The Sun. — London, England, 1861-11-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEVI BE 22, 1861. NR. LAY A.RD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. Last night Mr. Layard met his constituents in Taylor's Depository, St. George's-road, Southwark. The meeting was very crowded, a large portion of the audience consisting of working men. Mr. New man occupied the chair, and was surrounded on the platform by a considerable number of the more in fluential electors of the borough. l‘lr. LAYARD said—l believe the present is the first political meeting at which I have met my con stituents since I accepted office under the Crown. I trust, however, that although I have not been in your sight I have not been altogether out of your minds. (Hear, hear.) Allow me to say at the outset that in taking office I have not done anything which should not meet with the approval of my constitu ents. (Hear.) I do not believe you will think that I have done ill in accepting office under a Govern ment in whose general principles I concur. (Cheers.) It is frequently the case in England, especially with the Liberal party, that people are denounced for merely taking office. Either, however, public mora lity has very much improved during the last 50 years, or the press is much more vigilant than it used to be, for no man can now be suspected of tak ing office for the mere paltry gains of place. Such a thing is unknown in the present day. All those snug sinecures and profitable jobs which were for merly regarded as the sweets of office are, happily for us, no longer in existence. Indeed, instead of a man making money by taking office, the probabi lity is that he will leave office poorer than when he entered it. (Hear, hear.) I think therefore that the Liberal party has not done wisely in denouncing those who have accepted office. Soon after I joined the Government I received an interesting letter from a valued friend in York. The writer, Mr. John Brown, a small bookseller in York, gave me when I contested that city a most disinterested and noble support. He told me in his letter that 20 years ago, when he was known as a Chartist, he should have been unable to find words sufficiently strong to express his indignation at a Liberal taking office, but he said his opinion upon that point had undergone a change, and he now thought it was a foolish thing for the Liberal party not to wish those who represented the people to take office. How were they, he asked, to carry out their views, unless they had men to represent them in the Government ? (Hear.) What he said was perfectly right. If a man can accept office without abandoning his political convictions, with. out breaking his political pledges, he is justified in doing so. (Hear.) On the other hand, if in taking office he renounces his political opinions, throws his pledges to the winds, he does a base thing which no words can sufficiently condemn. (Cheers.) I be lieve that in accepting office I have done neither the one nor the other. It is true, perhaps, that the present Government; have not done all we could Lave wished them to have done in matters of do mestic policy. In matters of foreign policy, on the other hand, they deserve the hearty support of the country, and you will recollect that when I made my appeal to you at the election it referred almost exclusively to questions of foreign policy. There are times when questions of foreign policy are so important that questions of domestic policy give way to them. I think the Government should have done more in matters of domestic policy—but look at the circumstances in which they were placed, for instance, at the commencement of last session. They had to do one of two things—either to intro duce a Reform Bill into Parliament which, through the machination of parties—and parties, I am sorry to say, not composed exclusively of Conserva tives—would have been thrown out, or to wait until public opinion out of doors was sufficiently strong to enable them to carry a good measure. The latter was the course they took. You will recollect that Mr. White, the member for Brighton, moved an amendment upon the address in the interest of Reform. I voted with him, but lam sorry to say we found ourselves in an illustrious minority of 48. (A laugh.) Immediately afterwards we had a meeting in this very building. I believe that was the first meeting held in this country after that division on the subject of Reform. The people of Southwark nobly expressed their opinion upon that question, and all I will say is, that if every great constituency in England had followed your example we should have had a Reform Bill at this moment. (Cheers.) What, however, are the facts ? It is impossible to deny that from various circumstances there was not that excitement in the country which Reformers had a right to expect. Perhaps a different state of things might sooner or later arise, but the fact was as I have stated it. (Hear.) The House of Commons had been accused of lukewarmness. It is all very well to accuse the House of Commons, but let me tell you that the fault lies, not with the Rouse of Commons, but with the people themselves. (Cheers.) I may be told that the case is not so, because the people are not represented in Parlia ment, and cannot therefore have their voice heard. That may be perfectly true, bat whose fault is it that the people are not represented in Parliament? It is their own fault. (Hear.) Who carried the Reform Bill of 1832 ? Was it the members for the rotten boroughs, or the few members who repre sented popular opinion in the house—men whom you could have counted upon your 10 fingers. No, the Reform Bill was carried by an unmistakeable expression of public opinion out of doors. Who carried free trade ? Not certainly the Protectionist members of the House of Commons. Free trade was carried by the people themselves, and until we have a similar expression of public opinion on the subject of reform there will be no Reform Bill. (Hear.) The question therefore remains with you, and no Government can do anything with it until they have the support of the people. (Cheers.) Under these circumstances, the reform question hav ing been withdrawn from consideration, it appeared to me that as I agreed entirely with the Government on matters of foreign policy—as I admired their policy in Italy and saw its great results, as I believed they had made the name of England honoured abroad, and as I coincided with their Eastern policy —I should have been a political coward if I had refused to accept office when I had an opportunity of carrying out my own opinions. (Cheers.) Before going to public matters let me say a few words on what are called local interests. When elected your representative I was particularly pledged to attend to your local interests. Have I neglected those in terests in any way ? (Cries of " No, no," and cheers.) Last session Mr. Locke and myself succeeded in de feating two measures which if passed would have seriously affected your local interests—the Do4er Road Bill and the Rock Loan Bill. There is another local question which I regard as one of the greatest importance, and which is engaging a good deal of public attention at the present moment. I refer, of course, to the Thames embankment. (Hear, hear.) You all know that in, consequence of the projected embankment on the north side of the Thames the river will be considerably raised, and that, flooded as you have been hitherto, you will be flooded ten times more if that embankment is carried out with out a corresponding embank ment on the south side. (Hear, hear.) I accompanied a deputation to the Prime Minister yesterday on that very subject. Lord Palmerston, who received us most graciously, promised that the matter should be carefully consi dered. I have since seen Mr. Cowper, the. Chief Commissioner of Works, and he, too, promised that , the subject should be broug ht before Parliame n t, at the same time expressing his hope that the southe rn embankment of the Thames wou ld be speedily ar ranged. (Cheers.) Let me now proceed to public matters. Of the light literature which one reads during the recess, a great part consists of the speeches of members who are out of work. I have read a good many of those speeches recently, and it appears to me that they may be characterised generally as apologies for the donothingness of the House of Commons. I shall not apply to the makers of those speeches an old French proverb which says that he who excuses himself accuses himself, but still I believe that they are chiefly to blame each individually for the fact, if it be one,that , little was done last session. lam not here to apo logise for the House of Commons, but I think that last session, although not a very brilliant one, was certainly a very useful one. You will not expect me to enumerate all the measures of domestic in 'Wrest which -wave Passed in the course of the ses sion. Mr. Lock e has done so in a masterly speech. He has given you an admirable description of the bill for the reform of the Bankruptcy Court, of the Post-office Savings-banks Bill—a most useful measure, and one highly advantageous to the poorer classes—and of the bill for the consolid I . ion of the criminal code. But there was one me IL ure passed last session upon which I wish to say one or two words, because it materially affects the interests of my constituents—l mean the bill introduced by Mr Villiers with respect to a larger area for parochial rating. That bill I regard as the first step towards that which we all desire— equalisation of poor-rates. (Hear.) It is only the first step, and it may be called a little step, but it is, to use a common phrase, the small end of the wedge, and I trust the day is not far distant when the same principle will be extend ed to the whole of the metropolis, if not further. (Cheers.) I have always been favourable to the equalisation of the poor-rates, and I need hardly say that I shall continue to give it my hearty sup port. (Hear.) There were three bills passed last session to which I must make more than a passing allusion, because they involve most important inte rests and obtained my cordial support. I allude to the bills introduced by Sir C. Wood for the better government of India. One related to the reform of the civil service, one to the reform of the Legisla tive Council, and one to the establishment of judi cial tribunals in India. The first will have a very important effect in opening the civil ser vice to the natives of India. Nothing struck me more during a journey which I made in that country at the time of the mutiny than the manner in which we treated the natives. It is only too true that whenever the Anglo-Saxon race comes into contact with the natives of other countries in ferior to itself it is prone to treat them with haugh tiness, if not sometimes with cruelty. I have al ways wished to see a better feeling between the natives of India and the people of this country. Hitherto the former have been unable to make them selves heard in Parliament, but now the people of this country, by uniting the empire of India to the Crown of England, have taken upon themselves a great responsibility. It is now their duty to watch over the rights of the natives of India. (Hear.) The second bill I have mentioned is one for abolishing the old cumbrous machinery of a Legislative Coun cil assembling in Calcutta, which has worked ex ceedingly ill, and substituting in its stead a Legisla tive Council in each of the presidencies. But the important consideration connected with that bill is that for the first time the natives of India are admitted to seats in the local Councils. Hitherto the natives have been excluded from all share in the administration of their own affairs. We never consulted them, nor had we any means of ascertaining their opinions and feelings. Now, however, they will take their seats with Europeans at the Council Boards. By teaching them to re spect themselves we shall teach them to be worthy of our respect, and by thus throwing open the local Councils we shall obtain this further advantage, that through them we shall ascertain the feelings and opinions of the natives. What an immense advantage would such Councils have been only a few years ago! How much bloodshed would we have been spared in India! Perhaps those mutinies which we still deplore might have been avoided if we had known the opinions of the natives with respect to our rule. (Hear.) The present bill, it is true, gives the natives only a small share in the administration of their own affairs, but it is a good beginning, and I hope it will lead eventually to a full measure of justice. The third bill—that relating to judi cial tribunals—has the same tendency. I think Sir Charles Woad and the Government deserve infinite credit for bringing forward and passing three such measures. If you knew the opposition which our countrymen in India give to Bills of this nature you would be able to appreciate the difficul ties in the way of such legislation. The natives of India have few friends in this country. Only a very few men is the House of Commons, such as Mr. Kinnaird and Colonel Sykes, have stood for ward in their behalf. On the other hand, the Eu ropean residents are generally wealthy men ; they have plenty of friends, and they can make them selves heard in Parliament. Sir Charles Wood, then, is entitled to great praise for what he has done. He has passed three Bills which will have the effect of raising the people of India in their own es timation and in ours. (Hear, hear.) Current events are sufficient to show how deeply the inte rests of this country may be affected by India. We are told by what is taking place on the other side of the Atlantic how dangerous it is to be depen dent upon any one nation for the supply of an article essential to the welfare and prosperity of this country. India may furnish us with material for our manufacturing districts; but, on the other hand, let us remember that the people of India have rights as well as ourselves; that we never can com pel any race to work against its will; and that we must make a fair and just return for whatever we get from India. (Hear, hear.) Englishmen go to l lndia with the notion that they have a right to claim allotments of land from the Government, for getting that the soil of India belongs to the natives, who have been in possession of it from time imme morial, and that we have no more right to interfere with it than the hatives of India have to interfere with the land of this country. (Cheers.) I trust that the bills passed last Session will introduce a better state of things. I believe them to be of the utmost importance, as securing to the natives of India some share in the administration of their own affairs, and I have no doubt they will prove effective and beneficial. (Hear, hear.) Reverting to the question of Reform, I have merely to add to what I have already said that if gatherings similar to that which has just taken place at Leeds are held throughout the country you will soon have a Reform Bill. Do you think that men like Lord Russell, Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Milner Gibson are opposed to Reform? They have been Reformers all their lives. (A cry of " Very slow ones," and cheers.) But how are they Re formers ? They are Reformers as long as they re present the feelings of the people, but if they can not speak in your name and with your voice they can do nothing in the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) I need scarcely remind you that even a very small measure of Reform was defeated last session —I mean the proposal to give members to Kensing ton and Chelsea. The Government brought in a bill, but was it carried as they proposed it ? No. Whose fault was that ? lam afraid it was the fault of the Liberal members of the house. They might have carried that bill, but as long as we have differences of opinion and of interests among Liberal members we shall never carry a measure of Reform, how ever small, in the House of Commons. The ques tion now rests with the constituencies. It is for them to say whether they will have Reform or not. There is, no doubt, an improved feeling in the country. We have little of that agitation or of those extreme opinions which prevailed a few years ago. The prediction of Mr. Cobden has been realised. He said that when the people got cheap bread they would begin to forget their political rights. I trust they will not go so far, but un doubtedly public opinion has undergone a great change. Those who used to be called Chartists and Radicals have modified their views ; they are much more rational than formerly, They know what to aim at; they have adopted the policy of O'Connell, and are willing to proceed step by step. (Hear, hear.) ,I have heard it said that the change in Public opinion has been caused a good deal by what we have seen on the other side of the iotlwan i Atlantic. We have been told of the breaking c de mocratic institutions. Now, in the first plue, I do not believe that what has occurred in the United States is a proof of the breaking down of democratic institutions. (Hear.) You might a s well say that what we have seen in France—the restoration of Imperialism—is a proof of the utter valuelessness of constitutional monarchy. Wherever error exists in the institutions of a State, evil will result. If you do not reform in time, mischief will be the end. There was a great error in the institu tions of the United States, and that error has led to the present deplorable state tlhingsig. might t f it h a h v a e d h be e e e n n reformed in time , this e ,„, e re a co v u tt ; principle dot it Reform fo r m holds shakingg good d our in in t s h t i i s , a7-adeinsastmeae tutioJA it will, if judiciously made,dea strengthenl Reform,and preserve them. (Hear, heal.) If you then you have a chance of Looking down our hag- tutioEs. England happily possesses an elastic 'Con stitution. Changes are gradually made—concessions are granted when demanded by the people. I hope that will continue to be the case. If the people want Reform they will have it, but they will not get it if they do not demand it. (Hear, hear.) Permit me now to say a few words on foreign questions. Here I must naturally speak with some reserve, but at least I may fearlessly say that the foreign policy pursued by the present Government has been in accordance with the opinions and wishes of the people of England. (Cheers.) So far, at any rate, as its foreign policy is concerned, the Govern• ment has the support of the country. I shall in a few words tell you why. We have at the head of the Government Lord Palmerston. Whatever his views may be on matters of domestic policy, Lord Palmerston has made the name of En gland respected and honoured throughout the whole civilised world. (Cheers.) He is undoubtedly the greatest Foreign Minister this country over had. He is the only man whose name is connected abroad with a system of English foreign politics. During a long and bril liant career he has maintained the honour and dig nity of England. Ho has preserved her rights, has raised her, as far as her foreign relations are . _ concerned, to the highest pinnacle of fame. (Cheers.) At the head of the Foreign Office at this moment you have Lord Russell. He has always represented the Liberal party. His opinions upon politics are well known. He is essentially a Liberal among Liberals, and his opinions, which have been dis played in reforming our institutions, are now applied in carrying out our policy abroad. That policy, it appears to me, is founded upon two very distinct principles—first, non-intervention in the affairs of other countries, allowing every people to do what it chooses with its own ; and, secondly, giving the moral support and sympathy of England to those nations which are endeavouring to estab lish their liberties by means of institutions in con- formity with our own. (Hear, hear.) A foreign policy based upon those two principles will always deserve and receive the support of the people of England. Has the present Government observed these principles in its foreign policy ? I venture to say it has. Let me turn to Italy. See what that country has done within the last few years—l may almost say within the last few months. Within two years Italy, so long a down-trodden country, despairing, without hope, without a future, has become a great and united kingdom. It has become a kingdom which, ere long, may place itself among the great Powers of the world. It is wonderful to see what has been done within the last few months,—railways opened and in progress all over the Peninsula ; a mercantile fleet as well as a navy in a state of rapid development ; freedom of speech almost from the Alps to the Adriatic, freedom of worship about to be established. (Cheers.) It is true that something is wanting to complete the picture, and make Italy perfectlyhappy and prosperous, but that something will be obtained hereafter, if the statesmen of Italy only persevere in the wise, prudent, and moderate course they have hitherto pursued. I do not believe that it is possible that any nation can be kept for long out of rights which are incontestably its own. But at the same time we do not interfere. We say to Italy, "You have oursympathy ; free institutions will always have our moral support, but anything mare we cannot and will not give. We think you are unwise in asking it, for no nation deserves liberty which has not conquered liberty for itself." (Cheers.) I believe the moral support we have given to Italy has donemore than armies could have done. It has encouraged her and enabled her to place herself in her present proud position, and she will be grateful for it hereafter. (Cheers.) We have done all this, too, without adding millions to our debt, or bringing misery to a single English home. (Hear, hear.) I say the Govern ment which has done that deserves the gratitude of the people. (Cheers.) The same policy has been pursued with respect to the American question. It is sad to think that our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic have not appreciated our policy. They have mistaken us altogether ; they have thought that we have shown a want of sympathy with them. I do not believe it. What has been the conduct of the House of Commons ? Last ses sion there was certainly no lack of sympathy for America. Nobody ventured to bring the subject before the House. When Mr. Gregory, the mem ber for Galway, impelled by a sense of public duty, wished to bring it on, he was implored by a mem ber of the Opposition not to do so. Everybody felt as if it were a domestic calamity, and people spoke of it with bated breath. It is to be regretted that the thoughtless words of a thoughtless young man, uttered in the heat of debate, should have led the American people to believe that we do not sym pathise with them. England does sympathise with them, and why ? Because we know that slavery is at the bottom of the struggle, and has led to it. (Hear, hear.) I think we err when we judge the American people by the fact that abolition has not been proclaimed. To proclaim abolition at once would have been impossible. You could not at once liberate 4,000,000 of slaves, and if you did it might lead to domestic catastrophes too horrible to be con templated. But what was the ground upon which the separation took place ? It was the wish of the North to prohibit the introduction of slavery into what are called the Territories, with the view of lead ing to its gradual extinction in the Southern States. That was the question upon which the great con test for the Presidentship took place, upon which Mr. Lincoln was elected, and which has led to the present lamentable war. lam not here to discuss whe ther North or South be right. We have said we will not interfere. To say that because we have recog nised the Southern States as belligerents therefore we have recognised them as an independent State is absurd. We could not help recognising them as belligerents. How could wo be prepared to treat 12,000,000 of people as pirates ? Even the North has found it impossible to do so, and has been obliged from the very nature of things to do as we have done. (Hear, hear.) Let the Americans settle their own quarrels. All we can hope is that when this terrible contest has an end, whatever that end may be, the liberty, happiness, and freedom of these magnificent States may not be impaired. ( dear.) We know that the interruption of communication with the Southern States may lead to deplorable results in this country. Thousands—nay, millions —of our people are anticipating great misery and distress; and yet, with all that suffering in pro spect, not a single petition has been addressed to any member of the Government in favour of break ing the blockade or doing an illegal act. (Cheers.) I:say, then, that the conduct both of the people of England and the House of Commons has been noble conduct, and the time will come when the wise and good men of America—and there are many such in the States—will acknowledge that in confining our selves to expressions of sympathy we have adopted the policy best calculated to assist them in their terrible struggle. (Hear.) But I wish you to under stand that, while we proclaim the principle of non intervention, we are resolved to make the rights of Englishmen respected throughout the :world, and to resent outrages committed on the persons of English subjects. It is upon such grounds that we have recently entered into a :convention for taking possession of the ports of Mexico. Words cannot describe the atrocities which have been committed in Mexico upon the persons of English subjects. A respectable gentleman named Beale was recently murdered in cold blood, not with the view of get ting hold of his property, but out of pure hatred to foreigners. In the same way a beautiful young woman was put to death. No redress could be got from the Government. You have all heard, per haps, how the agents of the Government broke into the British Legation, and carried away a large sum of money, the property of English subjects. Are we to tolerate these things ? What would be thought of the Engli s h G o vernment if they were to a a l e l7 ro Pinsgeleisthhastubsjoemctes members to e m be b e o r u s tr o a f g have been end eavouring to make political the e i nt h a t m Opposition a capitaln- out of this Mexican e the other day that the PEe dition. e r o n f m t o h n e t m saidwere e r e G O ov ae going to send a force to Mexico to collect the bad debts of English subjects. That, of course, is an utter absurdity. We are not going to collect bad debts; English trade rs must take their own risks; but we are going to obtain redress for outrages .committed on English subjects and English property. (Cheir - s.) We disclaim all wish to interfere in the government of the country; we repudiate all selfish objects; what we hope is that the Mexican people may find means to establish a Government sufficiently strong to maintain order and fulfil its engagements with foreign powers. (Hear.) A few words more and I have done. I have heard it said there has been a Tory reaction in this country. I very much doubt whether that is so. There may have been a reac tion against certain extreme opinions, but that is not a Tory reaction. At the same time it is not im possible that a Tory Government may sometimes be a good thing for us It may show us, for example, the great advantage of a Liberal Government. An alderman should eat mutton broth once or twice a week if for no other purpose than to increase his relish for turtle and punch. So let us have a little Tory mutton now and then to enhance our appre ciation of Liberal soup. (A laugh.) Some people may think that a little experience of that union of Church and State which has recently been so ear nestly advocated by a distinguished defender of the faith might be useful in persuading us to continue our efforts for the freedom of religion. (A laugh.) But I do not believe that a reactionary Govern ment is possible for any length of time. (Hear, hear.) The people are now on the road of pro gress. They will not suffer anything to cheek the wheel ; they must go on ; they must obtain a share in the administration of our own affairs. I believe they will soon obtain it. The Government have been liberal in their foreign and in their colo nial policy ; it is not possible, when the proper time comes, that they will not pursue a liberal policy in domestic affairs. With that conviction I have ac cepted office, and in doing so I believe I have neither renounced my opinions, broken my pledges, nor neglected your interests. I have always endea voured to secure your approbation, and I hope I shall continue to deserve it. (Loud cheers.) Several questions were then put to the hon. gen tleman, in reply to which he stated that he had no doubt the Government would apply the principle of non-intervention to the affairs of Hungary and Po land, though they would everywhere give sym pathy and moral support to oppressed peoples struggling for their freedom. He also stated that he was favourable to economy in the public expen diture, but thought that, considering the present aspect of affairs, we could not safely revert to the estimates of 1846. A vote of confidence in Mr. Layard was moved by Dr. Rendle, seconded by Mr. Harris, and carried with acclamation. The meeting then separated. him. He ate of it *artily, but did notrexchange a word with any person. Mrs., Molloy and her sister are in Jervis-street Hospital, where the body of the child remains. Policemen are in charge of the body of William at the lodgings of the prisoner in South Cumberland street. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—Nov. 21. BANKRUPTCY COURT. (Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.) THE BANK OP DEPOSIT, OR NATIONAL ASSURANCE AND INVESTMENT ASSOCIITION. A trader summons having been issued against the above company, to-day was appointed for the hear ing. The summons was taken out under the Bank ruptcy Law Consolidation Act of 1849, and it was directed to the company and to Mr Peter Morrison, the managing director. Mr. Roxburgh opposed for Mr. R. P. Harding, the interim manager under the winding-up order granted by the Master of the Rolls a few days ago; Mr. Lawrence opposed on behalf of the association ; and Mr. Turner appeared for the creditor on w hose ) behalf the summons has been issued, Mr. Turner, in support of the summons, stated hat it was issued under the 78th clause of the act ; and the 276th, which was the definition clause, de fined the steps which were to be taken. Mr. Roxburgh—That clause is repealed by the new act. It is not law now. The Commissioner—Are you going to show cause against the summons ? Mr. Roxburgh—l shall have no difficulty in doing that. Under the 12th and 13th Vic. members of an incorporated company are not liable to the Bank rupt Act. The company did not come within the definition of traders, and therefore did not come within the definition of the act in that case pro vided. This company was styled the National As surance and Investment Association. The company had been recognised by a private act of Parliament which they had obtained. They were established in 1844, for receiving monies which were invested in life assurance. The company did not even come under the 7th and Bth Vic., and where the issue had been tried of trader-debtor summonses against com panies they had invariably failed. This was an experiment of that description. Mr. Lawrence, for the company, followed on the same side, and contended that by chap. 110 of the Joint-Stock Companies Act this case could not be considered to apply. He then referred to the fol lowing section, in which he said three modes were open for persons making themselves bankrupts. Firstly, it provided that the company might be made bankrupt ; secondly, a course was pointed out by which such company might be made bankrupt. Here it was sought to make Mr. Peter Morrison, the managing director, liable. If Mr. Peter Morri son was so in his capacity of manager, then he was so liable as a bankrupt, and he was liable under the second section ; and the third section provides that the company might make itself bankrupt. There was a simple remedy open. If a judgment had been obtained, why did they not serve a de mand on the company, as had been done in the case of the European and Steam Shipping Com pany ? There was a course which could be pursued as shown by that which was popularly known as " the Royal British Bank section. Creditors always had remedies. When an adjudication was made against the Royal British Bank, it was annulled; but a service of demand having been made, and, after the expiration of thirty days, it remaining unsatis fied, adjudication took place. How could the whole of the company appear to answer a trader-debtor summons? Mr. Turner, in reply, quoted several sections of the act, and said it clearly was an association. Mr. Lawrance—l never saw such a summons in my life. It is addressed to the National Assurance and Investment Association and Mr. Peter Morri son. It is not a banking association but a company. We say the parties who you appear for are partners, but I shall say no more about that at present, because it remains to be decided hereafter. Mr. Turner—Now Messrs. Lubbock carry on busi ness as bankers next door. Suppose they were to suspend payment, should I not be justified in serving them with a summons as a banking association ? Mr. Lawrance They are not a company. (Laughter.) Mr. Turner—The private act provides that in all cases of default, &c., Mr. Peter Morrison may sue as managing director, and therefore I contend that the summons is in proper form. I urge that all banking companies ought to be brought within the operation of the act I have cited. The Commissioner—l do not understand this sum mons at all. If you have a trader-debtor summons, why not have it against Mr. Peter Morrison, who will then have an opportunity of appearing and answering it ? Mr. Turner said that under the special act Mr. Morrison was to do all the " necessary acts of the company," and it was therefore supposed that he was the proper party to be sued. The Commissioner said that the present summons he could not understand. He could understand Mr. Morrison being summoned, with the view of his being a trader ; but he could not understand this summons. What could the Court be supposed to know of the National Assurance Association ? Mr. Lawrance—Your honour never issued a sum mons against a company in your life, or against anybody else. The Commissioner—l can take no notice of this proceeding. Mr. Turner—But the special act. The Commissioner—Oh, that is nothing. Mr. Turner—When the summons was taken out they got an adjournment by consent, and in the meantime took advantage of that adjournment to obtain a winding-up order in Chancery. Mr. Roxburgh—l may mention that the matter is now being wound up in Chancery. The Commissioner—Never mind. I dismiss the summons, but will say nothing about costs. The following was the form of summons :—" I, James Rawlings Monday, of No. 3, Moore-place, Kennington-road, Surrey, surgeon, make oath and say, that the banking company known or called by the name of the National Assurance and Investment Association, of No. 3, Pall-mall East, in Middlesex, and who have from time to time advertised their said place of business by the name of the Bank of Deposit, 3, Pall-mall East, and of which banking company or association Peter Morrison is the managing director, are truly and justly indebted to me in the sum of £lOO for cash paid and deposited by me with the said banking company or associa tion, at their said place of business, situate at No. 3, Pall-mall East, on the 18th April, 1861: tliat Mr. Peter Morrison was served with a notice, Bze." 7 , ' I ,Inota WILIL OL. ;fluty *v ....,........ - • ,-,, AT__,...,. a reniittaucr 4-ou - auVr.mg DESPERATE TRAGEDY .1N DUBLIN, MURDER OF TWO CHILDREN BY THEIR _ _ _ FATHER. One of the most fearful tragedies that ever oc curred in this country took place on Wednesday, in the house No. 25, South C u mberland-street, Dublin. _ _ • Two helpless infants—one two years old and the other three years—were brutally and barbarously murdered by their own father. The perpetrator of this foul crime is John Molloy, a waiter out of place, and the victims were his two sons, William and Arthur. It appears that Molloy had been in several excellent situations in the capacity of butler, and from the papers found in his possession he bore an excellent character. The last place he filled was the situation of waiter in the Shelbourne Hotel. He left this place on the 14th of Septem ber, and since then he has not been employed. About twelve months since he prevailed on his wife, who is a very good-looking young woman, to give up an excellent situation which she held in a gen tleman's family residing in Leeson-street. At that time Molloy told her that his earnings would bo quite sufficient to support her and her children. But since September last he and his family were day after day getting deeper into distress. He had to pawn nearly all his clothes and furniture, and was reduced to the greatest distress at the time he committed the terrible crime of which he stands ac cused. The house 25 South Cumberland-street, is one of those old-fashioned substantial structures of which there are many in the locality. It is four stories high, and in the top front room Molloy and his family resided. It was generally remarked that he was a sober man, and very industrious up to a recent period. He became ill in the commencement of the present month, and took to his bed on the Bth inst., and never since left his wretched home until he was brought out of it in custody, charged with the brutal murder of his two infant children, and with having attempted to murder his wife and sister-in law. An infant daughter of his is at present in charge of some relations at Bray. Shortly after 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning Isabella Pye, sister-in-law to Molloy, called at the lodgings of the prisoner for the purpose of seeing his wife. He was sitting at the fire with nothing on him but his shirt and an old horse rug. He asked her some questions.relative to his shirt collars which he had given to his mother-in-law to pawn. Isabella Pye replied that she knew nothing about them. Without receiving any provocation he seized a poker and rushed at the woman, and struck her a blow on the temple with it. Fearing that he was going to murder her she made for the door, and suc ceeded in making her escape down stairs. He next attacked his wife in a furious manner, and struck her two terrible blows on the head. Nearly stunned and covered with blood, she made for the door, when her husband sought to intercept her , but fortunately he was not in time before she gained the lobby. It appears that when his wife and sister-in-law had gone Molloy locked himself into the room, where his two children were sitting in a corner. This was the time, it is supposed, that he availed himself of to commit the murder of his two unoffending and helpless infant children. Police constable Walsh, 117 B, went to Molloy's, without delay, for the purpose of taking him into custody. On arriving at the top of the stairs he saw Molloy standing at his room door, and cryine. bitterly. His hands were covered with blood. The constable looked into the room, and a horrible sight presented itself to his view. On the floor, at the right hand side of the door, lay the youngest child, William, in a poolof blood, with his head nearly severed from his body, and about four feet distant from his bro ther lay Arthur Molloy, gasping and bleeding pro fusely from a terrible gash in his throat. The per petrator of this fearful crime continued to weep, and, standing over the infant that still lived the miser able man addressed the constable, and asked him imploringly, "Can you do anything for him and wringing his hands, he said, " Oh, I am sorry for what I have done." Constable Walsh lifted the window and shouted for help. Police-constable Murphy, 54 B, was promptly on the spot, and one constable took charge of Molloy and of the body of the murdered child, while the other went to Dr. Sweeney's with the infant Arthur, who was still alive. Dr. Hughes, Westland-row, and Dr. Bennett, Holles-street, lost no time in doing all in their power to save the life of the little sufferer. It was found, however, that the windpipe and several of the vessels of the neck had been divided, and it was deemed necessary to send the child off at once to Jervis-street Hospital, where everything that could be done was tried to save him, but to no purpose, and the poor little fellow expired shortly after two o'clock. Nothing could exceed the scene of wretched ness and squalor which the room where this terrible tragedy was enacted presented. In one comer was a heap of dirty straw, covered with rags ; a small deal table, on which was some bread and butter and coffee, stood before the fire-place. This table and a stool were the only articles of furniture in the apart ment. A line, on which hung several small linen articles, ran from one of the side walls to another. The unwashed boards were smeared over with blood, as were also portions of the surbases. The murdered child (William) as he lay on the floor, looked as if he were asleep. In consequence of the prisoner not having any clothes to put on him a covered car was procured to take him to the station-house. On his arrival at Lad-lane station he was proceeding to make some statement, when Mr. Inspector O'Connor cautioned him that anything that he would say would be used against him. The prisoner replied that he was aware of that, and for the remainder of the night he maintained strict silence. He was then formally charged with the attempt on his wife and sister-in-law, and with the murder of his two chil dren. As he had no clothes an old coat had to be provided for him before he could be taken for— EXAMINATION AT THE HEAD. OFFICE. On being placed in the dock he presented the most wretched and abject appearance. He is about 27 years of age, and is below the middle height. He is very sallow, and his face is long and thin. His eyes are blue, and his hair and whiskers are a kind of red brown, approaching foxy. He is not by any , means an ill-looking man, but there is an expres sion on his face of a rather sinister character. The presiding magistrate (Mr. Allen) on hearing a brief statement of the foregoing facts, directed Constable Walsh to make an information, embody ing what he knew of the occurrence. When the information was perfected the magistrate decided on sending the prisoner back to the station, to await the result of the coroner's inquest, yesterday. During the proceedings at the head office the wretched man held down his head, and did not make any remark. Re was conveyed back to Lad lane statim-house, where dinner was provided for POLICE IN7ELLIG.ENCE, Nov. 21. WORSHIP-STREET. —A STRANGE STORY.— Two young-looking girls, wearing dark straw hats, and presenting in respect to their attire in general an appearance betokening their belonging to respectable parents, were brought before Mr. Knox, at five o'clock, and just as that gentleman was leav ing the bench, under the following circumstances : Mr, Matthew Smith, a London City missionary, stated that while in the neighbourhood of Old street-road, St. Luke's, about an hour previous, his attention was attracted to a crowd of persons, in the centre of which he found the two young girls in question apparently asking for some locality. As they appeared strangers in London, and one of them carried a bundle, he thought it his duty to in terfere for their protection, more especially in con sequence of two women endeavouring to lead them away. Therefore he took them, under the care of a police constable (Baker, 242 N), to the Robert street police-station. All, however, that could be gleaned from them was that they had walked up from Barnet that day, having been sent by their father, who was a general dealer there, to a service in London, but where it was they knew not, having lost the direction. The bundle mentioned contained principally dirty linen and books of a religious character, including a Bible and cards of a Sunday sehoo!. With respect to their name or exact resi dence they maintained a perfect silence. Mr. Knox said the story told by the girls, and in part repeated to him, was beyond all credence. In all probability they were run away from home or elsewhere, and could not be better cared for until inquiries were made than by being placed in the workhouse. Mr. Smith suggested his willingness to pro ceed to Barnet and seek the parents of the children, a proposition that was immediately ac cepted by the magistrate, who remarked that the interest evinced by that gentleman was most credit able to him. It was then arranged that a card of instructions should be given by the police authori ties here to Mr. Smith, that he might more easily be enabled to prosecute his inquiries. Subsequently the eldest girl, while in an outer room of the court, stated that her name was Jessie Pedley, and her sister's Sarah A nn Pedley, their relative ages being 17 and 14 years, and that their parents lived near the Three Horse-shoe public house, but had only been there three weeks, having previously resided at Luton, in Bedfordshire, where they were employed at th e straw work. When pressed upon the point of the perso_n' name to whom they were sent in London adi Alrs. oulton wa s mentioned, the eldest girl adding that her father had " let" them to her; also that they started at ten o'clock th at morning! with but one shilling, out of which, while on their journey, they purchased 1 One pennyyforth of sprat* and sOlnp bread. SP OBTING INTELLIGENCE. i between different places in the Ul I SURE WSBURY AUTUMN RACES--TitunsDAY. Match, 100 soya, h ft. Straight run in. Mr. Ten Broeck's Chiffonniere, 3 yrs, Bst (G. Fordham) 1 Mr. Bruce's Miss Pennell, 2 yrs, Bst (Custance) 2 Betting-11 to 10 on Chiffonniere, who won a fine race by a head. Salopian Stakes of 10 soya each, with 25 added, for 2-yr olds ; cols, 9st ; fillies, Sst 101 b; winners extra; maiden allowances. About six furlongs. Mr. Stevens's Ethel, Oat 31b (Payne) 1 Mr. Naylor's Colares, Bst 91b (Perry) 2 Mr. J. Smith's Queen of Spain, 9st 31b (Bullock) 3 Betting-5 to 4on Queen of Spain, 6to 4 agst Ethel. Won easily by a length ; two lengths between the second and third. Handicap Sweepstakes, of 3 sovs each, with 25 added, for 2 -yr-olds ; the winner to be sold for 25 soya. Half-a mile. Mr. Goddard's Wolsey, Est 101 b (G. Parsons) 1 Mr. W, Brown's Arab. 7st (11. Taylor) 2 Mt. Devereux's Grant, 7st 41b .. (Midgley) 3 Mr. Naylor's Barricade, GA 121 b (T. Freneh) 4 Mr. Wadlow's Dorrita, 6st 121 b (e. Gst 131 b) (H. Grimshaw) 6 5 Mr. Marshall's Melsonby, B st 21 b (Hayward) Betting-2 to 1 agst Grant, 4to 1 sgst Arab, 3to 1 each agst Barricade and Dorrita, and 10 to 1 agst Wolsey. Won by a length. Two lengths between the second and third ; Barricade fourth, close up, with Grant, Dorrita, and Mel sonby beaten off. The winner was sold to Mr. Mathews for 39 sovs, and Melsonby claimed by Mr. Hawkesley. Handicap Sweepstakes of 5 soya each, for all ages; winners extra. Three furlongs and a quarter. Straight run in. Mr. Bruce's Miss Pennell, 2 yrs, sst 81b (J. Grimshaw) 1 Captain Christie's Miss Julia, aged, 9st .. (G. Fordhani) 2 Lord Westmoreland's Confidence, 4 yrs, Gst 121 b (Midgley) 3 The following also ran : Gauntlet, Parasite, Estrelda, Foxhead, and Black Bess filly. Betting-2 to 1 agst Miss Julia, sto 1 each agst Foxhead and Confidence, 6 to 1 agst Gauntlet, and 10 to 1 agst Miss Pennell. Won cleverly by a neck, three lengths separating the second and third ; Foxhead was fourth, the Black Bess filly next, Gauntlet, Estrelda, and Parasite bringing up the rear in the order named. The Shrewsbury Cup Handicap, value 200 soya, added to a sweepstakes of 20 sovs each, the second to receive 20 sovs out of the stakes. About two miles. Mr, Lincoln's Petra, 5 yrs, Sat 41b (inc 41b extra) (G. Fordham) 1 Mr. Merry's Russley, 3 yrs, 7st 81b (Clement) 2 Mr. Hargrave's Herne, 6 yrs, 7st 11b.... (H. Grimshaw) 3 Lord Ailesbury's Plumper , 4 yrs, Bst llb (Custance) 4 Mr. E. Mills's Knutford, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (J. Daley) 5 Dorking and Eleho also ran. Betting-2 to 1 agst Petra, 4to 1 agst Russley, 6to 1 each agst Plumper and Herne, and 8 to 1 each agst Elcho and Dorking. After one false start, in which all got off ex cept Dorking, the flag fell, and Russley led for about a quar ter of a mile, having the favourite, Herne, and Elclio in close attendance upon him, Dorking bringing up the rear. On going round the bottom turn Plumper went ahead, with Russley, Elcho, Herne, and Petra at Plumper's heels. Herne soon afterwards took up the running, Petra and Russley at the same time showing well in front. When fairly in the straight Elcho and Knutaford were beaten, the first three horses, with Dorking, appearing to be only in the race. At the half distance Russley and Petra had passed Herne and Dorking, and the two came on side by side to the enclosure, where Petra went ahead and won easily by a length. Herne was a bad third; lumper fourth ; Knuts ford, Dorking, and Elcho walked in. The Shorts Handicap Selling Race of 3 soya each, with 25 added, for all ages. The winner to be sold for £3O. About half a mile. Mr. Angell's Entomologist, 2 yrs, fist 71b (T. French) 1 Lord Westmoreland's Pupil, 2 yrs, Est 131 b (Midgley) 2 Mr. J. Mathews's Orion, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (James) 3 Mr. Coverdale's Recovery, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (Grubb) 4 Mr. Lincoln's Duplicity, 3 yrs, Bst (Gardner) 5 Mr. W. Brown's Chiffonniere, 3 yrs, Est 121 b .. (Bench) 0 Betting—Even on Pupil, 6 to 1 each agst Duplicity and Entomologist, and 7to I agst Chiffonniere. Won cleverly by half a length. Orion was a bad third, Recovery fourth, Duplicity last. Mr. Mathews claimed Pupil, who, whilst leading, ran wide raund the turn, The winner was bought in for 42 guineas. The Anglesey Nursery Handicap Plate of 40 soya for 2-yr olds. About five furlongs. Capt. Lane's Gazglle, 7st 131 b (J. Grimshaw) 1 Lord Uxbridge's Dunoon, Gst 41 b Midgley) 2 J Mr. T. S. Dawson's Squirt , Est 71 b (. Daley) 3 The following also ran v—Peignoir, Antelope colt, Miss fire, Peahen, Pinkepoe, Caracole, Doritta, and Hartington. Betting -9 to 4 agst Dunoon, 4to 1 agat Caracole, 6 to 1 agst Peignoir, and Bto 1 agst Gazelle. Won by a head ; ffve lengths between ;the second and third. Caracole and Peignoir finished next. The Stewards' Cup Handicap of sovs each, with 30 added. for 3-yr-olds and upwards. One mile. Captain Coates's Libellous, 4 yrs, Bst 11b (Fordham) 1 Mr. T. Hughes's' Remunerator, 5 yrs, 7st 315 (Mitchell) 2 Mr. Bruce's Lord of the Manor, 5 yrs, Bst llb (in. 71b ex,) (Custance) 3 Capt. D. Lane's Rosalind, 4 yrs, 7st 715 (J. Grimshaw) 4 Mr. Alfred's Billy Dwindles, 3 yrs, 7st 81b (U. Grimshaw) 5 Betting-7 to 4 agat Remunerator, 100 to 30 each agst Lord of the Manor and Libellous, 5 to 1 agst Rosalind, and 10 to 1 agst Billy Dwindles. Won cleverly by a length and a half; a head between the second and third. Rosalind and Billy Dwindles were beaten off. Handicap Plate of 50 SOTS, for 2-yr-olds and upwards ; winners extra. About six furlongs. Lord Ailesbury's Frailty, 3 yrs, Est 101 b ... (Drew) 1 Mr. Godding's Lady Peel, 5 yrs, Bst 51b (Perry) 2 Mr. T. Hughes's Flash-in-the-Pan, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (D. Hughes) 3 The following also ran :—Spicebox, Lustre, Yorkshire Miss, Kington, David Ann, and Rubicon. Betting-7 to 4 agst Flash-in-the-Pan, 7to 2 agat Lustre, 6 to 1 agat Frailty and Lady Peel. Wen by five lengths; Flash-in-the-Pan was beaten for second place by half a length; Kington was fourth Lustre fifth, David Ann sixth, Rubicon seventh; the other two beaten off. Lustre lost start. itec 1 Kingdom, 2,838 miles. The number of letters delivered in tb 0 United Kingdom during last year was 5i4 millions, viz 462 millions in England, 48 millions in Ireland, and 54 m illions in Scotland. Taking the average throughout the the se kingdoms, the proportion of letters to the population we - as 'l9 to each per eon; the rate being the highest in Englal Va, where it was 22. In Ireland it was only 8, and in E 'Gotland 17. In Liverpool the proportion is as high as 27 ;to each person ; in Birmingham, 28; in Manchester, the se tie; in Dublin, 34 ; in Edinburgh, 36 ; and in London, 43.. As compared with 1859, the total number of letters delis rend shows an increase of 19 millions ; and as contrasted with the year previous to the introduction of the penny po: It age (1839), an increase (omitting franks) of 488 millions ; making the pre sent number of letters considerably more than sevenfold that of 1839, During the last five years the ) ttte of increase, as contrasted in each instance with the rate i n the preceding year, has been as follows :-1856, 41 per nt. ; 1857, 51 per cent. ; 1853, 31 per cent. ; 1859, 4 per Gent. ; 1860, 31 per cent. ; average, nearly 41 per cent. The whole number of letters now deliver 'GI in the same district in which they are posted is as high. .as 11 millions and a half. The whole number of letters, gt literal and local, delivered in the London district last year w as 137 millions, being an increase of 6 per cent. on the ) lumber in 1859. About 1-50th of the letters delivered in the United King dom were from places abroad. The number of registered letters last year was nearly 1,500,000, or one registered letter to about 400 ordinary letters. This number shows an increase of abt tut 6 per cent. on the previous year, while the increase in or dinary letters was only 31 per cent. Tho increase of registered letters in the London local post was ye t greater, being up wards of 20 per cent.; but the proportion of sucJi letters io still very small, being only one registered letter to about 1,700 ordi nary London district letters. Nearly 71,000,000 newspapers were delivered last year, and about 11,700,000 book packets, being an increase of about 450,000 newspapers and 700,0 00 book packets. In the London local post there was an increase of about 300,000 newspapers (or more than 11 per cent.), and an increase a more than half a million book packets. Nearly two milliora letters were returned to the writers last year, owing toe failure in the attempt s to deliver them, being about 45,000 more than in the prevlous year. This is equal to one in about 286 of the whole :lumber of letters, which is nearly the same proportion as ti; at of last year ; and three-fourths of the non-deliveries were owing to the letters being ad dressed either insufficiently or incorrectly ; more than 10,000 letters having been posi.ed without any address at all. The amount of property fou.'id in letters which could neither be delivered, nor, for want of an address in the in side, be returned to the writers, was about £460. The num ber of postage labels found loose in the letter boxes, bags, &c., in England and Wales alone was more than 50,000. About 390,000 newspapers were undelivered, being one of about 182. During the last year 94 additional money order offices were opened in England and Wales, and 18 in Ireland, while in Scotland, although seven new offices were opened, six were closed, owing to the small extent of their business. Thus the whole number of money order offices is now 2,591, exclusive of colonial money order offices in connection with the United Kingdom. The gross revenue of the Post-office in 1860, exclusive of that derived from impressed stamps on newspapers (col lected by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue) was as follows :—Postage : Eng1and,L2,716,557; 1re1and,i250,443; Scotland, £300,662; total, £3,267,662. Commissions on money orders : England, £103,923 ; Ireland, £8,516 ; scot land, £9,254 ; total, £121,693. The gross revenue properly appertaining to the year 1860, adjusted with reference to the balances due to and from the colonies and foreign countries, was £3,382,900, to which must be added for innpressed stamps on newspapers, £141,810, making a total of £3; 524,710. The above sum of £3,382,900 shows an increase of £83,075 on the adjusted gross revenue of 1859, being an increase at the rate of 2i per cent., as compared with an increase of nearly 61 - per cent. in the previous year, and with an average of about 41 per cent. in the last five years. The actual ex penditure in 1860 was as follows :—Salarios, pensions, &c., £1,024,000 ; buildings, repairs, &c., £45,477 ; conveyance of mails by railways, £490,223; conveyance of mails by coaches, carts, &c., and wages of mail guards, £170,951; conv eyance of mails by mail packets and private ships (when paid for by the Post-office), £4,576; manufacture of postage stamps, £31,438; miscellaneous, £134,346—t0ta1, ,919,011. COUN2BY 111A.RKETS. MANCHESTER—Nov. 21. English wheat firmly held, and business consequ d ently was limited. Foreign was taken very sparingly, an was slihtly cheaper. Flour in dull demand, and the turn lower. Oats declined ld per 451bs and oatmeal 6d per load. Indian corn and beans at late values. BIRMINGHAM —Nov. 21. At to-day's market there was a moderate supplY of Eng lish wheat from the farmers, which found buyers at the decjine of this day week. Foreign descriptions Is lo wer. alley is lower. Oats tending downwards. Beans and peas firm at late prices. NEWARK—Nov. 20. At to-day's corn market the quantity of wheat exhibited was short, and a fair amount of bu siness was don at rather more money. There was a tolerable supply of barley at higher prices. Other grain sold as before. White wheat, new, 65s to 68s Barley, grinding.. 29s to 31s Red do. 47s to 60s Oats, old, .. oos to 35; Old white sos to 60s New do 23s to 27s Red do. 46s to 56s Beans. 45s to 470 Barley, malting.... 35s to 42s Bea ne w 44s to --s Peas ..... 37s to ns, 40s. CORK—Nov. 20. The following were the quotations this morning :—Red wheat, lOs Od to 29s 6d ; white, 20s Od to 33s Od; barley 9 0 Od to 19s 6d ; oats, 8s Od to 14s 3d. EDINBURGH GRAIN—Nov. 20. Wheat on the top 308 0d down average is lld down. Barley on the top Gd down.... average Osj 4d down. Oats on the top 2s 3 d down average ls 10d down. Beans on the top is Gd up ...average 2s 7d down. Total Supply and Sales. Wheat ... 960 qrs Sold 890 qrs 8ar1ey........ 3014 qrs Sold 1842 qrs Oats 2441 qrs Sold 1438 qrs Beans lO3 qrs Sold 66 qrs Averages per Imperial quarter. Wheat . £2 18 8 9-12ths New wheat 0 0 0 0-12ths Barley 1 12 8 9-12ths Oats 1 5 10 8-12ths Beans . -12ths DERBY SMITHFIELD --Nov. 19. The supply of fat beasts to-day was plentiful, and the demand was good, but a clearance co uld not be effected. Sheep in short supply, and the best disposed of at high. prices. The supply of calves was scarce. rigs were in. average show, and equal to the demand. Beef 6d to 60 Veal . .......... 7 1 - 2 d to 8d Mutton .... 7d to Sd Pork ......... 6d to 6d Lamb .. 74d to 8 d Rough fat, 4s 8d per stoue. Hides, 3d to 4101 ; calf skins, 5d to 6d. THE POST OFFICE. The seventh report of the Postmaster-General has been published. Last year the number of post-offices in the United King dom was increased by 29, making the whole present num ber 11,441. To these must be added 2,473 road letter boxes, 515 of which were put up last year. Thus the whole number of public receptacles for letters is now nearly 14,000 as compared with little more than 4,500 before the esta blishment of penny postage. In the metropolitan districts great improvements hare been effected, which may b, thus sated-1. 'Within the " town limits" an additional delivery of letters, with a col lection preceding it from receiving-offices and pillar-boxes, causing upwards of 70,003 letters weekly to reach their destination an hour earlier. 2. An acceleration of the second delivery of the day, in connection with the altered time of arrival of the French and Irish mails. 3. An acce leration of the deliveries generally, both in London and the suburbs, with a provision for delivery at the large num ber of new houses built during the year, amounting to about 7,500. 4. Longer time has been given in some of the suburbs for posting letters for the provincial night mails. 5. The new building in Vere••street, erected for the chief post-office in the western district, and similar new offices in the south-western and north-eastern districts, have been completed and brought into use. It appears that, in maintaining the earlier time for com pleting the morning general post delivery in London, a diffi culty is experienced from the practice, still persisted in by a portion of the public, of addressing letters to firms with out adding either the number of the house or even the name of the street. More than 20,000 letters now arrive daily, bearing only the name of an addressee, with the simple ad dition of " London"—a practice which, besides retarding the sorting, not unfrequently causes delay in their delivery. The marked success which has attended the establish ment of the postal district system in London having sug gested an extension of the system to some of the large pro vincial towns, it has been determined to apply it in the first instance to Liverpool, and fur this the necessary arrange ments are in progress. During the last year 33 places, most of them in North Wales, were provided with day mails to and from the metro polis of ono or other of the three parts of the United King dom, and some of them with mails in both directions —this mail being, in several instances, the third during the 24 hours. The acclerations have been numerous. The new Irish postal service, the preparation for which had spread over several years, was brought into operation on the Ist October last. This measure, when punctually performed, reduces the time of the journey between Lon don and Dublin to 111 hours. Besides tho acceleration of the night mail in both directions, and the consequent ac celeration of all throughletters for places leaving day mails from London and Dublin respectively, an important boon has been conferred by the establishment, for the first time, of mails leaving London and Dublin in the morning and reaching those cities in time for the last evening deliveries, as well as in time for the despatch of through letters in each case by both the - English and Irish evening provincial mails and by the continental mails. The number of travelling post-offices for sorting letters upon the railways has been increased. To show the extent to which the sorting duty in these travelling offices is in some instances carried, it may not be uninteresting to men tion that the night mail train from London to Perth starts from Euston-square with a force of 112 clerks, sorters, and guards, employed in three separate carriages ; these car riages being in addition to three vans or tenders, in which are packed such of the various mail bags as it is not neces sary to open. When the arrival of a heavy colonial mail, such as the Australian, throws a large mass of additional work u: on the travelling post-office, the force on this line, large as it is, is increased by four or five. The distance over which mails are now conveyed within the United Kingdom by railways, mail coaches, &c., steam packets, boats, and foot messengers, is about 144,000 miles per day, being about 4,000 more than at the end of 1859. The daily number of . miles taus travelled in the United Kingdom may be thus stated :—Mails conveyed by railways, 30,047 miles ; mails conveyed by mail coaches, omibuses, mail-carts, &c., 32,297 miles ; mails conveyed on foot, 66,991 miles; mails conveyed by packets and boats , FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST• MAILS DUE. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton .. Nov. 18. via Marseilles Brazil and Cape Verds, by British packet. Dec. 4. Cape of Good llope, Ascension, and St. Helena.. Dec. 2. China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. Nov. 18- via Marseilles ...Nov. 27. Falkland Islands Gibraltar, via Southampton Nov. 18. India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton Nov. 18. via Marseilles Nov. 27. India (Bombay), via Southampton . . Nov. 25. via Marseilles Nov. 20. Lisbon Nov 21. Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton Nov. 18. via Marseilles Nov. 20. Newfoundland .. Nov. 27. ...Nov. 2 2 1 1 : . Oporto and Vigo U. S. and British N. America, by U.S. packet.... by 13;8rit.......... . by Canadian packet. Nov. —. W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe Dec. 10. . Bahamas, via New York Nov. 21 Nov. 2B. All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Peru, 1 N ov. 2 8 • Californi a , an d British Columbia.. —..... BIRTHS. CL H OSE.—On the 18th inst., at The Oakes, Redbridge, se ants, the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel F. A. Clo, of a son. FIIIDLER.—On the 21st inst the wife of Mr. 5. H. Fiedler, of a son. HARTLEY.—On the 20th inst., at Lewisham, the wife of John Hartley, Esq., of a datightcr. PRICE.—On the 20th inst., at Cotton-hill, Shrewsbury, the wife of John Price, Esq., of a son. MARRIAGES. GIBBON—CourtELD.—On the 21st inst., at Holy Trinity, Kentish-town, Robert, eldest son of. Edward Gibson, Esq., of Boulogne•sur-bier, to Katherine, eldest daugh ter of W. Corfield, Esq., of Haverstock-hill. ROBINSON—BARTEIL—On the 2:st inst., at Churchill, F. Edward Robinson, Esq., to Henrietta, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Charles Barter, rector of Sam cu min-Churchill, Oxon. DEATHS. BRUCE. — On the 21st inst., at 72, Westbourne-terrace, Hyde-park, James Turing Bruce, Esq., aged 75. CARTER.—On the 19th inst., at Brixton, Susanna, wife of Captain J. G. Carter, aged 35. CARTER.—On the 1 9th inst., at Gray's-inn, William Geo. Carter, Fsq., ageg 75. CuAminNEY.—On the 17th inst., at The Mount, York, T. N. Champney, Esq., aged 72. HOOPER.—On the 20th inst., at Peckham, James Hooper, Esq., aged 80. KIRKPATRICK,-01 1 the 18th inst., at Mount-pleasant, Newport, Isle of Wight, George Kirkpatrick, Esq., aged 68. MOn the 20th inst , at Seaforth, near Liverpool, the Rev. John Boughey Monk, M.A., chaplain of Et. George's, Liverpool, aged 71. LONDON : Printed and Published by MIIRDO YOUN , No. 112, Strand, Printer, at TnE Sun Oflloe, No. 112,5 t In the Precinct of the Savoy. in the County of Middles, Friday, NinelllDer 12) 1861. ••••••••=i• gG, of trand, Iles e% --iii