The Sun. — London, England, 1849-12-21 00:00:00

long antecedent engagement to which the British Go vernment had bound itself never to take part with Shah Sooj ah in the enforcement of any claim upon the Ameers for arrears of tribute. Upon most unquestionable au thorites I am also prepared t o show the flagitious extent in other respects to which the suppressio rerz has, in that folio of ex parte statements been carried. Upon the testimony of several of the most honourable men living I am likewise prepared to show, that in the laboured attempt therein made to make out a sufficient pretest for the confiscation of the Sinde principality, many of the assertions by which it is su pported, and to which it so suited the convenience of Ministers to give credence, with the unworthy view also of casting as much odium as possible on these fallen Princes, are alike unwarranted by the realities of the case. Alas, for the remaining states in India, when on the same occasion it was argued, that in dealing with semi barbarous states the civilized and greater power may adapt its solemn engagements to the exigency or expediency of the occasion 1 After which it mu .t be evident to this Court how little the Princes of India have to look for, from an appeal to the sympathy or justice of British states men, even when it is backed, as in the case of the Ameers, by the recorded conviction by the Court of Directors of the truth of the grievances complained of. I would also urge in favour of the Ameers the hard ship of their case by comparison with those not so momentous ones, for discussing which this Court had so long been made the battle field, the victories gained in which were made the chief grounds on which Ministers were. but too happy, when taxed with injustice by Mr. Hume, to rest ,their defence, thus obtaining corresponding majorities in the House of Parliament. I here allude to the cases of the depo sition: of the late ex-Raja of Sattars, and the recent annexation of that principality to the British dominions—upon which occasions the aggrieved parties were allowed the benefit of every minute of dissent in their favour, as well as of the opposing opinions and the reasoning on which they were based, of the majority of the Court of Directors ; and why the Ameers should to this day have been debarred the same privilege is the more inexplicable, after that persevering stand which was made by the Court of Directors pending the discussions pre vious to the last renewal of the Charter, in favour of publicity ; for if ever there has occurred a case in exemplification of the exigence therein contemplated, it is that of the confiscation of Sinde ; it is therefore deeply to be regretted that our Executive did not proceed one step further, and, as in the case of a like threatened act of injustice by the Board of Control against the Nabob of Oude, in the year 1834, again indignantly declare there are obligations superior to that of yielding "to a mandamus, and there are acts which cannot be performed without a violation of those principles on which all law depends," the effect of which I need hardly add was to stay the meditated act of infamy and injustice by the controlling power. In like manner is it the height of injustice that the case of the Ameers is made a solitary exception to the usage in India on all such occasions—inasmuch as in every other instance where charges have been brought forward against a prince or prime minister involving the penalty of deposition or exile, the parties have been confl °cited with those by whose evidence the accusations against them were supported, and in no cases have they been pronounced guilty on seals, signatures, or other docu ments not proved to be authentic, or on parole evidence obtained under suspicious cir cumstances or undue influence. The cases to which I more particularly allude are those of the Nabob of the Carnatic, the Nabob of Karnoul, the Raja of Sattara, Prince Tej Sing, and that of Mool raj of Moultan—to all of whom had been accorded the usual privileges of persons charged with political offences both previous to and during trial. In like manner has the case of the Ameers been made an exception to those of other chiefs who had long been engaged in open hostility ith the British Go vernment; the Princes so captured and exiled, or driven into rebellion, having been reinstated in their former principalities. The cases to which I here allude, amcng others, are the two Chiefs of Beni-boo- Ali and that of Nussur Khan of Kelat, upon a more dispissionate review of which the British Government admitted there had been many extenuating circum stances for such resistance to our rule, and that their restoration would be hailed as a blessing by the tribes over whom they had before exercised sway not one of whom have given us cause to regret such acts of tardy justice, at any rate of clemency ; and to say that in these times the tanquillity of Sinde would be endan gered by the restoration of the Ameers to their here ditary estates is a plea which would hardly be advanced by the most timid of those vested with political responsibility. As well might it be urged that the peace of the Sattara territory is jeopardised by the presence of that party, with the virtuous Mr. Frere at its head, who supported the claims of the present Reja to such possession. Looking around me, gentlemen, it is upon no slender grounds I build my hopes that your exertions will not be wanting in aid of my own to obtain for these id-used princes the privilege of being heard in their defence, not as in the case of the Mannings, before a jury of their countrymen, but before any commission, be it of only three competent and impartial persons, in view to that redress, to which the justice of their cause may be found to entitle them, consisting, moreover, as this Court does, of so many gentlemen whose chief inducement in availing themselves of a seat in it, was, for the disinterested object of promoting every measure directed to the welfare of our Indian em pire, and by which the condition of our native sub jects may be ameliorated (more especially when such measures are directed to obtain for them the redress of any well-proved grievance, and to the preserva tion to them of all those hereditary rights and privileges, upon which it is the avowed object of our present legislators to make such fearful encroachments) and among these so many gentlemen who have passed the greater portion of their lives in India, and those risen to offices of the highest dignity and trust in the judicial, diplomatic, and military branches of the service, eminently quali fied therefore for the due and important consideration of all such cases as that now before us. I cannot, gentlemen, in appealing to a Court so constituted—l cannot allow myself to believe that any considerations based on a servile deference to those authorities who have thought proper to sanction that foulest blot on the character of England—the confiscation of the Sinde principality—will stand in the way of your cordial assent to toe prcd uction of the papers for which I now ask, and to what else I have in view by the present motion. Well might the Emperor of Russia exclaim, when hastened out of England by the near approach of that festival commemorative of its exe cration on this hind of freedom, law, and justice, against the dismemberment of Poland, "that the ssizure and retention of Sinde would be viewed by posterity as a national crime of still deeper dye," more especially so when such measure was insisted upon by Ministers against the united denunciations of the press, and, to the honour of our Executive be it added, from one end of this House to the other. "Earth is sick, .And Heaven is weary of the hollow words Which states and kingdoms utter when they talk Of truth end justice." This motion—iu a not less feeling than argu mentative speech, of which we regret we have not a copy—most warmly seconded by Mr. Sullivan, and followed by a not less eloquent and emphatic denun ciation by Mr. Clark, of the unmerited wrongs in flicted on the Ameers of Sinde, which clearly mani fested the pains which had been taken by that gentleman to render himself familiar with the merits of this important case. Mr. Lewin and General Briggs having addressed tee Court to the same effect, the Chairman rose to observe that no persons more deeply lamented than themselves the unmerited treatment of the Ameers of Sinde, but under the peculiar circumstances in which the Court of Direc tors was placed, he did not feel authorised to give his assent to the present motion, which was by a show of hands carried,in the negative. Mr. SULLIVAN seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN, in opposing it, briefly referred to several previous discussions upon the subject, and assured the proprietors that the Court of Directors had sent out directions for the condition of the exiled Ameers to be made as comfortable to them as it could possibly be made. What more could be done in that respect he knew not. Papers had been laid before the Court and before Parliament in their case in great numbers, and no further information would be given by furnishing more. He therefore trusted the Court would see the inexpediency of acceding to the motion. After a discussion the motion was negatived by a large majority. Several notices of motion were then given for the next Court. THE LATE EMPEROR OF DELHI. Mr. SULLIVAN then moved that the documents re lating to the treaty with the late Emperor of Delhi be printed for the use of the proprietors. He con tended that the object of the Governor General was to annihilate the empire of Delhi in the same way as had been done with the territory of the Raja of Sat tars, with a view to absorbing it under British rule. IRV%PA 11-1.• The terms made by the Marquis of Wellesley for * • ....}1 the reigning family were now being broken, much to *IICI-17\r:, N the di•honour of the British Government. After % ‘ - 'x t ,y, , , quo.ing the various treaties with the dynasty of Delbi, _ Ai . ‘)* and instances of infringement on the part of the corn • _.,, . pany, the Hon. Proprietor concluded by a hope that a ~.6 , _,,, the Court would not refuse the object of his reso inclzt ' -1 • •~, lution. is.. • ' s Major-General BRIGGS said he was unprepared to NI fi S enter into the merits or details of the question—not being aware that the motion would have been brought forward to-day. Notwithstanding he rose to second the motion that these papers he produced. He could not help expressing hie regret that the Government of Judie were infringing all the solemn treaties, one Hit .! • 44. v after another. He quite agreed with his Honourable Friend as to the importance of supporting certain in• dividuals in their service ; but he also agreed with him more particularly in the necessity that existed of preserving the integrity of their name by adhering to solemn treaties into which they had entered. Their strength in India, according to the words of that venerated statesman, Warren Hastings, depended upon the strength which they maintained in India, and on their acts being supported by public opinion. Look at their condition in India. They had about 740 Chi' servants, admitting all the officers of the company, social and political. They had altogether 1,200 European individuals governing 150,000,000 individuals. Of the 740 individuals he had named one-third were vested with power. It could not be expected that they could rule India contrary to the feelings of the people.— (Hear, hear.) It was quite impossible that they could do so. He acknowledged that these papers must be laid before the Court, be cause he believed that a strong feeling was entertained on the other side of the bar against these measures. He did hope that the Chairman and his colleagues would do all they could to curb the anti-Indian spirit, for unless they did so it would drive them out of India.—(Hear, hear.) Their policy was one of great injustice to the natives. For instance, when they established the house- tax in Benares 150,000 left the town, saying they would not pay the tax, but that they might take their houses if they thought proper. Everythieg was at a stand- still; the people would not go to their temples, and ships could not dispose of their cargoes. After the people had remained away two months they abolished the tax. This might be called a "peaceful revolution," but if they went on in this way there would be no end of peaceful revolu tions. What could an army of 260,000 do against the whole of the inhabitants of India ? They were driving the people to desperation, and he believed there was a strong and growing feeling on their part to resent such practices.—(Hear.) Mr. LEwIN said, if public opinion was lost, as the Chairman said, they should Jose the company. If their proceedings did not obtain the approbation of the public, and of the inhabitants of India, he hoped they would lose the company. He trusted that every nation in Europe would rise up, when oppressed by their rulers. A general impression prevailed that it was the intention of the East India Company to gradually take possession of all the states. All ques tions of public importance were rejected in that Court on the grounds of expediency. He regretted that India, as well as the colonies, had not represen tatives in the home Parliament.—(Hear.) Capt. GORDON said their force in India did not amount to half the garrison at Paris, and warned the directors that the riches the company had so rapidly acquired would as rapidly decay. The CHAIRMAN intimated that the question was under the consideration of the Government of India and of the Court of Directors.—(Hear, hear.) The Court attached great importance to it, and the pro prietors might rely that they would continue to pay par ticular attention to it. Under the circumstances, he trusted the proprietors would not insist upon the production of the papers upon this subject. He hoped the Court would negative the motion. Mr. SULLIVAN said he should press his motion to a division. After some discussion the Court divided, when the motion was lost by 12 to 111. Before the breaking up of the Court, Colonel DICKINSON gave notice of the following motion : " Tbat the Court of Proprietors should express their regret that the Board of Control bad proceeded with such unnecessary baste in sanctioning the confiscation of the Sinde principality, and that the Board of Control be moved to a reconsideration of the case of tho Ameers, in view to some suitable provision for them in their native land." The Court then broke up. FRENCH PLAYS and OPERA COMIQUE, ST. JAMES'S THF.ATRE. lir. MITCHELL begs respectfully to announce the following ar rangements for the ensuing Season of French Performances at the St. James's Theatre : ENGAGEMENTh FOR THE OPERA.—MdIIe. Charton, Mdlle. Dehauser (pupil of the Conservatoire, Paris), M. Chollet (of the Theatre de l'Opera Cornique, Paris, his first appeaarnce), M. Lec (Premier Tenor of the Theatres Bruxelles and Ghent, his first ap pearance), M. Nathan (Premier Basso of the Opera Comique, Paris, h's fret appearance), M. Quilly Leroy (pupil of the Conservatoire, Paris, his first appearance), Mdlle. Guichard, M. Buguet, M. Chateaufort, M. Soyer, M. Desvaux, Madame Mancini, -Mdlle. 2otti, &c. FOR THE COMEDY AND TAUDTILLE.—M. Samson, of the Theatre Francais, Paris (his first appearance in this country) ; Mdlle. Denain, M. Regnier, Mdlle. Nathalie, (artiste of the Theatre Francais, Paris) ; Mdlle. Dejazet (who has accepted a farewell es gagement in this country) ; M. Lafont, Mdlle. Filmic (of the Thew re Du Vaudeville) ; Mdlle. Page (of the Theatre du Varietes) ; 31d1 e. Constance (of the Theatre du Gyrnuase) ; Madlle. Baptiste (of the Theatre de l'Odeon). An Engagement is also entered into with the eminent Trage dier.ne, Mdlle. Rachel, with whose performances the season will terminate. Mr. Mitchell begs further to submit an outline of the general arrangements :—The Season will common** on Monday, January 7, MO, by the production of a New Opera, in Three Acts, entitled " Le Val d'Andorre," produced in Paris at the end of last year, and since performed at the Opera Comique, Paris, more than 100 nights, and at the principal Theatres of France, with the great st success. The Music by M. F. Halevy; the Libretto by M. De St. Georges. With the following distribution of the principal char,cters:—Stephan (jeune chasseur des Pyrenees), M. Lac; Le Joyeux (capitalne de milice Franeaise et recruteur), M. Chollet, who has obligingly undertaken the part for the more effective production of the Opera ; Saturnin (garde-peche du Gave), M. Quill). Leroy ; Jacques Sincere (vieux cheerier), M. Nathan (their first appearance in this country) ; Theresa (fermicre du Val d'Andorre), Mdlle. Qulchard , Georgette (cousins de Sstephan), Mdlle. Cotti; and Rose de Mai (servante de Theresa), Mdlle. Charton. The second pro duction will be Ilarold's celebrated Opera, in Three Acts, " 7..ampa," in which M. Chollet will personate the character of Zampa, as originally performed by him at the Opera Comique, Paris. Subse quently will be elven, a new Comic Opera, in Twe Acts, entitled "Le Cacd," by the popular composer, Ambroise Thomas. And als , , Anber's last new Opera of " Ilaydee," the character of Hsydee by Mdli . Charton. Other productions will be selected from the following : —Jeannet et Conn, Nicolo ; Le Rot d'Yratet, Adolphe Adam; Le Cheval de Bronze, Auber; Le Macon, Auber; Le Sirene, Auber; Lully et Qui nalt, NM- to ; La Perruche, Clapisson ; Le Valet de Cbsurabre, Ca rafe ; Use Foie, Mehul ; with an occasional per.ormanee of sons* ef the most po?ular operas produced last season. According to present arrangements the representation of the Opera Comique will be limited to the mouths of January, February, and March, terminating the season before Easter. At the re-opening of the Theatre, after Master, on Monday, Apri. 1, M. Samson (of the Theatre Francais, Paris) will have the honour of making his first appearance in this country, and will per form with Mdlle. Denain (also of the Theatre Francais) in several of the most popular Comedies of the French stage ; and subsequently M. Regnier and Mdlle. Nathalie (both artistes of the Theatre Fran cais) will appear in several of the most modern and suocessful Come dies recently produced in Paris. At the end of May, Mdlle. Dejazet, whose re-appearance at the Theatre des Varietes, after a severe and protracted indisposition, has bee attended with her acenstomed and unrivalleC. success, will ap pear in several new vaudevilles, as Le Marquis do Lauzun, Le lieu lin I Paroles, La Jeunesse de Lully, &c. The performances of Comedy and Vaudeville will be supported by M. Lafont (of the Theatre dee Varietes), Mdlle. Figgie, Mdlle. Con stance, Mdlle. Page, Mettle. Baptiste, M. Armand, 11. Leon, and a numerous company. The engagement of Mdlle. Rachel will commence at the end of June, by her appearance in M. Scribe's new play of " Adrienne Lecouvreur," a production which has excited mere than ordinary admiration ; Mdlle. Rachel wi I also perform, fcr the fret time, in Dumas' celebrated play of " Mademoiselle de Bele-Isis ;" and a new Petite Comedic, in One Act, entitled "Le Mohican de Lesbie," by Armand Berthet ; and by the occasional representation, ern..h for outs night only, of the classical Tragedies of " Phedre," " Les braces,' " Andremaque," and "Bajazet," the season 'w:11 terminate. The ORCHESTRA will be composed of the same eminent pro• fesso s engaged for the opera last season, including M. Tolbeeue, M. liourotte, M. Deloffre, 3f. Newsliam, 31. Barret, M. Baumann, M. Pilet, M. Vaudreland, M. Remusat, M. Lazarus, M. Nicholson, 31. Larkin, M. C. Harper, 31. T. Harper, 11. Campanile, M. T. Wright, &e. Director of the music and Chet-d'Orchestra, 31. Charles Hanssens. Subscribers of the past season are solicited to make known their desire of renewing their subscriptions on or before the Ist of January* next. Arrangements for season subscriptions may be made at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street; Mr. Sams's Library, 1. St. James-street ; Messrs. Andrews's, New Bond-street; Ebers's and Hookham's, Old Bond-street. The Box-office of the Theatre will be opened ox the Ist of January. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Mr. B. Webster, 6ele Lessee and Manager. Old BrumPtee- THIS EVENING. Will be pertbrmed an entirely new and original Play, entitled THE LOPING WOMAN. Wieltert, Mr. Howe; Rosen. Mr. C. Kean; liermann, Mr. J. Wallack ; Max, Mr. H. Vandsnhsff; Millie, Mrs. C. Kean. To be followed by a new Lyric Dramatic Sketch, entitled KING RENE'S DAUGHTER. King Rene, Mr. James Wallack , Count Tristan, Mr. C. Kean ; Sir Geoffrey, Mr. Webster ; lolanthe, Mrs. V. Kean. Al er which BOX AND COX. To conclude with an original Farce called THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. Mr. Dulcimer, Mr. Keeley; .foggy Snaggs, Mrs. Keeley. The Box-oflise is under the direction of Mr. I. T. Archer. THEATER ROYAL. ADELPIII. under the direction of Madame Ce THIS EVENING, Will be performed a aew domestic Drama, called THE WILLOW COPSE. Principal characters by Messrs. Hughes, Wright, P. Bi.d ford, 0. Smith ; Madame Celeste, and Miss Woolgar. To be followed by an entirely new Extrayaganza, entitled DO MESTIC ECONOMY. Jolaa Grimly, Mr. Wright ; Mrs. Grimly. Mrs. F. Matthews. To conclude with a new slippery sketch called MRS. ?SUNBURY'S SPOONS. Mr. Highbury Barnes, Mr. P. Bedford ; Bob Twinks, Mr. Wright ; Job Smith, Mr. 0. Smith ; Mrs. Banbury, Mrs. F. Matthews; Mrs. Ilighbury Barnes, Miss crooks. PICINCESS'S THEATI:E. Mr. J. M. Maddox. Sole Lessee and manager. THIS EVENING, Will ba performed DON GIOVANNI. ♦fter which, the Extravaganza of TIII3 FIRST NIGHT. To conclude with ♦ MODEL OF A WILE. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty. THIS EVENI2dIi. Mr. BITTY has great pleasure in announcing that he has sue. ceeded in engaging Mademoiselle ANGELI!, from the Hippodrome, Paris, and who is the first Equestrian of the day, with her highly trained Steeds, " Senora" and " Bertram." Mademoiselle Angels is the same Lady that rode the celebrated English Steeplechase Mare " Angela" over twenty-eight feet of water. She will shortly make her appearance at Astley's .Ampitheatre. Mr. BATTY hat much pleasure in announcing that he has engaged Madlie. Cedoni, the most graceful performer on. the Tight Rope in Europe, who will appear every Evening. The performance will commence at a Quarter to Seven, with a Grand Spectacle and wondrous Scenes in the Circle. Ihe attractions for the Christmas Holidays will eomprlse a grand Spectacle entitled The Knight of the Eagle Crest, or the Tourney of Love, in which Mr. N. T. nicks will appear; and a grand Equestrian Comic Pantomime, by Nelson Lee. Box-efllce open from Eleven till lot r. ,tage Manager, Mr. W. West. TON QUIN BEANS. An importation of Tonquin beans having taken place at one of the ports in Scotland, some doubt existed as to the mode in which they should entered for the duties leviable thereon, or otherwise, and the matter was referred to the I.t.ads of the Revenue Department in London, fix their opinion and decision on the subject, when it appeared that Tonquin beans, being goods unmanufactured, and not enumerated specially in the tariff, are not liable to any duty on direct im- portation into this country, but, being the produce of Asia, cannot, in the state of the navigation-laws at pre sent in force, be admitted for home use when imported from Europe. ENIGMA FOR POLITICIANS.—Why is a glass of good Pert like a Protectionist party? Because tt has a body without a heal—Punches Almanack. THE S UN LONDON, FRIDAY eIIOD WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DL —titorning, 46 min. alter 5 Evening, 6 min. after 6 To-Mosaosi - -Morning, 30 mtn. after 6 Eveaing, 61 min. afte - 6 Tia WEATHER.—SUN OIFICII, DEC. 21. rmatmostirrEits Lowest, 28; Highest. 38; Noon, 32. BAROMETER. 30.48. WIND :.E.N.E.—A slight fall of snow in the morning, Afternoon dull cold weather • 4 1 , ,7, 1. ~5 , ; 40 4 at, $ll . • • 7. , it (- •••' ,‘ . . - •- • • - " • ' 2itit .i)NDON, FRIoAY DECEMBER 21. 1849. Our Cowes correspondent recorded yesterday the I visit of a very poor and very aged woman to her MA JESTY, and the kind reception of the venerable dame by the Royal Lady, who bade the little Prince of WALES shake hands with her. This trifling incident, insig nificant as it may seem, is only another corroboration of what we have already said with regard to the momentous question—" Who shall educate the Prince of WALES ?" namely, that his Royal Highness is at the present moment receiving the best possible education. He is every day acquiring that species of knowledge which best developes the mental and moral growth, and is likely to render the in dividual a blessing to the community. Would that we could say as much of the majority , of English children ! The gentle teaching and al luring example of an excellent mother furnish the young prince with the only " royal road " to wisdom, but very dissimilar is that course of instruction by which the future men of England are being fitted for their coming duties. Even dame Nature herself is transformed, for them, into a harsh stepdame. Shivering; with cold and hunger, stupified by stolid ignorance, or sharpened by premature craft, they are driven to the grave, or brought up for the gal lows or the hulks. Only we are inured to it by constant repetition, or few could pass along the crowded thoroughfares, or peer into the narrow by-lanes of the metropolis, without a heart shudder at the picture thus presented of our English children. There are few sights so truly melancholy (to those who, pause to think of it) as the sharp cunning visible in many an infantile visage in every street in London—the haunts of innumerable pickpockets. Children, it is said, are " the germs from which may spring angels," and again, they are " the trustees of posterity." . Fallen angels, indeed, are those trained in the courts and alleys of London. A gloomy future will that be ►hose destinies are in such bands. Yet who cares ? Who troubles himself about it ? True, their existence will endure for eternity, and the earthly lives of these infants may influence the future welfare of their country, but we let them struggle on their helpless, hopeless way, less tended, less cared for than the beasts of burden. Should we commend the wisdom of the hus- bandman who suffered a large tract of fertile ground to lie uncultivated year after year when a little labour might enrich him with an abundant harvest, nay more, if instead of leaving it barren, he allowed it to bear noxious weeds whose foul exhalations poisoned the surrounding country ? Preposterous as the suppo sition appears, such is literally the conduct pursued by those to whom is confided the education of the people. What thousands of pounds, and how much trouble and anxiety, are yearly spent on the trials and punishments of criminals, and the building of prisons and fitting out of convict ships, which might have been spared to the benefit of the community and the inestimable blessing of indivi duals, if schools had been built instead of prisons, and that golden rule bad been acted upon—prevention is better than cure—besides being immeasurably more practicable. Among the numerous important and much re quired reforms which we confidently anticipate for next session, the subject of Education must not be omitted. It is difficult to imagine a better invest ment for public money, or a more effective system for protecting life and property, and improv ing the moral and commercial condition of a country, than the general diffusion of knowledge. "By edu cation," truly said Lord Bitouonam, "men become easy to lead and difficult to drive—easy to govern and impossible to enslave." It is impossible to overrate the efficacy of a power which is the nursing mother of all that is great and good in man. We boast of our human intellect, but without education where is it ? What distinguishes the illiterate clown from the beast of the field f We are proud of the virtues of human nature, but without education (for they grievously err, who confine the term to mere book learning,) what is the condition of the human heart? worse than barren— fertile with evil weeds. No wise parent will suffer his children to want for teaching ; any personal pri vation is willingly endured, in order to provide them with education. The State should follow the same course. The education of the helpless little ones of the community should be the care, as it is the duty of the Legislature. Some steps have already been taken in the right direction, but nothing has yet been done worthy of the character, or adequate to the necessities of the British people. The State considers itself obliged to protect the lives and property of its citizens. Thieves and murderers are sought out, tried, and punished at the public expense, and not seldom at a very great expense 1 The reason is obvious. Every one willingly bears a share in such expenses, because every one is thereby bene fited—his life and property are thus indirectly secured. The same arguments—absolutely the same arguments—support, the claim of public education. It is not only of individual but of universal benefit. As such it cannot much longer be treated with neglect. In the meantime, while awaiting the long-required interference—that is, an effectual and suitable interference on the part of the State—the efforts of individuals to bestow on the poor this best of blessings cannot be too highly commended or too mach encouraged. Of all such efforts the establishment of Ragged Schools is one of the most benevolent and the most efficacious. We have again and egain commented upon these institu tions, which have always enlisted our best sympathies. Their very name is their noblest eulogium, and their excellent nature is so well known, and their Value is so generally admitted, that to commend Ragged Schools is now altogether superfluous. In another column our readers will find a very interesting history of fie founders of Ragged Schools (taken from Eliza Cook's Journal—a periodical conspicuous for its advocacy of all such popular benefactions). We commend the narrative to all who may be unac quainted with the public benefactions of Jolts POUNDS, the poor cobbler who established the first Ragged School in England. The life of this humble, and, seemingly, insignificant man, is another proof of what great things an individual—no matter what his rank or riches—may achieve, if he vigorously put his shoulder to the wheel. The life of JOHN POUNDS might furnish a happy theme for a moral lecture to high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, who content themselves with cen suring the ill conduct, or compassionating the miseries of others, instead of individually doing their best to reform the one and relieve the other. We especially call attention to the little memoir of the first Ragged School teacher at the pre sent moment, because, at , the present moment more than ever, there is abundant opportunity for the beneficial exertions of individuals, either alone or collectively. The example is singularly opportune, and worthy of conscientious consideration. Many a possessor of ten talents will be put to shame when he contrasts bis own conduct with that of the humble Cobbler. Another work of a politico-religious character has just appeared from the pen of the author of " Pan slavism and Germanism ;" and, remembering the cor rectness of his predictions as to the probable result of the Hungarian movement, predictions made suc cinctly and explicitly in that remarkable volume, we cannot but regard his present effusion as a book of very considerable importance. In alluding to it, however, we are compelled, if by no other reason, by our character as a journalist, to refrain from all re ference to what would amount to nothing less than polemical controversy, a theme in no respect suited to the columns of a political newspaper. Nor will the avoidance of all theological discussion denude the arguments of Count VALERIAN KRASINSILI of their intrinsic value, seeing that their principal object is to enforce the necessity of introducing among the Slavonic races reforms similar to those infused into our own institutions. Although, therefore, the volume before us announces upon its very title page that it assumes to be an elucidation of the ecclesiastical history of the Slavonians,* it will be at once com patible with our immediate intentions, and with our position as a publicist, to examine exclusively its poli tical, and to avoid altogether its religious, reasoning and deductions. Animated by a pardonable, or we ngght even say a laudable preference of his own nation or those of all the other territories of the European continent, in spired with a confidence in the ultimate predominance of the Slavonic over all the other races of the eastern hemisphere, Count KRASINSLI avows at once his im plicit belief in the ulterior victory of his compatriots, as %ell as in their final reconciliation and combina• tion. Hitherto his predictions have been singularly verified, and hence we are disposed to treat his vatici• nations as no mere idle flights of fancy, but rather as the logical results of the reasoning of a really tenacious and sagacious intellect. How far the Slivonic races are empowered to exercise a au- preme influence over the destinies of adjacent states, may be estimated without much difficulty by merely taking into account the extent of their territories, the force of their geographical position, and the numerical strength of their population. Now, in regard to the latter and more important branch of the question, we may readily arrive at a conclusion, seeing that the census of this extraordinary people presents to the view a power of enormous magnitude. Altogether the nations coming under the generic title of Slavonic amounts to no less than 78,691,000, or in round numbers little less than 80,000,000. Separated as they are at present from each other, and subjected as they have long been to a great di versity of governments-30,000 coming under the authority of Saxony, 6,100,000 under that of Turkey, 2,108,000 under that of Prussia, 16,921,000 under that of Austria, and 53,502,000 under the despotic sway of the Russian AUTOCRAT—it is, of course, impossible to work out anything for their common advantage prior to some grand revolution, whereby their scattered forces may be brought together. The real question, therefore, at issue, is, whether this concentration is to be effected pacifically, or by some tremendous and disastrous explosion; whether the union which must inevitably occur in the end, shall be turned into a blessing or a curse to the continent. Count VALERIAN KRASINSKI, at once a patriot and a cosmo polite, at once desiring to witness the advancement of his fellow-countrymen and the general prosperity of Christendom, is solicitous, of course, that the result may be beneficial rather than destructive. His pre dilections are strictly of a Conservative character, of the true Conservative character; he is Conservative as we, the Radicals of England, are Conservative; 1-e would secure the framework of society, and would perpetuate the achievements of civilization by those reforms and innovations which are as essential to all political institutions as nutriment is to all animal existence. As with our own bodies, the mechanism of our governments is perpetually undergoing a change, and what is termed by LIEBIG and other philosophers in animal chemistry, the " metamorphosis of the tissues" in regard to the human frame, is the necessity for improvement in our legislatures. Any attempt to obstruct the application of reforms to our institutions would be productive of nothing less than a state of political atrophy. Day by day, year by year, the compensating aliment of modification would be withheld, and gradually, it may be imperceptibly, but still surely and inevitably, the various laws of the land would become ineffective and inapplicable, until at length the mechanism of administration would be a skeleton of obsolete ordinances. Nothing, however—actually -nothing in this way can, by any possibility, be attempted in the present position of affairs with out either a movement in the way of reform or of revolution. Reform, moreover, has become more than ever incumbent upon the western branch of the Slavonic races, now that Russia has acquired a gigantic preponderance over them by her interference in the subjugation of the Magyars. Unless, indeed, it be the intention of Austria, Prussia, Saxony, and Turkey to succumb to the influence of the AUTOCRAT, a vigorous effort must be made, and that forthwith, through the agency of constitutional innovations to wards the resumption of a power which will otherwise have escaped for ever from the grasp of those states in consequence of the commanding attitude recently taken by the Czen of all the Russias. Nor can any effectual benefit accrue to the cause of a Slavonic amalgamation, and through that to the cause of European advancement, without a scrupulous regard to the various temperaments and contradictory religions of a family united together only by their supple and sonorous language. In testimony of the theological differences among the Slavonic races, it is only necessary to observe that amongst them are to be enumerated 800,000 Ma kometans, 1,531,000' Protestants, no less than 22,349,000 Catholics, and a total of 54,011,000 under the jurisdiction of the Greek or Eastern Church. As to the varieties of tastes, customs, predilections, and prejudices that require to be consulted in the Slavonic family, that is a fact easily demonstrable by. the enumeration of its component parts or branches those divisions including 44,000 Lower Wends, 98 000 Upper Lusatians, 800,000 Croats, 1,151,000 Cerynthians, 2,726,000 White Russians, 2,753,000 Slovaks, 3,587,000 Bul garians, 4,414,000 Bohemians and Moravians, 5,294,000 Servians or 111yrians, 9,365,000 Poles, 13,144,000 Ruthenians, and 35,314,000 Great Rus sians or Muscovites. Here assuredly is ample testi mony of the diversities of opinions, of faith, and of habit, requiring to be consulted by those who would secure the union of the Slavonic race by means of political innovations and constitutional improvement. Great, however, as such difficulties unquestionably are, they are nevertheless very far indeed from being altogether insuperable. On the contrary, according to the views of Count VALERIAN KRASINSK.I, a writer not given to any very extensive soarings of the imagination, and certainly not inspired to the construction of those bewitching edifices bight castles in the air, by any circumstances of a propitious character in the recent ,history of the Slavonic races, —according to the views, we say, of a man so situated, and so constituted, the obstacles in the way of such comprehensive reforms are anything but insurmount able. Filled with an unaffected anxiety to see his most golden aspirations realised, we close our pre sent reference to the Count's latest production aid earnestly commend the volume to the attention of English politicians. • " Lectures on the Religious History of the Slavonic Nations. By Count Valerian Krasinski." One volume, pp. 481. Olivier, London, 1849. BLACK, WHITE, and GREY. Mankind had long disputed at the Cape, About the Devil's colour and his shape; The English held that he was black as night, The Hottentots contended he was white ; But now all split the difference, and say They feel quite certain that the Devil 's —grey. K. COURT CIRCULAR. OSBORNE, THURSDAY. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Al bert walked early this morning in the park and grounds at Osborne. The Prince of Wales and younger branches of the Royal Family, walked and rode as usual. There was no addition to the royal dinner party yesterday. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and his Serene Highness Prince Frederick of Ilesse visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday, at Gloucester House. Sir William Winniett and Mr. W. 0. Sanders had an interview with Earl Grey, yesterday, at the Co lonial- office. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday, at their office in White • hall place. Dispatches from the Governors of Hong-Kong, Labuan, and Ceylon, were received yesterday at the Colonial •office. Dispatches were also received yes terday, at the Colonial-office, from the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands and from the Governor of Malta. The Government contract for 100,000 gallons a: rum for the navy, was again taken yesterday by Messrs Lemon, Hart, and Sons, of 59, Fenchurch-street. 'EVENING, DECEMBER 21, no THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. We have received the Paris par ers of )esterday: . . A Council of Ministers was held on Wednesday, at which it was determined to prepare a new Bill on the subject of the Paris and Avignon Railway. This resolution was communicated by M. BINEAU, the Minister of Public Works, to the President of the Committee on the Bill. At the sitting of the Assembly on Wednesday, M. FouLD, the Minister of Finance, presented a Bill de mandieg a provisional credit in favour of the Govern ment of three-twelfths of the estimated expenditure of 1850, and moved that the Bill should be considered as urgent. The urgency was voted by a very large majority. M. Takes was present in the Assembly on Wed nesday for the first time since his illness. The Council of Advocates have pronounced judg ment on the Counsel who refused to plead before the High Court of Versailles. MM. Cremieux, Madier de Monijau, and Dein are reprimanded ; and MM. Jules Fevre and Desmarets are earned ; MM. Malapert, Cullier, and Lapeyruere are absolved. We read in the Opinion Publigue—" M. Dauu has this day laid upon the bureau of the Assembly the report of the Committee of Supplementary Credits on the Monte-Videan question. This report contains a full resume of the lengthened inquiry which the Com mittee has conducted during the last six months. The question of 'urgency' is demanded." The Ordre, which is the organ of M. ODILON BARROT, reproaches the PRESIDENT with a disposi tion to aid Prussia against Russia and Austria, should the latter Powers attempt to put down the Erfurth Parliament, and to Haynau ise Germany, in order to re impose the Austrian yoke • and accuses Lord NORMANDY of endeavouring to induce the PRE SIDENT to adopt these dangerous courses. It is plain from this avowal that, in the view of M. ODILON BARROT at least, the Roman expedition was not to diminish the influence of Austria ; and except by the diminution of Austrian influence, it is hard to say how French influence is to be increased in Italy. The Estafette announces the arrest of M. LEOUTItF, the gerant of the Reforme. The Prefect of Police has published an ordonnance, by which it is prohibited, from and after the Ist of January next, to empty cesspools until their contents shall have been disinfected. It was remarked that M. BEIIRYER, during the whole of the discussion on the reimposition of the sine tax, had absented himself from the Assembly. The Three per Cents. closed on the Paris Bourse on Thursday at 56f. 45c.; the Five per Cents. at 911. 90c.; Orleans Railroad Shares, 760 t. ; Rouen, 547 f. 50c. ; Havre, 240 f. ; Great Northern, 461 f. 25c. ; Avignon, 217 f. 50c.; Vierzon, 330 f. ; Basle, 1161. 25c.; Bordeaux, 4061. 250. ; Paris and Strasburg, 302 f. 50c.; Tours and Nantes t 277 f. 50c BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE LONDON STUCK-EXCHANGI4., DEC. 20. Boulogne and Amiens, 7N—Namur and Liege, 6:Y i .uxembourg, 2 1 / B —Northern of France, 1% dis.—Rouen and lavre, 9 SPAIN . Madrid journals of the 14th have arrived. At the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies on the 13th the proposition of OLOZAGA for an inquiry into the influence exercised by the Government during the last elections was taken into considera tion. General NARVARZ did not oppose the motion. MADRID BOLSA, DEc. 14.—The Three per Cents. closed on the 14th at 30 11-16 cash; the Five per Cents. at 12/ paper ; the Debt without Interest 4 paper ; Coupons 8 paper. GERMAN Y AND THE NORTHERN STATES. AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY. Letters from Vienna of the 15th announces the death of the Archduke FERDINAND D'ESTE, at Brunn. The Weiner Zeitung of the 18th publishes a letter from Field-Marshal IVELDEN, stating that he has transmitted an account of the origin and plan of the Institution for the Relief of Invalided and 'Wounded Warriors of the Campaign of 1848 and 1849, to the four commanders-in-chief, for the purpose of obtain ing from them a list of the persons who `rill be entitled to the benefit of the institution. lle publishes a letter received by him from Field-Marshal RA DETzitv, expressing his warmest thanks to the benevolent founders of this institution. The Pesth Zeitung of the 12th gives a list of per sons who, under recent acts of amnesty, have had their sentences commuted from death and lengthened imprisonment to mitigated punishments. PRUSSIA AN 1) POSEN. The report of the commission demanding the order of the day upon M. ZOLTOWSKI'S motion, proposing that the whole of the Grand Duchy of Poses should be excluded from electing members to Erfurt, has been brought up in the Chambers. M. KROTOUSK in support of the original motion, dwelt upon the bitter injustice of forcing Poles to become Germans against their will, and declared that the adoption of the order of the day on ZoL TOWSKI'S motion was tantamount to passing a sponge over the treaty of Vienna. M. SCHLOTTIIEIM, member for Messeritz, in German Posen, opposed the original motion, declaring that his German country - men never would consent to become Poles against their will, or submit to be deprived of their German rights in order to satisfy Polish pretensions. " Prus • sia," exclaimed the speaker, " will not, we suppose, order out cannon to deprive those who have shed their blood, and will shed their blood whenever called upon, for Prussia and Germany, of their birthright as Prussians and Germans." To this speaker succeeded M. STABLEWSKI, chamberlain to the KING, and mem• ber for Polish Rawitz, who, in a long and able speech, gave a history of Polish grievances from the first partition down to a recent period. In the course of his speech he said, " the adoption of the line of demarcation as voted at Frankfort, and the refusal to accord nationality to the Poles, is not a conclusion, but recommencement of revolution, and I do not suppose that such is the desire of the House." The Minister of the Interior rejoined in a few words, wherein he declared that the duty of the Govern ment was as simple as it was positive. This duty was to Insist upon Germans remaining Germans, and upon their rights being rigidly maintained. 111 . ROEDER (mem ber for Franstadt, in German Posen) declared that the Poles carried upon their brow the curse of Cain, who owed all their misfortunes to their own illconduct and want of unity, and now wished to involve others in the maledictions under which they laboured. "Not Prussia and Germany alone," said M. DB ROEDER, '• have been compelled to shed their best blood on account of the Poles, but all Europe suffers from the restless machinations of a people, who being unable to perpetrate destruction at home, seek to carry bloodshed and misery into all other lands." Messrs. MORAYSKT, a landed proprietor of Polish Koslen, and JANICHEWSKI, a Polish Professor of Gniessen, sup ported the original motion amidst the complete inattention of the House. They were followed by Count CIESKOWSKI, who, seeing the feeling prevailing in the Chamber, merely uttered a few words, and gave way to Professor DUNCKER, of Halle, who declared that the object of the line of demarcation was not to exclude Posen Poles from enjoying the privileges exercised by their German fellow-country men, but to establish two nationalities within the same circumference, the whole of which, however, would belong to the same State. Dr. DUNCKEE had not heard of any protests against the demarcation line, but if such protests bad been or were sent in, it was the duty of the German National Assembly and Central Power to reject them. No other speaker having risen, the House adopted the order of the day without dividing. This evening the Polish deputies held a meeting, whereat it was determined to print M. ZOLTOWSX.I'S speech for distribution in Posen, and further to draw up a protest to be addressed to the Interim at Frankfort, and to the Federal Council. - BAVARIA. The Legislative Assembly of Bavaria passed the Jewish Emancipation Bill on the 15th by a majority of 91 to 40, notwithstanding the opposition of the parti-pretre. Two Roman Catholic priests voted in the minority. A sitting of the Councillors of State took place on the 11th. After a protracted debate, in which several speakers regretted that the Ministry had not demanded a larger budget, for seouring the inde pendence of Bavaria by means of increased military forces, the decision of the Deputies for a voluntary loan was adopted, and this important question so far settled. The promulgation of the law is not to be postponed. The Game Laws Act was then brought under discussion, and so many modifications were intro duced into the four first articles, that it is evi• dent the law will have to be sent back to the House of Deputies. WIRTEMBERG. The conflict which arose in the sitting of the Con stituent Assembly, on the 12th, between the Ministry and nearly the whole of the Assembly, was subdued the next day by a sort of retractation made by the Minister, Von SCHATER, who declared that it was only in case the present Constituent Assemby, or, in the event of its dissolution, a second Assembly, elected by virtue of the law of the Ist of July, should not have decreed a new constitution in concert with the Government, the former Chamber should be recalled, with the modification, however, prescribed by the fundamental law. The project of an cddress to the KING was then adopted by the Assembly. HOLLAND. THE HAGUE, DEc. 18.—The First Chamber of the Status General met yesterday after its recess. The Fundamental Law, as amended by the Second Chamber, was discussed, and Articles 1,2, 3, 4, and Bof the Budget of 1850 were voted. The pi oject, as passed by the Second Climber, for the tri nsrer of Deferred Debt and Exchequer-bills into the Active Debt, was passed. The Committee for the month of December was also renewed. The navy estimates were passed by large rnajo,ities on the 14th. A loan bank is about to be established at Harlem, the object of which is to make pecuniary advances to the industrial poor. The capital is formed of funds invested without interest by benevolent persons. The bank does not give loans to any persons who are unable to read and write, or who receive public charity. They must furnish proof of good cc nduct and industry, and advances are only made in such cases as look promising. The lenders are subsequently obliged to prove that the sums advanced have been employed as indicated. No loan can exceed 100 ft)rins, and must be repaid in small weekly instalments after the expiration ol eleven weeks, nor can a second loan be granted until the first has been repaid. The services of the directors and all others at the bank are gratuitous. AMSTERDAM, Dec. 17.--THE BOURSE.--The tone of the Bourse was rather flat, especially in inland Funds. Spanish in Ardoin's and coupons to be had at a depreciation ; Austrian and French partook o' this tendency; Portuguese were steady; South American Funds were rather in demand, especiall3 Mexican Stock, in which there were several transac tions at an improved exchange, in consequence of the rise in that stock on the London Bou►se.—Amsterdam Currant, Dec. 18. BELGIUM OSTEND, DEC. 17.—About ten o'clock this morn ing the ship Emilie, Captain VANDER KERCKUOYE was wrecked, with the total loss of its crew and cargo of guano. The distress of the ship was seen from the shore. A boat was immediately put off, and every exertion used to gain her, but in vain, the waves beat so high, that by the time the boat had succeeded in making its way through the boisterous waves all was over ; the sea had engulfed its victims. The owner of the vessel, M. VANDER liancxneye, the father of the captain and the chief mate on board, witnessed from the shore the awful catastrophe which deprived him in an instant of his two sons and his property. The cargo was insured in London.— Journal du Commerce. TURKEY. The Journalde Constantinople of the 4th announces the arrival in that capital of the State steamer Esseri- Djedid from Samos, with news purporting that tran quillity was completely restored in that island, and that the blockade was shortly to be raised. The Porte bad taken the complaints concerning the admi nistration of that island under consideration. Her Britannic Majesty's steamer Tartarus had arrived from Basika -bay, where the English fleet is anchored, with dispatches for the English Embassy. The Journal de Constantinople devotes several columns to a comment on a late Imperial decree, regulating the construction of houses for the future, in order to ob viate the frequent fires to which Constantinople is so subject. _ _ PUAD EFFENDI, at present representing the divan at St. Petersburgh, has been named Musteshar of the GRAND VIZIER, which is equivalent to Minister of the Interior. On the 2d inst., the President of the Naval Council, Admiral RAGHEB PACIIA was dispatched with the war steamer the Medjidi to the British fleet. He is the bearer of a letter of thanks from the GRAND VIZIER to Admiral PARKER. RAGIIEB PACHA is accompanied by a brilliant staff of young officers, who are anxious to visit and minutely examine the wooden walls of Old England. He will subsequently proceed to the French fleet and deliver a letter, conceived in the same style as Admiral PARKER'S, to Admiral PARSE VAL DSSCHENES. ITALY. Accounts have been received from Turin of the 15th. IVIAmIANI, who has been elected by Genoa to the Chamber of Deputies, applied to the Govern ment to grant him letters of naturalization, in order to enable him to take his seat, which were refused to him. PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Schirra's opera Mina increases "in ;popularity every time it is represented, and notwithstanding the growling of the pedants, is become what their coldly correct compositions never can become— a popular favourite. There is a rich current of melody running through the whole of this opera, which rivets the attention of the auditors, and best of all, the melodies are such as are carried away by the memory—persons when they quit the theatre, find theme Ives almost unconsciously humming the tutles, the best test of the beauty of a melody. The opera was repeated last night and " went" beau'ilully, to the great delight of a crowded audience. ASTLEY'S AMPHITHEATRE. THE NEW PANTOMIME. The following is a programme of tilt forthcoming pantomime at A,tley's, which Will be entitled Harlequin Yankee Doodle come to Ton:n upon Ms Little Pony : Scene Ist commences with the fairy Hall of Piety, the fairy Peace 11- quires the presence of Plenty, and calls to fo r aid Mirth and Sport, who discover her retreat. It being the Fairy Queen Britannia's inten tion to hold a court, they suddenly change the scene where all the fays are assembled to do homage to their Queen, with their fairy palfreys and emblematic cars, &c. Hope, too, joins them, and Britannia arriving, and being at a loss for a hero for her Christmas sports, she is informed that Yankee Doodle would entrap Miss Dinah from Young England, who is discovered in a desponding state by one of the fairies, and being brought before 13ritannia she bids him be of good cheer, and seek out Old Sambo. He thanks her and departs. Scene 2d—Old Sambo's house at Bow. Young England obtains an interview with Dinah, but is interrupted by Old Sambo, who thrusts his daughter in house and England from door. Young England throws himself down in despair; Hope ap pears, and presents him with a silver pipe to aid him; he departs delighted. Yankee Doodle arrives upon his little pony,: with a letter of introduction from the President to Old Sambo. SAM Slick follows, who is ordered by Yankee Doodle to dispose of the pony, and he takes him away for that purpose. Yankee Doodle and Sambo meet under unfor tunate circumstances. Sambo apologises, and Sambo introduces him to Miss Lucy Long (his other daughter) as his intended son-in-law. "The mar riage shall take place this very day." Scene 3d Tattersall's Horse Sale, &c., going on. Yankee Doodle and Sam Slick arrive to sell the pony, and get sold in buying a horse. Scene 4th—Near Hyde ' park-corner. The purchase proves still more un satisfactory. Scene ith—Sambo's house,: with] pre parations for the wedding. Yankee Doodle's horse having bolted, gallops in and throws him. The horse is disposed of by Sam Slick. Miss Dinah is most reluctant to become the bride of Yankee Doodle. All are ready for the dance, but the village piper falls dead drunk. What is to be done ? Fortunately one is found near at hand, and is brought in. It is Young England in disguise, and playing on his magic pipe, all begin dancing involuntarily. During this he manages to discover himself to Dinah. Other sports are determined upon, among which Blind man's-buff. Yankee Doodle is blindfolded, and as the game proceeds Young England and Dinah escape together. Yankee Doodle catches Miss Lucy Long, thinking it Dinah. Finding his mistake, a search is made for her, when Dinah and Young England return from the church married. Yankee Doodle's, Sambo's, and Lucy Long's rage know no bounds ; the bride and bridegroom are seized, and at this moment the entire scene changes, Britannia appears, and settles the dispute for the present by changing Yankee Doodle to Clown, England to Harlequin, Old Sambo to Pantaloon, and Miss Dinah to Co lumbine. Then follows the harltquinade, hits, &c., of past and passing events, &c. POPULAR ERROR AS TO THE NELSON COLUMN.— The opponents of a columnar monument, it may be recollected, urged the insecurity of Corinthian propor tions; and, in a consequent report by Sir Richard Smirke and Mr. Walker, the engineer, it was recom mended that a considerable diminution in the proposed height of the work should be made. This recommenda tion was followed; but the impression that the clumsy expedient of chopping the required length off the shaft, and thereby violating the just proportion of the order, was adopted, is entirely without foundation,—though up to the present moment " going," as it is termed, " the round of the papers." Thus, the Times of Tharada) last pronounces the "shaft too short for the pedestal, and the capital too heavy and massive for the shaft." I have gone to the best source for my information, and find the height of the colum❑ as built, from the top of the pe destal to the top of the abacus, to be 101 feet 6 inches; the lower diameter 103- feet, and the upper diameter 9 feet. On referring to "Taylor and Cresy's Rome," where the Mars Ultor example is carefully given, the height of the ancient example is 58 feet, and the upper diameter a fraction less than 5 feet 2 inches, and as these dimensions are in the exact ratio of 101 feet to 9 feet, it is evident the classic proportion Las been strictly main tained. The capital was very skilfully modelled by Mr. C. H. Smith (afterwards engaged on those of the Roy al Exchange), whose ability is well known.—Correspondent of the Builder. ' PURCHASE OF THE PAVILION. — The agreEment for this purchase was executed in London on Wednesday by the Hon. the Commissioners of her Majesty's Woods, Forests, and Land Revenues, on behalf of the Govern ment, and by Mr. Slight, the clerk to the Commis sioners, on behalf of the inhabitants of Brighton. We understand that Herr Staudigl, the celebrated German ♦ocalist, has recently purchased an estate near Briinn; in Austria, for the sum of 80,000 florins (8,0001.), and that he intends shortly to retire from the stage. 11 and COMMERCIAL NEW S CITY, QUARTER TO THREE. The sales cf . Cotton at Liverpool yesterday were 7,000 bale, 2 CGO of which were taken on speculation. tit-ices of Amt 'jean were tight, cad other kinds without dteration. The market closed firmly.—Railway Shares ontinued very dull, The C.sru Market has been firm, owing to be ss all Arrive's, u• tininess has not been active. The Celt nial Produce Markets close ibis vening fur the holidays, not to re-open until ,he 31 of January. The week's transactions lave been at satisfactory prices for sugarr, rice, rum, and tlrt r princ'pa staples, but coffee is scarcely so high, es )ecially Ceylon. Tallow is quieter, and in tea there has .ot been much doing. The supplies of all kinds of produce lave been comparatively liberal, importers being dis• osed to effect sales before the close of the year, but the •urront consumption has been sufficiently good to take off the whole quantity offered, and there is much con fidence that early next year the demand will ,e renewed somewhat briskly. The prospects are cers inly encouraging in view of the abundance of money, and the strength of confidence, with the pacific aspect of ffairs abroad. We are still without any ntelligs ace of the Dee steamer, out the Pest-office does not consider her properly due 'mil to-morrow, and with the bad weather we save experienced a sufficient exp'anation is ff.rdtd for the delay. It is now ascertained hat tie amount on board for the dividends is between 60,000 end 70,000 (erroneously printed 700,000, under his head yesterday) dollars, and that Messrs. Manning sml Maco will announce nearly 300,000 dollars, as being is course of collection. The Honourable East India Company have fixed the rate of exchange, for bills on Bengal and Madrss at Is. 11d. per Company's rupee, and at Is. 110. on Bombay. Vienna accounts of the 16th quote Austrian Bonds 94k. At Madrid, on the 14th instant, the funds were rather heavy, the Threes 30 11-16 to t for cash. The Paris Bourse ,yesterday was firm but quiet. The sales of Money Stock that have for the last day or two been pressed in the English market have bed the effect of altering materially its tone, and this morn ing there was a continuance of them, though to a smaller extent. The desire, as usual, is to close speculative dealings before Christmas, and many parties who require money for business purposes, and have arrangements to make for the liquidation of accounts, are realising the amounts by disposing of Stock, while others only rant in a short time back for the purpose of temporary investment, and to profit by any future rise. Few will buy before Christmas, or even until after the turn of the year, and we es• pect, consequently, a dull market, though to be succeeded by comparative buoyancy. The accumulation of bullion, the certainty almost of encouragirg quarterll revenue returns, and the great expectations entertained of judicious retrenchment, are all in favour of a strong market; and against it we should only cite Continental troubles, of which there is at present no indication . Consols have been specialty transferred at 97 for Mewl , dividend included. For Time they have ruled at 958 to 968, being now about 96 to k. The New Thres.andev Quarter per Cents have been 97f to j, and the Tires per Cents. 958 to 96k. Bank Stock is worth 20* Exchequer-bills have been 545. to 575., and India Bupdi 88s. premium. The meeting of the foreign creditors of Mexico, boa yesterday afternoon, was very protracted, but also yell interesting. The whole explanation of the present position and future peospects of the bondholders sys s laid before them by their Envoy, Mr. W. Ps'' rich Robertson, and the reception given t ° his statement shooed how well satisfied 0 4 were with it. Mr. Robertson has made a convenlio ll with the Government of the Republic, which there is WI probability of Congress affirming, and which will be higblt advantageous to all parties. For ten y ears an iatereatle 3i per cent. is secured upon the surest of all revenues.l Customs, the tobacco, and the silver export duties. " 1 1'. whole of these can be personally looked after by t" agents of the bondholders, who have throughout been s° indefatigable, viz., Messrs. Manning and Maco, and 00 hypothecated, it is the determination of Lord Palms' ton, almost officially communicated, to enro l ?! their strict appropriation to the intended W . jeer. Mr. Doy le, the British Minister in kte]cie ° ' has given most valuable aid to Mr. W. P. Robertson' and is instructed from home not to relax in his e nder' yours. But besides the future being, as Mr. Robertson stated, amply secured—for he said he would on no sr count recommend a compromise if he did not believe abet had now a better guarantee than ever before—there is . fair provision for back interest. From the Amerie indemnity money, 4,500,000 dollars is to be assigned D the bondholders, and 1,500,000 dollars will doubtless ; paid in May next at Washington under an arrangesee ° ., made by Mr. Robertson with Mr. Crame w f; the British Minister, and Mr. Clayton of tu t United States Government, Mr. Ward, the sg e k ° , of Messrs. Barings, being the party through whom 11 remittance will roost likely come. Then the perol d soli will realise 250,000 dollars within three years, s°_, s altogether there is no foreign security that 50 74 a better chance of taking a creditable :e subs , antial position in the market. . 11 :4 present price is nevertheless flat, the usual result v. over-speculation, being 2Si to 29k, but the real bo/d d ; has nothing to heed from these daily oscillatiens , and, • Mr. Robertson told the meeting he had given ;hem 115 ; arrangement that should relieve them of all anxiegl, about the intrinsic value of their property. O•bei foreign stocks ate dull-r. Spanish Five per Cents. I to f; Buenos Ayres, 46; Dutch Two-and-a- halt P e ' , Cents., 558 to 56k; Russian, 109 k, • 0 ONE 1' e - •/e it. "roe., r fItCV trtio- O'CLOCK. 0 ; 14 d Stock 3 ;%e-e- Cent. Reduced Arns.... •• 96% 95% 91. / 3 per Cent. Consols Ann ui ties ..97 91 1 ' N k,ent. Anus nn; Anna. to ext ire Jan.lB6o f 9 P In Bonde,l,o(xV. .......... . E 8 p 9e Ditto under 1,0001.. ....... ....- BB p coni.•ls for Account 96'4 9574 96 Exc Wft 01.1, t 1 41 1 . & 6tl 61 P 1,000/. June ... .. 57 54 p 54 P WV. June Small. June VRICES OF FOREIGN I UNDO. ON 01 ,, E t. ' Ft. O'CL (xis.. rmc . 46 Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 Der Cent.... 46 ...., Danish 80nd5,1825,3 per Cent. .. 05* D tto 5 per Cent. ... u. 1 t...an, 5 per Cent. 1846, with Coupons— ..., , 0 1 0 Ditto, Ex Jan. Coupons Ditto, Account Russian U Russian Bonds Ipaniih 5 per Cent. 1840 Ditto, Account Ditto, 3 per Cent Ditto, Account . Dividends on the:above payable in London, .6t,i P Dutch 2% per Cent., 12 Guild. .. 55% 56 1 4 5 5 % Ditto. Account .... 5474 Ditto. 4 per Cent. Certificates... t 5 ill% , 0 0 (1 PAID. PRICES or BUSINE3S DONE C.-• -- cP• • • RAILWAY SHARES. AT ONR O'CLOCK ro - '2 -' ,IJerdeeu 5O ... . 12 Do. Preference Amber. Nott., Boston, and Eastern Junction 6 3 %...... Ayrshire and Galloway.. 7 Belfast & County Down 28 Berks & Hants Extens. (Gt. West. Per.s per ct.) 6 Birmingham and Ox ford Junct., calls duly paid, or with a guaran. 20 Do, without guarantee 20 .., Birming. Wolverh'ton, and D'idley, calls duly pd, or with guarantee 10 .. Do. without guarantee 10 Birming.,Wolverh'pton, and Stour Valley 131. 14s ... Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire June.— 20 Bristol and Exeter 92 ... .. Ditto, Thirds - liuckinghamshire Caledonian Ditto, New 10/. Prof... 10 Ditto,Clydesdale June 50 Chester and Holyhead... 50 Ditto, Preference l5 ...... 914% Clarence - Do. Ist Class, 6 per Ct. 10 Do. 2d Class, 5 per Ct. 10 Do. Government Loan, 4 per Cent. Direct London & Ports mouth ..._ Dublin and Belfast June. 40 ....„ Dundalk & Enniskillen 27% — East Anglian, 251., L & E. and L. and D...... 25 Do. 18/., E. & H.... 18 Do., 3/. 10e., Pref... 3% a Litto, 71. 175., 7 per Cent., Preference... 2 . Eastern Com:ties— ..... 20 ...... ••• Do. New, Gua. 6 per ct. 10 .....• it to,Extension, 5 per Cent., No. 1. 61.135. 4d.... p Ditto ditto, No. 2...61. 13s. 4d... . ..... Do. North. & Eastern, 6 per Cent. Ditto. 5 per Cent 5O Do. New Eastern Union, Class A _ (late E. U. Shares) 25 Ditto, Class A, ditto... 6 Do., Class B& C 25 Do. Scrip (6 per cent.) 20 .- 17 IA .. . ..... East Lancashire Ditto, New , Ditto New Quarters 6 1 4 — .. .- ........ Do., 6 per Cent. Pre ference Quarters ... 8 —.......-....• East Lincolnshire ...... 25 . — ..... ... ...... Edinburgh and Glasgow 50 Ditto, Half Shares ... 25 .. .. ....... .••••• Edinburgh and Northern 25 Ditto, — Newport l5 ... ........ .... Exeter.Yeovil, & Dorch 2 5,,, — .............. . ._ Exeter and Exmouth... 21s. Glasgow, Dumfries, and Carlisle ....... ... ..8!.65. 8d — .... ........... Glasgow,Kilmar., & Ayr 50 Do. Preference Consol. Gloucester & Dean Forest 11 Great orthern Do., % A Deferred Do., >l3 6 per Cent 7 l / s. — .. ........... Do., 5 per Cent. Pref Great South. and West. (Ireland) - ... .......... Great North of England 100 ...... ...........•••. Ditto, New, 40! Ditto, ditto Ditto, New, 30/ Ditto, New ,151 l5 .. .. ........ .. ..... Great Western . ....... lOO Ditto, % Shares Ditto, 1 4 Shares Ditto, Fifths ...... Ditto, New 171... ..... 15 ... Utill And bolby .. ...... 59 , 97y4 ............ . , ~ , s3l , 0 r / 17' t; / / ..,. 1 10 i d gir No (No No Jz Sb i 1