The Sun. — London, England, 1863-02-18 00:00:00

WS. LINDSAY, M.P.—The :Rising Genera • tion—Our Prize Essays —Mrs. GrundY's Gossiping Fze., in FUN this week. One Penny. Of all Newsmen. R OYAL ENGLISTI OPERA, COVENT GARDEN. under the Management of MISS Louisa Pyne and Mr. W. Harrison, Sole Lessees. TO-MORROW EVENING, Balfe's New Opera of THE ARMOURER OF NANTES .• Miss Louisa Pyne, Mrs. A. Messrs. W. Ii Weiss, Santley, Cooke, and Miss Anna Hiles ; H. Corti, C. Lyall, Aynsley Cooke, and W. Earrison. Conductor—Mr. A. Mellon. After which, the Grand Comic Curistmas Pantomime, en titled HARLEQUIN BEAUTY ANDITIE BEAST. Doors open at half-past 6—l ommence at 7. THE AT RE-R YA L, DRURY-LANE.- Lessee and Manager, Mr. Edmund Falconer. To-morrow Evening, DON GrESAR DE BAZIN. Mesgrs. Henry Lorraine, Sinclair, Chas. Selby; Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Edmund Falconer, Miss 11. Howard, &c. After which, the Grand Pantomime of LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES. Commence at 7. THEATRE-ROTAI„ HAY MARKET. Lessee, Mr. J. B. Buckatone. To-morrow Night, at Seven o'clock, will be performed OUR AMERICAN COUSIN. Asa Trenchard, Mr. Buck stone ; Lord Dundreary, Mr. Sothern. After which, a new and original Extravaganza, entitled RASSELAS, PRINCE OF ABYSSINIA; or, The Happy Valley. Rasselas, Miss Louise Keeley. Concluding with MRS. WHITE. THEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM OPEN, under the Sole Management of Mr. FECHTER. TO-MORROW EVENING, to commence with an O ri g inal sketch, entitled A SUDDEN ATTACK. Messrs. Shore, Garden, 11. Widdicomb, Miss Henrade, and Mrs. Lee. After which, at a Quarter to Eight, a New Romantic Drama, in Three Acts, and PriLogue, entitled THE DUKE'S MOTTO, by Paul fiseval and John Brougham. The principal character will be sustained by Mr. Fechter, sunported by Messrs. G. Vining , J. Brou g ham, H. 1% iddi combe, W. M'lntyre, F. Charles, Garden, Raymond, H. Butler, Dawson ; Misses Carlotta Leclercq, Kate Terry, E. Lavenue, and Elsworthy. Mr. Phelps and Mr. W. Montgomery are engaged, and will shortly appear. Doors open at half-past Fix, performance to commence at fleven. Private Boxes, £2 Ifs. dd., and £2 2s. Places regii;tered. Stalls, 6s. 6d.: Dress Circle, ss. 6d.; Upper Circle, 4s. ed. Prices at doors—Stalls, es. ; Dress Circle, 55.; Upper Circle, 49.; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. No half-price. Box office open daily from 11 till 5. The public are entreated to .ake notice that no charge is made to the occupants of boxes, Pox places, or stalls, either for play bills or for the safe keep ing of hatmind cloaks: and that fhe attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive any gratuities whatever Stage-Manager, Mr. G. Vining. Acting-Manager, Mr. H. Barnett. R OYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE Lessee and Manager, Mr Lindns. To• morrow Night, an entirely new and original romantic drama, in four acts, by Lewis Filmore, Esq., entitled THE WINNING SUIT. Messrs. Marston, Vezin, Stephens, Fitz james, &c. ; Miss Amy Sedgwick, Miss Murray, and Mrs. H. Marston. After which, the New Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, " RIQUET WITH THE TUFT ; or, Harlequin and Mother Shipton." Mr. G. Delmore, Mr. C. Scyton, Misses Gray and H udspeth, Mr. Milano, Mr. R. Power, Miss A. Colllnson, and Mr. Halford. NEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPHL- Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster. - - TO-MORROW EVENING, a new comedietta, entitled A GREY MARE. Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss Marie Wilton. After which, A VALENTINE : Messrs. J. L. Toole, Paul Bedford, Miss Kate Kelly, and Miss Seaman. To be followed by "GEORGE DE BARNWELL: or, Harlequin Folly in the Realms of Fancy." Miss Woolg•ar, Miss K. Kelly, Miss Seaman ; Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bed ford, Slephenson, C. J. Smith. Harlequin, Mr. John Lauri; imlurobine, Miss Caroline Adams ; Ciown, Mr. W. Hildyard ; rantaloon, Mr. J. Paulo. The celebrated Arthur and Lertrand. Commence at 7. The Weather.—Sun Office, Feb. 18, 1863. THERMOMETER. Highest since Noon yesterday Lowest during the night ••••• 25 This day at N00n..... __ _ Barometer-30.46. Wind—N.•Westerly ; light, fine and cold. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. This DAY.—Morning, 2b. 6m.—Afternoon, 2b. 30m, To-moßnow.-Morning, 2h. 52m.--Afternoon, 3h. 16m, „ cr..,.„ gjit r:40P11 .341 t/ LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 18, 1863. In the House of Lords yesterday, Earl RUSSELL replied to some questions addressed to him by Lord Derby on the preceedieg evening. He defended the policy of the Government in reference to the Brazilian affairs. He contended that it was impos sible for them to have adopted a different line of conduct, and they had waited until diplomacy had failed before resorting to extremities. Lord DERBY said that be had founded his remarks upon what the Brazilian Government had stated. He considered that the English Government had adopted rather strong measures, even after taking into account the explainations of the noble earl. The LORD CHANCELLOR read a message from the Queen, concerning the approaching marriage of the Prince of Wales, and requesting their lordships to concur in measures that might be necessary for the establishment suitable to the Prince and Princess. Earl GRANVILLE moved the adoption of an address to the Queen, assuring her Majesty that their lord ships would be ready to accede to her request. The Earl of DERBY seconded the address, remarking thereupon that in his opinion the reasonableness of the proposition was such that in neither House, on financial or other grounds, could the slightest ob jection be made to it. The Marquis of NORMANBY referred to the despatches relating to Rome, and charged the Government with having encouraged the occupation of Rome by French troops. Earl RUSSELL said he found it difficult to understand the exact purport of his noble friend's address. He justified the course adopted by Government in regard to Italy, Lord NORMANBY replied, and their lordships adjourned at half-past seven. In the House of Commons Mr. W. B. FERRAND took the oaths and his seat for Devonport. The hon. member was received with loud cheers from the Opposition benches. Lord PALMERSTON replied to Mr. Bentinck on the Charleston question that the Government had no other information than what the telegraphs had afforded, and as regarded the law of nations they could give no opinion until the occurrences were more definitively explained. Lord Palmerston moved an address to her Majesty about the provision to be made for the Prince of Wales and his household, assuring her Majesty that the House would consider the provision with due reference to the royal dignity, Mr, DISRAELI seconded the address, and said that he was sure that the House would agree with unan mity, not only of voice, but of heart. The country took a deep interest in the happiness of the Prince of Wales, and would support every reasonable pro position brought forward by Her Majesty's Minis ters which would realise that resale. Mr. FITZ GERALD called the attention of the House to the subject of commercial treaties, and especially to that between this country and the kingdom of Italy. The hon. member attacked the conduct of the Sec retary for Foreign Affairs. Mr. DISRAELI remarked that commercial treaties to be of any value must be produced by political influence by England, and not by commercial con siderations, and it was to be regretted that hon. gentlemen opposite should come forward and agitate the country with the absolute necessity of making arrangements for stimulating the commerce of the country. Mr. Ginsox thought that there was every reason to be satisaed with the commercial policy pursued by this country, and he thought it would have the effect of diffusing free trade generally among foreign nations. Sir G. GREY obtained leave to bring in a bill to allow Catholic prisoners to receive religious instruc tion from the clergy of their own denominations. committee Mr. GIBSON n omina ted a select inquire into the p resent s ystem er private bill legislation. The House adjourned at half-past twelve. The Prussians have fresh cause to oppose the proceedings of their King and his Ministers, and w,e shall be surprised and disappointed if there is not some manifestation of popular feeling with re ge.rd to th e t rea t men t o f the unhappy Poles. It has been rumoured fer some time that the constitui ional monarch of Prussia has entered into a league to support the tyrannical acts of the Russian Autocrat. The substance of the convention, according to the latest news, is that Russian troops when driven across the frontier are to retain their arms and to be at full liberty to pursue any insurg en t s w h o m i g ht also enter Prussian territory, and farther, that Prussian forces are to be ready to act, either con jointly with the Russians or separately, against the insurgents. Surely the Prussians, so tenacious of their own constitutional rights, will not submit to being thus made the tools of despots. They will hardly be the willing assistants of tyran nical oppression in its endeavour to rivet the chains on a suffering people, or they must be prepared to forfeit the sympathy and approval of Europe in their own resistance to the undue encroachments of the Crown. Arbitrary and unjust as the con duct of the Prussian King has too often been, it is almost with surprise that we see WILLIAM I. tak ing so despicable a part, and one so directly op posed to the general feelings of Europe. It was certainly not to be expected that Prussia should relax her hold on the Polish provinces unjustly added to her . dominions. It would prove a dangerous precedent as well as a heavy loss, for the surrender of the States not justly belonging to her would reduce the haughty monarchy to its I;mits in the days when ALBERT of Brandenburg held the Dukedom of Prussia as a fief of Poland. Austria herself would in that case regain the fair province of Silesia, which, as MACAULAY has it, all Europe in arms could not wrest from the iron grasp of FREDERICK the Great. But without anticipating such Quixotic generosity on the part of the very matter-of-fact people of Prussia, as the accordance of independence to Posen, it is surely not too much to expect that they will regard the inhab, tants of those districts as fellow-countrymen, and not as enemies to be kept down with the strong hand of military law. Yet this will infallibly be the result of the line of conduct adopted by King WILLIAM, unless all national spirit and memory has died out of the dwellers in Prussian-Poland. We cannot suppose that they will look calmly on, while Russians and Prussians combine to hunt down Polish fugitives. Even Austria, by no means a model of lenient administration, has set a better example, by refusing to enter into any compact with the Government of the CZAR, while the open expression of the sentiments of England and France, however supine the acts of their Cabinets, might have some influence in Germany, if not in Russia. French sympathy has been warmly expressed both in the Chambers and in the Press, and it would appear from a recent article in the organ which is supposed to represent the opinions of Prince NAPOLEON, that some influential parties in the State attribute the particular meaning of a phrase in the Imperial reply to the address from the Cham bers to the condition of affairs in Poland. We trust it may be so, and.that the CZAR, may not be left to pursue his reckless and cruel course unopposed. We should be glad to feel certain that at least he would receive an energetic and indignant protest from the English Government, but it is reported with regard to the arrangement between Ruessia and Prussia, that our Foreign Secretary has ex pressed himself with such caution as to commit himself to neither side. On some occasions it would have been well if Earl RUSSELL had followed this di plomatic course, but in the present instance no reasons of statecraft would outweigh in the minds of Englishmen the desire of flinging the vast moral influence exercised by their country into the scale of humanity and justice. Surely the least that our Foreign Secretary could do, would be to try the weight of words with both the despotic sovereigns, and to protest as strongly as might be against such an alliance. The doctrine of non-intervention is always applauded when it bids us stand by and see nations torn to pieces by superior numbers or internal factions, why then should it not interfere to restrict the compacts of despots? The next step will be that a Prussian force will probably be despatched accross the frontier to aid the noble warfare, from which some of the Russians are said themselves to shrink, and it is very possible that all these proceedings are taken with a view of not only keeping Posen in subjec tion, but of invoking Russian aid in case of matters coming to extremities between King and Parlia ment. As yet the Prussian people have no share of the blame attached to this disgrace ful compact, but the deputies, who, so boldly and so forcibly defended their own rights can surely find words to redeem their nation in the eyes of Europe from the charge of having sanctioned it. If they do not do this, they will be unworthy of their task as the champions of the constitution which is (happily for their coun try) still preserved to her, while the very nationality and language of the Poles has been sought to be wrested from them. Meanwhile, the duty of the Cabi nets of Western Europe is clear,and let our Parliament see that, on the part of England, it is fulfilled. Let it not be said that in the hour of their desperate need a brave and noble people, looking round Europe for help, found only freemen too timorous to say a a word of reproach or warning to tyranny, and constitutional Governments, whose resources were freely placed at the service of the oppressor. Last Monday, at a meeting held of the Royal United Service Institution, Captain J. W. SELWYN, R.N., read an interesting paper on the question of " Future Naval Attack and Defence." This was followed by a general discussion on the subject by the various members of the Institution present. Opinions varied on most points, but upon two all seemed to agree—viz., that speed was the first and most important requisite, and, after that, invulnerability, if that by any means could be ob tained. As regards the thickness of iron necessary to protect a ship from the fire of heavy ordnance who shall decide when engineers disagree—for, if possible, these gentlemen differ in opinion even more than doctors. Experience alone can decide the question, and our friends on the other side of the Atlantic are obligingly carrying out some interesting experiments. Already the Merrimac has shown us what can be done with railway iron in the defence of a wooden ship, and how formidable the appli cation made her, the destructi on of two fine fri gates proved. It is not to be expected that, pressed for time as the Americans are—and, as regards the Confederates, ill provided with the vessels—that th e y turn out theirper m means of of plating platedgunboats in the finished manner, or of equal strength, to vessels like the Warrior or Black Prince, but they nevertheless seem to resist the impact of heavy shot pretty well. But setting these matters on one side, it is perfectly obvious the future of naval attack or defence must be entirely of a different character from that of fifty years ago. Never again will be seen two hostile fleets meeting in close column, each admiral endeavouring, by seamanship and manoeuvring, to get the weather guage of his adve rsary . N ever will a future NELSON, HOWE, or has !FOCUS. e o COLLINGWOODr glory in having broke n th e enem y' s me. Steam L tt u le s d . t N he av q a u l e m st e io n n h , aadndV hardlyU LC r a eN has superseded covered from the their old theories, when the Emperor of the FRENCH steps in, and paves the way for new difficulties, by the introduction of floating shot-proof batteries. These machines, it is true, were no great shakes, and required to be towed into and out of ac tion, like so many blind men ; but the man who fights for an idea gave one to our engineers which they have carried out to an extent little expected la 1854. If SCOTT Rus- ~* THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 18, 1863 SELL and other shipbuilders and lecturers have been busy with their armour-plates, ARMSTRONG, WHITWORTH, and many more, have been equally diligent in preparing guns to pierce them, and a continual contest has been going on between the contending parties. One of the last results of which is, that just as the Thames Iron Works Company had constructed what they deemed an impregnable target, Mr. WHITWORTH comes for , ward, and, with a flat-headed bolt, drives a hole clean through it. The principal requisites of a ship of war, as stated above, are speed and invulnerability —but if invulnerability is Ito be purchased only by carrying a coating of some five or six inches of iron, it will be perfectly impossible to construct vessels which shall combine great speed, and yet be impervious to shot, without giving them a tonnage of at least some 6,000 tons. The cost of such vessels is, of course, enormous ; but they would give a fair account of any enemy they might meet in the Channel or elsewhere, although from their great draught of water they would be useless in following enemy's vessels into shallow water, and merchantmen, privateers, and hostile frigates would only have to hug the shore to be safe. Another class of ships is therefore re quired. It is idle for people to say that the ships of the navy should be of equal strength and speed to enable them to act together. In any future war there will be no general action unless it be in the attack of a port or the landing of an army. Each vessel will more or less fight "on her own hook/ Now as speed is the first desideratum, and it is obvious that small vessels cannot carry heavy plates and attain it, a modification must take place and a compromise be made. What the Alabama has done with her speed and heavy armament, shows plainly what should be the construction of our navy. We consider that vessels like the Alabama should con stitute the lowest class, and that as the tonnage of the ships increases so should the thickness or com pleteness of their armour progress. It does not follow that because at a short range a carefully laid gun can send a ball through a fixed target that the same result should follow in an encounter at sea when distance, direction, and the motion of the ship are all uncertain, and naturally tend to diminish the chances of a point blank impact necessary to cause the missile to penetrate. Again, no great harm need result from a few shots passing into, or even through a large ship; of course one unlucky shot may sink her, but such an occurrence is the exception, not the rule, for, if not, how used ships in olden times to lay yardarm to yardarm, and pour broadsides into each other for an indefinite time without going to the bottom. We may be answered that, now-a-days, the calibre of the guns is much heavier, their service better, and the shells more destructive. Granted—but this is no reason why a low fast vessel, with but partial and light armour, may not, if provided with a few heavy guns, contend success fully with an enemy of superior tonnage, but which from the extent of her protection is unable to steam up to her lighter and swifter anta gonist, which can take up any position she pleases, and if she find the fire too hot can "sheer off," and keep out of harm's way. We have at present so many new plans of construction for our ships that it is impossible to come to any definite con clusion as to which will prove the most serviceable. Whether the Minotaur or the Agin court, of 6,621 tons, will combine the required conditions, and yet be able to carry coal enough for a reasonable length of time or not it is obvious that vessels such as the Favourite, of 2,186, now building at Deptford, or the Research, of 1,253, at Pembroke, cannot, and the law of mechanics which declares in relation to the wheel and axle, that what is gained in power is lost in speed, applies to armour plating, and as light draft and speed are requisite to small vessels they must forego the protection of heavy plating, and only have a light coating on their most vulnerable parts. After all, " playing at long bowls" was never popular in our navy. The sooner his ship was laid aboard the enemy, and it was "Boarders away," the better JACK liked it. The daring of our seamen has not degenerated, and neither armour plates nor rifled ordnance will daunt them. " The spirit of their fathers will start from every wave," and the memory of the deeds of BLAKE and NEL SON will stimulate them to emulate on a new field the deeds of their ancestors. No, of Sums Assured. Premiums. Policies £ s. d. £ s. d. Assurances in force, 2,873 1,634,754 18 0 52,522 10 3 Dec. 31, 861. Policies written off 105 63,825 0 0 2,277 17 0 in 1862 2,761 1,570,929 18 0 50,244 13 3 New Assurances in 1862, extra Pre miums and altera- 244 124,850 0 0 4,530 210 Lions in Premiums for errors in Ages. Increase on Policies) for assuring in- 95 10 0 creasing sums 3,012 1,695,875 8 0 54,774 16 1 54,774 16 1 "Your directors regret the retirement from the board of John Mollett, Esq., a gentleman whose name is never mentioned but with respect. On hursday, the 2d of Apzil next, you will have to supply the vacancy thus caused in the direction. Due notice by advertisement has been given, and further notice will be sent to you by a circular from the office. "The directors consider your society to be in an emi nent state of prosperity; and although, from its choice and selected character, the new business may he less than the new business of some similar institutions, it appears to them that the advantages already given, and which in all probability will continue to bo given, by the society, are surpassed by none. You will find this asser tion verified by the large bonuses appropriated for the year 1862, which are quite equal to those of former years. The letters announcing them will be sent out early in the coming month. A large progressive increase of new business is of course desirable; and for such an increase they ask the co-operation of their fellow-members, who will be imme diately supplied with all necessary papers to facilitate their efforts by an application to the office." The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the meeting on the success of the past year, and urged all present to use their best exertions to further the interests of the society. After a short discussion, the motion was carried. The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the officers. THE ROYAL NAN - V.—By a return yesterday issued it appears that on the Ist inst. there were 669 effec tive ships in the Royal Navy, 566 steam, and 103 sailing. The number afloatwas 522. THE POLISH INSURRECTION. (From the P tenna correspondent of the Times,) VIENNA, Feb. 14. In my letter of the 12th inst. it was stated that a convention for the purpose of suppressing insurrec tion in the kingdom of Poland had been concluded between Prussia and Russia, and I am now able to give some further information on the subject. The engagements entered into by the Prussian Govern ment are in substance as follows : " If Russian troops are forced by the insurgents to cross the frontier into Prussia they shall not be obliged to lay down their arms. Should revolutionary bands be driven across the Prussian frontier the Russian troops shall be at liberty to pursue them. On the demand of the St. Peters- burg Government Prussian troor s will act, either separately or in conjuneticn with the Russian forces, against the in. surgents." In diplomatic circles it is stated that Austria was requested to become a party to the convention, and that Count Rechberg refused to have anything to do with proceedings which cannot fail to excite the indignation of the civilised world. Prince Gortscbakoff still asserts that the Austrian Government affords clandestine support to the insurgents in the kingdom of Poland, but the charge is so absorb that it hardly merits refuta tion. The Emperor prorogued the Galician Diet in order that the sufferings of the Poles and the abominable tyranny of the Russian Government might not be trumpeted forth to the world, and his Ministers of War and Police do all in their power to keep the Galician Poles from rendering as sistance to their distressed fellow -countrymen• Hitherto the conduct of this Government has been strictly correct, and there is no reason to doubt that it will continue to be so. A few days ago the Duke de Gramont and the Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs exchanged opinions in regard to Poland, and Count Rechberg is reported to have said that Aus tria desired to see that country in a position which should be in accordance with the wishes expressed by the Powers in 1815. A few days ago I forwarded to you some striking passages from a circular which Lord Castlereagh in 1815 addressed to the Vienna Congress, and you must now permit me to return to the subject. Russia, Austria, and Prussia replied at length to the British statesman's note, and on the 21st of February, 1815, the Prince de Talley rand declared in Congress " that his Majesty the King of France approved the principles upheld by the Plenipotentiary of his Britannic Majesty." In their reply to Lord Castlereagh's circular, the Rus sian Plenipotentiaries said " that the justice and liberality of the principles contained in the Eng lish note had caused the most lively satisfaction to his Majesty the Emperor, who will do alp in his power to ameliorate the position of the Poles, and to protect their nationality.' The Russian Plenipo tentiaries laid great stress on the " political loyalty" of Russia, and observed that Europe need not feel any alarm if a part of the Polish nation should be attached to the Russian empire " by means of con stitutional ties (par des liens eonstitutionnels)." The Austrian Plenipotentiaries declared that their Sovereign the Emperor would not have objected to the re-establishment of a kingdom of Poland, "under an independent and national Polish Go vernment," as Austria had never considered a free and independent Poland a rival and hostile Power ; but that he had made his wishes subservient (subor donne ses vcrux) to those of the other Powers. In the last paragraph of the Austrian note it is said that the Emperor entirely approves the remarks made by Lord Castlereagh "in regard to the future fate of the Polish people." The Prussian reply is in the same sense as the Austrian, but the language used by M. von Hardenberg appears to me to be vague and unsatisfactory. According to a diplo matic on dit, England, France, and Austria were not satisfied with the way in which the Polish question was settled by the Congress, and in as far as Austria was concerned there is reason to believe that the report is correct. All the Austrian papers condemn the policy of the Prussian Government toward the Poles, and some of the leading organs of the Vienna press ask what the Western Powers wilt say to the gross violation of the principle of non-intervention. The Presse expresses its satis faction that Austria will not follow the example of Prussia, " who is degrading herself by playing catchpoll for Russia." The Austrian Cabinet has prohibited the export of arms, sithes, and ammuni tion from Galicia and the Bukowina to Russia and Russian Poland. The Wiener Zeitung contains a telegram from Lemberg, in which it is said that the Russian re ports relative to the loss sustained by the insurgent corps under Langiewitz are greatly exaggerated. A certain Moreau, who purposely took a detach ment of Polish " sithemen" under the fire of a Russian battery, was tried by a court-martial and hanged by order of Langiewitz, who is now in the mountains near St. Krzyz (not far from Wengrow) with 5,000 tolerably well-armed men. Both official and private ncivices confirm the statements made by the Polish insurgents relative to the barbarous cruelty of the Russians. In the neighbourhood of Tomaezow, which is nut far from Zamose, a Colonel Bedraga has committed terrible atrocities. He had three persons " gradually" (allnialig) put to death, and Captain Zowadaki and Lieutenant Wasilewski acted as executioners. The fear of the insurgents to fall alive into the hands of their enemies makes them fight like demons, and the cruelty of the Rus sians has greatly contributed to the spread of the insurrection. The Ministerial General Correspond ence learns from Lemberg that Langiewitz has in formed the Russian officer who commands the troops opposed to him that he, " by way of reprisal," has had a certain number of his prisoners shot. The orga nisation of the insurgent bands is progressing rapidly, and the commanders of the different corps have given strict orders to their inferiors to avoid regular battles with the Russians. Four detachments of insurgents have managed to get from Poland into Lithuania, where they are engaged in insurrec tionising the rural districts. Two of the detach ments crossed the Boug at no great distance from Brzesc-Litewski, and it mast be concluded that the garrison of that fortress is very weak, as it made no attempt to molest the insurgents, A few days ago the Russian regiment Ismailoff crossed the Boug at Terespol, and it is supposed that it is now quartered in the above-mentioned stronghold. The Warsaw authorities deny that the insurrection has spread to Lithuania, Volnynia, Podolia, and the Ukraine, but the proclamation of the state of siege in those pro vinces must be considered proof positive that the Grand Duke Constantine and his ruthless Adlatus say the thing which is not. By letters taken from a Russian Cabinet messenger, the insurgents learnt tnat the Stathholder of Poland hated Austria more than ever, and that Prussia " offered" to assist Russia in quelling the insurrection. Some letters written by the Grand Duchess were sent back to her by the President of the National Committee, who had previously affixed to them the revolutionary seal. Kurowski, " the military chief in the Voi vode of Cracow," has announced to his fellow-coun trymen that the rssults of his victory at Sosnov . ice, on the Prusso-Polish frontier, were 100,000 .I r roubles, 100 cwt. of powder, and 80 guns and sabres. " The hero of the day," Bays Kurowske " was Cieszkowski, the commander of the sithemen, who had his horse killed under him, and was twice wounded." The reinforcements sent from St. Peters burg to Poland are two Guard cavalry regiments, mobile divisions of the Guard Cossack and Alaman es ty's regiment of Guard Lan regiments, his Maj cers, the Grodno regiment of Guard Hu ssars , an d a Guard battery. Reliable information has been given me that the petty nobles in Russian Polano are at the head of the insurrection, whi c h i s not approved of by the great landed proprietors, "us the movement is a democratic one." ----- METROPOLITAN CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.—On Monday evening a meeting of chrysanthemum growers was held at the Angel Inn, Islington, when Mr. Shirley Hibbero, editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, occupied the chair. The object was to inaugurate a society for promoting the cal arm. of this favourite flower and to establish a monster exhibi tion. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and a committee, consisting of equal numbers of nurserymen, gentlemen, gar deners, and amateurs, was formed to carry the project into effect. Sir S. M. Peto, M.P. Mr. t ex, MX.) and Mr. Shirley Hibberd, F.R.H.S., were elected patrons. Mr Alfred Smee, F.R.S., of the Bank of England, was elected president; and various other preliminaries having been dis posed of, the proceedings teiminatel with a vote of thanks to the chairman. It is understood that the monster exhi- Litiou is to take place at the Agricultural-hall. oft vfo tonal *---tionlat HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, Feb. 17. The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Louis of Hesse, walked and drove in the Home Park this morning. His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Hesse, at tended by Lieut.-Colonel du Plat and Captain Wes terweller, went to Woolwich. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, at tended by Lieut.-General Knollys and Major Tees dale, arrived at the Castle last evening from Saver flake Forest. Lord Methuen and Colonel the Hon. G. A. Lid dell have succeeded Lord Rivers and Lieut.-General Sir H. Bentinck as Lord and Groom in waiting. THE PRINCE OF WALES WITH HIS HARRIERS - Yesterday his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ho noured the farmers of Buckinghamshire with his presence in the hunting-field. The Prince was accompanied by Major-General the Hon. A. N. Hood, the master of the Royal pack, and Captain Hood. His Royal Highness was also joined by Lord Besborough, the noble master of her Majesty's buckhounds, and Lord Camoys, and other gentle men in scarlet, who were returning from the meet, at Mile end-house, the stag not being turned out in consequence of the frost. These gentlemen contributed much to the bril liancy of one of the largest fields of the season. Several hares were started, and afforded a good day's sport. His Royal Highness was well mounted on a new chestnut. He rode remarkably well, and thoroughly enjoyed the sport. The country, notwithstanding the frost, was remarkably heavy. His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge is confined to Gloucester House by an attack of gout. A medallion memorial of the late Prince Consort by Marochetti will shortly be erected in St. Thomas's Church at Newport, in the Isle of Wight. The Duke and Duchess of Modena have arrived at Venice. The marri , ge of Prince William of Baden with the Princess Maria Maximilianovna of Leuchtenberg was celebrated on the 11th inst. at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Lord Palmerston has been elected a governor of the Charterhouse. Lady Dukinfield has left town for her residence in Berkshire. Sir Robert Clifton has arrived at the Brunswick Hotel, Jermyn-street, from his seat, Clifton Hall, Notting ham. HAYMARKET TUEATRE.—Their Royal High nesses the Princess Helena and the Princess Louise honoured this theatre last night w;th their presence, to see " Our American Cousin," performed for tfie 359th time, and " Rasselas, Pri'nce of Abyssinia." The Prince of Hesse, Baron Westerweller, and Colonel Du Plat honoured the performances at the Adelphi Theatre last evening with their presence. The bouquet-holder in which the bouquet will be presented to the Princess Alexandra, on her landing in England, by the lady of the Mayor of Gravesend, in form will resemble a cornucopia, and is so arranged that by touching a spring ingeniously contrived it may be rested in an upright position. The ornamentation will consist of the arms of England and Denmark, surmounted by Prince of Wales feathers issuing from a gold crown set with sapphires. On the reverse will be represented the motto of the corpo ration of Gravesend. The gold work of the cornucopia will be enriched with pink coral and pearls, being the national colours of Denmark. RECEPTION OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA IN THE CITY.—The Princess Alexandra is to be re ceived in the City by a bevy of blooming belles—the brightest, gracefullest, and most fascinating of the beauties of the City ; and the mode of the reception and all the pretty details belonging to it, will be immediately arranged under the auspices of a committee of ladies —City Press. King Otho, who since his return to Munich had continued to wear the Greek national costume, has now exchanged it for an ordinary European dress. The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and the Archduchess Charlotte will leave Vienna on the 2d March for London, to be present at the marriage of the Prince of Wales. The Italian journals publish the following letter addressed by the Empress of the French to Chevalier Nigra, Italian ambassador to the Court of France :—" Tuileries, Feb. 9.—Sir,—l accept with pleasure the marble group which you have delivered to me in the name of the ladies of Milan. I prize it as a testimony of the sentiments with which they are animated, and a remem • brance of a common glory. The thought they have had of offering it to me affects me deeply, and the talent of the artist whose remarkable work realises their intention so well, gives it additional value. I request you, sir, to ex press my sincere thanks to those ladies, and accept my kindest wishes. "EITGENIE." MR. MORRISON, M.P.—Alarming rumours have prevailed during the last day or two respecting the health of Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P. for Plymouth. It was even reported in the borough on Sunday that the gentleman was dead. We are enabled to state that the latter report is quite unfounded. Mr. Morrison was seized with fever during a journey through Egypt, and was for some time Exceedingly ill. He is now, we are happy to state, better, though by no means convalescent. The latest accounts received by his friends are that he was re covering, and that he was returning to England by slow stages. The hon. gentleman has youth and more than the average physical strength on his side, and we may there fore hope that he wi'l soon completely recover from his late attack, and be able to resume his parliamentary duties. —Western Morning News. CURIOUS SHROVE-TUESDAY CUSTOM AT WEST MINSTER SCHOOL—Yesterday being Shrove Tues day, a quaint ceremony took place in the school room of St, Peter's College, Westminster. About 11 o'clock, while the boys were presumably asleep in Homer and Virgil, under the vigilant eyes of Mr. Scott, Mr. Ingram, and their as sistant masters, the Verger of the Abbey opened the door, and ushered in the cook of the college, attired in full kitchen dress. There was a dead silence of either awe or curiosity among the boys as the Ude of Dean's yard poised what is conventionally considered a pancake (but which was suspi ciously like a stiff old crumpet) on a fcrk, and after a few prelimininary twirls, tossed it artistically over the bar which separates the upper from the lower school. Thereupon all was confusion—the boys rushed from their seats to catch the farinaceous compound, well understanding that he who should, in spite of the scuffling and hustling, keep it unin jured would be entitled to carry it to the deanery, and de mand the sum of one guinea there and then from Dean Trench. The kicking and noise reminded one of a football "game at the wall" at Eton, with its attendant bullies and " shinings." This curious ceremony entitles the cook to a guinea or two guineas from the dean and chapter, and is a relict of olden times, when on Shrove Tuesday all sorts of games were common in England—football, cock fighting, &c. At Eton School, till very recently, might be seen in the unrestored college halls pegs en the wainscoting, upon which were hung long scrolls of verses called " Bacchuses," from the fact that originally they were written in honour of Bacchus. EXPORT OF COTTON FROM LIVERPOOL TO AME RICA.—The high 'price to which cotton has ad vanced in New York has again induced the holders in this country to export. Accordingly three screw steamers, almost entirely cotton laden, have been despatched from Liverpool during the present week. These were the Kedar, the Plantagenet, and the Damascus, which among them carried out considerably upwards of 4,000 bales. The Inman steamship City of New York, which sails to-day, and the same company's steamer Kangaroo, to sail on Sa turday, also take out a considerable quantity; and the Ca nadian mail steamer Hibernian, to-morrow, from Liverpool for Portland, will take a quantity. In all, the export of the week from Liverpool to New York will not fall short of, but may exceed 6,000 bales. The mercantile letters from New York state that the shipments of gold to England are likely tocon tinue at the rate of at least 200,000 per week, irrespective of the sums that will reach us on New York account, via Panama, from California, in consequence of the dread in spir©d by the Alabama and the Florida. The Government, greatly alarmed at the recent advance of the premium on gold to 59, had drawn back from their contemplated issues of additional paper, and gold had consequently experiences a partial reaction. This, however, had in turn alarmed the speculators in the Stock -market, who are aware that means must be raised either by fresh note issues or fresh creations of stock, and that it is only a question as to which are to be the victims of any fresh movement—the existing currency hollers or the existing stockholders. The prevalent opi nion was that, however the Government may shrink and vacillate, Congress before its adjournment on March 4 will have to pass a bill for a large additional flood of paper money. As the flue uat ons in the rate of exchange are now sometimes 6 or 7 per cent. in the course of a day 01 two, the operations of regular business are found to be im practicable, except by ma ki ng con t rac ts to be regulated b)e the price of spe c i e . I n t hi s way some of the leadingmarin insurance companies, t o prevent the entire transference 01 t heir bu s i ness t o t hi s an d ot h er foreign countries, are now receiving their premiums in gold and making their losses payable in gold at the option of the merchant. The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have rescinded the order recently issued by the Con troller of the navy, that the boats of all ships in commission should be fitted with Captain linast on's detaching hooks, and have directed that Clifford's system of lowering is to be used instead, w hen applied for by officers in command. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE. On Monday, at the British Embassy, at Paris, Lord Royston, eldest son of the Earl of Hard wicke, was married to Lady Sophia Georgiana Wellesley, the daughter of Lord and Lady Cowley. Lord Cowley's brother, the Dean of Windsor, with the British chaplain, and a third divine, officiated. The Ladies Yorke were the bridesmaids, and the young members of the two families wero all at the altar, his Excellency Lord Cowley, giving away his daughter, a most charming specimen of British beauty and amiability, and universally likei in society. The wedding was an event which will be remembered as one of the features of the Ambassador's residence in Paris. The Emperor and Empress honoured the ceremony with their presence—a very unusual cir cumstance, doubtless intended to express their per sonal regard for the Ambassador and Lady Cowley, and at the same time we may regard the honour as not altogether foreign to an intended compliment paid to the Sovereign and country which Lord Cowley represents. A bright sunny day streamed through the flower•screened windows of the ambas sadorial hotel when the Emperor and Empress en tered. Before their arrival his Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon was in the reception rooms with the Princess Clotilde and her Imperial Highness the Princess Mathilde. There were also present all the Ministers of State and their ladies, the more known to the English being Count Walewski and the Countess Walewski, M. and Madame Drouyn de Lhuys, M. Fonld, and M. Rouher. The foreign ambassadors were also there in great numbers, with their ladies ; the Duke and Duchess de Morny—in fact, all the more intimate members of the im perial circle. The gentlemen of the Embassy, and a few immediate friends of Lord and Lady Cowley, were also favoured with invitations. But the guests by no means overcrowded the rooms. The presence of the Emperor and Empress no doubt in some measure restricted the number of invitations. When the marriage ceremony had been performed, the bride and bridegroom left the Embassy chapel with the Emperor and Empress, Lord Hardwicke, r and Lo r d an d L a d y Cowley, and, i n the presence t t hen of marriage. eeeived The 0 of the R ev . Mr. Swaile, put their signatures to the ac yeEmperorten. T and h Empress e Lord bridesmaids were also presented to their Ma jesties, and with all of whom their Majesties conversed in the most kind and familiar manner, the Ministers of State and foreign ambassadors, with gaily-toiletted ladies, mingling in a little crowd which might be said to contain all the notabilities of Paris. Rosettes of silver oak leaves were distri buted to all the invited, and a wedding cake of the traditional English compound was at the disposi tion of those who respect the old English custom of tasting such things on such occasions, or carry ing away a sweet atom or two for amiable supersti tious reasons. The Emperor and Empress re mained long after the ceremony; in fact, till half-past four o'clock: The bride and bride groom proceed this evening to Fontainebleau on their way to Italy, with the blessing and love of their parents, and the good wishes of many, many friends. General Totleben, the defender of Sebastopol, has been named deputy to the Inspector-General of Engi neers. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] THE PRINCIPALITIES. BUCHAREST, FEB. 18. The National Assembly has determined to vote that official legations should be appointed at the principal courts of Europe. The Prince replied to the Chamber that notwith standing his personal wishes in the matter, he felt obliged to dissent from the resolution, as its adop tion would necessarily create diplomatic difficulties. THE BOMBAY MAIL. The following telegram has been received at Mr. Reuter's office from the Peninsular and Oriental Company : MARSEILLES, FEB. 18. The Euxine, with the above mails, arrived here at 8 a.m. this day. The mail leaves for London at 11.30 a.m. FRANCE, BOURSE. Feb. 17.—The market has assumed rather a better tone, but without producing any improvement in prices, Threes, for the Account, being now unvaried at 70f. 50c. The Rail Way Share Market has been more bu9yant, and the business done has been for the most part with the turn in favour of sellers. The market left off as follows 4t per Cents 99 Bank Shares 3385 Do. end Credit 1 °lacier 1515 3 per Cents Do. end month 7O 25 Italian Loan 69 55 New 3 per Cents Russian Do. end month.... Austrian Credit Mobilier.... 1245 Spanish Threes — Do. end m0nth....1241 25 Home Debt .. — ItA ILWATS. Cash. Orleans lll2 50 .. Northern New ditto . • • Lyons and Mediterranean 1185 Geneva 405 Southern BOO Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 698 75 .. 697 50 Ditto to Barcelona Account. 1111 25 1035 1183 75 802 50 561 25 b5l 25 MR. POPE HENNESSY, M,P. Mr. Pope Hennessy, M.P. for King's County, has been presented by the ladies of Poland with a very handsome screen of heavy black velvet, framed in oak, richly carved, and on which the arms of Polaad are exquisitely wrought in needlework of silk and gold, with the initials of the honourable member surmounted by a Polish coronet. This splendid gift was accompanied by the following letter from the venerable and illustrious Prince Czartoryski Paris, Jan, 10, 2863. " My dear Mr. Hennessy,—When you first came forward in the House of Commons, on the 3d July, 1861, as the champion of Poland, the wrongs of my country had been for several years left unnoticed in that assembly. Your motion, connected with that of the Earl of Harrowby in the House of Lords, elicited from her Majesty's Ministers the production of most valuable diplomatic correspondence on the subject. " Thirty years had passed since that correspondence had taken place, and yet its production still carries weight, not as an historical document only, but as one calculated to bear on present and future decisions. _ _ " In the following year, on the 4th of April, the Hon. G. Denman moved for further correspondence of more re cent date, and you seconded his motion. The value of those debates, and the production, however incomplete, of documents showing how Great Britain had remonstrated and protested against the violation of solemn treaties, the warm feeling, the depth of argument, which you so elo quently displayed on those occasions, have excited in every part of Poland a wish to testify their gratitude. The ladies have undertaken for you the arms of Poland sup ported by the British lion, which I am now commissioned to offer for your acceptance. , 4 May the sight of this memorial further arouse your sentiments as to what Europe, and Great Britain in Par ticular, suffer from the violation in Poland of all those con. ditions without which there can be no peace and no secu rity among nations. May we soon see the day when liberated Poland will inscribe you among the friends and statesmen who never despaired of the aid of Divine Pro vidence in the triumph of a just cause. " I am, dear Mr. Hennessy, yours most truly, L. CZARTORYSKI:' The Mutual Life Assurance Society. ANNUAL MEETING.-{THIS DAY.) The annual general meeting of the policy holders was held this day, at the offices of the company, 39, King•street, Cheapside. Alderman DAKIN occupied the chair. The Actuary (C. INGALL, Esq.) read the report, which was as follows : "Your directors have the pleasure of presenting their 29th annual report upon the progress and business of the society. " The cash account for the year 1862, and the balance sheet to the 31st December last, have already been for warded to each member. . ....... " The new business of the past year consists of 244 policies assuring £124,850 at annual premiums of £1,434 18s. ld. " The claims for the year 1862 have been on 33 policies assuring 31 lives for .. • • • • • . .. £21,980 The bonuses on these policies are .. .. .. 6,020 Making the claims and bonuses together .. .. £28,000 The expected claims without bonuses were 44 lives assuring • • • • • • .. £29,788 Taking one policy with another, £127 Bs. has been paid for every £lOO assured. " On the average of the last 8 years, where 100 lives were expected to fail, the number has been but 79, and the ex pected claim of £lOO has been met by £Bl 10s. These facts denote the care with which the business is conducted, and are evidence that the very large bonuses awarded have been fairly earned. "The accumulated fund is now £439,174 Bs. sd. The increase for the year is £36,009 4s. Ild., or more than half of the year's income saved and invested ; all claims, paid and unpaid, and all expenses, being allowed for. " The surrendered policies in the year 1862 were 28, and those lapsed and expired were 45; the accumulated amounts received on these were .. £4,090 14 0 Cash paid for surrenders .. 867 14 0 In favour of the society .. .. .. £3,223 0 0 "The following table shows the state of the assurances on the Ist January, 1863 : THE ROYAL MARRIAGE. CITY OF LONDON. Yesterday a meeting of the Royal Reception Com mittee of the Corporation of London was held at Guildhall under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, which was very numerously attended. Among others present were Alderman Sir F. G. Moon, Bart., Alderman Salomons, M.P., Alderman Sir J. Musgrove, Alderman Humphery, Alderman Allen, Alderman Besley, &c. Mr. Deputy FARRAR (Under-Sheriff) explained to the committee that, in accordance with previous arrangement, a deputation, consisting of Mr. Alder man Dakin, Mr. J. Anderton, and himself, accom panied by the City architect, Mr. J. Bunning, waited on Saturday last upon the Dea❑ of St. Paul's, re questing that the space within the railings o f St. Paul's-churchyard should be given up to the cor poration for the accommodation of the members of the civic body and their ladies, and the members of the livery companies and their ladies, upon the occa sion of the Princess Alexandra and the Prince of Wales passing through the City 01 London on the 7th March next. The Dean of St. Paul's expressed his willingness, and he believed also the willingness of the Chapter, to consent to the application, so far as their authority exteuded, desiring only to retain so much of the space as they themselves might re quire. The Dean also stated that he would direct Mr. Pearson, the architect of the Cathedral, to put himself in communication with the City architect on the subject. Mr. Deputy Farrar further ex' plained that the authority of the Dean and Chapter would extend to that portion of the churchyard terminating st the south door of the Cathedral. The remaining portion, as far as the end of Cheapside• was in the parishes of St. Gregory and St. Faith. He had put himself in communication with the rec tors and churchwardens of those parishes, and they also agreed to place the space at the disposal of the Corporation, reserving however certain space for the accommodation of their parishioners. The committee have decided that seats should be provided for the children of the City of London School and the Free man's Orphan School to view the procession, it being left to a future day to be stated what space should be occupied by them. The number of children so accommodated is to be 700. The committee directed that communications should be made with the whole of the livery companies of the City, as to the accom modation ttey would probably require for them selves and ladies to view the procession. Of course, each of the companies so provided for will have to bear a proportion of the necessary expenses incurred. Deputations were received from the Court of Lieu tenancy, represented by Mr. H. L. Taylor and other gentlemen ; and from the borough of Southwark, on whose behalf Mr. Wm. Gresham, High Bailie of Southwark, Dr. Hugh Allen, Mr. Vickers, Dr. Challice, and other gentlemen attended. After a conference with the deputations, as to the part proposed to be taken upon the occasion of the arrival of the Princes' Alexandra, the committee requested that they would put their propositions into writing, in order that they might be properly considered at a future meeting. THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE ROYAL DIS EMBARKATION AT GRAVESEND. About a week since Col. Th,)rold, commandant of the Ist Battalion of Kent Rifle Volunteers, received from Viscount Sydney, the Lord-Lieutenant, the following reply to an application made by the bat talion to be allowed to proceed to Gravesend for the purpose of forming a guard of honour to the PrinceSS Alexandra on her disembarkation : " The Lord-Lieutenant expresses his regret that he can not accede to the wish of the battalion, as there is a rule that no guards of honour aro ever formed by volunteers to the Roya Family." Since the receipt of this reply it appears, however, that her Majesty has been pleased to approve of the proposal made by the Kentish Volunteers to assem ble in force at Gravesend on the 7th of March, and yesterday Col. Thorold communicated to the com manding officers of the several corps at Woolwich, Charlton, Greenwich, Blackheath, Deptford, Lee, Lewisham, Eltham, Sydenham, &c., that he had received from Viscount Sydney an intimation to the effect that no objection existed to the proposal made by the battalion. In consequence of this con cession the town of Gravesend will be fully occupied by Kentish Volunteers on the occa sion of the Royal disembarkation, as in addition to the two brigades of Gravesend Artillery, who take precedence, and the Ist Battalion of Kent Rifle s / numbering about 700 rank and file, the corps a t Maidstone, Dartford, Rochester, and other town° will attend, and the entire force will, it is expected' undEr the direction of the Corporation Committee, form a line along the route through which th e Royal cortege will pass from the Terrace-pier to th e North Kent Railway Station. THE CONSERVATIVE LAND SOCIETY. „, The executive committe e o f th e Conservatilr: Land Society have resolved to close the offices bit' on Saturday, the 7th of March (the day of the pkw l3 lie entry of the Princess), and on Tuesday, the 1 1 % (the wedding day) ; and on tee night of the the Norfolk-street premises will be illuminated. COURT OF ALDERMEN. Yesterday, the magistrates of the city of Landol l , held a meeting at Guildhall f or th e transaction of business. The Lord Mayor presided and there ws ll4 a large attendance of m em b ers , all of whom Wi re their scarlet robes in c on f orm i ty w i t h a cus tom 011 theintroduction of a new Alderman. Mr. Orton, the attorney in waiting from the Lord Mayor's Court , reported that 111 r. Sidney Hedley Waterlow had been elected Alderman for the Ward of Langbourne, . the place of Mr. William Cubitt, M.P., who had. resigned the office. Mr. Waterlow, the Alderman elect, was thereupon summoned to attend the Court , and in a few minutes he presented himself at the bar, accompanied by Mr. Josiah Wilkinson, W s proposer at the election, M r . H an b ury , one of tb eminent banking firm, and man y more o f the P ri d ri : cipal citizens of the ward. Mr. Wilkinson, dressing the Court, said he had the honour,. to present for admission and confirmation Mr. Si d ney Waterlow, who had been elected by a large majority of the freemen and inhabitant householders of the Ward of Langbourne, as a mein; ber of their hon. Court. Langbourne, he said, had been justly proud of its aldermen, seeing that the last two who had represented it had been both twlo° elected by their fellow-citizens to fill the civic chair' It was unnecessary for him to refer to the antece dents of Mr. Waterlow, because he was well know n to them as an active and useful member of the Court of Common C ounc il, b y w h om h e was held in high respect, and his honourable and amiable character, had won for him the consideration and esteem of alt who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. When the vacancy occurred the inhabitants naturani looked about for a man worthy to succeed those who had filled the office to the satisfaction of the consti tuency and reflected credit upon the ward, and th e y almost spontaneously and unanimously fixed up oo Mr. Waterlow. He (Mr. Wilkinson) now presente him, confident that he would be an honour to t he Ward of Langbourne, a useful member of their an eient and honourable Court, and perform the pub ll° duties which would dev o l ve upon hi m w ith entire.. satisfaction to the citiz e n s a t l arge . Alderman WA . , terlow .. then took and su b scr ib e d th e oaths aPP e k r e taming to the office, which w ere subscribed by 7 10 Town Clerk, and .having been invested with the violet robe of an alderman he received the congrs_ tulations of the Lord Mayor and each of his bre th l and took his seat. With that the ceremony terra nated. Alderman and Sheriff Lawrence reported that there were then 151 prisoners in the gaol , Newgate ; 97 in the Debtors' Prison in Whitecr oss e street, and 380 in the gaol at Holloway. Of they' comparatively few w ere i nmates o f t h e infirmarle t, and the return in each case was accompanied. b Y certificate of the surgeon as to the fit conditroo_ud the prison. A few persons were then admitted a°_:, sworn as brokers ; and, after transacting some btis,', ness of little or no public interest, the Court e d u if journed. In the evening the Lord Mayor and 1 ,3 13 J 0 Mayoress entertained Alderman Waterlow and 1 , 0 fes t of the members of the Court at dinner at t he Mansion-house. HASTINGS.—About seven o'clock on Sunda morning there occurred the most alarming e fir which has taken place in Has tin g s or its neighbourhood P. nearly a quarter ot a century. Three of the large first- 016se lodging-houseS at the wes tern end -if Marina, St. Leonard r o on• Sea, were complet el y g utted in a little more than Ova hours after the outb reak of the flames. The fire ori g iostev in No. 131, probably from some of the internal wcodscor' havinz been connected with the flues, and atter samulderia all night burst out on the house being opened in the W; ing. Notwit hstandin g the (fforts of the Volunteer Pr; Bridade, who were Oily commanded by Mr Superintiolell,c; Gienister, of the Hastings police force, the flames oboe ere out. No. 129 was als,. such a mastery that Nos. 130 and thin 132 caught, e nd w ed burnt labour of the firemen, police, ant coastguard prevented tline further spread of the conflagration The value of to ..ouses and luiniture is estimated at £ . 6 00 and X7, l3°CL ia :l3 may be imagined, owing to the peculiar : • rnuEli t Y W-lc t en fire, but the coxlibil% both Hastings and St. eonard'shavehadinfirom fire, rent consternation was caused, and it being low water c s g eo . crowds assembh.d on the beach in front of the I ° u Fortunately there was no injury to life or limb. p tu th e THE LASH IN THE ROYAL NAVY. —Yester.S., companion ret n to the one issue d last wee k In flogging in the limy was printed respecting the nav y as 1831 there were 1,076 corporal punishments. A-'l3_raoral 36,463 lashes were inflicted. The number liable to co ra ti ti g punishment was 58,694. By sentence of court-_.:1610 2,690 lashes were inflicted. The highest number Of I given was 48, and the lowest 9. ] • I E