The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-22 00:00:00

W.. W. S. WOODIN'S OLIO of ODDITIES, illustrated by 50 instantaneous Metamorphoses of Voice, Character, and Costume, and a meving Panorama of the beautiful Lakes of Westmoreland and Cumberland, every evening, at S. A representation of the celebrated tragedienne, Mlle. Rachel. as Camille in Les Horaces, with other new features, have been added to the above entertainment. During the Christmas Holidays Mr. W. S. Woodin will give two morning performances only—Saturday , Dec. tO, and Saturday, Jan. s.—Polygraphic-hall, King William-street, Charing-cross. THEATRE ROYAL, lIA.YMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buc.kstone. THIS EVENING. Will be performed TIIE MAN OF MANY FRIENDS. Princi characters by Messrs. Buck to ne, Cofnpton. W. Farren, H owe , Misses Reynolds and Chaplin , and Mrs. Poynter. After which, the Spitnish Dancers. Followed by THE LITTLE TREASURE. After which, a BALLET, by the Spanish Dancers. To oonclude with A DAUGHTER TO MARRY. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHJ. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Dfrectress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Wlll be performed TARTITFIrE. The principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, C. Selby, Moreland, Garden; Mrs. Keeley, miss bI. Keeley, and Make. Celeste. After which, A MOVING TALE. To conclude with the comedy of FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEITRE. THIS EVENING. Will be performed TFIE SCHOOL FOR SCANDiL. Characters by Messrs. Emery, F. Vining, G. Vining, A. Wigan, Robson, &c. ; Mrs. A. Wigan, Mrs. Stirling, and Mrs Fitz%llan. Followed by £5 REWARD. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. J. 11. Ander ion, 18, Norfolk-street, Strand. LAST NIGHT. Increased Attractions, and success in equal ratio ' THIS EVENING, at Eight o'Clock, Will Ale presented, with entirely New and Magnificent Appoint ments, MAGIC and MYSTERY, in twelve acts, arranged in two parts, by Professor Anderson. After which, the startling illustrations of Spirit-Rapping. HALF AN-EIOUR WITII TEIE SPIRIT 3, being the most surprising an I Interesting series of experiments ever given within the walls of any theatre. Revival. in an improved form, of the astounding novelty which t artled London 10 years ago, the GREAT GUN TRICK I Prices of admission:—Privats Boxes, 11. 11s. 6d. and id. Is. ; Orchestra Stalls, 45.; Dress Boxes, 35.; Upper Boxes, 25.; Pit, ; Gallery, 6d. No Half-price. Box-office open from 1I to 5 ASTLETS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke. Immense success of Rockwood This spirited and exciting Hippodrome (with Turpin's Ride to ?irk) embraces the principal events of Ainsworth's Rookwool. THIS EVENING, The suczessful Equldrame c tiled TURPIN'S RIDE to YORK ; or, the Heir of Rookwood. After which the Varied Equestrian AC ri in the CIRCLE. To conclude with UNE FOUR POUR EIRE ; or, Mirth-Moving Entertainment. Immense preparations are making for the Ckrlstmas Comic Pan to name, written by Mr. Nelson Leo, called Harlequin and St George and the Dragon, or the Seven Champions of Christendom. not -otice open frorn Eleven till Four. Stage Manager. Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, If 7. W. Cooke. lan. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THN DAY—Morn. 38 min. aft. 12—Evening 4 nab. aft. 1 To-Moßßow—Morn. 29 min. aft. I—Evening 54 rain. aft. 1 THE WEA.THER.—SUN OFFICE, Dec. 22. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHIM 29 highest since noon yesterday. 26 -11 west this morning and during the night. 31 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29.96—rising again. Wrivr, S. V.—Light, with fine, frosty, and sunshiny weather. _ ~.~ ~ { :x' ` `Ybv`j, ~._F mod. G~ Jri`~ 143 AX,, LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1855, All operations appear to be suspended for the time being in the Crimea. The men are chiefly engaged in the laudable and agreeable occupation of making themselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances of the case, and recover ing the health and strength that had been in some degree impaired from the labours of the siege. Their attempts, we rejoice to say, may be considered as very successful. Although what they have attained, or may attain, must still fall very short of our notions of the peculiarly English term " comfort," it is still very satisfactory during a campaign where they are within sight of au ad verse army, and of strongly-fortified positi •ns held by the enemy, and when the utmost vigilance must be incessantly observed. It would not do for the Allies to be made the victims of any surprise, and we may easily believe how greatly. the Russians would rejoice to retrieve any of the laurels that have been so unceremoniously plucked from their brows during the past year. The freezing over of the Tchernaya may afford a chance—it will only be a chance, and a very remote one—and for that the Allies must always he prepared, although de termined not to make any decisive attempt until the routing of " General Winter" by the forth coming spring may give the signal that the time has arrived for the resumption of active opera tions by land and by water. The contrast of the last winter materially en hances the enjoyment felt by those who have bit terly experienced the privations and toils of that trying period, and who had sufficient stamina to pass through the fearful ordeal. The men are not now tantalised by starving in the sight of abundance. They are exempted from the dan gerous and laborious duties in the trenches, to which so many casualties were attributable, those indirectly arising from over-fatigue being perh ipa even more formidable than the losses from the active operations of the enemy. The authorities at home have greatly profited by past experience, but the local improvements are no less remarkable. The roads, although not of the smooth "bowling green" character looked for by those who " live at home at ease," are still as good as can be anti cipated under the circumstances ; and, as they are only required for the purpose of bringing up supplies of provisions and not of siege requisites, every reasonable demand can be readily answered. There are, of course, many unpleasant collisions, and a considerable use of what our brethren at the other side of St. George's Channel designate as " ornamental language" amongst the hybrid employees, who resort to polyglot terms of objur gation ; but the work is done notwithstanding these minor difficulties and impediments, and the soldiers find themselves very fairly off, all things being taken into consideration. Nor is it only with respect to the condition of the troops that greater vigilance is exercised. The characters and objects of the various " camp fol lowers," whether visiting as amateurs or in pur suit of profite, are more carefully scrutinised. There are many " tickets of leave"—not in the sense in which it is used in this country, but merely for permission to reside in the vicinity of the camp—which have been granted, and any impropriety of conduct is visited with immediate expulsion. Many of the temptations to which the soldiers have been exposed, and which have extracted the " PANMITRE sixpences" from their pockets, have been thus removed. Many Russian spies have thus been got rid of , and s evera l o f the surreptitious drinking-shops have also been closed. It is in conteinplatien, also, to open regimental canteens, under the care of meritorious non-commissioned officers, by means whereof, while every reasonable facility is afforded to the soldiers, abuses can be completely got rid of. The illi c it d ealers who have occasioned such serious mischief, if not summarily expelled, will thus find " their occupation gone," and improved discipline and "comfort" will be the result of these judicious regulations. b The great matter will be, ho wever , t o watc h the enemy. As we have stated, the freezing owl of the Tchernaya, which may occur at any mo ment, may be seized on to attempt some desperate THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EvENINCI, DECEMBER 22 t 855. coup. From what we have seen, however, we may safely rely on the Allied Generals that they will leave nothing to chance, but adopt all mea sures necessary for the protection of the troops committed to their charge, or for taking advan tage of any opening left by the Russians during the winter. Justice has at length been rendered to a very distinguished and meritorious body ! The officers of the Royal Engineers, engaged at the siege of Sebastopol, have received the notice which they have so well deserved. As yet it is but a notice, but we cannot doubt but that the earnest recom mendation of Lieutenant-General Sir HARRY JONES, sustained and supported as it has been by General SIMPSON, will be productive of immediate fruits, and lead to the promotion which has been so richly earned, although hitherto withheld under the existing regulations of the service. The advocates for " promotion by purchase" have always referred to the state of the Engi neers as an argument in favour of the system which they support. They say that, no matter how great the deserts of individual officers, they can never be rewarded for their services. They must pass through the strict routine before they can acquire a single step. Under such re gulations it is, indeed, but a remote chance if "the right man can be found ix the right place." Great care is undoubtedly taken in selecting the best candidates for commis sions, which are bestowed on the most distin guished prizemen at Woolwich. But when the first step had been taken, when the foot was placed on the promising ladder, nothing further could be accomplished. It was forbidden to pass even the greatest sluggard on the route. At the Academy there was the most open com petition amongst the students—Pa lmam qui me• ruit, ferat waa the adopted rule, and the ardent youths were stimulated by the purest and most exalted motives in the race. But there it stopped. From that moment there was no further motive to excite their ambition or enthusiasm—whether undergoing the most serious toils and privations, or " living at home at ease," the result was ex• actly the same. A man might be animated by the highest sense of public duty ; but whatever he might dare, or whatever he might do, he would find that his "virtue was its own reward," for how ever great his deserts, the constitution of the corps prevented his promotion either therein or "in other branches of the service." There is now a graceful opportunity of deviating from the too limited course. A few young officers have been strongly recommended by Sir HARRY D. JONES, by Sir J. F. BURGOYNE, and by Sir JAMES SIMPSON to Viscouat HARDINGE'S favour, as having particularly distinguished themselves during the siege. We rejoice to add our tribute to the truly noble list. They are as follows : Royal Engineers—Lieutenants H. DE VERE, A. A. C. FISHER, H. C. ELPHINSTONE, G. NEVILLE, W. 0. LENNOX, W. C. ANDERSON, G. GIGAIIAM, G. PHILLIPS, C. N. MARTIN, C. G. GORDON, and J. F. DONNELLY. We may judge from the manner in which this irresistible demand is received and acted on, whether the sympathies of the Horse Guards are altogether limited to the aristocratic corps, or the grievances of any under the rank of a Guardsman are considered worthy of notice. Enlightened reformers Lave, among many grounds for encouragement, the following—viz., every step in advance renders the next more easy, and in the removal of one abuse the fate of an other is foreshadowed. This is so apt to be over looked that a public journalist cannot reproduce it too frequently. As a case in point, we may mention Sanitary Reform what has been achieved in this direction being certain to lead to another reform which has been long needed—to wit, Medical Reform. The successful working of the former, as the reader doubtless is aware, will be largely dependent on the zeal and intelligence of members of the medical profession. If the medical officers ap pointed by the various Boards of Health, and bodies entrusted with the functions of these boards, are incompetent to the proper discharge of their duties, the progress of sanitary reform must necessarily be impeded —cease it cannot. It becomes, there fore, a matter of great importance that no impediments should be suffered to exist to the selection of the best available talent. Impediments, and serious ones, however, do exist, and efforts, which cannot fail of success if persevered in, are now being made to remove them. It is some xliat monstrous that the superior fitness of a man for the office is not the first question for consideration. That, according to the present system, is all very well in its way, but cannot be taken into account unless the can didate has one special recommendation, viz., the imprimatur of some particular college or colleges- He may be " a wise physician," as well " skilled our woun3s to heal" as the best that has ap peared, but unless ho has an English diploma he won't do ; his claims cannot be entertained. If any just cause existed for this exclusion we should not say one word about the matter. If a practi tioner with a Scotch diploma were generally au ignoramus or a dolt silence would seal our lips. But this notoriously is not the case. Some of the best surgeons, for instance, we have had in modern times earned their reputation, if not their wealth, under no other banner, while others have been lost to the English public through the prejudice consequent on so unwise a restriction of privileges. A monopoly thus injurious, and affecting English aspirants for medical honours of small means quite as much as Scotch, could not fail to attract more and more attention as the work of sanitary reform progressed, and lead to the consideration of other evils ; and, as would be seen in our impression of yesterday, two Bills for Medical Reform are about to be submitted to Parliament, one prepared by Mr. HEA DL AM, M. P., and the other by the Pro fessors of the University of Edinburgh. Into th e relative merits or demerits of these Bills we aro unable to enter, not baying seen either of them. One thing, however, we can do, and n o d f that is, pronounce an unhesitating approval the determination of the members of the Pro vincial Medical and Surgical Association, as an nounced by the deputation from that body to Sir GEORGE GREY on Thursday—viz., that though disposed to prefer Mr. HEADLAM'S Bill, " they would give an equal support to any Government Bill, whatever might be its details, which would secure uniformity of examiiation and qualifica tion—freedom of practice throughout the United Kingdom —a due representation of the great body of the profession, and a proper system of registra tion." The representation spoken of we take to apply to a professional board. The science of medicine in this country, indeed anywhere, is not so far advanced as to permit, without culpability, .of any tangible obstacles whatever to its advance ment most unquestio na bl y the want of uniformity ; and rmityand freedom of practice referred to has been a great one. We shall look with interest for the appearance of the Bills, when we m ay go more at large into the subject. REMOVAL OF THE COURT TO TVINDS,IR. SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY. This morning, at 20 minutes before eleven o'clock, the Royal yacht Fairy, with the Elfin in attendance, entered the Southampton docks, having on board her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the other branches of the Royal family. There were in attendance the Marchioness of Ely, Lady in Waiting ; Hon. Eleanor Stanley, Maid of Honour ; Lord Alfred Paget and General Hon. Charles Grey, Equerries in Waiting. It was the intention of the Court to have proceeded from Osborne to Gosport, via Spithead, but owing to the very boisterous state of the weather the passage to Southampton was preferred. It was not till half-past nine this morning that a tele graphic notice was received by Mr. Watkins, superin tendent of the Southampton terminus, to have the Royal carriages despatched to Southampton instead of Gosport, and a communication was immediately for warded to Basingstoke, to effect that object. The Royal carriages were in charge of Mr. Scott, traffic manager; Mr. J. Watkins, superintendent; Mr. Beattie, superintendent engineer ; and Mr. Godson ; and her Majesty was received on the part of the dock company, by Mr. P. Hedger, Mr. Levy, and other prin cipal officers. Her Majesty looked extremely well, and appeared in excellent spirits. At a few minutes before eleven the Royal party left the Southampton Station for Basingstoke, where they arrived in 48 minutes, and from thence proceeded by the Great Western line to Windsor. A. Cabinet Council wag held, yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Viscount Pal merston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Panmure, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, Sir C. Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, and the Right Hon. M. T. Baines. The Council sat two hours. The Archbishop of Canterbuy had an interview with Mr. Secretary Labouchere, yesterday, at the Colonial office. _ - Despatches from the Governor of Ceylon, and also frorft - the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands, were received, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. De spatches were sent, last evening, to the Governors of the North American provinces. The Earl and Countess Bruce have been entertaining a distinguished party at Savernake Lodge during the past week. The guests have had capital sport on the well-stocked preserves of the noble earl. In one day no less than 503 head of game were bagged from eight guns. The company at the lodge included the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, the Marquis of Bath, Lord Harry Thynne, the Earl and Countess of Malmesbury, Viscount and Viscountess Sydney, &c, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston leave town to day, for Broadlands, for the Christmas holidays. We regret to announce the decease of Mme. Mocquard, wife of the private secretary of the Emperor of the French. This amiable lady just expired at Paris, after a long and painful illnesr. Mr. W. Mac lonald Farquharson Macdonald and the Hon. Mrs. Macdonald and family, have left Claridge's Hotel, en route for the continent. Jenny Lind, who has never yet sung in Paris, has, it is said, positively promised to perform there when she leaves England. Madlie. Rachel arrived at Charleston on the Ist of December, at noon, perfectly recovered. On the 4th she embarked in the steamer Isabel for the Havannali, where she will resume her representations.—Courier des Etats. The following firms have agreed to close their esta blishments on Monday the 24th instant—namely, Lewis and Allenby, Swan and Edgar, Marshall and Snelgrove, Redmayne and Co., Debenham, Son, and Co., and Howell, James, and Co. SOUTH A USTRALIAN COMPANY.—At a meeting of the South Australian Company, yesterday, Mr. E. Divett presiding, the report for the half-year, ending the 30th of April last in the colony, was adopted. The di,cus eion was merely of a general character, the amount of dividend being determined at the annual meeting. After the ordinary proceedings the charter granted for the in corporation of the company was accepted, and the direc tors were requested to take such measures under it as may be necessary for future management. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—Last evening the above society gave their usual Christmas performance of The Messiah, with Madame Clara Novello, Miss No velle, Miss Dolby, Mr. Thomas, and Lockey, as princi pal vocalists, and Mr. Costa as conductor. As this great work has been heard so often from the sane artistes, and the merits of the band and chorus belonging to this ex cellent institution are perfectly familiar to the public, it will be sufficient to state generally that the performance was in every respect honourable to' the acknowledged fame of the Sacred Harmonic Society. The hall was quite full. POLICE OF CONSTANTINOPLE.—The commanding offi cers of the English, French, and Sardinian forces have come to an agreement with the Turkish authorities, by virtue of which the Allied troops are to have a right to contribute to the repression of crime and outrage in Con stantinople DEMAND FOR SHIPWRIGHTS.—The demand for ship wrights at the present time in the West of England is very great. Six months' certain employment is guaran teed, and the rate of wages offered is generally Cs. per day, with almost unlimited work as overtime. MESSRS. Da LISLE, JANVRIN, AND CO.—The in spectors of the estate of Messrs. De Lisle, Janvrin, and Co. at a meeting on Thursday determined to declare a third dividend, payable on the 2d of February. It will be 2s. in the pound, making, with the former two divi dends, 108. in the pound. HARWAR V. DREAPER.—The plaintiff's solicitors in this case have written us stating we were in error in publishing the verdict in this case to have been for the defendant. The arrangement come! to between the learned counsel, and accepted by both parties was, they state, that the defendants should pay the plaintiff 1001. in full of all demands, at the earns time admitting he had no claim on the patent or the inventions. SAILING OF THE ROYAL MAIL PACKET FOR MEI - BOURNE.—LIVERPOOL, Dec. 21.—The royal mail packet clipper ship, Earl of Sefton, Capt. Noble, belongisg t Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson's White Star line of Australian royal mail packets, sailed this afternoon from Liverpool for Melb eirne, with 200 passengers, a large and valuable cargo, and a very heavy mail. From her previous railing achievements, the Earl of Sefton is expected to make such a passage as will still further redound to the credit of this celebrated line of Airs tralien mail packete. THE ARMY IN THE EAST. —We learn by the le' est General Order, issued by the Commander-in-Chief in the Crimea, that Captain Hall, 4th Regiment, has been appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of the Forces ; that Lieut.-Colonel Turner, late 7th Fusiliers, takes charge of Karabelnaia ; that a road police is esta blished, and that Lieut.-Colonel Haythorne, let Royals, is made an A.A.G., and is attached to the Highland Division. Captain Richards, 55th Regiment, is ap pointed Acting Aide-de-Camp to his commanding officer, Brigadier General Warren, C. 8., commanding first bri gade, Third Division, vice Captain Brook, 30th Regi ment, appointed D.A.A.G., or D.A.Q.M.G.; and be tween the 2d and 6th of December, both days inclusive, 33 officers obtained leave to proceed to England-10 on medical certificates, and 23 on "urgent private affairs." POLISH INDEPENDENCE MEETING AT LIVERPOOL. A public meeting was held in the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, on Thursday evening, for the purpose of advocating the restoration of Polish independence. There were about 2,500 persons present, consisting chiefly of the middle and lower orders. Dr. Games occupied the chair, and letters were read from Sir Joshua Walmsley, the Earl of e llarrowley, Mr. W. J, Fox, Douglas Jerrold, and Pro.fessor J. P. Nichol, LL.D., regretting their inability to attend, but express ing their approval of the object of the meeting. Tee meeting was addressed by Mr. G. Dawson and others, and resolutions were carried to the effect that it is the duty of England to assist Poland to rise against Russia as speedily as possible, on the ground that recognition and support of Polish nationality would establish a powerful and faithful ally within the present boundaries of Russia, and so cripple her power that she would bo compelled to sue for a peace honourable alike to our arms and our nation. It was also resolved to present a memorial to her Majesty's Ministers, requesting the Governments of Great Britain and France to consider the re-establishment of Poland a necessary condition to the restoration of the equilibrium of Europe, to continue the war, and to conclude no peace until the freedom of that oppressed country is secured. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—The melancholy circumstance of the death of Mdlle. Julie, the young danseuse who perished so miserably by accident at the Plymouth Theatre, has awakened the sympathies of many bene volent individuals, and the subscription which was at once commenced for the succour of her mother and bro ther was enriched last night by the proceeds of a benefit at the St. James's, got up by the gentlemen who simi larly exerted themselves with such success an evening or two ago on behalf of Mrs. Macnamara. The attendance was considerable, and the result, it is to be hoped, will be of material use to the bereaved persons for whom the benefit was devised. The Game of Romps, supported by the troupe of the Princess's Theatre, was succeeded by an excellent concert, at which several of the-best artistes, including Sivori, lent not only their names but their l e i rvices. Th e Wreck, Ashore was then played, Mr. Leigh urr s ay and Mi ss K ee l ey co - operat i ng w i t h t h e amateurs under whose auspices the undertaking was set on foot ; the entertainments closing with a ballet, the central figure of which was announced to be Miss Rosina Wright. The performances passed off with spirit, and to the evident Satisfaction of the audience, among whom were several dissinguished personages. GENERAL LONDON OMNIBUS COMPANY.—The pros pectus has been issued of this company, established in Paris under the French law as a societe en commandite. The capital is to be 1,000,000/., in shares of 100 g. or 41. each, but the first issue is to be limited to 800,000/. The gerants are Macnamara, Carteret, Willing, and Co , and the London managers are to be Messrs. Wilson, Barber, Hartley, and Trevett. The company state that com plete regularity of service is to be established ; that time-tables are to be publis h e d m o n thly and traffic re turns weekly; that indicators are to be used as in Paris, and that contracts have been entered into for the pur chase of the greater number of the MO omnibuses now working in London. In their financial re p res entations they mention that each omnibus, under the present o f 00 1 1 0 . ,01 a . n al u u e o ar im perfectwhiuh, on sy 810 omnibuses, • sequently a return of 10 per cent. In Pa ris, how ever, the result of amalgamation was an increase of Bs. per g v es an a would v e ra g e yield profit 810, day in the profits of each omnibus ; and, assuming a n increase of 5e in London, the annual profit would be raised to 150,000/. The dividend now paying by the cent. Paris company is stated to be at the rate of fifteen per Russia should be required to do away with all her fortified places in the Black Sea, and to consent to cede a part of her territory on the left bank of the Lower Danube. In a word, the Western Powers have given a very different interpretation to the third point to that which some Austrian statesmen had flattered themselves they would do. A per son who is intimately acquainted with what is passing in the diplomatic world a few days since entertained strong hopes that a compromise would be effected during the winter, but he has to-day confessed that the chances in favour of peace are but few. VIENNA, Dec. 17..—The late concordat has pro duced an unfavourable impression in Bohemia. The new laws relative to the future position of the Protestants in Austria are now before the Council of the Empire, and they will probably be less unsatisfactory than the world is inclined to believe. People here profess not to care for public opinion, but you may be assured that the storm of indignation to which the concordat has given rise in Germany and other countries has made them feel extremely uncomfortable. The following ex tracts from the pastoral letter of the Archbishop of Milan will suffice to show that the Italian prelate is already inclined to go beyond the concordat : "The concordat not only gives the Bishops the right to prohibit bad books, under the menace of ecclesiastical punishments (?), but also to prohibit their being read by the faithful. The co-operation of the State to prevent their promulgation is promised. " All law matters relating to the matrimonial tie be long to the church alone (?), " By the concordat, the immaculate bride of Christ (the Roma❑ Catholic Church) has acquired freedom, power, and glory throughout the vast empire. Cast down is every barrier wLich had been an impediment to her giant steps ;' broken is every fetter which impeded her action. "The church has the right to oppose all kinds of error and temptation, as well on the stage as in the press. "The concordat is a work which gives a brilliant ex ample of religious feeling on tho one side, of moderation on the other, and of the perfect prudence and wisdom of both parties." derable difficulty exiricated themselves from the ice, ~ ver afraid that some accident had befallen the Admiral's fri• gate. The English Government intends to establish early in spring extensive magazines of provisions both atElsinore and Kiel. After the departure from Heligoland of four battalions of infantry, two of Chasseurs, and two of the line, recruited in the north of Germany, the English Government took into its pay the number of officers necersary to form and command a fifth battalion of 1,000 men like the four other. Strange to say, it is in the countries where, last summer, the men were most anxious to enlist that the greatest reptignlnce is now shown to enter the English service. The recruiting agents will accordingly experience much difficulty in completing the fifth battalion. From the beginning of November to the 15th of that month the English boats and steamers stationed on the coast of the North Sea, and in the rivers emptying into it, with a view to favour these enlistments, have only been able to convey to Heligoland 100 recruits. It is possible, o❑ the other hand, that the rigorous and active measures taken by the police of the German States to put an end to these operations may have contributed to paralyse them. As to the officers, a greater number than is required present themselves. They are certain of receiving larger emolu ments than in Germany, and they, moreover, hope to obtain rapid promotion in the course of the 'war." THE SPARROW CLUB. (Front the Constitutionnel.) Under the general denomination of " club " there exist in England a number of associations which often occupy themselves with, to all appearance, singular subjects, but the real object of which, however quaintly aimed at, generally tends to some useful result. Among this number we must place the Sparrow Club, which has adopted the eminently social mission of waging a war to the knife and exterminating that interesting bird whose name so traitorously figures upon its banners. By what fatal decree cat the unfortunate sparrow, that most inoffensive of birds, and whose sedentary life, ac cording to naturalists, is blameless, have become the object of an •impious crusade on the part of the pacific gentlemen, cur friends of the other side of the Channel It is—we shudder with horror to repeat it—to punish it for its numerous and abominable transgressions against agriculture and civilisation. In summer this enemy cf order pecks the gooseberries and cherries, he devastates corn-fields and gardens ; in autumn he de vours the grapes, fruits, and seeds ; in winter he takes up a position of observation close to our domiciles, where he selects his quarters ; he penetrates into our granaries, which he pillages ' • he enters our dovecots, and, contrary to a ll the articles of the law, he appro priates to himself the food of our timid doves. Some have even been caught in the cannibal act of carrying their audacity and voracity to the extent of tearing open the throats of living young pigeons to gorge with a savage joy upon the grain they had swallowed and which was already half in a state of digestion. To these culpable acts in the point of view of the moral influence they may exercise on the masses must be added the material prejudice they occasion to the whole of society with respect to provisions. Buffon, the great naturalist, estimates the annual consump tion of wheat by a sparrow at five kilogrammes. Now, supposing that the winged creation, which is, moreover, very prolific, numbers about 15,000,000 heals in France, which is by no means an exaggerated esti mate, the portion it consumes of our harvests would be 75,000,000 of kilogramm , s, or 1,000,000 of hectolitres. ,Ve can therefore explain, during the severity which , exists, the warlike ardour with which the English, net so well furnished with provisions as ourselves, display tgainst such numerous and such dreaded customers. These grievances justify to a certain extent the exist ence of the Sparrow Club, whiA consists of all that perfidious Albion can boast of philanthropists and re formere. This association, benevolent iu the higheet sense of the word, held the other day its anneal meeting in me of the rotten boroughs of England. The meeting was inaugurated by a dinner, consisting chiefly of spar roWs, served up in every imaginable variety and sauce. Now, by eating these sit very palatable dishes, the embers of the club become animated by a sacred hor ror of this impudent winged creature, and swear to ex terminate to the last bird. Between the cheese and dessert prizes were awarded to those members who had ,riest distinguished themselves in fighting against the common enemy. The first prize was given to a Mr. Plumber (what a name for such a shot !), who deposited 5,812 unfortunate sparrows upon the desk, the precise condition of which is not stated. Were they alive or in cages ? Were they head and plucked ? Were they roasted or potted ? The ,fficial return has omitted the statement. However, Mr. Plumber, with the congratulations of the presi dent and numerous marks of sympathy on the part of the meeting, received for his brilliant feat of arms a re ward of 104., or 12 francs, or 220 sous old style. 'Gainst poor cock-sparrow man's hate to loosen, Ten shillings prize they offer ; A shabby prize egad to proffer, 'Tie not a groat per dozen. The second was adjudged to Mr. Forris, not guilty of such a St. Bartholomew against the sparrows as the first sue. God be praised, he had only 3,696 unfortunate Tarrows on his conscience ; for this signal act he re ceived 5. ; the others only received " honourable men tion." It will be seen from this that this ornithocide club does not ruin itself in recompences, and that to vile metal, the only object of vulgar minds, its members ap parently prefer the honour of having been of service to mankind. In a country like ours this is it fact worthy of being noted. The question before us has, however, its really serious side. IVe allude to the service the birds may render in the point of view of the destruction of insects hurtful to agriculture, Is the damage done to our cornfields and gardens by the sparrow a sufficient reason fir us to ex terminate it, as our friends wish on the other side of the Channel ? Should we not rather, in consideration of the good he may do us, forgive his misdemeanours, and leave to him the care of destroying those destructive parasites the enemies of agriculture ? The problem thus put is really worthy of tile most serious consideration. It is an acknowledged fact that for some years ca'.er pillars, cockchafers, and insects of every description, under the influence of too mill a temperature in winter, have multiplied beyond measure. How are we to get rid of these dangerous creatures, whose sad fecundity threatens to interrupt that harmony which Providence has so wisely decreed in the creation ? All naturalists agree in considering birds the instrument selected to re-establish the balance. The mission of that feathered tribe is to purge the earth of the number of parasites which great cultivation seems inclined to increase. Thus the bull finch, the nightingale, the thrush, and the robin are for 'ilidable enemies of the caterpillar. But the most dreaded is the voracious sparrow, who, as soon as he comes into ;ife, when fruit and grain are not to be had, falls upon them with an ardour as insatiable as his appetite, to ;,be destruction of caterpillar cockchafers, grasshoppers, end of all enemies of agriculture. An English agricul turist named Bradley asserts that when they are breed ing the male and female sparrow kill 40 caterpillars in she hour, or 220 per diem. Now, how must not this already very considerable consumption be increased when diey have a young family, and when that young family is adolescent ? It remains to be seen whether dm service rendered makes good the damage done. We have already quoted Buffon for the a-sertinin that during the year a sparrow consumes five kilogramtnes of corn ; do the insect, he destroys consume more or less of our crops during the same period T We are of opinion that the damage done by the insects is far greater. In the P,datinate aid in Scotland it was found necessary to offer premiums tor the increase of the race of birds, as the crops suffered nv're and more from the para,ites as birds diwiniahed in number. lo France there is no law against insects, and this i 4 a grave error which we must hasten to remedy. But as regards bird's, the bill of the 3d of May, 1844, gives t the authorities a discret:onary power of multiplying or reducing their number, aceyrding to circumstances. If a province is infested by sparrows the General Coun cil, by placing them in the category of noxious auiinals, may decree the destruction of them fir a whole year. If, On the contrary, the sparrow has become scarce, and for the destruction of caterpillars, beetles, and gradioppers the increase becomes necessary, the General Council may protect it against any attack likely to prevent its inubi plicatim. Finally, as a medium, the prefect may when the shooting season is over authorise the destruction of the sparrow, on the ground of damage done, even if the General Council should not have decreed it beforehand. With this system, eminently applicable to every cir cumstance, it, will be very easy to maintain the balance in the existence of the feathered tribe, and to keep it in proportion to the demands of agriculture. As regards the Sparrow Club, we trust that it may one day repent of the unjust war it wages against this domestic bird, which the majority of our economists, our Bavares, and statesmen remember to have once brought up when they were school-boys. ' LATEST NEWS, THE SURRENDER OF KARS. HAMBURG, FRIDAY. The Invalide Busse contains a despatch from Kars by General MouraviQff. He reports that ho has taken possession of 130 cannon, large !stores of ammunition, seven stand ards, an d o f prisoners, besid es th ose a l rea d y re ported, 6,000 Turkish regulars and 4,000 redifs. It is believed that the Czar will extend the amnesty in Poland, and tha a. great number of convicts in Siberia are to be pardoned. INCREASE OF THE AUSTRIAN ARMY About a fortnight since it was stated that the whole of the Austrian Army, " including that in the Principalities," was to be placed on a peace footing, but reliable information has just been received from Vienna to the contrary effect. In stead of being reduced, the army in the Danubian Principalities, which is already above 80,000 strong, is about to be strengthened. At present there are 360 guns on the line of operation, which extends from Pancsova through Wallachia up to the northern extremity of Moldavia, and it has now been resolved to send other 120 guns, and eight infantry and four cavalry regiments to reinforce the army in the Danubian Principalities. 22 oompanies of various descriptions are also to be sent to Wallachia and Moldavia. Contracts for the delivery of large quantities of provisions for the men and of fodder for the horses have also been made for the middle and end of March and the beginning of April. None of the men on furlough have leave of absence beyond the 20th of February. TRIESTE, DEC. 21. Accounts of the 1001, from Constantinople, state that the Russians are preparing to take the offensive this winter in the Crimea. France has sent an energetic note to Prussia, requiring that a stop be put to exports, contra band of war, to Russia, otherwise the Allied fleets will blockade Prussian ports. BERLIN, DEC. 20. Letters from St. Petersburg state that it was always intended to act merely on the defensive against Omer Paella. It is not supposed that the fall of Kars will make any change in this plan, but that Genera; Mouravieff will make that place his winter guar• tern. They hope at St. Petersburg that General Mouravieff will disconcert Omer Pacha's schemes by threatening Erzeroum. The Russian Grand Council of War is reported to have determined on evacuating all secondary points, and concentrating their power on tlioe of the greatest iwportance. Odessa will bo the first place to be deprived of its military character. Two hundred guns have already been removed from thence to Nicolaieff. There is still a talk of Austria's laying resolu tions before the Frankfort Diet, in rolation to the Eastern question. As Austria and Prussia have both recommended peace, it is not improbable but that the Frankfort Diet might be brought to address Russia to the same effect. AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY MORNING. A telegraphic message has been received from Bremen, announcing the arrival of the United States mail steam-ship Washington in the Weser, having landed her mails, passengers, &c. In consequence of the rapid accumulation of ice in that river the Washington has been com pelled to put back to Southampton. FRANCE. The treaty entered into by France and England with Sweden is an act of the highest importance. Its execution will place a limit, once for all, to the encroachments of Russia in the North of Europe. The Baltic will bo rescued from her aggression, and Sweden saved from her fatal influence. In those latitudes she can no longer expect an inch of territory, or shelter for her war vessels, or harbour for her fishing-boats. It is, indeed, a fatal blow ever the struck at her maritime and commercial power. The treaty fixes no date for its expiration. It is for ever, then, that Sweden engages to resist Russian encroachment, and it is Sweden for of to the policy Allies will support her in her resistance, an d it attac h es indefinitely the policy and interests of the West. It is a proof of the confidence and union, the community of inte rests which subsists between the contracting parties for their mutual protection against the common enemy. It is an immense step in advance, if we consider that Sweden also had proclaimed her neutrality, and, up to this, maintained it ; and with whatever indifference Russia may affect to regard this act, or to reduce its importance, she cannot but feel that it is one of hostility against her, and, if words mean anything, the policy thus proclaimed will be transformed on the very first occasion into an open rupture. A defensive treaty is only yet before us ; but it is more than probable that another part exists which provides for other " eventualities" than those now mentioned. The services we engage to render Sweden by supporting her against Russian aggres sion are doubtless reciprocated. If we send our armies and our fleets to co• operate with those of Sweden in her own defence, it can hardly be with out the certainty that Sweden will aid us when we call upon her. There would be no great merit in King Oscar employing his own forces with ours in repelling the enemy from his own territory. Were he single-handed against Russia he would try to do so. If we engage to protect Sweden, it is because we intend that Sweden shall do something for us which will expose her to the hostility of Russia ; and that something can hardly be less than co-ope ration with us next spring in our operations in the North. There is clearly an eventuality of a con flict in the treaty, and it is absurd to suppose that in such case a complete accord does not already ex ist, and that stipulations have not been agreed to in providing for events which may occur at any mo ment. That we shall try our strength in those parts next year is hardly to be doubted ; and is it to be believed that, in the event of our needing assistance in those seas or on those shores, we shall not have that of Sweden, in return for the de fence we promise her ? At all events, this treaty may justly be considered as among the most important facts of our times. In the north as in the south, in the Baltic as in the Black Sea, Russia is stopped short in her career of aggression ; Sweden will be as fatal to her as Turkey, so long as both rely on the combined strength of England and France. For us the ad hesion of King Oscar is an additional guarantee for the independence of Europe. It having been reported at Marseilles that the steam packet France was lost, with all on board, in the Black Sea, Messrs. Arnaud and Touache, the proprietors of the vessel, have thought proper to contradict that rumour. _ . The dramatic company engaged for the theatre of Kamiesh embarked at Marseilles on the 17 0, for Constantinople, in the steamer Eaphrate. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, Dec. 18.—Count Valentin EsterhazY who yesterday left Vienna for St. Petersburg, Will communicate to the Russian Cabinet the terms on which the Western Powers will consent to make peace. It ia considerod by some unzsasonable that PRUSSIA. We extract the following from a letter, just re ceived, dated Berlin, Dec. 20 :—" Prussia is just now at the head of Germany, as regards giving the tone of political feeling ; neutrality towards with out and reaction towards within are the order of the day ; the advantages of neutrality are exempli fied, says this party of the Kreuz Zeitung, by the sacrifices and losses of the belligerent Powers, the necessity of re-action is felt in the consciousness of the danger and disgrace of the revolution only just put down. England and Fran ce are th e incarna tion and radiating point of revolution, and of all that trouble the repose of the world. England and France are the belligerent Powers, and are suffering for it in their fearful sacrifices of men and money. Ergo, down tvi:th revolution and everything like movement. Avaunt England and France, that would drag Prussia into sharing their suffering s ! These are the sentiments of the Kreuz Zeitung men, and which are every day spreading further and further like a leaven through the various strata of society, and to this end the course taken by our diplomacy and by our press has contributed very largely. The line of neutrality followed by Prussia has beet dictated, apart from the King's parti cular notions on the subject, by fear, by weakness, and by poverty, not by illwill towards us ; and half the cajolery and gentle treatment that has been bestowed upon Austria would have had fully as good an effect if bestowed upon Prussia. As it is, this country is for a long time lost to us, even in feeling, and is becoming more and more Rus sianised every day; I don't mean that its sympa thies for Russia are increasing, that is hardly true, but its own institutions and its internal polity are being Russianised very rapidly." RUSSIA. A letter received from Berlin, dated Dec. 19, says :—The greatest possible activity and excite ment is observable in the different Government offices at St. Petersburg, as is said, in consequence of the new arrangements and the forcible impulse given to the machinery of Government by the ex traordinary Military Council that is now sitting there—sometimes at the Admiralty and sometimes at the War-office. The Emperor himself is indefa tigable in inspecting the troops. Among the nu merous high officers who have repaired to the capital in conne,:tion with this Council are Vice- Admiral Novosilskoi, who was lately nominated to the command of Cronstadt and its har bours, and also General Count Armfeldt, chef of the colonies of Finland Sharpshooters, who has lately been superseded in his command hy General Baron Koten, Member of the Senate. The former had the honour of an audience with the Emperor. General Gecevitch, who seems to be the Imperial courier for Russia, as Duke George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is for Germany, has just set off again for a circuit through the provinces, charged with a load of commissions and orders. The report so long current of a conference 01 diplomatists to be held in St. Petersburg or War• saw is admitted now to have been unfounded. The Emperor has, at the suggestion of the Minis ter of Finance, relieved manufacturers of salt in the Crimea for the space of three years, ,:aid only as a trial from the restrictions on the commerce and transport of that article. Official reports which have been received in St. Petersburg from New Karleby, Jacobstadt, Wass, and Abo, of the latter half of last month, mention a number of attempts made by the Allies to damage the towns on the coast as having been foiled. Since the enemy's cruisers had left those waters the traders of those ports had fetched their boats from their secure hiding places among the outlying rocks, and, after cutting a way for them through the ice, had succeeded in bringing them into har bour. They pretend, also, to have prevented an enemy's frigate in her attempts to burn the said boats by their dexterous management of two field pieces, which compelled the boats that had been sent out by the frigate to put back. Considerable contributions are flowing in to the Ministry of Marine in consequence of a subscrip tion opened throughout the empire for the benefit of those who have lost their property in Sebastopol The population of Poland has not hitherto shown any inclination to contribute to similar subscrip tions, to the great annoyance of the Russian Go vernment. In order to make the most of the few Minie rifles the Russians have been able to procure from Liege, they have arranged battalions of sharp shooters, with about 80 or 90 men armed with Minies and the others, all good s h o t s , arme d w i t h ordin ary Ninie is muskets ; whenev er th e possessor of a I struck down by an enemy's ball one of the less fortunate possessors of a musket is to throw away Brown Bess, and appropriate to himself the Minie of his comrade. The Emancipation of Brussels quotes the follow ing passage of a letter from Vienna, of the nth : " It is a notorious fact that th ere i s a general desire for peace in Russia, from the highest classes down to the lowest. Only a few fanatics still persist in calling for the continuance of the war, although it will complete the ruin of their country. The follow ing fact will give you an idea of the want of money in the country :—The Imperial Princesses of Rus sia have sold their diamonds and paid the amount received for them into the coffers of the State. All the Russian families living at Vienna, most of whom belong to the nobility, complain bitterly of the war, and loudly call for its cessation, well aware of the terrible consequences it may lead to if continued for another year. Were I at liberty to inform you of what I have heard respecting a certain condition prescribed by the adversaries of Russia—viz., the neutralisation of the Black Sea, I can tell you that that clause, although rejected by Prince Gortschakoff at the Vienna Conferences, no longer appears unacceptable to the Russian Pleni potentiary. Had Prince Gortschakoff any definite object in view in expressing that opinion before some high personages at Vienna ? Ido not know. I mention the fact without examining it ; for, in diplomacy, words often have an opposite meaning to that generally understood." SARDINIA. The war budget of the kingdom of Sardinia, just presented to the Piedtriontese Chambers, fixes the expenses of the Eastern war during 1855 and 1856 at 74,239,532 f., including 11,475,401 f. for the navy. A private letter from Florence mentions that the Grand Ducal Government has issued a decree most rigorous against persons attempting to enlist Tus can subjects for foreign service. Notwithstanding this, however, the Anglo- Italian Legion progresses rapidly. The whole of the first regiment, consisting of 1,070 men, is now at Novara, under the command of Major Pinelli, during the temporary absence of Colonel Sir Coutts Lindsay, and is as fine a body as any in the British service. The second regiment, which is now forming at Chiavasso, under Colonel Craufurd, is to be a rifle regiment. A second and a third regiment will be formed without difficulty in Piedmont. THE BALTIC FLEET. The Independance Belga publishes the following, dated Hamburg, 17th inst. :-- " Letters from Elsinore of the 15th state that only four corvettes of the flyin g squadron remained in that port, all the others having sailed fit England. The Re tribution, Rear-Admiral Baynes, expected there fur some days, bad not yet been signalled. This delay caused un -046/11(10 to the English officers, who, having with consi_ THE CASE OF MR. BATES. The following petition of the jury who tried P au l, Strahan, and Bates, has been presented to the Queen : " TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. "The humble Petition of the Jurymen who tried the indictment of the Queen on the prosecution of Dr. Griffiths against William Strahan, Sir John Dean Paul, and Robert Makin Bates, at the sessions holden at the Central Criminal Court, in the month of October, 1835, " Showeth— "That, having read and carefully considered the printed petition of the said Robert Makin Bates to your Majesty, a copy of which is hereunto annexed, we firmly believe that had the contents of such petition been proved at the trial of such indictment we should have acquitted the said Robert Makin Bates. "That it is a subject of extreme regret to your peti tioners that the statements set forth in the said petition were wholly withheld from their consideration. " That, notwithstanding such omission, and in order that justice may be done, we humbly pray that the truth of the allegations contained in such petition may be in quired into ; and, in the event of their proving correct, that your jajesty will be graciously plea4ed to accede to the prayer of the said Robert Makin Bates. "And your petitioners will ever pray. " STEPHEN GowEa (Foreman). HENRY le,vizt. RICHARD G%)HONRGLUCAS. trC MATTHEWALOWS. H UTCH INSON. JOHN EDMEADES. JOHN ODHAMS. STEPHEN PRENTICE. WILLIAM RCHICAHRALREs tvG a ig n t v Lw E• wx7,,LTAx P 39144.4 LIM", SPORTING NOTES. WAIFS AND STRAYS. The short interval which occurred " between the Irosts" was employed at Wolverhampton in holding the twice postponed meeting. The discouraging circum stances which paralysed the efforts of the promoters of he gathering would have caused persons less eager in he pursuit of sport to have abandoned the undertaking altogether. The determination of the race party at Wolverhampton, however, is not easily altered ; they made up their minds to run the appointed events off on the first " open day," and run them they did. The meeting was perhaps more successful than was antici pated, albeit the sport was not sufficiently interesting to rouse the few shivering spectators that assisted at it even into momentary activity. The " incidents" re epiire neither description nor comment ; the fields were eumerically insignificant, and the result of the principal races were in accordance with the anticipated remarks published in he Sun. The shocking death of Mr. Ceok, better known on the turf by the name of "Pell," and the disclosures made on the coroner's inquest, have created a deep and painful sensation among all classes and conditions of sporting M.D. This one subject only engrosses conversation. The deceased gentleman was much respected, and the feelings of all who knew him are much excited by his horrid death. His connection with the turf was ♦ery unfortn nate until the close of the past Reason. He owned severs 1 race•horsee, but his best animal was Pole Star, who was •backed heavily by her late owner for the Cambridgeshire Stakes. For that event she was defeated. In the week preceding that race she had also been beaten at Warwick, and on these two occasions poor Cook lost about 5001. Pole Star, however, subsequently won a small handicap at Newmarket, a race at Worcester, and two races at Shrewsbury, her owner informing me, if my memory serves me aright, that by her successes he won nearly 3,0001., which was a portion, but scarcely half of the money which he had lost in the early pert of the year. All persons who saw poor Cook on the last day of Shrewsbury races remarked how ill he looked, and the attack which he bad in the night was then well known, and was a ruling topic of conver sation. Palmer was the owner of " Goldfinder," that won the Chester Cup in 1353. His principal runners this year were a filly called Staffordshire Nan, and The Chicken. His horses were trained at Hedeesford, with those be longing to the late Mr. Cook, with whom he was be lieved to be a confederate in racing matters. Clerks of courses are bestirring theme elves to prepare for the reception of nominations for the stakes adver tised to close on the Ist of January. From the reports which I have received I am induced to believe that there will be no diminution in the numerical strength of the entries for the principal stakes. Much discussion has been provoked on the subject of handicapping, and an organised crusade is seemingly about to be made against the light weights. Even the " Early Village Cock.' that ancient and facetious bird, has again mounted his perch for the purpose of crowing down light handicaps. The reaction which has set in will doubtless have a salutary tendency, for certain handicappers would shortly have to look to Lilliput for a realisation of their theories. This subject is too important to be lightly dismissed. I shall therefore, on a niore fitting opportunity, express my views respecting it at let , gth. Dec. 22. A FRESH MAN. O Ning to the proposed suspension of a dividend, there was a 'lament's attendance at the meeting of the Lon. don Chartered Bank of Australia held yesterday, great anxiety being evinced-to ascertain the cause of the large losses incurred. Dr. Duncan Dunbar, the chairman, presided, and the first business was the reading of the report. When the fact was intimated that the total of bad and doubtful debts for the half-year is 35,4501., which will absorb not only the profits, stated at 16,250/ , and the contingent and reserve funds, but also leave a balance of 7,7431. at the debit of profit and loss to be provided from the operations of the current half-year, there was great disappointment, and impatience was dies played for explanations.. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, entered into the unfortunate results of the management in the colony, Of the total of 35,4001. regarded as irrecoverably lost, the largest item is 23,0001, and in connection with this the particulars are as follows :—When the bank was first established in Victoria much difficulty was expe• rienced in obtaining remittances, and, bills not being always available, customers could not be accommoe dated. Fearing a lose of connexion, arrangements were made cith a firm for the purchase of gold at the diggings, which was drawn against as occasion ree quired, In the course of time the arrival of the escorts became delayed, and, instead of waiting for the receipt of the gold dust, a lvanoes were made to an amount far beyoad the limit originelly named. Subsequently Messrs. Jamieson and :vloor e, the house in question, became in. volved in other liabilities, and one of their agents at the gold fields having committed suicide, the account was brought to a stand. Security was then taken for the amount ; but, according to the law, it was not held long enough previously to bankruptcy, and their manager was compelled to forego the mortgages for the benefit of ti e general creditors. Another loss of 2,2001. has arisen fr,nn a forgery in Sydney, and the remaining 10,0001. his be, n occasioned by the ordinary operations of dig. counting', &c. This latter amount, considering the pres sure experienced in Australia, is not regarded as exces sive upon the employment of a capital of 550,0001. Under these circumstances, it was stated, the directors relieve it to be the most prudent course to suspend the dividend temporarily instead of adopting any ether expedient. With respect to the future it is antioi pated that satisfactory results will be attained, bu further advicee are awaited with anxiety. An im pression was mentioned to have gained ground that the bank will require additional capital to carry out further operations, but, so far from this being the case, it is pro posed, with the sanction of the shareholders, to apply to the Treasury to extend the period for the payment of cane upon the new shares. After the statement of the chairman, which was favourably received, a long discus. pion ensued as to the parties who were chiefly responsible for the mismanagement, and it appeared to be the opinion of the great majority that the conduct of the local board and Mr. Falconer deserved reprehension. The recall of the latter, who was engaged from his extensive colonial experience, and the appointmeut of a successor will, it is hoped, place the business of the establishment on a sounder footing, and enable the directors to resume divi dends at an earlier period. It was pointed out that the sujden revulsions in Australian commerce have before placed similar institutions in peril, but that, with few ex ceptions, they have eventually recovered their position Attempts having been unsucce *Sully made to pass con demnatory amendments, the report was almost unani mously carried, ani thaproceedinge were concluded with v tee of thanks to the London directors for their straight , forward explanations. LONDON OTIARTIMED BANE OF A USTRA LIA. MINING TNT ELLIGENCE. (Front the Mining Journal of this day.) There is no particular change to notice in the aspect of the share may ket this week. Dividend mines continue in good demand, and progressive mines largely dealt in, not withstanding the near approach of the Christmas holidays. Basset shares have been sought after at 400 to 410 ; West Basset advanced to 37, 38; North Bassets to 43, ex div., and left off at 426; at the meeting a dividend of 17s 6,t per share wai declared, and the report of the mine very Baas. factory ; the next dividend, it was stated, would be either 17s. 61. or 11. per share. East Rose shares advanced to 0, and inquired for ; Grambler and St. Aubyn 42s to4i; Boiling Well, 186 to 19; Trevelyan, 36 to 3,i ; Trelawny, 274 to 28; Devon Buller have been largely dealt in at Si to 3i ; Rosewarne, 1326 to 135 ; 'lender, 54 to 6k ; Tre• walla, 3 to 31, a good business doing ; Nanteos and Pen. rhiw, 14e. to 1 s. ; West Alfred Consols have reached 26 Bell and Lanarth, 56 to 6. At South Garras, a call of 101. per share has been made. Clijah, 174 to 18. Alfred Consols have not been so firm, at 186 to 196 ; Great Al freds improving in p r i ce , 12 t o 126; Vale of Towy, 21s. to 225. ; North Robert, 36 ; the stopes in the back of the 30 have improved to 4 tons of rich bre per fm., accord ing to the agent's report. At Grambler and St. Aubyn, the 12 east, on William's lode, is worth 201 per fin. ; the winze sinking below the 12, 201. per fm. ; the winze sinking below the adit, 12/. per fm. ; the 24 west, on Simmons's lode, 101. to ISt. per fathom. At Render the south lode is 2 ft. wide, and improved, yielding fine stones of grey ore ; the north lode is looking better. Abou 10 tons of good ore will be sampled on Thursday. Sort ridge, sto f ; the lode has been cut in the 50 fathom level 36 ft. wide, 1 ft. of it being worth 16 ton, or 121. per fin.; the western end in the 40, 16 ton ; the eastern end in the 40, 5 tons; the eastern end in the 30, 7 tons; the winze sinking below the 30, 1 ton ; Bakerley's atoPes, 14 tons, or 1401. per fm. ; altogether showing a good im provement in the mine. At Mary Ann meeting. a divi dend of 11. 10s. per share was declared, and the report of SthoeuthmiTnoelrequest during the w ee k, gus satisfactory. ave been in ß r g y o n o t d a ils h av e advanced to 8 ; and advanced to 100 • West Caration, 125 . At Wheal t K h i e t t 8 3: , , L1 r a e d s dividend i d o e f d 2 • .11 into per 256th has been declar e d, an d s , the reports f rom mines are very favourable. THE BRITISH ITALIAN LEGION. Tuarg, Dec. 16.—The ht Battalion of the British Italian Legion, 1,000 strong, being now complete, has Arched from Chiva , lo to Novar a , w h ere i t w ill b e eta il tioned and drilled previous to its being despatched to the seat of war. The men are young and robust, and a verage upon the wh o l e 5 feet 10 inches in height. The 2d Battalion is now in course of formation at Chi• va ßso, and numbers already about 100 men ; but I un derstand a great number of recruits are expected daily, in consequence of the frosty weather which has set in, and which will now allow them to cross the Austrian frontie Colonel Read is uncesking in his activity and exertion,] to get tnen ; and the chances are that the Italian Legion wily be completed hebre the spring has long set in, CAptain Chasseaud bas presented the Legion with a translation of her Majesty's Laws and Rules, a work which gives him much credit—let us hope that they will not have to consult that book too often MI Maine on spi lined Railw from 1 marks The week, ing ch thoris the ac in the bull io balan( show Acti FA t the re to for princi has gc Vienn Cents. Share! trian J the C on Lo burg, Dui port a of I,C and B ounce Alt per CI tance details or at deed, when The Bull Pei' Pub Oth, SOVI GOT Othi Not even corn Cow and bee] aho pre! Ban Sjpe NvA CAM