The Sun. — London, England, 1856-03-04 00:00:00

'ir • "DURSIJANT to an Order of the High Court of Chancery, mad ein a cause of Sarah Elizabeth Smith and others, against the Rev. Thomas Baker and others, the creditors of Thomas Thorn. late of Bruce-grove, Tottenham, in the county of Middlesex, Esquire, who died in or about the month of April, 1348, are by their solicitors, on or before the 31st day of March, 1856, to come in and prove their debts at the chambers of his Honour the Vice-Chancellor liinderpley, No. 3, Stone-buildings, Lincoln's-inn, Middlesex. or in default thereof they will be peremptorily excluded from the benefit of the said order. Thursday, the 3d day of April, 106, at Eleven o'clock in the fore noon, at the said Chambers, is •appointed for hearing and adjadi• eating upon the claims. Dated this 4th day of Mardi, 1 856 - CHARLEA PUGH, Chid' Clerk. SIMARD and BARER, 3, Cloak-lane, Cannon-street, London, Plaintiff's Solicitor. THE GREAT BAL MASQUE AT COVENT-GARDEN THEATER Will positively take place TO-NIGHT. Doors open at 9 o'clock, commence at 10. Fan Orchestra conducted by Mr. Charles Hall. A.dcaladon to the Ball Room, ss. ; Spectators' Balcony, 5s ; Upper Boxes, 35.; Amphitheatre Stalls, 2a. 6d ; Gallery, Is. THEATRE ROYAL, DELTRY-LANE. Lessee, Mr. R. T. Smith. THIS FVENING. NOT A SAD JUDGE. o cnrlude with SET DIDDLE DIDDLU ter. Harlequin King Nonsense sad the Soren Ages of Man. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Buckatene. THIS EVENING, SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER. Followed by THE LITTLE TREAUBE. After which, LEND ME FIVE SHILLINGS. After which the New Comic Christmas Pantomime, entitled TAE BUTTERFLY'S BALL AND THE GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST; or, Harlequin and the Genius of the Spring. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Caritas !UAL THIS EVENING, THE FIRST PRINTER. After which, SARLEQUIN AND THE MUD AND THE MAGPIE ; or, the Fairy Paradlea and Hanky Panky, the Enchanter. Harleqnln, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Heine; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine. Miss Caroline Adams. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. FLEXMORE'S BENEFIT. In consequence of Covent Garden Theatre being required for the Italian Opera, Flexmore begs to inform his patron—the Public— that ills Benefit will take place at the above Theatre en WEDNES DAY, March 12, and that cards of admission, price Is., 25., 35., 45., and es., may be hal at 66, Hercules-Buildings, Lambeth. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHT. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Ceuta. TATS EVENING. BETSY BAKER. To be fbilowed by THAT BLESSED BABY. To conclude with JLCK AND THE BEAN STALK; or. Harlequin and Mather Goose at Home Again. In which Mesas. J. Bland, P. Bedford, Madam Celeste, Miss Wyndham, and Miss B. Arden will wear. ROYAL SURREY THEATRE. Lamm Mears. Shepherd and Cresifick . THIS EVENING JASPER LANGTON; or, A Duel to the Death. To be followed by THE SAILOR OF FRANCE; To conclude with WAITER AT CREMORNE. ROYAL STRAND ?HEATHS. Udder the direction 0 Mr: Payne. THIS EVENING. THE XERCHANT OF VENICE. After which, A Ballet Divertissement. Followed by WRY DON'T SHE MARRY ? After which, A Petite Divertissement. To conclude with BLUE JACKETS. ♦BTLEY'B ROYAL ASIPHITHEATRX. Lama and Manner, Mr. Wm. C•oks. Last Week of the Pantomime ! TliilB EVENING, THE ARAB OF THE DESERT AND HIS FAITHFUL STEED; in which the ratimality of the horse, taught and trained by Mr. William Cooke, fills the audience w th delight and wonder. After which, the EQUESTRIAN EVOLUTIONS in the ARENA. The miraculous ascent of the huge Elephants from the ring to the stage. To conelade with (the last week) rtuttrQulN AND ST. GEORGE AND THE DRAGON; or, the Seven Champions of Christendom. Box-office *pen from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Kr. W. Cooke, Jun. EMMA STANLEY'S SEVEN' AGES OF WOI(AN, Reappearance of Mimi Emma Stanley (after her recent ind!sposl lion on Wednesday Evevlng next, the sth Inst., positlvely. Stalls, 35.; Reserved Seats, 25.; Back Seats, Is. SAINT MARTIN'S HALL, Long-acre. WWI WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TIM; DAY—Morn. 0 min. aft. o—Evening 12 min. aft. 2 TA-MORROW—Morn. 32 min. aft. 12 —Evening 0 min. aft. 1 THE WEATHER--Sus Opium MARCH 4. THEILMONITEE, IN THS 47—highest since noon yesterday. 40 -!sweat this morning and dtieng the night. 42 —this day at noon. Banomwrlß-30 61. WIND, N. to N.N.W. • Light, with dull, cold weather. ~r LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 1858. In our third edition of yesterday we were enabled, through the kindness of the Managers of the Submarine and British Telegraph Company, to publish a document of no ordinary importance. It was the speech of our august Ally, the Emperor Lotus NAPOLEON, on the opening of the French Legislative Assembly. At any time, or under any circumstances, such an address would be deeply interesting; but it carries with it additional weight at the present crisis, when the Emperor must he fully acquainted with the proceedings at ea Conferences, and therefore enabled to offer a shrewd guess at the probable results. We could scarcely anticipate a warlike speech while the ne gotiations were still pending. Every word that falls from Imperial or Royal lips, under such circumstances, must be maturely considered. Perhaps, therefore, wo could not reasonably have hoped for more than the assurance that France was ready for any alternative, and the exhorta tion " to await the end of the Conferences with dignity, and equally prepared either again to draw the sword or to extend the hand to those she had honourably fought." For ourselves we confess that we should have received with satisfaction more decided assur ances respecting the terms on whic'a p could alone be re-established. It would have been truly gratifying to have heard from the EMPERO R that nothing less than what had been required ab initio would now be accepted, and that any failure or shortcoming would only prolong the contest for an indefinite period. We could also have- wished that the compliments to the CZAR had been omitted. They recal to our memories the grave errors into whic4 Lord JOHN RUSSELL suffered himself to be betrayed, and the use made by the Russian Plenipotentiaries of his un fortunate allusions of a similar description at the Conferences of Vienna. Neither France nor England consented to the sacrifice of the lives of myriads of their best and bravest children to sup port and sustain the honour of the CZAR. They did so to check his reckless ambition and insatiable cupidity, to abate his overween ing pride, and, when a great and righteous act had been achieved at so serious a cast, although there was no necessity for boasting or crowing over the foiled aggressor, we cannot help thinking that all complimentary allusions were uncalled for and impolitic. It is true that the present AUTOCRAT was not the party originally responsible—that he had "inherited, not created," the untoward position lu which he was placed. But did he not adopt all the acts of his predecessor ? Did he not by his earliest proclamation avow his unflinching ad hesion to the policy of PETER, of CATHERINE, of ALEXANDER, and of NICHOLAS ? If animated by so sincere a desire to put an end to the causes which had occasioned the sanguinary conflict, a glorious opportunity was afforded. Had he in structed his representatives to carry out fully and fairly the propositions unequivocally accepted by his father, to permit the bona fide development of the four points, he would have been spared much of that humiliation which has been most justly and properly heaped on his head. Sebastopol might still have remained a standing menace to Con stantinople and to Europe, and the army of Russia, which it had taken so much time and money to organise, would not have been melted in that fearful crucible. He cannot therefore deserve much thanks for the moderation so long withheld and so tardily displayed. Nor until the conclusion of the negotiations can we express any opinion as to the spirit in which he accepted the propositions transmitted by Austria. For aught we know this may again be an example of duplicity and insincerity similar to that which last year disgusted the world. He may have de sired merely to profit by the tetuporary cessation of strife in order to restore his almost exhausted resources, and to be enabled to prolong the un righteous contest, which he adopted, with all its incidents, from his father. Until, then, the con clusion of the negotiations shall elucidate his motives and supply evidence of sincerity, all com pliments should have been carefully avoided. reader of history it must appear the in,.n7ura ration of an unprecedented and unhoped-for era. To the roinancist it will be suggestive almost of a revolution in the regions of ideality and of fact, involving an exchange of sway, or the absorption of the latter by the former. To the philanthro pist and the religionist it will be the cause of glowing thankfulness and expeotation. To Dr. Coxmrxia and other believers in, and prophesiers of, an early Millennium, it must be a perfect god send. The lion may surely be expected speedily to lie down with the lamb after the enunciation of such a revolution as the Firman inaugurated. Not that we would have it understood that it was unexpected, or has been resolved on without due consideration. Our frequently-expressed be lief in the progression of Turkey, and the an nouncements made from time to time in this jour nal will have guarded our readers against such an error as this. But every schoolboy knows how hard it is to be thoroughly disenchanted, and through what a haze realities ars viewed after a feast on the "Arabian Nights." We know it to be true, and yet feel compelled to ask, can it be possible that such a revolution is being effected ? Absolute equality enacted between all the subjects of the SULTAN ! What, the Giaour and the Jew —the unclean and unbelieving dogs, whose touch was profanation, and whose presence offensive to the bile of the true believer—raised to this level before the descendant of the Prophet ? Possessed of equal rights, and entitled to as speedy justice as a Scheik or a Hacijee ? Has the career of the Prophet turned out a myth, and the Koran been superseded ? Is there no special Paradise—no seventh heaven for the true believer; and must he hereafter be content to tread the same arch with the infidel ? Where is the glimmering Crescent, lit up with the flash of a myriad of scimitars, scatter ing desolation and affright over the confines of Europe ? Is history a lie throughout ? and have we all been deceived ? Questions like these rise to our minds in rapid succession, and will not be stayed. Another paragraph in the Speech has occasioned still more painful sensations. It is said of the CZAlt—" The honour of his arms once satisfied — he did honour to himself also by complying with the distinctly-expressed wishes of Europe." What is this allusion to "the honour of his arms ?" Does it cast additional light on the fall of Kan, and the deplorable inactivity that led to that truly deplorable result? Was a scapegoat necessary to satisfy the honour of the Russian arms ? Were WILLIAMS and his gallant comrades the vic tims offered at the shrine of the pride and vanity of the Northern Despot? These are painful questions, but they force themselves irresistibly on our minds when perusing the Imperial Speech. We trust that we may be unduly alarmed—that the exhor tation to be prepared io draw the sword may be equivalent for the Muscovite leanings so clearly manifested, and that we may still rely on the un blemished faith and inflexible firmness of our august ally, the Emperor Lours NAPOLEON. This Finnan, nevertheless, is a great fact, and highly honourable both to the foresight and the judgment of the Turk. We live in times when false systems must bow to the march of events, or be cast utterly aside ; and, thanks to the War, the crisis has come more speedily in Turkey than it could possibly have done under other circum stances. The Firman but inaugurates a change that was inevitable, and could not long be delayed with safety to Turkish sway. Let us hope its realisation will not be impeded by prejudices which have already been shaken to their bases. A utopian dream, so far as the privileges conferred on the Christian and Jewish populations are con cerned, it can by no possibility turn out ; for, fret Mussulman prejudice as it may, these are practically secured. The yoke is broken, and cannot be replaced. llt cannot be imagined that our Legalßeformers are, even now, anywhere but at the very com mencement of their great laboursof reconstruction, of remodelling, and of comprehensive reorganisa tion. If conclusive testimony of this were re quired it would be discoverable, surely, in the frightful accumulation of crimes during the past few months—crimes, some of them, of almost un paralleled atrocity, whether in regard to their magnitude, to their pitiless repetition, or to their little less than absolutely diabolical deliberation. Enumerate but a few of the more remarkable, and one can scarcely find credulity for the black catalogue. Forgeries of an extent and complica tion never dreamt of by. a FONTLEROY. Frauds upon insurance offices beyond even those attempted by a WAINWRIGHT. Poisonings more cold-blooded than those of a LAFARGE, more systematic and wholesale than those of a BRINVILLIERS. Compile:- ties with knaves and criminals, on the part of the l officers of justice and of persons in authority, such as would have gladdened the heart of a rogue's friend like the Thief-taker, JONATHAN WILD the Great. Burglaries that might 'waken the admiration of the deftest cracksmau that ever handled a jemmy or a centre-bit. Adroit escapes from darance vile hardly unworthy of a HACKETT or even of a SHEPHERD. Atrocious murders, murders so atrocious in their every detail that they might furnish a ghastlier appendix than the most evil imagination could contrive as a climax for "The Book of Horrors"—that illustrative companion for the " Newgate Calendar "—the record of guilt such as that of SAWNEY BEAN, the amiable Hero of Ogredom. Among these later crimes, for example, have we not recently had thrust upon our horrified gaze deeds of savage butchery such as the world, with all its heinous sins, has happily but few examples of ? Recalling to mind—one of them the coal cellar in which Mrs. BROWNRIGG destroyed her apprentice ! Another, the Piazza of Covent. Garden, in which the unfortunate Miss RAY was assassinated by the Rev. Mr. HACKMAN, as she was being handed frem the door of the theatre to that of her carriage ! Another, the flagstones upon which the wretched lawyer was struck down by the bullet of Ryan ! Another, the kitchen in which Mrs. MANNING roasted the goose within a few paces from the grave of her victim and paramour ! It requires but a casual glance through a file of newspapers for the last two months of 1855, and for the first two months of 1856, to enable any one in a few minutes to dis criminate among the robberies, murders, forgeries, embezzlements, poisonings, and prison-breakings, so as to apply correctly enough each and all of these horrible reminiscences. Wherefore, it surely stands to reason, that we have here in no way exaggerated in saying that our Law Reformers are at this moment still but at the very beginning of their great and awfully responsible task of recon struction. Everything goes to prove more and more plainly, day after day, that our Criminal Code requires to be built up afresh from its very foundations. That it needs not a change here and a change there, but to be literally and entirely re-formed. Already, thanks to such national benefactors as Lord BROUGHAM, " much has been done "—yet these of all men know that " more remains to do ;" and that "if 'twere done then 'twere well 'twere done quickly." Let us not see the present session frittered away in idle discussions as to the relative merits of vague theories built up upon uncertain and crotchety hypotheses. Practical and instant changes are required—changes immediate and comprehensh e The Criminal Code, if reorganised at all, must be reorganised from the very commencement—our Legal Reformers descending to the root principles of Jurisprudence, the principles agitated so pro• foundly in their days by philosophic thinkers such as the learned and benevolent BECCARIA. Every one knows and feels that human justice has other implements to wield besides the rods and axe of the lictors and the sword of an avenging and inexorable NEMESIS—that besides the symbolical balance to be equipoised there are very matter-of fact and impenetrable scales upon the lynx eyes of of the law to be removed—that, as architects common prudence, the social future, we ought, in to care less for our prisons and more, immea surably more, for our Reformatories. By the provisions of the Firman the Rayah will be secured from wrong and rapine, and be entitled to a hearing in courts of justice with the best. 'The various religious bodies will have their privileges and immunities enlarged and defined. The Patriarch, when duly elected, will be named by diploma for life ; and, having no occasion to fear removal, will all the more boldly plead be fore the SULTAN the rights of the natiou of which he is the representative head. No longer will the Rayah have to apprehend the exaction of his bishop. All contributions levied by the clergy are forbidden. The prelates will be paid fixed salaries, and have no temptation to shear their flocks. The celebration of public worship will be permitted to every community, and the application of reproachful or insulting epithets will not be tolerated. The public service will be thrown open alike to all, and each community will be at liberty to erect schools for the arts and sciences, subject to the inspection of a mixed commission nominated by the Porte. Causes between persons of different creeds will be tried before mixed courts, and the oaths administered will be those recognised by the respective creeds. The Haratch is abolished, an equality of taxation for individuals of all creeds established, and each contributing alike to taxa tion will have to share alike in the conscription. The municipal institutions will have to undergo reformation, so as to insure the free expression of opinion and an equitable supervision is promised. To the foreigner the possession of land will bs denied no longer than until certain arrangements have been effected with foreign Powers, involving of eiience on his part and the payment of l axalon to the Turkish Government. Taxes of all s)rts will henceforth be collected by the State ; the cr,aking of roads, &c., to be effected by local taxation. Budgets ,will be published annually, detailing the financial condition of the empire, and, to crown all, the Porte will use its best en deavours to establish a system of credit, and bor row the capital necessary for a National Bank. Sac - a is the outline of this great revolutionary document, a document over which not only the subjects of the SULTAN,' but the oppressed people of Europe will ponder with admiration and hope, as will their oppressors with dissatis• faction and dread—the Magna Charta of renovated Turkey. Let Italy and Germany look out The Lady Alfred Paget gave birth to a daughter on Saturlay, in Grosvenor-place, and, with the infant, is progressing favourably. Lord Thomas and Lady Sophia Cecil have taken their departure from Claridge's Hotel. The Countess de Jarnac, and Mr. and Lady Caroline Tureor, are among the recent departures from Claridge's Captain Hamilton, of the Grenadier Guards, who carried the colours of regiment at the Alma, and was in the actions of Inkerman and Balaklava, is about to forth a matrimonial alliance with Miss Palmer, daughter of ;Major Palmer, of Naziug Park, Essex, who raised the Essex Yeomanry Cavalry in 1830, and maintained the regiment at his own cost for five years—from 1838 to 1843. REPRESENTATION OF RUTLANDSHIRE.— The Hon. Gil bert Henry Heathoote, late M.P. for Boston, has an nou aced himself a candidate for the representation of the county of Rutland, in the room of his father, recently elevated to the peerage, tinder the title of Baron Ave land. BoSTON ELECTION.—Tho nomination of candidates to fill the vaclncy caused by the retirement of Mr. G. H. Heathcote will take place on Thursday nest. Toere are three candidates —Mr. H. Ingram, Mr. Adams, and Lieut.-Colonel Sleigh. Mr. J. Otway Cuffe, of Missenden House, Bucking hamshire, has left the Church of England for the Church of Rome, and has been " confirmed" by the Bishop of Birmingham. This gentleman stood for the county of Kilkenny at the last general election, on the Conserva tive interest. He is the nephew f the Earl of Her borough, and closely allied to many noble families both in England and Ireland. Tnursday the jury assembled to inquire concern ing the death of Hales, age gamekeeper to Sir John Tyrall, and who lost his life in an encounter with poachers, returned the following verdict :—" Wilful murder against James Thorogood, William Thorogond, Thomas Thorogood, and James • Guiver. The jury thought that considerable suspicion rested upon James Thorogood, as being the man who fired the gun." NEW JOINT-STOCK. BANK.--The prospectus has been issued of a provincial joint-stock bank, to be called the Bank of Wales, with a commencing capital of 100,0001. The head office will be at Wrexham. The number of shares will be 1,000 of 100/. each, half of which are stated to have been subscribed by persons in the district. JOINT STOCK COMPANIES.—A return just printed, on the motion of Mr. A. Hastie, gives a list of the joint stock companies formed before the passing of the Limited Liability Act of last year, or begun but not completed before toe passing of the act, or of which the formation was begun after the passing of the act. The entire list occupies a space of 37 pages, and the names of the direc tors are published at length, with other particulars. LISBON, Feb. 24.—The cholera appears to be mani f-sting itself in many districts around Lisbon. H.M.S. St. George is under sailing orders, but will not leave for Spithea l until Wednesday next. The Arabian (s.s.) bas arrived here for coals, and left to-day for the South. T:.e French steamer Vesta has arrived, and the British steamer Gulliver his put in for coals. H.M.S. Glatton (floating-battery), towed by the steam•transport Europa, hi... 1 left for Spithead. The Firman of the SULTAN, given i►, extenso in yesterday's Sun, may fairly be considered as the most remarkable document of modern times. Approach it under the influence of what views and feelings you may, it is impossible to peruse it with put increasing admiration and renovated hope. Tu the politician, however jaded and leaden-eyed, it offers a lesson which should operate as a perpetual antidote to despair. To the historian and the ~- THE SUN S LONDON. TUESDAY EVENING MARCH 4. 1856. ;;L_A -41 ' L -; • MARSEILLES, MONDAY. The Borysthene has arrived with advices from Constantinople of the 23th, and from the Crimea of the 23d Feb. Oa the night of the 221 a fearful tempest oc casioned much damage in the Bosphorus and in the Golden Horn. The Alma and the Doris suf fered injuries, and the Sylph ran aground in the Black Sea. There have been some severe tempests, with earthquakes, at Smyrna, in Asia Minor, and Syria. The Cossacks, commanded by Sadyk Paella, have been recalled. The weather continued cold in the Crimea. Fort Paul had been destroyed effectively ; Fort Quarantine is mined. The English propose an expedition ; the point of disembarkation probably will be Trebizond. Omer Pacha is at Redout Kale. The projected concentration at Trebizond is abandoned. General Smith has resumed the command of the Bashi-Bazouks at Shumla. General Williams is to be exchanged fur Gen. Kokonowitch. KONIGSI3ERG, MARCH 3. Intelligence from St. Petersburg states that, by order of the Grand Admiral, the Minister of Marine and the Russian. Admiralty had taken measures to withiltaw all the maritime signals, such as floating lights, and to discontinue the use of lighthouses. f:•.1 BERLIN; MARCH 3. It is positively known here that the Czar will throw no impediments in the way of peace. The want of money and men is becoming more manifest to the Rwsian Government. The intention of the Czar to devote himself to the development of the internal resources of his empire is openly talked of here in the most august circles. ATHENS, FEB. 27. Rizo Rangabe is appointed Minister for Foreign onto. lisati on. Affairs. .40 _ • ‘ 2, Skalistres will replace M. Potliiin the Ministry of Justice. TRANSLATION. " GBINTLEMEN,—When last I called you together it was a time of serious sidicitudes. The Allied Armies were being exhausted by a siege in which the obstinacy of the defence made success appeal. deubthil. Europe, under a sense of uncertainty, seemed to await the end of the struggle before'pro nouncing on either side. To sustain the war I asked a loan, which you voted unanimously, although it might appear excessive. The high prices of commodities threatened the labouring classes with general distress, and a perturbation of the monetary system gave cause to apprehend a decline of the transactions of commerce and manufac tures. " But, thanks to your aid, thanks to the ener gies displayed in France and England, thanks especially to the support of Providence, these dan gers, if they have not entirely vanished, are for the most part overcome, A grand feat of arms has decided in favour of the Allied Armies, a war whose intensity is without example in his tory. Since that event the opinion of Europe has been more openly pronounced. Everywhere our alliances have been extended and confirmed. The third loan has been opened without difficulty. The country has given me new proofs of its con fidence by subscribing a sum five times greater than that which I had asked. It has supported with admirable resignation the sufferings inse parable from a dearth of provisions—sufferings which, however, have been mitigated by private charity, by the zeal of the municipalities, and by the ten million francs distributed to the depart ments. Arrivals of foreign wheats are now pro ducing a sensible diminution of prices. The fears caused by the disappearance of gold are passing away, and employment has never been more plentiful nor the public revenues more consider able. The adventures of war have re-awakened the military spirit of the nation. Voluntary en rolments were never so numerous, nor was more ardour ever exhibited by the conscripts drawn by lot. The Ministers now selected by King Otho have the character of being favourable to the Western Powers. " To this brief outline of the situation I have to add facts of a high political signification. The Queen of Great Britain, wishing to give a proof of her confilence and her esteem for our country, and - to render our relations more intimate, has visited France. The enthusiastic reception which she found here must have convinced her Al-tjesty how profound were the sentiments inspired by her presence, and how well they were calculated to fortify the alliance of the two peoples. The King of Piedmont, who, without looking behind him, had embraced our cause with that vigorous courage which had formerly distinguished him on the battle-field, has also visited France to conse crate a union that was already cemented by the bravery of his soldiers. SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH. "These Sovereigns have had opportunities of seeing a country but lately so agitated and dis inherited of its place in the counsels of Europe, to-day prosperous, peaceable, aed respected, making war, not with the momentary delirium of passion, but with the calmness of justice and the serenity of duty. They have seen France, which sent two hundred thousand men across seas, con voke at the same time, at Paris, all the arts of peace, as if she had meant to say to Europe, 'For me, the war that now rages is but an episode ; my mind and my strength are still engaged in the arts of peace; let us neglect nothing to understand each other, and do not compel me to bring all the resources and all the energies of a great nation to bear upon the battle-field.' "This appeal seems to have been heard, and the winter, by suspending has favoured the intervention of diplomacy. Austria resolved on a decisive step, which introduced all the influence of the Sovereign of a vast empire into the delibera tions. Sweden united herself more intimately with England and France by a treaty which guaran teed the wholeness of her territory. Lastly, from the Cabinets, counsels or prayers arrived at St. Petersburg. " The Emperor of Russia, the inheritor of a situation which he had not created, appeared ani mated with a sincere desire to put an end to the causes which had brought on this sanguinary con flict. He accepted with determination the proposi tions transmitted by Austria. The honour of his arms having been satisfied, the Emperor did him self honour when he deferred to the clearly ex pressed wish of Europe. " The Plenipotentiaries of the belligerent and allied Powers are now met at Paris to decide on the conditions of peace. The spirit of modera tion and equity which animates all of them bids us hope a favourable result. Nevertheless, let us await with dignity the end of the Conferences, and be equally ready either to draw the sword, if we must, or to extend the hand in fellowship to those who have fairly met us in the field. Whatever may happen, let us occupy ourselves in striving by all proper means to increase the strength and riches of France. Let us draw yet closer, if that be possible, the alliance formed by a community of sacrifices, and the reciprocal ad vantages of which peace would make yet more ap parent. And, finally, in this solemn moment of the world's destinies, let us put our confidence in God that He will guide our efforts in the way most coinformable to the interests of humanity and civilisation." Through the courtesy of the Submarine and British Telegraph Company we were enabled to publish the speech of the Emperor of the French in our last edition of yesterday. Messieurs les Pairs, Messieurs les Senateurs,— La derniere fois que je vous ai convoquos, des graves pre-occupations nous dominaient. Les armee Alliees s'epuisaient a un siege ou ropiniatree de la defense faisait flouter du succes. L'Europe incertain semblait attendre la fin de la lutte avant de se prononcer. Sour soutenir la guerre je vous deraandai un emprunt que vous votiez iinanimenaent quoi pen put paraitre excessif ; relevation du prix des denrees menacait la classe laborieuse dL'un malaise general, et une perturbation dans le systeme monetaire faisait trainer le ralentissement des transactions et du travail. Eli Bien ! grace a votre concourse comma a l'energie deployee en, France et en Angle terre, grace surtout a l'appui de la Providence ces dangers, s'ils n'ont pas entierrement disponi, sent pour la plupart conjures. TY:n grand fait d'armes est venu decider in favour des armees alliOas une lutte acharnee sans example dans l'histoire. L'opinion de l'Europe depuis ce moment s'est plus ouvertement prononcee. Partout nos alliances se sent etendues et affermies. Le troisieme em prunt a ete ouvert sans diffieultes. Le pays m'a prouve de nouveau sa confiance en souscrivaat pour une somme cinq fois plus forte que cello que je demandais. Il a supporte avec une admirable resignation les souffrances inseper ables do la chert 6 des vivrex, souffrauc'es allegees neanmoins par la charit6 prive6 par le zele des municipalites et par les dig millions distribuos aux departments. Aujourdhui lee arrivages de Bios etrangers produisent une baisse sensible, les craintes nees de la disparition de l'or so sont affaiblies, et jamais les travaux n'ont ete plus ac tifs, lee revenue plus considerables. Les hazards de la guerre ont reveille l'esprit militaire do la nation. Jamais it n'y , out autant d' enrolements voluntaires ni autant d ardenr parmi les conscrits designes par le sort. A ce court expose de la situation viennent de joindre des faits d'une haute signification politique. Reine de la Grande Bretagne voulant dormer une preuva de sa confiance et de son estime p cur notre pays, et rendre nos relations plus intimes, est venue en France. L'accueil enthousi tate qu'elle y a recu a du lui prouver combien lee senti ments inspires par sa presence etaient profonda et de nature a fortifier l'alliance des deux peuples. Le Roi de Piemont qui sans regarderiere lug avant embrasse notre cause avec cat elan courageux qu'il avait deja montre cur le champ de Brasilia est venu aussi en France consacrer une Union deja cimentee par Ia bravouro de see soldats. Ces souverains ont pu voir un pays naguere si agite et des-herite son rang dans lee conseils de l'Europe aujourdhui prospere paisible et respecte, faisantLa guerre non pas avec le delire momentane de Ia passion, insis avec lo calme de la justice et renergie du devoir. Its ont vu la France qui envoyait deux cent mille hommes a travors les mere convoqtter en memo temps a Paris tour lesarts de la pain, comme si elle est voulu dire a l'Europe--"La guerre actuclle u'est encore pour moi qu'un episode," mes ideas et mes forces sont en partie toujours derigies vers les arts de la prix, ne negligoons rien pur nous entendre et ne me forcez pas a jeter sur les champs do bataiile toutes lee ressources et toute l'energie d'une grande nation. Cette appel sem ble a v oir ete entendu et I'hiver en suspendant les hostilities a favorise rbetervention de la I diplomatic. L'Autriche se resolut a une de marche decisive qui apportait dans les deliberations toute rinfiuence du souverain d'un vasto empire. La Suede se lia plus etroitement a l'Angleterre et a la. France par une traite qui garantissait l'integrito de son territoire. Enfin do tons lee cabi. nets arriverent a • St. Peterburg des conseils ou des prieres, L'Empereur de Ruesie heritier d'une situation qu'il n'avait-pas faite sembla anima d'un sincere desire de mettre fiiu aux nuses qui avaient amerie ce sanglant conflit. Il accepta avec determination les propositions transmises par l'Autriche. L'honneur des armes tine fois satisfait c'etait s'honorer aussi quo de deforer au voeu nettement formulo de l'Europe. Aujourdhui lea plenipotentiares des puissances belligerantes et Alliees sont reunies a Paris pour decider dos conditions de la pais, l'esprit de mode ration et d'equite quo les anima tons doit nous faire esperer un resultat. Neanmoins atten dons avec dignite la fin des conferences et soyons egalement , prets sil le faut soit a tirer de nouveau Tepee soit a tendre la main a coux que nous avons loyalemeut combattns. Quoi quil arrive occupons nous de toutes moyens propres a augmenter la force, et la lichesse de la France. Resserons encore e'il est possible ralliance forme° par tine com munaute de gloire et de sacrifices, et dont la pair: fera encore rniaux ressortir les avantagee reci proquos. Mettonsenfin en ce moment soleanel pour es destinees du • mond notre confiance en Dieu I -. .. ,--~.,a . 7 .. _ y _ ' r,c:., 1 nigher prces tiiey fecc f ci. so 1 -1 • C ` if re glad if any of their works were pr diibited in Aus tria. [The following passage is adducel by the Italian bishops in defence of their violent measures] :—How ever, the circumstances are not the same in all the pro vinces-of the empire. It is much easier to keep danger cu bo )ks out of the Lombardo-Venetian territ , ,ry tha ,,ut of the German pr )vinces, which are clo,e to so roam . c-untrit., or out of 11 . 11 , !0.7y Tra•c V mia, waore the nuinher of non-C%:tholic so large. Besides, many things which have been repeated as to excite disgust in Germany are ne.v t Italy. and therefore the more dangerou , ." "Arts. 10 and 11 explain the limited jurisdiction of tl e temporal power in cases in which priests are concerned, bii it is specially mentioned that if the clergy commit crime, against which drum-head law has been proclaimed, thei c,oth will not protect them. Art. 12 relates to V, froo;,ier,-, and is of no iiiter Bt, for foreigner,. Ar . 13. The temporal power will, if necessary, as-is the bishops in putting into executi,in the sentenc,- which they have passed on their clergy ; ,but his Nla jests exp,cts that any explanations that may he requi! - ,d of the bishops will be given. Art. 14. In future ni troops will be billeted on the parish priests." The other six articles are of no importance whatever. It is related that the Austrian Government baf requested the Pope to direct the Italian bishops tc. take no steps towards the realization of certain con ditions of the Concordat, until the Imperial ordi nances which refer to them have been p'ublished If they obey, it will be a sign that the Pode has more influence over the Austrian clergy than has their liege-lord, the Emperor. AUSTRIA. VIENNA, Feb. 29.—Some time since it was stated that there was an appendix to the Con cordat, in the shape of an explanatory letter, ad dressed by the Archbishop of Vienna, as the Plenipotentiary of the Emperor of Austria, to Cardinal Vale Prep, the Papal internuncio at this Court. The existence of the letter was long denied. In the preamble it is said that " the temporal power must keep down with a strong hand the un bridled licence which has so long been granted to the passions," because the Church has to wrestle with a party whose aim it is to undermine the faith which has been implanted by God in the mind of man. Such being the case, it has been thought necessary that the temporal power should make common cause with the priesthpod (Priesterthum) " in defending the kingdom of God," and therefore his Majesty the Emperor " has ordered me (the Archbishop) to make the following communication to your Eminence." The Archbishop then proceeds to comment on some of the more important stipu lations of the Concordat : " Art. 1. His Majesty is anxious that faith and piety should flourish at the Universities, and therefore it wo•ild be well if the Arch-Chancellors or Chancellors of the Universities were bishops. Should difficulties arise, the bishops will, at all events, have the direction of the theo logical faculty. Art. 2 and 3. Only Cathol:ce will be allowed to examine the candidates who are desirous to take their decrees a, doctors of divinity or of canoni cal law. If it appear advisable that the bishops should have the poeor by Apostolic (Papal) authority to confer the degree of doctor of divinity, his Msjesty will have no objection. Art. 4. The bishops are at liberty to found a Catholic University, which sha•l be entirely dependent on them. Art. 5. Before a professor belozing to the juridical faculty can lecture on canoni cal law, the bishop of the diocese must give his opinion respecting his faith and doctrine. Art. 6. As the Uni versity of Pesth* was founded by the proceeds of church property, his Majesty finds it but reasonable that in future only Catholic professors shall be appointed there. Art. 7. All students of theology are to he exempted from military service. Art. 8. In the `gymnasia' and pre paratory schools which have been establiehe I by the State the teachers of religion will be proposed by the bishop of the diocese, and as a rule the man on whom his choice may fall will be appointed." The next article, which relates to the press, must be given at length : "Art. 9. The suppression of books dangerous to religion and !literality is a matter which concerns Cnurch add State, and his Majesty the Emperor will do all in his ' power to keep such books out of his dominions. He will, therefore, take care that, in order to curb literary audacity, tho laws which are not wanting in the necessary severity shall be carried out with proper vigour, and that the greatest attention shall be paid to the wisher of the bishops in this matter. However, the nature of the thing is such that great cau tion will be necessary, lest something worse should hap- pen. In most of the countries in Europe the classes which can boast of higher mental development and knowledge are suffering under a deeply-rooted internal malady, which the Church must treat as a wise physi cian would do. Up to 1848 the strictest preventive cen sure was maintained, and those who wished to be thought lioeral complained that the protection given by the State to the Church surpassed the bounds of justice aid reason ; but tie truth is ; that the censure, a. it wss then, was unable either to prevent evil or to suppress t. Tue frontiers of Au trio are so extensive that means can teways be found to elude the vigiAnce of the police. The booksellers were never at a loss to get forbidden RUSSIA. The Austrian Gazette contains an Odessa letter of the 19th February, stating that there is to be a new levy of 23 men in 1,000 throughout the whole Russian empire. The senate has approved of the measure, and it is about to be sanctioned by the Emperor. The Odessa correspondent observes that the new levy is "a measure of precaution, and not a menace." STRENGTH OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY. The following statement of the strength and dis tribution of the Russian army in the Crimea to wards the end of January, from a highly trust worthy source, has just been received, and is likely to be correct in all important point-e. The divisions are set down at the regulation number of 9,600 men each. It is more than probable that this is considerably beyond their effective strength. In fact, we may be well assured that it is, although that effective strength has not been ascertained. Taking, however, the nominal strength, we get a total of 67,000 infantry, 19,000 cavalry and artil lery, and 300 guns, divided as follows :- 3D CORPS D'ARMEE, COMMANDED BY GENERAL SOUICHoZANET. Seventh Division (Reserve)—Stationed on the lippi-r Belbek ; 9,060 infantry and 36 guns ; regiments of Sm..- lensk, Mobiloff, Vitebsk, and Poiock. Seventh Division (active), at Korales ; same strength, same regiments. Eighth Division, on Mackenzie's plateau ; sam , strength ; regiments of Diebitz, Pultowa, Koenmien - cuk, Alexopolsk. Ninth Division, on the Inkerman Heights ; san, strength ; reg meats of Yeleck, Stov,k, Bransk, Erivao. 4TH CORPS D'ARIEEE, COMMANDED BY GENERAL OSTEN SACIIEN. Tenth Division!, on the Katcha ; 9,600 infantry ann 36 gua.l ; regiments of Rsaterinburg, ribolsk, Tomsk. and Kola,vausk. Revet,th Dk;ision, on Mackerz:e's High's ; earn cies.v.h ; regiments of Selev i gniwik, Yaku,sk, Okhotsk, and Kainscliatka. Twelfth Division, on the Jozoba ; same strength ; regiments of Azoti, Dnieper, Ukraine, and o , lessa. Every regitnent has four battalions of 600 men ea- h, and of which one is a miiitia battalion. Tnis gives 67.000 inen.and 252 guns. Each field-piece has 15 men and 15 horses, which gives in addition 3,780 men am, 3,780 horses. The cavalry in the Crimea are about 15,000 sabres and lances, distributed as follows : Light cava!ry, under Prince Radzivil, near Eupatoria H urses. Four regiment;, each 600 horses 2,400 Horse Artillery Battery, 8 guns Dragoons, under General Moratresor, near Perekop : Three regiments, each 800 horses 2.4'10 Horse Artillery, 8 guns lOB Dragoons under General Wrangel :- Ist Regiment, near gipatoria 21 Regiment, Alinakertuan 31 Regiment, Kertch Battery, 8 guns Ten regiments of Don Coseacks 6,000 Three Clssack batteries 324 Two regiments of Hussars at Simp'neropol 1,200 15,048 Two divisions of Grenadiers are supposed to be near Eupatoria. Also B!ack Sea Cossacks (In fantry) and Militia at Arabat, Kaffa, & - c. The distribution of the whole Russian army out of the Crime). has also been stated to me Ist Corps d'Armee 2d ditto sth ditt0...... 6111 ditto Guards and Grenadiers less the two divisions of the latter sup. Poland and Army posed to be at Eupatoria, if of the North. they are there.. Ismail Nicclaieff - Ukraine Nicolaieff At Stavropol there are believed to be 22,000 men ; at Kutais, 24,000 under Beboutoff ; Moura vieff's army is estimated at 100,000 men. The sources from which these statistics are derived being within the Crimea, I am disposed to rely mote upon that part of them which relates to the Crimean army than to the Russian army in general, and I doubt Mouravieff's having 109,000 men, although , in that number are included all the Transcaucasian garrisons and troops, regular and irregular. This. however, does not pretend to be more than an ap proximative estimate. Some of the troops stated to be at Nicolaieff are probably at Odessa. TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 21.—The reading of the Imperial finnan granting equal rights to all the subjects of the Su'tan, of whatever religion the) be, took place on Monday. As early as 11 o'clok in the forenoon you could see numbers of people hurrying towards the Porte, white and green tur baned Ulemas and Softas, Greek and Armenian priests, a good many Perote, here and there a European, and hosts of fezcapped nondescript gen tlemen. The ceremony, which was to have taken place at 1 p.m., was delayed on account of tie funeral of one of the daughters of the Sultan, at which several of the Ministers and the Kaimakatn of the Grand Vizier Mahaled Kibrisli Pacha had to be present. It was 3 o'clock before they arrived at the Porte. The firman was read by Hahat Effendi, the Mek tubji or Chief of the Chancelerie of the Grand Vizier. When the reading was over the Sheik-ul- Islam Arif Effendi said a prayer appropriate to tht occasion, after which both he and the Grand Vizier held a kind of lev,e. The latter besides made an address to those present, in which he touched upon the mot prominent points contained in the firwan. When the whole ceremony was over, printed copies of the finnan, in the original Turkish, were distributed among the crowd. The translation irttp all the other languages of the empire is likels is , ordered, and when it is finished it will be print( d and sent into the provinces, to be read and distri buted there. News received via Persia and Erzeroum speaks of a serious illness of General Williams at Tiflis. The medical men began to despair for his life. His illness is said to be caused by a reaction after all the exciteme , it and sufferings during the siege. Fires are again the order of the day at Constan tinople. John Ghika, a nephew of the late Prince of Wal lachia, and hitherto Kaimakam of the Prince Gover ner of SAinos, has in consequence of the services rendered in the Island of the Archipelago during the insurrection in Epirus and Thessaly, been ap pointed Prince of Samos, instead of Callimachi, who goes as ambassador to Vienna, or more pro bably to Paris. General Kinety has received his firman as Ferik or General of Division ; it is drawn up in the most flattering terms, and distinctly states that the Sultan confers upon him this rank for his bravery displayed in the defence of Kars, especially at the Russian attack of the 29th of September last. The weather has been very variable, one thy fiue and mild, like. spring, another day sleet and rain, with cold winds and a change of temperature of 25 deg. in 24 hours. Much illness is the consequence in the town at large, as well as in the French hos pitals—in these latter yesterday 27 . medical men were on the sick list, 10 of whom with typhus fever. DENMARK. The following i 4 the way in which the Danish Government calculates the amount to be borne by each state in proportion to the value of its Baltic trade :—England, 12 millions of rig dollarA (1,300,000/0 ; Russia, 12 millions; Prussia, 5 millions ; Holland, 2 millions ; Norway, 1 million ; France, 1i million ; Belgium, 500,000; United States, 500.000 ; Mecklenburg, 500,000 ; Lubeck, 250 2 (1)0 ; Hamburg and Bremen, 200,000 toge ther ; Hanover, 150,000 ; 0 1 .denburg, 75,000 ; Spain, Portugal, and Italy, 262,000 together ; South America, 17,000 ; and the other (not Baltic) states, 595,000 dollars collectively. It is further proposed to leave it to the option of each State to pay the areotiut at once, or elm) the rio amniaily to tp.:?-. ci 23 years. LAW INTELLIGENCE—(fihis Day.) BANKRUPTCY COURT. (Before Nr. Commissioner Evans.) IN RE GLEN-TOTAL RI , IFIISAL OF CERTIFICATE FOE BETTING ON HORSE RACES, Tills bankrupt was described as of Regent street, 'aker, and the Whit-, Bear, Piccadilly, licensed victual er, and his honour to-day gave judgment on the pies ',ion of certificate. The case wai fully argued a few days since, and the iost importiv.t ground of opposition was that the bank opt hAq bet!:eif extensively on horse races, and had lost ~ ,r e than 201. in one day, which involved the total efosal of the certificate. The bankrupt alieged that be did not bet on his own iceount, but on commission, for noblemen and gentle• men. His Honour, in now giving judgment, sail that the charge of fraudulently contracting a debt did not appear to be proved. As t ) the charge of gambling, his Honour raid—Tbe witness and opposing creditor swear that he betted by direction of the bankrupt, and paid bets for him much exceeding 201. The bankrupt, in his exami nation, states that he does not recollect whether ho did vbat was stated by Cochrane, the opposing creditor, nut if he made the wagers it was on account of third oarties ; but he could not nanie the parties, and he could riot or would not produce a book in which he made such. I therefore fully consider that the bankrupt did lose flora than 201. i❑ one day, and am obliged, under the 201st section of the 12th and 13th Vic., c. 100, to re' fuse the certificate altogether. Protection was granted for one week, to enable the bankrupt to appeal if so advised. CRIMINAL COURT.—(This Day.) OLD COURT. (Before the Recorder.) aarles Tucker, 30, warehouseman, pleaded guilty to ;even') indictments, for iobtaining by forgad orders silk handkerchiefs, and other goods, the property of James iteid, and another his masters. It appeared that the prosecutor who is a warehouse nen in Laurence-lane, had at the instance of his brother, , tindly taken prisoner into his service at a salary of corn liskion amounting to 1001. a-year, and prisoner bad •urged the names of previous masters, and so obtained he goods from the prosecutors. He was scutenced to 12 months' imprisonment. BA,STERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. The contest between the various candidates for the , ice of directors in this line will be brought to a close his evening, and much excitement and interest is natu aiiy felt by the shareholders and the public as to the exult. The friends of each of the candidates have ivied their utmost exertions to insure their return, but, , e believe we are right in stating that the result of the .11 will show that most, if not all, the retiring directors vill be re-elected. As regards Mr. Wa,ddingt m, the lairman, the result of the poll will, it is expected, be liffitrent to that entertained by a large number of the , üb!ic, hut not of his friends, who are so satisfied with its conduct and the manly manner in which he has de- Fended himself from the unjust aspersions that have been vast on him, that they are sanguine of his return by all verwhelming majority in his favour. MARKET NEWS.—(This Day.) HAY MARKETS. SMITHFIELD.—Meadow hay, 41 4s to 6/ N ; clover do•, It 103 to 6/ 1s ; and straw, 1/ 4s to 1/ 9s per load. A. moderate supply, and a sluggi4h demand. CUMBERLAND.—MeadQw hay, 4/ Os to 5/ 18s; sloven do., t/ Ss to 6/ 12s ; and straw, 11 5s to 1/ 10s per load. frado dull. WHITEeIIAPEL.—Meadow hay, 4/ Os to 51 15s ; clover do., 41 8s to 61 16s ; and straw, 1/ 4s to 11 9s per local• Supply rather limited, and trade dull. COLONIAL. TEA.—The market has been without animation. Com• .non congou realised 8-id. per lb. for nett cash. SUGAR.—There is no change to notice in the value of 3ither foreign or colonial, and but little business has been cue for either home or foreign trade. The dealings in the Ltafined 31erket have been large for exportation to the continent, but for home consumption there is no inquiry. 13ritish crushed brought 325. to 355. per cwt. COFFEE. —Native Ceylon has been dull, with no change in price. Plantation is much inquired for, and last week's rates are fully maintained. Mocha is in good demand 10 full rates. RICE.—The market is dull. Mid. to good white Bengal sold for Hs. per cwt. Rum.—There has been no demand for this article, aaa prices are without alteration. TALLOW. —The market has not been much affected bf the news of the proceedings of the Paris Conferences, out standing contracts having a counteracting influence• P. Y. C. April and June 525., last 3 months 50s. to 51s. 6d. per cwt. THE AMERICAN MAILS.—The specie from New York yesterday amounted to 140,0001. According to the ad vices on this occasion, the money market exhibited con' tinued signs of improvement, a further average advance of about 2 per cent. having taken place in the principal railway and other securities. Erie was quoted 59i ; Rea, ling, 90 ; Panama, 105 ; ani Illinois Central Bonds, 374. The anxiety regarding the fate of the Pacific WO intense, and, although a false report was current of a. elegraphic message from Halifax, announcing that she had put back to Ireland, little hope of her safety seemed to be entertained. At the date of the departure of the Persia she was more than a fori night overdue. THE MISSING STEAM-SHIP PACIFIC.—Some small in' :eraecas are understood to have been effected on the Pacific yesterday at the rate of 80 per cent. The value .1 the ship is about 120,0001., and she is said to have lad carvo of 700 tins of fine goods. Happily her number of passengers was smaller than usual, the total being 46, including six ladies and two children. The Eurotas, 12 gun screw mortar ship, of 200-horse (nominal) power, is progressing in ber fitment, an order taring arrived fur her to be ready for sea with all pos• :ode despatch. The artisans, engineers, &c., are all corking extra time to complete her. THE AUSTRALIAL MAILS.—The value of the gold by Ole., James Baines, from Melbourne, appears to be 320,0001. It is uncertain when her letters will be de livered. Mer dates are only eight days later than those received last week via Panama, and the fortnightly mail oy which she was to be followed may now be considered ,veriue. NOTTINGHAM, March I.—A good deal of anxiety mai.ifested in ail directions to hear of the Pacific, 19 days •verduo when the last steamer left New York. The .aluable cargo she has on board includes large quanti ies of lace and hosiery, and among ber passengers are ome Anglo-American merc h ants extensively concerne d in the Nottingkina trade. ROYAL HUMANE S'OCIETY.—A. special general meet.. 'us. of the rnenib(.rs of this society took place yesterdays at the offices, Trafalgar -square when his Grace the Duke of Wellingt,n, one of the vice-presidents, wa 4 . unanimously e l ecte d pres i dent of the society, in lieu of -11, , late Duke of Norfolk, who had held the office f or many years. _ _ _ - - _ I ..c ct a of the Talbots, which Mr. 5. Phillimureon mitLingly vindicated by his unjust strictures on the con" duct of Mr. Ju,tice Turreus, is to come before the Hoist' .t Lords in a few days. The second reading of the/ livorce bill stands at present for Tuesday, the 11th of Vlarch, and the evidence in support of it will then be thoroughly investigated. Captain Burges;and Mrs. Burgess, Mr. Lawrence , ►od Mi,s Wallace, have taken their departure from the Queen's lintel, Upper Norwood. M. Alexandre Dumas is present, with all his decors , tioris, at the Lumerous political soirees now being give° in Paris in honour of the plenipotentiaries. AUSTRALIA.—LIVERPOOL, Monday.—By advises from Sydney to December 10, received per Maanel Mount, ship, at Valparaiso, flour had declined to 281. per tons t which price it was not saleable, owing to large ar rivals, and the favourable prospects of the approachieZ harvests. ROYAL 111:131ANE SOCIETY.—A special general meting' ,f the members of thii society took place yesterday, at the offices, Trafalgar-square, when the Duke of Welling' ton, one of the vica-presides.ts, was unanimously elected president of the: , society, in lieu of the late Duke of Nor 'Pik, who had held the office for many years. NEWSPAPER STAMPS.—A Parliamentary paper pub' iished yesterday morning informs us that the numbers ~f newspaper stamps issued from July 1 to December 31, 1855, were as follows :—ln England, 15,498,09 4 ; Ifl Wales, 193,860 ; in Scotland, 2,680,122 ; and in Ire- And, 3,274,612 ; making a total of 21,646,688. Mr. Gainhart, we (Athenceum) hear, has corarais' sioned M. Dubufe, a pupil of Delaroche, to execute 9 , iarge picture of the Peace Conferenc es . Th e ar tist is 7 , ) have 1,2001. for his work, which, we understand, will be brought to England in search of an engraver. Tne prospectus has been issued of the Liverpool and Australian Navigation Company, w ith a ca pital of 100,000/. in 1001. shares. The company possess * charter of incorporation, and their o bj ec t i s t o e stablish s line of vessels chiefly characterised by speed as sailing Mips, but with a sufficient amount of screw power to prevent detention from calms such as has just been ex' perienced by the James Baipes. 205,0001. of the capl ai has already been subscribed, and the company 0", tie Great Britai n an d th e R oya l Ch ar t er , th e latter 0, 2,720 tens, which i s now on h er wa y to M e lb ourn e, baying .Jeen built expressly for this service. The management at Liverpool is to he carried on by Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co., at a remuneration based on the re ceipts of the company. The departures from the port of L on don for the Australian colonies during the part week have corn' prised five vessels—one to Port, Philip, one to SydneY.; ,ne to New Z aland, , one e, Moreton Bay, and one to • Ltuncs,ton—with an aggregate capacity of 2,670 ton The rates of freight continue to exhibit heaviness. I 4" h . 4',:g The I With an Friday, Abierica sale s we , 4. 00 Peri ; al Per lb. more bu t han tiro 1 ACCOU 4 ° 11 g11( 11. th e posit kodified p r evious ti me sus] knowi steam nr. The a] b ag not 1 certai n ; 14 g the g it ! regal% .I°4 ed t] t eeei ve d pork. The ai and Ori le chin a , "Iver. , Porei Allrki s i 44 aran tis ing t( The I Sto c k s: 2N 1, ; Nrtug C ents., 3 Per C Certific fu W ay Si 21. dull. Mini ar e 14 , htion Loi "'hares 11 RrrE P 1 11,lealoi CO] Dud to bode , PC ais ne , Quee BA tile r 1R lQ Sou l Ceed. P I t 1 *lac( C ~~ A laa Pii