The Sun. — London, England, 1854-02-04 00:00:00

manning the ship by foreigners ; but he did not thick the verdiot, was quite conclusive en the subject, because the jury were simply silent upon the point. ti (Mr. Liddell) was not a naval man, but still he did think, nuder all the circumstances, there v e 17) points disclosed in the evi dence which required explanation. The right honour . able gentleman (Mr. Cardwell) had that night intro duced two hills ; and with regard to that which re pealed " the last rag of protection"—(ironical laughter from the Ministerial benches)—such was the uncertainty of the law as it at present stood as to what was constituted " a British ship," that lucid though the right honourable gentleman's statements were, he (Mr. Liddell) wished he would on some future occasion define to the house what did constitute " a British ship" in the eye of the law ; because at present it appeared that a ship, if it only be longed to a British shipowner, though navigated by a foreign commander and foreign seamen, might claira and possess all the, advantages attaching to the British .flag. In the present posture of affairs he earnestly hoped that the repeal of this "last rag of protection" might not in volve us in consequences more serious perhaps than many might anticipate ; that the spirit and courage of the British seamen might not be affected by the universal competition to which he was subjected ; and that in the hour of trial, should it come, we might not look in vain for that prowess which had made England heretofore the mistress of the seas. (Hear, hear.) Sir G. PECHELL complained that the house and the country remained as much in the dark as to the real he causetat of the loss of the Taylenr as if no inquest ha d been 11 all. The captain of this fine ship, of 1,974 tons, with his double-class certificate, declared himself perfectly satisfied with her, anti yet it appeared he could not turn her round in the sea in leas than an hour, and in a less space than five miles. It also came out on the captain's cross-exami tion, that it took twenty men an hour to furl the mizen topsail. He also stated that he formerly commanded the Australia, a very large vessel, which took forty minutes cud a space of three miles to turn in. h Those . circumstan ces he (Sir G. Pechell) confessed astonished ; and if any honourable member could elucidate, w a w a hoinnow en he would be g a great veloped in so much myste r y , service to the country: Mr. HENLEY reminded the house that when the repeal of the navigation laws was first propounded he expressed his astonishment that the coasting trade was excepted— (bear) —and having stated that as his opinion at that time, of cours e now he cou ld not ob j e ct to the introduction of a bill for d o i ng away with such an exception. The rea sons, too, for ita abolition had been of late very much stre'ngthened by the enormous demand which had sprung up for shipping to carry on thl intercourse between the gold regions and every quarter 4. f the world ; and so long as the gold discoveries continued there could be no doabt that there would be, in connection with them, a very ex traordinary absorption both of shipping and seamen. He was surprised, however, that there had not been a greater accession to the number of apprentices; because when la bour became dear masters looked out for apprentices, both on the ground of economy, and because they knew they could command their services. With respect to life-boats, he did not know whether the Government intended to sup ply them, or only to regulate the use of those which were now supplied by private benevolence and subscription. If the latter, he hoped that no discouragement would be given to those voluntary efforts, which, though not now so per fect as could be wished, were still exceedingly valuable in emergencies. (Hear, hear.) He was happy to find that, under the proposed plan, boys would have the opportunity afforded them of receiving a good nautical education, if they choose to avail themselves of it. The question of passing tolls was one which he considered deserved the serious attention of the Government. (Hear, hear.) Tolls were now paid in many ports the revenue derived from which was not applied in any way towards the benefit of the shipping interest. When the question of dues of all kinds were looked into, he hoped the passing tolls would not be lost sight of, for it was absurd, when the country had decided upon making changes in its commercial policy, tnat certain corporations should still be allowed to levy tolls granted to them when another policy existed. He was glad to hear that it was the intention of the Govern ment to abolish the system of register tickets, for a greater curse and nuisance to merchant seamen was never devised than that of these tickets. With respect to the proposal to consolidate the laws affecting the mercantile marine there could be no doubt that the completion of such a measure would confer a great benefit upon the shipping in terest, and he should be happy to afford every assistance in his power in making such consolidation as complete and as perfect as possible. He was glad to hear that a re duction of the light dues was also contemplated; but it was due to the Trinity-house to state that the corporation always acknowledged that the revenue was increasing, and that the beoyancy which existed in them, notwithstanding previous reductions, had led to the expression of their opinion that other reductions would be made from time to time. (Hear, hear.) - Mr. I,A.BOUCEERE observed with great satisfaction the reception which the house had given to the proposals of the Government, the total absence of anything like party spirit, and the' general desire which had been ex pressed to co-operate in giving effect to important mea- ;tires &fleeting the interests of our mercantile marine. In the bill for the repeal of the navigation laws, which he (Mr. Labouchere) had proposed, the coasting trade was included; for, indeed, he could see no reason why, if they threw open their general tradJ, they should not act in the same man ner with the coasting trade. He could understand that persons might feel apprehensive as to the competition of foreign ships in the foreign or colonial trade, but whatever laws might be passed, there could not be a doubt but that the coasting trade of the country would always, in the main, rest in the hands of the British shipowners. He believed that any attempt to pass a bill consolidating, while it at the same time proposed to amend, the law af fecting the commercial marine, would'be attended with considerable difficulty, and he would suggest whether it would not be more advisable to pass, in the first instance, a bill proposing to effect such amendments as were thought desirable, and at a later period of the session to pass a simple consolidating bill. That was the course which had been usually adopted in similar cases, and he thought it might be adhered to with advantage. He thought that the proposal to encourage the formation of nautical schools, although an exceedingly important one, was, at the same time, one which required to be cautiously dealt with, for, since the passing of acts which required qualification on the part of captains and seamen, a great =any private schools had sprung up in different parts of the country, which afforded the necessary amount of instruction. It was desirable that in any step taken by the Government nothing should be done calculated to counteract the bene ficial influence of these schools. (Hear, hear.) During the last session he had ventured to express some doubt with respect to the propriety of totally removing all restrictions on the manning of the ships. He was not actuated in this opinion by any feu F that it would have the effect of lower ing the wages of seamen, but because he thought that in the event of war it would-be found that vessels essentially foreign would, upon the mere colour of British ownership, be claiming the protection of the British flag, and involv ing the country in disputes, which might be excessively . inconvenient. (Hear, hear.) His fears, however, were par tially removed by the opinion of Dr. Lushington, that he was not apprehensive of any difficulty arising from that source. But it appeared that, under the apprehensions which existed at this moment ofa war with Russia, certain Russian ships at Liverpool had been transferred to English ship owners, and that the English purchasers of these ships had been so accommodating as to take also the captain and crew as part of the bargain. (A laugh.) These ships, therefore, which a day or two since were Russian ships, were now, to all intents and purposes, English ships. It would be satisfactory to know, whether in the event of war such a course would produce any difficulties. (Hear, hear.) All the measures proposed appeared to be in the right direction, and he believed that the house could scarcely employ itself in a more useful or more honourable manner than by doing all that lay in its power to promote and encourage that great branch of the service of the country, upon the prosperity of which its power and greatness mainly depended. (Hear, hear.) Admiral WALCOTT concurred in the opinion expressed as to the impropriety of confiding British carriage, capital, and honour to the keeping of the crews of vess e l s en ti re l y foreign. He doubted, inded, whether it would be possible to secure subordination among such motly and heterogeneous crews as those of which many vessels were now composed. With reference to the loss of the John Tayleur he would call the attention of the right honourable the President of the Board of Trade to the consideration, whether, it would not be desirable that the Government should take care that no ship should go to sea without having it made clearly manifest to some competent officer that there was a sufficient number of able seamen on board properly to na vigate the ship. If there was one point more than an other which gave him pain in connection with the loss of the Tayleur, it was that, with scarcely an exception, the whole of the women and children on board had perished. It was always considered the first point of the profession to which he belonged, that officers and seamen should always disregard their own lives, when they could give succour to a woman. [Hear, hear.) Capt. SCOBELL considered that the throwing open of the coasting trade was but the natural consequence of repeal ing the navigation laws. He suggested that, as captains and masters of vessels were compelled to undergo an exa mination, it would be desirable that steps should also be taken for ascertaining whether the crews of vessels were fit to go to sea, for he had no doubt but that it would turn out that an insuf f icient crew was the main cause of the loss of the John Tayleur. A larger proportion than one third of landsmen would be found in working the ship to be positively in the way, and a greater hindrance than as sistance. He regretted that the laws as affecting appren tices in the navy had been repealed. for they might as well expect to reap without sowing, as expect to obtain a suffi cient and constant supply of men, especially in time of war, except the apprenticeship system were encouraged, andevery ves se l was b oun d t o h ave a certa i n number on board. One of the results of the act already passed had b een es was st a t e d, th a t R uss i an s hi ps had been enabled to re gisteerur er the British fl ag . Th ese vesse l s m i g ht b e insulted by Engzritocan, Spanish, or P or t uguese s hi ps, no t a single would be conspellecian might be on b oar d ; b u t E ng l an d offered to the honour to come forward to avenge th I insults G o f f her i flag, and which she had placed entirely in the hands Mr. PHILLIPI's eem e u rei d gners. (Hear. i erstood to suggest that ves sels engaged in foreign enravoenoiLialt trade should be com pelled to leave Milford of Liverpool, as by so doing they would avoid manyser risks to which they shiel ds s t of Ireland. were exposed in getting clear of the sh Mr. INGHAM stated that at and other ports on the Tyne a system of voluntary examination f men had been introduced by the fau na °- sea " awarded certificates of competence t o A c Znere, who showed a due amount of proficiency. A voluntLyerscrnesap.a: went had also be e n en t ere d i n t o b y th e shipowners: we;tej,-7,-- spect to providing th e mos t efficient life boat s . The u„-Zi. these life-boats had scarcely ever been unsuccessful, except in one unexplained and melancholy instance, in which the boat upset, and twenty-one out of twenty-three lives were lost. A day or two after this sad occurrence, the life-boat was required to put out again on its errand of mercy, and the first man to volunteer and jump into the boat, was one of the two seamen who had so narrowly escaped a day or two previously. (Hear, hear.) During the late gales there had been not less than 120 vessels lost between the Tees and th e Clyde, and although a large number of life boat stations were provided along the whole of the coast of Northumberland, they were unable to afford that amount of assistance which it would have been desirable to pro- , vide. He hoped that the attention of the Government would be directed to the absolute necessity of providing some harbour of refuge on the coast, into which vessels overtaken by storm, might run with safety. Mr. LAING desired to express his thanks to the Presi dent of the Board of Trade for the measures he intended to introduce, and the strong sense he entertained of the practical benefits which they were calculated to produce. During the past year the whole bearings of this question had been brought before him in a variety of ways, and he was strongly impressed with the vast commercial inconve nience and injury which had been sustained from the ex travagant rates to which freights had risen in the coasting trade. Great loss had been sustained by individuals en ;aged in the trade from the entire impossibility which ex isted of getting vessels to transport materials from place to Place. It was not, therefore, the question now whether the Coasting trade should be carried on by British ships and THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING-, FEBRUARY 4, 1 . 8 54. TIIEATRE ROYAL DIM/a-LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. TBI4 EVENING, FEB. 4, Will be performed the Tragedy of BRUTUS. Characters by Messrs' G. V. Brooke, G. Bei inett, Lee, Belton, and Pearson ; Miss Fanny Cathcart, Mesdames Lewis and Vickery. To conclude with KING RUMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Lind of Toys. THEATRE ROYAL, IIAYMAKKET. Under the management of Mr. Bu.ekstone THIS EVERTING, Faa. 4, Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, and Backstone ; Mrs. FitzwWiam, Miss E. Grey, &c. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called HARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR:; or, Little Silverhair and the Fairies. Columbine, Miss M. Brown; Harlequin, Mr. J. Marshall : Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Casual; KEAN. THIS EVENING, FEB. 4, Will be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's Son. Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon, and D. Fisher; Mrs. Winstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which will be presented the nevi Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND HIS MEN; or, King Salamander and the Fairy of the Azure Late. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Reline ; Pantaloon, Mr. I'anlo ; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. .fig DAY —Morning 26 min.after 6 Evening 47 min.aft. 6 ro-Moaftow—Morning 7 min. a fte r 7 I Evening 29 min.ait 7 THE WEATHER.—SuN OFFICE, Fee. 4. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 43 —highest since noon yesterday. 36 —lowest this morning and during the night. 45—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.04. WIND, S.E.—Light breeze, and fine, clear weather. Ot, 4. V. -`• • >AA'n* LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1854. The memorable Paul-Pry-Expedition in the Black Sea has terminated. January the 23rd found the combined fleets snugly ensconced once more in their old Beycos anchorage. The Lint- Expedition to Sinope has been followed up as far as Batoum by the enterprise which a month ago we predicted in so many words would be nothing more remarkable, rather should we say nothing less ludicrous, than this redoubtable Paul-Pry. Expedition. Ministers may therefore " lay the flattering unction to their souls" that they have persisted in their old system of child's-play up to the latest moment, up to the moment when it has become absolutely impossible to defer any longer the collision which any sane man might have seen was inevitable from the commencement. Inevitable, we say, that collision has at length become—ani for these reasons—in spite of the preposterous return of the combined fleets from the Euxine to the Bosphorus, to the astonish ment and perturbation of the people of Constan tinople. Inevitable, because .of the withdrawal from London of M. DE BRUNOW, and from Paris of M. DE KISSELEIT. Inevitable, because of the recal from St. Petersburg of Sir G. B. SEYMOUR, the English, and of M. DE CAs- TELBAJAC, the French Ambassador. Above all inevitable from the occurrences which are known to have taken place very recently in the Austrian Capital. There, as well as at Berlin, we are told that the wiser councils of the hour have prevailed—the Prussian KING and the Austrian EMPEROR having resolved, in spite of every threat, and of every tempta tion (so it is whispered) to refrain even from the medium course of a protracted neutrality, and instead of that to regard the pas sage of the Danube by the Russians as tantamount to a declaration of war against the Germanic Confederacy. At Vienna, moreover, Count BuOL has presented the counter proposals of the CZAR to the assembled plenipotentiaries : and those proposals have proved to be wholly incompatible with the propositions already forwarded by the Four Powers to St. Petersburg. Hence— briefly—the plan produced by Count BuoL iu the name and on behalf of his Imperial master's Government has been rejected. The Conference patched up for a time has again dissolved. Negotiations are formally declared to have terminated definitively terminated. Wherefore, taking all the foregoing reasons into account, we repeat that the time so long antici pated has at length in earnest arrived—the time for action, the time for war, the time when it would be not only criminal but impracticable to talk of further pacific or conciliatory correspon dence. The Ttussian army is already roused up from its temporary quietude on the left bank of the River Danube, and is directing its course boldly on the formidable Turkish position at Kalafat. Simultaneously with this movement the combined fleets return from their dawdling, do-nothing trip in to the Black Sea, and inJeekly take up their old post at the Bey-cos anchorage. Intelligence of this extra ordinary and bewildering movement reached Lon don yesterday, was published in our columns of last evening, and yet not a whisper in reference to it was audible within the walls of Parliament. Enough was surely known to justify some interro gation of Ministers by the Opposition. It did not surely require any :prolonged or profound at tention to the Blue Bot recently placed on the tables of both Houses, in order to enable members to understand the enormous folly of this last and most preposterous of all our mari time proceedings. An incident so incomprehen sible as to excite only feelings of dismay and irri tation at Constantinople ! Contrasting the ener getic course hitherto adopted by the Russians, in obedience to the mandate of the AUTOCRAT, and in defiance of a series of notable disasters, at once in Asia and in Europe—contrasting the energy dis played both by sea and by land by the Muscovite armaments, with the weakness evinced by the Allies of Turkey up to this moment both in the Closet and upon the waters of the Black Sea, and of the Sea of Marmora—it must be confessed that upon the side of the former lies, undoubtedly, in mere worldly credit, the advantage. Whatever suc cesses have yet been gained over the arms of Russia, have been gained neither by the influence nor by the aid of France or of Eng land—being solely attributable to the cour age of the Turks, to their skill in gunnery, and to their indomitable determination. Dis credit alone has heretofore accrued to the Western Allies of the Porte, from the doubts and difficul ties of this deplorable - Eastern Question. A climax has now been put to our mistaken policy by the return of the combined fleets to the Bosphorus. Let us hope that by that singular movement the last limit has been drawn to our scheme of mingled indifference and pusillanimity. A rupture having ostensibly taken place by the recal of the ambassa dors from Paris, London, and St. Petersburg— the Vienna Conference having for the second and last time been broken up—the Russian proposals presented at Vienna by Count BuoL having been formally rejected by the plenipotentiaries—all fur thernegotiations having at length been pronounced impracticable—let us hope that France and Eng land will, without any more delay, boldly take the initiative, and by the decision of their revised policy sever the Gordian knot of this Eastern Question with the trenchant method adopted of old by ALEXANDER. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is entitled to much credit for the important financial measure which he introduced on Thursday evening to the House of Commons. The Right Hon. Gentleman has undertaken to abate a nuisance of no ordinary magnitude—to remedy an evil which has long attracted public attention, but with which former Ministers were either unable or unwilling to grapple. The task of amending and simplifying the entire system of public accounts was unques tionably one of considerable difficulty. But it was not merely the difficulty of the undertaking that de terred all previous financiers from at least at tempting any amelioration. Many snug jobs, many comfortable sinecures, and indefensible pensions were concealed under the mystifications existing in the national accounts, matters that could not bear the light of day were withdrawn from observation, and placed beyond the super vision and control even of Parliament itself. By paying only the net proceeds of the different branches of revenue into the Exchequer, the Legislature was unable to enforce a more simple and economical mode of collecting the national income. There could be no cutting off or cutting down the salaries of useless or over-paid officials. Improvements of any kind were thus rendered utterly impracticable, for they could only be effected through the Treasury or the different Boards ; and we all are but too well aware of the utter hopelessness of any attempt to persuade " my Lords" or " their Honours" to sanction any efficient or real reform in the departments under their charge. We might, indeed, endorse the opinion of "Paddy CHARLEY," in Mrs. HALL'S admirable novel of " Marian," that "Boords are always desperate stupid," if there Were not but too much reason to believe that another quality exercised at least as great an influence as their folly in retarding or preventing adequate amelio rations. It is in these matters, indeed, that " red tapery" reigns paramount, that substance is invariably sacrificed to form, that the vis inertice is .most conspicuous. There might be complaints, both loud and universal, but " their Honours" studiously closed their ears against the voice of public opinion, and let ancient abuses flourish, without the slightest attempt at cleansing the A ugean stables over which they presided. The system could not possibly have so long continued without alteration or modification, but that it was convenient for the Ministers fox the time being, to have places with which to re ward unscrupulous adherents, and to enable their candidates for senatorial honours to have the means of bribing " free and independent electors." Those whose virtues were proof against the seduc tions of a few sovereigns, or even cf 101. or 201. notes, surrendered at discretion when places in the Custoths, Excise, Post-office, or, in fact, any of the public departments, were tendered. These baits were never rejected even where the " golden hook" failed. Place, in any form, was eagerly grasped at. The value of such instruments were but too well known, and the "Patronage Secre tary of the Treasury" too frequently found that a lavish use thereof, supplied the only means of whipping-in or whipping-out a house, and reject ing or shelving unpleasant questions for the time being. But this was not all. Other matters that would have excited a storm of public indignation, if exposed to the broad light of day, were conveni ently shrouded from public observation under the cover of the system. The pensions to the Dukes of GRA.FTON could not otherwise have con tinued for one hundred and seventy-five years. That noble house could not in any other way have received what at compound interest amounts.by this time to more than ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUN DRED MILLIONS OF POUNDS STERLING. But by charging nearly 4,0001. per annum to the Post office revenue, and nearly 8,000/. to the Excise, and stopping these sums in transitu before they found their way into the Exchequer, the annoy ance was totally got rid of. It was in the same way that the money for purchasing the immacu late patriot PULTENEY was obtained, the as signees of the lucky CHARLES BOONE still draw ing 1 ,2001. a-year from the Excise, without the cognisance of Parliament. By a similar mode were the heirs of the Duke of SCHONBERG enabled to cultivate their taste for tulips at their ancestral domains in Holland with money drawn from Great Britain. And in like manner were the comfortable establishments at Panshanger, and Ratling Court, and Moat House supported, and even the fees paid for viewing Blenheim were assisted by 4,0001. from the Post-office funds, for supporting the state of the ducal house of Marl borough. These comfortable jobs will now be interfered with. The inexorable GLADSTONE has, at length, decided on placing the whole of the national ex penditure under the control of Parliament. Henceforward the expenses of collecting the re venue are to be submitted with the other esti mates for the consideration of the House of Com mons. Henceforward annual votes must be taken for the various payments. The reform, so urgently demanded by HumE, and MACGREGOR, and Wu r.r.A.ms—by all persons, indeed, who desired econo my and prudence in the management of the pub lic funds—will be carried into practical operation. It is but an act of simple justice to Mr. DISRAELI to state that he had announced his intention of bringing in such a measure, if he remained in office, and that lie cordially supported the mea sure when brought forward by his successor. Mr. GLADSTONE has, however, achieved the triumph, and we gladly award him the honour to which he has thereby eminently entitled himself. APOTHECARIES' HALL.—Names of gentlemen who passed their examination in the science and practice of medicine, and received certificate to practise, on Thurs day, Feb. 2, 1854 :—Ambrose Willy, Teddington, Middlesex ; James Charlesworth Copland, Notting-hill ; George Leworthy Thorne, Bristol ; Nicholas Hardcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Lucas George Hooper, St. Helier's, Jersey. LATET FOREIGN NEWS. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. RETURN OF THE FLEETS TO CONSTANTINOPLE. A telegraphic despatch was received in Paris yesterday confirming the announcement that the English and French fleets had returned to Beycos. At first it was thought that their return was an augury of peace, but it is now known that their object in returning is to accompany a number of Turkish transports, which are about to carry rein forcements of troops and ammunition to the army of the Danube. These reinforcements •will be landed at Varna. CO-OPERATION OF AUSTRIA AND PRUS SIA WITH THE WESTERN POWERS. A telegraphic despatch from Vienna yesterday, says Count Orloff's mission at the Austrian Court has completely failed, and the overtures of which he was the bearer have been decidedly rejected. Count Buol at once declared them to be of a nature which the Four Powers could not entertain. He convened a meeting of the Conference, at which he stated that the Russian propositions must be re garded as inadmissible ; and a Protocol to that effect was drawn up, and signed by the representa tives of the Four Powers. Another despatch from Vienna, dated a few hours later, is as follows : "It is confidently asserted that Count Orloff seeks to form a close alliance between Russia on the one hand, and Austria, Prussia, and the Ger manic Confederation on the other. " Austria will probably plead that she must con sult Prussia before she gives a positive reply. " Count Orloff also demanded whether Austria would object to a Russian corps marching through Servia. " The answer was, that any violation of neutra lity in Servia would lead to counter measures on the part of Austria. In consequence of this reply, Baron Meyendorff's son was to-day sent with de spatches to Bucharest. •The right wing and centre of the Russian corps in Little Wallachia is advancing towards Kalafat. " It is rumoured that the army-corps in Galicia has received positive orders to march. Prince Gortschakoff will, it is said, take the title of Commandant-in-Chief of the 3d, 4th, and sth corpsd'arrnee. Prince Gortschakoff, according to the last ac counts, was at Radovan, whither his head-quarters were to follow him. General Sella lers, of the Engineers, had arrived at Krajova, and General Baraguay d'Hilliers was expected at Widdin in March. In Bulgaria the trading classes had been invited to make advances to the Government, on bonds bearing interest. The Transylvanian Messenger of the 23d ult., says :—" It is said that the Czar has given 10,000 ducats to Prince Gortschakoff from the treasury of the two Hospodars. It is reported that there are only 400 Russians at Krajowa, and that the troops generally have marched for Kalafat." A Rotterdam journal gives the following from Trieste, dated the 30th ult. :—" The commandants of the combined squadrons have received orders to play amore active part in the Black Sea. The Anglo-French vessels stop all the Russian vessels they meet, and, conduct them to the nearest Rus sian port, with orders not to quit it again. Nine or ten vessels of war have, within the last few days been fallen in with on the coast of Asia, near Batoum, by a part of the combined fleets, and forced to make for their nearest port." The following is from Constantinople, dated the 19th January " The day - before yesterday Lord Dudley Stuart and Mr. Colquhoun, her Britannic Majesty's po litical agent in the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, had an interview with his Imperial Ma jesty the Sultan, at his palace of Tcheragan, on the Bosphorus. They were accompanied by Count Pisani, of the British embassy, who undertook to act as interpreter on this occasion. Abd-ul-Med jid honoured them by a• most gracious reception, and discoursed for a considerable time with Mr. Colquhoun about the unfortunate state of the pro vinces of his empire, actually in the occupation of a Russian army. _ "On the same day her Britannic Majesty's ship Sidon arrived here to join the squadron ; and yes terday the Vesuvius likewise saluted the Golden, Horn. The Fury steam-frigate has been despatched to Sebastopol to demand a reply to the despa,tcl es delivered there a short time since by her Majesty's steam-frigate Retribution, referring to the release of two English engineers who were taken prisoners on board the Turkish merchant-steamer Tidjari Midjaret, which was captured by the Russians some time since. When the Retribution went to Sebastopol, the admiral in chief command of that place was absent, and no answer was given. There were also three other Englishmen in captivity, as well as some engineers on board Ottoman ships whose release was demanded. " The return of the combined squadrons to the Bosphorus is now very generally spoken of. So short a cruise would, however, scarcely be worthy of so great a fleet. _ " Everything at Constantinople is quiet, and wears a tranquil aspect. Nevertheless, things in general look as warlike as ever, and the fears en tertained of a general European war are daily in creasing. A great deal must now solely depend upon the attitude assumed by the Emperor of Rus sia. The late defeat at Csitate, near Kalafat, may materially influence the progress of the peace ne gotiations, and, it is with reason believed, will per haps entirely stop them. It cannot be said that persons well versed in Russian affairs have any faith in the Emperor giving way after the late de feat, and the entry of the combined squadrons into the Black Sea." sailors exclusively, but whether it was possible to get ships and sail rs at all. (Hear.) He did not think there was much in the objection urged by the hon. member for Liverpool, namely, that if the monopoly of British vessels in the coasting trade were destroyed, great injury would be inflicted on the best nursery of British seamen. He be lieved that if the present high rates were kept up, the con sequence would be in a few years to annihilate a large por tion of the coasting trade and to transfer the traffic to the railways. That result had been already predicted by a high authority in these matters, Mr W. S. Lindsay, thoughfor his own part he did not think that under ordinary circum stances, and with a low rate of freights, the competition of the railways would seriously affect the coasting trade. He was convinced, however, at the same time, that if, by any unhappy combination of causes, the present extravagant rates should be maintained for a period of four, five, or s ix years, the prediction of Mr. Lindsay would be accom plished. The effect of admitting foreigners to participate in our coasting trade would not be injurious, but the ships would enterinto competition with British vessels ; but un der such circumstances as occurred last year, with rates extravagantly high, and with an experienced impossibility of getting vessels at all, the admission of foreigners would prove a great boon to the country. In order to show how the present law operated, he might mention that in the northern district of Scotland, with which he was more par ticularly connected, there was an excellent crop of potatoes last year, while in the south of England the crop was almost a complete failure. The result was that potatoes were very scarce and dear in the London market, but cheap and plen tiful in the markets of Scotland. At the very time when the scarcity prevailed in London there were several Prusian and Norwegian vessels coming to the ports in the north of Scotland with battens for the herring trade, but in conse quence of the law prohibiting foreign ships from engaging in the coasting trade of England, they could not be employ ed in conveying potatoes to the Thames. (Hear.) The pro posed alteration in the law would be mainly confined to Prussian, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian ships, and could anything he asked, be more desirable than that we should cultivate friendship with these northern nations upon the foundation of mutual interests ? Mr. PELLATT directed the attention of the committee to the restrictions imposed upon the coal trade by the local laws of the Tyne, especially that which rendered it impe rative that no vessel should be loaded before another, thus sometimes occasioning a delay of three weeks. Several parties had contemplated hiring or building screw steamers for the coal trade ; but they had been compelled to aban don the idea, in consequence of the regulation to which he had referred. Leave was then given to bring in the bills, and the house resumed. HER MAJESTY'S ANSWER TO THE ADDRESS. Lord DRITM_LANRIG, comptroller of the household, appeared at the bar with her Majesty's answer to the Ad dress, which he read in the following terms :—" I have re ceived with much satisfaction your loyal and dutiful address. It will always be my earnest desire to co-operate with you in measures calculated to promote the welfare of my people and strengthen the institutions of the State." COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The house having gone into committee of supply pro forma. Mr. HUME complained that last session the house was asked to vote several sums of money withoutprevious notice and expressed the hope that a similar practice would not be followed this session. Mr. WILSON, in reply, said he was not aware that any but the most formal votes were taken last session without previous notice having been given, but at any rate he could assure the hon. member for Montrose that nothing of the kind would be attempted in the present session. (Hear.) The house resumed. VALUATION OF LANDS AND HERITAGES IN SCOTLAND. The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to introduce a bill for the valuation of lands and heritages in Scotland. There had not been a valuation of real property in Scot land since the year 1670, and at the present moment local charges and assessments were taken upon very defective values. The object of the bill was to provide, in an eco nomical and easy manner, for a uniform system of valua tion over the whole country, upon which all rates and local assessments might be taken. Commissioners of supply in counties, and magistrates in burghs, were the machinery provided in the bill for taking the valuation of all real property within their limits, and that valuation should be revised from year to year, according to the mode of proce dure pointed out in the bill. He also proposed to abolish the means and substance mode of assessment for the sup port of the poor, making it compulsory to base that assess ment upon the value of real property, one-half being levied upon the landlord and the other upon the tenant. He proposed to effect the same change with respect to the prison rates. As to the question of expense, he had no doubt that, in the end, commissioners of supply and ma gistrates would be able to work the proposed bill more economically than the present system. Mr. C. BRUCE was glad to hear that the Lord Advo cate had taken up this difficult subject, but hoped the people of Scotland would be allowed ample time to consi der the details of the bill. After a few remarks from Mr. HUME, the bill was in troduced and read a first time. SLIGO ELECTION. Mr. I. BUTT moved that the petition of Mr. John Patrick Somers, with reference to the last election for Sligo be printed with the votes. Mr. THORNLEY said that as the petition contained statements implicating parties named in it, the hon. and learned gentleman should either delay his motion until notice had been given to the parties in question, or pledge himself to bring the whole subject before the house on an early day. Mr. MUTT said it was his intention to ask the house to take the petition into consideraticn on Monday. The motion was then agreed to. PARLIAMENTARY OATHS. Mr. WILSON gave notice that on Monday it Would be moved that the house receive itself into committee, for the purpose of considering the oaths taken by members of the house. The General Committee of Elections was then nomi nated, and the house adjourned at half-past eight o'clock. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, FEB. 3. The Queen rode out on horseback this morning. Prince Albert, accompanied by the Duke of Bedf ,rd and Lord Ashburton, went out bunting this 'forenoon, attended by Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon. Mr. Bowser had the honour of exhibiting to her Ma jesty and the whole of the Royal family, at the Castle to-day, the three native Esquirnaux, lately arrived from Cumberland Straits, in the Polar regions. Mr. Charles Buschek, European agent for the New York Exhibition, had the honour of an audience with Prince Albert on Thursday, who was pleased to inspect various steroscopic views of the exterior and interior of the Transatlantic Crystal Palace. Mr. Thorncroft had the honour of submitting to her Majesty arid his Royal Highness his bronze equestrian statuette of the Queen. The following visitors left the Castle to-day—the Mar quis of Granby, the Earl and Countess of Hardwicke and Lady Elizabeth Yorke, the Earl and Countess Grey, the Right Hon. Pemberton Leigh, Sir Edwin Landseer, and the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University. The Earl and Countess Granville, and Lieut.-Colonel F. Seymour, have been invited, and are expected this afternoon. Mr. Fairbanks had an interview with the Duke of Newcastle yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Mr. F. Dundas had also an interview with the noble duke yes terday. _ _ Major-General Wetherall had an interview with the Earl of Aberdeen yesterday, at his official residence in Downing-street. Despatches from the Governors of the West India Colonies were received yesterday at the Colonial•ofce. Despatches for the Governors of the North American Provinces, and also for the Governors of the different Australian Colonies, were sent last evening from the Colonial office. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council sat yes terday, and heard an appeal from Bengal, " Watson v. Treemunt Lall Khan." Lord Justice Turner gave judg ment. The lords present were the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the Lords Justices Knight Bruce and Turner, and Sir E. Ryan. The Hon. H. G. Elliot, her Majesty's new Secretary of Legation in Vienna, has already arrived with his family and suite at that capital. The Earl of Derby will give a grand dinner this even ing, at his mansion in St. James's-square. Expectations are entertained that the Duke and Duchess of Brabant will pay a visit to Paris, in return for the visit of Prince Napoleon to Brussels. Apart ments are already being prepared for their Royal High nesses at the Palais Royal. GOLD.—The Lorina Thompson, which arrived from Hobart Town the day before yesterday, brought 3,500 ounces of gold, valued at 14,0001. THE ORLEANS PROPERTY.—Two cases have arrived from France, containing engravings for the French Royal Family, being property bestowed by the French Government, for delivery to his Royal Highness the Duke de Nemours. Three cases have also arrived from France, addressed to the Duke de Nemours, containing articles of dress and books, the property of the Orleans family. Every care bas, as in former instances of ar rivals of this nature, been shown by direction of the authorities, and the packages have been duly landed and delivered at their destination. THE GUERNSEY MURDER.—The petition of the unfor tunate convict, to her Majesty, praying her to extend to him her royal clemency, by a commutation of his punishment, having been returned to the authorities thatiesof Guerney, with an intimation from Lord Palmerston he regretted, after an attentive consideration of all the circumstances, that he had failed to discover any suffi cient grounds to justify him in interfering with the due course of the law, his Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir John Bell, the governor of Guernsey, immediately communicated the failure of the petition to Mr. P. S. Carey, the bailiff, who forthwith communicated the in . telligence to the Royal Court. The result was also made known, through Mr. Martin, the under-sheriff, and in s the presence of the Rev. Mr. Pearce, the chaplain, to the unfortunate prisoner himself. Tapner did not exhi bit any particular emotion on the declaration of this fatal intelligence, merely remarking, "Then it is all over." A similar answer to the above was received by Mrs. Tapner to a petition transmitted by her to the Queen, imploring her Majesty to spare-the life of her husband. Notwith standing the unsuccessful application to the Queen for 1 mercy, Tapner addre sse d an appeal to the authorities, 1 soliciting a respite of a week or a fortnight, and accord ingly a meeting meeting of the Royal Court was held to take the subject into consideration. , 4 , f o te n r a th l e en r g ep d r i e s s c e u n s .. - sion the following act was p tation of the Rev. F. W. Bouverie, the prison chaplain, the court, on the conclusions of the Queen's Procureur, has ordered that the execution of the sentence rendered I against John Charles Tapner, prisoner in the public gaol, as per act of court of 3d Jan., 1854, shall take place on Monday, the 6th February." The prisoner hardly seems ' to be sensible of the awful position in which he stands, nor have the efforts of his spiritual advisers been attend. ed with the results desired. He shows no signs of con trition, nor has he in any way made the slightest admis sion of his guilt. His fate is much deplored in the island. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, FEB. 4, Will be performed A BACHELOR OF ARTS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker; Miss F. Hughes. After which, the original Fairy Extravaganza, called ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGs. Principal cha racters by Mr. Wright and Madame Vestris. To conclude with PATTER VERSUS CLATTER. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI, Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, FEB. 4, Will be presented the highly Popular New Nautical Melo-drama in Ave taoleaux, with new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., new dresses and appointments, called THE TIIIR.ST OF GOLD; or, THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paul Bedford, 0. Selby, Parselle, Marsden, &c. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Maskell, &c. To be followed by the popular and entirely New Grand Specta cular legendary Christmas piece, in two acts, with new scenery, dresses, machinery, and appointments, called NUMBER NIP, or THE SPIRIT BRIDE. Principal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Miss M. Keeley, Mass Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding ; Messrs. Paul Bedford, J. Rogers, Romer, G. Lee, &e. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, FEI3. 4, Will be performed THE FIRST' NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Lindon, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. After which, THE BENGAL TIGER. Principal characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, and F. Robson ; and Mrs A. Wigan. To conclude with THE LOTTERY TICKET. Characters by Messrs. Emery, Vincent, and F. Robson; and Miss E. Turner. STRAND THEATRE. Aele Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs THIS EVENING, FEB. 4, Will be performed Lk SONNAMBULA. To be followed by THE IRISH TUTOR. Afte , ' which, the new grand Comic Christmas Pantomime entitled HARLEQUIN AND KIND NU rc RACK E ; or, The World of Toys. Clown, by , he inimitable Flexmore ; Harlequin, Mr. Bologna ; Pantaloon, Mr. Griffiths; Columbine, Miss Goward. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, Is. 6d; Gallery, 6d. ; Private Boxes U. I Is. 6d., to be bad of Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. Twelfth Appearance of Miss KATE COOKE since her return from the Continent. The Theatre nightly crowded to overflowing attests its matchless attractions. THIS EVENING, FEB. 4, To commence with the Grand Chinese Spectacle, THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST, or THE MAGIC GONG, in which Mr. William Cooke's extraordinary Trained Elephants appear. Followed by a Recherche Routine of Scenes of Equestrianism in THE ARENA, supported by the Elite of Europe's Equestrian Artistes. Concluding with Mr. W. Cooke's immensely successful COMIC P.A.NrO If EME. written expressly for this Theatre, by Mr. NELSON LEE, entitled BILLY BUT I'ON'A TOURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladies' Favourite, New scenery, dresses, decorations, and appointments, magnificent Car of Industry, &c. Harlequin, Mr. H. Hemmings ; Columbine Christine; Pantaloon, Mr. Lehman; and Two Clowns, Mr. C. Adams and Mr. Croueste ; Sprites, Masters Gee and Bradbury. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. " There is great despondency on 'Change to- day. " According to the last advices from Constanti nople nearly the whole of the combined fleet had returned to Beycos Bay." From Berlin yesterday, we also learn by tele graph that the feeling of the Government there is strongly against the conduct of Russia. Count Orloff's proposals have been totally rejected ; and it has been intimated that, if the Czar persists in refusing peace on the terms agreed to by the Vienna Conference, Prussia will be compelled to take an active part in conjunction with the Western Powers. The King has, it is said, despatched an autograph letter to the Emperor Nicholas, stating this determination. Another telegraphic despatch from Berlin, dated yesterday evening, says :—Count Orloff proposes that the German Powers should draw up a joint declaration of neutrality under all circumstances. If one member of the Bund be attacked, Russia makes common cause in her defence with all the rest. Should any territorial changes arise through war, Russia undertakes to conclude no peace without duly considering the interest of the German Powers. Count Orloff has been unsuccessful at Vienna, and his mission is hopeless at Berlin. The two army corps stationed in Bohemia and Galicia are under orders for Hungary and Croatia, if the Eastern question becomes more menacing. General Schlick, who a short time since reached Vienna, will command these corps. Baron de Meyendorff, the Russian Ambassador at Vienna, gave a grand ball on the 29th ult., at which the Archduke William, the Ministers, the high nobility, and several ambassadors, among whom were remarked those of France and England, and Count Orloff were present. RUSSIAN ACCOUNTS OF THE WAR IN THE PRINCIPALITIES AND IN ASIA. The Journal de St. Petersbourg, of the 26th ult., says : " The last reports from Bucharest confirm the news that the loss of the Turks in the battle of the 6th was immense. Up to the 15th, the Aide-de-Camp General Prince Gortschakoff had not receive] any intelligence of new operations having been attempted by the enemy from Kalafat. On the 13th a detachment of the enemy 2,000 strong passed from Sihstria, on the left bank of the Danube, and proceeded in three columns to Kala rasch. (Kalarasch, otherwise called Likoreschti, is situated on a branch of the Danube named Bortscha, which separates from the river a little below Silistria, and goes to rejoin it below Hirsova.) But Major- General Bogouschevski came up immediately with a battalion of the regiment of light infantry of Lublin to reinforce our advanced line of Cossacks. His appear ance constrained the Turks to retreat ; they rushed to their boats, and recrossed the Danube to the right bank in all haste. Up to the 15th January there was no new act of war all along the river." The same journal contains the following from the Turkish frontier of the Trans-Caucasian pro vinces : " Aide-de-Camp General Woronzoff reports, under date the 9th, that, on the frontier of Gouriel, a Turkish party attacked in the night of the Ist the port of Kakouti, but was repulsed with great loss. In the night of the 2d, a little before daylight, another Turkish force, 1,000 strong, attacked a position protected by the militia of the Gouriel and Imiretia, near the bridge of Tchekhati, a village situated on the right bank of little river which falls into the Black Sea at the frontier not far from Ba toum. Our intrepid militia bravely repulsed the Turks, put them to flight, and vigorously pursued them. The enemy lost in this affair more than 80 men killec. or wounded ; on our side we had only a small number of wounded. Everything was perfectly tranquil on other parts of the frontier." The Journal de St. Petersbourg also quotes the following from the Caucasus Gazette :--- "In the attack on the Turkish batteries of Basch- Kadyk-Lar, the young noble non-commissioned officers particulary distinguished themselves. When the smoke of the enemy's cannon had dispersed, and allowed the attacking column to be perceived, these young men, scarcely emerged from adolescencv, holding in the left I hand their muskets, and in the right their papakha (caps), which they waved above their heads, rapidly and in good order escalded the height on which the enemy's batteries were posted. When the enemy's battalions were driven from the heights of Basch-Kadyk-Lar, and the batteries were taken, one of the Turkish battalions, observing a certain regularity in the retreat, seized a piece of artillery and attempted to carry it off. Our sol diers rushed with impetuosity on the battalion to pos sess themselves of the piece, and on that occasion a merry fellow excited general laughter by crying, Eh, Turk, take this bayonet, if you will, but leave us the cannon !' and, as if to prove the justice of his words, the gun re mained in our power, and the Turkish battalion was almost entirely put to death with the bayonet. After the combat of Atskhour, the surgeon went to a wounded soldier to dress his wounds, but the man seeing a Turk by the side of him who was also wounded, said, 'Dress his wound first—it is more dangerous than mine.' On the 14th November, during a sharp cannonade, the 3d troop of carbineers, of the regiment of Erivan, sang a gay military song., without paying any attention to the whizzing of the balls. A ball of the enemy killed two of the singers at the same moment, but the song did not chase for a single instant, and continued to the end of the combat." The Emperor Nicholas had expressed himself in terms of disapprobation with respect to the Treaty . of Neutrality concluded between Sweden and Den mark. In all military circles at St. Petersburg an immediate mobilisation of the whole army was expected. The Czar of Cracow states that the Gardes-du- Corps will leave St. Petersburg. The Servian Courier announces that the politi cal refugees of Montenegro have returned to their country with the Russian Colonel Kowalewski. The same journal affirms, but in a doubtful manner, that some Russian soldiers have entered Servia. It is remarked that the Turks are concentrating themselves towards the frontier of Montenegro. A report is current that Prince Milosch will shortly make au expedition from Lesser Walla chia into Servia, and will be seconded by Russian troops. The Wanderer of Vienna has the following from Bucharest, 20th ult. : • " Some very sanguinary engagements took place yesterday near Kalaradsche, and near Oltenitza, but no details are yet known." The Press of Vienna has a letter from the same place of the 21st, which makes no mention of the above battles, but states that th ree reg i ments o f cavalry and our regiments of Cossacks, which were in winter quarters in Bessarabia, received orders on the 18th to march to the Principalities. They will be replaced in Bessarabia by other troops. FRANCE. M. de Kisseleff was still in Paris, but he demand ed his passports on Thursday evening, and was to quit France this morning for the Hague. On Thurs day he paid his visits of adieu to the members of the diplomatic corps ; and yesterday morning he had an audience of the Emperor, which-will pro bably be his last. It was first intended that a por tion of the personnel of the embassy should be left behind, but that idea has been abandoned; and the only Russian functionary to remain is the consul, who will still attend to commercial affairs. A serious disturbance broke out on the Ist Feb., at Perigeaux, in consequence of an augmentation in the price of bread. Great crowds assembled in the streets, and their appearance was so threaten ing that the authorities found it necessary to call out the troops, and to arrest the principal ring leaders. When the last accounts left, the troops were still under arms, and all the approaches to the i mairie were guarded. The ex-King Jerome gives a dinner on Sunday, to which the members of the Diplomatic Corps have , already received invitations, as well as the Minis ters and many other high dignitaries. A good deal is said about the mission of his son, Prince Napo leon, who by the way, returned last night from Brussels. According to one account the object of his visit was to press on the King of the Bel gians the necessity-of using his influence to detach Austria from a Russian alliance, or even from a neutrality, and to ask a letter of him, Prince Napoleon, to the Courts 'of Berlin and Vienna, with the view of enabling him to bring his own influence to bear on those Cabinets. This account will have it that he has not succeeded so far as the 'latter is concerned, which would explain his not continuing his journey to Berlin ; while another states that he has returned to Paris with a treaty of alliance between Belgium and France in his pocket. It is true that the story'of his failure has for its authority (and as yet the sole one) a letter from one of the democratic refugees in Belgium, and therefore not to be too much trusted. • By an imperial decree, dated the 2d, the convo -11 cation of the Senate and of the Legislative Body, fixed for the 27th inst., is adjourned to the 2d of March. His Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon, and his Royal Highness the Duke d e B ra b an t, on tiednes day visited together the different barracks of Brus sels. They wore the uniform of their respective grades, and were accompanied by a numerous staff. In the evening there was a grand dinner given at the Palace by the Duke de Brabant in honour of the Prince. The ball given by the King, on the occasion of this visit, was very brilliantly attended, and great attentions were paid to his Imperial Highness, who opened the ball with the Duchess de Brabant. On Thursday morning Prince Na poleon took leave of the King, and at three o'clock left by the railroad for Paris. He was accompanied to the station by the Duke de Brabant. On Wed nesday the King conferred the insignia of the Grand Cordon of the Order of Leopold on Prince Napoleon. At the same tithe Colonel Desmarests, first aide-de-camp of the Prince, was made Com mander, and Captains Ferri-Pisani and Roux, also aides-de-camp, M. David, orderly officer, and M. Varcollier, the Prince's secretary, were made Knights of the Order. Prince Napoleon arrived in Paris on Thursday night. The Ocean, a Brest paper, announces that the greatest activity prevailed in that port. Four sailing vessels will be ready for sea in a short time, and two steamers only await their engines. Levies of seamen arrive from all parts. The Ocean Squadron will soon be ready to sail, and the Squadron of Reserve be in a condition to reinforce it if necessary. The organisation of the new battalions of Chasseurs d'Afrique is going on with great activity. Almost all the officers appointed to the 17th bat talion have arrived at Toulouse, and the different detachments from infantry regiments which are to be incorporated in the battalion are shortly ex pected there. The organisation of this battalion will, says a Toulouse journal, be completed by the end of this month. The battalions forming at other places are equally if not even more advanced. A report from the Minister of the Interior in forms the Emperor that in consequence of the re commendation made on the 22d of November last, when a credit of 4 millions was granted to assist the poor, to the effect that the communes should come forward in aid of the indigent within tieir circumscriptions, a sum of -12 millions had been so raised, making 16 millions in all. Still, the re port adds, further assistance is required, and in consequence the Minister applies to the Emperor for another sum of 2 millions for the above-named purpose. An Imperial decree follows, according the sum so asked for. •The Moniteur contains a report from a commit tee appointed on th e 2 3d Oct ob er last, with Marshal Vaillaut at its head, for the purpose t of examining all the questi ons connected w the view Observatory of Paris and th e B oard of Longitude, with to the bett er organ i sat i on of theseconjoined in s ti tu ti on s. Th e report of the committee is accompa nied by a report from the Minister of Public In struction to th e E mp e ror , recommen di ng the adop tion of the suggestions of the committee as calcu lated to place on better bases the scientific institu tions alluded to. Imperial decrees carry out the recommendations of the report of the committee as approved of by the Minister. There was a considerable amount of business transacted at the Bourse yesterday, and the prices of public securities rose and fell according as the reports circulated were favourable to• the main tenance of peace, or the contrary. The Three per Cents. opened at 67f. 70c. and fell to 67f. 50c., but on a report that the combined fleets had returned to the Bosphorus they rose to 68f. 40c. They fell subsequently to 67f. 80c., at which they closed for the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 97f. ; Orleans Railway Shares, 1,028 f. 75c. Rouen, 920 f. ; Havre, 425 f. ; Great Northern, 725 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 703 f. 75c. ; ditto, New, 560 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 808 f. 75e. Lyons to the Mediterranean, 6 3 2 f, 50c, ; Borde na MlMMMffit and - Cette, 527 f. 50c. ; Great Central, 432 f. 50c. ; Lyons and Geneva, 437 f. 50c. ; Shares of the Bank of Credit Mobili er , 625 E SPAIN. _ - - The Madrid journals of the 29th ult. contain nothing of interest. The i 'Diario says that the Infante Don Enrique is t be allowed to return to Spain, and to reside at Valencia. The Espano states that amongs the reforms which the Ministry intends to adopt is one of the monetary system. The 26thult. being Sunday, the Stock Exchange was closed. DEPARTURE OF THE RUSSIAN MINISTER. It is understood that M. Brunow, the Rtisian Minis• ter, will leave London within a few hours for Darm stadt. His Excellency paid a farewell visit to the Earl of Clarendon yesterday at the Foreign-office. Baron Brunow paid a similar visit to the French Ambassador, Count Walewski, on Thursday. The departure of the Baroness will take place as soon as her arrangements are completed. Whatever may be the feeling of the English people towards Russia, the conduct of Baron Brunow here has endeared him to a large circle of friends. The Baron has been in the Russian service for more than 30 years. For 10 years he was connected with the Foreign-office at St. Petersburgh. Having been appointed Minister at the Courts of Wurtemberg and Hesse Darmstadt, he re mained in that capacity until M. Pozzo di Borgo left England in 1838. aron Brunow was first sent to England on a special mission from the Emperor of Russia with reference" to the Turco-Egyptian question. Lord Vlanricarde, then British Ambassador at St. Petersburg ln writing to Lord Palmerston under date Aug. 27, 1839, announces the intention of the Emperor to send Baron Brunow to Lon don, and adds that Count Nesselrode had informed him that " unless he were himself to proceed to London, it would not be possible for the Emperor to send thither any person more thoroughly acquainted with the foreign affairs and policy of Russia than Baron Brunow." This opinion was subsequently confirmed and corrobo rated by Lord Palmerston, who, after having seen Baron Brunow and communicated with him, replied to Lord Clanricarde that "the substance of all his communica tions on these different matters was extremely satisfac tory, and nothing could be more conciliatory than his manner on every occasion. He was frank and unre served in his conversations ; and his mission, whatever might be its result as to the main point on which it bore, could not fail to produce beneficial effects upon the re• lations between the two Governments." After fulfilling the duties of this mission, the Baron proceeded to Stut gard for a short time, but in December, 1839, was re called, and accredited to the Court of St. James's, where he has ever since remained. During this period— more than 14 years—his Excellency has transacted busi ness with no less than five Administrations, those of Lord Melbourne, Sir R. Peel, Lord J. Russell, Lord Derby, and Lord Aberdeen, enjoying the confidence and esteem of each. His private friendships are, perhaps, more numerous than those of any miler foreign Minister. The Baron was on terms of personal friendship with tl.• Duke of Wellington for many years, and was one of the last persons who saw the Duke alive, having been a guest at Walmer 10 days before his death. Perhaps the highest compliment ever paid by a Mi nister to a diplomatist was made to Baron Brunow by the late Sir R. Peel, on the occasion of the Russian Company's dinner, March 2, 1844. Sir Robert, in al luding to the pacific relations then happily existing be tween the two countries, spoke of Baron Brunow as having used great exertions to promote a good under standing between England and Russia, and gave his opinion that the Baron was above all petty acts of in trigue, but, while watching over the interests of Ms own country, had so behaved himself as to gain the confi dence of every Ministry with whom he had transacted business in England. During Baron Brunow's residence in England he has received almost almost all the members of the Imperial family—the Grand Duke Michael, in 1843 ; the Em peror, in 1844 ; the G ran d D u k e C onstantine, in 1846 ; both his daughters and a niece last summer ; and his eldest daughter intended to return early in the spring of the present year. The reason for the choice of Hesse Darmstadt as the present destination of Baron Brunow is stated to be, that the sister of the reigning duke is married to the Crown Prince of Russia.—Entes. IMPORTANT FROM AUSTRALIA. The following important intelligence was con veyed in a private letter to a respectable house in Liverpool, and was posted yesterday, by Thomas Court, Esq., in the underwriters' room. " SYDNEY, Nov. I.—The French have taken posses sion of New Caledonia. There is plenty of gold there, at least, so it has already been believed, from the large granite regions among the groups. If such be the case, Great Britain ought to have been beforehand with them, as it lies so near New South Wales. The French commander-in-chief in the New South Pacific has sent a vessel here to take a cargo of supplies to the new colony immediately. How will they relish this in England !" New Caledonia is an island, or rather a group of isl.inds, lying to the eastward of New South Wales, being in lat. 23 S, long. 16 5 E. THE COSMOS INSTITUTE --(THIS DAY.) A conversazione was held this afternoon in Leicester. square in the circular ground floor gallery of Mr. Wyld's well-known and most remarkable ethnological and geographical establishment. The collection which we there saw grouped together, constitutes a suf ficiently decisive denial, we should conjecture, to those rumours which have here and there intimated that the noble project of "The Cosmos Institute" had been in any way abandoned. On the contrary, active prepara tions are now visibly being made for its speedy and effi cient organisation. Among the curiosities we ourselves had leisure to examine, we were particularly interested to observe the original drawings of scenery in the arctic regions from the hand of Captain Inglefield. There are also observable several strange products of African in dustry, and drawings and casts representing to us all the ugliness of the aborigines of Australia. The exhibition of the varied marvels of the Cosmos Institute, even now when still in embryo, commanded, as a matter of course, an excellent attendance from the commencement to the close of the conversazione. THE MARQUIS OF ANGLESEA'S HEALTH.—We are happy to say that the Marquis of Anglesea, is doing well, and that the reports which have appeared as to the state of his health have been greatly exaggerated. The noble marquis will, we have reason to believe, be able to come out in two or three days. Among many visi tors who called at the noble marquis's residence yester day morning, to inquire after the state of his lordship's health, was Lord John Russell, who left Chesham-place at a quarter to one o'clock, and walked to the residence of the Field Marshal. His Excellency Baron Brunow, the Russian Minister, was also amongst the inquirers yes terday after the health of the Marquis of Anglesea. Lord Uxbridge arrived in town on Thursday from Tewin Waters, near Welwyn, Herts, to attend on his noble and venerable parent. Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe and the Hon. Misses Canning arrived in Grosvenor-square yesterday, from Lady Stuart de Rothsay's, Highcliffe House, near Christ church, Hants. The youthful Hon. Stratford Canning continues in rather an infirm state of health. Sir Charles and the Hon. Lady Hotham have' arrived in town, from visiting the Hon. Colonel and Lady Mary Wood, at Cumberland Lodge. Sir Charles will embark to assume the government of Victoria, (Australia) at the end of the month. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford arrived in Bel grave-square yesterday, from a visit to the Queen, at Windsor Castle. The Right Hon. Sir George and Lady Grey have ar rived in Eaton-place, from Falloden Castle, Northum berland. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. —This lyrical establishment will re-open for the season of 1854, on Tuesday, the 21st of March. The engagements, including Grisi and Mario, are completed, and the programme will be in the bands of the subscibers in a few days. MR. HALLAM.—We have recently learnt with pro found regret that this illustrious writer, one of the most distinguished historians of his age, is in a state of health so precarious as to cause the deepest anxiety to his friends. The announcement will be received, we doubt not, with the utmost regret and sympathy by all those whose studies have enabled them to appreciate the ser vices rendered by Mr. Hallam to our national literature. THE MINISTERIAL SIDE OF THE ROUSE OF COMMONS. —An ddmirable wood engraving, so entitled, (one of extraordinary dimensions by the way as a wood engrav ing) has this day been issued with the current number of the Illustrated London, News —a number accompanied, moreov er, by an unusu a ll y interesting supplement. Several of the likenesses introduced in this sketch of the d , Ministerial side of the Rouse of Commons, " are capi tal—sme of them quite surprising in a woodcut. The majorit o y, indeed, cannot well fail to be recognised at a glance from Mr. S peaker downwards. Seated on the front Treasury bench may be perceived side by side— Sir James Graham, the ever bland and imperturbable ; Lord John Russell huddled up with his hat over his eyes ; Mr. Gladstone, the comely ; Mr. Wilson, the underjawed and the long-haired; Lord Palmerston, the ever young and debonnair— and the rest of their col leagues. At the extreme end of the row behind them— Mr. Hume, and next to him Mr. Cobden. Mr. Drum mond at the end of the front bench just below the gar g• way. In the back ground, under thegallery, such recognis able men as Mr. V. J. Fox and Mr. Muntz. In the front bench of the Opposition, everybody familiar with the house will perceive on the instant the truthfulness of the profile view of the right hon. gentleman the leader of her Majesty's Opposition. A back sketch of our dear and immortal Colonel Sibthorp is so exquisitely good as to be absolutely laughable. MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—One of the most interesting historical groups in the museum is that which represents the unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots giving audience to John Knox, who is depicted reproving the Queen for adhering to the faith in which she had been educated. This group has been taken from pictures and other authentic sources, and is highly characteristic of tl e sixteenth century, both in costume and effect. 11.‘Kay, the royal piper, and Smith, the royal police man, who both went mad on Friday week last, are pro nounced incurable. The one is sent to Bedlam, and the other to St. Luke's. ~. 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