The Sun. — London, England, 1854-02-07 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE -rsi:e. 11 , E. T. *,, THIS EVENING, rue 7 Will be performed THE LADY OF LYONS. Characters by Messrs. G. V. Brooke, Belton, Morgan, and Younge ; Miss Cathcart, Miss Walters. To conclude with KXNG HUMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Land of Toys. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Trader the management of Mr. Bnekstone, THIS EVENING, Fite. 7, Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, and Buckstone ; Mrs. Fitzwilliam , Miss E. Grey, &c. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called HARLEQIIIN AND THE THREE BEAR ; or, Little Silverhair and the Fairies. Columbine, Miss M. Brown ; Harlequin, Mr. J. Marshall: Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Cassino KEAN. THIS EVENEW, FEB. 7, Will be performed THE LANCERS ; or, The Gentleman's Son, Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon, and D. Fisher; Mrs. Winstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which will be presented the new Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND HIS MEN; or, King Salamandar and the Falry of the Az ure Lake. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Mitnagement of Madame Vestris. THIS EVEND7G, FIB. 7, ; miss F. Ha Will be performed A BAGaELOR OF A as. Hughes. Y Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker nza, After which, the origin al Fairy Extr av ONCE aga c called ha- UPON A TIME THER E WERE TWO KLNGs. Principal racters by Mr. Wright and Madame Vestris. To conclude with ?ATTER VERSUS CLATTER. THEATRIC ROYAL ADELPHI. proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, Fn. 7, win b e presented the highly Popular New Nautical Melo-drama n Ave tableaux, with new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., aew ' drsse s and appointments. called THE THIRST OF GOLD; or, THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paid Bedford, 0. Selby, Parselle, Marsden, Re. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murra y, Miss F. Haskell, &c. To be followed by the popular and entirely New Grand Specta cular legendary Christmas piece, in two acts, with new scenery, dresses, machinery, and appointments, called NUMBER NIP, or THE SPIRIT BRIDE. Pri nc ipal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Hiss M. Keeley, Miss Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding; Messrs. paid Redford, J. Rogers, Romer, G. Lee, &c. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, FRB. 7, Will be performed THE FIRST NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Lindon, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. After which, THE BENGAL TIGER. Principal characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, and F. Robson ; and Mrs. A. Wigan. Followed by THE WANDERING MINSTREL. STRAND THEATRE ole Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs THIS EVENING, FEE. 7, Will be performed 'T WAS I. Principal character by Miss Reeves. After which, the new grand Comic Christmas Pantomime entitled HARLEQUIN AND KING NUTCRACKER; or, The World of Toys. Clown, by the inimitable Flexmore ; Harlequin, Mr. Bologna ; Pantaloon, Mr. Griffiths; Columbine, Miss Goward. Followed by HUNTING A TURTLE. To conclude with THE OMNIBUS. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 3g.; Pit, Is. 6d; Gallery, Gd.; Private Boxes 11. I Is. 6d., to be had of Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. In answer to numerous applications both in town and country, Mr. William Cooke has arranged one mare GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE, to take place on THURSDAY NEXT, FEB. 9, commencing at 2 o'clock. Extraordinary combination of attraction—The Performing Ele phants, whose wondrous feats and hitherto unheard of incredible performances now share their nightly triumphs with their petite rival LE SINGE SAVANT; or, Nimble Marmozet. He is indeep another wonder, for his tricks and exercises are achieved with such human-like action, that the beholder can readily imagine he is watching In a mirror the reflective actions of a man. In addition to these " Zoological Stars," the Grand Chinese Spectacle (which has reached its 50th night). The inimitable Scenes of the Arena, and the successful and gorgeous Pantomime, forming the most novel and unparalleled entertainment ever offered to the public. TFIIS EVENING, FEB. 7, And daring the week, THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST, or THE MAGIC GONG, in which Mr. William Cooke's Matchless Scenes of the CIRCLE, and the Grand Comic Pantomime of BILLY BUTTON'S JOURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladies' Favourite. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. TlllB DAY —Morning 59 min.after 8 I Evening 38 min.aft. 9 To-Moaaow—Morning 16 min.after 10 I Evening 57 min.aft. 10 THE WEATHER.—Stnq °FMCS, FEB. 7. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 58—highest since noon yesterday. 52—lowest this morning and during the night. 55 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30.10. WIND, W. to W.N.W.—Light breeze, and cloudy. fFsCA • LONDON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1854. Parliament appears to be sufficiently impressed with the difficulty of its position, and of that of her MAJESTY'S Government. The House of Lords adjourned at eight minutes to six, and the House of Commons at half-past six o'clock, yes terday evening—with a few questions timorously asked and indifferently answered, and absolutely nothing whatever of importance accomplished. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE, indeed, compla cently announced his intention of postponing fur yet some few days longer his threatened motion in reference to the Russo-Turkish difficulty. Where upon the Noble Earl the Foreign Secretary can didly acknowledged his satisfaction at the post ponement of a discussion which by possibility, if prematurely forced upon the Legislature, might prejudice the feeble chance that still remained of more successful negotiations towards a pacific settle ment. Literally nothing meanwhile was whispered in the Lower House beyond the incidental query addressed to the Ministerial Leader of the Com mons by Viscount JOCELYN, as to whether the Russian Ambassador had really ceased to hold diplomatic relations with the Court of St. James's —a pertinent interrogation, to which Lord JOHN RUSSELL replied by expressing his belief that not only had M. DE BRUNOW intimated his intention to take his departure from the Court of St. James's, but that he had actually quitted London that day, meaning yesterday. Otherwise than by this inquiry no allusion whatsoever to the Eastern Question was made last evening, during the course of the then sitting of the popular representatives—their attention being absorbed in such matters as a threatened Committee to take into account certain imputations of trafficking in places, directed by a couple of newspapers against a particular class of members of the Com mons 11 0q130 of Parliament. Principally, how ever, the regard of the popular representatives was directed yesterday by Lord JOHN RUSSELL to an ything but 1 . question affecting the foreign policy of the tjail d• Kingdom—instead of this, indeed, to the old, wr ii _out, and threadbare sub ject of debate, the substitution of a single oath for the triple and incongruius oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration. It is by such ingenious devices that the energies of the Parliament are being directed by Ministers from any prompt or searching scrutiny of the source of eleven months' anxiety---not individu a l anxiety only, but national anxiety--in regard t o the mismanagement of a question which has been complicated from a local dispute between Russia and Turkey into a cause of war between the Northern AUTOCRAT and the allied Powers of Christendom. It appears to us, however, that this industrious trailing of the herring is altogether a work of supererogation. Government need be under little anxiety, for the present at least, if we may judge from the spirit, or rather from the lack of spirit, hitherto revealed by the Opposition. The Opposition, in truth, would seem to be fairly bewildered as to the course they should pur sue just now under existing circumstances. The first night of the session plainly enough disclosed the extent of this bewilderment. No plan of the campaign seemed to have been thought of— no tactics seemed to have been decided upon. Anybody spoke and at last nobody—until matters having at last come to a stand-still, and a cry of Question having been raised in one or two direc tions, Mr. DISRAEL I was forced, as it were, in spite of himself and before his time, to rise and Address the House, if for nothing the flaw of a hasty and premature adjournment. Since that first evening, Lords and Commons have contrived to fritter away the public time upon, comparatively speaking, indifferent subjects of discussion—the arch-question of the day being evaded by mutual consent by the Opposition and by the Government. At first there was at least a show of reason in the excuse that the papers re lating to the Russo-Turkish difficulty, ordered by her MAJESTY to be placed upon the table of both Houses, had not as yet made their appearance in the shape of a goodly blue-book—the great blue pill of the session, to be administered to the Legisla ture by her MAJESTY'S Government. That valid and sufficient reason for delay can no longer be adduced by members in extenuation of the leniency of their protracted postponement. Wherefore, every thing considered, it is most earnestly to be desired that the whole subject of dispute shall be now speedily brought forward in both Houses of the Imperial Parliament. It can not seriously be said to interfere any longer with the chances of satisfactory negotiation. The evil can no longer be evaded ; it must be grasped and strangled. Besides—the dignity of the Crown, and the glory of the Empire, and the honour of the Nation, have to be reclaimed, and Ministers have to adventure upon the attempt, at least, of their own vindication. When ALADDIN gave directions to the Geni of the Lamp for the construction of a Palace of un paralleled magnificence, he particularly impressed on his powerful and obedient servant his desire that one of the twenty-four windows in the grand reception hall should be permitted to remain un finished and incomplete. He desired that some thing should remain for future performance, al though the beauty of the miraculous structure was materially impaired by the glaring deficiency. It would appear as if our Ministerial ALADDINS were animated by similar feelings, as if they could never ask the Legislative sanction for a full and perfect measure of reform, or, as has been asserted of some classes of tradesmen, they could never put any work out of hands without having re course to means calculated to occasion new jobs for themselves or their successors. Hence the fondness for bit-by-bit reforms for carrying what might be sufficient to stop the popular out cry for the time being ; bat not what would totally remove the evils complained of, and place the entire matter on a permanent and lasting foundation, so that further interference would not be required within any assignable period. On Friday evening a new and powerful illus tration was afforded of this system. The Presi dent of the Board of Trade obtained permission to introduce two measures, excellent and unim peachable in themselves, but which should have long since been rendered unnecessary. Of course we do not and cannot blame Mr. CARDWELL for the tardiness and timidity of his predecessors. We freely and willingly accord him the credit to which he is eminently entitled for his judicious proposi tions, which have been received with almost unanimous approbation by members of all parties. But surely it should not have been reserved for 1854 "to strike of the last remaining fetters from the free navigation of the seas ?" That impera tive duty should have been. discharged before the eighth year of what has been facetiously termed Free-Trade, the fifth from the repeal of the Navi gation Laws. Why, we ask, should " a last rag of protection" have been so long sanctioned ? or why, when Parliament undertook to deal with the entire code for the regula.t ion of our mercantile marine, should the unseemly "tatter" have been al lowed to remain ? If the British shipowner and the British sailor could fearlessly enter on a course of unrestricted competition with t all other nations, why was there any reserve which. only took away from the grace of the concession :and the efficacy of the movement. If it was right to throw open the foreign trade to the whole world, there should have been no restriction as to the coasting trade. If, on the contrary, protective regulations were required with regard to our home navigation, it was a most imprudent and injudicious act to hazard the " Empire of the Seas" which we have ;;o long maintained, or at least claimed, by an expe riment so perilous as that of making the whole foreign trade free and unrestricted. It was, in ileed, a most inconsistent coarse to adopt, one which hazarded the success of the entire experi ment ; and which we have altready bitterly expi ted, as every "pater familicss" paying 2s. 10d. or 3s. per cwt., or 50s. per ton for his coal, will inost emphatically and unhesitatingly assert. We have said that it hazarded the success of the entire movement. We do not believe that nations should hesitate to do what is right and proper because others are obdurate, and refuse to make equivalent concessions. But the advantages of reciprocity, of obtaining a full return for wha we give, will be generally acknowledged. Now, our chief, if not our only really formidable, oppo nent had roost handsomely offered to be guided by our acts, and to return a full measure for what we voluntarily bestowed ; but we hesitated. We reserved our coast navigation about the British islands ; and America retained hers round the whole Northern Continent of the New World. If we kept from the Tyne to the Mersey, they also monopolised from New York to San Francisco. It requires no extraordinary argument to show which had the best of the transaction. Tif we were to mea sure matters by a narrow scale of equivalents, it would be easy to prove that British shipowners lost more by not having an opportunity of enter- ing on the American coasting trade than by pre serving the monopoly of their own. But a nation like England should not be influenced by such considerations. Whatever others may do, we should pursue an honourable and straightforward course, such as a simple regard to the general wel fare of the United Kingdom would point out, with out admitting other elements into the calculation. It is notorious that since the repeal of the Naviga tion Laws the shipping interests has been far more prosperous than heretofore ; and it may fairly b e asserted that the prosperity thus enjoyed, if it has not been increased, has certainly not been in w a y degree deteriorated by the concessions of 1849. Freights have more than doubled, and seamen's wages have improved in a similar ratio. But that is not all. Where the restrictions were maintained, we could not obtain a sufficient supply for our demand on any terms. And yet, Tyn while lxub.ble to bring in foreign bottoms, coals from the t,, or potatoes from Scotland—while seeing that power which was so urgently required, remaining utterly was t e and unproductive, t h e inhabitants of the metropolitan and southern dis tricts had to sub m it to almost famine prices for these essential articles. This state of affairs required an immediate remedy, and, thanks to Mr. CARDWELL, it will be suppli e d. B ut what can b e s,id of the obstructive power which retained the ob i; ,xious restriction so long, until there was an univer s 11 de man d for its total and unconditi ona l abolition? It; is said th a t we may thank the B oard of Cus turns for the five years' maintenance of the nui sance —that they declared their inability to pro tect the revenue if the change were. sanctioned. do not d ou bt th a t such a difficulty was raised, but we cannot allow that it was such to justify Parliament in continuing the objectionabl e restrictions. In p l ace of yield ing to s uc h frivolous and querulous difficul ties, the Legislature should rather have applied a stimulus to the Board, and compelled it to shake off its apathy and keep pace with the spirit of the age. Let us hope that such may be the course henceforward adopted, and that all similar objet- THE HAYMARKET THEATRE. " Bertram's right and Bertram's might Shall meet on Ellangowan's height," she rises into an ancient sybil, and seems ready to soar from the ground through the elevated character of her mission. She is now no longer the grotesque hag or the doating grandam, but a Pythian priestess, sublime in her inspiration. And all this is done, not by the part itself, but by the actress. Meg Merrilies can be played, and has been played over and over again, as a part of melodramatic "business," moving in the most ordinary routine, and only striking from the oddity of the cos tume. Miss Cushman lifts it up from common melo- , drame into the highest rank of tragedy, and is rewarded not only with the common round of applause, but with the expressive murmur of admiration. There was some thing in the manner in which she was " called" last night very different from those " calls" which seem to be the result rather of a good-humoured custom than of intelligent approval. Several of the minor parts of the piece are exceed ingly well filled. Dominie Sampson, whom the author of the acting play, Mr. Tarry, modified from Sir W. Scott's orignal by a most unmerciful process of carica ture, but at the same time with a good practical eye to. stage effect, is quaintly represented by Mr. Compton, and the oddities, though one would think they were all known by heart, were invariably followed by a hearty laugh. Mr. Rogers, al ways a careful, con scientious actor, though sometimes unfavourably placed, is an excellent Dandle Dinmont, and his dance, in the course of which he flings coats and waistcoat on the ground and perspires with hilarity and exertion, is spirited and characteristic to the highest degree. Mr. Howe, on the other hand, is not well suited to the part of Dirk Hatterick. He is an ex cellent representative of bluff, honest gentlemen, who chuck servant-girls under the chin and make love in boisterous fashion ; but the Dutch smuggler is too de cided a brute for his handling. The musical portion of the piece, comprising some of Sir H. R. Bishop's earliest and best compositions, is very well done, reflecting great credit on Mr. E. Fitzwilliam, under whose superintend ence the necessary drilling has taken place, and one is astonished, for instance, to find how satisfactorily Mrs. L. S. Buckingham, who is not a vocalist by profession, sings the part of Julia Mannering. Mr. Galer, who personates Harry Bertram, is by no means an ineffective singer of ballads, but he is as yet in the very infancy of histrionic art. Poor Meg Merrilies to take so much trouble about an heir of Ellangowan who will not even turn his head to look at her while she is dying about 6 feet distance ! Guy Mannering has so often been produced as a mere makeshift piece, put up when nothing else was to be got, that Mr. Buckstone is entitled to great praise for the style in which he has brought it on the stage. Instead of making the excellence of the actress an excuse for the shabbiness of the decoration, he has paid Miss Cushman the proper compliment of showing that a piece to which she gives effect is worthy of being done well. The scenery is picturesque throughout, and the gipsy encampment, though similar subjects are common enough on the stage, is treated with a completeness of detail that distinguishes it from ordinary representations of the kind. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, FE3. 6. The Queen and Prince drove out in an open carriage this afternoon. Major-General Buckley and Lieutenant- Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon attended on horseback. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and younger members of the Royal family took their usual walking and pony exercise. The Earl of Aberdeen arrived yesterday, and left the Castle this morning for London. The Duchess of Sutherland also left to-day for London. Mr. J. G. Middleton had the honour of submitting for her Majesty's inspection the portrait he has re cently finished of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French. • A deputation from the Wesleyan body, consisting of the Rev. Dr. Bunting, the Rev. Dr. Beecham, the Rev. Charles Prest, Mr. James Heald, Mr. J. P. Bunting, and the Rev. John Scott, had an interview with Vie count Palmerston yesterday at the Home-office. The Committee on Education of the Lords of her Majesty's Most Hon. Privy Council lMd a meeting yes terday in the Privy Council-office. Present, the Lord President, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Marquis of Lans downe, the Duke of Argyll, Lord John Russell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert. Lord Duncan had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday at his official residence in Downing-street. A deputation from Wandsworth, headed by Mr. Al cock, M.P., had an interview yesterday with Viscount Palmerston at the Home•office. The deputation con sisted of the Rev. S. Gower ; Messrs. Charles Dagnall and James Lyon (churchwardens) ; Mr. Joseph Lyon (sidesman) ; Messrs. Samuel Cumbers, David Nicholson, and Thomas Townsend ; and Mr. L. J. Upcher (vestry clerk). The Duke and Duchess of Wellington, who have just arrived at Rome from Tuscany, are expected to return to this country in the ensuing month. The Earl of Wilton has left Grosvenor-square for Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, where the noble Earl and Countess will entertain company until the close of the hunting season, The Rev. Lord Wriothesley Russell arrived in town yesterday from the Cloisters, Windsor, to deliver a lecture for the Young Man's Working Association. The Earl of Stamford and Warrington has left Hill street, for Envil Hall, Staffordshire. The Duchess of Sutherland returned to Stafford House yesterday, from a visit to her Majesty, at Windsor Castle. The Earl of Derby has, we hear, taken the spacious mansion of the Earl of Dartmouth, in St. James's square, for a lengthened term, as being more capacious than the mansion he now occupies. The Earl and Countess of Gosford and family have arrived in Grosvenor-street, from Gosford Hall. COLONEL PERCEVAL. —We regret to learn that Colonel Perceval, the much-respected Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Lords, was seized with sudden indispo sition, while engaged reading, at the Union Club, on Wednesday last. The gallant Colonel's attack was of a nature calculated to alarm his friends, but we are happy to learn that its effect has already passed away. THE RUSSIAN LEGATION.—W e believe we are cor rect in stating that Baron Brunow will leave London to-morrow morning for the Continent. --- BUSINESS OF THE PORT OP LoNpoN.—ln the general business of the port of London during the past week there has not been much activity. The number of ves sels reported inward was 95, being 12 less than in the previous week. Of grain there were reported 11,664 quarters, including 10,020 quarters of wheat ; of flour, 10,245 barrels and 1,090 sacks; of tea, 49,903 packages; and of sugar, 1,190 hhds., 69 calks, 8,794 cases, and 11,385 bags. The number of ships entered outward was 102, being an increase of 19 over the previous week. Of these 22 were in ballast, and 15, as above stated, for the Australian colonies. RATES OF ExarANGL—The closing prices from the Paris Bourse yesterday exhibited an improvement of about three-quarters per cent. From Vienna the ac counts indicate a renewed and severe panic, the rate of exchange on London having experienced a further ad vance of more than one per cent.—namely, to 12.29, while the funds had suffered a fresh decline, as if Aus trian financiers entertained some doubts of the sincerity of the course the Government are now pursuing. The exchanges at Hamburg and Amsterdam show a ten dency favourable for this country, and at the former place money is abundant at 24 per cent. The St. Petersburg letters are to the 28th of January, and state, that the effect of the depreciation of the currency at present in progress was again observable, the quotation for bills on London being 384 d. The rate of discount Was 7 to 8 per cent., and there was nothing doing in stocks. From Odessa telegraphic information has been received to the 31st of January, when freights and grain showed firmness, and ships were being loaded over the ice. [Not having had an opportunity of being present last evening at this theatre ourselves, we extract the follow ing from a contemporary, both in justice to the celebrated actress, and the enterprising manager.—En. Sun.] The Meg Merrilies of Miss Charlotte Cushman is a great work of histrionic genius, and moreover a work on which the mark of greatness is so palpably impressed that it is no sooner seen than it is recognised by an audience. The character is not introduced till the piece of Guy Mannering is about half over, and it is remarkable to observe how the spectators, who have been quietly sitting out a tissue of amusing, but not very exciting, melodrame, are suddenly electrified, when Meg Mer rilies darts upon the stage. The apparition of that hag gard, superhuman figure, fixed in an attitude that might be studied by a painter, gives a new tone to the entire piece. A presence of a higher order is manifest, but for a few minutes it seems doubtful whether the strange being is animate or inanimate—an actual woman or some fan tastic image produced in the wild lanscape by a freak of na ture, such as the imagination may trace in the rocks or trees that are met in a midnight walk through some de solate region. When the figure becomes obviously ani mate, lives, moves, and is even impassioned in its ges tures, its grandeur is not lost, but we are surprised to find that an apparition which seemed so merely terrible can become an object of sympathy. The fondness with which Meg Merrilies acknowledges Harry Bertram, the ravenous affection with which she presses his hand and devours him with her wild eyes is exquisitely pathetic —the more so because something of the ferocious is blended with that maternal emotion which the sight of a favourite child is supposed to awaken in the bosom of an old doating nurse. The utterance of the prophecy brings with it another change. As Meg pronounces the distich, THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1854. tions, whether proceeding from the Board of Customs or of Inland Revenue, may he considered as frivolous and vexatious, and wholly undeserv ing the attention of the Imperial Parliament. if we profit by the lesson, we may have but little cause to regret the losses we have sustained since 1849, in consequence of the legislative truckling to the spirit of red-tapism. MONEY MARKET LATEST FOREIGN NEWS AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at from 9,000 to 10,000 bales, of which 2,000 American and 1,000 Surat were taken on speculation. The market closed firmly, with prices fully supported. The sales comprised 200 Pernam and Maranham at bid. to 7hd. ; 300 Egyptian, at at Md. to Did. ; 2,000 Surat at 2icl. to 32d. ; _ _ 50 Sea Island, at lld, to ls. Bd., and the remain der American. Railway Shares were firm at higher prices. A comparison of railway traffic for the second half year of 1853 is satisfactory in regard to all the principal lines. The returns of sixty-three rail ways are now before us, and there is not a single instance of diminished receipts compared with the last half of 1852 ; in many cases there has been some increase of the mileage, but not to any mate rial extent. The Bristol and Exeter earned 14,0001. more, but had 19 additional miles open, the Chester and Holyhead took 33,000 more, the Great Western 110,0001. additional, the London and North-Western took 90,0001. more, the Brighton 33,000/. more, the South-Western 49,0001. more, the Midland, 50,0001. more, the South-Eastern 38,0001. more, the South Wales 40,0001. more, the York and Berwick 81,000/. more, and the Great Northern 106,0001. more. The French lines also show a more important in crease. The Northern of France rose 103,0001., the Paris and Rouen 36,0001., the Rouen and Havre 25,0001. The Bankers' Circular enters upon the question of the present state of the country, bank issues, and the restrictions placed upon the banks, which prevent their issuing beyond a certain amount even if they hold specie. In many instances the limits assigned are represented to be quite inadequate to the extent of their business. In some cases most violent measures have to be taken, even at a great sacrifice, to bring down the circulation to the re quired amount ; and, it should be remarked, that it arises almost without previous warning, inde , pendent of the wishes of the bankers' themselves. In such cases, the head establishment, and all its branches, have suddenly to suspend the issue of , their notes, and to provide gold on the Bank of England paper, and the shopkeepers and other parties in the locality have been waited upon, and begged of, as a favour, to return the country notes, the penalty for over issue being exceedingly heavy. In Scotland the banks are not under the same re strictions, and there certainly ought, whatever we may think of Peel's Currency Act, to be some concession in regard to the right of issuing upon special occasions against gold. The English Stock Market has experienced a re action, money stock having come to market upon the declaration of Ministers that there is no longer any hope of peace. Consols have been 914 /3-, after having realised 91 i The New 3k per Cents. have been at 931 to a, and the 3 per Cents. at 92 to A. Bank Stock has been firm at 2161, and India Stock at 232. Exchequer Bills are 14s. to 17s. premium, a rise of 2s. to 3s. There is very little speculation in Consols, and the money price is under that for time. The Foreign Market participates in the general decline. Mexican. have receded to 25 and 24g. Russian 5 per Cents. are 2 per cent, lower, being 1031 to 105, and the 4 per Cents, are 1. per cent. under yesterday's prices, viz., 90. Spanish New Deferred are heavy at 19 and 19k. Swedish Bonds are 89, and Portuguese 5 per Cents. 40. Dutch 2i per Cents. are 61, and the 4 per Cents. 911 f. BRITISH MINES.—A slight stir for the following shares took place this day : Alfred Consols, 25 ; Tavy Consols, 2 f; Sortridge, par.; Bor ringdon, 4; Gawton, 2/ i; North Tamar, a ; East Bosom, /I; Great Tregune, 3 i ; Kilbricken, 355.; Mollands, I, ; Kingston Downs, 12 13; Great Baddern 1 ; Poltimores, 205., 225. 6d. The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not officially quoted are as follows :—Jamaica, to g prem. ; Metcalfe, to 4 prem. ; Sue River, dis. to par ; Port Royal, to prem. Railway Shares have been lower this morning, in consequence of the decline in the funds, and there have been a good many sellers in some of the lines at the advanced quotations. Brighton keep up pretty well. Midland have been 10s. to 1/. cheaper, and in Lancashire and Yorkshire, Great Northern, Caledonian, and the other lines, there has generally been a corresponding reduction. French Shares have dropped about 10s. to 15s. In the Gold Mining Market there has been an absence of business, except as regards the Agua Fria, which have been as high as 2 and 21 upon favourable intelligence said to have been received. The Joint Stock Bank shares have been at a de cline, and also the Land Companies. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK, (Prom the Official List.) Business done. Bank Stock .... ..... ............. ......... ... ..... 216 i I per Cent. Reduced Annuities 3 per Cent. Consols Annuitles 9lsi i ig New 31 per Cent. Annuities 93 i i A 4 Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 India Stock 232 Consols for Account 15th Feb. 913 i Exchequer Bills, id. £lOOO £5OO Small I 4 17 14 17 14 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK, Aexican 3 per Cent. Portuguese Bonds, 5 per Cent 4O Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St lO5 34 Ditto 4i per Cent 9O Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Con' Swedish 4 per Cent. ...... Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil 6l Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ...... . HALF-PAST TWO. Consols. .................................. 9li i Ditto February A ccount ' spected the bases of operation on which the outposts of the Russian corps now investing the position of Kalafat rest. The general who commands this corps, Count Aurep, is very well acquainted with the fortifications of this strong position, as he is also with the Turkish means of maintaining it. Those points only have now to be fixed on which the batteries of heavy ordnance are to be raised. The order to close up in a narrower semicircle had not as yet been issued to the Russian troops, as the condition of the soil at the season of the year is such as to offer almost insuperable ob stacles to active operations. The Russian corps of investment consists of the six infantry regiments ; and of the six chasseur regiments. To each regi ment of chasseurs the corresponding batteries and some troops of Cossacks are attached, on the road from Radovan to Baileschti, where the park of artil lery is now placed, waiting the storm. At present two hussar and two dragoon regiments are stationed there, besides some detachments of sappers and pioneers. The reserves are stationed in those localities in which the hospitals have been opened, but which are now filled to repletion with the sick and invalids. Omer Pacha has proved of late that, with the army of the Danube spread over an extent of country fifty German miles in length, and broken up into small columns, he cannot undertake any operations on a grand scale ; so that it appears, on the whole, rather more calculated to afford relief to the commander-in-chief, than to be absolutely essential, that the army should be divided into three in dependent corps of operation. The corps on the right flank, whose head-quarters are at Karassu, on the line of Trajan's Wall, will be commanded by Abdul Halil Paella ; and that of the centre by Mustapha Pach a, whose head-quarters will be at Sistowa ; whilst Sami Pacha is at the head. of the third corps, whose head-quarters are at Florentin, on the frontiers of Ser via. It may be interesting to mention that the Servian troops are also assembling on the Danube under the command of General Knicanin, at Semendria, and also at Pozarevac. The Servian Prince Alexander promises, in a proclamation to the people, to enter into some fur ther explanations as to the object of this assemblage of active forces. It is worth while also to mention the formation of a corps of Wallachian and Moldavian volunteers, under Russian military supervision ; and the more so as Prince Milosch Obrenowitch, that mortal enemy of the Turks, has pledged himself to raise a simi lar volunteer corps of South Slavonians. It is for this reason that Omer Pacha is now concentrating his entire attention upon Sofia and Novipezar, whither consider able reinforcements are at this moment being brought up from Schumla and Adrianople ; and people are now beginning clearly to apprehend that the struggle will take place and the battle be fought within that circle, and in the very heart of European Turkey." Letters from Constantinople of the 19th ult. state that the former Minister of Police, Haireddin Pasha, lately appointed Inspector-General of the Armies in Asia, left on the 18th for that desti nation. The departure of the new convoy of troops and munitions of war for Asia was to take place on the 21st. The military rein forcements on board consisted of between 7,000 and 8,000 men. The English steamer Sidon, detached from the squadron of Admiral Corry, arrived at Constantinople on the 17th. Two others were expected. It was also said that, independently of the Vauban and Cacique, then on their way to Constantinople, two other French steam-frigates would shortly join the squadron, the Cabinets of London and Paris having de oided that the number of those frigates should be equal at least, in both squadrons, to that of our ships of the line, in order to take the latter in tow when circumstances required. A letter from Trebi zond mentions that a few days before the entrance of the combined fleets into the Black Sea, some Russian ships cannonaded a small fort situate on the neighbouring coast ; but that, on being apprised by a Greek merchantman of the presence of the squadron at Sinope, they had hastened to weigh anchor and disappeared. The Lieutenant-Colonel of artillery, Beurmann, an attache of the French Embassy, and several foreign officers lately admitted into the Ottoman service, embarked on the 17th for Varna, whence they were to proceed to the head-quarters at Shumla. The Sultan having heard that Omer Pacha had been of late indisposed, had sent to him, with the permis sion of General Baraguay d'Hilliers, Dr. Fauvel, who was at the same time to inspect the hospitals and the medical department of the army on the Danube, which, it appears, is anything but satis factory. The Sultan had not yet fixed the day for his departure for Adrianople. The English and French Ambassadors were to accompany his High ness. The relations between Turkey and Persia had been re-established on the most friendly footing. BULGARIA. The following is from the special correspondent of the Times : " The three front rank places in the Danubian defence of Bulgaria are Widdin, Rustchuk, and Silistria. The operative base of the first is Sofia and the Sumugh passes of the Balkan, now strongly fortified. The root, or support, of the two latter is Shumla ; while further behind is Adrianople, an admirable point for the reserve army, now in active formation, which, in whole or in part, may be pushed over the Balkan to Shumla, or with equal facility may pursue the high road to Sofia, in the immediate rear of the upper scheme of operations, having its nucleus at Widdin. It therefore must be admitted that the territo rial arrangement of Turkey in Europe is well adapted for defence. This, with the natural bravery of the Turks, made the Russian conquest of 1828 difficult. But European art and science had then done very little for Turkey. Now the European art of war has completely revolutionised the military arrangements of Turkey, and at Olte nitza it was not the mere brave, resolute Turk of the old stamp, but the Minie rifle and the Prus sian school of artillery that contributed to gain the victory ; and the conquest of Bulgaria by Russia is a thing as improbable of realisation as it would be for the Turks to drive Russia out of the Prin cipalities without cavalry able to cope with the more powerful horse at the disposal of the Czar. Rustchuk has neither the systematic fortifica tions of Silistria, nor the freedom from territorial disadvantages of Widdin, and still less the strong , natural position of Shumla ; but it is impor tant from being the Government of the pashalic of Silistria, the emporium of its trade, and having a population of about 50,000 souls, with consider able wealth and property in more pacific times. Rustchuk is on a dead flat, above the level of the Danube, and overlooking the low islands in its channel ; but immediately behind Rustchuk, to the south, are hills which have always had a few inartificial redoubts ; but it is clear that, whoever holds these hills, holds Rustchuk. But the efforts that have been made to put it in a valid posture of defence show that, when the Turks really are roused out of their habitual apathy and indolence, they can perform wonders in an in credibly short space of time. It may be as well to mention some of the prin cipal points of reform which have been carried out, or are in progress and on the eve of completion before the opening of the spring campaign. First, as regards the ramparts, many embrasures were made up of unburnt bricks, which having been first exposed to the wet weather, then frozen in winter and dissolved by thaw, were in course of years in a lamentable state of decadence and obliteration, but now all the bastions have been done up with bas kets and fascines. The parapets were too small for the recoil of the guns, now larger ones with solid beams have been set in. In the bastions there was no refuge for the men in reserve against shells and grenades, but now there is a shell proof blindage or retreat in every bastion. As regards the artillery, all the worn-out old pieces that have stood on the walls since the days of Kainardji and Sistow have been replaced by new artillery, cast at the top Khaneh, in Constantinople. Both the guns and the ammunition in the maga zines were of such various calibres that there was considerable confusion in serving. Now all the batteries have been divided and classified in calibre according to the accidents of ground commanded and range required, and the local magazines filled with the corresponding ammunition. The old Turkish block wheels have been abolished, and 200 new carriages, with spokes and iron hoops, have been taken from the ammunition carriage store, and the latter replaced by the extensive new smithy and carpentry established in the town arse nal this autumn. The powder was overhauled by a chemical commission ; that which was found to have been spoiled, and not good enough for artil lery, was put into a reserve store as mine powder. Not only have these alterations taken place, but several additions have been made to the service which had no existence previously. In each bastion and battery there is now a magazine of extra tim ber, pickaxes, baskets, &c. Charcoal magazin es have al so b een erected from timber cut in the forest near Rasgrad, burnt in the forest itself, and brought into Rustchuk. Passing from materiel to men we find an. organi zation for the four services of battery, alarm, cordon, and fire, which embraces the whole male Moslem population capable of bearing arms ; and this utilizes the labour of the town in such a way as to show that the studies of the young Turkish officers in Europe and the services of the European officers in Turkey have not been fruitless, and that this skill, exercised on the'excellent native impasto, presents a combination for passive resistance calcu lated to inspire the respect of any enemy. At the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus is a regi ment of 3,000 artillerymen, carefully taught their profession by the best European (mostly Prussian) officers. When the first alarm of war came most of them were dispersed over the border fortresses of Europe and Asia, and immediately set to work im proving the local artillerym e n. R u st chuk received some, who have been drilling the local artillery militia all the autumn, and at this moment there are a great many butchers, carters, and even c oo ks, tailors, and other unwarlike sounding MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) COLONIAL. SUGAR.—The market is dull, with heavy sales. There are no inquiries for the home or export demand on foreign ac count. Refined b rown lumps are 44 5. 6d, and low to fi n e grocery 455. to 48s. 6d. The quantity of British Plantation landed last week at the East and West India Docks was 964 hhds 39 tierces 324 barrels. There were taken for home consumption 1,200 hhds 60 tierces 359 barrels. The stock in the same places is 6,376 hhds 810 tierces 1,096 barrels. COFFEE.—Holders of Plantation Ceylon have more con fidence. There is a fair demand and a moderate supply. Fine Mocha is wanted at full rates, but ord is not in much request. BM—The quantity landed last week at the East and West India Docks was 823 puns, 43 hhds. There were taken for home consumption 246 puns, 12 hhds, and ex ported 16 puns, 44 hhds. The stock in these places is 5,856 puns, 564 hhds. The market is firm. SALTPETRE.-1,715 bags Bengal, offered at auction, was all taken in • low mid gre y 34s 6d to 35e 6d for 22 t o 5i per cent. refraction. CINNAMON. —This article is 2d to 3d per lb lower at the public sales, and only about half has found buyers. COTTON.—There has been a fair demand. TBA.—This article has been well supported. There are public sales now on. INDIGO.---The auctions commenced this morning, and 14,398 chests are to be offered. TALLow.—Ou the spot, 62s 3d for Y.C. ; inferior sorts, 62s ; February and March, 62s ' • March to May, 62s 3d ; April to Ju ne, 62 s 6d—buyers. Australian sheep, 62s 3d to 63s 301 ; beef, 58s to 61e; South American, 61s 6d. Tallow elaine, 56s ; palm elaine, 4 2 e ; cocoanut oil Cochin, 51s ; Ceylon, 49s 6d. ; palm oil, 465. Town tallow is still scarce, at 62s 3d net cash. HAY MARKETS. SMITH FIELD.—Meadow hay, 3/ Os to 5/ 5s ; clover ditto, 41 Os to 61 6s ; and straw, 11 16s to 214 s per load. Supply moderate, and trade rather dull. CIIMB ERLAND.—Meadow hay, 31 3s to 51 88 ; clover ditto, 410 a to 61 6s; and straw, 11 18s to 2/ 5s per load. A full average supply, and a sluggish demand. WarrEcHAPßL.—Meadow hay, 31 Os to 5/ 6s; clover ditto, 4/ Os to 6/ 104 ; and straw, 1/ 14s to 214 s per load. Trade steady, at full prices. MANNING THE NAVY FROM THE COAST GUARD.— The Lords of the Admiralty have at length become aware of the importance of manning the ships now fitting out as speedily as possible, and have accordingly issued a proclamation, or order, commanding the ser vices of one-half of the whole force (numbering, w e believe, 3,000 men) to be drafted into ships to aid in manning them. This is a most important measure. The Coast Guard are well disciplined thorough practical sailors, and from the daily nature of their employment the most inured to the service of men-of-war's men. f ESCAPE or CONTIOTS.—Last Sunday two convicts made their escape from the Dartmoor prison. They proceeded across the river Dart, and were making I their way towards Ashburton, when they were seen by a farmer, who suspected that they were convicts from their dress. Having procured assistance, he went in search of the fugitives, and succeeded in apprehending them at a place called Newbridge. They were conveyed back to prison, and have since been committed for trial at the Devon Ma rch Assizes. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. The terms of the Russian project or rather counter project, brought by Count Orloff to Vienna, were, it is understood, as follows :—First, it was proposed that Turkish plenipotentiary should be sent either to the head-quarters of the army of occupation, or to St. Petersburg, to treat directly with Russia, but to be free to see and advise with the Four Powers. Secondly, the former treaties between Russia and the Porte to be renewed. Thirdly, Turkey to enter into an en gagement with respect to political refugees—to the effect, it is supposed, that they should not hence forth be harboured in the Ottoman dominions. And lastly, a declaration from the Porte, couched in similar terms to the Menschikoff ultimatum, with reference to the protection of the Greek Christians. This project was communicated to the Conference by Count Buol, and was at once rejected as totally inadmissible. All negotiations are, therefore, brought to a close, and there is no probability that they will be renewed. It is surprising that, under such circumstances, Count Orloff still remains at Vienna. It is gene rally supposed that he has some other overtures in reserve to make to tie Austrian Government, in order to gain time or to produce mischief. A telegraphic despatch from Berlin, of the 3d, says it was still believed there that Count Orloff would not come to Berlin, as the Prussian Cabinet had already made a declaration which left no doubt as to the attitude Prussia will assume on the Turco- Russian question. The Patric states that Omer Pacha having crossed the Danube with 50,000 men, had divided the Russian army, the right wing of which is at Krajowa, the left at Galatz, and the centre at Bucharest. He was only two days' march from the latter town, where the Russian forces are weak. It is supposed that his health has improved. Letters received at the Turkish Embassy at Paris, it is said, speak of preparations for an attack On Bucharest. An early visit of the King of the Belgians to Berlin and Vienna was spoken of. A telegraphic despatch from Constantinople, on 23d January, says : " A successor to Omer Pacha will be appointed in case he should•be seriously indisposed. " Three fresh convoys of troops and ammunition for the army in Asia will sail in a few days, under escort of a division of the combined fleet. " The presence of the fleet in the Black Sea has restored the courage of the Turkish population, and struck terror into the partisans of Russia. " The weather was constantly favourable, and the ships have returned to Beycos none the worse for their cruise." The following is from a letter from Constanti nople, dated January 23 : The electric telegraph will have already apprised you of the return of the combined British and French squadrons from the Black Sea. Yesterday afternoon, to the astonishment of everybody, they entered the Bosphorus, and cast anchor at Beycos, their former station. They came from Sinope, and were six days on the . .way. Her Britannic Majesty's steam-frigate, Niger, Captain Heath, was sent to the Black Sea, with despatches for the admiral from the ambassador, in the early part of last week, and, after :cruising about for four succesive days, only fell in with the squadrons in the forenoon of yes terday, a few miles distant from the mouth of the Sea. It is to be presumed that the squadrons will be out again in a few days. In the meantime the Fury has gone to Sebastopol, on a similar mission to that of the Retribution—that is, to demand the release of some Englishmen who were employed as engineers on board the Turkish merchant steamer Tidjari Midjaret, recently captured by the Russians. I also learn that the Fury is the bearer of a despatch to the Russian admiral in command at Sebastopol, relative to the dis courteous, or rather semi -hostile, reception given to the Retribution at that place a short time since. Altogether, the Fury has a very awkward mission, and her return is anxiously expected. The depar ture of the combined squadrons from the Black Sea is not calculated to render her position at Se bastopol more agreeable ; and it is to be hoped that the news of this occurrence will not have reached the Russians before heir mission is accom plished, .as otherwise it has every probability of proving abortive. It is needless to observe that the return of the fleets is regarded by the Turks with an unfavourable eye ; they are at a loss how to interpret this new movement, and shake their heads in doubt and dismay. Since the late battle at Csitate, near Kalafat, which resulted so favourably to the Turkish arms, no genuine news of importance has arrived from the Danutbe. Rumours and reports abound. An affair at Matschin and Turtukai is spoken of, but particulars are wanting. Several Turkish bulletins are about to be published, but not in time for to day's pow t. From Asia the news is scanty and uninteresting. No a, ctio:ci has taken place there for some time, and the Turkish irregular army is being reorganised. General Guyon (Khurchid Pacha) is actively en gaged in. introducing many necessary and useful changes in the army. A great many arrests were made at this place last week: by the Turkish police, owing to a wide spread conspiracy having been discovered. The two principal persons arrested are Baron Oesler, who was a, captain in the Russian service, and once aide-de-e.gimp to General Luders ; and M. Paolo Cassich. The object of this conspiracy was to cause an. insurrection amongst the Greeks, and a great ma ny persons are compromised, some being of high station. The papers found in their houses are very important ; the full particulars, however, have not :yet transpired. Opinions differ with re gard to th e tranquil bearing of the Greek popula tions of the Ottoman empire, especially those in European Turkey. That they would be inclined for rising there is no doubt. Russian agents were here in plenty until the commencement of the war; since then the most important have left. Several are, to my knowledge, in Grcecia Propria at this very moment. Persons are not wanting who look upon the peaceful behaviour of the Greeks as the calm before the storm, and look forward to a revolution against the Ottoman rule amongst those populations as a probable event on the first favourable contingency. With others, and indeed generally, the opinion prevails that no such thing will occur, little confidence being placed in the -- spirit of the people, who have been cowed by cen turies of harsh rule, and want the heart for a revo- lutionary movement against the Moslem dominion. The great fact, however, is not to be disputed, that the will exists, though perhaps not the power, or the heart. According to advices from Giurgevo of the 23d ult., the waters of the Danube were rising consi derably. The country adjacent to the banks is mostly overflowed. The islands near Giurgevo, Oltenitza and Sirtow, which hitherto formed a basis of operations for the Ottoman troops crossing the river, are quite inundated at present. Advices from Krajowa of the 25th state that General Dannenberg is dangerously ill. Letters from Bucharest of the 24th relate that the billeting of more troops from Bessarabia has been announced. It thaws constantly, and the movements of troops proceed slowly ; with pieces of artillery of heavy calibre, three times the usual number of horses is needed to drag them through the mire. The latest advices from tho scene of action contradict the report of the Turks having occupied Oltenitza. We borrow from the Ost Deutsche Post the fol lowing from Krajowa of the 25th inst. : " Since the arrival of General Schilder a retrograde movement of the Russian forces in Wallachia has been observed. Preparations are being made to transfer the head-quarters from Radovan to Slatina, and engineers have appeared at the latter place to mark out a new cam p. Prince Gortschakoff came from Radovan to Krajowa, for the express purpose of holding a conference with General Schilder, the commissioner extraordinary of the Czar. Since the battle of Citate the Turks seem inclined to take up the offensive upon all fortified points of the Danube, whilst the Russians, probably awaiting fresh reinforcements, have taken up a rather defensive position. It is reported that 1,500 Turks crossed the Danube near Radowa, but Russian reinforcements hav ing arrived, they returned to their former position." The Soldaten Freund has the following interest ing report Prince Gortschakoff, on the 23d of January, in- craftsmen, who can work a battery with all the Prussian improvements on their old jogtrot native practice. Au alarm service with trumpet has also been organized, so that, on the appearance of the enemy, every man can go his place with perfect regularity. In the old fire service all was helter skelter, rushing and confusion ; now the districts have been divided and the population classified, with a fire brigade for each, while the cordon service has been arranged so as to allow none of the old partial pressure and partial exemption, and the acquittance of service from post to post is now in writing, not by vague word of mouth. FRANCE. After considerable hesitation, M. de Kisseleff has at length left Paris. He started for Brussels yesterday (Monday) evening, having demanded his passports from the Foreign-office on Saturday. He expects to meet M. de Brunow at Brussels. The Russian residents in Paris have already re ceived the circular requesting their departure, and have been informed that confiscation of their pro perty would be the consequence of their disobedi ence of the order to quit France and return to Russia within a month. The official announcement of the rejection, by the Emperor of Russia, of the propositions ac cepted by the Divan, has been received by the French Government, aid a communication to that effect made to the Ottoman Ambassador. The Minister of War continues with great ac tivity to prepare the expedition which is to be sent to Constantinople. At the present moment he is organising the cavalry with great care. It is understood that an order has been given to an extensive ironmaster in the department of the Pas-de Calais for 3,000,000 cannon balls, of various dimensions. It is also asserted that the de crees for the movement of the expeditionary force intended for the East are actuallyprepared, and only want the signature of the Emperor. The precise amount is not stated, or rather it is variously stated, but the general opinion is that it will, at least for the present, be composed of four divisions of 10,000 men each. The officer again spoken of for the command in chief is Marshal St. Arnaud, whose health is much improved, and who, it is said, wishes for the command, retaining at the same time his functions as Minister at War, and the example of Marshal Bourmont at Algiers is instanced as a case in point. In some Bonarpartist circles it is confidently stated that Prince Napoleon is to be placed at the head of the auxiliary army ; but this is not pro bable, although it is not impossible that he may accompany the expedition, without, or with only a secondary, command. Orders are given to the Atlantic squadron to pro ceed to Toulon, it is supposed to take troops on board. The Bourse was more animated yesterday than for some days past. The announcement that Count Orloff had failed in his mission at Vienna revived the hopes of the friends of peace, and public secu rities all rose. The Three per Cents. opened at 69f. 30c.. fell to 69f. 10c., rose again to 69f. 80c., and closed at 69f. 45c. for the end of the mouth. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 97f. 25c. ' • Orleans R a il way Sh ares, 1,070 f. ; Rouen, 890 f. ; Havre, 430 f. ; Great Northern, 755 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 730 f. ; ditto, New, 570 f. ; Paris and Lyons, 837 f. 50c. ; Ly ons t o the Mediterranean, 655 f. ; Western of France, 575 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 545 f. ; Great Central, 442 f. 50c. ; Lyons and Geneva, 450 f. Shares of the Bank of C r edit Mobilier, 645 f. SPAIN. Our accounts from Madrid are of the Ist inst. By a Roy-al decree of the 25th ult., M. Fernando Zappiuo was appointed Governor of Corunna, M. Augustin Gomez Inguanzo Governor of Santander, and M. Garcia Pego of Burgos. The general direction of the cavalry has been confided to General Dulce. The Queen had ordered a solemn service to be celebrated, on the 2d, in the Church of Atocha„ to thank Divine Providence for having saved her from the knife of an assassin on that day. The grand dignataries of the Palace were to assist at that religious ceremony. General Jose de la Concha, who had stopped at Lerida, had been ordered to continue his journey. He had accordingly set out for Barcelona, where he was to embark for the Balearic Islands. The Three per Cents. were done at 37n; the New Three per Cents. at 19 ; the Debt of the "et class, at 8 ; and that of the second at 41. ITALY. The Piedmontese journals announce the de ath at Turin of Silvio Pellico, the well-known priso ner of Spiel berg, of consumption. His age was 61. From Turin we learn that armaments contii xue with great energy. Ships from the Black Sea are again admitted to free pratique at Naples. DENMARK. From Copenhagen, Jan. 31, we learn that Nyar: like preparations continue on a large scale. ' £he War Minister (Hansen) has made inquiries of the town authorities whether they can accommoc late 10,000 men and a large number of horses in F llsi nore ; and questions of a similar kind have k .een asked in other towns. Orders are said to h .ave been issued for the armament of three frigates, three corvettes, three brigs, and five an ned steamers. The news from Sweden becomes d aily more distrustful of the Government, and fu' a of defiance against the Russian Autocrat. The 15 1 ,8, - nd of Gotland will receive an additional for( :e of 15,000 men, and another army will be draw n to gether on the west coast. ALARMING FIRE IN NEWINGTON-CAUSEWAY.--LaSt night, about nine o'clock, a fire, which caused consi derable alarm, broke out in the premises of Mr. Wa' tsoni Lemon, house decorator, blindmaker, &c., No. 4, 13ri dge house-place, Newington-causeway. The discovery was; made by police officer 238, of the M division, who, seeing smoke issuing from the basement, immediately sou/ ided an alarm, and sent off for proper assistance. 1:n a very short time the Royal Society's escape attended, and it being reported that a couple of children we re in the upper floor. Smart, the conductor, mounted the escape, and searched ev er y room, b ut f ortunately nc I one was therein. The engines of the London Brigade and West of England were remarkably early in arri ring, and the Lambeth Company's mains having affort led a bountiful supply of water, the firemen, under the ( lirec tier' of Messrs. Henderson, Connorton, and Hanabl et , on, went to work in admirable style ; but in spite of th eir efforts the fire could not be extinguished until the la pse of upwards .of an hour, and not until consid era ble damage was done. The origin of the fire, or vitt et her the sufferer was insured, could not be ascertaineet. 1 Che police, under Mr. Superintendent Haynes, and I dr. Inspector Barry, kept a crowd of some thousands c ni t of danger. CUSTOMS' AFFAIRS.—A correspondence has b een printed between Baron Rothschild, on behalf of a b ody of London merchants, and the Lords of the Trea cc ry, regarding the recent complaints of an insufficien c 3 • of officers in the landing department of the Customs. It shows that as soon as the complaints became kn o' wn both the Treasury and the Commissioners of Cust;o: ns attended to them with promptitude, and, moreo-y that the causes in which they originated were in son ae cases capable of explanation on temporary grounds. ( )n the other hand, the existence of many of the alleged i n conveniences, as well as of some singul ar contradictio; as in practice, is established in the state ments actually p' u t a sweeping vindi ca ti on o f t l forth by the Treasury as ie commissioners, the old bureaucratic fault being like wise committed of interpreting every represent a tion against existing methods, as so many person ial attacks upon the officers by whom they are introduc ed or carried out. Like al most every correspondence on Customs affairs, it is also impossible to derive from it any satisfactory conclusion, owin g to the compl e t e e similarity o f the respective statements of the se, rt ;ra t pa r ti es whose evidence is appealed to—an evil for w .1] ich Baron Rothschild rightly suggests an open court t.O be the only remedy. Meanwhile, it is to be admitted . that the Customs occupy in the present case the adv anta geous position of resisting an increased expenditure, , and, although that plea would not be tolerated if obtain ed by delays to commerce and an overworking of the exi :sting staff, it will necessitate stronger and more ext( ;naive proofs of an alteration being imperatively demanded : than have been produced on this occasion. THE CITY OF LONDO N LYING-IN HOSPITAL.—TIIe an nual general meeting of the friends and subscribers to this benevolent institution, founded in 1740 for- the re ception and delivery of poor pregnant married women, was held in the board -room of the charity, Cit;proad, for the purpose of receiving the report, and upon other bnsiness ; Sir J. Tyler in the chair. The report, read by the secretary, stated that there had been examined and passed as fit to be admitted, 396 poor women during the past year. Of this number there had been deliver ed, since the Ist of January to December 31, 1853, no 1 .esk ; a number than 346, of whom five had twins. Ch' number of children born last year was 179 sons : 172 daughte rs. The number of children still-born • ► F as or 9, viz., 3 boys and 6 girls ; and during the same pei there were 9 deaths, viz. 5 children and 4 women. ' lyr a number of children who ' had been restored was 12, the report stating that "it is an important part of the matron's habitual practice, by her own personal e: tions, to endeavour to recover life to those infants wh' J are apparently still-born." Mrs. Harcourt Morris hail, pre sented the hospital during the past year with a donation of thirty guineas, and 301. to renew the bed frArniture of the ward. The report concluded by maki ng a moist energetic appeal to the public for support, th.e late severe weather having caused large increase 'An the expened ture. The balance-sheet showed the total receipts to amount to 2,2261. 9s. 5d., and the expenditure to 2,05'2/. 10s. 11d., leaving a balance in hand of 1931. 18s. sd. The report having been received and adopted, and the committee and officers for the year ensuing appoint Jed, the meeting separated. Thi hood utmos of am great sons 1 that o street, three ing is;uin, amazi ease a of the Stapp as the the p Were as the ascen lives such make Mity tigati rema The i men, to th most ~~ IN -I cure( prop 10s. debt gree at B eery, 1611 at B •ed som let t •f 5( of a in el mitt but sold to li take oti In lisi fro nil