The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-27 00:00:00

INLAND REVENUE, SOMERSET-HOUSE, London, March 27, 1854: R ECEIPT STAMPS.—The Commissioners of Inland Revenue desire to remind all persons possessing RE CEIPT STAMPS, rendered useless by the Act of last Session, that the period for exchanging such Stamps for those at present in use will expire on 11th April, after which day no applications; will be ad mitted under any circumstances whatsoever. The days appointed for the presentation of Stamps for exchange at this office are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and the hours from 12 to 2. By order of the Board. THOMAS KEOGH, Secretary. THE MAIL STEAM-SHIP f or AUSTRALIA, • 4th April.—The QUEEN of the SOUTH, 1,800 tons, Com mander W. H. Nenufax, one of the fleet of the General Screw Steam shipping Company, is appointed to Leave SOUTHAMPTON on the 4th of April, with her Majesty's mails, for ADELAIDE, PORT PHILIP, and SYDNEY. The Queen of the South, which was the pioneer ship of the Indian mall steam-ship line (via the Cape of Good Hope), returned from Calcutta to Plymouth on the 26th of February last, her third voyage, punctually to an hour—a significant fact, and worthy of note, especially when it is considered that the distance is about 27,000 miles by sea, and that she had to stop at seven ports outward, and eight homeward. This feat has not been accomplished by any ships in the world but by those belonging to the General Screw Steam-shipping Company. The Queen of the South is sister ship to the Argo (also one of this Company's fleet), which reached Australia from Southampton in 64 days, and returned to England in the same time. The Argo was the first steam-ship that returned round Cape Horn, thus literally circumnavigating the globe in 128 days, which has yet to be equalled. It is d eeme d b ut j ust to t h e pu bli c to state these facts, that they may know what this Company's magnificent vessels have done, and thus be able to form a rational calculation as to what they are likely to do in their service to Australia. It is also essen tial to prevent these vessels being confounded with others which have not been so fortunate. The mail service to Australia will be continued by the General Screw Steam-shipping Company every alternate month until farther notice. The Queen of the South is ship rigged (the Argo was barque rigged), and it is not unreasonable to anticipate that, with favourable wind, she will make the passage to Australia in 60 days, or less, thus affording to passengers and shippers a most desirable opportu nity for quick transit, that, under existing circumstances in the East, may possibly not occur again for some time. The arrange ments for passengers are unsurpassed for comfort and elegance. Rates of passage money, 50 guineas to 100 guineas. Freight. Si. per ton and 5 No. 1 Adelaide per cent.—Full -place, London-bridg e s particulars THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. L es ,,, e , Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS' EVENING, Malta( 27, Will he performed LEONIE. Principal characters by Mr. Elliot Galer and Mr. Henri Drayton; Misses Lowe anti Featherstote. After which, THE FEAST OF THE DRAGON, and Magical ' Performances of the Chinese Troupe. To conclude with a new Ballet, entitled THE STAR OF THE RHINE, Introducing those favourite Artistes, Eddies Therese and Annie Cnsbnie, Miss M. Charles, oloris, Milano, and Gr. nd Corps de Ballet. TREATUE ROYAL. ILIYSISECKET. Tinder tho management of Mr. Zuckstone. THIS EVENING, MARc}r 27, Will ha performed GUY MA NNERINt4. Supported by Messrs. St. Albyn, IV. Farren, Compton. Rogers, Howe, Clark, Corr], and Cidlcr.tord; Mlcs Cushman (as Mej; Alerrilies), Miss Julia LiarlanJ, Arid'alra. L. . iluckirkgham. ,tiler which, WILLMIND AN: , ) TiYA 1)1NIATI. Suppo'rted by Messrs. ituAstone and Corri ; Miss Louisa Iloward, Mrs. Fitzwil liana, and Mrs. CauLtleld. • Atter which, the opeitirt; Scenes of the PANTOMTME, eallA HANLI:QUE:i AND TkL /3FiAii.b; or, Little Silverhair awl the Y/iries. ROYAL PRTNCF:'zi'S THEATIV., OXFORI) , ••STIU.ET. Under the Alanagetn •it of Mr. "'IIARLE3 KEAN. Tali EVENING, Mancn . Wilt be pertbrrned RI,;11A1l1) THE riinzi). Principal eharsc ter by Mr. O. Kean. After which, AWAY lariat METANCIIOI,Ir. Characters " 'Messrs. Meadows, I). Fisher, ant Ss.ker; aid Misses Murray and Da;S• LYCEUM TITENT. ITaler the Martagemr.nt of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, MARC:4 27. Will be performed ' , VAN SIIE-Wr)LF. Characters by Mews. Charies Mathews, F. Mathews, and Raker; Mits Oliver. , To be followed by A CiIARNIING Concluding with NUMBER. ONE ROUND THE CORNER. After which, the popular Fairy Extravaganza, entitled ONCE ..111' , )N A TINIE THE!'.E WEI TWO KrNG-1. , :;haracters by Mews. itqx' , .Y. F. .Itattli'mrs, and !iland; ‘taclasie Vestris, Misses St George, gglanton, Sisson, Martinda!e, Wadham, and Foots. TI EATIZE ROYAL .DELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Maacu 27, Will be perfornwl TWO LOVE; AND A LIFE. Supportel by M , 3sgrA. C. bdtby, Leigh \lurr .:enjam a Tel)ster, Keeley, and 0. k 'Smith ; Was Woolgar ant Mada ne Celeste. To conclude with TilF, SERIOU4 FA ;My. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray. Parselle, and Keeley; Ars. L. Murray, Mlues Woolgar, Fanay Ma.skell, and Laidlaw, and Mrs. lieeley. ROYAL OLY3IPIC THE LTRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, MAacu 27. win be performed HIE WRON - 11 BOX. Supported by Messrs. Alfred Wigan and Robinson ; Misi P. Horton, Miss Wyndham, and kiss E. Turner. To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by Messrs. Emery, Robson, and Leslie; airs. Stirling* and Miss Wyndham. To be followed by TUE FIRS e NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss . P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. So e Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs, THIS EVENING, MARCH 27, cbaill be presented "NO IRISH NEED , \PPI.Y." Principal Will be preented "NO IRISH NEED U'P[Y." Principal cbaraeters by Messrs. (I. Hodson, Warren, and Herbert ; Misses H. Noel and Hammond. Followed by Wily DON'T HE MARRY? After which, Tat BLUE JACTI„E rq. Fe slowed by THE PET OF THE PUBLIC. To conclude with Yfalone's Travestie of 3fACBETII. - - --- Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 3a.; Pit, 1 6d; Gall•ery, 6d.; Private Roe ii. 11.. 64., to be had of Mr. Alleroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL A.‘IPHITIIEATItE. Lessee and Manager, \lr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, Msacu 27, And daring the week, will be presented the new, grand, and romantic spectacle entitled THE WOOD WA N'S HORSE ; or, The False Knight—the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty, expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke. After which, the incomparable . 4 cenes of the ARENA. To conclude with BESS OF THE BELL. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W West. .• . lIIGIEL WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. - Tim DAY —Morning 3 min.after 1 I Evening 26 min.aft. 1 - TaMoir4tow--Morning 46 min.aft er 1 1 Evening 8 min.aft. 2 TIIE WEATHER.—SIIN OFPICIS, Mi 26. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. • „ •s -. 57 , --highest since noon yesterday. t , 44 1 —lowest this morning and during the night. , _ 56—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 . 95. WIND, W.N.W. to N.W.—Fresh breeze ; dull weather, with alight rain. MARoll 27. 56-- highest since noon yesterday. 43—lowest this morning and during the night. 50—this day, at noon. BAROMETER, 30 . 27—rising. . . ' WIND, S.W. to W.—Light breeze, with fine, sunshiny weather. TBREE O'CLOCK.—The wind has gone round to N.N.W., with - cold, foggy weather. ea,. \ • T • it) . , , L 5llll, LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1854. A Declaration of War may now be confidently anticipated in the next Gazette—and a Message from her , MAJESTY will, in all likelihood, as a prelimi nary to the Declaration, be presented this very even lpg ,to both Houses of the Imperial Parliament. It is *hat alone can be rationally expected after t4eintelligence last received from St. Petersburg. That intelligence amounted, to all intents and purposes, to an intimation that the final hope of any pacific arrangement between the contest ing Powers, between the assailant and the cham- Pions of Turkish Independence, and through Turkish Independence of the future progress of civilisation and of the permanent tranquillity of Plui!dendom, had, for once and for all, been dissilAted by the obstinacy of the Russian AIT " II . 4I '. Such is the only deduction ca pable. of . bein g drawn from th e p eremp t ory efus a 1 of th e cum to give any answer what ever to the ulti i n kktAmn, through which the Allies of the 6trvt" insisted upon the immediate evacuation d the Principalities. It i s , in. fact, quite impos sible to draw any oth er conclusion than this from the. communication addressed to the French and English Consuls at St. Petersburg, in the name of his imperial Master, by Count NESS i RODE. Flaying declined to reply any way to the demand of the Western Powers, the E m p eror NICHOLAS has thus virtually decli ne d compliance with the request therein submitted to him, f or the instant withdrawal of his troops from the in vaded provinces, across the Pruth, into hi s own territory of Bessarabia. So that the last faint pro bability of a pacification has failed—failed so ti t_ te4ly and irretrievably that the Lords . and th e Commons will, in all likelihood, receive this even- ing a formal intimation to that effect in a Royal e£4B V O from the SOVEREIGN. C; ; . 4. VeclaNion of War will fortunately emanate •,..... , ,,, k,l - ~ _ ~ . lipiri Engliid':'uVer several most advantageous 1 2. 1 11;41ru , :i5.: I will occur only after the most Viik oo 44:ailiancelir‘si been established between our Ntei , ;i1 13 " 1, 47/11" - r4r'-,nincli. Imperial Government. It .. ) .4), ~ ,- 00 DiefifS4iatfs only after every effort, reason ' able and unreasonable, has been made by the Ministers of the allies of Turkey for the preven tion of bloodshed, and for the conservation of the peace of Christendom. It will arise—this terrible and disastrous war—when both of the great Powers of Western Europe are more than ever well prepared—when their armies and their navies have arrived at their most perfect state of organisation—when they have already insured the presence of powerful maritime armaments both in the Euxine and the Baltic--the presence of these vast armaments, remember, in time for the com mencement of hostilities. It is under such a propi tious conjuncture of circumstances that France and England will have to enter boldly on the struggle with the might, and the pride, and the.ambition of the Russian Autocracy. Entering upon this dread conflict, moreover, with the sinews of war already to the full guaranteed each by its respec tive population. Sending their united forces against those of their great Northern antagonist, not for the gratification of selfish passions, or with a view to rapine, or for any lawless purposes of aggrandisement, but in the cause of Right, cf . Truth, and of Justice, in the name of all that is noblest, and loftiest, and holiest in Christendom. If England enters upon war with Russia only after having allied herself cordially to the same end with imperial France—it is not so, however, in the relation subsisting at this dread crisis between the Councils of St. James's and the Tuileries, and the Austrian and Prussian Governments. England and France, at this moment on the eve of war, know not actually in what light either Austria or Prussia should be regarded by the bel ligerents. A neutrality the thing is no torious—has been long talked of at Vienna and Berlin : an armed neutrality, affording the two Cabinets a chance of escape from the dreaded collision, and of enabling them, possibly later ou, to ally themselves safely with whichever side gives promise of proving itself victorious. A neutrality ! Better an open defiance than any such despicable evasion ! Better un grateful foes, than false, because merely nominal and pretended, friends such as those ! Absolutely, nothing could be more rash than the course thus adopted by the German Governmen ts. Each, no doubt, imagines its policy to be eminently sagacious, all things considered. Whereas we venture to assert that an agreement with either of the belligerents, an agreement with either Russia or with France and England, would have revealed less temerity than this suici dal scheme of a neutral line of conduct--a line drawn, only for the time being, midway through all this throng and complication, maze and labyrinth of European difficulties. Does the Prussian KING, does the Austrian EMPEROR, for an instant reflect that he places his crown, by this ingenious device, in imminent jeopardy ? Have they alike forgotten the precarious balance upon which each has built up (like an inverted pyramid) the enormous, and elaborate, and ano malous fabric of an unpopular Government ? Have they, after the agonising suspense of 1849, elimi nated all the warning truths inscribed uuon the stony tablets of history by the bayonet dipped in blood—that iron pen of the revolutionary annalists of the Confederation ? Is the Cabinet of Berlin unconscious of this—that England and France, at their pleasure, might any day give a signal for the rising of the whole Prussian population ? Can the Viennese Government be blind to the fact that whenever we so please, we may sound the tocsin of the disruption of the whole of the heterogeneous Austrian dominions ? That we have but to raise the national standard, under the shelter of the blended colours of the union-jack and the tri-color at Cracow, and Pesth, and Milan—and Poland, and Hungary, and Lombardy, would have once more, and this time effectually, achieved their independence ? A word to KOSSUTH, a hint to MAZZINI, a whisper of encouragement to the Polish Confederation and the empire of the House of RUDOLPH would have crumbled into dust, and Poles, and Mag yars, and Lombards would have gloriously won their emancipation. Holding thus completely in their grasp the fate of Central Europe, Eng land and France can laugh to scorn this babble about an Austrian and Prussian neutrality —now when, at this supreme moment, in the Black Sea and in the Baltic their terrible fleets are about to con test with those of the Russian AUTOCRA.; for the life or death of civilisation, for the tranquillisation or for the devastation of Christendom. There is a panic on the Stock Exchange. It is useless to attempt to disguise or mystify the fact that the steady and determined action of the ' Bears has for the moment been successful, and that although the large amount of speculative dealing was but too notorious, and the amount of " backwardation" paid on every account proved that the " ursine" fraternity were utterly incap able of supplyingthe stock which theycontracted to deliver, if the proprietors were only-true to them selves, and refused to play into the hands of their virulent assailants. For ten days past the fall has been uninterrupted. An occasional brief rally was almost immediately defeated, and the depression rendered even more decided in conse quence of the abortive attempt. The reduction within a single weekhas been no less than 3 per cent. for Consols, while for the railway and other shares it has been much greater. If we look to the quo tations on Friday the] 7th and Friday the 24th (we prefer that day to Saturday, as many dealers make a partial, if not a complete holiday at the conclusion of the week, getting back early to their rural habitations), we find that on the former day the price of Consols were 90/ to 91, while on the following Friday they were 87/ to 88. London and North-Western Stock on the 17th were par to premium, or 100 to -4, while on the 24th they were 4to discount, or 95i- to 96. These are but samples of the general depreciation, which may be stated to have been during the week from 3 to 5 per cent. on the value of every description of property, or security. But all that power would have been compara tively harmless if capitalists had not yielded to their unreasoning apprehensions, and listened to the croakings of interested alarmists —men who were prepared to inflict any amount of injury upon the community for a trifling profit for them selves. Granted that we are virtually at war, that our troops are far advanced on their way to take part in the sanguinary game, and that the combined Fleets of England and France ride proudly on the Euxine and the Baltic billows —granted that they will no longer maintain a useless inactivity, but that they will speedily display a degree of energy and determination commensurate with the popular desire—granted, that a formal message from the British SOVE REIGN to both Houses of Parliament, terminating the hollow peace and formally announcing the commencement of decided hostilities—any of these matters, taken singly, might justify the de preciation ; but, surely, they have been all long since fully discounted. There was not a single person throughout the entire country, possessing the means of speculating in stocks or shares, that was not just as well informed on all these matters on the 17th as on the 24th of March. Nay, more, there were few, if any of the number, who do not feel that it was desirable to terminate the injurious suspense that had so long! prevailed at any cost. On all former stages, during the progress of events, the public supported the national credit. There was no alarm—no abject terror exhibited. The speculators for a fall were defeated, because there were parties ready to rally the round public securities and to invest their money at reasonable prices. They felt that England and France, 'At): sir al':. united in good faith and cordial alliance, had nothing to fear from " the world in arms." Even though the Great German Powers had exchanged doubtful friendship or suspicious neutrality for open and undisguised hostility, they felt that matters having proceeded so far it was desirable that the Northern Despot should be " bound over to keep the peace," and that he should give ample sureties for his " future" good behaviour. It was perfectly clear to every person of ordinary intel ligence and ordinary information that we have been for a considerable time past " slumbering on a volcano," the eruption being a question merely of time. The worst that could occur would be a continuance of the vacillating policy that en couraged aggression and led the would-be spoliator to believe that we should purchase peace at any price —and be willing even to connive at robbery, if we ourselves obtained a fair proportion of the plunder. France and England have resisted the temptation. They have stood firm, side by side, and shoulder to shoulder, and it would be treason to chivalry, nay, more, im piety, to doubt that " GOD will defend the right." All that is now required is that the people should stand firm and refuse to sacrifice their property. If they hold on steadily, the parties who have over-sold themselves will have cause to rue their reckless dealing. A large amount of Stock must be obtained to liquidate the loans that have been made. Never was there a time when it was more essential that fundholders should stand firm. Patriotism demands as vigorous and decided a resistance to the unconscientious and unjustifiable proceedings of the ursce minores of Capel Court, as to the nefarious conduct of their Leviathan brother the ursa major of Muscovy. MONEY MA RKE T THE OVERLAND MAIL, 1 AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool on Saturday were estimated at 4,000 bales, including 1,000 American taken for export. The market closed with a downward tendency. The sales comprised 3,000 American, 200 Pernam and Maranham, at 61d., 80' Bahia at Rd. to 64d., 200 Egyptian at 6 3 / 4 d. to lOW., and "(00 Surat at 2d. to 4d. per lb. The share market opened dull but closed with a better feeling. The railway meetings announced are the fol lowing : Company. Date. Place, &c. East Anglian Mar. 31, London Tavern. Londonderry . & Enniskillen Mar. 28, Coleman-st-build. Rouen and Havre Mar. 30, Paris. Sambre and Meuse April 7, Belgium. Shrewsbury and Birmingham Mar. 28, Shrewsbury. Shrewsbury and Chester Mar. 29, Chester. St. Andrew's and Quebec (Class A.) Toun., Jurb., Land. & Haslt Mar. 27, Brussels. Western of France.. Mar. 30, Paris. As the packet which brings over the United States and Canada mails is a screw steamer, and easterly winds have prevailed for several days, it is not ex pected she will arrive until about the middle of the present week. There is such regularity in the transatlantic communication, that the delay of a day or two excites remark ; but Government have taken up one or two of the finest steamers belong ing to the Cunard Company for the conveyance of troops. Trade in Australia is improving, with a brisk de. mand for goods at Sydney. Price of Gold—at Sydney, 31. 17s. ;at Mel bourne, 31. 16s. per oz. The overland mail is telegraphed from Trieste. The dates will be about a month later from Aus tralia, namely, to the 25th January ; and as far as the outline enables us to form an opinion, there was an :improvement in trade. This, however, refers to Sydney, where the markets have through out been better than at Melbourne. From, Calcutta it is stated that a fair business was doing, and that the rate of exchange was de clining. The French General Orgom had been re called from Burmah, where he had been directing the military operations of the forces hostile to England. He returns to France. The ship Hanover brings letters of Dec. 21 from Port Philip. The Maitland has arrived from Syd ney, but her dates are only of October 25. We have already had intelligence as late as the above via Panama. The proposed abolition of compulsory removal of paupers perplexes some intelligent members by the apparently opposed claims of justice to the ratepayer and benevolence to the poor. Very few, indeed, can successfully sustain the demands of the close parishes. They have but too long enjoyed a most unrighteous exemption ; too long visited upon others the support of the sickness and old age of those by whose labour they are enriched. The spirit of the Poor-law is, that the destitute shall be relieved by those on whom they have the most natural claim. Another class of ratepayers are, however, fully entitled to a candid hearing. The open parishes, and the large towns forming a union in themselves, to which the adjacent close parishes, and perhaps the adjacent unions too, have contrived to shuffle off many of their poor, is it fair that they should be saddled with all the paupers for whom they have been hitherto compelled to find habitations, and all that they will continue to have thrust upon them ? Now, we beg the attention of all our readers, interested in this important matter, to two or three remarks. For one thing, it is almost impossible that selfishness should do more in this respect than it has done. All who could be driven away from close parishes, compatibly with carrying on their work at all, have been got rid of. They are already fathered upon the unfortunate unions and parishes which could not repel them. There really seems little likelihood that this evil can be much augmented. Possibly a few worthless characters may be got to migrate to towns who now will not do so, because afraid to leave their parish ; the preference for home is, however, so strong that the danger is not great from that source. But, on the other hand, the open parishes should look at the certain relief which a great part of them will be sure to gain in the course of a little time. The effect of the union rating will inevitably be to locate the labourers hitherto thrown upon them nearer to their work. The very complaints of the proprietors of close parishes against union rating prove this. They know that their righteous share of the union burden will fall upon them, and as they will have to bear the burden, whether they denude their farms and estates of labourers or not, it is clear they will have no motive for doing it. They will, on the contrary, prefer to have their workmen more within call, and ready to commence their toil without the fatigue of a pre vious walk, frequently of several miles. As be tween parishes of the same union there will be The splendid Liverpool clipper Marco Polo, was wrecked entering Port Philip Bay, but fortunately no lives were lost. She had a valuable cargo on board, and it was doubtful whether she would be saved. The private letters from the Continent furnish many items of interest. The Prussian Govern ment had been unable to refuse the application for pilots to' the English fleet, war not having yet been declared against Russia either by England or France. Once on board, we shall know how to retain their services. Sweden has marked down a very liberal policy with regard to neutrality. The ships of war of either party will be allowed to fre quent her ports and to provision there, but no ma terials of war will be supplied, nor can prizes be taken in, except owing to stress of weather. In accounts from Weser it is remarked that no English or French subjects are now permitted to cross the Russian frontiers, and English families are quitting Russia. The commerce of Riga, Odessa, and other ports was wholly impedied by the prohibition to export gold. The earn trade is very dull to-day, and prices are lower, owing to the large supplies. Before business had gone far enough to occasion a fall, Consols were this morning quoted per cent. lower, being 874• to /, as the news of Satur day is confirmed, and the announcement of the Emperor's refusal will be made to Parliament this evening, to be followed by the declaration of war. At this.moment the prices are up again to 87/ 1. It would appear, however, that neither capitalists nor speculators have any intention just yet to sup port the market. Exchequer Bills have been 2s. discount to 2s. premium, and East India Bonds as low as 7s. discount. Foreign Securities have been very heavy again, and there is a further decline in Russian. The 5 per Cents. have been 83, but the 44 per Cents., which opened at 71k, have since improved to 73g. Portuguese 4 per Cents, have been at 33 to 34, Spanish 3 per Cents. at 344 to 35, and the Deferred at 161 to 17. Mexican have been quiet at 224 and Peruvian flat at 54 to 55 for the 44 per Cents. Dutch 24 per Cents. have been marked 52. In the English Railway Share Market, the de cline is about 4 to 1 per Cent., but with limited transactions. The London and North Western, South Western and some other of the old under takings are lower than for some years. French Shares have been depressed also, and in Luxem burgh there is a decline of 10s. to 15s. All the miscellaneous shares are receding. The Mines are dull, the Banks have been offered to some extent, and the Australian Agricultdral Land Company is about 1/. cheaper. .--- ( no motive whatever to interfere with the resi dence of workmen ; and as between unions, the difference made by driving a few persons, likely to become paupers, into another union, will not be sufficient to render the practice common. Adding these considerations to the unquestionable advantage to the poor man, of not being compelled against his will to leave the place which has long become his second home, we must think that the injury will be small, if any, to the ratepayers in towns and open parishes, while the poor will be greatly benefited. At first it may seem hard to be compelled to re lieve those who have been unfairly thrown upon us ; but the permanent tendency of the measure, and it is to permanent results a legislator must look, will be to locate the poor where they can best earn their living. The needy will have no inducement to quarter themselves on any union but that which by birth, relationship, or employ ment, is most natural to them. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (From the Official List. ) Rosiness do ne 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 874 4 4 4 Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 5 India Bonds, £lOOO 7 d Consols for Account 18th April B7 h 14.1 Exchequer Bills, 2d. £lOOO £5OO 2 d 2 P Small 2 d 2 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Mexican 3 per Cont. Peruvian Bonds, 44 per Cent. Ditto 3 per Cent .....,...... ............ Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent.. Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cont. £ St B3 x d Ditto el t i per Cent 714 34 Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 344 5 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Guil Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ...... HALF-PAST TWO. Consols 87i Ditto April Account. 874 It may be well worth considering whether it would not be possible to give legal effect to the just principle, that where a man chiefly labours he should have a claim to relief. It is the outraging of this simple and equitable rule which has brought such odium on the close parishes. There may be some practical difficulties ; but they might, we imagine, be easily overcome. A man's place of daily labour must be within walking distance of his home, and if it could be made law that the union, ten years hence, and till then the parish where the man works, must relieve him when a pauper, nearly all the unwished-for workings of the bill before Parliament would be effectually obviated. It should be remembered, too, that free trade in labour must, as in everything else, be reached at last. It is as certain that labour will distribute itself, in the long run, as accurately as prices, according to the law of supply and de mand ; that is, if it be unfettered. The whole community will be a great gainer, and the cases of real injury to ratepayers—for compelling close parishes to do their duty we hold to be no injury —will, we believe, be very few. The good is certain—the evils, we hope and believe, are chiefly imaginary. CABINET COUNCIL.—A Cabinet Council was held at the Foreign-office, Downing-street, on Saturday after noon. The ministers present were the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Viscount Palmerston, the Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newc as tl e , t h e Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Sidney Herbert, and Sir William Molesworth. The Council sat three hours. HEALTH OF VISCOUNT PALMEESTON.—We are happy to say, on inquiry at the mansion of Viscount Palmer ston on Saturday, that his lordship is much improved in health, and is fast progressing to a state of con valescence. Yesterday was the anniversary of the natal day of his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who completed his 35th year. The Earl of Cottenham, -we hear, is on the eve of leaving England on an extended continental tour. His lordship intends residing abroad for four or five years. The Earl of Durham, who is about to lead to the altar the Lady Beatrice Hamilton, second daughter of the Marquis of Abercorn, and niece by half-blood to the Duke of Bedford and Lord John Russell, in his 26th year. Her ladyship is in her 19th year. The ceremony will take place shortly after Easter. THE SPEAKER'S DINNER. —The Right Hon. the Speaker gave his seventh Parliamentary dinner on Sa turday. The following were present :—The Earl of Euston Viscount Emlyn, H on . C o lonel Li n d sa y, Ri g ht Hon. Sir George Grey, Sir Graham Montgomery, Sir Archibald Campbell, Sir Robert Price, Sir Henry Meux, Mr. Hastings Russell, Mr. Stanhope, Mr. Seymour Fitzgerald, Colonel Herbert, Colonel Hall, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Granville Vernon, Mr. Ormsby Gore, Captain Jones, Mr. Hankey, Mr. Du Pre, Mr. Thornhill, Mr. Heneage, Mr. Floyer, Mr. George Sanders, Mr. George Dundas, Mr. Deedes, Mr. Ingham, and the Secretary and the Rev. M r . arnier (chaplain.) Mr. Fellowes was prevented attending through the death of an uncle, and Mr. John Ball through indisposition. COMMUTATION OF SENTENCE.—The sentence of death passed upon Abel Burrows, at the last Bedford assizes, for the murder of Charity Glenister, has been commuted to penal servitude for life. The prisoner had been in a state of frenzied excitement for some time prior to the commission of the offence, and had made violent attacks upon his father and wife ; and the result of an investi gation made since the trial into the state of his mind leaves no room to doubt that when he committed the murder he was an irresponsible agent. —Observer. THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 27, 1854 (By Submariw and European Telegraph.) The steamer Bombay arrived in Trieste on the 25th, at half-past eight a.m., in 112 hours from Alexandria, which place she left on the 20th. The Ripon was to leave that day, with advices from Calcutta, Feb. 19 ; Madras, Feb. 24 ; Shanghai, Feb. 4 ; Hong Kong, Feb. 11 ; Singapore, Feb. 18 ; Penan n, Feb. 21 ; Galle and Bombay, Feb. 28 ; Burmah, Feb. 2 ; Sydney, Jan. 25 ; Mel bourne, Jan. 30 ; Adelaide, Feb. 2. Bassein, in Burmah, is in a disturbed state. Captain d'Orgoney, the French officer in the service of the King of Ava, is on his way to France. Trade at Calcutta fair. Indigo has fallen. Ex change 2s. ld., declining. Shanghai is still in possession of the rebels, and the rebel army is wintering at Fech Liu, 100 miles from Peking. Exchange at Shanghai, ss. Oad., and falling ; at Canton, 4s. lid. The returns from the gold fields in New South Wales are increasing, and a rich mine has been found at Tambarowa. THE BALTIC FLEET, A telegraphic despatch, dated Kiel, yest er d ay (Sunday), state s th a t the fleet, 18 strong, entered the Great Belt early on the 25th. Six English ships of war were then already off Kiel. Another despatch, dated Nyborg, yesterday, says, the fleet is passing from Romsoe : three large ships are off this place, one with Admiral Napier on board. A correspondent of the Times gives the sub joined account of the Baltic Fleet. It is dated Gothenburg, March 19 :—" The squadron under the orders of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier weighed anchor in the Downs at 2 p.m. of the 13th inst., under steam and canvass, with a light breeze from the southward, and proceeded through the Gull stream, steering E.N.E. By sunset the ships had formed three divisions or columns, sailing in open order, and according to the following pro gramme : LEE COLUMN. (Screws.) Edinburgh, 58, (bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Chads). Hogue, 60. Blenheim, CO. Ajax, 58. Amphion, 34. Tribune, 30. CENTRAL COLUMN. (Sere ws.) Duke of Welling ton,l3l, flag-ship of Vice-Adwiral ' Sir C. Napier, Com.-iu•Chief. St. Jean d'Acre,lol Royal George, 120. Princess Royal, 91. Cressy, SO. Imperieuse, 50. Arrogant, 46. WEATHER COLUMN. (Paddle-wheels.) Leopard, 12, (hay ing the flag of Rear-Admiral Plumridge). Valorous, 16. Dragon, 6. "Early in the following mornin g the fires were extinguished, th e p rope ll ers and paddle-wheels disconnected, each ship making and shortening sail as requisite, to keep in station. In the forenoon the crews were exercised at general quarters ; in the afternoon th e newly-raised men were put to cutlass, drill, &c. At noon the squadron was in lat. 52 deg. 50 min. N., lon g . 3 deg. 10 m i n. E ., the Scaw Light b ear i ng N. 40 deg. 47 E., 338 miles distant. The wind during the day was abaft the beam. Towards evening it fell light, and at mid night a calm had set in, when the fires were lighted, steam got up, propellers and paddles connected, the ships steering a N.E. course. At nine a.m. of the 15th, each ship's company went to general quarters, and fired three rounds of blank cartridge. At noon the latitude was 54 deg. 24 min. N., long 4 deg. 10 min. E., the Scaw Light bearing N.E. by E. by compass, 260 miles, squadron still under steam alone. A dense fog set in at sunset, and continued during the night, the flag-ships Duke of Wellington, Edinburgh, and Leopard firing a gun every half hour to denote their position to the rest of the squadron. " Up to 10 a.m. of the 16th none of the squadron were visible, most of them having parted company during the prec e di ng night. Towards noon the atmosphere became partially clear. The weather column, comprising the Leopard, Valorous, and Dragon, the Princess Royal, Royal George, Impe rieuse, and Arrogant of the central, and the Ajax of the lee columns, having separated from the rest during the prevalence of the fog, were not in sight. The wind was blowing fresh from the southward. The ships in company closed with that of the Commander-in-Chief, and made sail to close-reefed topsails and reefed courses. At noon the lat. was 56.18 N., long. 5.40 E., the northern point of Denmark bearing E. by N., by compass 199 miles. About 4 p.m. the fires were put out, each ship spreading the canvass requisite to keep in position. The wind becoming light the next morning, the reefs were shook out, and the squad ron proceeded under all plain sail. "At ten a.m. of the 17th land was perceived, bearing N.W. Went to general quarters by signal. At noon got up steam, ic., the Naze, Norway, being N.W. by W. by compass, 30 miles, and Ska gen Point, Denmark, E. by S. 90 miles. None of the missings had yet rejoined the squadron. " Early in the morning of the 18th, the light on Skagen Point was made, and shortly after daylight a merchant vessel being observed to be on shore on the northern point of the coast of Norway, the Tribune was despatched to render any assistance that might be necessary. The Ajax came in sight by 8 a.m. The brig Peggy, of London, laden with coals for the fleet, was taken in tow by the Cressy, and the whole of the squadron, with the exception of the Royal George and Arrogant, were at anchor in Wingo Sound, in the Cattegat, by 3 p.m. The Euryalus, Captain W. Ramsay, together with the 'ships which parted company in the fog which prevailed during the night of the 16th, had pre viously arrived. Sir C. Napier struck his flag on board the Duke of Wellington, and proceeded on the morning of the 19th to Copenhagen, leaving Rear-Admiral Chads in command. The various ships will replenish their coal, and on return of the Commander-in-Chief, by which time it is expected Rear-Admiral Corry with the vessels under his orders, together with the French fleet, will have arrived, the allied squadron will proceed to Kiel, in Holstein, and thence to the Baltic." The following is extracted from a letter of the 20th instant from Copenhagen : " Admiral Sir C. Napier arrived here last night in the Valorous, 15, Captain Buckle, having run over from Vingey, where a large fleet is assembled. Sir Charles immediately repaired to the English Minister. To-day he visited the docks, &c., and was received this evening by Mr. Buchanan, toge ther with a distinguished party. He starts early in the morning. Captain Lyons has returned with fresh despatches ; and Mr. Taylor, our consul general at Elsinore, has suddenly departed for London. It is expected that a part of the fleet will be sent here, while a part will lie at Elsinore. The larger ships must, of course, go to Kiel. The Mi randa is on the look-out in the Baltic, where the navigation is still considerably impeded by drift-ice. Here, as in other ports, the Finnish and Russian vessels are in great trepidation. They cannot put to sea without fear of being snapped up by the enemy, and it is irksome for them to remain where they are. They will doubtless soon change hands and crews. "As to Danish politics, there is nothing to be said. The Ministry will not go out—so that is the long and the short of it. Th ere was a Cabinet Council yesterday at Frederiksborg ; but the result was nil. Everybody is astounded. The King as sured the Speakers of the two houses that at least Orsted and Sponneck would be removed ; but they refuse to retire. His Majesty has reckoned with out his host, or rather without his guests. The whole malignant despotic faction (the Russian party, the Hessian party, the new Court, and the German Schleswig-Holstein league), are deter mined not to give wa y. M eant i me, they are spreading the report that the state of affairs abroad forbids a change, and that England, which has hitherto strongly supported them (which is true), will not act with any other Cabinet (which is a calumnious falsehood). The national papers are taking unnecessary trouble to convince the public of the monstrous untruth of the above, and that the days of the European necessity' are now over. " It is high time that Mr. Buchanan was officially empowered to protest against all such hateful machi nations, and that ho was specially requested by Lord Clarendon to inform the King that the treaty of London did not contain one word about the ab rogation of the Danish succession law, or the ille galities of Russianizing Cabinet Ministers, or the perjured destruction of the Danish Constitution, or the re-establishment of an open and flagrant Schleswig-Holstein, or the attempt t o ens l ave the Monarchy through the Duchies, and the Duchies through the Monarchy—all, for the especial benefit of Russia." A second letter dated Copenhagen, March 22, says :—" On the evening of the 16th the Swedish Government made a formal communication to the four houses of the acknowledgment of the Swedish neutrality by a number of States. Among these was Russia, under date of March 7. Thus has this long-expected acknowledgment taken place— doubtless owing princip?lly to the resolution shown, and the warlike measures taken. Russia had modi fied her terms, but was still refused ; and now the consent has been unconditional. It was accom panied, it is said, by a private note from the Czar abounding in terms o f am i ty and compliment. , " Admiral Napier left this morning at half-past fo u r, on board the paddle-steamer Valorous, having first been refused the honour of an inter- MAILS F 01? AUSTRALIA. GENERAL POST-OFFICE, March, 1854. The next mails for Australia will be forwarded by the steam-ship Queen of the South, under a contract made between the Postmaster-General and the General Screw Steam-ship ping Company. This vessel is appointed to leave Southampton on the 4th April next, after the arrival at that port of the mail from London, despatched on the morning of that day ; and all letters and newspapers for South Au,tralia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Van Die men's Land posted in London, or reaching London, up to the morning of the 4th April, and not addressed to be sent by any other vessel, will be forwarded by the "Queen of the South." The packet rates of postage, which must be paid in advance, will be chargeable on letters transmitted by the Queen of the South ; but no charge will be made upon newspapers. The suspension of Messrs. Moller and Burroughs, foreign exchange dealers, a small but respectable firm, was announced on Saturday. It is understood that the creditors of Messrs. War wick, Harrison, and Warwick, shawl and silk manufac turers, who failed on the 15th inst., have agreed to accept a composition of 16s. in the pound, payable at three, six, and nine months, with security for the last instalment. The debts and liabilities constitute a larger sum than was originally anticipated, being 37,8001., while the assets are stated at 37,3001. MEETING OF DICKSON AND CO.'S CREDITORS AT GLASGOW.—The creditors of Messrs. Dickson and Co. met on Friday. Nearly 120 were present. A statement of affairs, as accurate as was possible under the circum stances, was submitted to the meeting. The liabilities were stated to be close upon 400,0001. ; viz., uncovered, 2 13,0981. ; covered, 185,8901. Consignments at Dick son and Co.'s credit, 330,9381. Advances at their debit, 199,8341. Assigned by them in anticipation of pro ceeds, 50,5621., leaving an apparent reversion from this source of 80,0831. Adding other sums standing at the credit of Dicks o n an d C o ., th e total assets were esti mated at 118,1101. The estate is expected to yield from is. to 10s. per pound. The consignments appear to have been made not only to Australia, but also to Cali fornia, New York, the Cape of Good Hope, Ceylon, New Zealand, &c. A strong feeling was manifested, on the part of the meeting, to have the covered accounts and assignments subjected to a thorough scrutiny.— Commonwealth. THE MEDITERRANEAN.—SOUTHAMPTON, March 26. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer Rajah, Captain N. Cook, arrived here this morning, with dates from Constantinople, Feb. 23 ; Smyrna, March 1 ; Malta, March 5 ; Gibraltar, March 12. On the 20th inst., while off Ushant, the Rajah lost her propeller (Griffith's patent), which broke off on the boss, the weather at the time being very rough, and blowing a gale from the eastward, with a heavy sea. The re mainder of the voyage has been performed under can vass. The Rajah brings the following valuable cargo : Eight bags of galls, 153 cases of fruit, 13 boxes of oranges, 95 bales of goats' wool, 61 bales of carpets, 764 cases, 32 drums, and 181 casks of red raisins, 350 cases of figs, 425 bags of valonia, 1,474 drums of sul tanas, 56 cases of gum, 5 cases of otto of roses, 57 cases of opium, 254 bales of silk, 6 packages of ele phants' t ee th, 98 b a l es o f s h eep ' s woo l , 1 5 b ales of skins, 152 cases of sponge, 628 cases and 41 barrels of black fruit, 7,823 pieces of boxwood, 10 boxes of sca mony, and sundry merchandise. In consequence of the disabled state of the Rajah, the Sultan will, we are informed, be dispatched in her place, on the 31st inst., or Gibraltar, Malta, and Constantinople. Despatches were sent on Saturday from the Colonial office to the Governor of Gibraltar. ' view with the King by his Ministers, on the absurd plea that he was too unwell to undergo so great an exertion. So Russia may be calm—her interests are in good hands. It is now commonly reported the English and French Ministers have had an audience of his Majesty, for the especial purpose of requesting that there might be no change of Ministry at this crisis, and that it is owing to this advice that his Majesty's solemn assurance to the Speakers has been forgotten. " The arrival of the English fleet at Wingosound has created quite a revolution in Gothenburg. The fri g ate Euryalus was the first to show h erse lf on Thursday. On Friday the Swedish private steamer the Halland, went out to try its engines, and found another frigate at anchor ; and while out at sea it met three other steamers coming up. The Halland exchanged cheers and salutes with these vessels. On Saturday the Swedish boat made another excur sion to the fleet, with 300 or 400 passengers on board ; but by this time a ship of the line and a fri g ate were lying be s id e th e oth er fi ve s hi ps . Th e Halland cruised about among them, and witnessed a boat exercise ; while the passenger& were also allowed to go on board the liner Princess Royal. By and by four other steamers were visible. The Halland steered out to meet them, and passed close by the Duke of Wellington, on whose half-deck stood Sir Charles Napi er . The gallant admiral heartily replied to the enthusiastic greetings of the Swedes. Next came the St. Jean d'Acre, Royal George, and Edinburgh. It had b een propose d i n Gothenburg to give a grand ball or dinner to the officers of the fleet, but it was doubtful whether this could be carried into effact, as the news of the death of the Duke of Sodermanland had just reached the town, and would probably stop all out ward acts of a festive nature. Our Consul-General, Mr. Engstrom, had communication with the Eng lish authorities on this occasion." LATEST FOREIGN NEWS THE WAR IN THE EAST. RETURN OF THE QUEEN'S MESSENGER FROM ST. PETERSBURG. The Hon. Captain Blackwood, who was charged to deliver the British ultimatum to the Czar, re turned to London on Saturday evening from St. Petersburg. He at once proceeded to the Foreign office, where he arrived at half-past 10. He was the bearer of despatches to our Government, which were immediately sent to the residence of Lord Clarendon. The result of his mission, which from the first was not doubtful, has already been announced by telegraph. The Czar has gratified his pride, and gained six days, by refusing to return any direct reply to the summons from France and England. The Czar " Has no answer to send." Captain Blackwood arrived at St. Petersburg on the 13th and delivered his message, waited until the expiration of six days, and on the 19th begun his home ward journey, reaching London, as above stated, on Saturday night. It is said he did not reach the Russian capital until three days later than had been calculated on, having met with extreme difficulty in procuring horses on his arrival at the different Russian post stations. Whether this was mere chance or not it is impossible to say, but it is believed that impedi ments were purposely thrown in the way of the bearer of such an unwelcome message. THE GREEK INSURRECTION. The contradictory accounts which continue to be received of the Greek insurrection render it dif ficult to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the state of that movement, or the extension it has acquired. One day we are told of a corps of the Turkish army being attacked and routed, on an other we hear that the Turks have the upper hand that the Greek insurrection, which it is denied was ever extensive, is all but sup pressed. On a comparison of this conflicting intelligence, which perhaps proceeds from the exaggerated hopes of the insurgents, and the de sire of the Turkish authorities to make the world believe that the rising is only a contemptible re volt, we find that, whether from defective mea sures or from the ill conduct and negligence of the officers of the Porte, the insurrection is as yet far from being put down, and that it will perhaps re quire the presence of an auxiliary force to do so. What object the Greeks can now have in thus add ing to the embarrassments of the Turkish Govern ment it is difficult to say. The Emperor of Russia made the same declarations to the Greek Minister at St. 2etersburg which are to be found in the " secret correspondence," with reference to the ex ' tension of the territory of the Kingdom of Greece ' and to the re-establishment of a Byzantine Em pire. That declaration was communicated even in IL more peremptory man ner th an i n th e conversa tions with Sir H. Seymour, and whatever may be the object of the Greek subjects of the Porte, or of independent Greece, it is certain that from the Emperor Nicholas they have nothing to hope. The Cabinet of Athens has disavowed all partici pation in the revolt, but has confessed its inability . to prevent its subjects from openly aiding the in surgents. Whatever ground there may be for sus petting the sincerity of that disavowal, the private information that is occasionally received from Greece does not confirm it. Indeed, that informa tion is decidedly against King Otho and his agents. The following is from the Times Paris corres pondent's letter, dated yesterday, 6 p.m. :—" I mentioned some time since the intention of the French Government to call upon the Cabinet of Vienna for a categorical explanation of its policy on the Russian question, and of its position with reference to France and England in the event of war with Russia. The note which contained these demands was a collective one ; and I am informed that a similar note was presented to the Cabinet of Berlin. It invited those Governments, not pre cisely to send an army into the field, not to com mence hostilities against Russia, but to specify the case, and to indicate the circumstances, which would render it indispensable for them to quit a system of neutrality. The precise day on which that communication was made I cannot say, but it is asserted that sufficient time has elapsed for an answer ; and the delay that has taken place in the receipt of that answer explains the dissatisfac tion to which I alluded in my letter of Friday. In the meantime we have all sorts of rumours about a treaty of alliance, defensive and offensive, between Prussia and Austria, and though little credit is, I find, attached to them, it is, neverthe less, certain that a private telegraphic despatch, received this day from Berlin, speaks of it as a fait accompli. Advices from Constantinople of the 16th inst., received via 'Vienna, state, the Grand Mufti, sup ported by the ex-Seraskier and the Ulemahs, has raised difficulties respecting his " fetwah," with out which the firman in favour of the Christians cannot be issued. There have been numerous conferences, at which the Sultan and the Grand Mufti were present, but, in consequence of the scruples of the latter, hitherto without result. Mehemet Pacha is intriguing against the military, and sides with the Mufti. The Fremdenblatt has the following, under date of Bucharest, March 21 : " Russian officers state that on the 18th March General Luders crossed the Danube, near Isatschka and stands with 45,000 men in Bulgaria." It seems now to be certain that Austria will fol low the bad example given to her by Prussia, and declare that she will remain neutral in the coming struggle. There does not, in fact, appear to be a doubt, as announced by the telegraphic despatches from Germany, that these two Powers have already concluded a treaty offensive and defensive, for the purpose of enforcing their neutrality, and also for reciprocally guaranteeing their possessions in the midst of the complications which the coming war may give rise to. The Austrian Correspondenz says :—" General Baron Hess proceeds to Berlin with the Emperor's answer to the King of Prussia's letter, brought by Colonel Manteuffel. These missions prove that a closer alliance between Prussia and Austria is greatly desired, and the attainment of a more per fect understanding w i s h e d , respecting their mutual attitude in the Eastern question, for the protection of the common interest. The Wanderer has a letter of March 14, from St. Petersburg , w hi c h contains matter of consider able interest. The Russian papers vie with each other in abusing England and France. A. M. Wolkoff thus writes in one of them " Proud Albion has the impudence to send her fleet into our seas, and the flag of France waves beside that of England. Well, let the invaders come on ; we are, as formerly, prepared to conquer or to perish. Let the West not complain if it again feels the weight of the hand of Russia ; let it not be astonished if the Koran and the Crescent are trodden in the dust." The Anglo-French alliance is lightly spoken of, partly because the power of England is underrated, and partly because it is supposed that the good un derstanding between the ancient rivals will be of no long duration. One of the St. Petersburg papers indulges in a violent attack on the Emperor of the French, who is reminded, that as he attained his present elevated position by the assistance of the revoluti o n, so h e ma y be deprived of it by th e same po cv er. " Only legitimate dynasties are firm and stable." The state of public feeling in Russi a is represented to be so extremely excited, that the Government is not likely to consent to con c l u d e peace on any terms but those of its own m a ki ng. , Money, cattle, biscuit, flour, itc., arc continuall y contributed by individuals, but neither in propor tion to the size of the empire, nor in such quan - . I •+ tities as might reasonably be expected. The a O 7 tention of the public is called to the fact flat " t Russia has considered it necessary " to put pro " vinces conterminous with Prussia and Austria under military law." It seems that the possible • coalition of Europe has made more extensive pre cautionary measures necessary. The " inner' guard" has commenced its duties, as is usually .tb case whenever the active army is employed beyo na the frontiers, and on the 27th the Emperor was t°, inspect the maritime plac e s and the reserve nas ca'• corps, which are now about to enter into acts dog service. All the smaller vessels, about 400 in nice " ber, are put on a war footing, but it is., not v clear, even to the Russians themselves, ;that tl ler will be of any great service against; the Brit idli fleet. " England will not, however, have su easy work as she seems to expect. Wh en tb e Russian fleet is destroyed, what will be done then Will troops b e di sem b ar k e d ?" I n th e B a lti c ' 0" vinces there is no w an arm y o f 160,000 men , au" . all the reserves are completed. An old Genera 1 , 8 ' Frenchman by birth, who has grown grey in the service of Russia, says, " Russia is able boldly W . defy a coalition of th e w h o l e . o f E uro p e ." I he FRANCE. The subscription for the new loan having closed on the 25th, the Government has intimated that as the subscriptions are considerably larger than the amount required, a diminution must be made on the larger subscriptions. It has consequently re , solved that the subscribers of 1,000 francs oaf Rente or over, will only receive 55 per cent. of their s'ob' scriptions; but that all subscriptions under 1,00 0 f• of Rente will be taken without any diminution. The closing paragraph of the article in ,the Moniteur of Thursday, in which it is stated tb o' 6 Russia, after having failed in London, came bat 1k to the French Government and made advances 1 it similar to those proposed to England, and wit b a similar result, naturally led to the inference tha there were documents also in the hands of th 9 former which would be made public. It wa S asserted that such was not the case, and that th e advances, or rather bribes, held out to the Em peror of the French to induce him to join the spo liation of the Ottoman empire were of an indirect character, and not made in writing. It is said, however, that documents doreally exist, wh tich may at some future day see the light, and that th tey were actually prepared for publication in the Mc miteur, but, on further consideration, withdrawn for the pre sent. The more important are said to consist , of two memorandums communicated by the late I tussiall Ambassador at the French Court to tile Govern ment. There is little doubt that these paPer a were drawn up with much care ; but it ap pears that the proposals- contained in them we're, if • pos sible, of a still more tempting kind than those con veyed to Sir Hamilton Seymour. They are,. 11l fact, described as tres compromettants for thl3 peror of Russia. It is, moreover, stated that ther e are despatches from the late French Ambas sacor in St. Petersburg to his Government, whit h are substantially the same as the memorandum is re" ferred to. It is not said with certainty wh, sther they will be published, but that will, perhaps y de" pend on what the Journal of St. Petersburg 00 again say with reference to the " secret corres, poll; dente" laid before the English Parliament. .711 3 ' journal made no allusion to the French Gov& ment ; but should it commit the same act ,of fa 111 it has already done, the Government will, 11° doubt, imitate the English Government, and cot a plete the exposure. It is stated that a sum of 10,000,000 f. has b nee advanced by the Emperor Napoleon to the Sul tali to aid the public service until such time as the sources of the new loan are available. It is add eat that the money was advanced without hesitatioi 1. It would appear that the sort of financial pay llc in Paris already noticed has been exaggerated. 01 the failure of one house there is no doubt, but the two or three others—one of them long establish. ea and well known—are now said not to be in , the c.d . ' tical position that was feared. That house iRI a larg" holder of shares in public companies, which, of oourse. , suffer from the general depression of the money' market ; but it is so far frow being insolvent; tbalP on proper explanations being given, a considorabh 3 amount of its paper has been discounted on the vsuail conditions by the Bank of France. Moreover, the fears of great scarcity are gradually vanishing, n o withstanding the difficulties in the corn trade, ar td almost every post brings us information that tl price of corn is falling, not only in France, bi elsewhere. The annual ball, under the patronage of tb e British Embassy, for the benefit of the Britis Charitable Fund in Paris, is fixed for the 19th ( April, and will take place, as usual, in the Jardi 32 d'Hiver, which will be brilliantly illuminated far the occasion. The tickets are, even at this early period, being rapidly disposed of. The Emperor and Empress have subscribed, through Lady Cowley, for 100 tickets at 20f. each. There is every reason to believe that the attendance z.rill be numerous. The Moniteur publishes an article on the sub ject of the recent taking possession of New C donia. The remarks of the official journal detrive their principal importance from its being the i jot time that the matter has been mentioned in the Government organ in such a prominent way. Th. Moniteur says :—The taking possession of Ner Caledonia has had for its object to secure to France in the Pacific Ocean that position which is called for by the interests of her military and commercial marine and the views of the Government on the penitentiary regime—a position which is not given to her by the occupation of the small archipelago of the Marquesas, or the protectorate of the Socioti Islands. The Three per Cents. opened on Saturday at 631 80c., rose to 64f. 25c., and closed at 63f. 95c. fog' the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 90f. 75c. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,070 f. ; Rouen, 845 f. ; Havre, 440 f.: Great Nor them, 723 f. 75c. ; Strasburg, 697 f. .500. ; New - Shares, 522 f. 50c. ; Lyons to Paris, .795 f. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 657 f. 50e. ; Western of France, 570 f. ; Bordeaux to Cette, 515 f. ; Great Central of France, 412 f. 50c. ; Lyons to Geneva, 430 f. ; Bank of Credit Mobilier, 520 f. ARRIVAL OF FRENCH TROOPS AT MALTA. On the 23d the TrenZ steamer Christoph Colomb, with the transport Mistral, arrived at Malta, having on board Generals Canrobert, Bos quet, and Martimprey, 72 officers, 800 men, and 70 horses belonging to the staff. None of them had yet disembarked. The Kangaroo had ar rived, with the 77th Regiment. No preparations had been made for a move to the East. SPAIN. Advices of the 20th from Madrid says the Queen is to leave at the commencement of April for Anvil juez, where she will pass the spring. Rumours of a Ministerial crisis have been cur rent, but they are quite unfounded. In the last Council of Ministers concessions of different lines of railway were made. Amongst them was one from Baluuz y Ezpiel to Cordova, which will be very useful to the coal mines. The concession is made to Count de Santa Olalla, son of the Minister of Finauce in 1834. This gentleman is about to leave for Paris and London, to make arrangements for commencing the works. Advices of the 21st speak of a visit of Queen Christina to Paris. - COU.RT OF BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Fane.) MERCANTILE FAILIIRE--IN RE SHIELDS. This bankrupt had carried on business as a merchant in Lime-sereet, City, and traded under the style or firm of Lavall, Shields and Co., and to-day was appointed for his last examination. The balance-sheet, prepared by Messrs. Robinson and Knowles, Basingball-street, commencing 7th January, 1849, and extend s t o N ov . 1853, and shows d e bt ors to creditors, 3,416/. 18 s . 3d. ; to ditto holdin g secur i ty, 2,441/. 11s. 4d. ; ca pit a l, 300/. ; profits, 3 ,818/. ; credi tors, by good debts, 104/. ; due from Stewart an d F rias; 1,221 ; prop er ty in the hands of cr e di tor, 2,839/. losses, 1,2291. ; trade expenses, 6 ,505/. ; domestic, 688/. , personal, 1,880/. The bankrupt was examined a t some length as to certain shares on Californian mines which it was alleged had not been accounted for in the balance-sheet, but the entries were pointed out. Mr. Whitmore, the official assignee the bankrupt had given all th e inform ation ' considered that he could , a nd no benefit would arise by any furth er adjournment. The bankrupt thereupon passed. THE SOOTS FUSILEERS.—The Simoona, with the Scots Fusileer Guards arrived on the 18th inst. at Malta, all well. S PLY 34 " II I) MAR CH 26 . —The ship Maitland, from ydney, and steamer Ann, from New Zealand, have ar rived off Falmouth, with mails, which were sent on to London by this evening's mail train. ELECTION OF AN ALDERMAN FOR THE WARD OF CREtp.— On Saturday a wardmote was held, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, in the church of St. Law rence Jewry, for the election of an alderman in the room of the late Mr. Alderman Thompson. Mr. Cuthbert proposed Mr. Jonathan Thorpe, nephew of the late Alderman Thorpe, and his nomination was seconded by Mr. John Hall. Mr. W. H. Ashurst proposed Mr. Richard Hartley Kennedy, and he was seconded by Mr. Connell. No other person being put in nomination both the candidates addressed the wardmote. A show of hands vias then taken, and the Lord Mayor decided that the majority had voted for Mr. Kennedy.--This morning it was announced officially that Mr. Kennedy had been elected—Mr. Thorpe, the other candidate having resigned. ,• peric 1851 1,49 Th, 'WM the v Th up tt tfaeir mita rathe less a price, 33cote Frc recoil Engle tome No sheep some idemai about 'cold D La Ss 4d The tiouppl: ' We 'no ch inferi( itecom .Prime Prime Uteri( &eon( mime Beasts Sheep . Calves rigs .. A Mat , stoc Mor 185, gun 23,750 Mar 130 ; 1 Sin .sonab the d( Beef, i Do., r Do., ; Do., (i Pork, Tho kinds Last Mid of K to 61. gP ter 431 431 &ft Th( dec whi was ls i The rail ten Ditti Wow , r 1 mod Fro' New Ham A.ntv Rotti Calai '1853. 1852. 1851. 1850. 1849. Thi kinds oar c Ham from as fc Ease 3 U 1155 Ou of w 4 week Cape oU fully new Turni Must 4 Tares Cana Rya 1 high Stoel Pria Deli Ditt4 Ant bitti ?ric