The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-18 00:00:00

~~'.. C`_ THEATRE nOYAL DitußY Lessu, Mr. E. T. Smith. Tile Lest Week but Two of Mr. G. Y. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to lus sailing for California and Australia. THIS EVENING, M&acu 18, Will be presented OTHELLO. Characters by Messrs. G. V. Brooke, T. Mead, Beiton, and G. Bennett ; Miss F. Cathcart and Mrs. Vickery. After which, a Grand BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT. THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Backstone. TEGS EVENING, Mum 18, Will be performed a new comic drama, cslled RiIkTEL AGIT. Characters by Messrs. Vandenhoff, W. Farren, Baclotone, Tilbury, and Rogers; Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, &c. After which, WILLIKIND AND HYS DINAH. Supported by Messrs. Buckstone and Corti ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwil liam, and Mrs. Caulfield. - To conclude with TIIE FORTH %IT OF CERVANTES. Frill elpal characters by Mr. Compton and Miss E. Grey. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. CHARM JUAN. THIS EVENING, Muca 18, Wlll be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's S on. Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon, and D. Fisher; Mrs. %Vinstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leeleroq. After which will be presented the Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND MIS MEN; or. Bing Salamandar and the Fairy of the Azure Lake. Harlequin. Mr. Cormaok ; Clown, Mr. Saline; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestrls. THIS EVENING, Sisson IS, Will be performed A NICE. FIRM. Principal characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and RoxbY ; Mrs. F. Matthews. To be followed by A CII ARMING WIDOW. After which, the popular Fairy Extravaganza, entitled ONCE UPON A TIME THEttE WERE TWO BIENGi. Characters by Messrs. Rozby, F. Matthews, and Bland; Madame Vestris, Misses St. George, Eglanton, Mason, Martindale, Eats, Wadham, and Foote. Concluding with NUMBER On ROUND THE CORNER. THEATRE ROYAL AD EL pg I. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, XLectt IS, wm be praseeited the highly Popular Nev Nautical llelo-drama In nye taniennz ' with ne w scenery. the Sea of Ice , &c. , now dresses and appointments, called TEIE THIRST OF GOLD; or, THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paul Bedford, Madame Celeste, &c. To conclude with THE SERIOE3 FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray. Parselle, and Keeley ; Mrs. L. Murr an lasses Woolgar, Fanny Maskell, and Laidlaw, and Mrs. Keeley. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EYEtTING, Mason 18, Will be performed TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by Messrs. Emery, Robson, and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling aril Miss Wyndham. After which, THE BENGAL TIGER. Principal characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, and F. Robson; and Mrs. Wigan and Miss Marston. To be followed by THE FIRST NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan. Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. Bola Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs• THIS EVENING, MAILCII IS, Will be performed LA SONNkMBULA. To be followed by THE OMNIBUS. Pat Rooney, Mr. Hodson. After which, THE BLUE JACKETS. To conclude with THE CORKONIA.N BROTHERS. Paddy and Tim Mulligan (the Brothers), Mr. G. Hodson. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35..; Pit, Is. 6d; Gallery, (d.; Private Boxes, IL 11'. 6d., to be had of Mr. Alicroft, 15, New Bond.street. ASTLErS EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, Maims 18, And during the week, will be presented tho new, grand, and romantic spectacle entitled THE WOOD NIA *VS HOME ; or, The False Knight—the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty, expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke. After which, the incomparable Scenes of the ARENA. To conclude with the Domestic Drama of Thu wrIITE FARM. Box-otUce open from Eleven till Four. Sta;e Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins DAY —Morning 14 nain.after 4 1 Evening 31 min.aft. 4 ToOtionitow—Morning 48 inin.after 4 Evening 8 min.aft. 5 THE WEATHER.—Sox Corms, /Cut= 18. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 53—highest since noon yesterday. 39—lowest this morning and during the night. 51—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'15—a fall of nearly half an inch since yesterday, indicating the coming of the Equinoctial Gales. WIND, S.W.—Light breeze; morning, fine—afternoon, rain. \ , LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1854. REJECTION OF THE ULTIMATUM OF THE WESTERN POWERSI HURRAH FOR IT, NOW ! .In a second edition, to-day, the Morning Chronicle published a telegraphic despatch from its Vienna correspondent, dated Friday evening, which says that despatches from St. Petersburg have arrived in that capital, stating that Russia rejects the ultimaassimum of the Western Powers. It was again rumoured to-day (says th e Paris correspondent of the Times, writing yes terday at 6 p.m.), that the intelligence of tone rejection by the Emperor Nicholas of the Angla • French ultimatum was known here and in Londot last night, and the fact of martial law beinu proclaimed in St. Petersburg and the Baltic% provinces about the date that the summons to evacuate the Principalities reached St. Petersbur looks as if there was some truth in it. less tergiversation as those with which we have since unfortunately been but too familiar. Prin ciples would have been laid down, and statements made, from which it would have been impossible for the speakers to back out. The enthusiasm, however, rapidly abated. The burning sense of injustice palpably cooled with the accession to power of the Coalition. The most energetic fiscal reformers would not put forward a sentiment that could wound the tender susceptibilities of the financial Neophyte, or run counter to any of his cherished prejudices. The flimsy pretest that the tax was to be abolished at the end of seven years was seized on as an excuse to abandon all former professions, and to permit the new fiscal Dictator to have his own way without let or hindrance. The flimsy disguise has now, however, been cast aside. It is established beyond the possibility of a doubt that the Income Tax will be resorted to on any and every emergency, and that it will be a perpetual thorn rankling in the British side. Why, then, should an attempt not be made to render it more tolerable, to remove some at least of the objections that have been felt thereto ? The opportunity so culpably lost in 1853 has most unexpectedly been restored. It is incumbent on every person claiming to be a fiscal reformer to be up and stirring, and to turn to the best advantage the circumstances that have taken place. The voice of public opinion calls upon JOSEPH HUME to vindicate his consistency by leading the Opposition. There can be no excuse for shrinking back. He cannot now be deceived as to the duration or possible extinction of the tax. Let him, then, bring for ward the motion of which he had given notice when Mr. Disnazia held the seals of office as Chancellor of the Exchequer. By so doing, and forcing a division, he will show that he has been actuated by a high sense of honour and justice, of securing the public benefit rather than a party triumph. It is not for him to bring new persons within the grievance which he makes no attempt to remedy or even to mitigate. There would only be one additional spirit of discontent and disaffection engendered, which might lead to consequences that we are not desirous of anticipating. Make the impost have even an appearance of fairness, and remove every exception, compel every man to contribute according to his means, and there will be no complaint. The parties who are brought within the charge will acquiesce in its propriety, when they can say nothing against its justice. " It is an ill wind that blows nobody good I" The Proprietors of Bank Stock have many golden reasons for acknowledging the truth of the adage. While the operations of trade and commerce have been cramped and impeded by the high interest on money and the stringent application of the screw, the " Old Lady" is enabled tooffer a dividend of 4-.1 per cent. for the half-year (or 9 per cent. per annum) to her favoured children. While the financial opera tions of the Chancellor of the Exchequer have been foiled, in consequence of the manoeuvres of the Directors, and the Exchequer thereby been ex posed to a loss of some 800,0001. or 900,0001., the Bank has earned 670,908/. 7s. 6d. not profits, or about 120,000/. more than usual during the past six months. While almost every descrip tion of property has deteriorated in value, the fortunate proprietors find an additional one per cent. for the half year tendered for their accept ance. Matters that have occasioned serious losses to every other class in the community, that have brought many industrious and well-disposed men to the verge of ruin, have only led, so far as Bank Stock was concerned, to a dividend of 4i per cent. for the half-year ending the 28th February last. It may be asked, Why should not the Directors avail themselves of every possible opportunity of making enhanced profits ? or, Why should they look to anything but the interests of their clients ? Simply, because they are clothed with a quasi national character, and endowed with extensive powers and valuable privileges, on the implied trust that they will use them for the benefit of the community, and not for their own aggrandisement at the public expense ! Their notes have been made a legal tender, while serious restrictions have been placed on all other Joint-Stock Banks. The profit that might be se cured to the Exchequer by the issue of a national note, and the use of the large balances usually to the credit of the Financial Minister, are handed over to a private trading corporation, which, it now seems, is under no obligation to look to any thing but the private interest of its proprietors ! Is this just or proper ? Is it politic or fair ? Most decidedly not. Monopoly, in any and every shape, is odious to the community ; and having already by gigantic exertions destroyed the mon ster nuisance of the Corn Laws, we shall not rest while the still greater grievance of the money laws are suffered to flourish in rank luxuriance. The Magog of the moneyocracy is not destined long to survive the Gog of the landocracy. if the Directors had merely taken advantage of the inevitable circumstances to put money into their own pockets, we might be disposed to regard the matter, although not strictly justifiable, yet en titled to a lenient consideration. But no such excuse is available—there is nothing to extenuate their conduct or to mitigate the censure which they have most richly merited. They have not even endeavoured to disguise in any degree their compli city in producing the high rate of interest so inju rious to the industrious classes. A very influential and clear-headedproprietor made it a matter of boast that " the Directors had found it to be their duty to resist the importunities of the Minister of the day !" The same gentleman subsequently stated that " he was not aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made any direct communica tion to the Directors on the subject of his plans, but it was well known that his object was to have reduced the interest on the debt ; and the pre sent was the first instance, so far as he knew, in which the Old Lady of Threadneedle-street had found it to be her duty to run counter to the views of the Minister !" The honourable pro prietor might further have complimented the Directors on the complete success that attended their proceedings, and shown that it was alto gether thereto that the defeat of the Financial Minister was attributable. He might have shown how it was that a panic was created by the judi cious application of the screw, while the options were pending, and how the minimum rate of dis count was raised on the eve of the last day, so that the Lord Chancellor, and every other person who waited to see the course of events, before intimating their final decision, were induced to become dissentients. There can, indeed, be but little doubt that the loss to the Treasury was owing to the operations and the policy practised by the Bank parlour, and that, therefore, the ad ditional one per cent. on the half-yearly dividend was purchased at the cost to the country of 800,000/. directly, and an incalculably larger amount indirectly. But what will Mr. GLADSTONE say to these self-gratulations ? How will he act with respect to those who have inaugurated his management l of the financial department, by, for the first time, running counter to the views of the Minister ? He has already heard enough of his "abortive project," and the ungrateful topic is by no means forgotten or discarded. He will place to the account of the dear " old Lady" the various cas tigatious he has received, to be repaid with inter est whenever the fitting opportunity may arrive. That opportunity cannot be long deferred. A re newal of tho Charter must be asked for ere much time elapse. The question of the issue of a national small-note currency must also be ven tilated even during the present Session. The clouded state of the political horizon, as well as the incipient drain of bullion to the seat of war, and the various loans already on the t ap i s, i mperat i ve l y requ i re the adoption of some adeq ua t e precau ti on aga i ns t a commercial crisis even arE more disastrous than that of 1847. Mr. GLADSTONE has received a salutary lesson that may t eac h him, unless absolutely incorrigible, the propriety of giving the pecuniary benefits to be derived therefrom to the public Treasury, in place of adding to the exorbitant profits of the Bank, and converting the 4-i- per cent. dividend into one of 8 or 9 per cent. for the half-year. The Governor let slip a hint of his expectations , The anticipated discussion on the Income Tax has been adjourned until Monday. After the long statement of the Ministerial Leader with respect to the proposed measure of University Reform—the motion of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Membel • for Manchester on the rights of neutrals---and very animated debate on the case of the gentle•• man who is no longer au Australian judge, it was impossible that a subject of such vital importance could be entered on at any length during that sitting. One amendment,- indeed, was brought , forward by the veteran JOSEPH HUME, but it was not that which was expected at his hands, and, indeed, he seemed not very anxious to sustain it.. The Hon. Member was once the most strenuous and uncompromising denouncer of the gross injustice sanctioned by the iniquitous system.. Like ourselves, ho desired the extension of direct taxation, and its gradual substitution for the. onerous burdens that cripple the industrial ein•• ergies of the people, and prevents the full de. velopment of the p rinciples of Free Trade. But he felt th at such an extension was impossible, so lon g as the impost was liable to such well-founded and grave complaints. He accordingly laboure strenuously, indefatigably, and, for some time consiste ntly 'with the view of obtaining a modify cation of the - law, which would appear to give, : t not an (qui a ble adj us tment of the vezata questia, at least an approximat i on towards justice. It was on his motion that the tax was onY3 renewed for a s i ngle year, and a Select Committee ) appointed to see w i mt her it could not be mon ) fairly apportioned. Re Prided over the labour; ; of that committee during two sessions, framed a very able and elaborate re port, which was pub - lished witho ut being submitted to the other members of the committee --the Honourable Gentleman conceiving that the exigencies of the case and the importance of exciting strong feel • ing in the public mind against the g l ar i ng atrocit-3 - of the system, more than justified the apparent breach of legislativ(' etiquette. Nay more, when the then Chancellor of the Exchequer recog n i s ,k the distinction between the different kinds o f i n_ come, and made a sitep, alth o ugh not a ve r y di e- Bided one, in the right direction, Mr. Finikez declared that he did not go far enough, and g Tive notice of an amendment, which would have brought the matter fully before the House :ind • • r e intimation. of the country, and sited a decisive the necessity f or a X: or ding greater relief to the industrious classes. The defeat of Ministers on the first divii son respecting the Bud, and the consequent chackge of Government, I iowever, prevented a dismis sion which wou Id have rendered a conti nuance of the evil absolutely impossibl e. Had the quest ice i been fully ventili Lte before the overt hr()W of the Derbyites, should not have r joev so many instances of sha Tne•• as to " compensating circumstances," should the war continue. We shall be surprised if this ex pectation be not in some degree disappointed—if Mr. GLADSTONE do not produce an Exchequer " Roland" for the Bank " Oliver," by whom his plans were so signally defeated. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 185 4. Fria are lower, however, St. Johu Del Rey are better, and and the rest firm. Australasia Bank Shares have declined 10s., but there are very few dealing. Land Shares are very heavy. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. (Front the Official List.) Bmin esg done. 3 per Cent, Consols Annuities ...... 9os New 31 per Cent. Annuities India Bonds, £lOOO ..... ................. Ditto, under £lOOO 4 p Consols for Account 18th April 9 oi 3 Exchequer Bills, 2d. £IOOO £5OO l2 6 11 5 p Small PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. rirazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto New, 1852, 4.1 per Cent Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 54 Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent , Ditto 5 per Cent . Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St B7s 9. Ditto 4,3 per Cent 79 80 76. 8 Spanish Bonds, 3 per Ceut 37 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per rent lB 17i Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil — Ditto 4 per Cent. Certifieates .... TWO O'CLOCK. L F)1„t GN IN ;11', s. A. mi. JL.P. THE WAR IN THE EAST. IMPORTANT FROM CONSTANTINOPLE. The Morning Chronicle publishes to-day the subjoined despatch, dated Constantinople, March 9 : Yesterday (Bth) a four hours' conference was held between the English and French Ambassadors, and Reschid Pacha, touching the convention between the Western Powers and Turkey. The chief points are .- 1. The Porte engages never to negotiate with Russia without the intervention of the Western Powers. 2. Amelioration of the condition of the Christians. A. separate treaty is annexed, for the following four points :- 1. Abolition of the poll-tax (haratascb). 2. Right of Christians to be admitted AS witnesses in judicial proceedings. 3. Right to hold landed property, without distinction of nationality or religion. 4. The civil rights of the Christians admitted in the army and the civil service. The destination of the English and French forces is to be left to the decision of the Sultan. Russia has prohibited the exportation of corn from Odessa. Turkey has also prohibited the exportation of corn. The Porte is preparing an expedition to Greece. General Burgoyne had gone to Schumla. The Trieste Observer announces that the representa tives of France, England, Austria, and Prussia, have handed a collective note to the Greek government against the emigration of Greeks into Turkey, with the view of exciting commotion, and the Turkish ambassador has energetically protested against it. The Greek go vernment replied that it could not with the few troops at its disposal suppress the enthusiasm of the people, and that if excessive rigour were to be used towards the soldiers, they would desert and anarchical movements might take place in Greece which would ruin the country. The government, in its reply, adds that it has used every effort in its power to repress the move ment. A letter from Bucharest, 4th, says :—.The manifesto of the Emperor Nicholas has arrived from St. Peters burg. It contains the following passage : "The Sultan having persisted in his obstinacy, and France and England having marched against Russia, we will ad vance in the name of the Holy Trinity to snatch our co•religionists from the yoke of their oppressors, and let the oppressed make common cause with us." It is stated that this manifesto is to be printed in the Wal lachian, Bulgarian, and Servian languages. A telegraphic despatch from Berlin states, on the 2d inst. the Grand Duke Constantine inspected the fleet at Helsingfors. The Emperor was expected to arrive at Helsingfors in a fortnight. The Gulfs of Bothi.ia and Finland were still covered with ice. The Swedish papers report that 30,000 Russians were employed in cutting a channel from Croustadt to Swea borg. The Voss's Gazette of Berlin states from Vienna, under date of the 13th, that the Prussian Government has de clared that it is in accord with Austria as to the essen tial points of the Eastern question, but wishes to remain independent in order that it may be able to offer its gooc offices to either party. The same journal says that Vely Pacha, the Turkish Ambassador in Paris, is to fill the same post also at the Court of Brussels, which proves, it adds, the good intelligence between Franc• and Belgium. The subscriptions to the new Austrian loan amounted, on the 13th to fine millions of florins exclusive of any that may have been made out of the Austrian territory. It is stated that the Government of Prussia proposes to raise a loan of thirty or forty millions of thalees (the thaler is 3fr. 75c.) The Journal de St. Petersbourg of the 7th publishes a notice of several donations for pensions to wounded sol diers and sailors, and announces that they are accepted by the Emperor, who thanks the parties for this mark of patriotism. Amongst the donations is one of 2,500 silver roubles (about 10,000 fr.) from a merchant of Odessa, and another of 35,000 silver roubles from the nobility of the government of Vladimir, who express a desire that it may be principally devoted to the fleet of the Black Sea, in commemoration of its victory at Sinope. According to a letter from Widdin of the 26th ult. the Russian army in Lesser Wallachia only amounts to 14,000 men and 35 pieces of cannon. In all Wallachia there are, it says, 122,000 men. Accounts from Bucharest to the 7th, and from Kra jowa to the 9th, state that nothing important will take place before the arrival of Prince Paskievvitsch, unless the Turks shall take the offensive. On the 4th, 5,000 Turks crossed the Danube near Kalaravasch, and destroyed the Russian entretiohments, after which they retired. The Russians opposed them with 5,000 men, but beat in retreat with 150 killed or wounded. The loss of the Turks was about the same. Consols 9oi Ditto April Account 9og HER MAJESTY'S RETURN TO LOIVDON. Yesterdayafternoon, at two o'clock, the Queen, Prince Consort, and Royal Family embarked at Cowes in her Majesty's stea:n-yacht Fairy, under the command of Captain the Hon. Joseph Denman, on her return to the metropolis. At three o'clock, as the royal standard floated through the fleet at Spithead (her Majesty's ships Prince Regent, 90, Captain Smith ; Caesar, 91, Captain Robb; Boscawen, 70, Captain Glanville ; Frolic, 16, Captain Nolloth; Cruiser, 14, Captain Douglas; and Desperate, 8, Captain Chambers), yards were manned and mast heads dressed, and the crews volleyed forth re peated and renewed cheers, which the Queen and Con sort most graciously acknowledged. The garrison battery at Portsmouth, and the flag-ship Victory in the harbour, also saluted on the yacht's entering the Channel, and vociferous cheers were given from their crews also, and a vast populace on the water and the beach. At a few minutes past three the Queen landed at the Royal Vic tualling-yard, Gosport, where a guard of honour of the 72d Highlanders was drawn up, and the following staff was in waiting to receive her :—Port-Admiral Sir T. J. Cochrane, Major-General and Lieutenant• Governor Simpson, Rear-Admiral Superintendent Mart, &c. At ten minutes past three the royal train was set in motion for London. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 5,000 bales, including 1,000 taken for export and speculation. The market was dull, without change in prices. Railway Shares were flat, at rather lower rates. The permission to i mport Russian produce from neutral ports seems to be accorded by the British Government, although, from the vagueness of the official announcements, there is still much doubt thrown upon the subject. That our readers may judge the more fairly, we give the last communica tion and the comments made upon it by parties ix the Baltic trade : "Office of Co mmittee9f Privy Council for Trade, Whitehall, March 14. " Gentlemen,—ln reply to your letter of the 24th of February, requesting to be informed whether, in the event of war between this country and Russia, Russian goods imported from neutral perts would be considered contra. band, or would be admissible into England, "I am directed by the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade to inform you that, in the event of war, every indirect attempt to carry on trade with the enemy's country will be illegal ; but, on the other hand, bona iide trade, not subject to the objections above stated, will not become illegal merely because the articles which form the subject-matter of that trade were originally produced in an enemy's country. " I am, Gentlemen, your obedient servant, "J. EMERSON TENNENT. " Messrs. Martin, Levin, and Alder." The following are the exceptions taken by Messrs. F. J. Smith and Charles : " We have not been able to meat with any one who could comprehend, much less explain, the meaning of these words. What, for instance, is bomi fide trade?' Then — `the objections above' stated are certainly the indirect' character of the 'attempt,' so that direct trade with Russia would not be illegal. It is to be hoped that, ere long, we may have more definite and precise directions to guide us in the present crisis of public affairs ; in the meanwhile, as far as the question bears on the supplies of tallow, we have to observe that the advices from Russia to-day state there was so great a scarcity of horses that produce could not be transported overland. It appears the whole strength of the empire, in respect to land carriage, is occupied by the transport of the munitions of war." The reduction of gold in the Bank of England would appear, by the return for the week ending the 11th inst., to have been as large as it is likely to prove this week, and there was a corresponding curtailment of the circulation. The discounts and loans had been contracted, and this, with a small addition to the public deposits, drew in the notes, and counterbalanced the large sums taken away by private depositors, principallyin gold, but likewise in paper, where the amount was required for home use. That there should be a smaller amount of discounts or loans must have arisen from the higher terms that the Bank is now in a position to require. It were much to be desired that the balance to the credit of the Chancellor of the Exchequer had in creased considerably beyond its present amount, seeing how far the quarter has advanced ; but the payments are absorbing the revenue as fast as it is received, and the Bank must freely give its aid by lending upon deficiency bills. Compared with the previous week, the alterations are as follow : Active circulation... £21,014,415 Decrease 685,090 Bullion 15,396,685 ..... Decrease Rest Increase Public Deposits 889,480 3,718,228 334,979 2,899,597 Increase 177,252 Other Deposits Decrcase Seven-Day and other Bills Increase Government Securities Decrease Other Securities Decrease Notes unemployed Decrease 23,794 ... 11,747,728 9,976 ... 13,054,055 ... 192,787 ... 7,626,655 189,300 The supply of bills of exchange upon Hamburgh was yesterday larger, and the pound sterling was quoted at a greater amount in macrs and schellings. It is stated that so much bullion has been sent out as to have occasioned an excessive supply there, and to render it even probable that we shall soon receive some of it back. This would be a curious feature, because originally the remittances were made in expectation of the Russian demand being large, whereas the Czar, whatever may be his wants, does not seem in a position to offer tempting secu rity for any loan. We apprehend, however, that a large amount of ready money must be kept to the credit of the British Government at some. convenient place, and Hamburgh would answer best probably, while our fleet occupies the Baltic, heavy contracts for supplies having already been entered into with Swedish and other firms. Yesterday bar gold was taken from the Bank for exportation, in the absence of arrivals of foreign coin that could be made available. The Sydney steamer has arrived in the Downs, but her mail will not be delivered until Monday. We have been favoured, however, with the inspec tion of a Sydney paper, dated December 5, from which we glean the following interesting particu lars : The market for most descriptions of goods at Sydney, up to the sth of December, was a shade firmer, and there was some appearance of an up ward tendency. There had been large transactions in articles adapted to the Christmas festivities. Ordinary merchandise was materially lighter in stock. Beer, wine, and spirits were rather dull, however, and likely to continue so for two or three weeks. Soft goods were quiet, but other manu factures in request. Building materials supported their price, with fair transactions. Fancy goods were in excessive supply, especially German manufactures. The exchange on London was 1 prem. for 30 days' sight. Discounts were at 2i per cent. per annum for bills not having more than 100 days to run, and 3 per cent. above that period. Houses and landed property were dull of sale. The Burrandong diggings were turning out well. The Buffalo range had proved a failure, but at Spring Creek, Yackandanda, and Nine Mile Creek, the miners were doing well, though the excessive rains retarded operations. New South Wales gold was at 745. 6d. per oz. The Chusan steamer took 3,670 ozs. to Ceylon, Nov. 26, and the Isabella Her cus 4,421 ozs. to Hong Kong. Drafts against gold were at A per cent. discount. The week's arrivals of gold were valued at about 5,0001. Wool was rather heavy of sale, except for good clean parcels, which were scarce. Tallow and hides went freely at advanced rates. Freight of wool to London, (.1. to d. per lb., and tallow, 30s. to 355. per ton. Gold per cent. by sailing vessels. The Great Nugget Vein Shares were quoted at ss. to 10s. premium. Bank of New South Wales 321., Union Bank, 100 per cent. premium, Sydney Railway Company, 30 per cent. premium., and Hunter River Railway, 12s. to 13s. premium. The John Wesley, missionary brig, had been visiting the various stations with the Rev. Mr. Young. She brings the report that a war had taken place between Tharkonpou, King of iou, the capital of the Feegees, and Tockebotoka, the chief of Ovolo. A small.town belonging to Euro peans had been burned down, but by whom is un known ; and the great Christian chief, Verane, of Bewa, had been clandestinely killed. The Spec, from Sydney, was at Rawa. The Corsair was at Bewa, and the Packet, also from Sydney, was at Somo Somo. The proposed site for the dry dock at Sydney had been inspected by several engineers and found to be very eligible. The Executive Government would give every facility, and the dock will be ca pable of receiving the largest vessels built in Eng land. The labour market was still good, the supply being quite inadequate to the demand, more espe cially for the grazing and agricultural districts. Rather higher wages were paid in some instances. The amount of silver shipped direct from Lon don during the week to Thursday last, was 91,275 ounces, and of gold 101,100 ounces, nearly all to Belgium and Ha►nburgh. The telegraphic despatch from Vienna, affirming the rejection of the ultimatissimum of the Western Powers, has caused a fall of to 1 per cent. in Con sols, the prices being 908 to 901 for Transfer, and now 90g The Account prices have been 901 Exchequer Bills are ss. to 12s. premium. Foreign Stocks are dull and drooping. Brazilian Five per Cents. have receded to 961 2 , and Danish Five per Cents. are quoted 96. Russian Five per Cents. are A to 1 per cent. lower, being 87& tc 891, and the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. nave de clined a, viz., to 79 to 80. Spanish Three per Cents. are weaker, being 37, and the New Deferred 17i to 18. Dutch Four per Cents. are a shade . better, being 864. For Railway Shares there is not much inquiry, and the prices are about per cent. worse, and in the instance of the Caledonian, Midland, North- Western, and one or two others, nearly 1 per cent. French shares are down I generally. Luxembourg are flatter. The current prices for the Jamaica mines, not officially quoted, are as follows :—Metcalfe, / to premium ; Sue River, / discount to par ; Port Royal, to g premium. Rather more is doing in Mining Shares. Agua COLONIAL POSTAGE. The following official communication has been for warded to us by direction of the Postmaster-General : "The intended reduction of postage between this country and the colonies to a uniform rate of 6d. on letters not weighing more than half an ounce, is now about to tome into oper,tion with respect to all those, colonies, the postal direotion of which rests with the Postmaster- General, and in respect to such cher colonies as bad notified their concurrence in time to bo included in this first measure. " On the 23d instant the reduction will take place with regard to the following colonies—viz., Canada, Prince Edward's Island, Bermuda, British West Indies (Barba does and Turk's Wand excepted), British Guiana, Baha mas, Belize, Malta, and Gibraltar; and on the Ist of May the same reduction will be made in the postage on letters between this country and Ceylon, Hong Kong, St. Helena, and the Gold Coast. _ _ _ " Detailed information, with a statement of exceptional cases, will be given in the usual notices exhibited at post offices." SPORTING NOTES. PETER SIMPLE AND HALF-AND-HALF. Certain proceedings connected with the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase are not likely to be either soon or readily forgotten. The mystery which at once attached to them is being daily dispelled, anti little doubt exists that the wrong-doers will be ultimately detected and ex posed. Attempts to extenuate the " scratching" of Miss Mowbray have been made, but they have in most instances been regarded with mistrust and contempt. The " doings" relative Oliver's horses, however, were scarcely less shameful than those connected with Dockeray's, and they have certainly excited more lasting indignation. Mr. Bignell, the owner of Half-and-Half, has addressed a let ter on this subject to the editor of the Sunday Times, giving " a round unvarnished tale of the whole course of doing." Subjoined is an extract which explains the unex pected arrangement relative to the riders of Half-and-Half, Peter Simple, and Maurice Daley : "On Monday I left London for Liverpool, and, unfor tunately, caught cold, which caused me to keep my bed from Monday night until the next night at nine o'clock, and, although Tom Oliver was aware of it, he never came near me. Had I been well it was my intention to see the horses out on the Tuesday, and to have Oliver's opinion respecting them ; but, owing to my indispo sition, I could not go, therefore Captain Little went to the course, and saw Oliver, and he also saw the two horses take a canter. He then asked Oliver for his opinion. His reply was that one of the two would be sure to win. I met the captain at the Adelphi. Be told me that he had seen Oliver, and that he had asked him which of the two horses he intended to ride? His answer was, " Which you like, but you had better not tell me until the last moment." The captain then said he.thought Oliver had better ride Half-and-Half. Oliver's answer was, " If I like him in the morning I will, but if not I will ride Peter Simple." After that I did not doubt that he would ride one of the two. On the Wednesday morning I went to the course, though still unwell. I endeavoured to see Tom, but could not, nor did I until he had weighed. I then heard for the first time that he was to ride Maurice Daley; I then found out that he had wasted to 9st 51b. This deceitful work was going on at the very time that he was writing to ipe daily, and speaking of the certainty of my winning. Captain Little, when he heard of it, was ' greatly surprised, and expressed himself in very warm terms to Mr. Cartwright, the owner of Maurice Daley. Mr. C. had never intimated to me, either directly or indi rectly, that he should require the services of Oliver to ride his horse. When Oliver had weighed, he left the stand without attending to the duty he owed me, namely, the weighing in of my jockeys and the saddling of my horses. I told both Boyce and Green that they were to win if pos sible. The race commenced, and both horses fell lame, and when the jockeys pulled up and dismounted, not one of Oliver's men were there to take charge of the horses ; the consequence was, that they walked about for nearly two hours exposed to the cold, the boy who had charge of the keys of the stables being absent. I nevai saw Oliver after the race, although I remained iu Liverpool until the Fri day, nor have I seen him since. When I sent to Aintree, near Liverpool, for the purpose of having the horses brought to London, they were found to be in a most deplo rable state—there was but one rug in the shape of clothing to cover both horses. The man who had charge of them re fused to give them up, therefore they were detained seve ral clays before Oliver sent the necessary instructions to have them delivered to my agent." This statement sets " Black Tom's" conduct in no favour able light, and shows that the owner of Half-and-Half was systematically deceived and " put in the hole." The betting on the leading Spring Handicaps daily be comes more settled and significant ; Lamprocles is the first favourite for the Northamptonshire Stakes, and, if report be true, he is unquestionably entitled to the position which he occupies in the list of quo tations. Between him and Defiance opinion is some what divided, but if public running afford any criterion of racing merit, Defiance's pretensions to support are unde niably sounder than those of Lamprocles. Red Lion is still backed, but not with any decided show of spirit ; rumour states that Lamprocles will represent the interest of his party. Should, however, Red Lion run on his merits, his ability to achieve success will be tried to the ut most. Daniel O'Rourke is talked about for this event, • but until the cause of his withdrawal from the Doncaster Handicap be satisfactorily explained, I shall be disinclined to regard his chance with favour. For the Chester Cup Brown Brandy is in spirited de mand ; within the last few days a powerful demon stration has brought him prominently into notice, and his partisans are apparently determined to sustain it. Newminster maintains his position somewhat unsteadily ; an ominous report is in circulation respecting the weakness of his "understandings." Ariosto is the rul ing favourite for the Metropolitan Stakes, for which event he is being carefully prepared, and in fact by the cognos centi of Newmarket his success is regarded as a certainty. Royalist is now seldom mentioned. Of the outside divi sion the horses most to my liking are Rataplan, Muscovite, and ilaco. March 18. A FRESH MAN. The Duchess Dowager of Cleveland, who has been receiving company at Newton House, Boroughbridge, leaves that seat the second week in the ensuing month for Grosvenor•square, for the season. The Duke of Leeds left the Clarendon Hotel yester day, for Hornby Castle, Yorkshire, whence his grace proceeds to his fishing quarters in Inverness-shire to enjoy the sport of salmon -fishing. The Earl and Countess of Lanesborough have arrived in Great Stanhope-street from Leicestershire. The Earl and Countess of Verulam have arrived in town from Gorhambnry. The Ladies Louisa and Elizabeth Cornwallis have arrived in Charles-street, Berkeley-square, from Linton Place, near Maidstone. BOOKS FOR THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETr„—A case of French Bibles has arrived by a steamer from AntwErp, consigned to the British and Foreign Bible Society, and intended to be gratuitously distributed by the society ; and the Lords Commis sioners of her Majesty's Treasury have given directions to the proper authoriies of the revenue for their free delivery for that purpose. THE VACANT JUDGESHIP.—It was the talk in court yesterday at the Maidstone assizes that the Government made an offer of the vacant judicial seat to Sir F. Thesiger. That learned gentleman, however, while ac knowledging the very gratifying terms in which the offer was made, expressed his regret at feeling himself compelled to decline tae honour intended to be conferred upon him. THE PRESIDENTSHIP OF CHRIST'S HOSPlTAL—Yester day, a Court of Aldermen was held to consider what steps should be taken with reference to the attack made on the privileges of the aldermen by setting up the Duke of Cambridge as a candidate for the governorship of Christ's Hospital. The Lord Mayor explained the grounds upon which he had resolved to assert the privi leges of his brethren. Alderman Lawrence said this at tack was not pointed against the Lord Mayor personally, but against the aldermen. The Lord Mayor said that he thought it probable that the court would resolve to appoint a deputation of its own body to wait upon the Royal duke and ascertain his intention. No reply was made to this suggestion. The Lord Mayor then quitted his chair, saying that he should leave his brother alder men to maintain their privileges in their own way. FRANCE. PARIS, Friday.—The price of corn fell decidedly yes terday. The fall was at least 2f. per hectolitre. Barley and oats had fallen in proportion. In almost all the markets round Paris there had been a corresponding fall. It is said that the subscriptions to the loan already amount to 310,000,000. Accounts reached Paris yesterday of the death of M. de VilMe, the last president of the Council of Ministers under Charles X. He died at Toulouse on the 13th inst. The three most celebrated Ministers of thee Resto ration have now passed from the scene—MM. de Peyronnet, and Corbibre. Some sensation has been created in Paris, within the last two days, by some acts of insubordination exhibited by the Emperor's favourite regiment the Guides. It appears that the sous-officiers are dissatisfied at the pro motion of M. de Rohan-Chabot, a young man still in his teens, to the rank of ensign. The officers have taken part with them, and several of the latter have been arrested. An important change is to be made in the postal re gulations of France. The Council of State is now examining a project of law, by which prepaid let.ters are to be carried to any part of France for four sous. Un paid letters are to pay six sous. An Imperial decree of the 16th of March declares that the division announced in the original organisation of the army as a corps de reserve shall still be placed under the command of the Prince Napoleon ; but that it shall be called the 3d division of the army of the East. It will leave almost immediately. Brigadier-Genera: M,Dret wilt be second in command of the division ; and w ill corn rnand the let brigade, consisting of the 2d re,gitnert of Zouaves, and a regiment of marines. The second bri gade will be commanded by Brigadier-General Thomas, It will consist of the 20th and 21st regiments of light infantry, two batteries of artillery, a company of sappers and miners, and some gendarmerie. A decree in the Moniteur authorises a number of per sons to accept and wear foreign decorations. Aanongst the persons named are M. Roinieu, inspector•general of the libraries of the Crown, for the Order of Francis I. of the Two Sicili,s ; M. Julien, of the Institute, ibr the Order of the Red Eagle of Prussia ; M. Blanch e, secre tary-general of the Ministry of State, for the Order of the Polar Star of Sweden ; and M. Drouyn de Lhuys, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the Order of h.Eedjidid of Turkey. Very little business was transacted on the Bourse yesterday. The Three per Cents. opened at 6(5f. 30c., and closed at 66f. 20c, for the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 92f. 50c. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,095 f. ; Rouen, 867 f. 50c. ; Havre, 445 f. ; Great Northern, 733 f. 75c. ; Stratsburg, 'r 22f. 50c. ; New shares, 558 f. 75c. ; Paris and Lyons, 813 f. 75c. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 675 f. ; Wes tern of France, 530 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 530 f. ; Great Central of France, 4321. 50e. ; Lyons to Geneva, 443 f. 75c. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 571 f. 25c. ITALY. In its sitting of the 13th the Chamber of Depaties at Turin passed the 2d article of the Penal Code Modifica tions Bill, by a majority of 113 against 30. Tina other articles, which were of minor importance, were then speedily got through with but little discussion, and the whole bill was passed by 93 votes to 33. Prince Lucien Bonaparte was remarked in one of the tribunes during the sitting. SPAIN. The Herald() of the 12th says that there is no truth in the reports that -sere current that reforms are about to be made in the Royal Council. M. Galilee, ex-editor of the Tribune of Madrid, who was arrested some time ago, has left C diz for France ; end General Manzano, who had also been arrested, has left the same port for Puerto Rico, to which he has been exiled. The President of the Council and the Minister of Public Works had left for Ponton de la Oltva to visit the works of the canal for conveying potable water to Madrid. The 12th being Sunday, the Stock Ex change was not open. SWEDEN. A letter feom Stockholm of the 6th, in the Cologne Gazette, says :—" The negotiations with Russia are still actively pursued, but the ardour with which our Go vernment is proceeding with its armaments proves that it has no idea of yielding to the pre - ensions of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg• relative to neutrality. It is not unknown here that the Russian despatches con cerning this affair have risen to the tone of menace, and that our Government has replied in a strain not less energetic. The King has written an autograph letter to the Emperor Nicholas, which was iespatche-1 on the 4th. It is said that the King defends with as much firmness as dignity the independence of Sweden. Rus sia requires that the Colmer-Sound, between the island of °eland and the continent, shall be closed to the enemy's vessels." A letter from Christiania says :—" The St()rthing, on the proposition of the committee, has voted the credit of 300,000 rix dollars, asked for by the king to meet the expenses of neutrality." DEPARTURE OF MRS. CRISHOLL—This lady, to whose philanthropic efforts in'the cause of Australian emigration, many persons have reason to ascribe their success in those colonies, is on the eve of leaving Eng land to join her husband, Captain Chisholm, in Mel bourne, the country of their adoption. Mrs. Chisholm's passage has been, taken on hoard the Ballarat, Captain H. Jones, which vessel will positively sail for Purt Philip on the 3d proximo. LivErtrooL, SATURDAY, 12 30 A.M.—The Royal mail steamer Cambria, from Malta, has arrived at Liverpool, after a passage of about 10 days. She dues not report any thing of importance. There are no accounts of the United States' mail steam-ship Baltic, now in her 14th day from New York. MINING INTELLIGENCE. (From the Mining Journal of this day.) MINES.—We cannot report much change or any im provement in the Share Market this week. Whilst holders are passing speculative shares for sale, capitalists will only buy except at extremely low prices. Dividend stocks are pretty well supported. Thomas United have been. in quired after at 1/. 10s. to 2/. The mine is s Lid to be in a very satisfactory position, with good quantitks of ore in reserve. In the Bullion Market—Dollars, ss. Odd. per oz. Bar silver, 53. lid. per oz. standard ; ditto, holding 5 grs. gold, ss. 2d. per oz. standard. Bar gold, 7Th. 9d. per oz. .standard. Spanish donbloons, 78s. 6d. per oz Colum bian ditto, 775. 6d. per oz. Fine cake silver, ss. 6d. per oz. _ _ _ This week there has been almost a suspension in the Gold Mining Share Market. Prices throughout are little more than nominal, and transactions taking place in but few descriptions. We are informed that advices have been received by several of the Californian gold mining companies. No results have yet coins to hand ; but, as expected, other excuses have been put forward ; and no favourable change can b 3 anticipated until some decided information is arrived at. The conduct of both directors at home, and the local superintendents, appear to be reprehensible ; and it would be very difficult to judge which is the most culpable. Cer tain it is, that in the annals of mining no parallel cases can be found where so much misrepresentation and need less delays have occurr-al as in these dubious adventures, the most respectable of which are now falling into deserved discredit—the only shares at present current being those of the Quartz Rock and Ague Fria Companies. The general advices received from California have not had an encourag ing tendency; and although, probably, it may be only tempin.ary, yet, compared 'with the corresponding period of last year, there is a falling off in the production of gold. "`he accounts which have been received from Australia are mea gre. The Elizabeth has arrived with 34,010 ozs of gold, of the value of 136,010'. The Stratford has likewise brought in 2,002 ozs. , of the value of 8,0)01. The Sydney steamer, detained at St. Vincent's, owing to the damage to her boilers, has on freight 122,000 ozs. ; this information has arrived by the Great Western, which touched there on her voyage homewards. We are glad to find that an efflrt is being male to bring the affairs of the Australian Freehold Gold Mining Com pany to a speedy settlement; and it is anticipated that a fair, if not full, return of the capital subscribed may b e expected by the proprietors. MARIKET NEWS-(TtIIS DA 1. COVENT GARDEN. We were fairly supplied with both fruit and vegetables, which sold steadily, at our quotations. FRUIT.—Pine apples, English, 6s Od to lOs Od each ; ditto colonial, Is Od to is 3d each ; hot-house grapes lOs to 20s; foreign ditto, is 6d to 3s Od per lb; apples, 6s to 8s per bush ; pears, 3s Od to 6s per dozen ; lemons, 9d to is 6d ; oranges 3s Od to lOs per 100 ; almonds 2s to 3s per lb.; Barcelona nuts, 24s per bush.; cob-nuts, 100 s to 110 s per 10 lbs ; chesnuts, 2s to 4s per peck ; filberts, 85s to 100 s per 100 lbs ; walnuts, 8d to is Gd per 100. VEGETABLES.—Cabbages, 9d to 1s Gd ; Brussels sprouts, is Gd to 2s 6d per half sieve ; brocoli, Od to is 6d per bund.; greens. 4s Od to Os tql per doz. bunches ; French beans, 3s to 4s Od per 100 ; potatoes, 140 s to 1808 per ton ; turnips, 2d to 4d per bunch ; carrots, 4d to 8d per bunch; cucumbers, is Oct to 3s Od each ; celery, 9d L. Is 6d per bundle ; spinach, 5s Od to 68 Od per sieve ; onions, 2s 6d to 3s 6d per bushel ; Spanish ditto, is to 3s per doz. ; leeks, lid to 2dper bunch ; shallots, 8d to 10d horse-raddish, 2s Od to 4s 0.: per bundle ; parsley is 6d to 3s Oct per citizen bunches ; rhubarb, Os sid to is 3d per bundle ; endive, 2s to 4s Od per score ; beet, is to 2s 6d per dozen bunches ; parsnips, 9d to is 2d per d9zan ; small salad, 2d to 3d per punnet; mushrooms, 9d to is 6d per pottle. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. Turkeys, 4s Od to 8s 0,1; Geese, 5s Od to 6s each ; Ducks, 2s Od. to 3s; tame Rabbits, is to is 9d ; wild ditto, 8d to is 2d ; Pigeons, 8d to is each; roasting Pigs, 4s 6,i to 7s each; Surrey Fowls, 6s Ocl to 9s Od ; ditto Chickens, 5s o,t to 6s 6d; barn-door Fowls, 4s Od to 7s Od per couple; Capons, 3s to 4s Od ; Chickens, is 64 to 2s Od per couple ; hares, 2s Od to 3s Gd each. English Eggs, 7s Gd to 8s Od; French ditto, 6s 6d to 7s Od per 120 ; fresh butter, is lit to is 4d per lb. BILLINGSGATE. Turbots, 2s Od to 5s each; Salmon is 6d to 2s per lb; Cod Fish, 2s Od to 8s Od each ; Soles, 3d to is 9d per pair ; Eels, 9tl to is per lb ; Lobsters, Btl to' 2s 6.1 ; Crabs, 6tt to 2s 3d ; Whitings, 2s Od to 10s per doz.: Doroys, 2s to 78 ; Mullets, 6.1 to 28 6d each ; Cotmnon Oysters, 103 Od to 168 Od; Natives, 40s Od to Ws Od peg bsh; Mackerel, 25s to 35s per 100; Smelts, Is Ott to 5s pr doz. ; Skate, 63 to Ott per lb; Shrimps, is 6d to 2s 6(1 per gallon. Bloaters, is (id to 2s Od por duz. ; Fresh Herrings, 8s Ot; to Os Od por 100 ; Haddocks, 4s to 12s per doz. ; Plaice, 4d to is Od each ; Carp, 2s Od per brace ; Tench, 2s ai to Os tki per brace ; Garnets, 4d to is Otl each ; Halibut, &I per lb. ; Salt Fish, 2d to 5d per lb. ; Prawns, 2s Od t. 4s Od per lb. ; Flounders, is to is 6d per dozen ; Sturgeon, 6d per lb.; Pike 6tl per lb. ; sprats, 3s Od per bushel. BREAD. The prices of wheaten hread in the metropolis are from lld to Ilid; of household ditto, 84d to 1044 per 41b loaf. NEWPORT. Beef from 3s Od to 4s Od ; mutton, 3s 4d to 4s 6d ; veal, 4s 4d to 5s Od ; pork, 3a lOd to 4s 10d per Sibs. WHITECEIA.PEL. Boef, from 2s 10d to 4s Od ; Hutton, 3s 4d to 4s 41 ; Veal, 4.3 0:1 to 5s Od ; Pork, 3s 4.1 to 4s 8d per 81bs. by th© carcase. HIDES AND SKINS. Market hides, 561 b to 641 b, `Lid to Od; 641 b to 721 b, to 3d; 721 b to 801 b, 3d to 3.}d; 801 b to 881 b, 3d to 3i ; 881 b to 961 b, aid to 3:ld. ; 961 b to 1041 b, Od to Od ; 1041, to 1121 b Od to Od. Horse hides, 6s 6cl to Os Od; calf skins, light, 2s Od to 3s Od; ditto, full, 6s Od to Os Od; polled sheep, 78 Od to Ss Od; gents, 6s Gd to 7a 6d; Half•brods, 6s Od to 7s Od ; Downs, 4s 6d to 6s Od ; shearlings, is 5d to is 6d. HAY MARKETS. SMITITFIELD.--Moadow hay, 21 168 to 5/ Os ; clover ditto, 3/ 15s to 6/ Os ; and straw, 11 18s to 2/ 5s per load. A moderate supply, and a sluggish demand. tiumßEßLAND.—Meadow hay, 3/ Os to 51 5s ; clover •itto, 4' O to 6/ Os; and straw, 1/ 13s to 2/ Os per load. Trade steady, at our quotations. WHITEOHAPEL.—Moadow hay, 2114 s to 5/ N; clover ditto, 3/ 153 to : and straw, 1/ 183 to 2/ 4s per load. Supply tolerably good, and trade dull. LLOYD'S SHIPPI NO.-(TRIS D IY.) LONDON, March 18.—Wind this day at Noon, N.W. ; light breeze, and fine weather. The Mercury has slightly fallen, but still continues high. The Sydney (s), from Sydney, N.S.W., has arrived in the Do ens, but it is probable that her mails will not be delivered to the public until Monday. The India and China mail has arrived at Dover, and was despatched to London by the 2 p.m. train, and will arrive iu London at 6 this evening. The letters, &c , will be delivered to the public early on Monday morning. RAMSGATE, March 17.—Wind, N.H. Sailed—Africa, for Melbourne. PORTSMOUTH, March 17.—Wind, N.B. Arrived—Ame rican Congress, from London, and salad for New York. Como, March 17.—Wind, N.N.E. Arrived—Anna Charlotte, from Batavia, for Hamburgh. FALMOUTH, March 17.—Wind, variable. Arrived— Paqueto, from Porto Rico, for Altona. Sailed—Heath, for Port Natal. Off Port—Mary, from the Mauritius. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Saturday, 10.30 a.m. Wind, N.W., fresh breeze and fine. Arrived—Anne Cropper, from Calcutta ; Walton, Val paraiso; Kent, Alexandria; Lancefield, Lisbon; Liver pool, New York. There is no intelligence of the mail steamer Baltic, now 11 (lays out from New York. Off the Port Direct..r, ship, inward bound. The Acastus, of London, from Newport for New York, was fallen in with in a sinking state on the Ist March, in lat. 41. long. 37. Crew taken off by tho Liverpool, arrived hero from New York. QUEENSTOWIsT, March 16. Wind, W.N.W., fresh. Arrived—Daniel Dyer, from Odessa; King Oscar, Mar seilles ; Bellairs, M turitius, for Bristol; Bowling, Callao for Leith ; lantho, Malta; John A. Pritchard, Marseilles. Off—Albion and Elizabeth, from Mauritius. (BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Saturday, 9.53 a.m. Wind, W.N.W ; tide, last hour's ebb ; fine. Arrived—Wilberforce (4), from Tian - lb:ugh. Sailed—Panther (a), for Ostend; James, Bermuda; Diana, CopeJhagen. DEAL, Saturday, 9.28 a.m. Wind, calm. Passed in tow—Kenilworth, from Manritius„for Lon don ; Alida Margaretha, Seville, for London (anchored). Passed—Jane Clark, from Amsterdam, for Trieste ; Adlar, Odessa, for Bremen • Lucy, London, for Trinid a d ; Staghound, London, for Falmouth ; Eliza Thornton, Lon don, for Singapare. Her Majesty's ships Neptune, Monarch, Bulldog, and Vulture sailed for the Baltic at 11 last night. Remains—Catherine Pemberton, for Launceston. UNIVERSITY REFORM.—It appears that the party wbo are.favourable to the opening of the Universities to the public, without the distinction of sect or creed, are bent on making a vigorous effort to secure their object by means of the Ministerial bill or bills, by which the question is necessarily raised. A memorial, signed by more than 100 members of the House of Commons, including both Churchmen and Dissenters, has been presented to Lord John Russell, pressing the matter upon him, and it is understood that the support to be given to Ministers, by at least some of the subscribers to this document, will depend on the course taken by the Government. The members who have thus moved are likely to be well supported out of doors, the Executive Committee of the Society for the Libe ration of Religion from State-Patronage and Control having sounded the key-note, by passing resolutions, urging the Dissenting bodies throughout the country, and Dissenters generally, to unite in bringing to bear upon the Government and the House of Commons all the in fluence they can command for the attainment Of their object. They assert that the exclusion in question vio lates the principle of religious liberty, and operates to the serious injury of Dissenters, who are thereby de prived of valuable educational facilities, are disqualified for the occupancy of many public posts, and are shut out from many social advantages: Parliament being ab gut to legislate with a view to a more complete development of the educational resources of the Universities, and their adaptation to the present wants of the people, the time has come when, in their judgment, the removal of this grievance should be imperative l y demanded. THE SCREW-SHIP HIBIALLYA.—From what we h ave heard of the circumstances attending the collision be tween the Himalaya and a sailing-vessel near Gibraltar, no blame is attributable to the screw-ship. The Hima laya, seeing the sailing vessel coming down tow ar d s h er, took r he proper precaution of porting h6r helm, but the unfortunate sailing-vess , I put her helm a starboard in stead of following the Hitnalaya's example, The come- quence waq inevitable. THE CHARGE OF CORRUPTION AGAIITSx IRISH MEMBERS. This committee sat again yesterday. Mr. Francis Scully, M.P. for Tipperary, appeared in the witness-box, by permission of the chairman, and stated that he had just seen in the morning papers a statement made on the previous day by Dr. Gray, re flecting upon his oharaeter and honour as a member of Parliament, and that he had come there to declare to the committee that that statement was not only utterly false, but that it was a base and wilful calumny. There was no arbitration whatever on the subject of his vote on the 13th of February, 1851. Mr. Sadleir never pressed him one way or the other, nor had witness any, conversation with Dr. Gray as umpire. No conversation whatever took place in the lobby that night between ness and ai:y person whatever on the subject of the vote ho was to give, nor did he recollect having any such conversation with any one on any previous night. He had no kind of hesitation in voting against the Mi nistry, and there was no foundation whatever fir what Dr. Gray said. The whole statement was perfectly untrue. Mr. Lucas said, that after the debate in the House of Commons on the sqbject of the sale of places by Irish members, Mr. J o h n B a il, M . P. f or Carlow, crossed over to him in the h ouse , an d comp l a i ne d of having been charged with expressing a disbelief in the existence of such practices. He said that he did not believe it with regard to members of the present Parliament, but that with reference to two members of a former Parlia ment such practices were perfectly notorious. In answer to Mr Butt's questions with reference to expressions that had been' attributed to the late Mr. Sheil, Mr. Lucas said that it was Mr. Ford, solicitor, of Dublin, who stated that at a dinner party there, on gentleman saying that Lord John Russell would never again get the support of any Catholic member of the House of Commons, Mr. Sheil replied, " Pooh, -- (naming an official of the Treasury) holds the Irish mem bers in the hollow of his hand." After a clearance of the room, Mr. Lucas was per mitted to go into a history of Mr. Keogh, and to pro ceed to give evidence in support of the charge he made against that gentleman on a former day of having made promises and taken oaths which were deliber ately broken. In the first place he 'would show, that at the very time Mr. Keogh was making promises pledging himself to an indefatigable opposition to the present Government, or any other Government containing a Peelite element, a Cabinet Minister was con tributing to his return to Parliament. Witness then put in a letter, dated March,lBs3, from Mr. Edmund O'Flaherty, to Mr. Richard Swift, M.P., begging him to join in a sub scription to defray Mr. Keogh's election expenses. To this letter was att iched a list of subscriptions already re ceived, viz , Mr. Sidney Herbert, 1001. ; Lord Arundel, 501.; Mr. Vincent Scully, 501.; Mr. Ingram, 501.; Mr. Charles To wneley, 50/. ; Mr. John Sadleir, 501. Wit ness then put in a copy of the Tablet of the 23d o August, 1851, containing a report of a speech made by Mr. Keogh at a meeting held a few days before at the Rotunda at Dublin for thg formation of the Defence Association, in which he recommended, amid loud cheers, that no terms whatever should be made with any Minister or Government until the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill was repealed, and the Roman Catholic was placed on equal terms with his fel low-subjects. Mr. Lucas understood th it recommenda tion, made in so solemn a manner in the hearing of a great public meeting, to amount to a promise that Mr. Keogh would follow a similar course himself. Mr. Lucas was proceeding to other promises, when exception was taken by an hon. member to the mode of proceeding, and the room was cleared. Before the doors were re-opened it was announced that the Speaker was at prayers, and the committee adjourned to Tuesday, at 12. A MAN ACCIDYINTALLY POISONED IN DRURY-LANE.— This mornin g , between twelve and one o ' c l oc k, D enn is Riley, aged 44 years, was admitted into Rose Ward, King's College Hospital, under the following circum stances unfortunate man went to work at a chemist's in Drury-lane, and, seeing a slice of bread and butter on a plate in the cellar, ate it. The bread, which iiad a quantity of arsenic on it, had been placed there for the purpose of destroying rats. Tire' poor man was shortly seized with violent pains, when he confessed to taking the bread. Mr. A. Plyne, house surgeon, used the stomach-pump and other antidotes, but the unfortu nate sufferer is not expected to outave the day. PRUSSIAN LOAN.—Tha particulars of the proposed new Prussian loan are expected to appear in a day or two. Its amount seeihs likely to be about 2,000,0001., and it will be contracted entirely at home. ST. PETERSBURG.—The St. Petersburg letters are to the 7th, when the rate of exchange was 37d. They contain no remark of importance, except that all.the merchants of the place now feel certain of war. DEMAND FOR GOLD.—There was a diminution in the demand for gold for the Continent to-day, and the amount withdrawn from the Bank is understood not to have been largo. FOREIGN RATES OF EXCHANGE.—The accounts of the rate of exchange at Paris describe no alteration, bub there was rather less dispth.ition to offer bills. Money, however, is still very scarce there, the general charge being 5 per cent. The arrivals of gold have caused a considerable accumulation at the Mint, and consequently the period required for the process of coinage is now 33 days. The sum supposed to be on hand is about 1,300,000/. The rates of exchange from Hamburgh and Amsterdam continue to show a tendency to improvement. The last prices from the Paris Bourse yesterday evening showed a further decline. From Vienna, also, the report is extremely unfavourable, as if some new and sud ten cause of distrust had transpired this morning. The funds had fallen, and the quotation of exchange on Lon don was 13, a rise of between 2 and 3 per cent. having thus taken place within two days. THE OVERLAND MAIL VIA MARSEILLES.—We are glad to hear that arrangements have been in .de by which the public will not in future be kept in expectation of the letters from India via Marseilles so long after the au' nutinceinent from Trieste that the mail had arrived at Alexandria. The Peninsular and Oriental Company have determined to have a spare vessel at Alexandria, so that on the arrival of the mail it may be shipped off immediately to Malta, and thus get to England via Marseilles, in most cases, afe w hours only aftert.le announcement of thearrival of the Trieste telegraph. By the rapid steaming of the Himalaya from Aiexandria to Malta, thence by the Va letta or Vectis to Marsedles, with ordinary despatch from Marseilles to London, we should get the letters de livered in London within the short time of 160 hours. The Himalaya, it is stated, from Malta, has gOilenplto Alexandria to wait far the next mail from India. If there be anything like favourable circumstances, such as oc curred to the Vectis this time from Malta, the sea being as , smooth as glass, we may expect the most ra pid despatch of the mail viii Malta and Marseilles ever yet achieved. THE MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Friday, March 17. — The gigantic new iron steam-ship Atrato, Captain Woolley, of 3,465 tons and 800-hone power, just com pleted by Messrs. Caird and Co., of Glasgow, for the service of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, took her departure this afternoon with the West India, Pacific, and Central American mails, in charge of Lieu tenant Latouche, R.N., Admiralty agent. The per formancei of this noble ship during her first voyage will be looked forward to with considerable interest by nautical men, inasmuch as she is the largest paddle wheel steamer Lyet built. Ou her offical trial trip on Saturday last she averaged nearly 14 knots, or over 16i statute miles, an hour. The Atrato takes out 40 passengers, among whom are the Bishop of Do minica, tne Hon. C. Forbes, Commander Morrish, R.N., and on freight a large cargo of French and conti nental merchandise, and specie value 20,0001. sterling. The next mails from the West Indies and Pacific will probably be brought home by the steamer Trent, expected to arrive about the 19th or 20th inst. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's ship Madrid, Captain G. Bradshaw, sailed at 2 p.m. to-day with the mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Cadiz, and Gibraltar, 17 passengers. a large cargo of general merchancise and specie value 14,4001., for Lisbon and Gibraltar, The Indus, Captain Soy, will l eave on M on d ay , th e 20th inst. for Gibraltar, Malta, and Alexandria, taking out the East India, China, and Mediterranean mails. The Rajah (daily expected from the Levant) will sail on the 27th inst. for Gibraltar, Malta, Smyrna, and Constan tinople. BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF ST. PATRICK.—On the day which all Irishmen regard with peculiar reverence, this charity for the education and clothing of 500 poor Irish children in the metropolis fitly holds its annual dinner. No more appropriate use can be made of the anni versary of the patron saint of Ireland than thus to set it apart for a work of beneficence which is so much required. The dinner, which took place last nig ht at the London Tavern, was presided. over by th e Earl of Donoughmore, and amone the company pre sent were Mr. Napier, M.P., Mr. Whiteside, M.P., Sir C. Roney, Colonel Dunne, M.P., and Mr. R usse ll , M . P. There was not so numerous an attendance of Irish men on the occasion as might have been expected, and the noble chairman, i n the course of the evenin g , re f er red rather pointedly to the support which the Scotch a nd Welsh charities in London received as compared with the Benevolent Seciety of St. Patrick. He also expressed a hope that, as Ireland was now entering a career of ma terial pros perity, the grounds afferded for such ma favourable coteparitions might be removed, and that the destitute c hildren of Irish parents; in the metropolis might soon be lodged and fed as well as clothed a nd educated. In the meantime, it is satisfactory to know that the benefits of the i nst i tution can be so well illus trated se they were last night by the large number of healthy, iutelligent-looking, well-clad boys and girls, who, when dinner was over, went in procession round the dining hall. The secretary 'announced during the evening subscriptions to he amount of 6001. Civil. SERVICE APPOINTIIENTS. Ordnance Depart ment, Pall -mall—The Hon. Adolph us V ere k er h as been appointed to the Store Account Office, consequent on the superannuation of Mr. Hope. Mr. Aylmer Howard Tynte H. Somerset has been appointed to a clerkship in the secretary's office. Mr. Pierce has been appointed to a clerkship in the Store Acceent Office. The Treasury, Whitehall. —Mr. Herbert Harley Murray and Mr. S A. Blackwood have been appointed to the com missariat department of the Treasury, about to pro ceed to Turkey. Two temporary clerkships are vacant. Admiralty, Somerset-house. Mr. G. C. Edwards, of the chief engineer's office, Portsmouth Dockyard, ha s been appointed to a clerkship in the accountant generals department, Somerset House. Home-office.—Mr. John Spencer Percival, extra clerk, has been appointed to a permanent clerkship, vice H. Maling, resigned. Mr. Stewart Hobhouse has been appointed a clerk to the Home-office.—Civil Service Gazette. THE :EXODUS.—The last mail from America brought heavy remittances for the purpose of taking out persona residing in the town of Galway to their relatives in the United States. Russi Turks The the hl Treas Forei Some obser the it was c been gentle which NVEII3 of ani and, I whole the i Mahn whos( letter chargi and in at office, by thi duty. baron hardy retrac son in been I have ; The evenii the is himse did, h would letter trary, same the m He believ }lave of its fled, group inforn The the p newsy tionec evacu lished the si agree; contii tion, public was d 'Whom not rt the m woulc a oral ~- - -r ; Th at fiv Le corre