The Sun. — London, England, 1842-05-13 00:00:00

COMPANION TO THE LIVES OF COLLINGWOOD AND NELSON. Now ready, in 2 vols. Svo., with Portrait, THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL VISCOUNT KEPPEL, FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY in 1782-3. By the Hon. and Rev. THOMAS KEPPEL. Henry Colbnrn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street. NOW READY, PART IL, Price One Shilling, with Three Engravings kj Dick Kitcat, of THE FORTUNES OF TTECT.6I): O'HALLORAN,' By W. H. MAXWELL, Esq. Author of " Stories of Waterloo," " Wild Sports of the West," &c. Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street ; John Cumming, Ormond-quay, Dublin Ben and Bradfute, Edinburgh ; Grapel, Liverpool ; and all Booksellers. FRENCH PLAYS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. • Fourth Appearance of Marine. Dejazet. THIS EVENING, MAY 13, The Perforznances will commence with ZOE; 01.1, L'AMANT PRETE.—Zee, Mdlle. E. Forgeot. After which, LA FIOLE DE CAGLIOSTRO.—In which Madlle. Dejazet will appear. To conclude with VERT VERT.—Vert Vert, Aladlle. Dejazet. Boxes, 6s, ; Pit, 3s. 6d. ; Amphitheatre (or Gallery Stalls), 3s. ;i Gallery, 2s. Doors will be opened at Seven o'clock, and the Per. formances commence at Half past Seven. Applications for Boxes and Stalls for the remainder of the Season,, to be made at Mr. Mitchell's Library, 33, Old Bond-street; Mr. Se.. guilt's, 12, Regent-street; Mr. Sams's, St. James's-street; and at the Box-ottiee of the Theatre, which is open daily, from Eleven till Five o'clock. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Positively the Last Week of Mazeppa, which must be withdrawn ET the Geand Whitsun Novelties. THIS EVENING, MAY 13. - - Will be presented Lord Byron's MAZEPPA ; Oft, THE WILD HORSE ok".0 HE DESERT, with increased splendour, extensive auxiliary aid, and unapproachable effects. After which, in a more extensive and splendid Arena than ever before witnessed. NEW SCENES IN THE CIRCLE, introducing; Mr. B Arms unrivalled Collection of Animals, consisting of nu- , nierous and matchless Cream-coloured Horses, Andalusian Chargers,. Spotted Couriers, Fairy Palfreys, and Pigmy Poneys, and the most talented Vaulters, Riders, Gymnastics, and Contortionists in the kingdom. The renowned French Female Rider, Madame Seraphine Bassin ; and the miraculous feats of flexibility by the Sprite of the Silver Shower. To conclude with the Drama of THE DUMB MAN OF MAN CHESTER. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. • The Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, are respectfully Informed that the Summer Season will commence at these Gardens On WHIT-MONDAY, the 16th of MAY, 1842, With a GRAND WHITSUN FESTIVAL, in which will be eralxo. died all those popular Entertainments that have given to this favou rite place of recreation its peculiar celebrity, with additions and in troductions, which it is confidently anticipated will render them even more generally attractive. The MENAGERIE has been enriched by many valuable and portant acquisitions in the classes of both Quadrupeds and Birds. The Colossal VIEW OF BOME has been repainted, and in some' instances remodelled. Tha BAN D will include some of the most eminent Performers, conducted by Mr. Godfrey. The Programme of the PROMENADES MUSICALES will be selected from the noblest works of the great Masters. The ILLUMINATION of ST. PETER'S, the GIRANDOLA, the FLAM-NG InESSEN. GER, the METEOR of ST. PETER'S, and a Grand HYDRO PYRRHIC TABLEAU! The Gardens are open Daily front Ten till Dusk. The Evening Fetes, with the Promenades Musicales, Illumination of st. Peter's, Girandola of St. Angelo, &c., will be given on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, Slay 16 17, and 19. Admission One Shilling. The Private Box in the Teatro Tordinona may be engaged pre viously. THE INDIA SUN CONTAINING A MAP AND FULL ACCOUNT OF AFFGHAN.ISTAN AND THE THEATRE OF WAR IN INDIA, WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM INDIA AND CHINA, IS NOTV READY. THE WEATHER.—Noox, MAY I'2. 00Y AL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET. Thermometer .... 43) Highest 62 1 L0we5t....... 41 Barometer 30.01.—Wind N.W. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY. !Corning 24 minutes after 3 I Evening ..... 47 minutes after 3. TO CORRESPONDENTS. .. J. S."—We have perused the Acts of Parliament on the timber-dutiei, and find no clause allowing a drawback upon materials used in the building of churches "belonging n, the Established Church of England." We have no doubt , that churches and Dissenting chapels are, in this respect,. placed on the same footing. .All Advertisements of a Disgusting Character, or Immoral Tendency, are excluded from the Columns of " The Sun." - • o „ ti , •, •••; t. •- 4 Tam, 4 ~, A l imet ';„ • . e s l 10 • e* - - - -•- • r.• Whe _Suit LONDON! FINDAY MORNING, MAY 13, 1842. One of the reasons assigned by Ministers for nou levying an Income-tax is, that " commerce cannot bear any additional burdens." If that be so, why d( they levy an additional stamp duty in Ireland r Why do they add to the duties on spirits ? And, above all, why do they impose a duty of 4s. per ton on exported coals ? We are not sure that their argu ment in favour of the Income-tax does not tel' against themselves. Their are many businesses carried on with very small profits ; and we are in clined to think, that deducting very nearly three per cent. from those profits may put a stop to many of them, or make them take refuge abroad. That is a speculation ; but it is not a speculation that th(- Ministers who, pretending to liberate trade from un necessary restrictions„ have wantonly, contrary to their own princip'es, and contrary to all the lessons of experience, Unposed a new tax on exported coals. In general the Parliament wished to encou rage . native industry', but in the case of coals ex• ported, it gives a borinty to the extent of the tax on the industry of fora:',gners, and imposes a burden - on the industry of our own people. A pamphlet entitled " Observations on the pro posed Duties on the: Exportation of Coals, &c." points out that the duty - which existed prior to 1834, was removed for the very purpose of promoting an in crease of the. exports, and of providing employment for British shipping. The removal of the duty has answered so well, that the export of coals has increased from 450,838 tc,ns in 1833, to 1,497,197 tons in 1841. Th( amount o f freight on coal exported in 1841 was above 700,000/ ~ and the value of the coal 6754871. By that export the shipping interest, the mining interest, and alt the industrious classes connected with them. were - benefited ; but now these advantages are to be risLed by a measure which is contrary to all the deductions of political science. It is supposed, we believe, by the Ministers, that the only effect of the tax will be to raise the price of coals to the foreign consumer; that he cannot do without English coal, and must, therefore, to have them, pay this tax. It is devised on purpose to make him bear a part of our national burdens. If the con- . secinence were uncertain, we should object to acting on th at principle, because there is no country at present, b.' spite of our anti-social Corn-laws, which is more dependent on foreigners than England, and if they were to follow the example of taxing the raw ma terials of manufactures which are useful to us we should be very great sufferers. suppose that the United States, captivated by Sir ROBERT PEEL'S elo quence, should hasten to follow his example, and, in imitation of this part of his tariff, should levy a tax of 2d. per lb. on all cotton exported from the United States, that would inflict upon the manufactures of England a raost serious blow. - We have heard Russia blamed exceedingly for levyinc, a small duty on the export of tallow:, and probably s he would levy a greater, but her defire to tax the fo reigner is checked by the limitation she would soon find to the sale of her own produce. Tallow may be obtained from other countries, and substitutes may be used for it ; so, too, cotton may be ob tained from other countries than the United States, and the effect of raising the price of cotton or of tallow, by a tax, would he in the end to discourage its consumption abroad, and injure the Russians or the Americans. The proposed tax on coals, levied or the purpose of snaking foreigner's contribute to our State necessities, will have a similar effect, and will. in the end put a stop to so much British trade. Otb.er nations pro duce coals, and substitutes for it may be found. " At Havre and P ' says the 'pamphlet, " Eng lish coal is in closo competition with that of Belgium, and a very slight addition to the price of English coal, much less than the proposed duty o'Z from 60 to 130 per cent., will give the markets of tl . ,e North of France to the Belgium coal owner."---" In 0 ,e South of France, in the district of Alais, near Nis. nes, large mines have been recently brought into opi gyration by some of the most influential capitalists of Fn nice. A railroad, com pleting the communication with tl se sea, is nearly finished, when the coals can thus be br aght to Marseilles at a cost not - exceeding, on the who le, 13s. to 13s. per 4. The fieight on English coal to Marseilles is from 12s. 10 16s. and 17s. per ton, ace .)rdil 1g to seasons and cir cumstances, and consequently the coal of Alais will necessarily take possession of this market, and also enter into competition with us in all the markets of the Medi. terranean."—" The Spanish coal mines on the coast of Asturias are now producing coals which can be put on board ship at a cost of less than ss. per ton, and can be delivered at Bordeaux and the ports of the -Mediter ranean at 14s. and 165." Now, when competition is thus threatening the English coal-owner and ship-owner on every side, is it 3,v:se to subject them to the additional disadvantage of raising the price of their coals 4s. per ton. We ask no favour for them, we pray that they be left to free and unrestricted competition; but those to whom they pay heavy taxes for protection, should not render their industry fruitless. There are many parts of Sir R. PEEL'S tariff which, in our opinion, the Liberal party ought to oppose, but there is no part of it which, on their own principles, they ought so cordially to re sist, as the unsocial tax on a product of our own industry, which is also essentially useful to other na tions. Happily for us and for them, we cannot inflict the tax on them without suffering from it ourselves ; for it is found of all malignant actions, as well as curses, that, like chickens, they come home to roost. We learn that the suggestion which was thrown out in The Sun on the first day of the year, to " place an American Officer on board every English man of war employed to repress the slave trade, and let every ship which shows American colours be examined and answered for by him," and which we adverted to more at length on the 4th of January, has been fa vourably received by General CASS, the United States Minister at Paris, and commented on in his pamphlet on the " Right of Search." We see, too, that it has been noticed in Congress, for Mr. QUINCY ADAMS, in his late speech on the foreign relations of the United States, said— " In this very pamphlet, of which the gentleman from Pennsylvania has spoken with so much honour (and I shall treat it with honour, too, as having proceeded from a public Minister of the United States at one of the most important Courts of Europe), there is a proposition made which Ido not say we ought to concede. As a poli tical question, involving the peace of two great coun tries, and the suppression of the African slave trade (for which I could bring myself to almost any conces sion), it might have strong claims to consideration; but, as a politician, as a statesman, as a negotiator, I doubt if this expedient of General Cass be not even more objec tionable than the right of search itself. The proposal is, that the cruising vessels of either nation should have on board a naval qfficer (a lieutenant I suppose) belonging to the other, and that he shall make the requisite search in person. This is held, forth by way of compromise between the two parties, and a mode of avoiding the dif ficulties which embarrass the question. I will not say that if the negotiation shall concentrate on this, as the only practicable expedient, lt should be rejected; but I will say this, if the gentleman from Pennsylvania, or the Senate, or this House, shall be so pressed as to concede that, very little ground will be left them for refusing the right of search as heretofore proposed." The suggestion having thus acquired considerable importance, it is due to ourselves to insist upon the limitation which we affixed to it, and which both General CASS and the Venerable ex-President of the United States, have overlooked. Those persons who may remember the line of argument we adopted on that occasion, must be aware that we are determinedly hostile to establishing a police of the sea. We took pains in one or two articles to point out the absurdity of supposing that there was great danger from piracy, unless the right to examine and search ships at sea were mutually granted by all the maritime nations of the earth. We, therefore, never for one moment contemplated, as both General CASS and Mr. QUINCY ADAMS, by their lan guage imply, the employment of a naval officer of one nation in ALL "the cruizing vessels of the other nation." Our suggestion was limited to sending an officer of one nation on board the cruizers of the other nation "employed to repress the slave trade." We should regard it as a piece of wanton meddling, and a concession of nearly all that the Americans have struggled for, did we suggest, by a general employment of an American officer in every British cruiser, the establishment of a maritime police. At the time we threw out the suggestion, there were apprehensions of a quarrel between England and the United States on the subject of searching American vessels, with aview to putting an end to the slave trade. Diplomatists were exchanging bitter notes, an Extraordinary Plenipotentiary had been appointed to proceed to the United States, the English journals teemed with reproaches against the Americans for covering the slave trade with their flag, and it was as a somewhat better alternative than a quarrel and bloodshed, that we suggested the expedient of enabling the American Government, by means of sending a naval officer on board our ships employed to suppress the slave trade, to search their own ves sels. That trade is confined to a comparatively small part of the ocean ; the number of ships employed to suppress it are comparatively few; they cruize within certain defined limits ; and the suggestion, which is justifiable as applied to them, and for one specific purpose, would be unwarrantable, extended to all our navy, and applied in every part of the globe. Being, by the remarks of General CASS and Mr. QUINCEY ADAMS, forced to reflect again on the subject, and again to refer to it, — believing, too, that it is possible, as Mr. ADAMS says, that the negotiation may turn on this compromise, we ihall press its advantages on the attention both of the English and American Governments. The Earl of ABERDEEN has formally given up all claim to exercise the right of search over American vessels luring peace, and limits his claim to ascertaining the fact that a vessel hoisting the American flag is an American vessel. If our cruizers, therefore, were to fall in with an American vessel suspected 9f being a Slaver, as soon as they had ascertained her nationality they must search no further. But not so if she were boarded by an American officer, and the American Govern ment were united with ours—as it is in a wish to put an end to the slave trade. He could examine the ship after he had ascertained that she was an American, and consequently the employment of American officers on board our ships would be more ?ffectual for the suppression of the slave trade than merely to visit American ships by English cruizers That consideration ought to be an additional recom• mendation of our suggestion to the English Govern. ment. Every Captain of an American ship passing within the limits in which the slave trade is carried on, knowing that there was one of his own countrymen, armed with the authority of the American Govern ment to protect him, on board the English cruisers, would at once lose all the just and invincible repug nance he now has to be boarded by an English man of war. The consequence would . be that time would be saved, and a great many contentions tvoided. By our suggestion, therefore, the authority and dignity of the United States Government would be saved, security would be given to its merchant ves iels, and many sources of ill will would be at once dried up. The American papers that reached Lon don yesterday, contain a humble apology from Lord ABERDEEN to the American Government, for the conduct of her MAJESTY'S vessel Waterwitch, in cap turing the American brig Tigris, which spread exas peration throughout the United States. Now, both the anger of America, and the humiliation of Eng land, would have been avoided, by acting on the sug gestion we threw out on the first day of the year. We learn with great pleasure from our City Cor respondent, that " the subscription," of which we had not before heard, " for the sufferers at Hamburgh, has nobly progressed, upwards of 5,0001. having been '?ollectecl to-day, and 2,3701. yesterday, sums which, large as th ey are, w ill , i t i s to b e regrette d , go b ut a ,short way to remedy the distress." This is as it should be. There is not a man in the country who las a guinea to spare who ought not to contribute it :o this work of real charity. Such contributions )(Aster up no injustice : they are not intended to bribe a class to submit to slavery. They do but imi tate. at a very humble distance, the great Giver of all good, and spread a small portion of that general Abundance which he bestows for the sustenance and happiness of all his creatures over those who, by a sudden calamity, have been reduced to want and,. distress. The New York Express of the 20th ult. publishes an exceedingly interesting debate in Congress on the 14th, on the relations between England and the United States. The principal speakers were Mr. INGERSOLL, of Phila delphia, and the venerable ex-President, JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Of these speeches we can give no report, being prevented from doing so by want of space. Mr. INGER 01.L began by repudiating a right of search in all cases whatever. He next lauded to the skies the conduct of Mr. STEVENSON in London, and General CAss in Paris. The exertions and pamphlet of General CASS had prevented the French 1 1 14F1 Government from ratifying the right of search. On the five points controverted betvveeu Great Britain and the United States, he maintained that Great Britain was entirely in the wrong. On the Maine question she took the soil of that State ; on the Caroline question she destroyed American property ; on the Creole dispute she again seized American property ; on the Oregon Boundary question she contended for American soil ; and her claims to confiscate slaves was aimed only at the destruction of American commerce. Re specting the question of war, Mr. INGERSOLL declared that America was sufficiently , prepared, and that she could as easily burn London as Great Britain could New York. They talked about the rising of the slaves in the Southern States ? But was there not room for retalia tion in Canada, in Ireland, and in India ? Besides, they would have with them the sympathies of France, Prussia, !Russia, Sweden, and even Texas. He contended that the PRESIDENT should yield nothing, and rather than yield ,anything he was for war. Mr, ADAMS made an excellent speech in reply. He admitted that he was always opposed to the right of search, but proved that such a right was not contrary to the law of nations. He ridiculed the prepara tions of the:United States for war and dwelt with horror upon the idea of burning such cities as New York and London ; the French alliance he considered nothing, 'or worse than nothing ; and strongly urged that there was nothing in the dispute *with England to en danger the peace of the world. The French are eonti nually boasting of the support which the Americans derive from their sympathy. Hear Mr. ADAMS on the subject ' He said, that in reference to the threats of Great Britain to raise the flag of emancipation in our Southern States, that, too, was a thing to be made light of, because Great Britain herself was in a condition so precarious that her own people were as likely to overturn her Government as it was to injure us at the South. I will not meet the gentleman on that occasion. I be lieve that Great Britain, like all the other Powers of Europe, and more especially France (to whom we are advised to look as our chief reliance) is in a most precarious situation. I believe that they are all in danger of a tremendous revolution ; and none so much as that very France. I must say here (and Ido not know whether it will be very acceptable to this House) that if it be true, as the gentleman from Pennsylvania inti mates, that the interference of our Minister in France, by the publication of the pamphlet on which he bestowed so high praise, was the occasion of the refusal by France to ratify the Quintuple Treaty, I do hold that in so proceeding France owes an explanation to the world of her refusal to ratify that Treaty. If it be true that General Cass has effected this result, I, for one, do not thank him for it. Not only because he has persuaded France to break her faith and put herself in the wrong in the future controversies which may arise between her and the other parties to that Treaty, but also because it looks like an intermeddling with the political affairs of Europe : it has the aspect of engaging us to entangling alliances with foreign nations, the very evil against which the venerable Washington and the vene rable Jefferson both so emphatically warned their countrymen. And I here ask the House and the country to believe, that if the refusal of France to ratify the Quintuple Treaty shall be persevered in (which I can scarcely believe possible) that the right of search has not any part in the wars which may follow, and in which we are in some danger of be. coming entangled. That, I say, will form no part in such wars. It is no question between France and the four Powers. France has conceded it. It is her bad faith in re fusing the ratification, that is more likely than anything else to embroil her with those Powers, Just as it hap pened in what was called the Syrian question. And what will be our condition if, in consequence of the intrigues of our Minister, we are involved in a European war on the hollow pretence of this right of search? There is in the French House of Deputies, which the Gentleman from Pennsyl vania says was influenced by General Cass in its refusal to ratify, an interest whose constant aim is to overthrow the dynasty of Louis Philippe, and destroy every remnant of it— a party who are much more bitterly opposed to him than any portion of either House of Congress is opposed either to Martin Van Buren or to John Tyler. They would annihilate his family root and branch, and for ever abolish the monarchi cal power he holds. I will not enter upon the question by what authority Louis Philippe holds his throne. It is not a question for this place or for this time; but I will say that France and her representative body have that question clutched between the parties which there prevail ; and that, in this coming war, which it seems this pamphlet of Mr. Cass is to kindle up, I would not give a picayune for his crown. And this is the state of things in which we are invited to go to war, with France for our ally ! At the annual meeting of the Protestant Association, held on Wednesday, at Exeter Hall, Mr. PLUMPTRE, in moving the adoption of the Report, expressed his grief at the progress of Puseyisin in the Church of England. He contended that those who embraced the opinions of Drs. PUSEY and NEWMAN had virtually seceded from the Church of England ; and he hoped that all true Protestants would feel shame that such persons should parade their names as belonging to that body of true Christians. The meet ing applauded the observations of Mr. PLUMPTRE, and, though rarely agreeing with anything said by the Saints at Exeter Hall, yet on this occasion, and to this extent, we applaud them likewise. We agree with that gentle men that the Puseyites and Newmanites are not members of the Church of England. They are virtually, and to all spiritual intents and purposes, Roman Catholics. That they do not openly enter her commu nion only shows that their attachment to the loaves and fishes is stronger than their regard for consistency. They retort upon the Establishment the dishonesty which she was the first to teach them. The youth in our Universities are accustomed to practice perjury from their infancy at the command of the Church ; and therefore there is nothing surprising if, in after life, they indulge in it at the expense of her rich temporalities. A boy matricu lated at twelve years of age, must subscribe the Articles of Faith— must Virtually syNar that he has examined and believes all the sublime mysteries of religion, and yet he must be sixteen before he is supposed capable of taking the oath of simple allegiance to his Sovereign I Need we wonder then, that in after life, amidst every change of reli gious opinion, he should cleave, like a limpet to a rock, to any preferment which the Church bestows upon him ? What does he more than follow the bent of his University education ? Take away the Church livings of the Puseyites, and they will soon declare themselves what they are—Roman Catholics. The frightful accident on the Paris and Versailles Railway has spread a gloom over the French mnetropolis. As yet many families remain in a state of the most painful uncertainty as to whether missing relatives of theirs were among the passengers in the carriages which were destroyed. The Journals are full of the subject ; but as we have given in another part of The Sun all the additional particulars in the shape of news, we shall here merely quote from them such reflections upon this sad catastrophe as appear in their leading columns. The Journal des Debuts says : Grief and consternation are incapable of reasoning, and we are compelled to put a restraint upon ourselves, in order to offer some observations on this event. The catastrophe is the mole frightful, as it appears to have been the re sult of a fatality, against which human power and foie sight could in vain attempt to provide. The Company had neglected nothing to procure good locomotives from the best makers in England, and the management of the train was not confided to novices. It was under the direction of a skil ful and experienced man, of the name of George, who had acquired great celebrity in the opinion of all our railway en gineers. This unfortunate man neglected nothing to prevent disaster, and when he saw that an accident was inevitable he died like a brave soldier on the field of battle. The road was in good condition, and the rupture of the axle-tree of a locomotive, which was the first cause of the event, is one of those circumstances which may happen on the best con ducted railroads as on common roads. On the other band, the authorities exercise an active surveillance over the mate riel of the companies on the lines near Paris, in which they are facilitated by the companies themselves, whose evi dent interest it is to be scrupulously on their guard against anything that might diminish the passion of the Parisians for railroad tiltvelling The late dreadful event, then, was a case of force majeure ; it may be regarded as one of those disasters against which man is powerless, and this it is that augments the public emotion—this it is that tenders the ca tastrophe more terrible. We do not, however, mean to say that so long as there shall be railroads, such calamities are to be expected. In the first place, the event in question is without example in the history of railroads. It is a case of exception, against the recurrence of which every thing possible should be adopted, but which should not excite excessive alarm, for, as such an event has not hitherto occurred, it will be diffi cult for it to occur again. Again, it should be considered that much improvement may yet take place in the construction of locomotives. This invention is only twelve years old. During that time many ameliorations have taken place, and others may be fairly anticipated." These observations are just and sensible. The power of steam, and the means of controlling and regulating it, are yet in their infancy. The first river navigators who constructed corricles and rafts to supply the placo of bridges had as just conceptions of the construction and management of a ship of the line, as we have of the future application of steam power. The Courrier Francais says : - - - - What we deplore in this event, independently of the number of the victims, is, that it will again awaken prejudices which have completely disappeared. Railroad communication has not yet had time to become naturalised in France, and it cannot increase and continue without the favour of the public. In America and in England a railway acci dent turns to the advantage of the national foresight. It causes means to be sought after for defending mankind from the dangers necessarily attendant on every new invention. With us the mischief which occurs, discredits, at the same time, science and the inventor. Was it not necessary, on Sunday evening to have a regiment of the line to prevent the crowd from tearing to pieces the railroad station ? We were for a moment afraid that the Chamber of Deputies might without examination yield to this untoward impression, and it must be confessed that such sad intelligence was well cal.. culated to derange the discussion on the Railroad Bill. Thu Chamber, however, was able to restrain its emotion. It con sidered, undoubtedly, that to it belonged the task of giving an example of firmness on this mournful occasion, and it ac cordingly continued to discuss the Bill. The Government has, of course, instituted an inquiry into the causes of the ` a ccident. It was its duty to do so. It could not remain a pas sive spectator of so horrible a catastrophe, and it is from it that the world expects to learn if so frightful a disaster was caused by the imprudence of man, or the imperfection of science. From the information published by the evening papers, as well from what we have ourselves collected, it appears that the adminis tration of the railroad had taken all the care pos sible to prevent accidents. An accumulation of precautions, unknown even in England h a d a tt en d e d th e arrange ment, and the superintendence of the trains. The en gineer who constructed the railroad was in person at the head of one of them, and on this, which was so unfortunately overturned, the man who formed all the engineers of Paris was placed on the first locomotive, assisted by an engineer and a stoker ; the inspector of the line was on the second ; all the employes were at their posts, and of eight, which- was their number, five have perished ! A measure, which is now much SUNS I,OINDON, PRI - DAY MORNING, MAY 13, 1842. blamed—the precaution of locking the waggons—had been adopted at the demand of the Prefect of Police ; so true is it that the Government ought to dread meddling with regulations in a matter where unforeseen cases may so constantly occur !" We yesterday deplored this accident for the very same reason suggested ia the first sentence of the above ex tract. But the good sense of the French people will soon get the better of their terrors. - In the meantime, as the French Government meddles with everything, it ought to institute an official inquiry into all the circumstances of the accident, and make them public, without any attempt to extenuate so awful a calamity. Concealment in such cases is most injurious. The following extract from the National is so creditable to the kindness of the inhabitants near the scene of this sad catastrophe, that we have pleasure in publishing it : " Nothing is spoken of but the frightful catastrophe which occurred on the Versailles Railroad. To the sentiments of melancholy and awe which pervade every heart, are joined bitter complaints. It is now, however, either too soon or too late to accuse. We shall wait until he facts are cleared up to examine where blame is due. But in the midst of the mournful accounts which reach us from all sides, it is at least pleasing to us to render homage to the zeal and devoted ness which the inhabitants of Aleudon. Bellevue, and the other neighbouring villages exhibited. All the aid that could be given was lavished on the wounded; the houses were opened everywhere with eagernas, and a great number of physicians came forward to offer their services. The troops also did their duty; arid when the sad news was known, the Government did not fail to do what it could. This is the only consolation that we can offer, an exceedingly weak and inadequate compensation for the ~misfortune which has spread universal consternation in the capital. The obligations im posed on Government by the death of so many victims are not confined to the mere cares of medical attendance. The public expects from the hands of justice an impartial and severe in quiry, which no consideration ought to prevent. Society would be exposed to a perpetual inquietude, if so many persons could thus disappear without the exact cause of the misfor tune being known, and without the negligence being punished as it ought to be. We content ourselves with this reflection, but we shall make it our duty to bring it forward, if it should be forgotten." BOURSE--Plaas, TUESDAY, MAY 10. First Hig hest Lowest Last Price Place. Prick Price. Irrc nth 5 per Cents ll9 85 ... 119 90 ... 1 9 80 ... 119 80 4per Cents. ........ 102 ... 102 ... 102 ... 102 3 per Cents Bl 95 .„. 82 ... 81 90 ~. SI 95 Sant of ' , ranee I atlitte Bank' 5,000 f. Shares 5000 ...5000 .. 5060 ...5060 seorian sank ... 795 ... 795 ... 795 ... 795 Belgian 5 per Cents. 5 per Centi., 1840 105 14 .. 1054 ... 105 .. 105 3 per Cents...« iparnsh Active Y s l,fi ... 23 1 ,fi ... 24% ... 24% Passive 4% ... 4% ... 4% ... 4% Dutch 2% per Cents. Portuguese 5 poi Cents 32 ... 12 ... 32 ... 32 Neapolitan lO7 75 ... 111 80 ... 107 75 ... 107 80 R man .... 104% ... 105' ... 104 ...104 RAILWAY SHARES. St. Germain Versailles, It. r. L. 8....... ........ Rouen 552 50 ... 552 50 ... 551 25 ... 531 25 Orleans ...... 595 ... 595 ... 59! 50 ... 592 50 Strasburg to Bale.— 232 50 ... 2.3 75 ... 232 50 „. 233 75 We have great pleasure in directing public attention to the Report of the National Loan Fund which appeared in The Sun of yesterday. Our readers will recollect that some few years ago we took an active interest in the for mation of this Institution, on the expectation that its princi ples would work beneficially for the public generally, and we are highly pleased to learn that its success has far out stripped our most sanguine hopes. The best argument, or rather proof of the utility of such institutions, is to be found in the fact that not less than forty have started on the principles set forth by Mr. LAME MURRAY, the able founder of this excellent Society. The fourteenth Anniversary of the Greville-street Free Hospital, was held on Wednesday, and it is gratifying to find that this very excellent Institution has been at tended with the best results. In the course of the year, nearly fifteen thousand persons have received medical relief, and the donations amounted to 4,0001., which we trust will go on increasing. With the exception of one or two bequests, it is supported by voluntary subscrip tions, and as it was instituted chiefly for the relief of those who are unable to pay for medicine or advice, it is the duty of all who have the means, to support it by li beral contributions. To its founder, Dr. Marsden, every praise is due, and we see, therefore, with great pleasure, that a well-merited tribute was conferred upon him, yes terday, by the Governors and Friends of the Hospital, for his active benevolence, unwearied perseverance, and high professional skill. CITY TOWN-CLERK.--A meeting was held yesterday at the Guildhall Coffee-house, for the purpose of as serting and supporting the independence of the Corpo ration, as regards the appointment of Town-clerk for the dity of London. The meeting was attended by Alderman Wilson, Mr. Pewtress, Mr. Heppe', Mr. Bower, Mr. Lake, Mr. Richard Taylor, and others; and after a long discussion, the meeting, upon the suggestion of Alderman Wilson, agreed to a resolution (only four hands having been held up against it), to present a re quisition to the Lord Mayor, to convene a Court upon the subject. SUMMARY OF NEWS AND 43 tit/Ift Opt:11On. " Who runs may read." POREIGN. We announce with great satisfaction the extinction of the fire which destroyed the greater part of the city of Hamburgh. In the course of Wednesday afternoon the cheering intelligence was received by the Insurance.offices, by means of a Hull steamer, which left Cuxhaven late on Sunday evening, that the fire had been mastered, and in the course of the afternoon several surveyors were sent to make a survey of the property destroyed. From a recent statistical account of the industry and com merce of France. it appears that there are 84,954 looms in the country, producing `annually a quantity of silk, equal in value to 2.50 m;llions of francs. These looms employ 170,000 work men, and work up 140 millions of francs' worth of silk. The hand-labour amounts to 70,923,9t,5f., or about 411 f. each workman. The manufactories at Lyons alone, in ordinary times, employ 40 to 50,000 looms, 90,000 workmen, and nearly 100 millions of silk. The hom e consum pti on o f F renc h s ilk amounts to 75 millions, and the exports, on an average, to about 140 millions. The Bank of Belgium has just reduced the rate of interest on advances upon Belgian Stock to 4 per cent. A letter from Constantinople, April 21, in the Augsbnrgh Gazette, states that the British Ambassador has just dismissed 51. de Pisani, the head dragoman of the Embassy. The cause of this is said to be as follows :—After a conference with the Reis Effendi, on the question of the Lebanon, M. de Pisani had stated to the Ambassador that the Porte was willing to ap point a member of the family Schachali to be Emir of the Le banon. The Ambassador having demanded the accomplish ment of this promise, the Reis Effendi replied, that he had sub jected the promise to certain eventualities. M. de Pisani was thus compromised and was dismissed. The Augsburg Gazette gives the following from Palermo, April 23 :—" The Government has just announced officially to the Chamber of Commerce and to ship-owners that certain difficulties have arisen between Holland and the Cabinet of the Two Sicilies, which may lead to hostilities, and that they are therefore to be on their guard, in their operations, against the possibility of such an event."—We have heard nothing of this notice from any other source. A letter from Cairo, in the A ugs b urg G aze tt e, sta t es t h a t the Pacha of Egypt, with a view of putting down the slave trade, has laid a heavy tax upon the sale of slaves in his do minions, this being the only way in which he can attack the traffic, as it is tolerated by the Mahometan religion, and vindi cated by the Ulemas. PARLIAMENTARY. The Lords engaged last night in rather an amusing dis cussion about hops, woods, mines, and morality. The Earl of Winchilsea having presented a petition from Kent against the reduction of the duty on hops, Earl Fitzwilliam took the oppor tunity of reminding their Lordships in relation to a previous discussion about mines, that the morality of hop gardens was not excessive, which of course the Kentish Earl vindicated. The Earl of Winchilsea also said that the cultivation of hops was of great importance, as giving value to wood lands, on which hop poles are grown. The retort made by Earl Fitz william was, that the hop duty, then, was required to pay for growing wood, not that hops might be cultivated. The Noble Earl added, which is, we believe, very true, that the owners of wood lands would be more injured by the timber duties than by the reduction of the hop duties. The Marquis of Lansdowne, in moving for some returns, ex pressed a strong and decided opinion against the proposition to tax the foreigners who have invested their property in the English Funds. The Noble Lord described it as a flagrant breach of faith, or repudiatory on a small scale. The Earl of Ripon, being in the Ministry, pronounced a different opinion. Lords Monteagle, Brougham, and Mel bourne, took similar views to the Marquis of Lansdowne; so that it was established, in the minds of their Lordships, that Sir R. Peel's proposition is a breach of faith. The returns were ordered. Lord Brougham's WI to bestow indemnity on those who might criminate themselves by evidence relative to bribery at elections, went through a Committee. Their Lordships sat till seven o'clock. The Commons did not meet in sufficient numbers to form a House, and was accordingly adjourned. MONEY—TnADE—COMMERCE. The annual meeting of the National Loan Fund Society took place onWednesday, at the London Tavern, when it appeared from the Report that the policies issued by this Society had been augmented from 1,230 in the year 1840, to 1,890 at the present period. The income of the Society is about 25,0001. per ann. At a Court of Common Council, on Wednesday, the Report of the Royal Exchange Committee stated that the Bank of England had consented to advance 40,0001. for the new Royal Exchange. A further sum of 25,000/. for the great City im provements about Farringdon-street, in addition to the above sum, was also recommended by the Court to, be applied for from the Government. Contracts have been entered into with Government by several of the Dundee houses, to furnish 27,000 bolts of canvass for the use of the navy. NAVAL AND wzrziTATLY. Prince Albert, who was gazetted a short time since as Colonel-in-Chief of the Scotch Fusilier Guards, in room of the late Earl of Ludlow, reviewed that body of troops in the parade of the Wellington Barracks, Birdcage-walk, yesterday. zakvr AND POLICE. At Guildhall, on Wednesday, Mr. Peters Snow, of Queen's College, Cambridge, charged with having driven his gig over a boy, who lies in St. Bartholomew's Hospital in a dangerous state, has been remanded to Friday. FINE ARTS. Mr. Weekes, the sculptor, has been selocted by the com mittee to execute the Goodal memorial. Benvenuto Cellini's celebrated silver bell was bought for 240 guineas, by Mr. Forster, at Wednesday's sale, at Strawberry hill. The Sheik of the Druies arrived on Wednesday night at Mi vart's hotel from Malta. COURT-FASHIONABLE. The Duke of Devonshire] arrived at Devonshire House on Wednesday from Paris. He hastened his return in order to be present at the Queen's Masque at Buckingham Palace. Viscount Leveson, M.P., has arrived in town from Nice. Earl Cawdor gave a dinner on Wednesday, at his residence in South Audley-street. Mr. Hallan, the historian, has consented to preside at the Eton anniversary dinner, in the absence of Lord Morpeth. Lord Liverpool has issued cards for a full-dress dinner on Thursday next, at Whitehall, in honour of her Majesty's birthday. Wednesday, at St. James's Church, Pi cc adilly, the Hon. Captain Liddle, son of Lord Ravensworth, was married to Miss .Cecil Wellesley, youngest daughter of the Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley. The Duke of Wellington, Marquis of Douro, &c., were present at the ceremony. fITXSC7E7z.7T/4'1277E °XIS . Among the many beautiful features of her Majesty's masque& ball last night, not the least pleasing wrre the Bouquets du Mogen Age, formed of the choicest flowers now in bloom, and which formed part of the costume of the quadrille party. The Royal South London Dispensary held its 21st anni versary on Wednesday. Four years since, about 900 patients were relieved, whilst, in the present year, there were about 4,000. Donations to the amount of nearly 500/. were announced. At the anniversary dinner of the Royal Free Hospital, given on Wednesday at the London Tavern, the Report stated that during the last year, 1841, no less than 7,500 individuals had been relieved. The Duke of Cambridge was in the chair,swho presented to Dr. Marsden a tribute of respect, in the name of the Hospital, consisting of a rich and classically-designed piece of silver plate. The subscriptions for the day amountedto 1,89i31. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDA r. The crowded state of the room yesterday afternoon said little in favour of the attractions of the list at Newmarket : it was crowded until near seven o'clock, and business was the " order of the day." Coldrenick and Attila were steady at the prices quoted below, the former with occasional backers until near six o'clock, when a Noble Lord checked the disposition to invest by an offer of 1,000 to 400. Nothing of any consequence was done on the other under 4to 1, but at that figure two or three were willing to get on. Canadian and Auckland were stationary; not so two of Scott's non-favourites, Jack and Meteor; the inclination to back the first was general, and its effect on his position► was shown in an improvement of six points compared with the latest quotations from Newmarket ; Meteor's party, if more select, was strong enough to give him a decided lift. Lasso had a 'host of supporters at 25 and 20 to 1; the last bet was 2,000 to 100; and the layer would have gone on. Chatham was in force at 22 to 1, and at the finish would have been taken for choice against Lasso. We have guessed The Lord of Holderness at 18 to 1, which we take to be pretty near the mark : nothing was done outright about him. Tiptoe was quite out of the market. A few Oaks bets were made at the old prices. DEASY. 7 to 4 agst Scott's lot 5 to 2 agst Mr. Trelawny's Coldrenick—taken and after wards offered 7 to 2 agst Col. Anson's Attila—take 4 to 1 9 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Canadian 11 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Jack—taken 12 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Auckland—taken 18 to 1 agst Mr. G. Clark's Lord of Holderness 20 to 1 agst Lord G. Bentinck's Chatham 20 to 1 agst Mr. Greenwood's Lasso 25 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Meteor—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Gregory's Barrier 50 to 1 agst Mr. Meiklam's Agreeable colt—taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. Rogers's Tiptoe 100 to I agst Mr. Pryse's Cheops—taken 1000 to 10 agst Mr. G. Clark's Master Thomas--taken 1000 to 10 agst Sir G. Heathcote's Aakansas—taken 275 to 200 on Coldrenick agst Attila—taken 7 to 4 was laid that Robinson rides Barrier OAKS. 7 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Dil-bar 7 to 1 agst Lord Jersey's Adela filly 16 to 1 agst Lord G. Bentinck's Firebrand—taken 20 to 1 agst Sir G. Heathcote's Dark Susan—taken 20 to 1 agst Mr. Allen's Belle Dame 25 to 1 asst Mr. Newton's Ma slie NEWMARKET—WEDNESDAY NIGHT. DERBY BETTING. 100 to 35 agst Coldrenick—t. I 22 to I agst Chatham—t. 7 to 2 ags. Attila 28 to 1 agst Meteor 8 to I agst Canadian 30 to 1 agst Lasso—taken 12 to 1 agst Auckland—taken 50 to 1 agst Tiptoe—taken 17 to 1 agst Jack—taken 1000 to 6 agst Oneida Chief 18 to l agst Lord of Holder- —taken ness—taken 4000 even between Oneida Chief and Ballinkeele—taken 500 to 10 agst Seahorse and Ballinkeele—taken 5 to 2 agst Coldrenick (Frederica c) and Ghuznee—t. OAKS. 14 to 1 agst Firebrand I 25 to 1 agst Ma Mie—taken ENTRIES FOR THURSDAY. Handicap of 20 sovs. each, T. Y. C.--Menalippe, 5 yrs, Bst 121 b; That's-the-time-of-Day (Wiseacre c), 3 yrs, Est 101 b; Minaret, 4 yrs, 7st 61b, &c., by Sheet Anchor, out of Lady Fulford, 3 yrs, 6st 71b. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, winner to be sold fn. 2001., tice., T. Y. C.—Young Quo Minus, 4 yrs ; Hawk's-eye, 4 y rs; Minaret, 4 yrs; That's-the-time-of-Day, 3 yrs. (Further Particulars of Wednesday's Races. ) B. C. Plates—Lord Kelburne's colt made the running to the Duke's Statist, where Barbara taok it up, Flambeau waiting on both till within a few strides of the Chair, when he quitted the rear for the front, and won easy by half a length ; the colt was a good third. Plate A. F.—The Bizarre filly, with Joachim and the Re tainer colt in attendance, cut out the work to the Bushes-hill, in descending which the Retainer colt went in advance, fol. lowed by Mountain Sylph ; this pair kept in front to the last half dozen strides, when Ma Mie went up with a rush, and won in a canter by two lengths. SUFFOLK STaxes--The Currier made play at a good pace, Rory O'More, Una, and the Devil-amongst-the-Tailors lying next, with Ralph and Bob Peel in the rear. Rory ()Wore de clined at the T. Y. C. post, the second place being taken by the Devil-amongst-the-Tailors. The Currier maintained his lead to the corner of the Plantations, where Bob Peel and Ralph went past him, and at the Hill singled themselves out to the finish. The struggle home was very close, Bob, without ever being fairly caught, winning by half a length with considerable difficulty. The Currier was beaten four or five lengths, and the others were tailed off along way from home. BETTING AFTER THE RACES. DERBY. 100 to 35 agat Mr. Trelawny's Csldrenick (Frederica c)—t• 7 to 2 agst Col. Anson's Attila 8 to 1 apt Mr. Greville's Canadian 12 to l agst Lord Westminster's Auckland—taken 17 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Jack—taken 18 to 1 agst Mr. G. Clark's Lord of Holderness—taken 22 to 1 agst Lord G. Bentinck's Chatham—taken 28 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Meteor 50 to 1 agst Mr. Greenwood's Lasso—taken 25 to 1 agst Mr. Rogers's Tiptoe—taken 1000 to 6 agst Mr. Connop's The Oneida Chief—taken 5 to 2 agst Coldrenick and Ghuznee—token 500 to 10 agst Seahorse and Ballinkeele—taken 41400 even between The Oneida Chief and Ballinkeele OA KS. 14 to 1 agst Lord George Bentinck's Firebrand 25 to I agst Mr. Newton's Ma Mie—taken The weather continues very fine, but the attendance, lessened by several departures for town, is thin beyond all precedent. THU RSDA Y. Handicap Sweepstakes of 20 soya. each for 3 yrs old and up wards. T. Y. C. (5 Subs., of whom 1 declared.) Lord Albemarle's Minaret, 4 yrs, 7st 61b (E. Edwards) 1 Fulwar Craven's That's-the-time-of-day, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b.... 2 Mr. Payne's bl c by Sheet Anchor, 3 vrs, 6st 71b 3 Mr. Thornhill's Menalippe , 5 yrs, Bst 121 - Betting-6 to 4 agst That's-the-time .of-day ;3to 1 agst Lady Fulford colt; and 3 to 1 agat Minaret. Minaret . made all the running, and won in a canter by three lengths. Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each for three yrs old 7st 71b ; 4 yrs, Bst 91b ; 5 yrs and upwards 9st. T. Y. C. The winner to be sold for 2001., &e. (4 subs. ) Fulwar Craven's Tmes-the-time-of-day, 3 yrs, 1 Lord Orford's Young Quo Minus, 4 yrs 2 The following also started, but were not placed : —Colonel Peel's Hawk's-eye, 4 yrs, and Lord Albemarle's Minaret, 4 ym. Betting-5 to 4 agst Young Quo Minus; and sto 2 agst Hawk's-eye. A close race between the first two, and won by a head only. Hai/Vs-eye and Minaret were beaten oft'. The attendance was very thin, and the weather unfavourable, the rain having set in early in the morning. The only bets laid in the town were 3 to 1 agst Bob Peel, for the Gorhambury Handicap; and 2,000 to 5 each agst Policy and the Golden Rule for the Derby. SHREWSBURY RACES. —WEDNESDA Y. The Whitehall stakes of 10 sovs. each—Mile and a half. Mr. M. Jones's Portrait, 4 yrs, walked over. The Tankerville stakes of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft. ; and 5 only, &e. Second saves his stake. Two miles. Mr. J. Day's Tamburini, 6 yrs, Bst 101 b ( Wakefield) Mr. Collett's The Dean, 6 yrs, Bst 10lb .. Retriever, Bst 71b, Miss Kitty Cockle, list 41b, Fat Jack, Bst 2113, bro. to Harpurhey, 7st 31b, Souvenir filly, 7st Ilb, and Emperor, 6st 71b, also ran. The Innkeepers' purse of 301. and sweepstakes of 5 soya. each. Mile and a quarter heats. Mr. Raworth's Cattonian, 4 yrs (Bradley) Mr. Saunders's Miss Kitty Cockle, aged NEW MUSIC, &c. &c. MY HOME I MY HOME ! I LOVE 2111 1 110 ME ! NAY, TELL ME .IVOT. By Ann Eliza Crossthunfite. Moll7'o and May. These are pretty melodies, totally unambitious, very easy, and might be pleasing to those whose taste has not kept pace with the times. We had some difficulty in finding a meaning for the verses, for we cannot call such composition poetry. I'LL LOVE BUT THEE, MY NATIVE HOME—BALLAD. Sung by Miss Dolby, and Music composed by Mrs. John Holman Andrea's. Monro and May. This song is a much better composition. The accom paniment is more carefully written, and especially when sung by so charming a vocalist as Miss Dolby, cannot fail to please. PEGGY GRAY-BALLAD. Composed by T. Young. Monro and May. A very common-place melody, with a tolerably well , written accompaniment. . . . The growing taste in this country for better music will ere long totally exclude such compositions as these. The power of writing a pretty melody, however good, must not be the only merit. A musician-like treatment of the pianoforte part must accompany each song, and amidst the inundation of these ballad compositions we wish we could see a greater capability and desire of doing something towards the elevation of the art. So much repetition of common-place music can only keep the modern English song (with some exceptions) at the same low standard it has for so long a period remained. SUICIDE THROUGH DISTRESS. —Between nine and ten o'clock on Wednesday night, a poor old man named John Hannell, who for several months past had occupied an attic at No. 6, King's Head-court, Tuthill-street, Westminster, a common lodging-house of the lowest description, was dis covered to have terminated his existence by suspending himself by the neck with a piece of cord to one of the rafters of the ceiling. The body was quite cold, and he had evidently been dead two or three hours. He had stood upon a stool to tie himselup, and had then kicked it from under him. He was last seen alive about three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. He was by trade a shoemaker, but an affection of the eyes had of late years prevented him from working at his business, and lately he had become exceedingly distressed, so much so, that he frequently went for two and three days together without tasting food. The attic he occupied was in a most wretched state, not a vestige of furniture in it, the ceiling and roof broken through so as to admit the weather, and a heap of dirty rags serving the wretched man for a bed. The only food found in the room was a very small piece of stale bread, and half a cup full of cold tea. The deceased on Wednesday morning re marked to a female who lodges in the same house, that the distress he was in, and what he suffered from hunger, would very soon induce him to make away with himself. An inquest will he held on the body this afternoon. ‘Ye have reason to believe that her Majesty's Mi nisters are in possession of a late dispatch, forwarded by Major Pottinger to the authorities at Calcutta. The dispatch in question, we understand, adds nothing to what was previously known of the state of affairs in Affgbanistan ; but it completely exonerates General Elphinstone, assigning the blame of the late disaster te a different quarter, or rather to different quarters .—for the councilof war comes in for a share.—. Evening Paper. MONEY and COMMERCIAL NEWS CITY, THURSDAY EVENING. The Money Market has been buoyant the whole day, owing to some extensive purchases, and although prices at the close of business are a shade below the highest point, yet great firmness was visible. Consols left off at 92i 92-a for Money and for the Account ; Bank Stock, 1671 168 ; India Stock, 249 251 ; and Exchequer Bills, 39 41 prem. Belgian Bonds were 101,1 1021 ; Dutch Two'-and-a- Half per Cents., 521 52* ; the Five per Cents., 1004 1011 ; Danish, 801 814 ; Brazilian, 67 68. The Share Market was firm ; London and Bir mingham, 180 182 ; Birmingham and Gloucester, 53 55; Great Western, 921 931 ; the Half Shares, 641 64;1 ; South Western, 631 641 ; Gosport, 631 644 ; North Midland, 65 67 ; the New Shares, 32 33 ; South Eastern and Dover, 30 301 ; the Scrip, 71 71 ; Eastern Counties, 93 9i; Blackwall, 11h 12 ; the New Shares, 94 10 ; Brig ton, 361 364 ; Mexican Bonds were quoted, 361 361. The bonds of the insolvent States were marked, — Colombian, 26 263: Portuguese Five per Cents., 371 88 ; the Three per Cents. 221 23 ; Spanish Five per Cents., 22* 23 ; the Three per Cents, 224 22:1. Advices from Hamburgh lead to the expectation that the damage caused by the late conflagration will not be so great as had been anticipated. Although many . Warehouses have been destroyed, yet those which con tain the lighter and more valuable descriptions of mer chandise have escaped, the fire having been confined to the opposite side of the canal. It is also known that the stocks were unusually light, and it is supposed that the long continuance of easterly winds, preventing fresh ar rivals, had caused a large portion of them to have been worked off. The municipal regulations of the city oblige each householder to pay a tax to the authorities equal to the insurance of two-thirds of the value of his house, which if it be burnt, is rebuilt at the expense of the city. Thus the principle of mutual assurance is acted upon, and the loss of the buildings will, in this instance, fall upon the citizens. The extent to which our offices are liable, has, it is stated, been greatly exaggerated. The amount which it is likely they will have to pay being ;very small, and the Globe, which rumour pointed ont as being heavily involved, has not even a policy open there. (From The Sun of Last Night.) Shortly after the commencement of business, the Bank brokers having sold 30,0001. Consols, the market became heavy, but since then some extensive purchases in the Three -and-a-Half per Cents., supposed to be on account of the Scotch banks, have improved prices; and Consols are now firm at 92i for Money, and for the Acconnt ' • Three per Cents. Redu c ed, 91i ; Three-and-a-Half per Cents. Reduced, 100; New Three-and-a-Half per Cents., 101 ; Bank Stock, 168; India Bonds, 19 21 • and Exchequer Bills, 39 41 prem. Foreign Securities are gond, and the prices are Danish, 81 ; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., 52i, and the Five per Cents., 101 i. The quotation of Mexican has fluctuated between 36i and 36a, the latter being the nearest rate. — Shares have been in demand, and many for those in the Nerthern Lines have changed hands. Edinburgh and Glas gow, 54fr54 ; Great North of England, 85; Birmingham and Gloucester, 54 ; Birmingham and Derby, 50 ; London and Birmingham, 180 ; Manchester and Birmingham, 29k; Man chester and Leeds, 85%; South Western, 64 ; South Eastern, 30; the Scrip, 7 3 4 ; and Eastern Counties, New, 51. 4s. 2d. ; Debentures, 114 6s. Bd. • The bonds of the insolvent States are thus quoted—Colom bian, 26* ; Peruvian, l 9 1 ;. Portuguese Five per Cents. 371 ; Spanish Fives 23, and the Threes, 22k. This is settling day in the new Spanish Stock, which it is to be feared will prove of serious consequence to many speculators from the quantity of stock ready to deliver, and the inability to pay for it. Private letters by the Great Western represent - a decided im provement to have taken place in commercial affairs. The total absence of all speculation appears to have induced a more healthy state of businesi • and although the demand f o r goo d s is less than formerly, still the inquiry is legitimate and without risk. The tariff question was under discussion, and likely to meet with some opposition from the Southern States, which it will naturally affect. This ought to be sufficient to cause the rejection of any new loan for America, as far as this country is concerned ; the excess of duty received under this law, if it be brought into operation, being applied to the payment of the interest. _ . _ After the experience England has had of American finances, no reliance can be placed on the stability of any act of Congress, sol long as the Constitution is framed as at present. The loan forms the nucleus of a national debt, and may probably be much increased before many years shall have passed ; and when the interest shall amount to more than the sum received at the Custom House, then will the work of repudiation commence. This is only under the supposition that the tariff becomes the law. Again, should any separation of the union occur, im mense difficulties will be experienced in the apportioning the debt among the individual states ; so that either way the foreign capitalist will run great risk by making advances. Accounts from Buenos Ayres to the 17th February have ar rived. Rivera, in consequence of the advantages gained by Paz, had entered Entrerios with a body of troops for the pur pose of diverting the attention of General Urquiza, who was ef fectually opposing the advance of the Correntinos. This officer finding himself unable to cope Si ith the forces thus combined, had retired across the Parana, in order to wait the junction of the reinforcements then on the march. General Echague had assumed the command of the Federal troops in Santa Fe, and was daily adding to the number of his followers by the accession of the peasantry. Exchange on Eng land, 3d. PRICES OF IRISH STOCKS, DUBLIN, MAY 10. 3 per Cent. Consols Threeand Half Stock 9B-; `Grand Canal Stock ~„ Ditto Reduced Ditto New 1830... ..... , ,9 4 41 Ditto 4 per cent ... 3i per Cent. Debs. ' 9li ! Royal Canal Stock LIVERPOOL COTTON" MARKET, MAY 1 L=The sales to. day amounted to about 4,000 bales at former prices, and were wholly confined to the trade. LIVERPOOL SHARE MARKET, MAY Il.—South Eastern were the only shares in request, and prices wete rather lower. A few sales were made in Eastern Counties New, 5/. Is. Bd.; Edinburgh and Glasgow, 54%; Brighton Quarters, 8; and South Eastern New, MANCHESTER STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 11.—We have had little doing to-day • the very unfavour a ble news f rom Ham burgh affects our to-day —Edinburgh and Glasgow, 55 544 ; Manchester and Birmingham, 284 29 ; L ee d s , 86 1 , 87%; South Western, 63 64 ; Manchester Assurance, 94. CLOSING PRICES. BRITISH FUNDS. Bank Stock ... 168 ' India Stock ... 249 k 3 per Cent Red. 9li Ditto Bonds l9pM 3 per Cent Cons 92g Ditto Old Annuities ... —. 3i per Cent Red.. 9 94 Ditto New Annuities... New 3i per Cent New 5 per Cent.. — Ditto 5001— ..... 39 pm Long Annuities to expire Ditto 5ma11...... 39 pm Jan. 1860.......... 12i Bank Stock for Acct ... Oct. 1859. ... ..... 12 7-16 India Stock for Acct.... Jan. 1860. — Consols for Acct 9:4 FOREIGN FUNDS. Austrian, 5 psi cent.... IPortuguese, 5 per cent. Belgian, 5 pes cent — f Ditto, New Ditto — Brazilian Bonds .... ..... . :Prussian, 5 per cent.., — Buenos Ayres 6 percent Russian, 5 per cent — Chilian 6 per cent... „. Ditto, Metallic .... .. . Colombian, 6 per cent.. 254 Spanish, 5 per cent 23 Ditto, 1824............... Ditto, D e f er red.... Danish, 3 per cent Bl French, 5 per cent. —l. —c. Greek, 1825, 5 per cent — Exchange —l -• c. Mexican, 5 per cent.... 36t i French, 3 per cent B2 . 50e. Ditto, 6 her cent. 1637 Dutch, 2 per cent.. 52i Peruvian, 1825, 6 per ct. 7 ...... Ditto, 5 per cent. .. . 101 i . - - SHARES. Birmingham and Derby Railway (100 pd) 50 Birmingham and Gloucester Rail., av (100 p) 54 Cheltenham and Great Western (72k paid) 17/ Eastern Counties Railway (23 paid) — Ditto New Shares•(— paid) Ditto Debentures .. ........... 11/ 6s 8d Edinburgh and Glasgow , (so paid) . 55 Great North of England Railway (100 pd) 85 Great Western Railway (65 paid) Ditto New Shares (50 paid) 64/ London and Brighton (50 paid) ' Ditto Loan Notes (71 paid) London and Blackwall (25 paid)............ 111- London and Birmingham (90) ...... . 180/ London and South Western Manchester and Leeds (70 paid) Manchester and Birmingham (40 paid) . ... 29/ Midland Counties Railway (100 paid) North Midland Railway (100) Ditto New Shares (40 paid) . ........ 321 Paris and Rouen (16 paid) South Eastern and Dover (50 paid) 3O Ditto Scrip. ( 5 paid) NEW POOR-LAW BILL. The following are the principal clause; of the Bill in troduced by Sir James Graham, for the continuance of the Poor-law Act : The Poor-law Commission is to be continued for five years, and it is proposed to reduce the number of As sistant Commissioners to nine. Gilbert's Act Unions may be dissolved without the consent of Guardians, but no parish, under a Local Act, containing a population of more than 20,000, can be united with another parish without the consent of two-thirds of the Guardians. Parishes may be combined for the formation of district schools for pauper children, the rules of the Commis sioners relating to such schools to be subject to the con sent of the Committee of Council for Education. A chaplain is to be appointed by each District Board, with the consent of the Bishop of the diocese ; and the children of Dissenters, and others, who object to the Liturgy and Catechism of the Church, stay be visited by ministers of their respective religious persuasions. Six clauses contain regulations respecting parish appren tices, which, if carried into effect, will abate the evils of the present system. Persons taking children as ap prentices are to produce evidence of good character, and the relieving officers are to inquire and report upon their treatment. Relief for the casual poor, wayfarers, and disorderly women in the metropolis, is provided fimr ; and any parish or union relieving such persons, after they had been improperly refused relief, may recover the cost from the officers refusing. Clause 30 autho rises the payment of funeral expenses, and empowers guardians to bury a pauper in the churchyard of the parish where he dies. Persons becoming chargeable, through sickness, are to be relieved where resident, and are not to be removed till they have been chargeable for forty days consecutively. The costs of apprehending and prosecut ing vagrants to be paid out of the poor-rates. The fol lowing is the remedy against the putative father of an il legitimate child : " If a putative father does not pay the money due from him, under an order of application and maintenance, the same may be recovered by distress and sale of his goods ; and if sufficient distress cannot be kid, he may be coin• witted to gaol for any term not exceeding three months. But no order is to be made upon any putative father fin any expenses in respect of the child other than its maintenance within a workhouse, and in conformity with the regulations of the Commissioners." Clause 46 repeals the existing scales of voting for election of guardians. Rate-p a y ers un d er 200/. will have one vote ; at 2001., or under 4001, two votes ; and at 400/, or more, three votes. If the amount of assess • went for property, belonging to an owner shall not exceed 501., he will have one vote; if the same shall amount to 50/., and not exceed 75L, two votes ; and so on, giving an additional vote for every 25/. up to 150/., when he will have six votes. No person is to hold more than four proxies, unless he he the steward or agent of his principal. The remaining clauses relate chiefly to the appointment, resignation, and competing of Guar dians. Provision is also made for more extensive out door CAMPAIGN IN AFFGHAiNrISTAN. KYBER PASS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. have some knowledge of the presea Douranee kingdom, by which term I mean the coun tries of Caubul, the Damaun, the Derajat, and the territories eastward of the Helmund, and if my know ledge will serve to explain some of the movements 0 , the intended campaigns in Affghanistan, I shall be happy to occupy a short space in your columns. • The last Overland Mail has brought intelligence that General Poiloek did not intend to force .the Kyiser Pass (some of your Contemporaries • h ad gratuitously added). until he has sufficient force to ensure success. Those who — know the Douranee kingdom, and the countries bordering upon the Indus,* are hoping that the forcing of the Pass will never again be attempted, until th e coun t r i es b o th in flaw' and rear of the Passes shall be in the occupation of th e British. If there be—as we think there be—a route by which both the Bolan and Kyber Passes 1 1, 0' be avoided, it is worse than needless to sacrifice military resources and human life for the O r ' of a few days in time. The co-operation of the Sfich i of the Punjab clears away many difficulties' ;_ formers"' wben Lord Auckland proposed to th e Maha Rai"' Runjeet Sing that the British army, destined to plac e Shah Soojah upon the throne, should pass through el lg territories, the proposition was met by a cold assai l ' and as this coldness made it more than probable that we should convert a luke-warm friend into an open, foe, another, but prolonged, route was chosen ; bu now that the Sikh routes and resources are at ou t disposition, a different and more speedy plan of opera" tion must be adopted. We have at this time a larg e ' force on the left bank of the I n d us , and for our frien d General Avitable, a noble-he ar t e d Frenchman of the Imperial, army, who commands in Peshawar and the, surrounding districts, and as he h as hith er t o ass isted us, he will now no doubt afford us all the aid we i need ; if this be so, General P o ll oc k nee d no t b a zar' a single company in the Kyber Pass. There ar e three routes by which the Kyber Pass ma te y h e avoided ; one by the road w hi c h runs i n a ortly West direction from Peshawur to Mucknee, crossill the Caubul river at about 30 miles from Peshawar, an keeping along the valley of the stream until you ea°, at a point opposite the old fort, where the stream Ina s ; be again crossed, and th e en d o f t h e pass turne d s" Duka Khord and the Huzarnow. It is true, that P r any route other than the Kyber, it will be necessail to bring boats for the transportation o f th e heavy.bAr gage and artillery from Attock, a distance of eighti miles ; and that by the Mucknee route, there is sol strong ground between the Kaffir fort and Bussoe" and that at this point there Will, be some hard figh t ' ing, and also that the movement cannot be effeote e in less time than one m on th. B u t w h a t are these obstacles compared to the p oss ibility o f d e f eat ? other routes, from the reports of intelligent Sikh ote,: e cers at Peshawar, are one by th e T a t aree pass , an d t" other by crossing the river a t C au b u l, 20 m il es ab° l ' l3 Peshawar, and using the valley o f th e Lundye , Hushnuggur, and then by the Cheroppa pass to poora, ; but this country is inhabited by the Eu 7, fyzels, under the rule of the Rajah of Sw a t ; an d aS -- ql . have never been subdued by the .Sikhs, it is doui& if they will tolerate any armed force in their couate without at least attempting. resistance. The Gilzeq Oolges, Caukers, and Kybere es , are , lik e our anoletli Highlanders, impatient of co n t ro l. Th e Kyheree s , have several times defeated the Sikhs, not that thc i , e are powerful or good so ldi ers , b u t th e coun t ry is , t;, strongest in the wor ld. Th e rou t e f rom I n dia ; across the Indus at Att oc k, an d f rom thence , very good road to Peshawar, a city that formerly e e s , longed to the Douranees, but which was wrested fr,e / , them by the late Maha Rajah, and whose possessl e in it was confirmed, tog e th er w i t h some ot h er el quests on the right bank o f th e I n d us, b y ' Auckland,* in 1838-39. From the city there good road over the plain, twelve miles to Jantr7,t f two miles further the Kyber Pass ,b eg i ns . sixteen miles up the pass is an old fort called Mushed, and at Shopeca is the remains of a stone w'' but neither the Kyberees nor their ancient rnas. te o have erected any fortification that could r esist y European force ; the natural difficulties are t strongest barriers. Huge piles of almost perr - o f cular rocks, 2,000 feet high, rise upon each sic 6 the pass; for several miles the road itself is but thin • of a stream, w hi c h i s so narrowe d i n some p l a n es single cannon' only can pass; with large mase S broken cliff scattered over t h e w id est parts; ltnii), last, but not least, the Kyberees, armed with the jai a native rifle, fixed upon a rest, and which can cue, nearly 800 yards, concealed in the crevices of the cipitous hill-side. The British troops, backect, e j artillery, can force this pass, if defended by the one e l' tribes of Aithanistan ; but is it wise to risk life l ie stores, when another road, comparatively safe, . o , e open ? The late failure of Brigadier 'Wild,,e h e o from his not havi ng sufficient light artillery who have follow e d the ofoperationsnsi itli le pen F i l n .l ; 1 ; against the Guerill a b an d s i n the Sp n have seen that the French were never sUcces4lll4l when their corps were supported. by li g ht mouP' tbe guns; not that the Kyberees can be compared. ..tg• v Spanish Guerillas, as they have no pat r i o ti c feeling stimulate them to combat,—plunder al on e urges to fight, and they are eqtially indifferent if their ee;' s i gonist be Persian, Caubulle, Sikh, or Europealk that the plunder be sufficient to reward their fors3::#l If, as I have before written, when we have oectl i r the flank and rear of the pass, we conquer the v o t ditti who inhabit it, the Indian Government muggy only build forts at the further and ne th e r end 04 pass, but they must erect field works on the cros'oe the hills, to command the centre of the pass. of necessity of erecting forts in all the passes ktit it pointed out to the Anglo-Indian Government, u ,O Ol was urged that our presence in the country z . e 3 be but of short duration, and that having P`, 3 1,4 Shah Soojah upon the throne, our m i ss i on woul v u er t accomplished ; and that the Indian Go vern ment' te r not justified in incurring the exp e ns e o f s uch c''‘,„ t he the strongholds. This was a we a k argume nt, 'fo i e the campaign of 1839 were undertaken to defea,' designs of Russia, or to paraly se he r su ppose ° u o fluence, we should at once and fo r ever h a ve t¢ as away from her and from every Power, both Euror,d, and Asiatic, the means of sin tiing up the coon the which in this land of mountains, those w h o p055e55.,0 passes can always accomplish. Great Britain 110 1 '0' pretty smartly for this policy. Notwithstanding th, pouring of those semi-informed writers who would Great Britain inflict chastisement upon the Mfg t r,'S for their treachery, and then abandon the conl l t d those who appreciate our position in C e nt r al Asia' 00 1 ,1 study coming events, know that Great Britain the FOR EVER hold the passes of Affghanistan and of ot HimUlayahs : these in our hands, we may 10 , 5,40 the dreams of Russian statesmen, and at the arwvs, of . the Autocrat, or the wild *ibex of Khorasile , Ole cited by the intrigues or gold of any Power iess'e world, should they menace our Indian Empire. i ve ' may, holding the passes, allow these armies, or 1 1 0 11 , hordes to perish either by starvation or by dise: e l• and calmly defy all their. attempts at onward.lP The lesson of the past will not be lost upon us• have suffered temporary disaster ; but we are ne" in retreat. acts The frowning sierras of Spain were never b° l s ll' to British valour. The heroes of Marengo, Jong', ill/ Austerlitz, backed by the most skilf u l art ill er y ; e d ., world, could not delay the onward stride of Eng' ft tl e legion—and shall a band o f fi erce b ar b ar i ans stN, p onward course of British civilization in India q,: t ip .Sir ; the British lion has be e n s tu ng b y a hortlV his slumber, but the insect will be crushed in the lash of his avenging anger.—Yours, AN ANGLO-ASIAA% Treaty with the Maha Rajah. " 4 . 4 0 0 THE « NATIONAL PETITIO .I MR. T. DLINCOMBE. We have been requested to give insertion to correspondence : Convention Room, Beck's Hotel, Fleet-s)f ii /I f Sir,—The Members of th e N a ti ona l Convention 01 `l i e tl ,e dustrious Classes of' Great Britain unanimously tender Y ° L ,lO: : most cordial thanks fo r th e patr i ot i c manner in whic h Y'd,or,i discharged your duties in Parliament, to the working and more particularly do they express their high esnt; your service s , s p eec h es , an d mot i ons, i n reference to t.",ebrdr National Petition, s i gne d b y t h ree m illi ons an d a h a lf in the presentation of which your arguments as a spea' - d consistency as a man, and your zeal as a tried and tro te o ce of the disfranchised, have richly merited, and do now their individual and collective approbation. „ i pso' (Signet!) ABRAM DUNCANe-Cba l ' T. S. Duncombe, Esq., M.P. leo#? The Albany, May 9, . 0 1 1 be Sir,—l beg to assure y o u, th a t it i s a source of n Ol derable gratification to me, to learn that my conduct ' ot. i s p presentation of a petiti o n s i gne d by near ly th r ee million half of my fellow-sub(ects, as well as my endeavours :t f OY: o f for these petitioners a hearing at the bar of the House. ,top mons, has met with the unanimous approbation of lb.e_l' a tri ° i. . Convention, representing, as th a t body does, the classes of this country. In acknowledging this flatter"; e o, l e moray of public approbation, I cannot refrain from the pain and mortification that I experienced at tn: - ;ii 30: 4 , 1 which the House of Commons pursued upon the ec!•',, c lvf ferred to; instead of that assembly allowing the work?rthi o ol to explain their own views, I witnessed not. only theol rc erlfi unheeded, their statements discredited, their objects F ile d, their motives misrepresented, their characters m 2 l i g their respectful prayer contumaciously rejected. it) h e If a cfo en e ta w ti a v n e ti s n y g st: f m t , ht' l et l lic o el;l o i f a at i p n r o o f were ur re before es manner in which the unenfranchised milli ons , the s° , or pl' rti n c y al P e ra h c a t n i g ca e i and industry were treated on Tuesday last, has 900 i re that proof. tha t ie Concurring, therefore, as I do, with the petitioner h % pr ow peace of the empire, the security of property. and t bY 00 1 rill , of commerce, can only be permanently 'se ar?, tr .ty _ _-, ly be permanently 1 ...• ,e' House of Commons being id en tifi e d w i t h th e pcoP c ;i iii Pip( the day is not far distant when that House shall bec?' ° A e v tice, as well as in name, " '1 he People's House ;' 1 7 0 09: as the humble exertions of an individual like IllYs e t ; it fle mote that object, those whom the National Cotve4 " c ° o., sent may at all times rely upon my assistance , a " -0, my cordial co-operation.—l have the honnur:.B:icOo; ii - i.fr Mr. A. Duncan. THOS. S. DUI' - , „LP CORN DECEPTION.—Esau sold his bin 9 t hc,:lior mess of pottage; and the British farmers ( 0 “(I, e , Lane Empress) are sold for " a blue riband."-- *k.r o st of Buckingham, we suppose. - 1— Worcestershire i • der Kit Wa rnal Ch , 1. 9 1 3 9 ?N'o I ZeE • th, Ne Jo ( An Al a Cal