The Sun. — London, England, 1854-01-26 00:00:00

4 ccf44 , , • 7 . * Z: 7 1) ' 1Z THEATRE ROYAL DRURY-LANE . Lemseo. Mr. E. T. Smith. THIS EVENING, JAN. 26, Will be presented PAUL 4. LiZA.RRO ; or, The Ladrone's Daugh ter. Characters by Messrs. G. Bennett, G. Wild, Lee, Belton, and T. Mead ; and Miss Featherstone. To conclude with KING lIUMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Land of Toys. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Enekstone THIS EVENING, JAN. 26, Will be performed THE LADY OF LYONS. Characters by Messrs. Howe, H. Corri, Rogers, Chippendale, George Vandenhoff, and Miss Reynolds. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, called HARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR: ; or, Little Silverhalr and the Fairies. Columbine, Miss M. Brown; Harlequin, Mr. J. Marshall: Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. CaAmara KzArr. THIS EVENING, JAN. 26, Will be performed THE LANCERS; or, The Gentleman's Son. Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, H. Mellon, and D. Fisher; Mrs. Winstanley, Miss Daly, and ,Liss C. Leclereq. After which will be preemted the new Grand CEIRISTMAS PAN TOKIME, entitled /I A.RLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND HIS MEN; or, King Salamandar and the Fairy of the Azure Lake. Harlequin. Mr. Connack ; Clown, Mr. feline; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestrls. THIS EVENING, JAN. 26, Will be performed A BACETELOR OF ARTS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker; Miss F. Hughes. After which, the original Fairy Extravaganza, called ONCE UPON A'TIME THERE WERE TWO KINGS. Principal cha racters by Mr. Wright and Madame Vestris. To conclude with PATTER VERSUS CLATTER. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI, Proprietor, Mr. B. Weboter.—Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, JAN. 25, Will be presented the highly , Popular New Nautical Melo-drama, w ith new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., new I n five taoleaus, d called THE THIRST' OF GOLD; or, THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. l T re tl ss E es LOST SKIP an d anPni ntm s nts p . Principal ~,,aWebster, chara c t e rs by Messrs. B. Keeley, Paul Bedf o rd, 0. Selby, c"y,P—ar-selle, Marsden, &c. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Masitell, &c. To be followed by the popular and entirely New Grand Specta cular legen dary Christmas piece, i n t wo acts, with new scenery, dresses• machinery, and appointm en t s, called NUMBER. NIP, or Tat; SPIRIT REEDS. Priacipal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Miss M. Keeley, Miss Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding ; Messrs. Paul Bedford, J. Rogers, Bonier, G. Lee, &c. ROYAL OLYMPIC TIIEA.TRE. Lessee and Afanager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, JAN. 23, Will he perf,rmed 111 E FIRS t Characters by Messrs Alfred Wigan, Leslie, T.indon, llarwoo Cooper, and Vincent ; Miss P. Horton, and Miss Wyndham. After which, TUE BENGAL TIGER. Principal characters by Alirtd Wigan, Leslie, anki k . Robson ; and airs A. Wigan. Followed by THE WANDERING MINSTREL. STR .I.ND THE,ITRE. Sole Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Rebecca Isaacs THIS' EVENING, JAN. 26, Will be perforinc,l Fl I.:BC:HU Principal character, Ills? Rebecca Isaacs. To be followed by THE VIRGINIAN MUMMY. Afte - which. a new grand Comic Christi - nag P.Lutomim3 entitled n. tiZI,EQUEN ATV KINL) Nurcit‘CKKlt; or, Ths, World of Tovs. Clowu, by •he inimitable Pleat - I:Lore ; ILLrlequin, Mr. Bolo4na ; Pantilool, Mr. Gridithi; ColuatMae, Jfies (l)ward. Stalls, 53.; Boxes, 3i.; Pit. ; gallery, ; Private Boxes, li. 111. 6d., to be bad of Mr. Alleroft, 15, New Bond-street. ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIOgAL AMP LITT lIENTRT. Lessee art.l Manager, Mr. Willi.tm Cooke. Fourth Appearance of Miss KATE COOKE since her return from the Continent. The There nightly crowde.l to overilowing attests its matchless a:tractions. TIIIS EVENING, JAN. 26, (And during the week) To commence with the Gra.i,t Chinese Spectacle, THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF TILE. EAST, or THE MAGIC GONG, in wh;ch Mr William Cooke's extraordinary Frit:nct Elephants appear. Followed by a R the Routine of Scenes of Equestrian:3ra in Til A.R.ENA. supported by the. Elite of Europe's Equestrian Artistes. Coneuling with Mr. W. Coalte'si immensely successful COMIC PAN rotting, written expressly for this Theatre, by Mr. NELION LEE, entithd BILLY HU(' fON'A „iOLTItNE.Y TO BRENTFORD; or, Harlequin and the Lalies' Favourite. New scenery, dro=ses, decorations. and appointments, magnificent Car of Industry, &c. Harlequin, Mr. IL Hemmings ; Columbine, Mille Christine; Pantaloon, Mr. Lehman; and Two Clowns, Mr. C. Adams awl Mr. Croueste ; Sprites, Masters Gee and Braibury. R ,c-xilee open from Eleven till Four. Stage 'Manager, Mr. W. v, est. GIT WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. ni:4 DA —Morning 37 min after 11 EveniinT 0 min.afr- 0 T.:-M l omftow Morning 10 min.aft e r 12 Evening 44 , nin..trt. 12 THE WEATFIER.—sux 02Ftrm, J. 26. THERMOMETEri, TN THE SHADE. 50 —highest since noon yesterday. 41 --lowest this morning and during the night. 50 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30'44 —a great rise. WIND, W.—Blowing fresh with plenty of scud in the forenoon, but now fine, clear, sunshiny weather. LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1851. We have already pointed out (in our impres sion of Tuesday) some of the serious disadvantages to which JOHN CHARLES TAPNER was exposed in the preliminary investigation, as well as in the more solemn inquiry in open Court, which termi nated in his condemnation to death. We could n6t, however, explain all the difficulties to which he was exposed. It must be borne in mind that he was arrested on the charge on the morning of the 20th October. From that time he was kept in strict seclusion, not allowed the use of fire, can dles, or writing materials, unable to communicate with any person, or to receive the advice and counsel so urgently required in his awful situation. In that state he remained until the ninth day, endur ing the most fearful privations, although ignorant of what was laid to his charge. His mind was then considered sufficiently shaken to be in a fitting state for the intellectual torture that was about to be applied. His accusers were not, however, idle during the interval. In the first place, they had the answers wrung from him by the constables—. one an attorney of considerable standing and ex perience, who anticipated the duty of the Court by subjecting the prisoner to a very stringent ex amination before his committal to prison, and without giving the slightest intimation of the nature of the accusation against him. Then came the examination of the witnesses whom the in dustry and zeal of the constables could discover. Their examinations, which were not made in the presence of the prisoner, were directed to find out .grounds of suspicion against him. Everything unfavourable was carefully taken down, while there was no one on his behalf to note favourable circumstances, or detail any discrepancies in the depositions. All this time the examining Magis trates, who afterwards sat as Judges on the trial, were receiving the most unfavourable impressions against the unfortunate accused. Not restricting themselves to legal evidence, they received hear-say statements, and even the guesses that might be hazarded by any of the witnesses, so that before TAPNER was called on to answer, when worn out and exhausted by the unwonted depreciation of every comfort, their opinions had been formed as to his guilt, and the result of the further investigation was but a foregone con clusion. On the 28th of October, he was sub jected to the interr ogatory, and no less than 130 questions were put to him ; questions, too, which, as his able and zealous advocate declared, in his indignant and manly repr e h ens i on of the iniquit ous system, " were not consecutive, but jumped from one subject to another, in a way that could not fail to puzzle him, and involve him in contra dictions." This plan was continued until the 11th November, when the prisoner was finally e mu _ witted for trial, during which time no less than seventy witnesses were examined against him, and he was himself interrogated on four different occasions, viz., the 28th and 29th of October, and 10th and 11th of November. Even after being committed for trial, he was three times in terrogated in like manner. Can we wonder if, with his mind thus harassed, his frame weakened by privation, his nervous system shaken, he should have suffered himself to be drawn into "injurious ' contradictions, and criminating admissions ?" Without being at all guilty, he might be betrayed into statements from which very dangerous in ferences might be drawn by persons prejudiced against the prisoner, and whose minds were fully made up as to his guilt. Nor did his difficulties terminate with the pre liminary investigation. Had the crime been committed even in Jersey, the accused would have been entitled to a trial by Jury, to have the inquiry on which his fate in this world depended, conducted before twelve unprejudiced and impar tial men. But such is not the case in Guernsey. There the " Trial by Jury," the great Palladium of British liberty, the protection against unjust and unwarranted charges," is unknown. Every- THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 26, 1854. thing, even the lives of the inhabitants are handed over to the tender mercies of the Jturats, none of whom could be challenged by the prisoner, save on special motives, which should be set forth in writing. A n d yet some of these very funds who were to decide the great question of life or death, had acted as magistrates in the first instance, had been cognisant of the illegal evidence, the hear say testimony received, and had made up their minds even before the prisoner's advocate had the oppor tunity of being heard in his defence. Mr. FALLA protested strenuously agains t this grievous injustice. He boldly declared that if he had the power of gene ral challenge, "he would certainly exercise it, with respect to the magistrates who had sat in the examin ing court, and who had allowed themselves to be come acquainted with the illegal depositions which had formed theground of the prisoner's committal," and designated the system as " a blot on the cha racter of the island, which had been specially re probated by the Royal Commissioners in 1846." And yet it was by such means that one of her MAJESTY'S subjects, while engaged in her service, has been condemned to an ignominious and pain ful death. We do not w i s h t o c h arge th ese gent l emen w i t h being desirous of unfairly convicting the prisoner, but they were necessarily biassed. They could not, even with the best intentions, divest their minds of the injurious impressions received during that preliminary inquiry, in which it was their business to ferret out the evidences of his guilt, and place it in such order as to insure his subse quent conviction. It is not in accordance with human nature that they should do so. We know the quick and technical sense of felony by which Crown prosecutors, policemen charged with the conduct of a prosecution, and even committing magistrates, are actuated. They reverse the ordi nary principle, and conceive, not that guilt is to be established, but that innocence is to be clearly proved. And yet an Englishman is condemned by means of a system which appears founded on very ancient precedent, but opposed to all modern notions of justice. " Onosius Ivec Rhadamanthus habet durissima regna," Castigatque audit que dolos, subigitque fateri." They make up their minds to the punishment be fore hearing the accused, and " subig itque fateri" they enforce a confession, or at least something that may be twisted into a criminating admission, by a species of moral torture. We find the conduct on the trial bearing out his view of the case. The bailiff, an accom plished and able lawyer, very clearly and distinctly explained the various points of evidence, pointing out the matters that were involved, in doubt, and which could not legitimately be taken to bear against the prisoner. After his elaborate charge, which lasted nine hours, the Jurats, without the slightest deliberation or consideration, delivered judgments—previously written out—and in many instances founded on matters which the bailiff in his charge informed them were not proved. Thus practically ignoring the assistance that they might have derived from that impartial Judge. We have thus pointed out briefly—for our space materially restricts us in this matter—some of the flagrant grievances to which the prisoner was subjected, and which, under all the circumstances of the case, should prevent the execution of the sentence, even if his guilt was thereby established as clear as noonday. We say that his death would lie neithermore nor less than an act of legal murder, for be it remembered that such is the jealousy of the British law, that if a man condemned to death Le executed by any other than the proper officer, or in the mode prescribed by his sentence, it Would be an act of murder. But there is another and even a stronger point in his favour, which is, that despite all these disadvantages, and supposing that his own interrogatory were fairly admitted against him, he could not have been justly convicted of the crime. The circumstances, however suspicious, are not so conclusive to warrant a hostile verdict. It :oust be borne in mind that there was not a particle of direct testimony, not even a strong presumption ; all were light presumptions, which might be ex plained, and many were by no means established in proof. Under all circumstances, then, we feel that this is a case where the Royal Prerogative should be interposed in favour of the prisoner— not on the ground of any general objection to capital punishments—but, firstly, because a fair trial was not given to the prisoner; and, secondly, because his guilt was not by any means clearly or satisfactorily established beyond the possibility of reasonable doubt. While thousands are on strike because they are discontented with their wages, others can get neither work nor wages. It is a fact, of which some instances have come to our personal know ledge, that many industriously disposed and steady workmen cannot get work. Good as trade may be in most branches, all of them are not equally prosperous. Operatives, like the hand loom weavers, nearly superseded by machinery, and unable to turn to other employments, and agricultural labourers in many districts, from which emigration has not thinned off the best liands, are frequently imperfectly employed. In bad weather the latter are often sent home by the farmer, who, if an improving one, may then find it difficult to employ them ; and, if one of the old school, has literally nothing for them to do. It is lucky, indeed, for them if the bad weather happens to be drifting snow, as railways and roads may then need their services. When we hear of the wages in agricultural districts, at all times low enough, it should always be inquired whether in-door work is provided when out-door work is impossible ; if not, this may reduce the pay, perhaps by one-sixth, taking the year through. There is no class more deserving to be pitied, and none with whom we believe sympathy is more generally felt, than those who would gladly work hard for something above out-door relief allowance, but who through various circumstances cannot find scope for their industry. To thousands in this position it is useless to talk of migration or emigration ; they want the pecu niary means or the knowledge, or the mental c-apacity, or bodily vigour —it may be they want all ; they can but plod, and they are willing to plod ; they can dig, perhaps, and to dig they are not ashamed ; they can throw the shuttle, and are willing to do it, but steam can beat them at that. What are they to do ? What, especially, when the wages they can earn at the present price of fuel and food, even if it be a fraction better than parish pay, is not sufficiently better to pay for the additional nourishment which labour, compared with idleness, requires ? It is in times like the present (exceptional times we hope, through the mercy of PROVIDENCE) that the necessarily rigid terms of Poor-law re lief must be administered under the guidance of kindly, as well as prudential, considerations. It is, no doubt, most essential that some stringent and impartial test should guard the legal national charity from imposition. As legal charity, how ever, practically diminishes voluntary charity, so much it should endeavour, as far as possible, to compensate to the truly needy for that of which, to a large extent, it deprives them. Those who receive money relief " out of the house" ought to receive an amount fully proportioned to the enhanced price of corn, and of fuel, too, at this time of the year ; the latter being as indispen ,;able to mere animal existence as food itself, it being now so fully established that deficiency of the one must be balanced by increase of the other. The temporary, as we trust, high prices of food and fuel bring with them much of the difficulty o f an extensive slackness of employment ; a diffi culty felt wherever any kind of work will not afford high wages, while the wages previously were but just equal to the support of the work man. The good sense and good feeling of the local boards of guardians can alone be relied on here. They may take counsel with the Commis sioners, but it is utterly impossible that any central commissioners can have adequate know ledge of local peculiarities in times of difficulty. If Somerset-house will be the sun of the Poor law system, it must yet consent to find the whole country a prism exhibiting the original light in very diverse colours. May we- , t Dr"- . y not p ro p er l y appea l , t oo , t o Mi n i s t ers o f Religion of all denominations, and to the denomi nations themselves, at times like the present ? We know but too well how voluntary as well as legal charity ,may be grossly abused ; we detest, more over, above all things, " soup-and-blanket " pro selytism, as Mr. LUCAS justly stigmatised it. We remember the abominable impositions during the horrible famine in Ireland ; yet is charity to the poor a pre-eminently Christian virtue, one which the bast ordered legal charity must always leave scope for, especially in emergencies like these ; and it is the virtue, moreover, which more than sermons and services commends religion to the multitude. The people are quick to discover whether attention to their wants is the off spring of Christian sympathy with their trials, or of . Sectarian zeal to augment de nominational numbers. In the latter case they commonly reward it by deserting when the occa sion is gone by ; but in the former, whether they are found at public worship or not, a kindly feel ing towards religion itself is lodged in their hearts. There seems no reason why other sects should not manage as well as the Quakers in the time of the Irish famine. The moral effects of their unproselytising kindness were of great value, as well as the charity itself. Mr. HORACE MA NN has just disclosed a case of painful alienation, not neglect merely, on the part of the poor, in regard to religion. Are not times of dis tress a kind of special opening for making them sensible that the religion they neglect is their most sympathising and generous friend ? MONEY MARKET AND COMMEIWIAL INTELLIGENC'. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 6,000 bales, of which 500 American and 1,000 Surat were taken on speculation. The market closed heavily at previous rates. The sales comprised 4,000 American, 300 Egyptian at 6d. to 11d., 1,500 Surat at 3d. to 4id., and 70 Sea Island at Is. sd. to 2s per lb. Railway shares were firmer. In a report upon the fruit trade by Messrs. Witherby and Hanson, it is stated that in currants there are symptoms of reaction after the long con tinued depression. Raisins also have become in more demand. A meeting of an important character is now being held, viz., for a semi-monthly postal steam com munication with Australia. The subject is of great importance, and meets with general approval and strenuous support. A large number of persons recently from the colomy are in attendance. The precise objects will be understood by'the following circular : " I am requested by the committee of this ass•ciation to forward you herewith a copy of a letter addressed by them to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, on the sulject of postal communication with Australia. Should you coincide with the views expressed in the above letter, may I solicit the favour of your co-operating with the committee in their endeavours to induce her Majesty's Government to abrogate the present anomalous postal arrangements, and substitute others more in unison with the growing requirements of our great colonies of the South and the mother country. For this purpose, it appears to the committee that the establishment of a semi-monthly communication at a speed equal to that maintained on other great postal lines is essentially required." The letters by the ship Hurricane, which brings 54,000 ounces of gold, are of so late a date as Oct. The following is a statement concerning the mar kets at Melbourne : " During the present week business generally in Melbourne has been pretty brisk, especially in connec tion with the diggings, though some of the retailers still complain of dullness, as compared with last year. Many storekeepers have visited town, but have given orders only for temporary supplies. This course they adopt in consequence of their confident expectation that the charge for carriage will shortly fall. When this takes place, stores will be ordered in bulk. Provisiovs, bottled fruits, preserves, and oilmen's stores, of which latter the supply is not great, are all now in demand, and higher pricer are given. "There has been a considerable trade in beer during the week, but the stocks are very large, and the scarcity and high price of store-room cause it to be forced on the market. It is likely, however, to keep firm. A num ber of merchants are holding firmly till the duty is decided ; but it h offered very freely by others, and it is more likely to fall than to rise. Ruin is firm, and case gin is in demand. Whisky is not inquired for. There is no change in the price of flour, but it is held firmly, and a rise is expected. In sugar there is also an upward tendon cy. " The Gold report is encouraging. Mr. Edward Khull, bullion broker, states— •' Gold has steadily continued at 765. since the lower ing of the exchange, and a good amount of business has been done during the week, principally for shipment by the Hurricane. The fall in price here has bad a like effect on the Sydney market. The latest intelli gence quotes the sellingiprice at 765. 6d. We would notice that the apparent difference in the quoted price of:gold here and in Sydney may arise from the fact, that in the latter place the gold is generally sold by auction to shippers, while here the business is trans acted by brokers, who buy from the diggers direct ; and it is the price paid to them that is always quoted, instead of the selling price to the shipper. This expla nation is rendered necessary, from inquiries having been made by the home correspondents of some of our commercial friends as to the discrepancy between the price charged to them and that quoted in the journals of the day. "The quantity of gold from Mount Alexander and Bendigo is again on the increase ; while that from all the other fields is decreasing. A rush has taken place at the Goulburn, to a new gully, which is reported as turning out well. Some extravagant reports have been circulated regarding the success of some diggers at Ballarat, which, but for the inundation of the hole, would have been rich beyond belief. It is stated that steam-power is to be had recourse to for pumping out the water, which perhaps will be more economical than waiting its subsidence, seeing that such tempting prizes are to be obtained as forty pounds weight to the bucket• ful. When the steam-engine is in operation, and such results realised, then will be the time for others to follow the example. Number of persons who have arrived in the colony during the week Number who have left . 1,007 • 289 Addition to our population 7lB ox. The Escorts brought from Mount Alexander and Bendigo Ballarat, including Geelong M'lvor and Goulburn 35,563 Gold shipped from Victoria in 1852 1,942,491 Per Rockland to Callao Per Ambrosine, from Geelong to London 49,291 1,993,282 Or 83 tons, 1 cwt. 6 lbs. 10 oz. at 75s £7,284,340 "Exchange on London : drafts against gold taken at 1 per cent. discount. The Banks advance from 50s. to 60s. per ounce. Freight of gold delivered at the Bullion Office, London, 41d. per ounce. Insurance, 21 guineas per cent. The estimates were occupying much attention, and there are just complaints of the largeness of the expenditure compared to the efficiency of the Government. The editor of the Argus very fairly remarks, " we do not object to the expenditure, only we say, let us have something like value for the money." At Fryer's Creek, Mount Alexander, the miners were petitioning against the lease of land there, worked by 500 persons, to the Port Philip and Colonial Gold Company, while in summer as many as 1,500 persons reside there for the benefit of the water. It is to be feared the miners would offer forcible opposition to the Company, and it is evident the authorities will have to be on the alert. From Adelaide the accounts of October 20 no tice return of the Murray expedition, which had been remarkably successful. On the sth October there was a heavy fall of snow at Adelaide, al though in that month, usually, the hot weather sets in. The English Securities have been better in the absence of fresh important news. The New 31 per Cents. have been 91i to 91i, and the Three per Cents. 90i to Bank Stock has been quiet at 215, and South Sea Sto c k a t 115. Exchequer Bills are Bs. to lls. premium. In the Foreign Market the transactions have been for a limited character, and there is no par ticular alteration in prices. Russian 5 per Cents. have been firm at 103 k, but the 41- per Cents. after being done at 88k, have given way to 87k. Dutch 21 per Cents. are mar k e d 601. Sardinian Bonds have been at 86i, Buenos Ayres at 57, and Brazilian New 5 pe r C en t s . a t 961. Spanish 3 per Cents. have given way from 40, at which they opened, to 38i the present value. Railway Shares have been much quieter, and there has been uo uniform movement in the quo tations. Eastern C oun ti es h ave b een ra th er b e tt er, Caledonian are steady, Great Western, Midland, an d some .others still rather heavy. In Fren c h Shares there is still a want of buoyancy. The last week' s ra il way receipts ascerta i ned up to this day are in round figures as under 1854. 1853. Great Western North-Western 47,201 44,033 South-Western Brighton South-Eastern. 13,016 12,181 Caledonian, and Edin. and Glasgow 13,110 11,983 Great Northern Lancashire an d Y or k s hi re . 17,431 16,537 The current prices for the Jamaica Mines not officially quoted as follows :--Jamaica, par to prem. ; Metcalfe, to prem. ; Sue River, f dis count to par ; Port Royal, k to .11 prem. The Gold Mine shares are firm generally ; the Australian Banks have improved a little ; and the Land Companies' are still rather depressed. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. ( From the Official List. ) Business done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 9 Ol 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities 904 f 1 a New 31 per Cent. Annuities Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16 Ditto 30 Years, Expire sth Jan., 1860 4 15-16 South Sea Stock Consols for Account 15th Feb. 9JI Pi Exchequer Bills, Id. £5OO 8 11 Small 8 11 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. New Brazilian Boucle 1820 dt 39, 5 per Cont 96,i Buenos Ayres Bonds, 6 per Cent 57 Mexican 3 per Cent. Peruvian Bonds, 4i per Cent. Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St lO5l Ditto 4} per Cent BBs 74 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent.. ...... Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 4O 38i Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch Exchange, 2i per Cent. 12 Guil 6O Ditto 4 per Cont. Certificates HALF-PAST TWO. Consols 92 I Ditto February Account AMERICA. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) ARRIVAL OF THE ALPS. LIVERPOOL, ThunsDAy, 10.45.1. M. By the screw steamer Alps we have advices from New York to the 14th inst. The steamer Baltic, from Liverpool, arrived at New York on the 12th inst. The ship Three Bells had arrived at New York with 230 of the survivors from the wrecked steam ship San Francisco. There was no news of importance from Wash ington. The New York stock market was depressed. No alteration in the money market. Flour in good demand at slightly advanced price. Wheat was also dearer. Indian corn in good demand, at 87c. to 88c. for new Jersey, and 83c. to 84c. for inferior old Southern. Freights to London firmer. _ _ _ _ The ship Chauncey, Jerome, jun., from Liver pool for New York, was ashore near the Islands below New York, with her back broken and badly bilged. Crew and passengers saved. LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. RUSSIA AND TURKEY. The following telegraphic despatch, dated Vienna, Wednesday, has been received : " Very tranquillising advices have been received from St. Petersburg, of the 18th inst. " The Czar is reported to be inclined to accept, though conditionally, the basis of a project of peace. " The Czar declines the responsibility of de claring war. " People at Vienna think that this will secure to him the support of the German Powers." The following is from Constantinople, Jan. 16 : " There is a report that the Russians have taken Kars. " The combined fleets were at Sinope and Varna. " Armaments continue. " The Czar's answer to the Turkish propositions is not expected till the middle of February. " Persia will, it is now said, remain neuter. " The Porte is sending additional reinforcements to Batoum for the army in Asia." Letters from Berlin to the Pays state that the last news from St. Petersburg has greatly excited the Prussian Government. The feeling of the Czar was still against the propositions of France and England, mad but little hope is entertained that the note will be accepted. Well-informed statesmen, however, think that the Czar, while he adheres to his resolution to treat alone with Turkey, without the intervention of any other Power, will nevertheless give an evasive answer, so as to allow him not to recal his Ambassadors from London and Paris. He will also try to make some new attempts at the German Courts, and throw on the Western Powers all the burden of events in the Black Sea, as regards any new act on their part tending to a declaration of war, and the signal of an open rup ture. His overtures with a view of bringing about another interview between the three Sovereigns were received at Vienna, and more especially at Berlin, with great reserve. Official advices from St. Petersburg, of the 16th inst., state that the Emperor makes no immediate cases bclli of the entrance of the combined fleets into the Black Sea. He awaits a written communi cation touching the object and import of the measure. The semi-official Prussian Correspondence pub lishes an article respecting the excitement of the money market. After denying the rumours re specting the recal of the Russian ambassadors from London and Paris, it states that nothing justifies the supposition that the Cabinet of St. Petersburg had resolved to reject the proposition of arrange ment transmitted from Vienna. On the contrary, there is good reason for believing that the Czar, out of regard for the friendship and mutual confidence existing between himself and the great German Powers, will not refuse to take into just conside ration the conciliatory representations which have just been addressed from Berlin and Vienna to the Court of Russia. Advices direct from St. Petersburg of the 17th, state that a ukaso has been issued calling the sea men of the Baltic fleet to rejoin the ships iby the 15th of March. The concentrations are to take place at Cronstadt, Royal, and Sweaborg. It is confirmed (says the Vienna Lloyd of the 22d) that an issue of 60,000,000 paperroubles is to be made at St. Petersburg to meet the charges of the war. The Patric states that since the Vienna protocol of Jan. 13, the Cabinet of St. Petersburg has de manded of Austria and Prussia a decided and formal declaration of their intended course of action. The Indepoulance contradicts the report that England and France had sent a note to the Cabi nets of Vienna and Berlin calling upon them to abandon their neutrality and take a decided atti tude. On the 7th two steamers of the English fleet ap peared before Sebastopol, to announce officially to the Admiral there that the fleets had entered the Black Sea, having left the Bosphorus on the 4th. The two steamers then departed to join the fleets, which were to sail towards Batoum. Since then no vessel—French, English, or Turkigt—had been seen before Sebastopol. The Russian fleet was distributed at different points. A despatch from Bucharest, dated Jan. 19th, states that two thousand Turks crossed the Danube at Kallarasch, and killed the Cossack outposts. Russian reinforcements were arriving. The Turks retired to the right bank. A later despatch from Bucharest, dated Jan. 21, says—General Aurep has been commanded not to attack Kalafat until further orders, when Prince Gortschakoff shall have returned from his country inspections. Advices from Krajowa, of the 21st inst., state that Prince Gortschakoff will remove his head quarters to Boleschti. A renewed expedition against Kalafat was shortly expected. The report that the Russians had crossed the Danube at Silistria was not confirmed. The Turks crossed the Danube near Turnul. An engagement ensued. The Turks returned to Nikopoli. The Russians had returned to Galatz, from an expedition to the right bank. A telegraphic despatch from Hermannstadt an nounces that Prince Gortschakoff had arrived at Radowan on the 21st. The concentration of General Aurep's corps was completed. This de spatch confirms the rumour mentioned in the Krajowa advices as to a fresh movement against Kalafat. The reported movements of the Russian s on or across the Danubo at Reni, Matschin, or Silistria, were considered of little military im portance. From Adrianople, Jan. 6, we learn that all the preparations are made for the arrival of the Sultan, which is to take place in March. Numerous articles of furniture, as also 800 domestics and 500 horses, have already been despatched. The retinue of the Sultan will consist of 1,000 persons. A Belgrade despatch of the 10th Jan. says that Izzet Pacha demanded the expulsion of all Russians from Servia, and that the Russian Consul Muchin should discontinue his visits to Belgrade. Com pliance has been refused, and great excitement prevailed. The Independance of Brussels publishes a tele graphic despatch from Trieste, founded on intelli gence brought by the overland India mail, in which it is said that the Persian port of Bushire is blockaded by a British corvette, and that a schooner and war steamer had also been sent into the Persian Gulf. A bulletin published at St. Petersburg on the 17th inst. shows that the Russian troops in Asia are in winter quarters, within their own frontiers, and that at present no military operations are in progress. The grand attack upon Kalafat appears to have been fixed for the 18th of January, the day of the baptism of the waters. It was immediately after that religious ceremony that the Russian army, still under its impression, was to march with the banner of the Cross displayed against the Turks. It is estimated that the capture of this place (if captured) will cost the Russians at least 10,000 men. There was much discouragement among the troops in consequence. °wing to the defeat on the 6th, however, it is probable that the day was postponed. The Russians estimate their forces in Lesser Wallachia at 44,000, and those of Ismail Pacha in the entrenchments and on the islandat from 25,000 to 30,000, but these numbers appear exaggerated. We have just been informed that on the 6th, near Kalafat, the Turks achieved a success. A great number of killed and wounded was reported, and the capture of 29 guns. The Russian bulletin had not yet been issued. AUSTRALIA. The merchant ship Hurricane has arrived at Portsmouth, from Australia, having made a very rapid passage home. She left Melbourne on the 3d of November. She has not touched anywhere since, England being the first land she sighted since leaving the colony. The passage round Cape Horn was very fine ; indeed the Hurricane appears to be a very rapid sailer, attaining on some occa sions 15 knots an hour. The Great Britain and Hellespont steamers had arrived out safely. This vessel has brought home a freight of gold to the amount of 54,000 ounces, besides considerable quantities in the hands of passengers. The num ber of passengers on board is 50. A very heavy mail was also brought home by the Hurricane, and which, together with some of the passengers, was landed in a pilot boat, the Hurricane continuing her voyage to London yesterday afternoon, and for warded to London by the late train. The mail con sisted of 48 bags, and one box. Trade is reported as very brisk, and the colony very flourishing, there being no diminution in the yield of gold. Wages continued very high, whilst provisions were still dear. INDIA. BOMBAY, DEC. 19. A grand conspiracy has been frustrated at Ran goon. Dost Mahomet is encamped at Candahar.* A strong Persian division had gone to Bushier,t which port was watched by an English corvette. A British schooner and a steam-frigate had gone to the Persian Gulf. The Afredees are subjugated. The Russian squadron returned from Nangasaki:: to Hongkong on the 11th December. It brought a report of the death of the Emperor of Japan. * Candahar is the capital of the province of the same name in Affghanistan, between Persia and the Indus, about 200 mil es S.S.W. o f Cabul. 't Bushier is the principalpo;t in Persia. It occu pies the point of a peninsula in the Gulf of Persia, and is fortified. Nangasaki is a city of Japan, and the only harbour of that empire into which foreign vessels are admitted. LAW INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY). QUEEN'S BENCH. BILLINGTON V. THOMAS. Mr. Serjeant Wilkins moved a rule to show cause why the verdict for the plaintiff in this case should not be set aside, and a new trial had on the ground that the ver dict was perverse. The plaintiff was a tailor at Cam bridge, and the action was to recover between 401. and 501. for cloths supplied to an undergraduate. The de fendant pleaded minority, and the plaintiff replied that the articles were necessaries. At the trial, a few days ago, before Mr. Justice Erle in the Bail Court, the plain tiff stated he was aware that by the rules of the college to which the defendant belonged, 121. per quarter was the sum allowed for the clothes of the under graduates. He also stated that, up to the Septem ber previous to the action, the defendant owed him and another person with whom he was in partner ship 401. Between that September and June the de fendant was supplied by another witness with 53 different garments, while from January, 1850, to Juno, 1851, he was furnished by the plaintiff's partner with no less than 1164. worth of clothes. In four months the plaintiff supplied him with four coats, seven pair of trowsere, and seven waistcoats, and also with a masonic collar, to enable him to attend a masonic ball, worth 10/. 10s., and this the jury found to be necessary. Mr. Justice Erle—l told the jury that it seemed to me absurd to say that such a jewel was necessary for an infant. Lord Campbell—l certainly concur in that opinion. You may take a rule. Dale nisi aecordingly. COURT OF BANKRUPTCY. (Before Mr. Commissioner Evans.) MINING AND GOLD SPECULATIONS.-IN RE CONNOP. This bankrupt was described as of Finchley-road, St. John's-wood, bill broker, commission agent, &c., and to day was appointed for his last examination. The balance sheet, prepared by Mr. Watson, Basing. hall-street, commencing Nov. 1852, shows—debtor to creditors, 4,592/. ; to ditto holding security (glass patent), value not ascertained, 300/. ; liabilities, 5251. ; profits by commission, 1,0571. ; 500 shares in the Yuba River Gold Company, worth at part, 5001. Creditor —by debtors—good, 150/. ; property given up, 9921. ; house and personal expenses, 1,0731. ; share of speculation i n gold lease, 4651. ; cas h advanced to Mr. Coley, as part expenses to go to Australia to buy gold, 1701. ; defi ciency, November, 1852, 3,4141. 10s. An application was made for an adjournment, to en able the assignees to investigate the accounts. The case was accordingly adjourned. HAYMARKET THEATRE. Last night, Miss Cushman made her second appear ance at this theatre, in the character of Mrs. Haller, in Kotzibue's Stranger, which affords plenty of scope for the display of those rare histrionic qualities which make this lady one of the most natural and effective actresses on the stage. The conception of the character was ex cellent ; for one of the chief qualities of Miss Cushman is her complete comprehension of her author. The pathetic scenes which abound in the piece were extre mely well rendered ; and though her outbursts of feeling were powerfully grand, they were always marked by delicacy and truth. Altogether, it was a performance highly artistic ; and it created considerable effect on a crowded audience. The strength of the company was thrown into the cast ; and it played smoothly and agreeably. Mr. G. Vaudenhoff, Mr. Howe, Mr. Chippendale. Mr. Compton, Mrs. Buckingham, and Miss Chaplin undertook the principal characters, which, it is needless to say, lost nothing in their hands. SURREY THEATRE.—On Monday night this theatre was filled in every part by a highly respectable audience, to witness the first appearance of a young lady who has already exhibited at other of the metropolitan theatres the possession of talents which qualify her for attaining a high rank in her profession. On this occasion Miss Sarah Thorne, the young lady alluded to, appeared in the character of Zamora, in Tobin's comedy of the Honeymoon, and her reception as such must have been highly gratifying to her feelings. She sustained this part with an ability which won the applause of the audience, and fully justified th e f avoura bl e op i nions en tertained of her by her friends and admirers. The part of the Duke Aranza was performed by :Mr. Creswick with his usual ability, and was loudly applauded, and Miss Eliza Clayton, as Juliana ; Mr. Shepherd, as Rol lando ; Mr. H. Widdicomb, as Jaques; and Mr. Lyons, as Count Montalban, received the well-merited plaudits of a crowded house. Upon the whole, the comedy was performed in a manner highly creditable to the resources of the Surrey establishment. STRAND THEATRE.—What next will the lessee of this little theatre attempt ? On Monday he produced the opera of Der Fretschutz, one of the most difficult of pieces, as far as stage resources are concerned, very creditably. It is much to be regre tt e d th a t suc h excee ding liberty has been taken with the score of Weber ; the music of this opera is far too beautiful for even a single bar to be omitted. However, that portion of the music which has been left is very nicely given, and we cannot help thinking that, with the aid of Miss R. Isaacs, Miss F. Reeves, and Mr. H. Manley, the whole of the opera might have been very well executed. The celebrated huntsman's chorus was very excellently sung, and fully deserved the applause which it received. The Virginity Mummy, a farce of the Jim Crow school, followed, in which Mr. G. Hodson sustained the principal part. Hibernian characters are evidently this gentleman's forte and we think this hint will not be lost sight of. The pantomime still continues highly attractive. The house was very fully attended. ST. MARTIN'S HALL.—Last night Haydn's oratorio " The Creation" was repeated at this fine hall, under the direction of Mr. John Hullah. The principal vocalists were Miss Birch, Mr. Frank Bodda, and Mr. T. E. Williams, and the choruses were executed by the members of Mr. Hullah's first upper singing school. Mr. Hullah has achieved a perfect wonder in training so large a body of amateurs to the pitch of real excel lence displayed last night by their rendering of the ex quisite and pro tanto difficult music of this oratorio. The audience was tolerably numerous. FRANCE._ The Paris papers of yesterday had not arrived up to the time of our going to press. The following is by electric telegraph : The papers concur in stating that the reception given by the Czar to the announcement of the entry of the fleets into the Black Sea is not so warlike as was at first supposed. The Jfonitcur promulgates the treaty of naviga tion and commerce concluded between France and Portugal ou the 9th of March, 7.853. Public securities rose again at the Bourse yes-1 terday, on a report being circulated that the French Government had resolved not to send any troops to Turkey. The Three per Cents, closed at 69f. 90c. for the end of the month. The Four and-a-Half per Cents. closed at 97f. 75c.; Orleans Railway shares, 1,050 f. ; Rouen, 935 f. ; Havre, 430 f. ; Great Northern, 752 f. 50 ; Paris and Stras burg, 737 f. 50c. ; New ditto, 567 f. 50c. ; Paris and Lyons, 835 f.; Lyons to the Mediterranean, 640 f. ; Western of France, 552 f. 50c.; Bordeaux and Cette, 550 f. ; Great Central, 440 f. ; Lyons and Geneva, 460 f. ; Shares of the Bank of Credit Mobilier, 650 f. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, JAN. 25. The following had the honour to dine with her Ma jesty yesterday :—His Grace the Archbishop of Canter bury, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, the Earl and Countess of Bess borough, and Viscount and Viscountess Hardinge. The band of the Scots Fusilier Guards attended in the Castle during dinner, and played the following pieces : Overture, " Die Zwei Prinzen" Oeistcschwingen Walser Selection—" Giralda" Adam. Quadrille—" La Fete des Lilas" Lamotte. Trio and Chorus—" La Charita" Rossini. Overture —" La Muette de Portici" Auber. Her Majesty's private band was afterwards in attend ante, and performed the following compositions : Overture—" Cantemire" Fesca. Canzone—" Rigoletto" Verdi. Fantaisie sur des Motifs de Mozart e de Beethoven. The Queen with the Princess Royal and Princess Alice walked in the Home Park this morning. Prince Albert, accompanied by the Earl of Bess borough, went out shooting, attended by Lord Rivers and Viscount Torrington. The Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred rode on horse_ back, attended by Mr. Gibbs. The Duke of Cambridge is expected to-day on a visit to her Majesty. The following have received invitations, and are also expected this afternoon :—The Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter and Lady Mary Cecil, the Earl of Malmes bury, the Earl and Countess Bruce, Viscount and Vis countess Palmerston, Viscount Drumlanrig, and the Right Hon. thei6peaker and Mrs. Shaw Lefevre. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, and Viscount and Viscountess Hardinge left the Castle this forenoon. Viscount Torrington has succeeded Colonel Wylde in attendance on the Prince. M. de Fleury had an interview with Viscount Pal merston on Tuesday at the Home-office. The Earl of Aberdeen left town yesterday morning for Windsor Castle. The noble Earl returned to Lon don in the afternoon. The Earl of Clarendon returned to town yesterday morning from a visit to the Queen at Windsor Castle. Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood had a dinner party last evening at their residence in Chesham-place. The Royal Commission for inquiring into the State of the Corporation of the City of London held a meeting yesterday at the Privy Council Office. The Commis sioners present were the Right Hon. H. Labouchere, the Right Hon. Sir J. Patteson, and G. Cornwall Lewis, Esq. Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston left town yes terday afternoon for Windsor Castle on a visit to the Queen. Despatches from the Governor of Gibraltar were re ceived yesterday at the Colonial-office. Lord and Lady John Russell received at dinner, last evening, his Excellency the French Ambassador aria the Countess Walewski, his Evocitency the Austrian Minister, and the Countess Colloredo, the Count Stralytsky, his Excellency the Sardinian Minister, the Duchess of Inverness, Lord Castlerosse, M.P., Miss Russell, Hon. Miss Lister, Hon. G. Byng, Mr. R. Grey. Her ladyship subsequently had an evening party, which was attended by a select circle. Sir Charles and Lady Mary Wood received at dinner, last evening, the Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Earl and Countess Grey, the Earl and Countess of Clarendon, the Earl Granville, Lady Dalemny, Sir David Dundas, and Mr. C. Greville. Field-Marshal the Marquis of Anglesea leaves Beau desert Park, near Lichfield, to-morrow, for Uxbridge House, Burlington-street, for the season. The Viscount and Viscountess Maidstone have arrived in town, from a brief visit to the Earl and Countess of Jersey, at Middleton Park. The Earl and Countess of Zetland are entertaining a select party at Aske Hall, near Richmond, including Lord and Lady Alvanley, the Scottish Judge (Lord Rutherford), Mr. Mark and Lady Augusta Milbank, the Honourable Edward Phipps, &c. Lord Anson, M.P., has arrived in the Albany from a visiting tour. The Venerable Duchess Dowager of Leeds continues in rather infirm health at Hornby Castle. The Duke and Duchess of Bedford are receiving a family circle at Woburn Abbey. The noble General Commanding-in-Chief and Vis countess Hardinge returned to Great Stanhope-street yesterday from a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle. Viscount and Viscountess Falkland and suite are expected to arrive by the next Oriental steamer from Malta. ILLNESS Os' SIR RALPH LOPEZ.—We regret to state that Sir Ralph Lopez, Bart., M.P., whose health for some time past has been such as to cause the most serious fears as to the result, was yesterday taken so much worse after his medical advisers had paid their usual visit, that an express was sent requiring their im mediate attendance a second time, and Dr. Yonge and Mr. Whippel, surgeons, proceeded at once to Maristowe. A report of the death of the worthy baronet was current last evening, but as the medical gentlemen had not re turned up to the time of cur going to press, we are induced to hope there is no foundation for the rumour. —Plymouth Mail of yesterday. LONDON SOCIETY FOR TEACHING THE BLIND TO READ.—On Tuesday a special general meeting of the friends of this charity was held at the asylum, Avenue road, St. John's-wood, for the purpose of transacting the usual business of the school. The report stated that the friends of the society would rejoice to hear that their essential object—viz., the completion of the Bible on Lucas's system, had now been accomplished, and also that Mr. Wood, the master, had adapted the characters to musical notation. A wonderful proof of the facility with which Lucas's system can be read is afforded in the history of a clergyman, who having been, 12 years since, deprived of sight, attempted in vain to read by the common alphabetic characters, but, having acquired a knowledge of the stenographic system, now reads with such fluency as to perform his ministerial duties with out any assistance, conducting two whole services with the same ease and comfort as if he were notde prived of sight. The compl e ti on o f th e e mbossed Bible is to him a peculiar boon, not only by facilitating his private study, but also by ena bli ng hi m to read in public the appropriate Church lessons throughout the year. The report concluded with an appeal to the public for support. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business. NEW YORK TO EUROPE IN SIX DAYS.—The new steamer William Norris, which is warranted to run from New York to Europe in five or six days, is nearly com pleted at New York. This vessel is simply flat and sharp, with a good model for running fast in smooth water. She is made unusually strong by having her timbers strapped diagonally with bars of iron, and by an iron kelson extending from the keel to the deck, excepting in the central part of the vessel devoted to the engine. This kelson is composed of two parallel sheets of iron nearly half an inch in thickness, less than a foot apart, and so fashioned and connected as to form a water tank. On either side of this kelson are bilge kelsons, formed in the same manner, also connecting with the deck. It is expected that these unusual supports will give such an amount of strength and solidity to the steamer as to make her excel ail other vessels of similar dimensions. THE SHORTEST PASSAGE OF A SAILING SHIP ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.—The new clipper Red Jacket, Captain Elridge (lato captain of the steam-yacht North Star, and of the packet-ship Roscius), arrived in the Mersey on Tuesday afternoon, after an unprecedented run of 13 days, one hour, and 25 minutes, having left new York on the 11th inst. She is one of the handsomest vessels ever built, possessing, with the greatest symmetry of model, immense strength and carrying capacity. Her dimen sions are as follows :—Registered length, 250 feet (ex treme 260) ; beam, 45 feet ; depth of hold amidships, 24 feet ; rise forward, 3 feet ; registered measurement, 2,340 tons ; burthen, 3,500 tons. From her log we find the following daily runs :—Wednesday, 11th, 103 miles; 12th, 150 ; 13th, 265 ; 14th, 311 ; 15th, 217 ; l6th, ; 106 ; 17th, 121 ; 18th, 319 ; 19th, 413 2oth, 374; 21st, 3 42 ; 22nd, 300 ; and 23d, 371 miles. The distance run On the 19th inst., 413 miles, is the greatest distance ever attained in 24 hours by anything afloat. PRUSSIA. On the 15th inst. the betrothal of Prince Charles Nicholas of Prussia, son of Prince Charles, with Princess Mary Anna of Anhalt, was celebrated at Dessau. The Prince was born on the 20th March, 1828. The Princess is the daughter of the reign iug Duke of Anhalt-Dessau, and was born on the 14th September, 1837. AUSTRIA. The intentions of Austria in the event of a war, which is now considered inevitable, may be divined from the following short article in the Oest. Corn spondenz " The report, which has run through the papers, that the Imperial Royal internuncio and the Prussian Min ister at Constantinople had protested against the Anglo- French fleets entering the Black Sea, has already been contradicted, but in order that the exact truth may be known we add the following : " When the representatives of the two great German Powers received the non-official intelligence that the fleets were about to be sent to sea, they considered it their duty to take meas ures for placing it beyond all doubt that that step had been resolved on without their having any hand in it (Z u th um ) . "M. de 'chreiner, the first dragoman of the Imperial Royal Embassy, was therefore sent to Redschid with written instructions, and was besides instructed to leave a copy of them. The contents of the document were, that the measure in question must be considered as being beyond the agreement which the Austrian Court had on the 12th December entered into with the ,Govern ments of France, Great Britain, and Prussia." There are but few persons in the Austrian Em pire who do not heartily condemn the policy' of Russia, but it must not therefore be sup posed that the Austrian Government will volun-• tarily make common cause with the Western Powers against her. Circumstances will inevitably, sooner or latter, force Austria to play an active part in the gre a t d rama , b u t f or t h e moment " neutrality" is her motto, and she therefore is in expressibly anxious to avoid giving offence to either party. The bravery of the Russians is beyond all question, but they in one respect much resemble the Chinese, who attempt to ter r ify th e i r enem i es by the display of all kinds of bugbears. The fleets have no chance of returning to the Bosphorus in such trim as they left it. The violent storms will disable the vessels, and the Russian guns will do the rest. It is also darkly hinted that while the Admirals are " mooning about" in the Black Sea without any definite object, the Russians will strain every nerve in order to get possession of Constantinople and the forts on the west coast of the Straits. A communication from Prague, Jan. 23, men tions that forty thousand troops (Austrian), under Lieut. Field Marshal Clam Gallas, have been ordered to Hungary forthwith. SWEDEN. -- • - A telegraphic despatch from Stockholm, Jan. 15, says that the States have adopted, without discus sion, the propositions of the King relative to the defence of the country. GREECE. A telegraphic despatch from Athens, dated Jan. 20, says the elections have terminated in favour of the Ministry. Border conflicts have takon place in Epirus. The prices of grain are rising. PROMOTIONS IN THE ARMY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—l beg to call your attention to the promotion of non-commissioned officers in the army to commis sioned officers. Since Lord Hardinge has ueen in power there has been very few indeed, taking the same time he has held office, and the same time the Duke held it. The Duke's promotions were 6 to 1 to what they are now. This is not much encouragement to clever sergeants and sergeant-majors.—Yours truly, FRANK LOWTHER. Manchester, Jan. 24. MANNING THE MERCANTILE MARINE.—LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.—Owing to the difficulty of procuring sea men, the screw steam-ship Olinda, Captain Harem, was unable to sail yesterday morning, as advertised. She will take her departure for the Brazils and River Plate by to-night's tide, with a large cargo, a rair comple ment of passengers_ ....a a small quantity of jewellery on board. The United States mail steam-ship Pacific, Captain Ezra Nye, will also sail by this evening's tide for New York, with the usual mails for the western continent, 65 passengers, and a full cargo of merchan dise on freight. :.LONDON HOSPITAL.—A special general court of the governors of this valuable institution was held yesterday in the board-room 0 . Dr. Cobb, who has resigned on account of ill health, after having held the office for a number of years, when Dr. Herbert Davies, late assist ant-physician to the institution, was elected to the va cant post. By his election the office of assistant-physi cian has become vacant. STRASBURG RAILWAY.—An imperial decree approves of the modifications lately introduced into the statutes of the Strasburg Railway Company, in consequence of its annexing to its network of lines, those from Paris to Mulhausen ' Nancy to Gray, and P ar i s t o St. Vi ncenne s and to St. Etienne. REPEAL OF THE CORN-LAWS IN PIEDMONT.—On the 20th, the Piedmontese Chamber of Deputies finally passed the bill for repealing the import duties on corn. LETTERS TO SCHAUMBURG LIPPE.—GENERAL Posr OFFICE, JAN.—The postage upon letters addressed to the principality of Schaumburg Lippe, when sent in the mail to Prussia via Belgium, will in future be reduced. to :-Bd. for a single letter not exceeding half an ounce in weight ; is. 4d. for a letter exceeding half an ounce and not exceeding one ounce ; and so on, according to the scale for charging letters in the United Kingdom. This postage includes both the British and foreign rates upon letters for Schamburg Lippe, and it may be paid in advance, or the letters may be forwarded unpaid, at the option of the sender. BAR SILVER.—The bar silver brought by the last West India packet, and by her Majesty's ship Thetis, was disposed of yesterday at 610. per ounce, being an advance of ' u d. Dollars continue to realise 59id. per ounce, and both descriptions of silver are being exported to the Continent to some extent. UNITED MEXICAN MINING ASSOCIATION.—At a meet ing of this association, held yeterday, it was agreed to raise 21,5001., in the shape of an advance of lOs. per share, the amount subscribed to bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent., payable out of the assets previously to the declaration of a dividend, with other preferential contingencies. This capital is to be applied to the de velopment of the Jesu Maria and La Trinidad Mines, the progress of which will, it is believed, lead to satis factory results, the thread of ore in the former having, according to the latest advices, considerably increased. With regard to the general position of the undertaking's it appears that the produce from Rayas, in which the shareholders are beneficially interested in consequence of the debt due from,the mine, has'augmented, and promises further improvement. At Aldana the drainage has been completed, but the works for the present suspended. The Zacatecas claims are in course of liquidation, and some time will elapse before they can be finally dis charged. The price of quicksilver at the date of the report was $7O per quintal, and the stock on hand was 16,1701 b. The available assets in Mexico on the 26th of November were $2,073. The assets in London amounted to 10,1281., and the liabilities (including an acceptance for 3:0001.) to 8,944/., leaving a balance of 1,1841. Instructions have been forwarded to the supe rintendent, giving him authority to draw up the com pany in anticipation for a small proportion of the new capital, but it is thought he will not now require imme payment having bee n ma d e on diate assistance, another the Zacatecas claims, and the returns from Rayas indi cating favourable results. GUATEMALA BONDHOLDERS. —A meeting of Guatemala bondholders took place yesterday to receive information from the committee relative to the position of that debt. The chairman (Mr. Sharp) stated that since the previous meeting in 1851, when res o l ut i ons were adopte d requesting a slight increase in th e t erms proposed b y the Government through Mr. Chatfield, various com munications had passed, but nothing definite could he arrived at. A long correspondence with the Finance Minister was read, which showed that the authorities were not prepared to offer more liberal proposals ; and, altho ug h Captain W ke, the sue' ces sor of Mr. Chatfield, h ad endeavoured to urge a set tlement, his latest plan involved the negotiation of a new loan equal in amount to that upon which it was proposed to adjust the outstanding debt. The serious embarrass ment occasioned by the failure of the cochineal crop an d the late hostilities with Honduras would, it was inti mated, prevent the Government of Guatemala from taking immediate steps to arrange with her foreign creditors- Nothing had transpired with respect to the three other States—viz., Nicaragua, San Salvador, and Honduras' whose proportion of the general obligation remained un satisfied (Costa Rica alone having discharged her share) ; but it was mentioned that a private individual had en deavoured to arrange for that of San Salvador, although the negotiation had not been brought to any conclusion' The entire debt of Central America was o riginalli, 163,0001., an d, l oo ki ng at the situation and resources 0! the country, it was considered that, although a period of nearly 25 y ears h ad elapsed, during which arrears o f interest had accrued, the changes now taking place In that quarte r o f t h e globe must eventually be product i ve of benefit. Th e re-organization of the committee , several of wh om, after long connection with it, ba d (re tired from ill-h ealth and age, was therefore recommended' but it w as suggested that would be better, seeing tat the debt i s a small one, to transfer the management Of, future n egot i ations to the Spanish American Bondholders e Committee. A vote of thanks having been passed to the old committee for lengthened services, a resolution in ac cordance with this proposal was put and carried. Zikit (Ace trali a land , Z ino, to Under fro m. boelis, Ne u , the rat 'Which MAI raails f Sbr uz ear n 5612tb.11 PrePai Prck.xiri Letter Yesi Eto n . I 0 1the Of Oye for the finally eor nin i Th e day of wes ''PPlei dua l lisle, Nora New T ow aarne p bur] Yorl at Yor City the cit , soul "Mar The fore, *Wales, tys s eco , r A, kr. 0. kr 1162. ,j 13 etc e, agst 44er wa , kr. p a Th e Aucti. or n. pcdti -44 g e] CE/ I 44 Decti kr juin I r4E AT 53 24 . 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