The Sun. — London, England, 1856-01-25 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocK. The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday again closed with an upward tendency, and full prices were obtained. Surats maintained the advance of id. per lb. The choice quality of Americans were plentiful. The sales were estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bales, 500 for export, and 2,000 on speculation ; comprising an addition to Americans. 90 Pernam and Maranham, 51d. to 6d.; 3'l Bahia, s;d. ; 300 Egyptian, at s±d. to 7d.; 1,000 Surats, 31d. to 4ia. The Railway Share Market continued very buoyant, and closed with a firm feeling. In the markets for Colonial Produce this week a larger business has been done, and the prices have ruled firmer. Sugar has been in active request, and an advance of 6d. to is. has been realised for some descriptions. Higher rates have also been current for Coffee, and purchasers have operated freely. For Rice there has been a good inquiry, but the quotations have receded. Spices have been dull, and Tea has been in limited demand. Very few sales of Rum have taken place, and the prices are almost nominal. Saltpetre has ruled steady, Cochineal has tended upwards, and Tallow has re mained quiet. The following shipments of calicoes and cotton yarns were made from English ports during the last year to India. Compared with those of 1854 there is an increase in plain fabrics and a decrease in printed ditto : SHIPPED TO CALCUTTA. Plain Calico. Printed. Ctn. Yarns, &c. Yards. Yards. Lbs. 1855 1854 215,779,819 12,392,598 12,102,956 TO BOMBAY. 1855 1854 160,864,253 16,001,138 6,171,379 TO MADRAS. 1855 6,536,726 1,591,476 1,978,782 185 Accounts from Madrid state that the engineers of the Grand Central Railway Company of France have arrived there, and commenced their labours in the execution of the projected railway from Madrid to Saragossa. The particulars of th e royal decree granting the concession for this purpose has come to hand, and con tains the terms agreed to by the Cortes and the Government on the one side, and the Counts de Morny, Leopold Lebron, and M. Gustave Dela bante, the president and vice-presidents of the com pany, and Don Jose Salamanca, the representative at Madrid, on the other, that the railway be con structed between Madrid and Saragossa by 'way of Guadalaxara, Liquenza, and Cata layud. That the Government aid the en terprise by a subvention of 240,000 reals for each kilometre, payable in metallic currency, or its equivalent in state paper. That the provinces through which the railway runs shall pay one-third of this subvention. That it shall be finished in five years ; and the privileges of the'concession be held by the contracting parties for 99 years. The East India and China Association have just Published a comparative statement of the number Of ships, British and foreign, with their aggregate tonnage, entered inwards and cleared outwards, With cargo from and to places within the limits of the East India Company's charter, from the Ist of January to the 31st December in the years 1854 and 1855. From this it appears that the total of vessels arrived at London, Liverpool, and other ports during the former year amounted to 1,170, With a tonnage of 637,939, and in 1855 the numbers were—vessels 1,194, amount of tonnage 7 07,282 ; which is an increase in the former of 24, and in the latter of 69,730. The number of ships cleared outwards in 1854 was 1,491, tonnage 8 32,596 ; and in the past year 1,266, tonnage 88 3,061, which was a decrease in the number of teasels, but an increase of 50,465 in the amount of tonnage during 1855. The quotations of English Stocks have become exceedingly heavy, and the decline since yesterday has already amounted to per cent. This reac tionary movement is attributable to the heavy sales that have been made, and the active demand for money that is experienced in the "House," to Provide for the final instalment on the Turkish Scrip, now due. Yesterday, as well as to-day, Mel supply of stock pressed upon the market 4 as represented a large aggregate amount. Consols for transfer have been 90i and 90k, but they are now about 90i I. For the account the quotations from 90i and 911 have receded to 90i. The New 3 per Cents. have been 91k to 91k, and the Reduced 90i to 91. Bank Stock is 209, and India Stock 220. Exchequer Bills are 6s. discount to par, and India Bonds ls. discount. In the Foreign Market Turkish Securities have declined fully 11 per cent., having been done as low. as 892 to 90. The New Scrip is per cent. discount. Austrian 5 per Cents. are 86, Brazilian 6 per Cents. 101, and 41 per Cents. 931; Grenada Active are 191 ; Mexican Stock rules firm at 201 21 1 and Peruvian 4i per Cents. have risen to 79 and 791 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents. Ore 471. Russian 5 per Cents. have de cidedly improved, being quoted at 104. Sardinian 6 per Cents. are 891, Spanish 3 per Cents. are 401 to 41, and the Deferred 23i. Venezuela Active tre 28, and Dutch 4 per Cents. 95g. French 3 Per Cent. Scrip is 31. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign gtocks•—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 61 71; Mexican, 2 0i 1.; Peruvian, 78i 9i ; ditto 3 per Cents., 55 86 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents., 47 49 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 101 103 ; ditto 4i per Cents., 91 93 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 40/ 11 ; ditto Deferred, 23 ; ditto Certificates, 5 51 ; ditto Passive, 6i I. Railway Shares have not supported the highest Prices of yesterday, and a small business has been transacted. In some of the heavy lines a fall of to 4 per cent. has occurred, and in a few cases %Von more. Foreign lines are likewise dull, and Northern of France are 10s. cheaper. , Mining Shares rule flat. Bank of London have been at fuller prices, but in the other miscellaneous keeurities no material alteration has taken place. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. (From the Official List. nustnest done. tank Stock „a per cent. Redaced Annuities a per Cent. Console Annuities 9 03 iiiiti New 3 per Cent. Annuities Long Annuities, expire sth Jan 1860... .. 3i Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885... 16} India Stock 220 19 India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, wader £lOOO 1 d vonsols ?or Account .... ... 91 90k 11,- 90i 1 a Exchequer Bills, 21d. £lOOO. . .. £5OO 4 d par 5 d rimall 4 d par 5 d Ditto Bonds, 1858, 34 per Cenb 971 t Ditto, 1859 PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. ...Austrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. lOl Ditto Small Ditto New, 1852, 4i per Cent. %Man Bonds, 6 per Cent lO3l tinador Bonds Granada New Active, 1i per Cont. .. Ditto Deferred.. Y_reek Bonds 6l llesican 3 per Cent. Ditto Account P eruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent~ Ditto 3 per Cent. ssk Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841 Ditto 4 per Cent — Ditto Account 476 81 Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St lO4 ardinian Bon4s, 5 per Cent. , 2 Ditto Account BB 'Piinish Bonds, 3 per Cent Ditto Account 4Ol 1 Ditto Few Deferred, 3 per Cent. ~, Ditto Account ... . nrki e n Bonds, 6 par cent 91.4 90 Ditto for the Account 911 1 891 903 90 i Ditto New Sarip, 4 per Cent. V enezuela Bonds, 41 per Cent — Ditto Account . Dividends on the above payable In London. l 'rench Rentes, 3 per Cent. Ditto Scrip, 2d Loan of 1855 . A 3, pm ustrian Bonds, 5 per Cent., 10 Guil., £ 76 D utch Exchange, 2i per Cent., 12 Gull._ Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates Ditto Account 953 THREE O'CLOCK. CansolP, money Ditto for - Account Feb. 7 'jr mn he crew of the s crew s t :am - s hip Brunswi c k, 80 , ' A pt. Hastings W. Yelvert , m, at Devonpnrt, got top do;endand topmast crosstrees placed on Wed nes : -mvery exertion is being used to get her ready for THE QUARTERLIES. The Edinburgh Review. No. CCIX. To an average reader the Edinburgh Review for the current quarter will appear doubtless to offer at the first blush but small attraction, if any, even among the ten very miscellaneous articles enu merated in its table of contents by advertisement. Yet there is scarcely one out of all these ten con tributions which will fail, in some way or another, to interest the discerning upon a distinct and se parate examination. This may be observed with truth even in reference to the criticism upon "The Himalayan Journals," kept during the course of their Asiatic travels by Dr Hooker and Dr. Thomson ; as well as in regard to the ingenious comparison of "The Rural Economy of France and Britain," suggested by certain recent essays from the pen of M. Leone Lavergne. The histori cal paper upon " The Civil Wars and Cromwell," with which the number leads nff very cleverly, will of course arrest the attention of every intelli gent student of our national annals, whose interest in their regard is not altogether absorbed by the two last volumes from the hand of Mr. Macaulay. While as to the concluding article of this same cur rant number of the Edinburgh, the article descrip tive of the " Russian Campaigns in Asia," who can remain altogether incurious in its regard so soon after the lamentable capitulation of Kars, fol lowed as that capitulation has been so very speedily by the still more lamentable indications of a has tily packed-up Peace, aPeace partaking in the cha racter, in every way, of a disgraceful and disastrous compromise ? It constitutes in another respect one of the most surprising coincidences in the his tory of modern engineering that the more enter prising of the scientific adventurers of the present age are simultaneously occupied in speculative theories as to the practicability of cutting a canal yonder to the east through the Isthmus of Suez, and yonder to the west through the Isthmus of Panama, opening up in the old world a direct water communication between the Red Sea and the Me diterranean, and in the new world between the Atlantic and the Pacific. To one of these two as tonishing enterprises, namely, to the long-cherished scheme of " The Suez Canal," a reviewer in the Edinburgh takes occasion to revert with consider able gusto, in consequence of the apposite lucubra tions upon the subject recently given to the world. by M. Ferdinand Lesseps, French Minister Pleni potentiary. According to the reasonable view of the Whig quarterly the engineering difficulties presented by the Isthmus of Suez to the projectors of the intended canal are much less formidable in every respect than those which appear as yet to render altogether futile the efforts of our more ad venturous speculators to dig a navigable canal across the lofty and rocky ridge forming the Darien bond of union between the Siamese continents of America. Nor can this same decided recognition of the superior practicability of the Suez scheme be considered as otherwise than most rational un der the circumstances when it is borne in mind that, although the European isthmus extends even in its narrowest portion to a distance of 90 miles from sea to sea, while the Transatlantic isthmus is little more from ocean to ocean than some forty miles in all—the summit level of the latter is so high, and the soil is so stubborn throughout, that those two difficulties united have presented hitherto insurmountable barriers to the combined energies at once of British and American engineers. In glaring contrast to which the Isthmus of . Suez, even in its ample breadth of ninety miles, actually more than double the distance occupied by the less prac ticable isthmus of Panama, presents but two ridges between the shores of the Red Sea and those of the Mediterranean, one ridge but fifty, and the other but fifty-five feet above the same point—the whole land from sea to sea being at once low and sandy, and a considerable part of it indeed actually below high-water mark ! Nevertheless, even while con trasting thus strikingly to the advantage of the Suez Scheme, the great rival projects of these mon ster canals in the eastern and western hemispheres, the reviewer declares positively, in so many words, of the day-dream of the Darien Ship-Canal, that, after all, " there can be little doubt but that it is only a question of expense," and that " if railroads will not suffice for the traffic between the two oceans, a canal must and i.ill be cut ! " A dic tum as majestically authoritative in its way as the old Roman Augur's "cut boldly" addressed to the king, razor in hand, with the strop before him, in tent upon its severance. Yet it must be confessed that the Edinburgh Reviewer, somewhat tempers the fervour of his assertion as to the certainty of the Darien scheme being ultimately accomplished by adding that, "as the question at pre sent stands, it seems more than probable that railroads will be found sufficient.," and that " thus the expensive and uncertain project of a ship canal will be indefinitely postponed." Not so does he by any means deem it to be with regard to the project of the navigable canal across the Suez Isthmus. That project he con ceives to be much more practicable in every way—reserving his doubts, almost exclusively, for the matter of its ulterior utility. Inso much that he closes his remarks upon the whole enterprise with the virtual shrug of the shoulders implied in his concluding words, that " the Suez Canal Question may fairly be relegated among the questions oiseuses whim may interest and amuse, but can hardly ever benefit mankind." The criti cal and biographical paper relating to " The Minis ter Vom Stein" possesses an interest of its own, illustrating as it does whatever there is of import ance in the career of Henry Frederick Charles, Baron Stein of Stein (Von and Zum Stein), o who took no unimportant part in the final coalition against Napoleon the Great, the coalition whose labours were crowned so very memorably by the famous Congress of Vienna. It was Stein, the passionate and impulsive Stein, who so amusingly enforced his precept of placability to Niebuhr, the Roman historian, when having observed—" You know we must forgive our enemies," and Niebuhr having urged thereupon—" Why, your Excellency hates Count A.," his Excellency replied—" Hato him ? No—but if I met him in the street, I would spit in his face." A. worthy representative, that, of the moderation presiding over the councils of the plenipotentiaries assembled together in the Congress of Vienna, the Congress holden in 1815, to decide so magnanimously, generously, humanely, upon the fate of a greater than Sesostris or Charlemagne. The brief criticism which follows immediately afterwards upon "Lectures to Ladies on Practical Subjects," is the most strangely incongruous sequel imagin able to the memoir of the astute and worldly-wise diplomatist Vom Stein—brimming over as it does with the evidences of a very amiable tenderness for one of the most cbarming of the recent phases of practical philanthropy. We earnestly commend the brief but sufficient argument of the Edinburgh Reviewer upon the subject of these Lectures to all the lady visitors of the poor, who are animated by a moregenial, and a less pragmatical spirit than that manifested in the brickmaker's cabin by the re nowned Mrs. Pardiggle. Frightful beyond all exaggeration are the revelations made through the article upon " The Use of Torture in India." Wonderful in its way is the succinct and enthral ling record of the last Arctic Voyage, that which witnessed " Sir Robert M'Clure's Discovery of the North-west Passage." Amusing, and sparkling, and delightful from first to last is, the memorial of " Henri Boyle," given in the form of a half-respect ful, half-depreciatory criticism upon the Life and Writings of Henri Boyle's alter ego, his pseudonym, his nom de plume, M. de Stendhal. So much, in brief, for the ten articles in the new number of the Edinburgh. The Westminster Review Opens with an interesting article on " German Wit and Heinrich Heine," who, to Teutonic ima gination, sensibility, and humour—is said to add an amount of esprit that would make him brilliant among the most brilliant of Frenchmen, a combi nation quite unique in a German. Heine, however, is half a Hebrew, and that accounts for it. A paper on " The 'Limited Liability Act of 1855" contains some weighty arguments for the removal of all existing restrictions on the liberty of com mercial association. Among other things the writer urges that such removal would not merely extend and foster among the lower classes habits of prudent saving, and wean them from the de praving taste for betting and gambling, lsut would also tend to bring them in contact with those who rank above them in the social scale—to their im provement and elevation and the prevention of those ruinous strikes, the occurrence of which is so much to be deplored. The " History of the House of Savoy" supplies the materials for an in teresting paper on which the leading events in the history of that illustrious house are nervously narrated, and justice is done in some mea sure to its present distinguished head, Vic tor Emmanuel 11. " The Sardinian Govern ment," it is justly remarked, " amid all the difficulties thrown in its way by other powers, has maintained its position with a calm dignity which has confounded its enemies and exceeded the expectation of its well-wishers." The difficulties it has to encounter are pointed out, and well grounded hope is expressed that it will triumph antly surmount them, and vindicate in the future the character of a nation distinguished for a singular degree of good sense as well as good faith. A remarkable increase of prosperity has taken place during the reign of the present king,uu der whose constitutional sway the condition of the people presents a striking contrast to that of the subjects of the remaining Italian States—a contrast ' which cannot be without impoytant results to,the, cause of liberty. " Russia and the Allies" deals with the subject of the war in an effective manner, showing that in no element of strength are the Allies inferior to Russia, while in several they are superior. The necessity of care being taken to isecure a safe peace for our Allies as well as ourselves Is strongly urged—the article concluding as fol ows " That which lies before England as the duty of to-day must he done well and «-ff-ctually, even if for the present it be done exclusively. Other things may wait. The Tzarate is like the Papacy, it never allows that it is in the wrong, never admits it is defeated, al' its titles are indefeasible, and its designs are never abandoned, only p )stponed. But the reckonings of all kinds which with us await the close of this war, will, if the close of it be inglorious for England and unfruitful in European liberty, issue in agitations which will render us incapable of tak ing part in foreign affairs for many years to come. If we now leave our work unfinished, it may or may not be completed by other hands, but it is not likely that we shall ever, as a nation, have the opportunity of resuming it. And he is the truest patriot, who labours among us that the termination of this war may be, it it may so be, speedy, but above all satisfactory and effectual. To reach that much-desired haven he will have to drive on the galley of the State, steadily but not in haste, in the face of trying storms of warfare, skilfully avoiding the shoals of foreign diplomacy, and the rocks of domestic faction, partisanship, and self-seeking ; and he will have to take heed that no unseen Remora hinders the onward progress of the gallant ship." Besides the above will be found articles on the "Military Education of Officers," " Aihonian Comedy," and " Lions, and Lion Hunting," all of which are well worthy of perusal. Contem porary literature has its usual share of attention, and is reviewed with customary ability. DA RING ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER IZV LIVERPOOL. LIVERPOOL, THURSDAY. A very desperate and extraordinary attempt at mur der was made this morning at the establishment of Mr. Durandu, bullion broker, South Castle-street. About 10 a.m. a couple of young men, named Robert and Henry Eyre, brothers, were seen hovering about the pre mises of Mr. Durandu, about which hour the confiden tial clerk, named Win. Hughes, went to fetch the cash box from Mr. Hornby's, jeweller, in the same street, leaving a lad named Stoddard in charge of the shop. The fellows entered the shop, asked if the master was in, and before the lad could give them an answer, the villains struck the youth on the head with a weapon, and dragged him senseless into an inner room. They then waited for the return of the clerk with the cash-box, which contained from 1,4001. to 1,5001. Upon his entering, the ruffians attacked him with a poker which they found in the fireplace, and struck him on the head and over the body—the poker and a life-preserver having been found broken in the shop. The cries of murder having attracted some of the neigh bours, they rushed in and secured the assassins, and sent them to Bridewell. William Hughes is dangerously wounded and not likely to recover, and the lad is also severely injured. The prisoners were brought before the magistrates at the police court at 1 p.m., on the charge of attempting to commit murder and robbery. The elder (Robert) is about 22 years of age, 5 feet 11 inches in stature, slender make, but well-looking ; and the younger (Henry) is 18 years old. 5 feet 7 inches high, and of respectable ad dress ; but both were poorly clad. The first witness called was F. Stoddard, the youth assaulted in the shop. He said—l am office boy to Mr. Durandu, bullion merchant and money changer. About a q tarter pa--t ten 'o'clock this morning the prisoner R , pert E ere entered the shop, where I was at the time alone, and inquired if the master was within. Be fore I had power to give him an answer the prisoner struck me a blow on the head with a life-preserver, which knocked me dawn and rendered me insensible. On recovering a little, I found that the shorter prisoner had hold ( f my throat. He said that if I spoke it would be the worse for me ; while the other prisoner said if I uttered a word he would shoot me. Just at the moment Wm. Hughes, the clerk, came in with the cash-box, when the prisoners instantly struck at him with a life-preserver and a poker, which was by the side of the grate. They knocked him down, and continued to strike him. I heard the blows, and saw the blood fly from Hughes. Assistance then , ame. Benjamin Levi am assistant to Mr. Joseph, jeweller, South Castle-street. Shortly after 10 a.m. I observed young Hughes pass our door with the cash-box in his hand. Almost immediately afterwards I heard a noise in Mr. Dura.ndu'a shop, and I thought the young men were skylarking.. t last I heard a struggle and a cry of murder. I ran into the shop, and found Hughes wel tering in his blood. I assisted to secure the prisoners. Police officer, 403, who accompanied Hughes to the Northern Hospital, said that the medical men of that establishment who examined Hughes, said it was their opinion that the injuries received would in all probabi lity prove fatal. In answer to a question from the magistrate, Mr. Maxwell, the elder prisoner said—l have been a clerk, but latterly I have worked about the docks when I could get anything to do. But lately I could not get work to do, and we were all but starving. My brother did the same as myself for a living, but like myself could not obtain work, and was well nigh starving. The prisoners were remanded for seven days. The accused are natives of Liverpool, and about 18 months since their father, who was engaged in this town in the mercantline line, by some means got possession of a 5001. hank post bill that had been forwarded by a firm in Liverpool to a house in Glasgow. A few days after receiving it the father presented it at the counter of Messrs. Barned's bank in Lord-street, and requested it to be cashed ; but was declined until a reference should be given. He afterwards obtained the money, but was arrested in a short time with about 4001. upon him, tried at Liverpool assizes, and sentenced to six years' penal servitude. Sporting Intelligence. TATTERSALL'S.-THURSDAY. The operations on the Chester Cup to-day had the effect of depressing Coroner to 33 to 1. and of raising Yorkshire Grey and Epaminondas to 25 to 1 each, and Quince to 33 to 1. 1000 to 45 and 1000 to 40 were booked about C.,urtenay ; the latter odds were offered at the close. 500 to 20 taken about Imogene, 1000 to 30 Fatalist, and 500 to 10 Stork. Most of the investments on the Liverpool Steeple chase and the Two Thonsand were only to small sums. No Derby betting. Attendance only moderate. Closing prices : THE LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. 12 to 1 agst Sir Prter Laurie (taken) 15 to 1 agst Black Swan (taken) 15 to 1 agst Harry Lnrrequer (taken) 500 to 30 agst Odiham (taken) 20 to 1 agst Escape (taken) 20 to 1 agst Emigrant (taken) 20 to 1 agst Forest Queen (taken) TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. 7to 2 agst Fly-by-Night (taken) 4to 1 agst Yellow Jack (taken) 7to 1 agst Milton (taken) 7to 1 agat Polmoodie (taken) to 1 agit Biril-in-Hand (taken) CHESTER CUP. 25 to 1 agst Courtenay (taken) 25 to 1 ag4 Imogene (taken) 25 to 1 agst Yorkshire Grey (taken) 25 to 1 agst Eparninondas (taken) 33 to 1 agst Fatalist (taken) 33 to 1 agst Coroner (taken)l 33 to 1 agst Quince (taken) 50 to 1 agst Stork (taken) DERBY STEEPLECHASE.-F5..19. Weights for the Midland Steeplechase. About three miles and a half. Forfeits to be declared on or before Jan. 31. st lb st lb Seaman ll 0 Tom Tinker . 9 7 Emigrant Odibana lO 4 Lancer .. 9 4 Hopeless Star ....... 10 0 The D0ct0r..... 9 4 Teddesley lO 0 Dangerous 9 2 Helen the Fair...... 9 12 Penelope Freetrader ............ 9 12 Jemmy the Black 9 0 The Widow ' ......... 9 9 Louisa 9 0 Peter Simple ....... 9 7 Wilmot 8 12 Weights for the Hurdle Race. Two miles. Forfeits to be declared by the 31st of January. 8t lb Minerva lO 12 Garland Teddesley Nonsuch lO 6 Romeo Freedom lO 0 Red Rose Star of the West Mistake Stamford 9 Beech Nut Claverhouse, st lb Doctor.. Sally Kilkenny Boy 9 3 Bullfinch Lincoln 9 0 Louisa Tomyris .......... 8 12 Parchment Kate Sandboy ............ 8 9 Pillaton 8 7 THE LATE COUNCIL OF WAIL—We read in the Jo ur . nal du Havre :—" Everyone has heard of the Grand Council of War held at the Palace of the Tuileries, and the names of all its members have been published. It is in the Council room, forming part of the apartments of the Emperor, that the sittings have taken place. The flags and standards of the different regiments of the Im perial Guard have been arranged in faisceaux, so as to form a very handsome decoration. Here and there in consoles are splendid vases of Sevres porcelain. A round table, covered with a green cloth, occupies the centre of the room. The members of the council attend in plain clothes." LECTURE ON RDSSIA.—A lecture was delivered in the I Town Hall, Evesham, on Wednesday evening last, by Edward Holland, Esq., M.P., on "Russia." The lec ture, which was not a written one, was listened to with evident satisfaction by the audience, numbering about 250 penons, among whom we observed H. Workman, Esq. (Mayor), B. Workman, 0. Cheek, A. Martin, H. New, 0. New, and T. N. Foster, Esqrs. ; the Rev. R. Lawson, curate of Offenham, the Rev. G. Morris, vicar of Bretforton, and many other gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood. At the conclusion of the lecture a vote of thanks to Mr. Holland was moved by the Mayor and seconded by H. New, Esq., and carried una • raoilsiy.- 7 Ppyrreeter Okonicle. THE TRADE OF FitAtrCE, 1855. The Moniteur of Monday contains the trade tables of France for the month of December. and for the year 1855, compared to 1854 and 1853. For the same period our trade tables are not yet published ; and as those for November were not published till the end of December, and those for the year 1854 were not published till after the middle of February, 1855, we are afraid we must wait at least another fortnight for the official records of our trade for 1855. We have so often referred to the dilatoriness of the Board of Trade on this subject, which deprives its publications of much of their ♦alue, that objurgation is obviously useless, and we content our selves with merely referring, as a contrast to its delay, to the greater activity of the Imperial Government of France. The French tables include the stocks on hand, which form no part of our official statistics. The import trade of France in 1855 was so good that the Minister of Commerce has said that it equals the trade of 1846, the most renowned under the tormer go vernment, and has thus entirely overcome the depres sion which began with the convulsion of 1848. The revenue obtained by the customs' duties, which we quote as the only criterion we have of the total imports, was in 1855, 189,704,690 fr. ; in 1854, 150,587,303 f., and in 1853, 141,607,552 f. In the interval several alterations have been made in the duties, but they have generally tended to lower the rates, and we have the Minister's word for the fact that in 1854 and 1855 the whole of the indirect taxes were alike, and yielded 70,000,000 f. more in the latter than in the former. But this includes all duties as well as the customs, and we shall better under. stand the increase and the course of the trade by attend ing to the quantities of the articles. In the cereals, a term which includes flour as well as wheat, and all kinds of grain and meal, the imports were less in 1855 than in 1854 and 1853. The following is the account in metrical quintals, each metrical quintal being nearly 200 cwt. : IMPORT OF CEREALS, 1855 1854 1853 4,109,589 5,414,950 5,159,854 Our surprise that France should have imported less in 1855 than in 1853 disappears when we notice what were in these years the EXPORTS OF CEREALS. 1855 1854 1853 957,581 1,596,206 3,963,487 The exports, therefore, in 1853 exceeded th e exports of 1855 by upwards of 3 , 000,000 quintals. France im ported grain and exported flour. Even in 1853; how ever, the imports exceeded the exports by nearly 1,200,000 quintals. We have before learned that, taking long periods, the average imports of grain into France have rather exceeded the exports. On the whole, there fore, France is an importing country, and we may con clude, from the recent extension of her manufactures and of her town population, that this is likely to be her condi tion for a considerable period. Combining this with the fact that a large proportion of her agricultural produce,of her wines, and her brandies, is intended for exportation, it supplies an irrefragable condemnation of her system of stimulating the manufactures of cotton, silk, leather, sugar, glass, &c., by bounties. On the principle of free trade neither should be favoured, but certainly the pro duction of silks and cotton should not be promoted at the expense of the production of food. Of some other articles the imports declined in 1855. The principal were cocoa, to a small amount below 1854, but the imports were more than in 1853 ; cotton below the two previous years, the consequet.ce of the deficient crop in the United States ; saltless in 1855 by one-third ; and nitrate of soda. The decline in the im port of salt is the more remarkable as the export has increased, and the total increase of the salt duties in 1856 above the duty in 1854 is only 1,600,000 f., and is little more than 100,000 f. above the amount in 1853, indicating, we think, that this duty, always hateful to the French, and always onerous, now falls very heavily on the multitude. For us it must be a subject of con gratulation that we have long ago, owing in ,the main to the exertions of the late Mr. Calcraft, entirely got rid of this odious impost. Of the articles of which the import increased we tran scribe the following : IMPORTS INCREASED IN 1855. 1855. 1854. 1853. Oxen and cows No. 113,469 90,946 36,162 Sheep Wino liectolitre3 412,205 192,023 31,650 Brandy, &c ', 24,998 89,899 45,116 Coffee . M. quintals 398,992 319,77') 277,873 Copper p, 116,677 73,812 82,611 Bar iron 717,963 125,959 59,735 ~ Cast iron ,, 1,360,411 918,958 864,989 Linseed ,l 268,519 189,884 221,117 Coals Olive oil Wool ... PP 298,001 174,842 181,213 • • 11l 375,537 210,479 285,102 Lead, pigs 359,477 308,701 289,320 Sugar, Colonial „ 889,935 826,991 20,852 `,.., Foreign ;,- 800,848 483,911 412,205 ➢teat (fresh and salt) Zinc JP 258,419 165,949 252,380 The article tea, of which we import upwards of 70,000,0001b5., does not appear in the French imports. The coffee imported in each of the three years was con siderably more than what was consumed, and the stock at the end of 1855 is one-half more than at the end of 1854. The average consumption of the three years was 228,007 quintals, roughly estimated at 47,000,0001b5., only a fourth more than the consumption of coffee in England, in which tea is still the principal beverage. Of sugar, too, the consumption was considerably less than the import ; but as a good deal of sugar is made from beet in the country, and some exported, we shall not now venture to institute any comparison between the consumption of sugar in England and France. It is essential, however, to remark that the consumption of colonial sugar was in excess in 1855, and that the stock was in 1855 only 54,645 m. q, against 134,787 m. q. in 1854, and 145,839 m. q. in 1853. Both of sugar and of coffee the consumption increased in 1855 as against 1854, the former to 1,500,000 m. q. from 1,200,000 m. q., and the latter to 217,200 m. q. from 199,568 rn. q. from 199,568 m. q., showing, in conjunction with the increased consumption throughout the greater part of Europe, in America, and Australia, a very enlarged market for these colonial products. The dependence of France on foreign agricultural produce, already noticed, is evident in the increased importation of cattle and sheep and provisions, which is not compensated by a corresponding increase to the exports of these articles. It is curious also to notice the increased import of wines and brandies which is accompanied by a very considerable decrease in the exports. From all these facts we infer that the rural industry of France, which has no deficiency of soil, relatively to the urban industry, is very much in arrear, and that if Government interfere with industry at all its exertions should be directed to improve agri culture. We do not speak of national dependence in a trade point of view as an evil ; we regard it, when strictly due to differences of climate and spontaneous produce, as a blessing ; but for a great country like France, which we cultivat e d o n th e w h o l e , to imperfectlyes countries, and for this bken dependentow t o be mfoosrt food o n ot to be the consequence of an erroneous policy, is far from creditable. There is one fact in which the English manufactures have greatly the advantage over those of France, and which probably more than compensates for the bounties given by the French Government. The import of cotton, wool, and silk is here entirely exempt from any duty ; in France they are all subject to duties, and the impo litic imposts are countervailed by bounties. Our Go vernment has done all it could do, and a ll it ou g ht t o and if th ey d o no t cont i nue themselves. With re spect been made plain by our si d np o e,acfdtovrtaono advance our woollens, r theymanufacturers,can onl it yt blame own Exhibition, and by the Exhibition in Paris, that they are far from perfect. In manipulation, in finish, and in machinery, our manufacturers have much to learn ; and the knowledge that this is the case has given a great stimulus to the woollen manufacture of the Continent. In France the wool imported in 1855, it will be seen, was considerably in excess of the quantity imported in 1854. The same Moniteur which brings us the trade returns for 1855 brings us a decree for reducing the im port duties on wool. A similar reduction is in contem plation in the United States, and it is highly probable that our woollen manufacture, already somewhat de preciated in the foreign markets, will be exposed to an increasingly severe competition. The lesson is, we be lieve, not likely to be lost on the manufacturers ; but it cannot be too firmly and too often repeated. They must notice, therefore, the reduction of the duty on wool and the increasing consumption of the raw material in France, and be prepared to encounter keen and clever competi toes. . The increase in the quantities of coals, bar iron, and cast iron imported, is another noticeable feature in the French tables. Of coals the largest part of the supply, 25,500,000 m. q. is derived from Belgium, and 9,500,000 m. q. from England. Of bar iron the source of the supply is not mentioned : we presume it is principally derived from England, as is the greater portion of the cast iron, 820,000 in. q. in 1855, aga inst 540,000 m . q . in 1854. The increase in the various articles imported indicates a great increase in the consumption of luxuries and of raw materials, and leads to the conclusion that the enjoyment has been fairly purchased by the increased production of manufactures. The exports accordingly —except of every species of agricultural produce, which have decreased—have ge nerally increased in 1855. We will place specimens be. fore our readers : EXPORTS OF FOREIGN AND FRENCH MERCHANDISE. 1855. 1854. 1853. _ .‘,.... Books, engravings, and li- ~ thographs M. Q. 17,469 16,516 17,026 Machinery, &c. .. .. Frs. 9,515,754 7,951,584 11,295,191 Millinery ••..•• •• ....Frs. 11,514,423 7,212,269 6.407,004 Soap M. Q. 71,570 66,849 60,760 Salt M. Q• 1,215 ,563 995,330 946,921 Sugar, refined M. Q. 338,994 251,356 181,843 Cottons, White.... • •M. Q. 54,401 38,234 37,270 ~ Printed M. Q. 41,900 37,989 36,940 Others• • M. Q. 28,591 25,085 29,101 Linen, Cloth .M. Q. 24,656 17,309 19,260 Cambries ....M. Q. 579 535 '713 Woollens, Cashmeres and ... _ Merinoes••M•Q ,. Others ••M. Q• Silks, Raw Q. „ WoYen ...... M. Q. Glass and Crystals ..M. Q. 35 , 5 65 29,060 28,857 38,036 34,182 34,861 10,869 6,555 7,585 37,464 34,050 37,066 277,485 256,197 262,818 A small increase in the number of metrical quintals exported implies a considerable increase in the value of books, silks, and merinoes exported. France, then, is becoming, like ourselves, more and more manufacturing, and she requires more and more to import all kinds of raw materials. These facts incul cate on her, as they inculcate on us, that free trade is the only safe commercial policy. Her trade and manu factures are rapidly giinding, people are_coming more and more to rely on them to provide the means of r subsistence, and there is no alternative but to remove all legislative obstacles out of their path. u , I The navigation of France was as follows : ENTERED INWARDS. French. Foreign. Total. Years. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. Ships. Tonnage. 1853 ...... 9,210 1,065,634 11,569 1,685,011 20 799 2,750,699 1851 .... 9,307 1,131,702 10,932 1,606,837 20,289 2,731,5: 1 9 1855 ..... . 9,574 1,247,451 13,442 2,057,313 23,816 3,304,765 :EN TESED OUTWARD*. 1853 .. ••. • 6 625 796,350 ' 8;56 1,058,315 15,441 1,854,665 1854 •• • ... 5,726 796,713 7,919 1,059,592 13,645 1,856,305 1855 .. •• .. 5,756 934,598 8,054 1,100,057 13,810 2,034,655 The navigation, therefore, has increased since 1853. Taking the aggregate tonnage, both inwards and outwards, it increased between 1853 and 1855 about 16 per cent. ; and the French tonnage in the interval in creased rather more than the foreign, 17 per cent. against 15 per cent., though the foreign tonnage em ployed in the French trade exceeds the French tonnage by about 48 per cent. It is satisfactory, we think, both to see the French tonnageincreasing and foreign tonnage so largely engaged in French trade. It is too plain to need any illustration, that ships are that part of every maritime nation's capital and industry which it can most easily lend ; and though prejudice has at most times raised an outcry against foreigners carrying on other na tions' trade, it has latterly been made abundantly evident that it is by the carrying trade, or by lending ships and seamen to nations little advanced, that nations further advanced perform for them the most essential services. Our conclusion on the whole is, that nations advance together—that each as it advances must help the others up to its own level in order to advance further itself ; and we can only see in the extension of the trade, navi gation, and manufactures 'of France a means of further extending our own manufactures, trade, and navigation. Whether the trade of France have been largely or only poorly profitable we have no means of knowing. Judg ing, however, from the high rate of money which has prevailed in France, as in England, and the general high price of food and increased national expenses, we are in clined to conclude that the trade of France, like that of England, has not been largely profitable. It is probable there has been little or no saving of capital to meet fu ture contingencies ; and consumption, the result in part of much speculation, has, on the whole, fully kept pace with production, if it have not exceeded it. Should that turn out to be the case, we may learn from the facts we have stated that it is the consequence purely of 'the domestic policy and domestic conduct of the people. The trade of France, like the trade of England, has suf fered very little interruption by the war, and was, in fact, much larger in 1855 than in 1853. THE SU I\L LON DON, FRIDAY EVEN iNG JANUARY 25, 1856. AMERICAN SECURITIES. Messrs. D. Bell, Son, and Co. report a decided improvement in the market for American Secu rities, and a general advance in prices. Present prices are as follows : GOVERNMENT SECURITIES. Redeemable. Per Cent. United States 6 per Cent. 1867-1868...104 United States 6 per Cemt. Bonds 1868...104 STATE SECURITIES. Alabama 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) ... Maryland 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds)... Massachusetts 5 per Cent. (Sterl. Bonds). Mississippi 6 per Cent. Ph Bk. Bonds lB4l-1871... 43 45 Mississippi 6 per Cent. Union Bk Bonds ... 16 18 Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Stock Pennsylvania 5 per Cent. Bona; 1877... 80 82 Virginia 5 per Cent. (Sterling Bonds) —1888... 83 85 Virginia 6 per Cent. Bonds 1886... 86 88 ... 79 81 ... 90 ...100 CITY BESURITIES. Boston 5 per Cent. Bonds (Divers) ... 90 92 Montreal 6 per Cent. Bonds 1856-1865... 83 85 New Orleans 6 per Cent. Stock 1883... 77 79 RAILROAD BONDS. Illinois Central 7 per Cent. let Mortgage, not Convertible 1875... 77 79 Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Freeland Bonds 1860... 82 84 Michigan Central Bp. Cent. 1868... 93 95 New York Central 7p. Cent., Convert 1864... 91 96 New York Central 6 per Cent., not Convertible 1833... 81 83 New York and Erie 7 per Cont. Ist Mort gage New York and Erie 7 per Cent. 3d Mort gage 1883... 84 86 N. York and Erie 7p. Cent. Convertible 1862... 75 77 N. York and Erie 7 per Cent. Sinking Fund 1875... 80 81 Panama 7 per Cent., Ist Mortgage (Ster ling Bonds), not convertible 1859... 92 93 Ditto ditto 1864... 95 Pennsylvania Central 6 p. Cont., Ist Mort 1880... 81 89 MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) CORN EXCHANGE. Very moderate supplies of English wheat have been re ceived np to our market this week, coastwise and by land carriage. The show of samples in to-day's market was small, and much out of condition, yet the demand was in a very inactive state, at Monday's decline in the quotations. Foreign wheat, the imports of which are only 660 quar ters, was very dull, and to have forced sales lower rates must have been submitted to. In floating cargoes very little was doing. Barley moved off slowly, yet prices were supported. We had a very dull inquiry for malt, on former terms. Oats were quite as dear as on Monday, with a fair de mand, but beans, peas, and flour were very dull. Wheat. 2,140 ARRIVALS THIS WREN. i Barley. f Malt. 2,790 I 3 490 - I _ Ltglish Irish • • Foreign 1 I 660 Oats. rlonr. 2,010 11,130 1190 1690sks. , brls. i I - METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. The supply of beasts in to-day's market was limited, but in fair average condition. All breeds were very dull in sale, at Monday's currency. Although the numbers of sheep were small the mutton trade ruled heavy, at barely stationary prices. The few calves on offer moved off briskly, at an improvement in value of 6d. per 81bs. The best veal was worth 6s. per 81bs. Pigs were very dull, and lower to purchase. Milch cows moved off heavily, at from 131. 13s. to 181. 10s., including their small calf. Per Sibs to sil s. d. s. d, Inferior Beasts....ll 10 to 3 if Second quality.... 3 2 3 6 1 Prime large oxen 3 8 4 0, Prime Scots, &c. 4 2 4 6 Inferior Sheep ...2 10 3 2i Second quality ...3 4 3 8, Prime crse.-wiled.3 10 4 2, at the °fres. s. d. e. d. PrimeSonthdown 4 2 4 8 Large crse. calves 4 S 5 6 Prime small do 5 9 6 0 Large hogs Small porkers ,Suckling calves 22 0 2a 0 ,Quarter old pigs 20 0 27 0 FOREIGN 6IIPPLY. 8ea5t5..............•... • 110 Sheep .................... a() Calves..• •• •• •. •• ......•• 22 Pigs•—• .• •• •• .• •• •• •• •• .. -- TOTAL 13131PPLT. Beasts .::••...:•••.7.... 1,034 Sheep ....... Calves .................. 105 Pigs •• •• .... •• •• •• .• •••• 303 NEWOATE AND LEADENIIALL. The supplies of meat were good, and the trade ruled heavy, as follows : Per 81bs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. e. d. s. Beef, interior 2 8 3 2' Mutton Inferior 2 8 3 2 Do., middling 3 4 3 6 Do., middling 3 4 3 8 Do. prime large.. 3 8 3 10 ; Do., prime 3 10 4 4 De , do. small ....4 0 4 2 Veal 4 0 5 6 Purk, large 3 4 4 0 1 Pork, small 4 2 4 10 THE LUGELEY POISONING CASES. RUGELEY, THURSDAY. This inquiry was continued after our report was de spatched last night ; George Whyman, assistant to Messrs. Mude and Weaver, of Wolverhampton, being then under examination. The witness swore positively that he sold the prussic acid to Wm. Palmer at the time stated. A. customer named Hill was present at the time the purchase was made. By Mr. Smith—l knew Palmer by having seen him in London. I saw him for ten minutes at the latter end of 1851 or 1852. I saw him again last August, but did not see him in the interval. I had no conversation with him, but he was pointed out to me as Mr. Wm. Palmer, of Rugeley. I was told this by Mr. Gadsby, of the Punch Tavern ; a Mr. Nattall was present, who was staying there. I saw him six months afterwards in Fleet-street, and asked him if it was Mr. Win. Palmer ; he replied that it was. I do not know where Mr. Nattall is ; but Mr. Hill, of Kidderminster was in the shop when Mr. Pal mer came in. The hour might have been a qnarter to 12, or a quarter past; it would not exceed that for a few minutes either way. It would take from a half to three quarters of an hour to reach Wolverhampton from Staf ford. I sold him the prussic acid before 12 o'clock. Mr. Smith said that he should be able to show from the hour named by this witness that his statement was a gross fabrication. By Mr. Deane—l am confident that I sold Mr. Win. Palmer the prussic acid, as I have stated. Mr. Samuel Hill, confectioner, of Kidderminster, was seat called. He said—l recollect the 14th of August last year. I was at Messrs. Maude and Weaver's, at Wolverhampton, between 12 and 1 o'clock. A gentle. man came in whilst my order was being made up, and I was asked to wait a little. I can't say what the gentle man wore, whether a white or black hat, or whether he was a black or an Albanian. Mr. Weaver, of Wolverhampton, sworn.—l don't be lieve that we ever had Mr. Palmer's name on our books. By Mr. Smith—lf my young man hai stated that this William Palmer had an account with us it is incorrect-- it is another William Palmer. I have had some conver sation with Whyman about this matter. It was about the time there was so much talk about Cook's case. I asked him if he had sold any .strychnine to anybody, and he replied, that he had sold au ounce of prussic acid to Mr. Palmer. Mr. Charles Vitter, appraiser and general dealer, of Stafford, was then called. He said—l knew Mr. Wal ter Palmer by sight. I was sent for after his death by Walkeelea to the house of the deceased ; it was between 2 and 3 o'clock. I found the body of Walter Palmer on a couch. He was apparently asleep. His legs were on the sofa. His eyes were a little open. I helped to take him up-stairs, and place him on the bed, and then I measured bim for the coffin. His brother William said of him, "Poor fellow !" Walkedenlhad suggested that I should make the coffin, and make it quick. The shell was sent home on that night, but I did not go to the house again until Friday night ; then there was nobody there but Walkeden and his wife, and the only orders I received were to bring men to carry out the funeral. The shell and lead coffin were both sealed up on the Saturday. The lead coffin was put into the oak coffin on Monday and screwed down. By Mr. Deane—There was no reason given me by anybody for having a leaden ooffin. The body was not at all decomposed when the coffins were closed. Mr. John Burgess, spirit merchant, of Dudley Port, spoke to the fact of his having sold Mr. Walter Palmer brandy, wine, gin, ale, and porter. The trans. actions commenced on the 13th of February, 1855, and continued up to the 30th of J uly. During that time he supplied the deceased with 19 gallons of spirits. They were ordered by Walkeden • part of the amount being paid by Walter Palmer, and by Wm. Palmer, whom he sued for the balance. Mr. am. John Gill, Secretary to the Solicitors and General Life Assurance Office, produced two proposals for life insu►ance. The letter from Mr. Wm. Palmer was received by post ; it was for 13,0001., and was dated Dec. 9, 1854. The proposal was declined. A second pro posal, with the same object, came through Mr. Pratt, a solicitor, of May-fair. Mr. Thomas Pratt, solicitor, of Queen-street, May fair, London, was next called. He said—l did not know the decea , ed Walter Palmer, but I did know Mr. Wm. Palmer. The Coroner—Have you a policy in your hands on the fe of Wm. Palmer ! Mr. Lewis objected tothe question. This isnot - , he said, an inquiry into the holding of a policy, but an inquiry into the death of Walter Palmer. Mr. Deane is here in the joint capacity of solicitor for the Crown and for the insurance offices, and it appears to me now that his ob ject is to obtain evidence from Mr. Pratt for ulterior proceedings. The Coroner—lt is due to Mr. Deane to state that he did not summon Mr. Pratt; it was the jury who wished that this question should be asked. Mr. Lewis—l hare no objection to Mr. Pratt answer ing as to whether he has the policy in his possession. Mr. Pratt —I am the holder of the policy as the soli citor of Mr. Palmer. The Coroner—Was it in your possession previously to ;he 16th of August last ? Witness—ltwas. Mr. Lewin—Have you any objection to state what your lues will be by your transactions with William Palmer Witness—About 4,0001. in hard cash. Mr. Deane said that if Mr. Lewis was to ask these questions, he had better pursue his inquiry a little fur- ther, for Mr. Pratt oould throw much light on these insurance transactions. As to his getting up a case for the insurance offices, that was not so ; they had case enough already. Mr. Lewis (to witness)—Havo you any lien on the policy for costs ? .4: Witness— I have nothing to say about costs ; there is no lien of any kind. The Coroner inquired whether the witness would suffer any loss if he were paid the whole amount of the policies ? Witness—Pray do not ask me that question. lam a young professional wan with three children, and have been nearly ruined by this man. How can yuu ask me that question ? Foreman of the Jury—l am sure we do not wish to implicate Mr. Pratt. Witness—Good God, I should think not. _ _ Mr. Lewis remarked that as many statements had gone forth to the prejudice of Mr. Pratt, he hoped that observation would go forth to the world. Mr. Pratt said he was quite willing to tell all he knew. Mr. Deane—l do not wish to hear privately what Mr. Pratt has to say ; if he wishes to make a statement, let hire do it to the jury. The Coroner said that that was not the place to make any such statement ; and after one or two other re marks on this subject from Mr. Lewis, this protracted inquiry closed. After a brief adjournment the coroner proceeded to sum up the evidence, which he did fairly and carefully. He began by cautioning the jury to dismiss from their minds all the reports which had reached them relative to this most fearful and distressing case, and to take into their consideration only the evidence which had beers adduced. They must be aware (he said) that many un founded statements had gone forth to the world, state ments which showed very much ill-feeling on the part of those who published them. The first point for them to consider was how Walter Palmer came by his death, and whether it was by unfair means. They had abundant evi dence to show that deceased had been addicted to exces sive drinking, and of the eightmedical witnesses examined not one would say positively that death had been caused by poison, but several of them had declared their opinion that death might have been produced by apoplexy, brought on by excessivedrinking. Dr. Campbell, who had attended the deceased the year before his death, had stated that the state of Walter Palmer's health was such that he was in no way surprised at his sudden death ; he had, in fact, looked upon it as a probable occurrence. Dr. Taylor had told them that death might have been pro duced by prussic acid ; but the only evidence as to the purchase of any was by the witness Whyman, who gave the day of the month the purchase was made, and said that he sold to William Palmer one ounce ; be spoke, however, of the bottle being coloured ; and of the two bottles seen by the boots at the Junction Hotel, at Staf ford, neither was coloured. It should not be lost sight of, too, that Palmer made no secret about the bottles at Mr. Lloyd's, and Walkeden swore that the deceased took nothing for more than half an hour before his death, whereas Professor Taylor, in his evidence, said that, in cases of poison from prussic acid, death would ensue in half an hour. That opinion was corroborated, too, by the other medical witnesses. It was not true, either, that William Palmer had an interest of 83,000/. on his brother's death ; the amount was 13,000/., and the policies of insurance for this amount were in the possession of Pratt. As to the general symptoms prior to the death of the deceased, and the appearance at the post mortera examination, there was no contradiction whatever. The Coroner then went t hrou g h all the principal evidence minutely, and at a qu arter p ast si x o'clock in the evening the jury retired to a private room. They were enclosed about two hours and a quarter. On their return the Coroner put the final question as to whether they were agreed ? Foreman—We are not. Coroner—Have the maj orit y a g reed ? Foreman—Twenty two have agreed t o a ver di ct. Coroner—What do you find to be the cause of the death of Walter Palmer ? Fm We find that he di e d f rom th e e ff ec ts o f prussic acid, that such p russ i c ac id was w ilf u ll y a d- William Palm er ." ad ministered e aecd a i l d i by ---- 4 Coroner—That, I take it, is a verdict of wilful murder. Foreman—Yes ; and we also desire to append an ex pression of our strong disapprobation of the manner in which Thomas Walkeden gave his evidence. After a pause, the foreman added that the jury wished it to be understood that they thought great credit was due to the chief constable and the county constabulary for bringing these two cases before them, although they had been of such a painful character. They thought, too, that application should be made iu the proper quar ter for compensating Mr. Willis, of the Talbot inn, for the loss be had sustained, the corpse being opened at his house. Mr. Burgen, superintendent of police at Lichfield (whose improper demeanour and conduct had excited so much observation in the afternoon), said a few words of acknowledgment for the constabulary, in the absence of Capt. Hatton. With reference to compensation to Mr. Willis, he added it had already been thought of, and that a public dinner was contemplated. With this singular remark, indicative of a purpose so inappropriate in existing circumstances, the court broke up. It is understood - that Mr. John Smith, the prisoner's attorney, is preparing immediate application for trial BOROUGH HOP. There is very little change to notice in the value of any kind of hops. The supplies are good and the demand is steady. The imports this week are 20 bales from Ant werp. Mid and East Kent pockets, 3/ 108 to 61 lOs per cwt ; Weald of Kent, 315 s to 5/ Os ; Sussex, 310 s to 4/ 15s. COLONIAL. TEA.—The market has been quiet, with no alterations in prices. Common congou has realised Sid. per lb. SueAß.—An improved demand has prevailed for West India, and a largo business has been done at higher rates. Brown Jamaica to mid yellow Antigua brought 40s to 44s per cwt. ; Rio Grande sold afloat, for Hamburg, at 27s ; Paraiba, 3d ; Pernams, 26s 6d ; Barbadoes, low mid to good pale yellow, 44s to 475; grainy, 46s 6d ; low to fine yellow, 418 to 40e; Mauritius, good grainy yellow, 458 ; low brown 33s 6cl to 355, and a few lots of better quality 35s Gd to 37s Gd per cwt. Bahia, white, 43s to 46s for low to middling, and brown low soft to good bright 37s to 41s. Manilla, 42s per cwt. There has been a good business done in refined ; brown lumps realised 53s to 53s 6d per cwt., and Settlers 54s to 55s 6d per cwt. ; fine Barbadoes, 41s to 41s Oct per cwt. English crushed for the Levant, 36s to 368 3d per cwt. COFFEE.—Native Ceylon has been firmer, and rather higher prices have been realised, via.,',518 6d to 528 6cl for good and 538 for fine ordinary. Plantation has also ex perienced a brisk demand, fine fine ordinary small to mid bald dull coloury 6d to 625, and triage 56s to 575 per •wt. RICE.—The market has been firm and holders ask rather advanced prices. Bengal brought 14s for good middling. SricEs.—Pepper has rather declined. White Penang good middling to bold sold at lid per lb. Cloves have been dull and with little or no demand. Zanzibar dark to middling bright 50 to sid per lb. COCHINEAL.—There has been a steady demand, and prices have remained firm. Teneriffe silvers brought 3s 7d to 3s 9d ; blacks 3s lld to 4s 2d, Honduras silvers 3s 6d to 4s per lb. SALTPETRE has been in fair request. Bengal 81b re fraction sold at 32s 6d, silb refraction 365, Bombay ordi nary 471bs refraction, 22s for ordinary. TALLOW has been quiet. P.Y.C. on the spot has sold ai 58s 3d to 59s 9d per cwt. TIIE LICENSED VICTUALLERS' SCHOOL.—The anniver sary ball in aid of the funds of this excellent institution commenced last night at the London Tavern, shortly after 8 o'clock, and did not terminate until a " late" hour this morning. The great hall, the new chromatic decorations of which look exceedingly well by candle. light, was filled to overflowing, and the dancing-was kept up with indefatigable energy. The arrangements for the comfort and refreshment of the guests, under the direction of Mr. Funge, were well devised and satisfae• tory, and the secretary, Mr. Smalley, was most assiduous in his attentions to all. Adam's band was in attendance, and played a good selection of the newest quadrilles, waltzes, and polkas. The number of persons present must have amounted to nearly 1,000, and certain it is that the great room, the " Pillar"-room, and the ad ja cent ante-rooms, were crowded to the doors. Tt appears from an official " address" put forward on the occasion, that the financial state of this institution is, unhappily, far from prosperous, tho total subscriptions last year having fallen short of 1,3001., of which sum (1,300/.), the licensed victuallers themselves contributed less than 7001. An earnest appeal is therefore made to the libe rality of all the members of the trade in behalf of an in• stitution which has so many and just claims to their support. It should also be stated that extraordinary exertions have been made since last May to increase the number of ladies' life subscriptions of 5 guineas, and that out of 100, for which an appeal wag made, 80 halm been responded to. at bar. It is also stated that the corpse of Blades, which has been interred more than five years, will be exhumed. THE PALMER FAMILY AND THEIR CON. NECTION WITH LIVERPOOL. It appears that Mr. Joseph Palmer, the father of the accused, was .e. large timber merchant, and supplied many of the Liverpool shipbuilders. His eldest son, Joseph, was placed as an apprentice to the firm of Messrs. Halhead, Fletcher, and Co., timber merchants, of Liverpool, in whose establishment he remained for five or six years. He then went to Rugeley, and com menced business there ; afterwards married the eldest daughter of Mr. Milcrest, of Liverpool ; aid in a few years retired altogether from business, having a fortune with his wife. He now resides with his wife and family in Liverpool. William Palmer, the accused,lis about 35 years of age. After finishing his education he was placed as an apprentice with Messrs. Evans and Sons, of Liverpool, chemists. Owing to some cause or other, however, he did not remain in this establishment for the who;e term of his apprenticeship, but left the employ after being in it about three years. Subsequently he studied for a surgeon, and after some time spent in London he commenced practice in Rugeley, in which place he has remained up to the present time ; though it appears that he has never from the first devoted him. self to his profession with anything like attention or practical earnestness. His wife, whom he is now ac cused of poisoning, he married soon after commencing practice in Rugeley. She was the natural child of Colo. nel Brooks, who settled a handsome fortune upon her. Six children have been the issue of the marriage, but only one, a boy about seven years old, survives.— George, the next brother, is an attorney at Rugeley. He is also, by marriage, connected with a Liverpool family, having married Miss Clarke, a daughter of Mr. Clarke, of Seacombe, formerly an iron merchant in Liverpool.—Walter Palmer, the next brother, whose melancholy history forms such a prominent part of the tragedy, was also sent to Liverpool to basimen. He selected for his occupation that of a corn mer chant, and when about 16 years of age he was placed with Messrs. Procter, and Ce., of Brunswick-street, and after remaining with that firm for some years left Liver pool for Stafford, and entered into business in the latter town as a corn factor. He was at this time a Sae, handsome young man, and was a great favourite amongst the members of the trade both in Stafford and Liver pool. He married, in Liverpool, Miss Milcrest, a younger sister of his brother Joseph's wife, but a nfor tunateiy they did not long reside together, in conse quence of her husband's intemperate habits. Soon after the marriage Mr. Walter Palmer became unfortunate in business, and his subsequent career is shown in the evi dence which has already been given at the inquest held on his body. Mrs. Walter Palmer, his widow, now re sides in Chatham-street, Liverpool. The youngest son, Thomas, who is now a clergyman of the Established Church, was identified with Liverpool in his more youth ful days. On his brother William leaving the employ of Messrs. Evans and Sons, the chemists, Thomas suc ceeded him as an apprentice there and he soon became a great favourite with them. Whilst in the employ of Messrs. Evans and Sons he formed a determination to enter the church as his profession, and accordingly he placed himself under the tuition, for that purpose, of one of the leading masters in Liverpool, and in 184 8 ultimately left Messrs. Evans and Son, and entered him. self as a divinity student at St. Bees College. Here he: remained for two years, and at the expiration of that time he entered into holy orders, and is now residing at Coton Elms, Derbyshire.— Courier. Naval and Military Intelligence The Rosamond, 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Crefton, arrived at Spithead yesterday from the West India sta tion, last from Queenstown, at which port she put in seven days ago, having encountered severe weather. The Prometheus 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Selwyn, arrived at Spithead yesterday, from Plymouth, with su pernumerary seamen for the ships fitting at Portsmouth. The Avon steam-vessel left Portsmouth yesterday for Plymouth with supernumerary seamen for the ships fitting there. The Wide• Awake sailing•transport arrived at Spit head yesterday from the Crimea. She has only some condemned stores on board. The gun-boat Spitjack, from Woolwich, which arrived at Plymouth on Wednesday morning, reported that, on passing the Bolt Tail during the night, she observed blue lights, and concluded that they were exhibited by some ship in distress. The bad condition of her engines prevented her from offering assistance on a lee shora, and she therefore reported the circumstances to Port- Admiral Sir W. Parker, who immediately despatched the steamer Confiance, in charge of Flag-Lieutenant Turton, with spare anchors and cables, and a party of riggers from the Devon port dockyard. She left at 9.30 a.m.,,and returned at 9 p.m., but without discovering any vessel in distress, or finding by whom the blue lights were exhibited. The paddle-wheel steam troop-ship Dee, 4, Commander Thos. C. Pullen, from Woolwich, arrived at Plymouth on Wednesday with machinery for the block-ships Forth and Seahorse. The Government lighter Camel, when sailing from Hamoaze into Plymouth Souni on Wednesday, grounded on the German Rock, but was get off by the Pike steam-vessel without having suffered much injury. Yesterday the Severn, having been christened by Miss Wyvill, the granddaughter of CommodoreWyvill, Super intendent of Chatham Dockyard, was launched amid the hearty cheers of those who had assisted in her construc tion, and with the good wishes of numerous visitors, consisting of the pi incipal officers of the yard and a great number of the military, &c. The Charybdis is imme diately to be laid down on the same slip. By the Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Tagus, which arrived at Southampton yesterday, we re ceived the following items of naval and military intelli gence from Gibraltar : The steam-transport Cape of Good Hope put into the bay on the 12th, from Malta, with Lieutenant Crawford and Lieutenant Dunn, 55th Regiment, and after taking in coal resumed her voyage on the following day. The steamer Telegraph coa'ed at the New Mole on the 12th, and left for Malta and Corfu, with detachments of the Berkshire and Middlesex Militia, at 8 o'clock the same evening, and returned the next night from off Almeria, she having encountered a severe gale from the S.F. with a very heavy sea, which washed overboard the coal on deck and carried away the inner side of the paddleboxes. She was replenishing her stock of fuel and making good her repairs. The screw steam-trans port Indiana left Gibraltar for the Crimea on the 13th inst. The Prince of Wales steam-transport, from Malta, with 1,000 32-pound shot fur Gibraltar for orders, anchored in the bay on the 13th. The Prince spoke on the 12th inst. the British bark Integrity and the Solstice, the latter of Sunderland, 57 days from Alexandria., 110 miles east of Gibraltar, all well. The steam-transport Ze'ara, from Deptford to the Crimea, arrived at Gibraltar on the 13th inst. Her Majesty's steam•slcop Prometheus left Gibraltar for England on the 12th inst. The Perseverance steam-transport, from Spithead for Malta, arrived at Gibraltar on the 14th, and left the same day. The Zebra also sailed in the afternoon. Her Majesty's steam troop-ship Transit arrived at Gibraltar, for Scutari, on the 14th ; also the transport Durham, from London, with stores for the Crimea. Her Majesty's steamer Spitfire and steam transports Prince of %Vales and Levant left for England •n the 15th inst. The steam-sloop Pearl, Capt. Sotheby, was hauled out of Woolwich basin yesterday morning, and steamed down to Greenbitbe to be swung. As soon as her cabin fittings are completed she will sail thence on her first voyage. The Devastation, Capt. Marshall, went out of the basin by the same tide, and is to be stationed for a short time in the river off the dockyard, whore she will receive her mainmast and complete her repairs. The gun-boats Charger, Lieut.-Commander Symons, and the Dove, Lieut.-Commander Herbert, have also proceeded to the Arsenal moorings to receive their sea stock and ammunition. The Rhadamanthus and the Niger were admitted into the basin yesterday morning, and the Vixen will enter the basin to-day. Lieut.-Colonel Beatson, Superintendent of the Build ing Department in the Arsenal grounds at Woolwich, has received a notification from Lord Panmure, announc ing it to be the intention of Government to abolish that post as a separate branch of the establishment, as by the adoption of a new system, which is to be introduced,. the services of an officer of engineers will not be requi red. The duties of the office are to be carried out for the future by the respective superintendents of the departments generally. The barracks lately in the occupation of the corps of Sappers and Miners, at Woolwich, are now being con verted to the use of the classical department of the for which p ur p ose Captain Till e y' s Academy, (t besth ) consistin g o f 60 men is h u tt e d i n th e i?el at the ba c k o f th e G arr i son H osp it a l. Thi s dc C r a oi d ir e . ts gpa ' n uyro company is the only remnant of the Royal Sappers and Miners which is to remain at Woolwich, and is to nu dertake the carrying out all barrack and other garrison repairs, &c. Eighty volunteers will leave Chatham garrison this day for their depots in Ireland, previous to joining their regiments in the Crimea. Captain James Bailie, sth Fusiliers, goes in command of this detachment to Cork, vie Bristol. Sixty young men of the Medical Staff Corps, after being paraded, their kit examined by Staff-Captain S. G. Bunbury, medically inspected at the General Hospital, Fort Pitt, and, having gone through a course of instruc tion in the duties of stewards and orderlies, will quit their depot, Chatham, this day, in charge of Thos. C. Lyons, 20th Regiment, for Deptford, to embark on board the Clyde, in medical charge of Surgeon J. W. Shiell, M.D., for duty in the hospitals in the East. The battery of artillery at present lying in Norwich barracks (under the command of Captain Mountains) is under orders for the Crimea. No time, however, has yet been appointed for its departure. li w ai h m er 4 Vt . b f at regi ment MILITIA. Militia com V m ol e u u n c t e ee d ri y n e g st f e r r o d m ay th a e t 2 r d o S rt t g a ru ffo o r u d tb ß , is stationed. The regiment was about 750 strong, and in the course of a few hours gave about 20S volun teers to the Royal _Artillery, the Fusilier Guards, the Royal Marines, and to the different regiments of the cavalry and the line. The Colonel (the Hon. Col. Lyt• tleton) told the men he was sorry to part with any of them, but as the c ountry required their services he was proud and glad that such numbers of them had so readily volunteered. The East Norfolk Militia are under orders to proceed to Colchester at the close of this month. The sg have just given th e i r fi rs t i ns t a l men t o f volun teers to the Line for the year 1856. 170 men have been al!Glowuke of Lancast er ' s O wn Rifl es, s t at i one d a t approved principally for the Queen's Bays, Artillery, Marines, 34th, 40th, 71st, and Rifle Regiments. The volunteering was limited to one day. The regiment INV steads about 600 rank sad Mo.