The Sun. — London, England, 1856-10-08 00:00:00

Spirit of the Public Journal:. for the eight first months of 1855 produced altoge ther to the State the sum of 189,706,690 f. ; and of th a t amount no less than 189 , 264 , 240 f. were yielded by the taxation of raw materials and alimentary substances of primary necessity. The Moniteur and the semi-official journals of Paris set up a chorus of praise to Imperialism every time the Customs returns appear ; but they never tell their credulous readers that the increase which they as cribe to the Imperial is really owing to the Protec tive system, which tries, by means of duties on raw material, to participate in the illicit gains which the French manufacturers so largely get out of the French people. Yet so it is. It is the duties on raw materials that yield the increase. A few days ago the Moniteur gave a comp ar ative result of taxation during the first eight months of the last triennial period, and from it we extract the leading articles of raw material : 1854. 1855. 1856. Fr. Fr. Fr. Cotton 10,609,615 13,421,643 14,310,732 Wool 6,014,589 10,496,091 5,979,429 Coal 3,703,760 4, 5 57',164 5,979,429 Bar Iron Cast Iron 2,868,975 3,754,311 3,526,964 Bar Steel Lead. ...... Other metals 1.1,554,433 14,95',279 14,961,932 The sum total of all the duties on raw materials and alimentary substances in that period is— Fr. Fr. Fr. 93,773,039 189,2 , 34,210 114,592,5 25 This detestable and mischievous state of things is the necessary consequence of a system of prohi bitions and protections such as disgraces the French tariff, and injures to the last degree that French people for which Imperialism professes so fatherly a regard. The result of this perverse system of procuring revenue to the State, and of this wicked system of enriching one particular class of the c ommunit y , is that the French workmen, or rather the whole body of French consumers, are prevented from buying in the cheapest and the best markets nine-tenths of the materials of their dress, their furniture, and their food. The French consumer is denied the opportunity of obtaining from a foreign ma nufacturer the cloth for his coat and trowiers, the woollen stuff or cotton pique for his waistcoat, the cotton cloth for his shirt ; he can wear neither foreign stockings, be they woollen or cotton, nor foreign shoes. As for his furniture and his household gear, the iron pan in which his wife pre pares his food—every article of brass, zinc, cast iron, hammered iron, tin, or steel ; all cutlery, all locks, all plated ware, his dishes, his plates, his glass—all must be domestic, dear, and bad. For these descriptions of foreign g oods are not taxed on admission into the French Empire ; the/ are one and all absolutely prohibited. The French cannot import horse-hair to cover their chairs or sofas ; or, if it be going out of fashion, woollen tissue, either for that or any other purpose. They lie shivering in their beds in winter because the State, to favour ona class of monopolists, imposes a duty of 220 f. per 100 kilogrammes on woollen blankets ; and they sit on their bare floors because for the sake of another set the Government puts a duty on our cheap carpets, which is prohibitory in reality though not in name. Even foreign soap is denied admission, to please the manufacturers of Marseilles and the North. Thus, as Michel Che valier happily concludes his examination of the French Commercial System, the liberty of the French consumer is very like that which was allowed to Figaro , who was permitted freely to publish his opinion of public affairs, on condition twat in so doing he was not to allude in particular to anybody or anything. No doubt, Imperialism at the Tuileries has asked Imperialism at the Corps Legislatif to repeal pro hibitions and substitute heavy duties. But then Imperialism in the provinces had, at the dictation of the Imperialism at the Ministry of the Interior, sent to that corps bevies of those eminent "friends of order," who were all thoroughgoing monopolists. And " the friends of order" in the Corps Legislatif proved just as selfish as "the friends of order" at the Tuileries. They regarded prohibitions as the Malakhoff of Protection ; and in vain they were wooed to pass this project of law. Imperialism is one vast congeries of Pro tection ; why should they renounce what all the other partsof the system were to continue to enjoy ? Ind so the project was withdrawn, and the pro vinces were, the world was told, iv) be consulted directly through the Conseils-Generaux. Well, the Conseils-Generaux have met and gone ; and what say they ? Of course that of the Herault has pronounced iu favour of freedom of trade, pro tection interfering, as it thinks, with the freedom of sale for its wines. But as for the others, they have either said nothing at all on the subject, or have declared themselves Protectionist in one form or other. And how could it bo otherwise ? The same system of selfishness which fills the Corps Legislatif with the " friends of order," fills the Conseils-Generaux with them too ; and the "friends of order," as a body, aro all eminently protective of their own and singularly greedy of other people's property. We had large experience of them in Enslaud, and know the genus well. But, though in the Conse,ils-Generaux these worthies will not hear of freedom of trade, they loudly protest against duties on raw materials. Such duties are odious, mischievous, suicidal, they say. Repeal them, by all means, they advise Imperialism. That would I>e true wisdom. Now, if Imperialism at the Tuile ries be at all sincere in its Free-trade professions, it ought to be on its guard against this advice and entreaty. It seems plausible enough at first sight ; hut, when examined a little closely, it resolves itself into merely another form of self-seeking. Nothing can be worse than the duties on raw ma terials, except duties to protect domestic fabrics. But, if a system of prohibitions and protections is in any shape to be inflicted on France, the State, at all events, does to some extent derive revenue from duties on raw materials. To abolish them as a preliminary step, before thinking of sup pressing even prohibitions, or of providing other sources of revenue, would be simply to transfer to the manufa c t ur i ng mono p o li s t s of France the have s e e f e n I t B h 9 a , that 1 6 8 9 5 0 5, revenue now derived from them by the State. francs,out of a u t u ota l l e C ee ust t o h m an s Wrevelenu e 189,264,240 francs came from raw materials of one sort or other. This statement t a once shows how immense is the vo:_d which acquiescence in the last proposition of the French monopolists would create in the Treasury of France with its rapidly growing expenses. It would transfer nearly eight millions sterling to the monopolists from the State, and at one blow destroy nearly the whole existing Cus toms revenue. Such is the answer of the Conseils- Generaux of France to the appeal which Impe rialism has made to their patriotism. What France wants and needs is increased, not diminished revenue—new sources of income to the State. But these she can, happily, only acquire by means of freedom of commerce ; and how any nation can hope to get freedom of commerce except through the instrumentality of political freedom surpasses our comprehension. This, at all events, is clear, that the Corps Legislatif and the Conseils- Generaux, being neither of them the organs of poli tical freedom, are not, and cannot be, the avenues ,o commercial freedom in Imperial rance. (Front the Tines.) "Representative institutions," to quote a dis tinguished authority, "are now on their trial." The responsibility of showing this principle to its greatest advantage rests on the Metropolitan Board of Works, and the scene of the ordeal is the Coun cil-chamber, Guildhall. The chosen representa tives of this free and enlightened metropolis there meet from time to time to take m easures for its material improvement, and, as th e body is a new one and its functions important, the public look on with considerable interest. They have not quite fair play. The cleansing of the Augean stable was y l only one out of the manabours of Hercules ; and, if we remember right, he was not set to this till he had established a reputation by more romantic hievements. Had he failed in this instance it would only have shown that the conqueror of lions, hydras, and boars might be a very indifferent sca venger. Moreover, the hero was not restricted by the terms of his engagement from making what use he pleased of all the natural resources at hand. Our metropolitan senate, however, while repre senting the population and receiving the revenues of a German State, is set first wholly and solely to the drainage of this great human stable, this dirty metropolis. That is its only probation. It is a task in which failure will be not only disgraceful, but odoriferous and pestilent. It will address itself to every sense in our bodies. It is a task, too, in which success will be simply the a bsence of smells, headaches, and fevers, things felt when present and not missed when away. It is hard enough to be put to such thankless and disagreeable work, but the conditions attached to it are worse still. It must be done within four years from the present time. The whole of the less agreeable products of this metropolis, inhabited by two millions and a half human beings, are to be discharged, or other wise got rid of, where they may never return within its very extenslve boundaries. While the Board meets and meets, again, consults engi neers, receives and discusses plans advocated by warm partisans and pulled to pieces by still warmer opponents, there sits above another Board, with a certain Chief Commissioner, who has engineers and lawyers at his elbow. Still higher above this Board sits a Parliament that has prescribed these hard, if not impossible conditions, and compelled the Chief Commissioner to put his veto on all plans which his engineers and lawyers tell him are not fully and exactly in accordance with the act. The Metropolitan Board of Works have thus to go by a "letter," the "spirit" of which is rendered by another interpreter, who has no discretion in the matter. They seem to us in rather evil case, and likely to pay dear for the honour of representing their fellow-citizens. However, they knew what they had to do, and they must do it as well as they can. Thus far they have done nothing with the main subject in band. They have discussed scheme after scheme, and committed themselves deeply to one or two that have turned out to be at vari ance with the terms of the act, carefully de signed to prevent a return of the sewage to the metropolitan boundary. The result has been that the Board has been sent back like an idle boy to its lessons. Like hungry Sancho, as fast as it fixed its affections ou a dish, the Court physi cian has put his wand on it. This is very hard. To the nose of a sanitary reformer a sewer or a "sump," an "elongated cesspool," or a "deodorising appa ratus," can become as fragrant as an "olla podrida." The Board is to he pitied, yet it is hard to see why it should he always running its head against a brick wall. Were they not honest citizens, their obstinacy would suggest a suspicion of revolutionary designs, but Parliament in this country is a very dead wall, and the Chief Commissioner appears to do his duty as a " buffer" with great solidity. Nor is the subject itself of their common deliberations, though in other respects disagreeable enough, fertile at revolutions. The real fact of the case is, that our worthy metropolitan representatives are not the greatest men iu the world. Of their condition we speak not, though certainly few people in London know who represents their own district, much less any other. There is a want of some other sort of greatness, and greatness is wanted for this subject as much as for any other. No doubt, ladies and gentlemen surrounded by lawns and parterres, or, may be, the still sweeter heather, with the rivulet at their feet or the waterfall over head, will smile at the idea of heroic attributes in so disgusting a matter. If they do, they have forgotten that pretty story in their Lampri , 3re quoted above, as well as another of which Themistooies was the hero ; and they have also forgotten the great rule of common sense, and of religion as well, that greatness and goodness have respect to the mind rather than the matter. Sueely, in a matter so deeply affecting the health of more than two millions of people, the Board is too sensitive to the magnitude or expense of a plan. It is true that a plan may be costly and bad at the same time, but when one considers that in these days we think nothing of a railway with embank ments, tunnels, and viaducts forty miles long, and an expenditure of two millions, to shorten the dis tance between two provincial towns, a series of works of that length and that cost does not seem an extravagant price to pay for the purgation of this metropolis. Far be it from us to throw new elements of discord into the perpetual hubbub of the Metropolitan Senate by taking up any particu lar plan; but we must say that they show a sin gular reluctance to carry out the plain intentions of the higher Legislature. They still hug the me tropolitan districts ; measures distances with pain ful exactness ; discuss the meaning of the word " near ;" refer again and again to their engineer for the ups and downs of refuse matter in the Thames ; and, as one of the Board expressed it the other day, seem bent on a " close shave." It is not a case for a close shave. There is an evident parity of reasoning between the supply of pure water and the disposal of refuse, the difference between the two cases being rather of momentary than of permanent value. It may happen, indeed, that a man msy be more anxious to quench his thirst than to clean his cot tage or purify the air that he breathes ; but when bad drainage, and consequent bad air, induce disease and shorten life, it is in the long run as much a question of life and death as the supply of pure water. Yet for the supply of pure water Rome had aqueducts stretching over the Campagua amounting altogether to hundreds of miles, of colossal dimensions and the best masonry. There was not a single city in the, empire without its aqueduct; and, even w h en it l ay on a fine river, as in the instance of Metz, on the Moselle, a moun tain stream 20 or 30 miles off was still brought t o the town, for the advantage of pu rits t r h or elevation. Why, then, should London grudge e expense of similar works for an object of equal importance All experience is against half measu res and make shift schemes. The Board of Works consulted economy in Westminster-bridge, and thereby threw 70,000/. into the river. London is an immense city. Its wants are great. " Beware o f little wars," said the Duke, and it may be s aid on an occasion like this, to ßeware of little works." They have all to be done over again, and th e next generation e that has to pay for new works, as well as the debt on the old, will not thank us f or our parsimony, If it is possible at an expense not absolutely un reasonable and ruinous to carry the refuse of this metropolis down to the sea, by all means let it be metropolis istin the can ezt.r bear ac it, g done. The property of th e and, if not, seeing that the St a t e millions of money from our h ouses i n i n habited house duty, property tax, an d shapeof t a x, it may well be called on to give us somesuccession of b ac k again for a purpose of national as w e ll as local it i m portance. The labours of the Sanitary Commis sion that 1.41 Panmure is justly proud o f cost the country not a trifle. But London is a camp quite as important as that lately in the Crimea, and its army is fifty times as numerous. So let us make mind to a good round sum in this matt er P a rliament, in one of its heroic moods, has fixed our and, as fixed the conditions of the task, perhaps it will have the decency to take a share in the cost. (From the Daily News of this clay.) 1 The oomplimentary extent to which thetnis d ' sionof a fra the paily News into Paris is interrupted by the diminishes i al Government i nc reases rather than s the interest we take in France, and the hopes w e e uLe e r n t tertain that she is destined before long to re-e are that it is by ranks of Free States. Certain we secure the I), Y this means only that she will ever tariff of import duties of Free Trade. The present most barharous legislation into France is worthy of the times. First of a er i islation of the least enlightened materials of the razi the Government taxes the raw existence ; ern n the manufacturers which it forces into by the Govment to rob are permitted affects so paternal a care, It the people, for which it legislation, that when a fo It i s of a piece with this hat the shortest road to freedom journal points out general freedom, then the confiscates ers to Imperial of trade is through which is described by its admirers Government, the cause of Free Trade,be devoted to the journal the moment it reache s the copy of of the State As State must however the higher functionaries take theer. will not themselves peruse the remarks which th e permit others to read, we will giving them an English view of the presentlberty of of the French Protectionists. p o li cy 'Co understand this policy it is neo,esßa r y to e s _ plain that an enormo us proportion—fully 99:ilue dredths, in fact. of the French customs are deri from heavy duties ex levied on rawam maials o f ma v n ed facture and of food. For pleter—as it app e - a u r ; mitetv—the customs by a recent , re t u rn in the )31- IRELAND. DUBLIN, TUESDAY MORNING THE LASE BARON DE ROBBCK. It was currently reported yesterday morning that the body of this unfortunate gentleman had been discovered in the river Liffey, a little below Island-bridge, close to the Phcenix-park. The report, however, proved to be groundless, and as yet there is no trace of the remains. An evening paper (the Mail) has the following statement in reference to the baron's death : " We are enabled to state the following particu lars respecting the disappearance of this lamented gentleman, of whose death by drowning, we re gret to say, no doubt any longer remains, although the body bas not yet been found. Leixlip Castle, the residence of the baron, is, as all Dublin people know, situate close to the fall of the river Liffe y , called the salmon leap, which, in consequence of the flood (one of the greatest that has been known for many years), was an object peculiarly interest ing on the evening of the accident. Baron de Ro beck had twice walked to look at it in company with his son, Major de Robeck, and upon each occasion strongly expressed his admiration of the grandeur of the fall. He wished to visit it a third time, but was dissuaded from doing so by Major de Robeck, on account of the dampness of the evening, and, was left by him for a short time in the drawing room of the Castle, from which a window opens upon the grounds close to the river. The last that was seen of him after wards was by a girl, who ob served him from the opposite side of the river, standing on the brink, looking at the fall for seve ral minutes. She then saw him turn away to ascend the steep bank rising from the river, in doing which he was hidden from her view by a brake of bushes. During his previous walks he had been assisted up this bank by his son, and the probability is that, wanting that assistance upon the final occasion, he slipped in, and, being very feeble, could not recover him self until he rolled into the stream and was carried away by the current, then running furiously. His handkerchief was found in a weir a considerable dis tance down the river, but no other portion of his dress has been found upon the bank or elsewhere. These circumstances prove that the melancholy occurrence must have been purely accidental, and we trust they will be made known by any of our contemporaries who may have unintentionally caused pain to the family by giving currency t o un 'ounded and hasty rumours respecting the matter." BALLINASLOE FAIR. BALLINSLOE, Monday, Oct. 6.—This fair, as it has been the largest for many years, so it has proved the most satisfactory. All parties, buyers and sellers, are pleased at the prices. The follow ing is a statement of the number of sheep shown and sold for the last three years : Number sold, 1353 Ditto unsold 15,093 Total, 1853 Number sold, 1854 Ditto unsold Total, 1854 Number sold, 1855 Ditto uusold Total, 1855 Monday, Oct. 6, 12 o'clock, 91,774 5,570 Sheep sold Unsold Total 97,344 THE BANK OF ENGLAND. Abundant evidence has been furnished yesterday of the complete effect of the measures just adopted by the Bank of England. All pressure for money, both at that establishment and in the discount market, has subsided, and the foreign exchanges have like wise received a most favourable impulse. A considerable rebound in the stock market might therefore have been expected, but a check has been given by the fact that the Bank of France are un derstood to have again commissioned their agents lon this side to purchase gold at any cost. Al though the operation, like those of a similar cha racter previously enteral into, oan be effected only at a loss, a further sum of about 120,0001. is understood in this way to have been withdrawn yesterday from the Bank of England. To many persons the question has consequently suggested itself, will a fresh rise in discount thus be ren dered necessary ? But the matter is not one over which a rise of discount could exert any mate rial influence. If the Bank of France are deter mined to buy gold at any sacrifice, no addition of one or two per cent. per annum on the rate of bills of exchange will be regarded. The only limit to such an operation must be found in the exhaustion of their power to buy up bills on this country or to o!)tain credits here. Sappily, we cannot be called to pay more than we owe, and if all our liabilities circulating upon the continent are bought up and thrown upon us before their regular maturity, there will simply be so much less to pay a mouth or two hence. To the Bank of France tho result is of course of an opposite character. By a consi derable sacrifice they obtain money a few weeks in advance, and when these have passed they must either be content to receive nothing, or must renew the transaction with a repetition of loss. In this manner within a short period they have already thrown away about 50,0001., which has gone into the pockets of the coasignees of gold in this country and other parties. It was hoped, when they re cently advanced their rate of discount to 6 per cent., and announced that they would take any other stringent measures that might be necessary, they were about to abandon a system so humiliat ing from its futility, but it appears that the exi gencies of the moment are such as will not admit of a sudden change. In a few days another monthly report will have to be issued, and the most desperate efforts are believed to be requisite to mil igate the features it is likely to present. A considerable amount from Australia is now overdue iu this country, and if an arrival should at once take place it will afford the most opportune assist ance, since the Bank of France would, of course, greatly prefer availing themselves of such a supply to keeping up a direct drain upon the Bank of Eng land, which must speedily react upon the Paris market. As the question whether the panic will subside or go on till it has led to a suspension of specie payments may probably, however, depend upon the way in which the people may view the next return, it is doubtless felt that every other consideration must for the moment be set aside.-- Times City Article. STATE OF TRADE. MANCHESTER, 0112'. 7. The additional half per cent. upon discounts by the Bank of England has led to all but a complete suspension of business here to-day. The local banks followed the steps of the national institution without the loss of so much as an hour's time in giving notice, and contracts partly entered into on Monday afternoon to a very large amount for cloths, in consequence of the hardening price of the raw material at Liverpool, were immediately withdrawn on receipt of the telegraphic news from London stating the decision of the Bank directors there. There is no change in prices, because in the present state of feeling no reason able amount of concession would tempt business, and in fact the manufacturers, with stocks of no great conse quence, and with the prices of cotton tending upwards, are not in a position to offer concessions. The tone of the market, however, is one of great depression and discourage ment. In yarns, as in cloths, prices are quite firm, but business is almost at a standstill. The telegraphic report from Liverpool speaks of 8,000 bales having been sold to day —a report which in itself tends to uphold the prices of yarn. Buyers appear disposed to wait and see what fur ther changes are likely to take place in the money market before venturing upon new engagements, and, while very little is doing for the home trade, exporters to India and other foreign markets are unwilling to do anything. In a trade where so large a proportion of business is done through the instrumentality of six months' bills and other paper it is easy to conceive that so sudden an alteration in discounts has been a chock of serious oensequence on all hands. Messrs. John Slagg and Co. report :—" Towards the close of last week, owing to the upward tendency of the cotton market, there was a better demand for nearly all kinds of goods, and a fair amount of business was done at the full prices of Tuesday last. On receipt, however, of the very great advance In the Bank rates buyers withdrew from the market, and yesterday and to-day enera there hi has been little or nothing doing, but stocks being gllylight we cannot quote any change in prices." Messrs. George Fraser, Son, and Co. report The rise of a half per cent. in the minimum rate by the Bank of England on Wednesday last, followed by a further advance yesterday to 6 per cent. for paper 63 days and under, and to 7 per cent. for larger paper running up to 95 days, has caused a considerable interruption to business in our mar ket to-day. There is not much actual change as yet in prices, but very few offers are made." LEEDS, OCT. 7. There was a good attendance of buyers in the cloth-halls this morning, notwithstanding that the weather was damp; and at the close of the markets it was found that a good deal of cloth had changed hands, considering the quantity of seasonable goods brought into the halls. The advance yesterday of the rate of discount by the Bank of England was the subject of conversation, but it can scarcely be said to have affect el the woollen market. It will certainly check any false speculation, if there be any, end will probably act upon the whole beneficially in this as in other commercial communities. Both wools and cloths continue steady in Prise. Tile following is the report of this day's Huddersfield mark e t :—" The raising of the discount by the Bank of Eaglaud had its effect on this market. Continued wet weather operates injeriously also. Trade to-day was gene rally The most numerous demands are for low goods; and of those very light ,nixtured bliwk doeskios go off ' 4 " 1 .9, and there are but few sales in fancies. Woo' trade rather flatter." BIRMINGHAM, OCT. 7. There was a good attendance of buyers today, and the competition was most animated for all descriptions of wool, Fine fleece's appeared to be most in reglad. THE SUN, _LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENIN OCTOBER 8; 1856 1 LONDON POLITICAL MEETING AT GREAT YARMOUTH. A meeting was held at the Star Hotel, Yarmouth, on Monday eveniug, for the purpose of receiving Mr. W. T. M'Cullagh, and Mr. E. W. Watkin (of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway) as candidates for the borough, in the Liberal interest. Mr. J. Clowes, solicitor, was called to the chair. Mr. M'CULLAGH addressed the meeting with great effect for nearly an hour. He expressed his opinion that the faults in the administration of public affairs rested not so much with the accident of who might be the Minister of the day as with the House of Commons, the centre of all power in the country. They had suc cessive administrations, but no change in respect to effi cient government. The grievances sought to be redressed in 1852 still remain unaltered, taxation continued to be enormously increased, although the war had ceased, and were the Executive over so disposed to propose measures of progress, it would not be able to carry them as the house was now constituted. In 1852 there was a very prevalentfeeling that reform was required in the adminis tration, though parties differed in opinion as to the ex tent to which it should be carried, but what progress had been msde 1 With regard to administrative reform it was too comprehensive a phrase, but in the application of administrative reform principles men were tested and seen through. A year and a half since the country was in a rage at the manner in which the war had been con ducted, and the cry was irresistible from one end of the country to the other that those who had thrown the army away in the Crimea should be made answerable. But had any sincere attempt been made by the House of Com mons, who pretended to be for inquiry, to bring convic tion home, and to enforce punishment ! The last scene enacted in the farce performed with regard to the loss of the Crimean army took place in Chelsea Hospital, where some very respectable old gentlemen for a great number of days heard a deal of evidence of an ex-parte character, and gave a verdict completely exonerating every one ex cept one particular department of her Majesty's Govern ment. Those who were most implicated had received de corations and distinctions, and there had been a determi nation shown on the part of the Tory party to shield the delinquency, as it was shared in by persons of high rank and fortune. Administrative reform had been said to be required in the civil service, but the monopoly in that service remained as it ever was. The oligarchic power had never been greater in the couitry than at the present time, and no disposition was shown by the House of Commons to effect a change. The heads of each department were members ofacompact body who had no sympathy withthe Middle and industrial classes, and he claimed for the latter a fair share in the government of the country. Administrative reform had been said to be wanting in the army, but the House of Commons had inexorably refused to allow the private soldier returning from the Crimea to wear a decoration, though an officer might have it who had not taken the slightest pq,rt in the fray. Adverting to the sale of commissions, and to the case of the Earl of Cardigan, who had paid 40,0001. to clamber up into a position which gave a command in the most critical times in the Crimea, Mr. WCullagh said such instances were not solitary ; they were the result of a system which insured incompetence in the moment of danger, and ill-direction of our arms when it was most important that they should be entrusted to those most fit to control them. The system was at variance with: the experience of every country in the world which had great armies and had achieved great influence ; but the 'pus° of Commons had determined that this system should re main, as it was found to work exceedingly agreeal - ily„for the benefit of a particular class. Touching next on.,the peace, Mr. M'Cullagh said—While the British ambas sador was doing honour to the new Czar, and while the solemnities were actually in course of performance, Rus sia could not control the exuberance of her contempt for the manner in which she had been let off, and she had issued a manifesto which !showed that, though her power might for a moment be weakened and her prudence be the better part of her valour, she was determined to hold the same tone of defiance to the free governments of Europe. She laughed at the alliance between this coun try and France, for, with the sagacity of the serpent, though not the harmlessness of the dove, she knew full well that between a despotic power and a free people, when the latter awoke to a sense of their true external policy there could be no cordial friendship. She waited the hour therefore when it suited her purpose to break up the alliance and to wreak her resentment. What were we doing in the meantime ? Where were our representative institutions, which should shield us and strike terror into aggressive powers ! No where, be cause the present House of Commons had never lilted up its voice for the war when war was imminent; had never sought for inquiry at once, when the war was misman aged, and had soon repented of doing so, and had been ready to accept peace at any price, rather than continue the burdens which they hated, and the dangers to the despotisms which they loathed in their hearts. The only security was a popularly elected and popularly respons ible House of Commons, and the Czar would never be convinced that the house was a representative of the industrial free heart of England uutil there was a fair and equal representation of the hard heads and the strong hands which had made the country what it was. Mr. WATKIN delivered an address of a similar charac ter, and the meeting unanimously passed resolutions pledging those present to do their utmost to secure the return of both the candidates at the next election. I BK. From the London Gazette of Last Night. WIIITEHALL, OCT. 0. The Queen has been pleased to constitute and appoint James Goodsell Middleton, Esq., to be Major in the Ar tillery Company of London, in the room of Samuel Bar nard, Esq., resigned. BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, OCT. 6. The Right Honourable the Lords cf the Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received, through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a Despatch from her Majesty's Minister at Parana, en closing a copy of a law recently passed by the Argentine Legislature levying duties, as follows, upon merchandise brought into any of the provinces of the Argentine Confe deration from within the Capes at the month of the River Plate, and which law will come into effect in the mouth of February, 1857. ARTICLE I. Ist. Merchandise not subject to specific duty shall pay double the ordinary duty. 2d. Merchandise subject to specific duty shall, on its in troduction, bo subject to an additional duty of 30 per cent., ad valorem. Country Markets. LIVERPOOL-OCT. 7. Having a good attendance of millers and dealers at opt corn exchange this morning, a good consumptive demand was experienced for the loading articles of the trade. Ordi nary and inferior grades of wheat and flour sold at the fall prices of last week, but superior samples of both articles commanded an advance of about 2d per bushel and 6d to is per barrel and sack. Indian corn attracted more atten- ARTICLE 11. Merchandise which may be introduced directly from outside the Capes by the said ports shall continue to pay only the ordinary duty. ARTICLE 111. _ _ The natural and manufactured products of the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay, of the Republic of Paraguay, and of the Brazilian possessions situated within the Capes, introduced directly by the said ports come within the pre ceding article. tion than of late, but any addition to price was a check on business. Old oats and oatmeal firm ; new rather easier. Beans, barley, and peas unchanged. HULL-00T. 7. There was,a small supply of wheat to-day, the condition most wretched, but which, after the late heavy rains, was to be expected ; such qualities met slow sale at the full prices of last week. Anything at all dry fetched is to 2s more money. For good old wheat we had a large and ge neral sale, both local and for Scotland, from whence the, accounts as to the rain and damage to the crops are truly , deplorable. Barley is to 2s dearer ; beans Is dearer ; oats; 6d dearer. A good sale for Indian corn. Linseed un altered. Cakes rather easier. Rape cakes firm. _ _ ■ 2 Wheat, English, red 65 to 76 Ditto white 72 to 78 Dantzic and Konigs berg Pomeranian and Ham- ARTICLE IV. The natural and manufactured products of the Province of Buenos Ayres shall be admitted free of duty as national products. BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, OCT. 6. The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received, through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a Despatch from her Majesty's Consul-General at Ham burgh, enclosing a oopy of a Proclamation of the Senator of the Hamburgh Manchlands, prohibiting, under a penalty , of 50 dols. for each case, the importation of cattle from the Duchies of Holstein and Lauenburg, unless accompanied by a certificate from the authorities of the place from whence such cattle are imported, stating the district to be free from the pulmonary epidemic prevailing in those dis tricts. Their Lordships have also received information that a similar prohibition has been enforced in the terri tory of Lubeck, as regards the cattle imported from the duchies of Mecklenburgh Schwerin, Mecklenburgh Stre litz, and Holstein, unless accompanied by a like certificate. BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, OCT. 6. The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received, through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy of a despatch from her Majesty's Minister at Athens en closing a copy of a circular addressed by the Greek Minis ter for Foreign Affairs to the agents abroad of the Go vernment, desiring them to bring to the notice of foreign capitalists the intention of the Government to concede to foreign companies various public works about to be undertaken. The following are the works to which this circular has especial reference : 15. I . eas, grey and black to Linseed, Black Sea.,. 58 to 60 itto Peterabnrgh 5O to 56 itto Riga and Arch angel burgh Dan ish , Holstein, and Memel 44 to 5() Friesland 6O to 65 Per ron. Russian and Odessa 58 to 65 Lins.c., PlnlllolN to 1015 s .0d Oats, English Ditto Danish Ditto Friesland Ditto Russian 29 to 31 Rape cakes .—s Od to 135 s 01 Barley, malting Ditto grinding 36 to 40 Ditto foreign Beans Ditto foreign 40 to 46jBones Peas, white and yel. 40 to 421 Flour, per brl. 3ss 3.85 1. Drainage of lakes. 2. Construction of roads. 3. Construction of ports. The conditions being as follows : The works to be executed at the expense and on account of the companies, according to plans previously drawn out and approved by the Government. The company will be required to deposit in the National Bank, if required by the Government, a aim in proportion to the importance of the work to be undertaken, as a gua rantee for the fulfilment of the engagements, both as re gards the time fixed for the execution of the works, as also the other conditions attached to the concession. In satisfaction of these obligations the Greek Govern ment will make the following concessions : A.—Drainage of Lakes. To every company undertaking works of this nature the Government will grant— (a.) The revenue derived during a fixed time and free from any impost, or else a certain settled quantity of the land obtained. (b.) Freedom from customs ditties on all tools, machi nery, kc., required for the prosecution of works, as also upon the implements and seeds required for the culture of the land. Should the company desire, for the purpose of cultivating such land, to introduce settlers, such settlers irDl enjoy, in addition to the privileges above mentioned, the following immunities, subject however to the ordin ance of the 16th April, 1834. Freedom from all Customs' duties on 1. Wearing apparel required by them and already used. 2. Necessary domestic furniture. 3. Carts, animals, &c., required for their service. 4. Necessary implements and all other advantages refer red to in the above-mentioned ordinance. (c.) The Government will further grant to such settlers, land for the erection of houses, warehous es , churches, schools, &c., and for gardens, as also the land required for roads, public places, kc., agreeably to the plans drawn up. It case the land should not be granted to the com pany for a fixed time, on the terms of an entire franchise, the settlers will not be subject to any personal tax or land tax. B.—Construction of Roads. The following advantages will bo granted to the under takers of these works. (a.) The land necessary for their construction and free right to obtain the necessary materials. (b.) The right to levy fixed tolls. (c.) All necessary implements imported for making and maintaining the roads to be free from customs duty. (d.) In respect to certain roads a minimum interest of 5 per cent. will be granted upon an amount of capital to be determined upon. C.—Construction of Ports. The Government will make the following concessions to undertakers of works of this nature : (a,.) Port duties and other charges established by the laws in force, and levied on account of the Exchequer. (b.) Complete freedom from all import duties on machi nery and implements required for the works. (e.) And lastly, a minimum guarantee of 5 per cent, for a certain period upon a capital to be determined upon. BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, OCT. 7. In the Notice which appeared in the Gazette of the 30th ultimo, respecting the duties on the importation of fish into France, for "salted fish," read "pickled fish." The Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade have received from the Earl of Clarendon an extract from the Meniteur, rectifying an error in the French Imperial decree respecting the importation of tobacco into Algeria, which appeared on the 27th Sept. last, and a translation of which was inserted in the London, Gazette of the 3d inst. The decree, as corrected, applies exclusively to the octro€ de mer. COMMISSIONS SIGNED BY LORDS-LIEUTENANT. County of Kincardine—Sir James Horne Burnett, Bart., to be Vice-Lieutenant. County of Flint—William Bryan Cooke, Esq., to be Deputy-Lieutenant. 4th or Royal South Middlesex Regiment of Militia — Wm. John Burford Standidgo, Gent., to be Lieutenant, rice Keane, resigned. East Kent Regiment of Militia—Amelius Sicard, Gent., tobe surgeon, vice Curtis, resigned. BA.NICRUPTCY A P NNUL • James Walker Nini3neAsx, wKaittcuhmrTakse.r, E nbridge Wells. William Turner , milliner, Forest-hill, to surrender, t eleven, ati:yd. Nov. 24, at half - past twelve , at the o Pennell, official assignee, gc u t. , T 1 0 , ;‘ Guild hall-chambers ; Irolmea, Bucklersbury. Newport, Oct. 20 and Nov. 18, af, eleven,. at ,Daatvtiliese carrier , Bristoi District Court. Miller, official as signee, Bristol ; Smith and Vassal!, Bristol. William Fevre, publican, Peterborough, Oct. 16, at eleven, and Nov. 20, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings ; Wright and Bonner, London-street, Fonchuroh-street ; Law, Stamford. John Saunders Muir, schoolmaster, Aberdeen-place, Maida-hill, Oct. 18, at half-past two, and Nov. 24, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Nicholson, official • assignee , Basinghall-street ; Abyeihams, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Edward Rowell, bill broker, Manchester, Oct. 17 a n d Nov. 18, at twelve, at the Manchester District Court. Pott, official assignee, Manchester; Boote and Jellicorse, Manchester. William Sammons, tailor, Redruth, Cornwall, Oct. 18, at eleven, and Nov. 18, at two, at the Court of Bank ruptcy- Lee, official assignee, Aldermanbury; Mason and Stnrt, Gresham-street, City. John Carr, iron manufacturer, Wallsend, Oct. 17, at eleven, and Nov. 21, at twelve, at the Newoastle-upon- Tyne District Court. Baker, official assignee, N ewcast l e . upon-Tyne ; Stanton, Newcastle-upo -Tyne; P r i ng l e, Shum, Wilson, and Grossman, King's-road, B e df or d -row, London. Richard Nattle Clemens, tailor, Liskeard, Oct. IG and Nov. 13. at one, at the Exeter District Court. Hirtzel, official assignee, Exeter ; Stogdon, Exeter. James Donald and John Lockhart Donald, watchmakers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Oct. 15, at half-past eleven, and Nov. 13, at half-past twelve, at the District Court, New castle-upon-Tyne. Baker, official assignee, Newcastle upon-Tyne ; Francis, Birmingham ; Joel, Newcastle-upon- Tyne. James Scott, rag merchant, Batley Carr, Yorkshire, Oct. 27, at twelve, and Nov. 21, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Hope, official assignee, Leeds; Scholes and Son, Dewsbury ; Bond and Barwick, Leeds. SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS. Lewis Stewart, watchmaker and auctioneer, Rothesay. Agnes M`Kenzie or Pollock, spirit dealer, Glasgow. John Young, carpenter, Fisherrow, Edinburgh. James Anderson, wright and builder, Dundee. [ADVERTISEMENT.) Steer AND HEARING SPECTAC T L I E v S; POWERFUL TELESCOPES, OPERA, RLCE, AND FAR; jsc Alba- GLASSES.—Messrs. S. a n d B. Solomons, opticians, marle-street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the York hotel. By leer Majesty's R o y a l L etters Patent for valuable extraordinary improvement s i n th e most powerful and brilliant Telescopes, C amp, R acecourse , Opera,T and Per spective Glasses, to k now th e di s t ances . es telescopes possess such extra or di nary powers tha t so me three and a-half inches, with an ext ra eye-p i ece, w ill sho w With the same distinctly Jupiter's moons, Saturn's ri ng , an d th e d ou bl e star s. telescope can be seen a person ' s coun t e nan ce half distant, and an o bj ec t f rom 16 to otaile tl s i . ree miles and a They are of 2 larger and all sizes, with increasing pow e rs I invented, very small, Royal Exhibition, 1851. Valuabl t e,: h n ewly-i nvented, a walnut, by which accordingly,—The powerful waistcoat-pocket glass, ii miles distant ; they answer a person can be seen and known urse , and at the opera houses, every purpose on the race-course, deer-stalking, yachting, to hvon O d p e e r ra ful country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 miles, They are invaluable for shooting, tourists.wi sportsmen, gentlemen, game keep ers, , camp , and perspective glasses , aud 4 "-course strrated Spectacle Lenses of the great. , power. Ne wl y -con ower. The valuable advantage derived ' e fr ß o t m tra th n i s s pa in e v n ent r ion is, that vision becoming impaired is preserved and strengthened, and very age d persons are enabled to employ their sight at the most m i nu t e occu pation- can see with these lenses of a muc h l ess magnify. lug power—and they de not require the frequent changes to the dangerous effects of Author powerful assistance. persons can be suited at the mo s t remote part of the world, by sending one of the glasses out of their spectacles in v letter, and stating the distance from the eyes they can read small newspaper print with it; and those who have not made use of spectacles by stating their age. Deaf ness. New Discovery. -- The Organic Vibrator, an ex tracrdinary powerful, small, n ewly-invented instrument for deafness, entirely ditfereut from all others, to istlrpznss fair' thing of the kind that bas been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the same colour as the skin, is not per ceptible ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at publics assemblies ; the unpleasant sensation of singing noises in the ears is entirely removed; and it affords all the assistance that possibly could be desired.-391 Albemarle. Areets EQOadill,T. Obeern—oppeeite the York Hotel. PREVENTION OF BURG- 1 1,ARY AND FIRE, Last evening a party of gentlemen assembled at No. 145, Regent-street, to hear Dr. Bachhoffner explain an iagenion.s contrivance invented by a Mr. Burgess, for the prevention of burglary and fire. The expedient is of the simplest, but of the most efficient character. It con sists of a spring concealed in every door, window, shut ter, or desk to which it may be thought proper to apply it, and it is se arranged that when any attempt at bur glarious entry, or even at tampering with a lock is made, an electric circuit is completed, which causes an alarm bell to ring in the bedroom of the master of the house. In th e day time the circuit can be shut off by turning a i handle ; but so long as the watch is set, neither ingress nor egress is possible without the knowledge and per mission of Paterfamilias. The denizens of Noting-hill rn, pr a: ,:id th ed wa erefore, for the future, rest in peace without 4 e t s' a s Y LaTokitg the aid either of revolvers or man-traps ; and, Always that the public will avail the mselves of Mr. Burg clever invention, the burglary interest may as well direct its attention to some more honest and profitable industry. An Englishman' house may now become his castle in a sense hardly contemplated by the originator of that famous apothegm. Even fire will find it difficult to ,break out without leave. The contrivance for curbing the " devouring element" is con structed on the principle of Brequet's thermometer ; when the temperature of a circuit will be completed, an ' beyond a givenl limit—say rooml2 to_ rises, - from any cause, degrees—the willelectric say, the invention will beOinavubaoluahardebl mon instant assistance. s hi p, bell suro sixeeirs needless y s e t a a p t:ed i f t or i n s ot to ex ceed maintainingt o e . . The cost of apply ing it to a house of ordinary additional rr iil affordpou pound per thep housekeeper more real powert l b o e l" ba a t n t d er a y n that amount in I security than an outlay of te n ti me Chubb locks, fire escapes, and police rates. dinedt e n ing together, to Dr . B a a c n h a h oc cordially yr,l drank explanation srsayn nik osnu sccess thet After lis tehoempa nenter prisey of the patentees, and Bu rg ess. EDINBURGH PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTION. Tl' e winter session of this institution i s t o he opened on Thursday evening, Oct. 30, by an address from the Earl of Elgin and Kincardin e, K.T., LL.D. The fir,t course of lectures will be delivere d b y Mr. W. M. Thsekera y , who will re. p e at hi 3 Anierioan course "On the Four Georges." D. Sloiesby, Dr. Gottfreid Kinkel, from Bonn ; Principal S.iott„ ManciiestPr ; Prolessor! Masson, Br,wer, and Hunt, of London, Allman, of Edinburgh, and Nichol, of Glasgow, will also deliver lectures on literature and science during the winter ; and the session will be closed on the 24th March by an address from Lord Ardmillan, one of the judges of the Court of Session, ALARMING RAILTVAZ ACCIDENT, A. sad accident occurred on Monday evening at the Fisherton station of the Wilts and Somerset 'Railway, whereby the lives of two men were sacrificed, and a large number of sheep destroyed. Considerable damage was also occasioned to the property of the company. The facts, as far as they have been at present ascer tained, are these :—Special cattle trains run every fort night for the convenience of dealers attending the Salis bury cattle mark et, and it was to one of these trains that the accident occurred. It consisted of 35 trucks filled with sheep, oxen, and heifers, and on arriving at Westbury in the evening it remained until the goods train and 5.10 passenger train had passed that station. The train was drawn by two powerful engines ; and it is said that the foreman of the locomotive department at Westbury specially informed the driver of the second engine, who had not been down before, the gradients on the line, and particularly these between Wilton and Salisbury. John Mays, the driver of the first engine, who has accompanied each cattle train since the opening of the line, replied, " I know all about it : I'll take care," and the train proceeded on its journey. It passed Wilton at a rapid rate, and it is said that the steam was not shut off at the proper time, as the train dashed into the station at full speed, carrying everything before it. The point-aa* saw the impending danger, and shouted, but it was too late. Tile shock trap followed must have been truly frightful. The foremost engine broke down the immense wooden piles and buffers at the end of the rails, carried away nine or ten feet of the plats form, and burst through the station, crushing doors, walls, and every other object in its progress ; even the outer wall towards Fisherton was broken down before it came to a standstill. Mays, the driver, escaped un /Act through the breach formed by the engine, but the fireman (William Symonds) was not quite so fortunate ; he jumped out, and, iu doing so, sustained a severe blow on the head, which necessitated his instant re moval to the infirmary. The scene within the station was appalling, the driver and fireman of the second en gine (Samuel Nicholson and Wm. Isles) lay smashed to pieces between the engine and tender—the head of one and a hand of the other being all that was perceptible to the bystanders. The force of the concussion heaped trucks upon trucks, and the mangled bodies of the animals they contained were scattered in every direction. Both engines continued to emit dense volumes of steam, and fears were, at one time enter tained that the boilers would explode, or that tke sta tion would be fired. Mr. Duffet, the station-roaster , acted with great coolness on the occasion ; and the Board of Health waterhose having been obtained and attached to a hydrant, a plentiful supply of water was thrown upon the engines to ex tin g uish the fires. This was not accomplished w i t h ou t considerable diffic half, for although the accid ent occurred about • past eight, it was nearly eleven before all up a n d d every er was over. Two engines were a fterwards brought effort made to remove the debris. The trucks which escaped injury were detached, and the sheep released, and ropes and chains were then attached to the injured trucks, portions of which were remov ed, and all the injured sheep that could be got out were a t once slaughtered. Every endeavour was made to rescue the bodies of the unfortter- u nate men, but until between 4 and 5 locko'co yes day morning without success. The cated, and presented a fearfully were n extri y They were conveyed to one of the stat ion stores to await a. coroner's inquest. Several dealers and drovers were in the tr ai n at the m angled appearanc e . time of the accident, but fortunate l y received no in jury beyond a violent shaking. The ordinary passen ger train arrived about half an hour afterwards. It was extremely fortunate that it was not in the stationbl at the time, or a mush greater loss of lif e would prod in abay have been the result. Some of the sheep -escape manner as marvellous as the engine-driver. After the lapse of two or three hours several were extricated from the ruins without having received the slightest in n Wherever blame may rest, the station master and officials must be entirely exonerated, as they were all at their posts, and the usual signals were displayed. A telegraphic message was despatched to Mr. Tarr, the superintendent of the line at Trowbr id g e, who strived during the night, and at once ga ve Mays, the engine driver, into the custody of the police, to aw ait the result of the coroner's inquiry. The statement of Mays is to the effect that after leav ihg Westbury he stopped. at Wyiye to take in water. He told Nicholson that it was a dangerous place to go into Salisbury, and that he was sure to be steady. He shut off the steam at the usual place, but owing to the sharp incline, the weight of the train, and the slipperiness of the metals, he found it impossible to save it. He applied the whistle, and heard Nicholson's engine working, but whether with forward or back gear he could not say. After being thrown from the engine he returned, and let a quantity of water into the fire. After this, he could do nothing. Hundreds of persons flocked to the scene of the disaster during the night, and at an early hour yes terday morning the station was besieged by crowds of anxious inquirers. The effects of the accident were in the morning rendered more apparent. Superintendents Blake and Matthews, with a body of police, were in attendance during tile night, and greatly contributed to the maintenance of order. At present we are unable to ascertain the number of sheep killed, as many still rema:n to be extricated from the overturned trucks, but they are estimated at about 100. The ordinary traffic of the line has not been inter misted, trains haying been run clurthg the day u wool. HEALTH OR (Front the Report of ;the Registrar-General.) The return of deaths for last week is a not unfavour able indication of the presex .t state of health in London. The total number of deal hs registered was 1,071, of which 540 were those of no ales, 531 those of females. The deaths from diarrhcea relined from 72 in the pre vious week to 64 last week . A death from " choleraic diarrhoea" occurred, after 2-4 hours' illness, and at the age of 42 years, in Hanover -st. Scarlatina carried off 47 children, nearly the same nu, tuber as in the previous week. Five children in a family we Ire attacked by this disease ; of these one died at home, and three in the London Fever Hospital ; and the fifth is now hopelessly ill in the same hospital. A house is reported, No. 7, George's cottages, Brixton-hill, in sr . hich three cases of " fever" have occurred within the last month ; the drainage is stated to be "in very bad condition." In Wellesley street, Somers-town, also, tlatere is a house, No. 16, where fever and other complaints are common, these being caused, or much aggravate d by the offensive state of the drains ; and in the adjoini house, No. 15, a woman died from disease and want, combined. Several persons died last week, whose ages were from 90 to 93 years. Last week the births of 8 28 boys and 768 girls, in all 1,596 children, were registe red in London. In the ten corresponding weeks of the + years 1846.55 the average number was 1,417. At the Royal Obsery a tory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 29.439 in. The lowest reading was 26 . 68 in. on Sunday, the 2801 ult. Tile mean temperature of t 1 1: ie week was 55.3 deg., which is 2 deg. above the avera.i;e. On Saturday the mean temperature was 591. deg.,, which is 7.1 deg. above the average. The highest on that day was 65 . 8 deg., the lowest 57 deg. The wind b. lew generally from the south west. Rain fell on almc4it every day, and the whole amount was 0'54 in. In the 13 weeks that ended 27th Sept., 14,066 per sons died in London, whic b. is about 1,000 more than in the same quarter of 1855. Diseases of the zymotic cha racter were fatal in 4,093; cases, against 3,661 in the summer quarter of last yeit..r ; of these 101 were due to croup, 108 to small-pox, 3.12 to hooping-cough, 393 to measles, 433 to scarlatina, 573 to typhus and common fever, 1,610 to diarrhoea (Figainst 1,258 from this com plaint in the same period of last year),l3l to cholera,chiefly cholera infantuni, the rest 1. - . o various other diseases of this class. Very young children. were the sufferers from diar rhoea in a very large proportion of the cases. The deaths from measles were moist numerous in the South districts, those from scarlatina and typhus In the East. Diarrhoea appears to have prevailed with considerable uniformity over the great divisions of the metropolis, though, if the sub-districts be compared with each other, both with reference to pop ulation and deaths, results in many instances widely dill erent will be obtained. Phthisis (or consumption) carried off 1,794 persons, the number in the corresponding quarter of 1855 having been 1,645 ; bronchitis 562, pneumonia 581, being an increase on the previous year of both diseases ; 86 women died from diseases of the puerperal state ; 18 persons died of carbuncle, the numbers in the summer quarters of the last five years ranging only from 15 to 19. Ten persons died from the intemperate use of liquor, besides those who sustained fatal injuries when intoxicated, and those who died from maladies generated by intemperance, which, however, is not shown in the medical certificate ; 35 from delirium tremens ; six unfortunate persons from want; 145 children from b ut of breastmilk. Poison destroyed 22 lives ; the nuniter in five quarters of 1852- 56 ranging from 13 to 23. Drowning is recorded in 133 cases, which is considerably more than the average. MORTALITY IN THE METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, OCT. 4. Zy mo tic Diseases Diseases of Uncertain Seat Tubercular Diseases . lB7 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves and Senses Diseases of the Heart and Bl ood-vessels 4B Diseases of the Lungs and other Organs of 143 Respiration Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs 48 of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys , & c. Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, 13 .. 13 ' Diseases of the Joints , Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &c. Malformations Premature Birth and Debility Atrophy .. Old Age sudden .. Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance Causes not specified 30 35 30 15 DEATHS PROM ALL CAUSES Population Deaths in cone- Deaths Enumerated. sponding week in the 1851. of 1855. Week. West Districts North Districts 490,396 Central Districts 393,256 East Districts 485,522 210 Smith Districts Totals Males 540 Females 531 828 768 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males Females Total .........—... .1,606 MR. ERNEST JONES. - A POLITICAL SOIREE. Yesterday evening a somewhat novel experiment was made by Mr. Ernest Jones. By invitation and adver tisement, the public were summoned to St. Martin's-hall, to assist at what was termed a " political soiree," and the cards of admission, concluded with the words, " music at 8 o'clock." At that hour about ZOO persons, or perhaps more, assembled, hut the area of the ball appeared somewhat empty. Mr. Ernest Jones shortly afterwards appeared on the platform, accompanied by seven or eight ladies and gentlemen, who turned out to be singers and musicians. Mr. Jones then stated that he was about, for the first time, to attempt to blend dry political discussion with a musical entertainment, hoping that by these means he should attract many persons on whose minds he was desirous of engrafting essential political knowledge. The programme of the evening would be as follows :—There would be no chairman— the musical entertainment would be divided into parts, and he would himself deliver a lecture, also divided into two parts. Being determined to endeavour to preach political truth, be bad to announce that that ball was engaged for a similar soiree on the first Tuesday in November. The first part of a vocal concert was then proceeded with, embracing several well-known songs, glees, and madrigals, and among them the " Marseil laise," a hich, however, few, if any one, seemed to re cognise, as it did not create any enthusiasm, and was not followed by the applause which greeted he oth e er pieces, which were really very creditably per orm m d The programme included two "odes" wri tten by r. , zones. The first, the "Song of the 'AVM/ Classes, was very cleverly written ; simple to the very l utmost in its language, it was yet rythinical, well ba anced, and full of paints, and, being stea l g , to3 a °plea/ air, it was exceedingly effective. The ot l " A P Song of the Times of Cromwell," was more .pretentious,less intelligible, and consequently far less telling. Th first part of Mr. lecture was dev oted to the consideration of the j a r n e l o i l d at e e i s's omnpslboyeteseen labour and capital, between employer ed. After stating that England was on the brink of mighty social changes, and that the character of those changes depended on what was done before the crisis in the way of harmonising the interests of all classes, on the basis of justice to all and wrong to none, in which case he doubted not that things would go on in safe con stitutional progression ; and deprecating all desire of set ting class against class, he proceeded to point out what, in his view, was the condition of the English labourer in relation to capital. He urged that capital was nothing but the surplus production of working men, either im mediately or remotely, and in very vigorous language denounced capital, as at present distributed, as the curse of the labourer, inasmuch as he, the producer, had no share in that which he produced. He argued that in this country poverty was treated as a crime and adduced a very remarkable case at Halifax , in which the majority of the board of guardians laid down dm principle, and acted on it, that a destitute able-bodied man who applied for parochial relief was guilty of the crime of vagrancy, and punishable and punished by imprisonment with hard labour. In the second part of his address, Mr. Jones dealt with the question of the causes of poverty among the working classes, with all its difficulties for Ike present and its dangers for the future. He said that pauperism was owing to the simple fact that there was not work enough in England for the people, and that was entirely owing to the undeveloped resources of the land and the ab sence of cultivation, stating that there were in this country more than 28 millions of acres uncultivated, besides a vast quantity of arable land, which had been turned into grass land. He denounced the monopoly of great landowners, whose policy it was to depopulate the greater part of their estates ; and he entered into de tailed statistics to make out his case. Certainly as speci mens of oratory, and even of ratiocination, nothi ng could be much better than Mr. Jones's addresse s , an d they bore on them the impress of earnestness and s i ncer ity, which were not among the least of their'm er it s. Not withstanding a very stinging denunciation of the news paper press by Mr. Ernest Jones, should his addresses not be given in all their fulness and elaboration in the columns of the daily journals, we are obliged to content ourselves with the above sketch of his " political soiree," which, both as regards the personal efforts of the origi nator, and the highly decorous and intelligent demeanour of his audience, was deserving of every commendation. —Morning Paper. ANOTHER ALARMING ACCIDENT ON THE EAST LAN CASHIRE RAlLWAY.—Yesterday (Monday) morning, as the 9.10 express train from Blackburn to Liverpool was passing at full speed between Blackburn and Bamber bridge, two wheels of a fi rs t. c l ass carr i age b ro k e d o wn, the under-works of the carriage were at (rnce demolished, and the carriage was embedded in the earth. Owing to the patent break used by this company, by which the train was instantly stopped, the passengers sustained no injury. After a short delay the portion of the train in front of the broken carriage proceeded to Liverpool. It was stated by a passenger that some other of the car riages appeared in a very rickety condition. This is the third accident that has occurred on this line within a short time, in one of which three lives were lost, and therefore it behoves the directors immediately to invee. tigate the matter. IURING THE LEEDS—Oar. 7. We have had damp unsettled weather since Friday, :►nd this morning it is very wet. There is a fair show of [pod new wheat, which meets a tolerable sale at an advance of is per qr. from Friday ; samples out of condition are, ne glected, and value is unaltered. Old held firmly at for tna rates. Barley fully as dear. Oats, beans, and other i hi-ti des as before. COURSE OF EXCH. 11 Date, three months .. 11 19 Rotterdam ............ 11 19 Antwerp ..............25 40 Brussels ..............25 40 flamburgh ............ 13 8 g Anona •• .• •• •• •••••• Ditto, three months .. 25 S 2 Marseilles ............. 25 85 Bourdeaux .. •• ..•• .... Frankfort-on-Maine .• .. 119 Berlin •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• Vienna.......... •• .... 10 40 •• 10 42 Petersburg •• •• •• •••• •• 37% Niadrid .........., 49% Cadiz .........•• 50 Barcelona ............ '19V1110« .. ...... .. ...• ANGE.-YESTERDAY. Gibraltar •• •• •. •• •• •• •• -- • Leghorn .. •• ••......•• 29 60 Genoa .......... 85 Milan ...... .• ....•• Naples .............• .. 4: I% Palermo ...... t% Messina . 13211, Lisbon ......... •••• 52; 1 4 Oporto .....• •• •....• •• 5. 1 Rio Janeiro...... Buenos Ayres..•• •• •••• New York,6o days sight •►. Philadelphia •• ...... PRICES OF ICLLICN, PEE C t t Foreign Gold in Bars £0 0 0 Portugal Gold Coin •• 0 0 0 Mexican Dollars .... 0 0 0 New Dollars ...... 0 0 0 Silver in bars ...... 0 0. 0 LOCAL SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, OCT• 7. STOCK EXCHANGE.— This market opened with a quiet business today, but subsequently improved, and prices closed firmly at the best point of the day. Midlands 74t sf—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 93/ 4k — South Ea, :tern, 204—London and North Westerns, 100 i i—Ea atern. Counties, 8i /—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, : Caledonian, 26a i—East Lancashire, pref. 1.5 shares-, five per cent., Si. lls. 3d.—Dutch Rhenish, ip.—N.-Eastern, Berwick, 19k. MANCHESTER, OCT. 7. STOOK EXCHANGE.—The market has been inactive to day, but prices closed at a slight advance on yesterday's Tates. Great Western, 64i—South Eastern and Dovars, 20 5-16—Midlands, 75 i—Leeds, 9411—Shalelds, 314 — London and Noith Westerns, 1002. BIRMINGHAM, OCT. Y. STOCK EXOHANGE.—The transactions in every descr fp tion of stock were very inactive this morning, but pri cos were firmer towards the close. Midlands were done at 75 —South Staffords, 3 dis.—Birmingham Old Canals, 91 r — Shropshire Bank, 2/. 18s. 9d. 1111ABORNE MAILS. lX signifies that the mails are sent from the General Post-oficie ~.37 the night—and Mby the morning--dospatch.) When due in r„ugliind... COUNTRIZS.I Amerlea(byltrit.pack)N America (by United Ste. packet) ..........N America (by U. States packet) ..........N Australia (via Liver pool) ............ Dd Ditto (via Marseilles) N Ditto (via Cape of Good Rope) •• •• •• •• .. •• N Africa (West Coast) .. N Alexandria ..N Bahamas ........... Belgium ~..........N Brazil Buenos Ayres Cape of Good Hope ..N' Cape of Good Hope ..N Case de Verde Ceylon (see India) Ceylon .... • • ........N Channel 151e5.... ~..N China . Constantinople ..•• .• N Constantinople .. ••_ Cont. of Europe & N Egypt (see Lndia) _ _ F r ance .• •• •• •• 8 6 .. !", 4 Gibraltar .. ••• • •• Greece (see India) .14 Grey - town •• " ••• H a mburg!, •• •.....N Havannah •• •• •• Holland .. ...... M Honduras .• •• ......M India (vlaSouthampt.)M India (via Marsellies)M lonian Isles (see India) Ireland ..,, N Usbon 241 k „, „Ai ffadeira Matta (see India) Yalta .• „,N Mauritius (see India.) slauritius ..........N Mexico M ISouthampten Dover New Granada ' Southampton, New Zealand.. , Various port Papal States 'Dover .• •• •• 1 Peninsula Southampton Peru .• „ ~24 2 , 1 P,L 17th of mon. Southampton' Port Natal sth of month ....IVarious ports' Sicily Sattuday.. 'Dover Tuscany • . Dover ...... Venezuela 2d & 17th ofmonth i Southampton, Van Diemen'sLikud (see Australia) „ lth and 18th of m. West Indies „Ai tas, r, u tnonto*nthatnptan Twico daily 4,7,17,20,27.fm. 2nd & 17th of mon. Daily ........ 2nd of the month 17tn of the • month. 4th & 20th of mon. l 10 th& 26th of moth Twice daily ...... 2d of n o . 9th of month...•• 23E10t month •... 1 4, 10 , 20, and 26.. 1 Dover 120th of the month 2nd of the month.. ) ,Dally . id & 7th of month 4th and 19th ninth 'Daily.. ..... Whenany of these dates fall on a Sunday. the malls will be de spatched on the following day, with the exception of the India (" E'Onthampton), and the Malta. both of which will be deltpatalie4 the preceding day. PRIOI3 oP GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris about 6 per mille premium, and the short exchange on London is 25 . 171 per 11. sterling. On comparing these rates with the English Mint price of 31. 17s. lOid. pew ounce for standard gold, it appears that gold nearly 6.loths per cent. dearer in Paris Oxen in Loa. don. By advices from Hamburg the price of gold is 424 per mark, and the short exchange on London is 13•4 per U. sterling. Standard gold, at the English Mint price, is therefore.about 14-10 the per cent. dearer in Hamburg than in London. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 1091 per vent., which, when compared with the Mint par between the two countries, shows that the exchange is slightly in favour of England ; and, after making allowance for charges of transport and difference of interest, the pre sent rate leaves a small profit on the importation o gold from the United States. BIRTHS. ON ♦ lON. On the sth inst., at 43, Upper Gower•streeb, the wife of Alexander Johnston, Esq. On the 6th inst., at Bath, the wife of Captain James Dolphin. OE A DAUGHTER. On the 7th inst., the wife of Dr. Lankester, F.ILS., 8, Saville-row. On the sth inst., at Ashley-place, Weetminater, the wife of Henry D. Graham, Esq. MARRIED. On the 7th inst., at St. George ' s, Hanover-spjare Archibald Campbell Swinton, Esq., younger, of Kim merghame, in the county of Berwick, to Georgiana Caro line, thi r d d aug h ter o f the late Sir Geo. Sitwell, Bart., o f Renishaw, D er b ys hi r e. N. ü ß gl a oa k s ;r, Esq., of Walworith, Isle of M an , t o Ph e b e , On the 6th inst., in Arthur - street Chapel, Walworth, the c eldest ha r es E E. Jackson, daughter o Efgq T". Surrey. DIED. On the 7th inst., at 34, Long-acre, Mr. Joseph B. Fitch, aged 41. On the 6th inst., Alexander Abethell, Esq., of the Ad. miralty, S o merset-house, aged 28. On the 6th inst., at Hammersmith, Thomas Habgood, Esq., aged 78. On the 6th inst., at West Brompton, David C. Gibson, Esq., artist, aged 28. On the sth inst., at Southsea, William Bell, Esq., Pay master of her Majesty's Royal yacht Victoria and Albert. On the sth inst., at the Parsonage, the Rev. Henry W. Stuart, incumbent of Northaw, Herts. On the sth inst., Thomas Weeding, Esq., of Mecklen burg-square, and f Fullbrooks, Maldon, Surrey, of which county he was for several years a magistrate. On the sth inst., at Gritnston, near Tadcaster, York. shire, the Hon. Isabella Maria Denison, second surviving daughter of the Right Hon, Lord Londesborough, agcd 17, LONDON : Printed and Pablinhed. by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the went, of Middlesex, WedhesdAy, (Mobil 8, Day when male uP In General Post- Office, London.* tram whit' Pert Dispatche Liverpo, (Every Tuesday .. Southampton .... Dover I E very Friday .... ILiverPoot ." Weekly 4tiii and liith .... :Weekly Liverpool Liverpool • • rTvriCe me i •• ...lllnoertain 123 d of the month Plymouth .. 60 of mo 10th & 26th of n o Dover ......'2d lc 19th 4th & 20th of mon Southampto, 4 tic :11 of 17th of the month Southampton 16th Daily Dover ...... Daby 19th of the month lSoutham mon ftth. 19th o' q., mon+ , lSouthampton 16th 15th of the mouth . Ilincerttalb Uncertain IVI IIOIII Port& ... L , mouLuampto { l6th of um 1A & 10th and 26th...• 4th and 20th •• • • Mon., Wee.,a.rrid• gc 17th of month 14th and 10th •• • • tOtti and 26th.... 4th it 20th of nacn. Twice daily L.. 25th 4th & 2let 'Southampton Tu.Th.rial. 1outhlunpl0;, 1 1 and 16 1 4 and 29 Dover 2 and 19 i MuthFunpto! , l7 and 24. Dover Twicedally ,6, 7, 24, 24 Dover Southampton on ras tdhoan.• ;707 tn n ilet and 16 South amP - o a t; Ist ot mo Dover =u s ." , Southampton 1 4 " ) ,: n u a 21 ra b Dovbi .... Dover mi re 1 .40 1 40., Maly ;1. Southampton Southampton 6 and 16 Liverpool . Ist and 16 I 4 weekly 'llet & 16th Weekl monthly t l ,l and 16 ,4.12, 21, 2 4th d 2 11 &16fte