The Sun. — London, England, 1856-12-31 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two O'CLOCK. Advices from Liverpool state that the Cotton Market yesterday closed quietly, and was well supported. The prices of Americans were fully id. per lb. dearer. The sales were estimated at 10,000 bales ; 1,500 of which were taken by the exporters, and 2,500 by the speculators. The Railway Share Market closed flatly. In the Wool Market there is an active demand for all descriptions, and as the stocks are light full prices are obtained for most kinds. The accounts received yesterday from Melbourne mention that the wool trade in the colony was rather quiet, as buyers were awaiting advices relative to the London sales held in July. The statistics of exports de rived from the Customs returns showed that the shipments had rather diminished. From Octo ber 10, 1854, to August 31, 1855, the exports of this staple from Victoria were 14,878,281 lbs., but from Oct. 10, 1855, to Aug. 30, during the present year, they were 11,717,617, being a reduction of 3,160,664 lbs., or about 10,500 bales. It was generally thought that the supply would decrease, as many large growers had directed their attention to cattle, instead of breeding sheep. The efflux of gold to the Continent, although materially _checked, has not yet ceased, about 180,0001. of the specie, brought by the Red Jacket, having been taken for France. The remainder, it is expected, will be sold to the Blank of England, 65,0001. having been delivered yesterday. It is not known whether the portion sent away is for the Bank of France, but the circumstance excites little remark, because if we can manage to keep a fair proportion of these specie receipts in this coun try, the Bank of England will soon have an ample stock of bullion in its vaults. The advices received yesterday, relative to the production of gold in Victoria, are very encouraging, for, not withstanding the severity of the winter which had ' greatly retarded the operations of the miners, the yield had exceeded that of prior years. In the rates at which three months' bills on the continent were negotiated yesterday afternoon no quotable alteration took place. An active demand still prevails for discounts in Lombard-street and at the Bank. The rates, therefore, are stiff ; and full terms are charged for first-class bills. Durin g the next month some heavy calls will have to be paid on the shares of the National Discount Company, the Bombay and .13aroda Company, the Tilbury Extension, Arc , so that the members of the Stock Exchange are ready borrowers of capital at high quotations. At the present moment, therefore, there is no immediate prospect of any further alteration in the minimum, but after the distribution of the January dividends greater ease will no doubt be experienced. Two commercial failures are reported, and a third establishment is spoken of as being in diffi culties. A few disasters of this kind are usual at the termination of the year, but the general con dition of trade being prosperous, they excite no uneasiness. The market for public securities has been exceed ingly dull, but the quotations are firmly main tained. There are very few bargains, and no dis- Position to speculate to any extent is evinced. Consols are 94i / for the Bth proximo, and 24i 4 for the stb. February. The New 3 per Cents. are 941 the Reduced 944 I, and Exchequer Bills 2s. discount to 2s. premiwm. Bank Stock is 2161 and 218. Foreign Securities are firm. Turkish 6 pe Cents. are 95 to 951, and the 4 per Cents. 1031,r which in the latter instanco is a slight improvement. , Spanish 3 per Cents. ate 411, and the Certificates 5 4. Mexican Bonds are 211, and Dutch 4 per Cents. 97 to 971. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 7 ; 21k ; Peruvian 41 per Cents., 77 9 ; ditto t 3 per Cents., 54 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents.,' .44 6 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 106 8 ; ditto 41 per Cents., 96 8; Spanish 3 per Cents., 42 43; ditto ~D eferred, 241 ; ditto Certificates, 6 1 ; ditto Passive, There has been rather more business trans acted this morning in the Railway Share Market, and increased buoyancy has been displayed in prices. Great Northern im- Proved 10s., Lancashire and Yorkshire 10s., North-Western 10s., South-Western 12s. 6d., North Eastern, Berwick, 155., and South-Eastern 158 . ; Brighton, Manchester, Sheffield,eat Central and Lin coln, and Caledonian wer e steady. Gr 0 1 France advanced 55., and Great Western et • • Canada, ss. Grand Trunk of Canada are quoted 56 1 57i. for the 1001. stock fully paid up. also rule In Joint-Stock Bank Shares prices rather firmer. Commercial of London have ad "anced 10s. Bank of Australasia, National Pro vincial of England, and London Chartered of Australia were dealt in at steady rates. Canada Land Shares realise 131, Electric Telegraph 92, and North Europe Steam have improved 55., being quoted 131. Van Dieman's Land are 161. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ON N- O'CLOCK. ( From the Officla List:) Anginp- done Bank Stock 3 per vent. Reduced an nuities N ew 3 p er "ent. Annuities ................ •• gli i Loag Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860 ..... . 2i inet. Roods, £10(u •• • . — Ditto, under £lOOO 2 d Consols &n . A.ccount Exchequer Bills, 24d. £lOOO. 500 ~. 1 d 2 p imall ................. . ...... . PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE CYCLOf ;1 . Brazilian Fonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto Small lOOl Mexican 3 per Cent — Ditto Account 213 Spanish Bowls. 3 por Cent 4li Spanish Committee Cert. of Coup. not fun 53 Turkish Bemis, 6 per cent Ditto Account ...................... 953 Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Ce nt . .......••"' Ditto Account .................. —103 i Dividends on the above oavable in TJoncion. , batch Exchange, 26 per Cent., 12 Guilders Ditto 4 per Cont. Certificates T WO-O'CLOCK. Consols 94i Ditto Account .............................. Ditto (February 5) ........................ 94 • POISONING BY MISTAKE.-SINGULAR 03E. For some days past the most painful excite ment has f been f e lt in the neighbourhood of Brompton and the ad jacent locality, in consequence of the accidental poisoning, on Saturday morning last, of Mr. William Marceoly, aged 36 years, residing at No. 6, Brunswick - place , Brompton road, Mr. Wakely, the coroner, opened an inquest yesterday, at the Grapes Tavern, afterwards adjourning to the Bell and Horns, when the following facts were elicited : It appeared from the evidence of Jane Beer, a servant girl, that she lived with the family of the deceased, and en the morning in question her mistress told her to send for threepennyworth of castor oil. She washed out a small Phial that had previously contained medicine, some of which the deceased had used, and gave it quite clean and dry to the errand boy, Thomas Tanson, who went out about a quarter to 10 o'clock. Upon his return, the bottle Was taken up stairs to her master; in a few minutes after wards witness heard a scream; and ran up stairs, when she found her master lying on the floor. Thomas Tanson, a boy of 14 years of age, deposed to taking the bottle at the time stated by the girl Beer, and going to the shop of Mr. Budd, a druggist, a few doors from his master's, and adjoining Brompton-square, and saw the assistant, who was serving another boy. He serv ed witness from a bottle on the shelf at the back of the shop, and also from one on the left-hand - side going in. He brought it home. What he asked for was an ounce of castor oil. There was nothing in the bottle when he took it, as he saw his fellow-servant, Jane Beer, wash it out in the kitchen. Dr. Cahill, a medical gentleman, residing at St. Michael's place, said he was quite satisfied that death had been caused by hydrocyanic acid, although a small quantity. After some further evidence, an adjournment took Place to a future day. MARKET NEWS.— :fir Lay ) CORN EXCHANGE. A. very limitc3 supply of English wheat was on sale il2 to-day's market. The demand for all kinds ruled firm, and a good clearance was effected, at fully Monday's prices We were well supplied with foreign wheat, in which about an average business was transacted, at full quota tions. The show of barley was only moderate, and the trade ruled steady, at extreme rates. Malt was unaltered in value. Oats, beans, and peas moved off slowly; prices, how ever, were supported. Flour was quite as dear as on Monday. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Barley. Man, j Flnur. 1,340 300 I 510 I 9`.:0 1,360 1 -- - 1,090 1 6,420 English .. Irish .• •• Wheat. 630 Iffor e ip;r i } I 1,250 BOROUGH HOP. Our market is very firm, and prices have an upward tendency. WHITECHAPEL. Each kind of meat was in good request, at very full Mines. Beef from 3s 4d to 4s sa ; mutton, 3s 6d to 48 8d; vea&, 4s Od to 5$ Od; pork, 3s 8d to 5s 4d per Blbs., by the carcase. Shr. 100 20 SHARE MARKETS—(This Day. R AILW AYS. Paid . 1 p..n.wass. Arabg. Nottng. Bout and Nastz. :fund Belfast & ::3allymena Birming. WoIvor!) Stour V. lley ...., ,Birh ouhd. Ltr.: 4 Cheshire J - anct.... , Do. Chesh. 6 Birk. Do., do • ••••• 00000 •••• Blackburn -- 1 lilytl, &Tyne origin's £25 (issd. at £4 Bristol and Exeter.. . Caledonian .. Chester 4 Holyhead Cork and Bandon... Cork, Black, & Pass `Cornwall Do. A Do. B Dnblin&BelfastJure Dnn. P. 4 Aber. Jnc. East Anglian Basta% Countiez . East. Union, A BP Be. B. Stock , ... I Do., New A East Kent Fast Lancashire East Suffolk Do. Edinburgh & Glasge Edinb. and Peebles.. iEdin.Prtb &Dun& iForth & Clyde Jnn :. (Furness . jGlasgow & S. Westrn Great N. of Scotind . 'Great Northern Do., A. Stock Do., B. Stock ~.....• Gt. Sth. &West.(lre. ) Great Western Do. Stour Val. Rai' Gna. Stk Irish South-Eastern Lancaster & Carlisl' 'Do., Thirds ...... Do. New Thirds Lancash.andYorkel - Do., Wig . . Riding tin Do. Southiort London & Blackwell Loud. Bright & S.Cst !Loud, and N. Westn Do. Fifths Do.101.811.,M&B ( Do. Eigathr,. London andS. West , Lndndrry&Colerain Lncindrr.ydz Ennisk Idanch.Shef.At Limb Ifetropolitan ........ . Do. J. L. Ricardo'E arrangement Midland ....... . ...... Jo. Birmng. & Der %fidld. G. West. (Irr. ) Do. Half Shares gewcastle & Carlisl. Nwpt.Aberg. &Hrt Niewry & Enniskilb vewry, Warrenpoim end Rostrevor.... gorfolk orthn.CountiesUn North British Nith Devon Rail Si Dock Stock )0., A Stock... B Stock N. Eastern—Borwi• )o. do. Extension Dc. do. G.W.E. Do. Leeds Do. York North London '4.&S.Wstrn.,Han! stolid, and City Jo. North Stairordrlh , North Virestorn..,. I.&S. West rn. Jur.. Wore., & Wolv `ortm-nouth Rh3rmney icottish Central. Scot. N. E.Abrdn St, Do. Scot.. Mid. St trnim Sitinabourne&Sheer. South Devon South Eastern:: riouth Wales . 3. Yrksh. 3i.a;nes,Wok. Stockton Darling Do do 1854 Do.; do., 1855 itoolaen 4 Hartlep Taff Vale Do, Pref., No. 1.., rhanaes Hay. D.& Vale of Neath Watertl. & Kilkenn Waterford&Lirser,e West C0rnwa11...,,, iirest End of Londe, and Crystal Palace. Do. A ......,. . Do. B West Londo - n.„„., Do. Fii st Class Do. Second Class.. Wire)lod-Aznrov Closing Prices yesterday. 4i - ,4 8i 9 19 - 20 17i .18. 13i -• 14 92 - 94 631 63 37 - 39 •••• '''' ... ••• • •, ... '"' ... ioi 10 18A - 19: 9i 38 - 40 26 - 28 7 - 5 94 - 96 ... "'" • 5 . ; ... --- ••• 35 - 36 ••• '''' 94 - 96 7 - 7§ 91 - 92 76 - 78 120 125 110 112 691 694 60 65 70 - 74 54 - 64 54 6i 97 , 97 11l - 113 1.061 107 21 211 10a LO7 108 ••• ''' •••(' I d - par 82 - 83 53 - 55 ... MIN. 1 . 3 i 14t 50 - 52 3} - 3 9i 40, .... ' ... 83 - 84 4i - 4 3 - 2 18} - 181 59i 60& 96 -99 5f 61 - 7 10 - 11 28 - 29 .08 1.6§ 264 27.1 70 72 48 - 49 1 174 18 , 734 744 82 83 5 3cl 3 2 14 -- 16 37 - 39 • • • 0 L . 6i : 4 6 - 8 2 - 4 5 - 5i 7 7 - '9 COLONIAL. 18 9 .scnnoe4 , isareau, ,o, Cen.lndia, g. sp, c 1 - 14 18 all Do. - 20 10s. Ceylon A shares • ••20 1 Do. B. do - 11 174 all , eraerars ••• •• 20 2s. Eastern Bengal • • 20 all East Indian A and B, • *** g. SP. - 115 20 5 Do.Ex.C,gn,s p. c 2 2tp 40 all Do. do. D, gu. sp. c. 100 all D0.46p.c.8nd5.,'57 *** IA all 00. do. do., '59, d r • ••• ••• 20 all Geelong & Melbourne guar. 5 per cent... 214 - 22 St. 100 ad. Trunkof Canada 14 - 14 561 7 109 all Do. Cert. of Deben, con. into Stir. till's:'. (00 all Do. Comp. 6p, c., do. 80 - 85 824 I 20 all Gt. In. Pen. g. sp. c. 21i -22 k 20 2 Do New, guar. sp. c 1 lip 5i 20+ all (4t.4vestern o f Canna a 24f -24 i 24$ 10(20)t 8m) - 2 101 all DO D . B o d News.,payable '5, 99 - 100 tot , al! Do. do., '76, p. '6O ll5 120 118 101 01 Do. do., '73 do. 115 - 120 109 100 all Do. do., '73, withou option lOB 110 20 all Madras, guar. 4 t p.c 20 - 20 20 2 0 all lo D r) o o 2 41 . 4 p. c. Exten 20 5 Do. 3d Ex., g. sp. c 1 - 1/p 64 20 5 Scindo, guar. sp. c. 21 - 2 /p 20 all Do 20 )8 St. Andrew's and Quebec (A) FOREIGN. 10 all intsrerpttritott,rdtm 61 7 20 10 Ardennes • • - "• 5 all csolgian Eaetn. Juno 20 6 i a lo ll t e ß oca u ujo ff mita .l l%arti L i - 14 20 16 lesiers to GraissessAc 1 - 2 p - s n k es I 1 a Toulouse l d r o n n u y Y s e: 1. 5 1 5 ° 4 12 20 12 20 all Eastern Rhenish 6 of France ... 32 -32 i 20 all 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 8 s. E u n t. r e ,s/l ii n tr •J a n io• Yr i - 10 20 2s. Euphrates Valley e F lIt * 1 p p 16 Great Luxembourg"ll' 3_ - 224 20 all a LL LL uo e moc r r nebas e 4 Italian Junction,,, 20 5 - 51 ll Lombardo andra n dpo d i so Te eesn r np : e.v h t 20 all Lake Const. Bard, *** 20 6 20 15 2 0 a ll Lyons & Mediterran. 33?„ a ll Maria Antonia „, ••• Do. do. New •-•. •• 1 20 0 VI Kamm. & Liege , • 8 8 , 20 a ll Do. do., 6p. c. Pref. 19 --104 16 all Northern of France. 37 - 374 NorwegianTrunkPref 81 -8/ all Paris and Orleans.... 51 - 53 221000 all Paris and Lyons 54 544 20 5 Recife & San. Fran., (Pernam.) g. 7p. c. • L i t p 10 7i Rome and Frascati 2+) allßoyal Danish l5 - 20 14 1 .- Meuse 9 sh •-9?. 0 25° alt alla I LI' D n O I nY . ba b r i p. eSawned e d e i cent. Pref. 9 - 2 i a ll Southern of France -pm 10 84 11 el l west Flanders 44 -•4/ 24 10 ' r per Western of Austria - l ip 2 0 1, 1 D vc ? ..4 N A . of e F F i r m o n f . c e 3 9 3* L 20 0 Wt• of Switzerland ... - 20 511 6 an I NN T ies !s ba den - ••• 1 - 6 all • - ••• tn all Zet ,hvid Do. 8 per cent. Pref. :•• AOTNT-S'i.l rat BANKh. h.nstraAls Bank of Egypt Bank of London Br'. Col. Bk. &Ln. C. nritish • Araoriesn Chartd. Bank of Asia Chrtd. Bnk. of India, Australia, & China City................ ... Colonial .......... . Commercial of Loud Eng.Scot.SLAns.Ch t Lond. Chart. Bk. of Australia Ditto New, London and County butt & E. Bnk g. Corp London Joint Stock ILoad. & Westminstei IVational Pro.of Eng Tic. New Ml\ tonal Bank N OW South Wales Or!cntr.l Bk. Corp Ottoman Bank Provincial of Ireland Do. Now R Aus B tzGo Im Co South Australia IT sic,* of Australia ' Do. NOW , Unity Mutual Weattort jjs uon 98 —. 100 Ad a' 61 63 ... ...p~ 1 - 68 - 70 in 17i 19 - 20 18i- ... - • ""'" • ... -- ' - ••• ;ii - 48 38 - 39 1 . it( IMO . Mlle - 37 66 - 6 8 7 - 9 10 8 d ;;; 4(1 Business done this day. 273' 22 25 25 all 100 all 100 100 100 100 100 1.00 100 233, 1.61, 100 I.OD 100 9711 7 107} 7 yra 83 2i 12i I 74 f TINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. IPaid.l Leasl}i6 Compans. Closing Prices yesterday. RIILWATB. Bedford and Bletchley Buckghamsh. Clydesdalc Col. Stour Vy. E. Lin. g. 6 pc. E. Un. H. Sh. Glas. Barr. & Neils. Direct Do. Glstr.d;Dn Fr Dk. & Railway. Hull & Selby Do. Shares. Do. i Shares. Lon.&Greenw Do. Preference Lon.,Til., & S. Do. Bark. Sh. Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent. Do. 6 per ct. Manch. Extra. and Matlock Middlesbrn' Redc.g 6 p.c. Midld.Bradf , t Newmarket Bury E. G.spc N.& Est.s p.c. Do. 6 per ct. Do. Fixeds p c Prest. & 1)4 , yt, Do. Shrs. A Roystn.& Hit. Shot Roth.an Gooleg.sp.c . Shrews. &Her. S. Staffordsh. Wear Valleygr 6 per cent Do Wilts&gomrst 96 - 98 98 - 102 11 - 13 L 33 - 136 4 ... 4i COQ : ii& 124 -- 13 ••• 224 -- 234 ,12 -- 114 I 1 P 2j -2 o r 56 - 58 132 - 135 81 - 94 33 - 34 89 - 91 London & N. West. L. &N. W. Caledon... E, &E. C Gt.Nrten. E. Count. Ciddoni&n. Do Gt. Wean Yk. New. Berw. Y. &NM. , Do Do IS. Easton 'Do Peto & Co Do Norfolk Do LAN. W & Midld Stekton & Darlingt. Midland En. Conn. E. Count. Do Do LAN.W Do Gt Northn Laneash& Yorksh. T. Brassey ALMClean Stoat. & Darlingt. Do GtWootn PREFERENCE SHARES. BlythandTyne lOper c. pref. (issd. at 501) Bris. & Ex. 4 p. c. St Do. 4 p. c. Shares... Caledn. £lO 4i p.c. ,Ches. &Ho. On. 54 pc Do. do. Pref. 5 per c. Cork 4Bandons6p.c. Dun.Prth .& Aber.J. E. Anglian Cls. A Sh . Do. do. Cls. B 6 p. c. Do. do Cls. C 7p. c. Eas.Co.Ex,spcNo. Do. No. 2 ...... Do. New 6 p. c. Si East Un., G. 6 p. c . Do. 51., 10 per cent Do. 101. Debentr.Sh. Do. do. 4 per cent... East Lancash. 6 p.cts E. tW. York. J. sthf Edin. Sr GA. 5 p.c. sh Ed. Prth.&Dun.4p.c Furness, 5 p. c. Glas. &S.W.G. 6 P.C. Great Northr. sp. c I Do. 5 p. c. Redeem. at 10 p. c. prem. I Do. 4i p.c 1 Do. sp. c., Red. at t Gt.N. of Scot. lstPre Gt. S.4sW. (Ireland; Do. 4per C. Prof. S Gt. W.(B. k H. Exspc Do. con. red. 4i p.c. Do. con. red. 4 p. c Do. irred. 4p. c. Do. 5 p. c. red. pref Do. Birm. Pref. Sh Do. Chester 8 p. c. P Do. do. 5 p. c. do Do. Birm. Gina. Stk Do. Ches. Qua. Sh.. Do. do. do Do, do. do Lan. &York. F..£ 20 Do. 6 p. c. Stock Lon. &b. G. 5 pc. No.ll Do. P., 5 p c. St.No.2 Do. New Gnar.6 la. • Do. do. 5 p. c.,N0.4 Lon.&N. W., Coy. 4, Nuneaton 5 p. Lon.& S.W. 7 per et late 3d Shares Londy.&Coler. Sh. Londy. & Ennis., gh 1C,5.,& L.. 6 p. Cent Do. do. do. £6 Do. do. 34 per cent. Niarypt .&Carl.4p c Do. 4 i per cent Do. do. did. Consol.6 p.o.St Do. Con. Br. tir . 6 pc Do. 4a p. c. Pref. Ditto L. & H. Pref. St New., Aber., &c., pr. 5 p. c. red. 5 p.c. pm. Do. Perpet. 6 p ct. with optn. till '66 Norfk. Deb, 4 p.c. sh Do. Pref. 5 p. c. St , Do. 5 pc. Ext.,1846 D. 5i per c.pf ,1847 Do. Wv. V. p c.,1847' North British IDo 7/. Preference N. E. l erw, 4 p.c. P. Do. do. d 0....„ ..... . Do Leeds 6 p.c Do. do. Qr5.,1848 Do.Yorkil.& R. Per North Staffordshire Ox, W.,6 pc Do. 6 p.c. Redeem Sem Cent. ,New Pref Sc.N.E. Abor. g 6 pe Do. d0.,7 p.c. pf. et. D0.d0., 3 p.c. pf. st South Devon Do. fixed,4A per cent S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 44 per cent Do. Fixed 4i p c sh S. Wales Gua.4 p. c Do. do. 4i p.a S.Yorksh.4p.c.Guar Stock.& Dar., 5 p. c Do. do. do Stook. & Hartl. g. p. c. till July 1,'561 Waterfd.& Kilk. 6 p c 20 12i 25 20 Bt. 1.0.6! MINES. ii 108 all Auglo C a l i f or nian ... - ... P 20 7 Australian i - 11 b 1 all Baden (Gd. Duchy of) ... - ... n 60 all Blainar. Iron & Coa' ... - ... 20 14 British Iron 75 - 81 35 265 Brazilianlmp.(issued at 25 pm.) - 1$ ' rl 30 all Do. Cocaes & Cuiab 3i - 31 b 20 15 Do. St. John Delßey 15 - 17 1 5 Clarendon Cons. Min NS Co. of Jamaica p - 1n 40 all Cobra Copper , 56 - 58 5 1/ Colonial Gold. P ... St. all Copper Min. of Eng 30 - 35 25 all Do. Prof. 75 p. cent 25 - 27 ... le Copiapo l3 - 15 2 all Fortuna 5 - id 20 all Genetal - ... 1 all Gt.NuggetVeinßeg * - 6 44; all Great Polgooth. i - 4 tl 5 all 1 all Gt berteal Vor United 4 - 5 NI Liy 3 all Linares 8 - 85 5 15 Lusitanian ld - p 1 ail Mariquita.. .......... - I 1 all New Granada * --- 4 1 all Nouveau Monde ••• t 1 all Quartz Rock .. - ..• 2 5 1 all p Po o n rt tg p i h .S il i i l p .& Le. Min 8 ' -10 50 all Rhymney Iron 23 - 25 1 15 all Do. New 7 - 9 30 15$ Santiago de Cuba 2 - 25 . 68. Sort. Cons. Min. Co l5 - 1$ . 1. all South Australian ... - ••• 1 all Do. Scrip... ... 1 all Do. 10 per cent Pref ... - ... ... 45 Tam. S. &L.llin. Co. $ - 1 10 9 Tin Croft 35 - 4 285 all United Mexican 35 - 4 1 all Waller - ... 1 all West Mariposa ....... - 1 1 12s. Worthing Mining of Australia . • .. , - ... - MISCELLANEOUS. 25 19 _ ustrailac Agriocalt. 24 -- 26 10 til Australn. Royal Mail - - 10 all Berlin Water Works 41 - 51 50 40 &it. American Land 40 -- 45 100 32,4 Canada l2B - 132 131 St. 002 1 1Glo.6p.c.JanSanly 1131 - 113 St. 100 D. 6 p.c. Feb & Aug ... - ••• S t. 100 Do.6p c. Mar & Sept ... - ... Duston Iron Oro ••• - "• 5 all Crystal Palace 2 - 21 21 5 all Do. Preference 5 1 - 54 0 r y EasternGE ne n. Electrics 4 I. t a :t 1 P e SE a t l :l oa o ee Nr;ra f . F asmp a i 1 ig n &c : ot e o 9 .. . . ... 15 —=.: 9: 2 . , 92 4 all 2 1 0 55 1. 1 1 a: St. 100 1 all Electric Tel g of Ir. 25 all Gen. Ir Sc Se Col (l ira .) "' 11 all General Screw Steam ' 6 - 65 6 4 20 5 London Discount - p 4 all Lond. Gen.. Om •b mus 3 - 3 20 10 Magdalena St. Navi, 10 all Mediteran. Elec. Tel. - - ... 10 all Mexican&S.Amerien. 3 ••• - ..• I - ri 25 5 Nat. Discount Co - _ ii , 25 1 Do. New ... -. . 10 5 Netherlands LanCl , "` - a r * 1 - 1 i 10 all Do. Do• - 41 5 3 Do. BpcPissatld 5 1 Do. Do 100 80 New B. & N.S. Land 4P N.S.W. Gov. sp.c.D. .. • .._ •• • ••• ••• 1 all N. B. Australasian i __ •s• 20 175 Nrth. of Europe Steam 4 ..... d 13 1 all Oriental Gas ll -I 4 $ 1 1 2s. Do. "New Shares" p ...., i. ) 4 6 all Peel Rr. Ld. & MinrL 25 - 2Pm 50 all Peninsular& Oriental 66 - 68 50 10 Do. New ' 4 - 5 r 100 60 Royal Mail Steam ... 66 - 68 1 all Scot. Austral. Invest. 1$ -.1 i 1 all Ditto New - 15 25 all South Austral:Lar 4 36 - 38 1 al: Submar. Tel. Scrip $ 1 1 al' Do. Registered.... 20 41 Tr'Fith i ..‘:'O.IT.CP. _ , , X d bonus 100 -:gs Van Diemen's Land 16 18 1.65 x a i m ti .. v, , ),.iip,,..shn&Juil ~. , ~. 95 - 100 4! - 6 - 6A 94 - 98 109 - 113 101 - 108 iP - 12 - - 12-4 in; --- 119 [O9 - 111 LO2 - 104 62 - 64 91 - 104 .» 6 - 95 - 97 85 - 87 99 101 10 - 100 16i 17t 10 -10 i 73 -- 75 190 -20 t 9* -10 i 14i -- 154 ••• 37 139 129 -- 142 117 119 *. '''' .v. ,157 - 159 a 1 6o 70 • .• ..... ..• 137 - 139 98 - 100 89 - 1 - lit 102 -104 92 —94 li -- id is p -- 108 114 - 116 105 - 110 17 - 18 23 -- 24 102 -- 105 10k -- 101 iii -• 28 2 - 3 p ••• ......• ••• 3 -. 31 Business this day THE FRAUDS ON THE CITY OF LONDON UNION. EXAMINATION OF PAUL (THIS DAY). John Paul, one of the men charged with being con cerned in the frauds on the City of London Union, was placed at the bar this morning, before the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion-house, for the purpose of a preliminary examination. The charge, as entered on the police sheet, is, that he stole and carried away a certain order for the payment of 3781. 15s. 6d., the property of the Board of Guardians of the City of London Union ; but the amount by no means represents the amount of his defalcations. A great number of the members of the Board of Guardians were present, 'and the Court was densely crowded. Mr. Humphreys attended for the prdsecution, and the prisoner was defended by Mr. Wontner. Mr. Humphreys said he appeared before his lordship on the part of the Board of Guardians of the City of London Union, to prefer various charges against the prisoner at the bar, who, he regretted to say, was until lately in the employ of the Union, as assistant clerk. After laying before his lordship several circum ssances connected with the charge, aed having proved them, he (Mr. Humphreys) bhould ask for a remand, for the purpose of investigating more thoroughly than has yet been done the great number of defalcations on the part of the prisoner. The cases he should now enter into were two in number. One was for stealing a check entrusted to him as a servant of the union for the purpose of paying over to Messrs. Kingsford, who supplied the union with flour. The check in question was given on the 2d September, 1855, for 3781. 15s. 6d. and it was the pri soner's duty to pay the cheek to Messrs. Kingsford and Co., but instead of doing so, he, having a banker's ac count of his own, paid it into the Bank of London to his own account, on the 13th of the same month. His Lordship would find there was no doubt as to his hav ing done so, for not only would the entry in the banker's books show it, but there would be produced a ticket which the Bank of London received from its customers on their lodging money with them filled up in their own handwriting, and the writing on the ticket for the amount of this cheque would be proved to be in the prisoner's handwriting. The prisoner, he should show, admitted some time after to Mr. Rowse'', the clerk of the Union, that he bad misappropriated the money, whereupon that gentleman, from a benevolent feeling, paid Messrs. Kingsford's claim out of his own pocket. The second case he should prefer against the prisoner would be one of forgery—the forging the receipt of an acquaintance for money which was given by him on 19th November last to Mr. Woodward, who was the collector of the poor's and church rates for St. Andrew Undershaft. Mr. Woodward from time to time up to the 18th of Nov. had given to the prisoner various sums of money amounting to 2001., and on the 18th Nov. he gave him a further sum of 901., making in the whole 2901., which he was to pay into Messrs. Smith, Paine and Smith, the bankers of the Union, to the credit of the parish, the bankers' receipt for the money to be given to Mr. Woodward on the following day. According to promise, the prisoner on the following day gave to Mr. Woodward a receipt purporting to be the bankers' receipt for the money, and signed by E. S. Crosier, cashier in the banking house. That receipt he (Mr. Humphreys) should show, by the evidence of Mr. Crosier, was a forgery ; and under the circumstances he should ask for the prisoner's remand. Mr. S. H. Huish, one of the Guardians of the City of London Union, deposed that he resided at 17, St. Martin's-le-Grand, and was a shoe warehouseman. He attended a board meeting on the 23 of SepteMber last. The prisoner was then assistant clerk of the union, and was acting on the occasion for the chief clerk, who was absent. The board made an order of payment to Messrs. Kingsford of 3781.155. 6d. A cheque was drawn for that amount, and was left in the prisoner's hands for pay ment to them. Witness did not see the cheque again till recently, when he found it in a drawer of Mr. Paul's table, or desk in the office, on the 17th of this month. He was not attending to his duties then, having absented himself for a day or two. Mr. John Robinson Glanville, cashier in the Bank of London, deposed that the prisoner kept a private ac count there. On the 13th of September he paid in a cheque for 3781. 15s. 61, and the cheque produced had the bank mark upon it. It was the custom of the bank to have a ticket for the amount lodged, by the customers, and he had the ticket, which he produced, and which was in the prisoner's hand writing, and dated Sept. 13. The cheque was paid by Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith to a clerk of the Bank of London. Mr. J. T. Rowsell, clerk to the guardians, deposed that he resided at Norwood, The cheque produced (and referred to by Mr. Heath) was counter signed by him as clerk. In consequence of some information he had he spoke to the prisoner on the 27th Nov., and asked him for the receipt from Messrs. Kingsford, as he found that the cheque had been cashed on the 13th Sept. Prisoner hesitated about the receipt, and witness went again to look at the banker's book (Smith, Payne, and Smith). He found he was correct, and returned immediately to the prisoner's office, when the prisoner said, "It's useless deceiving you ; I have used the money." Witness paid the money to Messrs. Kingsford out of his own pocket. Mr. Humphreys said that was as far as he intended to go in that case, and he would now proceed with the other, Mr. Rob ert Woodward, of 49, Lime-street, deposed that he was collector of poor and church rates for the parish of St. Andrew Undershaft. Before the 18th of Nov. last he handed several sums of money to the pri soner, amounting, in the aggregate, to 2001. On 18th Nov. he handed to him 901. more, making 2901. He was to pay it into the bankers' of the Guardians. The bankers were Smitb, Paine, and Smith. On the follow ing day the prisoner gave him a receipt for the money, purporting to be signed by Mr. Crosier, cashier at the banking house. Prisoner said it was the receipt for the money. Mr. E. S. Crosier deposed that he was a cashier at Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Co's. The signature on the receipt produced, purporting to be his, was not in his handwriting. He did not receive the money. There was no other person of his name in the banking house. Mr. Humphreys said that was all the evidence he proposed calling to-day, and he asked for a remand. The Lord Mayor—Certainly. To what day ? Mr. Humphreys said to-morrow week. Mr. Wontner offered no opposition, and The prisoner was accordingly remanded. The prisoner, who is about 62 years of age, has more the appearance of a man about 45. He is rather stout, with small features, and florid complexion. . - LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.) COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. Mr. Commissioner Holroyd was the Commissioner of the day, but there was no cause on the list. A meeting was held in re the Royal British Bank, but it was strictly private. SECONDARIES' COURT. (Before Mr. Secondary Potter.) BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE-DAMAGES 5001. BiRBAR V. DE ERESPIGNY. This was an action to recover damages for a breach of promise of marriage. The plaintiff is a young lady at Malta, and defendant an officer in the Royal navy. Defendant having suffered judgment to go by default, the jury were now empanelled to assess damages. Mr. D. E. Colombine, of Basinghall-chambers, Basinghall-street, appeared for the plaintiff and stated the case, from which it appeared that when serving as lieutenant in the Phaeton at Malta, in 1852, he became acquainted with Mrs. Barbar's family, and paid his addresses to her daughter, Miss Mary Barbar, with the sanction of her mother; but he said that, not having obtained promotion, he must acquaint his mother, on whom he was dependent. Subsequently he wrote to say that his mother would not consent to his marriage, which compelled him to delay until he was in an inde pendent position. Mrs. Barbar then wrote to him, releasing him from any promise, and begging that he would break off any further engagement or correspon deuce with her (laughter. He answered, regretting that Mrs. Barbar had concluded so summarily, but still hoped ho would be able soon to renew his engagement. All was silence till 0c6., 1855, when defendant, then serving in the James Watt, in the Baltic, renewed his offers and professed sincerity, and although time was allowed for reflection, a private note having been written expressive of anxiety whether his expressions were decisive, to which he replied in the affirmative. The " happy" day was not actually fixed, but defendant, who had been ap pointed to the Snap gunboat, wrote in Nov., 1855, requesting Mrs. Barbar and plaintiff to come to England. As an inducement, he said that he could either remain in the service and take his chance of promotion to com mander, after which he could expect no promotion, as when peace should be made with Russia, there would be such a stagnation as to prevent the possibility of any body's rising in the service; but, cn the other hand, he thought that instead of taking a house, it would be better that they should live in the Snap till the war was over, and then be would take half-pay and go out to that magnificent country, Australia, where the Government would give Lim 300 acres of land, and spoke of ri relations, and hopes of being remembered 761 d in their wills, &c. In January, 1856, he wrote from the Snap, still urging an immediate marriage, and Mrs. Barber and her daughter were actually on board to come to England when the grievous blow was 'in flicted on plaintiff, that, under circumstances, he should hope that it should be arranged that they should mutually release each other, for if they were married, " Poverty, the most dire of evils, would be our inevitable fate," and suggesting that they " should start afresh ; and should they meet again in after years they might at least become sincere friends, for at least we deserve each of us that at the hands of the other." Mr. Colombine denounced the conduct of the defendant as being fickle and extraor dinary for the part of a man of honour holding her Majesty's commission. As the defendant had neither pleaded, nor had he even appeared to offer any pal liation, he (Mr. Colombine) hoped the jury would give adequate damages. The jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff—damages 5001. SPORTING NOTES. THINGS IN GENERAL. The frost has disappeared roost opportunely for the Manchester men, whose annual revels on New-year's day at Stretford are not likely to be interrupted. The appointed sport is not of a character to require comment, and both in quantity and quality it is likely to be very insignificant. Still the hard-worked denizens of the cotton-spinning metropolis will doubtless discover in the racing the elements of excitement, and will be enabled to employ their time and attention pleasantly enough. The . Waltham Abbey Steeplechases, as usual, pro yoked a wrangle, and under the present management their popularity seems to be impossible. Two races were, or are, in dispute. Report states that the steeple chase was on Monday decided in favour of British Yeo man, who came in second, but no official notice of such a decision has yet been promulgated. How gentlemen could allow their names to be associated with such an undertaking as that at Waltham is a matter of surprise. For the betting men generally, who are calling out most lustily about the doings, I have no pity. Experience should have taught them what to expect. They deserve no more commiseration than those persons who will trespass upon that portion of the ice marked dtlanger ous," and who consequently get a good immersion for their foolhardiness. Really the jumpers are in a bad plight. Every steeplechase meeting that has been cele brated this season has been a failure. The good time coming must be seen through the reverse end of a teles cope, for it is very far off. Mr. Newcombe Mason .is busily employed canvassing for the Oundle meeting, where, with judicious management and fair play, an at tractive gathering may one day be established. The Grand National Steeplechase at Liverpool is, however, the only cross-country event which now excites interest, and where the horses are to come from to make up a race for it I am unable to determine. There is scarcely a modern steeplechase horse left that would be capable of cutting a respectable, appearance in the hunting field. Business at the Corner has been conducted in the usual jog-trot manner, and no demonstration of im portance has been made in connection with either the Chester Cup or Derby. Loyola, however, seems likely to be spiritedly supported for the Two Thousand, which seems likely to be a profitable betting race. The nominations for the principal spring events will be made on the 6th of January; those for the Chester Cup on the Ist, as usual. Until the entries are pub lished it will be impossible to see clearly the prospect of sport. Still, despite the crippled state of the turf money market during the past season, there is likely to be no diminution in the quantity of the racing provided by the different clerks of courses. I regret to announce the death of Mr. William Ruff, for many years the well-known turf reporter to the Lou don press. His death took place yesterday afternoon. Dec. 31. A FRESH MAN. BETTING AT MANCHESTER —TUESDAY. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE. 100 to 6 agst Escape (taken) 100 to 5 agst Teddesley (taken) 100 to 5 agst Bourton (taken) 10 to 1. agat Henderson's lot (taken) Two THOUSAND GUINEAS STASES. 4to 1 agst Loyola (taken) 6 to 1 apt Vidette (taken) 8 to 1 agst Drumour (taken) CHESTER CUP. 50 to 1 agst St. Giles (taken) 50 to 1 agst Alice Wentworth (taken) 1000 to 15 agst Rogerthorpe (taken) 1000 to 15 agst Comedian (taken) DERBY. 11 to 1 agst Blink Bonny (taken) 14 to 1 agst Loyola (taken) 20 to 1 agst Tournament (taken) 1000 to 40 agst Lady Hawthorn (taken) 1000 to 30 agst Athlete (taken) WALTHAM ABBEY STEEPLECHASES.—We understand that the steeplechase for which Janus came in first has been decided in favour of British Yeoman. We have, however, received no communication on this subject or relative to the Hunt Steeplechase, also disputed, from the clerk of the course or any official person connected with the meeting. • REALM OP LONDON DURING TEE WEEK. (From the Report of the Registrar-Geaeral. The total number of deaths registered in London in the week that ended on Saturday is 1,069, being very near;y the same as in the preceding week. In the corre. sponding weeks of the years 1845 55 the average number of deaths was 1;247; but the deaths of last week occurred in an increased population, and if they, are to be compared with the average the latter should be l'aised proportion ably to the increase, in which case it Rill become 1,372. It appears that the number in the present return is less by 300 than would have been returned if the average rate of mortality had prevailed. _ . The number of deaths referred last week to diseases of zymotic class is 211; the corrected average of correspond ing weeks is 273. Hooping-cough, which for 7 previous weeks had shown great uniformity of results, the weekly number of deaths having been about 40, increased last week to 55. Typhus and common fever ranked next in the order of mortality, and were fatal to 38 persons. Cases of typhus seem to be frequent in Paddington ; a nurse of St. Mary's Hospital died of it on the 10th inst. ; two patients brought to the hospital from Harrow-road and Stanley-street died on the 11th and 22d respectively, and an aged woman on the 22d in Market-street. Measles was fatal to 32 children, all under 10 years of age ; 3 of the deaths from it occurred in St. Margaret, Westmin ster, 4in Islington. Scarlatina was fatal in 26 cases, diarrhoea in 12, erysipelas in 10, croup in 9, emall-pox in 5. TAking the diseases of this description in the aggre gate, the mortality from them, at present, is not great. The deaths caused by diseases affecting the respiratory organs were 233, nearly the same as in the previous week, and considerably less than the average. Fatal cases of pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, de creased in two weeks from 93 to 67. Phthisis, or con sumption, which is not included in the class above men tioned, caused 128 deaths, the corrected average being 135. Only two nonagenarians died in the week—viz., two widows, aged respectively 91 and 92 years. Last week the births of 749 boys and 723 girls, in all 1,472 children were registered in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the years 1846.55 the average number was 1,382. At the RGyal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer iu the week was 29.419 in. The reading fell from 30.33 iu. at noon on Sunday, to 28.76 in. on Thursday. The mean temperature of the week was 35.7 deg., which is 2.5 deg. below the average of the same week in 38 years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher). The mean s daily temperature was below the average on the last five days, and on the last three days the extent of depression below the average was from 7 deg. to 10 deg. The highest temperature was 46.5 deg., and oc curred on Sunday (the 21st) ; the lowest was 24.6 deg., and occurred on Friday. The range of the week was, therefore, 21.9 deg. The highest temperature, on Thursday (Christmas-day), was only 31.2 deg. The mean dew-point temperature of the week was 32.9 deg., and the difference between this and the mean air temperature was 2.8 deg. The mean temperature of the water of the Thames was 40.6 deg. ; the lowest in the week was 38.4 deg., on Saturday. The wind was generally in the west till noon on Thursday, after which it was In the north-east, north, and north-west. The air was frequently calm. The rain-fall of the week was only 0.13 in., all of which occurred on Wednesday. Light mow fell early on the morning of Saturday. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM AIL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DEC. 27 Zymotic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Btood - ves sels 5l Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration 233 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Dis e ases of the Kidneys , &c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations 2 28 Premature Birth and Debility Atrophy .. 26 Old Age - .llidderi l3 Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance 33 Causes not specified DEATHS THOU ALL CAUSES 1,069 Population Deaths in corre- Deaths Enumerated. sponding week in the 1851. of 1855. Week. West Districts North Districts 490,396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 South Districts Totals 1,485 1,069 Males ' Females BIRTHS IN THE WEEK Males.. Females.. Total ' ........ 1,472 )aval and Military Intelligence. The non-commissioned officers and men belonging to the depots of the Bth (the King's), 10th, 24th, 27th (Enniskillens), 29th, 35th (Royal Sussex), and 53d Regi ments stationed at Chatham, who have not been in structed in the use of the Enfield rifle, have been placed under Captain W. Nott, 83d Regiment, to acquire a knowledge of that weapon previously to embarking for India. The Industry, steam store-ship, Master-Commander Petley, arrived at Portsmouth on Monday, from Lisbon, whither she had been with stores or Rear-Admiral Sir Richard Dundas's squadron. The Victer Emmanuel, 91, was taken out of Ports mouth harbour yesterday to Stokes-bay, to make another trial of her speed. . - The Clinker, 2, steam gunboat, left Portsmouth yester. day for the eastward. The Stromboli, 6, steam sloop, Commander Burgess, went into Portsmouth harbour yesterday afternoon, to be paid off. The Trident, 6, steamvessel, Commander F. A. Close, went into Portsmouth harbour yesterday afternoon to repair some defects, and to have larger coppers put on board, her complement now being 100 men. The Excellent gunnery ship, Captain Sir T. Maitland, C. 8., will be paid off at Portsmouth this day, and re-com missioned to-morrow. It is reported she will be manned in future by gunners and gunners' mates only. The f Rowing officers have taken up their commissions to the Meiampus, fitting at Sheerness for coastguard ser vice at Newhaven:—Capt. L. G. Heath, C. 8.; Lieut. G. M. Smith (late of the flag-ship Waterloo), Mr. W. S. Collins, paymaster ; W. Loney, surgeon, M.D. ; Mr. A. B. Cumming, clerk ; Mr. W. R. Billenge, assistant clerk ; Mr. R. Shaw, carpenter ; Mr. J . Gardner, boats wain ; Mr. W. J. Bliss, gunner (under warrants of the third class) ; G. Archer, sergeant, R.M. ; 1 corporal, 1 fifer, and 12 privates, R.M. Her complement is to be, officers and men complete, 90, including 32 boys of the first and second class. The following gun-boats, now in the first class steam squadron of reserve, under command of Capt. Edward P. Halsted, of the Edinburgh, at Sheerness, have by an Admiralty order just returned into store at that yard all their sails, running rigging, &c., their immediate ser vices not being required—namely, the Ruby, Magnet, Sandfly, Spanker, Erne, Louisa, and Mayflower. The Thistle gun-boat was paid off on Monday at Sheer ness. The crew of the flag-ship Waterloo (at Sheerness), Capt. Lord Frederick Kerr. will be paid off this day. She is to be recommissioned immediately, to bear the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, the Hon. William Gor don, &e, The following ships and vessels are now in port at Sheerness, in harbour, fitting basin, and in docks, viz. : The Edinburgh, 60 guns, Capt. E. P. Halsted ; the Wa terloo, 120 guns, Capt. Lord F. Kerr, flag-ship ; the Formidable, 84 guns, Capt.-Superintendent J. Jervis Tucker ; the Royal George, 102 guns ; the Terrible, 21 guns ; the new screw steam corvette Scylla, 21 guns ; the Argus, 6 guns ; the Eurotas, 12 guns, screw mortar ship ; the Hydra, 6 guns ; the Terror, 14 guns, floating battery ; the Haratio, 12 guns ; the Russell, 60 guns ; the Hawke, 60 guns, Capt. J. Willcox, C. 8., &c. ; the Phoenix, 6 guns; the Renard, 6 guns ; the Foxhound, 6 guns; the Pylades, 21 guns ; the Trusty, 14 guns, floating battery ; the new screw steam frigate Emerald, 51 guns ; the Hermes, 6 guns, Com. W. E. A. Gordon ; the Lizard, steam vessel, Lieut.-Commander Thomas B. Christopher ; the Myrtle, steam vessel, Master-Com mander W. S. Bourchier ; the African steam vessel, Second Master-Commander R. Harvey; the Fearless, steamvessel ; the Wildfire steam tender to Waterloo, Master-Commander George Brockman ; the Malampus, 42 guns, Captain L. Heath, C. 8., &c. The gunboats Louisa, Magnet, Erne, Mayflower, Ruby, Sandlly, Car nation, Spanker, Pelter, Fly, Hasty, Cochin, Julia, Dwarf, Fidget, Gaper, Mastiff, Mistletoe, Traveller, Spey, Surly, Herring, Sepoy, Bullfrog, Tickler, Manly, Thistle, and the new screw steam despatch gunboat Nim rod. The new ship Meeanee, 80 guns, is in No. 2 dry dock, being altered to receive screw-steam machinery. Preparations were yesterday morning commenced, at an early hour, for the launch of her Majesty's 20-gun screw steam-corvette Scout, constructed in Woolwich Dockyard. As the tide flowed up the blocks under the ship's keel were removed one by one, leaving only two remaining. A slight motion was then observed when she began to draw. A little girl, about four years of age, the only child of Commodore and Mrs. Shepherd, acted as sponsor; she grasped the bottle of wine in both bands and dashed it against the vessel, exclaiming " Success to the Scout." Orders were then given to " out the triggers," and the cords which sus pended the weights having been cut, the dog-shores were knoeked away, and the ship was free. The motion, though scarcely perceptible, had already begun, and, gradually augmenting, soon attained a rapid velocity, which carried her forward into the Thames amid the cheering of the crowd. She was subsequently brought round to the mouth of the outer basin, and was finally warped in, in order to receive her engines and machinery prior to being docked. The Scout is a sister ship to the Pearl, and was built on the same slip as the latter vessel. Sne is built to draw 20 feet of water if heavily laden, but, under ordinary circumstances, she will draw from 16 to 17 feet. The following are the dimensions of the vessel : Ft. In. Length between the perpendiculars 2OO 0 Length of keel for tonnage l7l 91 Breadth, extreme 4O 4 Breadth for tonnage 4O 0 Breadth, moulded Depth in hold Burthen in tons, 1,462 21-94 The freight ship Vesta has entered the Victoria Docks, for the purpose of being laden with light ordnance stores, gun carriages, field gun cartridges, and combustibles, from Woolwich Arsenal, for Rio de Janeiro. The freight ship Clara is embarking ordnance stores from Woolwich Arsenal for St. Louis. The freight ship Dorothy is shipping gun carriages, shot, &c., from Woolwich Arsenal, for the Mauritius. The freight ship Clara Louisa is taking in a cargo of ordnance stores from Woolwich for Malta. The freight ship Challenge went down to Woolwich yesterday from the London Docks, in order to, embark ordnance stores and ammunition for Gibraltar. The Rival is taking in ordnance stores from Woolwich for the Cape, and the British Sing is embarking a simi lar cargo for Trinidad. The Iris, 26, has been commissioned at Chatham by Captain Loring, C.B. (1848), and is intended for the Australian service. The Southampton, 50, Captain 'E. P. Charlewood (1855), fitting at Chatham for the Coastguard service, is awaiting her sailing orders to proceed to Harwich,. at which port she is to be stationed as the guardship. The Renown, 91, screw steamer, building at Chatham, is being rapidly completed, and will be ready for launch. ing in a few weeks. She is to be fitted with machinery of 800-horse power. Her figurehead has been raised, and from the exertions which are making by her builders she will be fit for launching in a short time. The fol lowing figures will show the size of this fine vessel : Ft. In. Length between perpendiculars 244 9 Length for tonnage Breadth, extreme 55 4 Breadth for tonnage Breadth, moulded Depth of bold 24 6 Burthen i❑ tons, 3,317 7894. The following] appointments were made at the Admi ralty yesterday : Surgeon—Andrew Moffitt to the Iris. Assistant.Snrg€ons—Benjamin Browning (acting) to the Iris ; Sa.antel Campbell (acting) to the Plumper. DELIVERING UP OF THE ARCTIC SHIP RESOLUTE TO GREAT BRITAIN. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 30.—T0-day the final handing over of the Arctic discovery-ship Resolute to Great Britain was effected, considerable interest being excited by the event. The American colours, side by side with those of this country, hung this morning from the peak of the stout old ship. At a quarter to one o'clock Captain Seymour, flag-captain to the Com mander-in-Chief, went on board the Resolute to receive her on the part of the nation. Mr. Penn, the master of the Victory, Mr. Burdwood, second master of the Victory, a party of seamen, and a corporal's guard ' from the same ship, also went on board to take charge of her. Captain Hartstein now order ed his crew to take up their proper positions—the starboard watch forward and the port watch aft. Captain Seymour, after spending a few minutes in the cabin of Captain Hartstein, returned on deck, and as the dockyard clock struck one the flag-ship Victory hoiAed the United States stars and stripes at her main and fired a salute to that flag of 21 guns. Whilst the salute was being fired Captain Hartstein ordered the American colours to be hauled down on board the Resolute, and the Union Jack then floated alone, whilst at the ye s . se.'s mainmast the pennant of a British naval Officer was hoisted. The salute being ended, and the chan gee of colours effected, the crew of the Resolute mann e d the rigging, and gave three hearty cheers as -- I for the salute. a return Captain Hartstein, surr 3 unded by his officers Chevalier Papalardo, the American Vice.c and the addressing Captain Seymour, °mill, th en said—Sir, the of my most pleasant and i , riportant raj • closin g sce ne be performed ; and permit nie to ho missies has now t° every timber in her sturdy Pe that, lun g after frame shall have the remembrance of the old Resolute perished, I by the people of the respective nations,will he cherished I pride totally at variance with our I now, with a strike my flag, and to professional ideas, you, sir, give Captain Seym our •, ' i up thi s ship. replied-1 am se r e, sir, that this graceful act on the part of the this country, and the graceful -United States towards it has I been performed by yourself, manner in whichoan of i the ship, will ever live . sir and the other officers Ragland. in the memory of the people of TL,i3 concluded the o f the delivery of the vessel to this country,ceremony haying, it will be rhet eco --t e;], t he Q„ en herself , persnn a lly r eceived the gilt on her visit ta the Resolute a t Cowes. The Sprightly, steamer, Master Commander George Allen, which has been in close attendance on the officers and crew of i the Resolute since her arrival hire, was lying along ; side with steam up, all the officers' and, seamen's i baggage being already on board, and on the formal i surrender being comp leted, one of the United States ; officers jocularly said to Mr. Allen, " We have struck our national flag, and now we are going to board your ' ship," the Sligbtly having been ordered to convey the offic ers an d c prow to Souchan.ipuon, to take passage there for New Yo rk ' The orew of the Resolute then left her, and went on board the Sprightly, Captain Hartstein and the other officers following, after having bid a cordial adieu to Captain Seymour, the British o fficers left in charge o f the Resolute, and the few civilians present. Prior to this, however, a glass of champagne was most enthu siastically drunk to the health of Captain Hartstein, and the other officers and the crew of the Resolute. Their final abandonment of the vessel seemed to create some emotion on the part of the officers and men who had brought her home, all of whom appeared to feel that they had only performed a work of love and plea sure, and which had been most amply r equ i te d b y t h e kindness and hospitality with which they had been received in England. However great that hospitality may have been, it is certain that no set of officers and men could have deserved it, even in a personal point of view, more than those in question. By a quarter pact 1 the Sprightly was under wei g h, and the Resolute remained in charge of Mr. Penn, Mr. Burdwood, and the half dozen British seamen and corporal's guard of marines, passing between the flacr,ship Victory and the screw blockship Pembroke, 60, the crews of these ships manned the rigging, and gave cheer after cheer to the American officers and men. The latter returned the compliment in the most hearty manner, and which was repeated from ship to ship with the greatest enthusiasm. The general effect was of a very thrilling and interesting character. Even the dockyard steam tug Pigmy managed to mount some of her crew on her spare rigging, and they also gave their quota of applause to the nation's guests as they passed. The Sprightly was by this time going out of harbour, on her way to Southampton to place the American officers and crew on board the United States mail packet Washington, which leaves to-morrow for New York. SOUTHAMPTON, TUESDAY.—Her Majesty's steam ship Sprightly, Master Commander Allen, arrived in dock this afternoon, with Captain Hartstein and the officers and crew of the Resolute, who will take their departure in the United States mail steam ship Washington to-morrow. The Sprightly will remain until the Wash ington takes her departure, and accompany her to the Channel. Captai❑ Hartstein and his officers were received on the quarterdeck of the Washington by Commander Cavendy. THE BANK CHARTER ACT. (From the Derbyshire Courier.) A long letter has been addressed to the Times by " Mercator" (Inn' Overstone it is generally understood) on the Bank Charter Act of 1844. There is little in the matter or method of this communication to entitle it to serious public con sideration. It is, indeed, principally a glorification of the Bill of 1844, and of the assumed cleverness and sagacity of its authors, and abounds with de clamatory dogmatism, unsupported assumptions, and illo g ical conclusions. " Mer ca t or " was never greatly distinguished for force or eloquence of style. His natural manner is hard, dry, and cold. In this letter he attempts the metaphorical and figurative with every indifferent success. Here is " Mercator's" poetical sketch of the Bank Charter Act of 1844—" The winds have blown, the waves have rolled, even the compass has been disturbed, and has seemed at times to give uncertain indica tions, but the vessel has kept her true course, and she is now about to rsue her further voyage, sound in all parts, her masts and her rigging un disturbed, and her cargo uninjured. Are we then to cashier the captain, to condemn the ship, to issue a new code of sailing instructions, drc., die." Whether the Bill of 1844 be at once the compass, the vessel, and the captain, or whether the Bill be the compass, and the country the vessel, and Lord Overstone the captain, or whether any definite meaning was attached to the passage by " Mer cator" when he indited it, the public will pro bably never take the pains to inquire. We must have more substantial reasons that such vapid common-places furnish, before we can consent to the continuance of an act which, with its comple ment of 1849, has produced more ruin and misery in thig country than has been caused by any legis lative measure ever enacted by Parliament. The whole argument of " Mercator's" letter amounts to this—" Since the passing of the Bill of 1849 the trade and commerce of the country have prospered ; therefore the Bill of 1849 was a sound and efficient measure." Mercator indeed appears to be aware that the Bank Charter Act has done little to increase our exports or imports, or to promote the general pros perity of the country. " These results," he says, " cannot be claimed as th e direct and necessary consequences of the monetary legislation of 1844. They are the glorious fruits of the free trade mea sures of that period. " But, he proceeds, verging again on the poetical, "if the seed was sown and first germinated in the Foil of free-trade, let us re member that our monetary legislation has consti tuted the atmosphere in which the plant has grown to its present strength and maturity." On reading this we were immediately reminded of honest Mr. Burchell's exclamation—Fudge ! We have no wish to mix up the questions of Free Trade and Cur rency. But if Mercator be right in claiming the degree of prosperity which this country has at times enjoyed since the passing of the Act of 1844 as the " glorious fruits of the Free Trade measures," to what cause is the increased and increasing prospe rity of countries which still retain their old pro tective system to be attributed ? How is it that France and other continental na tions have increased their exports and imports, and developed their resources, and added to tho "com forts and luxuries" of the people ? How is it that the United States under protection have a surplus revenue of Four Millions, and are able to pay off their debt as soon as their creditors will accept payment ? ,We hold, as we have said, that the imposition of duties which interfere with the freedom of the ex change of commodities between nations is injurious to all parties. But let it be remembered that this country prospered during the war with a Protective system, as other countries are now doing. Had not Peel's Bill of 1819 been passed, the great con troversy between Free Trade and Protection would not have arisen. It was only when, having Pro tection to keep up prices, this country was deluded into passing a law to enhance the value of money also, that the different classes of the community were forced into collision. The Money Laws caused the dispute about Free Trade and Protec tion to swell into importance. Dear bread and dear money were too much for human endurance. And at last " Peel," rather than give up his Money Laws, was driven to consent to the repea of the Corn Laws, under the expectation that thereby cheap bread would be provided for the people. " Mercator's atmospheric" Bank Charter A c t has ever done. At times it has effected g reat evil. has been " a trifle light as air" as to any good it " Mercator " does not mention the Panic of 1847 when he is referring to " the lessons of former ex perience." Yet more m ischief was dune to the country at that time by th e direct o p era tion of the Bill of 1844, than it wou ld do g ood were it to exist, puerile e a century. contrivances - mindedtell wt Mercator, hallrestrictions,i ts pu for or Lord Overstone, that the thing which has promoted the progress an d pros perity of the nation, as well as that of the European nations and of America, has be en occurre nce which has overridden thea wonderful pernicious tendency of his unphilosophical a n d paltry mone tary scheme. It is the unpreced ente d d i scovery o f gold in California and Australia which, while it has rendered the system of Free Trade or Protection of comparative unimportance, has s may mitigat e d, y not removed, the pernicious effects of the Peel and Overstone money la ws. Mercator and the bulliont that the sa gold discoveries h ave had little influen ce, and, weddt d to their theory, persist in the opinion that go l d has d e p r eciated only some two or three per ce n t . But w ill any man of common they may sense, either here or in Amer ica, believe that wheat has been selling for the last three years at between 80s. and 100 - without, at least, a con siderable part ' of a this high price being attributable to the depreciation of gold ? Or can any man, not blind e d b . y prejudice, suppose that since 1 8 49 130,000 00 - 0/ of g old has been poured into the World'smarket without lowering l gold and raising the prices of other commodities. What does Adam Smith say on this subject like every other commodity, are sometimes cheaper anct vary iU dearer sometimes of easier and some sometimes purchase. The quantity f " Gold times of more difficult a th nc o l ir si v lv a e lu r e, labour which any particular quantity of them can pu rchase or command, or tie quantity of other g oods which it will exchange for, depends always u pon the fertility or barrenness of the mines which h a ppen to be known about the time when such ex changes are made. The discovery of the abundant mines of America reduced, in the 16th. century, the value of gold and silver in Europe to about a third of what it had been before." The discoveries of the precious metals at the time referred to by A. lam Smith not only depreciated their value, but gave a stimulus to trade and commerce greater than had ever occurred in the world's history. The gold discoveries of the present day have done much good, and they would do much more were not their beneficial influence checked and im peded by the pernicious and unjust restrictions of the Acts of 1819 and 1844. Give us, we say to the Fi ee-trader Lord Overtone, the reality, not the mockery, of Free Trade. Repeal the narrow restrictive system of your Rink Charter Act ; and give us Free Trade in money, as well as in money's worth. Delivered from the existing monetary system the country would d er i ve t h e f u ll b e nefit o f th e go ld discoveries, a n d s h ould they cease or fall off to morrow, we could w ith re presentative paper money, of make greater a d vances towards the general pros perity of the massesthe people than have yet been dreamed of iu Lord Overstone's philosophy.. 20 50 100 50 100 100 20 £0 25 20 1.00 10 50 100 19r, THE SUN; LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 31; 1856! Shr.i 1100 ;1:)0 all 100 all ,100 St. 25 100 50 25 12?, 12i 20 all all all all all 100 18R 100 5 100 100 !100 ! all 100 100 100 ,100 100 1100 St. 12} 12} St. au} all 100 100 100 100 100