The Sun. — London, England, 1856-01-02 00:00:00

,laic B is son 1 „ les to 0, the si l t ie ustokt rhood It doe ;. ceni 3auteils! the PP, ►oom, t, are, on agl ereas 1 prod who Ib' the mit! and Al Coull swing as lies as lies ° o susr . 7 )f judiO expect 0 36 co f.O ither bad ;oriel so g prOC 1 alma I) : 'ernce 0'; is of nrO P the me' ainst tb6 lose al g° oveini§ alter ib ° foresnid: notified [inlets Potion 5, , anent ANDS' afB the the rod' 70US :-' 1855. Mauve ood it. Our d gases, y 0101 awfa e motor whi'• of the oreadtb• iarch ander ander whose Dtten. , and esty's len at town, o-day 'rived y the dine V the MONEY MARKET COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocic. The Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday was closed, the Ist of January generally being observed as a holiday. The Railway Share Market ruled quiet, and prices were a shade lower than on Monday. L etters received f rom th e manu f ac t ur i ng dis tricts in referring to the transactions of the past 12 months mention that they have been of a satis factory extent, although some diminution has been apparent in the profits obtained. As regards the prospects of 1856 they are generally considered favourable, especially as the Australian and Ame rican markets show signs of revival. It is likely also that fresh army orders will be given out, and t'he sound principles upon which business has for sorae time past been prosecuted have im parted co nsiderable confidence to the manufac turers. The execution of some extensive contracts for the East Indian and China markets is giving fuller employment in Leeds and the surrounding villages. In most localities the mills are in full operation, and the prices of most articles have Bather an upward tendency. The death of Mr. Hunt, of the firm of Keeling and Hunt, was announced yesterday ; the business will be continued by Mr. Keeling, who has hitherto undertaken its active management. New Year's Day being a national holiday in France, the Paris Bourse was closed yesterday. Commercial advises from India to the 22d No vember have come to hand. Trade during that month, as compared with previous months, was rather dull, not from want of eligible opportunities throughout Hindostan and Burmah for the invest ment of capital in commercial undertakings, but from the want of money to develope the resources of the country. At the present time British India is among the fortunate colonies of the Empire which are deriving benefit from the effects of the Russian war. The blockade of the Russian ports which has closed the trade in seeds and bread stuffs from thence, has brought Indian produce of the same kinds into the market. Should the war continue a year or two longer, it is expected that the deficiency which raised the prices on the stoppage of the Russian trade will to some extent be made up ; and this once established, the importations from Russia, even after the declara tion of peace, will probably be diminished. Accounts from Antwerp state that since the sud den change which occurred in the weather last week the navigation of the Scheldt has re-opened, and the aspect of the place is considerably animated. Dealings in grain are, however, rather dull, and wheat remains at the depreciated quotations at the close of the year, with a downward tendency. It is mentioned in reference to the recent sus pension of the Lichfield Bank that Mr. Palmer died indebted beyond the amount realised by his estate, and the surviving partner, Mr. Green, has placed the affairs of the establishment in bank ruptcy. It is expected that the petition will be heard Birmingham immediately. The demand for money on Tuesday was extra• ordinarily active at the Bank of England in con sequence of the amount to be provided for the liquidation of the Turkish instalment, but the dis count market has since boon rather easier. It is likely to remain exceedingly stringent, however, until bills due on the 4th instant have been met. The English Stock Market still assumes a heavy appearance, and the downward movement in the quotations continues. There are at the present moment several circumstances operating against prices. The unsettled condition of the money mar ket, the necessity for new loans to support the prosecution of the war, and the reported inefficacy of the peace negotiations are among the principal affecting causes, while the general indisposition to make investments, noticed for some time past, is not without its influence. When the transfer books re •open a temporary improvement will most likely take place ; but the opinion is expressed in many quarters that the future financial projects of our Government will further depreciate Consols. The quotation this Morning has receded to 871 4, and 87i h. The New 3 per Cents. are 88 to 88k, and the Reduced 8 7g I, which are lower prices in both cases. Ex chequer Bills aro scarcely so weak, being 108. to 78 . discount, but India Bonds rule at 10s. dis count. For most Foreign Securities there is a weaker market. Turkish 6 per Cents. are as low as 811 to 82, and th© New Scrip is quoted at 31 to 3i discount. Brazilian 5 per Cents, are 991, and Russian 4i per Cents. have dropped to 86:?. Dutch 2i per Cents. aro flat at 634, and the 4 per Cents. at 94,1. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks: —Grenada Deferred Bonds, 6 3 / 4 7; Mexican, 191 20 ; Peruvian, 74 6 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 52 4 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents., 47 9ex d. ; Russian 5 per Cents., 95 7 ; ditto 4. per Cents., 86 - 8 ; Spanish 3 per Cents., 38,? 9f ex div. ; ditto Deferred, 2t ex div. ; ditto Certificates, 41 ; ditto Pas sive, 7 ±. Railway Shares do not sympathise to the full extent in the downward tendency noticed in the funds ; still, however, some flatness is observable. The leading lines are in a few eases to per cent. lower. The foreign lines continue nominal, and Great Western of Canada are about 58. cheaper. Tho only feature requiring notice in the Mining, Banking, and Miscellaneous Market is the further decline in Canada Land Shares. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. ( Prom t 1 Otrulial ne , 0n...• d one . 3 per Ccnt. Redtv.ced Annuities .. N3w 3 p or C ent. A nnu i t i es India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £1 .000 lO d Consols Zor Account B 7i ll Ali. Exchequer Bills, 2jd. .C1000 £5OO Quint! Ditto Bonds, 1858, 3A per Cent.. 97 i l f 1659 .... PP PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto Account Ditto Small Ditto New, 5 per Cent., 1829 and 1839 9B Reclean 3 por Cent. Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent., Con. 1841 51 x d Ditto 4 per Cent 47 x d Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent., 1822, .E St — Ditto 4i por Cent Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. ......... Ditto Account Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent Ditto Account 3Bi x d nitto New Deferred, 3 per Cent. Ditto Account 2ll Ix d Ditto Passive 7 i i Turkish Bonds, 6 per cent — Ditto for the Account B2l 1i 2 l a Ditto New Scrip, 4 per Cent. Ditto Account 3 i i d fThrldends on the above variable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2A per Cent., 12 Gun 63 i x d Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates TWO O'CLOCK. Consols 87 1 , x d Ditto for Account Jan. 10 DRURY-LANE THEATRE. GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE-(THIS DAY.) The first morning performance of the magnificent Christmas pantomime, entitled Hey Diddle _Diddle, or, Harlequin Ainsense or the Seven Ages of Man, took place to-day. The scene presented by the crowded state of the theatre was exceedingly effective, and the hilarious joy of the juvenile portion of the audience was not the least interesting portion of the entertainment. The opening scenes produ ce d the same enthusiastic applause they elicited on the first night of representation, and the fun of the harlequinade was enjoyed to the utmost. The idea of giving morning performances we believe emanated froin the lessee of this theatre, and the success that has attended the experiment last year has induced Mr. Smith to announce their continuance every Wednesday during the run of the present pantomime, which has been produced with a wealth and maguificence of ap pointment that have eclipsed all the lessee's former pro ductions. We recommend all parents who are under " a promise " to fulfil it by a visit to Old Drury, and 11 * to avail themselves of a - Wednesday morn*. 20 10 20 5 20 Is SHARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY.) RAILWAYS. IClloahn Pilaw thli .91Y. 22 - 23 3i - 3i «be •. 7i - S 16 - 15 13 - 14 9 - 8 79 - 81 53 - 64 fli 2 12 5 - ,i 6 i - T ri - ii 8 i - 8 27 - 29 17 - 19 - 7 . 0 50 -- .52 9 i - 9i 19 - 80 - 7 - 74 - 75 [l9 • 121 [O2 104 51i 521 53 t 5 70 - :15 6 - 6 - '7 76i - 77 F 93 -• 95 931 —94 j 14 85 - 86, 8 7 ef, 6i Sidi •• -..• ... 23 24 id 63i 64 36 38 N ~ ~~• N ~~ •~. 9t - 9i i - 14 ii - ii 29 _ 30 I • ."... • • • . '."' •• • 67 - 68 8i - 8 5 - 12 -12 i 44i 454 92 - 97 4i ; - Si • ''''' ore 22 - 24 101 IC3 73 75 42 44 1 11 12 564 —57 i 61 65 6 3d 2d 33 - 35 • ''" • • . -* • • • 9 19 4 - 6 ..... ... RAILWAYS. 1)&1(1.1 20 20 10 10 100 100, Aberdeen ... . Ambg. Nottng. Bost and Eastn. Junct... Belfast Ballymena Birming. Wolverh Stour Valley Birkejhd. Lancol.. Cheshire Junct ?o. Chesh. & Birk. £5O and £25 Cone Do., £20... Blyth &Tyne origina £25 (iced. at .£4.5 Bristol and Exeter... Caledonian Carm. and. Cardigan Checter & Holyhead. Cork and Bandon.. Cork, Black, & Pair Cornwall Do. A LE Do. B Weir Junction Dnolin&BolfastJunc nun. P. & Aber. Juc, Do. N rw East Anglian astorn Counties Nast. Union, A Bth , 0., B. Stout Po., New A..... East Kent East Lancashire Edinburgh & Glasgow Edinb. and Peebles . Edin. Prth &Durdet Forth & Clyde Jun 3 Furness Do. Extension.. Glasgow & S. West,- Great N. of Scotlid. Great Northern Do., A. 5t0ck...,,. Do., B. Stock Gt. Sth. &West.(lro ) Great Western Do. Stour Val. Ra: Gua. Stk Irish South-Esal.er Lancaster & Carlisle Do., Thirds Do. New Thirds Lmneash . nndYorkal Do., Wet. R.iding TT!, Liv.Crsby.&Southi t London & Blackwal Loud. Bright & S.Cst. Load, and N. Wet tn. Do. Fifths c 'Do. Eighths London andS. Wostn £5O Do., £4O Lndrulrrydc Col erain , Lndndrry. & Ennlak. Nlanch.Shef.k Linchi Do. Shares, No. l Do., Man. k bin. Un Metropolitan ........ Midland l)o. Binning. & Derb qidld. G. West. (Ire.' Do. Half Shares (Newcastle & Nvrpt.Aberg. & Hrfd Newry & Newry Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Norfolk Northn.Conntios Un North British North Devon, No. 1 Do., No. 2 2i, 100' all all 100 3i 100 Do., A A Deferred._ Do., B Guarantee.' N. Eastern—Berwick Do. do. Extension Dodo. G.N.E. ?well Do. Leeds Do. York North London . N.&S.Wstrn.,Harnr - stead, and City Jn.. North Staffordshire.. North Western N. & S. West rn. June Nuneaton, Hinckley and Leicester 00 Ox, Wore.. & Woly 8 Portsmouth 00 *o,tish Central 00 I:Scottish Midland ..„ 00 Shropshire Un - on a'l south Devon 00 '3outli Eastern 214 15 aal 100 100 3? if 17? all all iouth Wales Yrksh. & Ri v. DUD Do.. itainea,Wok. &Wok tockton & Darli 16; 00 00 21 •it.o2.kton Hrirtlepl NIT' Val o .Do. Prof., No. 1 Names Hav, D.& R. Tilverstone dr / Lancs.' Vale of Neat.l• Waterti. & KJc.ennv Water forcl&L'F r oriel I West Cornwa` IWest End of London and Crystal Palace Do. A ......... Do. B Wok. Loudon Wimbledn & Croydon FOREIGN. kntwerpdtßott..rdtm Do. 5 p.c. °big& cos. in Sb, at par till '64 Ardennes . iullgiau EaAn. June Boa - lore to Graissearry Bombay, Barorla, an' Central Intlia,Seri D 0...... Demerara I)ntch Rhenish Eastern of Franco Do. New [East Indian, g. 5 p.e Do. Eytension.. Do. do. do., '59, do.. Gd. Tk of Canvl.i.A iK ffro, St. Lawrence Atlantic do. ...... Do. Ccrt. of Deben., eon. into Stk. WIWI Do. Comp. 6 p. e., do. Gt. echtral of Fran Gt. Indian Peninsult guar. 5 per cent. Do. Now 5 per cent. Do. Extensions Groat Lturembourt'l Cons ti tn tea Shared Do. Obligations Gt. Wasternof Canad Shams Do. New Do. Ms., payablo's7, with option till '55 IDo. do., '62, rt. '56 D n o, do * , 'M do, '73, without option , Hamilton & Toronto Do. 6 per cent, Lake oonst. be ii;j; ILierre and Turnhout Lyons and Geneva Lyons Li Meditorran. Madras IDo. Now Maria Antonia ~ Do. do. Now j Namur & Liege (wit} interomt) Do. (ox Northern of France. D0.20/.Shs Do. 207. 3 p. o (fmy.B.dt Norweg I All TrunkPre Paris and Lyons Ditto Bonds Paris and Orleans Paris and Rouen... ParisCaen ac Cherbrg Do Rome and Frascati Rouen and Havro Royal Danish Royal Swedish Do. Obligations Sambre and Maxim Do. 54i p. cent. Pref I Seinde Do. Southern of France St. Andrew's and Quebec (A) .. West Flanders Do 5 per c. Pref Western of France D 0..... Zealand JOINT-ST AnstrxlaKia Lon B k s c d m o bue n r ican Chartd. Bank of Asia Chrtd. Enk. of India, Australia, & chi na City Colonial Commorcial of Flng.Ccot. & Ans. Cht. f..ond. Chart. Bk. of Australia Ditto Now lec.r.don and County Lnet. &E. Bilk g• Corp Loudon Joiut Stock. Loud. & Westminster National Pro.of Eng Do. New ........... •.• , National of Ireland. Now South Wales—. Oriental Bank of Corporation i'mvincial of Ireland bo. Now Royal Australn. Bkg & Gold Imp Co Royal British....., South Australl& lUnion of Anstralit Do. New Union o London 7i - 8 3 - 3 - rt par 341 -65 9 10 21 —2l P, 9i - 9 15A - 16 62 - 67 82 - 87 2i - 5i tR par ip 3i - 4 3 - 31 24i -25 i 21 - 3 p 98 - 10$5 117 - 122 118 - 123 104 106 23i - 24i' 115 - 120 7 - 7 ip • 8 4 1 : 7 9 2 - i 4 - 51 3 -35 i 12 - 124 ... - ••• 6; ) - 7i .44i - 451 . - ... 4 . 4 - 4 6 ... -pm 184 -- i 9 2 -- 2f 24 -- 2' 8; -- 8 ••• ••••• ir • 0111. ••• ..... pm 3i 4 .. d 291 -29 i - LK BANKS. 89 - 91 57 - 59 i- d 63 ... 16i 17 15 161. 3 —l3d - 2p - - --- ... • - ... "' «. 38 - 40 37 - 39 51 - 53 -- Am. am. .... *,j(* ) - 43 . 73 - 75 8 9 30 31 ?Mathes, dor a yesterday. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 2, 1856. HAlLvrArs. Bedford and Blotchley Buckgharash. ' Clydesdal o Jc. Col. Stour Vy. Sud. and Hal. E. Lin. g. 6 pc. E. Un. H. Sh. Glas. Barr. & Neils. Direct o. New Glstr.es Dn. Fr Hrtlpl. Dk. & Railway Hull & Solby Do. Shares. Do. Shares. Lon.&Greenw Do. Preference Lon.,Til., & S. Lowestoft gr. 4 per cont. Do. 6 per ct. Manch. Bxtn and Matlock Middlesko' & Redcar Midld.Bradfd Newmarket Bury Exten N.& Est.s p. c. Do. 6 per et. Do. Fixeds p Prost. & V.( yte Do. Shrs. A Roystn.& Hit. Shef.Roth.and Goole g. 5 p. c. Shrews. &Her. S. Staffordsh. Wear Valloygr 6 per cent Do WiltsW 7 ,omrst Cincinc rrt this day . L COMpall. London &I , N. Wont.' .&N.W. Aledon... E. Un. & E. C... 531t.Nrtiin. X. Cennt. Caldonian. (It. West? Yk. New. & Borw. Y.&NM Do 13 . E aston C) 'eto &Ca 'orfolk.. L.& N. NV & Midi& Stckton & Darlingt. idland.. 13n. Conn. E. Count. IL. ti N.W. Northri Lancash& Yorksh. T. Bra9seyl LMClean Itockt. & Darlingt I gtWootn. PREFER: Aberdeen.. 'Do. N 0.2, 7 p. C... I tlyth and Tyne leper e. pref. °esti. At,so/ Brit!. & Ex. 4 p. c. St. o. 4 p. c. Shares ledysian £lO tibester & Holyhea , ' Guar. 5A per cent.. Po. do. Prof. No. L. 00. do. Prof. No. 2 100 5 100 all all *ll 2 100 100 !Cork arßandonsip.c rbun.Prth .de Aber. J. Anglian Cls. A Sh. Do. do. Cls. B 6 p. c. Do. do Cs. C ip. c. :astern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No. 3 No. -2 )o. New p. c. St rlast 1.1 n., G. 6 p. c. )o. 51., 10 per cent )o. 10/. Debentr.Sh. Do. do. 4 per cent..., 'gait La:wad-6 p.ets ;17',.&W. York. J. stlo. Rld Prth.&Dnn.4p.c 'urnoNm . (5 _4111,8. & S.W. G. 5 p.a. Great Nerthn. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. c. &deem. , at 10 p. c. prom... 'Do. 4i p. c D 0.5 p. c. Scrip, Red at 5 p c. pm... . ... t. N. of Scot. Ist Pre 'lt. S. kW. (Ireland) Do. 4per c. Pr:f. Sr w eS t n . (Rorke & lants Ex . 5 p. c)... hIo. con. rod. 4i p.c. con. red. 4 p. c. P ~j)o. irrod. 4p. c. Do. Birm. Pref. Sh.. 100 100 100 100 100 100 Do. Chester 8 p. c.P.S. o. do. 5 p. c. d 0... o. Birm. (Ina. Stk o. Ches. Qua. Sh.., Do. do. do Do. do. do 100 100 An. & York. F..£21 o. 6 p. C. Stock ... hon. &Brigh. G. 5 p.c. Do. Pref., 5 p. C. St o. New Onar.6 p, o, Do. do. 5 per cent.. too all all 100 100 100 1 100 ,100 100 1100 Lon. &N. W., Cot. 41 Nuneaton 5 p. ct.. Lon.& S.W. 7 per et Lowly. & Coler. Sh. Condy. & Ennis.. SL. *an., Shef., & Now, £lO 00. £6 Warypt.& Carl. 4 p ,Du. 4i per cent , 0.... id. Consol.6 p.c.St, Do. Cousol. Brist•l t Birm. 6 per cent... Do. 4i p. c. Pref. S' Do. Pref. 4, per een Do. 5/. Pref. 4 p. c. 'Ditto L. & H. Prof. Si iN 3 Torfolk Debenture o, ~ Prat. 4 p. c. Stoc , o. 5 p.c. Fat 4)o.si'per ct.pref !Do. Way. Val. 5 p. e North British 'N. E. Berw, 4 p.c. P o. do. do '1)(3 Leeds 6 p.c o. do. Quarters 4 'Do.YorkFl.&q. Pur !North Staffordshire. f)xford,Worcester,!,. Wolverh..£ls, 6 p. 4; )o R. Pref. 101. Sh. ;cot. Cent. , New Pre oiith Devon fixed,4i per con' S. Eastern (Readitb Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 4i per cent Do. Fixed 4i p o eh. S. Wales Gina. 4 p. c Do. do. 4. p. c.... IS.Yorksh.4p.c.Ctuar. Stock.& Dar. , 5 p. c. , ;Do. do. do 'Stock. & Hartl. g. r , c. till July 1, "fifi ,Watertd,&Kilk.6 p c I,.gu. eria ............ iAnc, , lo Austrin. Gold :Anglo Californian kustralian 'stralian Cordilleral kre Maria Baden (G,l.Dnehy of lmnarvon Iron and' Coal . ~ Ilritish Iron Brazilianimp. (issued at ,E 5 pm.) • . . 11 Do. Cociies & Cuialr 5 Do. St. John Del Roy 0 i Clarendon Cons. MM. Co. of Jamaica 11 Cobrc Copper 0 1 lonial Gold 11 Copper Min. of Eng .11 Do. Prof. 7i p. cent C vOopiapo. . . A Ltrortuna all all all all all all all 12s. ;oneral Si 40 32i .. a. Gt.NnggetVoiußeg. .rent Polgooth ...... it Wheal Vor Unitedl 'betty Linares Lumitanian klariquita 9 - ow Granada 'Nouveau Monde Vontgiband Silver Lead Min. & Smolt t Port Philip Quartz Rock Kthymney Iron Now Fantiago de Cuba Routh Australian , o. Scrip . Po. 10 per cent Pro' Pin Croft ...... United Mexican Waller West Mariposa Wortling Mining 01 Australia Yuba MIS Australian Agricult. Aus;raln. Royal Mai) Berlin Water Works Brit. American Land, Canada . Canada Goy. 6 p. et Jan. and July ........ Crystal Palace Do. Preference..... Crystal Pal. of Franc Duston Tron 0re..... Eastern Steam En.diAns Cop Sm Co Electric Telegraph Electric Teleg. of Tr. Gen. Iron So Collier Gen. Steam Navigat. General Screw Steam Irish Beetroot Saga'', Magdalena St. Navig Mediteran. Elec. Tel, NTexi can At S. A mericn. Nat. Pat. Steam Fut)* Netherlands Land.... Do. D.. Do. p P iss at 1 d N. S. W. Coal dr Inter. Steara Navig.t. Co. New B. dc N. S. Land N. P. Australasian_ Nrth.of Europe Steam Oriental Gas De. " New Shares" Peel Rr. Ld. & Miurl. Peninsular& Orienta Do. Now Portland Iron Co Royal Mail Steam Scot. Austral. Invest. Ditto Now South Aurstral Land Sabmar. Tel. Scrip.., Do. Registered. iltrnst dr L. Co. U. Gan, Van Diemen's Land MINES. 92 - V 4 94 - 93 132 - 134 tOi : vii iii = is' 1110 - 115 21 - 28 8) - Al Ear— k ... ... - ..: ••• ••• 130 - 13 - 8 3; - 30 la 81 83 OE SLIARISS. 108 - 110 104 - 106 90 - 92 92 - 94 15 - 16 9•11 .."'. ••• SOO ...... Ile. 5i = ii I= 1 1 11 - 12, • •• ..... ..... ..• - 59 - 61 114 105 - 107 99 -- 101 r A 9 - 10 ". ". 6 -- 6i S 5 -- 8 77 -- 79 75 -- 80 9i -- 9i 15 -16 i 94 XlO 66 -- 6S 17 -- 18 8i -- 9 13 -- 134 1 -- id U(1 - 133 ••• ..... •M 12i - 13. iP 'lll - 133 91 - 93 - 14 4 - 46 98 - 100 37 - 84 2i - 34 1 = i:i 92 - 94 13 14 id --- Pa' 21i 22 1 QO 8 -- 94 • • '"" ... p -.. 1 ..ii. --- - ... - - 7 1 - i 1 4 - 6 2 2 - 27 29 in 65 69 33 38 24 26 19 20 16 lf 21 1 • id 7 73 r Al 6 - 8 41 - 4i - i 1 - 4 - 4 - 4. - 27 - 29 64 - 74 47 - 50 t2O - 125 107 - 109 2 - 21 4i - 41 li li 20 - 22 14 - ... ••• 8 10 bi 5i .1 : ii 2 - 3 a id 18 - 22 i - i 1 = ii 2* 2e G 3 65 z 11 1 25 - 37 - i 3 ; Anima's yester lay. ~:!4...- 4 airb 7Gbfttton SUN OFFICE, Six o'Clock. PEACE RUMOURS. letter from Berlin of the 27th ult., in the Correspondent of Hamburg, says :—" We are assured in diplomatic circles that the Cabinet has not yet sent from Berlin the despatches in which representations in favour of peace are to be made to Russia, but that a very pressing note to that effect is being prepared, and that it will be sent off in a few days. SPAIN. MADRID, Dec. 31L1 1 11ed-O;rernment has been authorised by the Cortes to levy the taxes for 1856. The decimal system is to be put in vigour in Spain in 1856. M. Olozaga has left for Paris. Some foreign capitalists are soliciting permission to esta blish a bank at Madrid. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. —(This Day.) MANSION-HOUSE. MANUMISSION OF ♦ SLAVE.—This morning the novel and interesting circumstance of emancipating a slave took place before the Lord Mayor. The Secretary of the British and Foreign Anti. Slavery Society said the slave in question, Philip Bailey, was a native of Maryland, United States, and had been a domestic slave. During the last five years he had been engaged as steward on board one of the American ships sailing from Liverpool, in which capacityhe had saved 200 dollars with which to purchase his freedom, and which had been negotiated by the society's agents. The object of the applicant in handing the document of manumission to Bailey in public was, that in the event of his losing the document he might be able to refer to the news papers of the country as proof of his having obtained his freedom. _ _ The Lord Mayor said it afforded him much pleasure at witnessing such an interesting ceremony, and he had no doubt the press would give publicity to such a novel and humane circumstance. Bailey, an intelligent young man, with an appearance ♦ery prepossessing and far superior to his class, received the document with feelings of satisfaction and pride, and having thanked his lordship, retired with the Secre tary of the Anti-Slavery Society. BURGLARY AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.—Three despe rate-looking youths, about 17 years of age, named George Roffey, James Daniels, and Joseph Greenland, were charged with entering the premises of Mr. Cross land, stationer, 1, Fenchurchstreet, and attempting to murder John Seeker. It appeared from the evidence that the upper part of the above premises are occupied as offices by various individuals, Seeker, with his wife, living on the premises as housekeeper. Last night, about half-past seven o'clock, after the shop had been closed, he went as usual to the cellar to take up coals to the offices ready for the morning. Whilst there the prisoners rushed from a closet in which they had secreted themselves and at tacked Seeker in a violent manner, one of them inflicting a severe wound on his head with a chisel. Seeker, who is rather a strong and active man for his size, wrestled with the prisoners, and in the struggle he was seriously injured, one of them calling for a knife. The prisoners succeeded in working their way to the side door, followed by Seeker, two of whom, Roffey and Daniel, escaped, but Greenland was secured. Police-constable 530 went to the premises and found Seeker bleeding profusely. Greenland was given into custody. On taking him to the station-house and searching him a screw-driver and whistle were found on him. He gave the police the names and residences of the other two, and on them going to Roffey's house to apprehend him his mother called out for pistols to intimidate them from the execu tion of their duty, but none were produced. All three, alter they were charged at the station-house, admitted they were on Mr. Crossland's premises. A certificate was handed in stating Seeker was too ill to attend. The prisoners said th e y were a d m i tted to the premises by two boys i n the prosecutor's employ. The prisoners were remanded. GUILDHALL. AN ALDERMAN WANTED.—The business of this court was this morning considerably delayed from the want of a presiding Alderman. At a quarter•past one o'clock, when our despatch left, no alderman had attended the court, nor could the officers find one. The numerous persons having business at the court were thereby seri ously inconvenienced, and many of them were obliged to leave. The frequency of delay at the City courts for want of an Alderman argues favourably for the establishment of a stipendiary magistracy in the City. MARKET NEWS.—(This Day). CORN EXCHANGE. The supply of English wheat in to.day'm market was chiefly composed of Mot day's unsold samples. Very few buyers were in attendance, and only a limited business was transacted, at Monday's decline in the quotations. Foreign wheat—the show of which was moderate—was very dull, and almost nominal. We bad a very dully inquiry for barley and malt. I❑ prices no change took place. Oats were a slow sale, bat not cheaper. In beans and peas scarcely any sales took place. The flour trade was very drill, and the top price of town made flour was 725. per sack. Wheat. 1,780 Snglish .. Irish .... roreign 1 I 1 3 440 BALAKLAVA RAILWAY. The following details will be read with interest by many parsons in this country : REGULATIONS FOR GUARDS, ENGINE-DRIVERS, GATE- BEErgRs, AND POLICEMEN. No waggons to be 'loaded or unloaded on the main line, under any circumstances, during train hours. All trains to be made up opposite the Grenadier Guards' store, Balaklava, and at the Diamond Wharf, at the following hours : TIME TABLE. Fromßalaklava(GrenadierGuardsStore)...at 8 a.ni. „ Diamond Wharf PP 8 fP „ Balaklava 9 PP ~ Diamond Wharf ff f I g ft „ Balaklava lO „ „ „ Diamond Wharf „ 10 „ „ Balaklava ,) 11 15) „ Diamond Wharf „ Balaklava „ 12 „ „ Diamond Wharf „ 12 „ „ Balaklava „ Diamond Wharf PP 2 ff „ Balaklava ~ 3 ft ,)Diamond Wharf fP 3 JP „ Balaklava ~ 4 JP „ Diamond Wharf tP 4 f, „ Balaklava " Diamond Wharf ft 5 ~ It will be the duty of the superintendent at Balaklava to see that the trains are ready at the time specified. (+TAM'S. Each train to consist of not more than 10 waggons, and to be under the charge of a head guard, and two assistants, who will be under his direction. Each guard must be provided with a small red and white flag ; and, before starting, it will be the duty of the guard to satisfy himself that the waggons are properly loaded and coupled together. The train will be solely under the direction of the bead guard, who will, by holding np a white flag, direct its de parture exactly at the hours specified in the time-table. On arrival at nay station the guard will deliver over the charge of the train to the superintendent of that place; and on reaching the bottom of the incline he will deliver over the train to the superintendent there, taking particular care to call his attention to any faulty loading, &c., that may have•shown itself during the passage of the train. When the train arrives at the bottom of the incline the engine will be detached and brought in front of the empty waggons, to return to Balaklava ; and it will be the duty of the guard and his assistants carefully to break these waggons down. But the engine-driver will direct when the breaks are to be put down and when to be re leased ; and the waggons, under any circumstances, must not be allowed to come down the line except in charge of the guard. Any person infringing this regnlation will be imme diately taken into custody and handed over to the provost-marshal. In case of any accident likely to delay the train on the line beyond a few minutes, the guard will send back one of his assistants with a red flag, at least 250 yards, to prevent any other train following in the same direction, and en no account is this assistance to leave the spot until the chief guard has signalled to him that he may come on. The chief guardwill be held accountable for the safety of the train ; and should an accident occur owing to any neglect on his part he will be tried by court-martial, aid punished accordingly. _ _ The guards to keep ;journal of the times of departure of each train on his district, and of any delay that may occur, stating the cause of such delay, and any particu• lar occurrence that may take place during the passage of the train. ENGINE-DRIVERS. The engine-driver to have his engine at the places whore the trains are made up at least ten minutes before the time specified for the departure of each train. The engine from Balaklava will proceed with its train to the junction of the Diamond Wharf Branch, and there be detained, leaving the train. on the Balaklava side of the junction. It will then be moved a sufficient dis tance in advance to allow the train from the Diamond Wharf to clear the junction. The Diamond Wharf train will then be joined by the Dalaklava train ; both en gines will proceed with the train to the foot of the in cline, a•nd return on the down line in front of the empty waggons. On arriving at the Sardinian depot each en gins will proceed with its proportion of waggons to the Diamond Wharf at Balaklava. The engine drivers must pay particular attention to the signals, of which there are only two—red and white; the red flag when held up denoting that the engine is to stop, the white that it is to proceed. The engines are in no case to be brought into the town farther than the place of departure referred to above without the express orders of the superintending engineer. The engines are not to be allowed to travel on the line faster thaw ten miles an hour, nor over the level crossings faster than four miles an hour. No person is allowed to ride on the engine, under any pretence whatever, without permission from the super intending engineer. Each engine driver will examine hie engine carefully before commencing work in the morn ing, and report any damage that may hare occurred to the superintending engineer. The whistle to be used freely while going along tlieline. Should any accident occur owing to the carelessness or neglect of duty on the part of the engine driver, he will be tried by eourt-martial and punished accerdingly, THE AUTHOR, OF THE PEACE PAMPHLET. ( Front the Manchester Guardian.) PARIS, Dec. 30.—You will have received, long before this letter reaches you, the transcript of the Err ror's speech of yesterday to the troops ; therefore any re marks upon that are wholly without interest ; nor, in fact, does the speech call for any particular of - serration. But upon another subject I am happily able to furnish you with every possible and undeniably authentic detail : upon the subject of the pamphlet which has made such a sensation. The Freese of last night, as you may have heard, gave the author's name in full (not, as I fancy, with that author's permission), and every one now knows the pamphlet to have been written by M. Charles Duveyrier ; but comparatively few persons know under what circumstances M. Duveyrier wrote, and, above all, printed it. These I will relate to you. A few words first on ther author himself. M. Charles Duveyrier is of an excellent and most honourable family ; his brother is better known in the literary world as M. Melesville, coder which assumed name (sot liking his real one to appear upon a play-bill) be has achieved considerable dramatic renown. Charles Duveyrier is one of those men whom every one knows, or must at some time know ; ho is extremely clever, and is mixed up with every one and in everything. A great friend of Count Walewski's, he is perpetually at the foreign office, where he has to do with the corre spondence, where every official, from the Minister downwards, is his intimate, and where, although ostensibly but what may be *stied a "hanger-on," be exercises a certain degree of influence. About a week ago he came to Count Walewsks with the M.S. of the so-much-talked-of pamphlet in his hand, and asked hiss to read it, saying he felt he must publish it. Count Walewski did read it (it is, as you will have seen, very short, and is easy to read in ten minutes), and was quite enchanted with it, saying that not only it was the evident thing to bring out at the present moment, the proper chord to awaken in the public breast, but that it happened to be precisely coincident with the Emperor's own view of the situation, and that too much publicity and too much importance could not possibly be given to it. Count Walewski summed all up by telliag M. Duveyrier to go without any delay to M. Mocquard, and leave him the MS., in order that, without loss of time, it might be submitted to the Emperor. M. Duveyrier did so immediately, and the consequence was an audience, within the shortest possible time, of the Emperor himself. " What do you mean to do with this?" was Louis Napoleon' first ques tion, showing the MS. and taking it in his hand. " I thought of publishing it at 25c." was the reply. "Too dear," said the Emperor, " moth too dear; you must put it at 10c. in order that it may be in every one's hand. It cannot be too widely circulated." After that he added, •" That is not your affair ; you need not trouble your self with the cost ; that shall be paid here." This M. Duveyrier objected to, and insisted upon bearing him self the charges of publication. The Emperor then began to read the MS. over again, before its author's eyes, making here and there certain remarks, suggesting cer tain alterations, suppressing one expression, adding ano ther, and giving—which is easy to perceive by any one who has the habit of his style—giving the colouring and tone of his own convictions to it. One or two pa-sages of the Emperor's conversation upon all these points are exceedingly interesting to note ; the following for in stance. In the pamphlet stands this phrase : " There is no one now who does not understand that the sole diffi culty consists in the discovery of the exact means whereby to terminate the struggle—a conclusion worthy of that struggle's magnitude—and who does not feel that after the taking of Sebastopoland the destruction of the Black Sea fleet, peace is necessarily at the bottom of all. In truth the above events created a totally new situation, and this is marked out most distinctly in the speech made by Napoleon 111. to the expositors." Here the Emperor paused, and in a loud, decided tone, " You have not said enough, monsieur," he exclaimed ; "instead of saying that I pointed out this distinctly, you might have said I did so with authority to all Europe." Nothing could exceed, however, the Emperor's praise of the whole thing, or the expression of his anxiety that it might be brought out as quickly as possible, and have the widest possiple circulation. It was accordingly struck off, and appeared, as you know, in the Siec/e, and on Thursday in all the papers. The Debats was ordered to insert it at fell length in its columns, and the way in which all the provincial papers received it " from high hands," as some of them even ventured to remark, gave rise to the report that it was the produce of the Emperor's own pen. I have told you, I think, for some time, that in the imperial entourage (and in this case I mean the persons most attached to Louis Napoleon) there was a feeling gradually-rising up that we in England wished to drag France obstinately and blindly into a wilful continuation of the war, and that our influence was used to carry her out of her depth. This feeling does exist still, and no pains are spared to make the Emperor partake it. Upon this subject he may or may not share the notions of those around him ; but I believe it is indisputable that at this present moment ho does strongly incline towards peace. A thousand things may prevent the possibilities of peace, and force Louis Napoleon to go to every ex tremity with war ; or he may even be really in fluenced by us, and brought to adopt the view of the advisability of continuing the contest ; but at this actual and identical moment, the difficulties which surround him at home, the financial embarrassments to which he is opening his eyes in good earnest, and various other causes, unite to make him desire ar dently the passibility of an honourable peace. I must tell you that the pamphlet here in Paris is almost universally applaudel, and the idea that the Emperor has, directly or indirectly, aided its appearance, and is father to its sentiments, has won him "golden opinions" from men who were even strenuous in their opposition to him and his government. There is but one mind upon the pamphlet, which is termed " wise, politic, high minded, noble, statesman- iko, profound," and a vast deal more. lam not giving you my opinions upon this, but the very general. I might indeed say universal, opi nion. England and France are, in this respect, quite dif ferently minded, as you may have had more than one opportunity of remarking ; their situation is nut our's, neither is their temper, and they cannot be expected necessarily to see things with our eyes, because they are our allies. Ninety-nine hundredths of Frenchmen say and think that now the interests, nay, the neces sities, of France even, command peace. You must not wonder, therefore, at the feeling I allude to above. Others, however, who are not French, agree FO entirely with the pamphlet, that, three or four days back, M. Duveyrier meeting in Count Walowski's cabinet hi. d e Seehach, the Saxon Minister, just starling, as you know, for Russia, the latter came up to him, exclaiming, " Aim monsieur, all you have said is so true, that I am going to St. Petersburg only to repeat it in every possible form." Whether the views put forth by M. Daveyrier, and taken up under the imperial patronage, will find echo in Russia, is what no one can predict—Rusia's blindness may oblige the allies to a continuance of the war ; hut, if not, and we in England do not put Louis Napoleon upon his absolute choice be• tween our friendship with a continuation of the war, or our coolness if peace be concluded, you may be assured he will make effort for a cessation of the struggle. If it were to cost hint the English alliance, and he clearly discerned as much, I believe then (hut only in such an alternative) he would banish from his mind all pacific ideas, and a paragraph would perhaps appear in next week's Monitcur, saying that "a report had been spread of the complicity of the Government in the publication of a recent brochure ; but that the Go vernment wholly denied all knowledge of the same, and left the entire responsibility of it upon the author, who ever he might be." Meanwhile, if nothing of the sort I mention occurs, you way take for granted and certain that, in his present frame of mind, the brochure does really represent in toto the Emperor's feeling upon the important matter of war or peace. M. X. GATEKEEPERS AND POLICE. The gatekeepers are to shut the gates across the road from the time the train is in sight until it passes the level crossing, taking care that the railway is perfectly clear, and that no stones or gravel be allowed to collect be tween the rails and check-rails. The duties of the police will he to see that no person except those engaged' on the line be allowed on it, under any pretence whatever. They will see that no obstructions exist on the railway, and will note particularly the pas sage of the trains, and call the attention of the gnarls to anything that may appear improper in the loading or calculated to endanger the safety of the train. They will endeavour, to the best of their ability, to afford such assistance to the guards and engine-drivers as will enable them to carry out their duties a,ccor,ling to their several instructions, and it will be their duty to report to their inspector any infringement of these regu lations that may come under their notice. Each superintendent will read these regulations to the me❑ of his department, and obtain their signatures to them. Copies will be posted up in the engine shed, railway yard, and in the huts of the men for whose guidance they are intended. JAMES BEATTIE, Engineer in Chief. Sporting Intelligence. MANCHESTER STEEPLECHASES.—TUESDAY. Match for 251. ; list 7lb each. Once round. Nevrsome's Napoleon the Third Mr. Worralre Bridekirk Won easily. The I\.IANCITESTEIL STEEPLECHASE (Handicap) of 5 Boys each, with 40 added ; the second to save his stake. About three miles and a half. Mr. Pickering's IrictorlEmma.nuel, yrs 9st6lb (Seffert)l Mr. T. Dixon's Star of the West, aged, lOst 41b (W. Dixon) 2 Mr. Henderson's Harry Lorreciner, 5 yrs, 94 9lb (Fowler) 3 Mr. Henderson's Black Swan, 8 yrs lOst Sib (W. White) 4 Mr. Hurst's The Rattler, aged, Nt (G. Stevens) 0 Betting-5 to 4 aget Victor Emmanuel, 3to 1 agr-t Star of the West, 10 to 1 agst Harry Lorrequer, 20 to 1 agst Black Swan. Won by three lengths. Rattler re fused. The Hurdle•race did not produce a contest. THE CHEF Entries at Chester, Januar] Distance—Two in TER CUP. 1, 5.0 p.m. Run May 7. les and a quarter. Knighton Lady Bird Little Davie. Mary Mortimer, t yrs Plum Pudding Pollux Post• Horse Preston Pretty Boy, by Idle Boy Prince of Orange Puck, by Pompey Roscommon Sally, by Safeguard Saucebox Shelah . . Siding Stork Stradbally Sunshine Van Dunck Vandyke •. c by Van Tromp—Wren .. Venison Wantage Aleppo Alototi Announcement Balrownie. Barrel Bold Buccleuch Bolton Bucksfoot Bulldog. Chere Petite Chicken, the Cock-a-too Dame Judith Domino Early Bird, the Fanny Fern Fanny Grey Fatalist Fireblast, by Simoom Ghika Good Friday Goorkah Huber Hoddam Imogene Indian Warrior NATIONAL STEEPLE SE. .—About four miles. Little Charley Liverpool Boy Master David Minerva Minos Molly Bawn Motley Odiham Pashn, the Potter Rockley ............ Seaman Sir Peter Laurie Spring Stamford Teddesley Tom Gurney Trout Victor Emmanuel .. Widow, the .......... Wilmont LIVERPOOL GRAND Run Feb. 27. Din, Alice Grey Black Swan, the Boundaway Bourton Cavendish (late iEgis) Dangerous Dan O'Connell Emigrant Escape Fenman Flying Duck , Forest Queen, the Frank Picard Freedom Freetrader Harold Harry Lorrequer Hopeless Star Jean du Queens Jumpaway Lady Arthur... The Calcutta Englishman (of Nov. 22) has the follow ing :—" The Marquis of Lothian, and the Hon. Mr. Egerton, are visitors at Lahore, having accomplished the grand tour of Ladak and Kashmeer." The same paper states that Major• General W. H. Sleetnan starts imme diately from Mussooree for Calcutta to embark for Eng• lend. STATE OF PRUSSIA. An English traveller in Prussia says :—having passed the last two or three months in travelling through Prus sia, and in particular through the Baltic provinces, I venture to trouble you with a few remarks respecting the state of the country, which, as the result of personal observation, you may think worthy of some attention. I may add that for some weeks I have been completely deprived of English newspapers, and have consequently been indebted to the Berlin papers for news and politics. From their general tone, and from the publio opinion (more particularly of the commercial and middle classes), I think there is very little doubt that a strong feeling of distrust is entertained as to the policy of the Govern ment and its present position as regards the war. There is also an openly-expressed expectation, or, rather, ap prehension, that, should the present reported peace ne gotiations lead to no result, which here seems hardly to be expected, Prussia will find herself compelled to take a decisive stand, either with or against the Western Powers—the more so as the treaty just concluded with Sweden is viewed in no favourable light by the Govern ment, and is considered by it as a kind of menace or challenge which may be certain to bring the war nearer here, as it is confidently stated, but on what aut hority it is difficult to ascertain, that there are secret clauses binding Sweden to take an active part in the operations of next spring. The national feeling, with very few exceptions, is against Russia, and the wish of the great majority of the people would be to form an alliance with England ; against this, however, must bo taken into consideration the old existing hatred to France from 1806, which remains in a much greater degree than any one who has not had frequent opportunities of noticing could believe; and, as the Court and Junker party are secret, if not avowed, partisans of Russia (of which a day or two ago the attendance of General von Wrangel and a number of the highest pel.- sons attached to the Court at the Te Deurn, performed in the chapel of the Russian embassy at Berlin in honour of the fall of Kars may be taken as strong evidence), it is somewhat difficult to say what may be the definite re solve when the time comes for a decision. From all I can learn I do not, however, think that this country could ever join Russia, as such a step would completely ruin her commerce ; and besides this, Prussia could only sustain a defensive war. The whole of the Baltic sea ports are defenceless, and her trade would be annihilated by a few steamers and frigates, which could blockade the entire seacoast, and burn or destroy nearly the whole commercial marine. At present the shipping of Prussia is rapidly increas• iog, not only in number, but in the larger tonnage of the vasseis which are now building. Along the whole coast, from Memel to Mecklenburg, every building yard is occupied, and all the builders have more contacts than they can complete in the next two years. Ai Prus sia has no colonies, and, comparatively speaking, very little direct trade, she is dependent on other countries, and partioularly on Great Britain, for the employment of her mercantile fleet; and most of the new and larger vesiele regularly sail for England, and rarely return to the port to which they belong. It is, therefore, easy to conceive how fatal a blow to the commerce of this e.eerai try war with such naval Powers as England asnd France would be, and how anxious the Gloves ment is to prolong a neutrality so favourable to its subjects, as there is no doubt that Prussia is at dais moment, apart front the temporary high prices of bread and provisions, in a more nourishing con dition than she hes been for years. Although the harvest has been considerably below an average one,, , farmers and landed proprietors, from the enhanced pricer' of grain and agricultural produce, are better off thaerin ordinary years ; the general trade of the country ie t imte very healthy condition, and manu f ac t ures o f all kindit aro daily increasing ; shipping for the last three yeses' has been paying large dividends, and those ports which, from their vicinity to the Russian frontier, have the benefit of the overland trade, have been reaping such a harvest that they wish the war to last for ever. It would occupy too much space to discuss here the question of the land transport from Russia, through Memel and Konigsberg ; but there are facts sufficient to be con vinced that the blockade of the Russian harbours cannot be effectual so long as those two ports remain open. I will conclude by repeating ray opinion that Prussia enjoys too great an advantage from her present so-called state of neutrality not to use every effort to continue it until the last moment ; although, while she has all the year been permitting the open and unconcealed export of lead and sulphur across the frontiers to Russia, her strict neutrality may easily be called into question. Should she, however, be compelled to choose between the Western Powers and their enemy, I do not think that, in spite of the tendencies of the Court, her mate rial interest and popular feeling will ever allow her to join her forces to those of Russia. THE QUEEN AND DRURY-LANE 79 80 5j 4 8 i i 69; 501 19 i 20 i 88 71 74 103 5J 2 76R i i 61 93i 4 85 4i 5 831 i 67#1 12& I 57 6E G 4 191 i 31 24ni i i i 8k 3 151 16 all ID Pm Pm 111 4k 4I 123 2 4 1 ♦RRIVALS THIS WEER. Barloy. Malt. Oats, Flonr. 3,740 1 910 s'l 1 1,420 I 2,850 3 ' 350 sks 1790brs BOROUGH HOP. We have a fair demand for most kinde of hops, at full pricos. Tho show of samples is good. wurrEcitAPEL. The trade was tolernbly — fitlt;Clay, as follows :-- Beef, from 3s 4d to 4s 6tl; mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 6d ; veal, 4s 4d to bs 4d ; pork, 33 6d to 53 Od per Ms by tho earcaso. COLONIAL. The markets re-open to-day after the Christmas holi days. SUGAR.—This week the public sales will comprise 300 hhds Barbadoes, 12,000 bags of Mauritius, 120 bags foreign Muscovado, and 100 Porto Rico. COFFEE.—The market opens with limited supplies of Celenial and Foreign. COCOA.—The prices of this article are steady. RICIL—A limited business has been done privately, at rather lower rates. TALLOW.—The market is quiet. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.—(This Day.) L Jan. 2.—Wind this day a t noon , E. ; li g ht breeze °r a pr4. nd fi ue . (PER ELECTRIC TELPAIRAPILI SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday Morning. Arrived. Columbine, from Newcastle • Charlotte, Portsmouth ; Clara and Caledonia, Sunderland.; Argyll (s.), Carentan ; Phantom, Swansea. Sailed—LoSonth-Western, (s. for Jersey; Duke of Tiber,Corn- Clara, and Ann, Newport ; Walter Hood , S y dne y ; Dundonald, Sunderland. London , don • LIVERPOOL, Wednesday Morning. Wind S.S.E. Arrired.—Malakhoff, from Quebec , • Rydal, Mauritius ; F oa m, St. Michael; Rangoo Veloz, cortnina; Harold, Calcutta; ; Empire St a t e a nd John Bright, Sailed—Wande rer, New Fork; Daring, St. Michael's; Judith, New Orle ans . The Atlantic (s.), sailed f rom Queens t own f or New York this morning at 9 o'cl oc k . N D e u w mf .y ri o e r si s hire, n QUEENSTOWN, Dec. 31. Wind S. Arrived. —Sultan, B. L. liariman, Hastings, William Callao ; Canada, Alexandria ; Carey, Adventure,and Beatrice, Africa from . NEW LINE OP BRLGIAN MAIL STEAMERS. The Belgian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company's Belgique e werp on her way to New York, arrived at Southampton on nightfrom a n anchor n ear Netley Abbey. She is the th as fi liela rs rode t nwc o da f ly nae to steamer new line of steam ers t h at i s a b out to run be tweenpton. and the United States, n contractmSon with ani the Belgian Government. She is a magnificent vessel, 2 ,500 tons burden, 366-horse power, 270 feet long, 3 8 feet b roa d, an d 29 f ee t d eep , and has accommo datio n for 350 passengers. She will take out 700 tons fro m Belgium and England, and nder mail Belgin nearly 30 passengers from Southampton alone. It is ex pected that she will start to-day on her voyage to Ame rica. The Belgique is to he followed by the Constitu tion, Leopold the First, the Due de Brabant, and other steamers. In May the Belgian Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company will start another line of steamers to run between Antwerp, Southampton, and the Brazils, calling at Lisbon ; and at the latter end of this year the same company will establish a mail steam-packet com munication between Antwerp, Southampton, and the Levant. The burgomaster of Antwerp and other Bel gian notabilities were unabl e to visit Southampton in the Belgique in consequence of the let of January being a great national day of rejoicing in Belgium. The chief magistrate of Southampto n , Sampson Payne, Esq., in vited the chief municipal functionary of Antwerp to a banquet by a telegraphic Communication, and the bur gomaster replied by the same medium, regreLing that he was unable to accept the mayor's polite invitation. It is understood that in May next there will be a grand ceremonial visit from the authorities of Antwerp to Southampton. The mayor and corporation of the latter ):lace, the principal tradesmen, the members of the local press, and the Southampton correspondents of the Lon don morning journals dined together at the Audit House on Monday, to celebrate the establishment of another line of mail steamers in connection with their port. Yes terday the arrival of the Belgique was welcomed by joyous peals on the church bells, and as she weighed anchor to come into dock she was saluted from the guns of the platform battery. SOUTHAMPTON, Wednesday morning.—The Belgian steamer Belgique, which arrived here on Monday night, will be delayed several days, it having been discovered that the tubes of two of her boilers have started, and require coneiderable repairs. THEATRE (From the Era of Dec. 30.) A question of not very easy solution arises in the mind of the play-going public as to the cause of her Ma jesty's non -patronage of this old national theatre. During the management of Mr. Macready the Queen never en tered the portals, nor has she done so during the three years of Mr. E. T. Smith's lesseeship. Her Majesty has, in common with the subjects of her realm, a perfect right to please herself as to the patronage bestowed at her bands, but when this royal boon is freely tendered to the principal theatres in the metropolis, it naturally creates a wonderment as to the reason of poor Drnry's exclu sion. In addition to the loss of the royal favour, Mr. E. T. Smith is also minus the annual sum of 2001. which is usually paid for the royal box. At the commencement of the present management the reason assigned by Col. Phipps was, that the property had been in so many hands that there was no appearance of regularity in sea sons, but a three year's term has wiped out this stigma. This induced Mr. E. T. Smith a few days ago to apply for the re-establishment of the royal box tenantry, sey long the custena of previous monarchs, and received frova Col. Phipps the f o ll ow i ng answer : " Windsor Castle, Dec. 24, 1855., "Sir,—l beg to acknowledge the receipt of your let- ' ter of the 18th inq., which only reached me this day, and having submitted its purport to her Majesty the Queen, I am commanded to inform you, that it is not. her Majesty's intention to add to the number of theatres. at which her Majesty has private boxes.—l am, sir,. your obedient humble servant, " E. T. Smith, Esq." " C. B. PHIT£S. Thus Drury-lane Theatre, the only house where the• company were legally called " her Majesty's Servants,'" is excluded from Court patronage. We know not why,- ther there be any difference of friendship between Mr. IT- T. Smith and Col. Phipps, or whether the latter gentle man has any dislike to the nature or the quality of the entertainments produced ; and we cannot for a moment admit a suspicion of preference for other managers, alio w iag a biassed influence to be exercised over her Majesty's choice. In fine, the Queen's Box at Drury-lane Theatre, as a national custom almost amounting to right, should be the property of her Majesty. One unpleasant result of this affair is, that Mr. E. I'. Smith refuses to permit Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr. Chas. Mathews, and Mr. Roxby to perform at Windsor Castle on the 10th of January, in the farce of " A Nice Firm," which her Ma jesty had ordered for representation. THE IIUGELBY POISONING CASE. _ Within the last few days considerable additional light has been thrown upon the operations of William Palmer in connection with his transactions with the various life assurance offices of the metropolis. The following facts relating to them may be relied on as authentic :—lt ap pears that, in the early part of 1855, Mr. Walter Pal mer, the brother of the accused, called at the Prince of Wales Assurance Office, Regent-street, accompanied by Mr. Pratt, who he stated to be his brother William's solicitor, and intimated his wish to insure his own life for 13,0001. From inquiries then Made it was ascertained that Mr. Palmer had been suffering from delirium tre- MC2I3, and the office therefore declined to grant the policy unless et an increased rate of premium. It was stated on that occasion that Mr. Wm. Palmer and his mother had both advanced money to Mr. Walter Palmer, and that tho policy would be eventually assigned to Mrs. Palmer for security for such advances. The life was ultimately ac cepted, and in the month of February last, the first pre mium was paid by a cheque of Mr. Pratt, the family solicitor ; but it has since transpired that the money to pay the cheque was found by William Palmer. The conanission was allowed to Mr. Pratt, as the solicitor or agent bringing the business. The Prince of \Vales office, not wishing to take so heavy a risk wholly on them selves atone, divided the responsibility with 21 other offices, retaining only for therneolves 5001. In the month of June following, two other assurances, each for 13,0001., were offered to the Indisputable and Athe menni offices, but they both declined to entertain the proposition, the latter office having already taken part of the risk from the Prince of Wales. On the 16th of August last Walter Palmer died, and immediately after wards notice was given to the Prince of Wales office. An assignment was also sent, of which no previous no tice had been given at the office, although it was alleged that a formal notice of assignment had already been de livered there. The assignment was not to Mrs. Palmer, as first alleged by the deceased Walter Palmer, but turned out to be in favour of William Palmer, the accused, and the consideration was stated to be 4001. It has since transpired that the only loan from Wm. Palmer to Walter Palmer was one of 601. only. Before the period for paying the claim arrived, the directors of the Prince of Wales Assurance Office received a letter from a person in Staffordshire, who alleged that William Palmer hail used him badly, and containing information which led them to suspect that the deceased had died by unfair meanie Relying on this information, Mr. Hernhy, the actuary of the Prince of Wales, put himself in communication with the other offices sharing the risk, and the result of their deliberations was the formation of a committee, of which Mr. John Messent, of the Briton office, was appointed secretary, for the purpose of ob taining evidence with the view of ascertaining whether the suspicious circumstances were of sufficient gravity to justify the offices in resisting any demand that might ho made upon them in respect to the payment of these claims. In pursirinee of this arrangement,'Mr. Hornby, accomeamed by Mr. Deane, of the firm of Chubb, Deane, and Chubb, solicitors, of Gray's-inn, and by Field and Simpson, detective officers, proceeded to Staffordshire to obtain information as to the habits of the deceased, and the connection of William Palmer with his pecuniary affairs. On arriving at Rugeley, the party proceeded to make inquiries, the result of which was, they ascertained that William Palmer was the person really interested in the policy of assurance in question, and that he had also been in the habit of making propo sitions for insurances to several London offices, and that lie had received 13,000/. from the Norwich Union, Equi table, and Sun offices on the life of his wife, who had died a short time previously under very mysterious cir cumstances. The deputation having been informed that William Palmer had made a proposal for insuring the life of " George Bates, Esq.," inquired at the post-office for "George Bates, Esq.," and were in formed that he would be found at Mr. Palmer's ; that lie was a gentleman, and that in all probability he would give " the gentleman from London" a bottle of old wine, as he had a capital cellar. Field then pro ceeded to Rugeley, and, to his amazement, found "George Bates, Esq.," who bad been represented as a gentleman of property and position in the country, i es the act of cleaning out Palmer's stable. Field inquired whether he was Mr. George Bates. Ile replied in the affirmative. A conversation ensued, in the course of which Field said, " I understand you are going to insure your life ; for what amount do you intend to insure ?" Bates replied that he had left all that to Mr. Palmer ; but that he was to have some money for himself, the amount of which he did not state. Field subsequently had an interview with William Palmer, whom he in formed that the object of his visit was to obtain informa tion respecting the death of his brother Walter. Palmer then expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and added that the insurance offices had a perfect right, and were, in fact, bound to make every possible in quiry, hi order to satisfy themselves as to the justice of all claims made upon them. Field subsequently alluded to the mysterious death of Palmer's wife, and said that perhaps he would have no objection to inquiries being made by the Norwich Union, Equitable, and Sun offices into the' circumstances attending Ler 'death. Palmer replied with great coolness that hecould have na possible objection to such a proceeding if the offices de sired it. The subsequent inquiries made by Mr. Herlihy, Mr. Deane, and the officers, led them to the conclusion that Mr. William Palmer had induced the medical men, by false representations as to his brother's habits and general health to fill up the documents forwarded to the assurance offices in suoh a way as to lead them to sup. pose that the life was one which they could safely a ccept. The result of the investigation made in Staffordshire was that the offices reselved to defend themselves to the ut most, on the ground of fraud, a gainst any legal proceed. ings that might be taken by ‘Villiain Palmer, or the representatives of the late Walter Palmer, to recover the amount of the policies. It may al so b e stated that William Palmer is alleged to have attempted the life of the boots at the inn, that person having complained of illness after drinking a glass of brandy and water mixed for him in the bar by the accused. The boots had been examined by Field, and William Palmer subsequently interrogated hini as to whether the " gentleman from London" had put any questions to him relating to him self or his deceased brother. The boots denied that be had been q uestioned on the subject, and then William Palmer asked him whether lie would have anything to drink. Mr. Deane afterwards repaired to the Isle of Man, when he discovered that Walter Palmer had re sided there for some time, and had suffered severely from attacks of delirium tremens, during one of which be had. attempted to commit suicide by cutting his hroat. No proceedings have as yet been taken against the Prince of Wales office, or any of the other companies, to recover the amonnt of the policy. Pim is at coni with eces, rne, :Ices and The be are ,nd. eral her re• lg Y, n, a 20i 20A 100. 100 100 100 20 20 20 50 100 1 50 10 10 10 Bt. 20 50 St 264 13 20 16 St. 'St. St., St. at. 1 6 12+ 12; St. 20 124 25 20 St. 10 20 20 20 40 5 St. 25 15 lu so too St. 60 50 2 100 SO /100, all all all 100 13 11 66k7 41 7 li 4i i 1061 421 z d ad x d