The Sun. — London, England, 1854-12-23 00:00:00

TEEATRE ROYAL HAYMAAKET. Under the management of Mr. Tanchatone. TM EVENING. Dac. 23, WM be performed the Comely of PRESENTED AT COURT. rencipal characers by Messs. Bueltstoe, W. Farrea, and Howe ; Misses Reynolds, t E. Chaplin, r Grantham n and Lavine. After which, the -Ba let of THE STAR OF ANDALUSIA, in which Senora Pcrea ena wits app:ar. To which will be added TIIE BALANCE OF COMFORT. Followed by TPE IRISTI LION. To conclude with POPPING THE QUESTION. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE. Under the Management of Mr. CHARLES MEAN. On TUESDAY NEXT, Dae. 26, Will be presented THE COURIER OF LYONS. Principal charac ter by Mr. C. Kean. After which will be produced New Grand Christmas Pantomime , entitled, HARLEQUIN BLUE a -BEAED ; or, The Grand lisashsw.. Harlequin, Mr. Cormack ; Clown, Mr. Huline ; Pantaloon , Mr. Paulo , and Columbine, Miss De.sborough. TEIRATite ROYAL A.DELPEiI. Proprietor, Mr. 11. Webster.—Directreas, Madame elest9 ' EVF.NINO, D-sc. 23. Will be performed an entire new Rustic Drama calla; PIER E TII FOILNDLINi3. supports i l,y Messrs. IS. Webster ant lie.- ley, and Mrs. Keeley and 31iSi Pr , olgar. Fo'lowed by 131 NA FLOE: TitAVF.L.LEILS. After which, a new Farce called Tit& SLOW MIN. • To which will be a.tdel a n.w Farce, ent tled TUE 111!LWAY BELLE. B oy.Ai. OLYMPIC TIIEITN.E, Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Wigan. THIS EVENING, DEC. 21, .nub. presented a new Comedletta, c died A WIFE'S JOURNAL. Characters by Messrs. Brown, Emery, Harcourt, and Leslie; and mrs. brown, and Miss 3faskell. To be followed by THE BEULAH SPA. Principal characters by Messrs- A. Wigan, Emery, F. Robson, and H. Cooper; Miss Marston, Mrs. A. Wigan, Mrs. Fitzallan, and Miss Jolla St. George. To conclude Wel THE FIRS r NIGHT. Characters by Messrm. Altled Willa; Leslie, Harwood Cooper, and Gladstone; Miss Julia St. George, and Mos Emily Ormonde. . , ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Mader the management of Madame Vestris. Sole Lessee Mr. C. Mathews. _ . On Tneiday, Dec. 26th,1854, will be produced a new and original ' Fairy Extravaganza, entitled PRINCE PRET rYPET and THE ' BUTTERFLY. To be followed by TWO HEIDS ARE BETTER THAN ONE. Box-ofilee open from 10 until 6. - Sole agent for Private Boxes, Mr. Al'croft, 15, New Bond-street . ASTLET'S ROYAL AMPIIITUEA.TRE. Lessee and Manager, )&r. William Cooke. The Wonderful PERFORMING ELEPIIA_NTS for this week only! TIII3 EVENING, THE BATTLE of THE ALMA! After which, the varied SCENES In the CIRCLE. Also, the Wonderful PERFORNIING ELEPHANTS, whose asto nishing sagacity and indescribable development of the reasoning faculty have been the theme of universal admiration. To conclude with the MARRIED BICIIELOR. N.B.—A MORNING PERFORMANCE consisting of the New Comic Pantomime and Scenes in the Arena, Will take place on TUESDAY, 26ih (Boxing Day) at Two o'clock. HIUH WATER AT LONDON BRIDOIS. Tuts DAT —Mornirg 8 alin.nfter 4 I Evening 4 s2 min.aft. 4 To- footacw -Morning 58 rnin.afteir►livening2lsnin.nft. 5 THE wEA THyg.--81st gyros, Dec. 23. -TARBMOIKET7III, IN THE SHADE. 55 —highest since noon yesterday. 45 --iowcst this morning and during the night. 48—this day, at neon. BAROMETER, 30. WIND, W.N.W.—Light breeze, with fine weather. . , LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1854. Well, the objects of the Christmas Session have been accomplished. The Militia Bill 'and. the Foreigners Enlistment Bill have received the ,Legislative sanction, and are now part and parcel • of the statute law of the land. These measures, which the Goveruinent declared to be essential to the vigorous and energetic carrying on of the just and necessary war in which the country is en gaged, are of very different characters, aua. -wer f brought forward under widely different circum stances. The nature and object of the former were clearly stated and canvassed in the public . journals long before the commencement of the session. It was referred to in the Royal Speech ; and when the anticipated bill was i introduced it found every member fully prepared for its discussion, and well ac quainted with the views and wishes of his con " stituents. There was no mystery maintained—no • surprise contemplated. And why ? Because the plan proposed could bear the most stringent in vestigation. There was nothing to excite the disgust or indignation of the country—nothing unconstitutional or impolitic. The more freely it was ventilated, the more general would be the assent to its salutary provisions. Differences of opinion might exist as to the details, but none as to the principle. Nor could there be any coercion practised. Although an overwhelming majority of any particular regiment were not only willing but most anxious to serve their country in the delightful quarters indicated by Minis ters, not a single individual, even the most humble private soldier, could be required to leave the United Kingdom, or to under . take any duty which he was not previously bound to diacharge. All that was required was that he should be enabled to volunteer for certain valuable but by no means onerous services, and that his own request might be conceded if it seemed expedient to the military authorities that it should be so. How different was it with the obnoxious pro position for the employment of foreign mer cenaries. As the one was all open and above board, the other was all mystery and conceal ment. The very candour displayed respecting the Militia Bill proved that its authors had con fidence in its justice and efficacy; they invited full discussion, because they knew that discussion would promote their object awl disarm any factious opposi tion that might be offered, if any memb er o f e ith er House of Parliament could, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, suffer his party feelings to betray him into such 'a course. But this laudable behaviour only places the impropriety of their conduct in reference to the other question in a still stronger light. What they courted in the one case they shrunk from in the other. They knew that it would not bear publicity ; that if time were afforded for consideration, it would be condemned by every free and independent con ' ' stituency throughout the length and breadth of • the land, and that in terms so decided and unequivocal, that the most fawning " waiter on PROVIDENCE," the most sup ple Ministerialist, could not venture to support it' without forfeiting every hope of re election. It could only be carried, if at all, by a coup de main. Great reliance was placed on the servility of many Honourable Gentlemen, and the efficiency of the rod which has so long been kept in pickle for refractory supporters. A resigna tion, by which they should forfeit all prospect of obta i n i ng th e rewards. - which they had ear ne d by their con venient versatility, or, still worse, a di:- solution, by which they would be b roug ht f ace t o face with the ir constituent s ; and ev en if th ey !succeeded in ob taining t r o en b e e w a a r l th e e x p enses of of confid ence would most probably ha ve • a contest. A surprise is generally eff ec t ual, if tried eel to abandon thei r po s t s against sentinels prepar at a moment's notice, an d only desiro us of a plausible excuse to enable th e m to do so. Go vernment reckoned largely on this disposition, and it a,pipears that the result fully justified the N A - - There calculation. Not the slightest hin t was suffered -I ' - 1 4 _ ' to ooze out respecting their intention s . - . • - • *aa not even any allusion thereto in the Royal 4:l"t.ftti.:4>veeoh, although it would only have gi ven t wo 711 -' .:411 •?;j notice before the introduction of the ' - I / l a C ,Itot THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING . DECEMBER 23, 1854. bill. Everything was risked to render the surprise complete. Could there be stronger or more unequivocal evidence of their own opinions respecting the measure, and their conviction that it would, on due consideration, be decisively re rejected by the Parliament ? By their own acts are they condemned• It requires nothing more to convince an y unprejudiced and dispassionate man that they knew that they were acting wrong, and forcing an obnoxious measure on the country which could not be carried if fair means only were resorted to. The good "CLICQUoT" has completely jockeyed the English Government. " The Angel of Peace" has contrived to lay the foundation of " a war navy," at the expense of those against whom it may chiefly be required. He has, indeed, ex- hibited that peculiar species of talent, or rather CUMliity, in the transaction that would strongly excite the admiration of a gang of horse chaunteis, or " Lunation cute Yankees." He has managed to exchange two gun-boats, now comparatively worthless, for a frigate, not an " old one," as in timated by the First Lord of the Admiralty, but one in excellent order and condition, ready for service at a very short notice. _ It appeared that the good KING saw the weak ness of the English fleet in a branch urgently required for service in the Baltic. He knew that we were without gun-boats, and conceived the notion of obtaining an ex orbitant price for those which he had on baud, paid, too, in a manner that would ren der it far more beneficial to himself.. He wanted frigates, and he thought that he could obtain them from England on peculiarly easy terms. But how was he to do so without exciting the wrath of his Autocratic brother-in-law ? "Hie labor, hoc opus est" He could not relinquish the pleasure of doing the Britons, but he could not injure NICHOLAS. Under such circumstances the plan required a high degree of diplomacy, and truly it was required. The only point was that it was a pity to waste so much address with the rather obtuse personages whom they warn bent on humbugging. The mode adopted was as follows. In May las just at the time that the painful deficiency of the Baltic Fleet in vessels of light draught became but too perceptible, the Prussian Government proposed to exchange two gun-boats, built in this country, the Nix and Salamander, for two old corvettes, or " donkey frigates," as they have sometimes been termed. The representatives of England greedily nibbed at the bait. They were quite willing to make the Exchange, but, as Prussia well knew, had not the peculiar class of vessels which she required. The builder *f the Prussian gun-boats was specially sent to report on their value. Without imputing the slightest impropriety to Mr. SCOTT RUSSELL, for whom we entertain an un feigned respect, it must be admitted that he would naturally take rather a prejudiced view of the subject. Propositions were then made to vary the terms by giving the Thetis frigate in ex change for the gun-boats, at which the Prussians eagerly grasped, as she was at least four times the value, and was just "the thing" for the new port of Jande. Titus was, however, wasted, and it was not until September that the Prussian Go vernment signified its acceptance of the offer long previously made. But by that time the gun-boats were no longer wanting for the Baltic at least during the then season. The 13rititax antlwrities had no longer any deeire to complete the transaction, and, lu turn, procras tinated. But, as they got coy, Prussia became more pressing—as they sJught to slip out, so did ' Prussia determine to hold them fast. They urged that the bargain was not concluded. Prussia responded that the English Government was pledged to the exchange, and they submitted ! They allowed themselves to be shorn by those whe would only laugh at them for their exceeding rerdcmtcy in return ; and thus the Thetis, worth 50,0001., will be handed over to Prussia, while we receive the Nix and Salamander, worth 12,0001., in exchange. But the pecuniary loss is the most trivial and least objectionable part of the transaction. It is not the .£. s. d. out of which we have been " chiselled" that we regret : it is that au Eng lish vessel of war, one that for some time sailed under the British flag, should be handed over to a power with whom we may, ere many months have elapsed, be at war ; and that her chief use should be to harass and annoy British commerce. This is indeed de plorable—this indeed may well excite the disgust and indignation of the people of Great Btitain ! Last year, when on the verge of war with Russia, we allowed two of her frigates to refit in our clockyards. This year we give a frigate, nearly new, recently refitted at a heavy expense, and in excellent condition and fit for immediate work, to another Power, with whom our relations are, to say the least of it, in a very unsettled and un satisfactory condition. AUSTRALIA VIA PANAMA-SHORTEST ROUTE TO ATIMALIA. A deputation of the directors of the Australian Dii ect Steam Navigation Company, vid Panama, was yesterday received by Viscount Canning, Postmaster-General, the object being to bring under his Lordship's notice, with other matter, the important fact, that a committee of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce—nominated on the 13th of July last, to report on the comparative advantages of the various routes for postal communication between England and Australia—have declared a decided prefer. ence of that via Panama, as being the line most likely to secure punctuality and speed, together with other pre ponderating advantages. COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, DEC. 22. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl and Coun tess of Ellesmere, and Lady Blanche Egerton, arrived yesterday on a visit to her Majesty. The band of the Royal Bucks Militia played during dinner, and the Queen's private band in the evening. The Queen and Prince walked in the grounds this morning. A deputation from the St. Pancras -road committee had an interview with the President of the General Board of Health at his office, Whitehall, in reference to the repair of the New-road lying in the parish of St. Pancras. The deputation consisted of Messrs. Farrer, IL Howlett, Champ, Timpson, Nelson, Carter, and Wailer, attended by Mr. G. W. F. Cook, Vestry Clerk. Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, had -an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, in his official residence, Downing street. Despatches for the Governors of the North Ameri can Colonies were sent last, evening from the Colonial Office. A messenger arrived in London this morning with de spatches from Field-Marshal Lord Raglan. Herr Von Usedom arrived in town last Thursday, on a special mission from the Court of Prussia, and has, with his suite, taken up his residence at No. 6, Halkin street, Grosvenor•place. Immediately after his arrival he waited on Count Von Bernstorff, the Prussian Mi nister, at his diplomatic residence, Carlton-terrace. FUNERAL OF LORD RUTIWERFURD.—The funeral of this late distinguished judge took place on Wednesday from his lordship's town residence, St. Colme-street, the place of interment being his own tomb in the Dean Cemetery.—Edinburgh Courant. Tliz CIVIL SERVICE.—The appointment of controller of the circulation department in the Post-office, Edin burgh, is vacant, vice Joseph Moule, retired on superan nuation, after 42 years' service. Appointments.—Mr. It. F. Freeman bas been appointed clerk in the mi . ? e t e a t..i a exa miner's office, Custom-h ouse , L on do n . M r . G. R e nni- Rpat G p l l lnas in g te o d w, e t a w tr o a a c d l d e i r t k io in al t c h le e rk C s ustem having in appoint ed - ashrn eet bee n , Shields. An add i ti on h as been ma d e n to the C ust oms C of business. at. Sund er l an d,quence of the great increai e the Customs es t a bli s h men t and consaderably augmented.—Civil k•ervice Gazette.. s has been revised . • .• - - LATEST NEWS. THE SIEGE OF SEBASTOPOL. PARIS, SATURDAY, HALF-PAST 8 A.M. The Moniteur states that the Austrian Am bassador had had a private audience with the Emperor, and delivered an autograph letter from his Sovereign, with the insignia of the Grand Cordon of the Imperial Order of St. Etienne. The• Austrian Ambassador also introduced the Prince of Schcenburg, who was the bearer of the etter, PARIS, FRIDAY. Advices from Marseilles of the 21st announce the arrival at that poet of the Indus, with news from Constantinople to the 10th, and from the Crimea to the Bth. When the assault takes place, 410 guns, of which 130 are English, will open fire. The scaling ladders were ready on the 6th. The Russians had made a vigorous sortie against the English. A smart engagement ensued, in which 1,100 Russians were made prisoners, and a small fort taken. It is said that 30,000 Turks, and a division of the Allies, will commence operations against Perekop. The Vladimir and a second Russian steamer arrived on the 6th on the French flank outside the Quarantine Point, and opened fire. The Valorous, the Terrible, and a French steamer compelled them to put back under the batteries. The French repel the continual sallies of the Russians. The 9th and 90th Regiments and a part of the 34th had arrived since the 4th. General Pennefather was ill at Balaklava. Lord Cardigan had left for England. The 4th light infantry embarked to-day at Marseilles, and four regiments are waiting for embarkation at Toulon. FRANCE. PARIS, FRIDAY MORNING. The Moniteur publishes the following de spatches : " THE CILARGE D'AFFAIRES OF FRANCE AT CON• lITANTINOPLE TO THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN PARIS. " Pera, Dec. 10. " We yesterday learnt that the treaty had been signed at Vienna on the 2d. " Prince Napoleon is making his preparations to return to the Crimea, although his health still re quires care. " The English steamers Candia, Riao, Emeu, and Thames, arrived yesterday and to-day, with 4,266 men of the 7th division." " THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES OF FRANCE AT CON• STANTINOPLE TO THB MINISTER OF FOREIGN AF. FAIRS IN PARIS. _ " Pera, Dec. 15. " General de Montebello has just arrived from the Crimea. He leaves for France on the 22d. The position before Sebastopol was very good on the 13th." " ADMIRAL HAMELIN TO THE MINISTER OF THE MARINE. " Montezuma, Kamiesh, Dec. 7. " Yesterday a Russian frigate and corvette came I out of Sebastopol, and took the direction with all speed towards the Bay of Strelestka. The Megere, anchored as an advanced guard, exchanged shots 'with the two - vessels, which were received at the entrance by our two avisos anchored in that bay. At the approach of an English frigate, which was followed by three other French and English frigates, the enemy retreated, and re-entered Sebastopol in all haste. Noise of the Russian balls struck our ships, nor did they reach the left of our troops en camped at Streletska. The illoititeur publishes the following notic., : " On Tuesday, the 26th, the Emperor will open in person, at the Palace of the Tuileries, in the Salle des Mardchaus, the legislative session of 1855, and will re ceive the oath of those members of the Senate and Le gislative Corps who have not yet fulfilled that forma lity. All the persons called upon to take part in the coeleye of their Majesties, as well as the corps diplo matique, the cardinals, ministers, marshals, and admi rals, the grand crosses of the mperial Order of the Legion of Honour, and the ladies invited, will enter by the stairs of the Pavillon de Fiore. The persons in vited must be at the Palace of the Tuileries at latest at half-past twelve." General Sir De Lacy Evans arrived here on Thursday evening, on his return from the East. The gallant officer passed yesterday and last night at Dijon ; his aide-de-camp, the Hon. Major Boyle, arrived in Paris this morning. The General in tends spending a few days in Paris, to repose after his long journey, and then to set out for England, where there is little doubt he will be welcomed as his gallant and chivalrous conduct deserves. Subscriptions in favour of the soldiers of the army of the East are being opened all over France. TURKEY. The Inclependance Beige quotes the following letter, dated Constantinople, 7th inst. : " Yesterday the Porte sent orders to Omer Pasha to embark for the Crimea with the greatest part of his troops. Several steamers and transports were at the same time ordered to Varna and Baltchik, to take on board those reinforcements and to convey them to their destination. Ismail Pasha, appointed some time ago General-in• Chief of the army is Asia, will return to Itoumelia, to assume the command of the remainder of the army of the Danube, with the title of Caimacan, or substitute of the Generalissimo. The successor of Ismail Pasha in Asia is not yet known, but everybody wonders that so important a post should be allowed to con tinue so long vacant, particularly at the present mo ment, when an able and energetic chief is re quired to arrest the entire disorganisation of the Asiatic army. The departure of Omer Pacha for the Crimea has produced a great sensation here. It is doubly significant. It proves, first, that the war is to be continued during the winter on an extensive scale, and, next, that the Allies reckon at last on the co-operation of Austria. Otherwise it would be highly imprudent to weaken to that degree the army of the Danube and leave Constan tinople open to an invasion. At the moment Prince Na poleon was preparing to embark for the Crimea he ex perienced a relapse, which has confined him to his bed for the last two days. His physician, Dr. Levy, Inspec tor-General of the medical service of the army. opposed his departure, which was fixed for yesterday. The Prince feels the greatest anxiety to return to his division, from an exaggerated idea of the bad effect produced by his absence from the seat of war. General Lances des Montebello, aide-de-camp of the Emperor Napoleon, arrived here the day before yesterday with despatches for the Prince and General Canrobert, and left the next morning for the Crimea. The Duke of Cambridge is to repair one of these days to the English Embassy to re ceive the visit of the Sultan, who has manifested a desire to pay him the same honour he had shown to Prince Napoleon. Immediately afterwards his Royal Highness will return to his hotel, having declined to accept the apartment offered to him by Lord Radcliffe in the Em bassy." THE MEDITERRANEAN. —.— MARSEILLES, DEC. 20.—The weather is extremely severe. We have constant gales from the N.W. , with occasional torrents of rain. The sun is rarely visible ; still the embarkation of troops and stores for the Crimea proceeds without inter mission. There is one fact, however, which must strike everybody who ca refully attends to those operations, which is the manifest supe riorit y of the captains and officers of British ste amers in affording facilities for the quick embarkation of troops over our French Allies, even in their own ports. The frigate Constitution, for example, and the large transport Chandernagor, wh ich have lain for several days in the port of the Joliette, have not yet embarked their cargoes, while sev eral Bri tish steamers have arrived, received troops, and sailed within the same period. General Rostolan, the Commander-in-Chief, is nevertheless indefati gable. The Packet Company of the Messageries Imperiales, likewise, have aided the go od work by despatching various steamers extrao rdinar y for Constantinople. The mail steamer Thabor, which should have sailed for C o nstantinople! on Monday, with 200 of the 4th Regiment of Light Infantry, detachments from various other regiments, and six horses, was detained by bad weather unt i l Tuesday. The Tap sailed last night for Constanti nople with troops and 20 English surgeons. The steamer France, just launched at Toulon, has arrived. She is chartered by the Government, and will take troops a*d 1,000 tons of stores to the 0N E Y MARKET IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. AND COMALls11:0I AE, INT ELLTGENCE. CITY, TWO o'CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 7,000 bales, including 1,000 Ameri can taken for export and on speculaiion. The market closed tamely at former rates. Railway shares wero firm. The intimation by the Chancellor of the Exche quer last evening, that the duties upon tea will not be further reduced at present, is acquiesced in as a proper course, considering the peculiar circum stances of the country, and the necessity of-raising money ; nor is the objection to this measure so forcible as it otherwise might have been, seeing that the further reduction has not yet come into operation. It is rumoured in commercial circles also, that a higher duty upon timber is to be fin- posed. The most intense dissatisfaction we have wit nessed for a long time prevails with respect to the declarations of Government last night concerning the blockade of the Black Sea ports. It is per fectly notorious that cargoes are constantly shipped from Odessa to Constantinople, as well as from the Sea of Azoff, and that there is, in fact, no blockade whatever, and if it be true, as stated in a letter to one of our merchants, that the British Ambassador in Turkey actually assured. the captains of trading vessels that they might proceed unmolested to Odessa and other places, it is impossible to recon cile the declaration last night made that there is a blockade. Unless some definite policy is adopted, we may expect Ministers to be much more severely handled than they have yet been. No one would complain if the intentions of Government were understood one way or the other, but to assert that there is a blockade is contrary to truth. There is no important alteration shown in the wookly account of the Bank of England, made up to the 16th inst. ; but the close of the year makes money temporarily in more request, and this is shown by the increase of other securities. The bullion account remains about the same ; but there is a decided increase of assets arising from the ad dition made to the deposit accounts, both of the Government and private parties. Compared with ,he previous week, the changes are as follows : Active circulation £19,039,065 Decrease Bullion Increase 3,132,039 Rest Increase Public Deposits 7,328 6,035,675 Increase Other Deposits Increase Seven-Day and other Bills Decrease Government Securities 490,267 9,710,512 19,139 923,112 28,995 11,565,237 Decrease Other Securities 13,869,287 Increase Notes unemployed 8,330,780 Increase 401,950 Bills of exchange were negociated yesterday upon most of the Continental cities at about the former rates, viz. :—Paris, 25 321 to 35 ; Amster dam, 11 171 to 172 ; Hamburgh, 13 51 to 52 ; Frankfort, 1172 to 118 ; and Trieste, 12 39 to 45. The shipments of specie direct from London during the week to last Thursday comprised 243,383 ounces of silver and 6,335 ounces of gold, principally to Hamburg, Belgium, and Boulogne. The English Securities have been very inactive, and prices have remained almost entirely as they closed yesterday. Consols have been 91g 1. Bank stock is firm at 209. Exchequer Bonds are 99/ ft. The New 3 per Cents. have been 911 to g. Foreign Securities have been heavy. Turkish Bonds are marked 75i to I. The Spanish Com mittee's Certificate is at si. Russian Five per Cents. have been dealt in at 98, and Danish at 1011. The following are the nominal prices of Foreign Stocks:—Grenada Deferred Bonds, 5 to 6; Mexi can, 21 to 211- ; Peruvian, 69 to 71 ; ditto 3 per Cents., 48 to 50 ; Portuguese 4 per Cents., 41 to 43 ; Russian 5 per Cents., 97 to 99 ; ditto 44 per Cents., 87 to 89 ; Spanish New Deferred, ISt 191; ditto 3 per Cents., 3Eq to 39,1 ; ditto Certificates, 51 to 51 ; ditto Passive, 4 to 4ft. The Railway Share Market has been inanimate, but the quotations are not generally lower. The foreign lines are at full rates. Foreign Mines have been at about the previous rates. The Banks are a shade higher, and Peel River arc in demand. BLUTISH FUNDS THIS DAY.—CLOSING PRICES. ( Front the Official List. nn dness done sink Stock .... ... 209 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities .. 91h 3 per Cent Cersols Annuities dew 3 per Cent. Annuities 1 eng Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 -16 India Stock India Bonds, £loeo Consols for Account, 10th January Exchequer Bills, 24d. £1000 k5OO Small , 4 7 Exchequer Bonds 1858, 3. per Cent. — Ditto 1859, „ , 99A fl PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS THIS DAY. Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent — Ditto 5 per Cent Russian Bonds, 1822, 5 per Cent. £St 9B Spanish Bonds, 3 per Cent 39 Ditto New Deferred, 3 per Cent lBi Spanish Committee Cort. of Coup. not fun sa Curkish Scrip, paid up in full Ditto for the Account 75 a CI 5 Dividends on Me al,ove payable in London. THREE O'CLOCK. i'ongols Ditto, January Account' ....... HOUSE OF LORDS.—(THIS DAY.) Their lordships met at the unusual hour of a quarter to nine this morning. The only peers present were the Lord Ch ance ll or , Earl Granville, and the Bishop of St. Asaph's. MINING INTELLIGENCE. (From, the Mining Journal of this day.) Mining Blares are dull, even for this dull season of the year. For good dividend shares there are inquiries, and occasionally large purchases made ; but among small and speculative shares the business transacted is next to nothing. Buller shares have been done at 5701. to 5901. ; Basset, 5401. to 5601. ; Alfred Consols, 171. 7s. 6d. to 171. 12s. 6d. ; Clijah and Went- worth, 141. to 141. 10s. ; West Stray Park, 111. to 12/. ; South Caradon, 3101. to 3151. ; Bedford United, 91. ss. to 9/. 10s. ; East Tamar, 12s. 6d. to 15s. ; Great Alfred advanced to 351., but left off flat at 311. 10s. to 321. ; West Alfred Consols, 181. to 201.; Sortridge Consols flat, at 11. 17s. 6d. to 21. 2s. 6d. LLOYD'S SHIPPING-(THIS DAY.) LONDON, Dec. 23.—Wind this day at Noon, W. ; light breeze, with fine weather. PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 22.—Wind, W. Arrived—Louisa, from London, for Callao, with much damage ; Excelsior, London, for Geelong, with loss of an anchor and part of a chain ; Rose Ellis, London, for Sydney, N.S.W., with loss of jibboom, and other damage; Eagle, London, for Port Philip, with loss of two anchors and chains ; Venilia, Leith, for Port Philip, with loss of bowsprit ; Margaretha, London, for Trieste ; Commerce, Newcastle, for Oporto ; Fritz, Hartlepool, for Constantinople. PLYMOUTH, Dec. 22.—Wind, W.N.W. Arrived — Pomona, from Memel, for Cardiff, with loss of timber rudder. DOVER, Dec. 22.—Wind, W. Arrived—Louisa Mar garetha, from London, for Portsmouth, with considerable damage, having been in contact with an American ship off Eastbourne. COWES, Dec. 22.—Wind, S.W. Arrived—Resolution, from London, for Launceston ; Cicerone, Sunderland, for Malta ; Frederick Louisa, do., for Naples. HULL, Dec. 22.—Wind, W.N.W. Arrived—Defiance, from St. John's, N.B. ; Irw ell (s), Rotterdam. Sailed — Dorcas C. Yeaton, for New York; Amelia Maria, Gibral tar. Put back—Brandenburg, Oporto, with damage, hay ing been in contact with a vessel in Grimsby Roads. STOCKTON, Dec. 22.—Wind, W.S.W. Arrived—High bury, from Quebec ; Eperlan, Gravelines. PORTLAND ROADS, Dec. 21.—Arrived —Brazil Packet, from Hamburg, for Rio Janeiro. Sailed.—Mercator, New castle, for Constantinople, (PER ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.) LIVERPOOL, Saturday, 10.45 a.m. Wind, N.W.; moderate. Arrived—Eleanor, from St. John's, N.B. Sailed Asia (s), for Boston. COUNTERFEIT HILF-SOYEREIGNS.—It appears that amongst the 'Jive coin in circulation are some Victoria half-sovereigns of 1852, struck out of brass with a die, and electro-plated, and so hard that they will not bend is the detector. In point of weight they are very much lighter, and the ring is very brassy and dull. The mil ling round the edge is very perfect, but the die from which they have been struck is far from perfect, and, on inspection, shows that the letters n in Britanniarum are inverted. Some Victoria sovereigns of the same date are also in circulation. They are made in the same way as the half-sovereigns, but the die from which they have been struck is coarser and more faulty than that from which the half-sovereigns have been struck. The wreath which is round the coat of arms contains fewer leaves than in a real one, whilst the letters are larger and coarser and the figures in the date are not all of one size, and the dots or pellets between the i n . scriptions are wanting. Crimea. The Arabia, Captain Jenkins, has made an extraordinary quick passage of seven days from Dublin. She will sail on Thursday for Balaklava with troops and several tons of gunpowder, which she has on board. If wo had such vessels on the Constantinople line, the Government would receive the despatches within half the time at pre sent occupied in the transit to Marseilles. The Andes, with General Sir De Lacy Evans on board, , had a slow passage from Malta, in consequence of a slight derangement in her machinery. She was three days off the harbour, detained by a head wind and heavy sea. The Hydaspes, one of the three s t e amers the Emperor has permitted the company of the Messageries Imperiales to purchase, in Eng land, will sail for the Black Sea on Thursday with the mails, troops, and stores. The Orinoco has arrived, and will proceed to Toulon to embark troops. The Ave= has returned from the Black Sea. She landed her cargo at Balaklava, and is about to proceed there again with troops. She does not appear to have suffered any damage during the late gales. Captain Charrie, of the Constance, of Bayonne, has arrived here from the Black Sea. Ho took troops from thii to Varna, and was despatched from that port for Cape Chersoaesus on the Bth of November, with a detachment of troops, some stores, and 20 mules. He arrived at his des tination on the 12th, and anchored near the French squadron. He was driven from his anchorage dur ing the awful hurricane of the 14th, and carried under the forts of Sebastopol, and, although he passed close to the Napole o n, the crew of that ship could render him no assistance. The Russians com menced firing at the unfortunate Constance, and the captain at first feared that there was no resource for him but to run his ship ashore, and submit to be captured. Having, however, consulted the t r oops and his crew, he determined to make a des perate effort, and, notwithstanding the Russian balls, which fell around his ship without causing her may damage, he succeeded in beating off the coast, and at 11 o'clock that night ran his ship aground five miles north of Eupatoria. The following morning he perceived some Cossacks ap prc aching, when he hoisted a signal of distress, which was perceived by the British Commander of the Bellerophon, who ordered a steamer to send a boat to his assistance. The heavy sea rendered this operation impossible. In the meantime the nits :, sians had nearly reached the ship. Captain Charm hastily launched his boats, and with great difficulty reached the Bellerophon. In ten minutes after wards the Cossacks set fire to the Constance. The Trieste Gazette says the Russians were re arming the ships with the cannon which had been landed to servo in the fortifications on shore. It is stated in letters from Warsaw that the arrival of the Guards has raised the effective of the Russian army in the Kingdom of Poland to 200,000 men, with 400 guns, A letter from Brunswick, 18th, in a Frankfort journal, says : " The insolent note of Count de Nesselrode of the 6th ult. is the last link in the disgraceful chain which bound 111-armany to Russia ; it demanded once more, in insult ing terms, what Count Orloff and Count de Nesselrode had twice before demanded from Germany, and always in an insulting form. The cup is length filled, and has run ever, and it is precisely the contrary of what Russia had demanded in all her previous notes that has been done by the treaty •F the 2d." It is stated in Paris that the loan which is about to be proposed, is to be raised by public subscrip tion, according to the method which succeeded so admirably upon the last occasion. The amount will, it is said, be fixed at between 250,000,000 f. and 500,000,000 f. ; the positive sum is not yet fixed. • By a decree in the Moniteur, the following com mission has been appointed to examine the ac counts of the different French Ministers for the year 1854 :—The Marquis d'Audiffret, president ; MM. A. Leroux, de Richmont, Godelle, Crignon de Monsigny, Ribouet, Dupin, Arnaud, and Dausse. The Kreutz Zeitung has another article this even ing (20th), the object of which is to persuade its readers that Prussia may safely commit what va garies she pleases, as she can have nothing to fear from England, and not more from France, who is reduced to such narrow straits that she cannot bring more than 100,000 men into the field. It is absurd, says the journal, to suppose that any one would " dare attempt to compulse the monarchy of the great Frederick." The monarchy, truly; but where are the men of the great Frederick's time V Slimly the most vainglorious of the domi nant party do not go so far as to compare themselves with those men ! THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON AND FREE TRADE In our news from Franceesterday we mentioned the publication of an Imperia l decree in the moaiteur making some important alterations in the duties on sugar, molasses, oil, and other matters imported into France. The changes made by this measure are as follows :—lt reduces the import duties on foreign sugars by about 4f. per 100 kilogrammes. It takes the duty entirely off molasses which are the produce of the French colonies, and admits foreign molasses, which have heretofore been pro hibited, at a duty of 13f. It reduces the duty on dried raisins from 17f. to 2f. The duties on oil, grease, and oleaginous seeds, are reduced one-half ; those on candles are reduced from 27f. to 10f, The duties on the articles used in the manufacture of composition candles, according to their quality, are reduced from 65f. to 25f., and from 91f. to 35f. The object of the first of these decrees is to reduce the price of the raw material used in the distilla tion of alcohol, the price of which has for some time past been exorbitant. For this purpose, large quantities of sugar as well as of dried grapes aro used in France. The object of the second decree is to relieve the soap manufacturers, who have suffered much from the high prices of the articles used in their trade. The measure is another step towards the intro duction of free trade. It is to the honour of Louis Napo leon that he has done more to place the commerce of the empire upon sound principles during tke last four years than was done by Louis Philippe during the whole course of his reign. ANOTHER PRUSSIAN NOTE. The Augsburg Ga.-xtle publishes the following note from Baron do Mauteuffel, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Prussia, dated the 7th inst., to the Prussian Ministers at Paris and London : "Tour excellency had communicated to you some time ago the despatch which on the 21st of October I addressed to the envoy of the King at St. Petersburg, to recommend once more the Imperial Cabinet of Russia t i accept without reserve, as a basis of negotiation, the four points proposed to it for that purpose by ourselves and by Austria, and to declare itself ready to do so not only to us, but directly at Vienna. You know also that the result of this proceeding was that Count de Nesselrode addressed to Baron de Budherg a despatch authorising him to declare to us that the Emperor Nicholas was disposed to take part in negotiations of which the four points should serve as a starting point. In this declaration the four points were not set forth in their primitive form. The Russian despatch contained, besides, such erroneous appreciations on the situation of Germany and its relations with Russia, that we did not think it right to act on it. We, on the contrary, expressed to the Cabinet of St. Petersburg our regret that it ha d not followed our counsels, by de claring to that of Vienna its adhesion to the four points, and we renewed our re commendations that it should do so and should modify in that respect the overtures it and made to us. Our efforts on this subject were not unsuccessful, snd the envoy of the King at St. Peters burg informed us by te le g ra p h that Prince Gortschakoff had been authorised b y telegra p h to declare to Count Buol the adhesie* of Russia to the four p oints re• acqu itted himself of this order c se o n in ta m t e iv n e de a d t to Viennaher by Austria. The Russian repre by the note of the 28th of November, of which a copy is annexed ; and Count Buol replied on the 30th, as your excellency will see by the despatch also an nexed hereto. By the King's orders I hasten to invite you to make known these pacific overtures of Russia to the Cabinet of Paris (London). Your colleague of Austria will be charged with a similar communication. You will therefore employ the same language as he does, in recommending earnestly the Russian declara tion to a favourable reception on the part of the French (British) Government. Let that Government reflect well on the ensemble of -the general situation, and convince itself that there is no reason to give way to distrust, nor to suppose underhand designs, where the desire of arriving at a good understandingi s general and s incere. We perfectly understand the exigencies which the state of war in which the West ern Powers are with Russia imposes on them ; but we have difficulty in believing that since Russia admits, without reserve or evasion, a basis for nego tiations which the Cabinets of Paris and London (Lon don and Paris) drew up themselves not long ago, they i can now ref use to enter into a path which, without pre judging th e c h ances of military success, is of a nature to offer th e poss ibility of abridging a murderous war, by opposing the b a rrier of a moderate but serious and united will. I price which eniotanuc,tryionopgueaomnnaptyloi dwell rs oon o t instructions heexp ofhrigesh then ('e L sto M. prourr the present co. mun K . -g,h the a t our au(Lguosrtdmcas.aterer,nadtetna)ehtehse lively interest toremaining in withaccordw which we await your reports on the reception given to your language by the Cabinet of Paris (London.) Re ceive, &sc." RETURN OF THE MALACCA.--PLYMOUTH, Saturday, 10 a.m.—The steam-sloop Malacca, 17, Captain Hill yan' which sailed on Wednesday with a heavy mail for the Black Sea, put back under canvass to Plymouth Sound this morning, at f, her machinery damaged. THE NBW BEER ACT ON CHRISTMAS-DAY.—The New Beer Act will take effect on Christmas for the first time. Falling as Christmas-day does on a Monday, publid houses will be closed for two days at ten o'clock at night —they will not be open on either day between half-past two and six o'clock. FOREIGN ENLISTMENT BILL. On the motion of Earl GRA.NVILLE, the Commons' Amendments to this bill were agreed to. The house then adjourned during pleasure. AFTERNOON SITTING. Their lordships re-assembled at a quarter past two o'clock, to hear the Royal Assent, given by commission, to the Foreigners Enlistment Bill, the Militia Bill, &c. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Argyll, and Vii , count CAnning. The Commission was read by the Clerk at the table ! giving the Royal assent to the bill for the Eulistment of Foreigners, and the Militia Bill. Their lordships then adjourned to the 23d of January next. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(THIS DAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair shortly after 2 o'clock. Mr. PELLATT presented a petition from two metro• politan omnibus proprietors, complaining of the stage carriage duty, and praying for its reduction. NEW WRIT. On the motion of Mr. GRANVILLE BERKLEY a new writ was ordered for the borough of Sunderland in the room of William Digby Seymour, E q., ivho since his election had accepted the office of Recorder of Newcastle-upon Tyne. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. On tliei;oiion of Lord J. RUSSELL, it was agreed that the house, at its rising, should adjourn until Tuesday, the 231 of January next. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. KEA.TING gave notice that after the recess he should ask leave t• bring in a bill to facilitate the re covery of Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes. Sir J. PAKINGTON gave notice that after the recess he should move for leave to bring in a bill for the better encouragement and promotion of education in England and \Vales. Mr. HEYWOOD gave notice that after the recess he should ask for leave to bring in bill ,to amend the Marriage Act. Sir B. HALL gave notice that on Monday, the 23rd of January next, he should move for leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the Public Health Aot ; also on the same day he should move for leave to bring in a bill to alter and amend the Nuisances Removal Act ; and on Friday the 2d of February, he should move for leave to bring in a bill for the better local management of the metropolis. ROYAL COMMISSION. _ _ Mr. Pitlinan,the Yeoman - Usher of the Black Rod, appeared at the table, and summoned the house to at tend at the bar of the House of Peers, to hear the Royal Assent, given by commission, to several public acts agreed to by both houses, for which see Lords' report. The Speaker on his return announced the names of the bills. The house then adjourned at half-past two o'clock. NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, The St. Jean d'Acre was taken out of dock at Keyham yesterday, and was completed to-day. The Princess Royal comes out of Plymouth dock to day, when she will be complete. The Monarch, 84, Captain Erskine, will be complete on the 28th instant. The Cressy was taken into No. 3 dry-dock at Sheer ness on Thursday, and as she was leaving the dock-gates the gate-chain on the starboard side broke ; she was in consequence hove out again and berthed alongside the victualling stores. The crew are stripping her for a thorough overhaul of her running and standing rigging, and ail her stores of every description are being deposited in the respective store departments. No. 1 dry-dock has been prepared for her, and she was taken into dock yesterday. The statement as to 48 hours' leave being granted to the officers was an error, her gallant com mander being only authorised to grant 24 hours, which was done as far as the convenience of the service would permit. It is ordered that the crews of this ship, the Majestic, and Royal George are to be paid wages due to them today, if possible. The Wildfire and Lizard steam vessels are ordered to hold themselves in readiness to-day to convey 300 liberty men from these ships to the North Kent Railway station at Strood, for conveyance to Lon don. It is reported that long leave will be granted the men. The Blenheim, 60, in temporary command of Captain Cochrane, steamed into Portsmouth harbour yesterday afternoon to refit. Euryalus, 51, screw, Captain Ramsay, Portsmouth, _ _ _ left last night for Devonport. The Amphion is now moored on the west shore, at Sheerness, at the moorings formerly occupied by the Horatio. The Gorgon, 6, paddle, Commander Crawford, sailed this morning from Portsmouth for the Crimea, touching at Plymouth. The Scout revenue cutter, at Sheerness, Isaac Saxby commander, arrived on Thursday from Harwich, and lest again yesterday for the same port. The Scant on her upward passage passed the Horatio, in the East Swill, under steam power. ARRIVAL OF THE EDINBURGH. We learn by electric telegraph from Edinburgh that hea Majesty's steam•ship Edinburgh, flag-ship of Ad miral Chads, arrived in Leith Roads, from the Baltic, yesterday afternoon. ARRIVAL OF THE OTHER PRUSSIAN GUN-BOAT. On Thursday the Prussian gun-boat Salamander was handed over to the Admiralty authorities, so that the Prussian crew may go on board the frigate Thetis to work her to Prussia. CUTTING DOWN OF THE ROYAL GEORGE The Royal George is ordered to be cut down to a two-decker, in consequence of her rolling propensities at sea. During the time she has been out she has had to send her lower deck guns into the hold to stiffen her, and even when the crew have all been at general quar ters, on their shifting over from side to side, she has taken from six to seven degrees' careen over. For greater convenience, it is expected that all her guns will be put on board some of the ships now lying at Sheer ness in ordinary, to facilitate their being taken on board again, when she has been made ready to receive them. She will hereafter carry all her guns of the heaviest calibre, with the large swivel traversing pivot-guns of 95 cwt., on her upper deck. THE BALABLAYA RAILWAY. The Alexandervon Humboldt and the Earl of Durham are now taking on board railway sleepers and rails, in the Tyne, for the railway to be made at Balaklava, by Messrs. Brassey and Peto. The Hesperus, another iron screw vessel, has taken in a cargo of sleepers and rails at Sunderland, and is ready for sea. Messrs. Bras,:ey and Peto are also in treaty with Messrs. T. Marshall, of South Shields, for .the Propeller, a handsome iron screw steamer, of 750 tons burden, launched on Thurs day, and for another new vessel, built on the same model, which is on the stocks and nearly ready for launching. The labourers engaged by Messrs. Brassey and Peto will not be taken from the north by the Alex ander von Humboldt and the Earl of Durham, but will embark in the Thames, whence the steamers will pro ceed, after taking in their cargoes on the Tyne and Wear. MAIL FOR THE BRAZILS. Yesterday notice was issued that there would be no despatch of mails for Madeira, Brazil, and Buenos Ayres on the 24th inst., the vessel being required to carry troops to the Crimea. The next mail for those places will be forwarded by the Great Western steamer, on the 9th of January. From a like cause there will be no mails this evening for the south coast of Africa ; the next will be made .up, via Liverpool, on the Ist of January. Yesterday the Admiralty issued contracts for the sup ply of 920,000 yards of cloth, flannel, serge, &c., to the stores at Gosport, and 990,000 yards to• the stores at Deptford; also 60,000 blankets, 95,000 Flushing jackets, 134,000 pairs of woollen hose, 50,000 shirts, and 20,000 pairs of shoes, for her Majesty's forces. MILITARY. During the last two or three weeks considerable num bers of recruits for the army have been conveyed via the Great Northern Railway to the metropolis. A large proportion of these - were volunteers from militia regi ments in the north, and the rest almost entirely opera tives from the manufacturing towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire. The men are all strong, healthy-looking young fellows, well adapted for war. They appeared in high spirits at the prospects before them, and on stop ping at the various stations on the line cheered vocife rously, mingling with their shouts hearty denunciations of the Emperor of Ruisia. Mr. William Leslie, of Warthill, has, in a patriotic spirit, with a view to encourage enlistment, offered a gratuity of 3/. each to'such young men resident upon the estates of Warthill, Drurnrossie, and as may within 'the next four months volunteer and be accepted as recruits for the Scots Fusilier ,Guards or the Highland Brigade. This gratuity, added to the bounty, will amount to 10/. for each recruit. The statement that Captain Hutton, of the 4th Light Dragoons, died from the effects of his wound; is incor rect. L e tters have been received from hi m , d a t e d Scu tari,from which it appea rs th at he is progres- Dec. 5, h c n o. f a vourably, though severely wou n d e d i n b oth thighs L i r the gallant cavalry chary at Balaklava. The Corriere Italiano of the 18th states from the Crimea that the English army occupied the heights between Sebastopol and Simpheropol., and that they had established a battery with Lancaster guns by which the ships in the harbour of Sebas topol may be destoyed. NEW STANDARD OF GOLD PLATE.—The Gazette con tains an Order in Council declaring that from this date any gold vessel, plate, or manufacture of gold may be wrought of any of the several standards hereinafter men tioned, that is to say-1. The standard of fifteen carats of fine gold in every pound weight troy. 2. The stan dard of twelve carats of fine gold in every pound weight troy. 3. The standard of nine carats of fine gold in orrery pound weight troy. REPRESENTATION OF NORWICH. (Front the Norwich, Mercury.) The inhabitants of this city were probably never more sur pris3d, and certainly never less anticipated, the information which reached them on Wednesday morning, that Mr. Peto was no longer their representative —not through his own choice but because he had undertaken, in conjunction with his partners, Messrs. Brassey and Betts, to be the Govern ment agent in carrying out certain operations, on a very large scale, iu the Crimea. That he had undertaken to fulfil these very arduous and important works for the country, gratui tously, did not at all alter his position, and he was therefore compelled, after consulting the highest legal authorities, to resign his seat for Norwich, rather than forfeit his pledge to the Govrument and the country. That the necessity imposed by the law demanded a most painful sacrifice, we can Well imagine. But great as is the sacrifice Mr. Peto has been re quired to make, the honourable member will have the far greater recompense in the recollection that he has made it for the good of his country—for the maintenance of its fame and honour—for the greater safety, security, comfort, and case of her brave heroes—for the preservation of Constitutional free dom, and to curb the encroachment of a monarch whose am bitious desires admit no limit but that which his own will or superior power imposes, and above all to procure for European nations the blessings of a Permanent Peace, unalloyed by barbarian violences, a peace leading to a more wide-spread civilisation. Whatever the pain this suddcli s.Taration of a close connection may create, Mr. Peto, both now and hereafter, will bo the more honoured for his patriotic act by the Sovereign and the nation, neither of whom will forget a sacrifice, the more noble because it is unspotted and untarnished by an impure motive. We were among the first to uphold the fitness of Mr. Peto when he became a caudidato for the representation. We maintained that, if elected, his course would be an honour to the city. That course, as far as Norwicb is concerned, is run, and the close of Mr. Peto's Parliamentary career, as representative for Norwich, while shedding a halo of patriotism around tl:e representative, in cludes iu its bright circle, by its connection, the city and the electors who had made him the object of their choice. But although that tic is loosened, we aro assured by Mr. Peto, in his address, it is not broken . ; and that although no longer member for Norwich, its interests, and the interests of the citizens, will still find a friend iu Samuel Morton Peto. We wish that gentleman the most perfect success in his bold un dertaking, and that he may live to see that success accom plished, and to feel that his patriotism is acknowledged by his Sovereign and the nation. Since writing the above, we learn that when the necessity for Mr. Peto's retirement became known to the leader of the Conservative party, Mr. Disraeli addressed a letter couched in the handsomest possible terms to Mr. Peto, regretting the cause, and paying him the highest compliments. The mem berg on both sides of the house have als.), we hear, expressed their regret in the strongest terms, as well as their sense of ,he high and honourable course Mr. Peto has adopted. Almost as soon, if not before, Mr. Peto's ineligibility wag known in Norwich, Sir E. N. Buxton. accompanied by Mr. Samuel Gurney, had arrived in the city, and immediately called on Sir Samuel Bignold, by whom they were politely received, and whom, we believe, undertook, without pledging his support, to acquaint the Conservative party with the gentlemen's objects. The two gentlemen also paid visits to the Mayor, Sir W. Foster, and Mr. Springfield. A meeting was called of about 20 of Mr. Peto's priuoipal friends, by Mr. I. 0. Taylor, at which a letter was read from that gentleman, announcing his resignation, and the cause; upon which the following resolutions were passed : " That this meeting has learned with the most profound regret that the noble and. disinterested conduct of their hon. member, Mr. Peto, in volunteering to make, without profit to himself, a railway iu the Crimea in aid of her Majesty's forces, has involved him in the loss of his seat as member for this city. " That this meoLing cannot relinquish the hope that it may be possible for Mr. Peto to resume the representation consis tently with his duty to his queen and country, and they there fore request the Mayor and Mr. Willett to proceed imme diately to Town to have a conference with him on the sub ject." The Mayor (R. Chamberlin, Esq.) with Mr. Willett, woo appointed to go to town and wait upon Mr. Peto, to confer with him upon the latter part of the resolution. The Mayor, on being detained by urgent business, Mr. Sultzer pulled Mr. Willett. On their return, nearly the same gentle=. men met, and after an explanation, which showed that it WO impossible Mr. Peto could preserve his seat, from various dif - , ticultics connected with the affair, it was determined to call a - meeting of electors, by circular, for this (Friday) evening, al eight o'clock, at the Royal Hotel, in order to hear the viewatic•i: of Sir E. N. Buxton, or any other candidate whom any elect* 1: : might desire should he heard, and then for the electors to termine which gentleman they considered most entitled their support. On Wednesday evening a very large meeting of the Censer .' • - vative party was held at the Large Room, Norfolk Hotel, which was crammed. Sir Samuel Bignold in the chair, who an nounced that he had been called upon by Sir E. N. Buxton and Mr. S. Gurney, who informed him of the intention of the for mer gentleman, and soliciting his support. Tint he had ex pressed his opinion of the character of the Hon. Baronet, but that all he could say was, ho would lay the name of Sir E. N. Buxton before his party for their opinion. Sir Samuel also pointed out to his friends that they had near their walls a gentleman of ancient family and high character , whose opinions were known, who was well fitted for their re. presentative, and who might probably be willing to accept their invitation. He meant Captain Stracey. There might be other gentlemen equally eligible, whom his friends might wish to support. Mr. Henry Straccy's name was received with great cheering. . It was then, we understand, suggested by Mr. J. B. Morgan that Sir Samuel Bignold himself was the most eligible candidate, and deserved the warmest • support from his fellow citizens. Sir Samuel's name was received with the most deafening cheers. Sir Samuel, however, declined the honour, but expressed bow highly he felt flattered by their proposal. If he had been some years younger it would have been a just object of ambition; but, looking to his years, to his strong family tics, and to the great transactions in which he was so engaged, he felt that it was impossible for him to accede to their very flattering wishes. After some discussio.', it was determined to send a deputation to Captain Stracey, requesting him to become a candidate. The deputation ' started immediately to Racklicath, and we understand that Mr. Stracey requested that he might have tim • for considera . This morning has, however, put a new phase upon the pro- bable contest. Sir Samuel Bignold has issued an address, stating that he will serve as Mr. Peto's locunitenerts, if his proposal should be responded to on any sufficient scale. We have no time to do more than to refer the electors to the ad dress itself, and to remark, politically speaking, it will bear as wide and as narrow a guage as any elector may choose to run ever, while reading it. The writ is arrived. We apprehend the Nomination will be on Wednesday—the election ou Thursday next. (Front the Morning Post.) • • The retirement of Mr. Poto from Parliament is an event to whieb wo should scarcely think it necessary to refer had it occurred under any of those circumstances which are usually considered to justify or require the relinquishment of a seat in the House of Commons. With the political 'opinions, or any : peculiar views, which the honourable gentleman may entertain, we base nothing to do on the present occasion. It is sufficient for us to know that he has been the first to step forward to apply the marvellous appliances of mechanical skill to the purposes of war—that ho has undertaken to or ganise that brigade of stout hands and stout hearts which, we doubt not, will be of invaluable assistance to our military engi neers in the Crimea, whether digging trenches, mining under ground, or making railways. The reward which the hon. gentle man receives for his patriotism is—compulsory retirement from honourable position of member for the city of Norwich in the Commons House of Parliament. If Mr. Pete could make one shilling of profit from the contract which be has entered into with the Government —or, perhaps, we should rather t erm it, the arrangement w hich' he has made with the Government to assist them in the operations of the present campaign— ' then the general rule as to the inability of public contractors to sit in Parliament would very legitimately and propel lY kpply. But , this is not the case, and as the honourable gentleman has very clearly laid down the reasons which have induced him to retire from Parliament, it is only fair that they should be stated in his own words :--" The Government recently desired my advice and a ssistance in promoting the facility of tr an sit i n th e C r imea, and had no hesitation, with my partners, . Mr. Brassey and Ur. Betts, in devoting to it our best energies, acting simply as agents on behalf of the Government; and without the slightest pecuniary profit or ben - efit to ourselves. In 4 carrying out this arrangement, and during its continuance , find that, by a strictinterpretation of the act, which inca pacitates Members of Parliament from being concerned in airy contract or commission on behalf of the Government, I may have brought myself within these clauses, aLhough I have not in any way infringed upon the true spirit or meaning of that law." Here, then, a gentleman, who undertakes a contract as a meresugent of the Government, and without the slightest claim for pecuniary profit, is compelled by a statute whi ch was never intended to apply to such a transaction, to retire temporarily from public life. The Athenians, with rare in gratitude, sometimes banished the most worthy of their citi zens ; but we permit the clauses of an Act of Parliament tolaPP l y a species of practical ostracism to one whose i nffer of assistanc e should entitle him to the public thanks. That contractors who derive 'a profit from their dealings with the Governmen t should be excluded from serving in Parliament, is only * wise and necessary p recau ti on t o preserve th e p u rity and independence of the Legislature. The act in question (the 22d Geo. 3, c. 45), declares, . 4 That any person who shall, di rectly or indirectly, himself, or by any one in trust for him, undertake any contract with a Government department shall be incapable of being elected or of sitting or voting dur ing the time ho shall hold such contract." The penalties im posed by the act are of a nature fully to justify the step which the honourable gentleman has taken. A contractor sitting or voting "is liable to forfeit 500/. for every day on which he shall sit or vote to any person who may sue for the same, and any person against whom this penalty shall be recovered is incapable of holding any contract." IS penalty of 501}t. is also imposed upon any person who admit a member of the House of Commons to a share of a contract. The letter of this absolutely excludes the hon. gentleman' , and ho would o b v i ously have encountered too great a peril • he had for a d ay postponed the resignation of his seat in par' l lament. In modern acts imposing a provision is usually inserted that the penalties shall only be sued for by the At' torney-General ; but under this act any person might have harassed the honourable gentleman with actions to which he could have had no legal defence. It is the first time in the his toy of any country that a contract so disinterested, and for an object so patriotic, has ever been made between a Go vernment and a private individual. Hard, indeed, wool* it be, if the banishment of that individual from Far' = liament should be longer than the time necessary to prepare , and pass a short measure to exempt from the operation of an otherwise salutary rule, an engagement which, though 10 gaily a contract, is for the eminent advantage of the public service. haie: • A word, too, rust be said of those gallant men who so cheerfully enlisted in the brigade of the houourablo gentl.e, man. They are the brothers of the soldiers who fought and won at Alma and Inkerman. They are the sons of that gallant English peasantry whom Lord John Russell the other_ night so justly and, so eloquently eulogised ; and can it . le s, e said that England requires the aid of . foreign mercenaries, their country the call of when these men, emphatically the very strength and mew of the working classes, are ready at to face the dangers and participate in the paign in the Crimea ? • glories of a cam- LARGE MERCANTILE FAILURE IN YORKSHIRE.-Our Leedp correspondent reports with regret the difficultieg of an extensive Huddersfield mercantile house, wbioh- , has done a great business with Australia. The liabili ties are stated to be 135,0001., and the apparent assets about 155,0001.; but it is difficult to say to what extent the latter can be realised. The cause of the crisis in their affairs is the non•arrival of some large remittances which were expected at the beginning of the month. The house has done a large business in Leeds, and several Leeds houses are consequently involved in its difficulties, but not to the extent that might have been expected, consid` ering th 4 business done. _