The Sun. — London, England, 1856-03-06 00:00:00

ore of J, to k ifie -r- 771 111 . MO IA " 4L,A. COMrYIERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocK. The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday closed firmly, and without animation. Compared with Friday's rates prices of all kinds of American were shade dearer, and other kinds were without chan ge . The sales were 10,000 bales (1,000 for et port and 2,000 on speculation), comprising 450 Penam and Maranham, 6M. to 711 d. ; 150 Bahia, 61d. to 6d. ; 800 Egyptian, bid. to 9d. ; 1,000 klurat, 3id. to 41d. and 100 Sea Islands, 94d. t ° is. 6d. per lb. The Railway Share Market was quiet. Upon the Liverpool wool trade Messrs. Alcram, Qartside and Co., state that " the market has been itctive during the past month, and prices of many descriptions have again improved. Lightness of stock is admitted everywhere, and the continental Markets aro as bare as our own. The average ad !trice in value since the commencement of the year ie about 15 per cent." Accounts from Denmark state that the Govern bent has presented to the deliberative Assembly the ordinary budg't for the communal expenditure, Which is collected from landed property. This year It is increased 5 millions to the sum of 28,000,000 dollars. No further meetings have been held on t h l question of the Sound Dues, and it is not ex pected that any will take place until the result of the Conferences at Paris is known. The French Government has published a report 1 1 M. Durenton, who is in charge of the tobacco 'warehouses at Algeria, wherein he states that he has purchased 2,932,120 kilogrammes of leaf tobacco from Algerian planters during the year 18 55. Of this quantity 2,640,189 kilogrammes Were raised by Europeans, and 291,93 r kilos. by actives. The average price given for it was 100 fr. Per metrical quintal, giving a total, in round num bers, of 3,000,000 fr. as the value of this new pro duct. Besides tobacco, it is expected that cotton Will, ere long, be an important article of Algerian Produce. Accounts from the Vienna Bourse mention that there has been considerable animation there ; and t he demand for Austtian 5 per Cent. Metallics ' 4 480 them to advance 1 per cent. to 84i, and t he 41 per Cents. 4 to 73k. The New General 'lank of Credit rose 4tl. to 37611., being an advance ` 11 176f1. on the value of the original shares issued. ' 3 cchanges are rising. On London it is now 10 6, 411 (1 on Paris to 1201. - 1 11 consequence of several merchants connected with the Australian trade not having received their h ills of lading for gold and other articles on board the James Baines, it is generally believed that the Whole of the mail has not reached its destination ; 4 Od a s letters have to be posted this evening for the V ictoria, which will leave for Australia to-morrow, co nsiderable inconvenience has resulted. Many are , s tl ius unable to complete their correspondence satis- Lictorily, and great blame is attached to the autho rities at Liverpool, who, it is contended, transmit "oreign and Colonial mails to the metropolis in a t ° l l slovenly manner. Rather a heavy tone has pervaded the market t Public Securities, and prices have declined, but th ey now appear rather firmer. There is very little u thliness doing, and the absence of further intelli- Pries connected with the Conferences has au un 14'rourable influence. Consols from 914 -.2. receded t°9 l but they have since recovered to their i qrra er point. For the 11th inst. they have been 51 .11 I and 91i 5. The New Scrip is 1 premium, and the Exchequer ditto 11 premium. The settling ' 1 , 1 3' is fixed for to-morrow. Exchequer Bills are discount to is. premium. The New 3 per are 924,1 to 93, and the Reduced 91i1 to 92. ' tl clia Stock is 225. Foreign Securities are rather weaker. Turkish ' Per Cents. are 96i, which is about ± per cent. ftl ower than yesterday, but the 4 per Cents, remain C euta. 1 001. Venezuela Bonds are 29. Russian 5 per 101, and Mexican 20. Brazilian Small l oads have been dealt in at 1024, ditto 43 per Cents. at 921, Civilian 6 per Cents at 104, and the 3 Per Cents. 68. Danish Fives are 104:, Grenada Active have risen to 22 and 221, and the Deferred a re 7i. remittance of 4,1851. 10s. 6d. has been re ei'red on account of the dividends on the forei g n d ebt of Equador. At the meeting of Now Grenadian Bondholders resolution was passed for authorizing the Direc to4 giving up the Peruvian Dollar Bonds on the t he term s proposed, and another was passed re qtlesting the New Grenadian Government to allow the regular appropriation of one.half of the cus telne duties toward the liquidation of the foreign debt. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign 'tooks:—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 7i; Mexican, ; Peruvian, 79 81 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 56 58 ; r ortugueso 4 per Cents., 47 49 ; Russian 5 per °eats., 101 3 ; ditto per Cents., 92 94 ; Spanish 3 Per Cents., 42:1 31 ; ditto Deferred, 231 ; ditto C ertificates, 41 o ; Ditto Passive, 61 4. In Railway Shares there is very little movement, and the transactions are limited. Aberdeen have re teded 55., Great Northern 183. to it., and Brighton 18 s. to 155., but South-Eastern and a few others L i te firmer. Great Central of France are 183. 4 igher. The Colonial lines are steady. Mining and Banking Shares are dull, Peninsular Mid Oriental are 15s. better. It iIITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. (erorn the Wiciat List.) tinqinea , done. .. ... _. ink Stock a er von. Reduced animitios. a Per Cert. Consols. Annuities 9 l4iiiii kr I _ 6 * 3 per Cent. Annuities "cnt Annuities, expire sth Tan. 1860 W, 9-16 Ditt o 30 Years, expire 10th Oct., 1850 31 5-16 i Ditto 30 Years, expire sth April, 1885 163 India Stock Jilt s Bonds, £lOOO %monis for Account , Ditto Scrip tkchepter Scrip &chequer Bind, 24d. £lOOO ,,.,...., ... ..... ............. .P5OO Ditto Advertised 3 '2 d Ditto Bonds, 1858, 34 per Cent 93 1 PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. 4 rasilian Bends, 5 per Cent. i Ditto Small Ditto New 0 per Cent 1852 9'4 kenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent. 56.t Ditto 7 per Cent. (Matauza and Sabanilla) 100 %Man Bonds, 6 per Cent lO4 2 „ Ditto 3 per Cent 6B usaxisla Bonds, 3 per Cent., 1825 — Ditto 5 per Cent looj ureruida Now Active, ll per Cent. Ditto Deferred Itexlcan 3 per Cent. , Ditto Account Vaissiau Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1822, £ St lolt x d a ardinian Bows, 5 per Cent. ••• ..... Ditto Account 'Putter, Bowls, 3 per Cent — Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent. ! Danish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 5 'arkihtt Bonds, ) per cent 951 Ditto Account 96 6 Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cent. „Ditto Account Venezuela Bonds, 41 per Cent .... 29 ei Ilvidends on the above payable in London THREE O'CLOCK. Cansolp, money Ditto Account, March 11 91a Dr. Terence Brodie, of Limerick, has been appointed °Y the Poor.law Commissioners to the o ffi ce of poor. 111 W inspector, vacant by the death of Mr. Hall. Dr. Brodie formerly filled the office of temporary inspector, tut was discontinued on the redaction which took place October, 1852. MISS STANLEY.--We are informed that Miss Stanley at laid been openly received into the bosoes of the i lionbish Church. Her Romish predilections have been '°ng known, and, considering her real sentiments, we 'believe that her conduct in regard to the Nurses, was as fair as could have been expected. Miss Stanley is the 'tighter of the late Bishop of Norwich, and the sister of the Rev. A. P. Stanley, the biographer of Dr. Arnold. *r Romanistic tendencies have been long notorious, b eyond the precincts of her family, and were alluded to ill the Rocord in 1854, as one of the grounds of our op- Position to the mission of the Crimean Nurses. MADAMS TIISSAIJD'S EXHIBITION.—The Empress of the Prec,ch, the Empress of Austria, the Empress of '"ntiols, and other distinguished females, composing part of the War group, have lately received complete and ePleadid new costumes, executed under the immediate l iparinteadence of Mrs. J. Tussaud, by artistes from ari a, the whole displaying the greatest taste and ale. s44o e. We have been informed that several highly in. t',"reeting models are in progress, and will shortly be pro. (( Merl fo r p u bli cs inspection. nrY ad as h it and ;on 'ear. :ing Lich S ARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY.) RAILWAYS. Closing Prices this clay 8 - 8i 15 - 14 14 - 5 9 - 8 87 - 89 57i - 88.1 12~ - 184 • •• ...... ••• 3 - '2 7i - 8i 126 - 13! 9 9i 32 - 34 22 - 24 71 - 73 55 - 57 '1 - gi 2ii -26 i 85 - 87 6i - 71 92 - 03 78 80 L2O 122 .03 1 05 601 61.11 73 - 76 6i 74 83 - 836 ... - 7k 7a 91 100 99 - 100 td par, id - pari I - -93 i ••• .."- • • . 25 Id 691 70} IL 43 •«. ... fil - 3, 3vl 30i 31 76 - 77 6} - 6 4} -3/ - '6i 5 . 53 88 -90 GI 64 d ii : iiii 24 -- 26 04 - 106 74 - 76 46 •ix 124 13i 66 - 67 71. 73 4 - - "4 36 18 -- 19 33 43 - 73 Shr. 'P4 nAIL WAIFS. &mbg. Nottng. Bost tad Eastn. Jonct . Li is i;as,. .sa!lymen,. Ll arviing. Welverh Stour %r% lanesi..4 c.fnealiim Junct Clie7.ll. 4 Birk. £5O and .4.-L'2s Do., ..... . &Tyne origina £2.5 (issd. at £45 St. 100 'iristol and Rxeter , 3t. 100 laledonian. 10 6 1 s ;arm. and Cii.rdigau 5 Ell Mester ct Holyhead. 5J all .lark and Bandon.. 20 all •fork, Black, 4 Pass 20 18 LC,rnwall 10 all Do. A 10 8 Do. B 10 Cris F Junction 50 45 DnbLindißelfastJunc ).5 all Dun. P. k Ah , r. Jnc St. ►lOO East Anglian all [Eastern Counties.. St. !100 rnion, A Stb st.t U .J .q, ~~ aI 22 1' - 46 a] ),5 25 1 i 84 00., .0 jEast at. ilia Bt. 10 10 a] 9t. 10 1 10 .50 al B. Sto.fr New A. Kent Lust Laucashire Edinburgh 4 Gls.sgo. , !Mint). and Peebles Prtb G Dur Forth St Clyde Jun Furness. all !Do. Extension.. 'lOO kflasgow &S. Weate , • all !Great N. of Scotlnd. 100 iGreat Northern... 100 !Do., A. Stock 1 00 IN., B. Stook._ I )it l'ilt. Sth. &West.(lr' 100 !Great Western 100 I Do. Stour Val. Rail Gna. Stk all Irish South-ES.Etort, all Llncaster & Carlisle 1441D0., Thirds 8 {Do. New Thirds 'JO L A ncash.andYorks) , 4 I 13., "Nat. Riding Tin sll Liv.Crany.&Southyt I 11 'London & Blackwal 10 ,:o n d. Bright & S.Cst. 10 Loud, and N. West , . 6 , 1 .10. Fifths . ... s)' Do.lol. 5h..13{&8 C lic Do. Eighths . 00 / London and S. Westn. All I Do., i',sl all !Do., £49 all Ladndrry& Col crai n all Liadndrr:-.& Enniak lln Manch Site! 1 e Lincl , S2s. , Do., Mai, k Lin. Tin 1 !Metropolitan 100 !Midland b i 100 Do. Birmug. & Dee , ail Hidld.6l, West. (Ira all +c). !Tait Shares , ‘ll N:?weasth, & Carligir all wpt„Aberg. &Hrf B.',lNewry & Enniskill, al ,Newry Warrenpoin sod Rostrevor...... 10 Norfolk 3. Nortlin.Connties ne 10 North British .. 1/Iti, 0,,,,,, R a i , . & 10 Deck Stook )() ; , o. , A Stock ...... 1.1 ' , o , B Btook 611 If sr /0., i [if; wit r rol to ti )0 , .Fastern—Berwie .lildo. do. Extension 5 iDo.do.G..E.'turch 01 Do. Leeds N )0 Do. York 00 North London ..... Is ,No .&S.Wstrn.,Hara. - stead, an,) City Jn iTi.Nortb Stafrord3hir , 1 North Western 11 1 .5. &S. West en. Juno 1 INnneston, Hinckley, and Leicester. 10 4 0x, Wore.. & Woly. 8 1, 0rt.,--louth 1 0 ,7 , ott tah Central, SeottishMidland 0 .-` , :iropshire Ui i un ... :1 'South Devon ISontb Eastern South Wales s. Yrkah. & Riv. Dur. 164 4t. 11 0 al .1 , Si 'it 101 4 t. 101 20 11 uil -ft 1 u 0 4t.11~ lt. Iti st. 111 St. 11l al it.. 13 l 5 a St. 10, St. 1C to 3; i '0 11 10 a 10 !()1 i. LO a I'. St. 10 1 ?(I !i 5 5 20 10 1)o S'taine,, Wok. iz Wok iStockton 3z, Dull 16;,!StA, ktcni & it .rtlep 1./0 Taff Vele Ili Do. Pref., No. S 2 il"'ameq llav, n.& R L'ilverstone & Lancs an ;Vale O; Neath all ;Watertl. & all ;Waterfora&L:mer ct all iWest Cornwall all 'West End of Londor, rola Crystal Palace . all Do. A 3 Do. 11 tit 'West London all 'Winabledn fiterorl or FOREIGN. Business done thin day 26 i V•itv, , ornei.P. .tt rd• Do. 5 p.c. Oblgs. con. in Sh. at par till '64 ri 8 lei 1 p 3 4 1 , 1 34 I 11 r - Ardennes . 4 Esstu. inne 4 leziers to Graies-ssa itombay, Baroda, an {'Antral India.Ficri; ill Do. ,1I r`ernerara 11 i I )nteh Rhenish ... i -li p R 8 - ;83 12 - 14 21i 22} 21 - 213 1) rictetern of France [S Do. new Lll lEast Indian, g. 5 p. , • 15 no. T•;ensim• . ll 1 Do.4i p.e.13nd5.,'57 1 ; 'n. lv. du.. '54. d se ••• 6 'Gee ong Melbou guar. 5 per c nt. . . 1 Do., Lou. allot., do. !2 t ;Gcl. Tk of Canadak ) Do. I Do. Certe of Deben. non. into Stk. till' Do. Comp. 6 p. 0., do 4 tot. Central of Fran al lit. Indian Paninani. , 4 Great Luxembour Constituted Shan.. 1 Do. Ohli crationp... e. —"" ••• 12i -11 V 12A 67 60 77 - 79 20 -21 - 5 3i - 31 DO. re-12. 'orftd. Sh.l 11 Gt. Western f emaric a Rharmi NI Do. Now.., 251 5i 211 - 3kp 99 - 100 113 - 122 117 - 122 111 u. MI 8., payable's7, with option till '55 LII Do. do., '62, p. '56 111 Do. do., '76, p. '6O 11 Dr,. do., '73, without option 11 Hamilton & Toronto 11 Do. 6 per cent. 7 Lake (Joust. & Basi 11 Lierre and Turnhout Lueea 4 Pist. 5 p. o.p 5 Lyons and Ocuova 4 Lyons I Mediterran 11 Wadrae, gua , .. 4i p.c 5 Do. New df., p. a. 5 Po. 4 p. e. Exton 1 %aria Antonia IDo. do. Now . 1 Namur I Liege (wit ' interest) .......... Do. (ex interest) ...... 1 Northern of France. I Do.2ol.Slis Do. 201.3 p. e Bdr (fmy. B.& Ams. Sits. NorwegianTrankPre Paris and Lyons Ditto Bonds Paris and Orleans Rome and Frascati Royal Danish RoyalSwedish.s.... Do. Obligations Sambre and Meuse Do. 54 p. cunt Pref. SeindP, guar. 5 p. o Do Southern of France_ St. Andrew's and Quebec (A), West Flanders Do g t per e. Prof W. &N. W. of armies West. of Switnerlaid. Wiesbaden Zealand .. 107 109 - 25, 118 - 122 10 : 11 191 -19 i - 7 2 - 3 - 61 6} - Si :i8 - 3W 11 - 49- - i 2 ii - iii 9f -9, ••• - •• if -1; ." -- pm ••• b .., 3 4 34 -; 35 iiii 7 fit JOINT-STOCE BANKS. • • 0 11 . 96 98 976 100 ;50 Bank of London 6l 63 1 62 1 40 +ll itri. 131s.&Ln. C , 50 al. British N. American 65 25 5 Cbartd. Bank of Asir; ld par 20 4 Chrtd. Buk. of India, Australia, & China id par too 50 City . - 65 65 3 100 25 Colonial 100 20 Commercial of Loud 20 I all Eng. Soot.& Ans.Cht• 16 -- 17 20 all Lond. Chan. Bk. of Australia lO 17 20 6 nitto New —3 d 50 20 LA-ndou and County. 371 100 50 Lnd.&E.Bnkg.Corp. par ip 50 10 radon Joint Stook. 100 10 London aid Paris.— 1i - - d 100 20 Loud. & Westminster 44i 4 tOO 35 National Pro.of Eng ... 20 10 Do. New. — 50 22: STatione of Ireland ._.. •• • 20 all New South Wales 37 -- 30 25 all Bank of Corporation. 4O 42 42 100 25 rruvincial of Ireland 10 all Do. New 1 R Ana ti &Go Im Cc •—• 100 50 Royal British ••• 25 all 4outh Australia 3B 40 25 all Union of Australis 7l 73 711 '4 110. New 7 i si 60 10 UniQn cf Tronfign ,„ .. 20 1 li 18 4 18 a, 17ii 20 ai 20 1: 2 100 7,01: Ifo I 9 WO I .1,! WI !, 20 s' 2C 1 I tof I 100 ftl 100 al 20 al 100 I %I 20 1' 20 a'. 5 '.l 20 20 1 6 20 t 0 all all all all THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY Ev Emu G MARCH 6 "856, 01\ • :1!11.1 i rr CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day.) TOTAL DESTRUCTION or COVENT GARDEN THEATRE BY FIRE. I.taLir Auk, LtNstm (!anipan:;, CAfrtna rrut,- :th s day ,171t356 this ,lay OLD COURT. (Before Mr. Justice Erle, and Mr. Justice Wightrnan.) Upon the application of Mr. Sleigh, the counsel for the prisoner, the trial of Elizabeth Anne Barris, for the murder of her two children at Uxbridge, was postponed to the next session. LATEST PARTICULARS.—(This Day.) On visiting the scene of the late terrible conflagration this morning, we found the firemen still occupied in throwing water upon the black and smoking ruin?. Precautions have been taken to temporarily secure the wall of the theatre facing Hart street, by the erection of immense props of timber ; but so dangerous is the place at the present moment, that no person is allowed to pass down the street on any pretence whatever. Cornelius William Hardy and James Andrews, two clerks in the Post-office, who had pleaded guilty to seve ral indictments for stealing letters containing money, were brought up for judgment, and sentenced to be transported for fourteen years. Thomas Poster, a letter-carrier, who had pleaded guilty to one charge of a similar kind, was sentenced to six years' penal servitude. John Bernard Trevers who was convicted of an assault on a seaman on board a ship, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment in Newgate. THE MIIRDEE IN Sono.—William I3ousfield, 29, was indicted for the wilful murder of Sarah Bousfield. He was also charged with the murder of three of his children. Early this morning the Duke and Duchess of Wel lington, the Duke of Bedford, and the Marquis of Lans downe, and various other distinguished personages, vi sited the spot and surveyed the scene from Princes place, in company with Mr. Ponteau. A great number of the visitors wished to proceed into the theatre, or rather within the walls, but the heat still contained in the debris prevented anything like an approach being made.; Through the exertions of Mr. Ponteau the whole of the books and accounts of the theatre have been saved, also the deed and engagement boxes. The hooks of Mr. A. Harris, the stage manager of the Italian Opera, have also we are gratified to announce, been preserved. These books contained the whole of the " getting up" of all the operas that have been produced since the commence• ment of the Italian Opera, and the loss of which would have been incalculable, as no amount of money could have replaced them had they been destroyed. From in formation received from Mr. Gorton, the principal mini cal librarian to the establishment, we can state that the entire score of 43 operas, immense quantities of ballet music have been consumed. The property of M. Jallien, consisting of music, drums, gongs, &c., have also shared the same fate. The English library, which had some time ago been removed to the houses in Princes-place, has been preserved, but the prompt dramatic copies, which amount to several thousand books, have all perished. It was at one time thought that a young lady named Hamilton had perished in the flames, indeed, the family had given up all hope, but it has been discovered that the poor young lady, by some means or other, got conveyed to the Feathers public house, in Hart-street, where she remained for come time We believe she has sustained no injury. The vestiges of the property saved from the fire has been placed for safety in the yard adjoining the police-station in Bow street, and consists merely of a few chairs, several large dressing glasses, clocks, some broken tables, and a quan tity of parcels of papers. Of course no examination o the documents has yet taken place, so it is impossible to say what these parcels may contain. Up to two o'clock Mr. Gye bad not arrived in Lon don, although he was momentarily expected. It has been said that this gentleman say staying at Vienna, but at the moment the fire was;raging in London he was in Paris. Mr. Bodkin and Mr. Clark conducted the prosecution. The prisoner was defended by Mr. Ballantine. Mr. Bodkin opened the case very briefly, and the me lancholy circumstances connected with it must be fresh in the recollection of the public. The prisoner and his wife kept a small shop in Portland-street, Soho, and they slept in a small room at the back of the shop. The whole family retired to rest at their usual hour on the night of the 2d February, the deceased woman being at that time in her usual health, and nothing whatever was observed remarkable about her appearance or that of the prisoner. On the following morning, about 7 o'clock' the prisoner made his appearance at the Bow-street police•station, and told the constable who was on duty that he had come to give himself up for the murder of his wife. He was asked where she was and he gave his address. Inspector Dodd took from him a latch key, and proceeded to the house, and upon going into the sleeping•room he discovered the dreadful spectacle of the dead bodies of the unhappy woman and the three children, all of them with their throats cut. Under the dead body of the woman there was found the blade of a razor covered with blood, and also a chisel in the same state, and there was no doubt that the fatal injuries had been inflicted with these instruments. The prisoner was in a most wretched state when he surrendered himself to the police, and he endeavoured to beat his brains out against the wall, and repeatedly exclaimed--" Kill me, kill Ins." Upon his person being examined, it was found that he had inflicted a slight wound upon his own throat, One of the sleeves of his shirt appeared to have been torn off, and it was found under the bed saturated with blood. Mr. Ballantine addressed a few observations to the jury, and said that he was almost overwhelmed by the awful task that devolved upon him. There could be no doubt that the prisoner had destroyed the lives of four human beings, and ho confessed that he could not see any facts that were likely to rescue him from the dread ful fate that awaited him. He would, however, remind the jury that there was an entire absence of motive on the part of the prisoner for committing such a dreadful act, and that it was possible that the prisoner, when he destroyed the lives of his innocent wife and family, was in a state of sudden frenzy, and that ho did not know what he was doing. Mr. Justice Wightrnan having briefly summed up, the jury immediately returned a verdict of " guilty." Mr. Justice Wighttnan immediately passed sentence of death in the usual form. The buildings belonged to four or five proprietors, who had issued shares to upwards of a hundred gentlemen ; but as it was not insured they lose everything, and the shares, which were till yesterday worth hundreds of pounds, ere now not worth the paper upoa which they are written. The prisoner, who was seated during the trial, and who appeared to be in an almost fainting state, was then removed from the bar. ENGINEERS, MASONIC, (C: UNIVERSAL MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY. The nnnual general meeting of this society was held yesterday at the Head-office, No. 345, Strand, when the followin g report of business transacted during the year was read : " The directors of the Engineers, Masonic, and Univer sal Mutual Life Assurance Society have the pleasure to present to their members the report of proceedings for the past year. "The member of proposals for assurance received has been 245 ; of these 18 vi, producing an additional annual income of 1,8971. 3e. 10d., and assuring the sum of 43,5501., have been completed; '25, for the sum of 7,5501., have been declined ; and 35, for the sum of 12,0501., stand over for further consideration or completion. " The claims from death have been 6,103/., upon ten en sured members ; of this sum, however, the directors had re-assured 2,5001. " The directors have uniformly rejected the principle of taking large amounts proposed to be mewed with the sole view of re-assurances. Is one case, which will shortly be brought before the public, an assurance of 10,000/. was offered to the directors, who, however, declined to take snore than 1,5001., the amount which they retain upon a single life. They might, by accepting the proposal for the whole sum, have swelled their amount of premiums, but they considered that, by such leering, a fictitious statement of business would be presented to their members. "The directors take credit to themselves for having re jected proposals which were offered to thorn upon the lives of Ann Palmer for 1,0001. in January,lBs4, anal of Walter Palmer for 1,500/. in February, 1855. In the first ems.), they considered that sufficient interest was not disclosed ; and, in the second, that the feet stated, of Walter Palmer having been attacked by delirium tremens, WAS sufficient to make the life too hazardous for acceptance at any amount of increased premium. "The bonus calculations, w o e by Mr. Scratehley, the consulting actuary, have fislly realised the directors' antici pations as to the status of the society. The directors were gratified in being enabled to add to the policy of each member a reversionary sum, averaging about 40/. per cent. of the whole amount of premiums paid. " By personal exertion among their friends, the mem bers have it in their power to assist the directors iu ex tending the business of the society ; they will thus confer material benefit on themselves or their families by increas ing the amount of future bonuses, whether present or reversionary. " The directors have given their earnest attention to the best means of meeting the great competition among insur ance societies. They have come to the conclusion that a limited share capital would enable them to extend loan operations, to purchase reversions, and to transact other legitimate business, based upon the law of averages, whereby the interests of all concerned with the society may be promoted, and its position and prospects materially improved. " The issue of shares would be limited, in the first instance, to the existing members of the society, who would be permitted to convert the beaus, already declared, into paid up shares, and also, after a certain torus, to con vert shares into a provision for old age, or into deferred annuities en the lives of themselves or their nominees, in creasing periodically out of profits. " This plan will have the effect of retaining to the pre sent members their interest in the income now derived from assurances; and, without interfering with their power of rendering that interest available as a reversion whenever they doom fit, it will increase the profits from income by the extension of the society's operations, and will enable all the members to participate in the advan tages derived from the alteration. By order of the directors. " GERAUD HAT ROBERTSON, Secretary. " London, 315, Strand, Marsh 4, 1856." • We are glad to see that this society is progressing steadily and favourably, and that the directors continue to exercise so much care in its management, which must prove of service to the members. They are evidently aware of the importance of losing no opportunity to ex tend the society's operations ; it is, therefore, not sur prising that at all their meetings so great a feeling of confidence should be evinced, and thia will do much towards renderieg the society a favourite with the public. Bedford and Bletchloy Buckghamsb. Cl ydos dal e .T e. Col. Stour Vy. Sud. and Ital. E. t.t. Pc E. Un. 11. Sh, Giaa. Barr. & Neils. Direct Do. New... Glstr.dx Dn. Fr Hrtlpl. Dk Hull & Selby Do. Shares. Do. Shares. Lon.fkGreenw Do.Prcfcrenze Lon., 111., & S. Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent. 1' Do. 6 per ct. Manch. Batn and Matloci , Middlesbro' Rodcar Midld. B rad f(I Newmarket litury E. G.spc N.& Est.s p.c. Do. 6 per et. 1)o. Fixeds p c Prost. & Do. A Roystn.& Hit. Shef. Roth .an , Gooleg.s p.o. Shrows.kWer S. Staffordsh. Wear Valleygr 6 per cent D0...._ Wilts,V:omnt PREFEREN Aberdeen Do. N 0.2, 7 p. 0. Do. Debentures Blyth andTyn•-• pe..r c. pref. (issd.atsol , Brit+. & Ex. 4 P. c. St. Do. 4 p. c. Shares Caledonian ill & Ho. Gn. 5 pc Do. do. Prof. No. 2. De. do. Pref. No. 2 Cork cit Band() n 5 p.c IDumPrth bor.J. 1 7 .:. Anglian Cls. ASh Do. do. Cis. E 6 p. o. Do. do Cls. C 7 p. c. lEas.Co.Ex,sscNo Do. No. 2 . Do. New 6 p. c. East ITn., G. 6 p. c Do. 51., 10 nor cent Do. 101. Dcl;cntr.Sl;. Do. do. 4 per cent. East Lane p. ets sthi- Edin. & 01. 5 p.c. sh. 84 Prth.&Dum4p.e Furness Glatt. &S.W. G. 5 p.c Great Northu. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. c. Redeem at 10 p. c. prom. Do. 4 1 p. c. Do, 5 p.c. Scrip, Red. at 5 p. c. pm... Gt.N. of Scot. let Prc qt. F.'s W. (Ireland Do. 4 por c. Prat. ' 1 / 4 Fxspc 10. con. red. 4 p.c. )1, con. red. 4 p. c irred. 4p. c. Do. 5 p. c. red. pref Do. do. do. Do. Bine. Pref. - Pi Do. Chester S p. c. P.S. De. do. 5 p. e. do Do, Binn. Gua. Stic Do. Ches. Gam. Sh Do. do. do Do. do. do ......... - • I,an. At York. F. £2 , no. 6 p. c. f,on.&Brigh. 0,5 p.c.. Do. Prof., 5 p. e. St. Do. Now Guar.6 p. c Do. do. 5 per coat Lon. &N. W., Coy. 6. Nuneaton 3 p. et . 00 r.c•n.L S. W. 7 per et i fionfly. II Lowly. & Ennis. S' 10 A.,8..& L.,Nonr,le 1 4 )0. £6 all ~r arypt.&Carl.4 p o all • )u. 4. per cent. 104.1:-)o iOO , I id. Consol.s p.1.q ., 1 I(X1 . 1(). Con.T3r.Pzir. ii pc 1 ICK) Do. 4i p. a. Pref. S all Do. Pref. , I per cc , . all Do. 51. Pr , ,f. 4 p. c.. 100 Ditto L. & 11.?rof g‘' all 'lNew., Aber., &c., pr. 3p. e. red. 5 p c. pm. All Norfolk Data:Alert. WO De. Pre f. 4p.c. St ck 100 bo. 5 p. c. Ext 100 .D.. 5A per ct. pref.. 100 Do. Way. Val. 5 p e 100 North &Welt 1.0() :74. E. Berw, 4 p.c. P 7 do. do 13 IDo Leods 6 p.c •.No. ! 9 IDo. do. Quarters ... 10 ;Do. York IL& Por all North Staffordshiri , , • l ox, Wo ‘rW 9Do R. Pref. 101. Sll, all Soot. Cent. , Now Pre all mouth Devon 1i ,Do. fixed,4i per oon all S. Eastern (Readi A Ann.) of £1 Os. 6(1 ,Do. 4i per &mat_ De. Fixed 4i p c ah. S Wales Gua. 4p, a. iDo. do. 4i p. e.... iS.Yorksh.4p.c.Guar. I gtock &Dar M i k • p c. ;Do. de. do. Stock. & Hard. g. p. c. till July 1, 'M !Watertd. Ac Kilk. 6 pC 2i - 1 all iglu. teris .......... •.. 1 all A.nglo &natl . ln. Go lOr all Auglo Californian - 20 61 %metre lian 1 al; Instralian Cordiller - •. 1 tll kse Maria - ••• 1 all Baden (G4.Duchy - 50 all Bissuar. Iron k Coa - 20 14 British Iron 8 - 5 31 35 26 'lrazilianlmp.(issue.' at £5 pm.) - 21 11 30 all 7e. Cocaes Culab 11 20 15 Do. St. John Del Rol 26 - 28 1 / Clarendon Cons, Min Co. of Jamaica p - 43 ; all .3obre Copper - 60 68 6 1 )olonial Gold . . Bt. , all ..upper Min. of Eng 36 - 40 25 all iO. Prof. 7i p. oea' 26 - 27 . 1€ '.piapu 2O - 22 211 2 14 Fortuaa 1 - d 20 all lencral l4 -16 1 all t • NuggetVeinlteg - 41 all ares.t Polvooth 11 - 21 5 l all Gt Wheal Tor Vnited 1 • id 1 all Liberty 3 all Linares 6l -71 5 i 1i Lusitanian 1 all Hariquita. . . .... 1 all Now Granada - 6 1 all Nouveau M0nde... ... - 20 all Pontgi.9ll.& Le. Min. 12 - 14 5 1 Pbrt Philip I - 1 all Quartz Rock - 60 all Rhymney Iron l9 - 21 15 all Do. New 6 - 8 z d 30 131 iantiaso de Cuba. 21 - 3 6s. • .rt. Cons. Min. Co 31 - 31 34 • 1 all Aouth Australian.. . 1 all Do. Scrip - 1 1 Do. to per cent Pref - ... 44 Tam. S. &L.Min. Co. - 1 1 : 281 a me l l 9 i ll ivnnaeiistie Croft. United Me xi can •....... Mariposa 1. 4 3 4 1. 12s. Worthing Mining Australia 1 sal Yuba MISCELLA.NROI3B. 25 19 Australian Agricult. 26 - 26 le all I ostrain. Royal Mail - ••• 10 all Berlin Water Work,. 61 - 71 60 4 0 grit . American T A O 4/ - 50 100 i2' Canada 1 7 142 L 37 42 at. "it Tex ;my l .8 a 1094 lOi/ St. 100 Do. 6 p.a. Feb & Aug 106 - gOO Do. 6p. c. Mar & Sept 103 - 111 6 %Tata ) Palace 2l - 21 21 5 a ll Do. Preference 5 Bi 4 sii Crystal Pal. of Franc _ ss 5 all FAL &Aus Cop Sns Ce 1 1 1 1 1 20 1 13 4 Lus te to rn n I s r t o ca n ni ore ..... 25 - all electric Telegraph l2l - 204 204 1 all glectric Teleg. of Ir. 5 all Gen. Iron Sc Collier 15 14 Gen. Steam Navigat. - 18 all General Screw Steam - x d 20 10 Irish Beetroot St"' 4 all Lend. Gen. Omaillus 3t 4 3/ 2u 10 Magdalena St. Navie 10 all Wediteran. Elec. Tel. 8 10 10 9 Wesicau&S.Americn. 51 - 6 51 $ 1 all Nat. Pat. Steam Fuel 10 5 Netherlands Land.... 1 - 11 10 all Do. Do. - 3 5 2 Do. 8p • iss at 1 d 1 - id 100 80 New B. &N. S. Land 18 - 22 1 all N. B. Australasian - 0 f 20 15 Nrth.ofEuropeSteare . . - 1 all Oriental Gas - 11 1 2s. Do. " New Shares" pm all Peel Rr. Ld.& Minrl. 21 - 50 all Peninsular& Oriental 64 3/ 50 10 Do. New 2 all Portland. Iron Co ..• ••• WO 60 Royal Mail Steam 1 all ' Scot. Austral. Invest. •11 - if lf 1 1 Ditto Naw - ip 25 all South Anetral•land 35 - 36 all Submar. Tel. Scrip 1 - 1 70 all Do. Registered - 1 . 1% 5 rrustdi L.Co.U.Can , 100 Va. Diamen'• 16 16 -itok• lot INWQ4I6Yea I 4 I : III S' 111 105 Condon dt N. Wo't. Caledon E. Un. E. C Gt. tirt,..n E. Count Galetonixa Wostn Yk. Now. Berg ►l4° ;. Easter- IPots & Co forfollE Do FL.IcN.W & Midi& 3tckton Darlingt. idland., En. Conn. E. Count Do IL.kN.W ID° 10 t N or thn Lancash & Yorksh. 'P. Brassey ii.MClearq Stookt. & Darlingt Do /tWI 94 - 9G 94 - :8 11 - 13 4f ... 41 LO3 = IC4 13 - I: 4 i 23; - 24; LO7; - 112; •NI ...'.''. ••• 2i - 2i 91 - 92 p - #1 ) 55 - t 7 •N -" .•• 132 - 134 71 - 71 32 - 83 - 85 1B SHARES. 112 - 116 ~ ~-, 86 92 ;A 96 -98 - 16 5; - 6i 93 100 70 - §0 12 - I GS - 70 115 - 117 106 - 108 101 103 vi - 10 - gA 91 - 94 82 - 91 84 86 95 100 - 101 16 - 163 9/ 111/ 70 - 72 19 - 20 9* - 10 14t - 14/ - 33 135 ... ''' •., •It '....' •• . • • • .... all. ••• ''''''' •••• : li2 - 134 Di - 95 1 - 4 - _. - ... ... - ... 90 -101 - 92 - 5i 1 = id iii i -- 14 22i - P 5 - 97 9i -- 9i 1 ap ' the building are two—one of 8,0001. upon a portion of the properties, and another of 2,0001. effected by Mr. Anderson when he entered on the Occupation of the theatre, for three months, which insurance wuuld have expired un Saturday next. The building itself is uninsured, and the loss Rill be terrible on those proprietors who hold a large number of shares. Among them may be noticed the Kemble family, the family of the late Mr. Harris—Mr. Sunman, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Thos. Grieve, and others. When all hope of saving any portion of the building or its contents was at an end, Mr. Ponteau telegraphed the fact to Mr. Gye in Paris, which he did in a few expres sive words. Mr. Gye is a man of extraordinary nerve and deciion, but the intelligence must have been one of the severest blows that could have befallen him. We are enabled to state that all his engagements for the forthcoming season were completed, and that he had brought together a company of arti,sdes exceeding in attractiveness those of any previous campaign, with whom ho had arranged to open the opera o❑ the 20th inst. OFFICIAL REPORT. The following is the official report made to Mr. Braid. wood of the lone and damage resulting front the fire : BOW STREET. Theatre Royal Covent-garden. Burnt down. Pro perties and contents partially insured in the Phoenix and other offices. Building—insurance unknown. No. 5. J. Burrower, soda-water manufacturer, da maged by water and breakage ; eontents and building insured in the Phcenix. No. 24. W. Rogers, builder, front mcorobed and glass broken —contents insured in the Westminster, building in the Sun. No. 25. W. Bell, printer, front scorched— inAurance unknown. N. 26. J. Snison, printer, front scorched—insurance unknown. No. 27. W. /cokes, Royal Italian Opera Hotel, front scorched, glass broken, and contents damaged by water —contents insured in the North of England ; building nnknown. Nos. 23, 29, 30. W. Jones, gasfitter, fronts scorched, roofs damaged, and glass broken —contents of buildings insured in the Sun. No. 31. J. Harrison, clothes salesman, damaged by water and smoke—contents insured in the Sun. No. 32. E. W. Thomas, japauner, front scorched— contents insured in the Sun —building unknown. No. —. G. Gable, lodger, damage from breakage-- contents insured in the Sun. HART STREET. No. 49. Mrs. S. Brown, private house, front scorched —not insured. No. 50. W. Hunt, licensed victualler, front severely scorched, glass broken, and damaged by water—con tentsinsured in the Royal Exchange—building unknown. No. 51. Unoccupied. Front scorched—insurance un• known. No. 52. S. Garcia, private house, front scorched— insurance unknown. COVENT GARDEN PIAZZA. Bedford Hotel, A. Warnir proprietor, slightly damaged by water—contents insured in the Globe, building in the Sun. Piazza Hotel, Harrison and Co. proprietors, slightly damaged by fire and water—contents insured in Globe and Westminster, and building in the Sun. Tavistock Hotel, Harrison and Co. proprietors, back front scorched and windows broken—contents insured iu Globe and Westminister, and building in the Sun. No. 10, Piazza, E. Robins, auctioneer, skylight scorched and ghvs broken—contents insured in the Phcenix, and buildinu in the Sun and Westminster. The New Opera. Hotel, which is slightly damaged from the effects of water, was insured in the North of England Fire-office. Covent-Garden Theatre was destroyed by fire on the morning of Sept. 20, 1808, when a great many lives were lost, including seven firemen, who were crushed by the falling of a stack of chimneys, rendered insecure by the action of the flames. Handel's organ and the valuable stock of wine belonging to the Beefsteak Club shared in the general ruin on that occasion. The first stone of the new theatre (that whose destruction we now record) was laid by the Prince of Wales on the 31st of December in the Fame year, and the theatre was opened on the 18th of December, 1809. The architect was Sir R. Stnirke, R.A., and the statues of Tragedy and Comedy, and the two bas reliefs on the Bow-street front, were by Flax man. The stage wns 55 ft. in length and SS in width, and the depth from the curtain to the back of the pit was 66 ft , and the theatre had a saloon, the dimensions of which were 56 ft. by 19 ft. Atter being leased by va rious managers for many years, M. JoOlen hired this theatre for hie promenade concerts in 1343-5. It was subsequently hired by the Anti-Corn•Law League as a lecture hall. But in 1346 the building was entirely re modelled by Mr. Albane, and converted into an Opera heuse. It was opened on the 6th of April, 18-;7, but with such au extravagant expenditure that in 1848 there was a loss of 34,756/., and in 1849 of 25 4551. In one year the vocal department cost 33,3491., the ballet 8,1051., and the orchestra 10,0481. The theatre has never lost any of its reputation, and from these items, therefore, the public may he able to appreciate what is now lost to them, at any rate for a lengthened period. The original theatre in Covent-garden, or, more cor rectly, Convent-garden, the ground having belonged to the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, was built by Mr. John Rich (of harlequinade notoriety), and opened on the 7th of December, 1732, with Congreve's " Way of the World," in which Quin played Feinall. Various alterations and improvement were made in this edifice in 1782, and in 1792 it was rebuilt from the designs of Henry Helfand, architect, at nn expense of 25,0001 , of which 15,0001. was advanced by the Duke of Bedford, whose successor, the present duke, is the ground land lord. On the night of the 20Ai Sept., ]SOS, the theatre was burnt to the ground by an accidental fire, which is supposed to have arisen from the ignited wadding of the roldiers' muskets (which bed been fired oil in the play of "Pizarro" the previous evening) lodg ing among some of the infletninable decorations of the scenery, Boaden, in his life of .Tohn P. Kemb'e, has recorded the following as a real professional soliloquy of that etoiuent actor :—" In the morning after the fire," says the writer, "I hastened to Great Russell-street, and went into Mr. Keinble'e dressing-room. He was standing before the glass, totally absorbed, and yet at intervals endeavouring to shave himself. His brother Charles, wrapped up just as he came from the fire, was sitting attentive upon the end of the sofa. I took a chair and sat observing the manner and the look of Kemble. His mind was rather raisedtban dejected, and his imagination distended with the pictured detail of ell the treasure that had perished in the confiae"ration. At length he broke out in exclamation which I have pre served as characteristic of his turn of mind—' Yes, it has perished—that magnificent theatre which for all the purposes of exhibition or comfort was the first in Europe. It is gone, with all its treasures of every description,and some of which can never be replaced,—that library which contained all the immortal productions of our countrymen, prepared for the purposes of representa tion,—that vast collectioe of music composed by the greatest geniuses in that science, by Handel, Arne, an i others, most of it manuscript in the original score. —that wardrobe, stored with the costumes of all nations and ages, accumulated by unwearied research and at an incredible expense,—ecenery ! the triumph of the art, unrivalled for its accuracy, and so exquisitely finished that it might be the ornament of your drawing-roome, were they only large enough to contain it. Of all this vast treasure nothing now re mains but the arms of Englani over the entrance of the theatre, and the Roman Eagle standing solitary in the market place."' The magnificent theatre the destruction of which we this day record, was commenced in the same year (18@8), and ou the 31st of December his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was then Grand Master of the Freemasons, accompanied by the Duke of Sussex and several distinguished noblemen, with a large body of the masonic order, laid the foundation stone, his royal high ness having previously deposited under the same a brass boa containing two medals, one of bronze, on which was a portrait of himself, and on the reverse the following incription . Georgina Princepe \Valliaruni Theatri. Reis Instaurandi In Aortic Benedictinis Londoni Fundayaeuta Sna Mann Locavit DCCC.VIII. On the other medal, which was of copper, was the fol• lowing inscription : Under the Auspices of His Moat Sacred Majesty George 3, King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland The Foundation Stone of the Theatre Covent Garden Was laid by his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales. 11.DCCC.TIII. Such great celerity was exercised in carrying on the work that the theatre was completely finished in less than a year from the time of tke fire, and the performances were recommenced on the ISth of September, 1809, with " Macbeth" and " The Quaker." The expenses of erecting it are raid to hare amounted to 150,0001., of which 44,550/. was received from the in surance offices, and 50,0001. raised by subscription shares of 500/. each. At the opening of the theatre that most memorable event in our histrionic annals called " Th e O.F. Row," or " Riot," was commenced, and it con tinned with almost unabated vehemence during 50 nights. It resulted in a compromise, the details of which are known to the public. The Temple of Minerva, called also the Parthenon, nnd, from its dimensions, the Hecatompedon, in the Acropolis, at Athens, was the model adopted by the architect in designed the principal front of the building now laid in ruins. It was a noble specimen of the pure Grecian Doric, and was one of the most classical eleva tions in the metropolis, although of a character far too solemn for a theatre. The front, which was in Bow-street, presented a grand portico, elevated upon a flight of steps, the pediment of which was supported by four large fluted columns without bases. On the nppper part of the walls, at the sides of the portico, were two long panels containing basso-relievo representations of the ancient and modern drams, by Flaxtrian and Rossi. In the centre of that towards the north sat three Greek poets — namely, 216ioliylu, the father of tragedy (his face to -1 wards the Hart-street corner), and Aristophanes and Menander, the fathers of ancient and modern comedy. Thalia, with her crook and mask, stood before the comic poets as the ol.ject of their imitation. She was followed by Polyhymnia and Terpsichore, the muse of action or tpantomime. Three nymphs, crowned with the leaves of the fir-pine, accompanying Pegasus, concluded that por tion of the coropertment. Zscbylue held $ :4(211 on la knee, and appe;,red to he listniingto the injunctions of Minerva, who sat opposite to him. Between them %Yu Bacchus leaning on his fawn—typical of tragedy origi nating in honour of the rosy god. Behind Minerva stood Melpomene, or tragedy, holding a sword and mask. The succeeding figures were two Furies, with snakes and torches pursuing Ores tes, represented stretching out his Lauds supplication to Apollo, R he, borne in the quadriga, or four horsed chariot of the Sun, terminated the scut)). tura. In the centre of the compartment, at ihe . south of the portico, was William Shakspeare, sitting ; at Lis feet the tragic acid comic masks were grouped with the - lyre. With his right hand upraised he was summoning the bright creations of his imagination before him. The dainty Ariel appeared, paying on a lyre in midway air —Caliban laden with wood—Ferdinand sheathing hie sword—and Miranda supplicating Prospero—Macbeth turning in horror from the corpse of Duncan, Lady Mac'. heal with the daggers, and Hecate in her car drawn by oxen, terminated by this division. Next to Sbakspear• was Milton, seated, and contemplating Urania in the clouds ; at his feet lay Samson Agonistes iu chains. The - remaining figures represented the Brothers driving Cotnus and his attendant Bacchanals before them, whilst their sister appeared transfixed in the enchanted chair. Two of COI - F.178'3 devotees, transformed to tigers, com• pleted the subject. The principal entrance to the boxes was under the por tico, and opened to the vestibule. To the left and centre of the vestibule was the grand staircase, which WAS flanked by two rows of porphyry columns, of the Thai° order. This noble pile led to the ante-room, where was a large statue of Shakspeare in yellow marble by Rossi. The form ut the auditory was that of a horse-shoe, the width at the extremity being 51 ft. 2 in., and the depth from the foot-lighte to the boxes was 52 ft. 9 in. The ap• pearance of the interior was very impressive. The establishment of the Royal Italian Opera wad mainly due to the well-known amateur and critic, Mr. C. L. Gruneisen. So early as the year 1345, agent" applied to that gentleman on the part of Linari, the well-known impresario, as to the chances of success of a second Italian Opera. The intention was abandoned, not so much from the opinions expressed against the speculation, as from the impossibility of finding a theatre sufficiently large for the purpose. Signor Galetti, of Rome, having heard in Paris of Linari's project, took it up, and persuaded Persiani, the composer, that a for. tune was to be realised by such an undertaking. His plan was confined to an opera buffo, on the smallest Seale, to be given either at the St. James's or Drury. lane Theatre. The assurances which were given that unlimited capital was forthcoming for a second Italian theatre eventually induced Mr, Gruneisen to draw up a plan of management, to extend the exist ing Italian repertoire, and to widen the domain of art by the production of this masterpieces by the French and German masters—in short, to create an establishment which should combine the essential attributes of the Italian theatres, the Grand Opera and Opera Comique in Paris, and the classic German opera houses. Persiani and Galetti entered folly into these views, and offered the post of musical director to Mr. Costa., who agreed to accept it, provided Grisi and Mario should be induced to accept engagements. This condition having been accomplished, the organisation of the gigantic under taking was actively pursued, and on the 21st of August, 1846, the day after the curtain had fallen on the season at her Majesty's Theatre, appeared the following start ling announcement in one of the morning journals :7 " We are authorised to announce to our readers that the capitalists who have resolved to form an Italian COM, pany for Covent-garden Theatre, for the years 1847, 1848, and 1849, have engaged Mr. Costa as musical director and conductor of the orchestra for that period, and for three years more, in all six years, at his own choice. Mr. Costa, baring received full powers to select the band and chorus, has engaged every leading instru mentalist, native and foreivr, now in this country, the great majority having transferred their services from the late orchestra of her Majesty's Theatre, as also the prin cipal choraliets. The Covent-garden band and chorus will be the largest ever collected within the walls of any theatre in this country, and the resident chorus singers are to be considerably reinforced by experienced Continental artistes. The house is to be decorated and fitted up on a scale of unprecedented splendour, with every comfort and luxury. First-rate artists have been secured for the embellishments. The principal vocalieti already engaged may be divided into three classes—first, artistes of European fame now in this country ; secondly, artistes of European fame who have visited this country; but are no longer here ; thirdly, artistes of European fame, who have never appeared in this country at all. The subordinate parts in operas are to be filled by thoroughly competent artistes. The lase en scene will be carefully attended to in every department. Original operas, composed expressly for this country, are to b. produced. The standard repertoire will he principally, used for debuts, but many works of Continental pope.- larity, never introduned here as yet, will be performed. The main principle of this undertaking is to elevate lyri-l• cal art, and to place the Italian Opera on a basis of elf& ciency in every branch never before attained, not only in England but in Europe," On the 16th of Sept., 184t3, were published the names of the company, and on the 15th of Oct. following ap peared a third announcement, as follows : " We are authorised to announce that the capitalists who have taken Covent-garden Theatre, for the forma tion of an Italian lyrical company, have appointed Mr. Beale, of the firm of Cramer, Beale, and Co., the well known music publishers, acting manager and chief dim. tor of the new undertaking. Mr. Beale having accepted the post, has already conmienceil its responsible duties. It will be scarcely possible to over-rate the value of such an acquisition as the services of Mr. Beale ; bin activity, intelligence, and great integrity, and his popularity with the continental artietes, as well as with the musical professare of this country, are guarantees for his future efficiency." Mr. Beale's appointment was suggested by Mr. Gran eisen, who strongly urged the importance of having an English director, whose name would be acceptable to the musical pu'elic, Mr. Mitchell having declined the position (which, by the way, was again offered to him in 1848), Mr. 13eale was nominateil. During the, season of 1848 Mr. Frederik Gye became the actin g manager ; and in April, 1849, Mr. Beale, acting duren g Mr. Delafield's absence, for the second time wa a in, office, until the month of July, after which the ar ,;istea governed under a commonwealth, which was renewed for the season of 1850. In 1851 Mr. Gye h Jgae , as lessee and director, nod now continues in a' ethority. Such is the rapid summary of Mr. Gruueisen' s connec tion with the Royal Italian Opera, as " pr:.me mover and originator." His plan, to depart from t,be anci en t regime, and to produce works by the greatest composers, without distinction of country, was the salvation of the undertaking. At three different epochs of crisis the Royal Italian Opera was prevented from closing— namely, by the production of Meyerheer's " Huguenots and Prophete," and by Auber's " Masaniello." FURTHER PARTICULARS. As to the origin of the calamity, nothing is known at present. That the fire broke out iu the carpenter's shop there can be little doubt, but how or by what means, there is reason to fear will remain a mystery. The carpenters' shop in this theatre extended, with the single exception of a comparatively small space de voted to the scene-painters, from one end of the building to the other, and lay between the ernentental ceiling and the roof of the theatre. Through an open space in the floor of this atelier the central chandelier was lighted, and the place itself was generally filled with materials of the lightest and most combustible character. It was the duty of one of the firemen to accempany the gasman when he ascended into theearpenter'e shop tolight the central chandelier, and this office on Tuesday night fell upon Castles. The latter says he went with one of the gasmen in the service of Mr. Payne (who has the di rection of the lightinFe of the theatre), and that, after completing this duty, they tested the safety of their lighting rod by pouring over the woo! et the end of the rod a small quantity of spirits of naptha. Toe rod was then left suspended over the basin of the chandelier, and Castles and the gasman returned down stairs by the light of a glass lantern. This was shortly before seven o'clock in the evening, at which hour both these men decl,re all was perfectly safe. At Lur o'clock in the morning one of the "Hymen " had occasion to ascend to the second "flies," and even then he detected no smell of smoke or indication of danger of any kind. When the two men entered this place, they were nearly suffo satel by dense black smoke before they had proceeded many yards. Castles t`trew himself on his hands and knees, and endeavoured to crawl towards a smouldering heap which he observed near the centre of the workshop. The smoke was, however, too much for him, and he was compelled to make a speedy retreat, without having been able to open the fire mains on this floor. De scending to the next "flies," he succeeded in turn ing on the mains, but before he could fix the hose the descending fire frora the workshop above overtook him, and drove him to the next " flies." The imminent peril was now evident to bins. He saw that the fire had obtained a mastery which could not be controlled ; lied his next step was to unhitch and cut away those pasts of the scenery most likely to be affected by the increasing fire. The precautions alopted against fire in this theatre were necessarily of the most stringent nature; for sub sequently to its re-erection after being burnt down in 1808, no insurance office would issue a policy upon ft. To reassure the public against the alarm then created, the architect took pains to erect a tank on the roof of the theatre, calculated to hold 18 tons of water, which, by means of double mains on every floor, could be thrown upon any part of the building at a moment's notice. Four firemen were appointed to watch and guard the theatre against fire. It was their duty to go over every part of the building, and to see that the fire-mains were always accessible and always charged. This arrangement has continued up t" the present time, and of the four men on duty last night, one of theta had been attached to the theatre for nearly 40 years. With all these precautions, it missy naturally be asked why such a ealamity was permitted to take place. The answer is plain. Instead of visiting every part of the theatre as was their duty, the firemen on this ocea sion confined themselves to the more genial atmosphere of the stage ; and it is a fact that the first discovery of a fire in the roof was made by one of their body, James Castles, while engaged in conversation with another attache of the theatre upon the stage. It seems generally admitted that for some time past there has been an unusual escape of gas in the house. Mr. Slimier], who held the office of machinist and car-, penter at this theatre, has been so forcibly impressed with the danger arising therefrom that ho had actually waited upon two or three of the proprietors, Mr. Sur man and Mr. Robinson among others, and re presented to them that if something was not done he feared the theatre would some day be burnt down. Mr. Sloman has also called the attention of the fireman to the same circumstance, but nothing seems to have been done. Whether the fire originated from a gas leakage or not is of course uncertain, but in the absence of satis factory information on the point it may be desirable to state all the facts. There is another remarkable circumstance in connec tion with the supply of gas to this theatre. It is a fact that no less than three cempeuiee have mains laid on to this house—the Imperial, the Equitable, and the Lon. don. When Mr. Anderson :view/led the leseeeship he at once changed from the Imperial to the London Com pany, and there were not wanting yesterday persons of competent judgment who pronounced this to be a dan gerous practice in any theatre. Had the catastrophe occurred in any other part of the house it is probable its origin might have been attributed to another cause, inasmuch as during the bal there were at one period as many as a couple of hundred persons smoking cigars in every part of the theatre. In this particularly trying scene several persona ex hibited instances of great courage and coolness. Mr. Anderson devoted himself to assisting Mr. Ponteau, the private secretary to Mr. Gye, in saving certain valuable documents and papers from Mr. Gve's private room, a labour in which Mr. E. T. Smith, - lessee of Drury-lane Theatre, was observed rendering the most energetic aid. Mr. Francis, the printer to the theatre, and Mr. Nim mo, were also especially prominent in their assistance. But the crown of merit on this occasion belongs to a humble individual named Burgess, the bill-sticker to the establishment, who, at the imminent risk of his life, pushed his way into the burning building and brought hack with him several valuable books and papers. Mr. Ilingeton, secretary to Mr. Anderson, also exerted him ! self manfully. Iu Prince's-place, the court-yard by which her Ma esty entered the house, one attempt at salvage was suc cessful. The knick-knacks appertaining to the Wizard's tricks were in an apartment very near to the stage door, and these were in great part saved. A small quantity of furniture, including Isis private piano, belonging to Mr. Costa, was also rescued. The value el the properties destroyed is something fabulous. An approximate estimate may be formed from the fact that in mounting the several operas contained in the repertoire of the theatre when under the management of Mr. Delafield no less than 60,0001. was expended, of which the four operas of the " Prophetei the "Hugue note," " Lucrezia Borgia," and "La Donna del Lego " cost 26,0002. The valuable dramatic library belonging to the thea tre—unique of its kind—is gone in the general wreck. The original MSS. of the " School for Scandal," the " Miller and his Men," the opera of the "Slave," and hundreds of other curious works were there preserved. The armoury, containing more than one hundred suits, and occupying a series of roome, is wholly destroyed. Four original pictures by Hogartb, represe r ting the Seasons, which hung upon the wal ls of Mr. Gye 's private room, within only a few paces of the box-office, could not be saved, so rapid was the progress of the fire. It was an affecting incident to see poor Mr. Horton, the music librarian, a well-known lover of his art, moved even to tears at witnessing the loss of so many objects whose precious value he was so well able to estimate. The music library of the Royal Italian Opera contained i the score of no less than 28 operas, many of them writ ten by the composers themselves. The only insurancee known to e,,p4 is connection with ‘.. . LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) Lorfr ON, March 6.—Wind this day at soon, E.; fresh breeze and cloudy. lIIMSGATE, March s.—Wind WN.W .—Sailed—H.M. Str. Fawn, for a cruise. PORTSMOUTH, Marsh 4.—Wind calm.—Arrived—Eu rope (e. tpt.), from Malta, with H.M. gun-boat Glatton in tow. FALMOUTH, March E.—Wind N.E.—Sailed—Denmark, for Melbourne. Off the port—Leon Beige, from Iquique, and sailed for Hamburg. LIVERPOOL, March s.—The schooner Effort, from Cha rente to Glasgow, which was abandoned, bottom upwards, on the 3d inst., off Bardsep, bad been in eontact with the Berbice, from Liverpool, for Antigua ; crew picked up and brought here by tho Rita. The Helen, of Montrose, was passed derelict, with the remnants of a signal at the foretopmast-head, on the 16th Feb., in 43 N. 31. (PER ELECTRIO TELEGRAPH.) SOUTNAIIPTON, Thursday Morning. Arrivod.—Wonder, (s.), from Jersey; Express, (s.), Havro ; Argyll, (s.), Careutan. gaited.—Atalanta, (s.), for Havre; Despatch, (s.), for Jersey. LIVERPOOL, Thursday Morning. Wind N.M. Arrived.--Rita, from Santander. Sailed.—Quaker City, for New York ; Ella; Galata ; Ranee, Calcitta ; Reaper, Naples. DUBLIN, March s►. Wind N.N.W. Arrived.—Hertha, from Alexandria. QUEENSTOWN, MABOII 4. Wind IL N.E. Arrived.—lmperairice, from Viana. Off.—durifera, from Mauritius. BY BUBMARLNE AND BEITISH TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Thursday, 10.2 a.m. Wind N.N.E. ; tide, two hours flood; cloudy. Arrived, March s—Bothnia, from Havre; Providence, Ale/cambia ; Lord W. Bentinck, Belize. Sailed—Prince of Wales, for Constantinople ; Falcon, Terceira; Queen of the East, New York; John Pearce, Genoa. Deer., Thursday, 9.48 a.m. Wind N.E. by N., fresh. Passed—Marlberongh, from Honduras, for Louden ; Sir John Rae Reid, from London, far St. Kitts ; Rosen dell, from Shields, for Alicaut. Sailed—Earl of Hardwicke, for Madras; Lady Louisa, for Port Phillip. A large ship was observed on the Goodwin Sands at daylight this morning. Two tugs and several loggers are out to her aniatauce. Name, 0,, 11111k110`frae 53i i 71 13 93 32 3 2i 92 xil 121 101 61i j i 1 k 83 a i i i 7 1 99 9 ti 5 1 1 93 70 i 411 2 51 3 / 4 31 301 52i 2 11 1 12 } 661 i all all 1.00 1.00 Bt. St. St. 25 100 all 101) 100 1100 100 all all all 1100 100 1.04 1(X) !QO too ;~ ~ hill 22 14 21i 1 10! 10 63 79 7 81 51 Si 2Sa 11(() 100 100 all 9i t Ga jlo7i i pm i i pm 93 2 THEATRICAL CONFLAGRATIONS. The following are the principal theatrical conflagm. tions that have occurred : DRURT-LANE THEATRE—Destroyed by fire in 1761 ; rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1764 ; rebnilt on a large scale, and re-opened on March 12, 1794 ; burnt down again Feb. 24, ISO 9. The present theatre rebuilt by Wyatt, and re•opened Oct. 16, ISI2. ITALIAN OPERA, HA.TMARK ET (The King's Theatre)—. Opened 1704; burnt down 1759 ; rebuilt, 1791. PANTHEON, OXFORD-STREET—Converted into an cpera house in 1784 ; burnt down 1792. . _ ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.—Destroyed Ly fire Fee. 16, 1830 ; rebuilt by 13eazloy, and re-opened July, 1884, as the Lyceum Theatre. ASTLET'S AMPHITHSARE—Destroyed by fire Sept. 17, 1794 ; again, Sept. 2, 1803 ; and, for the third time, June 10, 1841. SURRRT THEATRE (R,yal CheuP)—Destroyed by fire, Aug. 12, 1805. THE GREAT FIRE AT COVENT-GARDEN TMEATRE. —ln the presence of a calamity almost unexampled in magni tude, almost incredible in the awful suddenness of its oc currence, almost incalculable in the devastation it has caused, and the far greater misery and ruin it will entail upon hundreds of industrious and deserving persons—it has been deemed expedient by a number of gentlemen, friends of Professor Anderson, and interested in many ways in Covent-garden Theatre, to form themselves into a committee for the purpose of receiving sub scriptions for the immediate relief of the sufferers by the dreadful conflagration of Wednesday, March 5. Not making this appeal specially on behalf of the enter prising and meritorious individual who has been at the head of this colossal dramatic enterprise since Christmas last, and whose fortunes are shipwrecked in this dire tempest ; not making it so much in reference to the very many tradesmen in the vicinity whose property has been destroyed, and whose interests have been seriously af fected by this unlooked for event ; but making it speci ally, earnestly, and respectfully in favour pf the poor and lowly, of those whose lot it is to labour, for the hundreds of industrious artists and artisans who have been thrown out of employment, for the numerous work people who have lost their clothes, their tools, every thing they possessed in the general ruin, to help those who cannot help themselves, the committee confidently throw themselves on the charitable sympathies of the public. Believing that mercy to be the most efficacious which is the speediest, they have taken the initiative in embodying in a practical form the expressions of sym pathy that will be naturally evoked by a disaster so great, so unlooked for, and so terrible. Subscriptions for the "Fire at Covent Garden Theatre Relief Fund" will be received at the Royal British Bank, Strand ; Sams', Royal Library, 1, St. James's-street; and at Mr. Mitchell's, Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street. A deputation of workpeople erwaged in bleach and. dye works had an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday on the subject of the Bleach Works, &c., Bill. The deputation was beaded by Mc. C. Sturgeon, a n d, consisted of John Waring (Bolton), C. W. Blatherwick (Manchester), Alex. King (Glasgow), and Samuel Miller (Hammersmith). Among the passenger s by the Euxine, w hi c h left Southampton with the India and China mail; was Ad miral Sir Michael S e ymour, the commander-in-chief of the China squadron. Despatches were received at the Colonial-office, yes terday, from the Governors of Australia and the Gover nors of the West Indies. Report says that it is the intention of the Duke of Norfolk to clogs Arundel Castle--at all events for a year or two, if not permanenly. The long vexed question relative to the claims of the Military Knights of Windsor will he brought to a final issue in the course of a few weeks, as the case will be put down for hearing before the Master of the Rolls kt Easter Term. Lord Claud Hamilton has left Ilowch!n's liotel l fli t ; James'ii-street, for the Barraciss, Armagh, Ireland. ,rth Or. In eri pleg Cher 1g a liti jug- rge rell the . :; 1 I