The Sun. — London, England, 1854-03-10 00:00:00

t little f. 95c., panish iim 011 y from a tele of Na' Lounces r de la he and ustody Jorge lie head The , een or id left Madrid Niteroi L-Gene ance to th the dez de Lieut. - - th ult. Ltier of Le shot. mit had rine to The ,drid to bout to f ; the of the to the [ a pro' is some rdinarY lemand t o the sandri n forceo 3ia had a nisi ni. Mil" i n the 0 moo" Rol:0? lomatle uring ,er cora' lanage' deligh t ecclosy 3 pupils ed Pac e him to ill have nt, but come; ,me a te be 10: you to 3 Eclio' Ind tell he Bar ock oa a gale igerool f use loss of ,wo ar under earner, iber of lore a and of • e wt [ Wheel .ak up• saved• ood to MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. To-day's market was but moderately supplied with Eng lish wheat, the quality of which was good. For all kinds we had rather an inactive demand ; nevertheless, very little change took place in prices. The inquiry for forward delivery samples was heavy. The show of foreign wheat was good. Fine dry samples realised late rates ; otherwise the demand was in a sluggish state. In floating cargoes next to nothing was doing ; yet they were not pressed for sale. . _ The show of barley was but moderate. The trade was less active, yet the quotations were supported. Malt was in good supply and fair request, at late rates. Oats, beans, peas, and flour sold at Monday's prices. The imports f the latter exhibit a falling off. ARRIVALS THIS WEEK. Barley. I M alt. I Oats. I Flour. 1,930 6,770 460 d 1,040 4,100 I 16,030 1,950 I 8,080 I 1,140 sks 3,480 bri Wheat. 2,150 Elaglish Irish •• • • Toreign SMITHFIELD. To•day's market was but moderately supplied with beasts, for which the demand was in a sluggish state, at Monday's decline in the quotations. Sheep, the number of which was rather limited, moved off slowly, at barely stationary prices. The few lambs in the market realised from 6s to 6s Bd. per 81bs. We had a fair enquiry for calves, at extreme rates. In pigs very little business was transacted. Mulch cows were very dull, at from 141. to 191. each, in cluding their small calf. Per Slbs to sink the offals s. d. s. d. Inferior Beasts.... 3 oto 3 2 Second quality.... 3 4 3 6 Prime large oxen 3 8 4 0 Prime Scots, &c. 4 2 4 4 Inferior Sheep ...3 0 3 4 Second quality ...3 6 4 2 Prime crse.-wlled.4 4 4 6. s. d. s. d. Prime Southdown 4 8 5 0 Large crse. calves 4 6 5 2 Prime small d 0... 5 4 5 8 Large hogs 3 0 4 2 Small porkers 4 4 410 Sucklinge,alves ..22 0 29 0 Quarter old pigs 21 0 27 0 TOTAL SUPPLY, Beasts .:.• • • .. • • • • 1,072 Sheep .• • • • .. • • • • .. • • ,• .. 3,360 Calves .. • • .. • • .. • .... I 9 Pigs ••••••• ...... ••• •••• 33) FOREIGN SUPPLY Beasts ..... . • 382 5heep............ • ....... 479 Calves .... • • 100 NEWGATE AND LEADENHALL. The general demand ruled heavy at this market to-day, as follows : Per Blbs by the carcase. s. d. s. d. Beef, inferior 210 3 2 Do., middling 3 4 3 6 Do., prime large 3 8 3 10 Do., do. small 3lO 4 0 Perk, large 3 4 4 2 s. d. s. d. Mutton, Inferior 2 10 3 4 Do., middling 3 6 4 0 Do., prime 4 2 4 6 Veal 4 0 5 4 Pork, small 4 4 4 10 BOROUGH HOP. There is rather more business doing in our market, and prices generally are well supported. This week's imports are 210 bales from Ostend, 1 ditto from Hamburgh, and 10 ditto from Antwerp. The following are the quotations ; MU and East Kent pockets, 6/. lOs to 121. Os ; Weald of Kent ditto, 61. Os to 71. Os ; Sussex ditto, 51. 12s to 61. 10s per cwt. COLONIAL. SIIGI.R.—The demand for West India has been limited, but without change in prices. East India has been dull. Bengal low mid to fine white Benares sold at 38s 6d. to 40s. Date sort mid to good yellow at 34s to 35s 6d ; mid to fine dry brown at 29s to 32s ; and very low dark at 25s to 27s per cwt. Madras brought steady rates, viz., 28s 6d to 30s for mid brown to low yellow, and 30s 6d to 33s for mid to good yellow. Mauritius has been heavy, and at 6d per cwt. decline ; good and fine strong greyish yellow selling at 36s to 38s 6d ; common grey to mid yellow at 34s to 35s 6d, mid to fine brown at 32s to 33s 6d, and low to good grey and yellow at 36s to 36s Gd per cwt. Java sold at low rates at auction, but subse quently by private contract went steadily, viz., at 33s 6d to 36s 6d for mid to fine brown, at 37s to 42s for mid to fine grey and white, and at 36s to 37s 6d for mid and good yellow foreign. Havannah has been dull, a large quan tity having been taken in. Since, however, mid to fine brown has found buyers at 34s to 36s for mid to fine brown, at 36s 6d to 38s 6d for low to good yellow, and at 39s to 41s 6,1 for low to good white. White Havannah in bond was taken in at 26s to 28s for mid and good. Cuba, low to good heavy brown, brought 31s 6d to 33s Gd, and low and mid heavy yellow at 31s to 365. COFFEE.—Not much has been done in Plantation Ceylon ; mid went at 59s to 60s per cwt., and mid mixed at 57s to 59s 6d, and triage at 36s 6d. Native has been inactive, at 47s to 48s per cwt. Mocha is 1 s cheaper ; mid and good clean garbled selling at 64s to 65s 6d ; middling green long berry at 655; and ordinary to good ordinary mixed brown at 60s. Jamaica realised 45s to 52s for good ord pale to first fine ord. Tellicherry was taken in at 63s for good red brown, but ord to good sold at 54s to 68s per cwt. Costa Rica was taken in at 40s for ord in husk. Bahia went at 42s 6,1 to 45s 6d per cwt. RlCE.—This article generally has been dull, and early in the week Madras declined 3d per cwt, sound selling at 13s 6d, first class sea damaged at 13s to 13s 6d, and second at 12s 6,1 to 13s. Madras mid to good has brought 13sto 16s, and good Bengal 15 s. Ja v a mid and g ood white realised 14s to 16s, and fine and very fine 17s to 18s per cwt, being very heavy. SPICES. —Pimento is held for higher rates, and was taken in at 64d for ord and good ord mixed. Batavia mace went at 2s 6d to 2s 8d for mid and good. Batavia nutmegs 2s 7d to 2s 10d for mid and good brown, 4s 8d for fine, and 2s Gd to 2s 7d for limed. Cassia lignea partly sold at 134 s to 138 s for mid and good, and 132 s for ord third pile. Batavia pepper brought 10d to lOjd for mid and good, being rather dearer. Nutmegs ara in demand. COTTON.—The market is quiet, but steady. SALTPETRE.—FuII prices have been realised, viz., 32s for 14 to 104 per cent, refraction. TEA. This article is at full rates, and in more request. Low to good ord Congou is Id to is 1.1,1 per lb. TALLOW.—P.Y.C. is firmer at 64s 3d per cwt on the spot. HEmp, Russia, clean, has been as high as 511 per ton. GREEN FRUIT.—A marked improvement has taken place in the prices of fruit. Two cargoes oranges, St. Michael, sold by. Keeling and Hunt at public sale, went at an ad vance of 2s to 3s per box. Lisbon in proportion. Seville sours 10s per chest higher. Lemons in demand. Nuts of all kinds, with the exception of Messina, cleared out of first hands. .LLOYD'S SHIPPING.-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, March 10.—Wind this day at Noon, S.S.W. ; fresh breeze, and cloudy, with rain. PLYMOUTH, March 9.—Wind, S.V. Arrived— Atalanta, from Smyrna. Sailed—H.M.S. Duke of . Wellington, East ward. FF DOVER, Maich 9.—Missionary, from Colombo. OFF NORTH FORELAND, March 9.—Oriental, from Lon don, for Port Philip, at anchor. PORTSMOUTH, March 9.—Wind, W. Arrived—Egmont, bom Cowes, for New Zealand. FALMOUTH, March 9.—Wind, W.S.W. Arrived—Acas tus, from Buenos Ayres, for Penzance. Off Port—Jenny, from Berdianski. RAMSGATE, March 9.—The Sardine, of and from Car narvon, with slates for Aberdeen, put in here to-day very leaky, having been on shore under the South Foreland. RYE, March 9.—The Prosperitas, of Leghorn, from Odessa to Hull, with linseed and wool, came on shore this morning to the eastward of Rye Harbour, with rudder gone, strained, and making much water ; has commenced discharging her cargo. TRAVENMUNDE, March s.—The winter beacons upon the Plate have been taken up, and the sea buoys laid down. ELSINORE, March 4.—The wreck of apparently a large ship, with masts cut away, only her fore part above water, and supposed to have been on fire, her windlass marked " M. Quilkin and Henry, St. Lawrence Foundry, Quebec," was passed, 16th Feb., in lat. 44 N. long. 10 W., by the Niels Gylding, from Messina, which passed this place, bound to the Baltic. RUTLAND HARBOUR (County Donegal), March 7.—The Glencairn, of Irvine, from Liverpool to Ballina, struck on a sunken rock, and, making much water, was hauled on the beach. A schooner is alongside her taking out cargo. AMSTERDAM, March B.—The Josephine, from Antwerp to Hamburg, got aground in the Wester-Schelde, near Borsselen, previous to March 5, but came off after dis charging part of her cargo, and would proceed after re shipping the same, not having sustained any damage. FOLKESTONE, March 10 (per Elec. Tel.).—The Duchess of Lancaster, from Manilla to London, ran ashore last night on the rocks near Sandgate, whilst the master was laid up sick, but has been got off, and proceeded, appa rently without damage, in tow of a steamer. SOUTHAMPTON, March 9.—Sailed— Thames (s), Brazils. HARWICH, March 9.—Wind, W.N.W. Arrived—Medea, from Kertch, for Ipswich. GRIMSBY, March 9.—Wind, W. Arrived—Courier (s), from Hamburgh. SUNDERLAND, March 9.—Wind, W.S.W. Sailed—Har land, for Carthagena. SHIELDS, March 9.—The Lady Abercrombie, of Stirling, laden with pig metal, struck on the Newbiggen Point this morning, and has been assisted into the Tyne in a leaky state. ODESSA, Feb. 27.—The Gothen (Swedish brig), of Ver berg, newly loaded with wheat, was driven on shore dur ing the late gale, but has been got off and into the Mole, making a good deal of water ; she will have to discharge. GOTHENBURG, Feb. 27.—The crew of the Finland schooner Sophia, from Newcastle to Lubeck, stranded near Laiesoe, Feb. 14, and has arrived here. March I.—The yacht Erindring of and bound to Copenhagen from New castle, with coal, has been towed into Weirberg, with masts sprung and loss of sails, in a hurricane off Nidingen. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Friday, 10.15 a.m. Wind, W. ; moderate and rainy. Arrived.—Eroe, from Alexandria ; Warbler and Germs nicus, New Orleans ; Brothers, Savannah ; Hornet, Balti more; John and Lucy, New York ; Petrel, Lisbon ; Van der Vouz, Oporto; Twee Gelroeders, Rotterdam ; Helena, Dordt. QUEENSTOWN, March 8 Wind, S.W. Arrived.—Louis Dodece, Aleekles, Abrota, and Egelina, from Vienna ; Dezenzino and Respieto, Terceira ; William Ash, Odessa ; Maria Eugenio, Marianopole ; John Wesley, St. Michael's • Stiepner, Marseille s ; B e ll e, C ons t an ti no pl e ; Sotir and Nuleika, Marseilles ; Eleven, Berdianski ; Nuevo Adriana, Caminha ; Victoria, Terra Nuova. Off.—Tusket, from Porto Rico, for Liverpool. Sailed.— Jane Cockerill, for London. (BY SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.) GRAVESEND, Friday, 10.15 a.m. Wind, S.W. ' • tide, high water, fresh, and cloudy. Arrived, 9th.—St. Croix, from Honduras ; Alliance, Guernsey ; Twe Ge Broder, A msterdam ; Adela, Santan der ; Lively, Charente • Sophie, Copenhagen ; Eliser a t sa , Batch ; Kangaroo (s), from Amsterdam ; Lord John Rus sell (s), Harlingen ; Alar (s), Dunkirk ; Eclipse, St. Michael's ; Anne, Holbeck ; Harmony, Santander ; Elide, Aarhus ; Frederick and Anne, Faaborg ; Elsina Catha rina, Amsterdam : Julia, Demerara. Sailed.—Nelson Place, for Port Philip ; City of Rotter dam 13.), Dunkirk. DEAL, Friday, 9.19 a.m. Wind, W.S.W. ; fresh, and cloudy. - Anchored.—Edmundsbury, from Colombo for London; Clydeside, from London for Melbourne ; Yldefonso, from London for Bilboa. Passed.—Kate, from St. Michael's for London. SHARE MARKETS. (THIS DAY.) BRITISH RAILWAYS. RAILWAYS. Aberdeen Ambg. Nottng. Bost. ' and Eastu. Belfast & Ballymena. I Birmiug, Wolverh. & Stour Valley Birkenhd. La,nech. & Cheshire Junct all Do. Chesh. & Birk., £5O and £25 Cons. 18i Do., £20..... 30 Blyth & Tyne original £25 (issd. at £45: LOO Bristol and Exeter [OO Caledonian. ........ all Chester & Holyhead. all Cork and Bandon all Cork, Black, & Pass 12 Cornwall Crieff Junction 45 Dublin&Belfastjunc, all Dundee Perth&Aber deen Junction , all Do. New East Anglian...._ Do., (£l.B E & H).... Eastern Counties..... Eastern Union, A Stock . ... ... Do., B. Stock Do., New A Fast Lancashire Edinburgh & Glasgow Edinb. and Peebles... ' Edin. Pith. & Dundee orth & Clyde June.' Glasgow & S. Western Great Northern Stk. Do., A. Stock IDo., B. Stock Gt. Sth. &West.(lre.) Great Western Irish South-Eastern Lancaster & Carlisle' Do., Thirds • . _ Do. New Thirds Lancash.andYorksh, Do., Fifths D Wst. Riding Un Leeds Northern Liv.Crsby.&Southpt London & Blackwall Lond. Tilb. & Sthend. Lond. Bright & S. Cst. Loud. and N. Westn. Do. Fifths Do. Eighths LondotiandS. Westn.' Do., £5O Do., £4O Lndndrry& Coleraine Lndndrry. & Ennisk. Manch.Shef.& Lineln Do., Man. & Liu. Un Midland Do. Birmng. &Derby Midld. G. West. (Ire.) Do. Half Shares Newcastle & Carlisle Newmarket Do., Bury Extension. Nwpt.Aberg. & Hrfd. Newry & Enniskillen Newry Warrenpoint and Rostrevor .. Norfolk Northn.Counties Un. North British North Devon, No. 1. Do., No, 2 Do., A Deferred._ Po., 4 B Guaranteed North Loudon bo. New £lO N. &S. Wstrn. , Hanip stead, and City Jn North Staffordshire North Western N. & S. Westrn. June Sluneaton, Hinckley, and Leicester Oxford, Worcester, & Wolverhampton Portsmouth Scottish Central , Scottish Midland Shrewsbury & Bil mg Do. L. & N. Western Guaranteed St cek Shrewsby. & Tiered Shrewsby. & Chester (N. W. Min ; Do. Halveso. 6. Do. Oswestry Shropshire Union Do. A, B, C,& D,fully paid up at per cent South Devon South Eastern South Wales S. Yrksh. & Riv. Dun Do Staines, Wok. &Wok Stockton & Darling Stockton & Hartlei* Taff Vale Do. £lO shares I Do. Pref., No. I Thames Haven Dock and Railway Vale of Neath Waterfd. & Kilkenny Waterford&Limerick West Cornwall West End of London and Crystal Palace West London Wimbledn & Croydon York Newctl. &Berw. I Do. Extensions Do. G.N.E. Purchase York & N. Midland._ PREFERENC. Aberdeen Do. No. 2, 7 p. c. Blyth and Tyne 10 per c. pref. (issd. at 50/) Brie. & Ex. 4 p. c. St. Do. 4 p. c. Shares Caledonian £lO Chester & Holyhead Guar. 5? per cent Cork &Bandons p.c Dundee Perth &Aber deen Junction EastAn,glian (1:310s; 6 per cent Do: (£5) 7 per cent. Do. (X 7 17s) 7 p. c. Eastern Counties Ex tension, 5 p. c. No. 1 Do. No. 2 New 6 p. c. St. Eastern Union, Scrip Guar. 6 per cent Do. 51., 10 per cent Do. 101. Debentr.Sll - Lancash. 6 p. cts. 'East and West York shire June. Pref EdinbPrth.&Dundee 54 per cent. Glasgow & S. Western Guar. 5 per cent Great Northn. 5 p. c Do. 5 p. c. Redeem., at 10 p. c. prem... Do. 43 p. c. Scrip Gt.N. o!Scot. 1 st Pref Gt, Southn.&Westm. (Ireland) Eighths) Do. 4 per c. Pref. Sh Gt. Westn. (Becks & Hants Ex. 5 p. c) Do. coy, red. 4A p.c Do. con, red. 4 p. c Do. irred. 4 p. c Lan. & York. F. £26 Do. 6 p. c. Stock Leeds N. 6 p. c. No.l Do. Quarters, 1848 London and Brighton Guaranteed 5 p. c Do. Pref., 5 p. c. St. IDo. Convertible, 5 p. c., 1852 Do. New Guar.6 p. c. Lou. &N. W., Coy. & \Tuueaton London & S, Western Con. Thirds Londonderry& Coler Shares Londy. & Ennis. Sh Shef., & Lin , Shares, No. 1. Do. New, £lO . Do. .£6 (arypt . & Carl. 4 P.C Do. 46 per cent, ....... Do — Mid. Consol.6 p.c.St. Do. Consol. Bristol & Uirm. 6 per cent.... Do. Pref. .4 per cent Norfolk Debenture Do. Pref. 4 p. C. Stock Do. 5 P.C. Eat....... Do. 52 per ct .pref Do. Way. Val. 5 p. c INorth British North Staffordshire Oxford, Wore ester, & Wolverh.Xls, 6 p.c Do Scot. Cent., New Prof Shrews. &Birna.N.G. Shrewsby. & Chester (Nor.W.Min), 8 p.c. Do. 5 per cent South Devon Do. fixed, 4 t i per cent S. Eastern (Reading Ann.) of £1 Os. 6d. Do. 4 iper cent. S. Yorksh.4p.c.Guar Stockton and Dar- lington, 4 per cent, Do. do. do, Stockton and Hartle• pool, guar. 5 p. c. till Ist July, 1856 Waterfd.&Kilk.6p.c. York, Newcastle,and l Berwick,4 p.c. Pref I Do York&N. Midland H and S. Purch Closing Prises this day. 20t- 44 - 5 8i - 9 12 —lO dial 16 18 sAdj 92 - 94 - 554 15 - 16 10 • 12 42 - 44 7i - 8 12 = 13 i 36 - 40 24 - 26 63 - 65 58 - 60 234 91 92 80 81 124 - 126 89 - 91 784 - 794 92 -- 95 122 -- 1341 12 -- 13 p 661 -- 671 61 4 . -- 6d 13 - 136 88 p6ar 4 9 7p 9 1011 - 102 d— s p par t 4 d 78 80 11 —lO 10 9 d 21i - 601 -- 61 34 -- 36 a par 5i 4id 2 24 6 - 8 47 - 49 33 30 33 ... 34 8 10 li - li, 64 - 74 52 - 55 4 - il, - 64 - 5 7# - 31 - 33 88 90 54 - 56 58 - 60 55 60 3 2 d 16 17 8 861 12 13 3i 3ad 14 16 62 63 34 35} 2 d par 4 5 29 - 31 2i - 2fi 15i 15i 4§ - 54 24 - 26 4 - 6 - 6 - 7 67i 68 8 1 7i4 4k 4d; 476 -- 48i1 !E SHARES. ... --. ... 99 1- - 101 62 -- 6 i 3 -- al 4 -- 44 4 i p i -- lip i lip 134 —l32nd 226 23i xd 3i - 3i 14 :116.1 .05 —lo7xd id —pared 7 BTd .. xd 98 1 00 90 95 94 96 Id par 136 138 ... ... ad 2i --2 i ad 11i —12 A 66 7i 9t 10 par ipad 136 138 li —id id ••• ad ... ad ad ••• ad ••• id 100 -- 102 i - ip 9i -10 16i -- 17 10 -10 i 12 -- 14 id P 23i -- 24 10 -- 102 17 -- 19 i - id 89 92xd 3 —4 xd 1 0 . id Business done this day. 20i 1 20i i 16i PP 11 Of 17i 126 I xd 63i 3 „ 58 91 i i i f, Init i 9 84„ 66i 74 * 8 4 8/ 97 g if 78f 91 22 601. 1 601 27i 22 25 16;4 1 16i St. 19i 100 17t 114 1 all 100 42; 34 all 100 100 476 17 all 100 100 3A 100- all 5? It is 2/ 2s WO 100 100 100 2/ 2s all 100 100 20 17 all all 14 all 51s. 100 20 13 100 24 3i 111 A B 15f 4 „ 8 7i 8 i ~ lli i „ 9 ~ 48i 8 n i ~ 854 6i 1 pm Pm 13i i 105* x d 9/ x d 7i 41 xd die xd 101 i x d 891 x d ord • it .% VIE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 1854. LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS, THE CHARGE OF CORRUPTION AGAINST IRISH MEMBERS. The select committee appointed to investigate this charge met again yesterday morning, shortly after twelve o'clock, and resumed the inquiry. The members of the committee were all present, namely, Mr. Hen ley (chairman), Lord Hotham, Lord Barrington, Mr. Granville Vernon, Mr. Muntz, Mr. Keogh (the Irish Solicitor-General), Mr. Butt, Mr. Bright, Mr. Macart ney, and Mr. G. H. Moore. A considerable number of Irish members were in the committee-room through out the day, listening to the proceedings ; and the crowd behind the bar was quite as great as on previous days. Dr. Gray was recalled and asked by the Chairman how many names he could give of persons who could corroborate the general statements he had made be fore the Committee V—Witness replied that he could furnish the names of five such persons—namely, first, Patrick Fottrell, solicitor, of Lower Gardner street, Dublin, who could make a general statement refer ring to the case of which he (Fottrell) knew something ; second, Thomas Arkins, sword-bearer to the corporation of Dublin, who could speak to money having passed for Parliamentary services ; third, Mr. Samuel Bindon, a barrister, of 21, Lower Gloucester-street, Dublin, who had mentioned to witness a special case, subsequently referred to by Mr. Lucas in Parliament, of a man who had offered him (Mr. Bindon) 91. to procure him Parlia mentary support in promoting him in the Customs ; fourth, Mr. Keogh (the Irish Solicitor-General) who, in 1851, in a conversation with w it ness , spoke Of " Pat. Somers, and those fellows wh o li ve d by selling places"— (a laugh)—and, fifth, Mr. James Walker, solicitor, of Sligo, and sometimes resident in Dublin, son of Alder man Walker, who had told witness he knew of persons who had purchased place, in a conversation witness had had with him in Dublin subsequently to Mr. Butt's mo tion for the present committee. Witness added a sixth name, that of Mr. F. Stonor, formerly of Boswell-court, Lincoln's-inn, and now a colonial judge, who had made a general statement to him of corrupt practices. Mr. Stonor accompanied Mr. Townley when that gentleman contested Sligo. When asked if he could give the names of any other persons, witness replied, that if he were to name every man who had expressed a strong conviction to him as to the existence of the corrupt practices in question, his statement would include the names of al most every political friend that he had. The room was then cleared for a short interval, and on the re-admission of the public, Mr. Lucas, M.P., was re-called—He explained that he wished to withdraw the admission of indiscretion on his part, made on a former day, in holding a conversa tion with Dr. Gray in the lobby, when the room was cleared, whilst that gentleman was under examination. He considered that, instead of being indiscreet, he very prudently and properly made the statements he did to Dr. Gray on that occasion, and that if there was any Indiscretion it was on the part of the committee in press ing Dr. Gray to divulge that conversation. He (witness) now declined to say how many persons he had had con versation with in reference to corrupt practices. In mentioning certain names to Dr. Gray, he had not the sightest wish or intention, but quite the contrary, that they should be made the subjects of investigation before this committee ; and Dr. Gray appeared to have divulged those names to:the committee under protest and duresse. He absolutely refused, with great respect, to give the committee any clue whatever to cases which had been mentioned to him in the course of private and con fidential intercourse. He disclaimed, in the strongest and most unreserved manner, giving any credence whatever to the rumour implicating Mr. Burke Roche, M.P., in anything like corrupt practices, after reading in the Tablet the paragraph, to which witness's attention had been called by the Irish Solicitor-General in his pre vious examination. Although he adopted the responsi bility of that paragraph, he had nothing whatever to do with its writing or its insertion in the paper. The room was again ordered to be cleared, and, after remaining closed for upwards of an hour, the Chairman intimated to Mr. Lucas that the committee wished him to be again in attendance before the committee to-mor row (this day). Mi.. Keogh, M.P., the Irish Solicitor-General, was next called, and the Chairman having called his atten tion to the statement made by Dr. Gray, that in a con versation between them, he (Mr. Keogh) talked of " Paddy Somers, and fellows like these, who live by selling places," and asked whether he made that remark to Dr. Gray, Mr. Keogh said he had no recollection of having done so, but he did not mean to say that he did not. He had reasons for believing such an expression might have been used by him, though he had no recol lection of it. Being asked by the Chairman to give those reasons, he referred, as one, to the attempt to sell the office of postmaster of Ballymote, in which he was engaged as counsel for the defence, on the prosedution, by the Crown authorities, of the party concerned. There was nothing in the case to implicate Mr. Somers ; but he believed that public appointments both in England and Ireland were given upon the recommenda tion of the members of the House of Commons who sup ported the Government of the day. At one time, when the Government of the day was Whig, the county of Sligo was represented by two Conservatives, and the borough of Sligo by a Whig, and three or four appoint ments were given to the family or connections of a Mr. Walker, resident in the borough ; the inference being that they were obtained through the influence of the borough member with the Government. He recollected when he was going circuit some few years ago, seeing a paragraph in a Sligo newspaper which caused some amusement in the town and neighbourhood. It was to the effect that it was a great inconvenience that parties in the town would not make up their minds as to how much would be given for the situation of postmaster there. (A laugh.) By Mr. Macartney-4He did not know of any pecu niary transactions of that kind with which Mr. Somers' name was mixed up ; but he heard it stated in Sligo that such transactions had taken place in connection with Mr. Somers. The Chairman—By whom did you hear that statei ? Mr. Seogh—l should require a moment's considera tion to answer that. I heard it stated in the bar-room, but I am not able, at this moment, to fix upon the per son who made the statement. By Mr. Bright—Since the representation of Sligo had been changed Mr. Walker, of Sligo, had received another appointment. He had received three appointments from the former member, and oae from the present. By Mr. Butt—There was a general rumour in the district of Sligo that those places were obtained for pe cuniary considerations. By Mr. G. H. Moore—He (Mr. Keogh) had not heard him (Mr. G. H. Moore) speak more specifically of the sale of places than in his speech at Ballina, referred to in the course of the inquiry. In the speech which witness also made on that occasion he did not recollect expressing a strong concurrence in what he (Mr. G. H. Moore) had previously said on that subject. Mr. Moore made an excellent speech on that occasion, and though witness could not recollect a tithe of what he said, he had a dis tinct recollection that Mr. Moore spoke three hours, viz., from eight to eleven o'clock. (Laughter.) Witness followed him in a speech of ten or fifteen minutes' dura tion. Witness, in the course of his speech, had no re collection of speaking of the sale of places, though he might talk of Irish members selling their country for place, which was a very different thing. (Laughter.) He had used this expression over and over again, that if a member received patronage from the Government of the day he must be supposed to be a supporter of the Government of the day ; and that position was true of the members of both sides of the house, and equally true of English as of Irish members. Mr. Bright--Then you speak from your own expe rience, being a member of the Government ! (Laughter.) Mr. Keogh—No one knows better than Mr. Bright that what I have stated is true. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Bright—And if those who did not support the Government asked for patronage, they would not get it ? Mr. Keogh—They would not ; and they ought not either. (A laugh.) Mr. Granville Vernon—Did you accept your pre sent office with any view to bestow patronage on any person to whom you are under any obligation ? Mr. Keogh—Certainly not ; and I should be glad if the committee would examine me as to the bestowment of any patronage on my part, for they would find that the only case in which I sought patronage from the Go vernment of the day was where a lady, very much re spected in the town of Athlone, and who was post-mis tress there, having committed some irregularity which the Post-office authorities would not overlook, and having a large family entirely dependent upon her, I used my interest to procure the situation to be given to a male member of the family, to keep them all from ruin. _ _ - By Mr. Granville Vernon—He thought he never charged the selling of places on Irish representatives on any public occasion, though he might have used some such expression as their selling their country. By Mr. Butt—He had no recollection of speaking to Dr. Gray on the subject of the appointment obtained by Dr. Power, as stated by Dr. Gray, and he did not be lieve any such conversation took place, The committee adjourned until to-morrow (this day.) THE COLLIERY ACCIDENT AT WIGAN.—At the con clusion of the proceedings yesterday in this oase the jury found the following verdict :—" We find that the deaths of the 89 persons under co ns id era ti on were occa sioned by an explosion of fire-damp occurring within the workings of the Arley Mine, at the Ince-hall colliery on Saturday, the 18 th ultimo. We find that the explosion occurred in or close to Pilkington's drift, and was ignited, as we conceive, from Pilkington's shaft. The origination of the gas which exploded was we believe from a sudden and accidental outburst from some point not far from the seat of the explosion ; and we would point to the fall in Wobdcock's place as the only likely source shown for the emanation of such an outburst. We give it as our opinion that the general management and ventila tion of the mine in question from the time of the former lamentable explosion to the present has been satisfactory, and the system of working under the peouliar circum stances of the pit uncensurable. Under the circum stances of these awful explosions, we would strongly re commend to the managers that as far as possible the use of gunpowder in the working places withi n the mine be wholly discontinued." COMMONS ENCLOSURE.—The Enclosure Commissioners have given their sanction to the following proposed en closures, and a bill is accordingly be fore Parliament to authorise their being proceeded with :—Heaver-wood common, Latnpeter-common and the Undergrove, Iping marsh, Cardigan-commons, Barlby, Church Brough In take, Curdridge, Porlock-common, Bursled . on, the Oak cutts-woods, Wootton Courtney , H awk ndge-common, Tinhead, Cowleaze. A bill is passed every year to au thorise the enclosures which the commissioners sanction. They do not report, however, in any of the instances now before Parliament that they have required any al lotment for exercise and recreation ; it appears by their report that they consider the ground unfit for that pur pose. RAILwATe. Bedford and Bnekghamsh. Clydesdale Jc. E. Lincoln gr. 6 per cent. Glas. Barr. k Neils. Direct' Do. New...... Glstr.& Dn. Fr Hrtlpl. Dk. & Railway Hull 8; Selby Do. i Shares. Do. i Shares. Lon. & Greenw Do. Preference Lowestoft gr. 4 per cent. Do. 6 per ct. Manch. Bxtu. and Matlock Middlesbro' & Redcar. . Midld.Bradfd Northern and Easternsp.e. Do. 6 per et. Do. Fixeds p e Prest. & Wyre Do. Shares. Roystn.St Hit. Do.Shepth.St Shef.Rothand Gooleg.sp.e. Stallordsh. Year Valleygi 6 per cent Do Nilts&Somrs , Leasing Compans. London & N. West. Caledon... Gt.Nrthn. Caldonian. Gt. Westn Yk. Now. & Berw. Y.SLNMd Do Do '. Eastern Do !Norfolk L.& N. W. & Stckton & Darlingt. Nlidland E. Count Do Do L. &N.W &Ln&Yk Do IGt Northn Do Laneash& Yorksh. I DDt 00. aMerkliC l tn. e g t a ,kn. lchWestn. Closing Prices this day. 98 - 100 48 - 50 140 - 142 28 = 103 105 254514 524 264 13 134 244 —2s4xd 2i - 2 95 7-- i 4 57 - 59 1135 - 140 21 -1/ ... ad 29 —3O „ 94 96 FOREIGN. Antwerp &Rotterdam i Belgian Eastn. June. Beziers to Graissessac Bombay, Baroda, and Central In dia , Scrip Central of Italy Charleroi & Erquelin Demerara Dijon and Besancon Dutch Rhenish East Indian Do, Extension Gt. Indian Peninsula Gd. Junct. of France Grd. Trunk of Canada Do. Debentures Do. do Gt. Central of France Gt. Westernof Canada Shares Do. Bonds (Ist is.)'s7 Hamilton & Toronto Do. 6 per cent. Lake Const. & Basle Lucca & Pistoja 5 p.c. pref Luxembourg Do. (Railway) Do. Pref Do. (Canal) Do. 6 p. et. pref Lyons and Geneva Lyons & Mediterran. Madras Maria Antonia . Do. do. New .... Melbourne Dk. & Ry Namur & Liege (with interest) Do. (ex interest) Northern of France Do. 201. 3 p. c Bds (fmy.B.&Ams.Shs.) NorwegianTrunkPref Paris and Lyons Ditto Bonds Paris and Orleans Paris and Rouen._ Paris and Strasbourg ParisCaen & Cherbrg Quebec & Richmond Rouen and Havre Royal Danish Royal Swedish Sambre and Meuse Do. 56 p. cent. Pref Southern of France St. Andrew's and Quebee (A) West Flanders 11 Do 54 per c. Pref... .0 Western of France... 7 West. of Switzerland 2 Wiesbaden .5 Zealand 3i 3 d 1 • lA 4A 3Ad id 3§ . - 2§ 3 Pd 3 pi i - i P 4i— iid 6 4d 3 2§ d 22i -22 i 8 - I p o 9 - 2......11p -N.. dis 6i 7 41 4i 1 1,5 1 1i 11 id I 2i —16 d i d par 7} - 7i 29i -29 i 74 - 8i 12 -121 p 42 34 - - -- .44 —36 xcli -28 i pm 3 ld part ••• -pm L - 4j - 3 . - 6 ---- :c.dl MINES. 1 all kola Fria 1 all A.nglo Austrin. Gold id d 10s. 11 Anglo Californian 10 2 Australasian 1 d 20 6 Australian 1 all Australian Cordillera 4 id 1 all Australian Freehold 4 id 1 all Ave Maria - -- id 1 all Baden (Gd. Duchy of) 4 id 50 all Blaenarvon Ir. &Coal 9 —ll 1 all imitish Austrin. Gold I— 4 d 20 13.5 British Iron 35 244 Brazilianlmp.(issued at X 5 pin 44 Di 5 30 all Do. Cocaes & Cuiada 4 t 20 15 Do. St. John Del Rey 30 —32 301 1 1 4 Carson's Creek 1 Clarendon Con. Min Co. of Jamaica— 40 all Cobre Copper 4l 43xd 5 1 Colonial Gold Ad — IP 15 Copiapo St. all Copper Min. of Eng. 55 —65 25 all Do. Pref. 7:1 p. cent. 3 5 p 5 all English and Austrin. Copper Smeltg.Co. 21 20 all General 2 all Great Nugget Vein 2 all Do. Registered 3 all Great Polgooth 1 all Liberty 3 all Linares 1 all Loyd..&Californ.Gold u Quartz Crush. Co. 1 all Mariqita # d 10 9 111exican&S.Amerien. 6 64 1 all New Granada l— id 1 all New Linares Mining and Smelting Co ... 1 all Nouveau Monde id par 20 all Pontgibaud Silver Lead Min. d; Smelt. 16 18 5 1 Port Philip —d 1 all Quartz Rock 50 all Rhymney Iron 15 15 Do. New 8 —lO 30 I.oi Santiago de Cuba 1 all south Australian ..• —4 d 10 7 Tin Croft — 44 281 all United Mexican 24 3 21 1 all Waller — 4 d 1 all West Granada 4 d 1 all West Mariposa 1 12s. Worthing Mining of Au5tra1ia............ 1 all Yuba JOINT-STOCK BANKS. 10 all Australasia 7B 80 40 all British Colonial Bank and Loan Company „, 50 all British N. American 63i 25 5 Chartd. Bank of Asia ... d 20 2 Chrtd. Bnk. of India, Australia, & China 1i ld 100 25 Colonial — ... 18 100 20 Commercial of Loud — 20 10 English Scottish and Australian 34 3d 6/ 20 15 Lond. Chart. Bk. of Australia 1 id 50 20 London and County 50 10 London Joint Stock 100 20 Lond. & Westminster ... —36 i 100 35 National Provincial of England — 20 10 Do. New . . 50 221 National of Ireland 20 all New South Wales, 39 4lxd 25 all Oriental Bank of Corporation 46 —47 46i 7 25 5 Do. New ..• 100 25 Provincial of Ireland 10 all Do. New ••• 5 1 Royal Australn.Bkg. & Gold Imp Co „, 25 all south Australia 4O 42 25 all Union of Australia 67 68 ... 2i Do. New 7 7i 50 10 Union of L0nd0n..... „, MISCELLANEOUS 5 all Aubin Coal and Iron 25 171 1 Australian Agricult. 39 41 39 40 20 14 A ustralsn.Pcific. Mail ... 12 13 10 8 Australu. Royal Mail ,„ 10 4 Berlin Water Works 50 3E2 Brit. American Land 74 76 75 5 1 Brit. & Coln. Smeltg. and Reduction Co.. ... 100 321 Canada 75 80 77 5 5 Crystal Palace ll —— 1 i p6i 5 4 Do. New. 4 2 Crystal Pal.of France ... p 20 3 Eastern Steam — 25 20 Electrit Telegraph(A) 17 18 18 17i 25 all Do. (B) ••• 1 1 Electric Teleg. of Ir. 15 14 Gen. Steam Navigat. 20 18 General Screw Steam 20 Irish Beetyoot Sugar 20 10 Magdalena St. Navig. „, 1 all Nat. Pat. Steam Fuel 10 3 Netherlands Lamd 3 2 d 2 1 N. S. W. Coal & Inter. Steam Navigat. Co. 1 all N. B. Australasian... pm 1 Do. New — 20 10 Nrth.ofEuropeSteam 5 all Peel Rr. Ld. & Minrl. 4 d 4i 50 all Peninsular & Oriental 56 7 50 30 Do. Do. ... 34 2 all Portland Iron Co ip 100 60 Royal Mail Steam • 1 all Scot. Austral. Invest 25 25 South Austral. Land 36 38 1 all Submar. Telegraph Ad ipxd all Do. Registered — par 100 282 Van Diemen's Land 12i —13 i SCOTTISH CENTRAL RAILWAY.—Traftio return for the week ending March 5, 1854 £2,880 2 4 Corresponding week last year 2,428 12 0 Business this day. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.—Thunner. Owing to the attractions at Salisbury, the attendance at " The Corner" was very scanty. The only offer made, was to lay 25 to 1 to 501. against Acrobat for the Derby. It was stated that at the club, in the early part of the afternoon, 6,000 to 200 was laid against him. SALISBURY RACES-THURSDAY. Second Year of the THIRD WILTSHIRE TRIENNIAL STAKES for three-yrs-old. One mile and a half. Mr. Snewing's Dan Cupid by Orlando, Bst 41b, (H. Goater) w. o. The TRIAL STAKES of 10 sovs, each, with 50 added. Weight for age. One mile. Mr. T. Parr's Defiance, by Old England, 4 yrs, Bst 71b _ (Flatman) 1 Baron Rothschild's Orestes, 4 yrs, Bst 71b...(Simpson) 2 Mr. Powney's Cineas, 4 yrs, Bst 71b (Maton) 3 Mr. Sargent's The Queen's Own, 3 yrs, Est 101 b (Blake) 4 Mr. Rives's colt, by Cowl, out of Argan Lass, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b (J. Goater) 5 Betting-7 to 4on Cineas, 4to 1 agst Defiance. Won easily by two lengths • four lengths between second and third ; bad fourth. dowl colt beaten off. The WILTSHIRE STAKES, of 25 sow, each, 15 ft, and only 5 if declared, &c. ; with 1001. added ; the second to save his stake. Two miles. Mr. T. Parr's Trifle, 5 yrs, 7st 121 b (Flatman) 1 Mr. Saxon's Cleveland, 5 yrs, 6st 61b (Ashmall) 2 Mr. Magennis's Pantomim e , 4 yrs, 7st 51b ... (Wells) 3 Mr. H. Hill's Ireland Ey e , yrs, 7st 41b...(Castleman) 0 Mr. G. Drew's Vixen, 3 yrs, sst 21b (Coventry) 0 Mr. J. H. C. Wyndham's Bridesmaid, 3___yr! ! sst _ (Fordham) 0 Mr. J. Parker's Cheshire Marquis, 3 yrs, 4st 101 b (Alder) 0 Betting-2 to 1 agst Pantomime, 4to 1 agst Trifle, 6 to 1 each agst Vixen and Cleveland. Won by three-quarters of a length—three lengths be tween second and third. Bridesmaid was well up with Pantomime— Cheshire Marquis fifth, Vixen sixth, and Ireland's Eye last throughout. The winner pulled up lame. FIRST YEAR Of the SALISBURY BIENNIAL STAKES of 10 sovs. each, with 50 added, for two-year-olds. Half a mile. Mr. W. B. Bulkeley na Namur, by the Hero, .Bst 71b (A. Day) 1 Mr. Howard's c by Collingwood, out of Tarella, Bst 71b '(Wells) 2 Duke of Richmond's c by Robert de Gorham, out of Wilderness, Bst 71b (Flatman) 3 Mr. R. E. Cooper's f by Lanercost, out of Nun Apple ton, Bst 31b .................................(G. Manning) 4 Betting-7 to 4 agst Namur-2 to I agst Tarella colt- Won by a head ; Wilderness colt a bad third. The City Bowl did not fill. The weather was delightfully fine, the town full of visitors, and the attendance on the course very numerous. CROXTON PAR: ACCEPTANCES for the GR. mile and a half. RACES, APRIL 4. BY HANDICAP. About a Age st lb Red Lion Ethelwelf Lamartine 6 11 5 Poodle Titterstone (h b) 6 11 5 War wick Sackbut 5 11 2 Janet' 4 10 13 ACCEPTANCES for the GOLI Granby Handicap to carr; LamartineEthlweolf Age st lb 6 11 11 Titterstone (h b) 6 11 11 Sackbut 5 11 10 Cleveland Itch Age st lb Bourton a 10 13 Captain Flash ... 5 10 10 Georgy Peter Simple a 10 7 Gerard Star of England a 10 4 Drayton horse El Dorado 3 9 7 Cup. The winner of the 101 b extra. Two miles. Age st lb Janet'.... 4 11 4 Half-and-Half a 11 2 Gerard 5 10 12 Drayton horse Communist 3 9 3 Mr. Spence's St. Michael was struck out of all his engagements at 9.30 a.m., March the 9th. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SlR,—Pardon the liberty I take in soliciting your powerful aid, by communicating to the public the fol lowing simple but important mode of escape from dwelling•houses on fire, when all communication with the street-door or roof may be cut off from the inmates, or in localities where the regular fire escapes may be few and far between, or tardy in their arrival to save life. The plan I beg leave to suggest is in the possession of all, both rich and poor, and at all times at their immedi ate command. It is simply to take from a bed a quilt, blanket, or sheet, lower it through the window to police or people who may be on the street, requesting them to hold it out by the corners tight, and let those who feel inclined to save their lives drop down into it. By this simple means valuable lives might be saved from an awful death by fire, or being dashed to pieces upon the pavement.—l have the honour to be, sir, your humble and obedient servant, ARTHUR GUINESS. Brighton, March 9, 1854. THE MELBOURNE AND COLONIAL HOUSE INVESTMENT COMPANY.—The first annual meeting of the shareholders of this company was held at their offices, No. 13, Gres ham-street, yesterday. In the unavoidable absence of the chairman, Lord Drumlanrig, one of the directors, John Jamieson, Esq., was moved to the chair. The report read by the secretary, Mr. Wilson, explained in a full and satisfactory manner all the preliminary pro ceedings of the company, and stated that very extensive premises had been taken on lease at Bow ; contracts for the construction of various edifices had been con cluded, and extensive and gratifying orders had been offered both for the Australian and home trade. The directors, in consequence, obtained power at this meet ing to execute work for the home market, and their buildings may be extensively purchased for agricultural purposes, schools, churches, and stores, while for erec tions on doubtful or short leases they offer great advan tages, and will be extremely useful for fishing and hunt ing lodges. The retiring directors were re-elected, the necessary resolutions passed unanimously, and a sum of 500/. per annum was voted to the directors, who, how ever, declined to receive any remuneration until the company should be in a condition to pay a dividend. It was stated that no necessity would arise for a call on the shares for a considerable time. A vote of thanks being passed to the chairman, the meeting separated. THE ATTEMPTED MURDER IN A POLICE STATION. — Since the examination and committal of James Tucker, on the charge of firing a loaded pistol at Mr. Umpleby, with intent to murder him, some further facts have come to the knowledge of the police, which will be adduced in evidence on the trial of the prisoner, who, it appears, on being apprehended, in High-street, Shore ditch, was conveyed in a cab, guarded by the prosecutor (Mr. Umpleby) and metropolitan police-constable, G 193. During the transit the prisoner contrived, unseen by either the prosecutor or the officer, to secrete beneath the cushions the following articles, viz. :—A bullet mould, several balls that had every appearance of having been recently cast, a quantity of gunpowder, and a large clasp knife. On the driver of the cab hearing of the attempt that was made at the station-house, he searched the vehicle and discovered the articles enumerated above, which he at once took to the station house in Smithfield, and de livered them to Mr. Cole, the inspector on duty. The bullets have been tried, and found to fit the bore of the pistol exactly, so that the prisoner's statement, relative to the gunsmith returning the weapon loaded, falls to the ground. Other . facts h ave come to the knowledge of the police, but m the present state of the affair it is considered advisable to observe a strict silence. THE QUEEN'S COLLUGES IN IRELAND.—It is an nounced that through the influence of Lord Clarendon, her Majesty's Foreign Secretary, who is also the Chan cellor of the Queen's University, a communication has been made to the President of the Belfast College to recommend some young g en tl emen, o f a p prove d apti tude for the acquisition of foreign languages, who are or have been students in the college, for appointments to public offices under the Government at Hong Kong. The salary which will be allotted to those who may be successful is 2001. a year, to commence on their arrival in China, their passage being provided at the public expense. Their advancement in the public employment in China will depend entirely on the ability and steadi ness which they may manifest in conducting the affairs which may be committed to their charge. TIE BRAZILIAN MAILS.—SOUTHAMPTON, Thursday. —The Thames, Captai▪ n Strutt, belonging to the Royal Mail Company, left this afternoon with the usual monthly Brazilian !nails. She h as t a k en f or ty- e ight passengers, 1 0 , 0001 . in specie and jewellery, and an aver age cargo. EAST INDIA RAILWAY COMPANY. —There appears some misunderstanding as to the nature of the contract recently entered into between th e E ast I n di a H ouse an d the East India Railway Company, many persons sup posing that in the event of the railway company being unable to raise the whole of the required capital, those shareholders who pay their subscripti ons w ill b e m ul c t e d in their interest or otherwise prejudi ce d. Th e c ontra c t, h o w e ver, is quite expli▪ cit upon that point, and the only penalty to which the railway company are liable, in the event of any failure on their part, either to find the capi tal or make and work the railway, is a cancelment of the contract by the East India Company upon repayment of the capital which may have been previously raised. Independently of the security afforded to the shareholders by this arrangement, the company have the power at any time after any portion of the line shall have been opened to the public for three months to resign the whole of the works to the Government, and to claim their capital in full. NOTTINGHAM TRADE.—We have no alteration to report in the state of trade from our last weeks' state ment. The improvement in the glove trade is confirmed ; and several German buyers have appeared upon 'Change during the week, the avant couriers of those daily ex- I petted, whose coming the unsettled staU of the affairs of Europe has undoubtedly delayed, and even rendered I doubtful. Both lace and hosiery are therefore as be fore ; and it will be recollected that w e ann ounced a certain degree of activity in the home trade as having set in. We regret to observe that in the Preston fax • tory districts things are assuming a formidable aspect. On the 3d inst., a proclamation was issued by the ma gistrates, in which the public meetings of operatives were proclaimed down, and in consequence of the riotous condition of the populace, all persons were warned against collecting in numbers in the public streets. Another proclamation of the 6 th inst., intimates that in Iconsequence of attacks on the strangers from Ireland and elsewhere proceeding to their work, these operatives will be escorted thither by the military. We trust that no collision may ensue.--Nottinghamshire Guardian. 7 3 8 2s. 20i 100 20 all all 10 all 20 20 20 104 THE MAIL CONTRACT SYSTEM. The fact of the mail contract system, so far as concerns the manner in which it has hitherto been carried out, having been finally extinguished has afforded great satis faction. The details of the plan for the new Australian service, stated at the meeting of the General Screw Com pany on Monday, show that for the future the conditions of such arrangements are to assume an entirely different character, and that, although the business is not to be put on the basis of complete freedom, as near an approach has been made to it as could have been ex pected, looking to the long previous errors by which the sudden adoption of perfect principles have been rendered almost impracticable. Instead of giving an enormous bounty in the shape of a fi xe d annua l amount, ex tending, as in some cases, for more than a third of a generation, and from the payment of which there can be no escape, a method i s now adopted by which, while the contracting company are put out of all fear of losing their bargain so long as they fulfil it properly, the Go vernment will have the ability to terminate it, in case of need, at any moment. Up to the present time, the re sults of the contract system have been-1, to prevent economy and enterprise on th e part of the favoured undertakings, by rendering their subsidy indepen dent of any progress beyond the speed or accommo dation originally stipulated ; 2, to crush all compe tition, by enabling . them to opp ose new lines by running on terms which,. without th e su b s i dy, would leave a loss ; 3, to stimulate other nations to place their vessels on the same footing, thus giving rise to that worst form of political contest in which the victory depends on the strength of national treasures ; 4, to excite dissatisfaction in the several dependencies of the empire by an expenditure of public money on different colonies, not in proportion to the population and t ra d e of each, but a cc o r ding to the fancies of the Minister for the time being, the natural streams of trade and emi gration being thus interfered with by undue . facilities in particular directions ; and, finally to give the Chan cellor of the Exchequer and the First Lord of the Admiralty the virtual control of nearly 1,000,000 ster ling per annum to be bestowed on such persons con nected with steam operations as might be able to bring greatest influence to bear. By the new plan, howevet, . all this will be e n d e d. Th e propose d remunera ti on to consist of half the postage receipts, and the contract is to be determinable from year to year, with an arrange ment that if it be withdrawn within five years a certain fine, ranging from 30,0001. for the first year down to 10,0001. for the fifth, shall be paid by the Government, this security being considered neces slay to render it worth while for any company to *$ dertake the first outlay of establishing an extensive line. The great advantage, therefore, of the reform is, that it will prevent costly steam fleets being denied to some colonies, and given to others whose commerce is insufficient to pay for them, inasmuch as it will not admit of any lines being formed except in proportion to the temptation of the postal receipts, while the power of withdrawal at any early date by a rational fine is also a vital recommendation. With this proviso, whatever alterations may come from the extension of science or of the general views of the people as to the propriety of the Government interfering in such matters, instead of leaving the mercantile community to send their corre spondence by such vessels as under the stimulus of open profits will carry them fastest and cheapest, the door will always be open for an immediate remedy. Under these circumstances, looking at the gigantic dimensions to which the old monopolies had attained, the mischief the country must yet sustain from them for several years, and the powerful city and Parliamentary influence by which they were upheld, there is not only reason for strong congra tulation on what has been effected, but also at the fresh instance which has at the same time been afforded of the determination of the Government, even in affairs which are too dry to attract much popular discussion, to act for the interests of the community, instead of being blindly led by the routine sophistries of those whose only claim to be considered authorities consists in the extent of their interest in preventing all improve. went.--Times. DARIEN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. A gentleman writing from " Off Carthegena, New Granada," gives the following account of the expedi tion of the exploring party unde r Captain Prevost • " Captain Prevost visted me at Li ma ; the first sight. of him was sufficient to show how poignantly he felt the loss of his four gallant fellows who had fallen a sacrifice to the murderous treachery of the Indians, and the misrepresentations of others in regard to the character of these savages. The poor fellows had been his constant companions, and were the best men of the ship. The party pulled 223 miles up the river Savanna, until the boats could get up no further. They then cut through almost impenetrable forest and passed over a swamp. They were tormented by swarms of mosquitoes and other venomous insects. They passed 26 measured miles, and encountered ravines and moun tain ridges. They came to a rapid and large river flowing north-east, but with a very tortuous course. They mea sured one fall of 600 feet, and found an inclination of 45' to 60° ! This, alone, would give 600 feet perpendicular elevation above the sea. They went as far as their means would admit, but, although they were on a mountain and ascended a high tree, their view towards the At. lantic was intercepted by other mountains and ranges. On my arrival at the city of Aspinwall (Navy Bay) I found that some of the officers of the United States man-if-war Cyani had arrived from Escocis. The whole party appeared to be most indignant. Finally, on ar riving at Carthegena a French sloop of war came in, accompanied by the Imperial French steamer Chimere. The Chirnere was the French part of the expedition, and they had left much disgusted. I passed from Panama to Aspinwall in six hours and a half, including 32 miles of railway in two hours. The whole line from wharf in the Pacific to wharf in the Atlantic will be open in July next, and the entire transit two hours and a half." The Aspinwall (Navy Bay) Courier contains a letter from one of the United States' officers sent on the joint exploring expedition. The letter is dated, " United States ship Cynia, Caledonia-bay, New Granada, Jan. 27." The writer says :—" We arrived here on the 18th. Captain Hollins held a grand ' pow-wow' with some 15 or 16 chiefs. At first they were very averse to our land ing on the isthmus, and absolutely refused to give their consent ; they at length, however, consented that we should land, but only for the purpose of reoonnoitering the proposed route of the ship canal. On the 19th, a party of 28, men and officers, principally from this ship, well armed, and provisioned for ten days, landed under command of Lieutenant Strain. On the 24th four of the party returned, having penetrated a distance of 20 miles into the interior. These latter started next morning, with a reinforcement of ten men and extra pro visions. The report of the said returned party is not at all favourable to the prospect for a ship canal—for they estimated, on a fair calculation, that the eleva tion of the lowest points over which they passed is about 1,000 feet in height. They followed the Caledonia river, and you can judge the size of the stream, when the party walked up the bed of the river all the way. The English brig of war Espiegle arrived on the 19th, having on board Mr. Gisborne, Dr. Cullen, and a party of English engineers detached to survey a route for the proposed ship canal. On the 20th the English survey schooner Scorpion and the French steamer Chimere arrived, the steamer having on board a party for the canal route survey, and the schooner being intended for the survey of this harbour. The Eng lish and French party, combined, started on the 24th. On that day a party of five, detached from Strain's party, returned to the ship, and reported the obstacles and hardships which they had encountered. They stated they had left Strain and his party in the mountain, 18 miles distant. They left the ship again with a reinforcement of 10 men and 10 days' extra pro visions, under charge of Lieutenant Fauntleroy. While I write I see detachments of the French and English party returning to their vessels, and am i n f orme d t h ey have come after provisions. A glance at the letter of Lieutenant Fauntleroy, who overtook the English party the day after he left, fully indicates that their own con elusion upon the premises acquired thus far is that the route is impracticable." THE WAR—NEUTRAL VESSELS. dis• The following copy of a despatch from the Foreign office, in answer to an application made by the British Consul at Riga, who, at the instance of the merchants of that city, had requested information relative to " what respect would be paid by British cruisers, in the event of war, to bona fide British property, the produce of Russia, if shipped on board neutral vessels," was circu lated at the Baltic Coffee-house yesterday afternoon : " Foreign-office, Feb. 6. " The Earl of Clarendon has had under his considera tion your despatch of the 26th ult., enclosing a copy of a e a o t f letter from —, of Riga, requesting to be informedev' w nt h respect would be paid by British c r uisers , in of R uss i a, . in the war, to bond fide British property, _e pr if shipped on board neutral vessels. I . am . to acquaint yo u , in reply, that property of t he description in question—the produce of Russia, and exported therefrom by and on ac count of a British merchant domiciled and trading there —although purchased before the war, and exported to England, would not be respected by her Majesty's cruisers, unless in purs uance of a license, or some sp ec i a l instruc tions from her Maj est y to the officers of her navy. "By the law and practice of nations, a belligerent has a right to consider as enemies all persons who reside in a hostile country, or who maintain commercial establish ments therein ; whether these people be by birth neutral, a llies, enemies, or fellow-subj ec t s, the property of such persons exported from such countries is therefore res kos tium, and, as such, lawful prize of war : such property will be considered as a prize, although its owner is a na tive-born subject of the captor's country, and although it may be in transition to that country; and its being laid on board a neutral ship will not protect the property. You will therefore inform whom it may concern that, in the event of war, the property will not be protected by the consular certificate, or by any other document, but will be liable to capture and condemnation as prize." FIRE AT SHREWSBURY.—Late on Wednesday night an extensive fire took place at Mr. Clune's timber-yard, Shrewsbury, by which property to the value of from 2,0001. to 3,0001. was completely destroyed. The in. habitants, who had assembled to the number of several thousands, lent their aid in carrying all the light timber and laths from the yard ; and it was certainly gratifying to see the higher classes of the clergy mingling with the poorest operatives in their unanimous endeavour to save as much property as possible. The fire was finally extinguished about five o'clock yesterday morn ing, having lasted upwards of eight hours. It is the largest fire that has occurred in Shrewsbury for the last fifteen years. We understand th e greater part o f t h e i property destroyed s insured in the 6alop Fire Office. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCII. NORFOLK CIRCUIT.—AYLESBURY, Maui TII➢ BURNIAM 1101111111. • - On Wednesday, after some additiomil rtOiridence , case for the p rosecut i on closed, and at I o'clock the court adjourned. At the opening of the court this morning, some con versation took place between the court and counsel, and thereupon there was called for the prosecution, Robert James Eckford—l am clerk to Mr. Chareley, the coroner who held the inquest on the body of Mary Ann Sturgeon. The prisoner was examined Ms a witness on the second day of the inquiry. His evidence was taken down then and read over to him. He signed the paper on which it was written. This paper now s h own to me is the paper, an d th e signature is his. The paper was then read as follows :—" I live with Mr. Goodwin in the capacity of groom. Mr. Goodwin left home at 6, and returned a little after 11 last evening. I was in the kitchen when he returned. I had my sup per between 8 and 9. The deceased was there part of the time. She went into the house. I went to bed as soon as I had my supper. About a quarter before 11 I Ond a noise, like a rumbling, against a door. I then lgy Oown, and in about a quarter of an hour afterwards I heard the dogs barking. I got up and called to Bunce, the foreman, and he got up. There were some colts loose in the yard. We walked round the premises, but could not see nor hear any one. I then went and tried the passage-door, near to the kitchen, where I was, and it was fastened, and there I remained till Mr. Goodwin came in. He came shortly afterwards. I told him that as the dogs had been barking we went to see if any one was about the premises. Mr. Good- win went in at the door on the north front. Ido not know of any door being unfastened. I used to have words with the deceased, because she wished me to do more work than I thought I could do. I got wet in going round the yard, and changed my clothes. After Mr. Goodwin came home, I assisted to take water upstairs to put the fire out, which was in the maid -servant's room. I then saw the body lying with the legs off and burnt, and blood against the door. I threw gravel up at the window of the decease's room before Mr. Goodwin came home, but I could not hear her. Ido not know anything of the poker produced. There was a light in the deoeased's room. The blind of the window was down. Ido not know that she had any followers." Mr. Parry then addressed the jury for the prisoner. He censured the omission of the magistrates to investi gate the guilt of the prisoner, whereby the latter was deprived of an opportunity of preparing his defence with a full knowledge of the evidence against him. The experiments made a few days ago as to the possibility of persons in the prisoner's bed-room hearing cries in the passages and on the staircase were based on the fallacious assumption that the deceased must have screamed many times after receiving the first blow ; and, were it other wise, the experience of persons who listened for sounds they expected was no evidence that similar sounds would have reached and roused a person in the same pl ace i n a sound sleep. The blood marks on the kitchen side, if blood marks, might have been made by the prisoner, or any one else, after the discovery of the murder. The loss of the razors the prisoner might have heard of from his master, for his master had discovered it before the inter view of the prisoner and Mrs. Bunce. The matter of the keys was cophtined. The suggested inference from what took place at Maidenhead station had failed. Then as to the main facts of the case, the prisoner's story was not only not inconsistent with all the facts, but alto gether consistent with them. He had never varied in substance from that statement. The only words even approaching a confession were spoken to Symington, while the prisoner was excited by the jeers of a mob. On the other hand, it was remarkable, as showing the prisoner's truthfulness, that he had said the de ceased had no followers, and so had negatived one suggestion that otherwise might have been made favourable to him. It was remarkable in this case that no evidence was given of the state of the prisoner's clothes in respect of bloodstains or other signs of strife. The trousers which were exposed to the fire to dry were not produced, nor any account given of them. How was that ? They were the fit objects of experiments. The wetting the trousers in the pool in the yard was shown in reference to that. Then no motive for the mur der was shown. The little bickerings between fellow servants were no such motive • especially as his master had just raised his wag es . There was no vindictive ex pression proved, and no complaint to the master by her was shown. The learned counsel concluded his address by invoking the assistance of the Almighty at their deci sion. The Lord Chief Justice then summed up, and left two questions to the jury —first, did the deceased meet her death by the violence of a third person ; secondly, was the prisoner the person who inflicted that violence upon her. The rule as to circumstantial evidence which he wished to lay down was that it must be composed of some uncontested circumstances, inconsistent with the inno cence of the person accused. It was the duty of the jury to consider whether it was possible for any one else to have committed the crime, because that consideration necessarily arose from a review of the facts which tended to show the prisoner's opportunities for committing the offence, and privity to it. His lordship then read the evidence through, commenting on it as he went on, and expressed his approval of the experiments which had been made in respect of the voices. At the conclusion of the summing up the jury retired, and at half-past five returned into court, and delivered a verdict of guilty, and his lordship proceeded to pass sen tence in the usual terms. LA W INTELLIGENCE. —March 9. ~Y~ 1I ~~F-•; CONSISTORY COURT.Imirt (Before Dr. Lushington.) MITCHELL v. MITCHELL.—DIVOSCI. This was a suit for a divorce, promoted by Mr. Mit chell, against his wife, by reason of adultery. The parties had been married on the Ist of July, 1848, at Hong Kong, where Mr. Mitchell was the chief ma gistrate. Mrs. Mitchell had been a widow, of the name of Kirby, and she had had one child by her former mar riage, but there had been no issue from her second ma tritnonial connexion. The parties had resided at Hong Kong until the end of December, 1851, when Mrs. Mitchell came to England with Dr. and Mrs. Stuart, and she took up her abode with her child at the house of a lady to whom her husband had previously written to receive her. With this lady she only stayed a few weeks, and in June, 1852, she removed to a boarding house, 35, Weymouth -street. It was at this place that she was charged with the commission of two acts of adultery, the proof in the one case being direct, and in the other depending upon the inference which the law placed upon certain conduct and acts. The person with whom she was charged with having been impro perly intimate was Coricoz, styling himself the Prince of Armenia, who was lodging at the same house, and against whom a verdict of 7501. had been obtained by Mr. Mitchell in an action of crim. con. Dr. Haggard, on behalf of the husband, was proceed ing to detail the pleadings, when Dr. Lushington stopped the case, observing that after a careful perusal of all the evidence, he could aot en tertain the least doubt that the offence had been satisfactorily proved against Mrs. Mitchell. The court, therefore, at once pronounced for the divorce. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT. Mr. Commissioner Murphy sat to-day in consequence of the indisposition of Mr. Commissioner Phillips. IN THE MATTER OP TMOMAS SMITH. This insolvent, a corn dealer at Waltham-cross, ap plied for his final order. Mr. Dowse opposed for Messrs. Birkett, corn mer chants, Mark-lane ; and Mr. Ernest Reed supported. The complaint was, that. the insolvent had disposed of his property, and instead of paying the money into court, spent it on himself. It appeared that the insolvent had made an offer to his creditors, which they refused, and the money went in the support of himself and family. Mr. Dowse submitted that it was not a case for pro tection. Here was a man who had disposed of his pro perty, and when he had spent the proceeds he appli e d to the court. He should have paid it into court. Mr. Reed asked what a man was to do ? The credi tors refused the offer made, and the applicant was obliged to support his wife and family. Mr. Commissioner Murphy said he found a case in Mr. Macrae's "Insolvency Protection Practice," which was nearly all fours with the present. •In that case a man went to the seaside, and did not apply to the court till his money was all gone, and the commissioners did not consider it was a case for protection. As the amount in the case made away with was not considerable, the judgment would not be heavy, but in order to mark the sense of the court of such conduct the final order would be adjourned sine die, with liberty to the insolvent to apply for a protecting order in a month. ;4The consideration of the final order was accordingly 4mrned sine die. ----- THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BALTIC. SHIELDS, MARCH B.—The harbour-masters have received instruc tions to clear away berths in Shields harbour for two French war vessels, which are expected every tide. They oome down here to make arrangements for coaling the large war steamers that will be sent by the French into the Baltic in the spring, along with our fleet. An Eng lish war vessel is also expected in the Tyne. BURKE'S PEERAGE AND BARONETAGE roe 1854.—We are requested to state that the revised and improved edition of " The Peerage and Baronetage for 1854," by Sir Bernard Burke Ulster Kin of-Arms, is published this day. The following is a lis g- t of the principal con tents of this standard work :-1. A full and interesting history of each order of the English nobility, showing its origin, rise, titles, immunities, privileges, &o. 2. A. complete memoir of the Queen and Royal Family, form ing a genealogical history of the Sovereign of this coun try, and deducing the descent of the Plantagenet', Tudors, Stuarts, and Guelphs, through their various ramifications. To this section is appended a list of those peers who inherit the distinguished honour of quartering the royal arms of Plantagenet. 3. An authentic table of precedence. 4. A perfect history of all the peers and baronets, with the fullest details of their ancestors and descendants, and particulars respecting every collateral member of each family, and all intermarriages, 5. The spiritual lords. 6. Foreign noblemen, subjeete by birth of the British crown. 7. Peerage s recently extinct, of the families of which descendants , still Bur wive. 8. Peerages claimed. 9. Surnames o f peers and peeresses, with heirs appal;ent amd preutraptive. 10. Courtesy titles of eldest sons. 11 . Peerage!' of the three kingdoms, in order of precedence. 12. Bk rone e 4 in order of precedence. 13. Privy Councillors of Eng. land and Ireland. 14. Daughters of peers married to commoners. 15. All the orders of knighthood, with e very knight and all the knights bachelors. 16. Mottoe; translated, with poetical illustrations, /cc & A , .1 • 111 ' I ' ' . -:--.,- ...- -./.....,. i ':: . ... ;,.. It P.' . "-, th 6, )f the ND the id, ete 8/ 2i3 6j 25 50 20 26i 13A 20 20 St. 10 St. 25 20 20 50 20 5 10 St. 5 100 100 100 100 100 all 100 15 8i 8 10 25 10 1.0.6 55 8 15} 62/ i 35 99 86 106 7 9i 16t i