The Sun. — London, England, 1855-12-21 00:00:00

the growing intelligence of the country than by main taining an obstinate resistance against all improvement. The whole object of " Mercator's" letter is to divert the attention of the public from practical truths to abstract theories, which he well knows are always more difficult of refutation. We do not intend to be withdrawn from the course we have marked out by any such artifices, how ever skilfully the temptation may be presented to us. We shall be p erfectly satisfied in tying down " Mercator" to his "promise to pay," if that is the basis upon which he would raise his superstructure of paper currency ; bat let us have no shutting about it—let us have the security equal to the prom ise, and if that cannot be ful filled it is high time that we should set about the die covery of a more rational system; Just published, in Bvo., price to the Trade as., FOURTEENTH and FIFTEENTH ANNUAL REPORTS of the REGISTRAR-GENERAL of BIRTHS, I , L Avis, and MARRIAGES, in ENGLAND. London : rubliahed for H. M. Stationery Office by Messrs. Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmene. Of whom the previous REPORTS (from the FIRST to the THIRTEENTH inclusive) may still be had. MADAME JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT-LIND. EIETER-HALL. —On THURSDAY EVENING next, December 27, 1855, Haydn's Oratorio of THE CREATION will be repeated. Principal Singers—Madame Goldschraidt, Mr. Lockey, and Mr. Lawler. Handel's Oratorio of THE MESSIAH will be produced on MON DAY Evening, Dec. 31, in which Madame Goldschmidt will sing the principal oprano part. The Chorus and Orchestra will consist of mere than 600 performers. Conductor, M. Benedict. Prices of admission. Stalls (Numbered and Reserved), Ono ; Uttnreserved Seats (Body of the 114), 10s. 6d. ; West Gal lery, 10s. 6d.; Area (under West Gallery), 7s. Doors open at Seven, to commence at Eight o'clock precisely. Correct Books of the Oratorios are given with the Tickets. Application for Tickets to be made at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond.strect. Due no ice w:11 be given of the first Miscellaneons Concert. MIL W. S. WOODIN'S OLIO of ODDITIES, illustrated by 50 instantaneous Metamorphoses of Voice, C:iaracter, and Costume, and a moving Panorama of the beautiful Lakes of Westmoreland and Cumberland, every evening, at 8. A representation of the celebrated tragedienne, Mile. Rachel, as Camille In Les Horaces, with other new features, have been added to the above entertainment. During the Christmas Holidays Mr. W. 8. Woodin will give two morning performances only—Saturday, Dec. 29, and Saturday, Jan. s.—Polygrapkic-hall, King William-street, Charing-cross. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckatone. THIS EVENING, Will be performed TILE MAN OF MANY FAIEND3. Princi pal characters by Messrs. Buck tone, Compton, W. Fa:ren, Howe, I.ll,ses Reynolds ant Chaplin, an! Mrs. Poynter. Followed by THE LITTLE TREASURE. To conclule with A DAUGHTER TO MARRY. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHT, Proprietor, Mr. E. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Will be performed T tit CUFFE. The principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, C. Selby, Moreland, Garden; Mre. Keeley, Mks M. Keeley, and Mine. Celeste. After which, BETSY BAKER. To conclude with TWICE KILLED. R)YAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. THIS EVENING, Win be performed THE JEALOUS WIFE (compressed Intl three acts). followed by Xi REWARD. To coaclude with CATCHING A MERMAID. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. 3. 11. Ander.ion, 18, Norfolk-street, Strati& LAST FEW DAYS. Increased Utractions, and success in cinal ratio 7 THIS, AND EVERY EVENING, at Eight o'Clock, Will be presented, with entirely New and Magnificent Appoint ments, AMMO and MYSTERY, in twelve acti, arranged in two parts. by Professor Anderson. After which, the startling illastrations of Spirit-Itapping. nxtr- ANT-HOUR wirit T EIE SPIK.ITA, being the most surprising and ateresting series of experiments ever given within the walls of any theatre. Revival, in an imiroved form, of the astonnflinz novelty whl_h tsrtlea Lontlon 10 years ago, the GliE KT GUN' TRICK Prices of alnilssion:—Private 113xes, Z. Us. 61. and 11. Is. ; Orchestra Stalls, 45.; Dress Boxes, 35.; Upper Boxes, 23.; Pit, 1.; Gallery, Ga. tie Half-price. Box-office open from II to 5 daily. Grand Morning Performance on. Saturday Next at Two o'Clock. Doors open at Half-past One. AST Erb ROYAL AMPITITHEATES. Lome and Manner, Mr. Wm. Crake. Immense success of Pookwood This spirited and ezcitin•; Hippoiranie (with Tiepin's Ride to nlz) embrales the principal events of Ainsworth's Rookwood. THIS EYENING, The successful Equidrarne called TURPI.V3 RIDE to YORK ; or, tha Heir of Rookwood. After which the Varied Equestrian AC TA in the CIRCLE. To cm:ch.:de 'wit!: UNE FOLIE POUR RIRE; or, Mirth-Moving Eatertainmeat. immense preparatimi are inaltinz tor the Christmas Comic Pan to ohne, written by Mr. Nielson Lee, nailed Harlequin and St George awl the Dragon., or the Seven Champions of Christendom. not-atfice oxen from Fdcven till Foar. State. Manager, Kr. W. West. Equestrian Director, II W. Cooke. !un. WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tura DAY—Morn. 0 min. aft. o—Evening 14 min. aft 12 To-UoRROW—Morn.33 Hain. aft.l2 —Evening 4 min. aft. 1 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, Dec. 21. THERMOMETER, IN TIM SRAM 3 t - h,ghest since noon yesterday. 24 -lowest this morning and during the night, 23 -this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 . 81—falling fast. Wu T, E.S.E.—Fresh, with coil, dull, hazy weather. We are likely to hare a fall of snow. 4 ,)1 tZ. ' AM, LONDON, FRIOAV, DECEMBER 21, 1855. -00.- It is positively asserted that " the CZAR has written to the King of Prussia to the effect that, even if he wished, he could not agree to the de mands of the Western Powers, the nature of which he was perfectly familiar with, although they have not yet reached him in an official form." Such a proceeding is by no means improbable. It would be the natural result of the letter which FREDERICK WILLIAM was report al to have despatched to his nephew some weeks since, imploring him to accept the interpretation given by the Allies to the Third Point. There is therefore a verisinail tu,le about the statement that induces us to lend it an easy credence. It may, perhaps, be regarded 33 " too good news to be true" that the Western Powers should escape being fixed by the too easy emditions to which they had been induced to yield a reluctant assent, and which would leave many of the objects of the War into which they had been forced, and for which they had made so many sacrifices of men and money, unaccomplished. It seems, indeed, hard to suppose that ALEXANDER should be insensible to the difficulties and dangers of the position in which he is placed, or that Aus tria should become a party to any propositions which he would not be glad to accept. But there is a state of things revealed in the brief but very significant announcement that adds credibility thereto. The CzAnseems to be perfectly well aware of the state of affairs at Vienna, and the subject of the discussions between the Minister of Austria and the Ttepresentatives of France and England. He shows that he might personally have been willing to make the required concession, but that be "could not," or, in other words, "dare not," do Se. He stands too much iu awe of his turbulent and ambitious brother and the old Muscovite or War party, of which the Grand Duke CONSTANTINE is the recognised leader. His compliance might possibly be the signal for his deposition, or for something even Worse, and the substitution of one commiLted heart and soul to the War. There are influences affecting the minds of those entrusted with absolute and arbitrary power which cannot enter into the calculations of ordinary individuals. There is no such thing as actual irresponsibility. If a party cannot be made accountable in one mode he must in another, and the man for whom there is no legal check or restraint, will dread conspira cies, and tremble at the slightest hint of a revolu tion. The Russians are not as yet sufficiently huini liAted. Great as have been the reverses and losses they have sustained, the pride and vanity that induced them to aim at universal empire, to establish Cossack domination throughout Europe and Asia and part of Africa, is still unsubdued. The great mass of the people are still kept pro foundly ignorant of the true state of affairs, and would, therefore, not understand the urgent ne cmsity that compelled the agreement to terms that seemed to render the traditional policy of the empire impracticable for many years to come. They must receive still more bitter lessons before " the pear is ripe," and any peace that promises to be durable and permanent, can be concluded. We accept the conclusion with gratitude, truly thankful for any cause that may avert what we cannot help thinking would prove alike disastrous and disreputable for the countiy. More than a week since, in our impression of the 13th instant, we said "Mr. SALT is not the man to be put down by sneers and sickly attempts at wit !" Our columns this day supply abundant corroboration of the assertion. Two letters from Mr. SALT will be found, in addition to the admi rable one which has called forth the ponderous aim at wit of the bullionist organ, and which we re peat this day, as it cannot be too strongly im pressed on the minds, not only of Monetary Reformers, but of every disinterested and unpre judiced mau throughout the length and breadth of the land. Mr. SALT has fairly grappled with the Leviathan, and has, so far as the space at his dis posal would permit, given a masterly exposition of the all-important subject. He has exhibited far more searching interrogatories to the mouth piece of th© "JoNns LOYD" sohool than the stereotyped ones, " What is a pound 1" or what is the meaning of the words "I promise to pay ?" To these questions he has required " a clear, fair, and specific answer, and not merely wit or literary banter t" How that demand bag been complied with will be seen from the article of the T innes, which we place in juxtaposition with the letters to which it purports to reply. The con ditions of the discussion are therefore before the public. The issue is fairly raised, and there can be but little doubt or difficulty as to the nature of the verdict that must be returned. Some six or seven weeks since, the Times thought differently on the meaning of the words "I promise to pay." On the 26th October last, in speaking of " the paper circulation of the coun try," it said, " Supposing this circulation to be required solely for internal commerce, no neces sity could exist for gold being held against any portion of it. A deposit of Government Stock, or tho fact of its being receivable for duties, would at all times keep it from fluctuation in value 1" Here, then, is the answer supplied by itself to its later challenge as to " the formula for the Bank note, or legal tender money." Mr. SALT, in common with every Monetary Reformer, does not require or suppose that "the legal tender money" shall be available for foreign trade save to this extent, that the possessor of it can always obtain bullion at its fair market value, propor tioned to the demand and supply thereof, with which to liquidate any obligations which he may have contracted to the merchants of other countries. With similar instruments, not only was that bullion obtained from 1797 to 1819, or rather to 1822, but the expenses of the most onerous war in which the nation was ever engaged, were sustained until the contest was carried to a triumphant conclusion. The power of carrying on our foreign trade, and that under the most unfavourable circumstances, has, therefore, borne the test of a quarter of a century's experience, and, after passing trium phantly through so stringent an ordeal, cannot now be impugned. We want "legal tender money," or rather the measure and representa tive of value, solely for domestic purposes ; or, to adopt the ipsissinis verbs of the Times, " for internal commerce !" "No necessity can, there fo!•e, exist for gold being held against any portion of it !" This is the legitimate, the irresistible con-- elusion which the bullionist champion draws from the premises laid down by itself, and supplies the answer to its sneers about " the fortunate possessor who is to be always eating his cake, and nevertheless having it. The man who is so happy as to receive such a note cannot spend it ene day on a dinner, the next day on a coat, the next day in wages, the next day in paying stu old debt," and find it there still. Should he venture on such au experiment, he win not, after the first trial, be much tor mented with any questions respecting its conver tibility, or whether so many golden sovereigns can be obtained in exchange. All his right, title, interest, and possession therein will have de parted at once and for ever. It may have pro vided him with a dinner. The next owner can obtain a coat, and the tailor pay wages therewith ; but a single owner can only put it to a single use. It will, in fact, discharge exactly the same functions as a Bank of England note of similar amount, save that it will only be cancelled when it, has found ite way back to the Exchequer in payment of duties or taxes. Supposing that the amount of the National Revenue be taken at sixty-five millions per annum, there will be a constant weekly demand for these notes or legal tender money to the extent of one million and a quarter. They will then be cancelled, and others issued to a similar amount under the authority of Par ' lialaeut. The wants and exigencies of the nation will thus be supplied, and there will be no want of an adequate circu lating medium, maintaining its fair average value; " the life-blood of industry " will be sup plied, but the fever heat of wild and rash spsea lation and the languid pulse of monetary ina,ction will alike be averted. The legal tender money proposed by the Mone tary Reformers will be far better than a note merely based on a deposit of Government Stock. Tko entire wealtk of the nation will afford the ;;narantee for its value. It will possess a double guarantee, that whisk renders Console an unques tionable se curity, o arn, as we thatd hv w a hi e ch al reaamakesy eexplained, Exchequer d, Bills valuable ; it will virtually be neither more nor less than au 44 Exchequer Bill " of convenienta life. a G mount, i :: day to meet the purposes of e ver y truly national notes of 11., 21., and 31. each, an d the great desideratum will be aecompli3lied, for there can be no run, upon a National Note, which is the present bugbear with Bankers. If Lord JOHN RUSSELL be right the Crown and the House of Lords and all our aristocratical in stitutions are seriously menaced. The most pre cious parts of our constitution, those which exist for the welfare of the few and the fleecing of the many, depend on the maintenance of Church Rates ; and Church Rates depend on the fickle and misguided multitude ; and the multitude is everywhere beating down this main prop of all that Whigs hold sacred. All over the country, as we learn from the provincial press, Church Rates are either defeated in the face of parsons, squires, magistrates, and th e wea lthy shop keepers and cotton-spinners who live in suburbs ; or they are carried here and there by victories more damaging to the conquerors than to the conquered. The last battle of this kind has just been fought at Hackney. Here these whom Lord JOHN RUSSELL regards as the upholders of our " glorious constitution" were thoroughly threshed. They were beaten by a ma j ority of two tc one. We may imagine the dismay at Chesham-place ! - - This victory of the anarchists and revolutionias, THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21, 1855 be it remembered, was no ordinary one. The Vicar, who is chief embodiment at Hackney of the principles of our " glorious constitution," demanded the fight, and has been completely vanquished. He appealed to the ordeal of parish combat, and has been put completely and for ever hors de combat. Not long ago he and his church wardens fought the parish and were beaten. Dis senters, we should say too generously, offered to subscribe more than their share of a regular Church Rate, but the Vicar, true to our " glori ous constitution," replied—" No; the constitu tion knows !lathing of voluntary contributions ; it provides for the church repairs and expenses incidental to worship by Church Bates." Incon tinently he, or his, lays another rate ; they are reminded in vain of the former generous offers, one dissenter, Mr. S. MORLEY, offering not less than 501. for the peace of the parish, nothing would do but a rate. The rate was proposed ; but the amendment refusing the rate, on the ground of the social evils of Church Rates, was carried by an " immense majority." Nothing daunted Mr. GOODCHILD rushes to the poll, and there again he is beaten by a ma jority, as we have just mentioned, of two to one Alas for Hackney it is hopelessly gone to eccle siastical and constitutional perdition ; by the virtue of other places it may yet enjoy for a time the blessings of our " matchless constitution in Church and State," but so sorely as wisdom dwelt with Lord ELDON, and passed from him to Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the days of the Monarchy and the Church are numbered, and the time im pends when Hackney with all England, the prey of Radicalism and Voluntaryism, and of course of Infidelity, will bewail the ruin which her rebellion accelerated. Some will think the GOOD-CHILD of the consti titution should have accepted the MORLEY con cordat ; mean-souled reasoners ; the parish martyr fought not for paltry gold. Principle was everything. Church supremacy is the basis of our Constitution. That gone all is gone, as the great Whig Lord had taught him ; he deter mined on vestry immolation rather than recant his creed ;he has gained his object. In the dark ages to come persecuted dominant Churchmen, obliged by gross oppression to pay their own ex penses, will resort to his shrine as to one of the glorious band who defended to the last the claim of his Church to wash its surplices, cleanse its interior, and drink its consecrated wine at the cost of Dissenters. Perhaps the most melan choly part of tie story is, that Churchmen con tributed largely to this breach in the Consti tution. Mr. GOODCHILD realises the sadly beau tiful figure of WALLER and Lord BYRON ; the dying eagle lies stretched upon the plain, grieving most to see that his own feathers had winged the arrow which had pierced his breast. Keen, no doubt, are Mr. GOODCHILD'S pangs to be beaten by sour Dissenters, but keener far to feel that the subscribers to Hackney District Churches— Churchmen as they should be—refused to pay for the dear old parish church because—base Dis senting argument !—they do not use it ! and because they paid for what they did use ! Speaking of the .vainly proffered MORLEY con cordat, we are reminded of the similarity of our ecclesiastical magnates at home to their unique compeer of Rome. It is hardly for our Bishops here, or our Statesmen in their line, to rail at the POPE for• getting a concordat with the civil power, and at the Government of Austria for conceding it. So far as principle is concerned the same thing is enacted here over and over again. What, indeed, must any State Church be but a great Concordat ?—a bargain be tween the ecclesiastical and civil powers as to how power shall be divided between them. The terms of the Concordat depend, as in France and Austria, upon what each people will bear. That England will bear a good deal, the Bench of Bishops in the House of Lord:, the high rank claimed by an Archbishop, the almost exclusive appropriation of endowments and pecuniary privileges, certainly not worth less than 5,000,0001. per annum, and esti mated by other good authorities at 10,000,0001., and the claim to exclusive recognition in State appointments, are proof enough. If the Austrian Concordat has secured civil advantages far above the English one with its own Hierarchy, it is ques tionable whether the POPE would not prefer a concordat which would put 5,000,0001. of the sinews of war into his hands, especially with all the civil addenda. We incline therefore to think our Hierarchy has got a concordat on which that of Austria may well look with envy. Our Bishops, too, seem very fond of driving some nice little sub•concordats. The burial grounds for instance. Everywhere the Right Reverend Fathers work their negative power of refusing consecration, to get up fees for the church to the highest point, and to insist on some barrier better than the gravel path, preferred by the laity, between the profane corpses of Dissenters and the holy corruption of Churchmen. Iron rails, walls two feet or four feet high in different places, divers chapels or bells even, are me mentoes of the Episcopal concordats with the re luctant civil authorities. Reformed municipal corporations, too, bear the fetters of an Episcopal concordat. "Tobe or not to be " was the question once ; before the Bench would allow them to be ; it required that every Dissenter should solemnly repudiate any intention to injure their Lordships' Church ! The Dissenter could not be trusted to manage police, sewers, and borough improvements except he worked munici pally in State Church handcuffs ! This not being quite sufficient, the burgesses were also prohibited from attending in their official capacity any place of worship but the Established Church. We think all these Episcopal concordats injurious to the Church itself, but at least their defenders have but little right to cast a stone at Austria and the POPE. " Natural death by the visitation of GOD." The verdict, good Christian people, who aro about to celebrate in all joyousness the advent of Him who came to preach glad tidings to the poor—the verdict of an intelligent jury, sitting in solemn inquest, in Bethnal-green, yesterday, over the emaciated bodies of three poor children, the offspring of one mother, and she a widow, whose united ages fell short of fourteen years, and were said to have died of starvation. Ugh ! how one shudders to read it. "Natural death by the visitation of"—no, it is not good t o repeat the sacred word in such a connection. The plot of the tragedy having take suchbut little ee telling. nt his a denouement tbe s is very simple , and Two accustomedCiiriatutas stand, cheerily esago a cabeme:illry rnigh contending with the cold under the inspiration of a wife and family to support at home. Before another Christmas came round the cold was too many for him, %lid ho died of inflammation. A widow and six " fine, plump, rosy coloured children " sus tained a great and irreparable loss. The mother, an industrious woman, who took pride in her children and " behaved kindly to them," was a little at fault as to how they should be feel ; but, casting away foolish pride, applied before long to the overseer. What was to be done ? The woman laboured as mothers will labour for their child ren, and with all her labour she couldn't support them. Nothing could be said against her. Let her have two quarterns and a-half of bread a-week and fifteenpence of the current coin of the realm ! Perhaps this was little for a mother and six fine, plump, rosy-coloured children, The widow thought so, and the mother worked the harder. But women's work don't fetch much, and the rosy cheeks grew pale, the laughing eyes anxious, and the plumpness evanished. The mother still went on working ; and the sallow cheeks grew haggard, the anxious eyes furtive, and nothing of the six fine, plump children was to be seen but six anatomies. And to see them could not have been pleasant. The poor famished wretches were always on the hunt---now it was along the gutter after a herring head or potato peelings, and now on the pavement under the folds of a tablecloth in quest of crumbs. Human nature, however small the specimen, will be found to bear a great deal, but it can't go on in this sort of way long. The parish gave the poor, sober, industrious, heart-broken mother a little more, but it would seem to have been given too late. Disease, what ever be its parentage, is GOD'S minister, and not seldom carries a message of mercy. It came to the succour of the poor anatomies, and notwithstanding every medical appliance three died of inflammation of the lungs or low fever. Three of the six little anatomies stretched out cold in one room beneath a bereaved mother's gaze was too much for the silly kind hearted neighbours, and it became necessary to have an inquest. Twelve men assembled, and under the presidency and direction of a Coroner returned the verdict to which we have drawn attention. The men meant well, no doubt, and gave just the sort of verdict honest men may give when bamboozled. One or two of the questions asked lend a colouring to this view. The father died of inflammation, and the children died of inflam mation. The father's death was natural ; the children's must have been natural also. The doctor did his best, and the parish produced what he required for their aid as they lay on the bed of death. Nobody was to blame—verdict accord ingly. Poor victims of hereditary taint ! Was their father emaciated by hunger and starva tion when inflammation set in ? Had he low fever—that damning tell-tale—when the doctor's assistance was called for. Hereditary taint ! The children were worth a fortune to a boarding establishment when the father died— plump, rosy-eheeked little creatures, and see how the hard world used theta—or rather the parish let them wear away in health and strength till low fever mercifully called inflammation in to finish the work it had begun, and their souls passed away to the common Father of all ! " Natural death !" Driven to extremity couldn't they have returned a verdict of " Died from the cessa tion of pulsation," or " Died for want of breath !" It is a sad story, one that might give a stout man the heartache, and none the less tragic for the privations endured by so many children in the neighbourhood. The weather just now is bitter cold—how much colder than the Coroner's heart? Glance over the report, reader, end guess. Let the parish rejoice in him ! THE COURT. SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY, 11 A.m. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert and suite, has just landed at the docks, from on board the Royal yacht Fairy, and proceeded per railway to Windsor. LATEST NEWS. Advices from St. Petersburg state that the main force at Odessa will be removed to Nicolaieff. The Czar has ordered a concentration of forces on all the strong positions of the Black Sea and the Baltic. It is reported that Prince Paskiewitch is dead. It is stated that the Emperor of Russia has written to the King of Prussia, stating that, if be wished, he could not agree to the demands of the Western Powers, the nature of which he was per fectly familiar with, although they had not reached him in an official form. BERLIN, DEO. 19. The Swedish Ambassador at Vienna has for mally announced to the Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs, that his Cabinet adheres to the views of the Western Powers in regard to the four points of guarantee. It is said that Count Stackelberg, brought pro posals of peace to Vienna from St. Petersburg, somewhat different from those agreed on by Aus tria and the allies. The subject of the Principalities is reported to be finally adjourned, and Count Coronini is con sequently to resume the command there. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR,—My attention having been called to the report in the Daily News and Morning Post, of the 17th inst., of the trial a cause of "Pew v. Rosenthal," wherein the plaintiff slid—" She had been introduced to a Mr. De Mattos and his wife, but had afterwards been told by the defendant that Mr. De Rtattos only kept the lady whom he represented to be his wife;" and having been informed that, in consequence of the name of " De Mattos" being uncommon, it had been supposed that I was the Mr. De Mattos alluded to, I beg to state that I am not the Mr. De Mattos in question, and that he is no relation or ac quaintance of mine.—l am, &cr., W. N. DE DIATTOS. Weston-hill, Upper Norwood, Dec. 20, 1855. "Viscount Canning," says the Malta Times, " arrived here on the 7th from Marseilles in the Caradoc, accom panied by Lady Canning, Lord de Burgh, Captain Bouverie, and Dr. Leckie, and left the next day for Alexandria. His lordship will spend a few weeks in Egypt before proceeding to the seat of his future government." THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday.—The Penin sular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Alma, Capt. C. F. Burney, left this day, with the East India and China mail ; a full cargo, being upwards of 500 tons, 82 pas sengers, and specie for Alexandria to the amount of 10,6491. ; India, 354,784/. Amongst the passengers by the Alma are Captain and Mrs. Weston, Dr. and Mrs. Rimieingten, for Bombay ; Drs. Walker, Anderson, Cowan, and Fox, for Calcutta ; Major and Mrs. Burton, for Madras ; Ismael Pasha and friend, for Alexandria. THE AUSTRALIAN MAILS.—LIVEIIPOOL, Thursday.— The Royal mail.ship Earl of Sefton, Capt. Noble, of the White) Star line of Australian packets, cleared to-day, and will sail to-morrow forenoon for Melbourne, with the usual mails for the Australian colonies, about 180 passengers, and one of the most valuable cargoes which ever left the Mersey is one vessel on freight, being com posed almost entirely of fine goods. She should have gone to sea to-day, but the state of the tide, and the heavy swell in the river , owing to the easterly gales which prevailed yesterday and to-day, prevented her leaving the docks. Tars DEBT or Powru(lAl,—ln regard to this debt it is understood that negotiations are still in progress with the accredited agents of that country for the purpose of restoring to the bondholders, as far as maybe practicable those rights which the Government violated by the de cree of 1852. A. disposition being thus evinced by Por tugal to act justly towards her creditors, it is stated that they, in return, are desirous to promote her credit, and most probably to assist in carrying out the railway pals which are essential to her progress and the increase of her revenue. If the present propositions should be concluded, the creditors will, it is stated, forthwith me morialise the Committee of the Stock-Exchange to allow Portuguese securities to be again quoted in their official list. BULLION IN THE BANE OP ENGLAND.—The demand for money at the Bank of England is heavy, but scarcely more so than was anticipated for the close of the year. According to the last return the bullion was only 150,060/. leas than in October, when they resolved upon their existing rates, and, as the additional note issue of 475,0001. just authorised will enable them to dispense with a corresponding amount of gold without leaving them in a worse position, as far as their power of accom modating the public is concerned, than they were in at that period, there is no reason to presume that the pre sent requirements upon them are such as to call for any immediate check. With regard to the future, the ap proaching termination of the payments on the Turkish Loan is a favoarablc feature, and, although the absorp tion of specie on the Continent may be resumed, con siderable supplies can be looked for to enable us to meet it. From Mexioo a very large sum is due, fresh . arrivals from Australia are now to be expected at any time, and according to the hat advises from New York, it is not unlikely that the next steamer or the succeeding ones way bring us some amounts from that city. At a meeting of the Canada Company held yesterday, Mr. C. Franks presiding, the dividend declared was £7 per share, free from income-tax ; and the statement was received as satisfactory. It was intimated that the di rectors, after due consideration, have determined to dis tribute the amount of assets which may come into their hands each half-year, making a limited reserve to eover liabilities ; and with this view, as there is some doubt of its being in exact accordance with the charter, they have been authorised to apply to Parliament for a erecial act. With regard to the present payment, the chairman informed the proprietors, to prevent future disappoint mset, that it was not probable it could be main t a ined, a sum of £40,000 included in the total now available hav ing been money out at interest as an investment. In answer to a question it was mentioned that the income tax will be paid on the whole amount distributed, since, although a portion may be considered in some respects a repayment of capital, ample assets still remain to re present the original outlay. If at a future date circum stances arise fur rendering a winding-up desirable, the directors than, if the impost shall be in force, will take the necessary measures to protest against any charge upon what may be considered a return of capital as dis tineuished from realised profits. A question having been mooted on a previous occasion with respect to vot in g , the opinion of Mr. R. Palmer has been obtained, and he states that according to the terms of the charter the pos• session of five shares entitles the holder to one vote, 10 two votes, 20 three votes and 25 or upwards four v otes, six montla qualification , Le;ng required. Individuals holding less than five shares, may attend the meetings and speak, but not vote, THE BRITISH EXPEDITION. (From Special Correspondent of the Morning Herald.) SEBASTOPOL, SATURDAY, DEC. 8. When will a blow be struck ? Wlien will the Muscovites give us the opportunity ? We are told in history that even the rapid Bosphorus, through out its 16 miles in length, has been fully frozen over no less than seven times. And now it is more than hinted that as soon as the Tchernaya be frozen (and this may not prove the case) Gortschakoff intends to throw his troops across and to at tack the allies. In the meantime the allies do not attack Gortschakoff. They do not fire a single gun against the works ou the north side. But the north side fires daily upon the south; and although, as I have frequently said, with little effect, I am now sorry to add that in one day during the pre sent week we had a private of the 18th killed and four wounded, English, while cooking near the dock ; and on the other side of the Arsenal Creek one Frenchman killed, and also an ox. So that there is even yet some danger in "seeing the lions" at Sebastopol. During the fete of St. Barbe, lam happy to record, we did not lose a single man. Had a shell fallen among even one of the many military re-unions gathered together on that night, the enemy might have made a grand coup. But Providence watched over the Artilleurs Francais. Some of their brothers in arms were not so fortu nate, for a colonel and four captains out shooting near the Tchernaya, and somewhat too eager in the pursuit of sport, were surrounded by Cossacks and taken prisoners, dogs and all. Shooting is an amusement that cannot be indulged in every day, for the weather is now very unsettled and variable. As to gales and rain, the winter has certainly set in this year more fiercely than did the winter of 1854, and at this moment the valley of Inkerman resembles a lake, while our roads are knee-deep in mud in many places, and parts of the plateau and plain perfectly like a swamp, and impas sable. The sudden changes to which the climate of the Crimea is liable tell very much upon strangers, and I am sorry to announce that on Thursday there were two cases of cholera in the 92d regiment. You will remember that the 92d did not arrive in the Crimea till after the capture of the Malakhoff, so that they cannot here be yet considered acclimatised. People are in some parts of the camp suffering a good deal from boils on the chest, which are attributed to the water, never good, having become much worse since the rains set in. Our medical officers are on the alert and watching the men most anxiously, so that, come what illness there may, it is reasonable to presume that with our increased comforts, and experience, and huts we shall not again have to deplore the loss of so many of our fine fellows. The medical officers in the Crimea are now get ting up a subscription for a general monument in memory of all of their own profession who had died on duty during the campaign. This will pro bably be erected at Chatham. Our medical men here are watching each Gazette in the hope of see ing therein a brevet promotion, believing that their recent memorial and the "pressure from without" have at last induced the Government to look more favourably on their position and to recognise their Although for the greater part of the week we have suffered from rain and hail and high winds, Monday was fine enough to admit of a steeplechase coming off near the Monastery ; Tuesday found all the French celebrating the Feast of St. Barbe ; on Wednesday morning a very strong rumour was current within Sebastopol that the Docks were on that very day to be blown up, in which we wore unfortunately disappointed, owing perhaps to the very bad weather ; and on Wednesday also at Balaklava the " great passport question" came off at the Commandant's, and I among scores of others got thoroughly drenched in riding across the country to receive my new papers. On Thurs day morning before dawn we experienced another storm, which blow down one of the huts of the 92d and some others ; and then yesterday (Friday) we had again a sunshiny summer's day, fires in our tents and huts were unnecessary, and people took their meals with open doors. 1 may repeat that these great changes affect all of us more or less ; and they cannot but do so, for it is not at all un common to experience in 24 hours specimens both of spring, summer, autumn, and winter weather. Those who are here watching barometers and ther mometers day after day will ha ve very cur i ous in formation for our literati by a n d b ye. - H av i n g ridden across to Balaklava to take up my ne w passport, or rather permis de sijottr, at the Commandant's office, opposite the Main Guard, I was astonished to find that my number therein was as; high as 1042. These " tickets of residence" contain the name, occupation, and residence of the applicant, and are dated in the present month and s i gne d by the Captain Superinte n d en t. Th ere aro so me of our population here who are better known than trusted. Accordingly, instead o f p resen ti ng th emse lv e s at the office, these worthies have sent i n so me friend to personate them, and to leave such passport as they might have be en a bl e a t A t h ens or Constantinople, er Smyrna to procure. Calling next d a y to receive the passport an d permis, many, on their names being asked for, forgot their assumed one, and answered in their own, which, of course, instantly opened the eyes of the officials, and led to the passport being committed to tho flames and its bearer to the police. Th e b earer , i n com pany . with others in the same predicament, soon finds himself on board a steamer bound to Constantinople, where he is dropped on the pave, and the original owner of the passport is also sought out, and forwarded to the same destination. By these summary means we, at Balaklava, shall be well rid of spies, if not cut-throats and cut purses ; and as Kamiesh is acting in the same way as Balaklava, the Crimea will soon necessar ily stand in a very improved position. We have had these Russian sympathisers and spies too long among us, but I our happy to say the new system will gradually root them out. And a glorious capture has this week been made by the English police of a celebrated Russian spy, whose " pock marked face" and " grey horse" have figured in our local Hue and Cry for some time past. Ile was this week literally " caught napping" in a hut on a sly spot not a hundred miles from the Monastery and Karani. The French swear that had they caught him they would have shot him instanter. Another spy has been just taken near the Monas tory, where lie has been in the habit of making night signals to the Russians, by bonfires and rockets. Since writing the above I have been told (and the authority seems good) that the docks at Sebas topol will be blown up in the Christmas week. The delay has occurred owing to the necessity for build ing a bomb-proof to shelter the man who will fire the train. SATURDAY AFTERNOON. The mail with papers to November 23, has ar rived. A very excellent plan is about to be followed out, for which General Codrington deserves the greatest praise. Canteens will soon be established, under the charge of a non-commissioned officer, in each regimeht, and our Greek canteen-keepers, and such other adulterators, will be banished the penin sula. A Cossack deserter has come in with one of our most celebrated spies, whose name it would be im prudent for me to mention. The Cossack is under surveillance at head-quarters. Owing to some strictures made by Mr. Russell in the Times on drunkenness in the army, and his advising the withdrawal of the soldiers' field allow ance granted by her Majesty, his house was at• tacked by the redcoats the other night, and serious consequences might have ensued but for the prompt arrival of the picket. I hear that 11r. Russell (the Times' Special Cor respondent) will, in a day or two, quit the Crimea on leave. THE FALL OF KARS. (From the Times Special Correspondent.) CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 10.—Letters from Erze roum to the 27th of November were received here on the evening of the 7th instant. They were to the effect that Kars was to capitulate on the 25th of November. Major Tee. - -dale had gone out to arrange a meeting between General Williams and General Mouravieff, who, having attained his ob ject in that quarter, was detaching part of his forces to Akhaltsik and Kutais to act against Omer Pasha. Selim Pasha, says a correspondent from Trebizondo of the 30th Nov., was still at Erze roum. The Turkish Government has advices from the authorities at Erzeroum up to the 27th No vember, and denies the truth of the above intelli gence respecting Kars, which it deems premature. I suspect it has received it, but does not choose to let the bad news be known until the capitulation has actually become a fait accompli. Official infor mation of the capture of the place will, in all pro bability, get to England before this letter. The event is a matter of surprise to no one after the in formation that has for some time past reached us as to the scanty stock of provisions remaining to the brave and much-enduring garrison. A number of men had died from hunger, and it was impossible to hold out longer. The price of cats had risen to 100 piastres a-piece. The Russians have little to boast of in the capture ; for, although they thus close the campaign of 1855 (otherwise uniformly disastrous to them) with a triumph and a trophy, the number of their prisoners will hardly equal their own loss in their late unsuccessful assault, and Kars is not a place of any use to them, or one that they will be likely to retain when the spring campaign opens. Possibly they may not even attempt to do so. The defence of Kars, although it has terminated unfortunately, is one of the most remarkable ex ploits of the present war, and one of the most honourable to those engaged in it. It is as worthy of applause as the mismanagement that rendered it unavailing is deeply to be deplored and strongly to ho condemned. All that could be done was done by the gallant Turkish troops, and by the English officers, who assisted them with their counsels, shared their privations, and headed them in the fight. When want of forage and scarcity of provi sions compelled the departure of the cavalry, the garrison could but patiently await—ready and able (as they have shown themselves) to repel an at tack—the arrival of relief from without, or the exhaustion of supplies within. Sorties, with infantry alone, were out of the question ; for the Russians were not besieging the place, they were watching and blockading it, and Gen. Mouraviefrs head-quarters were actually at three leagues from Kars. Had the garrison attempted the offensive, they must have gone to a far greater distance from their fortress than it was possible to do without cavalry and artillery, in both of which arms the Russians were strong. So they kept, perforce, within their defences, hungry, and with little hope, but patient and fearless, doing everything, in short, that brave men co u ld do under such circumstances, without rushing madly on destruction. It is at least three months ago that General Williams wrote to friends here that it was a mere question of time and of the stomach ; that the place could certainly be held, unless famine, more powerful than the Russians, should put an end to the possibility of resistance. The fall of Kars, if all the circumstances attend ing it be considered, should produce a great sensa tion in England and France ; not on account of its real importance, which, I repeat, is not great, but as exposing gross neglect and mismanagement in some quarter or other. Prisoners of war are brought to a court-martial when restored to their service ; those made in Kars would assuredly be most honour ably acquitted of blame, but there must be other persons not iu Russian captivity, who will have to stand their trial before the tribunal of public opinion. It will surely be asked by whose fault it was, that while the enemy quietly blockaded Kars ever since Midsummer, large bodies of troops were kept idle and useless on the Bosphorus and elsewhere, and the formation of an army in Asia was delayed until winter was at hand. When too late, some activity was displayed. Turks were sent from Bulgaria, Egyptians from Eupa.toria ; other troops have lately been shipped hence for Trebizond, and we now learn that Selim Pasha has 12,000 men at Erzeroum, and are assured on Turkish authoritythatO mar Pasha andMustapha Pasha, with a force estimated at nearly 40,000 men (some portion of which, I suspect, are now upon the ars., or perhaps not even shipped),are advancing on Kutois, which the Russians are said to be evacuating. It is extremely improbable that the Russians are doing anything of the kind. They are not the people to abandon so easily so important a depot and stronghold, at a moment when winter must quickly put an end to the campaign. A winter campaign in that part of Asia I believe to be impossible. What is to be expected is that Omer Paella will go into winter quarters at Souchum-Kaleh, Mustafa Pasha at Batoum, and that at Erzeroum, where the slug gish and incapable t elim Pacha commands, there will be forced inaction and possibly no litttle con fusion. All that the tardy concentration of troops in Asia will have done will be to have them in rea diness there for next spring. Effected two or three months sooner, it might, and in all proba bility would, have saved Kars. RUSSIA. The Ryall(l6 Russe publishes tho following : " Aide-de-Camp-General Prince Gortscbakoff has for- warded the following, under date of the 28th November (10th December) : "Everything goes on satisfactorily in the Crimea. "On the 26th of November (Bth of December), Col. Oklobijo, with a small portion of the detachment of the Upper B,lbek, crossed the mountain-pass which gives access to the valley of Baidar, attacked the advanced posts of the enemy at Ourkousta and at Baga, and, having dislodged thorn from those villages, threw them back upon the Tohernays. "20 prisoners remained in our hands." A letter from St. Petersburg, of the 10th, says : —" The two divisions of grenadiers in the Crimea are not comprised in the corps d'arinee charged to defend the plateau of Bakshi-Serai. They are posted in the rear of that corps on the side of Eupatoria, and aro charged to protect the Perekop road. In addition to the grenadiers, who consist of 3 regiments, there are 4 regiments of infantry, 4of druschines, and 2 brigades of artillery. Let ters from Simpheropel state that up to the end of October, the Russians seriously feared that they would bo obliged to evacuate that town, if the enemy had advanced from Eupatoria. During the last few weeks the military journal has published on different occasions judgments of courts-martial, degrading officers for embezzlement committed in the exercise of their functions. It is reported that much fermentation exists amongst the peasants of Southern Russia, and that the Em peror visited their countries partly to prevent the disturbance of order. The Emperor has seen, it is said, that the emancipation of the peasantry is in evitable. Alexander I. bad already improved the position of the peasants of the Drown, and had ope rated a species of emancipation, but he was not imitated by the nobility. Another consequence of the Emperor's juui.ey will be the completion of the fortresses in the Southern Provinces. Emperor Nicholas had spent many millions on them, but the money only served to enrich the contractors, who constructed sham-forts. Tho brother of the Emperor is a good engineer, who examines everything himself, and will not be easily deceived.' FRANCE. It is generally rumoured that General Cauro bert will be named Marshal of France. The in tention of the Emperor to confer on the General this new di city has been talked of for some time past. The treaty of commerce and amity contracted between France and Persia does not contain any political stipulations ' • it purports simply t o regu late the commercial relations between the two countries. Bat the fact of its completion by the exchange of ratification is, under present circum stances, hot the less important, as it must seriously impair the influence of Russia, who has so often in recent times done her best to induce Persia to de clare against Turkey and form an alliance with her self. It is not unimportant to note that at this moment Persia not only is not the ally of Russia, but that she has drawn closer her amicable relations with the Western Powers, and consequently with the cause which has for its object the protection of the Ottoman empire, and which combats the policy of Russia. The following telegraphic despatches have been received in Paris : BERLIN, Dec. 18.—The English Government has, it is said, demanded an explanation from the Court of Vienna as to its motives for reducing the Austiian army. The organisation of the Druschine (Russian militia) will be next spring extended to Poland. A pro posal from the Danish Government has been sent to the different governments interested, requesting the adjourn ment of the Conferences on the Sound dues. According to the last accounts from St. Petersburg, prior to the knowledge of the surrender of Lire, doubts were felt in that capital of the acceptai ce by Russ:a of the conditions of peace proposed by Austria. COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18.—On the demand of the Pro eureur of the High Court of Justice of Denmark, the trial of the ex• Ministers is again put off to the 12th of January next. The ConAtitutionnel of yesterday pronounces itself in favour of peace, and considers that the task of the allies has been accomplished. Our con temporary argues thus : 1111 that the Eastern war could give to France eitl.er in moral or political result, in strength, con• sideration, or influence in the councils of Europe, it lias granted. Why, therefore, if the precise aim for which the war was commenced has been accom pli,hed, should not France agree to a peace on the conditions proposed since the commencement of hostilities by the Allied Pow ere, provided such be the wish sf Russia. France could not desire the continuation of the war unless in the view of pass ing beyond the aim stipulated in the treaty of the 10th April, when it would become a question of dismember ing the Russian empire, The latter act could alone be &me at the profit of some one power. Would not France in that case require a compensation for the advantages which would accrue to our European state? Would it not be justified in exacting that compensa tion But in that case it would no longer concern the Eastern war with its special aim, as the treaty of the 10th April with its particular character ; it would be nothing less than the reconstruction of the map of Europe and a revision of the treaties of 1815. Certainly, if it could enter into the thoughts and policy of England to propose to France a similar measure, and it would be found c , nvenient and proper to France to entertain the proposal, the contkuation of the war with that aim in view might appear desirable to many ; and it must be admitted that a conflict of that nature, notwithstanding the sa crifices it would demand, would be popular. But the Eastern war has not called that question into existence ; it is nowise the aim with which Eng land and France armed themselves against Russia ; and from the moment when it is not question of going out of the limits of the treaty of the 10th April, there can be no reasonable motive to desire the continuation of the war." Boußss, Dec. 19.—The following are the last quotations : Cash. It. e. End of Month. 4i per Cents 9l 75 —f. - - c . 3 per Cents 65 65 35 New Loan 65 GO Bank Shares 3210 Roman Cr6dit Mobility l3BO Austrian B3lgian Fives ...... .. Spanish Threes Pietimonteso B7 Home Debt ...... ... RAILWAY3-FOR CASH. 82 40 36 fr. e. c . OrMans - Western 765 Northem Lyons ll5O New Ditto..... .. 755 liediterrauean 1275 Grand Central 590 Lyons Genera . ..... 716 25 T as t e .. -- ..... Cette EAST INDIA AND CHINA MAIL SOUTHAMPTON, DEC. 20. This day, at one o'clock, the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Ava, Capt. Field, arrived in the river, with the heavy p or ti on o f th e East India and ina mails, which were imme diately after landed. The Ava brings 62 passengers, amongst whom was Sir Laurence Peel, from Calcutta. The freight consists of 585 boxes of raisins, 109 bales of silk, 110 bags and 91 packages of gum, 1,240 sacks of wheat, 27 packages of elephants' teeth, and 248 packages of sundries. The dates of sailing were—Alexandria, Dec. 6 ; Malta, 10 ; Gibraltar, 15. On the 11th, the Ava passed two vessels bound to the westward, supposed to be H.M.S. Rodney' and London ; and on the 16th, the steam-ship l`vielita, and the schooner Maid of Athens. Her Majesty's ships Ceylon and Hibernia were at Malta. At Gibraltar, the Prometheus. From Gibraltar we learn that during a gale on the night of the 10th, the Spanish brig Bravo, Capt. Daniel Maury, with a carga of wine, soap, paper, &c., bound from Barcelona to Havana, hav ing 47 passengers on board, was lost near Torre Carbonera (eastward of the rock), and 22 passen gers, including 7 women, perished. On the same night, the Georgiana, Capt. Parfitt, bound from Valencia to Liverpool, was driven ashore on the Eastern beach. The steam-transport Sir John Easthope, left Gibraltar on the morning of the 14th, for Spithead, having in tow the sailing-transport St. Hilda. The steam-transport Northumberland left Gib raltar, on the 15th, for Spithead. Exchange on Loudon, at 90 days' date, 511 to 511. Freights, $l2 per ton, and 10 per cent. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. GIBRALTAR, Dee. s.—The Osprey, steamer ; which ar• rived yesterday from London, with Atom for the British army at the seat of war, will coal previous to leaving for Bals.klava. The following aro the passengers she has on board :—Col. Patterson, Roy. E. Verity, Capt. Fereday, Messrs. Bleloek, Scherman, Calisher, Boys, O'Neill, and Jeppor ; Mrs. and Master Sllieon , Mrs. Lander, Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Master Pears.. A French. line-of-battle ship and the British transport Lady Anne passed the garrison to the westward at half-past seven o'clock this morning. ... The sailing transport True Briton, Captain Norris, put into the bay this forenoon from Malta, to land gunpowder and shell hers. DEc. 6.—The steam-transport William Beckett, which came in from Malta yesterday evening, witk condemned stores for Deptford, took in 90 tone of coal during the night, and will leave for her destination immediately after repairing some defect iu the valves of her machinery. The sailing transports Bombay, Gemelza, and True Briton, are lowly discharging shot, shell, &c. DEC. B.—The screw steam-ship Tiber, which left Liver pool in the afternoon of the 30th ult., arrived in the bay yesterday, at four o'clock p.m. She brings five passengers and a general cargo for Gibraltar and different posts of the Italian peninsula, and will resume her voyage immediately after taking in a supply of coal and discharging the goods destined for this market. The Italian, screw-steamer (a sister ship to the Sardinia, but 100 tons larger), arrived from Havre on Saturday afternoon laden with stores for the French army in the Crimea, and, after coaling in the bay, started for Constan• tinople at fire p.m. yesterday. The screw-steamer Berwick, Captain Farmer, which put into the bay at one p.aa. yesterday, to coal, made the pas• sago from London in 5 days and 12 hours, notwithetand• ing she had been 13 hours without using steam, in conse quence of the engine being out of order. She exchanged signals with the French ship of the line Eneo, in lat. 88 45 N., long. 948 W. steering to the northward. The Ber• wick coaled at the New Mole, and resumed her voyage to the Crimea at eight o'clock last night, conveying 7 officers and 227 men of the Army Works Corps, and some wooden huts and warm clothing for that corps. The Progress, steam-transport, which arrived on Satur• day, and the Cockrztne, steam-transport, this morning, are both laden with shot, shell, and gunpowder, for this Place, and will disharge preparatory to leaving for Eng laid. The Zebra, steam-transport, arrived daring the evening, from Malta, where she loft on the 3d instant, with Major Guernsey, Turkish Contingent ; Capt. Knight, of the same corps; Dr. M‘Denell, deputy inspector of hospitals; Mr. Leyland, and four others, for Portsmouth, and will proceed, as soon as she gets a supply of coal at the New Mole. The Indiana, steam•transport, which left Malts half an hour before the Zebra, also arrived here at half past 10 this morning. DEc. 11.—During the stormy state of the weather last night the British ship Georgiana, Capt. Parfitt, was driven ashore on the eastern beach, near the Tuners. This ship had lately discharged a cargo of guano at Valencia, and was on her passage from that port to Liverpool in ballast. The Zebra, steam-transport, having been supplied with 160 tons of coal from the New Mole, proceeded at 8 a.m. to ' 4 pithead. The Progress and Cockrane, steam-transports, lades with powder and shot from the East are discharging their cargoes preparatory to leaving for England. DEC. 12. The Indiana, steam-transport, Captain 11`Maeter, which came in yesterday afternoon from Malta, is laden with gunpowder, shot, and shell for this garrison, and will discharge the same preparatory to leaving for .England. The sailing transport-ship St. Hilda, from Malta, in ballast, for Plymouth, put into the bay yesterday. The Belgian schooner Villa de Liege, laden with fruit, bound from Marseilles to Antwerp, unfortunately got ashore off the Devil's Tongue during the night. The steam tue Bustler went to her assistance this morning, and out. cesded in getting her &noel,. Dec. 13.—The steam transport Bahiana passed from west to east at half-past eleven o'clock this morning. DEc. 14.—The extraordinary prevalence of wet weather during the latter part of the last month and the early half of this may lead some persons to fear lest a prejudicial change of some sort has come over our usually delightful climate. What might be the cease of such a chauge it would probably puzzle the philosophy of our Gibraltar meteorologists to determine, but it may be some console• tion to them to know that the present inundation is not altogether unprecedented, and that we may still hope for the return of an unclouded sun at its usual seasons of visi tation. Although the mean annual fall of rain in this place is estimated at 31.1 inches ; and the actual state of the phi viometer at the end of less than four months gives an amount of 40.28, the variation is recorded to be no less than from 14.16 up to 62.87 the maximum which fell in the year 179 somelt risarenootectuorrbeencsepsphraevheenladtVly, btheeenrefoobrese,rtvheait_alstuhoohugash nearly double the usual quantity of rain—the absence of era t i o er t e h d o t s h e is w c h o o rn d e: frequency of the customary spots upon the inn on all burntersodranyasnodutoteifer34a7n—omthaeliiens such as the moon having at this change entirely forfeited her prestige—any material alteration has been effected by les less agreeableithertor othe tthe natural m ei t c o a l u r r u s nea h av e w hich not not dislike to see or feel the sun, than generally healthful to all who do not scorn to be prudent in the matter of expo sure to its unobstructed beams, The steam transport Sir John Easthope took her de• parture for Spithead this morning at eight o'clock, taking in tow the British sailing transport St. Hilda. The Northumberland, steam-transport, Captain Craig, which left Malta at four p.m. on the 7th hat., put into the bay this forenoon to coal, and will leave for Spithead to-morrow morning. Captain Cragg observed, about 4 0 miles to the eastward of the Rock, bulwarks, stanchions, hen-coops, other articles, anti a great quantity of oranges floe ing on the surface of the water, which appeared to be remnants of a vessel recently wrecked and broken up. SOUTII AUSTRALIAN BANKING COMPANY.—The annuls meeting of this company was held yesterday. The re port showed that the affairs of the company were in ls prosperous condition. From the accounts. it appeared that the year's 'profits amounted to 45,8751. 17s. 2 ( 1 . The balance on the 28th of May last was 50,3471. 185 . 2d., from which 10 per cent. was carried to the r eserve fund, and a dividend of 14 per cent. on the paid -u p capi tal was declared. 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