The Sun. — London, England, 1861-01-14 00:00:00

THE NAVY. The following letter is dated Valletta, Jan. 6 "With the exception of the departure of her Majesty's gunboat Foxhound on the 31st ult., with despatches for Corfu, and the arrival on the Ist inst. of her Majesty's despatch-boat Caradoc, from Marseilles, we have had no movements of men-of-war during the week. The Caradoc had been lying at Marseilles for the last two or three months awaiting despatches. At length she received a despatch, ordering her to proceed home direct. Owing, however, to her being considered in an unfit state to per form the voyage at this time of the year, she has come here to undergo such repairs as are immediately necessary to render her seaworthy, after completing which she will leave for England to be paid off. "No later accounts have been received from Corfu than those which reached us by her Majesty's gunboat Assur slice, which left that island on the 28th ult. At that date the ships there were :—The Marlborough, the Exmouth, the Neptune, the Ciesar, and the Orion ; aid at the Southern Islands the London and the Mars. It was reported that two ships were to proceed to Naples to take the place of the Renown and the Agamemnon, which sailed from Naples for Malta on the 30th ult. " The Victor Emmanuel, the only line-of-battle ship at present at Malta, is ready for sea, and is under orders to proceed to Naples. " The frigate Melpomene is still under repairs, which it is likely will take some time yet to complete. The English schooner Arabella arrived yesterday from London, with Government stores, after a rapid passage of 19 days. Among other things she has on board in pieces, for greater facility of transport, a set of iron mud barges, four in number, to be used in the operation of dredging the harbour. Four other similar ones had been received from England, and six wooden ones constructed by the Naval Department at Malta for the same purpose. Two other wooden ones are being built here by a private shipbuilder on speculation. "The English yacht-schooner Myth left port on the 3d inst. for Alexandria, having on board Mr. F. C. F. Gas coigne, Captain Medham, and Dr, Hancock. " Letters received to-day by the French steamer Egyptian from Alexandria, of the 29th ult., make Lin mention of either the Calcutta or China mail having been signalled at Suez. " A telegraphic despatch dated the 3d inst. has just been received from Palermo, announcing the resignation of the Sicilian Minister. " P.S.—Jan. 6, 4 a.m.—The mail closed yesterday at 4 p.m., but I have been enabled to keep this letter open till the last moment to forward you any news that might be received from Syria. The French steamer Mersey arrived during the night from Beyrout, but she does not bring any thing of importance. " Her Majesty's line-of-battle ship Victor Emmanuel, mentioned above as ready for sea, sailed out of Malta har bour for Naples yesterday evening. 4, Jan. 7. " Her Majesty's gunboat Foxhound, Commander A. Mitehell, came in this morning from Corfu, with dates from that island to the sth inst. No movements had taken place among the fleet since the 28th ult. The Foxhound has on board as passengers Mr. Edward Herbert, Attache to the Vienna Embassy, and Mr. Andrews, Engineer and General Superintendent of the Mediterranean Telegraph Company. The ships at Corfu on the sth were the Marlborough, the Nepttme, the Exmouth, the Csar, and the Orion; and at Cephalonia and Zante the London and the Mars." Rear-Admiral J. E. Erskine's division of the Channel fleet, consisting of the Edgar, 91, screw, Captain James Katon ; Algiers, 91, screw, Cap taro G. D. O'Callaghan; Trafalgar, 91, serew, Captain E. G. Fanshawe; and the Diadem, 32, screw, Captain E. G. Fanshawe, left Spithead at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, under steam, and passing out by the Bembridge lightvessel, proceeded down Channel, their ultimate destination being stated to be Lisbon. The Immortalite, 51, screw, Capt. G. Hancock, and the Desperate, 7, screw, Commander Ross, remain at Spithead. The St. George, 90, screw, Capt. the Hon. F. Egerton, left Spithead at 10 a.m. yesterday for Plymouth, where his Royal Highness Prince Alfred will embark prior to the ship sailing for North America and the West Indies. Prior to the ship leaving Spithead Colonel the Hon. H. Byng embarked on board, and proceeded round to Ply mouth in her. The Royal paddle yacht Victoria and Albert has been taken into the steam basin at Portsmouth to make good defects. The screw steam corvette Satellite, 21, Captain James C. Prevost, arrived in Plymouth Sound yes terday (Sunday) morning. She left at Valparaiso the flagship Bacchante. The Hecate sailed from Valparaiso on the 17th October for the Sandwich Islands and Vancouver's Island, to relieve the Plumper. The Satellite lost by drowning, on the 30th of September, Walter Bampton, first-class boy, who fell overboard from the mizentop. She spoke Jan. I,lat. 40 7 N., long. 24 9 W., the bri gantine Aurora, 34 days from Gaspe, Nova Scotia, for Cadiz. The Satellite brings 35 passengers. His Imperial Russian Majesty's gunboat Hyda mak, 5, Captain Pestchowroff, from the Thames, arrived in Plymouth Sound on Saturday morning, and, having coaled during the day, left for Rio Janeiro and China. Several other gunboats, con structing in England for the Imperial navy, are expected to call at Plymouth. By a circular just issued from the Admiralty their lordships have announced their intention of extending the benefits conferred by the Civil u perannuation Act to all the ordinary established labourers permanently employed in her Majesty's several naval yards and victualling establishments, both at home and abroad. The Lords of the Admi ralty have also decided that the effect of the above regulations shall ba retrospective to all ordinary labourers discharged since the date of the Super annuation. Act, 19th of April, 1859, whether they entered the service previously or subsequently to the passing of the said Act. The following appointments were made on Satur day at the Admiralty :—Roger M. Curry, master, to the Trident; John H. Tully, master, to the Cum berland, for theXamelion; Henry T. Clanchy, mate, to the Narcissus ; E. R. Foster, George R. Thorn hill, and W. M. Lang, midshipmen, to the Narcissus; Josh; Sloss, surgeon, to the Intrepid ; Emilius W. J)ubue, acting assistant-surgeon, to the Loudon ; Gleorge Clark, James F. Parr, and W. H. 0. Toole, acting-assistaat surgeons, to the Chesapeake as supernumeraries ; and George H. Stoate, master's assistant, to the Immortalite. TITE ARM Y. The Ist Brigade of Garrison Artillery, head quarters, Woolwich, has been placed under orders to relieve the sth Brigade, stationed at Gibraltar. Arrangements are completed with the Board of Admiralty for the services of her Majesty's iron screw steam troopship Meg:era, Commander Samuel H. Henderson, for the conveyance of the brigade to the Rock, in three divisions— namely, in the first trip to embark Nos. 1 and 2 batteries, consisting of Lieutenants Colonel C. J. Dalton, recalled from absence on leave on the Continent; 2 captains, 6 lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 1 paymaster, 1 quartermaster, 1 surgeon, and 240 non-commissioned officers and men, according to present instructions to be ready for embarcation on the 20th inst. On arriving at Gibraltar the Megzra will receive an equal number of the sth Brigade for transport to Plymouth, where, having landed her freight, she will embark an equal number of the 3d Brigade from that garrison for Woolwich. The next embarcation will consist of Lieut.-Colonel A. Thompson, 2 captains, 9 lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 1 paymaster, 1 quartermaster, 1 assistant-surgeon, and 348 non-commissioned officers and men of the 3d, 4th, and sth batteries of the brigade, and the 6th, 7th, and Bth batteries are expected to leave Woolwich towards the end of March. In conse quence of the dismissal of Lieut.-Colonel S. D. Broughton, no field officer has at present been named in command of the third division, which will consist of 4 captains, 3 lieutenants, 1 adjutant, 1 paymaster, 1 quartermaster, 1 assistant-surgeon, and 348 non-commissioned officers and men. The women and children according to War-office regu lations. The first of the detachments of sick and disabled troops now on their passage home from China reached the general hospital, Fort Pitt, Chatham, at a late hour on Friday n ight, having been the whole day travelling from Ply mouth, at which port they disembarked from the chartered troopship Epsom, which was towed into that port from Fa 6 l- . month by her Majesty's steamship Spiteful, The Epsom brings home nearly- 100 sick and wounded troops belonging to the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Medical Staff Corps, Ist (Royals), 2d (Royals), 3d (Buffs), 31st, 67th, and 97th Regiments, together with a few naval invalids from her Majesty's ships of war in the Chinese waters, and 20 women and children, the whole under the command of Captain Sweet, of the 21st Regiment, of Madras Native Infantry, and in medical charge of Staff-Assistant-Surgeon Jessop. The vessel sailed from Hong Kong on the sth of August, the passage being a very protracted one of upwards of four months. The places touched at were Java, the Cape, and St. Helena, at all of which slight detentions were made. The whole of the invalids sent home served at Canton, the army not having reached Pekin at the date they left China. Six in sane so ldi ers , w h o arrived at Fort Pitt with the invalids, were admitted into the lunatic hospital at that establish ment. During the passage home one man of the 67th Regt., and one orderly of the Medical Staff Corps, died on board. The remainder of the mili tary invalids by the Epsom are expected to reach Chatham to-morrow. Information has reached Chatham garrison of the death of Colonel Benjamin Rikey, commanding the 48th Regiment, at Allahabad, in November last. The deceased officer had seen service in nearly every part of the world. He commanded the 48th Regiment during the campaign in the Crimea until the fall of Sebastopol in April, 1855. For his distinguished services on that occasion he was decorated a Knight of the Legion of Honour, and was also awarded the fifth -class order of the Mejidieh. The dates of his commissions are— .Fdnsign, November 9 , 1830 ; Lieutenant, slay 30 , 18'31; Captain, September 8, 1838; Brevet-Major, November 11, 1851; Major, February 20, 1852 ; Lieutenant-Colonel, December 13, 1853; Colonel, November 28, 1854. Captain Munro, late Adjutant of the 10th Bat talion at the Camp at Colchester, having retired from the service, has been succeeded in his office by Captain Clarkson, of the 99th. TBE PEACE OF PEKIN. (From a Correspondent of the Times.) PEKIN, Nov. 7. Since my last date everything has been going ox most sm oothly. The treaty has been signed by the Emperor, and is being printed in Chinese for distribution over the empire. The way of printing it is very peculiar. It is first written on thin paper, which is pasted on a board about four feet square, then all the paper, and a film of the board are cut away, leaving the letters standing in a low bas relief ; then two tables, the size of the board, are placed about a foot apart ; on one is the paper to be printed on, eight feet by four ; half of it is heavily weighted to prevent its moving ; the other half is doubled over on the first ; the board is fixed on the second table, two men stand opposite each other, wet the type with Indian ink, and then, taking each a corner of a sheet of paper, stretch it from the first table over the type, and let it fall upon them, rub the sheet over with a rather hard flat brush, and it receives the impression ; the sheet is then lifted by the corners again, and let fall be tween the two tables. The allied forces are leaving as fast as possible. The last will be on their march to the Taku Forts or Tien-tsin on the 9th or 10th. The French left on the Ist, to embark for Cochin China and Mada gascar. I have heard it is intended these troops are never to return to France, the expense being too great, but they will be expended at the two abovenamed places. B e fore they left the French Roman Catholic m issionary bishops were pre sented to Prince Kung with great pomp. On the 2d the English troops which were encamped and quartered in he villages about three miles from Pekin were concentrated round the gate we hold, it being thought they were too much scat tered with an army of 30,000 Tartars so close to them. This army is the Emperor's guard, and when he made it known that he intended to retreat with it 30 miles to the west of the city his council addressed a memorial to him, which was found in the Summer Palace, stating " that they all had the profoundest reverence for the skill which prompted such a measure, but to their weak minds it occurred it would be better if he left the city to march east ward, and assist San-ko-lin-sin ; they also begged to remind him of the important and significant fact that every one of his august ancestors who had taken the same step had never returned at all, or were brought back as prisoners." He went, how ever, and these troops are in trenched between him and Pekin. He is about 30 miles away in the mountains, ready for a start into Tartary at a moment's notice. His brother, Prince Kung, said to be the most intelligent of the Imperial family, paid a friendly visit to Lord Elgin at the Embassy on the 3d. He came in a sedan chair, and was accompanied by a host of every variety of the genus Mandarin on foot and horseback, their grades being known by the peacock's feather or different coloured balls on the crown of their caps ; first comes the feather, then the red ball, then the blue, and, lowest of all , the white one. It struck me forcibly at the time that at least two-thirds of their number were more or less marked with the small pox. Some, according to Chinese notions of male beauty, must be considered very handsome, for they were enormously fat; others were haggard, thin, sharp-featured, and waxen-looking, opium-smoking being written on their features. Prince Kung appears to be about 31 or 32 years old ; he is rather short, and would be handsome in the face if the mouth and chin did not spoil the other features, as they do all high born Tartars, by making them look sheepish. He was dressed in a puce-coloured satin robe, with the Imperial dragon coiled in a circle about a foot in diameter, and em broidered in gold on his breast, shoulders, and back. He wore a common Chinese cap, with out any ornament. lie remained over two hours, and during the conversation after lunch said " that until our visit this year they did not know that India was merely a province of the British Em pire ; they formerly believed Great Britain to be a very small island, the population of which was so large more than half were obliged to live in ships." He was received with great ceremony, the Royals and Dragoon Guards lining the entrance and courts of the Embassy, and th full band of the 67th playing during his stay, with which he was much pleased ; so were the Mandarins, for they listened to it like children. Lord Elgin re turned his visit next day, and afterwards dined with the Russian Minister. After the treaty was signed permission was given for any one from the fleet, or the stations on the road to visit Pekin, or, as it is correctly pronounced, " Pechin." Great numbers took advantage of the opportunity, and I dare say go back pleased with being able to say they have been here, but very disappointed with what they expected to see, for Pekin is, without any exception, the most contemptible city to a stranger I ever saw; it is built upon a perfectly level plain of mud, so that there is no drainage, the Peiho, into which it might be turned, being 14 miles distant, and so sluggish in its current it would not carry what was thrown into it away. There are no latrines or any receptacles for filth the public and crowded streets supplying all de mands without regard to decency. Two or three of these are as broad as Regent or Oxford street, but the majority of them are very narrow. In the broad ones a mud cartway runs up the centre with a ditch of stagnant stinking water on either side, then comes a deep pathway, on which itinerant vendors of everything, more particularly of old clothes, mended shoes, travelling " old curiosity shops," and the man who has "killed his pig," and brings it to market, erect their stalls, or spread their wares on the ground. Here you may have your dinner from a portable cooking shop, selecting your luxuries from puppy dogs, cats, or other suspicions-looking things which no one but a Chinaman has any name for in the larder vocabulary. Here the barbet with his shop on his shoulder stops, makes room for himself; tinkles a little bell, and soon has several heads to shave and. tails to replait. Here is a blind fellow playing a full band of instruments, consisting of cymbals, flutes, fiddles, bells, and drums, altogether with his arms and legs ; a little further on you come upon two or three boys yelling forth Chinese songs like our own folk at home, and selling little books of them, no doubt, at " three yards a penny," and here, and we stopped to see him, his invitee tion to do so was so polite, we came upon a juggler, a ma-i whom had Barnum once seen he would have been bought up on the spot and carried to Eng land or America to astonish you at home, as he certainly did us. As soon as he had cleared a circle with the old " string and balls" he spread the con ' tents of his wallet on the ground, and stripped him self to the waist. He was a poor thin fellow who seemed to suffer from the effects of the tricks he performed. He first of all spoke for about five minutes with all the volubility of Charles Mathews, evidently saying something witty, for the people round laughed heartily. In the middle of this harangue, however, he was seized with a fit of choking, and after an effort of trying to get some thing out of his throat drew forth a little slip of bamboo, like a Lisbon toothpick, then another and another, then he sneezed, and out they came from his nostrils, then from his eyes, until he completed the number of 37, by making one appear half-way out of each orifice at the same time, and then threw the lot on the ground for any one to examine. He next took three glass balls, about an inch in diameter, and, placing them singly between his lips, sucked them into his mouth and swallowed first a red one, then a blue, and last of all a white one; here was a little interlude of toothpicks and talking, after which he walked gravely round the ring, stopping four times; each time he gave him self a shake and a jump, when the balls were dis tinctly heard to jingle inside him. On completing his round, after several efforts, he spat the balls out on the ground in the same order he had swallowed them, the red first, the white last. He then took two more balls, on a e n o d f a p n o o li t s h h e e r d of ste l e a l ss ah th o e ut sa t m he e ssiizzee.ofTahheesen'hs e first egg' g let fall on the ground to show they were solid, then, placing them between his lips, swallowed them like the smaller ones, butwith difficulty, the ball swellin g the throat as it went down; here more toothpicks and talking, while he prepared two swords, about an inch wide and 20 long, very like polished hoop-iron, clashed them to gether to show they were real, and passed both down his throat at once, until they struck the balls with an audible click; withdrawing these, he placed his hands behind him, and arter several apparently painful trials each ball rose in the throat, and fell from his mouth to the ground with a heavy thump. Other tricks he did, only suited to a Chinese audience, which I cannot tell you of; but after his exertions he appeared quite satisfied with the trifle each threw him. The shops on either side the street are only one story high, and, amid all the mud and filth, are made as gaudy as gilt and the primitive colours can make them. They have no windows, the only light being given by the door, which in windy weather is close by a curtain of matting to keep out the dust, which, by the w ay, is very peen. liar. Outside the city it is common brown mud, but inside the walls the ground is black like pow dered coal, and on hot, windy days blows about in clouds. The day the treaty was signed the whole of the Embassy, and those who accompanied Lord El- THE StIN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JANUARY 14, 1861. gin to see the ceremony, were like as many sweeps. Pekin is not nearly so large or so densely popu lated as we have always been led to believe. It has little or no suburbs, and, judging from a ride through both Tartar and Chinese portions, I should say it was not much larger than Manchester or Glasgow. The inhabitants certainly pack very closely, but then the houses are only one story, and every one has some pretensions to a garden behind it. The grounds of the Winter Palace and the beautiful park round the Temple of Heaven are each several square miles in extent, while the different yamuns, or houses, of the numerous nobles and mandarins take up acres upon acres each, so that the ground occupied by the general population is compara tively small, and I should estimate the latter as a little more, perhaps, than that of Glasgow. The Winter Palace no one has been allowed to see, and the only two other redeeming points about Pekin which save it from being contemptible to a stranger are its walls and the Temple of Heaven. As you approach the city the walls have a very imposing and grand effect; they are built of a gray-looking brick, and rise 62 feet high ; large square bastions stand out about every quarter of a mile at the top ; the walls are 17 paces thick, with a perapet pierced with loopholes for gingals, but not for guns. Over each gateway there rises a massive structure, with four tiers of portholes, like a man-of-war, 48 in front and 16 on each gable. At the four corners of the walls these towers have only two faces, with 64 portholes in each. There are no guns in them, however, the holes being filled up with a shutter, on which the muzzle of a gun is painted. Indeed, there are only three or four on the walls altogether. The view from the top over the city is very striking. Owing to your elevated position you see little more than a forest of trees, a few straight lines of streets, the tops of joss-houses, the pagoda of the Temple of Heaven, and the Winter Palace, built upon a high artificial mound, with the walls running all round. When once a place is built in China it seems as if it was supposed to take care of itself for ever after wards, no attempt being made to repair the ravages of time or use, and the consequence is that these fine walls are fast falling into ruin. The Temple of Heaven is a magnificent structure, situated in the centre of the Chinese city, and surrounded by a walled park as large as Hampton Court and Bushy Parks together, and very like them, too, with its avenues of old trees crossing in all directions ; one leads directly from the'entrance-gate for about a mile to the foot of an inclined plane, which takes you to a terrace hidden by the trees until you ate upon it. It is about half a mile in length, 17 paces wide, and about 20 feet high, and paved with slabs of white marble. On reaching the top, on your right stands the Temple of the Earth, a beautiful building in itself, but completely eclipsed by that of Heaven on the left. For some reason or other the doors were closed, and we were obliged to content ourselves with only walking round the earthly building, but a good-natured priest opened the gateway of that of Heaven for us. You enter its portals of beautifully-sculptured marble, and come into a large enclosure, in the middle of which is a raised platform, approached all round by steps. From this the temple, or pagoda rises in all its beauty. It is about 150 feet high and has three steps of roofs, exquisitely proportioned to its size. Inside it forms one octagonal room about 60 feet in diameter, containing the altar and chairs of State for the Emperor and his family, no one else being supposed to worship here. The walls inside are composed of brilliant blue and green enamel and gold ; eight very graceful pillars, carved in bas-relief support, the first roof, and the whole is lighted by windows, which are scarcely seen from the floor. The outside is encased in blue and green enamel tiles, and is a perfect picture of quiet and repose. There is no joss or figure inside the temple, but in some houses round its enclosure there are a great many. The Emperor visits this temple once a year, especially to plough and sow grain, to show he still retains the simplicity of life of his ancestors. He is very lame, having nearly lost the use of both legs ; in all his apartments at the Summer Palace pairs of crutches were found. The Summer Palace is about seven miles north of Pekin, situated in grounds many miles in extent, laid out with artificial lakes and canals, crossed by fatastic bridges of the old willow pattern, mounds on which pagodas and Lama temples are built, and the whole beautifully wooded. It must, indeed, have been a lovely palace in its pride, but now nothing remains but the bare walls and blackened timbers of 42 palaces that were burnt. It has been estimated that the amount of property pillaged and destroyed exceeds £6,000,000 sterling. Every soldier who was present is replete with loot. On entering the Emperor's particular resi• dente no one knew what to take; silver was thrown away to take up gold, and gold to take up jewelled watches and gems ; china and enamelled vases (the manufacture of which is lost), of price less value, were broken because too bulky to carry away. Rooms and rooms full of costly silks, bronzes, jade-stone ornaments, and the presents received by the Emperors, every article being labelled with the name of the donor, were ruthlessly looted and destroyed. Much more has been buried beneath the ruins, however, than was carried away. The Emperor's washstand, basin, and ewer of gold, studded with stones, were sold for £2,000 by the captor. Lord Amherst's watch was sold by a French soldier for 20 dollars, it was worth £2OO. Many men have 331 b. or 401 b. of pure gold in their pos session, and others have pearls and precious stones of unknown value. 400 eunuchs were found in the palace, and it is worth noticing that all the ladies of the Court must have had natural-sized feet, all the slippers found in their rooms being large—not a single cramped-footed shoe was seen. The winter has regularly set in, the thermometer sinking to 22 deg. at night. We have been particularly fortunate in the weather during the whole of the campaign. If it had been a wet season it would have been next to an impossibility for the army to reach Pekin, the roads throughout the country being nothing but cart tracks through the fields, and, after a few hours' rain, becoming a foot or 18 inches deep in soft mud. There is no drainage, the water being purposely kept on the land for agricultural uses. The 67th Regiment has been the first to leave Pekin; it marched on the sth for,Tien-tsin. The heavy siege guns have also left. The distribution of the army for the winter will be as follows :—The 31st, 60th, and 67th winter at Tien-tsin, where it is also proposed a number of French shall stay ; one wing of the 31st will occupy the South Taku forts ; the 99th go to Canton, the 44th to Hongkong ; the Royals, Queen's and 3d Buffs go home ; Fane's Horse remain at Tien-tsin ; Probyn's and the Dragoon Guards go back to India, and the Bth and 15th Punjab Regiments will winter at Cowloon. Brigadier Stavely will remain in command at Tien-tsin. Two batteries of artillery remain behind, and two go to England. The report that the Emperor had sent in two Mandarins who were implicated in the atrocities committed on the prisoners was incorrect. Lord Elgin will leave about the 19th. The Russian Minister leaves at the same time, going overland to St. Petersburg. As soon as the army has embarked on board the transports, the whole of the fleet will leave the mouth of the Peiho for distribution over the station during the winter. The Sampson, Fury, Inflexible, Adventure (with the Marines), Magicienne, Nim rod, Sparrowhawk, Roebuck, and Cruiser, are ordered home, and thus ends our short and, it is to be p hoped, our last and effective campaign. ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT UPON PUBLIC RIGHTS AT HIGHGATE. At a meeting of the vestry of St, Pancras, held on Wednesday—Mr, Churchwarden Carter in the chair—a communication was read from Mr. Joseph Taylor, the solicitor to the promoters of closing Bromage's-lane, enclosing a request on the part of certain inhabitants to close the thoroughfare in question. This document was in the form of a peremptory notice as follows : "To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Pancras, in the county of Middlesex, and to Francis Plaw, their clerk. " Whereas, we, the undersigned inhabitants residing within your parish, being desirous of stopping up a certain street and public highway, called or known as Bromage's walk,' otherwise Love-lane,' leading from Swain's-lane to Highgate, and within the said parish, hereby give you notice of such our wish, and desire and hereby require you to convene and assemble a meeting of the said vestry, and to submit to such vestry our said wish and desire.—Dated this 2d day of January, 1861. (Signed) ," WM. LANGDA.LE, 3, Holly-terrace, Highgate. " ROBERT BARCLAY, West-hill." A further memorial was also presented by Major Wilkinson to the following effect : " To the vestry of St. Pancras.—The memorial of the undersigned justices of the peace for the county of Middle sex, clergymen, gentry, and ratepayers resident in the im mediate vicinity of Bromage's-walk,' otherwise ' Love lane,' leading from the district of St. Ann's, Brookfield, to Highgate, in your parish, showeth, that the above walk or lane has been well known to us for many years past, and that the same has been very little used for foot passengers, and then only in the height of summer, when the same has been passable. " That the same has been allowed to get into very bad repair, and has never been lighted, and from the same being a dark unfrequented walk, it has become a resort of thieves and other improper characters, and for the reasons aforesaid has become useless as a highway, and should the same be allowed to remain open it must, for the protection of the public, be thoroughly repaired and properly lighted. • " That, inasmuch as the closing of the same would be of great benefit to the inhabitants residing at the north end of Kentish-town and Highgate aforesaid, " Your memorialists trust that you will be pleased to take the necessary steps for causing such lane to be stopped up." Major WILKINSON, in presenting this memorial, said it would be observed that some of the memo rialists had qualified the prayer of the memorial by attaching a note to their signature to the effect that if the path were properly repaired and lighted the necessity for its being closed would be removed. He would move that the memorial be read and brought up with the other memorials already presented. This was adopted. Mr. DOUGLAS would like to know under what authority the two gentlemen who had signed this notice did so? He did not know that any persons had the power to require that vestry to convene a meeting. He had heard it stated the grand object in closing this path, which was undoubtedly a right of way, was to enable Miss. Burdett Coutts to take it into her grounds. (Hear, hear, and " No, no.") He could not see that they h ad any right, or could be compelled, to convene a special meeting, nor did he think it desirable that they should take any step till the next meeting of the vestry, when the report of the surveyer would be before them. (Hear, hear.) Major WILKINSON said he certainly must protest against the allusions which had been made to Miss Burdett Coutts as wholly and entirely unfounded. (Hear.) The notice calling upon that board to summon a special meeting was simply a formal compliance with the provisions of the Highway Act. The vestry had no power of refusal, but he agreed with Mr. Douglas that it might be conve nient to postpone fixing the day till the next ves try, when the report of the surveyor would be before them. Though he (Major Wilkinson) entirely acquiesced in the propriety of abstaining from en tering into the case till the survey or's report was received, he hoped the vestry would indulge him with permission to add a few words that had refe rence to that lady, who had justly commanded the respect of the vestry, and whose name had been mixed up with the present proceedings. He hoped that it would be distinctly understood that Miss Burdett Coutts had neither instigated nor taken part in the application now before the vestry to close this path. All that Miss Coutts had done was to give notice to the vestry of the present disgraceful state of the path and to call upon them to repair it, and she added as a reason for her hav ing delayed to make the application, that she thought, in consequence of the very slight use made of the path by the public, the vestry were about to close it ' • but beyond that she had not interfered, nor did she desire to do so. The name and cha racter of Miss Burdett Coutts were a sufficient guarantee that she would be the last lady in the land to seek to interfere with or curtail the liberties and privileg^s of the poor. (Hear.) The application then before the vestry was the legitimate and independent expression of the feel ings of the inhabitants of Highgate, and although a contemptible report, which was hardly worthy of attention, in reference to himself (Major Wilkin son) and another gentleman had been circulated, he would take that opportunity of giving the most unqualified contradiction to the assertion, that he and another gentleman, whose name had been men tioned, were taking the matter up from private friendship to Miss Coutts, and in return for social civilities received from her. Until now he (Major Wilkinson) had not interfered at all. He was still no partisan either way, but quite prepared to give an independent judgment upon the facts of the case. (Hear.) Mr. DOUGLAS said no doubt what Major Wil kinson had stated about Miss Burdett Coutts was the truth, but he considered they ought not to call a special vestry without more notice, and he should therefore move that the whole subject be deferred till their next meeting for consideration, and that notice be given to the vestrymen on the subject. Mr. C. CRANE said he would second this motion with pleasure, as he thought the more the subject was considered and made public, the more it would be seen that those who wanted to close up this path were in the wrong. (Hear.) He did not hesitate to declare that he would do all he possibly could to prevent such a proceeding taking place. (Hear.) The resolution was then put and carried. Farm IN CBARLBSTON BARBOUR. Fort Moultrie is situated on Sullivan's Island, at the mouth of the harbour, and about three miles in a direct line from the city. It is (if hot destroyed) an enclosed water battery, with a front on the water side of about 300 feet and a depth of about 250 feet. The work was constructed with salient and re-enter- ing angles on all sides so as to adapt it admirably for defence either from the attack of a storming party or regular approaches. The outer and inner walls are of brick, capped with stone, filled in with earth, so as to make a solid structure 16 feet thick. Within the last month the fort has been very much strengthened by closing thepostern gates,by cutting sally-ports, by placing 12-pounder howitzer guns in the angles, so as to command all points, by the digging of a ditch 15 feet wide and 15 feet deep, and by other improvements that added materially to its defensive capacity. The garrison consisted of about 70 men, including officers and musicians. Fort Moultrie is memorable for the victory gained by . the American troops, commanded by Colonel Moultrie, over a British squadron, commanded by Sir Peter Parker, Jan. 28, 1776. The British force consisted of a fleet of 40 or 50 sail, and the opposing force of 433 men, rank and file. The fort was hastily constructed. In its general plan it presented a square, with a bastion at each angle,built of pal metto logs, dovetailed and bolted together, and laid in parallel rows 16 feet asunder; between these rows the space was filled with sand. In the engagement, which lasted from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m., and which was one of the fiercest of the Revolutionary War, the British were defeated, their loss being 225 killed and wounded, while the Americanloss was 11 killed and 26 wounded. Fort Moultrie was subsequently rebuilt on an enlarged scale, so as to render it one of the most extensive fortresses on the coast. Fort Sumter is a work of solid masonry, octagonal in form, is classed as one of the strongest fortifications in the country, and is generally regarded as being as nearly impregnable as possible. It is situated about the centre of the harbour, on the edge of the ship channel, some three-fourths of a mile from Fort Moultrie, and nearly three and a half miles from the city of Charleston, which it commands, as it does also Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney. It is situated on an island, though it seems to rise directly out of the water.' It is pierced on the north, east, and west sides with . a double row of port-holes of the heaviest guns; and on the south, or land side, in addition to openings for guns, is loopholed for musketry, and is bomb-proof. The armament of Fort Sumter consists of 140 guns, many of them being the formidable 10-inch " Columbiads," which throw either shot or shell, and which have a fearful range. There is in the magazine a large amount of artillery stores, consisting of about 40,0001b5. of powder, in addition to what has now been removed there from the abandoned fortress, and a proportionatequantity of shot and shell. The wharf or landing of Fort Sumter is on the south side, and is of course exposed to a cross fire from all the openings on that side. A large number of workmen have been engaged several weeks in mounting guns and placing this fort in condition for any emergency that might arise. General Scott, it is said, pronounces the fortification, when manned, one of the strongest in the world. Castle Pinckney is located on the southern extremity of a narrow slip of marsh land, which extends in a northerly direction to Hog Island Channel. To the harbour side the so-called castle presents a circular front. It has never been regarded as a work of first mag nitude, although its proximity to the city would, if garrisoned, give it importance. Recently some improvements have been made in and about the fort, with a view of strengthening it. Commanded as it is by Fort Sumter, it cannot be assailed. It has several Columbiads, and a full supply of powder, shell, and shot. —New York Tribune. IHE BOILER EXPLOSION AT WIIITECIIAPEL On Saturday morning John Plumb, a sugar baker, and John Regal, the stoker, who received such frightful injuries on Friday morning last by the terrific boiler explosion on the premises of Messrs. John Craven and Co., sugar refiners, of No. 3, Great Garden-street, Whitechapel•road, expired in the accident ward of the London Hospital from the mortal effects of the extensive scalds they received. The other two men who remain are in a precari ous condition. They are German sugar bakers, named Joseph Dittmar and James Hancke, whose sufferings have been most intense, from the serious nature of the scalds. The man Samuel Lee, an Englishman, although severely scalded and con tused, left the hospital on Friday afternoon, by his own request, notwithstanding that Mr. Finch, the house surgeon, advised him to remain in the insti• tution. . . On Saturday morning the district surveyor connected with the Whitechapel Board of Works, and other gentlemen, visited the scene of the dis aster, and from an inspection of the boiler, it would appear that both ends had been forced out by the violence of the explosion. If the misfortune had arisen in another way the sacrifice of life must have been fearful. A large crowd of persons collected round the front of the building, but they were unable to catch a glimpse of the ruins, as the boiler-house was situated at the rear of the premises. [ADVERTISEMENT.] Pills and medicine invariably ag gravate and perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, dis appointment, and expense may be avoided by persons in indifferent health sending only their address to E. S. Barry, Esq., 77, Regent-street, W., London, and they will receive gratis and free by post the " INvAtios' Own jtrIDE," or Natural Restorer, without medicine or ex pmse, of perfect digestion, strong nerves, sound lungs, and refreshing sleep, to the most enfeebled, insuring the removal of indigestion (dyspepsia), constipation, liver complaints nausea, epilepsy, paralysis, debility, nervousness, palpitatiot, cough, asthma, consumption, dropsy, flatulency, diarrhoea, dysentery, biliousness, fevers, sore throats, catarrhs, colds, noises in the ears, rheumatism, gout, impurities, eruptions, hysteria, neuralgia, irritability, sleeplessness, acidity, palpi tation, heartburn, headache, despondency, cramps, spasms, ' i nking , fits, bronchitis.—" Unquestionably the safest Guide tOfitaltlo RISCA COLLIERY EXPLOSION. RISCA, JAN. 12. The following additional evidence was given after the despatch of our parcel of yesterday : John Bray examined—l am spare fireman at the Risca Colliery. I have been employed under ground at Risca for 12 years. lam day man. The men go down with me at six o'clock in the morn ing. Before going down I wait for the night fire man, who informs me of the state of the workings in my district, which is the First East and Second East. On the Ist of December I went to the top of the pit about a quarter before five. I saw Der rick, who told me it was all safe. I then went down the pit in company with several other persons. On getting to the bottom I commenced examining the lamps and locking them. There were two other persons lockinglbesidesme. Theywere both firemen. Morgan Beddow, one of them, is alive. When the lamps are locked they are given to the hanlyers. I went in after them and examined the works gene rally to see if there was any fire-damp or any dan gerous places at the top. If I find nothing wrong I report that all is safe. By Mr. Brough—The men go in first. If I bad known that seven 'or eight hours had passed since the examination, I should have made another. I discharged my duty fully and completely on the Ist December, and found nothing to excite my my suspicion. I have never detected men smoking in the pit. I have never heard any man make any complaint. I have never found that locks in my my district have been unlocked. I never heard any blower in my district, or in any other. All the old works are closed in. I have not been into any of the works since they have been closed, I never met with any gas on the edges of the " gobs." I have never heard of a " gob" being aired or ventilated. The men have not complained to me within the last two years of the air being slack. My duties are not of a fatiguing description. Ido not know why heavier duties are imposed on Derrick than on me. By Mr. Llewellyn—l saw Edward English in the pit about six o'clock, after we had locked all the men's lamps. It was his duty, from 2 o'clock to 0, to examine the workings on the west side. When I went down I did not find any traces of gas. The explosion tiid not occur in any part of No. 1 east or No. 2 east. It is my impression that the fire took place between 3 and 4 east. I think the ac cumulation of gas must have been caused by a blower. I saw three lamps brought out after the explosion. They were unlocked, but not open. I had locked them. The lamp men proved who the lamps belonged to, aid I knew them as having been delivered to certain men. By Mr. Owen—l had not been examined before I came here. Nothing has been said to me about a blower. This is the first time I have ever said the gas came from a blower. I believe the blower to have been between the 3d and 4th east. The inquiry was then adjourned until Monday, [ADVERTISENIENT.I—HoIIoway ' s Ointment and Pills.— Health and Economy.—The intensely and long-.continued cold weather will destroy the health of thousands whose means scarcely permit them to obtain sufficient food or rai ment. Let the first throat or chest symptoms have early attention. Rub Holloway's ointment well upon the skin nearest the affected organs at least twice a day, and take his pills according to the instructions, and danger will be averted at a trifling cost. Their alterative, tonic, and pro tective powers excite universal admiration in coughs, colds, diphtheria, and similar ailments. Even in the earlystagea of consumption more reliance may be safely placed on Hol loway's remedies than upon any other mode of treatment, Acting harmoniously, they strengthen, sustain, and stimu• late, IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR. (From the Melbourne Herald.) The balance of immigration over emigration dur ing the last month has been much in our favour. But it is not small driblets of immigration that Victoria wants, but large accessions to her popula tion. And this, it is to be hoped, we are now on the eve of procuring. For nearly 12 months we have been battling with the Government for a revival of immigration at the public expense, but our warnings on this subject have been allowed to pass unheeded. Last year, in fact, they struck off the Estimates an item of £50,000, which had been placed on by their pre decessors, for female immigration, and they have during the year resisted all attempts to have the question reopened, chiefly on the plea of a want of funds. Now, however, the Legislature has resolved that this subterfuge should not stand them any long©r in stead. Our revenue and expenditure is upwards of £3,000,000 a year, exclusive of our railway loan and expenditure, which amounts to another £3,000,000, and it is felt hard that from a quarter to half a million of our strictly colonial revenue canot be spared for immigration. In spite of this, however, the Nicholson Ministry omitted all refer ence to it in the Governor's speech, at the opening of Parliament, and refused to state what they in tended to do in the matter in the course of the debate on the address. The consequence is that they have ceased to hold office, and that we are now without any Ministry. The belief is that the Nicholson Ministry had placed a small sum, say £50,000 to £75,000, on the esti mates for immigration purposes during 1861, but that they felt that this was so far below general expectations on the subject that they refused to give any explanation until the estimates were brought in, and they had an opportunity of going into questions of finance in detail. In any case they have paid the penalty of not meeting the wishes.of the country on this subject. Another matter, not altogether foreign to immi gration, but, in fact, strictly allied to it, may have in fluenced the decision of the Legislature, in their summary dealings with the Ministry. The Nichol son Ministry had taken power under the New Lane Bill to throw open 3,000,000 of acres of the best agricultural land of the colony to selection at the uniform price of 20s. per acre, within one year from the date of the passing of the bill. But although two months has elapsed now since the passing of the bill, only 150,000 acres have been proclaimed for selection, and that, too, previously surveyed, and not of the best quality. At this the Legislature declared itself indignant, and one of the Ministers had the indiscretion to defend that course, on the plea that, if they threw all the best land of the colony open to selection in the first in stance, they would have none for future comers. The force of folly could no further go, and the Legislature felt this, and acted accordingly. Next to the want of provision for immigration on a large scale out of the public purse, no more egregious blunder than the avowal of such a policy as this could have been committed. At present then matters stand thus, that we are to have a revival of immigration at the public ex pense in the course of 1861 ; and that there will be an abundance of fine land,—if not 3,000,000 of acres, at least as much of that quantity as can be surveyed,—thrown open to the selection at 20s. per acre, in the course of the year, in blocks of from 40 to 320 acres, to suit purchasers, and that there will, therefore, be an abun dance of land for all,—without any fur ther risk of competition, than that which is im plied in first come, first served. Any small farmers, therefore,'disposed to alter their condition know now on what terms they can do so, and any agricultural labourers, disposed to work at fair, remunerating rates, know where work is to be had, if they can only find the means of paying their ex penses hither. Meanwhile, we shall take due care, as opportunity offers, to provide passages for those of their number, who are absolutely unable to help themselves, out of the public treasury. On the labour market generally, we have nothing particularly new to report. Some of the masons, who were demanding 14s to 16s a day, for eight hours work, are now, we hear, submitting to less, by taking jobs among themselves, at a rate which does not yield them near that amount of wages ; and they will have to submit to further reductions, when the railway works are completed, or turn farmers or miners. Still their wages are quoted at former prices • and there is no noticeable change in the rates of wages of any other considerable class. This is the last report of Mr. James Warman, one of our principal labour-office proprietors, for the past week, on the state of the labour market, and it is perfectly reliable : Men hire readily at moderate prices, and em ployers prefer hand labour to machinery, pro'viding they have not to pay exorbitant wages. Agricul tural men begin to see that this is the case, and are moderate in their demands. Skilled labour the same. Females in good demand, especially for really competent country girls, but females who have everything to learn demand as much as the most efficient. This is one of the principal reasons so many are out of place. WITH RATlONS.—Married couples for home sta tions and service, per annum, £6O ; for hotels, £65 ; do., with families, £5O; and ploughmen, 20s per week; farm labourers, haymakers, 16s to 20s; bul lock drivers, 20s ; mowers, from 4s to 5s per acre, they finding their own scythes ; weekly mowers, 25s to 30s, according to crop—scythes and tools found; gardeners, from £52 to £6O per annum ; s'►epherds, from £3O to £35 per annum; hut keepers, £26 per annum ; blacksmiths, for sta tions, 354 per weeks ; carpenters, 25s to 30s ditto ; rough carpenters, 20s per week ; wheel wrights, 35s ditto Co.oics i frODA 20s to OS ditto ; waiters, from 20s ditto ; hay cutters and trussers, 4s to 5s per ton, or 25s per week ; lads to drive bullocks, L - cui 8., to 1.0 , , 20s per week ; lads to milk, B:c., 8s to lOs per week. Shearers, 15s per hundred, with rations ; 18s, and find themselves ; good farming men, who will take six months' hire,_ £52 per annum. WITHOUT RATlONS.—Carpenters, lOs per day ; masons, from 14s ; plasterers and bricklayers, lOs to 12s ; quarrymen, 8s to lOs per day ; blacksmiths, lOs to 12s; able pick and shovel men, 7s ; fencers, three rails, 2s to 2s 6d per rod, according to the ground; wire fencers, with rails, is 6d to 2s per rod ; splitters of posts and rails, 20s to 25s per 100, according to the timber; stone-breakers, no average price can be stated ; few persons will take that em ploy if any other is to be had, so many have been cheated; woodcutters, 5s per ton. FEMALE SERVANTS.—Cooks and laundresses, £3O to £35 per annum, and occasionally £4O, for hotels, restaurants, &c. ; for private families, £3O; house maids, £26; thorough competent women for gene ral housework, £3O; upper class nursemaids, £26 per annum ; nurse girls, from £l4 to £2O ; needle women, £26 to £3O; if they are dressmakers, £35 per annum. THE roLUNTEE.7? MOVEMENT. On Tharsday evening — the First Surrey Rifles met for a church parade at head-quarters to receive the hon„ chaplain, the Rev. Daniel Moore, M.A., Incumbent of Camden Church, Camberwell, and Golden Lecturer. After the regiment had been put through a few battalion movements by Lieutenant- Colonel Macdonald, the commanding officer, it was formed up in three sides of a square, facing inwards, the fourth side being filled by an extempore pulpit, consisting of the drums covered with the Union Jack, with piled rifles on each side. Some of the members who have formed themselves into a choral society, called the " First Surrey Choral Union," assisted in the service, and sang Farrant's anthem, " Lord, for thy tender mercies' sake !" and the Old Hundredth Psalm, with great effect. The service consisted of the Litany and an address, which was listened to with marked atten tion, the text being taken from Corinthians, chap. xvi., v. 13, " Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong," from which the rev. gen tleman drew many useful lessons, and concluded by hoping that other meetings of a similar character might take place, as he wished his office to be one of usefulness and not an honorary one only. The attendance of the members was very good, about 160 being present, and, notwithstanding the severity of the weather, a large number of ladies were among the visitors. The Ist Middlesex Artillery Volunteers drilled for the first time on Wednesday evening at the Floral-hall, Covent-garden, by the kind permission of Mr. Gye. The days appointed for drill are Wednesdays and Saturdays. The spacious area is well adapted for the purpose. A Mounted Volunteer Rifle Corps has lately been formed in Essex, with head-quarters at Latching don, and her Maje3ty, through the Secretary-at- War, has signified to the Lord Lieutenant her acceptance of the services of the corps, to be known by the name of" The Ist Essex Mounted Volunteer Rifle Corps." On Monday last the Avon Vale, or 14th Somer set Volunteer Rifle Corps, paraded in the after noon, under the command of Captain Sawyer, the officer commanding the corps. The company, mustering about 60 strong, marched to the ferry at Warleigh, where a sham fight took place. The left sub-division, under the command of Capt. Bampfylde, the Adjutant of the Ist Battalion Somerset Volunteers, advanced in skirmishing order to the left bank of the river Avon, while the support crossed over to the right bank of the river in panteons, and having dislodged the enemy from a small wood, advanced in skir mishing order; the left sub-division, meanwhile, having crossed, forming the support. A passage along a road leading to Warleigh Manor was then carried at the double, and the house attacked on two sides. After a good deal of firing on both sides the besieged surrendered. The Hull Volunteer Artillery Corps is increasing in strength. A company is about to be added to it, to be called the Londesborough (after Lord Londes borough) Company, each member of which will not be less than 6 feet high. The Lincoln Volunteers have commenced bayonet exercise in their new drilling hall, which has been built by Mr. C. Seely and devoted to the use of the corps free of charge. The building is 35 feet in length, 30 feet in width, and of proportionate height. An armoury connected with the hall is fitted up for 250 stand of arms. An " artisan" corps is being formed at Northamp ton. The subscription required from each member for his equipment, &c., will not be less than 9d. per week. On Thursday the Colchester Volunteers had a "march out" to Wivenhoe Hall, the residence of Sir Claude de Crespigny, lieutenant-colonel of the Essex battalion. The services of a mounted corps, formed in the Latchingdon district, have been officially accepted. The formation of a company —or, at any rate, a subdivision—of volunteers, is proceeding favourably at Milden-hall. The gentlemen who have enrolled themselves have already commenced drill, and will meet for that purpose twice a-week. The number of effectives enrolled is 25. LIFEBOA7 SERVICES. LYTHAM, JAN. 10.—The frost on the Lancashire coast continues to be most intense. Yesterday afternoon about four o'clock a messenger came from the Lighthouse re questing that the lifeboat of the National Lifeboat Institu tion might be sent at once to the assistance of two men in a boat, who were reported to be quite exhausted, and unable to reach the shore from the large quantity of ice in the Channel. The lifeboat was despatched instantly. In the meantime, however, the two men had succeeded in getting ashore, and informed the lifeboat's crew that they had left their vessel, she having drifted upon Salt House banks, with loss of both anchors, from the heavy body of drifting ice. The lifeboat then took the two men on beard and proceeded to the vessel, and on the following flowing tide succeeded in bringing her safely into this port. She proved to be the smack Princess Royal, of Preston, from Bangor to that place with slates. SUFFERINGS OF A LIFEBOAT'S CREW. The following is a copy of a joint report which has been sent to the National Lifeboat Institution by the coxswain of the Ramsgate lifeboat, Northumberland, and the master of the Harbour Commissioner's steam-tug Aid, detailing their great sufferings on the night of the Ist instant, during a heavy storm and frost, in attempting to succour some ship wrecked crews on the Goodwin Sands : " Soon after eight o'clock, on Tuesday night, blowing a strong gale about E.N.E., and squally with rain, flashes of guns and rockets were seen in the direction of the South Sand Head Light-ship. The Aid steam-tug and Northumberland lifeboat were manned without delay about 8.30 p.m. We then left the harbour and shaped a course for the light-ship. About 10 p.m. spoke her, the gale still increasing, with intense cold, and a very heavy sea running; they reported to us that a vessel was on shore on the Goodwin Sands, bearing from the light-ship E. by N. We then east the lifeboat cable to her ancb,or, and reefed the sails ready for running alongside. We afterwards proceeded round the South Sand Head to ' wards the South Calliper buoy. On arriving between the buoy and the sand we discovered two distinct wrecks, one totally dismasted, the other with one mast standing, and the sea all round covered with wrecks, some pieces of which (large timber) struck our steamer and just cleared the life boat. At this time (11 p.m.) it being quarter flood, the sea considerably increased, breaking violently over both steam tug and lifeboat, their crews suffering severely from cold. After coming abreast of the wreck, the tide flowing rapidly at the time, it suddenly disappeared, the steam-tug and lifeboat keeping as near to both wrecks as the heavy gale and sea would allow with safety. We found, however, that we could render no assistance. The mast of the vessel having gone, the whole of that crew must have been swept away and perished. On our return from the wrecks, about 1.30 a.m., we again spoke the South Sand Head Light ship, and asked them if they had seen any boats or wreck floating past them ? They replied, yes, several pieces of wreck only without any of the crew floating on it. We then stood inside the South Sand Head, at half speed, but could only discover pieces of wreck, and apparently, bedding and cabin furniture. About 2 a.m. we shaped a course back for the harbour, where we arrived abor_:t 3 a.m. all well. On our return the heavy gale and sea being abeam it constantly broke over both stes:mer and lifeboat, the crews suffering severely, 'being benumbed with the intense cold. "DANIEL READING, MaStPlr, Steam-tug Aid. " JAMES HOGBEN, Master of Lifeboat." After the steam-tug and lifeboat were despatched the Ramsgate harbour master received two telegrams from Deal, stating that a vevsel er vessels were on shore on the Goodwin Sands, alarm guns and rockets were being fired from the South Sand Head Light-ship, no boat could Le launched from Deal Beach in consequence of the strong gal e and very heavy sea; and they requested him to send the steam-tug and lifeboat without delay. He has also since received the following report concerning one of the vessels that were lost on the Goodwin Sands on the night in question :—" Hdre.burg Ship, Gutenburg, from New York to Hamburg, general cargo of cotton, tobacco, &c., crew twenty-five in }lumber, five of which reached Dover in the ship's boat; the remainder, with Henry Pear. son, Deal boatman, lost. Fifteen of the crew of another vessel picked up by the Gutenburg, previously, at sea, were also landed at Dover. Cargo drifthig on shore at Kings down," The following neat sentiment was drank stand ing at a private fete among the fust circle coloured elite •f New York, a few evening 3 since :—" Here's to de ccloed fair sec, der face needs no paint, dar head no turnery." VACANCIES, APPOINTMENTS, AND PROMOTIONS IN TILE CIVIL SERVICE. Home Office.—Mr. George Coode Austin has been appointed a clerk in the Census Office, and passed his examination on the 15th ult. Mr. Wm. Curtis Otter has been appointed a clerk in the Census Office, London, and passed his examination. Mr. E. T. Blakeley has been appointed a clerk in the Census_Office, London, and passed his exami nation. Mr. Thomas John Jackson bas been appointed a clerk in the Census office, London, and passed his examination. War Office.—Mr. William John Walsh has been appointed a clerk of works in the Royal Engineers' Department. The Admiralty.—Mr. Thomas Collings, chief clerk in the Accountant-General of the Navy's Office, is. after a lengthened service, about to retire. There is a vacancy at Sheerness Dockyard for a third class clerk. Mr. Frederick Cleave, C. 8., Pay masterß.N., late secretary to Rear-Admiral Charles Talbot, in command at Queenstown, has been ap pointed steward of Greenwich Hospital, in the room of Mr. John Elliott, R.N. Mr. Allan, accountant at Sheerness Dockyard, proceeds to Hong Kong on duties connected with the Accoun tant-General of the Navy's Department. Mr. Hobbs, chief clerk at Chatham, has been appointed accountant at Sheerness. • Customs.—A vacancy has occurred as locker in the Custom House, Cork, caused by the death of Mr. E. Farrell. Mr. W. Masson has been pro moted from the first class of clerks to be a princi pal clerk in the Imports and Exports Depart ment, London. Mr. S. S. Gosset has been pro moted from the second to the first class of clerks in the Imports and Exports Department, London. Mr. C. Treleaven has been promoted from the third to the second class of clerks in the Imports and Exports Department, London. Mr. G. Crompton has been promoted from the fourth to the third class of clerks in the Imports and Exports Department, London. Mr. G. Finch has been promoted from the fifth to the fourth class of clerks in the Imports _ _ and Exports Department, London. Mr. F. Jones has been promoted from the second to the first class of messengers. Mr. H. G. Dast has been promoted from the third to the second class of messengers. Inland Revenue Department—Stamps and Taxes Branch—Mr. R. Caird has been transferred from the Fire Insurance to the Chief Examiner's De partment. Mr. A. R. Keen has been appointed a supernumerary surveyor of taxes. Excise Branch— Mr. W. Fisher, surveying general examiner, second class, has been appointed collector, Wales Middle Collection. Mr. G. A. Mason, surveying general examiner, second class, has been appointed collector, Leicester Collection. Mr. G. Chapple, surveying general examiner, second class, has been appointed. collector, Sligo Collection. Mr. D. W. Richards, surveying general examiner, second class, has been appointed collector, Sarum Collection. Scotland—Mr. D. S. Fraser has been appointed to a clerkship in the Statistical Department, Re gistry of Births, &c., and passed his examination. Mr. W. Ralph has been appointed to a clerkship in the Statistical Department, RPgistry of Births, &e., Edinburgh, and passed his examination. East Ifidies—Lieut. P. W. Bannerman has been appointed to officiate temporarily as first assistant to the agent of the Governor-General for Central India. Lieut. W. E. Forbes has been appointed an assistant commissioner, third class, in Oude. The Rev. C. E. Driberg has been appointed a marriage registrar in the 24-pergunnans. Mr. H. C. Sutherland has been appointed to officiate as joint magistrate and deputy collector of Dacca. Mr. J. D. Ousely has been appointed assistant to the magistrate and collector of Rajshahye, and to exercise special powers of an assistant magis trate. Mr. T. Parker has been appointed medical officer of Pubna. Mr. A. Littledale has been ap pointed a marriage registrar in Nuddea. Mr. J. D. Gordon has been appointed secretary to the Local Committee of Public Instruction at Comillah. Mr. J. Mackenzie, deputy magistrate and deputy-col lector of Chumparun, has been transferred to Shahabad, in which district he will exercise the special powers of an assistant chaplain to a magis trate. The Rev. D. Bellamy has been appointed chaplain of Gwalior. The Rev. C. A. L. Whyte has been appointed chaplain of the stations of Nagode and Nowgaon, in addition to that of Banda. The Rev. H. F. Corbyn, chaplain of Dehra Ishmael Khan, has been appointed chaplain of Subathoo. Mr. R. P. Harrison has been appointed a director of the Incorporated Bank of Madras. Major W. J. Wilson has been appointed commissioner of police for the town of Madras, on Col. Boulderson's retirement.—Ciril service Gazette. COUNTRY ItIA RIiETS'. CAMBRIDGE-JA N . 12. There was a limited supply of wheat, in fair condition. The wheat trade was slow at former currencies—white moving off at 60e to 645; red, 48s to 568 per 36 atone. Barley for malting, 38s to 46s ; grinding, 28s to 33s per 30 stone. Oats at 22s to 32s per 24 stone. Beans 38s to 42s per qr. LEICESTER-JAN. 12. The supply of wheat to-day was tolerable, with s fair attendance; prices were steady. Whits wheat, 72s to 78s —red, 65s to 70s per 36 stone; a very moderato sale for barley, grinding, 32s to 34s ; malting, 37s to 43s per qr. ; oats, 24s to 38s per 24 stone. Beans—old, 66s to 585; new, 38s to 40s per 38 stone. Fine flour, 50; I Seconds, 47s I Thirds, 458 per 20 stone. NORWICH-JAR. 12. At this market 10-day wheat was in fair supply, and last week's rates receded 6d to is per qr. Barley fully as dear,. with a fair inquiry. White wheat 65s to 67s I Red wheat 56s to 62s Malting barley....4ss to 47s I Chevalier barley 41s to 44s Distilling d0....31s to 34s I Oats.. 26a to 303 Flour, 315 to 34a Od per sack from the miller. YORK— JAN. 12. The trade was firm, and wheat, was an average show, A tolerable attendance of farmers and factors, and sales were effected at rather lower rates. Barley held for fully previous prices. • Beans and oats were supported. Wheat, red 4Bs to 60s i uats . 24s to 264 White do .60s to 68s i Beans 48s to 66. Barley .32s to 42s i Peas ......., to —l9 Malt, 70 s t o 72s per dr.; rye. 38s per qr, ; flour, 48s to bOe per sack. STAMFORD-JAN. 12. A moderate supply of wheat at market to-day, fdr which no advance upon last week's prices was obtained. Barley in firm demand, at extreme rates. Oats so).! readily at extreme rates. Fine old beany, in request. Wheat 503 to 60r, I Oats„ 24s to 280 White do 62s to 858 I Beans 44s to 460 Barley .. •• , als to 46s I Ditto, oh/ ........565 to --',4 [ADVERTISEMEYT.]—The f a ll ow i ng ex t raor di nar y cure s without medicine of indigestion (dyspepsia), flatulency, constipation, nervous, bilious and liver complaints, cough, asthma, consr.mption, and debility, effected by Du Barry's delicious health-restoring- Revalenta Arabica Food, are not the least remarkable :—Case No. 54,816. From the Rey. James T. 'Campbell, Syderstone Rectory, near Fakenham, Norfolk : " Gentlemen, I have long known and appreciated the virtues of Du Barry's Revalenta Arabica Food. In all cases of indigestion, and particularly when the liver is affected, I consider it the best of all remedies. JAS. T. CAMPBELL." Avoid Pills and Medicines : they invariably aggravate and perpetuate diseases ; their annoyance, disappointment, and expense may be avoided by using Du Barry's Food which, at a few pence per day, saves 50 times its cost in other remedies, removing effectually, without constipation, indigestion (dyspepsia) nervous, bilious and liver complaints and all their consequences. Certificate No. 36,418. We find it the v,afest remedy. Andrew lire, MD., F.R.S., Dr Harvey, 1)r. Wurzer, Dr. Shorland, Dr. Campell. Let invalids avc,id the fesrful dangers of spu rious and injurious imital ions offered under avariety of false pretences. Nevill's. imitations are prohibited by the high Court of Chancery under a penalty of £5,000 against Alfred Hooper Nevill and his agents ; and the pretences that Nevill has a patent for Arabia. Food and that Du Barry's are connected with such patent are utterly fake. No canister is genuine without the name Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, Regent-s..yeaton full, ontheseal and wrapper. Shopkeepers who attempt imposition in one article must expect to be distrusted iv. all others. Packed in tins lib. 2s. 9d.; 21b. 4s. 6d. ; 51 } J. lls. ; 121 b. 225. ; 241 b. 40s. The 121 b. and 241 b. can Ist ers are sent carriage free on receipt of Post-office order by Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, Re' gent-street, Londor ; Fortnum Mason, and Co.; Abbie,, 60, Gracechurch ; 4, Cheapside ; 63 and 150, Ox bard-street ; 330. and 451, Strand ; 49 and 60, Bishopsgate street ; Batty, 16, Finsbury Pavement ; Phillips and Co. tea-dealers; Patty, Wood, and Co., King William-street, City ; at P.a. High Holborn ; and all grocers. BIRTHS. AGNEW.-Ort the Bth inst., at the Earl of Gainaborough's, Portman-square, the Lady Louisa Agnew, of a son. Btu wEll..—On the 10th inst., at 14, Bernard-street, Rus sell-square, the wife of the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D., of a daughter. siA aItIAGES. HEYWOOD—FOSTER.—On-the 10th inst., at. Saxbv, Barton on Humber, Arthur Henry, third son of Sir Benjamin. Heywood, Bart., of Claremont, near Manchester, to Margaret Helen, youngest daughter of the -late John F. Foster, Esq., of Alderley Edge, near Manchester. Ro w LEY—E ItSIIINE.— On the 12th inst. at St. James's gtten vi , e e Y l i de l: st of the s(, daughter Sylvan-park,, Meath, Paddington, t o F r an ces Standish .j.‘c ( n i Hon. John C. Erskine. i) 14; A T DIXON.k. —On the 11th inst., at C oc k s h ut -hill , R e i gate, J. s iTthe 10th 'age7B in Gitst, at F u lh am-p l ace, Padding tal:EgNomiEex,d...n9—non. Esq., the widow o am Francis Green, Esq., HARRIS —On the 11th isCt,, at 7, Earl-street, Blackfriars Mr. W. D. Harris, ag,ed 43. HARDY.—On the Bth inst., William Hardy, Esq., of 78, Denbigh-street, Pimlico, aged 69 HILL.—On the 12th inst., Henry 11111, jun , Esq., of th firm of Williamson, Hill, and Co., of Great James-st. Bedford-row, aged '2.5. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE 131 , 7 Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in th,e County ot:llliddlVelit, Monday, January 14, 1