The Sun. — London, England, 1854-01-05 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL DIZL" P. 7. LANE. Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith. TIIIS I:VEXING, JAN. 5, Will he performed the entirely new Drama of interest, ntitled THE BEGGING LETTER. To conclude with KING UUMMINGTOP ; or, Harlequin and the Land of Toys. The New Drama having been received with universal approbation will be repeated every Evening until further notice. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the management of Mr. Bnekstone. Tlll3 EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be performed THE HOPE OF THE FAMILY. Characters by Messrs. Chippendale, Compton, Enckstone, and W. Farren ; Mrs. Fitzwilliam, Miss E. Grey, Etc. After which, the Grand CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME, callcd HARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEAR:; or, Little Silverhair Il and the Fairies. Columbine , Miss M. Brown ; arlequln, Mr. Jr Marshall : Pantaloon, Mr. W. A. Barnes; Clown, Mr. H. Marshall. 110YAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Camara KEAN. THIS EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be performed THE LANCERS; cr, The Gentleman's Son. Principal characters by Messrs. Meadows, Ryder, Everett, 11. Mellon, and D. Fisher; Mrs. Wlnstanley, Miss Daly, and Miss C. Leclercq. After which will be presented the new Grand CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE MILLER AND HIS MEN; or, King Salamander and the Fairy of the Azure Lake. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon, Mr. Paulo; and Columbine, Miss Desborough. LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be performed A BACHELOR OF ARTS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Baker; Miss F. Hughes. After which, an 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 VMSIIS CLATTER. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, ➢ladame Celeste. Rare Christmas Amusements—The Great Attraction of London— .. o ne of the Bights of London"—The Sea of Ice and Marvellous Adelnhi Effects in the exciting new Nautical Drama of " THE THIRST OF GOLD," every Evening—A new Grand Fairy Spec tacle, NUMBER NIP. THIS EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be presented the highly Popular New Nautical Melo-drama, in live tableaux, with new scenery, the Sea of Ice, &c., new dresses and appointments. called THE THIRST OF GOLD; or, THE LOST SHIP AND THE WILD FLOWER OF MEXICO. Principal characters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Paul Bedford, 0. Selby, Parselle, Marsden, &c. ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Leigh Murray, Miss F. Maskell, &c. ; with an entirely new grand specta cular legendary Christmas piece, in two acts, with new scenery, dresses, machinery, and appointments, called NUMBER NIP, or THE SPIRIT BRIDE. Principal characters by Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Woolgar, Miss 31. Keeley, Miss Cuthbert, Miss C. Harding; Messrs. Paul Bedford, J. Rogers, Romer, G. Lee, &c. ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be performed THE CAMP AT THE OLYMPIC. Charac ters by Messrs. A. Wigan, F. Robson, Morton, and Galli ; Mes dames A. Wigan, Stirling, P. Horton, Chatterley, &c. Followed by THE WANDERING MINSTREL. After which, a new historico-geographical CHRISTMAS PAN TOMIME, called HARLEQUIN COLUMBUS; or, The OW World and the New. Harlequin, Mr. F. Moreland ; Pantaloon, Mr. W. Rochez ; and Columbine, Miss Wyndham. STRAND THEATRE. Role Lessee, Mr. F. W. Alicroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs. THIS EVENING, JAN. 5, Will be performed LA SONNAIIBULA. To be followed by THE IRISH TUTOR.. After which, a new grand Corals Christmas Pantominv. entitled lIA Itt.EQUEN Affil) KING NUTCRACKER;. or, The World of Toys. Clown, by he inimitable rlexmore ; Uarlegnia, Mr. Bologna; Pantaloon, Mr. Griilichs ; CoiLloaNne, Mks Goward. 5i.; Boxes, 44. ; Pitt, 2,. ; (gallery. ls.; Private Coxes, 11. la., to be :tad o: Mr. Allcroft, 13, New Bond-street. ASI'LET3 EUROPE'S NATIO4AL AMPHITHEATRE. Lees.sao and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. GRIND JUVENILE NIGHT on THURSDAY, JAN. 5. Crowded houses nightly to witness the unequalled Attractions. The mot gor,goous and successful Pantomime ever produced in this Theatre. TIII3 EVENING, JAN. 5, The New Grand Equestr:an Chinese Spectacle, entitled " THE WISE ELEPHANTS OF THE EAST; or, THE AIAOIC GONG-- In which the wonder of wonders, Mr. W. Cooke's performing Ele phants will appear. Followed by a series of novel and brilliant scenes of Equestrian ism in THE ARENA by talented artistes. After which, a New Grand Equestrian CHRISTMAS COMIC PANTOMIME, written expressly tbr this Theatre, by Mr. NELSON LEE, entitled BILLY BUT TON'S JOURNEY TO BRENTFORD ; or, Harlequin and the Ladles' Favourite. New scenery, dresses, decorations, and appointments, mar,nificent Car of Industry, &c. Harlupin, Mr. H. Hemmings ; Columbine, Mdlie. Christine; Pantaloon, Mr. Lehman; and Two Clowns, Mr. C. Adams and Mr. Croueste ; Sprites, Masters Gee and Brallsury. Boa-OfICO open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. THURSDAY, JAN. 5, 1854. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are arranged in order of latitude. FOLKESTONE—E., gentle breeze -overcast. TuNBEIDGE—E., strong brecze—overca st. GREENWICH—N.B., strong breeze—heavy fall of snow. STROOD—E., gentle breeze—snow. SWINDON—E., strong. breeze—snow. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock GREENWICH—N.E., gentle breeze—overcast. BIRMINGHAM-E., gentle breeze—overcast. YARMOUTH—E., hard wind—overcast. LANCASTER—S.E., strong breeze—cloudless. WHITEY—CaIm—S., gentle breeze—overcast—hard frost DARLINGTON—N.N.W., strong breeze, and partially cloudy. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DAY —Morning 18 mi n.after 6 I Evening 43 min.aft. li To-Mosnow—orning 7 min.after 7 Evening 33 min.aft. 7 THE WEATHER.-Stm OPPICS, JAN. 5. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 39 —highest since noon yesterday. 34—lowest this morning and during the night. 39 —this day at noon. BAROMETER, 28'98. WIND, S.W.—Light breeze, with a slight thaw. There was a further fall of snow last night to the extent of about three inches. rrh e 1111, r- iii ~~', r~-~Y a LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1854 A change at the Horse Guards ! And time enough too—judging from the confusion which has for some time past prevailed at head-quarters in regard to the organisation of our military forces, with especial reference to patronage and promotion. A sudden intimation that Lord HARDINGE has tendered his resignation as Com mander-in-Chief, or more correctly speaking as Commanding-in-Chief ! They are always at these official 'surprises—these Coalitionists. It was only very recently that one-half of the isle was 'frighted from its propriety by Viscount PALMER STON'S tendered resignation of the Chief Secretary ship.of the Home Department, and ten days afterwards the other half by his equally abrupt withdrawal of that resignation. Then, scarcely a week more had elapsed when the West-end Clubs were startled•by the announcement that his Grace the Duke of NORFoLK—hitherto believed by the generality to have sacrificed enormously to gain distinguished rank among the more successful courtiers had suddenly resigned the Lord High Stewardship of her MAJESTY'S Household. Hardly have the majority of observers noted this, perhaps, the strangest of these abrupt official transformations, when they are hastily in formed that yet another has occurred—contrary as of yore to general anticipation. "On dit" iii this regard becomes the cuckoo-cry among the Ministerial journalists. And so, now--it is said —that Lord HARDINGE has given in his resigna tion as Commander-in-Chief of the army—that his Lordship is to be succeeded by Lord RAGLAN —that General BROWN is forthwith to resume his former appointment as Adjutant-General. This is as it should be. The war department has hither to of late been trifled with overmuch. Court patronage has heretofore at the Horse Guards had rather more than enough consideration. The General Commanding-in-Chief has been deemed by many brothers-ill-arms as a little just the merest trifle, perhaps too obsequious and complying. "MILES" has unbuckled for a while his trusty sword, and taken up for once a goose quill, in the intensity of his soldierly indignation. The Soldier, i n f ac t, has once in a way travestied the long since popular ballad—turning not upon his sword, but upon his pen, and dropping not a tear, but a little ink—in which, by the way, the presence of gall has been rather more than usually apparent. He has 'Shawn himself of late * "The Lays of Modern Rome," p. 64. Chapman and Hall. 1854. " But right boys, or wrong, Young or old, sick or strong, I'm only a casual, pass me along." The relieving (!) officers of the various metro politan unions—thus designated, we suppose, on the lucus a non lucendo principle —appear to think that the chief qualification for office consists in a total repudiation of every feeling of humanity, ex emplified by a stern and unbending refusal of every claim for assistance. No matter how urgent may be that claim, or however strongly supported, it must be resisted to the utmost ; and if the surly official should at length be compelled to yield, it will only be with an amount of grumbling on his part, and of annoyance to the unfortunate shuttle cock pauper consigned to his tender mercies, as to induce any persons who have a particle of self respect remaining, rather to die in their miserable rooms than to seek the aid afforded so grudgingly, and with so bad a grace. " Shall we take them in ?" is seldom asked by any of these self-sufficient functionaries. The inviolable rule is to reject every application unless affording the prospect of a tour to one of the subordinates, under a removal order. Then, indeed, there might be a different feeling. No matter the expense to the parish, provided it furnishes an excuse for a pleasure ex cursion to some " parocha2" BUMBLE who was desirous of combining the useful with the agreeable, and of filling his pockets while getting a little fresh air and blowing off the metropolitan dust. As to the probable or possible consequences to the unfortunate applicants, whose claims are so summarily and decisively rejected, that is a ques tion of the most trivial importance. It is true, that "an obstinate pauper" may occasionally take it into his or her head to die, in order " to spite the authorities," and that a troublesome Coroner and anti-parochal Jury may ask impertinent questions, and append derogatory observations to their verdicts, but such circumstances are of rare occurrence, and " hard words break no bones." The censures of Juries are of but little moment, when not attended by any personal annoyance or inconvenience to the parties indicated. "Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo," might be th e mo tt o for each of these worthies. What signifies the reprehension of the community while they re ceive approbation and substantial reward from " the few," under whose control and management they are placed, and to whom they are looking for promotion and increased salary. On . Friday n i g ht l ast, thi s acqu ired insensibility of rel i eving officers received a powerful illustration. A woman, named 13isnor, was taken into custody at eleven o'clock at night, c h arge d with stealing a cluck in Leadenhall-market. The woman was intoxicated, and said to be of bad character, but when she stated to the Inspector on duty that she had four children locked up in her room, immediate measures were adopted to test the truth of the story. Whatever might be the errors or crimes of the parent, the children at least were innocent, and they should not be suffered to perish because the mother had been guilty of an act of petty pilfer ing, to which she had possibly been driven by dire necessity. A police constable, WILLIAM CLAYTON, 529—a name worthy of honourable mention—was despatched to ascertain the true state of the case. On opening the room, the key of which had been entrusted to his charge, he witnessed what he de scribed as a miserable scene of distress, and went at once to the relieving officer of the Bethnal green Union. We shall take his own statement. as to what subsequently occurred :—" I told him" (the relieving officer) said the policeman, " that I was directed by the Inspector to make known to him that there were four children locked up in a room, that the mother was in custody, and, by her account, the father had deserted the family for THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 5, 1854 " tired" in very earnest, but—this time—cer tainly not of " war's alarms :" on the contrary, of the craven pipings of the hitherto all influential peacemongers. Insomuch that oue nervous versifier* (anonymously, but on that ac count none the less commendably) has found it in his heart to cry out in an agony of epigrammatic wrath— " Britannia! rise in all thy pride, Or ne'er thy flag unfurl : `No little war,' the great Duke cried ; What cries the petty Earl ?" Everything, indeed, that has recently afforded us the most momentary glimpse into the feeling roused among our gallant soldiers by the events of the past deplorable twelve months, has tended more and more clearly to satisfy us that there has been the bitterest heart-burnings in the army of England—a state of things such as would have carried sorrow to the old warrior now slumbering by the side of NELSON under St. Paul's basilica, had he survived to witness the calamitous occur rences which have illustrated the misrule of Lord ABERDEEN ever since the " travelled Thane" un fortunately, for this country, and unfortu nately, also, for the rest of the nations of Christendom, undertook the guidance of her MAJESTY'S Government. It has been felt rather than " seen" or "heard" that undue in fluence has been exercised at the Horse Guards, by one who had no sort of authority, direct or indirect for that interference—one presumed, not without ample reason, to have rather too many German predilections. Englishmen have revolted from this—English soldiers especially have re sented the notion of affairs at Head-quarters being directed by an individual too supple and complaisant in temperament to be the worthiest successor of the courtly, but iron, stubborn, un yielding, independent WELLINGTON. "Bowing down, bowing down !" may, as CHARLES MACKAY has it, be in truth and in deed— "The way to get on in London town !" But every one feels it is not the most befitting attitude to be assumed at the Horse Guards, by the one high in authority, whether as Commander in -Chief, or Commanding-in-Chief. British ve terans look for a General made of sterner stuff than goes to the fabrication of the elastic verte bra; of a courtier. Wherefore, we believe that the rumoured changes, above particularised, will be awaited eagerly by the vast majority of the officers of the British army—men who would hail almost " as one man" the advent to supremacy over that department of the public service of the beloved Commander who has long come to be regarded as one of the nohlest and worthiest lieutenants of WELLINGTON. However this may be, the feeling of the soldiers of England is altogether against being—Germanised. They ask themselves with a bitter sense of abasement how it has come to pass, so frequenly of late, that merit has been overlooked, and promotion accorded elsewhere, where it might least have been expected. They cannot understand the course recently pursued at the Horse Guards, in reference to their organisa tion as a body, or rather, it should be said more correctly, their disorganisation. Neither can they comprehend the wretched paltering of our diplomatists to the truculent ambition of a poten tate who has learned how to beard us with impunity. The soldiers of Great Britain behold recent events in this light : and the same view is taken also by the soldiers of our Gallic neighbours. They ask, as another has asked— " France leagued with England, why these fond alarms? HOTSPUR AND DOUGLAS MATCH THE WORLD IN ARMS." At such a juncture can any one indeed, with a single thrill of patriotism in his veins, hearken with indifference to a rumour of changes at the Horse Guards, accompanied, as they are, with feeble and scarcely audible whispers of the possi bility of modifications in the foreign policy of England under a really vigorous and capable Government ! some time. He told me to tell the Inspector that he was no policeman, and that he was not to be called up at that hour. I said it was an urgent case, as one of the children was only eight months old. He told me if it was only eight days old lie would have nothing to do with it ; that I might lock them all up, and that he would not be bothered. I told him if he was a man possessed of any feeling he would treat the case differently. He asked me how I dared to insult him by a re ' mark of that kind. I said the case would be brought before the Lord Mayor, and that it would be my duty to report the remarks he had made to his Lordship. He told me to tell the Lord Mayor to trouble his head about city business, and not about his. He then shut the door, and I returned to the house where the children were, accompanied by the Inspector and a woman who had informed me about the poor family. When we went into the room, in which there appeared to be nothing but a broken table and a broken chair, we looked aliout, but saw no children; but in a corner where appeared to be an old bedstead, we beheld a lump of filthy rags, and there lay the children fast asleep. They were covered with vermin. I heard from the woman who accompanied me that they had had no food the whole of the day. Of course I made the best arrangement I could, by the direc tion of the Inspector, for the protection of the children. The woman who undertook to take•care of them was supplied by me with the money, and she properly attended to them. They seized the bread that was put before them, and voraciously de voured it. They are all under seven years old." Such conduct requires no comment. The indig nant official, whose boundless wrath was excited by the late hour in which the appeal was made to his benevolence—he cared nothing whether the child was eight months or eight days old. He was not to be disturbed, or his ease interfered with, by anything of such trivial consequence as the life or death of a distressed family, or render ing assistance to four deserted children, the eldest under seven years old. Let the Policeman " lock them all up—he would not be bothered !" And yet this man was singularly sensitive as to any imputation on the humanity of which he had just given such an extraordinary specimen. When the really benevolent constable mentioned to him that "if he was a man possessed of any feeling he would treat the case differently," he flew into a towering passion. He asked how his rude disturber " dared to insult him by a remark of the kind." He even sneered at the civic majesty, and hurled contemptuous defiance at the successor of WHITTINGTON, desiring the constable "to tell the Lord Mayor to trouble his head about City busi ness, and not about his I" It is impossible to say what might have been the result had WM. CLAYTON dealt with the matter in a similar spirit. He, however, supplied money to a woman who under took to take care of the forlorn infants. He provided at his own expense the bread which they seized and voraciously devoured when it was placed before them, and thus, perhaps, averted the necessity for another inquest and another in quiry, such as that which recently took place in Marylebone. Such conduct merits the greatest praise. It was highly commended by the pre siding Magistrate, Alderman HUMPHREY, who ordered the expenses of the constable to be paid ; but we trust that he will yet receive a more sub stantial token of general approbation. We find a relieving officer of Clerkenwell, named BENNETT, complained of on Monday for a pertinacious refusal to receive two deserted chil dren—one five and the other three years of age— who, notwithstanding the Magistrate's order, were sent back from the Workhouse to the Police Court, where they appeared "to be perishing with cold and hunger." As BENNETT possessed sufficient grace to be ashamed of his conduct, and promised to receive the children, we shall not further allude to his conduct. From that of the Bethnal-green official, however, it is clear that nothing will suffice to enforce the claims of suffering humanity until the refusal to afford adequate assistance in an urgent case be made a misdemeanour and subjected to stringent pun ishment ; and until such refusals be re garded as deserving immediate and ignominious expulsion from office. When such matters are regarded in a proper point of view by the Guar dians we may hope that the disgrace will be removed from the British name, but no sooner. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, TWO O'CLOCK. There is no mail in yet from Liverpool. The ship Telegraph, arrived at Callao, had advices of September 26th from Sydney, being a day or two later, but we have not yet seen any letters or papers brought by her. _ The steamer Magdalena brings the West India mails, and over 2,100,000 dollars in specie. In the Jamaica Assembly the proceedings had been very uninteresting. Three bills had passed, the Road Bill, the Spirit License Bill, and the Warehousing Bill. The question of responsible government had been occupying some attention. The weather had been boistefous, with strong north and westerly winds. At the half-yearly meeting of the South Sea Com pany, held this day, the usual dividend of 12 per cent. upon the company's stock was declared, pay able on the same day as the Government annuities. The income of the company was 146,410/. 13s. 11. d., and the expenditure 82,0551. 10s. 5d., leaving a balance of 64,3551. 3s. 6d. It was agreed after some discussion that a special meeting should be called for the purpose of considering the propriety of separating in the new bill now before Parlia ment the request of power for dissolving the com pany from that for continuing the company for trust purposes. The English Stock is very dull again, and there is a drooping tendency in prices. Consols have been as low as 92i to 93, after having been previ ously at 93i. The New 3/ per Cents. have been 941- to f, and the 3 per Cents. 93 to f . Long An nuities are 51. In Exchequer Bills there have been no transactions, except a bargain in the small at 7s. premium. The Committee of Mexican Bondholders have, by way of the United States, received a copy of Mr. Falconnet's letter, dated Mexico, the Ist De cember, 1853, which he had sent by the direct packet that is still due. Mr. Falconnet had been obliged to defer his departure for another month, and at the date of his letter intended to leave Vera Cruz, by the steamer, for New Orleans, on the 22nd December, so as to be here in about three weeks. The last report of the Committee (24th January, 1853, pages 10 11) mentioned that the per centage assigned to the foreign debt of the export duty on specie, had, by the Mexican authorities, been calculated on the 51 per cent. charged previous to Ist of October, 1851, and not on the increased rate of 6 per cent. then imposed, and that for want of accounts this had only just then been discovered, though the difference may have amounted to 50,000 dollars annually, to the prejudice of the Bondholders. The Government has now ordered that in future the per centage in favour of the foreign debt shall be calculated on the full duty of 6 per cent., levied on the export of dollars. On the other hand, the Government continued to appropriate the revenues assigned to the Bondholders in Guaymas, Mata moros, and the ports of Yucatan, although Mr. Falconnet had remonstrated to the Minister of Finance on the subject. There has been a flat market again for most foreign securities, and with very little business go ing on. Mexican Bonds have declined to 232 being a fall of nearly per cent., in consequence of the continued appropriation, by the Govern ment, of the amount of the Customs' duties right fully belonging to the Foreign creditors. Peruvian Deferred Stock has been marked 44. Spanish Three per Cents. are at 44k, and Brazilian Four and-a-Half per Cents. at 921. Russian Four-and a-Half per Cents. are quoted, ex dividend, 941 being k to per cent. lower. The last week's railway receipts ascertained up to this day are in round figures as under : North-Western South-Western .. Brighton South-Eastern..... Great Northern . THE SNOW STORM. In addition to what we published in our first edition yesterday respecting the snow-storm, some further in formation has been obtained from which it will be found that the fall of snow has been general throughout the country. It appears we were in error in stating that the northern mails arrived in London at 11 o'clock; this was only a small portion of them, viz., from places on this side of Crewe, and the letters by this train were not delivered in the City until past three o'clock. Letters and papers from Manchester, Liverpool, and all places farther north, were not delivered at all. Several trains from the south and west are stopped at Crewe by the snow, and yesterday no London papers reached Man chester or Liverpool. In many places in Manchester Ike snow was a yard deep. The trains on the line of the Great Northern were all snow-bound. The snow was eight feet deep between Retford and Newark, and the line was impassable all day and night. The foot promenades in the parks in the metropolis, as well as the whole of the frozen waters—the ice of which was nearly eight inches thick—were covered with snow to the depth of nearly 18 inches. The consequence was, that comparatively few persons ventured upon the Ornamental waters for the purpose of either sliding or skating. At no period of the day was the number of omnibuses equal to the usual supply, while cabs, at first utterly invisible, few proprietors being willing to send their vehicles into the streets, and few drivers willing to take charge of them, were only obtainable with great difficulty. Most of the omnibuses which ran drove three, and in some instances four horses, and fully one half of the cabs which made their appearance had two horses, generally tandem. As might naturally be ex pected under these circumstances, an adherence to the ordinary fares was out of the question. The long stage omnibuses, instead of 6d., charged is. and is. 6d., and the twopenny omnibuses along Holborn and Oxford street, raised their fares to 6d. Cabs were difficult to procure at any price, the ranks being almost entirely deserted, " cabby" arguing, and in this instance with some appearance of justice, that " once upon the rank, he would be nailed for the sixpence, which wouldn't pay for horseflesh in such weather." In some instances as much as ss. was given for cabs for a distance barely exceeding a single mile. The mercantile firms in the City were put to great inconvenience, and their business almost to a stand-still, in consequence of the non-arrival of their letters, and other despatches, at the usual hour by the mails. The River Thames was in such a state that had the frost of Monday night's severity continued to the present time it must have been frozen over. As it was, the ex panse of the water, even near the metropolitan bridges, was nearly covered with large blocks of ice, containing high heaps of snow, so that steam-boats, or even coal barges, could not be navigated on the water. Many of the small coal-dealers in poor neighbourhoods at once took advantage of the state of the weather, and put an extra 2d., and in some places 4d., per cwt. upon the price of coal, which must have been severely felt by their poor customers.. Last night a thaw set in, which was very general in London, but only partial a few miles out of town. The thaw continues to-du. The various theatres and other places of amusement suffered to a great extent last night on account of the weather—most of the houses presented little more than empty buildings. The Wednesday Evening Concert at Exeter Hall was entirely discontinued for the evening, it being found impracticable for the carriages conveying the company to approach the building. The following account of the effects of the storm upon the various railways is derived from official information : at 8 p.m., and ought to have arrived at Dover about 11 p.m., was delayed until half-past 9 yesterday morning, being 10 hours behind its time. The up mail from Dover, due at London bridge at 8 6 a.m. yesterday, did not arrive until 12 30 p.m., while up to 3 o'clock no train whatever had arrived from Ramsgate, Margate, or Can terbury. All the other up trains were considerably late, but the down trains were despatched at the time fixed. On the North Kent Branch the snow drifted to an almost uniform depth of six feet. Mr. Weatherall, the station-master at London•bridge, was arduously engaged from 4 o'clock yesterday morning superintending large bodies of men . employed in clearing the line. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST. This line was completely blocked up between London and New-cross, and had to be dug out before trains could travel in the morning. The mail and other trains arrived somewhat behind time, but no serious delay occurred. The down trains were despatched as usual. THE .HORSE GUARDS. We are assured, on what we believe to be good authority, that Lord Hardinge yesterday gave in his resignation as commander-in-chief of the army; that his lordship is to be succeeded by Lord Raglan ; and that General Brown will resume his former appointment as Adjutant-General.—Morn ing Post. THE " TIMES" VIENNA COR.RESPON DENT ON THE COBURG INTRIGUES. The following significant passage, dated Vienna, Dec. 28, relative to the Coburg intrigues at the English Court, appeared in the second edition of the Times of Tuesday. That it found its way into our contemporary by an oversight appears clear from the fact of its being struck out in the Times of yesterday, though the remainder of the coramu rtication is given. A passage so unpalatable in certain quarters must, when discovered, have created great consternation in Printing II ouse square. The passage is as follows : " Instead of being astonished that the 'house -policy' of the Coburgs is so severely animadverted on in Eng land, the Austrians appear surprised that the British nation was so slow to remark what was going on. A brief reference to past events will suffice to show, that England has indirectly bean in the leading strings of Russia and Austria. Some few months since, Russia found it convenient to remember that a kingdom of Belgium figured on the map of Europe, and the consequence was that the Ulysses of Europe was re cognised as a legitimate' Sovereign by the imperious Czar. In order still further to strengthen his position, Kin.' Leopold aimed at a family alliance with the House of Austria, and accordingly the marriage between the Duke of Brabant and the Archduchess Maria was ar ranged. It is positively affirmed that as soon as all was thus made right' between the King of the Belgians and the two great Northern Powers, the former undertook to convince his high relatives and friends in England that an intimate alliance with Fiance would be perni cious to England. How well the astute monarch has acquitted himself of his task has been seen by the humi liating part which Englaild has so long been playing in the great political drama which now exclusively occupies the attention of the world."—Morning Advertiser. The Duchess Dowager of Hamilton has arrived in Portman-square, from Euston Park, Suffolk. Lord and Lady Lyndhurst are receiving a limited circle daring. the holidays, at Sarrell Park, Henley-on- Thames. The Noble ex-Lord Chancellor, for his advanced age, is in the enjoyment of excellent health, and intends, we believe, to be in his seat in the House of Lords during the next session. The Earl of Cardigan has left Portman-square, on a visit to Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., at Linsham Lodge, Norfolk, where the sports of the field have been interrupted by the inclemency of the weather. The noble and gallant Earl, we understand, will not resign the Lien tonant-Coloncicy of the 11th Hussars until the next Brevet, which will promote his lordship to the rank of Maj or-General. _ _ Lord and Lady Cowley and the Hon. H. G. Howard, the newly-appointed Secretary of Legation at the French Court, have been amongst the recipients of the Imperial hospitalities at the Tuileries during the past week. The Noble Lord, we havo reason to believe, in the event of not being recalled, will officiate as one of the Commissioners of the Great Exhibition of Agriculture, Industry, and tho Fine Arts, to bo held in Path on the Ist of May, 1855. THE GREAT METROPOLITAN WINTER POULTRY SHOW. —His Royal Highness Prince Albert has entered several specimens, and will be an extensive contributor at the ensuing Great Metropolitan Winter Poultry Show, appointed to take place at the Baker-street, Bazaar, on the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th inst. Amongst the other contributors are Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P., Lord Berwick, Lord North. Lieut.-Colonel Goulburn, Lady Gilbert East, Hon. Mrs. Astley, D. C. Marjori banks, M.P., &c. The show will be the largest ever attempted, consisting of 1,100 pens of poultry, 400 pens of pigeons, together with rabbits and extra stock, amounting in the whole to 1,800 pens, comprising some of the finest specimens of rare and beautiful birds. So extensive will be the show that the entire area usually appropriated to the Smithfield Cattle Show will be occupied by the specimens. FUNERAL OF THE REV. WILLIAM JAY.—The interment of this eminent minister took place at Bath on Tuesday, in the family vault, in the burying ground belonging to Argyle chapel, of which place of worship Mr. Jay was for so lengthened a period the minister. In spite of the severity of the weather, there was a very l arg e attend ance of the m em b ers o f the denomination to which Mr. Jay belonged. The funeral address wasdelivered by the Rev. John Owen, minister to the congregation in Lady Huntingdon's connection, and the funeral sermon will be preached this (Thursday) morning by the Rev. John Angel James, of Birmingham, and on. Sunday evening next by the Rev. James Sherman, of Surrey Chapel, London. LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN. Early in the morning a telegraphic message from Tring announced that the up line was blocked in the cutting, and the down line in a very bad state, a lug gage train, followed by the mail train, being almost embedded in the snow. Several hundred men were at once set to work to clear the line, but, after several hours' arduous labour, only partially succeeded. The first train arriving at the Euston station was from Northampton, considerably behind its time, the guard reporting that the snow had drifted three feet high in the streets when he left Northampton. This train was followed by one from Wolverton, due at 9 o'clock, and arriving at 12. At balf-past 12 came the mail train from Liverpool and Manchester, eight hours behind its time. The guard. reported a heavy fall of snow, and constant delays, :Ls far as Tring cutting, where the train came to a dead lo ck, and remained embedded in the snow five hours. Ultimately it was found necessary to go back to the next r station and shift the train to the down rails, along which it finished its journey. The other trains continued to arrive during the day from one to two hours behin.d their time. The down trains, with the exception of the first, which was _two hours late, started nearly as timed on the company's tables. GREAT WESTERN. The South Wales mail train, due at 4 a.m., arrived nearly at its time, but the Plymouth mail, due at the same time, did not come in until 7 o'clock, subsequent trains keeping time pretty regularly. The down trains started as timed, rind if they had not done so no great inconvenience would have resulted, because, as stated by an official of the oompany, " There was hardly any one to convey." Some seven or eight cabs, belonging to or hired by the corn pally, plied during the. earlier part of the day, but, their horses getting soon knocked up, passen gers arriving were :left to get along as they could. GREAT NORTHERN. A message by electric telegraph early in the morning intimated to the ae thorities at King's-cross that the line on both sides of Grantham was completely blocked, and all traffic impossibl a between Peterborough and Newark. The first train arriving was from Peterborough, at 7 o'clock, due at 415 a.m. At ten o'clock two other short-distance trains arrived, one of them being about an hour and a-half late. A train from Peterborough, due at 11, arrived at 12 45, and at 2 10 p.m. a train came in from Cambridge, nearly to its time ; no tidings, however, had then been received of the mail train from the north, due at 4 a.m. At 3 o'clock in the afternoon a second telegraphic message was received, stating that the line between Newark and Peterborough was still completely blocked, and that the snow, which had continued through out the day, was then falling faster than ever. The arri val of the mail train, therefore, was regarded as exceed ingly improbable for many hours. The down trains started at the usual times, but the company declined to book passengers further than Peterborough. Upon in quiry at the King's-cross station late last evening it was ascertained that no trains from beyond Peterborough had arrived, or were likely to arrive, a telegraphic mes sage, received by the superintendent of the line, at 8 o'clock, stating that traffic between Peterborough and Newark was still impossible, the loop line not being open, and the main line remaining closed, notwithstand ing the exertions made to clear it, the snow in the cut tings having accumulated to an almost uniform depth of six feet. No trains therefore were likely to start for stations north of Peterborough this morning. EASTERN COUNTIES. This line, like the Great Northern, was seriously ob structed. Early in the morning special engines, con veying large numbers of labourers, were despatched down the line for the purpose of clearing the rails. From the Colchester branch up to 2 o'clock only one train had arrived at Shoreditch. The Colchester mail, due at half-past 4, was three hours and a half late ; while on the Cambridge line no train whatever had ar rived from Broxbourne up to the same hour, the snow having accumulated from that point to Chesterford to an unprecedented extent. In the Chesterford cutting four luggage trains were completely embedded in the snow, with the mail train from Yarmouth, Norwich, and Cambridge, due in London at 4 15 a.m., waiting behind them. The only down traffic during the day was from Shoreditch to Broxbourne, Hertford, and in termediate stations, the first train being despatched at 10, instead of 8 o'clock. On the Eastern Union line from Colchester to Ipswich and Norwich traffic was entirely suspended. A telegraphic communication received at the Shore ditch station last night at 9 o'clock from Chesterford, announced that the line at that point was still completely blocked up with snow, and that all endeavours to clear the rails had up to that hour failed. An attempt had been made to force a train drawn by eight engines through the snow, but, after proceeding half a mile, it came to a dead stand. Eight trains were embedded in the snow at Chesterford. The Norwich mail arrived at the Shoreditch station last night 14 hours behind its time, and at 9 o'clock a train, drawn by several powerful engines, was despatched to Cambridge, with the view of making another attempt to force through the snow. The down mails left Shoreditch last night, but it was riot anticipated they would reach their destination at the usual time. The officials of this line had been working arduously from 2 o'clock yesterday morning, assisted by hundreds of men, endeavouring to clear the line. SOUTU-EASTERN. The great obstruction along this line commenced at Ashford, the line whence to Dover was blocked so early on Tuesday night that the snail train which left London LONDON AND SOUTH-WESTERN. The mail-train on this line from Southampton was about four hours late. No material obstruction was ex perienced until it arrived at Farnborough, where the line was found to be completely blocked. A telegraphic message was sent to the superintendent at the Waterloo station, who immediately despatched assistance to clear the line. The other up trains were rather late in arrival, the down trains being despatched according to the time table. So vast was the accumulation of snow upon the roof of the Waterloo station that great fears were enter tained for its safety, and precautions were accordingly taken to remove the weight from the building. It may also be mentioned that the glass roof at the South- Eastern station, London-bridge, was considerably injured by the weight of snow lying upon it, and a large num ber of men and trucks were employed during the day in its removal. THE EAST AND WEST INDIA DOCK JUNCTION. This line, which runs from Fenchurch-street and ter minates at Chalk Farm, was completely buried in snow in all the lower portions, where it lay from two to three feet in depth. A singular circumstance occurred on the bridge crossing the Great Northern at Hornsey. An engine, with three carriages attached, was propelled with the full power of steam ; but on the above bridge it became perfectly embedded in the snow, stuck fast, and came to a complete standstill. GENERAL POST-OPFICE. The report from this office was, that the Irish, Scotch, Yarmouth, Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Peterborough, Dover, Deal, Margate, and Ramsgate mails had not arrived. THE PARKS. The ornamental waters in the Royal parks and Ken sington-gardens were so deeply covered with snow as almost to preclude the skaters from enjoying that amuse ment. Several acres were, however, cleared by nume rous sweepers, and there were, consequently, about 6,000 or 7,000 skaters and sliders. The ice generally was thick and strong, and no accidents occurred. From the regis ter at the Receiving-house, Hyde-park, it appeared that the wind generally had been north-east. Last night a thaw set in, which was very general in London. In consequence of the intense frost which has pre vailed for several days, the fish-market at Billingsgate has been supplied in a very limited manner. Yesterday almost all the fish which arrived in the market was by rail ; the supply was limited in the extreme, and the prices asked were exorbitant, cold-fish being cbarged from 15s. to 255. The only vessel which took a berth at the market-pier was an oyster-boat, all the others, including the Dutch eel-vessels, having been obliged to keep in the Pool, and most of them were compelled to dry or cook their fish, in order to make it saleable. It is currently stated that any longer continuance of the present inclement weather will entail the alarming probability of a total failure in the supply of gas for the metropolis. The condition of the river below London bridge is now such that the colliers cannot discharge their cargoes, the barges being in almost every instance frozen in or so jammed up as to render it impossible to carry on the ordinary operations. The directors of several of the leading gas companies met yesterday for the purpose of determining what was best to be done under the circumstances. No decision was arrived at, and the only hope at present seems to be that the seve rity of the weather may . moderate. The price of coals is enormous. THE PROVINCES. By telegraphic despatch from Manchester we learn that the snow fell in that neighbourhood without inter mission during the whole of Tuesday night, accompanied by a strong north-east wind, and the depth of the snow was considerable in those places where the drift rested. This despatch reported all the railroads to be blocked up, as well as many of the turnpikes. There had been no arrivals from London since Tuesday's night mail, and yesterday morning's mail was reported to be, with the morning papers, at Stafford. Two hundred men had been employed all the day endeavouring to open a cut ting near Whitmore, but the wind blew the snow in so fast that but little progress was made. At 7 o'clock on Wednesday night 11 passenger trains were due at Manchester, and the last despatched thence for London, at half-past 1 o'clock in the day, was stopped by a snow drift four feet deep, at Cheadle, and obliged to return. One of the drifts is said to be 16 feet deep, and so many points of the line are stopped, that possibly there may be no complete communication with London for some days. The Macclesfield, North Staffordshire, Sheffield, Lan cashire and Yorkshire, East Lancashire, and other lines were snowed up, and many trains were due at Manches ter at 7 p.m. yesterday. The town and neighbourhood of Birmingham were also visited by a very heavy snowstorm yesterday. Before eight o'clock in the morning the roads in the neighbourhood were choked up with snow, and the greatest difficulty of access was experienced in the neigh. bourhood of Birmingham. Somc of the avenues of the town were almost unapproachable. The morning papers from London did not arrive, or were delivered before 1 p.m., and the northern mails were throughout the day in arrear. On the night of Tuesday the fall of snow at Windsor and the neighbourhood was so great, that all the thorough fares of the town and approaches to the Castle wer completely blocked up, and every cart that could be obtained was engaged by order of the mayor in removing the obstructions. The trains on the Great Western and South-Western railways were stopped downwards ; the up trains, however, were only delayed in consequence of the down traia engines not coming in time to take them away. This more particularly pertained to the South- Westernline, and the first train to Windsor was two hours behind time, although five engines behind and two before were engaged in forcing the carriages through the snow on the line between Waterloo and Vauxhall. The great accu mulation of snow at this point is attributable to the high parapet wall, acting as a dam against the north-easterly drift The regular working on the line was not resumed till after two o'clock in the afternoon. The principal stoppage on the Great Western line was at West Drayton, where the snow had drifted to an alarming extent. Much credit is due to the executive of both lines for the prompt measures adopted to prevent accident by despatching pilot engines to clear the way, under the control of effi cient and experienced officers. So great a fall of snow has not occurred here within the memory of man. For upwards of 10 years the inhabitants of the west of England have not witnessed such an old-fashioned winter as the present. During nearly the whole of last week, snow fell fast and continuous. On Thursday night, however, an extraordinary thaw took place, and by the morning all traces of snow had in many instances disappeared. As a curious fact, it may be mentioned that there was a difference of no less than 20 degrees in the atmosphere during the night. On Saturday frost again set in, and from that day to the present, snow has fallen at intervals, thick and fast, and the whole country is now covered. The consequence is, that traffic, both by rail and road, is much impeded. The trains both on the Bristol and Exeter and South Devon Railways have been delayed, but not to so great an extent as on some of the northern lines. The mail coaches, which run into the north of Devon, have been also much retarded, but fortunately no accident of a serious nature has oc curred. On Monday night a violent gale of wind prevailed along the whole of the south. coast of Devonshire, and in the neighbourhood of Dawlish two vessels, both be longing to Exmouth, were stranded, and have since be come total wrecks. A telegraphic despatch, dated Tynemouth, 10 p.m., Wednesday, which has been received, contains the fol lowing intelligence :—" There has been a fearful gale all day. Wind, due east to-night. The Elizabeth, Ante lope, Anna of Shields, the Amphitrite, of London, the Europa, of Hull, Arethusa, of Blyth, New-Messenger, of Liverpool, Sir Robert Peel, of Dundee, and Eliza beth, of Kirkwall, all came ashore this morning. All hands of the Elizabeth were drowned. The other crews were saved. All the vessels have gone to pieces to night, with the exception of the Elizabeth and Europa, which are also breaking up ; not a rib of them will be standing in the morning. A schooner named Union has just come ashore ; her crew were taken off by the South Shields life-boat. A schooner is supposed to have been ashore at Hartley after dark, and it is feared that all her crew were drowned. A large fleet got in this morning. Fourteen vessels are reported ashore at Sunderland ; crews saved. We are looking for more disasters. during Cat?. night. The ships are protocted from wreckers by armed policemen. The Sir Robert Peel was a fine barque, from Valparaiso. Some silver she had on board had been got on shore." The thermometer was 21 degrees belowing freezing point in the open air in Shields on Tuesday, and Satur day was the coldest day ever experienced during the past 13 years in Sunderland. The Wear is frozen over at Durham, and the Tyne above the High Level-bridge at• Newcastle. There is also a good deal of loose ice in both rivers, but nothing to induce any fears with regard to the navigation. The Durham and Northumberland hills have thick covering of snow upon them, and elderly people call it an "old-fashioned winter." The cold is intenser than has been felt for many winters. From the number of winter fowl on the coast, the ponds and lakes seem frozen over in the interior, and seamen prognosti cate hard weather from the number of gulls that have come into the Tyne. 1854. 1853. '47,382 46,250 10,021 9,852 10,531 9,971 15,594 15,076 21,489 15,578 From several of the lines no returns have yet reached us ; but it will be observed that the traffic above recorded is encouraging, especially on the Great Northern. Railway Shares are generally lower, and with few buyers. The interruption to the traffic will probably have some effect upon the dividends, but not sufficient to account for this decline, which is rather by sympathy with the funds. Caledonian, Great Western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, North- Western, and Midland have been chiefly dealt in. French Shares have been rather weaker also, but there is not much doing. The Gold Mine Shares continue dull, and also the Banks, but the Land Companies' are a little firmer. BRITISH FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK. ( From the Official List.) Business done. 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 934 1 3 New 31 per Cent. Annuities 944 44 Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 Ditto 30 Years, Expire 10th Oct., 1859 5 1-16 Consols for Opening 18th Jan. 934 28 3 Exchequer Bills, ld. Small 7 p PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Brazilian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto New, 1852, 4ti per Cent 928 Mexican 3 per Cent. Ditto for the Account 23 g Peruv:an 3 per Cent. Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £ St Ditto 4 per Cent 94i A Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 441 - Dividends on the above payable' in London. HALF-PAST TWO. Consols for Opening 18th January 921 3 x d AMERICAN AFFAIRS. The mercantile advices from New York this week show great general steadiness in all departments of business, without a prospect of its being disturbed in any quarter. The remittances of gold to this side continue much larger than was anticipated, the amount by the present steamer, although she sailed from Boston, being 90,0001. ; but the fact is in a great measure accounted for by the large draughts from China on American account that are constantly made payable in London and require to be provided for. The grain-market remained firm, although the last advices from England had brought rather lower quotations, the demand on French account exer cising an influence at New York similar to that which it has produced in London, most of the recent purchases having lately been for that country. Rye, also, was in request for both France and Belgium, and it was con sidered that the requirements- of these two countries alone would be sufficient to give firmness to prices throughout the winter. There was nothing later' from California. From Mexico the advices indicated that the negotiations for the fresh territory required by the United States - for their road to the Pacific would soon be concluded by Santa Anna for a sum of money, on the receipt of which he may probably exalt himself from Dictator to Emperor. From Peru accounts had been re ceived of an alleged outrage committed iu the house of the United States' Consul, by the seizure of some of the par tisans of the insurgent Don Elias, who had been allowed shelter there. Coining immediately after the attack upon American seamen at the Chincha Islands, for which Peru was forced to pay compensation, this new affair has attracted more attention than would otherwise have been bestowed upon it. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 1094 per cent., and the par of Exchange between England and America being 109 23.40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is nominally 6-17 per cent. in favour of Eng. land ; and, after making allowance for charges of trans port and difference of interest, the present rate leaves a trifling profit on the importation of gold from the United States. SHIPMENTS OF SPECIE.—The shipments of specie by the Peninsular and Oriental steamer Ripon amount to 235,9001.. of which 207,5001. is silver, for Bombay, Penang, Batavia, Hongkong, Canton, and Shanghai, and 28,400/. gold, for Alexandria, Ceylon, Madras, Batavia, and Hongkong. COTTON STOCKINGS.—Between January and Decem ber the value of cotton stockings exported was no less than 423,0701., against 201,4121. for the previous year. SOUTH MIDLANDI3 UNION RAILWAY. —The declaration and estimate of expense just made by this company to Parliament for constructing the proposed line from Poole to the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth line of the Great Western, between Bruton and Castlecary, with connect ing branches, is, including the purchase of land, 450,0001. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.— The directors have just given instructions to the traffic manager of the line to distribute, as the reward of rail way merit, gratuities among such of the men whose general conduct and length of service have rendered them deserving of the benefaction, which consists in the presentation of a week's pay to those of the first class whose service has exceeded 21 years, and half a week's pay to those of the second-class who have been in the service 12 months. SCOTLAND. In some parts of Scotland the snow storm seems t• have made its appearance before visiting England. On the night of Monday week there was a heavy fall of snow in the neighbourhood of Inverness, continued, with little intermission, till 'Wednesday morning, the effect of which was immediately visible in the irregularities of the mails. THE MAILS BETWEEN ABERDEEN AND DUNDEE.—On making inquiry after a missing mail at the Post-office on Monday night, we were informed there had been no arrival from Aberdeen since Thursday. This, however, appears a singular fact, and little creditable to her Ma jesty's mail service, let the snow-storm be as severe as it may. The railway train may very likely find it im possible, even with all its power of steam, to make way through the masses of snow with which the deep cuttings of the Aberdeen Railway are blocked up, but when the mail-coach used to stick fast in the snow (and what we refer to is still exemplified beyond Aberdeen) the guard r —always a bold pushing fellow—took to horse, or, fail ing that, plunged on a-foot with the mail bags, never ceasing his exertions until the point for which he was destined had been reached. Before the era of railways, scarce a winter passed over that we did not hear of the heroism of these mail guards, displayed in thus battling with and partially overcoming elemental obstacles. Now, it seems, if the train comes to a stand-still, there is no further exertion made to forward our letters, else it is incredible that no mails should have reached Dun dee from Aberdeen since Thursday last ; and, proof as it may be of the severity of the snow-storm, such a fact is a still more striking instance of the degeneracy which has overtaken the postal arrangements of this country. —Dundee Advertiser. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, JAI. 4. The Royal dinner party yesterday included the Duchess of Kent, the Lady-in-Waiting to Her Royal Highness, Lady Frances Bruce, Colonel Hall, Com manding Officer, Ist Life Guards ; and Lieut.• Colonel Sir Charles Hamilton, Commanding Officer 2nd Bat talion Scots Fusilier Guards. Her Majesty's private band was in attendance in the evening, and played the following selection : Overture (Op. 15) Solo, Violin M. Sainton. Sinfonia (No. 4) Mozart. Selection " Marco Spada" _ __ Prince Albert went out shooting this forenoon. The Duke of Beaufort had an audience of the Queen, to deliver up the Insignia of the Order of the Garter worn by the late Duke. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has been invited, and is expected to-day. The Commissioners for the Reduction of the National debt had a quarterly meeting yesterday at the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Down ing -street. Present : The Chancellor of the Exchequer the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Deputy Governor. Mr. Higham was in attendance. The Cathedral commission had a meeting yesterday. Present : The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Marquis of Blandford, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Ox ford, Sir . John _Dodson, Sir John Patteson, the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth, the Hon. and Rev. Canon Villiers, the Rev. Canon Selwyn, and the Rev. Richard Jones (Secre tary). The Lord Chancellor will receive the Judges, Queen's Counsel, &c., on Wednesday next, the first day of Hilary term, at his lordship's residence in Upper Brook- -- street, at 12 o'clock. Despatches were received at the Colonial-office yester day from the Governors of the North American Pro vinces. DRURY-LANE THEATRE. One of the great evils of London existence is, that the majority of persons cannot go to a theatre or other place of amusement, without running the risk of having to traverse on his way home, miles of streets in a pouring rain, or during a cutting north wind. To be sure, there are omuibusses and cabs, but you may just be in time to miss the last of the former, and as to the latter convey ance, " cabby" has always got some mysterious prior engagement, though politely hints he will break faith, if you only pay him something like 200 per cent, extra. This inconvenience is felt at all times, but doubly so during the present inclement season, when few can visit a theatre without taking a whole string of juveniles to see the Christmas pantomime. Let all who have not been subjected to the annoyance of the journey home ward under such circumstances, take a glance at the misery of Paterfamilias, as cleverly depicted this week by our amusing friend Punch, and they may easily imagine some of the attendant "pleasures" of a family expedition to our West-end places of entertainment. The enterprising lessee of Drury-lane, who seems to take an especial delight in catering for the amusement of the rising generation, has done his best to overcome the scruples of their papas and mammas to venturing out at night, by giving morning or rather afternoon perform - ances. The next of these, since the production of the pantomime, is to take place on Wednesday, January the 11th, when the boys of the Royal Military School, Chelsea, with their celebrated band, will attend. Th afternoon performances will be continued every Wed nesday at 2 o'clock, as long as the excellent pantomime of Harlequin King Humming Top and the Land of Toys runs, which will, no doubt, be for a very conside rable period. TILE SCOTTISH HOSPITAL. A meeting of the governors was held yesterday, at the Institution, Crane-court, Fleet-street, Dr. Webster, F.R.S., in the chair. The SECRETARY stated that since the last meeting it had been referred to Dr. Cumming, and some other gentlemen, to decide whether any and what change should be made in the appropriation of the educa- tional fund ; but though some suggestions had been made, and some discussions had taken place, no report had been made, and no change therefore had taken place in the mode of distributing the fund. A commit tee of seven was appointed to enquire into the school fund, and report to the court as to the best mode of applying it. A statement of accounts with respect to the funds derived under the Kinloch bequest for the last year was read, from which it appeared that the receipts amounted to 2,114/. 17s. 9d., and the expenditure to 1,9311. 3s. 5d., leaving a balance' in the Bank of England, to the credit of the institution of 1831. 14s. 4d. • Major ADAIR said that several years ago it had bee* decided by the court that the names of the benefactors should be put up in the hall, as had been done in former days ; but, in consequence of some contemplated changes, that decision had not been carried into effect, It so happened, that on last St. Andrew's-day no less than four gentlemen had qualified themselves for the distinction, and he therefore suggested that instructions should be given to carry out the former directions. The proposition was agreed to, and the court ad journed. LIVERPOOL CORPORATION AOCOUNTS.—The total in come of the corporate estate for the year is estimated at 1 7 1 ,7781. ; and the obligatory expenses are likely to be 126,9261., leaving a gross surplus of 44,8521. Last year the income was estimated at 148,9601., the obligatory expenses at 127,1601., and the surplus at 31,800/. From the gross surplus, however, there will hare to be de, ducted several items of discretionary expenditure, w hi c h amount to 3,1471., also for improvements in West Derby read, Everton, Mount-pleasant, Brownlow-hill, Cha loner-street, and Cable-street, 1,6001. ; and 10,0001. voted for the purposes of the Free Public Library and Museum. After deducting these amounts th e re i s still a surplus of 30,135 1 . It is presumed, however, that the council will order the payment of the following sums towards the watch rate, in lieu of poor rates on the corporate property, namely, for Liverpool 8,5251, Toxteth-park 1,5831., West Derby 6851., Everton 7981., Kirkdale 2981. If these payments be allowed, the balance left to be expended for the general benefit of inhabitants will be 1 8 , 2 13/.—Liverpool Mercury. FLAG-SHIP AT LEITH. —lt is reported that Rear- Admiral the lion. George Crofton will hoist his flag at Leith, in a station-ship, as it is expected he will procure a great number of young Scotchmen for the service.— Edinburg& d dyeit Lcir. Sig ditto, Trade Cua ditto; A fa] WE ditto, Trade NEI ruled. Beef, Veal, the oa SOl3 to-Cfai as fon 5s 2d 81bs, t Rol Prices as fon to 5s per 81.1 Minch Wold, poll is There Glouc4 candid IS mat La El Rc ' fen Tti dan bon 101 Str the be 1, nopl heat ing 1 last] repo: with Cros Ti outsi Ar Sa hour; Por tb Inal pot wail. 74 9 IVREA' rolls Li g h the c the stear, publi lurid of so ing cony mon, of-fa