The Sun. — London, England, 1854-02-22 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL DRITRY LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Sm th. THIS EVENING, FEB. 22, Will be performed RICHARD THE THIRD. Supported by Mess• G. V. Brooke, George Bennett, T. Mead, and Miss F. Cathcart., To conclude with 1{.121G HIIMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Land of Toys. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Ilackstone. THIS EVENING. FEB. 22, Will be performed GUY MANNERING. Characters by Messrs. IMLott Galer, W. Farren, Compton, Rogers, Howe, Clark, Core, and Cullenford ; Miss Cushman, Miss Julia Harland, and Mrs. L. S. Buckingham. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called ITARLEQI7IN AND THE THREE BEAM% ; 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-STREE T. Under the Management of Mr. Cnaatas BEAN. THIS EVENING, FEB. 22, Will be performed RICHARD THE THIRD. Principal charac ter by Mr. C. Kean. After which will be presented the new Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND g u nne ; HIS MEN; or , Ki n g Salamander and the Fairy of Pantaloon,the Azure Lake. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown. Kr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, FEB. 22, Will be performed A BACHELOR OF ARTS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews , and Baker ; Miss F. Hughes. After which, the original Fairy Extravaganza, called ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS. Principal cha racters by Mr. Roxby and Madame Vestris. To conclude with PATTER VERSUS CLATTER. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHL Proprietor, Mr. B. Webste r.—Directre ss , Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING FER. 22, Will be presented the highly Popular New Nautical Melo-drama in live taoleatta, w►th new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., new dresses an d appointments, called THE THIRST OF GOLD ; or, THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paul Bedford, Madame Celeste, &c. To conclude with THE SERIOI73 FAMILY. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, FEB. 22, Win be performed THE FIRST NIGHT. Characters by Messrs. Alfred Wigan, Leslie, Franks, Harwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. To conclude with THE LOTTERY TICKET. Characters by Messrs. Emery, Vincent, and F. Robson; and Mrs. Chattcrley. Followed by THE W NDERING MINSTREL. STRAND THEATRE. SW*, Lessee, Mr. F. W - . - A - 11;;; : t.- - D7reet - ress - , Bliss Rebecca Isaacs. THIS EVENING, FEB. 22, Will be presented (third time) "NO IRISH NEED APPLY." After which, SKETCHES IN INDIA; or, Stage Struck. To be followed by STATE SECRETS; or, The Irish Ambassador. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 31.; Pit, le. 6d; Gallery, 6d.; Private Boxer, 11. 11s. 6d., to be nad 01 Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. Positively THE LAST SIX NIGHTS of the Performing Ele phants previous to their departure for Paris. Increased nove.ty and combination of Attractions. In addition to the Wonders of the present age—the Performing Elephants—first time, a new grand Equestrian Spectacle, ent re change in the Scenes of the Arena, and the successful Pantomime. THIS EVENING, Fee. 22, (And during the week) Will be presented, with new scenery, and costumes and appoint ments, an entirely new grand and romantic Litppo-d rama, written expressly to Introduce Mr. W Cooke's pet steed, Beauty, (pur posely trained by him) and entitled THE WOODMAN'S HORDE; or, The False Knight. To be succeeded by THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST, or THE MAGIC GONG. Followed by Mr. W. Cooke's Matchless Scenes of the CIRCLE. To conclude with the Grand Comic Pantomime of BILLY MUT TON'S JOURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladies' Favourite. N.B.—The final MORNING PERFORMANCE on THURSDAY NEXT, Fax. 23, commencing at Two o'clock. Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. • HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. T DAY —Morning 27 min.after 8 I Evening 10 min.aft. 9 To-Moaaow—Morning 55 min.after 9 I Evening 42 miu.aft. 10 THE WEATHER.—Sun Orrin, FEB. 22. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 52—highest since noon yesterday. 40—lowest this morning and during the night. 50—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'22. WIND, S. - W.—Moderate breeze, and cloudy weather. - Zr! !; . 0 4 - 4 ~\ ~^~`l LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1854. Sir Frrzxo KELLY ought to know all about election contests. He has tried them in every form for a quarter of a century. Five times he has been unsuccessful at the poll, and nearly as many times successful ; once he was unseated, upon petition, for bribery, and once, by petition, he placed himself in his rival's seat. He has ex perimented. on the varied constituencies of Hythe, Ipswich, Cambridge, Lyme Regis, Harwich, and East Suffolk, and has defended his own seat, to lose it, however, before an Election Committee. Not many men can bring to a bill against bribery and intimidation more experience combined with acknowledged legal ability; and no one could have more accurately daguerreotyped the mode in which a member of Parliament may be legally and some times morally innocent when his election has been secured by gross bribery. He appears also to have really aimed straight at his object ; and perhaps his Bill may be regarded partly as showing what his skill could do, and partly in the same light as certain 51. and 101. notes acknowledged from time to time by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The prescription of such a physician is at least worth looking at. It consists, in the main, of two, perhaps we may say three, elements—elec tion officers, oaths, and voting papers. The officers are to be the sole medium of election payments ; the candidate is to swear on the day of nomina tion that he has paid and will pay no money in connection with the election but through him, and all his agents are to be declared and sworn also to the same effect. The officer is to be, therefore, responsible that none but legal payments are made. Lest, however, certain well-known central clubs, and other local ones, should set their good and safe men to work, the officer is to be armed with power to compel all persons suspected as agents of bribery to take the same oath as that taken by the declared agents and the candidate. These officers and the oaths are the first part of the bill. Voting papers signed before a magistrate or some appointed officers for three or four days previous to the open poll, or iu the polling-booth, at the voter's discretion, are the second part. The paper signed is to contain a declaration as solemn as an oath, that the vote is not influenced by any "bribe, reward, or consideration," or by undue influence, but " gives his vote freely and willingly accord ing to the best of his judgment and conscience." Now, without reverting to the Charter, we must think that Mr. Hr's old plan of all legal expenses being paid by the county or borough, and, we presume, it being made penal for the member to incur additional expenses, would be a much simpler, and, taking the whole country, a not seriously more costly plan, than Sir FITZROY KFILLY'S army of election officers. Lord JOHN RUSSELL has already informed us that the cost of living as an M.P. is quite sufficient guarantee without the property qualification ; moreover, a requisition, signed by a certain proportion of the electors, Would be a perfect protection against expense arising from mere sham nominations. Then the oaths--the fewer of them the better. We want to go on diminishing, not increasing, the number of our oaths ; but in no case are oaths more ob jectionable than when they bind to a duty too T a g" to be accurately defined. Men of high in tegrity are not the persons to take gross bribes even now, and the lower class would regard their oath as k ept, if only clever evasive arrangements were provided. Oaths, and declarations " ha • ving the sanctity h h not the form of an oath," would, ere lton7,g merely lower the value of an oath without purifyin g one constituency. As to the voting papers, even striking out the three or four days' poll, which no one would now endure, they would not prevent the state of the poll from b e i n g known, and consequently leave the great temptation to bribery of the last two or three hours just where it was ; a n d so obviously is it no protection against intimidation that Sir FITZ pp ir an z R oyROY KELLY proposes to prevent that Sir atb en snaring declaration. We p ut i t to and to the House of Commons whether the in ducement presented by the ballot to false pro mising, is to be compared with the temptation to a false declaration " with all the sanctity of an oath." H ow m any trembling voters da re tell a landlord or a creditor, " to vo t e as you wish would be to falsify my de claration ?" H o w many would hesitate to tam per with their convictions when to act upon them would be ruin ? Indeed, the most foolish, and the most ungenerous act in the world towards dependent men, would be to compel them to all but swear that they are not afraid, and not un duly influenced. Their inward ,groaaa would say —bad enough to be so, but as bad as being in the inquisition itself to be made to sign a document that we are not so. We are confident Sir FITZROY KELLY is thoroughly acquainted with PILGRIM'S Progress. We advise him and all the proposed advocates of electoral purity to take a lesson from the world renowned allegory. There is one little wicket gate which, though but a "mechanical device," is the sure entrance on the perfectly straight road to the celestial city. It is of no use to quit the Slough of Despond merely to hearken to Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Mr. Legality, though of first rate standing, will ease no electoral purist of his burden. The Little Wicket-gate of the ballot box is not more mechanical than the voting papers; has no such miserable racks for conscience as de clarations with the sanctity of an oath ; does not force the dependent to belie their convictions, and is certainly the only possible entrance to the path of Electoral Independence. The entire tendency of recent legislation has been towards the assimilation of the laws relating to real and personal property. In the olden time, when land was looked upon as almost the only valuable possession, a wide distinction was taken between it and the mere goods and chattels, which constituted the only personal property. The transfer of land was attended with numerous for malities, actual " seisin " was required, and other matters, to which it is unnecessary at present to make further allusion. Anything, however, was sufficient to dispose of and change the ownership in mere chattels. There was no necessity for a will to be witnessed, or even signed. A dying man might dispose of his effects even verbally, by answers drawn from him during his last moments. But as to real estate, no less than three credible witnesses were required, and everything should be selon les regles. If the owner died intestate, the estate devolved upon the heir at law, generally speaking the eldest son (except where there was some peculiar custom of the district where the land was situate.) The ties of nature were totally disregarded. All went to one ; while the others, although equally near to the deceased, were left totally destitute, being merely the dependents, scarcely better than the serfs of the more favoured individual, who, as " first born," grasped the entire substance for his own use. They were scarcely better off as to the chattels, for there " the Church" stepped in, and the bishop of the diocese assumed the administration, or at least the right of granting the administration, of the personal effects, which, being of insignificant value, were devoted to " pious uses," the unfortunate younger children being deprived of any right or title v,hatever to any description of property. This asserted privilege of the Church was pro bably an usurpation in the first instance, but long , before the time of "legal memory," it was recog nised by Parliament. Indeed, as Lord CRA.N WORTH stated last week, it was declared in a sta tute passed during the reign of EDWARD 1., to be " an admitted fact that cognisance of all matters testamentary belonged to the Holy Church." No accounts were then rendered. The bishop was accountable to no personwhatsoever for the manner in which he thought proper to exercise his " un doubted prerogative." It was not until the " Sta tute of Distributions" (22 and 23 CAR. IL, c. 10) provided for the rights of the next of kin of the intestate that any adequate remedy was afforded. Then, indeed, the status of the younger children was recognised. The administrator was thereby compelled to distribute the surplusage of the effects according to certain specified propor tions. The amount thus snatched from the wreck was, however, subjected to heavy sal vage charges. The officials of the Ecclesiastical Courts took several heavy pulls out of the pro perty during its passage through the tribunal, and it, because belonging to the neglected and uncared-for class—the minimi natu—was also subjected to exorbitant stamps on probates, or letters of administration, from all of which the devisee or inheritor of real estate was exempted. It was not until the accession of our present most gracious Qtrszet that the " sharp end of the wedge" was introduced, and the first step taken in the right direction. By the Ist Vic., cap. 26, (commonly called the Statute of Wills), the dis tribution between realty and personalty was done away with, so far as the formalities attendant on the execution of wills were concerned. Verbal, or nuncupative wills, were abolished (except in cases of soldiers on actual service, and of sailors at sea), and two witnesses were rendered indis pensable in every instance. who should attest the will in the presence of the testators and of each other. This, as we have stated, was the first step. No less than sixteen years was suffered to elapse before the next proceeding. The Succession Duties Act of 1853, which extended the legacy duty to real estate, whether settled or unsettled, and on settled personalty, followed, sed Longo in tervallo. That, however, made the further course to be traversed perfectly clear. We now have introduced to Parliament by Lord CRANWORTH measures for transferring the jurisdiction from the Ecclesiastical Courts, and making the new probates extend to all property, real or personal. It needs no extraordinary powers of vaticination to predict that such an extensive change is but the preliminary step to putting the probate duty on real estate—a proposition which we put forward and strenuously urged on the consideration of the Chancellor of the Exchequer last session, and which will give him at least 1,200,000/. per an num—equivalent to a capital of 40,000,000/. towards carrying on the war ; or, what will be more agreeable, to enable him to remit other and more onerous taxes when a just and honourable peace has been established. The measure of the hon. gentleman the mem ber for East Surrey followed in due course. It was, indeed, a necessary sequence from the others. When real estate was subjected to legacy duty, and there was every prospect of its being made the subject not only of probate law, but of pro bate duty, the exclusive right of the elder son could not be expected long to continue. Mr. LOCKE KLNG has therefore commenced his on slaught against the so-called law of primogeniture under peculiarly auspicious omens. The rule is opposed to the law of nature, and cannot, there. fore, prevail much longer. It must be changed. Everything proves not merely the propriety, but the necessity of the change. " The right divine" of the elder born will no longer be recognised. Indeed, since the removal of the " safety valve" which enabled the pauper scions of the aristocracy to be quartered on the public purse, it was mani fest that a more equitable distribution of the assets was indispensable. When the rewards of Naval, Military, and Civil Services are to be thrown open to the most meritorious candidates without reference to their origin —when promo tion will depend on talent, not on rank—on the acquirements of the individual rather than the influence of his relations and friends, the law of primogeniture must be abolished, and real estates, as well as personal, be distributed fairly among the legitimate candidates. Let not our readers be startled. There is no thing very startling or wonderful in the proposi tion. The volition of any man is not to be inter fered with. If he chooses to bestow all his pro perty ou the eldest son, or on the youngest son, or eldest daughter, he will still be authorised to do so ; and if the ambition to found or maintain a family be sufficiently great to supersede the natural law, and induce the individual to commit a grievous act of injustice against his youngest children, he may still do so. All that is contem plated is that he should do so by his own act and deed, not that the law should inflict the unwar ranted injury. The matter is slight—but its results will be more important ; for it will make men think more correctly, and not in their dying mo raents imagine that the eldest born are to barter their votes to the Minister for the time being, in order t o o bt a i n a li v i ng f or th e i r younger b rethren. The d emora li s i ng system w ill b e a b o li s h ed, and a grievou s rep roach removed from the British nation. MONEY MARKE AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 5,000 bales, of which 500 American and 500 Surat were taken on speculation. The mar ket closed heavily, and prices of all kinds were much the same as on Friday last. The sales com prised 4,000 American, 150 Egyptian, at 6id. to 11d., and 700 Surat, at 3d. to 41d. per lb. Rail way Shares were dull. A very important statement is given in a com munication from the Hague, forwarded to the Cologne Gazette, and dated the 17th inst. In this we are informed that by the last Overland Mail, advices were received from Decima in Japan, to the 16th Nov. At that time there lay in the har bour of Nangasaki, a Russian war frigate, a cor vette, a screw-steamer, and a transport-ship, under the orders of Vice-Admiral Portianin, who arrived there on the 20 Aug., bearing a letter from the Em peror of Russia to the Emperor of Japan. On the 21st September, the Russian admiral, with a numerous staff of officers, was received with great ceremony and distinction by the Governor of Nangasaki. The letter of the Emperor Nicholas was then pre sented, and sent to the capital, Jeddo. The an swer however, had not been received when the Dutch vessel which brings these advices left, and the Russians were expecting it not without mani festations of impatience. The steamer Sultan, from Southampton, takes out in specie 170,8651., of which 58,2301. are for Malta and Alexandria, and the rest for India and China. The whole amount of the gold brought by the Great Britain steamer, except about 8,000 ounces, has been taken for exportation. Messrs. Haggard and Pixley inform us that the price of silver is merely nominal, owing to the small quantity in the market, and the non-arrival of that which La Plata should have brought. Bar silver is about ss. lid. per ounce. The tendency of the Foreign Exchanges has been slightly to advance, Paris and Antwerp being yesterday the chief exceptions. This may arise, however, from the report that the French Govern ment is negotiating a loan through the great firm of Rothschild. Should the amount, as stated, be six or eight millions sterling, it is very likely that with the existing strict relations between England and France, there would be an excellent reception given to a portion in the London market. The price is stated at 62 to 63 for a 3 per cent. stock, but upon this there is no definite information at present. A week or ten days ago it is probable that better terms might have been obtained by the Minister of Finance, because even up to that date the possibility of peace being maintained was be lieved in many quarters. The Turkish Govern ment also are hoping for pecuniary assistance, without which they can scarcely keep their armies efficiently in the field, and it is supposed there will be no means of raising money unless England and France at least guarantee the interest. The rate of exchange at New York having sunk below par, we shall not be likely to receive more bullion, and may indeed have to export it ere long. At St. Petersburgh the exchange is all in our favour, but circumstances will prevent remittances in bullion to England, because, if necessary, there would be an official interdict. The market for public securities has been well supported, and is again looking up. Consols have been done at 901, and since at 91 and 91k, for Transfer ' • while for Account they are 94. The increased probability of Austria cordially co-oper ating with England and France has a good effect. The New 31 per Cents. have been 92 to and the 3 per Cents. 914 to Bank Stock has been steady at 217. South Sea Old Annuities are at 1011. Exchequer Bills have been firmer at 18s. to 21s. premium. _ _ _ The Foreign Securities have been very quiet. Mexican have improved, however, to 24. Rus sian 5 per Cents. are steadier at par, and the 44 per Cents. at 86k, and Chilian are 13. per cent. better, being 1023-. Spanish Deferred have been supported at 18g. Dutch 23- per Cents. are 59 to 3, being flat. There has been a bargain in Austrian Bonds at 78-3- BRITISH klivEs.—The market continues quiet, without much variation in prices. Mollands, East Russells, Poltimores, Great Crinnis, and Arundells are in demand at yesterday's rates. The current prices for the Jamaica Mines, not officially quoted, are as follows :—Metcalfe, par to A premium ; Sue River, I discount to par ; Port Royal, 4 to / premium. The Gold Mine Shares are generally quiet at the previous rates. _ _ . The Union Bank of Australia Shares have been 10s. to 15s. lower. London Joint Stock and chartered of Australia are about the same. The Land Companies' Shares have been firm but quiet. Theßailway Share markethas been very buoyant, and prices have improved, although there is very little doing. Caledonian have advanced 10s. to 15s. Great Ncrthern A stock is up 1/. to 1/. 10s. Lancashire and Yorkshire, about 10s., and Mid land York and North Midland, and most of the others in about the same proportion. French shares have been N. to 7s. 6d. better, and with more inquiry. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. ( Prom the Official List. ) _ llnsinesx done Bank Stock i per Cent. Reduced Annuities 9 li 4 i 3 per Cent Consols Annuities 9l 901 14 1 4 New 34 per Cent. Annuities 9 24 i 3 New 5 per Cent. Annuities ll6l Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Dittc. 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 5 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 5 South Sea Old Annuities lOl4 Consols for Account 16th, March 904 11 1 4 Exchequer Bills, ld. £IOOO £5OO lB 21 p Small lB 21 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. A ustrian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 7Bi Chilian Bonds, 6 per eel* lo2i Grenada Bonds, Deferred Mexican 3 per Cent. Ditto for the Account. Peruvian Bonds, 44 per Cent. Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent. 3B Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St lOO Ditt) 44 per Cent 864 4 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. l B ,l B Dividends on thelabove payablelin London. - Dutch Exchange, 2A per Cent. 12 Guil.... * 59 11 8A Ditto for the Account 59, THREE O'CLOCK. Consols 9IA i Ditto March Account 9lh THE WAGNER CASE. COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH-(THIS DAY), LUMLEY V. GTE. This case was resumed again this morning. After the examination of two or three more witnesses, the case for the defence was closed, Sir F. Thesiger then addressed the jury for the plain tiff. He said—ln the course of the inquiry many things had occurred which he very much regretted, and none more so than the unfounded and illiberal attack which had been made upon Mr. Lumley and Dr. Becher. With regard to Mr. Lumley, that gentleman was con fessed to be in difficulties ; but his learned friend had said that was the fate of all persons who entered into theatrical speculations ; and perhaps Mr. Gye was not an exception. The learned counsel then proceeded to go into the facts of the whole case, and was proceeding when we went to press. The Earl and Countess of Jersey and Lady Clemen tina Villiers, who are at present staying at Middleton park, will not return to Berkeley-square before the 28th instant. THE SCOTS FUSILIER GUARDS. -- The Hon. Geo. Dalrymple, son of the Earl of Stair, who sold out of the Scots Fusilier Guards on Friday, was, we understand, compelled to take this step in consequence of an accident he met with a short time since while hunting, by which his collar-bone was fractured. The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton are shortly ex pected to leave town for Paris, where their Graces' ma ternal parent, the Grand Dowager Duchess of Baden, is staying on a visit to her relations the Emperor Louis Napoleon and his consort. A REMARKABLE MEETlNG.—Yesterday a dinner took place at the house of the American consul, Mr. Saunders, `Weymouth-street, Portland•place, at which, amongst other guests, there were :—His Excellency the American Ambassador to this country ; the American Vice- Consul ; Mazzini, Kossuth, Ledru Rollin, Arnold Ruge, Herzen (the wealthy Russian emigre),Worcell (the Pole), Garibaldi, and Orsini. THE PRESTON STRIKE.—It is with much concern we have to notice that so little progress is made towards a reconciliation between the associated masters and their late workpeople. The former are as determined as ever in their resistance to what they consider the unreason able requirements of the operatives ; and a large propor tion of the latter yet remain firm in their demand of an unconditional ten per cent. Both receive the hearty pecuniary support of their class ; so that the dispute, which is now nearly of six months' duration, appears as far off a settlement as ever. A new feature in the dis pute is that the operatives, or at least the delegates for them, have formed a fund to pay the expenses of work people emigrating from the district, and the manufac turers are about to make arrangements for importing from the agricultural districts of England, from Ireland, and from various parts of the continent, people already accustomed to some branch of our textile manufacture, who may be willing to accept work here at the prices offered by the masters.— Preston Chronicle. WILLIAM Slim( O'BRIEN. —This gentleman is about to return to his family and home by order of the Govern ment, on condition that he will never again take a lead or part in Politics. He may ha expected about the end of Juge.—Live:•pccd Courier. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 22, 1854. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(THIS DAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following private bills were read a second time and ordered to be committed :—Birmingham Canal Na vigations ; Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway and Car ligan Harbour ; Dublin and Wicklow, and Dublin and Kingstown Railways ; Ennis and Shannon Navigation and Reclamation of Land ; Exhibition of 1851 Commis sioners ; Great Western Railway kOxford,Worcester, and Wolverhampton); Great Western Railway (S cratford, &c.); Hilgay Great West Fen Drainage ; Horncastle and Kirkstead Junction Railway ; Leeds Northern Rail way ; Leominster and Kington Railway ; National As surance and Investment Association ; Newport and Pillgwenlly Waterworks ; Newport Dock ; Rhymney Railway ; Rossendale Waterworks ; Perth and Dunkeld Railway ; and Traethbach Bridge and Road. to the lessons of history, which taught him that the faith of continental Emperors who enjoyed despotic power was not always to be relied on, and he trembled for the fate of these 20,000 gallant men, if in the last moment France should think fit to retrace her steps. (Hear, hear.) Far better, then, would it be for us to employ a more numerous army of our own, and he hoped, now that we had virtually declared war with Russia, the Government would be prepared to take the lead in the coming contest. Lord R. GROSVENOR thanked the Government for the strenuous efforts they had made to preserve peace, and now, that war was inevitable, he could pro mise them the hearty support of his constituents in pro secuting hostilities with vigour. (Hear, hear.) The report was then received, and the vote of the number of men agreed to. SAYINGS' BANKS. Mr. H. A. BRUCE moved for a return of the num ber of persons, being males, and of 21 years of age, who have had sums of 501. and upwards invested on their account, for the three preceding years, in the savings' banks of the United Kingdom ; distinguishing England, Scotland, and Ireland. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY remarked that several other returns of an important nature connected with savings banks had already been ordered, and he should be glad to know why they were not forthcoming. (Hear, hear.) Mr. WILSON said the returns referred to were some what extensive, but they were in a forward state of preparation, and the whole of them would be shortly laid on the table. The return was then agreed to. The other orders were afterwards disposed of, and the house adjourned at half-past one o'clock. THE DEPARTURE OF THE GUARDS. Last evening orders were issued from the Adjutant- General's office, Horse Guards, for the 3d battalion of the Grenadier Guards to parade in service marching order in the square of St. George's Barracks, Charing-cross, at three o'clock this morning, and march from thence to the Waterloo terminus of the South-Western Railway, for conveyance by special train to Southampton. Yes terday the men comprising the battalion was relieved from garrison duty, and were engaged in arranging their ac coutrements and packing up the regimental stores, in which service they were assisted by fatigue parties from the other battalions of Guards. The horses belonging to field officers and the adjutant, with the heavy baggage, were forwarded by train last evening. A fact which speaks volumes of the general good conduct of this corps occurred yesterday. It is customary, when a regiment is under orders for foreign service, to confine the men to barracks the day preceding their march. In the case of the 3d battalion of Grenadier Guards this species of imprisonment was not resorted to, except in a few in stances where men were known to be confirmed tipplers The commanding officer has had no cause to regret hav ing placed reliance in the honour of the men, not one of whom was absent at roll call. Some thousands of persons of all classes had assembled in the vicinity of the barracks at two o'clock this morn ing, anxious to ♦iew the imposing sight of such a large body of men, fully equipped to meet the foe, on the march. They were, however, doomed to wait in suspense for three hours. At half-past 4 o'clock the battalion, mustering nearly 1,000 rank and file, fell into close column of companies, in service marching order, and were again mustered and minutely inspected by the captains of companies, and subsequently by the colonel commandant and field offi cers. At five o'clock the companies formed extended column in sections, and all being in readiness for the march, the barrack gates were thrown opon, when a simultaneous cheer arose from the assembled multitude outside, which was echoed from the ranks within. At this moment the band struck up the "British Grenadiers," and the march commenced. The men were in good spirits, and had every appearance of being eager for the fray. In passing along the Strand they were cheered by the inhabitants, who had been awakened by the "sounds of martial strains," the females bidding the brave fellows adieu by waving handkerchiefs from the windows. As the march pro gressed, the band played alternately " Cheer, boys, cheer," " Pop goes the weazle," " You are going far away," "The girl I left behind me," and the "British Grenadiers." The battalion arrived at the terminus of the South-Western Railway at a quarter before six o'clock, and a parting cheer was given by the thousands who had accompanied them from the barracks. The arrangements having been completed, and the trains in readiness, a general hearty cheer at leaving the metro polis issued from the carriages, and at a quarter before seven o'clock the trains were set in motion, and were soon lost to sight. LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. We learn by intelligence from St. Petersburg of the date of the 11th inst, that at that time Sir H. Seymour had not yet communicated his recall to the Russian Government. His instructions to quit the Empire had probably not then reached the British minister. The Emperor Nicholas had been suffering from erysipelas, and was said to be in a state of great irritation and excitement, which rendered him in accessible to the advice of his oldest Ministers. The utmost activity prevailed in every depart ment of Government, and preparations for war are made on the most extensive scale. An answer had been despatched to the letter addressed by Louis Napoleon to the Emperor Nicholas, which is framed in unsatisfactory, arrogant, and discourteous lan guage. _ _ The Journal de St. Petersburg of the 12th con tains the benediction of the metropolitan Bishop of Moscow on the departure of the 16th division of the army. This has already been published in The Sun. Nothing can be more false than the language of this sanguinary priest, when he says, " This enemy, vanquished under Catherin e , under Alex ander, under Nicholas, again provokes Russia." If ever war was made without provocation, it is that which Russia is waging against Turkey. In the same journal there is a leading article announcing the publication at St. Petersburg of the translation of a pamphlet published in England by Mr. Moseley, in defence of what he calls tue rights of Russia. The Journal de St. Petersbourg says :—" In the midst of the injustice propagated by the English press on the subject of the Russian policy, it is consolatory to find that in this same England there are men who do not hesitate to raise their voices, and cause to be heard the im partial language of truth on the Eastern question." A telegraphic despatch from Berlin, dated yes terday evening, says the Czar is extremely enraged at the answer returned by Prussia, and that Prince Paskiewitsch is summoned from Warsaw to St. Petersburgh. A Russian manifesto has appeared, announcing that between the Ist of March and the 15th of April a further levy of nine men in the thousand will be made. It also mobilizes the whole army and fleet. The Greek insurgent army in European Turkey amounts to 6,000 men. Russian troops are to be stationed between Riga and Memel. The latest accounts from Vienna state that the Austrian Government shows a stronger resolution to take an active part in the present crisis, especi ally since the failure of the last overtures for peace made by the Courts of Vienna and Paris to that of St. Petersburg. The Emperor of Austria has distinctly intimated his determination not to assent to the arrange ments for the neutrality of Germgny projected by the Saxon and Bavarian Governments at the insti gation of Russia. It is rumoured at Vienna that a squadron is to sail from Corfu to protect the Albanian coast. Three Russian ships of war are lying in the Aus trian harbours. The Prussian Correspondence mentions a rumour that M. de Kisseleff has received orders to proceed to Vienna to join Baron de Meyendorff. The Trieste Gazette continues to urge the Aus trian Cabinet to adopt energetic measures against Russia. The Breslau, Gazette of the 17th states that the Governments of France and England have an nounced to the Cabinets of Vienna and Berlin that an expeditionary corps of French and English troops is about to occupy Constantinople. The above journal says that the notification was given on the 11th, and adds that a copy of the instruc tions to the Ambassadors of the Western Powers accompanied the notification, and that they are of an exceedingly strict character. The Correspondence of Vienna, 17th, says : " Large quantities of supplies continue to be sent off to the army of observation stationed on the Turkish frontier. A corps of pontooniers, with all their bridge equipage, left to-day." The Gazette of the German Empire, under the head of Berlin, February 17, says : " The attitude of the great powers of Germany with respect to Russia is characterised by the tone with which the propositions of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg have been rejected. In the reply of Prussia, it is said that that reply will be considered as a rupture in Russia, and that, at all events, it implies a schism. The refusal of Austria, on the contrary, contains assurances of friend ship, and a request that the Emperor would be pleased to renew his promise not to aim at an increase of terri tory in Turkey, at least in Turkey in Europe. It is said that Russia, in reply to the cabinet of Berlin, is about to concentrate a corps of 20,000 men on the frontier of Poland, but it is not known if that step is intended as a demonstration against Prussia, or as a simple measure of precaution with respect to Poland. If Prussia placed on a war footing an army of 100,000 men, she could paralyse the whole of the Russian army in Poland. At the present moment the Russian army in the principalities is only 80,000 men, and that of the Turks 100,000. It is true that Russia is going to in 'crease her army on the Danube to 200,000, but, in order to do that, she must direct towards the south a part of the army of Poland. It is affirmed that the Bavarian Ambassador has replied to the question put to him, as to which of the two great powers of Germany Bavaria would join, that 'it was that which would be for France.'" The German Journal of Frankfort states from Berlin that there is a strong feeling in the Prussian army against Russia, and that several of the supe rior officers have declared that they will give in their resignation if the Prussian Government should declare in favour of the Czar. The Moniteur publishes a letter from Trebizond of the 12th ult., giving the following account of the attack on Chefketil by the Russians, and dif ferent versions of which have been given by the other journals : " On the 30th December, five Russian war steamers made their appeal ante off Chefketil, coming from Re dout Kale. One of them remained in the offing while the four others ran in and fired about 30 cannon shot at a battery recently erected by the Turks, between Chefketil and Tchouroukson. The Turks replied by about double the number of shot from some heavy guns, and the Russian vessels hauled off very much damaged ; one of them is said to have had her engine completely knocked to pieces." Another letter of the 11th ult., in the Moniteur, from the same place, says : " About-noo n , th e day before yesterday. the French and Etiglish frigates Mogador and Samson arrived in the roadstead, preceding by some hours the Gomer, Des cartes, and Charlemagne, under the command of Rear- Admiral Lebardier de Tinan, and the Terrible, Sans pared, and A gamemnon, un d er Rear-Admiral Lyons. These vessels convoyed five Turl, ish steam-frigates, having on board troops and military stores for Batoum. It would be difficult to express the effect produced on the inhabitants of this place by the appearance of this squadron ; all the people assembled on the shore to witness their arrival in the harbour, and the town had all the appearance of a holiday. Public prayers were offered up in the mosques for France and England." The last accounts from Constantinople say that " the combined fleets are still at Bey cos, where they await an order from their Governments explanatory of the instructions forwarded to the Ambassadors, who differ from the Admirals as to the purport of those instructions. # " There is a probability that Redschid Pasha will be elevated to the rank of Grand Vizier, and that he will be replaced in the Foreign-office by Ali Pasha, who has already filled that office. " The Russians are concentrating troops and forming magazines at Kaffa, in the Crimea. " The Russians lately attempted a landing at Czernowoda, in the Dobrudscha, at the mouth of the Danube, but wore repulsed with loss. " The Caradoc reached Constantinople on the Bth with despatches for the Ambassador and Admiral. General Burgoyne was on board." -- - The last number of the Wallachian, Monitcur , published by the Russian Generals, states that army there are but 11,000 sick in th e R uss i an a We read in a letter from a French gentlem . an, dated from the Turkish head-quarters at Shumla, the 28th ult.:-- " Omer Pasha shows great respect for human life, and for the forms o f j ust i ce. Seven Greek and Bulga rian spies were some time ago arrested for having given information to the Russians. They were tried by a sort of jury of ten persons, amongst whom was the agent of the Greek p a t r i arc h , the Chief Rabbi, and the chief of theAemenian s . Th ey were unanimously convicted an d condemned to death ; but Omer Pasha only caused the two chiefs, one of whom is named Andronicos, to be put to death. They were shot yesterday beyond the fortifi cations, and died with a good deal of resolution. At Widdin, which the Marshal considers one of the most important points of Bulgaria, there are several foreign officers; amongst them some English officers from India. Nothing is stirring here at present. The cold is not very severe, and the snow not very deep. The Marshal superintends personally, as if he were an engineer, the execution of the fortifications of Shumla. In another letter from the same place of the 30th ult., the same writer says : "The General-in-Chief has just received a detailed account of the loss sustained by the Russians in the affair of Citat4, near Kalafat :—the killed were 1 general (Orloff), 5 colonels, 4 majors, 3,000 officers, subalterns, and privates :—the wounded were 2 colonels, 8 majors, and 200 waggons full of soldiers, who were cony eyed to Krajowa ; 1 colonel has disappeared and cannot be heard of. The loss of the Turks in killed and wounded did not exceed 1,300. Widdin, the extreme point of the Danubian line, appears destined to become shortly the theatre 'of grave events. Omer Pacha has sent Ismail Pacha, the beet of his generals, to command there, t h oug h as chief of the staff he ought to remain with 2 him. Every day detachments are being sent in that direction. The streets of Shumla, were yester day encumbered with soldiers making their prepara tions, a nd their belief was that a lyittle was ab ou t to take place. As by the entrance of the fleets into the Black cies, the Turks no longer fear an hive,- sion of their coasts, they have directed all their efforts towards the western extremity of Bulgaria, in order to check the hostile dispositions of the Servians, and en courage the sympathies of the populations of Lesser Wallachia. An engagement may consequently shortly be expected similar to that of Citate. Some engage ments have taken place in the Dobrodja—an immense plain of about 1,200 square leagues, extending between the Danube and the Bla,-k Sea. Ha canal were out through this plain from Rassova to Custendje, it would save eighty leagues of navigation to vessels in the Danube, and would enable theta to avoid the bar of Sulina. A project of making a canal is on foot, but like that of a railway from Constantinople to Belgrade, it can only be acted on when peace shall be re-esta blished. Immense preparations are now making to defend the territory.: _ _ _ A letter from Belgrade of Feb. 11, says The mission of Edein Pacha has failed. The Imperial commissioner will return the day after to-morrow to Constantinople. The Senate has given its opinion relative to the firman. It declares that it will accept most gratefully the confirmation of the privileges of Servia ; but adds, that it cannot forget that the Russo-Turkish treaties of Bucha rest, Akjermann, and Adrianople, are still in force. The document declares that the Senate desires Servia, to maintain her positive relations, as esta blished by treaties with Russia and• Turkey. The document, which is signed by Prince Alexander, was delivered in due form to Edein Pacha, who was greatly irritated at it. The order given to withdraw the Turkish troops stationed on the fron tier of Servia has been revoked." Accordihg to a letter from Bucharest, it appears that, on the Bth and 9th, 6,000 Turks, under the command of Terek Oglu Pacha, crossed the Danube near Kirsova, and marching to Arosch, drove away the Russians, who were fortifying it, and, after destroying the entrenchments, returned to Kirsova. A letter from Bucharest, of the 10th, says : " Nothing is now talked of but the movement of troops. A report is current that the Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia has arrived. On the 3d the Turks passed the Danube at Rustjuck, in order to attempt to carry the fortress of Giurgevo by as sault, and to establish themselves there, so as to be able to threaten Bucharest. In order to cover this attack, the Turks at the same time sent a body of men to land in the island of Mokani whilst the others landed above the town. The attention of the Russians was directed towards the island, and the advanced posts of Giurgevo were driven in by the Turks, who then formed their columns for the assault, intending to attack the town near the old barracks. The Russians had in the meantime re inforcements, and the combat became very warm, and lasted hand to hand for five hours. The Russian artillery decided the affair, and the Turks recrossed the Danube. Many were killed and wounded on both sides ; the Russians lost a dis tinguished colonel." FRANCE. The Moniteur of to-day (Wednesday) contains an article in which it says, that it is the imperative duty of the Government to declare frankly to all who aim at profiting by the present position of af fairs to excite disturbances either in Greece or Italy that they will place themselves by such a step in direct opposition to the interests of France. France, while, in alliance with England, she de fends the integrity of Turkey, cannot allow that integrity to be violated by aggressions having their origin iu Greece ; nor, if the flags of France and Austria float together in the East, can France per mit any attempt to separate them on the other side of the Alps. It is said that on Monday M. Drouyn de Lhuys sent off to London the text of the treaty of alliance offensive and defensive between England, France, and Turkey. Besides the articles already known, which stipulate that Turkey shall not conclude any treaty with Russia without the consent of England and France, and that neither of these two Powers is in any case to derive any territorial advantages from the present war, the treaty contains other articles, which stipulate for the liberty of the Black Sea, and the sending of an army of occupation of 100,000 men to Constantinople. Of this number, France is to furnish 70,000 men, and England 30,000. The 100,000 men are all to be assembled at Constantinople about the middle of April. It appears that the number of English and French troops to be immediately sent out will not exceed 10,000 of the former, and 15,000 of the latter. I understand that the idea of forming an army of observation on the Alps is abandoned, or at all events postponed for the present, as calcu lated to give umbrage to Austria. The formation of that army will no doubt depend on the attitude which Austria may assume. Something has been already said about the at tempts made to get up a Republican manifestation for the 24th inst., the anniversary of the Revolu tion of 1848. It appears that arrests have been made by the police at Batignolles and the Fau bourg. St. Antoine. In one quarter these arrests are said to be numerous, an d as caus i ng some un easiness to the Government, particularly under present circumstances, when the appearance of internal embarrassment would no doubt be an encouragement to the common enemy, and of which his partisans in Paris and elsewhere would not fail to take advantage. What has been said here about the affair is greatly exaggerated. From 40 to 50 persons have been arrested, it is true, on its being shown that they intended to make a "manifesta tion," in what particular fashion is not exactly stated, but that it was in favour of what is termed " nationalities," and of course decidedly anti-Rus sian. The persons concerned in it are of the De mocratic party, and the day fixed was the 24th, as already stated. Those who are in a state of arrest will be detained till the close of the month, and will be taken before the Prefect of Police ; but there is no intention of taking any other proceed ings against them. It is reported that a loan of 200 millions of francs, in Three per Cent. stock, at 64f. 10c., has been concluded between the French Government and Baron de Rothschild, the Bank of France and the Receivers-General. It is expected that the Moniteur will contain before long another important document in the form of a manifesto, the terms of which will have been previously agreed upon by the two Govern ments, and which will have all the force, if not the form, of a declaration of war. Two documents are said to have been brought by the courier from St. Petersburg—one the laconic answer of the Czar to the Emperor Napoleon ; and the other a despatch of greater length, addressed by M. de Nesselrode to M. Drouyn de Lhuys, and in which the words about the Russian soldiers fol lowing the example of their fathers in 1812 are expressed. _ It is said that the Minister of the Interior threa tens to suppress the Assembles Nationale, whose Russian tendencies have excited so much remark of late. General de Castelbajac, it is stated, h as b een coldly received at the Tuileries. It appears that before leaving St. Petersburg the Czar conferred upon him the Cross of St. Alexander Newsky, and that the French Emperor declares he will not per mit him to wear the decoration. It would appear that one of the most warlike of the political personages iniParis is the Papal Nuncio. His Eminence, it appears, is of opinion that the Czar has been too tenderly treated all through ; that war should have been declared long since, and that the allies must not only drive him out of the Principalities but destroy Sebastopol and take from him the Crimea. It is stated that the project of an alliance, de fensive and offensive, between France and Switzer land, is not merely on the tapis, but on the point of conclusion. It is believed the long talked-of nomination of Prince Jerome to the command-in-chief of the ex peditionary army to Turkey is definitively set aside. At least so it is said in well-informed quarters, and the absence of the Prince and his father from the fancy ball at the Tuileries on Saturday night, under the pretext of a dinner party at the Palais Royal the same evening, would indicate a sullen ness traceable to disappointment. It was reported that in all probability the Moni teur would this day announce the nomination of Marshal Vaillant to the chief command. Besides the divisions commanded by Generals Canrobert, Bosquet, and Macmahon, there will be a division of cavalry, to be commanded by General Maurice. A report is current that General Baraguay d'Hilliers is to be recalled, in order to remove any difficulty that might arise between that diplomatist and the generals commanding the expeditionary army. _ The Bourse was more firm yesterday. The Three per Cents, were first quoted at 65f. 95c., but on a report that a change had taken place in the Cabinet of Vienna favourable to the Western. Powers they rose to 66f. 50c., and closed at 66f. 35c. for the end of the mouth. The Four-and-a- Half per Cents. at 95f. 40c. ; Orleans Railway shares, 1,050 f. ; Rouen, 850 f. ; Havre, 430 f. ; Great Northern, 715 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 700 f. ; ditto, New, 555 f. ; Western of France, 557 f. 50c. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 520 f. ; Great Central, 427 f. PETITIONS. Sir J. DUCKWORTH presented a petition from Scarboro' against the consolidation of county and borough police. Mr: FREWEN presented a petition from a place in Sussex, praying the house to take steps to close public-houses on Sundays. Mr. H. DRUMMOND presented a petition from a religious body, praying the house to take measures for restoring the Jews to their own land. (A. laugh.) Captain SCOBELL presented a petition from Bath, praying the surgeons in the navy may be placed on the same footing as their brethren in the army. Sir J. WALMSLEY presented a petition from Lanark against the Police Consolidation Bill. Mr. DAVIDSON presented a petition from the So licitors of Dublin, complaining of the inconvenient situa tion of the Encumbered Estates Court. MASSACRE OF SINOPE. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY gave notice that in com. mittee on the Naval Estimates he should draw attention to the destruction of the Turkish flotilla at Sinope. REFOEM OF THE UNIVERSITIES. Mr. BLACEETT wished to ask the noble lord, the member for the city of London, if the Government op proved of the scheme which had been issued by the heb domadal board for the reform of the universities. Lord J. RUSSELL said the Government, having considered the scheme in question, did not think it was one which they could adopt ; therefore they had advised her Majesty to reject it accordingly. THE OATHS BILL. Mr. WALPOLE wished to ask the noble lord the member for the City of London whether the Oaths Bill will be proceeded with on Monday next, and, if not, on what day. Lord J. RUSSELL was afraid the estimates would extend over to Monday, and he should not therefore be able to proceed with the Oaths Bill on that day. He should, however, give due notice when it would be brought on. SMITH O'BRIEN. Mr. BEAMISH wished to ask the noble lord at the head of the Home Department, whether there was any truth in the report which had appeared in the Irish newspapers, that it was intended to extend her Majesty's gracious pardon to Mr. Smith O'Brien. Lord PALMERSTON said the subject had been under consideration. The facts of the case appeared to be these, that some of the persons who were transported with Mr. Smith O'Brien, had thought fit to break their parole and to escape from the place of their desti nation. Mr. Smith O'Brien, however, whatever might have been his other faults, had acted like a gentleman — (hear, hear)- -and had not taken advantage of the op portunities which, if he had been less honourably dis posed, he might have availed himself of to escape. It was, therefore, the intention of the Government to advise the the Crown to extend to Mr. Smith O'Brien the means of placing himself in the same situation, by an act of clemency, in which the other persons had placed them selves by violating the pledges they had given. (Cheers.) Mr. I. BUT was rejoiced to hear the announce ment of the noble lord, which he was sure would be re ceived with great satisfaction in Ireland. There were two persons, however, who had been transported for having engaged in the seditious publications connected with the disturbance in the sister kingdom, and he hoped the same clemency would be extended to them. (Hear, hear.) He moved for returns of the number and names of the persons who have been transported from Ireland to penal coloaies under conviction for high treason, or offences against the Treason Felony Act, in 1848 and 1849 ; and, of the number and names of such of these persons as have escaped from the colonies to which they were transported.—Agreed to. MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS' BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Mr. BRADY announced that it was not his intention to priceed with the bill, as two of its clauses were ob jectionable to the profession. The order for the second reading was accordingly dis charged, and Mr. Brady obtained leave to bring in an amended bill, which was read a first time. Lord R. GROSVENOR gave notice thathe should op pose the bill, if it proposed to place in the hands of the two colleges the right of deciding who should and who should not be registered. Mr. BRADY said that the bill gave them no such authority. The bill was ordered to be read a second time this day week. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. On the motion that the report of the committee of supply be agreed to, Mr. HUME said he did not take any part in the two nights' debate upon the war question, but he thought it right to state that he gave his hearty support to the Government in the steps they were taking to resist the aggressions of Russia. He had looked through the blue books, and he thought Ministers deserving great credit for the great efforts they had made to preserve peace, and he therefore could not sympathise with the censures which the hon. member for West Surrey had attempted to cast upon Lord Aberdeen. (Hear.) He blamed the Government for having observed too much secrecy in the course of the negotiations ; but beyond that error he was firmly convinced that they had done everything that could possitly be devised for preserving peace and securing the hoaour of the country. (Hear, hear.) The aggrandising spirit, however, of Russia could now only be curbed by the force of arms, and, under the circumstances, he did not think a vote for 13,000 men was too much to ask for. The war, when once commenced, should be carried on with vigour ; and thcugh he had hoped never again to see the day when the people of England should be engaged in continental hostilities, he yet felt that the commerce of England and the liberties of the world demanded that the aggressive progress of Russ a should be stopped. (Hear, hear.) It therefore behoved all parties in Par liament to lend the Government a heartysupport through. out the struggle, and he for one should have no hesitation in extending to them his confidence so long as they pur sued the wise policy which they now appeared to have embarked in. (Cheers.) Mr. M, MILNES concurred in the hon. member's approval of the conduct of the Government, and avaiied himself of the opportunity of expressing a hope that means would be taken to provide for the health of our soldiers while abroad, and the relief of the relatives whom they left behind. (Hear, hear.) Sir H. WILLOUGHBY regretted that more infor mation was not given to Parliament on this question last session, for then the Legislature would have been able to speak out openly upon it, which would have done more to bring matters to a decisive issue than all the negotiations. (Hear, hear.) Sir DE L. EVANS did not agree with the hon. baro net. Matters were not ripe last year for striking a deci ive blow, and he could not blame the Government for the reserve they had observed up to the present time. It seemed now, however, that all negotiation :had been exhausted, and we were essentially at war with Russia. Such a war could only succeed when carried on with the utmost rigour, and it was fortunate that the war had fallen upon a time when there was a most favourable combination of circumstances for carrying it on. We were united with a powerful ally, and ho had no doubt that the end of this struggle would see the despot of St. Petersburg made to kiss the dust. (Cheers.) Lord PALMERSTON must be permitted to reply to the observations which had been made upon twolpoints, namely, the production of the papers and the health of the soldiery. He contended that the diplomatic corres pondence could not have been produced earlier than when it was published in the blue books, for had it been disclosed earlier the object of the negotiations might have been frustrated. When the Government found that there was no prospect of securing peace the Govern ment could have no further desire for secrecy or reserve, and they at once laid the greater part of the correspon dence before Parliament. (Hear.) With regard to the other point, he could. assure the house that the health of our soldiery was engaging the earnest attention of the Government, not only now, but it always had en gaged their especial attention, and the relatives of the gallant fellows who were now leaving our shores in defence of the liberties of their country might rely upon everything being done by the Government to insure their health and comfort while they were abroad. (Cheers.) It was a mistake to suppose that their country was behind any of its neighbours in making such provision both while the British soldier was in or out of service, and it was a source of great satisfaction to him to be enabled to state that in no State was the wants of the soldier and sailor better cared for than they were in our own. (Cheers.) Mr. MUNTZ confessed that he had read the blue books with much care, and the conclusion he had arrived at was, that the Emperor of Russia never would have gone the length he had done had the Government put cm a bolder front, and been more energetic in their actions. Not that they were alone to blame in that respect, for he thought the Peace Society had much to answer for, in having led the Autocrat to believe that the people of England were so wedded to peace that no amount of provocation would induce them to go to war. (Hear, hear.) The Government ought to have taken earlier steps to dispel that delusion, while Parliament should have been less ready to lend its countenance to those who contended that Russia was a weak and decrepit power. (Hear, hear.) He was old enough to remem ber the battle of Austerlitz, and what he heard then had convinced him that Russia was a nation to be feared, rather than despised, for the rigour and prowess of her arms. (Hear, hear.) However, war seemed now to be inevitable, and he was not sorry that the resolution of the Government was to a vigorous and spirited mode of action, though he was afraid the fact of only 20,000 troops being sent to the scene of action would still lead Russia to fancy we were not in earnest. True, these troops were to be allied to the powerful armies of France, but he was not quite so sure as some people appeared to be, of the sincerity of the Emperor of France in engag ing with us in this struggle. Ile could not shut his eyes THE EMBARKATION. By electric telegraph from Southampton, this day, we learn that the embarkation of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards had taken place on the steamers Orinoco, Ripon, and Manilla, amidst the greatest enthusiasm and excitement on the part of the population of Southampton, many thousands of whom are assembled in the Docks for the purpose of witnessing the spectacle. The steamers will leave the Docks by the afternoon's *de. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied by the Princess Royal and the Princess Alice, and attended by Major-General Buckley and Colonel Wylde, visited the Zoological Gardens, in the Regent's Park, yesterday morning. Prince Albert presided yesterday afternoon at a meet ing of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. His Royal Highness arrived at the New Palace of Westminster at 3 o'clock, attended by Colonel Wylde The other commissioners present were—Lord Over stone, the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, the Right Hon. E. Cardwell, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Sir Alexander Spearman, Sir W. Cubbitt, Sir C. L. Eastlake, Mr. T. Baring, M.P., Mr. Coulson, Q.C., Mr. C. W. Ddke, Mr. T. F. Gibson, Mr. John Gott, Professor Forbes, and Mr. P. Pusey. Mr. Edgar A. Bo wring, Secretary to the Commission, attended. His Royal Highness previously presided at a meeting of a committee of the Royal Commission, which was attended by Lord Overstone, the Right Hon. E. Card well, the Right Hon. B. Disraeli, Sir A. Spearman, Sir W. Cubitt, Mr. Baring, M.P., Mr. Coulson, and Mr. Edgar A. Bowring (secretary.) Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess d'Aumale and her Imperial Highness the Princess of Salerno visited her Majesty yesterday. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, Princess Alice, Prince Alfred, and the Princess Helena and Louisa, honoured the Princess's Theatre with their presence last evening. The royal suite con sisted of the Marchioness of Ely, Lady Caroline Bar rington, the Marquis of Ormonde, Majur-General Buck. ey, Colonel Wylde, and Mr. Gibbs. A deputation on the subject of metropolitan railway communication had an interview yesterday with the Right Hon. E. Cardwell and Lord Stanley of Alderley at the Board of Trade. The deputation consisted of Mr. S. M. Peto, M.P., Mr. C. Geach, M.P., and Mr. J. Hawkshaw. PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is about 3 per mille discount (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 105 d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.095 ; and, the exchange at Paris on London at short being 24'975, it follows that gold is about 0.48 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 422 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 3/. 17s. 10&d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.33- ; and, the exchange at Hamburg on London at short being 13.38, it follows that gold is at the same price in Hamburg as in London. The course of ex change at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 109 per cent., and, the par of exchange between England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it fol lows that the exchange is nominally o'sB per cent. against England ; but, after making allowance for charges of transport and difference of interest, the pre sent rate leaves no profit on the transmission of gold either way between the two countries. ST. PETERSBURG.—From St. Petersburg the dates are to the 13th inst. The prices of imported goods continued to advance, in anticipation of a blockade, and the rate of exchange had declined to 3741—a point at which shipments of gold to England would prove profitable. It is doubtful, however, if any will be made, since, although no prohibition had thus far been issued, the merchants would hesitate to incur displeasure by such a step. The first exportation that might be attempted would doubtless also be the signal for restriction. Never theless, in the event of a continued decline, considerable sums will be smuggled out of the country: FRENCH LOAN.—The statements recently current with regard to an intended French loan have been strongly revived, and it is understood that Messrs. Rothschild and other capitalists are endeavouring to treat for it on specific terms. The letters from Paris mention that some idea was entertained of the affair being undertaken by the Bank of France, in considera tion of an extension of their privileges, but this was probably nothing more than one of a multitude of ru mours. The sum lately talked of has been six millions sterling in a 3 per cent. stock, to be issued at about 62 or 63. Whether the contemplated French loan will be followed by the smaller one which has also been proposed for Turkey remains to be seen. Some quarter,to indicate since t h a the t all a p pl hopeica of time back it wag pointed out th at neither the French nor the Turkish contract would b e likel y to be brou ght for a a war price would con ward so long as the slightes t belief in the p ossi bilty of st p ieg e o a ni u c t e eohnf atdlwaitsy wouldbh entertained eaev ne atbobbeneedoo paid f ietddr anyd n ue at a time when it m i g ht yet ,d turn out to have been unnecessary. The intimation on the part of the French Government of their willingness to accept tenders was therefore certain to be delayed hu andanLst i t eGtda b i s e Tw i a lyrl probableriv V. be eE DARKNESS.—An of A l m Rltt a t hNt h aEe e tds finalsbt the e w the Ahaenn coursesinegrf Cabinetet o r n om St. i which ingenious oha Petersburgndtsahtpaa adaptation atat innoosn pwl of r the recent novel discovery for diffusing and extending daylight has been applied to the shutters of such shops or warehouses where the whole of the street front is used for the display of goods ; and a large poulterer in Leadenhall-market thus lights up the very remotest por tion of his store, despite ti.e festoons of poultry and game, which would otherwise render darkness yet more palpable. The improvements of substituting an endur able metallic material for the flimsy paper surface, which, while it served to prove the principle, could scarcely be intended to last, is due to M. Aubin Chapping, of St. Mary-axe, who has lately supplied many of the Govern went establishments with his myriastractic reflectors. BELGIUM. The authorities of Brussels have of late shown great strictness in enforcing the police regulations respecting foreigners, and, in particular, that which obliges all persons on arriving in that city to transmit at once to the police notice of their arrival and of their address. Several French political re fugees, who had succeeded in eluding for some time back that obligation, have been lately discovered and expelled for such offence from the Belgian ter ritory. ......... C 1..... 27il 22 25 8/29 St. 61 25 50 20 St. 50 St. 16 16 20 20 10 10 20 St. St. St. St. 10 26i 13i 20 20 St. 10 St 25 20 20 50 20