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

ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Lessee, Mr. J. 11. Awlerion, 18, Norfolk-street, Strand. LAST NIGHT. Increased Attractions, and success in equal ratio ' THIS EVENING, at Eight o'Clock, Will *3 presented, with entirely New and Magnificent Appoint ments, MAGIC and MYSTERY, in twelve acts, arrange I in two parts, by Professor Anderson. Alter which, the startling illustrations of Spirit-Rapping. II ALF AN-lIOUR NICK VIE SPIRITS, being the most surprising and interesting series of experiments ever given within the walls of any theatre. Revival, In an improved form, of the astounding novelty which tartled London 10 years ago, the GREAT GUN TRICK 1 Prices of admission:—Private Boxes, 11. 113. 6d. and It. Is. ; Orchestra Stalls, 43.; Dress Boxes, 35.; Upper Bowl, 21.; Pit, g. ; Gallery, 6d. No Half-price. Box-office .pen from II to 5 daily. ASTLErS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke. Immense success •f Roekwood ! This spirited and exciting, Hippodrome (with Tarpin's Ride to Y,rk) embraces the principal events of Ainsworth's Rookwood. TEETS EVENING, Ti. successful F.quidrame exiled TURPIN'S RIDE to YORK ; or, the Heir of Rookwood. After which the Varied Equestrian ACTS in the CIRCLE. To conclude with L'NE FOLIE POUR RIRE; or, Mirth-Moving Entertainment. Immense preparations are making for the Ckristmaa Comic Pan tomime, written by Mr. Nelson Lee, called Harlequin and St George and the Dragon, or the Seven Champions of Christendom. open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Sir. W. Cooke, Jun. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TRIM DAY—Morn. 38 min. aft. 12—Evening 4 min. aft. 1 To-MORROW—Morn. 29 min. aft. I—Evening 54 min. aft. 1 THE WEATHER—SUN OFFICE, Dec. 22. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 29 - highest since noon yesterday. 26 -lowest this morning and daring the night. 31—this daq at noon. RanomETER, 29 . 96—rising again. Wirtr, E.l.W.—Light, with fine, frosty, and sunshiny weather. ';a7 • • LI-, • P.F. 53)111. • MR. W. S. WOODIN'S OLIO of ODDITIES, 1 illustrated by 50 instantaneous Metamorphoses of Toles. Character, and Costume, and a moving Panorama of the beautiful Lakes of Westmoreland and Cumberland, every evening, at S. A representation of the celebrated tragedienne, Mlle. Rachel, as Camille In Les Horaces, with other ne.v featares, have been added to the above entertainment. During the Christmas Holidays Mr. W. S. Woodin will give two morning performances only—Saturday. Doc. 23, and Saturday, Jan. S.—Polygraphic-hall, King William•street, Charing-cross. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARICET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckstone., THIS EVENING. Will be performed THE MAN OF MANY FRIENDS. Print. pal characters by Messrs. Buck ,tone, Compton, W. Farren, Howe, Misses Reynolds aid Chaplin, and Mrs. Peynter. After which, the Spanish Dancers. Followed by TIIE LITTLE TREASURE. by the Spanish Dancers. After which, a BALL ET . To conclude with A DAUGHTER TO MARRY. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHT. proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Will be performed TIRTUFFE. The principal characters by Messrs. R. Webster, C. Selby, Moreland, Garden; Mrs. Keeley, Mite M. Keeley, and Mree. Celeste. After which, A MOVING TALE. To conclude with the comedy of FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. THIS EVENING, Will be performed THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. Characters by Messrs. Emery, F. Vining, G. Vining, A. Wigan, Robson, &c. ; Mrs. A. Wigan, Mrs. Stirling, and Mrs Fitzallan. Followed by £5 REWARD. LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1855. All operations appear to be suspended for the time being in the Crimea. The men are chiefly engaged in the laudable and agreeable occupation of making themselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances of the case, and recover ing the health and strength that had been in some degree impaired from the labours of the siege. Their attempts, we rejoice to say, may be considered as very successful. Although what they have attained, or may attain, must still fall very short of our notions of the peculiarly English term " comfort," it is still very satisfactory during a campaign where they are within sight of au ad verse army, and of strongly-fortified positions held by the enemy, and when the utmost vigilance must be incessantly observed. It would not do for the Allies to be made the victims of any surprise, and we may easily believe how greatly the Riissians would rejoice to retrieve any of the laurels that have been so unceremoniously plucked from their brows during the past year. The freezing over of the Tchernaya may afford a chance—it will only be a chance, and a very remote one—and for that the Allies must always be prepared, although de termined not to make any decisive attempt until the routing of " General Winter" by the forth coming spring may give the signal that the time has arrived for the resumption of active opera tions by land and by water. The contrast of the last winter materially en hances the enjoyment felt by those who have bit terly experienced the privations and toils of that trying period, and who had sufficient stamina to pass through the fearful ordeal. The men are not now tantalised by starving in the sight of abundance. They are exempted from the dan gerous and laborious duties in the trenches, to which so many casualties were attributable, those indirectly arising from over-fatigue being perh ips even more formidable than the losses from the active operations of the enemy. The authorities at home have greatly profited by past experience, but the local improvements are no less remarkable. The roads, although not of the smooth "bowling green" character looked for by those who " live at home at ease," are still as good as can be anti cipated under the circumstances ; and, as they are only required for the purpose of bringing up supplies of provisions and not of siege requisites, every reasonable demand can be readily answered. There are, of course, many unpleasant collisions, and a considerable use of what our brethren at the other side of St. George's Channel designate as " ornamental language" amongst the hybrid employees, who resort to polyglot terms of objur gation ; but the work is done notwithstanding these minor difficulties and impediments, and the soldiers find themselves very fairly off, all things being taken into consideration. Nor is it only with respect to the condition of the troops that greater vigilance is exercised. The characters and objects of the various " camp fol lowers," whether visiting as amateurs or in pur suit of profits, are more carefully scrutinised. There are many " tickets of leave"—not in the se nse in which it is used in this country, but mere ly for permission to reside in the vicinity of the °amp—which have been granted, and any impropriety of conduct is visited with immediate expulsion. Many of th e t emptations to which the soldiers have been exposed, and which have extracted the " PANNIIIRE sixpences" from their pockets, have been thus removed. Many Russian spies have thus been got rid o f, and several of the surreptitious drinking-shop s have also been closed. It is in contemplation, also, to open regimental canteens, under the care of meritorious non-commissioned officers, by means whereof, while every reasonable facility is afforded to the soldiers, abuses can be completely got rid of. The illicit dealers who have occasioned such serious mischief, if not summarily expelled, will thus find " their occupation gone," and improved discipline and " comfort" will be the result Of these judicious regulations. The great matter will be, however, to watch the enemy. A s we h ave stated, the freezing over of the Tchernaya, which may occur at any mo• meat, may be seized ou to attempt some desperate THE StJN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING DECEMBER 22 1855. coup. From what we have seen, however, we may safely rely on the Allied Generals that they will leave nothing to chance, but adopt all mea sures necessary for the protection of the troops committed to their charge, or for taking advan tage of any opening left by the Russians during the winter. Justice has at length been rendered to a very distinguished and meritorious body ! The officers of the Royal Engineers, engaged at the siege of Sebastopol, have received the notice which they have so well deserved. As yet it is but a notice, but we cannot doubt but that the earnest recom mendation of Lieutenant-General Sir HAREY JONES, sustained and supported as it has been by General SIMPSON, will be productive of immediate fruits, and lead to the promotion which has been so richly earned, although hitherto withheld under the existing regulations of the service. The advocates for " promotion by purchase" have always referred to the state of the Engi neers as an argument in favour of the system which they support. They say that, no matter how great the deserts of individual officers, they can never be rewarded for their services. They must pass through the strict routine before they can acquire a single step. Under such re gulations it is, indeed, but a remote chance if " the right man can be found in the right place." Great care is undoubtedly taken in selecting the best candidates for commis sions, which are bestowed on the most distin guished prizemen at Woolwich. But when the first step had been taken, when the foot was placed on the promising ladder, nothing further could be accomplished. It was forbidden to pass e►en the greatest sluggard on the route. At the Academy there was the most open com petition amongst the students—Palmam, qui me• ricit, ferat was the adopted rule, and the ardent youths were stimulated by the purest and most exalted motives in the race. But there it stopped. From that moment there was no further motive to excite their ambition or enthusiasm—whether undergoing the most serious toils and privations, or " living at home at ease," the result was ex• actly the same. A man might be animated by the highest sense of public duty ; but whatever he might dare, or whatever he might do, he would find that his " virtue was its own reward," for how ever great his deserts, the constitution of the corps prevented his promotion either therein or "in other branches of the service." There is now a graceful opportunity of deviating from the too limited course. A few young officers have been strongly recommended by Sir HARRY D. JONES, by Sir J. F. BURGOYNE, and by Sir JAMES SIMPSON to Viscount HARDINGE'S favour, as having particularly distinguished themselves during the siege. We rejoice to add our tribute to the truly noble list. They are as follows : Royal Engineers—Lieutenants H. DE VERE, A. A. C. FISHER, H. C. ELPIINSTONE, G. NEVILLE, W. 0. LENNOX, W. C. ANDERSON, G. GRAHAM, G. PRILLIPS, C. N. MARTIN, C. G. GORDON, and J. F. DONNELLY. We may judge from the manner in which this irresistible demand is received and acted on, whether the sympathies of the Horse Guards are altogether limited to the aristocratic corps, or the grievances of any under the rank of a Guardsman are considered worthy of notice. Enlightened reformers Lave, among many grounds for encouragement, the following—viz., every step in advance renders the next more easy, and in the removal of one abuae the fate of an other is foreshadowed. This is so apt to be over looked that a public journalist cannot reproduce it too frequently. As a case in point, we may mention Sanitary Reform what has been achieved in this direction being certain to lead to another reform which has been long needed—to wit, Medical Reform. The successful working of the former, as the reader doubtless is aware, will be largely dependent on the zeal and intelligence of members of the medical profession. If the medical officers ap pointed by the various Boards of Health, and bodies entrusted with the functions of these boards, are incompetent to the proper discharge of their duties, the progress of sanitary reform must necessarily be impeded —cease it cannot. It becomes, there fore, a matter of great importance that no impediments should be suffered to exist to the selection of the best available talent. Impediments, and serious ones, however, do exist, and efforts, which cannot fail of success if persevered in, are now being made to remove them. It is somewhat monstrous that the superior fitness of a man for the office is not the first question for consideration. That, according to the present system, is all very well in its way, but cannot be taken into account unless the can didate has one special recommendation, viz., the imprimatur of some particular college or colleges- He may be " a wisd physician," as well " skilled our wounds to heal" as the best that has ap peared, but unless he has an English diploma he won't do ; his claims cannot be entertained. If any just cause existed for this exclusion we should not say one word about the matter. If a practi tioner with a Scotch diploma were generally an ignoramus or a dolt silence would seal our lips. But this notoriously is not the case. Some of the best surgeons, for instance, we have had in modern times earned their reputation, if not their wealth, under no other banner, while others have been lost to the English public through the prejudice consequent on so unwise a restriction of privileges. A monopoly thus injurious, and affecting English aspirants for medical honours of small means quite as much as Scotch, could not fail to attract more and more attention as the work of sanitary reform progressed, and lead to the consideration of other evils ; and, as would be seen in our impression of yesterday, two Bills for Medical Reform are about to be submitted to Parliament, one prepared by Mr. HEADLAM, M.P., and the other by the Pro fessors of the University of Edinburgh. Intoe arethe relative merits or demerits of these Bills unable to enter, not having seen d eithero and them. One thing, however, we can that is, pronounce an unhesitating approval of the determination of the members of the Pro vincial Medical and Surgical Association, as an nounced by the deputation from that body to Sir GEORGE GREY on Thursday—viz., that though disposed to prefer Mr. HEADLAM'S Bill, "they would give an equal support to any Government Bill, whatever might be its details, which would secure uniformity of examination and qualifica tion—freedom of practice throughout the United Kingdom —a due representation of the great body of the profession, and a proper system of registra tion." The representation spoken of we take to apply to a professional board. The science of medicine in this country, indeed anywhere, is not so far advanced as to permit, without culpability, of any tangible obstacles whatever to its advance ment ; and most unquestionably the want of uniformity and freedom of practice referred to has been a great one. We shall look with interest for the appearance of the Bills, when we may go more at large into the subject. REMOVAL OF THE COURT TO WINDSOR. SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY.. This morning, at 20 minutes before eleven'o'clock, the Royal yacht Fairy, with the Elfin in attendance, entered the Southampton docks, having on board her Majesty, Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the other branches of the Royal family. There were in attendance the Marchioness of Ely, Lady in Waiting ; Hon. Eleanor Stanley, Maid of Honour ; Lord Alfred Paget and General Hon. Charles Grey, Equerries in Waiting. It was the intention of the Court to have proceeded from Osborne to Gosport, via Spithead, but owing to the very boisterous state of the weather the passage to Southampton was preferred. It was not till half-past nine this morning that a tele graphic notice was received by Mr. Watkins, superin tendent of the Southampton terminus, to have the Royal carriages despatched to Southampton instead of Gosport, and a communication was immediately for warded to Basingstoke, to effect that object. The Royal carriages were in charge of Mr. Scott, traffic manager ; Mr. J. Watkins, superintendent ; Mr. Beattie, superintendent engineer; and Mr. Godson ; and her Majesty was received on the part of the dock company, by Mr. P. Hedger, Mr. Levy, and other prin cipal officers. Her Majesty looked extremely well, and appeared in excellent spirits. At a few minutes before eleven the Royal party left the Southampton Station for Basingstoke, where they arrived in 48 minutes, and from thence proceeded by the Great Western line to Windsor. A Cabinet Council was held, yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign-office. It was attended by Viscount Pal merston, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Earl of Harrowby, Sir George Grey, the Earl of Clarendon, Mr. Secretary Labouchere, Lord Panmure, the Chancel lor of the Exchequer, Sir C. Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, and the Right Hon. M. T. Baines. The Council sat two hours. The Archbishop of Canterbuy had an interview with Mr. Secretary Labouchere, yesterday, at the Colonial dice. Despatches from the Governor of Ceylon, and also from the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands, were received, yesterday, at the Colonial-office. De spatches were sent, last evening, to the Governors of the North American provinces. The Earl and Countess Bruce have been entertaining a distinguished party at Savernake Lodge during the past week. The guests have had capital sport on the well-stocked preserves of the noble earl. In one day no less than 503 head of game were bagged from eight guns. The company at the lodge included the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, the Marquis of Bath, Lord Harry Thynne, the Earl and Countess of Malmesbury, Viscount and Viscountess Sydney, &c. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston leave town to day, for Broadlands, for the Christmas holidays. We regret to announce the decease of Mme. Mocquard, wife of the private secretary of the Emperor of the French. This amiable lady just expired at Paris, after a long and painful illness. Mr. W. Macdonald Farquharson Macdonald and the Hon. Mrs. Macdonald and family, have left Claridge's Hotel, en route for the continent. Jenny Lind, who has never yet sung in Paris, has, it is said, positively promised to perform there when she leaves England. Madile. Rachel arrived at Charleston on the Ist of December, at noon, perfectly recovered. On the 4th she embarked in the steamer Isabel for the Havannab, where she will resume her representations.—Courier des Etats. The following firms have agreed to close their esta blishments on Monday the 24th instant—namely, Lewis and Allenby, Swan and Edgar, Marshall and Snelgrove, Redmayne and Co., Debenham, Son, and Co., and Howell, James, and Co. SOUTH A USTRALIAN COMPANY.—At a meeting of the South Australian Company, yesterday, Mr. E. Di vett presiding, the report for the half-year, ending the 30th of April last in the colony, was adopted. The discus sion was merely of a general character, the amount of dividend being determined at the annual meeting. After the ordinary proceedings the charter granted for the in• corporation of the company was accepted, and the direc tors were requested to take such measures under it as may be necessary for future management. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—Last evening the above society gave their usual Christmas performance of The Messiah, with Madame Clara Novelle., Miss No vello, Miss Dolby, Mr. Thomas, and Luckey, as princi pal vocalists, and Mr. Costa as conductor. As this great work has been heard so often from the Salle artistes, and the merits of the band and chorus belonging to this ex cellent institution are perfectly familiar to the public, it will be sufficient to state generally that the performance was in every respect honourable to the acknowledged fame of the Sacred Harmonic Society. The hall was quite full. POLICE OF CONSTANTINOPLE.—The commanding offi cers of the English, French, and Sardinian forces have come to an agreement with the Turkish authorities, by virtue of which the Allied troops are to have a right to oontribute to the repression of crime and outrage in Con stantinople. DEMAND FOR SHIPMEIGHTS.—The demand for ship wrights at the present time in the West of England is very great. Six months' certain employment is guaran teed, and the rate of wages offered is generally 6s. per day, with almost unlimited work as overtime. MESSRS. Da LISLE, JANVRIN, AND CO.—The in spectors of the estate of Messrs. De Lisle, Janvrin, and Co. at a meeting on Thursday determined to declare a third dividend, payable on the 2d of February. It will be 2s. in the pound, making, with the former two divi dends, 10s. in the pound. HARWAR V. DREAPER.—The plaintiff's solicitors in this case have written us stating we were in error in publishing the verdict in this case to have been for the defendant. The arrangement come! to between the learned counsel, and accepted by both parties was, they state, that the defendants should pay the plaintiff 1001. in full of all demands, at the same time admitting he had no claim on the patent or the inventions. SAILING OF THE ROYAL MAIL PACKET FOR MEI - BOURNE.—LIVERPOOL, Dec. 21.—The royal mail packet clipper ship, Earl of Sefton, Capt. Noble, belonging to Messrs. Pilkington and Wilson's White Star line of Australian royal mail packets, sailed this afternoon from Liverpool for Melbourne, with 200 passengers, a large and valuable cargo, and a very heavy mail. From her previous sailing achievements, the Earl of Sefton is expected to make such a passage as will still further redound to the credit of this celebrated line of Ane tralian mail packets. THE ARMY IN THE EAST. —We learn by the latest General Order, issued by the Commander-in-Chief in the Crimea, that Captain Hall, 4th Regiment, has been appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of the Forces ; that Lieut.-Colonel Turner, late 7th Fusiliers, takes charge of Karabelnaia ; that a road police is esta blished, and that Lieut.-Colonel Haythorne, Ist Royals, is made an A.A.G., and is attached to the Highland Division. Captain Richards, 55th Regiment, is a,p. pointed Acting Aide-de-Camp to his commanding officer, Brigadier-General Warren, C. 8., commanding first bri gade, Third Division vice Captain Brook, 30th Regi ment, appointed D.A.A.G., or D.A.Q.M.G.; and be tween the 2d and 6th of December, both days inclusive, 33 offiders obtained leave to proceed to England-10 on medical certificates, and 23 on "urgent private affairs." POLISH INDEPENDENCE MEETING AT LIVERPOOL. A public meeting was held in the Concert-hall, Lord Nelson-street, on Thursday evening, for the purpose of advocating the restoration of Polish independence. There were about 2,500 persons present, consisting chiefly of the middle and lower orders. Dr. Games occupied the chair, and letters were read from Sir Joshua Walmeley, the Earl of Harrowby, Mr. W. J. Fox, Douglas Jerrold, and Professor J. P. Nichol, LL.D., regretting their inability to attend, but express ing their approval of the object of the meeting. The meeting was addressed by Mr. G. Dawson and others, and resolutions were carried to the effect that it is the duty of England to assist Poland to rise against Russia as speedily as possible, on the ground that recognition and support of Polish nationality would establish a powerful and faithful ally within the present boundaries of Russia, and so cripple her power that she would be compelled to sue for a peace honourable alike to our arms and our nation. It was also resolved to present a memorial to her Majesty's Ministers, requesting the Governments of Great Britain and France to consider the re-establishment of Poland a necessary condition to the restoration of the equilibrium of Europe, to continue the war, and to conclude no peace until the freedom of that oppressed country is secured. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—The melancholy circumstance of the death of Mdlle. Julie, the young danseuse who perished so miserably by accident at the Plymouth Theatre, has awakened the s)mpathies of many bene volent individuals, and the subscription which was at once commenced for the succour of her mother and bro ther was enriched last night by the proceeds of a benefit at the St. James's, got up by the gentlemen who simi larly exerted themselves with such success an evening or two ago on behalf of Mrs. Macnamara. The attendance was considerable, and the result, it is to be hoped, will be of material use to the bereaved persons for whom the benefit was devised. The Game of Romps, supported by the troupe of the Princess's Theatre, was succeeded by an excellent concert, at which several of the best artistes, including Sivori, lent not only their names but their services. The IVreck, Ashore was then played, Mr. Leigh n a m u e sp nt ic s es underMe nt eurray whoser tai and Miss Keel e y co - o p era ti ng w ith the am a t eurs theclosing witha ballet, was the set central o nfoot the figure of whi c h was announced to be Miss Rosina Wright. The performances passed off with spirit, and to the evident satisfaction of the audience, among whom were several distinguished personages. GENERAL LONDON OMNIBUS COMPANY.—The pros pectus has been issued of this company, established in Paris under the French law as a societe en commandite. The capital is to be 1,000,000/., in shares of 100 f. or 41. each, but the first issue is to be Limited to 800,0001. The gerants are Macnamara, Carteret, Willing, and Co., and the London managers are to be Messrs. Wilson, Barber, Hartley, and Trevett. The company state that com plete regularity of service is to be established • that time-tables are to be published monthly and traffic re turns weekly ; that indicators are to be used as in Paris, and that contracts have been entered into for the pur chase of the greater number of the 810 omnibuses now working in London. In their financial representations they mention that each omnibus, under the present im perfect system, gives an average profit of 1001. a-year, which, on 810 omnibuses, would yield 81,0001., and con• sequently a return of 10 per cent. In Paris, however, the result of amalgamation was an increase of Bs. per day in the profits of each omnibus ; and, assuming an increase of in London, the annual profit would be raised to 150,0001. The dividend now paying by the Paris company is stated to be at the rats of fifteen per cent. They hope at St. Petersburg that General Mouravieff will disconcert Omer Pacha's schemes by threatening Erzeroum. The Russian Grand Council of War is reported to hare determined on evacuating all secondary points, and concentrating their power on those of the greatest importance. Odessa will be the first place to be deprived of its military character. Two hundred guns have already been removed from thence to Nicolaieff. There is still a talk of Austria's laying resolu tions before the Frankfort Diet, in relation to the Eastern question. As Austria and Prussia have both recommended peace, it is not improbable but that the Frankfort Diet might be brought to address Russia to the same effect. AMERICA. SOUTHAMPTON, SATURDAY MORNING. A telegraphic message has been received from Bremen, announcing the arrival of the United States mail steam -ship Washington in the Weser, having landed her mails, passengers, & c . In consequence of the rapid accumulation of ice in that river tho Washington has been com pelled to put back to Southampton. Russia should be required to do away with all her fortified places in the Black Sea, and to consent to cede a part of her territory on the left bank of the Lower Danube. In a word, the Western Powers have given a very different interpretation to the third point to that which some Austrian statesmen had flattered themselves they would do. A per son who is intimately acquainted with what is passing in the diplomatic world a few days since entertained strong hopes that a compromise would be effected during the winter, but he has to-day confessed that the chances in favour of peace are but few. VIENNA, Dec. 17.—The late concordat has pro duced an unfavourable impression in Bohemia. The new laws relative to the future position of the Protestants in Austria are now before the Council of the Empire, and they will probably be less unsatisfactory than the world is inclined to believe. People here profess not to care for public opinion, but you may be assured that the storm of indignation to which the concordat has given rise in Germany and other countries has made them feel extremely uncomfortable. The following ex tracts from the pastoral letter of the Archbishop of Milan will suffice to show that the Italian prelate is already inclined to go beyond the concordat : " The concordat not only gives the Bishops the right to prohibit bad books, under the menace of ecclesiastical punishments (?), but also to prohibit their being read by the faithful. The co-operation of the State to prevent their promulgation is promised. " All law matters relating to the matrimonial tie be long to the church alone (?). " By the concordat, the immaculate bride of Christ (the Roman Catholic Church) has acquired freedom, power, and glory throughout the vast empire. Cast down is every barrier which had been an impediment to her giant steps broken is every fetter which impeded her action. "The church has the right to oppose all kinds of error and temptation, as well on the stage as in the press. " The concordat is a work which gives a brilliant ex ample of religious feeling on the one side, of moderation on the other, and of the perfect prudence and wisdom of both parties." derable difficulty extricated themselves from the ice, were afraid that some accident had befallen the Admiral's fri gate. The English Government intends to establish early in spring extensive magazines of provisions both atElsinore and Kiel. After the departure from Heligoland of four battalions of infantry, two of Chasseurs, and two of the line, recruited in the north of Germany, the Eogli-h Government took into its pay the number of officers necessary to form and command a fifth battalion of 1,000 men like the four others. Strange to say, it is in the countries where, last summer, the men were most anxious to enlist that the greatest repugn%nce is now shown to enter the English service The recruiting agents will accordingly experience much difficulty in completing the fifth battalion. From the beginning of November to the 15th of that month the Eogli-h boats and steamers stationed on the coast of the N-ith Sea, and in the rivers emptying into it, with a view to favour these enli-tments, have only been able to convey to Heligoland 100 recruits. It is possible, on the other hand, that the rigorous and active measures taken by the police of the German States to put an end to thee , operations may have contributed to paralyse them. As to the officers, a greater number than is required present themselves. They are certain of receiving larger emolu ments than in Germany, and they, moreover, hope to obtain rapid promotion in the course of the war." THE SPA BROW CLUB. (Front the Constitutionnel.) Under the general denomination of " club " there exist in England a number of associations which often occupy themselves with, to all appearance, singular subjects, but the real object of which, however quaintly aimed at, generally tends to some useful result. Among this number we must place the Sparrow Club, which has adopted the eminently social mission of waging a war to the knife and exterminating that interesting bird whose name so traitorously figures upon its banners. By what fatal decree can the unfortunate sparrow, that most inoffensive of birds, and whose sedentary life, ac cording to naturalists, is blameless, have become the object of an impious crusade on the part of the pacific gentlemen, our friends of the other side of the Channel ? It is—we shudder with horror to repeat it—to punish it for its numerous and abominable transgressions against agriculture and civilisation. In summer this enemy cf order pecks the gooseberries and cherries, he devastates corn-fields and gardens ; in autumn he de vours the grapes, fruits, and seeds ; in winter he takes up a position of observation close to our domiciles, where he selects his quarters ; he penetrates into our granaries, which he pillages • be enters our dovecot s , and, contrary to all the articles of the law, he appro priates to himself the food of our timid doves. Some have even been caught in the cannibal act of carrying their audacity and voracity to the extent of tearing open the throats of living young pigeons to gorge with a savage joy upon the grain they had swallowed and which was already half in a state of digestion. To these culpable acts in the point of view of the moral influence they may exercise on the masses must be added the material prejudice they occasion to the whole of society with respect to provisions. Buffon, the great naturalist, estimates the annual consump tion of wheat by a sparrow at five kilogrammes. Now, supposing that the winged creation, which is, moreover, very prolific, numbers about 15,000,000 heads in France, which is by no means an exaggerated esti mate, the portion it consumes of our harvests would be 75,000,000 of kilogrammes, or 1,000,000 of hectolitres. We can therefore explain, during the severity which exists, the warlike ardour with which the English, not so well furnished with provisions as ourselves, display against such numerous and such dreaded customers. These grievances justify to a certain extent the exist enoe of the Sparrow Club, whi.th consists of all that perfidious Albion can boast of philanthropists and re formers. This association, benevolent in the highest sense of the word, held the other day its] anneal meeting in one of the rotten boroughs of England. The meeting was inaugurated by a dinner, consisting chiefly of spar rows, served up in every im tginable variety and sauce. Now, by eating these not very palatabl e 4iishes, the , iembers of the club become animated by a sacred hor rer of this impudent winged creature, h.tl swear to ex terminate to the last. bird. Between th, cheese a,-ti dessert prizes were awarded to those members who had .st distinguished themselves in fighting against the summon enemy. The fir.t prize mas given to a Mr. Plumber (what a name for such a shot I), who deposited 5,812 unfortunate sparrows upon the desk, the precise condition of which is tot stated. Were they alive or in cage ? Were they lead and plucked I Were they roasted or potted ? The , fficial return has omitted the statement. However, %In Plumber, with the congratulations of the presi• lent and numerous marks of sympathy on the part of the meeting, received for his brilliant feat of arms a re ward of 10s., or 12 francs, or 220 sous old style. 'Gainst poor cock-sparrow man's hate to loosen, Ten shillings prize they offer ; A shabby prize egad to proffer, 'Tis not a groat per dozen. _ . The second was adjudged to Mr. Forris, not guilty of such a St. Bartholomew against the sparrows as the first .me. God be praised, he had only 3,696 unfortunate -parrows on his conscience ; for this signal act he re ceived ss. ; the others only received " honourable men tion." It will be seen from this that this ornithocide club does not ruin itself in recompences, and that to vile metal, the only object of vulgar minds, its members ap parently prefer the honour of having been of service to mankind. In a country like ours this is a fact worthy of being noted. The ;pleat; in before, us has, however, Its re:43ly aeriouri side. We allude to the service the birds may render in the point of view of the destruction of insects hurtful to agriculture, Is the damage done to our cornfields and gardens by the sparrow a sufficient reason for us to ex terminate it, as our friends wish on the other side of the Channel ? Should we not rather, in consideration of the good he may do us, forgive his misdemeanours, and leave to him the care of destroying those destructive parasites the enemies of agriculture ? The problem thus put is really worthy of the most serious consideration. It is an acknowledged fact that for some years cater pillars, cockchafers, and insects of every description, under the influence of too mild a temperature in winter, have multiplied beyond measure. How are we to get rid of these dangerous creatures, whose sad fecundity threatens to interrupt that harmony which Providence has so wisely decreed in the creation ? All naturalists agree in considering birds the instrument selected to re-establish the balance. The mission of that feathered tribe is to purge the earth of the number of parasites which great cultivation seems inclined to increase. Thus the hull finch, the nightingale, the thrush, and the robin are for midable enemies of the caterpillar. But the most dreaded is the voracious sparrow, who, as soon as he comes into life, when fruit and grain are not to be had, falls upon them with an ardour as insatiable as his appetite, to the destruction of caterpillar , , cockchafers, grasshoppers, and of all enemies of agriculture. An English agricul turist named Bradley asserts that when they are breed ing the male and female sparrow kill 40 caterpillars in the hour, or 220 per diem. Now, how must not this already very considerable consumption be increased when they have a young family, and when that young family is adolescent ? It remains to be seen whether the service rendered makes good the damage done. We have already qu o t e d Buffon for the a-serti.oi that during the year a sparrow consumes five kilogrammes of corn ; do the insect- he destroys consume more or less of our cro p s d ur i ng the same period ? We are of opinion that the dam age d one by the insects is far greater. Iu the Pdatinste and in Scotland it was fund necessary to ,ff-r premiums for tite increase of the race of birds, as the crops suffere n-re sand more from the parasites as birds diminished in number. lo iaoce there is no law against insects, and this is e grave error which we must hasten to remedy. But '3s regards birds, the bill of the 3d of May, 1844, give- , t , the authoritits a doicret:onary power of multiplyi ng or reducing their number, ace. rding to circumstance.. If a province is infested by sparrows the General Coun cil, by placing them in the category of noxious animals, inay decree the destruction of them for a whole year. If, , n the contrary, the sparrow has become scarce, and for the destruction of caterpillars, beetles, and graihoppers the increase becomes necessary, the General Council may protect it against any attack likely to prevent its multi plication. Finally, as a medium, the prefect may when the shooting season is over authorise the destruction of the sparrow, on the ground of damage done, even if the General Council should not have decreed it beforehand. With this system, eminently applicable to every cir cumstance, it will be very easy to maintain the balance in the existence of the feathered tribe, and to keep it in proportian to the demands of agriculture. As regards the Sparrow Club, we trust that it may one day repent of the adjust war it wages against this domestic bird, which the majority of our economists, our savants, and statesmen remember to have once brought up when they were school-boys. LATEST NEWS. THE SURRENDER OF KARS. HAMBURG, FRIDAY. The Invalide Busse contains a despatch from Kars by General Mouravieff. He reports that he has taken possession of 130 cannon, large stores of ammunition, seven stand ards, an d o f prisoners, besides those already re ported, 6,000 Turkish regulars and 4,000 redifs. It is believed that the Czar will extend the amnesty in Poland, and that a great number of convicts in Siberia are to be pardoned. INCREASE OF THE AUSTRIAN ARMY About a fortnight since it was stated that the whole of the Austrian Army, " including that in the Principalities," was to be placed on a peace- footing, but reliable information has just been received from Vienna to the contrary effect. In stead of being reduced, the army in the Danubian Principalities, which is already above 80,000 strong, is about to be strengthened. At present there are 360 guns on the line of operation, which extends from Pancsova through Wallachia up to the northern extremity of Moldavia, and it has now been resolved to send other 120 guns, and eight infantry and four cavalry regiments to reinforce the army in the Danubian Principalities. 22 companies of various descriptions are also to be sent to Wallachia and Moldavia. Contracts for the delivery of large quantities of provisions for the men and of fodder for the horses have also been made for the middle and end of March and the beginning of April. None of the men on furlough have leave of absence beyond the 20th of February. TRIESTE, DEC. 21. Accounts of the 10th, from Constantinople, state that the Russians are preparing to take the offensive this winter in the Crimea. France has sent an energetic note to Prussia, requiring that a stop be put to exports, contra band of war, to Russia, otherwise the Allied fleets will blockade Prussian ports. BERLIN, DEC. 20. Letters from St. Petersburg state that it was always intended to act merely ma the defensive against Omor Paella. It is not supposed that the fall of Kars will make any change in this plan, but that General Mouravieff will make that place his winter quar- ters. FRANCE. The treaty entered into by France and England with Sweden is an act of the highest i mpor t ance. Its execution will place a limit, once f or a ll, t o t h e encroachments of Russia in the North of Europe. The Baltic will be rescued from her aggression, and Sweden saved from her fatal influence. In those latitudes she can no longer expect an inch of its territory, or shelter for her war vessels, or h ar b our for her fishing-boats. lt is, indeed, a f a t a l bl ow struck at her maritime and commercial p ower . The treaty fixes no date for expiration. It is for ever, then, that Sweden engages to resist Russian encroachment, and it is for ever th e Alli es will support her in he . r resistance, and it a tt ac h es indefinitely the policy of Sweden to th e p o li cy ' and interests of the West. It is a proo f o f the confidence and union, the community of inte rests which subsists between the contracti ng p ar ti es for their mutual protection against the common enemy. It is an immense step in advance, if we consider that Sweden also had proclaimed her neutrality, and, up to this, maintained it ; and with whatever indifference Russia may affect to regard this act, or to reduce its importance, sh e cannot but feel that it is one of hostility against her, and, if words mean anything, the policy thus proclaimed will be transformed on the very first occasion into an open rupture. A defensive treaty is only yet before us ; but it is more than probable that another part exists which provides for other " eventualities " than those now mentioned. The services we engage to render Sweden by supporting her against Russian aggres sion are doubtless reciprocated. If we send our armies and our fleets to cooperate with those of Sweden in her own defence, it can hardly be with out the certainty that Sweden will aid us when we call upon her. There would be no great merit in King Oscar employing his own forces with ours in repelling the enemy from his own territory. Were he single-handed against Russia he would try to do so. If we engage to protect Sweden, it is because we intend that Sweden shall do something for us which will expose her to the hostility of Russia ; and that something can hardly be less than co-ope ration with us next spring in our operations in the North. There is clearly an eventuality of a con flict in the treaty, and it is absurd to suppose that in such case a complete accord does not already ex ist, and that stipulations have not been agreed to in providing for events which may occur at any mo ment. That we shall try our strength in . those parts next year is hardly to be doubted ; and is it to be believed that, in the event of our needing assistance in those seas or on those shores, we shall not have that of Sweden, in return for the de fence we promise her ? At all events, this treaty may justly be considered as among the most important facts of our times. In the north as in the south, in the Baltic as in the Black Sea, Russia is stopped short in her career of aggression ; Sweden will be as fatal to her as Turkey, so long as both rely on the combined strength of England and France. For us the ad hesion of King Oscar is an additional guarantee for the independence of Europe. It having been reported at Marseilles that the steam-packet France was lost, with all on board, in the Black Sea, Messrs. Arnaud and Touache, the proprietors of the vessel, have thought proper to contradict that rumour. The dramatic company engaged for the theatre of Kamiesh embarked at Marseilles on the 17th, for Constantinople, in the steamer Eephrate. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, Dec. 18.—Count Valentin Esterhazy who yesterday l o ft Vi enna f or St. P e t er sburg, will communicate to the Russian Cabinet the terms 011 which the Western Powers will consent to make peace. It ins considered by some unremonable that PRUSSIA. We extract the following from a letter, just re ceived, dated Berlin, Dec. 20 :—" Prussia is just now at the head of Germany, as regards giving the tone of political feeling ; neutrality towards with out and reaction towards within are the order of the day ; the advantages of neutrality are exempli fied, says this party of the Kreuz Zeitung, by the sacrifices and losses of the belligerent Powers, the necessity of re-action is felt in the consciousness of the danger and disgrace of the revolution only just put down. England and France are the incarna tion and radiating point of revolution, and of all that trouble the repose of the world. England and France are the belligerent Powers, and are suffering for it in their fearful sacrifices of men and money. Ergo, down with revolution and everything like movement. Avaunt England and France, that would drag Prussia into sharing their suffering s ! These are the sentiments of the Kreuz Zeitung men, and which are every day spreading further and further like a leaven through the various strata of society, and to this end the course taken by our diplomacy and by our press has contributed very largely. The line of neutrality followed by Prussia has been dictated, apart from the King's parti cular notions on the subject, by fear, by weakness, and by poverty, not by illwill towards us ; and half the cajolery and gentle treatment that has been bestowed upon Austria would have had fully as good an effect if bestowed upon Prussia. As it is, this country is for a long time lost to us, even in feeling, and is becoming more and more Rus sianised every day ; I don't mean that its sympa thies for Russia are increasing, that is hardly true, hut its own institutions and its internal polity ari being Russianised very rapidly." RUSSIA. A letter received from Berlin, dated Dec. 19. says :—The greatest possible activity and excite meat is observable in the different Governmen• offices at St. Petersburg, as is said, in consequenct of the new arrangements and the forcible impulsf given to the machinery of Government by the ex traordinary Military Council that is now sitting there—sometimes at the Admiralty and sometimt s at the War-office. The Emperor himself is indefa tigable in inspecting the troops. Among the nu merous high officers who have repaired to the capital in connection with this Council are Vice- Admiral Novosilskoi, who was lately nominated to the command of Cronstadt and its har bours, and also General Count Armfeldt, chef of the colonies of Finland Sharpshooters, who has lately been superseded in his command by General Baron Koten, Member of the Senate. The former had the honour of an audience with the Emperor. General Gecevitch, who seems to be the Imperial courier for Russia, as Duke George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz is for Germany, has just set off again for a circuit through the provinces, charged with a load of commissions and orders. The report so long current of a conference o. diplomatists to be held in St. Petersburg or War saw is admitted now to have been unfounded. The Emperor has, at the suggestion of the Minis ter of Finance, relieved manufacturers of salt in the Crimea for the space of three years, ..nd only as a trial from the restrictions on the commerce and transport of that article. Official reports which have been received in St. Petersburg from New Karleby, Jacobstadt, \Vasa, and Abo, of the latter half of last month, mention a number of attempts made by the Allies to damage the towns on the coast as having been foiled. Since the enemy's cruisers had left those waters the traders of those ports had fetched their boats from their secure hiding places among the outlying rocks, and, after cutting a way for them through the ice, had succeeded in bringing them into har bour. They pretend, also, to have prevented an enemy's frigate in her attempts to burn the said boats by their dexterous management of two field pieces, which compelled the boats that had been sent out by the frigate to put back. Considerable contributions are flowing in to the Ministry of Marine in consequence of a subscrip tion opened throughout the empire for the benefit of those who have lost their property in Sebastopol. The population of Poland has not hitherto shown any inclination to contribute to similar subscrip tions, to the great annoyance of the Russian Go ♦ernment. In order to make the most of the few Minie rifles the Russians have been able to procure from Liege, they have arranged battalions of sharp shooters, with about 80 or 90 men armed with Minies and the others, all good shots, armed with ordinary muskets ; whenever the possessor of a Minie is struck down by an enemy's ball one of the less fortunate possessors of a musket is to throw away Brown Bess, and appropriate to himself the Minis of his comrade. The Emancipation of Brussels quotes the follow ing passage of a letter from Vienna, of the 11th :-- "It is a n otorious fact that th ere i s a general des i re for peace in Russ's., from the highest classes down to the lowest. Only a few fanatics still persist in calling for the continuance of the war, although it will complete the ruin of their count ry . Th e follow ing fact will give you anidea of the want of money in the country :—The Imperial Princesses of Rus sia have sold their diamonds and paid the amount received for them into the coffers of the State. All the Russian families living at Vienna, most of whom belong to the nobility, complain bitterly of the war, and loudly call for its cessation, well aware of the terrible consequences it may lead to if continued for another year. Were I at liberty to inform you of what I have heard respecting a certain condition prescribed by the adversaries of Russia—viz., the neutralisation of the Black Sea, I can tell you that that clause, although rejected by Prince Gortschakoff at the Vienna Conferences, no longer appears unacceptable to the Russian Pleni potentiary. Had Prince Gortschakoff any definite object in view in expressing that opinion before some high personages at Vienna f Ido not know. I mention the fact without examining it ; for, in diplomacy, words often have an opposite meaning to that generally understood." SARDINIA. The war budget of the kingdom of Sardinia, just presented to the Piedmontese Chambers, fixes the expenses of the Eastern war during 1855 and 1856 at 74,239,532 f., including 11,475,401 f. for the navy. A private letter from Florence mentions that the Grand Ducal Government has issued a decree most rigorous against persons attempting to enlist Tus can subjects for foreign service. Notwithstanding this, however, the Anglo- Italian Legion pr ogresse s rapidly. The whole of the first regiment, consisting of 1,070 men, is now at Novara, under the command of Major Pinelli, during the temporary absence of Colonel Sir Coutts Lindsay, and is as fine a body as any in the British service. The second regiment, which is now forming at Chiavasso, under Colonel Craufurd, is to be a rifle regiment. A second and a third regiment will be formed without difficulty in Piedmont. THE BALTIC FLEET. The Independance Beige publishes the following, dated Hamburg, 17th inst.:— " Letters from Elsinore of tae 15th state that only four corvettes of the flying squadron remained in that port, all the otherA having sailed for England. The Re tribution, Rear-Admiral Baynes, expected there for some days, had not yet been signalled. This delay caused un eaainvas to thl) Eaglidh Aar', who, haying with coast THE CASE OF MR. BATES. The following petition of the jury who tried Paul, Straban, and Bates, has been presented to the Queen : " TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. "The humble Petition of the Jurymen who tried the indictment of the Queen on the prosecution of Dr. Griffiths against William Strahan, Sir John Dean Paul, and Robert Makin Bates, at the sessions holden at the Central Criminal Court, in the month of October, 1835, " Showeth— "That, having read and carefully considered the printed petition of the said Robert Makin Bates to your Majesty, a copy of which is hereunto annexed, we firmly believe that had the contents of such petition been proved at the trial of such indictment we should have acquitted the said Robert Makin Bates. "That it is a subject of extrema regret to your peti tioners that the statements set forth in the said petition were wholly withheld from their consideration. " That, notwithstanding such omission, and in order that justice may be done, we humbly pray that the truth of the allegations contained in such petition may be in quired into ; and, in the event of their proving correct, that your 21ajesty will be graciously pleased to accede to the prayer of the said Robert Makin Bates. "And your petitioners will ever pray. " STEPHEN GOWER (Foreman). HENRY L VIN. RICHARD MATTHEW HUTCHINSON. GEORGE LOWE. JOHN LUCAS. JOHN EDMZADES. JOHN °DRAMS. STEPHEN PRENTICE. WILLIAM HOWARD LEWIN. CHARLES Jonustr. I w uj aajg mA4 LIQ .". R ICHA RD _H TLI A 9 RGRAvs • SPORTING NOTES. WAIFS AND STRAYS. The alma interval which occurred " between the croste" was employed at Wolverhampton in holding the t,i ce postponed meeting. The discou, aging eiream sta,nces which paralyeed the efforts of tie promoters of he gathering would have caused persons less eager in the pursuit of sport to have abandoned the undertaking altogether. The determination of the race party at Wolverhampton, however, is not easily altered ; they ‘Thole up their minds to run the appointed events off on •Ite first " open day," and run them they did. The iieeting was perhaps more successful than was antici pated, albeit the sport was not eutEciently interesting t rouse the few shivering spectators that assisted at it even into momentary activity. The " incidents" re vire neither description nor comment ; the fields were umerically insignificant, and the result of the principal races were in accordance with the anticipated remarks published in he Sun. The shocking death of Mr. Conk, better known on the turf by the name of "Pell," and the disclosures made on the coroner's inquest, kayo created a deep and painful sensation among all classes and conditions of spotting men. This ene subject only engrosses conversation. The deceased gentleman was mach respected, and the feelings of all who knew him are much excited by hie horrid death. His connection with the turf was very unfortu nate until the close of the past season. He owned severa 1 racehorses, but his best animal was Pole Star, who wan backed heavily by her late owner for the Cambridgeshire Stakes. For that event she was defeated. In the week preceding that race she had also been beaten at Warwick, and on these two occasions poor Cook lost about 5001. Pole Star, however, subsequently won a small handicap at Newmarket, a race at Worcester, and two races at Shrewsbury, her owner informing me, if my memory serves me aright, that by her successes he won nearly 3,0001., which . was a portion, but scarcely hal of the money whica he hail lost in the early part of the year. All persons who saw poor Cook on the last day of Shrewsbury races remarked bow iil he looked, and the attack which he had in the night was then well known, and was a ruling topic of conver sation. Palmer was the owner of " Goldfinder," that won the Chester Cup in 1853. His principal runners this year were a filly called Staffordshire Nan, and The Chicken. His horses were trained at Hedeesford, with those be longi❑g to the late Mr. Cook, with whom he was be lieved to be a confederate in racing matters. Clerks of courses are bestirring themselves to prepare for the reception of nominations for the stakes adver tised to close on the let of January. From the reports which I have received I am induced to believe that there will be no diminution in the numerical strength of the entries for the principal stakes. Much discussion has been provoked on the subject of handicapping, and an organised crusade is seemingly about to be made against the light weights. Even the " Early Village Cock," that ancient and facetious bird, has again mounted his perch for the purpose of crowing down light handicaps. The reaction which has set in will doubtless have a salutary tendency, for certain handicappers would shortly have to look to Lilli put fora realisation of their theories. This subject is too important to be lightly dismissed. I shall therefore, on a more fitting opportunity, express my views respecting it at length. Dec. 22. A FRESH MAN. LONDON CUARTNRED BANK OF USTI - MI lA. 1 0 vieg to the proposed suspension of a dividend, there teas a nurnerons attendance at the meeting of the Lon 'on Chartered Bank of Australia held yesterday, great anxiety hei!r evinced to ascertain the cause of the large 1 .uses incurred. Dr. Duncan Dunbar, the chairman, pre-ided, and the first business was the reading of the 'sport. When the fact was intimated that the total of bad and doubtful debts for the half-year is 35,4501., which will absorb not only the pr fits, stated at 16,250/ , and the contingent and reserve funds, but also leave a balance of 7,743/ at the debit of profit and loss to be provided from the operations of the current half-year, there was great disappointment, and impatience was die 'laved for explanations. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, entered into the unfortunate results of the management in the colony. Of the total of 35,400/. regarded as irrecoverably lost, the largest item is 23,000/ , and in connection with this the particulars are as follows :—When the bank was first established in Victoria much difficulty was expe. rienced in obtaining remittances, and, bills not being always available, customers could not be accommo. dated. Fearing a loss of connexion, arrangements were made c, ith a firm for the purchase of gold at the diggings, which was drawn against as occasion re quired. In the course of time the arrival of the escorts became delayed, and, instead of waiting for the receipt of the gold dust. a Ivanc3s were made to an amount far 6, 7 0.. a ie., nmti, 0.-;sii.,ity named. Sub sequen tly M essrs . Jamieson and Moore, the house in question, became in• volved in other liabilities, and one of their agents at the gold fields having committed suicide, the account was brought to a stand. Security was then taken for the amount ; hut, according to the law, it was not held long enough previously to bankruptcy, and their manager was compelled to forego the mortgages for the benefit of the general creditors. Another loss of 2,200/, has arisen from a forgery in Sydney, and the remaining 10,0004 his bee n occasioned by the ordinary operations of dia. countinr, &c. This latter amount, considering the pre'. sure experienced in Australia, is not regarded as excel• sive upon the employment of a capital of 550,0001. Under these circumstances, it was stated, the directors believe it to be the most prudent course to suspend the dividend temporarily instead if adopting any ether expedient. With respect to the future it is antic' rested that satisfactory results will be attained, bu further advice; are awaited with anxiety. An im pression was mentioned to have gained ground that the bank will require additional capital to carry out further operations, but, so far from this being the case, it is pro. posed, with the sanction of the shareholders, to apply to the Treasury to extend the period for the payment of calls upon the new shares. After the statement of the chairman, which was favourably received, a long discus eion ensued as to the parties who were chiefly responsible for the mismanagement, and it appeared to be the opinion of the great majority that the conduct of the local board and Mr. Falconer deserved reprehension. The recall of the latter, who was engaged from his extensive colonial experience, and the appointment of a successor will, it is hoped, place the business of the establi.hment on • sounder footing, and enable the directors to resume divi. (lends at an f-arli.-r period. It was pointed out that the • sudden revulsions in Australian commerce have before placed similar institutions in peril, but that, with few ex ceptions, they have eventually recovered their position Attempts having been unsucce efully made to pass con dernnatory amendments, the report was almost mr,ani- 1 mously , arried, an ! the proceedings were concluded with v tee of thanks to the London direct,,rs for their straight. forward expiansitiens. MINE\ iNTELLIGENOE. (From the Mining Journal of this day.) There is no particular change to notice in the aspect of the share ma, het this week. Dividend mines continue ix good demand, and progressive mines largely dealt in, not. withstanding the near approach of the Christmas holidays. Basset shares have been sought after at 400 to 410 ; West Basset advanced to 3 7 , 38; North Bassets to 43, ex div., and left off at 421; at the meeting a dividend of 17s 6.1 per share was declared, and the report of the mine very satis factory; the next dividend, it was stated, would be either 17s. 6.1. or 1/. per share East Rose shares advanced to 80, and inquired for; Grambler and St. Aubyn 42 too i; Boiling Well, 181 to 19; Trevelyan, 31 to 3 ; Trelawny, 271 to 28; Devon Buller have been largely dealt in at Sa to 31 ; Rosewarne, 1321 to 135 ; Hender, 51 to 61 ; Tre wetha, 3 to 31, a good business doing ; Nanteos and Pen rhiw, 14s. to 15s. ; West Alfred Consols have reached 26 Bell and Lanarth, 51 to 6. At South Garras, a call of 10/, per share has been made. Clijah, 176 to 18. Alfred Consols have not been so firm, at 181 to 19/ ; Great Al freds improving in price, 12 to 121; Vale of Towy, 21s. to 225. ; North Robert, 36; the stopes in the back of the 30 have improved to 4 tons of rich ore per fm., accord ing to the agent's report. At Grambler and St. Aubyn, the 12 east, on William's lode, is worth 201 per fin. ; the winze sinking below the 12, 201. per fin. ; the winze sinking below the adit, 12/. per fm. ; the 24 west, on Simmons's lode, 10 7 . to 151. per fathom. At /fender the south lode is 2 ft. wide, and improved, yielding flue stones of grey ore ; the north lode is looking better. Abon 10 tons of good ore will be sampled on Thursday. Sort ridge, 5 to f , l ; the lode has been cut in the 50 fathom level 31 ft. wide, 1 ft. of it being worth 11 ton, or 121. per fm. ; the western end in the 40, 11 ton ; the eastern end, in the 40, 5 tons; the eastern end in the 30, 7 tons; the rinze sinking below the 30, 1 ton ; Bakerley's stopes, 14 tons, or 1401. per fm. ; alt og eth er s h ow ing a good im provement in the mine. At Mary Ann meeting, a divi dend of 1/. 10s. per share was declared, and the report of the mine satisfactory. Bryntails have advanced to 8 ; South Tolgus have been i n g o od request I d 2• du ring the Whealheweek, and advanced to 100 • West Csradon, Kitty, sh a shares c a l isvnibd(elinvdi subdivided 0 2 perhas been declared, an d the • the reports fr om mines are very favourable. l 256th24 , THE BRITISH ITALIAN LEGION. TURIN, Dec. 16.—The Ist B a tt a li on of the British Italian Legion, 1,000 strong, being now comp l ete, h am marched from Chivasso to Novara, wh ere it w ill b e s t a . toned and drilled previous to its being despatched to the Beat of war. The men are young and robust, and average upon the whole 5 feet 10 inches in height. The 2d Battalion is now in course of formation at Chi vasso, and numbers already about 100 men ; but I un derstand a great number of recruits aro expected daily, in consequence of the frosty weather which has set in, and which wi ll now allow them to cross the Austrian frontier. Colon e l R ea d i s unceas i ng in his activity and exertions to got m en ; and the chances aro that the Italian Legion will be completed bef ire the spring has long set in. Captain Chasseaud has presented the Legion with a translation of her Majesty's Laws and Rules, a work which gives him much credit—let us hope that they will not byre to consult that book too often 1 DL port s of 1, and ounce Al per C tance detai or at deed, 'lent] land, with come 1 on lice Rai froi Mal A the to fi prin has is in Pari wits Tolu men Con. Ti activ New 88a i Exci an aq coma pect: may N . ( Fore Turf and Balk 3 ;Per 171 W gotri4 E t PRIG Grea Sp,” Di Turk Di Dii Vene MI