The Sun. — London, England, 1849-02-16 00:00:00

PM LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DA LONDON, FEB. 16.—Wind at noon, W.N.W., light breeze and dull weather. DEAL, FEB. 13.—Wind N.W. to W., and W.S.W.— Arrd. from the River, 15. Tanjore, Parse, Cape and Calcutta; Euphrates, Ruse, Havannah; Droning, Maria, Rasmussen, St. Croix. Arrd. from the River and sld. Cy bel, Gerrard, Demerara. Std. Ban Accord, Calcutta; Blair, Bombay ; Iris, Algot Bay ; Admiral Moorsona, Valparaiso ; Santiago, Valparaiso; Lie of Wight, Danford, Brazils; Neptune, Bermuda; Fanny, Ewbank, Boston. LIVERPOOL, FEB. 15.—Wind N.W.—Arr3. Hall, Mobile. Sid. Lancaster, Barbadoes. Put back, Rothaay, for Africa, with foremast sprung; Elimore, for New York. The Cookson, for Leghorn, in putting back this morning, went on shore near the entrance of the Victoria Channel, fills with the tide, and it is feared will be a wreck; crewed saved. The Amalia, of and for Memel (with salt), in con.ing out of the Birkenhead Dock:this morning, grounded on the bank, and remains. A boat with John and William, of Liverpool, on her, stern, was picked up this afternoon off Hilbree. FALMOUTH, FEB. 14.—Off port, Therese, Ehlers, Port an Prince, for Hamburgh. PLYMOUTH, FEB. 15.—Wind W.N.W.--Sid. Incon stant, Adelaide, South Australia. GREENOCK, FEB. 15.—The Mount Stuart, Elphin stone, hence to New York, put back to the Clyde yester day, making two feet two inches water per hour and with loss of bulwarks, stanchions, cookhouse, &c., having shipped a very heavy sea 10th inst.; also experienced severe gales from W.S.W. to N.W. BRIDLINGTON, FEB. 15.—The Lady Ann, from Mid. dleborough to London, has been towed in here dismasted and much damaged, having been in contact with the Hope, from Shoreham to Hartlepool, when the latter sunk ; master, one of the crew, and a passenger drowned. CLYDE, FEB. 15.—Arrd. Diana, Paterson, Ri o J aneiro, Hudson, Doane, New York. RAMSGATE, FEB. 15.—Wind W.—Arrd. Mar 3? New castle, for Barcelona, with loss of bulwarks, &e.,C., and other considerable damage. MARKET NEWS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN-E XCHANGE-FRIDAY. A very moderato supply of English Wheat has been received up to our market colstwise during the present week, viz., 2,940 quarters, chiefly from Essex and Kent. By land carriage scarcely auy parcels have reached us. T o - day, the show of samples of both Red and White Was very limited. Nevertheles3, the demand for all de scriptions was exceedingly heavy, at a fall in the prices paid on Monday last of from is to, in some few in stances, 2s per quarter, and a total clearance was not effected. Nearly 14,000 quarters of Foreign Wheat have come in. That grain was much neglected, although the importers were free sellers, at Is to 2s per qr. lass money. No alteration in the value of fine malting Barley. All other sorts were nearly unsaleable. We were tolerably well supplied with Malt, the inferior samples of which Were is per quarter lower. In Oats, the supply of Which was but moderate, next to nothing doing, at barely late rates. Beans, Peas, and Indian Corn, were lower to purchase. The value of Flour was almost nominal. Foreign qualities somewhat cheaper. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Wheat. I Barley. Oats. I Flour 2,940 qrs. 2,460 q I rs. 4,880 qrs. 2,640 ski. 1,910 I - 1,640 trigllBh . Irish. • • • • • • • • I Foreign •••• • . I 13,630 4,090 Malt. 4,610 qrs. - SMITHFIELD. The supply of beasts on offer in to•day's market being on the increase, and considerably more than equal to the wants of the butchers (whose attendance was small), the beef trade was again exceedingly depressed, to most transactions, a decline in the prices of Mon a'Y last of 2d per 81bs. The extreme quotations for the best Scots were from 3s 8d to barely 3s 10(1 per Sibs. At the close of business a large number of beasts were t ur ned out unsold. A great portion of the stock, as will e perceived on reference to our returns at foot, was de rived from abroad. With Sheep, we were very mode rately supplied, the time of year considered. The Pvirnest old Downs mostly sold at full prices. In all mother breeds very little business was transacted. There * a s a moderate inquiry f o r C a lves, at last week's Ligurea. Pigs were a slow inquiry, but not cheaper. Milch Cows, with their small Calf, 141. to 181. each. Per 81bs. to sink the offal. s. d. to s. d. s. d. to s. d. tenor Beasta..... 210 3 0 Second qual. Sheep 3 8 4 2 a c ond quality •• 3 2 4 Coarse-woolled ditto 4 4 4 6 g i lMe large Ox en .. 3 4 3 6 Southdown Wether 4 8 410 brae Scots • ..... 3 8 310 Ditto out of the wool 0 0 0 0 coarse Calves 310 4 4 Large Hogs .. •.• . 3 4 4 2 Rlag nine small ditto .• 4 6 410 Small Porkers .... 4 4 4 8 Calves • .18 0 26 0 Quarter old Pigs .. 16 0 21 0 mferior Sheep .. 3 4 3 6 Lambs .......... 0 0 0 0 TOTAL SUPPLY AT MARKET. I Sheep. I Calves. I Pigs. 1 2,680 195 156 FOREIGN SUPPLY. _ Sheep. I Calves. Pigs. 520 76 &a rm —Beasts. 240 ; Sheep, 386. VIZIVOATE AND LZILDENHAML. Our markets were heavy, on the following terms:-- At n per_ stone by the Carcase. d. to s. d I s. d. to s. d. Beef,inferfor. ••• •• 2 4 --- Middling .... 2 8 2 6 ' Mutton, Infe midridlinorg.... 3 2 0 6 2 3 10 8 2 10 -- primelarge •• 210 3 0 ------ prime •—• 310 4 2 --- prime small .• 3 2 3 4 , Pork Vea1........ •••• • • 3 8 4 8 ' ma ll ........ al 8 4 4 BOROUGH BOP 1122),RNET. The finest samples of new flops are in steady, but by no means brisk demand, at prices quite equal to those obtained on Friday last. The middling and inferior quali ties of new as well as old Hops are much neglected. N otwithstanding the low figures at which all kinds of 11 0ps may now be purchased, scarcely a speculative purchase has been eff ec t e d f or some t i me past. Holders, ovvever, are looking forward to an improved inquiry. Thi s day's rates are as under:—Sussex pockets, 2/, 4s. to 2/. 18s. per cwt.; Weald of Kent ditto, 2/. 10s. to 31.65. ; Mid and East Kent ditto, W. 3s. t 0.6/. Beasts, 1,132 Beasts. 34a COLONIAL, SUGAR.—The market has been . rather more freely supplied, and the quotations, therefore, have been scarcely so high. The decline in British Plantation is :bout 6d per owL Barbadoes realised 41s 6d to 42s for fin e yellow at public sale, and 37s to 38s for low and M auritius, Lumps have been at 4 9 s per cwt. ' fl atiritius, 19,000 bags, about half sold, and at easier s , lrt es; good to fine yellow 38s 6d to 40s 6d, low 35s 6d to ' , ifs, ordinary to Sue brown 29s to 355, and low to good • wee 35 3 to 40s per cwt. Privately, 4,000 to 5,000 bags afterwards sold. Madras, about 11,000 bags, - tn ' ll : all found buyers; damp and washed yellow 31s 6 -681 6 d, brown 28s to 30s Gd, being 6d cheaper for -e grocery qualities, and steady rates for brown and ! good and fine grocery 40s to 41s 6d, mid and l _ () ,IT Yello w 34s to 39s 6d; Bengal, a b out 10,668 bags 4.t?l:int two-thi r d s so ld ; B enares goo d to fi ne w hi te 41s to 33 , go o d and fine strong yellow 39s to 435, and brown lOrdi nary to fine 31s to 35s 6d pe r cw t. P enang h as t been at 328 to 34 s f or d amp , an d J ava, 1,200 b ags a fl oat, og realis e d 2 4s f or H o ll an d , an d another parcel 19s 23s for brown and white for llamburgh. FOREIGN.—Bahia was taken in at 36s 6d for low brown a nd Havannah at 425; for superior, 22s 6d to 35s for told to good, and 35s 6d to 37s Gd for fine. CorritE.---The holders are firm, but are compelled to use mode ra ti on i n supply i ng the market. Native Ceylon has been quiet; real good ord. at 35 to 35s 6d; but 36s Was asked for a portion which was taken in. Fine ord Plantation, 47s 6d to 48s 6d; good ord 35s 6d to 38s; and low mid 51s to 535. Mocha has been rather dull. Low mid. greenish 50s to 525;• Rio, afloat, has been sold at 28s ; and low ord. Rio here at 23s per cwt; low to fine 28s to 295. RICE —The market has been dull; fine white Bengal (rather dingy) lls to Ila 6d; and mid. to good mid. lOs to fos 6d; Madras good pitikey white 8s 6d to 9s, being 6d lower; Java taken in at 9s to 10s. ARROWROOT —St. Vincent's has realised Gid, and Bermuda 10d to is 3d per lb. • SALTPETRE.—This article has been dull, but held for fuller rates; fine strong grey 44 to 3} per cent. re • fraction; Calcutta 27s to 27s 6d; and 7to 18i lbs taken in at 26s to 26s 6d. Spicm—Pimento has been cheaper, viz., 3 0 to 3i c i per lb. Black pepper steady at 21d to 2-id and white 4 d to 4kd per lb for mid. Mace has been dearer. Cloves is 4d to is 8d per lb. COTTON.—A large business has been done in East India, at id to id per lb ad vance. , Aslxow.—The market is better, P.Y.C. being 40s 9d to 4 18 per cwt on the spot. 11 1 ., 1 /, I . , l.—The market is dull. L eeward Island p roof to is 41d, and East India Is 31d to is 44d per TEA. —There is a firm market. GREENm. FRUIT.—The market has been somewhat de ;riled this week, the high price of Oranges having bb r ,! a e ized the consumption. Two cargoes ex " Kings sni",,ge and " Titania," the latter via Southampton, at public sale by Keeling and Hunt sold at a tri g reduction upon the prices obtained last week. e ssl. Lemons move off freely, none now . re ar, ri d ir l,g in first hands, but further arrivals h ally expected. Chesnuts meet with a ready sale, being fe: 3 oti lli gh price of other descriptions of Nuts . 9uirrable to the consumption of this article. No in- Wit l n f° r Barcelona. Black Spanish dull, and the like At e li-`3l.razil. Seville Sours command a high figure, and " 1 Y to do so for the remainder of the season. toitc",„ . _ SILIIMERCERS, AND LACEMEN'S. Lee ti,., lll ? o, N.—Last evening the seventeenth annual e p:t. of this institution was held in Exeter Hall, .tre e Esq., presiding. The minutes of the last pr o ° g !laving been read and confirmed, the secretary th a i2ed to read the report, from which it appears 3, l „tUe total rece i pts f or th e p as t y ear amounted to "i• 14% 6d., and the disbursements to 12,9412 6s. W., aft ' Which latter amount 1,0901. Os. 6d. was expended in c or t,, cli : ng temporary relief to sixty applicants. The regret'"Lttee, in their report, mentioned that they had to that to announce a decrease in the gross receipts, but n o " the diminution arose from the falling off in the tcher of life subscribers, and that as the donations and e g f erl t nal subscriptions exhibit an increase, they feel assured e continued prosperity of the institution, more espe to- Mall es they have been enabled, during the past year, tio ltdd nearly 1.200/. to the capital stock of the institu kenL, The adoption of the report was carried übani Do :7;Y. Several other annual matters were then dis iCe' cf, and the meeting separated by passing a vote of Mks to the chairman. / ,T HE CH ARGE AGAINST M ESSRS . WARREN A ND Vi ,,, n "t a." - -The judges have decided on admitting Messrs. "jr, en and F u ll er to b ail. E ac h was y es terday bound sou:(h, h is en recogni sance o f 2,0001., with four sureties of each, thus making, in all, B,oool—Bath Chronicle. The Rev. Edward Bayfield, curate of Lye, is on i Point of proceeding to Australia as a missionary, hav -o.l?een sele c t e d for this responsible post by the Society ig_the Prop agat i on of the Gospel in Foreign Parts.— ir master Journal. TEE SUN, LONDON, LITERATURE. T,HE WESTERN WORLD. By Alex. Mackay. 3 Vols. " It is now some time," says Mr. Mackay in his introductory chapter, "since a work has appeared professing to give to the English public a general account of the social, political, and material condition of the United States. At the same time, so rapid in their development, and so great are the changes which, in every national point of view, they are con stantly exhibiting, that the progress made by them each year would almost furnish sufficient material for a new work respecting them." To remedy this defect, to give to the English public an accurate glimpse of the Western World, is the object of these volumes, and very admirably is that object accom plished. In order to render his work more attractive to the general reader, Mr. Mackay has, to a certain extent, arranged it in the form of a traveller's tour, an arrangement which is advantageous in so far as it rt-nders the style of narration more familiar ; but no such precaution was required to increase the interest of this work. Books of travel abound usque ad museum, whereas the " Western World" belongs to a higher class, and possesses a more important and enduring interest than an ordinary book of travels. The value of this work may be estimated by a brief analysis of its contents. The author tells us it is not the result of only a hasty visit to the world of which it relates. He has resided for many years in America, mixed with all society, and travelled through the length and breadth of the Union. " The young and strong Republic that has filled the world with fame, And with great praise and marvel of the Anglo-Saxon name," has found a worthy historiographer in Mr. Mackay. He has evidently pondered deeply upon the complexities of its, in some respects, admirable Constitution. He is very naturally impressed with a deep conviction of the immense and, as yet, only partially developed capabilities of the young Republic, and he confidently anticipates for it a glorious futurity. In these senti ments the thoughtful reader of his pages will entirely sympathise. Under the guidance of Mr. Mackay we traverse the Atlantic, and proceed to make a personal examination of the principal states and chief towns of the Union. The second chapter finds us in the ca pital of New England. Here we take diner at the United States Hotel, "an enormous pile of red brick, having a large wing on one side called Texas, and one in progress of completion on the other, to be called Oregon." The streets of Bos ton are very narrow and crooked, which is to be ac counted for, " in the first place, because the founda tions were laid before the old irregular system of building had been departed from, and in the next place because the ground which the city occupies is of rather limited dimensions. It consists of an irregular peninsula with a very un even surface, the strip of ground called " the neck," joining it to the main land." " What we want in Boston," says a New Englander, whom our his torian encounters in his wanderings, "is territory to build on. If we were as flush of it as they are in Baltimore, we would soon make them sing small in the city way, that's a fact." From Boston we pro ceed to New York, and after having sauntered down the Broadway, and examined the various peculiarities of the city, we pause to consider " the commerce and commercial policy of the United States." " There is no country," says Mr. Mackay, " which can boast of advantages superior to those of the United States, for the purposes either of foreign commerce or inter nal trade. :For the one, their geographical position is eminently favourable; for the other, the variety of their productions and their physical conformation admirably adapt them. Situated almost midway between its two extremes, they present a double front to the Old World, from one of which they can hold direct communication with Europe, and from the other with Asia. The time, indeed, is not far distant when Eastern Asia and Western Europe will find themselves most accessible to each other through the continent of America. As to their internal trade, Nature herself had thrown every facility in its way. With every variety of soil, climate, and production, America possesses in its vast rivers, estuaries, and lakes facile means of internal intercommunication. Such energies as the American people possess, acting on such resources, in the midst of such advantages, could be productive of but one result. Happily, too, they avoided a rock on which the barque of their pros perity, if not shattered, would have been greatly strained. That was not the country for artificial barriers, where nature had levelled all physical ob structions to trade." The great struggle between the advocates and the opponents of "the American system" is next detailed in a very interesting manner. This struggle in many respects resembles our recent battle between the Protectionists and Free-Traders, but with this difference—" In the New and Old World the battle has been between the landlords and the cotton lords, but they have changed colours in the fight. Here the struggle of capital has been for freedom of trade ; there it has been for protection : here, the landed interest has contended for restriction ; there one section of it has ever fought for relaxation; and now all sections com bined seem to struggle for the same end." This difference of conduct on the part of the English and American landlords and capitalists is easily accounted for—their positions are exactly reversed in the two countries. Here it is to the manifest interest of the manufacturer to export his goods, while in America it is the landlord who is solicitous to export his corn ; monopoly seemed favourable to the interests of the landowner in Eng land, and for the same reason to the interests of the manufacturer in America. Hence there as here the same patriotic cry was raised by the monopolists, " Independence of foreigners." Let England grow her own corn, let America manufacture her own cotton, and each country will be independent of the foreigner ! "A man might as reasonably strive to be independent of his shoemaker," says the writer of the " Western World," "as one nation endeavour to be independent of another, when their wants and aptitudes adapt them for mutual adrantage." The chapter following conducts us to Philadelphia-- "Nowhere does Philadelphia present the same im petuous activity as New 'York. It has an orderly and decorous look about it." We next pass on to the diminutive state of Delawere, which, " comparatively weak as it is, has contrived to secure, in one branch of the Legislature at least, as good a footing and as potent a voice as New York, which is twenty times its size, with nearly thirty times its population. This microscopic state, however, has managed to do that which more puissant sovereignties have ever been unequal to—it has kept clear of debt. Side by side with Pennsylvania, it affords a notable instance of prudence in juxtaposition with prodigality." Our next journey takes us to Washington, where we pause awhile to consider the constitution and form of government of the United States in their various details. This partion of the work is peculiarly interesting. A full and particular account is given of the political aspect of the United States, of the Federal Legislature, the judiciary system, party, party-spirit, organization, and tactics, &c., &c. The various peculiarities of Ameri can society are also described and contrasted with the state of society in England. The religion, literature, education, manufactures and future prospects of America form the subjects of suceeeding chap ters. The difficulties of the slave question are also fully detailed. Slavery (says Mr. Mackay) is one of those domestic matters which come under the particular jurisdiction of each individual state, " Congress has no more authority over slavery in South Carolina than it has to dig a canal or erect a bridge in the state." Nevertheless, to our thinking, notwithstanding Mr. Mackay's arguments, as long as slavery exists in some portions of the Union, and is connived at by the remainder, the whole Republic must share in the disgrace. The " Western World" would be incomplete without a chapter on California, and consequently Mr. Mackay has not omitted one. A map of California, and a map of the United States are also contained in this work a work which relates to most important subjects, and which treats them in a most interesting and attractive manner. " The proper study of man kind is man," and for the people of a free and en lightened nation like our own there can be few more beneficial and attractive subjects of study than the political and social position of a kindred nation, its many respects strongly resembling themselves—their Transatlantic brethren, the inhabitants of the Western World. The following extracts will evidence the diversified character of Mr. Mackay's work. Such persons as have had the good fortune of accompanying Mr.. Banvard will best understand and appreciate the perils of the following STEAM-BOAT RACE ON THE MISSISSIPPI. " At this moment an ejaculation of Mind your fires there!' proceeded from the captain, who had approached, and was now standing on the promenade deck between the funnels, and looking anxiously forward at some ob ject in advance of us. On turning to ascertain what it was, I perceived a steamer which had left Memphis on its way up to Louisville about ten minutes before we did. She was going at half speed when I first observed her, but immediately put all steam on. I at once divined what was to take place. The firemen seemed instinc tively to understand it, as they immediately redoubled their efforts to cram the furnaces with fuel. By the time we were abreast of the Lafayette,' for that was our rival's name, she had regained her full headway, and the race commenced with as fair a start as could well be ob tained. Notwithstanding the known dangers of such rivalry, the passengers on both boats crowded eagerly to the quarter-deck to witness the progress of the race, each group cheering as its ovre boat seemed to be lead ing the other by ever so little. By this time the negroes became almost frantic in their efforts to generate the steam ; so much so that at one time I thought that from throwing wood into the furnaces, they would have taken to throwing in one another. But a short time before upwards of two hundred human beings had been hur ried into eternity by the explosion of a boiler; but the fearful incident seemed for the moment to be forgotten, or its warnings to be disregarded, in the eagerness with which passengers and crew pressed forward to witness the race. I must confess that I yielded to the infection, and was as anxious a spectat , .; of the contest as any on board. There were a few timid elderly gentlemen and ladies who kept aloof; but with this exception, thj captain of each boat had the moral strength of his cargo with him. For many minutes the two vessels kept neck and neck, and so close to each other, that an explosion on board either would have ca lamitously affected the other. At length, and when there still appeared to be no probability of a speedy de cision, I perceived a reaction commencing among those around me, and on the name of the Helen M•Gregor and the Moselle,' two ill-fated boats, being whispered amongst them, many retired to the stern, as tar from the boilers as they could, whilst others began to remonstrate, and even to menace. " How can I give in ?' asked the captain, in a tone of vexation, " ' Run him on that 'ere snag, and be d—d to him,' suggested the mate, who was standing by. " The snag was about two hundred yards ahead, just showing his black crest above the water. It was the trunk of a hug« tree, the roots of which had sunk and taken hold of the soil at the bottom ; about eight inches of the trunk, which lay in a direction slanting with the current. projecting above the surface. From the posi tion which they thus assume snags are more dangerous to steamers ascending than to those descending the cur rent. In the latter case, they may press them under and glide safely over them ; but in the former, the chances are, if they strike, that they will be perforated by them, and sunk. They are the chief sources of danger in na vigating the Mississippi. The captain immediately took the hint, and so shaped his course as to oblige the rival boat to sheer off a little to the right. This brought her in a direct line with the snag, to avoid which she had to make a sharp, though a short detour. It sufficed, how ever, to decide the race, the Niobe' immediately gaining on the Lafayette' by more than a length. The latter, thus fairly jockeyed out of her object, gave up the con test and dropped astern. There are certainly laws against this species of racing ; but the Mississippi runs through so many jurisdictions that it is not easy to put them in force. Besides, it was evident to me, from what I then saw, that, in most cases, passengers and crew are equally participis criminis." • BLACK AND 'WHITE. " It was between Philadelphia and Baltimore that I first witnessed for myself the extent to which the Anglo- Americans carry their antipathy to the coloured race. At one end of the car in which I was seated sat a young man, very respectably dressed, but who bore in his countenance those traces, almost indelible, which, long after every symptom of the colour has vanished, bespeak the presence of African blood in the veins. The quan tity which he possessed, could not have been more than 12} per cent. of his whole blood, tinging. his skin with a shade, just visible, and no more. If his face was not as white, it was, at all events, cleaner than those of many around him. I observed that he became very uneasy every time the conductor came into the car, eye ing him with timid glances, as if in fear of him. Divin ing the cause of this conduct, I determined to watch the issue, which was not long delayed. t3y-and-by, the con ductor entered the car again, and, as if he had come for the purpose, walked straight up to the poor wretch in question, and, without deigning to speak to him, ordered him out with a wave of his finger. The blood in a mo ment mounted to his temples, and suffused his whole face; but resistance was vain; and with a hanging head, and broken-hearted look, he left the carriage. He was not a slave; but not a soul remonstrated, not a whisper was heard in his behalf. The silence of all indicated their approval of this petty manifestation of the tyranny of blood. These bold defenders of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' the chivalrous assertors of the Declaration of Independence, looked with utter in- difference on this practical violation of the 'rights of man.' " Served the d—d nizger right,' said a youngster scarcely twenty, at the other end of the car, and those immediately around him laughed at the remark. " He'll know his place better the next time, the mongrel said another; and the laugh was re peated. " Curious to know what bad been done with him, I sought the conductor, whom I found returning from the front part of the train. " Blow me,' said he, if you can't reglate a thousand of your out•and-out onpretendin' niggers much more easier than one of these composition gentry : they think because they have got a little whitewash on their ugly mugs, that they're the real china, and no mistake.' " But where have you put him?' I asked; he surely can't ride on the engine?' " Put him?—in the nigger crib, to be sure, where he should be,' said he. " Can I see it?' I inquired. " You can, if you have a taste that way,' he replied; keep on ahead, straight through the baggage van, and you'll see them all alive.' " I did as directed, until at length I passed through the van in which the luggage was stowed, and between which and the tender was a cold, camfortless-looking box, with a few hard, uncovered seats, which were oc cupied by about a dozen negroes. There they were by themselves, of both sexes, and of almost all ages, some of them silent and sullen, others jabbering like so many monkeys, and laughing immoderately—but all looking equally stolid when their features were at rest. One of them, a woman, bad a child in her arms, which she pressed close to her breast to keep it warm; for though the day was bitter cold, there was no stove in the com fortless crib.' Here I found the poor outcast who had so excited my sympathies; he was seated by himself in a corner, with a gloomy and vengeful expression, and regarded me with a scowl, as if I had been a willing party to his humiliation. His entrance had afforded considerable merriment to the negroes, who rather re joiced, than otherwise, at the treatment he had received. Nothing can be more deplorable than the position, or rather the un-position, of the mixed race in America. Between the negro and the white man there is an im • passable gulf, each having his determinate place; but the mulatto, or rather the mixed race beyond the mu latto in the quantity of white blood, are buffeted be tween the two; for whilst they are not good enough company for the white man, they elicit no sympathy from the black, who charges them with affecting to be too good company for him. It is but justice, however, here to say, that I afterwards traversed the whole State of New York in a railway carriage, in which were seated a respectable negro and his wife, neither of whom was molested, although the carriage was crowded, dur ing the journey. " This feeling the Americans, and more particularly the southerners, carry with them on their travels. It is but a short time ago since the captain of a British steamboat, plying on Lake Ontario, unwarrantably lent himself to this prejudice in favour of a party of Vir ginians, who had taken passage with him from Toronto to Kingston. There was a young coloured man on board, highly educated, and well known to the white as to the negro population of the province, who had taken a cabin berth, paid his fare, and received a receipt for the money. At dinner, he appeared near the foot of the table, the party in question being seated at the top. Seeing him, they rose and were about to leave the cabin, when the captain stopped them. They informed him that they could not sit at table with a black man; to which the captain most improperly replied, that they need not leave, as he would order him away. But he was not to be ordered away—maintaining his right to sit there with the best of them—whereupon the captain took hold of him by the collar, and threatened force. Against this conduct the rest of the passengers loudly remon strated; but the young man, finding himself actually as saulted, rose, and left the table. The Virginians, there upon, dined in peace. But, on arriving at Kingston, the captain was apprehended on a warrant for the assault, and had to pay a heavy fine for his officiousness,—the press of the province being unanimous in its condemna tion of his conduct, and his command being only con tinued to him on condition of his not offending in a similar manner in future." ... i PARTY MEN. " So far from the great modern republic being the scene of political harmony and unanimity, it is the most violent battle•field of party that the world has ever seen. Men are not only led by conflicting interests into anta gonistic positions, but there, as elsewhere, they are found taking the most opposite views of matters purely affecting the public weal. And what gives to party, perhaps, a more violent aspect in the United States than it assumes in any other country, is, that every man is, more or less, an active party man; enticed into the political arena not only by the excitements incident to the scene, but also by the apparent ease with which his direct connexion with the machine of government will enable him to sub serve his own interests and prosecute his own purposes. He feels that, if he manages well, he can do himself, for himself, what, in most other countries, it requires the aid of the great and influential to secure. Generally speaking, there are no intermediate influences between hun and his object, the good offices of which he must purchase with a price, be it in money, in abject sub serviency, or by any compromise of his independence. The door is open to him, which he can enter without another's introduction, and once within which, he can play his own game in his own way. With these facili ties and inducements, the difficulty appears to be to avoid becoming a partizan. The republic is one uni versal party field, and the number of politicians keeps pace with the census. * * The party man in America is almost always able to define his position, to point out the precise line of demarcation between him self and his opponents, and to sustain his own side of a question by argument, which may be fallacious, but which is nevertheless ingenious and intelligent. Enter, for instance, in the evening, an unpretending farm-house, and it is a chance if, after the labour of the day, you do not see the occupant in his home-spun grey, reading his newspaper by the fireside; for both he and his family can invariably read, and he thinks that the least he can do for his party is to sustain the local party newspaper, many receiving, in addition to this, their daily metropo litan paper. In conversing with him, you will generally find, if you leave him to himself, that, as a duck takes to water, so does he very soon take to politics. The markets and a few other topics may receive a passing attention, but the grand theme is politics; and you will be surprised by the ease and readiness with which he speaks upon the most intricate national questions. Far the last fifteen years, no question has occupied so large a share of the public attention as that of the " Sub treasury," the dispute on which turned on the best mode, not only for the collection, but also for the safe keeping and disbursement of the public revenue, involving at the same time the whole question of a metallic and a mixed currency. With the pros and cons on this, as on all other political topics, I found the farmers, in the re motest districts, not all equally, but all tolerably con versant, each man being able to issign an intelligent reason for the side which he took and the vote which he gave. Nor are their minds biassed by viewing a sub• ject only on one side, the newspapers of one party fre quently agreeing to publish speeches and dissertations opposed to their own views, provided those of the other will do the same with regard to them. Thus a county newspaper, in the Democratic interest, will publish Mr. Webster's speech in full on a particular subject; it the Whig and opposition organ will do the same with Mr. FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 16, Benton's on the same subject; an arrangement by which their readers are enabled to consider, at their leisure, both sides of a question. The party•man, whose mind is thus schooled and disciplined, is seldom the man to be bought or bribed. That bribery is practised in the United States is too true; but it is on very different material, as will be immediately shown, that it success fully operates. It may be that party is more easily managed when each man thinks less for himself, and becomes more readily the mere instrument of others; and that, so constituted, it may serve all the purposes of mixed governments; but in a country like America, where the safety of the state rests with the intelligence of the masses, they did well for their fellow-country men who first laid the foundation of that universal system of education, which enables the American of the present day to combine in himself the apparently incom patible characters of a violent, and yet a reasoning politician." DESCENDING THE RAPIDS. " On leaving Prescott we crossed to Ogdensburg for passengers. This town is built at the mouth of the Oswegatchie, a rapid stream, with so dark a current that, on entering the St. Lawrence, it seems to run with ready-made porter. Gliding down the river we were soon in the midst of islands again, and found ourselves ere long at the commencement of the rapids. " The first two or three which we passed were not sufficiently formidable to cause more than a slight ripple on the surface; but by and by we approached the grea. rapid, that called the Long Sault, and preparation we-, made for its descent. Even those accustomed to shoot it seemed to grow more and more excited as we ap proached; it was no wonder, then, that a novice like myself should partake largely of the feeling. We touched tor a few minutes at Dickenson's Landing, a little above the rapid, and already alluded to as being at the upper extremity of the St. Lawrence canal, constructed to enable vessels not built for descending the rapid, to avoid it. On getting afloat again the ladies retired to the cabin, half-frightened at what was before them, and determined, at least, not to witness the danger. I took my post upon deck, where I resolved to remain until the exciting episode was over. The rapid was in sight. In dependently of the fact that I was about to shoot it, it was an object of the highest interest to me, for who has not heard of the rapids of the St. Lawrence? In my mind they were associated with my earliest reading re miniscences. We were close to the Canada shore, some wooded islands interveming between us and the American bank. The rapid commenced amongst the islands, but did not exhibit itself in its full force and grandeur until it emerged from them into the clear and somewhat con tracted channel immediately below. Throughout its whole length it is much more formidable on the Canada than on the American side. It was by the latter alone, previously to the completion of the canal, that the barges which were used in the navigation of the river could ascend, on their way from Montreal to Prescott. It sometimes required fourteen yoke of oxen to tow an empty barge slowly against the current, not where it was most impetuous, but close to the shore, where its force was comparatively small. It was by the Canada side that we were to descend the rapid, which leapt, foamed, and tossed itself wildly about, immediately in front of us. As far as we could see down the river, the dark leaden-looking water was broken into billowy masses crested with spray, like the breakers upon a low rocky shore, stretching far out to sea; whilst the roar with which the delirious current was accompanied, was Ms( the sound of a cataract hard by. For nearly a quarter of a mile above the rapid the current ran smoothly, but with great velocity, which increased as it ap proached the line at which the channel dipped still more, agitating t h e m i g hty v olume, w hi c h seemed to tear itself to pieces against the sunken rocks, over which it dashed with impetuous speed. A period, as it were, of breathless expectation ensued, from the time of our entering upon the preliminary current, until we crossed the line in question. The steamer seemed here to take its race for the plunge which it made from the smooth into the broken current. To one unaccustomed to such a scene, a moment or two of semi-stupefaction ensues, after getting fairly within the embraces of the rapid. It seemed to me at first that we had suddenly been brought to a halt, and were standing still, with the water boiling a and surging around us in mighty caldron, whilst islands, mainland, rocks, trees, houses, and every fixed thing ashore seemed suddenly to have been loosened from their foundations, and to be reeling around me. On becoming more collected I discerned the real state of things ; the steamer was shooting like an arrow along the stormy descent, lashing the angry waters with her lusty paddle-wheels to give her steerage way. She thus rushed on for mites in the course of a few minutes, the objects ashore flitting by us as do those which line a railway. By-and -by we reached a point where the cur rent, although yet greatly agitated, was comparatively tranquil, when the very steamer seemed to breathe more freely after her perilous race. On looking around me, the islands were gone, the broad and broken channel was no longer to be seen, the banks had fallen from their well-wooded elevations almost to the water's edge, the stream was contracted—it was placed in front of us, but wildly :agitated behind—in short, the whole scene had changed. The whole looked like a troubled dream, and it was some time ere I could recall, in their proper succession, the different incidents which marked it." ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. To adventurous minds during the last half century, few subjects have had greater charms than the various projects for opening a communication between the At lantic and Pacific Oceans. The feasibility of the scheme in a general sense has never been controverted, hut as there have been a variety of plans, and each projector has made a point of declaring all to be impracticable ex cept his own, the European public have been deterred from entering into them, while, at the same time, an other obstacle has been the constant revolutions in Central America, which have prevented any attempt at permanent negotiation with its respective Govern ments. This state of affairs, however, will now be rapidly changed. There is no one who is not contemplating the mighty alteration about to take place in the old routes of navigation from the events in progress on the northern coast of the Pacific, and it is easy to predict that during the next few years the rivalry in enterprise between the United States and England will chiefly be directed to that quarter. A few days back we gave an outline of the conditions on which the American railway across the Isthmus of Panama is to be constructed, mentioning that in con nexion with that scheme it was seen that the ports of the United States might become the depots of the com merce between Europe and the east; while in the case of a ship canal the only alteration that would occur would bo the shortening of distance for all parties. Still, although this view is taken with regard to the railway by the people of the United States, they are sufficiently alive to {the broader considerations connected with a direct junction of the two oceans, and hence simul taneously with the construction of the railroad there is a strong opinion that no time should be lost in perfecting the larger scheme. Important, however, as the measure may be to the United States, it is impossible to look at the nap and not perceive that it is far more momentous to England. A railroad from the Mississippi, already talked of, would at once furnish an outlet for all the produce of the States to the eastern seas; but Englaad has no such resource. She must either have a canal through the Isthmus, or make the old passages, vid Cape Horn or the Cape of Good hope, or be content to discharge her cargoes at Chagres, and run up to an American port for a return freight. Under these circumstances, it may be desirable to put into a compendious form all the information hitherto collected as to the various routes which have been sug gested for a canal. The routes proposed have been five :—I. The Isthmus of Panama, in the Republic of New Granada. 2. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec, at the southern boundary of Mexico. 3. The Lakes of Nicaragua, in the republic of that name. And 4 and 5. Two separate channels from the Gulf of Darien. _ _ Of these the three first alone require consideration, the routes by the Gulf of Darien having never met with encouragement from any quarter. First with regard to the Isthmus of Panama. This isthmus at its narrowest point is less than twenty miles r across, but at this part there is a mountain ridge of 1,000 feet, and it is in the district only between Chagres ' on the Atlantic and Panama on the Pacific, where the width in a direct line is 33 miles, that a passage could be effected. The first grant for the purpose, by the Grenadian Government, was to Charles Biddle, of the United States ; but this having lapsed a new concession was made in 1838, to Salomon and Co., of Panama, a French house, who caused a survey to be made by an engineer named Morel, and by whom estimates and pro posals were subsequently issued for raising the required capital. The terms of the concession were not such as deserved to be entertained. The Grenadian Government were to grant the necessary lands and rights for 60 years; but not only was the canal to be given up to them at the end of that period, but the ♦essels of the Republic were to enjoy a reduction of 10 per cent. in the tolls charged to other nations, while a tax of 1 per cent was also to be levied on the annual profits of the company, which tax was to be applied to the dividends on the foreign debt. The route proposed by Salomon and Co. was one by which the river Chagres and Trinidad on the Atlantic side should be united by a canal of 25 miles with the river Farfan, which flows into the Rio Grande to the Pacific, the total length of the passage including the windings of the rivers being 50 miles, and the highest point of land being 33 feet. Building materials, consist ing of free stone, clay, lime, and wood, were accessible in abundance. The canal was to be 160 feet in width, and 22 feet deep, and calculated to admit vessels of from 1,200 to 1,400 tons. It was to be com pleted in eight years, and the estimated cost was 3,475,000 dollars or 695,0001. The estimate of ton nage likely to pass through yearly was 499,809 tons, and the proposed toll being 2 dollars per ton the in come would be 999,618 dollars, from which deduct ing expenses of 235,000 dolls. a divisible balance would remain of 764,618 dolls., or 152,9231. The details fur nished of this scheme were by no means clear or ample (although the estimate of possible revenue seems not to have been excessive) and other surveyors have repre sented the difficulties of the work to be far greater. With regard to the harbours on each aide the accounts are favourable, but the surrounding country has no recom mendations, and the climate is unquestionably dangerous. The next route is the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The direct width of this isthmus is nearly 150 miles, and a privilege having been granted in 1842 to Don Jose de Garay to construct a canal, he caused it to be surveyed by Signor Moro, an Italian engineer. Ho proposed to avail himself of the river Coatzacoalcos, the mouth of which had long been pointed out as the fittest place in the Gulf of Mexico for a depot, owing to its abundance of durable ship timber and the security and convenience of the port. The river through its windings is navigable in some de gree for 160 miles, and after this would come 'he canal of 50 miles, surmounting in its progress to a table land at a place called Tarifa, 525 feet, and falling from Tarifa to the Pacific 660 feet. The summit level was to be supplied with water by a trench from two rivers which descend from the mountains to the Pacific. The canal was to be 20 feet deep and 122 feet wide, and would have required 150 locks. Adopting the scale of estimate of the Caledonian Canal the cost would have been 3,400,0001. One great advantage of this route would be the ex cellence of tke country through which it passes. The salubrity of the climate is said to be unequalled on the American continent, and the population are among the most active and healthy of the Indian races. In addi tion to a fertile soil and forests of the finest timber, it is reputed that the mountains contain rich gold and silver mines. The last and most interesting route is that by the Lake of Nicaragua. A proposal for the construction of a Nicaraguan canal was entertained by the Icing of Holland in 1830, but abandoned, owing probably to the political events of the time. In 1842, however, while a prisoner at Ham, the attention of Prince Louis Napoleon was called to the subject by a communication from a French gentleman at Jamaica, and subsequently receiv ing a visit from a French naval officer about to start for Central America, the Prince requested him to make ob ,ervations on tho practicability of the communication. The result was the preparation of a pamphlet by the Prince, which was printed in London two years back for private circulation. From this it appears that in 1846 the Government of Nicaragua conferred full powers on the Prince for the prosecution of the undertaking, and that seeing it " must produce the most beneficial effects on the commerce of all nations," he had resolved to go out and put himself at its head. The surveys available for the project were those of Mr. Baily, an English engineer, who had been employed by the Nicaragua Government, bnt had never been paid for his labour, and of a Mr. Lawrence, of her Majesty's ship Thunderer, which were made respectively in 1837 and 1840; to which also are to be added the observations by the French naval captain employed by Prince Napoleon. On glancing at the map of Central America the Nica ragua route will at once strike the eye as the most feasible that could be presented, supposing no engineer ing obstacles to exist of an insurmountable kind, since the river San Juan de Nicaragua runs into the lake, which presents the appearance of a huge natural dock, and which again communicates with the smaller body of water called Lake Leon, separated from the Pacific by a narrow isthmus only, through which a canal of 11 miles, to a river that runs into the sea, would form the termination of the un dertaking. That there are no extraordinary difficulties the pamphlet of Prince Louis, and the authorities ho quotes, seem abundantly to testify. It is also plain that the surveys of this route have been conducted with more practical skill and accuracy of detail than those of the others. The route commences at the harbour of San Juan de Nicaragua, one of the best on the coast, and which forms the mouth of the river extending from the Atlantic to the lake of Nicaragua. The length of this river is stated by one authority to be ninety English miles, and by ano ther 104. It is described as a magnificent stream, vary ing in breadth from 100 to 200 yards, with a depth of from one and a half to nine fathoms, studded with islands and fringed with wood of all sizes and descrip tions, and navigable all the year by boats of eight or ten tons burden. Its obstacles are a series of four rapids, which are comprised within an extent of 10 miles ; u drainage of certain parts caused by the efflux of its waters into another river, the Colorado; and a labyrinth of small islands amongst the shallows thus created. The longest of the rapids is not more than a mile, and they can all be overcome by locks; the drainage into the Colorado can be remedied by a dim across that river; and the shallows can be got rid of by the ordinary me thods of deepening, as the bottom consists of mud or sand. On the whole the works and deepenings of this river would extend for 33 miles. Reaching thus the Lake of Nicaragua, the next point of the undertaking is at the river Tipitapa, which connects that lake with the Lake of Leon, since the Lake of Nicaragua, which is 90 miles long, with a mean breadth of 20 miles, has abundant depth, and although studded with fine islands, is perfectly free from any thing to embarrass navigation. The river Tipi tapa is 20 miles in length, and is navigable for boats 12 miles. At one part there is a cascade of 13 feet, and it would require three locks, and also that it should be canalized throughout. Arrived at the Lake of Leon, which is 35 miles in length, we are only separated from the Pacific by 29 miles, and the highest land above the level of the lake is stated not to exceed 51 feet. Eleven miles from the lake is the River Tosta, with an aver.!ice t width of 65 feet and depth of 6 feet at low water, (1 1 is by cutting a communication to this that thie.wrkaawill be completed, bringing us to the port of T 2 ae3 among °iles its which total length of this route would b n its harbours on which only 82 would require works), most important recommendations arrf:ety of its climate, both sides, the great beauty and a d t its "the extent of its the fertility of its soil,. and four months, while Mr. natural productions. Baily prevented by sickness from a single individual was although they were con tinuallywas employed wpiathrinag party of forty men, not performing his daily night in the open air. Provisions sleeping at Beef at the rate of 2s. for of all kinds ar© abundant. labour, 1849, 251 b.; maize, 16s. for 2601 b.; and rice in the same pro portion. The wages of labour, including provisions, average about 9 dolls. per man per mouth. The proposed depth of the canal was 23 feet, and the width 147 feet, so as to be calculated for merchantmen of 1,200 tons. The dimensions of the locks were to be one-fifth greater than those of the Caledonian Canal. The cost calculated on the high scale of the Caledonian Canal is estimated at 4,000,0001., leaving 400,0001. for casual expenses, and a reserved fund. The revenue is taken on 900,000 tons, and as it is calculated that an average of one month would be saved to European vessels, and of tw•o months to United States' vessels, which may be estimated as equal in the former case to 19a. 7d. per ton, and in the latter to 395., the contemplated toll is 105. per ton in the one in stance, and 20s. in the other. This would give 600,0001. a year, which, after leaving 2 per cent. for maintenance, and 1 per cent. for sinking fund, would yield a return of 12 per cent. on the capital. The Government of Ni caragua it is also believed would cede to the company all the land on both sides of the canal throughout its entire course to the extent of two leagues, forming about 1,200,000 acres, the present value of which would be Is. 6d. per acre, or 90,0001., but which it is contended would be infinitely improved. The estimates of returns in the present case, it will be observed, are higher than those adopted in the project for the Panama Canal, but it is probable, looking at the impulse since given to the progress of navigation in this part of the world, they are not now to be regarded as excessive. At the same time, the difference in the Government concession is an im portant feature in favour of the Nicaragua, as compared with the Panama project.—Times. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of %Vales, Prince Alfred, and the Princess Alice, took an airing yesterday in an open carriage and four. Col. Seymour attended on horseback. The Princess Royal and the Princess Helena took their usual walking exercise yesterday. The Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Carlisle, Lad) Alfred Paget, Col. the Hon. C. B. and Mrs. Phipps, and Dr. Meyer, had the honour of dining with her Majesty at Buckingham Palace yesterday craning. The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards was in attend ance in the Palace during dinner. A deputation, on the subject of the Borough of Bir mingham Bill, consisting of Mr. Scholefield, M.P., Mr. Muntz, M.P., Mr. Thornton, Mayor of Birmingham, Mr. M. D. Hill, Recorder, Mr. Alderman Geach, Mr. Bray. Town Clerk, and Mr. Clabon (London), had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office. Mr. Alexander Ilastie, had an interview with the Right Hon. H. Labouchere yesterday; Major Mac donald had also an interview with the Right Hon. Gen tleman yesterday, at the office of the board of Trade. Mr. John Wood had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. The Judicial Committee of tho Privy Council sat yes terday, and resumed the hearing of an appeal from Bengal, (part heard at a former sitting) " Huradhun Mookurjia v. Muthoranah Mookurjia. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TAT TERSALL'S.—YEsTEnDAY. So very little was done yesterday, that we have only to direct attention to two or thre e c hanges in the Liver pool Steeplechase quotations, and to record a further ma proveinent in Lugar for the Metropolitan Handicap, and a rather marked feeling against The Tartar and Lady NVildair for the Chester Cup. Of the few horses backed for the last-mentioned event, Halo and Peep o'Day Boy appeared to be most in favour. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. 7 to 1 agst Mr. T. Mason's Prince George—taken 9 to 1 agst Mr. Brettle's The Curate 10 to 1 agst Mr. J. 13 ateman's Napoleon 20 to 1 agst Mr. Coghlan na Edward the First—tkn 22 to 1 agst Mr. Russell's Arab Robber—taken NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 15 to 1 on the field METROPOLITAN HANDICAP. 13 to 2 agst Lord Eglinton's Lugar—take 7 to 1 li to 1 agst Mr. Grevillo's Clarissa 20 to 1 agst Mr. Osbaldeston's Fugleman CHESTER CUP. 20 to 1 agst Mr. F. Clarke's Joc o'Sot, 5 yrs, Est 111 b —taken 20 to 1 agst Mr. J. B. Day's The Tartar, 5 yrs, ist 81b—taken and afterwards offered 40 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Lady Midair, aged, Bst 40 to 1 agat Lord Howth's Peep-o'-Day Boy, 5 yrs, Bst 51b—taken and offered 40 to 1 agst Duke of Richmond's Halo, 5 yrs, 7st 101 b—taken and offered 45 to 1 agst. Mr. Quin's Farewell, 4 yrs, Est 101b—tk 50 to 1 agat Lord Eglinton's Lugar, 3 yrs, 4st 101 b—t 50 to 1 agat Mr. Merry's Chanticleer, 6 yrs, Oat olb —taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. Adams's Ellerslie, 4 yrs, Tat—taken and offered 50 to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Clermont, 5 yrs, 7st 61b taken and offered DERBY 4 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Flying Dutchman 7 to 1 agst Colonel Peel's Tadmor 50 to 1 agst Duke of Rutland's c out of Flambeau's dam—taken 500 even between Uriel and Nunnykirk OAKS. 12 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Wadsstra filly 20 to 1 agst Mr. Cuthbert's Emma Donna—taken NAPOLEON'S BIRTII-PLACE. — The great boast of Corsica consists in its chief town having given birth to Napoleon :—Cowan in his " Six Weeks in Corsica " says :—" On asking permission to sketch the interior my request was courteously granted; but I observed the worthy family studiously avoided coming in contact with me, owing to the false report which the agent of the French police had set afloat respecting my being employed by our Government as a spy. A servant of the house was allowed to wait upon me, and from her I learned the particular history of this noted mansion. All the rooms were respectably furnished; the one in which Napoleon was born had curtains hanging from its windows as tender almost as tissue -paper, which the female attendant informed me, were not allowed t o b e touched excep t with the greatest possible care : For all things here,' said she, even to the chairs and tables, are held in the greatest veneration by the family who oceupy the house, and are, indeed, re • garded as sacred, because they all existed w h en N ap leon was born i n t hi s a p a rtment.' GOLD IN SCOTLAND.---It may not be generally known that gold is to be found in Scotland. Gold dust was gathered in the rivers, near Crawford, in Lanarkshire, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and since, by the Earl of Hopetoun, at Leadhills, to little profit. It was also dug in Bathgate-hills, Lin lithgowshire; in Perthshire, and other parts of the country. It is still to be found on tho tops of the rocks, and also mixed with other metals ; but the searching for it is rather a matter of amusement than of serious occupation. Oar ancestors had the good sense to discover a better kind of diggings, viz., the application of the spade and the plough to our thin barren soil, anti of the result let those judge who choose, by an inspec tion of our rich fields and cultivated farms, or we may refer to the well-known character of our farmers and Scotch gardeners .—Correspondent of Kelso Mail. THE NAVY CLUB. The members of this club dined together for the first time this season, last evening, at the Thatched House Tavern, Admiral Sir Deana Dundas, M.P., in the chair. There was an unusually full attendance of officers on this occasion, probably owing to the fact of the Gallant Chairman of the day (who ex officio has always the pri vilege of introducing one friend) having invited the newly-appointed representative of the French Republic, Admiral Cecile, to become the guest of the Club. The Gallant Admiral duly accepted the proffered hospitality, and was received on his arrival at the tavern by Admi ral Deans Dundas and several other officers. The ban quet was of the most reclurché character, and did ample justice to the proverbial and excellent taste of the direc tors of this far-famed hotel. The chairman was sup ported on his right hand by the guest of the day, Ad miral Cecile, and upon his left sat Admiral Sir Byam Martin. Captain John Forbes occupied the vice chair. The following Noblemen arid Gentlemen were also of the party :—Vice-Admiral the Marquis of Thomond, Admiral Lord Radstock, Captain Lord Fre derick Hallyburton, Captain Lord Colchester, Captain Lord Edward Russell, Captain Lord John Hay, Captain Lord Clarence Paget, Admiral Sir E. Codrington, Admiral Sir Augustus Clifford, Admiral Sir Charles Ogle, Rear-Admiral Sir F. Mason, Captain Sir Thomas Hastings, Captain Sir Watkin 0. Pell, Captain Sir Richard Grant, Admiral Sir Graham Hamond, Admiral Sir Samuel Pym, Captain the Hon. S. T. Carnegie, Rear-Admiral Sharpe, Rear-Admiral Bouverie, Admiral Crofton, Captain M. J. Currie, Captain G. Mansell, Captain Eden, Captain Graham, Captain Stewart, Cap tain Clifford, Captain Pechell, Captain Sykes, Captain Herringham, Captain Nias, Honourable Captain Rous, Captain Frankland, Captain Walpole, Captain Williams, Captain Hamilton, Captain Macdougal, Captain Towns head, Hon. Captain Cary, Captain Knox, Captain Free mantle, Captain A. Milne, Captain C. Talbot, Captain Porter, Captain H. Forbes, Captain Mundy, Captain Sparshott, and Captain Percy Grace. The cloth having been drawn, and a magnificent des sert placed upon the table, The usual loyal toasts were duly honoured, after which, The Gallant CHAIRMAN rose and said—Ten years ago Admiral Fleming introduced a foreigner into this room—that foreigner is now President of the Republic of France—l beg to give as the next toast, " the health of the President of the French Republic." This call having been responded to with enthusiasm, Sir BYAM MARTIN said the privilege of giving the next toast had been conferred upon him, and he felt great pleasure in proposing to the company " the health of their gallant guest, his Excellency th e F renc h Am bassador."—(Cheers.) The club had met that day in unusual numbers, he believed he might say, in honour of the Gallant Admiral.—(Hear, hear.) It was not only, however, with the desire to support him as their guest that they , had assembled, as they desired to mark the high respect which they all entertained for his dis tinguished character, and, at the same time, make him welcome to their mess.—(Cheers.) All who knew his Excellency were aware of the high esteem in which he was held in his own country, and he (Sir Byam Martin) had frequently heard his praises sounded by British officers.—(Hear.) He begged to give them " the health of his Excellency the French Ambassador." Admiral Sir E. CODRINGTON, in rising to second the toast, said he did so with all his heart. Ho had often had to fight against the French, and he had often en joyed their co-operation when under his command. In every instance he had found them possessed of great bravery and a high sense of honour. The toast having been drunk with every mark of en thusiasm, His EXCELLENCY rose and acknowledged the compli ment with great warmth of feeling, addressing the com pany in the French language to the following effect:— He heartily apologised for his inability to express in the English language the sentiments of his heart, but he trusted many, and ho hoped all present, would be able to understand what he said, though he adopted his mother tongue.—(Hear, hear.) In the first place, he begged to thank them most sincerely for the honour they had done him in inviting him to their banquet; and, se condly, for the good cordial reception he had met with.—(Cheers.) It was a source of high grati fication to him to find himself in the midst of his " brother officers."—(These words being pronounced in English were greeted with loud cheers.) And he re joiced to add, that he saw many around him to whom he was bound by the strongest feelings of his heart.— (Cheers.) When the opportunity was offered to him of coming to this country he had gladly embraced it, for without any desire to speak boastfully, he had felt that he should be made welcome during his residence here.—(Hear, hear.) His Excellency, in conclusion, repeated his thanks to the company and sat down amidst loud cheers. Sir RICHARD GRANT next gave "The Health of the Chairman, with many thanks to him for the pleasure he had afforded the company by securing the presence of Admiral Cecile at their banquet." The Gallant CHAIRMAN briefly returned thank•, and the remainder of the evening was devoted to social en joyment. TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P.,: &c., &c. My Lord,—l have this evening received certain in formation that your Lordship has, upon the part of Government, laid before the Irish Poor-law Committee a proposal " that the valuation of land should be perma nent for seven or ten years." When this proposal was announced in last week's Economist as one of the remedies for the existing evils in Ireland, I took no notice of it, for I could not have believed that so palpable an absurdity could ever receive the sanction of Government. It is only another proof to those I have already ad duced that your Lordship does not receive correct in formation upon agricultural subjects, from what motive it is ❑seless to inquire ; but no reasonable doubt can exist that such a limitation must have the effect of bene fiting the idle landlord at the expense of the industrious. The proposal which I made last year was, that the valuation should be permanent, and the rates fluctuate according to the wants of the poor, and I have yet to learn that such a proposal could inflict the slightest injury upon man, woman, or child, whether landlord, tenant, or labourer, and must benefit all by the en• couragement it would give to the employment of the people. But the limitation of seven or ten years must have a most prejudicial effect in preventing the employment of the people, experience having proved in Scotland that no tenant will embark his capital to the full extent tin. less ho has a lease of nineteen years—and this on land which is in a proper state of cultivation when he enters. Upon land which is' in a bad state of cultivation—or on waste land to be reclaimed—nineteen-year leases are too short. Mine are all for thirty years, and even that term is short enough to repay a tenant. But with the proposed limitation no tenant who pos sesses a grain of common sense would take a lease for more than the seven or ten years, and therefore he could not be expected to employ the people to the extent he would upon a nineteen-year lease. And then the improving landlord, will he spend his capital in employing the people in the more expensive operations of reclamation, drainage, &c., if there is a probability of his rates being doubled at the end of the next seven or ten years—and this for the benefit of his idle neighbour who has done nothing? I have the honour to be, Your Lordship's most ohrdient servant, RIGBY MASON. Reform Club, Feb. 15, 1549. EMIGRATION FROM DORSETSIIIAB.—On Tuesday last a very large meeting, over which the High. Sheriff presided, was held in the Town-hall at Shereborne, for the purpose . of considering the expediency of em i g ratio n , a grant of two ships having been obtained from the Eint gration Commissioners for the exclusive passage of grants from the county of Dorset. The Rev. C. Bing ham proposed a resolution (after some observations on the inadequacy of the labourers w ages for their su pp ort) in support of the plan of emigration . a bout to be adopted , which was seconded in a speech ot considerable length by the Hon. and Rev. S. G . Osborne, in explanation .d,of so nd h the general principl e o f colonization, a the En benefits likely to accrue from it to many in the sou of glan who were in a most pitiable condition. The Hon. and Rev. Gentleman having concluded amidst great applause, the Hon. and R ev. Mr. Scott, the Rev. H. F. Yeatman, and other gentlemen addressed the . meeting. The reso lution having b een carried, the H o l f gh ein S i l g ie r r a i t t i f on announced u himself a convert to the principle i nt imated that the L ord-Lieutenant o f the countyt was that day given his c ountenance to the local society. The during th e Government agent was busily engaged even ing wish applicant s for fr ee passages. HEAVY PENALTY UNDER THE EXCISE the Court of Excise yesterday John Strahan, alias John Scott, was fined 4001., with condemnation of the spirits, for dealing extensively in illicit goods, and defrauding the revenue for a considerable time past to a very greet extent. THE BALLINGARRY INSURRECTION.—The Clonmel Chronicle says:—" Martin Doherty, who has been an outlaw sin6.e August last, being one of Smith O'Brien's principal men at Baulagh Commons, and formerly tutor, was taken at Ballingarry on the night of the Bth inst., and scut to Clonuiel gaol." PROGRAMME OF THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. COVENT GARDEN. The director of the Royal Italian Opera, Covent-garden has published his programme for the entafing season. The subscription is for forty-six performances, com mencing on Saturday, March 10th, and terminating on Tuesday, August 21. Since last s eason M a d emoiselle Alboni, Madame Persiani, and Madame Castellan have seceded from the establishment. Grisi, however, sail continues to give her support as prima donna to the Royal Italian Opera, and Madame Pauli ne Vi ardot is to appear in Meyerbeer's opera, the Prophete, in the latter portion of the season. The place of Alboni is to be supplied by Signora Angri, a lady new t o this country, but who has achieved a great reputati on on t h e continent, and whose voice is of such compass th at s h e can sing with equal facility either as a contralto or as a mezzo-soprano. She has frequently, it is said, alter nated the parts of Lucrezia and Orsini in the opera of Lucresits Borgia, Another contralto will also make her de4ut at the Royal Italian Opera this season—Mdlle. Marie, the daughter of Madame Merle, who was sa popular some seasons since. Madame Dorus Gras is to be the substitute for Persiani, and a young English girl, Miss Catherine Hayes, who was recently pinta donna at Lt." Scala, and who has achieved an immense success at the principal lyrical theatres of Italy and Germany, is also eogaged. Madame Ronconi, Mdlle. Steffanoni, Mdlle. CorOari, and Madame Bellini are re-engaged. Mario is the pr imo tenore. Salvi is also engaged, and Luigi Mei anti Lavia are the secondi tenori. The corps is rich in baritones; Tamburini, Massol, and Ronconi are all engaged, the latter under taking, it is said, the line of characters heretofore sus tained by Rovere, who is not re-engaged. Marini, Tagliafico, and Polonini are the bcTssi profundi. The chorus and orchestra are under th , e direction of M. Costa, and the performance of ballets will he confined to short divertissements and to those incidelital to the operas which may be produced. The season opens on Satur day, March 10, with the opera of Massaniello, which will be produced for the first time in a perfect form in this country, with Mario as Massaniello, Massol as Pietro, Madame Dorus Gras as Elvira, and Mdlle. Pauline Leroux as Fenella. in addition to the existing reyertoire four new operas, at least, are to be produced during the present season, viz., Massaniello, Roberto it Iliavola, It Matrimonio Seuretto, and Meyerbeer'a new grand opera Le Propehte. Meyerbeer himself is to superintend the production of this, said to be his grandest and most wonderful production, and will conduct the first three representations. The cast will embrace the names of Madame Grisi, Madame Pauline Viardot, Signor Mario, M. Massol, and Signor Marini. The performances are to commence at half-past eight on Tuesdays, and at eight precisely on Saturdays. THE ROY AL ASYLUM OF THE ST. ANN'S SOCIETY. Yesterday the adjourned general meeting of the go vernors and subscribers was held at the London Tavern, Bishopsote street. The chair was taken by the Hon. William Ashley, and there was a crowded attendance. The whole proceedings appeared to excite the most intense interest. Previous to the general meeting held on Friday last, Mr. Carpmael, of Lincoln's Inn, had issued a pamphlet, principally composed of the detail of a transaction be. tween himself and the scretary of the society (Mr. E. F. Leeks), in the year 1837. The matter was explained fix 1840, and rested quietly until the end of last year, when it was revived by Mr. Carpmael, and an angry corre spondence ensued between that gentleman and Mr. Leeks. The whole of this correspondence was published by Mr. Carpmael, and distributed not only to the sub scribers, but to the public generally. Yesterday morn ing Mr. Leeks issued a small pamphlet entitled "Brief Replies to Mr. Carpmael ;" and this was freely distributed to every subscriber on his entering the room. The whole matter in dispute may be stated in a few words. Mr. Carpmael, in his printed statement and correspond ence, says:— " On the 4th of December, 1837, I paid a cheque for 10/. 10s. to the master of the St. Ann's Schools, and re ceived a stamped receipt for the same, thus becoming, as I supposed, a life governor of that institution. From that date I continued to receive the voting papers for each half-year's election, and such voting papers were ten dered and received at the election, but whether they were allowed I have no moans of knowing. In the year 1840, the collector of the schools applied to me for my annual subscription, when I informed him (by letter, but of which I kept no copy) that I had paid a life subscription." To this Mr. Leeks, in his " Brief Replies," says : " As to the payment of the ten guineas' life subscrip tion, in December, 1837, Mr. Carpmael himself furnishes the obvious explanation of the omission to enter that sum. He made the payment to the master of the schools, instead of to the secretary or collector, and states he ' re ceived a stamped receipt' for the same. No doubt this mode of payment led to the omission of which Mr. Carp mael now complains. If the payment had been made to the secretary or collector, a printed receipt would have been furnished, and from the counterfoil of that receipt the proper entry would have appeared in the society's books." The Hon. CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he had attended at great personal inconvenience to oc cupy the post of chairman; but when he found the con duct and character of one of its principal officers im pulled, he considered the interest of the institution at stake, and thought it desirable above all things, that the accusation made against that gentleman should either be sustained or refuted.—(hear.)._ The lion. and Rey. F. Yowls moved that the statem(nt of accounts submitted on Friday last be adopted. Mr. ComaNcs seconded the motion. Mr. ANDERTON considered that, by the adoption of the motion, the subscribers would completely shut them selves out from further remedy. He would therefore suggest that it would be better for all parties that he should immediately put as an amendment upon the re port the resolution of which he had given notice.— (Hear, hear.) He had no reason to doubt that the se cretary would have a sufficient reply to the charge.— (Hear, hear.) After a few more observation, he moved as tollows: " That a special committee of governors be appointed, with MI power and authurity to investigate and exa mine into the managetnent and government of the school of the society, and the receipts, disbursements, and appli cation of the funds and subscriptions belonging thereto; with power to employ an accountant to assist therein, if deemed necessary by such committee so to do; and that they do report thereon at the earliest possible period, to a special general meeting, or court of governors, to be called for that especial purpose; with power also to re commend such alterations for the future management and government of the society as such committee shall see fit." Mr. Leeks stood high in the city; ho held many other situations of trust; and upon the result of the present inquiry his character must stand or fall.—(Hear.) The Rev. 1)r. PRENDERGAST seconded the motion. Mr. BREWSTER then moved— " That this meeting has entire confidence in the inte grity and efficiency and management of the society, and feel assured that the committee will attend to any sug gestion properly offered for any desirable alteration in the mode of keeping the accounts; but this meeting at the same time disapproves of the course recently pursued by Mr. William Carpmael, and are of opinion that the pamphlet published by him was perfectly uncalled for, and has a tendency seriously to injure the society." After a long discussion, The CHAIRMAN decided that the amendment of Mr. Anderton must be disposed of before that of Mr. Brew ster could be put. Mr. CARPMAEL, at great length, and amid nauch in terruption, proceeded to recapitulate the whole of the charges contained in his pamphlet, quoting and re-quot ing until the company exhibited unmistakeable signs of impatience. sergeant MEREWETHER, in a well-timed address, hoped that the excited and unfriendly feelings then exhibited would not be long continued. He had no ob jection to the fullest inquiry, but he very much doubted whether a work of charity, such as theirs, would be much aided by angry discussions like the present. Mr. SID:ARES diffs.red with Sergeant Ilerewether, and succeeded in inflicting several speeches on very unwil ling hearers. Mr. SHAW—The whole matter seems to be this—the ten guineas seem to have gone through the left-baed. pocket of the secretary into the right-hand pocket or the society.—(Laughter.) The gravamen of the charge f is, that it did not go first into the right-hand p eeket the society. The CHAIRMAN then read a letter from Laing, formerly honorary chaplainmittotee, the the It s e o v c . ie D t} r .: he did not stating that, as a member of the . e b o i rr ty, te i nding but that, as a an angry nig ewl toi e s r h gy shrink man, he from ho u i a d n any c r e e l i s n p . c)n a s he w hlayoss e ft conductaor to the o remarks serious e h m e a pa k s s s i e oo d rf said he had the greatest cus•ion. At the same time, u pon confidence in Mr. Leeks, a high eulogium. Mr. Alderman Wiesosi; d his intention of voting .for the ::::dt::::einpecutrt:wpLOTT defended the con duct Mr. Shaw: ridicule, and expressed amendment. o winA N TAYLOR spoke in favour of and of Mr. Leeks, the amend as secretary. Mr.fl3tle;s—e-lves as committee-men, ment. A long and very personal discussion ensued, and on Mr. Lo the amendment being put, it was rejected by a majority of ten to one. The regular business of the meeting then proceeded, the re-appoilittneuts in every case being contested. The result wa. that the late committee, with one or two ex ceptions, were re-elected, the auditors were chosen, and Mr. Leeks was unanimously re-appointed as secretary, amid great cheering. The proceedings commenced at eleven, and did not terminate until after four o'clock. WEST KENT YEOMANRY.—We understand that her Majesty's Government have consented to an augmenta tion of the Cobham troop of the West Kent Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry, to the strength of eighty men, under the command of Captain the Earl of Darnley. This regiment will now consist of strong troops, amount ing to 2SO rank and file, the whole commanded by Lieut.-Colonel the Viscount Sydney.—Kentish O/server. SALMON EISIIINGS.—The salmon fishing in our Scottish rivers opened on Thursday week. The Deve ron, which has escaped the late floods, have yielded a considerable catch; but we understand on a l d that the take on the first day was under a score, end subsequent days had been by no means larg e. A fair wa s expected i t l o proportion of foul fish have been observed • Seotch Re formers' Gazette. F. Thorpe Porter, Esq., mag i s trate at the he a d police-office, Dublin, is, we understand, at present in • the London, engaged in making inquiries into the mode o f managing the police, and c onducting business in the different police-offices of t h e metropolis. .---~ -.1 1 9 4 5/ 34 16 -- I