The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-31 00:00:00

~ ------- ~~1 Inded sum- ,t the le °f it to nee, / MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. The quantity of English wheat on sale in to-day's mar ket was very limited, but in good condition. All kinds sold readily, at an advance in the prices of Monday last of from is to 2s per quarter, and a good clearance was effected. We were extensively supplied with foreign wheat ; nevertheless the inquiry for that grain was rather active, at from 2s to 3s per quarter above Monday's currency. There was very little doing in floating cargoes, owing to the high pretensions of holders. There was an improved inquiry for barley, the value of which had an upward tendency. Although the transactions in malt were limited, pre vious rates were well supported. A steady business was doing in oats, at is per quarter advance on Monday's prices. Beans and peas were dull; but barrel flour was is to 2s dearer. Wheat. 1,430 ARRIVALS TIIIS WEER. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour. 2,960 2,210 3,650 1,680 , GO 8,150 8,170 13,050 br English .. Irish .... Foreign 15,670 1 3,' SMITHFIELD. To-day's market was well supplied with beasts, the general condition of which was by no means first-rate. All bree is moved off slowly, at a decline in the prices obtained on Monday of 2d per 81bs. Amongst the supply were 100 oxen from Portugal. Sheep, the numbers of which were tolerably good, were dull, and 2d per 81bs lower. The lamb trade was heavy, at 2d per 81bs less money. Prime small calves were scarce, and quite as dear. Inferior calves, as well as pigs, commanded very little attention. ~lileh cows sold at 141. to 191. each, including their small calf. Per Sibs to sink the ofrals. s. d. s. d. a. d. a. d. Inferior. Beasts.... 3 oto 3 2 erimoSouthdown 410 5 0 Second quality.... 3 4 3 6 Large crse. calves 4 6 5 2 Prime large oxen 3 8 4 0 Prime small d 0... 5 4 5 8 Prime Scots, dtc. 4 2 4 4 Large hogs 3 0 4 2 inferior Steep ...3 • 6 3 8 Small porkers 4 4 4 8 Second quality ...3 10 4 4 Sucklingcalves ..22 0 29 0 Prime clrse.-wlled.4 6 4 8 Quarter old pigs 21 0 27 0 Lambs ss 4d to '6s 10d. FOZEIGN SUPPLY. TOTAL SUPPLY. Beasts •• •• •......... 1,138 j Beasts•..... • • ••• • • • • 340 Sheep •• ..•• •• •• • • 3,200 Sheep .................... 600 Calves ..... .••..•• •• •• • • 140 Calves.... .............. 97 NEWGATE ANI The general demand ruled quotations :--- ) LE A.DENHALL. heavy to-day, at the following Per Sibs by the carcase. a. d. a. d: Beef, inferior 210 3 2 Do., middling 3 4 3 6 Do., prima large 3 8 3 10 Do., do. small 10 4 0 Pork, large 3 4 4 2 Lamb s. d. s. d. Mutton, Inferior 3 2. 3 4 Do., middling 3 6 4 0 Do., prime 4 2 4 4 Veal 4 0 5 4 Pork, small 4 4 4 8 5s Od to 6s Bd. BOROUGH HOP. Good and fine hops are scarce, and in steady request, at fully last week's prices. In all other kind' very little is doing. This week's imports are 45 bales from Ham burgh, and 17 ditto from Ostend. The quotations are— Mid and East Kent pockets, 6/. 108 to 121. Os; Weald of Kent ditto, 61. Os to 71. Os ; Sussex ditto, 51. 12s to 61. 103 per cwt. COLONIAL. SucAn.-The business done has been limited, sales not being pressed ; and the quantity offered by auction has been small. Prices have not in all cases been maintained. West India has been cheaper-ord. to good brown Jamaica selling at 325. to 335. 6d., and grey at 355. 6d. ; but Bar badoes realised steady rates, viz., at 345. 6d. for low to 395. for fine. Mauritius, also, has been.at a slight reduction in value. Mid. to good strong yellow brought 345. 6d. to 355. 6d. ; fine, 365. 6d.; low to mid. yellow, 335. to 355.; but good and fine brown was taken in at 325. to 335., low grey at 30s. to 315., and low dark brown at 28s. to 295. Madras was taken in at 28s. 6d. to 295. 6d. FOREIGN.-Havannah, No. 12i to 13 yellow afloat was sold at :265. for, Trieste. Refined has declined, brown lumps to 48s. 6d. and grocery to 435. 9d. to 50s. per cwt. Refined has been duller ; brown lumps 435. 6d., and gro cery 435. 9d. to 50s. per cwt. COFFEE.-This article has continued heavy, and a mode rate quantity has been offered. Native Ceylon at auction has been taken in at 46s per cwt. Plantation Ceylon has realised .56s to 62s for low mid and dried, 61s to 62s 6d for superior marks, 53s to 55s for f fine ord, 43s 6d to 50s for triage, 215 s to 36s 6(1 for black, 55s to 61s 6d for peaberry ; but a small quantity was taken in at 65s per cwt. Telli cherry sold at 56s 6d to 54s for fine and f fine ord grey, at 56s 6(1 to 57s for dingy peaberry, at 44s to 47s for triage, and at 34:s 6d to 38s 6d for blacks. Mocha sold at 60s 6cl for mid, 46s 6d for triage, and at 63s to 64s for fair clean garbled. Costa Rica fine ord brought 505 to 53s 6d; Quilon 51s to 523 6d, and Padang 44s to 45s per cwt. IticE.---An active speculative demand has existed, and the advance on the lowest point of last week is about is 6d per cwt. Madras realised 12s 9d to 13s ; Bengal, 14s 6d for good mid, and Bengal to arrive 14s 3d, 14s 9d, and 15s per cwt. SPICES..-Pimento has declined id, good ord and mid sold at sicl to 50, ord and good ord at 52d to sid, and good mid and good at 6d per lb. Ginger, African, was taken in sit 22s 6d, and Cayenne at 6d to 7d p . er lb. China preserved sold at 7d to 71d for good. Mace is ld per lb. cheaper. Penang 2s stl to 2s 8d for mid and good mid, and 2s 9d to 2s lld for good bright pale. Nutmegs have risen ld per lb. Cloves are id cheaper. Zanzibar good ord and mid bold _Bering at 5d to 8d per lb. Black pepper is Ad and white Ad lower. Mid dingy to good bold Penang sold at 10d to 11 Ad per lb. SALITNTRE.-Tha_market is brisk at 4s to 5s advance. Bengal ord to fine 13 to 2A lbs refraction, to43s per cwt. TEA.-This article is very dull. Low to good ord Congou 1141 to ]s per lb. COCHINEAL.-A further slight decline has taken place. COTTON.-The market is dull. TALLOW-7-P is quieter at 70s per cwt on the spot. GREEN FRUIT.-The arrivals are limited. Oranges sus tain their value, a small parcel of Lisbon, per steamer, sold by Keeling and Hunt at public sale, went at an ad vance of 2s. per box. Lemons improved ls. to 2s. per case. Barcelona nuts 2s. per bag lo er. New Smyrna daily expected at this port-a cargo has already been re ceived in Liverpool. LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, March 31.—Wind this day at Noon, S.W. ; light pleasant breeze, and fine weather. PORTSMOUTH, March 30.—Wind. W. by S. Sailed— H.M.'s st James Watt, for the Baltic, and since put bulk. PLYMOUTH, March 30.--Wind, N.W. Arrived—Re gatta, from Newport, U.S.;Alipoor, London, for Malta , . —The Julia, from Newcastle to New York, was struck by a sea in lat. 41 N., long. 39 W., and foundered ; two of the crew were washed - overboard ; master and six men arrived here in the Regatta. FALMOUTH, March 30.—W.S.W. Arrived—August, Jacmel ; Bilboa, Havana. Off Port—Arrived—Brilliant, Port Philip; General Taylor, Now Orleans for Havre; Sea Nymph, New York for Antwerp ; Woodcock, New York ; Wm. Fotheringham, London for Calcutta ; Niord, Moulmein, and sailed for Liverpool ; Adele, Oswald, Zan zabar and sailed for Hamburg ; Haite, Jacmel and sailed for Hamburg. DARTMOUTH, March 30.—W. Sailed—Sarah, Genoa. Off Port.—Arrived, Barham, Madras. LIVERPOOL, March 30.—The Bona Dea, of this port, was passed derelict 26th March, lat. 41, long. 15, by the Chase ley, arrived here. PENZANCE, March 29.—Wind, squally. Arrived—Nor thumberland, Port Philip. QUEENSTOWN, March 29.—Wind, S.W. Arrived— Emperor, from Maulmain ; Juno, New York; Waterton, Bermuda, with convicts. THISTED. March 24. The sloop Dolphin, of and from Stavanger for Lumfiord (cargo salt), and the sloop Alle mine, of and from Christiansand for this place (cargo tim ber), were steamed off the Agar Canal, March 25 ; erows saved. ELsINORE, March 27.—H.M. steamer Odin, from the North Sea, passed the Sound yesterday forenoon, and in the afternoon H.M. steamer Vulture arrived from the same quarter and proceeded. During the night H.M. steamer Miranda returned here from the Baltic, and is now coaling in the Roads. The arrivals from the North Sea are pro ceeding successively, but several vessels from the Baltic are still wind-bound in the roads. Wind S.W. very light. SWANSEA, March 30.—Wind W. Arrived—Thomas Bell, from Cuba. SHIELDS, March 30.—Wind, S.W. Arrived—Cyno sura, from Caravesara ; St. Pierre, Gravelines ; Maria, Harlingen SUNDERLAND, March 30.—Wind, S.W. Arrived—Ber nardus, from Delfshaven. HULL, Marcb 30.—Wind, W. Arrived—Griffer Grietje, from Antwerp ; Albatross (s.), ditto. HARWICH, March 30.—Wind, N.W. Arrived—Damsel, from Medemblick for Ipswich ; H.M.S. Cuckoo, sailed for Sheerness. PALERMO, March 22.—The Tiber (s.s.) sailed hence, March 18, for Marseilles and Liverpool, but returned the same day with injury to screw, and is discharging to ascer tain damage and repair. KERTEMINDE, March 25.—The John Ingo, of Newcastle, bound to Kiel , with coals , was stranded on the Scaw Reef in the morning of the 21st March—crew saved. NEW YORK, March 4.—The Queen Victoria, arrived here from St. Juan do Nicaragua, reports having passed, 14th March, in lat. 38 N., long. 75 W., a vessel, apparently a brig, bottom up, painted green. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Friday, 10.30 a.m. Wind, W.N.W. ; moderate, and fine Arrived—The Foam, from Loo Choo Foo ; Rothesay, Pernambuco. Sailed— The First of March. The screw steamer Sarah Sands, that was ashore at Woodside, was got off this morning without sustaining any damage ; one man was killed by the breaking of a hawser. Oft' Port—Prospero, from Pernambuco • Champion, East Indies • Skerge, yacht ; William Russell, barque ; and Clara Wheeler, ship. (By SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Friday, 9.45 a.m. Wind, W. ; tide, low water -, weather fine. Arrived, 30th—City of Rotterdam (s), f rom H a rlingen ; Ocean (s), Havro ; Caledonian (s), Hamb urg h . Sailed—ilar Cs), for Dunkirk ; Eagle (s), Boulogne ; Southampton, New York. DEAL, Friday, 9.19 A.M. Wind, N.W. ; fresh and fine. Passed—Regina, for St. Helena ; Fortunate, for Valen cia ; Harriet Irving, for Newport ; Victoria Regia, for Sydney ; R. Matthews, for Constantinople—all from Lon don ; Standerings, Shields, for Venice. Sailed—Lisbon, for St. John's ; Commodore, Jamaica. SOUTHERN WHALE FISHERY. —The Australian advices received yesterday mention that the Southern Whale Fishery Company's ship Samuel Enderby had arrived at Sydney with 1,000 barrels of bowhead oil and 90 of sperm, besides 8 tons of whalebone, the whole being estimated at 7,0001. The ship had been out 14 months, during the first six of which she had taken nothing. That which she ultithately- secured was taken in the Sea of Okhotsk. The company have recently agreed to wind up, after losing three-fourths of their capital, but there will now be some small amount to divide among the ahareholderz after the liquidation of all claim, only their tes at I send ?owis. ad she :ne on a as a olenccs ~ the fr. 11. , that olvent D was cons© - defen d his ), but t) was idant) 11 pos- Lgh he In un- ler the urged Isintiff an in aid ba tbove. A Y.) Wells exami- 3p :rty imated ►krupt 7 cases ) find, Corn- Board, re date stated d that rat the him to • of the u was ally for was his There o havo dopted getting h rate leasuro med a lot au of the Gu• vex y pledge ilcl not ,audals eans of )gether ho pro- regard e even -I,OOIN. he fol ocea- onality rported he Earl rowhy, Dudley , P., Sir Wines, accom- ,nco of [l. Dud don as Sect the tst the n had, party, m God dwelt ;ion on and ug the I coin- to the nt, of during to ho s con all, ho which ie felt such COM- I Lord .owne, • 'oreign 3Stitil ql the 3h, in utiou, Eng- , s tl2o eute(l urkey pre 'other estion n one- SHARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY.) BRITISH RAILWAYS. Closing Prices yesterday. Business done this day. 20 - 21 4 - 4i 7i - 81 13 —ll disl 15 17 8 7d 88 - 90 501 - 501 12 - 13 8 - 10 38 - 40 7 - 8 ii . - i - iii 3.14, 58 - 60 54 - 56 19 - 21 56 60 83 - 84 69 71 Ll 7 - 119 80 - 84 70i - 71 85 90 10 12 t. 10 12 p 57 584 8,4 -- 8 a iii -I: h Vi : ii 93 —93 921 - 2 d —14 d - iv 18 72 73 11 13 3, 1 12 1101 ,• --. • • • 18 - 19 54t - 554 30 - 32 ~ ..--. ... d id' 7 5a 6 - •8 40 - 43 3$ 36u 286 29 50 54 par ip - 601 7 - 74 1 26 - 28 76 80 48 - 52 50 - 55 50 - 55 Si - 20 13 - 15 6 - 7i 10 - It 3 - 13 15 57i —58 i 29 31 4 2d 4 5 - 30 - 2 174 18 i 4 - 5 21 - 23 5 - 6 ••• 6 - 60; 61A 10 9A - 1 5.i - 41i -- 42 41 4 x d RAILWAYS. Eihr. Paid. St. 100 20 8i 1100 1s 114 all all all 1.00 - 100 471 174 all !DO idland 'Do. New £lO.. South Eastern South Wales Do. £lO shares.. Do. Pref., No. 1. and Railway Vale of Noath Aberdeen .... ... .. Ambg Nottng.l 4 st• and Rasta. Janet Belfast & Ballymena Birming. Wolverh. & Stour Valley Birkenhd. Lanesh. Cheshire Junct Do. Chesh. & Birk., £5O and £25 Cons. Do., £2O Blyth &Tyne original' £25 (issd. at £45) Bristol and Exeter Caledonian Chester & Holyhead. Cork and Bandon Cork, Black, & Pass. Cornwall Crieff Junction Dublin &Belfa.s tjunc Dundee Perth&Aber deco Junction Do. New East Anglian Do., (£lB E & H) Eastern Counties Eastern Union, A Stock Do., B. Stock Do., Now A East Lancashire Edinburgh et Glasgov Edinb. and Peebles Edin. Pr Lb & Dunde, Forth & Clyde June. plasgow& S. Weston, treat Northern Stk. Do., A. Stock Do., B. Stock. Gt. Sth. &West.(lre.) Great Western Irish South-Eastern Lancaster & Carlisle Do., Thirds Do. New Thirds Lancash.andYorksh IDo., Fifths. D. Wst. Riding Un Leeds Northern " Liv.Crsby.&Sonthpt London & Blaekwal] Loud. Tilb. & Sthend. Lond. Bright &S.Cst Lond. and N. Westn. Do. Fifths Do.lo/.Sh.,M&B ( Do. Eighths London and S. Westn. Do., £5 Do., £4O Lndndrry& Coleraine Lndndrry. & Ennisk. Nianch.Shef.& Lineln Do., Man. & Lin. Un.l Jo. Birmng. &Derby Midid. G. West. (Ira.) Do. Half Shares Newcastle & Carlisle, Newmarket Do. , Bury Extension Nwpt.Aberg. & Hrfd Newry & Enniskillen Newry Warrenpobat and Rostrevor Norfolk Nortlin.Counties Un North British North Devon; No. Do., No. 2 Do., A A Deferred Do., 6 B Guaranteed North London N.&S.Wstrn.,Hamp stead, and City Jn North Staffordshire North Western N. & S. Westin. June Nuneaton, Hinckley, and Leicester Oxford, Worcester, & , Wolverhampton Portsmouth Scottish Central Scottish Midland Shrewsbury & Bi img Do. L. & N. Western Guaranteed Si Gbk Shrewsby. & B erefd Shrewaby. & Gkestei (N. W. Min ; Do. Halves,l Do. Oswestry Shropshire Union Do. A, B, C,& D,fully paid up at per cent iouth Devon S. Yrksh. & Itiv. Dun Staines, Wok. &Wok Stockton & Darling Stockton & fair Vale . Mamas Haven Dock Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford& Liinerie k West Cornwall West End of Londciu and Crystal Palace West London 'vVimbledn & Croydon York Newetl.&Berw. Do. Extensions Do. G.N.E. Pn.rehase York & N. Midland PREFERENCE SHARES, erdeen Do. No. 2, p. c. Blyth and Tyne 10 per c. pref. (issd. at 500 Bcis. & Ex. 4 p. c. St. Do. 4 p. c. Shares Caledonian £lO Caester & Holyhead Guar. 5l per cent Cork &Bandonsip.c Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction EastAnglian (1:310s) 6 per cent Do. (5) 7 per cent Do. (E 7 17s) 7 p. c ~ astern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No. 1 Do. No. 2 Do. New 6 p. c. St Eastern Union, Scrip Guar. 6 per cent Do. 51., 10 per cent Do. 101. Debentr.Sh- East Lancash. 6 p. cts. East and West York shire June. Pref E dinb Prth. &Dundee per cent. Glasgow &S.Western Guar. 5 per cent... Great Northn. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. C. Redeem., at 10 p. c. pre a. .. Do. 4A p. c. Scrip Gt.lCof Scot. Ist Pref Gt. Southn. &Westm. (Ireland) Eighths) Do. 4 per c. Pref. Sh Gt. Westn., (Berks & Hants Ex. 5 p. c) Do. cov. red. 4t; p.c Do. con, red. 4 p. c irred. 4 p. c Lan. & York. F. £2O Do. 6 p. c. Stbek Leeds N. 6 p. c. No. 1 Do. Quarters, 1848 London and Brighton Guaranteed 5 p. c Do. Pref., 5 p. C. St. Do. Convertible, 5 p. c., 1852 Do. New Guar.6 p. c Lon. &N. W., Cov. (St Nuneaton London & S.Westernl Con. Thirds ILondondeny& Coler. 4 Shares L'ondy. & Ennis. Sh Sian., Shef., & Shares, No. 1. Do. New, £lO . Do. £6 llarypt .&Carl.4 p.c Do. 4,', per cent Do wiid. Consol.6 p.c.St Do. Consol. Bristol & 6 per cent , Do. Pref. 4i per cent Norfolk Debenture Do. Pref. 4 p. c. Stock Do. 5 p. c. Eat Do. N per ct.pre' Do. Way. Val. 5 p. c. North British North Staffordshire_ thford, Worcester, & Wolverh.Xls, 6 p.c Do 'Scot. Cent. , New Pref Shrews. & Birin. N.G. ,hrewsby. & Chester (Sor.W.Min), 8 p.c. Do. 5 per cent South Devon Ds. fixed, 4 per cent S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6€l, Do. 4per cent. S. Yorksh.4p.c.Guar. Stockton aud Dar lington, 4 per cent. Do. do. do., Stockton and Hartle- •uar. pool, g •5 p • • till Ist July, ISSO York , Neweastle,and Bca•wiek,4 p.c. Pref Do York&N.Midlancill. 4114 S. Punhomm. bi -68 6 64xd 3 4 4 3} P par— ip par p 11i 124 23 - 24 3 —34 sct too ----ad 98 - 102 9i - 9i ••• ... 6,1 7i, ... ad 7 92 94 87 89 87 89 Id par 125 130 ~• ...ad' 1i - 2i p - id 125 130 ld • xd ▪ xd ... xd ▪ ad • xd 93 - 96 -- 9 16 - 17 - 10,E 11 - 13 - AP I 21i -22 i 15 - 20 2 - 1 ti, 85 - 90 - 3i 50 49} x d 58i 91 51 81i 3i 70} 118 80 71k 70i 58 1 I 93 931 i 3 73A 4 3 5 51 i i i 291 81 a d PE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 31, 185. ADELPHI THEATRE. THE MONTY-MARKET. A very excellent farce of pure English elements, entitled the _Moustache Movement was brought out here last night, and met with a degree of success which it eminently de served. The name of the piece indicates the materials of which it is composed. It is a peculiarly hirsute produc tion, the moustache being the pivot upon which the whole of the fun turns. The first object seen is a butcher at the garden gate stroking his moustache ; the maid, when she takes in the family supply of meat, compli ments him on his labial decoration; he feels much gratified, but vows that he will cultivate it as long as it is genteel, but he fears that it is being adopted by the tripe-seller, and vows that if it descend to the cat's meat-man, that he will absolutely shave. Then comes the baker with a similar ornament, but he con siders it good for his health—that is his excuse. We have then Mr. Cornelius O'Pake, who arrives in search of Cap tain Attamont Kidd, for having run off with Eliza Swasser, his cousin ' he attacks the waiter in mistake, because, like the rest of the world in general, and Captain Kidd in particular, he indulges in a moustache. Anthony Soskins, a lawyer's clerk Plr. Keeley), appears with a moustache of a most military character. Mr. Cornelius O'Pake returns, and takes him much to his annoyance, for the waiter. Captain Kidd does the same thing for the same reason. Louisa Fitz-Johnson, a milliner (Mrs. Keeley) is betrothed to Anthony Soskins, of whose moustache she is passionately fond, but owing to some cleverly managed mistakes, and to their rhapsodies being as descriptive of the moustaches of the captain as of the clerk, they both believe themselves to be in love with the same individual. At length the mystery is cleared up, and the greatest secret of all is told—a severe trial to the constancy of Louisa Fitz-Johnson. The mous taches of her lover, Anthony Sykes, are false ; according to established custom—particularly towards the end of a per formance—true love triumphs, and a double wedding is the result. The banns may be supposed to be put up, find the curtain comes down—but before it does so, Mrs. Keeley, as Louisa Fitz-Jot ;on, speaks a cleverly written parody on the epilogue to "As you like it," in which Rosalind dis courses on beards. The acting was admirable throughout. Mrs. Keeley, although sustaining the character of the piece as broad farce, was at times really fine. Her performance was a skilful combination of earnestness, truthful feeling, and the ludicrous. Mr. Keeley, as Anthony Soskins, was, as he ever is, excellent. The performers did their best for the success of the piece, not forgetting the scene-painter, who gave us a very excellent view of a country road. (Prom the Times City Article.) The first excitement of a declaration of war having passed, the money-market may be expected, in the ab sence of any sudden intelligence, to subside gradually from the agitation of the last ten days. The capricious ness of its movements has rarely been more exemplified, since three weeks ago a rapid rise was reported, whiles the British fleet was sailing from Spithead, and the mere formal notification of the event of which that armament was the precursor, and which had been regarded as in evitable for the past three months, has been followed by a fall such as is rarely exceeded at the most critical periods. Either the confidence recently entertained, or the panic to which it has given place, must con sequently appear absurd. Such circumstances are discreditable to a commercial community, and it will be well for the public to consider whether they are to be repeated. The general causes that must operate on the money-market can always be foreseen with sufficient accuracy to prevent disturbances of this kind, if people will pause to recognise them. Of course, on the receipt of extraordinary news violent fluctuations must be looked for, but during the heaviest period of the fall just witnessed there was a remarkable dearth of in telligence, and the daily decline of one or two per cent. went on without any one having pretended to attribute it to any new revelation. A contagious impression that the existing rates seemed considerably above the usual fancies entertained of " war prices" was all that could be detected, and among those who have been rushing to sell probably not ono has asked himself how it is that this discovery has only just been made, or what are the precise effects that a certain annual expenditure for hos tilities must be expected -to have either on the general. state of the discount market or the current value of the funds. The sooner these points are mastered the better. The primary question is, whether the annual expenses of the war are likely to exceed the annual gains of the country from the course of trade, and thus to necessitate ship ments of bullion to the amount of the deficiency, and a consequent contraction of the circulation. If this result is experienced the funds must necessarily fall, but in the opposite case, no matter what may be the temporary dis asters sustained, nothing can prevent a rise ; and the idea that 80, 90, or even 100 is not the price which individuals had previously conjectured as that which would prevail during a European contest will have no influence in pre venting it from being maintained. Hitherto the princi pal, if not the only explanation offered for the existing depression, has been that the public have begun selling, and consequently that it will be severe and permanent ; those who give this reason having entirely omitted to show what the public are subsequently to do with their money. If it had been remembered that this money must find its way back to the market, either in the shape of banking deposits or some other form, and thus pro duce a feeling of great ease, which would soon manifest its effect on the Stock Exchange, they would at once have seen the groundlessness of the attempt to raise alarm on that score, and would have been brought back to the one predominant consideration, namely, whether there is any cause to anticipate a steady diminution of our stock of gold. Whatever may be the opinion warranted on that point, it is by keeping it always in view that the instances of vague fear exhibited in October last, and repeated in the present month, can alone be averted ; and although the materials for arriving at a conclusion respecting it are not positive, they are enough to lead to a considerable degree of certainty. Supposing, for instance, the war to become not only serious, but chronic, and to involve an additional cost even of 10,000,0001. per annum, the problem to be determined is, how far the drain for that expenditure will be mitigated, and whether, after allow ing for everything, the balance will be beyond the sur plus usually at our disposal for foreign outlay ? The only way to ascertain this probable surplus is to estimate the yearly investments we have been accustomed to make, not merely in foreign loans and public under takings, but also in great works at home not imme diately of a remunerative character. Advances for foreign purposes of course take so much capital direct from the country, and extensive home undertakings Operate in a similar manner, by causing the population to be employed in the manufacture of other than exportable articles, while they are consuming imported food and raw material for clothing. Now, there is reason to believe that on an average of several years the annual totals sent direct to foreign countries in the shape of loans, &c., cannot have been less than 15 or 20 millions, to say no thing of the series of quiet investments in American secu rities, which, in a very short space, have reached an aggregate of probably 40,0001. on European account, England doubtless being by far the greatest holder. At the same time, our own public works have been extended on a scale never before known, and the increase of our shipping, even during the last year, has been nearly 400,000 tons. Under these circumstances, the ques tion whether 10, 20, or 30 millions can be spared for a war loses much of its terror. During the struggle no foreign loans of any magnitude are likely to be taken, and even such small ones as may be introduced can only originate in the fact of the money-market being the easiest that can be found. All outlays for industrial works in foreign countries will be suspended, and at home only schemes of immediate necessity will be undertaken. Meanwhile our trade will go on, and Australia and California will s till p our forth their supplies. Hence our yearly surplus of profit must still accrue to us, especially under the prevailing economy always induced by troublous times, and, with every extraneous channel of investment cut off, a perio dical creation of 10,000,000/. Consols, if it should be foUnd desirable, in place of increased taxation, would not only be absorbed without difficulty, but would actually be welcomed. Even the money thus raised, moreover, would not be immediately felt as a dead loss to the country, since it would be partly laid out on home la bour for military stores, although, of course, this labour might be more profitably expended in the creation of articles for commercial interchange. It must also be borne in mind that when we speak of 10,000,0001. per annum it is a very large amount even for a severe war. The public never think of a European conflict without taking their data from the period when the na tional debt was increased nearly 400,000,0001. in 15 years, and when, owing to the reckless suspension of specie payments, the Minister found himself able to squander the strength of the nation in unlimited subsi dies, in creating stock upon ruinous terms, and in con ducting every public establishment upon a system of pro digality such as the world had never seen. Because Eng land, under these circumstances, with one-halt her pre sent trade and capital, and with a combination against her that threatened a death struggle, saw her 3 per cent. secu rities ranging commonly between 55 and 70, it seems now to be assumed that an approach to these prices may once again be within the limits of probability. It should also be borne in mind that the idea of an European war, involving, under proper management, an ex penditure ruinous to this country, presupposes, at all events, some proportionate outlay on the part of our enemies. Assuming that outlay to be practicable, a large portion of it would come, in the course of trade, into our own pockets ; but the belief that the Emperor of Russia or any of the German powers could, either by force or credit, raise any permanent supplies of great magnitude is inherently preposterous. Taking, therefore, a review of our entire position, there is apparently nothing to excite financial panic. That it is proper at the commencement of war to abstain from any estimate of the dimensions it may ultimately reach will be admitted by every one • but, assuming that it may b e protracted for years, and that it may spread, through accident or treachery, in all directions, mid involve many bitter and unlooked-for disasters, there is still no ground to suppose that, with common pru dence on the part of our merchants and an enlight ened determination of the Government to densunce all tampering with the currency, any periods of convulsion or discredit are to be apprehended. Perhaps, indeed, it is far from impossible that the range of Consols through some of the most arduous of trials will be such as to excite congratulation and surprise. LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS. Paid; Leasing Compares. Closing Prices yesterday. RAILWAYS. Bedford and Bletcbley.... Buckghamsh Clydesdale Jc. 'E. Lincoln gr. 6 per cent. Glas. Barr. & Neils. Direct Do. New Glstr.& Dn.Fr Dk. & Railway Hull & Selby Do. Shares. Do. Shares. bon.&Greenw Do. Preference Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent. Do. 6 per et. 'Stanch. Blau. and Matlock & Redcar Nfidld.Bratifd Northern and Easternsp.c. Do. 6 per ct. Do. Fixeds p Prest. & Wyrel Do. Shares. R,oystn.& - .131it. Do. Shepth. St Shef.Rothano Gooleg.sp.e. S. Staffordsb. Wear Vallcygr 6 per cent Do Wilts&Somrst London & N. West. L. &N. W. Caledon... Gt. Nrthn. Caldonian, Do A. Westn Ik. New. & Berw. V. &NMcl Do Do S. Eastern Do Norfolk. L.& N. W. & Midi& Stckton & Darlingt. Midland.. E. Count, 'Do. ,Do & NAV &Lniak Do Gt North': Do francash Yorksh. .31Clean Stockt. Darlingt Do iltWestn FOREIGN. 9 3 8 2s. Antwerp&ltotterclam Belgian Eastn. June Beziers to Graissessac Bombay, Baroda, and Central India,Scrip Central of Italy Charleroi & Erquelin Demerara Dijon andßesancon (Dutch Rhenish East Indian Do. Extension Gt. Indian Peninsula Gd. Juliet. of France l Grd.,Trunk of Canada Do. Debentures Do. do Gt. Central of France Gt.WesternofCanadr Shares Do. Bands (Ist is. )' 57 Hamilton & Torontc Do. 6 per cont. Lake Nust. & Lucca & Pistoja 5 p. c: pref Liiieml)ourg Do. (Railway) Do. Prof. Do. (Canal). Do. 6 p. et. pref Lyons and Geneva Lyons & Mediterran Niaciras Maria Antonia Do. do. New Helbourno Dk. & Ry Namur & Liege (with interest) Do. (ox interest) Northern of France Do. 2tH. 3 p. c Bds (fmy. B. & Ams. Shs.) NorwegianTrunkPrei Paris and Lyons Ditto Bonds ..... Paris and Orleans. Paris and Rouen... Paris and Strasbourg ParisCaen & Cherbrg 'Quebec & RichmonC Rouon and Havre Royal bari , sh RoyalSwee.isi Sambre and Meuse._ Do. 5i p. cent. Prof. Southern of France.. St. Andrew's and Quebec (A) (West Flanders all Do 5A per c. Pref , 10 Western of France 7 West. of Switzerland 2 Wiesbaden 15 Zealand MIN Agua Fria Anglo Austrin. Gold A.nglo Californian Australasian Australian Australian Cordillera Australian Freehold Ave Maria Baden (Gd. Duchy of) Blaenarvon Ir. & Coal isritish Austrlu. Gold British Iron - I Brazilianlmp.(issuedl p f id— P 1 d 2 8 4 9 11 d - 8 3i 14 2 29 31 d _ at .£4.) put Do. Cocaes & Cuiada Do. St. Johu Del Roy Carsou's Creek Clarendon Con. Min. Co. of Jamaica Cobro Copper Colonial Gold Co piap o Copper Min. of Eng Do. Pref. 76 p. cont English and Austrin • Copper Smel tg. Co Genes al Great Nugget Vein Do. Registered Great Polgooth Liberty Linares bond. &Californ. G 39 - 41 10 - 12 50 - 60 2 - 4 p - R - 4 g - i 10 - 12 Quartz Crush. Co , to 11exic m&S Amoricu ew G:mada, New Linares Mining and ;;melting Co Nouveau Monde • Pontgibaud Silver Lead Min. & Smelt Port Philip ruartz Rock i:thymney Iron Do. New Santiago de Cuba :outh Australian Tin Croft United Mexican Waller West Granada West Mariposa Worthing Mining of t Yuba R - i 5i - 64 i - i ~• - ••• f - 1 15 - 17 - 28 -30 p 8 - 10 4 - - - 3.1 - all all all 12s. ... ... i a d 1 DINNER TO THE EARL OF ELGIN.—A complimentary dinner is to be given to this nobleman on Thursday next, by gentlemen connected with our Canadian dependen cies. It is expected that the entertainment will be a very brilliant affair. Lord John Russell has consented to take the chair ; and among the noblemen and gentle men who have already signified their intention of being present may be mentioned hist Excellency James Bu chanan, United States Minister at this Court ; the Duke of Newcastle, the Earl Grey, the Earl of Ellesmere, the Earl of Durham, Lord Glenelg, Lord Ashburton, Lord Ilonteagle, Lord Stanley, M.P., the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Hon. E. Cardwell, M.P., Sir George Grey, Bart., M.P., the Right Hon. Sidney Her bert, M.P., the Right Hon. Sir John Pakington, M.P., the Right Hon. Edward Ellice, M.P., the Right Hon. Sir Gore Ouseley, K.C.8., the Right Hon. Sir James Stephen, the Hon. Francis Hincks, Prime Minister of Canada ; Mr. Frederick Peel, M.P., Sir Francis Head, Lieut.-General Sir James M`Donnell, Sir Emerson Tennent, Mr. Bernal Osborne, M.P., and a list of nearly 50 other members of the House of Commons. CASINO DE VENISE.-Mr. Packer, the conductor of the band at the above-mentioned popular place of amuse ment, gave a grand bal masque last night, which was a bumper, and went off with great eclat. The dance music was particularly good, including many popular favourites and pieces composed expressly for the occa sion, namely, the " Corbeille d'Oranges" quadrille, by Montague ; the "Eugenie" schottische, by Marriott ; the " Vive Paris" quadrille, by Tinney ; the " Floral" fete polka, by Anderson ; the "Doneraile" waltz, and the "Isola Bella" quadrille, by Mrs. H. St. Leger, the finale of which was encored. THE TURKISH EMBASSY.—Much activity continues to prevail at the Ottoman Embassy, in Bryanston-square, where despatches from the seat of government at Con stantinople are constantly arriving. The Minister, M. Musurus, in his progress to the Drawing-room yester day, was loudly cheered, and also saluted by many of the spectators taking off their hats to the Envoy as his equipage proceeded to the Palace. THE WELLINGTON STATUE AT THE GUlLDHALL.—Yes terday the Wellington Committee connected with the Corporation of the city of London, met at the Guildhall for the purpose of choosing one from the six models ori ginally furnished, which will represent, in a marble me morial, the noble Duke and his exploits during a long series of years. The committee, of whom a large num ber was present, first decided to reduce the six candidates to three, by three separate votings. In the first cast there were for Bell 23, for Foley 19, for Behnes 15, for Adams 9, and for Smith and Thomas none. In the second there were for Bell 19, for Feley 12, for Behnes 6, and none for the other candidates. Finally, it ap peared that there were 19 for Bell, and no one for the other candidates ; that gentleman was, in consequence, declared to be the successful competitor. The pro ceedings then terminated. We understand that it is the intention of the Corporation to permit the public to view the whole of the specimens without cost, but that an order from one of the members of the committee will be necessary. They will be on view only a few day. The rejected models, we understand, will be placed either in the newly-opened Orphan Asylum at Brixton, or in some other place be longing to the Corporation, which the Court of Common Council may appoint. SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.—Traffio return for the week ending March 26, 1854 £3,093 17 1i Corresponding week last year 2,412 1 B.} CORK AND BANDON RAlLWAY.—Traffic return for the week ending March 25, 1851 £216 1 10 09TiefiPtaliAg Wetic IPS rar 176 6 9 ,i i - - i i 1130 - 140 28 P-• 30 100 - 102 50 - 52 25 - 26 13 -13 i 21i - 25 2Bxd 91 - 93 54 - JG ... .--. . xd xd ... - ... 3 - ii -- 2,9 4i— 4d i li 6 4 d id —al) 3 d 4 1 1/ P (1— ip ..d . 10 5 d 41 4 ci 20 21 par 1 p 4 5 2 3A 1 1 1 2 lid 2 3 d 3 2d lf —d l 6 - 6i 27 214 n - 8i 104 - 11. p 41 -43 32 - 34 27/ -• pm Id pill d 7 76. ••• - pm 2 - 31 - 2i p 52 - Business this day. (PROM A CORRESPONDENT.) It is long since I have had the pleasure of communi cating with you, but I cannot refrain from expressing my gratification at several articles on monetary affairs which have appeared recently in The Suse. It appears to me most important that an amendment of the bill of 1844 should be proceeded with without delay. For, without being an alarmist, I feel convinced that the war cannot possibly be carried on for any length of time under the present restrictive principles of Peel's Bills. I say this, being almost—if I may venture so to say—as good an anti-. Russia n, as yourself ! A Bank Restriction Act, similar to Pitt's in 1797, would enable us to carry on the war till we had Russia at our feet. But that will not, in the present feeling of the country, be resorted to till half the merchants are ruined, and half the people starved. What would be as efficacious would be the issue of one-pound Exchequer-bills, into which the Bank of Eng land notes might legally be converted in case of a drain of gold. Half the popular objection to paper money resolves itself into this :—" The bank note promises to pay; and unless you are always ready to pay 123 grains of gold for every pound, the bank is broken, national credit at an end, the country ruined," &c., &e. All this is quite nonsense, for during the twenty years when the Bank neither could nor did keep this "promise," the country prospered, and the Bank note was always "convertible ' into bread, beef, iron, tin, hay, straw, stubble, and the Times newspaper at market price. You could also buy as much gold as you liked, and gold was cheaper than any other commodity, for gold being no longer wanted for sovereigns, of which one-pound notes supplied the place, the demand for said gold diminish.id, and therefore it was less in the market than another commodity. The enormous taxes raised prices in many cases fully 100 per cent. ; gold scarcely ever reached half that rise of price in the Bank-note. But what I now wish to say is this : Gentlemen ob ject to a bank note which has a promise to pay, and does not keep its promise. Very well. Then let the) QUEEN, with the sanction .of Parliament, issue 1/. Exchequer Notes, or National Paper-money. There's nothing in the name—which the country shall promise not to pay, but to receive for taxes. People trust to the honour and honesty of England to the amount of 800 millions, and it is incredible that we cannot trust one another to the amount of ten or twenty millions of national one-pound notes for our own conve nience and advantage. If I were not convinced that not only the welfare and happiness of my countrymen, but also the power to cope with the great Northern Despot, depend upon the esta blishment of a better monetary system than we have at present, I should not trouble you on Ibis subject. Rqtfcrd, March 271 all all all all all 100 10 5 20 20 17 20 20 20 20 20 25 100 100 20 20 8i 10 20 10 20 20 103. 10 20 50 1 20 35 1 10 1 1 all 9 all all 4i i 6k 28} a 21 24i 29 81 1 a new 10; x now 11 I SOUTH SEA COMPANY. The proprietors of South Sea Stock met yesterday, Mr. C. Franks, the Sub-Governor, presiding, for the purpose of general business, and also to take the opinion of the majority on the bill now passing through the Legislature for winding up the original company, and organising ano ther to carry out the administration of trusts. In opening the proceedings, the Sub-Governor stated that it had been usual, at ordinary half-yearly courts, to present a detailed account, showing the generalposition of the company. The last occasion on which that course was pursued was the 6th of January, but since that period the condition of their affairs had become so totally altered that he had considered it desirable to prepare a statement in a general form, containing the latest information. This document was in a shape to show simply the assets and liabilities of the South Sea Company, and the surplus to be ultimately divided, and the items condensed in the shortest space, were as follows : ASSETS. Cash in hand Exchequer-bills (actual amount, irrespective of in terest, premium, or discount) 2,640,000 India Bonds (stated on the same terms) lOO,OOO 34 per Cents. 150,0001. (valued at yesterday's price, and ex. div. viz., 86) 3 par Cent. Reduced:s,ooo/. (valued at yesterday's price, viz., 85A) 4,275 3 per Cent. Consols, 501. 18s. ld. (a small nomi nal amount, valued at yesterday's price, viz., 86i) Loans repayable with interest (money advanced in the shape of loans upon stock, generally at the rate of 3 per cent.) Old South Sea Annuities to be received on the sth 197,107 of April Due to the company by the Government, in refe rence to the 3 per Cent. Annuities of 1751, and Old South Sea Annuities Value of the company's premises at the old esti mate 113,488 000 25,000 Making a total of 3,349,0001., or in round num bers £3,330,000 LIABILITIES. Half-year's dividend on Old South Sea Annuities, due the sth of April Unclaimed bonds Unclaimed dividends on South Sea Stock Unclaimed dividends on South Sea Annuities Arrears of Taxes, &c., applicable to 1853 Liabilities on the amount in the hands of the com pany not yet claimed on New South Sea Annui ties, 1751 £41,078 17,095 25,000 10,000 200 175,934 Making a total of 269,0001., or in round numbers £270,000 Taking the assets at 3,350,000/., and the liabilities at 270,1.00/. the amount remaining was 3,030,0001. It was a satisfactory feature that the assets were principally such as might be described as money assets, and not liable to fluctuation, the only stock held being about 150,009/. In dealing with the surplus of 3,030,090/. the purchases of South Sea Stock made by the court from trustees and others would have to be taken into account, and, these having reached 1,033,5181. the amount represented by pro prietors interested in a final distribution would be 2,621,205/. The result was that the assets would yield a little over 1171. per 1001. stock. The only expenses would be those incurred in winding up the company, which were likely to be very small. In answer to questions the Sub-Governor intimated that the amount set down for unclaimed dividends—viz., 42,090/. (and half of which has probably been unrepresented for nearly a cen tury), will have to be retained, in case claimants shall come forward and establish their right to payment. The whole sum, making allowance for 10,0001. to be arranged, does not exceed per cent, on the capital of 3,000,0001., and hence it is considered a question of small importance. The next half-yearly dividend will be at the rate of those previously declared, and the directors considered it gratify. ing that, although they had to contend with great difficul ties, they had been able to bring the assets into such order. With regard to Exchequer-bills, no loss had yet been incur red. They had been taken at 3s. 6d. per cent. as an investment suitable to the employment of the company's funds at a period when it was considered advisable to avoid risk. Although the premium of these securi ties had since reached 205., it would not have been easy to dispose of them, while a further reason for holding them was, that they would at a fixed date, if the money were required, be repaid at par. Of the 2,700,0001. originally taken 60,0001. only had been sent into the market, 50,0001. having been sold at 133., and 10,0001. at ss. premium. The Court then proceeded to the consideration of the bill for distributing the assets of the South Sea Company, and arranging an association for the administration of trusts. According to the statement of the Sub-Governor, this bill has received favourable consideration in the House of Commons, and stands for the third reading to night. Previously to its introduction into the House of Lords, in compliance with the regulations, the necessary sanction of the great majority of the proprietors was now sought to be obtained. The bill with its several clauses having been read, one dissentient, Mr. Parnell, objected to its contents, and urged that the proper course would have been to confine it to the dissolution of the company. On taking the votes of the proprietors of South Sea Stock, both separately and in the character of trustees, a large majority approved the measure. At th e c l ose o f the meet ing the sub-governor and directors were specially thanked for their services. THE PRESTON STRIKE. A meeting was held at Preston on Wednesday night to consider the state of the town with reference to the strike. A resolution was passed in favour of a compro mise, to be effected by mediation, and the following gentlemen were elected as a committee to take the mat ter in hand :—Sir George Strickland and R. T. Parker, Esq., members for the borough ; J. W. Patten and J. Heywood, Esqrs., representatives of the northern divi sion of the county ; Rev. J. 0. Parr, Vicar of Preston ; T. B. Addison and T. Birchall, Esqrs. ; Messrs. J. Lowe, J. Greenwood, T. Dixon, Corless, M. Satter thwaite, Margison, R. Hitchen, It. Dickson, Dick, J. Woods, E. King, W. Cliff, T. Swindlehurat, jun., and T. Tipping, with power to add to their number. A meeting was held at the Manchester Corn-exchange on Wednesday evening, Mr. Alderman Heywood in the chair, at which deep and earnest sympathy was expressed in the resolutions for the operatives of Preston, with ap- probation of their general conduct in the strike and pain at the proceedings taken against their delegates. The speakers included several delegates, and one of them said the operatives of Preston had apparently fallen back a little from their demand of 10 per cent., offering to take the average price of a district round Preston, but in reality, he though this would be more than 10 per cent. advance. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY. —Traffic return for the week ending March 19, 1854 £17,152 14 6 Corresponding week last year 14,185 9 5 LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE RAlLWAY.—Traffic re turn for the week ending March 26, 1854 21 7 ,523 5 2 Corresponding week last year lB,lOl 15 7 CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY.---Traffic return for the week ending March 26, 1851 £4,065 11 2 Corresponding week last year 3,230 15 1 Increase in 1854 £B34 16 1 GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—Traffio re turn for the week ending March 25, 1854 £5,016 4 8 Vorresponding week last year 4,329 9 7 Increase in 1851 £6B6 15 1 INDUSTRIAL AND REFORMATORY INSTITUTION. —Yes terday a fancy fair, for the benefit of the above institu tion, was held at the Hanover-square Rooms, under the patronage of the Marquis and Marchioness of Westmin ster, the Marquis of Blandford, the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Dartmouth, the Countess of Derby, Lord IL Grosvenor, &c., &c. A series of stalls were tastefully arranged, so as to display a large collection of fancy needlework, &c., as also many articles manufactured by the inmates of the institution. At the principal portion of the stallsthe ladies patronesses presided, who were favoured throughout the day with a very numerous attendance of visitors, which produced a considerable accession to the funds. This institution has been established for lads above sixteen years of age, in Beaumont-place, New road, as an auxiliary to the Ragged Schools in that locality, in order to provide them with profitable employment. They are taught the following trades— viz., blacksmiths, turners, and carpenters, and in which branches, although the institution has only been esta blished about a year and a half, some excellent specimens have been produced. At present the in mates consist of only 18 lads, who have been admitted, after the usual probation for two weeks. There is, how ever, accommodation for 50 or 60 lads, but which would require an outly of 7001. per annum. To effect this object, as well as to clear off a debt of 3001., the pro moters and patrons are using every exertion, in further. ance whereof this fancy sale, which will be continued tuif days is specially devoted, ;IMPERIAL PARLIAMENTS HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY.) The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. AMENDMENT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW. The LORD CHANCELLOR, in reply to Lord Campbell, promised that the consideration of Govern ment would be given to the propriety of introducing a bill to enable trivial cases of felony to be summarily dealt v iith by magistrates at petty session. RUSSIAN FLEET IN THE BLACK SEA. The Earl of 111.A.LAIESBITRY inquired whether was true, as reported in the newspapers, that a con siderable force of Russian ships bad left Sebas topol, and made a descent upon Circassia. It was said they were not impeded in any way by the combined ileets at Beycos, and he wished also to know where the fleets were when the Government received their last d espaches. The Earl of CLARENDON said the only answer be mad give was that he had read in the public journals tt .e report to which the noble earl referTecl, but he had nr official information with respect to it. All the infor mation he had was of a contrary charactex. It was a telegraphic despatch from Constantinople, saying that it was reported that ten Russian ships of the line had left Sebastopol, and were between that place and Perri . :o p, which was not near the coast of Circz,ssia. With re ;pea to the position of the fleets, :according to ;be last accounts, they were in the Wiack Sea, and Edmund Lyons had just returned from a ( !raise in the Black Sea with the steam portion of the f le et in which he had gone in front of S abastopol, and a lAmg the entire north coast, but without :teeing a single I issian vessel. Cl IURCH BUILDING ACT AMENDMENT BILL. !This bill was read a second time, and ordered to be con emitted. TESTAMENTARY JURISDICTION BILL. his bill, after a short discussion, went through coin. mFit tee. COI iVENTION BETWEEN ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND TURKEY. :[a reply to the Earl of MALMESBURY, rite Earl of CLARENDON was undeastood to say tha ,t a convention between England, France, and Turkey had been signed at Constantinople, but as the Fr( each Ambassador was not then fully instructed with rest sect to it, it was only signed provisionally by him. Un( Ler these circumstances he was not pmpared to lay the d ocument on the table. T b eir lordships adjourned at 6 o'clock. FE( )USE OF COMMONS—(PEST= EiRDAY.) They SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clocic. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The' following bills were read a third time and pass ed :—Bury Port, Ramsbottom Gas Southport Wa“.erworks, and South Sea Company.l PETITIONS. Siir W. HEA.THCOTE presented two petitions from Wit tchester College against portions of tho University Ref orm Bill. IN fr. DUNCAN presented a petition fro of Dundee in Favour of the Oaths Bill. Mr. FAGAN presented a petition from a Roman Cat b.olie body in Glasgow suggesting ame c tdments and add itions in the Scotch Education Bill. Mr. CROSSLEY presented a petition fr, om Halifax, praying for the liberation of Caffy, and other convicted Chartists. Sir W. CODRINGTON presented a p.) . tition from Stroud, against the Oaths Bill. Lord HOTiIXM presented a similar petition from a place in the West Riding. Sir 'W. SIVIYTH presented a petition fro t n Sturgeon and Sot:, the hay contractors to the Admirfi;lty, praying for an inquiry into the recently attempted ft tAud imputed to them. The petition was read by the t:..lerk at the table. Sir. W. CLAY presented a petition from •the Dissent• ing bodies of the metropolis praying for the% abolition cy church rates. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petiti(); a from 7,600 inhabitants of the Borough of Preston compra doing of the conduct of the local authorities of that town I during the strike, and praying for a committee of inquii •y into their conduct, as well as that of the masters of Pr( .3ston. The hon. member gave notice that immediately -after Easter he should move for such a committee. Mr. H. BERKELEY presented a petiti an from Bris tol, in favour of the ballot. Mr. W. J. FOX presented a petition fro m Rochdale, praying that Russia may be made to pay t he expense of the war, and that the restoration of the: kingdom of Poland may be made one of the conditions :for establish ing peace, Mr. H. BROWN presented a petition from Wands worth, complaining;of the sanitary state o f that district. Mc. FORBES presented a petition E!om Stirling against the Education Bill. Mr. G. DUNDAS and Mr. LOCKHART presented siin Ear petitions. Mr, BRIGHT presented petitions from the Friendly Society es of Manchester and its neighbom rhood against the Friendly Societies Bill. Mr. M. GIBSON presented a petition In )m Bell's Life and other London newspapers, praying for the abolition of the newspaper stamp and the repeal of tl:e paper duty. A largo number of petitions were- presented against the opening of public-houses on Sundays.. STURGEON AND SON. Sir W. SMIJTII asked her Majesty"o Government, whether it is their intention to institulte proceedings against the fir:n of Sturgeon and Sons, of Grays, Essex, or what course they intended to pursue with reference to the above case. Mr. B. OSBORNE said the case was now under the consideration of the Admiralty Solicitor. IRISH MAGISTRATES. Sir J. FITZGERALD asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he had any objectiun to produe.ie the corres pondence that passed between the Governm.cnt and Mr. D. J. Wilson of Belvoir, county of Clare, many years a magistrate of that county, with regard to a threatening notice found in the lands of Cappartamo re, in that county. Sir J. YOUNG had no objection to produce the cor respondence. SPANISH POST. Mr. OLIVEIRA asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether any negotiations are in progress for a postal treaty with Spain, by which the present high rates may be reduced. Mr. PEEL said negotiations were going on. NEUTRALS. , Mr. HEADLAM asked whether upon a Russian ves sel being sold to avoid a capture, and purchased bona fide by a neutral having notice of the cause of sale, the sale will be recognised by the British fleet in the event of the vessel continuing to be navigated by a Russian crew, or in the event of the vessel, after the sale, being navigated by a fresh crew of neutrals. Lord J. RUSSELL said there were several of these questions on the paper, but they involved legal points which he must leave the Attorney-General to answer. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought the vessels would be protected if the transfer was a bona fide transaction. Mr. T. A. MITCHELL asked whether the declara tion published in the Gazette of Tuesday, the 28th March, that "her Majesty will waive the right of seizing enemy's property laden on board a neutral vessel, unless it be contra band of war,"is to be understood to apply also to British property in the same position, or shipped by British vessels, and to include freedom from seizure on the arrival of the goods in this country, as well as during the transit ; and what articles will come under the head of " contraband of war," and be thus liable to seizure. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL would give the best answer he could. L The declaration had been somewhat misapprehended, for it did not, and could not, give up the right of search in the case of neutrals. With regard to " contraband of war," that was a subject of great difficulty, but he apprehended that "contraband of war" consisted first of articles applicable to the purposes of war, sueh 'as arms, &c. ; and, secondly, provisions that might be intended for the enemy. Mr. W. PRICE asked Lord John Russell whether Russian produce, being bona fide British property, will be exempt from seizure in neutral as foreign property will be in neutral, or neutral property in foreign ves sels ? And whether any arrangement will be made by which letters of license will be granted to neutral or British vessels to bring away Russian produce, being now bond fide British property, notwithstanding any blockade of the harbours in which such property may be lying. Lord J. RUSSELL apprehended that such property would not be liable to seizure. An arrangement would be made for allowing British subjects to pass through the blockades, but it would not extend to produce. GIBRALTAR. Mr. RICARDO asked the Under Secretary for the Colonies, whether the regulations by which vessels ar riving at Gibraltar from Great Britain are placed in quarantine, are the independent act of the Governor, or in pursuance of instructions from the British Govern ment ; and whether he will lay on the table any corre spondence which may have taken place on the subject, either between the Governor of Gibraltar and the Span ish Government, or between the English and Spanish Governments, or between the British Government and the Governor of Gibraltar. Mr. PEEL said it was not the act of the Govern ment but of the local board of health, acting on an order in Council. A person had been appointed to proceed to Gibraltar and investigate the matter. There would be no objection to produce the correspondence. EDUCATION (SCOTLAND) BILL. Colonel BLAIR asked the Lord" Advocate what day the second reading of the Education (Scotland) Bill will come on ; and whether it is his intention to postpone it until after the Ist of May. The LORD ADVOCATE said he would state to• morrow when he should take the second reading. UNIVERSITY REFORM. In reply to Mr. BLACKETT, Lord J. RUSSELL said he intended to bring on the second reading of the Oxford University Reform Bill on Friday (t6-morrow). LICENSING BEER SHOPS. Mr. MILES rose to ask the Chancellor of the Ex chequer whether the Board of Inland Revenue instructs its officers to grant licenses to sellers and retailers of beer, under the Act 3 and 4 Vic. c. 61, when the appli cant is not certified by the overseer of the parish in which the house applied for to be licensed is situate, as being the real resident holder and. occupier of the said house. The CHANCELLLOR of the EXCHEQUER re plied that, without giving any opinion, he must answer simply ;to a mat* of facts Ong of the requipites_ was F: r o 4' 3! rlt ~. '1.:.'.-i.,-_ -.--- .:- :r _,,, that, the real residence and occup tlin6VE,ll 1 plying for license, must be ce r ti • ti: Via :1 though --:i k. i .. though in some special cases that sis -- ~. departed from. 4..., _,..__ , i. THE DANISH SUCCESS 44,1 T. . _ S In reply to Mr. BAILLIE, Lord J. RUSSELL said the treaty signed in Lot Idoa to regulate the Danish succession was to preserve i IA succession, and could not be effected by the war a iki3 Russia. REPLY TO HER MAJESTY'S MESSAGE THE WAR. Lord J. RUSSELL—Sir, before the house prove e d s any further, I wish to give notice that to-morrow I will move the following reply to her Majesty's most grac ,oust message : " That a humble address be presented to her Make* r, to return to her Majesty the thanks of this house for her 7 f leet gracious message, and for the communication of the 11 In el ra i papers whim have been laid before it in obedience to • her Majesty's command. 'To assure her Majesty of th a • just sense we entertain or her Majesty's anxious and u, r f erne endeavours to preserve to her people the blessings of pe ice and of our perfect cereidence in her Majesty's disp( is ,tion to terminate the calex cities of war whenever that of eject can be accomplished' consistently with the hov lour of her Majesty's Crown and the interests of her people. That we have observed with deep concern, that her Majesty's endeavours have been frustrated by the of aggression displayiel by the Emperor of Russia, in his invasion and contime el occupation of the provinces of V Tel lacilia and Moldavia—in the rejection of equitable tern ts of peace, proposed under the sanction of the four princ ipal powers of Europe— end in the preparation of imm f else forces to support his unjust pretensions. That these I ere tensions appear to us subversive of the independence of the Turkish empire. That we feel that the trust reposed ii lus demands on our past a firm determination to co-op e; ate with her Majesty in a. vigorous resistance to the projece s of a Sovereign , whose further aggrandisement w ou ld be < lan gerous to th e independence of Europe." WIVES AND CHILDREN OF SOLDIERS. Col. HARCOURT moved for a return of the nui n her of married women belonging to each regiment ord:4 red on foreign service; and the number married with and the number married: without leave ; and the mum her of children. The hon. and gallant member read several letters from military officers deprecating the evils arising from the greatly increased number of mar riages in the service, a large proportion of which took place without leave of the commanding officers. Mr. S. HERBERT said he could have no objection to the returns moved for, so far as they could be accurately obtained. Be concurred in the remarks of the hon. and gallant member respecting the evils of too numerous marriages in the service without leave, though the Government were anxious to do all in their power to promote the comforts of the soldiers. The returns were then ordered. THE POOR-LAW BOARD. Mr. BAINES then entered into some explanations of his present position. He said that he had introduced the Removal and Settlement Bill in a form which vras in accordance with the recommendations of 1847, and. had been asked whether it referred to Irish paupers. He had replied that it did not. When the bill %b eta within a few days of the second reading, some Irish re. presentatives had addressed a memorial - to Lord Pal merston, and had obtained a decision that Ireland ought to be included in the bill, 'a decision given without his being aware of it. On reflection he had been satisfied that no personal disrespect was intended to himself, but having at heart the interests of the bill as it stood, and as the Irish members and others thought that this bill was to be moulded to include Ireland, while he was con: vinced the Irish question was not ripe for legislation, he conceived that, by retaining his office, his character and efficiency as a public servant would be impaired. Acting upon these grounds, continued the right hon. gentlemen, I did, on Tuesday last, send to the noble earl at the head of her Majesty's Government my resignation of the office which I have so long held. (General cheering.) In the course of the day I received from that noble earl a most kind letter, to which I have his permission to refer, and one passage of which runs thus : " I very sincerely hope you may be induced to recon sider the decision at which you have arrived. At all events, I hope you will agree to suspend the execution of your present intention until it be seen whether anything can be done to remove the difficulties connected with the present state of the measure to which you refer." Upon the receipt of that communication , I not only considered the case a ga i n most anxiously, but I deter mined—for a man's own feelings are not always to be trusted in his own case—to refer myself to the judg ment of two gentlemen, whom I am proud to call my friends, a noble lord and a right hon. gentleman, whose characters for personal and political honour stand as high as those of any gentleman in this house. The ques tion which I put to them was this—" Looking at all the facts of the correspondence which has now passed, I begged to ask your opinion whether I can, with honour to myself, without injuring my efficiency as a public man, and without disadvantage to the public service, retain the office I now hold." I determined to be guided. by their opinion. They favoured me with their opinion, and I acted upon it ; and the following day I commu nicated to the noble lord at the head of the Government the result of my own consideration and the advice I had so received ; and it is with the noble lord's permission, again, that I read a passage from the letter I wrote in reply to the one I had received from him : "As your lordship is pleased to express an opinion that serious inconvenience to the public service would be occae sioned by my retirement at present, and as I find that the friends with whom I have confidentially advised upon thio subject consider that I may remain without injustice be my own character, I beg leave so far to qualify the decision which I had formed yesterday as to adopt the suggestion kindly made in your lordship's note, remainingin my office at present. I f ee l, h owever , that I must request per mission to renew the tender of my resignation hereafter, in case I find that I am unable to acquiesce in the ultimate decisions of the Government with regard to the Settlement and Removal Bill, and the other questions connected with it." (Loud cheers.) That was the letter which I sent to the noble earl. The house will now see the position in which I stand. I have nothing to add. I hope I have not gone very far wrong in the matter. It is my earnest desire to be quite right. The house has all the circumstances before it, and I leave them to its candid consideration. (Loud and general cheering.) Mr. FRENCH explained that no disrespect was in tended to Mr. Baines by consulting Lord Palmerston without apprising the former. Lord PALMERSTON—I can assure the house, and my right hon. friend will believe me when I do so, that no man who has any knowledge of the personal cha racter and high feeling of my right hon. friend could suppose that whatever course he, upon full considera tion, might think it right to pursue, was not a course which ho and those who might advise him would deem to be most consistent with his private honour and cha racter. (Hear, hear.) I am glad that the decision of those by whom he a g rees to be guided has been such as he has de scr ib e d. But I can assure him that those who have the happiness to be his colleagues in the Go vernment would consider it a great misfortune to them selves and to the country to have lost the benefit of his able services and exertions in the important department which he has so well for the country administered. (Cheers.) I sin sure it is unnecessary for me to say that, in the transaction which led to the doubt upon the mind of my right hon. friend, nothing could have been further from the thoughts of any of those who had anything to do with it, and I speak most particularly for myself, than to do anything which could for an instant have impressed upon the mind of my right hon. friend that there was the slightest want, on the part of his colleagues, of that re g ard and respect for him, individually and offi cially, t o which he is so justly entitled. (Hear, hear.) I happened not to be present in the council at the time, but the moment I got the decision of the cabinet I com municated it to him, as well as those from whom the memorial came. But, so far from its being the intention of the cabinet, as I understood it, that any change should be made in my right hon. friend's bill, I distinctly stated, and I requested my noble friend opposite, with whom I had been in communication, to communicate with my right hon. friend as to the best manner in which the object of the memorialists could be accomplished. I never for one instant considered that it was essential that a change with regard to Irish paupers should be made in the same bill which my right hon. friend brought for ward as to English paupers. There were a variety of circumstances which might, on the one hand, require fuller information before any measure might be devised, and which, on the other hand, would require that mea sure to be entirely distinct from the bill of my right hon. friend. I can only repeat the pleasure that her Majesty's Government derive from the decision which my right hon. friend has come to ; and I am sure the country would concur with us that it would be a great misfor tune at any time, and more especially at the present moment, to lose his valuable services. (Cheers.) Mr. T. DUNCOMBE confessed that it was with sur prise and great regret that he read that morning of the resignation of his right hon, friend the President of the Poor-law Board. (Hear.) It would be in the ref" Reece in lieu of the old P oor L aw Board, they were tion of the house th a t, w h en t h e present board was form " they were hencef orwar d to have an officer placed in that house might apply house—a minister to ' w h om thetold that for the informatio n it required —an important person, who was not to be t rea t e d as a mere subaltern of the Govern ment, and kept in utter ign oranc e of all the decisions of the Government. (ge ar hear.) Now, he really thought that the explanation which had been given by the noble lord (Palmerst on ) was not satisfactory to the house, ev en if i t was satisf a ctory to the right hon. gen leman—(cries of " Rear") --because the right hon. gen tleman bad not been treated with the consideration with which he (Mr. Duncombe) maintained he ought to have been treated. He little dreamt that there was flirtation going on between Tiverton and Tyrone. (Che ers . and laughter.) He did not know that thheirse devoted o t t e h d s head. roat Irish cloud ready to burst over r t he thought the right All he Wished now to say way, 'ted himself entirely from hon , gentleman had ex.trincaof a personal nature. The every charge and imP;tati? P a most painful had been p l a c edin right hon. gentleman as well as a false position. So likewise had that house, the several deputations, a nd the public. It was impos sible, that the hou se could disc ussthe question as it the n stood. It would be playing Hamlet without the part of Hamlet, to proceed to deal with the poor law and to Irish a ll reference to theand the Scotch poor. omit the Government had not Therefore, he suggested that if the p oint—if arr ived at any decision on there was to be no removal of the whole poor of the three kingdoms— that the whole question should be postponed until the nextession. He (Mr. D.) was delighted to hear that the right hon. gentleman's resignation had been delay ed, and that the country would have the benefit of his ser vices for some time longer. But come when that resig nation might, he (Mr. D.) was bound to say that when it did come the Crown 'would lope pa elloieut 11101111 iday, tic in neur - situ- open such deuce their ,t.d it samo L their Lsider- Court et the YD3 Lrl of Earl pro the UTII. tout vino, 20 20 50 20 5 10 St. 5 10 25 10 1.0• E 812s1 25 50 20 ti 1-, 20 20 10 10 2/ 2s 100 100 100 100 261 13i 1 20 20 2/28 16 100 all 51s. 100 20 1:3: 2 100 all all 10?, 100 100 16i 10 St. St. St. 100 IGO 100 100 100 15 8i 8 10