The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-29 00:00:00

AUSTRALIA. ,N. 25. Business had slightly improved by the a rrival of orders from the interior, and from the impression among the mercantile body that there would be for some time a suspension of extensive shipments of goods from Europe. The Colonial Secretary, Mr. D. Thomson, had sailed on the 25th for England, in the Vimiera. The Australian Joint-stock Bank, at its half-yearly meeting, had declared a dividend of 4 per cent. The directors of the Commercial Bank of Sydney had declared a dividend for the half-year of 15 per cent., with 3,0001. added to the reserve fund. The question of railway communication throughout the colony was exciting more attention in Sydney than it has ever done before. A plan for a great trunk line from Sydney to Melbourne had been discussed, but had not been submitted to the public in any distinct form. Since the river Murray has been opened to steam navi gation there is a probability of Sydney losing some of its trade, by the wool of the lower part of the province of New South Wales being sent down that river for shipment at Adelaide or its port. The intelligence from the northern gold fields was snore favourable. The diggers were returning to work after the Christmas holydays, and the escort returns showed a slight increase; a rich gold quartz vein had been discovered at 'Farnbaroora, in New South Wales. Price of gold at Sydney. —For Port Philip and Ovens gold 31. lis. to Si. 17s. 3d. per oz. ; New South Wales gold, Si. 15s. to 31. 15s. 3d. per oz. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS AT SYDNEY. Dec. 6, 1853. The Myrtle, from London ; the Oron, Dutch ship, from London ; the Aurora, from Hong Kong. 7.—The Branscombe, barque, from London ; the Duke of Cornwall, from Manilla. 8 --The Frederick, from Liverpool ; the Cheapside, from London ; the Magellan, from Madras. 9, lThe Jenny. Lind, from Hamburg. I °--The Eclair, from Bordeaux ; the, Herefordshire, from„,narekitouthampton ; the Margaret, from Liverpool ; the i'r e 9, from Glasgow; the Inglewood, from London; .n Dominion,from London. L2 ll. —T he_ Viendschap, from London. .. —.The Ashburton, from London. " —The waterloo, from London ; the Prince of Wales, from London • he the Prince of the Seas, from Glasgow. Ath from Portsmouth ; the Neerlands Indie, fro m Liv "lair, 17.—The w oo epool. moaornAoolo, from London. . 19.—The Th o lyathnot, from the Downs ; the Anglesea, from 1)1): 41 m . " - , 20.—The Jane Prat,:a'k m Liverpool. 21.—The Hendri c t c 26.—The Vineep ; ,C ) kf t ktch barque, from London. L e e d States sloop-of-war, on a surveying exped ; Aion fr ; ou t i h to n(?onidas, from London. 27.—The Atbar, Heemskir 28.—Thk, from e Euro London, from LI x ,n• erpool ; the Ad m i ra l van 30.—The Harbinger, screw Steamer, from ‘ London. Jan. 1, 1854.—The Joseh Som ers ' Captain Denhtlmirom London ; her Majesty's ship Herald, cruise. ' fram a surveYing I 5. - Tip Phoenix, Swesh brig, from , urg. 6.—Th e H owar d, f rom di Hamburg. Ra rau 9 --The Charlotte, from Hatnburg; don of Selkirk, Tian, London ; the Mary Hall, from Lon ; the Austric, ra lista, screw steam-ship, from London. 10.—Tho Anna Margarctta, Dutch barque, from London. THE Notrilt SfI.I,—SOUTHAMPTON, March 28.-__The United States m ail steam-ship Herrman, Captai n B . Higgins, arrived here this morning from Bremen, on her way to New York, having been detained in the river Weser 3d hours by a heavy gale of wind. The Herman n left Bremen on Sunday morning. On Monday, at 6 a.m., off the Texel, she passed an Ln«lish ship of the line (two decked), standing north-cast. In the afternoon of the same day she passed two large screw steam-frigates, one on the French and the other on the English coast. Both Were steering north-east, and their position was 20 miles 68. st of the Gabard. This (Tuesday) morning the Her mann passed a three-decker (British) outside the Nab. The Hermann will sail from Southampton to-morrow y (W ednesday), with about 140 passengers for New York, ), ; e ther with th e sem i- weekly American mails, and a l arge Cargo of German, French, and British merchandise for the daxaerican markets. Benal, from., Calcutta, ;and the East' India Company's steamer Feroze from Bombay, arrived at Suez, on - the 15th, with the large number of 280 passengers between them, from India, China, and Australia. Of these pas sengers a portion go by the Ripon to-day, and the re mainder by the Euxine in three or four days: The Euxine, with the London mail of the Bth inst., duo on the 17th inst., has not yet arrived. In our port are lyi ng a t th e presen t , momen t , wa i t i ng a supply of coal, nine Turkish and Egyptian steam-ships, Which had been intended for the conveyance of troops (some 17,000) to Greece and Constantinople. There is, however, no coal in the place, and conse quently most of the vessels and troops must remain till cargoes reach. Five hundred tons of fuel have been borrowed by the Government from the different steam agencies, in order that two of the larger vessels may get to sea, ; but no further loan can be-expected from that quarter. Abbai Pasha has again been obliged to leave his place of retreat in the desert, and has come to Cairo to meet the Sultan's Envoy, to arrange the preliminaries of the marriage of his son, who is 16 years old, with the Sul tan's daughter, six years old, and in honour of the event the towns of Cairo and Alexandria were illuminated for three nights, and the Pasha had a grand reception of all the officers of state, the European consuls, and the grandees of the country. Abbas Pasha's expenditure on this occasion will be enormous; the sums his High ness has already presented to the Envoy amount to up wards of 20,0001. sterling, and he is to send to his son bride a diadem of the value of 200,000/. sterling. There is no doubt that this marriage has been pro posed by the Sultan, in order to recruit his finances for the war he is carrying on with 'Russia, and Egypt will be drained as much as possible in consequence. The removal of so many men from Egypt does immense harm to the country, which is in want of an increase of population. Under ordinary circumstances the army of Egypt does not exceed 30,000 men, while now there are 25,000 men on the banks of the Danube and 75,000 men in this country, of whom 12,000 or 15,000 m ore are to be se n t t o fight the Greeks. • • Lord and Lady Falkland have returned from their trip to - Upper Egypt, and intend proceeding to Jaffa and Jerusalem in a French steamer towards the end of . the month. Prices of grain have increased in c o nsequence of the closing of the ports in the Black Sea, and wheat is at 425., beans at 375. per quarter, free on board. Freights have fallen very considerably, as many vessels are ex pected, and the shipping -stuff is reduced in quantity. Last freights paid were 9s. 6d. to 10s. per quarter. Ex change on London, 9 8i piastres per pound sterling. By the overland mail we have received summaries of intelligence forwarded by the Harbinger : on the 10th, and the Madras on the 25th of January. SYDNEY, J. 10. The Constit u ti on A ct for New South Wales had passed through committee, and had been read a third time on the 21st of December. The plan of a nominee Upper Rouse for life had been modified to one appointed by the Crown for five years. The Council was prorogued on the 22d of December to the 7th of February. His Excellency Sir Charles Fitzroy, in his closing address, expressed his satisfaction that the act had been framed with an anxious desire , to assimilate the constitution of the colony, as far as local circumstances permitted, to that of the mother country. His Excellency stated also that 100,0001. had been remitted to the Land and Emi gration Commissioners to be applied to the further pro motion of emigration, on the plan recommended by the Council, and that a second remittance of 100,0001. would be made for the same purpose. An unusual number of private bills had been passed during the session, indi cating a greater activity in local enterprise. The revenue in all its branches continued to be highly productive. Notwithstanding the increased expenditure and the loss incurred by the reduction of the gold licence fee, there was reason to hope that the receipts would prove equal to the demands of the public service. The Colonial Secretary (Mr. Dees Thomson) and Mr. Wentworth were on the point of leaving Sydney for England. They are authorised by the Council to sup port the Constitution Bill with all their influence at home, and to meet any objections that may be made to passing the Imperial act necessary to give it validity. The office of Colonial Secretary, vacant by the de parture of Mr. Thomson, has been given to Mr. Riddell, late Colonial Treasurer. It was offered to Mr. Plun kett, the Attorney-General, but declined by hire. The Australian steamer had arrived at Sydney on the 9th of January. The executive Government had advanced 3,0001. to defray the expense of sending specimens of Australian productions to the Paris Exhibition of 1855. There is no intelligence of interest from the gold fields either of New South Wales or Victoria.. In the latter province there had been a revival of the diggers' agita tion against the gold li cense f ee and the Regulations Act • but, as the plan of action had not been deter mined, the congress that leads, the movement had re commended the miners to take out their licenses for the next three months as usual. The experiments to test the value of the "second bottoms " by deep sinking had produced no results. It is stated the trials had not been made on any proper system. The value of the gold exported from Victoria during the year 1853 was about 14,000,0001. sterling ; from New South Wales, 6,000,0001., part of which, it was supposed, had been received from Victoria. The yield of the New South Wales fields had been for some months decreasing. Business at Sydney was dull, the market being over stocked by recent large arrivals, particularly of soft goods, wines, and brandies. The accounts of the harvest from most of the districts of the colony were favourable. The weatier had been unusually rainy for the season and the climate. The works of the railroad from Sydney to Paramatta are progressing rapidly ; the men engaged in England had been kept together by giving them the full rate of wages paid in the colony, though much higher than their contract. More labour was still wanted. Mr. W. W. Harvey, the officer in charge of her Ma jesty's ship Torch, was drowned on the evening of Christmas-day from the ship's cutter, which was upset by a squall in the Bay. The gross revenue of the province of New South Wales for 1853 was 908,575/. 19s. 2d. The Sydney Banks have agreed to raise the rates of discount, which will in future be as follows :—Bills, three months and under, 4 peecent. ; four months and under 5 per cent. ; above four months, 6 per cent. The proprietors of the Bank of New South Wales have agreed to transfer one-eighth snore of the capital of the Bank to the London share register. Accounts had been received in Sydney of a consider able reinforcement to the French naval squadron in the South Seas. THE _SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY RIPENING-, MARCH 29, 1854 ELECTRIC POWER LIGHT and COLOUR COMPANY. The Electric Colour Company are now able, by the completion o f their works at Frogmore-creek, which aro at present in full opera tion, to SUPPLY any quantity of their DRY ELECTRIC COLOURS, which, from their brilliancy, durability, body, purity, and price, cannot fail to obtain a preference by the trade generallv over those made by the ordinary processes. The celours consist of starlets, reds, yellows, greens, and blues, of all shades and varieties. For price and all other particulars all applicatiogs must be made, and all communications addressed, to the Commercial Manager, William Prosser, Esq., at the works. Local agencies are required, for which app'leations may be made, by letter,.to the Commercial Manager, as above. GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH (used in her Majesty's Laundry), and WOTHERSPOON'S Machine made CONFECTIONERY , MARMALADE, JAMS, JELLIES, &c. , (which gained the Prize Medal of 1851), may be had of all Grocers ; Wholesale of Wotherspoon, Mackay, and Co., 66, Queen-street, Cheapside, London, and Robert Wotherspoon and Co., Glasgow. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, 3feßca 29, Will be performed LEONTE. Principal characters by Mr. Elliot Galer and Mr. Henri Drayton; Misses Lowe and Featherstone. After which, THE FEAST OF THE DRAGON, and Magical Performances of the Chinese Troupe. To conclude with a new Ballet, entitled THE STAR OF THE RHINE, introducing those favourite Artistes, Mddles. Therese and Annie Ctisimie, Miss M. Charles, Moils, Milano, and Gr..nd Corps de Ballet. TFIEITRE ROYAL HAYMIRKET. Under the management of Mr. tuckstone. THIS EVENING, MAN.= 29, ba performed GUY MANNERING. Supported by Messrs. St, Albyn, Vi. Farren, Compton; Rogers, Howe, Clark, Cord, and Cullenford; lilt=s Cushman (as Meg Merriliei), Miss Julia Harland, and Mrs. L. S. Buckingham. After which, WILLIKtND AND HY'S DENAH. Supported by Mend. Buckstone and Corti ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwll liarn, and Mrs. Caulfield. After 'which, the opening Scenes of the PANTOMIME, called HARLEQUIN AND TILE THREE BEARS; or, Little Silverhair and the Fairies. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. 1./nder the Management of Mr. CHARLES KEAN. THIS EVENING, MARCH 29, Will be performed THE MARRIED UNMARRIED. Supported by Messrs. W. Lacy, Ryder, and Cathcart; and Misses Heath and Murray. To be followed by TILE RIVALS. Characters by Messrs. W. Lacy, Harley, Meadows, J. Vining, Mellon, and Addison ; Mrs. Winstanley, Mrs.W. Lacy, Miss Heath, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which, AWAY WITH MELANCHOLY. Characters by Messrs. Meadows, D. Fisher, and. Baker ; and Misses Murray and Daly. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. TIIIS EVENING, MAacti 29, Will be performed WANTED, A SIIE-WOLF. Characters by Messrs. Charles Mathews, F. Mathews, and Baker; Miss Oliver. To be followed by A CHARMING WIDOW. Concluding with NUMBER ONE ROUND THE CORNER. After which, the popular Fairy Extravaganza, entitled ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS. Characters by Messrs. Roxby, F. Matthews, and Bland; Madame Vestris, Misses St. George, Egianton, Mason, Martindale, Ellis, Wadham, and Foote. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHL Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Mallen 29, Will be performed TWO LOVES AND A LIFE. Supported by Messrs. C. Selby, Leigh Murray, Menjamin Webster, Keeley, and 0. Smith ; Mies Woolgar and Madame Celeste. To conclude with TilE SERIOUS FAMILY. Characters by Mensrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray, Parselle, and Keeley ; Mrs. L. Murray, Misses Woolgar, Fanny Maskell, and Laidlaw, and Mrs. Keeley. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lesseo and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, MARCEI 29, Will be performed THE WRONG BOX. Supported by Messrs. Alfred Wigan and Robinson ; Miss P. Horton, Miss Wyndham, and Miss E. Turner. To be followed by TO OBLIGE BENSON. Supported by Messrs. Emery, Robson, and Leslie ; Mrs. Stirling and Miss Wyndham. To be followed by THE FIRST NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. Solo Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs. THIS EVENING, Meßca 29, Will be presented "NO IRISH NEED APPLY." Principal characters by Messrs. G. Hodson, Warren, and Herbert ; Misses 11. Noel and Hammond. Followed by WHY DON'T SHE MARRY? After which, THE BLUE JACKET 3. Followed by THE PET OF TIIE PUBLIC. Emily de Laney, Miss R. Isaacs. To conclude with Malone's Travestie of MACBETH. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, Is. 6d; Gallery, rid. ; Private Boxes. '. I Is. 6d., to be had of Mr. Alleroft, 15, New Bond-street. into execution very soon afterwards how the Four Powers, England, France, Austria, and Prussia, interposed between the belligerents negotiation after negotiation—how the failure of these diplomatic endeavours to bring about a pacification has conducted us at last to the neces sity of proclaiming war against the marauding AUTOCRAT as the violater of the peace of Christen dom—how all this has been accomplished is at length recounted, calmly, truthfully, and tem perately, in the Royal Declaration. That Decla ration, indeed, is altogether so calm, so truthful, and so temperate, that it is worthy at once of the age, of the cause, and of the SOVEREIGN. It recapitulates facts, of course, which have long since become familiar to the whole of Chris ' tendom. It states the cause of dissension from the commencement. It indulges in no violence of language. It profanes no text of Scripture. Its force is truth, and not blustering. England will be satisfied to the full, with this last of those State papers which, in regard to the contest between Russia and Turkey, have emanated from time to time from the British Government. It is no longer a contest between Russia and Turkey, but between Russia on the one side, - and on the other Turkey, supported by the two most powerful races in Christendom—the greatest military and the greatest maritime power on the globe—the recognised and accepted champions of civilisation. Especially, let the closing sentence of this memo rable Declaration of War be remarked—" s Her MAJESTY humbly trusts that her efforts may be successful, and that, by the blessing of PROVIDENCE, peace may be established on safe and solid foun dations." That, indeed, is the great object of all wars, but peculiarly of this war—Peace. A peace, moreover, as here intimated, re-established on safe and solid foundations. Nevertheless, before this , glorious and desirable end can be attained, what difficulties have to be overcome, what perils have to be gone through, perils extending before our forces at this moment in grim and awful perspec tive ! The responsibility of all this, however, belongs not to us, appertains neither to England nor to France, nor yet even to Turkey, but de volves entirely and exclusively upon one man, the despotic chief of the Russian Government. Intelligence has come to us of the continued advance of the troops of the CZAR upon the soil of the Danubian Principalities —.no longer to the right of the Pruth, but at last even to the right of the Danube—no longer in Moldavia and Wal lachia alone, but within the limit of the Bulgarian boundaries. 'War actually declared, our fleets already in the Black Sea and in the Baltic, our military forces far on their way towards Constantinople—the time has now arrived for prompt and energetic action by flood and field, against the Cossack hordes poured down from the north by the Russian AUTOCRAT along the frontiers of European civilisation. The hour has at last struck for the commencement of those great victories of which England and France, un- der the aid of GOD, rest confident—the victories won not for conquest, but for right, by the heroic descendants of the Gaul and the Briton, fighting side by side under the union-jack and the tri colour—bearing triumphantly through the scat tered ranks of the Russians the standards of Vi CTORIA and the eagles of NAPOLEON. lingly captured and destroyed, if a faVowea' ble*op portunity occurred. There are so many instances in which such transactions have occurred , that it would be superfluous to show that similas c matters might again take place. The line of der narcation between " privateering" and " piracy" !is so very slight, and so frequently disregarded,. :that civi lisation and humanity alike demand tat every distinction should be abolished, and ho th placed in the same category, of course. We only go to this extent with respect to strangers interfering. It is, however, almost equally desirable that the entire system should be abolished, and. that the subjects of one of the belligerent states should be compelled to fight, if at all, under the shelter of their national standard. The third point, as to the prevention of all un necessary obstruction of the commerce of neutrals, is a most praiseworthy experiment--one, how ever, that involves many considerations before we can finally decide on its policy. How far it is expedient to allow strangers to do that which we forbid to our own fellow-subjects, is a matter that cannot, at once, be determined. We can, however, justly praise the laudable anxiety of her MAJESTY'S Government to free warfare of one of its many horrors—and, even if they fail, we are bound to give them credit for the good intentions by which they have been actuated. We invite the serious attention of the Horse Guards to a letter in another part of The Sun on the use of the Lance. It is from a prac tical man, who has served three campaigns in Spain, during the Civil War, and afterwards for several years in one of her MAJESTY'S Regiments of Light Dragoons. WAR WITH RUSSIA. dence, peace may be re-established on safe and solid foundations. Westminster, March 28, 1854. DECLARATION. Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, having been com pelled to take up arms in support of an ally, is de sirous of rendering the war as little onerous as possible to the Powers with whom she remains at peace. To preserve the commerce of neutrals from all unnecessary obstruction, her Majesty is willing, for the present, to waive a part of the belligerent rights appertaining to her by the law of nations. It is impossible for her Majesty to forego the exercise of her right of seizing articles contraband of war, and of preventing neutrals from bearing the enemy's despatches, and she must maintain the right of a belligerent to prevent neutrals from breaking any effective blockade which may be established with au adequate force against the enemy's forts, harbours, or coasts. But her Majesty will waive the right of seizing enemy's property laden on board a neutral vessel, unless it be contraband of war. It is not her Majesty's intention to claim the confiscation of neutral property, not being contra band of war, found on board enemy's ships ; and her Majesty further declares, that being anxious to lessen as much as possible the evils of war, and to restrict its operations to the regularly organised forces of the country, it is not her present inten tion to issue letters of marque for the commission ing of privateers. Westminster, March 28, 1854. THE USE OF THE LANCE. TO THE EDITOR OF TUE SUN. SlR,—Seeing that the 17th Lancers are under orders for the East, and having lately noticed several articles on the use of the lance as a weapon for a dragoon, I beg leave to offer a few remarks on the subject. In the first place, it is but right that the force sent out should be as efficient as possible ; and that brings us to the question, Is the lance really a fit arm to send a man into the field with ? In my opinion it is not. The Lancer is fur nished with a pole, ten feet long, which on coming to the guard presents a leverage of five feet to his opponent. He is told to secure it well under his arm, of course to prevent its being parried. But the moment he extends his arm to deliver a point, there is no longer the elbow to secure the lance, and his thrust might be parried by a cane or a riding whip. In the first division of the lance exercise (against Cavalry) the front parry, as it is called, is ridiculous. The idea of breaking a swords man's guard by moving this pole 12 inches to the left, same to the right, and then point ! I believe it was once termed " front wave and point." Properly speak ing, it is a wave of the flag and nothing else. We are told it is done to frighten the horses, but I would advise them to settle the man first. In the third division (against cavalry) he is told to make a sweeping parry round the body, so as to knock a man off his horse. This cannot be done by any Lancer unless he is extended to give room. With closed files he would knock his com rades right and left ; in fact, it could not be done at all, and if separated in the field, I would advise him to throw away his lance, draw sword, and become at once a Light Dragoon. To allow the free use of the lance his belt is shortened, so as to place the pouch between the shoulders, almost out 'of reach when wanting to load his pistol. At one time ten of a troop carried carabines, to use which they had to sling lance on the bridle-arm, making it almost , useless—for, encumbered in that way, he would make but a poor skirmisher. On active service the Lancer will often have to pass through wouds, and rough ones, too; he will again find the lance troublesome either slung or at the trail. Depend on it, it is more for sight than service. Stay, if they must be sent out, let them be at tached to theCommisaryDepartment,fore lance is a capital thing to drive oxen with. My object is to remove what I firmly believe to be a false notion as regards the lance for a mounted man. It is true a high opinion has been formed of the lance from the exploits of the Cossacks in the retreat from Moscow. Wonderful affair ! hordes of rough warriors harassing half-frozen soldiers during a long and toilsome march ! Let them try it on in the more genial climate of Turkey, and I'll back the Hussar and Light Dragoon. Should you be pleased to insert this, it may be the means of drawing a tt en ti on t o the subject, and will I much oblige your humble servant, COUP DE SABRE. GUN-BOATS WANTED FOR THE BALTIC. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—As it appears that Russia has been for some time using prodigious efforts to increase the number of her gun-boats, it is earnestly to be hoped that our gal lant Baltic fleet will not be suffered to be deficient in this very important class of vessels in that sea. Some of our splendid line-of-battle ships may (as has before happened in those waters)lrun aground at a most critical period of action, and perhaps be exposed to be disabled and destroyed by the raking fire from swarms of heavily-armed gun-boats, who could choose their own position in shallow water. It is, therefore, most essential that we should have abundant means of occupying the attention of this kind of craft. The employment of steam gun-boats in addition to those of the ordinary construction would afford us an immense advantage ; but this suggestion, although re peatedly made by naval officers and others, has not yet met with the attention which it deserves. Of course it is to be presumed that both the Baltic and Black Sea fleets will have powerful divisions of bomb ships attached to them, carrying the heaviest description of mortar.—l remain, sir, your very obedient servant, A RETIRED ARTILLERY OFFICER. Portsmouth, March 27, 1854. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE, Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, MAacii 29, And during the week, will be presented the new, grand, and romantic spectacle entitled TH WOODMAN'S HORSE; or, The False Knight—the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty, expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke. After which, the inwmparalAe Scenes of the ARENA. To conclude with BESS OF TILE BELL. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W Bre3t. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tara DAY —Morning 25 min.after 2 1 livening 44 min.aft. 2 fo-Moaaow—Morning 0 min.after 3 1 Evening 18 min.aft. 3 THE WEATIIER.—SUN 0171C3, Mancil 29. THE33IOIIETETA, IN THE SHADE. 60 —highest since noon yesterday. 42 7 -lowest this morning and during the night. 57—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'46. WIND, S.W.—Light breezo, and fine, sunshiny weather. % e h - `<kfft #S, ,§IIIX, LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1854 A Declaration of War against Russia has at last been given to the world, through the London Ga zette, in the name of the British SOVEREIGN. The peace of nearly forty years' duration has termi nated. A conflict of European magnitude, one of consequences so vast and numerous as to be at this moment altogether beyond the reach of cal culation, has actually commenced. The responsi bility of this terrible struggle rests exclusively, as has been already asserted by the Imperial Mes sage of NAPOLEON, rests wholly and exclusively upon the St. Petersburg Government. To the lawless passions of NICHOLAS can alone be attributed both the mediate and immediate provocation—in the one instance the refusal of any reply whatever to the demand conveyed to him by her MAJESTY'S Messenger, in the other the daring mission entrusted to the extraordinary Ambassador sent by him twelve months ago to the Divan at Constantinople. The truth of all this has long since become notorious. It is patent to the understanding and visible to the judgment of every rational man throughout Christendom. Everything --until the CZAR entered upon the course which has conducted matters at length to this dread conclusion—everything in regard to the balance of power in Europe was, up to that fatal moment, in a state of profound tranquillity. Everything was peace for Europe, everything be tokened for it the continuance of that quietude which had been maintained among its chief Powers during an interval of nearly forty years' duration —until the hand of the Czar, suddenly presented to the Chief Powers another apple of discord. That apple of discord was the Protectorate. The mission entrusted to Prince MENSCHIKOFF was the suggestion to England and Prussia, to France and Austria, of the advan.3ement of similar claims for authority within the SULTAN'S dominions over their respective co-religionists. But such claims, besides being unjustifiable, would have been abso- lutely frivolous undor the circumstances. For the Greek Christians in the European territories of the SUblime Porte embraced nearly the whole of the non-Mussulman pa rt of the Turkish population. The requirement, by • the CzArt, of a Protectorate over those Greek Christians, implied the transfer ence to St. Petersburg of the imperial sovereignty hitherto maintained at Constantinople. It was so understood at once by Ministers of the SuL TAN) and so understood the demand was at once, of course, and resolutely, rejected. How this c refusal of any compliance with the unjustifiable mandates laid before the Divan by the Russian Envoy Extraordinary was followed by threats from the CZA.II of his determination to march his armies across the frontier, and to take forcible possession of the Danubian provinces as a " ma terial guaraithee"—how that threat was carried The champions of freedom and of civilisation are setting a memorable example, a glorious precedent, which we trust will be permanently recognised. They are showing that although war may be inevitable, nay, more, though it should actually have commenced, there is no imperative necessity for depriving innocent parties of their privileges, or increasing the inevitable evils of such a state of affairs. Hence some of the most flagrant grievances incidental to warfare have, for the present, been averted—grievances that affect our own fellow-subjects, our allies, and also all neutrals. The abuses most worthy of notice, which have, "for the present," been avoided, are :- Ist. The cruel and oppressive system of im pressment. 2dly. The atrocious and. utterly indefensible practioe of privateering. 3dly. The undue obstruction of trade and com merce by unnecessary interference with vessels sailing under a neutral flag. It is needless to say that the regulations adopted are merely temporary—that the right, or alleged right, of the nation has been merely suspended, not definitively abandoned ; and that we must patiently await the course of events before we finally decide on the reform of international law, to which the regulations alluded to may be re garded as the fitting precursors. The power of impressment, although it may not be altogether dispensed with, should obviously be seldom, if ever, resorted to. A nation has, to a certain extant, a right to the services of its citizens for the maintenance of its honour or security. We may call on every person capable of bearing arms to join the national standard, and, if necessary, to fight ci l'outrance in defence of his fatherland. But, it is equally cer tain that this should be the last resource, and that every other means should be exhausted before we endeavour to enforce compulsory service, unless it be universal and without exception. Why should. we make seamen more liable to be de prived of their freedom than any other class in the community ? They may unquestionably be more efficient than others ; but that is no suffi cient reason why the whole burden should be cast upon their shoulders while others are altogether exempted. We must, before we become "men stealers," try the effect of fair remuneration for the services which we require. We should not consider ourselves justified. in seizing the bullion in the coffers of the Bank, or the hemp, tallow, bristles, and other Russian pro ducts, without paying their fair market value. Why, then, should we have any better right to seize on the " thews and sinews" of a certain body without also paying the fair market value thereof ? The defence and safety of our " altars and hearths" are equally incumbent on all, and each man must contribute thereto, either in purse or in person. When we offer ample equivalents, and see that there is an unreasonable holding back from craven fears or unreasonable cupidity—then, but not till then, may we resort to violence and robbery (for impressment savours but too strongly of both) to supply the exigencies of the public service. Before we do so, however, we must hold out greater inducements than are offered by the mercantile service. We cannot expect to ob tain able seamen for 2/. is. 4d. per month, when the same persons may receive nearly double the amount from English or American shipowners. " Impressment," then, is suspended, but not finally abandoned. We are greatly mistaken, however, in the character of our mariners, if such a state of affairs should occur as to render its resumption imperative or even justifiable. "Privateering," or legalised "piracy," however, stands on very different grounds ; and we cannot imagine any circumstances that could warrant the resumption of that iniquitous system—a system, too, of which the expediency is as questionable as the morality. W e have long since ascertained, beyond the posssbility of doubt, that " privateer ing" (at least when carried on, not by the subjects of the belligerent Powers, but by strangers) is almost as injurious to the commerce of the nation granting the "letters of marque" as to their op ponents. The ocean brigands—those who engage merely for the sake of gain, and without any higher motives—are but seldom troubled with scruples of any kind. Plunder is their only ob ject, and they are but little solicitous as to the ............ .... mode in which it may be obtained. An English or a French vessel would afford as rich a booty as fl, Russian, and, therefore, would be just as wil- DEATH OF THE DUKE OF PARMA. A telegraphic despatch from Paris announces that the Duke of Parma died on Monday night. The assassin had not been discovered. The Duchess of Parma had proclaimed her son Duke. He is still in his minority, being born on the 9th July, 1848. The Duchess will be Regent during his minority. The young prince, whose melancholy death we record, was born on the 24th of January, 1823, succeeded his father, Duke Charles 11., by virtue of the Act of Abdi cation by the latter, dated the 14th of March, 1849, and formally assumed the reins of Government, by procla mation, on the 27th of August of the same year. His late Royal Highness Ferdinand Charles (III.) Joseph Maria Vittorio Balthasar de Bourbon, Infante of Spain, Duke of Parma, Piacenza, and the annexed States, was married, on the 10th of November, 1845, to the Princess Louise Marie Therese de Bourbon, daugh ter of the late Prince Ferdinand d'A.rtois, Duo de Berri in France, and leaves four children :- 1. Margu6rite Marie Therese Henriette, born Ist Jan., 1847 ; 2. Robert, Prince of Piacenza, Hereditary Prince, born 9th July, 1848 ; 3. Alix Marie Caroline Ferdinande Rachel Jeanne Phi lomene, born 27th December, 1849 ; and 4. Henri Charles Louis George Abraham Paul, Comte de Bardi, born 12th February, 1851. The Ministry of Parma is dissolved, and Baron Ward h as received orders to quit the country, and never to re turn to it. This order has given great satisfaction. AMERICA. (BY ELECTRIC• TEL EGRA ) ARRIVAL OF THE ANDES. LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY MORNING. The steamer Andes arrived at an early hour this morning. She has brought no later papers than the Nashville, but telegraphic accounts from New York to the 16th have been received via Halifax. She brough t $209,531 in specie on freight. On the 24th the Andes passed the barque Huron, timber laden and abandoned, in lat. 49, long. 31.50 ; on the 28th passed the ship Montreal and steamer City of Manchester, both bound west ; and on the 27th passed the barque Buenos Ayrean, inward bound. NEW YORK, THURSDAY EVENING, 16th. President Pierce sent a message to Congress yester day on the Black Warrior affair. The President inti mates that the outrage is so clear that he shall expect full indemnity as soon as the matter shall be made known to her Catholic Majesty's Government, although similar expectations in other cases have not been realised. The President states further, that he has already taken measures to present the matter to the Spanish Government, and to demand an immediate in demnity for this wanton outrage. In case the mea sures taken for an amicable adjustment with Spain should unfortunately prove unsuccessful, the President will not fail to use the authority and means at his disposal to insure the observance of just rights, to obtain redress, and to vindicate the honour of the American flag. In anticipation of contingencies he sug gests to Congress the propriety of adopting such provi sional measures as the exigency may seem to demand. The above message was received by Congress with great satisfaction by all parties. It was reported that a Government steamer would be despatched to Cadiz im mediately. The message has also given satisfaction to the people and press. The navy department is making efforts to increase the force on the West India station. On the 16th Mr. Giddings, in the House of Represen tatives, condemned the course taken by the President, and defended the Cuban authorities. Lieut. Bodisco, nephew of the late Russian Minister at Washington, is ordered home by his Government. The steamer Reindeer exploded on the Ohio river, killing 50 passengers. The steamer Caroline was burned on Tennessee river 40 persons burned and drowned. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. NEW YORK, MARCH 16.—Money is easier. Stock- Market firm. Sterling 109. The Arabia's news was published at New York this morning. Prices of flour are considerably lower—declined 3s. York wheat declined 8 cents to 10 cents. Corn de clined 6 cents. Provisions steady. TILE SOLDIER'S DREAM. (From Punch.) Oh sad was my heart as for marching we mustered, For I thought of the wife I was leaving behind, And the six hungry mouths round their mother that clustered, With bread at high price, and with work hard to find. On my watch aboard ship, standing sentry ashore, By the bivouac fire, still that thought would pursue; Till I dreamed a glad dream—and was sorry no more— 'Twas the time of the night when they say dreams are true. I dreamed that I saw the poor babes I'd forsaken, And her whom too soon a sad mother I'd made, Looking still, as she looked, when that last leave was taken, Not knowing from whom to seek counsel or aid. I heard their shrill cry as they asked her for bread, Heard her answer—" The bread of the parish or none !" Saw them shivering for cold on a blanketless bed, And crouched round a hearth whence the last spark was gone. When sudden, with look like an angel of grace, And hands that bore raiment and firing and food, I saw a kind lady come into the place To cheer my sad wife and her clamorous brood. " Take, eat, and be warm ; 'tis the offering of friends," She said ; " not the dole on the pauper bestowed ; It comes from the country your husband defends, Which to you pays a debt that to him it feels owed. "His heart will be stouter, his arm will be stronger, When he knows that his children are clothed, taught, and fed ; That his wife lives in dread of the workhouse no longer, To the shame of the country for which he has bled." Then I cried in my sleep, `‘ Take the soldier's thanks giving !" When lo ! the reveille proclaimed break of day ; And I stood to my arms with a heart free from grieving, All fears for my wife and my babes chased away. UNIVE_RSITY INTELLIGENCE. CAMBRIDGE, MARCH 28. THE NEW BOTANIC GARDENS. The Syndicate appointed on this subject have made a report to the Senate, stating that there is a sum of 3,4681. 4s. Bd. standing in the names of the governors, and recommends the erection of a group of houses for the house plants, the cost of which will fall within this sum, leaving the question of the formation of an orna mental structure in the centre of the garden to a future period. Plans have been prepared, and estimates ob tained, the latter amounting to 2,8481., and the Syndi cate recommends that they be adopted and the work ex ecuted. A grace to confirm will be offered to the Senate on the 31st inst., and the plans and documents may be seen at the Pitt Press on Wednesday and Thurs• day next. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester con tinued in the same state yesterday. The Royal Duchess was able yesterday to leave her chamber for the drawing room. The Queen and Royal family, with the young princes and princesses are daily visitants to the Duchess. The Viscount and Viscountess Canning entertained on Monday evening, in Grosvenor-square, Earl Gran ville, Lord and Lady Jocelyn, and a select party. Her ladyship, we understand, was prevented from going into waitin g yesterday on her Majesty, to re li eve th e Coun tess of Mount Ed,tTecumbe, in consequence of the demise of the venerable Duke of Portland, nearly related to his lordship. Ma. EWART'S LIBRARIES BILL.—In consequence of the great interest caused by Mr. Ewart's Libraries Bill in the parish of St. James's, Westminster, a committee has been formed, consisting of Lord De Manley, Donald Nicoll, Esq., County Magistrate, and Messrs. Bidgood Smith, Geeson, and Watkins, to consider the practica bility of establishing a library and reading room for the use of the parishioners and others, and to report thereon. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, attended by the Countess of Desart, the Hon. Mary Seymour, Lord Byron, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, and Captain the lion. Dudley de Ros, honoured the Olympic Theatre with their presence last evening. Prince Albert, attended by Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Captain the Hon. D. de Ros, inspected yes day the Exhibition of the Society of British Artists in Suffolk -street. The Princess Royal and the Princess Alice took a drive in an open carriage and four. Prince Arthur and the Princesses Helena and Louisa also took an airing. Mr. Crowley had the honour of submitting to her Ma jesty the Queen and the Prince, his portrait of the Duke of Cambridge. The Countess of Desart has succeeded the Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, as the Lady in Waiting to her Ma jesty. Lord Byron has succeeded Lord de Tabley as lord in waiting, and Mr. R. Ormsby Gore, Lieut. General Sir Edward Bowater, as groom in waiting. The Queen's privat e b an d attended after dinner in Buckingham Palace, on Monday evening, and played the following pieces : Overture, L'Amazone" Selection, " Faust" Spohr. Aria and Choeur, "L'Etoile du Nord" Meyerbeer. Sinfonia, No. 1 Beethoven. The Duchess of Kent visited the Duchess of Glouces ter, yesterday, at Gloucester -house. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Col. the Hon. C. B. Phipps and Captain the Hon. Dudley de Ros, inspected the new patent gas stoves and other gas appliances of Messrs. Ashdown and Company, 167, Piccadilly. A deputation on the subject of rating the royalties or dues of mines to the poor's rate had an interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday. The deputation con sisted of Mr. Kendall, M.P., for East Cornwall ; Mr. Robartes, M.P., for East Cornwall ; Mr. Williams, M:P., for West Cornwall; Mr. P e r c y, M . P ., for Laun ceston; and Mr. Michell, M.P., for Both-11in. The Bishop of London had an interview with the Earl of Aberdeen yesterday, at his official residence in Downing -street. Mr. R. H. Hamilton, Comptroller of Imperial Cus toms, Montreal, Canada, had an interview with the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell yesterday, at the office of the Board of Trade. A deputation from the parish of St. Peter's, Stepney, had an interview yesterday w ith the General Board of Health, at their offices, Whitehall. It was introduced by Mr. Butler, M.P. for the Tower Hamlets, and con sisted of the Rev. Thomas James Rowsell, the Rev. J. Rodwell, C. Day, Esq., and Messrs. Isaac Baker, jun., and Woollett. Despatches from the Lord High Commissioner of the lonian Islands, and also from the Governor of Malta, were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. CABINET COUNCIL. --_A Cabinet Council was held yes terday afternoon at the Foreign -office. The ministers present were the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord John Russell, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Duke of Argyll, Viscount Palmerston, the Earl of Clarendon, the Duke of Newcastle, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, Sir Charles Wood, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, and Sir William I V/olesworth. The council sat two hours. PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 p er m ill e di scount (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 100. per oz. for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.091 ; and, the exchange at Paris on London at short being 24.95, it follows that gold is about 0 . 53 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Harnburgh the price of gold is 420 per mark, which at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10.' 2 d. per oz. for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13 . 2i c i ; and, the exchange at Ham burg on London at short being 13.2 f, it follows that gold is 0.06 per cent, dearer in Hamburg than in Lon don. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 109 per cent., and, the par of exchange between England and America. being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is nominally 0.58 per cent. against England. But, after making allowance for charges of transport and difference of in terest, the present rate leaves no profit on the transmis, sion of gold either way between the two countries, ROYAL DECLARATION, (From a Supplement to last night's Gazette. DECLARATION. So long as the negotiation bore an amicable character, her Majesty refrained from any demon stration of force. But when, in addition to the assemblage of large military forces on the frontier of Turkey, the ambassador of Russia intimated that serious consequences would ensue from the refusal of the Sultan to comply with unwarrantable demands, her Majesty deemed it right, in con junction with the Emperor of the French, to give an unquestionable proof of her determination to support the sovereign rights of the Sultan. The Russian Government has maintained that the determination of the Emperor to occupy the Principalities was taken in consequence of the advance of the Fleets of England and France. But the menace of invasion of the Turkish terri tory was conveyed in Count Nesselrode's Note to Reschid. Paella, of the 19th (31st) May, and re stated in his despatch to Baron Brunnow, of the 20th May (June 1), which announced the deter mination of the Emperor of Russia to order his troops to occupy the Principalities, if the Porte did not within a week comply with the demands of Russia. The despatch to her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, authorising him in certain speci fied contingencies to send for the British fleet, was dated the 31st May, and the order sent direct from England to her Majesty's Admiral to proceed to the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles was dated the 2nd of June. The determination to occupy the Principalities was therefore taken before the orders for the advance of the combined squadrons were given. The Sultan's Minister was informed that unless he signed within a week, and without the change of a word, the note proposed to the Porte by Prince Menchikoff, on the eve of his departure from Con stantinople, the Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia would be occupied by Russian troops. The Sultan could not accede to so insulting a demand ; but when the actual occupation of the Principalities took place, the Sultan did not, as he might have done in the exercise of his undoubted right, declare war, but addressed a protest to his allies. Her Majesty, in conjunction with the Sovereigns of Austria, France, and Prussia, has made various attempts to meet any just demands of the Emperor of Russia without affecting the dignity and inde pendence of the Sultan ; and had it been the sole object of Russia to obtain security for the enjoy ment by the Christian subjects of the Porte of their privileges and immunities, she would have found it in the offers that have been made by the Sultan; but as that security was not offered in the shape of a special and separate stipulation with Russia, it was rejected. Twice has this offer been made by the Sultan, and recommended by the Four Powers once by a note originally prepared at Vienna, and subsequently modified by the Porte, once by the proposal of bases of negotiation agreed upon at Constantinople on the 31st of December, and approved at Vienna on the 13th of January, as offering to the two parties the means of arriving at an understanding in a becoming and honourable manner. It is thus manifest that a right for Russia to in terfere in the ordinary relations of Turkish subjects to their Sovereign, and not the happiness of Chris tian communities in Turkey, was the object sought for by the Russian Government ; to such a demand the Sultan would not submit, and his Highness in self-defence declared war upon Russia, but her Ma jesty, nevertheless, in conjunction with her allies, has not ceased her endeavours to restore peace be tween the contending parties. The time has, however, now arrived when the advice and remonstrances of the Four Powers having proved wholly ineffectual, and the military preparations of Russia becoming daily more ex tended, it is but too obvious that the Emperor of Russia has entered upon a course of policy which, if unchecked, must lead to the destruction of the Ottoman Empire. In this conjuncture her Majesty feels called upon by regard for an ally, the integrity and independ ence of whose empire have been recognised as essen tial to the peace of Europe, by the sympathies of her people with right against wrong, by a desire to avert from her dominions most injurious conse quences, and to save Europe from the preponder ance of a Power which has violated the faith of treaties, and defies the opinion of the civilised world, to take up arms in conjunction with the Emperor of the French for the defence of the Sultan Her Majesty is persuaded that in so acting she will have the cordial support of her people ; and that the pretext of zeal far the Christian religion will be used in vain to cover an aggression under taken in disregard of its holy precepts, and of its pure and beneficent spirit. Her Majesty humbly trusts that her efforts may be successful, and that, by the blessing of Provi- It is with deep regret that her Majesty announces the failure of her anxious and protracted endea vours to preserve for her people and for Europe the blessings of peace. The unprovoked aggression of the Emperor of Russia against the Sublime Porte has been per sisted in with such disregard of consequences, that after the rejection by the Emperor of Russia of terms which the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, and the King of Prussia, as well as her Majesty, considered just and equi table, her Majesty is compelled by a sense of what is due to the honour of her crown, to the interests of her people, and to the independence of the states of Europe, to come forward in defence of an ally whose territory is invaded, and whose dig nity and independence are assailed. Her Majesty, in justification of the course she is about to pursue, refers to the transactions in which her Majesty has been engaged. The Emperor of Russia had some cause of com plaint against the Sultan with reference to the settlement, which his Highness had sanctioned, of the conflicting claims of the Greek and Latin Churches to a portion of the Holy Places of Jeru salem and its neighbourhood. To the complaint of the Emperor of Russia on this head justice was done ; and her Majesty's Ambassador at Constan tinople had the satisfaction of promoting an arrange ment to which no exception was taken by the Russian Government. But while the Russian Government repeatedly assured the Government of her Majesty that the mission of Prince Menchikoff to Constantinople was exclusively directed to the settlement of the ques tion of the Holy Places at Jerusalem, Prince Menchikoff himself pressed upon the Porte other demands of a far more serious and important cha racter, the nature of which he in the first instance endeavoured, as far as possible, to conceal from her Majesty's Ambassador. And these demands, thus studiously concealed, affected not the privileges of the Greek Church at Jerusalem, but the position of many millions of Turkish subjects in their relations to their Sovereign the Sultan. These demands were rejected by the spontaneous decision of the Sublime Porte. Two assurances had been given to her Majesty —one that the mission of Prince Menchikoff only regarded the Holy Places ; the other that his mis sion would be of a conciliatory character. In both respects her Majesty's just expectations were disappointed. Demands were made which, in the opinion of the Sultan, extended to the substitution of the Emperor of Russia's authority for his own over a large portion of hissubjects, and those demands were enforced by a threat; and when her Majesty learnt that, on announcing the termination of his mission, Prince Menchikoff declared that the refusal of his demands would impdse upon the Imperial Govern ment the necessity of seeking a guarantee by its own power, her Majesty thought proper that her fleet should leave Malta, and, in co-operation with that of his Majesty the Emperor of the French, take up its station in the neighbourhood of the Darda nelles. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 3,000 bales. The market was quiet, and closed heavily. Compared with Friday's ra tes American were id. per lb. lower, and other kinds scarcely saleable except at a decline. The s ales comprised 2,700 American, 100 Egyptian at 6d. to 81d., and 200 Surat at 3d. to 31d., per lb. Rail way shares were heavy at lower prices. The mail brought by the Peninsular and Orien tal Company from Australia is exceedingly large, and the intelligence with regard to commercial affairs is precisely of the character that must have been anticipated from the information periodically communicated of late. For a population of 200,000 persons, the imports i n t o M e lb ourne and Geelong amounted last year to about 1 5,000,0001., whereas 100,000 persons were supplied in 1852 with goods valued at 4,000,0001.. only. Such an amaz ing disproportion would have occasioned great fluctuation and misfortune, but for the generally prosperous state of the community and the large production of gold. This, however, brings us also to another consideration. The amount of gold by escort to Melbourne last year was much smaller than in 1852, and the (Treat problem to be solved is, whethe r thi s arises from au unfavour able season, or from an actual falling off in the yield. At the latest date there were new disco veries which promised ample returns, and the arrivals by the escort at Melbourne from the 3d to the 23d January last, were 92,000 ounces. This is a very fair quantity, and, indeed, there is no thing to complain of in the aggregate amount of last year, since it av erage d about 156,0001. weekly at Melbourne. The only article with which the Melbourne market does not appear to be over stocked is flour, but at the present prices of grain there is not much profit to the made, taking freight and other charges into consi deration, by cargoes fro m E urope. Th e Legisla ture of Victoria had decided not to alter the duty upon spirits to the extent proposed, and the reve nue, therefore, will show a large deficiency this year compared with the expenditure. A Joan was proposed for waterworks and other public improve ments. Some failures had occurred in the mercan tile world, but they are stated to be of minor im portance. The advices from Lyttleton, New Zealand, reach to the 24th December. The anniversary of the settlement took place that day. The Council bad decided on local and responsible management for waste lands. The experiment of the new constitu tion was said to have proved eminently successful. There is every prospect of the United States Congress making liberal changes in the tariff this session. The many difficulties arising from the imposition of ad valorem, duties renders an altera tion desirable, if only for that reason, but fortu nately there are much better motives for introduc ing a reduction. Should the bill proposed by the Government become law, all attempts to pass goods at a lower rate of duty than what the law contem plated, all controversy between the merchants and the Customs, and all diversity of practice, will cease. A sufficient revenue will be obtained for the wants of the country, and the articles which are to be made free of duty do not come into com petition with the industrial interests of the United States, although, as the following remarks by the Government Appraiser, in a report to the House of Representatives, will show, the idea of protection is no longer entertained : " The day has passed away when it was thought expe dient and equitable in enacting a tariff law to protect cer tain classes of manufactures with a high minimum and specific duty ; in some instances where cottons costing under 30 cents the square yard were deemed to have cost that amount, the actual duty levied exceeding one hun dred per cent. "The act of 184 G, in this respect, was far in advance of all previous revenue laws; and with still greater pro priety can the same be said of the bill proposed, inasmuch as no particular interest is benefited and protected beyond and at the expense of others. The present tariff, as I have before shown, is unjust and unequal in this respect—the fact being that the manufacturers of broad cloths are receiving, in effect, a bon us , i n di rect l y, of ten per cent. over an d beyond the manufacture of blankets ; five per cent more than manufacturers of worsted and cotton ; five per cent. more than manufacturers of bockings, baizes, flannels, &c. ; and ten per cent. more than manufacturers of linen, an important interest just now commencing operation on an extended scale. It ap pears to me to be as unconstitutional to benefit one branch of industry, to the extent the existing tariff does, over another branch, as it would be to enact a law autho rising the merchants of New York to enter their goods 10 per cent. less than the merchants of Boston ; because, per chance, New York mus t b e f avoured, being the greatPcom mercial emporium. There can be no good and sufficient reason shown why the manufacturer of cloths and cassi meres should receive at the hands of the Government 50 per cent. more protection than the manufacturer of blan kets—all made from the same material, being equally necessary and useful." The foreign exchanges were rather firmer yes terday afternoon. Bills at 90 days were taken on Paris at 25 30 to 321, on Amsterdam at 11 15 to 151 and on Hamb urg h at 1 3 41 to 5/. ihe state of the money market is now of such importance that a frequent reference to its changes is interesting. The demand for gold has not been I active within the last few days ; nevertheless, th© amounts brought in are readily purchased, because obtainable cheaper than what the Bank of Eng land has to sell. Mexican dollars have been in some request. By .the Harbinger steamer, and some other vessels which left Melbourne in January, about 115,0001. of gold are coming forward. The question every one is asking in the City, is, whether the Bank of England will to-morrow advance its rate of discount. The Go vernment, it is said, wanted assistance in disposing of its Exchequer Bills, which the Bank of Eng land felt reluctant or unabletogive, audit is asserted that Mr. Gladstone has sold Savings' Bank Stock, replacing it with floating debt, in order to avoid any obligation to the Bank. On the Bth of next month there will be over two millions sterling paid to the holders of South Sea Annuities, and at the same time the quarterly dividends upon vari ous stocks will be due. This, if it presses for a time upon Government, should relieve the general market, and make money easier among the public at large ; but there are many who consider that if the war goes on for 6 months, it will be impossible to avoid a small loan. Perhaps, however, the pre liminary outlay avill be the heaviest, and the rest may for a season be met by the proposed increase of taxation. The English Stocks are rather looking up, and if the money sales were to increase, there would, in all probability, be a decided rally, owing to the suddenness of the recent fall. The large sales at tributed to the Bank of England and the Govern ment fully account for the decline, however ; and even if they have not been the sellers, other capi talists have. Consols have been 86 to 861, and are now 86k to 861. Exchequer Bills are better, being par to 2s. premium. India Bonds have fluctuated from 15s. to 7s. discount. Foreign Securities have been quiet, but nomi nally rather firmer. Mexican have realised 22i to for Transfer, and Peruvian 52k to 53 3 / 4 , ex divi dend. Russian 42 per Cents. have been at 72 3 / 4 to 731, and Dutch 4 per Cents. are 812. The French 42 per Cent. Rentes are at 88, with the exchange at 25. Spanish 3 per Cents. have been 34 to 1, and the Deferred 16g. Railway Shares have undergone no decided and general change, nor is there much doing. Eastern Counties are rather better, and greater firmness prevails. North-Western are better. French shares are quiet. The Gold Mines are well supported, but the Australian Banks have declined l The Land Com panies' shares are nominal. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (Prom the Official List.) Business done. 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 864 6t India Bonds, £lOOO Ditto, under £lOOO l5 18 7 d, Consols for Account 18th April 864 Exchequer Bills, 2d. £IOOO 2500 .......................................... 2 p Small ......................................... 2 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Mexican 3 per Cent. Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent. Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. X 5t..,, x d Ditto 4i per Cent .......................... ••• 73i 2i f.t ;; l4 ;ini:OndOn 3 . Spanish }kinds, 3 per Cent Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent..,,,,,., I6A VenezueDlaivßkownndass,o3nithpeeta• bCoevielt; French Rentes, per Cent. ............... 88f. E. 25f. Dutch Exchange, *Lb per Cent . 12 .. Ditto 4 per Cent. Certifi ca t es ... ttpril Acc0unt............ H ... A.. ........................ WO. D C o i s o o lAs CONTRACTS FOR I fmfr.—Tenders were delivered yes terday for the navy contracts for hemp, but at such high prices that the Government did not entertain them. GOLD MININ G IN NORTH WALES.--it is stated that the operations of gold mining in North Wales have been regularly commenced within the past week. At one place four of 13 erdan's machines have been put up, two of which are at work, and are alleged to be crushing quartz at the rate of a quarter of a ton per hour, the yield of gold from each ton averaging more than an ounce. BANK OF PORTUGAL.—This bank, by whom a protest was issued in January, 1853, against certain financial measures of the Government, ye notified that they desire to cancel it, in consequence of the affair having been adjusted by mutual agreement. '- The Mr. rningt Lor 11th u do adj the re the da The would to mo' Throm EPIS( The readirq proper mode c in valu ritual Was no interes Parliar commil reporte workin most t an act stipend transfer the in= calculate this way and by tl not less 1 laudable ing his ci would be good of r - Sir NV, this day Mr. II THE A. lette before di: went ate. Canrober General 1 horses, at soldiers, into the g she passe 3d Buffs gave a returned diers, in( vessels p with a re( excellent the 19th, eontingen will arrive the whole known as of the am ing, and v spect due opera--fo. of much o brigade o o'clock to. General C is on their and trans evening. ral Canro English spot. Th Egerton) The men up their q The ha] 16 days fr the timid, censure an was cause every bit c of gear tin harbour Ns night (18t following Lazaretto. made by the RipoE —by eve honour of pares the he cannot and artisal or take a course, it i above-nam man-of-wa but there man-of-wa the consich press obje pletely acc tween her and Orien screw mus The Bus all the reg ditionary the men ; Simoom w finement, who oecup, rnents cans and fiery though the by the rest to them e friends. AN IMP] the Hortic was exhib; Salle du T less than 1 ployed in t meter by violets sur, these last seen the it blue ribanc the stem oi louse on Majesty or Legislative of the Jao