neighbourhood.—liereford Times. A Bo Y DROWNED ON CLAPHAM- commoN.—Yester day, at Clapham•common. the ice gave way on a large pond, known as Twining's Pond, while a great number whom of persons were skating and sliding, several of had a very narrow escape from drowning, and one fine youth, fifteen years of age, sunk u nder the ice.t Every u assistance was rendered, but twenty in before the drags could be procured, whmenthees elapsed body was found and taken t o the private residenc e of Boger Lee, Esq. That gentleman had a warm bath procured, and rendered every assistance h uman ity could suggest. Dr. in Parrott, of Claph am, was attendance, and used every mean s to restore animation, but without effect. The deceased is the son of Mr. Taylor, a carpenter, at Clap. haw. THE NORTHERN COUNTIES ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY YEARS SINCE. A large part of the country beyond Trent was, down to the eighteenth century, in a state of barba rism. Physical and moral causes had concurred to prevent civilization from spreading to that region. The air was inclement; the soil was generally such as required skilful and industrious cultivation ; and there could be little skill or industry in a tract which was often the theatre of war, and which, even when there was nominal peace, was constantly desolated by bands of Scottish marauders. Before the union of the two British crowns, and long after that union, there was as great a difference between Middlesex and Northumberland, as there now is between Mas sachusetts and the settlements of those squatters who, far to the west of the Mississippi, administer a rude justice with the rifle and the dagger. In the reign of Charles the Second, the traces left by ages of slaughter and pillage were still distinctly perceptible many miles south of the Tweed, in the face of the country and in the lawlsss manners of the people. There was still a large class of moss troopers whose calling was to plunder dwellings and to drive away w hole herds of cattle. It was found necessary soon after the Restoration to enact laws of great severity for the prevention of these outrages. The magistrates of Northumberland and Cumberland were authorised to raise bands of armed men for the defence of property and order; and provision was made for meeting the expense of these levies by local taxation. The parishes were required to keep blood hounds for the purpose of hunting the freebooters. Many old men who were living in the middle of the 18th century could well remember the time when those ferocious dogs were common. Yet even with such auxiliaries it was often found impossible to track the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses, for the geography of that wild country was very imperfectly known. .Even after the accession of George 111., the path over the fells from Borrowdale to Ravenglass was still a secret carefully kept by the dalesmen ; some of whom had probably in their youth escaped from the pursuit of justice by that road. The seats of the gentry and the larger farmhouses were fortified. Oxen were penned at night beneath the overhanging battlements of the residence, which was known by the name of the peel. The inmates slept with arms at their sides. Huge stones and boiling water were in readiness to crush and scald the plun derer who might venture to assail the little garrison. No traveller ventured into that country without mak ing his will. The judges on circuit, with the whole body of barristers, attorneys, clerks, and serving men, rode on horseback from Newcastle to Carlisle, armed, and escorted by a strong guard under the command of the sheriffs. It was necessary to carry provisions ; for the country was a wilderness which afforded no supplies. The spot where the cavalcade halted to dine, under an immense oak, is not yet forgotten. The irregular vigour with which criminal j ustice was administered shocked observers whose life had been passed in more tranquil districts. Juries, animated by hatred and by a sense of common danger, con victed house breakers and cattle stealers with the promptitude of a court• martial in a mutiny ; and the convicts were hurried by scores to the gallows. Within the memory of some who are still alive, the sportsman who wandered in pursuit of game to the sources of the Tyne found the heaths round Keeldar Castle peopled by a race scarcely less savage than the Indians of California, and heard with surprise the half-naked women chanting a wild measure, while the men with brandished dirks danced a war dance.— Macaulay s History of England. A YOUNG HEROINE. The following letter, addressed by Captain Biden, master-attendant at ladras, to the editor of the Madras Spectator, gives a circumstantial account of the heroic conduct of a Miss Arnold, during a voyage to Aden : " The following remarkable and most exciting narra tive cannot fail to be interesting to the public, and, should it ever meet the eye of the dear young lady to whom it relates, I am confident the grateful mention here made of her naval guardians, together with her own amiable and generous disposition, will induce a free pardon for the liberty I have taken in thus pro claiming to the community at large the relation of events pre-eminently worthy of the highest testi nonial. The Rainbow, from Southampton to Aden, ar rived there about the 16th ult. ; Captain Arnold, her late commander, died ten days before the ship reached that port, and the chief mate was so habituated to drunkenness that ho had been confined to his cabin several times daring the passage. The captain's daughter, about sixteen years of age, was on board, and after her father's death the second mate, who had assumed the command, made a daring and insidious attempt to entice the young lady and run away with the ship. She indignantly and successfuily repelled all his base and dastardly attempts, and although suffering under a painful bereavement, she at once rushed on the quarter-deck, and made a public appeal to the ship's crew as British seamen, and threw herself on their protection; this well.judged resolution had the desired effect, tha seamen (except two of their number, who were led away by the second mate) declared, with that manly feeliii... which sailers have so often displayed, that they would to a man protect her from all harm, and told the second mate and their misguided shipmates, in very plain terms, that if he dared to take the slightest liberty with their late commander's daughter, they would pitch him overboard, and any one else who dared follow his example would share the same futc. Miss Arnold then, with great presence of mind, begged the ship's company would grant her one special favour; her character, her manners, and the well-titned appeal which she had already made, induced the crew to declare their assent to any favours she might ask. She then said that the safety of the ship and ht r own security from insult could only be insured by throwing overboard that instant every drop of spirits in the ship. Without hesitation the ship's company con sented, and, losing no time tor reflection, they forthwith got the spirits en deck and threw every drop over board. From that time Miss Arnold had her screened cut secured near the wheel, and slept along side the binnacle, and three of the crew kept a faithful watch around her during the remainder of the voyage. These faithful guardians of one of our beloved countrywomen never failed to evince the utmost respect and preserve the most rigid decorum, honourable in 'every point of view to themselves, and to that charge which they had pledged themselves to undertake. Miss Arnold wrote a statement of all these occurrences, and forwarded it to Captain Haines, on the ship's arrival, when the second mate and the disaffected men were im mediately arrested and sent to prison. The chief mate had indulged himself to such an excess, that alter the captain's death, and the absence of all means of resort to his favourite stimulants, he was per fectly useless. Miss Arnold has been well educated, and is an amiable, unaffected person; her strength of mind and energy of deportment need no further com ment ; she became the welcome guest of Captain Thomas at Aden, and every possible attention was shown to this noble-minded lady by the whole society there. Her dignified and virtuous conduct is beyond all praise, and is well worthy the highest honour and reward which can possibly be bestowed, whilst the exemplary conduct of the Rainbow's devoted crew is deserving of every encomium. I shall endeavour to obtain their names, and they may, one and all, rely on my endea vours to serve them, should either or the whole of them fall in my way. "I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "Madras, Oct. 18, 1848." "CHRIS. BIDEN. Subsequent to Miss Arnold's charge against the second mate, Captain Haines applied to her for a circumstantial statement of all that occurred on board the Rainbow after her father's death. Miss A. complied with his re quest immediately, and her narrative was so well and so ably written that it excited admiration on all sides. At her solicitation her father's remains were preserved in a cask of spirits, and buried at Aden the day after the ship's arrival. She had always kept his aceounts. Tho second mate navigated the ship, but several of the crew knew the proper course to Aden, and all his proceedings were narrowly watched. THE MISERIES OF A METROPOLITAN MIDDLE CLASS DWELLING.—A floor, consisting of two or three rooms, is his ultimatum—small, ill ventilated, and with out a single convenience but what is in common with the other lodgers. All this is to be borne with, for there is no choice. After the business of the day is over ho returns home, depressed iu mind and body, but, alas! it is no home to him; his ears are assailed with the annoyances which his family have met with in the course of the day from various causes; the closet smells offensively, and the drains are no better. What is to be done? The landlord, who lives in the kitchen, must be spoken to on the subject ; he affirms there is no cause of complaint, it is all imaginary, or very likely that it arises from the carlessness of his (the tenant's) own family. Again, the poor man is informed by his better halt that the coals aro gone : she cannot understand it—she is s t u_r w e they are stolen. The coal.cellar is under ~ ,,1 e kitchen stairs, with no lock on the door. , II k the hints to the good man his landlord about a l ? oc par '. a __ reply is, does he think that people are tbieve.stin atte r' I P , : he had better leave if he is not satisfi ed._ ground floor, puts up with; not to mention having they call, insulted by the people . o as the coo n 337 who reply to their knock or g, riflurniture is spoiled ; be. The chimney smokes, his be left open in the when the windows are obliged to his j o friends,. wife has the toothache, his midst of January ; . his sonfined to her bed; the doctor daughter takes cold, declares ls. it to be a lever. The house is is called in, who i notice is given, and he leaves, only unhealliw, Y s ; sWe e vils at a different addrees, only to Under g? t it is what the reduced s" but gentle 'This is a sad picture, .. t. 1 , the s i ng l e lady le i t an annuity, the struggling loan, the wan, the . brilnlit'ef3 or merchant's clerk, and b ers , hare to undergo daily. many or Does the moneved wan, w h o pruploya this poor gentleman and such of his class, and i41(11 whom he oaily CCTIM in contact, ever for a moment reflect upon the greatevil l • inflicting • he is in the advances he makes upon such property? I doubt it; and may I ark why is it so, when he is told wo u ld be t it bc a good spec to invest some of ii . tion of superior dwellings for the middle classes? They are much wanted, it could not fail to answer. Paris has such, and so has Scotland her flats (floors), and they pay well, and are fully • occupied : why should it not be so here?—Budder. ------.. DEATH OF CAPTAIN SEAVER.—We have received an account of Captain Seaver's death, an event which will be deplored by every one who loves patriotism, man liness, and truth. His death occurred on Saturday morning last, at heath hall, near Newry,—.o4lol Pilot. ANNUS MIRABILIS. (From the Examiner.) 1848 is a year, as we have said, that few of its contemporaries will be disposed to praise ; unless those, perhaps, who derive pleasure from political events as from an exciting spectacle. And even here, too, there is a drawback; for as the idle are generally the well-endowed, or at least the sufil= ciently endowed, the funds of such unproductive classes have been too much affected and rendered precarious by the events of 1848 not to • have afar more alarmed than amused the desceuvres, or idle, of our social state. As to the upper classes of every grade upon the Continent, from the wearer of a crown to the bearer of a crest, never were they put in such a panic. Nor have the pocr more reason to be contented. Even where they did get possession of uncontrolled power, they made such a very foolish use of it, in not trusting it to the middle and enlightened class to manage it for them, that their reign has ended by their being crushed into the mire of Vienna and Paris, and into as profound a depth of contempt at Berlin. The middle and industrious people have least suf fered. The ant is busy on its hill again, unmindful of the earthquake that so lately made it vibrate. The prince may not in a day re-erect the fallen columns of his palace ; but the plough, the mill, the smithy, and the shutte, are at work as if nought had hap pened. Great nations, however, must be supposed to have at least s o m e momen t s o f reflection, and the present moment is the natural one for such a re trospect. What can France say on the Ist of January, 1149, looking back to its anniversary on 1848 ? It can merely say, that it has made a political sobresaut, and finds its footsteps fixed pretty much as they 'were before. There is indeed a different personage elected as chief upon its shoulders, but he has a very similar set of Ministers, with a budget of no leis weight,-an army of no less expenditure, and with a Chamber of representatives more numerous and more noisy, but possessed of not more influence in the country, than the Chamber of 1847. Louis Philppe, children and grandchildren, have removed from the Tuileries. and the gay bachelor, Louis Napoleon, has begun his reign where his great uncle ended his, in the Bourbon Elysee. There sat Napoleon after Waterloo, four-and-twenty hours motionless, thun derstruck at the immensity of his fall ; and in the same armchair may Louis Napoleon now have mo ralised on the immensity of his rise. Strange to say, the very party, that of " the monarchy surrounded with Republican institutions," which in the person of Lafayette demanded Napoleon's resignation, is the self-same party, represented by Odilon Barrot, which has aided and inaugurated the elevation of Napoleon's nephew. It has been at once the grave-digger and the midwife of Bonaparte royalties. If from moralizing on the Tuileries and the Elysee Bourbon we take our flight to the Vatican, there we find, or can no longer find, in the scarlet lady, the causa teterrima of revolution. Metternich lays all the blame of the year's hubbub upon the Pope, and poor Pio Nono seems as penitent as Metternich himself. The Romans are again trying their hand at that old experiment, in which they alone succeeded—a popular government that would prosper and conquer. But with a population of priests, wax-light makers, and sonneteers of idols and incense-burners, one may in vain look for the indomitable hardihood of the days of Romulus. If the France of 1849 has already lapsed back into the France of 1848, name of dynasty alone excepted, the Italy of 1849 seems destined to re. become the Italy of any year during the last five centuries, divided, oppressed, decimated, and con• temned. If we cross the Alps again, we find a more won derful restoration of the old state of things, after and in despite of the most wondrous revolutions in all the countries of Germany. The history of 1848, then, has been that of the flux and:reflux of one gigantic wave. The flux swept everything before it—kings, courts, armies, and constitutions. But these baubles floated, and the reflux in a few months' time has swept them back with a no less vehement convulsion, into their own old places. To be sure, the founda tions of these things must have been shaken, and there may be doubts of their ever being set completely straight again. But, for the time, Francis Joseph seems to stand as firm as any one of his leaden an cestors, whilst Frederick William lifts himself as stiff and erect as any statue of the pig-tailed and belted Fredericks that adorn the royal babyhouses and gardens of Potsdam. The most dangerous and deeply mortified victims of 1848 are certainly the Germans. The French may shrug their shoulders, and reflect that a revolution, that now seems to come unneeded, may well expire unlamented. The Italians, who have been for cen turies the souffre-douleurs of their more powerful and barbarian neighbours, have but to put on their old sackcloth, and resume their mendicant's staff. But the Germans wanted a revolution, had a right to a revolution, and will in all probability net submit to be cheated out of it. If we look upon the new year's reflection of the Parisians with curiosity, and upon those of the Italians with compassion, we look upon the brooding brow of the German with feelings of hope, of terror, and respect. He is of our kin, that man. We wish him free, and we do not believe that he will remain the only Pariah of Europe, excluded ruin liberty and civilization. EXCHANGES. London, at 6 months' sight, per Rs... ... Isnd to la 9id ~ at 3 months' sight ... is 9id China, at 60 days' sight, per 100 Sp. dirs. ... Rs 210 Madras, at 30 days' sight „ 99 Calcutta, at 60 days' sight, per 100 Rs „ 99i „ at 30 days' sight „ ... par ~ at sight ... 6 annas prem. • .• ••• PRICIS OF BULLION. Sovereigns, each Rs 11: 3a. , Dragons, each ... „ 11 : 3a. Bank ' of England Notes, per £ „ 11 : 12 a. Spanish Dollars, lc er 100 ... „ 221 German Crowns, per 100 „ 213 Syce Silver, per 100 toles ' , 1041 Gold Leaf, per tola (range of quality) ... „ 161 to 17 1 as. BANE SHARES. Bombay Bank ... Its. 33 per ct. pm Oriental Bank, R 5.1,000 each (500 paid up) „ 24 per ct. dis Commercial Bank ... „ 1.4 i per ct. dis Agra Bank ... (Rs. 500) ... „ 9 per ct. pm Bank of Madras ... ( „ 1,000) „ 4 per ct. pm GOVERNMETIT SECURITIES. rer cent. transfer loan ... Rs. 117 per 100 Sicca 5 percent. loan 1825-26 ... Rs. 1021 per 100 Sicca 5 per cent, loan 1829-30 ... Its. 102 per 100 Sicca 4 per cent. loan 1832-33 ... Rs. 85 p.n. 100 Sicca 4 per cent. loan 1835-36 .. Rs. 81 per 100 Co.'s 5 prr cent. loan 1811-42 .. Rs. 98 to per 100 Co.'s 4 per cent. loan 1812-13 ... Us. 81 per 100 Co.'s COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, WEDNESDAY. The Queen and his Royal Highness walked this morning in the Home Park and Slopes, and the younger members of the Royal Family took their usual early exercise in the Home Park. His Royal Highness, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Due de Nemours and Due d'Aumale, and attended by Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps and Captain the lion. A. Gordon, went out shooting in Windsor Park. The Baron Andrian and Mons. and Madame Van de Weyer, arrived at the Castle yesterday, on a visit to her Majesty and his Royal Highness. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary, his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Viscount Clifden, and Cap tain F. Seymour, are expected to arrive at Windsor Castle this afternoon. The royal dinner party yesterday included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, Lady Panny Howard, and Sir George Couper. The Queen's private band attended yesterday even ing in the Castle, and performed the following pieces : Overture—" Die Genueserinn" Lindpaintner. Quartetto, No. 6, Op. 18, in B flat : Allegro con brio; adagio ma non troppo ; scherzo allegro; adagio— "La Malinconia ;" allegretto quasi allegro (two violins, viola, violon cello : Messrs. Sainton, Day, Hill, and H. Chipp) Beethoven; Finale, Ist Act—"ll Don Giovanni" Mozart. Their Roy al Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary laft their residence at Kew yesterday afternoon for Windsor Castle. Mr. C. K. Murray bad an interview with Lord John Russell yesterday, at his official residence in Dow ning- street. Count Schimmelpenninck, the Netherlands Minis ter, left town on Tuesday, on a visit to the Right Hon. Baron Parke, at Ampthill Park, Bedfordshire. Mr. Montgomery Martin had an interview with the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. Dr. Bowring had also an interview yesterday with the Right Hon. Gen tleman. At a meeting of the General Board of Health at Gwydyr House, yesterday, Lord Ashley in the chair, a deputation from Birmingham, consisting of the Mayor, Aldermen Phillips and Martineau, and the Town Clerk, had an interview, and presented a pe tition from the rated inhabitants, praying for the application of the Public Health Act to that town. Mr. Ward, M.P., and Admiral Dundas, had an in terview yesterday with Lord John Russell. The School of Design had a meeting yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. THE WEATHER.—Since our last we have had more wintry weather than heretofore. Saturday was gloomy; with some frost both in the morning and at night. On Sunday the sky was lowering, and some rain fell in the morning. O n M on d a y morn i ng t h ere was a singular sunrise, the eastern sky being brilliantly co loured with the tints of the ruby, and intermingled with streaks of yellow and green. This seemed to forebode " a downfall," but the day passed over, and still it came not. In the evening there was a keen east wind, and the temperature became much lower. The night was frosty; and the the temperature, which on Friday was as low as 27 deg. Fahrenheit, and on Monday stood at 29 deg., tell yesterday morning down to 24 deg., the wind being still easterly. Yesterday was fine and frosty, and the barometer rising ; so that we may expect the frost to continue. The following telegraphic returns of the weather, at nine o'clock yesterday morning, show that frost prevails all over the country :—Glasgow, N. very cloudy; Edinburgh, N. by W. intenselycold; Newcastle, S.E. fine; Skipton, S.E. frost; York, S.E. hard frost ; S.S.E. hard frost; Leeds, S.E. cold; Normanton, S.E. cold; Bradford. S.E. frost; Liverpool. S.S.E. hard trost; Rotherham, E. hard frost; Chesterfield, E. hard frost; Derby, N.W. by N. hard frost; Nottingham, E. hard frost; Leicester, N. hard frost; Lincoln, N. hard frost; Peterborough, E. fret zing; Durham, N. fine; Nor wich, S.E. by S. fine; Yarmouth, N.N.E. fine; Lowes toft, E.B E. hard frost; Rugby, IV. favourable; Bir mingham, S.E. frost; St. Ives, N.E. fine; Cambridge. E. hard frost; Ely, N.E. hard frost; Brandon, E. hard frost ; Ipswich, E.S.E. fine ; Gloucester, SE. frost; Chelmsford, S.E. fine; Chesterfield, N.E. hard frost; Hertford, N. hard frost; London N.E. hard frost; Gos port, NE. hard frost; Portsmouth, N.E. hard frost; Southampton, N.E. very cold and clean—Manchester Guardian of yesterday. THE VACANT ALDEItMANIC GOWN.—Yesterday an influential meeting of the Livery of the ward of Dow ate was held at the Hour Glass Tavern, Upper Thames tree% C. Prior, Erq., in the chair, at which it was re solved to support R. W. Carden, Esq., citizea and cutler, as a candidate for the ward, vacant by the death of Alderman Johnson. The friends of Jeremiah Pilcher Esq., late Sheriff of London, are actively canvassing tho ward, it being their intention to go to the poll. TENNIS PLAYING. Some most interesting matches were played in the Tennis Court, at Goodwood, on Friday last, between Barre, the well-known French player, and Tom kins, of Brighton celebrity, the result of which was as follows : FIRST MaTch.—Tomkins receiving half thirty, the best of five sets, won the match. SECOND MATCH.—Barre gave half thirty for a bisque, the best of three sets, which match was also won by our Shalisperian friend Peter. THIRD MaTcx.—Barre gave fifteen and a bisque, which match he won. Any odds on Barre at those terms. The play was most excellent throughout, and elicited repeated expressions of applause from the assembled spectators, among whom were the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, Ladies Caroline Augusta and Cecilia Gordon Lennox, the Earl and Countess of March, Honourable Mrs. Berkeley, Lord Rokeby, Lord Henry and Alexander Gordon Lennox, Lord Arthur Lennox, Sir Archibald Macdonald, Captain Stevenson, the Hoe. W. Scarlett, and several other officers of the Scots Fusilier Guards, General Bon ehier, Mr. W. Richardo, Mr. Cole, Mr. Hooper, W Colonel Knox, Mr. Morier , Mr. C. Craven, Mr. W. Ford, Mr. Manning. M. Barre, Mr. Tompkins, and C. G. Taylor, Esq., have engaged in several m ore contests at Brighton, and the play has been most interesting. We un derstand that M. Barre will remain a few days longer in Brighton, for the purpose of giving the lovers of the game another opportunity of witnessing his skill. Among the spectators of the recent contests, have been Lord Alexander Lennox, Sir A. Macdonald, General Upton, Mr. Mayne, Baron Rothschild, Mr. Ilildyard, Mr. Bosanquet, Mr. Le Bas, Mr. Ander son, Lieutenant Colonel Pringle, Mr. Cole, Captain Bastard, Mr. Hubbard, &c. Prince Richard Metternich visited Mr. Tomkins's Tennis Court on Saturday last, to witness a match between M. Barre and Mr. Tomkins.—Brighten Paper. A WomAN KILLED BY HER ITUSEAND.- -011 Tuesday morning a man, named David Wiseman, went to the police station at the Town-hall, and in quired for Mr. Sawley, to -whom ho said 1 ,6 and heta„_ea. hwear,sa.nindtotxbiee. had an important matter to communicate. Tabao.en_gu_i: then stated that he was coachman to Dr. Ben, a ws in and at present (with his wife and children) inilrdwick taking care of his master's late residecnbce n k d e , ix tes o ; c t io h c a k t h b a children went to green ; that on Monday Dr. Bell's house in Mosley-street to found that his wife was tipsy, eeing she o'clock, h o found achlsioldrweennhtormernaegahinim. his wife r an o d a a nd he struck her once or twice cated, they quarrelled, 2,1 sle , -:3 Erect, but, ' Ile then returned to 0, , , on going • bout hall-past seven o 1 is tb i e n clre'll u , and home again, a for ,: li q uor ; the her still worse y had some more ho too c i his boot off himself; and s fi words, and hid , and struck her with o awoke about stairs, and went to le , ‘ „i n g his r ife the kitchen. li bed, five i n the morning (Tuesday), an d finding that his witi, vv ,„ not in bed, he got up to see ifshe - was in the children's bed; not seeing her there, he went down into the kitchen, and afterwards • into an out-house, in the Yard, where he found her , bl eeding it H© th©n took very much about the head. He took her up fetched Dr. B e ll, but she stairs, and put her to bed; then (Wiseman) w as al so '' died soon after his arrival. He intoxicated. The man, after mak ing this statement he would b e f o un d was about to go away, saying that at Dr. Bell's, if wanted. Ile was, of course, detained in custody; and on searching the house his shirt was found, the s le e ves of which were saturated with blood; the deceased's bonnet was broken to pieces, and her gown stained; and also various articles of linen, which had been hanging to dry, had spirts of blood upon them. It was also found that his boot was not the only weapon which appeared to have been employed, as a rite() of flat wood was found, which was smeared all over with blood, except the part where it had been held by the hand; to the edge of it there was also some hair adherieg. The deceased Catherine Wiseman was only thirty-six years of age.—Manchester Cop ier . MELANCHOLY OCCUIIRENCE AT ASHTON-UNDER' LYNE.—Mr. George Welker, a localepreacher in the Methodist connexion, and employed els a book-keeper by Messrs. Redfern, cotton manufacturers, was engaged on Saturday at his desk in the warehouse of the mill, taking stock, when a fellow-servant roamed James Tool, went into the room, and taking up a loaded gun which had been left reared up against the window, began to ex.. amine it, not knowing it was loaded, pulled back the trigger, when it accidentally went off, killing Walker on the spot. —Manchester Courier. ROYAL ENGINEERS.—Afsjor Robinson and Lieut.. Colonel Sine are appointed to the garrison of Ports mouth. Lieut. Portlock, the second commandant of the Portsmouth corps, is removed to Cork, and Lieutenens '; d iddle to New Zuhlath