The Sun. — London, England, 1842-01-04 00:00:00

LN- LITERATURE. REVIEW. tlay) , : o for w," LOW'S ° iciatiow g rePre' tants wn-10' 4 10 g. Pafr; prop oft redwe re r teal ;on, 3( Y °n il " tain Eanchl . tit for so l nor, tro le oi r 0 0 , 4 00 rit•r#o4 MORNING SUN CHURCH OF ENGLAND QUARTERLY In this Number we find, among other shrewd but sophistical articles, one which takes for its theme " The State of the Nation," a subject on which it descants with more than ordinary acri mony. The writer of this rabid diatribe sets out with observing, that all the distresses under which the country now labours are directly attributable to the misconduct of the late Government; and yet, immediately afterwards, it neutralises the force of this assertion by adding, "We are anxious to guard against a popular error, which always finds currency even in good times, but which is yet more popular, and still more fre quently resorted to, in bad times. We allude to the popular error which ascribes, in difficult times, every existing evil to the Govern ment! Now, even in absolute times, this habit of ascribing all evils to the Go vernment is still indefensible ; for it will be easy to show, that there are many causes of evil over which no human Government, how ever perfect, can have an absolute control." If this be the case—and we are far from meaning to deny that it is so—what becomes of the writer's previous assertion that all the distresses of the nation are to be laid at the door of the Whig Ministry ? How can they be responsible, if there "are many causes of evil over which no human Government, however perfect, can have any control ? " The writer, in his headstrong zeal as a Tory partisan, overdoes his case, and by attempting to prove too much, proves his own utter want of common sense and consistency. He closes his article by congratulating the Tories on their present majority of ninety-one ; but can he be sure of that majority ? Is it a settled, or a fluctuating one ? To our thinking, no great dependence can be placed upon it, when we see how many desperate monopolists go to swell its numbers, and how many are enlisted in its ranks who regard their leader with the wary eye of distrust, if not of positive dislike. CHARLES DIBDIN'S SONGS. How and Parsons, London, 1842. We have here the Fifth Part of Dibdin's well known naval songs and ballads, arranged chrono loFically, with notes historical, biographical, and critical, and accompanied by new pianoforte a ccompaniments. The edition is by far the corn- Pietest that has yet appeared of this popular composer's melodies. DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND SPINE. By W. Coulson. Longman and Co. Although this volume does not exhibit so at tractive a title as the glittering shoal of Keep sakes, Souvenirs, and Bijous, which at the present season are putting forth their varied attractions, 't is one in which our fairer and more fashionable readers are deeply interested, and which we earnestly recommend to their attentive perusal. The subject is the deformities and diseases in duced by the pernicious practice of tight lacing - -a subject upon which we believe more has been said and written, and less done, than- almost any other, for with all the boasted enlightenment and intelligence of the present day, the practice is still carried on to a frightful extent. Mr. Coulson's high professional character is a suf ficient guarantee for the masterly manner in which the question is discussed; and the work is written in an unpretending and perspicuous St yle) divested of all medical technicalities, which re nders it easy o f compre h ens i on to t h e genera l eader. A b are enumerat i on of the long train of appalling diseases produced by stays, busks, and other articles of female dress, would, we imagine, hue sufficient to appal the stoutest advocate of this most destructive system ; but until information on these roints is more generally diffused, it is in vain to hope for a remedy. The structure of the chest and spine, and the injurious effects of im proper pressure upon them, are clearly described, and illustrated by a number of well-executed plates; and we should be glad to see the work in the hands of every mother of a family in this country. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TAT TERSALL'S—YESTERDAY. So many are absent in the country, that business con tinues dull in the extreme, and presents nothing worth particular notice. The betting yesterd a y was confined to. a " select few," viz. : THE DERBY. 27 to 1 agst Lord Verulam's Robert de Gorham—t. 33 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Wiseacre—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Meteor—taken 45 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Auckland—taken 40 to 1 agst Mr. Scott's The Artful Dodger—taken THE OAKS. S to 1 agst Mr. Etwall's Passion—taken 11 to 1 agst Mr. Wilson's Sister to Yorkshire Lad—t. A notice was posted yesterday, to the effect that the Subscription this year will commence on the 15th of February instead of the Ist of January. LATEST BETTING AT MANCHESTER—FRIDAY. ha i na )"l 3l-.-8 t o 1 agst Attila (taken), 10 to 1 agst Chat (taken), 25 to I agst Robert 1)e Gorham, 25 to 1 agst Ilallinkeele, 33 to 1 agst Wiseacre (taken), 40 to 1 agst Meteor (taken), 37 to 1 agst William De Fortibus (taken), 40 to 1 agst Dirce colt. Axs•-6 t o 1 agst Passion, 11 to I agst sister to Yorkshir e L ad, 14 to 1 agst Lass of Lowton,lB to 1 agst Baleine filly. CrtEsrlat TRADF.S CUP (enter or not).-20 to lon the field, 25 to 1 agst Prince Caradoc, 30 to 1 agst The Dean, 6 to 1 agst Scott's lot, 8 to 1 agst Dawson's lot, 10 to I agst the Irish lot, and 12 to 1 agst the Welsh lot. COURSING. LANARKSHIRE AND RENFREWSHIRE CLUB, DEC. 16 AND 24.--The Wine Slide and Stakes of 301. were won boY yes A. Mr. Graham' s His Roy a l Hi g h ness , an d his States of 121 y. were I 0 w on 'es by Sir A. The Ch W. amp Maxwelll'ion Colasr Mo and parchivokb s, w, s at ing Mr. A. Graha m's Molly Loo. The Poi- Stakes of 141. were beating Mr. A. Pollok's Phillip. The Darnley Stakes of 9/ were won by Mr. Pollok s Gipsy. Her HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. Brick -bridge, Majesty 'satlls.tag-hounds will meet on Friday at R edl Mrync . Tudwzy'shds., Wed , Bertleigh Hill Cross ; Fri., h Gate. Warwickshire hds., Tues., Alveston H ouse ; Mitford-bridge ; Thurs., Sat. Farnborouh-10. Mr. Hellier's hds., , Wed., Dun g church i ; Fri., Castle Bromwich. Brighton hers., Wed., Patcham; Fri., Dyke-road-10/ Brookside hers., Thurs., Telscombe Tye-10i. Mr. Mure's hds., Thurs., Woolpit Heath-10f. Mr. Candler's hds., Wed., Himbleton ; Fri., Grafton Cheshire lids., Wed., Duddon Heath ; Thurs., ditto Sat., Tilstone-10i. Shropshire lids., Wed., Pimhill ; Fri., 0 teley Park-101 East Kent hars., Tues., Wingham-street ; Thurs., Pineham ; Fri., Telegraph-10i. Findon hds., Tues., Holmbush ; Thurs., Dial Post ; Sat., Hurston. Tickham hds., Thurs., Key -street. Somerset Subscription hds., Tues., Bagborough Plan tation ; Sat., Cleeve-hill-10i. Mr. Meynell's hds., Tues., Kedleston Inn ; Thurs., Radborne ; Sat., Swarkstone-bridge--104. Herefordshire hds., Tues., Acombury Turnpike --10. Mr. Atty's Lids., Tu., Brym-y-pys ; Fr., Charlton Hall. United Pack., Wed., Broadway -9. Holdernes,s hds., Tues., Kilnwick P erc y ; Th urs., Burton C ons t a bl e ; Fri., Londesbro-gate-10i. Harewoud hd s ., Wed ., Hook Moor ; Fri., Bickerton bar-1 Sir R. Sutton's lids., Tues., North Caul ton ; Wed., Seop wick ; Thurs., Gate Burton ; Sat., Newball Conmen-11..' F. B. H., Fri., South Turnpike-gate, near Redruth-10. Wynysrd hds.. Thurs., Bradbury-bridge --10. Lieut.-Col., Hildyard's hars., 'Wed., the Kenne s ; Fri., Stainton—lo). Atherstone hds. Tues., Newbold-gate ; Thurs., Bit tesvvell ; Sat., Bosworth-10 4 1 . Shute House beagles, Fri., Shapwick. Major-Gen. Wyndham's hds., Wed., Ifold ; Fri., Pep per Harrow ; Sat., Oakhurst. E. 'Cent hds., Wed., West Brabourn ; Fr., Reindeer-10. Oakley hds., Tues., Riseley ; Thurs., the London entrance to Woburn Park ; Sat., Cranfield-11. Mr. A. Smith's hds , Tues., Netheravon ; Thurs., Daily Wood • Fri., Crowdo wn Clump--11. Pytchley hds., Wed., North Dilworth ; Fri., Sulby ; Sat, Pytchley-104. Mr. Russell's lids., Wed., Butcher Race ; Fri., Don nington • Sat., Farnborough -10. lieythrop hds., Wed., New Barn ; Fri., Addlestrop gate--14. Baron Rothschild's stag-hds., Thurs., Denham, near Quainton-104. Abbott Earl Fitzwilliam's hds., Tues., Bar n w e ll Castle; Thurs., 's Ripon -10. Quorn hds., 'rues., Bardon Hall ; Thurs., Billesdon Kennels ; Fri., Six Hills-10,i. stoc C ottesm oi ore . .lids., Tu es ., L aun d Abb e y ; Th urs., ken—i An h. -n humble imitation of the heroic conduct of ,itize. Lavalette was witnessed last week at Privas, in t he Ard ec h e. Vial, a deserter from the 53d regiment of a`e line, was arrested, and while on his way to the prison o _Aube nas was accompani e d b y hi s b ro th er an d s i ster. n arriving at Privas, where they were to leave him, the y entreated the gendarmes to allow them first to give they entreated the gendarmes to allow them first to give diC br ot h er some refreshment. The escort consented, , v ll4 shut t h em i n a room together, within the prison, aene m ere they were served by the gaoler. During his ab 1, e, Alarie Vi a l un d ressed herself and invested her 4fortunate brother w ith h er c l ot h es, an d w h en t h e h our %11:weparation came, the t wo b rot h ers went out together, Maine all th e mar k s o f po i gnant grief, wh i le Marie re to in the soldier's habiliments. To allow her brother 1 141 4 2, place of safety, th e g i r l preserve d h er di sgu i se to ,o''''osed for 24 hours, when the gendarmes re-entered thentrluct the prisoner to hi s nex t d est i nat i on , an d s h e sor rie I. lf urnaed them of the decepti on . Th e g i r l was , a f ter sloty et tir tber detention, discharged, and her brother has b (, eri retaken. of ,-",nEAP RIDE BY RAILWAY.—In the fares e s_ "Pe Manchester and Sheffield Railway there is the tt3trotous feature of a penny fare from Newton to Godley, t b : _u a mile and a half. About 20!. was received at ' 4 ‘ s charge on the first day the railway was opened. SPEECH OF THE REGENT OF SPAIN. An express from Madrid has brought us the speech of Espartero on the opening of the Cortes on Sunlay, the 26th of December. . . _ On the arrival of the procession at the Palace of the Senate her Majesty, the Regent, and her Royal Highness the Infanta were received by the deputations of the two Chambers. Her Majesty took her seat on the throne, with her august sister on her left and the Regent upon her right, but one step lower than the throne. The Ministers and the officers of the Palace sur rounded the throne. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, President of the Council, delivered the Allowing speech to her Majesty who placed it in the hands of the Regent ; and the latter read it in a very audible manner : SENATORS AND DEPUTIES—It is with a sentiment of lively satisfaction that I present myself for the second time in the midst of you with an adored Queen, in the august name and during 'the minority of whom I have the high honour of exercising the Royal authority, con fided to me by the nation. Your patriotism and loyalty inspire me with the confidence that the constitutional Throne will become strengthened and fixed on solid and indestructable bases, and that the prosperity and pros pects of our country will be the object of your meditation and wisdom. " I can acquaint you, with the utmost pleasure, that our relations with friendly Powers continue to gather strength by the bonds of strict harmony and good intelli gence, which are tightened by sincere friendship. The other nations that have recognised an exalted Queen, preserve those sentiments of justice which dictated that recognition. The Governments which have not taken that step contemplate us without hostility, make con tinued inquiries respecting our political situation, and as it becomes more stable, the day is not distant, in my opi nion, when reason shall triumph, and the national cause complete its victory. "It is satisfactory to me to announce to you that the treaty of peace, amity, and recognition with the republic of the Equator has been concluded on bases honourable to both Governments and useful to their interests, as you will observe by the paper that will be laid before you. Our agents have proceeded to represent her Majesty's Government at Quito, and to preserve our relations with that State. " Similar treaties have been alse concluded with the republics of Uruguay and Chili. When the ratifications are verified, you will be able to judge of the zeal arid patriotism which presided over the negotiations. With the other republic, not yet recognised, the same conduct will be pursued, in order to produce the same happy re sult, as becomes nations which have a common origin. Another treaty is in course of negotiation with Portugal respecting the navigation of the Tagus. " Negotiations are pending with different States to ex pedite and render more free the correspondence so often obstructed to the prejudice of our interests. " England has given satisfaction for the disagreeable occurrence of Carthagena last May, and the French Go vernment has seen with pain the violation of the territory of the Aldudes. The Government of her Majesty, de siring to remove the causes which have always led to these deplorable conflicts, is negotiating a treaty with the King of the French, who has presented a project, met on our part by another on a different basis. The defini tive settlement of this will be made known at the proper time. " The revolt which broke out in the month of last Oc tober disturbed the public tranquillity, and obliged the Government to proceed with activity and energy to crush it in its origin. The constitution, as well as the precious lives of our innocent Queen and her august sister, were menaced by an armed conspiracy. But Providence ena bled loyal Spaniards to save those dear objects of our hopes. All the means at our disposal were employed to repress this horrible attempt, and the hand of justice chastised the principal delinquents ; their criminal at tempt failed against the firm attitude of the nation, and the energy of the Government. The public vengeance once satisfied, the Government deemed that it might exercise clemency, and spare the lives of some of the rebels. " The events of Barcelona, which sprang from an abuse of confidence, obliged the Government to declare that rich and populous city in a state of siege. This mea sure, which had for its object to avoid the effusion of blood, produced neither violence nor punishments, so that these punishments might be executed according to the ordinary laws, when the legal situation of these was re established. The tribunals are busy with the causes to be tried, as actively as the administration of justice re quires. " Since these events peace has been restored through out the whole monarchy by the triumph of the laws, and every cause of new disturbances has disappeared. " The valiant army and resolute national militia de fended the Constitution and the laws with loyalty, and the country is grateful for their services. " The roads under the care of Government were in a bad state, in consequence of their being necessarily neg lected during the civil war, which concluded with so much glory. But the persevering eftbrts of Government have produced satisfactory results. New roads have been constructed in great part, repairs' have been effected, and materials have been collected for more than 600 leagues of road. Those from Valencia and Corunna may be begun next spring. Some bridges have also been commenced, and other works requisite for the in ternal traffic of the country. The remarkable develop ment of mining industry claims especial attention. Ef forts on this point have produced new works and enter prises. The sad state of the public stores, in conse quence of calamities which have afflicted the country fur half a century, has induced the Government to encou rage the establishment of agricultural banks, of which the result is highly beneficial to the agricultural classes. The Government persists in the intention of realising this measure, and it hopes by this means to augment the public wealth. " Public instruction has received great amelioration. A considerable number of parishes, or communes, which were without the first elements of education, enjoy at present this indispensable element of civilisation. In some provinces normal schools have been opened, in imitation of that established in the capital. This will prove a nursery to supply schoolmasters and professors to all the villages of the Peninsula. By the aid of pro vincial and municipal Corporations the Government has other objects in preparation, which will give a great im pulse to public education, and remove the errors which obstruct it. In order to improve the secondary and higher class of education, a law is necessary, that the Cortes, in its last Session, had not time to discuss or adopt. " The army and provincial militia have been organised on the most effective terms • the diminution of its num bers, and the suppression of the Royal Guard, have pro duced retrenchments which must lighten the burdens of the people. Unfortunately, circumstances have not per mitted us to extend this economy as far as could be wished, the late rebellion having required the provincial regiments to act in concert with the regular forces to defend the country. " The valiant army, which has given so many glorious days to the nation, preserves the organisation given to it last August. It is regularly provisioned, and the Go vernment bestows upon it the preference that it merits. Its morale and discipline are excellent, and its fidelity and patriotism guarantee obedience to the Government. " The levy (quinta) of 50,000 men took place without obstacles in the provinces, although with the delay usual in such operations. More than 30,000 have already en tered .he depots, and the regiments have begun to fill up their deficiencies. The law voted by the Cortes has ameliorated that passive (non-fighting) portion of the army, and the executors of this law will console those who have spent their best years in the service of their country. " Justice is administered with such regularity and promptitude as our present Legislation permits, but this will soon be reformed by codes now in preparation, to be presented to the Cortes. " The law permitting to cut off entails begins to lighten landed property of its burdens, and these advan tages extend to all those interests in which nature and civil obligations have conferred the right of claiming their legitimate dues. The chaplaincies in the gift of individuals and lay benefices are given by the law to the owner of the property. " The advantages of this law may be appreciated by the considerable value which it puts in circulation. " The decree of the 29th of June, by which divers mea sures were adopted, and the manif es t o pu bli s h e d i n rep l y to the impolitic allocation of the Pope, have put a stop to the aggressions which menaced the nation and the Government. " Different means have been adopted for the accom plishment of the law of worship, and the management of the clergy, and Government will exert all its power to fulfil its religious obligations for the benefit of the nation and Church, and important data have been obtained to bring this new and necessary work to a conclusion. " The especial tribunals of the Royal Household and patrimony have been abolished, as incompatible with the Constitution. The sil.uatiou of colonial functionaries has been ameliorated by the establishment of rules which correct the clauses introduced by time. " The Government exerts itself with zeal to introduce honesty and regularity in the administration of finance, and is firmly resolved to punish frauds. The augmentation of the public funds, and the decree of centralization, have enabled us to fulfil our obligations with more punc tuality than in former years. The tariff law, voted No vember Ist, offers no certain basis to calculate its advan tages ; nut as it has been extended to all the provinces, without excepting the Basque, I hope for many results. " A general director of customs, tariffs, and public revenues, has been created without augmentation and expense, in place of the old Junta and Administration. The laws centralising the bills of last year's contracts are in course of execution, and the salt and stamp duty have enabled us to procure funds to meet privileged obligations. A strong impulse has been given to the operations preliminary to the sale of ecclesiastical pro perty by measures tending to obviate fraud, and the Go vernment hopes that the law will soon become perfect. The sales of national property proceeding from eccle siastical establishments extinct, continue with activity. These sales continue to augment the mass of private property, and to diminish our public debt. The wise system pursued by the Government in all its acts has produced the happiest results. I hope that, after the pay ment of the transatlantic debt, we may henceforth meet with regularity the different expenses of the public service. Credit merits a special attention, and the ne cessary funds have been prepared to pay the interests of the capitalization at home and abroad. The national and foreign creditor will thus learn how religiously we keep faith; a virtue for which Spain has ever been renowned. " The navy, which formerly was the glory and honour of the Spanish nation, was reduced to the lowest ebb. Government, convinced that this force gives life and health to States, had paid it regularly, and has put some ships in repair to cruise upon the coast. Other vessels of various classes have been put in a state to ren der important service. Others are put in commission, to repair to our colonies, should it be necessary. The commercial navy occupies the attention of Government as the basis of a military navy, and as the surest means of promoting industrial and commercial prosperity. Since the restoration of peace the mercantile movement is reviving :To it the confidence of tranquillity is necessary. "Thanks to these elements, thanks to the liberty in herent in our institutions, and to the protection of a just and strong Government, agriculture, industry, and commerce, will recal the highest degree of prosperity which our fertile territory and geographical position are capable of. To attain this end Government is decided to protect the spirit of association that developer itself everywhere, and by which a vigorous impulse is given to every branch of public wealth. " The transmarine provinces, always faithful to the Government of the mother country, continue to give proofs of adherence and respect. The peace which reigns there has not been disturbed under its auspices, and with the paternal protection of Government, have attained a remarkable degree of prosperity. " Actuated by the prudence required by the interests of these rich provinces, the Government has submitted to the Junta for the revision of special laws various plans capable of being applied in promoting the good of the inhabitants and the prosperity of the islands. " The treaty of commerce concluded with the republic of the Equador shall he laid before you. Its provisions are advantageous to both states, and I do not doubt that you will give it your approval. " The Government, sincerely attached to the repre sentative system, is anxious to augment the guarantees calculated to secure stability and permanency to the con stitution, under the sway of which we have the happi ness to live. " With this view, there will be presented to you a pro ject of Ministerial responsibility, designed to act as a check on men invested with power, and to secure the po litical principles of the Spanish nation. The necessity for ameliorating the public administration, and for liar ' monizing with the constitution of the State the organic law which is legitimately derived from it, induces the Government to submit to the Cortez projects of laws on the organization and functions of the municipalities, the provincial deputations, and the political chiefs. There will also be presented to you a project of law on the li berty of the press, tending to suppress the abuses and check the license under which defamation is pursued upon system, calumny promulgated on calculation, and conspiracy against the Constitution instigated by sordid interest. Desirous to establish uniformity to the admi nistration of all the provinces, in a manner equally con formable to the welfare of the nation and to the public faith, the Government has thought it a duty to present a project of law to modify the.fueres of the Basque pro vinces. The good order of the administration requires a new division of territory that shall remedy the defects pointed out by experience in the present one ; for this purpose a project of law will be submitted to you, for which the public advantage loudly calls. " There will likewise be laid before you a project of law for the organisation of the tribunals and of the ma gistracy, and another on the permanency and responsi bility of the Magistrates and Judges. The spirit of the age and the progress of legislative science, the security of person and of property, will no longer permit that the judicial power should any longer remain in its pre sent state ; and it is time that laws should be established for its organisation, in conformity with those constitu tional principles which ought to be religiously observed. The Government will submit for your consideration other laws intended to regulate the registries and nota rial offices of the kingdom, the scale of judicial fees, the powers of (injusticia notoria) nullity in law, and finally, other projects of law for the organisation of the eccle siastical tribunals, as well as in reference to the aposto lical reserves. " The budget will also be submitted for your conside ration, in order that you may examine it with all the care called for by the peremptory necessities of the public service and by the general good. If the ordinary reve nues should not suffice to cover the national expenses, the Government will offer to you the means of meeting them. The vicissitudes that the country and the public Administration have had to undergo in past years, have given rise to a considerable number of retiring pensions. Necessity requires, and propriety suggests, that the existing arrangements should be modifie. A project of law to this effect will he laid before you. " Other plans of reform will be presented: to you, in conformity with economical science and the want;3 of the people. " To purify, as much as possible the operations on the Bourse, the Government has adopted certain measures which have produced effects advantageous to credit and to private property ; and in order to carry out this plan, there will be presented to you a project of law that shall go to prevent the Bourse from being the cause of ruin to numerous families, who there compromis'e their fortunes in imprudent speculations. " Messieurs les Senateurs and Deputes—The eyes of the nation are fixed upon you ; its hopes repose on your integrity and your patriotism ; to you is confided a great regenerating duty ; and the book of immortality re serves for you a golden page. Rely upon my exertions, and upon the honest heart of a soldier, who has always fought for the liberty and glory of his country, Do not forget that factions, as powerless as they are criminal, aim in their madness at attacking the . constitution and the Throne, in the hope of bringing discredit on the sacred cause - which we defend, and of exciting Europe against us. Let us bind more closely the ties of sincere union, and consolidate the Constitutional Throne of a young Queen, whose magical name has always van quished the enemies of liberty. ' For myself 1 have no ambition ; my life belongs to my country ; and the glory of having served it in good faith will form my prtrimony. " May the existing Constitution, the Throne of the young Isabella, the national independence, and the Go vernment created by the will of the people, be the ob jects of our fidelity, and guide us in our legislative la bours for the conslidation of a stront , and just Govern ment, whim h. avoiding the snares laid for it by ambitious factions, shall for ever assure the prosperity and the hap piness of the nation !" The Congress, or the Chamber of Deputies, was in stalled en the previous day. The Bureau was composed of M. Gill Muno, President, as senior Member ; of M. Fernandez de los Rios, as Vice-President ; MM. So moza, Prim, Sanchez, Silba, and Monedero, the youngest Deputies were nominated Secretaries. The returns of ninety-five Deputies were verified ; among those pre sent was remarked M. Olozaga. Lots were afterwards drawn for the deputation charged to accompany the Queen, and the sitting then broke up. THE SUN, LONDON TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1842. PORTUGAL. FALmotrnt, JAN. I.—By the Tagus steamer, arrived last evening, we received the accompanying despatches. Her dates of leaving are from Gibraltar 23d, Cadiz 24th, Lisbon 27th, Oporto 28th, and Vigo 29th ult. Also arrived this morning two of the Royal Mail Steam-packet Company's vessels, viz., the Thames, from London, and Tay, from Southampton. The former pro ceeds on Monday, the 3d instant, with mails for Berbice, Demerara, Tobago, and Havannah ; and the latter will also leave the same day with mails for Barbadoes and the other West India islands. The light winds, with thick and hazy weather, the past week, have prevented the arrival of several vessels expected:from the westward. LISEON, DEC. 27.—The grand event of the week which has just terminated is the result of the municipal elections, which is most decidedly, and contrary to general expectation, favourable to the present Ministers. Those elections commenced on Sanday, the 19th instant, and great were the preparations which had been made on both sides for the contest. The mode of taking the suffrages being by secret ballot, nothinc , like accurate knowledge could be, obtained until the scrutiny and formal declaration both were over. The real state of things was speedily made manifest in the declaration of the return, by a most triumphant majority of the friends of tranquillity, order, and good government. It is im possible to overrate the importance of this event, in strengthening the hands of a soundly-reforming and wisely economic Ministry, in blasting the hopes of Re volutionary and Republican conspirators, in checking the hostile advances of Spain, and the insidious ma noeuvres of France, in withering the growing might of the Septembrista party, in facilitating the means of keep ing faith with the public creditor, in smoothing the way for the completion of unpopular, but indispensable, finan cial reforms, and in fortifying a weak and decayed dynasty against the masked batteries and mines of every description of secret confederation, club, and cabal. On the 24th instant the French frigate La Belle Poule, commanded by Prince de Joinville, arrived in the Tagus, from New York in 24 days, accompanied by the brig Cassard. After landin g at the Arsenal his Royal High ness proceeded immediately to the Palace, and it is said he will make a stay here of some days. He is escorted, about by 014 King, and his appearance is anythi ng but prepossessing. As a stranger, common courtesy, to say nothing of his high rank as a Prince, should compel him to repay with urbanity the civilities and greetings which everywhere await him; but his Royal Highness appears wholly indifferent to the attentions bestowed upon him by this polite people—a circumstance which is rendered more remarkable from his being a native of the country proverbial for its etiquette and bonhommie. The ships of war in the Tagus are the Indus and Re venge (British line), La Belle Poule, mentioned above, brig Cassard, steamer Lavoisier (French). Yesterday Prince de Joinville dined with their Majes ties at the Palace of the Necessidades, and was knighted by the Queen with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword. The Baron Renduffe goes passenger in the Tagus steamer, which takes the mail of to-day. He is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Berlin. FROM THE FRENCH PAPERS. The Mayor of Pouille, near Nantes, who was sus pended from his functions for publishing the banns of marriage between his daughter and a person who had been a priest, has been definitively dismissed from his post by Royal ordonnance. The Cour Royale of Limoges has just condemned two Journals, the Gazette du Centre and the Progressif, for libel upon M. Bourdeau, Peer of France. The Gazette du Centre is sentenced to pay 6,000 fr. damages and costs, and the Progressif 1,500 fr. damages and costs. The prosecution was in the first instance brought before the Tribunal Civil of Limoges, which declared itself in competent. On the appeal of M. Bourdeau to the Cour Royale, that Court declared itself competent, and gave the above decision. A widow, at Cambrai, named Thezin, had agreed to accept for a second husband Dujardin, a gendarme. The contract was signed, the banns published, and the day fixed ; but as this happened to be the first anniversary of the death of the first husband, his relations remon strated so severely with the widow on the indecency of this proceeding, that she not only consented to post pone the ceremony, but broke off the match. A few days since Dujardin went to visit the widow, and, after a long interview, during which, no doubt he had vainly endeavoured to bring her back to his wishes, two re ports of fire-arms were heard, and the neighbours, rushing into the house, found the widow dead on the floor, with a wound in her side from a pistol. A brace of pistols were lying on the floor, with the second of which I)ujardin had attempted to destroy himself. He was, however, found alive in another room, with his face terribly disfigured by the shot, and was carried senseless to the Military Hospital, where he remains in imminent danger. Previous to these desperate acts he had written to his Lieutenant, informing him that he and his intended bride had determined to die together, and recommending to the care of his officer his horse and his two children, meaning those of the widow, one of whom is eight, and the other only five years old. Two sergeant-majors of the 60th Regiment fought a duel at Brest, a few days since, with pistols. One of the adversaries was shot dead on the spot. The Society for the Protection of Young Liberated Offenders of the department of the Seine has just held its last general meeting for 1841, at the Hotel de Ville. Each patron rendered an account of the conduct of his proteges during the past year, and the results were highly satisfactory. After the reports were read, the Society proceeded to the election of members of the Council, in the room of those going out by rotation. M. Berenger was unanimously chosen President. M. Jac quinot- Godard, one of the Vice-Presidents, who took the chair on this occasion, announced that the King had sent a donation of 500 f. ; the Queen, 200 E ; Mine. Ade laide, 200 f.; the Duke of Orleans, 100 f.; and the Duchess of Orleans, 100 f. A person, arrested a few days. ago on a charge of fraudulent bankruptcy, was taken before the Commis sary of Police of the seventh arrondissement. The Ma gistrate, having occasion to quit the office Ibr a short time, left the prisoner under the charge of his clerks. Scarcely had the Commissary retired, when the bank rupt also was missing, and the office was thrown into great consternation, and a general pursuit was made in every direction. The Magistrate returned, and found his office vacant. lie was under the first effects of his astonishment when the bankrupt walked in alone, and in answer to questions as to where he had been, replied that he had been to see his advocate, and was then en tirely at the Cominissary's. disposal. A few minutes afterwards the clerks returned, and were as surprised to find the fugitive returned as the Commissary had been at the abandonment of his office. A lady, returning home the night before last to her apartment, in the Eue Ste. Anne, found in it a man, busily engaged in making a packet of all the portable articles of value. She was so much alarmed that she sunk in a sort of stupor into an arm-chair, and thus re mained until the unwelcome visitor had made up his par cel, and left the room. His departure relieved the lady from her temporary oppression, and knowing that he had three pair of stairs to descend, she called so loudly for assistance that the porter heard her, and, seeing a man hurrying to the gate, was in time to close it and se cure him. On being conducted before the Commissary of Police he was recognised as an old offender, and has been committed for trial. A notorious thief, named Lucat, has just been arrested, through the vengeance of a female, whose lover had been denounced by Lucat, and condemned by the tribunal. Lucat, who was in prison, after denouncing several of his accomplices, made his escape, and for a long time baffled all the exertions of the police to discover him. This fe male, resolved on avenging her lover, disguised herself in male attire, and frequented all the haunts of the thieves in Paris, until she became acquainted with, and pretended to join, a particular gang, from whom she discovered the traces of Lucat. She now hung about the quarter in which he lodged, until, seeing him in the street the other day, she fell upon him, and, calling some persons to her aid, he was taken into custody. The day before yesterday, a female, 20 years of age, threw herself from a window of the fifth floor of a house, in the Rue St. Honore, near the Place Vendome. She showed no signs of life when she was picked up. A per son who was passing was struck by the body as it fell, but without any other injury than a few bruises. The cause of this suicide is not known, but it is reported that the young woman in question had been locked in the room against her will, on suspicion of having robbed her employers, who are mercers. A few days ago, as a diligence was crossing the bridge at Zwolle, in Holland, the flooring gave way, and let the carriage, with the horses, driver, conductor, and 13 pas sengers into the river. Notwithstanding assistance was promptly rendered, five of the passengers, including a child, were drowned; and one, a boy, only l2 ycari., ol(2, had his skull so dreadfully fractured, that he died almost: immediately. An extensive inundation was experienced at Mulhau sen, a few days ago, when the waters of the 11l becoming suddenly swollen by rains on the mountains, flooded the lower part of the town, and caused a good deal of da mage. No lives were lost. The Saone has again risen to a considerable height at Lyons on account of the inciting of snow on the hills, but no apprehensions are entertained as yet of the town being flooded. The Governor-General of Algeria has addressed a circular to the commanding officers of the different divi sions of the army, in which he announces that the system of colonisation is about to be realised on u practicable scale, under the protection of' the continuous line of de fence, and states that two villages are already building, one at Foussa, between Coleah and the sea, in an agree able position, with a good soil and good water ; the other, between Blidah and Oued-el-Allek, a situation also chosen for its advantages and the salubrity which it en joys in common with Foussa. Each of these villages is to have two small fortresses, and to be surrounded with a wall three metres in height. The ground is to be divided into lots of 12 hectares (about 30 English acres), for each family of colonists. The colonists, in addition to the cultivation of their ground, are to receive pay for guard ing the blockhouses in the vicinity of the villages. The 411oniteur Algerien of the 14th inst. contains an account of several recent razias in Algeria. Four of them in the mountains east of Blidah, and on the right bank of the Chills, by General Changarnier, produced 2,000 head of cattle,.several beasts of burthen, a quantity of arms, &c., and more than 200 prisoners. The last of these razias took place on the night of the 10th, and was inflicted upon the Beni-Mecaoud, a very hostile tribe. Another attack and razia, by Lieut.-Colonel Blangini, produced 75 prisoners, 4 horses, 34 beasts of burthen, 490 oxen, 450 sheep, 600 goats, and a quantity of arms. Fifty-two of the Arabs were killed, the loss of the French was only two killed and three wounded. A few days previously a razia was made by 150 gendarmes on the tribe of Beni-Mestina, near Oued-Korsoe ; 200 oxen, 800 sheep and goats, &c., were taken. Lieut.-Colonel Morris had made a razia near Blidah, and obtained 300 head of cattle. The same journal states that a caravan from Tunis arrived on the 23d ult. at Constantine, com posed of 100 mules laden with stuffs of silk and gold, perfumes,_ and other valuable merchandise. General Negrier sent out some detachments of cavalry to meet it, but this was a mere precautionary measure, for it had not met with the least interruption during its long march through a great number of tribes. The Gazette de France asserts that M. de Salvandy has been recalled from Madrid, on account of his misun derstanding with the Regent. It will be remembered that, before the French Ambassador went to Madrid, it was stated that he would-return for the opening of the Session. A Madrid letter, in the Phare of Bayonne, says that M. de Salvandy, whose appointment as Ambas sador accredited him to Queen Isabella, communicated with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs on his ar rival at Madrid, and asked him to fix the day for deliver ing his credentials to her 'Majesty. The Minister, it adds, admitted this demand, and it was only at a later period that objections were raised. "In France," says the writer of this letter, " during the minority of Louis XV., the Duke of Orleans never raised pretensions equal to those of Espartero, and from the time the King was five years old all the Ambassadors presented their credentials to his Majesty in person. M. de Salvandy is said to have made all possible propositions for an ar rangement of this affair." A young man, 18 years of age, of respectable family, at Vermanton, in the Yonne, was caught, two days ago, in the act of stealing a book of small value from a stall on the Quai d'Orsay. On searching his apartment, 200 volumes were found, which he had obtained in the same manner. _ Some imprudent friends of a nephew of Colombier's have been the cause of the young man's death, by a cruel hoax. Although he was perfectly innocent of all con nection with the attempt of Quenisset and his associates they made him believe that he was immediately to be arrested as an accomplice. Dreading the same fate as his uncle, he threw himself into the Canal Saint Mar tin, and his body was found yesterday near the sluice at the Pont d'Angouleme. The Gazette des Tribunaux says that the names of the two persons who have , been arrested in consequence of the disclosures of Polonabier and Just-Brazier, are named Bonne; and ilmisselet.. _Numerous papers, it says, have been seized at their residences. M. Jourdain, , amining magistrate, has interrogated them. The Courrier Francais states that Bonnet is a broker in - the vermi celli trade, and that Rousselet is a mechanician. A war rant is out against a third: individual, not yet arrested. The Temps says—" The number of new political re personsrepresented i n easy circumstances, pri soners is stated to be eleven. Oa Wednesday afternoon two fiacres, escorted by com mi ssaries and officers of po lice. conveyed these priso ners to the prison at the Lux embourg.bycumstances, the guards to h and several are deemed to be chiefs of the society to ve the a :Rost p p e of ar a n theme o f are which Quenisset belonged. Numerous warrants are still out in different parts of the capital. It is now beyond doubt, that the removal of Quenisset, Colombier, and Brazier from the Luxembourg will not take place until until after the termination of this new process, in which they will appear as principal witnesses for the prosecu tion. In consequence of these fresh arrests, the force of municipal guards over the prison of the Cou r t o f P eers was yesterday augmented. Among the men taken yes terday there is one of immense bulk. The prison at the Luxembourg retains the same aspect, being guarded by a great number of sentinels and police agents. Yester day the examining Committee reassembld at the resi dence of the Duke Decazes. to continue the supplemen tary interrogations." At the last Chantilly Races, Tontine, a mare belong ing to M. Aumont, won the grand prize, beating Jenny, belonging to Lord H. Seymour. The race was one o f great importance, as besides the stakes there were bets depending upon it to the amount of 400,000 E, of which 90,000 f. had been laid by Lord Henry. His Lordship, before the settlement day, believed that he had discovered that the mare entered as Tontine bred in Fiance, was, in fact, Heroida, by Aaron out of the Young Election mare, bred in England by . Mr. Stirling of Battersea, and therefore claimed the prize, and insisted upon being the winner and not the loser of the bets made by him. The case was first referred to the Jockey Club, which, under the presidency of the Prince de la Moskowa, de clared that there were no proofs that the pedigree given to Tontine was false, and, therefore, confirmed the deci sion given by the Stewards of the races. Lord H. Sey mour, however, still believed that he was right, and commenced proceedings before the Tribunal de Premiere Instance, requiring it to ascertain by means of the " Racing Calendar," the " Stud-book," and other autho rities acknowledged in England, the truth and validity of his objection. After taking time for consideration, the Tribunal yesterday delivered its judgment, declaring that the documents - laid before it were sufficient to es- tablish the correctness of the pedigree given to Tontine, and, therefore, gave judgment against Lord H. Seymour, and ordered his Lordship to ply the costs of all parties. HANOVER. The following is the text of the Address presented to the King of Hanover by the two Chambers of the Stites, as we mentioned a few days ago : " The faithful States unite with your Majesty in sincerely deploring the great loss which their august Sovereign and all his faithful Hanoverians, have expe rienced in the death of her late Majesty the Queen. They honour the just grief which has prevented your Majesty from personally pointing out to your faithful States the duties of their important vocation, and which has pre vented them from having the happiness of con-vincing themselves of the state of the precious health of your Ma jesty. Respectfully convinced that only motives of the first importance could have led to so hasty a convoca tion, the faithful States of the Kingdom have readily assembled round the throne of your Majesty. The more they are numerous, in spite of the difficulties oc casioned by the supreme order of the sth November of this year, as also by the extension given to paragraph 96 of the law of the Constitution of the country, the more they are confident of meriting the good graces of your Majesty. The faithful States intreat your Majesty to accept their respectful thanks for having called upon them to exercise the rights and duties attributed to them by the Constitution, in deciding upon matters so important as justice and administration, which have in part been waiting their accomplishment for seseral years ; and the States also acknowledge the necessity of giving their attention in particular to those new ways of communication which open such valuable sources of national prosperity, and the development of intelligence. Every lover of his country must have viewed with satis faction, during the late embarrassments, the national force and union displayed by the Princes and people devoted to Germany, in firmly defending its honour and its safety against the common danger with which it was threatened. The faithful States animated by such sen timents, after a conscientious examination of the de. mends which may be addressed to them, will zealously contribute by their constitutional co-operation to the fulfilment of the obligations of your Majesty, which are stipulated in the military constitution of the Germanic Confederation, well persuaded, as they are, on the other hand, that the force of the States does not reside alone in the force of armies, and tbat they ought to regard themselves as called upon to take into consideration all the means necessary for diminishing the burdens of . subjects. Above all things they address the most ar dent prayers to Heaven that the Almighty may pour his blessings on the head of your Majesty and on the country, and that he may still grant many years to their august Monarch, for the happiness of the brave Hanoverian people, whose unshaken devotion for the father of their country was so gloriously shown in recent circumstances. They add their sacred promise that, conformably with their oath, they will faithfully fulfil their duties, having no other object in their discussions than the inseparable welfare of their King and their. country, and they will use every effort to strengthen more and more the bonds of confidence established be tween the Government of your Majesty and the people, remaining, with the most profound respect, your Ma jesty's very humble and very faithful States-General of the Kingd ern .." The Leipsic Gazette says that this address was sent to the King, his Majesty having refused to receive it by the medium of a deputation, on account of his being in mourning, and that, in consequence of this, no reply from the Crown will be given to it. The document was signed by the Prince Royal and all the Members of both Chambers. It was said that his Royal Highness and two Members of the First Chamber added to their sig natures the mention that they had voted against this address. HAMBURGLJ MAIL, 7lenos E EL, . s ault on 3i7. Lutcken _Ain excites the public attention, and appears the more mysterioui, because another reward of 200 dollars is offered for the discovery of the perpetrator ; yet the journeyman trimmer, W., is still kept in custody. There are various reports and conjectures. W. never worked for M. Lutcken as has been reported, nor had any business whatever with him, nor does there appear any reason or sufficient motive for such an act. He posi tively denies the fact, and has appealed to witnesses, to prove an alibi, which their depositions seem to have nearly established. But it is said that other witnesses have rather shaken their testimony. The first draft of a law on the civil right of the Jews has been read in the Second Chamber. COPENHAGEN, DEc. 27.—Besides the official publica tion in the Danish language of the Convention with Great Britain, respecting the Sound duties, the treaty on the same subject with Sweden and Norway, which differs in a few particulars, is likewise officially published.— Fiiimburgle Papers, Dec. 31. - - AUSTRIAN FUNDS.—VIENNA, Dec. 91. five per Cents. Metalliquei Four per Cents. 11.011.11.1111••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 00000000000 99 Three p at* Cents. Bank Shares ...Aileemeine &Bung. Dec. 28. HAMBURG BORSENHALLE, Dec.3l. Bills. Mossev Austrian 5 per Cents. Bank Shares 1628 Anglo. Russian Loan lOB% 108% Russian 5 per Cent. Ist series, C,rtificate Inscription, lst Set IQS 10'44 Russian 5 per Cont. Hope and Co. 3d and 4th Series Ditto in Certificates Ncw 4 per Cent. (1840) 8756 ts 7 Dutch Actual Debt, 2% per Cent 50% 50% Ditto 5 per Cent Polish Bonds New ticket Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent. 7B3q 78% N..rwegian Lean, 1834, 4 per Cent... ll 236 102% SpAnish, New 5 ner Cents. lb EXCHANGES OK LONDON. HAMBURG, DEc. 28.-13 QC—Two months, IS 434. PETKRSBURGH, DEC 17.—Two months, 38% pence. CHRISTIANIA, DEC. IS.—'Three months. 4 34. STOCKHOLM, DEC. 21.--Seventy.five days. 12. 11. BREMEN. Dec. 24 —Two months, 41 18. VIENNA. Dec. 21.—Three months. 9.37. PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—Bnaux, Dec. O. Bids. Money. St.Schuld. Sch., 46 per cent. 1044 Prussian English Loan, 1830,4 per cent. ...1026 Xachange on London, three months ."...ti 19311 - -Prussian State Gazette. Dec 29. THE BRAGANZA STEAMER. We have received from the Directors of the Peninsu lar and Oriental Steam Navigation Company a counter statement to the letter which was recently published in The Sun by some passengers in this vessel when she was forced back to Falmouth. This document is in the form of a letter from the Se cretary of the Company; the following facts, extracted from it, will sufficiently answer the object in view:- 1. It is stated that previously to the publication of the passengers' statement, some of those whose names appear to it had made claims on the Company, accompanied by threat•i of publication, under the head of tavern expenses, &c., which, being altogether unusual under such circum stances, the Directors refused to accede to. 2. That the boilers of the Braganza were not defec tive; that they had only been in use 18 months (the average duration of boilers being four years); that the accident was occasioned by the breaking of some of the stays which secure the boilers, and was caused by the violent pitching of the vessel in the heavy gale which she encountered; that the boilers are now being secured, and the vessel will be in an efficient state for service in the course of a few days. To refute the statement of the deficiency of the boilers, official Reports and certificates of the Surveyors of the 'Admiralty, and of the engineers and Marine Superin tendent of the Company are given. And in contradiction of the assertion that this Company were in the habit of sending to sea vessels " wholly unfit," and that "an effi cient control over the proceedings of this Company" is want ing, a clause in the Company's contract with the Govern ment is quoted, to the following effect : " And that the said Commissioners shall also have full power, whenever, and as often as they may deem it re quisite, to survey, by any other of their officers or agents, all and every the vessels employed, and to be employed in the performance of this contract, and the hull thereof, the engines, machinery, furniture, tacloe, apparel, stores, and equipment of' every 'vessel,` the' said vessels t o be opened in their hulls, whenever the aid officers may re quire." • - • ' • The Secretary then proceeds with his statement, as. follows No vessel can be, or ever has been, placed in this ser vice, even for a temporary period, without having been previously submitted to the examination of the Admi ralty surveyors, and approved of by the Lords Commis sioners of the Admiralty. In lamenting, therefore, the want of " an efficient control over the proceedings of this and other Companies," it is tolerably clear that these pas sengers were offering an opinion on a matter of which they knew very little ; and that this control, combined, perhaps, with the very obvious motives which the Direc tors of the establishment have for maintaining the repu tation of its vessels in the public estimation, has not been ineffectual in guaranteeing both the regular perforniance of the mail service and the " personal security" of pas sengers, the two following facts will, I have no doubt, convince every unprejudiced mind : The vessels of this Company have been employed four years and three months in carrying on the mail service between England and the Peninsula. They have had to start punctually on a certain day every week, and in all seasons of the year, and have to make their passages, both going and coming, across the Bay of Biscay, so long noted hitherto for its dangers. They have, during this period, which in cludes five winter seasons, made '444 passages, forming a total of near 700,000 miles. Out of these 444 passages there have only six instances occurred in which the ves sels put back ; two of them were in consequence of hull damage, and four from damage to machinery, and none , of them were productive of any injury further than the interruption of a week in the regular course of the mails. This is my first fact. The second is, that since the foun dation of this establishment as the " Loudon and Dub lin Steam Company," which subsequently extended it- self into the " Peninsular Company," in 1837, and since September, 1840, has been incorporated as the " Penin sular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company" for tending s t e am communication to th e E as t I n di es , th e original proprietors continuing still to be the largest holders of its stock, and retaining a full share in its di rection, upwards of 200,000 passengers have been con veyed in their steam-vessels without the loss of a single life, or causing a personal injury of any kind by acci dent. Can any land conveyance produce a parallel to this ? The two cases of the Wilberforce and Royal Tar, to which these gentlemen refer with an apparent air of triumph, may be very shortly disposed of. The Wilberforce, a vessel approved by the Admiralty, encountered last winter a tremendous gale of wind on her outward passage, and was in consequence thereof, together with an attempt of the Commander to succour a vessel in distress, detained at Vigo for repairs, and was therefore a week longer in arriving at Lisbon, but whence she took home in regular course the return mail. The Royal Tar, in her last homeward passage, having al so sustained the violenc e o f th e h eav y gales which have lately been so prevalent, both on her outward and home ward passages, sprang a leak, but of so unimportant a nature that only two passengers and the Admiralty agent on board, beside the Commander and officers, were . cog nizant of it ; she brought the mails in regular course. The story of the passengers baling out the water with their hats is really too ridiculous for grave notice. The Royal Tar is nearly 800 tons burden, and her depth of hold being 18 feet 4 inches, it would require each hatful of water to be brought up a 19 feet ladder to reach the deck, thence to be carried to the ship's side for ejection, and to descend again by the same lengthy process for repletion. It has been reported that an " old sailor," at Falmouth, stated this by way of " hoax." I do not know that such was the fact, but I mention it from its probability in accounting for so absurd a state ment, and in extenuation of it, although this, and the mixture of hardihood and ignorance evinced by the assertion that the vessel was going five knots an hour, against a head gale, with only seven revolutions a minute, together with the repeated reference to the working of the pumps, and which was merely to put water into the boiler, scarcely admits of an excuse. This Company, so far from having shrunk -from the due execution of their mail contract, which was obtained by them in the face of a public competition, have actu ally furnished vessels of an aggregate power of 500 horses over and above what their contract requires —five vessels of 140 horse power each, in all 700 horses, whereas the power of the vessels employed amounts to 1,200 horses. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES ALLAN, Secretary. Peninsular and Oriental Steam-Navigation Company's offices, No. 51, St. Miry-axe, London, Dec. 23. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. (From the Devonpnrt Independent.) PLYMOUTH, JAN. I.—lt is currently reported in the laval circles that the uniform of the several classes is to he forthwith changed, and that the white collar and cuff are to be again substituted for the red. Her Majesty's ship Isis, 44, Captain Sir J o hn Mar shall, Knight, h as r ece i ve d a draft of fifty men from the Caledonia, in addition to seventy others put on board her from the Alban, steamer, on Monday last. The Isis is to 'proceed to the South American station, and she is expected to sail very shortly. Her Majesty's brigantine Spy, 3, Lieut. Potbury, was paid advance of wages on Monday, and sailed the next day for Bristol. Lieut. Potbury has not yet been super seded in the command of this vessel, although appointed Flag-Lieutenant to Sir Samuel Pym. Her Majesty's steam-vessel Megmra, arrived on 'Wed nesday, from the West Indies. She will sail for Ports mouth on Sunday, Vice-Admiral Warren taking a pas seage in her to that port, and then go on to Woolwich to be paid off. _ _ Her Majesty's steamer Alban, Master-Commander J. King, sailed on Thursday for Deptford, with stores. Her Majesty's ship Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dick son, Bart., was paid advance of wages yesterday (Friday). Her Majesty's packet Sheldrake, 6, Lieut. A. R. Pas singham, arrived here yesterday (Friday), from Fal mouth, and will come into harbour to-day, to be paid off. Her Majesty's sloop Snake. 16, Commander the Hon. W. Devereux, will call at:this port, from Portsmouth, on her way to the Mediterranean. Her Majesty's brigantine Forester, 3, lately paid off at this port, from the Coast of Africa, is ordered to be sold out of the service. Her Majesty's ship America, 50, at this port, is to be fitted with Capt. Couch's Patent Safety Channels, orders to that effect having been received from the Admiralty. Her Majesty's brig Lapwing, 10, was warped along side the sheer-hulk on Wednesday, to have ber masts taken out. Ships in Harbour—Caledonia, 120, Capt. H. Eden; San Josef, 110, Captain F. W. Burgoyne ; Minden, 24, (hos. pital ship), Captain M. Quin; Fly, 18, Captain Francis P. Blackwood ; Bramble, 10, (tender to Fly) ; Ferret, 10, Com. Josiah Oake. • In the Sound—lsis, 44, Captain Sir John Marshall : Volage, 26, Captain Sir W. Dickson, Bart.; Serpent, 16, Commander William Nevill ; Dido, 18, Capt. the Hon. Henry Keppel; Nightingale, 6, Lieut. Barnes ; She'drake, 6, Lieut. A. R. Passingham. The Lieutenant's commission, given by the Admiralty half-yearly to one of the mates, studying at the Royal Naval College, was awarded this Christmas to Mr. James Francis Ballard Wainwi ight. The Admiralty have contracted with Messrs. Acra man, of Bristol, for building an i ron s t eamer o f 60 t ons . Her length is to be 90 feet ; breadth, 12 feet 8 inches ; depth, 7 feet ; draft of water, 2 feet 8 inches. Her en gines are to be of 20-horse power. ADDRESS TO VICE-ADMIRAL WARREN. Plymouth-yard, December 29, 1841. HONOURED SlR—The workmen of the dock-yard, in fluenced by a grateful remembrance of the many favours they have experienced whilst they have enjoyed the pri vilege of your superintendence, avail themselves of the opportunity presented by the cessation of that official relationship, to express the deep sense of their obliga tion, and respectfully to request you will be pleased to accept their honest and hearty thanks for the solicitude which you have always evinced to promote their interest. They cannot but appreciate that urbanity of manner which has encouraged the most diffident individual in the establishment to surmount the difficulty which generally attends the approach to persons of distinguished rank, and that patient attention to their various applications by which you have demonstrated that the most affable condescension, and the maintenance of the strictest im partiality are not incompatible with the discharge of high and important duties. The auspicious circumstances which have caused the termination of your official duties, forbid the expression of regret which they would otherwise have felt at your premature removal. But they beg to assure you that their sincere esteem will follow you into your dignified retirement, and they trust that under the blessing of Divine Providence, you, and your respected family, may long enjoy the happiness that a retrospect of your emi nently valuable life is calculated to impart. The Address was signed by the Committee, on behalf of the workmen. To Vice-Admiral Warren. WOOLWICH-SATURDAY. ROYAL ARTILLERY. . _ _ Further experiments with the percussion lock on a six-pounder gun have been very satisfactorily carried on in the Royal Arsenal during the week, and it is fully expected they , will ultimately be adopted for heavy ord nance. _ _ The retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Sinclair on full pay, which is daily looked for, will promote Major Ro mer, the Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-G6neral, to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Rumour gives the situ ation of Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General to 11Iajor Sandelands, Royal Horse Artillery ; and the troop which will consequently . be vacated by him to to Captain Bloomfield ; and it is also expected that Ma jor Romer, on his promotion, will proceed to Plymouth to take the command of the Royal Artillery at that station. Colonel Dyneley, C. 8., Commanding Officer of the Royal Artillery, gave a splendid dinner to the Staff- Sergeants of the brigade at the Queen's Arms Tavern, on the occasion of his promotion to Colonel and Aide-de- Camp to the Queen. There were 18 present, and the chair was filled by Quartermaster-Sergeant Bowman, the oldest non-commissioned officer in the brigade, and per haps in the army, as he has been 47 years in the regi ment. The vice-chair was filled by Quartermaster-Ser geant Hunter, the next in seniority. The usual loyal toasts having been drank, the health of Colonel Dyne ley, their respected commanding officer, and long life to him to enjoy his new honourable appointment, was given from the chair, and drunk by the company with the greatest enthusiasm. The evening was spent in the most delightful harmony, and the party did not break up till a very late hour. It was rather remarkable that this dinner took place accidentally on the anniversary of the day on which the Gallant Colonel commenced his ca reer as an artillery officer 40 years ago. At the conclusion of the year it may not be considered inappropriate to make a few observations on the benefit the service has received by the publication, in a fair and impartial manner, of matters immediately connected with it. It is more than ordinary gratification to know that during the last six months there has not been a sin gle instance of corporal punishment being inflicted on any person belonging to the Royal Regiment ot Artil lery in the garrison at Woolwich, and there is reason to believe the same could not be said of any similar period of time since the formation of the corps. This most pleasing result has arisen, not so much from the fear of the infliction of the punishment itself, as from the know ledge that the names of those who should be so de graded would be made public, and their relations and the friends of their youth become acquainted with the crimes for which they were made to suffer. On former occasions it was too often the case that the infliction of corporal punishment, however justly the party merited it, obtained for hint the sympathy of a portion of the press. and the consequence was he was held up as a martyr, and many others, from bravado alone and the hope of being noticed, were induced to commit crimes which they were aware would render them liable to the same punishment, Fortunately for the men, a better system now exists, and its good effects have already been felt and appreciated both by officers and those under their command. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. The Drirer, steam-Yessel.—Commander S. Harmer, pro ceeded from Woolwich to Deptford dockyard on Thurs day, and was taken into dock there to examine her bot tom, and have her defects made good. • The Vixen steam-vessel.--Com. Boyes, left Woolwich, on the 28th, uuder orders, to proceed to South America. The Growler steam-vessel.—Mr. W. F. Castor has been appointed Surgeon,and Dr. C. Forbes, Assistant-surgeon. The Lightning steam-vessel.—Hugh Berners has been appointed to the command of this vessel, vice Waugh, promoted. The mates of the Royal Navy are to take rank in the Navy List in future according to their first warrants as such, agreeable to the following regulation : " The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty are pleased to direct, that in cases of a midshipman having completed the required time to entitle him to pass for a Lieutenancy, when the ship to which be , belongs shall happen to be detached so as to prevent his obtaining at the moment an examination according to the established regulations, the captain or commaxder of the said ship or vessel in which such midshipman may be - serving, with the senior Lieutenant or . second officer, and the master or second master (according to the class of the ship and the rank of the officers on board of her), as sisted by the naval instructor, if there be one on board, may proceed to examine such midshipman as to his qualifi ca ti on to perform the duties of a Lieutenant of her Majesty's navy, and if they find him to be in their opinions duly Su ed, . they uro IA) givt, hitu a cell/float° to that effect, MORNING SUN dated on the day of such examination, and the captain may forth With give him an acting order as mate, and if on the first opportunity that shall afterwards offer for his being re-examined according to the established regula tions he passes successfully, his rank as mate shall be enrolled according to the date of his first provisional certificate above ordered." Some degree of jealousy having existed betwixt the gunners, boatswains, and carpenters, of her Majesty's service and tiirjrst class engineers, in consequence of the latter adopin g the embosse button on their uniform instead of engraved buttons according to order, the fol lowing alterations have been made : " With reference to the memorandum of the 23d of November, 1837, directing that the first class engineers of her Majesty's steam-vessels shall wear the same uni form as the gunners, boatswains, and carpenters of her Majesty's fleet, the Lords Commissioners of the Ad miralty are pleased to direct that the uniform to be worn by the first class engineers, in order to distinguish them from other classes of officers, shall in future be as follows : _ _ " Coat.— Blue cloth, double breasted; buttons having a steam-engine, with a crown above, embossed on them, to be placed four and four, a large button of the same kind on the collar. "Waistcoat.—With buttons similar to those on the coat. "'Trousers.—Plain blue cloth. " Cap.—With a narrow gold lace band." THE LATE EXPLOSION ON THE BRISTOL AM) GLOUCESTER RAILWAY. BRISTOL, DEC. 31.—An inquest was held yesterday evening in the Board-room of the Infirmary, before J. B. Grindon, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable Jury, on Henry Williams, another of the sufferers by the late accident on the line of the Bristol and Gloucester Itdi'way, who expired in the Infirmary. The Jury having been sworn, proceeded to viewlthe body of deceased, which was much burnt, and ex hibited two extensive wounds in the thigh. The CORONER then briefly addressed them as to the nature of the inquiry they would have to make, After which, the Jury proceeded to the bed-side of another of the sufferers, named John Hodge, who deposed that he was a labourer, employed in the con struction of the line near Wickwar, at shaft No. 5. Deceased was a blacksmith, and worked near it. The gunpowder used in the work was generally kept in the blacksmith's shop every night, and taken out in the morning. There is no precaution taken against an explosion that he knew of. It is the duty of the banksman to put the powder in the shop, as be took charge of all the powder. It is kept in barrels, round which there is a bag made coarsely of hemp. The barrel in question contained one cwt. of powder. Th• blacksmith's shop is close to the shaft. The powder is not kept in any particular part of it, but sometimes in one part and sometimes in another. On Monday morning last, at about seven o'clock, witness was in the shop with several others. The forge was lighted, and the deceased was hammering at a drill. Witoesa and the other men (eight in all) were standing near to the fire. Two barrels were standing near the wall at seven or eight feet from the fire. There was no thing between them and the fire but two or three planks which leant against the wall partly covering them. The men in the shop were sitting down quietly smoking their pipes, and at about seven o'clock the powder ex ploded and they were all blown up. Three were killed on the spot, one of whom was Jones, the banksman, who was supposed to have put the powder in the shop. Witness and the others were ranch bruised and wounded, and brought to the Infirmary. The powder is kept in the smith's shop because there is no other place where it can be kept under cover, and it must be kept dry. Lewis Crew, another of the sufferers, was next exa mined, and gave, to a great extent, similar testimony. Mr. C. Gregg, house-surgeon, deposed to the nature of the injuries of which the deceased died ; end also gave a statement of the deceased, made under • the appzehension of death, as Lis the cause of the accident. He said :ho potrdar had got a little damp, and had been put into the smith's shop to dry. At the time of the explosion he was blow ing the forge fire. A spark must have flown to the barrels. lie beard a great noise, and then a lot of things tumbling about him. The learned Coroner proceeded to sum up, comment. ing with much severity on the gross negligence evinced in the care and management of the gunpowder. The jury then consulted together and returned a ver dict of " Accidental death," accompanied by the fol lowing addition :—" And the jury unanimously express their great regret that in this case they have it not in their power to mark their sense of the grossly improper management of this line of railway by levying a deodand, which they would have levied to the utmost extent, had anything been left to levy it upon." THE WOOLLEN TRADE. ___(From the Leeds FOREIGN WOOL TRADE, LEEDS, DEC::.ll.—This being the last week of the year, as might be expected, business has been done on a very limited scale, but it is expected a considerable re-action will take place at the commence ment of the new year. _ . ENGLISH 11"001, MARKET, LEEDS, DEe. I.—Christ mils week is generally a dull one for trade, and the pre sent has not been an exception to this general rule. The operations in English wool have been very limited ; ,and we cannot notice any alteration in the general character of this market as reported for the last few weeks. TRADE OF LEE D.—Business continues in the same cheerless state at our Cloth halls this week as for the last fortnight ; and although the stocks generally arc much lower than usual at this season, yet, from the very dull state of the demand, prices are nominal. The same dull state of trade continues in the warehouses ; the pur chases or orders for goods for the home demand are given with the greatest caution, and only for present use. Indeed, at no former period has there been so little speculation at this season of the year as at the present time, no one daring to purchase until it is known what the Government intend to do for the relief of the com mercial and manufacturing interest. BRADFORD MARKET, THOR/MAL—The demand for pieces to-day is quite an average of what we have wit nessed on the last market day of other years, and the opinion that an improvement is not far distant appears to be generally gaining ground ; and we hope it will be fully realized, and place our operatives again in active employment, in lieu of parading the streets. The con sumption of yarn continues limited, and offers no induce ment to the spinners to bring their idle machinery into operation, or extend the hours of those already only working daylight; prices are firm. We do not observe any alteration either in the demand, or the prices of wool. The lower qualities continue in greater request than the finer sorts, and the market is fully supplied with the various descriptions of combing wool. LLOYD'S SHIPPING LONDON, JAN. 3.—Wind this day at noon N.W. DEAL, JAN. 2.—Wind E.—Arrd. Berkshire, Norris, Bombay. Arrd. from the River, Thomas Coutts, for Singapore; Flora, Jamaica; Larne (steamer), Barbadoes. Sid. Narwhal, South Seas; Monarch, Messina. RAMSGATE, JAN. I.—The Commodore, Campbell, was hauled into the dry dock much strained, and must repair. GLOUCESTER, JAN. 2.—Arrd. Bolivar, Taylor, St. John's, New Brunswick. NEWPORT, JAN. I.—Sid. Menapea and Maria Theresa, Sidra. _ _ PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 2.—Wind S.E.—Sld. Elva, Ma dras ; her Majesty's ship Hazard, China ; Alma, Ba tavia. Arrd. oft; Herald, Amsterdam for Baltimore. The Onturio, from Newcastle to Alexandria, reported 19th ult. leaky, is coming into harbour to repair. COWES, JAN. 2.—Sld. James M'Queen, St. Kitt's. OFF SALCOMBE, JAN. I.—Fame, Omer, Newfound land ; Diamond, Foulon, Montreal. PLYMOUTH, JAN. 2.—Wind E.S.E.—Arrd. Anna Ma ria Cornelia, Tiers, Bahia. Sid. Ceres and Louise, New York; her Majesty's ships Volage and Serpent, westward. FALMOUTH, DEC. al.—Wind variable and light.— JAN. I. Wind S.—Arrd. Tagus steamer, Gibraltar, left 23d ult.. Cadiz 24th, Lisbon 27th, Oporto 28th, and Vigo 29th; Grace Darling, Taskar, Odessa; Thames steamer, London for West Indies; Tay steamer, Southampton, do. WARKWORTII, DEC. 31.—The Irun, of and for Ar broath, got on Bondicar rocks yesterday morning, bilged, and sank on the flood; greater part of materials saved. OFF HASTINGS, JAN. L—Arrd. Amorzana and Eu ropa, ii,otterdam, for Batavia. SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. I.—Sld. Oriental st., Alexandria. JERSEY, DEC. 29.—Sld. Bebe, Rio. LIVERPOOL, JAN. I.—Wind S.S.E. light-2, W.— Arrd. Corinthian, Casely, Laguna, sailed Nov. 19; Hope. Sanle, Berwick; Harding and Memphis, King, New Orleans; China, Quebec; Hampshire, Ditto. Sid. Brad shaw, Charleston; Hesperus, Mary, of Maldon, and Cur rency, Calcutta; Ann Mary, Bombay; Superior, Deme rara; Mary Ellen, Barbadoes; Julia, Hayti Ntobt. Kerr and Adelaide, Mobile ; Eliza, Keith, New Orleans; Prompt and China, Charleston; Creamore, Newfound land; Goshawk, Cape; North Pole, Africa; Sarah Maria, Buenos Ayres ; Lima, Bahia ; Sheffield, New York; Neris, Azores. DARTMOUTH, JAN. 2.—Sid. Caledonia, st., Corunna. &do°, DEc. 31.—The Duchess of Gloucester, New man, bound to Liverpool, which fell over at the New Quay, 18th inst. has been hauled over on the Graving Bank, and the necessary repairs completed. She has re shipping her cargo. OFF CORK, DEC. 30.—General Palmer transport, from Halifax ; Lady Mary, Itichebucto. CLYDE, DEC. 31.—Arrd. Kent, M`Caver, from Riche bucto ; James Deans, Quebec. BERWICK, DEC. 31.—The Commerce, Crew, from London, baying struck on the Boomersteel, and carried away keel and stern, has been put on the slip. - - - -- - On Thursday the Dundee Warder, a Non•ln trusion Paper (understood to be conducted by clergy men), was expelled from the Arbroath Reading-room by a majority of 30 to 5, in consequence of the abusive and scurrilous part which it took in the case of George Key, whom the Minister of Barry excommunicated for haring buried his child on a Sunday. —Fifeshire Jeqrna DETERMINED SUICIDE AT BRIDPORT.—A most determined uct of suicide was committed at Brid port on Christmas-day. A man, named Welch, disco vered his wife suspended by the neck to the bed-post in the morning, from which situation he released her. He shortly after left her, leaving orders with his children not to quit their mother ; but she no h s o e on d e i r se t o b v u e n r d e db her e r - self freed from his presence, than she sent out th e din cut from ear i d t no r e eh n ae , rr. a bedroom nd T , h u e p ;D quite t 1 r m h ed e n, used h d e ' s rll r .t e ah t sr u ao r anct, being n(gln blk The poor woman bad been in a d es p on di ng somest . s ta tef e o - r n. tithe, —Western Times. I