The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-24 00:00:00

~~--- ti .--, 4 ..1 /- - • • - - -. . *VI- ~ 4. : , i. " A. t 0 ' ..,, , ~1 4, ' - 0 morals of which we complain. ,4 1.,,-. ;, •' x‘ it A tte ,;t Disraeli being out of office, -:. Z,,,fri: .... :1; P ., 't I ': describe him : - r lji, ..1-4u 1 ,„..441tti., ,: , ion we believe to be neither the k ^ tt, e ' 1 1 014,11: Tory party, the regeneration of -,.. ':1 4liltiv;t67 . n element, . finance, nor foreign or Vo i nes 1, .; iric ~ ' The one thing for which he has shown hillillelf - ays competent, and in which he has never killed whenever he has chosen to attempt it, is the art and mystery of tormenting and annoying his opponents. There have been keener satirists, closer logicians, and readier speakers ; but, taking him all in all we doubt if any one has carried the art of making himself unpleasant to the same perfection as Mr. Disraeli. He sat in the House of Commons for a good number of years and made no figrire at all, merely because be contented him self with striving to rise, after the fashion of ordinary men, by persuading or convincing, by informing and enlightening the house. For none of these things did he evince any vocation, and he might have passed away like so many hundreds of other able men who have mis calculated or mistaken their sphere of action, if the re peal of the corn laws, and the consequent irritation of the Tories against Sir Robert Peel, had not afforded him the opportunity of exercising his one undoubted talent. Weak in argument, he at once expanded into the giant 4 invective." Now, on the 4th of December, 1852, Mr. Disraeli was in office and the Times, true to its instinct, could thus follow him with adulation : "Had it been possible for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to surprise the House of Commons, he wculd certainly here done so last night by a financial statement - which Peel himself would only have ventured on under the most encouraging circumstances, and in one of his most exuberant moods. But for some recollections, which it is impossible wholly to suppress, we might say, that so far as concerns the annual ceremony of the Bud get, Mr. Disraeli has entirely filled up the lamentable gap left by the most illustrious of his recent predecessors. Without committing ourselves at once to every item in the long and weighty catalogue of financial reforms now before us, we must say that the Chancellor of the Exchequer not only takes advantage of his position with the dexterity of a master, but has really succeeded in showing that a new position, new resources, and ne w capabilities are before us." Nor was this a solitary instance. Now Mr. Gladstone is in office, and therefore the Times can thus describe him Mr. Gladstone, by a wonderful effort of compression, condensed into three quarters of an hour a very complete answer to all the prominent topics of a long and discur sive debate, and only left the house to regret when he resumed his seat that he did not feel justified in appro priating to the elucidation of these important topics another half-hour of the time which his predecessor had so wantonly and unprofitably wasted." " Mr. Gladstelo has added, if possible, to his ora torical reputation by showing that his mastery over lan guage and matter enables him to condense as well as to overwhelm." But on the Bth of December, 1852, Mr. Glad stone was out of office, and he was, of course, con temptible in the eyes of the Times. In the columns of that paper, on that day, he was thus depicted : " The plain truth is, that Mr. Gladstone's grand argu ment is nothing less than a blunder, discreditable not only to bis logic, but even to his common sense." Have we not a right, then, to demand that the rest of the London press be not estimated by the flagrant servility displayed by this unblushing journal ? FREEDOM OF THE PRESS_A FICTION! (From the Morning Advertiser.) Much and often as we have occasion to differ from the Times, we cannot withhold from that journal the tribute of our admiration for the man ner in which Mr. Mowbray Morris, its manager, has vinclieated the independence and dignity of the Press, in his examination before a Committee of the House of Commons. Our readers are ac quainted with the circumstances under which that gentleman has been examined before th a t Com mittee. The Times had made a charge of corrup tion against all the Irish members. The charge was preferred in two leading articles —one appear. ing in September last, and the other in February. The accusation professed to be grounded partly on a letter published in the Times' own columns, and partly on an article in the Freeman's Journal. The Committee summoned Mr. Morris, the manager of the Times, before it, for the purpose of eliciting from that gentleman, the name of the writer of the letter and of the article. But he resolutely, though respectfully, refused to dis close the secrets of the prison -house. He took the high ground, that a Committee of the House of Commons had no right to call him to account for what appeared, in the journal of which he was manager, in the discussion of public ques tions. He denied the jurisdiction of the com mittee altogether, and laid down the broad consti tutional principle, that journals are only amenable for what appears in their columns to the ordinary tribunals of the country. And that amenability, as every bold and independent journalist knows to his cost, is sufficiently groat, without being liable to be called to account by any committee of the House of Commons. As it is, there is more of fiction than of fact in the much paraded freedom of the English press. It is true, we may animadvert, with much bold ness, on the measures of Ministers, or the public conduct of public men, provided always, that the parties whose proceedings are arraigned are con tent to remain passive under the animadversions made upon them. But it is not to be denied, that in the existing state of the law of libel, it would be quite possible, were our public men to avail them selves of the facilities afforded them for the purpose —to destroy the freedom of the press altogether. It is impossible to say what is actionable, and what is not. Ask counsel's opinion, and you will find, among barristers, the differences on matters of this nature, which are proverbial among doctors. It is well known that the verdict of a jury in cases of the kind referred to, is quite a toss up. Each party—the plaintiff and the defendant—is playing a game of chance. And, even when the journalist gets off with a nominal verdict, he is saddled with heavy costs. The position of the public press is, therefore, far from enviable, as matters now stand. The public journalist discusses questions of national impor tance on purely public grounds. The names of parties particularly mixed up with those questions happen to be introduced under circumstances which they choose to think injurious to their character. Straightway an action is brought against the journalist ; and though it is proved that he couldnot, in the nature of things, have been influenced by other than public considerations, inas much as very probably he was not only personally unacquainted with the party complaining, but had never even before heard of his name,—a verdict is given against the journal in which the incri minated matter appears. And yet, with all these risks as the consequences of plain, honest spealcing, without there b e i ng a par ti c l e of personal feeling in the mind of the writer,—the English press is said to be as free as the air we breathe. In theory it may be so, but in practice, it is found to be very different. The Times itself is, at the present moment, in a position to illustrate our remarks. It censures what it regards as the improper public conduct of the directors in a well-known company. A criminal information is filed against it. The rule is obtained. When it is proposed to make the rule absolute, a vigorous resistance is offered to the motion, by the the ablest counsel at the bar. But the r!sistance is unsuccressful ; the rule is made absolute, and our contemporary has now, consequently, Vs rest the 11 311 e era the verdict of a jury. And yet none of tho se 'rho are th e plaintiffs .in this act Ton against tae cent r 'lmes, allege, or p re t en d to believe, that our 611 aPorary was actuated, in what lie wrote, b any personal or improper motive. He took the y cours e he did, solely on public grounds,. It is obvious freedom. of th th a t, i n t hi s state of inatters, the is ati . 0 press is more i n name t h an in reality. which hartrioslu.g that, with th e many instances years been bought before the public, p revin t la free, and in te that the press is only nom i na ll y legislature haauorteadlity grievc,u s ly f e ttered,—the better state of thin ° fle soalfathing to introduce a immunity from ceus rs Thr, press asks from no h a , c !..uelace s of attacks on private character ; but it j.i4 } -it to look for protection when the motives ariy , Wa rf y sto_ rt a it actuated are not Personal, or rk the expression of our for 80 nobly and so reaolutel thar4k9, t o the Times, jre`AlFer',ne, the attempt whjea has been oracle within (die: last few d a ys to ren.deF , the press amenable to a 'Committee of the House of Oem: liens Mr. Morri s , the manager of that journal, firml y persisted till the last i n his refusal to furnish the committee with a knowledge of the names of the w r it ers of the letter and th e ar ticles referred to. And he did t hi s on the manly and lofty g round, that th at would be to betray the confidence which t had been reposed in them. The sarna course ougat . to be adopt ed in similar circumstances by every ,journalist. That is the way to raiee the eitaraotor o . £ the press. It is the on ly wa y i n w hi c h j o urnalism can ever be elevated to that place which it ought to occupy among the institu t ions of the country. Whore . a . contributor or occasio na l c orrespondent, is hlinsel influenced by upright and patriotic motives, the editor and proprietor: of a phblic journal are bound by every consideration of honour and good faith, to throw the shield of their protection around him, even though he may have fallen into au error as to fact, or trangressed the limit s w hi c h l e gal punc tiliousness would lay down. The Times has nobly asserted this principle in the present instance, and it will rise much in public estimation by the course which it has adopted ; while it will inspire un bounded confidence in every honest man who con tributes in any way to its columns, ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Covent Garden. —Season 1854.—The Directors beg leave most r- spectfully to inform the Nobility, Gentry. Subscribers, and the Public, that the Season will commence on TRURAD ‘Y, March 30th, 1854, being a Subscription night, in lieu of Tuesday, March 28. The Directors have the honour to present the Pros ectus of the Eighth Season of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it w I be consi dered by their Subscribers to be an evidence of their conti ed efforts to carry oat the origin ii design of this great Lyrical Establishment. The prospects of the forthcoming Season are of unusual interest, and the Directors feel assured that the Subscribers and the Public will share with themselves the feelings ofgratification at the arrange ments which they have succeeded in making. It will be seen that that great artiste, Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years. will return once more to shed 'acre on the representations of the Theatre. Madesnoi - elle Sophie Cruvel i, whose eminent talents are already so highly esteemed in this country, will appear tor the first time at the Royal Italian Opera. Signor Lablache will also, tor the first time, lend his powerful aid in supporting the efforts of the Directors, and will enable them to produce many cf the most popular works with a most attractive c .ste of characters. In addition, Made moiselle harm, a young Artiste of great pr imise, who has already made very stycesatul debuts both at Saint Petersburg and Vienna, will appear for the first time in England ; also Signor Sushi', for the first time at the Royal Italian Opera. Madlle. Bosio, who, during the past winter has acquired fresh laurels in the torencii capital. continues her engagement. Those un rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, -ignor Itonconi, and Signor Tam berlits, together with Signori Tagliafico, Polonini, Luchesi. Stirred', &c., who have so long assisted to maintain the reputation of Covent Garden, have been re-engaged, while the Directors still have the advantage of the invaluable services of sign r Costa. The above assemblage of the most eminent Artistes in Europe will render the Caste of Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, I Puritan!, Fidelio, 11 blatrimonio Segreto, quite tut preced The forthcoming season, however, brings with it one subject of re gret, viz., the retirement from the lyric stage of a lady who for many years has been one of its brightest ornaments. Towards the end of July Madame Giulia Grisi will make her last appearance before an English audience. It has probably never before fallen to the lot of any cardidate for public favour to sustain, frr 21 successive season., the highest and most ardour characters of the Lyric Drama, and most certainly never with such unanimous commendations as have been unceasingly be stowed on Madame Grisi. The Dir. ctors are convinced that not only will the gubscrikrs of the Royal Italian Opera, as well as the musical 'amateurs of the me tropolis, participate in their sentiments on this occasion ; but they feel sure that the retirement of Madame Grist will cause one general feeling of de,p regret in the minds of all those who take any interest In the musical affairs of this country. It is the w:sh of Madame Grist, during this her la, t engagement, to repeat those impersonations in which it has be n her good fortut.e to obtain her greatest successes, and it will accordingly be the care of the directors to contribute every possib:e eclat t s these performances, relying with theereatest confidence that the subscribers, the patrons of th-s opera, and the public, wtll on these occasions st.ll extend to their long-favoured Artiste the cheering influence of their countenance and support. The Reperto' re of the Royal Italian Opera now comprises FORTY• TWO 01 ItA4, the whole being complete with Costumes, Scenery, and Decorations. During the Season, of the following Operas, Three will positively be produced:— LA TE5LALE.......... • .. (As lately performed at the Academie Royale, at Paris), the principal part by Mademoiselle SMILE CRUVEL LE DOMINO • 0111 . ................ . Auber. DON SEBA , TIA ............ •. •• • • Donizetti. MATILDA DI :kfIABRA •• • • ...... Rossini. DON PASQUALE • • •• .. • • • • Doiiizettl. OBEF.ON .... ••• • • ... The Engagements for the present Season are : SOPRANI. Madame GRIT, (Being most positively her last Engagement in England.) Madame V[AR.)OT, (He: First Appearance these Three Years.) M , ,demoiselle MAME (From the Imperial Theatres of St Peter.bnrg and Vienna, her First Appearance in England ) Mademoiselle ALB I VI. Mademoiselle ANGELINA BOSIO, and Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI, (Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.) CONTR %GTO. Mademoiselle NAN fI ER DIDIER. sECONDE DONE. Mademoiselle COT TI, and Mademoiselle BELLINI. T SNORE. Signor MARIO. Signor ST IGEL LI, Signor SOLDI, Signor LUGI MEI. Signor LUCHESI, and Signor TA MB ERLIK. BASSI BARITONI. Signor RONCONI, and Signor FORTONI, (Ms First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera •) BASSO PROFONDL Signor LABL ACHE, (Ms First Appearance at the R iyji Italian Opera.) Signor TAGLIAFICO, Signor GREGORIO, Signor POLON MI. Monsieur ZE LGE ft, an Signor -t741 11. (His First Appetranea at the Royal Italian Opera.) The Orchestra and Chorus will be on ,he sante scale of efficiency as heretofore. DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC; COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR, Mr. COAT 4. The Military Band will be under the superintence of Mr. GODFREY. Maestro al Piano .. •• ..... • • • •• Signor PAN 172.1, Chorus Master ...... ........... Mr. SMLEEHON. Prompter ........... S gnor MON TERACII. Poet.... •• • ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE BALLET. Mademoiselle B A.T TA. i.INE. Mademoiselle ;STORE, Madernoisede ELIZ NEIIR, (Their First Appearances in England,) Mad melee le SANTE, Mademoiselle ESPEit, and Mademoiselle PLEINK.L'rr. Maitre de Ballet .......... •• •• Mons. Desnlaees. Leader of the Ballet ...... Director 01 the Mise•en-Seilne Mr. A. Harris. Scenic Arti,t ...........• • • .. •• Mr. Killian Beverley. CostumPre . I)ecorat T .. • • •• .. Mr. Pr..seott. Machi .13C . • •• • Tha Box ORlce is open from 11 to 5 o'clock. Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, March, 18.54. THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.- Mr. E. C. -MI If, Lessee, has the honour to announce that he has paced the above named Nettled Establishment at the ser vice of the FUND in AID of the of the EXPE DI rto ,- ARY ARMY. In purtuance of this desirable object, a l ‘NCY F sIR will be held on the 11th and 14th of April, under the follow ing Royal and distinguished patronage:— Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge Her Royal Hi hness the Duchess of Kent Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge The Right flow - the Lady Mayoress Her Grace the Duchess of Ham lion Her Grace the Duceetis of Beaufort Her Grace the Duchess of Montrose Her Gra e too Duchess of Inverness Her Grace the Duchess of Somerset Her Grace the Duchess of Richmoal The Most Noble the Marchioness of Londonderry The Most Noble the Marchioness of Illsndf,rd Tne Most Ncble the Marchioness of Ayleseury The Right Hon. the Countess of Chesterfield The Rig` t lion. the Countess of Klnnoul The Rt ht Hon tie Countess of Gleegall The Right Hon. the Countess of Ressborough The Right lion. the Countess of Der , y The Right Hon. the Counters of Shelburne The Right Hon. tee Countess of Wiltoa The eight Hon. the Countess of I tesart The Right Hon. the Countess of Dettoulhmore The night lion. the Viscountess Palmerston The Right Hon the Viscountess Maidstone The night lion. the Viscouutess Newport Lady Se.hla Des-Vceux Lady Colville Lady Raglan The Hon. Miss Anson Mrs. Disraeli Mrs. J. Stanley. Every app ointment and appearance of the Theatre will be called Into requisition on this important and interesting occasion ; decora tions are preparing. The pit will be covered for promenade, and an efficient band provided for the execution of choice and new original music. Ladies desirous of aiding by their presence this benevolent demonstration are respectfully reminded that they should make early application for stalls. A book is now open In the lobby of the grand entrance to receive contributions in the shape of articles intended for sale on the occasion. TREATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE. Legsoe, Mr. E. T. Smith. Last Week of Mr: G. V. BRO >KE'i Engagement previous to his sailin; for California and Austr THIS EVENING, Alaacu 24, Will be perfumed LEONTIE. Principal characters by Mr. Elliot Gale: and Mr. Henri Drayton; Misses Lowe and Featherztore. After which, a Grand 13 ILLE C DIVER CLiiEM i.LN V. To be follcwed by t:ie new Farce, call,d NIY CO )IC AND HOUSE KEEPER. Princ , pal characters by Messrs. Younge and Belton ; and Miss Featherstone. THEATRE ROYAL HAYS! tRKET. Under tho management of Mr. Cluckstone. THIS EVENING, MARCH 24, Will be performed THE ST2 IVGER Principal characters by Meal's Cl. Vanden , oT, Chippendale, liowe, and Ci.anpten ; Miss Cushman, and Mrs. L. S. iluelcinthana. After which, WELLIKIND AN) /LYS DIVATI. Suppoqed by Messrs. Backitone and Corri; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwil liam, and Mrs. Caulneld. To conclude with THE PORTR kIT OF CERVANTES. Prin. cipal characters by M.r. Compton and Miss E Grey. LYCETS3I THEATRE. Miler the Nfanagernent of Madame Veer's. TIII3 EVENING. MAUCIZ 24, Wlll be performed W' CEO, & MC-WOLF. Characters by Messrs Charlet Nahaws, tthews, and Balzer; Miss Oliver. To be followed by A CIIIR \IWO WIDOW. Concluding with NUMBER ONE ROUND THE CORNER. After which, the popular Fairy Extravaganza,, entitles ONCIt UPON' A TIME TflE.tr; TWO Ki NIG4. .3niracters by Messrs. Rosly, F. Matth tW3, and Bland; Madame Vestris, !Misses St George, Eglanton, Mason, Martindale, Cl 3, Wadham, and Foote. TIIEATRE ROYAL ADELPIIL Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, 3fAitat 24, Will be perform9d TWO LOVE 4 ANTI) A LIFE. Supportel by Maws. C. Se by. Leigh Illarray, '.leniannt ,Yebster, Keeley. and 0. Smith ; M ss %Voolgar an 4 Malt ne Celeste. To conclurie with TiIE sIEREOU-1 FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Leigh Murray. Parselle, and Keeley; mr:4 L. Murray, M.:Nes Woolgar, Fanny ltaskell, and Laidlavr, and Mrs. Keeley. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEITRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. TIM EVENING, MARCU 21, Will be performed rim Supported by Messrs. lfre l Wigan and Robinson ; Nisi P. H9rton, Wyndham, and Miss P.. Turner. To be followed by TO OBLIGE r.ENsok. Supported by Messrs. Emery, "Robson, and Leslie; Mrs. Stirling an 1 Ulm Wynillutm. To bo f o ll owed by TII PIKS I' NM !IT. Characters by Di cssrs . Ab.r od Wig An. Leithe Frank, liarwoixi Cooper, and Vi ncent ; Miss P. It orton, anti was ' Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. :ice Lessee, Mr. F. IY. Allcroft.—Directress, sllies Rebecca Isaacs. THIS EVENING, MARcLI 21. Wilt be presented RUSSIAN TYP.ANNY ; or, The Fetal Snow storm. Followed by PADDY Ss;/DUNG THE MORN. After which, THE BLITZ JACKETS. To conclude with TIIK CORKOSUN" ER)THERS, Paddy and Tim mallgau (the Brothers), M r. G. Hodson. Stalls, 5e.; Bues, 3e.; Pit, h. 6d; clattery, 6d.• Privatl 130801, 613., to be had of Mr. 411 croft, lb, Yew vitt SUN, LONDON, - rinmv EVENING, MARCH 94 1P54, ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the llanagena ,nt of Mr. CHARLES KEAX. THIS EVENING, MARCH 24, Will be performed RICHARD THE THIRD. Principal charac ter by Mr. C. Kean. To be followed by A STORM IN A TEA-CUP. Priact)al cha racters by Mr. and Mrs. W. Lacy. protect the weak, and to repel the spoliator, and by establishing upon a more solid basis the peace of Christendom, to secure the future safety and progressive development of civilisation. been erroneously mentioned in the first instance. We willingly gave insertion to the letter of Mr. STURGES repudiating the charge. He has since been justified in Parliament. The Duke of NEW CASTLE last night declared that the -name was not " STURGES," but "STURGEON," and that the in dividuals who supplied the hay which contained the filth and rubbish were " THOMAS STURGEON AND SONS, OF GRAYS, ESSEX." It will be for these persons to exonerate themselves, if pos sible, from the grave accusa'ion. A very gross and infamous fraud was brought under the consideration of both Houses of Parlia ment, on Tuesday evening —in the Lords by the Earl of ELLENBOROUGII, and in the Commons by Colonel BLAIR. It appeared that a supply of hay being required for the use of the expedition now proceeding to the East, advertisements were pub lished, inviting . 6euders to be sent in, according to the usual course of Government contracts. These invitations were not, however, responded to, one tender only being sent in, and that for but a small quantity. Under such circumstances, the parties charged with the duty were obliged to de part from the ordinary routine, and to apply to several eminent forage contractors to know upon what terms and to what extent they would be willing to provide the required stores. Four firms responded to this latter application, and returned answers stating the quantity, quality, and the price of the hay they were prepared to deliver. It may be assumed that, under such circumstances, the bonds, with solvent security for the clue fulfilment of the contracts, which are generally taken, were dispensed with. As the Go vernment sought the contractors, it was of course impossible to insist on the conditions generally enforced when there was an eager competition for the engagement. This failure would not take away the civil action for any breach of agreement, but it would limit the remedy to the individual by whom it was violated. The hay was sent in, and very fortunately an examination took place, which brought to light one of the most flagrant acts of iniquity ever attempted. While there was yet time to remedy the evil, and to avert the fearful consequences that might have resulted therefrom had it passed without detection, it was found that many of the trusses, which appeared to be perfectly sound and of good quality, were in the interior filled with filth of the most disgusting description—shavings, straw, litter, and even a dead lamb, were used to fill up the trusses, and the hay itself was damped so as to add to the weight, but to the total destruction of its quality as fodder, or fitness as food for the animals en gaged in the public service. The hay was, of course, at once rejected, 'and the required quan tity obtained from other and more trust-worthy dealers. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL An? RIT HEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke. THIS EVENING, MAucn 21, And daring the week, will be presented the new, grand, and romantic spectacle entitled THE WOOD 1(A "'S HORSE; or, The False Knight —the Woodman's Horse by the pet steed, Beauty, expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke. After which, the into nparable 'cones of the ARENA. To conclude with BESS OF THE BELL. Box-office open from Eleven tia Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W West. 111011 WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tai; DAY ---11ornin1 50 :nin.af ter ill Evening 41 min.aft. 10 10.110aRow:g1oruing 27 min.after 11 Evening 0 min.aft. 0 THE WEATHER.—Sufi °Friers, MARCH 24. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 52—highest since noon yesterday. 39—lowest this morning and during the night. 50—this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'37. WIND, N.E.—Fresh and cold, with cloudy weather. I , ,c , 4. \ tiit -- $ 5 -'' ; f - , / 6 ,, ;= E - r." . - '''' • ! , ,i- ir - Zr ,, `) : ^', 4l *". ; S Ailli ~~ •,- ~:,' .. ..,...:" . „ v , p It is impossible to over-estimate the atrocity of this horrible crime. It has already produced serious consequences, for, as the noble Secretary for the Colonies informed the House of Lords, " great inconvenience had arisen in consequence of the loss of time which had necessarily taken place in obtaining fresh supplies." That delay may have been productive of very formidable results, for the absence of the artillery from the seat of war, even for a single day, might have placed iu jeopardy the lives of the troops to whose bands are confided the honour and interests of the nation. The first operations might be defeated and a protracted war rendered inevitable, and all because a fraudulent contractor desired to enhance his profits. These results are, as we have stated, yet possible ; and we cannot at this moment tell the amount of damage occasioned by the mis creants who participated in the infamous fraud. But how much greater and more certain might ;rave been the damage, but for the providential and unexpected discovery ? The damp hay would probably have ignited on the voyage, and the in evitable destruction of the vessels in which the troops were embarked, with all on board—sea men, artillerymen, horses, and all the munitions of war—would necessarily have followed. Not a single individual might have been saved to tell the history of the awful transaction, or to reveal the guilt of the would-be " MURDERERS." We say murdi rers ; for inasmuch as a general destruc tion such as we have indicated would be the only way in which detection could be avoided, the parties implicated must have coolly and deli berately contemplated the death of every pers)a who could give information as to the circumstances, for by sue means only eluld the "damning evidences" of their unparalleled guilt be suppressed. Even had the spontaneous ' combustion of the article been averted, and the men, and horses, and stores landed in safety, the results would be but little le,s prejudicial to the nation. As the Duke of NEWCASTLE truly stated, "it would in all probability have entailed the loss of all the horses, and the consequent ineffici ency of the artillery on the eve of great military operations, and might possibly have been of the greatest consequence to the lives of her MAJESTY'S troops." Such might have been the natural results of the " auri sacra fames," this " greed of gain," and unholy thirst for dishonest, profits. What punish ment, then, should be inflicted on the wretches concerned in this vile attempt to grin a few paltry pounds in addition to the legitimate profits which would have been obtained from the contracts, for which, be it observed, they named their prices ? As to the moral guilt, there could be no doubt ; and we believe that there is no disinterested per son who would not say that "hanging would be too good" for such criminals. Thera seems, however, to be a doubt as to whether they can be punished in any way save by recovering damages for the breach of contract. The Duke of NEWCASTLE, on behalf of the Go. vernment, declared that " the case should be most strictly investigated, and the parties treated with the utmost severity." But what will that amount to ? The mere publication of a name would be a very inadequate punishment for such monstrous turpitude, which, if unprovided for by law, shows a deficiency in our Criminal Code that should be forthwith provided for. There may be no express enactment on the point. Parliament might never have deemed such atrocity possible. The Romans had no law respecting parricide for a similar rea son. We cannot, however, believe that .it al:1y not be brought within some of the provisions, either of the Statutes or the Common Law. Lord BROUGHAM declared that " if more than one were engaged there could be no doubt that the Crimi nal Law would at once touch them, for they would be engaged in a conspiracy of a grave nature, mingled with the grossest fraud !" Surely a single person could not have packed the various trusses so carefully that there should be no ex terior appearance to indicate the filthy contents. Not merely one or two, but many persons must have been not merely cognisant of, but actually concerned in, the infamous fraud. Some of these parties may surely be got at by a little activity and energy on the part of the authorities. Again the chief offender—the man for whose pecuniary profit the vile attempt was made—was to be paid the supposed value. What, then, was this but an attempt to obtain money under false pretences ? The pretence being that the trusses consisted entirely of sound wholesome hay of the quality specified in the contract, the total false hood whereof could easily be proved. Here, then, a certain, though very inadequate, punish ment might be inflicted on the miscreant. Even a higher penalty might be inflicted without strain ing the law. The damping the hay, so as to render it liable to spontaneous combustion, was calculated to endanger the lives of the seamen and others on board the vessels in which it was embarked. If a single life had been lost, the parties would unquestionably be guilty of " mur der," for they must be supposed to have intended the natural consequences of their acts. Are they to be exempted from exemplary punishment because the attempt failed ? Surely it was as tikcly to prove f ital as laying poiso i with the intent of its being taken, and, if so, the same law would be applicable to its punishment. Lord CAMPBELL instanced the case of the par ties concerned in the fraud respecting the NELSON Monument to show that there is a law to meet the offence ; so that, under any circumstances, they will not get off Scot free. We trust, how ever, that the Attorney-General will be enabled to show that an offence of a much more serious nature than a mere fraud has been committed. We feel quite assured that in his hands the ma jesty of the law will be fully vindicated. It is to be regretted that the name of a gentle man of unimpeachable character §hould have COURT CIRCULAR. The Royal dinner party at Buckingham Palace on Wednes day included the nuke and Duchess of Bedford, the Marquis of Breadalbane, Lord Redesdale, and the Hon Miss Mitford, the Hon. Charles Gore and the Countess of Kerry, Colonel and Lady Catherine Vernon Harcourt, and Colonel Estcourt. The Queen, attended by the Hon. Matilda Paget and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, visited her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday afternoon at Gloucester bousa. His Royal Highness , Prince Albert rode on horsaback yes terday, and inspected Mr. Shepard's Patent Magneto-Electric Gas Machine iu On , low-square. The Princess Royal and the Princess Alice took a drive in a carriage and four. Prince Albert presided yesterday afternoon at a meeting of the governors of the Wellington College. His Royal High ness arrived at the new Palace of Westminster at 3 o'clock, attended by. Viscount Torrington. The other governors }resent were—the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Earl of Derby, Viscount Hardingo, the Bishop of London, the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, Sir James Graham, the Right Hon. Spencer Walpole, Sir Howard Douglas, Sir Edmund Antrobus, Sir James W. Hogg, Sir Alexander Woodford, Mr. Henry Richard Cox, and the Rev, G. R. Gleig. The lion. W. P. Talbot, Honorary Secretary, was presen: at the meeting. In the course of the sitting Mr. Hardwick had an interview with the governors. The meeting broke up at half-past 5 o'clock. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, ac companied by the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, honoured the Princess's Theatre with their presence last evening. The Royal suite consisted of t.e Countess of Mount- Edgcumbe, the Hon. Matilda Paget, Lord de Tabley, Vis count Torrington, and Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited the Duchess of Gloucester yesterday at Gloucester-house. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince s Mary visited the Duchess of Kent yesterday at Clarence-house. The Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Fanny Howard and Lord James Murray, honour at the Olympic Thettre with her presence last evening. A deputation from Dundee, consisting of the Hon. Lauder dale Manic, M.P., qr. Joseph Humo, M.P., Mr. George Dun can, M.P., and Sir John Ogilvy, had au interview with Viscount Palmerston yesterday. Mrs. Chisiolna had an interview with the Duke of New castle yesterday at the Colonial-office. The Cathedral Commission sat yesterday. Present—the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York, the Marquis of Blandforel, the Bishop of London, Sir John Dodson, Sir John Patteson, the Hon. and Rev. H. Montagu Villiers, the Rev. Canon Selwyn, and Mr. Henry Kingscoto (Secre tary.) , espatches were sent to the Governors of the West Coast of Africa from the Colonial-office yesterday. I.espatches ware received on Tuesday from the Governors of the West India Islands. THE NEW JUDGE. Mr. Crowder, Q.C., of the Western Circuit, has been ap pointed judge in the place of the late Mr. Justice Talfourd. On that circuit there was a general hope that Mr. Crowder might be selected ; as soon, however, as it was known that Mr. Russell Gurney had-been sent to Stafford, it was supposed that no one would be nomivat d until after the circuits, and that, in the event of Mr. Crowder being selected, he would be allowed to finish his circuit, and hold his sessions at Bristol. Upon his arrival at Liskeard, on his rout) for Bodmin, he was rather surprised to 'find a gentleman canvassing the electors and making preparation: to sweceed him, and upon reaching Bodmin he found a letter, offering him the vacant seat on the bench. As soon as the learned judges arrived, Mr. Crow der called upon them to intimate that they wou!d uo longer see him in his accustomed place in the court, and he shortly afterwards left Bodmin for Liskeard. Mr. Crowder has been many years on this circuit, and for several years he has been the leader. fro has gained his hi4it position by unwearied application and anxiety fur the interests of his clients. _REPRESENTATION Ob' LISKB4RD. In anticipation of a vacancy iu the representation of the borough by the appointment of Mr. Crowder to the vacant judgeship, Mr. John Abel Smith, M.P. for ihichester, visited Liskeard, yesterday week, with letters of introduction to Mr John Allen, an influential gentleman in the borough, for the purpose of bringing before the constituency the name of his sou-in-law Mr. R. W. Grey, late mem er for Tynemonth, and at present private secretary to Lord Palmerston. A meeting of the Liberal electors was held at the Red Lion, at seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, to consider upon the choice of a Liberal candidate. There were about 70 of the electors pre sent, and Mr. Jones, a magistrate, presided. The proceedings commenced by Mr. Alen reading the letters of introduction which Mr. Smith had brought to him. They were generally more of a private than a political character. One of the let ters was from Sir. Wm. Yfolesworth, who shortly said that Mr. Grey was connected with the Government, and being a friend of the late Mr. Charles Buller, he thought he wa.s very eligible person to offer to the notice of the constituency. It was stated that Mr. Sainsbury Trelawny might offer himself. A letter was read from Mr. Carp,uter Rowe, Q.C., and the Recorder of Plymouth, who wished to pl tee his name before the constituents as a caul date. A letter wad also read from Hr. Cape Whitehurst, recently a candidate for Bothnia. The letter referred for a statemont of his political views to a sari 's of letters under the signa ture of!' East Augli La," in the West Briton. , . Mr. GREY was introduced to the meeting by Mr. Allen. He stated that he had been five years private secretary to Lord John Russell, and that their late respected member, Mr. Charles Buller, was his very particular frieud,—in fact, that ho succeeded him, or acted for bins, in CanfCa. He had re presented Tynemouth from 1844 to the general election in 1852, warn he was defeated by his opponent, and since then had acted as private secretary to Lord Palmerston. He re garded Lord John Russell as his model .>f a statesman, and Lord John Russell's political views were his. One of the electors asked him if he would support the pre sent Reform Bill. Mr. GREY sa d he could not pledge himself to support that bill, as he disagreed with the minority clause, and he con sidered that the present time was very inexpedient for press ing forwar that measure, believing that people's minds were detracted with the war. He also said his votes had been against the ballot ; but at the general election in 1852 he had seen so much intimidation exercised towards electors at his late borough, that his opinions as to the ballot had under gone a change, and he should be in favour of some more secret mode of voting, without pledging himself that it should be the ballot. He would support a 1 the measures of Lord John Russell on education. He would support Lord John Russell's views. He was in favour of the entire abolition of church rates. He was a churchman, and considered that the Church could very well afford to support itself. On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Trolawny, who for nine years sat as one of the representatives of Tavistock, went down to Liskeard, accompanied by Mr. Bernard Anstis, and most pro bably met the committee, who were to assemble again in the evening. The men of Liskeard seem likely to have no paucity of really good candidates, and we have no doubt they will, as hitherto, do their duty.—Plyinouth and Devonport Journal IMPORTANT MEETING AT PLYMOUTH For some time a war has been waged at Plymouth between a portion of the ratepayers on the one haul and the corpora tion on the other, in regard to certain alleged illegal expendi ture incurred by the Litter, and defrayed out of the borough funds. The ratepayers formed a committee for the protection of their interests, and this committee instituted a suit, whHi is still pending, against several members of the corporation. On Thursday week et great meeting of the ratepayers was held in the Guildhall for the purpose of hearing the report of the committee, and the proceedings, which' were very noisy, ex tended to great length. The report communicated the offers for an amicable settlement proposed by the Town Clark, and the determination of a majority of the committee to recom mend the ratepayers to refuse to consent to any arrangement short of the repayment out of the pockets of the promoters of the Water Works Bill, of the whole of the money applied to that object, and of the cost of the suit in Chancery. It also announced the defection of Mr. White, one of the relators to the suit, and of Mr. Elworthy, the solicitor, who had hitherto gratuitously conducted the proceedings on behalf of the committee, both those gentlemen being of opinion that the terms offered by the Town Clerk ought to have been accepted. The committee recommended that the ratepayers should insist upon the repayment of the whole 1,883/. : and that notice should be given to the defendants, that, if within throe lays they did not return an answer in the affirmative, the suit would be proceeded with without delay. On the motion for the reception of the report, an amendment was proposed to the following effect :—" That the relators be au thorised to accept the offer made by the defendants, namely, the payment of 5001. into the borough fund ; and to pay all costs on both sides, such costs being costs out of pocket arrangemento onl y ; a rad amidsti i n , o ltt ootbushetdes applause, p o nhpfia c lrn o am m uc of ese e red; o ua u nsu t uddiettr. h thepdo original n. ie o neo r au o ol utfhrgehs theao f l: u t ztc n i fund. The er Court by consent of both parties." This was carried by a large ma e consequently, negatived. The effect of the amendment will jpblerritttoYiculrnal. The mortal remains of the late Lord Gilbert Grosvenor, son of the Marquis of Westminster, will be removed on Monday next from Portsmouth, where the noble and gallant young lord's body was removed from the Bos cawvn, ship of the line, previous to that ship sailing for the Baltic, for interment in the family mausoleum at Elton Hall, near Chester, where the Marquis and Mar chioness of Westminster are at present staving. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester was better yesterday. Her Majesty the Queen. attended by the Countess of Mount Edgecuitibe, visited the royal duel!ess yesterday. The Admiralty have adopted the code signals in their communications by electric telegraph, in order to en sure secrecy for their orders to the outports.—Plyntoitth Journal. DOUBLE ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN THE ClTY.—Yesterday afternoon a female, of the name of Sarah Ann Collins. Mark-lane, renchurch-street, attempted self-destruction, under the following circum-tances appears the un fortunate young woman had been in a d espon di ng state o f m i n d fir sonic length of tune, but it was not antici pated that she wont,' attempt self - des!ructioo. Being missed, search was made aiter her, when the poor crea ture was discovered in her bed room, labouring from the effects of poison and strangulation ; a part of an apron was tied tightly round her neck, and had it not been for the timely discovery, the unfortunate woman would have completed her object. P o li ce - constable, No. 586, con veyed her without loss of ti me to t h e casualty ward, St. Th o mas's Hospital, where Dr. Bennett was promptly on the spot, when, on examination of the contents of a tea cup, it was found that she had also swallowed a large quantity of copperas. The stomach pump was used and ether antidotes, but she now remains in a precarious otute, LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 1354. As good fortune would have it, the villanies of the Russian Government stand exposed—just before the outbreak of the great Anglo-French war against the AUTOCRAT—to the recognition and the abhorrence of all Christendom. It is perceived by France that England was tempted by the CZAR to join with him Secretly in a fraudu lent partition of Turkey, and that England de cidedly rejected his temptations. It is acknow ledged by the Moniteur that, subsequently to this refusal on the part of Great Britain, Russia made similar advances to the French EMPEROR with a view to secure the complicity of his Go vernment. From these revelations the Cabinet of VICTORIA and the Cabinet of NAPOLEON de rive only additional, and most opportune, and more than ever effectual reasons for rendering their alliance close, cordial, and permanent. At the same time, the disclosure of those remark able documents has at last forced upon the unwilling attention of the German Powers that throughout these sinister advances of the CZAR, first of all to England and afterwards to France, with a view to precipitate the downfall of Turkey and its ultimate dismemberment— Austria was scarcely taken for a single moment into consideration, and Prussia from first to last was never once even cursorily mentioned. The consequences of this timely exposure of the secret machinations of the AUTOCRAT must be obvious at a glance, disastrous to his own interests, and singularly advantageous to those of the rest of Christendom. They must draw yet closer the bonds of sympathy which have at length bound together in a cause as elevating and inspi riting as it is honourable and magnanimous the hitherto divided policies of the French and English Governments. They cannot fail moreover, by any possibility, to di►ninish the obsequious alacrity of Austria and Prussia to pledge themselves to a neutral course during the progress of these warlike movements. The Go vernment of Vienna must perforce feel in all its bitterness, the ignominy of her treatment by the northern AUTOCRAT during the development of these secret and sinister negotiations. It must necessarily be galled to the quick, now that those negotiations have been revealed, and that that treatment has been displayed to the observation of Europe—it must necessarily, we repeat, be galled to the quick by an intolerable sense of the publicity of this faithless and scornful degradation. The Government of Berlin, with all its callous disregard of whatever is chivalric or high minded, must inevitably, we conceive, be rendered for once at least to some slight degree sensitive by the evidence now thrust upon the knowledge of the world, that it has been treated by Russia from the beginning to the end of these disgraceful transactions, with the most unendurable, because the most supreme and contemptuous in difference. Nevertheless—setting altogether on one side the effect likely to be produced by these disclosures upon the two chief Powers of the Ger manic Confederation—it cannot for an instant be doubted that among the prominent consequences of this most timely revelation will be the infu sion of still greater ardour into the enthusiasm of Turkish patriotism, and the happy consolidation of what has at last become a veritable entente cor dial between the French and English Govern ments, The criminality of the Russian policy has thus been exposed betimes to the Cabinets of St. James's and the Tuileries, of Potsdam and Schoen bruin). It has been laid bare in the last awful pause, the lull before the storm, while the Western Powers are waiting for the acceptance or refusal by the CZAF: of the .ultimatum forwarded by courier to St. Petersburg. Already it is known that that peremptory demand on the part of England and France for the immediate evacuation of the Prn cipalities has been met with the threat of a haughty and abrupt rejection. The CZAR, on hearing of itg approach, intimated that it would scarcely require six minutes for it to be answered in—a remark sufficiently indicative of the bent of his deermination. Wherefore Europe may count upon the refusal of the ultimatum by the AUTO CRAT. And the n, of course, the next move will be the declaratiom of war—the first shot will be fired, and the struggle will commence in earnest. Whether that declaration of war will come from Russia, or from Fiance and England, or whether that first shot will become audible in the Black Sea or the Baltic, remains yet to be conjectured. It is at least certain that the Western Allies of Turkey aro prepared at this moment for both— for the declaration otc. war on the refusal of the ultimatum, or for the fir ing of the first shot either in the Baltic or in the Eu. Kiue—just as circumstances might render it advisab.le. Admirals HAMELIN and DUNDAS are in readiness ; for any emergency—pre pared at any time to en serge into the waters of the Black Sea from thei. r anchorage in the Bos phorus. Admirals NAPIER and DESCIIENES are almost similarly situated in regard to the Sound and the Baltic. For, wi rile Sir CHARLES NAPIER, at the head of his noble: squadron, is known to have advanced as far as ( 7openhagen, followed by several of the French shi fps of war, other vessels of the imperial navy of France are all but pre pared at this moment :it Brest to hasten after the English fleet, in ordt:r to join it under the flag of Admiral DESCHENES. Such is the position of affairs northwards, while eastwards, we learn that the Retribution and tte Caton, the former an English frigate, and. the latter a French corvette, have recently been despatched from the combined jets at Beycos, i n order to traverse the waters of the Black Sea as far as the mouths of the Danube, there to break down at Sulina the obstl aictions raised by the Russians for the purpose of impeding the navigation. It is manifest, theref ore, that the allies of Turkey are resolved upon being no longer trifled with by the lawless despot, whose ambition has lit up in the twin proviu ces of Moldo-Wallachia a flame that may now speedily extend into a general European con tlargration If the Gazette ; de Leipzie might be relied upon, the Idtimatum Inas already been formally rejected Iry the CZAR, in a brief but decisive answer, ema nating in his nar ae from the Cabinet of St. Peters burg. :Eloweve r this may be, the nature of the reply may read lily, at any moment, be antici pated. It; vill be a refusal, and that refusal will be foil -ed up by a declaration of war, and thereui )0T t the war itself will be at once, without further parley, commenced in the Black Sea by • Admirals DUNDAS and HAMELIN, and in the Baltic by Admirals NAPIER and DESCHENES. GOD alone k 1 TOWS the result, but in His hands the issues of bat tle are ever left with a sublime confidence by those who fight, as England and France will fight, during this great contest—not for the gra I ification of Imperial pride, or in obe dience to t Le lusts of a lawlem ambition, but to , MONEY IVIARKEf AND COIIII.IIEI2OIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CIMCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 5,000 hales, a!1 to the trade. The market closed heavily, with American and Surat id. per lb. low e r, and all other kinds in f avour o f buyers. The sales comprised 4,000 American, 260 Pernam and Maranham at 6d. to 60., 130 Bahia at 6id. to 60., 100 Egyptian at 54d. to 9&d., and 600 Surat at 3d. to 4d. per lb. Railway Shares were very depressed. Colonial Produce has been dull and declining. Foreign sugars have been wanted for the Continent. In coffee very little has been done, and rice has given way. Ruin was heavy, but a Government contract for 49,000 gallons has unexpectedly been announced. Tea has been cheaper, notwithstand ing the time for further reducing the duty is near. Tallow has been as high as 665..61: for P. Y. C. on the spot. Russian hemp has risen to 681. and 701. Cotton has been steady, though quiet. In the simultaneous arrival at Calcutta of Dr. O'Shaughnessy and Mr. R. M. Stephenson, we have a good augury for .electric telegraphs and railways. Dr. O'Shaughnessy, who leaves Calcutta immediately for the north-west, will find the work far advanced already. Poles for the electric tele graph have sprung up as if by magic along the greater length of the Grand Trunk Road, and wo sear that very great progress has been made on the Bombay line, so that the end of the cold season will see at least two sides of Or. O'Shaughnessy's great triangle very nearly completed. In the meanwhile we learn that Dr. Impey, the Residency Surgeon at Indore, has completed a telegraph be tween the Residency and the Hospital. a distance of little more than a mile ; while Madras has for some time past had a short working telegraph con structed by an intelligent and enterprising trades men named Kenrick. We have received a descrip tion of Dr. Impey's telegraph. Its mechanism dis plays no little ingenuity ; and although it is not likely that it will be ever incorporated in the Great Bombay and Agra line, yet the experience of Dr. Impey and of the natives whom he has trained to the work, will very probably be of great use to Dr. O'Shaughnessy. We Dave said that the arrival of Mr. Stephenson augurs well for our railway prospects. But one cannot help remembering that Mr. Stephenson has landed in India several times during the last ten years under circumstances of almost equal pru mise, and that Bengal has not yet a single mile of working railway to swear by. And though, it 14 now beyond doubt, that the Home Government has guaranteed 41 per cent, interest on nine mil lions sterling, a sum of money sufficient to com plete a railway from Calcutta to Delhi, the next mail may bring news which will indefinitely post pone all our prospects. The first shot fired in auger on the Black Sea, would blow to the winds all hope of obtaining the requisite capital in Eng land, so that Mr. Stephenson's latest visit to India may yet be as fruitless as all his former visits. The Canada Company made yesterday a most favourable report to its proprietory. Its sales of laud are annually increasing, and the prices ob tained are higher per acre. The leasing system has answered admirably, and there can be no doubt that in the present very prosperous condi tion of British North America, the property of the company will become increasingly valuable. There is certainly no colony that offers more excellent prospects for the industrious and steady-working emigrant averse to excitement. The suspension of Messrs. P. Monteaux and Co. for about 100,0001., is proof of the danger attend ing, in these times, operations that partake of a speculative character. The firm dealt in bills of exchange :ind bullion, hit lost heavily by Mr. Pries, who committed the forgeries in connection with corn dealings. The assets are uncertain, but under very favourable circumstances they might realise 10s. in the pound. The number of ships taken up by Government for the conveyance of troops and stores to the East is so large as to compensate the comparative slack ness cif the Australian trade, although, within the last fortnight, there have been larger shipments to Melbourne than there were previously. The rates ot freight to Australia, per 40 cubic feet, as givun in the Weekly Shipping List, for tine measurement goods, are as follow :—Adelaide, 80s. to 100 s. ; Hobart Town, 85s. to 100 s. ; Hobart Town (steamer), 120 s. ; Launceston, 80s. to 100 s. ; Mel bourne or Geelong Wharves, 100 s. to 110 s. ; Melbourne or Geelong, 80s. to 100 s. ; New Zea land, 120 s. ; Port Philip (steamer), 120 s. ; Port land Bay, 120 s. ; Swan River, 70s. to 80s. ; Syd ney, 80s. to 100 s. _ Letters for Australia maybe posted on the 3CI of next mouth, to go by the steamer Queen of the South, and the Great Britain is expected to leave Liverpool about the 13tii of April. Arrange ments have been made 6ir the conveyance of par cels per Q neer' of the South at comparatively cheap rates, a great accommodation to persons having relatives in the comities. The Turkish Luau is to 1 premium. Yester-' day it ranged from 1i to 3 premium. The English Funds have been 1 to 2 per cent. lower this morning, upon the rumour that a mes sage declaring war will be sent to Parliament this evening. Although the war undoubtedly will come, the same assertion has been made so often recently, that there is really no cause why Stocks should be further suddenly affected thereby. The market, however, is influenced by other circum stances ofa more enduring, character. Money is becom ing dearer, and capitalists are more disposed to sell than buy. State loans are being contracted in every direction. The English Governmen t has been rather pressed upon by having to pay off the dissentients the Conversion, and the unfunded debt being scarcely at par, does not offer the usual resource. There is, however, no real motive for alarm much less panic. The revenue is good ; the Bank of England, after the dividends are met, will be in an easier position, and with respect to mercantile failures thougii more will occur, they will be found generally ascribable to speculation or losses through the sus pension of other parties. Some consolation, it is, to see Russian paper currency at a heavy discount; and, if the war should foster revolutions, we may expect specie to be sent to this country for security at least, if not for investment. Consols have been this morning at 882 and 89, and since at 88j to Exchequer Bills are 2s. discount to 2s. premium. Foreign securities have been heavy, but not de cidedly lower. By au error in the official list yes terday, the prices of Sardinian Bonds were affixed to Russian 5 per Cents., which were not done lower than 831. To-day's price is 841. Dutch 4 per Cents. are 832 to 84. Mexican Stock has been at 221 to 222 ; and Spanish Deferred have realised 17f to 1. Brazilian New 41 per Cents. bring 871. Portuguese 4 per Cents. are at 33. The Railway Share Market is 1 to 2 per cent. worse again, and with increa se d rea l an d specula tive sales. North-Western, Great Northern, South- Western, and all the Hues quoted with large amounts paid up are very depressed. French shares are firm. The English and Foreign Mining Shares have been dull, the Australian Banks lower by to 1 per cent., and the Australian Agricultural Land Com panies is down 21. BaITISEI FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES (From the Official Lie.) (timin.qa Oen, 3 per Cent. Console Annuities . i 89 Bii isi cinsols for A ccoun t 18th A pr il 834 i..4A Exchequer Bills, 2d. £l000 2500 1 d PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. nrazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. — Ditto New, 1852, 44 per Cent . ‘fexican 3 per Cent. . 22* i i Peruvian Bonds, 44 per Cent Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent ... Ditto Ex all over-due Coupons 3') Ditto, 1548, 3 per Cent ........ ... Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. XSt 844 ad Mit.) 41 per Cent 74 Spanish New Deferred, 3 per Cent. 174 4 Ditto Passive (Converted) Venezuela Bonds, 34 per Cent. ......... Dividemls on the above payable in ',onion. Dutch Exchange, 24 per Cent. 12 Mil 53 434 Ditto 4 per Cent. Certificates ..... THREE O'CLOCK. Console BBa Ditto April A ccoun t BBa a ODESSA. -- Letters from Odessa, of the 10th inst, state that all th e l a b our o f t h e port was monopo li se d in expediting the shipment of corn preparatory to the en forcement of the prohibition on the 13th. Meanwhile. owing to that prohibition, wheat had experienced a fall of about 50 per cent. RUSSIAN PRODUCE.—The excitement in the market for Russian produce continues, and hemp has experienced another considerable advance, the price being 68/. to 701. per ton. Three weeks back it was sold at 47/. Tallow also is again firmer, as well ai palm and cocoa, nut Oil. THE TURKISH Lo.u•r.—The expected particulars of Vie Turkish loan were not issued yesterday, but it is understood the public ition will take pt tee to-morrow, with a notification from Messrs. Rothschild that they will receive subscriptions up to Monday evening next, the 27th inst. The nominal amount of the loan in stock will be about 2,700,0001., and the deposit is said to have been fixed at 15 per cent. The subsequent instalments will be four in number, at monthly intervals, namely, one of 10 per cent.. and three of 20 per cent. With re gard to the sinking fund, its first operation will take place on the Ist of Apia, 1855, and the bonds then drawn will be paid off in October, 1855, the whole being reimbursable in this manner by annual amounto within 14 year, of that date. Trout Oscar . WARWICK RACES. (THIS DAY.) (BY ELF-07111C 7LLE67LA PH.) ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. Five ran. Oscar broke down. SCURRY HANDICAP. Battery Jack Leeming 2 Need wood was scratched for the Annual Steeplechase at a quarter past one. ORDER OF RUNNING. 3.3o—Free Handicap. 5. o—Hurdle Race. LATEST BETTING ON THE COURSE. ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. sto 1 agst Needwood. METROPOLITAN. 10 to 1 agst Muscovite. DERBY. • 13 to 2 agst King Torn (taken). 50 to 1 agst .Boiardo (taken). LATEST CITY BETTING. ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. 2to 1 agst Oscar (taken). 2to 1 agst Trout (taken). sto 1 agst Needwood (taken). 10 to 1 agst any other. HURDLE RACE. sto 2 ag-t Theodine (taken). 7 to 2 agst Gerard (taken). 7 to 2 agst Sir Philip (taken). sto 1 agst IVla,y-day (taken). NORTHAMPTONSHIRE STAKES. 6to 1 agst Defiance (offered). Bto 1 agat Mr. Sykes (taken). 12 to 1 agst Bracken (taken). EARL SPENCER'S PLATE. 10 to 1 agst Ephesus (taken). 10 to 1 agst Twinkle (taken). 10 to 1 agst King of Trumps (taken). 12 to 1 agst The General (taken). 12 to 1 agat Koh-i-nonr (taken). THE MEDITERRANEAN. SOUTH IMPTOIST, FRIDAY MORNING. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Tagus has just arrived hers, with dates from Gibraltar, March 15th ; Cadiz, 16th; Lisbon, 19th ; Oporto, 20th ; Vigo, 20th. She brings on freight five packages specie, 100 chests of oranges, anti a cargo of dates, tggs, wine, &c. All the foreign vessels of war had left the Tagus. Several Russian merchant ships had been put up for sale in Portuguese ports. Exchange on London, 54A ; paper scarce. An unsuccessful attemp . , hail been made in the province of Trasos Montes to excite the people to oppose the new system of taxation. A new system of diligences ha 1 been established between Lisbon and Badajoz. Yesterday the Tagus spoke the P3ninsular and Oriental Company's steam -Nhip Rajah, from Constantinople, Smyrna, Malta, and Gibraltar, with her machinery damaged. She was under canvass. INDIA AND CHINA MAILS. SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY MORNING. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-ship Sultan, with the heavy portion of the East India, China, an I Mediterranean wails has just art ived h: re, having left Alexandria on the 9th, Malta the 13th, and Gibraltar the 18th inst Her Majesty's steam troop-ship Simoon, with the first battalion of the Scots Fusiliers on board, arrived at Gibraltar on the 9th init., and proceeded to Malta on the 12th. The Royal Mail steam-ship Orinoco embarked the 44th RogiineL.t at Gibraltar o the 10th, and left on the 11th for 'lal At Gibraltar, on the 11th inst., exchange on London was quoted 52 to 524 ; Spanish pillared dollars, 24 premium. COURT OF BANKR,UPTCY.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Fane ) BUILDING SPEC ULATIONS.-IN RE COX. This bankrupt was de,;crioed as of Rotherhithe and Wandsworth, builder, and to-day was appointed for his last examination. The bankrupt appeared but had not filed any accounts, and excused himself by saying that he had not been able to obtain the money to pay the account. His Honour asked how much was required 2 Bankrupt said 5/. . . _ _ His Hoiiour wished to inquire of the accountant why, after having been appointed by the sanction of the court, he hat neglected his duty, for Mr. Cannan, the official assignee, did net consider they were at all complicated? Mr. Canaan said that there would be nothing for the creditors, unless a surplus should accrue over the mort gaged property. His Honour doubted whether he ought not at once to ad journ the examination sine die, particularly as the accoun tant did not appear to offer any explanation, and could not be sent for, as he reside 1 two or three miles off. He (his Honour) should consider the subject of sanctioning the ap pointment of accountants residing such a distance from the court. The bankrupt, and persons like him, who entered into buil ling speculations, and gave preferences to some creditors by mortgaging all they had to pay them 20s. in the pound, and living on what they obtained from the others, did not deserve any sympathy, but ought to be left to their mercy, and sued :int thrown into prison. As, how ever, the blame in the present instance did not rest entirely on the binkrapt, he w nerd adjourn the case for one month, and if the accounts were not Wei, the examination would be adjourned sine die. MARLBOROUGH-sTR&ET-(THIS DAY). STEALING 2,000 OUNCES OF SILVER.—James Robert Yeoman, Park-road, Forest-hill, Surrey, was brought be fore Mr. Hardwick, charged with stealing 2,000 ounces of silver, value 5001., the property of Mr. Charles Frederick Hancock, silversmith, 40, Conduit street, Hanover-square. Mr. Wontner appeared for the prosecution. Gage Jessie Sharpe said he was clerk to the prose cutor, who has a seoarate establishment in Little Burton street for the manufacture of siver articles. Prisoner was foreman over that establishment. When prisoner wanted silver for work he applied to witness, and he gave him an order upon the refiner, which enabled the prisoner to receive the quantity he wanted. The refiner sup plied it in lumps of sterling silver, and before it was used it had to be sent to the caster, or the millman, in order to be converted into a usable form. The prisoner's duty was to weigh it in an out, and then give it out to the workpeople. On the 18th inst. witness wept through the stock with prisoner, and finding a deficiency in the silver he required the prisoner to render an account of the silver he received in 1853, and what he had done with it. Witness found that on 14th Jan., by prisoner's own account, he had received 200 oz. from the refiner; and on asking him what he had done with it, he said he could not tell anything at all about it. Had it been handed to Corbett, the caster, in t!re usual way, he (prisoner) would have written Corbett's name against the item ; but he had not done so. Witness went through the rest of the account with him, and found a de ficiency of more than 1,900 oz. After this discoiery the matter was placed in the hanils of Sergeant Godfrey, a de tective officer of the C division, who, after some difficulty, sneceeded in taking prisoner into custody. Mr. Wontner said that was all the evidence he had to offer at present, and begged for a remand. The prisoner was remanded till Friday next. LETTERS FOR THE BRlrisg FLEET 1N THE BALTIC. GENERAL POST OFFICE, March, 1 851.—Mails will be made up from time to time, as opportunities occur, for transmission to her Majesty's Fleet in the Baltic. Letters for soldiers and seamen serving in the fleet, with respect to which the rez , ulations required by law have bee duly observed, will be forwarded on payment of one penny. Letters addressed to cominissioned or warrant officers will be chargeable, under the Treasury warrant of the 21st la slant, with a rate of 6,1. when not exceeding # ounce ls. when seeding ounce and not exceeding 1 ounce, 2e. when exceeding 1 ounce and not exceeding 2 ounces, and so on, which postage must be paid in advance. No charge will be made upon British newspapers ad dressed to the fleet, provided they are duly s t a mped and posted in conformity to the established regulations. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS• GLASGOW AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY.—Trafno re. turn for the week ending March 18, 1854• ..... £4,855 3 6 Corresponding week last year ..................... 4,227 16 5 Increase in 18.51 ................ ; ............. • £627 7 1 SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.—Traffio return for the week ending 'March 19, 1854... - : 2 , 3,867 0 7 Corresponding week lalt year 2,421 18 5i CORK AND BANDON RAILWAY.—Trafno return for the week ending March 18, 1854 £ '39 610 Corresponding week last year lB6 10 7 suspension of Messrs. P. Mon .--foTrehiegn exchange dea!ers, with establish teaux and . inents in Paris and London, was announced yesterday. Wipes of the joint houses are stated at o f which 40.000/. will fall in London. For some time the firm have pursued the otjectionablesystein The loo. o t o o o t l a . l , i of no resident partner on this side, but in the present instance the creditors are not likely to suffer from that ., circumstance, the manager in Charge being understooc to haveenileavoured to limit his transactions as touch as possible, an d to have avoided the reckless u se of credit which might have been still open to him. The causes of the stoppa:e are understood to have partly arisen from a logs of 15,000/. by the forgeries of Ferdi nand Pries at the commeocernent of last year, followed by unsuccessful transactions in French securities. Under favourible circumstances a hope of 10i. in the piund is expressed, but it seems to be admitted that much man agement will be required to realise that amount, and that the result may he rnrch worse. MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION.—Many of the most celebrated characters are here represented who have distinguished themselves in various branches of learning as well as war ; and of the latter, those figures which are among the most prominent for public favour may be classed the chief monarchs who stand most forward irt the destinies of Europe. They consist of the Emperor of Russia, the Sultan of Constantinople, and the Ett• peror of the French. All three have been taken from the best sources, and are most excellent likenesses. Tha whole are represented in their usual military ;costume., decorated with their various orders of pant LA' Let partite Franc, Fro Frenc. It iE dent, reply Frencl What It doe! rawer I] CabinE for a r probat aware in thei probat tilities the IZ, scale c, less to Advil Zavellal of the 1] maritia The Pinclos From Parham The ex' A lett In the i Russian! battery order to on the immedia Pasha, Pasha, Turkish of the : destroy. dared The 4 Til