The Sun. — London, England, 1863-03-28 00:00:00

IROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT _ GARDEN.—Mr. Gye has the honour to announce that ie OPERA SEASON of 1803 will commence on TUESDAY, A ril 7. The Prospectus with full particulars may be ob t•'med at the Box-office, and at the principal musicsellers and librarians. 1I ER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. - Mr. MAPLESON has the honour to annou nce that Is OPERA SEASON of 1E63 will commence on SAT UR- D 4.Y, Anril 11. The prospectus, with full particulars, may be obtained on Application at the Box-office, wh•ch is open daily, under the Auperintendetice of Mr. Nugent, from Ten to Six; and at all the principal Libraries andMusicsellers. THEATRE -R OYAL DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. THIS EVENING, EXTREMES ; or, Men of the Day. tiletvrs. Henry Lorraine, 11. Sinclair, S. Calhaem, J. R o bi ns, Mrs. D. P. Bowers, Miss Clara Weston, and Mrs. Ed piund Falconer. To conclude with THE SPANISH DANCERS. Mr. J. robins and Miss Lydia Thompson. Commence at 7, T REAT RE-R 0 AJ„ HAY MARKET. Lessee. Mr. J. B. Buckstone. 4 THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, will be performed. UR AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenchard, Mr. Buck s' One ; Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. Followed by MY AUNT'S ADVICE. Messrs. Howe, and Sothern ; Miss Linley, and Miss Coleman. To conclude with DUCK HUNTING. THEATRE -ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. FECIITER. THIS EVEN LNG, March 28, to commence with an Ori2, - inal Pketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, garden, H. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and Pr3logue, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul Feval and John Brougham. 1 .1 he principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter, eunported by Messrs. G. Vining, J. Brougham, H. Widdi eombe, W. M'lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson ; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E. I.aTenne, and Elsworthy. Stage-Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. karnett. R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lamsee and Manager, Mr Linda& THIS EVENING (f'or the Benefit of Miss A-ay Sedzwick), THE LADY OF LYONS. Messrs. Henry Marston, C. I.Qeyton, Cathcart, at d Wallace ; Miss Amy Sedg,wick an , 1 Nl's. H. Marston. --------- To conclude with KATHERINE AND PETRUCHIO Mr. H. Marston, Mr. G. Belmore, 311ss Amy Sedgwick, Miss ilenderson, and Mrs. Simpson. NEW THRATRE-R0 VAL, ADELPHL- Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING (10th time) AURORWLOYD. Miss Avonia Jones, Miss IL Simms, Mrs. Billington ; Mr. Belli. `Webster, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. R. Phillips, Mr. Billington, )Ir. Stuart, Mr. Sefton, Mr. Romer, Mr. C. J. Smith. After which, A VALENTINE: Messrs. J. L. Took, Paul Bedford, Miss Kate Kelly, and Miss Seaman. Commence at 7. /11FIE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," 11 Containing the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENtE, can be bad Every Evening of G. R. GLkNIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park. NOTICE. THE WEDDING SUN Is still Publishing. "THE SUN," of TUESDAY, will Contain a Verbatim Report of Lord Palmer eton's Inaugural Address at Glasgow. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tiflis DAY.—Morning, 7h. 49m.—Afternoon, Bh. 25m. To-moaßow.-Morning, 9h. 9,n.—Afternoon, 9h. 50m. el 4 1. 7 -, i pe ll * ll44 4 l k ik UM LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1863, In the House of Lords, last night, several mea- Pura, including the Union Relief Aid Act Con tinuance Bill, and the Tobacco Duties Bill, received the Royal assent by commission ; and, after a short conversation, Lord WESTBURY'S bill for augment ing the value of the Crown livings in the gift of the Lord Chancellor was read a second time. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question from Mr. HENRY itiEYMOUR, stated that he had heard that a pro poaal was likely to be made to the Government with respect to purchasing for some public object the Exhibition building ; but he did not think the proposal was one that could be entertained. In answer to Lord JOHN MANNERS, Sir GEORGE GREY said the Inspector of Factories in Lancashire liad reported that steps were being taken to adapt t he machinery in the mills to the use of Indian and other descriptions of cotton. Mr. HENNESSY made another appeal on behalf of Poland ; and Nlr. W . E. FORSTER raised a discussion on the fitting out of war vessels in this country for the Confederate states. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL warmly de t'ended the conduct of the Government with respect o the fitting out of the Alabama, and retorted that the American Government had not always respected our neutrality when their own interests were con cealed. Beyond all doubt of it, the most telling speech yet delivered this session is the one reported in another part of our impression of to-day, as having been delivered last night by Mr. LAIRD in 'newer to the taunts of Mr. BRIGHT. At every sentence, this speech of Mr. LAIRD'S yesterday rang with the golden ring of a true eloquence. It was the elo quence of a manly indignation. His argument was based firmly, step by step, upon the logic of facts. it was all apropos, of course to the vexed question of the Alabama. It began and ended with it. Beginning with the beginning, Mr. LAIRD hesitated not one instant in remarking, " I can only say, from all I know and all I have heard, that from the day the vessel was:laid down to her completion everything was open and above board in this country." On saying which the Mouse—not Mr. BRIGHT, but the House—cheered. iMr. BRIGH'I'S voice was audible a few seconds Lfterwards, it is true, calling out (of course, ironi cally) " Hear'." viz., immediately, upon Mr. LAIRD'S remark that when the Alabama left the Custom-house officers declared there waa nothing I , gro ng about her ! Notwithstanding which der-- hive exclamation Mr. LAIRD stuck to his text — repeating immediately afterwards, in reference to the Custom-house officers and the Alabama, "They only left when the tug left, and they were obliged to declare that she left Liverpool r. perfectly legitimate transaction." Admir ably well, as a pendant to this, did the hon, mem ber add directly, and in great good humour, that One point, as it appeared to him, had been over• J 3coked in the whole coarse of the discussion, " that if a ship without guns and without arms is a dan gerous article, surely rifled guns and ammunition of all sorts are equally, and even more dangerous." And then, amidst the rene red and reiterated cheer inn of the House, How he did turn the tables, to be cure? Giving some of the names even of the idehnquent speculators. "I have referred," he tells the H3use,with a delightfully ingenuous frankness, " to the bill of entry in the Custom houses of London and Liverpool, and I find there have been vast shipments c f implements of war to the Northern States through the celebrated house of BARING and Co., BROWN, HIPLEY, and Co., of Liverpool, and a variety of other names, which I need not more particularly mention, but whose Northern tendencies are well known to this House." A little further on and he delights the House by entering cate gorically into an enumeration of some of the particulars : "scme details," as he quietly expresses it, " of the sundries exported from the United Kingdom to the Northern States of America from the Ist of May, 1861, to the 31st of December, 1862. 'There were," says Mr. LAIRD (speaking, mind from accurate information furnished to him from the Custom House authorities)—" Muskets, 41,500; rifles, 341,000; gun flintP, 25,500; percussion caps, 49,982,000; and swords, 2,250!" And he further more goes on to remark—" The best information I can obtain leads me to believe that from one third to a half may be added to these numbers Tor items which have been shipped to the Northern States as hardware." Nay, he continues, " have very good reason for saying that a vessel of 2,000 tons was charterrd six weeks ego for the ex press purpose of taking out a cargo of ' hardware' to the United States." The hon. member, however, had yet another batch of facts to particularize, for he pursued his observation at this point by saying —" The exportation has not yet ceased. From the Ist of January to the 17th of March, 1863, the Cus toms' bills of entry show that 23,870 gun-barrels, 30,803 rifles, and 3,105,800 percussion-caps were shipped to the United States." So much for the loyal truthfulness of the systematic revilers of those who have had anything at all to do with the far famed Alabama. It was the close, however, of the brilliant speech delivered last night by Mr. LAIRD in the British House of Commons that told the most damagingly against his antagonists and assailants, but particu larly against his arch-assailant among them all ! " Seeing" said he manfully, " that the American Go vernment (he means here, of course, the Northern Government) are making so much work about other parties, whom they charge with violating or evading the law, though in reality they have not done so, I think it only fair to state these FACTS !" A few more remarks, and he added, " I do not wish to occupy the house longer, but I must say this, that to talk of freedom in a land like the Northern States of America is an absurdity. Almost every detective that can be got hold of in this country is employed." Not satisfied with generali ties, he thus enters in particulars—" I believe," he said, " there are spies in my son's works in Birken head, and in all the great establishments in the country. A friend of mine had detectives regu larly on his track in consequence of some circum stances connected with his vessels. If that," ex claimed Mr. LAIRD, "be freedom, I thing we had better remain—as we are !" 'Whereat the House cheered lustily, not without some laughter. "In conclusion," quoth Mr. LAIRD, in the midst of the re peated cheering of the House of Commons, " I have only to say, that I would rather be handed down to posterity as the builder of a dozen Alabamas than as the man who applies himself deliberately to set class against class, and to cry up the institutions of another country which, when they come to be tested, are of no value whatever, and which reduce liberty to an utter absurdity." Hardly have the cheers called forth by those outspoken words of a true-hearted Englishman, ceased to vibrate within the walls of the House of Commons, down at Westminster—when new evidences are flashed to us by telegraph, as we write, new evidences of the con tinued and miserable collapse of the power vaunted with such disloyal enthusiasm by the thoroughly un-English and ultra-American member for Bir mingham. How deplorable this collapse of the Federal power, both ashore and afloat, continues to be, will be recognised upon a glance at our latest Telegrams. Captain COWPER COLES has again done good service to his country by the apparently easy means of a lecture delivered by him before the Royal United Service Institution. Readily, how ever, though the lucid explanations fell from his lips, they are the result of many years' assiduous and laborious application of his energies to the fab rication of these extraordinary cupola and shield ships, of which he has the distinguished honour of being the inventor. Elaborately as the nature of his invention has been explained, before now, by himself and others, it really almost appears, upon an examination of his remarks the other even ing down at Whitehall, that we knew next to nothing at all about it until yesterday. The par ticulars given by him in his lecture this week, bringing the peculiarities of his invention out to view in so lucid and vivid a light, that there is now no longer any room whatever of misapprehension in regard to them. Now, at any rate, we may be gin seriously to believe that we do at last know something about the capabilities of (that terrible illiteration!) Captain COWPER COLES'S Cupolas ! The objection raised against those formidable ships of iron, the shield ships of Captain COLES, it will be remembered, was, from the first, above all things, that they could not be masted, How has this alarming objection been at once and completely obviated Ly the ingenuity of the inventor ? By the supplementary contrivance of the rigid iron tripod masts ! Not only dces that contrivance so strengthen the floating fabric altogether, that a vessel SO masted is enabled to spread half as much canvass again as another ordinarily masted and rigged, but the hollow tubes of the rigid iron tripod masts actually enable the ship to be thoroughly well ventilated even in the foulest weather. The lecturer indeed pointed out the other evening to his audience (illustrating his re marks by means of a little model placed on the lecture table) " how the topgallant masts and yards could be quickly struck and placed on deck, and nothing but the tripod masts be left above deck with CUNNINGHAM'S patent reefing apparatus, so that the sails could be taken in from below, or reefed fore and aft. There was no lower rigging" he added, " to interfere with the training power of the shield or deck. The yards and lower stays could be braced fore and aft, and in a live with th© keel, or the square sail could be set when under steam. On going into action the topsail could be furled or taken in without exposing the men to the fire of the enemy." Besides all which, eve❑ if shot away, there was this instant and obvious advantage with the iron masts that they sunk at once, being of iron, and thus got rid of the otherwise, all but inevitable additional hazard of fouling the screw. Again, it was remarked very forcibly by Captain COLE, in his recent lecture, that whereas clipper ships that made a voyage out to China and home, often required on their return new sets of masts and rigging, owing to the influence of change of climate This could not be the case if iron masts were substituted for wooden masts. Nay, he even went so far as to assert, with the confidence purchased by experimental comparisons in the way of tests, that " assuming the adoption of his system of iron tripod masts effectually to re move objections urged against hie shield ships on the ground of the difficulty of meeting them, he could claim for his cupola ships as contrasted with the old broadside class, greater powers of offence, defence, greater speed, better sea-going qualities, and lighter draught of water." In direct and con Although our Indian Secretary may felicitate himself on the assistance he has given to the development of the railroad system of India, his good deeds in this respect are counterbalanced by the disfavour with which he has always regarded the increase of the water communication in that country. To the want of a better system of water traffic is principally due those disastrous seasons of dearth and scarcity which regularly desolate ex tensive districts in British India. There is little doubt that the newly-formed irrigation works in the delta of the Godavery, have been instrumental in saving the lives of thousands, as well as an immense amount of property. At the time of the periodical droughts, if no means had been taken to alleviate the distress, the destruction of cattle and agricul tare would have been certain, while famine would have decimated the population. We have always strongly advocated the importance of these mea sures, and we are glad to find the Irrigation Com pany of Madras has so well fulfilled our expecta tions. We learn from a recent pamphlet by Mr. DiCKENSON that the water supplied by them to a region withered by the drought season produces a change " like from death to life," and restores fresh hope and prosperity to the earth and its dwellers, The Madras Government have stated that in Raja mudry district the goods traffic had augmented thirtyfold, the passenger traffic sevenfold, and the exports twelvefold, in consequence of the public works. This was said two years since, and great increase has taken place since that time. It must be remembered that these results arose from the irri gation of only 700,000 acres, and that the gift of free navigation , which cost the Government 1 td. per acre, produced a speedy return, which averaged £2 an acre. The water rate charged was at the rate of 6s. for one crop, or 10s. for two ; the highest annual charge for water leaving, consequently, a clear profit of £1 10s. per acre above the profit on very inexpen sive carriage. Mr. DICKENSON, in the pamphlet referred to, sets forward plainly and forcibly the arguments in favour of an extended system of irrigation. He remarks on the beneficial effects, not only of the great canals, but of the side channels ; a narrow ditch will float a boat that can carry a ton weight, and which, under the management of a boy, will convey as much weight as a heavy cart, whi c h with the two bullocks, and the man in charge, would be a very great expense. The lessen ing of the cost and trouble of traffic will greatly encourage commerce by increasing the value of the articles sold, and diminishing the cost of what is bought. A striking proof of the benefits arising from increased facility of communication is found in the fact that the freightage on merchan dise from London to Madras, a distance of more than 12,000 miles, is about 30s. per ton ; while the elusive testing of which it has only been necessary to compare the broadside ironclad Defence with the Prince Albert shield ship now building at Blackwall. The latter with a tonnage of only 2,529 tons, throws a broad side of 1,1201 b., while the Defence, of 3,700 tons, only throws a broadside of 5601 b., so that, as Cap tain COLES shows with comprehensible exultation, with less tonnage the broadside of the cupola ship carriage of the same goods over the 400 miles which intervene between Madras and Bellary amounts to £6 a ton ! If efficient water communication were provided the cost would be but 10s. a ton, were the distance even 500 miles, while instead of the goods being three or four months on the road, exposed to was twice as great as the, say, of the Valiant ! The advantage, however, he went on to argue is positively still greater, for with all the large crews at present on board our men of war, they could, when fighting both broadsides, only use every alternate gun, so that the actual broadside of the all the risks attending a protracted journey, a s many days would suffice for their conveyance Defence is only 2801 b., assuming both sides to be engaged ; while the shield ship, working the guns by water. Argument and illustration, however, by mechanical appliances, can continue to throw two • are alike hopeless with our Indian Secretary of broadsideF, each of 5601 b. Added to which, the State. Sir CHARLES WOOD will neither be per- shield ship draws aft. Sin. less water, and is suaded nor convinced. He refuses to credit official reports and private evidence, declaring them to be exaggerated and mistaken. He is determined to completely covered with 51in. armour plates, while the Defence is only partially covered with 4ein. iron plates! Finally, " Compaced with the Valiant, have railways, Nlhich will probably be of great benefit to India as to England. But the different the Prince Albert, shield ship, throws 261 b. less in her broadside, but her tonnage is 1,380 tons less, she _ _ _ nature of the climate necessitates due attention being paid also to the water system. The countless Little tributaries which supply our own rivers keep draws sft. 2in. less water, is wholly covered with armour plates, while the Valiant is but partially protected. Comparcti with the Warrior, the shield the ground fresh and fertile, an d so th e s t re a m s ship is 3,430 tons less in tonna ge , an d th rows which would supply our Indian canals would irri- 2461 b. less broadside, but draws 6ft. 2in. less water, gate the arid plains of India, and prove a source of and is wholly protected, as against the partial plate health and pl e nty t o th e peop l e. T he evils attend- ing of the Warrior. Compared with the Favourite , ing the cotton scarcity have induced Sir CHARLES the Prince Albert throws 7641 b. more, is 340 tons WooD to propos e cotton roads ; but these, however large, but draws .1 feet less water, is covered with desirable, will not supply the absence of the water 51 inch plates, as against partial prott etion afforded works and communications so greatly needed for the by 4 i:inch:Plates." While, to crown all, Comparing encouragement of the Indian cotton trade. The slow the shield ship with the Royal Sovereign, it is and mischievous mode of transit from the interior to shown that the latter throws a broadside of five 300- the ports greatly reduces the value of Indian cotton, pounders equal to one thousand! and indeed, after reading an account of its journey, Altogether, after carefully scrutinising the simple one is tempted to wonder that it i s fit f or use a t ail and unanswerable data now accumulated, it appears , when it reaches its declination Were the cotton that Capt.COLES can reasonably claim, as in point of resources of India developed to their full extent, fact he actually does claim, for his cupolas "greater England would be independent o' American wars, to the benefit alike of herself and her great Eastern Empire. It is estimated that the present crop might have been raised from an average of £12,000,000 to about L 06,000,000 per annum, with the possibility of further increase. More than 20 years ago the Court of Directors admitted that India was capable of producing cotton, which in quantity and quality could com pete with the cotton of North America. Mr . MERCER, an American planter, openly said that the Berar cotton equalled good Mobile or Up and Georgia ; while another America❑ anthoriy admitted that the product of the west of Guzerat was as good cotton as he had ever seen. The Ame ricans, in truth, began to tremble for their fortune. Apprehension of the possible consequences to their trade rendered them more keen-sighted as to the capabilities of India than our wise merchants and rulers. Mr. LAWRENCE, the American Ambassador I in this country, warned the Southern planters to direct their attention elsewhere, and not to persist in reckless extension of their cotton cul. tivation, for that they could not com pete with India if ever Englishmen resolved in earnest to give its people and resources fair play. Surely, then, in face of these various testimonies, our statesmen should not lose a day in forwarding by every means in their power the development of our Indian resources. Too much time has been already lost. No system of agriculture or manu facture will thrive if discouraged and neglected. The field is open to enterprise and capital. The population is numerous and intelligent. Let us then avail ourselves to the utmost of the means in car power to resuscitate a once thriving trade, and to bring relief to our brave and suffering country men. Ti HE SUN, LONDON ; SATURDAY I_ , f, VV, MN% MARCH. 28, 1863. power of broadside in proportion to tonnage, lighter draught of water, greater resisting power, and a very great saving of weight, in consequence of the exposed portion of the ship's side above water ne cessary to be protected in action being reduced, so to speak, to a minimum !" Tolerably large, surely, advantages like these ! Important, each of them, if regarded singly ! Overwhelmingly in favour of the shield ships when thus massed together in the simple enumeration of their superior capabilities ! tsv Tffurt HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, March 27. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, drove out :yesterday after noon, attended by Lieut.-Calonel the Hon. D. de Ros. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales drove out this morning. Viscount Torrington and Lieut.-General the Right Hon. J. Peel arrived at the Castle yes terday. Earl Russell and Baron Gros, the French Am bassador, arrived at the Castle this morning. Earl Russell had an audience of the Queen. Baron Gros had an audience of her Majesty, to which he was introduced by Earl Russell. Baron Gros afterwards had an audience of the Prince of Wales, and presented his Royal High ness with the decoration of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour from his Majesty the Em peror of the French. Lord Alfred Hervey and Lieut.-Colonel Rappel were present as Lord and Equerry in Waiting to the Prince. Mr. Vinter had the honour of submitting to her Majesty, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Prince and Princess of Hesse his portrait of her Royal Highness the Prin cess of Wales, lithographed after Lauchert for Messrs. Colnaghi, Scott, and Co. The Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Prin cess of Wales left Windsor Castle shortly before noon to -day, a n d t oo k th e i r d e parture at 1.30 by spacial train f rom t h e G rea t E as t e rn terminus at Shoreditch for Sandringhern. On reaching Lynn it is expected that the mayor will present an address voted by the corporation, while the Lynn Rifle Corps will form a guard of honour in the ground opposite the station. At Wolverton, where their Royal Highnesses will leave the train, the platform has been extended to three times its previous length, and has been covered with crimson cloth, and a large space of ground ad joining has been enclosed in a kind of colonnade formed of lofty poles, united by cress-pieces, and the whole covered with evergreens. The statioa has been handsomely decorated in other ways, and the exit to the Sandringham-road is through a grand triumphal arch, and on the road to Sandringham there are other decorations, some of which have been executed by his Royal Highness's tenantry, andsome by the Great Eastern Railway Company's local staff. The Ist Norfolk Light Horse Volunteers, under the command of Capt. Hay Gurney, will escort the royal carriage from Wolverton to Sandringham, and he tenantry of the estate will also meet their illus trious landlord. At the entrance gate near the hall the clergy and tenantry will present addresses to the Prince, and it is proposed that a number of young ladies shall strew flowers in the path of their Royal Highnesses. The high sheriff of Norfolk has received a com munication from Lieut.-Gen. Knollys, intimating that after the return of the Prince and Princess from Sandringham, a day will be appointed for the presentation of an address voted a few days since at a county meeting. Yesterday a similar county meeting in Essex voted a corresponding address to thoir Royal Highnesses. Handsome wedding presents from the Norwich Town Council to the Prince and Princess have been delivered at Windsor by the town clerk (Mr. W. L. Mendham), who had the honour of placing them before their Royal Highnesses. The Prince and Princess expressed their admiration of the articles presented, which arc wholly of Norwich 'manu facture. Viscount and Viscountess Grey de Wilton are among the visitors staying at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mow bray, during the races at Croxtun Park. Viscount and Viscountess Newport have been staying at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, on a visit to the Earl of Wilton during the week. The Right Hon. William Hutt has left town for his seat, Gibside. Sir Edward and Lady Caroline Kerrison enter tained a small party at dinner last evening at their resi dence in Piccadilly. Lady Caroline Kerrison afterwards had an assembly, at which about 200 were present. The :Marchioness of Downshire had a musical party yesterday evening at the family mansion in Belgrave square. The Eall and Countess Delawarr have left town for Buckhurst Pa.k, Sussex, till after the Easter Holidays. Lord West remains in town. The Earl and Countess Grey left town to-day For their seat in Northumberland. Viscount Palmerston left London this morning for Scot!and. Viscount ,- ss Palmerston will remain in town. His lordship is accompanied by the Right Hon. W. Cow•. per and the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, and by his private secretary, the Hon, Evelyn Ashley, General and Al4datne Le Respein and family have taken their departure from the Brunswick Hotel, Jetruyn street. on their return to Paris. SUICIDE FROM WESTMINSTER BRlDGE.—Yester day morning at an early hour, a woman j'imped into the River Thames from the up -side of Westminster bridge. She left 6n the path a straw bonnet trimmed with black and white ribbon, a pair of gloves, a cameo brooch, a grey mixture skawi, and two keys. It being very early in the morning no boats were about, and although she was seen to rise twice there was no one near enough to render assistance. She was carried away by the tide. The body has not been recovered. A DEFAULTING CUSTOM -HOUSE OFFlCER,—Yes terday Edward °Acme, a collecting officer in the Customs, was charged before Mr. Raffles, the stipendiary magistrate at Liverpool, with having embezzled the sum of about £5OO belonging to the Customs, The prisoner had absconded a week or two ago, and was apprehended in Hampshire. REPRESENTATION OF THETFORD.—A vacancy has taken place in the representation of the borough of Thetford, Norfolk, the Earl of Euston, one of the present members, having become Duke of Grafton, The borough contains only 221 electors, most of whom are under the direct influence of the Grafton family. It returns two mem bers to the House of Commons, being thus placed on an equality with Liverpool, Manchester, and other populous towns in the country, No candidate had come forward up to last evening. DESPATCH OF THE BOMBAY MAILS.—The Penin sular and Oriental C)mpany's steamship Pera, Cap tain Jamieson, sailed from Southampton yesterday after noon with the mails for Gibraltar, the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Bombay, and Upper Bengal, together with 43 passengers, The Pera took out on freight 1,088 boxes specie, value £313,368, for the following ports, viz.: --Malta, gold leaf, £2B ; Alexandria, sovereigns, £5,250, watches, chains, Sze., £737; Suez, sovereigns, £lOO, jewellery, £57; and for Bombay, bar silver, £284,000; silver coin, £950; bar gold, £11,600; gold coin, £9,500; diamonds, £800; and watches, jewellery, &c., £l9B. The Pera also took out a a full cargo of general merchandise. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEE L — Alonday—Actuaries, at 7, " Carlisle, Government, Registrar-General's, and other Tables of Mortality." Mr. Jardine Henry ; Chemical, at 8, Anniver sary. Tuesday — Hurticultur a l, at 12, Floral Committee; Engineers, at 1, " Structures on the Sim," &c., Mr. Miller. Wednesday- Geographical, at 8, " Recent Changes in Dclta of Ganges," Mr, Fergusson. Thursday—Linnean, at 8, "Physiology of Spiders," Mr. Blackwall ; " Mr, Murray; " Montrosity in Passiflora," Dr Salter; Chemical, at 8. Fr iday—Philogical, at B.—Athencerem. PUBLIC SCIWOLS COMMISSION.—The Public Schools Commissioners have held meetings on Twee day,Thursday, and Friday this week,at No. 2, Victoria-street, Westminster. Present, the Earl of Clarendon, the Earl of Devon, the Lord Lyttelton, Sir S. Northcote, M.P., the icon. E. Twisleton, the Rev. W. H. Thompson (on Thurs day and Friday), and 1 1 .1r,"H, H. Vaughan, The secretary attended, (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) complete. The Northern accounts of the engagement have not yet been received. None of the reported Federal successes or capturts on the Yazoo liver are yet confirmed. A Federal expedition, consisting of 2 steamers, 5 small gunboats, and 18 transports, arrived at the confluence of the Tallahatchie and Yallabusha rivers o❑ the 14th inst., when the advance steamer came upon a Confederate battery of 5 guns. Fight ing between the steamer and the Confederate batteries continued all day, but was not resumed the following day, the steamer being damaged and short of ammunition. In addition to the battery at Greenwood, the Confederates are reported to be strongly fortified at Yazoo City and Manchester. The fleet, at last accounts, arrived at Greenwood at the confluence. The Federals attacked the Confederate entrench ments at Franklin on the Blackwater River on the rith inst., and were repulsed. The Confederates, under General D. H. Hill, attacked Newborn, North Carolina, on the 13th inst., but were defeated. The Federal cavalry have crossed the Rappahan nock at Kelly's Ford, and had a spirited engage ment with the Confederate cavalry under Fitz Hugh Lee. The Confederates retreated behind their entrenchnients, and the Federals brought away 25 prisoners. The report that the Confederates were near Fort Donelson is said to be untrue. Deserters from Mobije report that the Confede rate fleet left that port four weeks ago to attack the Federal blockading s4uadron, but, owing to one of the vessels . getting aground the expedition was temporarily aban—doned. Colonel Fry, of the regular army, has been ap pointed Provost-Marshal under the Conscription Act. The appointment has been favourably re ceived by the public. The New Jersey Legislature has declared itself in favour of peace . measures by a large majority. The steamers Britannia and Gertrude have arrived at Confederate ports. The steamer Havelock has arrived at Charleston. NEW YORK, MARCH 18 (MORNING). A steamer, supposed to be a privateer, entered Savannah harbour on the 9th inst. and fired two guns, but left again before the Federal guns on Sybee Island could be brought to bear upon her, Mr. Chase has returned to Washington after con sulting with the New York financiers without ne gotiating a loan. It is stated that he is amply supplied with means for present demands, and his tUture policy remains undecided. Tne New York Heralcrs correspondent asserts that the rising in San Domingo is an unimportant .ffair. The inundations in M3sissippi and Louisiana, caused by the cutting of the levees at Yazoo Pass and Lake Providence, cover a great extent of coun try. It is calculated that in Mississippi a district nearly as large as Scotland has been laid under water, and that in Louisiana a region covering 5,000 square miles has been converted into a lake. Telegrams received via Cairo and Chicago report ,hat Vicksburg was about to be, or had been eva- cuated, while a statement in the _Richmond Despatch of the 10th asserts that the bombardment of Vicks burg by the Federals had commenced, and con- tinned at the date of the last advices, without doing material damage to the city. The works on the cut- off, or canal, have been brought to an unexpected termination. The Mississippi has broken through he levee and filled the trench with earth and rubbish, thus rendering it useless. NEW YORK, MARCH 7, Evening. Money easy; gold 56 per cent. premium. Ex change on London Bankers' Bills 171 to 172. Stocks steady. New York Central, 116 k; Illinois, 91-1- ; Erie, 798. Cotton improving; middling up land, 97c. Flour, wheat, and corn improving. Provisions good inquiry. Coffee and sugar dull. Crude petroleum, 21 to 22. QUEENSTOWN, MARCH 28. The Royal mail steamship Arabia, from Boston, on the 18th, and Halifax on the 20th inst„ arrived here at 9.20 a.m. with 26 passengers and 232,370 dols. in specie. She landed all mails and two pas sengers, and proceeded at 9.40 a.m. All well. MEXICO. NEW YORK, MARCH 19. The Richmond papers of the 17th inst. contain a despatch received by telegraph from Houston, Texas, announcing that the French troops had cap tured the city of Mexico. The news reached Houston ACT-OSB - Rio Grande, News from Galveston, of the 2d of March, says that the French Consul at Matamoras had received a. despatch stating that the French had captured Mexico city. It is supposed that this circumstance may have given rise to the report which reached Richmond. The report is considered premature, and does not obtain universal credence. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. THORN, MARCH 26, Evening. The insurgents iu the Governments of Flock and Augustowe have received 1,000 Minie rifles. WARSAW, M A RCPI 26. Two persons known to be spies have been stabbed to death in one of the streets of this city. VIENNA, MARCH 28. Yesterday Langiewicz still remained in the citadel of Cracow. The report current here that he had proceeded o Brum with his followers is therefore premature. SPAIN. MADRID, MARCH 27 (Evening). The President of the Council has in a conference stated to Senor Olozaga that the new Ministry does not continue the policy of the O'Donnell Cabinet, but that its programme is based upon liberal-conservative principles. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. AMERICA. (Per Arabia.) ENGAGEMENT AT PORT HUDSON. NEW YORK, MARCH 19 (Evening). The Richmond Whig, of the 17th inst., says that the bombardment of Port Hudson commenced at two o'clock on the 14th inst. At twelve o'clock at night a desperate engagement occurred, the Fede rals attempting to pass the batteries under cover of the darkness. One gunboat passed in a damaged condition. The Federal sloop of war Mississippi was burnt to the water edge in frcint of the bat terits. One large vessel was completely riddled, a third badly crippled, and the rest driven' back. Thirty-six of the crew of the Mississippi were cap tured. Admiral Farragut's flag-ship went down the river disabled. The Confederate victory was DENMARK. COPENHAGEN, MARCH 27 (Evening). The Danmark of to-day, in announcing that England has entered into negotiations with the Danish Government relative to the candidature of Priiace William to the Greek Throne, adds that great dissatisfaction prevails on account o 1 this can didature, and that objections are raised against it, the succession to the throne of Denmark being re stricted to the three sons of Prince Christian. TURKEY. CONSTANTINOPLE, MARCH 27. The intended voyage of the Sultan to Egypt has been postponed, Arrangements are being made for the payment of the dividends on the Turkish Consolides in London and Paris. Three commissioners have been appointed to make a tour of inspection in the provinces. THE BOMBAY MAILS. The following telegram has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, March 28 : The Ceylon and Massilia left Alexandria, with the above mails, yesterday—the former at 10 a.m., and the latter at sunset. The Massilia may be expected at Marseilles on the 2d proximo (evening), and the Ceylon at Southampton about the 9th proximo. The Jeddo and Sultan brought the mails to Suez, arriving there on the 25th inst. (one day early). Tne Mooltan reached Calcutta on the 4th inst., 68 days from Southampton. SOUTHAMPTON, MARCH 28. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Delta, has arrived here with the heavy portion of the above mails, 54 passengers, £331 in specie, pearls valued at 62,000 rupees, and 2,364 packages of cargo, including raw silk of the value of £200,000. On the 24th inst. she spoke the steamer Elora bound for Gibraltar. Gibraltar, March 21.—Exchange on London, 90 days, 50Z I; Paris, 5.30; Madrid, 9 premium. Freights unaltered. FRANCE. PARIS, MARCH 28. The Moniteur of this morning announces that all the centres of the Annanite insurrection have been dispersed, and the fortifications and batteries of the insurgents taken by the French troops. ‘1 All re sistance has ceased. But few men have been lost in the campaign, which was, however, very Le Pays, with somewhat, as it appears to us, of an over particularity, pronounces the Times to have been rather precipitate in announcing that the consent of the Royal Family of Denmark had been given to the proposed candidature of Prince William (of Denmark) for the throne of Greece. "Everything, however, empowers us to believe," says Le Pays, " that the Royal Family of Denmark will not refuse." To which we may venture to add—Most Probably. BOURSE, March 27.—The market has been firm, but without any large amount of business doing, speculators being already occupied in prepar'ng for the approaching settlement. Threes, for the Account, are now at 69f. 40c. The Railway Share Market without animation. The market became very buoyant towards the close, and left off as follows : It per Cents .. 96 25 Do. end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month 69 70 New 3 per Cents Do. end month — Credit Mobilier.... 1305 Do. end month 1315 Bank Shares 3380 Credit Foncier Italian Loan 7l 25 Do. end month 7O 20 Russian Austrian Spanish Threes Bll Home Debt B.A ILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans.• •., Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 1220 .. 1218 75 Geneva 435 .. 440 Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 731 25 .. 731 25 Ditto to Barcelona - POLAND. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The following letter was addressed by Count Victor Statzenski, one of the Marshals of the Lithuanian nobility, to the other Marshals of the province, acquainting them of the reasons which induced him to send in his resignation to the Government : " Sir,—lt nould not be a secret to me, when called by the votes of my fellow-nobles to the post of Marshal of the nobility, almost at the very com mencement of the national movement, that I should meet with no little difficulty in perform ing the functions entrusted to me. With the con viction, however, that it is the duty of every citizen that loves his country and is faithful to her historical recollections, to labour mainly to promote the organic development of the moral and material resources of the country ; that such a work is both possible and necessary under all circumstances and under every Government, I accepted the duties imposed upon me, in the hope hat my zealous service for the good of Lithuania will be to its advantage, and in the belief that the sincere declaration of its wants will meet with con sideration from the Government authorities. " The pressing necessity for reforms arid institu tious, without which Lithuania, long systemati cally repressed and hindered in the development of all political life, cannot lead to a better, or even a more tolerable, future, is well known to you, as it is to all. Such being the state of our country, I strove for the past two years, while repressing in my heart the feelings dearest to a Pole, to lead the nation to a sincere union with the Crown, in the hope that I might succeed in obtaining those very institutions and reforms which every Citizen, even the most moderate, looks upon as vitally necessary. " This sincere, though modest programme, has yet not been duly appreciated. Both the note I sub mitted in February, my memorial of December last, and the verbal representations I made on every occasion, have hitherto produced no result what ever in the state of Lithuania. And, in presence of the attitude assumed by the Government autho rities with regard to the present events—of the injurious insinuaticns publicly made against the Polish element in Lithuania—of the simultaneous circulation among the peasants of exciting addresses —acid, finally, of the provocation by the Govern ment of the social resolytion which threatens us—l could only conclude that not only is continuance in the office of Marshal incompatible with the per sonal dignity of a Pole, but that every attempt to promote the welfare of the country is now nu longer possible. I therefore find it necessary, after the sad 'ex perience of the fruitless efforts of two years, to send in my resignation this day.—l am, &c., (Signed) " VICTOR STAREENSKI. " Grodno,. March 16, 1863." Shortly after, all the marshals of gol ernments and districts in Lithuania resigned their appoint ments. At the same time all the local agents for the pea sants' question, of whom there are upwards of 250, sent in their resignations to the marshal of the dis trict by the following letter : " Sir,—The Lithuanian nobility having been the first to take the initiative in the great work of the emancipation of the peasants, zealously co-operated in carrying this salutary general reform into effect; they could not, therefore, expect either the accusations made against them by the Government authorities, or the daily persecutions 'by which they endeavour to call forth antagonis& feelings between the poor and the rich, and bring Lithuania to a total general revolution. " The position of the Government authorities renders an organic solution of the peasant question ineffectual, puts a stop to all labour on the part of the people tending to the development of the moral and material resources of the country, and renders totally impossible all further action on tb, part of the nobility in this direction. " Under the circumstances w e are no longer j able to tuifii the duties of agents in the emanci pation qm,stion with any benefit to the country, and we therefore send you cur resignation, leaving the Government authorities solely responsible for the further consequences of their deeds." (Here follow the signatures.) Wonderfully Rapid Intelligence. The Electric Telegraph has at length been sur passed in rapidity 1 We have this afternoon re ceived a message from King's Lynn —a message brought to ns by rail—describing the reception of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales upon their arrival in Noriolk. The marvel of rapidity, in regard to the transmission of this message, consists in its having beaten, not only the Electric Telegraph, but Time himself. The reporter —whose name we have the cruel kindness to abstain from giving, notwithstanding the wonder of his achiement—resembles Shakspere, at least in ono particular, if we are to accept D J etor Johnson's interpretation in any way literally--. that " Panting Time toils after him in vain I" For, reverting from Shakapero to the other writer, a writer only, as it happens of " fl.msy"—we re ceive before one o'clock this afternoon his copy (sent by Rail, but headed "By Electric Telegraph") dated " King's Lynn, Saturday," but mentioning nothing at all about the hour. We receive this message at our office before one o'clock, ann3uncing " The arrival of the Prince of Wales in Norfolk"— although the Prince of Wales was not to leave the Shoreditch Station until Half-past one o'clock on this same afternoon ! THE SEIZURE OP THE PETERHOFF. The owners of the Peterhoff, Messrs. Bennett and Wake, write as follows with reference to the seizure of their ship : " The news, per City of New York, from America, brings us intelligence of the illegal seizure of the British steam-snip Peterhoff by the Federal man of- war Vanderbilt, under orders from Admiral Wilkes, of Trent notoriety. " The steamship Peterhoff was recently loaded and cleared by us from this port, for Matamoras, and we are at present quite at a loss to account for this most unjustifiable act, the ship having left London with perfectly regular British and Mexican consular clearances, and a cargo of assorted goods, consisting of blankets, wearing apparel, &c., having no arms or munitions of war on board. , The vessel had been overhauled by the Alabama previous to her arrival at St. Thomas's, and had sailed from that port, from whence the Vanderbilt was sent in pursuit of her. " We have further to state that her Majesty's mails were on board, and we have no doubt it will be discovered that they have been treated with the" same contempt as the ship and cargo. " We consider this seizure only to be accounted for by the known indifference of Admiral Wilkes to the restrictions of international law. " We have organised a regular line of steamers to the Mexican ports, and at present have one par tially loaded with a valuable cargo of general mer chandise. It now becomes a matter of peat im portance to both owners and shippers to know whether our trade with Mexico is to be thus arbi trarily arrested by Admiral Wilkes or any other Federal commander." Reliance Mutual Life Assurance Society. ... ANNUAL MEETING (THIS DAY). The ordinary annual meeting of directors and policy holders was held this day at the offices, 71, Bing William street, Mansion-house. 11. T. Prinsep, Esq., in the chair. The directors' annual report was as follows : " The directors have the pleasure of laying before the members the accounts of 1862, duly audited, together with a verified statement of assets, and a summary of the actuary's calculations, showing the net liability of the society. They have to report that, in the past year, 387 life policies were issued, assuring £161,125, and producing in annual premiums £5,444 12s ; two annuities were also granted, the consideration money for which was £1,493 15s. The re newal premiums received were £29,601 Ils. Bd. ; the inte rest on investments amounted to £5,761 12s. ed. ; and a profit was realised upon the sale of stock, which, with another small asset, yielded £686 19s. Bd. The total income of the year was £42,988 lls. Id. The claims by death were in respect of 31 lives, and the sums assured, with bonus additions, amounted to £14,71 5 . There are 3,277 life policies now in force, assuring upwards of one million sterling. By the annexed estimates it is found that, after allowing for the full present value of the society's liabilities, deducting only the net or risk premium in respect thereof, a balance of £120,101 14s. has to be provi led for, wl:ureas the assets, alter setting apart a sufficient sum to meet outstanding claims, amount to £136,734 19s. 9d. In respect of the recent allocation of bonus there has been an increase of the liability of the society by at:tuitions to the SUMS assured, and the general fund has been aimiuished by cash payments and allowances; yet it will be seen by the• above statement that a satisfactory amount of surplus funds can be pointed to, irrespective of any encroachment on that portion o t premium expectations,which is rightly reserved for future contingencies. The directors consider that both as regards the business of the year and the finanoial state ment, there is reason for congratulation, and they look for ward with confidence to the increased prosperity of the So ciety, in securing which they hope to be aided by the exer tions of the members." The following is Mr. E. 0. Smith, the actuary's report : —" Gentlemen,—After a careful examination of the regi sters of the society, with special reference to recent bonus allocations, I have the pleasure to lay 'before you detailed valuations of the policies in force ••-on the 31st of December last, shewing the following results, viz.:— General Assurance- 2,757 policies, assuring £1,056,346; net liability, £107,267 16s. Industrial Assurance-520 policies, assuring £8,320; net liability, £675 16s. Annuities,. immediate and contingent-85 policies, assuring £3,669 net liability, £17,852 145.; total net liability, £125,796 6s. Deducting from this amount £5,694 125., the value of re assurance with other offi Es in respect of 75 policiee for £71,250, the balance of net liability, to be 00- vided for out of the Society's funds, is £120,101 14s. The value of the surplus premiums now, as heretofore, wholly excluded from our calculations of net liability, but which will be brought to account ae realised, is computed at £99,862 10a. This prospective fund affords a reliable guarantee for the security of the sums assured, and the continuation of liberal bonuses. Tho claims dur ing the past year agree very closely with the estimate sub mitted to you at the last general meeting, based upon the experience of offices and the special tables of .the society. A committee of the Institute of Actuaries is now engaged in an endeavour to collect from the various Life Associations the actual mortality to the present time among assured lives throughout the United Kingdom. The result, if they suc ceed in their endeavours, will furnish a valuable test of tables now in use, and a safe guide for future operations. The average ages of lives assured with the society vary but slightly from previous returns, giving 40 as the mean age, the yearly accession of new members counterbalancing very nearly the advance upon existing assurances. Permit we, in conclusion, to express my lively satisfaction at the progress and prospects of the society, and to subscribe my self, with much respect." The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adopth n of the report, congratulated the meeting en the present prosperous con dition of the society. The new Lusiness for the last year had been in excess of the past 12 months, and the report entered so fully into the formal position of the society that he need not detain them at any length of time. The amount Of funds belonging to the society was so large that even in the unfortunate event of a pestilence or en enormous mortality, the assured need have no doubt about the payment of the amount of their policies. The motion having been seconded, was agreed to. The directors retiring by rotation had been re-elected. The business terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman and officers of the society for their exortitu dazing the past year, THE ROAD MURDER.—Some weeks since a state men was very generally circulated that another judicial investigation of the murder at Road, in June, 1860, was about to be made. We are informed by a correspondent, who possesses special means of knowing, that the statement had some foundation in fact. The u.ovement originated in a report that c,rtain members of Mr. Rout's former house hold had at length revealed the secret connected with that memorable crime. This result reached an officer who had previously made an active investigation of the case, nd he at once determined to test the truth of the statement, and, if possible, to proceed with the clue which might then be afforded. The result of these inquiries was that the officer thought himself possessed of sufficient information to com mence another investieation ; but, when the proposition was submitted to the authorities, it was decided that the grounds on which it were based were insufficient to warrant any effort,re tnheowpedroposed q i e n it h u e iry rpublicly or privately, and c o n seq uentlY r was abandoned.—Bath. Chronicle. CTI/STAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAY, Friday, March 2 7.—Adrait sions on payment, 804; ditto by season tickets, 810 ; total visitors, 1,614. THE BILL OF MR. SOMES.—We understand that the seeond reading of this bill is to be postponed from the 15th of April till the 27th of May. ( circles Abot yesteri The amoun In t there N The due to terms will be the con 15th A The d3y of closed prox. Reduce dis. ; I is steal •Ra'l Foreig import as p i g o ir Loan, per Cei wee, to 902 and th 97. T Busi in jctiv a furt Easter' South (Berwi The raaterir. In t improv and Be Joint tinued 3 per Ce 3 per Ce New 31 India S •Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto 3) ,: Ditto' Consols Exchep Ditto - Brazilian Ditto Egyptia Greek 5 Ditto Mexican Nayi. Gx Ditto Portugu Ditto Russian • Ditto Sardinia Spanish Ditto Ditto Spanish Turkish Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Venezut Dutch 2 Consols, .Ditto MAN of our deal ex ceived Bombs twist, 1 Biib. a asine at an a even 11 and h gnotati fiieting ference tho he lighter cotton who at ties ar realise , on Tu per pi vents e deman ings al that in tions h maker merch tiousl3 small facture throst word D numb( price. The of Ind ment. an d m anyth shirtit cloths Arri Lind, f Sa,ile for Cal for Poi And Nelson Pass from tl Lilac)] Minna, from tl for Poi Salle SUI WAY S e iin Great Mary Zt app( she w zen ger perfect medicE 'was fo veyed inq of the Ant