The Sun. — London, England, 1855-02-22 00:00:00

tttrb Wbltto' * SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock. TATTERSALL'S. (THIS EVENING.) GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP. 15 to 2 agst Vandal (8 to 1 taken freely) GREAT METROPOLITAN. 11.' to 1 agst Corcebus (taken ) 12 to 1 agst Redlands (taken) 12 to 1 agst Paletot (taken) 20 to 1 agst Steelyard (taken) 20 to 1 agst High Priest (taken) TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. 2to 1 agst St. Hubert (t. freely) 7to 2 agst Lord of the Isles (offered) 4to 1 agst Bonnie Morn (9 to 2 taken) NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 7to 1 agst Meteora (taken) CHESTER CUP. 16 to 1 aget Andover (taken) 30 to 1 agst Schamyl (offered) 50 to 1 aget Atherstone (taken) DERBY. 7to 1 agst St. Hubert (taken) 10 to 1 agst Rifleman (taken) 10 to 1 agst Lord of the Isles 11 to 1 agst De Clare (taken) 12 to 1 agst Grmeulus Esuriens (taken) 13 to 1 agst Cruiser (taken) , 25 to 1 sgst Flatterer (taken freely) 33 to 1 agst Saraband (taken) 50 to 1 agst Rambling Katie 50 to 1 agst Atherstone (taken) 1000 to 15 agst The Cave Adullam (taken) OAKS. 12 to 1 agst Marchioness (taken) No betting on the Liverpool Steeplechase. IMPERIAL PARL EAM ENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—(THIS EVENING.) The LORD CHANCELLOR took bi seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. NEW PEER, The Earl of BANGOR took the oaths and his seat. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY presented a petition praying for the total prohibition of the sale of intoxi cating liquors. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from the mayor and corporation of Portsmouth, complaining of the municipal act of 1835 depriving them, as well as others, of the choice of their magistrates—a right which they laad possessed under the several charters granted them since the reign of Richard 1. The petitioners prayed their lordships to pass an /let to restore to all such corporations the right of the election of their own magistrates. A DAY OF PRAYER AND HUMILIATION. On the motion of Earl GRANVILLE for the ad journment of the house, The Earl of RODEN called the attention of their ,lordships to the present critical state of affars, and also to the necessity of resorting to every means to carry on the war with vigour. Having refei red to the losses sus tained'in um. army, the hardships and sufferings to which the remnant of that army were exposed, and the mor tality. that—was still thinning the ranks, the noble earl expressed a hope that the Government would ad vise her Majesty to issue a proclamation, appointing a day to be set apart as a day of general humiliation and prayer, to implore the protection of Almighty God npon our arms. The Earl of ABERDEEN said, with respect to the observations which the noble earl had addressed to them, he begged to say that he had no objection to a day being 03t apart for a special prayer. But what he did object to was a prayer being introduced into the liturgy for ordinary use. 'The Earl of GRANVILLE said, with respect to the observations of the noble earl, tosching the condition of the army in the Crimea, be bad great pleasure in in forming him that the condition of that army was greatly improved. He also begged to inform the noble earl that :the Government had already advised her Majesty to appoint . a. day during the present season of Lent for the purpose of humiliation and prayer. Lerd CAMPBELL expressed his approval of the pro posed advice. After a few words from the Earl of RODEN, their lordships adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING.) The SPEazsa took the chair shortly before 4 o'clock. PETITIONS. Sir J. PAXTON presented a petition from Coventry corn plaining of the mismanagement of the war, and pray ing for inquiry. Sir B. HALL presented a petition from the parish of Marylebone to the same effect. Sir J. SHELLEY presented a petition ,from West minster to the same effect. Mr. HADFIELD presented a petition from Shef field, praying the sale of intoxicating liquors may be prohibited during the whole of Sunday. THE COMMISSARIAT. In reply to Mr. .... - RENNIT, Mr. WILSON stated that the Commissariat' was transferred from the Treasury to the department of the Minister of War early in December last. IRISH PAUPERS. Mr. MAGUIRE wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his notice had been called to certain statements reported to have been made in his official capacity by Mr. Hardwick, a Police Ma gistrate of the Metropolis, in the coarse of last week, to the effect that ship loads of Irish paupers were being constantly sent by the authorities of Ireland to this country ; and, if so, had any step been taken with re. spect to a person holding a responsible public office making such statements ? Sir G. GREY said his attention had not been called to the matter. Mr. MAGUIRE—WiII the right hon. baronet inquire into it Sir G. GREY—Not in the absence of any represen tation to the Home-office on the subject. IRISH MILITIA. Mr. BRADY wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention bad been called to the fol lowing circumstance, stated to have occurred in the town of Enniskillen, as set forth in an Irish paper, The Free man's Journal, of the 16th instant—namely, that on Sunday, the 11th day of February, the Fermanagh Re giment of Militia, composed of nearly 400 men, of whom one-half were of the Catholic religion, was marched through that town, their Colonel at their head, with colours flying, and the band in their front playing party Orange tunes ; that, so organised and occupied, they passed the Protestant and Catholic churches ; and, if so, had he made inquiries into the truth or otherwise of that statement ? Sir J. YOUNG said his attention had not been called to the circumstance. THE WOUNDED. Mr. BERESFORD wished to ask the Under-Sec zetary of the War Department whether, as reports gene rally concur in the statement that the quality of the food supplied to the army ;n the East was bad and in jurious, that the tents issued were inefficient for the necessary shelter of the troops from the exposure to which they were subjected, and that the hospital arrangements, especially as to the corps of ambulance and orderlies were lamentably deficient, any suggestions were made, as they ought to have been, by the principal medical officer there, to Lord Raglan, commanding the forces, or by the Director General at home to the Secre tary for War, and, if any, whether the Secretary for War will produce copies of the suggestions, with the date of their receipt, and the answers returned to them ? kr. F. PEEL was not aware whether any such sug gestions had been made ; but some suggestions had been submitted to the authorities at home, and were now under consideration. THE COMMISSARIAT. Mr. W.&RNER wished to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, wh e th er t h e Comm i ss i on proceeding to the East, in relation to the commissariat service, is to be merely a commissio n of inquiry, or whether it will h ave power of s ummary dismissal and appointment extend ing to all officers and appointments to which its power of inquiry extends ; and, if it shall appear that the commission will have Powers of appointment and dis missal, subject to any kind of restrictions, then to ask what those restrictions are. Lord PALMERSTON said the commission had au thority to carry into execution immediately any change of arrangements which they m i g h t thick essential for the public service. TREATY WITH AMERICA. Mr. RICARDO wished to ask the First Lord of the 1 Treasury whether he will lay on the table of the house all correspondence between the Government and the United States on the subject of international arrang e _ merits in time of war. Lord PALMERSTON said it would not bo desirable to lay the correspondence upon the table of the house, but he could state that the relations between the two Governments were of the most friendly and amicable description. (Hear, hear.) THE WAR AND THE COLONIES. Mr. ADDERLEY wisked to ask whether Mr. Ran kin, a member of the Canadian Parliament, has made an offer to her Majesty to raise and equip a thousand men to join the army in the East, and, if so, what answer ha, e been given him ; and, whether her .Majesty has I offered commissions to colonists who raise regiments at their omen expense : and, also, whether it is the intention I of her Majeety's Government to propose that any grate- ! fel acknowledgment should be made on the part of Parliament of the sympathy and patriotism evinced by various colonies in voting large sums of money towards the expenses of th e p rese nt wa r . 1 Sir 0. GREY had not the slightest recollection of any 1 transaction having occurred of the nature referred to irr the fleet question. With regard to the second ques tion, a correspondence was now pending with the autho. THE GREEK LOAN.—It is shown by a return issued yesterday that the total amount issued out of the Con' solidated Fund between the years 1843 and 1854, for the payment of the interest and sinking fund on that portion of the Greek Loan guaranteed by this country in the year 1843 was 551,2391., of which 31,0341. was repaid by the Greek Government in 1847 and 1843, leaving a balance due of 520,155/. INDUSTRIAL HOME POl OUTCAST BOYS.—LaSt even• ing a public meeting on behalf of this institution was held at Exeter-ball, under the presidency of the Earl of Shaftesbury. The meeting having been opened with prayer, his lordship said he would not detain them with many preliminary observations, for he was sure they needed no stimulant from hirn on behalf of the institu tion ; but he must say that he thought this country bad been very remiss with respect to institutions of a similar ch aracter, w hi c h , if more numerous, would, he believed, go very far to limit the operations both for gaoler and hangman. The report stated that 49 boys pwlearceese,batanianitnhgath were at prese n t in the institution, while several others the e es i t livelihoods in Canada and other of 3001. The meetingestitution was involved in a debt M r . c w as u addressed by the Rev. Mr. and others, after of Birmingham), J. Payne,Arlriol, Esq., terminated. ation of thei3 will Cure Tin ter which the proceedings LADTERTISEMENT.I-11ollo way ' s pi purity of the Mod and Trrii a certificate forwarded to Professor io T i k in . C opy o f John Jones, chemist, of Mossie y Brow : ?,w I aY by Mr. hereby certify that, having suffered for two years ver from scurvy and irritation of the skin, I 4 8 8e r v e er elY mended to try Holloway's Pills, and it is truly astoen7l; jog that, after taking them for a comparatively short.' time, I was completely cured, having had no return of 1 the disease, although it is now snore than twelve months since ;my health also is greatly improved. (Signed) Ann Hill."—Sold by all vendors of medicine, and at Professor Holloway's Establishments, 244, Strand, London, and 80, Maiden-lane, New York, rities of the colonies on that very subject; as to the last question, it was not intended to propoee any resolutions, because subscriptions were still coming in, and such a resolution would be incomplete at present. STATUTE LAW COMMISSION. Mr. CRAUFURD asked the law officers of the Crown whether th© Statute Law Commission had ad journed its sittings sine die, or what are the days ap pointed for the sittings of the said board ; and, when the board is not sitting, by whom are its functions exer cised. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the sittings had not been adjourned sine die. The commission met every fortnight. LAW OF DIVORCE. Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE inquired if it was the in tention of the Government to bring in any measure this session on the law of divorce. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL could not !answer th• question at present. SCUTARI AND BALAKLAVA. Mr. STAFFORD asked whether there be any objec tion to lay on the table of the house the instructions given to the commissioners appointed last November to inquire into the state of the hospitals at Scutari and Balaklava, with the report of and evidence taken before the said cornmissi )ners. Lord PALMERSTON said the report of the Com mission had not yet been received ; but when it was re ceived there would be no objection to lay it upon the table, together with the instructions given to the com missioners. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. SO (7TH-EASTERN. Yesterday a meeting of proprietors "interested in im proving the property and in increasing the number of the board of directors," assembled at the London Tavern. Mr. T. PARKER was voted to the chair, and he alluded to the sections into which he believed the shareholders in the company were divided. The Liverpool section objected to a disposition on the part of a portion of the board to bring forward further extensions, and they also thought there ought to be 12 instead of 9 directors. Now, in proportion to the increase in the direction would be the increase of expenditure, and he thought 2,0001. a-year was an ample sum for distribution among the board. There were seven seats to be filled in the direc tion, and the candidates were well known and nume rous. Mr. BROWN deprecated the system of extensions that had been carried out by the administrators of the com pany's affairs, and calculated that the loss to the share holders on this head could not be less than 90,0001. per annum. Mr. HIGGINS was of opinion that the day would come when a shorter line to the continent must be constructed, as at the present moment a full hour was lost by the existing South-Eastern line. He moved that in the opinion of the meeting nine d rectors were sufficient to carry on the affairs of the South-Eastern Railway. Mr. ORR seconded this, and suggested the desirable ness of allying the South-Eastern with the Brighton Railway. He hoped their new body of directors would be good working men. The CHAIRMAN said the law charges of the South- Eastern Railway had been enormous—at the rate of 54,0001. a-year, or 1,600/. per week. He was an advo cate for taxing every railway bill by a properly-appointed officer. On the motion of Mr. TRULON, seconded by Captain HALL, a resolution was carried expressive of the " indig nation" of the meeting at the parties who had anony mously called the meeting, and the proceedings closed. OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVER HAMPTON. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yesterday at the London Tavern—Lieutenant-Colonel Rushout, 111. P., in the cbdr. The report, an abstract of which has already appeared, wa.§ taken as read. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the re port, said it was so full and ample that it required but few observations from him. He had never held out any extravagant hopes of success, although he thought they would gradually improve. The dividend on the preference shares war on the last occasion at the rate of 4 per cent per annum ; but they were now enabled to declare the full dividend for the half-year at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. That was at least a progress in the right direction. The deficiency of working stock was the cause of considerable loss to them, as they had no means of carrying the comparatively large amount of traffic that presented itself at various places on their line. Exertions had been made by the board to meet the complaints arising from that cause, and he hoped, therefore, they would not experience a recurrence of that state of things. He thought there was room fur all the railways in the districts through which their lines passed, and that there was much more traffic than could be accom modated in the present state of the railways. He com plained that the Board of Trade would not allow them to use 10 miles of the second line of narrow gauge, which a oald have reduced the length of single line from 27 t 17 miles, which had been completed for several months. The reason they were not alloiled to use it was because the broad gauge had not also been laid down. He quite agreed with the enginetr in his report, in calling this a useless expense, and one of great hardship on them. It was doubtful whether the two gauges could be used on the same line with safety to the public. He then adverted to the sums due on the lawyers' bills, amount ing in the whole to 16,5701., a considerable amount of which consisted of fees paid to counsel and money out of pocket. He was not an advocate for branches or extensions, but he thought when they were constructe at the expense of other persons, and worked on the terms laid down by Mr. Parson, they might be useful to the mainline. The sum of 337,7801. of preference stock had been raise.] out of the 500,0001. authorised. He was glad to say that Sir. S. M. Pete and Mr. Threadwell had agreed to take up the remainder of the preference ■hares, with a view to assist the company. With regard to the honour that had been recently conferred on the former gentleman, that honour had been conferred for an act of great philauthropy,—he had volunteered the services of the firm to send out men to the Crimea to assist the troops before Sebastopol with a rapid means 'of conveyance between Balaklava and the camp. In consequence of this he was compelled to vacate his seat for Norwich. He (the chairman) would venture to say that if half the energy and philanthropy had been shown in other places, England would not have had to mourn the loss of so many of her noble-hearted and brave men. He then adverted to the three bills before Parliament promoted by the company. Two of the bills had refer ence to the infliction of the broad gauge upon them, which was of no use whatever but to consume 250,000/. of their capital, for which they were not to receive any consideration, the line being worked on the narrow gauge. After adverting to various small items in the accounts, he concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr. 3. PARSON seconded the motion, and in doing so entered at- considerable length into the affairs of the company. _ _ _ Resecutions were passed adopting the report, declaring a dividend on the preference shares at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum, payable March 23, and authorising the directors to borrow money on debentures. On the motion for the re-election of two directors an angry discussion of a personal character ensued, which resulted in the re-election of Mr. H. Grisewood, and the election of Mr. R. W. Johnson, in the room of Mr. Z. A. Jessel, who retired by rotation. Mr. Tamlyn, the retiring auditor, was re-elected, and the meeting separated. THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 22 1855. r editon Railway, and (from the 28th of August) the So merset Central Railway, amount to 85,3611., or 50.86 per cent. of the gross receipts, and 7291. per mile on 117 miles of railway. The amount actually expended during the half-year was 96,8481. The number of pas sengers is 679,404, conveyed 19,530,926 miles, and the quantity of goods and coals is 161,922 tone, conveyed 2,915,808 miles, and 22,838 tons more goods, conveyed 687,718 more miles than in the corresponding half of the year 1853. The increase in revenue consists of 11,0831. on passengers, 6,8611. on goods, 8431. on par cels, and 8011. on the Exeter and Crediton Railway ; total 19,5901., less 344/. decrease upon mails-19,2451. INDIAN ARMY. Mr. H. DRUMMOND asked if the GoVernment bad any intention of converting the army of the East India Company into a Royal army ? (Cheers.) Lord PALMERSTON said no such intention existed at present. MINISTERIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Lord PALMERSTON rose again and said—Sir, I have now to state to the house that which I believe is tolerably well known already, namely, that three members of the Government have intimated their intention to resign the offices which they have hitherto held. I mean the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. Those officers hold their offices at present only until their successors shall be ap pointed. Under these circumstances, and considering that these officers are members of the Government in this house, I trust the house will not think that I am unduly pressing upon their indulgence if I propose to them not enter upon any public business to-day. We will go through those orders of the day which stand upon the paper, and to which there is no objection, and after wards I should propose that the house should adjourn until to-morrow. (Hear, hear.) To-morrow my right hon. friends will attend in their places and state to the house the grounds which have induced them to take the step I have just announced to the house. (Hear, hear.) Mr. DISKAELI—Sir,--I merely wish to state that I have heard with deep regret from the noble lord that before ten days had elapsed the Government which we had the pleasure to hear was formed, and which we had hoped would have had a longer existence, in the absence of the noble lord, generally considered to be the obstacle to the formation of a strong Government, has ceased to exist. (Hear, hear.) After the statement of the noble lord, and in the absence of the right hon. gen tleman, whose conduct must of course be canvassed on the proper occasion, as well as that of the noble lord, I think it would be improper in me on this occasion to make any remarks—(hear, bear)—but the noble lord will understand that I only express the general feeling of this house and the country when I state that we have heard it announced, on offici'al authority, that already the Cabinet so. recently formed has, in fact, been par tially dissolved: (fear, hear.) We have heard that announcement - With deep regret, and, some consterna tion. (Cheers.) The subject then dropped. APPOINTMENTS IN THE ARMY. Major REED postponed his motion for aselect com mittee to inquire into the present mode of conferring appointments by purchase and otherwise in the army ; to report on the same, and recommend a more efficient system for securing promotion to merit and long service. CIVIL SERVICE SUPERANNUATION. Mr, MACARTNEY postponed his motion for a select committee into the present system of rewarding all per sons in the civil service of the Crown on their retire. ment from office, and the necessity of continuing the abatements on account of the Superannuation Fund, until this day fortnight. JURORS AND JURIES (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time ; as was also the Jurors and Juries (Ireland No. 2) Bill. COMMON LAW PROCEDURE ACT AMEND MENT (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. ARMY SERVICE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. The house then went into committee on this bill. The clauses having been agreed to, the house resumed. Mr. ROEBUCK'S MOTION. Mr. WILSON observed that, as it was very desirable that the motion of the hon. member for Sheffield should have precedence to-morrow, he would move that it be taken before the orders of the day and the notices of motion. In reply to Mr. DISRAELI, Lord PALMERSTON said that it was deemed ad visable that the explanations of his right hon. friends who had retired should take precedence of any other business to-morrow. The other orders of the day having been disposed of, the house adjourned at twenty minutes to five o'clock. BREAD RIOTS AT WHITECHAPEL. APPREHENSION OF SEVERAL OF THE RINGLEADERS. During the whole of last evening and this morning, the inhabitants of the east end of London were in a state of the utmost excitement and alarm, in consequence of the sudden and riotous conduct of the Lig; labourers, who not only perambulated the principal thoroughfares for several hours in large numbers, but caused the greatest consternation among the shop keepers, into whose premises they forcibly entered, and daringly ransacked the contents. In many instances several of the tradesmen were brutally ill treated and thrown into the street, while their premises were cleared of their contents and carried away by the mob. This morning at 10 o'clock orders were sent to Super intendent Stow of the H division, and Superintendent Howie of the K district, to forward an additional force of constables to the vicinity of the Workhouse, and ac cordingly Inspectors Marsh and Smith were in attendance in the neighbourhood. At 11 o'clock this morning there were no fewer than 1,200 dock labourers at the doors of the workhouse waiting for relief, and it required a great number of officers to prevent accidents among the starv ing applicants. Mr. Freeman and Mr. French, the overseers, were present during the morning rendering the necessary relief. Each man had a quartern loaf given to him, and was told to call again to-morrow (Friday). The excitement was so great at one o'clock this after noon that another riot was fully expected this evening. The whole of the shops east of Aldgate are closed, and business almost suspended. At noon to•day Mr. Mnmford, the Superintendent of Police at St. Katherine's Dock, attended at the work house and informed the men in the Stone-yard who were waiting for relief that all those that were married, and had been in the employ of the Dock Company, would be temporarily assisted until they could be set to work, which could not be done until some great change in the weather takes place. Three men, named Mark Bennett, Nicholas Barrett, aid Matthew Morney, were examined this morning at the Thames Police-court, and were seyerally fined by the magistrate. MIDLAND. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Derby yesterday. Mr. Ellis presided. Mr. Sandars, the secretary, read the report, which stated that an increase had taken place in the traffic of the railway during the past half-year of 44,6261. over the corresponding period of 1853. The balance available for dividend was 239,6271.--via. 229,1951. from the traffic of the half-year, and 10,4321. from the account of the previous half-year. The directors recommend that a dividend (less income-tax) be declared payable on the let of March next of N. 17s. 6d. upon each 1001. conso lidated stock, 11. 3s. 9d. upon each 1001. consolidated Birmingham and Derby stock, 31. upon each 1001. con solidated preferential stock, N. 10s. upon each Erewash Valley share, ss. 0/d. upon each 161. 13e. 4d. share, being half a year's interest at the rate of 4} per cent. per annum upon 81. 13s. 4d. aad 153 days upon 31., leaving a balance of 32,2881. to be carried to the credit of the account for the current half-year. The working ex penses have been 411. Ids. 3d. per cent. as against 421. 15s. per cent. for the corresponding half-year of 1853. Mr. Barlow reports that, with the exception of one mile, the light rails have been removed from the Birmingham and Derby portion of the railway ; that npon the main line between Rugby and Leeds 15 miles of single way have been relaid, and 12 miles fish-jointed during the half-year ; the fish-jointing of the line be tween Nottingham and Lincoln is also in band, and 25 miles of single way have been completed. Mr. Kirtley reports that the rolling stock is in good working order, that 60 new timber trucks and 9 break vans have been added to the stock, and the cost charged to capital ; that, in addition to the ordinary repairs, two new pas senger engines, four second class carriages, 15 third class, and one goods break van have been built during the half-year, to replace worn-out stock, and the cost charged to revenue. Nearly the whole of the land has been purchased OR the Leicester and Hitchin line, and it is expected the line will be open for traffic in the autumn of next year. The Ripley branch will be ready for opening before Midsummer next. An abstract of the accounts for the half-year has already appeared. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, congra tulated the shareholders upon the favourable state of their accounts and the satisfactory manner in which the line had been worked during the last half-year. Mr. BEALS seconded the motion. Mr. BATEMAN was opposed to the construction of the Leicester and Hitchin, and could not see how the direc tors could be justified in entering into the Worcester and Hereford undertaking. Mr. PARSONS was also opposed to the Worcester and Hereford lino, and said the line ought to be made by the parties by whom it was or igi na lly projected. He con cluded by mo v i ng as an amen d men t that the paragraph in the report ref err i n g to th e W o rcester and Hereford Railway he expunged. Mr. BAUMAN seconded the amendment. The CHAIRMAN explained that the bill was a mere "enabling" bill, and that the directors would be obliged to come before the shareholders nails, at a meeting, under the Wharncliffe standing order. Mr. GEE supported the amendment, and complained of the large surplus carried over to the next half-year. Instead of paying at the rate of 32 per cent., the direc tors might pay 4 per cent., and carry over about 18,000/. He moved as an amendment that the dividend be at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum. Mr. CARBIJT, of Leeds, opposed both amendments, and a desultory conversation ensued, in the midst of which the meeting became very impatient. The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors had asked nothing which, if grantel, would not be of advantage to the company. Mr. Parsons' amendment was then put and lost by a large majority, and the original motion carried. The CHAIRMAN then moved a dividend for the half year upon all descriptions of stock as set forth in the report, at the rate of 32 per cent, per annum, payable on the Ist of March. Mr. Gee's amendment for a dividend of 4 per cent. was negatived, and that proposed by the chairman was carried. Tho directors were then authorised to raise 225,000/. on mortgage. Formal resolutions were passed authorising the con solidation of various descriptions of shares into stocks of the same denomination. The retirint , directors and auditor were re-elected, and the proceedings' concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. BRISTOL AND EXETER. The report of the directors of this company states that the gross traffic receipts upon the railway from the sum let of 2,9691. received on the Exeter a nd Creditors ' the Railway), (ilu July to the 31st of December, 1854 amount to the sum of 164,8821., which is 19,245/. more than in the corresponding halt of the year 1853. The working expenses, including those of the Exeter and RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. GREAT NORTHERN RAlLWAY.—Traffic return for the week ending Feb. 11, 1855 £16,649 15 9 Corresponding week last year 19,411 1 1 LONDON AND SOUTH-EASTBRN RAlLWAT.—Traffic re tara for the week ending Feb. 17, 1855 £10,950 18 9 Corresponding week last year 12,749 6 9 Decrease in £1,708 8 0 LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAlLWAY.—Traffic re turn for the week ending Feb. 18, 1855 £17,380 2 11 Corresponding week last year 17,658 16 6 GLASGOW AND SOUTII-WESTERN RAlLWAT.—Traffic re turn for the week ending Feb. 17, 1855 £4,945 11 8 corresponding week last year 4,895 2 4 'norms° in 1855 £so 9 4 LAW INTELLIGENCE.—Feb. 21. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. SPEILMAN V. THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND.-ROBBERY OF NOTES. This was an action brought against the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, to recover the sum of 1,0001. and interest, on two bank-notes for 800/. each, which had been refusel payment by the Bank. The defendants pleaded that before the notes were pre sented for payment they had been stolen from Messrs. Brown and Shipley, of Liverpool, and that the plaintiff had taken the notes without value, and with notice that they had been so stolen. The Attorney-General and Mr. Hawkins appeared for the plaintiff ; Sir F. Kelly and Mr. Bevill represented the defendants. The proof of this issue being on the defendants, Sir F. Kelly stated the case to the jury. He said that he had the honour to appear as counsel for the Bank of England, who came here to-day to resist payment of the two notes of 5001. each, of which the plaintiff was the holder. It was with great reluctance that the Bank ap peared to resist the claim, but they felt called on to do sn and to lay before the jury the case which he was in structel he should do. The case affected the commercial intereAs of England and France, and also the interests of justice in both countries. The plaintiff, it would ap pear, was a bullion merchant in Lombard-street, Lon don, and ho claimed the payment of these notes from the Bank of England under the following circumstances : On the 13th Nov., 1852, Messrs. Brown and Shipley, of Liverpool, received large remittances, aenongst which were five notes of the Benk of England for 5001., and other notes, amounting to 5001. These notes were sent to the Branch Bank of England at Liverpool for trans mission to London. The notes wore given to a clerk, who was robbed of the notes in the bank. The Messrs. Brown and Company did all they could to pre vent the notes being taken by any banker or money changer. Tney called in the aid of the po.ice, who caused notices of the robbery; with the number of the notes, to be printed in English and French, and circulated amongst all the bankers and money-changers in Europe. No thing, however, wae heard of the notes until June, 1854, when one of the five notes was presented for payment, by a clerk in the employ of the plaintiff, at the Bank of England. The note was stopped, when the clerk said that he thought something was wrong, as they had been ordered to telegraph to Paris if the note was stopped. A reference was made to the plaintiff, who came to the bank. He said he had received the note from a person named Monteaux, at Paris. The note weal returned to him, and he was told that payment would be refused. The question for the jury would be whether in this case the plaintiff was the bona fide holder of this note for va lue, or whether his brother, Meyer Speilmane, who is a money-changer in Paris, was. If they were aware at the time they took the notes that they were the produce of a felony, then they were not entitled to recover on the notes. If it was shown that the notes . were stolen notes, then the claimant was bound to show the bona fides of his conduct, and that he gave value for the notes without notice of the felony. Facts would be laid be fore the jury, which it was thought would leave no doubt in their minds that the plaintiff and his brother were both aware of the fact of the notes being stolen. It would appear that these stolen notes did not see the light from November, 1852, till June, 1854, when the fire 5001. notes found their way into the hands of five money-changers in Paris, two of which came into the hands of Meyer Speilmann, a money-changer, in the Rue Tivienne, at Paris ; and he sent them over to his brother Adam, who presented them to the bank. On inquiry being made, the most conflicting statements were given as to how they became possessed of them, and by all that could be learnt there weal little doubt that these money-changers in Paris held themselves out to be the receivers of stolen notes of this description, on what terms it was net known. The learned counsel then detailed the facts, which were afterwards proved in evidence, on which he. relied to show the male fides of the plaintiff and his brother when the received the notes. The Attorney-General said that he was quite satisfied that Brown, Shipley, and Co., were robbed of these notes, and would not put Sir F. Kelly to prove that. It was then admitted that the robbery was on the 13th of November, 1852, in the Branch Bank of Eng land at Liverpool, where Brow!' and Co.'e clerk was going to deposit them. The number of the two notes sued un were 93,076 and 93,509, stg.d they were of the same date. A. number of witnesses hiring been nailed in support' of the defendant's case. The Attorney-General addressed the jury for the plain tiff. He said that no doubt this defence, though the defence of the Messrs. Brown, and not of the Bank of England, was an honest one ; but the real question was not between the Bank of England and the plaintiff, but simply between him and Brown and Shipley. It was admitted that the notes were stolen from that respectable firm, but there was no proof whatevereither that Meyer Speilmann or Adam Speilman had ever received any notice of that robbery. It was clear that some person connected with that robbery had gone to Paris and passed off the various notes, one each to five money changers in Paris, at a time when he thought the money changers had forgotten all about it. The learned counsel then commented at length on the case set up by the defendant, and said that he should call witnesses before them who would most clearly show the complete bona fides of the whole transactions from the beginning down to the present moment. . . The plaintiff, his clerk, and an agent of police at Paris, were then examined in support of the case. Lord Campbell, in summing up, said that he was truly glad that the determination of this case was to be submitted to such a tribunal as a special jury of the City of London. It was a pure question of fact, which was peculiarly for, gentlemen of their experience of the world and knowledge of business to decide on. He (Lord Campbell) did not think it would tend to assist them to read over all the evidence which had been given in this protracted trial. He would therefore first give them his direction in law, and then comment on the lead ing features of the case. Now it was admitted that these notes were stolen, and that being so, those who claimed upon them must show their title. Generally, if a party sued on a security of this kind it was enough to show that he was a holder, but here there had been a stealing of the security, and the party claim ing on it must show that he gave value for it, and that bona fide—that was, fairly and honestly. The ques tion, therefore, which he should leave to them was, first, whether Meyer Speilmann became the holder of these notes bona fide and for value. With regard to the notice said to be served on Adam Speilmann and Meyer Speilmann, it had been contended for the de fendants that if tkat was proved it was conclusive in favour of the defendants. That was not so, but no doubt it would be strong evidence to show mala fides. His lordship then commented on the evidence at some length, and eventually left these questions to theNjury : First, did Meyer Speilmann become the bona -fide holder of the notes for a valuable consideration on the 25th of June I Secondly, did Adam Speilmann receive them bona fide as a remittance from Meyer Speilmann t And, third (at the request of the defendants' counsel), whether the notices were left at the place of business of Meyer and Adam Speilmann _ _ _ The jury retired to consider their verdict, and, after being absent a considerable time, came into court and said that they could not agree on the specific questions which his lordship had proposed to them, and wished to know whether they could not give a general verdict ? Lord Campbell said that he wished a separate answer to be given to th• questions. The jury then found the third question in the affirma tive. His lordship haring handed the two first questions on paper to the jury, they retired. The court did not rise till after tett o'clock. A letter from Vienna of the 15th, in the Cologne Gazette, says :—" The Austrian troops in the principali ties have just received reinforcements, particularly in infantry and artill er y. Th e san i tary state o f t h ese troops is excellent. The rumour of the formation of a 13th corps-d'armde is acquiring additional con ititency ; it is to be concentrated, the report goes, near this city, under the orders of the Archduke Charles Ferdinand." EXPLOSION AT THE EQUITABLE COMPANY'S GAS WORKS, Yesterday morning, between 9 and 10 o'clock, an e x pl os i on , attende with fatal results, oc curred at the works of the Equitable Gas Company, situate at Thames-bank. It appears that owing to the coldness of the main pipes, consequent on the frost, the gas had become deteriorated in quality, and to re medy this communicating pipes have been sot up between the boilers o f th e eng i nes an d th e " p r imary mains. , By this means the temperature of the pipes is increased. To keep th e s t eam, h owever , f rom en t er ing the mains, during the time they are filled with gas, cocks are fitted in the centre of the communicating pipes. It would ap pear that one of these cocks was in an imperfect condi tion, and a ll owe d th e gas t o pass from the main into a boiler which was being cleaned out. The consequence was a tremendous explosion of the boiler, caused by the introduction of a light by a man named Parsons, who was inside cleaning it out. The boiler was shattered to pieces, the windows of the engine-room blown out, and the brick roofing of the boiler scattered in all directions. Parsons was killed on the spot, his body being fright- fully mutilated, PUBLIC WORKS OF VICTORIA. (Peon?, the Melbourne Age of Nov. 24.) In undertaking to describe the position of Victoria with regard to its advancement in angineering projects, we can only give a general outline,. .as more than this would require considerable comment, :for - which we can not afford space at present. One general opinion may be given on the public works of Victoria ; namely, that in order to meet the wants of an a!raost overwhelming increase of population, within a vary short space of time, most of the works were commenced and carried on without that regard to prver management, or due sense of public importance—a system of well-Zigestod plans_ and, above all, the advantages or demerits in a pecuniary view—which all objects of such a nature neceekerily re quite, and which in future may be demanded as of im perative importance. To an engineer entering Port Philip Bay a stra,n,'e scene presents itself. Such a magnificent harbour, with one of the smallest and most insecure entrances that can well be conceived. A geologist would at once say that Port Philip Bay mint have been at one time a lagoon or lake, and that the pressure of water, either in ward or outward, broke away the bank, and formed the opening, which is now the entrance at the This rude opening has been se loft, Nsithout the slight est attempt having been made to improve it ; and still remains an eyesore and discredit to the mercantile cha racter of Victoria. Approaching Melbourne flom Port Philip Bay, the first consideration will be, the navigation of the river Yarra Yarra, which is only open for the purposes G f navigation to the south-west corner of Melbourne, in consequence of a weir being across tile ricer, and fami liarly called the Faih:, at a short distatnce below Prince's Bridge, for the purpose of having a.' constant supply of fresh water for the uses of the city. This river, for its navigable distance, can be only compared to a ship canal, not averaging more than 100 feet wWe. The wharves along it are very insufßaient and unsuited for the shipment and discharge of such a vast quantity of goods as the necessities of Melbourne and its vicinity require. There is one small dock completed, measuring about 250 feet by 90 feet. There is also a patent slip, which, small as it is, may lead to the construction of others of greater magnitude and importance. The streets of Melbourne, up to a very recent period, have been in a most dangerous and disreputable condi tion. During the last twelve months vast improvements have been effected, and the streets are now, in the prin cipal parts of Melbourne, with a few exceptions, in good and travelable order. _ . . The stone which is used for making and repairing the streets is basaltic rock, hero commonly called blue stone, and in its wear it still rei - ains a property of its ori- Onal volcanic character—that of presenting hemi spherical surfaces, or rounded lum vs, from the effects of traction, or the influence of the wea-thor, while rocks of an aqueous and stratified character a."e worn, and are always cut up in long and apparently s tr.atificd ruts. Melbourne being subject to great sho ers, or clouds of dust, it is rather an anomaly to see the b'r,oken stones on the streets covered with a layer of loam,. which in wet weather forms a hard as tenacious as paste,. - 3 " ,1 dry weather only adds to the disagreeable volum?s of dust. The footways of Melbourne have not been improved to the same extent as the streets. Figs are not procur able in Victoria, and the delay consequent on importing them will retard for a considerable time the improve ment of the footways. Altogether there are about 800 yards in length of footways flagged. Asphalts has been tried as flagging, and will very likely prove successful, but, like all irrieous formations, it will wear off in round and bulldog lump. The roads of Victoria are in a very unimproved state, and during the winter months almost impassable, the expense of making them being from 5,0001. to 8,0001. per mile ; only a few miles have as yet been completed, —if making a road without proper and sufficient drains can be termed completing one. The principal roads a: e from Melbourne to Ballarat, 75 miles ; Melbourne to Mount Alexander, Kyneton, Castlemaine, Bendigo, and Mount Korong, various distances ; Melbourne to Kii more, and Ovens diggings, 190 allies ; Melbourne to Sandridge, Geelong, Brighton, &c. The only railway completed is from Melbourne to Sandridge, two miles in length ; the distance being short it is doubtful whether it will ever be a remunerative pro ject, unless under very economical management. The curve at the Melbourne terminus is exceedingly awkward, and, all circumstances. considered, the outside rail has been laid unnecessarily high, and the carriages passing present a very unseemly appearance_ The railways in progress are from Melbourne to Gee long, which will be completed in about twelve months, and the Melbourne, Mount Alexander, and Murray River Railway, with a branch to Williamstown. This branch will be completed in about twelve months, with that portion of the trunk line between Melbourne and the S,alavater River. To complete the remainder of the trunk line between Melbourne to INfon,et Alexander, &c., will depend on the financial condition' of the com pany. These two main lines of railway w, l ll open up very important districts of country, and, sh ould the latter line be extended to Sydney, it will form a great arterial line for the greater portion of Australia. The branch to Williamstown will, to some extent, be n (Om peting line with that to Sandridge, with steamers b^- tween Sandridge and Williamstown ; but as the greater portion of the branch line to Williamstown, including the trunk part between Melbourne and the Saltwater River, will be made use of by the Geelong and Mel bourne Railway Company, there can be little doubt of the success of the Williamstown branch. A short line of railway, from Melbourne to Brighton, is in contemplation, which is likely to be remunerative. In the laying out of railways in Australia it would be a most judicious plan to open the main lines first, and, afterwards, to make the branches as nearly as pos sible at right angles to the trunk lines; or, to use a homely phrase, to put on the back-bone before supply ing the ribs. And as it may reasonably be expected that the subject of railway communication will occupy a great share of public attention. a well-digested scheme to start with would be most desirable. First, as to the lines, their position, and magnitude ; and, secondly, the nature and extent of the traffic, and the speed which could be attained in working railways in an economical manner. The first will greatly de pend on the financial resources of the colonies ; the second will depend oa the physical features and requirements of the country. Great speed should be attainable for passengers only, and slow rates of speed for goods traffic. In these matters a question will naturally suggest itself—Are railways best suited for the conveyance of heavy goods at slow rates of speed, or could a high rate of speed be attained without seri ous loss to the shareholders ? Another question might also arise, how a railway could be constructed so as to admit of the greatest amount of traction at the smallest pecuniary loss And a subject of great im portance would be—the time which would be occupied in completing a general system of railway communica tion, and what should be done, in the interim, to facili tate the traffic to the interior, by making the common roads at least passable. It might he well worthy of consideration, in opening interior communications, whether inland navigation might not be' conveniently, economically, and judiciously introduced, with a single rail, on one bank, of the principal canals. In terior water communication would possess many other advantages, as, in order to feed them, reservoirs should be made in different parts of the country, and water might be collected in winter to meet all the neces sities of the inhabitants in summer, as well as for the purpose of ministering to the wants of interior naviga tion. The reservoirs could be so arranged, as that all the towns through the interior of the country might have a constant supply of water. The reservoirs might also be made of very great importance in affording water fur the purposes of irrigation and the promotion of agricul ture; and, ultimately, in supplying corn mills with water power, so that the food of the country might be grown and manufactured in it. And in case of such a revolutionary change being made in the economical cir cumstances of the colony, the traffic would be from the interior to Melbourne, instead of being, as at present, from Melbourne to the interior. To carry out this business in a proper and efficient wanner, and which would be remunerative to the share holders in companies, which might be established for such purposes, it would be necessary to reduce the price of labour to an extent that would enable Victoria to be come a colony capable of exporting some of its cereal produce. The next subject, and the one of greatest importance to Melbourne, is the water supply and sewerage. Large public works with this design in view are in progress, but it will be a long time before anything really effective can be accomplished. One of the most desirable ques tions to be decided, in connection with this subject, is, where, on the north side of the river Yarra, can the principal sewer be made to discharge itself, and what can be done with those from Collingwood and Richmond flats ? It is earnestly to be hoped that the projectors of all the 'various improvements necessary for the colony of Victoria will, in the performance of their arduous and various duties, act in a spirit of expansive liberality. CONDUCT OF THE WAR. In pursuance of a requisition addressed by a large number of the ratepayers of Marylelsone to the church warden, a meeting of the ratepayers and inhabitants of that parish was held last evening at the Literary and Scientific Institution, Edwards-street, Portman-square, to consider the attempt of the Government to suspend the committee of the House of Commons, ordered to be appointed to inquire into the state of our army before Sebastopol, and to urge on the Government and the house the absolute necessity of an immediate and vigor ous prosecution of that inquiry. The chair was taken by Mr. Clement George at eight o'clock. The CHAIRMAN having stated the object for which the meeting had been convened, Mr. LEWIS moved the following resolution : " That, in the opinion of this meeting, the great suffer ings and disasters to which the English army in the Crimea has been exposed imperatively call for a searching investi gation into the causes and the defects of the system under which such misfortunes have occurred ; that the House of Commons having, in answer to the unanimous call of the nation, voted by a large majority in favour of a committee of inquiry of that house, this meeting earnestly deprecates the reversal of such vote by any means, direct or indirect, and calls upon the Gevernmept and the House of Commons, as an act of justice to those whe have suffered unparalleled privations and distresses, to institute, by means of a fair and impartial committee, an immediate, honest, and vigorous inquiry.' (Cheers.) Our army having by this time dwindled down to 10,000 men, and having, consequently, been obliged to give up the post of honour to their French allies, he thought the time had arrived for the public-spirited men of Marylebone to speak out. (Hear.) If a vessel was lost, the commander was obliged to prove before a court martial that it had not been lost through negligence, and in like manner, a court-martial of the nation ought now to be held upon the vessel of the State. He denied that a commission appointed by Government would carry out the object they had in view, which was an inqui r y, no t only into what had taken place in the Crimea, but also into the administration of the army at home. (Cheers.) They wanted to'know whether everything had not been done too late—(hear, hear)—whether the army had been properly supplied with the clothing necessary for a winter campaign ; whether or not the medical staff had been supplied with medical necessaries ; how it was that green coffee had been sent out to the army ; and also whether summer clothing was now being provided. (Hear.) They further wanted to know why there had not been a sufficient supply of ammunition at the com mencement of the siege, why a sufficient force of cavalry had not accompanied the army, the presence of which, after the battle of the Alma, would probably have avoided the subsequent ; why the warnings and advice of Mr. Layard (the hon. gentleman's name was received with loud cheers) to the Government with respect to the re sources of the country to which the expedition was to he despatched bad been disregarded ; and why an army of reserve had not been formed ? The inquiry was resisted by the threat of a dissolution, but he believed the result of a dissolution would be the return to Parliament of those men who had voted for inquiry, and the rejection of those who had opposed it. (Cries of "Sir B. Hall.") He did not believe the house would reverse their vote, but: it was necessary to apply to them " the pressure from without," and therefore the people ought to ex press their undoubted and unanimous opinions upon tins question. (Loud cheers.) Mr. NICHOLAT, in seconding the resolution said the interests of the country ha f been sacrificed and the army destroyed during the disputes of the late Ministry. Inquiry they must and they would have—(cheers)—no matter what Ministers were in office, in order to prevent the recurrence of such disastrous events as had recently occurred. He lamented the absence of their late noble representative Dudley Stuart—(cheers, and cries of " Where is Ebrington ?")—upon such an occasion as the present, and he would conclude by entreating them to compel the Government to do that which, unless the people insisted upon it, would not be done at all— namely, institute a searching inquiry into what had taken place. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. BELL, who was received with much cheering, contended that it would bo unconstitutional to refuse such an inquiry as was now demanded. If the Gdrern ment had done all in their power to prevent the disasters which had occurred they need not resist an inquiry, but if they had done those things which they ought not to have done, and had left undone those things which they ought to have done, it was their duty to avow their errors and to promise to do better for the future. (Hear.) But we ought to be cautious how we set on foot an agi tation upon this subject throughout the country—(cheers and expressions of dissent)—we ought not to appeal so much to the passions of the people as to their calm and deliberate judgment. Some time ago there was a great outcry against Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of New castle, and in favour of L or d P a l merston ; that noble lord had now come into office, and he ought to be al lowed to develope his policy before an outcry was raised against him. He believed that if the people expressed their sentiments in a calm and dispassionate manner an • inquiry would take place. Lord Palmerston would adopt energetic measures, and in a short time more favourable reports would be received from the Crimea. Mr. MIOHBLL said, in answer to the observation of Mr. Bell, that he had attended the meeting in order to awaken that excitement against which Mr. Bell protested and to arouse the country to the necessity of inquiry, whatever Government might be in office. He should rejoice if Lord Palmerston would popularise his Admi nistration, but his doing so would not obviate the neces sity for inquiry as to the past. (Cheers.) Mr, MOIVATT, M.P., said, the necessity for inquiry was so patent that it did not require to be enforced by any recondite arguments. Our army had behaved as it was expected to behave, but those who were entrusted with the management of our resources had utterly and signally failed in their duties. He bad not been a thick and thin admirer of that powerful organ the Times, but he was bound to say that he had been induced to forget the past in admiration of its manly, unflinching, and patriotic conduct in the present crisis. (Hear.) The gross incapacity and the disgraceful indifference of men in power had, in his opinion, been the cause of our dis asters. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) From the landing of the army before the battle of the Alma to the present time the men had been ill-supplied with necessaries, notwithstanding the advantages of their position near the harbour of Balaklava, which ought to have enabled the Government to supply them as plentifully as if they had been stationed at Greenwich. More than 60,000 men bad now been sent to the Crimea, all of whom had done their duty, but it seemed impossible to find out how many of the number remained. Mr. Glad stone had stated that there were now upwards of 32,000 effective men before Sebastopol, but the general belief was that the army had dwindled down to between 12,000 and 15,000 men. What had become of the remainder ? (Hear, hear.) Why, most of them had perished, not by the sword of the enemy, but from indifference as well as incapacity on the part of the Government amounting to gross criminality. More tnan two months ago pro posals had been made to the War Department to pro vide the means of transport from Balaklava to the camp, and they had been approved—why they had not been carried oat he knew not. The Commander-in-Chief was quits as culpable as the Government for not having sup plied his men with food when the neighbouring country abounded in bread and meat ; he bad utterly failed in his daty, and the men had triumphed, not in consequence of his military genius, but in spite of him. (Hear.) An in quiry must be instituted to ascertain where the responsi bility rested for the calamities which had befallen us, for which he might almost ask whether the block would be too strong a remedy (Hear, hear.) The committee which Mr. Roebuck had at first nominated was so con stituted that it would not have given the Government a fair trial ; but it was said that a compromise had now taken place, the effect of which would be merely to gammon the people. It was for the people to say whe ther that compromise should or s h ou ld not b e carr i ed into effect. (Cheers and cries of "No !'') The resolution was then unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Mr. DIFFANGEB, seconded br. Mr. TATERNAR, the following resolution was also agreed to : " That, considering the critical position of affairs coa nected with the war, this meeting is of opinion that any Ministry who will apply itself honestly to the reform of those abuses which have contributed to our misfortunes, and will carry on the war with unflinching energy and vigour, until an honourable and substantial peace is estab lished, should receive the support of the country." A motion that a petition be prepared for presentation to Parliament embodying the preceding resolutions having also been agreed to, the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman. The meeting was numerously attended. A YOUTHFUL HERO. A. serjeani-major, now in Wellington barracks, who has recently returned from the Crimea, has sent us the following enthusiastic account of the conduct of a young soldier, only 10 years old, named Thomas Keep, of the 3d Battalion Grenadier Guards, under the command of Colonel Thomas Wood. The writer states that this boy accompanied the army to the heights of the Alum, pre serving the most undaunted demeanour throughout the battle. At one time a 24-pounder passed on each side of him, and shot and shell fell about him like hail, but, notwithstanding the weariness of the day, present dan gers, or the horrid sight, the Loy's heart beat with ten derness towards the poor wouaded, Instead of going into a tent to take care of himself after the battle was over, he refused to take rest, but was seen venturing his life for the good of his comrades in the battle field. This boy was seen stepping carefully over one dead body after another, collecting all the broken muskets he could find, and making a fire in the night to pro cure hot water. He made tea for the poor sufferers, and saved the life of Serjeant Russell and some of the private soldiers who were lying nearly exhausted for want. Thus did this youth spend the night. At the battle of Balaklava he again assisted the wounded. The boy did his duty by day and worked in the trenches by night, taking but little rest. At the battle of Inkerman he was surrounded by Russians about 20 minutes, and, to use his own words, he said he thought it was " a case" with him, but he escaped all right. He received one shot, which went through his coat and out at the leg of his trousers, but Providence again preserved him unhurt. He helped with all the bravery of a man to get in the wounded, and rested not until the poor sufferers were made as comfortable as he could make them. He waited on the doctor when extracting the shot from the men, and waited on the men before and after. " Thus by c r l of o n l e i l e 1 pitl eosbsinnessost; did thi s y out h , " says the wr i ter, " do anything to any one wh o needed help. Some of the wounded say that they s h ou l d not have been alive now had it not been for thi u s boy' s unwearied watchfulness and kindness in their and This d o b l ( o )y nel hag been en a r n e d co o m th m e e r nded offi cers in her Majesty's service. r - rt, ,••• PRIVATE AND JOINT-STOCK BANKS. The Bunker's Magazine furnishes the returns of circu lation of the private and joint-stock banks in England and Wales for the four weeks ending the 20th of Jan., 1855, and gives the following as the average weekly cir• culation of those banks during the past month, viz.:— Private banks Joint-stock banks 3,104,293 Average weekly circulation £7,045,755 On comparing the above with the returns for the pre ceding month, ending the 23d of December last, it shows — An increase in the circulation of the private banks of £92,405 As increase in the circulation of the joint-stock banks of 81,555 Increase on the month And, as compared with the return for the correspond ing period of last year —viz., January 21, 1854, it shows— An increase in the circulation of the private banks of £27,581 . An increase in the circulation of the joint-stock banksof ................................................ 22,812 Increase on the year £50,393 On comparing the above with the amounts of the fixed issues, the following appears to be the comparative state of the circulation : The private banks are below their fixed issues £e65,993 The joint-stock banks ire below their fixed issues Total below their Axed Lines ,„... X 357,557 COUNTRY VAR SETS. EDINBITEC4II MEAL MAILKET—.FEB - 20 m et There were in the market t o -d a y, 18 Racks Oxt les', weighing 2801bs imperial, w hi c h sold thus 24 ' 10 at 2/. Os Od, and 0 at 01. os. EDINBURGH HAY AND STRAW MAR FEB. 20. • lug There was a large supply of straw of all dosoriPtl ° the market. The prices to-day were as follow :--- Oat straw, from 7 s 6n t o 9 s Od p e r kemple of 16 6 6 01 trop ; wheat do:, 6s 6d to 7s 6d ; barley do., to Hay from 10d to 12d ; new ditto, Od to Od per stop& DALKEITH MEAL Oatmeal, per sack of 2801bs ARKET—F.En. 19. frh're First. I S ec ond. 1.; -1 a • 39k Od 395 (tee oj." 26s 6d - s —s —s s Oct —4 0 ,1 -s 0(1 -s Od. Od. imperial Barleymeal, per ditto Peasemeal, per ditto Floor, per ditto Pot-barley, per ditto DUBLIN, FEE. 20. Tharcontinued severity of the weather still c heck plies, And interferes with the business of our O du ' r ig change, The market to-day was not quite so dull a s f the past week_ No alt era ti on i n th e currencies ° Friday, for any article. 111 0 ; White wt.eat, 40s Od to 43s Od ; red ditto, Sees 0 - we d, barley, 15s (Pd to 20s Od ; oats, 13s 6cl to 115 6 , i r s t.kers i 27s Od to 28s 6d per brl ; oatmeal, 15s Od to 17s Ad; 7 f i,ei flour, 2.3 i 6d to 21a Od per cwt ; In(tio,u corn, 435. , 0 (1° per 4 8 Olbs. COAL MARKI Prices of Coal per ton at t ET.-I , z B. 21. ,ho close of the v tarke / ' A a. Bath's West Hartley 19 Buddle W. Hartley l9 t Carr's Hartley 2 (; Davison's West Hartley 19 Howard's West Hartley _ Wallsend,, it c ' 0 6 Eden Main ''''' aetton 6 1 Haswell Kepier Grange ....... Polisher ... ..... Plummer _ t .... c c V Stewart's •. . .. • Hartlepool 0••• ...... Heugh hlail 'Eiunwick ......... .'. •••" . 43 0 south Keno° reef; Cowpeu Illerwentwater 111' Ne L erton l9 t Longridge's Wet Hartley 19 North Percy Hartley l9 0 Portland Hartley 19 0 Redheugh Main 18 'Nudeld Moor l9 0 Tanfield Moor Butes 19 0 Walker Primrose lB Grey's West Hartley SEABORNE MAIM. vat A 1 46411° (N signifies that the mails are sent from the den Or , by the night—and M by the morning—despatch.) FronA 7:01. Didpd lOW' I r<;verpt" ' ILlverpo DI • '1 Day WtiVfl 2:14 , 1e a; Froty WOO COUNTRIES. in General Post- .1, , n•. Office, London.• phjpe ahe 1 -", -4. - - - : A merica(bytirit.paek)N Every Friday • • • • L;verpell ' . kmerie? t oy United Stk. paolsetr) ...........N •••"• • • • • ILiverpo al • ' t.mcrica (by U. States Aus a t pckerali t) (via South- ..........N • • ' • • • •• • • I Southan 11 3°1 1 a ampt on) ..........M *" • • • • Southat IP° Ditto (via Marseilles) N : Ditto (via Cape of i.30i4 ..., Elope) ............N Africa ( West Coast) .. N 13d of the month.. Plymou tit "1 kluxandria.......... N m, 9, 24, & 30 of in .Dover ...•• '!,, ~, L ,, A„ , xandria..........111 4th & 20th of mon. southar. 4' tp " ii 3h. ,, ..... .. .. _II 17th of the moral: 6,,,, - ,tban LIP H , ' liCigi"-12 Brazil —. :::::::::::.al; 9 1 t ) h il O Y it . h . e . in.•(;;lih :. Ds,vet .;;;i: Buenos Ayres .. ...... al 9th or the month... southai.irw' ,l 00 Cape of Good Hope .• N' Vazious p • 1 (;) uh r ,, ,, Cape of h'ood Ho pe ..N Came do VOrds ........ 1 9th of the month !SoirLhairip teD Ceylon (see .7titilal C0y10n................N , C h , nnel Isles • • • . • • •• N ! noth.Tired., Barri ilizouti , araPt eii M l`iii .`k )7th of mot& , ,Scutt antPt° China .... ..............Once a month.... Constantinople ........, ,8,13,18,23,x,2s 0, in Dovet • • -7' . 1 Constantinople ........14tb a 20th of moo. Southa MP , ' Cont. of Europe 1A & NiTwice daily •• . Dover •• • • Egypt (see India) , Franco .... . • • • h' jt N 'Twice daily .. Dover .....;,' Gibraltar ...........5114, 7, 17, 20, 27 of I n. SJuthai, CO ° i G Greece (see India) i Greytown ........ ..M 2nd & 17th of mon.ISO tith arc illt ° l ' liainburgh ........ ~..N ;Tuesday & Frid avlLondon .••• *.• Elavannah .......... M i2n(l of the mon& Itioathait 4/v P ! tiolland .... .. .. .. ...XlDally • • • . • • Dover ..... Plondurat .. .... a,' '.l7th of the month. Ziouths ,l l ), " l India (viaSouthampt.)Ml Ith & 20th of mon .IPlymo uth " India (via Marseilles) all 9 th& 25 th of month 'Dover • • • • '‘ lonian Isles (see India)l7, 17, & 27 of MOllifoyer...• ''.' , Ireland ........M & NiTwico daily ...... Hoi rtlead .:• Li5b0n..............M 7,9, 17, & 27 of in. Sou:iluntP.; Madeira ............. NI 9th of the month!SoaCiall l P' 1 Madeira ............N '23cl of month ....Imyerpool ••• Malta (see India) mail, ............ ..N 'B,lB, &28 of men. Dover —•• .. Mauritius (see India) Mauritius .. Mexico ............11,2nd of the month.. laoutliaral itS ; Naples ... . ... .. ...N 'bthlsth2sthofmon. Dower .• •-,„',, • 1 New Granada ...... 34 2d & 17 th of mo ut h Southa mpton New Zealand. ...... ... By privat e s hi p .. !Ira / I'4ms PO" ' Papal States ........N sthlsth2sthohnon. Dover •• •,• ' f ; Peninsula IN Peru ..............a id & 27th of mon.,southst i nP,ol Port Natal .......... By private ship...lVeriona Potts ..............N s t h l a t ll2s thoinnon,!Dover .• •••: Tuscany ........ .. .. Nl5 th 15025 thofmon. Dover ... • bni Th' 1 Venezuela ..........M 2d& 17th of month Southai gr . Van Diemen's Land (see Australia) . ...... ... At , r t west Indies 0 If* rlymou tll "1 ,Dover ••••••:, Souther tp' o slNittiaue l ` °o Dover I :4 , mth:v 2P t ' Y. south:v.l iVazious p , 4P+ !Sow haslPol) v 0111 1 1 0, 111 1 41 Dover . •• ' rep. tiJuthat , 11/ 1° ..t SO ath arc ly• London , ••• ••;jO, So 'Abair! 41v l ogo !Dover •• •• • s relP Souths , lP O Plym uth •• Dover • •• • • Dover • • - • Ho' rt piaci • • 1 0 ), !So,lola l Pt ° llllt r 11.1 y erp•o l • •• gontliarri st4 Dover •• •• '' Sou than:W U* rarfeus Dover • " South 11 10 P_'"" i r , 0 010 1 5outhitailw"Varione r ,„, '" Dover ••': I td Dover Southmei Southa3l °7l ffi Es ° Ad When any of theta dates fall o.i a Sunday, the mai. e d epatched on the following day, /vita the exception , et _,410 1 Southampton), and the Malta, both of which will be preceding day. • ...--... —v. t WIND AND prgArElElr RI?Oltr. C BIDNIXDAY' our - --.... --4.--- f mig. iv fe y et. Standen. Greenwich .. N.E Lothbury Nottingham N. Slow. Leicester N. . Snow. Derby N.N E..... Snow. Exeter ... N.E. • Frost. Aberdeen N.B. Frost. Dundee Perth Edinburgh S.W Fine—Hard ir° Glasgow Berwick W &sow. Greenock W.. Sunderland Darlington N. Snow. Whitby Scarborough Hull N.E. Snow. York Ipswich Leamington S.W Hard frost' Manchester Maryport . Sheffield N. Scow. Stoke-on-Trent ... N.B. Frost. Wiibeach Lancaster ... S.E . • Carlisle Leeds . ..... N N:N.E... N. Hard frost. Boston N.W Fine. Great Grimsby . E Gainsborough N.E. Frost. infer/ Bristol N.E .711' Hard frost---11, co , Cardiff N.E Fines—vet old. Swansea N.E. Fine -- - "4 cold' Haverfordwest - Gloucester Brigh ton N. Foggy- OO ° Harwich E , Hard fros t-" Holyhead .. E.N.E Frost. Dublin E. Li rerpool Nldl9 castle Boathgmpton S.E. Ports's o u.h ....... N. Cloudy -- Poole . . N.E. Fine. Winchfisld.......... N. 401 egO k , or Tnn REFORMATORY iNBTITIITION FOX --- sf p o rf 10 ENGLAND.—The committee appointed at tb e led meeting for the purpose of making th e E .:O I :3 1 0 rangemeats for setting the proposed re,bot of A ll operation have made so much progres* /iver n a pected the institution will be opened on tnittilf ensuing mohth. The site selected is a 1 00 70 6 0:b - 0; of Bramford Speke, about five miles freLku'et ;Al i o on the estate of Sir S. Northcote who IP; P t :6o is terest in the project. Mr. Harinotl e- dt io o ; Frome, has been engaged as master, and s b ioe ti ' t itis f r i 6 ol has had the management of a similisr L oa, j Glocesterebire has consented to supel'illo"/ 1 14 ! 0 0, r of starting. Mr. Gibbs, tutor to the Prino ° 4 0 0910 assisted the undertaking by a handsom e 0 d e r it is hoped that his Royal Highness, rvh Cornwall, is much interested in the ev e "A" 10 1 5(rfb. will be induced to take an interest in th e .7,01,,J.,,, d 1P ATHENS, FEB. 10.—The French Arnba„ t rir,,,, y. ( O and the Bavarian Colonel Feder bave,;4 l % t"of whole of the Greek vice-consuls and aget"'",, 01,ir ish empire are removed. The Charub"% o cOr their sittings shortly. There are great 00 , marauders. BIBTES. lA ° OF • SOS. ao 0f P On the 3d inst., at Great Marlow , the W'''' Hammond, Esq. O fr olly OF A DAUGHTER. g od On the 20th inst at 21, ton-PI" . Routledge. " liensing MARRIED. 00 0 0 0 On the 20th inst , at St. james's Chu se t, der John Drew, Esq., • 13, New Burlington-100h 0, Murray, youngest daughter of the 1 : : rall' ,:1 0:1 : 11: Jennyns, Esq., barrister-at-!aw. , roo, at"' pel On the 20th inst., at St. Gabriel s, rivi d ,,te Pec,ol o Manners, Esq., E.I.C.S , eldest son of tin: to of Manners to Harriet, second ( 14 , 14 10 0 12 ' Robson, , E.1.C.5., of I'Voodlands "-a V D I E D. 0 ° V :, tort .0 1 On the 16th inst. at his residence, Br'a c i l l hi P" Payne, Esq., aged 679—beloved and respecte liorfoll4 T:sHi o a.. s vAr e e p .r.i h ,n.ic, H n3.cs " :4. m u: knew ht e be E nt sg o . f -hal l, •se tfr On the 20th inst., at his seat, Burnie," ~.f 100.4 e J On the 20th inst., .Cl;phain, the Re ° l, agA il ig l l ' ts On the 12th inst., at . Ostend,ou Cole nel 1 3 °. , 6 ' co sAti pj hin,stlicela7p9hth3::::-Ve,r0.:63.,, 4 f the iii Strand', aged 59. On the 13th inst. Mr . G .. Q . of 0113" do On the 19th inst , W.We.ojogbanSsrouil,lsll 0 ' k iltise: aged 62. m „„. 6 , t'a - P afr' On the 19th inst., in Park-streat, - 1 - I ' - . 1 11 Wroughton Salmon, Esq., aged 78. ____----' --- lt --- fl -C.,.. , ------,-,-TrDO 11 ., r ' 1 1N r LONDON : Printed and Published by ,-,mo , o°' of No. 112, Strand, Printer , at The SO ' ale 00 Strand, in the Precinct of the $001:6. Middloaex, Thursday, robnua 01 i'v. 1~ r 1 111} CO t xt6 4 ll % l A . 1 144 4i ge at 1 , 41 c wi ll , froi tkr:miklitoanr, co 1 41 11 1 ; 4.1 4 /44‘1 : 1 t t iC i "4 4 . flt toe . - 4 k),* th r on i 7441 4 1 Z . 11 1t1 TA kti t "er L Dare Vit % t4g kt h ftnt ill tikreaul oegbj b t tit k t 1 4 kN k ftec Pi tikk4 , hu t N 414 II 4 tt ,bi t , t 41411Nk°14414 =~. N