The Sun. — London, England, 1855-01-02 00:00:00

IStittion4 SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock. THE LONDON GAZETTE. (THIS EVENING.) DOWNING-STkEET, DEC. 30. The Queen lass been pleased to appoint Toussaint Ros tant, Esq., to be a member of the Legislative Council of the Island of Trinidad, and Thomas Parker, Esq., to be a Member of the Legislative Council of the Island of St. Lucia. CROWN-OFFICE, DEC. 30. MEMBERS RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT PARLIAMENT. City of Norwich—Sir Samuel Bignold, of the city of Norwich, Kat., in the room of Samuel Morton Peto, Esq., who has accepted the office of Steward of her Majesty's Manor of Hempholm. _ JANUARY 1. County of Ayr.—Sir James Fergusson, Bart., of Kilker ran, in tho room of Lieutenant-Colonel James Hunter Blair, deceased. WAR OFFICE, JAN. 2. let Regiment of Foot—General the Right Hon. Sir Ed- ward Blakeney, G.C.8., from the 7th Royal Fusiliers, to be Colonel, vice General the Right Hon. Sir James Kompt, G.C.8., deceased, Dec. 21. _____ BREVET. Colonel Harry D. Jones, of the Royal Engineers, having rendered distinguished service in command of the British land force at the capture of Bomarsund, her Majesty has been graciously pleased to order, in pursuance of the Royal Warrant of Oct. 6, that he bo promoted to be a Major-General, and be placed on the permanent List of General Officers, Commission dated Dec. 12. WAR - DEPARTMENT, JAN. 1. COMNISSARIAT. Assistant Commissary -General John William Smith to be Deputy Commissary -General, his commission to bear date the 30th Dec. DEPUTY CONMISSAMES-GENERAL. Thomas Wharton Ramsay William Henry Robinson to be commissaries-General. ASSISTANT COMMISSARIES - GENERAL. Frederick Thomas Mylrea James Wilson Charles Swain Ferguson Thomas Coxworthy Thomas Graham Win. Henry Drake to be Deputy Commissaries-General. DEPUTY ASSISTANT COMMISSARIES-GENERAL. Henry Win. Woodforde Plant Thomas William GoMe George Atkinson Henry Lambert. Brisbane Bayley Frederick Henry Ibbetson Edward Barrington de Fonblanque James Douglas Willan Robert Clement Major Redmond Uniacke James Knight Gould Douglas Bennet Clarke Robert May Gardiner Fitzjames Edward Watt James Charles R. Wood James Bell Lundy Wm. James Tyrone Power Robert Cumming Villiers Wm. Caesar Hawkins Thomas Gem Conrad Potgieter to be Assistant Commissaries -General. COMXISSARIAT CLERKS, George Twining Luke R. Castray Augustus Foulkes Cookesley Francis Crossley Colquhoun George Ramsay Primrose to be Deputy-Assistant Commissaries-General. Their Commissions to bear date Jan. 1. OFFICE OF ORDNANCE, JAN. 1. ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY. Second Lieutenant Vivian Dering Majendie to be First Lieutenant, vice Maclachlan, deceased, Dec. 13. First Lieutenant John Boulton to be Second Captain, vice Rayner, deceased, Dec. 13. Second Lieutenant James Edward Blackwell to be First Lieutenant, vice Boulton, Dec. 13. The dates of Commissions of the under-mentioned Oa. cers have been altered as follows, viz.:- First Lieutenant E. J. Ward to Nov. 30. Second Captain P. J. Campbell to Dec. 8. First Lieutenant A. D. Burnaby to Dec. 8. B revet -Colonel Richard Goodwin Bowen Wilson to be Colonel vice Brereton, removed as a General Officer, Dec. 16. Brevet-Major Charles Bingham to be Lieutenant-Colonel, Vice Wilson, Dec. 16. Second Captain John Davenport Shakespear to be Cap taM, vice Bingham, Dec. 16. First Lieutenant John de Luttrell Saunderson to be Second Captain, vice Shakespear, Dec. 16. Second Lieutenant Sir John William Campbell, Bart., to be First Lieutenant, vice Sannderson, Dec. 16. Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Sebastian Rowan to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Stace, retired upon Dec. 16. Brevet Major Edward Bruce Hamley to be Captain, vice Rowan Dec. 16. Firshientenant Moutray Auketell to be Second Cap tain, vice Hamley, Dec. 16. Second Lieutenant Arnelius De Vic Tupper to be First Lieutenant, vice Auketell, Dec. 16. Second C a pt a i n G eorge Th omas Fi e ld t o be Captain, vice Adair, retired upon half-pay, Dec. 20. First Lieutenant Philip Dickson to be Captain, vice Field, Dec. 20. Second Lieutenant John Charles Francis Ramsden to be First Lieutenant, vice Dickson. Dec. 20. CORPS OF ROYAL MARINES. Brevet-Colonel Patrick Yule to be Colonel, vice Slade, retired on full-pay, Dec. 13. Brevet -Colonel Daniel Bolton, to be Colonel, vice Victor retired ou full-pay, Dec. 13. Brevet-Major Sir William Thomas Denison to be Lieu tenant-Colonel, Dec.l3. Brevet-Major John Williams to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Aldrich, retired on full-pay, Dec. 13.1 Brevet-Maj er Edward William Durnford to be Lieute nant-Colonel, vice Yule, Dec. 13. Brevet-Major Edward Thomas Lloyd to be Lieutenant- Colonel, vice Bolton, Dec. 13. Second Captain Thomas Lionel John Gallwey to be Cap tain, vice Williams, Dec. 13. Second Captain Anthony David Craigie to be Captain, vice Durnford, Dec. 13. Second Captain Richard Burnaby to be Captain, vice Lloyd, Dec. 13. First Lieutenant Charles Brisbane Ewart to be Second Captain, vice Gallway, Dec. 13. First Lieutenant Charles Butler Peter Nugent Hodges Nugent to be Second Captain, vice Craigie, Dec. 13. First Lieutenant Edward Belfield to be Second Captain, vile Burnaby, Dec. 13. ~.Second Li eu t enan t Willi am B u ll er G osse t t o b e First lelentenant vice Ewart, Dec. 13. Seco nd Lieutenant Robert Grant to be First Lieutenant nee Nugent, Dec. 13. 1 4 3 . 1 7:? ,4 1 Lieutenant Edward Harding Steward to be Fir s t ' n ""t, vice Belfield, Dec. 13. _ Brevet-Colonel Frederick William Whinyates to be 16.Co 1 onel, vi ceßlanshard, removed as a General Officer, Dec. vießerewtet:Major Renry in yates, Dec, 16. n James to be Lieutenant-Colonel, animatain Albert O'Donn e ll G ra tt an to be Captain, vice es, Dec. 16. Arai Lieutenan t etptain, v i es lion. George Wrottesley to be Second rattan Dec 16. i zeco__ _. L a d Li. st itenant Ed" war . d ,r Donald Malcolm to be First NovitiFe Wrottesley, Dec. 16. Li e‘ r t ;Z i ° ita.corounriit-Colonel William Robinson to be Second Captain j vice Dit Plat, deceased, Dec. 22. Robinson, Doe. 22 . " les Swan Baker to be Captain, vice First Lentenant Ed ward Second C a pt a i n vice First er S"Likedutelnaniell4,lleet2ke.rt Mac Donnell to be Gordon, Dec,—. 22, Corps of it, :ma l D ma nt o lk oa LlY ,r , DZC. 20. virecie io be Second Lieutenant-- GenstlEenieadenopc,aHeut:haimohnw Rose, k Crease, Colpoys Par- Pe n men William Sims, R ose Lamles Hugh Standbridge, Campbell, Edward Geo rge Yore Rollo rice, Horatio Guy rick Hewett, George Johnston. ra Y' Thi mlas Me3'. COMMISSION SIGNED BY THE QITEENT Royal South Glou ces t er L ight Infantry " of Militia—Charles John Belcher Hertslet, Esq., t o b e master, Dec. 15. P ay. COMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORD-LTEtTTENANTs. Cc uiltY xineard Th Right Hon. the Earl of RiLtenutotemare otato_bsetr V Al i ni ce e— Lien e tenant. To be Deputy slander Ramsay, Bart.; James Horn Burnett; Robert William Itic:e ct ;t ; R es t il ' e ,.. Ural ' ap lek ; Bag., Janina Dyes Ni col, Ri c , Alexander Innes, Dec. 21. - ` l ."rider Porteus, Esq., County of Bute —To be Dep u ty Crichton Stuart, Esq., Edward Re er y - 7,,,_nt—Herbert Esq., younger, M.P., the Honourable -- '"eraufurcl, Boyle, Peter Buchanan, Esq., the p rowit Xeederi e k Burgh of Rotksay, Dec. 26. was awl Royal South Gloucester Light Infantry R e/ d i:atm Militia—Ensign William Hicks t o be Lientenani:7visZ Chandler, resigned; Charles Gurney, Gent., to b e sign, vice Hiekes, promoted, Dec. 28 ; Frederick Walter Aston Gent., to be Ensign, vice Lea, res i gne d , Dec. 30. Aberdeenshire Regiment of Militia—William Leith Hay, Esq., to be Captain, Dec. 19. lst or Western Regiment of Norfolk Militia—To be Captains—Thomas William Fountain., Esq., Deo. 27 ; Henry L'Estrange, Esq., Dec. 28. T o b e L ieu t enants— Francis Nathanieistley, Gent., Deo. 28; Raoul Stephen Bedingfield, Gent, Dec. 29. 2d or Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militia—John. Bloom, Gent., to be Lieutenant, rice Chamberlin, re signed- let Regiment of Derbyshire Militia—John De Conroy, Esq., to be Captain, Dec. 23 ; Francis Sacheverell Wilmot, Esq., to be Captain, Jan. 2. l e t Regiment of the Duke of Lancaster's Own Militi a — Arthur Wallace Munro, Gent., tq. be Lieutenant, T i ce Starkie, resigned, Dec. 2 G. ,wn Me— -3d Regiment of the D o u n k k e t o o f L be anca ca s p te tl ' i s n C)e P I l e i d i i d a r, Lientenan t E dwar d plonk *lftigned, Dec. 3 Q; Philip Houghton Whittaker, Gent., to be Li eu t enan t ; Ensi John Motherwell to be Lieutenant, gn vies m on k , promoted ; Frederick Beasley, Go b Gent., Ensign,t.tobe limaivh. Dec, 29 p e ytonShealy, lOW 30. ' 4th or Duke of Lancaster's Own (Light Inf antry) to bel4 i ß e o u y t t Lancashire M ilitia—Ensign Acquilla Kent I .4i:eo2::h v eu ice l, x r e s e i n_ .ttne d ; Philip Morton Pitt, Gent., to Promoted Dec. 29. tiah Regiment. of . R '°3' , ) , l4alle 'hire Mili tia — Goo. to be Lieutenant, De e . a Parker, Lancashire Humors —Sir Robert Tolver Gerard, Bart., to be Major-Commandant, vibe' fsiv John Ger ard , Bart. deceased, Deo. 2% • BANKRUPTS. Henry Newby, builder, Kingsland-toad Jan. 8, at twelve, and Feb. 12, at two, at th e Court of Bankruptcy. . to surrender, Be'll, official assignee, Coleroan.street buildings ; Badger and Collins, King Williamtreet. David Laud es d or f , comm i ss i on agent, aint liar ti r e s . oarmid, Jaa, 17, wad, Feb, 23. At (Atm. iPst the Clout of Bankruptcy. Nicholson, official assignee, Basinghall street ; Reed, Ironmonger-lane. Sidney Sprod, cabinet-maker, Bristol, Jan. 12, and Feb. 13, at eleven, at the Bristol District Court. Hutton, official assignee, Bristol ; Salmon, Bristol. Naphtali Hart, butcher, Liverpool, Jan. 15, and Feb. 5, at eleven, at the Liverpool District Court. Cazenove, official assignee, Liverpool ; Dodge, Liverpool. Richard Frank Kennedy, chemist and druggist, Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 10, at half-past twelve, and Feb. 24, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Nicholson; official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Whitaker, Lincoln's-inn-fields; Stokes, Cowes, Isle of Wight. John Overbury, woollen warehouseman, Frederick's place, Old Jewry, Jan. 10, at two, and Feb. 23, at half past twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Pennell, official assignee, 3, Guildhall chambers ; J. and J. H. Linklaters, Sise-lane ; Winterbotham, Stroud. Thomas Richards, wood dealer, Lime-street, City, Jan. 13, at one, and Feb. 16, at two, at the Court of Bank ruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-street ; Wells, Founders Hall, Swithin's-lane. Jonathan Porritt, worsted spinner, Union Mill, Gilder some, Yorkshire, Jan. 26, and Feb. 23, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Voting, official assignee, Leeds ; Wavell, Philbrick, and Foster, Halifax. Thomas Wadsworth, silk deale r , Macclesfield, Jan. 17, and Feb. 7, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Fraser, official assignee, Manchester ; Norris, Macclesfield. Thomas Thompson, licensed victualler, Newcastle-upon- District Cou r t. B a k er Tvne, Jan. 9, an d F e b . 22 at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne official assignee, Newcastle-upon- Tyne ; Ludl ow an d Co. , , Bedford-row ; Hodge and Harle, Newcastle. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. William Readman, merchant and commission agent, Glasgow. Hugh Frazer, merchant and manufacturers' agent, Girvan. Alexander M`Farlane and Company, hearth-rug and car pet manufacturers and dyers, Glasgow. COURSE OF EXCHANGE.—THIS DAT. Amsterdam ............ 11 15N Gibratar .............. Ditto, three months .. 111 7 34 Leghorn 30 5-4, Rotterdam ...... • • .... 11 17 3 A, Genoa ......... • ...• .. 5 Antwerp .......• ••••.. 25 27 ilan ................ Brussels .....• 25 2734 Venice • • Ilambargh •13 6 ' Naples .•• .• Altona .. • • ............ Palermo Paris. ....... •• .... 25 5 Me;sina • • 130? Ditto, three months .. 25 30 Lisbon .. •••• • • • 53% Marseilles ............. 25 30 Oporto ......... • • • 53.7 i Bourdeaux ..•.... Rio Janeiro ..... ....... Frankfort-on Maine •• .. 117%, Buenos Ayres.... Berlin .......... • • •... New York, 69:days' sight Vienna........ •• • • .... 12 42 Philadelphia Trie5te........•• •• 12 41 ; PAICES OF BULIICN, PER OZ. Petersburg ........ •• • • 35 !,‘ Foreign Gold in Btu's £3 17 9 Madrid ......... •• •• • • 501 4 I P ortugal Gold Coin OO 0 Cadiz .. • ........ •S'OU ; Mexican Doilars 00 0 Barcelona ............ 1 •r•lw Dollars 0 0 0 Silver iu bars . 0 5 1 TILE WAR EPOCH '54. (Front ac Bankers' Magazine.) The year one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four a ill occupy a prominent position in the annals of Europe. It will mark the important period of a transition from a lengthened continuance of profound peace to an outbreak of war, to termination of which depends upon a variety of contingent influences. To those suf f iciently advanced in eye to remember the memorable Wellington campaigns, .he present crisis exhibits the remarkable contrast of the ssociation of England and France to repress the designing ambition of Russia, and to preserve intact the balance of power in the East ; while to these acquainted only with the stern realities of belligerent operations since the despatch of the allied forces to the Crimea, the suc cesses obtained must furnish an earnest of the lasting benefit to be derived from their cordial co-operation. Amidst the general distress, social and pecuniary, the fearful loss of life in the one case, and the derangement of trade in the other, each producing great discourage. ment, there is, however, the consolation that the attempt of the Czar to subvert the government of Turkey has accelerated a union between the two countries whose natural position and resources entitle them to take the lead in regulating the destinies of the civilised world ; and that, if the first exertions to secure an honourable recognition of their power have been attended with a heavy sacrifice, it will, in the end, be more than com pensated by the advantages which aro likely to accrue from the favourable nature of the relationship esta blished. , It was not to be supposed that the current of finan cial and commercial affairs would, at an epoch like this, assume a steady and undeviating course, or that the prosperity of the two or three preceding years would, under such circumstances, be maintained in its full integrity. From the character of the negotiations entered upon, and the unflinching perseverance of the Muscovite interest to achieve the object of their ambi tion, almost every one, from the entry of the combined fleets into the Black Sea, was prepared for the alterna tive ultimately adopted. The significant fact of the retirement of the Russian ministers from the courts of London and Paris, followed by the declaration of war in March, brought the actual position of the case pro minently before the public ; and even many who had previously professed an utter disbelief in the probable commencement of active hostilities, were then compelled to admit the sombre hues of the picture presented for contemplation. But, although a declaration of war had taken place, it was at the same time felt that the extreme measure had not been resorted to before every considerate attempt had failed to induce an honourable adjustment ; and, although the public were not unanimous, after the issue of the " secret correspondence," that the Cabinet had, with the possession of this knowledge, proceeded as energetically as circumstances required, they cheerfully accepted the responsibility entailed, and, with an euthu eiasre, deserving high commendetion, indorsed it with the character of "r.. people's cause." The war announced, preparations were requisite to oarry it forward. The early budget of Mr. Gladstone, which provided for en extraordinary expenditure—the positive result of negotiations not having been then ob tained—received support, despite a further increase of direct taxation ; and the country, while agreeing that it was prudent to arrange for any emergency, appeared to regret that the fallacious hopes entertained of any settle. ment should prevent the Government from seeking a :arger amount of assistance. The supplemental state ment exhibited in May indicated that a larger provision was necessary, but recourse to a loan was studiously avoided—the Chancellor of the Exchequer having refused originally to recognise the principle of rendering posterity liable for an outlay which should, according to his views, be discharged from the income of the period. Although the reasonableness of this position was contested at the time, and continues to be contested by high authorities, the majorities acquiesced, and the whole of the plans pro pounded were ratified, and speedily put in motion. While these auxiliary events were taking place, the presence of our fleets in the Black Sea and the Baltic exercised an influential surveillance ; and the enforce ment of blockades, notwithstanding their temporary evasion, impressed upon the subjects of the Czar, through diminished trade and restricted resources, the penalty incurred by the despotism of their ruler. There was, however, on his part, no desire to avail himself of the friendly offices of Austria, who, throughout the whole of this difficult question, has endeavoured to arrange terms between the contending Governments ; not pro bably from any latent disposition to assist the Western States, but to avoid, if possible, a personal embroilment with her haughty and irascible neighbour. In the in termediate period, a concentration of forces at Varna and Constantinople gave breadth to the proceedings of England and France, and the victories gained by the Turks over the Russians, under the leadership of Omer Paella, presented, in a satisfactory light, the effective resistance of the presumed weakly antagonist. The retreat from Silistria, and the proposed evacuation of the Principalities, at once changed, in many essen tial respects, the features of the war. Suffering greatly, as the allied troops had been, at Varna and Scutari, from disease and inaction, loud complaints were raised of the absence of an active demonstration against Ni cholas. The bombardment of Hangoe and Bomarsund, in the Baltic, although not considered brilliant achieve. ments, testified to the anxiety of our naval forces to distinguish themselves in those waters ; but the diffi culty of the navigation, and the want of gun-boats, pre vented the attainment of ether desirable objects. It was at this important juncture that the expedition to the Crimea was publicly intimated. Arrangerneuts previously in progress furnished evidence of sonic con siderable movement being at hand. No direct infor matinn had, however. transpired ; and, until the very sailing of the fleet, there was a doubt respecting its posi tive destination. It was then officially declared to be Sebastopol-4n announcement that created the greatest enthusiasm. The intelligence of the landing of the whole of the forces, without accident, on the 14th of September, was a cause of congratulation, not the less satisfactory because of that circumstance, but because it was believed to present the prospect of an auspicious campaign. The passage of the Alma, the capture of Baiaklava, and the celebrated battle of Inkerman, exhibited, in their strongest colours, the desperate cou rage and indomitable perseverance, surrounded by all difficulties, of both the English and French troops, who having fought side by side with a valour comparable only to that recorded in the classic age, elicited the mu tual encomiums of their commanders, on the field and in their published despatches. But these brilliant vic tories, each of which may be veritably described in the pages of history as among the mightiest of the existing generation, have not been unaccompanied with a great sacrifice of blood and treasure ; and the deplo able situation in which the army has been reduced, the wreck of supplies in the Euxine, and an unfavourable alteration in the weather, have increased the impe diments already encountered to a vigorous prosecution of the siege. Russia's old ally, winter, through alleged negligenoe on the part of our general war administration has proved, as in former cases, more antagonistic than was nntioipated ; since, had ordinary prevoyance been exercised, the rigours and inconveniences of a Crimean climate might have been mitigated, and the operations against Sebastopol effectively prolonged. The war, and its influence upon trade and finance, is a topic which has been much canvassed. Extreme par ties express extreme views, and consequently very different opinions have been current. The support ers of Government maintain that business trans- Actions have not received so great a check as that which was predicted would ensue when hostilities at first appeared imminent ; while opponents, on the other hand, declare that the country is plunged in a state of deep distress, the whole burden of which is attributable T to the vacillating policy of the Aberdeen Cabin et. aking a more moderate estimate of the war and its t consequences, a nearer approach to the truth is likely be arrived at. Generally admitting the inexperience of the administration in naval and military tactics— conceding the point, that blunders have been made in perfecting preliminary arrangements, and which might, in all probability, have occurred had other parties been in power—it is impossible to conceal the fact that, considering all things, affairs have moved forward in a tranquil and satisfactory manner. While allowing this, it must, at the same time, be remembered that no struggle of this momentous description could be engaged in without creating some effect upon commerce, the re lations of which are invariably disturbed whenever such events take place. The inactivity of trade, and the dullness which has, more or less, overshadowed every de partment within the last four months, have been provoked by other circumstances than the war. And these colla teral incidents are, in themselves, of almost equal import anoe to those which may be supposed to have sprung out of the contest now going on with Russia. Taxation to defray the expenses of the war has, of course, been increased, and the weight has fallen on the public. But, unfortu nately, in addition to this unfavourable state of things, Australia and America, the two principal customers of Groat Britain, have been passing through phases of pressure, which have affected, not only the credit of mercantile and trading establishments in those loca lities, but also that of agents and correspondents re sident here. Failures and other commercial disasters which have not arisen from these proximate causes, will be found to have been few and far between. With suck an excess of business, mostly speculative, as is represented to have been tran sac t e d through these connections, it was scarcely possible to avoid the effects of the revolution recently witnessed. Eut if business has been heavy, and in the majority of cases unremunerative, great disposition has been exhi bited to stretch forth a helping hand to those in difficul ties, where the least lope of recovery existed ; and the occasional symptoms of panic presenting thenssslves have thus been allayed, without being permitted to reach a height to endanger legitimate and healthy trade. With keept he n u ea Sorelya antecedents such as these, it was to be expected that mo ney, would, on the average, command full rates, and I there has been active employment for the whole 'avail ' 'Lich amount of capital, both in Lombard -street and at a moment o t f in Melbourne,?Y a , v and California, have not decreased, of the Bank threatened g e nerale i,du banking circles. Although the supplies from been sufficient at particular periods to ence, so nicely g balance, requisite to create confidence count been regulatesd,thth nd when the metallic reserves ha to undergo a rapid diminution. Bank authorities have not varied alteration in the rate of dis the minimani terms of the havin g more than one-half per cent.—the rate in May agndb9irAaduvanced from five to five-and-a-half per sent. ; 050138,000/. quotation ; while the stock of bullion has August having fluctuated c : t v u i a n t g e d been reduced from five-and-a -half to five be tween 16,286,000/. (25th of February) and the present (20th May), now standing (December 16th)171' One essential element in inducing the public te: 0 12 0 0 0 41 might up against p ro ph es i e d a d vers i t i es was the abundant Iharvest, w hi c h p rov id e d f or a contingency that in' otherwise h ave b een a tt en d e d w i t h disastrous results l ; and, fortified with this certainty, they wore 1 2 1:•Paroci to A combat with minor difficulties in a spirit worthy of the occasion. The subsequent fluctuations in the value of grain, through operations for export, have not dimi nished the confidence in the adequate nature of the home supply ; and, although quotations may exhibit firmness at the average advance, there is little appre hension of lengthened scarcity. A remarkable feature to notice, in the midst of this general perturbation, is the almost inflexible stability of the funds. No doubt can be entertained that the greater number of capitalists, especially of the investing community, are less excited by war or war rumours than they were half a century since. It is true that, during the agitation occasioned by the declaration of hostilities, Console sank to S 5, but the fall was principally produced through heavy specu lative sales, which ultimately ruined many who engaged in them; The reaction, afterwards apparent, which caused a rise to within a fraction of 96, establishes a range of about 11 per cent., but there has once more been a change, and the nearer quotation is 911. Doubtful as the future seems to be—and it is very hard to attempt va,ticination on points so complex as those involved in the existidg state of foreign relatioes— there is yet a gleam of hope that, if Austria and Prussia be brought to a proper sense of their true interests, a peace may at no distant date be concluded. But it must be distinctly understood that victory or defeat does not depend upon those powers. Their acquiescence may facilitate an arrangement which is likely to be beneficial to themselves and also to Russia. An expenditure such as England and France, out of the whole European family, can alone bear, will probably be necessary to carry out the war, should their policy dictate a different plan ; but each of those two nations, now they have once pledged themselves to the conflict, will most cheer fully exhaust their resources rather than succumb to the proposed aggression of the all-usurping Nicholas. THE SUN ; _LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2,186 b: unfaltering steadfastness and deliberation. For rot/eh : and ready justice, as it is called, I always entertained, arid dei entertain, a horror. And as for any interfering with a ptisoner's counsel, I cannot do so. My heart recoils from interrupting a gentleman to whom an unhappy prisoner has intrusted his charater and liberty, and who has a most anxious duty to perform. The length at which this shall be done, must, however, bo left to the discretion and taste of the counsel themselves. Gentlemen, both the criminal and civil business of this borough is much increasing ; and I am, and always have been, delighted to do everything in my power to despatch both as quickly, but also as satisfactorily as possible. My distinguished predecessor here, Mr. Justice Cressweil, was appointed recorder in 1831. Tha population was then 53,744. In the year 1833, the average number of criminal cases at each sessions was 29, with three appeals. In the year 1832, the civil business consisted of 4 cases for trial, and two writs of inquiry in the whole year. Now I was appointed in 1851, and then the eliailation was increased by upwards of 30,030 that is, it was 84,690. The average number of criminal cases for last year, each session, was 47, with one appeal ; and in the same year there were 13 civil causes tried, and one writ of inquiry. Thus you see, gentlemen, that as the population has greatly increased, so has the criminal and civil business of the sessions ; and, moreover, many of each class of cases are of difficulty and importance, with many witnesses, and r© luire that attention which I am resolved they shall always have, as far as I am con cerned. I have yet, gentlemen, one other matter to men tion to you :—that in order to obviate as much as pos:Able the inconvenience and loss of time of which the Venire juryman have of late so much, and I doubt not juetly, complained, I intend fcr the future to appoint a certain day, before which they need not attend, and on and after which they may attend and dis patch consecutively whatever business there may be for them. Whether this fixed day shall be for the future im mediately before or after the sessions I have not yet de te.rinined. The Christmas sessions are rather exceptional, as far as regards myself, and some of the gentlemen at this bar who also attend the Beverley sessions. Desiring to accommodate them as I deemed fair and yeas enable, I have named Wednesday, the 3d of January, for the sitting of the Venire Court; which will admit of the members of the bar attending on the Tuesday, at Beverley, en which day the greater portion of the business of their sessions is transacted, and the bulk of the bar released from attend ance. I hope to finish the criminal business here by Sa turday next, or at latest on Monday ; and cheerfully sacri fice the one or two intervening days, remaining here idle, to consult ' the convenience of those members of the bar who may have business at Beverley. I repeat, gentlemen, what I said in a letter recently read before the Towe-coun cil, that I feel a warm interest in the Venire Court, and am delighted to see the Town-council of the same mind. The Venire Court is a very ancient court of civil justice hero, absolutely unlimited in jurisdiction, except in respect of locality. It sits throughout the year ; the deputy-judge is your able and experienced Town-clerk, whose decisions I have never once hitherto had °cession to overrule ; there is as free audience for attorneys and soli citors as for the bar; and I have soon eentlemen in both departments of the profession discharge the duties of ad veteites in this court, in the most able and satisfactory wanner, and in cases of no little difficulty and importance, end I never saw jurymen di:sell:up their duties better. Tiering adverted to jarymen, allow me to say that their duties, alike in criminal and civil cases, are equally important and honourable. Nay, they are very elevating, for they train the mind to grave, patient, dispassionate inquiry,—teachieg the noble lesson of keeping the judg ment suspended, uninfluenced by mere assertion, by ,so phistry, by prejudice, by prepossession; and while doinz this, becoming also familar with the system of judicial invess tigation, and the great leadingprinciplesof our civil and cri minal law. No juryman who forms a proper estimate of his position.—one which trains and prepares him admirably to fill municipaloffice—will feel impatient while called on by his country to exercise such interesting and momentous public functions. The learned Recorder then proceeded to say that he regretted to find that, alth o u g h littl e more th an two months had elapsed since the last sessions, there were not less than 46 or 47 distinct cases for trial, involving at least 49 prisoners. And he was sorry to find that among these cases were some which he had hoped would have been decreased by the wholesome severity which he had felt it his duty to exercise. There were no fewer than 10 cases of servants robbing their masters. That must be put down. He would venture to remind the grand jury that they had not to try cases, but simply to ascertain whether on the blush—on the first aspect of the case—there was enough of. suspicion of guilt to warrant them sending the case into the court for trial. There was ono or two cases of felonies by youthful offenders, and it might occur to some of them that these might have been disposed of sum• warily by the excellent gentleman (Mr. Travis) who eat by him. But ho (the Recorder) presumed that the magis• trate acted upon the principle of the Act of Parliament which enabled justices to deal summarily with juvenile de linqueuts. That Act did not apply to compound felonies, but in the express terms of the Act to simple larcenies only. And if a child unfortunately committed a compound felony as it was called, he (the Recorder) and the jury alone could deal with it—as in the case where a child stole from the person—that took the matter out of the hands of the stipendiary magistrate, and compelled him to send it there. There were one or two cases involving only a small amount of property. But the amount had nothing to do with the matter. If the grand jury, in their sworn judg ment, believed that there had been a felony, the value of the goods had nothing to do with it. Property was neces sarily exposed on wharfs, railroads, fie., and if only a sin gle apple, or orange, or piece of rope was stolen, the value of it was not for consideration. Alluding to a case of rope stealing, where the rope had not been removed wholly from the premises, the Recorder pointed out the law that, if with a felonious intent property was oily removed a hair's breadth, that constituted a stealing. The Recorder then dismissed the jury to their duties. We are greatly gratified at finding that our learned and distinguished recorder, Me. Warren, has devoted so much time and inquiry to ascertaining the extent to which, tho magistrates, grand jurors, and people of Hull are morally bound to provide a good Reformatory School for the recep tion of juvenile criminals with a view to their ultimate restoration to the . pe.tha of social intercourse, rectitude, and virtue, It is a new thing in Hull for our magistracy to be invited from the judicial bench to take as early a part in the discussion of grea.t reformatory questions as their brethren in London, Birmingha,ru, Manchester, and Liver pool. Tho active intelligence of our excellent recorder is net content to leave us to grope our way by the dim tra ditional light of precedents drawn from courts not superior in jurisdiction to his own ; he nobly dares to ask us to ad vance boldly, and under his safe guidance, to claim for oar selves the distinction of setting an example to towns lass populous and less influential than the borough of Hull. Wo feel confident that there is not a person ()fatly reflection in the East Riding of Yorkshire, who will read the recorder's charge but who will thank him very heartily for the pains which he has bestowed upon the consideration of this important subject, and for his eloquent and foreible recommendation of it to the adoption of the Hull grand jury. Most of our readers will be aware that the question was strongly urged upon public attention in some letters which recently ap peared in this journal, purporting to be part of a series in preparation on Reformatory Schools. These letters were from the pen of a magistrate of much experience in cri minal matters; and very great will be the delight of the writer to find his views supported by the lucid intellect and blackletter lore of the author of a "Diary of a Late Physician." After the charge of the learned recorder, we consider that there is really an end of the theoretical part of tiiis question. What we chiefly want now is some ma gistrate to take the load in convoking a meeting of the ma gistrates, preparatory to a meeting of the whole borough, to consider the desirableness of commencing forth with the esta blishment of aRe 'ornaatory School. Perhaps the most proper person to take the initiative would be the stipendiary, Mr Travis ; who is exceedingly well acquainted with the whole bearings of the proposed system, and who has himself de voted much thought to the applicability of such a system to the wants of the youthful criminals in our Borough gaol. The practical question, as regards the public, can be best dealt with by a lawyer conversent with all the details of prison discipline, and capable of showing in what way the system would work in a pecuniary point of view. We have ourselves a very strong conviction that, properly managed, all Reformatory Schools might be made self euppertiag, if not actually sources of national income. Labour was the first, and it should ever be the chief punishment of sin. God set us the example, in the per sons of our first parents, how all future transgressors ought to be punished ; and la mature wisdom guided the judi ete hu i a ta l nc ( 1 1 s el ,f i co b or e m r a (pi taei compelling g( o i. t f ahm o e n vi r ,d lef fathers, onsetsoi nftght dungeons,he l w im o n b l s c , l have am pl withe syun heavyeb,as nt i s s for the duplication and triplication of that earth•subduing toil, which won from the red furrow of the field the golden grain which still forms the great staple of human sustenance. As regards the suggested Maritime School we feel very sure that it would appear to the Recorder less neces sary if he were practically acquainted with the educational establishment conducted here, ruder the auspices, and at the expense of, the Hull Corporation of the Trinity Howse. What is really wanted is an industrial school under the inspection of the Poor-law Board, for the reception and training of all the destitute children of both sexes in any given number of poor-law unions. The law already pro vides for the establishment of such schools, and enables boards of guardians to lay rates for them at a sum not ex ceeding ono penny in the pound ; but when the opportu• fifty of establishing one in this neighbourhood was pre sented, and recernmeaded, a number of very zealous, but not very sagacious, individuals succeeded in charging themselves for ever with the burden of a ragged school, which no efforts ever can render half so valuable as an industrial Government school, to a large community like that of Hull. An industrial school might be made to train np five thousand boys either as seamen or husbandmen without more expense to its patrons than if it only con tained fifty children ; whereas a ragged school must always depend for support upon the variable offerings of persons liable to all the caprices of fortune, and all the variations of individual opinion. Moreover, an industrial school would offer undoubted guarantees to pareats anxious about the religious train* of their children ; whereas, Ragged Schools must necessarily com pel the giving a general preference to teaching 'ef certain creeds. It may bo that the Hull Ragged School will form an exception to such institutions elsewhere, and that its utility will be as extensive as the benevolence of its foun ders. In that case no other schools of the kind will be required. But if it fail there is still in reserve the legal provision for the establishment of a Quatt's Farm School adequate to the industrial training of all the poor chil dren in the East Riding of Yorkshire. _ _ _ The other points touched upon in the Recorder's charge are more of an administrative character, aid though highly important, cannot be handled here. We venture to assure the learned judge there is not the least occasion for any defence of the groat care which he bestows upon the trial of the great body of prisoners now brought before him. The R,ecordership of Hull is a ♦ery onerous office now compared to what it was when Mr. Cresswell sat here, or even when Mr. Baines so worthily presided as chief cri minal judge in this borough. Many of the cases tried. in Hull involve questions of law and of fact as complicated, and affecting interests as momentous, as any short of capi tal trials brought before the judges at York, and yet, such is the ability manifested in our Quarter Sessions court that in uo place is the law administered more satisfac torily. VACANT GROUND NEAR ST. PAUL'S. The following letters have been addressed to the Editor of the Times : Sir,—ln consequence of the conversation in the House of Cliamons on the above subject, I request you to allow me to explain the money part of the question, which 1 fear, if not explained, may stand in the way of this important improvement. Sir W. Molesworth, in answer to the question of Mr. Labouehere, is reported to have said that the Corporation of London required 60,0001. for this laid, which sum the Government were not prepared to grant. On this subject I beg to give the following explanation, which will show that on the one hand the Corporation of London do not require this sum of money paid down for the land in question, nor are the Government asked to pay it on the other, and that, therefore, there must be some misapprehension on the subject, which the Committee of Architects desire to remove. The improvements in the city of London since the °losing of the functions of the London-bridge, and its Approaches Committee have been conducted by a new committee, called the Improvement Committee ; and, so far as the new Cannon•etreet is concerned, are authorised by an act of Parliament passed in 1815, which gave powers to raise 500,0001. for the purpose, to widen Cannon-street and Queen-street. In 1850 another act passed, authorising the raising of 300,0001. additional for continuing Cannon-street westward to St. Paul's-churchyard. The operation of these acts is this—that under their authority the corporation is empowered to pledge its annual income to raise these sums of money on bond, and it is understood that the Bank of England makes the advances in such sums as may be required, and is secured by the corporate seal, thus authorised to be used. It is necessary, however, now to explain an earlier part of the process. In the first instance then, and before any act is applied for, a plan of the improvement sug gested is submitted to the corporation, and after disev.s- Rion and approval a careful estimate of the cost of pur chasing the property, with all its trades and incidents, including conveyancing and other costs, is prepared. In addition to this, an estimate is also made of the value of the surplus property to be sold after the street is widened or opened, and one total is set against the other. If as, it is said, is the case in Paris, the new frontages and surplus land would sell for as much as the cost of the property, then the power to borrow money would only be required pending the actual operation; and when the land was all sold, the borrowers would be paid and the transac tion at an end. In England, however, we are not so fortu nate, and I believe in the main that those experienced in such matters all agree that even under favourable circum • stances the eventual deficiency is 33 per oent. ; and in unfavourable circumstances, much more. Perhaps no Case may he quoted as more favourable than that au thorised by the act of 1850, whereby a series of obcsure lanes were obliterated, and a broad thoroughfare, open ing in the very heart of London, created. Be that as it may, such an advantage would probably be more than counterbalanced by the cost of the improvement of the eastern pN.rt of Cannon-street, authorised by the first act of 1845. For the sake of illustration, however, I assume the 33 per cent, of loss, and the case would then stand thus :—the original cost of the property and cx peases of all sorts, including interest on the advances, may be taken at 1,200,0001. ; deducting one-third or 33 per cent. deficiency, amounting to 400,0001., and the remainder, or 800,0001., would represent tho value to be obtained by the resale of the now frontages and surplus land. But then it is obvious that the Corporation of London, who take the risk of the operation, would at the close of the transaction be the losers of 400,0001., and have to find it either out of the corpus of their estates, or to pay it by instalments in the shape of annuities, or otherwise. This, however, is not intended, and one of the important tolls, granted originally by charter to the city of London, and confirmed by acts of Parliament, provides the annuity for paying off this loss. This duty is the Coal Tax of ls. id. per ton, which tax expires in 1862, -and is thus divided-9d. goes to the Treasury to pay for `Vest-end improvements; ld. to the Commission ers of Woods and Forests for similar purposes ; and the original toll to the city of London for paying off this and similar charges. If I have made myself understood, it will now be seen that if the city of London give up this land, represent ing a sum of 60,0001., the deficiency must be made up out of their own funds ; and they propose boldly to take the chance of this if the coal duty were continued for one year more, that is to 1863. This reasonable suggestion is refused by the Lords of the Treasury, and the pro bable consequence may be, that "the act of Yandalism" of covering their land—as it was termed in the house — may be perpetrated. It is right, however, to add, that it has been suggested, that the recent enormous prices ' given for the land in St. Paul's churchyard and its neigh bourhood would enable the city of London to give up this sum of 80,0001. without any call upon their private resources, or without the additional year's duty on coal. Of course, as the operations under both acts are now completed, or nearly so, it would be very easy to stove for a return, and see how the account stands. But in justice to the city of London, I am bound to say, that the committee have received more encouragement from the Improvement Commission than (except in personal ceurtesies, for which they are very grateful) from the Government.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, 42, Lowndes-square. WILLIAM TITO. Sir,—l trust you will indulge me with a small space in your valuable columns for the purpose of making a few comm en ts on a l e tter from Mr. Tite, the emi nent City architect, and a principal member of the committee of the Society of Architects, which ap peared in the Times of Wednesday last, on the sub ject of the abandonment by the corporation of a small triangular piece of land—less than a quarter of an acre —i n the south-eastern corner of St. Paul's-church yard, which, having been cleared of the old buildings upon it, affords the public a much better view of the cathedral than they enjoyed before. A very general wish has been expressed that this opening may be permanent; and Mr. Tits, who speaks as the exponent of the views of the corporation, names, I presume with their autho rity, the sum of 60,000/. as the value of this triangular plot, containing by computation 1,060 square yards. %crely the corporation must fix this price for the sight, r4,-ailo.t for the site ; fo r , o th erwise, land in that neigh de_ Pa would be worth above 2 50,0001 per acre, in- Thist b uildings w hich. piec. e upon it, is monstrous. ingegood,a t l and nasty have cost a great deal for build but the present va.C'T a ch ' arge e.:7efurants and so on, which constituted is not in a good sitnulaot the formation of the new street • my judgnaent, be far , th e vacant piece of land, which' I was struck by tile tcsr shops, must, according to :11r. Tite's letter erteztion in the latter part of 15 2 , 14 r, below the sum talked of. made myself teachin g understood"— for 3e qut , ition—" If I have the perusal of it, I had felt ;haetrtt at that stage of simple case confounded and confuser"` than this was by the skill of Mr. Tite, ra Ne T, saw a very employed to prepare the way for ral effectually I 41 44 been position that the public should h ive g in erxacratlnt2 pro_ this 1,050 yards of land a year's continuance C.l coal tax, whi c h a t present mulcts them to the th ex tent of 200,0001. p er annum, and, of course , increases year by y ear . l am re j o i ced to learn from ' Mr. Tite's letter that the Government refused their aid to this job. I presume they thought that it was the affair of the millionaires in the city, who were the pcssessor s of land worth, according to Mr. Tito's showin g , 250,0001. per acre, ind e p en d ent o f t h e b uildings erecte d on it, in stead of the poor inhabitants of Westminster, Maryle bone, Finsbury, the Tower Hamlets, Rotherhith e , and Lambeth, who would pra c ti ca ll y f ee l t h e enhanced price of their coals, though they are probably very indifferent about the proposed improvement.—l remain, sir, your constant reader, Join( DAMSON. A THRIVING TOWN.—On Sunday last, the Rev. Henry Brooks christened 104 children in St. Peter's Church, in this town—the largest number ever known in ono day in the parish,—.Ziverpoel Courier, HULL BOROUGH SESSIONS. (From the Hull Advertiser.) Tho Christmas Quarter Sessions for this borough opened on Thursday morning, before Samuel - Warren, Eiq., Q.C., D.C.L., Recorkler of Hull. The usual forms of the court having been gone through, The Learned Recorder proceeded to charge the Grand Jury as follows :—Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—Ever since I last sat hero I have been longing to see in your weekly organs of intelligence an announcement that a beginning had been made in good earnest--one worthy of this important and popular borough—to establish refor matory schools for juvenile criminals. But I have looked in vain. Nevertheless, I believe that there is a noble Christian feeling here on the subject, a true and high phi lanthropy not evaporating in words, but nsernifeeting it by acts. Does not the necessity continue urgent? I have hero a heavy calendar again before me ; and a letter which I received from the governor of the gaol, shortly before I left London, in answer to inquiries of mine, es to the state of the gaol, ends with this melancholy and afflict ing sentence :—" It is a letuentable fact that the juve niles under seventeen years of age, have increased to nearly double the average number, during the last five months ! Indeed, there are two only eleven years of age !" If no steps have been taken in the borough towards meeting the advance of the legislature in the last session, I can but ex press deep concern, maul earnestly echo the recently uttered language of Lord Broughein—the most illustrious law re former of his age, and ever foremost in anything calculated to advance the higher interests of society. "I hope and trust," 1-.4 says, " that the war will not, among its other evils, occa sion obstruction in either country—France or England—to any of those great plans of benevolence—let me rather say, beneficence." He was writing on the subject of Reforma tory Schools. My excellent friend the Recorder of Lon don, in his last charge to the grand jury, took occasion to express regrets similar to mine on this occasion, that the great county of Middlesee had not come forw a rd, as I am now imploring you to cone forward, to arrest the foul tor rent of juveuile crime ; and at the late Winter Assize for this county, I am assured by those who were present, Mr. Baron Alderson delivered an eloquent, a most impressive and awakening charge to the grand jury, on the all important topic which I am now urging again upon your attention. I believe that every gentleman whom I am now addressing is listening, in an enlightened and conside rate spirit, to what I are nosy but too feebly saying, and also feels that public duty is knocking loudly at the door of his heart and censcioace. Gentlemen, in the course of my legal readings, a fete days ago, I suddenly stumbled on on a very affecting and remarkable passage, which I had never seen before, in oae of the writings of him whore we lawyers call our great master, Lord Coke. Writing two centuries ago, he concluded his last great Institute with the words, " Blessed be the amending hand !"—which he ad dressed to " the wise-hearted and expert builders of the laws, to amend bete the method or uniformity of them, and the structure itself, wherein they shall find either want of win dows, or eufficieet lights, or other deficiency in the architec ture whatsoever." But the passage to which I naore pattieu lardy refer occurs in the epilogue to his Third Institute ; and it does eternal honour to the memory of that mighty law yer. " Justice," he says, "is justice severely punishing, and justice truly preventing. True it is, that we have found by woeful experience that it is not frequent and often punishment that doth prevent like offences ! Those offences are often committed that are often punished ; for the frequency of the punishment makes it so familiar, as it is not feared. For example : what a lamentable case it is to see so many Christian men and women strangled on that cursed tree of the gallows ! inasmuch as, if in a large field a man might see together all the Christians that, but in ono year, threugh , ut :England, came to that untimely and ignominious death—if there were any sparks of grace or charity in him, it would make his heart to bleed for pity and compassion ! But here I leave to divines to in struct the inward man; who, being well instructed, the outward man will be easier reformed. This preventing justiee consisteth in three things :—Fil st, in the good edu cation of youth, and th a t b o th by good instruction of them in the grounds of the true religion of Almighty God, and by learning them knowledge of trade, in their tender yearn, so as there should not be an idle person, or a beggar, but that every child, male or female, whose parents are poor, might, at the ago of seven yearn, earn their own living : :end this, for .the time to come, would undoubtedly, by preventing justice, ovoid idleness iu all (one of the foul and fatal channels that lead into the very Dead Sea), and, by honest trades, cause them to become good members in the commonwealth. Secondly, preventing justice consisteth in the execution of good laws. True it is there be good laws already to punish idleness, but none of sufficient force or effect to set youth, or the idle, on work. Thirdly, that forasmuch as many do offend in the hope of pardon, that pardon be very rarely granted. But the consideration of this preventing justice were worthy of the wisdom of a Parliament ; and in the meantime, expert and wise neon to make preparation for the same. Blessed shall he be that layeth the first stone of this building; more blessed that proceeds in it ; most of all that finisheth it to the glory of God, and the honour of our king and nation." Gentlemen, these are grains of gold—the pure ore of philanthropy—dug out of the old ragged blackletter, and I commend them to your reflec tions. The first stone of the building has been laid in Par liament ' • let ua now, in Lord Cok e ' s l anguage , u tt ere d t wo hundred years ago, proceed iu it, and finish it, to the glory of God, and the honour of our Queen and nation. Lot it not be recorded that the Parliament relied on our voluntary co-operation in vain, aid were at length obliged to have recourse to compulsory action. And now let us hear a commentary on this touching passage of old Lord Coke, by a pious and humane chaplain of 1834—the chaplain of our gaol, in his report to the magistrates this day :—" It is painful again to mention the great number of juveniles that from month to month are committed to prison. Since the let of January last the number has been 133 ! of whom 37 have been committed since my last report. The greatest part of thane youths come to me on the Sunday morning for an honr before c'aapel time, to read the scrip tures and receive reli g i ous instructions. About a month ago I had 23 on Sunday morning for this purpose ; and from in quiry I found that only $ of them had not been in gaol be fore ; 7 had been in once, 1 twee times, 1 four times, and 1 sixteen times ! Seven of thenumberwerenot able to read, and knew little more than the Lord's Prayer, and some of them could net repeat even that correctly. Many of those who have been to schools de not keep up the ability to read and write, and their attendenco at a place of worship on the Sunday is a thing of rare immersed. They thus lose their knowledge of religious ahraseelogy, as well as of reli gion itself, and are easily led to think that the knowledge of the commands of God, as contained in the Bible, is not necessary to their present or future welfare ; and to this, is, I think, to be traced, in a great measure, their present reckless conduct." This, I repeat, is your worthy chap lain's mournful but awakening, commentary on Lord Coke. Gentlemen, I venture to threw out for the consideration of the authorities of this borough, and of all intrusted in its welfare, whether they have not admirable facilities and epportunities for establishing a Maritime School, for the hitherto neglected classes, such as I believe exists in Bel gium, if not also elsewhe re , on the Continent. There, I believe, such an institution is attended with the very best effects. At a place 20 or 3) miles distance from the sea, they have an establishment for teaching poor boys, chiefly by means of a great model of a ship, (as in the Royal Naval School at Greenwich,) the elementary and practical duties of seamanship, as well as a little other useful know ledge ; 80 that when old enough to go to sea, they are suf ficiently trained and competent to undertake regular ship duty, and escape being cabin-boys. Now, if this humane and wise system can be so successfully used so far inland , what are your facilities ? How easy it would be to make a beginning here, and grad ually excite an esprit de corps and emulation among the boys, which would soon reach their parents and friends; and how delightful to the feelings of the gentry of Hull, to find the Maritime School increasing in numbers, as the cells of the prison became proportion. ably untenanted ! What facilities exist for training hardy young sailors, in your very presence to handle ropes and climb the rigging, instead of picking oakum and treading the dreary and degrading treadmill ! Why not make a reformatory beginning here ? It would be popular, I do believe, or the humbler classes here have not that kind and humane feeling for which at present I do heartily give them credit. It would be an act which the country at large would applaud, as soon as they heard of it ; and say that Hull had set a noble example to her sister ports in Great Britain ! Let Hull have that honour. Gentle men, there is another subject to which I must briefly refer in connection with something which has occurred here since the last session, and relating to the administration of justice hero. I was deeply concerned to be informed, that one or twe gentlemen have expressed anxiety that criminal cases here should be disposed of a great deal more rapidly than I think is consistent with the due administration of jus tice. If I am correctly informed, some one spoke with admiration of having " seen a man tried, convicted, and sentenced to transportation, all in ten minutes !" and an other said the Recorder could prevent the sessions being lengthened by " keeping counsel to the point, and getting through a case in three minutes." Gentlemen, when I took my seat first in this chair, I stated, quoting language with which I would hope we are all familiar, that I would uniformly strive " truly and indifferently to minister jus tice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, anti to the maintenance of true religion and virtue." This cannot be done but with gravity, circumspection, and deliberation ; and all I shall thick fit to say here on this subject, is, that if you will go to your prison when these sessions are over, 1 do not think you will find a prisoner there who will not freely own that heor she has been fairly and patiently tried. Some of those with whom I havelbeen forced to deal most severely have said as much to myself often, when afterwards visiting them ingaol, and to others, who can testify it; and I can conscienti ous l y say that no man , woman, or child—alas that I should have to say child !—ever stands at that bar, whom it is not my humble endeavour to try as fairly, and look into his case as thoroughly as I would desire to be clone in my own case, if unfortunately our positions wore reversed. What irreparable injustice may be clone in the three minutes in which it is imagined a person mey be tried, convicted, and consigned to infamy and agony in a foreign land, during a long period of his life ? No, gen tlemen, as long as I sit here, with God's blessing, I will hold the sc a l es of justice calmly and steadily, and watch tl " iI2Q 4 II4 tiQA 94 thou% tONVArds innotnnoo, with RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.— Traffic return for the week ending Dec, 30, 1554 £lO, (359 5 9 Corresponding week last year 10,531 0 7 Total of the half-year to this date, 1854 389,584 2 5 Total of the half-year to this date, 1853 353,09: 13 1 LONDON AND SOUTH-EASTERN RllLWAY.—Traffie re• turn for the weekending Dee. 30, 1 851 i:16,197 9 2 Correspondin g week last year 15,591 10 10 Increase in1.854... 1 !! 000000 gOO3 18 THE LIV.ERPOOL SHIP TRADE. (From Carry anc4 Co.'s Annual Ciro alai.) We beg to hand you, as cnsturnaty at this time, our annual statement of the past year's business in the sale of ships at this port, and though we may consider it as almost terminating with September, there being but few transactions in the last quarter to report, we are enabled to lay before you just such a result as we pre dicted—the returns for the year ended, showing an in- crease of 91,570 tons in excess of the previous year. In last January's annual letter we stated nothing was likely te interfere with this result butthe interruption of our na• tional peace, and which is here clearly proved. When in the month of May war was proclaimed, though producing a depressing effect upon most other trades, it was found, from the anticipated large requirements of Government for the transport service, rather to give an increased stimulus to shipping property than otherwise, which continued until the beginning of October, when the un fortunate stoppage of Mr. Oliver, with a fleet of ninety eight ships on hand, and which it is obi ions must be thrown upon the market, brought about a reaction and conse9ueut paralysis that has seriously affected us to the present hour. The difficulty of speedily arranging for the liquidation of an estate of such magnitude io a manner that is satisfactory to all parties interested, has hitherto retarded the payment of a dividend, but it is understood that all difficulties have at length been removed. The sale by auction of 22 of Mr. Oliver's ships, amounting to 15,700 tons and realising 96,1851., being an average of 61. 2s. 6d. per ton has been already effected, while many others are likely to be speedily sold, so that there is every prospect of an early dividend. From January to October our high quotations of last year were fully maintained, and in some instances exceeded, and for that period we may quote first qua lity colonial ships to class seven years at 101. to 121., those classing six years at 91. to M.—and spruce ships 8/. to 101.—small vessels suitable for the coasting frade at 71. to Si. 103. From October to the present there has been a fall prices equal to 50s. per ton on largo ships and from 20s. to 30s. per ton upon tke smaller craft. \Ve have noticed with pleasure a decidedly im proved feeling among ship buyers within the last fort night, when snore sales have been made than for the previous two months. A considerable number of Rus sian prizes have lately come upon the market and been sold in some instances at very low prices. As regards our prospects for the year before us, we may state there are very few ships to come forward from the Colonies. The reaction that has taken place in our market and the high rate of wages no :V paid to shipwrights, together with considerable monetary depression experiesced in Canada, New Brunswick, &c., &c., will prevent much building and as our stocks are not excessive and the losses of the past year greatly above the average, we have reason to think the supply will come short of the usual demand, awl prices must considerably improve hefore spring. In confirmation of this opinion we request your attention to the following fact :—ln the December of 1853 there was on the stocks at Quebec 29 ships, equal to 135,000 tons—in the De cember of 1351 there wers but 4, from 5,000 to 6,000 tons collectively, in any state of forwardness or likely to be ready for launching during the spring. In New Brunswick comparatively nothing is doing, and the same may be stated of most of the other colonial building stations. Notwithstanding the very decided assurance given by the Government that a strict blockade of the ports of the Black S, a and Sea of Azof was to be enforced, we may name that we have lately sold several vessels for this trade, and as the cargoes continue to arrive freely from these waters we are led to believe, however unjust it may be to the merchant and importer, this outlet for small vessels is not likely to be closed. The number of ships that have changed hands in Liver pool in the year is 730 —equal to 380,080 tons—of which 53 are British, equal to 31,386 tons—against 659, equal to 288,430 in 1853. ' The number of new colonial vessels that have come into Liverpool and been registered is 123—equal to 125,994 tons--against 112=83 ; 376 toss in 1853—show ins an increase in tonnage of 45,618 tons over the pre vious year, and making the average measurement of each vessel 1,048 tons. The number of foreign vessels that have changed hands in Ow year and been registered in Liverpool is 55—equal to 36,665 tons--against 26=11,300 tons in 1853—show in an increase of 25,365 tons. Tile number of steamers registered in Liverpool is 40 —equal to 14,830 tens—of winch 13 are paddle=l,s92 —and 22 screwz---13 238 tons—against 44=9,237 — showing a decrease of 4 vessels and an increase of 5,593 toes upon the return of 1353. Iron ships are somewhat less in favour owing to the present difficulty of adjusting the compasses, and the recent severe disasters arising therefrom. The excitement occasioned by Mr. Oliver's failure has been maintained for nearly three months, and does not seem likely to subside for a long time to come. This is, of course, attributable chiefly to the unusual magnitude of his engagements. The debts are reported to exceed 800,0001. ; and the assets, if judiciously realized, to amount to half-a million. But there are other circum stances which have contributed largely to keep the commercial world of Liverpool in a ferment about this matter. To throw a fleet of merchantmen, of the largest size, and of more than 50,000 tons, sud denly into the market menaced our shipping trade with utter stagnation. To prevent this it was ab solutely necessary that Mr. Oliver should be enabled to avoid bankruptcy, and sell his ships gradually. The principal creditors thereupon exerted themselves to obtain a general assent to a trust-deed. It was pre pared and executed on the 7th of October, many coming into the arrangement, upon the understanding, earnestly pressed upon them, that it was the only way to pre vent the American creditors from appropriating to themselves exclusively all that part of the shipping that happened to be ix American ports. The trustees under this deed forthwith proceeded to act upon it and a few weeks since instructed their brokers to sell 22 of the ships by auction. To give a stimulus to the sales a novel expedient was resorted to ; it 'A as arranged that purchasers should pay half the purchase-money in Mr. Oliver's bills, tw be estimated at 50 per cent. of their nominal amount. This plan might have answered but for one obvious objection ; it placed several of the creditors, and those among the largest of them, in a more favourable position than the smaller fry ; for it operated to give them a long priority of pay ment of a dividend of 10s. in the pound, every pur chaser of a ship on such terms receiving that divi dend on completing his purchase ; and many, there fore, refused 'to come in under the deed ; and a creditor of the name of Evans, whose debt amounted to nearly 7,0001., petitioned the Court for an adjudica fon in bankruptcy, on the opinion of Sir G. Stephen that the extention of the deed of the 7th of October was itself an act of bankruptcy. This proceeding added fuel to the flames, and a scene then followed of the most ex traordinary character. Where was the deed ? Who had lost it-? What had he done with it ? Guided, we presume, by the same learned counsel, Mr. Cross, the solicitor, summoned the trustees appointed by the deed, and also their solicitors, and the solicitor of kr. Oliver, requiring each and all of them to produce the deed to the court, but produced it could not be ; for, as report goes, one and all of them disclaimed ail knowledge of its fate, except that some lad of 15, whom nobody knew, had obtained it, en some pretence or other, from the counting hours of one of the trustees the very day that the petition was filed. It was ratkar prematurely concluded that Sir G. Stephen had been foiled in his five days' examination, and that the bankruptcy could now be averted till the 7th of January when the deed would have become valid by the effluxion of time ; but, having thus proves the deed to be irretrievably lost, Sir George, as we hear, tendered secondary evidence of its purport, and this evidence was received. By some unaccountable omision the solicitor had not brought the petitioning creditor, Mr. Evans, to prove his debt till the act of bankruptcy was thus proved, or, if he was in attendance, he bad omitted to examine him. On the last day, however, he appeared, when he demurred to the form of the affidavit, and requested time to consider it. It was granted, but when it expired Mr. Evans, for some reason best known to himself, declined to ieppear l Thereupon Mr. Her ring, of Newcastle, a new petitioner, came forward, proved his debt, and, all other preliminary matters being thus established, Mr. Oliver was adjudicated a bank rupt on Friday. Whether the adjudication will be dis puted we have sot heard ; but, in the meanwhile, the messengers of the court have proceeded to take posses sion, and all the past arrangements are for the present set aside, and in all probability will not be revived. — Liverpool Albion. TIIE VEXATIOUS BEER BILL. On Friday last William Orriel, landlord of the Red Lion Inn, Meadow-lane, Leeds, was summoned before the Mayer of Leads, (Joseph lichardson, E3q.), land John Wilson, Esq., charged with violating the provisionsfor f of the Sunda} Closing Act, by keepina his house l. open purposes of trade between half-past two and ha past six on Christmas slay. Mr. Naylor, the solicitor to the Licensed Victuallers' Association, appeared for the defendant. force, stated that Two officers, belonging reser ve About 20 minutes past 5 d I-necked at the went fte r t n o n d o e n fe defendant's eat they t y h e a s i Christmas day, day, an • front door for admittance ; no one c ame, and one of them went to the back door, with no better success. there a milkman went up to the door, and told the officer he wanted some gin, but on the officer telling him that h e could sot have any he went away. The officer then re turned to the front door, and on looking through the keyhole he observed the landlord at the top of the steps, and called out to him. The landlord then let him, and in reply to their inquiries said he had four travellers from Bradford in a room up stairs. The officers proceeded up stairs, and in one of the rooms they found two men and two women with beer before them, and some empty glasses, which had contained spirits. They first said they were travellers, and afterwards, on the suggestion of the officers, they admitted they were pleasure seekers. Mr. Naylor submitted to the bench that there was no offence proved, as the officers had not seen the landlord sell any beer or spirits, but if their worships overruled him on that point, he maintained that the persons found in the house of the defendant were bona fide travellers. He now that a learned alderman bad laid it down that pleasure seekers were not travellere, but he felt convinced that the Legislature never intended to say that persons travelling, say fr W etherby or Bradford to Leeds, for the beriefit of their health), or their enjoyment, were not travellers, and he there,ore contended that the par ties in questioa were travellers within the intuthiug of the act- The Mayor said the bench were quite of opinion that ti" Case was,-proved, and as there was no evidence to show that the. parties were travellers, they should fine the defendant 100, and coats, COUNTRY MARKETS. CHELMSFORD-DEC. 29. --• The wheat trade was extremely dull, the choicest same; alone being saleable, at last week's quotations. sprin , corn unaltered in value. Wheat, white, old, per s. s. i s. 0 ; qr. 62 83 I Oats, per qr .....28 $ 1 41 new.... 62 83 1 Peas, Partridge 37 A „ 5 red, old 58 76 White 39 I new.... 58 76 B o ilin g 45 '" Barley 28 35 Dun 36 0 Chevalier 30 38 I Beans, Tick 42 if Grinding .... ...... 24 :1. . Malt Harrow tioks 47 4 1 ...70 74 I - Mazagan 4 0 A Chevalier 72 76 Ditto, new... 39 COLCHESTER— DEO. 30. Tho supply of wheat not so large us last week, the til t was firm fel- all dry sampl es ; b ar l e y o f tine quality 133 • be noted 1.3 per qr. de arer ; o th er sca t s mot a goo d dent at full prices; beans rather cheaper ; peas the same t lO fore. Prices to-daywere as follow :—Wheat, white, 803 toe' red, 728 to 788 ; barley, als to 37s ; oats, 28s to 54 , ; b__t Mazagan, 428 to 45s ; middl e an d sma ll , 44 s t o 48 s; white, 5Us to 608 ; grey, 408 to 445. Official Statoment of the Quantities of Corn, Ste in the port of London, from the following p the 2ith to the 30th Dec., both inclusive. ~ roce l " nts, ,:. I 5• 1 - . ') A ~1 ',7-.. d Colchester liarvrich Leigh ;Yfaldou 173 520, 260? -- - 1427: 430 230 - 82 1312 i 258, 501 -- 33 ' a l 45 ! 325—,00 • KIRICCAIDY—DEC. 30. To-day we had rather a small supply of wheat, but of barley and oats. Sales generally slow ; and, altehoul a l not much change in prices, they were the turn in favour the buyers. Wheat. Barley. Oats. rirat Second 28s 6d Third 64s Od 33s Od 25s Od. I COAL MAR Prices of Coal per ton at J365 4 / i , Os Os ti 'Os, d. s. Chilton Hartley l5 Hasting's Hartley l7 €. Holywell..' ..'.'. 2O b Howard's West Hartley Netherton 17 Lorigridge's Wst Hartley 18 0 North Percy Hartley :16 Stobart's Hartley Taufield Moor l7 Q Taufield Moor Butes 17 Walker Primrose l5 t Grey's West Hartley —l7 6 Wallseud, &c. :ET.—JAN. I. • ;he close of the market. Walleend, &c. Eiedloy l- Lorerson 11 Bell's Primrose 19 Belmont 1 , lietton 2 anew°ll gl Ropier Grange .... . r e , Lambton. ~.3 tewart's . O flunwiek l 9. 110 1 tees 19 ; South Durham ..... 0 Lawson Acorn Close - 18 6 SEABORNE MAILS. (N . signifies that the mails are sent from the General by the night—and M by the morning—despatch.) - -.... . _.„,,,' Day when marten' , item en as IT , i , COUNTRIES'. in General Post- Port 2'lol Office, London.* Dispatched. Dot/ ~----....-••••••- f i America(byßrit.pack).N Every Friday .. • • Liverpool ... PO' Iracricp. t by United Ste. packet) .. ..N .... .. .... Liverpo o l ... 1 .1 al° .... America (by . U. States packet) ..........N ••••• • •• • • ,Southampton Australia (via South-, b• wanton) ..........74 Jan. 4 •••• • • So u th am pt o n • ' Ditto (via Marseilles) N ,Jan. 9 • • • Dover •• •• • • Ditto (via Cape of tloaril Or d Hops) ...........„2,7!Dee. 4 ... Cri • Ifriea ( West Coast) ~ s 'l3d of the month Plymouth .. Alexandra - • • • ... - N ', :1, 24, & 30 01 ni ' Dover ...... Alexandria.. •• - - -II 4th & 20th of mon Southampton Bahamas ......• —.AI 17th of the month atharepton; Belgium .......• • • • • •Ii 9 i) t a h il o Y f . t. " l;e m.7);liii to t v it e h r tm .. p .. to . n . Dula Brazil - ..........• • • 7.1 Buenos Ayres.. - ..... M 14th of the month - 1 Souttudirtmil lo of Cape of Good Hope ...Is Various ports T 1 ' Cape 01 Good Hope ..1. Cape de Verds ...... N i 9 th of the month Southampton . ...,: Ceylon (see India) ' A Ceylon ........ - --NI Channel Isles.. - - ,•N Mon ~Wed.,&FriA. Southampton Tor r ,hii,......... ...A7 ed & 17th of month Southampton China (see ' , idle) Donstantinople _ „ .. - 5'4,18,18,23,&28 of rit: D0ver...... Constantinople ~.. „ „ nth & 20th of mon. Southampton i d ,orit. of Europe M & N 'iwice daily .... • • Dover ...... TA . , Egypt (sec India) France ........ Id & N Twit', daily.— - Dover ...... ___,, Gibraltar - •...•• -.. NI, 4,7, 17, 20, 27 of m. So u th a mpton INT' •,' Greece (see India) , l' Greytown ..........81 2nd & 17th of mon. Southampton J••• - • Hababurgh ..........N Tuesday is Friday London .....I_. t . fiavannah ..........M 2nd of the month Southr.mpton Jan, Holland ........ .... lit Daily.. .... . 11011d1.01V .. .. .. ....Al 17th of the month Southampton •1 India (viaSouthampt.)l4l ith & 20th of mon Ply mo uth •• D e "' India (via ,blarseilles)Bl 9th&2sth of month Dover ......, 40 lonian Isles (see India) 1, 17, & 27 of mon Dover.... •• .....,1 Ireland .„......M & s Twice daily Lisbon.— ... „.....7.1" 7,9, 17, & 27 of m Southaniptara m ' t Madeira ............81 9th of the month Southarrnotto .... A. if Madeira ............ :, 23d of month •• - Liverpeal ... %I/dm (see India) e 25' n. Malta ~...... ..... ~.N ,S, 18, &28 of mon. D over . ..... ••••• e Haurititill (see India) Mauritius - ..... is -, 14th of the month P' fb I Mexico ..... ..... ..7d .2nd of the month. Saithareptot - Naples . -.. .. ........t4 3thlsth2sthotmon. pev a , .... New uranada ...... Si 2d at 17th of month 5ie 1 i,h44,,,, . ati ej New Zea1and..,....... By Private skip - U9." - Papal States ~ ......r ithibth2sthofinon. Dover ...... , .. —....... „ erun.sula I th I 7 th27thormon. Peru & .147th of mon. Port Natal ..........T By priiate ship... sthlstiAstllomion, Tuecany Venezuela WS; 17th of month 1 Van Diemen's Land (sic Australia) ,, West Indies 17th 0 i month I Liovar. Sauthomptot, Various pert- Dover ...... Southampton, Nou thorn} ton Various porta' Dover • • •• • • 'Dover ...... Southaapton, 18outiLmpten ~JA A~ ~~ . I' When any of these dates fall o i a Sanday, the mails will . 1 , patched on the following day, with the exeeptien of the V Southampton). and the Malta. both of which will be dedp*W* preceding day. WIND AND WEATILEIt RRPOBr' P Jam. MONDAY, Stations. Coarse of Wind. State of Weathe r ' i Greenwich ... ...... W Stormy Lothbury Ipswich ,. W. N.W. ... Cloudy. • Derby S. W Fine—Very windy Stamford W. Fine. Normanton . Burton-on -Trent.. N.B. Fine. Chesterfield N.W Nein. Nottingham . W Windy. Leicester W Windy—Cloudy Lowestoft N.W... Fine. . f Great Grimsby Boston W Windy—Ciondf• Leamington N.N.W. .... Unsettled. Southampton N.W Fine. • , Portsmouth Poole jorchester Yarmouth• N.W Fine. • Brighton S. 'very windy—Clow PI Leeds Wakefield Liverpool Bristol W. Windy—O:m(lY' Plymouth Taunton W. Windy Snow. Bath Gloucester N.W Windy. Cardiff N.W Windy. Swansea N.W Fine. Haverfordwest ... N.W... Cloudy. Manchester Bradford ' Stoke-on•Tront ... N. E. . Hague S.W Stormy. York J aiger W. artislo Whitehaven ...... N.W Cloudy. Maryport . W.N.W Cloudy. PARLIAIIENTART PEnTioNs.—From a return ,ud sued it appears that du r i ng th e brief session en month 52 petitions upon various subjects were pros. to the House of Commons, those most numero usly Site{ being against stoppage of wages for fines—one pet s with 2,492 signatures—and for providing Roucailie q tholic soldiers and sailors with the means of en j o yil benefits of their religion eight petitiens and 2,225 fi' tures. SALE OF A RUSSIAN PRI ZE AT LEITH.—LEIT-1 Vlt 30.—Pursuant to the decision of the High Court o 9 miralty, the sale by public auction of the Atlantic (.0) sian prize) took place yesterday afternooi in the or house of this po r t. Af ter a pretty smart cornP", the Atlantic w as k noc k ed down to a Leith house I4)1: sum of 2,2401. The effects of the supercargo of th vi vessel were also sold in the same manner. The sal t/ i conducted by Mr. David Thom Leith, broker t 9 High Cou r t o f Ad m i ralty, and by Win. Pugh Crfi lt " Esq., collector of„H.A.I. Customs, Leith. f • OF A SON. On the 28th ult., at Upp er Seymouns treet, Por/a square, Mrs. J. B. Gadsden. BIRTBS. OP A DAUGHTER. On the 31st ult., at Maidstone, Kent, the wife of M`Mahon, 14th King's Light Dragoons. • MARRIED. On the 29th Nov., at the British Consulate, Pirmil l ; :Wilkinson, jun., Esq., H.M. Vice-Consul at Syra, to garet, daughter of Charles Colvilo I nga t e, E sq. o f P$ Pa f t On the 30th ult. , at St. Margaret' s , L e i ces t er , Mr.i'' Ching, Parkhill, Clapham, S urrey, t o M ar i an , s , daughter of the late Benj am i n P ayne, E sq., of 131' Leicestershire. DIED. On the 28th ult., at Clerraux Castle, Croft, the P° l Lady Chaytor, aged 76. On the 24th ult., suddenly, at Eclmondthorpe, Lei° shire, the lion. Elizabeth G. Edwardes, second &OS of the late Lord Kensington. 0; 1 the ult., at Chelsea, Captain John D'AroP merly of ,he t7th Lancers, agent LONDON s Printed and Published by mur,Do YO-11 No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, N .49 ' ir i Strand, in the. Precinct of the Savoy, in the col * *.44101F4 l'utociPT, Jazury.2 4 _ T ~ ` ,'V . ;~~ :~~ tit Ifi c i this e ate, 184,5, • W ed It t he • til e' VII bate 'fit. ; I T ri zor,, 41 rteZilt W .l Ateedj h " th:rt hb if t h Ject tru 4441i4i1:1- Stlnhet 11,! Pals. 14 14' 0 45t load 11, O n tt C g krl 4 :zs kric i LY di i 7 11 '‘r9 11131 • e ' '_' ao sr` ~~'~r eftn i Meet Of th, Gr t Gn Th at be Not L 4 r the vatee, neat, If the 11 Adi u St t( to the Ditect. Tlie Viii re _ 4 )olez i ' ti ttil 2 i! •"oti t . tasuDigr . r, to ortt of 4'lll