The Sun. — London, England, 1856-02-06 00:00:00

ADMIRAL SIR EDMUND LYONS, G.C.8., kc.—Messrs. PAUL and.Doutmc COLNAGII and Ce.,13 and 64. Pall Mall East, Publisher to her Maje=ty, beg to state that they will immediately publish the PORTRAIT of Admiral Sir EDMIIND X.YONS, from the Picture just painted by R. Buckner, Esq.—EngraT ing in Mezzotint° by Mr. G. Zobeil. Size, 20 by 15. Artists' Proofs.... • .................. £4 4 0 Proofs before letters ...... ....... 3 3 9 Proofs Prints . ... . .. 1 1 0 THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-dARDEN. Lessee, Mr. J. H. Anderson. TO-MORROW EVENING Douglas Jerrold's Drama of BLACK-EYED SUSAN. Principal character by Professor Anderson. To conclude with the gorgeous Pantomime of YE BELLE ALLIANCE. Clown, Mr. Fleamore ; Pantaloon, Mr. Barnes ; Harlequin, Mr. C Brown ; and Columbine, Miss E. Horne. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE. Lessee. Mr. E. T. Smith. TO-MORROW EVENING, THE GREAT GUN TRICK. After which. PET DIDDLE DIDDLE; or, Harlequin King Nonsense and the Seven Ages of Man. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. linekstone. TO-MORROW EVENING, THE LITTLE TREASURE. After which the New Comic Christmas Pantominie, entitled VIE BUTTERFLY'S BALL AND THE GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST; or, Harlequin and the Genius of the Sprint. ONLY A HALFPENNY. ROYAL PRIVCEA c t'i CIIEATRE, OCIPOID-STREET. under the Management of Mr. CHARM! KRAL. TO-MORROW EVENING. The Tragedy of HAMLET. Hamlet by Mr. C. Kean. , After which, lEURLEQUIN AND THE MATD AND THE MAGPIE or, the Fairy Paradise and Hanky Faulty, the Enchanter. harlequin, Mr. Cormack : Clown, Mr. Hanna ; Pantaloon, Mr. rani° ; and Columhine, Miss Caroline Adams. ITIZATIIE ROYAL ADELPECI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Dtrectress, Madame Ogees. TO-MORROW EVENING. THE BOOTS OF THE HOLLY TREE INN. After which, DOMESTIC ECONOMY. To be followed by lIRGEN r PRIVATE AFFAIRS. To conclude with JACK AIM TUE BE AI; STALK ; or, Harlequin and Mother (loose at Homo Again. In which Messrs. J. 1314nd, P. Bedford, Madame Celeste, Miss Wyndham, and Miss E. Anion will appear. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Alfretl Wigan. TO-MORROW EVENING, THE JEALOUS WIFE. After which will be produced a - Sew and doubly-moral, though excessively old, Melodramatic Fairy Extravaganza, entitled TIIE DISCREET PRINTERS; o", the Three Glass Distaffs. In which Messrs. Emery, F. Robson, IL Cooper, Miss Marston, and Miss Haskell will appear. ROW. SURREY TFIEATEE. Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick. TO-MORROW EVENING THE SHADOWS OF CRIME. To conclude with A PRINCE or PRIARLS; or, Harlequin and Ism Shore. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Under the direction of Mr: Payne. TO-MORROW EVENING, SAULEQ Ul N RLLCK-EYED SUE ; or, AR in the Dovras and Davy Jones's Locker. After which, THE ROMANTIC WIDOW. Followe I by THE PRISONER OF ROC [MLLE ; or, Inns and Outs. To conclude with A PLAGUE 0' BOTH YOUR HOUSES ; or, The Double-barrelled Gun Trick. ♦BTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Wm. Cooke. TO-MORROW EVENING, The popular equestrian Spectacle called ROOKWOOD; or, TUE PIN'S VIDE to YORK. After which Use SCENES in the CIRCLE. The wonderful per formance of the Stupendous Sagacious Elephants, whose instinct and docility have astonished every one. To conclude with a grand Equestrian Comic Pantomime called HARLEQUIN AND ST. GEORGE AND - THE DRAGON; or, the Seven Champions of Christendom. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director. Sir. W. Cooke, jun. HIGH WATER. AT LO V DON BRIDGE. Tai DAY—Morn. 42 min. aft. I—Evening 6 min. aft. 2 TMNIOI3.IIOW—MOrn. 30 min. aft. 2 —Evening 53 min. aft. 2 THE WEATHER-SUN OFFICE, FEB. G. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHAM 50 —highest since noon yestorilay. 48 —,owest this morning and during the night. 50 —thiß day at noon. BARD lETER, 29'97. WIND, S.W.—Fresh, with dull weather, and slight rain , ~~~~a` ? t.,~ ~`,r 5311 t, ra7 Q . 4) 6_, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1856 The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in answer to a question of Mr. GLYN'S, last night, declared "that it is not the intention of the Government at present to take any step for putting an end to the exclusive privileges of the Bank of England ;" and also, that although, "if it shall appear that the members of the House generally wish that there should be, early in the session, a Parlia mentary inquiry into the present circumstances of the Bank, and the operation of the existing Bank Act, the Government would not deem themselves justified in opposing any such general wish ;" they entertained a decided opinion that "at the present period of the session it is undesirable to have the suggested Parliamentary inquiry, and that it is not their intention to submit a notion for the appointment of such a committee." It is obvious, therefore, that the Government will not initiate any movement in reference to the all-important problem, on the solution whereof the welfare and prosperity of the country se greatly depend—that they are waiting for the action of independent members—for that " pressure from without" which is essential to the success of any reformatory movement. Those desirous of a large and comprehensive amendment of the monetary system, must therefore be up and doing. Every hour's delay may prove fatal to the cause in which they are engaged. The moment for vigorous and united action has arrived. " The light cloud " has entered on the face of the moon, and if the golden opportunity be neglected or misapplied it may be long before a similar one can again be made available. The stereotyp e d ex el-Ise—the War---has again been put forward as an apology for procrastina tionsurely and inaction. But it operates as a powerful argument on the other - aid e ; and we should, when such extraordinary demands are pressing on the fiscal, financial, and monetary re sources of the country, be desirous rather of oh taining a circulating medium adequate .to the wants and exigencies of the industrial population, than of going on with a defective currency, which, even during " the piping times of peace," and when there was no extraordinary pressure on our resources, has led to the most serious difficulties t• the commercial interests, and occasioned very painful privations to the labouring population. It is not when the prices of almost every article of primary necessity and comfort, and also the burden of taxation, are materially enhanced, that we are to listen to the cold- blooded doctrines of Mercator and his disciples ; and to close our ears against the cries of the sufferers—to render those who have already overgrown wealth, still richer, but the great body of the people poorer than j ever. Sir G. CORNEWALL LEWIS would, doubtless, rejoice at being enabled to evade the serious re sponsibility. But if he feel incompetent to grapple with the difficulty, or to meet the im pending crisis, he should vacate the important position which he occupies, in order that the trust may be reposed in more efficient bands. A fort night ago . ire referred to the opinions so clearly and distinctly put forward by Mr. JAMES WILSON, and although we cannot concur in all the views entertained by that Hon. Gentleman, it is mani fest that he has the stuff in him, and could fairly undertake the arduous and all-important matter. He has already declared himself in favour of a large issue of really national notes of the smaller denominations, and receivable in payment of all taxes and duties. It is true that he insisted on c onvertibility, as an indispensable adjunct, which, as he pointed out, could be secured beyond the possibility of doubt, by a sufficient reserve of bul lion. But although we differ from him on that point, we are convinced that the experiment to which he gave the sanction of his name, would establish the safety of the inconvertible notes we advocate, and that while it would operate as a large instalment of justice, even supposing that it led to no ulterior results, it would eventu ally produce the soundest and most judicious system of currency ever brought into operation at any time or in any country. The Times itself has declared that a " a re discussion of the whole question in Parliament cannot be arranged too soon." We fully concur in this opinion. It is all that we now demand, convinced that the truth will prevail, and that, when public attention has been sufficiently directed to the subject, that which is for the benefit of tie community will eventually be established, despite the interested opposition to which it may, and unquestionably will, be subjected. To-morrow evening the important and interest- ing question of "Life Peerages," will be brought under the consideration of the Upper House. The veteran Lord LYNDHURST has undertaken the duty of bringing the subject before their Lord ships, and there is no doubt that he is fully quali fied to place it in the clearest possible light be fore those whose privileges and position are so greatly concerned in the result. Two questions have been raised in reference to the recent elevation of Lord WENSLEYDALE—bet ter known as Baron PARKE—.4O the Peerage, without any limitation over either to the heirs male, of his body, or of any kind whatsoever. Its legality has been directly impugned, by no less an authority than the Lord Chief Justice of England, and many other eminent jurists, while its policy and expediency have been far more widely questioned. It has very gene rally been regarded as " the introduction of the sharp end of the wedge," which if suffered to operate without resistance, may, and most pro bably will, lead to a total change in the organisa tion of the hereditary branch of the Legislature. It is admitted on every side that there could not be a better subject for the experiment, than the new Peer, Lord WENSLEYDALE. The Noble Lord has no surviving sou whose rights could be compromised by the restriction. Nor is it likely that in his case the question could ever be raised by an interested party. His character and posi tion is so high, that no future person could com plain of an indignity in the following up of the precedent established with respect to Sir JAMES PARKE. The opinion of Parliament can there fore fairly be taken on the point, without any in jurious consequences, should it be held that the Royal Prerogative had been strained or injudi ciously exercised. We shall at present restrict our observations to the latter portion of the case, without entering ►nto the question of legality, - which must inevit ably be considered and adjudicated on by a com petent tribunal. We confess that we entertain a very strong opinion on the point, but that opinion may more properly be deferred until a future op portunity, when the issue has -been fairly raised un both sides. It is, we believe, agreed on all sides that there is at present an urgent necessity for Law Lords, business after so many campaigns, and when they know that righteous terms will be the result of refusing a compromise. On the question of Church Rates it were far better for Churchmen to strike while they may. They are now becema a national nuisance, and the dirt of them all sticks to the Church. Dis senters gain credit for their uncompromising man liness, while the Church is regarded as a stickler for extortion. The tone of public feeling is wholly changed from that which some years ago laughed at six-and-eightponny martyrs. Partly the Census has revealed the unfairness of of a personal tax levied by the wealthy minority of worshippers on the poorer majority, a majority, too, which has no 5,000,0001. per annum to ease its shoulders of the burden of supporting its clergy. Partly, also, the gross abuses perpetrated by Church Commissioners and Bishops with the public property have irritated the people. More than enough has been squandered, literally squan dered, on the mitre and its adjuncts, than would pay Church Rates, if applied to that purpose. There is beside, no doubt, even alongside the Puseyism of the day, a growing sense of what is due to Christians of communities diverse from our own ; indeed we must acknowledge that the so called Evangelicals are much bitterer enemies to the social claims of Dissenters than the Ro manisers, the latter generally evincing far more of that pecuniary liberality which is the only basis of thorough ecclesiastical freedom. in order to preserve the judicial privileges of the House. It is the ultimate Court of Appeal, the decision whereof, must be final and conclusive in every important case. When questions have been determined in the Exchequer Chamber, or by the Lord Chancellor and Judges of Appeal, in Equity, they may still be carried to the House of Peers. It would be a farce to have the judg ment of such eminent men 'over-ruled by others of inferior character. It is clear, then, that either the judicial privileges of the Upper House must be waived, or new blood infused, so as to render the decisions satisfactory. In the latter case there may be the danger of abating the dignity of the Peerage by the intro duction of parties, who, although they have ample means to maintain its honour during their own It is instructive to notice the seemingly con stant flow of Voluntaryism. It appears to have no ebbs. Lord STANLEY has predicted that whether we like it or not, whether the change be for better or for worse, Voluntaryism will . be the creed and practice of another generation. If our most important colonies react at all upon the mother country this must be the case, and nothing seems more natural. Canada has already liberated her self, and now the " Times correspondent" from Melbourne sends home some facts which must be most unwelcome to Lord Joux RUSSELL. His Lordship was most resolute when giving the colony a new constitution to saddle it with 50,0001. of reserved revenue for the clergy. We are now in formed that there is a current of agitation setting in against this reserve ; not a demagogue agita tion, but one carried on by the most respectable portion of the community, which_ will certainly in a few years compel its renunciation. That even now those who depend on voluntary sup port are practically surpassing their opponents in energy and promptitude of action. Lord JOIN RUSSELL has outlived his age ; he will, we sin cerely hope, live to witness the extinction of Church Rates, or we should lose him sooner than we wish ; and probably live to see his Australian Clergy Reserve kicked after his Canadian Clergy Reserves—nay, he may very likely have as before to aid in the task himself. lives, have not accumulated and realised property to bestow on their successors adequate to the positions which they may be called on to assume. A pauper nobleman has, indeed, a hard card to play. He cannot discharge the claims incidental to his rank, and is debarred from many occupations by which he might, as a Commoner, have earned a comfortable livelihood. What, then, can he do ? Ho must endeavour to quarter himself on the public, and be prepared to barter his venal vote for an adequate provision. This alone would be an evil to be especially deprecated, but with the actual necessity for Law Lords it cannot ' be averted, save by the creation of life, or possibly ex-officio, Peerages. On the other hand, it will scarcely be possible to maintain a hereditary House, when an actual majority may be obtained on any question of importance by the creation of a sufficient number of life Peers. If the principle be established and acted on, the English Peers must be placed in the same category as their Scotch and Irish brethren, and a limited number elected either for the Parliament or for life. We believe that this would be the most eligible course, but at present we must re frain from further observation on a point on which so much may be said on either side of the question. Odessa is still the basis of sinister Russian ope rations. It had its share in the slaughter of Inkerman, and it now seems likely to share in the negotiations of Paris. The late accounts from it inform us that " the accumulation of troops on the Danube is suoh that no quarters can be found for the new arrivals ; that Ismail, Bender, and Chotym have 'seen placed in a state of com plete defence." Of these places, Bender only is entirely without the imaginary line drawn by Austria for the Allies ; a line which it turns out so splits Bessarabia lengthwise,_as to leave Russia all the fertile soil, and to add little besides barren steppe to the territory of Moldavia. The Aus trian negotiators, being Austrian, would not go back to the Treaty of Jassy, and demand the Dniester as the natural river boundary of BOO sarabia. Had they done so, the pet Odessa would still have been Russian, and Bender once more a Turkish, or rather a Moldavian, fortress. Ismail is, of course, whollyand deeply within the territory to be ceded, and Chotym is the very important fortress from which the proposed line starts, and which, if the new territory is to be safe, ought to belong to it. There can be but one interpretation of the crowding forces, otherwise much needed else where, into these places. Russia must intend to say to the Plenipotentiaries--if you want the security you demand in this quarter, come and take it. We are ready in that part for anything, and we do not mean to surrender without being dislodged. In other words, it is her intention, by an imposing display of troops in the very quarter where the Allies have most to ask, to be in a position to refuse all they can. She will make a merit, perhaps, of withdrawing a large garrison from Ismail and as to Chotym, will declare it to be out of all question to surrender it, it being, we be lieve, new a much stronger place than Ismail, and of the utmost importance as the most advanced post for the defence of the provinces against the future movements of Russia. It is to be hoped Lord CLARENDON will allow - no quibbling or tergiversation on these important items of the Five Points. Messrs. COBDEN and BRIGHT would, of course, exclaim, then you are going to War again for Chotym—a place of which few of you knew the name till the ether day ; and Mr. GLADSTONE will follow with his fractional calcu lations, and prove that we have got seven-eighths of what we ask, and then fight for the eighth. Of course the answer is—but Russia fights for it too. If she deems it worth fighting for rightly, then she justifies us ; if wrongly, then heap half your abuse on her also. These gentlemen would also do well to remember that Russia would fight about stolen towns and territory which are only a 44 years' theft after all, and that we should be merely claiming what no time could make right fully hers. The Church is just now fighting hard for two incompatible, liberty to tax others and liberty to govern herself. She sighs for a Convocation en dowed with legislative powers, but groans at the thought of losing a Air& rate, or a burial fee. Give her five millions per annum and self-govern mentand the Church, that is, as Churchmen mean— the clergy, will be the happiest corporation in ex istence. But rude and troublesome is the breath of lay commonsense ; that of Dissenters distress ingly so, and that of non -clerical members of the Establishment, who think the body of some use to the head and members, hardly less. Mediators arise to soften things ' a little , Archbi s h ops h ave allowed a " consulting ConVoc a i t* on to become_ Bishop WILBERFORCE tells us —an established fact, of portio n of and M r . P ACKS l a b ours to save some Church Rat es t o hi s worr i e d mother ; but it will not do. The talking is all that the Rouse of Commons will allow to Convocation ; a reasonable thing, too, since it finds by experience that there is nothing like it for the obstruction of business, and it is determined that Convocation shall do nothing. Neither will the PACKE . and Canter buryproposals do. Dissenters won't Church -R ate have they will fight it ou t ra th er . them ; My, at least, know better than to half do their It is because of the danger of concessions of the kind indicated that our Ministers eight to work under the eye of their masters. Of what earthly service can it be to us to turn out our Cabinet, the only punishment to which they are now liable, when they have done all the mischief. The pre rogative of the Crown is, in a constitutional monarchy, to carry out the will of its subjects. Even Lord JoaN BISSELL dares not maintain that the Crown has any rights conflicting with those of the people. As Mr. nRIGET was forward enough to argue on another question—the Ameri can complications—" What would be the result to the Manchester merchants if they confided the management of their affairs, the buying of their cotton and goods, and the conduct of their export and import trade to some concealed conspiracy among their servants." We are happy to agree with Mr. BRIGHT for once, only we fear " the concealed conspiracy " more in the Russian, and he more in the American business. A Cabinet Council was held yesterday afternoon at the Foreign-oflice. It was attended by Viscount Pal merston, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Earl Granville, Earl of Harro Nby, Sir George Grey, Earl of Clarendon, Lord Panmure, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith, Lord Stanley of Alderley, and the Duke of Argyll. The Council sat two hours. - The Marquis of Clanricarde, as colonel of the Gal way Militia, gav e a gran d entertainment to the officers of that r eg i ment, at Aldershott, last evening. The Count ess Granville has cards out for a receptio co 4 Wedinsda r nut. SA, &N AN; WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 6 1856. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT, -v-- HOUSE OF COMMONS—(This Day.) The SPEAKS:II took the chair at two o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. LABOUCHERE took the oaths and his seat, on his reelection for Taunton. BOARD OF FISHERIES (SCOTLAND.) On the motion Mr. E. ELLICE copies of any Trea sury minute or minutes since 1854, relative to the Board of Fisheries in Scotland ; and, of all correspondence since 1854 with the Lords of the Treasury relative to the same subject, were ordered. POOR RELIEF (SCOTLAND). On the !notion of M'r. E. ELLICE an address for return in reference to the record of applications to the Board of Supervision for relief of the poor in Scotland, stating in each case the amount of relief, whether in money, food, clothing, or any other shape (but if not in money, then giving the money value of such other de scription of relief), which formed the subject of com plaint ; the decision of the Board as to such allowance being insufficient or the contrary, and in cases where the ground of compla int was removed, stating the additional amount and kind of relief that was granted, from the Ist day of July, 1854, to the 30th day of June, 1855 (in continuation of former returns) was ordered. PETTY SESSIONS (IRELAND). On the motion of Mr. HORSMAN, a return of the names of the several petty sessions districts into which each county in Ireland is divided under the Petty Ses sions (Ireland) Act, 1851 ; with the name of the clerk appointed for ea th district, and the amounts of fees and other emolurte its received by such clerks respectively for each year since their respective appointments was ordered. PARTNERSHIP AMENDMENT BILL. Mr. LOWE moved the postponement of the second reading of this bill to Friday. Mr. Hastie, Mr. Bouverie, Mr. Spooner, M r . B a tt, and Mr. Muntz complained f the hurry evinced by the Government to get this bill through the house, and con sidered more time should be given the house and the country to examine its principles and detai:s. Mr. MUNTZ said the bill bad nothing commercial about it. It was quite philosophical. Mr. LOWE said it was desirable the bill should be considered as early as possible. If it was not brought in on Friday it must stand over for three weeks. The bill was short, and was one more of detail than princil:le. JOINT-STOCK COIIPANIES' Oa the motion of Mr. LO WE, the second reading o the bill was postponed to Friday. LOCAL DUES' ON SHIPPING-. Mr. LOWE moved that the second reading of this bill be postponed to Monday, the 25th. Mr. HEADLAMI hoped the house would not be called on to go into this bill at so early a date. This bill should be divided into two parts, instead of being presented to the house in a whole as at present. After some discussion, the motion was agreed to. METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL. Sir G. GREY moved the second reading of this bill which was agreed to and ordered to be committed to. morrow. SUPPLY. Mr. WILSON brought up the report of the commit two of Supply, which was agreed FINANCE. In answer to a question from Sir H. WILLOUGHBY, Mr. WILSON said it was not the intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to make any financial statement with reference to the past. He was happy to able to state that the finances of the country were in a ♦ery satisfactory condition as regarded the future. ESTIMATES. On the motion of Mr. WILSON, the estimates for the Army, Navy, and Ordnance were ordered to be pre- pared and laid on the table of the house. The house adjourned at a quarter to three o'clock. COVENT-GARDELf. Last night Douglas Jerrold's drama of " Black-eyed Susan " was revived at this theatre. Of the piece itself we need not speak ; it is well known as one of the best of its talented author's many valuable contributions to the dramatic literature of the day. The manner in which it was produced on the present occasion, as regards the scenery and appointments, fully supported the reputation which the" Pantomime" and "Rob Roy" have obtained for Professor Anderson in that respect. The part of Wil liam, which was take!, by the Wizard himself, affords a fuller scope for the display of his histrionic talents than that of the Scottish outlaw, the only other character which he has sustained on the London boards. His admirers have no reason to be disappointed with the manner in which he has acquitted himself under the severer ordeal. His representation last night of the hero of the drama was received with well.merited applause, being surprisingly although not quite free from the characteristics of the stage sailor. Mr. Anderson was called before the cur tain at the conclusion of the performance. Miss Harriet Gordon's impersonation of the heroine was very pleas ing, and the remaining characters of the piece were sustained most creditably. Mr. Flexmore supplied the hornpipe, hitherto one of the chief characteristics of Sweet William, and won immense applause, which he richly deserved for his unequalled performances. The house was well and fashionably att.nded, the Pantomime still continuing to prove highly attractive. THE STEAMER BELGIQUE. The following is the full report of the surveyors ap pointed to examine the Belgique. She was classed as A 1 abroad : " Southampton, Feb. 4. "Gentlemen,—ln compliance with your request we .this day surveyed the Belgique, steam-ship, in the dry dock at this port, and have to report as fol lows :—We thoroughly examined the hull of the ship, and the only leak of importance we could discover was before the main sternpost, between the garboard strakes and the keel, in the wake of the angle iron placed there to increase the stiffness of that part of the keel. We also found several of the butts and rivets, more particularly in midships, slightly disturbed, and the topside of the ship, near to the large ports, exhibited symptoms of working. The mainmast has settled down in consequence of a want of strength in that part which supports the step. The port boiler has received da mage in the furnaces, caused by the plate having been overheated. One of the blades of the screw propeller is cracked, and some of the nuts and screws at the end of the stern pipe are torn off or damaged. This may have been caused by the screw having caught a hawser while it was in motion. In consequence of the symptoms of working before mentioned, we beg to recommend that the cargo ports should be en tirely closed and plated up to correspond with the rest of the ship's sides, and that all loose rivets should be cut out and replaced, and butts of plates examined and caulked where found necessary. We also recommend, in order to remove all doubt as to the strength of the vessel, that she should be fitted with an iron stringer, wrought on each side between the main and spar decks, extending at least three-fourths of the ship's length, this stringer to be 2 ft. 6 in. deep, and inch thick, with an angle iron 3 by 2i, rivette4 to the upper and glower edges, and fastened to a reverse angle iron on each of the frames. We recommend that all the pumps should be overhauled and put in good order, and wash plates fitted on each side under the floor plates of engine-room, to prevent them being washed up ; also, that the hold and 'twixt deck pillars be properly secured at top and bottom to the beam ; the step of mainmast should also be made securely fastened and supported on the top of the tunnel. The furnace of the defective boiler must be repaired and made good, and the cracked blade of the propeller efficiently repaired. Having given a ge neral outline of the principal defects which have been detected, things of minor importance may arise during the progress of the works. _ "W; are, gentlemen, your obedient servants, (Signed) " JOHN RONALDS, " G. I. RUBIE, " Shipwright Surveyors to the Board of Trade. " W. A. SUMMERS, " Engineer and Iron Shipbuilder. "Messrs. Owen, O'Carell, and Co., Agents to the Belgian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company, Southampton." Amongst the passengers by the Peninsular mail steamer Sultan, which arrived at Southampton yester day, was George Rennie, Esq., late Governor of the Falkland Islands. Sir William and Lady Knighton have left Howchin's Hotel, St. James's-street, for their seat, near South ampton. kiir William and Lady Won't* , and family have left Howchin's Hotel, to take up their residence in Port land-place. THE AFRICAN MAILS.—The Royal mail steam•ship Etbiope, Cenimander Barnwell, which left Plymouth on Friday for Madeira and the West Coast, got as far as 8.30 west lang. and 46 north lat. on Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock, when she was obliged to put back leaky. Her mails are returned to the Post-office, and she will be discharged for repair. NAVAL RECEIPT AND EXPENDITURE. —Yesterday was issued an account of the Naval Receipts and Expendi ture for the year ended March 31, 1855. The total sum appropriated by the Acts 17 and 18 Vict., c. 121, and 18 and 19 Vict., c. 129, for naval services, in the year 1854-55, , was 14,812,6091., and the total expen diture in that year is shown by the account to have been 15,017,5911. ls. 5d., a sum which exceeded the amount voted by the sum of 659,0111. 4s. 11d. MANCHESTER, Feb. s.—The cloth market has not been so active as on this day week, but manufacturers have adhered very firmly to their quotations. For long cloths there has been a go od demand from the Gr eeks , at full prices, and a considerable business has been ef fected. For some descriptions of printing cloths there has been an active inquiry. The demand for ehirtings, Madapollams, and jaconets suited to India has under gone a considerable modification, the accounts by the last mail from Calcutta being regarded as the worst that have been received .for many years. The advices from Bombay are also discouraging, but manufacturers are well engaged to order, and prices are not affected. There has not been much business in yarns, but prices are mostly firm. Manufacturers in some instances have found the market easier, but on the other hand sellers report that in twist for export, where spinners are en gaged, they have realised a slight advance. These, how- ever, are exceptional ewes. As a rule, the market has be less activ . a thin last week, but prim are unaltered. NEWS• By the Euphrate, whose arrival at Marseilles, with news from Constantinople to the 2lth, we announced yesterday, we learn that General Cod rington had communicated to the armies the Russian acceptance of the peace proposals ; but, as the telegraphic wire is still severed, there was much doubt among the troops. When doubt was no longer possible it caused a feeling of complete stupefaction. Marshal Pelissier being informed that the Rus sians contemplated a grand attack on the Baidar positions, both armies had been on the alert night and day. Several magazines of powder had exploded al Kamiesh. The Sheik-ul-Islam participates in the delibera• tions on the condition _of the Christian Rayas. There has been a fall in the price of cern. The Sardinian ambassador had an audience of the. Sultan prior to leaving for Turin. General Vivian has had 2,000 horses purchased at Bucha rest for the Anglo-Tukish contingent. Trade at Kamiesh is suffering severely. The excess of supplies has caused a great reduction in prices, and led to several failures. Accounts have been received from Itertch to the 20th, but they are without interest. VIENNA, TUESDAY. M. de Beust has left Berlin. The Czar has informed the Pope, by an auto graph letter, that he has restored four Roman Catholic Bishoprics in Poland, and created six others is Russia. FRANCE. PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING. Lord Clarendon has given orders to procure ac. commodation for himself and suite at Paris. The belief in pacific results is still very strong in Paris. It is asserted is official quarters that Russia will seek to indemnify the allies by new favourable custom-house regulations, calculated also to in crease the domestic trade of Russia. The Moniteur gives the list of Plenipotentiaries for the Conferences, which appeared in The Sun yesterday. By a decree of the 12th of January, the Imperial Council for adjudicating prizes has pronounced the condemnation of four Russian ships and their car goes, captured in the Straits of Kertch, abandoned by their crews, and without ships' papers on board. A letter in the Moniteur, from Dresden, an nounces the rec over y o f th e King of Saxony from the illness which had confined him to his apart ments for some time past. M. Zochinsky, Minister of Justice since 1848, kas tendered his resignation, and retires on account of ill health. BOURSE, Feb. 4.—The following were the last quotations : Cash. ft. e. End of Month. 4i per Cents 96 25 —f. —O. 3 per Cents 72 20 72 70 New Loan 72 80 Bank Shares 3,396 Roman Credit Mobilier 1547 50 Austrian Belgian Fives.. 96 Spanish Threes — Piedmontese (5). B9 Home Debt RAILWAYS-POR CA.BII. ft. c. fr. 0. Orleans 1,247 50 Western B5O Northern Lyons -......1,235 New Ditto Bl5 Mediterranean 1,380 Grand Central 636 25 Lyons Geneva 750 Teste Cette 735 Austrian C0ra....... 856 25 The despatch announcing the acceptance of the proposals by Russia arrived at Munich on the 16th by a courier direct from St. Petersburg. There was a Court ball going on, and the sensation was extreme. The writer immediately fell into a train of reflection as to the guarantees for the freedom of the Danube, and the profits to accrue to Ger many by all sorts of railroads and governmental dues and tolls. It is clear that Germany looks upon the whole war as one made for her exclusive profit and ulterior advantages. England is not viioo iiimitiollud In the whole letter, nor du we find her name in the two following correspondences —one from Stuttgardt, the other from Carlsruhe. The New Prussian Gazette announces from St. Petersburg that, after the peace is signed, the Czar will probably proceed to Moscow, for the ceremony of his coronation. Letters from Athens of the 31st ult. state tha eight brigands had been arrested and executed, The Greek consul at Smyrna has been dismissed. The Chambers of Turin hare suspended their sittings for ten days from the 2d inst. After a discussion, which occupied four long sittings, the Swiss National Council has at length decided on the direction to be taken by the line of railway which is to unite Western and Central Switzerland. It has decided, by a majo rity of 78 to 31, in favour of the town of Fribourg, to the exclusion of the lies pat coniurl by the Go vernment of the cantos of Vaud. It is probable that the Council of the States will come to a simi lar decision. The last number of the official Gazette of Ma drid contains two rather curiously-worded para graphs. The first is—" The Countess de Montijo has given a ball in honour of the anniversary of the marriage of her august daughter with the Emperor Napoleon 111., and of the birthday of her elder daughter, the Duchess de Alba ; it was like a fete of the Arabian Nights' Entertainment, and was worthy of the proverbial grandeur of the mother of those two jewels of the Spanish aristo cracy." The second paragraph is as follows Mr. Drummond, attac,ite to the English embassy, gave, in his saloons a f ew nights ago, a very curious fete,'which was attended by the elite of the society of Madrid. Mr. Drummond himself danced some boleros with Senorita Piga, and the grace and facility with which he executzd our national dances were greatly admired. His agility, in particular, was really remarkable for a sou of cloudy Albion." DESTRUCTION OF DOCKS AT SEBASTOPOL. (Prom the Daily N'ows Correspondent.) CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, JAN. 22. On Friday afternoon, at about 5 o'clock, our engineers blew up most successfully the bottom of the west dock, which was one foot under water, by means of eight charges of 161 lbs. of powder each. Unfortunately they were not so successful the following day, for out of the seven charges placed in the east pier between the en trances to the east and centre docks only four went off ; Mr. Deane's electric wires having got disarranged by the French explosion of half the entrance or lock just pre viously. The seven charges in the pier consisted of three on each side of 4001bs. of powder each and one at the knob of 8001bs. The three charges that missed were the last mentioned, and two on the right side of the pier. The French demolition of one-half the entrance, both sides and bottom, was most complete and perfect. In the sides were twelve charges of,soolbs. of powder, and at bottom, under 18 feet of water, one charge of 2,0001b5. When this last exploded, it cast a volume of water 30 feet up into the air. To-morrow our allies are to complete the demolition of their half portion of the docks, by blowing up the fro t half of the entrance and the right half side of the basin. The English are going to have two more explo sions, if everything is successful, to complete their half portion. The first is to consist of the right side of the east dock and basin as far as the shears to meet the French, and the second to be made up of the two sides of the west dock, with entrance, pier, and the left side of centre dock. The 8001 b. charge and two 4001bs. charges that missed fire on Saturday may be fired at any mo ment. The Commander-in-Chief was present on Satur day, but was too . late on Friday to witness the de structions. There can be no doubt that we run the powder much more fine for masonry than the French. Our head engineers consider no science is displayed if a single stone is hurled to any slight distance. The French engineers appear to be of opinion, that as the old Russian powder is not of much value, it may just as well be used as not. The consequence is that their de. molitions are much more violent, and appear to the ignorant much more' complete. It may be a fault on their part, but it is a good fault. The whole of our three docks are 40ft. wide at bottom and 29ft. deep. The west dock is the shortest of the three, being only 233 feet long at top, whilst the centre dock is 236 feet, and the east dock 238 feet. The entrance gate to this last dock, which with immense labour was taken to pieces, still lies inside the dockyard wall. If England is proud of this trophy, which happens to have been the only gate of our three not riddled by our round shot or shell, no time should be lost in getting it conveyed to Balaklava and shipped home, for its weight is about 60 tons. The French have at last succeeded in getting up their dock gate, and they 'will of 'course convey it, like their portion of the shot and gung i , to within the strong lines of Suakih. LATEST TAUNTON ELECTION. TAUNTON, Tuesday. —The election of a member to represent this borough in Parliament, rendered neces sary by the Eight Hon. 11. Labouchere's acceptance of office, took place to-day, at a hustings erected in front of themarket-place. Shortly after ten o'clock the right hon. gentleman arrived at the hustinge, accompanied by his mover, se conder, and other influential supporters ; and almost immediately afterwards the high bailiffs, H. Alford May and F. May, Esqrs., arrived, attended by their proper offic:lrs, and the usual preliminaries having been disposed of, called upon the burgesses to proceed to the business of the election. Richard Mede King, Esq., of Pyrland Hall, then moved, and H. Lyddon, Esq., seconded, the nomina tion of the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, one of her Ma jesty's Principal Secretaries of State, as a fit and pro per person to represent the borough ; and there being no other candidate, the returning officer declared Mr. Labouchere duly elected. . Mr. LABOUCHEBE then came forward to return thanks, and was warmly cheered. He said that was the twelfth time he had had the honour of receiving their suffrages ; and as he considered it unnecessary to detain them at any length, he should not enter upon many of those topics which they had discussed at former elections, and most of which had now become matters of history. There was, however, one topic which at present en grossed the public mind, and upon which he felt it to be his duty to address a few words to the electors. He referred to the all-important question of peace. (Hear, hear). At the time when war was declared by this country he believed that snever was there a community more earnestly desirous of preserving the blessings of peace than were the British people. They desired it because they were perfectly satisfied with the station which their country occupied amongst the nations of the world—(hear, bear)—they desired it because they had no wish for aggrandisement, no lust for oonquest ; and they desired it, moreover, because they felt and believed that it was the duty of a Christian people to maintain peace unless when the gravest causes compelled them to draw the .sword. They.felt that it was no light thing to shed the blood of man or to involve great nations in all the misery and insecurity of war ; and he (Mr Labouchere) believed that any government which was ready to throw this country into a war, excepting that they could justify that war in the face of England and the world, would have received, not only no sup port, but the most condign censure from the people of England. (Hear.) He therefore felt satisfied that why the nation had supported the Government with a steadi ness and unanimity of which scarcely any former period could show an example, was because they were satisfied that before they resorted to the extremity of war they had tried every means to preserve peace, if peace could be preserved on honourable and secure terms. The cause of qbarrel with Russia was one in which the jus tice was altogether on the side of England. As Christian men, therefore, they were justified in engaging in the war, and in hoping that Providence would prosper the object with which it was undertaken. (Cheers.) The truth was, it was not undertaken because Russia had meditated certain attacks on Turkey, but because it was believed that Russia was engaged in a systematic attack against all Europe, which, if not met by a firm and de termined resistance, would have produced a state of things utterly inconsistent with' the freedom of the habitable world. (Cheers.) It was that feeling which induced the people of this country to believe that England would be wanting in its duty to the position which she held amongst the nations of the earth if she did not stand re solutely forward and join with her gallant allies the people of France, whom he was glad to see so firmly united with us in a cause so honourable. It was the feeling he had referred to which had induced us to come forward, and take a part worthy of our ancient renown and of the high station we had so long and held. They ware now, however, engaged in negotiations for peace, and he heartily prayed that those negotiations might be successful. To protract any war unnecessarily, he would not say for a year, but even for an hour, would not only be a national error, but a national crime, and, therefore, he should rejoice if the negotiations led to peace—that was to such a peace—the only one which the British nation would expect the Government to agree to—as would afford, by its being honourable, the prospect of its being durable.' The right bon : gentleman then referred to the question of civil and religious liberty, and having again acknowledged the honour which had been done him in his election, expresied his belief that so long as he remained faithful to the principles which had always guided his public life he need never fear to show him self to the burgesses of Taunton. (Cheers.) Cheers were then given for the high bailiff and the Queen, and the proceedings terminated. THE WILL FORGERY AND POMONING AT MANCHESTER. At the conclusion of the evidence in this case, re ported yesterday, Mr. Bradlaugh applied to the magis trates to be allowed to put in the paper marked "A," as the original will, with pencil interlineations and al terations. These pencil marks were proved to have been written by Edward Dunn, ono of the prisoners, and which copy so altered formed an exact draft of the will which had been forged. Mr. Fernley, for the prisoners, contended that there had not been sufficient proof of the handwriting to make the paper evldence. Mr. 111autie was of a different opinion, and deoided to admit the paper._ T. 13 following is a copy of the paper, or original will, the worts printed in italics being words written in ink in the body of the paper, bu 6 subsequently erased in pencil; and those wir.hin brackets [l, being pencil interlineations or substitutions for words in the original struck out in pencil : " August 3, 1855. " John Monaghan, do hereby bequeath to tliza, my daughter, now the wife of Francis King, number [James Monaghan, my son] eleven, Hope-street, Chorl tin upon (on) MedOcri, the sum of tea pounds sixteen .hillings sterling, the sum due on a policy of the Wel lington Reversionary Annuity and Life Assurance Society [Diadem Life Assurance Company, 156, to pay my debts and all claims after my decease]. Given ur der my hand this third day of August, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, inTresence of the undernamed witnesses. Ido hereby certify that this is my will. JOHN MONAGHAN, his mark. " Witness : JAMES MONOGHAN, JAS. KEEFE, THOS. CONNOR." On the fly-sheet was written " I certify this to be my act and deed. "JOHN AIONAGHAN, his mark. " James Monaghan, heir to the estate." Mr. Bradlaugh now applied for the committal of all ,he prisoners except Barry, against whom he admitted ,here was not sufficient evidence. Mr. Fernley addressed the court in defence. When the prisoners were asked by the bench if they wished to make any statement, Ke e f e rep li e d t h at b e would state all he knew, but by the advice of his solicitor he was induced to withhold his statement. Dunn said—All he could say was that the pencil marks were not his, and he never saw the will before he saw it in the hands of the secretary of the company in the presence of Mr. Orr, the surgeon, at No. 28, Cooper-street. _ _ Keefe said he wished to say that Mr. Bradlaugh, who called himself a gentleman, had told him that he would transport him. James Monahan, Dunn, M'Loughiin, and Keefe were then committed for trial on the charge of forgery, at the next assizes. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION. HOUSE OF COMAIONS.--FEB. 5. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. Motion made, and question put, " That, on those days on which the house shall sit in the evening, the debate on any business under discussion at twelve o'clock (mid night) shall stand adjourned to the next day on which the house shall sit; after which no opposed business shall be proceeded with; and that, whenever the house shall be in committee on any evening at midnight, the committee do report progress, and Mr. Speaker do re sumo the chair." (Mr. Brotherton.) The house divided --Ayes, 50; Noes, 111. AYES-50. Anderson, Sir J. Greene, Capt. John O'Connell, J. Bailey, C. Gregson, Samuel Oliveira, Is. Barrow, W. Gwyn, Howel Pellatt, A. Bass, M. Ha.ddo, Lord Plikington, J. Baxter, W. . . Hadfield, George Reed, J. Beaumont, W. Hastie, Alex. Sanders, G. Bellew, T. Headlam, T. Seobell, Capt. Biggs, W. Hindley, C. Scully. V Brady, J. Kennedy, T. Thompson, G. Challis, T. Kershaw, J. Thornhill, W. Crook, J. Lindsay, W. Tite, W. Crossley, F. MacEvoy, E. Wahnsley, Sir J. Dent, J. Meagher, T. Williams, W. Duncan, George Michell, William Wi se, A Ewart, J. Moffat, (1, - Ferguson, J. ' ' Murrough, J, J. Foley, J. IL Napier, Sir C . Fox, W. J. Oakes, J. ' NOES-111. Baird, .7. Ball, E. French, Fitzstephen Monek, Vic George, .T. Ball, J. MonereiLL J. Gifford, Earl of M - Gordon, A. onsell, W. Baring, Sir F. Bell, J. Montgomery, Sir G. Bentinck, 0. Grenfell, Charles Mowbray, J. R. Bethel], Sir R. Grey, Rt. Hon. Sir G. Mulgrave, e arl of Bignold, Sir S. Grosvenor, Ld. R. NAM, Lord lt Guinness, R. S. Blackburn, P. Newdegate, C. enjamin Newport, Viscount ilouverie, lion. E. P. Illia ai n l i Sir ey ,T. Osborne, R. Bramley-Muore, J. }Latimer, Sir John Otway, A. Brand, H. B. W. Heatheote, 0. Packe, C. Bruce, C. L. C. Heneage, Geo. 11. Palmer, Robert Buckley, Gen. Herbert, S. Palmerston, Viscount Burke, Sir T. Holland, E. Peel, F. Cecil, Lord Horsmau, E. Philipps, J. Child, Smith Hotham, Lord Phi Ilimore, J. G. Clay, Sir W., Bt. Ingham, R. Philli m ore, IL J. Cowper, W. Johnst o ne, J. Rice, E. Craufurd, E. H. J. Jolliffe, Sir W. Robertson, P. Daficelth, Earl Joiliffe, H. Scholefield, W. Davies, D. • Kendall, N. Shaft°, It. Davies, J. Keogh, W. Shelley, Sir 3,, Deedes, William Ktnnaird, A. Smith, M. Dering, Sir E. Laing, S. Smith, R. Dilleryn, L. L. Langton, H. G. Stewart, Sir N. Disraeli, B. Lennox. Lord /I. G. Thornely, T. Duckworth, Sir J. T.B. Lewis, Sir G. C. Villiers, C. Duncan, Viscount Lockhart, W. Wickham. H. Dongarvan, Viscount Lowe, R. Wigram, Loftus T. Dunlop, A. Luce T. Wilkinson, W. Dunne, Colonel Lushingten, C. M. Wilson, J. Elliott, J. E. Winnington, Sir T. Fenw.ck, H. M aca rtney, G. M`Cann, J. Wood, Sir C. Fergus, John M a cGregor, James Wyvin, M. Ferguson, Sir R. Malins, Richard TELLERS. Fitzgerald, J. Massey, W. Rapier, W. Forster, John Mall, E. Berkeley, G. TELLERS. Brotherton, J. Evart, W. Early in March,.Mr. E. Miall, m.p., will move that the House of Commons resolve itself into a committee to " consider the temporal provisions made by the law for roligio~steaulain and To t Lip think*, HEALTH OF LONDON DURING THE WEEK. ( From the Report of the Registrar-General.) Nine hundred and forty-nine deaths were registered in L.ndon in the week that ended on Saturday, Feb. 2. In the corresponding week of last year the mortality was 1,604. The difference is 655. The average cor• rected number of deaths, derived from the mean mor tality for the ten corresp mding weeks in the preceding ten years, is 1,279 ; and this number compared with this week's return shows a decrease in the latter of 330 deaths. The state of the public health may, therefore, be considered as remarkably good. The mean air temperature for the two preceding week' was 38.7 and 44.5; for last week it declined to 33.5 deg. ; in the same week last year, when the weather was considerably colder, the mortality was nearly 70 per cent. more, the mean temperature then descending as low as 29.3 deg. this return includes 476 deaths of males and 473 of females, and gives a total number of 777 less than the births : 433 were children and young persons ; 146 were of the age 20-40 ; 160 of the age 40-60 ; 175 of the age 60-80 ; and 27 at the age of SO years and upwards. Deaths arising from zymotic diseases, of which small pox, measles, scarlatina, hooping-cough, diarrhcea, and fevers form the principal heads, numbered 228. Typhus shows a tendency to increase, and was fatal to 69 per sons. The registrar of the Islington west sub-district states :—" Nine more deaths from typhus have been registered as occurr i ng, i n the L ondon Fever Hospital.' Fever is also stated to be prevalent in the Whitechapel workhouse, situated in the Mile-end New Town sub district. Bronchitis ' which was fatal in 112 case s, fell to 93. Pneumonia declined from 69 to 56. Pbthisis (or consumption) carried off 131 persons ; of this num ber 111 were between the ages of 15 and 60. Apoplexy and paralysis are returned in 33 cases, and diseases of the heart and blood vessels in 38 cases. Two death , * are registered as haying occurred from cholera. A• female, aged 22 years, " cholera biliosa (24 hours), and a girl, aged 9 weeks, f`cholera infantum." Last week the births of 880 boys and 846 girls, in all 1726 children, were registered in London. In the ton corresponding weeks of the years 1846.55 the average number was 1530. A triple :birth (2 girls and 1 boy) is recorded ; the mother is the wife of a journeyman baker, residing at 3, Nun-gate Cottages, Peckham. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.776 in. The mean air temperature for the week was 33.5 deg., being less by 11 deg. than in tho week, preceding, and less by 4 deg. than the average ()Nits same week in 38 years. The air on the average was colder than in the five previous weeks, the mean temperature having been below the average every day excepting Sunday. The entire range of temperature-was 18.4 deg. Tke mean dew-point temperature was 29.4 deg., or 4.1 deg. lees than the mean air temperature. The temperature of the water in the River Thames fell from 44.0 deg. to 36.1 deg. The electrical state of the atmosphere was positive throughout the week. The air for the greater part of the week was compartively calm, with light breezes from the south-west. Snow, hail, and occa sional showers of rain fell on Monday. MORTALITY IN ' THE METROPOLIS, NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY , FEB. 2. Zymotic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 33 Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of Respiration lB3 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. 1 Malformations 4 Premature Birth and Debility 26 Atrophy 27 Old Age Sudden 2 Violence, Privation ' Cold, and Int em p erance l5 Causes not specified 9 ...--- DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES 9 49 Population Deaths la corre- Deaths Enumerated. spending week in the 1851. of 1855. Week' West Districts North Districts 490,396 ~ 344 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 South Districts Totals Males Females 1,604 476 ' 473 OUR REPORT OF THE LATE GREAT MEETING IN. • WESTMINSTER. (Front the Morning Advertiser.) There it nothing more common than for platform ora tors, as well as members of the House of Commons, to endeavour to make the reporter the scapegoat for any expressions they may have employed, which they after wards find it inconvenient to acknowledge. To escape the unpleasant consequences to themselves, such persons impugn the accuracy of the report, and thus, as far as in them lies, do a serious injury to gentlemen whose position depends on their character for correct reporting. This is a very grave matter ; and as the practice is becoming general for speakers to throw the blame unjustly on the reporters, in order that they themselves may escape, we think it high time that the editors of public journals should throw the shield of their protection around those gentlemen who, in the practice of their laborious profes sion, are thus sought to be made responsible for the errors, indiscretions, or follies of those persons whose speeches it is their ditty to report. One way in which this can be done is to show, by proofs of the most conclusive kind, as we now do, that the charge of inaccuracy preferred against the reporter is without foundation. Another mode of protecting reporters is by abstaining from the publication of future reports of the speeches of such Parties as have unjustly sought to transfer the responsi bility of what they have said from their own shoulders to those of the gentlemen who had the misfortune to report their orations. In the present case, in addition to the letter of our own reporter published yesterday, and to that of another reporter, which we subjoin, we have had the most express assurances given us of the accuracy of the allusion to Prince Albert, by gentlemen of education who were on the plat form, within two or three yards of the speaker. Tt if also due to the gentleman whose report is impugned that we should state, that there is not a more able reporter in England. Besides, the very phrase which the speaker says he used, namely, the - " but of a peasant," instead of " the hu:band of a Queen," would have been a simple absurdity ; inasmuch as there is no instance on record, in this or any other country, in which treason has been hatched in " the hut of a peasant." Treason always has a more elevated birthplace. And, last of all, the deafening plaudits, again and again reiterated, accompanied with the whirling of hats in the air, which f o ll owe d th e sentence showed that the vast assemblage not only distinctly heard the words,'", the husband of a Queen," but felt, or at least believed, that there was a terrible • significance in the allusion,—which would have been pointless, and would have passed unnoticed, had the language used been, as the speaker now says it was, " the hut of a peasant." The following is the letter of another Reporter who was present, not asked for but volunteered by the writer : THE LATE WESTMINSTER MEETING. To the Editor of the Morning Advertiser. SIR,—I observe, in your columns of Monday last, that Mr. Richard Hart impugns the accuracy of your reporter's rendering of his words, saying, hi a letter to you, that he never used the words, " The throne of a prince and hus band of a queen." Now, sir, Mr. Hart, or any other public speaker, should consider well before they attempt to throw discredit on the ability of a reporter. They should bear in mind that it is almost impossible for a speaker, carried away by the enthusiasm of his subject and the cheers of his auditory, Ao be.able to question the accuracy of a reporter. They should further remember that a reporter is an educated professional man, and that the sole business of his life, at public meetings, is to take down whatever the speakers say, if he is so ordered. This being the case, sir, I apprelead that there will be little difficulty in understanding that, to your reporter, all the cheering in the world-:-the most frantic shouts—the most ear-splitting groans and hisses, are, when at his table, only so much " leather and prunella." However, to set Mr. Hart's mind and Mr. Hart's friend's minds at rest, as to the way in which he did utter the disputed sentence, I will, with your permission, transfer it (as I took it at the moment it . was uttered) from my note-book to your columns. After alluding to the execution of Charles, and im mediately following the sentence concluding with th e , word " ancestors," come these words : "I will not shrink here from• calling crime crime, whe ther that crime be committed from the throne of a Prince, or by the husband of a Queen ; and where that crime is proved, and the v er d ic t g i ven, sentence and execution shall follow." (Th e a ll us i on was received with tremendous cheering and waving of hats in all parts of the large and crowded hall.) , The sentence "hut of a peasant" was never used at all • by Mr. Hart at that meeting, and I can credit my own • note-book better than any man's memory. I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, A. PROFESSIONAL SHORTHAND WRITER. . Feb. 5, 1856. Loss OF THE AMERICAN BRIG WEBSTER—SOUTR. AMPTON, Feb. s.—The Peninsular and Oriental Com pany's steamer Sultan, which arrived at this port yes • terday morning with the Peninsul a r mails, brings intel ligence of the total loss of the American brig Webster. This vessel, which belonged to Bucksport, United States, Captain Heath, sailed from Cadiz on the 24th ult. with a cargo of salt for Rio Grande. On the 20th, at half-past three p.m., Cape Spartel bearing E.N.N., by aocnunt, 120 miles, she ran foul of a piece of timber, about 22 inches square, striking endways, which split the stem and pressed in the lower part of the port; causing the brig to leak so much that the crew, although working both pumps, were unable to free her. On tho the following day, at one a.m., thr crew took the boats, and at four o'clock the brig went down. The captain and his men (nine in all), after 40 hours' of severe ex posure in the open boats, arrived at Gibraltar, haying loot every particle of they olotlan. . previc Was 4 4 5,66: 7,6771 eat. Ace ►erna Imre ii 'ne m the d e are ex be lev above prop): With ( but ul ing th, The Ik lre.e of zwater eater jro roig t : 4 c l Ge 'lifting quest. Mini 4( ' wit fll llY 4 Atern. liitiT i Lox b reeze 'Lie/ l otes bow e i t) , 01 1 th e 40 1 . ja 4* ~i l +t ~h Arr Sail tin• 401Ith uo t , 4 P al aoia_ o t a ta dIIi St9 4l v 4 ita,