The Sun. — London, England, 1854-01-24 00:00:00

• , 4,9?-2'Y ' ) DAILY WEATHER TABLE. TUESDAY, Jew. 24, 1854. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations aro arranged in order of latitude. TUNBRIDGE—E., calm—foggy. GREENIVIC T—S. E., gentle breeze—overcast. STROOD—S.W., gentle breeze—foggy. YARMOUTH—S., gentle breeze—cloudless. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Saturday morning at nine o'clock : NULLINGAR—S., have gale—scud—rain. LIMERICK—S., hard wind—overcast. T EAT E.: ROYAL D LANE. Lessee, Kr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, JAL 24, Will he presented PrtULl LlzArm); or, The Ladrone's Dangh ter. Characters by Mesi-s. G. Bennett, G. Wild, Lee, Beltran, and T. Mead; and Miss Featherstone. To conclude with KING IItaISIINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Land of Toys. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMA RKET. Under the management of Mr. Bnokstone THIS EVENING, JAN. 24. A Juvenile Night, On which occasion will be performed TIM ROUGH DIAMOND• Characters by Messrs. llowe and Buckitone ; Mrs. Fitzwilli am and Miss Ellen Grey. To be followed by A PRETTY PIECE OF BUSINESS. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called H.IRGEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR 4 ; or, Little Silverhair and the Fairies. Columbine, Miss M. Brown; Harlequin, Mr. J. 3farihall Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the 11anagem.nt of Slr. Cusals Kzert. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, , Win be performed THE RIVALS. Characters be Messrs. W. Lacy, Hariey, Meadows, J. Vining, Mellon, and Addison ; Mrs. Winstanley, Mrs. W. Lacy, Miss Heath, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which will be presented the new Grand CHRISTMAS PAN• TO entiti d EI ;itLE,QUP , T TIE MILLER .011) MS MEN; or. King Sal nnaftdar and the Fairy of the Azurr, Lake. Harlequin, Mr. Corma:A ; Clown. Kr. Hahne; Panta'oon Paulo; and Columbine, Miss DeoOrOtl,gh. LYCEt3 THEATRE. trn3e7 the Vlana,...ernent of Madame Testis. THIS EVENING, JAW. 24. Will be performed A Bxcatmoit OF ARCS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews. F. Ifatthews, arid Baker; Miss F. Ilaghes. After which, the origi nal Fairy Fixtravaganza, called ONCt . UPON" A I'IME THRE d Madam WERE TWO KING 3. Principal cha racters by Mr. E an Wright e , To conclude with PATTER VERSUS CL ATTER. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHL Proprietor, slr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, will be presented the highly Popular New Nautical Melo-drama, ha Ave tanleaux, with new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., new dresses acid appointments, called TilE T trair OF GOLD; or, THE LOST SKIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by llessrs. B. Webster, Keeley. Pahl Bedford, 0. Selby, Parselle, Marsden, &c. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Maskeli, &c. To be followed by the popular and entirely New Grand Specta cular legendary Chricrna.s piece, in two act+, with new scenery. dresseq, machinery, and appointment+, called NUMB E!t NIP, or TIIE .4PIRIT BRED Principal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Miss H. Keeley, Miss Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding; Messrs. Paul Bedford, J. Rogers, Romer, G. Lee, &c ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan, THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, Will be performed THE FIRS C NIGUT. Characters by Messrs Alfred Wigan, L^ , hc, Union, it rwood Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and :Mss Wysdham. To be followed by THE CAMP AT THE OLYMPIC. Charac ten by Messrs. A. Wigan, F. Roh..on, Morton, and ; Ales. dames A. Wigan, Stirling, P. Hortln, Chatterley, Ste. Followed by THE W iNDERING MINSTREL STRAND THEATRE. Pole Lessee, Mr. P. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs. THIS EVENING, JAN. 24, Will be performed DER FREISCIIUTZ. Principal character, Miss Rebecca Isaacs. To be followed by THE VIRGINIAN MUMMY. After which, a new grand Comic Christmas Pantomime. entitled AA ItLEQUIN AND KiNtl NUTCRACKER; or, The World of Toys. Clown, by the inimitable Flexmore ; Harlequin, Mr. Bologna ; Pantaloon, Mr. Griffiths ; Colambine, Miss Goward. Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 11.; Pitt, li.; Gallery, Gd. ; Private Boxes 1/. Is., to be had of Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIOITAL AMPHITHEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. Second Appearanee of Miss KATE COOKE since her return from the Continent. The Theatre nightly crowded to overflowing attests its matchless attractions. In consequence of the overflow to all parts of the Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 19, in order to meet the numerous disappointments of parties who could not obtain places on the occasion, another GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE (and positively the Last) will take pla^e on THURSDAY NEXT, Jan. 26, when the triple Entertainment of the Pantomime, Scenes of the Arena (in whi , •h Miss Kate Cook will appear), and the wondrous Performing Ele phants will be given. To commence at Two o'clock. Immediate application for places at the Box-office is absolutely necessary to secure them. THIS' EVENING, JAN. 24, (And during the week) To commence with the Grand Chinese Spectacle, THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST, or THF. MAGIC GONG, in which Mr. William Cooke's extraordinary fra'ned Elephants appear. Followed by a R.che••che Routine of Scenes of Equestrian'sm in THE ARENA, supported by the Elite of Europe's Equestrian Artistes. Conc'uding with Mr. W. Cook's immensely successful COMIC PANTO A[ME, written expressly for this The ttre, by Ifr. NELSON LEE, entitled BMW WIC COY'. 4 JOURNEY TO BItENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladles' Favourite. New scenery, dre , ses, decorations. and appointments, magnificent Car of ludu3try, &c. Harlequin, Mr. H. Hemmings; Columbine, Mdlle Christine; Pantaloon, Mr. Leh nan ; and Two CIOWHS, Mr. C. Adams and Mr. Croueste ; Sprites, Masters Gee and Bradbury. Rax-otliee open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. TiIGH - WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. "Ilict DAY —Morning 4 nain.after 9 Evening 40 rnin.aft. 9 re.lloartow Morning 17 nain.after 10 I livening 57 nain•aft. 10 THE VlZAl'llErt.—suN °Melt, JAN. 24. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 52 —highest since noon yesterday. 43 —lowest this morning and during the night. 48 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29'68 —fallen three-quarters of an inch since yesterday. WIND, S.W.—Drizzling rain. LONDON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1854. It is earnestly to be hoped that the great Whig Quarterly has not in vain addressed its energies —through an elaborate treatise in the number just published—to the elucidation of the mani fold troubles, anxieties, and difficulties connected with the important subject of the machinery of Legislation. The reviewer, to whose sagacity the public at large is indebted for this really masterly paper in the current number of the Edinburgh, has manifestly written not without serious and protracted premeditation. He has selected the fittest period in the whole year for the issuing of his argument, namely, the eve of a new and im portant session of the Legislature. He has mi nutely and convincingly proved his case, before throwing out his exceedingly moderate sug gestions of improvement. He has explained the magnitude and variety of the obstacles at present littered over the pathway of legislation obstacles, some of them of enor taous magnitude, and some too of a mar vellously extended duration. Those whose avo cations, unlike those of the journalist, have not I caused them to become famaliarised with the process of legislation under ordinary circum stances, may obtain a ready insight into that in tricate maze of formalities, built up on a venerable foundation of precedents and prerogatives, by carefully examining the statements here put for ward, with more than its accustomed vigour and lucidity, by our skilled Northern contemporary. After a perusal of this remarkable contribution to the pages of the Edinburgh, it will be p er _ ceived, even by those least familiar with the matter under consideration, with how much reason complaints are beginning to be raised, both loud and deep, against the fanatical respect displayed within the walls of the House of Commons, especially with regard to conserving, at all cost, everything, large or small, trivial or important, supposed to be connected in the remotest degree with the frame work of our ancient and eminently composite con stitution. It will then be sufficiently apparent that the popular branch of the Legislature has, in truth, found a "faithful monitor" in Mr. BRO MERTON. It will be perceived, also, with how great cause it was remarked, during the course of the last session, by Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, " We have outgrown our forms," when the Right Hon. Baronet was incidentally pointing this very moral to the torpid edification of his brother representa tives. A chamber that, within the limits of a single session, from the 4th of November, 1852, to the 20th of August, 1853, could sit for 160 clays for the despatch of business, consuming n o less than 1,193 hours 14 minutes in its delibera. V- 013 s, 1331 of which hours were after midnight, must, indeed, be allowed to have its energies some what extravagantly overtaxed. Remembering, moreover (by way of illustrating the repug nance of the House of Commons to anything •11.11ENNUM.M. like bold or even partial innovation in the course f its proceedings), that whereas the difficulties Atendant upon the discharge of the duties of Speaker IN ere recognised no less than2so years ago, we find that the Committee appointed in 1606 to report on the office of Speaker was fruitless of any result until the appointment of a similar commit tee in 1853, so that it required actually those 250 years before the Legislature could make up its mind to any improvement. No wonder that with these facts before him the Edinburgh reviewer should exclaim in regard to the national repre sentation, "Ds n'ont rien appris, ils n'ont rien oublie," just as was said of the Bourbons in that memorable sarcasm of NAPOI.EON ! Humanity, if nothing else, ought surely to have suggested long ago to the Commons the necessityfor some diminu rion of the toils otherwise accumulating upon the shoulders of that unfortunate dignitary, Mr. SPEAKER—toiIs, but poorly compensated, we can not but think, by the glory of being regarded by right of his august position as the first gentleman is England. So enormous, in point of fact, we those labours of the Speaker of the House )f Commons, that it has been calculated that luring the present Speakership—a Speakership of fourteen years' duration—" upwards of 13,000 hours," 1196 of which have been after midnight, have been consumed in sittings of the House, in spite of the strenuous and unceasing efforts of the ever indefatigable Mr. BROTHERTON. Well may the Whig Quarterly exclaim—" Assuredly the Speaker will be able to give a good account of his stewardship !" If further testimony is required as to the amount of exertion devolving upon the Members as well as upon the Speaker during the course of an average session, it has only to be sought in the records of the last, and may be there discovered in abundance. For exam ple, in particulars such as the subjoined. That on the sth of July the House assembled at 12 o'clock and adjourned at a quarter to 4 o'clock on the following morning—five divisions having then taken place after midnight ! That in several in stances the sittings were protracted during more than fifteen hours out of the twenty-four ! That, beyond all this, the Committee business was, from the beginning of the Session until its close, labo rious, and in a manner uninterrupted ! That there were actually as many as 49 Election Com mittees 51 Public Committees !44 opposed Pri vate Bill Committees! 119 unopposed Private Bill Committees! altogether no less than 263 Commit tees! That 31 members served on the Tenant Right Committee, and 38 on the Committee on Indian Territories ! Bearing all these particulars in mind, it can scarcely be matter for surprise that the " Votes and Proceedings" sometimes amount to a volume in a single day—as on the 20th of last April, when they extended to 84 folio pages, and on the 23d of last July to 80 folio pages—the latter equivalent to 160, and the former to 168 pages octavo. Neither can it be subject of amazement under the circumstances that Mr. BRO THERTON should declare that the labour required from members was " beyond what human nature could endure !" or that Mr. WILKIN SON should recommend the House to " strike for shorter hours !" or that Mr. HUME should at last candidly acknowledge, on the sth of August, that "he could stand it no longer I" Something must be done. That everybody has come at length to recognise. The evils com plained of are past endurance. The House will follow the advice of Mr. WILKINSON, and strike for shorter hours—other members, besides Mr. HUME, cannot stand it any longer- the labour is more than human nature can endure, as was said without any exaggeration, but with so much earnestness by Mr. BROTHERTON. It is, therefore, seriously to be hoped that during the next session the memorable declaration made by Sir J. PAK INGTON during the lapt--" We have out-grown our forms" will be remembered ; and that the masterly treatise in the current number of the Edinburgh may be found to have led the way to a series of extraordinary and comprehensive improvements in the machinery of legislation. of unduly prejudicing the accused. Far from it ; he only acted in accordance with the recognised laws and customs of the Island, and it is of those laws and customs (which have already been con demned by her MAJESTY'S Commissioners) that we complain. Above al], we cannot in any de gree underrate the admirable exertions of the prisoner's advocates, Messrs. FALLA and GAL LIENNE. Exertions the more honourable to the parties as they were gratuitously bestowed, with out the slightest expectation or desire of receiving any remuneration for their services, and yet the most eminent member of the English Bar could not have displayed greater zeal and efficiency than these learned gentlemen. Mr. FALLA particularly, on whom as senior the weight of the defence chiefly fell, and whose address to the Court which lasted 20 hours—exhibited a thorough knowledge of his profession, an intelligence and acuteness in turning that knowledge to the best advantage—and a devotion to the interests of his client which could not be surpassed. It was, we believe, to Mr. FALLA'S earnest appeal to the Home-office that the respite for a week—until the 3d of February—for further inquiry may be attributed. It may be said, from these acknowledgments, that TAPNER was fairly and justly convicted according to the lex loci, or law of the Island in which he was sojourning, and that, there fore, he could not complain at the consequences of that law. But this is not so. Where a Bri tish subject has been condemned under au un just or unfair law, we have always interfered in his behalf, and that although he had voluntarily placed himself within the jurisdiction. It is only necessary to allude here to the case of Miss CUN NINGHAM-to say nothing of that of the MADIAIS —when we called on the Grand Duke of TUSCANY to release the prisoner, and this, we apprehend, would be the case if a conviction for a recognised offence had taken place by improper means, as, for instance, if the prisoner had been put on the rack or exposed to any species of torture in order to extort a confession. Now TAPNER was an Eng lish subject, born in Sent; he was not voluntarily, or of his own accord, a resident in Guernsey. He was sent there on her MAJESTY'S service, as a clerk in the engineer department of the Ordnance, and during that time he maintained a good repu tation, and gave every satisfaction to his superior officers. It is a well-known principle of the law, that a person sent to another country on her MA JESTY'S service is entitled to ample protection against the local authorities, and that he would not be surrendered for any alleged offences unless his guilt was unquestionable, according to the rules of the English law. If this be so with respect to other powers, if we should be prepared to risk even the horrors of war rather than see one of her MA JESTY'S subjects, when engaged in her MAJESTY'S service, unfairly condemned, it is equally impera tive on us to prevent his execution, in a depen dency of our own, where the QUEEN'S prerogative may be exercised in his favour. First, we find that TAPNER, during his pre liminary, was kept au secret, without the advan tage of professional advice, or even, for a con siderable time, of knowing the nature of the charges against him. He was then subjected to a stringent examination, without being allowed to hear the depositions of the witnesses against him. He was examined four different days, during, which no less than 240 interrogatories, all art fully framed, so as to lead him into contradictions, were exhibited, his answers to which were used against him at the trial, and relied on by the Pro cureur, who declared that he attached more than or dinary importance to these interrogatories. Now it is a fundamental principle of the English law, that a man is not bound to criminate himself. So far do we carry this, that, if questions be put to a person charged with an offence, we do not permit his statements in reply to be given in evidence, un less he had previously been distinctly cautioned that they would be used against him. But here we find a man entrapped, and betrayed into a series of answers that are so turned and twisted, and made such use of, as to become the chief means of his conviction. On this ground alone, then, TAPNER should be saved from the extreme penalty. There are other, however, even stronger points to which we shall direct at tention, and which, in our judgment, render his execution impossible. ALONE i r MA RKI , mi 2. AND COMME.aCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at from 4,000 to 5,000 bales, all to the trade. The sales comprised 150 Pernam and Ma ranham at 61d. to 7id., 300 Egyptian at 61d. to 82d., 1,200 Surat at 3d. to 3d., 10 Sea Island at 2s. 9d., and the remainder American. Railway shares were dull, at lower prices. It is stated in a report by Messrs. Smith and Charles, tallow brokers, that " the Petersburg ad vices are to the 4th (16th inst.) There was nothing whatever doing in exports for next season, but the feeling amongst commercial men is pretty clearly indicated by the rise which is quoted in all descriptions of imports, including sugar, lead, coals, &c." In their circular respecting the course of the East India produce markets at Liverpool, during the last fortnight, Messrs. Browne, Hunter, and Co. state, that-- "Notwithstanding the unfavourable circumstances that prevailed at the opening of the year—dear money, high prices of food, and the probability of this country being involved in a war which threatens to become general, all which, under ordinary circumstance - 4, would have interfered greatly with and curtailed business-- the produce maaket re -opened with considerable activity, and transactions since have been to a very great extent at a considerable advance. For rice, influenced by the further rise in the corn markets throughout the country, a great demand has been experienced, chiefly on speculation. Hemp, linseed, and all d escr ipti ons o f o il s an d ta ll ow have also been influen ce d by the probability of a war with Russia ; whilst sugar, from its favourable position regarding stocks and largely increased consumption, and from the high prices of grain which may cause it to be brought into use for distilling and brewing purposes, has also been largely operated in by speculators." At the meeting of the Union Bank of Australia yesterday, the extraordinary dividend of 20 per cent. for the half year was declared. The Roxburgh Castle has arrived from Melbourne with 71,882 ounces of gold on board. The India Overland Mail brings no Australian letters, the steamer having arrived too late at Ceylon. The New York accounts contain a statement of the financial position of the United States. From this we find that on the 31st ultimo the public out standing debt was 54,393,757 dols 62 cents, since which date there have been 113,700 dols. of debt redeemed. The last weekly return of the city banks showed an increase in the discounts of 18,348 dols., and in the deposits of 1,977,235 dols. The circu lation was extended 154,068 dols., and the specie 517,956 dols. There was a large business doing in breadstuffs at advancing prices. Californian advices represent the mining news from the interior as being highly encouraging. There was a cessation of river mining owing to the rise in the waters, but dry digging was active. Rather more business was being transacted at San Francisco in a few departments of trade, but the demand was not extensive. The Honourable East India Company had, dur ing the fortnight to last evening drawn bills to the amount of 100,4821. 19s. 3d. upon the three presidencies. The English market opened rather firmer, Consols being 90g 4-, but fresh sellers appeared soon after, and there has been a gradual decline to 90 and 89k, and at present the rates are 89 The latest advices from St. Petersburgh show greater apprehension there at the decided attitude :taken by the English and French Governments, and it is just possible that the Emperor may be glad, even now, to extricate himself by accepting the most recent propositions. Were it not for this probability, the funds would be still lower. The New 31 per Cents. have been 91k to 91L and the 3 per Cents. 901 to 2. Bank Stock has been firmer at 215 to 216. Exchequer Bills have realised 6s. to 9s. premium, and India Bonds par to 4s. premium. There is generally a very dull market for Foreign Bonds, but in particular stocks there have been several transactions, although in every instance at reduced quotations. Russian 5 per Cents. have fluctuated between 1051 to 103, being at the pre sent time about 2 per cent, lower than yesterday. Mexican Bonds are heavy at 221, and Peruvian 41 per Cents. at 63 to 60. There is nothing be yond the general depression to account for these securities being affected. Spanish Deferred Bonds are weaker at 181. Dutch 21 per Cents. are 58 to 60. The 4 per Cents. 88 to 89, being reduced prices. M. VICTOR HuGo recently published a long and eloquent letter to the inhabitants of the Island of Guernsey, calling on them to free their beautiful island from the reproach of encouraging and sanctioning the infliction of capital punish- ment. The case of JOHN CHARLES TAPNER, now lying under sentence of death in the public prison, the execution whereof has been respited until the 3d of February, elicited this communication from the distinguished writer. We fear, however, that he has, although with the best motives, in terfered on erroneous grounds, and that his address, able and brilliant as it is in many parti culars, may be prejudicial rather than serviceable to the unfortunate prisoner, whose claim should be for justice rather than for mercy, inasmuch as he was condemned on evidence which could never have obtained a conviction before an English Judge and an English Jury, and also because of the attendant circumstances----the manner of his trial, the stringent and inquisitorial cross-exami nation to which he was subjected, and the unfair inferences drawn from trivial contradictions in his answers, all of which are so repugnant to English feelings and English laws, that, if his guilt was thereby clearly brought to light, we should object to the unfair proceeding, and regret to see the punishment founded thereon carried into prac tical execution ! There appears a disinclination to operate in Railway Shares, and the consequence is an inactive market and a downward tendency in prices. Great Northern have receded 10s. to 11., Great Western 10s., North British also 10s., and York and Ber wick about 1/. Midland have been firmly main tained. French Shares have participated in the reduction, and are on the average 10s. to 15s. per Share lower. BRITISH MINES.—The market this day is very inactive, but the following shares may be mentioned as mostly inquired for :—Alfred Consols, 25 26 ; Porkellis, 101 ; West Providence, 35 37 ; Hingston Downs, 9i 10; Combmartins, ; Poltimores, 1 & ; Great Crianis, 30s. ; Sortridge, 255., 275. 6d. ; Wheal Sarah, I; So. Carradon, 380 ; Wheal Bul ler, 1,100 1,110 ; North Pool, 200 205 ; East Russell, 61; West Sortridge, ; South Russell, ; Arundells, 255. ; Great Tregune, 3± ; MA land, The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not officially quoted, are as follows : Jamaica, par to premium; Metcalfe, I, to premium; Sue River, discount to par ; Port Royal, to g premium. A 4 VICTOR HUGO directs his arguments against the propriety or expediency of the extreme penalty of death being inflicted in any instance. On this point be reasons acutely, but not sufficiently so to change or even disturb the opinions we have arrived at after calm and mature consideration. It is, however, unnecessary to enter into any discussion on this point at this moment, inasmuch as we both endeavour to achieve the same object, the reprief of the pri soner, although we are influenced by very differ ent reasons for so doing. We may, however, here say, that, widely as we differ from M. HUGO on the basis he has taken, we willingly admit the excellence of his motives, and recognise the great ability of his address to the people of Guernsey. Gold Mine Shares are neglected, and also Joint Stock Banks. The Australian Agricultural Land Shares are steady. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. (Prom the Official List.) Business done. Bank Stock ............ 216 15 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 9O 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 9O 90 j 89,3 New 3,} per Cent. Annuities 9ll Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jr.,r 1850 4 15-16 India Bonds, £lOOO . ...... Ditto, under £lOOO • par 4 p Consols for Account 15th Fob. 9oa 898 Exchequer Bills, id. £lOOO Small lO p If we believed that JOHN CHARLES TAPNER were really guilty of the threefold offence laid to his charge, and that he had received a perfectly fair trial, we should certainly not interfere on his behalf in any way. So far as we were concerned the law might take its course without remonstrance. The offence was of the most atrocious charac'er. There was apparently a coolly premeditated murder, which had not even " the wild justice of revenge" for an excuse, if excuse it could be considered. There was not, and could not have been, the slightest animosity against the unfortunate de ceased. The murder, if committed by TAP NER, was merely for the sake of a few pounds, which he hoped to appropriate to himself ; and for that paltry sum he was willing not merely to commit robbery, but also murder, with the view of concealing that robbery—and arson, to prevent the detection of the double crime. The very position in which TAPNER was placed--•his superior education and employment in a public office—would only have aggravated his guilt, and rendered the infliction of condign punishment a matter of still greater necessity. But on the closest and most searching examination of all that was adduced against him—even with all the disadvantages to which he was subjected—we do not think that the case was established beyond the possibility of reasonable doubt. And were it otherwise, we could not see any British citizen a native of England acknowledging the same allegiance as ourselves—executed under circumstances so totally opposed to all our notions of fair play, and of the privileges that should be accorded to the most degraded criminal. We shall enter into the consideration of the last point in the first instance, and show the unconstitu tional mode in which the whole of the proceedings were conducted, and the great disadvantages to which TAPNER was exposed in conducting his de fence, as well from the preliminary steps taken as at the actual trial. PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Mexican 3 per Cent. Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Ce - it. Kussian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. .£ St lO4 53 5 3 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent lBl Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Gull 6O 58i Ditto for the Account s9i Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates Ditto for the Account ... 88i 8 9 HALF•PAST TWO. Consols Ditto February Account And here, before entering into the point, w e desire to free ourselves from misconception. We do not wish to be taken as accusing the Jurats, but as protesting against the entire system-- as asserting that the QUEEN'S Procureur trans gressed the strict line of duty, for the purpose THE REPORTED LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP SAN FRAN CISCO.— LIVERPOOL. MONDAY.—It will be remembered that the recent accounts from America announced that considerable anxiety was felt on account of the above ship, which had about 700 soldiers on board. The An tartic, Captain Schoeffen, which arrived here yesterday, had 175 persons on board from her ; but whether picked up at sea or taken from her had not been elicited when the despatch closed, DEPARTURES FOB AUSTRALIA.—The departures for the Australian colonies from the port of London during the past week show a decrease. They have comprised altogether six vessels—three to Adelaide, with an aggre gate burden of 2,088 tons ; two to Port Philip, with an aggregate burden of 432 - tons ; and one to Sydney, of 355 tons. Their total capacity was consequently 2,875 tons. The rates of freight exhibit a tendency to decline. BUSINESS OF THE PORT OF LONDON.—In the general business of the port of London during the past week, although the entries inward have diminished, there has been much activity, the vessels arriving being of a large class. The number of ships reported was 147, being 86 less than in the previous week ; and the total quantity of flour brought was 31,948 barrels and 960 sacks, to gether with 13,899 quarters of wheat, nearly the whole of which was from America. Of sugar there were re ported 3,190 hhds., 1,000 casks, 42,940 bags, and 419 cases ; of tea 37,146 packages, and of coffee 1,951 bags and 27 barrels. The number of vessels cleared outward was 88, being an increase of 12 over the previous week. Of these, 27 were in ballast, and 6 for the Australian colonies, as above stated. The number of vessels on the berth loading for those colonies is 89, being an increase of 16 over the number loading on the 22d ult. Of this total, 9 are for Adelaide, 7 for Geelong, 8 for Hobart Town, 3 for Launceston, 11 for Melbourne, 5 for New Zealand, 19 for Port Philip, 25 for Sydney, and 1 for Swan River. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1854. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. IMPORT ANT 'FROM ST. PETERSBURGH. In a third edition to-day, the Morning Post publishes the following, from its Paris correspon dent, dated this morning : " The Russian courier who was to leave St. Petersburgh shortly after the 15th, has arrived here to-day, bearing most important despatches to M. Kisseleff. " Their contents have not transpired ; but it is known that they will lead directly to important events. " Despatches from St. Petersburgh of the 17th inst. have arrived here. The excitement in that capital was intense consequent upon the knowledge of the active measures taken by the Western Powers, and their forbidding the Russian Flag to navigate its waters. " The Emperor, on appearing in public, was cheered enthusiastically by the populace. "The Constitutionnel publishes the following ex pressions of the Czar, and I have reason to believe they are strictly authentic. When the Emperor learnt the entrance of the fleets into the Black Sea, he displayed perfect calmness, and said to those about him— " When battle is offered to Russia, Russia accepts. She can afford to mourn for a fleet, but not for the honour of the nation. " I expected the resolution taken by France and Great Britain, and, therefore, I am not found unprepared. All my orders have been given in advance, foreseeing this act which, by violating treaties, frees me from their obligations.' " "It appears certain that the Czar had asked Prince Menschikoff whether he could make head against the combined fleets. The Prince's reply was—' Yes : we can conquer, or fight and die to the last man.' " Despatches from St. Petersburgh, dated the 15th inst., mention that on that day the Emperor re ceived a despatch from Prince IVlenschikoff, enclos ing the communication which had been made to him by Admirals Dundas and Hamelin, respecting the entrance of the combined fleets into the Black Sea for the purpose of protecting the Ottoman ter ritory, and requiring the Russian commander-in chief to give such instructions to those under his orders as might obviate hostile collision. This intelligence had produced a great effect on the Emperor, and he was about to send off couriers bearing instructions to his ambassadors at the Courts of the Tuileries and St. James's. Warlike preparations were carried on with great activity. Since the first notification of the entry of the fleets into the Black Sea, the warlike ardour among the upper classes, which was never very strong, has considerably diminished ; and among the other classes the enthusiasm has very much cooled. The poets keep silence, and the public writers no longer pour forth insults against England. The Court appears gloomy ; the preparations for war have already cost enormous sums, and the Minister of Finance has laid his hands on the capi tals of loan societies conducted by private persons. We learn that a courier from St. Petersburgh, with despatches for Baron Brunow, arrived this morning in London. From Berlin we learn that the Czar has in structed his Ambassadors to demand whether by the entry of the combined fleets into the Black Sea, it is intended to take part with Turkey, or simply to observe a strict neutrality ; in the former case, they are to demand their pass ports. Some expectations were indulged in at Berlin of the probability of an amicable settle ment between Russia and the Porte. The Pasha of Belgrade insists on the immediate dismissal of all Russians from Servia, and vows that if M. Moukhine, Russian Consul-General, crosses the river from Semlin again, he will arrest him. According to letters from St. Petersburg there remains not the remotest hope that the Emperor will listen to any compromise such as that proposed by the Vienna Conference. One letter states that, in a conversation with the French Ambas sador, the Emperor declared that though his original intention was not war or conquest, yet that he should consider it an act of the greatest , cowardice and indignity not to accept the war which the Powers offered him. It is the same policy throughout ; the Czar would still have it that he is more sinned against than sinning. An other fact mentioned is, that the Emperor having heard of the negotiations going on for an arrange ment, and of the nature of the propositions that would be made to him, before they were offi cially presented, and having determined - to reject them, issued his orders accordingly to the Generals of the army ; that he communicated with Prince Menschikoff, and asked about his fleet, and whe ther it was in a state to face the combined French and English squadrons ; that the reply was, that the fleet was in very good condition, no doubt ; that it was ready to meet the squadrons, but on the condition that every man - must make up his mind to die ; and that the Emperor replied that that was all he wanted, for to die in such a cause was in the old Muscovite spirit. The only inter pretation that can be given to Prince Menschikoff's message is, that destruction was inevitable in such an encounter, but that they were all prepared for it. CONSTANTINOPLE. From Constantinople, Jan. 9, we learn that the Anglo-French fleet had been met by the steamer from Trebizond, steering with a fair wind and splendid weather for Batoum, where it would ar rive the day after. The most complete harmony reigned in the Ot toman Cabinet. Before leaving the Bosphorus, the British and French admirals and senior captains held a confer ence, in which they made all preliminary arrange ments, in the event of their coming into action with a Russian force. Sinope is named as the rallying point. This is the first time that a French or British naval force has entered the Euxine. Its effects will be very important. The news of the presence of these fleets in the Black Sea will spread through Georgia and Circassia, and cause an immense sen sation amongst all the populations inhabiting the Asiatic borders of that sea. The Caucasian tribes and the Georgians may, in all probability, grasp their arms, and make an attempt to shake off the Russian yoke. Had the entry of the fleets taken place two months earlier, ti•is effect would un doubtedly have been produced. The winter, which has now set in, will impede the spread of any in surrectionary movement, and the Russians will hold their ground in the Principalities. Detachments of recruits, says a letter of the 9th, arrive every day at Constantinople, and the pre parations of the Government to carry on the war with vigour are incessant. The Pacha of Egypt has recently sent troops to man four batteries of artillery, of which one will be horse artillery. He has also sent 25,000 muskets ; and he holds an ad ditional corps of 12,000 men in readiness, to be sent the moment the Turkish Government chooses to call for it. Yesterday the Seraskier inspected the first battalion of Cossacks. They will commence their march on Schumla on Wednesday next, and from thence they will proceed to Dobrodjie, a place colonised by the Cossacks. Their commander, Sadik Pacha, is a Pole. He goes with them, and is to organise 30 squadrons of Cossa c k cava l r y. In his suite is the Roumelian Prince Stourza, who has recently been nominated as a Pacha. He is for the present to remain at Schumla, as hitherto the efforts to call out the Roumelians has not been very successful. General Wysocki, with his two aides-de-camp, Bielenski and Ruszki, have arrived at Constantinople. The Polish legion is still postponed, and the decision of the Porte will depend on the answer of the Cabinet of St. Petersburg to the collective proposition. THE DANUBE. It appears, notwithstanding the confidence with which the taking of Silistria is announced from Vienna, that the fact is greatly doubted at Paris. Silistria is a place of great importance to the Turks. It is on the right bank of the Danube, and is so strongly fortified that in 1828 it resisted the Russians, who besieged it for a long time ; and in 1829, although it ultimately fell into the hands of the Czar, it was only after a close siege, which was protracted to 9 months. It is therefore improbable that the fall of a place of so much importance, apparently without a struggle, should be confirmed. Should it be confirmed, there cannot be a doubt that the blow will be the heaviest which has yet fallen upon Turkey, as it would enable the Russian general to turn Brailow, Matschin, Isatchka, Toulcha, and all the other forts which protect the Lower Danube. The .Debats, while doubting the correctn esi o f th e news , says that if the Russians have really passed the Danube, their doing so will be another breach of faith to wards the Western Powers, as flagrant as the de. struction of the Turkish squadron at Sinope ; sine it was quite understood between Russia and th Allied Powers that the Russian troops should no attempt any aggressive measures for the present The Dobats adds that if the passage of the Danube should be confirmed, it may be considered as a reprisal on the part of Russia for the entry of the English and French fleets into the Black Sea. The following information reached Vienna on the 20th :—" On the 13th the Russians crossed the river at Matschin in great force. Desperate battle. Terrible cannonade, attended with fearful loss of life. Matschin in flames. When the courier left at one o'clock the battle continued. A confiden tial letter has arrived from St. Petersburg to Baron Meyendorff, telling him no longer to in dulge in illusions, as the Emperor Nicholas will reject the Note, because the Czar will only treat with Turkey ; but to prove that he is still in clined to negotiate, he has appointed Prince Gortzchakoff his Plenipotentiary. It would, however, be a work of supererogation if the Porte fancied that less than Prince Menschikoff's de mands would be accepted. The Cologne Gazette contains a letter from Con stantinople of the sth, which says :—" General Baraguay d'Hilliers is making every preparation for the accommodation and support of an expedi tionary corps of 40,000 men to be sent to the East, should the Russians cross the Danube. He sent for the richest contractors, mostly Armenians, to learn from them what stores would be requiied for 40,000 men and 10,000 horses during a period of three months. The contracts in contemplation for the purpose are not to be signed until approved of by the French Government." THE BLACK SEA. The answer given by the Russian Admiral to the Captain of the Retribution, who conveyed the message from the English and French Admirals to Sebastopol, is said to have been very laconic, and otherwise such as might be expected from an officer under such circumstances, namely, that lie had no orders to receive from a French or English Admi ral, and that he should leave Sebastopol, or remain in it, according to the orders he received from the Emperor, or his immediate superiors. It appears that the Arch-Duke Constantine was at Sebas topol at the time, and when he heard of the mes sage delivered by the English captain flew into a passion, and declared that he would instantly give orders for the fleet to go to sea, let what would happen. If the menace be carried into effect it is not improbable that a collision has by this time taken place. NEW PROPOSAL FOR TERMINATING THE WAR. A long and elaborate article from the pen of M. Granier de Cassagnac, on the Eastern question, which appeared in the Gonstitutionnel of Saturday, is said to have been written by order from the highest quarter. The article, though able, is considered as extremely imprudent in the present circumstances, and as tending still further to com plicate affairs. The plan proposed by M. Granier de Cassagnac to bring the war between Russia and Turkey to a conclusion, and to obtain a prompt and sure peace, is by means of a treaty of alliance between the four Powers for an active policy against Russia, which would of necessity put an end to all hope on the part of the Emperor of Russia of being able to effect by war the objects of inordinate ambition. The plan is, no doubt, a good one, if it could be carried out with the cor dial assent of all the Powers ; but the writer ad mits that there are difficulties as to Austria and Prussia, and he proposes to get rid of them, by forcing these two Powers to abandon their preten ded neutrality, and calling upon them to take part either on one side or the other. M. Granier de Cassagnac seems to think that, as Austria and Prussia have a vital interest in adopting the policy of England and France, and as the neutrality which they proclaim is a violation of the treaty for the protection of Turkey to which they were parties, they would, if forced to take either the one side or the other, eventually join the other Powers against Russia. On this point, however, there are different opinions, and most people believe that Austria, at all events, if not allowed to remain neutrul, would take part with the Czar, notwithstanding the evident interest she has in preventing Russia from extending her possessions on either side of the Danube. In short, it is thought that any attempt to force Austria out of her neutrality would con duct us to a general war. M. Granier de Cassag nac seems, however, to think differently. - He says : "The demonstrated impuissance either of a local inter vention or of diplomacy to brin, about peace promptly, and the imperative necessity of sparing the security of States and their finances the hazards and ruinous con sequences of a war, long, useless, and full of peril for all, authorise France and England in expecting from Austria and Prussia, counselled by their interests and dignity, a more efficacious 'co-operation, if graver cir cumstances should render it necessary. A treaty of alliance signed with this object, would be immediate peace—peace without a shock—peace without the sacri fice of thousands of men—peace without the loss of enormous sums which are necessary to the development of agriculture and commerce. Austria and Prussia would have no good reason to give for refusing a treaty. They have the same obligations as France and England, having, like them, recognised the independence of Turkey. Great and loyal nations never elude such en gagements, which are the basis of common security. All pacific means exhausted, arms must be had recourse to. Now, it is better to prevent war than to check it in its course, and to render revolutionary events impos-' Bible than to repress them. What could be more honest, more full of sense, more humane, and more Christian, than such an alliance, having for its object to maintain the peace of the world, to prevent the effusion of blood, and to submit to the eminently equitable appreciation of all the European Powers the grievances which the Czar may have against Turkey ? To whom would-such a measure not be advantageous ? What is the nation which would not find itself relieved in the present and reassured for the future ? Such, in our opinion, is the way of effecting a prompt and certain peace. This plan is so reasonable and so just, it would so evidently obtain the approbation of all nations, that Austria and Prussia, when the necessity of such an alliance shall become flagrant, cannot reasonably refuse it to a common de mand of France and England." FRANCE. It was rumoured very generally on Sunday and Monday that M. de Kisseleff was to take his depar ture yesterday evening, after an interview with the Emperor, and Brussels or the Hague was still men tioned as the place of his residence for some time. That M. de Kisseleff's residence in Paris will not be of long continuance is very likely, but it is said he will not leave unless some fresh order reaches him. He was invited to the ball at the Tuileries last night, and would probably attend. The Emperor has appointed Capt. Martin to the command of the vessel Marengo, and Capt. De la Garde Chambonos to that of the steam-frigate As modee. The Emperor on Sunday received in public audience, General Baron de Fagel, Envoy Extra ordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands, to present letters from his sovereign, putting an end, on his demand, to the mission he has fulfilled in France for forty years. His Majesty also received M. Lightenvelt, who presented let ters accrediting him as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of the Ne therlands. The Emperor and Empress went on Sunday to the Bois de Boulogne. The Emperor was on horse back, and the Empress in a carriage. The Siecte says :—" It was rumoured yesterday that the Turkish ambassadors at London and Paris had demanded the assistance of an army from the governments of France and England." Mr. John Mason, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, presented on Sunday his credentials to the Emperor. An Imperial decree convokes the Senate and the Legislative body for the 27th of February. By a decision of the Minister of Finance the in terest on Treasury Bonds is axed at 41 per cent. for all bonds from 3 to 5 months of exchange ; at 5 per cent. from 5 to 11 months ; and at 51 per cent. for bonds of one year. The fog that enveloped Paris yesterday morning was such as has not been known within the memory of any resident. It was as thick as any that has ever been felt in London, even in the month of November. From about half-past 8 till near 11 o'clock it was thickest. Those residing on the Boulevards could scarcely see the houses on the opposite side, and candles had to be lighted. The yellowish and thick mass of vapour continued for nearly two hours, turning day into night. About half-past 11 it gradually became less, though it did not entirely clear away. Paris seems to have bor rowed for a while the atmosphere of London, and may be considered as additional evidence of the un derstanding between the two countries. The trade of Paris, which has been so long suf fering, received a fresh shock within the last few days by the announcement that the Directors. of the Bank of France had unexpectedly raised the rate of discount. This meas'ire, though unavoidable in consequence of the rapid decrease in the specie de posited in the coffers of the Bank, and which per haps had better been adopted at an earlier period, must nevertheless seriously affect the struggling tradesman. Business is nearly at a full stop in all branches of manuactures. The more the danger of a war with Russia becomes imminent the more difficult it is to effect sales. The Bank of France is showing a disposition to restrict its discounts. It is stated, on good autho rity, that a first-rate commercial house had four fifths of the bills offered for discount on Monday, 23d inst., returned. The State has just accoeded to the city of Paris a sum of 3,666,000 fr. to pay, in part; foi the da mage done in 1848. The following is the official account of the said damage. In February : inhabi tants of Paris, 239,626 fr. ; rural communes, 691,889 fr. ; special cases, 24,500 fr. ; printing offices, 19,770 fr. ; gunsmiths, 551,575 fr. ; arms from private persons, 7,617 fr. ; octroi agents, 62,286 fr. ; army, 30,526 fr. ; municipal guard, 194,230 fr. ; persons connected with the civil list, 397,218 fr. ; railways, 2,523,376 fr. In June : in habitants of Paris, 772,656 fr. ; communes, 21,047 fr. ; army, 8,520 fr. ; octroi, 4,746 fr. ; sun dries 49,000 fr. Making a total of 5,598,582 fr. The decree in the Moniteur which raises the in— terest on Treasury Bonds, produced a further decline in the price of public securities, at the Bourse yesterday, as compared with the last quo tations of Saturday. The Three per Cents. opened at 68f., fell to 67f. 75c., rose subsequently to 68f. 50c., and closed at 68f. 25c. for the end of the month. The Four-and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 96f. 90e. ; Orleans Railway shares, 1,030 f. ; Rouen, 910 f. ; Havre, 417 f. 50c. ; Great Northern, 720 f. ; Paris and Strasburg, 707 f. 50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 807 f. 50c. ; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 615 f. ; Western of France, 540 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 530 f. ; Great Central, 432 f. 50c. ; Lyons and Geneva, 440 f. ' • Shares of the Bank o f C r edit Mobilier, 607 f. 50c. SPAIN. MINISTERIAL COUP D'ETAT. A telegraphic despatch from Madrid of Jan. 18, says that several Generals had tendered their resig nation, which had been accepted by the Queen. Generals Manuel Concha and O'Donnell are exiled to the Canaries. General Jose Concha and Infante are exiled to the Balearic Islands, and General Armera to Leon. The Minister of Justice, the Marquis d e Gerona,has re s igned, and the Minister of Finance, M. Domenech, has been charged with the ad interim administration of his department. The Gazette contains a decree accepting the re signation of M. Jose de Zaragoza as Governor of the province of Madrid, and appointing Count de Quinto, who is Alcalde-C orreg id or of adrid, to the ad interim administration of it. A royal decree enacts that a credit of 975,000 reals, opened some time ago to the Minister of Public Works for a line of aerial telagraphs from Madrid to Barcelona, shall be employed in estab lishing an electric line : another decree exempts corn for home consumption from import duty ; another reduces one-half the tariffs on the railway Aranjuez to Trembleque ; and another suppresses the Tribunal of Justice of India and the colonies. A letter states that General Armera, one of the generals ordered to leave Madrid, had received permission to remain for a few days to settle some private affairs. It also asserts that M. Zaragoza has resigned from ill health. The Count and Countess de Chambord have arrived at Prague, and have hired a house with the intention of stopping some time. The Judicial Committee of the Senate had been suppressed, us the senators who belonged to it had voted against Government. Many other changes are announced as about to be effected. The Three per cents. were done at 40k; the New Three per Cents, at 20i ; the Debt of the First Class at 81- ; and that of the Second at 4g. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, JAN. 23. The Queen walked in the Home-park this morning. His Royal Highness Prince Albert went out shooting, attended by Lord Rivers, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, and Colonel Wylde. The Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and younger members of the Royal family took their usual walking and pony exercise. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, and Viscount and Vis countess Hardinge have been invited, and are expected to-day. A deputation from All Saints, Southampton, includ ing Mr. T. H. Croft Moody and Mr. Edward Mayes (churchwardens), had an interview with Viscount Pal merston yesterday at the Home-office. Count Walewski, the French Ambassador, visited the Earl of Clarendon yesterday at the Foreign-office. The Marquis of Lansdowne left town after the Cabi net Council on Saturday, for his seat, Bowood-park, Wilts. Mr. Pope, the inventor of the patent smoke•consum ing furnace, and Mr. Wallington, representing the Patent Furnace Company, had an interview with Vis count Palmerston yesterday, to explain the principle of the invention to his lordship. Despatches for the Governors of the West Coast of Africa were sent yesterday from the Colonial-office. THE COURT.—According to present arrangements, her Majesty and the Royal Family will arrive on Satur day next from Windsor Castle, until the following Wed nesday, when the Court will return to the Castle until the second week in February. Lord Willoughby d'Eresby, as Lord Great Chamberlain, we understand, has issued the usual orders to the officers at the House of Lords to issue the regulations regarding the admission of peeresses, &c., and which will be published, it is stated, in a supplementary Gazette on Monday. The Earl of Eglinton and youthful family have arrived in St. James's-square. from Eglinton Castle. The Earl and Countess of Hardwicke and Lady Eliza beth Yorke, Lord Royston, and a family circle have been visiting the venerable Dowager Countess of Hard wicke, at Lettenhanger, Herts. The Earl and Countess Delawarr and Lady Arabella Sackville West left Upper Grosvenor-street yesterday, for Buckhurst-paik, where Mr. and Lady Elizabeth Russell and youthful family are staying. Lady Frederick Bentinck left Charles-street, Berke. ley-square yesterday, on a visit to the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, at Burghley-house, where a select party are staying. DIPLOMATIC CHIT-CHAT.—The Russian military Pleni potentiary, Count Constantine Benkersdbff, at Berlin, has just received from King Frederick William a magni ficent sword of honour. DEATH OF C. R. MORGAN, ESQ., M.P.—lt is with no enviable feelings that we this week perform a duty by recording the death of this gentleman, which took place on Saturday last, at Marseilles. The news, which was received in Newport on Thursday, created a painful sen sation amongst all classes, to whom the deceased gentle man was endeared by the many amiable and excellent qualities with which he was endowed. Sir Charles and Lady Morgan have been staying at Marseilles for some weeks past, and were present when their son died.-- Monmouthshire Beacon. ROYAL BETROTHAL.—The betrothal of Prince Friedrich Carl Nicolaus, the son of Prince Carl of Prussia, with Princess Maria Anna of Anhalt, took place on the 15th instant, at the Ducal Palace in Dessau. APPOINTMENT OF ROMISH CHAPLAINS TO PRISONS. The recent measures taken by the Government for the appointment of Roman Catholic chaplains to the prisons throughout the country, has, amongst the Protestants of this city, produced no little excitement, and we fini that a public meeting is to be held on Monday evening, to protest and to adopt a memorial against a proposal so unconstitutional.—Manchest er Courier. THE ROYAL DOCKYARDS.—We understand that all classes in her Majesty's dockyard, artificers, labourers, &c., are placefl on job stock work, and all earn, accrd ing to a revised scale of prices, as much money as their skill and industry can secure them. WANT OF MEN FOR THE ROYAL FLEET.—Upon a careful calculation, says the Morning Herald, we esti mate that at least 2,500 seamen (blue-jackets) are re quired efficiently to man the ships now fitting out at the home ports. THE ROYAL STEAM FORCE OF GREAT BRITAIN.— The progress of our Royal steam navy is wonderful ; England possesses more marine steam-power in her Royal navy than all the Imperial steam-fleets of the world combined could furnish. A few years since we possessed only some 14,000-horse power, but on the Ist of January, 1854, the British navy included no less than 202 steam-vessels of all classes, whilst the nominal steam-power of machinery in those ships represented more than that of 55,300 horses, with a reserve of 2 ,800-horse power available for other Royal ships. This information we have from undoubted authority. -- r - ITALY. From Genoa, Jan. 17, we learn that the Pied montese Government gives tokens of war. The magazines are filled with stores and every neces sary for the equipment of troops. It is stated, in a letter from Rome, that the Papal Government is preparing an article on the subject of the Holy Places, which will be a reply, supported by facts, to certain historical assertions of the Government of St. Petersburg. It is to be first communicated to the different allied courts, and will probably be afterwards published in the Civitta Cattolica. The Pontifical Court is appre hensive that, whatever may be the issue of the struggle between Turkey and Russia, there will result from it a fresh confiscation for the benefit of the Greeks of the whole or a fresh portion of the Holy Places, and it wishes beforehand to throw as much light as possible on the question. A letter from Pisa, in the Opinion of Turin, .of the 20th, states that the assassin of the Gonfalonier of Leghorn has been discovered, as have also seve ral of his accomplices. Leghorn being in a state of siege, the sentences whi c h w ill b e passe d on t h e m will, the letter adds, have to be submitted to Mar shal Radetski^ AUSTRIA. The M essenger of Vienna of the 19th announceS that the Government had just placarded a notice, to the effect that the drawing by lot for the con tingent of 1854 should take place without delay. All young men born between 1827 and 1833 ill' elusively are ordered to present themselves to pass the council of revision. SWEDEN. Private letters from Stockholm, dated the 10th, state that it will be very difficult, if not absolutely impo , sible, for Sweden to maintain a neutrality in case of war, by reason of the extremely hostile feel ing that pervades the entire nation against Russia. Everybody clearly sees, that if this power succeeds in her designs, Sweden would ultimately be ab sorbed by her. The Russians have of late consider ably extended the fortifications of the island of Aland, that important military position, frosty which they constantly menace Stockholm, the dis: tance between them being about 50 miles. The same letter states that the Danes were apprehensive for the security of the island of Bornholm, the pos session of which the Russians are said to covet ex ceedingly, and had reinforced the garrison of the castle of Hammerhaus and Svanuicke. The letter dwells much on the importance of an union between, Sweden, Norway, an d D enmar k , w i t h an army of 200,000 men, and a fleet of more than 400 sail, manned by more than 60,000 seamen, in case of a rupture. The entire north would be thus raised against Russia, and Finland itself would probably join Sweden. Menaced on the north by the Scan dinavian nations, attacked on the east and south by the Turks, with Austria and Prussia neutral, and France and England still united against her aggressions, Russia would have no other alterna tive than to yield, and accept whatever proposi tions 'might be submitted to her. The letter re peats that the popular feeling in Sweden is de cidedly hostile to Russia. INDIA AND CHINA. (BY SUBMARINE th EUROPEAN TELEGRAPR.) TRIESTE, MONDAY, JAN. 23. The steamer Bombay arrived at half-past 8 o'clock a.m., in 116 hours from Alexandria, which she left on the 17th. The Indian mail has been at Alexandria since the 14th, and cannot proceed before the 19th inst., at the earliest, the steamer from England not having arrived. The following are the latest dates received bY this mail : Calcutta, Dec. 20 ; Madras, Dec. 24 ; Shanghai/ Dec. 1 ; Amoy, Dec. 5 ; Hong Kong, Dec. 11; Singapore, Dec. 18 ; Penang, Dec. 21 ; Dec. 27 ; Bombay, Dec. 29 ; Burmah, Dec. 3. No mails had arrived from Australia, though one was due. The Governor-General of India left Calcutta on the 9th of December for Burmah. A conspiracy at Rangoon was frustrated on the 23d of November by the preparations of the British authorities. _ Trade in India was dull. The indigo-market at Calcutta had opened' Exchange, at 2s. ld. The Resident of Bushire has reported that 60,000 Persians had reached that neighbourhood , with the object of invading the Pashalik of Bagdad. A combined naval and military expedition is being rapidly organised by the Bombay Government to carry out any orders it may receive from England) or from the Governor-General. The important territory of Berar, the garden of India, has lap se d t o the British Goverment by the death of its ruler without issue. Lord Elphinstone arrived at Bombay on th e 25th of December. Lord Falkland left Bombay on the 3d of Deesra ber, and on the 12th of January arrived at Cairo. The Peninsular and Oriental steamer Cadiz, iv' tended for the Bombay mail service, reached Boor bay on the 27th of December. Tranquillity prevails at Canton, and at Amoy the constituted authorities have been restored. The insurgent army had, at the end of October, reached Ginken, about 60 miles from Pekin. Shanghai is still in the hands of the rebels. At Canton trade was dull. Exchange, ss. la At Shangh a i t ra d e was brisk, and supplies of tea large. Exchange, Os. IMPERIAL BRAZILIAN MINING ASSOCIATION. -- A t meeting yest er d ay o f th e I mper i al Braz ili an Mi n ing -' l5• sociation the shareholders authorised the directors to _ sell or lea se th e propert i es o f Cata P reta an d Antonia Pereira. Power was also given to the board to dispos e of such other estates in Minas Geraes as may be deeme d expedient, s ubj ec t, h owever , t o th e approval of a general meeting. RE-A.l After a .enehman market TI audience, and net to grea t p American our theat COUntrym feelings devotees t 'Atlantic. Ale, and b Would end an nation: support w Cushman ciayshe trc 118 has bee enthusiast life, mai& twined fro. need of I 'very few I now boas Mies CI nation of kind she the part With it, form er in What, foi tianea of What she expressed Which ani the injure Strained the eoneei astonishin on —th e ix Shedding the quid We subja by our se At the earne for obedience The F 1 care, ease noticed it Buckingi made an character tremely v barring a delivery, small cr( Bartolo, N is an extr The ace beautiful, lir. Bud It w; raenced This pr actress a chars ° lle of • Inin a t tier 1 th e n *ith Im o); their in th lio ns pure] ( tete Weal she Cud Vhic