The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-14 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE CITY, Two o'CLoos. The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday closed very firmly, but tamely, and prices of American and Surats were id. per lb. dearer, but all other de scriptions were unchanged in value. The sales were 7,000 bales, 1,200 for export, comprising 120 Pernam and Maranham, 6g d. to 6d. ; 30 Bahia, 5 15-16 d. ; 100 Egyptian, 6kd. to 71d. ; and 2,000 Surats, 31d. to 4id. per lb. The Railway Share Market was quiet, at about Wednesday's prices. The Colonial Produce Markets this week have remained in an inactive state for some of the lead ing staples, and lower prices have been accepted. There have been a few sales of West India and Bengal sugar, at Is. to 2s. per cwt. decline ; but holders have brought forward small parcels only. Native Ceylon coffee has attracted more attention, and Plantation has risen 6d. to ls. per cwt., but Mocha is 3s. to 4s. cheaper. Tea has slightly im proved, and 9,1 d. to 9&d. per lb. has been realised for common sound Congou. Rice has receded 3d to 6d. per lb. Cocoa has ruled heavy, and spices of all kinds have remained at about previous values. For saltpetre there has been scarcely any inquiry, and purchasers of rum have limited their operations until the result of the Government contract, taken yesterday, was ascertained. There has been rather a fluctuating market for tallow, but the prices, which were buoyant in the early part of tho week, have ruled rather lower since. At the opening cf the Paris Bourse, yesterday, there was much hesitation among buyers, and the market ruled dull. In the course of the day, how ever, the monthly return issued by the Bank of France, which shows an increase in the specie held by the branch establishments, caused a favourable reaction in all securities. The 3 per Cent. Rentes rose 45 centimes for the account, and the 4i per Cents. 50c. for the same term. Bank of France Shares advanced 10f., and Credit Mobilier were in request at an improvement of 15f. The Railway Market presented great firmness, and the following stocks rose vigorously :—Orleans, 2f. 50c. ; North of France, 7f. 50c. ; Eastern, first concession, 7f. 50c. ; Lyons, 12f. 50c. ; Mediterranean, 10f. ; and Midland, 2f. 50c. . . _ The changes in the monthly statement of the Bank of France referred to are as follows : Coin and Bullion Branch Banks, increase Ditto Paris decrease 18,370,355 f. Showing a total increase of more than 7 million francs exclusively in the branches, as the Paris establishment shows a decrease. The Paris grain market is generally reported as 1 1, being dull. Dealings in flour, however, continue 50 with activity, and best qualities are in demand. 10 The prices are 108 f. per 157 kilos for delivery in January, and 106 for immediate use. The factors 50 declared to sales of 314 quintals at the average 16' price of 104 f. 50c. Wheat 58f. 50c. to 59c. per t 6 hectolitre and a half for best kinds. Rye, 39f. 8 Oats, choice, 29f. 50c. per 150 kilos. St. _ _ 10 3t. 50 Accounts from Madrid state that there is a suf ficient quantity of grain in the country both for home consumption and export. The financial condition of Russia appears to have been further considerably impaired in consequence of the stoppage of cash payments by the Commercial Bank at Odessa; still it must have been well under stood that such a difficulty would sooner or later result. Russia having been unsuccessful in pro curing loans to any amount proportionate to her expenditure, and as the commerce of the empire has been so seriously crippled, if not almost annihilated, the Government has been obliged to resort to an immense extension of the note circula tion. At the same time, a system of hoarding has been carried on, and the Government has demanded payment in money fur taxes and custom-house im posts. Under these circumstances, therefore, it is a matter of surprise that a suspension such as re cently noticed at Odessa was not announced at an earlier period. The panic occasioned by the event has now extended to Moscow, Novogorod, and other cities, and will no doubt further increase. It is not expected that the loan of 8,000,0001., for which subscriptions have been opened at Berlin, will be more successful than those previously at tempted. The English Stock Market rules dull, in the absence of any important foreign intelligence or large speculative dealing. The quotations under these circumstances are easily influenced, and a few sales of stock have depressed Consols to 88i I, after having been 88/ earlier in the day. The New Three per Cents. have been 894 4, and BS/ to 89. The Reduced rule at 88i I. Bank Stock is 4 per cent. better, viz., 210. Exchequer Bills are 7s. to 3s. discount, and India Bonds 3s. dis count. Foreign Stocks are generally quiet, but Turkish 6 per Cents. have advanced to 83i to 83k, and the New Scrip is firmer, namely 3i to 3 discount. Dutch 2i per Cents. are 63i and the 4 per Cents. 94. Equador Bonds remain at si, and the Brazilian have recovered to 99k. The following are the nominal prices of foreign stocks: Grenada Deferred Bonds, 64 to 7 ; Mexican, 191 to 20 ; Peruvian, 74 to 76 ; ditto Three per Cents., 52 to 54; Portuguese Four per Ceuta., 41 to 46 ; Russian Five per Cents., 96 to9B ; ditto Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 88 to 90; Spanish Three per Cents., 39/ to I ; ditto Passive, 7i to ; ditto Deferred, 20g to 1 ; ditto Certificates, 41 to 1. The settlement of the account in Railway Shares is proceeding satisfactorily, and the market is with out the slightest symptoms of animation. Still, however, in one or two instances there is an im provement, as compared with the latest rates of yesterday. North-Western have risen about 10s. Foreign and Colonial lines rule dull. Mining, Banking, and Miscellaneous Shares are inactive, but Royal Mail Steam have advanced it. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONh CLOCK. ( Prom the Oficial List. a , - Buenos. done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities,.... . ..- BBf f A 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities Shut 89f Nliv 3 per Cent. Annuities ... Long Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860 _ 34 Ditto 31 Years, expire sth Jau., 1860 Shut Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885... 16 5.16 India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £lOOO 3 a Ooneols for Account B Bl i 4 Exchequer Bills, lid. £l000 . £5OO . . • • fimall 6 1 d Ditto Bonds, 1858, 3/per Cent.. 97a 8a „ 1859 ~,,.;` „ PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE (YCLO X Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. — Ditto Account 991 Equador Bonds Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent — Ditto Passive 74 Turkish Bonds, 6 per cent E3a I f Ditto for the Account Bl Ditto New Scrip, 4 per Cent. 3b 3 Divtdeads on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2b per Cent., 12 Guil... 63a Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ........•... Ditto Account TWO O'CLOCK. Consols • •• 1 Ditto for Account ~ 88i i Two years ago the inhabitants of Southampton were dependent on sea-borne coal, and during the prevalence of contrary winds at that time the price of coal was raised to 3/. per ton. At the present time a large por tion of coal for steam•packet and housekeepers' pur poses in that town is brought into the town by rail from South Wales and Derbyshire. A DRUNKARD DECLARED LUNATIC.—Mr. Gerard is a gentleman of independent fortune in Elgin. He is in the way of getting drunk. Though perfectly rational when sober, he is very violent when drunk, arming himself with a gun and three pistols, and threatening to shoot those who come near him. Besides this, he accuses his wife of wishing to poison him, and gets up plots in order to make his servants be su , pected of theft. Upon the evidence of such facts as these, and on a medical certifi cate of this person's state of mind, the Sheriff-Substitute of Elgin directed the committal of Gerard to a lunatic asy lum as a furious person, dangerous to the lieges, under the 4th and sth Vie. c. 60, sec. 3 and 5 ; and he is now in Morningside Asylum. On this he applies to the tligh Court of Justiciary to set aside the order of the Sheriff-Substitute. Of the five judges present at the bearing of the case on Saturday last, two were in favour of setting aside the order of the Sheriff-Substitute, and three in favour of sustaining it. The order is therefore tulltaiined.—Sotantan. xo 16 20 SHARE MARKETS. (TIIIS DAY.) RAILWAYS. iClosing Priam yesterday. 'did I atILWATI. 1.30 A.berdeen.• .mbg. Nottng. Bost and Eastn. Junot... 1.11 Belfast & Ballymena. firming. Wave rb Stour Val y , 96 liirl e it d. lan el . Cheshire Jnnet All Do. Cheth. dc Birk. £5O and £25 Crni , 19 Do., £20..... ...... • all Rlyth &Tyne original £25 (issd. at £4F 100 Bristol and Exeter... 100 Caledonian l all Che s ter c °a o r rk n t d d H B C o a a l n ; d d h o t g u s a ii! all Cork, Black, di Pas 18 Cornwall all Do. A . . 8 Do. B 13 elle Junction__ 45 DuAn&BelfastJune. all Dun. P. & Jnc. all Do. N ...... 100 East Anglian all Eastern Counties ,100 East. anion, A. Sti 100 Do., B. Stovt.... 8i Do., New A 72 East Kent 100 Past Lancashire 1.00 Edinburgh & Glasgo v all Edinb. and Peebles 100 Edin.Prth &Dtinde 9 'Forth & Clyde Jun.; all Furness . all Do. Extension 100 Glasgow &S all Great N. of Scotlnd. 100 Great Northern ~ 100 Do., A. Stook__ 1 00 Do., B. Stool= 130 Gt. Sth. &West. are ) 100 Great Western 100 Do. Stour Val Rail Gina. Stk.. all Irish South-Eastern. all Lancaster & 14 ID°. , Thirds 7 'Do. New Thirds 100 L6ncash.andYorks l Do. Wst.aidinern, all Liv:Crsby.&Sonthpt all London & Blackwal! 100 Lond.Bright&S.Cs'. 100 Lond. and N. We'tn. 16 Do. Fifths 53D0.101.13h.,M&8.. C 23D0. Eignths 100 London andS. West! , 473 Do., £5O 18 Do., £4O all Lnndrryds Col oral all Ludndrr7.&Ennlal= , 100 Manch.Shef.k Una all Do. Shares, No. g2s. t,0., Man. &Lin. tin 1 Metropolitan.. ...... 100 Midland 100 :)o. Birmng. & Derl all Midi& G. West. (Ire. all Do. Half Shares...... all Newcastle & Carlielf all Nwpt.Aberg. &Urfa 83 Newry &Euniskille. all Newry Warrcupoini and Rostrevor....„ 100 Norfolk 33 Northn.Counties Un. 100 North Britisl. all North Devon, No. 1 all Do., No. 2 all 1)0., A Deferral all Do., 3 B Guarantee. 100 N.astern—Berwie 20 Do. do. Extension 13 Do.do.G.N.E.7turoh all Do. Leeds 100 Do. York 100 North London N.&S.Wstrn.,Hamr. • stead, and City Jo,. 171 North Staffordshir.., al' North Western all N. &S. Westrn. June 1 Nuneaton, Hinckley and Leicester.. 00 )x, Wore— & Wolv, 8 i'orts:aonth 1.00 o Ash Central 10i! icottishMidland... 100 41iropshiro Uaon a:1 South Devon ). Aonth Eastern all South Wales if Yrksh. & Riv. Dun Do 14 ;tallies, Wok. &Wok tockton & Darli 16- itclkton & Hrrtlepl 100 Taff Vale 1 , 10 Do. Prof., No. 1 , 21 MIMES Hay. D.& R, ITlverstone & Lanes all Vale of Ncath all Waterfd. & Kilkenny all Waterford&Limerek all West Cornwall. 8 West End of London and Crystal Palace all Do. A 3 Do. B all West London all Wimbledn&Croydon ..1J I atwervezßott rdam 40 Do. 5 p.e. Ohlgs.con in Sh. at par till '64 10 Ardennes 4 .seltipan .astn. Ton. 10 Boziera to Grasse; 'as t 4i Bombay, Baroda, en (',antral India,Seri all Do. 411 Oomorara 11 :hitch ItlieniFh %11 !iastern of France 10 New all gagt Indian, g. sp. 10 Do FAY tension 00. do. do., '59, do. 20 OA. Th of Canadaiii , ,11 uo. St. Lawrence k Atlantic do. 70 Cert. of Deben., con. into Stk. till '6, all !)o. Comp. 6p. c., do 10 Gt. Central of Fran, all Ot Indian Peninsul , guar. 5 par cent. 1 Do. New 5 per cent 2 r , o. Extensions 'heat Luxembour►'' Constituted Shares all Do. Obligations..., .. all qt. Western of Canad 91 - tares 54 Do. New gal Do. Baia., pa7able's7 with or titan till '55. all Do. do., '62, p. ' 56 all Do. do., '7v, all D. do., '73, withot option , all IHamilton & Tor , all Ipo. 6 per cent. _ 17 Lake ("oust. bt Bad all Metre and Turnhout 10 Lyons and Geneva 14 Lyons & MediterraL all Madras 10 Do. New all Maria Antonia all Do. do. Now all Namur & Liege (fit interest) all Do. (ex interest) all Northern of France. all D 0.201. Shs all Do. 201. 3 p. c gyp• (fmy. B. Anis. She. ) all NorwegianTrunkPref 16 Paris and Lyons all Ditto Bonds all Paris and Orleans all Paris and Ronan— ParisCaen 4 Cherbrg. all Do 5 Rome and Frascati all Rouen and Havre..... all Royal Danish 5 RoyalSvredish all Do. Obligations .... all Sambre and Meuse... all Do. 54 p. cent. Pref. ss. Scinde all Do ali Southern of France 16 St. Andrew's and Quebec (A), . ell West Flanders all Do 54 per 0. Pref 18 Western of France all Do .. all Zealand lOINT.SP( iLII f A notrala.eih 50 Bank of London all Kri. Co'. lik.&Ln. C. all lira's') N. American 5 Ohartd. Bank of Asia 4 Chrtd. Bnk. of India, Australia, & China 50 City 25 Colon' al ....... 20 Commercial 3 11 lr,ng. Scot & kus. Cht ' all bond. Chart. Bk. o f Australis. 5 Ditto New 20 Tendon find County 50 Tind. &E. Bnkg. Corp 11, London Joint Stock 20 Lond. & Westminster 35 National Pro. of Eng. 10 Do. New ........... 221 National of Irelaud all Now South Wain all Oriental Bank of Corporation. 25 Provincial of Ireland all Do. Now 1 Royal Australn.Bkg Gold Tmp Co 50 Royal British all Awitii Australia ...... 411 Union of Australia... Do. New ...... 10 ,UniOn o:_liondon thl - 3 3i - 3/1 ogre "... •.• 7i 8 16 -- 15 13 - 14 9 - 8 79 - 81 541. 54i •• ..... •• • 5 61 -- 11 - 12 8$ 82 27 - 29 17 - 19 -69 i 50i - 51 9f - 9i 16i -17 i 77 79 6i - 7 88 89 71 73 120 122 102 rO4 501 514 50 55 70 75 6 7 6 7 76i - 774 i 6# 94 96 93i —94 i 14 id 85A - F 4 - 64 6 5 00. "...' ,", 64 - d i —64 i 36 38 • •• '" • 01 .... 4•• •• ii - ii ••• 28! 67i - 8i - 5 - 46^ 11 - 12 44i 45i 92 - 97 8i 8i 44 - 54 22 - 24 tOO -- 102 72 74 42 14 11 12 57 58 31i -31 i 5 3d 2d pa, 3 36 ••• ••• ..'". • •• ..". 19 2O 41- -iit IGN. 7i - 8 21 - 2#l par 1 - 3411 -35 I 9 10 p 201 - 21 - 81 151 - 161 60 65 80 85 2i 3fp 5 51 ed - fp 3 2i - 3 23/ - 24 1/ - 2ip 98 - 100 115 - 11 ) 116 - 120 1 4 107 22i -23 i 112 - 117 :: - a' 6 181 -- 1i 7 9 1 2 - 3 4 - 34 4 - 4 3 85i 12 - 6i - 74 44 - 451 ii -i& ••• ... •• • ••• ...'" 11123 - 196 21 - 26 2i - 8i ••• •-• ••• ••• ." -pm 31 - 4 - 29i - 30 18 - 19 BANKS 91 54 - C 6 i -d fii ..61! - .., is; - 1-1 16 —l7 4 3d ... ... par 2p ••• -.-.. . ••• ''''- .. 37 = 39 38 - 39 53 - 54 ... - ... ... ''. .. 40 • 42 73 - 75 8 9 Sp 1 31 BaSllleS3 do r a this day. THE SUN s , LONDON FRIDAY EVKNI Vs , DECEMBER 14 1855 .1 N YI A I. THE CHEAP NEWSPAPER PRESS. THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LEAGUE. linsinest this ::ay V. SCOTT. At the monthly general meeting of the above associa tion, held at Lancaster House, Adelphi, on Friday last, Mr. W. Duthie le the chair, the following report was read and adopted:— LORD MAYOR'S coußr.—(Tail DAT.) The committee have to congratulate their fellow-mem bers upon the progress of the League since the last gene ral meeting. Important additions have been made to the list of vice-presidents, in the names of Sir WTrn. Dom aine, Bart. ; Sir John Gardiner, Bart. ; Wm. Biggs, E-q., M.P. ;W. S. Burton, Esq. ; the Rev. J. Simpson, of Darlington ; and J. Bennet, F.R.A.S. Individual sub.criptions have been received as follow :—From W. A. Wilkinson, Esq., M.P., two guineas ; W. S. Scholefiel 1 , Esq., M.P., two guineas; Wm. H. Dom ville, E:q., 10s. ; Sir Wm. Domville, Bart., three guineas ; Sir John Gardiner, Bart., three guineas ; R. W. Mackay, Esq., 1/.; Thos. H. Beaton], one guinea; and W. E. Rawlins, Esq., 2/. Upon the suggestion of R. Cox, Esq., of Birmingham, a beginning has been made in the formation of a library, to be expressly composed of works upon the Sunday, its origin and purposes. The press continues in the most liberal spirit to support and encourage the movement ; and the committee have great pleasure in calling the attention of the meeting to the letters, among many others, in favour of the general question, from Douglas Jerrold, Esq., the Rev. J. Griffiths, vicar of Aberdare, and Vincent Scully, Esq., M.P. Under the impression that the petition of the goldsmiths and jewellers is of too exclusive a character for general adop tion, the committee have been seriously engaged in the preparation of other forms, brief and expressive, and of a more popular nature ; and they now beg to !ay before the members distinct petitions for the opening of the British Museum, the Crystal Palace ; and of museums, picture galleries, and botanical gardens throughout the United Kingdom. The committee cannot conclude their brief summary of proceedings without referring to the prorai,ing ad vances already made in the formation of branch commit tees or societies. These extensions of the original asso ciation are in too incomplete a condition to be more than alluded to in the present report, but the members may rest assured that they are in process of establishment, and will soon be the means of spreading the knowledge of the just and temperate demands of the National Sun day League into quarters hitherto unexplored, and of thus effectually aiding in the attainment of all its un flinching labours. (Before the 1100. S. Wortley, the Recorder.) This was an action brought by the plaintiff, a machine printer, to recover of the defendant, the proprietor of the London Morning and Evening News, a penny publi cation, 641. 10s., for work and labour done. It appeared from the evidence that the defendant in the middle of September entered into an agreement with the plaintiff to print a certain number of copies of the paper for 30s. per day. Work was accordingly done to the amount claimed, and payment had been made to the amount of 391. 2s. The number printed averaged from 1,200 to 1,700 a•day. At the end of October the plaintiff having intimated to the defendant by letter that his cheques were dishonoured, the defendant wrote him a letter, stating ",the first intimation he bad bad of anything wrong at his banker's was from him, —that he had taken away the machining of the publica tion from him, not wishing to leave it in his power to stop the forms, and at the same time requesting him to forward the account to hie residence at Brompton. The letter was without date, and as the particular part of Brompton was not mentioned where the defendant resided, the account was forwarded to his place of business. The defence was that the work was taken away in consequence of the negligence of the plaintiff ; but neither the defendant nor any witnesses were called to prove it. _ The learned Recorder having summed up, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for 251. 8?. CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY. Meeting This Day. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in this undertaking was held this afternoon at the Lon don•bridge Tavern, to receive the report of the committee of investigation appointed to investigate the position of the company, &c., &c. Mr. Anderson, chairman of the directors, in the chair. _ _ _ WILLIAM DUTHIE, Chairman of the Committee. UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. OXFORD, DEC. 13. The reports have already been published in Th,e Sun. The CHAIRMAN said the order in which it was pro- posed to conduct the business of the day was, —first, a resolution would be submitted to them for thereception and adoption of the report of the committee ; secondly, the reception and adoption of the report cf the directors; thirdly, to consider a resolution for authorising the direc tors to apply for a bill in Parliament, the principle of which would be explained by the solicitor; and, fourthly, the election of shareholders to fill the vacancy in the Board of Directors. After some other remarks, he called on In a convocation held this afternoon, Mr. Max Muller was admitted to the degree of M.A. by the decree of convocation. Ina congregation held immediately after, the follow ing degrees were conferred : MASTER OF ARTS. Rev. G. G. Walker, Balliol College. Rev. H. C. Blayden, Queen's College. Rev. J. D. M`Gachen, Pembroke College. J. B. Bowen, Worcester College. BACHELOR OF ARTS. F. B. Montgomery, }Balliol College. Hon. H. Wodehouse, R. H. B. Marshall], H. S. Giffard, }Merton College. J. Gaston, H. H Robinson, J. R. Upton, C. E. Jemmett, R. Sutton, A. Porter. W. R. Ilbert, Oriel College. W. H. Marriott, Lincoln, J. P. Hicks, R. R.. Stiles, scholar, H. H. Pturby, E. Green, T. T. Chamberlayne, T. S. Pritchard, C. Walford, J. D. Middleton, scholar,} J. R. O'Neil, Corpus College. W. H. E. Welby, W. Fisher, A. B. Rocke, }students ' R. Olebar, R. Rowley, W. J. Packe, J. E. Eadon, Trinity College. G. G. Williams, W. H. Morrice, scholar, }Jesus College. G. A. Morrie, E. C. Beasley, }Wadham College. W. Walker, G. T. Horn, C. H. Wallace, Penibroke Colle;e. R Remington, JJJ H. Kingsford, J. H. Mayer,: }Worcester College. E. B. Smallwood, E. Cowen, St. Mary Hall. R. J. Hodges, Magdalen Hall. J. V. C. Veel, E. C. Roberts, Queen's College. Mr. lONIDES, who proposed the first resolution, the reception and adoption of the report. He said the com mittee were almost unanimous in arriving at that report. Messrs. Fuller and Price had abstained from signing it, yet they agreed in the main points of the inquiry, that the books of the company were accurately kept, and that no misappropriation or embezzlement of the moneys of the company had taken place by the officers, but they had discharged their duties attentively, honestly, and diligently. (Hear.) The hon. gentleman then entered into the principal differences between the other members of the committee and these gentlemen relative to Mr. Fuller's scheme of life members, opening the Palace Gardens on Sundays to shareholders, the altering Saturday from a ss. to a ls. day, &c., re marking that they considered it impracticable, but the shareholders could, if they thought proper, try the suggestion of altering the is. day for a limited period. The committee also disapproved of the two reserved days a week. With regard to the election of directors, he dissented from taking gentlemen who were railway directors, to fill up the vacancies at their board. Sir J. Paxton at one time entertained the idea of purchasing the palace and grounds of the company, but finding many all yoft i h n e te s n h t a io r n f eh o ol shareholders pressing h objectedisoffer. t o it, he had aloa ti dared em Exeter College. Brasenose College. [We shall give the conclusion in our late edition.] MARKET NEWS.—(This Day). The Queen's election terminated to-day, when the following gentlemen were declared the successful candi dates :—Thomas Jex Blake, 8.A., Scholar of Univer sity College, and Lewis Campbell, 8.A., of Bal:iol Col lege. Mr. Blake obtained a first class in classics, both at the examination before moderators and also at the final examination for the B.A. degree. Mr. Campbell was placed in the second class by the moderators, but obtained a first class at his final examination in Michael mas Term, 1853. The competition was entirely open, as it was found feasible, under the existing statutes, to emove all the restrictions which had hitherto beau i m osed by custom and precedent. ,--. FD RAILwATo. Bedford and Blet ah ley Buckghamsh Clydesdale Jc Col. Stour Vy. Sud. and Hal. E. 6 oc E. Un. H. Sh. Glas. Barr. & Neils. Direct Do. New Glstr.d: Dn. Fr Hrtlpl. Dk. & Railway Hull & Selby Do. Shares. Do. Shares. Lon. & Greenw D o. Preferome Lon., Til., & S. Lowestoft gr. 4 per cont. Do. 6 per ct. Manch. Than and Matlock Micldlesbro' & Redcar Midld.Bradfd Newmarket Bury Eaten N.& Est.s p.c Do. 6 rer et. Do. Fixeds p ti Prest. & yre Do. 6 Qrs. A Roystn.& Hit. Shef.Roth.and Goole g. 5 p. c. Shrews.&Her. S. Staffordsh. Wear Valleygr 6 per cent Do WiltsBCo•nrst 141 V. I (7.orapan London & N. We't L.&N.W. Caledon... E. Un. & E. C Gt.Nrts , n. E. Count. Caldonian. Do ..... Gt. Wosti Yk. New. & Derv?. Y. &N M Do Do S. East() Do I Pet° k Co Norfolk Do L.& N. W & Midi& Stckton & Darlingt. Midland.. En. Conn. E. Coant. Do Do !L. & N.W Do Gt Northe Laneash Yorksh. T. Brassey 11.3iClean Stockt. & Darlingt Do ltWeetn. C osins r yes: er 14: 90 - 93 94 - 98 iii - lii •••• ..... 16 105 1 - ii* l iiii - ii. 21 - 28 8) 41 par in 55 b 7 128 - In ri - Si 3 4 - 2i 30 - 31 80 - 8S PREFERENCE SHARE' Aberdeen Do. N 0.2, 7 p. a... 11171,11 and Tyne 10 pui a. pref. (issd. at 501 Bris. & Ex. 4 p. c. St. Do. 4 p. c. Shares Caledonian £lO - Chester & tfolyhea•' Guar. 5A per cent . Do. do. Pref. No. 2 Do. do. Pref. No. 2 Cork dtßandonsip.c Dun. Prth Aber. J E. Anglian Cie. A Sh. Do. do. Cls. B 6 p. c. Do. do Cls. C 7 p. c. Eastern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No. ; Do. No. 2 Do. New 6 p. a. Si.. Mast Un., G. 6 p. c 51., 10 ner cent . Do. 101. Deliontr.Sh. Do. do. 4 per cent... East Lanca-h. 6 p. et. E.&W. York. J. sths Prth.&Dnn.4p.c Furness r4las. &5.W.G.5 p.c Great Northn. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. c. Redeem. at 10 p. c. prom 107 -- 109 104 106 80 85 90 92 St. 20 St. 15 93 - 95 15 - 16 6~ ~ s~ ••• 11.•• 121 100 all 11,k) 100 100 s• Do. 4 Do. 5 p. c. Scrip, Red, %t 5 p. 57 - 59 St. 20 100 100 100 all 100 100 10(; 10(1 .1.00 ISt. St. St. St. Gt. N. of Scot. I at Pre Gt. S.W. (Ireland' , Do. 4per c. Prif. S Qt. Westn. (Berke Hants Ex . 5 p. c).. Do. con. red. 4. p.c. Do. eon. red. 4 p. e. Do. irred. 4p. C. Do. Birm. Pref. Sh Do. Cnester 8 p. Do. do. 5 p. c. do Do. Birm. Gua. Stk Do. Ches. Gua. Sh Do. do. do ........... • D.). do. do ...... •••• • L tn. &York. F. £2( Do. 6 p. 0. Stock Lon.&Brigh. G. 5 p.c Do. Prof., 5 p. C. St Do. Now Guar.6 p. c Do. do. 5 per cent.. Lon. &N. W., Cov. Nuneaton 5 p. et.. Lon. & S.W. 7 por et. Londy. & Color. Sh. Londy. & Ennis. Si Man., Shef., & Lin. Now, £lO Do. £6 larypt .&Carl.4 p o Du. 4i per eon+ St. 124 12A 10 1113 - 115 105 'O7 99 101 par In 91 -- 91 Do Mid. Consol.6 p.c St Do. Co Bristol Birm. 6 per cont. Do. 4i p. c. Prof. S Do. Prof. 4 per coi ,Do. sf. Pr'f. 4 p. c.. Ditto L. & 11. Pref. Si Norfolk Debenture Do. Prof. 4 p. c. Sto• IDo. 5 p. c. Eat Do. 6 por ct. pref IDo.Way. Val. 5 p. c INorth British 6 6k 85 87 73 82 78 82 15t 164 9/ 10 66 —63 17 18 8/ 9 12/ 13/ 1k id 130 - 132 UV all all WO N. E. Beres, 4 p.c. P Do. do. do Do Leeds 6 p.c Do. do. Quarters 4 Do. York H. & Pnr North Staffordshiro. Oxford, Worcester, Wolverh..£ls,6 Do R. Pref. 101. Sh. Scot. Cent. , New Pre South Devon Do. fixed, 44 per con , S. Eastern (Roailh, Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 4 per cent..... Do. Fixed 4i p c sh. S. Wales Qua. 4 p. c. Do. do. 4i p. C.... S. Yorksh.4p.c.ouar. Stock. & Dar. , 5 p c. 'Do. do. do stook. & Hartl. g. 5, r. o. till July 1, 'S6 Watertd. & Kilk. 6 p c ... .... ... ••• .... ... •• • ''' we Si 25 ... - ..... ... --- ".1 [OO all all all 12i - 124 ••• ...... • • 1.1() - 132 91 - 1i - 1# 4 - • .. 97 - 99 88 -96 21 - 34 -~ 93 - 06 13 14 id • Pa' 214 -22 i 1061 - 94 4 1301 113 2/ - MINES. 1 all I kgu. Fria.......... ••• 1 all Anglo Austrin. Gold - I.oa. all Anglo Californian 20 6 tustralian 1 all kustralian Cordillera ... - ..• 1 all •tve Maria - - 1 i all ;laden (Gd. Duchy or 4 - 110 I all IlrenEu•von Iron and Coal 20 14 British Iron - •• • 4 - 6 35 26 Rrazilianlmp.(isaned at pro.) - 24 30 all De. Comes & Cuiab 24 - 3 20 , 15 Do. St. John Del Rey 30 -32 1 ' g Clarendon Cons. Min Co. of Jamaica id - 40 all Cobro Copper 63 - 67 64 5 1 Ailonial Gold - St. all Clopper Min. of Eng 30 - 35 • 25 all Do. Prof. 74 p. cent 2d - par 1€ - Jopiapo l9 - 20 2 14 eortuna ld u 20 all General l4 -16 1 all Gt.NuggatVeinßeg I - 1 41 all Great Polgooth .... 11 - 21 5 all Gt Wheal Vor United 1 • 4(1 1 all Liberty . - $ 3 all Linares. - 71 5 11 Lusitaulan - 1 p 1 i all Wariquita - 1 all New Granada I. all Nouveau Monde - I 'lO all Pontgibaud Silver Lead Min. & Smelt lO 5 1 Port Philip - 1 all quartz Rock - 50 all Rhymney Iron 2l - 23 15 all Do. New 6 - 8 30 13i Santiago de Cuba-- 4 - 4f 1 all South Australian 1 all Do. Scrip. .. 1 4 Do. 10 per cent Prof 10 9 Pin Croft .. 31 - 44 28i all United Mexican 4 - 44 41 1 all Waller 1 - 1 all West Mariposa 1 12a. Worthing Mining of Australia 1 ail Yuba ••• DIJSCELLAN EOUS. 25 19 Australian Agric-Alt. 28 - 30 le all a.ne,raln. Royal Mai - • • 4 4 lu 84 Berlin Water W or k. 6. 7 4 S 0 ‘0 Brit. American Lan( 50 - 55 100 Canada l4O - 145 St 1.00 Canada Gov. 6p. of Jan. ana Ju1y..,,,,,, 109 • 110 5 all Crystal Palace...... 2 - 21 5 5 Do. Preference. ..... . 44 - 44 4 all Crystal Pal.of Franc , 1 1 Duston Iron Ore 20 11 Eastern Steam .... . . . 5 all En. &A.us Cop Sm Co - 14 25 .24 Electric Telegraph 2O - 22 1 all Electric Teleg. of Ir. 5 all Gen. Iron Sc Collier 15 14 Gen. Steam Navigat. - 10 all General Screw Steam - 154 20 10 Irish Beetroot Suga• - 20 10 Magdalena St. Navig • 10 all Mediteran. Elec. Tel. 8 - 10 10 9 Mexican&S,Amerien• 51 - 61 1 all Nat. Pat. Steam Fuei , - 10 5 Netherlands Land.... 1 - 14 10 all Do. Do. - 3 5 1 Do. 8p e P iss at 1d 4 die- par 2 1 N. S. W. Coal &Inter. Steam Navigat. Co. - 100 80 Now B. & N.S. Land . - 1 all N. B. Australasian, - f 20 15 Nrth. of EuropeStsam 1 all Oriental Gas - 14 1 2s. Do. " New Shares" . . - all Peel Rr. Ld. & Minrl. 24 - 24 50 all Peninsular& Orients' - 50 10 Do. New 2 all Portland Iron Co ... 100 60 Royal Mail Steam 76 1 all Scot. Austral. Invest. 14 - 1 1 4 Ditto New 4 25 all South Austral. Land 36 - 3 1 at Submar. Tel. Scrip a - all on. Registered. 20 5 Trust& L.Co.U.Can. 1.1) 284 yam Diemeo4wlil4 • -- CORN EXCHANGE. To-day's market was but moderately supplied with Eng lish wheat, coastwise and by land carriage. The trade, however, was heavy, at barely Monday's decline iu the quotations. Nearly 10,003 quarters of foreign wheat have come to hand ; but the quantity of grain on sale was by no means large. So little was doing that the rates were almost no minal. Floating cargoes were dull, and lower to purchase. Both barley and malt sold heavily, at barely stationary prices. The show of Irish oats was large. The demand was heavy, and prices wero fully lid per quarter lower. In beans, peas, and flour very little was doing, at barely the late decline. Over 15,0,0 barrels of flour have come to hand from America. Wheat. 3,590 ARRIVALS VIM Wll3l. ißarley. ( Malt. 3,730 • I 3,550 ,Cnglish .. Irish —• , Oats. 28,183 I,GIO 10 — 7"° 1.4,1°08bkr% Foreign / 9 990 METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. For the time of year, and con-idering that the great market will be held here on Monday next, the supply of beasts was but moderate, and in but middling condition. The demand for all breeds ruled steady, and, in some in stances, the priwest Scots were 2d per 81bs dearer than on Monday. The highest figure for be:f was 5s 4d per 81bs. Sheep, the show of which was very middling, moved off slowly, at unaltered quotations. The supply of calves was limited, yet the veal trade ruled heavy, at barely stationary prices. Pigs were dull, but not cheaper. • Mulch cows sold slowly, at from 141. to 191. each, in cluding their email calf. Per Bibs to sink the dais. 8 . d.e. d.l S. d. It. Inferior Beasts.... 3 Bto 3 10,TrimeSonthdown 4 8 5 0 Second quality.... 4 0 4 4'Large crse. calves 4 0 4 8 Prime large oxen 4 6 4 10iPrinie Wall do 410 5 4 prime Scots, dle. 5 0 5 4iLarge hags Inferior Sheep ...3 4 3 6 1 Small polkers Second quality ...3 8 4 2 Suckling calves 21 0 30 0 Prime crse.-wlled.4 4 4 6;Qua►ter eld pigs 22 0 28 U TOTAL SUPPLY. FOREIGN SUPFLY . BeagtS ........ ••••• • • • • • 2,421 i Beasts •.••• • • • • • • ..... • • 2fo i Sheep •••••••••• • • • • • • • .. 3,500 Sheer ..• •••••••• • • • • • • • 35 0 220 Calves.. 190 Ms ••••••••"• • • • • • •• •• 34) Pig 5.....• •• ••••"•• • • • • • • NE WGATE AND A fair average business s prices. LEADENHALL. 'as transacted to-day, at full Per Blbs by tli e carcase• B. d. s. d: Beef, interior 3 4 3 6 Do., middling 3 8 4 0 Do. prime large 4 2 4 4 De, , do. small 4 (; 4 8 Furk, large 3 10 4 4 N. (1. e. d. Mutton, Inferior 3 2 3 ( Do., middling 3 8 4 0 Do., prime • 4 2 4 6 Veal 3 8 5 0 Pork, small 4 6 5 4 BOROUGH HOP. There is a fair demand for the best new hops, at full quotations, but inferior kinds are a dull inquiry. The imports this week are 139 bales from Hamburg, 1 from Ostend, and 33 from Rotterdam. Mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ 10s to Cl Os per cwt ; Weald of Kent, 31 5s to 4115 s ; Suasex, 31 Os to 4110 s. COLONIAL. TEA.—The market has exhibited rather a firmer appear ance, and common sound congou found buyers at 9 3 d to 90 per lb. The public sales have proceeded without ani mation, and prices closed at the above quotations. SUGAR.-,The sugar market opened with a dull appear ance, and business was again almost suspended, even at much lower prices. A small parcel of West India had been sold, but the price was not allowed to transpire. 300 casks Barbadoes were offered at public sale and withdrawn, no offers being made. Brown Berbice, good brown, sold at 445. jamaica mid to good gr ocery t a k en i n at 49 5 6 tto 52s per cwt. Bengal sold at 2s lower pikes. Mid and good yellow Cassipore kind 47s to 50s ; good and fine yel low 51s 5d to 52s 6d per cwt. Madras good grainy grocery sold at 505 6d to 51s 6d ; good and tine yellow realised about the same value, which is about 165 decline upon the late highest point of the market. No transactions have taken place in the refined market. At a later period there was more inquiry for West India, but importers declined selling at the reduced quotations; low and middling brown brought 44s to 45s per cwt. COFFEE.—There has been a better demand for native Ceylon, and prices have advanced 6d to Is per cwt ; ord and low good ord ood 51s to 528 6d and 53s per cwt. 7.llochs. receded 3s to 4s ; g lung berry 76s to 765 ; fine Ines ord brownish short berry 703 Gd to 755. no good ord mixed sold for 45s 6d per cwt. Cocoa.—This article has receded in price, middling fair greyish red has realised 51s to 55s per cwt. RICE—The market has been dull, with a limited demand. Bengal middling sold at 15s 6el to 16s, goo d m iddli ng 17s, mid broken to good mid 17s Gd per owt. A cargo of 1,000 tons Arracan for March shipments sold at 13s 6d per cwt. SncEs.—Pimento has receded in price, good ordinary course to good middling even 4ad to 4id per lb. Pepper — Singapore black sold at sd, which is a decline of about id per lb, white remains steady at former rates. Ginger — Jamaica middling to very fine bold 33s to 11/• per cwt. Calicut taken in at 45s to 48s. China preserved sold at lld per lb. Cassia Vera—Good fair realised 41s, and coarse 24s Gd to 25s 6d per lb. COCHINEAL. --The demand for this article has been steady. Honduras silver ordinary to good 3s 5d to 3s 10d. Teneriffe silver 3s 7d to 3s Bd. Black 3s 9,1 to 4s, and Mexican silvers 3s 4d to 35 5d per lb. SALTPETRE. --The market has been dull, and lower rates are current. Itusi.—The market has been extremely quiet, buyers waiting the result of the Government contract. TALLOW. —The market has been depressed, P.Y.C. on the spot 68s '3d to 6Ss 6d, spring 69s per cwt. GREEN FRUlT.—Arrivals of all kinds to market which were required for Christmas consumption, and the demand is good. Three cargoes of oranges (St. Michael), sold by Keeling and Hunt at public sale, were taken freely by the trade without reduction in prices. Nuts of all kinds are in request. Chestnuts sustain their value, and the prohi bition of the article from France is not felt as it was unfi t cipatOde _ _ _ RUMOURS OF PEACE. A letter from Munich of the 7th, in the Pays, says : "The question of the peace of the werld, which now engages the paramount attention of the public mind, de pends in a great measure on Germany freely and spon taneously throwing her reason, her interest, and her 4rength into the struggle. Such is the opinion of our Cabinet, and it is this which induced MM. de Piordien and De Beust to bring forward the idea, not of a con gress, as has been said, but of simple preparatory con ferences, either here or at Dresden, to afterwards lead to the official and public constitution of a congress. Conferences are less significant, arid pledge parties less strongly. This independent attitude of the in termediary powers of Germany has caused a censi• derable sensation in the Cabinet of Berlin, which fears that they will have a serious influence on the Diet. The King twice in ono week gave audience to Count Bismark Schcenhausen, his Envoy at Frankfort, and once made him dine at the royal table. That diplomatist is to leave Berlin immediately after Christmas, for the Cabinet of Berlin does not shut its eyes to the fact that Prussian influence in the Diet is gravely menaced, and the wish is naturally felt to save it by every means of diplomatic action. But why are so many efforts made when there is a means so simple and so sure of acquiring and preserving a just and ener getic action on the Get manic Diet ? That means con sists in favouring the young and German spirit which could prepare such high destinies for our noble nation. At Munich, in our fine city of the arts, wo have better understood the great part which belongs to Germany. M. de Fonton, who visits Munich and Vienna, before he returns to St. Petersburg, may convince himself of the real tendencies of the Governments and of the people. M. de Fonton is not only a man versed in French literature, w ho writes your language with great purity, but is also an exact observer, and who was treated with ;;teat consideration at Vienna, where he resided before he went to Hanover. It is not without a serious motive that lie is recalled to St. Petersburg. In some quarters, either superficially informed or interested in concealing the truth, the reason of his recall is said to be that M. de Fonton is to be with Count de Nesselrode, in conse quence of his being the best qualified as a writer, to re place M. de Laderniti, who is represented to be ill and to require repose. It is, however, well known that M. de Ladenski is not as he is so stated to be, and that even were he so, the Chancellery of St. Peters. burg possesses three or four excellent writers, who drew up the last circulars of M. do Nesselrode, and his most elegantly-composed protocols. The Rus sians have never wanted good diplomatic colourists. If therefore, M. de Fonton is recalled to St. Peters. burg, it is because it was wished to consult his experience, and to examine with him the true spirit of Germany, and perhaps also as Minister at Hano ver be has bad some special mission, for no one can be ignorant of the close bonds, which unite the interests of Hanover with those of England. The journey of M. de Fonton is thus regarded as a fresh indication of pacifi cation; as far greater confidence is felt in his sagacity, and in his moderation of his sentiments than in the haughty, passionate, and perhaps a little too warlike ap preciations of MM. do Beckendorff and Stakelberg, who rather write military bulletins than just and conscien tious examinations of the opinions and interests of Ger many. These opinions, I tell you sincerely, are in fa vour of peace, and they even express a kind of angry im patience against events and the men likely to prevent it. No one can affirm that peace will be made, but there exists a universal tendency and an irresistible impulse in Germany towards pacification, and in the end the Governments must yield to the sentiments of the people. This will explain to you the attitude of our Court and of that of Dresden in the present question, and the wish which they both feel to interfere efficaciously." THE BILLETING SYSTEM.—Yesterday afternoon a meeting of the licensed victuallers was held at the Prince of Wales Tavern, Harmood-street, Hampstead-road, for the purpose of taking into consideration the evils arising from is the present billeting s y s t em . The following re solution was carried unani mous ly :—" That this meet ing of opinion that the present billeting system is op pressive to the licensed victuallers, destructive to good discipline, and unfair to the men, in exposing them to temptations of the worst character, and hereby appoint a committee to draw up a memorial to Sir G. Grey, pray ing the abolition of the present billeting system, or a more equal distribution of the militiamen hitherto bil leted on the licensed victuallers of this district." An other meeting on the above subject was held at the White Horse Tavern, Long-acre, Mr. Ambler, of the above tavern in the chair, when the following resolution was agreed to :—" That this meeting strongly condemns the present system of billeting, and pledges itself to use every constitutional means in order to obtain an altera tion in the existing law." THE HACKNEY CHURCH-RATE.—The poll which com menced at the Parish House, or Town Hall, closed yes terday as follows : —Against the rate, 425 ; for the rate, 329 ; majority against it, 9 6 . The po ll will remain open to-day and to-morrow (Saturday) t ill five in the after noon, when it will Dural) , close. Spirit of the Public Journals. (From the Times of this day.) Scarcely more than three years have elapsed since it was our duty to take part in a discussion of the most delicate and invidious character. The Duke of Wellington was dead, and the question was warmly agitated who was to be his successor as Commander-in-Chief. Much was said at that time in favour of her Majesty's Consort, and we showed ourselves better patriots than courtiers in combat ing the arguments put forth on behalf of his Royal Highness. Now, however, that time has been given to estimate the results of such a pro ceeding, we think that every well-wisher to her Majesty and to the Prince has great reason to re joice that the less courtly but sounder counsel was followed, and the direction and management of the army placed in other hands than those for which report had originally destined them. During the period of trial and suffering which has since elapsed our whole military system has been subjected to the most hostile criticism, and has been unable to vindicate itself from the strong est and most universal censure, criticism and censure to which the whole feeling of the coun try has cordially responded, and which yet await their accomplishment in what must sooner or later be a complete military revolution. Had the husband of the Queen been placed in those evil days at the head of that system, had his name been identified with the blunders, the favouritism, the anarchy, the disasters, and the disgraces which roused the whole nation to a frenzy of anger and of impatience, how many of those arrows which were intercepted in their flight by the breasts of less prominent persons would have struck the Throne itself There was a lamentable sacrifice of private reputation ; but, had the Crown through its first, its most trusted, and most na tural adviser, been involved in the confusion, something far more important than the reputation of a few public men might have been placed in jeopardy. It is said that the Prince, though feel , ing a natural ambition to fill this high office, had yet the good sense and moderation to see the dan gerous incompatibility of such a position with that which he so worthily occupies as the Consort, the friend, the counsellor, or, as Lord Campbell hap pily expressed it, the alter ego of the Sovereign. It is hard, no doubt, for a Prince of active mind and undoubted talent to find himself in this busy and energetic community the only person to whom the opportunity of turning his talents to the active and public service of the country is denied, but this is a sacrifice which the very eminence of his position exacts, and which cannot be dispensed with without a serious compromise of duty. The place of the Princp is, as we have said, at the side of the Queen ; to him she must neces sarily look in those numerous delicate and difficult conjunctures among which the lot of Royalty is cast, as her truest guide, her best adviser, and her most trustworthy friend. What ever office of honour or emolument is not incon sistent with these duties forms a suitable addition to the dignity of this high post, but it were well never to forget that in all substantial matters the Prince is identified with the Queen, and cannot assume to act an independent part towards her in public without either abandoning his position as her natural adviser, or drawing her name into dis cussions in which the exalted impartiality of the Crown ought on no account to be involved. No one can for a moment object to Prince Albert's holding the Colonelcy of the Grenadier Guards, except on the ground which we do not now wish to press, that this lucrative military sinecure was expressly reserved for the reward of officers of long and distinguished service in the field, but it is a v e ry different thing when the Prince employs this high military position to come before the Queen as a petitioner to urge claims on behalf of the regiment he commands inimical to the interests of the army, which has served her Majesty with so much loyalty and devotion. Stimulated by the immediate prospect of the war and by the strong consciousness of abuses which had grown up in our military system, a Royal Commission, composed of men by no means favourable to rash innovation, re commended that breach of routine to which we are inelohted for the appointment of a general in the full possession of his mental and bodily faculties, and also the discontinuance of those invidious pri vileges which had given the Guards a preference al °Ts the rest of the army. Naturally enough, these distinguished regiments feel the loss of the advantages they had heretofore enjoyed, and de termined not to lose them without an effort, they have petitioned her Majesty to reconsider the de cision of her Commissioners. Against this course we have nothing toisay ; but the case is very dif ferent when at the head of the list of petitioners appears the name of her Majesty's Consort. Of course, as Chancellor of the University of Cam bridge, the Prince must occasionally present for mal addresses to I.er Majesty. Even in this there may occasionally be some inconvenience ; but what is that inconvenience compared with the absolute incongruity or impropriety involved in the Prince's islcing himself at the head of a species of military sect, whose privileges have always been regarded with jealousy by the army and with unrepressed disapprobation by the non-military portion of the community ? Are we to suppose that ist thus taking the part of the Guards against the army the Prince is acting against or in accordance with the wishes of her Majesty ? If, as we aro bound to hope, entertaining the feelings we have expressed, the former be the case, no position can be more unbecoming than that of the Consort of the Queen pressing upon her Majesty, at a highly critical moment, a step eminently invidious ; while if, on the other hand, we are to suppose that the views of her Majesty coincide with those of her Consort, it would have been much better to reserve that declaration until the petition bad actually been presented. If the petition be rejected, the Queen will be placed in the ungracious position of refusing the prayer of one who ought to be careful hew he sues where he should not sue in vain ; and, if it be granted, an unpopular act will be rendered doubly unpopular by involving the Court in the movement against the recommendation of the Commission, as well as with the reversal of its j udgment. The appointment of a Minister of War has already altered, though not to the full extent that it will alter, the relation of the Crown towards the army. In matters of this kind the Queen must be content to act, as on all others, by the advice of her responsible Minister. We have little fear that Lord Panmure, or any Minister holding an office responsible to Parliament, will advise her Majesty to annul those recommendations of the Commis sion of 1854 which did a tardy justi2e to the great body of the army, and in some degree remedied the inequalities established by au ill judging par tiality in favour of the Household Troops. Iu these matters now as in all others, her Majesty is provided with that constitutional shield which should protect her against criticism or censure. But what avaihs this protection if her Consort be so ill-advised as to enter into that arena of open dis cussion from which his exalted position should ex clude him, and throw the influence of the Court and the Crown into a scale which the great mass of her Majesty's subjects assuredly do not wish to preponderate ? The glory of the present reign has been to have broken down monopolies and scattered to the winds one-sided laws and invidious privi leges. We breathe a freer air, we enjoy more un restrained liberty of action, wo are less galled with a sense of inequality and partiality, than any race of Englishmen that has gone before us. Legisla tion, opinion, practice, have all gone in one direc tion. It were not well that the nearest and most trusted of the counsellors of the Queen should lr 3 the first to set the example of a return to what the judgment of the nation has so emphatically re jected. (From the Daily News of this day.) Our anticipations regarding the imperfect and fashioned measure of last session relating to the question of Limited Liability have been fulfilled. Government were warned at the time that their piecemeal legislation would prove abortive, and their random attempts at the reform of an old and tough system of injustice, barren of practical re sults. But in the heat and hurry of the last weeks of a wasted Parliamentary year, it was deemed of Ministerial moment to have something to make a show of business capacity in the statute making line ; and so, hit or miss, it was resolved that some bill about Partnership should be forced through both Houses. Forced it was, accordingly, amid a hubbub of conflicting cavils and a perf ect din of unavailing prognostications of failure from all who really understood or cared about the ques tion ; and now, as a matter of course, every one admits that the Act, as it stands, will not work, and that the whole discussion will have to be re opened next year. Lot us hope that when itis it will be guided under very d iffe r ent auspices, and carried on in a tone very unlike the feeble an d foolish flippancy, by d int of which the present scrap of a remedial statute was passed last July. It may be rec ollected . that when Parliament was first invited to deal with the subject, two Bills were laid upon the table, the o ne p ro p os i n g to have relation to joint-stock companies of persons desiring to trade upon the condition of " limited liability," the other proposing to put an end to the absurd anomaly which pr even t s a t ra der from bor rowing money at a rate of interest fluctuating w4h . his profits, althou g h the lender may b e nay anxious, to enter into such a bar gain, provided he is not to be considered and treated as a partner. To all who aro ac quainted with the real working of humble enter prise in this country, and with the difficulties it / has to encounter, it is clear enough which of the two Bills touched most nearly the point where wayworn industry is pinched. The former is in truth neither more nor less than a supplement to the Joint-Stock Companies Act—itself requiring many modifications and reforms—from the very nature of the thing not likely to be of any advan tage to one in twenty of those who would gladly be allowed to have the benefits of the other. If a choice between the two was to be made, the latter, which proposed to deal simply with the artificial impediments thrown in the way of contracts be tween two individuals, was plainly the one which ought to have been proceeded with. It had the merit of carrying the assertion of a corrective and salutary principle, and when disencumbered of some old-womanish conditions with which the pro- • ject, as brought in by Mr. Bouverie, was burthened, might have been made a measure complete in itself, and requiring no other or further legislation to make it bear good fruit. Unfortunately, however, this was the portion of the ministerial project that was dropped by the way, while the other portion to which we have already adverted was pressed a l'outrance. How it fared in the fray, and how much of its original framework was left at the end of the conflict, we need hardly pause here to ex amine. Our immediate purpose is rather to inquire what has become of the more valuable and less crotchet-laden part of the general scheme ; and to ask whether there is any serious intention of re producing it early in the coming session ? Having already adopted the principle of free trade in the law of borrower and lender, by the in troduction of the bill above alluded to, Government can hardly hesitate to adhere to it in future ; and they owe it to themselves, as well as the country, to obliterate as soon as possible the traces of their blunders and abortions in this particular. The existing state of the money market will drive men to think more than ever of the matter, and to look round for alternatives that may mitigate the bondage to caprice and chance, beneath whose pressure half the small traders of the king dom are compelled to lie. In times like the present, when the ordinary use of money is vir tually denied to thousands of honest, thrifty, and punctual traders, owing to the operation of the Bank Act, it is notorious that numbers of opulent persons are as much at fault as ever in searching how to lay oat their floating capital to advantage. The max who suddenly finds himself unable to get the bills discounted which in the regular course of his business ho is obliged to take in payment from his customers, would be only too glad to give his neighbour, the retired manufacturer, a rateable proportion of his yearly profits for the use of a thousand or two, which he would invest in the concern, and so be enabled to keep his customers' bills in his pocket-book until they were within a few days of maturity. Could ho do this he would thenceforward be more independent of the banker, and by degrees ho would become altogether so. Who does not know (who has ever had any real acquaintance with trade) that this is the condition to which every prudent and successful man con tinually aspires—to be, as it is truly called, " his own master," instead of being the slave of another, over whom he has no control ? Well, the wealthy neighbour who lives hard by, and who has noted the diligence and industry of the shopkeeper in question, would be willing enough to lend him 1,0001., or say 1,5001., after they had talked it over confidentially, for a commensurate share of the profits. The house has a good frontage ; the street is a very fair one ; the tradesman is doing so far a safe and an improving business ; but he has hardly capital enough to keep him all right in times of pressure, when long bills won't be done at any price, and Lombard-street asks and gets ton and eleven per cent. for short ones. Why then do not these parties deal—the one being desirous to bor row, the other being ready to lend ? Because an iniquitous and idiotic law interposes and says, "No ; or, if you do, the lender shall by way of punishment be held accountable to the extent of his whole fortune which be has not agreed to risk, for any liabilities or misfortunes the borrower may incur." Was ever grosser absurdity or hardship than this? Did evsr practical grievance call more loudly for a remedy ? 161 16 2 all ' all 110.► 100 ENCOUNTER WITH BRIGANDS NEAR TELLETRI. The following is an extract from a letter giving au interesting account of a rencontre with brigands near Velletri : " ROME, Dee. 4.—We left Naples by diligence at an early hour on Saturday (Dec. 1), and were accompanied by a mounted gendarme, for we carried on the roof 20,000 ducats in silver, which sum is sent from Naples twice every mouth for the payment of the troops at Mole da, Gaeta, where the King maintains a large garrison. "We got to Mole at nightfall, where we deposited the specie, and our escort left us. "Having changed carriages at Terracina, the frontier town of the Papal States, we started thence about ore hour after midnight, and our slumbers through the Pon tine marshes w:re only disturbed by the demands, at each stage, of the posthoys for Beiocchi. At early dawn we arrived at Cisterna, and about 11 stopped to change horses at Velletri. It wag a flee bright morning, and being Sunday, the men were idling about in groups, in their brown cloaks and conical hats ; and the female contadini were flocking into the town in holi day costume—scarlet boddiceF, blue petticoats, and the white incosere on their heads. " I walked on, in advance, and had proceeded about half a mile beyond the town, when the diligence over took me, and I resumed my seat. About ten minutes afterwards we came to a sudden halt, and upon looking through the glasses to ascertain the cause of our stop found e were surrounded by brigands, masked, and six or seven long rifles presented horizontally at the carriage windows. They approached, opened the doors, and mentioned to us to alight, and made us le down on our faces by the roadside. We had five passenger=, and had a fellow to each, who made us, more by signs than words, deliver up the contents of our pockets. I handed out all the loose silver I had about me, which was very little ; but. I had also a few Napoleons, which, in order that I might not during the darkness disburse them by mistake fir two-Paul .pieces, I had wrapped in a morsel of parer—this I did not give up, and as the fellow did not hi nself put his ban I into my pockets, I luckily saved my coins. To my surprise he did not take my watch, although he saw, and his hand even came in contact with, the chain. lie took my cigar case, and returned to me my handkerchief. Ho then ordered me not to move, and left me ; when we heard an altercation with the cc nductor, who was pleading most earnestly to the Caro fratello,' as he called him. Then we heard them cutting through the thick leather tarpaulin that covered the luggage on the roof. In about a good quarter of an hour they jumped into the bosquetto, or thick planta tion of tall reeds, by the roadside, and disappeared. Finding they had cleared out, we picked ourselves up, and in a few minutes were again on our road towards Albano. The other four passengers had been completely despoiled of every cent they possessed ; but although we all had watches and chains conspicuously worn, one only had been taken. We could only account for this by supposing that they feared that the possession of, or at tempt to dispose of, such articles might lead to detection. The squabble with the conductor had arisen from his hesitating to open a bag especially entrusted to his care, and for the safety of which he was responsible, and which contained parcels of money and registered articles of value. One of the fellows, however, presented the mezz'e of his piece immediately under his ear, and at the touch he said his blood ran cold through his ♦eine, and he opened the bag, of which they immediately appro priated the whole of the contents, and then sprang into the jungle and disappeared. The amount taken from the passengers in money was ab nit 240 dollars, or 501. Only one portmanteau had been got at, which was cut open and a few things of trifling value taken therefrom. There can be no doubt that they had scouts out to prevent interruption, for both before the attack and immediately afterwards we saw various country people about, both singly and in partie.; but during the whole time the affair lasted, which was a good quarter of an hour, not a soul approached. Upon arriving at Albano, two hours after, one of the passen gers was in a state of the most profuse perspiration, and his heart throbbing fearfully. " The conductor, who appeared perfectly well upon our arrival in Route the same afternoon, was subse quently taken sick, and has since been confined to his bed, and is now seriously ill." METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS. Mr. Jebb bas addressed the Metropolitan Board of Works, offering himself as a candidate for the chair manship of that Board. A movement is also making in some quarters to effect the election of Lord Ebrington to the same post. The following elections of members of the board are given n s supplemental to yesterday's list : ST. JOHN, HAMPSTEAD—Thomas Turner, Esq., J.P. ST. SAVIOUR'S, SOUTIIWARK—Mr. J. Thwaites. BERMONDSEY—Mr. B. Drew, late member of the Surrey and Kent Commission of Sewers, and Dr. Challice, were proposed ; but after a short conversation the nomination of Dr. Challice was withdrawn, and Mi. B. Drew was declared to be duly elected. NEWINGTON, SURREY—Mr. .goy eon. CAMBERWELL —Mr. Irvine. ST. LEONARD, SHOREDITCH Messrs. Ware and 1 liowes. WANDSWORTH - Mr. M. Cartmeal. ST. MARY, ISLINGTON —The names of Mr. John Savage (senior churchwarden), Mr. William Dennis, Mr. James Wagstaff, and Mr. W. Cox were proposed. Mr. J. Savage, who obtained 72 votes, and Mr. W. Dennis, who obtained 55, were declared duly eleoted. IRELAND, MEATH ELECTION. CLOSE OF FIRST DAY'S POLL. M'Evoy Meredyth 1,069 702 Majority f or M'Evoy 367 DUBLIN, Thursday.—The Bank of Ireland this day , at the half-ye ar ly meeting, declared a dividend of 4.1, per cent. for the year, leaving a surplus of 15,0001. to La added to the rest. in as re- he ed 3is he ch he I. he the nto age ;hi- I I I 100 100 100 20 20 50 100 100 20 FOR 54i 94 }3l 42 3 241 1 71 62 3