The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-10 00:00:00

MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. To-day's market was but moderately supplied with Eng lish wheat, the quality of which was good. For all kinds we had rather an inactive demand; nevertheless, very little change took place in prices. The inquiry for forward delivery samples was heavy. The show of foreign wheat was good. Fine dry samples realised late rates ; otherwise the demand was in a sluggish state. In floating cargoes next to nothing was doing ; yet they were not, pressed for sale. The show of barley was but moderate. The trade was less active, yet the quotations were supported. Malt was in good supply and fair request, at late rates. Oats, beans, peas, and flour sold at Monday's prices. The imports of the latter exhibit a falling off. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Barley. 1 Malt. 1 Oats. Flour. 1,930 6,770 450 1,040 4,100 16,030 1,950 — — 8,080 1,440 sks 3,180 brl Wheat. 2,150 English .. Irish .... Foreign .. SMITHFIELD. To•day's market was but moderately supplied with beasts, for which the demand was in a sluggish state, at Monday's decline in the quotations. Sheep, the number of which was rather limited, moved off slowly, at barely stationary prices. The few lambs in the market realised from 6s to 6s Si per Sibs. We had a fair enquiry for calves, at extreme rates. In pigs very little business was transacted. Mulch cows were very dull, at from 141. to 191. each, in cluding their small calf. Per Sibs to sink the offals. s. d. s. (1.1 s. d. s. d. Inferior Beasts.... 3 oto 3 21Prime South(lown 4 8 5 0 Second quality.... 3 4 3 6lLarge crse. calves 4 6 5 2 Prime large oxen 3 8 4 0 Prime small d 0... 5 4 5 S Prime Scots, &c. 4 2 4 4 Large hogs 3 0 4 2 Inferior Sheep ...3 0 3 4 ISmall porkers 4 4 410 Second quality ...3 6 4 2;Sucklingcalves ..22 0 29 0 Prime crse.-wlled.4 4 4 6 Quarter old pigs 21 0 27 0 Beasts ..•••• ........•• •• 1,072 Beasts Sheep ••••••• •• • ..•• •• 3,360 Sheep .. •• •• . ...... 479 Calves Pigs .. • • - 33) TOTAL SUPPLY. FOREIGN SUPPLY. NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. The general demand ruled heavy at this market to-day, as follows : Per Sibs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 2 10 3 2 Do., middling 3 4 3 6 Do., prime large 3 8 3 10 Do., do. small 3lO 4 0 Pork, large 3 4 4 2 s. d. s. d. Mutton, Inferior 2 10 3 4 Do., middling 3 6 4 0 Do., prime 4 ' 2 4 6 . . I Yeah 4 0 5 4 j Pork, small 4 4 4 10 BOROUGH HOP. There is rather more business doing in our market, and prices generally are well supported. This week's imports are 210 bales from Ostend, 1 ditto from Ilamburgh, and 10 ditto from Antwerp. The following are the quotations ; Mid and East Kent pockets, 6/. 10s to 121. Os ; Weald of Kent ditto, 61. Os to 7 1. Os ; Sussex ditto, 51. 12s to 61. 108 per cwt. COLONIAL. - &MAR.—The demand for West India has been limited, but without change in prices. East India has been dull. 33engal low mid to fine white Benares sold at 38s 6d to 40s_ Date sort mid to good yellow at 34s to 35s 6d ; mid to fine dry brown at 29s to 32s ; and very low dark at 25s to 27s Per cwt. Madras brought steady rates, viz., 28s 6d to 30s for mid brown to low yellow, and 30s 6d to 33s for mid to good yellow. Mauritius has been heavy, and at 6d per cwt. decline ; good and fine strong greyish yellow selling at 36s to 38s 6d ; common grey to mid yellow at 34s to 35s Gd, mid to fine brown at 32s to 33s 6d, and low to good grey and yellow at 36s to 36s 6d per cwt. Java sold at low rates at auction, but subse quently by private contract went steadily, viz., at 33s 6d to 36s 6d for mid to fine brown, at 37s to 42s for mid to Elm grey and white, and at 36s to 37s 6d for mid and good yellow foreign. Havannah has been dull, a large quan tity having been taken in. Since, however, mid to fine brown has found buyers at 34s to 36s for mid to fine brown, at 36s 6d to 33s 6d for low to good yellow, and at 39s to 41s 6d for low to good white. White Havannah in bond was taken in at 26s to 28s for mid and good. Cuba, low to good heavy brown, brought 31s 6d to 33s 6d, and low and mid heavy yellow at 31s to 365. COFFEE.—Not much has been done in Plantation Ceylon ; mid went at 59s to 60s per cwt., and mid mixed at 57s to 698 6d, and triage at 36s Gd. Native has been inactive, at 47s to 48s per cwt. Mocha is is cheaper; mid and good clean garbled selling at 64s to 65s 6d ; middling green long berry at 655; and ordinary to good ordinary mixed brown at 60s. Jamaica realised 45s to 52s for good ord pale to first fine ord. Tellicherry was taken in at 63s for good red brown, but ord to good sold at 54s to .68s per cwt. Costa Rica was taken in at 40s for ord in husk. Bahia went at 92s 6d to 45s 6d per cwt. RlCE.—This article generally has been dull, and early in the week Madras declined 3d per cwt, sound selling at 13s 6d, first class sea damaged at 13s to 13s 6d, and second at 12s Gd to 13s. Madras mid to good has brought 138 to 16s, and good Bengal 15s. Java mid and good white realised 14s to 16s, and fine and very fine 17s to 18s per cwt, being very heavy. SPlCES.—Pimento is held for higher rates, and was taken in at bid for ord and good ord mixed. Batavia mace went at 2s 6d to 2s 8d for mid and good. Batavia nutmegs 2s 7d to 2s lOd for mid and good brown, 4s 8d for fine, and 2s Gd to 2s 7d for limed. Cassia li?,nea partly sold at 134 s i o 138 s for mid and good, and 13_!s for ord third pile. Batavia Pepper brought 103 d to 100 for mid and good, being rather dearer. Nutmegs are in demand. COTTON.—The market is quiet, but steady. SALTPETRE.—FuII prices have been realised, viz., 32s for 14 to 10,1 per cent. refraction. TEA.- -This article is at full rates, and in more request. Low to good ord Congou is Id to Is lid per lb. TALLOW.—P.Y.C. is firmer at 64s 3d per cwt on the spot. HEMP.-- Russia, clean, has been as high as 511 per ton. GREEN FRIIIT.—A marked improvement has taken place in the prices of fruit. Two cargoes oranges, St. Michael, sold by Keeling and Hunt at public sale, went at an ad vance of 2s to 3s per box. Lisbon in proportion. Seville sours 10s per chest higher. Lemons in demand. Nuts of all kinds, with the exception of Messina, cleared out of first hands. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, March 10.—Wind this day at Noon, S.S.W. ; fresh breeze, and cloudy, with rain. PLYMOUTH, March 9.—Wind, S W. Arrived— Atalanta, from Smyrna. Sailed—H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, East ward,. FF DOVER, March 9.—Missionary, from Colombo. OFF NORTH FORELAND, March 9.—Oriental, from Lon don, for Port Philip, at anchor. PORTSMOUTH, March 9.—Wind, W. Arrived—Egmont, iirom Cowes, for New Zealand. FArarovra, March 9.—Wind, W.S.W. Arrived—Acas tus, from Buenos Ayres, for Penzance. Off Port—Jenny, from Bcrdianski. RAMSGATE, March 9.—The Sardine, of and from Car- Ilarvon, with slates for Aberdeen, put in here to-day very leaky, having been on shore uhder the South Foreland. RYE, March 9.—The Prosperitas, of Leghorn, from Odessa to Hull, with linseed and wool, came on shore this morning to the eastward of Rye Harbour, with rudder gone, strained, and making much water ; has commenced discharging her cargo. TRAVENMUNDE. March s.—The winter beacons upon the Plate have been taken up, and the sea buoys laid down. ELSINoRE, March 4. —The wreck of apparently a large ship, with masts cut away, only her fore part above water, and supposed to have been on fire, her windlass marked " M. Quilkin and Henry, St. Lawrence Foundry, Quebec," Was sled, 16th Feb., in lat. 44 N. long. 10 W., by the Niels Gylding, from Messina, which passed this place, bound to the Baltic. RUTLAND HARBOUR (County Donegal), March 7.—The Glencairn, of Irvine, from Liverpool to Ballina, struck on a sunken rock, and, making much water, was hauled on the beach. A schooner is alongside her taking out cargo. AMSTERDAM, March B.—The Josephine, from Antwerp to Hamburg, got aground in the Wester-Schelde, near Bors,selen, previous to March 5, but came off after dis charging part of her cargo, and would proceed after re shipping the same. not having sustained any damage. FOLKESTONE, March 10 (per Elec. Tel.).—The Duchess of Lancaster, from Manilla to London, ran ashore last night on the rocks near Sandgate, whilst the master was laid up sick, but has been got off, and proceeded, appa rently without damage, in tow of a steamer. SOUTHAMPTON, March 9.—Sailed- Thames (s), Brazils. HARWICH, March 9.—Wind, W.N.W. Arrived—Medea, from Kertch, for Ipswich. GRIMSBY, March 9.—Wind, W. Arrived—Courier (s), from Hamburgh. SUNDERLAND, March 9.—Wind, W.S.W. Sailed—Har land, for Carthagena. SHIELDS, March 9.—The Lady Abercrombie, of Stirling, laden with pi , metal, struck on the Newbiggen Point this morning, and has been assisted into the Tyne in a leaky state. ODESSA, Feb. 27.—The Gothen (Swedish brig), of Ver her,', newly loaded with wheat, was dr i ven on s hore dur ing the late gale, but has been got off and into the Mole, making a good deal of water ; she will have to discharge. GOTHENBURG, Feb. 27.—The crew of the Finland schooner Sophia, from Newcastle to Lubeck, stranded near Laiesoe, Feb. 14, and has arrived here. M arch I.—The yacht Erindring of and bound to Copenhagen from New castle, with coal, has been towed into Weirberg, with masts sprung and loss of sails, in a hurricane off Nidingen. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Friday, 10.15 a.m. Wind, W. ; mederate and rainy. Arrived.—Eroe, from Alexandria; Warbler and Garma nicus, New Orleans ; Brothers, Savannah ; Hornet, Balti more; John and Lucy, New York ; Petrel, Lisbon ; Van der Vouz, Oporto; Twee Gelroeders, Rotterdam ; Helena, Dordt. QUEENSTOWN ; March 8, Wind, S.W. Arrived.—Louis Dodece, Alceides, Abrota, and Egelina, from Vienna ; Dezenziuo and Respieto, Terceira ; William Ash, Odessa ; Maria Eugenio, Marianopole ; John Wesley, St. Michael's ; Stiepner, Marseilles ; Belle, Constantinople ; Sotir and Nuleika, Marseilles ; Eleven, Berdianski ; N uevo Adriana, Caminha ; Victoria, Terra Nuova. Off.—Tusket, from Porto Rico, for Liverpool. Sailed.-- Jane Cockerill, for London. (BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Friday, 10.15 a.m. Wind, S.W. ; tide, high water, fresh, and cloudy. Arrived, 9th.—St. Croix, from Honduras ; Alliance, Guernsey; Two Ge Broder, Amsterdam ; Adela, Santan der ; Lively, Charente • Sophie, Copenhagen ; Eliseratsa, Icatch ; Kangaroo 0), from Amsterdam ; Lord John Rus sell (s), Harlingen ; Alar (s). Dunkirk ; Eclipse, St. Michael's ; Anne, Holbeck ; Harmony, Santander ; Elide, Aarhus; Frederick and Anne, Faaborg ; Elsina Catha rina, Amsterdam : Julia, Demerara. Sailed.—Nelson Pl:;.ce, for Port Philip ; City of Rotter dam (s.), Dunkirk. DEAL, Friday, 9.19 a.m. _ Wind, W.S.W. ; fresh, and cloudy. Anchored. - Edmundsbury, from Colombo for London; Clydeside, from London for Melbourne ; Yldefonso, from London for Bilboa. Pedind.7_4lAte, from St, Miehaerii for Loudon. SHARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY.) BRITISH RAILWAYS. RAILWAYS. Aberdeen Ambg Nottng. Bost and Eastu. Junet Belfast Sr, Ballymena Birnaing. Wolverh. & Stour Valley Birkenhd. Lancsh. & Cheshire Junct Do. Chesh. & Birk., £5O and £25 Cons. Do., £20..... ..... Blyth & Tyne original £25 (issd. at £45) Bristol and Exeter ' Caledonian Chester & Holyhead. Cork and Bandon Cork, Black, & Pass.' Cornwall Crieff Junction Dublin&BelfastJunc Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction Do. New East Anglian, Do., (ElB E & Eastern Counties Eastern Union, A Stock ... Do., B. Stock Do., Now A East Lancashire Edinburgh & Glasgow Edinb. and Peebles Edin. Prth. & Dundee i'orth & Clyde June. Glas t ,o-ow& S. Western Great Northern Stk. Do., A. Stock Do., B. Stock Gt. Sth. &West. (Ire ) Great Western Irish South-Eastern Lancaster & Carlisle Do., Thirds Do. New Thirds Lancash.andYorksh Do., Fifths Da., Wst. Riding Un, Leeds Northern Liv.Crsby.&Southpt London & Blackwall Loud. Tilb. & Sthend. hood. Bright & S. Cst. Lond. and N. Westu. Do. Fifths M&B 0 Do. Eighths London and S. Westu Do., £5O Do., £4O Ludndrry& Coleraine Lndndrry. & Enuisk. Manch. Shef. & Lincln Do., Man. & Lin. Un Midland Do. Diming. &Derbyl Ilidld. G. West. (Ina.) Do. Half Shares Newcastle & Carlisle , Newmarket Do. , Bury Extension. Nwpt.Aberg. &llrfd. Newry &Enniskillen Newry Warrenpoint and Rostrevor. Norfolk Northn.Counties North British North Devon, No. 1 Do., No. 2 Do., A A Deferred Do., B Guaranteed North London Do: New £lO N. &S. Wstrn ,Harnp- 1 stead, and City Ju North Staffordshire ,North Western N. & S. Westrn. Junc Nuneaton, Hinckley, and Leicester Oxford, Worcester, & Wolverhampton Portsmouth Scottish Central Scottish Midland Shrewsbury & Bi i mg Do. L. & N. Western Guaranteed Si toll.— Shrewsby. & Bei efd Shrewsby. & Chester (N. W. MM ; Do. lialveso. Do. Oswestry Shropshire Union Do. A, B, C,& paid up at per cent South Devon South Eastern South Wales S. Yrksh. & Riv. Duo Do Staines, Wok. & Wok] Stockton & Darling. Stockton & liartlepl. Taff Vale . IDo. £lO shares. Do. Pref., No. Thames Haven Dock and Railway Vale of Neath Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford&Limerick' West Cornwall West End of London and Crystal Palace West London Wimbledn & Croydon York Newctl.&Berw. Do. Extensions Do. G.N.E. Purchase York & N. Midland Closing Prices this day. 201 41 - 5 8 9 12 —lO ais 16 - 18 6 - 54,1 92 - 94 514 - 55,1 15 - 16 10 • 12 42 - 44 7i - 8 12i -- 13i1 36 -- 40 24 - 26 63 - 65 58 - 60 23~ - 24~ 91 92 80 81 124 -126 89 - 91 781 - 794 92 - 95 14 -13 A) 12 -13 p 66.1 - 674 6 -- . - ... li -13 A 88 8$ par p 96 —97 1014 - 102 4p par t 4 d 78 80 11 10 10 9d 21i - 22 60i -- 61 34 -- 36 i d par 5i 4d 2 23 6 - 8 47 - 49 3$ 30 33 31 8 10 1 - lf tii - '4 52 - 55 i - il, . . = 31 - 33 88 ... 90 54 - 56 58 - CO 55 60 3 2 cl 16 -- 17 , 8 -- 86, 12 -- 13 3i - 14 16 62 63 341 351 2 d par 4 5 29 - 3.1 154 15 4§ - 5 24 - 26 4 - 6 ... - ... 6 - 7 67i 6S I , 84 7i4 4A 4 d 474 -- 4N PREFERENCE SHARES Aberdeen Do. No. 2, 7 p. c. Blyth and Tyne 10 per c. pref. (issd. at 50/) Bris. & Ex. 4 p. c. St. Do. 4 p. c. Shares Caledonian £lO Chester & Holyhead Guar. N per cent Cork &Bandonsip.e Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction .00 5 .00 all EastAnglian (X3los) 6 per cent Do. (E 5) 7 per cent Do. (X 7 17s) 7 p. c Eastern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No. 1 Do. No. 2 Do. New 6 p. c. St. Eastern Union, Scrip Guar. 6 per cent Do. 51., 10 per cent Do. 10/. Debentr.Sh , East Lancash. 6 p. East and West York , shire Junc. Pref... Minh Prth. &Dundee 5 per cent. Glasgow & S.Western Guar. 5 per cent great Northn. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. c. Redeem., at 10 p. c. prem. .. Do. 4,1 p.c. Scrip Gt.N. of Scot. Ist Pref gt, Southn. &Westm. (Ireland) Eighths) Do. 4 per c. Pref. Sh Gt. Westu. (Berks & Hants Ex. 5 p. c) Do. coy. red. 4 # p.c Do. con. red. 4 p. c Do. irred. 4 p. c Lan. & York. F. £2O Do. 6 p. c. Stock Leeds N. 6 p. c. No. I Do. Quarters, 1848 London and Brighton Guaranteed 5 p. c Do. Pref., 5 p. c. St. Do. Convertible, 5 p.l I c., 1852 all all .00 all 100 100 100 6 100 Do: New Guar.6 p : e. Lon. &N. W., Coy. & Nuneaton London & S. Western Con. Thirds Londonderry& Coler, Shares Condy. & Ennis. Sh. fan., Shef., & Lin. Shares, No. 1. .. D - o. New, £lO . Do. £6. Mary pt Carl. 4 p. c, Do. 4i per cent all 106 too Do.. 4id. Consol.6 p.c.St. Do. Consol. Bristol & 6 per cent Do. Pref. 4 per cent Norfolk Debenture Do. Pref. 4 p. c. Stock' Do. 5 p. c. Eat 100 100 100 100 100 all 100 Do. WI per ct .pref Do. Way. Val. 5 p. c North British 15 all all all lington, 4 per cent, Do. do. do, Stockton and. Hartle. York&N. Midland H, and 13. Ruch, , North Staffordshire Oxford, Worcester, & Wolverh.£ls, 6 p.c Do Scot. Cent. , New Pref Shrews. & Birm.N. G. ihrewsby. & Chester (Nor.W.Min), 8 p.c. Do. 5 per cent South Devon Do. fixed, 4A per cent, S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 4 t ipei cent 4. Yorksh.4p. c. Guar Stockton and Dar- pool, guar. 5 p. till Ist July, 1856' York, Newcastle , aud Berwick ,4 p.c. Pref Do - - ... 99 - 101 6 - 6 3 - 31 4 - , 4, i- i P -- lAp h 1p 13i --13ixd 22. 23; xd. 3 - 3i ii --116. a .05 —lo7xd —parade 7 - Bxd .. xd 98 100 90 95 94 96 Id pa 136 138 ..• - ... xd 1 2f -2i ad 11 - 12 6 i 7i 9t 10 par ipxd 136 138 Li —id ad ... ad ... ad ••• ad ... ad •• . xd 100 - 102 - P - 10• 16i -- 17 10 -10 i 12 -- 14 id -- i P 23i -- 24 100 -- 102 17 -- 19 ... - • ••• ....... ii lid 89 92sql 3i 4 xdi 1 id 101 1 x d Business done this day. 20a 1 20i a 16i SP 11i 17 126 i xd 63i 3 ~ 58 9 1 i I i I, 'Bl i 9 8i :: 661 71 1 8 4 I 8 97 1011 78i 91 22 li 6(4 1 6O 24 3i na A t 151 # a, 67i 8i „ lli i „ 9 If 48A 8 7i I ~ 854 61 1 pm Pm 13i i 105! x d 9i x d 99 88 71 4 ad dis xd 106 7 891 x d THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAYIEVENING, MARCH lO, 1854. 10 5 20 20 7 3 8 2s. FOREIGN. Antwerp&Rotterdam Belgian Eastn. June Beziers to Graissessac Bombay, Baroda, and Central India,Scrip Central of Italy Charleroi & Erqueliu Demerara Dijon and Besancon Dutch Rhenish East Indian Do. Extension Gt. Indian Peninsula' Gd. Junct. of France Grd. Trunk of Canada Do. Debentures Do. do 20 17 20 20 20 20 20 25 100 100 20 20, 10 10 30 all Gt. Central of France Gt. Western of Canada Shares Do. Bands (Ist is.)'s7 Hamilton & Toronto Do. 6 per cent. I Lake Coust. & Basle' Lucca & Pistoj a 5 p. c '' pref Luxembourg Do. (Railway) Do. Pref Do. (Canal) Do. 6 p. ct. pref Lyons and Geneva Lyons & Mediterran Madras 20) 2 100 20 Maria Antonia Do. do. New .llelbourne Dk. & Ry. Namur & Liege (with interest) Do. (ex interest) Northern of France Do. 201. 3 p. c Bds (fmy.B. & Ams. Shs.) NorwegianTrunkPrel Paris and Lyons Ditto Bonds . . Paris and Orleans.... Paris and R0uen...... 20 10 20 40 20 20 20 104 Paris and Strasbourg ParisCaen & Cherbrg Quebec & Richmond Rouen and Havre Royal Danish Royal Swedish l i Sambre and Meuse... Do. 5 p. cent. Pref. Southern. of France.. St. Andrew's and Quebec (A) West Handers Do 5A per c. Pref Western of France West. of Switzerland' Wiesbaden Zealand ;Agua Fria Anglo Austrin. Gold Anglo Californian Australasian Australian Australian Cordillera Australian Freehold Ave Maria 34 3 d 1 3§d i P ... .•• 34 3 P d 24 3p - P 4 4d 6 4 d 3 2§ d 221 -22 i 8 - 10 - 2 p 9 - llp . . a. 6t - 41 4i 1 1 1i 1} 2 lid i d pari 74 - 7i ',iot == iii M - 8i 12 -121 p 42 44 34 —36 ad 28:1- - - 28/ pm 3 1 d ld par d 8 8i ... - ... ... - pm 3t 1 i 2 I 3 p ... d "5 :-- i'a 1 4 id— td P 1 d - - id id id id 9 11 d 7 9 Baden (Gd. Duchy of) Blaenarvon Ir. & Coal aritish Austrin. Gold British Iron Brazilian Imp. (issued at £5 pm Do. Cocaes & Cuiada Do. St. John Del Rey Carson's Creek Clarendon Con. Min Co. of Jamaica Cobre Copper Colonial Gold 4 5i 2 30 32 d 41 —43 x 11 d P 13 55 65 Copiapo Copper Min. of Eng Do. Pref. 71 p. cent English and Austrin, Copper Smeltg.Co General Great Nugget Vein Do. Registered Great Polgooth Liberty Linares Lond.tkCaliforn.Gold 3 - spl 1 10 1 1 Quartz Crush. Co Mariquita Mexican&S.Americn New Granada New Linares Mining and Smelting Co Nouveau Monde Pontgibaud Silver Lead Min. es Smelt. Port Philip Quartz Rock Ethymney Iron Do. New Santiago do, Cuba south Australian Tin Croft United. Mexican., Waller West Granada West Mariposa , Northing Mining o Australia , Yuba 11 - 21 ~. -. id par i— i d 11 12 d 6 i id 30; 1 id 16 18 28 i 0 p 8 10 3 4 $ * —d 3 i — 4 i 24 3 # d $ id $d i --- dl JOINT-STOCK BANKS. 40 all Australasia 7B 80 40 all British Colonial Bank and Loan Company 50 all British N. American ... —63 i 25 5 Chartd. Bank of Asia ... d 20 2 Chrtd. Bnk. of India, Australia, & China 16 ld 100 25 Jolonial — ... 18 100 20 Tiommercial of Lend — 20 10 tlnglish Scottish and " Australian 34 3d 6/ 20 15 Loud. Chart. Bk. of Australia 1 id 50 20 London and County 50 10 London Joint Stock — 100 20 Loud. & Westminster ... 364 100 35 National Provincial of England — ••• 20 10 Do. New — . . 50 22.!, National of Ireland — 20 all New South Wales 39 41xd 25 all Oriental Bank of Corporation 46 —47 46A 7 25 5 Do. New •.• 100 25 Priivincial of Ireland 10 all Do. New • 5 1 Royal Australn.Bkg. & Gold Imp Co 25 all South Australia 4O 42 25 all Union of Australia 67 68 ... 2i Do. New 7 7A 50 10 Union of London ... MISCELLANEOUS 5 all :Rubin Coal and Iron ... 25 17? Australian Agricult. 39 41 394 40 20 14 Australsn•Pcific•Mail ... 12i 13 10 8 Australia. Royal Mail ... 10 4 Berlin Water Works ... ••• 50 38 Brit. American Land 74 76 75 5 1 Brit. & Coln. Smeltg. and Reduction Co.. .. ••• 100 322 Canada 75 80 77 5 5 Crystal Palace ll —1 p 5 4 Do. New 4 2 Crystal Pal. of France ... p 20 3 Eastern Steam — ••• 25 20 ElectritTelegraph(A) 17 18 18171 25 all Do. (B) ••• 1 1 Electric Teleg. of Ir. 15 14 Gen. Steam Navigat. 20 18 General Screw Steam ... 20 71 Irish Beetroot Sugar 20 10 Magdalena St. Navig. 1 all Nat. Pat. Steam Fuel 10 3 Netherlands Land._ 3 2 d 2 1 N. S. W. Coal &Inter. Steam Navigat. Co. 1 all N. B. Australasian... ... pm 1 A Do. New — 20 10 Nrth.ofEuropeSteam 5 all Peel Rr. Ld. & Minrl. 4 d 50 all Peninsular & Oriental 56 7 50 30 Do. Do. ... 34 2 all Portland Iron Co 1 iP 100 60 Royal Mail Steam 1 all Scot. Austral. Invest •l4 lAp 25 25 South Anstral.Land 36 38 1 all Submar. Telegraph Ad A pxd all Do. Registered Ad par 100 28 Van Diemen's Land 12i 13 .1 13 2 SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILW week ending March 5, 1854 coireoppuding week 1044 year,, 'AY.—Traffic return for the £2,880 2 4A 2,42812 of SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.-THURSDAY. Owing to the attractions at Salisbury, the attendance at " The Corner" was very scanty. The only offer made, was to lay 25 to 1 to 50/. against Acrobat for the Derby. It was stated that at the club, in the early part of the afternoon, 6,000 to 200 was laid against him. SALISBURY RACES—THURSDAY. Second Year of the THIRD WILTSHIRE TRIENNIAL STARES for three-yrs-old: One mile and a half. Mr. Snewing's Dan Cupid by Orlando, Bst 41b, (H. doater) NV. o. The TRIAL STAKES of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added. Weight for age. One mile. Mr. T. Parr's Defiance, by Old England, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Flatman) 1 Baron Rothschild's Orestes, 4 yrs, Bst 71b...(Simpson) 2 Mr. Po wney's Cineas, 4 yrs, Bst 71b ('Vlaton) 3 Mr. Sargent's The Queen's Own, 3 yrs, bat 101 b (Blake) 4 Mr. Rives's colt, by Cowl, out of Argan Lass, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b (J. Goater) 5 Betting-7 to 4on Cineas, 4to 1 agst Defiance. Won easily by two lengths ; four lengths between second and third ; bad fourth. Cowl colt beaten off. The WILTSHIRE STASES, of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft, and only 5 if declared, &c. ; with 1001. added ; the second to save his stake. Two miles. Mr. T. Parr's Trifle, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (Flatman) 1 Mr. Saxon's Cleveland, 5 yrs, 6st 61b Mr. Magennis's Pantomime, 4 yrs, 7st 51b (Wells) 3 Mr. H. Hill's Ireland Eye, 4 yrs, 7st 41b...(Castleman) 0 Mr. G. Drew's Vixen, 3 yrs, sst 21b ...... (Coventry) 0 Mr. J. H. C. Wyndham's Bridesmaid, 3_yrs, sst (Fordham) 0 Mr. J. Parker's Cheshire Marquis, 3 yrs, 4st 101 b (Alder) 0 Betting-2 to 1 agst Pantomime, 4to 1 agst Trifle, 6 to 1 each agst Vixen and Cleveland. Won by three-quarters of a length—three lengths be tween second and third. Bridesmaid was well up with Pantomime— Cheshire Marquis fifth, Vixen sixth, and Ireland's Eye last throughout. The winner pulled up lame. FIRST YEAR of the SALISBURY BIENNIAL STAKES of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added, for two-year-olds. Half a mile. Mr. W. B. Bulkeley na Namur, by the Hero, Bst 71b (A. Day) 1 Mr. Howard's c by Collingwood, out of Tarella, Bst 71b (Wells) 2 Duke of Richmond's c by Robert de Gorham, out of Wilderness, Bst 71b (Flatman) 3 Mr. R. E. Cooper's f by Lanercost, out of Nun Apple ton, Bst 31b (G. Manning) 4 Betting-7 to 4 agst Namur-2 to 1 agst Tarella colt- Won by a head ; Wilderness colt a bad third. The City Bowl did not fill. The weather was delightfully fine, the town full of visitors, and the attendance on the course very numerous. CROXTON PARE ACCEPTANCES for the GRA: mile and a half. Age st lb Red Lion Ethelwolf Lamartine 6 11 5 Poodle Titterstone (h b) 6 11 5 Warwick 3ll 4 Sackbut 5 11 2 1 Jan ey 4 10 13 ACCEPTANCES for the GoLI Granby Handicap to carr; Age st lb Ethelwolf Lamartine 6 11 11 Titterstone (h b) 6 11 11 Sackbut 5 11 10 Cleveland Itch RACES, APRIL 4. BY HANDICAP. About a Mr. Spence's St. Michael engagements at 9.30 a.m., ] Age st lb Bourton a 10 13 Captain Flash Georgy Peter Simple a 10 7 Gerard Star of England a 10 4 Drayton horse El Dorado 3 9 7 I Cue. The winner of the 101 b extra. Two miles. Age st lb Jan ey. Half-and-Half all 2 Gerard 5 10 12 Drayton horse Communist 3 9 3 was struck out of all his [arch the 9th. TQ THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Pardon the liberty I take in soliciting your powerful aid, by communicating to the public the fol lowing simple but important mode of escape from dwelling•houses on fire, when all communication with the street-door or roof may be cut off from the inmates, or in localities where the regular fire escapes may be few and far between, or tardy in their arrival to save life. The plan I beg leave to suggest is in the possession of all, both rich and poor, and at all times at their immedi ate command. It is simply to take from a bed a quilt, blanket, or sheet, lower it through the window to police or people who may be on the street, requesting them to hold it out by the corners tight, and let those who feel inclined to save their lives drop down into it. By this simple means valuable lives might be saved from an awful death by fire, or being dashed to pieces upon the pavement.—l have the honour to be, sir, your humble and obedient servant, Brighton, March 9, 1854. ARTHUR GUINESS. THE MELBOURNE AND COLONIAL HOUSE INVESTMENT COMPANY.—The first annual meeting of the shareholders of this company was held at their offices, No. 13, Gres ham-street, yesterday. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman, Lord Drumlanrig, one of the directors, John Jamieson, Esq., was moved to the chair. The report read by the secretary, Mr. Wilson, explained in a full and satisfactory manner all the preliminary pro ceedings of the company, and stated that very extensive premises had been taken on lease at Bow ; contracts for the construction of various edifices had been con cluded, and extensive and gratifying orders had been offered both for the Australian and home trade. The directors, in consequence, obtained power at this meet ing to execute work for the home market, and their buildings may be extensively purchased for agricultural purposes, schools, churches, and stores, while for erec tions on doubtful or short leases they offer great advan tages, and will be extremely useful for fishing and hunt ing lodges. The retiring directors were re-elected, the necessary resolutions passed unanimously, and a sum of 5001. per annum was voted to the directors, who, how ever, declined to receive any remuneration until the company should be in a condition to pay a dividend. It was stated that no necessity would arise for a call on the shares for a considerable time. A vote of thanks being passed to the chairman, the meeting separated. THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN A POLICE STATION. — Since the examination and committal of James Tucker, on the charge of firing a loaded pistol at Mr. Umpleby, with intent to murder him, some further facts have come to the knowledge of the police, which will be adduced in evidence on the trial of the prisoner, who, it appears, on being apprehended, in High-street, Shore ditch, was conveyed in a cab, guarded by the prosecutor (Mr. Umpleby) and metropolitan police-constable, G 193. During the transit the prisoner contrived, unseen by either the prosecutor or, the offier, to secrete beneath the cushions the following articles, viz.:—A bullet mould, several balls that had every appearance of having been recently cast, a quantity of gunpowder, and a large clasp knife. On the driver of the cab hearing of the attempt that was made at the station-house, he searched the vehicle and discovered the articles enumerated above, which he at once took to the station house in Smithfield, and de livered them to Mr. Cole, the inspector on duty. The bullets have been tried, and found to fit the bore of the pistol exactly, so that the prison er ' s s t a t emen t, re lative to the gunsmith returning the weapon loaded, falls to the ground. Other facts have come to the knowledge of the police, but in the present state of the affair it is considered advisable to observe a strict silence. THE QUEEN'S COLLEGES IN IRELAND.—It is an nounced that through the influence of Lord Clarendon, her Majesty's Foreign Secretary, who is also the Chan cellor of the Queen's University, a commun i ca tio n h as been made to the President of the Belfast College to recommend some young gentlemen, of approved apti tude for the acquisition of foreign languages, who are or have been students in the college, for appointments to public offices under the Government at Hong Kong. The salary which will be allotted to those who may be successful is 2001. a year, to commence on their arrival in China, their passage being provided at the public expense. Their advancement in the public employment in China will depend entirely on the ability and steadi ness which they may manifest in conducting the affairs which may be committed to their charge. THE BRAZILIAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday. —The Thames, Captain Strutt, bel ong i ng to t h e R oya l Mail Company, left this afternoon with the usual monthly Brazilian mails. She has t a k en f or ty- e i g ht passengers, 10,0001. in specie and jewellery, and an aver- age cargo. EAST INDIA RAILWAY COMPANY. —There appears some misunderstanding as to the nature of the contract recently entered into between the East India House and the East India Railway Company, m any persons sup posing that in the event of the railway company being unabl to raise the whole of the required capital, those shareholders who pay their subscription s will be mulcted in their interest or otherwise prejudiced. The contract, however, is quite explicit upon that puint, and the only penalty to which the railway company are liable, in the event of any failure on their part, either to find the capi tal or make and work the railway, is a cancelment of the contract by the East India Company upon repayment of the capital which may have been previously raised. Independently of the security afforded to the shareholders by this arrangement, th© company have the power at any time after any portion of the line shall have been opened to the public for three months to resign the whole of the works to the Government, and to claim their capital in full. NOTTINGHAM TRADE.—We have no alteration to report in the state of trade from our last weeks' state ment. The improvement in the glove trade is confirmed ; and several German buyers have appeared upon 'Change during the week, the avant couriers of those daily ex pected, whose coming the unsettled stat 3 of the affairs of Europe has undoubtedly delayed, and even rendered doubtful. Both lace and hosiery are therefore as be fore ; and it will be recollected that we announced a certain degree of activity in the home trade as having set in. We regret to observe that in the Preston fac • tory districts things are assuming a formidable aspect. On the 3d inst., a proclamation was issued by the ma gistrates, in which the public meetings of operatives were proclaimed down, and in consequence of the riotous condition of the populace, all persons were warned against collecting in numbers in the public streets. Another proclamation of the 6th inst., intimates that in consequoicc of attacks on the strangers from Ireland and elsewhere proceeding to their work, these operatives will be escorted thither by the military. We trust that no collision may ensue,—Nottinghamshire Guardian. ar-7 - r THE CHARGE OF CORRUPTION AGAINST IRISH MEMBERS. The select committee appointed to investigate this charge met again yesterday morning, shortly after twelve o'clock, and resumed the inquiry. The members of the committee were all present, namely, Mr. Hen ley (chairman), Lord Hotham, Lord Barrington, Mr. Granville Vernon, Mr. :Kuntz, Mr. Keogh (the Irish Solicitor-General), Mr. Butt, Mr. Bright, Mr. Macart ney, and Mr. G. H. Moore. A considerable number of Irish members were in the committee-room through out the day, listening to the proceedings ; and the crowd behind the bar was quite as great as on previous days. Dr. Gray was recalled and asked by the Chairman how many names he could give of persons who could corroborate the general statements he had made be fore the Committee ?--Witness replied that he could furnish the names of five such persons—namely, first, Patrick Fottrell, solicitor, of Lower Gardner street, Dublin, who could make a general statement refer ring to the case of which he (Fottrell) knew something ; second, Thomas Arkins, sword-bearer to the corporation of Dublin, who could speak to money having passed for , Parliamentary services ; third, Mr. Samuel Bindon, a barrister, of 21, Lower Gloucester-street, Dublin, who had mentioned to witness a special case, subsequently referred to by Mr. Lucas in Parliament, of a man who had offered him (Mr. Bindon) 97. to procure him Parlia mentary support in promoting him in the Customs ; fourth, Mr. Keogh (the Irish Solicitor-General) ' who, in 1851, in a conversation with witness, spoke of " Pat. Somers, and those fellows who lived by selling places"— (a laugh)—and, fifth, Mr. James Walker, solicitor, of Sligo, and sometimes resident in Dublin, son of Alder man Walker, who had told witness he knew of persons who had purchased place, in a conversation witness had had with him in Dublin subsequently to Mr. Butt's mo tion for the present committee. Witness added a sixth name, that of Mr. F. Stonor, formerly of Boswell-court, Lincoln's-inn, and now a colonial judge, who had made a general statement to him of corrupt practices. Mr. Stonor accompanied Mr. Townley when that gentleman contested Sligo. When asked if he could give the names of any other persons, witness replied, that if he were to name every man who had expressed a strong conviction to him as to the existence of the corrupt practices in question, his statement would include the names of al most every political friend that he had. The room was then cleared for a short interval, and on the re-admission of the public, Mr. Lucas, M.P., was re-called—He explained that he wished to withdraw the admission of indiscretion on his part, made on a former day, in holding a conversa tion with Dr. Gray in the lobby, when the room was cleared, whilst that gentleman was under examination. He considered that, instead of being indiscreet, he very prudently and properly made the statements he did to Dr. Gray on that occasion, and that if there was any indiscretion it was on the part of the committee in press ing Dr. Gray to divulge that conversation. He (witness) now declined to say how many persons he had had con versation with in reference to corrupt practices. In mentioning certain names to Dr. Gray, he had not the sightest wish or intention, but quite the contrary, that they should be made the subjects of investigation before this committee ; and Dr. Gray appeared to have divulged those names tothe committee under protest and duresse. He absolutely refused, with great respect, to give the committee any clue whatever to cases which bad been mentioned to him in the course of private and con fidential intercourse. He disclaimed, in the strongest and most unreserved manner, giving any credence whatever to the rumour implicating Mr. Burke Roche, \I.P., in anything like corrupt practices, after reading in the Tablet the paragraph, to which witness's attention had been called by the Irish Solicitor-General in his pre vious examination. Although he adopted the responsi bility of that paragraph, he had nothing whatever to do with its writing or its insertion in the paper. The room was again ordered to be cleared, and, after remaining closed for upwards of an hour, the Chairman intimated to Mr. Lucas that the committee wished him to be again in attendance before the committee to-mor row (this day). Mr. Keogh, M.P., the Irish Solicitor-General, was next called, and the Chairman having called his atten tion to the statement made by Dr. Gray, that in a con versation between them, he (Mr. Keogh) talked of "Paddy Somers, and fellows like these, who live by selling places," and asked whether he made that remark to Dr. Gray, Mr. Keogh said he had no recollection of having done so, but he did not mean to say that he did not. He had reasons for believing such an expression might have been used by him, though he had no recol lection of it. Being asked by the Chairman to give those reasons, be referred, as one, to the attempt to sell the office of postmaster of Ballymote, in which he was engaged as counsel for the defence, on the prosecution, by the Crown authorities, of the party concerned. There was nothing in the case to implicate Mr. Somers ; but he believed that public appointments both in England and Ireland were given upon the recommenda tion of the members of the House of Commons who sup ported the Government of the day. At one time, when the Government of the day was Whig, the county of Sligo was represented by two Conservatives, and the borough of Sligo by a Whig and three or four appoint ments were given to the family or connections of a Mr. Walker, resident in the borough ; the inference being that they were obtained through the influence of the borough member with the Government. He recollected when he was going circuit some few years ago, seeing a paragraph in a Sligo newspaper which caused some amusement in the town and neighbourhood. It was to the effect that it was a great inconvenience that parties in the town would not make up their minds as to how much would be given for the situation of postmaster there. (A laugh.) By Mr. Macartney—He did not know of any pecu niary transactions of that kind with which Mr. Somers' name was mixed up ; but he heard it stated in Sligo that such transactions had taken place in connection with Mr. Somers. The Chairman—By whom did you hear that statei ? Mr. Keogh—l should require a moment's considera tion to answer that. I heard it stated in the bar-room, but I am not able, at this moment, to fix upon the per son who made the statement. By Mr. Bright—Since the representation of Sligo had been changed Mr. Walker, of Sligo, had received another appointment. He had received three appointments from the former member, and one from the present. By Mr. Butt—There was a general rumour in the district of Sligo that those places were obtained for pe cuniary considerations. By Mr. G. H. Moore—He (Mr. Keogh) had not heard him (Mr. G. H. Moore) speak more specifically of the sale of places than in his speech at Ballina, referred to in the course of the inquiry. In the speech which witness also made on that occasion he did not recollect expressing a strong concurrence in what he (Mr. G. H. Moore) had previously said on that subject. Mr. Moore made an excellent speech on that occasion, and though witness could not recollect a tithe of what he said, he had a dis tinct recollection that Mr. Moore spoke three hours, viz., from eight to eleven o'clock. (Laughter.) Witness followed him in a speech of ten or fifteen minutes' dura tion. Witness, in the course of his speech, had no re- I collection of speaking of the sale of places , though he I might talk of Irish members selling their couutry for I place, which was a very different thing. (Laughter.) He had used this expression over and over again, that if a member received patronage from the Government of the day he must be supposed to be a supporter of the Government of the day ; and that position was true of the members of both sides of the house, and equally true of English as of Irish members. Mr. Bright—Then you speak from your own expe rience, being a member of the Government ! (Laughter.) Mr. Keogh—No one knows better than Mr. Bright that what I stated is true. (Renewed laughter:) Mr. Bright—And if those who did not support the Government asked for patronage, they would not get it ? Mr. Keogh—They would not ; and they ought not either. (A laugh.) Mr. Granville Vernon—Did you accept your pre sent office with any view to bestow patronage on any person to whom you are under any obligation ? Mr. Keogh—Certainly not ; and I should be glad if the committee would examine me as to the bestowment of any patronage on my part, for they would find that the only case in which I sought patronage from the Go vernment of the day was where a lady, very much re spected in the town of Athlone, and who was post-mis tress there, having committed some irregularity which the Post-office authorities would not overlook, and having a large family entirely dependent upon her, I used my interest to procure the situation to be given to a male member of the family, to keep them all from ruin. By Mr. Granville Vernon—He thought he never charged the selling of places on Irish representatives on any public occasion, though he might have used some such expression as their selling their country. By Mr. Butt—He had no recollection of speaking to Dr. Gray on the subject of the appointment obtained by Dr. Power, as stated by Dr. Gray, and he did no t be lieve any such conversation took place. The committee adjourned until to-morrow (this day.) THE COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT WIGAN.--At the Con clusion of the proceedings yesterday in this case the jury found the following verdict :—" We find that the deaths of the 89 persons under consideration were occa sioned by an explosion of fire-damp occurring within the workings of the Arley Mine, at the Ince-hall colliery on Saturday, the 18th ultimo. We find that the explosion occurred in or close to Pilkington's drift, and was ignited, as we conceive, from Pilkington's shaft. The origination of the gas which exploded was we believe from a sudden and accidental outburst from some point not far from the seat of the explosion ; and we would point to the fall in Woodcock's place as the only likely source shown for the emanation of such an outburst. We give it as our opinion that the general management and ventila tion of the mine in question from the time of the former lamentable explosion to the present has been satisfactory, and the system of working under the peouliar circum stances of the pit uncensurable. Under the circum stances of these awful explosions, we would strongly re commend to the managers that as far as possible the use of gunpowder in the working places within the mine be wholly discontinued." COMMONS ENCLOSURE.—The Enclosure Commissioners have given their sanction to the following proposed en closures, and a bill is accordingly before Parliament to authorise their being proceeded with :—Heaver-wood common, Lampeter-common and the Undergrove, Iping marsh, Cardigan-commons, Barlby, Church Brough In take, Curdridge, Porlock-common, Bursledon, the Oak cutts-woods, Wootton Courtney, Hawkridge-common, Tinhead, Cowleaze. A bill is passed every year to au thorise the enclosures which the commis sioners sanc tion. They do not report, however, in any of the instances now before Parliament that they have required any al lotment for exercise and recreation ; it appears by their report that they consider the ground unfit for that pur pose. LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS, Bhr. Palk RAILWAYS. Leasing Closp daig_ Prices Business this Compans. 7. this day 50 all 3edford and London & I3lctchley..,. N. West ... St. 100 Buckghamsh. L.&N.W. 98 100 50 all Clydesdale Jc. Caleclon 48 —5O St. 100 E. Lincoln gr. 6 per cent. Gt.Nrthn. 140 142 25 all has. Barr. & Caldonian. Neils. Direct ••• •.• 25 all Do. New. Do •• ••• 25 all Glstr.&Dn.Fr Gt. Westn 28 30 100 all artlpl. Dk. & New. Railway & Berw. 50 all [lull & Selby Y. &NMd 103 105 x d 25 all Do. 2 Shares. Do 51.4 524 a d 124 all Do. Shares. Do 254 264 a d 134 all Lon.&Grecnw 8. Eastern 13 —13 A 20 all Do. Preference Do 24i —2s4ad a d 20 100 Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent. Norfolk — 20 tllO Do. 6 per ct. 54 all Aanch. Bxtn. L.&N.W. and Matlock & Midld. 2 2 3 - 2j 50 all )liddlesbro' & itekton& Recicar Darlingt. a d x d 100 all Ilidld.Bradfd Midland.. 95 97 96 50 all Northern and Easternsp.c. E. Count. 57 59 57 50 . Do. 6 per ct. D 0... — 50 all Do. Fixeds p€ Do — 25 all Prest. & Wyre L. &N.W &Ln&Yk 124 12 Do. 4 Shares. Do — St. 100 Roystn.&;Hit. GtNorthn 135 140 St. 100 Do.Shepth.St Do 25 IE9 Shef.Roth-ann Lancash& Goole g. 5 p.c. Yorksh. • 12 94 8. Staffordsh. Nl.3elClean 11 71 50 all Wear Valleygi Stockt. & 6 per cent... Darlingt. ad a d 25 all Do Do. 29 —3O „ a d St. 100 Wilts&Somrst GtWestn. 94 96 TILE MAIL CONTRACT SYSTEM. The fact of the mail contract system, so far as concerns the manner in which it has hitherto been carried out, having been finally extinguished has afforded great satis faction. The details of the plan for the new Australian service, stated at the meeting of the General Screw Com pany on Monday, show that for the future the conditions of such arrangements are to assume an entirely different character, and that, although the business is not to be put on the basis of complete freedom, as near au approach has been made to it as could have been ex pected, looking to the long previous errors by which the sudden adoption of perfect principles have been rendered almost impracticable. Instead of giving an enormous bounty in the shape of a fixed annual amount, ex tending, as in some cases, for more than a third of a generation, and from the payment of which there can be no escape, a method is nov: adopted by which, while the contracting company are put out of all fear of losing their bargain so long as they fulfil it properly, the Go vernment will have the ability to terminate it, in case of need, at any moment. Up to the present time, the re sults of the contract system have been--1, to prevent economy and enterprise on the part of the favoured undertakings, by rendering their subsidy indepen dent of any progress beyond the speed or accommo dation originally stipulated ; 2, to crush all compe tition, by enabling them to oppose new lines by running on terms which, without the subsidy, would leave a loss ; 3, to stimulate other nations to place their vessels on the same footing, thus giving rise to that worst form of political contest in which the victory depends on the strength of national treasures ; 4, to excite dissatisfaction in the several dependencies of the empire by an expenditure of public money on different colonies, not in proportion to the population and trade of each, but according to the fancies of the Minister for the time being, the natural streams of trade and emi gration being thus interfered with by undue facilities in particular directions ; and, finally to give the Chan cellor of the Exchequer and the First Lord of the Admiralty the virtual control of nearly 1,000,000 ster- ling per annum to be bestowed on such persons con nected with steam operations as might be able to bring greatest influence to bear. By the new plan, however, all this will be ended. The proposed remuneration is to consist of half the postage receipts, and the contract is to be determinable from year to year, with an arrange ment that if it be withdrawn within five years a certain fine, ranging from 30,000/. for the first year down to 10,000/. for the fifth, shall be paid by the Government, this security being considered neces sary to render it worth while for any company to un dertake the first outlay of establishing an extensive line. The great advantage, therefore, of the reform is, that it will prevent costly steam fleets being denied to some colonies, and given to others whose commerce is insufficient to pay for them, inasmuch as it will not admit of any lines being formed except in proportion to the temptation of the postal receipts, while the power of withdrawal at any early date by a rational fine is also a vital recommendation. With this proviso, whatever alterations may come from the extension of science or of the general views of the people as to the propriety of the Government interfering in such matters, instead of leaving the mercantile community to send their corre spondence by such vessels as under the stimulus of open profits will carry them fastest and cheapest, the door will always be open for an immediate remedy. Under these circumstances, looking at the gigantic dimensions to which the old monopolies had attained, the mischief the country must yet sustain from them for several years, and the powerful city and Parliamentary influence by which they were upheld, there is not only reason for strong congra tulation on what has been effected, but also at the fresh instance which has at the same time been afforded of the determination of the Government, even in affairs which are too dry to attract much popular discussion, to act for the interests of the community, instead of being blindly led by the routine sophistries of those whose only claim to be considered authorities consists in the extent of their interest in preventing all improve ment.—Times. DARIEN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. A gentleman writing from " Off Carthegena, New Granada," gives the following account of the xpedi tion of the exploring party under Captain Prevost : " Captain Prevost visted me at Lima ; the first sight of him was sufficient to show how poignantly he felt the loss of his four gallant fellows who had fallen a sacrifice to the murderous treachery of the Indians, and the misrepresentations of others in regard to the character of these savages. The poor fellows had been his constant companions, and were the best men of the ship. The party pulled 22i miles up the river Savanna, until the boats could get up no further. They then cut through almost impenetrable forest and passed over a swamp. They were tormented by swarms of mosquitoes and other venomous insects. They passed 26 measured miles, and encountered ravines and moun tain ridges. They came to a rapid and large river flowing north-east, but with a very tortuous course. They mea sured one fall of 600 feet, and found an inclination of 45° to 60° ! This, alone, would give 600 feet perpendicular elevation above the sea. They went as far as their means would admit, but, although they were on a mountain and ascended a high tree, their view towards the At lantic was intercepted by other mountains and ranges. On my arrival at the city of Aspinwall (Navy Bay) I found that some of the officers of the United States man-of-war Cyani had arrived from Escocis. The whole party appeared to be most indignant. Finally, on riving at Carthegena a French sloop of war came in, accompanied by the Imperial French steamer Chimere. The Chimere was the French part of the expedition, and they had left much disgusted. I passed from Panama to Aspinwall in six hours and a half, including 32 miles of railway in twet hours. The whole line from wharf in the Pacific to wharf in the Atlantic will be open in July next, and the entire transit two hours and a half." The Aspinwall (Navy Bay) Courier contains a letter from one of the United States' officers sent on the joint exploring expedition. The letter is dated, " United States ship Cynia, Caledonia-bay, New Granada, Jan. 27." The writer says :—" We arrived here on the 18th. Captain Hollins held a grand ' pow-wow' with some 15 or 16 chiefs. At first they were very averse to our land ing on the isthmus, and absolutely refused to give their consent ; they at length, however, consented that we should land, but only for the purpose of reconnoitering the proposed route of the ship canal. On the 19th, a party of 28, men and officers, principally from this ship, well armed, and provisioned for ten days, landed under command of Lieutenant Strain. On the 24th four of the party returned, having penetrated a distance of 20 miles into the interior. These latter started next morning, with a reinforcement of ten men and extra pro visions. The report of the said returned party is not at all favourable to the prospect for a ship canal —for they estimated, on a fair calculation, that the eleva tion of the lowest points over which they passed is about 1,000 feet in height. They followed the Caledonia river, and you can judge the size of the stream, when the party walked up the bed of the river all the way. The English brig of war Espiegle arrived on the 19th, having on board Mr. Gisborne, Dr. Cullen, and a party of English engineers detached to survey a route for the proposed ship canal. On the 20th the English survey schooner Scorpion and the French steamer Chimere arrived, the steamer having on board a party for the canal route survey, and the schooner being intended for the survey of this harbour. The Eng lish and French party, combined, started on the 24th. On that day a party of five, detached from Strain's party, returned to the ship, and reported the obstacles and hardships which they had encountered. They stated they had left Strain and his party in the mountain, 18 miles distant. They left the ship again with a reinforcement of 10 men and 10 days' extra pro visions, under charge of Lieutenant Fauntleroy. While I write I see detachments of the French and English party returning to their vessels, and am i n f orme d th ey have come after provisions. A glance at the letter of Lieutenant Fauntleroy, who overtook the English party the day after he left, fully indicates that their own con clusion upon the premises acquired thus far is that the route is impracticable." THE WAR-NEUTRAL VESSELS. The following copy of a despatch from the Foreign office, in answer to an application made by the British Consul at Riga, who, at the instance of the merchants of that city, had requested information relative to "what respect would be paid by British cruisers, in the event of war, to bona fide British property, the produce of Russia, if shipped on board neutral vessels," was circu lated at the Baltic Coffee-house yesterday afternoon : " Foreign-office s , Feb. 16. " The Earl of Clarendon has had unde r hi tion your despatch of the 26th ult., enclosing a copy of a letter from —, of Riga, r equesting to be informed ' what respect would be paid by British thecruisers, in the event of war, to bond fide British property, , produce of Russia, if shipped on board neutral vessels. am to acquaint you, in reply, that property of the description in question—the produce of Russia, and exported therefrom by and on ac count of a British merchant domiciled and trading there —although purchased before the war, and exported to I England, would not be respected by her Majesty's cruisers, unless i n pursuance of a license, or some special instruc tions from her Majesty to the officers of her navy. "By the law and practice of nations, a belligerent has a right to consider as enemies all persons who reside in a I hostile country, or who maintain commercial establish ments therein ; whether these people be by birth neutral, allied, enemies, or fellow-subjects, the property of such persons exported from such countries is therefore res hos tittnz, and, as such, lawful prize of war : such property will be considered as a prize, although its owner is a na tive-born subject of the captor's country, and although it m ay be in transition to that country; and its being laid on board a neutral ship will not protect the property. You will therefore inform whom it may concern that, in the I event of war, the property will not be protected by the consular certificate, or by any other document, but will be liable to capture and condemnation as prize." FIRE AT SHREIVSBURT.—Late on Wednesday night an extensive fire took place at Mr. Clune's timber-yard, Shrewsbury, by which property to the value of from 2,000/. to 3,0001. was completely destroyed. The in. habitants, who had assembled to the number of several thousands, lent their aid in carrying all the light timber and laths from the yard ; and it was certainly gratifying to see the higher classes of the clergy mingling with the poorest operatives in their unanimous endeavour to save as much property as possible. The fire was finally extinguished about five o'clock yesterday morn ing, having lasted upwards of eight hours. It is the largest fire that has occurred in Shrewsbury for the last fifteen years. We understand the greater part of the property destroyed is insured in the 6alop Fire Office. ASSIZE INTELLTGENCE. o • ---- NORFOLK CIRCUIT. —AYLESBURY, MARCH 9. THE BURNHAM MURDER. Oa; Wedneladay, after some' additional eviairreeT t ifi e case for the prosecution closed, and' at 7 o'clock the court adjourned. • At the opening of the court this morning, some con. versation took place'lietween the court and counsel, and thereupon there was called for the prosecution, Robert James Eckford—l am clerk'to Mr. Charsley, the coroner - who held the. in ques t on the body- •of Maiii Ann. Sturgeon. The prisoner was-examined as a Witneag on the second day of the inquiry.... His ..evidence iviido taken down then and read over to him. He signeel* paper on which it was written. This paper now shemn,, to me is the paper, and the signature is his. The paper was then read as follows :—" I live with Mr. Goodwin lathe capacity of groom._ Goodwin left home at 6, and returned a little after 11 last evening. I was in the kitchen when lie returned. I had my sup per between 8 and 9. The deceased was there part of the time. She went into the house. I went to bed as soon as I had my supper. About a quarter before 11 I heard a noise, like a rumbling, against a door. I then lay down, and in about a quarter of an hour afterwards I heard the dogs barking. I got up and called to Bunce, the foreman, and he got up. There were some colts loose in the yard. We walked round the premises, but could not see nor hear any one. I then went and tried the passage-door, near to the kitchen, where I was, and it was fastened, and there I remained till Mr. Goodwin came in. He came shortly afterwards. I told him that as the dogs had been barking we went to see if any one was about the premises. Mr. Good win went in at the door on the north front— I do_; not know of any door being unfastened. I used to have words with the deceased, because she wi#l4 me to do - more work — than I . thought I 'could a.. I got wet in going round the yard, •and changed my clothes. After Mr. Goodwin came home, I assisted to take water up s t a i rs to put the fire out, which was i n the maid-servant's room. I then saw the body lying with the legs off and burnt, and blood against the door. I threw gravel up at the window of the decease's room before Mr. Goodwin came home, but I could not hear her. Ido not know anything of the poker produced. There was a light in the deceased's room. The blind of the window was down. Ido not know that she had any followers." Mr. Parry then addressed the jury for the prisoner. He censured the omission of the magistrates to investi gate the guilt of the prisoner, whereby the latter was deprived of an opportunity of preparin g his defence with a full knowledge of the evidence against him. The experiments made a few days ago as to the possibility of persons in the prisoner's bed-room hearing cries in the passages and on the staircase were based on the fallacious assumption that the deceased must have screamed many times after receiving the first blow ; and, were it other wise, the experience of persons who listened for sounds they expected was no evidence that similar sounds would have reached and roused a person in the same place in a sound sleep. The blood marks on the kitchen side, if blood marks, might have been made by the prisoner, or any one else, after the discovery of the murder. The loss of the razors the prisoner might have heard of from his master, for his master had discovered it before the inter view of the prisoner and Mrs. Bunce. The matter of the keys was explained. The suggested inference from what took place at Maidenhead station had failed. Then as to the main facts of the case, the prisoner's story was not only not inconsistent with all the facts, bnt alto gether consistent with them. He had never varied in substance from that statement. The only words even approaching a confession were spoken to Symington, while the prisoner was excited by the jeers of a mob. On the other hand, it was remarkable, as showing the prisoner's truthfulness, that he had said the de ceased had no followers, and so had negatived one suggestion that otherwise might have been made favourable to him. It was remarkable in this case that no evidence was given of the state of the prisoner's clothes in respect of bloodstains or other signs of strife. The trousers which were exposed to the fire to dry were not produced, nor any account given of them. How was that ? They were the fit objects of experiments. The wetting the trousers in the pool in the yard was shown in reference to that. Then no motive for the mur der was shown. The little bickerings between fellow servants were no such motive • especially as his master had just raised his wages. There was no vindictive ex pression proved, and no complaint to the master by her was shown. The learned counsel concluded his address by invoking the assistance of the Almighty at their deci sion. The Lord Chief Justice then summed up, and left two questions to the jury —first, did the deceased meet her death by the violence of a third person ; secondly, was the prisoner the person who inflicted that violence upon her. The rule as to circumstantial evidence which he wished to lay down was that it must be composed of some uncontested circumstances, inconsistent with the inno cence of the person accused. It was the duty of the jury to consider whether it was possible for any one else to have committed the crime, because that consideration necessarily arose from a review of the facts which tended. to show the prisoner's opportunities for committing the offence, and privity to it. His lordship then read the evidence through, commenting on it as he went on, and expressed his approval of the experiments which had been made in respect of the voices. At the conclusion of the summing up the jury retired, and at half-past five returned into court, and delivered a verdict of guilty, and his lordship proceeded to pass sen tence in the usual terms. LAW INTELLIGENCE.—March 9. CONSISTORY COURT. (Before Dr. Lushington.) MITCHELL v. MITCHELL.-DIVORCE. This was a suit for a divorce, promoted by Mr. Mit chell, against his wife, by reason of adultery. The parties had been married on the Ist of July, 1848, at Hong Kong, where Mr. Mitchell was the chief ma gistrate. Mrs. Mitchell had been a widow, of the name of Kirby, and she had had one child by her former mar riage, but there had been no issue from her second ma trimonial connexion. The parties had resided at Hong Kong until the end of December, 1851, when Mrs. Mitchell came to England with Dr. and Mrs. Stuart, and she took up her abode with her child at the house of a lady to whom her husband had previously written to receive her. With this lady she only stayed a few weeks, and in June, 1852, she removed to a boarding house, 35, Weymouth-street. It was at this place that she was charged with the commission of two acts of adultery, the proof in the one case being direct, and in the other depending upon the inference which the law placed upon certain conduct and acts. The person with whom she was charged with having been impro perly intimate was Coricoz, styling himself the Prince of Armenia, who was lodging at the same house, and against whom a verdict of 7501. had been obtained by Mr. Mitchell in an action of trim. con. Dr. Haggard, on behalf of the husband, was proceed. ing to detail the pleadings, when Dr. Lushington stopped the case, observing that after a careful perusal of all the evidence, he could not en tertain the least doubt that the offence had been satisfactorily proved against Mrs. Mitchell. The court, therefore, at once pronounced for the divorce. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT. Mr. Commissioner Murphy sat to-day in consequence of the indisposition of Mr. Commissioner Phillips. IN THE MATTER OF THOMAS SMITH. This insolvent, a corn dealer at Waltham-cross, ap plied for his final order. Mr. Dowse opposed for Messrs. Birkett, corn mer chants, Mark-lane ; and Mr. Ernest Reed supported. The complaint was, that the insolvent had disposed of his property, and instead of paying the money into court, spent it on himself. It appeared that the insolvent had made an offer t,o : his creditors; which they refused, and theliaolie t t Went in the support of himself and family. Mr. Dowse submitted that it was not a case fdrpro tection. Here was a man who had disposed of his pro perty, and when he had spent the proceeds he applied to the court. Ho should have paid it ihto court. Mr. Reed asked what a man was to do ? The credi tors refused the offer made, and the applicant was obliged to support his wife and family. Mr. Commissioner Murphy said he found a ease ia Mr. Macrae's "Insolvency Protection Practice," which wa s nearly all fours with the present. 'ln that ease a man went to the seaside, and did not apply to the court till his money was all gone, and the commissioners did not consider it was a case for protection. As the amount in the case made away with was not considerableethe judgment would not be heavy, but in order to mark 7 the sense of the court of such conduct the final order would be adjourned sine die, with liberty to the insolvent to -I apply for a protecting order in a month. The consideration of the final order was accordingli adjourned sine die. nw vita THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BALTIC. -- SHIELDfi, MARCH B.—The harbour-masters have receiv e d instruc tions to clear away berths in Shield s h ar b our f or two French war vessels, which are expected every tide. They come down here to make arrangements for coaling the large war steamers that will be sent by the French into the Baltic in the spring, along with our fleet. An Eng- , lish war vessel is also expected in the Tyne. BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE FOR 18.54.—We *J are requested to state that the revised and improved edition of "The Peerage and Baronetage for 1854," by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster Ring-of-Arms, is published this day. The following is a list of the principal con tents of this standard work :-1. A full and interesting history of each order of the English nobility, showing its origin, rise, titles, immunities, privileges' Sze. 2. A complete memoir of the Queen and Royal Family, form ing a genealogical history of the Sovereign of this coun• try, and deducing the descent of the Plantagenets, Tudors, St uar t s, an d G ue l p h s , th ro ugh their various ramifications. To this section is appended a list of those peers who inherit the distinguished honour of quartering the royal arms of Plantagenet. 3. An authentic table of precedence. 4. A perfect history of all the peers and baronets, with the fullest details of their ancestors and descendants, and particulars respecting every collateral member of each family, and all intermarriages, Sr,c,, 5. The spiritual lords. 6. Foreign noblemen, subjects by birth of the British crown. 7. Peerages recently extinct, of the families of which descendants still Bu r . wive. 8. Peerages claimed. 9. Surnames of peers and peeresses, with heirs apparent and presumptive. 10. Courtesy titles of Eldest sons. 11. Peerages of the three kingdoms, in order of precedence. 12. Ba ronets in order of precedence. 13 . Privy Councillors of E ng: land and Ireland. 14. Daughters of peers m arr i ed to commoners. 15. All the orders of knighthood, with every knight and all the knights bachelors. 16. Mottoes Itranslated, with poetical illustrations, &c,,,,,tc. .i. 100 174 11j all all 100 100 100 42 34 all 50 40 25 25 81 2sl 100 - 100 472 176 all 100 64 25 50 20 100 100 ii iid 2/ 2s 100 100 100 100 26i 13A 20 20 1221 163' 100 8 100 20 all 51s. 100 20 136 100 5 10 St. 5 15 8 8 10 1.0.61 100 55 8 15} 62 35 9i 16i i t o~ ~ _~ 1