The Sun. — London, England, 1856-12-29 00:00:00

MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocK. The commercial advices from New York, per steamer Arabia, mention that full employment is given to capital in that city, and high rates were paid for discount accommodation. At the latest date there was a very active demand at 8 to 10 per cent., and the allowance cm deposit or on call Was 7 per cent. This increased stringency in the money market had caused a little depression in speculative securities, and as there was no imme diate prospect of the rates of discount further de clining, a general disposition was evinced to operate for a fall in values. The last weekly City Banks Return showed an increase in the loans and discounts of 1,438,0521., While the specie was reduced to the extent of 1,445,8041. Large sums continued to arrive from California, but they were fully absorbed by the extended exportation to Europe. In the letters from Paris it is stated that the Comptoir d'Escompte now discounts bills having 90 days to run, which is a great boon to the corn- Menial public, whose operations have recently been so much reduced in consequence of their in ability to obtain the necessary accommodation. It is expected that the Bank of France will adopt a similar course next week. There is a very active demand for money in Lombard-street and at the Bank of England to-day. Six per cent. is the lowest rate, even for the most approved descriptions of mercantile paper, so that the general appearance of the market is rafher tight. An increased degree of pressure, however, was to have been anticipated at the close of the year, as, in addition to other circumstances, the settlements at the Stock Exchange, and the prepa rations for the " fourth" of the month, when a la rge mass of commercial paper becomes due, assist in augmenting the inquiry. Last week the arrivals of specie amounted to 300,0001., and the exports to 245,0001 The Red Jacket has arrived from Victoria with a valuable specie freight. The exact amount is not Yet known in town, but she is supposed to bring about half a million sterling. This remittance is Very opportune, especially as the large amount of Raid withdrawn from the Bank to Ireland is not likely to return at present. The Council of the Bank of France has fixed the dividend for the present half.year at 135 t., Which, added to 137 f. (the former dividend), gives total return for the year of 272 f. per share. The Market for English Securities has been rather heavy, owing to the advisee from China announcing the bombardment of Canton. At the ,opening Consols declined a bout p er ' cent . , nut the arrival of the Red Jack e t has Since imparted more firmness to the quotations. Speculation is very dull, and the arrangement of the Foreign Stock and Railway Share accounts occupies chief attention. Consols have been 94k to 94k, and they are now again 944 I. The New 3 per Cents. have been 94i the Reduced 94k t, and the Long Annuities 2.1. Exchequer Bills are le. discount to 2s. premium, the Bonds 98k to 99, and India Bonds 2s. premium. Foreign Securities are extremely quiet, partly owing to the progress of the settlement. Turkish 6 her Cents. have receded to 95. E k, and the 4 per Cents. are 103. Sardinian are 89, and Guate kala 55. The following are the nominal pr ices of Forei g n Stocks :—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 7 ; Mexl. can 214 ;-; Peruvian 41 per Cents., 76 8 ; ditto 4 per Cents., 54 6 ; Portuguese 3 per Cents., 4 4 6 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 106 8 ; ditto 4i per Cent s ., 96 8; Spanish 3 per Cents., 42 3 ; ditto Deferred, 24t ; ditto Certificates, 6i, ; ditto Passive, 6 f. The arrangements for the settlement of the half monthly account in the Railway Share Market have proceeded favourably, and but little business has been transacted except in connection with that event. The " contangos " are very heavy. A de cline of about ± to / per cent. has taken place in acme of the principal lines. Great Northern receded 10s., Great Western 55., Lancashire and Yorkshire 55., and South Western 10s. Man chester, Sheffield, and Lineoln, North British, and North-Eastern, York, improved about ss. Grand Trunk of Canada were firmer, and advanced about , 61 ., and Great Western of Canada ss. The -c reach lines are at nominal rates, and Lombardo- Venetian declined ss. In Joint-stock Bank and Miscellaneous Shares the dealings are quite unimportant. City Bank are 69 i. English, Scottish, and Australi an Char ew d 17k, London General Omnibus Company 1, N Van Wales Government Debentur es 1021, and Van Diemen's rand 16. tiRMSH FUNDS.—CLOSING PRICES—THIS DAY. ( from the Office Lid.) ,i, , nkr. dory 11)er Cent. Reduced Annuities New `1 per , ent. Annuities Long Annuities, expire sth Jan. 1860... 21 irin,- Itnnda. CIOVIP .... ... -- •• •••• Ditto, under £lOOO 2 p Console , 'or Account Brohequer Bills, 24d. £l000. Aras.ll Ditto Bonds. 1858. l per Cert. 9Si 9 PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS—THIS DAY. Rueuos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent. B3 Guatemala Bonds, 5 per cent 55 Mexican :3 per Cent Ditto Account Peruvian Bonds 4 1 2 per Cent Ditto 3 per Cent. .... Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Ceti. 1841 Ditto 1853, 3 per Cen t Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ttr•kit.h ponds, 6 par cont. Ditto Account (January 15) Ditto Guaranteed, 1 per Cent. rnvieends on the above ostvnble in T no, Dutch Exchange, 21 per Cen;., 12 G uilders 651 THREE O'CLOCK. C ,, nstols ............................ , ....... Ditto Account (Jan. 8) ............... . 94 x d SHARE MARKETS—(This Day.) Shr. W 3t. 20 It. St. i:AILWAYd. ( Ainbg.. A wl Essti,.. Jun 3alfw3t $i 41311.:yav, Birnaing. Wolveri , Stour Vallq... IBirzentild. Lau.- :!iiesnlrtt Jane iDo. C4est... B, Blackburn ,v,Tynsor g: £25 (issd. at Bristoi and .I.4xeLe Chester & Holyhee.• Cork and Bando/ Cork, Biltek, & Par (1, TT:I wr,l I Do. A Do. B D e jlOO 4 !IOG I) , n. P. A' • in, East lar.;lian Eastern Counties. Fo4.st. r" 4 St R.., B. Stock... IDo. Now East Kent '•%t' i, "- "hire East Suffolk Do. Edinburgh di ~ las 6 lEdinb. and Peebles Edin.Prth &Dune] Forth & Clyde Jun Furness .... Glasgow di S. Westrn Great N. of Scotlno Great Northern Do., A. Stock...—. Do., B. Stoc - k___ Gt.:lth. istWest.flrt• Great Western Do. Stour Val Ra' Gua. Stk. Irish :4outh-Easter I.,,nonstf•r Crirlis • 'Do., Thirds IDo. New Thirds_ _ LAncash. and York f Do., Wst. Do. South] ort !London & Blackwit 'Load. Bright & Loud. and N. West Fifthd D0.101.5h.,31&11 Do. Eighths London and S. We athicirryktcColerath nrindrrr.h Ennisk Lincl Do. J. L. Ricardo' arrangement... %Minna o. tiirynng.& or 41dld. G. West.(l Holt Shares., siewcastle & CarliPi "iwpt.Aberß.&Hr' awry SyEnniskil• Warrelip. , 'n .nd aostrever.. (loin PTioe• this day. orfclk orthn.Conntiesl l North British !)tti Pevor, Rail, Dock Stock A Stock B Stock g .ICastern—llerw. , o. do. gxteusio, Do. Leeds York 4; 7, 8i 9 19 - 01 tBA 19 94 38 40 26 28 Business done this day 9} i 7 - 5 91 93 92i i 5± 55 35i 30 94 - 96 7 -7 , 901 91 76 78 .20 125 10 112 691 69 al 60 65 LiNJ Nit ,100 100 PR gFERENCt .tinA 70 74 5t 66 54 6+, 96i 97 fi 7 ill 112 LOs 1051 203 - 21 10i - 10:1 106 i 107, 34i 35 d par 82i - 82, 53 55 10 Bt. St. .3i 14! 50 52 34 - 394 40 83 81 4 3 / 4 4 3 2- 81. 184 59 3 / 4 60 3 / 4 95 99 Si 5 64 7 10 11 28 29 LOS 108 26i 27 A 70 72 48 49 1t ... 1 174 8 734 - 74 82 83 5 3 d 2 1 14 16 37 3, 191 2)1 6 8 2 - 4 5 - 6i . -- 91i 90i 110 69i j 93i 7 6i 1051 i 11 1061 82i i 40} 40 S 3 i 19i 59i 60 74 83 St. St. St. S.t. Br. t. 0.6 10 50 100 St. UOO 1o) ‘ll 100 ;100 100 100 100 100 100 100 ;100 1100 ; 100 } 20 4 20 10 25 25 10 10 ' Myth andT. y 1-• c. pref. (isA.,,ts(.'e4 13ri.8. & Ex. 4 p. c. Do. 4 p. c. Shares ... CMecin. P.C. Pile% & Tio.(ln. Do. do. Prof. 5 per C. Cork etaulionslp.. Dua.Prth Aber. E. Anglian Cls. A SI, Do. do. Cls. B G p. Do. do Cis. C 7 p. E a s. 00. Ra Do. No. 2 . .. Do. Now 6 p. c. East tin. G. 6 p. Do. 51., 10 Dor cen Do. 161. Debentr.S'.. Do. do. 4 per cent East Lance-h. 6p. et- E..';'z'N. York. J. sth , ,Edin. & Cl. 5 p.c. sh Ed. Prth.&Don.4n. , FurnesP, 5 p. a.... 20 20 20 all 10s. 1 eel 2s. t; - 1 - I.f 113 - 113 2 24p 21} - 22 1 31 14 Boa 2O too too 100 too 80 211 22i 24 - 43 2) 1 2 ip 99 - 100 115 1 20 115 - 120 .08 110 20 - 20 22} -22 i 1 lip 2} 2ip, 13i i i 22 i 56 ii 24j i i Ulas. &S. G. 6 p. Great Northn. 5 p. Do. 5 p. 0. Redeem at 10 p. c. prom D;). 4 1 , p.c. D 0.5 p. c., Red. at I ,Gt.N. of geot.Litl'r It was always a puzzle to those about the Court why Lord Drumlanrig should have resigned the post of Comp troller to the Queen's Household. Those who recollected at the period of tne noble Viscount's marriage the posi tion which her Majesty was kind enough to adopt by inviting the young Viscountess to dinner before her Preaentation, and the influence which th is indication of the opinion of the Sovereign had a ith t he Viscount's father, the late Marquis of Queensberry, on this occasion, were still more at a loss to conceive the reason of Lord Dremiaorig's quitting the Queen's service, after having held office for so many years under a Whig Minister. We believe the next session will, however, solve the mystery, and the quondam Wh'g Comptroller of the Household, having succeeded to the peerage and become Marquis of Queensberry, will he found voting with the Earl of Derby.— Court Journal. SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY.—The final Christmas Performance of the "Messiah" takes place at Exeter Ilan on Friday next, Jan, 2. Madame Clara Novello, Miss Dolby, Mr. Sims Ree7es, and Mr. Thomas, will be the principal vocalists. A. TRUNDERSTORM ON CHRISTMAS-DAY.—ChristM E49- day was ushered in on the southern coast of Northumber land with a considerable fall of snow, and in the after noon a thunderstorm broke over the neighbourhood of Tynemouth, accompanied by two or three very vivid sashes of lightning. CASHIORURY PARK.—On Christmas-day the Earl of Essex caused to be distributed to 250 of his work-people, with their wives and children, a large bullock and a plentiful supply of beer and bread ; and the countess, With her usual liberality, distributed a quantity of warm Clothing to the cottagers on the estate. The works on the Lyons to Geneva railway, which, by continuing the Grand Central, is to connect the town of Perigueux with Switzerland, are being actively pur sued. In the valley of St. Rambert the rails are being laid down simultaneously on several points, and have already arrived at Argis. THE CRYSTAL PALACE FRAUDS.—The convict Robson has for several days past been suffering in the infirmary of Newgate severe illness, and for two er three days was entirely deprived of his mental faculties. He is under the care of Mr. Gibson, the surgeon of Newgate, and is now improving. He has made but slow progress with hie accounts, which he must file before p , ssing his exa mination at the Bankruptcy Court, and he will not be removed from Newgate till this is disposed of. SUICIDE FROM LONDON-BRID&E.—On Saturday the body o f a lady, who committed suicide from London bridge on Christmas day, was found in the Thames at Battle-bridge-stairs, near St. Olave's Church. The body bad been reoognised by some persons who had witnessed, but were unable to prevent, the rash act. It was that of a female between 20 and 30 years of age, a pparently be longing to the superior class of society, clad in a black shawl and fawn-coloured dress. Nothing was found to lead to identity, and the body was removed to St. John's deadhonse, in Horaleydown. THE LATE TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AND DEATH or FOUR ME N AT THE BLAENAVON COAL MINES.—On Saturday an inquest was held at the Kink's Arms Inn, Ble.enavon, on the bodies of the victims of this accident. Mr. Llewel len, of Newport, appeared to watch the proceedings on the part of the Crown, and Mr. H. Mackworth, her Ma jesty's inspector of colleries, was present, by direction of the Secretary of State for the Herne Department. C. M. Ashwin, Esq., the deputy mner, explained the nature of the inquiry, and the jury having viewed the bodies and taken evidence of the occurrence returned a verdict of 4 ( Accidental death." 4, I I 6 I a 20 1 1 L I AiLnur,•atti. LL U Ardenne5,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ill lgian Eastn. June G !AC ers to Ors issoss c Buff. & Lk. Hur, Ry. 6 Canneaux& Toulouse Coal Mines and Ry. 12 ,ntel tthenish . gl/sstern of Franc, .. ,u I •o. New ............. !s. 'Euphrates Valley (Is. Eur. In.Jn.Tel.Rail. 8 CeLtrai of Praa: e 6 ireat Luxernhoor4... 4 Italian Junction...... Cobfit.. .11 Lierre and Turnhout 20 1 20 2 1 10 1( 10 ro I a] 20 I 6 Lombardo Venetian. Lucca 41 Pist. 5 13. e.p. 5 Lyons and Geneva ... 11 Lyons to Mediterran. ,n Vans Antonia ,„„ ill Do. do. New vamnr & Liege di Do. do., 6p. c. Pref 11 '.dorthern of France. S'orwegianTrtmkPre ,A Paris and Lyons "aris and Orleans 5 Recife & San. Fran., (Perham.) g. 7 p. c. Rome and Frascati.. Ali `royal Danish „, 11 Royal Swedish ....,. ,11 ,nnibre and al ►o. 5i p. cent. Prat. ;onthern of France.. Vest Flanders al Ik. 5; per c. Prof_ W. of uranet 6 Western of Austria West. of Switzerland ,11 Wiesbaden dl Do. 8 per cent. Pref. .11 lAran ......... 6 . 1 33h al IP al 16 ai CU ai 20 al 20 10 7 al 10 al 20 al 20 a 20 z . ,0 6 N• 100 100 2( 20 t! 2t. 1 II 1 2 p 1 lip 5 5} 4 3). - .12i 9 -10 - P 4i 5 51 7 • Rank of Egypt ...... Bank of London ... 4.1. Col. tik.StLn. C. ritia. N. American kniartd. Bank of Asia Bnk. of India, Australia, & 4hina City Colonial Commercial of Lord• Cnz.--;cot.&Ame.Cht. I.ond. Chart Bk of A.fletralia a] 50 iitto New A., Lon lon and County , Lna.&E.Bnkg.Corp It London Joint stock. !O Lond. & Westminstei IOC 2' to 3, j in National Pro.ef Eng LU Do. Nay: , !2 National Bank ill New South Walar, 5 a s i] 9i 16.3 t( I 26 I 2. al 8 19 191 37 37 Si 8 54 54 i , 51 53 i - i p is BO 1 li 9 93 9 -- 91 4i 41 90 10 33 - 34 6 - lip 4A,Nkt- Og -100 1 Ad Par' 61 63 •••P 1 ••• 1 67 69 j:7/ 1.7! 19 20 181 -- 19; 11i i a 1 (Wriental ik. Corp 5 Ottoman Bank t•rovincial of Irelat,: New _ 47 48 38 , 39 1 lid 35 37 66 - 68 - 9 5C 100 51 100 01 S. as W. (Ireland Do. 4per c. Pmf. Gt. W.(13. zll.lFlxspc Do. con. led. 4 p.c. Do. con, red. 4 p. c Do. irre , ?. 4p. c. Do. 5 p. c. rod. pref Do. Eirm. Pref. Sh Do. Chester Bp.C. P. . Do. do. 5 p. c. do Do. Birm. Gua. Stk Do. Ches. Gun. Sh. Do. do. do Do. do. do Lan. &York. F. -1 . 20 Do. 6 p. c. Stock Lon. &B. G.sn c. No.l Do. P., spe. St.No.2 Do. New Guar.6 Do. do. 5 p. c.,N0.4 Lon. SL N. W., Coy. NTuneaton 5 p. ,L3n.Si S.W. 7 per et late 3d Shares .., L •ndy.tz Color. Sh Londy. & Ennis.A Oh T,, 6 p. Cent Do. do. do. 46 Do. do. 31 per cent. Warypt 011.1.4 p 0 Dv. 4 a; per Do, do. Consol.B p.c.St Con.Br, 6pc - Do. 4i p. c. Pref. • t Ditto L. & H. Pref. St Now., Abor., &c., pr. 5 p. c. red. 5 p.c. pm. Do. Perpet. 6 p ct. with optn. till '66 Norfk. Deb, 4 p.c. eh Do. Prof. 5 p. 0. St Do. 5 pc;. Ext.,1846 D. 5,i per c.pf ,1847 Do. Wv. V.F'Pc., 1 8 4 7 1 North T3ritish all 100 1100 100 100 1100 'Do 71. Preference " 4 . Pl. Pe rw, 4 p.a. t' 130. do. do Do Leeds p.c .vo. Do. do. Qn.,1848... Do.Yorkll„,t Pnr. North Staffordshire, \Trir ,gpe... Do. 6 p.c. Redeem. ,Scot. Cent, ,New Pref Sc.N.E. Aber. g 6 pe Do. d0.,7 p.c. pf. st. Do. do., 31 p.c. pf. et South Devon Do. fixed, 4 per cent S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 4i per cent...... Do. Fixed 4i p c sh. Wales Gua. 4 p. c. D.). do. 4i p. c.... . 3.Y0rke11.4 p.c.Guar. Atock.& Dar., 5 p. c. Do. do. do 4tock. & liartl. g. 5' c. till July 1, '56 VVltorfd.g , Kilk. R pc 1U r nstralial^, A gricialt. Australn. Royal Mail Merlin Water Work Brit. American Land Canada ilGo.fip.c..Tan&july Do. 6 p.c. Feb Si Aug Do. 6p c. Mur & Sept erysta) Pa lac e.. Do. Preference 15a ,00 all irystal Pal. of France Duston Tron Ore Eastern Steam. Electric Telegraph , Electric Toleg. of Ir En. &Ails Cop Sm Co Gen. Ir Sc Col (lim.) q,ll. Steam 'Navigat. leneral Screw Steam Loudon Discount Lond. Gon. Omnibus Stagdalena St. Navi: \(editeran. Elec. Tel, )&exi cankS. Imericn. Nat. Discount Co. Do. New Netherlands Land.,,, Do. Do. Do.SpcPissatld Do. Do Now B. dr N. S. Land N. S. W. Gov. sp. c. D. N. B. Australasian Nrth. of EuropeSt3am Oriental Gas Do. "Now Shares" Peel Rr. Minrl. Peninstlar & Oriental Do. New Royal Mail Steam Scot. Austral. Invest Ditto New 95 - 100 41 5 6 109 113 101 = 103 0 3 . ir '2 - 126 • •• .... 75.; 76 ;17 119 !09 - ul 102 164 62 - 64 9:1 - 104 ... - 6 - ,- 95 -- 97 85 87 99 101 10 105 16i - 171 10 10 73 - 75 194 - 20 9i -10 i 141 -15. f ..ii - 139 139 142 117 - 119 j 157 - 159 Go i — v o - 139 98 - 100 89 - 11 1 - li 11•• .'' ••• A 2 -104 92 —94 li id ia -- p- 108 114 - 116 103 - 110 17 - 18 28 - 24 102 - 105 10i - 10 . DO '... ••• 27 - 3 281 2 p - ',.. • 0 t_, t , „ 24 - 26 4! - 5 40 45 128 132 113 f 1131 2 - 2i 5} - 56 • ••• .... 9) - 14 - li ~. -"' . 6 - 6 4d p 3a 31 3} 4- - - I 4P n - 4k A - iP P IP '.... ... 3d - p 2i 2i 66 - 68 4 5p €6 - 68 - 1$ 36 38 1 1 ;6 18 Pm 12 113 k 33 i 6 13 / 102 i 13} x d bonus 14 South Augtral:Lat d Sabm&r. Tel. Scrip... Do. Registered.... r.• fli b T. 00.TT Van Diemen's Land .1 nl% 16 x(1 THE RETIREMENT OF CORNET AMES FROM THE ARMY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING ADVERTISER. Second quality.... 4 0 Prime large oxen 4 8 Prime Scots, dm 5 2 Inferior Sheep ...4 0 r4oconcl quality ...4 G Prime arse.-wlled.s 0 TOTLL SUPPLY. Sir,--A correspondent in your impression of the 23d inst., while damning with faint praise the indi vidual on whose behalf he interferes, challenges a decision as to the course to be adopted by a young officer joining a regiment in the event of his being subjected to practical jokes, and calls for an opinion as to the line of conduct resorted to by Mr. Ames under such circumstances. I answer unhesitatingly, after some experience of the army, that these jokes are never attempted unless a young man's character gives evidences of the necessity of some correction in his manners and conduct ; and, secondly, that in this life, though the authorities presiding, in such matters, over any profession, may give theoretical data as to the line of conduct to be adopted by those under their r ule, the indivi d ual co ncerned can alone be the judge and guardian of his o wn Honour, and with reference to Mr. Ames, I express not fit to hold a commis my opinion that a man is not even seeking advice as to his means of redress with a most offensive insult, without till reminded by I sion in her Majesty's service who silently puts up the adjutant of the regiment to which he belonged ; that such a stoicism, though perhaps justified in his honour as was not according to the code of as adopted in the army, and I may add in any class of society. The would-be reformers of the army, those who, forgetting the distant graves so many officers have found of late in the noble discharge of their duty —who, oblivious of the heroic conduct of the officers of the British army during the late war (better exemplified by the statistics given in a note at the end of this letter), who with presumptuous empiricism would destroy the present system, Without the knowledge or imagination to enable them to suggest a remedy, indulge in warrings against " the cold shade of the Aristocracy," and because a physically unfitted man, like Arr. Ames, unfortunately finds himself shovelled into the army, they complain that the officers of his regiment exhibit, by their conduct towards such an individual, their opinion of his unfitness for the service. This may be the tone of irresponsible anonymous contributors to journals, but I believe it is not the judgment adopted by the British p u bli c. Let, th en , M r. Ames , unchallenged, be allowed to console hi mse l f by exhibiting in the meritorious discharge of his duties in some other sphere of life those charitable qualities of meekness and endur ance, the Possession of which he has given so nega tively a forcible proof, and let him frame, glaze, and hand down as an heirloom the courteous and sym pathising letter, we are told H.R.H. army has sent him. H.R.H. the Com mander-in-Chief of the Englis And with his h a p py hearth, thus furnished, what Englishman will envy him his home ? Are there not some generous ones who would rather entertain an unexpressed feeling of pity for the practical joker in this case, whose different na ture could not suffer him t o consider so meek a lamb as fit to bo a dragoon, who, for att emp ti ng t o correct that too peaceful nature, was expelled th e army as guilty of conduct unbecoming the charac ter of a gentleman and an officer —a sentence allowed by competent law authorities to be illegal. Will not some, rather than subscribe to what will probably be proposed, a testimonial to a Mr. Ames, give a passing regret for one who, at barely 20 years of age, has been branded, through an illegal sentence, with a mark as cruel and as in delible as could be inflicted on the worst male factor of the day.—Your obedient servant, JUSTITIA. NoTE.—Copied from a tabular statement of the numbe r of killed, wounded, and missing of the British army fro m the first landing in the Crimea till Sept. 8, 1855 OfUeora—EillQ4l, 1%; wcotuadvd, 077; inilfikug, 13, 10 8 d' 6 ;;; id TEE SUN, LON/DON, MONDA. EVP.NING, DECEMBER 29 1856 MAiiKET NEW ay ) CO It_N EXCHANGE. There was an irnpro wed demand for wheat in the leading country markets, hold on Saturday, and, in some instances, prices were on the advance. Barley was very firm, at ex treme rates. Most oth or articles moved off slowly, on former terms. The continental mark( s have been fairly supplied with most kinds of grain, in which only a limited business has been transacted. Steady shipments of produce continue to be made from the Unit ed States. The arrivals of English grain up to our market, last week, were again moderalie. From abroad we received 20,776 quarters of wheat, 117,118 barley, 25,084 oats, 200 rye, 2,365 beans, 3,219 peas, 787 tares, 615 rapeseed, 1,690 Indian corn, 511 sacks and 16,163 barrels of flour. Fresh up to-day the arrivals of English wheat, coast wise and by land carriage, were limited, and the general condition of the samples was by no means first rate. As a good clearance of last Monday's unsold supply was effected on Friday, the stands we re scantily filled, and factors generally were firmer in their demands. The trade, how ever, though the attendance , of millers was en the increase, was not to say active, yet most of the samples were sold, at only last Monday's quot There was rather a large show of foreign wheat, never theless more disposition was shown to purchase most de scriptions, and late rates were well supported. Floating cargoes of grain were held at very full prices. We were moderately supplied with both English and foreign barley, in which rather extensive business was passing, at an improvement in value of is per quarter. Malt was in moderate supply, and fair request, at full prices. The supply of Irish and foreign oats was good. Dry samples were steady, at full quotations, but other descrip- tions meta dull inquiry. Both bean~ and peas were in good supply, and rather heavy request, at barely the late decline in value. We had a fair demand for flour, at last week's prices. CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. Wheat—Essex & Kent, Red •• .. new 535 to 673 Ditto•• • • .... old —8 —3 Ditto, White new 56s 74s Ditt0........ old —a —a Norfolk and Lin coln, Red, old —l3 —3 Ditto new • • • • •• 52s 655 Rye—Old .• • • —a —Bl New •• 38s 423 Barley—Grinding .• • • • 31s 33a Malting 365 39; Chevalier.... . . 40s 4331 Malt—Bnffolk and No rfolk • • •• • • 678 7781 313C0W13 ............. 63a 6551 Kinston and Ware 76s 79a Malt—Chevalier .. • • 76s to 77s Oats Yorkshire and Line°lnsk.,Feed 21s 253 Potato • ... 25s 321 Yonghal aad Cork 81ack....... 193 223 Cork, White Sootch, Feed. 26s 29s Beans—Tick ......• •• 34s 351 Pigeons •••• 433 Peas—Grey •• •• 369 39s •••• •• 40s 418 White.....— 3929 429 LAW INTELLIGENCE.—(This Day.) COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before "Mr. C , ,minissioner Goulburn.) IN XU DELLEGANA AND DELLEGANA- I)I 1 011TANT TO Boilers ......•... 409 43i Flour—Town-made... 589 609 Suffolk ...... •• .• 429 439 Stocktn & Norfolk 423 43s METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET. Owing to the severity of the weather on the Continent, the imports of foreign stock into London last week were limited—the total supply being 1,119 head. In the corres ponding week in 1855 we received 247 ; in 1854, 1,410; in 1851, 1,802; in 1852, 2,568; and in 1851, 2,40 S head. LANDLORDS. IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEER. From Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs. Rotterdam lO 99 „. 8 Guernsey Oporto Harlingen 28 4 •• • Palermo 2 Amsterdam Antwerp — These bankrupts were described as of Red Lion-street, Clerkenwell, stereotype founders, and to-day was ap pointed for their last examination. The bankrupts passed without opposition. The principal creditor is Dr. Varoni, of whom the bankrupts purchased the business ; the other debts are about 1501. The assets ara between 2001. and 3001. 591 ... - ... The only point of interest was an application on the part of the landlord of the premises for an order on the assignee to pay one quarter's rent, He said that the bankruptcy took place a few days before the rent be came due, and the assignee , to3k possession of the pro perty and removed it off the premises, so that he could not distrain. His Honour—You can't prove, because i. - he rent was not due at the time of the bankruptcy. I suppose that is what you mean to say. It is a very bad case, but I do not think that the law has provided for it. The applicant asked whether be could not prove, and come in with the other creditors. 52 ... - ... ... .-- His Honour—That I can't say at present. First lei me see the form of proof you tender. The applicant said he was not prepared at present, but considered it very hard. _ 15 ... - IN RE BYERS, WALKER, AND SYERS. These bankrupts were described as of Ball-alley, Lombard-street, and to-day was appointed for choice of assignees. The failure is for a large amount. Proceedings had been taken under the prirate act, but it was ultimately brought into the public court. T0ta1,... 375 ... 742 ... 102 The yearly comparison of weekly imports is as follows : Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs .855 247 100 854 621. 693 853 405 1,678 852 3ll 1,867 851 451 1,196 - ••• ... 93 ... ... 293 ... - ... 319 ... - ... 155 ... Mr. Linklater now said that there had been no con test in the choice of assignees, for whom he now ap- peared, and had no objection to the bankrupts receiving a continuation of the allowance they had been receiving under the arrangement, viz., 51. per week each. His Honour as ked what were the amount of the debts and assets. Mr. Linklater said the debts and liabilities were set down at about 170,0001., and the assets at 34,000/. -* ••• His Honour ultimately said he would allow the bankrupts Si. per week each ; and when the accounts were brought in, if they were satisfactory, the creditors ould not, he should think, object to its being increased to 5/. Very few creditors were present, having proved at the private meetings. Mr. John Bread, iron merchant, Drury-lane, and Mr. Wm. Gray, merchant, Cullum-street, were chosen assignees. From Norfolk anal Suffolk we shall now shortly receive our first supplies of beasts for the season, and our corre spondents state that very large numbers, in excellent con dition, will be forwarded between this and the end of June. Tho quantity of food on hand is very extensive. Very limited supplies of foreign stock were on sale to day, in middling condition. From our own grazing districts the arrivals of beasts fresh up this morning wore very moderate for the time of year, but we observed amongst thorn some very good Scots, both from Norfolk and Scotland. As the weather conti nues cold, and as the butchers have disposed of their Christmas purchases, the beef trade was very brisk, at an advance in the quotations realised on Monday last of 4d per 81bs. The best Scots sold at 5s 4d per Sibs. The arrivals from Norfolk were 700 Scots, from Lincoln shire 600 shorthorns, from other parts of England 500 of various breeds, and from Scotland 160 Scots. There were no Irish beasts in the market. We had a very limited supply of sheep in the market, in, for the most part, fair condition. All breeds sold briskly, at prices fatty equal to the rates current on this day se'nnight. The best old Downs were worth quite 5s Gd per 81bs. No fresh arrivals were reported from Ireland. The show of calves was very limited, and the veal trade ruled brisk, at a further improvement in value of 2d per 81bs. The primest veal was worth 5s 8d per Blbs. The few pigs in the market realised very full pricers. Per albs to sink the offals. e. d. e. d. Interior Beaste....3 Bto 3 10 POLICE INTELLIGENCE. -- (This Day.) 4 4 5 0 5 4j 4 4 4 101 5 2 SOUTHWARK. UTTERING FORGED DRAFTS. Anthony Flood, a young man of highly respectable connections, residing at Brighton, was placed at the bar for further examination, charged with uttering a forged draft to Mr. Burrell, the proprietor of the Bridge House Hotel, Wellington-street, London-bridge, purporting to be drawn on Messrs. M'Gregor, army agents, 17, Charles-street, St. James, by Lieutenant Dundas, 60th Rifles, who is at present with his regiment at Bengal. There were also two other charges of a similar nature. _ _ N. d. JPrimeSouthdown 5 4 5 6 Large crse. calves 4 9 410 Prime small do 5 £ 5 8 jLargo hogs !Small porkers 4 6 5 2 Suckling calves 24 0 30 0 Quarter old pigs 23 0 29 0 FOREIGN SUPPLE. 3,113 •....• • 62 Beasts . . iheop I •• ...... 15,700 Sheep . ..... 250 Calves Si iCalves ..••••.............• 36 A. statement and comparison of the supplies and prices of fat stock exhibited and sold in the Great Metropolitan Cattle Market, on Monday, Doc. 31, 1855, and this day, Monday, Dec. 29, 1856. Per Sibs, to sink the Odds. Mr. W. H. Gutteridge, of Brighton, appeared for the Dee. 31, 1855.1D5c. 29, '56. s. d. s. d.ls. d. s. d. Coarse and inferior beasts 3 6to 3 8(3 Bto 3 10 Second quality ditto ... 310 4 214 0 4 4 Prime large oxen ... 4 4 4 814 $ 5 0 Prime Scots, &c ... 410 5 0 5 2 5 4 Coarse and inferior sheep 3 4 3 614 0 4 4 Second quality ditto ... 3 8 4 214 8 410 Prime coarse woolled ditto 4 4 4 6 5 0 5 2 Prime Southdown ditto 4 8 5 0 5 4 5 6 0 0 0 010 0 0 0 Large coarse calves ... 410 5 614 0 410 Prime small ditto 5 8 6 0 5 0 5 8 Large hogs ... 3 111 4 4 3 8 4 4 Neat small porkers 4 6 5 0 4 6 5 2 Beasts... 2,992 3,113 Sheep 18,000 15,790 57 58 ... 110 Surnixs ox SALB, Jan. •1, • 1855.—Beasts, 4,202 ; sheep, 25,6110; calves, 113; pigs, 290. January 2, 1853.—Beasts, 4,082; sheep, 22,430 ; calve., 160 ; pigs, 310. prisoner. Thomas Hughes, waiter at the Bridge House Hotel, said that on Thursday the 11th inst. the prisoner came to their establishment and represented himself as Lieutenant Dundas, 60th Rifles, and that he in tended to atop a few days. On Saturday morn ing he spoke to witness respecting the banking house in London, as he wanted to cash a cheque. He told him the time the banks closed, and in the evening came to him and expressed his regret at not going to the banker's in time, and he produced the draft for 10/,, payable to Lieutenant Dundas, by Messrs. M`Gregor, army agents. Witness took it to Mr. Burrell, who ob jected at first to cash it, but on the prisoner banding a letter, purporting to be written by Messrs. AVGregor, authorising him to draw on them for 101., witness was directed to go to the cashier and obtain the money. He did so, and handed it to the prisoner, who, ou the fol lowing morning, paid his bill and left the hotel. The draft passed through a banker, and on being presented at Messrs. M‘Gregor's, was found to be a forgery. Mr. Walter M`Gregor was next sworn—He said that Lieutenant Dundas, 60th Royal Rifles, kept an account with their firm, and he had been in the Indies with his regiment about 18 months. The draft is ques tion was, to the best of his belief, a forgery ; and as for the letter, that was not in the handwriting of their firm. It was with great reluctance that he was compelled to give evidence, as he understoood that the prisoner's family were highly respectable. Sergeant Smith, of the A detectives, who apprehended the prisoner, said that he had uttered similar drafts to Mr. Buckmaster, tailor, and Mr. Hayward, a jeweller and watchmaker, of Regent-street. They were both drawn on Messrs. M`Gregor, and one was signed An thony flood, Lieutenant 60th Rifles. He, however, did not succeed in obtaining anything from them. There was no such person in that regiment as Anthony Flood, a lieutenant. The Magistrate said that it was requisite that some person who knew Lieutenant Dundas's signature should be present, therefore he should remand the prisoner until Wednesday, when he should recommend that some attorney should be instructed by the prosecution, as there were several new points of law in the case. North London et Ari, sncl Cit) qorth Stltffordshi , - -orth Western., .&S.Westrn.Jim Wort., ,t Wok .rt.. 1.1 Oil Rhymney • otto. dent'g - • Scot. N E.Abrdn St. Do. Hoot. 51 , i. St .4. r "• SitinvbournekSheer, , utu 1) vvu 'South Eastern. .•.ouitll Wales ~ Yrksth. 4 Riv. F z w e Stockton & Ds.eing ! L. , do., 1554 Do.; do., 1855.. tockteD. 4 Hartle; gaff Vale ........ . 00. Pref., No. 1. Phames Hay, T).& 1. Vale of Neel._ Watertl. Rater ford ctLiti,er West Cornwall.. Vest End of Load , and Crystal Palace Do. 8...., West London__ Do. Fig st Class Do. Second Class.. Wimhl.d• k' COLONI AL , ...1 Con.lndis, g. 5 p. c Do. Ceylon A shares Do. B. do ' orierttrp Eastern Bongal C , 191 tudiaL 0 and B g. 5 1 3 ....... Do. Ex. C, gu. 5 p. c Do. do. D, gu. 5 /3. e. D 0.46 p.e.Bnds.,'s; 4., do. do., 'SS4, Geelong t Melbourn, guar. 5 per cent. Trunk of Canada . )o. Cert. of Deben, con. into Stk. h). Comp. 6 p. c., 4t T Pen. g. sp. c Do New, guar. 5 p. c .t. w e st..rnotCan ,, r Do. New payable 't Do. do., '76, p. '66 T4o. do., '73 do. Dc.. do., '73, withou option.. Niadra) , , guar. 41 p.c Do. do., 5 p. c. Do. 44 p. c. Exten Do. 3d Ex., g. 5 p. c imdc, guar. 5 p. c. Do St. inclrew's liar! Qnebec (A; B &go Im • ,nrlth ,%übtralia dl Unit dof Austrvls. 2 Do. N. 77 LO 'n ,, ) , , f I,nnric, : SO Unity Mutual iQ `Venom Bk c 1 Lowt NEWOATE AND LEADENHALL. - Only limited supplies of each kind of meat were on sale here today. Although the trade was by no means active, prices generally were well supported. Per Blbs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 3 0 3 4 Do., middling 3 6 4 0 Do. prima large 4 2 4 4 D•., do, small 4 6 4 8 Pork, largo 3 8 4 4 s. d. s. 1 Mutton, Inferior 3 4 3 8 Do., middling 3lO 4 2 Do., prime 4 4 4 10 Veal 3 10 4 10 Pork, small 4 8 5 4 BOROUGH HOP. We have only a moderate supply of both new and year ling hops on sale, and nearly all kinds move off steadily, at very full prices. Last week's imports were 36 bales from Ham bro'. Mid and East Kent pockets, 31 5s to 51 15s ; Weald of Kent, 31 5s to 41 14s; Sussex, 31 Os to 31 18s. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS. Since our last report, only moderate supplies of home grown Potatoes have come to hand coastwise and by rail way. The imports have amounted to 510 bags 2 baskets from Rotterdam, 280 bags from Schiedam, 8 from Lime rick, 560 from Belfast, and 1 box 3 barrels from Jersey. Ablilt an average business is doing, as follows : York Regents, 95e to 120 s per ton ; Rent and Essex do., 90s to 120 e ; Lincolns, 75s to 1105; Scotch do., 05s to 120 s ; ditto reds, 95s to 110 s; Irish whites, 80s to 90e; Dutch do., 80s to 90s. WOOL. For the time of year we have an active market for home grown wool, at fully the late improvement in the quota tions. Foreign and colonial qualities are steady, at full prices. Last week's imports were 45 bales from Riga, 50 from the Cape, 34 from Alexandria, 23 from Mogadore, and 12 from Dunkirk. The following are the current rates of English wool :- Down tegs, is Sid to is bid ; Down ewes, is 3;cl to is 5d ; half-bred hogs, is 4d to is 5d ; half-bred wethers, is 3td to is 4d ; Kent fleeces, is 4d to is 5d ; Leicester do., is 4d to is 5d ; combing skins, is to is 4d ; blanket wool, 10d to is 2d ; flannel wool, lid t• is 3d ; and old skin, le 5d to le bid per lb. SEEDS. Only a moderate business hrs been transacted in linseed; prices, however, continue firm. Clover seed is dull, but holders refuse to accept lower rates. Canary is very inac tive. Linseed cakes command full quotations. The transactions in rape-cakes are limited on former terms. Tarnip,White,per bush. 20s to 21s Swede .. • • 201 218 iriustrtd, Brown • • ••.. 21s 22s White, new • • • • .. 10s 12s Tares,Wlnter,new....ss Gd Gs Od Canary, per quarter .. 70i 768 Rye grass (Dqvi) •• .• •• 24s 34s Cloyer,RedEng.(cwt.) 66s 763 White •• •• •• •• 683 803 Foreign Red.. •• 703 75s White•• EBO 80s Trefoil, new.. •... 288 323 Carraway. . 449 469 C0riander............ 22s 24s Ilempseed,per qaarter 42s 465 Linseed, Eng. Sowing•• 682 703 Crushing .. 56s 65s Baltic .......... 50s 609 Odessa .......• 628 62s 6d Linseed Cake, pr. ton— English .. ...101 08 10' 102 Foreign, per ton 101 11115 s Od Rape Cakes, per ton 51 15s 61 15s Rapeseed, pr qr....... 822 842 LLLOW. fiat, and prices are lower than ~ on the spot, 58a 3d per cwt. 1 ; rough fat 3s 2d per 81bs. Our market is rather on Monday last. P.Y.C, Town tallow 57s nett call i - 552. 1853. 1854. 1855. Steak this day Price of Y. C •.• • 1 Delivery last week • • Ditto from June 1.... Arrivals last week.. Ditto from Junel Price of Town 47.135 45a Od to 454 3i 1,416 62,226 229 68,733 479 3cl ' 42,256 59a 6d 'to 2,057 63,012 10 62,623 615 OQ 85.781 i 64s6dw, —6 Od 832 48,011 3,908 47,792 651 Gd 1656. i 19,89 6 17,200 686 6d to bBs 3d I —s Oct to —s Od 639 1,370 76,885 75,784 856 1,106 49,066 76,004 G7B 94 08A Gd MARLBOROUGH-STREET. WATCH ROBBERY.—Jobn King, an ill-looking fellow, was charged before Mr. Beadon with stealing a silver watch, the property of James Cannon. Henry Hunt stated that he lived at 3, Portland-road, that on Saturday evening he was passing down John street, Oxford-street, when he saw the prisoner run out of a coffee-house, followed by another man, calling out "stop thief." The prisoner dodged round a cab-stand close by, and witness pursued and stopped him at the corner of Argyll•atreet, where he threw something away. A young man groped about and picked up the watch-case produced. The works were found down an adjoining area. James Cannon identified the watch as his property, but was too drunk to recollect how he lost it. Head, 89 E, proved finding the works of the watch down an area, in Argyll-street, and taking the prisoner to the station. On the way to the latter place he kicked witness several times on the legs. The prisoner was remanded for a week. STIALIIIG I A PUBSE.—George Jacobs was charged with stealing a purse containing 155., the property of Mary Ear, waker, a servant, residing at No. 22, Upper Rane lagh-street, About four o'clock on Saturday afternoon the prose cutrix was in Piccadilly, when the prisoner accosted her, and asked for a pin, and while she was feeling for one she felt a pull at her side, and immediately saw the prisoner running off with her purse in his hand. She called out, and the prisoner was stopped by a constable with the purse in his possession. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) LONDON, Dec. 29.—Wind this day at noon, N.W.; moderate breeze and sharp frosty weather. The Red Jacket, from Melbourne, and the American and Peninsular mails have arrived. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 28.—Wind N.N.W.—Arrived.— H.M.Str. Pulto, from Sheerness, for the coast of Africa. FALMOUTH, Dec. 28.—Wind N.—Arrived—lsabella, from Newcastle. for the Cape of Good Hope. Sailed— Hendrika, for Batavia. COWES, Dec. 28.—Wind N.—Arrived—Celt, from Southampton, for Brazils, bore up, reported to be leaky. Sailed—Lucie, for Rio Janeiro. LIVERPOOL, Dec. 28.—The Ontario, from New York, got aground yesterday in the W. Princes Basin, and has been docked. Sae makes 15 inches water per hour. DOVER, Dec. 28.—Wind N.—Arrived.—Voltigenr, from La Quays, for Homburg ; Belize, Sunderland, leaky. T EIGNM OUTII, Dec. 27.—Wind N.W. — Arrived — James , from St. John's, Newfoundland. BRIDGEWATER, Dec. 27.—A copper fastened boat, with the word Pearl on it, has been picked up near Minehead. The channel is said to be full of wreck. WATERFORD, Dec. 27.—Wind N. W.—Arrived—Ayoca, from New York. GRIMSBY, Dec. 27.—The Wemyss, of Aberdeen, from London, for Hartlepool, has been assisted in with damage, having been on the Banks Sand. HARTLEPOOL, Deo. 28.—The brig St. Lawrence, of S. Shields, got on the N. rocks ; crew drowned. (PIM ILEOTRIO TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Monday Morning. Wind W. Arzived—Norman, screw steamer, from Rio Janeiro ; Tenors, screw steamer, Hamburg. DUBLIN, Doc. 27. Wind N.W. Arrived—Marianna, from Melbourne. QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 27. Wind N. Arrived—Thalia, screw steamer, from St. - nes ; Majes tic, Prince Edward's Island. (BY SUBMARINE AND BRITISH TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Monday, 9.55 a.m. Wind N.W. ; tide, one hour's flood; fresh, and frosty. Sailed, Dec. 28—Thames (s), for Hamburg. Sailed, Dec. 29—Neptune (s), for Hamburg; Sydney, Point de Galls. DEAL, Monday, 9.46 a.in, Wind W.N.W. ; moderate. Sailed—Volutina, from London, for Havre. A Dutch brigantine, which got en the Goodwin Sandi yesterday or early last night, was assisted off by the Broad stairs lifeboat, and is now ridin in the Donna, 10 I 1 2U li 110 11 10 102 LITERP...TUAE. The Rise and Progress of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. By an Englishman. Saun ders and Otley, Conduit -street. Australia has given rise to almost as many volumes as nuggets , and many of the books are about as profitless as many of the " diggings ;" being mere i ma ginary specul a ti ons, diff ering only in the t oo l s em ployed in the pro cess ; pens, i nk, paper, and m e n tal conceit, being the adjuncts in the attempt to " make a book ;" and pickaxe, spade, and physical strength, constituting the re quisites for the attempt to " make a fortune." Countless publications have been presented to the world, containing all possible views and digests of these vast colonies in the South Pacific, and his torical, commercial, moral, social, and progressive data have been abundantly supplied by authors of various opinions and abilities ; whereby the home student may be enlightened, and the adventurous emigrant excited. The work before us affords a compendium of useful matter, forming a desirable and con cise work of reference ; inasmuch that it con tains a considerable amount of valuable ex tract from sound and able authorities, and ex emplifies a strong degree of comparative and observant power in the author, who, although he has been somewhat free in the use of other writers, employs them discretionallp and acknowledges them honourably. A Colonial directory, and im portant statistical details are given ; and, alto gether, the volume may be estimated as a superior and reliable " Handbook" for traveller or settler. During the author's first visit to Melbourne, in il lustrative of he relates the following story, as of the unlettered ignorance characterising many of the richest and most influential men in the colony. A gentleman of literary profession gave a lecture on the " Beauties of the Poets," and this occurs as a conversational interlude : During the lecture, and after the lecturer had recited " Wolsey's farewell to the world," the leviathan of wealth and power previously alluded to—the hero of the present sketch—the magistrate and ex-mayor of the town, inno cently remarked to a gentleman sitting near him, that " Mr. Wolsey appeared to have been very badly used ; but," he continued, "who was this Wolsey? 1 never heard of him before, did you ?—who or what was he ?" Our informant added, considerably to our amusement on saying that he replied to his inquisitor by telling him that "Mr. Wolsey formerly held a commission in a large and important establishment at the west-end of London." " I thought so," rejoined the colonial millionnaire ;—" a com mercial traveller, I suppose ? But," he continued, " what did he mean by ' the tender leaves of hope ?' I suppose he travelled for the firm of Hope in the tea trade ?" The closing supposition proved too much for the gravity of his respondent, whose ingenuity was suddenly taxed to find some other than the real cause fora burst of laughter that followed an inquiry of so serious but stimulating a nature. We conclude our notice with a paragraph ou the present state of the chief emigrant depots : With regard to the principal towns in the colony of Victoria—Melbourne and Geelong—we may observe that the improvements which have taken place since 1853 cor respond with the favourable change manifested in the tastes and habits of the population. Melbourne can now boast of its University—with, at present, sixteen students —its Chamber of Commerce, and other institutions that furnish evidence of the social and mental progress of the place and the people. Tho town is now partially, and will shortly be entirely lighted with gas, while the improved state of the streets, as well as the buildings, public and private, prove that neither the local authorities nor private individuals have been insensible to the advantages to be derived from the abolition of public nuisances and private hovels. The improvements in Geelong, although not quite so striking and extensive as those in the capital, have steadily and substantially progressed ; and while Mel bourne, as the seat of government, is likely to maintain the lead in a commercial as well as political point of view, the situation and salubrity of Geelong are infinitely sup. rior, and may well cause all those connected with the go vernment and its administration to regret that "head quarters" was not originally fixed in a place—the natural advantages of which are so saperior to those of the capital. Lillian's Golden, Hours. By Elin, Meteyard. (Sii verpen). Routledge and Co., Farringdou- street. This is a charming story, not only calculated to interest and delight the young, but also to win the perusal and admiration of their elders. Miss Meteyard has a valuable power of earnestly de veloping the higher attributes of life in her stories, while she allures and fixes the attention by amusing and exciting narrative. This author has always worked for an elevating purpose, whether her labour has treated the question of political economy or juvenile amusement; and we can recommend this volume as being one of the best of the kind offered to our notice, essentially combining the elements of pleasure and utility. The scene and incidents lie in the romantic region of the Rowter Rocks, in. Derbyshire. Vivid descriptions and graphic expla nations of various phenomena of nature abound in the work, and the refining influence of humanity is ably advanced through the familiar medium of "household pets." Altogether the book is just the one to be presented at this season by aunts, uncles, and grandpapas. THE NATAL CAMPAIGN IN THE BALTIC. TO TkIN RDITOR OF Till SUN. SlR,—The honourable testimony officially given by the First Minister of the Crown in regard to the conduct of a late Commander-in-Chief of her Majesty's naval forces in the Baltic, having been subjected to severe non-professional criticism, I feel it a duty to the Crown and to our country, as a naval officer, to submit the following observations to the judgment of the whole naval profession. Admirals as enterprising and brave as any whose deeds are recorded in history were employed during the long war between 1793 and 1815. Yet hostile fleets were passively blockaded by superior force in bays and roadsteads, having wider entrances, deeper water, and more capacious anchorages, less effectually protected by forts and batteries than those of Cronstadt—nevertheless there is not one instance of an enemy's fleet having been destroyed or even assailed in such positions under these more favourable circumstances. The attack on Algiers, garrisoned by inexperi enced barbarians, is not a case in point ; neither was the capture of the Danish fleet at Copenhagen, previous to a declaration of war, nor the naval ac tion in the Bay of St. Domingo (ill provided with the means of offence), nor the battle of the Nile any proof of the practicability of combustible ships successfully contending with red-hot shot. No, nor did the practicable success at Basque Roads induce even the most sanguine officer there present to anticipate greater good fortune than to escape without material damage from the batteries of Aix, whilst running through a channel half a league in width into an anchorage nearly three leagues in circumference, on the distant side of which the enemy's squadron (driven on shore by fire vessels) lay in a helpless condition. Great blame has been imputed by self-constituted naval critics to the disclosure made of the ineffi cient state of the crews of the Baltic fleet ; but I respectfully submit to the judgment of my brother officers, whether the fact ought not to be pressed on public attention, with a view to the safety of our country by promoting an unanimous call for a re currence to our former truly judicious navigation laws thoughtlessly abolished. Better would it have been had the Legislature indemnified influential corporations, and the suffer ing shipping interest, out of the public purse and by the remission of taxes on timber, hemp, and on all that is used in ship building and navigation, than to have lowered the pay of our gallant tars to a parity with that of continental navigators, who (with their families) can subsist on the most cost less food—on stock fish and train oil. I announced six years ago* that eighty thousand " blue jackets" had resorted to a foreign land, where the absence of exactions insure remunera tive freights without resorting to the diminution of wages. Since that period our coasting trade (once highly prized as a nursery for seamen) has been thrown open to alien navigators. How many more of our gallant defenders have thus been forced t o follow the example of their transatlantic brethren it would be important to ascertain, in ord er, with grea ter zeal, to promote an unanimous expression of public opinion in favour of liberal wages, and against the fatal expedient, which must otherwise be adopted— Navalthat of a Foreign Enlistment Bill. Having, through your favour, th us publicly re quested a verdict from my brother offi cers, I deem it proper to express my own opini on rethhot shot, from half a hundred namely, that at the bows of ships advancing narrow channel, independent of ca rca ,2„ ug a nd s hells , showered from a thousandartillery (mid a main , ' It is true that means of in a few minutes, destroy any number of Ye ' sels ' thca'nnohna directed these hitherto been communicated at formidable methods of defencesettinga defiance have Govern ment—but it is equally a u ri e ou s that these important means have failed to obtainr impartial consideration by minds times to or political objects, pre - occupied by Par t Y pressed by Powerful influence --such as produced the expatriation of our unrepresented seamen, and thus caused the vital interests of our country to be overlooked. Thirty-three noble ships of the Spanish line have I seen under weigh. Their naval Power is now no more. Yet the causes of its downfall were not so manifest as those which thre a t en our naval service, and, consequently, our national independence. I am, sir, Your obliged and obedient servant, London' D ec . 27. DUNDONALD. * Observations ou NATaI Affairs, published by Ridg. way. rturb rzbttton SUN OFFICE, Six o'clock. TATTERSALL'S. —(This Evening.) TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. 4to 1 agst Loyola (take 9 to 2) DERBY. 11 to 1 agst Blink Bonny 20 to 1 agst Tournament (taken) 25 to 1 agst Lady Hawthorne (taken) 28 to 1 agst Glentua.sson (taken) CHESTER CUP. 40 to 1 agst Claret (taken) 40 to 1 agst Tasmania (taken) 50 to 1 agst Vengeange (taken.) WALTHAM STEEPLECHASE. It is decided by the stewards that. British Yeoman gets the stakes. NAVAL APPOINTMENTS.—(This Day.) The following appointments were made at th• ralty this afternoon : Lieutenant—F. W. Bennett io the Tortoise. Naval Cadet--Joshua Cole to t 6• Indui. DRAINAGE OF THE METROPOLIS. MEETING THIS DAY. This afternoon a public meeting of owners and occu- piers of property on the line of the river Thames below Greenwich was held at the Bridge House Hotel, London bridge, to take such steps as may be expedient to avert the evil likely to arise from the emptying of the filth of the metropolis close to Erith Cturch, as proposed by the plan of drainage adopted by the Metropolitan Board of Works ; Sir Culling E. Eardley, Bart., of Erith, in the chair The Caaral&N said that this, subject had been so long before the public, and done such ample justice to by thep ress, that little need be said in introducing it. it. All admitted the neeeasity of London being pro. perly drained, but those who lived on the banks of the river Thames, near Frith and Gravesend, did object to the nuisance being brought to their doors. The hon. gentleman said that be hoped the movement that had been made against it bad been conducted in a proper spirit, and he detailed what bad been done by the in habitants of the above districts in waiting on Sir B, Hall and the Metropolitan Board of Works, and said that their object in having this public meeting was that the subject might be openly discussed. He accounted for the smallness of the meeting—first, from the festive season of the year preventing many from attending ; and, secondly, that many considered the Government were determined to prevent the nuisance complained of. The scheme propounded was open to two arguments against it, both almost fatal to it, viz.—first, that it was an in urious measure ; and, secondly, that it was an imperfect one. Amongst other things, the discharge of the sewerage as proposed would be destructive to the fish trade, as it would affect fish brought in by the well boats. It would materially affect the commerce of the trade of London, and be productive of mush disease. It would deprive the Londoner of hie usual recreation in that part of the neighbourhood of London, and be productive of much injury to the owners of property. He had said that the plan was defective. It might be sufficient for its present purposes, but after the lapse of half a century, in all probability, it would be insufficient, and then the work would have to be done over again. It was much better and more like Englishmen, to do the work in an effectual manner at first. He read a letter, which he had addressed to Sir B. Hall, explaining the nature of the meeting and referred to the appointment of two engineers by Sir B. Hall to examine the plan, and also the appointment, by the treasury of a committee to enquire into into the best way of disposing of the sewerage of large cities. No doubt they would begin their enquiries with the largest city first, London, and he urged on them to be prepared with evidence to go before that Commission. No doubt the metropolis would hereafter have to thank the in habitants of Erith and Gravesend for having interfered to prevent the mismanagement and blunders of their ow❑ administrative government. (Hear, hear.) The MAYOR OF GRAVESEND, in a short speech, spoke of the injury that must result from the sewage being emptied into the Thames, and moved the following reso tton—" That the meeting views with considerable alarm the proposed plan of the Metropolitan Board of Works for the drainage of London, as tending to pollute the river Thames, and injure the health of the towns along its banks below Erith and Gravesend, by the intended concentration and outpouring into this great national estuary in North Reach of the entire metropolitan sewage. Captain WHEATLEY, lord of the manor of E.ith, briefly seconded the resolution. Mr. Hows, a member of the deputation from the Board of Works, defended the conduct of the Board. They were called on to do a certain work, which they were ready to execute in an effectual manner, but it it was thought by the government ner_sessary the (itfalls should be carried lower down the river, they would undertake the construction of the works, the expense should fall on the government, and not on the taxpayers, of th e me t ro p o li s . He and the majority of the members of the Board of Works were opposed to this nuisance being inflicted on the inhabitants on the river below Erith. Mr. NICOLAY, a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works, also spoke against the nuisance likely to be inflicted by the proposed outfall of the sewage of the metropolis into Erith Reach. He believed when the engineers appointed by Sir B. Hall had examined the proposed plan of drainage, that they would condemn it, for in fact it was one that ought not to be carried out . He advocated a plan for deoderisiug the sewage for agricultural puposes. Mr. BLUNT supported the resolution, and congratu lated the meeting that the course now pursued by Sir B. Hall would be productive of much good, and that an efficient plan of drainage would be thereby carried out. The proposed plan was very defective, and would never properly effect the drainage of London without polluting the river Thames. Mr. GARVEY, from St. Pancras, said that the people of that large district sympathised with the meeting, and that they also objected to the proposed plan of drainage, on the ground that the discharge of the sewage in Erith Reach would be likely to produce disease. The river Thames would be the most gigantic nuisance and ter rible scourge that had ever been indicted OD any city, and in support of his assertion, he quoted largely from the report of the Commissioners appointed in 1847, as to the health of London. The metropolis, with 21 millions _ en i xdtcr disease of inhabitants, had no right to cleanse itself at the ex pense of Erith and Gravesend. He denied t hat the Me tropolitan Board of Works bad a light to construe the act to the injury of others, and lie contended that by carrying the outfall just outside the metropolita t n he bo soar. un on dary they had done all that was required of them. T he common law did not permit an in j ur y to anothe r without By y if discharged the proposed a pl a fire-sixths Erith Reach, g e shs of the compensation. sewage o the metropolis, would never of theerreach river,these w a, which rc but c be o d u e l pr e i n ted gin and bed and pestilence in the hot weather. Mr. DIFFANGER condemned the conduct of the majo rity of the Metropolitan Board of Works which he c h arac terised as a " brutish and tyrannical' majority," who, he said, were bent on destroyi ees , metropolis local self-government. The resolution was carried unanimo us ly, Mr. J. RENSHAW, church ward e n of F rith moved the secon d resolution. He hoped th e ' by Sir B. gentlemen appointed Hall to examine the proposed plan would not only look at it in an engineering they would call in practical men point of view, _ ames, harbour master of the river Thames, and others who would be enabled to give valuable evidence ae to the injury this plan, if carried. out, would have en the river by impeding the navigation b t h e collection of mud banks. He m ove d , " That Eby tbat the (Thief Commissioner of her Majesty's Works and Public Buildiugs has intimated to refer toe question as to the disposal of the sewage of London to competent re ferees f or their opinion and advice, and that as a royal commission has been appointed to inquire as to the distribution and appropriation of large towns, this meeting - 8 of opinion t h a t such a course is satisfactory, inasmuch as itpaffords a strong hope that the subject will be f u lly considered in all its bearings, not only with reference to the relief of London from the existing nuisance of the sewage, but also with a due regard to t the sanitary c ondition and interest s of the districts on both b a nks of the river Thames. deacon Kula, rect or of Stone, K ent , se- Mr. Arch c on ded the motion. Mr. DAVI S, of Plumstead • supported the object of the meeting. Many of the members of the Metropolitan Board of Works had studiously avoided obtaining the ne cessary information in reference to the q uestion. There waeno occasion to take the sewage out of London pro per, because it could be intercepted in tanks, and the farmers ou both banks of the Thames would be glad to take it away and pay for it for agricultural purposes. As a member of the Metropolitan Board of Works he objected to the plan, which, he sail, had been adopted by the majority of the Board in error. The resolution was carried unanimously. Alderman Doesosr, of Gravesend, moved the third resolution, and, in doing so, said that it was a great error on the part of the legislature when they created th Metropolitan Board of Works. He was sorry to find the majority of the Metropolitan Board of orks had not consulted men who could have given th em a dvice on the subject, and it showed that they had bee n ca lled on to do what they were not competent t o perform. It was absurd to tax any part of the county of Kent to remove the filth of the metropolis. He moved the a ppointment of a committee to carry out the objects of the meeting. Alderman DITCHIIMIN, of Gravesend, seconded the motion, and, in doing so, said he remembered the time when the Thames was so clean that be had seen salmon sporting in it, and leap out of the water to escape the porpoises pursuing them. H e wished to see the river cleansed, and then fi.shinw restored, and he thought the best and most profit a bl e wa y or doing it would be by saving the sewage for agricultural purposes. Mr. J. S. RIGG supported the motion. Dr. D5ll and others having addressed the meeting the motion was agree d to unanimously. A committee wa s then formed, and a vote of thanks having been accorded to the Chairman, the meeting sopa. catod