The Sun. — London, England, 1856-12-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON DON, FRIDA V P.VEN I G , DECEMBER 19 1856 THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.) , hr. I 4 A. RAILWAYS. ompan Closing Prices .1 yesterday. Basineas thin day COURT OF APPEAL.— (TUTS DAY.) AITCHESON V. LEE.—JUDGMENT. This morning it having been announced that judgment would be pronounced in this important case, the doors of the Court of Appeal were besieged by a large crowd of persons anxious to hear their lordships deliver their decision. Shortly after ten o'clock the doors of the Court were opened, and in a few minutes the place was densely filled. On their lordships entering the Court the case of Ait cheson v. Lee was called. It will be recollected that the present proceedings were to reverse the decision of Vice-Chancellor Kinders ley, who had decided that the Court of Bankruptcy ought finally to settle the affairs of the Royal British Bank, and Mr. Harding, who had been appointed official manager under the proceedings in Chancery, and who was in possession of the books, estate, and assets of the bank, should hand them over to the official assignee of the Court of Bankruptcy. Lord Justice Knight Bruce, in delivering his judgment, said the facts connected with this case had been argued at prodigious length and with much ability, and during those arguments only one important question had been raised, and that was ought the adjudication of the pro ceedings in Bankruptcy, upon a point purely legal, to he annulled ? The learned judge then proceeded at length to detail the proceedings relative to the stoppage of the bank, the steps taken in the Bankruptcy and Coancery Ciurts, during which his lordship said the effect of such steps was to raise a conflict, which had only added cslainity to the sufferings of the unfortunate shareholders. The only point that appeared to him to cause any con siderable difficulty, was the one whether the bill in Chancery or the petition in Bankruptcy should prevail, Ever since the 9th of October, when the proceedings in Bankruptcy commenced, the official assignee, the official manager, and their lawyers, servants, and all had been in contention, and at length this court was called upon to adjudge the prize. (Laughter.) His lordship then proceeded to read extracts from several acts of Parliament, among them the Winding-up Act, which was drawn up in such a manner that lawyers, like other persons, were unable to unriddle it. Taking all the circumstances of the case into consideration, he was of opinion that the petition of Mr. Marcus must be dis missed, and it followed that the injunction must remain, and the application for a new injunction be refused. The position of the official manager was that of a person who had erroneously taken possession of the property of a stranger, thinking he had a legal right to retain it. The Court intended to make but one order in the oase before it, the terms of which would be stated by his learned brother. The learned Judge, then raising his voice, said he hoped the Legislature would speedily take steps to prevent the recurrence of such conflicts and complications which had marked the case at present before them. Miserable complications, distressing con flicts, which had been recklessly pursued, occasioning costly and useless expenses ; sickening delay, and in creasing the sufferings and distresses of a large number of persons. He hoped and trusted that the Legislature would adopt some measures for preventing similar nefa rious proceedings which had marked those of the thing ironically called the Royal British Bank, and which in a civilised country ought not to be tolerated. (Sup pressed applause.) Lord Justice Turner then recapitulated the different motions connected with this case, which had been before the Court of Chancery, and after at great length reading and commenting upon the various sections of the Wind ing-up Act, stated that the order of the Court would be that the petition to annul would be dismissed ; that the motion to extend the injunction be refused ; that the decision of Vice-Chancellor Kindersley be affirmed ; that Mr. Harding should retain a sum, to be mentioned in the order, to relieve him from all liabilities from the time he was appointed official manager ; that the official assignee take immediate possession of the estate at present in the bands of the official manager ; that as the petition of the assignees was brought to facilitate the settle ment of the affairs of the bank the costs of the peti tion should be paid by the assignee out of the estate, but the costs of the official manager, Mr. Harding, to be reserved for the present. His Lordship, then ad dressing Sir Fitzroy Kelly, asked what would be thought a sufficient sum for Mr. Harding to retain as security for his costs ? Sir F. Kelly—At the present moment, my lord, I am unable to say. Mr. Rolt (the counsel for the bankruptcy proceed ing)— We propose that Mr. Harding retain £20,000, and that he pay over the rest—the great object on oar part being to get the residue. Sir F. Kelly—That sum will be perfectly sufficient. Lord Justice Turner—l think it is very fair. Lord Justice Knight 131198 —The order is to pay over all the rest ; the question relating to the costs of Mr. Harding to stand over. Sir F. Kelly—lf the sum is mentioned in the order there will be no objection to pay over the money. It will be my duty to apply to the court for application— Lord Justice Turner—l de hope there will be no un necessary application. Sir F. Kelly—There will not be, my lord. Lord Justice Turner—Can you form any idea of the amount that Mr. Harding has expended ? Sir F. Kelly—l am aware of the expenditure of about 4,0001., but of course there were other expenses with which I am unacquainted. Lord Justice Turner—Will you pay over immediately the money you at present hold, keeping back 20,000/, as a guarantee for your expenses. Sir F. Kelly—Certainly. Mr. Rolt—lf the money is paid over immediately the question of the expenses of Mr. Harding could stand over till the first day of next term. This course was assented to, and the proceedings ter minated. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. Beroid atid Bbs.tchloy •100 Buckgharnsh, 1 . 0 Clydeslai, . I all Col. Stour Vy. i XI E. Lin. g. 6 pc. all E. Un. H. S. 10') Gias. Barr. fs Neils. Direct ;1.00 D r . Ne all eilstr.6s Da Fr 1 )1 lirtlpl. Dlr. & Railway__ all Hull & Selby all Do. Sham. all Do. i Shares. all Lon.& Grceaw al) De.Prefereace 100 Lon., Til., 7.40nd0t at N. Wo ,t. L.&N.W. j Calodo (Pefore the Lord Chief Baron, and a Special Jury.) STEVENSON V. SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., 3I P. 97 98 98 102 11 - 13 33 136 4 „. 44 This was an action brought ty the p►aintiff, a commis sion agent in the service of Mr. Charles Westerton, the well-known bookseller of Knightsbridge, and church• warden of St. Paul's, in that district, to recover dam. ages of Sir R. Peel, for injuries received by being knocked down and run over by the dekndant's carriage and horses. The plaintiff, in his declaration, alleged that the defendant was possessed of a carriage and horses, and that by his coachman he so negligently managed them as to cause serious injury to the plaintiff. The de fendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. O►erend, Q.C., and Mr. Needham were for the plaintiff ; Mr. Bovill, Q.C., and Mr. Coleridge for the defendant. E.O dIE.O E. Count. Caldontz,a. Gt. Westn Yk. Ne & Ber w. Y. & N it( Do 07 - 109 'S. 1 1 11.ete •• Do oto & Co Do .. 12i - 13 22. -23 i 112 •- 114 11 3f Do. Bark. Sh. lXi Lowestoft gr. 4 per °out LW Do. 6 por et. all Manch. 11.stn. and Matioz:k all 2,r INorfolk 'Do The plaintiff deposed that he resided at Queen's-place, • Islington. On the 7th July, at about 8 o'clock in the evening, he was at Knightsbridge, nearly opposite to Wilton-place, and on the park sid.e of the road. He had been talking to a friend named Humble on the pavement, and was crossiag over the road towards Wilton-place, having previously ascertained that no vehicle was ap proaching, and that it appeared perfectly safe to cross over. As he was passing without having any previous intimation of any kind, he felt a blow on his shoulder, and he was knocked down on his face and -totnach. Directly afterwards ho felt the hoof of a horse on the base of his spine and a wheel strike against the calf of his leg. He was extricated and taken to St. George's-hospital, and afterwards to Mr. Westerton's. He was then taken home, and was confined to his bed five weeks, and suffered "inconceivably." He was a commission agent, and as such it was necessary for him to walk from 15 to 20 miles a day, and he did it with pleasure before the accident occurred. For 15 weeks he was unable to do anything, and since then his total earnings had only been 2/. Bann) the accident he got 30s. a week from one source and 10s. from other sources. Elis doctor's bill amounted to 15 guineas. Cross-examined by Mr. Bovill—He was engaged be fore the accident for Mr. Westerton, not in his business, but to get up an association for obtaining a reform of parochial matters, and the return of two representatives for Westminster at the coming election. He was to have more than 30s. a week if he could make the thing L.&N. & iStektouto Darlint. ?di d1ar.d...1 21 2i Rede.g 6 p.c. il.OO Midld..iscadckt 51 Newmarket Bury E. C4.spe all N.& Est.s p.e. all Do. 6 per ct. all Do. Fizeds p c all Prost. &la yr. all Do.. ShrB. A 100 Roystn.& Hit. 7:q Shof.RotlLan Goolog. 5 p.c. all Shrevrs. &Her 101 S. Staffordsh. ,11 Wear Valleygr 6 per cent all Do 91 93 lEn. Conn. E. Count. D 0... Do r h 6 - 58 L. &N.SV Do iGt Nor thn Lane'oh& YorkA. T. Brassey MCIGan Stock t. Darlrigt Do 132 - 135 - 94 33 - 89 - 1 1(0 I WiltP&r.omrst ;(it,Wes'n. answer. Mr. Bovill—What, the members? Witness—Yes. (Laughter.) Witness continued—The other 10s. a week he got from a little business he did in stationery amongst his friends, and which he was able to transact either early in the morning or late at night. Mr. Bovill—ln calling at gentlemen's houses with sealing wax, pens, and such like. 'Witness—No. Witness continued—He saw a cab approaching, and he thought a tilted cart in the distance, but no carriage. When he was knocked down he did not know whether the driver stopped, as he was lying on his face on the ground. He believed the carriage was at a stand still when he got up. It appeared to have backed off him. If there were ladies in the carriage, they did not put their heals out of the window, nor did Sir R. Peel, that he heard, give any directions that he should be seen to. He % , as what was ordinarily called "hard of hearing" before the accident, and his hearing and memory were now worse. Mr. Humble, assistant to Mr. Westerton, said that when plaintiff left him he saw nothing to prevent his crossing the road ; the carriage came rapidly along and knocked him down. The wheel of the carriage was on the plaintiff's leg when he called to the driver to back off. He did so, and immediately drove off. The carriage was travelling at the rate of twelve miles per hour at the time of the accident. Cross-examined—He heard shouting about a minute before the accident occurred, but he could not say if it came from the carriage. There was no attempt on the part of the driver to pull up before the plaintiff was knocked down. Sir R. Peel did not look out of the carriage window when the accident occurred. Stephen Hoy, police-constable 118 B, deposed that he saw the accident. It occurred about eight o'clock in :he evening. He saw a carriage coming along before the accident occurred at about nine or ten miles an hour. He saw the plaintiff step from the pavement, and when about seven or eight feet from it he was knocked down by the near-side horse. The shoulder of the horse struck him. Witness ran round the carriage to his assistance. Some one called out to the coachman to move forward or back, and then the fore-wheel went over his leg. He did not notice any one look out of the carriage. As soon as the plaintiff was extricated the carriage went on. He ran after the carriage a few steps and asked the footman whose carriage it was, and he replied Sir R. Peel's. Cross-examined—Several people called out to the plaintiff when he was crossing ; and be said after that he could not hear very well. George Stallwood, an assistant to Mr. Westerton, deposed that he was near at the time of the accident. The carriage came along at a " fire-engine pace"—(laugh ter)—only the horses were trotting instead of galloping. lie believed Sir Robert was late for the Queen's ball, which took place that night. The Lord Chief Baron—l should rather think too late for dinner somewhere. The gates would not have been open at 8 o'clock at the palace. Witness—Well, it might have been for dinner or for the Admiralty, I am sure I don't know which; the car riage went on immediately after the accident. The coachman would have gone on sooner if he had been allowed to do so. Cross-examined by Mr. Bovill—He belonged to Mr. Westerton's newspaper department, and not his " driv ing" department. He was not a member of Mr. Wes tertou's political a'sociation, but he wished he was. He had peculiar notions of his own. At this stage of the proceedings Mr. Bovill conferred with his client, and said that he was happy to announce that Sir R. Peel, feeling that though his coachman was not at fault, andthatfie had several independent witne,ses prepared to prove that the accident arose from the plaintiff's fault, yet, that feeling that the man had been injured by his carriage, he was now willing to do what he had always expressed himself ready to do, namely-- to give him compensation. Sir Robert by that did not adcait his liability, and if the plaintiff would withdraw the record he would make him the handsome compensa tion of 1201. English .. Utah .. Foreign } PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE COURTS OF LA TV. Yesterday a deputation froth the council of the Incor porated Law Society waited upon Sir B. Hall, Chief Com missioner of Public Works, at his offices, Whitehall-place, relative to the removal of the courts of law from West minster and the erection of a building in the neighbour hood of the inns of court, in which all the courts, both of law and equity, and all the law offices might be concen trated under one roof. Mr. WHITE, the president of the society, in explaining the object of the deputation, drew attention to the fact that the courts in Westminster Hall would soon be useless to the legal profession, and pointed out the inconvenience which arose to the public from the offices and courts of judicature being mattered about the metropolis. Notwith standing the great increase in the number of judges since 1820, no increase of accommodation had taken place, and as a remedy for this state of things, it was proposed that a site should be purchased by Government for the erection of a building in which all the law courts and elites might be brought together. The site suggested as most eligible was that bounded on the north and south by Carey-street and the Strand, and on the east and west by numerous small courts and alleys, and presenting a frontage of 300 feet and a depth of 430 feet. Such a building would cause a great improvement in the neighbourhood by displacing the low haunts of crime which at present occupy the area in question, and as there was no valuable property there the ground could be obtained cheaply. Simultaneously with such an improvement, two new streets might be opened parallel to each other from the strand to Holborn, and relieve the traffic through Chancery-lane. A sum of 800,000/. would defray all the expenses of the purchase and erection of the necessary buildings. Sir courtsBENJAMIN m HALL inste r are concurred highly i n inconvenient t h e opin i on t a ha t na t i h n a. sufficient, and suggested that the judges, as the proper representatives of the profession, were the persons from whom the proposition to the Government should emanate, but that in de It of their interference, a motion for a w committee ould come from the Attorney-General, as the principal , aw o ffi cer of the Crown, to inquire and report l int whether any and what funds of the suitors in the Court of Chant ry might be applied towards the object in view. Ha • g advised the gentlemen conferring with him to put the selves into communication with the Attorney General, "he deputation, after thanking the right hon. gentleman fir his courtesy, withdrew. Mr. Overend, on the part of the plaintiff, amidst so much conflictng evidence, said he readily accepted the handsome offer of Sir R. Peel. The record was then withdrawn and the case termi nated. Before the action was brought into court Sir R. Peel, whilst denying his liability, offered to wake the plaintiff an allowance of 201. a•year for life, but he refused to ac cept it. BEPRESLVTATION OP SOUTHAMPTON. A crowded meeting of Liberal electors was held last even ing at the Victoria Rooms, Mr. W. Dusantoy in the chair, to bear from Mr. Richard Andrews an explanation of his political views, and to adopt means for securing his elec tion. Mr. ANDREWS stated the circumstances under which he had become a candidate. At the first rumour of a vacancy Capt. Mangles wrote to him saying he was ready to come forward, and he (Mr. Andrews) assured that gentleman that a majority of the Liberal electors would support him. Sir A. Cockburn, on accepting the chief justiceship, wrote to Mr. Andrews, expressing a hope that their cordial friend ship would be continued, but it was not the fact that Sir Alexander, in that letter, recommended Mr. James. When Mr. Piggott came, Mr. Andrews referred him to the leading men of the Liberal party, and when Mr. James followed, Mr. Andrews told him that he much approved of the sentiments Mr. James had expressed at Hull, and that if Mr. James came up to his standard, ha (Mr. An drews) was prepared to support him. After the two meetings at the Riding sehool, and the disgraceful scenes which en sued, Mr. James having abandoned the contest, Mr. An drews was invited to becomea candidate, several gentlemen pledging themselves to obtain a requisition with 1,000 sig natures. His reply was, "If you get me 1,000 signatures I will stand and will go to the poll." That promise bad been fulfilled, and upon the strength of that he would rest his cause ; but he had made an endeavour to unite the differences in the Liberal party by a conference between his own supporters and those of Mr. Weguelin. The re sult was that the friends of Mr. Wegueli n h a d express ed their intention of fighting it out. All he (Mr. Andrews) could say was, that he was also determined t o fi g ht it out. After some other observations from Mr. Andrews, reso lutions pledging the meeting to suppoit him were unani mously adopted. ANTI-INCOME TAX MEETING. BIRMINGHAM, DEC 18. A great demonstration took place against the income tax, and its mode of administration, in the Town-hall, Birmingham, last evening. Placards had been issued calling upon the shopkeepers to close at 6 o'clock, in order that the principals and their dependents in the different establishments of the town might be present on the occasion. The hall during the evening was crowded with a highly respectable audience. The Mayor occupied the chair, and among the gentle. men present were Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P., Mr. Schole field, M.P,, Alderman Lloyd, Mr. T. Aurelius Attwood, Mr. Salt, Mr. James Lloyd, Alderman Manton, Alder man Baldwin, Alderman Hodgson, Alderman Lawden, Mr. Webster, Mr. Fowler, &c. Moat of the banking and mercantile establishments of the town were repre• sented. The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, shortly ad dressed the meeting, stating that a though the tax might I be right eous i n principle, it was vicious in administra tion. Mr. MIINTz, M.P., then presented himself to the meeting, and was loudly cheered ; and, after a charac teristic speech, concluded by moving the following reso lution :—" That the income tax laws, in their present form, are unjust, oopressive, and degrading, and ought not to be tolerated by a free people ; and that the people should be satisfied with nothing less than their total and immediate repeal." (Cheers.) Mr. SCHOLEFIELD, en risin g to second the resolution, was loudly cheered. While expressing his dissent from some of the opinions stated by Mr. Muntz, he was equally opposed, with that g ent l eman, to the impos i tion of the income ax in its present state. He denied that there was any parallel between the exaction of ship money by Charles the First and the imposition of the present income tax. Iu the days of Hampden the pet). ple had no power, and resistance by force was juqifisible ; but in the present ins'ance the tax was imposed by Parliament, and Parliament could repeal the impost. He preferred a property tax to i an income tax, but he thought th ere were difficulties n adopting and executing the former ; but, after all, their present object related to the income tax, and they said they would have it no more at no price whatever. (Cheers.) Th e y a'jected to its iniquisitorial character and its amount. The hon. ge n tl eman neat re f erre d t o the inequality of the tax and th e manner i n wh i c h i t was imposed upon the country. The powers of the commissioners were perfectly int , derable. The people of the country were content to support a just war, but not to endure a tax administrated in the way the income tax was now as sessed and levied upon the country. He cordially seconded the motion. Mr. WRIGHT moved as an amendment to the effect that, although the present income tax was oppressive in the highest degree, yet that a tax upon income and property, levied according to a just and graduated scale, was correct in principle. He advocated the adjustment of the tax, and urged that realised property should pay in a higher degree than precarious income. The amendment was not seconded, and the original motion was carried amidst applause. Mr. GEORGE DAWSON, after defending the resolution, said that Government, in all money matters, protected themselves, and placed the payment of money upon the people. He argued a fair tax upon property, from the h ghest to the lowest, ought to be made, and that the wan that had most means to take care of should pay t. .e most. Let them have a fair, equitable property tax. (Cheers.) He objected to the manner in which the , present tax was collected. Re deemed that the office of a commissioner was an honourable one for a high minded roan ; and he contended that the commi,sionerA ought to be elected by the people. He concluded by moving the following resolution —" That this meeting condemns the mode in which the commissioners for general purposes under the income tax laws have too frequently exercised their powers, and declares that the duties of additional commissioners are such as no British Legislature ought to perform." (Cheers.) Mr. Alderman CANTON seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. THOMAS A. ATTWOOD next addressed the meeting, and a memorial to the Queen and a petition to the House of Commons having been adopted, the meeting broke up shortly alter 10 o'clock. REPEAL OF THE INCOME TAX.—On Wednesday a pub lic meeting was held at the Guildhall, Shrewsbury (the Mayor in the chair), for the purpose of petitioning Par liament against the continua,ce of the income tax be. yond the sth of April next. There was a numerous attendance of the principal inhabitants and tradesmen of the town, and an unanimous opinion expressed as to the unjust and oppressive nature of the impost. A petition to the House of Commons in accordance with these sentiments was prepared and adopted, and the borough and county members were requested to give it their sup port in Parliament. THE INCOME TAx.—At the last annual meeting of the Owston Agricultural Society, held at Ferry, North Lincolnshire, Sir Montagu Cholmeley, who occupied the chair, said, that although politics were properly prohibited at these meetings, e could nut refrain from mentioning a subject which affected them all most ma terially. He alluded to the income tax. He hoped the electoral constituencies would urge upon her Majesiy's Ministers the duty of modifying this obnoxious tax. The tax pressed hard upon everybody, and he could not help saying that the manner in which it was levied—assez.-s -ing all incomes alike—was essentially objectionable and unj us. MARKET NEWS.—(This CORN EXCHANGE. ' Increased supplies of Engask wheat-4,020 quarters— have come to hand this week coastwise, but the receipts by land carriage fresh up today were small. As several of Monday's unsold samples were in the market, and as the imports of foreign have been extensive, the trade was very dull, and inferior wheats were lower to purchase. Over 30,000 quarters of foreign wheat having come to hand, that article was dull, and rather drooping. There was much less inquiry for floating cargoes of grain. The supply of barley wag very moderate, and the trade ruled steady, at full quotations. Malt was in moderate request at former terms. Good sound oats sold steadily; other kinds slowly, at late rates. Beans and peas were dull, and most kinds of flour were offering on lower terms. ARRIVALS THIS WINK. Wheat. Barley. I Malt. asts. 4,020 j 3,840 6,390 I 110 2,770 ' 60 1,143 Jl4O scks. 30,163 2,290 ( 7,410 24250 brls METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. For this time of year the supply of beasts was only moderate, and in middling condition. On the whole the beef trade ruled steady, at Monday's prices. We were but moderately supplied with sheep, which were in good re quest, at full quotations. As the supply of o dyes was considerably on the increase the veal trade was heavy, and prices were 4(1. per 8 lbs lower than on Monday. Pigs sold to a fair extent on former terms. Mulch cows were very dull, at from 15'. to 20(. each, including their small calf. Per 81bs to sink the offals. s. d. s. d. Inferior 80a5t5....3 4to 3 6 Prime Southdowo 5 2 5 4 iocend quality.... 3 8 4 Oil,Arge crse. calves 3 8 4 6 Prime large oxen 4 2 4 B,Priine small do 4 8 5 2 Prime Scots, titc. 410 5 O;Large hogs Inferior Sheep ...3 16 4 21Small porkers 4 6 5 2 ::: 4 0cond quality ...4 4 4 8 Suckling calves 23 6 30 0 Prime crse.-wlled.4 10 5 Li (4uarter old pigs 22 0 29 '} TOTAL SUPPLI. I roaeiea 91:1TPLI Bette. .. • • •.. . • .... •• • • 1,920 8ea5t5 ........ ......., . Ico Sheep Calves .•• •• •• •• .• .. 380 iCalves-- •• •• •- •• 194 Pigs ..•• NEVPGATE AND LEADENITA 14 u. The supplies of meat were tolerably good, and thedemand ruled steady, as follows : Per Sibs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 2 10 3 2 Mutton, Inferior 3 6 3 10 Do., middling 3 4 3 8 Do., middling 4 0 4 4 Do. prime large.. 3 10 4 0 Do., prime 4 6 4 8 Do., do, small...A 2 4 6 Veal 3 8 i 8 Purk, large 384 4 1 Pork, small 48 5 4 NONE Y MARKET SHARE MARKETS—(This Day.) AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two O'CLOCK. Letters from Liverpool state that the Cotton Market yesterday closed with animation, and, compared with the current rates of last week, prices of all descriptions were extreme. The sales amounted to 12,000 bales, 2,000 of which were taken by the spectilators. The Railway Share Market exhibited alliet appearance, but on the announcement thatke Bank of England had re duced their rate of discount it slightly improved. There has been less animation in the Colonial Produce Markets this week, the demand hav ing subsided, and some of the principal articles have ruled rather cheaper. The Christmas holi days commence next Wednesday, and the market will noi re-open until the 6th proximo.. Sugar has been exceedingly dull, but, holders being firm, prices have generally been maintained. Where sales have been effected rather lower terms are said to have been accepted, but the particulars have not in all cases transpired. Plantation Ceylon coffee has 139411 in fair request at full rates, but for Native the*: quiry has been less active. At the public sales of tea no alteration occurred in the prices of Congo; but the Assam kinds went at irregular quotations. Rice has been rather cheaper. Rum is at im proved rates. Saltpetre has declined ls. per cwt. Cassia lignea has receded ss. per cwt., and other spices have been at about previous values. Tallow has declined about 6d. per cwt. The reduction in the Bank minimum rate of discount has produced a very favourable impression in most quarters; but the continued restrictive policy pursued by the Bank of France has checked the buoyant feeling which the alteration at first excited, because it is now feared that 6 per cent. will be maintained as the quotation for several weeks. The discount firms have lowered their allowance for deposits "on call" to 51 per cent., and to 5i per cent. for those at seven days' notice. There is now a moderate demand for discounts, but no pressure is experienced. At the same time, however, the payments on account of revenue, and the liquidation of the annual accounts, will, no doubt, continue to occasion a good inquiry for accommodation at full rates. It is expected that the Bank of England Return to be published this evening will be very favour able. A large addition to the Bullion and Reserve of Notes is anticipated, with a further slight decline in the other securities. It is reasonable to pre sume a decided improvement has taken place, or the alteration in the minimum rate of discount would not have been made yesterday. The French Funds declined 20 centimes yester day. This slight reaction is attributed to specula tive sales, and the reduction of the rate by the Bank of England does not appear to have been known until after business hours. The Committee of the Stock Exchange are adopting precautionary measures in order, if pos sible, to prevent the recurrence of such frauds as those recently committed by Robson and Red path. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's vessel Indus, to leave Southampton to-morrow for India and China, will take out about 492,6001., chiefly in silver, to Bombay. _The Funds have been supported with firmness at the closing prices current last evening, Which, however, are per cent. below the highest values attained after the Bank Court adjourned yesterday. There were some heavy sales by the Greeks and other speculators, which imparted a heavy tone to the market, and there is still an absence of buoyancy, although the prices are steady. Consols have been within per cent. of 93i all the morning. Exchequer Bills are heavy, at 2s. to ss. premium. The New 3 per Cents. are 93i to 94, and the Reduced 93i 4. Bank Stock is 2171. Foreign Securities are very dull. Turkish 6 per Cents. have been 95i a. and 95g Spanish 3 per Cents. are 42k. Sardinian 89 to 89i ; and Dutch per Cents. 97. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign stocks : Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 7 ; Mexi can, 211 2 ; Peruvian 41 per Cents., 76 8 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 54 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 44 6 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 106 8 ; ditto 41 per Cents., 95 7; Spanish 3 per Cents., 42/ ; ditto Deferred, 24 ; ditto Certificates, 51 6 ; ditto Passive, 51 6. Messrs. D. Bell, Son, and Co. state that during the past week there has not been much activity in the market for American State Securities, whilst for railroad bonds there has been a good demand at improved prices. Redeemable. Per Cent. United States 6 per Cents. 1867-1868...106 107 United States 6 per Cent. Bonds 1868...106 107 STATE SECURITIES. Alabama 5 per Cent BO 82 Kentucky 6 per Cent. Bonds 1868-1872... 90 Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds)... ... 90 92 Massachusetts 5 per Cent. (Sterl. Bonds). ... 98 100 Mississippi 6 per Cent. Pl. Bk. Bonds lB4l-1871... 43 45 Mississippi 5 per Cent. - Union Bk Bonds ... 16 18 Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Stock .. 75 76 Pennsylvania 5 per Cent:Bonds 1877... 81 83 Tennessee 6 per Cent. Bonds ... 83 85 Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds 1886... 83 85 * Virginia 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) 1888... 84 86 LOANS OF CITIES. Boston 5 per Cent. Bonds 1883... 85 87 Montreal 6 per Cent. Bonds 1 856-1865... 83 85 New Orleans 6 per Cent. Stock 1883... 78 80 RAILROAD BONDS. Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Ist Mortgage, not Convertible 1875... 85} 86i Illinois Central 6 per Cent 1875... 80 82 Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Freeland Bonds 1860... 99 100 Illinois Central (Shares), $25 paid Michigan Central 8 p. Cent., Convert-1M: 94 96_ Do. do. do. New York Central 7p. Cent., Convert 1864... 91 93rd Ne w York Central 6 per Cent., not Convertible 1883... 81 83 liew York and Erie 7 per Cent. 3d Mort 865 87i N. g Y ag o e rk * and Erie p. . Cent. Con..v.ert-ible 1862... 82 84 N. York and Erie 7 per Cent. Sinking Fund 1875... 85 87 Panama 7 per Cent., Ist Mortgage (Ster ling Bonds), not conv er tibl e 1859... N Panama 7 per Cent., Ist Mortgage 1864... 90 92 Pennsylvania Central 6p. Cent., Ist Mort 1880... 90 92 A very limited business has been done in Railway Shares this morning, and the variations in the value of the principal lines has not been to any great extent. With one or two exceptions, prices have shown a downward tendency. Great Northern, Lancashire and Yorkshire, Brighton, Midland, and North British, were about ss. lower; and East Lancashire, Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee, Great Western, North-Western, and South -Eastern were higher by about ss. to 10s. The French lines were dull, but Lombardo-Vene tian and Grand Trunk of Canada slightly im proved. The East Indian declined about 10s. In Joint-Stock Bank Shares prices have given way to a slight extent. Bank of Australasia, Ottoman Bank, and London Chartered of Austra lia have been done at rather lower prices. In Miscellaneous Shares Canada Land have ad vanced to 125, and the Government 6 per Cents. to 1131, Crystal Palace brought 21, National Discount Company, 6. The shares of the Mons Colliery Company are quoted at prem. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE{ t'CLot;ii. ( From the Official List.) fq 3 a , nb‘, done. Bank Stock 3 Per um/. Reduced Annuities N 1 4 ,, ner Oent. Annuities 931 4 lOdg Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860... Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885 lB 146 Consols ?or Account .Exchequer Bills, lid. 1000 . 7 3 . P linen • Ditto Bonds, 1858, 3. per Cent 9Bi 4 Ditto, 1 , 359 I'itICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ON} O'CIWF Sardinian Bowls, 5 per Cent. .. ........ , 89i 9 53 Pnrii , h Bonds, 3 per Cent — Ditto Account Turkith Bonds, 6 per ccut Ditto Account Of ioenne , ti,, Fityrro p - cahla or L•roon batch Exchange, 2 t 4 per Cen',., 12 Guilders Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ........ TWO O'CLOCE. Comols (Money) Ditto Account ............. 931 91 Cardinal Morlot, the Archbishop of Tours, arrived at Rom e on the 6th, to fulfill his "highly important !Lis liv,.l°ll"—vehatever that may be—whether in re f eren ce to 'lapoleou M.'s coronation, or to something else. iW+Y• Shr. raid 1 L.AIL WA YD. +li ~F I Autbg. ~t,ug. ti, Jun . : 1 fast ming. T.Tolve Stour „ Birke Ahd. Crieebire .Jo net DD. Cheah. ‘lO., d 0......... ...., Blackburn 'Z! tit &Tyna Dr gir, £25 pad. at ..C.l" Bristol and F.sete 50 ,;3I .?.;H all 27i1 22 all 25 j all - 36 all Bt. lioo St 100 St. 100 Thester x ffolyl - I , ,sg , 50 all Cork and BnidoL 20 all Cork, Black, et Pas 20 all Cornwall 10 all Do. A 10 8 Do. B 50 45 Dubliii&Boifs.l4,Ture Dun..l":,4r4Air ;Inc S Bast 'ADgltite . . 20 /Eastern Counties.. St. 100 Elst. rrttior,, A :Fitt 110C,Pe., B. 5t0ck . ..... Do., New A.....—, East Kent 25 !'8 25 I 1 east LRfloashiro East Suffolk r Do. . St. ituo I , linburgn (St Gla.sg, Xll fradinb-And Peebles Edin.Prt.:. aDand, I Forth & Clyde Jun tFnrness . ;Glasgow di S. Westrn 'Groat N. of Scotln( ;Great Northern.... 'Do., A. Stock rk , Ti. Stock Git.,,th. &West.(lre Great Western Do. Stour Val. Rai Qua. Stk 12 all :rich South-Eastern 50 all L , ner.ster & Carliel , t 6 141,D0., Thirds 16i 12 IDo. New Thirds__ St. 100 l Lancash.andYorksl• 3 4iD 3. , Wet. Riding Un 23 all ' Do. South} ort ili all London & Blackwall St. 100 Lond. Bright & S.Cst it. 100 Loud. and N. Westn 20 16 IDo. Fifths 10 5iiD0.101.5h..M&8...0 1.211 2 , D0. Eighths. . 1., 100 London andß. Welt]) .1 undnOrrydrGolorain, iAidndrry.tic Ennisk {anch.Shef.& Linclr. Vfetropoli ta.n Do. J. L. Ricardo's arrangement Midland Jo. Birrang. & Deri Aidld. G. West. (Ire 90. Half Shares Newcastle& Carlisl Nwpt.Aberg.&Hrf Newry &Enniskillf, c awry, Warrenpoini and Rostrevor .... ierfolk siorthn.Countiesrfn North British..._., Nth Devon Rail. & Dock Stock )0., A 5t0ck,...,,, 'o., B Stock K. lastern—Bers • 1 i )o. do. Extension . 1)(). do. G.N.E. ?ureh Do. Leeds 10 Al St. 1.01 a I a] - St. Is3l st. 100 1 100 to' all St. ' 1 100 St. 100 St. 130 St. 100 St. 100 RS all 15 CI It. o I 1 '4. 1 , 00 St. 1100 15 at :0 I , t.11.,tt• "' m 100 >t. Ir 00 5 I 23; St. 00 it. 100 .0 Do. York Korth London ' 4 .&S.Wstrn.,7lam stood, and City Jr., North Stafrerdsbiz, `Forth Western__ . & S. Weatrn. Jun.. ix., Wore., & Wolv , rtsmouth Rbymney ottish, Central Scot. N E.Abrdn St, Do. Scot. Mid. St. 4 pqhirc , TTrI SitinzbournekSheer. Month Devon South Eastern south Wales 4. Yrksh. b Riv. Da: U al 14 LO 9 It. 1t it. 10' . kit it • 00 0 2 0 a!' it. I )1 t. 100 5 I 12A ;t. . 0 ,5 12 !O all :0 %11 0 All , 0 all 0 all 5 all to Ail 10 all Lc) I ,ii itaines,Wok. &WO I Stc okton Is Darling Do., do., 1854 Do., do., 1855 :toekten 6i Hartlep Gaff Vale ............ )o. Pref., No. 1,... Names Hay. D.& R. Vale of Noath ....... Watorfd. & Bilkenn Water, fordeaLirner," West Cornwall..... Vest End of Lon4o, and Crystal Palace Do. A West London Do. Fii St Class Do. Second Class Vilmb10 , 1•• Ir. rov • 8 all ) ..0 lOs. 1711 !O I -in 2Q 5 to At, 00 all /0 1 all ;$1) 41 E. all 10 all COLONIAL, OM Day , Liar u “n, Cen. India, g. 5 p. c Do. Ceylon A Flares Do. B. do mmerav- Eastern Bengal cast Indian A and B, g• Do. Ex. C, gu. 5 p. c Do. do. D, gu. 5 P.C. D 0.4 A p.c.Bnds.,'s7 do. do., '59, dr Geelong t Melbourne guar. 5 per cent.. dd. Trunk of Canada Do. Cert. of Deben, con. into Stk. till'63 Do. Comp. 6 p. 0., do. Gt. In. Pen. g. sp. e. Do New, guar. 5 p. c dt. Western of Caned Do. Now ' Do. Bde., payable '57 Do. do., '76, p.'6o Do. do., '73 do. Do. do., '73, withou option.. Madras, guar. 4 t p.c Do. do., 5 p. c. Do. 44 p. c. Exton Do. 3d Ex., g. 5 p. c Scinde, guar. 5 p. c. D 0... at. Andrew's and Quebec (A) :(IN. 110 I 601 20 30 20 1 FOR. ntwerpaßott rd , ra Ardennes !lelgian Eaetn. Junc lexi ere to Grai ssesa? e Buff. & Lk. Hut.. Ry. Carmeaux & Toulouse Coal Mines and Ry )utch Rhenish Eastern of France New ......... Euphrates Vallee,,, Eur. C'eutral of Fran e ,4reat Luxembourg Italian Junction Lake Const. & Basle Lierre and Turnhout Lombardo Venetian. Lucca & Fist. 5 p. c.p, Lyons and Geneva Lyons ea Meditarran. Warfel. Antonia ... 1 Do. do. New %Tamur Liege Do. do., 6 P. C. Pref. Northern of France.. 4orwegianTrunkPre , Paris and Lyons Paris and Orleans Recife & San. Fran., (Perham.) g. 7 p. c. Rome and Frascati Royal Danish ...... „ Royal Swedish iambre and Meuse Do. 5} p. cent. Pref ioutbern of France 'Vest Flanders Do. 5A per c. Prof_ `v. &N. W. of France Western of Austria West. of Switzerland Wiesbaden Do. 8 per cent. Pref. Lealane .......« DINT-81 1 ) 0 : tustralssia Bank of Egypt B a nk of London .... S r i, Col. Bk.& 1,11 . C. tritish N. American Chartd. Bank of Asia ihrtd. Bnk. of India, Amstralia, $t China City Colonial ;Commercial of Loud London T.Tlni Ditto a .oSooen New ejt p &Ans.Cht. Gond.Chart. Bk. of A.nstralia w n o ri d no. C t o ese n t n olc ty Lud.&E. Bnk g. Corp k GEt ond. Westminster National oo g Do. N ew National Bank New South Wales "oriental Bk. Corp Ottoman Bank ... Vrovincia.l of Ireland Do. Now Anaß &Go j ai c r South Australia .. CfnlGa of Austral; . I Do. New Enndon" Unity Mutual ... ...:. Wootern Bk of Load Cinging Pr i ce yesterday. - 20. 18: 141 Unfitness done this day all BlythandTyne lOpe , c. pref. (issd..-4t Hi 100 Brie. & Ex. 4p.c. St 5 Do. 4p. c. Shares .. 110 Ceded n. £lO 4i p.c 100 .Ihes.& Ere. Gn. 6.! p, 100 Do. do. Pref. 5 per e. all 'Cork4tßandons6p.e al Dua.Prth .& A herd. 2 E. Anglian Cls. ASh 100 Do. do. Ole. B6p. c 100 Do. do C l s. C 7 p. e all Ens. Co.Ex, speNo. All Do. No. 2 ali Do. Now 6 g. o. SI all East tin., G. 6 p. all Do. 51., 10 Der cent all Do. M Del;sntr.Sl: all Do. do. 4 per cent. 100 East Lancash, 6 p.ct , all E. 4W. York. J. sth 4 Edin. & Gl. 5 p.c. sh 100 Ed. PrthArDon.4p.e 100 Furness, sp. c....... 10) Glas. &S. W. 0.6 P.C. 100 Groat Northn. sp. c 100 Do. 6p. a. Redecra at 10 p. c. prom. 10 , , Do. 4,i p. c 60 Do. 5 P.. c., Red. at I an Gt.N. of Scot.lstPr, 100 Gt. S. &W. (Ireland 14 Do. 4 por a. Pr , f. S 6 Gt. W.(B. ir H. Exspe 100 Do. con. red. 4i p.c. t. 100 Do. con. red. 4p. c t. 100 Do. irred„ 4p. a t. 100 Do. sp. c. red. pref 8 all Do. Biro. Pref. Sh • 0 all Do. Chester Bp. c. P.:=. 0 all Do. do. sp.c. do It 1)0 Do. Birm. Guts. Stk 6` all Do. Ches. Gus. Sh 3 all Do. do. do D all Do. do. do 5 6 Lan. &York. F. 120 1 100 Do. 6 p. c. Stock 100 Lon. &B. G. 5 pc. No.l 1.00 Do. P., 5 pc. St.No.2 100 Do. New Guar.6 p. 100 Do. do. sp. c.,N0.4 1100 Lon. &N. W., Coy. dr Nuneaton 5 p. et... ~ 100 fem.& S.W. 7 per et late 3d Shares ... all L mdy.&Coler. i Sh. :i all londy.&Ennis.iFll 101 Nr.,5..& L. 6 p. Cent 4.1 Do. do. do. £6 ... 'lOO Do. do. 34 per cent. all cfarypt .& Carl.4p o ; all Do. 4i per cent......, 1 10 Do. do. 1100 Aid. Consol.6 p.c.St 1100 Do. Con.Br.Nr. 6pc 100 Do. 44 p. a. Pref. t 100 Ditto L. & 11. Pref. St all New., Aber., &c., pr. 1 sp. c. red. 5 p.c. pm. 6 Do. Perpet. 6 p et. with optn. till '66 all Norik. Deb, 4 p.c. sh 100 Do. Pref. sp.c. St i• 1100 Do. 5 pc. Ext.,1846 1 100 Do. 5i per c.pf ,1847 100 D0.Wv.V.5pc.,1847 100 North British 34 Do 71. Preference 1 1416 N. E. Berw, 4p.0.1: 81 Do. do. do 13 Do Leeds 6 p. 6 .2340.1 9 Do. do. Qr;.,1848.- 10 IDo.YorkII.& S. For all !North Staffordshire .00 10.7,W0,&-W.,6 100 !Do. 6 p.c. Redeem. all Ifilcol t Cent. ,New Prefl [OO jSe.N.E. Afoor. g 6 pe all Do. do., 7 p c. pf. st. [OO D0.d0., 34 p.c. pf. st all South Devon all Do. fixed, 4i per cent' all S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. 100 Do. 4i per cent all Do. Fixed 4} p c eh 100 S Wales Gus. 4p. o 1.00 Do. do. 4i p. 0.... all S.Yorksh.4p.c.Gnar all Stock.& Dar., sp. c 15 Do. do. do all Stock. & Hartl. g. 5 p. a. till July 1, '56 all Waterfd.& Kilk.6 pc PREFERENCE SHARE 3. - 100 4i 5 6 -• 6, 09 12 - in i 6 I 7 - 119 [O9 -11 l 02 - 104 61 - 63 9 i - 10; 6 - 95 - 97 - 89 • 101 - 10 . 17 1 75 • 20 10,j 15j 16i - 10 - 19i - 14i - ... •••••• 137 139 142 117 - 119 1157 - 159 ••• - ••• B - i 60 --70 137 - 139 98 - 100 89 - 1 - li ••• "'." .63 -105 62 -94 - (11 I id 106 - 108 - P 114 - 116 105 - 110 17 - iii 23 24 101 - 103 10i 10j see .." 27i 28?. 2 3p SINES. all llnglo Californian 7 'Anstralian all Baden (Gd.nnehy of) all Bimini.. Iron & Coal 14 British Iron 26 Brazillanlmp.(issued ^ts pm.) all Do. Cocaos Sr Cuiab 15 Do. St. John Del Roy 1 1 Clarendon Cons. Min - Co. of Jamaica_ all CobroCoppe!,_,.. ICelonial G01d.,., sll Copper Min. of Rug all Do. Pref. 7i p. cent le Copiapo all Fortuua all General all Gt.NuggetVeinßeg all Great Polgooth all Gt Wheal Vor Unite•' all Liberty ....... all Linares 1 Lusitanian all Rariquita.. ..... .••• all New Granada all Nouveau Monde all Pontgi.Sil.& Le. Min 1 Port Philip all Quartz Rock all Rhymney Iron all Do. New 15i Santiago de Cuba... 6s. Sort. Cons. Min. Co all South Australian all Do. Scrip all Do. 10 per cent Pref 4. Tarn. S. &L. Min. Co. 9 Emu Croft... all United Mexican all Waller all West Mariposa ....... : 120 Worthing Mining of Australia . MISC L►LLA. 19 trstrallan A gricult. al kustraln. Royal Mail ail iterlin Water Works 40 llrit. American Land 3:1 Canada ' c. G (3.6 p.c. Jan&jtilY -00 Do. 6 p.c. Feb & Aug soo Dn. 6p c. Mar & Sept 611 Crystal. Palace all Do. Preference l Crystal Pal. of France Duston Iron Ore 15A Eastern Steam LOO Electric Telegraph all Electric Teleg. of Ir all En.Caus Cop Sin Co all Gen. Ir Sc Col (lim.) 14 Gon. Steam Navigat. all General Screw Steam 5 London Discount all Loud. Gen. Omnibus 10 Magdalena St. Nay'. rll Vfediteran, Elec. Tel. all Etexican&S.Americn. 5 Nat. Discount Co 1 Do. New ..... .. .. 5 Netherland s all Do. Do. 3 Do. 8p c P iss at . 1 Do. Do 80 New B. di N, S. Land N.S.W. G. sp.c.D. all N. B. Australasian 17 Nrth.ofEuropeSteam all Oriental Gas 2s. Do. "Now Shares" all Peel Rr. Ld. A. Minri. all Peninsular& Oriental 10 Do. New a a 6 l ll o l D S R : i o t y to t a . l A N M u e s a w tral ii 13 . "ni Invest all South Austral. Land ar. Submar. Tel. Scrip,,. al. Do. Registered. 5 Trust& L. Co.U.Can. !Pi Van Diemen's Land V.O 40peo...TautiJuly 1 . 2 ii - i : *i 1i 2 3§ -- 4 15 - 17 P in 57 59 30 35 25 27 13 15 id i i * a 4 5 8 8i ld -f 9 - 11 23 - 25 7 - 9 21 -- 2i 18 - li ''3lw 1- 3t - 4 i - i ... -..- ROUE. 24 - 25 4i - 5 - , 1-0 45 123 - 128 1131 - 114 2 - 21 5,1 - 56 93 -• 95 i fi z ii 5i - 6i id p 3g 3i 3} - - n 15 0 - 4 - - - 24 . i 6 B - 67 - 1# - 1* - 36 - 16 - 113 - 108 THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY FRAUDS. This afternoon Redpath and Kent, charged with for gery and fraud on the Great Northern Railway Com pany, underwent a further examination at Clerkenwell Police-court. The proceedings divulged further transac tions of the prisoners of a similar character to those already published. The trial is not expected to take place till the February sessions of the Central Criminal Court. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—{This Day.) LONDON, Deo. 19.—Wind this day at noon, N.W. ; light breeze and fine. PORTSMOUTH,DOC. 18.—Wind N. to N.W.—Arrived.— H.M.S. Vesper, from St. Vincent's. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 18. —Wind N. N. W.—Arrived— Sveridge, from Liverpool, for Africa, with loss of rudder, &c. Sailed—Henry Evans, for Savannah. FALMOUTH, Dec. 18.—Wind N.N.W., strong and squally.— Arrived—Catharina, from Monte Video. RAMSGATE, Dec. 18.—Off the port—Australia, from Go thenburg, for Melbourne. SOUTHAMPTON, Dec. 18.—Sailed—Fulton (e.), for New York. COWES, Dec. 18.—Wind N.W.—Sailed.—Norton, for Callao. NEWPORT, Dec. 18.—Wind N.E., strong.—Arrived— Alice, from London, for Jamaica. Sailed—Europe, for Fernando Po. GLOCESTER Dec. 18.—Arrived—Champion, from Bath ; Sebastopol and Royal Adelaide. Quebec. OFF THE LIZARD, Dec. 18--Lady Kinnaird, from Ma dras. (PER ELEOTRIO TYLEGRP-PU.) LIVERPOOL, Friday Morning. Wind N.W. Arrived—Scamander, screw steamer, from Malta. Sailed—Webster, for New York; Snowdon, Newfound. land ; Alexander Baring, Calcutta. A fire broke out last evening in the bolas, from Mobile, in the King's-basin, which was only subdued by scuttling the ship. The fire is attributed to the oil lamps used by the porters in the vessel being upset end broken, and ig niting some loose cotton, which soon afterwards spread to the bales. (BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Friday, 9.46 a.m. Wind N.W. ; three hours ebb ; fine. Arrived—Expert, from Rotterdam; Dorothea Constan ha, Konigsberg. DEAL, Friday, 9.40 A.M. Wind N.N.E. ; fresh. Anchored, 18th.—Wakefield, from New York, for London. BOROUGH HOP. Fine new Imps continue in good request, at full prices. In other kinds only a moderate business is doing, on for mer rates. The show of simples is seasonably good. Mid and East Kent pockets, 4/ Os to 51 15s ; Weald of Kent, 3/ is to 4/ 4s; Sussex, 31 4s to 31 15s. COLONIAL. TEA—The public sales of this article have concluded, and about half the quantity offered was disposed of at previous prices. A fair amount of business has been done n oti6ttan of privaiely in good Congou at from is 2d to is 4d, an d superior at is 5d to is 9d. Common Congou realised 9 A to 10.1 per lb. SUGAR—There has been very little business d one in either foreign or colonial descriptions, and, to tw htesd h ing very limited supplies, prices showed a tend ency to (; e _ cline. The refined market is also very inacti ve, and (.1l Cons rule lower. The markets will be closed fo.riothe Christmas holidays, from Wednesday next January, 1857. COFFEE—A very fair business ha s b een done in this article, particularly in Plantation Ceylon, which is much wanted, and realised high prices. Native C e yl on and Mo cha have also been in request, at fully form RICE. —There has been a good demand forer quotation,. d ug ea h l t t descrip tions, but the lower qualities were mostly most realised very high prices. Bengal white brow 6,1, and Java 22s per cwt. Rum—A very active demand has beenexperienced for all qualities, at rather enhanced 9 i s n 'to an 9 d s 9A3 to 2s 10,1; Leewards, 9 3 51 ; values. Demerara, 2s 2s 5d per proof gallon. - ( and East India, N4d to SPICES—There has been a forer quotations have been and fully very good demand, cloves, ginger, and pimento;Maietained for mace, nutmegs, SALTPETRE —The market and white pepper ruled firm. has beeninactive, and prices may be quoted about is Coc - per cwt. lower. HINEAL— A large business t ransac ted , and has been the finer ' • qualities have advanced a bout 2d per lb. .—A TALLOW rather active business has been done in this article, and prices have ruled rather heavy . P. Y.C. or spring is q on the s p ot and f delivery • rioted 58s 93 to 593 per cwt. GR EEN FRIIIT.—A brisk demand exists for all kinds. Oranges hav e ad vance d i n price ; 2,000 packages from the Azores, Sevill e , and Lisbon, sold b y Keelin g and Hunt at public sale, went at Nto 33 per package higher. Lemons are dull. Nuts have sold freely ; two cargoes new Barce lona have met with a ready sale, the market being bare of the article. The Right Hon. B. Lowe, I\LP has forwarded to the Mayor of Kidderminster, for dibtributioa among the suffering handloom weavers, the sum of 251. * I All 01 all PA all !O 10 !O 5 I 0 5 m all !O 18 1:1 all ;0 10 5 all Ioi 10 6 an !O I 19 0 10s, 0 16 0 4 5 I a-11 all In all 23 all O all 6 all LO all V , all ;0 I 6 .0 17i 5 all lo all LO all !O all tlI LO all ?O ill 7 .0 all 6 all 6 all 10 all 7 !11 i 112 LO - 106 20j 21 101 10 3 ,! - . 82 - 82 54 56' 50 - 52 3 , d 40 4l 83 - 84 4i - 4 a 3 - 2i 18f - 184 59i 604 96 99 5 bd 106 108 26 24 70 72 48 50 1i 1 17, 'B l 73 74 804 5 3 d 2 1 - 14 16 3 8 40 -29 i 1 •• 1 - 11 113 - 115 2 24p 21 i - 22 lli - 12 77 - 82 21i 224 l tlp 24 -- 24 i 2 - 2i 3 'p 99 - 100 117 122 117 - 122 109 111 20 - 206 -22 i g P • lb' 2i - 2ip 1§ - li 1 —2 p par i p 4 4 32 - 33 9 -10 i- i P 4i - 5 ; ,1 5 - 5i ••• --- ••• 61 - 6ip 9 4 -10 i 7 i - 8 18 i - 191 374 - 38 8 - 54i - 55 51 - 53 t - i pl 18 - 20 1 - 1i 8i - 91 - p.I 44 - 4i 9§ - 10 33 - 34 - lip % BANKti. 98 - 101 id par 62 64 - -PI 1 -- 68 - 70 41. -- ... 17; 18 20 - 21 ... - -• 1 -' 3p ••••• Doe .40 ma= .. vv. atm. pg. WI. 38 39 1d 5 - 37 66 - 68 7 - 9 10 - 6 id 1141 St. 124 10 1.0.6 21i 12i 12 i P 5 I 1 121 1 1 5 2 30 28, 55 1 1 49i I 1 20 6i 30 90 893 s: Si. 1) , . I 20 St. $ 5 82i 10 St. I St. 0 St. 20 so St. St. St. St. 10 Do.. - adl i t 2 70 69 38 125 1131 i pm PROFESSOR CHRISTMAS'S LECTURE. The seventh lecture of this truly interesting course was delivered at the bon-if , of the Royal Society of Lit. erature, on Tuesday, the 16th inst. Before the Professor commenced the subject of the present lecture, however, be adverted once more to the " Golden Ass" of Apuieiva, some one bavi g demurred at his pronouncing the book a moral one; but this he showed to be the case, inas much as the pictures of depravity therein contained were true to those times, and nec essary to the author ' s views in writing the work, while in the translation of Sir Geo. Head every objectionable expression or passage is omit. ted, and thus purified the book may be read by any one with advantage. He then proceeded to give a most lucid and fluent account of the various philosophical and politi cal romances which were most remarkable in ancient and more modern times. Seven authors were particularly cited —Plato, Hippodainus, Euhemerus, and Thepompue among the ancients, and Sir Thomas More, Lord Barn, and Harrington, in more recent ages. As only a few scat tered fragments remain of the other three ancient writ er., the Professor dwelt more particularly on the "Republic" of Plato, pointing out its beauties, and noting where this admirable philosopher was mistaken in Some of his ideas, adding a vivid eulogium on the rare beauty of his style. He then proceeded to the " Utopia" of Sir Thomas More, the " Nova Atlantis" of Lord Bacon, and the "Oceana" of Harrington ; but neither time nor space will allow of our entering into the details of the various imaginations of those distin guished men. We can only add, if Professor Christmas had already given proof of his wonderful talent for trac ing and clearly following out the various threads of a subject, he now surpassed himself. Seven different authors, with their different works, were passed in re view, clearly and distinctly, from Piat and his "Re public," to Lord Bacoii and his "Nova Atlanti-," or 18,„nd of p ► ~ e r ; and las'ly, flarr•ngroo and his " Oceans '--and if, as he said, the BIYI O o f . oine o f t h ree writers is dry in the extrem e , h e navertneless contrived to draw from their paged matcria:e for a most delightful and amusing lecture, which was listened to with deep attention by a very numerous and distinguished audi ence, among whom were sonic literary celebrities. The chair was occupied by Sir John Dorat. The next and last lecture of this course was announced for next Tuesday, the 23d inst. The subject---" Moro recent Philosophical Romances." CANADA CGMI'ANY. At a meeting of the Canada Company held yesterday, Mr. C. Franks presiding, a division of assets of U. 10s. per share, free from income tax, was agreed to, and the statement of account was adopted. A lengthened discus sion of an irregular character was entered into with respect to the position of the undertaking. It was complained by some of the proprietors that the dividend, instead of being maintained at a steady average, had been increased from 21. to 71. per share without the provision of an adequate reserve, and that immediately after the maximum payment a decrease in receipts now rendered it necessary to recede 11. 10s. por share. Great fluctuations have consequently taken place in the price of the stock, the quotation, which was 1821., having lately descended to 100 or 103. A course of this kind, it was contended, must interfere with the prosperity of the company, while it unsettled the resources of those who relied upon the receipt of regular dividends from a judicious management of the available r evenue. The ch a i rman explained that the increase in the rate of distribution mentioned had been justified by the state of the accounts, and that the directors, in making the later payments, had not acted upon their own judgment, but upon the exp resse d w i sh o f a cons i dera bl e ma j or i ty. The cpinion being that it was politic, after making due allow ance for outstand ing l i bili t i es, to d i v i de the amount of assets in hand, that course had been adopted, and the act of Parliament recently obtained sanctions the proceeding, although it thee not strictly enforce it. A number of the proprietors supported the statement of the chairman, but they at the same time exhibited a desire to be furnished with increase() information, particularly respecting the quantity of land, and its situation in relation to railway and other local improvements. A debate involving this and other topics followed, in the course of which it was stated that the results of the present accounts have been influenced by the condition of the money market in Canada, the pressure experienced preventing sales and causing collections to be more difficult. It was not desirable in such a period to force the land, the company being in a condition to wait for a change in the financial circumstances of the colony. Some of the lots which had been previously valued at about 4s. were included in late sales at 15s. per acre. The latest advices showed a recovery, and the letters from the commissioner were of a more encouraging character. With regard to presenting a more copious report on the position and prospects of th e undertaking, the directors promise to give the question full consideration, and to augment the amount of information, if possible, at the next meeting in March. A vote of a testimonial, in value 1501., to Mr. Pero?, the late secretary, who has retired at an ad sauced age on his f u ll sa l ary o f 400/ . per annum, was carried by a large majority. CALCUTTA AS IT IS. Every English traveller who visits Paris sighs over its improvements. The contrast with London is too strong. The difference between the acts of M. Hausmann and those of the Board of Works are too great to leave room for any feeling but regret. Travellers have even been heard to aver that we might purchase independence too dear at the price of stagnation, that a few weeks of a wise despo tism might do more for our cities than ages of municipal self-government. Yet it is doubtful if such a despo tism, if worked by Englishmen, would suffice to the end required. In Boston Americans, as jealous of interference as the citizens of London, still enforce sanitary lawn with a rigour Louis Napoleon dare not attempt. In India an absolute Government declines even the effort to improve its capital. Calcutta, the metropolis of Asia, the seat of a trade which has risen to 20,000,0001., is cared for less than a tenth-rate town in the Mediterranean. The City of Palaces, as some traveller contrived to designate it, wants all the three attributes of a capital—convenience, beauty, and original character. It is not convenient for health, for the science of which we boast has done nothing to redeem the original mistakes of the founder. He placed the city on a spot where there is no natural drainage, and we have only reported on an artificial remedy. A single shower of r tin fills the streets knee-deep. The cowl ounds of the European houses retain the water till the sun sucks it up, scattering malaria in the transit. The bazaars of the city and the native town are alike crossed by open drains full of corruption, such as the costermongers of St. Giles' would be unable to endure. Great native merchants leave black ditches uncovered under their walls, and a journey through Chitpor-road is full of torture for all but snuff-takers. The river, perhaps the swiftest, and cer tainly the most beautiful of Asiatic streams, besides the uncleanliness natural to a port, is filled with dead bodies and feted with the excrement of a nation. That river, and a few half-stagnant tanks, furnish the drinking water of a population which has learnt from habit to fear the cholera as little as the lightning. The stroke of both may be deadly, but they are considered equally una voidable. Charnock and his successors let the native town grow as it would, and it has grown, as a jangle grows, the faster for the absence of ventilation. That the plague has never appeared in the Burrs bazaar is a blessing we owe to the mercy of God, not to any carefulness of our own. With cholera endemic we stilt enforce no ventilation, open no new streets, clear no path for the wind; and regard build ing,acts and acts for lodging houses as a drew,' some future generation may begin uselessly to discuss. Our popula tion congregates as it wilt, builds as it can, and lives as it way, without that guidance which is our moral claim to govern. It is " Oriental," and that is a sufficient apology, as if Orientals had not built Antioch, or Munco had never enforced the religious duty of the bath. The shore, which from its gradual slope renders quays and jetties easy o f construction, is left to be covered with mud and filth, and dangerous bits of granite. With a trade of 20,000,000/. there is not one quay, one jetty, or one landing wharf, and but one large crane. Imports from half the world are still unloaded in country boats, and insurance is still rendered two per cent. more costly by the dangers of the river. Calcutta has no idl e c l a ss , and we m a y pass w i th resigned regret over the absence of all European amuse ments. But even the busy could appreciate cabs, or some mode of progression swifter than the palanquin, and less costly than a private carriage. We have nothing of the kind —a strange nondescript box on wheels, drawn by ponies whose traces are usually of rope, Plyin g on l y from the rail way ghaut. There are some places on earth as little fa voured by nature and as little cared for by man which have one not unimportant re commendation. They are cheap. Calcutta is dear. Rent, absorbs one-third, th P e rov_i_s t io w ne hi a c r , h e a t least con sumes one - sixth of tho householder's expenditure, in Cal cuttaoctroi. Meat, three-fourths ofdwi dear as they are outside I. L eas on t d t o w n ipeao is no Eng land can be wholly consumed be eaten, is rising to Et• b • l o i o s u h g e hi h bet.hfeorre.e it can 111 prices for joints which in still cheap ; but the confect . • o ur i Eng li sh habits impose on us fully reale loner's bill insignificant up d probriunt on the genius of ies that imago/ tr ine unven tilated, ,blos we believe, ars o-ra or the meaO s t our Ichaneamahs. and una ed with 'water, without amuse mentst costly in the extreme, Calcutta is 9 sane men would select flat countryma•y f i o o o esotion, Ye not the place for convenience As little is itistinguished for beauty. A the union contain the elements of the features. picturesque,verdure an d union of flowi n g may compensate for the absence of grander natural water and perpetual But Calcutta is wanting in all these. Indian Paper. STATE OF TRADE. NOITINGHAM, DEC 18. There is very little activity in the lace market ; the only goo d s in the slightest de mand being thot,e of a plait description, which continue to command high pric es . Some little business is a lso doing for the continent. We, however, expect a better trade after the Christmas holi days. In silk goods there is next to nothing doing ; t h e material continues very high. In hosiery we have also a very quiet trade just now , mos t branches partaking of the dullness now existing. Yarns are high. It is understood that Mr. Charles Manby, who hap, after 17 years service, resigned the post of S ecretary to the Institution of Civil Engineers, in London th e l ate Mr. Starbuck , as the representative London. and on the continent of the extensive engine manufacturing firm of Robert Stephenson and Co., of Newcastle.on-Tyne. Tiiis position he is peculiarly qualified to fill, from hie practical education and long connection with the mecha nical world, the iron trade, and t he civil engineers •as well as his extensive connection w i t h foreign engineers, who are under such obligations to him for courtesies shown them in this count r y . I n the annual report of the institution we find the following notice of this event: —"lt was mentioned, that at the last annual meeting, Mr. C. Manby (M. Inst C.E.), who had held the post nation; he bad cuhtinued, however, hold the of secretary fur upwards of 17 years, tendered his resig position untii the present time,lBs6, James F,,rres (A.s. ,c. T _Lila. E who was well known to the Illnj $ l ll3 ot the werni-rs, Irmo his almost constant cuunectim, tsitn the institution during the . last hut, in the month of June, 14 years, having, in fact, been partly brought up within its walls, entered on the post of assistant secretary, with the salary formerly devoted to Mr. Manby, who has expressed his willingness to c , intinue to act as secre tary, gratuitously, as long as his services were conc. doted useful to the instituticti, 18k 9h 38 26 70 5t 54 97 '''.. ••• 8 - 4 - 5. - ... 37 I 89 76 125 114 85 . 74 64 64 97 111 1051 83 i 18i 61 i