The Sun. — London, England, 1854-01-02 00:00:00

TD ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLMASTERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. On Saturday forenoon a public meeting was held in Shaftesbury-hall, Aldersgate-street, for the purpose of organising an association, which is intended to em brace " all teachers who acknowledge the essential doctrines of Christianity and the sufficiency of Holy Scripture as the rule of faith and practice." The circular convening the meeting stated the general object of the proposed association to be " to advance and systematise the profession of teaching, and thereby to improve and extend elementary education. For the attainment of this object, the association will seek to establish a connection among the various local as sociations of schoolmasters throughout Great Britain, and to give them unity of action. It will endea vour to concentrate the talent and experience of the whole body of elementary instructors on the im provement of professional knowledge and the advance ment of educational literature. This will be done chiefly by means of the reading of papers on subjects connected with education, and by general discussions, at the annual meetings. The professional knowledge and experience thus elicited will afterwards be disseminated among teachers generally. The association will also give ex pression to the collective opinion of its members on mat ters relating to their professional interests." The meeting was attended by a large number of the masters of public schools in the metropolis and in the provinces ; and several schoolmistresses were also pre sent. In the absence of the Earl of Shaftesbury, Mr. Alderman Challis occupied the chair. In opening the proceedings, The CHAIRMAN said that the object which had brought them together was one that was demanded by the cir cumstances of the times in which they lived. Education was now the great subject of consideration in the public mind. Juvenile delinquency, and all the evils which arose from ignorance, were now engaging the anxious attention of those whose intelligence and experience fitted them to discover a proper remedy, and all their suggestions and propositions, more or less, pointed in the direction of education ; for it was felt that without a general system of education, adapted to the condition of all classes of the multitudinous population by which we were surrounded, the existing evils of our social state could never be overtaken There were some parties con tending that the education given should be purely volun tary, and others advocating a State system; but it was obvious to all, that by whatever means education was to be imparted, it must be extended to all, and that it was far cheaper to educate a child than to punish it. But, however universal was the attention which had been given to education, it was remarkable that little had been said by its promoters about the schoolmas ters by whom their remedy must be applied, and on whom the great work of grounding the rising genera tion in moral and religious principles, and making them good members of society, mainly devolved. It was true, training schools for schoolmasters existed, and it was only by their agency that our system had not fallen into utter contempt among other nations. But when a young man left one of these training establishments with great promise to undertake the duties of a school, he had often to sustain a very disheartening and wearisome struggle, unaided by his committee ; and therefore the object cf that association would be, to point out to him that, un less he went on constantly adding to his knowledge, his experience, and acquirements, his school must inevi tably retrograde. By means of combination they would afford him facilities for mutual intercourse with his pro fessional brethren, and by the interchange of ideas that would take place at the meetings of the association, every schoolmaster would have the means of improving himself, and increasing his fitness for his responsible vocation. The country teacher would thereby be en couraged to take heart under the monotonous and de pressing circumstances of his position, and would have the experience which others had acquired in larger schools than his own placed at his disposal. A common centre for united action, in all matters bearing upon the character, position, and general interests of the class, would also be provided by means of the association. They therefore claimed, in the first place, the support of the committee of ever y p u bli c sc h oo l ; and further, they ought to have the clergy and ministers of all denomina tions to co operate with them, because they sought no separate or exclusive object ; and if any clergyman should have any objection to offer to their views, they would endeavour, as far as possible, to modify their rules so as to meet his wishes. He congratulated the promo ters of the association on the success which had already attended their exertions, and he had great pleasure in presenting them 3 with a first donation of ten guineas. (Hear, hear.) The SECRETARY (Mr. Tilleard) then read a report from the provisional committee, detailing the origi n a n d progress of the movement. The document having been received and adopted, Mr. DAINTREE, head master of Highbury Traininr , College, moved the first resolution, viz.:—" That th: importance which the subject of education has now as sumed in the public mind demands that teachers should meet as a body for the promotion of professional ob jects." Mr. PAGE, secretary to the Elementary Teachers' Association, seconded the motion, and complained of the inferior status which schoolmasters occupied in this country, and the disrespect with which they were treated, as being inconsistent with the importance of their pro fessional vocation to society. Such an association as the one proposed would, therefore, enable the school masters to act in a body like most other professions—it would watch over their interests, help powerfully to elevate their character, acquirements, and standing, and enable them to make themselves generally respected. Many country schoolmasters had great difficulty in pro perly educating their own children. With salaries of 401., or even 601. a-year, it was impossible for them to pay for the education of their own offspring ; and for his part, he thought they had as much right to have a school specially established for the education of their children as the clergy or any other class. Mr. HAY, of Kennington, supported the resolution. The first resolution was then put and carried unani mo❑ sly. The Rev. JOHN CURNYEN, of Reading, moved the second resolution, vizi., "This meeting rejoices in the increase of local associations of teachers, and duly values the amount of good effected by them ; but it is the opi nion of this meeting that no sufficiently comprehensive association of teachers has hitherto existed in this country." Mr. COGHLAN, head-master of the Home and Colo nial and Juvenile School, seconded the motion. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. WM. DAY, of the Staines National School, moved the next resolutiion, which was—" That, in the opinion of this meeting, a general and comprehensive union of teachers is desirable, with a view to the diffu sion of professional knowledge and experience among the whole body ; and that the present time appears to be favourable to the establishment of such a union." Mr. MEEN, of Bloomsbury Chapel School, seconded the resolution, which was also carried unanimously. Mr. TATE, mathematical lecturer of Kneller-hall Training School, moved the fourth resolution—namely, "That the discussion of questions connected with the theory and practice of teaching would be calculated to advance the interests of education." The Rev. W. S. UNWIIV, principal of Homerton Con. gregation Training College, seconded the motion, when it was carried unanimously. Mr. THOMAS CRAMPTON, of the Brentford Public Schools, moved the next resolution :—" That a perma nent exhibition of educational books, maps, diagrams, and apparatus, would afford teachers valuable aid in the pursuit of their profession." If he were asked what were their grievances, he would answer—an insufficiency of books in the schools, the bad quality of some of those books which they had there, inadequacy of training in certain instances, and bad pay. In fact, the school master's life was one continued grievance. He un derstood that 401. a-year was the averaage salary of country schoolmasters, a sum which was miserably in sufficient. Mr. STEvraysoN seconded the motion, and it was unanimously adopted. Mr. Suosorr, of Queen's School, Kew, moved : " That an association of teachers be now formed, to be entitled The United Association of Schoolmasters of Great Britain.'" The motion was seconded by Mr. SUTCLIFFE, of Chel tenham Training College, and agreed to. Mr. Alderman Challis was then appointed president of the association for the ensuing year, and thanks having been voted to the worthy alderman for taking the chair that day, the proceedings terminated. Later in the day a further meeting of a formal cha racter was held, at which the rules of the society were determined upon, and a committee and officers elected. STATE OF TRADE. (From the Manchester Guardian of Saturd a y.) MANCHESTER, Dec. 30. We have this week expe rienced a falling off in the demand for yarns and goods. Prices remain perfectly firm. The American accounts state that, notwithstanding the continuance of most fa vourable weather for picking (cotton, and maturing the plant, an active demand, accompanied with an upward tendency in prices, had been ind uce d by a still increas ing deficiency in the receipts. NOTTINGHAM, Dec. 29.—Much of this week has been given up to holiday making and feasting, so that very little business has been doing in the warehouses. The price of hosiery is a trifle lower than it was in autumn. LEICESTER, Dec. 29.—The business of a very satisfac tory and profitable year in every branch is brought to a most healthy conclusion with fewer failures for the amount turned over than perhaps ever was known. Worsted spinners have had to complain of the discrepancy between the prices yarns are selling at and the price of wools, and as the latter supports its value firmly, higher prices may be expected if the demand continues. MUNICIPAL BOROUGHS.—By a return just issued, it appears that in the year ended the 31st of August, 1552, the receipts for municipal boroughs in England and Wales were, with the balances in hand, 1 ,417,449/. ss. Bid., and the expenditure, 1,305,5111. 9s. 61(1. [ADTERTISEMFINT.]—ALIEITTENANTOP DRAGOONS CURED OF RHEUMATISM BY HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PILLS. —This officer, who is in the Dutch army, s t a tes that Holloway's Pills and Ointment have cured bin of rheumatism, which appeared to be incurable, as neither sea-bathing, vapour-baths, nor preparations vaunted as sure remedies, did him any good, and the treatment of the doctor, after several months' trial, was without suc cess. At this juncture he commenced taking these Pills and rubbing the Ointment into the complaining parts twice a day, which effectually cured him in the course of six weeks. The truth of this statement can be vouched for -,- "';:' ,o ‘ by Mr. J. B. Stratman, of Bois-le-Duc.—Sold by all drug ( :4 JAB j and at Professor Holloway's establishment, 244, trend, London, C ~~ .. ~'-.: *), lives. 16. Meeting of the two houses of Convocation. Verdict of manslaughter returned against a herbalist practitioner. 17. Extraordinary discovery of the body of a Jew pedlar among the snow on Dartmoor. 18. Attempt to assassinate the Emperor of Austria at Vienna. 19. Bishop of Lincoln died 21. Snow storms, loss of life, and stoppage of the mails on the Eastern anti North-East ern Counties especially. 24. Railway accidents. Great Western, one director killed (Mr. Gibbs), &c. 26. Deputation from the Peace Conference of Manchester to Lord Aberdeen. Hurricane, snow storm, and dreadful loss of life and shippinc , at Liverpool and on the south coast, Zec. 28. Doncaster parish church destroyed by fire. MARCH. 3. Murder at Ilford. Conviction of Charles Saunders for the murder of Mr. Toiler. 5. St. Clement's Churchyard closed for burials. 8. Holyhead Harbour, fearful loss of property from the late gale. 9. Brixton House of Correction sold. 10. Major-General Daubeney died at Rome. 11. Government sanitary commission appointed to visit Croydon. 17. Sale of the theatrical properties of her Majesoy's Theatre. 18. Fatal duel at Chertsey by Frenchmen. 19. Destructive fire at Windsor Castle. Electric light, extraordinary experiments by Dr. Watson and Mr. Prosser. English barque Spartan, attempt to murder captain and crew. Slavery ; meeting of ladies at Stafford-hoase on sla very in America. 21. Death of Edwin Bates in prison, at Clerkenwell, to which he had been committed for writing threatening let ters to his Royal Highness Prince Albert. 24. Death from Chloroform at University College. Extraordinary turn out of railway servants at Liver pool. _ _ Melancholy loss of boatmen of Deal in a gale. 26. Burglar captured by a dog at Hadstock. 28. Disappearance of Copenhagen-house, &0., for the new cattle market. The old cab stand in the Strand removed. 30. Cape of Good Hope. Intelligence of termination of the Kaffir war. Railway accidents. Diabolical attempt to upset a train on the South Yorkshire line, by a large iron towing chain thrown across. 31. Munificent bequest to the charities of the city of London by Miss Hardwick's trustees, including educational and medical charities, and ward schools, 18,0001. APRIL. 1. Execution of Geo. Sparkes, at Exeter, for the murder of Mr. Blackmore. 2. Great Britain, the arrival of, at Liverpool, with 700,0001. in gold, &c. Railway servants at Manchester ; threatened turn out of. Shipwrecks, &c. Duke of Sutherland steamer, loss of, off Aberdeen. Many lives lost. 3. Lord Skelmersdale died. 5. Christ's Hospital. The Rev. Dr. Jacob elected head master, in the room of the late Dr. Rice. 6. Elizabeth Villiers, tried for the murder of William Jones, of Brixton, and acquitted. 7. Her Majesty's I , ccouchement : birth of a prince. 9. Execution of Henry Dobin, at York, for the murder of a girl. 12. Commission of lunacy on Fergus O'Connor, late M.P. Arrival of Mrs. Beecher Stowe, the authoress of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," at Liverpool. 18. St. Clement's Churchyard finally closed for burials. 21. Colonel Gore. C. 8., died. 22. Fire in Whitechapel, with loss of life. Halifax : destruction of a factory by fire (Messrs. Leyland and Highley). 23. Government seizure of munitions of war at Rother hi the ; case beard at Bow -street. 25. Crystal Palace at Sydenham (the new' ; public ad mitted by tickets to view the progress of the works. 26. General Sir Thomas Gage Montresor, K.G.H., died. 27. Holmfirth, dreadful conflagration at, 12,0001. worth of property destroyed. 29. Very Rev. George Butler, D.D.,Dean of Peter borough, and Head Master of Harrow chool, died. MAY. 2. Raine's Charity, St. George's in the East; interesting ceremony of presenting 1001. to the best-recommended young woman educated in the school, on her marriage. 3. Lady Dalhousie died off Falmouth, on board the Monarch. 6. Kirwan, the convict, condemned for the murder of his wife at Ireland's Eye, having had his sentence com muted to transportation for life, sailed from Queenstown in the Robert Small, with 300 convicts, for Freemantle, Western Australia. 7. Mrs. Beecher Stowe entertained at Stafford House. 11. Submarine telegraph to Belgium ; process of laying down occupied three days. 12. Dublin Great Industrial Exhibition opened by the Lord Lieutenant; 15,000 persons present. Gilbert, Sir Walter Raleigh, Bart., died. George Palmer, Esq., late M.P., for South Essex, died. 13. Preparations for the Camp at Chobham approach completion. Attempt at extortion, by Wm. Wilson, to secure a situation from the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, heard at Marlborough-street. Excise Office, Old Broad-street, sold by auction for 106,0001. 17. Tho right of admitting soldiers into canteen, or sut tling-house, during Divine service on Sunday mornings confirmed!by Mr. Beadon, th e M ag i s t ra t e , a t H ammersm i th. ' 18. Correspondence respecting the erroneous quartering of the Royal arms of Scotland. The Herald's College of England no power to interfere. " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The circulation of Mrs. Beecher Stowe's book prohibited by the Pope. Dreadful fire at Liverpool, destruction of the North Shore Mill, and of 100,000/. of property; 1,000 people thrown out of work. Railway accidents. York and North Midland Rail way ; three directors apprehended on the coroner's warrant, for manslaughter; bail given for their appearance at the assizes. 19. Electric telegraph wires laid down to communicate with the Royal Italian Opera and the Houses of Par liament. 21. City Railway Terminus Company ; memorial consi dered by the Court of Common Council, and Deputy Har rison's motion in approval of the plan carried by a majo rity of 34. 23. Telegraphic communication between Great Britain and Ireland completed. 24. Queen Victoria's birthday (born 1819). 25. A new guano island discovered. Railway accidents. South Western Railway, another verdict of manslaughter against the Hon. F. Scott, m.r., and Mr. Beattie (directors). 26. Culling Smith, brother-in-law of the late Duke of Wellington, died. 28. Gore House grand exhibition of cabinet work, &c., opened. 30. Alderman Sir John Key, Bart, elected Chamberlain for the City of London. JUNE. 2. Earl of Ducie died. 11. Suicide of the Queen's chaplain, the Hon. and Rev. A. B. Perceval. 14. Chobham Camp : arrival of troops. 15. Christs's Hospital, tricentaiT festival, held at Mer chant Tailors' Hall. 16. Dublin. Arrest of an Irish attorney, for carrying .REMARKABLE EVENTS DURING THE YEAR 1853. JANUARY. 1. New Ministry. Re-election of Hon. W. F. Cowper, Sir James Graham, Sir George Grey, and Sir Wm. Moles worth, severally for Hertford, Carlisle, Morpeth, and Southwark. _ _ ..._ . 3. New Ministry. Mr. T. Baines ' Lord Palmerston, Lord John Russell, and Sir Charles Wood, severally re elected for Leeds, Tiverton, London, and Halifax. 4. Hydrophobia.—Admiral Tremlett's specific for the bite of a mad dog proved effectual. Banquet to the American Minister at Liverpool. New Ministry, &c. Lord Ernest Bruce, Lord Alfred Hervey, James Moncrieff, C. P. Villiers, Sir W. P. Wood, severally re-elected for Marlborough, Brighton, Leith Burghs, Wolverhampton, and Oxford City. 5. Nathaniel Alexander, Esq., M.P., died. 6. Subterranean telegraph operations commenced be tween London and Liverpool. New Ministry. R. Bethell, the Hon. F. M. Berkeley, Right Hon. E. Cardwell, and Lord Alfred Paget, severally re-elected for Aylesbury, Gloucester City, Oxford City, and Lichfield. Malicious attempt to upset a railway train, by plac ing four wooden sleepers across the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln line. 8. Duke of Wellington's will proved under 800,0001. Singular bequest : between 800 and 900 persons re galed with a new year's gift of a penny roll each at Col chester. 10. Execution of Horler for the murder of his wife. Great overflow of the river Thames. Robert Ferdinand Pries charged at the Mansion House with obtaining 35,000/. by forgeries. Walter Scott Lockhart Scott, of Abbotsford died, aged 27. _ _ _ 11. Death of the oldest clergyman in London, the Rev. W. Antrobus, D.D. _ _ Sale of the oldest ship in England at Sunderland, the Old Concord. Caloric steam-ship Ericsson made her trial trip at New York. 12. Ravages caused by yellow fever on board H.M.S. Dauntless ; attacked, 120 ; died 59. - Mr. Monsell re-elected for Limerick county. 13. Fracas between Eighth Hussars and mechanics of Nottingham. Grand banquet at Southampton to the directors, &c., of the General Screw Steam Shipping Company. New Ministry. Viscount Drumlanrig re-elected for Dumfries county. Great ten-hours meeting at Stockport. Execution of George Christie at Aberdeen for a double murder. 14. Female poachers from Arbroath captured. Extraordinary death of Mr. Jones, in Acre-lane, Brixton. 15. Execution of Samuel Barbour for murder at York. Commission of lunacy on the Earl of Eldon. 19. Death of the Earl of Oxford ; title extinct. 20. Dover cliffs, immense fall of 8,000 to 10,000 tons. New Ministry. Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, re turned for Oxford University. Suicide of Dr. Rice, Head Master of Christ's Hos pital. 27. Perm Conference held at Manchester. 29. Marriage ceremonies of Louis Napoleon, Emperor of France, civil contract. 30 Fire at Wilton Abbey, the seat of the Right Hon S. Herbert, M.P. FEBRUARY. 1. Explosion and loss of life at Glasgow at Greenvale. 2. Death of a whole family from glanders, at Maugherow. 7. Dissolution of the National Association for Protec- tion. 9. Gold found at Arran. Murder in Devonshire and confession of the murderer. Murder in Essex of Mr. Toiler, by Charles Saunders. A dumb witness in a poaching case at Brighton. 10. Epidemic at Croydon. Parliament re-assembled after the adjournment. Great meeting at Maids.one of West. Kent planters against the Hop Duty. 11. " Ten hours" great meeting at Burnley. 12. Fire and loss of life in Holborn. Fire and destruction of Lochnell Mansion. 1.4. Opening of the Legislative Session in Paris. 15. Extraordinary number of fires. Loss of Victoria, steamer, in Dublin Bay, with 100 *• away money and securities belonging to his aunt,, to the amount of 35,0001. 17. The Marquis of Huntly, K. T., died, aged 92. years. 18. Maurice O'Connell, M.P., died suddenly. 20. Queen Victoria's accession, 1837. Submarine and European Telegraph Compan open ing of communication between London and Bra aseLs; at the Houses of Parliament. 21. Queen Victoria proclaimed, 1837. Visit of her Majesty, Prince Albert, &c., to C's,mp at Chobham. 28. Coronation of Queen Victoria. Royal christening of the infant Prince " Leopold George Duncan Albert. JULY. 1. Manchester without police this night, from a raja understanding. _ . 2. Voluntary Starvation in Marylebone. Extraordinary case of the Misses Sharpley brought before the board of guardians. S. Marchioness of Anglesey died. 11. Advertising vans prohibited from and after this day, 16th and 17th Viet., cap. 33, sec. 16 13. Arrival of the Russian Royal family at Torquay. 14. Suspension of a clergyman from taking priest's orders, for 12 months, for Romish practices, by the Bishop of Durham. ]4. Annual meeting of Royal Agricultural Society of England, at Gloucester. 17. The Earl of Portsmouth died. 22. Strike of 5000 miners and colliers at Dowlais. Countess of Minto died at Nervi, in Piedmont. 23. Strike of the Hull police. 27. Strike of the cabs ; not one to be seen in London for hire. Great meeting of cab proprietors. 28. Meeting of City police to petition for increase of pay. 30. Cab strike terminated. Earl of Seafield died. AUGUST. 1. Police meetings interdicted by the chief commissioner. Railway accidents, South-Western Railway. Trial of the Hon. F. Scott, chairman, and Joseph Beattie, super intendent of the locomotive department, for manslaughter; both found not guilty. Strike of the market gardeners' labourers at Fulham. Railway communication from Fenchurch-atreet to Sew opened. 2. Strike of dock labourers. 3. Execution of Hans Macfarlane and Helen Blackwood, at Glasgow, for the murder of Alexander Boyd, ship carpenter. 4. Advertisement duty ceased this day. 5. Strike of workmen in her Majesty's Dockyard, Devon port. 6. The first sod of Portsmouth Railway cut. 8. Smyth v. Smyth ; this celebrated case of imposture tried at Gloucester, before Justice Coleridge. 11. George Richard Smyth, the plaintiff in " Smyth v. Smyth," committed for trial for forgery and uttering documents, &c. 15. Dreadful accident at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham —l2 men killed, and many others dangerously wounded: 17. General Sir F. Adam, G.C.8., G.C.M.G., died. 18. Mr. Bransby Cooper, F.R.S., died. Major-General Lord Saltoun died. 20. Presentation of medals to Viscount Palmerston by the Polish Historical Society of Paris. Prorogation of Parliament. Speech from the Throne. Th break-up of Chobham Camp. 22. Public dinner in honour of R. Stephenson, Esq., M.P., at Montreal. The Hon. Sir George Cockburn, G.C.8., F.R.S., died, aged 82. Strike of coalheavers. Singular charge against Mr. Wilkinson, at the Man sion -house, of unlawfully bargaining for an East India appointment. 23. Maynooth commission nominated. Account of another ascent of Mont Blanc, by Lieut. A. C. Murray, R.N. Report of select committee published as to picture cleaning at the National Gallery ; precautions for the future ; reforms and improvements. New act to prevent the defacing; and bending of coin. Death from cholera in Milibank Prison. Marriage of V. le Duke and Duchess of Brabant, at Brussels. 24. Murder of his wife by Nathaniel Mobbs, and at tempted suicide by the murderer. Death from cholera in Bethnal-green. Loss of the Meridian, off Amsterdam Island. 26 Prince Albert's birthday. Great destruction of shipping along the coast during a gale. F 27. Loss of the British ship Sea, off Poe Philip Heads, May 31; 17 lives lost. Loss of emigrant ship Charles Clarke, on 27th July last ; 95 lives lost. Royal visit to Ireland, departure of her Majesty from Portsmouth for Holyhead, and embarkation therefrom. 29. Royal visit to Ireland ; arrival of her Majesty with the fleet at Kingstown, and entry into Dublin. Lieut. General Sir Charles Napier died. Strike of factory operatives at Hull. 30. Strikes of the navvies engaged on the sewer works, and of lightermen of the port of London. Royal visit to Ireland. Visit of her Majesty and Prince Albert to the Dublin Industrial Exhibition. 31. Railway accidents. Great Northern Railway (Horn sey). Many persons injured, amongst whom were the Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Enfield, the Lord Mayor, Sir James Duke, &c. Mrs. Harrison had a compound frac ture of the leg. SEPTEMBER. 1. Royal visit of Ireland grand review in Phcenix Park, Dublin, in presence of her Majesty, &c. Death of a Scotch descendant of Prince Rupert, (Miss Ouchterlony), aged 91. Abolition of transportation under 14 years ; the act came into operation this day. 4. The Royal visit to Ireland. Return of her Majesty to Holyhead. 7. Annual meeting of the British Association for Vacs Advancement of Science at Hull. Fall of a house, at the corner of Arundel-strwt, Strand, and loss of three lives. 10. Ghost at Chelsea. Strike of seamstresses. Destructive fire at Millwall, Poplar ; estimated da mage, 120,000/. Cholera at Christiania; death of Mr. Bradshaw (" Railway Guides, &c.") Outbreak of holera in Newcastle ; 57 new cases ; recoveries, 10; deaths, 23. Deah from cholera in Southwark ; inquiry into the filthy state of the locality. 14. Arrest of Miss Margaret Cuninghame, at Florence, on a charge of disseminating Protestant tracts. Turning the first sod of the European and North American Railway ; 40,000 persons present at the cere mony. 15 Extraordinary swarms of flies, at Harrowgate, form ing a black cloud, which obscured the light for several hours. 16. Sir Charles Adam, 1C.C.8., Governor of GreenwifA Hospital, died. 17. Russian Royal family ; Grand Duchess Katherine, .of Russia sailed from Dover for Ostend. Colonel Colquhoun, R.A., F.R.S., died. 20. Leicester Gaol, inquiry into the management of, &c. Cholera in East Smithfield ; inquest and disguatin g details of the filth of the locality. Russia and Turkey ; meeting at Sheffield on the :pre sent state of the Eastern question. Saltaire, near Bradford, opening of a colossal rat inu factory at, belonging to Mr. Titus Salt; entertains lent given to 3,750 persons. 23. Cholera in Lambeth. 26. Strand, the late fatal accident in the; verdict of manslaughter against M r . Ab ra h am, surveyor to the Duke of Norfolk. Eastern question; great meeting at Stafford. OCTOBER. - • -- 1. Intelligence of the escape of John Mitchell, the Irish convict. 2. The manning clause. Riots of foreign sailors at Sunderland. 3. Gaming house. The Cocoa Tree, capture of 21 per sons charged with having been found in ; case dismisavd. Burglar; the gallant capture of one, by Mrs. Elliott, of Liverpool. Turkey and Russia; great meeting in favour of Turkey at Hanley Potteries. Preston, dreadful accident at; fall of 200 or 300 through the floor of a room ; one person killed. 4. Eastern question, great meeting at Leicester on the. -- Railway Accidents. Ambergate Railway; collision of two engines; one life lost, many dangerously;wouncied. 5, Declaration of war by Turkey against Russia ; intelli gence from Vienna. Railway accidents (Ireland). Great Southern and Western Railway ; collision caused from the breaking of engine ; 14 persons killed, several dreadfully wounded. 7. Eastern question, great meeting in the City respect in the. 8. Intelligence received of the discovery of the North west passage by Commander M'Clure. Death from chloroform in the University College Hospital. 10. Miss Cunninghame compelled to leave the prison at Lucca, after having been unjustly imprisoned for a month. New penny receipts first used. 11. Horrible disclosures of treatment of prisoners in Winchester Gaol at an inquest held on a ma n w h o h a d been removed hence to the Queen's Prison, Southwark:. 12. Proposed monument to the late devoted French officer, Lieut. Bellot. Inauguration of Sir Robert Peel's statue at Man chester. Railway accidents. station knocked to pieces. 15. Preston cotton mills closed ; 25,000 persons out of employment. 17. Death from cholera in the Millbank Prison. Mr. Bowlby's Arctic expedition ; intelligence of the Wellington. 18. Great meeting in Finsbury respecting the Eastern question. 19. Shipwrecks. Loss of the Dalhousie, with all on board, with one exception, off Beachy Head, with cargo valued at 100,0001., bound for Sydney. 20. Fatal termination of the use of chloroforms at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Medway River. Thirty-one lives lost by sinking of Harslake Bridge, over which a waggon containing 40 per sons was passing. 21. Deputation to Earl Clarendon on the Eastern ques tion from Finsbury. 22. Gift of 5,0481. to John Bright; expended in books. Russia and Turkey ' • first encounter betw een th e Rus sian steamers and gunboats and batteries off Isactcha. 23. Russian Royal family : Arrival of Grand Duchess Marie of Russia at Dover, and embarkation for O s t en d . 25. 120 gentlemen dined in a new gasometer at Paisley Gasworks. Great Western ; the Reading 26. Great meeting in the Tower Hamlets respecting the Eastern question. Sir W. Knight Bethune, Ulster King at Arms, died. Visit of Louis Napole on w ith the Empress to the fortress of Ham. North- west passage; testimonial to Lieut. Samuel Gurney Cresswell, R.N., at Lynn. Blackburn ; Great Eagle Factory blown up, many lives lost. 27. Deputation to Lord Clarendon respecting religious persecution in Tuscany and Sweden. Preston strike, meeting of power-loom weavers at the Temperance-hall. Bishop of Derry (Dr. Ponsonby) died. 28. Intelligence of the murder of General Count De Neuilly by his aide-de-camp. ... Lord Cloncurry died. Riots at Wigan. 29. Turkey and Russia, armistice between the contend• ing powers reported in Paris. - Opening of the Shrwsbury and Hereford Railway. Preston wages movement, meeting of 6,000 unem ployed operatives. 31. Strikes general in Lancashire. Great meeting at Nottingham respecting the Eastern question. Riots at Wigan, several persons shot. The Earl of Kenmare died. ; • NOVEMBER. 1. Fearful riot at Blackburn. 2. Intelligence of fatal fever at Bermuda. Shoplifting, remarkable trial of Miss Cantwell in Dublin ; acquitted. Boiler explosion at Blackburn, five lives lost. 4. Admiral Nesham died, aged 83. Intelligence received of the blowing-up of the Prin cess Victoria, Australian trader, and miraculous escape of passengers and crew. - Russia and Turkey ; intelligence of arrival of the fleets in the Dardanelles. 5. Remarkable immunity from fever in the West Indies, in iron ships. Intelligence of 50 deaths from s n a k e bit es i n I n di a . Guy awkes-day. Dreadful accidents from the ex■ plosion of fireworks in the metropolis and at Exeter. Plots for the assassination of Louis Napolec n. Com• mencement of proceedings against parties inculpated, before the Court of Assizes. 9. Fearful mortality in emigrant ships to the United States. Massacre of the crew of the ship Heroine off Cape Labua, Sept. 1. Dismissal of Professor Maurice from King's College. 11. Frightful ravages from yellow fever in Bermuda. Discovery of a new planet by Mr. Bishop. 12. Grand banquet to Lord Elphinstone, governor of Bombay. Sianifesto of the Emperor of Russia appeared in the London journals. 14. Intelligence of the capture of Shanghai by the in surgents. 15. Queen of Portugal, Donna Maria, died. Rear Admiral Pasco (Nelson's flag-lieutenant) died. Scotch Representative Peer, the Earl of Seafield elected, vice Lord Saltoun, deceased. 17. Duke of Beaufort died. The Princess Nicholas Esterhazy died. 21. Execution of Nathaniel Mobbs for the murder of his wife. 22. Visit of his Royal Highness Prince Albert to Cam bridge, as Chancellor of the University, &c. The Earl of Dartmouth died at Patshull. Fog in the metropolis, rendering the streets im passable. 23. Another dense fog, with fatal consequences. 28. Russia and Turkey. Repulse of the Russians at Chef katil. 30. Preston. strike and labour parliament. Metropolitan meeting. DECEMBER. 1. Inauguration of St. Martin's-hall, Long-acre. 3. Shipwrecks, &c. Intelli gence o f th e l oss o f th e Marshall, Hull steam-ship, with 170 lives. 4. \ r ice-Admiral Dawes died. 5. Royal commission on the recent prevalence of cholera at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Extraordinary occurrence at Portsmouth ; the au thority of the Queen defied by a Russian officer, in respect to men who had deserted from a Russian frigate. 6. Opening of the Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford, and Shrewsbury and Hereford Railways. 12. The late fog ; 14 vessels wrecked. Russia aneTurkey. Naval victory over the Turks by he Russians, Nov. 30, at Sinope. 16. Russia and Turkey. Intelligence of the defeat of the Turks at Akalsik ; 4,000 Turks slain. 17. Resignation of Lord Palmerston. 22. Lord Palmerston returned to office, after a resigna tion of five days. 25. (Christmas-day) Tremendous fire at Esher—partial destruction of the Royal paper mills. Dr. Mill, Regius Professor of Hebrew, &c., died. Dr. Gilkrest, Inspector-General of Army Hospitals, died. 26. Christmas-day falling on a Sunday, this day was ob served as a general holiday, the shops being closed. Places of amusement open as usual. The transfer and dividend offices at the Bank of England were closed, and all busi ness suspended except in reference to bills falling due; the Customs and Excise Offices shut. 23. Colonel Layard, late M.P. for Carlow, committed suicide. Intelligence of war declared by Persia against Turkey. Railway accidents. Taff Vale ; rush of a train down the inclined plane, near Dowlais, from alleged neglect ; one woman's back broken, many other persons dreadfully injured. 29. Skating in the parks. News received of Lord Dudley Stuart's visit to Con stantinople, to persuade the Porte to accept the services of the Polish refugees. Intelligence of an attempt by the Russians to set fire to the allied fleets at Constantinople. Rumour of Turkey having accepted the last propo sition of the Four l':owers. 30. News of a treaty, offensive and defensive, between Russia and Persa a . Meeting of Parliament fixed for the 31st of January. 31. Rumour that the Emperor of Russia formally re jects the protocol and note of the sth of December. Directors. The great financial scheme of Mr. Gladstone, well-in tentioned as it was, suffered defeat shortly after it was brought into operation. From the first it was fore seen that, however encouraging might have been the situation of the country for introducing mea.- sux-es practically allied with a conversion of the public debt, there were circumstances which indi cated that an earlier attempt would probably have been attended with great success. The sequel has proved the correctness of the observation. The autumn of 1852, when Mr. Disraeli was in power, was the opportunity that should have been seized for favourably realizing this grand project—the general elasticity of the stock market at that date, the plethora of money, and the anti cipations respecting a lengthened continuance of low rates of discount, having formed prominent features in the existing order of things. The Derby Ministry 'going out on their budget, Mr. Gladstone took office as Chancellor of the Exchequer ; and, desirous of retrieving the position lost by his prede cessor, laid before the Legislature measures for a com mutation of the South Sea and other annuities—with what result the public are already acquainted. Mr. Gladstone possibly was a little too sanguine in his notions of the readiness of fundholders to accept terms of guaran teeing a minimum rate of 2A per cent., his avowed in tention being to establish such a denomination of stock ; but he forgot one important consideration, viz., that, unless compulsorily forced, the majority would rather risk the contingencies of other investments than imme diately adopt the proposed alternative. He experienced good earnest of this conviction in the resolutions passed by the Court of South Sea proprietors, declining altoge ther to assent to the conversion, the preference being given to a repayment in money. The complication of foreign politics, together with the subsequent increase in the value of money, naturally caused more than common vigilance to be exercised when such an alteration presented itself ; but it now certainly seems questionable whether, if affairs had re mained in much the same condition as they were from April to October, the extent of voluntary acceptances would have been as great as was expected. In any future attempts that may be contemplated for reviving a similar operation, it will be necessary to define with more precision the equivalents tendered, since on the explicitness of these depends a proper appreciation of the scheme. As a step in the right direction, the pub lic agreed with the measure ; but its failure is to be attributed to its numerous details, and the inopportune time at which it was introduced. The budget, however, was much more satisfactory; and, although hardly con tested on some points, was finally triumphantly carr i e d. Recognising, as it did, popular demands—the abolition of the soap duty, the progressiv e reduction of the im port upon tea, being leading points recommending it to the middle and lower classes—the increase of the income tax, at the modified rate of sd. in the pound on receipts of 1001. a year, was not greatly objected to, although it was felt that the payment would press with some se verity upon those brought within its limits. The re arrangement of the customs' tariff, and the alteration in the stamp laws, were likewise received as favourable measures ; and, in the whole of these, the Chancellor of the Exchequer may be considered to have achieved a decided success. In other respects the proceedings of Parliament did not exercise an important effect upon the general course of mercantile transactions. The debates with regard to the Turkish question dragged their slow length along until the close of the session, when, notwithstanding the aggravated conduct of Russia, the yearning for peace allowed the Government to break up the great council of the nation, without defining their actual policy, or explaining publicly what precautions had been adopted to arrest the aggressive movement of the Emperor Ni cholas. The passage of the Pruth, and the consequent occupa tion of the Danubian Principalities, should have aroused the jealous anxiety of Lord Clarendon and his colleagues, and not permitted them to rely upon the efforts of a Vienna congress to produce a pacific adjustment of the difficulty. It was this first act of presumptive aggression, on the part of the Czar, that has led to all succeeding embarrassments ; and, bad a timely demonstration been made by England and France—a desire urged to the utmost by the latter Government—much of the annoy ance that has followed would have been avoided. With out launching into the particulars of the several negotia tions, the Nesselrode notes, the dispatch of the fleets to the Bosphorus, the rejection by Russia of the terms ap proved by Turkey, and the final outbreak of hostilities in Asia, Georgia, and Wallachia, the result has precipi tated a crisis which threatens to involve an European war. Already we have largely experienced the depress. ing influence of this condition of things, and it remains to be seen whether we may not yet have to pass through even a severer ordeal. The depression produced originally by. the Turco -Rus sian dispute, was afterwards heightened through a re actionary feeling expressed in connection with the ex pansion of our trade to Australia. From January to July most active operations had been carried out—the employment of shipping, and the efflux of emigrants, presenting a remarkable contrast to the previous apathy —till, at length, apprehensions were generally enter tained that the colonies and their markets would be over-flooded. In the meanwhile, the money market becoming tighter, the Bank directors having made a gradual advance in their terms for public aceommodation a check was fortunately given to these adventures ;I scarcely, however, before advices of the fact of a heavy T.HE OLD AND THE NEW YEAR. (Prom the Banker's Magazine.) Looking disparsionately at the events of the last 12 montfr A , it cannot be denied that all classes have had to contend with various disturbing elements ; but these elements have been produced by the transition through which capital and labour are now gradually passing— tile consequences of the gold discoveries in Australia and 'California, and the altered relations which they are destined to create. Political considerations apart friom those connected with the attitude of Russia towards Turkey, have probably not for a long time past made so inconsiderable a figure in the ordinary course of affairs. The several measures of the Government, if not altoge thersuccessful, having been received with a tacit acknow ledgment of their propriety—the only determined oppo sition being in the case of the India Bill, which, despite its thorough inadequacyfto meet the requirements of the period, was permitted to be adopted as a kind of cone between Oho 'summery aou the Court of NG, JANUARY 2, 1854. depreciation having taken place in prices at Port Philip and New South Wales. Concurrently with this adverse change in the general situation of mercantile relations, the fears entertained with regard to a deficiency in the harvest necessarily awakened attention. The crops in France, Germany, and Italy were short, and these respective Governments not only enforced their customary prohibitions of ex ports, but also commenced large purchases to increase their own supplies ; and as these had taken place before the termination of our harvest, we were somewhat in a state of doubt relative to actual resources. The late improvement in prices, although facilitated by specula tion, has since afforded strong evidence of a scarcity of the principal cereal products ; and the season, so far as we have yet gone, does not promise much relief for the coming year. The enormous advance in provisions of all descriptio ns , part i cu l arly the prime necessaries of life —the rise averaging from 30 to 35 per cent., and in some cases still more—has, of course, affected many de partments of business ; while the strikes in the manufac turing districts, although occurring at a period when a limit to production is in a measure desirable, must ine vitably lead to distress and discomfort. The mania for new companies, which distinguished the first five mouths of 1853, gradually subsided from pure exhaustion—the caution of the public and the increased value of capital co-operating to repress an undue infla tion before it reached a dangerous point. Multifarious as the projects were, embracing almost every species of enterprise, representing in the aggregate a considerable sum, the tendency in any single direction was not suffi ciently extensive to entail large losses. The speculation having now ended, with little prospect, the market re mains inundated with a vast quantity of securities which are almost valueless, owing to the doubtful nature of the undertakings, and the irresponsible character of their promoters. While we have been passing through this period, al though our supplies of gold and specie have proved pro portionately great from Australia, America, and the Spanish Main, the shipments to Melbourne, Sydney, and the contin en t, w ith th ose a l so made to India and China, since the outbreak of the revolution, have, in ad dition to the absorption of all imports, caused a drain upon the Bank of 5,000,0001., the stock of bullion on the Ist of January having been 20,527,6621., whereas on the 17th of December it was 15,44-3,256/. The lowest amount returned was on the 22d of Octo ber, when it had descended to 14,969,2061., the reserve of notes having, in the preceding week, stood at the limited figure of 5,012,4901. From the 6th of January, when the directors raised the rate of discount to 2i per cent., until the 29th of September, when they effected an advance to 5 per cent., the terms for accommodation have been steadily augmented, and up to the present moment the Bank's latest quotation is maintained with firmness. Consols on the Ist of Januaryiwere 1004 ; in April they were at their highest point, which was 101: they then gradually declined, until panic seized the market in October, and the quotation fell to 901. From this price they eventually rallied to 96, and are now about (in cluding dividend) 954. The extreme range in the value of railway shares has been considerable—in some in stances from 15 to 20 per cent.—while, from the most depreciated quotations, the recovery has not exceeded 3 to 5 per cent. Although, when the Bank directors raised the rate of discount to 5 per cent., more than ordinary pressure was experienced, not a single mercantile failure took place. This was considered to be a sufficient proof of the general prosperity of trade, and of the caution exercised with re spect to speculative operations in England and the colo nies. Not so, however, with our transatlantic neigh bours ; the disarrangement of the New York money mar ket, which continued in full force from September to November, and has yet only partially abated, created Con siderable disturbance in credit. Suspensions of import ance were received by each steamer ; and, although principally connected with what are termed dealers in " fancy" securities, their general effect was extremely unfavourable, and caused for the moment alarm, lest their ramifications should extend to other and more sub stantial firms. The result of banking business is on all hands admitted to have been extremely encouraging, and the shareholder are looking forward to handsome rates of distribution. Of all experience in banking pursuits, none has been more remarkable than that identified with the several Australian establishments. Increased dividends have been declared in addition to the appropriation of im portant amounts to meet ordinary contingencies ; and the new institutions brought into operation have begun business with every appearance of succeeding. Abroad, the foundation of banks on the joint-stock principle has enlisted some supporters, several having been organised in the continental cities ; but of their progress little has as yet transpired. An endeavour has been made to set on foot a project for a Mexican na tional bank, but no hope can be entertained of its being satisfactorily conducted in an administration such as is likely to prevail during the rule of Santa Anna. At home, we have had no increase to existing establish ments. The 'merits of two new London joint-stock banks were privately canvassed in July and August last, with apparently some prospect of support ; and it is un derstood that the plans upon which they are proposed to be conducted are still available, whenever the preli minaries can be efficiently managed. At the latest moment we write the commencement of the New Year does not appear to be attended by propi tious circumstances. War with Russia is predicted as almost a certainty. The temporary retirement of Lord Palmerston has created dissensions in the Cabinet ; and the public mind is far frog boing tramiumiseu ny the indefinite and unsatisfactory nature of the various float ing rumours. The presence of the English and French fleets in the Baltic may, although tardily ordered, ren der the Emperor Nicholas sensible of the danger which his unwarranted conduct has provoked, and, after all, induce him to accept terms of compromise which shall secure the integrity of Turkey, and respect to the wishes of the Western Powers. Should blind obstinacy, how ever, urge him to engage in this fresh contest, while feeling satisfied of what must be its actual issue, we abstain from attempting to estimate its political and financial consequences. A LETTER FROM AUSTRALIA. The following letter from Mr. Canova Megson, a brother of Mr. - Albert Megson, stationer, Market-street, in this city, has been handed to us for publication. It was received on Tuesday morning, by the latest mail : " Melbourne, Sept. 26, 1853. " Gentlemen,—The success which has hitherto at tended the efforts of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in affording a speedy and sure communication between Australia and the parent coun try, has secured to them such an amount of patronage that it will require great exertions on the part of any rival company to rob them of those laurels they have so ably won. One of their mails being about to be des patched hence to Great Britain to-morrow, I avail myself of the opportunity of giving you a few remarks upon the state of affairs in Melbourne. Whilst upon the subject of postage communication between this part of the world and England, I may mention that great disappointment and inconvenience have been felt from the very irre gular manner in which the mails have been received from the parent country. Great satisfaction was manifested here on receiving the news that the Home Government had withdrawn the contract from the Australian Steam Navigatio n Company, whose repeated failures in the transmission of the mails to this and the neighbouring colonies had most seriously inconvenienced the mer chants and the public generally, who experience great losses by the irregularities complained of. The Strat ford, which brought out the English mails of the 4th June last, arrived at Sydney in 106 days, being a period of 22 days beyond the time mentioned in the contract, which was 84 days. The mails for Melbourne and Ade laide were put on board the Shanghae, which reached here on the 25th (yesterday). The quickest passages yet made between the two countries are by steamers via the Cape of Good Hope, and until anothei route has been discovered which will afford a more speedy communication, the authorities at home would do well to adopt that mode of transmitting the mails which has hitherto proved most successful. With regard to the state of this colony, we still continue to have a large in flux of immigrants from all parts of the world, though the recent accounts received of the prosperity of the mother country, coupled with the unsatisfactory statements of parties who have been disappointed with this land will, I have no doubt, have their influence in checking the tide of emigration which at one time assumed such an aspect that it almost threatened to decimate the old country. If we may judge from the busy state of the wharves, there is no lack on the part of our friends at home in sending us out merchandise of almost every description. Many articles are already cheaper here than at h ome , so that some parties m us t h ave burnt their fingers.' Of course, when any article becomes a drug In the market, a general -order is sent home to stop the supplies, and the article eventually gains its paying price, but not before great losses have been sustained. Parties in Eng land cannot be too cautious in watching the exports to these colonies, in order to ensure a consignment of such goods as are likely to be scarce. Caution should also be exercised in shipping goods by a firm of known respecta bility. A friend of mine had just received a quantity of goods, the freight of which was paid to Liverpool in ad vance, with a written agreement that they should be landed free of expense at Melbourne Quay. In the face of this agreement, the agent in Melbourne has com pelled my friend to pay the expense of lighterage from the bay, the amount of which is considerable, or otherwise he would not deliver the goods. The worst of the matter is, the shipping agent at Liverpool has failed, and consequently it would be utterly useless to sue a bankrupt shipping agent for damages. The only way left for my friend is to pay the lighterage under protest, and rest himself content. In regard to the pri ce o f l an d, it s till continues high, and affords handsome profits to the wealthy land jobbers. The Go vernment are throwing more land into the market, not withstanding which the competition amongst the land speculators is as great as ever. Rents are equally high, if not higher, than they were two or three months ago. Good permanent stone buildings are springing into exis tence in every part of Melbourne, nor are the suburban portion of our population behindhand with their wooden erections. In almost ever part of the district surround ing Melbourne, wooden houses, stores, &c., are shooting up as it were by magic, and it almost seems like a fairy scene rather than a reality. To walk a little way out of Melbourne to a thriving locality reminds one of a coun try fair or wakes at home ; the continued hammering and bustling resembles the noise made in putting up the shows and other parapharnalia which is generally heard on the day before the fair. The great consumption of timber in the erection of these buildings has kept up the j price of that article, until the recent heavy arrivals, which have had the effect of causing a downward tend- ency. The diggings still continue to yield well. The individual instances of lucky finds' are not so nume rous as they were at the commencement of the gold dig gings. But there are still some fortunate diggers who happen to be extremely successful in their opera tions. A party at the Ballarat diggings lately hit upon a large table of gold, which was dug out by the cwt. Such lucky hits as these inspire the more un fortunate part of the digging community with fresh vigour, and they go on toiling with a patience equalling that exhibited by Mr. Micawber in Dickens's Copperfield,' who lived in the hope that something would turn up.' There has been great excitement lately at the Bendigo diggings in particular, in consequence of a portion of the diggers refusing to pay the usual monthly license fee of 305., which they considered was too exor bitant an amount. The affair eventually assumed such a formidable aspect that it was feared bloodshed would follow. Happily, however, such has not been the case. Government seeing the dilemma they were placed in, immediately passed a temporary bill reducing the license fee to 40s. for three months, instead of 30s. per month, as hitherto, the whole amount to be paid in advance. This measure seems to have given general satisfac tion, and the excitement is now nearly blown over. In consequence of the late threatening disruption, the 40th Regiment of Infantry has been sent to the dig gings, where it is reported they are to remain for a considerable time, and the 99th Regiment has been sent from Van Dieinen's Land to Melbourne, in order to strengthen the power of Government in case of an out break. There was a grand fete at Geelong on Tues day last, on the occasion of the turning of the first sod of the Geelong and Melbourne Railway. His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony was the principal personage in the ceremony. A railway between Mel bourne and Hobson's Bay was commenced some months ago, and in all probability will be opened in less than 12 months from this date. A car.al and dock company be tween Melbourne and the Bay has also been formed, and will very likely be carried into effect without delay. The post-office has been made three times as large as it was twelve months ago, and is now carried on in so effi cient a manner that it certainly reflects great credit on the manager of that department. The arrangements, I am of opinion, cannot well be surpassed by any of your first-class cities at home {London, Manchester, and Liverpool excepted). A college is about to be esta blished. A large amount has been grinted for the public library, and a grant for the formation of a musuem of natural history is now being brought before the legisla tive council. - What with these and other things, which time and space will not allow me to mention, Melbourne bids fair to become eventually one of the most flourish ing cities in the world.—l am, &c., —Manchester Guardian. " CANOVA MEGSON SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM HOUSE, DEC. 31. ENTERED INwAuDs.—The Fortuna, from Gottenburg ; Ane and Tharen, Minde ; Sackjobbing Leon, Gravelines ; Margaret Jane, C ,diz ; M. 8.,_ Odessa. ENTERED OUTWARDS FOR LOADING.—The Julie, Rouen; Caroline, Abbeville ; Waldemar, Valencia ; Empress, Cape Good Hope ; Palatine, Dunkirk ; Oriental Port Philip ; Maria, Cristina ; Santander, Corunna and Vigo ;- Dion, Cape Good _Hope ; Zemindar, Sydney. CLEARED OUTWARDS WITH CARGO The Emprisa, Monte Video and Buenos Ayres ; Amelia and Ann, Dun kirk ; Joins, Genoa ; XI. April, Bergen; Montesuma, Bos ton ; Jane and Margaret, Dunkirk; Calma, Havre ; Royal George, Hobart Town; Wesleyan, Havre; Rio, Constan tinople and Odessa ; Ben Minck Dhui, Cape Palmas ; Dud brook, Bombay; Antionetto .Cezard, Port Philip ; Henry Tanner, San Francisco. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 31. The Collaroy (s s), hence for Sydney, put into Beau maris yesterday, in tow of a tug-boat, for shelter. The Rita, for Buenos Ayres, has put back. The Bohemian Girl, from Smyrna to Liverpool, that was on shore in Carlingford Bay, was got off on the 28th, ;Lnd placed on the patent slip • her keel w as gone , an d t h e flat of floor generally damaged. The schooner Rose, of Milford, reported ashore at Water ford, came off on the 29th without damage. The Julie, hence at Copenhagen. The Laurel and Marie Angela sailed from Santander for this port Doc. 4. GRAVESEND, Dec. 31.—Arrived, the Seine (s), from Boulogne ; Sir James Ross, Calais ; Albatross. Calcutta ; M. 8., Odessa. Sailed, the Audacia, Gothenburg; Marl borough, Honduras. WATERFORD, Dec. 30.—The Rose (schooner), of Milford, has come come off the Mussel Bank, without damage. MALTA, Dec. 21.—The Alla, Kerim, Providence, and Petit Mouse, have put in with damage. BEYROUT, Dec. 15.—The Eperour, from Marseilles went on there during a heavy gale about four miles east of this port. LOWESTOFFE, Dec. 30.—The Alliance, of Sunderland, from Ipswich to Seaham, which was on shore, Dec. 27, near Corton. has got off and put in here. The Effort, of and from Southampton, for Sunderland, is in the Roads, having been assisted off Holm Head Sand. YARMOUTH, Dec. 30.—The Buoy Yacht (schooner), of Wells, which was on shore at the back of the North Pier, has been got off. Intelligence has been received by elec tric telegraph that the Stamboul, from hence to Venice, had been stranded near Malamoco Breakwater, and was in danger, the weather being stormy--crew saved. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 30.—Wind N.N.W. to N.N.W.— Arrived the Puggoard, from Rio Janeiro, for Copenhagen; Goethe, Baltimore, for Bremen. MILFORD, Dec. 29. -The Maria (schooner), of and from Penzance for Cardiff. wan von schooner, Dec. 19, while at anchor in the mouth of this h irbour, and lost bowsprit, &c., in consequence of which, when the gale increased, both masts broke off by the deck. The next morning she slipped by chains, and was towed into Hubberstone Pill. TAIBACH, Dec. 30.—The Albion, smack, of and for Port Talbot, from Neatn, was in contact with the Pioneer, steam tug, of Neath, when the former lost mast, and re ceived other damage. HARTLEPOOL, Dec. 30.—The Jubilee (brig), of Jersey, which stranded on the sands on the 19th Dec., has been got off, and brought in here. The Alert (brig), of and for Wisbach, for Archangel, which got on the strand on the 15th Dec., and has been got off and br oug ht i n h ere. T he Jeune Astuve, from Newcastle to Genoa, which went on shore at the same time, still remains, and should the weather continue the same, will probably become a wreck and her cargo lost. The Good Intent (schr.), of Wisbeach, which went on shore on the 19th December, has been got off and brought in here. HARWICH, Dec. 30.—The Jane (brig), of Whitby, was in contact with a billy-boy this morning ; the brig lost main rigging and billy-boy her bowsprit. WIIITEHAVEN, Dec. 29.—A large vessel, with only bow sprit and foremast standing, was seen on the 10th Dec., in lat. 50 N. long. 15 W., with a b arque an d a b r i gantine by her, and being stripped by the crew of the British Queen. COUNTRY MAAKETS. The supply of all kinds of grain was smaller than in last market, with the exception of barley. The sales were rather dill. The following are the prices of grain at our market to-day : WIYEAT. BARLEY. OATS. BEANS First Bos Od 42s 6(1 32s 6d 57s Od Second 73s 8d I 39s 3d 28 s 8d 47,1 Od Third 64s Od 1 308 6d 21s 6(1 45,3 Od Total quantity of wheat in market, 517 qrs., 458 sold PO PP barley „ 836 qrs., 835 so ld ~ ~ oats 371 qrs., 352 sold PP 22 beaus 61,qrri., 57 sold PP Average of wheat £3 13 8 4-12ths Ditto of Barley Ditto of Oats Ditto of Beans . ...... ••••• ••• • • ••• 2 • 7 0 5-12ths DALKEITH GRAIN MARKET—DEo. 29. There was a good supply of all kinds of grain at this day's market, with the exception of peas and beans. Sales were ready for all kinds. Wheat on the top is up, current price same as last week, and lowest 5s per qr. Ip. Oats on the top is down, cur rent price 8d down, and lowest is 4d up. Barley on the top 2s up, current price is 2d up, and lowest 4d up.' Peas and beans 2s up on th 3 top, current price is up, And 38 down on the lowest price. Qrs. Best. Current. t 320 Wheat 82s 0(1 Inferior. 6Ss thi 1403 Oats 303 8d ......... 232 4d ... .. . ... 17s 44 942 Barley 42s Ocl 35s 6d ' ;. 27s Od 20 Peas & beans 54s 0d....... 51s Od Average cf wheat, 3Z. 3s 54d. ABERDEEN—DEC. 30. The prices of grain are—Old oats, 25s Od to 26s Od; 401bs per bushel; new oats, 24, 6d to 25s 6d, 401bs per bushel ; here, 34s Od to 35s Od, 531bs per bushel ; barley, 33s Od to 34s Od, 531bs per bushel • wheat, re d, 60s Oct to 62s Od, 6211)3 per bushel ; wheat, white, 66s Od to 68s Od, 621bs per bush e l ; oatmeal, 20s Od t o 21 s O d per boll; flour, 57s Od to 59s Od per sack. Provisions—Beef, per lb, 6d to 8d ; mutton, ditto, 6cl to Ed ; veal, ditto, sd. to 8d ; pork, per lb, Os 5d to Os 71 • salmon, per lb, Os Oct to Os Od; rabbits, each, Od t o Od • tallow, per stone, 5s Oct t o O s Od ; Potatoes, per peck, 8d to 9d ; b , rtter, per ib, 9d to 10d eggs, p er d oz, is 01 to 13 6d ; hens, per pair, 3 s Od t o 3s 6d ; c hi c k ens, di tto, is 6d to 2s Oct'; ducks, ditto, 2s 6d to 3s 01 ; ducklings, ditto, 2s 6d. to Os Od. ; turkeys, each, 43 a 1 to 5. Od ; geese, ditto, 3s Od to 4s Od ; butter for exportation (present cure), per cwt, 84s to Ns Od ; ditto (summer cured), 00s to 00s Od • eggs, wholesale pri ce , per dozen, Oct t o 10d ; 41b loaf, 8c1'; 21b loaf, 4d ;. pork, fine small, Os Oct to Os Od ; pork, large, Os Od to O s Od ; lamb, per lb., 0 3 6d to &1 ; cheese, per imperial Mono, 5s 6d to 7s. DUBLIN —DE 0. 30. We had here a small but very firm market at our Corn exchange to-day. Transactions were not extensi v e, but the general tendency of prices was in favour of the seller. Barley must be noted 6d dearer.' White wheat, 40s Od to 42s 6d; red ditto, 37s to 40s 6d barley, 15s Od to 21s 6d ; oats, 12s 6d to 15s 3d; rapeseed; 27s 6d to 22s 6d per brl ; oatmeal, 14s Od to 16s Od ; bakers' flour, 22s Od to 26s Od per cw t ; I nd i an corn, 40s Od to 45s 6d per 4801bs. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, DEC. 31. STomc EXCHANGE. - The market for shares opened steadily this morning, but afterwards became bad, and closed at its worst point with a very uneasy feeling regard. ing politics. Chester and Birkenhead, 17i ; Caledonia n , 274 64 7 61 ; Cheste r an d H o l y h ea d , 16 ; E astern Coun ties, 134 ; East Lancashire, 164 16 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 66 446 51 4 4 4; London and North-Wes tern, 1034 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln, 22 1/ Midlands, 624 4 2 4; South Eastern and Dover,. 184, 1-16. MANCHESTER, DEC. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE.— There was a considerable business for the day of the week, but at rather lower prices. Blackburn Class B. Pref., 24 3-16 ; Caledonian. 27 ; East Lancashire, 164 ; Leeds, 66 ; London and North Wes tern, 1034; Sheffield, 22 ; Midlands, 624 ; Dovers, 18 3-16. BIRMINGHAM, DEa. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE.—This market was active to-day, but prices were a shade lower, there being less demand for stock. London and North Westerns were done at 1031 ; Shrewsbury and Birminghams at 59i. LEEDS, DEC. 31. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The market has this morning shown the same inactivity as for some time past, and prices are still drooping. Midland stock, which opened at 63k, fell towards the c l ose , and left off at 624; York ' and North Midlands were ransacted at 23i • Lancashire and Yorkshir e s a t 65i ; E as t ern C oun ti es at 13k ; Leeds Northern quarters at 1 prem. SEABORNE MAILS. (N signifies that the mails are sent from the General Poet-office by the night—and Pd by the morning —dispatch.] Day when made up Fr om what When COUNTRIES. in General Post- • Port due in Office, London.* Dispatched. Fneland. --- America(byßrit.pack)N Every Friday .... Liverpool ... Each Mon America (by United Sts., packet) ..........N Jan. 15 .......... Liverpool ... Jan. 7 America (by U. Statet'j packet) Jan. 17 .. •• •• Souihampto, Dec. 28 Australia (via South-1 4.... Soutnampton Feb, 4 Ditto (via Marseilles) NJan. 8.. .. Dover .. • ... Ditto (via Cape of Good Hope) ...... ••.• • • N•Feh. 4 . • • Liverpool ... Uncertain. Africa ( West Coast) ..N i`t3d of the month.. Plymouth .. Dec. 28 Alexandria........., N r r B, 9, 24, &30 of in. Dover jan. 1 Alexandria......... & 20th of mon. Southampton lJan, 4 Bahamas of the month Southampton Jan. 1 Belgium ...... . Dover Daily Brazil ..111;9th of the month.. Southampton Jan. Buenos Ayres —34l9th of the month.. S ou th ampton jan. 15 Cape of Good Hope ..Nll4th of the month Plymouth .• 'Nov. 26 Cape of Good Hope ..Nll4th of the month. Southamptonl Cape de Verds 9th of the month.. Plymouth .. Jan. Ceylon (see India) Ceylon 14th of the month Plymouth .. ov. 26 Channel Isles Mon ~Wed.,&Frid. southamptoniTu.Th•Sat. Chi1i........ • 31 2d & 17th of month Southampton Jan. 1 China (see India) Constantinople 7,8,17,21 ) &27 of m. Dover .. • ... ) ,Jan. I Constantinople ........ 4th & 20th of mon. Southampton Jam 4 Cont. of Europe Di N Twice daily Dover ...• Egypt (see India) France M& N Twice daily.. Dover ...... .Tvvicedally Gibraltar ... 4,7, 17, 20, 27 of in. Southampton Jan. 6 Greece (see India) Greytown 2nd & 17th of mon. sonthampton 'Jan. 1 Hamburgh Tuesday & Friday London .•• Ilavannah .......... M 2nd of the month Southampton Jan. 1 Rolland ............ M Daily.. Dover 'Daily Honduras of the month. Southampton Jan. 16 India (viaSouthampt.)Ml4th & 20th of mon. Southampton Jan. 4 India (via Marseilles)3l,Bth& 24th of month Dover ...... lonian Isles (see India)'7, 17, & 27 of mon D0ver...... Ireland & NTwice daily Holyhead .. Twicedally Li5b0n..............M7, 9, 17, & 27 of m. Southampton lan. 16 Madeira 9th of the month Southampton Jan. 16 Madeira N 23d of month Plymouth ..'Dec. 28 Yalta (see India) • Malta ...... • ..N 7,17,19,i7, 30 ofm. Dover ...... Jan. 10 Mauritius (see India) Mauritius 14th of the month Plymouth .. {Nov. 26 Mexico M;2nd of the month. Southampton Jan. 1 Naples . . .f Nl s thl s th 2s thofmon. Dover ~.., ,' J an. 2 New Granada .... M :2d & 17th of m ont h Southampton 'Jan .1 New Zealand By private ship .. Various p lis ;Unc Papal States .• N s th I Mh2sthofinon . Dover ...• .- 'Jan. ertain 2 Peninsula MI - thl7th2Bthofmon Southampton Jan. Peru ~. Mi )(I & 17th of mon southampton Jan. 1 Port Natal /c;l4th of the month Plymouth .. Nov. 26 Sicily ... N .sthl Mh2tholnion, Dover ...... 'Jan. 2 Tuscany „ stlllstll2sthonno o . Dover ......'Jan. 2 Venezuela „ M '2d& 17th of month Southampton 'Jan. 1 Van Diernen's Land (see ( Australia) . West Indies m 2d & 17th o' month Southamnten .TeT, 1 id tz: 17th o' month Southampton l Jan. 1 YESSELS SPOKEN WITH. The Patriarch, homeward bound, Oct. 14, off Algoa Ba The Sandford, from Demerara. to Madras, on the 19tI in lat. 33 S. long 13 E. The Champion . , homeward bound, Nov. 10, lat. 20 W. The Emily, from London to Port Phillip, on the 13th, in lat. 5 N. long. 24 W. The Arachne,from Liverpool to Calcutta, on the 16th, lat. 7 N. long. 24 W. The Beulah, bound south, on the 17th, in lat. 9 N. long. 27W. EXTRAORDINARY PUNISHMENT OF A CAPTAIN.—We have published some and received several other letters on the subject of the treatment the passengers on board the ship Asia received during their passage from England to this colony. That the complaints on this subject are hut too well founded there can be but little doubt, and we should have given full vent to our correspondents' indignation thereupon, but that all that can be done, and a good deal more than ought to be done, in the way of punishing the captain, has already been done. Cap tain Howes, being convicted of divers breaches of the Passenger Act, at the Williamstown police court, was fined for them in the aggregate amount of 1,800/. Shipmasters who, for the sake of a little extra and illicit profit on their passengers' fare, curtail them of those stipulated comforts for which they pay, and to which they are entitled—such shipmasters, as the common phrase goes, deserve to be made an ex ample of, and we should simply • return the Welsh ver dict, " Sarve them right," if the thumb-screws of the law wrung from them a good slice of their ill-gotten gains. But with respect to breaches of the Passenger Act, it sometimes happens that while the captain is but in part responsible, the whole burden of punishment falls upon his unlucky shoulders ; and so it has chanced in the present case. In default of payment of the enor mous fine imposed him, Capt. Howes has been condemned to a series of terms of imprisonment, amounting alto gether to nearly 30 years—a period longer than the whole past lives of the majority of our fellow-colonists. This tremendous sentence has begun to take effect ; in the hurry and bustle of our colonial existence, the waves of time are rapidly closing over the whole transaction, and Captain Howes may pass the remainder of his days within the walls of the gaol without being ever heard of again unless some one comes to his assistance. We do not extenuate the captain ; and though it is to be wished that, by the forfeiture of the the vessel or some other stringent measure, the owners could be made to suffer for the offence to which he has been an accomplice, we can quite see the propriety ofteach ing captains the lessons that they must not with impunity be the tools of heartless, mercenary, la w-breaking owners. For a series of serious offences Captain Howes has been sentenced to a fine of 1,8001. For not choosing, or not being able to pay this money—in all probability the latter—he has been sentenced to be imprisoned for thirty years.—Melbourne Morning Herald, Sept. 10. THE SCHOOLMASTER ABROAD.—Among the candidates for legislative honours in the provincial council was one whose address thus figures in the New Zealand paper. The ambitious gentleman had the satisfaction of stand ing at the bottom of the poll, with sixteen votes regis tered in his favour :—" To the Electors of the Citey of Wellington.—Gentlemen,—l have been perswaded at the eleventh ewer to put myself forward as a Candidate at the insueing election as money gen tlemen have promised me thar votes & intrust to obtain a seat in the Provincial Councel about to be assembled in this place, & if I should have the honer of being chosen one of your representatives I will do all in my power to serve the best intruests of my constenants & my adopted countrey, &.I shah be at all times redey to receve advise from my constituents, & vo t e on that side the majority may dictate, & if I can not earey out thear wishes or meashers, I will resine my seat and trust in thar hands when fifety of them please to call upon me to do so.—l remane your humble and obe deent servant, FRANCIS BRADEY. Tamworth Cottage. Wellington, August 2, 1853." The foregoing address is printed verbatim et literatim. BRADFORD, Dec. 29.—Wool—This being the last week in the year, business has been quiet ; but to-day there is more inquiry for both English and foreign," and LONDON : Printed and Published by MlintDO YOUNG, prices are firm. Bright-haired wools are still scarce in of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, N 0.112 this market. Nods and brok es k ee p l ow i n s t oc k, and I Strand, in the f reeinc t o f th e S avo y s in the onaty eC command full rates. Middlesex, Monday, January 2,1811 e * When any of these dates La . ! o t et Sunday, the malls will ')e lispatche I on the following day with the exception of the India via Southampton), and the Malta, both of which will be dispatched th e day preceding. [ADVERTISEMENT.]-Fifty thousand Cures have been effected by Du Barry's delicious Revalenta.Arabica Food, without medicine, inconvenience, or expense (as it saves fifty times itscost in other remedies).-- Twenty-five years nervousness, constipation, indigestion, and debility, from which I had suffered great misery, and which no medi cine could remove or relieve, have been effectually cured by Du Barry's Food i n a very short time. W. R. Reeves, Pool Anthony, Tiverton." " Eight years' dys pepsia, nervousness, debility, with cramps, spasms, and nausea, for which my servant had consulted the advice o imany, have been effectually removed by Du Barry's delicious food in a very short time. I shall be happy to answer any inquiries. Rev. John W. Flavel, lington Rectory, Norfolk." " Thr ee years' excessive nervousness, with pains in my neck and left arm, and general debility, which rendered my life very miserable, has been radically removed by Du Barry's excellent food. Alexs. Stuart, Archdeacon of Ross, Skibbereen.” Fifty years' indescribable agony' from dyspepsia, nervousness, asthma, cough, constipation, flatulency, spasms, sickness at the stomach, and vomittings, has been removed by Du Barry's excellent food. Maria Jolly, Wortham Ling, near Diss, Norfolk." Copies of testi monials of 50,000 cures (including those of Lord Stuar de Decies, Major-General Thomas King, Drs. tire, Shorland, and Harvey (gratis). In canisters, with full instructions, 11b., 2s. 9d. ; 21b., 4s. 6d. ; 51b., 11s. ; 121 b., 225. ; super-refined, 51b., 225. ; 101 b., 335. Th e 101 b. and 121 b. carriage free. Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, Regent-street, London ; also, Fortnum, Mason, and Co., purveyors to her Majesty, Piccadilly. BlRTirs. OF A SON. At Simla, the wifo of Charles Cureton, Esq., 2d Irregular Cavalry, who survived his birth but a short time. On the 29th ult., at St. John's-wood, the wifo of Mr. R. Thomas. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 30th ult., at Court-house, Cannington, Somer. setshire, the Hon. Mrs. Clifford. On the 31st ult,, at 15, Burton-cre scen t, th e w ife o f 1; H. Fische r , E sq .. of Lincoln's-inn. MARRIED. On the 28th ult., at Lurgan, J ames Th o mson, of B e lf ast, Esq., to Elizabeth, only da ug ht er o f the late W . J. Hancock,. Esq., Assistant Po or -L aw C o mmission er. On the 31st ult., at St. P e t er ' s , Eaton-square, C. F reer , Esq., of Glocester-crescent, Hyde-park, to Juliana Eliza beth, eldest surviving (laughter of A. de Arroyave, Esq., of Palace-gardens, Kensington. DIED. On the 29th ult., at Haxoy Vicarage, Lincolnshire, the Rev. John Dobson, vicar of that parish, aged 54. At Edinburgh, on the 29th ult„ Hugh Melville Be M.D., Assistant Surgeon, 84th Regiment. At Hackney, on the 30th ult., Mr. Henry Harvey, late of the Stock-Exchange, aged 57. On the 31st ult., in London, Commander James Lamont, R.N., aged 68. C South stat room ! Marto land iected With T' Tha 1311 Ia o urthe: Bomb L' Fror RATE Paris ; Coot And b( rates, (or to t Insura Octot Week, For I in Lor Foutha 3r. GI Rani N' NOM the CA per At the lot] at this of Elev ' And the Po :rannar A' Notic the 31st income on and 2d Ja A ' It will i . 4 '' 43, og, F 0 fg 4. Thus rals vat in case this sur 4a. 4(1., Part or The fl Compan of five c Savings Posited, posit Pc meatm,Stipp( 4 tilt s; 1 851... 1852... 18 53... 1 854... 1855... 1 856... 1857... 1 858... 1859... 1 860... 1861... 1 165.., 1%66.- 11170..: i 171... .74... lau.. 1880... laBi., , 1 885.. 1485.. 1861.. Th An ordl w Years effecter la for is. 6d. The ti Com Irki or• man Rir Ch Vice-4 The R X. B. Adl MI Ch Lo Anna alined P ox the a DR. Dort Ed Ro 1/1 Drin Inca the may 1 1414 that der' "`~„